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- top rated
Blue Cat's PatchWork
Virtual Patchbay by Blue Cat Audio
Blue Cat's PatchWork
Blue Cat's PatchWork is a universal plug-ins patchbay that can host up to 64 VST, VST3, Audio Unit or built-in plug-ins into any Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) in one instance.
It is possible to chain effects in series or create up to 8 parallel chains that can be activated independently. This lets you create your favorite effects or instruments configurations within the plug-in, without the need for multiple busses. These configurations can be saved as presets and recalled instantly, or shared with multiple DAWs, using any plug-in format (full list below). Use the built-in audio effects to add color to your own plug-in chains.
Despite the name, you can forget about wires or cables: configuring plug-ins routing is as simple as adding or removing a row or a column in the rack's matrix. All plug-ins can also communicate with each other or with the host application using the virtual MIDI ports offered by the plug-in.
For each plug-in slot, latency compensation, presets management, undo/redo integration, audio i/o selection and individual plug-in bypass are included for optimal operation. The plug-in also stores the position of the window for each plug-in so that the layout is restored with your session or saved with presets.
Also, sub plug-ins can be automated or controlled with external control surfaces using Blue Cat's PatchWork parameters mapping capabilities.
This product is available as an audio plug-in (effect or a virtual instrument) and standalone application so that it can be used alone or inserted on any type of track in your favourite DAW, with up to 16 audio channels.
Input and output level meters are also available to monitor the signal that is dispatched to inserted plug-ins, including side chain and aux channels.
Main Features
- Configurable VST, VST3 or Audio Unit plug-ins rack: host up to 64 third party plug-ins or instruments in series or parallel.
- 29 built-in effects: Reverb, EQ, filters, pitch & frequency shifter, delays, modulation effects, compressor, gate, bit crusher, wave shaper and more.
- Available as an effect, virtual instrument or standalone application.
- Build your own effects chains: up to 8 "pre" and "post" plug-ins slots to chain plug-ins in series.
- Parallel processing made easy: up to 8 parallel plug-ins chains, with phase flip, solo and gain controls.
- Host up to 8 virtual instruments in parallel and mix them within the plug-in.
- Global Dry/Wet control ("Mix").
- Parameters Mapping: map sub plug-ins parameters to automate them or use a control surface.
- Flexible MIDI routing: connect sub plug-ins together or with the host application.
- Flexible Audio routing: connect sub plug-ins i/o to any audio channel.
- External side chain and multiple outputs support.
- Link pre and post gains for automatic gain compensation.
- Cut, Copy and paste plug-ins with their settings between slots.
- Recall complex processing setups and plug-ins layouts with one click and share them between your DAWs.
- Input and output levels monitoring.
- Plug-ins Latency compensation.
- Supports VST Shell plug-ins.
- Integrated undo/redo.
- Fully customizable user interface, with multiple sizes.
Blue Cat Audio Standards
- Available as: Mac-AAX, Mac-AU, Mac-App, Mac-RTAS, Mac-VST, Mac-VST3, Win-AAX, Win-App, Win-DX, Win-RTAS, Win-VST, Win-VST3, Win x64-AAX, Win x64-App, Win x64-DX, Win x64-VST, Win x64-VST3.
- Native DSP code for optimal performance.
- Full MIDI control and automation support with silent, zipper-free parameters update, advanced response control and MIDI Learn.
- No CPU load on idle: when the plug-in is fed with silence, the processing smoothly shuts down, to optimize the CPU usage of your Digital Audio Workstation.
- Customizable user interface with transparency management and zoom.
- Smooth Bypass: activate/deactivate the plug-in with absolutely no noise.
- Undo/Redo.
- Full-featured integrated presets manager.
- Copy/paste the state of the plug-in between instances using the system clipboard.
- Any sample rate supported.
New Features in Version 2.2
- Added 4 new built-in plug-ins (reverb, harmonizer, wah, mute).
- New factory presets.
- Major presets loading improvements: hosted plug-ins are now reloaded only when changed, and updated otherwise. Improves performance and audio rendering when loading presets using the same plug-ins.
- Faster GUI loading / instantaneous GUI display after it has been opened once.
- Performance and memory usage improvements.
- Fixed: changing bypass in the Audio Unit version did not update host application's bypass state.
- Fixed: bypass buttons are now in sync with the hosted plug-ins' state.
- Win: fixed copy/paste that sometimes stopped working until next app restart.
- Mac: fixed crash in Ableton Live when hitting space bar while a sub plug-in window is opened
Plugin Boutique Scaler user? Email email@example.com to save 20% off Blue Cat's Patchwork!
System Requirements
- An SSE2-enabled processor (Pentium 4 or newer).
- Microsoft Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8 or 10.
- For the plug-in, any DirectX / VST / RTAS / AAX compatible host software (32 or 64 bit).
- For the standalone application, an ASIO, MME or WASAPI compatible audio interface (ASIO recommended).
Mac OS X
- An Intel processor.
- Mac OS 10.7 or newer
- For the plug-in, any VST / Audio Unit (32/64-bit) / RTAS / AAX compatible application.
- For the standalone application, a Core Audio compatible audio interface.
Any references to any brands on this site/page, including reference to brands and instruments, are provided for description purposes only. For example references to instrument brands are provided to describe the sound of the instrument and/or the instrument used in the sample. Plugin Boutique do not have (nor do they claim) any association with or endorsement by these brands. Any goodwill attached to those brands rest with the brand owner. Plugin Boutique or its Suppliers do not accept any liability in relation to the content of the product or the accuracy of the description. "RHODES" is a registered trademark of Joseph A Brandstetter.
Product Reviews
Blue Cats Patchwork Review at Logic-Pro-Expert.com
I've never been much into wrapping VST plug-ins in Logic Pro until I heard about Blue Cat's Patchwork plug-in last week. Patchwork can...
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Consumers can buy replacement parts of vacuum pumps at retailers such as Century Tool and Equipment. They can also be found at Capitol Vacuum Parts.
Additional sources for finding these replacement parts include Dekker Vacuum Technologies, Inc., eBay and Amazon. Some of the parts available include ballast kits, intake fittings and seal replacement kits. Other options include base and foot assemblies, replacement modules and oil drain caps.
The selection offered depends on the seller, as does the price. The prices can range from several dollars to more than $1,000, as of 2015. The parts come designed for specific vacuum makes and models.

subset: commoncrawl


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One of the best things I did in my garden a few years ago was to plant raspberry bushes. It was also one of the worst things I did.
I'll explain. But first a bit of personal history.
My father was the total gardener. He supplied not only our family, but much of the neighborhood with bouquets of cut flowers, vegetables, fruits, and berries. And did we have berries! Does Cher have tattoos? We were buried in berries – strawberries, blackberries, currants, blueberries. Even gooseberries. But raspberries were everyone's favorite.
Plump and red, they dangled like a sultan's treasury of pigeon-blood rubies on 5-foot-high canes protected by menacing thorns. It was my job to harvest them. No problem. I was brave. I was 5.
Early in the morning dew, I'd venture out in the backyard and, like St. George confronting the dragon, but without a suit of armor and armed only with a long bamboo pole, I'd stealthily creep up on the unsuspecting stalks. Then, attack! A few deft whacks and it was raining raspberries. Quickly gathering up the berried treasure I'd hightail it back to the house where the breakfast table was already set with bowls of cornflakes and a bottle of cold, heavy cream. Ambrosia.
Over the decades, much of our land was sold, and our bountiful berry patch finally succumbed to landscaping and an in-ground swimming pool.
So, eager to relive those daring days of yore, I planted a hedgerow of raspberries when I moved five years ago.
A local nursery sold foot-long, rooted raspberry stalks. And not just the usual red, yellow, and black; every bearing and fall-fruiting variety. I had to have some of each.
The first year they rested, the next year they ran, the third year they raced! They invaded my rhubarb, my potato patch, and now, I suspect, they're plotting to advance toward my tomatoes and cukes.
I could go up to the garden in cover of darkness with a machete and hack them all down, I just don't have the heart. I love them too much. And besides, my neighbors are counting on them to top their cornflakes and cold, heavy cream!
In the meantime, if you're heading down to Cape Cod this summer, stop by for some raspberries or a few canes to grow your own; I have plenty of both for all.
Raspberries most often appear on the dessert menu, but are equally delicious in savory dishes. Try them tossed in chicken salad, as a topping for grilled pork or salmon, and in with summer mixed greens.
Blueberry/Raspberry Gratin
Serves 4 to 6
1-1/2 to 1-3/4 pints combination blueberries and raspberries
2 cups sour cream or plain or vanilla yogurt
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon grated lemon zest
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar for glaze
Preheat broiler.
Toss berries together and pour into a lightly buttered 10-inch- square baking dish.
Mix together sour cream or yogurt, one-half cup brown sugar, lemon zest, and lemon juice.
Spoon mixture evenly over berries. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4-cup brown sugar.
Wipe any residue mixture from around side of baking dish as this will blacken under broiler heat.
Place dish under broiler and cook until sugar begins to caramelize – about 3 to 4 minutes – and topping begins to bubble.
Spoon into individual dessert dishes while hot. Gratin may also be served over scoops of vanilla ice cream.
Melba Sauce
This sauce is delicious poured over pound cake, as a flavoring for sodas and milkshakes, or, for an embarrassingly simple Independence Day red-white-and-blue dessert, serve vanilla ice cream in a pool of Melba Sauce. Top with fresh raspberries. Your guests will stand up and salute!
1 pint fresh raspberries
1/3 cup currant jelly
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
Purée raspberries about 10 seconds in a food processor, or 10 to 15 seconds in an electric blender. With a rubber spatula, press mixture through a fine sieve to remove seeds.
Pour purée into a small saucepan; mix in jelly and sugar.
Make a paste with cornstarch and 2 tablespoons of cold water; stir into raspberry purée.
Heat over low heat while stirring until thickened and clear.
Makes 2 cups.


