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I remember straightening my back, bracing myself at the piano keys and trying for the hundredth time to tap out "Winter Dance Melody." Even after four years I continued to struggle with the piano, from the minimal strength required to press down on the foot peddle to the constant ticking of the metronome. Eventually, after a few crying fits and calls from my piano teachers telling my parents that I "...lacked focus and passion," my parents begrudgingly allowed me to quit (or as they called it "freeing yourself to pursue other interests"). It is true that piano was not my most successful endeavor, but I do wonder now if my parents would have encouraged my musical ambitions more if they had known all of the benefits, both immediate and long term, associated with children engaging with the performing arts. Maybe instead of giving me an out to explore other ventures, my parents would have simply handed me a tissue while walking me back to the ivories.
Research has long supported the benefits of children engaging in the performing arts. As recently as 2009, Johns Hopkins University School of Education reported "children showed more motivation, paid closer attention and remembered what they learned more easily when the arts were integrated into the curriculum." Though parents may remember the music programs of their school days, it was not until 2000 that Congress took the symbolic step of signing the "Goals 2000: Educate America Act," which "identified the arts for the first time in federal policy as part of the core curriculum." Today, school systems recognize that performing arts are more than just an extracurricular activity but are an essential part of a well-rounded education for students. For children in the D.C. metro area there are many choices in performing arts programs, both in and out of school. The performing arts typically include theater, choir, instrumental performance and dance. Whichever your child chooses, experts agree that the most important factor is that she tries. Even if your child is not the star of the production, the benefits are lifelong.
Increased Academic Performance
From daily practices to the preparation for the ever-important recital, participation in the performing arts demands the utmost focus of its pupil. The ability to focus is similar to an instrument, it must be tuned and practiced in order to operate at its best. Children quickly learn that not practicing results in embarrassing lessons and prevents them from achieving their full potential. Researchers have found that this practice in focusing has a direct positive correlation with students' academic performance. According to the American Alliance for Theater and Education, "Students involved in drama performance coursework or experience outscored non-arts students on the 2005 SAT by an average of 65 points in the verbal component and 34 points in the math component." Participation in the performing arts is not a guarantee that a child will go on to pursue it professionally. Instead, the spotlight should be on learning life skills in a creatively charged environment. "Those who don't go onto professional careers in the arts, they go on to become doctors and physicists because they have the discipline," says Michelle Lees, principal of the Maryland Youth Ballet.
"The orchestra serves as a model for society...you don't have to like your stand partner, but you do have to start playing at the same time," says Liz Schurgin, executive director of the D.C. Youth Orchestra. Teaching children the importance of collaboration is essential for future endeavors, whether academic or social. With performing arts, children learn the importance of working together, while working through differences. As Schurgin explains, children come to her program with very different backgrounds, but it is the students' responsibility to learn how to work together and find a common ground. This ability to work together, despite their disagreements, is a life skill that Josh Sticklin, managing director of the Loudoun Arts Center, sees as essential for every child. He agrees that the ability to work together respectfully and productively is a lesson he sees his students carrying into all aspects of their lives.
Often lost among the hectic shuffle of quizzes, tests and homework is the important lesson of teaching children the necessity of healthy self-expression. "Theater teaches you how to put that emotion someplace...you're not going to learn that in math," says Sherion Cosby, drama director at Northwest High School. As she explains, her students must have their emotions readily available, but they also must learn how they can express these emotions in a controlled, healthy way.
For professional actor Chris Dooly, a 2009 graduate of Northwest High School, the stage was an opportunity to find himself. His interest in acting began at a young age, with participation in local theater productions, but it wasn't until middle school that he realized how much he enjoyed the sense of community that theater provides. He explains that through theater, "I was able to express myself...in middle school and high school, and that's hard to find at that age." Cristina Demiany, executive director of the National Children's Choir, agrees. In her experience, students "find a real strength of self" through their involvement in the arts.
Participation in the performing arts is not about being center stage, or getting the staring role, it's about helping children build their confidence and find their voice. As Donna Rathe, owner of Tiny Dancers, explains, "there is a release of energy into a positive activity like dance, it's like magic."
Star Quality
Today, I still remember the basic key and finger movements for "Winter Dance Melody." However, my musical performances are now limited to singing melodies to my steering wheel, and Keith Moon style finger tapping on my desk (which I know my coworkers greatly enjoy). Despite knowing that I would never have achieved professional proficiency with my piano skills, I sometimes catch myself wondering if I didn't let myself down by quitting the piano.
It took nearly 15 years, but I realize now that one of the biggest reasons why I quit was because of my own insecurities of never being the "best" piano player. To my credit, you can only be seated in the front row of the piano recital so many times before your 10-year-old ego begins to bruise. But that's exactly what keeps many children from pursuing things with their full effort.
The performing arts offer a perfect opportunity to teach children that they don't have to be the best to participate. All a child has to do is try, and keep trying even when it's difficult. That is a life lesson that she will carry with her forever. Encourage her to take the stage and hold her head high no matter what her position is in the recital. It's not about being the star, it's about continuing to give your whole heart until the last curtain falls.


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Campaign group commemorates Buhari's victory, scores him above average
The Buhari Support Organisation (BSO), Enugu State Chapter has commemorated the election of President Muhammadu Buhari of All Progressives Congress (APC), describing it as a milestone in Nigeria's political history.
Yesterday, hundreds of his supporters thronged the campaign office in Enugu to commemorate Buhari's victory, which ended the 16-year uninterrupted rule of PDP after defeating the then incumbent President, Goodluck Jonathan.
Addressing the gathering, state Co-ordinator of BS0 and the spokesman of APC South-East Leadership Caucus, Osita Okechukwu, described the election of President Buhari as a democratic milestone and the most important and successful democratic project in the country in many respects.
Okechukwu said as a change agent, Buhari has within one year of his election unleashed the unprecedented war against corruption and motivated the Nigerian Armed Forces towards final containment of Boko Haram insurgency, hence opening the chapter for economic growth.
He said: "We salute the momentum of Buhari's war against corruption and his stand that if Nigerians do not kill corruption; corruption will kill Nigerians. Let's join him to kill corruption for the good of us all and our future generation.
"Accordingly, we are celebrating March 28, 2015 presidential election in spite of the hardship in the land; because it is a "democratic milestone" and the most important and successful democratic project in many respects. June 12, 1993, could have been, but was aborted.
"To mention a few, it is the first time an incumbent president was defeated via free, fair and transparent election. This is a democratic landmark as no incumbent in Nigeria is henceforth untouchable or invincible anymore.
Secondly, the democratic milestone election produced Buhari -the Change agent – the first time an anti-corruption crusader was elected, based strictly on his integrity and not his money. It is a model for future generations.
"Thirdly, it made the first smooth handover of power from one civilian president to another civilian possible. For this, we salute the former President, His Excellency, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, GCFR, who patriotically conceded defeat.
"Fourthly, it is the first time the power of our votes was confirmed, hence arming Nigerians with the worth of the votes in our hands. We now know that with our votes, we can vote non-performing president, governors, legislators and councillors out."
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subset: commoncrawl


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VUYIROLI – Chennai (Madras), India :
Vuyiroli is a Christian organisation and was founded in the year 1999 as a voluntary, non-profit, charity organisation by Rajkumar, a Christian pastor with a passion to help the poor and destitute elderly. Vuyiroli, which as a Tamil word actually means 'Light of Life'
Vision Statement
Restoring dignity and hope in the lives of the dying and destitute poor.
Mission Statement
VUYIROLI is a Christian organization committed to promote fullness of life to the elderly by Providing a home to meet physical, emotional, spiritual and social needs of the uncared, sick, disabled, destitute elderly persons found in the city streets. Advocating the presence and value of the elderly in the society – A voice for the elderly in the society.
Bro. Rajkumar and his helpers rescue the elderly destitute from the streets of Chennai and provide them with shelter, nutritional food, clothing, medical care and recreation, providing these things with a great deal of love and affection.
This charitable organization serves the poor and dying destitute irrespective of caste, creed, religion or language.
One old gentleman, aged 70, was found paralysed, in front of the Chennai Central Railway Station. He had been brought from his native village 200 miles away, by a relative, and then abandoned. Such are some of those cared for at the Vuyiroli Home.
To help you better understand the type of persons Vuyiroli cares for, we quote from their own website:
Yesterday's India always boasted of a joint family where children lived in their responsibility to look after old parents or grandparents.
The globalizations in economic growth and higher education (For Example IT Industries) have made the youth to leave their family circle and move to a different society for employment. This has lessened their responsibilities towards their families causing the decay of joint family system to nuclear family system abandoning their parents.
Destitute of elders could be to the various causes such as Elder Abuse by stressed children, elders thrown out of house due to property or financial matters etc. The people of the unorganized sector mostly will indulge in many social evils, causing to live a valueless life style which scatters their family. The elderly people have been the most affected to all these socio economic changes.
In 2001, one third of the elders were living below the poverty line and one third just above it, i.e. 60% of older persons are in a vulnerable situation without adequate food, clothing, medical treatment and shelter.
Elderly Destitute : Population of the elderly people, above 60 years of age is increasing at a faster rate than the general population. The annual rate of growth of the elders in India is of 3.8% per annum compared to the general population growth of 1.95%.
Number of elderly persons in India in 2001 was 77 million and in 2013 it will be 100 million.
In 2001
75% of the elders were living in rural areas
48.2% of elderly were women
55% of them are widow
73% of the elderly are illiterate
90% of the elderly were from unorganized sector
Our own pastor has visited this work, and our church is pleased to bring it to the attention of the readers of this page of our web site. If you want to know more about Vuyiroli then click on the following link – http://www.vuyiroli.org .


