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Sept. 13
Upcoming Fall Classes for Stress & Pain Management
Mindfulness is a way of consciously and systematically working with your own stress, pain, illness, or the challenges and demands of everyday life. Receiving mindfulness training can teach you how to slow down, recognize the warning signs of stress reactions, and to stay focused and relaxed in ways that enhance the body's natural adaptive and healing abilities and the mind's ability to choose healthy responses.
Free Your Feet
The UNC Physical Therapy clinic in Hillsborough will host a free foot assessment and shoe fitting on Nov. 17 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Free your Feet Project is a joint program between the UNC Division of Physical Therapy Faculty Clinic, North Carolina Physical Therapy Association and FootCentric that seeks to alleviate the financial burden of therapeutic footwear and medical assessment for families in need.
Project HealthDesign's BreathEasy: A Personal Health Application for Underserved Adults with Asthma
This lecture will discuss how RTI and the Virginia Commonwealth University developed and piloted a smartphone app, built on the latest clinical guidelines for treatment and self-monitoring of individuals with asthma, to assist adults with asthma to better manage their care and disease condition.
CGIBD Research Seminar Series
Christian Jobin, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Medicine, Pharmacology and Immuno-microbiology will present "Colitis-associated colorectal cancer: A bacterial centric disease?" on Thursday, Sept. 13.
Check out what's happening at TraCS, UNC's CTSA!
Check out these TraCS events!
YOUR HEALTH: Interventional Radiology with Dr. Joe Stavas
This weekend on YOUR HEALTH, Adam & Cristy will be joined by Clinical Professor of Radiology at the UNC School of Medicine, Dr. Joe Stavas to talk about interventional radiology.
International Coffee Hour
Come enjoy a pick-me-up with free coffee and treats and join us for a monthly social hour for international and American students, scholars, faculty, staff and families.
Dean's Advisory Committee - Meeting Minutes
Read more for a link to the minutes from the July meeting.
Linkages between Biology, Behavior, and Environment in the Development of Obesity
On Friday, Sept. 14, Dr. Penny Gordon-Larsen will present the Carolina Population Center Interdisciplinary Research Seminar. Gordon-Larsen is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at UNC-Chapel Hill and is a Faculty Fellow of the Carolina Population Center.
Joint UNC-NCSU BME Rehabilitation Engineering Center Seminar
R. Michael Young, PhD, Professor in the Department of Computer Science at NCSU, and Co-director of the NC State Digital Games Research Initiative, will present, "The sciences of games and NC State's Digital Games Research Initiative."
Call for Nominations: Distinguished Alumna/us Award
The Committee on Honorary Degrees and Special Awards invites your nominations for Distinguished Alumna and Alumnus Awards to be presented at the Oct. 12, 2013, University Day ceremony.
UNC Campus Water Theme Call for Proposals
The Steering Committee for the 2012-14 "Water in Our World" campus theme has issued a call for proposals for water-related programming and events.
Call for Nominations: University Teaching Awards
Each year, UNC formally acknowledges the central role of teaching and mentoring by recognizing faculty, staff and students. The University Committee on Teaching Awards offers numerous awards based on nominations by members of our university community.
UNC Genome Sciences Building Opening Symposium and Celebration
On University Day, Oct. 12, 2012 there will be a symposium celebrating interdisciplinary genomics at UNC and the opening of the new state-of-the art Genome Sciences Building (GSB).
Dellon, Rathmell awarded Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes
Evan S. Dellon, MD, MPH, assistant professor of medicine and an adjunct assistant professor of epidemiology, and Kimryn Rathmell, MD, PhD, associate professor in the departments of medicine and genetics, were honored Sept. 7 with Phillip and Ruth Hettleman Prizes for Artistic and Scholarly Achievement by Young Faculty.
School of Medicine Web Satisfaction Survey
Take this five-minute survey for a chance to win one of five $25 Visa gift cards! This week's winner is Emily Pike.


text: AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Key Features n General Description l 100µV Resolution l High Impedance Differential Inputs l Differential Reference l Drive LCD (AME7106) or LED (AME7107) Directly l Four New Convenient Features (AME7106A/AME7107A) l Display-Hold l Low-Battery Indication l Integration Status Indication l De-Integration Status Indication n Applications l Digital multimeter l pH meter l Capacitance meter l Thermometer l Digital Panel meter l Photometer n Typical Operating Circuit The AME7106 and AME7107 family are high performance, low power, 3-1/2 digit, dual-slope integrating A/ D converters, with on-chip display drivers. The AME7106 is designed for a single battery operated system, will drive non-multiplexed LCD display directly. The AME7107 is designed for a dual power supply system, will directly drive common anode LED display. These A/D converters are inherently versatile and accurate. They are immune to the high noise environments. The true differential high impedance inputs and differential reference are very useful for making ratiometric measurement, such as resistance, strain gauge and bridge transducers. The built-in auto-zero feature automatically corrects the system offset without any external adjustments. Display-hold, low-battery flag, integration and de-integration status flags are four additional features which are available in the 44-pin package, AME7106ACKW and AME7107ACKW. * For the operating circuit of the reverse-pins version, please refer to pin configuration on page 4 and pin description on page 5 & 6 1 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power n Absolute Maximum Ratings AME7106 Supply Voltage (V+ to V-) Analog Input Voltage (Either inputs) Reference Input Voltage (Either inputs) Clock Input Power Dissipation Operating Temperature Storage Temperature Lead Temperature (Soldering 60 seconds) 12V V+ TO VV+ TO VTest to V+ 800mW 0oC to 70oC -55oC to 150oC 300oC AME7107 Supply Voltage V+ VAnalog Input Voltage (Either inputs) Reference Input Voltage (Either inputs) Clock Input Power Dissipation 6V -6V V+ to VV+ to VGnd to V+ 800mW Operating Temperature 0 C to 70 C Storage Temperature -55 C to 150 C o 300 C Lead Temperature (Soldering 60 seconds) o o o o Static sensitive device. Unused devices must be stored in the conductive material. Protect device from static discharge and static field. Stresses exceed the above Absolute Maximum Ratings may cause permanent damage to the device. Exposure to Absolute Maximum Rating Conditions for extended periods may affect the reliability of the device. 