text: Where to Find Skunks Skunks become active in the spring in the area as they search for a mate and in the summer while they try to locate food. You may notice the black and white creatures under decks, sheds, storage buildings, houses and cabins. Skunk removal through skunk trapping in the area can prevent skunks from causing damage and spraying pets or family members. It's important to contact a skunk expert that understands methods used in skunk trapping to remove the animal from your home. How to Identify a Skunk Problem It's easy to identify a skunk in the area when you notice a small animal with black and white stripes and a bushy tail. Skunks like to move during the night and start moving more in the springtime as temperatures warm up and they search for food and focus on breeding. If you come in contact with a skunk, be sure to move as far away as possible from the scampering creature and watch for pre-spray warning signs as it stomps its feet. Skunks can spray between 10 to 15 feet and are fairly accurate. Skunk trapping specialists at Critter Control will provide expert advice for safely and successfully removing skunks through skunk trapping. Why Skunks are Important Although they can be pesky creatures, skunks help control pests, insects and rodents. They will eat wasps, bees, grubs, beetles, crickets, mice and other creatures that are often unwanted inside and around a home. It's important to keep skunks around, but they do not need to live in or around your house since they can burrow for food and shelter. A skunk trapping expert will understand the skunk population in the area and know the best method for skunk trapping. Why You Find Skunks in the Yard and Skunks Around the House A skunk will try to locate food and shelter in the area, and will often change its diet. Their diet normally includes rodents, insects and wild fruit, but they will eat garden crops, garbage and lawn insects if present. Skunks are adaptable creatures to an extent, so it's important to contact a skunk removal expert that is trained in skunk trapping to safely remove the creature. The skunk trapping specialists at Critter Control can help identify where the skunks are living and the best way to go about skunk trapping and preventing further skunk problems. What Damage and Hazards are Caused from Skunks Most people can recognize the unmistakable skunk smell, but may not realize these small creatures can carry rabies and can damage your property and house when attempting to crawl into your basement, shed, crawl space and other enclosures. Skunks also raid garbage cans and dig holes in yards when looking for food. If you see a skunk in the daytime that is acting strange you need to call Critter Control quickly since it may be a sign of a diseased skunk. Skunk trapping experts will be able to recognize the behavior of a diseased skunk and how to remove the skunk. Skunk Removal Some people in the area attempt to get rid of skunks on their own, but this can cause a bigger skunk headache that often results in family members or pets getting sprayed. Trying to get rid of the notorious skunk smell can be challenging and then you still need to determine how to get rid of the skunk. Critter Control skunk trapping specialists understand the habits of skunks and how to deal with skunks when trying to remove skunks. How to Prevent a Skunk Problem Preventing a small skunk problem from becoming a large skunk problem can be tricky, especially if you are trying skunk trapping techniques on your own. Contact your local Critter Control skunk trapping expert to learn how to prevent skunks from returning. A skunk trapping specialist may recommend sealing all holes and entrances and setting up a fencing system in key areas around the house. We can help you get rid of skunk problems. Call today: 1.800.274.8837. Critter Control of South Bend/Elkhart Service Area Bristol Elkhart, Goshen, Granger, Lakeville, Middlebury, Millersburg, Mishawaka, Nappanee, New Carlisle, New Paris, North Liberty, Notre Dame, Osceola, South Bend, Wakarusa, Walkerton and Wyatt. Niles, Edwardsburg, Union, White Pigeon in Michigan. This franchise is independently licensed and operated by Sam Helton Enterprises, LLC, dba Critter Control of North Central Indiana


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Gift guide: Father's Day tech gadgets any dad would love
Is your dad a travel dad? A time-strapped dad? A sporty dad? An armchair sports dad?
Whatever description fits we're pretty sure the dad in your life isn't hoping for socks or a tie this Father's Day. Here's our Father's Day tech gift guide that has something for every dad — from the conventional to the offbeat.
Here is a video with our shopping tour for dad and some gift ideas for tech toys for Father's Day gifts.
And here's our Father's Day tech gift guide that has something for every dad — from the conventional to the offbeat:
Time-strapped Dad
OK, so you may not want to shell out $1,500 to get dad the latest in wearable computers, Google Glass. But there is a very useful — and suitably geekish — alternative at a tenth of the price: The $150 Pebble e-paper watch for iPhone and Android. Along with linking to your smartphone via Bluetooth and alerting you to calls, emails, calendar reminders and messages by silently vibrating, it's also an app device that can be customized to tracking your cycling, your running and, soon, your golfing. It will not only remind Dad to leave the office on time but it might also encourage him to take time out for a run or monitor his pedalling home.
Tab Dad
Apparently not all Dads bought an iPad, a Samsung Galaxy Tab or another tablet computer, even though they really wanted one."iPad. Any size," was the response from techie Steve Huether when I asked dads on Twitter what's on their Father's Day wish lists. (The dad in our house is getting a hand-me-down iPad gen one so I hope he's not reading this.)
That got me thinking one of those excellent keyboard cases that make it possible to leave the laptop computer at home would be a good Father's Day gift, either in combo with an iPad mini, a Google Nexus, Galaxy Tab or some other tablet computer.And dad Christian Newman is asking for a gift card to load up on apps, music, iBooks and the new SimCity. Newman is also asking for one more thing — time to play with the new game. Telus' Shawn Hall had the same idea, he said time to watch movies would be a great gift.
Sports Dad
I'm going with an electronic golf glove sensor for Dad and, just to make sure he stays fit, the Nike+ FuelBand.
Zepp Labs' GolfSense attaches to any golf glove and analyses Dad's golf swing and sends the data to his smartphone or tablet. And I like the FuelBand, which tracks all your daily activity from walking to running, dancing or whatever else you do to keep active, tells you how many calories you've burned and shares all the info on your iPhone, iPod touch or iPad.
Armchair sports Dad
Since the Canucks got knocked out so early this season, catching up with home may not have reached crisis proportions for Dads who have to travel a lot. But just in case the Canucks should fare better next year, consider getting Dad a Slingbox, a very useful set-top box that lets you control and watch everything that's on your home television, wherever you happen to be. You can watch on your computer, tablet or even your smartphone and it's just like you're sitting in your own living room, no matter where you are in the world. It gives you remote control over the TV, you can schedule recordings, fast-forward, rewind, pause and play — everything you can do with your remote at home.
And if you're just dragging Dad into this millennium, consider convincing him to try a set-top box like the Apple TV, the Roku 2 or the Boxee to access apps like Netflix for watching movies and TV shows, stream TV and movies to mobile devices and turn that old TV into an Internet-connected machine.
Outdoors Dad
Do you ever wonder that we've become just a tad tech dependent when we can't contemplate going off the grid and risking having our smartphones go dead? Fortunately the BioLite Camp Stove is geared to alleviate that very fear — converting heat from the fire that you create by burning sticks and twigs into a charge for your phone. And it'll also cook your food. I learned about the BioLite from my friend Vancouver photographer and techie John Biehler, who tried it out on a camping trip and found it charged his iPhone 25 per cent in the one hour it took him to cook dinner.
Retro Dad
If your Dad likes to talk about the good old days, here are a few gifts that will take him back. Lomography has a lineup of film cameras, including the Spinner 360° that shoots 360 degree panoramas with the pull of a cord. Who needs iPhone's panorama when you can spin and shoot? And of course if someone hasn't already given him one of these as a gag gift, the Native Union Pop Phone is always fun for answering calls in the middle of a board meeting. And this retro corded handset comes in a wide range of colours including bright yellow, orange and others.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
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text:
Does anyone here actually do this? I have only ever played out at clubs/raves/parties but my boss recently discovered I DJ and has asked me to DJ her daughter's wedding.
I should probably get with the bride and groom if they have specific songs they want to hear. Also thinking I would probably want to have a request book available in case any guests want to hear something. If I don't have it, then I hope this place has fast internet! ha
The couple is pretty young too, like early 20's..
Anyone have experience or tips for DJing a wedding?


text:
Havaianas Top Thongs - White
Available to ship right away!
Available in adult sizes - see size chart for correct fit!
Since their launch in Australia, Havaianas have been an essential summer accessory for many - year in, year out. They have single-handedly brought beach-style footwear to the street and made it cool. Get a pair or two today for an amazing price!
- Havaianas footwear
- For men and women
- Style: Top Thongs
- Colour: White
- Made with Brazilian rubber
- Solid colour all over
- Soft and bouncy
- Flexible and durable
- Footwear for the beach or the street


