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subset: commoncrawl


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SEE: http://www.drslewis.org/camille/2014/11/10/bob-jones-university-rewrites-recent-history-ward-federal-investigation/
Matthew 7:18- "A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit,
nor can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit."
(It is the roots that are rotten.)
"Church Sex Scandals Are Rooted in Theology"
SEE: http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/12/15/church-sex-scandals-are-rooted-in-theology.html;
A unique report on the ultra-conservative Bob Jones University points to the theological roots of sexual abuse and scandals.
The university's responses, though, were depressingly familiar. Only 7.6 percent of victims were encouraged by BJU staff to report their abuse to the police. Forty-seven percent were actively told not to do so and 55 percent said the university's attitude toward abuse reports was "blaming and disparaging." Women were invited to confess what they had done to entice the abuser—the wearing of revealing clothing, for example. And if their bodies "responded favorably," then they, too, had sinned.
Indeed, even if their bodies hadn't "responded favorably" to being raped or abused, abuse survivors were still regarded as "damaged goods," according to the report, because virginity is prized above all, and any illicit sex—consensual or not—is sinful. That may be hard for non-religious people to wrap their heads around, but remember, if sex is bad and virginity is good, that's true no matter the circumstances, no matter the presence or absence of consent.
It's precisely that disjuncture that is the real problem. Let's face it: of course, a sexually repressive Christian university blamed immodest women for "enticing" rapists. That is what conservative organizations, religious and secular, have done for centuries.
There is a kind of transcendence in the GRACE report. By shaming a generation of counselors who were faithfully executing a misogynistic doctrine, Bob Jones University can maintain its fealty to its conception of Biblical literalism while disclaiming these horrifying consequences of it.
Report: Bob Jones University Officials Tell
Sexual Assault Victims to
'Repent for Their Sins'
and Discourage Them From Filing Police Reports:
SEE: http://www.christianpost.com/news/report-bob-jones-university-officials-tell-sexual-assault-victims-to-repent-for-their-sins-and-discourage-them-from-filing-police-reports-131299/;
"I felt swept under the carpet," one of the report's self-identified sexual abuse victim's stated in her response. "I felt I had no right to my feelings, that I should just get over it instead of facing it, that I had to respect the person who abused me because they were my father, and I felt like I was being scolded, that I had to hide my feelings and shut up about it. I felt like I did not matter as a person, much less a victim of any abuse, and that anything I was feeling or experiencing was chalked up to me being sinful."


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Progressive Web Apps @ Google I/O 2017
June 5, 2017
Author: Kamal Kamal Mohamed
Think about the problems you have with websites, especially mobile websites. They are often slow, need constant internet connection, and don't "feel" as good as a native app. Well, this might soon change with the arrival of Progressive Web Apps (PWA).
If you haven't heard of PWA yet, have a look at this page from the Google Developers website. A PWA is basically a next generation web app that allows for more engaging, native-like interactions on mobile and desktop.
Some of the features that make Progressive Web Apps much better than the web apps we know today include:
- Capacity for offline use
- Home screen launcher
- Full screen mode
- Camera
- Push notifications
As a bonus, PWA are generally faster and consume less data compared to a standard web app.
All this is achieved without the need to use a Javascript framework! (But you can still use your favourite JS framework if you want…) PWA rely on new web technologies like the Service Worker, Web Components, and HTTP2 to deliver these engaging experiences to the user.
But how do PWA perform compared to native mobile or desktop apps? With PWA, you can simply use a search engine, a URL, or an ad-link to get to the app, and start using it straight away. No app stores, no downloads, no installations. This is a huge improvement in discoverability. But probably the biggest advantage of Progressive Web Apps is that you have a single codebase to support ALL platforms.
Progressive Web Apps and Keynotes
Not much was said about Progressive Web Apps (PWA) in the opening keynote of this year's Google I/O. However, looking at the schedule, there were a good number of sessions dedicated to the topic over the course of the three-day conference.
The same thing happened at the Microsoft BUILD 2017 conference a couple of weeks ago. There was almost no mention of PWA in the keynote, but the sessions revealed a number of interesting updates to the Windows Store and Edge browser to support PWA.
Progressive Web Apps will be listed in the Windows Store, just like Universal Windows Platform applications, and will be treated as first class citizens on Windows 10. Most of these updates should be released with the Fall Creators Update in September. You can find more details in this talk from BUILD 2017: Progressive Web Apps and the Windows ecosystem (Microsoft).
And let's not forget about the Polymer Summit happened in October 2016 in London. The Summit was focused on Web Components, one of the pillars of Progressive Web Apps, and during the conference Polymer 2.0 was announced.
What's New?
Polymer 2.0
The biggest announcement from Google I/O in terms of PWA is probably the release of Polymer 2.0, originally announced at the Polymer Summit 2016.
Polymer is an open source library developed by Google to simplify the use of Web Components. The Polymer project also maintains a collection of components that can be used to develop PWA (Web Components.org).
Polymer 2.0 allows for faster and smaller web apps compared to Polymer 1.0. This new release also simplifies the use of Web Components, and is in line with the final Web Component specification (v1).
Note that Polymer 2.0 includes some breaking changes from Polymer 1.0, but the team behind the library has focused on making the transition as painless as possible. In fact, components provided by the Polymer team can run in hybrid mode, meaning that the same component can work with both Polymer 1.0 and 2.0.
More details about the new Polymer release in this Google I/O talk: Future, Faster: Unlock the Power of Web Components with Polymer (specifically at 15:00), or in this blog post from the Polymer team: It's time for 2.0!.
Android Support
Another exciting announcement from Google I/O relates to the improved support for Progressive Web Apps that is coming to Android. Here are the highlights:
- Developers now have full control of when to show the install prompt that allows users to add the app to the home screen;
- PWA are now displayed in the app launcher, not just on the device home screen;
- PWA now integrate into Android settings. Users will be able to see them in the list of installed apps and access app specific settings;
- PWA are now part of the Android intent system, meaning that other apps on the device can interact with them as if they were effectively installed. For example, deep linking to content within a Progressive Web App is now possible;
- PWA now appear in phone search results, just like native apps;
- Push notifications are now supported natively, instead of being delivered through Google Chrome;
- PWA can now launch in fullscreen mode for a more engaging experience (for an amazing example, see paperplanes.world); and
- New sharing APIs simplify the share action from within a PWA, with an experience that is very similar to that of native apps.
As you can see, Progressive Web Apps on Android are increasingly becoming more integrated in the OS. For some use cases, it's soon going to make more sense to have a PWA instead of a native Android app.
You can find more details about what's new in Android support for PWA in this talk from Google I/O 2017: The Mobile Web: State of the Union (starting 18:40).
Also worth a mention are two new tools aimed at simplifying the development of PWA:
- Lighthouse allows you to run an audit to determine PWA status, and is now integrated into Google Chrome DevTools. More info on the Google Developers website.
- Workbox simplifies usage of the Service Worker for offline app usage. More info on the Google Developers website.
Wrap Up
Android and Chrome OS already have excellent support for Progressive Web Apps. Most browsers fully support PWA features or are adding support soon (with Safari on iOS being the major exception). And with Safari 10 now supporting web components, the trend is clear.
Progressive Web Apps are production ready. Twitter released Twitter Lite in April 2017. The Financial Times has dropped native apps entirely, and now has a PWA that works offline for all platforms. Expedia, Trivago, Forbes, all launched PWA recently. And if you need more examples, just have a look at PWA Rocks.
If you can't wait to work with Progressive Web Apps, have a look at the demo project provided by the Polymer team here. It's an exciting time to be a web developer. I might almost consider a career change…


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The Breakbeat Poets Vol. 2: Black Girl Magic (Paperback)
Staff Reviews
This book is a celebration of Black women across the African diaspora, a testament to grown and young women owning their power, a space for the Black women who love hip hop and the Black women who have a complicated relationship with it. This book is an ever-flowing river filled with stories of their struggles, their hopes, their joys, what makes them magic, what makes them laugh, how they survive, how they thrive. These poems will stir you, show you mirrors, open doors and make homes in your bones.— From Nadia
" The BreakBeat Poets is] one of the most diverse and important poetry anthologies of the last 25 years."--Latino Rebels
Black Girl Magic continues and deepens the work of the first BreakBeat Poets anthology by focusing on some of the most exciting Black women writing today. This anthology breaks up the myth of hip-hop as a boys' club, and asserts the truth that the cypher is a feminine form.
Poet and vocalist Jamila Woods was raised in Chicago, and graduated from Brown University, where she earned a BA in Africana Studies and Theatre & Performance Studies. Influenced by Lucille Clifton and Gwendolyn Brooks, much of her writing explores blackness, womanhood, and the city of Chicago.
Mahogany L. Browne is a Cave Canem and Poets House alumna and the author of several books including Smudge and Redbone. She directs the poetry program of the Nuyorican Poets Caf .
Idrissa Simmonds is a fiction writer and poet. Her work has appeared in Black Renaissance Noire, The Caribbean Writer, Fourteen Hills Press, and elsewhere. She is the 2014 winner of the Crab Creek Review poetry contest, and a New York Foundation for the Arts and Commonwealth Short Story Award Finalist.