2 AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Ordering Information Part Number Display AME7106CPL LCD AME7106RCPL LCD AME7106ACKW LCD AME7106Y LCD AME7107CPL LED AME7107RCPL LED AME7107ACKW LED AME7107Y LED Marking AME7106CPL YYWW AME7106RCPL YYWW AME7106ACKW YYWW AME7106Y YYWW AME7107CPL YYWW AME7107RCPL YYWW AME7107ACKW YYWW AME7107Y YYWW Package Pin Layout Temp. Range 40 Pin PDIP Normal 0oC to 70oC 40 Pin PDIP Reverse 0oC to 71oC 44 Pin PQFP Normal 0oC to 72oC 44 Pin Dice Normal 0oC to 73oC 40 Pin PDIP Normal 0oC to 74oC 40 Pin PDIP Reverse 0oC to 75oC 44 Pin PQFP Normal 0oC to 76oC 44 Pin Dice Normal 0oC to 77oC 3 AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Electrical Characteristics Unless otherwise noted, AME7106 & AME7107 are specified at TA = 25OC, fclock = 48KHz. Supply voltage = 9V (V+ to V-) Parameter Zero Input Reading Conditions Min Vin = 0V Typ Max 0 Unit Digital Reading Full-Scale = 200.0mV Ratiometric Reading Vin = Vref = 100.0mV Roll-Over Error (Difference in Reading for Equal Positive and Negative 999 999/1000 1000 Digital Reading -1 –0.2 +1 Counts -1 –0.2 +1 Counts -Vin=+Vin ≈200.0mV Reading Near Full-Scale) Linearity (Max. Deviation Full-Scale = 200.0mV From Best Straight Line Fit) Common-Mode Vcm = –1V, Vin =0V 50 µV/V 15 µV Rejection Ratio Full-Scale = 200.0mV Noise (Pk-Pk Value Not Vin = 0V Exceeded 95% of Time) Full-Scale = 200.0mV Leakage Current at Input Vin = 0V 1 10 pA Zero Reading Drift Vin = 0V, 0OC to 70OC 0.2 1 Supply Current Vin = 0V 0.8 1.2 O µV/ C mA 3.0 3.2 V 50 75 ppm/OC (Excluding LED current for 7107) Analog Common Voltage (With respect to V+) Temp. Coeff. of Analog Common (With respect to V+) 25KΩ Between Common and V+ 2.8 25KΩ Between Common and V+ 0OC ≤TA ≤70OC Low Battery Flag V+ to V- 6.3 7.0 7.7 V Test Pin Voltage With respect to V+ 4 5 6 V V+ to V- = 9V 4 5 6 V V+ to V- = 9V 4 5 6 V Segment Sinking Current V+ = 5.0V 5 8.0 mA (Except Segment AB4) Segment Voltage = 3V 10 16 mA (AME7106 only) LCD Segment Drive Voltage (AME7106 only) Backplane Drive Voltage (AME7106 only) (AME7107 only) Segment Sinking Current V+ = 5.0V (Segment AB4) Segment Voltage = 3V (AME7107 only) Notes: 1. Input voltage may exceed the supply voltages provided the input current is limited to ±100µA. 2. Dissipation rating assumes a device is mounted with all leads soldered to printed circuit board. 4 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power n Pin Configurations 5 AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Pin Description 40-pin DIP 40-pin DIP 44-pin PQFP Symbol Pin Number (Reverse) Pin Number 1 (40) 8 V+ 2 (39) 9 D1 3 (38) 10 C1 4 (37) 11 B1 5 (36) 12 A1 6 (35) 13 F1 7 (34) 14 G1 8 (33) 15 E1 9 (32) 16 D2 10 (31) 17 C2 11 (30) 18 B2 12 (29) 19 A2 13 (28) 20 F2 14 (27) 21 E2 15 (26) 22 D3 16 (25) 23 B3 17 (24) 24 F3 18 (23) 25 E3 19 (22) 26 AB4 20 (21) 27 POL 21 (20) 28 BP/ GND 22 (19) 29 G3 23 (18) 30 A3 24 (17) 31 C3 25 (16) 32 G2 ¢w 33 LB 26 (15) 34 V27 (14) 35 INT 28 29 30 31 32 6 (13) (12) (11) (10) (9) 36 37 38 39 40 BUF A/Z INLO INHI COM Description Positive supply voltage Units-digit D-segment driver Units-digit C-segment driver Units-digit B-segment driver Units-digit A-segment driver Units-digit F-segment driver Units-digit G-segment driver Units-digit E-segment driver Tens-digit D-segment driver Tens-digit C-segment driver Tens-digit B-segment driver Tens-digit A-segment driver Tens-digit F-segment driver Tens-digit E-segment driver Hundreds-digit D-segment driver Hundreds-digit B-segment driver Hundreds-digit F-segment driver Hundreds-digit E-segment driver Thousands-digit, B&C segments driver Negative-polarity driver LCD backplane driver (AME7106) Digital ground (AME7107) Hundreds-digit G-segment driver Hundreds-digit A-segment driver Hundreds-digit C-segment driver Tens-digit G-segment driver Low-battery flag segment driver Negative power supply voltage Integrator output. Connection point for integration capacitor. Integrator resistor connection-point. Auto-zero capacitor connection-point Analog-input low Analog-input high Analog-common AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Pin Description (Cont.) 40-pin DIP 40-pin DIP 44-pin PQFP Pin Number (Reverse) Pin Number 33 (8) 41 34 (7) 42 35 (6) 43 36 (5) 44 1 2 37 (4) 3 38 (3) 39 40 (2) (1) 4 5 6 7 Symbol Description CREFCREF+ VREF+ VREFDEEN INTEN TEST Reference capacitor, negative terminal Reference capacitor, positive terminal Analog-reference input, negative terminal Analog-reference input, positive terminal De-integration status flag Integration status flag Display-test pin, When pulled to V+, display should read -1888. See OSC1 Hold pin, Logic 1 holds display See OSC1 Pin OSC1, OSC2, OSC3 make up the oscillator. See Clock section for details OSC3 HOLD OCS2 OCS1 n Function Description 7 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power The A/D conversion has the following three phases: 1. Auto-Zero Phase 2. Integration Phase 3. De-integration Phase linearity errors. Care must be exercised to make sure the integrator output does not saturate. In a typical application, the common mode is eliminated by connecting the INLO to COM, Analog Common. Auto-Zero Phase Differential Reference (VREF+ & VREF-) The INHI and INLO are shorted to analog common internally. The reference capacitor is charged to the reference voltage. A feedback loop is closed around the system to cancel the offset voltage of buffer, integrator and comparator. The converter integrates the differential voltage across the INHI and INLO for a fixed time, 1000 system clocks. The polarity of the signal is determined at the end of this phase. The reference voltage can be generated anywhere within the V+ to V-. Under a large common mode voltage, reference capacitor can gain charge during the de-integration of a positive signal. The reference capacitor will lose charge when de-integrating a negative input signal. The difference in reference voltage for positive or negative input voltages can cause the rollover error. To prevent rollover error from being induced by large common-mode voltages, reference capacitor should be large compared to stray node capacitance. Reference Integration Phase Analog Common (COM) INLO is internally connected to the Analog Common, INHI is connected across the reference capacitor with appropriate polarity determined by the control circuit. The integrator output will then return to zero. The time it takes to return to zero, 1000 X VIN /VREF, is the digital representation of the analog signal. The Analog Common is to set a common mode voltage for the analog signal. The analog common is typically 