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You're going to want to keep your eye on the "update" button for these new features coming to YouTube, Facebook, and Instagram. In the news this week, YouTube Creators gain a new way to earn revenue, Facebook adds features to support its new "private" efforts, and Instagram is rolling out new insights.
Instagram is Giving Us New Insights
Two new features were spotted by the well-known reverse engineering expert, Jane Manchun Wong on Instagram that will help businesses better understand their followers. First up, your likes will be separated into two categories: new and earlier. This means that once you've viewed likes, they go into the "earlier" category, and when you check back again, you'll see your new likes in the new section. This helps companies better track new activity and respond accordingly.
Also spotted by Wong is a feature many businesses have been asking for regarding new follows and unfollows. This chart will appear in the insights under "Growth" and indicate how many new followers you gain in contrast to the ones you lost, as well as overall growth.
Facebook Brings New Features to Support "The Future is Private"
In 2018, Facebook made a decision to disable the "View as Public" feature after an unfortunate security flaw that allowed an attacker to exploit over 50 million accounts. Now that the kinks are worked out, Facebook announced on Twitter that the feature was back, as well as a feature to edit private details. This update supports the current effort to make Facebook feel like a safe place for users and to support Mark Zuckerberg's F8 opening statement: "The Future is Private."
Creators on YouTube have a New Way to Make Money
YouTube's parent company, Google, is now offering a way for creators on the platform to receive slices of income in from a new shopping feature. This feature was announced on the live stream held by Google, Marketing Live. While Google has been testing the ability to add shopping links below videos for a while now, many did not expect the newest option: shopping/advertising on native creator's videos. This feature will allow you to purchase from the ads in the video via Google Shopping (formerly Google Express), without ever having to leave the page. The details on this feature are still vague, but creators can start brainstorming ways to capitalize on this revenue-making opportunity.
Did you know Facebook, YouTube, and Instagram are the three most popular channels for businesses to post video content – in that order?
Are you using video in your digital marketing strategy?
CONTACT US to learn how to increase, reach, traffic, conversion, and engagement on all platforms from websites to email marketing and all social media channels.

subset: commoncrawl


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Video Recordings from Annual Conference!
Read the recap story!
Gun Violence Resolution Resolution to support amendment the Tennessee Constitution to end slavery
Please click on each box below to learn important details regarding Annual Conference 2022.
June 15 - 17
Brentwood UMC
Transitions Resources
TWK Standing Rules
Financial Information
Consent Agenda
(reports, nominations, closed churches, disaffiliations, etc.)
Please note that the Clergy Meeting was held online on the afternoon of June 1, 2022 (before the annual conference).
Resources for Churches from "Exhibitors"!
Planning Team
Bishop McAlilly
Amy J. Hurd
Joanna Newberry
H.G. Stovall
Rev. Monica Mowdy
Rev. Rob Martin
Rev. Melinda Britt
Janice McCallen
Julia Todd
Sergio Villa
Tyler Sprouse
Izzie Zimmerman
Clare Wilson
Rev. Jason Jones
Abby Stanton


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NSA and CIA counterterrorism efforts included Xbox Live, Second Life, WoW spying (update)
American and British intelligence groups actively spied on services like Xbox Live and games like Second Life and World of Warcraft.
Opinion: Are the creators of The Walking Dead games ready to adapt Game of Thrones?
It's a tall order. Can Telltale Games pull it off?
Behind the scenes with Hello Games' No Man's Sky
Joe Danger developer's next project is No Man's Sky, a space exploration sim. We've seen it and talked to the developer.
Pirate Blitz: The Sinking of the Captain Jack
The real-life act of piracy that inspired an iOS game.


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Jessup Makeup Brushes Set Premium Synthetic Powder Foundation Highlight Concealer Eyeshadow Blending Eyebrow Liner Spoolie Brush Set Black 21pcs T271
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(as of Feb 20,2022 15:42:19 UTC – Details)
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length 3:39 (not including bonus content)
Have you ever wished you were in better physical shape? Do you find yourself watching your weight at home but totally ignore calories when you're at work? Or are you working so much that you're not taking the time you need to work out and be healthy?
Well, in this week's episode, I'll give you a blueprint for creating a company-wide wellness plan that's sure to get everyone in shape! A huge thank you to the Bellamy Construction team for inspiring this awesome episode of PowerTips TV!
What about you?
Do you have any other suggestions on how to implement a wellness plan for your team? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!


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Lieutenant in the 5th South Carolina Regiment.
Obtained leave to return to France where he was hospitalized in La Rochelle for the treatment of an illness (1777).
Wrote to Franklin to inform him of his arrival in France, to state that he was now under his orders, and to ask for financial assistance in paying his medical expenses.
Returned to his regiment. Commissioned first lieutenant (January 1778).


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Comandante Balduviano (Balduvian Warlord) (pt)
Creature - Human Barbarian | Power/Toughness: 3 / 2 (CMC 4)
: Remove target blocking creature from combat. Creatures it was blocking that hadn't become blocked by another creature this combat become unblocked, then it blocks an attacking creature of your choice. Activate only during the declare blockers step.


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Real estate investment trust (REIT) investors have had it good for many years, as a low-interest rate environment has been extremely beneficial for these leveraged real estate vehicles. As REITs typically borrow heavily to finance their operations as well as to acquire properties, low rates mean REITs end up paying much lower finance costs, resulting in higher levels of cash to pay out to investors.
Investors would do well to remember that REITs tend to pay just the interest portion of their loans, and will roll-over the loan once the maturity date nears. Alternatively, the REIT could also look for an alternative lender (preferably with an even more competitive interest rate) to replace the loan that is coming due.
Hong Kong imposes a statutory limit of 45% in terms of gearing, and most REITs tend to keep their gearing levels below 40% just to be safe.
Though interest rates have remained low for an extended period since the end of the Global Financial Crisis back in 2009, investors may be wondering about the potential impact of a rising interest rate environment on REITs. Let's explore some of the effects that higher interest rates may have on REITs.
Lower frequency for M&A
When rates eventually climb back up to normal levels, REITs may find themselves caught in a bind, as they now have to shoulder higher levels of finance costs. As REITs frequently increase their gearing levels in order to acquire properties for their portfolio, an increase in interest rate may thus dampen demand for M&A, as it will be tougher for REITs to secure cheap funding.
REITs may resort to a combination of debt plus equity to raise funds for acquisitions, with higher amounts of capital raised through equity compared with debt. This has the potential to make the transaction more dilutive and hence less attractive for unitholders.
Paying out lower DPU
In a rising interest rate environment, REITs that have debt coming due will be forced to refinance their debt at higher interest rates. This will sap more cash flows, all things being equal, and put more pressure on the REIT manager as total costs will start to rise.
The REIT could react by paying out a lower distribution per unit (DPU) as earnings are impacted by the higher finance costs. Recall that REITs have to pay out a minimum of 90% of their earnings to qualify for tax exemption, so DPU is directly proportional to the level of earnings.
Crimping demand for leasing
Rising interest rates also have a direct impact on the real economy, as many businesses utilize debt to fund both their working capital and operations. As the cost of financing becomes more expensive, more companies may cut back on acquisitions or expansion, leading to a fall in corporate capital spending.
Companies that have binged on debt may start facing financial difficulties and be unable to properly service their loans. All these will crimp demand for leasing, whether it be office, industrial warehouse or retail space, and would flow through to negatively impact REIT occupancy rates. When occupancy rates are hit, rental income will also be impacted and REITs may report lower year-on-year revenues, net profit, and cash flows.
A scary scenario for weaker REITs
Though the above sounds scary, investors should note that weaker REITs tend to suffer more during bouts of interest rate increases as they may not have a credible sponsor and would also not have the reputation to attract strong tenants.
REITs with a stellar track record and well-located, quality properties and which are well-managed need not fear a rising interest rate environment.
A version of this article originally appeared on our Fool Asia site. For more coverage like this head over to Fool.hk.en.


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Fudge Stripe Cookies
The Keebler Elves were onto something with this cookie! Delicious dark chocolate layers on a salty shortbread will keep you coming back for more.
Nerdy Tip
- If you use piping bags a LOT, check out these OXO bottles!
Have you tried making these cookies?? I'd love to hear your feedback. Please comment and rate! Peace & love, jenni
Hi Claudia! I'm so happy that you've reached out. Thank you so much fir the kind words and the recommendation!…
Hi Jenni, I heard your husband Greg talking about your new blog and so I thought I would check it…
It's been awhile since I've made the instant pot version, I'm sorry.
I plan to make this for my book club. Great idea. Do you happen to have the directions for the…
This was my favorite slider out of the four! Thank you, Azilde! I hope you enjoy 💕