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Dave Chappelle's admiration for Kendrick Lamar shines throughout his conversation with the "DAMN." MC for Interview magazine's August cover story. In a wide-ranging discussion, which Interview published online yesterday (July 13), the comedian and MC share their thoughts about artists' responsibility to the masses, coping with fame and more. Here are three excerpts that reveal key details about their creative missions and views on the world:
- CHAPPELLE: …In comedy right now, the issue is, "When does a comedian go too far?" And I imagine in hip-hop that's been a long-standing debate—even when I was coming up, when Bill Clinton went after Sister Souljah. When you write, how much do you think about the repercussions of anything you might say?
LAMAR: When I look at comedy—at Richard Pryor, at you—it's all self-expression. I apply that same method to my music. I came up listening to N.W.A and Snoop. Like them, it's in me to express how I feel. You might like it or you might not, but I take that stand.
- CHAPPELLE: I know you're a big Tupac fan. And Tupac used to talk about this phenomenon, as he got successful, that he was out of context. He'd say, "Where am I supposed to go? I can't be around the 'hood anymore, and they don't want me in the Hollywood Hills. Where am I supposed to go?" Have you run into any altitude sickness from your ascent, fighting all the way up to where you are now?
LAMAR: I think I'm still growing. The more people I meet, the more cultures I start to embrace, the more people I open myself up to—it's a growing process I'm excited about. But it's also a challenge for me, to be at this level and still be able to connect with somebody who's living that everyday life. At first it was something I struggled with, because everything was moving so fast. I didn't know how to digest it. The best thing I did was go back to the city of Compton, to touch the people who I grew up with and tell them the stories of the people I met around the world. Making "To Pimp a Butterfly" was me navigating those experiences. I went to Africa and I was like, "This is something I can enjoy and something I can challenge myself with."
- CHAPPELLE: Me and Mos Def argue about this all the time. Mos is of the belief that a person with a platform has a responsibility to other people. It's the old adage, "To whom much is given, much is expected." I don't necessarily agree with that. I think some people can make conscious records, and some people can make booty records, and other people can make whatever the fuck they want records. But what do you feel, personally, when you're making a record? Do you have a mission statement? What, if anything, do you hope to accomplish with your platform?
LAMAR: As I've grown as an artist, I've learned that my mission statement is really self-expression. I don't want anybody to classify my music. I want them to say, "This is somebody who's recognizing his true feelings, his true emotions, ideas, thoughts, opinions, and views on the world, all on one record." I want people to recognize that and to take it and apply it to their own lives. You know what I'm saying? The more and more I get out and talk to different people, I realize they appreciate that—me being unapologetic in whatever views and approach I have.
Lamar is currently on tour throughout North America. Chappelle's 14-night residency at Radio City Music Hall begins in August.
Read the full interview at InterviewMagazine.com.


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The Twenty-fifth Meeting of the EUR Data Management Group (DMG/25) was held in Toulouse, France from 16 to 18 October 2018. Nine participants from six States (Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Romania, and the United Kingdom) and ICAO continued progress on the implementation of OPMET data requirements and exchange of OPMET data in the ICAO Meteorological Information Exchange Model (IWXXM) format.
(See full size image)
The group refined the methodology of providing information on the implementation of OPMET elements in Aviation System Block Upgrade (ASBU) Block 0 – AMET and ASBU Block 1- AMET that will be proposed to be included in Volume III of the electronic Air Navigation Plan for the EUR Region in 2019.
The group also addressed some of the tasks related to the possible establishment of a new Regional OPMET Centre (ROC) Moscow such as coordination procedure with States that could be under the centre's area of responsibility.
Assistance to the EUR System Wide Information Management (SWIM) Project Team (SWIM PT) was considered by developing a first draft of prerequisites for SWIM which will be reviewed by the EUR SWIM/PT.


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Fancy a more exquisite style to your EMOVE scooters? Here are the new leather hand grips that are prefect for your taste.
- Compatible for: EMOVE Cruiser and EMOVE Touring
- Ergonomic groove grip design to offer a comfortable grip
- Dual locks on the sides of the hand grips
- Color: Copper Brown or Leather Black
- Length: 137mm or 5.4 inches
- Inner Diameter: 22.2mm or 0.9inches
- Weight: 189g
- Easy to install
- Comes in a pair
Close Up View
Breakdown of Components
Locking Bolts and Screws
Comes in Leather Black
Comes in Copper Brown
Have a Question?
Be the first to ask a question about this.


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The Return of Zoolander
It's been a few years in the making, but fans of the first movie are finally getting their really, really, ridiculously good-looking Derek Zoolander back in the sequel, Zoolander 2, set to begin production this spring. Hopefully they can reinvent themselves without straying too far off course from the original story, and without anyone getting killed in a freak gasoline fight accident!
This time around, Derek (played by Ben Stiller) and Hansel (played by Owen Wilson) are set 10 years in the future when they have become forgotten as male model celebrities and have to work their way to the top again. At least that's what Stiller alluded to on the Ellen Show last week. If all goes as planned, a lot of the same cast should be appearing again, including the dozens of cameos we saw the first time around (along with plenty of new ones). According to Stiller, Will Ferrell still has the job as the memorable villain, Mugatu, if he accepts as he told Entertainment Tonight:
"If Will says yes, he definitely has to be part of it," he said. "To me, Mugatu is one of the classic screen villains of all time."
Initial talk of the new Zoolander movie was sparked by a publicity stunt put on by Stiller and Wilson (as Zoolander and Hansel) at Valentino's Fall 2015 Fashion Show during Paris fashion week this past Monday. Both actors showed up unannounced and surprised everyone with a full runway 'walk-off' dressed in full character. There was even rumor that the Malaysian Prime Minister was in attendance. Whether or not that's true there were definitely plenty of famous people on hand to witness the stunt and talk it up on social media.
Variety reports that the film is set to hit theaters on Feb. 12, 2016.


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Remake of one of my favourite YT videos. The original video was blocked in numerous countries because of the music so I re-edited this (remastered sermon audio, new end titles and added film effect) and added an AusDisciples Band song called 'Lightyears' as the soundtrack.
On the first Sunday following the tragedy of September 11th, 2001, Carter Conlon delivered this soul-stirring message at Times Square Church in Manhattan. The sermon was titled, "Run For Your Life" and it is certainly worth the effort to listen to it in its entirety. Visit Video available here… http://www.braveheartedgospel.com/Run.html to access the sermon MP3.


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Brand: Simplicity Patterns
Weight: 0.1kg
Simplicity Pattern 2450
Craft Mug Bucket
Buckets Gone Wild sewing pattern. Mug Bucket organiser fits over a regualr sized coffee mug and makes a unique holder for small items.
|All views
|115cm (45") with nap such as; Broadcloth, Cotton Prints, Gingham, Shantung
|View E
|TPocket in 158cm (62") Plastic Mesh, Pet Screen
- For exact fabric requirements, please double click our image of the envelope back to read view and sizing details.
- Suitable for Overlocker/Serger. Extra fabric needed to match plaids, stripes or one-way design fabrics.
Pattern Sizes Available: OS (One Size)
|All Views
|Thread (Cotton, Polyester or Overlocking, as required); One pkg of 12mm (1/2") wide double fold bias tape, One 50mm (2") length of 18mm (3/4") wide velcro
|Please see envelope back for exact notions/trim requirements for each individual view
(See our 'Dressmaking/Notions' pages on this web site.)
Write an online review and share your thoughts with other shoppers!
Be the first to review this product