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Macrame has been all the rage this Summer but they can be expensive for the tiered plant hangers and if I'm being honest, at first glance, they look out of my difficulty level comfort zone of "easy" - but with a little instruction, they're not that hard to make.
Don't let the knots fool you! I always said that one of the reasons I could never be on Survivor is because I can't get a knot out of anything if my life depended on it. It's embarrassing and I know I've lost major mom points because of it but knots are my nemesis. But not this time. I'm coming in hot, ya'll. Now let's get our macrame on!
- 3 plants of your choice, I chose succulents because they're less maintenance
- Clothes line/Rope
- Potting soil
- 3 plant pots (the lighter the better)
- hook- to hang your finished product in a sunny spot
- spade
- gloves- optional if you want pretty date night fingernails
Step 1: Cutting
- Begin by cutting 6 strands of rope all the same length. Your length will depend on how low you want your plants to hang. We did two and a half arm lengths for our hanger.
- Once you have your 6 strands, tie all of them together by making one large knot. This will be the very bottom of your plant hanger.
Step 2: Knotting
- After tying the first knot separate the three strands into groups of 2. This will be what holds the bottom of your first pot. Measure the bottom of your pot by placing its center on the original, first knot.
- Next, proceed to tie three knots around the outer edge of the pot that will hold and stabilize it.
Step 3: Fitting
- Once your pot is snug inside of the bottom 3 knots, separate the knots, once more, into groups of 3 with the coorisponding strings from the other knots. (This sounds much more complicated than it truly is.) Basically, make a large triangle.
- Measure the height of your pot against the sides of the rope. Make 3 knots with the rope at the top edge of your pot. (Wait until after you have made all of your knots before you transplant the plants into their pots. This makes measuring your pot with the rope much easier.)
(This is what your rope should look like at this point in the game. Hang in there.)
Step 4: Knotting & Repeat
- Once you have fit your first pot snugly into your first 3 rounds of knots, simply remove your pot and repeat those steps 2 more times.
- After you have measured and tied all of your knots, make one loop knot at the top so you can hang your planter.
Step 5: Planting
- Now for the fun part! Transplant your wee little plant babies into their new, happy homes. *MAKE SURE, if using succulents, use the potting soil made specifically for cacti and succulents. It isn't hard to find at most garden centers and throw some rocks in the bottom and around the top for good drainage.
- Other fun options would be a bush ivy that will drape as it grows, or you can put some pops of color in them to reflect the season. Bright yellow or orange mums, coral zinnias, or bright fuchsia petunias!
Step 6: Assembling
- Once your plants have all been transplanted the assembling process may commence. This part is somewhat tricky. If you already have your hook ready in the wall or ceiling this will make the assembly much easier.
- Hang your rope by the hook and gently insert each pot into its little rope nook.


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Award-winning Tigrinya-English Bilingual Children's Books and Dual Language Picture Books are a great resource for teaching and learning Tigrinya and English as a Second Language. Collection includes Tigrinya folktales, fables, and multicultural stories.
The books expose children to diversity, help them maintain their heritage and build self-esteem.
ALL BOOKS INCLUDE TIGRINYA AND ENGLISH TEXT ON THE PAGE. 50+ other languages also available at this website.
by L. R. Henillustrated by Jago
Gail Aitchisonillustrated by Jill Newton
Exclusive Multicultural Content$1000+ Bilingual Book Giveaway


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Charity information
Reall is a network of development enterprises across Africa and Asia establishing a housing market at the bottom of the income pyramid.
Our mission is to create sustainable organisations committed to servicing housing requirements for low income earners thereby creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and ultimately a functioning housing market.
Through our network we finance land acquisition, land preparation and development, infrastructure, housing and micro-mortgages.
Founded 1987
Mission statement
Vision: We envision a world in which everyone has access to land, shelter and basic services.
Shelter is more than just a house; it is a space for privacy, economic activity, social care and personal fulfilment.
Mission: Our mission is to develop a global network of Development Enterprises that are capable of creating housing solutions for people at the bottom of the income pyramid.
We are the only UK organisation dedicated to the challenge of living conditions in urban slums. The programmes we implement with our partners in Africa and Asia focus on addressing inadequate shelter, insecure tenure and lack of access to services such as clean water. We provide organisational development support, project technical assistance and finance, to support our partners to deliver at increasing scale and through more effective cost-recovery models. Our partners work closely with community-based networks whose members live in slums, thus ensuring that the people who benefit from our work are centrally involved in its design and implementation.
Established: January 1987
Registered Charity Number: 1017255
Board members: 9
Full time staff: 20
Part time staff: 2
Phone number: 024 7509 3340
Address: 8 - 14 Harnall Row, Coventry CV1 5DRView charity accounts on the Charity Commission website


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9 of us gathered at Berkhamsted, no no-shows and one new rider. It was a nice sunny morning ideal for cycling, a bit chilly at first but it soon warmed up. The route up to the Chilterns seemed less steep than the usual reverse route we often take. We encountered the remains of some snow and the first daffodils, a reminder of how late spring is.
Lunch was the challenge it often is but we ended up at the Rose & Crown in the lovely village of Wingrave where we were able to eat outside in the sun. One of us had two meals.
No hill immediately after lunch but one came later as we climbed back onto the Chilterns. After the ride ended at Berkhamsted one of us suggested tea at Sanuk which proved to be the proverbial five minutes away but was fun once we got there - totally kitsch and great cake.
Thanks to Peter for persevering with a great ride after the first attempt was frozen off.


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From a passionate desire to make raw beautiful music that grooves and delights, Out of Abingdon have built a unique sound that draws from influences including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Grant Green, Bjork & Nina Simone.
Performing over 600 gigs together in the last 6 years, Warwick and Tina have honed their skills play refreshing unexpected contemporary covers that connect with audiences wherever they play.
'Smooth and soulful jazz from this talented duo. …listening to Fullerton's warm, breathy voice is like being dipped in melted dark chocolate, Hargreaves' blues guitar is mesmerising, he plays with fluid energy, his husky voice complements hers…. creating infectiously rhythmic percussion out of their own instruments, their easy enthusiasm makes this gig a soothing, sonic pleasure.'
– Catherine Bryer - Broadway Baby Edinburgh 2012
Tina Fullerton double bass & vocals
Warwick Hargreaves guitar & vocals


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MonaLisa Twins Biography
- Music and Sound -
The MonaLisa Twins, with 25-year-old actual twins Mona and Lisa Wagner fronting the band, are one of the very few modern groups who continue the tradition of song-writing that took off in 1963. They bring back what has been started 50 years ago and write modern songs in the 60s Beat music tradition, reviving the genre with a fresh twist without sounding pop-ish or trivial. Their signature features are their close harmonies and wiry, bright guitar sound, and the mix of humour and depth in their music speaks to a wide range of international audiences.
On their debut album "When We're Together", which they recorded at the mere age of 16, they present finest Rock 'n' Roll and Beat music, skillfully venturing out in Psychedelic, Folk and Latin genres, inspired by the likes of The Beatles, Bob Dylan or Simon & Garfunkel.
In comparison, their second album "ORANGE" gives a more mature, sometimes satirical, yet overall still light-hearted approach to topics we all deal with. Love, community, doubt, the past and future, and the generally unsettling direction society seems to be taking. While staying true to quirky, melodic 60s song-writing, plenty of harmonies and twangy guitar licks, this album branches out into more psychedelic but also earthy, bluesy, even jazzy tones for a very experimental, tongue-in-cheek side of the MonaLisa Twins.
MLT: "While listening to and playing all different kinds of music genres in our youth, we stayed with the 60s song-writing, something we think is way too much neglected these days. We wanted to write and play music that had the magic and the same impact on people that those classic tracks had on us."
- Background -
But how? They were born into a country (Austria) that celebrated classical and folk music and which was rather detached from the humorous, easy going 60s spirit you associate with England or the States. They picked their parents wisely though. Their father is a musician/song-writer himself and, during the 80s and 90s, was running a recording studio producing renowned (inter)national artists including a Grammy winner. Together with him and their step-mother they fully concentrated on the Twins' music and over the years built up a full-time family business.
- Achievements -
10 years, 7 albums, over 100 music videos, millions of YouTube views, tens of thousands of subscribers and a lot of blood, sweat and tears later, they are living and working in Liverpool/UK. With a host of live shows in Europe, the UK, USA and Australia, a recording session in Abbey Road Studios, a UK tour with Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel, a 2-year residency at the legendary Cavern Club, regular features on BBC and international radio stations, a Glastonbury performance and collaborations with Woodstock legend John Sebastian under their belt, they have come a long way since daydreaming about the future at the age of 13.
- Sound Of Music 2.0 ? -
What they are most proud of? They did it their own way. Every video they released, every song they've written, every album they put out, every blog post on their social media, and even their website comes from the collective brain juice of their small but mighty team. That doesn't mean at all that they don't want or need the help of other people, but it means they're willing to work twice or thrice as hard so they don't have to give away their creative freedom or values for any short-term success. They created their own label and took DIY to a whole new level.
If you, too, love and treasure the quality song-writing and positive, witty spirit that exploded in the Sixties, the MonaLisa Twins might be the band you've been waiting for for the last 40 years.
The Twins have received praise from many music icons of the "Swinging Sixties". Listen to what others are saying about The MonaLisa Twins! You might enjoy them as much as your 60s idols do ...
ORANGE - I adore this record. Totally sublime. Top-notch electric guitar; fierce sounding chops and solos. Terrific songs – "Club 27" is a monster example of modern pop/rock. "Still A Friend Of Mine" gets to the heart and plays emotional havoc – beautifully constructed. The whole album is brilliantly constructed. There are five or six potential top ten hits on this brilliant album.
ORANGE is a breath of fresh air in the relentless sludge of today's pop music.
ORANGE - Magnificent album! Hope it gets to the TOP of the Pops!!
ORANGE - Hard to choose a track. Each has its merits, and several are very, very Beatle-influenced. Great album - superb production values and fabulously clear diction.
I like your approach to your music! And your own songs on your CD 'When We're Together', especially track 1 and track 5.
"They're fabulous, sure as you're born! I would seriously enjoy playing on their next project."
I love the MonaLisa Twins' version of 'Bus Stop'. It sounds so fresh and the video is great. These girls will go far.
They are young, but never once showed anxiety or nerves. They took on considerable responsibility at times and I respect them deeply. Having them in the band was more than a bonus … it was special. I might carry with me a couple of really special moments for the rest of my days: "All In A Life's Work", every time – Lisa's guitar break and responses to the lyrics throughout it and Mona's stirring harmonica were magical.
Wow! Wonderful guitar work and harmonies are beautiful. The MonaLisa Twins sometimes sound like 3 people singing, fantastic! Would love to hear them sing a Melanie song. Lots of artists have covered my hits but I think it would be so cool if the MonaLisa Twins would give this a listen and try it out ("Taking a Bath").
Thank you MonaLisa Twins!
We'll all meet down the road <3
Love this act. Love their choice of material. I am sure they will go wherever they want to go as artists! Please let me know how they wander upwards towards fame and fortune. Is there a fan club?
The MonaLisa Twins? Wonderful music.
Have listened/watched YT vids of God Only Knows, San Francisco and Hotel California - they are incredible. I'll do all I can to spread the word about the MonaLisa Twins.