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The 25th issue of Kodansha's Weekly Shōnen Magazine confirmed that a second anime film adaptation of Hiro Mashima's Fairy Tail manga has been green-lit! The first film, titled "Fairy Tail the Movie: Phoenix Priestess", was released in 2012.
An imageboard art for the film drawn by Mashima himself is also unveiled in the magazine. The latest issue also includes two new chapters of the manga which tease the fans about a shocking development in the story.
The ongoing series began its serialization in 2006 and an anime TV adaptation also started airing in 2009.
(via ANN)


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Global Market Reports Limited
Fire Protection Systems Market by Technology (Active & Passive), Products (Fire Detectors, Sprinklers, Extinguishers, Alarms), Services, Verticals (Oil, Gas and Mining, Manufacturing), and Geography - Analysis and Forecast to 2013 - 2020
Press release • Jul 18, 2016 12:52 EDT
The fire protection systems (FPS) play crucial role preventing the fire hazards. The increased risk of fire accidents is driving the demand for fire protection systems market globally. The fire protection systems market has experienced continuous advancement in fire protection technology. The FPS manufacturers are investing significant amounts on R&D, and are offering innovative and efficient fire protection products to the customers.
The well integration of fire protection products offers reliable fire protection against fire accidents. Nowadays, the FPS providers are offering automated fire protection systems, which offer quick fire detection, extinguishing, and preprogrammed responding that helps in minimizing the fire damage risk. Government mandates to install fire protection systems, increasing fire protection expenditure from enterprise segment, and technological innovations in equipment are driving the overall fire protection market.
The global FPS market size valued at $33,589.25 million in 2013 and it is projected to grow further at a CAGR of 11.53% in the forecasted period of 2014 to 2020. The fire protection systems are becoming an inevitable part of any construction. Due to the increasing risk of fire accidents in the buildings, the governments of many countries have altered their FPS rules and done installation of FPS a mandate. This has resulted in the upsurge of FPS demand globally.
The fire risk prone sectors such as manufacturing, energy & power, oil-gas-mining, and many others put emphasis on installation of full proof prevention and protection systems. Therefore it is estimated that in the coming years the FPS market will have very good prospect in the sectors such as consumer goods and retail buildings, healthcare, manufacturing, energy and power, and transportation and logistics, among others. Fire protection products turning out to be user friendly, the systems operations become auto-operated and interfaces have become simpler to handle, the system providers have good business prospect in the market.
The major players in this market include Gentex Corporation (U.S.), Halma PLC (U.K.), Hochiki Corporation (Japan), Honeywell International Inc.
), Hochiki Corporation (Japan), Honeywell International Inc. (U.S.), Johnson Controls (U.S.), Robert Bosch GmbH (Germany), Siemens AG (Germany), Tyco (Switzerland), United Technologies Corporation (U.S.), VT MAK (U.S.). This research report provides an overview, market study and segmentation based on various technologies, products, services, verticals, and geography for fire protection systems market. Furthermore, the report gives detailed analysis on global trends and forecasts, and competitive landscape.
Scope of the report
The research report categorizes the FPS market based on the analyses of different technologies, products, services, verticals, and regions.
Based on Technology
The FPS market is segmented on the basis of fire prevention and protection technique. It includes active and passive fire protection.
Based on Products
The FPS market is segmented on the basis of products: fire detection, fire management, fire analysis, and fire response.
Based on Services
The overall market is segmented on the basis of services such as introduction engineering services, , installation and design, service and maintenance, and managed services among others.
Based on Verticals
The FPS market is segmented on the basis of various application verticals such as academia and institutional, banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), consumer goods and retail, energy and power, government, healthcare, manufacturing, oil, gas and mining, and transportation and logistics among others.
Based on Geography
The market is segmented on the basis of North America, Europe, APAC, and RoW regions.
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Global Market Reports is a distributor of market research spanning 160 industries. Our extensive database consists of over 100,000 quality publications sourced from 400 plus publishers, this puts our research specialists in the unique position of been able to offer truly unbiased advice on what research provides the most valuable insights.


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Start of a new day, had a chat with Brad. He wants me to really get my head around how the block chaining and execution works. He mentioned the big key word, object loading, the idea of which is you compile a library and so thought from arm to x86\_64 then load it in and use the already optimized version. So what would need to be done is writing the output.
- How does Block Chaining Work?
- Can a block link to itself if it is a loop?
- Are there many blocks that can jump to another?
- Are there concurrency limitations to this? Once the chaining is setup the first time is it modified?
- What is the structure of the cache?
An aside to finish up some of the benchmarks and tests from yesterday. There is one other result I haven't calculated and documented yet, which is what is the raw saving is in bytes, so in total for the two tests, how many bytes for the code are reduced by when using llvm. I also believe it is possible that I could find the total saved, by finding out how many times each of the llvm replaced blocks are executed. First i had to finish working on assembling the results from yesterday for presentation, which are presented in yesterdays entry. I also decided to start a separate document for holding all the results. I intend to look into an easy way for backing up all the original source of the results, (the numbers themselves not the whole framework).
That is enough work on that for now, I will get back to producing the new data I want which is the actual total size of the externally translated blocks verses the old size.
For the h264ref test, the generated functions are 526 bytes smaller (number is averaged over 3 runs) in total, that is for all generated blocks where the llvm are smaller than the tcg, the amount of which they are smaller by is summed. The same method for the sjeng benchmark. It should be noted that this is purely based on the generated functions and not based on the number of times a block is executed, and if the block has been replaced before it's execution lifetime as expired.
|Bytes saved
|Run 1
|Run 2
|Run 3
I started a test run of qemu with sjeng and h264ref tests with the options to output the execution log and the out\_asm. Which brings up something for some spare time, is to compile another test or two from the spec benchmarks, and setup them up for my testing system.
One thing that just came across my mind is what happens in the case where, you have a translated block (native code) that is based on the ARM code (target code). What happen when you jump midway into a 'block', so say the original arm code was 5 instructions long, and you have just reached something that wants to jump to the 3rd instruction in that block. I would assume that it can't just do it because the native code may not even match to the arm, especially since stuff is performed in such a way that it is fast rather than exact preservation. The most plausible idea I can think of which would be reasonable simple is that you then jump to that address and and do the procedure of creating a new translation block with the start being that block.
Brad stopped by to see how things were going, and I showed him the tables of results i had been working on all morning and he pointed out that the bytes saved and translated code size per run should be deterministic, which prompted me to remember that I overlooked catching all the generated and replacing statements, so spent the next twenty five minutes fixing the script to handle all cases as well as perform the fix ups so that the replacing/generated stuff would be removed as far as the rest of the parser was concerned.
This the table above with bytes saved is null and void, the correct value is 6417 bytes for sjeng benchmark and 1312 for the h264ref. So wasted quite a bit of time preparing those results and presenting them, I shall leave the originals there and have amended the tables with a corrected column.
Brad had a very good suggestion on what additional measures I should perform, that is to calculate the total number of blocks seen, the number that are eligible for replacing, the number of blocks replaced and the hit rate/history. Hit rate means the total of times each block was executed, if replaced the number of times it was hit before vs number after. A extra thing would be compare the number hit after for those that were eligible but didn't get replaced due to larger code size.
Today I found out why it is best to use se xreadlines instead of readlines, specially when your files are known to grow very. In the version of python I am using readlines, reads all the lines in a file and compiles a list, where as xreadline is more of a fake list for iterating. As a result it attempted to load the 22GB log file into memory first, on a machine with only 4GiB. Hopefully this information is sane enough that I will be able to minimize it down to just give me smaller and useable.
The next step along with calculating the information Brad suggested is to improve the number of arm instructions picked up by my script as implemented in LLVM and then run tests using it, to experiment, how many new blocks can be handled by LLVM if we implement a given instruction.
Generated all the benchmarks in CPU2006 that use C, next is to setting up a few of them (about 2) with the test runner.