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Doing your own brake job, if done properly can save a lot of money. But if a brake job is done improperly it could very well cost more than if a professional was paid to do the job, to begin with. I've done hundreds of brake jobs in the last 25 years as a Master Auto Technician and in this article, I'll outline some of the basics. I also point out some common mistakes that beginners and even pros can make when doing a brake job.
If the car shakes when the brakes are applied, this means that the brake rotors are warped. Excessive side to side run-out causes the car to shake especially when stopping quickly from highway speeds. The rotors can be machined or resurfaced to make them true again as long as they are thick enough. If there is no pulsation or brake shake, brake pads can be replaced without machining them. In my experience though, if machining or replacing the rotors is not done when doing a brake job, most of the time there will be excessive squeaking noises after a very short time. I recommend taking care of the rotors by having them machined or replaced when doing the brake job.
1. Lifting the Car Safely
Sounds a little too basic, doesn't it? I've seen many people under cars without having a jack stand in place for safety. Hydraulic jacks are great, but what if one slips or fails in some way while someones under the car working? I can't emphasize enough the importance of having the car safely raised with a jack stand in place, just in case the car falls for some reason. A jack stand under the car is very important for anytime work is to be done under the car, like for oil changes, starter replacement or any other job that could crush a person if the jack failed. I once worked with a mechanic that was changing his starter at home. His hydraulic jack had a slow leak and before he realized that the car was lowering gradually onto him, he was pinned under the car and couldn't get out from under it. The compressing of his chest only allowed him to take very shallow breaths of air, which limited his ability to cry for help! Luckily a friend stopped by, saw what was happening and raised the car for him. If not for luck this could have had a totally different outcome, his mistake could have cost him his life.
2. Removing Wheels, Calipers, and Rotors
After removing the wheels find the caliper bolts and check to see what type of head the bolts have to determine what tools will be needed. Common fasteners will have either regular bolt heads, Allen or Torx. Typically there will be two bolts holding the caliper and two bolts holding the caliper bracket. Usually, just the caliper can be removed if just replacing the brake pads. Suspend the caliper with an elastic cord or something similar to prevent the weight of the caliper from possibly damaging the brake hose. If the rotor is being removed to be machined or replaced most of the time the caliper bracket will need to be removed as well. Rotors will either just slide off or on older style setups will be held on by the wheel bearings. Most cars today will have rotors that slide off. The wheel bearings on this design are not serviceable, meaning they are lifetime greased and can only be replaced when they fail so they are not repacked with grease during a brake job like in the past.
3. Pushing the Piston
Pushing the brake caliper piston back in is required to install the new brake pads. The piston slowly extends out as the brake pads wear. This is why no brake adjustment is needed for the disc brake system, it's basically self-adjusting. Big channel lock pliers can be used to compress the piston back into the caliper. There are also brake tools that can be used to push the piston back in. A big C-clamp used to be my favorite method for returning the piston back into the caliper. If working on rear disc brakes, a piston wind back tool like the KD 41540 (one of DenLors best sellers) is usually required to push and turn the pistons back in. It is recommended to open the brake bleeder screw when pushing the piston, this allows it to go back in easier and prevents possible damage to the master cylinder and/or ABS (Anti Lock Brakes) pump or valves from forcing old fluid back into the system. Closing the bleeder valve immediately after the caliper piston is pushed back in will ensure that bleeding the brakes will not be necessary. If dust boots in the caliper are broken, caliper replacement is necessary. Broken boots will allow moisture and dirt to enter the surrounding area of the piston and will cause it to stick or seize. There are slides on some caliper brackets that can freeze up or seize also that can cause uneven pad wear. The slides should be taken apart and lubricated with silicone gel or disc brake grease. The slides must work freely for the brakes to work properly.
4. Installing the Brake Pads and Calipers
Take note of any possible differences in left side brake pads and right brake pads. Also, there are sometimes differences in inboard and outboard brake pads. Obviously, the friction part of the brake pad goes towards the rotor. My uncle a long time ago, before I ever started working on cars did a brake job on his Cadillac. I remember hearing that he placed the brake pads in backward! He ruined his brake rotors. It seems like an impossible mistake, but when you're not familiar with what you're doing anything is possible. With aftermarket brake pads, most of the time they will come with their own noise insulators that fit onto the back of the pads. Some will have adhesive backs that will have plastic to peel off before installing, others may have tabs built into them. Note that if these are supplied, the OE (Original Equipment) pad insulators will not be re-used. After the pads are in place, be careful not to TWIST the brake caliper hoses when putting the calipers back on. It's a common mistake to twist them and the hoses can kink on turns.
5. Pump the Brake Pedal!
After it is all totally back together again, it's a perfect time try it out. But first, pump the brake pedal before putting the car in gear! The pedal should go on the floor and you'll be going to an accident if you do not. When the pedal is pumped the pistons are pushed out and the pedal becomes firm. There was an auto technician that I worked with that forgot to pump the brakes after doing a brake job. He backed out of his service bay when he hit the brakes the car kept going and he drove into the car that was halfway up on the rack behind him. It broke the rear window of the car he was driving, luckily there was no other damage.
There are many types of brake systems but most disc brakes are basically the same. Following the steps I've listed here should help in replacing your brake pads. But if you are not completely confident, it's always a good idea to ask a friend that has some hands on experience to help guide you through your first brake job.
Read Also
Random image of DIY Brake Pad Replacement – The Best Way to Change Pads and Evade General Fault
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|4.6 litre Cobra V8
|5 Speed Manual
|Import History:
|Fuel Type:
|Model Detail:
|4.6 Litre V8 - 5 Speed Manual
We are very pleased to present the only Jensen SV8 in New Zealand and one of only 10 made in the Jensen Factory!
It can be argued that this car cost NZD$2.0m to produce. In that the Jensen Company raised £10 million pounds funding, produced just 10 of these cars, then went bankrupt.
This thunderous Roadster has a unique place in British motoring history.
Being a front engined V8 Manual convertible this car will put a smile on your face every time you get in. This car sounds like a V8 should and is surprisingly light and nimble through corners with its full Aluminium body. Plenty of grip is offered with 225/45R17s up front and 235/45R17's on the rear.
Key Specs:
-4.6 litre 32 Valve 4 cam V8 Ford Mustang Engine
-Top speed 260kmph
-Tremac 5 Speed gearbox
-Dyna Limited Slip Differential
-Koni Coil Overs
-Eagle F1 tires
-PBR Brakes
- 0-100kmph in 4.6 seconds!
The Jensen SV8 is incredibly unique and special – invest in an appreciating classic.
No expense has been spared in keeping this car in tip top condition. Recent work carried out includes: Shocks all rebuilt. New air conditioning pump and drive belt, all disc rotors machined new tyres. New front sway bar links and mounts. Spark plugs and filters done approximately 6 months ago less than 1000km
Maintenance charger with hardwired plug included in sale as well as an extensive spare parts inventory, including windscreen, brake lights, brake calipers etc.


text: Student Information Click on a student's name to open the Student Information panel. In this panel, you can view the student's Open Tabs, Browsing History, Recordings, or send them a message. You'll also see the student's status next to their name. Click the "X" in the top-right corner to close the window. Open Tabs This tab provides a preview of the tab the student is currently viewing (highlighted in blue in the tab list). Click on the site name to open that tab in the student's browser, or click the URL to open the site in a tab on your browser. Close any tab on the student's browser by clicking the small "X" in the tab list. Hover over the current tab image to access the student control icons: Share Screen, Lock Screen, Unlock Screen, and Record for 10 minutes. Browsing History The Browsing History tab includes the user's list of sites visited (in chronological order). The list also includes the time and duration of the site visit. Click on the URL to visit the site. Click the calendar icon to open the date drop-menu. Choose a date to see the user's browsing history for the date selected. Note: If the Relay Chrome extension or Smart Agent is not running, you will not see Browsing History data. Recordings Open this tab to view this student's screenshot recordings (recordings are created in 10-minute increments and screenshots are captured in 10-second intervals). Click the left/right arrows in the screenshot viewer to browse through the collected screenshots. Each recording provides a list of tabs and URLs opened at the time of the screenshot (the current screenshot's URL will be highlighted in grey). Start a Recording To create a recording, click on the student's name in the active student list to open the Student Information Window. Click on Open Tabs and hover over the open tab screenshot. Click on the record icon to start recording the student's activity for 10 minutes. Download Screen Click on Download Screen to save the selected screenshot. Send Messages Click the Send Messages drop-menu to view a list of messages that you can send to the student.


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Woo-Hoo! I am in the money!!! Ok, I am ON the money. My check line has come out at Checks In The Mail. There are two lines, Flirty Florals and Skirts and Friends! They have matching labels and check book covers. I am sooo excited. Gotta tweet, blog and facebook about it! Heavens, maybe I should just talk aout it. There is a novel idea. Ok, tell a friend! Doesn't that sound better?
I have to order these myself, I am a check writer. Good thing I have 2 accounts, ha! Guess my husband will be writing checks with skirts and pups on them! Funny, there are some things that I only write checks for, like my hairdresser. I am sure she takes other forms of payment but old habits die hard and now she will get a cute check. I still like to write a checks to pay bills instead of online, I guess that is a comfort zone thing for me. What do you right checks for?


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GE reported a proposed deal to sell its intelligent environments business, Current, powered by GE, to American Industrial Partners, a New York-based private equity firm. Current, powered by GE, a three-year-old startup, recently began introducing industrial LED lighting with the company's environmental sensing technology embedded.
Current's latest product release, for example, is an LED-based replacement for a 1000 W HID lamp. Aside from the extremely high output, the lamp incorporates Current's IoT linking and environmental sensing technology (Ref: Coverage).
"The firm's deep expertise in operations and engineering, combined with its highly successful track record of industrial business investments, would help us accelerate Current's growth," said Maryrose Sylvester, Current's president and CEO.
"We look forward to partnering with the AIP team to further establish Current as a leader in the rapidly growing [Internet of Things] lighting space."
GE Launched Current
GE launched Current three years ago. For this startup launch, GE combined some of its energy and digital management assets to form an in-house startup. The startup company has been developing tools to reduce electricity consumption for customers by installing smart LED lighting from GE along with controls technologies from Current at their facilities.
The GE-made LED lights employ embedded sensors from current that can monitor energy usage, room temperature, detect movement, and observe and measure other environmental factors including sound and air quality. The data from the sensors is analyzed and all of the sensors and lights are linked with control and management software. This control and management software can recognize patterns in light and HVAC usage, for example, and make recommendations for energy savings based upon these insights.
In this way, Current asserts that its sensing technology helps factories, stores, offices, and even cities lower their energy bills and operate smarter.
Current Customers
Current boasts that its customers include the world's largest retailer, Walmart, JPMorgan Chase, and General Motors, as well as the cities San Diego and Jacksonville. In April, GE reported that its LED lighting along with its environmental sensing technology and IoT software (which was eventually transferred to the startup Current), helped Walmart save more than $100 million in energy costs over a ten-year-period. This savings came from the installation of about 1.5 million GE LED fixtures across 6,000 stores, parking lots, distribution centers and corporate offices in 10 countries.
Also, in San Diego, Current engineers have been working to install sensors in 3,200 of the city's 14,000 new GE LED fixtures.
According to GE, coders can use GE software to write apps for the system, slice and dice the data, and come up with insights for numerous applications, some of which may not have been even thought of yet. The company gives the examples of helping improve parking, assisting with traffic control, and even alerting police to the sounds of possible crimes.
Earlier this year, Current also designed a smart lighting system for a giant indoor farm in England the size of a football field. (Ref: Coverage).
"Smart LEDs are already being used to grow produce inside indoor farms, mimicking sunrise and sunsets for horticulture purposes," Melissa Wesorick, LED platform leader for Current, said. "They could even potentially be used as disinfectants by shining microorganism-killing ultraviolet-wavelength light across hospital surfaces."
Current says that the proposed transaction is expected to close in early 2019, subject to customary closing conditions, regulatory approvals and consultation processes where required under local law. However, Current and AIP didn't disclose the financial conditions of the deal.