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Life is hard enough for a fledgling stand-up comedian but try to imagine what it's like to be one from a traditional Pakistani American household. Kumail Nanjiani plays a version of himself in this fictional tale co-written with his real-life wife Emily V. Gordon, based on their actual and drama-filled courtship. Expected to pursue a "normal" career and marry a Pakistani woman, Kumail must defy his family on both fronts. A surprise hit in the box office, this romantic comedy traverses the complex world of identity politics, cultural difference, and family conflicts with no shortage of heart-warming humor.
A Q&A with Kumail Nanjiani, Emily V. Gordon, Holly Hunter, and director Michael Showalter follows the screening.
The Big Sick. 2017. USA. Directed by Michael Showalter. 120 min. Courtesy of Amazon Studios.
This film program is organized by Rajendra Roy, The Celeste Bartos Chief Curator of Film, and Sean Egan, producer, film exhibitions and projects, The Museum of Modern Art, New York.
The Hammer Museum's presentation is made possible by The Billy and Audrey L. Wilder Foundation.
Media sponsorship is provided by The Hollywood Reporter. Additional media support is provided by Time Out L.A.


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As executive food editorof Cook's Illustrated, a test cook on America's Test Kitchen, and a Brookline homeowner, Keith Dresser was accustomed to cooking in cramped quarters. Then everything changed.
In October 2017, the parent company of the magazine and TV show moved from Brookline into expansive new digs in the Seaport District. "The offices were small and crowded; now they're almost larger than life," Dresser says. "As is our new kitchen." Exactly two years earlier, S + H Construction had completed a renovation of Dresser's home designed by architect Susan Dunbar of Charles R. Myer & Partners.
Dresser and his wife, law professor Jessica Silbey, their two daughters, and their black Labrador spend most of their time in the kitchen. The couple purchased the home in 2005 and lived on the top two floors, renting out the first-floor apartment, for 10 years. The nine-month renovation, which included absorbing the apartment into their living space, turned the 1895 residence back into a single-family home. Their original kitchen, on the second floor, became part of the master suite. The first floor gained the new eat-in kitchen, a service zone that includes a computer workstation, a pantry, a bath, a mudroom, laundry, and access to a new back dining deck.
As the family's sole cook (though their older daughter loves to bake), Dresser approached the project with a well-thought-out wish list. He wanted a comfortable, homey, utilitarian space. "They were dream clients," says Dunbar. "They understood that researching and making decisions was crucial."
The main directive was that the cooking and eating areas meld seamlessly. "I'm very conscious of the relationship between the front and the back of the house," Dresser says, lapsing into restaurant lingo. "I don't want to slave in back, make food appear at the table, and disappear again to make dessert. I want everyone to experience the process."
The airy new kitchen runs along the back and side of the house. The L-shaped counters that hug the perimeter have tops of honed Jet Mist granite, and the sink overlooks the backyard through a bank of large new windows. In the winter, Silbey grows herbs on the unusually spacious windowsills, a byproduct of building-code requirements. "It's a big no-no to run water pipes up 4-inch-thick exterior walls, so we added another 2 inches in order to insulate the pipes," says Sarah Lawson, owner of S + H Construction. "The added benefit was the ability to create extra-deep sills. I love when limitations generate a better design."
The Bianco Carrara marble top on the gray center island was another wish-list item. "I was afraid marble wasn't a good idea with kids, but I love the look," Dresser says. "After the first six months, I made my peace with it, realizing I wanted the kitchen to actually look like we use it." A square auxiliary sink at one corner is accessible from two sides and serves as a bar sink when needed.
The blue back-painted-glass backsplash behind the six-burner stove adds a shot of color, as do the copper pots peeking through the glass-front cabinets near the glossy white ceiling. Just beyond, a banquette stretches along the wall, surrounded by built-in bookshelves. Both cozy dining nook and cookbook library, it's the most popular spot in the house. "My cookbooks were scattered through the house before; I really wanted to display them in a centralized location," says Dresser. "It didn't have to be in the kitchen, but it turned into a very cool design feature."
The crown jewel of the renovation, at least for Dresser, is the 40-square-foot walk-in pantry, accessed through an original swinging door with a glass window that the construction crew found in the basement and refurbished. The space stores small appliances that don't get used daily, and floor-to-ceiling shelves hold canning jars containing pickles, jams, and the like. "It's wonderful to give those beautiful jars pride of place rather than cramming them in a cupboard," says Dunbar. "The pantry is Keith's man cave."
■ Architect: Susan Dunbar, Charles R. Myer & Partners, Cambridge, charlesmyer.com
■ Contractor: S + H Construction, Cambridge, shconstruction.comMarni Elyse Katz is a frequent contributor to the Globe Magazine. Send comments to firstname.lastname@example.com. Follow us on Instagram @BostonGlobeMag.
Due to a reporting error, the width of a wall in the story "A cook's Illustrated editor gets the kitchen of his dreams" in the October 14 issue of the magazine was incorrect. It is four inches thick and was expanded by two inches.


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In the summer of 2014 the WVWA Creek Watch Program was launched with funding from the William Penn Foundation. Creek Watch is a team of trained citizen scientists that regularly monitor the Wissahickon Watershed and report their findings back to the WVWA. The goal of the program is for the WVWA to be alerted to any disturbances or changes as they appear so that the WVWA can take the appropriate action.
Each Creek Watcher is assigned a section of the Wissahickon Creek or tributary by the WVWA to be visited once a month. The sections include a monitoring site and a walking section. At the monitoring site, visual assessments are made on the algae cover, water clarity, and other factors. In the walking section, Creek Watchers walk near the creek and report any changes in erosion, vegetation, and other points of interest things back to the WVWA. As a part of the Delaware River Basin Initiative, funded by the William Penn Foundation, Creek Watchers are truly part of a regional effort to improve water quality in Philadelphia area watersheds.
This program is invaluable for the WVWA and our efforts to monitor the watershed. As an expansion of WVWA's Stream Monitoring and Assessment Program (Stream MAP), Creek Watchers are able to cover a much larger area and monitor more frequently than the WVWA can alone. This fosters a better understanding of patterns throughout the watershed and areas in that are in need of attention, restoration, or community education.
Check out a few newspaper articles on the launching of the creek watch program:
Volunteers monitor water quality in Wissahickon watershed
Wissahickon Valley Watershed Association launches Creek Watch for citizen scientists
If you have questions about the Creek Watch Program or are interested in participating, contact Lindsay Blanton at email@example.com.


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Churches/Home Going Celebrations
Home Going Celebrations:
For each Home Going Celebration, Josie Bailey will create from scratch and perform customized and personalized stories on behalf of your Loved One. Stories will include incidents, mention of family and friends and other details from your Loved One's life, based on information that family and friends choose to share prior to the Celebration.
At the family's request, copies of the story can be made available on tastefully bordered paper for participants in the Home Going Celebration to preserve as a memento or to share with those who could not be present.
Previous Home Going Celebration stories that Josie has created and performed have included a loving and humorous summary of the Loved One's Life; a description of the Loved One's possible first experience upon meeting Jesus as they departed this life; and a celebration in song and speech of the Loved One's many life achievements and contributions to others. The story will always be reviewed and approved by the family representative prior to its performance or release.
The quantity of copies of the story ordered should be in multiples of 100 (e.g., 100, 200, 300, etc).
Stories By Josie
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Romans 12:1-13
A Living Sacrifice in a World of Sacrifices
Think of Paul implementing Jesus' teaching in the Sermon on the Mount in the Greco-Roman world. The world around is very religious – sacrifices continually in temples – trying to manage or fend off the evil of the world. Jesus insists on not managing evil but going deep into God's heart and purpose, really living in God's reality – simplicity, solid rock, joy, love.
The cities smelled with burning sacrifices. Paul points to a new vision of living sacrifice, the whole person, not just "spiritual" but body, a whole life offering to God, a vision of worship that is logikos, fitting the message (logos), the Word of Jesus' Cross and Resurrection.


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Another Compelling Case for Taxing Credit Unions
September 9, 2013
In a recent article titled, "Tax Exemption for Credit Unions: An Unjustifiable $10 Billion Tax Expenditure," Kenneth Kies and Bert Ely present yet another compelling case credit unions to pay federal corporate income taxes.
Kies and Ely argue that credit unions have grown to control a significant segment of the financial service market and have moved sharply away from their original mission; however, unlike their direct competitors they do not pay corporate income taxes. The authors find no policy or economic justification for the credit union tax break which has been estimated by the Office of Management and Budget (OMG) to cost nearly $10 billion over the next five years. Credit unions have evolved to become financial institutions which provide services identical to taxpaying competitors. In order to level the playing field, all credit unions should pay taxes. READ MORE.