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In The Dark
Starring: Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Michael Fassbender
Directed by: Ridley Scott
Rated: R
For its time, "Alien" was a game changer for the science-fiction genre. The chest-bursting alien birth scene in the 1979 movie will go down as one of the most memorable in cinema history. And with director Ridley Scott's cryptic clue that "Prometheus" has "strands of 'Alien' DNA," this has the potential to re-invent the genre again.
I can tell you the quasi-prequel does evoke the first film in many ways, hinting at the past while inventing new ways to terrify audiences.
Originally written by Jon Spaiht, with Scott and Damon Lindelof ("Lost") tinkering with the story even more, this takes place around 40 years before the Nostromo blasted off into deep space. Lindelof's influence can be traced to the heavy emphasis given to the mythology of the super alien race that archeologist Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) calls the "engineers" and that she believes created human life. Her definitive proof is the catalyst for the mission, sponsored by the Weyland Corporation (morphed later into Weyland Yutani in the previous films), to the remote galaxy where a large planet's moon might hold the key to our existence. More than anything, Elizabeth wants to meet her maker. But be careful what you ask for.
Special effects have improved exponentially since the first film, and with a much larger budget than what Fox offered in 1979, Scott has used it to full advantage. The sets are grander, richer, and more detailed, emphasizing Scott's distinctive eye for visuals, tracing back to his first career as a graphic artist. The spaceship Prometheus mimics its successor, Nostromo, with its sleek, functional austerity, and the surface of the planet LV 223 is appropriately rocky and barren, owing to its filming location in Iceland.
In the interiors of one of the mammoth domed structures, Shaw and her team discovers Scott's imagination really comes to life with some of R.L. Giger's unused original renderings created for "Alien" finally fully realized in his inimitable style. Much of it will seem familiar, and yet … not. Surprisingly, the towering "engineers" are human-like with the classic features of Roman statues, only more fleshy and exaggerated. Giger's influence is seen in skeletal-like features repeated in the architectural aspects and his now familiar alien — an indestructible weapon whose creation and purpose we learn more about.
What Shaw and the others encounter in the dome is best saved for the movie, but it all goes horribly wrong with some jaw-dropping scenes that up the ante for future sci-fi films. One involving a medi-pod emergency surgery is particularly graphic and as Rapace has cryptically described in interviews, involves "every woman's worst nightmare." If this scene doesn't make you squirm out of your seat, then nothing will.
Scott seems eager, maybe too eager, to make up for lost time. Over 30 years have passed since his first venture, and he has a lot to say. Having now admitted he was not pleased when Fox offered James Cameron directing honors for the "Alien" sequel "Aliens," he takes full advantage of this opportunity, cramming in theological debate and philosophical musings about God, creation and faith. While you sense where he is going, coupled with the horror-driven action, some of this chatter, mostly between Elizabeth and her partner (Logan Marshall-Green), who favors science over faith, seems superfluous, forcing us to into a debate that's just too deep to merely touch on, as in the hint at the mythology embedded in the title itself.
While some of the characters bear resemblance in demeanor to some of their "Alien" predecessors, such as the mouthy scientist and the cocky captain (Idris Elba), the character of Shaw is noted for her wide-eyed naiveté in believing these "engineers" really want us to find them. She couldn't be more wrong, and her transformation from innocent into a warrior with instinctive survival skills will remind you of another Scott heroine named Ripley.
The show stealer is Michael Fassbender as the android, David. So complete is he in the role, you'll have to remind yourself he is, in fact, a human actor. His droll humor coupled with his studied movements are as fascinating as his veiled intentions. Pay close attention to his remark, "What child doesn't wish for the death of his parents?" Another crewmember hiding something is the icy corporate rep Meredith Vickers, with Charlize Theron playing a futuristic version of her evil queen from "Snow White and the Huntsman." She's a scene-chewing shrew, but it turns out with good reason.
"Prometheus," as you may have already deduced, offers more questions than answers. It is exquisitely frustrating to know that this ending is a certain setup for future movies that will bravely go where Scott wants us to go. Let's hope we don't have to wait another 30 years.


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I know how to print using the printf method, but can't for the life of me get it to round to two decimal places using a dialog box.
import javax.swing.JOptionPane; public class Program6 { public static void main(String[] args) { //declare variables double loanAmount, annualInterestRate, monthlyPayment, monthlyInterestRate, monthlyInterest, totalPaid; int month; //promt user to enter amount borrowed String loanAmountString = JOptionPane.showInputDialog (null, "Enter the amount to be borrowed in dollars"); loanAmount = Double.parseDouble(loanAmountString); //prompt user to enter annual interest String annualInterestRateString = JOptionPane.showInputDialog (null, "Enter the annual interest rate, eg 12 percent"); annualInterestRate = Double.parseDouble(annualInterestRateString); annualInterestRate = (annualInterestRate / 100); //calculate monthly interest rate monthlyInterestRate = annualInterestRate / 12; //calculate monthly interest payment monthlyInterest = loanAmount * monthlyInterestRate; //display monthly interest JOptionPane.showMessageDialog(null, "The Monthly interest is " + monthlyInterest); //promt user to enter amount to be paid each month String monthlyPaymentString = JOptionPane.showInputDialog (null, "Enter the amount to be paid each month. " + "Amount must be greater than monthly interest."); monthlyPayment = Double.parseDouble(monthlyPaymentString); //parse double totalPaid = 0.00f; month = 0; //begin first loop while (monthlyPayment <= monthlyInterest) { String newMonthlyPaymentString = JOptionPane.showInputDialog (null, "Your payment does not cover the interest on your loan. " + "Please enter a larger amount for your monthly payment."); monthlyPayment = Double.parseDouble(newMonthlyPaymentString); } double loanAmountRemaining = loanAmount; //begin second loop while (loanAmount != 0) { totalPaid += monthlyPayment; monthlyInterest = loanAmountRemaining * monthlyInterestRate; loanAmount += monthlyInterest; loanAmountRemaining = (loanAmount - totalPaid); month++; if (monthlyPayment > (loanAmountRemaining)) { totalPaid += loanAmountRemaining; loanAmount = 0; month++; } } //display message that loan has been paid String.format("%.2f", totalPaid); JOptionPane.showMessageDialog (null,"Congradulations! You have paid off your loan. Total amount paid is $" + totalPaid); } }
//display message that loan has been paid
String.format("%.2f", totalPaid);
(null,"Congradulations! You have paid off your loan. Total amount paid is $"
+ totalPaid);
The last part is the part i want limited to 2 decimal places.


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I figured out what the problem is with Devel::REPL and the command line REPLs provided by Python and Ruby – evaluation is not a separate step. When I press enter, I'm forced to evaluate the current line.
Yes, you say, that is what REPL means – Read, Evalute, Print, Loop. Evaluate comes after Read.
In reality, usable REPLs, such as Emacs1, let you control when the read evaluate print sequence happens. I can craft the most beautiful function I can think of. Better still, if I change my mind, I can easily modify the function and redefine it with a keystroke. Well, a key chord at least.
In contrast, with Devel::REPL, once I have pressed enter, changing my mind is painful. Integrating it with Emacs comint will probably alleviate a lot of that pain.
Or better yet, as Anonymous recommends, I should take a look at Sepia or PDE which already have emacs integration. Having said that, basic integration is, what, 20 lines of emacs-lisp?
1. Yes, Emacs is a REPL. Kinda.


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Interior Fabrication - Behind The Scenes At The Roadster Shop: Part 4
Mike Crimaldi's '53 F-100 Part 4: Interior Fabrication
What makes up a truck's interior? A bench seat, a rubber floor mat, roll-up windows, and a makeshift cup holder? For many trucks out there (one of mine included), this setup works great, but what happens when you build a truck that bucks the norm? Well, unless you've been sailing around the world in a canoe, you've probably seen at least one of the last few installments on the '53 F-100 the Roadster Shop is building. They are trying to push the envelope and raise the bar at the same time with every aspect of Mike Crimaldi's F-100.
Its cab rusted away on a dump truck chassis for most of its life until the crew at the Roadster Shop got a hold of it and brought it back to life and then some to the point that it's becoming celestial. This month we're taking a look through the new one-piece side windows to get a glimpse of how things are shaping up on the interior. They've done way more than just ordering an interior kit for the Effie and slapping it in. As you will soon see, there're more hours logged on the interior fabrication work than many people have in their whole truck! Even if this interior style isn't your cup of tea, you can hopefully be inspired to dust off or buy some fabrication tools and create your own--after all, it's only metal! Follow along and see what's possible if you try hard enough, and check back for the next installment.


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Why Do Cats Knead?
Why do cats knead? Cats are interesting creatures, with many traits and behaviors that are easily recognized as being uniquely feline-the way they curl up tightly to take a nap, for example, or their characteristic grooming rituals after enjoying a meal.
Another common feline behavior is kneading, a motion cats make by pushing in and out with their paws, alternating between right and left. Some cats knead with claws completely retracted, while others will extend their claws as they push in and retract as they pull back.
Kneading is sometimes colloquially referred to as "making biscuits," because the motion resembles a baker kneading dough. It is almost always done on a soft, pliable surface like a pillow, a comforter, another cat or kitten, or even your lap. Often it's accompanied by contented purring, and sometimes even by drooling as the cat relaxes its jaw. It's not uncommon for a cat to be in an almost trance-like state as it kneads with a steady, rhythmic motion.
Explanations for the kneading behavior vary, but it is without doubt an instinctive trait. Newborn kittens knead their mother's belly as they snuggle close to nurse, and the motion is thought to stimulate the flow of milk through her nipples. One rather outdated theory proclaims that cats that knead were separated from or weaned from their mother too early, and therefore continue the kittenish behavior into adulthood, yet nearly all adult cats knead, regardless of how or when they weaned. It's more likely that the instinctive behavior is simply comforting to cats. (Although some cats do "suckle" the corner of a pillow or blanket while they are kneading.)
Kneading may also go back to the days when wild cats patted down tall grass or shredded leaves to make a soft, fluffy bed for sleeping or giving birth. Through the ages, the behavior continues to a natural part of cat instinct before settling down for a comfortable catnap.
There's also a more practical aspect to kneading. Cats have scent glands in the soft pads on the bottoms of their paws. When they knead, some of their unique scent is released onto the surface being kneaded, and that scent serves as a kind of territorial marker for any unfamiliar cats that might come along and try to stake a claim. So when your cat is kneading your lap, he's not only telling you he feels comfortable and secure, but he's claiming you as his own. (Scratching is also a natural part of cat instinct that results in the cat leaving his own residual scent behind, as well as a visual marker-claw marks-that other cats can recognize.)
If your cat kneads you frequently, it's a good incentive to keep his claws trimmed, in order to avoid being scratched or having your clothing snagged. (Just use a regular toenail clipper to nip off the sharp, curved tip of each claw, being careful not to cut down into the quick, where tiny blood vessels and nerves are located.) You could also keep a folded towel next to your favorite chair, and use it to protect your lap as your cat kneads you with his paws.
If the kneading motion is uncomfortable enough to really bother you, you can try gently pulling your cat down into a lying position so he settles down and goes to sleep. Other tricks involve gently holding his front paws together, petting him, or distracting your pet with a toy or a treat. Pet behavior experts agree that it's not appropriate to punish a cat for natural and instinctive behaviors like kneading.
Some female cats will knead frequently just before going into heat, as a signal to males of her willingness and ability to mate. As the estrus cycle continues, the cat will make plaintive meows that quickly escalate into loud, persistent yowls that are an effort to get the attention of a male. She may also pace restlessly, mark areas of your house with urine, become extremely affectionate, and assume the mating position (head low, with raised hindquarters) when you pet her. It's impossible to discourage these natural behaviors, and the best way to eliminate the symptoms associated with the female estrus cycle is to have your cat spayed.


