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Maryland lawmakers are moving ahead with a first-in-the-nation taxation on internet advertisements for large businesses like Facebook and Google to help cover an ambitious and expensive step to Increase K-12 education
ANNAPOLIS, Md. — Maryland lawmakers are moving ahead with a first-in-the-nation taxation on internet advertisements for Enormous Tech companies such as Google and Facebook to help cover a extensive and expensive step to boost K-12 education.
Lawmakers also voted to reevaluate Hogan's veto of this distinct schooling bill, a step that's projected to cost tens of thousands of dollars during the next ten years.
Sen. James Rosapepe, a Democrat, said the step intends to update the nation's taxation system and make booming Big Tech firms pay their fair share.
"If we do not modernize our tax system, if we do not ensure the new winners in the new market pay taxes exactly like every little business on Main Street at Maryland, we are going to be in deep trouble," Rosapepe said.
The Senate voted 29-17 to reevaluate Hogan's veto, the minimal amount of votes to make it to the three-fifths required.
They include enlarging pre-K, improved teachers cover, career and college preparation, aid for fighting schools and responsibility in execution.
Additionally, it intends to deal with inequities in schools that serve high numbers of kids in poverty. Billions of dollars to apply it could be phased in over ten decades, reaching roughly $4 billion in additional spending in financial year 2030.
Sen. Guy Guzzone, a Democrat who chairs the Senate's budget committee, pointed out that the nation was planning for the schooling step for years, and the nation has set aside cash for its initial four decades of this frame.
"We are going to have exactly the exact cautious look at this annually to make sure it continues to maintain being compensated for, since that is the responsible thing to do," Guzzone said.
The taxation measure is currently set to take effect in 30 days, but supporters and opponents agree that a court challenge will probably be resulting in a possible injunction before the situation is solved. The bill also almost doubles the nation's cigarette tax from $2 to $3.75 a bunch and provides a new tax on digital cigarettes.
Experts say that the measure will increase costs on companies throughout a pandemic. They claim that the tax on electronic advertisements violates the federal online Tax Freedom Act, which prohibits discrimination against electronic trade, in addition to other national legislation.
"This invoice taxes how companies communicate with their clients," stated Sen. Stephen Hershey, an Eastern Shore Republican, who included that the step hits companies"where it hurts most: targeted, more cost-effective online marketing."
"We will keep on fighting this regressive taxation wherever possible, such as in a court of law," Mayer said.
Google and Facebook failed to comment on the laws.
Condition analysts have estimated that the tax might raise about $250 million annually.
The step, which will require businesses to submit a tax return with the nation, imposes a tax according to international annual gross earnings for businesses which earn over $100 million internationally.
The tax rate will be 2.5percent for companies with gross yearly earnings of $100 million; 5 percent for businesses with earnings of $1 billion or greater; 7.5percent for businesses with earnings of $5 billion or more and 10 percent for businesses with earnings of $15 billion or greater.
Additionally, it would prohibit tech firms from passing the cost of this tax on to companies which market.


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I've hosted something or other at most of the restaurants with space. Starting from downtown and working outward: If you have a very large group, Maggianos has the best facilities and parking, service and food. I don't think anyone else is nearly as good for scale. For the next step down in size, but up in quality, El Gaucho. Most of the restaurants can be booked out. Best food is pretty clearly Seastar, but they have constrained space – although they can take over the conference room on the first floor and that will suit a decent crowd. The facilities at twisted cork (or whatever it is called now) are awesome, and the kitchen is fairly good, and it's locally owned so you can get attention and care. I would recommend the Bellevue Club, and … what's the other one…. right downtown.. Can't remember the name. Barking Frog if you can get it. Pomegranate in Bellevue is the top caterer on the eastside in my opinion, although Seattle has plenty to offer. So you could get a hotel (cheap) then hire Pomegranate. I won't recommend the hotels – they're universally bad. Outside of town the winery is popular (but good luck with that) and my favorite facility that I always recommend is Newcastle golf course. Especially for brunches. But booking it out is something that you have to compete with
I can't recommend downscale, because I don't use it.
Hope that helps.

subset: commoncrawl


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Virginia will not do business with groups that discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity
The commonwealth is saying no thank you to businesses that discriminate against the LGBTQ community.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe (D) signed an executive order saying the state will not do business with groups who discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
He says the order comes after hearing of incidents of discrimination by business associates and constituents in the commonwealth.
"I also believe that that should apply to the employees of any contractor doing business here in the commonwealth of Virginia. We are using our taxpayer money to pay companies who do business in the commonwealth, they should be held to the same standard, nondiscrimination against anyone on sexual orientation," said McAuliffe.
McAuliffe also noted that he supports legislation that will repeal the same-sex marriage ban from Virginia's constitution.
via NBC29.com


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Butter, sugar, flour — and Death!
British amateur bakers must turn out the perfect scone in this week's filming of The Great British Baking Competition.
When baking contestant and fledgling witch Poppy drops a plate of practice scones on the grounds of Broomewode Manor, she finds more than dirt and brambles. There's a body in the bushes!
Can she keep her cool while solving mysteries, trying to master witching skills, and still turn out a decent scone?
Taste this culinary cozy mystery series. Each book is a stand-alone mystery, though the books are linked. They offer good, clean fun, and, naturally, recipes.
Affiliate links in use. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.
© 2023 Nancy Warren, all rights reserved. All info submitted private.


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Boys Black Gamer Pajama Set
Color: black
Product description
Do you have a true gamer that you know and looking for a present for him? Look no further. This 2 piece boy PJ set comes with long, grey pants with a colorful pattern of video game consoles, and a matching long-sleeve shirt with metallic details to jazz up the look.
- Illustrative 2 piece sleep set for boys featuring gamer console
- The set includes long, cuffed pants and matching long-sleeve shirt
- Top: 30% recycled polyester and 70% polyester jersey
- Pants: 30% recycled polyester and 70% polyester velour
- Cuffed pants allow for a comfortable and tight fit around the ankles
Also see these great items
The Comfort Guarantee
Understanding the needs and demands of the way parents and children purchase sleepwear, it was critical for Jellifish Kids to further this mission of providing ultimate comfort in our products.
So we created a promise, a guarantee for anyone purchasing the pajamas that we make.


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Supply chain management (SCM) is the coordination and integration of the flow of materials, information, and finances as they move from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer to consumer both within and among companies.
Everything needed by an organization from business to IT needs is procured from suppliers and the need to manage supplier relations, information, contracts and more grows rapidly while the need to follow regulations persists. This is where organizations need an SCM system to establish streamlined supply chain management processes in order to realize the very best value from their spending through supplier analysis of cost, risk and performance. They need a SCM system to realize a 360-degree visibility into their supplier ecosystem.
The product flow that includes the movement of goods from a supplier to a customer, as well as any customer returns or service needs
The information flow that involves transmitting orders and updating the status of delivery
The financial flow that consists of credit terms, payment schedules, and consignment and title ownership arrangements
An effective SCM system helps:
Manage contractual obligations
Strengthen supplier relations
Enterprise spending, Manage risk and compliance to relevant regulations
Establish a single comprehensive supplier view and derive insightful procurement analytics.
There are two main types of SCM software: Planning applications and Execution applications. Planning applications use advanced algorithms to determine the best way to fill an order. Execution applications track the physical status of goods, the management of materials, and financial information involving all parties.
Though Supply chain Management (SCM) is critical to a company's procurement to production lifecycle, it is not highly publicized. But with the advent of cloud computing, big data and more, the need for a SCM system is becoming more prominent. Examples of SCM software are InfoPlus, WISE by Royal 4 Systems, 3PL Warehouse Manager by 3PL Central, Infor Supply Chain Management, Oracle SCM Cloud and more.
The Changing Face of Publishing: Gauging the Impact of Digital Technology
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The Top 5 Ways Publishers Can Be Successful in the Digital World
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In the publishing industry, the rise of technology has extended beyond publishers simply digitizing content for those readers who prefer ebooks or online learning systems to print—forcing businesses to adapt their processes and products to accommodate new customer demand. In this new age, technology has allowed for many of these processes to be streamlined or automated, allowing for...
Changing Table Stakes Every Food & Beverage Distributor Should Know
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The Food & Beverage landscape has changed dramatically in the past 5-to-10 years and in order to compete, the Food & Beverage distribution companies must constantly uncover new ways to improve efficiency, manage cost and add value to their customers or fade into irrelevancy. This whitepaper focuses on the 5 trends shaping the supply chain industry for food & beverage distributors...
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Selecting a Warehouse Management System that Cures Growing Pains: Four Critical Considerations
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In today's evolving supply chain, an omnichannel environment is a critical element for seamless customer experience but omnichannel operations requires a new way of thinking. In an omnichannel world, your focus needs to be on the front office and supply chain. Following are five mileposts on the roadmap toward leveraging order management to promote omnichannel retailing...