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This past weekend I did a nuke and pave of my Mac, which means I totally wiped the computer and did a fresh install of the operating system. As I was re-installing applications I made a couple of really stupid mistakes. I ended up accidentally purchasing $50 worth of apps from the Mac App Store. One app I had previously purchased from the Mac App Store, but the store didn't recognize this because family sharing wasn't properly configured on the Mac yet. The other app I purchased was an app that I thought I had previously purchased from the Mac App Store but I had actually purchased directly from the company's website. I figured I had just made a couple of stupid mistakes that cost me $50.
So I contacted Apple via email and told them what I had done and asked them if there was anything they could do. I got an email back within 24 hours saying they were processing a full refund for me...no questions asked. I'm guessing they were able to look at my account and see that I had indeed purchased both of these app in the past, one using my correct Apple ID and the other app I had purchased previous versions of through the App Store. But I was expected Apple to ask for some kind of proof from me rather than do it themselves. Who knows, maybe they didn't do any checking at all. Either way I was pleasantly surprised that they just took care of it.
Say what you will about the Mac App Store (trust me I have plenty of complaints), but being able to get your money back after making some accidental purchases is really nice. If you find yourself in a similar situation with either the Mac App Store or the iOS App Store don't hesitate to contact Apple and ask for a refund...you just might get it.


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It is possible to make false teeth or dentures at home without the help of a dentist, according to Dental Services. Those interested in making their own dentures typically do it with the use of a do-it-yourself denture kit.
Do-it-yourself denture kits are available online from a variety of retailers, and making dentures this way is cheaper than going to the dentist. The kits come with helpful instructions, and step-by-step videos on the process are also available online. Although individuals interested in making their own dentures can pay for the necessary equipment without purchasing a kit, this approach often requires sending an impression of the teeth to a professional denture maker, explains Dental Services.


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Darkage-Tales From Obscurity
Darkage is a traditional heavy metal band from Rome, Italy. The band was founded in June of 2008 by guitarist Dario Laurenzi, bassist Domenico Cannatà, and former drummer Nino. Lead singer Domenico Sepe has been with the band pretty much from the start and since 2012 the group has been rounded out by drummer Gianluca Polito. In 2011 the band released it's first demo, "The Night Calls", and the five song EP, "Tales From Obscurity", was just released back in mid-March. Interestingly enough the EP opens with the track "The Night Calls" and one would have to assume that it is a updated version of the same song that appeared on Darkage's demo. From there you have "Raw", "D.O.G.", "Evil Creatures", and "The Bells" and it all runs slightly over 28 minutes in length. As far as Darkage's take on traditional metal goes classic metal is the name of the game with the bulk of this underrated EP sounding as if it could have come from the golden era of tape trading! Naturally that is meant as a HUGE compliment and so is the admission that I simply cannot put my finger on this band's influences. In other words, Darkage sounds like no one else on the recommended "Tales from Obscurity" and that is an absolutely thrilling concept!! Other than the actual music itself (which I guess I would describe as a cross between underground eighties metal, N.W.O.B.H.M., doom, occult rock, dark metal, and classic heavy metal) the one thing I really like about Darkage is their lead singer, Domenico Sepe. Just like some of the all-time greats, Domenico Sepe has a certain presence about him and he helps give Darkage a vintage metal vibe that is simply out of this world! While I would never put him in the same class as someone like Ronnie James Dio (R.I.P.) I would point out the effectiveness of Sepe's haunting and somewhat evil voice. With someone like Domenico Sepe on the mic you could easily transform a normal metal band into something awe-inspiring. Thankfully in the case of Darkage there is already a great foundation in place so there's never a point where Domenico Sepe has to carry the load. As this kind of vintage metal is all the rage I would not be surprised to see this Italian band scoped up in a year or less. And to that end I would LOVE to hear what Darkage could pull off on a full-length album. I've got a feeling it could be nothing short of magical!!
Labels: 2016, classic metal influences, classic/traditional heavy metal, Darkage, EP, Italian metal, Rome, vintage elements


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Moto G4 will launch in India on June 22, and just like the Plus version, it will be an Amazon exclusive smartphone.
Moto G4 features a 5.5-inch Full HD display with Corning Gorilla Glass 3, Snapdragon 617 octa-core processor with 2GB RAM, 16GB storage and a 3000 mAh battery with support for Turbo Charging. It runs the Android 6 OS and has a 13 megapixel rear camera, not the 16 mp one in the Plus version. It also lacks a fingerprint scanner.
Watch our video review of Moto G4 Plus
However, Moto G4 Plus comes in 2 versions: 2GB RAM+16GB storage for Rs 13,499 and 3GB RAM+32GB storage for Rs 14,999.
In India, the Moto G series has usually been priced at Rs 12,999, but this year, we've got 3 versions of the phones. With the Plus series already occupying the higher price-band, it will be interesting to see if Moto G4 carries a slightly lower price-tag.
Given the specs and expected price-tag, Moto G4 will compete with other players like Le 2 (first sale from June 28), Yu Yunicorn, and of course, Xiaomi Redmi Note 3.
Here is a quick look at how Moto G4 fares against these phones on a specifications comparisons.
LeEco Le 2: Le 2 features a 5.5-inch full HD display, and is powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 652 processor. It has a metal unibody design, and a rear fingerprint sensor with Sense ID support. The pink version of the phone gives it a premium look, which is great for its pricing.
Le 2 comes with 3GB RAM and 32GB non-expandable storage, a 16MP rear camera and and 8MP front camera. The rear camera comes with phase detection auto-focus and has dual LED flash.
LeEco Le 2 runs eUI 5.6 based on Android 6.0 Marshmallow, and is backed by 3000mAh battery. The device comes with USB Type-C port and supports fast charging.
Le 2 is comes with 1 year free subscription to Le Supertainment package, which gives access to live concerts and other video content. LeEco is also bundling free CDLA Type-C USB headphones with this smartphone for now. The device doesn't have a 3.5 mm headphone jack, and instead the Type-C USB port has to be used to plug-in headphones.
Le 2 goes on first flash sale on Flipkart on June 28, and registrations for the sale are now open.
Yu Yunicorn: Yu Yunicorn by Micromax co-founder Rahul Sharma Yu Televentures is the latest big battery smartphone in the market.
This one also has a metal unibody design, and runs near stock version of Android 5.1 Lollipop with Steroid launcher. YU has cleaned the OS to a great extent, and has promised an Android M update soon.
It has a 5.5-inch Full HD display, and is powered by MediaTek Helio P10 processor. The smartphone comes with 4GB RAM and 32GB storage, and has a 13 mp rear camera+ 5 mp front camera. The fingerprint scanner is on the front.
In our review, Yu Yunicorn's design impressed us, as well as the excellent battery and UI. We further noted in our review, that if you are looking for a smartphone with good design and great battery life then Yunicorn is an apt choice.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3: In this price-category, Redmi Note 3 has set a standard in performance.
Xiaomi Redmi Note 3 comes in two variants – 2GB RAM + 16GB storage and 3GB + 32GB storage – and offers very good performance thanks to MIUI, which offers tons of customisation option. This one features a 5.5-inch full HD display, Snapdragon 650 processor, a fingerprint scanner on the back and metal-unibody design.
The 4010 mAh battery means the Redmi Note 3 lasts more than 24 hours. In our review, we said called Redmi Note 3 as the top recommendation to anyone looking for a phone in this price-band, thanks to its flawless performance, and great battery life.