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Hello Mr Stier,
I congratulate you on your initiative to rejuvenate the HDZ.
Stierov HDZ za 21. stoljeće: disidente zakonom tititi od izbacivanja, kontrolirati moć lidera ...
Tiha bitka za premoć u najvećoj stranci - Boićni manifest novog HDZ-a
Objavljujemo dijelove eseja Davora Stiera o HDZ-u
Stvaraju novi HDZ, Karamarku uvjet za ostanak: "Rijei se Vase!"
1. If the "New HDZ" is not 'Croatian-centric" then
Understanding an abstract concept requires defining what it is and what it is not. We cant understand the abstract concept of leadership if there is no clarity in definition of leadership or the components that comprise it. Consider how many definitions there are of the concept of leadership and you will understand why we do not have good leadership. Leaders do not know what service they are supposed to provide.
How bad is this problem of lack of clarity
Updated 29th-November-2015 at 12:37 AM by eljko Zidarić
The Croatian government wants Second Generation Diaspora Croats to return to Croatia to set up businesses to help improve the Croatian economy (or so they say). BUT, if the business environment is toxic chances for long term survival are low no matter how good the tax incentives are or how much free EU money you get. An interesting learning opportunity for improving the probability for success might be found in Mexico - in the maquiladora "Shelter Services" industry
Updated 7th-April-2016 at 06:02 PM by eljko Zidarić
Note: My loyalty is to the well-being and common good of the Croatian people and not to any single politician or political party. I support ideals and I support parties that support those ideals. Politicians and parties are prone to working for self-interest rather than the common good. Being critical of a political party is a form of "tough-love" that can hopefully improve the party. Getting tough-love is better than getting yes-man support.
Commitments create hopeHopes
Just a quick and dirty rant.
Developing a national political vision and program seems like a daunting task, but it should not be insurmountable. If we know key areas that need to be addressed and we believe in KISS, then a good plan can be easily developed. If you know where to start, the plan will develop naturally. Start with the goal of improving your ranking in global competitiveness reports.
What got me thinking
On Saturday June 13, 2015,
Updated 20th-June-2015 at 08:29 PM by eljko Zidarić


text:
.NET Security for Architects
From OWASP
.NET Security for Architects
|Section Quick Reference
Security concerns must be addressed at the architectural level. This section is to provide tools and guidance for the .NET architect.
Areas of Concern
- Conceptual Architecture
- Security Requirements & Threat Modeling
- Design Review
- Requirements Testing
- Implementation
- Separating Roles - Build Systems and Software Promotion
International Association of Software Architects
Patterns and Practices Security Wiki


text:
Museum of Fine Arts
Contact details
Paseo Fray Francisco de Vitoria, 8
01007 Vitoria, Araba-Álava (Basque Country)
Tel.:+34 945181918
- Autonomous region: Basque Country
- Province/Island: Araba-Álava
Basque Costumbrism and Spanish art in the 18th and 19th centuries
Set in the Conde de Dávila house-hotel, built in 1912 by architects Luque and Apraiz. Its style is inspired in Renaissance palaces.
It was created in 1941 as a general museum of fine art, arms and archaeology. With time, these last two specialities gained more importance in terms of research and museum content, and ended up becoming independent fields, moving to other venues. The Álava Museum of Fine Art is dedicated to 18th and 19th-century Spanish art, and to Basque Costumbrism 1850-1950, with pieces belonging to the Provincial Government of Álava itself and from different deposits at the Prado Museum and the Fernando de Amárica Foundation. The mainstay of the collection are portraits and landscapes, with works by artists such as Vicente López, Joaquín Sorolla, Carlos de Haes, Ignacio Zuloaga and Gustavo de Maeztu. There are also bronze sculptures by artists like Benlliure, Julio Antonio and José Clará.
- Designation: Provincial museum
- Content: Fine arts
Practical information
From Tuesday to FridayFrom 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM From 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
SaturdayFrom 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM From 4:00 PM to 6:30 PM
Public holidays and SundayFrom 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Closing days: Monday
- Admission free


text:
Grass Roots, Revered Pavement, World Stage
Did you know that the Woodward Dream Cruise actually started as a small fundraiser to raise money for a soccer field in Ferndale, Michigan?
In August 1995, Nelson House and a group of volunteers looked to relive and recreate the nostalgic heydays of the 50s and 60s, when youth, music and Motor City steel roamed Woodward Avenue, America's first highway. That year, 250,000 people participated-nearly ten times the number expected. The rest, as they say, is history.
Today, the Woodward Dream Cruise is the world's largest one-day automotive event, drawing 1.5 million people and 40,000 classic cars each year from around the globe-from as far away as New Zealand, Australia, Japan and the former Soviet Union. North American cruisers from California, Georgia, Canada and all points in between caravan to Metro Detroit to participate in what has become, for many, an annual rite of summer.
Significant Community, Economic Impact
A market research study conducted after the 2007 event found that the Woodward Dream Cruise generates more than $56 million each year for the Metro Detroit economy. The Cruise's economic impact to the region is more significant than any other major event in Michigan, recurring or otherwise; that includes 2006 Super Bowl XL at Ford Field ($49.3 million), the 2005 MLB All-Star Game at Comerica Park ($42 million) or the 2006 Detroit Tigers post season run ($37.8 million).
Nearly 100 area charities benefit from the sale of official Dream Cruise merchandise and refreshments each year.
Full Coverage From The 2010 Woodward Dream Cruise


text:
Voices from the Middle coeditor Diane Lapp talks with Laura Greenstein about her article in the December 2013 issue, "Formative Assessment and the Common Core: Blending the Best in Assessment." (10:40)
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text:
Often when I delete a (very) inappropriate answer I will leave a comment stating why it has been deleted, but I'm not sure whether the OP is able to read the comments on the deleted answer.
I've read two related questions on notifying the OP and requiring a comment when deleting an answer, but couldn't really find an answer.
It wouldn't be useful to leave such a comment if the OP couldn't read it. Although I would still comment to notify other mods or high rep users of why I did it.


text:
(Rate Now)
Format: Trade Paperback
Pub. Date: Mar. 24, 2006
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Editorial Reviews
Sandra Glahn skillfully weaves biblical examples with modern-day experience. Great for any individual or group"
Katy Anderson Ministry to Women Coordinator Bent Tree Bible Fellowship
Wanted: Extraordinary Bible studies for ordinary people, scholarly explanations-but in plain English.
Found : Sandra Glahn's remarkable Coffee Cup Series! Glahn sets theological content into a conversational style for any reader to enjoy.
Kelley Matthews, ThM, coauthor New Doors in Ministry to Women
Meet the Authors
Sandra Glahn is one of a handful of female professors at Dallas Theological Seminary, where she also serves as editor-in-chief of DTS's award-wining magazine, Kindred Spirit. She holds a master of theology degree from DTS and is currently involved in doctoral studies at the the University Texas at Dallas. Sandra is the coauthor of four nonfiction titles and three fiction works, including the Christ mystery/suspense finalist and CBA bestselling medical thriller, Lethal harvest. Sandra has written and taught women's Bible studies at her church since 1994.
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A curious text message appeared on the phone of VCU Interim Baseball Coach Shawn Stiffler's recently. It was from a recruit who had one simple burning question: "Can you turn me into Blake Hauser?"
After two underwhelming seasons in VCU uniform, Hauser is thriving this year after converting from starter to closer for the Rams, catching the attention of fans, scouts and recruits alike.
In 26 appearances, the Chesterfield, Va. native has a 4-1 record, 10 saves and a 2.22 ERA. In 28.1 innings, the hard-throwing righty has struck out 54 – an average of more than 17 per nine innings – and allowed just nine hits. If not for 24 walks, his ERA might be microscopic.
But Hauser didn't get to this point in his career easily. Drafted in the 25th round in 2009 by the Cleveland Indians out of Manchester High School, Hauser instead chose to play for VCU Coach Paul Keyes and the Rams. Armed with an exploding, 95 mile-and-hour fastball, his arrival was met with much fanfare.
It didn't work out like it was supposed to.
Hauser struggled with his command and posted a 4-4 record with a gaudy 7.07 ERA in 11 games, including 10 starts, as a freshman. As a sophomore he posted a 3-4 record with a 4.65 ERA in 12 appearances, nine of them starts. It was progress, but not the type of performance he or others had envisioned. Frustration set in.
"Not really towards anybody or anything, but at myself," Hauser said. "I didn't really contribute as much as I should have. Not even close. And I felt like I could've helped the team out and I really didn't do much, and it was really frustrating."