3.0V below V+, set primary for the battery operated application. Analog common is capable to sink 20 mA. It's source current is limited to 10 µA. Analog common is therefore easily pulled to a more negative voltage to override the internal reference. When supply voltage is greater than 7V, analog common can be used as reference source with temperature coefficient of typically 50 ppm/OC. The internal heating by the LED display drivers of the AME7107 may degrade the stability of the Analog Common. An external reference is recommended. Signal Integration phase Differential Signal Inputs (INHI & INLO) The AME7106/AME7107 has true differential inputs and accepts input signals within the input common mode voltage range (Vcm). Typical range is from 1V above the V- to 1V below the V+. The integrator output can swing within 0.3 V of V+ or V- without increasing 8 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power n Digital Block Diagrams 9 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Digital Section Digital Ground AME7106 generates an internal digital ground, typically 5V below the V+. The digital ground of AME7107 is supplied externally. Clock Circuit The clock can be generated in either of the following three methods. 1. An external oscillator connected to"OSC1" 2. A crystal between pins" OSC1" and "OOSC2" 3. A R-C oscillator using "OOSC1", "OOSC2" and "OSC3" Notes: There is no on-chip feedback resister across osc1 and osc2. Systems Timing The oscillator frequency is divided by 4 prior to clocking the internal decade counters. Each conversion takes 4000 counts or 16000 oscillator clock pulses. The timing of each phase are as follows: 10 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power Auto-Zero Phase: 1000 to 3000 Counts Signal Integration Phase: 1000 Counts (Fixed) Reference Integration Phase : 0 to 2000 Counts For signals less than full-The A/D conversion has the following three phases:scale, the unused reference integration time is assigned to the autozero phase. Segment Drivers (AME7106) The backplane frequency is 1/800 of the oscillator clock frequency. For example if the oscillator frequency is 48 KHz (3 conversions per second) the backplane frequency will be 60 Hz. The segment and backplane are at the same frequency with a nominal 5 volt amplitude. The segment is visible (ON) when the segment and the backplane are out of phase, otherwise it is invisible (OFF). The polarity segment is "ON" for negative analog inputs. When the TEST pin on the AME7106 is pulled to V+, all segments are turned "ON". The display reads -1888. During this mode the LCD segments have a constant DC voltage impressed. DO NOT LEAVE THE DISPLAY IN THIS MODE FOR MORE THAN SEVERAL MINUTES! LCD displays may be destroyed if operated with DC levels for extended periods. AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R Segment Drivers (AME7107) The AME7107 is designed to drive common anode LEDs. All segment drivers are N-channel transistors with a typically 8 mA current driving capability. The 1000's segment AB4 sinks current from two LED segments, and has a 16 mA driving capability. The polarity indication is "on" when the analog input voltage is negative. Test When the TEST is pulled to V+ all segments and the minus sign will be activated. The TEST pin is tied to the internally generated digital ground through a 500Ω resistor in the AME7106. It is typically 5V lower than V+. TEST pin may be used as the negative power supply for external CMOS logic at the maximum current of 1 mA. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power Integration Status (INTEN) The INTEN is an output signal of the converter, it is "high" during the signal integration phase. This signal can be used as a status indicator or a control to connect the analog signal to the converter for processing. It is available in 44 pin package. De-integration Status (DEEN) The DEEN is an output signal of the converter, it is "high" during the reference de-integration phase. The period of the DEEN is proportional to the conversion result. Users may calculate the conversion result by counting the number of clock pulse on the OSC3 pin when DEEN is "high". The conversion result is equal to (N/4) - 1/2 where N is the number of the pulse at the OSC3 pin. It is available in 44 pin package. Data Hold When the Hold pin is connected to V+ the conversion result will not be updated. The conversion is still free running during the hold mode. It is available in 44 pin package. n Component Value Selection recommended for 2.0V full-scale applications. A mylar dielectric capacitor is adequate. Auto-Zero Capacitor (Caz) Reference Capacitor (Cref) The Caz capacitor size has some influence on system noise. A 0.47µF capacitor is recommended for 200 mV full-scale applications. A 0.047µF capacitor is A 0.1µF capacitor is acceptable when "INLO" is tied to analog common. If a large common-mode voltage 11 AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Component Value Selection Auto-Zero Capacitor (Caz) The Caz capacitor size has some influence on system noise. A 0.47µF capacitor is recommended for 200 mV full-scale applications. A 0.047µF capacitor is recommended for 2.0V full-scale applications. A mylar dielectric capacitor is adequate. Reference Capacitor (Cref) A 0.1µF capacitor is acceptable when "INLO" is tied to analog common. If a large common-mode voltage exists and the application requires 200 mV full-scale, increase Cref to 1.0 µF. A mylar dielectric capacitor is adequate. Integrating Capacitor (Cint) Cint should be selected to maximize the integrator output voltage swing without causing output saturation. A ±2V full-scale integrator output swing is recommended if "ANALOG COMMON" is used as signal reference. For 3 readings/second (fosc = 48 KHz) a 0.22 µF value is suggested. If a different oscillator frequency is used, Cint must be changed in inverse proportion to maintain the nominal 2V integrator swing. An exact expression for Cint is: Cint = [(4000)(1/fosc)(Vfs/Rint)] / Vint where: fosc= Oscillator clock frequency Vfs = Full-scale input voltage Rint = Integrating resistor Vint = Desired full-scale integrator output swing Cint must have low dielectric absorption to minimize rollover error. A polypropylene capacitor is recommended. Integrating Resistor (Rint) The input buffer amplifier and integrator both have a class A output stage with 100 µA quiescent current. The integrator and buffer can supply 20 µA drive currents with negligible linearity errors. Rint is chosen to keep the output stage in the linear region. For a 200mV full-scale, it is 47KΩ; 2.0V full-scale requires 470KΩ. Summary of component selection: F u ll s c a le 2 0 0 .0 m V 2 .0 0 0 V C az R in t 0 .4 7 µ F 47 KΩ 0 .0 4 7 µ F 470 KΩ C in t V re f 0 .2 2 µ F 1 0 0 .0 m V 0 .2 2 µ F 1 .0 0 0 