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About us: The TAP Journey
The Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) is the largest, humanitarian civil engineering project of the 21st century.
TAP has designed a continental fresh-water pipeline to cross the Sahel area of Africa, beginning in the west in Mauritania, and culminating in the east at the Red Sea. TAP's pipeline is the first and only permanent solution to perennial drought throughout the Sahel and will mitigate the encroachment of the desert. Currently, thousands of hectares of land are lost to desertification every year across the Sahel countries of Africa.
Conceived and launched in Toronto, Canada, the Trans Africa Pipeline Inc. is a not-for-profit organization working in collaboration with the 11-country Pan African Great Green Wall (PAGGW) agency. TAP is also working with individual Sahel countries and with our U.S. charitable organization, the TAP Foundation U.S.
The Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) project involves constructing an 8,000 km. fresh water pipeline (1.2 m to 1.5 m diameter) crossing 11 countries in the Sahel region of Africa. TAP's mission is to provide a sustainable supply of clean water for people and agriculture and support the goal of the Pan African Great Green Wall agency that involves the planting of millions of trees across a land corridor established by the 11 member countries, as illustrated below.
The Sahel area of Africa, which includes all 11 member countries of PAGGW, is a semi-arid region of north central Africa stretching in the west from Mauritania and Senegal on the Atlantic ocean to Eritrea and Ethiopia in the east, on the coast of the Red Sea. The Sahel is a transition zone between the encroaching Sahara desert north and the more humid and productive areas south. TAP consists of two pipeline sections, each 4,000 km. long, running from both the east and west coasts to a mid-point terminus in Chad. Fresh water will be produced from four solar-powered desalination plants, two on each coast. Each desalination plant will produce 200,000 cubic meters of fresh water per day, stored in regional tank farms along the route.
The total fresh water output will be 800,000 cubic meters per day. Power for the desalination plants and the pump stations will be provided by concentrated thermal solar farms capable of operation well past sundown due to the high temperature salt solution used in conjunction with steam turbines. TAP is also exploring new and innovative methods of creating renewable energy and power generation. TAP's pipeline system capacity can be expanded by adding more desalination plants connected to the same pipeline, up to a maximum capacity of 300,000 cubic meters per day per plant.
The available water from the desalination plants will be used to create local family farms, provide clean water for millions of people, water for the Great Green Wall of trees, and some water for commercial activities. All of the water will be provided to the member states free of charge, except for a small percentage of water set aside for commercial operations. The brine from the desalination plants will not be returned to the oceans, as is the case with many current desalination plants; this practice increases ocean salinity and damages or destroys any local fisheries. Brine from TAP's operations will be channelled to nearby salt ponds where rapid evaporation can produce large quantities of salt for harvesting. This will provide a major source of revenue to offset the costs of producing the water.
The TAP project will begin to alleviate human dehydration, reduce diseases caused by infected water and poor sanitation, mitigate agricultural drought, and begin the transformation of this region back to a self-sustaining existence, in collaboration with the Pan African Great Green Wall agency. A sustainable supply of fresh water is a fundamental building block for these countries to improve economic development and stop the encroaching desertification. As the population-wide health improves, and the number of family farms increases, cultivation and export of food products will reduce poverty.
Why the TAP solution is necessary
There are many efforts underway by many organizations to alleviate the perennial droughts that afflict the Sahel, other areas of Africa and other parts of the world. Many of these involve digging wells for individual villages, providing water purification methodologies and even providing clean water on a daily basis by truck. All these efforts assist individual areas or villages and many are successful for varying periods of time.
Unfortunately, virtually all these efforts eventually become ineffective or are halted for mechanical reasons, contamination, lack of training and even draining of local aquifers. At that point, local residents - usually women and girls - must return to the daily hours-long task of carrying water, sometimes for many kilometers. This eliminates their opportunity for education, work and dramatically negatively impacts food production.
Time is running out:
According to the U.N. over 2 billion people will suffer severe water shortages by 2050 and all of the countries predicted to be "water scarce" are in the sub-Sahara region of Africa.
One-third of the earth's surface is at risk, the U.N. states, particularly in Africa and by 2025, two-thirds of arable land in Africa will disappear.
The Trans Africa Pipeline will save lives - it is the first and only permanent solution to perennial drought throughout the Sahel region of sub-Saharan Africa.
The consequences of not implementing TAP
There are many efforts underway by many organizations to alleviate the perennial droughts that afflict the Sahel, other areas of Africa and other parts of the world. Many of these involve digging wells for individual villages, providing water purification methodologies and even providing clean water on a daily basis by truck. All these efforts assist individual areas or villages and many are successful for varying periods of time.
But virtually all eventually become ineffective or are halted for mechanical reasons, contamination, lack of training and even draining of local aquifers. At that point, local residents - usually women and girls - must return to the daily hours-long task of carrying water, sometimes for many kilometers. This eliminates their opportunity for education, work and dramatically, negatively impacts food production.
Facts regarding the effects of drought and lack of safe drinking water in the Sahel:
80 per cent of infectious diseases are water-related, AND diarrheal diseases kill one out every five children under the age of five 5 each year. 1
Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.
Desertification has already degraded 2.6 million square kilometres of formerly-arable land3 and desertification continues.
Cumulative loss of productivity as a result of land degradation amounts to 25 per cent of cropland and 6.6 per cent of pasture. 3
Economic costs of desertification: a loss of $23 billion (U.S.) Agricultural Gross Domestic Product for the PAGGW** countries. 3
It is predicted that by 2020 around 60 million people could be forced to move from the infertile areas of Sub-Saharan Africa towards Europe due to climate change (drought). 13
Examining the economics of the crisis:
For every $1 (U.S.) invested in providing clean water, the economic benefits range from $2.0 to $8.72; the Trans Africa Pipeline (TAP) represents a $14.7 billion clean water investment which equates to between $29.4 billion and $128 billion in total economic benefits. The benefits amount to $2.7 billion to $10.7 billion per PAGGW** country. These benefits accrue as 63 per cent in lost time-savings due to illness and water collection, 28 per cent in productivity increases, and 9 per cent in savings on health care costs.2
Foreign aid to the SAHEL countries:12
US AID contributed in-kind and financial aid to the PAGGW countries in the amount of $1.3 billion in 2014. Only 7 per cent was allocated to water-related projects which amounted to $91 million. Nine other western countries donated some $537 million (U.S.) in 2014. Assuming that 7 per cent is related to water projects, this amounts to an additional $38 million. Based on this data, it is clear that approximately $129 million is earmarked for water-related projects. This does not address the basic cause of food shortages which accounts for most of the aid provided. A sustainable supply of water to the estimated 28 million people who are classed as lacking "food security" in the Sahel is the key to solving this problem. TAP is the answer.
Examining key facts of the crisis:
ISSUE: Climate change leads to drought which leads to desertification:
IMPACT: Desertification is swallowing an estimated 20,000 hectares per year in sub-Sahara countries, with the attendant destruction of farmlands and livelihoods in these countries. Two-thirds of arable land is expected to be lost in Africa by 2025 due to land degradation.4
COST: Land degradation currently leads to an estimated 3 per cent annual loss in agricultural GDP* in the sub-Saharan region. This equates to $23 billion per year for the 11 PAGGW** member countries.5
ISSUE: Drought leads to water shortage and scarcity of clean water:
IMPACT: Women are responsible for 72 per cent of the water collected in sub-Saharan Africa for daily use. When a community has on-site access to clean water, women and girls get their lives back. They start businesses, improve their homes, and take charge of their own futures.10 The United Nations estimates that sub-Saharan Africa alone loses 40 billion hours per year collecting water. Assuming the PAGGW countries constitute approximately 21 per cent of the sub-Sahara, this equates to some 8.4 billion hours per year of opportunity and economic capital lost to the collection of water.
COST: Assuming the average household values the time they could save from collecting water at $0.41-$0.57/hour11, this equates to a potential economic loss of approximately $3.4 billion to $4.8 billion per year if women continue to be tasked with daily water collection. This time saved by the implementation of TAP could be used for work-related projects in agriculture for example, or starting a small business.
ISSUE: Water shortage forces people to use contaminated water:
IMPACT: Diarrheal diseases are the leading waterborne diseases in Africa and are transmitted directly through contact with contaminated water. For adults, work days gained for each averted diarrhea case is estimated at two days. With improved water supply and sanitation, approximately 240,000 lives could be saved each year in the sub-Saharan region.
COST: It is estimated that sub-Saharan countries experience economic losses of approximately 5 per cent of GDP* which equates today for the PAGGW countries to about $38 billion lost due to lack of safe water and inadequate sanitation and hygiene.8
It is clear from all of these facts that the social and economic costs of NOT building TAP are catastrophic, costly and globally not sustainable.
*The 2014 World Bank estimates of the GDP for the PAGGW countries is approximately $771 billion (U.S.)
**Burkina Faso, Chad, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sudan
WHO/SDE/WSH/07/05; Economic and health effects of increasing coverage of low cost household drinking-water supply and sanitation interventions to countries off-track to meet MDG target 10
Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, Bonn, Germany, Fact Sheet, May 2012
UNITED NATIONS ORIGINAL: ENGLISH ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COUNCIL ECONOMIC COMMISSION FOR AFRICA Fifth Meeting of the Africa Committee on Sustainable Development (ACSD-5) Regional Implementation Meeting (RIM) for CSD-16 Addis Ababa 22-25 October 2007
Global cost-benefit analysis of water supply and sanitation interventions Guy Hutton, Laurence Haller and Jamie Bartram, Journal of Water and Health | 05.4 | 2007
WHO Water and Sanitation program End of Year Report FY 09
UNESCO, United Nations World Water Development Report: Water in a Changing World. (UNESCO Publishing, 2009)
World Health Organization, UN-Water Global Annual Assessment of Sanitation and Drinking-Water (GLAAS) 2010: Targeting Resources for Better Results. (Switzerland: WHO Press, 2010)