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Konami got the green light from Disney to publish a Star Wars card game, but is it the one you've been hoping for?
Back in the mid 90's was a good time for card games, you had Magic the Gathering released, which is still massively popular and some of you may remember the Star Wars collectible card game. For many Star Wars fans and card game enthusiasts it was a enjoyable and memorable time. Players were able to battle their friends with Light or Dark side decks, playing cards with their favorite characters, locations, and space craft from the Star Wars universe. It would appear that Konami attempted to re-kindle that joy for Star Wars fans by bringing a brand new card game to the App Store.
I won't deny the chilling excitement I had when I first heard of this, I was a little confused though on how far I had to dig in the App Store to find a brand new Star Wars game. Why wasn't it at the top of the Star Wars search list? Well, I found out all to easy, after downloading this overly disappointing game. I've been forcing myself through hours of the game, trying to find some semblance of goodness, something that backs any of the 4-5 star reviews on the App Store, but 4 miserable hours into this game and I still don't see how it even is considered a card game.
The game requires you to always be online and if you're running the game on a cellar network, the loading time can be atrocious. The UI plays like one of those low cost flash games where cut and paste images appear and disappear on and off the screen. The actual "card" battles are played out automatically, so you basically just hit go, watch a set of cards on screen move towards each other firing cheezy looking blaster shots at each other until the battle is over. The gameplay runs like that of a low budget turn based RPG game, you'll have a few cardboard cut-out enemies facing you, and you'll press a button to either blast your enemy with a blaster bolt or with a slash of a lightsaber. The type of weapon you have is based on the character card you have, you also need something called EP in order to attack, which guess what, you can get EP buy spending money or waiting a set amount of time. That's right, you have to pay money or wait to even finish a battle in the game at times.
The whole game felt like I was just hitting the next button and the attack button, then once my EP was depleted I had to wait for it to refill again. I've seen plenty of games like this on the App store and though I've never spent much time on them, mostly because there are so many higher quality games out there. But they never bothered me much before, now that they've brought in the precious name of Star Wars, it feels a bit personal. Especially with many fans patiently waiting for a real Star Wars card game to be released, this low-budget, simple coded, rpg game that uses 'cards' as it's characters is probably not what they were hoping to get.
Now, there may be a small number of Star Wars fans who might find this to be a valid waste of time and though that may be true in the most desperate of situations, I have a hard time promoting such a lazy attempt on the Star Wars license. What I find the most discouraging is that this seems to be a new trend since Disney purchased the Star Wars franchise. We've had the demanding money hungry rancor known as Star Wars: Tiny Death Star and now an even more money hunger monster with even less effort known as Star Wars: Force Collection. It's really sad that both Star Wars: Trench Run and Star Wars Arcade: Falcon Gunner, as well as a few others were removed from the App Store because of Disney shutting down the original LucasArts.
If this is what we have to look forward to with Disney owning the Star Wars franchise, we indeed have a major disturbance in the force. My hope is that these will be lessons learned for Disney, ones that suggest not to sell the Star Wars license out to the first developers who claim they can make a small fortune with it. If old Ben Kenobi was around to see this, he would promptly tell you "This is not the Star Wars card game you're looking for" and he wouldn't even have to use a jedi mind trick to get you to believe him.
Star Wars: Force Collection is available on iOS 5.1 or later and Android 4.0 or later. It can be downloaded for Free on the App Store or Google Play.


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We are proud to announce a recent project of ours, the MSOE Dwight and Dian Diercks Computational Science Hall has received one of the Milwaukee Business Journal's 2020 Real Estate Awards. Congratulations to our visionary clients at Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE), Dwight and Dian Diercks and our partners at GRAEF, Mortenson Construction and SmithGroup for collaborating on this important and transformative project.
MSOE Diercks Hall Wins 2020 Biz Journal Real Estate Award


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Excellence in disability support & training
Be part of the excitement at our weekly concerts or discos at Fryar Road Community. Register to be part of our Monday music program and develop your inner musician. Instruments include piano, drums, trumpets, didgeridoo, accordion, guitar and more.
We have a huge range of choices available in our popular art programs. You can learn about painting, pottery, mosaics, jewellery making, photography and textiles through our regular programs held at the Eagleby and Loganholme centres.
Based at our Loganholme centre at Cairns St, this program will enhance IT skills, literacy and numeracy skills through game design, power points, photography, video making and producing original music.
Members work at a range of activities, like restoration of furniture which we then donate to local nursing homes to encourage the understanding of giving back to the community and supporting the older generations. This program teaches work health & safety and includes using power and hand tools.
Our Loganholme centre on Cairns st, houses a large, purpose-built woodwork room including a wide variety of tools. Members learn fine motor skills and work skills, repurposing recycled timber. Items made in the woodwork room are then sold in our store to support further material purchases.
Members learn to make soaps, candles, diffusers, bath salts & more. Members learn to use numbers, count, measure and more. We do our best to use all natural ingredients. The items our members make are sold in our shop and proceeds go to funding for providing more materials to make more products.
Kelly St has a nursery on site where we grow vegetables, herbs and fruit trees that is solely run by members with guidance from staff and mentors.
Members learn about propagating, mowing, weeding and pruning. We grow vegetables, herbs and fruit trees at our Eagleby site, as well the nearby Fryar Road Community Gardens.
Located at our centre in Loganholme on Cairns St, members learn to be able to follow patterns, cut fabric and sew. Fine motor skills are enhanced while members learn to hand sew and use sewing machines.
FIRST has a strong emphasis on developing life and social skills. Much of our social training and programs are designed to develop these skills. We support people accessing various venues in the community, whether in a group or individual setting. You can be supported to go to museums, libraries, pools, shopping centres, sports venues and more.
Some of the members volunteer at Beckys Place assisting with miniature horses and being involved with grooming. Feeding and walking the horses gives a great sensory experience with horse therapy.
Bowling can be great fun and give you the opportunity to be part of a terrific team. It also gives you the chance to socialise and learn. We are part of two leagues, one being a national disability league, with one of our members representing QLD.
PCYC Beenleigh work closely with FIRST to provide a great range of physical activities including athletics, football, tennis, golf, basketball, netball, hockey and more. The PCYC Possibility Program fosters teamwork, skill development and camaraderie.
Mike's Place
September is looking like a great month at Mike's place with the final preparations' happening for SWELL and getting ready for our end of year sale.
Upper Coomera
Entering our 9th month of being open, our programs are in full swing now. Special event this month being our Road Ready program.


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Gaia Project Anti-Virus Potion
This plant-based sanitiser is created with a formula recommended by World Health Organisation (WHO) and we tweaked it with our own little magic.
Kills 99.9% of Viruses. Deodorizes and removes foul odours.
Made with pure Mint & Cinnamon Leaf essential oils.
100% Non-sticky!
Active Ingredients: Cinnamon Leaf Essential Oil, Mentha Arvensis, Glycerol, Distilled Aqua, Ethanol, Hydrogen Peroxide, and Mangrove Vinegar
Directions: Shake well before use. Please do not spray into eyes, avoid broken skin and keep it out of reach of children.


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Shore Buddies Sammy the Seal Keychain
Save Liquid error (snippets/product-badge line 32): Computation results in '-Infinity'%
Shore Buddies are made from recycled plastic water bottles! With these adorable plushies, you can rest easy knowing trash is being kept out of the ocean.
Characteristics: This stuffed animal keychain of Sammy the Seal is made from 2 plastic water bottles. With less plastic in the ocean, this keychain helps real seals avoid becoming tangled in waste.
Age: 3 Years & UpThe Sammy the Seal Keychain from Shore Buddies is part of our Shop for a Cause collection.


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Suite 352
1 - 200 North Service Road West
Oakville ON L6M 2Y1
"By joining the Tempus program our individual shareholder distributors across the country enjoy the benefit of corporate rates, resulting in substantial savings."
Dov Lidor
Tempus Freight Management Services
Have you considered that your company may be spending more on transportation costs than you actually owe? Contact us today and start reducing freight costs.
Reduce Freight Costs
Tempus specializes in the transportation industry, and we are familiar with all types of billing procedures, miscellaneous charges, cubing, and discount arrangements. For companies without prior knowledge in this industry, it has been estimated that tens of thousands of dollars are lost each year to overcharges and costly billing errors.
Custom Reporting
In addition, Tempus has the ability to provide you with a variety of custom reports pertaining to any aspect of your transportation program. We are always available to assist in managing your transportation program and helping you make the most advantageous choices for your business. We can also assist you in selecting the carriers which best suit your shipping needs, keeping in mind the best possible service and economical choices.