V Note: fosc = 48 KHz 12 Oscillator Components R-C Oscillator A 100 KΩ Rosc is recommended for all frequencies. Cosc is selected by using the equation: fosc = 0.45/(RC) For fosc of 48KHz, Cosc is 100pF nominally. To achieve maximum line noise rejection, the signalintegrate period should be a multiple of line period. The optimum oscillator frequencies for 60 Hz and 50 Hz rejection are listed as follows: For 60 Hz rejection: 40KHz, 48KHz, 60KHz etc. For 50 Hz rejection: 40KHz, 50KHz, 66-2/3KHz etc. Reference Voltage Selection A full-scale reading (2000 counts) requires the input signal be twice the reference voltage. F u ll-S c a le V o lta g e V re f 2 0 0 .0 m V 2 .0 0 0 V 1 0 0 .0 m V 1 .0 0 0 V In some applications a scale factor other than unity may exist between a transducer output voltage and the required digital reading. Assume, for example, a pressure transducer output is 600 mV for 2000 Ib/in2. Rather than dividing the input voltage by three the reference voltage should be set to 300 mV. This permits the transducer input to be used directly. The integrator resistor would be 120KΩ. In some temperature and weighting system with variable tare, the offset reading can be generated by connecting the voltage transducer between INHI and COMMON and the variable offset voltage between COMMON and INLO. AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R Power Supplies The AME7107 is designed to work from ±5V supplies. However, if a negative supply is not available, it can be generated from the clock output with two diodes, two capacitors, and an inexpensive IC. The 7660 DC to DC converter may also be used to generate -5V from +5V. Low Battery Flag (LB) The low battery flag is set when the supply voltage (V+ to V-) is lower than seven volts, typical. Once the LB is set, the waveform of the LB will be out of phase with the BP (Back Plane) to turn on a low battery annunciator for AME7106; LB pin will be low (Ground) 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power for AME7107 and is capable to sink 8 mA to turn on a LED indicator. AME7107 Power Dissipation Reduction The AME7107 sinks the LED display current and this generates heat in the IC package. If the internal voltage reference is used, the fluctuating chip temperature can cause the display to change reading. The AME7107 package power dissipation can be reduced by reducing the LED common anode voltage. A typical LED has 1.8 volts across it, at 7mA. When its common anode is connected to +5V, the AME7107 13 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R output is at 3.2V. Maximum power dissipation is 8.1 mA X 3.2 V X 24 segments = 622mW. However, once the AME7107 output voltage is above two volts, the LED current is essentially constant as output voltage increases. Reducing the output voltage by 0.7V, results in 7.7mA of LED current, only a 5 percent reduction. Maximum power dissipation is only 7.7mA X 2.5V X 24 = 462 mW, a reduction of 26%. An output voltage reduction of 1 volt reduces LED current by 10% (7.3mA) power dissipation by 38%. (7.3mA X 2.2V X 24 = 385mW). There are two ways to reduce the power dissipation: either a 5.1 ohm resistor or a 1 Amp diode placed in series with the display (but not in series with the AME7107). The resistor will reduce the AME7107 output voltage, when all 24 segments are "ON". When segments turn off, the output voltage will increase. The n Typical Applications 14 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power diode, on the other hand, will result in a relatively steady output voltage. In addition to limiting maximum power dissipation, the resistor reduces the change in power dissipation as the display changes. As fewer segments are "ON," each "ON" output drops more voltage and current. For the best case of six segments (a "111" display) to worst case (a "1888" display) the resistor will change about 230 mW. While a circuit without the resistor will change about 470 mW. Therefore, the resistor will reduce the variation of power dissipation by about 50%. The change in LED brightness caused by the resistor is almost unnoticeable as more segments turn off. If steady display brightness is very important, a diode is recommended. AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power 15 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 16 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power 17 AME, Inc. AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R 18 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME, Inc. 3-1/2 Digit A/D Converter High Accuracy, Low Power AME7106/AME7106A/AME7106R AME7107/AME7107A/AME7107R n Package Dimension PDIP-40 SYMBOLS A MILLIMETERS MIN MAX 0.150 0.165 INCHES MIN MAX 0.0059 0.0065 A1 B 0.072 (TYP) 0.0028 0.018(TYP) 0.0007 B1 D 0.050(TYP) 0.0020 2.049 2.074 0.0807 0.0817 E1 F e 0.540 0.555 0.0213 0.0219 EB 0.600 0.700 θ 0 o 15 0.600(TYP) 0.0236 0.100(TYP) 0.0039 o 0.0236 0.0276 o 15 0 o 19 www.ame.com.tw E-Mail: [email protected] Life Support Policy: These products of AME, Inc. are not authorized for use as critical components in life-support devices or systems, without the express written approval of the president of AME, Inc. AME, Inc. reserves the right to make changes in the circuitry and specifications of its devices and advises its customers to obtain the latest version of relevant information. ã AME, Inc. , February 2002 Document: 1021-DS7106/7107-C U.S. Headquarter Corporate Headquarter Analog Microelectronics, Inc. AME, Inc. 3100 De La Cruz Blvd. Suite 201 Santa Clara, CA. 95054-2046 2F , 189 Kang-Chien Road, Nei-Hu District Taipei 114, Taiwan, R.O.C. Tel : (408) 988-2388 Fax: (408) 988-2489 Tel : 886 2 2627-8687 Fax : 886 2 2659-2989

subset: commoncrawl


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item view
Improvised Music From Japan
Improvised Music From Japan 2005 BOOK+2xCD
The 2005 edition of the annual Japanese-English magazine Improvised Music from Japan is devoted entirely to recent albums. Over 350 releases (with a cover photo for each) are presented. The albums, mainly from 2004-2005, span a wide range of styles--improv, onkyo, noise, electronics, contemporary classical, free jazz, avant-rock, and more. While contributions from music critics are numerous, this is not just a collection of reviews. Musicians write about their own and other artists' works, label owners about their labels . . . The articles' styles and points of view are as diverse as the albums they present. IMJ 2005 also includes 2 CDs with a total of 21 tracks--by PsysEx, Jio Shimizu, Tetsuya Umeda, mills, sim, Toshihiro Koike, Shuichi Ohori, Chihiro Wada, Toshiya Tsunoda, Kiyoshi Mizutani, VOIMA, Bunsho Nishikawa and Tim Olive, m/s (Minoru Sato), Yasuo Totsuka, Diver, Mitsuhiro Yoshimura, Tomomi Adachi, The Cinngirls, aspects, Yui Kimijima, and Merzbow.