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Happy Saturday folks! I hope our Healthy Meal Plan will help you navigate through the next week of meals in an easy and healthy way that your family will devour and beg for seconds!
It's the first weekend back after Thanksgiving. We are a in a "prime spot" people a couple weeks out from Christmas so now is the time to get back on track after stuffing your face during thanksgiving and preparing to do the same for Christmas. This week we have a bunch of recipes I KNOW your family will inhale and they won't even realize they're healthy. Those are the best kind of recipes – recipes like Baked Apples with a Cinnamon Mascarpone Cheese topping – easy, light, deceivingly healthy and delicious or Double Cheese White Pizza. Enjoy my friends!
Be sure to stop back every Saturday for your weekly fix of daily entrees as well as a breakfast, lunch, snack and dessert! Just click on the photo to see the recipe.
This Double Cheese White Pizza has all the flavors of a pizza with parmesan, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes, mixed with quinoa and tossed in a cheesy cream sauce for a simple and healthy white pizza makeover!
Spice up your Taco Tuesday with these Creamy Green Chile Chicken Tacos. 5 ingredients and a slow cooker are all you need to make the chicken filling for these creamy, healthy, and delicious tacos!
Dinner practically makes itself with this crockpot sweet potato sausage chili that cooks up entirely in the crockpot. Totally the best kind of comfort food!
Winter Kale and Wild Rice Salad is a healthy and filling dinner salad with apples, dried cranberries, wild rice, kale and so much more goodness all finished off with a homemade vinaigrette.
Side Dish
Enjoy a warm cup of this yummy Crock Pot Applesauce as a sweet side or dessert with your salad!
Ultimately creamy and packed with sausage and a mild pumpkin flavor, this pumpkin sausage alfredo penne is going to become your favorite fall comfort food!
Cinnamon Bun Overnight Oats are a cinnamon bun lovers dream! Flavored with cinnamon, a bit of vanilla and greek yogurt! An easy breakfast idea that you can make the night before!
Filled with maple syrup, pumpkin spice mix, pepitas, almonds and cranberries this No Bake Pumpkin Spice Granola Bar Recipe will make you leave the store bought granola bar days behind!
Buffalo Chicken Potstickers are a surprisingly easy and healthy dinner with chewy wrappers filled with lean ground chicken, vegetables and buffalo sauce served over a crunchy bleu cheese broccoli slaw. Skip the takeout and make this delicious and healthy version of potstickers!
Avocado Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a light and healthy sandwich made with smashed chickpeas, avocados and herbs. Yum!
Light Cheeseburger Quinoa Skillet is a healthy dinner idea loaded with nutritious quinoa, lean meat and packed with bold cheeseburger flavor! This easy skillet dinner gives you all of the delicious flavors of a cheeseburger in a guilt-free and protein packed meal.
The perfect sweet treat this fall, tastes just like Apple Pie .. but better! And it takes half the time! Baked Apples topped with a slightly sweet creamy Cinnamon Mascarpone Cheese then garnished with Toasted Coconut.


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The Guildmaster Award, powered by GuildQuality, an independent third party surveying company, recognizes top performing GuildQuality Members for their exceptional service.
Read more of our reviews at their website by clicking this link.
Tag Archives: Customer Service Award
2017 GuildMaster Award
2016 GuildMaster Award
2015 GuildMaster Award
2014 GuildMaster Award
2013 GuildMaster Award
2013 Prism Award
Excellence in Customer Service
Charleston Home Builders Association


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It's so nice to come home. We live in Calgary now, and while I do love my adopted city, nothing beats the feeling of coming home for a visit. Every summer we make our way to Thunder Bay and get our fill of Lake Superior, persians, Bay Street and Chippewa Park Melodrama. I love driving in this city because everything is so close. And I laugh when I hear people say, 'Oh that's all the way in Port Arthur and I live in Fort William'.
I used to have a store on May Street, and it's lovely when people remember me. Today when I was at Pier 1, the sales associate saw my name on the credit card and remembered me. Ha Ha…good thing the name's the same as I probably don't look the same as I did 15 years ago. She said she still has one of my Halloween wreaths that I made for her! How cool is that!!!
When I had my store, I used to do lots of seminars and talks. My favourite were the big events we did at the Airlane Hotel. The other day the sales associate at Homesense (credit card name recognition again) reminded me of the time we had 250 ladies learning to tie a bow all at the same time. It was a little crazy, but a lot of fun.
Showing and sharing design ideas has always been my passion. Even now when we go on a consult, it's important to us to share the reason we are doing what we're doing in someone's home. We can talk all we want to about balance and symmetry and focal point and harmony, but the best way to do it is to show someone. This week we're doing a design lesson on an outdoor porch area.
I've picked the photo below because I liked it. It has a lot of good things going on. I would love to sit in that space and just hang out there. But…there are some things that could be improved. Take a look at the photo and then read the comments below. It's a visual design lesson.
Hope you're enjoying the outdoors and have a pretty little spot to unwind in. If you like talking design, leave us a comment below. Have a lovely week and check back every Sunday for our new blog.
Karen Fron Design is a full-service Interior Design Firm located in Calgary, Alberta. We specialize in bespoke residential & commercial interiors, custom furniture & draperies, and whole home renovations.
"A well functioning and beautiful home makes life better."


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Visualized automated business logic, workflows and API integration
AppMixer is a product developed by Client.io, a software development company specialized in diagramming solutions. It's an API orchestration tool, enabling users to connect their cloud applications in order to create workflows and business logic. AppMixer gives the possibility for online application integration without requiring programming skills from users. The system is flexible, customizable and web-based.
Communication is really important, and Neoteric is responsive and open to using many channels. Neoteric has a very capable team in web development. The company is honest about the seniority levels of their resources. We always know what we're getting ahead of time. Neoteric has been able to complete the work on time. Neoteric is always able to report exactly what they've been working and on what times which shows they are organized.
|David Durman, Appmixer
|src: clutch.co


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Optimum Underbed Clearance
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The Austin has been delicately designed to form part of our Wrought Iron Bed Collection, its graceful appearance makes this bed a perfect choice in any room setting. If height is a factor in choosing your bed frame the Austin is also available with a Low Foot End, this allows extra room if needed at the end of the bed.
The Austin comes with the ability to amend the under-bed clearance to either 32 or 40cm. The Beds have a durable powder coated finish which is available in Black or Ivory as standard, (Additional colours are available on request)
Our Beds are created from thick mild steel with a welded mesh base to create that perfect mattress foundation. We have a finely selected range of mattresses available to complement our bed frames.
We have such faith in the strength and quality of our beds we have given them all a Lifetime Guarantee. The bed is available in the following sizes Single. Small Double, Double, King and Super King.
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Single 95cm Wide - 200cm Length
Small Double 122cm Wide - 200cm Length
Double 137cm Wide - 200cm Length
King 152cm Wide - 210cm Length
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Our beds are most suited to the below metric mattress sizes.
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These dimensions are approximate to the nearest 10mm. If you require a bespoke sized bed or mattress, please contact us on 01553 615665 or E-mail us: email@example.com
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Our guarantee covers the structure of the bed.
Unlike other stores we guarantee our products to a particular weight limit and stick by it, giving our customers the utmost confidence in our products. The weight limit on our beds is 40 stone per individual sleeper.
We purchased these for our newly refurbished Bed and Breakfast, we have 4 bedrooms that these have fitted perfectly into... Highly Recommended
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very good except the screws didn't arrive with the bed. but was quickly posted and assembled. Very good quality
Saroj V - Customer