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17. Aemilius, although he himself had been driven off from Ephesus by a storm, and had returned to Samos without effecting any thing, after he knew that the expedition to Lycia was dropped, and that Livius had gone to [2??] Italy, having thought [p. 1673]it disgraceful that Patara should be attacked in vain, resolved to go thither and attack the city with his utmost force. [3] Having sailed past Miletus, and the rest of the coast of the allies, he made a descent in the bay of Bargyllae, with the design of reducing Jassus. A garrison of the king's troops held the city, and the Romans made hostile depredations on all the country round. [4] He then sent persons to confer with the magistrates and principal inhabitants, and sound their' dispositions. After they answered that nothing was in their power, he advanced to lay siege to the city. [5] There were, with the Romans, some exiles from Jassus, who, in a body, earnestly importuned the Rhodians "not to suffer an unoffending city, which was as well a neighbouring one as also connected with them in consanguinity, to be ruined. They themselves were banished for no other cause than their faithful attachment to the Romans; and those who remained in the place were held in subjection by the same force by which they had been expelled. [6] The wish of the people of Jassus was one, to escape from a state of slavery under the king." [7] The Rhodians, moved by their entreaties, and calling in the assistance of king Eumenes, by representing, at the same time, their own connexions with them, and also the unfortunate condition of the city, which was kept in bondage by the king's garrison, prevailed on Aemilius to drop the siege. [8] Departing hence, and coasting along the shore of Asia, the other places being at peace, they arrived at Loryma, a port opposite to Rhodes. [9] Here, at head-quarters, a private conversation arises first among the tribunes of the soldiers, and afterwards reached the ears of Aemilius, that the fleet was going off to a distance from Ephesus, from the war which concerned themselves; so that the enemy, being left behind, without control, might safely make whatever attempts they pleased against so many states of the allies, in their neighbourhood. [10] These remarks moved Aemilius; and calling the Rhodians to him, he asked them, whether the whole fleet could lie in the harbour of Patara: when they answered that it could not, furnished with an excuse for laying aside the design, he sailed back to Samos.
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Compliance Matters: Remittance Transfer Disclosures
Proposed rule would require remittance transfer providers to make certain disclosures to senders of remittance transfers.
Remittance Transfer Disclosures
The Federal Reserve Board has issued a proposal to require disclosures on remittance transfers to recipients in foreign countries. The proposal implements the remittance transfer disclosures under Regulation E (Electronic Fund Transfers) as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
The proposed rule would require remittance transfer providers to make certain disclosures to senders of remittance transfers—including information about fees and the exchange rate, as applicable, and the amount of currency the recipient receives. In addition, the proposed rule would provide error resolution and cancellation rights for senders of remittance transfers.
The proposal would apply to virtually all cross-border, consumer-initiated electronic fund transfers, including international wire transfers, international automated clearinghouse transfers, and products such as WOCCU's IRnet, although federally-insured credit unions are exempted from some of the proposed requirements. The proposal doesn't cover debit and credit cards, transactions from a consumer's U.S. credit union account to a credit union or bank account in that consumer's name in another country, or online bill payments made through a website.
More information is available in CUNA's Regulatory Comment Call, available at cuna.org ("regulations & compliance" and then "regulatory advocacy"). Comments are due by July 22, 2011.
'Know Before You Owe'
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) launched the 'Know Before You Owe' project in May. It's an effort to combine the Truth in Lending mortgage disclosure and the Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act Good Faith Estimate into a "single, simpler form that makes the costs and risks of loans clear and allows consumers to comparison shop for the best offer."
Congress and federal regulators have considered merging the two disclosures for many years. But the Dodd-Frank Act now directs the CFPB to develop new integrated disclosures.
The CFPB is testing two alternate prototype forms lenders can give to consumers who've just applied for a mortgage.
The CFPB also has posted the prototypes at consumerfinance.gov. It includes an interactive tool to gather public input about the designs.
The testing will take place during the summer, to be followed by CFPB's formal rule-making
process. The Dodd-Frank Act requires CFPB to issue proposed forms and implementing regulations for comment by July 2012.
NCUA Issues Final Rule on Advertising
The NCUA Board issued a final rule in May requiring radio and television advertisements for federally insured credit unions to include the phrase "this credit union is federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration." Federally insured credit unions also may use the phrase "federally insured by NCUA" or reproduce NCUA's official sign.
The final rule requires this official advertising statement in all advertisements, including on the cover page of its annual reports and statements of condition, and on its main Web page. Radio and television ads that are less than 15 seconds would be exempt from this requirement (down from less than 30 seconds under the previous requirement).
The rule also revises the definition of "advertisement" to mean "a commercial message, in any medium that is designed to attract public attention or patronage
to a product or business."
In addition, the final rule requires the NCUA official advertising statement to "be in a size and print that's clearly legible and may be no smaller than the smallest font used in other portions of the advertisement intended to convey information to the consumer."
The mandatory compliance date is Jan. 1, 2012.
Compliance Q&A
Q Whose unique identifier should be provided to a mortgage applicant when more than one mortgage loan originator (MLO) works on a loan application?
A According to CUNA's discussions with NCUA, all MLOs involved in a particular residential mortgage should provide their unique identifier to the consumer. The "unique identifier" is the identification number associated with the MLO within the Nationwide Mortgage Licensing System & Registry (NMLS). The unique identifier tracks the MLO and facilitates public access to the employment history and any disciplinary or enforcement actions that have been initiated against the individual. The SAFE Act regulations require registered MLOs to provide their unique identifiers to consumers upon request, before acting as an MLO, and through the MLO's initial written communication with the consumer.
Q Does the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act (SCRA) prohibit a credit union from reporting a delinquency to a credit bureau while a servicemember is on active duty?
A No. The SCRA prohibits credit unions from reporting negative information to a credit bureau based solely on the fact a servicemember has exercised his or her rights under the SCRA—such as, requesting the 6% interest rate on pre-service loans (SCRA, Section 108). But credit unions aren't prohibited from reporting the delinquencies of active duty servicemembers. Nevertheless, many credit unions hold off on reporting until the servicemember's active duty has ended and the individual has had an opportunity to make good on his or her debts.
For more information, visit CUNA's e-Guide to Federal Laws and Regulations.


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We do not just need you to work in business—we want to provde the probability to make business be just right for you. If you get a franchise, you will not must be an unknown company competing with large brands as a result of your business may even have a longtime brand identify which everyone acknowledges. Franchisees will not be obliged to participate personally within the operation of the power though the corporate recommends it. Knights Inn will not personally handle the power, as an alternative they may rent a management company for the franchisee or an individual manager with important training and experience in managing. These embody Financial Accounting, Business and Company Law, and Business Ethics.
It may be taken as a stand alone course for these students following a extra normal management pathway or to supply a foundation to underpin subsequent specialist studies in accounting. Middle degree management consists of departments, divisions and sections, during which the respective chiefs, heads or managers are thought-about with the duty of implementing the policies and plans prepared by the top stage administration. In 1987, BS5750, was adopted as ISO 9001 by ISO, finally turning into a very international standard defining the requirements for a quality management system.
Also, Slomba's ideas about cascades the properties of aggregated and distributed methods are practically helpful to me. I recently released a e book about reducing lead occasions in the ebook publishing enterprise. In addition to sensible business knowledge, the program explores a Christian's place in the business world and the rules of moral choice making.
All workers are skilled and properly qualified academics from quite a few subject specialisms akin to retail, marketing, accounting and finance, logistics and provide chain, strategy, management and administration. He urged the enterprises to divide your complete work of organization into eight main functions – 4 in planning function and 4 in execution features.
Note: As a enterprise advisor, I'm not a complete fan of operations administration instruments, at the least as they're often used. This essential training is now combined with the option to concentrate on considered one of three administration 'pathways' – in Entrepreneurship , Human Resource Management , or Marketing – which allow you to pursue a selected side of business administration.


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Source: Michael Kunzelman / AP / The Huffington Post
NEW ORLEANS — Former FBI Director Louis Freeh was appointed Tuesday to investigate alleged misconduct by a lawyer who helped run BP's multibillion-dollar settlement fund.
U.S. District Judge Carl Barbier issued an order naming Freeh, who now runs a consulting firm, a "special master" for the investigation. In another high-profile case, Freeh recently led a university-sanctioned probe of the Pennsylvania State University sex abuse scandal.
Oil spill claims administrator Patrick Juneau announced last month that his office is investigating allegations that an attorney on his staff received a portion of settlement proceeds for claims he had referred to a law firm before he started working on the settlement program.
Freeh was a federal judge in New York before serving as FBI director from 1993 to 2001. He founded his consulting firm, Freeh Group International Solutions LLC, in 2007.
To read this article in its entirety visit The Huffington Post.


