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Recently I spoke at the Sitecore User Group at Kagool's Manchester Office. The topic I covered was based on my experience as a Sitecore front-end developer.
Continue reading "Musings of a Sitecore Frontender – Part 1"
Recently I spoke at the Sitecore User Group at Kagool's Manchester Office. The topic I covered was based on my experience as a Sitecore front-end developer.
Continue reading "Musings of a Sitecore Frontender – Part 1"
I've been working with Sitecore for many years now and there is always one thing I see being overlooked when creating components and setting up Experience Editor… That one thing is Experience Editor Buttons.
Continue reading "Sitecore Experience Editor Buttons And Their Uses"
This year Sitecore hosted SUGCON in the beautiful city of Amsterdam and fortunately for me I was attending with some of my fellow Kagool co-workers; Martin Davies (MVP), Ian Graham (MVP) and David Moore.
I wanted to blog about my first SUGCON experience as a Front-End Developer.
Continue reading "A Front-End Developers Experience of Sitecore SUGCON 2017"
Building custom themes for Sitecore Webforms for Marketers (WFFM) can be a painful and messy exercise. Your stylesheets get bloated, your selectors are too specific and you need to use overriding styles or !important properties. All of this just makes the whole process feel really messy and code quickly becomes unwieldy.
To help solve this problem I decided to create a Webforms for Marketers boilerplate. This blog gives a quick overview of what the boilerplate includes and how it helped me build custom themes for WFFM quickly and consistently.
Continue reading "Sitecore Webforms for Marketers Front-End boilerplate"
As many Sitecore developers know, the annual Sitecore hackathon approached and developers all over the world spent 24 hours creating all kinds of wonderful things. This year I decided to ask a few of my close friends and work colleagues if they would like to form a team and take part in the Sitecore hackathon; they accepted the challenge.
This blog post is about the module we built as a team and the experience taking part in my first Sitecore hackathon.
Continue reading "Sitecore hackathon 2017 – Hotspot Gallery for Sitecore Experience Accelerator"
Modern website development has a trend for using fixed position components. When developing the Front-End for this type of component in Sitecore you need to think about how these components will work in the different Page Modes.
In this blog post I'll take you through the journey and the challenges that I had to overcome.
Sitecore has some excellent features which Front-End developers could benefit from using in a project. One feature that stands out to me as a Front-End Developer is Compatible Renderings. This simple to set-up feature really improves Content Editor's experience in the Experience (Page) Editor allowing flexible page designs in a matter of minutes.


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Industrial Painting in Lower East Side, New York
**10% OFF All Painting Services**
expires 05/31/2020
Looking for quality industrial painting in Lower East Side, New York?
Local companies trust the skilled industrial painting crews at Amazing Detailed Interiors for industrial painting in Lower East Side, NY. Serving the business community since 1987, Amazing Detailed Interiors offers industrial painting, refinishing and sealing for Lower East Side clients of any size.
Our Industrial Service Offerings Include:
- Metal surface spraying and refinishing
- Storage warehouse refinishing
- Metal roofing and siding painting
- Interior and exterior industrial painting
- Silo painting
- Industrial coating and sealing concrete flooring
- Steel structure painting
Our highly skilled painters have completed industrial painting projects across NY for many years. Amazing Detailed Interiors works with well-maintained equipment and high quality painting products for a lasting finish. Lower East Side businesses strive to present a clean, professional face to their clients, and the skilled painters at Amazing Detailed Interiors can help.
Let Amazing Detailed Interiors help your Lower East Side firm stay within the renovation or maintenance budget with professional service at affordable rates. We provide all levels of Lower East Side, NY industrial painting services and strive to remain competitive with other Lower East Side industrial painting companies. Compare and discover the value that Amazing Detailed Interiors offers to local businesses, freshening up industrial spaces, structures and equipment.
Each Lower East Side industrial painting project is handled with care, starting from initial analysis and preparation, through to application and final clean up. Customer satisfaction is always our top priority. Local references are available, and our industrial painting work can be seen in various facilities across NY.
Amazing Detailed Interiors provides professional industrial painting services with fully trained painting crews who are dedicated to customer satisfaction. Serving the painting needs of the local community, Amazing Detailed Interiors remains the leading choice for industrial painting in Lower East Side, NY. Call (646) 680-0087 today for more information.
Call for FREE Industrial Painting Quote
(646) 680-0087
★★★★★ - "I had a great experience with Amazing Detailed Interiors and his crew, truly does quality work and I would definitely recommend him. They did very detailed work and I was in love with the outcome. Check them out!"
★★★★★ - "Amazing Detailed Interiors did a fabulous job on my deck. The job was done with skill and excellence from start to finish. I would recommend them highly."
★★★★★ - "Amazing Detailed Interiors did a great job painting the interior of my house. The crown moldings came out perfect, they corked everything, spackled, and hung sheetrock. Would strongly recommend!"
Vincent in Babylon, NY
★★★★★ - "The crew did an amazing job removing wallpaper from every wall of the house, resurfacing and painting all the walls. They are detail oriented perfectionists and trustworthy professionals. I highly recommend them and will use them again."
Stephen/ Donna in Westbury, NY
★★★★★ - "John did the painting job to our new house.
He is a detailed oriented professional. We are satisfied with his work Recommend without reservation."
Wolde in Roslyn Heights, NY
★★★★★ - "Dedicated and hard working company....accurate and punctual in all aspects..... painted first floor of my home and stained the railing of my staircase ... am a satisfied customer ...looking forward in working with this company once again .... Thank you."
Jon Rodriguez2013-12-24
★★★★★ - "Amazing Detailed Interiors."
Anonymous in Arlington, NJ2013-12-24
★★★★★ - "Had a great experience with this company. They painted the exterior of my home. The finished product is excellent. It was a pleasure working with them."
Anonymous in Bridgeport, CT2013-12-24
★★★★★ - "The workers were very dedicated and hard-working. I would suggest them to everyone. They painted the interior of my house and it looks awesome, I love it. I am definitely calling them."
Anonymous in Bayonne, NJ2013-12-24
★★★★★ - "This is a fantastic company. I would recommend this company to everyone I know."
Anonymous in Aberdeen, NJ2013-12-24

subset: commoncrawl


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We shall now proceed to the reception of the goods in accordance with instructions previously received and agreed with each client.
We carry out both qualitative and quantitative controls specified for each type of product.
In the event that there is an incidence material is located in a zone designated for this purpose, waiting for the customer decision about your treatment.
We note the incidences in the documents of the carrier with the entry stamp. We capture the incident with active image through webcam or digital still camera.


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MINNEAPOLIS — Target Corp. says its fourth-quarter profit fell 41 percent as consumer spending suffered amid high unemployment and other economic woes.
The discount retailer earned $609 million, or 81 cents per share, in the quarter ended Jan. 31. That compares to $1.03 billion, or $1.23 per share, a year earlier.
Revenue in the quarter fell 1.6 percent to $19.02 billion.
Analysts polled by Thomson Reuters, who typically exclude one-time items, expected Target to earn 83 cents per share on revenue of $19.5 billion.
The company has also seen rising delinquencies in its company-owned credit cards, another source of trouble.
Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.


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Blog Archives
The Waukesha State Bank Art Gallery Presents: Artists From The Springs Pump House Art Gallery
The Springs originally was the site of three springs in the era, hence the name and three colors in the logo. The Springs' location at 521 Wisconsin Ave., was formerly the Spring City Pattern Works (wood pattern factory) in early 1900's. This founding company was later paired with Leitner's Auto Body Shop on the 519 side. Most Waukesha residents today recall the Springs as a cooperative Antique Store for 25 years until 2008 when purchased by the current owners and transitioned into The Springs: Gallery, Studio, and Creativity Pumphouse.
Cathryn Ruvalcaba
The true origin of my artistic journey was a visually rich childhood spent in a small town on a high farming plateau in Washington State. I was especially drawn to the animals on those picturesque farms. To me, they all had very distinct personalities and a quiet dignity. And, though my adult life took me into big cities, my heart has always been happiest roaming the pasturelands and barnyards.
In midlife, I was drawn to oil painting and sought out classes and workshops. I have been very fortunate to train with several excellent painters. My artistic education began with classical training in oil painting and portraiture finally settling into Russian Impressionism. The hallmark of this Russian Impressionistic style is the impact of the rich, glowing light found in the early morning and late evening hours – that luscious low-slung light that electrifies the edges of everything it touches. This is what moves me and this is what I love to paint.
Rose Lange
Rose Lange is a professional artist and educator living and working in Waukesha, Wisconsin.
Rose enjoys the challenge, and loves surprising viewers, by up-cycling found materials like old jewelry, beads, small toys and chip bags in creating mixed-media mosaics and small, whimsical figurative sculptures.
Rose creates in her private studio at The Springs Gallery and Studios, and also exhibits and sells her work at The Almont Gallery in downtown Waukesha.
Rose has been the Art Specialist for Waukesha Catholic School System since 2001.
Cyndy Baran
Cyndy had a near death encounter with a city bus soon after relocating to Nashville for her business career, which brought home the message, "If you want to make art…you'd better get to making it!" Soon after, she quit her day job, enrolled in Art School and she's been making art ever since.
She has worked in a variety of mediums and genres including figure, landscape, and most recently abstraction. Her work has been juried into competitions both regionally and nationally
"Bold colors and composition draw me into the creative process. The body intuitively knows what it needs, and if you listen to that voice, it will guide you to the place you need to be at that moment. By creating calm among the chaos of life, I am able to hear my own voice, and thus, better hear the voices of those around me."
Thomas Buchs – Oil Painting
I attended Layton School of Art and became an Illustrator, creating artwork for advertising, and children's books for many local and national companies during the last 46 years. Much of my current work is Plein Air Painting (painting from life outdoors). I try to capture the light and atmosphere of a scene within a few hours. I believe that a painting is not just a two dimensional illusion, but also that of a moment in life, captured by an artist on canvas. I have received many awards from local advertising associations, and nationally from The Society of Illustrators, as well as dozens of awards in Plein Air painting competitions around the country. My studio can now be found at Atelier/Plein Air at The Springs Gallery and Studios.
Nancy Wilson
I am a landscape architect who has a passion for fiber arts. I learned to weave and hand spin yarn 32 years ago at a community art center in Stillwater, Oklahoma. I enjoy sharing my love of fiber arts with the people who visit the markets and fairs I attend through spinning and weaving demonstration. In 2016, I realized my dream of having a studio. Lost Art Fiber and Textile Studio at The Springs Gallery and Studios is open for workshops. In addition to teaching adults, I've enjoyed working with schools and students in discovering the creative possibilities in fiber arts. I am inspired by color and texture, especially those found in nature. In addition to the thrill of working with the elements of color and texture, I have found that fiber art activities can provide a meditative experience. I am currently a member of the Wisconsin Handweavers Guild and Madison Weaving Guild. In 2014, I started Common Threads Fiber Group that meets at the Waukesha Public Library. I do volunteer work at Donna Lexa Art Center in Waukesha and Angel's Grace Hospice program where we create a commemorative weaving during their annual remembrance ceremony.