item # 25125


text:
Marketplace Innovator
imagine 2016-2019 partner summit awards
Product Questions for Magento 1
Adds Q&A area to product pages
- Questions asked via a simple comment form
- Answers provided either by admin or other customers
- Questions may be shared across several products
- Notifications keep everyone involved updated
- Overview
- 39 Reviews
- Docs & FAQ
When customers have concerns about the product and the information is not all there, they are likely to either look for a vendor with detailed descriptions, or look for a different product, or contact a store owner. What we have achieved with our Magento Product Questions extension is we made asking a question the easiest choice of all three, limiting your risk of losing prospective customers.
Not only asking and answering a product question becomes extremely simple, but also questions and answers may be publicly displayed on the product page, allowing customers to provide their own answers or learn from the answers of others.
Ask a question
On each product page there is an "Ask question" button, which activates a drop-down question field. A customer or guest (optional) leaves some contact info, question text, and decides whether the question is private (visible to admin only) or public (visible on the product page).
Get an answer
When the question is approved and/or edited by admin it may be either answered by admin himself or broadcasted to be answered by either customers who have purchased the product in the past, all customers, or even visitors. Additionally, a number of customers who have purchased the product might be automatically invited via direct email to answer a question
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A variety of options are available to keep everyone up to date and to keep everything moving. Admin may be notified about new questions and answers, customers are notified about new answers and question status changes, other customers may be notified if their help is needed to answer a question. Emails are fully customizable, with rich content, direct links, unsubscribe options, etc.
Time saving
Since questions may be broadcasted on the product pages there is no need to answer same question many times over. And in case the answer requires first hand experience of the product you don't have to do any research - just forward it to someone who's got the product already.
Easy navigation
No need to play the guessing game trying to figure out which product exactly is the question about. All questions are asked directly from the product page so you know exactly where to look.
Customer engagement
What people do love is to be an expert on something. Some customers might not be inclined to go back and leave general feedback, but once they see someone in need of help they are much more likely to leave a comment.
Building trust
Answering question is by itself a good way to build customer relationship, but displaying answers on the product page goes one step further. This way all customers know that there is an actual person on the other side and that the store has an engaged customer base - which is a strong case for your credibility.
Using the Product Questions extension together with the below Aheadworks products, online merchants get more valuable insights.
Never seen a better Q&A system
Every store could use this extension
Great extension
Customers submit the question directly from the product page and you instantly know exactly what product your customer is asking about.
We can truly recomend this extension. Saves us a lot of time trying to figure out what product the customer is asking about
A big addition to my site
Brilliant addition to the website
Makes our site look even more professional as we can add in our common questions and answers too.
Love it.
Great tool for customers' communication
Very powerful
Good, but the latest update is even better
Happy with this extension
happy with this module
Great thing!
What I like the most is the ability to segregate public / private Q&A. Some customers ask really peculiar things, and posting public answers would be just a waste.
Quick install and great documentation
I am exceedingly impressed!
Usefull and coded very well
Our shop isn't live yet, but our testers really liked the simplicity of asking product related questions, which are the majority of all feedback questions by far.
Great Extension from a Great Developer
Worked straight out the box and great support
The extension works well too, the only thing I'd like to see if some option to "hide" the actual form/questions/answers but have a button/heading that when clicked on expands the module on the product page. 8/10 for extension, 10/10 for support
Reduce customer service phone calls
Great extension and fast reply
Amazing Extension
Very uself on product page
Handy Extension
Plus, there are so many basic questions that we get over and over again. So for these, we simply enter the questions here and then answer them. Makes it so much easier on our customer service team.
One thing that would be nice would for for this extension to be fully integrated into the Product page. Right now, it can show 5 or 10 questions on the product page, but if there are 25 product questions, there aren't Next buttons on the product page to show the rest of the questions. (On the actual product questions page there are these next buttons. It would be nice to have these toolbar on the Product page as well if possible).
Overall great extension. Very worth the money.
Let you customer help you with your site content
Works great
Cool Gadgets at Great Prices
Used regularly on my site www.network-ed.com.au
Intelligent, userfriendly extension
product FAQ on the go
Support is so much easier
Great extension and support..
I had a few issues getting this to work at first.. Then the ahead works support got it working in no time and even set it up for me in it's own tab on my product page.. Great support goes along way..
Better than the Rest
The best part about this extension is that the great support team helped me to integrate the product questions into my product tabs.
Product Questions is a great way to gather user-contributed content alongside user reviews.
Great extensions to improve your business
Necessary Extension
Before we installed this extension, we received many similar questions from different customers, as well as questions where we were not certain which product the customer was referring to. This wastes time. So we purchased this extension.
Within 24 hours of installing this extension, our customers started submitting product questions. We tested the reply template a few times to get it right, then started answering questions. A tip - our reply email to the customer does not actually display the answer to the customer's question. Instead, it gives them a link back to the product page, and they can see their answer on the Product Question section. The goal is to bring them back to the page and give them the opportunity to press the "Add to Cart" button. Before long, some of our products had 10 to 20 questions from customers.
Questions generated by actual customers and your answers to those questions can help your image as a seller. Customers need to see interaction between the seller and other buyers, as well a preview of the quality of service you will provide if they have a question after a sale.
This extension has paid for itself, in both increased sales as well as time saved from answering the same questions repeatedly. I recommend this extension very highly!