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Feb 28, 2017
This course is great. You simply learn a lot in an easy way. The teacher is really good and knows how to teach and engage you in the lessons. I am looking forward to next courses in the specialization
Jul 07, 2017
The course was perfect for me. Though the assignment should have been graded as they were fun to do. Even it was expensive for me to buy it.\n\nThe lectures were organised clearly and smoothly.
автор: Yuliia C•
Dec 14, 2018
Very useful and practical. Thank you!
автор: Kevin H•
Jun 19, 2018
Great course. Small steps really helped me become more confident.
автор: Ernesto R Á•
Feb 28, 2017
This course is great. You simply learn a lot in an easy way. The teacher is really good and knows how to teach and engage you in the lessons. I am looking forward to next courses in the specialization
автор: Sondra B•
Aug 27, 2018
Without a doubt the best online course you'll find for Public Speaking. Teaches proper tone, presentation and speech writing styles. Phenomenal, I've recommended it to my coworkers and family.
автор: Aaron T B•
Feb 24, 2019
The professor is amazing. He brings fun and energy to the class. The material will help you learn the form needed to succeed in public speaking.
автор: Panagiotis S•
Sep 28, 2018
Excellent course. Very organized and engaging. Even as someone who speaks in front of people all the time I learned a lot.
автор: Akshay P•
Jul 07, 2017
The course was perfect for me. Though the assignment should have been graded as they were fun to do. Even it was expensive for me to buy it.
The lectures were organised clearly and smoothly.
автор: Vinod P•
Dec 06, 2018
Taken many courses on presentation skills before. Nothing comes close to this. This course covers the fundamentals thoroughly. I love the course materials. Specifically, the section on speech apprehension and the recommendations .
автор: Elena P•
Dec 13, 2018
One of the best courses I ever took!
автор: ADABOH H•
Nov 12, 2018
Great course
автор: Tassadaq H•
Jan 17, 2019
this course is very useful for me. i learn many new things and now i am sure that i am sepeck i anywhere.
автор: Hao W•
Jan 20, 2019
автор: Wendy W F•
Feb 23, 2019
This is a fun, informative, and very polished class with an entertaining and knowledgeable teacher.
автор: shah n•
Dec 01, 2018
good course
автор: F M•
Mar 21, 2019
Very interesting course, it provides the main concepts and the basics of public speaking, he
автор: VIKAS Y•
Mar 20, 2019
Amazing experience while learning from Coursera. Hoping for more fun and learnings in upcoming weeks.
автор: Medylene M O•
Aug 27, 2018
great course! highly recommended
автор: 陶思睿•
Sep 13, 2018
автор: Elekwachi P A•
Aug 20, 2018
More than exceptional. i learnt how to prepare, arrange, write and deliver a confident public speech.
автор: Nikola•
Sep 16, 2018
Very nice structure and well explained! I really like, that everything you did was with some idea behind it, really shows that you put a lot of effort in this course! I can't say how much i like this course haha.
автор: Madhumeeta M S•
Sep 14, 2018
Excellent course. I am an unemployed adult and have lots of passion for speaking and teaching but in this materialistic world only having passions are not enough...you have to be certified of what you a real pursuing.
Coursera helped me a lot and this course was indeed the best I can go for .
thanks a million.
автор: sidi b l m n•
Sep 15, 2018
as an student this course of public speaking was very helpful for me, then through clear presentations and the professor ability to explain to the audience I once again have highly benefited from this course.
автор: Mohamed E•
Oct 05, 2018
It was an amazing one
автор: Raffaella S•
Oct 30, 2018
автор: Audra G•
Aug 28, 2018
Enjoyed the course; met my objectives


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To All Staff:
We are in the midst of upgrading our payroll software and processes in many ways over a period of several months. For example, you may have noticed that the last few paychecks, due to a change in the payroll application we use, were drawn on Bank of America instead of TD Bank.
The next change is coming next week, for the pay date of April 22. This is a behind the scenes change we are making with our payroll vendor and we expect that no one will notice anything different. However, there is a chance that there will be a slight delay in when direct deposits show up in some accounts in both banks and federal credit unions. While we expect that all direct deposits will be made on Friday, April 22, due to circumstances beyond our control there may be some deposits that do not appear until Monday, April 25.
I am sending everyone this email out of an abundance of caution. Even though we expect all deposits to occur on Friday, given the small uncertainty that exists, if you are counting on the deposit to cover any checks or other payments, please be aware that the deposit may not be there until Monday and plan your payments accordingly.
I also request that you take a moment to check your deposit account on Friday the 22nd or over that weekend. If the deposit is not there, please contact Leah Kuznik (413.585.1312 or firstname.lastname@example.com) in the Payroll Department and provide her with the following information:
Again, we expect the change to go smoothly but wanted to take this precaution. I apologize in advance for any inconvenience this may cause. Please contact me if you have any questions about this.
Bruce J. Barshefsky, MBA, MSW
Vice President for Administration and Finance
129 King Street
Northampton, MA 01060
(ph) 413.582.9506
(fx) 413.582.4252
Home >


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US labor news headlines from LabourStart
From http://www.businessweek.com/bwdaily/dnflash/jul2003/nf20030711_4474_db035.htm
By Kate Hazelwood in New York Edited by Douglas Harbrecht Ever since the invention of the light bulb, employers have embraced the notion that by running all-night operations, they could turn out twice as much quality product with little or no additional capital expenditure. After all, a night-shift worker's 2 a.m. is equivalent to a day-shift worker's 2 p.m., right? Turns out that the all-night shift might not be such a bargain after all. A new study from Lexington (Mass.) consultancy Circadian Technologies, which advises the nation's largest companies on how to manage their extended-hours operations, estimates that maintaining the practice may be costing companies a steep $206 billion annually -- $8,600 per worker. ADDING IT UP. The reason: No matter how many espressos night workers might belt back, their bodies are telling them it's time to sleep just when their employers need them to be the most productive. Graveyard-shift workers make five times as many serious mistakes and are 20% more likely to suffer severe accidents, Circadian found. Those on the overnight shift also have a significantly higher incidence of costly diseases and disorders, costing employers billions. This is no surprise to occupational health pros, who have done their own studies on work and fatigue. They show that the fatigue that comes from staying up too late, or for too long, routinely leads workers to go easy on the exercise. Night workers also seem to eat more fatty foods during their 3 a.m. lunches. Obesity and diabetes rates are higher among overnight-shift workers, according to Circadian. All-night workers tend to have heart disorders at rates 40% higher than those of workers on dayside shifts. Social costs are also high. Night shifters don't go home, have dinner, watch TV, and then go to bed the way nine-to-fivers do. When the sun comes up, they still have to function in a world that's largely unaware they're running on fumes after working all night. LIKE BEING DRUNK. This disruption in life's routines might be why divorce rates are as high as 60% among all-night workers, and why they have 150% more stress-related gastrointestinal disorders. Health-care coverage adds a further $28.8 billion to the corporate bill, according to Circadian. Then there's the high turnover rate for night-shift employees, as high as 300% annually in some industries. This tacks on an additional $39.1 billion in costs. Most companies typically don't track their return on investment by shift, much less their benefits costs. Still, some are beginning to look more closely at their night shifts. Circadian client Unilever Group's Jefferson City (Mo.) plant added four hours per overnight shift in 2001 so that employees could have longer blocks of rest time. The result: Productivity increased by 15% and accidents dropped by 40%, the consultancy says. Similarly, when Cellu Tissue Holdings beefed up safety training and doubled the number of allowable absences for tired employees at its Enfield (Conn.) plant, it cut accidents in half, at an annual savings of $500,000, according to the company. Canada's Manitoba Hydro now offers transportation home to drowsy workers -- a smart move considering that being up for 18 hours straight stresses the body as much as having a blood alcohol level of 0.08, according to sleep-disorders scientists. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL. Even hospitals are starting to look more critically at the night shift. On July 1, the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education, the national body that oversees medical residents, mandated paring back residents' brutal 100-hour workweeks to 80 hours, and reducing their 30-plus hour patient-care shifts to a maximum of 24. Many companies are still reluctant to acknowledge employee fatigue, fearing legal liability. But increasingly, they ignore the issue at their own peril. Last year, a Texas civil court jury found Nabors Drilling liable for $5.95 million in damages when one of its employees fell asleep at the wheel on his drive home from the late shift. More recently, a New Jersey jury found Conrail liable for $52.4 million in damages to the family of an employee killed in an accident caused by another employee who said he was operating on only three to four hours of sleep. If productivity costs alone don't institute late-night changes, the specter of a legal judgment just might.


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Our Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel close to Berlin provides both the peaceful atmosphere of the northern city-periphery, and proximity to everything that the vibrant capital of Germany has to offer, thanks to its select location on Berlin's green, idyllic outskirts. The Henningsdorf subway stop (S-Bahn) is located 400m from Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel. From here, it takes just 30 minutes to reach the city center of Berlin - including the Friedrichstrasse in Berlin Mitte, Alexanderplatz or famous Potsdamer Platz.
Enjoy your stay in one of the 112 harmoniously designed rooms of the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel. All guest rooms of our hotel in hennigsdorf are furnished with a desk, telephone, TV, WLAN and mini-bar. The bathrooms feature bathtubs with integrated showers, WC and a hairdryer.
Visit the restaurant of our hotel near Berlin, where we serve a wide range of regional and international specialties. Or join us on our summer terrace or in our winter garden and bar, with their lovely views of the nature that surrounds us.
Take advantage of the opportunity to discover our green countryside. The reception team of the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel will be happy to provide you with tips for various excursions and cultural points of interest. We will also gladly arrange the purchase of musical or theater tickets for you. Located in the quiet town of Hennigsdorf in Brandenburg, the hotel Hennigsdorf is the perfect choice for those looking to spend some quality time on the outskirts of Berlin.
Business and leisure guests will find the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel ideal because of its quiet surrondings and easy access to Berlin, the German capital being situated at only 20 kilometres from the hotel. With its 4 conference rooms that can hold up to 160 persons, the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel is the first choice when it comes to hosting your business events.
At the end of the day, it is always nice to know that you can return to your hotel and have a great dinner and a refreshing drink at the hotel restaurant and bar.
Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin is located conveniently close to the following bicycle routes Berlin – Copenhagen and Berlin Wall route. Cyclists can experience romantic and sportive routes in the adjacent Havelland, Brandburg area and the natural preserve area. The hotel near Berlin is a partner of the ADFC (German Bicycle Club) Bett+Bike and offers the following to the guests:
Please contact us for further details! Contact
The team of the Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel looks forward to welcoming you soon!
Wyndham Garden Hennigsdorf Berlin Hotel
Fontanestraße 110
16761 Hennigsdorf