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Here he is my very first born son, now wearing gold for the Port Washington Fire Department Junior Firefighters. John is their secretary a fitting position for my budding author. From the time Johnny was a very young man he has had a love for reading and for writing. In his little corner of the basement he would write short stories in his school marble notebooks. He said he would own a publishing Company some day and he would name it Basement Stories Inc. Because that is where it all began for our Johnny Boy. Many years a go he began writing a book about the children of the Disney characters and what their life was like. Well just last year they came out with a TV show and a movie on the topic. Johnny was devastated as he thought this was his idea but it did not stop him from writing.
This past month the children of Weber Middle School were asked if anyone would like to submit a speech to speak at 8th grade graduation. John was up for the challenge and began writing what Donald and I think is a fantastic speech. John read it to his teachers and staff at the school and was chosen to be in the final running. Out of all the students that submitted an essay Johnny Boy made it to the top 4. Well unfortunately my Johnny did not win the chance to speak at the graduation ceremony. Here it is….Johnny's courageous spirit.
~John Alexander
Graduation Speech
Blue 8
First off, I must say congratulations to the Weber Middle School Graduating Class of 2016! We got through three years of hard work, and I'm sure that the next few years won't be any easier, but I know we can do it. I would also like to say thank you to each and every one of my teachers who have gotten me to this exact moment. I couldn't have done it without you. I would also like to say thank you to the other teachers, each of which I was not lucky enough to have had. You brought each and every one of my friends to this moment as well. I'd like to say thank you to our wonderful Principal, Mr. Shields, who has done a great job in his first year at Weber Middle School. Thank you to the staff for all that you do for us every day as well. Finally, I'd like to say thank you to my amazing, and might I add huge, family for all of the support that they have given me through the years. More specifically, I want to say thank you to our parents, especially my own, who have done so much work and gone through so much sacrifice to bring me to this moment in my life. I could not have done it without them.
One word in the English language that I love is the word courage. I must admit that courage is not my strong suit, as I get nervous about many things. Much like the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz, it takes a lot of courage to be strong and brave. We each need to remember that we all have courage within us, and we don't need a medal to show it. However, I believe that we need courage to power through the simplest tasks, such as surviving every day life. Sadly, the problem is that the world can be, and at most times is, a very scary place. There are many experiences in life that induce fear, but I have learned to channel that fear and break it with courage. We all need it in our lives, and I hope that what the Weber Middle School Graduating Class of 2016 takes away from this speech is that we must have courage in the journey we call life, and especially on the next road of our life: high school.
We're moving up to Schreiber High School next year, which could be a scary idea for many, but we must have courage. Walt Disney once said, "All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." I'm sure that when beginning 6th grade with our brand new school supplies and our best "first-day-of-school" outfit on, we were pretty hopeful that this place would be awesome. However, I know that almost everyone was nervous the night before the first day of school about the change that came as a side effect of moving up a grade. Look at us now. We had the courage to continue each and every day, and we made it to 8th grade.
I know that the entire Graduating Class can agree with me that courage is a difficult concept to gain and keep with us. Before a football game, I'm sure that the team is nervous if they'll win the game or not. They're nervous to see the other team and how they play. If the team is noticeably better than them, the team still has to have courage that they can, and hopefully will, win the game. The same idea goes with life. We see the world as a scary place that has people that can perform tasks much better than we can, or the opposing team if you will. We must have the strong belief that we can conquer the other team, or the metaphorical hurdle that the world puts in front of us. Honestly, I was never good at sports, but I know enough about them to know that life is one large sports game. There will always be you, and there will always be the other "team" wanting to beat you. But you remember that there is the rest of the team there to back you up, and you hope that your faith in them will be kept.
When really thinking about it, what is courage? To the Graduating Class, courage is entering a classroom with your head held high even though you didn't do well on a test the day before.
-Courage is talking in the hallway when Mr. Bass, the Blue 7 Social Studies teacher, is teaching a class.
-To me, courage is waking up every morning at the crack of dawn for a fresh start at school.
-Courage is going to Health class in 7th grade once a day a whole semester. Courage is going to Drama Club Rehearsal and messing up your dance or lines, looking into Mrs. Portmore- Davies' encouraging eyes, and then nailing each part of it the next time.
-Courage is losing a game, but then going to practice the next day ready to win.
-Courage is learning about the sad facts of the past, specifically The Holocaust, in 8th grade.
-Courage is especially allowing your mother to be Facebook friends with your Social Studies teacher.
-Courage is having the strength to say that you're different.
-Courage is singing out loud so everyone can hear and not being afraid of critics, and having pride in who you are and where you come from.
-Courage is stepping outside of the box and making a new friend.
-Courage is coming onto stage for Guys and Dolls, the Drama Club's winter performance, in a bright yellow suit.
-Courage is doing the whip and other dances like nobody's watching, and courage is wearing white Vans to school without a care in the world.
-Actually, courage is wearing any shoes at all to school when you know someone will come up to you at least once and yell "WHAT ARE THOSE?"
-Courage is walking into Mr. Enright's classroom wearing anything but Notre Dame apparel.
-Courage is joining a club for the first time in 6th grade and not knowing anyone at all.
-Courage is walking into school on the first day of sixth grade smelling like a brand new pair of sneakers and freshly sharpened pencils.
-Courage, most of all, is delivering a graduation speech in front of the entire Graduating Class of 2016 and their parents.
I also found that courage is being able to follow your dreams, much like Walt Disney described in his quote. Throughout our 3 years at Weber, we were encouraged to express ourselves in any way we saw possible, whether it be through the amazing arts programs here, especially the Band program and the Drama Club, or through the great sports teams at Weber that are sometimes undefeated and sometimes defeated as well. The reality is that real life can be defeating too. I have always been scared of choosing what I wanted to be when I grew up. Through careful consideration, I had the courage to figure it out, even though the future still scares me. When I grow up, I'd like to be an English teacher or an author and share my love of literature with other people and children just like me. I gained the courage to decide who I wanted to be, even though I'm still figuring that part out. Actually, we all are. Weber Middle School gave me the opportunity to have the courage to understand who I want to be.
Above all, life in general requires a whole lot of courage. We can't continue on with our lives every day without courage to fail and then do it right the next time. I've never had children before, but I'm sure that it requires a lot of courage to be able to get out of bed every day and handle the children. Through movies and tv shows, it seems as if you need courage to go to work every day, especially to be able to face a mean boss or even if you're struggling at work to get it all done. This year, we learned about how Eleanor Roosevelt was a popular figure during the Great Depression, and as the former First Lady herself once said, "You gain strength, confidence, and courage by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'" This perfectly describes the Graduating Class. The "horror" portion of the quote describes our years at Weber Middle School, except for the fact that our middle school lives were not "horror" inducing experiences. Schreiber High School is the "next thing that comes along." I'm excited that we can begin writing the next chapter in our lives, and I'm even more excited that we hold the pens. Congratulations to the Weber Middle School Graduating Class of 2016!


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Meet Gregory Ito, the newest Electrolites Artist.
Today is a day for art, and we would like to present to you our newest Electrolites Artist: the insanely talented Gregory Ito! Based in San Francisco, Ito is our first Electrolites Artist outside of NYC, but Greg has been beasting up the SF art scene for years now, and we've definitely got love for the Left Coast too.
Gregory is the Co-Founder of Ever Gold Gallery, as well as the Co-Founder/Editor of San Francisco Arts Quarterly.
Be sure to head over to Gregory Ito's artist page on our website to check out his killer artwork while the world waits as patient as it can for the upcoming Electrolites x Gregory Ito Collection!
Art. Shoes. Love.
- Electrolites