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You cannot underestimate how important good entertainment is for your wedding day. Unfortunately not enough bride and grooms include this most important factor into their overall wedding budget.
This same principle goes for your ceremony too.
If your ceremony is at the same location as your reception, I do encourage you to talk to your entertainer or DJ about helping you with the ceremony component of your night.
When your celebrant is meant to be the 'master of ceremonies' during your ceremony formalities, the last thing you want is him or her to be running back and forward, worrying about the music. I've seen this done so many times. It's always been handled poorly. Unless your celebrant has a dedicated assistant to help them, I highly recommend that you talk to your entertainer or DJ about this most important hour (or so).
What about music for your guests to arrive to at your ceremony? So many bride and grooms forget about this important element too.
You want to minimise those awkward silences and abrupt endings in your music. You want to make the process smooth and seamless.
When your celebrant has to run back to his iPod, quickly cut the music, and then run back to the front of aisle, it's just awkward and completely unnecessary.
Have you also thought about the QUALITY of your audio too, for this ceremony component? If you are having your ceremony outdoors, and your celebrant is bringing a battery powered speaker, on a windy day, this simply might not work.
I cannot think of anything worse that not being able to hear your celebrant at the back of a ceremony, due to poor audio equipment.
What about for your ceremony readers? Or when you read your partner your vows? Do you want the people in the back to be able to hear this quite clearly and remain 100% involved in your special moment? I personally wouldn't want to risk this.
Hire a professional. Hire a professional who will sit with you, talk out these little details, put a plan into place and liaise with the key vendors/venues involved in your day. This formula will give you a reception (and ceremony) that will be memorable for the right reasons.
Melbourne Wedding DJ – Peter Yacono


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Young English players released by their clubs are being given a second chance to make it in the world of football – in Spain.
Spanish side Racing Portuense's academy manager, John Gontier, is keen on bringing English players overseas in an attempt to mix the two footballing cultures to create much better footballers.
The former Watford Youth player, who made appearances with John Barnes and Kenny Jackett, explained to The Youth Radar the benefits of playing abroad. "It's a new playing style, based mainly on ball possession. Learning a new language and culture and learning to adapt to this big change is very good for their future which football has strangled due to the hours taken from their studies,"
The project began in August 2010 but only initially lasted three weeks. The money comes out of John's own pocket, therefore investment was needed to allow it's continuation.
LFE (League Football Education) came to the rescue and payed a visit to the training facilities over in Spain. They were so impressed that they have since helped Racing Portuense establish itself as a placement club by paying most of the costs towards sending players abroad and helping to raise the profile of this project.
Tom Corner and Conor Grogan have already made their names as potential success stories of the project. Since joining Racing Portuense they have been scouted and gone on trial with Spanish giants, Real Valladolid.
John has said " Every one concerned said they were great lads. Disciplined, punctual, trained well and fast learners of Spanish football culture and language,"
John described this as being "a wonderful experience for them," and believes the future of the project depends on "how many English teams are willing to bet on these young players of only 18-19,"
Six new players are on their way to western Europe later this week. Three of these players will be for Racing Portuense whilst another three will join Xerez CD.
This project has very high hopes and with support can achieve making the shattered dreams of young heartbroken footballers come true once again.
John is currently looking to create a partnership with English League One or League Two sides in order to take on the players after their development period in Spain, this will only enhance the reputation of English academies and can hopefully improve the standard of football in our lower leagues.
He is also searching for a long-term sponsor for the project. If you would have any interest in sponsoring or donating to the project, please get in touch with The Youth Radar via the contact page and we will be more than happy to direct you to John immediately.


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Time Passes
La Nonna Italia died on Sunday evening. She was 94 years old by the books and 100 in her head, which was always a very fertile place. She was lying in bed chatting away with the people no one has been able to see for years, when she just stopped breathing. Her daughter-in-law Anna Maria, who was in the next room sewing a new black dress for her, was caught off guard.
The dress, one that Anna Maria had designed, was to have Velcro at the shoulders and sides so it could be pulled off easily. "Swooosh!" Anna Maria said, "Like a stripper." I am sure la Nonna would have really enjoyed such a garment had her conscious presence not already left us about a week ago. Now, she might not have recognized the humor, or the practicality for that matter.
Instead, Anna Maria and sister-in-law Graziella dressed la Nonna's inert body quickly in her best black dress and black beaded sweater, both choking back sobs and chastising each other. I stood watching the panicky struggle, paralyzed by helplessness and bewildered by their shock, as if it had not occurred to anyone that she might die. Anna Maria climbed up on the bed to have better leverage.
"Pull harder there"
"It doesn't go. Oh!"
"Oh! Don't you start crying!"
As it was a Sunday, la Nonna spent one more night in her bed, elegantly dressed with the door closed, waiting for the funeral home to pick her up the next morning. Anna Maria didn't sleep, but lay awake looking at the ceiling all night. In the morning my husband Luciano and his father were dispatched to pick out a casket. I am not sure why it happened this way and can only imagine the scene: Two stricken men standing in a showroom filled with coffins, asked to select wood, trim and lining. Giancarlo finally chose for his mother a simple, but elegant casket and the peach colored lining, saying "She is wearing black and it will look good."
They came and took la Nonna away early. I was not here for that, but I was told that the coffin, though simple, would not fit though the front door and it remained outside in the garden, like a waiting limo with the engine running. The workers carefully, tenderly carried her down the stairs and out the garden gates.
Any planning sessions for the funeral arrangements for which I was present were conducted in dialect and therefore I understood little. Normally super aware of speaking in Italian when I am around, in their shock the family lapsed. Under the circumstances, I did not want to insist. So I remained largely in the dark as I sat at the kitchen table listening to the muted voices. I eventually learned that the funeral was to be on Tuesday afternoon in Soffratta in the church where Luciano and I were married. She was to be buried in Mareno, and following custom, there would be no reception afterwards. Everyone just goes home. Though I thought that strange, I asked questions only when I felt that I could. I wanted to be a part. I just didn't know how.
After a log dry spell, the rain we had all been waiting for arrived Tuesday morning, in thin icy drops slicing sideways to the street. I distracted myself the best way I know how, by baking an enormous chocolate cake. I set out the coffee service, glasses, and a bottle of wine. I made little sandwiches of sliced porchetta in preparation for imaginary visitors. I just could not imagine that there would not be people stopping by and I wanted to be ready.
The old church seemed smaller, darker and colder. Posted by the door was the death announcement with a photo of la Nonna. It looked like a mug shot, grim and unsmiling, and was probably going to be used on her tomb as well. As I walked up the aisle I wondered how I had not noticed the unevenness of the ancient marble floor before. Perhaps I really had floated down the aisle on my wedding day, eight months before. Now I walked past the rows of filled pews to the front and sat alone, waiting for the rest of the immediate family to arrive. It seemed as if the entire population of the village of Soffratta and nearby Mareno had shown up. I am sure many wondered who I was, sitting there in the reserved pews. But I also saw friends of ours who had skipped out of work to come to our Nonna's funeral. Soon, I was surrounded by tearful cousins and great-grandchildren, the lights came up and the organ swelled to life. The crowd stood and la Nonna's casket arrived, carried by her tall, strong, sorrowful grandsons.