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365 days, not including his 2 week R & R, without him here was hard. 365 days of "Daddy's at work." was hard. 365 of Little Man growing and calling the telephone "Daddy" was hard. 365 days of life; doctor's visits, school functions, holidays, birthdays, potty training, diaper changing, grocery shopping, movie watching without him was hard. But it's still good. The kids managed to smile and grow, even laugh some, and learn new things without Daddy being in the room or in the country. 365 days that saw milestones, setbacks, laughs, tears, grins, hugs, tantrums; hard days but good days. At the end of this 365 days we are still a family. We are still here and Sean will be here soon. And I am so grateful for those 365 days and even more humbled by the days to come because no matter how hard it was, it is about to be over. And there are so many families for whom 365 became forever. For the ones who had to answer the door or pick up the phone to hear that 365 was meaningless, my heart aches. There is a part of me that will be sad amongst the joy tonight because not everyone who left is coming back.
During our 365, we grew up apart but that's ok. We're supposed to keep growing. We can still have good times apart while wishing we were having good times together. And soon we'll have that opportunity. The days were hard but they were good because we had them. For everyone still counting down their 365, I hope the days fly with meaningful moments and the nights swiftly go with restful sleep and thoughts of loved ones geographically far but emotionally present. During our 365 I prayed for safety and overall well-being for all those deployed and all those at home. I will continue that prayer - it's the least I can do. And when another 365 comes up for us, I'll keep on praying the same thing. I know we didn't do our 365 alone. I owe an enormous debt to my family for all they've done for us. I know that there are people praying for us and wishing us happiness and that is humbling. Thank you. We didn't do this alone and I hope no one ever has to.
I feel like this has turned into a farewell speech for a deployment beauty queen (a position for which I am ridiculously under qualified), and that was not my intent. I wanted to say how happy I am to see Sean, how grateful I am that I get to do so in these circumstances, that I owe many people many things for helping us this year, and that this deployment is over for us but it isn't over for everyone. I wanted to say that this was hard but I know people go through much worse everyday. I wanted to say this was a good year. But I'm glad to be moving on. I wanted to say that I love you, Sean. Welcome home.


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It's not all bad news on the economic front.
Business activity in the Eurozone appears to have unexpectedly grown marginally last month, thanks in large part to rising exports helped by a weaker euro, and a strong performance from Germany.
The latest flash Eurozone Purchasing Managers Index showed positive contributions from the manufacturing and service sectors, with rates of expansion accelerating in both. Companies in both sectors indicated that output had been raised in response to increased levels of new work, including stronger growth of new export orders.
It was a sliver of good news in a day overshadowed by another slump in global markets on the back of weak manufacturing data from China. It also comes around a week after separate data showed that a slump in French manufacturing and construction dragged down the quarterly growth rate in the Eurozone.
Yesterday's data showed mixed fortunes for the two biggest economies – Germany and France.
Manufacturing output in Germany rose to its highest in more than a year, which off-set data from France which showed manufacturing fell for a second month. Rob Dobson, economist with financial information firm Markit, which compiles the data, said the flash PMI suggests the Eurozone is still experiencing one of its best periods of economic growth and job creation during the past four years. "Stronger growth in Germany and outside of the 'big two' nations were the main growth spurs in August," he said. "Particularly pleasing is the continuation of job creation seen in these nations, especially in the periphery where some countries are still struggling with double-digit rates of unemployment."
However, indications that businesses are cutting prices at a faster rate to spur new business growth will be disappointing for the European Central Bank, which has been battling to bring inflation – at just 0.2pc in July – anywhere near its 2pc target ceiling.
Markit's Composite Flash Purchasing Managers' Index, based on surveys of thousands of companies and seen as a good guide to growth, rose to 54.1 this month from July's 53.9.
The euro has lost around 8pc on the dollar since the start of the year.
Article Source: http://tinyurl.com/kbwqb42


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Since it was a nice LONG weekend, it made for some good crafting time. Didn't get as much as I would have liked- but the night isn't over yet! I did find some time to squeeze in a card for Taylor's Cupcake Challenge (#44):
Supplies: Christmas Characters (Inkadinkado), Scallop Circle die (Nestabilities- Spellbinders), Ticket corner punch (Stampin' Up!), Snowflake embossing folder (Cuttlebug-Provocraft), Stickles (Ranger Industries)
Using the same sketch, I also used it for the Hero Arts challenge last week for the "last minute gifts" theme. I found these cute boxes at Borders Bookstore in the clearance section, they're the size to hold a CD. I covered it with blue cardstock, added some stamping and came up with this:
Supplies: Let it Snow (Hero Arts), Snowflakes (Inkadinkado), Scallop Circle die (Nestabilities-Spellbinders), Versamark Dazzle Frost ink (Tsukineko)
Thanks for stopping in!


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Federal Government Slow to Implement Top 20 Critical Security Controls
Tripwire has announced the results of a survey on security technology trends in the federal government which finds that only 11% of Federal IT professionals have implemented the Top 20 Critical Security Controls.
The National Security Agency (NSA) originally created the best security practices list, which was later expanded through a large-scale community project initiated by the SANS Institute and sponsored by the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).
The outcome of this project was the Top 20 Critical Security Controls (20 CSC) – a prioritized list of security best practices that were proven to help organizations combat the most common cybersecurity issues as well as reduce the greatest number of exploitable cyberattack vectors.
According to a recent U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study, the number of security incidents reported by federal agencies has increased 782 percent from 2006-2012. Despite this growing number, survey results indicate that the 20 CSC have not yet been adopted by many federal agencies.
Key Tripwire survey findings:
- Only 11 percent of the respondents have implemented the 20 CSC.
- Only 53 percent consider the 20 CSC to be valuable to their organization's security strategy.
- 66 percent do not have plans to adopt the 20 CSC at this time.
"The Top 20 Critical Security Controls were not designed to be a replacement or alternative for comprehensive risk management frameworks like FISMA," said Tony Sager, director of programs for the Council on Cyber Security.
"Instead, the Controls bring priority and focus to complex cybersecurity problems and make it possible to align the many complex and often conflicting schemes that regulate, oversee or determine security practices. Highly knowledgeable practitioners across every business sector have agreed that these 20 Critical Security Controls stop the vast majority of the attacks seen today."
Additional Tripwire survey finding include:
- Only 18 percent of respondents implementing controls are doing so in the order proposed.
- 79 percent use the 20 CSC as general guidelines.
- 88 percent believe the 20 CSC will complement, not replace, existing FISMA efforts.
"The 20 Critical Security Controls are easily understood by nontechnical mission owners and have been proven time and again by agencies around the world to be effective against the greatest number of targeted cyberattacks," said Rekha Shenoy, vice president of marketing and corporate development for Tripwire.
"In addition, a significant percentage of these controls can be automated, dramatically reducing the time and resources required to implement them. For example, automation of security configuration management and vulnerability management makes implementation of continuous diagnostics and mitigation very achievable. Mission owners at every agency should be asking how their security strategies stack up against the 20 Critical Security Controls."
The survey was conducted by Dimensional Research from September 26 through October 4, 2013, and evaluated the attitudes of 110 federal information technology professionals from military, intelligence and civilian agencies.
For more information about this survey, please visit: https://www.tripwire.com/company/research/cdm-survey-release-1-data/#part2/.
Tripwire has also compiled an e-book, titled The Executive's Guide to the Top 20 Critical Security Controls: Key Takeaways and Improvement Opportunities, which is available for download [registration form required].
This publication is designed to assist executives by providing guidance for implementing broad baseline technical controls that are required to ensure a robust network security posture.
The author, a security and compliance architect, examined each of the Controls and has distilled key takeaways and areas of improvement. At the end of each section in the e-book, you'll find a link to the fully annotated complete text of the Control.
Download your free copy of The Executive's Guide to the Top 20 Critical Security Controls: Key Takeaways and Improvement Opportunities today.
Also: Pre-register today for a complimentary hardcopy or e-copy of the forthcoming Definitive Guide™ to Attack Surface Analytics. You will also gain access to exclusive, unpublished content as it becomes available.
* Show how security activities are enabling the business
* Balance security risk with business needs
* Continuously improve your extended enterprise security posture


text: > I'm new to LinuxBIOS. > I think sb means Southbridge. Yes. SB is southbridge. > I've attached the informations about North- and Southbridge I got from VIA. > >Are there docs available? I think I have one of these MBs around here > >somewhere. Hmmm... Seems I have a differnt MSI board. But I see these are only about 50 bucks on ebay. And I do have a spare Duron to go in it.... > >>Need someone add via SB support.... The datasheets he sent look sane. Terse but the basic info appears to be there. I looked in the tree and I don't see support for the northbridge. All I see is the 8601 and 8623 but his lspci shows VT8363/8365. Are they similar? Worries me a bit because I see lots of "Random VIA fixups" messages in the code. Looks like there are many undocumented registers that need to be set. -- Richard A. Smith


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West Tennessee Drones,Memphis area drones
JJB Inspections
The average cost of Drones are high and the FAA regulations do not allow you to use these Drones for business unless you aquire a FAA 333 Exemption that a Lawer will need to write and an average 5 month wait to process.
Why wait I could do it now and at the fraction of the cost!
The Mission of JJB Inspections is to develop a new type of commerce in Western Tenneessee
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When we know who we are in Christ we can stand firmly upon God's promises no matter what our circumstances. We encourage you to read this list titled "Who Am I In Christ" and declare these over your life.
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You could File > Export them into a few different formats, but depending on how complicated the document forms are, the results may not be pretty. The answer really depends on what format you need them to be in instead.
You could also try one of the many third party products on the market.
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Take a look at these screencasts (You can see how to convert a group of selected Notes documents to PDF – creating either a single PDF Package or separate PDF files):
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He made his way up the steps slowly. By this point he was drunk; the sweat and humidity had reduced his shirt to a wet washcloth. After a considerable amount of effort, he managed to find his mailbox key and steal away into the alcove of the apartment building allotted for mailboxes. The night was alive with the cries and pleas of crickets, but he paid them no attention. His purpose was singular.
'So long ago now. There's no way. The way she looked in Galveston; the mayflies dancing where the red lines met the sea in glow. Prague, of all places. The postage would be expensive. She could have emailed me. She didn't. It won't be there.' His thoughts were a maze and he was trapped in them.
The key slipped loosely into the lock — a lock too often abused in its dutiful service to this tenant and many tenants before. It was all the same to the key lock, all relative. It gazed upon him with cool indifference. With a faint click it acknowledged the keeper of its key, and yielded to the turning, unsteady, and uneven motion of his wrist. There in a yellowed envelope sat a letter — its neatness and perpendicular relationship to the sides of the mailbox suggested a postal employee with either immense pride in his labors or a manic attention to detail.
He ripped the letter open by prying his finger into the crevasse on the far right corner where an errant tongue had neglected the glue. His vision blurred, he read snippets of the letter and snippets of the snippets again. After an eternity entertaining the man's pleading gazes, the letter's essence revealed itself.
"Not coming back."
The thin aluminum walls of the postal box clicked shut once more and the lock turned back over to its state of rest. There it remained long after the man crumpled the letter and walked away. There it would linger.