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Ice Melt Controllers
Ice Melt Controllers
We could write a book about ice melt controllers but you wouldn't want to read it … and we're continually searching for new ice melt controllers that are more energy efficient, while giving us more operational flexibility. We're super excited about a new controller we're working with, that will allow you to monitor and control your system remotely but we can't tell you when it will be available, so watch for it.
Here are the factors we think are important when selecting your solutions ice melt controller:
- Manual versus automatic control like programmable thermostats.
- Located outdoors or inside your house for ease in monitoring your system.
- Automatic controls turning electricity on and off, based on temperature settings and outdoor temperature.
- Visual displays to make it easy to adjust temperature settings.
- Time delays to minimize surge current, extending the life of your equipment.
- Ability to sense not only air temperature, but also existence of snow and ice, and the temperature of the panels.
- Proprietary software to maximize energy efficiency and operations.
Ice Melt Cables
At the heart of the ice melt solution is the IceBlaster heat cable shown here, and you can see that we use a whole lot of it. Depending on the solution you pick, you will have one (single) or two (double) cables running the length of all your ice melt panels, along with your gutters and downspouts.
In fact the gutters and downspouts play a key role in hiding these cables as they descend from your roof, to the ground where they can be connected to an exterior outlet (economy solution), an exterior controller (standard solution) or an inside controller (premium and prime plus controllers).
Note: A ground fault connector is required for all hardwire heat cable systems. This is an industry standard regulated by the National Electrical Code (NEC). For our economy solution, we include a GF connection (shown below right) but for other solutions, we leave the choice to local electricians more familiar with your home's current wiring and local building practices.


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Things that are lame:
1. Ryan Kesler and Zach Parise are no longer on our team.
2. Olympic hockey is gone for four years.
3. My ankle is sprained.
4. I wrote an entire huge long post about how the Sabres need a backup goalie (complete with STATS! I looked up NUMBERS, you guys) only to scrap the whole thing because I realized that I wasn't even buying my argument. (Statbits are inherently fishy if you ask me.) I still think that Crunchy needs some good rest before the playoffs, but I couldn't prove it with numbers, so now I'm just all lost and confused about the whole thing.
5. DARN! I forgot to put the chili in the crockpot! I KNEW there was something I was supposed to be doing this morning.
Things that are awesome:
1. The S-A-B-R-E-S are back!
2. Paul Gaustad and Thomas Vanek are on our team. (I know! I'm just as surprised to see Vanek on the "awesome" list as you are!)
3. Lindy Ruff is on our team again. Sometimes in Buffalo it feels like you have to choose to be a "Lindy Ruff never deserves criticism EVER" person or a swirly-eyed, frothing at the mouth "LINDYRUFFSHOULDBEFIRED" person, but I reject this notion. I love Lindy AND I criticism him. It's called "middle ground", and it's awesome.
My main point about Lindy today is that it didn't feel particularly good to see him on the other side of the ice. I'm looking forward to getting him back. Ryan Miller and Lindy Ruff belong together, not apart.
4. I'm really really looking forward to Lindy's comments about the Olympics, and Miller's play in particular. I'm sure he'll have some good stuff.
5. Lindy claimed that he came away from the Olympic camps this summer all calm and reinvigorated, with a new, fresh approach to coaching. If the camps made him feel all inspired, imagine what winning a gold medal did for him. Not to steal Darcy's trademark line, but getting an invigorated and refreshed Lindy Ruff back in the locker room might be the same as making a big trade. (Heh.)
6. TRADE DEADLINE DAY IS TOMORROW! There are those who take a "This is how it is, this is how it's always been, this is how it always will be" approach to the trade deadline, and I certainly can't argue with that logic. But, if you can't daydream about trading Clarke MacArthur for Rick Nash in the 24 hours before the trade deadline, when CAN you dream about such things? The trade deadline is fun, I say! (That said, this IS how it is, this IS how it's always been, and this IS how it will always be. Darcy's got his method and there's not a damn thing anyone can do about it. I just try not to get too cranky when the thing I knew was going to happen, happens.)
7. The fellas over at The Goose's Roost have organized a gigantic Sabres blogger Cover-It-Live-athon, and we here at TWC will be participating. I'm lifting the Willful Caboose ban on that big old clicking, scrolling chatty-box thing, and we're going to talk Rick Nash for Clarke MacArthur ALL DAY LONG. So, tune in here (or to any other Sabres blog) to get in on the chatter.
8. The Olympics really left me feeling like the Sabres should go for it this season. Is Ryan Miller having the season of a lifetime? If he did that for Team USA, can he do it for the Sabres?
9. Seriously though. How awesome is it that Ryan Miller is a Buffalo Sabre?
10. The chili probably doesn't need the entire day to cook.


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Oil Lower on Firm USD
NEW YORK (DTN) -- New York Mercantile Exchange oil futures retreated across the board at the start of regular trade for the next trade week, pressured lower Monday morning by a strong dollar and easing worries about supply outages that boosted the futures complex in recent weeks.
At 9:00 AM ET, NYMEX July WTI crude futures fell by 80cts to $47.61 bbl while the July Brent crude contract on the IntercontinentalExchange dropped 78cts to $47.94 bbl after inside trade. NYMEX June ULSD futures eased 0.78cts to $1.4822 gallon while June RBOB futures slipped 0.90cts to $1.6266 gallon.
On Wall Street, equities were lower while the dollar remained near a seven-week high posted Monday, with a firmer dollar considered bearish for oil futures.
The dollar gained on expectations the Federal Reserve would raise interest rates at its next policy meeting on June 15 as well as on discord between finance ministers from seven most industrialized nations.
The expectation for a rate hike intensified by hawkish comments from James Bullard, president of the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, who said this morning that there were more fundamentals factors supporting a rate hike than for holding rates steady.
Bullard is a voting member of the Federal Open Market Committee, the rate-setting unit of the central bank, so his comments are important than recent opinions by a number of regional Fed officials.
The heads of regional Fed banks in New York, Boston, Atlanta, Richmond and Kansas City have all said they would like to see rate increases of two to four this year.
Also, the minutes of April FOMC meeting released last week showed most of the policymakers were ready to raise rates in June if the economy continues to improve, and since then new data have shown inflation moving back to the 2% targeted by the central bank. Bullard said today that the tight labor market will put upward pressure on inflation going forward.
Meantime, differences emerged on Saturday between the United States and Japan over intervention to stem a recent rise in the yen. Japan wants to ensure the yen doesn't rise since that would hamper its exports growth, while the U.S. also doesn't want the dollar to get too strong because that would American economy.
On supply, the Energy Information Administration last week reported an unexpected increase of 1.3 million bbl for U.S. commercial crude stockpiles to 541.3 million bbl for the week-ended May 13, 12.3% higher than a year ago.
Elsewhere, the wildfires that ravaged Canada's energy heartland of Fort McMurray have been contained with the help of accommodating weather. Canadian officials lifted mandatory evacuation orders on Suncor Energy Inc. and Syncrude Ltd after rain and cold weather helped dampen the flames.
Suncor said over the weekend that a limited number of staff would be back at some of its facilities today to restart production in phases over the next few weeks. Output of 1 million bpd disrupted since May 1 will be gradually brought back on line, the company added.
In Libya, oil cargo loading resumed at the port of Marsa el-Hariga late last week after security issues and disagreements between rival leaders of state oil company caused a three-week hiatus.
Oil traders are also looking forward to the June 2 biannual summit in Vienna of the Organization of petroleum Exporting Countries. Ahead of that meeting, Iran today reaffirmed its intention not to cut or freeze its production, a position that suggests the June OPEC meeting may not act to limit supply.
OPEC members Saudi Arabia, Iraq and non-OPEC producer Russia are expected to increase their respective crude oil output.
From a technical standpoint, the oil futures complex remains on a short term upside trend. NYMEX WTI crude's secondary uptrend continues to strengthen with the spot-month contract posting a new 4-week high of $48.95 bbl last week. Secondary resistance remains at $48.63 while major resistance is up at $59.96, according to DTN analyst Darin Newsom.
George Orwel can be reached at firstname.lastname@example.com
© Copyright 2016 DTN/The Progressive Farmer. All rights reserved.