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China is eager to conclude a free-trade agreement with Canada, but not at the expense of a set of "baseline" political principles seen as untouchable by Beijing, said the new top Chinese diplomat in the Western Canada region.
The comments by the new Chinese consul general in Vancouver, Tong Xiaoling, at a December 19 media conference come after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited Beijing earlier this month but did not leave with an official launch of free-trade agreement (FTA) talks with China – something that many observers expected.
Tong, who arrived at her post in Vancouver on November 26, emphasized that both sides still considered the meeting between Trudeau and Chinese President Xi Jinping and Premier Li Keqiang to be successful because it opened up "high-level dialogues" between Ottawa and Beijing on several fronts. Consensus was also reached on a range of issues, including battling climate change and pursuing increases in innovation and tourism co-operation.
But Tong added that, while both sides have expressed an eagerness to pursue an FTA, Beijing could not budge on some of Ottawa's initial asks, especially ones that extend beyond the typical purviews of an economic pact.
"We object to the addition of other political conditions into the discussions of a free-trade agreement," Tong said. "China has situations unique to China; it has its own history and culture. So our development as a country bears the marks of our own historical contexts. Therefore, in any negotiations with another country, we have our principles that present a baseline that we cannot cross. We are not going to change our principles or soften our position for the completion of a free-trade deal, and we reject the use of political conditions as bargaining chips in a negotiation for an economic agreement."
Trudeau and other Canadian officials had emphasized a "progressive" trade pact with China and others, including items on labour standards, gender rights and additional environmental requirements. Some reports note that some of those points were the same ones that scuttled a planned signing of a preliminary 11-member Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement with Japan and nine other countries at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in Vietnam in November, and Tokyo – TPP's main proponent – has said it is now considering moving on without Canada's involvement.
A China-Canada FTA would give Ottawa a free-trade pact with its second-largest trade partner while giving China its first such agreement with a G7 country. However, trade officials with the previous administration under Stephen Harper noted it wanted to see Canada's large trade deficit with China addressed before exploring an FTA. Canadian exports to China reached $11.4 billion in the first half of 2017, according to Industry Canada. Imports from China, meanwhile, reached $33.3 billion.
Tong noted, however, that China is committed to opening its markets to more foreign imports and investments. She pointed to the 2018 China International Import Expo – scheduled to take place in Shanghai next November – as one of the concrete signs that Beijing is keeping its promise to increase access to global investors and businesses.
"As a developing country, to host an expo focused on imports is a very rare occurrence," Tong said. "That's because, for most developing economies, the goal is to sell to others. Our focus here is to purchase from other markets; to have a platform like this expo, it shows our willingness to actively open ourselves to doing business internationally. The growth of the Chinese economy should benefit the global economy, and we want others to see that."
Among the other moves Chinese officials noted as being pro-international trade since Beijing's 19th National Congress of the Communist Party in October is the reduction of tariffs on 187 categories of consumer goods imports starting December 1 to 7.7% from 17.3%. The congress provides a forum where much of the country's general governance direction for the next five years is announced.
Tong also said China is reducing limits on foreign investors' stake in Chinese companies in a number of financial services fields, including an expansion of the foreign ownership ratio in Chinese asset management firms to 51% in three years' time.
According to Chinese officials, China is slated to import US$1 trillion in goods and services over the next five years.
Among the areas Tong mentioned for potential expanded trade with Canada are tourism, education, clean technology, winter sports and – interestingly – high-speed rail development. (A recent study by Washington state explored the possibility of a Vancouver-Seattle high-speed rail costing between US$24 billion and US$42 billion, which would attract 1.8 million riders annually.)
The Chinese focus, in the meantime, will be on what officials termed "people-to-people" interactions – supporting efforts such as the Canada-China Year of Tourism and promoting more Canadian students to study in China, Tong said.
"Traditionally, the trend is that there's more Chinese students coming to Canada to study, rather than the other way around," she said. "Just in B.C. alone, there are 50,000 Chinese students studying here. These students – including the number I just mentioned for B.C. – are bringing $300 million in economic output to the Canadian economy every year.
"The momentum of growing China-Canada relationship is there. I think most of our Canadian friends can see that. So it's especially important to continue expanding people-to-people interactions from the two countries, increasing friendships and aiding the continued growth of the relationship between us." •


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Last week's article by an 'authoritative person' published in the People's Daily lambasting poor management of the Chinese economy, mentioned the evils of 'leverage' 18 times and going so far as to warn China's debt-fueled growth could lead to an economic catastrophe.
A day later, the state media went big with a speech by President Xi Jinping reiterating the need to implement the government's "supply-side" reform and transform the economy. Commendable words which put China somewhere around step five in the 12 steps of Alcoholic Anonymous, admitting "to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs".
But there were promises of reform when the new administration came to power three years ago, since which China has staged a major relapse, with total debt now at debt spiral to 247% of GDP, according to Bloomberg Intelligence estimates.
This week, Bloomberg also reported that Chinese borrowing in April included 1 trillion yuan ($153 billion) of regional government notes. It would appear to be very difficult for the Chinese economy to forego the credit binges which deliver ever-declining economic boosts.


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District 44
This page profiles District 44. Following are the details of all Lodges within Region 4 District 44, when and where they meet, and their upcoming scheduled meetings together with directions on how to get there. The District offers 2 Lodges.
Lodge Distribution within District 44
|The Goldfields Lodge No 40
|Parkes Masonic Centre
|4th Wednesday ex Dec
|4th Saturday in Aug
|Lodge Condobolin No 185
|Condobolin Masonic Centre
|2nd Friday ex Jan
|3rd Saturday in May
- Parkes Masonic Centre, Cnr Short & Caledonia St Parkes NSW 2870
- Condobolin Masonic Centre, Cnr Orange & William St Condobolin NSW 2877
The District Meetings calendar displays upcoming regular meetings and Installations. The calendar may not advise of unscheduled or emergent events. Please do check with the respective Lodge Secretary or DGIW before visiting.
Google Map for District 44 (with Zoom and Street View)


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Finding the fertilisers of the future is one of the processes and objectives of the EU funded project ValueWaste in which INDEREN is taking part.
As explained below, thanks to the ValueWaste project, we will finally produce an environment-friendly and highly nutritive fertiliser from urban organic wastes to feed the soil, one of the most important natural resources of the planet earth.
At INDEREN we are pleased to be able to work on environmental projects that guarantee a more sustainable future.
We have extensive experience in the field of manufacturing, installation and commissioning of biogas plants and waste treatment plants. We also offer our customers container solutions: manufacturing of containers combining different systems according to the client's needs (biogas, solar, industrial…). Contact us for more information.


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Bon appétit!
Soup and sandwiches are perfect Game Day foods, so today we're going to feature a recipe for each!
Whether you're feeding 4 or 40, there's a direct correlation between the quality and quantity of the food that gets served and the success of your party. Special thanks to Jenny Felt of Adel, Iowa, for sharing her favorite recipe for French Onion Soup.
French Onion Soup
Serves 4
- 3, 14-ounce cans of beef broth
- 3/4 cup canned French-fried onions
- 1/4 cup dry sherry
- 4 slices stale French bread
- 4, 1-ounce slices Swiss cheese
Heat oven to 400° F. Arrange four, 10-ounce, oven-safe soup bowls on a baking sheet. Divide the broth and onions among bowls. Add 1 tablespoon of sherry to each. Float a slice of bread in each bowl and top with a slice of cheese. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the soup is bubbling.
Dripping Roast Beef Sandwiches
- 1 can (10 1/2 ounces) Campbell's® Condensed French Onion Soup
- 1 tablespoon reduced sodium Worcestershire sauce
- 3/4 pound thinly sliced deli roast beef
- 4 Pepperidge Farm® Soft White Hoagie Rolls with Sesame Seeds
- 4 slices deli provolone cheese cut in half
- 1/4 cup drained hot or mild pickled banana pepper rings
- Heat the oven to 400°F.
- Heat the soup and Worcestershire in a 2-quart saucepan over medium-high heat to a boil. Add the beef and heat through, stirring occasionally.
- Divide the beef evenly among the rolls. Top the beef with the cheese slices and place the sandwiches onto a baking sheet.
- Bake for 3 minutes or until the sandwiches are toasted and the cheese is melted. Spoon the soup mixture onto the sandwiches. Topeachsandwich with 1 tablespoon pepper rings.


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- in In Pictures
In_pictures Rideau Hall: Canada Armed Forces member faces 'multiple charges'
An armed member of Canada's military faces 22 charges after breaching the gates of an estate where Prime Minister Justin Trudeau lives.
Police say Corey Hurren, 46, drove a pick-up truck through the main entrance of Rideau Hall in Ottawa on Thursday morning.
He then allegedly entered the grounds on foot before being confronted by police.
Police spoke to him for almost two hours before arresting him.
Mr Hurren drove from his home in Manitoba to Ottawa, some 2,000 km (1,240 miles) away, police say.
His charges include uttering threats, "possession of a weapon for dangerous purpose" and contravening rules on the transportation of firearms.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) said in a Friday news conference they believe he acted alone and that he was a member of the Canadian Armed Forces.
CBC reported he is a Canadian Ranger, a branch of the armed forces that patrols rural and coastal regions.
Mr Trudeau and his family, who are currently living at a cottage on the Rideau Hall estate while the prime minister's official residence is being renovated, were not at home at the time of the incident.
Nor was Governor General Julie Payette, who resides at Rideau Hall as the official representative of Queen Elizabeth II, Canada's head of state.
During a press briefing on Friday, Mr Trudeau thanked "the extraordinary police services of the RCMP".
The RCMP said it is working closely with the Canadian Armed Forces to investigate the incident, which was resolved "quickly and safely".
"Through our members' vigilance, quick action and successful de-escalation techniques, this highly volatile incident was resolved swiftly and peacefully," the RCMP's deputy commissioner, Mike Duheme, said.
The grounds of Rideau Hall, which sits on an 88-acre (0.35 sq km) wooded estate, have been closed to the public during the coronavirus pandemic.
Police allege that at approximately 6:30 local time (10:30 GMT) Mr Hurren drove his pick-up truck carrying several weapons through the gates at Rideau Hall.
Pictures taken outside Rideau Hall appear to show damage to its main pedestrian gate, which the suspect rammed through in his vehicle.
The vehicle was disabled on impact, so the suspect got out and began to walk the grounds on foot, carrying a rifle, police said.
The suspect was quickly spotted by grounds staff and RCMP members, who put the area in lockdown.
RCMP officers approached the suspect at about 06:45 local time, and began to talk to him. He was arrested at 8:30 local time.
The RCMP would not discuss the nature of the conversation, as the investigation is ongoing.
Pictures from Thursday show an empty black pick-up truck inside the grounds of the estate. The RCMP said an army unit with a bomb-disposal robot searched the vehicle as a precaution.
Police confirmed the suspect had multiple weapons, though did not confirm the number or type.
Mr Trudeau has moved to limit the ownership of certain weapons in Canada, where gun ownership is popular, especially in rural parts of the country.
He introduced a long-promised ban on assault-style weapons in May this year, after a gun a rampage across the province of Nova Scotia that became the deadliest shooting in Canada's history.