I had never been to a funeral. I have never seen a dead person. I have never been witness to public grief. And I have never been in a room so filled with simple, pure compassion.
There was a jumble of sensations: the shiny newness of the warm wood casket with the jaunty bounce of the peach lilies on top, the wretched sadness of her three strong sons and sturdy, supportive wives, my freezing feet, the detached altar boys with tennis shoes under their robes who scampered about setting up priestly paraphernalia. Don Gabriele who, three months after he performed our wedding, rolled his car in a nearby ditch yet cheated death himself, rasped out an affectionate eulogy with his trachea-tube damaged throat.
"Let us miss our sister Italia together and in this way, our collective heartache will be lighter. She lived a good long life"
I smiled to myself. Not only did I understand everything, this was such good, simple advice. I hoped it was heeded.
Outside, the rain suddenly stopped. As we filed out of the church, we stood by the hearse, a stretch PT Cruiser, beneath turbulent, but momentarily dry skies. The rain held as we arrived at the cemetery a short distance away, where the elegantly professional funeral home workers conducted the procession. We followed la Nonna on a little wheelie cart to the prepared space, a slot in a wall of tombs. Don Gabriele, in his four cornered mitered hat, spoke again, shook holy water upon the casket and stepped back. The dark-suited funeral home manager stepped forward and removed the large bouquet from the casket after deftly selecting three flowers. With an elegant swoosh of his hand, he produced a strip of tape from nowhere and tenderly attached the roses to the top. He fastidiously brushed a speck off the coffin with the back of his hand and nodded to the cemetery workers who jumped into action. With surprisingly seamless movements, her coffin was placed on a lift, cranked up to opening and slid into place, forever. It began to rain again.
I looked around for Giancarlo. He had disappeared along with Anna Maria. The clusters of people slowly moved to the cars. Another funeral was starting at the church right next door. In fact, his being the only funeral home in town, our director and his team moved right into position to carry out their performance again, I am sure with the same practiced compassion. Since la Nonna had died first, we had had first choice of funeral times so as not to compete for services, or attention from God, in the cemetery.
As we moved to the cars and umbrellas came out, we saw Uncle Romano, la Nonna's brother. Now 92, he is still irritated with his family for hiding his bicycle from him two years ago. He shook Luciano's hand and asked, "Where is your new wife?"
"Here she is, Zio"
I stepped forward and kissed his stubbled, gaunt cheeks.
"Condoglianze, Zio." I said.
He smiled at me, his tear-washed face wide and saturated with emotion.
"What do you want? Time passes."
Giancarlo, overwhelmed, had started walking home. A relative found them on the road and gave them a ride the rest of the way. By the time we arrived, all three sons and their wives were there, sitting around the kitchen table. Anna Maria, keeping her hands busy, was opening the notes of condolences and telegrams. There was some chatting about the weather and the service. But mostly there was silence, heavy dark silence. These six adults were adrift in grief and their solitary sorrow was pulling the air from the room. I wanted to put my chocolate cake in front of these people, maybe with a bottle of wine and pull them back. The simple action of cutting, passing, and eating a cake might be a way to come back to normalcy. Isn't that why the brothers came here? Luciano shook his head to my question. "They won't eat now," he whispered.
I felt myself crumpling in the warm kitchen. I was suffocating with sadness. Sadness for them, for la Nonna's wretched last days, for my loss, for this needless stoicism. I couldn't breath. I stood up and left, going to our house next door. I needed to think about la Nonna doing laps around the house, hitting Luciano when she wanted his attention, sneaking food when the parents were not watching, holding my hand while she told a story to a crowd, taking little walks to look at the flowers or to eat the grapes growing in the sun.
My cake sat uneaten, rich and black with chocolate, as I sat at the window and cried at the rain. Then I felt better.
Luciano called me from the bottom of the stairs. When he uses that tone, I am either in trouble or he has something serious to say.
"Yes." I used the same serious tone.
"Come here. Let's go next door with the cake. The uncles have left, but my parents would like some. I explained to them that it is important for you to eat cake and my father agreed, saying that it is not right to ignore your efforts."
This wasn't exactly right and a little over simplified. But Giancarlo, as usual, had gotten the heart of it and I gratefully accepted the gesture to include me.
"And we have decided to use the photo you took for her tomb. The one with her smiling by the window. It was always her favorite."
I sighed deeply and sat down on the step. How wonderful. I have seen the photos in the Italian cemeteries where the dour faces of the deceased adorn the tombs like a police line-up. Certainly old passport photos pressed into service at the last minute, they only make the place even gloomier. Now la Nonna Italia will be in her sunny chair, smiling softly into the camera, always the model. And a photo of mine. Finally, I had contributed something.
"Thank you," I said. "Let's eat cake."
Spot is a tragicomic character. He dashes across the yard to the opaque fence and hovers breathlessly behind it, listening for my voice. "Ciao, bello." I say, unable to resist and with that, Spot hurls himself against the fence, sobbing out deep, tragic barks. His tail and tongue flail as he pushes himself against the wire mesh fence, his eyes rolling in his wretchedness, "Play with me!"
Spot is a gangly English Setter, a puppy rescued from the pound and a replacement for Minnie, a miniscule dog with a megaphone voice and a deep, ugly hatred of all who passed by her yard. Owned by our next door neighbor (who is also our doctor) Minnie ran the length of the fence barking furiously at Luciano for her entire life. Minnie barked in the middle of the night to pass the time. From her enormous yard she barked at the hulking German Shepard across the lane as he sat in his jail cell of an enclosure. Just to be mean, I imagine. I would walk really slowly passed the fence and she barked along with me with unfaltering wrath even as her voice became hoarse. Everyone who walked past our house down the tiny lane was announced with her ferocious barking.
This summer Minnie died, one week after the death of her garden mate, a colossal, silent Bernese. Everyone said she died of a broken heart. Who could have imagined such depth of love from someone so hateful?
Far away in California, I danced a jig of joy when I heard the news.
When we returned home to Italy, I wanted to encourage a good relationship with the new dog. I started calling to him over the fence and he watched me from afar. He is a watcher, sitting for long periods, behind a sparse bush or a sapling tree, pretending to be invisible. He then explodes with passion and throws himself into the ivy, trying to reach my hand.
I started playing with Spot, gathering sticks along the way when I run. I need many since he does not yet understand how to return them, and so gaily lopes around the yard with one in his mouth. He chews it to bits and then looks up at me confused at its disappearance. I speak to him only in English, just to mess with his head. Not a difficult thing to do, it seems.
In order to play with Spot, I need to walk to the far side of the yard where the fence has no mesh and I can actually reach through to scratch his back. From this position, the little dog across the street can see everything. His fury can only be a jealous reaction. He barks with teeth bared, his voice catching with emotion in his throat. The little dog further down the street who pronounces her "f's", barks because it is her job, but she doesn't really get what all the fuss is about.
"Rufff! Rufff! Rufffff!" If you look closely, you can see her upper teeth form the letter.
Spot heaves himself at the fence, weeping whines of loneliness and abandonment as I pass. Every single time. I know that the doctor and his family care for the dog and his anguish is absurdly exaggerated, but his cries stab at my heart. The fact that I can only put a few fingers through the fence to pet him only adds to the absurd heartrending comedy. Walking past him has become difficult, even embarrassing, with this emotional public displays of affection.
Today, I found myself tiptoeing past the house, bent over to stay out of sight. I saw Spot's head come up, watching the motion, but unsure who it was. At the last moment, he leapt to his feet and roared at the fence, but too late. I was already at my door. As I put the key in the lock, I had the unmistakable feeling that someone was watching me. I turned and there, between the bushes, Spot sat silently, his eyes filled with the grief of betrayal. I know he will forgive me. Spot has a forgiving soul and a very short memory.
But sometimes I miss Minnie.