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U.S. Rep Eddie Bernice Johnson said Saturday she is retiring from Congress after almost 30 years, closing a chapter to a pioneering public service career that broke barriers and helped reshape the face of Dallas.
Johnson's dramatic announcement, though widely expected, set off a frenzy of political activity as would-be successors scurried to develop campaigns for the March Democratic primaries. Numerous contenders to succeed Johnson in Dallas' District 30 were on hand for the incumbent's speech, making it a curious spectacle that attracted much of the area's political class.
Johnson said people had been urging her to run for another term in Congress and she went back and forth about the decision but eventually decided to retire.
"I will retire and I will recommend to you who is the best to follow me." she said, surrounded by generations of her family at the Kirkwood Temple CME Church in Red Bird.
She did not issue an endorsement yet — but said she would be looking for a qualified woman to endorse as successor. Many potential candidates to replace her were at the event, which featured numerous Democratic Party candidates and activists.
Johnson reflected on her lengthy career in politics and especially her time in Congress and her pride at securing funding for public transit in Dallas County.
"I've worked hard. It's not just a title — it's a job," she said. "It's been some rugged times, but I have not acknowledged it. I was determined that I wouldn't just be a title. I wanted to deliver. I thought about the district and all the needs that it had. The first challenge that hit my table was funding DART. It's been my baby from the first day that I got there."
Johnson is the 16th Democrat so far to announce retirement before the 2022 election that is expected to bring a Republican majority to the House in the midterms.
Johnson's announcement was bittersweet for many of the 600 people gathered for a Democratic Party candidates rally at Kirkwood Temple organized by political consultant Jeff Dalton, who described Johnson's speech as an "incredibly moving moment" and "a bit of history."
As Johnson opened her remarks, she gave the crowd one final tease.
"Nothing has been more heartwarming than the overwhelming support for me to run for one more term," Johnson said as the crowd applauded. Then she cautioned to those who thought she was running for reelection: "Listen to my whole speech."
When Johnson finally announced her retirement, some people in the audience wiped away tears. Others applauded in tribute, yelling "thank you" and "we love you."
"It's a sad day, and it's a good day," said Irish Watson, a hair salon owner and community activist from Dallas. "She's paved the way for someone else to come along and follow in her footsteps. The person that takes her place, they've got to be a hell of a person and someone that's for the people and will fight for their constituents."
Terry Allen, founder of a group called City Men Cook, said Johnson was an important figure in Dallas politics.
"I am pleased with her legacy. I am shocked by her announcement, but I am happy that she's going to identify someone to replace her so that we don't close the doors that she has opened," Allen said after Johnson finished her remarks. "She is a great example, a historical example of what success looks like in politics for people of color, especially women of color."
After her speech, Johnson received praised from local and national leaders.
"Congresswoman Johnson has devoted her life to helping others, first as a nurse and then as a public servant. Her support, her friendship, and her dedication to the people of Dallas have meant the world to me," Dallas Mayor Eric Johnson said. "I will miss being able to count on her leadership in Washington on behalf of our city and our state, but I wish her a long, happy and healthy retirement. She has certainly earned it."
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi offered her congratulations to Johnson, saying the veteran lawmaker was "vital to the passage of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, now signed into law by President Biden."
"Chairwoman Johnson has made history — from being the first Black woman elected to state public office from Dallas, to being the first African American and first woman Chair of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology — whose leadership has made a difference in our nation," Pelosi said in a statement.
Ken Molberg, judge on the Fifth District Court of Appeals, said he's known and worked with Johnson since the 1970s.
"It's an end of an era," Molberg said. "There comes a time when you step aside to let others do the job. And we'll still hear from her. She'll still be active and and I'm sure we will all hear who she wants to replace her."
Johnson said she made a point to work with Republicans on projects, particularly her North Texas colleagues. Former Rep. Joe Barton, R-Ennis, said he enjoyed serving with Johnson. They both hail from Waco and he played high school football with her younger brother.
"She has that personality that allows her to put coalitions together," Barton said, adding that he helped her draw a Democratic congressional district in Dallas when, as state senator, she led the redistricting committee. "She's very self-effacing. She's not egotistical. She's very determined to just get the job done. I'm surprised she's leaving. She'll be missed."
Johnson, born in Waco amid the segregated South, shattered barriers at nearly every stage of her political and professional career, paving the way for more women and African Americans to obtain leadership roles in politics, nursing and other fields in Texas and beyond.
She was the first Black person to serve as chief psychiatric nurse at Dallas' VA hospital. The first Black woman elected to public office from Dallas, an accomplishment that still stuns people who reflect about the headwinds of the past. She is the first Black person from Dallas to serve in the Texas Senate since Reconstruction. The first registered nurse elected to Congress. The first Black woman to lead the House Science, Space and Technology Committee.
A lasting monument to that history is Dallas' Union Station, a once racially segregated facility that in 2019 was renamed after Johnson.
Throughout her career, Johnson was one of Texas' most influential Democrats. Her status as a senior Democrat, one who served on influential panels like the House transportation committee, stood out in a state dominated by Republicans, providing her significant clout, particularly during years in which her party controlled the House.
She used her power and partnerships with Republicans to deliver for North Texas, including massive road projects like the DFW Connector and flood control improvements along the Trinity River to expansions at Dallas Love Field.
The news that followed Johnson wasn't always positive.
Her most controversial misstep came in 2010, when it was revealed that she had improperly awarded thousands of dollars in scholarships to four relatives and a top aide's two children. She ultimately paid back the money, saying she had "unknowingly" violated the rules.
But that incident didn't come close to denting Johnson's popularity in District 30 and she continued to roll up landslide victories for reelection.
"I'm proud of what I've done," Johnson said. "There's no Texan in the history of this state who has brought more home."
The race to replace Johnson in the safe Democratic seat is considered wide open. And Johnson said she would be active in finding her successor.
"I will be endorsing in this race and I would appreciate you appreciating my judgment," Johnson said. "My goal is to look for a female."
That was a message to several male contenders for her seat. Several of them were listening, including state Rep. Carl Sherman Sr. of DeSoto, the emcee of the event, and state Sen. Royce West of Dallas, who addressed the crowd before Johnson spoke.
Even before Johnson began considering retirement, state Rep. Yvonne Davis, Dallas County Commissioner John Wiley Price and West were considered potential successors. But Johnson stayed in office so long that the original trio of potential replacements are likely to think hard about whether a career in Washington makes sense, since they are much older than likely candidates that have recently emerged. Still, West has been asked by supporters to run for Congress and will consider it.
Candidates already running in District 30 include Dallas lawyer Abel Mulugheta, small-business owner Shenita Cleveland, progressive Democrat Jessica Mason and Dallas Democrat Zachariah Manning.
Jane Hamilton, who directed President Joe Biden's Texas presidential primary campaign, launched an exploratory committee and is expected to campaign for the District 30 seat.
Other potential candidates include state Reps. Jasmine Crockett and Toni Rose, both of Dallas, and Sherman. Former state District Judge Elizabeth Frizell of Dallas has also expressed interest in the seat.
"I was sad when she made the announcement. When she literally said it, my eyes got watery," Sherman said. "She's led in such a gracious way, but very effective in getting legislation done and bringing things home. It matters to me who she endorses. That person has big shoes to fill."
Sherman said his focus is "running for whatever God has in store for him."
Crockett, also on hand for Johnson's announcement, said she wanted to let Johnson have her day, but is considering running to replace her.
Other potential candidates include former Dallas council member Vonciel Jones Hill.
Former state Rep. Barbara Mallory Caraway, along with Hasani Burton and Cleveland, challenged Johnson in the 2020 Democratic primary. Johnson racked up over 70% of the vote. Cleveland was second with 13%. Caraway, a former Dallas City Council member, has made five attempts to unseat Johnson.
Johnson took a dig at her former opponents in talking about who she would endorse.
"Anybody that's already been rejected by this district, they will not be receiving my endorsement," she said.
Democratic Party leaders predicted a spirited campaign.
"We are sad to see Congresswoman Johnson go, but at the same time she has left a legacy that we are going to make sure that we fill with a strong person who's going to keep moving forward Dallas Democratic values in southern Dallas County and be able to continue all the work that she has done at that level in Congress," said Kristy Noble, chairwoman of the Dallas County Democratic Party.
Noble pointed out that Johnson's retirement generates interest in her seat, and other political posts that could open up when elected officials vacate their posts to run for Congress.
"There's rumblings of many people wanting to jump in," Noble said. "And I see over the next few weeks, before the December 13 filing date, that there's going to be a lot of movement in that area that is going to do nothing but good things for voter turnout and help Democrats up and down the ballot."
Dallas County District Attorney John Creuzot acknowledged the politics ahead, but added that is was important to remember Johnson's "unparalleled" service.
"No one has held that position with such dignity and respect, and not only represented her congressional district but all of Texans and the best interests of Americans," he said. "We're going to miss her."