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Border control officers stopped a tractor crossing into Texas and discovered more than a ton of marijuana concealed within a shipment of carrots in the vehicle's trailer.
A total of 2,817 carrot-shaped packages, complete with orange coloured wrapping, worth an estimated $499,000 were seized at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in Texas.
Sniffer dogs were brought in after the vehicle was brought in for an imaging inspection, US Customs and Border Protection revealed (CBP).
Packages of marijuana were found hidden inside the bags of carrots.
Efrain Solis Jr, Port Director at the Pharr crossing, said: "Once again, drug smuggling organisations have demonstrated their creativity in attempting to smuggle large quantities of narcotics across the US/Mexico border.
"Our officers are always ready to meet those challenges and remain vigilant towards any type of illicit activities."
The case is being investigated by agents from Homeland Security Investigations.
(c) Sky News 2016


text: 2016 ADC Scott Bloomquist #18 Championship Car 1/24 Dirt Late Model Champion. The item "2016 ADC Scott Bloomquist #18 Championship Autographed 1/24 Dirt Late Model" is in sale since Monday, August 3, 2020. This item is in the category "Toys & Hobbies\Diecast & Toy Vehicles\Cars\ Racing, NASCAR\Sport & Touring Cars". The seller is "rantrackside" and is located in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, South africa, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Antigua and barbuda, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Saint lucia, Montserrat, Turks and caicos islands, Barbados, Bangladesh, Bermuda, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Cayman islands, Liechtenstein, Sri lanka, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Maldives, Nicaragua, Oman, Peru, Pakistan, Paraguay, Reunion, Viet nam, Uruguay.


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Ok, I admit it. I am completely guilty of taking on too many gigs, trying to make everyone happy all of the time, and usually overwhelming and exhausting myself in the process. It is very difficult for me, a type-A personality who has been trying to scrape together a living as a professional singer in LA since I landed here 12 years ago, to see the bigger picture and not just view each job offer as the next small paycheck. In the beginning it may have been true that I needed to take every little thing, but it has been a rough journey trying to figure out what gigs are the most important artistically and educationally, are fulfilling, and weigh that against the money they are offering. Every time a call comes in, I wish I had a genie or a magic 8 ball to tell me what to do, and whether or not I will love or regret the gig I just took.
The "genie" that has made the biggest difference to which work I take lately has been having a mission statement about my singing. I got a call the other day to sub for someone at their church job. I was considering taking it, since money has been tight lately, but I was upset that I would be giving up my morning with my husband for only $75. I consulted with my mission statement:
As a professional singer, I make my living entertaining audiences while playing inspiring, beautiful music with other fantastic musicians. Each performance is an opportunity to better myself and the world through music and each deserves quality and a high commitment to excellence.
I then thought to myself, "hmmm, I know the musicians there aren't that great, and the music they usually pick isn't that fantastic, and truly, getting some rest and face time with my husband would better myself in a far greater way," and then I felt no guilt whatsoever about turning down the gig. Later that week, another call came in, and it was for a birthday party for a 95-year-old gentleman. The pay wasn't great again, but again I read my mission statement and thought, "yes, I'll be singing good music with other good musicians and making the world brighter for this gentleman, plus I get to sing with my husband, which we don't get to do together often," and I ended up taking the gig.
While these are small instances, I have been doing the same with larger jobs, and bigger chunks of money, that are harder to say "no" to. It helps take the emotion and worry out of a decision and takes me back to my core values, and whether I am making a value based decision. Checking in with my mission statement helps me avoid feelings of remorse or guilt over a job. My mission statement continues to evolve, but I think it will always be the 'magic 8 ball' that gives me peace of mind to move forward and keeps me from relapsing to my over-workaholic tendencies.