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THE TEMPLE - ITS MINISTRY AND SERVICE #13 THE PASSOVER - Part two Continued from previous page: There is also a significant tradition that some were wont to select it four days before the Passover, and to keep it tied in a prominent place within view, so as constantly to remind them of the coming service. THREE THINGS We have already explained that according to the Rabbis, 1 three things were implied in the festive command to 'appear before the Lord'--'Presence,' the 'Chagigah; and 'Joyousness.' As specially applied to the Passover, the first of these terms meant, that every one was to come up to Jerusalem and to offer a burnt-offering, if possible on the first, or else on one of the other six days of the feast. This burnt-offering was to be taken only from 'Cholin' (or profane substance), that is, from such as did not otherwise belong to the Lord, either as tithes, firstlings, or things devoted, etc. The Chagigah, which was strictly a peace-offering, might be two-fold. The first Chagigah was offered on the 14th of Nisan, the day of the Paschal sacrifice, and formed afterwards part of the Paschal Supper. The second Chagigah, was offered on the 15th of Nisan, or the first day of the feast of unleavened bread. It is this second Chagigah which the Jews were afraid they might be unable to eat, if they contracted defilement in the judgment-hall of Pilate. 2 In reference to the first Chagigah, the Mishnah lays down the rule, that it was only to be offered if the Paschal day fell on a week-day, not on a Sabbath, and if the Pascal lamb alone would not have been sufficient to give satisfying supper to the company which gathered around it. As in the case of all other peace-offerings, part of this Chagigah ...... 1 Chag. ii.1; vi.2. 2 Jobn xviii.28. 3 Pes. vi.4. ...... (All this 'Chagigah' was a Pharisee doctrine which had NO bearing on any thruth found in the direction of observing the Passover and Unleavened Bread Feast as laid out in the books of Moses Exodus to Dueteronomy - Keith Hunt) might be kept, though not for longer than one night and two days from its sacrifice. Being a voluntary offering, it was lawful to bring it from sacred things (such as tithes of the flock). But the Chagigah for the 15th of Nisan was obligatory, and had therefore to be brought from 'Cholin.' (Edersheim in explaining the Pharisee traditions does not attempt here to show how this "second" 'Chagigah' that is supposed to be "obligatory" could possibly be done by a MILLION or two people coming to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem each year. The logistics of such a so called "obligatory" sacrifice would be IMPOSSIBLE to perform in a 24 hour day even if the priests worked without stopping for the entire 24 hours. Obviously the law of Lev.23:7,8 applied to the priests in the Temple NOT to every single person observing the feast - common sense and logistics would plainly tell us so - Keith Hunt) The third duty incumbent on those who appeared at the feast was 'joyousness.' This expression, as we have seen, simply referred to the fact that, according to their means, all Israel were, during the course of this festival, with joyous heart to offer peace-offerings, which might be chosen from sacred things. 1 Thus the sacrifices which every Israelite was to offer at the Passover were, besides his share in the Paschal lamb, a burnt- offering, the Chagigah (one or two), and offerings of joyousness--all as God had blessed each household. As stated in a previous chapter, all the twenty-four courses, into which the priests were arranged, ministered in the Temple on this, as on the other great festivals, and they distributed among themselves alike what fell to them of the festive sacrifices and the shewbread. But the course which, in its proper order, was on duty for the week, alone offered all votive, and voluntary, and the public sacrifices for the whole congregation, such as those of the morning and the evening? 2 (Again common logic would tell us the burnt-sacrifice [see Lev.1- 17] was offered sometime during the Feast - not on any specific day of the Feast per se - it would be logistically impossible, even with all 24 courses on duty, to offer a anywhere near a million or more burnt sacrifices in just one 24 hour day - Keith Hunt) PHARISEES SPECIAL TRADITION OF PREPARATION FOR PASSOVER The special preparations for the Passover commenced the evening of the 13th of Nisan, with which, according to Jewish reckoning, the 14th began, the day being always computed from evening to evening. Then the head of the house was to search ...... 1 Deut. xxvii.7. 2 "Succah" v.7. with a lighted candle all places where leaven was usually kept, and to put what of it he found in the house in a safe place, whence no portion could be carried away by any accident. Before doing this, he prayed: 'Blessed art Thou, Jehovah, our God, King of the Universe, who hast sanctified us by Thy commandments, and commanded us to remove the leaven.' And after it he said: 'All the leaven that is in my possession, that which I have seen and that which I have not seen, be it null, be it accounted as the dust of the earth.' The search itself was to be accomplished in perfect silence and with a lighted candle. To this search the apostle may have referred in the admonition to 'purge out the old leaven.' 1 Jewish tradition sees a reference to this search with candles in Zeph. i.12: 'And it shall come to pass at that time that I will search Jerusalem with candles.' If the leaven had not been removed on the evening of the I3th, it might still be done on the forenoon of the 14th of Nisan. The question what substances constituted leaven was thus solved. The unleavened cakes, which were to be the only bread used during the feast, might be made of ...... 1 i Cor. v.7. ...... (Now, this searching for leavened on the beginning of the 14th as Edersheim noted above, was actually the time of the real Passover, the time that Jesus and His disciples clearly observed it as recorded in the Gospels. The proof of that I give you in the many in-depth studies on the Passover, found on this Website. This beginning of the 14th search for leaven was nothing more than a Pharisee tradition that had no bearing on any law or truth found in the Old Testament books - Keith Hunt) these five kinds of grain-wheat, barley, spelt, oats, and rye - the cakes being prepared before fermentation had begun. Anything prepared of these five kinds of grain - but only of these - would come within range of the term 'leaven,' that is, if kneaded with water, but not if made with any other fluid, such as fruit- liquor, etc. TIME OF ITS COMMENCEMENT (Remember we are reading about the traditions of the Pharisees that Edersheim is elaberating on - not anything found in the laws of Moses or anywhere in the Old Testament - Keith Hunt) Early on the forenoon of the 14th of Nisan the feast of the Passover may be said to have begun. (This is the Pharisee Passover, as they observed it - Keith Hunt) In Galilee, no work was done all that day; in Judaea it was continued till mid-day; the rule, however, being that no new work was to be commenced, though that which was in hand might be carried on. The only exception to this was in the case of tailors, barbers, and those engaged in the laundry. Even earlier than mid-day of the 14th it was no longer lawful to eat leaven. The strictest opinion fixes ten o'clock as the latest hour when leaven might be eaten, the more lax eleven. From that hour to twelve o'clock it was required to abstain from leaven, while at twelve it was to be solemnly destroyed, either by burning, immersing it in water, or scattering it to the winds. To secure strict obedience and uniformity, the exact time for abstaining from and for destroying the leaven was thus made known: 'They laid two desecrated cakes of a thank-offering on a bench in the porch (of the Temple). So long as they lay there, all the people might eat (leavened); when one of them was removed, they abstained from eating, but they did not burn (the leaven); when both were removed, all the people burnt (the leaven). 1 ("Pes" 1. 5.) (Now read all this section again. Do you follow when all this was being done? It was DURING the hours of the DAY-LIGHT of the 14th - actually in the morning to noon. This was all the laws and traditions of the Pharisees!! There is not ONE WORD in the Old Testament about STOPPING eating leaven as the above laws of the Pharisees regulated it. The laws of Moses prove that NOT EATING leaven and ONLY EATING unleaven did not start until the commencement of the 15th of the month. You could under the laws of Moses eat leavened bread up until the beginning of the 15th. Also the laws of Moses state nothing about STOPPING WORK before the 15th. It is the 15th that is a Holy Day - a Sabbath - and the beginning of that day is when secular work needs to be stopped. Are you seeing now why Jesus told His disciples once: "'...should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.' Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the DOCTRINE of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees" [Mat.16:11-12]. The Pharisees and the Sadducees, had a few things correct, but by and large they taught perverted and wrong doctrines of theology. By their traditions they made void the commandments of God [Mark 7:7-9] - Keith Hunt) SELECTING A LAMB The next care was to select a proper Paschal lamb, which, of course, must be free from all blemish, and neither less than eight days, nor more than exactly one year old. Each Paschal lamb was to serve for a 'company,' which was to consist of not less than ten, nor of more than, twenty persons (Again no such law can be found in the books of Moses. It was to be for a family or as many as the lamb would be sufficient for - Keith Hunt). The company at the 'Lord's Passover Supper' consisted of Himself and His disciples. Two of them, Peter and John, the Master had sent early forward to prepare the Passover,' that is, to see to all that was needful for the due observance of the Paschal Supper, especially the purchase and sacrifice of the Paschal lamb. Probably they may have purchased it in the Holy City, though not, as in the majority of cases, within the Temple-court itself, where a brisk and very profitable traffic in all such offerings was carried on by the priests. For against this the Lord Jesus had inveighed only a few days before, when He 'cast out all them that sold and bought in the Temple, and overthrew the tables of the money-changers,' 1 to the astonishment and indignation of those who would intensely resent His interference with their authority and gains. 2 (As we move along in Edersheim's expounding of the observing and slaying of the Passover lamb, you will have noticed above that he openly says Jesus and the disciples observed the Passover, for indeed the Gospels clearly say Jesus' disciples came to him asking where they might observe the Passover, and He sent Peter and John ahead to prepare the Passover. This all being true, Edersheim NEVER once has the bells ringing in his brain that to expound the Passover of the Temple [which the Pharisees did on the afternoon of the 14th and going into the night of the 15th] is NOT the Passover which Jesus with His disciples observed AT THE START OF THE 14TH of the month. All of this truth I expound for you in detail in my Passover studies on this Website - Keith Hunt) SLAYING OF THE LAMB While the Saviour still tarried with the other disciples outside the city, Peter and John were completing their preparations. They followed the motley crowd, all leading their sacrificial lambs up the Temple-mount. (NO SUCH TEACHING is found in the Gospels as what Edersheim has just stated - Keith Hunt). Here they were grouped into three divisions. Already the evening sacrifice had been offered. Ordinarily it was slain at 2.30 P.M., and offered at about 3.30. But on the eve of the Passover, as we have seen, it was killed an hour earlier; and if the 14th of Nisan fell on a Friday or rather from Thursday at eve to Friday at eve- ...... 1 Matt. xxi.12,13. 2 John ii.13-18. ...... two hours earlier, so as to avoid any needless breach of the Sabbath. On the occasion to which we refer the evening sacrifice had been slain at 1.30, and offered at 2.30. But before the incense was burned or the lamps were trimmed, the Paschal sacrifice had to be offered. 