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When our customers in the Toronto Beaches area think of self storage units in Toronto and premium storage facilities and solutions, Real Storage should be the first company that comes to mind. Millions of people across North America opt for self storage units when space is at a premium in their homes or businesses. Whether you are looking to store seasonal items, important business documents, inventory, or require a place to store that summer car over the long Toronto winter, Real Storage has self storage solutions for every need.
Real Storage is proud to offer its GTA renowned self storage solutions to the community of The Beaches, Ontario, a vibrant and diverse residential and business community located just East of Toronto that is home to a wide range of self storage needs. The Beaches is part of the old city of Toronto and as such, many of the old homes and businesses in the area require additional storage space. Many of the homes in The Beaches are quite old and have been passed down from generation to generation, full of family heirlooms and older items that require special care and attention when it comes to self storage.
When you choose Real Storage you can rest assured that you are choosing a storage company that treats your belongings and your valuables as if they were our own. Our customers throughout the Greater Toronto Area love doing business with us because of the extra lengths that we go to provide security and convenience. These extra benefits include:
- Camera And Video Surveillance – state-of-the-art technology
- Pin Access Coded Gates – come and go as you need
- Flexible Contracts – for short- or long-term storage
- Upgrade Or Downsize – based on your needs
- Access Seven Days a Week – 24-hour access can be arranged
- Tenant Content Coverage Options
- Box And Packing Supply E-Store
- 30+ Locations Across Canada
- No Deposit Required
Our security features are state of the art and we have been looking after and protecting our clients' belongings for years. In addition to unparalleled protection and security we also offer truck rentals to help the residents of The Beaches move their items in and out, storage auctions, for people looking to invest in repossessed or abandoned units, mailbox rentals and a wide range of packing supplies. Our aim is to provide a one-stop-shop self storage option to the city of Toronto that eliminates the need to look anywhere else.
We offer boxes, packing tape, an assortment of locks, packing paper and mattress protectors so that your storage unit is packed as efficiently and effectively as possible. Our storage options are specifically tailored to your unique needs, whether you are a student, a family, a business owner or someone with a vehicle to store.
When you think of "storage units near me," whether you are located in The Beaches or elsewhere, think Real Storage. Our success has allowed us to expand across Canada, providing top notch storage solutions for a wide range of clients.
Get in touch with Real Storage today and let us show you why our company is one of the most respected storage facilities in Southern Ontario and Canada-wide.
If you would like to see our other Toronto Storage locations, please visit Access Storage


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You learn to stretch yourself and jump higher
About Us
Our name is Quest, for a reason. We work with people who are searching for something very special.
When it's a Question of constructive thinking
Something that is becoming increasingly rare: words that are promised, but not always practiced.
Words like: High Standards. Close Partnership. Exceptional People. Personal Involvement. Attention to Detail. Realistic Budgeting. Commitment to Schedule.
Words that are easy to write on a website but not so easy to deliver on a works site. Which is why the best people to comment on them isn't us. It's our clients. It's they who are the most truthful and who can vouch for us practicing what we prefer them to preach.


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SeamlessDocs works with HUNDREDS of governments in over 45 states to help them streamline and automate their form and PDF process. We have taken the tools we have learned to create a standardized report to help your city improve.
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"Faster Than a Speeding Bullet" by Matt Kindt and Stephen Segovia was originally presented in three digital parts as part of DC's Digital-First program. Stitched together, printed, stapled and sold as "Adventures of Superman" #3, this comic book is packed with story and imagery as every page features Superman going about his daily business with a strip that follows the adventures of Lois Lane doing the same. The remarkable part of this story is that everything presented occurs in the span of a few hours.
Those few hours involve Superman answering a distress call from Green Lantern Laira, stopping a war on a different alien world and liberating Infinity Man and Mister Miracle from Darkseid's prison. As readers might expect, Matt Kindt provides a wide investigation of the Man of Steel's powers. The writer uses caption boxes to narrate the action, while also providing the reader with a firsthand account of the events. Across the bottom of the page, almost in synchronized time with Superman's adventures, Lois Lane has a confrontation with Lex Luthor. Kindt's Lois and Lex are wispy shadows of the characters fans know and love, but the point of this strip is to provide a parallel for what "normal" people can accomplish comparable to what Superman gets done. None of Superman's story has word balloons from the Last Son of Krypton, preferring to illustrate the superhero as a man who lets his actions speak for themselves.
Stephen Segovia provides the art with smart assistance from colorist Jay David Ramos. The colors for Lois' tale are light, bright and airy, giving them a sun-washed appearance as Lois meets with Lex in the dawning hours of the day. By comparison, Superman's story is splashed with every color in Ramos' palette, filling the day. Segovia's art is full of detail and layered with action. Despite drawing Superman doing what we've all seen him do a hundred times, Segovia manages to offer a fresh presentation. It's rather reminiscent of Lee Bermejo's work on the "Wednesday Comics" strip, but slightly more prone to cartoonish expression and exaggeration. The pages are visually packed as well, marrying up two screens from the digital comic for every one printed page. That trims out space-consuming splash pages and double-splashes, but it provides a richer economic package of panel per penny.
If there's one thing modern-day comics could use more of, it is fun, enjoyable Superman comics. All too often a man out of time due to the standards that make him an inspiration, this format liberates creators to tell stories with significantly more freedom. "Adventures of Superman" gives fans a chance to read about a strange visitor from another planet who still wears his underwear on the outside, is romantically involved with Lois Lane and has adventures that include adventure rather than navel gazing. "Adventures of Superman" #3 is a nice, concise sample of everything this comic and comics featuring Superman can be.


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Weight during pregnancy
Pregnancy isn't the time to try to lose weight. But it isn't the time to eat more, either. Don't believe the 'eating for two' message – it's a myth
Being overweight or obese can increase the risk of problems in pregnancy. While pregnancy isn't the time for a weight-loss diet, it is a good time to adopt a healthy diet, so swap unhealthy foods for healthier options and try to keep active
BMI, or body mass index, uses your height and weight to estimate your body fat – for most people, a BMI between 25 and 30 shows they're overweight, and a BMI over 30 is taken as obese
If your BMI is under 20, your midwife will discuss this with you. If you have any concerns about being underweight, ask for advice
The advice for pregnancy is simple
You don't need to eat for two. Even during the last few months of pregnancy a woman only needs an extra 200 calories a day (two slices of wholemeal toast or an apple and a banana, for example)
- Try to do 30 minutes or more of moderate physical activity, such as walking, every day, right up until the baby is born. Build up to daily exercise if you're not used to it
- If you're already overweight, you don't need to put on more weight in pregnancy
More information
- There's lots of useful information available about healthy eating in pregnancy, such as at NHS Start4Life
- NHS information about exercising in pregnancy
- Information from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists about the risks of being overweight or obese during pregnancy, together with some tips for healthy eating and exercise