It is really must have
Terrific Extension to interact with your Customers
Perfect way to capitalize your customer's questions
Great Knowledge Base Builder
Tanya Poleshchuk | Head of Customer Care
I will be happy to tell you more about this extension!


text: Choose Options Quick view Lemony Herb Quinoa Salad MSRP: Now: $54.18 Was: Baked red quinoa crisps paired with tangy, clean flavors of lemon, parsley, thyme, flaked celery, and carrot. Tossed with thinly sliced almonds for a tender crunch. Makes 2 cups per serving. 123 Cal/Oz. Vegan. Meal Size: Hungry-Single (Serves 1 -... MSRP: Now: $54.18 Was: Choose Options Quick view Qty in Cart: 0 Price: MSRP: Now: $54.18 Was: Subtotal: Choose Options


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I get excited with Lynette has a new series releasing. Friends, this is another one you don't want to miss. If you haven't read anything penned by Eason yet this is a great place to begin!
Fast paced and a quick read for me. Eason knows how to develop characters in such a way that as the story continues to flow we are allowed to learn more about them in pieces, not giving away too much too soon. As she brings in book 2 of this series we will get to know a different character as Eason brilliantly brings back those that we have gotten to know in the first novel.
Suspenseful throughout the story. Always watching brings us a character who is being watched by his stalker, one who wants to destroy him. One who knows his every move. We also see this team of strong and capable women surrounding him, watching his every step. Where he goes they follow. Often they are arrive before he even gets there. I find this brilliant!! Good and evil meeting.
I see the take away as Satan is always there watching our every move. He's out to destroy us and is willing to use every tool allowed. But there's the Savior, with His hand upon us, angels surrounding us with a hedge of protection. Where we go, He goes. His presence is there before we ever arrive.
How wonderful to have this team of protection surrounding you. Friendships grow, love blossoms, and we see faith anew. I love how these characters face fear head on, knowing they have the support and encouragement from one another to face anything that comes their way. They are willing to step out of their comfort zone and stand in the gap for others.
So, although this is a suspense novel that includes lots of action and who done it theme, there is much to take away. Yes, as always this is one to grab up. What a great way to spend a winter afternoon, all snuggled up with a great book!!
This novel was a gift from Revell for sharing my review with you.
Lynette Eason is the bestselling author of the Women of Justice, the Deadly Reunions, and the Hidden Identity series. She is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Romance Writers of America. She lives in South Carolina. Learn more at www.lynetteeason.com


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Winter can be quite harsh on your hair. The sun often dehydrates your hair and leaves it feeling dull, dry and brittle. Here are some tips to help restore health and vibrancy to your hair during Winter!
- Put Down the Heat – Give your hair a reprieve from the use of heating elements for a week or two and experiment with your hair up, braids or ponytails. Always remember when using irons and blow dryers to apply a protective heat resistant product first, then select the right heat setting on your dryer or iron based on the thickness of your hair and the manufacturers recommendations.
- Repair Heat Damage – If you've used any chemicals at all in your hair, chances are the summer sun, salt and chlorine left your hair brittle and dry. Battle the urge to style with heat and go au natural for a week or two, use a hydrating oil and schedule a trim as soon as possible.
- Remove Chlorine Buildup – Time in the pool can lead to chlorine build-up but few realize showering with unfiltered tap water will do the same over time. Chlorine buildup leaves your hair dry, brittle and frizzy – in short, difficult to manage! Prevention is the safest way to deal with chlorine build up (swim caps, applying spray on hair conditioner prior to and rinsing immediately after swimming) but if you suspect you've got chlorine buildup consult with your hair stylist.
- Tame the Frizz – For those of us who fall victim to the frizzies the transition from summer/fall into winter can be particularly frustrating. If you're styling with heat, always apply a smoothing, heat resistant cream first to reduce breakage.
- Fix Fading Hair Color – Has your color treatment turned dull or brassy? It may be time to call the hair salon and schedule a touchup.
- Try Keratin – Many women (and men) who struggle to tame frizzy, curly and even coarse hair opt for Keratin-enriched products. Heavy conditioners can leave hair limp. A better bet is to use Keranique® Volumizing Keratin Conditioner – a special cream-gel formula with a fortifying complex that coats, protects and volumizes fine and thinning hair with a keratin enriched coating.To learn more, visit Keranique, on Amazon.


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Call of Duty as Historical Reenactment
When I was 8, I was enrolled into a summer camp at Genesee Country Village and Museum. The village was a living museum where costumed interpreters talked about the life of an eighteenth to nineteenth century village. The purpose of the summer camp was to learn about lifeways during this period, as well as learn skills which have fallen out of practice such as sewing, basketry, spinning wool, and printing. In addition to actual skills, the camp included a variety of games from this period and live demonstrations of a range of crafts. Participants in the camp were expected to dress in period clothing, pack lunches in cotton bags or baskets, drink only from tin cups, and girls had to wear bonnets or braid their hair. Not only were we learning about the past, we were directly engaging with it, immersed in a colonial world. The past becomes something that is alive. Video games provide a similar framework which allows people to interact with history in a way that is more immersive and engaging than rote memorization. While the majority of these games are not built for educational experiences, meaningful play games should use this immersive quality of video games to engage with students.
Since its release, Call of Duty has stood as the exemplar of historical reality as a backdrop to a video game, with each of its following releases living up to this standard. Gamers are given the choice of playing through a number of different campaigns based on country, with each tailored to reflect the worldview, struggles and successes of that particular unit. Each battle is constructed based on a historical one, attempting to reflect reality as closely as possible. For the creation of Call of Duty: World at War, the military advisor at Treyarch, Hank Keirsay, was pivotal in accurately representing World War II. Treyarch community manager Josh Olin said "He [Keirsay] found veterans who served in these conflicts, and interviewed them for historical accuracy. He helps to paint a very vivid picture in the minds of our designers from what the battlefield looked like, to what it felt like, and even what it smelled like".
One of the benefits of this type of engagement with history is that people are immersed within it in a different way than books or movies. First, the makers of Call of Duty selected battles which were pivotal in the overall structure of World War II, but may have been overlooked. One example of this is the American mission from Call of Duty II based on the invasion of Pointe du Hoc on June 6th, 1944. Historically, this battle has been one that was crucial in the success of D-Day, but has ultimately been less explored. Players are also given the opportunity to play a variety of different perspectives, avoiding the often biased and nationalistic viewpoint that basic history classes may instill. Gamers get the chance to see the war from different angles, seeing how the war was experienced in different moments, but also gaining an understanding of the broader trajectory and structure of the war.