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No road trip should begin without a full tank of gas, and maybe some snacks for the trip. Before you head out, stop by our gas station & convenience store. We're conveniently located at 11580 Hanson Blvd NW in Coon Rapids, MN. Stop in and see us whenever you need fuel. We serve all of Coon Rapids, MN, Anoka County, MN, Blaine, MN and everywhere.
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Give us a call now at (763)-757-6789 for today's gas price.
Get snacks and supplies, and get going again. Make the gas station and convenience store at Hwy 10 Minnoco Car Care your first stop in Coon Rapids, MN., before any road trip.
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Beyond Tsunami : Saving Lives and Livelihoods
1. The Prime Minister has rightly stressed that every calamity presents also an opportunity for equipping ourselves to face with greater confidence and competence similar calamities in the future. The Government of India has announced that a Tsunami Early Warning System as well as a National Disaster Management Authority will be set up soon.
2. Relief measures are in progress on an unprecedented scale, thanks to intensive and extensive efforts by the Central and State Governments, national and international Civil Society Organisations (NGOs), Private and Public Sector Industry, Academia, the mass media and bilateral and multilateral donors.
3. Fifteen days after the titanic Tsunami hit our coast and islands, we are in a position to begin rehabilitation efforts in three time dimensions.
A. Immediate (January – March, 2005)
- Water, shelter, sanitation, health and revival of livelihoods.
Psychological rehabilitation
- Repair of catamarans
- Achieving convergence and synergy among all on-going programmes with similar objectives (this is an urgent task)
B. Medium Term (2005-07):
- Ecological rehabilitation
- Agronomic rehabilitation
- Economic rehabilitation
- Disaster preparedness, mitigation and management
C. Long Term (2005-10):
- Strengthening environmental defense systems
- Enlarging opportunities for sustainable livelihoods based on a pro-nature, pro-poor, pro-women orientation to technology development and dissemination.
- Improving the productivity, profitability and sustainability of agriculture and fisheries.
A. Immediate:
Psychological Rehabilitation:
It will be necessary to form teams of men and women psychiatrists and trauma Counsellors who can cover the severely affected areas during the next few weeks to bring comfort and confidence to those who have lost their dear and near ones. Fishermen will have to be assisted in overcoming their fear of the sea. Farmers also need technical help and moral support. The professional / counseling sessions could be organized by appropriate civil society organizations in association with Panchayats. Those living in relief camps need particular attention. Destitute women should be rehabilitated in their own community and should not be herded in destitute homes, either old or new.
Livelihood Rehabilitation:
A Special Food for Livelihood Revival and Eco-protection programme should be initiated immediately in all the affected areas. Such an open-ended Food for Work Programme, which can be sanctioned for a year in the first instance, should aim to create assets for the Tsunami ravaged families, and should not solely be community centred, as in the case of normal Food for Work programmes. The concept of work under this special programme should include items such as:
a. Rebuilding houses
b. Repairing and building fishing boats and vessels
c. Rebuilding jetties, access roads and market yards
d. Rebuilding schools
e. Rebuilding health care centres
f. Establishing day care centers and crèches for children
g. Eco-restoration programmes like rehabilitation of mangrove wetlands and reclamation of soils inundated with sea water.
The precise priorities can be developed for each village in consultation with local Panchayats and affected families. It is suggested that about 300,000 tonnes of food grains may be allotted immediately for this special programme which will allow Tsunami affected families to have access to food while they are rebuilding their lives and livelihoods, as well as essential infrastructure for human resource development.
B. Medium and Long-term:
These programmes should cover all families along the coast – both fisher and farming families, including the families of those who have no assets like land, livestock or fish pond. They fall under three broad groups.
i. Strengthening the ecological foundations of sustainable human security:
This programme will include the following:
a. Initiating a coastal Bio-shield movement along coastal areas, involving the raising of mangrove forests, plantations of casuaria, salicornia, laucaena, atriplex, palms, bamboo and other tree species and halophytes which can grow near the sea. They will serve as speed-breakers under conditions of coastal storms, cyclones and Tsunami. They will in addition serve as carbon sinks, since they will help to enhance carbon sequestration and thereby contribute to reducing the growing imbalance between carbon emissions and absorption. Mangroves are very efficient in carbon sequestration. They also promote sustainable fisheries by releasing nutrients in the water. In addition, they will provide additional income and make coastal communities eligible for carbon credit.
The Coastal Bio-shield can also involve agro-forestry programmes, like the intercropping of casuarina with hybrid pigeon pea (cajanus cajan) or Red gram, to be undertaken by farming families. Thus, the Bio-shield movement will confer multiple benefits to local communities as well as to the country as a whole.
b. Promote Peoples' Participation in the conservation and enhancement of mangrove and other coastal wetlands, as well as coral reefs and coastal and marine biodiversity.
A Participatory Mangrove Forest Management Programme on the basis of the guidelines already developed by MSSRF should be introduced. The Joint Mangrove Forest Management is based on the successful model of Joint Forest Management already in progress in most parts of India. The super cyclone havoc in Orissa and the current Tsunami tragedy have created widespread awareness among the people on the role Mangrove forests play in reducing the fury of cyclonic storms and tidal waves.
c. Promote the organization of Community nurseries of Mangrove species and other appropriate tree species chosen under the coastal Bio-shield and agro-forestry programmes. Techniques for raising such nurseries have been standardized by MSSRF. Community nurseries can be raised under the auspices of both Forest Departments and Panchayats. Where appropriate, such nurseries can be raised on the basis of a buy-back arrangement. Farm families can raise nurseries / produce seeds of crops chosen for the agro-forestry programme.
d. Regeneration of Fisheries and fostering a sustainable fisheries programme:
The new fishing vessels and nets should be designed in a manner that they do not disrupt the fish life cycle by catching young ones and also do not destroy sea grass beds, which serve as habitats for dugongs. The calamity provides an opportunity for achieving a paradigm shift from unsustainable to sustainable fisheries.
e. Raising artificial coral reefs:
The work done in the Gulf of Mannar area indicates that artificial reefs can stimulate fish breeding and revival. These can be laid and managed by fisher self-help groups (SHGs). NABARD can develop a special programme to promote the growth of such SHGs.
f. Managing Marine Biosphere Reserves in a Trusteeship Mode:
A trusteeship pattern of management of coastal bio-resources should be fostered. This will help local communities and government departments to manage unique biological resources in a trusteeship mode, ie, people considering themselves as trustees of such assets with a commitment to conserve them for posterity. A beginning has been made in the Gulf of Mannar Marine Biosphere Reserve, but this system needs to get institutionalized all along the coast as well as in the Andaman and Nicobar and Lakshadweep group of islands.
g. Housing for Fisher families:
The new houses should respect the 500 meter restriction and should be ecologically designed. If all fisher folk had been given housing sites on the landward side of coastal roads, the death toll as a result of Tsunami would have been much lower. Anticipatory action against sea level rise also demands a human security driven design of coastal habitations. A group of architects should be assembled for this purpose immediately.
h. Construction of sea walls and dykes:
The construction of permanent sea walls can be taken up in places where there is sea erosion due to heavy anthropogenic pressures. The locations for such non-living barriers should be determined on the basis of a carefully conducted erosion vulnerability analysis.
i. Agronomic rehabilitation : Reclamation of salinised soils:
Sea water ingression has led to soil salinisation in some areas. A scientific Team consisting of representatives of Agricultural Universities, ICAR (Central Soil Salinity Research Institute) and CSIR may be set up to survey the areas, study the nature and severity of the problem and suggest remedial measures. This should be done within the next two months, so that farmers are able to resume normal farm operations without losing a crop season.
j. Code of Conduct for Coastal Ecological Security:
The serious loss of life and property caused by Tsunami highlights the vision and wisdom of Smt Indira Gandhi when nearly 24 years ago, she took steps to ensure that no permanent construction is permitted within 500 meters of the high tide. We should not only strengthen this national resolve, but also develop a code of conduct for construction beyond 500 meters. Such a code can consist of a package of rewards for initiatives in the areas of sunward oriented buildings, energy efficient construction, use of wind / tidal / solar energy, rainwater harvesting, use of local construction material, effluent treatment and use of biodegradable material. The coastal ecological security literacy programme should bring to the attention of builders the opportunities now available for mainstreaming ecology in building design and construction.
k. Vulnerability Mapping:
Based on an analysis of 100-year data, the areas prone to cyclones and other natural disasters can be mapped. Priority may be given to such areas in erecting bio-shields and in undertaking eco-restoration and erosion prevention measures. Agricultural vulnerability to potential changes in sea level should also be mapped. This task should be taken up immediately by a Consortium of R & D institutions and IMD to be set up by the Departments of Ocean Development and Science and Technology, Government of India.
k. Sustainable Management of Coastal Land and Water Resources:
Scientific land and water use planning will have to be done to prevent salinisation of ground water. Land and water use patterns based on principles of ecology, economics and social and gender equity will have to be prepared by Panchayats with the help of ICAR ( National Bureau of Soil Survey and Land Use Planning), the concerned Farm University and the Forest, Fisheries and Agriculture Departments of State Governments.
ii. Rehabilitation of Livelihoods and fostering sustainable livelihood security:
The sustainable livelihood security strategy should be based on the principles of social inclusion and gender equity. They should cover both fisher and land based farming communities as well as landless labour families. The following steps are needed:
a. Aquarian Reform:
This is essential to foster harmony in the use of living aquatic resources by artesenal fishermen operating catamarans, and commercial families operating mechanized fishing boats and trawlers. The major aim of the Aquarian policy should be:
- Conservation of living aquatic resources
- Sustainable use
- Equitable sharing of benefits
- Harmony between artesenal and mechanized fishing.
b. Integrated capture and culture fisheries : Sea Water Farming:
Fisher families, particularly women, can take to the rearing of prawns and suitable salt tolerant fish species in canals along the sea coast, using low external input sustainable aquaculture (LEISA) techniques. Agro-aqua farms involving the concurrent cultivation of tree species and rearing of fish and prawns can be promoted to enhance income and employment opportunities. The Tsunami tragedy should lead to the emergence of new sea farming communities, well versed in both production and post-harvest technologies, quality management and value addition.
c. Establishment of Coastal Biovillages:
The economy of coastal villages can be strengthened through the biovillage model of rural development. This involves the sustainable use of natural resources and introduction of market driven non-farm enterprises as well as to value addition to primary products. It also involves a paradigm shift from unskilled to skilled work, resulting in the addition of economic value to time and labour. The micro-enterprises chosen for being undertaken by SHGs with micro-credit support should be based on both value addition to under-utilised resources and market demand. The coastal Biovillage movement to be fostered by Panchayati raj institutions should be based on a pro-nature, pro-poor and pro-women orientation to enterprise development and adoption. An important component of coastal biovillages should be the establishment of Aquaculture Estates which can help to confer the power of scale to fisher families in the production, processing and marketing of fish.
d. Establishment of a coastal grid of Farm Schools and Demonstration Centres:
Farm and Fisher families practising the use of natural resources based on principles of ecological economics can be chosen for establishing Farm Schools. Lateral learning among farmers and fisher families will be more effective than formal institutional learning. Both can go together. Demonstration of environmentally sound sea farming techniques should also be organized.
iii. Network of Rural Knowledge Centres (RKC):
The crucial importance of timely information is now widely recognized in minimizing the loss of life caused by disasters like Tsunami. It is therefore essential that a network of Rural Knowledge Centres is established all along the coast as soon as possible. Such RKCs will use in an integrated way the internet, community (FM) radio, cable TV and the vernacular press. They will provide both generic and dynamic information and will help to disseminate locale-specific and demand driven information. They will also serve as an integral part of the National Early Warning system. They can empower fisher, farm and other coastal inhabitants with information on their entitlements to government programmes and attend to other essential needs relating to education, health, weather and market.
The following four requirements need concurrent attention for launching a rural knowledge revolution.
a. Connectivity: BSNL and other appropriate institutions can help to establish broad band connectivity. Both wired and wireless technologies can be used.
b. Content: A Digital Gateway for coastal ecological and livelihood security will have to be established by a consortium of content providers and data generators. The Gateway should be guided by the priority needs of local fisher and farm families.
c. Capacity Building: This will have to be undertaken under the overall umbrella of the Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy for Rural Prosperity and the National Alliance for Mission 2007 : Every Village a Knowledge Centre. Atleast one woman and man will have to be trained in each village as Master Trainers. They will be elected Fellows of the Jamsetji Tata National Virtual Academy.
Training should be imparted in disaster preparedness and management, as well as in trade and quality literacy. Food safety issues and codex alimentarius standards should be highlighted in the training programmes. The policy support needed for this programme has already been spelt out in the report of NCF titled, "Serving Farmers and Saving Farming" submitted to the Government of India in December, 2004.
Even if there is an efficient early warning system, the information will have to reach the unreached, particularly fishermen in sea. Therefore, a network of community radio (FM) centers will have to become an integral part of the coastal area knowledge connectivity.
d. Care and Management: The RKC should be located in a public space like a school or panchayat building, so that there is equity in access. The RKC can be managed by an ICT-SHG with support from NABARD.
iv. Resource Centres for Capacity Building:
There is need for establishing a network of capacity building centers along the coast. A Resource Centre for Mangrove Forest Conservation, rehabilitation and expansion is urgently needed. There is need for preparing training modules in local languages on a wide range of topics relating to both ecological and livelihood security. Training programmes will have to be organized for SHGs who wish to take up work in the areas of raising community nurseries, eco-restoration, reclamation of salt affected soils, market-led enterprise development and managing Rural Knowledge Centres.
Education, social mobilization and regulation will have to become the pillars of the coastal ecological and livelihood security systems. The RKCs will provide an opportunity to professionals for sustained engagement with local communities.
v. Conclusions:
The Tsunami disaster has provided a unique opportunity for launching through public-private sector partnership an integrated psychological, ecological, agronomic and livelihood rehabilitation programme. To succeed, such programmes should be people centred and managed by local communities with appropriate guidance and support from government and panchayati raj institutions. Government agencies, academia, and local communities should jointly develop Integrated Coastal Zone Management plans which would help to transform sustainable development from a desirable objective into a practical reality.
M S Swaminathan
10 January, 2005
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- said :
There's one thing the world must remember: most of those who are affected are often living in poverty - whether the people are Hindus, Muslims or Buddhists, it's not important. They need us now.
And there's one thing the world must forget: the Arabs. The stinginess of this group only shows their selfishness. Enough said.
- said :
The M S Swaminathan Research Foundation publishes: "The Prime Minister has rightly stressed that every calamity presents also an opportunity for equipping ourselves to face with greater confidence and competence similar calamities in the future."
It is sad and unfortunate that those who could have done something to prevent the loss of life and property to tens of thousands affected by this disaster chose to wait until after this disaster to do something about it to prepare for "similar calamities in the future." And though obviously doing something now is better than doing nothing, why is it that governments and other organizations that have the ability to do something in advance of things like this don't? Did they not have science information available beforehand that would suggest that an earthquake was possible in this region? Why is everyone just now saying "it would have been good if there had been an early warning system in place" beforehand to prevent the loss of live that occurred? And don't tell me I'm full of s^#t until you have walked in the sandals of someone who has lost their entire family in this disaster.
The same was true for 9/11. It's a sad indictment on our world society.