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The Happiest Uprising on Earth
It's Memorial Day weekend of 2005 and I stick two fingers in a scanner that takes an electronic picture of my fingerprints. Getting into Disney World today is like gaining access to Ft. Knox. I'm allowed to insert my ticket, which is read and kicked back to me. My identity established, a plastic turnstile allows me in. For better or for worse, I am now inside the Magic Kingdom, where I'll spend the weekend with my girlfriend and her Miami-Cuban family. In return, I was allowed to go to Bolivia for a revolution.
The day before Disney, I wake at 3:30 a.m. in La Paz so that another journalist and I can get to the international airport before the morning blockades go up. All week I've been watching Indians battle police in the streets, and everything I own reeks of teargas and dynamite as I stumble through security. If Bolivia could afford bomb-sniffing dogs, they'd be pissing all over themselves right now but, as it is, no one even bothers to confiscate the ten boxes of coca tea I'm bringing back.
Before the uprising, we take a tour through the Chapare region, once the source of between half and two thirds of the world's coca, the plant used to make cocaine. Since the mid-80's, it's been a hot zone of US-funded and led eradication efforts. The indigenous population, mostly Aymara Indian, has organized to resist the effort. Our goal is to meet the leaders of this resistance in an attempt to find out where the movement is headed. Plus, the uprising—in true Latin American fashion—has been postponed a week, so we have time to kill.
Bolivia's capital is three miles above sea level. They say planes don't land in La Paz—they park. The flight to Cochabamba, capital of the Chapare, is more of a downhill glide than a flight.
We meet our fixers the next morning. Kathryn Ledebur came to Cochabamba fifteen years ago to write her master's thesis and never left. Today she's the director, and lone employee, of the Andean Information Network, one of about six billion NGO's in Bolivia. A few years ago she married our other fixer, Godofredo Reinicke, the first Bolivian human rights official, who is now working on his own. His father owned an asbestos mine. He died of cancer. Kathryn and Godo bring along their newborn, Sebastian, and the five of us begin the bumpy ride deep into the Chapare.
The secret to good foreign reporting is to have a good fixer. The fixer is in the know and stays in peanut butter (or coca tea, or whatever) by fixing interviews. You need the ambassador? I've got his cell phone number. You need a guerilla leader? Here's his hotmail address.
Walking up Disney's main street toward "It's a Small World," a balloon pops behind me. I duck. Before Bolivia, I told myself that I wouldn't duck if bombs went off or we were shot at. It's the amateur's reaction. Now here I am surrounded by 200-pound children and walking cartoons, and I'm flinching at balloons. And, of course, I think that's pretty cool. It won't be long, I figure, until I have my 1,000-yard stare down.
The beauty, genius, and attraction of Walt Disney World is its pure fakeness. Everything is fake—right down to the smiles plastered on the cast's faces (there is no "staff"—people are "cast members")—and everyone knows it. It can get hairy, though, just inside or just outside, in the sprawling campus that divides the fake world from the real world.
As a bus pulls up to take us to the Magic Kingdom, my girlfriend's mother, Virginia, steps forward. An orange-haired woman in a green bandana elbows her hard and pushes in front. "I'm with them," the woman says, "and we were the first ones here." The bus is empty. Virginia steps aside, then boards.
The first town we stop in is Cristal Mayu, the biggest town in the Jungas Federation, though it doesn't look to have more than a few hundred residents. We try to meet with the union leader who runs the town, but are told that he is busy. He just found a body in his coca field.
The second day at Disney, I don't stick my fingers in the scanner, but fake it. It works anyway. The scanner is fake. There are wheelchairs off to the left that can be rented and often are by the larger Disney guests. I glance at my ticket and notice it tells me that any legal dispute I have with Disney must be settled in a Florida court.
We finally make it to "Small World," the ride I dread—I admit, irrationally—more than any other. I'm bound to go on it. I was told that it was under construction and so, thinking I'd never have to go through with it I promised my girlfriend, Elizan, I'd ride it with her. After months of construction, it has just opened up.
I tell myself to stop being such an elitist and go on the ride. I can hear my right wing friends (okay, friend) saying, "How can you expect to connect with the Red States if you can't even enjoy Disney World?"
We're here at Disney with Elizan's cousin Tessie, her husband Juan Carlos, and their daughter Ariana. They have a season pass, and Ariana has been to Disney seven times. She's two.
"It's a Small World" is Disney's homage to racist stereotypes. Every few feet a new puppet community tells you what you need to know about a culture. In China, they all have long pointy beards and squinty eyes. African women all wear grass skirts. And on until the end, where all the different characters are dressed in pure white and playing harp in a puppet heaven. "Namaste," says a sign as we leave.
Our first interview in the Chapare is with two mayors. Both are members of Evo Morales' party Movement Toward Socialism, or MAS in its Spanish letters. The one nearest me, Feliciano Mamani, lifts his pant leg in response to a question about the consequences of the War on Drugs. His shin has a star-shaped scar on it—a deep hole that makes his leg look severely bent. He was shot by a tear gas canister during the Water Wars in 2000. "It just stopped pussing a few weeks ago," he says in Spanish, which Kathryn translates for me. A helicopter roars overheard. "How about that for color?" says the guy I'm traveling with, Christian Parenti, a Nation correspondent (and Rail contributing editor).
We're on a military base in Chimore waiting for a DEA-sponsored helicopter ride and to meet with the commander, but he seems to be giving us the run-around. Bolivian soldiers play a lively game of soccer while we're distracted with a tour of the base's piss-stained prison, then a tour of the DEA's coke museum. Afterwards, Christian pulls out his bag of coca leaf and offers me some. The soldier minding us has a shocked look on his face and I think he's about to cuff Christian. "Desde La Paz?" he asks, pointing to the bag.
"Si." The soldier smiles. La Paz coca is supposed to be bigger and taste better than Chapare coca, which it's his charge to eradicate.
"Por favor?" Christian nods and the soldier stuffs a handful in his mouth, then stashes another handful in his canteen bag. "Quita el hambre," he says. It takes away the hunger.
His mouth numb from coca, the soldier warms up to us. He says he's not unhappy in his job. He's poorly educated and likes the uniform, so it could be worse. He's paid 100 dollars a month by the Bolivian government and roughly 130 by ours. The U.S. also cut monthly checks to judges and prosecutors in the War on Drugs. We call the payments anti-corruption bonuses.
"Why is it," the soldier asks us in Spanish, "Americans can come down here and look around at everything, but we can't go to America?"
"It's called imperialism," says Christian in English. The soldier, Sgt. Soldado, smiles.
While still waiting, we're taken in to see the subcommander. Before we ask a question, he starts by telling us how committed he is to "Derechos humanos." Human rights. He is so committed, he says, that he recently took a course on human rights with the Ministry of Justice. To prove it, he hands us a certificate. It says, "Major Fernando Plato has successfully completed the course Human Rights and Sexually Transmitted Diseases."
"What does that mean?" Christian whispers to me. "They teach them to wear condoms when they're raping detainees?"
As Plato drones on, it looks less and less like we're getting a helicopter ride. We're brought bread and three-liter bottles of Coke and, finally, Colonol Dario Leigue comes out and glad-hands us. He's sorry, but he can't meet with us without the permission of the Commander-in-Chief Admiral Luis Aranda, who is in a meeting. Seeing our skepticism, he tells us to call the admiral ourselves. Leaving aside the question of why a landlocked country would even have an admiral, we agree to call him. Leigue gives us the cell phone number of the Commander-in-Chief.
Of course, he doesn't answer. A few weeks later he's in the news denying that he's plotting a coup. I call him up, but he doesn't answer then either. At the checkpoint outside the base, a woman is selling coca. "Prohibido Orinar," says a sign on a crumbling wall. No urinating.
Disney World is America on steroids. Anything you can find in the U.S. you can find in Celebration, Florida, the home of the Magic Kingdom. You want inequality? We've got waterfront homes you can rent by the week or motel-style slums that can handle an entire trailer. You want commercialism? The bathrooms are sponsored, and every ride dumps you into a related gift shop. And if you want a microcosm of your suburban life while you're here at Disney, we've got it. Come stay in a log-cabin trailer in "The Wilderness," replete with its own deck, grill, and golf cart. With each driveway stuffed with an SUV—seriously, each one—this is your suburban home away from home. Juan Carlo gives us a tour on his golf cart, designed not to go faster than, it seems, five miles an hour. We pull off the main road cutting through the "Red Zone," an area arbitrarily designated by the U.S. as more ominous than any other in Bolivia. Our SUV is stuck behind a long patch of drying coca, which two women move to the side so we can pass. We meet a cocalero family. The wife, Hilaria Perez, was shot by drug task force agents when she tried to stop them from uprooting her crop. She shows us the bullet hole in her chest. They are MAS members, as is every other cocalero we meet.
The husband doesn't seem very political. What does he think of the natural gas issue? "I cook with wood," he says. "Why would I care about gas?" I see their children peering through gaps in their splintering, dirt-floor shack.
The day before the uprising, I'm in the Cochabamba airport with Christian waiting for our hop back to La Paz. I'm talking in broken Spanish and English with a young guy next to me. "Did you hear?" he asks. "Evo Morales is dead."
"Yes, he's dead," the boy repeats. "He's dead right over there." Either I can't hear right or the guy doesn't know the word for "here," but either way I follow his finger to the tallest man in the airport, dressed in black jeans and a short sleeve, white button-down shirt with '70s stripes.
A two-bit journalist can pick up a few extra bits, I think, with an interview with Evo on the eve of the revolution. Christian and I introduce ourselves; Christian had interviewed him no more than two weeks earlier, but Evo doesn't remember him. He reminds Evo who else was there for the interview and where exactly it was. Though it would be easy for him to nod and say, "Claro!" he continues to shake his head.
We ask him what he means by "nationalizacion." He tells us that the gas in Bolivia's ground belongs to Bolivia and he will state that clearly—and then renegotiate with the foreign companies for its exploitation. This scheme is not nationalization as it's commonly understood—and it's exactly what he later did, with the international press referring to it as nationalization.
Turns out Evo is on our flight and I'm less thrilled by our luck. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but you try sitting on the tarmac in a small plane with the left-wing leader of a Latin American crisis on the verge of a planned uprising. But we made it, with Evo in first class. (It was an extra ten bucks. He grew up with mud floors. Let's give him this luxury.)
On Monday, the uprising begins slowly, with a long march from El Alto to La Paz. It's taken the cocaleros, campesinos, miners, and other protesters about a week to march to La Paz, so they're in no hurry. The miners have brought their dynamite, which they toss here and there throughout the day. Occasionally a bomb of serious weight rocks the city. I'm getting good at not flinching.
On Tuesday I'm marching with about 2,000 Aymara Indians from the high plains. They are noticeably pissed off and moving at a faster clip than any march I've ever been in. With quick flicks of sticks and smiles on their face, they smash car and store windows along the way, often with the passengers still inside. "Cabron!" shouts one minibus driver as glass pours over his riders.
Americans have to be told not to form lines. "There's no line here, people," says a cast member, over and over, as we shuffle toward a ride. This one takes us on a safari with real lions, hippos, elephants, etc. "The animals' dwindling population is due entirely to human activity," says Karl, the cast member leading our tour. What a Blue State thing to say, I think.
The march ends a block away from the presidential palace in a standoff with police. I'm with a group of four journalists when a miner tosses a stick of dynamite at us. It explodes a foot behind me. The force rocks me forward, but it's all air. There is no shrapnel or gun powder; just a blasting cap. Luis Gomez, a Mexican who refers to himself as an Authentic Journalist—always in caps—says, "Too many gringos together. Split up." It worked for Custer, I think, and cross the street with Christian.
Bottles start to fly, followed by rocks. The police raise their riot shields and hold their ground. Then a stick of dynamite is tossed and explodes at the feet of three soldiers, who block it with their shields. They raise their guns and we run.
I see tear gas canisters fly by, but soon there's little visibility, just the hiss of gas as it fills the street. A rubber bullet hits me in the back and I say, for some reason, "Ow." Sprinting uphill at 15,000 feet through a wall of tear gas is a challenge. Within a few blocks I've lost Christian and am stumbling blindly through the streets.
"Ryan," says a voice through a blurry haze. "Ryan, are you okay?"
"Si. Ven conmigo," she says. Lucia is MAS Sen. Antonio Peredo's secretary. We had interviewed him earlier that day. And yes, if you're wondering, he is Inti and Coco's brother—the two most impressive guerillas in Che's Bolivian Diaries. Like a college dorm room, Sen. Peredo's wall was covered with Che portraits.
Lucia takes me to her apartment, where she gives me a cigarette—the first I've had in 13 years. I remember seeing a public service announcement on the news the night before, reminding Bolivians that cigarettes are the best remedy for tear gas. It really works. My eyes and lungs clear up.
Back on the street, I head back to the scene to see if anybody was killed. After all, I figure, I'm pretending to be a journalist; that's what a journalist would do. A block away, they fire tear gas again and everyone runs. I snap a picture of the crowd coming toward me, turn, and am punched hard in the back. I pretend it didn't happen and keep my pace. Surrounded by angry Indians, and fully aware of my whiteness, I'm genuinely scared for the first time. But I'm able to duck down an alley and avoid any more random punches.
In La Paz, it seems that one in every ten people is wearing a neon green vest, the sign that they have a cell phone you can use for one boliviano, or about 12 cents. Christian, being a real journalist, has his own phone.
"Dude, that sucked," he says when I call him.
"Yeah, that totally blew."
"Let's do it again."
We do it again. And again. And it's less fun each time. The rush of an Authentic Experience fades, replaced by an all-too-authentic pain in your lungs, throat, and crying eyes. But as the uprising spreads, the gas becomes harder to avoid. In Plaza San Francisco, a protester shouts at Christian and I, "Gringos se culpa! Gringos se culpa!"
"Si, si, we're guilty," Christian says, not quieting the man down. A police officer—one in a line of ten—walks our way to calm him. The man turns to the cop and throws a brick-sized rock at him, hitting him in the facemask. The cops raise their weapons and I hear myself yell at them not to shoot. I realize in about 3/4 of a second that I won't be able to reason with them. As Christian dives to the ground, I turn and run. The spent teargas canisters I've been collecting weigh me down, and I feel odd securing them in my hoody pocket while fresh ones are flying around us. Feliciano's shattered leg flashes in my mind, along with a story we heard of a woman who was killed when a canister implanted itself deep into her forehead.
A shell rockets by my left arm, its oddly beautiful trail slowly spreading around us. I duck behind a three-foot wall and, peering over, feel like I'm in an actual battle. All around me Indian men and women are stoically gushing tears. Those who try to run have canisters and rubber bullets fired their way. I realize we're pinned down, and I like the way that sounds in my mind. I'm "in the shit," I think. Then another spent canister falls out of my sweatshirt, and I feel like an idiot tourist again. A crying, crouching man to my left gives me a thumbs-up when he sees the souvenir canister, and I don't feel so bad anymore—well, except for the wafting fog of teargas we are stuck in. The gas is intended to make us flee. We can't move, so we sit, cry, cough, and pray for a breeze and a pack of smokes.
Every Disney-affiliated company has a tent on Pleasure Island, which is the nexus of Disney and mainstream America. A row of clubs set aside for Disney's 21-and-older, this is the place you come if you want a bucket full of an allegedly alcoholic fruit drink, one of BET's "Incredible Hulk" drinks—a mix of Hennessey and Hpnotia—or just somewhere to go beyond the knowing eyes of Mickey, Goofy, and the rest of his clan. Elizan taps my arm and points down and alley, where two of Disney's larger guests are fully wrapped in fruit-drink love. Fireworks burst above us, and I flinch.
ContributorRyan Grim
RYAN GRIM is the senior congressional correspondent for the Huffington Post. He is the author of This Is Your Country on Drugs (Wiley, 2009).
Edvard Munch: Trembling EarthBy David Carrier
JULY/AUG 2023 | ArtSeen
As its title, Trembling Earth signals, the exhibition is focused on his images of nature. That title is taken from the drawing The Human Being and its Three Power Centers (1930), displayed in the exhibition. For Munch, humanity is interconnected with the universe in an energy flow that he called earth waves, or trembling earth.
Tomas Vu: The Man Who Fell to Earth 76|22By Amanda Millet-Sorsa
JUNE 2022 | ArtSeen
The Boiler in Williamsburg, Brooklyn opened during the pandemic in 2020 as an extension of the ELM Foundations programming, and invites contemporary artists to create installations and exhibitions in its space, previously run by Pierogi Gallery from 20092015. The current show, The Man Who Fell to Earth 76|22, by artist Tomas Vu, is his first solo show in New York since 2008. The raw industrial space exudes an extraterrestrial feeling, perfect for a show whose title recalls David Bowies central role in the eponymous 1976 movie.
Tomas Vu: The Man Who Fell to Earth 76/22By Jonathan Goodman
JUNE 2022 | ArtSeen
Tomas Vu, born in Saigon in 1963, moved with his family to El Paso, Texas, at the age of ten. He received his BFA from the University of Texas at El Paso, and took his MFA at Yale. Currently, he is head of Columbia Universitys print-making center. His current show, The Man Who Fell to Earth 76/22 is taking place at The Boiler, a non-profit showing space that is part of the Elm Foundation, located in Williamsburg.
The earth leaked red ochreBy William Corwin
JUNE 2022 | ArtSeen
The earth leaked red ochre is a quote from the artist Cecilia Vicuña, and in the hands of curator Real Christian, this phrase becomes a tool for extracting and discerning traditional, Indigenous, and local narratives about the land that have been buried or become entangled with those of colonial presences and oppressors.