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International Women's Day is celebrated during the week of March 8 across the world, recognising the incredible economic, political and social achievements of women in the past, present and future. It is a day for recognising achievements, for remembering past struggles and accomplishments, and most importantly, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women and girls across the globe.
From the bustling backstreets of Mumbai, India, to the remote plains of Maasai land in Kenya, girls across the world need our support and development. Won't you join with us this International Women's Day, to talk about something significant: the state of the world's girls. Be reminded of their value, learn more about their struggles, and have the opportunity to stand up and speak out on their behalf.
Date: Wednesday 9 March 2011
Location: Compassion Sydney, 8/40 Brodie St Rydalmere
Time: 6.45pm – 9.00pm
Cost: $10 at the door – includes drinks and snacks and also helps support girls across the globe.
Kim Vanden Hengel is CEO of CNEC Partners International and has worked in the aid and development sector for more than 30 years. She lived in Niger for 13 years and currently oversees partnerships with local Christian ministries in China, Kyrgyzstan, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Chile, DR Congo, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.. Kim served on the board of World Vision Australia from 2002 to 2005 and has recently completed a three- year stint on the National Steering Committee of Micah Challenge, an advocacy campaign focused on the Millennium Development Goals.
Julie Cowdroy is an Australian singer/songwriter whose music powerfully combines thought-provoking lyrics with captivating melodies. Her songs simultaneously inspire and challenge her listeners.The ideas Julie captures in her songs extend beyond music. An advocate for the voiceless, Julie looks for opportunities to illuminate the plight of those who are disenfranchised. Her musings on policy, poverty and power have been published on prominent Australian websites in the hope to bring more people into the conversations that shape our world. Julie is an ambassador for the Global Poverty Project and Opportunity International Australia.
Deb Malcolm is a Child Advocate, campaigner and speaker. Currently serving as Women's Engagement Specialist for Compassion Australia, Deb is passionate about issues affecting women and children. Her advocacy for children has included involvement in projects and events which address poverty and injustice, confronting indifference and lack of knowledge surrounding poverty and child advocacy work. Deb is one of the founders of a new grassroots campaigning movement called Collective Shout. Recently launched; Collective Shout names and shames corporations, advertisers and marketers, who objectify women and sexualise girls to sell products and services.
Money raised from your admission ticket or money donated on the evening will go towards Compassion's holistic child development programs, and towards an International Women's Day Project that promotes female political participation and leadership.
For more information on Compassion Australia visit www.compassion.com.au


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|Shelburne Farms, The Farm Barn
Disclosure: Unfortunately I am not related to a single person in this blog post. … sigh… This is unfortunate because they are all millionaires!
|Shelburne Farms, the Inn was the former family mansion
We recently visited Vermont, and spent the day at the Shelburne Museum and the evening at the Shelburne Farms Inn where we had a lovely dinner of local foods from the farm and nearby farmers in the area. The Shelburne Farms was the estate of Dr. William Seward Webb and his wife, Lila Vanderbilt. It was on 3,800 acres along the shores of Lake Champlain just south of Burlington, Vermont. They constructed a model farm and estate between 1880 and 1905, with some help from Frederick Olmsted. In 1969, one of the grandchildren, Derick Webb, and his own children decided to create a non-profit to preserve the farm for the future. It was in danger of being sold off in parcels for redevelopment. Today you can visit the farm, stay or dine at the Inn (the former mansion), or participate in many activities on the grounds. It is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit educational organization and National Historic Landmark.
|At the Inn, family photos from the Webbs and Vanderbilts
decorate the library
|I love that the Webb family had the 1900 census on their bookshelf!
The daughter-in-law of Dr. Webb and Lila was Electra Havemeyer Webb. She was an art collector, and lived on Park Avenue in Manhattan with a collection of Impressionist paintings in the winter, and in a Vermont farmhouse filled with antique collections in the summer. In 1947 she created the Shelburne Museum, south of the Farm. She began to "collect" buildings to move there to house her collections. Today you can visit the museum and view her fine art and folk art.
The museum is one of my favorites in New England, full of folk art, and "collections of collections" ranging from stuffed trophy animals, farm tools, winter sleighs, weather vanes (of course!), toys, porcelains and household items from all over New England. The collections are housed in restored homes and other buildings moved on site. These include unusual barns, general stores, a school house, a jail house, a light house, a train station and a variety of other structures. The Webb private train car, that used to bring the family from Manhattan to Vermont in luxury, is installed nearby the Ticonderoga, a ferry that plied Lake Champlain 100 years ago.
|This is one of two horse shoe shaped barns at the Shelburne Museum,
which houses a large collection of circus memorabilia
Lila's brother, George Washington Vanderbilt (1862 – 1914) created the Biltmore Estate in North Carolina with the assistance of Frederick Law Olmsted. The grounds are extensive, and reach from downtown Asheville to the top of Mount Mitchell. It was originally 125,000 acres, and in 1914 85,000 were sold to the federal government to form Pisgah National Forest. The estate today sits on 8,000 acres and is owned by the Biltmore Company. It is open to the public as a historic house, Biltmore Farms, and Biltmore Winery. The grounds include 75 acres of formal gardens and a 213 room hotel.
The Webb Family Genealogy:
William Seward Webb, son of James Watson Webb and Laura Virginia Cram, grandson of Samuel Blachley Webb, aide to Generals Putnam and Washington, born 31 January 1851, died 29 October 1926; married in 1883 to Eliza Osgood Vanderbilt, known as Lila, daughter of William Henry Vanderbilt (1821 – 1885) and Maria Louisa Kissam, and also granddaughter of "The Commodore" Cornelius Vanderbilt (1794 – 1877).
1. Frederica Webb, b. 1992 married Ralph Pulitzer, married second Cyril Hamlen James
2. James Watson Webb (1884 – 1960) married Electra Havemeyer (1893- 1966). Five children: Electra, Samuel, Lila, James Watson Webb, Jr, and Harry. Electra Havemeyer Webb founded the Shelburne Museum to house her "collection of collections"
3. William Seward Webb married Gertrude Gaynor
4. Vanderbilt Webb married Aileen Osborn
For the truly curious:
Electra Havemeyer Webb's papers are stored at the Frick Collection, chiefly materials about the Shelburne Museum (correspondence, reports, speeches, articles, clippings, financial papers and scrapbooks).
Shelburne Farms http://www.shelburnefarms.org/
Shelburne Farms: The Spirit of the Agricultural Estate, by Shelburne Farms, 2011
Shelburne Museum http://shelburnemuseum.org/
Biltmore Estate, North Carolina www.biltmore.com
For a peek at the Vanderbilt family tree, check this Wikipedia article:
Copyright 2013, Heather Wilkinson Rojo


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Using a combination of the 10 speaker with a Shure SM7B and the stereo line outs directly to the live console, musicians such as Phil Collen, Richie Kotzen, Guthrie Trapp and others demonstrate the various tones of the G-DEC 3 in a live performance setting.
Fender introduces the next step in the ongoing evolution of its acclaimed G-DEC (Guitar Digital Entertainment Center) amp series, the G-DEC 3. Available in 30-watt and 15-watt versions, the G-DEC 3 takes an exciting leap forward in technology and content, with easy computer connectivity and with many of its 100 presets and audio performance loops created by the world's top artists and session aces.
The G-DEC 3's wealth of backing tracks consist not of generic presets and loops, but rather a stylistically diverse sonic smorgasbord of tracks created specially for Fender by top rock, blues, metal and country artists and session players. These include Eric Johnson, Charlie Benante and Frank Bello (Anthrax), Phil Collen (Def Leppard), Joe Trohman (Fall Out Boy), Brad Paisley, Dweezil Zappa, Jim "Rev. Horton Heat" Heath, Keith Urban, Hatebreed, Nils Lofgren, Gary Hoey, Crooked X, Strung Out and many others.
Consequently, the G-DEC 3 can be easily configured as an "all rock," "all metal," "all blues," "all country," etc., amp personally tailored to the user's own musical tastes.
The G-DEC 3 also includes the exclusive Fender FUSE™ software interface, which lets the amp connect to a computer as easily as a digital camera, without need for any special adaptors or hardware. Fender FUSE lets the user download and upload backing tracks, edit performance parameters and swap files with a worldwide community of players.
Other versatile G-DEC 3 features include:
- Digital amp and effects models that let the user create a personalized arsenal of guitar tones suited to every style of playing.
- Onboard mp3 and wav file storage and playback.
- Ableton® Live Lite 8 Fender Edition studio-quality recording and editing software.
- AmpliTube® Fender LE modeling software, which recreates classic Fender amp tones and delivers ultra-realistic speaker, mic and effects models.
- Multi-function SD card slot for unlimited storage of presets and audio content.
- Rugged Fender Special Design speaker (plus high-frequency tweeter on 30-watt model).
- Onboard phrase sampler with overdub and export functions.
- Onboard chromatic tuner.