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The Haunting of Hill House
Something spooky has been going on at 3 Mills Studios!
The Haunting of Hill House, produced by Liverpool Everyman & Playhouse in association with Sonia Friedman Productions and HAMMER, has been rehearsing here at 3 Mills Studios in rehearsal stage 2.
No-one ever visits Hill House, especially not after dark.
When three strangers are invited to join the mysterious Dr Montague at the eerie house on the hill, not even their darkest dreams could have prepared them for what awaits. As their stay unfolds, they are plagued by a series of inexplicable events that propel them to the very edge of their existence.
A terrifying psychological thriller that plays with our perceptions of reality, Shirley Jackson's The Haunting of Hill House became one of the greatest horror films ever made (The Haunting, 1963) and her work influenced writers such as Stephen King and Neil Gaiman. This Christmas watch as Hill House stirs into life on stage, in a new adaption by Anthony Neilson (The Wonderful World of Dissocia, Realism and The Night Before Christmas) and directed by Olivier and Tony Award nominee Melly Still (Coram Boy).
The Haunting Of Hill House will be running at The Liverpool Playhouse from December 7th until January 16th.
Photographer: Gary Calton.


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MANILA/HONG KONG (Reuters) - The Philippines has drawn kudos and inflows as one of Asia's fastest growing economies, but some economic indicators raise a question of whether it could be a soft spot if U.S. interest rate hikes spur capital outflows from Asia this year.
The last episode of major outflows, triggered by the U.S. Federal Reserve's 2013 announcement that it would reduce monetary stimulus - an event dubbed the "taper tantrum" - saw markets zeroing in on India and Indonesia because of their external imbalances then.
While these imbalances still exist, they are much narrower and the central banks of the two countries have accumulated foreign exchange reserves. That should make them better able to cope with an episode of global outflows than in 2013-14, when both temporarily raised interest rates to keep investors interested.
But in some ways, the Philippines - which reported 6.7 percent economic growth for 2017 - may seem more vulnerable to outflows than five years ago.
It hasn't been accumulating reserves since 2012 and President Rodrigo Duterte's ambition to upgrade the country's outdated infrastructure has depleted its other main line of defense, the current account surplus.
"The vulnerability for Philippines is that the current account positioning is deteriorating," said Sanjay Mathur, chief economist for Southeast Asia and India at ANZ.
The central bank projects there was a current account deficit last year - the first since 2002 - of $100 million, and it forecasts one of $700 million this year.
Governor Nestor Espenilla of the central bank has repeatedly sought to allay concerns about the deficit, attributing it to rapid economic growth backed by rising investments
Rajiv Biswas, Asia Pacific chief economist for IHS Markit, isn't worried by gaps in the current account, saying "it's not a chronic problem, it's still a relatively moderate deficit."
The account is backstopped by large foreign worker remittances. In the first 11 months of 2017, these were $25.3 billion, up 4.0 percent from a year earlier. Also up in 2017 was foreign direct investment; January-October saw $7.86 billion versus $6.52 billion one year earlier.
Philippine foreign-exchange reserves, unlike those of Indonesia and India, haven't been rising. At the end of December, they were $81.57 billion, compared with $83.83 billion five years earlier.
Between Jan. 29 and the Feb. 6 Asia stock sell-off, Philippine shares fell 7.7 percent peak-to-trough, as much as India's but twice as much as Indonesian and Malaysian stocks.
The peso has been the weakest Asian currency against the dollar so far this year, shedding nearly 2.5 percent.
Espenilla, the central bank governor, has said the Philippines was "very far from any foreign exchange crisis" and the currency is supported by healthy economic fundamentals.
Inflation is another number drawing attention, after hitting 4.0 percent - its highest since October 2014 - in January.
Only three out of 12 analysts in a Reuters Poll think the Philippines will raise its key rate on Thursday, but the central bank is seen edging closer to a its first hike since 2014.
If the Fed steps up its pace of U.S. rate hikes, the Philippines and other emerging Asian economies will need to raise theirs to fend off capital outflows, economists say.
Biswas of IHS Markit says the Philippines is "somewhat more vulnerable to capital outflows now but India and Indonesia are still top of the list."
Reporting by Marius Zaharia and Karen Lema; Editing by Richard Borsuk


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The pedal-triporteur Stand
Commercial delivery has a heirarchy that reflects the commercial vehicles used. From truck to 4-wheel Tempo Matador van, to 3-wheeler tempo or bajaj (ie Piaggio Ape), to carrier-tricycle for local distribution.
This is a stand in a Madras street where you can hire a triporteur and rider.


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I just realised I hadn't shared this beauty with you before.
So let me tell you how it all began...
I discovered "Kinfolk" I believe late last year, actually through instagram- An american girl I follow would always post these romantic morning tea settings with kinfolk accompanied by cups of coffee or would be curled up in bed with this magazine and so I decided to hunt this down and see what the fuss was about.
I eventually found "Kinfolk" in Pulp (Sydney Australia) -actually when I was working there and decided to have a read in a 'down hour'- from there it became my beautiful addiction. That afternoon, I purchased one and decided that this would be my tomorrow morning well spent.
As I read and looked through the pictures, I found myself completely captivated and in awe of these descriptive and enriching stories. All my senses came alive; The Stories of ways of life, thoughtful processes, shared meals, joyous occasions, family traditions, people's meetings and encounters all spoke to my spirit and I felt like I had been revived.
It is a magazine that teaches you and reminds you of what it means to truly enjoy life.
So do yourself a favour, find a Kinfolk and go to your favourite place and set aside some time to read, soak and enjoy.
Elise Maree


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Evolution teaches spontaneous generation—that life came from non-life without intelligent intervention. However, spontaneous generation violates the law of biogenesis and the cell theory. The law of biogenesis states that "all living things arise only from other living things." The cell theory defines the cell as the most basic unit of life, and declares that "new cells arise only from pre-existing cells." Both the law of biogenesis and the cell theory are accepted by evolutionists; the evolutionists merely assume that first life is the exception to these principles. But, a model that violates scientific theories and laws should be abandoned. This is especially true when there is a rival model that does not violate scientific theories and laws.
The creation model posits the existence of an intelligent Being in order to bridge the gap from non-life to life. The creation model recognizes that the specified complexity (highly complex information) found in a single-celled animal could not be produced by chance. Even Richard Dawkins himself believes that a single-celled animal contains enough genetic information to fill one-thousand complete sets of the Encyclopedia Britannica. Just as an explosion in a print shop cannot randomly produce even one volume of an encyclopedia (not to mention one-thousand complete sets), there is no way that a single-celled animal could have been produced by mere chance. Intelligent intervention was needed.
Click HERE to continue reading


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"The Normal One" Jürgen Klopp Liverpool FC Poster 61cm x 91.5cm (24" x 36")
Product Description
He may call himself "The Normal One", but he certainly isn't "one from the bottle" either! Liverpool FC's energetic and outspoken German manager is portrayed here in a striking monochrome against the famous colours of 'The Reds', with the iconic Liver Bird perched proudly in the top left corner. An absolute must for any Liverpool FC supporter!
- Size: 61cm x 91.5cm (24" x 36")
- Stock ID: 240554-FRAME0
- View all Posters…
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©2002-2019 PopArtUK. Registered office: 43 Bull Street, Holt, Norfolk, NR25 6HP, UK. Company registration number: 07280106.


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This blog was originally titled "Indulge Yourself: Read what you want, watch what you want, and live a life that makes you happy" because that's what I write about here. But as author Natalie J. Damschroder, aka NJ Damschroder, who writes romantic adventure and YA adventure—heart-pounding fiction with kick-ass heroes and heroines who fall in love while they save the world (or at least one small part of it), it seemed prudent to bring this blog into my author world. Thanks for visiting!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
When Dreams Go to Work
But SOMETIMES, they're helpful.
Last week, my e-mail went FUBAR.
(This week my phone did—that reminds me, I need to get a new one, stat! Hold on... Okay, done.)
I've used AOL for like two decades. I have 5 years of e-mails stored in well-broken-down folders. It's safer virus-wise, and it's on my computer. I hate webmail with a passion, and I refuse to use Outlook. But apparently the humongous (like more than a couple hundred a day) rise in stored e-mails with my increase in client work overwhelmed it, because my personal filing cabinet kept getting effed up. I lost 10 days worth of e-mails and had to go through all my old ones to restore what I needed to save. Then it happened again, and I was done.
I did some research and decided to try Mailbird. (After I crashed Thunderbird, which I've used briefly before.) It's working fine. I finally can have all my e-mail addresses loaded into the same place, and I'll get used to the new structure. I'm rebuilding folders as I need them. And it was cool that it synced with my Gmail folders so I didn't even need to make new ones. I especially like how it cheers you when you achieve "Inbox Zero." That's something really important to me. :)
The problem was how AOL categorizes mail. It splits it into "old" and "new." Once you've read an e-mail, it leaves your inbox and goes into the "old" tab. Mine had about 3.5 years' worth. Over 168,000 e-mails. And AOL told Mailbird those are all "new," so it kept pulling them into the application.
Goodbye Inbox Zero.
But did I mention that's important to me? It is. My inbox is supposed to hold only mail I have to address. There's extreme satisfaction in clearing it out after a particularly heavy period of work. Even more in keeping it empty! So the idea of never having Inbox Zero again was not a good one.
I started doing CTRL+A to highlight everything and then archiving it. It took a while for each batch, and after a couple of days, I'd gotten through a month. It was going to take forever to do four years! Plus, it locked up the program a couple of times, and I had to use AOL webmail. *shudder* BUT, I found that the folders I had set up in Mailbird were now available in AOL webmail. It was syncing both ways.
Enter the dream. (I know, I ramble. Sorry.) The other night, mixed with dreams about work and something else kinda weird, I dreamed that I archived all my old mail in AOL webmail, which then synced with Mailbird automatically. I tried it, and...IT WORKED. Archiving in AOL only took a handful of batches, and even though it locked up that mail folder each time, it DID transfer it. So now I have Inbox Zero! AND! Bonus! I can search all my archived mail very easily, which will limit how often I have to go into AOL Desktop for old mail.
Now I have to get paid so I can get Mailbird Pro and get ALL my e-mail addresses in here. (The free version accommodates 3.)
If you've read this far, God love ya. :) I apologize for being boring. Next post will talk about fall TV! :) Stay tuned.
6 comments:
- Ava Quinn said...
Good thing you remembered that dream to help out in the real world! lol! I never remember my dreams, so I'd be screwed.
- Natalie Damschroder said...
I couldn't close my eyes without going back to the dream! So it wasn't hard to remember. I WISH I couldn't remember my dreams. Some of them are really cool, but they exhaust me. LOL
- LBDDiaries said...
I love when that happens - that you wake up with a solution! I have learned to keep a notebook and pencil/pen on my nightstand and to jot down ANYTHING that I think or dream about (not those pizza dreams but the "try this" ones). Some may be garbage but some is brilliant (smile). And I'm like you - I like to get stuff OUT of my mailbox and into folders because it piles up fast with crapola!! I can't wait for Harte and Soul - excited!!
- Natalie Damschroder said...
I have pens--including one with a light--and paper in my nightstand or even on it, and I never work up the energy to write stuff down. LOL
I hope to have Harte and Soul done soon! Thank you! :)
- mita parvin said...
I really liked your post about When Dreams Go to Work
- Natalie Damschroder said...
Thanks, Mita, and thanks for stopping by!