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Home diva Martha Stewart testified in court on Tuesday that she did nothing wrong when she signed an agreement to open shops within most of J.C. Penney's stores.
Stewart testified in New York state court in a trial over whether the company she founded breached its contract to sell cookware, bedding and other items exclusively at Macy's when she inked the deal with Penney.
Stewart, who founded Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc., denied Macy's allegations that she did anything unethical and said she was only looking to expand her brand. In fact, Stewart said it's Macy's didn't uphold its end of the agreement to try to maximize the potential of her business.
Business News
"We were disappointed," Stewart testified. "We did have hopes that the business would be much bigger."
Macy's sued the media and merchandising company Stewart founded for breaching an exclusive contract when she signed a deal with Penney in December 2011 to open shops at most of its stores this spring.
Macy's, which has sold Martha Stewart products including towels and pots since 2007, is trying to block Penney from selling those products.
Disloyalty and Greed
The trial is clearly more than a vanilla contract dispute. It's a courtroom drama that's unfolding about disloyalty and greed.
Testimony has portrayed Stewart as someone who turned her back on her good friend and Macy's CEO Terry Lundgren so she could enrich her company.
Such allegations only reinforce her reputation as a ruthless businesswoman and could hurt her brand and her image, brand experts say. The allegations come when the business is struggling to fatten merchandising revenue as it tries to offset declines in its broadcast and publishing divisions.
"On the one hand, you have two retailers fighting over the brand. That could breathe life into the brand," said Michael Stone, president of The Beanstalk Group, a global brand licensing agency. The danger? "Consumers may get weary of her, and they're going to believe she only thinks of herself. She doesn't care about her friends."
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia Inc. just finished its fifth straight year of losses and has suffered a string of annual revenue declines. In the latest year ended Dec. 31, the company had revenue of $197.6 million, down nearly 11 percent from the previous year's $221.4 million.
Losses widened to $56 million from $15.5 million the year before.
The company's shares are now trading around $2.50, down more than 90 percent from $36 in February 2005. That was when Martha Stewart was finishing up her five-month prison sentence and investors pushed up the stock.
Martha Stewart Living Omnimedia's publishing and TV business had taken a big hit when Stewart was convicted in March 2004 of lying to prosecutors about a stock sale. After Stewart's release, business began to recover as advertisers who had fled returned.
But in the past few years, Martha Stewart Living has been grappling with a consumer shift to the Web and mobile devices to get the latest recipes and other food tips.
Last November, the company announced that it would downsize its magazines and cut publishing jobs to focus on online video and other digital content.
Martha Stewart Living has been trying to bolster its merchandising business, which totaled $57.5 million in the latest year, nearly 30 percent of the company's revenue. The company has a collection of paints and cabinets sold at Home Depot and teamed up with pet supply chain Petco for a line of bowls, collars, toys and clothes for pets.
Still, Beanstalk's Stone said the big opportunities for Martha Stewart are in the home category as the housing recovery gains momentum and consumers look to plow money into their homes.
That's why the stakes are so high for Macy's and Penney.
Macy's Big Deal
Macy's Lundgren said his company had built the Martha Stewart brand to be the biggest in the home business. That's a big feat considering the brand was reeling over Stewart's personal legal issues and had been cheapened by its partnership with Kmart when it signed the Macy's deal in 2006. Kmart's licensing deal ended in 2009.
Sales for the Martha Stewart brand at Macy's rose 8 percent last year, double the sales increase for the entire company. Lundgren said that while home items don't sell as quickly, they bring different types of shoppers into stores.
"I need the Martha Stewart business to be exclusive," Lundgren testified last week. "I don't have a substitute."
In the last few days of the trial, it became clear how much Penney's CEO Ron Johnson was out to woo Stewart, even initially proposing a deal that would include a personal licensing fee for Stewart herself equal to 2 percent of revenue.
Penney ended up investing $38.5 million for a nearly 17 percent stake in Martha Stewart Living. The media company is expected to receive more than $200 million over the 10-year deal.
Penney, based in Plano, Texas, is in the middle of a turnaround plan that's faltering. The company has reported big losses and sales declines for four straight quarters since it started a strategy to get rid of most of its sales in favor of everyday low prices last year.
Penney, which started to roll out mini-shops tied to popular brands in its stores last fall, has been counting on a reinvented home area to attract shoppers. It had planned to use the Martha Stewart brand as the anchor.
Last July, Macy's won a preliminary injunction against Martha Stewart Living that would prevent it from selling housewares and other exclusive products at Penney. In August, the judge granted permission for Penney to open Martha Stewart shops as long as the items under the exclusive contract with Macy's are not sold in them.
Penney said it plans to sell products that are part of Macy's exclusive agreement in May. The goods will be branded "JCP Everyday," a new brand reserved for the Martha Stewart's merchandise.
Penney also plans to sell products like curtains and stationery that are not a part of the exclusive Macy's contract under the label "Martha."
As for Lundgren and Stewart, he considers their friendship over. During the testimony last week, Lundgren described how he hung up on Stewart after she informed him on Dec. 6, 2011, that she brokered a deal with Penney. She said an expanded partnership would only be good for Macy's. He hasn't spoken to her since. He even appeared choked up at times.
"I was completely shocked and blown away," he testified last week. "It was so far from anything I could imagine."


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Ecofin launches global oil & gas fund
Ecofin Limited, an investment management firm specialising in the global utility, infrastructure, energy and alternative energy sectors, launched the Ecofin Global Oil & Gas Fund. This Cayman registered fund employs a long/short equity strategy, close to market-neutral. It offers monthly liquidity and launched with USD32m of AUM.
The Ecofin Global Oil & Gas Fund (the Fund) invests mostly in the mid to large cap equities of super majors, integrated companies, exploration and production companies, refiners and service companies, on a global basis. This investment universe is comprised of more than 1,200 names throughout the world and accounts for circa 30% of global equity market indices.
The Fund's stock selection is driven by the fundamental analysis of features such as access to resources, capital intensity or mid-cycle returns. Supporting this strategy is Ecofin's 19 years of experience as a leading global utility and energy sector specialist, enabling it to capitalise on the information arbitrage along the energy value chain. Furthermore, with over 23-years of oil and gas sector expertise the Fund's investment team is well positioned to capture the remarkable high dispersion of returns in this universe of companies.
The portfolio construction of the Fund is designed to maximise risk adjusted returns with low correlation to both the oil and gas sector and the energy commodity prices.
Bernard Lambilliotte (pictured), Ecofin's Chief Investment Officer, says: "This oil & gas long/short strategy has been a very successful part of some of Ecofin's other hedge funds for quite some time. We believe the remarkable market opportunities currently in this space will continue to be there for many years to come, which is precisely why we are now launching this strategy on a stand-alone basis".
Daniel Lacalle, portfolio manager for the Fund, says: "We are convinced oil & gas companies will continue to engage in divergent strategic approaches to meeting the energy challenges of the world. By cross-referencing these choices with Ecofin's analysis of the other actors in the global energy value chain, we believe we can seek out and capitalise on an information arbitrage which we expect to translate into superior returns for our investors".


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"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace."
Isaiah 9:6
This weekend I enjoyed having a little extra time to let Christmas happen in my heart. To reflect on this year and prepare for the one to come. To be thankful for family, friends, and the tiny babe born on this day so long ago.
I wanted to say a special thank you to you, as well. Thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing here. It means more to me than you'll ever know! I wish so many blessings upon you and yours this season (and beyond).
Look for a few posts later this week!
Much love,
P.S. Don't you love that photo? See more of the session here (all photos by Joy Prouty)


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We provide work in a timely, safe and efficient manner.
Founded in 2010 and since then ESI Rail Ltd.'s growth has doubled every year.
Our new headquarters in Winnipeg, MB, is now centered to better support railroads across Canada.
ESI Rail Ltd. combines a safety first mentality and a professional work ethic ensuring that all projects are done in an effective and timely manner.


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Make yourself at home.
Grab a hot cup (or cold bottle) of your favorite beverage and take a look around.
This October 28 wil mark the 41st anniversary of the end of the Cuban missile crisis.
The world breathed a collective sigh of relief after two superpowers headed off a potential nuclear confrontation.
President John F. Kennedy was praised for his diplomatic skills in averting a nuclear war.
I am very much afraid that our current President has no such diplomatic skill...and this is a far more dangerous time in which we live.
In 1962, the two superpowers found a new appreciation of the danger of nuclear weapons, which led to arms-control accords.
We are now a lone superpower.
We have a President who is not interested in honoring or creating accords.
He seems to have no knowlege or remembrance of the reasons we entered those accords.
We have a President who makes unsophisticated and one-sided demands of his allies as well as his enemies.
If we continue on this path...with this leader unwilling to employ respectful diplomacy...the animosity toward our nation and the people of our nation will be so strong that we will eventually be weakened and/or pulled down to an ugly and unrecognizable version of what was once a great and influential member of an international community.
While I'm away, consider the words of James G. Blight and Philip Brenner one year ago in their article entitled
"Cuban Missile Crisis: The Lessons for Iraq"
Think about all that has occurred this past year...and what we might be saying one year from today.
Take Care,
"...So one lesson we can learn by looking at Cuba's experience during the 1962 missile crisis is that our approach to weaker powers is fraught with danger and is not likely to achieve the results we seek. The United States tends to expect a weaker power will cower when the superpower roars, but in fact American efforts to intimidate are more likely to produce the opposite effect. Intimidation emboldens the small power, and however irrational the resulting behavior may seem to us, a weaker power may resort to unimaginable acts as a last line of defense. The Central Intelligence Agency recently came to the same conclusion in its assessment that Saddam Hussein would become "much less constrained" if faced with an attack led by the United States.
Ultimately, what Cuba demanded from the United States in 1962 is the same attitude that American allies have been furiously urging the United States to adopt in general and toward Iraq in particular: that the lone superpower act like a "normal" country and accord others the same rights to survival and sovereignty that the United States demands for itself. The allies have implored the United States to engage Iraq diplomatically and to rely on the United Nations and established international legal principles, which recognize that all nations -- great and small powers alike -- should be treated equally.
Is Iraq "another Cuba"? Not exactly. There are many differences between the two cases. But we believe a key similarity between them has received too little attention from those advocating pre-emptive action against Baghdad. It is this: The inability (or unwillingness) of the United States to empathize with those who feel the threat of annihilation -- people who may be willing to fight to the last man, woman, and child and even to use unthinkable weapons -- increases the likelihood that such weapons will be used, with all the horror and uncertainty that would follow.
We now know that the hawks advising Kennedy in October 1962 were dead wrong to recommend attacking Cuba with what they (mistakenly) believed would be an "acceptable" cost and risk. Might those advocating a pre-emptive strike on Iraq also be wrong in their assessment of the likely consequences?
Based on our reading of Cuba's mind-set 40 years ago, we believe it is worth considering that the hawks might also be wrong about Saddam Hussein and Iraq today. It just may be that the events of October 1962 constitute, if not a crisis for all seasons, at least a cautionary tale with disturbing relevance to the season that is upon us."