1 (Now Edersheim goes into what was done on the afternoon of the 14th, unless he thinks this was done on the afternoon of the 13th, and that would not make sense as the Pharisee Passover was not eaten until the evening of the 15th. You would hardly kill the lamb 24 hours or more before eating it. Edersheim is here so filled with Pharisee Judaism practice, he moves from what Jesus and the disciples observed and into the Pharisee observation of the Passover without blinking an eye. He does not seem to stumble on the plain fact of ther Gospels that Jesus and His disciples observed the Passover at the beginning of the 14th and the Pharisees observed it, starting from just after noon, when the slaying in the Temple was begun, on into the night of the 15th. The religious Jews to this day, being from the Pharisees, observe the Passover on the 15th, beginning hours of the 15th of the month. The ORIGINAL Passover, was in the beginning hours of the 14th, as proved over and over again on this Website in the Passover studies, and as observed by Jesus, as the Gospels clearly state - Keith Hunt) It was done on this wise: The first of the three festive divisions, with their Paschal lambs, was admitted within the Court of the Priests. Each division must consist of not less than thirty persons (3 x 10, the symbolical number of the Divine and of completeness). Immediately the massive gates were closed behind them. The priests drew a threefold blast from their silver trumpets when the Passover was slain. Altogether the scene was most impressive. All along the Court up to the altar of burnt-offering priests stood in two rows, the one holding golden, other silver bowls. In these the blood of the Paschal lambs, which each Israelite slew for himself (as representative of his company at the Paschal Supper), was caught up by a priest, who handed it to his colleague, receiving back an empty bowl, and so the bowls with the blood were passed up to the priest at the altar, who jerked it in one jet at the ba of praise was raised, the, Levites leading in song, and the offierers either repeating after them or merely responding. Every first line of a Psalm was repeated by the people while to each of the others they responded by a 'Hallelujah,' or 'Praise ye the Lord.' This service of song consisted of the so-called 'Hallel,' which comprised Psalms cxiii. to cxviii. Thus-- ...... 1 According to the Talmud, 'the daily (evening) sacrifice precedes that of the Paschal lamb; the Paschal lamb the burning of the incense, the incense the trimming of the lamps' (for the night). ...... The Levites began: 'Hallelu Jah' (Praise ye the Lord). The people repeated: 'Hallelu Jah.' The Levites: 'Praise (Hallelu), O ye servants of Jehovah.' The people responded: 'Hallelu Jah.' The Levites: 'Praise (Hallelu) the name of Jehovah.' The people responded: 'Hallelu Jah.' Similarly, when Psa. cxiii. had been finished - Psa. cxiv. The Levites: 'When Israel went out of Egypt.' The people repeated: 'When Israel went out of Egypt.' The Levites: 'The house of Jacob from a people of strange language.' The people responded: 'Hallelu Jah.' And in the same manner, repeating each first line and responding at the rest, till they came to Psa. cxviii., when, besides the first, these three lines were also repeated by the 'Save now, I beseech Thee, send now prosperity;' and 'Blessed be He that cometh in the name of Jehovah.' May it not be that to this solemn and impressive 'hymn' corresponds the Alleluia song of the redeemed Church in heaven, as described in Rev. xix. 1,3,4,6? (How people read things into the Bible - a classic example by Edersheim. He says "heaven" - the Bible says the Lamb stood on MOUNT ZION - a HUGE DIFFERENCE!! Keith Hunt) The singing of the 'Hallel' at the Passover dates from very remote antiquity. The Talmud dwells on its peculiar suitableness for the purpose, since it not only recorded the goodness of God towards Israel, but especially their deliverance from Egypt, and therefore appropriately opened 1 with 'Praise ye Jehovah, ye servants of Jehovah' and no longer of Pharaoh. Hence also this 'Hallel' is called the Egyptian, or 'the Common,' to distinguish it from the great 'Hallel,' sung on very rare occasions, which comprised Psalms cxx. to cxxxvi. According to the Talmud, the 'Hallel' recorded five things: 'The coming out of Egypt, the dividing of the sea, the giving of the law, the resurrection of the dead, and the lot of the Messiah.' The Egyptian 'Hallel,' it may here be added, was altogether sung on eighteen days and on one night in the year. These eighteen days were, that of the Passover sacrifice, the Feast of Pentecost, and each of the eight days of the Feasts of Tabernacles and of the Dedication of the Temple. The only night in which it was recited was that of the Paschal Supper, when it was sung by every Paschal company in their houses, in a manner which will hereafter be explained. If the 'Hallel' had been finished before the service of one division was completed, it was repeated a second and, if needful, even a third time. The Mishnah remarks, that as the Great Court was crowded by the first two divisions, it rarely happened that they got further than Psa. cxvi. before the services of the third division were completed. Next, the sacrifices were hung up on hooks along the Court, or laid on staves which rested on the shoulders of two men (on Sabbaths they were not laid on staves), then flayed, the entrails taken out and cleansed, and the inside at separated, put in a dish, salted, and placed on the fire of the altar of burnt-offering. This completed the sacrifice. ...... 1 Psa. cxiii. ...... The first division of offcrers being dismissed, the second entered, and finally the third, the service being in each case conducted in precisely the same manner. Then the whole service concluded by burning the incense and trimming the lamps for the night. (Now once more let's use a little logic: let's say this all started on the afternoon of the 13th, and was resumed again on the afternoon of the 14th; let's give all of that to the Pharisee observance of the Passover. Crazy yes, as some would have had their Passover lambs slain at the Temple 24 hours before eating it, others just a few hours before. But for argument sake, we'll say it was such. The number of lambs slain according to Josephus was about 200,000, which would be about right if Josephus was correct in saying that 2,000,000 plus attended the Passover in Jerusalem. There is NO WAY all those lambs could have been slain in the Temple; just not physically possible in a 24 to 30 hours time period, even if the priests worked all night. The conclusion is as proved in the Passover studies - the Passover lamb DID NOT have to be slain in the Temple! No law of Moses EVER regulated such an idea. Slaying the Passover lamb in the Temple was purely a Pharisee idea and practice. Every family or group had the God given right and authority to slay the Passover lamb for themselves! - Keith Hunt) When all had been finished in the Temple, the priests washed the Great Court, in which so much sacrificial blood had been shed. But this was not done if the Passover had been slain on the Sabbath. In that case, also, the three divisions waited - the first in the Court of the Gentiles, the second on the Chel, and the third in the Great Court - so as not needlessly to carry their burdens on the Sabbath. But, as a general rule, the religious services of the Passover, like all positive religious injunctions, 'made void the Sabbath.' In other respects the Passover, or rather the 15th of Nisan, was to be observed like a Sabbath, no manner of work being allowed. There was, however, one most important exception to this rule. It was permitted to prepare the necessary articles of food on the 15th of Nisan. This explains how the words of Jesus to Judas during the Paschal (not the Lord's) Supper could be misunderstood by the disciples as implying that Judas, 'who had the bag,' was to 'buy those things' that they had' need of against the feast.' 1 (Once more Edersheim fails to see that as he admits, Jesus said those words during the Paschal Supper, that it was the beginning of the 14th, and had nothing to do with the Sabbath of the 15th. So the disciples would think nothing of Jesus telling Judas to buy things for the Feast [of unleavened bread] as the day they thought he was being sent out to buy things against the feast, was the 14th, which was not a Sabbath day. They thought he was going to buy things during the day-light hours of the 14th. The Pharisee Passover, as the Gospel of John shows, was still coming after Jesus had been crucified [John 18:28,39; 19:14]. These verses make sense only when you understand Jesus observed the true original Passover at the beginning of the 14th, and the Pharisees observed the Passover starting in the afternoon of the 14th into the evening of the beginning of the 15th - Keith Hunt) OUR LORD'S CELEBRATION OF THE FEAST (Now Edersheim goes back, with nay a blink of the eye, to how Jesus celebrated the Passover. Some people cannot see the truth even if it bit them on the behind - Keith Hunt) It was probably as the sun was beginning to decline in the horizon that Jesus and the other ten disciples descended once more over the Mount of Olives into the Holy City. Before them lay Jerusalem in her festive attire. All around pilgrims were hastening towards it. ...... 1 John xiii.29. ...... White tents dotted the sward, gay with the bright flowers of early spring, or peered out from the gardens and the darker foliage of the olive plantations. From the gorgeous Temple buildings, dazzling in their snowwhite marble and gold, on which the slanting rays of the sun were reflected, rose the smoke of the altar of burnt-offering. These courts were now crowded with eager worshippers, offering for the last time, in the real sense, their Paschal lambs. (Well no, the Temple ritual of Passover lambs by the Pharisees was not till the next day. But those who knew the truth, were killing their own Passover lambs - Keith Hunt). The streets must have been thronged with strangers, and the flat roofs covered with eager gazers, who either feasted their eyes with a first sight of the Sacred City for which they had so often longed, or else once more rejoiced in view of the well-remembered localities. It was the last day-view which the Lord had of the Holy City - till His resurrection! Only once more in the approaching night of His betrayal was He to look upon it in the pale light of the full moon. He was going forward to 'accomplish His death' in Jerusalem; to fulfil type and prophecy, and to offer Himself up as the true Passover Lamb - 'the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.' (Yes, and it was the BIGINNING of the 14th of the month - Keith Hunt). They who followed Him were busy with many thoughts. They knew that terrible events awaited them, and they had only a few days before been told that these glorious Temple-buildings, to which, with a national pride not unnatural, they had directed the attention of their Master, were to become desolate, not one stone being left upon the other. (Edersheim did not live to 1967 when the Jews re- took all of Jerusalem, and after moving away rubbish they discovered that "one stone not left on another" of the Temple, had NOT be fulfilled in 70 A.D. - that behold part of the Temple wall remained - today it is commonly called "The Wailing Wall" - Keith Hunt). Among them, revolving his dark plans, and goaded on by the great Enemy, moved the betrayer. And now they were within the city. Its Temple, its royal bridge, its splendid palaces, its busy marts, its streets filled with festive pilgrims, were well known to them, as they made their way to the house where the guestchamber had been prepared for them. Meanwhile the crowd came down from the Temple-mount, each bearing on his shoulders the sacrificial lamb, to make ready for the Paschal Supper. (Wow, did you get it again? Now Edersheim moves back to teaching the Jews in the Temple were coming out to observe the Passover! No, the Pharisee Jews were going home to light candles and look for leaven in the home, as Edersheim earlier told you about, and as those Pharisee Jews still do to this every day. But the people of God who knew the truth, they were with their families or their group, sacrificing the Passover lamb for themselves, and observing the Passover night, just as Jesus and His disciples were about to do - Keith Hunt) ...................... To be continued
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Detroit police are looking for a the gunman responsible for a deadly shooting.
20-year-old Cedric Smith was killed Friday at home in the 16000 block of Coron on Detroit's east side.
According to police, a Ford Explorer pulled up, a suspect got out and started firing shots.
Investigators believe the shooter had a specific target.
Police tell 7 Action News witnesses are not cooperating, which is making a difficult time even more painful for Smith's family.
If you have any information, please call Detroit police.


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Allison Clements guides the foundation's strategies to ensure regulatory and capital markets drive decarbonization and the energy transition. Working with consultants, grantees, analysts, policymakers, and industry, she focuses on policies involving the role of utilities, public utility commissions, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), and the financial sector.
Allison previously served as founder and principal at Goodgrid, LLC, a consulting firm focused on energy policy strategy. She founded Goodgrid after nine years with the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC). At NRDC, she directed the Sustainable FERC Project, and then provided strategy leadership on federal and regional policy related to renewable energy and distributed energy resource deployment and procurement, and the design of markets and the transmission system to support the energy transition. Allison previously spent several years in private law practice providing federal regulatory guidance to utilities and independent power producers at Troutman Sanders LLP, as well as negotiating energy infrastructure project financings at Chadbourne & Parke. She began her career working on legislative and electoral campaigns for the League of Conservation Voters.