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RS PRO, Pozidriv Pan A2 304 Stainless Steel, Machine Screw DIN 7985Z, M4x30mm
- RS Stock No.:
- 7976207
- Brand:
Technical Reference
Legislation and Compliance
RoHS Certificate of Compliance
EU Directives 2011/65/EU and 2015/863 restrict the use of the 10 substances below in the manufacture of specified types of electrical equipment.
Whilst this restriction does not legally apply to components, it is recognised that component "compliance" is relevant to many customers.
RS definition of RoHS Compliance:
- The product does not contain any of the restricted substances in concentrations and applications banned by the Directive,
- and for components, the product is capable of being worked on at the higher temperatures required by lead–free soldering
The restricted substances and maximum allowed concentrations in the homogenous material are, by weight:
|PBB (Polybrominated Biphenyls)
|PBDE ( Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers)
|Hexavalent Chromium
|DEHP (Bis (2-Ethylhexl) phthalate)
|BBP (Benzyl butyl phthalate)
|DBP (Dibutyl phthalate)
|DIBP (Diisobutyl phthalate)
The supplier of the item listed below has informed RS Components that the product is "RoHS Compliant".
RS Components has taken all reasonable steps to confirm this statement. Information relates only to products sold on or after the date of this certificate.
|RS stock number
|Product description
|RS PRO, Pozidriv Pan A2 304 Stainless Steel, Machine Screw DIN 7985Z, M4x30mm
|Manufacturer / Brand
RS Components Ltd, Birchington Road, Corby, Northants, NN17 9RS, UK
Statement of Conformity
This statement confirms that the product detailed below complies with the specifications currently published in the RS media and has been subject to the strict quality conditions imposed by RS Components' internal management systems. Furthermore and where applicable, it confirms that all relevant semiconductor devices have been handled and packed under conditions that meet the administrative and technical requirements of ANSI/ESD S20.20 and EN61340-5-1 electrostatics control standards.
|RS stock number
|Product description
|RS PRO, Pozidriv Pan A2 304 Stainless Steel, Machine Screw DIN 7985Z, M4x30mm
|Manufacturer / Brand
The foregoing information relates to product sold on, or after, the date shown below.
|Sep 30, 2023
RS Components Pte Ltd Robinson Road, P.O. Box 1582, Singapore 903132
Product Details
RS PRO A2 304 Stainless Steel Pan Head Pozidriv Machine Screws
From RS PRO a high-quality pan head machine screw with a versatile Pozidriv recess for a superior grip when tightening. This machine screw has a metric thread and is made from high-quality A2 stainless steel which has strong abrasion resistance and excellent resistance to corrosion.
This product is not supplied with a washer. To see the range of our cross pan head machine screws please refer to the datasheet and fasteners selection guide. Through these two documents you will also find the various thread sizes and lengths that we have to offer.
What is a Machine Screw?
A machine screw is similar to a bolt but has a socket or slot in its head that allows it to be turned by a screwdriver. The shank on a machine screw is straight rather than tapered with a full thread which is uniform along the entire length. Machine screws do not tap their own thread into materials like wood screws do but are designed to be fastened into pre-tapped holes in the parts they are fastening together. Having a threaded hole creates a stronger joint and results in a higher quality product.
What is a Pan Head Screw?
Pan head machine screws, as the name suggests, have a head that looks like an inverted frying pan. The heads are flat on the top and rounded on the sides. When driven into material pan head machine screws protrude rather than sit flush. Pan head type screws are used when a flat bearing surface is needed but a countersunk screw is not required.
What is a Pozidriv Head Type?
Pozidriv, sometimes shortened to Pozi, stands for "positive drive". This head type has a cross recess in the centre with four small indentations around it creating 8 points of contact. This design provides improved engagement and contact with the screwdriver and prevents ejection force when tightening or loosening the machine screw.
Features and Benefits
• Pozidriv head type for improved screwdriver grip
• Pan head design for a flat bearing surface
• A2 stainless steel for excellent resistance to corrosion and oxidation, strong abrasion resistance, low levels of distortion and the ability to withstand extremes of temperature
• Easily Cleanable
• Meets DIN 7985 Standards
What are Machine Screws Used For?
These stainless steel pan head machine screws are designed to hold separate components together in a wide range of applications such as industrial machinery and vehicle engines. They are screwed through pre-drilled tapped holes in 2 components and can be fastened at the rear with a nut. This 304 stainless steel machine screw is ideal for use in the following:
• Food processing and brewing equipment
• Domestic appliances
• Building fasteners and fixings
• Medical equipment
• Non-salt water marine applications
Frequently Asked Questions
What Does M2.5, M3, M3.5, M4, M5 Mean?
These measurements are found on metric screws, The 'M' stands for Metric. The number after the 'M' is the nominal outer diameter of the screw in mm.
How Do I Cut a Machine Screw?
Damage to the machine screw threads can prevent parts from fitting together properly, therefore care has to be taken when cutting them and the correct tools used
Cutting a small machine screw (up to standard size #10 or metric size M5 (5mm)
Use a pair of multipurpose wire strippers or electricians pliers that feature M2.5, M3, M3.5, M4, M5 threaded holes. These holes are designed for cutting bolts without damaging the thread. Open the jaws and thread the machine screw into the correct size hole to the distance required. Squeeze the tool handles closed and the screw will be cut at the point where the two halves of the jaws come together. You will have a clean cut without any thread damage.
Cutting a large machine screw (larger than size #10 or metric size M5 (5mm)
This is best done using a hacksaw. Thread the nut on the screw until it reaches the desired point on the head side of the cutting line. Place the screw in a vice or clamp to keep it secure when cutting and cut the screw as straight as you can. When you unthread the nut it will repair and realign any threads that may have been damaged by the saw blade.
|Drive Type
|Thread Size Metric
|DIN Standard
|Stainless Steel
|Head Shape
|Thread Pitch
|0.7 mm
|Stainless Steel Type
|Length Metric
|30 mm
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Air Force recruits start receiving new OCP uniform in basic training
Air Force recruits start receiving new OCP uniform in basic training
Air Force recruits in basic training are now being issued the new Operational Camouflage Pattern uniform, which is part of a larger change in uniforms throughout the service.
Initial-entry airmen at the 37th Training Wing in Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas, were the first to be issued the OCPs, the Air Force said in a statement Monday.
New recruits issued the prior uniform will have to buy the OCPs with their clothing allowance.
"Trainees who are here in [Airmen Battle Uniforms] will continue to wear them throughout their time here and [the uniforms] will be replaced when they get their clothing allowance," said Bernadette Cline, clothing issue supervisor for the 502nd Logistics Readiness Squadron.
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In this authentic project, high school students develop crash helmets with a goal of protecting a population of people from traumatic head (brain) injury. Using eggs to simulate human heads, students employ the design thinking process by engaging in real-world research, scientific data collection, engineering prototyping, and performance testing.
Entry Narrative
Crash Helmet Design, Prototyping, and Testing:
An Egg-Citing Physics and Engineering Design PBL
Entrant Bio(s)
Camille Moody McCue, PhD serves as the Director of Curriculum Innovations on the leadership team of the Adelson Educational Campus in Las Vegas. She designs and implements new curriculum initiatives schoolwide, most recently helming the development of a new, 5000 square feet, state-of-the-art Startup Incubator, as well as college-to-career majors in the Upper School. In collaboration with faculty, she emphasizes the role of the Incubator and the school's one-to-world device paradigm to teach an interdisciplinary coding, maker, and design curriculum. Always energized by her daily connection with students, Camille currently teaches AP Computer Science courses in the Upper School. She has previously instructed everything from Future Cities engineering and physics to financial math and AP Statistics. Camille earned her Bachelor of Arts degree in mathematics (University of Texas at Austin), and her graduate degrees, including her Doctor of Philosophy degree, in curriculum and instruction (University of Nevada, Las Vegas). She has worked in teaching, technology, and television for companies including IBM, NASA, and PBS. A longtime Dummies author, Camille is currently writing her tenth Dummies book, Coding for Kids (2nd ed.). In 2016, VEGAS INC. and Cox Business awarded her the Tech Exec Lifetime Achievement award.
Alexis is a Las Vegas native and recently graduated from UNLV with degrees in biology, political science, and a minor in neuroscience. After four years of researching the disparity of minority representation in STEM, Alexis created the "More than a Princess" program to encourage students, especially young women, to pursue careers in STEM. Realizing retention of college STEM majors was also an issue, Alexis worked in a research lab for two years studying the social factors necessary to retain underrepresented students in STEM. She presented her findings at the APA National Conference in Washington, D.C. and published her work in Science Educators Journal. Alexis is the reigning Miss Nevada and recently won the STEM award at the 2018 Miss America competition. She teaches physics and AP Psychology at the Adelson Educational Campus, and she will be starting medical school in the fall of 2019.
This entry has been tagged with the following terms:


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Best Bakkie 2022 Finalist: Ford Ranger 2.0 bt DC 4×4 Stormtrak
Based on Ranger Wildtrak, which shares Ford's peachy 157 kilowatt 500 Newton-metre bi-turbodiesel and ten-speed trannie, Ford's latest run-out Ranger Stormtrak cuts a striking pose for a double-cab four-by-four. Well, we're not sure if it's actually the last run-out Ranger. There have been a few of late!
Where have you read it all before?
It gains a revised blackened mesh grille with red side nostrils, blackened 18-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, blackened side mirror housings, and bright 3D Stormtrak badges. And those GT stripes that someone designed after dreaming about a Mach 1 Mustang. We loved the lockable roller shutter bakkie top and cargo area management system. With a bed divider to easily compartmentalise the load bay to secure different-sized items.
Step into the familiar Wildtrak cabin and those in the know will soon notice the Stormtrak branded leather front pews and contrast stitched black leather dash top. And the steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake shrouds. The sharper among you will also by now have noticed that all the above was a copy and paste of our recent Ranger Thunder report. Followed by a search for Thunder to replace with Stormtrak. D'uh!
Of course Stormtrak also benefits Ford's SYNC infotainment tech, which brings gesture, voice or touch control for its Apple CarPlay Android Auto, Waze traffic and navigation, Bluetooth and USB. You can also run your Ranger off the Ford Pass app on your phone. Never mind this bakkie will even park itself.
You've seen the new one already
You'd also already have seen the new Ranger by the time you read this. So it's no surprise that the interior has dated. It's difficult to operate and the darker cabin hides many button labels from less than 20/20 eyes. And then the AC system is primarily controlled through screen instead of dials on dash. Shouldn't that be the other way around? And as good as the infotainment is, it is difficult to navigate.
On the road, Stormtrak is light and easy to drive — Ford's ten-speed autobox uses its broader spread of ratios to deliver a creamy dollop of power quite literally right across the band from idle to limiter. Accompanied by a mellow and friendly mechanical thrum. It has real-time adaptive shift-scheduling to pick the optimal gear, whatever the demands and will short-shift up and skip gears down its ratios.
But the box also gets lost in its ratios too often. We think that ten gears are a few too many. Well in a bakkie anyway. Especially considering that it's a laggy gearbox with a brittle reputation. Stormtrak however carries Wildtrak's significantly improved ride quality over and retains its class-leading 3,500 kg towing capacity. Its 750 kg load capacity may be a worry if you want to hunt with a few big mates and still load the kudu in the bak.
A StORMTRAK bargain in the offing
The only reason the good old Ford Ranger made it into Best Bakkie, is that its Stormtrak badge makes it 'new'. Still, it's a decent all-round bakkie with a funky design that still turns head. It is powerful, has a comfy ride, a decent audio and a responsive infotainment system. And it stands apart from the old Ranger crowd. Well, kind of. But the new Ranger is coming and while you may be able to talk the dealer down on a cut-price Stormtrak, isn't the latest always the greatest…?
BEST BAKKIE 2022 FINALIST: Ford Ranger 2.0 biturbo DC 4x4 Stormtrak Engine: 157kW 500Nm 1998cc turbodiesel I4 Drive: 10-speed automatic 4x4 Payload: 750 kg Max Towing: 3500 kg ROAD TESTED: 0-100km/h: 9.48 sec 400m: 16.8 sec @ 131 km/h 80-120km/h: 7.36 sec CLAIMED: VMax: 180 km/h Fuel: 8.1 l/100km CO2: 215 g/km Warranty/Service: 4y 120K/6y 90K km LIST PRICE: R846K
Best Bakkie 2022 Index Introduction Ford Ranger 2.0bT DC 4x4 Stormtrak GWM P Series 2.0TD DC LT 4x4 Mahindra Pik Up 2.2 CRDe DC 4x4 Mazda BT-50 1.9TD DC Active A Mitsubishi Triton 2.4DI-D DC 4x4 Nissan Navara 2.5DDTi DC PRO-2X Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4x4 Legend RS A Toyota Hilux 2.8GD-6 DC 4x4 Legend RS A Best Bakkie 2022 Top 3 Best Bakkie 2022 Winner


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A guy turned up on this bike at the classics meeting at Muckhart. It is an interestingly styled Chinese mini-café racer. It looks like a copy of the Honda Dream 50 from the late '90's which was in turn styled to look like the 1962 CR110 50cc racer. The Ace is powered by the Honda CG125 ohv engine found in many bikes from China.
|Ace 125
|Dream 50


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Before Abraham could do the unthinkable, the Lord provided the sacrifice in place of Abraham's son. In this classic clip, R.C. Sproul dramatically retells the story of Abraham and Isaac to teach us about the ultimate sacrifice God has provided in His Son.
But that dog and I were inseparable from that day forth. I mean, when I would lecture, Hosanna would be by my feet. He would sleep at my side when I would lecture. If I would walk out of the room, he would walk out of the room. If I went to the woods, he went with me.
It was an incredible animal—gentle, loving, strong. When he was about two-and-a-half years old, he had a convulsion. And I took him to the vet, and I said, "He had this terrible convulsion," and the vet examined him and, didn't know what, gave him some medication. The next day, he had another convulsion. The next day, another convulsion. The day after that, two convulsions. And then he started having three, four, five, six convulsions in a day. And the vet tried every medicine that he knew of. He said, "R.C., the only thing I can think of is that we're getting a final reaction to the damage to the dog's brain from the original snakebite." And now, with the degree of medication required for this animal to be able to even function, it was so debilitating that he was in a pathetic state. And the vet said, "The only humane thing to do, to use the euphemism, is to put this dog to sleep." I brought him home. I said, "I have to talk to the kids. I have to talk to Vesta." We talked about it, and Vesta and I agreed that the dog had to be put to sleep.
I said, "We're going to have to take him to the vet." And she said, "Well, will you take him to the vet tomorrow?" I said, "Honey, I can't take that dog, my dog, and put him in my car and drive ten minutes to the veterinarian, knowing that I'm taking him to his death. If that dog looked at me from the side on the seat, I'd go drive right off the road. I can't do that." I said, "Look, some day this week—don't tell me what day it is—have one of the students here at the study center when I least expect it—have the student take the dog, and tell me when it's done." And three days later, I came home and Vesta met me. She said, "Hosie's dead. I had a student take him to the vet." That was my dog. It wasn't my son. See, I couldn't take my dog, who was in misery, who was going to die anyway, in a car for 15 minutes to be mercifully killed. God asked Abraham to take his son, his only son, the son whom he loved, Isaac, and personally journey with him for three days while the child was robust, full of health, not in any life-suffering or -threatening disease, and by his own hand he was to kill him. Christians, think about that!
On the third day, Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance. And Abraham said to his young men, "You stay here with the donkey, and I and the boy will go yonder, and we will worship and return to you."
So, the two of them walked on together, and there they came to the place which God had told him, and Abraham built the altar, arranged the wood, delaying to the last possible second giving away. Isaac's helping him build the altar. Isaac's still looking around for this lamb that's going to be supplied. Abraham's building the altar. Abraham's stacking the wood. I can see Isaac handing his father pieces of the wood to put up on the altar. And once he puts them up, then Abraham says, "Come here, Isaac." And he picks up his son and he puts him on the altar, and he takes out the cords and the ropes, and he binds him to the altar.
And just as Abraham is ready to bring the knife down into the chest of his son, we read that the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven had said, "Abraham, Abraham!" Abraham stops right there and says, "Here I am," like "Where have you been?" "Here I am." And the angel said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad. Do nothing to him. For now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me." And then Abraham raised his eyes and he looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught by its horns in the thicket. And Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up as a burnt offering unto the Lord. And Abraham called the name of that place, "The Lord Will Provide." Mount Moriah, where is it? According to current archaeology, Mount Moriah was a place in the south part of Palestine that later was changed, and its name was called Jerusalem or Mount Zion. The historic place where Abraham offered Isaac is now considered to be the site of the Dome of the Rock in the old city of Jerusalem. Two thousand years later on this same mountain, God took His Son, His only Son, the Son whom he loved: Jesus. And He took Him to that same mountain, and He fastened Him to a vertical altar of sacrifice. But this time, ladies and gentlemen, nobody hollered, "Stop!" God brought the knife into the heart of His only begotten Son, fulfilling, in blood, in time, and in space, the promise that was dramatized and symbolized by the test of Abraham's child of promise. God said, "Abraham, I will provide the sacrifice."
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SQL Server Web Hosting | Warning >>> Which To Trust?!
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If you're thinking about SQL server web hosting, go through this inmotion hosting review, as it is considered as the best SQL hosting server (based on our customers feedback and rating).
Try Inmotion Services for 90 Days Risk FREE