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IAVA | April 13, 2017
IAVA Daily News Brief – April 13, 2017
Today's Top Stories
"The ongoing inventory practices at the medical center are placing patients at unnecessary risk," VA Inspector General Mike Missal wrote in an interim investigation report released Wednesday. "We are particularly concerned that the (facility and regional leaders) have been slow to remediate these serious deficiencies." | Military Times >>
Of equal or greater concern is how the freeze impacts the Veterans Administration. Federal agencies typically lose about 10% of their employees per year. Six weeks after the executive order, VA Secretary David Shulkin ordered that jobs tied to processing veterans' benefits claims wouldn't be included in the freeze. While that sounds reassuring, it doesn't cover the positions empty because of attrition. From 45,000 job vacancies at the VA, when you subtract the jobs not affected by the freeze, you're still short 8,000 employees. | The Huffington Post >>
President Trump's pick to lead the agency, VA Secretary David Shulkin, is unveiling a new web site that reveals for the first time exactly how care at VA hospitals compares with nearby private-sector hospitals and national averages. The site has data for roughly 20 hospitals but more will be added soon, the VA says. The site that went live Wednesday, accesstocare.va.gov, also shows if veterans are satisfied with wait times at every hospital and clinic across the country and how long they are actually waiting on average. | USA Today >>
Iraq and Afghanistan
"By 2020 our security forces will be able to have what they need to carry on the fight on their own for the most part," Hamdullah Mohib told the USA TODAY editorial board. "We're not talking about creating a new military," Mohib said. "What we're talking about is adjusting what we already have." | USA Today >>
"They (the Iraqi health ministry) have promised to provide us with shelves to increase the capacity," said the doctor. Until recently, the only place in the province authorized to issue death certificates was the department of forensic medicine in west Mosul, which remains under Islamic State control. | Reuters >>
One of the toughest parts of the U.S. war in Afghanistan took place in Helmand province. More Marines died there than in any other part of the country. Now some of those Marines are going back. Three hundred will deploy to Helmand province by the end of the month. This comes after the Taliban recaptured a strategic district in Helmand just a couple weeks ago. Marine Corps Brigadier General Roger Turner is leading this mission. I asked him to describe the kind of fight his forces will face. | NPR >>
Military Affairs
"That's where we came short," Bernard, a Marine Corps reservist, said on Tuesday. She said she thought all the hard work and contributions by female Marines would put the issue to rest. But recent allegations that Marines shared nude photos of female troops, veterans and civilians on the Marines United Facebook page, and even made rape and death threats against some of those women, prompted Bernard to do more, she said. | Marine Corps Times >>
In response to the "growing" drug problem, Capt. Milton "Jamie" Sands, the commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group Two in Virginia Beach, halted all training and held a mandatory all-hands meeting in December, CBS New reported. | Task and Purpose >>
The blast happened at the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant in Independence, just east of Kansas City. Army officials said the explosion occurred in a building where chemicals are mixed and that it has been secured and rendered safe, allowing investigators to begin looking into what caused the blast. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives will lead the investigation. | Army Times >>
Tony Swett is a U.S. Army veteran who contemplated suicide. He even attempted it. He believes it's by the "grace of God" he's still here and that Cooper, his service dog, is helping him fight a new battle. Swett suffers from post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after serving four tours of duty, including "boots on the ground" in Afghanistan. | Greenville Online >>
Iraq War veteran and two-time Paralympian Melissa Stockwell will be guest speaker for the Northeast Indiana Base Community Council luncheon at 11:30 a.m. April 19 at Turnstone, 3320 N. Clinton St. Registration begins at 11 a.m. Stockwell was age 24 when she lost her left leg to a roadside bomb explosion in 2004 while serving with the U.S. Army in Iraq, a news release said. A former athlete, she eventually returned to sports after rehabilitation and being fitted with a prosthetic leg. | News-Sentinel >>
A wave of cheers, gratitude and inspiration rolled into Killeen and Fort Hood as more than 100 wounded veterans and supporters rode into town last week as part of a more than 500-mile bike ride that started in San Antonio on April 3 and ended in Houston on Saturday. | Killeen Daily Herald >>


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We Need Help.
Posted 17 January 2017 - 05:21 AM
I'm a female high school student from Australia, I've never really had an experience that I can't explain with science so this completely shocked me. The story started when a few friends of mine claimed they were speaking to a ghost in one of the school's classrooms, they invited me and another friend, who I'll call Kayla, to join them at lunch. Both of us being skeptics we accepted and joined them, we messed around in the classroom for a few minutes, drawing stuff on the board and just talking. Kayla and some others jokingly drew pentagrams and "Hail Satan" but it was erased shortly after.
We eventually wrote 1 for yes 2 for no (Could possibly be the other way around, it was over a month ago) we asked stupid questions like "Did you go to this school?" and "how old are you?" but after realizing that there were two new people in the room, I asked 'Are y ou okay with Kayla and I being here?" to which we got yes.
We kept asking questions until we noticed things moving around, like some wooden owls that kept turning to face Kayla, we thought it was just our friends quickly tapping behind them and moving the things while we weren't looking, around halfway through lunch while Kayla was eating she fell off the desk she was sitting on. Even though I didn't see it everyone else says they saw an eraser fall off after her. Kayla started getting scared now, she said that she felt like something got her foot and dragged her. the writing on the board started fading and the owls kept moving. We decided to turn them all so they were facing a corner and moved to different parts of the room. I asked "Who are you angry at?" hoping that there would be a tap behind the person. Instead, Kayla started choking and coughing a minute or two after, we thought she choked on her food so we helped her, but she said "No I'm being choked." and we freaked out, but being completely stupid, we stayed in the room after Kayla stopped choking, I guess we were curious.
Around this time, one of my other friends who can apparently speak with spirits and feel their presence (I'll call her Cassidy) went quiet and sat down, this part I believe to be acting as it was completely extreme and I personally don't find possession to be plausible. But she started throwing things at us, twisting her hands and talking in a deep voice, again, I don't believe this but I'm not an expert. She also claims to have heard someone say that the original group was in the wrong room and brought more people, and that they were angry for that.
Kayla kept getting worse and we erased everything from the board and wrote apologies, and kept repeating these apologies but nothing worked, we left the room shortly after and took Kayla to the nurse and she was taken to the hospital her mother works at. We picked flowers and left them on the doors of the rooms and apologized yet again and continued our day as normal.
I felt a pressure on my chest for the rest of the day and I was nauseous, light headed and just generally feeling horrible. I took my dog for a walk anyway, the route I took involves an empty field with a man made lake in it, I sat down by this lake as I was feeling sick, when I got home I found a photo in my camera roll that was taken at 7:43pm, around the time I was walking my dog. It looked like it was centimetres away from the ground at the lake, all I could see was blurred gravel.
Either the day after or the day after that, I called Kayla to see how she was doing, she said that once she got to the hospital she just slept for a few hours and she was fine, she could walk, talk, and wasn't in pain at all. A few days while at her house she said she heard scratching from inside the storage room connected to her room. I looked inside and there was no way a small animal could get in or out and all the mice and rats had been exterminated just before that.
This other event was a week or so after the classroom incident, I had been left home alone, with no one but the dogs and my sleeping brother, who is an extremely quiet sleeper, I heard banging and with my mind taken off the incident I assumed it was an intruder waiting for my parents to leave the house. I grabbed my phone and a kitchen knife and looked around the house while filming in case anything happened, my breathing was heavy so you couldn't hear much except for a few bangs, halfway through the video a high pitched wailing noise can be heard, I heard nothing while I was looking around the house. Towards the end, while I enter the kitchen, a really loud static sound can be heard, it almost drowned out my heavy breathing. I also heard nothing while filming. My parents arrived home a few minutes after I stopped filming, I still heard the noises that night but they were quieter.
There were few incidents after that, a few minor scratches on my arms and legs, until another one of my friends who was in the classroom, said her little brother was choking and coughing like Kayla was. Around that time, about a day in advance, while leaving the house it slammed behind me, I was leaving the house empty so I locked all doors, leaving no way for wind to get in and slam the door as I left.
It all calmed down for a while but now it's picking up again, I think it may be due to school starting again soon, the other day I saw someone walk past my window, I looked outside and no one was there, and it was broad daylight, so nobody could be hiding. My phone went mental, turning itself on and off, opening random apps, it said the camera was on. And tonight everything just went nuts. I was talking to my friends and my ipod touch, that was sitting on the floor, started playing creepy music, the lyrics went "Ding dong I know you can hear me, open the door." I had heard the song before, but it hasn't been recommended to me for weeks. I looked at it and opened from the mail app, it had the little "return to mail" at the top of the screen, I went back and it took me to a minecraft video I had opened for my little brother. It was a tab that I hadn't opened in months.
I told my friends about it and they gave the usual response to experiences, just a simple "what the heck?" I also admitted that I was having dreams every night where I was either killed, chased, kidnapped, watched, or trapped somewhere. Kayla also said that she was having similar dreams and wasn't sleeping well because of it. As the night went on Kayla reported weird things, like a photo showing up in her camera roll, it was pitch black with two red dots, almost like eyes. And her phone going mental like mine did a few weeks ago, someone touching her leg, and music turning to static. while this was happening I started noticing scratches on my arms and legs, my right arm was the worst, there were three almost parallel lines that broke the skin down my arm. I also feel sick, much like the day of the classroom incident and I have a feeling of being watched.
Now some things may not be how it really happened, I'm tired and scared and I can't remember everything and put them all in order. But we need help, it's getting worse and we don't know what to do. I'm an atheist and mostly a skeptic but I'm willing to try praying or doing religious methods if anyone will think it will help. I'll even be fine with just an explanation on what this spirit is or a scientific explanation to what's happening. And I'd like to thank you for taking an interest in our experience and reading this far, I hope you can help.
Posted 17 January 2017 - 07:10 AM
I will start off, I am also from Australia. You will find most people are sleeping and they will be along shortly to add their advice.
You really need to think before you partake in any exercises like you have been involved in so far. It could really open you to things you can't handle regardless of your beliefs.
It could be one of two things, you asked for something to come and join the group and it has or a group of people whether playing around can influence each other's thoughts into believing something did occur. A good example of this is the infamous Philip Experiment.
There are very good topics on the boards about protecting yourself and since you feel things are escalating it would be worth doing. The best protection and a slap in any entities face is to remain positive and optimistic; not putting your energy into picking and taking it flowers to apologise.
Your dreams might be due to the anxiety of what you are feeling and nothing more, don't give yourself permission to feel negative.
I would also suggest documenting what you are experiencing so you have an accurate timeline. As you said yourself the details might not be in chronological order or even how they happened.
Posted 17 January 2017 - 07:32 AM
Posted 17 January 2017 - 08:49 AM
Can you possibly include links to the other sites or forums where you also posted concerning your recent events?
It would help collaborate your story and rule out what hasn't been working for you. If you could supply those links it would be really helpful.
Klainey was right, "The best protection and a slap in any entities face is to remain positive and optimistic." You will actually gain power by doing that, so please do so no matter what and don't cave to despair. When you're weak and frightened, start smiling to yourself and know everything will be fine. And know it because it's true. Believe it, no matter how hard it might be at times. You have to out "will" it until it gives up. And when you have mastered this, share with the others involved.
And yes, pray like there's no tomorrow.... don't stop praying! .....give into the possibility that there might actually be a God and he's there to help. And he is!
Posted 17 January 2017 - 03:07 PM
Posted 17 January 2017 - 04:17 PM
Posted 17 January 2017 - 06:45 PM
Posted 17 January 2017 - 07:26 PM
Posted 17 January 2017 - 07:38 PM
It's very simple, get hold of a piece of Black Tourmaline and keep it nearby where you sleep.
Posted 17 January 2017 - 10:59 PM
Posted 17 January 2017 - 11:30 PM
i think the main point i want to make right now is stay positive, and stay calm. You're in control. If you haven't tried it before, I'd recommend trying some meditation techniques before you head to bed, to feel centred and also to relax. There's a lot of anxiety associated with the experiences you're having whilst you sleep - and it can be a self fulfilling prophecy. You expect a restless night, therefore you have a restless night.
I'd recommend chamomile tea as well.
I don't think you need someone to tell you this but just in case - I'd stop any methods of communication. And a lot of our community members have had a lot of success with black tourmaline.
A question we routinely ask on here is about your health. are you well? Have you been to the docs lately? A lot of symptoms can be considered attributable to paranormal events when in fact there are medical reasons behind them. It's always a good idea to get yourself checked out to eliminate natural causes to some of the things you're experiencing.
Posted 19 January 2017 - 03:56 PM
Posted 20 January 2017 - 09:35 PM
Posted 21 January 2017 - 12:02 PM
earthlydelites, on 17 January 2017 - 11:30 PM, said:
I think the main point i want to make right now is stay positive, and stay calm. You're in control. If you haven't tried it before, I'd recommend trying some meditation techniques before you head to bed, to feel centered and also to relax. There's a lot of anxiety associated with the experiences you're having whilst you sleep - and it can be a self fulfilling prophecy. You expect a restless night, therefore you have a restless night.
I'd recommend chamomile tea as well.
I don't think you need someone to tell you this but just in case - I'd stop any methods of communication. And a lot of our community members have had a lot of success with black tourmaline.
A question we routinely ask on here is about your health. are you well? Have you been to the docs lately? A lot of symptoms can be considered attributable to paranormal events when in fact there are medical reasons behind them. It's always a good idea to get yourself checked out to eliminate natural causes to some of the things you're experiencing.
EarthlyDelites... all such good advice!
Posted 21 January 2017 - 07:30 PM
Jim@GhostStudy, on 21 January 2017 - 12:02 PM, said:
Thank you Jim!
Posted 21 January 2017 - 07:57 PM
earthlydelites, on 21 January 2017 - 07:30 PM, said:
I even went out and bought Chamomile tea bags today! I figured I should try it so that I can start recommending it too!