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Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition
Residential Lighting, A Practical Guide, 2nd Edition
Written by internationally recognized lighting consultant Randall Whitehead, this popular easy-to-read lighting design guide offers a highly visual introduction to the fundamentals for illuminating the single-family home.
Randall advocates the use of "light layering," using a combination of lighting sources to create a cohesive and versatile lighting system.
The book offers advice on design tools and room-by-room lighting strategies. This Second Edition includes a new chapter on how to impliment the use of energy efficient lighting design, including updated information on LED lamps, CFL's and daylighting. Also included are 32 pages of color plates demonstrating professional remodels of interior and exterior rooms; including contributions from interior designers, architects, landscape designers in collaboration with well integrated lighting design
Read the review by Patrick Rollens on Residential Lighting.com- download here.


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By the Numbers:
A Statistical Portrait of the Court's Child Protective Cases
In 2006, at the height of a surge in child welfare investigations and removals, the Administration for Children's Services (ACS) filed more than 12,000 abuse and neglect petitions with the court. By 2014, that number had gone down to just over 9,800—a decrease of over 20 percent.
Among those filings, the proportion that result in kids being placed in foster care has fallen even more dramatically. Ten years ago, more than 60 percent of abuse and neglect petitions involved children who were removed from their homes, while families on court-ordered supervision made up just under 40 percent. By 2014, that ratio had flipped.
Much of that reduction is due to City investment in preventive services designed to help families at risk of foster care get on their feet and keep kids at home. ACS also credits the drop, in part, to improved efforts to work with families right at the start of the court process. Since 2009, it has required child protective workers to convene "child safety conferences" with families before filing abuse or neglect petitions, in order to discuss safety concerns and direct families to preventive services.
About half of conferences result in a petition for court-ordered supervision, rather than removal to foster care. In approximately 15 percent of cases, the conferences avert the need to file court petitions at all, according to ACS officials.
The ACS data shows the number of children placed in foster care and the length of time they stay in care by age. Court data charts the numbers of petitions, dispositions, and time to court action over time and by borough.
Babies and Toddlers in Foster Care
Children in foster care, by age
The city has drastically reduced the number of children placed in foster care, but the drop has been far less dramatic for babies and toddlers than for older children. This chart shows children entering foster care by age from 2004 – 2014. The number of 0-3 year olds entering foster care declined by 0.3% from 2004-2014 while the number of children 4 years old and above entering foster care declined by 31% over the same period.
Median length of stay in foster care, by age
Babies and toddlers stay in foster care longer than kids of other age groups.
Returns to foster care within three years of discharge, by age
The total number of children who return to foster care within three years of being discharged has dropped by 50% since 2004, but the age group of babies and toddlers dropped by 21% while older children dropped by 57%.
Court Burden and Function
Child protective petitions filed in Family Court
The total number of child abuse and neglect petitions filed in NYC Family Court has dropped by 20% since 2006. The drop is much steeper in cases where children are removed to out-of-home care. Meanwhile, the proportion of cases involving children under court-ordered supervision (where children remain with their parents or caregivers under the supervision of ACS and the court) has increased dramatically.
The Kings County Family Court in Brooklyn continues to oversee far more cases than that of any other borough. Brooklyn also runs counter to the citywide trend of declining cases and saw a 19% increase in the number of petitions from 2006 to 2014.
Percentage of first permanency hearings held
within nine months of a child's placement in out-of-home care
By law, Family Courts are required to hold a first permanency hearings eight months after a child is placed in out-of-home care. Their success in doing so is often used as a proxy measure of court efficiency.
As of 2014, the Kings County Family Court continued to be much slower to hold permanency hearings than other borough courts. The second chart shows the total number of permanency hearings handled by borough, in addition to the timeliness.
Time from when petition is filed to disposition
There is no legal time limit in which NYC Family Courts must hold a trial—or "fact-finding" hearing—to determine whether allegations of abuse or neglect are true. It's common for cases to appear before the court (and sometimes for children to be in foster care) for months before a judge has decided whether the abuse or neglect actually happened. In fact, the majority of cases are settled, never going to trial at all.
If a judge does decide the allegations are true, he or she will enter a "dispositional order" saying what should happen to the family next. Time to disposition is another common proxy measure for court efficiency.
Time to permanent exit from out-of-home care
Among children who entered out-of-home care in 2013, more than 60% were still in care 12 months later.


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November 2017
As the leaves fall and the weather turns colder, November is a time for us to reflect, be thankful and to start getting ready for the holiday season.
The VFW will hold their annual Veteran's Day service on November 11th at 2 PM at the War Memorial at the Town Center at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Berry Street. In the event of bad weather, the service will be held at VFW located at 828 Sixth Ave.
The Dayton Kentucky Business Association and the Dayton Main Street Advisory Board are proud to announce the First-Annual Dayton Kentucky Holiday Market! The Dayton Kentucky Holiday Market is an up-beat and eclectic holiday pop-up shop, and the perfect place to find your handmade and unique gifts this holiday season. The shop will be located in the Raimey Building at 635 6th Avenue in the heart of the Dayton business district
The Dayton Kentucky Holiday Market will be open Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, starting Black Friday November 24th through Saturday December 23rd. The hours will be Fridays from 4pm-8pm, Saturdays noon-8pm and Sundays noon to 5pm.
The Dayton KY Civics Activity Board will be hosting "Light Up Dayton" for the children of our community on Sunday, December 3, 2017 from 2:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the former YMCA building at the north end of Berry Street.. At Light Up Dayton, Santa and Mrs. Claus will hand out gifts for the children who will be served hot dogs, chips and drinks and more. At 5:00 p.m. everyone will head to the town square for caroling, storytelling, lighting of the trees and wish lanterns as well as serving hot chocolate and cookies for everyone.
Also on the development front the remodel of the former Hasco Building is almost complete and several businesses are getting ready to occupy the building. Also, Redknot has begun construction on the first of sixteen custom built homes at their site at 10th Avenue and O'Fallon Avenue in Dayton. These custom built homes will range in price from the mid 500 thousands to the mid 700 thousands.
Wishing you a Safe & Happy Thanksgiving,
Mayor Virgil Boruske
Mayor Ben Baker
Ben Baker is currently serving his first term as mayor after two consecutive terms on Dayton City Council. Mr. Baker lives on historic 6th Avenue and enjoys the walkable nature of Dayton as well as it's many friendly streets.
April 2019


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Kathleen Laurel Cooper Wright, pioneer School Board Member
A quiet, modest, yet dynamic personality, Kathleen Laurel Cooper was the ninth of 11 children born to Sam and Kathleen Cooper of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., on Dec. 31, 1935. She attended Dillard Elementary and High School in Fort Lauderdale. Kathleen married Zebedee Wright in 1953. They had three children: two sons – Ronald and Anthony, and one daughter, Laureatte.
Wright graduated with distinction from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University (FAMU) in 1958 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education with an emphasis in History. Shortly thereafter, she began teaching at Dillard High School in Fort Lauderdale.
As a teacher and a person active in numerous social, political and charitable organizations, Kathleen always urged people to get involved in their community and to work through the system to bring about the changes they felt were needed. Some of her community service involvement includes: Secretary, Vice-President, and President of the Broward County Social Studies Council; Secretary, Vice-President and President of Delta Sigma Theta Public Service Sorority; service on a variety of local committees; Guild President and Vice-President of Churchwomen at St. Christopher's Episcopal Church; member of the Democratic Executive Committee, Democratic Women's Club, National Organizations of Women, Women's Political Caucus, League of Women Voters, and Northwest Democratic Club. She also was active in several efforts to bring voters to the polls in the Northwest communities. She served on the Board of Directors and was Chairperson of Women's and Girl's Work at the Northwest YMCA, in addition to being a "Y" Club Advisor. Dr. Wright was a founder of the Black Alliance for School Educators, a chairperson of the Affirmative Action committee of Broward County's Democratic Party, and a board member of the Early Childhood Development Association.
It was this attitude and devotion to community service which led Wright to become a candidate for the School Board of Broward County, Florida in 1974. The challenge of running against an incumbent was a monumental undertaking. Through hard work, vigorous campaigning, and unwavering commitment to service, she succeeded and became the first Black Broward County School Board member. Mrs. Wright subsequently served as Vice-Chairman of the School Board.
Tragically, Wright's life ended on Aug. 27, 1985 as result of injuries suffered in the airplane crash of Delta Flight 191 in Dallas, Tex. on Aug. 2, 1985.
As a young woman, Wright lived a most interesting life that is worthy of emulation by young Blacks today. She gave a full life of community service of the highest quality.