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Great Access To Photograph New York City Columbus Day Parade
ALERT! The vaccination proof for indoor activities (Key to NYC) is in full affect and aside from ID, you will need to show proof of vaccination for COVID-19, to gain access to our venue.
Steve will be your mentor teaching you new and powerful street photography techniques guaranteed to push you from your comfort zone to new heights in your work and share his street-shooting philosophies gleaned from a lifetime of wandering urban places with his camera.
This is a mentorship workshop where Steve meets with each participant prior to the start for a one-on-one Zoom meeting assessment of your portfolio and a tech check to discuss gear and best ways to use it regardless of your system brand. We make tweaks to enhance your speed of response which might include back button autofocus, Auto ISO, Easy Exposure Compensation, frame rate and playback options along with other best practices all designed to simplify your process and build your muscle memory so the technical fades to the background and you increase you success rate.
(Image: Rockefellercenter.com)
This intimate 3-day weekend masterclass (limited to just 5 students) is designed to maximize both the learning experience and your ability to create a unique and powerful portfolio of imagery from New York.
The pre-workshop personal zoom session and portfolio review insures each student is ready to maximize the shooting part of the workshop when we arrive on location. One more pre-workshop Zoom Group session and lecture and we are ready to maximize our workshop experience.
Once in New York, we have our meet, greet and lecture followed by an ice-breaking photo-walk to Herald Square, New Penn Station and Hudson Yards. After shooting in and around the Hudson Yards, as well as taking in the unique and new view of the city at The Edge, we head to our special dinner location Electric Lemon, a true New York City culinary event. The atmosphere is stunning; food is absolutely delicious and it's quiet enough for great conversation.
"Electric Lemon, a seasonal American restaurant, celebrates the passionate farmers, growers and artisans of the Mid-Atlantic, transforming their pristine products into clean, conscious cuisine that puts flavor at the forefront. Offering stunning views from the 24th floor of the Equinox Hotel, located within New York City's Hudson Yards, Electric Lemon's sleek, expansive dining room and serene al fresco terrace make up the ideal multi-use, day-to-night setting.
From the spectacular and original window displays at iconic stores like Bloomingdale's Macy's or Saks Fifth Avenue to the giant tree at Rockefeller Center, this workshop offers unique photo opps beyond the usual vibrant, visually rich places and neighborhoods New York is famous for. New Yorker Steve Simon will take you to these and other hidden gems.
Locations may include: Hudson Yards, Oculus, Times Square, High Line Park, Harlem, Fifth Avenue & 57 Street, Brooklyn Bridge, Chinatown, Little Italy and the Lower East Side, Union Square, Washington Square Park, Queens, Coney Island and other parts of Brooklyn.
Steve has scouted locations to work out a final detailed itinerary to balance the street and urban work we pursue. Though the schedule may seem packed, woven into the program is down time to relax, edit your work and percolate on your New York experience.
We encourage flexibility and independence among participants and will attempt to personalize your experience whenever possible. If you fall in love with an area and want to continue working there–you are encouraged to do so.
Limiting our workshop to five participants allows me to tailor this workshop to meet the needs of each participant. Lectures and assignments will be personalized to get you out of your comfort zone and push you forward in your work. New York City is fairly easy to navigate but you will be doing a lot of walking so keep that in mind!
Steve will help and encourage you to find your own unique vision through assignments created to get you past photographic fears and cliches to capturing lyrical, poetic and decisive moments that communicate the energy of the city.
All levels of photographic experience can benefit from this workshop. You'll learn about the "rhythm of place" and you will discuss the laws and ethics of street photography as well as dealing with difficult situations that might pop up.
You will define a strategy for capturing the rich daily life of people, overcoming fears and shyness, approaching strangers, framing, juxtaposition, layering your compositions, letting the image come to you and whether color or black and white best suits your vision. And you will have fun!
After our workshop we have a post-workshop Zoom Class where we have our final lecture and critique of images not yet seen and Steve puts together a narrative of your best work from the workshop. You also can schedule a final hour-long one-on-one Zoom session to talk about the final outcome of the workshop and areas to work on moving forward.
We will talk urban-tech with Steve giving you his minimalist view on gear along with simplified shooting processes to maximizing your response time to capture decisive moments. This will be in our one on one session where we tailor the technical for the gear you use.
Steve's street tools include Nikon mirrorless and DLSR cameras along with a carefully curated selection of lenses. He is also familiar with a wide range of equipment to help you maximize your mirrorless, compact, rangefinder, DSLR or even your camera phone for compelling urban images.
Though our focus is on vision more than gear, we will talk lenses, auto focus, zone focusing, shooting form the hip, using live view, flash, camera support and tripods and a host of other tips, tricks, distractions and ideas that will improve your work dramatically. Steve will go over his post-process workflow in Lightroom.
It's a street and urban photography masterclass but the lessons learned will benefit you in all genres of image-making and help you to create a compelling "Christmas in New York" portfolio.
In class, we will examine a selection of your best or most interesting work from the previous day.
These daily critiques are of crucial importance, where we share ideas and constructive criticism looking through each others' images. Our workshop will be a "safe place" for group discussions with suggestions and new ideas put forward.
Our private Zoom sessions allow us to personalize our critiques and conversations for a more private and uninhabited conversation.
Steve will help guide participants work into a cohesive portfolio of images, through careful culling. You will be encouraged to take on a theme over the week for your final portfolio, and Steve will curate your final results into a set of your best images in the Lightroom Book Module and send you the catalog for review and/or printing.
"A picture is the expression of an impression. If the beautiful were not in us, how would we ever recognize it? " – Ernst Haas
Our Venue: NYC Seminar & Conference Center - 71 West 23rd Street (northeast corner of 23rd Street & 6th Avenue-Make sure you have ID!) Close to the F-Train, Flat Iron Building and Adorama/B&H so it's a great location, you can be just about anywhere in the city in a very short time.Not only are there great coffee, eating and drinking places close-by, but the shooting possibilities are fantastic as well. Suite 901.
There are many great hotels and AirBNB options to choose from close to our Chelsea venue.
"What a fabulous experience. I learned more about photography in one week than I had in 5 years. Steve is very knowledgable about the technical side as well as composition. He is very patient, gives excellent feedback and will work one on one with you on any photography subject you want. I asked him for help on night photography and at 10 PM he was out on the streets of Havana with me with step by step instructions on how to take the shot. 5 star plus rating!!"
"Best workshop I've ever taken! Steve is not only a great photographer, he is also a terrific teacher. He is patient and very hands- on. In some workshops the instructor sends students out to shoot after a short lecture–Steve goes out with his students, coaching them throughout the process. His course is well organized and covers diverse topics. He is funny and engaging and generous with his time and knowledge. I had SO MUCH fun and am ready to sign up for the next one. Highly recommended!"
"My week in Steve's Street Shooting workshop challenged me tremendously. There's nothing like taking your work apart and putting it back together with new vision to make you a better photographer. If you take this workshop, I guarantee you will see the world differently at the end."
"Steve's passion for photography is contagious and his teaching abilities and knowledge extraordinary! I highly recommend this workshop to anyone interested in photography."
"Participating in the NYC Street Photography Workshop was an enriching and exhilarating experience. It challenged me to step out of my comfort zone to improve my skills. Steve's curriculum and hands on approach offered me an opportunity to learn new techniques, add some creativity and visualize subject matter from another perspective. Each day presented abundant photo opportunities, resulting with the capture of some amazing images, exceeding my greatest expectations."
"Not only is Steve a great photographer, he is also a caring, compassionate person as well. He is constantly trying to help participants achieve their photographic goals in a gentle, caring, and sincere manner. Sadly, the critiques of my work were very helpful. Steve was right-on in terms of his suggestions to better my work. The totality of the workshop was terrific, primarily because the parts were all excellent as well. Choice of shooting locations, image reviews, suggestions, videos shown, and galleries visited were all great. Steve also promoted wonderful interactions among the participants. The venue was perfect for the workshop. We could spread out, leave our things there, use the facilities, and eat the goodies provided. You know you're in good hands with Steve! An outstanding workshop!"
"This is an outstanding workshop, led by a world-class photographer. It is impossible to spend time in a room with Steve Simon and not be inspired to get out there and make great images …I had high expectations and you exceeded them…Steve is very personable, articulate and passionate about photography, very welcoming with a warm, engaging personality. Steve's style is outstanding. I knew of Steve from the TWiP podcast and would have attended if he was talking about how to watch paint dry…"
"I just spent the last three days with Steve Simon, What a wonderful experience, the best time spent in a workshop ever. Steve is a perfectionist, every presentation not only had spectacular photography but also the perfect music to enhance the mood, a roller coaster of emotions. He cannot hide his journalistic background every single image tells a story. His technique is flawless; his teaching patience unparalleled. I am eager to start a new chapter of my photography applying what Steve taught me in the last few days."
Steve Simon has been passionate about documenting the beauty and drama of the human condition his entire photographic life. The author of five critically-acclaimed photography books with works in major museum collections worldwide, he is on the faculty of the International Center of Photography (ICP) in New York. He has also done a series of photography videos on Lynda.com.
Steve is as passionate about teaching as he is photography. His recently launched blog: thepassionatephotographer.com has info on workshops he teaches globally, including Street Photography Workshops, PhotoPlus Expo, Nikonians, Gulf Photo-Dubai, MacWorld & Nikon Mentor Series. He has been published and profiled in a variety of magazines: Photo District News, New York Times Magazine, Life, Harpers, People & Walrus among them. Corporate clients include Nikon, SanDisk, Sony Music & Apple. Among his honors: Art Director's Club NY, Canadian News Photographer of The Year, Global Health Council, NPPA & PX3.
His book THE PASSIONATE PHOTOGRAPHER was chosen one of Amazon's Top Ten Arts and Photography books. He is working on a new book on Street Photography and The Nikon System.
Total Cost: USD $2,000.00
Deposit: USD $99.00
The cost of this workshop covers tuition only, the welcoming dinner, local MTA transportation, Zoom meetings mentorship and course materials. The cost does not include accommodation or travel to and from New York City.
Payment of deposit secures your spot and is non-refundable. This workshop is limited to 5 participants so we encourage you to book your spot as soon as possible. If for any reason you need to withdraw from the workshop within 30 days of the start date, please notify us in writing (email is okay). The workshop organizers will endeavour to offer you a refund if your spot is filled, (less the deposit). Full payment is due November 15, 2023. Photo Educate and The Passionate Photographer Inc. are not responsible for cancellations due to medical emergencies or unforeseen circumstances. PLEASE INSTUE THAT THESE LAST-MINUTE DETAILS ARE COVERED BY YOUR TRAVEL INSURANCE POLICY.
Book or apply for a workshop through PhotoEducate and get:
Book today through PhotoEducate and get these exclusive offers, or contact us if you have any further questions.
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Evaldas earned his Master's Degree in IT and went on to complete numerous key projects including creating a bookkeeping system for pharmacies and implementing an SSAS cube to have multidimensional analysis of a company. As a Senior Software Engineer at Devbridge he works to find easy, clear, and elegant solutions to help the company and clients. Committed to lifelong learning and being open to new technologies, Evaldas is always trying to look at problems from different perspectives and questioning existing solutions in order to come up with better ones.
A proud father, Evaldas says his sons are his greatest achievement in life. In his free time, Evaldas likes to fiddle with DIY electronics, play basketball, and spend time doing carpentry work on houses.
The art of possible.