Another benefit of this type of history is the opportunity for individuals to play through the battle, engaging with strategy, and facing the horrors of war without any real danger to themselves. Historical reenactment of World War II is also a way of engaging with history, but issues of modernity can call accuracy into question; such as the average age of participants being much higher than it actually was, the failure of participants to follow the rigorous personal grooming standards of 20th century military, and the exclusion of women from participating. These types of criticisms can be mitigated in video games, since those people engaging in the actual war are characters which are designed and shaped to most accurately represent the period. Also, video gamers can be any gender, so female participation ruining historical accuracy are non-issues. Video games also provide a more accessible way to interact with the past than reenactment.
Finally, video games (like historical reenactment) are a way of peopling the past. Vanessa Agnew (2007) argues that historical reenactment is an indication of a recent shift in the perception of history to a more affective representation, characterized by "conjectural interpretations of the past, the collapsing of temporalities and an emphasis on affect, individual experience and daily life rather than historical events, structures and processes". Video games allow for the past to become more than "stale events" or "timelines", creating a depth and richness that can be lacking in history. Unlike reenactment, video games allow players to engage with World War II in the exact location that the battle took place, with period weaponry, but then can jump to a relevant battle in another country; pulling singular events together in a structured narrative.
Just as historical reenactment is criticized, so too are historical video games questioned for inaccuracies and misrepresentation of the past. The game does take liberties with some historical facts, using World War II as an inspiration for a plot but not always sticking strictly to the historical narrative. In Call of Duty, the Russian campaign begins with soldiers funneled from a train to the battlefield, with only half receiving weapons- a perception that has been propagated by popular media (such as the movie Enemy of the Gates) but has no historical evidence. The most recent version of Call of Duty: Black Ops has been highly critiqued for taking major liberties with history, such as changing the timeline of the uprising and giving the player the ability to kill Castro.
The main problem with mainstream video games and historical representation is that the goal of the game is not to appease World War II experts or educate users on the lesser known battles of the war. It is entertainment; if accuracy fails but the fun value is high a video game like this can still be highly successful. While the battle of Pointe du Loc was critical to the success of D-Day, it was also a battle which was going to provide a challenging and exciting background to the gameplay. Fun is where most educational games fail, trading game mechanics for atmospheric accuracy. However, Call of Duty can still be used as a supplement to World War II education. Like movies and reenactment, used to visually portray war, perhaps educators should be using Call of Duty to allow student to interact with World War II. Video games are a form of historical reenactment. They are able to transcend many of the criticisms of reenactment and can span a wide range of time periods and events, focusing on broad lessons and meaningful moments in history. Misrepresentation and mistakes in historical facts of World War II are found throughout the game; but this to can provide an important educational lesson, perhaps with teachers challenging students to find these inaccuracies. When a game (or reenactment) strays from historical accuracy, it offers a opportunity to use the difference as a jumping off point for teaching.
The lesson is that any "popularized" version of history requires it to be used in a properly rigorous setting such that it does not become truth. Video games allow users to engage with the past in a meaningful (but also fun) way. While the ultimate entertainment goals of games like Call of Duty must be remembered, it has many benefits as a historical reenactment and is an opportunity for immersive education. What do you think; can we use mainstream games as immersive education?
[Image by Flickr user Firefish45 and used under Creative Commons license]
Works Cited
Callaham, John 2008. Interview: Treyarch talks about Call of Duty: World at War. Electronic Document. Big Download.http://news.bigdownload.com/2008/10/21/interview-treyarch-talks-about-call-of-duty-world-at-war/. Accessed 6/12/11.
Swartzwelde, Beth Anne 2010. Historical video games are more than just fun. Electronic Document.http://blogs.setonhill.edu/ElizabethSwartzwelder/2010/01/historical_video_games_are_mor.html
Bacchus 451 2011. An academic analysis of historical accuracy in Call of Duty II.http://www.ign.com/blogs/bacchus451/2011/03/15/an-academic-analysis-of-historical-accuracy-in-call-of-duty-2
Agnew, Vanessa 2007. History's affective turn: Historical reenactment and its work in the present Rethinking History. In The Journal of Theory and Practice 11(3): 299-312.
4 Comments
Interesting article, and I would agree, but not to the extent that teachers should encourage kids to play CoD as homework (they do that anyway).
You can't use gaming as a basis for fact, and the idea of critiquing it is overly simplistic. The most valuable thing that can be communicated by computer games is how the experience felt, and building an ability to empathise and put yourself in a situation. If you were to play some CoD, then read some soldiers letters, you may have greater understanding of the individuals experience, and through that gain an understanding of a historical truth, how people felt.
In this way the game offers an opportunity to teach a little of historiography, what truths can be found in source material, other than the facts.
The key question however is whether games actually communicate an understanding truths. I would say probably not as it's too distant, but it can be used as a way into historiography as a subject area.
Good article, Katy, I never thought of these games in a historical reenactment sense before, though after reading this and thinking about my own experiences, I definitely agree.
Personally, I've always been interested in the historical accuracy of such games, since the computer games i played in high school got me interested in history in the first place.
Last year, I decided to start my own blog on the subject (so far I've only made it about halfway through Medal of Honor: Allied Assault) and I was surprised at what I learned when I began investigating each mission.
The first mission: Lighting the Torch, combines a likely fictional SAS operative rescue with the real actions of the U.S. Army rangers near the town of Arzew, Algeria, prior to Operation Torch in November 1942.
However, it gets a bit fuzzy from there, with a one-man infiltration of a Kriegsmarine base in Norway (though the target u-boat, U-529, was a real ship lost without a trace on the date of the mission).
I've only written about everything up to the third mission: a D-Day recreation straight out of Saving Private Ryan (with little historical accuracy). But, like you suggested, I've managed to use the inaccuracies to write about truths and often, the truth is a lot more interesting than the game, but maybe that's just me.
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After the update of 1.1, yes it did fix alot such as the highscores displaying and some lag details. But there are alot that i've realized that gone badly since
- Flipping: sometimes when hit your upside down and cant see where the hell your going or sometimes even backwards!