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Pre & Post Surgical Rehabilitation In Mumbai
Pre Surgical Rehabilitation Service
Prior to your scheduled surgery (any joint/spine), you will be evaluated by our physiotherapist for a pre surgical rehabilitation examination and therapeutic treatment / intervention plan.
One purpose of this journey is to obtain a baseline of information including your pain status and severity, your functional abilities, your strength, the available range of motion every joint, and your breathing pattern. An assessment will be made up of any requirements (e.g., equipment, safety optimization) that occur at home after surgery.
Our pre surgical treatment enables you to recover quickly and easily from any orthopaedic surgery. Our team of experienced physiotherapists can ensure that you have the optimal functional ability to maximize your recovery before undergoing any operation.
Our physiotherapists are competent and will work with you to coordinate your recovery. If you are undergoing a surgical joint replacement, surgical revision or a surgery that will affect your mobility or functional capacity; Contact us and assist us in your recovery and return to your daily life.
Post Surgical Rehabilitation
Post surgical rehabilitation may be necessary for various surgical procedures, including orthopedic, cardiac, thoracic, neurological, and abdominal surgery. All types of surgeries present with many post-operative results that can be helped with physiotherapy.
We offer special post surgical rehabilitation to help you get you back on track:
What are The Benefits of Post Surgical Rehabilitation?
Physiotherapy should begin immediately in the hospital after surgery, although it is important that once you are discharged you continue physiotherapy to achieve the best possible recovery.
Our physiotherapy team will encourage you to do a variety of exercises to strengthen and mobilize any affected joints and muscles and will also help improve circulatory or respiratory problems that develop in the hospital.
Other benefits include:
Physiocure Post Surgical Rehabilitation
– Anyone who has had surgery and who is experiencing pain, stiffness, reduced balance and coordination, muscle weakness, decreased mobility, reduced exercise tolerance and less independence require rehabilitation program.
– Rehabilitation program begins when the patient is discharged from hospital, our treatment will help patient not only to be physically fit but also make mentally strong which benefits in early recovery
Our physiotherapists will be thoroughly evaluated and short and long term goals will be made to work with you to maximize your recovery potential and minimize any secondary problems for surgery.
Call +91 98192 85842 and speak to any of our office staff to learn more or schedule an appointment.


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Marybeth's favorite purse to carry everyday and for travel. Not too big, and big enough to hold everything. please attend cookies and cutting to get your purse parts cut out before class.
Supplies Needed:
2FQ – fabric 1 (bag top front and back)
1FQ – fabric 2 (front pocket accent)
2FQ – fabric 3 (lower front and back pockets)
1FQ – fabric 4 (strap)
2FQ – fabric 5 (lining)
1/2 yd Pellon fusible fleece
1/2 yd Pellon Decor Bond fusible
1 -9″zipper
1 -12″ zipper
Jean/denim machine needle
Sewing machine, rotary cutter, thread and basic sewing supplies


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Mature Woman Dating, MaineSEXY ASIAN MATURE LOOKING FOR BBC (Portland ME)
couple looking for a nice black cock for her to suck to completion. Maybe more:) must be clean cut, in shape and respectful. with at least a 9 inch cock. she's a sexy Good looking 5Ft mature Asian, nice body and face. please send a face, full body and cock picture. Sorry black men only. No $$$ involved only fun.hookup now »


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- be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.18
- 24 ms
- iy_2023; im_10; id_02; ih_08; imh_27; i_epoch:1.69626043462E+12
- ixf-compiler; ixf-compiler_184.108.40.206
- py_2022; pm_01; pd_27; ph_16; pmh_51; p_epoch:1.64333108178E+12
- link-block; link-block_link-block; bodystr
- pn_tstr:Thu Jan 27 16:51:21 PST 2022; pn_epoch:1.64333108178E+12
- 0 ms
- be_ixf; php_sdk; php_sdk_1.4.18
- https://sou.edu/academics/emda-10th-anniversary-alumni-spotlight-TJ-Todd/
- https://sou.edu/academics/emda-10th-anniversary-alumni-spotlight-TJ-Todd/
EDMA 10th Anniversary: Alumni Spotlight
TJ Todd – 2019 Graduate, Freelance Designer at Post Lintel Design
"Having started my higher education back in 2008, prior to the formation of EMDA as a major at SOU, I can safely say I love this program! One of the things that I feel you will hear often about EMDA is the diversity in the curriculum: the nature of it being emerging will continue to keep things fresh and varied. For myself, the biggest thing that attracted me to EMDA was the diversity of the staff and people involved, there is a multitude of ideas and passions all of which are nourished and helped by the greater community within EMDA. I already had a degree in Graphic Design when I returned to SOU to pursue EMDA, while my previous education helped to form me as a student EMDA continues to help me as a professional and a person who can contribute to others. I love this program, here is to 10 more years of growth, Innovation, Diversity, and Community!"
If you are an EMDA alum who would like to share a few words (and even some art) in celebration of our 10th anniversary, contact Robert Arellano through the EMDA alumni LinkedIn group or email Professor Arellano: email@example.com.


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PCMx Manager Mobile
PCMx Manager – create measurement graphs automatically and in real time from your PCMx locator.
Create and email survey reports directly from the field.
Radiodetection offers an extensive range of software tools, mobile apps and remote services designed to manage and extend the capabilities of all current locators and transmitters:
You will be able to register, setup and update your equipment, Check and revalidate its calibration, and produce detailed utility maps.
If you are using a Cable Avoidance Tool you can also subscribe to the C.A.T Manager online system to automatically monitor and evaluate your operators' performance, improve on-site safety and reduce utility damages.
C.A.T Manager Online is a remote management tool that enables automatic usage-monitoring of gC.A.T4 fleets.
Radiodetection's PCMx Manager mobile is the companion App for the PCMx locator system and enables corrosion and Cathodic Protection System (CPS) professionals to evaluate the condition and effectiveness of pipeline coatings.
RD Map™ is the free Map&Share™ Android app which supports Radiodetection's Bluetooth Precision locators and allows locator technicians to create detailed maps of buried utilities and share them directly from the field*.
eCert remote calibration testing provides fast and convenient calibration / performance testing of Radiodetection's locators without the need to return them to a service centre, saving time and expense for operators.
eCAL is a Radiodetection technique that allows the operator to validate the original factory calibration of the RD5000, RD7000+ or RD8000 Cable and Pipe locators, providing the user with confidence that the instrument locator continues to meet its original factory calibration.
eCAL Refund Statement
PCMx Manager – create measurement graphs automatically and in real time from your PCMx locator.
Create and email survey reports directly from the field.


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The grand opening of a new fire station. A sustainability workshop. A town hall to discuss new designs for the rail corridor.
These events in Palo Alto, as well as dozens of others scheduled for what was shaping up to be busy March at City Hall, will now be postponed, modified or, in many cases, scrapped altogether as part of the city's response to the new coronavirus' spread. Palo Alto officials announced Monday evening that it is modifying or canceling more than 30 events to limit the spread of respiratory viruses and protect residents at the highest risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19.
So far, the city has been considering only events extending to March 31. But as the virus continues to spread, the announcement noted that the city may expand the time period of its "cancellation approach" at any time. While City Council meetings, as well as those of local boards and commissions, will proceed as scheduled, the city will be canceling all events with an estimated attendance of more than 100 people or those whose attendance is unknown but that may draw a larger attendance, according to an announcement from City Manager Ed Shikada's office.
So far, the list of canceled or postponed city events covers several departments:
• The Expanded Community Advisory Panel for grade separation not meet on March 11, as originally scheduled (see list below for future meetings and locations)
• Rail Town Hall meetings, which were scheduled for March 12 at Palo Alto High School and March 26 at Elks Lodge.
• Document shredding event, scheduled for March 14 at the SMaRT Station in Sunnyvale.
• Palo Alto Masters Meet, which was set for March 14 at Rinconada Pool. Pool operator Team Sheeper also announced a one-day closure of the pool on Thursday, March 12, so staff could evaluate how to keep patrons safe.
• The Art Center Foundation Member Day Trip to Sacramento, which was scheduled for March 14.
• Landscape Design 101: How to Get Started, a class that was scheduled for March 14 at Mitchell Park Library.
• Arbor Day Festival, which was scheduled for March 15 at the Palo Alto Art Center.
• "Word on the Street" transportation talk, which was scheduled for March 19 at JLS Middle School.
• Fire Station 3 grand opening and open house, which was scheduled for March 21.
• North Ventura Coordinated Area Plan Working Group Meeting, which was scheduled for March 24 at City Hall.
• Racing Hearts 5K/10K Race, which was scheduled for March 29 but was canceled by the event organizer.
• Sustainability Community Workshop, which was scheduled for March 31 at Mitchell Park Community Center.
A complete list is available here. This list will be updated as the city sends more announcement on changes.
The city also announced that several events and programs will be adjusted with revised locations or reductions in ticket numbers, in line with Santa Clara County Public Health Department guidance on social distancing:
• The Expanded Community Advisory Panel for grade separation is scheduled to meet on Wednesday, March 18, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers. The panel is also tentatively scheduled to meet on March 25 from 4 to 7 p.m. at the Palo Alto Art Center.
• Children's Theatre - Outreach Production: Multiple dates at Palo Verde Elementary.
• Palo Alto Children's Theatre - Playhouse Beauty and the Beast: Friday, March 27 and Saturday, March 28, shows at 10 a.m. and noon.
The city, according to Shikada's announcement, has already implemented numerous operational changes in response to the COVID-19 public health risk. These include supplying protective gear for field staff; expanding 911 dispatcher protocols to support police, fire, emergency medical first responders and utilities staff; providing more hand sanitizer stations; and enhancing cleaning efforts in public facilities.
"The City is evaluating modifications to service delivery and other efforts to maintain City staffing levels and providing essential services through thoughtful planning for several impact scenarios," the announcement states. "The City anticipates more details to be released later this week on longer-term planning and potential service delivery modifications."
Read our latest updates on local coronavirus cases here.
Find comprehensive coverage on the Midpeninsula's response to the new coronavirus by the Almanac, Mountain View Voice and Palo Alto Online here.