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The Trump Organization just sued the man who was killed in April's Trump Tower fire
This past April, a 67-year-old resident of Trump Tower died when a fire broke out in his apartment on the 50th floor of the gaudy monstrosity. Despite the incident claiming the innocent life of Todd Brassner, President Trump's tweet offered no condolences. Today, however, his family has sunk even lower… [more]
PS — Please don't forget to sign the petition to censure Trump for his continued abuse of power, and check out the brilliant "Don't Think of an Elephant" by George Lakoff — a quick read that contains the ultimate keys for Democrats to win elections — and arguments.


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Looks like the days of the original 3DS and its fatter cousin who gave up on a new year's resolution within the first week, are numbered.
According to evidence put together by Destructoid, it looks like the vanilla edition of the 3DS is starting to become a rare specimen as Nintendo winds down production on that specific unit in lieu of the newer, more 3Dier model that is on the way. According to the site, stock is becoming increasingly hard to find in the UK and the US of A, and one peripheral manufacturer has stated that the handheld is no longer in production.
Of course, that all ties into the fact that the 3DS and the 3DS XL have been completely discontinued already in Japan, as Nintendo looks to expand the adoption of the new hardware into the west. Major retailers in the states such as Target, Walmart, Best Buy and GameStop claim that new stock of those units are but a distant memory, with the UK's GAME retail chain showing similar results.
Remember, the new 3DS will be sporting some new hardware for upcoming games. Games will only run on those systems, resulting in some users having to either adopt the new system or find themselves left out in the cold. In medicinal terms, this is also known as the iPhone Effect, which rolls around once a year and claims many millions of lives according to my completely unverified and dodgy research.
I plan to get one of those new consoles for myself personally. And not just because my original 3DS is starting to sport chipped paint on the D-pad. I just need another Pokémon machine, is all. Oh jeez, I have a problem.
Last Updated: January 6, 2015


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1 Finger Quotes with Images 📸🖼
Finger Quotes
1. Quran Chapter 5, (about an-nafs al-luwwamah)
(1) I swear by the Day of Resurrection
(2) and by the self accusing soul (that you will certainly be resurrected).
(3) Do men think that We shall never be able to assemble their bones?
(4) We certainly have the power to restore them even the very tips of their finger.
- God
Tags: Nafs | Soul | Judgement Day | Powerful | Finger | Quran |


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Musings —03.24.2011 06:41 AM—
Brie-and-chardonnay Elitists, 1; Red-necked mouth-breathers, 0
"Interest in the Progressive Conservative candidate nomination in Carleton Mississippi-Mills has prompted a change of location for the March 31 event.
The nomination meeting, which sees West Carleton businessman and former Ontario Landowners' Association president Jack MacLaren challenging veteran Tory MPP Norm Sterling, was set to take place at Scared Heart High School in Stittsville. However, the meeting has been changed to Scotiabank Place, 1000 Palladium Dr., due to the large number of registered voters in Carleton-Mississippi-Mills."
Uh-huh. The reason they changed Tory Rosedalians changed the venue, of course, is to try and stymie the freedom-loving knuckle-draggers in the Landowners Association. Shame, Mr. Speaker! Shame!
Will it work? Stay tuned!
3 Comments
Cultural war much? I thought that all people are equal Warren
Lots of old money in Almonte and Carp. You could sharpen pencils with their anuses after discussing the Landowners, and then remove any burrs with their laser-vision stare.
The rift between Landowners and professionals makes Town vs. Gown look like road hockey. There is some serious spite there.
If Jack MacLaren gets in all the Liberals need to do is find someone that local titan Leonard G. Lee can stomach (sadly, the great man is too busy, because he'd be great), and word of mouth would win it. Yes, the Lee Valley Tools guy. He now makes world-class medical instruments as a retirement hobby. He's that hard-core. Everyone calls him "Mr. Lee", just because.
A candidate that would make a fine Bill Davis cabinet member would be just about right. That kind of candidate has no place in the Landowners universe.


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The "Five Themes of Geography" are location, human / environmental interactions, regions, place, and movement. The 5 themes of geography helps student answer the question "What is geography." No study into the field of human geography can truly begin without an understanding of these overlapping themes. Several definitions and ideas will be introduced in the following paragraphs.
Location refers to the position of something on the Earth's surface. Maps are the best way to show location. Just as no study of mathematics could occur without numbers – no study of geography could occur without maps. All maps cannot perfectly represent a three-dimensional object (globe) on a two-dimensional surface (map). The scale of a map shows how much the real world has been reduced to fit on the map. It is the ratio between an actual distance on the ground and the length given to that distance on the map, using the same measurement.
There are two types of location. There is Absolute location witch is the exact location that something is located. You can find this location be finding the latitude and longitude of a place, for example, the absolute location of Egypt is 26.0000° N, 30.0000° E.
The other kind of location is Relative location. This is how a certain place is related to another place. Egypt's relative location is that its is located in North Eastern Africa, bordered by Mediterranean Sea to the North, Libya to the West, Sudan to the South, Red Sea and Israel to the East. You can figure this out by what it has in common with other locations.
There are also two types of places. The first type is Human characteristics. You can figure out the type of place it is by the types of buildings, if there's pollution, the population, etc. The other kind of place is physical. You can determine the physical traits by looking at the rivers, mountains, animal life, etc., around this area.
The third theme under "The 5 Themes of Geography" deals with the relationship between the environment and the population. There are three ways you can classify Human-Environmental Interaction. The first is if humans adapt to their environment. An example of this is when people use rivers to transport themselves and goods.
Another way you can classify Human-Environmental Interaction is if Humans modify the Environment. This can be done by making roads, or runways for planes. The third way you can classify this is if Human's depend on the environment. You can observe this by seeing if they take food from an area to feed their family and friends around them.
There are many ways Human's use movement in their daily lives. If you ride a bus to school that is movement.


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The Vols came up short, falling 74-66 to the Kentucky Wildcats at Rupp Arena despite a stellar start that had them firing on all cylinders and generally doing no wrong. Jarnell Stokes was more than the terrific player he's been, he was the beast we'd been imagining since he stepped those big 20s on campus. Unfortunately, Kentucky closed the gap late in the first half, grabbed the lead, and then extended that gap in the second, and Tennessee never recovered.
In some respects you have to be encouraged by the flashes of awesome the team displayed for the first 12-13 minutes. As I said, Stokes was a monster, and Jeronne Maymon was the perfect complement inside. The smalls, led by Jordan McRae and Josh Richardson, were the perfect complement to the inside game, hitting shots that were open because of the focused attention inside and driving for buckets and to otherwise make good things happen when appropriate. Even the somewhat surprising lineup of mostly (all?) backups fairly early in the game paid dividends for Cuonzo Martin. Basically, everything was working, and it was working against a really good team.
But in other respects, you almost have to be disappointed at how things fell apart and therefore at the lack of consistency this team too often shows. They'd been hitting 36% of their three-point attempts, but today were 2 of 13 (15.4%) despite having the inside game working so hard to provide open opportunities. They'd been hitting 70% of their free throws, and although they hit that average today, they missed the five most crucial attempts late in the game, which sent the contest careening off into end-of-game, desperation foul territory.
But this was Kentucky, and this was Rupp, and this was only Day 1 of 15, and 14 days of the most crucial part of the season remain. If the team plays like it did for the first 13 minutes at Kentucky and does so consistently, they will be just fine.


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Energy of the day:
Wonderful energy day so today you can do anything you want, stay away from any legal issues or court today anything else has a better chance of taking off on the right foot today. All except for the rat since your energies are low today, in either case the energy of the day is so positive even you might want to try something new today.
If today is your birthday:
There is a possibility of a strong joining for lovers, if you are single make sure you accept any invitations to a party or event. You work best in a relationship, I should say a good relationship, love is important to you so if you've been betrayed or otherwise feeling used or jilted you might need to analyze was it you or someone else's fault. Feeling tired overwhelmed, eat well, rest, sleep don't give up, don't give in just be honest to yourself. We all like the good life listen to advice sometimes you can be a little hardheaded.


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The retail division of New York-based creative agency CBX recently completed a new prototype design for convenience store and gasoline retailer Toot'n Totum. Located in Amarillo, Texas, the 3,500-sq.-ft. store and 8-pump fuel center is situated just off an interchange of Interstate 27. CBX's design takes full advantage of the highly visible site, with a bright and sleek interior punctuated with bold graphics, as well as Toot'n Totum's signature red accented with green.
The new store features a redesigned, highly-stylized logo. Rather than spelling out "Toot'n Totum" as in the past, CBX distilled the former logo to a single "T" encircled by horizontal lines to signal ease and speed.
Role—Designer: Main Identity
Creative Director Retail—Betty Chow
Creative Director—David Weinberger


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All On the Road Travel Tips
Thanks for visiting Lifelong Vagabonds! By viewing these ads you're helping us to create more on the road travel tips!
These might be affiliate links, but all that means is Amazon pays us when you shop at NO EXTRA cost to you. So you get to donate to us without actually donating a thing. And we get to keep on supplying you with free travel tips. Win win for the both of us.
Travel Tip #4
What budget travel tips do you want to know when on the road?