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And the Winners Will Be…
By Frederick H. Lowe
"Fences," "Hidden Figures" and "Moonlight," three films in which blacks play leading roles, not background characters who are seen but not heard, have been nominated for best picture, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, which hands out the coveted Oscar, announced today.
"Fences" is based on August Wilson's play of the same title in which Denzel Washington character plays a Pittsburgh garbage collector who has given up on his dream of becoming a Major League Baseball player. In his home's backyard is a baseball tied to rope that he hits hard from time to time with a bat.
"Hidden Figures" follows the true, but untold story of black women mathematicians who wrote calculations for NASA to launch white male astronauts into space and to safely bring them back to Earth. It was the No. 1 movie in America for three consecutive weeks.
"Moonlight," which has been called this year's best movie by a number of film critics, is a coming of age story about a black boy growing up with a crack-addicted mother who in a strange twist of fate finds fatherly love and kindness from his mother's drug dealer and the dealer's girlfriend.
Washington was nominated for best actor for his role in "Fences." He also was nominated for best picture for his role in the production of "Fences."
Ruth Negga was nominated for the best actress in a leading role for "Loving," a film about a U.S. Supreme Court decision that overturned laws that prohibited blacks from legally marrying whites.
Three black women were nominated for best supporting actress.They are Viola Davis for Fences, Naomie Harris for "Moonlight" and Octavia Spencer for "Hidden Figures."
Mahershala Ali was nominated for best supporting actor for his portrayal of Juan, a drug dealer, in "Moonlight."
Overall, black actors and actresses received a record six nominations.
Barry Jenkins was nominated for best director for "Moonlight" and he also was nominated for best screenplay for "Moonlight."
August Wilson, who died in 2005, received a postumus nomination for adapted screenplay for "Fences." Allison Schroeder and Theodore Melfi also were nominated for the best adapted screenplay for "Hidden Figures." Jenkins and Tarell Alvin McCraney were nominated for best screenplay, and James Laxton was nominated for best cinematography for "Moonlight."
"O.J.: Made in America" by Ezra Edelman and Caroline Waterlow and "13th" by Ava DuVernay, Spencer Averick and Howard Barish, were nominated for best documentary feature. The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution abolished slavery except as punishment for a crime.
Nat Sanders and Joi McMillon were nominated for best film editing for "Moonlight." Nicholas Britell was nominated for original musical score for "Moonlight." Black filmmaker Bradford Young received an Oscar nomination in cinematography for the "Arrival."
Most if not all of the nominees will face stiff competition from the musical "La La Land," which received 14 nominations the most since "Titantic" and "All About Eve." In addition, many of the black actresses are competing against each other.
The 89th Academy Awards will be held Sunday, Feb. 26th in Hollywood. Films released in 2016 will be honored. ABC will broadcast live the awards ceremony, and comedian Jimmy Kimmel is on tap to host the event.


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Cabrillo Stage's summer season opens with flashy, yet heartfelt 'La Cage Aux Folles'
La Cage Aux Folles" debuted as a French play in 1973, was made into a film in 1978, and was adapted into a musical in the U.S. in 1983. In 1997, it was reproduced as a comedy film—sans the music—titled The Birdcage, starring Robin Williams, Nathan Lane and Gene Hackman. And on July 12, local audiences will have an opportunity to see the play re-imagined once again, this time by Cabrillo Stage.
The musical, which runs through Aug. 11, tells the story of Albin and Georges, a gay couple, who have been together for more than 20 years. Set in France, their lives center around the Saint-Tropez nightclub that Georges owns and operates and where Albin performs as the main attraction: his drag queen alter-ego, Zaza. Troubles arise when Georges' son, Jean-Michel (the product of a long-past one-night stand), comes home to announce that he is engaged. Jean-Michel's fiancée has extremely conservative parents—with a political agenda pointedly against drag clubs—who want to meet their daughter's future in-laws.
"The play follows how this family goes about making those two worlds meet," explains director/choreographer Janie Scott. "It's essentially a story about the commitment of family. Whether it's two people who stay together through thick and thin, the love for children, or accepting people for who they are and how people take a stance around that."
Because of its portrayal of the struggles and triumphs of a gay couple, "La Cage Aux Folles" makes plain statements about equality for the LGBTQI community. Jon Nordgren, producing artistic director and orchestra conductor for Cabrillo Stage, sees the production as "ripped from the headlines."
"One of the main dialogues going through America today is about gay marriage," Nordgren says. "This play is just a reminder that two people can have a wonderful lifetime relationship as a couple that is really no different between two men, or a man and a woman, or two women."
While "La Cage Aux Folles" is as timely as ever for LGBT communities and allies of the Supreme Court's recent decisions to strike down the Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) and overturn Prop 8, the play's thematic resonance goes far deeper than its political implications.
"I don't think ['La Cage Aux Folles'] is preachy; the show itself does not talk about legal issues in any way, shape, or form," reflects Scott. "That isn't really what its purpose is. It's very much like other plays and musicals presenting a family story and the challenges they face—and how they aren't different from you or I at all."
For Equity actor Tony Panighetti, preparing to play the role of Albin has been a lesson in "being happy with who you are"—a message he believes is applicable to anyone. The challenges of playing Albin go far beyond performing in high heels, dresses and wigs, as Panighetti is juggling two personas.
"While Albin is fragile, neurotic, and emotionally sensitive, Zaza is the engaging star performer who goes on stage and takes the spotlight," reflects Panighetti. "There is a good portion of the rehearsal process that is all about harmonizing the transformation between the two sides, while still telling the story of Albin as Georges' significant other."
That balancing act is reflected in the large variety of costumes and choreography that the cast has to navigate—from tap dancing, to the can-can, to big show-girl, Vegas-style numbers—all while managing the oscillations between the comedic, serious and touching scenes in the play.
The drama is heightened by music performed by a live orchestra. Cabrillo Stage has brought on more than 50 musicians in total to provide the score for its three summer productions: "La Cage Aux Folles," "Oklahoma!" (July 26-Aug. 18) and an encore of "Escaping Queens" (July 25-Aug. 18).
"Hearing a musical as it was originally done [with a live orchestra] defines [Cabrillo Stage]—it's why people love our company so much," says Nordgren. "When you sit in the audience of a show like 'La Cage Aux Folles,' you're going to have 30 actors on stage and 24 musicians in the pit—that's 54 people … you can imagine how much energy that produces."
Scott and the cast hope that audiences will be simultaneously entertained and touched by their rendition of the play.
"I think that having an opportunity to be in this world that is being presented in such a positive way is something not only for an audience to celebrate," Scott notes, "but for my cast to celebrate as well."
'La Cage Aux Folles' runs July 12-Aug. 11 at Cabrillo Stage, 6500 Soquel Drive, Aptos. Tickets are $22-42. For tickets, call 479-6154 or visit cabrillostage.com. Photos: RR Jones