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interference and attempts at defeating the Nobunaga family.
"Hibari Minyo no Tabi Beranme Nakanorisan (Feisty Edo Girl Nakanori-san)," 1961 drama, 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Directed by Masamitsu Igayama. Starring Hibari Misora and Ken Takakura.
Daughter of a lumber shop in Edo strives to protect her family business from the competitor.
"Hizakura Daimyo (The Hectic Lord)," 1958 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 22 minutes.
Directed by Tai Kato. Starring Hashizo Okawa and Keiko Okawa.
A lord and princess elope to escape forced marriages.
"Kanto Hizakura Ikka (The Kanto Scarlet Cherry Gang)," 1972 drama, 1 hour and 42 minutes.
Directed by Masahiro Makino. Starring Junko Fuji, Ken Takakura, Koji Tsuruta and Chiezo Kataoka.
Tsuruji, a beautiful yet tough geisha, confronts a yakuza gang over a territorial dispute.
"Kimitachi ga Ite Boku ga Ita (Here Because of You)," 1964 drama,
1 hour and 27 minutes.
Directed by Ryuichi Takamori. Starring Kazuo Funaki, Shinichi Chiba (Sonny Chiba) and Chiyoko Honma.
An uplifting drama about the bond between a group of high school seniors and their kind-hearted teacher, Mr. Yabuki. Faced with the rigors of growing up in modern times, students often look to Mr. Yabuki for advice and guidance. But when Mr. Yabuki's career is threatened as a result of a false accusation from the school's PTA, the students band together to stand up for their beloved teacher and help him to save his good reputation and job.
"Kujakujo no Hanayome (Bride of Peacock Castle)," 1950 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Shoji Matsumura. Starring Ryutaro Otomo and Hibari Misora.
A hunter is a given a task of taming a daughter of Shogun in preparation for her marriage to the lord.
"Kyokotsu Ichidai (The Chivalrous Life)," 1967 action film, 1 hour and 33 minutes.
Starring Ken Takakura and Junko Fuji.
Ryoma is a former military man who gets to know the leader of a yakuza group and help them defend themselves against other yakuza gangs.
"Mito Komon (Lord Mito)," 1957 samurai film, 1 hour and 38 minutes.
Directed by Yasushi Sasaki. Starring Ryunosuke Tsukigata, Chiezo Kataoka and Utaemon Ichikawa.
This most celebrated all-star movie version of the popular series features Tsukigata Ryunosuke as Mito Komon, the sage who wanders the countryside rectifying government corruption along with his faithful attendants Suke and Kaku.
"Mori no Ishimatsu Oni Yori Kowai (Scarier Than the Devil)," 1960 drama, 1 hour and 36 minutes.
Directed by Tadashi Sawashima. Starring Kinnosuke Nakamura and Koji Tsuruta.
A stage director who directs a "Mori no Ishimatsu" play time travels and becomes "Mori no Ishimatsu" himself.
"Nihon no Ichiban Nagai Hi (The Emperor in August)," 2015 drama,
2 hours and 16 minutes.
Directed by Makoto Harada. Starring Koji Yakusho and Masahiro Motoki.
World War II ended on August 15, 1945. What took place in Japan on the previous night? The unknown destiny of the day is unveiled.
On August 14, 1945, at an imperial conference, Showa Emperor Hirohito finally decides to accept the Potsdam Declaration. However, some young firebrand army officers insist on continuing the war and conspire to launch a coup. Anami, the Minister of War, is pressed to make an extremely difficult decision.
"Oodeiri (Giant Rumble)," 1964 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 34 minutes.
Directed by Kosaku Yamashita. Starring Hashizou Ookawa and Tetsuro Tanba.
Three men's lives are locked in a fight over territory.
"Shingo Nijuuban Shobu Dai-Nibu (Shingo's Challenge, Part 2)," 1961 samurai film, 1 hour and 30 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Hashizou Okawa, Satomi Oka and Ryutaro Otomo.
Shingo's adventure continues as he wanders Japan seeking to further his mastery of the sword.
"Silk Hat no Ooyabun Chobihige no Kuma (The Silk Hat Boss 2)," 1970 drama, 1 hour and 29 minutes.
Directed by Noribumi Suzuki. Starring Tomizaburo Wakayama and Goro Ibuki.
The Silk Hat Boss becomes involved in a car imports business during his trip to Atami.
"Tabi ni Deta Gokudo (Yakuza on Foot)," 1969 action film, 1 hour and 35 minutes.
Directed by Junya Sato. Starring Tomisaburo Wakayama and Shingo Yamashiro.
An Osaka gangster Shimamura just got married. His new bride, Mineko is also involved in drug-trafficking, and when she goes to China to make a deal, things get botched pretty badly. Shimamura must travel to save her and recoup his employers' losses.
"Tange Sazen Ketteiban (Secret of the Golden Spell)," 1958 samurai film, 1 hour and 40 minutes.
Directed by Sadatsugu Matsuda. Starring Ryutaro Otomo, Hibari Misora and Hashizo Okawa.
One of Japan's most popular folklore characters, Tange Sazen, the one-eyed and one-armed swordsman, must rescue the yagyu clan from the treachery of a master plotting to take control over a sword fighting school.
"Tsuri Baka Nisshi 9 (Free and Easy 9)," 1997 comedy/drama, 1 hour and 55 minutes.
Directed by Tomio Kuriyama. Starring Toshiyuki Nishida and Ren Mikuni.
Hama-chan's sales department gets a new supervisor, a hard-working taskmaster that's the very opposite of carefree, irresponsible Hama-chan. The veteran employee decides to find his boss, a divorced father, a new wife. The supervisor loves a bar hostess "mama-san," but is unable to confess his true feelings until Hama-chan comes to his rescue.
"Umisuzume (The Book Peddler)," 2015 drama, 1 hour and 48 minutes.
Directed by Kenichi Omori. Starring Rina Takeda and Yutaka Kobayashi.
Uwajima is a picturesque city in Ehime Prefecture with a rich history.
Suzume provides one of the city's most unique services, library book bicycle delivery. Suzume spends her days riding through town picking up and dropping off books to very grateful patrons. But when a book needed for the town's 400th anniversary celebration goes missing, the library is thrown into chaos. The book in question has the design of a special kimono needed for the celebration parade. At the same time, the survival of the book delivery service is thrown into question. The book delivery team must pull out all the stops to save both the celebration and their jobs!
"Umon Torimonocho Manji Gumo (The Eye of the Chinese Festival)," 1962 jidaigeki, 1 hour and 26 minutes.
Directed by Toshikazu Kono. Starring Ryutaro Otomo and Kotaro Satomi.
Umon investigates the murder of kabuki actors caused by deadly blows of red arrow.
"Yogiri no Joshuji (Road In The Mist)," 1963 samurai drama, 1 hour and 23 minutes.
Directed by Kokichi Uchide. Starring Hibari Misora, Jushiro Konoe and Isao Yamagata.
Okinu, the beautiful daughter of a feudal lord, discovers her true identity and leaves her lavish life behind to avenge her birth father's death.
"Yokohama BJ Blues (Yokohama BJ Blues)," 1981 drama, 1 hour and 52 minutes.
Directed by Eikichi Kudo. Starring Yusaku Matsuda, Mari Henmi and Keizo Kanie.
Former blues singer turned private eye, BJ becomes involved in a dangerous gang business.


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October 2, 2021
Personal care assistant (PCA) workers in Minnesota will see higher wages and other new benefits this month. The statewide minimum wage for PCAs rises from $13.25 to $14.40 per hour effective Oct. 1, then increases again to $15.25 on July 1, 2022. The agreement also increases budgets for Minnesotans who participate in the consumer-directed community supports program. Read the full article here.


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What does 'Toubab' mean?
Many of you may have never heard the term toubab, but for Maud Villaret, this word tells an important story. A baby in her mother's womb in West Africa, Maud (who is French) has always felt a deep attachment for her earth mother, Africa. After graduating from a renowned Parisian fashion design school in 2004, Maud decided to explore new horizons and to focus on the theme of travel. In search of her roots and eager to meet and engage with others through shared experiences, Maud discovered the energy that today nourishes her inspiration. African at heart but visibly a foreigner, she was soon nicknamed toubab or toubabou. The word toubab comes from toubib, a term used to describe the first European doctors who arrived in Senegal. Although the word is sometimes pejoratively associated with the notion of colonization, toubab in West Africa designates a foreigner, regardless of nationality. In 2006, the young designer began revisiting the traditional codes of African textiles, showcasing their detailed craftsmanship and combining them with materials from all corners of the world. Inspired by her transformational experience in West Africa, Maud decided to name her brand Toubab. The word Paris, associated with it, refers not only to the brand's geographical location and "couture" aspect, but also evokes the cultural mixing that fosters a unique inspiration, highlighting an ethnic, chic and cutting-edge design. Our differences are what shape us and help us grow. Maud draws her distinctive and authentic vibration from this philosophy. Toubab Paris accessories are designed to be unusual and groundbreaking, transcending conventions to create a bold and timeless feel. Like an oasis of cheerfulness for aficionados of flights of fancy, Toubab Paris jewelry, with its rich interaction of textures and hues, is a cure for damp spirits. A color therapy of sorts, Toubab Paris makes its wearers beautiful, giving them a special and intriguing glow. Toubab Paris jewelry takes you on a journey to the heart of your senses and emotions. Toubib, toubab…. a return to the source, to one's inner self. Now it's your turn to join the journey and take part in this inner roaming. Open yourself up to the charms of the elsewhere and let your imagination run wild. It will take you far far away!