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Skiing Siblings Hope To Make It To Sochi, Together
As snowboarders, skiers and skaters finish their qualifying events to get to the Winter Olympics next month, cross-country skiing siblings Erik and Sadie Bjornsen are waiting to find out if their special edge — each other — will get them both to the games.
Sadie has secured a spot on the Nordic team based on her good season; for Erik, the next two weeks will be the clincher.
U.S. Ski Team coaches and officials will wait until practically the last moment to finalize their Olympic squad. They want to have as many of this winter's race results as possible to evaluate rankings and get a feel for who's just plain hot.
The Sibling Advantage
During the off-season, the Bjornsens live together and train at Alaska Pacific University, where both are students. Erik, 22, says he and his sister both really want to go to the Olympics together.
"It would just be nice," he says. "I think I can post better results when she is around cheering for me. I feel more comfortable just on the road with her. If I ever have any problems, there is someone I can go to."
"As a sibling you always have a little more of an open connection," says Sadie, 24. "It's easy to get feedback from a sibling and not be threatened, and I think that Erik has been awesome for that because he has encouragement when I need it, and also a reminder when I need it."
Their mother, Mary, says all three Bjornsen children had an athletic upbringing with constant friendly competition. "I can remember people wondering when Erik was going to start beating Sadie," she says. "It took a while, actually. Sadie was fast."
"Everything was a competition — from running to the car, the first one to get there," says Sadie. "Or balancing at [our dad's] job site on a beam as long as you could."
Growing Up With Olympian Neighbors
Sadie remembers her Olympic dream taking root when she was a child. She particularly recalls a welcome-home parade after the 1998 Nagano Games for a local cross-country skier.
"I remember distinctly Laura McCabe riding in on a fire truck, the whole valley lining the streets and clapping," says Sadie. "That was the moment. I was like, 'This is so neat.' It's such an honor. I knew I was going to be an Olympian."
Erik and Sadie grew up with former Olympic skiers as neighbors on two sides. An enviable, 120-mile-long Nordic trail system starts practically at their doorstep.
How rare would it be to send siblings to the Winter Games? Neighbor and ex-Olympic Nordic skier Leslie Thompson Hall says it happens more often than you might think.
"You know, certainly once someone is involved in a sport, it's easy to have another kid in the family join the sport too," Hall says. "To have two exceptional athletes is not that unusual either."
Phil and Steve Mahre took home medals in skiing at the 1984 Winter Games, and Eric and Beth Heiden medalled in speedskating in 1980. This year, two sibling pairs have secured spots on the U.S. men's and women's ice hockey teams. In the wider field of hopefuls, there could be at least four more in sports ranging from snowboarding to freestyle moguls.
Passing On The Olympic Dream
On a recent day, Erik is taking a day off from training to coach junior racers from his home valley, just like former champions once did for him.
He would normally have help from his big sister to lead this annual clinic, but she was on the World Cup ski racing circuit in Europe, so he demonstrates cross-country racing techniques and finishing lunges by himself.
"I like to think of myself as a kangaroo sometimes … and just bouncing off each foot in skiing," he tells the kids.
The class full of 8- to 13-year-olds mimics his every move. Later, many say they want to follow in the Bjornsens' path.
"I've always wanted to go to the Olympics as well," says seventh-grader Emerson Worrell. He gushes about learning "really cool" techniques from Erik that could help get him there.
The Bjornsens and the other ski and snowboard hopefuls will learn for sure who is on Team USA during the week of Jan. 20.
You care.
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Polling stations have opened in south-eastern Ukraine for the referendum on declaring independence for the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. The vote has been declared illegal by the Ukrainian, European and US leaders. Despite a public statement by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the vote should be delayed, separatists have gone ahead and begun the process. There are no international observers even akin to the motley collection of European neo-Nazis and nostalgic communists assembled for the Crimean referendum held in March under Russian military occupation. The vote is likely to be declared an endorsement for secession by its organisers, raising fears that the Kremlin will make use of it, even at a later stage, (perhaps after further disruption to the May 25 Ukrainian presidential elections), as a pretext for intervention.
Yesterday's liveblog can be found here. For an overview and analysis of this developing story see our latest podcast.
Please help The Interpreter to continue providing this valuable information service by making a donation towards our costs.
An interactive map of the situation:
View Ukraine: April, 2014 in a larger map
For links to individual updates click on the timestamps.
Below we will be making regular updates. Be sure to check back often and hit refresh.