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Ever noticed those people in the gym that are doing some wild combination of instability and strength work—like standing on a BOSU ball or one of those blow-up cushions while performing overhead dumbbell presses as they fight to lift the weight and simultaneously stay balanced? It looks super impressive and challenging, but it's probably not the best tactic for most people.
"I see this stuff and I think, Wow, that's an incredible waste of time," Ryan Campbell, a kinesiologist and training specialist at Anytime Fitness of Southern Wisconsin, tells SELF.
While combining strength training and stability work might seem like a foolproof way to get an efficient workout, the truth is that it actually might end up being less beneficial than if you were to do both strength and balance work on their own.
So before you climb atop a wobble board with some free weights, here's what you need to know about instability training and the best ways to work it into your routine.
Why instability training is so in right now
First thing's first: Let's talk about why instability training is a thing at all. Simply put, it's because whenever you add a degree of instability to an exercise, you increase how hard your aptly named stabilizer muscles have to work to keep you in position. Your stabilizer muscles refer to those that aren't the main ones working in a given exercise, but that still contribute to the exercise by keeping the working joints in proper alignment. They pretty much always include core muscles.
Think of it that way, and it's obvious why people would want to graduate lunges on the gym floor to lunges on a wobble board to theoretically increase the exercise's benefits and functionality. If you can strengthen your legs and your core (even more than with just a regular lunge) in one move, why wouldn't you?
How to add instability training the right way
Instability work is a great thing to incorporate into your training routine. It primarily helps you develop better balance, coordination, and joint stability by both targeting the stabilizer muscles (in your core and the joints involved in the movement) and essentially training your body and brain to better work in sync. This is important for both helping you move throughout everyday life and improving your ability to lift heavier and do more advanced workouts.
And this is where instability devices can shine—if you use them in the right way. But anytime you are stepping onto a very unstable surface like a wobble board or BOSU ball, it's best to stick to bodyweight exercises and focus on developing your balance and those stabilizer muscles—not also trying to build strength.
Rehab work and warm-ups are two things instability devices are particularly useful for, Ted Andrews, C.S.C.S., head of program design at Achieve Fitness, tells SELF. That's because instability devices also help train the body's proprioception—or ability to tell where it is in space and how it is moving. "For someone looking to gain control and awareness of the foot, simply standing on an instability device can give them information about how their foot interacts with the floor," he says.
In this way, performing bodyweight exercises such as squats or lunges with an instability device can help prime your mind-muscle connection and warm up your smaller stabilizer muscles to perform in the workout ahead, he says. Using just your bodyweight is ideal because heavily loading instability exercises can make it harder to maintain form and increase your risk of injury.
Ashley Fluger, C.S.C.S., an exercise physiologist with the Hospital for Special Surgery in NYC, explains that it's this ability to improve proprioception that also makes unstable surfaces useful tools for rehabilitation of lower-body injuries. If you've ever gone to physical therapy after a leg or foot injury, you may have been asked to simply balance on a foam pad, or stand on said pad while tapping one foot out to the side at a time, or doing other various movements. One International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy review shows instability training is a good tactic to use for lower-back as well as shoulder and leg injuries, and some smaller studies even suggest specific benefits like returning quicker to a sport after an ACL tear.
When instability works against you
The problem with instability is that you can't properly load—and thus really strengthen or grow—your major muscles if you're also struggling to stay upright, Fluger says. She explains that even though instability devices increase stabilizer muscle recruitment, that happens alongside a huge reduction in strength and muscle gains of the target muscles—for example, in lunges, the glutes and quads.
In fact, according to research in the Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research, instability usually decreases the amount of force a muscle can produce. That means that when you're on an instability device, you'll end up lifting far less weight than you could if you were on solid ground, hindering your strength and muscle growth.
"When performing any exercise, you have to ask yourself, 'What is the goal of this exercise?' and when adding instability, 'Did I just take away from the exercise's intended goal?'" Campbell says.
As Andrews says, if your intended goal is max strength or muscle gain, you have to train for that goal. Focusing on lifting weights that challenge your strength, and increasing the weight you lift progressively, is imperative for both. Adding a large amount of instability to the mix is only going to slow you down.
How to combine strength and balance without sacrificing results
Some level of instability in strength training can definitely be beneficial and work your muscles in slightly different ways. But you shouldn't be lifting weights while balancing atop a dramatically wobbly device. Rather, you should be performing functional strength moves—like squats, deadlifts, lunges, rows, presses, and carries—and tweaking them ever so slightly to incrementally add more instability (more on exactly how to do so in a minute).
Such ground-based free-weight exercises introduce instability in real-to-life ways, requiring you to coordinate and control your body in all three dimensions, or planes of movement, according to a research review published in Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism. Researchers note that these exercises still allow for relatively high force productions and strength benefits—while training the core more effectively than instability devices do.
When focusing on these compound lifts, making small changes to your set-up, foot stance, and the equipment you use can impact your stability, muscle activation, and ability to move weight, Fluger says. This makes it possible to slightly increase instability as you're ready, and in functional ways, versus the more drastic change that comes from a device.
For example, try a standing dumbbell shoulder press and then a seated dumbbell shoulder press. We're willing to bet that you feel stronger when seated on a nice stable bench; you don't have to stabilize your hips and legs, you can keep your back pressed into the back of the bench throughout the move, and the weights are situated so much closer to your base of support than they are when you're standing. Now, do some shoulder presses on a strength machine. You probably are able to move far more weight than during seated shoulder presses. That's because the machine did all of the stabilization work for you. More stability means you can really hammer your deltoids.
Lastly, switch back to that standing shoulder press, but this time alternate sides instead of pressing both arms up in unison. It probably feels much harder. That's because by working one side at a time, you're changing your base of support, introducing more instability, and increasing how hard your body has to work to keep from tipping over, Fluger says.
When playing with these subtle differences in stability, Campbell explains that, again, the key is first determining the goal of your exercise program's current phase.
For example, when you're first learning a movement pattern, like a row, you might perform it seated at a cable machine. After mastering that, you could progress to a bent-over dumbbell row, having to brace your core and lower body to stay in a stationary bent-over position. Next, you might perform them offloaded, doing all of your reps with one dumbbell and then switching to the other side to increase oblique recruitment. Or, to really zone in on and try to develop your back muscles, you could perform them on an incline bench that stabilizes your core for you and therefore allows you to lift more weight with each rep.
In the end, taking advantage of such variations—and fitting them to where you are in your training program and your exact goals—is what's going to get you where you want to be.
Again, it doesn't mean you can't throw in a few exercises that solely challenge your balance, too. Targeted balance and stability work is really beneficial and can have a place in your routine. But, like we discussed, it's best to keep that work separate from any heavy lifting, sticking to bodyweight moves only when using instability devices and keeping the main goal in mind: building balance and stability, not strength.
In fact, the greatest balance benefits happen when you perform targeted instability exercises alongside exercises intended to increase muscle strength, Andrews says. By incorporating both forms of training into the same routine, but focusing on them separately, you'll benefit more than if you just do one or the other or try to do everything at once.