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The Marvel Family were created by the writer Otto Binder and artists C. C. Beck, Mac Raboy, Ed Herron and Marc Swayze. They were intended to build on the popularity of Captain Marvel and first appeared in issue #18 of Captain Marvel Adventures, published by Fawcett Comics in 1942.
This meant that Captain Marvel was the first superhero to have a team of sidekicks who share his powers and appearance.
The main characters are Captain Marvel (real name Billy Batson) with his tag line the 'World's Mightiest Mortal', Mary Marvel who is Captain Marvel's twin sister and Captain Marvel Jr. who is Billy's friend, Freddy Freeman.
The Marvel Family were a big hit with the public, but in 1953, publication ceased primarily, due to a lawsuit brought by DC Comics against Fawcett claiming copyright infringement with their character Superman.
A licensing deal signed by DC Comics in 1972, meant that the Marvel Family were once again in print, this time in a series called 'Shazam!'.Since then there have been various attempts at relaunching what was once a highly successful franchise.
Click on the comic book beneath to turn pages, or use the controls at the top and bottom. Please wait a moment for the pages to load. Click on the sections on the right to navigate through the site.


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Laguiole Flatware Sets
Easy, hassle-free returns online and in-store for eligible items.Learn More
Earn 5% Back in rewards4 plus free standard shipping3every day when you shop with your Williams Sonoma credit card at Williams Sonoma.Apply Now Learn More
- Summary
In the heart of the French countryside, the Dubost family has been creating fine cutlery for four generations. The design of this flatware was inspired by a shepherd's tool first manufactured in the village of Laguiole in the 19th century. Crafted of thicker, heavier-gauge stainless steel than other Laguiole flatware on the market, each piece is hand polished and finished for a difference in quality you can really see and feel.
- Five-piece place setting includes a salad fork, dinner fork, dinner knife, soup spoon and teaspoon.
- Twenty-piece flatware set includes four 5-piece place settings.
- High-quality, heavy-gauge stainless-steel implements provide superior durability and stain resistance and pleasing heft.
- Handles of molded resin or polished stainless steel with three visible rivets.
- Individually polished and finished by hand.
- Knife bolster is decorated with the signature Laguiole bee.
- Hand-washing recommended.
- Made in France.
- Dimensions & More Info
Five-Piece Place Setting includes:
- 8 1/2" dinner fork
- 6 1/2" salad fork
- 9" dinner knife
- 8" soup spoon
- 6 1/4" teaspoon
20-Piece Flatware Set includes:
- Four 5-piece place settings
- Use & Care
- Dishwasher safe.
- Dishwasher safe.
- Shipping
Shipping Information
UPS can deliver most in-stock items within 3–5 business days. UPS is unable to deliver to P.O. boxes.
Shipping Rates
The shipping rate varies depending on your order total and shipping destination. View Shipping Options and Charges.
Next Day Delivery
For an additional charge of $26 per address, we can expedite delivery to most destinations. This service is not available for some oversize items, items shipped directly from the supplier (including perishable and custom-manufactured items), out-of-stock items and items to be shipped outside the contiguous 48 states.
Orders received by 9:00 p.m. ET Monday through Thursday will arrive the next business day; orders placed Friday through Sunday will arrive on the following Tuesday.
Return Policy
At Williams Sonoma, we take great pride in the quality and craftsmanship of our products. Attention to design, materials, safety and construction are our priority. Upon receipt, please inspect your purchase and notify us of any damage; we will arrange for a prompt replacement.
If within 30 days, you are dissatisfied for any reason, you may return your purchase for a refund of the merchandise value. An original receipt or gift receipt is required for all returns and exchanges. Returns with a gift receipt will be refunded in the form of a Merchandise Credit for the amount indicated on the gift receipt. Returns with original receipt will be refunded in the original form of payment, cash and check refunds over $100 will be issued as a company check (may take 14 business days from time of request).
For all cutlery returns (knife sets, single knives, cutting boards, knife sharpeners and knife storage), please contact us at 888.922.4108 to initiate the return.
We cannot accept returns on monogrammed, personalized, special-order items, custom upholstery, food, items shipped direct from the vendor or on items damaged through normal wear and tear. Final sale items ending in .97 or .99 cannot be returned.
Made to Order and Final Sale Furniture items are non-returnable and cannot be cancelled once the order is placed.
For returns of items purchased from your Williams Sonoma Gift Registry, we will gladly provide a refund or exchange for the merchandise within 90 days of your event or within 90 days of purchase, whichever date is later. View Full Returns Policy.
Pairs Well With
Luxe Wooden Flatware Chest
Flatware Chest
- Monogram
- Free Fast Shipping
Laguiole 2-Piece Serving Set
Serving Set
- Free Fast Shipping
Laguiole Stainless-Steel 2-Piece Serving Set
- Free Fast Shipping
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Rated 1 out of 5 by Phones from DO NOT BUY I purchased an entire set of this flatware - pretty expensive but I love the look. This is such poor quality flatware - it started breaking immediately rendering the pieces unusable. And unfortunately due to WS policy of not standing behind their products (they used to) there is no refund/replacment available. Great looking but really poor quality. HUGE waste of money.Date published: 2019-08-15Rated 5 out of 5 by NSB53 from People No Dishwasher I love these . I use them for every day and with entertaining. Not only do they look beautiful but I get many compliments on them. They feel so nice in your hand and hold up beautifully. Mine look like new, why you may ask? Because I wash them by hand. I've had mine 4 years now. No cracks, or discoloration. Just because they say dishwasher safe doesn't mean you should wash them like that. Common sense would just tell you that with this set , if you want them to look good all the time, treat them well.Date published: 2017-04-03Rated 4 out of 5 by mels from With caveats I've had some of these for 10 years, and some for about 8. There are definitely imposter Laguiole sets out there -- the reviewer who complains that the gold rivets were turning black couldn't be reviewing a W-S set, since the rivets are silver. Anyway, I love my W-S Laguiole, but the joints are starting to get a little loose with dishwashing. I have lived without a dishwasher on and off, so I've just noticed this i the last two years with regular dishwashing. Also, the difference in size between the dinner spoons and salad knives and soup spoons and teaspoons is exaggerated, as has been pointed out by a previous reviewer. I almost returned these when I first bought them, for that reason. I guess I've gotten used to the tiny teaspoons and salad forks now, but guests sometimes find them odd. The salad forks really are only ok for dessert--not really for salad. Would be great for children, though!Date published: 2017-03-17Rated 1 out of 5 by Elizziebeth from Review after owning for 2 years I did read the initial reviews before buying this (it appears there may be some "fake" Laguiole flatware out there that were bought outside of WS) anyway I took my chances and I can say that after 2 years of use they are going in the trash. I use a low abrasive type detergent in my dishwasher and they still fell apart. The joints are all loose now, a number of the pieces have cracked pieces. Just sad. For the price this is crazy, you should at least get more then 2 years use out of them. Very disappointed.Date published: 2016-12-25Rated 1 out of 5 by Porksweats from Will be returning I was so excited to get these in the mail and then I opened them and I promise you, the knife felt like it was made of plastic. I have other Laguiole pieces that are made with real quality and weight behind them. I was shocked that WS and Laguiole would sell/produce such a bad product. I would not recommend these to anyone.Date published: 2016-12-13Rated 2 out of 5 by jtmcnyc from Will Probably Return Them I used a set of Laguiole before and was impressed by the design and how substantial they were. I loved the weight of them and felt great using them. I ordered this design and was very underwhelmed by the weight. They are not as solid as my inexpensive set I was looking to replace. I am probably going to return them and get a different style.Date published: 2016-02-11Rated 4 out of 5 by feng from Great Flat wear Need more flat wear, not enuff for the price. Only one (1) place settingDate published: 2015-11-19Rated 4 out of 5 by golddogs from happy overall I purchased this flatware several months ago and have experienced no quality issues. The pieces are washed in the dishwasher daily on a separate top rack. I love the shape and the red handles. My only issue is that the teaspoons are the size of a demitasse spoon. While I have no real problem pretending to be "dainty", I've noticed that other spoons are usually being used for eating cereal or yogurt in our house.Date published: 2015-07-01


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BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra – Weber, Lutosławski, Johann Strauss and Beethoven
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra live from City Halls, Glasgow.
Matthias Pintscher conducts the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra in music by Weber, Lutosławski, Johann Strauss II and Beethoven.
The concert opens with Weber's Invitation to the Dance, after which Johannes Moser joins the orchestra to perform Lutosławski's Cello Concerto. The piece grows from a single cello line and builds into a dual between the soloist and orchestra.
Strauss's Die Fledermaus overture opens the second half of the concert before the orchestra embarks on Beethoven's Seventh symphony. Deemed as 'fit for a mad-house' by contemporary critics, the Symphony is one of Beethoven's most original works and is famed for its lyrical second movement, which is often performed separately.
- Article Type: | TV and Radio |


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Find us on:
RSV is the leading cause of pneumonia and bronchiolitis in babies and is the most frequent cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children. To help protect your baby, here are some simple steps that parents and caregivers can take.
Review Date: Wednesday, December 02, 2015
Yes, babies who are born prematurely (before the due date) may need special care during their first 2 years, especially if they were very small at birth (less than 3 pounds). Here's some advice on how to care for your baby when he or she comes home from the hospital.
Review Date: Sunday, January 04, 2015
American Academy of Family Physicians
Low-birthweight babies are at increased risk for serious health problems. Learn what you can do to reduce your risk of having a low-birthweight baby.
Review Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2014
March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation
Pregnant women are at high risk for getting sick from Listeria, harmful bacteria found in many foods. If you are pregnant, you need to know what foods are safe to eat.
Review Date: Friday, July 11, 2014
Food Safety and Inspection Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture
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11-inch MacBook Air
Brenthaven MacBook sleeves, cases and bags are crafted with superior protection and innovative features for the digital lifestyle. All Brenthaven MacBook cases feature fitted device compartments and padded interiors that absorb impact and prevent scratching, providing unparalleled drop protection for your MacBook during your commute or travel. The durable exteriors of Brenthaven laptop sleeves and cases add a second dimension of protection by helping to shield your devices from the elements. The Medina Collection and Collins Collection feature sleek silhouettes and a modern design perfect for the urban entrepreneur. For the more active entrepreneur, the BX²™ Collection and Velo Collection are specifically designed for the working professional always on-the-go. For a more polished and refined laptop bag, the Mercer Collection and Elliot Collection are luxiouriously appointed and optimally protective.