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The worlds of gaming and blockchain technology have merged in recent years as they propel each other toward success. Online gaming dates back to the late 20th century, but it became more popular in the early 2000s. With the emergence of smartphones, this industry has seen tremendous growth over the past decade. According to Statista, the market value was at USD$61.5 billion in 2021, and it could see an 81% increase to 114.4 billion by 2028.
The introduction of cryptocurrency to the world of gaming has also contributed heavily to the growth of this industry. In fact, the number of crypto casinos continues to grow every year as new prospective gamblers come to the picture.
One of the most popular platforms today is Stake .com. The crypto gambling giant has been in operation for less than a decade, but it has already made its name in the world of online gaming. With over 50 live casino games supported on Stake, it has one of the industry's widest selections of live dealer games including exclusive titles.
The emergence of crypto casinos
E-Gold, Bit-Gold, Hashcash, and B-Money were among the first digital currencies to join the market. But it wasn't long before they fizzled out. However, some of the elements worked their way to the development of Bitcoin, which was launched in 2009.
Bitcoin is the oldest existing digital currency, and it was the first one to be used in modern crypto casinos. The first crypto casino transaction worth 0.2 Bitcoins (USD$24) was recorded in October 2010.
Since then, the number of transactions in this sector has skyrocketed mainly because of the benefits they offer to gamblers. Apart from the low transaction fees, crypto gamblers enjoy anonymous betting and high digital security.
More crypto casinos have joined the market as the number of users keep increasing. So, how did Stake .com take over the world of crypto gambling? Keep reading to dive deep into the history of the world's biggest live casino platform.
The beginning of Stake .com
Barely six years after the introduction of Bitcoin gambling sector, Easygo Gaming founders finalized a new crypto casino platform. Edward Craven and Bijan Tehrani launched Stake .com in 2017. It's registered under the name of Medium Rare N.V., a Curacao-headquartered company that operates this crypto betting giant.
Many crypto casinos struggle to get licensed given the strict gambling regulations in most countries. However, Stake .com managed to acquire its gambling license from various gambling authorities, which has helped boost its legitimacy.
Stake's original license is from the Curacao eGaming License Authority. This license allows the company to operate in countries, such as the United Kingdom and Mexico, using different URLs. So, if you're in the UK, you can access Stake's services using the URL Stake .uk .com. It's worth noting that the casino is also licensed in the country by the UK Gambling Commission.
Unfortunately, Stake .com's services aren't available in countries where crypto gambling is banned. The US, France, Australia, North Korea, and the Netherlands are some of the areas where you won't be able to use Stake's platform.
Nonetheless, the company is constantly working to expand its territories to reach more people across the globe. In fact, that's one of the reasons why it managed to grow beyond expectations within its first five years of operation.
Its wide range of online games has also propelled its development, not to mention the flexible payment methods. Keep in mind that Stake .com is primarily a crypto betting platform. Therefore, most transactions carried out on the site are crypto-based. But which and how many cryptocurrencies are available for use?
How many crypto does Stake support?
As one of the earliest crypto casinos, Stake currently supports half of the top 20 cryptocurrencies, with 19 separate currencies supported. This is after the casino added 11 cryptocurrencies in August 2022 to cater to the needs of its users.
Bitcoin, the most used in the initial list of eight currencies, is still one of the most popular options. Other cryptocurrencies supported by Stake .com before the recent update include Ethereum (ETH), Dogecoin (DOGE), Litecoin (LTC), Bitcoin Cash (BCH), EOS (EOS), Tron (TRX), and Ripple (XRP).
The following is a list of the 11 new altcoins adopted by the crypto gambling giant in August 2022:
- ApeCoin (APE)
- Binance Coin (BNB)
- Binance USD (BUSD)
- Chainlink (LINK)
- Dai (DAI)
- Polygon (MATIC)
- Shiba Inu (SHIB)
- Tether (USDT)
- The Sandbox (SAND)
- Uniswap (UNI)
- USD Coin (USDC)
As shown from the list, Stake now supports many popular crypto coins. Gamblers can also use some the best lesser-known digital currencies to bet on their preferred games. But before you choose a cryptocurrency for your gambling activities, it's important to learn about each coin.
Two notable categories in the new list are stablecoins and meme coins. Read on for more information on the two groups.
- Stablecoins on Stake .com's platform
A stablecoin is a digital currency whose value is tied to that of fiat, other digital currencies, or assets, such as metal. Their value rarely deviates significantly from that of the reference asset, hence the name 'stable.'
The objective of this group of crypto is to protect users from the high volatility synonymous with popular cryptocurrencies. It allows users to preserve the fiat value of their investment without necessarily having to cash out of the market. For instance, those coins pegged to the dollar's value are expected to match the US dollar price 1:1. Of course, there is always a little deviation, but the ratio remains more or less the same.
So, which of the altcoins mentioned above fall under this category?
- Binance USD (BUSD): BUSD is a fiat-backed cryptocurrency whose value matches 1:1 with the USD dollar. Its market capital as of December 2022 is USD$22.10B.
- Dai (DAI): It's based on the Ethereum blockchain and is pegged as close to the USD price as possible. DAI's current market cap stands at USD$5.22.
- Tether (USDT): Tether is backed by the US dollar, and it maintains a 1:1 ratio with the USD price. It has a market capitalization of USD$65.58B.
- USD Coin (USDC): USDC is another popular digital dollar. It's the second largest in this category with a market cap of USD$43.13B.
Many people opt for stablecoins because they're more predictable than most other digital currencies.
- Meme tokens on Stake .com website
Another set of crypto coins worth noting is the meme tokens. They're digital currencies inspired by internet jokes and memes. Dogecoin (DOGE), which is already supported by Stake .com, was the first meme coin created in 2013. DOGE is currently the 8th largest crypto with a market cap of USD$13.10B.
These cryptocurrencies have grown over the years and are now some of the most popular in the market. Shiba Inu (SHIB) was created in 2020 as a rival to DOGE. It's the 15th most valued coin with a market cap of just over USD$5.0B
Which games are available on Stake .com?
Stake .com prides itself on a wide range of games it offers. As mentioned earlier, this variety is one of the factors that contributed to its unbelievable growth five years after its launch. As a gambler, you can choose from more than 40 live dealer games on Stake.
So, which game categories are available on Stake's platform? Roulette, slots, and live casino are the most popular ones. You'll also find blackjack, baccarat, game shows, jackpot slots, and table games on this crypto gambling site.
There are games unique to Stake .com that you can enjoy. The fact that these games have fair probability have helped the company attract and retain many crypto bettors. Here are some of the games:
- Crash
- Keno
- Dice
- Limbo
- Hilo
- Mines
- Scarab Spin
- Blue Samurai
- Slide
- Video Poker
- Wheel
If you're not a fan of chance-based games, you can opt for sports betting. With this option, you just need to predict the outcome of some popular events and wait for the final results. Here are the main sports available on Stake .com:
- Football (FIFA World Cup, English Premier League (EPL), UEFA Champions League, Europa League, La Liga, Serie A, and more)
- Tennis
- Basketball
- Tennis
- Handball
- American Football
- Golf
- Ice Hockey
- Indy Racing
- Futsal
Stake .com offers a wide selection of chance-based games and sports betting. As such, there is something for everyone who wishes to join the world of crypto gambling.
The marketing strategy
Of course, offering a lot of games and payment options have contributed heavily on Stake's growth. But you can't ignore the fact that the company has also invested heavily on its overall marketing plan. The strategy has always been to attract both prospective crypto gamblers and sports enthusiasts.
Over the past few years, the company has made its name in the world of football, boxing industry, and social media. So, how did Stake .com manage to do this within just five years?
Twitch streaming
Social media has been one of Stake's main marketing channels, and Twitch has played the biggest role in that. Twitch has enjoyed a constant growth for the past 10 years. It currently has well over 2 million concurrent viewers, an increase from 102,000 recorded in 2012.
The platform's users are predominantly in the world of gaming. In fact, famous games, such as League of Legends and Fortnite, are among the most streamed content. Crypto gambling had also made its way to the top of that chart a few months ago before such streams were banned on the platform.
Stake .com used the opportunity to target Twitch users by partnering with popular Twitch influencers. The likes of Adin Ross, cQc, and Nelk Boys featured Stake's brand on their live videos as they streamed their live casino experience.
Another famous name that joined the mix in 2022 is Drake. The Stake & Drake channel slowly grew this year as Drake played live casino on Stake under the username DeepPockets6.
But since the ban, most streamers allied to the crypto gambling site have had to change tact. Some of them today focus more on sports betting, as Twitch still allows this type of gambling. One such Twitch streamer is TrainwrecksTV who recently recorded one of his biggest wins betting on the FIFA World Cup.
Sponsorship deals
Aside from Twitch streamers, Stake .com has partnered with some big names in the sporting industry. The sponsorship deals signed by the company over the past two or so years have grown its reputation and popularity across the globe. Have a quick look at the list below.
Stake .com's sports betting department has grown rapidly over the past few months. This can be attributed to the company's marketing strategy that has seen it attract the football fanbase.
It currently sponsors two English football clubs, Watford FC and Everton FC. Watford FC signed a deal with the crypto gambling giant in the 2021/22 Premier League season. The two parties renewed the agreement for the 2022/23 season even as Watford were relegated from the Premier League.
Everton FC also followed suit in July 2022. Stake .com is now the official Main Sponsor of the Mersey Side in a deal worth more than USD$10 million per season. Both Everton and Watford feature Stake .com's logo on the front of their men's and women's shirts.
- Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC)
In 2021, Stake .com became the official betting partner of UFC in Latin America, excluding Brazil. However, the South American country was included in the new deal announced in 2022.
The company also brought in Israel Adesanya and other UFC legends as the brand ambassadors. This marketing move has proven fruitful, as Stake .com has become more popular within the boxing industry.
Crypto gambling has become all the rage today, thanks to the growing number of crypto casinos. One platform that's grown beyond expectations over the past few years is Stake .com. Since its launch in 2017, this crypto gambling site has managed to reach billions of people across the globe. It currently holds licenses from the Curacao Licensing Authority and UK Licensing Commission.
The company offers over 40 live dealer games and many more options for every gambling enthusiast. In addition to the popular selections, Stake .com has a few games that can only be found on its platform. Some of them include Limbo, Hilo, and Miles.
Many factors can be attributed to the company's tremendous growth, one of them being its marketing strategy. Stake has managed to build a market base on social media and within the sports industry. The gambling site is constantly improving its products as it looks to bring more gamblers on board.
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Successful government policy demands comprehensive and clear implementation and evaluation procedures. To ensure a sustainable agenda, the importance of inclusive stakeholder management with an awareness of emerging trends is crucial to success.
The course has been designed for all those working in policy environments, notably focusing on the later stages of delivery and evaluation.
The programme provides essential skills for ensuring best practice in implementing and evaluating policy, through discussions with leading practitioners and best practice examples. Participants will improve their understanding of the policy cycle, project management techniques and evaluation methodologies, leaving with the ability to communicate and influence the policy process, crucial for those working in governance and other key stakeholders.
This is a specialist training course leading to a Level 5 Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Certificate in Management and Leadership. Upon completion of this week-long course and subsequent successful completion of CMI written tasks, the successful candidate will be awarded a Level 5 CMI certificate in Management & Leadership showing the CMI units achieved. The CMI is the only chartered professional body in the UK dedicated to promoting the highest standards in management and leadership excellence. The professional qualifications offered by the Institute are internationally recognised and sought after.
By the end of the course the delegates will be able to:


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In addition to the physical characterization mentioned in the previous response, this story also includes a few moments of direct characterization to describe what a character is like internally. O. Henry tells us that as soon as Della sees the chain, she knows "that it must be Jim's" because it resembles him. Henry writes, "Quietness and value--the description applied to both." Henry directly tells us here what Jim is like--quiet, and of value to Della.
Another example of direct characterization in this story is of the Madame, who cuts off and buys Della's hair. The Madame is "large, too white, chilly." This direct characterization is especially important because it is in contrast to Della's direct characterization just a bit earlier in the story--Della is described as "slender," as opposed to the Madame's largeness. Henry also tells us that Della has a "brilliant" sparkle in her eyes, which is much different than the cold, pale characterization of the Madame.
Direct characterization is where an author, or narrator, tells readers exactly what a character is like (both internally (emotionally/mentally) and externally (physically)). In indirect characterizations, readers must infer (make an educated guess) regarding a character's character. Hints are given to the reader through private thoughts, dialogue, and actions.
An example of a direct characterization provided in O. Henry's "The Gift of the Magi" appears in the section where the narrator is describing Della's hair: "Della's beautiful hair fell about her rippling and shining like a cascade of brown waters. It reached below her knee and made itself almost a garment for her." Here, the reader does not need to infer about anything. Della's hair is described in great detail. It (her hair) is wavy, shining, brown, and extremely long. Later, after she cuts her hair off, it is described again (after she styles it): "with tiny, close-lying curls that made her look wonderfully like a truant schoolboy." Once again, readers do not need to infer about what Della's hair looks like; the narrator is very specific regarding the details.


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Do you have an unauthorized charge from Coffee Fun Box Of The Month on your card?
Have you checked your bank account or received a notification that a withdrawal has been made from Coffee Fun Box Of The Month?
Often customers of Coffee Fun Box Of The Month have no knowledge that they have been signed up for a subscription that automatically renews and takes money from your credit card. So what do you do now to get your money back? Often customers find that it can be extremely difficult having their money returned to their accounts once Coffee Fun Box Of The Month has taken them.
Your bank might not want to do a chargeback, and neither should you
A natural reaction would be to go to your bank and ask to do a chargeback, but it might not be the best thing for you because:
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Excellence as a family legacy
Strong character
Blend of eaux-de-vie distilled in 1969 by Gérard Drouet in his 4-hl still heated by wood and coal. To be savoured slowly in the company of experienced connoisseurs.
An elegant carafe for a rare Cognac
Several generations of winegrowers
The Ulysse cuvée pays tribute to Patrick Drouet's great grandfather.
A Cognac with character, in tribute to the estate's founder
For thoses who know
A cuvée really appreciated by the purists, very representative of the Grande Champagne Cru, to enjoy at the end of the evening.
Nobility and Harmony acquired over the years
Full-bodied and velvety
This Cognac has been aged longer than what is required by law. Drink it on the rocks as an aperitif, or as a digestif.
A smooth and easy-drinking Cognac
In local Charente style
In cocktails, or with tonic water and ice in local Charente style.
Patrick wanted to upgrade his range of exceptional bottlings by creating the "Patrick Drouet Collection."
These bottlings are between 25 and 30 years old, as Patrick had developed them starting in 1987, hence they have received a vinification approach that has evolved over the years.
These pineaux are so original that they often fail in receiving consent from official tasting panels, « they don't fit into the mold ». It's fine with us, we are proud about it !
Vintage Red Mathilde 2018
"Happiness beyond words "
A voyage into the world of red fruits
The rare vintage white Maxence 1989
"The Virtuoso Accent"
Grapes harvested at an extended ripeness level make this Pineau truly exceptional.
Vintage white Gabriel
"Without whom, nothing would have happened"
A long ageing in cask gives it its noble character.
The charm of fruit
Serve cold as an aperitif
A gilt edged bottle, representative of its terroir
Serve cold as an aperitif