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News / asia borycka
Jul 10, 2019
Shopping at Aversa in Glendale is't just a pure pleasure.
Avaasi NY Newest Collection takes space at this gorgeous and very special place - AVERSA in Glendale Wisconsin. Our necklaces compliment beautifully this feminine and romantic selection of dresses, tops and pants all in the same color yet different tones. You can get inspired for the entire season here. But the shopping experience it's just so special itself. The service and attention to details are the best!!!
Feb 02, 2018
AVAASI NY Welcomed by AVERSA Upscale boutique in Milwaukee Wisconsin.
In January of 2018 The newest collection of Avaasi NY Jewelry by Asia Borycka has graced showcases of Aversa Boutique in Milwaukee Wisconsin. Store with such a long history in upscale and High Fashion Industry. After 30 years and 300 plus combined years in the fashion industry, Aversa is one of Milwaukee's longest lasting upscale clothiers. Terry's - the founders vision lives on with his children's impeccable service and handpicked selections that deliver quality to the fashion-conscious women.
Feb 01, 2018
Avaasi NY represented by The Lake Forest Shop in Lake Forest Illinois
Avaasi NY new collection has just arrived at the stunning The Lake Forest Shop. You are welcome to stop by. There is a lot of history at that place....yes 95 years on the market in the same place....We are thrilled to be part of it.
Jun 22, 2015
AVAASI Jewelry necklace featured in SO SCOTTSDALE magazine
Avaasi three strand layered best selling necklace was featured in So Scottsdale magazine.
Apr 13, 2015
AVAASI Body Chains Photographed by Robert Beczarski
Photoresult of incredibly talented team: Photographer: @rbeczarski by Robert Beczarski Designer: @julius_lacour by Juju LaCour Hair: @monaeartistry Styling: @nthpowerofone by Pamela Wood - Vintage Vera Wang dress and Italian Cashmiere Sweather Mua: @Iaurenojea LAuren O'Jea Jewelry Designer: @Avaasi by Asia Borycka Model: @kurnosova Elena Kurnosova
Feb 13, 2015
AVAASI NY Body Chains in Tantalum Fashion Magazine
AVAASI NY Body Chains with Swarovski Crystals Featured in Tantalum Fashion Magazine #42 Thank you to the Fantastic Team of FEATURED ARTISTS Photographer: May Lin Le Goff Web: www.maylinlegoff.comInstagram- @legoof Stylist: Karina Sharif Web: www.karinasharif.comInstagram: @karinasharif Make Up Artist: Fatimot Isadare using Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics using: Loose Colour Concentrate in TriptychOCC Tint in R2Lip Tar in MementoWeb: www.fatimotisadare.comInstagram: @fpaigemua Hair Stylist: Michiko Yoshida using Bumble & BumbleWeb: www.michikoyoshida.comInstagram: @michikoyashudy Model: Brie Harding (Major Model Management)Web: http://majormodel.com/Instagram: @majormodelsny Jewelry Designer: Asia BoryckaWeb: www.avaasi.comInstagram: @avaasi
Jan 29, 2015
Love & Friendship AVAASI NY Necklace on SALE for Valentine's Day!!!!
Nov 18, 2014
AVAASI for Charity
On Nov 14th 2014 Avaasi jewelry was a part of an silent auction for Charity Entrade Foundation hosted by Chantal Haquette at Restaurant Z57 at Zwyciezcow 57 Street in Warsaw, Poland. We are happy to share some pictures of the President and Principal Designer of Avaasi NY Asia Borycka with Chantal Haquette the President of Entraide Fundation who won in the silent auction One-Of-A-Kind Avaasi necklace designed especially for the cause. Thank you Chantal and we are thrilled that we could be part of this wonderful venture.
Nov 02, 2014
Avaasi Trunk Show at The Brooklyn Museum, New York
Thank you Everyone for attending this fabulous event! It was truly a blast! Big THANK YOU to all who worked so hard to make this happen especially: Michelle Beshaw, Myriam Schneider and Ruth Flores. The entire Avaasi team is thrilled to be featured in such a prestigious store.
Oct 29, 2014
We are soooo excited to be a part of this great event at the Brooklyn Museum accompanied by fabulous event called "Killer Heels" - the most exciting designer shoe collection.... Please come and see AVAASI latest collection this Saturday!!!! http://www.brooklynmuseum.org/calendar/event/7988
Oct 28, 2014
AVAASI Necklaces featured in SO Scottsdale! Magazine
Courtesy of Judy Arizona Boutique
Oct 20, 2014
Avaasi Body Chain Spring/Summer Collection soon available at www.avaasi.com
Newest styles of body chains by Asia Borycka the Creative Director of Avaasi NewYork Jewelry soon available at www.avaasi.com!!!
Jul 03, 2014
Bohemian Style Avaasi Body Chains
These newest one-of-a-kind AVAASI NY Body Chains are on it's way to Los Angeles California. To see more styles click here !!!!
Apr 22, 2014
Avaasi Jewelry New York at the ATS show NY May 2014
Jan 28, 2014
AVAASI jewelry at the NY NOW Gift Show New York


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Jennifer L. Rattner
Jennifer (Jen) L. Rattner joined the firm in 2011 as an associate and focuses her practice on business and corporate law, mergers and acquisitions, energy and construction law, complex contracting and commercial transactions, and securities law.
In her business and corporate law practice, Ms. Rattner advises clients in all stages of their business life cycle, including business formation, general corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, securities issues, and other business and commercial transactions. She also counsels clients on issues related to commercial contracts, leasing matters, real estate purchase and sale transactions, and development and construction projects.
Attention Lawyers - sign up here to join the directory.


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In March of 2015 we embarked on a program to put a new K-9 in service as our prior K-9 was being retired. The response that we received from the Community Businesses, Residents and Service Clubs was outstanding. Within a very short period of time we received commitments that guaranteed the start up costs of a new K-9 program as well as a commitment for veterinary care and food. In addition because of the overwhelming response received we have been afforded the ability to fund several other immediate needs of the K-9 program as well. One of those needs was a replacement K-9 vehicle as our previous vehicle was 14 years old and recently suffered major mechanical issues. With the limited funds we had left from the Community and Business donations for the K-9 program Mike Dougherty General Manager and co-owner of Shults Resale on Vineyard Drive stepped up to the plate and found us a vehicle that fit our needs. He donated a large portion of the cost of the vehicle and Nathan Greene of Custom Collision donated the services to paint the doors white. By using a portion of the funds we receive from Asset Forfeiture as a result of Drug Arrests we were also able to purchase a specific K-9 insert for the rear seat of the vehicle that will keep our K-9 Nico safe when travelling and also allow our K-9 handler Officer Matt Hazelton to have access to Nico while on patrol and answering calls. We were able to purchase a few other needed pieces of equipment for the vehicle as well with our Forfeiture funds.
Without the generosity of everyone that donated to our K-9 fund continuing this program would not have been possible. There are no words that can express our gratitude and we offer our sincerest thank you to everyone that helped. It truly shows that our Communities care about Public safety and go above and beyond when called upon for help. K-9 Nico and Officer Hazelton have already been involved in several case investigations and have proved to be a very valuable asset to the Department and Community.
Again we want to thank Shults Resale and Custom Collision for their most recent donations. We also again thank all the previous organizations and individuals that helped to fund this entire program: The Fredonia Beaver Club, Mr. Stanley Star, Koscuiszko Club, Fourth Ward Falcon Club, Dom Polski Club, Moniuszko Club, Lake Shore Savings Bank, Graf Realty, Dunkirk Police Benevolent Association, Fredonia Police Benevolent Association, Lakeshore Street Rods, John T. Murray Post 1017, Fieldbrook Foods, Columbus Club, P&G Foods, Moose Lodge 89, Edna Sek, Tick Tock Towing, Elks Club, Dunkirk Exempt Volunteer Fireman, Dunkirk Rotary Club, Conservation Club, Cattaraugus County Bank and Tractor Supply. We also want to thank Dunkirk Animal Clinic for veterinary services and Nestle Purina for Nico's food. Our appreciation to the City Administration for understanding the importance of the K-9 and working with us to keep this service part of our public safety program. Also thanks to City Mechanic Jason Schrantz and City Welder Ken Sek for their excellent work on getting the vehicle ready for service.
Our greatest weapon in crime prevention and providing the best in Public Safety is a positive Police/Community partnership with the Community we serve. Without your support keeping our K-9 program in service would not have been possible. On behalf of Officer Hazelton, Nico and the entire Dunkirk Police Department we say thank you.
David C. Ortolano
Chief of Police


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Throw away your old fax machine! We can provide an end to end service that integrates faxes into your email system. Send and receive faxes from Outlook!
Your faxes are delivered to you as an attachment to an email, the email is sent to you within seconds.
Blocks of numbers are available for departmental fax distribution.
Each email states the time it was received, the caller id and the called number and you have the choice of receiving the fax as an image (tiff file) or a pdf.
We can also allow you to send an email to any fax machine by simply using the phone/fax number in the email address. To send a fax you could address an email 'To: email@example.com' using your normal email-application, no special software is needed and you can add attachments if you wish. We accept plain text files .txt, Acrobat .pdf, Rich text format RTF, Word .doc / .docx and Excel .xls / .xlsx files.


text: The Institutional District has a total land area of 598 hectares. Its primary land use caters to national and international academic institutions offering high-level and/or specialized courses. It is envisioned as a "university town" complete with dormitories, lodging for academic and non-academic personnel, sports and other recreational facilities, and shopping areas. It has been observed that the Philippines is fast emerging as a new educational hub in the Asia-Pacific region in view of the number of foreign students coming here to study.


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The housing sector may finally become a direct and meaningful contributor to U.S. economic growth in 2013 and beyond, according to NewOak CEO and Co-Founder Ron D'Vari.
D'Vari expects the sector to provide an estimated 0.5% boost to gross domestic product this year by already observed trends in new and existing home sales as well as permits. Thus far, the struggling U.S. economy has been pulled out of the recession by government and consumer spending and, as D'Vari notes, to a lesser extent by export-driven manufacturing.
Residential construction had been falling absent as early as nine months ago.
"While the gradual stabilization of home prices kept the economy from falling into a tailspin, other factors (government and consumer spending) helped dig the economy out of the great recession," he noted. "Until recently home building and related activities were not contributing much to the GDP as housing construction had fallen to its lowest historical levels, far below its natural equilibrium."
Global synchronized quantitative easing has pushed stocks and bonds to appreciate, although the appreciation is not sustainable long term. D'Vari noted that fast hands will sell at the first sign of any changes in Fed policy, but U.S. home prices are beginning to regain their historical mean growth of 3% to 5% despite the long reaction time.
But D'Vari added that the slowing REO sales volume and large amount of private equity capital rushing into the sector is the No. 1 driver of home price appreciation.
"Over time, we expect a gradual shift to end-user demand due to improved employment, household formation and fewer REO sales countering fading of private equity investments with improved home prices," he said.
The housing sector touches many parts of the U.S. economy, including homebuilders, mortgage finance, construction companies & services, general contractors, construction supplies & fixtures, raw materials, home furnishing and appliances and related retail companies, according to D'Vari.
"Because of large reliance labor, the economic multiplier to the housing sector has been high. Therefore smart investors will be trying to read the tea leaves of the housing sector looking for telltale signs of the U.S. economic growth," said D'Vari.