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Hi there, years ago you made me a custom node that created spec and bump channels from any image and ive used it so much. Would it be possible to create some sort of pbr set up?
Are there plans for one i the future? Metal/roughness workflow type? Thanks for your reply in advance and the program has be a staple of mine for a long time.


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Al Pacino's appearance in the excellent HBO original film "You Don't Know Jack" is much more a sign of HBO's willingness to take chances on great projects (and in this case succeeding) than Pacino settling for a television role.
As Barry Levinson pointed out in a conference call last week, movie studios are not taking chances on stories about people -- even with stars like Pacino, who puts in a stunning performance Dr. Jack Kevorkian in this movie (premiering April 24).
"HBO is taking a certain area where theatrical has sort of abandoned it completely," says Levinson. "Theatrical would never make this kind of movie. You just cannot have it anymore."
"Theatrically they don't want to do movies about people."
Indeed Levinson was saying that at the premiere of "You Don't Know Jack" many audience members were blown away by the movie and saying it was a shame it couldn't be seen in a theater.
"Then someone said, it really is good, but if you made it independently you'd be trying to find some way to get it released," Levinson added.
Such is the fate of movies in tough economic times and a shifting landscape. In fact Levinson does not believe many of his great movies would have been made in today's climate.
He mused that his classic "Good Morning, Vietnam" probably "would not make it theatrically." It just wouldn't get greenlit.
"They would probably make 'Bugsy,' " he added, "but it would have to be much more violent than the piece we did."


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Files like
~/.config/vlc/vlcrc are 99% junk if you want to version control only the configuration options. I've got a script to remove the comments, but there's a ton of empty configuration sections left over. My
sed- and
awk-fu is not up to speed, so how can I remove the empty configuration sections?
The first line of a configuration section matches
^\[.*\]$, and it is empty if the first line is followed by any number of lines consisting only of whitespace, then followed by another line matching
^\[.*\]$ or


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Show: All ManufacturersSanwa Denshi Co.SmallCab
The Sanwa GT-2F is a two-way guide that replaces the original GT-8F on the SANWA JLF-TP series of joysticks.
This piece is indispensable to be able to replay to games two ways like Space invaders or Galaxian.
This guide 4/8 channels (GT-8F) is an original piece for joystick Sanwa JLF-TP-8Y.
The octagonal joystick guide SANWA JLF-TP is the essential joystick accessory for all fans of fighting games.
Thanks to its 8 channels, you can easily make all the combos!
This octagonal guide is the essential complement to your SANWA JLF-TP joystick.
It facilitates the placement of directions and optimizes the distance of movement of the stick from one direction to another.
Thanks to this guide, you will easily realize all the combos!


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Every month we host various events at our branches to help job seekers develop their job search skills and get back to work. Registration is required and all events are FREE for Employment Ontario program participants, unless otherwise indicated. Use the filters below to narrow your search. Click an event listing to see more details and to register.
Customer Service Excellence | Oshawa | 9:30 am
December 19 at 9:30 am - 4:00 pmFree
Customer Service Excellence
Thursday, December 19 | 9:30am-4:00pm
Customer Service Excellence
|Thursday, December 19
|VPI Oshawa, 843 King Street West, Unit 9, Oshawa, ON L1J 2L4
Contact us to register
This Employment Ontario service is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Excellent service does not simply come from a friendly transaction or helpful technology – it is the result of truly understanding the customer's expectations and finding ways to exceed them. Join us for a full day of customer service excellence training and learn how to delight customers across any industry.


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Meanwhile, Boeing and the foreign countries involved in the deals donate to the Clinton Foundation and pay for speeches given by Bill Clinton.
- In early 2009, Clinton begins working with Boeing to open up new business in Russia. Later in the year, Clinton visits Russia and makes what she describes as a "shameless pitch" to a Russian airline to buy Boeing passenger jets. In 2010, Boeing gets the deal, selling 50 jets worth $3.7 billion.
- In 2009, China is preparing to host the 2010 world's fair. However, it seems the US exhibit promoting US businesses will have to be cancelled, since the private fundraising efforts are going poorly. A State Department official warns that there likely will be "extremely widespread" consequences to both diplomatic and commercial interests if the US effort fails. Emails show that Clinton and other State Department officials push Boeing and other US companies to donate, and Boeing eventually gives $2 million, helping make the exhibit a success. US exposition organizer Nick Winslow will later say that he didn't feel any political pressure, but, "Knowing that it was important to the State Department, did that help? Of course it did."
- In August 2010, Boeing donates $900,000 to the Clinton Foundation to support education projects in Haiti.
- In February 2011, Boeing wins a $35 billion tanker-refueling contract for the US Air Force. Clinton had supported the bid. When she hears Boeing won, she writes in an email, "I'm pleased."
- In 2011, the State Department approves a series of weapons deals between Boeing and the government of Kuwait. For instance, Boeing is the prime contractor in a $690 million deal to give Kuwait military transport planes.
- Later in 2011, Bill Clinton is paid $175,000 by the Kuwait America Foundation for a speech. Boeing is a sponsor of the event. Kuwait also continues to donate millions to the Clinton Foundation while Hillary is secretary of state.
- In late 2011, Clinton's State Department approves an enormous weapons deal for Saudi Arabia. A consortium of American defense contractors led by Boeing will deliver $30 billion worth of advanced fighter jets to that country, including 84 new F-15 fighter jets built by Boeing. The deal takes place despite strong opposition from Israel, as well as concerns about Saudi Arabia's human rights record and lack of democracy. But according to a State Department official, Clinton made the deal a personal "top priority."
- Saudi Arabia is prohibited from donating money to the Clinton Foundation during her time as secretary of state as part of a deal Clinton signed with the White House in 2008. But in previous years, the Saudi government gave at least $10 million to foundation. Additionally, private Saudi citizens and Saudi royals give millions to the foundation while she is in office. Then the Saudi government resumes donating to the foundation after she leaves office.
In early 2012, the State Department helps Boeing secure major deals in Indonesia and Saudi Arabia.
- In July 2012, Boeing pays Bill Clinton $250,000 for a speech.
- In September 2012, Bill Clinton gives another speech sponsored by Boeing. He is paid $200,000.
- In 2013, Boeing sponsored an event in St. Louis called Clinton Global Initiative University. It's not clear how much Boeing donates, but it gives between $1 million and $5 million to the Clinton Foundation, and the event is part of the foundation's work.
- In 2014, Boeing chief lobbyist Tim Keating hosts a fundraiser on behalf of Clinton's anticipated 2016 presidential campaign. (The Seattle Times, 3/21/2016) (Politico, 4/15/2015) (The Wall Street Journal, 3/19/2015) (The International Business Times, 5/26/2015)
Lisa Gilbert, of the government integrity watchdog group Public Citizen, will later say that what the Clintons were doing likely was not illegal. However, it seems "unsavory." (The Seattle Times, 3/21/2016) Similar patterns can be seen with other US weapons manufacturers, like Lockheed, and other foreign governments, like Oman and Qatar. Lawrence Lessig, the director of Harvard University's Safra Center for Ethics, will later say, "These continuing revelations raise a fundamental question of judgment. Can it really be that the Clintons didn't recognize the questions these transactions would raise? And if they did, what does that say about their sense of the appropriate relationship between private gain and public good?" (The International Business Times, 5/26/2015)


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Welcome to Signature Hardwood Floors
The Trusted Name In Hardwood Flooring
At Signature Hardwood Floors, we appreciate that choosing flooring is a difficult task; a good floor is both attractive and able to withstand wear and tear. That's why a hardwood floor is the preferred choice.
We believe that wood flooring adds unique character and style to the interior of any home or business. Top quality wood floors will last for years and years with proper maintenance, and they only seem to get more beautiful with time. Hardwood floors are tough and can withstand daily abuse even over long periods of time. Dirt and other debris do not cling to wood floors, which makes them easy to clean. Wood flooring adds tremendous value to any space, and, of course, nothing beats the natural beauty of hardwood floors.
Our approach is simple; we believe that all remodeling and construction jobs should be kept on a personal level. We work directly alongside our customers to ensure that they receive the best product possible; beautiful hardwood floors that continue to keep their luster for years to come. Our trained professionals are passionate about the flooring industry, a quality that translates through our superior work and loyal customer base.
We offer a variety of services including free estimates, planning and designing, sanding, refinishing, staining, repair, and more. Whether you are refinishing the floors within your home or workplace or beginning a brand new construction project, Signature Hardwood Floors will guide you along every step of the flooring process. We'll cover everything you need to know from design to installation to proper maintenance techniques to keep your new floor in its pristine condition.
Thanks for visiting the site. We look forward to speaking with you about your flooring project.
Danny Riter, Owner
Signature Hardwood Floors, Inc.