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Cherrywood Room
Cozy wood and natural light
Room information
It is a double room with its own bathroom. We increase the width of the doors and we incorporate a bath suitable for wheelchairs if necessary. It has central heating on the floor and a ceiling fan to keep the air moving in summer if the cool breeze stops. It also has speakers connected to the central sound system and a connector so guests can connect their own music in the room like in the bathroom if they wish (they can even listen to the music of their neighbors if they like it more). Drive directly to the terrace and garden to sit and read or have a drink. The bathroom is equipped with a large hydromassage shower that is more than one meter wide.
Room Services


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Here are the answers to Geography Quiz #4…
1. How many states in the USA have a Pacific Ocean coastline?
A. 5 (California, Oregon, Washington, Alaska and Hawaii)
2. Which country contains the largest number of active Volcanoes?
A. Indonesia
3. What is Europes largest Port?
A. Rotterdam
4. What is the largest country in the World to have one time zone?
A. China
5. What is the name the only river which flows both north and south of the equator?
A. The Congo
6. What is the Capital of Cuba?
A. Havana
7. If you travelled due south from Malta which country would you get to first?
A. Libya
8. Fort Knox lies in which US state?
A. Kentucky
9. In which English county would you find Stonehenge?
A. Wiltshire
10. Which mountain range spanning 1,600 miles forms part of the conventional boundary between Europe and Asia?
A. The Urals
If you enjoyed this quiz be sure to check out our other Geography quizzes here. Or why not try out a ready made 80 question pub quiz…
Geography Quiz #1£4.00
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These quizzes include everything you need to run a successful quiz night and are available to buy and download instantly as a .pdf file for just £4. None of the questions are tied to a specific time of year or recent current affairs, which means this quiz can be used whenever you like.
These quiz packs have a total of 80 questions with a tie breaker!
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If you'd like to submit a quiz round or an idea for a quiz round then please feel free to get in touch via the contact page.


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Kentlake Football Youth Camp 2018
6:00 – 8:00 pm
Kentlake High School football field
Kids entering Grades 2-8, fall of 2018
Join with Kentlake High School coaches and players as you have a blast learning football skills by competing in fundamental and game-based drills!
We're providing a complementary family barbeque dinner prior to camp on Monday, June 25th, with a welcome address from Kentlake Head Coach Brett Thompson.
$45 per camper; $70 for 2 from same family – Includes camp t-shirt!
This is a no-pads, non-contact camp. We will not be issuing gear.


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| May 22, 1998
To: All of the Fans, Supporters and Participants of Robot Wars
I've tried to refrain from writing to you because - despite Marc Thorpe's attempt to make our dispute public - it is a private, commercial dispute that can't be solved by anyone but the two of us. Unfortunately, because you have been hearing a one-sided account that is filled with misinformation, I feel compelled to write to you and set the record straight. My intention is to give you what I believe is accurate information in the hope that it keeps you from incurring needless expense or wasting significant amounts of time and energy. In the end, I hope that you understand my position and realize that, in spite of what Marc has said about me, I am well intentioned and want what is best for Robot Wars.
The current status is: there is a court order in effect, signed on February 25th, preventing Marc Thorpe from holding any Robot Wars event, including the one he scheduled for August 14-16 without Profile's consent. On March 23rd, Marc filed a notice of appeal and on April 28th, he appeared before a three judge appellate panel seeking emergency relief, allowing him to hold the event. The panel denied his motion. Earlier this week, at the court's urging, Marc decided to withdraw his appeal. Although Marc has been trying to place the blame for the current status on Profile, I'm certain when you hear the facts you will realize that isn't true and you will place the blame where it belongs.
Like many disputes, ours is about money. In 1994, Profile provided the money needed to stage the first Robot Wars event. In exchange for our investment, Profile received a 50 percent interest. We were never merely a "sponsor." Another significant part of our agreement was that neither Marc nor Profile would compete against the other. In addition to the money we invested, we ran much of the day-to-day business of Robot Wars: negotiating licenses, handling publicity, etc. Our staff also helped organize the live events. This included all aspects of planning including staging, rules, legal issues etc. as well as smaller tasks like manning the doors and taking tickets. Although we lost money, which is expected with a new business, we were a success by any other measure. Robot Wars was simply a great show that could be appreciated by all.
In order to turn Robot Wars into a worldwide phenomenon, we agreed to invest additional money. From the start, one hundred percent of all Robot Wars expenses were borne by Profile. This included the substantial expense of building an arena and paying the salary that Marc wanted. In addition, we paid his family's health insurance. Because Robot Wars generated virtually no income, money was a one way street; all of it out, all of it ours. During 1995 and 1996, we increased our initial investment approximately ten-fold. We were willing to invest this additional money for two reasons. First, we were confident that one day our investment would pay off. Those of you who built Robots oudid yourselves. We foresaw the day where we could turn Biohazard, La Machine or The Master, as well as other robots, into household names, like the Ninja Turtles or other great action characters. Secondly, Marc promised to give us additional shares in the company for the money that we put in beyond our original investment. As part of our agreement, Marc would continue to hold the San Francisco event. We thought all the issues were resolved, but then came the messy part.
Marc refused to sign documents that reflected what he had agreed to. Even though Marc had received the benefit of using our money, including putting nearly $100,000 in his own pocket, it turned out that all along he was leading us on, making promises that he wasn't going to keep. To further aggravate things, he arranged to hold Robot Wars '97 behind our backs. At the same time, the business didn't have the money to stage the '97 event and although we might have agreed to invest the money that was needed, we certainly wouldn't agree to do so until we received what we were already promised. So without our knowledge or consent, Marc borrowed money so he could hold Robot Wars '97. We were left with little choice but to bring a litigation against him.
With the court's assistance, Marc and I came to terms on a new agreement. Part of the agreement was that he would be given a license to hold Robot Wars '97. The other part was that Robot Wars would repay Profile's additional investments over time. Since the event was taking place just 10 days later, the license was extended in time for the event to be held. The parties also agreed that they would later execute documents that reflected the repayment of the debt. When Marc was presented with these documents, he refused to sign them. Once again he was reneging on a deal he had agreed to and, in fact, already gotten the benefit of.
Since the parties were unable to complete the August 6th settlement on their own, the court ordered us to hire a private mediator to help us finish the deal. On December 12, 1998, the parties met. Instead of wanting to complete the August deal, Marc announced he wanted to sell his interest in Robot Wars and offered s his shares in the company for cash and a continuing royalty interest. In addition, Marc would get a license to hold two events per year, the San Francisco event and another in a city to be determined later. What happened then was the same thing that had happened before. After reaching an agreement in principle, documents were drafted and Marc refused to execute them. In fact, he wouldn't even enter into any discussions in order to finalize them.
Instead, Marc asked the Federal Judge who oversees our case to force Profile to consent to the holding of the '98 event. His theory was that - as part of the settlement - he was going to get a license to hold the event and he wanted to get the benefit of the license without executing the final settlement documents. As you might have imagined, his request was denied. Marc could trick us once, he could trick the Judge once, but nobody was going to fall for this charade a third time. The three judge appellate panel didn't fall for it either.
When asked about any of this, Marc will resort to the various excuses he likes to use about why he hasn't finalized any of the agreements. His favorite, "the documents don't reflect what we agreed to earlier" has been used three times running. Without getting into a debate over who's right and who's wrong, our most recent agreement was reached with the help of an impartial mediator. As of yet, the mediator hasn't told us there was anything wrong with the documents we drafted. In fact, after Marc walked away from the negotiating table the mediator tried to persuade him to return, but Marc refused.
At this point, the only way Robot Wars can be held is if Marc and I come to terms. Unfortunately, I'm not hopeful of that because Marc and his attorneys are refusing to speak to us. Even though the court order has been in effect since February 25th, Marc and others have made it sound as if the event can still take place without the need for Profile's consent, as long as it appears as if Marc isn't involved. We believe that the court will see through any attempt to violate its order, and will take the appropriate actions. If that happens, it would be unfortunate for an innocent third party to be caught in the middle. Marc has known for a long time that we would not consent to hold another Robot Wars event until we had reached an agreement. If he has told you otherwise and asked you to prepare for one, I can only speculate that he must have a reason for intentionally misleading you.
That's all for now. I do realize that a lot of what I've written is pretty complicated and I apologize for that. I also apologize that the current status of "no event" isn't what you want to hear. if Robot Wars doesn't happen this summer, it's because Marc Thorpe didn't keep his word and live up to the agreements he entered into - no other reason. Fortunately, there is still time for him to come to his senses and live up to the commitments he made. If that happens soon, an event can still be held. But if he continues to refuse, it will be up to the court to decide whether he still has any rights in Robot Wars. Until then, if anybody has any questions both Gary Pini and I are available to speak with you. Feel free to call us at 212-529-2600.
Thanks for your time.