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Do you worry about where your food comes from & how it's obtained? If not, then we should. Join in the Shop With Your Heart Initiative. The ASPCA is shining a light on inhumane practices within the food industry. Most of the facts will alarm you. Hopefully, they will also change the way you view your food.
Visit their site and see how many people have decided that enough is enough. Watch the Video here. Make your own decision to avoid food brought to you in an unethical fashion. Take to social media & join the movement. It's simple and completely free.
We all love taking selfies, so take one with your hands in the heart-shape. Add the hashtag #shopwithyourheart and @ASPCA. Sign the pledge as an educated consumer & tell your kids about it. After all, for things to have a lasting impact, our next generation has to pick up the torch, too. Once you sign the pledge on their website, you'll have access to "an exclusive Shop With Your Heart Grocery List, including welfare-certified and widely available plant-based brands."
We may not all be able to travel, donate, or hold elaborate fundraisers. But, we can all do something! This is simple & quick. I know you love sharing on you Social Medias so go for it! Spread the pledge!


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As I sit in Soho House the mood is unusually muted, sombre even, for a club that is known for its comings and goings and buzzy atmosphere. And the top floor is cluttered with buckets and mops. That's because because I am sitting in Soho House, New York; indeed I am trapped in New York thanks to Hurricane Irene and although we have just been informed it wasn't as bad as it might have been and the conditions have now been downgraded to 'tropical storm' Irene, it looks like I am going to have to wait for a week before I can get a flight home to London.
Outside it looks wet and windy and the general sense of weirdness is highlighted by the sandbags that protect the Apple store next door in New York's Meat Packing district. So we stay inside for shelter and keep the TV switched on in the vain hope of better news on the weather and travel fronts. All of which has provided a terrific opportunity to study the Presentation Skills displayed by politicians and commentators at the centre of the emergency situation.
Mayor Bloomberg has been the undoubted star of the saga, delivering a steady flow of rich information in a measured way that exudes authority and inspires confidence. President Obama has clearly learned a lot from Bush's failings in New Orleans and the media is striking a generally good balance between snippets of dramatic footage and regular localized updates.
What strikes me most, however, is the apparently more trivial aspect of 'severe weather
wardrobe'. This is probably due to memories of UK broadcasters famously covering last year's heavy snowfalls wearing an assortment of garish anoraks, invariably emblazoned with unsuitably large logos. Like the rest of us and our infrastructure generally, they seemed to have been caught on the hop.
By contrast, the Americans appear to be all ready for it, with a selection of changes ready to go as the situation unfolds. On the day before Irene's arrival Mayor Bloomberg was looking immaculate in a business suit surrounded by his team - all very conducive to implying order, calm and readiness for the coming storm. The following day, however, it was very much a question of shirtsleeves for both Bloomberg and Obama - perfectly in tune with the mood of that particular moment. Reporters on location, meanwhile were wearing the obligatory anoraks, but in the colours of their networks, and with perfectly proportioned logos.
So Americans certainly know how to dress for an emergency and they recognize that it is all part and parcel of an efficient communications process. I am, however, left with one nagging thought - aside from how and when I am going to get home - and it's this. How would Boris have handled it and would we be sleeping safey in our beds as a result? I like to think he would have risen to the occasion with aplomb, but would he have banked enough goodwill and respect to have inspired the necessary confidence?


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As seen above it accliams that "80% say no, 20% say yes" however, those who listen to rap, listen to it mostly because it's catchy, not many people actually pay attention to what the words 'actually mean' many rap songs have lyrics in them that contain anti police, and anti white messages, which can be heard in many popular songs of both old and new rap, for example (N.W.A's) F**k the police... You can clearly see based on the title what the message in this song is. Now for the new rap.... Asside from the 'White girl this, white girl that' modern rap contains some pretty anti white and anti police statements, as well as statements that try and convince the public into believing they are being descriminated against (which they aren't, anyone with common sense understands this) for this reason I believe we are justified to start a campaign to stop this "black supremacy" music (much like they have a turn it down anti white supremacy campaign) because of course, equality works both ways, if we can't say things against you, you can't say things against us, it's only equal. Those of us with a brain will treat equal and be treated equal. I hope this post has shown you what rap music is really about, if it hasn't then oh well, maybe someone else's post will help you
Yes, rap music promotes black supremacy ideals, because it supports a lot of things, but none of those things are living peacefully and respectfully in society. Rap music promotes the message that black people have been wronged by white people. The music even discusses or advocates for seeking revenge. The music is quite polarizing, and full of overt and covert black supremacy.
You can't just look at rap as 'black music' and you can't just look at rap as talking about one issue - it is music that can be made and enjoyed by all, even if its origins lay in black culture, and it can speak of many important issues in many communities.
No, rap music doesn't promote black supremacy ideals. Not unless black supremacy ideals include settling arguments with guns, treating women like garbage, and ranting about the police. This music isn't really meant to be uplifting or inspiring in a way that would promote such ideals. It's just music from kids talking about their experiences of being black in America.
If the question was does rap music promote misogyny, I would definitely agree. I don't think that in general it promotes black supremacy though. I think that sometimes songs express their anger of being oppressed and anger about inequality and that it completely understandable. A desire to be equal does not make it a desire to be supreme.
I do not believe that rap music promotes black supremacy ideals. If anything it points out the downfalls of growing up in impoverished American communities. I've listened to wrap for a good two decades and never come to the conclusion that rap music supports black supremacy ideals. It may talk a lot about cash, and hoes, and cars, and dro, though.


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Nessie Lives! By Ken David Stewart
Chapter One:
John Richards awoke with a thunderous scream. He sat straight up in bed and started to shiver, partly from fright and partly because his new Homer Simpson pajamas were soaked from a cold sweat. John shakily got out of bed and opened the blinds of his bedroom window as if he was on auto pilot. As bright sunlight shone through the glass, John could see a beautiful red cardinal perched on the window ledge. This was certainly a welcome sight in contrast to what he had just seen in his nightmare.
The night terrors were back. John had not had any for almost two weeks and he thought was done with them. What was this? Post traumatic stress disorder or night terrors? What would his psychiatrist, Dr. Janey, come up with as a diagnosis? John had already been diagnosed as having recurrent unipolar depression. The depressive symptoms had already lessened since John had broken out of his writer's block and started writing his new novel about his adventures searching for Ogopogo this summer.
John had been experiencing nightmares where he was getting attacked by lake monsters for over two months.


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Ladders is aimed at helping 18-24 year olds, get a foot in the door. You would work with an industry mentor to develop your skills in either film, music or software development. You'll learn valuable employability skills, develop your CV, visit local companies, and build that all-important network.
Remember, this isn't a test. You won't be marked and you won't be graded. It's about developing your skills and learning what you need, when you need it.
You and nine others will spend 12 weeks on your part time creative course. For the first six weeks, you'll be developing your practical and technical skills in your chosen subject.
In the final six weeks, you'll be developing a project of your choice, this won't be marked and it doesn't need to be finished. Throughout the 12 weeks, will be a series of employability workshops, aimed at developing your CV, communication skills, interview technique and collaborative working ability, among other skills integral to employment.
At the end of the programme, you'll present your project in a final showcase.
To find out more about Ladders, and to register your interest, head over to our website: www.generator.org.uk/ladders. The next cohort starts in Sunderland on 25 September 2017. If you have any questions please email [email protected]


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Reader Paul emailed me the following question:
Hi Lucky, I notice in your trip reports that you always seem to sit in the last row of business class. Is there a reason you choose to sit there, or is it just all that's available when you book last minute?
It's true. I have a strong business class seating preference, and it's almost always the same, regardless of the configuration.
Assuming a plane has two business class cabins (as seems to be the case on most planes I fly in business class — usually A330s, 777s, or 787s), I'll almost always choose to sit in the very last row. This is opposite of the preference most people have, since the goal for most people is to sit as far forward as possible.
To explain my seating preference in an example, take the China Airlines flight I'm presently on, between Los Angeles and Taipei. The flight is operated by a 777-300ER, featuring 40 business class seats. There are six rows of business class seats in the forward cabin…
…then there are four rows of business class seats in the rear cabin.
Between the two cabins are the restrooms and the snack bar.
As is usually my preference, I reserved the window seat on the right side of the plane in the last row, seat 23K.
Let me start with the downsides to sitting in the last row:
- Often times the first row of economy is for bassinets, so there's a risk of having a screaming baby behind you; fortunately that's not an issue here, since China Airlines has a huge premium economy cabin right behind business class (and premium economy is becoming more and more common)
- Everyone walks past you during boarding, so the boarding experience is much more chaotic than if you were in the forward business class cabin, since economy doesn't board through there
- In theory it's marginally louder back there, since you're closer to the engines
However, I prefer almost everything else about being in the last row of business class:
- There's virtually no foot traffic, since the lavatories are in front of you, and passengers don't really move between cabins; the only time there's traffic is when the flight attendants are going to economy for their break
- Travis explained your best chances at snagging an empty seat next to you in economy, and the same philosophy applies in business class — the further back you're seated, the better your odds of empty seats near you; in my case, the forward business class cabin is full, while I'm the only person on the right side of the rear of the cabin (literally the only person in those eight seats), so I don't have to deal with the light/noise/smells of other passengers
- Because I have the aisle to myself, service is extremely attentive, since there's a flight attendant assigned to this section who checks on me every few minutes
- While sitting further back might add a bit of noise due to the engine, it also greatly improves the pictures you can take with the engines in them; as an aviation geek, I love that
View from the last row of Air Canada's 777 business class
Bottom line
Everyone has different preferences, though personally I swear by sitting in the last row of business class, assuming it's a plane with two business class cabins, with the bathrooms between the two cabins.
This setup leads to a quiet flight with limited distractions, and great odds of having empty seats near you. I seem to be among the only people who feels this way, though, given that I rarely see the last row of business class occupied. Maybe that'll slowly change. 😉
Do you have a general business class seating preference?