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by Rob Cox, September 27, 2012
2012 will go down as one of the driest years in recent history. Drought conditions struck throughout the United States this year, prompting city and country officials to enact water restrictions and conservation efforts.
Water is a scarce resource, and officials in San Angelo, Texas are considering placing restrictions on being able to add fill water to swimming pools. Farmers, factories and families are all in need of water, and smart use of the resource will stretch the gallon further.
Water is a somewhat limited resource in some parts of the country that rely on a large snow pack or seasonal rains. Swimming pools are known consumers of water. It leaks out of the pool or evaporates into thin air, or is pumped out and splashed out. Most used water does eventually return, in a cycle that we learned about in first grade, which could theoretically return the same drop of water to the same pool years later. However, pool water is treated and filtered, and so is water from the garden hose, and this cost repeats itself when water is "wasted".
Secondly, in the case of more drought prone areas, water must travel huge distances, through natural aquifers and man-made aqueducts to reach your house, and eventually, your pool. The cost of bringing water to your pool, and the demand for it, has increased in many arid regions, especially in the west and southern states.
Population explosions in certain areas have increased the thirst of large cities. In some parts of the country, Water wars are being waged, pitting farmers and fishermen against families and factories. Water rights, are constantly being challenged and redesigned, as our population expands and shifts.
Swimming pools are frequently targeted as huge consumers of water, and when scarcity of the resource comes to Main Street USA, your city council may feel pressure from some groups to limit pool construction or everyday activities such as discharging water or filling your swimming pool.
Before the water police come knocking on your door, or peeking over your fences - you can get ready by doing these certain things above. You can also enforce a strict "No Splashing" rule ~ just kidding.
If you have a solar cover, use it, to stop evaporation, which can be as much as 0.4 inches per day in the dry summer heat. This can amount to several hundred gallons daily on a large pool. Pool Covers can stop up to 70% of evaporation. Liquid pool covers, also known as liquid solar blanket, saves water by forming a molecular shield on the surface of your pool water.


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This ain't working, and we need to try something different.
Radically different.
And we'll have to do it ourselves. Because government's not the answer.
By now, that should be obvious.
The Department of Natural Resources. The Board of Water and Soil Resources. The Pollution Control Agency.
Each has a role, and each employs many smart, well-meaning people. But as tools to fix the vast land and water issues embroiling this state, they're ineffective.
Or at least incapable of matching the speed at which Minnesota's water, grasslands and wetlands are being lost or severely degraded.
We don't need another group. We have plenty of conservation, wildlife and environmental organizations in Minnesota.
We don't even need more money.
What we need are new ideas.
Because who knows? Maybe we'll never again see another farm conservation program like the old Soil Bank, or the more recent Conservation Reserve Program, both of which set aside vast acreages of undisturbed grasslands that invited hen pheasants, songbirds and other wildlife to nest undisturbed.
So we need a new approach.
Perhaps, for example, we'll have to genetically engineer a different kind of pheasant — one that proliferates in and among people, like white-tailed deer and Canada geese do.
Or maybe we need to pool our money to provide more attractive incentives for farmers and other producers to leave marginal lands idle, rather than put them under a plow.
Or perhaps we need to pay the best and brightest researchers to intensify their quest for crops that are more land- and water-friendly than soybeans and corn.
Or, here's an idea:
Why don't we establish demonstration farms in every township to serve not only as examples of sustainable agriculture but as laboratories to test and develop crop and grass mixes that conserve natural resources, including top soil, and soil fertility, while maximizing economic return?
Think it can't be done?
Then you're not the type of person our times demand.
Government not the answer
It would be a lot easier to sit back and wait for the DNR to fix the problem. Or, how about (fill in the blank)? Maybe they'll do it.
No, they won't.
Among reasons: In Minnesota, the DNR and other state agencies ultimately are lapdogs for the Legislature. And for the governor.
That's why natural resources in this state aren't defended with the vigor they require. Bureaucrats know above all else that their budgets and even their jobs can be at stake if they propose big solutions to big problems, such as revising the state's ancient ditch laws, or regulating the vast subsurface tiling that has occurred, and is occurring, across southern and northwestern Minnesota.
It's not that state agencies don't employ good and qualified people. They do. But they're leashed to the Legislature, sometimes for the better, but mostly for the worse. Consequently, as a matter of survival, over time the risk-taking gene has been bred out of most state employees.
Doubt that? Recall, then, the major environment or conservation movements in this state, not least the recent passage of the Legacy Act, whose enactment depended not on government but on a groundswell of public support.
What, then, to do?
For starters, recognize the problem, its scope and complexity, and recognize as well it won't be solved if we keep doing what we're doing.
Then we form a council, made up of representatives from the most successful conservation, wildlife and environment groups, as well as advisory professionals from state and federal agencies.
The council also must have members from Minnesota businesses — entities that, frankly, have been AWOL while the state's resources have been compromised.
That means 3M, General Mills, Medtronic, United Health, Target, Ecolab and/or others must lend some brain power to this effort, if only to benefit their employees and therefore their bottom lines.
Twofold mission
The council, the executive committee of which should number no more than a dozen or so, and which also should include representatives from academia and agriculture, should develop a mission that is at least twofold:
• Recognize that innovation and out-of-the-box thinking will be central to any lasting solution, and that, while federal farm bills and other hoped-for pie-in-the-sky legislation might someday provide some relief, that relief eventually will be rescinded. So we need a new, better and more permanent approach.
• The council must also recognize that any proposed solutions will be only as good as the number of people they engage.
Fortunately, Minnesota's natural resources enjoy a constituency that runs wide and deep — witness, for example, the overwhelming voter support for the Legacy Act.
Yet rarely have that constituency's conservation interests manifested themselves as political force, a conundrum that won't resolve by mere formation of a council.
Rather, however it's done, conservation delivery (and action) in Minnesota must be organized at more local levels, rather than from the top down, as the presence of government agencies suggests will happen (but rarely does).
One idea: Form councils at regional or subregional levels, each of which would prioritize conservation opportunities in their areas, while melding the interests and energies of affected citizens with the funds, work forces and staffs of conservation groups, sportsmen's clubs, government agencies and others.
Or perhaps you have a better idea.
If so, write me at firstname.lastname@example.com. I'll publish a sampling of responses in a coming Sunday edition of the Star Tribune.
Dennis Anderson email@example.com


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Middle East respiratory syndrome - coronavirus (MERS-CoV) – Update
5 June 2013 – This guidance is an update to travel recommendations for Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that WHO published on 20th May2013.
Since September 2012, more than 50 cases of MERS-CoV have been identified globally. Approximately half of these people died. All cases identified so far have had either a direct or indirect connection with the Middle East. However, some cases identified in recent travellers from the Middle East have resulted in local, non-sustained transmission to close contacts. Thus far, all human-to-human transmission has occurred either in a household, work environment, or health care setting. The mode of transmission currently remains unknown. The virus is thought to be of animal origin but so far it has not been identified in any animal species. The specific types of exposures that result in infection are also unknown. MERS-CoV infection generally presents as pneumonia, but has also caused kidney failure. The most common symptoms observed are fever, cough, and breathing difficulties, while atypical symptoms such as diarrhoea have also been recorded in patients with immunosuppression.
Advice to health care practitioners:
• Consider the possibility of MERS-CoV infection in travellers with fever, cough, shortness of breath, or breathing difficulties, or other symptoms suggesting an infection, and with a recent history of travel in the Middle East.
• If a diagnosis of MERS–CoV infection is considered possible, apply infection prevention and control measures recommended by WHO, or outlined in national guidance, and refer the patient to a special infectious disease unit for further investigation.
Advice to ministries of health:
• Review current surveillance guidance and case definitions for case reporting available on the WHO coronavirus website.
• Alert health care practitioners to the possibility of MERS-CoV infection in symptomatic travellers with a recent history of travel in the Middle East.
• Provide health care practitioners with clear instructions for referral of patients suspected of having infection with the MERS-CoV for appropriate management and testing.
Advice to travellers:
Although the source of the virus and the mechanism of transmission is unknown, it would be prudent to try to reduce the general risk of infection while travelling by:
• Avoiding close contact with people suffering from acute respiratory infections.
• Frequent hand-washing, especially after direct contact with ill people or their environment.
• Adhering to food safety and hygiene rules such as avoiding undercooked meats, raw fruits and vegetables unless they have been peeled, or unsafe water.
• Avoiding close contact with live farm or wild animals.
Travellers to the Middle East who develop symptoms either during travel or after their return are encouraged to seek medical attention and to share their history of travel. People with symptoms of acute respiratory infection should practice cough etiquette (maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues or clothing, and wash hands) and to delay travel until they are no longer symptomatic.
Based on the information available, WHO does not advise special screening at points of entry with regard to this event nor does it currently recommend the application of any travel or trade restrictions.