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Congratulations! You have a new cat. No doubt you're looking forward to years of happy companionship. But what do you do now?
Before bringing your new furball home, outfit your home with all the supplies you could possibly need. Also brush up on ways of keeping your cat stress-free and happy.
The first thing you should know about your new pet is that most cats hate to travel. For the trip home, confine your pet in a sturdy cat carrier. Don't leave him loose in your car, where he might panic and cause an accident, or get out when you open the car door. He may yowl and cry and try mightily to get out of the carrier, but don't give in.
After the ride home, he will, most likely, not be in the mood for fun. To make his transition to your household as comfortable as possible, select a quiet, closed-in area, such as your bedroom or a small room away from the main foot traffic, and provide him with a litter box,food and water, toys, and a scratching post.
Let your new pet become acquainted with that limited area for the first few days. Be sure to spend plenty of time with him in that room, but if he's hiding under the bed, don't force him to come out. If necessary, sit on the floor to talk to him and offer treats. Let him sniff all your belongings and investigate all the hiding places.
Your new cat may be full of self-confidence and itching to get out and make himself at home. Or he may be more of a shrinking violet who needs more time to adjust.
Avoid conflict when bringing a new cat into the family by carefully introducing her to any other pets
Over a few days, slowly help your cat become familiar with the rest of the family, including other pets and household members. Make sure he always has access to "his" room so he can retreat to it if he feels nervous. It will take a little while, but he'll eventually start to feel comfortable at home.
Cats vary in terms of how demanding they are as pets, so let yours guide you to the level of attention he wants, whether it's your hand for petting, or your lap for sitting. Provide him with the necessary creature comforts and give him the companionship he seeks, and he'll be content.
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How Opposites Attract And Stay Together — Or Not
Dede Haas, CA-AM, channel sales strategist, DLH Services, LLC
If a channel sales partnership is to be successful, it's all about the relationship between the vendor and the partner. There can be all kinds of fancy channel programs and spiffs but if the channel partner does not feel like they are treated as a legitimate business partner, the partnership will not work.
Part IV: If The Partnership Does Not Click, Is The Next Step Counseling Or Cutting Ties?
Q: Can this relationship be saved?
After everything the NYC VAR had been through with the vendor (Part I, Part II, Part III), it was no surprise they were rethinking the partnership. The vendor was continually reaping, but not sharing, the rewards from the labors of the VAR. Was it time to end this relationship?
Before making the final decision to terminate the partnership, the VAR reviewed their concerns and the vendor's responses:
Because all efforts to rectify the partnership problems had been exhausted with no positive outcome, the VAR decided it was time to develop an exit strategy to end the relationship.
An exit strategy defines how to smoothly end the partnership:
If a vendor and a partner are not a good fit and they are not enjoying a mutually profitable and viable relationship, it is time to end the partnership.
Have you fired your vendor? I would love to hear about it.
An award-winning high-tech sales professional and founder of DLH Services, Dede Haas creates innovative and successful channel sales solutions for the vendor and the partner. She has developed and managed channel partner programs for enterprise and cloud based products and services for small and medium businesses and for industry leaders, such as Intel Corp. For the partner, she has managed the vendor relationship, created business opportunities, and developed and conducted product training. She has her Certification of Achievement-Alliance Management (CA-AM) from the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals. Have a question, comment, or story you would like to share with Dede? If so, please contact her at email@example.com or +1 703-448-1710.


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Polo Ralph Lauren Men's Classic Fit Cotton Crews 3-Pack - Blue/Navy/Grey Marle
Sometimes the most basic essential, can be your go to statement piece. These Cotton Crews from Polo Ralph Lauren are ideal to wear over something, under something or just plain on their own.
Available in men's sizing - see size chart for correct fit! Our model wears a size M and is 189cm tall
- Polo Ralph Lauren apparel
- For men
- Style: Cotton Crews
- Colour: Blue/Navy/Grey Marle
- Package contents: 3
- Sizing: Classic fit
- Crew neckline
- Tag free
- Moisture wicking
- Embroidered pony on waist
- Materials: 100% cotton
- Machine washable
- Country of origin: India
The Ralph Lauren brand has redefined American style: what began as a collection of ties has blossomed to become an entire lifestyle innovation. Outfit your wardrobe today in the iconic luxury style only Ralph Lauren can provide.


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Play popular favorites like Blackjack, Craps, Roulette, Spanish 21 and more! Most of our games are available on both our smoking and non-smoking gaming floors.
If you're interested in trying a new game, but not sure where to start, our friendly dealers are always happy to help introduce new players to the rules of a game.
Progressive Table Games
Ultimate Texas Hold'em ®
In this exciting game, where you play heads-up against the dealer.
This game gives you several advantages:
- The earlier you bet, the more you can bet.
- You don't have to fold until you see all the community cards.
The current progressive jackpot available for this game is $86,020
The Trips bonus pays odds if your final five-card hand is a three-of-a-kind or better.
Emperor's Challenge™ (No Commission)
Emperor's Challenge is a Pai Gow Poker variant that offers two new bonus features. The first feature rewards players if they have Pai Gow and the second feature rewards players if they achieve a great hand.
The current progressive jackpot available for this game is $96,459
Mississippi Stud ®
Mississippi Stud ® is a five-card poker game that lets players bet up to 10 units on a single hand. Players compete against a paytable, not against the dealer, and you win if your hand is a pair of jacks or better. The top payout is 500 to 1 for a royal flush, and it pays on all bets.
The current progressive jackpot available for this game is $28,226
Play Blackjack and Other Casino Card Games
Blackjack (also called 21) is one of the most popular casino card games in the world. In addition to our regular blackjack tables, we offer single and double deck tables.
21 + 3
21+3 adds 3-card Poker to the base game of Blackjack.
Spanish 21
This fun card game is played on a blackjack table with a custom layout. One of the fun twists to Spanish 21 is that small cards are more valuable than in traditional blackjack because there are bonuses for five, six, and seven card 21s.
Three Card Poker™
Three Card Poker™ is the highest-winning, most popular specialty game of all time. This exciting stud poker game offers three ways to play and four ways to win, in addition to head-to-head play against the dealer and a bonus that combines high hit frequency with attainable top payouts.
High Card Flush
High Card Flush is a suits based game where the objective is to obtain multiple cards in the same suit (Flush). It's simple to learn, fun to play and includes multiple opportunities to win.
Play Craps
Craps is arguably the most exciting and social game in the casino. At its core, Craps is a simple game in which you bet on the outcome of the roll, or series of rolls, of the dice. But when those dice are flying, and the shooters got a hot hand, there's nothing quite as thrilling. Don't be intimidated. Craps is not as complicated as you might think and you can learn and start playing in just minutes. Head to the pit and try it today. Our friendly dealers will help you out.
- Opens daily at 1pm
- True 5x odds on all bets (up to $500 maximum bet and up to $250 on prop bets)
- Now available: BONUS CRAPS - Bonus Craps adds three new side bets that can win big based on the numbers rolled. There are no changes to the base game of Craps. Players may make any additional side bets after a 7 rolls and only on the come out roll. Ask your dealer for details.
Play Roulette
Roulette is one of the oldest and most beloved casino games in the world. Pick your lucky number or bet black, red, odd, even, or any number of other specialty bets – and depending on where the ball stops, you could win a large payout.
There are 38 numbers on roulette wheel: 0, 00 and 1-36. 0 and 00 are green, and 1-36 alternate between red and black.
- $1 chips
- Smoke-free on weekends
- Opens daily at 11AM


text: With its dog-friendly patios, parks and ample open space, Plano is a pup's own paradise. But it takes a village to ensure these parks and open spaces are safe for pets and their families.That's why Plano's Parks and Recreation, Environmental Health and Animal Services departments are teaming up to treat man's best friend (and their owners) to the city's first annual Bark in the Park event on Saturday, June 9. The free event is held in conjunction with National Get Outdoors Day and will take place from 9-11 a.m. at the Dog Park at Jack Carter Park.This fun and educational event promises a morning of music, freebies, demonstrations, raffle prizes and more, all the while teaching how everyone can help keep our dog parks clean and safe. With more than a dozen vendors, Bark in the Park is also an opportunity to learn about some of the many pet-friendly resources in Plano. From pet insurance and training to safety tips and everyday services, visitors will leave with plenty of useful knowledge and treats for them and their furry friends.The event also coincides with the National Recreation and Park's Association's Family Health & Fitness Day. With 75 percent of Plano residents living within a 10-minute walk to a park, Plano residents know firsthand the importance of parks and recreation in keeping their community healthy. Various research studies are confirming that community parks and recreation, green space and time outdoors is critical for creating healthy, active and sustainable communities.As two new dog parks are slated to open in 2019 (one at the new Windhaven Meadows Park and the other at Bob Woodruff Park South), one of Plano Parks and Recreation's top priorities is to encourage everyone to be active park stewards, especially when it comes to sharing these areas with their four-legged friends. The fact is, bacteria, worms and other parasites thrive in pet waste and without proper disposal, these pollutants can make their way into our water supply."The most responsible thing pet owners can do for the community and environment is to pick up what their pets leave behind," Chief Park Planner Renee Jordan said. "While June 9 is a special day for parks and recreation, we encourage all Plano residents to experience the benefits of their local parks year round."Before you go, please take a moment to review our doggie do's and don'ts on our dog park webpage. You can also pledge to make a difference in preventing stormwater pollution by taking the North Central Texas Council of Government's DOO the Right Thing pledge and learning the facts about pet waste and proper disposal.The Dog Park at Jack Carter Park is located at 2215 Pleasant Valley Drive. Overflow parking will be at Jack Carter Pool (follow the signs). See you there!


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That was perhaps the most pointed enquiry about my absence from the blogging
scene but it wasn't the only one so here I am offering excuses. The fact is
that on the 7th August, almost on an impulse, I decided I would fix a household
problem that had been bugging me for a while and it turned out to be a DIY
project of considerable magnitude which has taken up a great deal of time and
taken its toll on my knees and hands; which will be glad to see the end of it,
but on the other hand I have lost nine pounds in weight!
As there has been little council news around I decided to cease searching for it and concentrate on getting the DIY project completed as soon as possible. Perhaps I have taken it too far as I now see with a certain amount of horror that I have neglected Bonkers for a whole week. I've not only written nothing, I have dropped out of Twitter and reading the local news too. As it happens the number of incoming emails has fallen off too though whether that is partial cause or effect is hard to say.
I am expecting the job to be done by Friday leaving only the tidying up and I will then try to get the Bonkers show back on the read. Sooner rather than later there will be more documentary evidence of how Bexley police are desperately making up stories to cover for the lying councillor Cheryl Bacon. The fact that they conflict with earlier witness statements and their own press releases seems to concern them not one jot. Their corruption may not be on the Rotherham scale but it is symptomatic of the malaise which appears to permeate all police forces.
August may have flown by with little to say for itself but nothing much seems to have changed.