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Software developed to detect, fix data errors
Patterns in data streams are used to find faulty sensors
Because of the June 2009 Air France tragedy off the coast of Brazil, the critical role pitot tubes play in measuring airspeed became widely known.
It was incorrect information from those iced-up sensors that triggered a chain of events leading to the loss of the aircraft and its 228 passengers and crew.
Could the tragedy have been avoided? A computer science professor at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute believes it could have.
Carlos Varela and his research group developed what are called "error signatures," patterns in data streams that occur when a sensor fails.
"The Air France flight is an example of a situation where we have three independent data streams," Varela said this week.
"We have ground speed, which can be calculated by triangulation using GPS satellites; wind speed, approximated from weather forecasts; and air speed from the Pitot tubes."
The ground speed vector, a combination of velocity and direction, equals the sum of the airspeed vector and the wind speed vector.
Because any of the three variables can be readily calculated from the other two, when one sensor fails or sends incorrect information, it can be recognized by its error signature.
The detection and correction methods Varela's team has developed can fix the erroneous readings "within a few seconds," Varela said.
The software accounts for loss of GPS data, where the ground speed would drop to zero; the gradual icing up and failure of the Pitot tube, where airspeed would drop and reach a new constant speed reading once the tube is fully iced up, and the failure of both streams of data.
As to the loss of GPS data, Varela, an instrument-rated pilot, says he had to learn how to navigate without satellites, using such tools as VOR — very high frequency omnidirectional radio range — a ground-based navigation system.
The system his researchers developed "isn't perfect," he said. But he believes the software could have prevented the Air France crash.
Shigeru Imai, a computer science graduate student at RPI, originally presented the team's research at the 2nd International Conference on Big Data Science and Engineering in December in Sydney, Australia.
The research is funded by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research under the Dynamic Data Driven Application Systems program.
The software language Varela's team developed, ProgrammIng Language for spatiO-Temporal data Streaming applications, or PILOTS, could have other applications as well.
It could track correlations between weight and engine performance of an aircraft to determine whether fuel readings are accurate.
In health care, the approach could monitor the performance of various sensors tracking a patient's vital signs, for example.
In short, "virtually anything where you have data in a streaming fashion" can be monitored for error signatures, Varela said.
Developing error signatures for other types of anomalies will present the real difficulty, Varela said.
"What is the key that allows you to detect anomalies? That," he said, "is the real challenge."
email@example.com • 454-5323


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Alma Lafler (left) and Tedd Himler (right) sailed in Harvard's fourth-place finish at the NEISA Dinghy Championship (Gil Talbot).
NARRAGANSETT, R.I. – The Harvard sailing team used a strong performance in the B division to secure a fourth-place finish at the New England Coed Dinghy Championship hosted by Rhode Island. The Crimson also had squads competing at the Oberg Trophy, Savin Hill Invitational and the Women's Wick and Shrew Trophies.
Seniors John Stokes and Tedd Himler shared skipper duties in the B division of the dinghy championship, while Jason Michas, Meghan Wareham and Alma Lafler crewed for Harvard. The five sailors tallied a score of 62 behind six top-three finishes in 12 races, good for second in the division.
The Crimson trio of Alan Palmer, Ryan Byrne and Alma Lafler secured a score of 82 thanks to four top-two finishes and one fifth-place showing in the A division. The combined score of 144 placed Harvard fourth, just six points behind Boston College. Roger Williams won the event with Brown coming in second. The top eight teams in the18-team field qualified for the ICSA Eastern Dinghy Championship Semifinals at Long Beach.
Harvard was also represented by two sophomores, Nick Waldo and Jinyan Zang, and three freshmen, Luke O'Connor, Diana Powell and Sarah Pierson at the Savin Hill Invitational. The Crimson picked up another fourth-place finish in the nine-team regatta with a score of 238. BC won the event with a low score of 99.
Eighteen teams competed at the Women's Wick and Shrew Trophies, hosted by Coast Guard. Emily Lambert and Caitlin Watson sailed in the A division for the Crimson, finishing with 102 points in 16 races, good for seventh place. Harvard would finish the regatta in 10th place overall.
At the Oberg Trophy, the Crimson captured 11th place in the 14-team regatta. Earlier in the week, Nicholas Waldo and Caroline Lowe brought home a second-place finish at the Midweek Tech Dinghy Regatta with 21 points. MIT won the event with a low score of seven points through six completed races.
The Admiral's Cup and the New England Women's Championship await the Crimson next weekend.


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Here is a phone that my parents recently upgraded to from the Samsung Galaxy S3. Up next, we will be learning "how to draw the Samsung Galaxy S4", step by step. Now my parents had the S3 for about a year and when they upgraded to the S4, there wasn't too much of a difference except the usual changes; better camera, faster processor, sleeker look or design, and a better navigation layout. If I had to choose which of the two I would rather have out of the Galaxy S4 or the iphone 5S, I would have to say the Galaxy S4. The decision is solely based on the user interface comparison of both devices. Even though I like the Iphone, the samsung Galaxy S series is pretty badass too. When it comes to choosing the right phone, you really have to feel them out. If you don't have one of the cell phones, you can at least enjoy drawing the Galaxy S4 instead. Again, the image or skull on the lock screen of the phone in the the tutorial image is not mine. It is also from Google, and it is not mine. HAve fun with this lesson folks, and be sure to stick around to see what other technology related tuts I have in store. Peace amigos.
DragoArt members upload artwork and drawing tutorials! They are also allowed to leave comments on tutorials, profiles, etc. Many more features, as well; it's way better than just being a boring guest! Register Now!


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The Case of the Disappearing $300,000 Loan
For homebuyers, nothing beats the excitement and relief that comes with a home loan approval. So you can imagine the horror when those funds suddenly disappear.
John and Nancy Ritter* experienced the trauma of this situation firsthand when a thief used stolen personal information to initiate a fraudulent wire transfer of $300,000 from the couple's credit union to a bank account in Florida.
Wire transfer fraud is a growing problem because it is an easy way for identity thieves to steal money from banks and credit unions. In 2015, wire transfer losses among consumers who filed complaints with the Federal Trade Commission totaled more than $283 million. And the number of consumer complaints that involved wire transfers as the method of payment reached a high of 61 percent in 2015, up from 29 percent the previous year, according to the FTC's Consumer Sentinel Data Book.
High-value customers are particularly vulnerable. Wealthy individuals are one-and-a-half times more likely to fall victim to identity theft, according to Javelin Strategy & Research.
Wire or electronic transfer fraud is particularly sinister because it can be hard to prove and recover funds, even with the correct response. And when perpetrators are armed with key personal information, they can be quick and effective. Often, thieves go out of their way to ensure seamless transfers. For example, thieves are can hijack a victim's telephone number by calling the victim's phone company to have calls forwarded to them before initiating the transfer.
"The criminals have gotten smarter," said Victor Searcy, director of fraud operations at CyberScout. "They have figured out how to access customers' Internet and telephone accounts. When financial institutions contact the customer to validate the transaction, it's the criminal who responds."
In the Ritters' case, the thief called the couple's credit union directly to set up two separate transfers of $160,000 and $140,000 each. The thief relied on stolen information to answer security questions and win the confidence of the credit union employee overseeing the transaction.
When John Ritter noticed the missing funds, he immediately called the credit union to freeze his account and dispute the transfers. Fortunately, John also had access to CyberScout Identity Management Services through his insurance carrier. His agent connected him with an CyberScout fraud specialist who took immediate steps to help John protect his family's identity and credit by placing a fraud alert on the couple's accounts with a credit bureau.
CyberScout fraud specialists also can help victims:
• Notify financial institutions immediately to block the accounts impacted by fraud and secure other accounts.• Uphold customers' rights by formally demanding that the affected accounts be made whole and/or securing reimbursement.• Review a bank's account holder's agreement, internal policy and procedures and the regulatory guidelines governing the fraudulent transaction to determine if the institution is in compliance. If the institution isn't in compliance, they prepare to file complaints with the attorney general, FBI and the Secret Service.• Send complaint letters if a bank has refused to maintain contact with the victim and is out of compliance.
With CyberScout's help, the Ritters moved swiftly to help them recover the lost funds and protect their credit from further fraud. They also learned best practices for guarding personal information.
* Identifying details have been changed to protect the victim's privacy.


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Elena Kagan - Death Sentence for Bad 'Twilight' Joke
Apparently, Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan isn't a fan of "Twilight" ... 'cause at today's Senate confirmation hearing, the gun critic shot down a terribly delivered "joke" question about "Twilight" like she was Annie frickin' Oakley.
The super uncomfortable exchange all went down when Sen. Amy Klobuchar had the floor ... and informed Kagan that she had just watched the "The Twilight Saga: Eclipse" movie ... and wanted to know if Kagan was Team Jacob or Team Edward.
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Praise for Tom Piccirilli's The Last Kind Words
"Perfect crime fiction . . . a convincing world, a cast of compelling characters, and above all a great story."—Lee Child
"A crime noir mystery as hard-boiled as any in recent memory, recalling the work of Chandler, Pelecanos and Connelly . . . Readers will be pinned to their seats until the last page is turned."—Bookreporter
"At once a dark and brooding page-turner and a heartfelt tale about the ties that bind."—Lisa Unger, New York Times bestselling author of Heartbroken
"[A] caustic thriller . . . The characters have strong voices and bristle with funny quirks."—The New York Times Book Review
"[Piccirilli] deserves a breakout novel and this just might be it."—Booklist (starred review)
"For the first time since The Godfather, a family of criminals has stolen my heart. This is a brilliant mix of love and violence, charm and corruption. I loved it."—Nancy Pickard, bestselling author of The Scent of Rain and Lightning