- Side slamming: If rammed sometimes you get slammed going completely horizontal (side-ways) smashing into the walls and its impossible to get out of until a few seconds in which you come to your death
- Some weapon pick-ups are greyed out even if no-one has collected them, I dont know if this was intended? but they seem to be the ones which are along the race line. This is very noticeable in maps such as Sol 2 where almost all are unpickable
Please post some constructive criticism and feel free to add to the list of Doom


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Here are three delightfully engaging storytelling games to try with your kids: The Storymatic Kids!, Rory's Story Cubes, and StoryPlay Cards.
When I teach kids how to write stories, we generally start out loud. In other words, we think, plan, and share orally before writing silently. Of course, not all kids are oral processers but sharing out loud helps organize our thoughts and gives us feedback from friends if the story is missing anything or on the right track.
Get kids telling stories out loud and it will improve their written stories.
The Best Storytelling Games for Kids
1. The Storymatic Kids!
The best thing about Storymatic Kids! is the amazing (and seemingly endless) combinations that push you to think creatively.
Pick two yellow cards to make a main character and one blue card that will be in the story somehow.
{finicky eater + someone who is lost + spelling bee}
The rules? The main character needs change from the beginning of the story to the end and he or she needs to stay alive.
Can you imagine the fun of the cards depicted in the image above? {lion tamer + knows only 3 words + very difficult itch to scratch}
Or how about these cards? {clown + someone raised by a wild animal + this time it's bound to work}
Storymatic Kids! also comes with a art and game ideas such as using the cards to make a movie poster, draw a comic story, and partner up to tell your story together. It's my favorite of all these fun storytelling games. Plus, our whole family has fun inventing wacky and wild stories.
2. Rory's Story Cubes
Easy to carry in your backpack or purse, Rory's Story Cubes make for a great on-the-go activity.
Roll the cubes. Tell a story based on the images you roll. Or work with two other players, each taking 3 cubes to create an epic tale.
Add or mix in cubes from Rory's Story Cubes Voyages or Actions for even more possibilities.
We've never gotten into these as much as I would like. I don't know if it's the simple drawings or what. But, I know lots of families who count this among their favorite games. It's definitely worth checking out.
3. StoryPlay Cards
I love the many ideas throughout the 88 StoryPlay Cards. The illustrations depict people, animals, elements, power, love, journey, skills, creations, nature, food, and symbols.
I've used these for my writing classes and had kids pick characters, settings, and problems from the different cards. Having the visual cues in the cards helps kids stories make more sense. (One of the biggest issues with beginning writers and storytellers stories is that they don't make much sense.)
In the accompanying booklet, you can read about each card's meanings. Use this for discussions, storystarters, or embedding symbolism in stories.
The StoryPlay Cards also come with tons of game ideas – from spoons to memory match. Who would have thought cards could be so multi-faceted?
For more storytelling tips, check out these articles:
– Planet Esme Storytelling
– Create a Story Box, Book Chook
– 20 Storytelling Activities for Kids, No Time for Flashcards
– 50 Storytelling Ideas, Inspiration Laboratories
– Say it, Play it, Write it, Share It, Imagination Soup
– The Best Writing Prompts for Kids, Imagination Soup
For more learning tips & recommendations, join Imagination Soup on Facebook and Pinterest.
Also read:
Innovative Thinking Game for Kids: Disruptus
The Difference Between Convergent (Linear) and Divergent Thinking


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Tag Archives: South West Coast Path
to the estuary… busy doing nothing
Hazy sunlight, scents of earth and leaf – the air around me is mild, warm and damp and a few birds are twittering quietly. I can hear traffic noise as always from across the river. And as always I make … Continue reading
Posted in Devon, nature, North Devon, seasons and cycles Tagged berries, countryside, insects, National Trust, nature, noise, Northam, outdoors, peace, river, silence, South West Coast Path, Torridge Estuary, Torridge estuary, walking, wildflowers


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Quality boot and shoe repair specialists | call: 028 9066 4328
Your gallery pages should be very easy for me to understand. Images on these pages should be related to each other so I don't have to spend time figuring out what the images are trying to say.
Use small amounts of text to give the images context - use this to remind me why I should get in touch.
For more information, call us now:
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HR's Christmas Memories
We have a very big team here at the Hospice with over two hundred staff members and hundreds of incredible volunteers too so who's in charge of looking after them? The answer is our Human Resources team and we recently quizzed them on our Christmas Poster questions.
From left to right in the picture, here are their Christmas memories…
Best Ever Christmas Gift – My Little Pony House
Strangest Ever Christmas Gift – I'm struggling to think of a strange present, my brother always gets me an 'in joke' present which the rest of the family never understand so it's strange for them!
#Christmasin4Words – Spending time with family
Favourite part of Christmas dinner – Sprouts!! I love them
Best Gift – As a child it was the Sylvanian Families Bakery, more recently a trip to New York to celebrate New Year to which I ended up spending an extra 2 days there due to a snow storm and all flights were cancelled!
Strangest Gift – I have never received a 'strange' Christmas present…although there is still time.
#Christmasin4Words – Family, relaxing, celebration and remembrance
Favourite part of Christmas dinner – That feeling when you're full from your food and ready for an afternoon nap!
Best Gift – Sewing Machine at the age of 8 which kept me quiet all day and I have had an interest in sewing ever since
Strangest Gift – Wine glass rings (thought they were strange earrings as none matched) thanked my friend for the earrings and got a very amusing text back!
#Christmasin4Words – 'Magical'
Favourite part of Christmas dinner – Pigs in blankets
Best Gift – Girls World
Strangest Gift – A garden gnome sitting in a chair made of twigs….it now gets passed on to a different family member each year. Hopefully it's not making its way back to me this year!
#Christmasin4Words – It's A Wonderful Life
Favourite part of Christmas dinner – Hands down, the sprouts. But closely followed by pigs in blankets.
Best Gift – Until this year it was a Supercar drive experience, but now I would have to say our new granddaughter, Alice.
Strangest Gift – I struggled a bit with this one, but then remembered the clock that our neighbours gave us from their trip to Australia earlier in the year – it was shaped like a map of Australia in copper and was awful!
#Christmasin4Words – Boxing Day Games Night
Favourite part of Christmas dinner – All of it if our family are all together – but I do love Christmas Pud soaked in Brandy!
Best Gift – Roller boots and saxophone
Strangest Gift – The Adventures of Flash Gordon on tape (audio)
#Christmasin4Words – Jingle, sprouts, family & fizz
Favourite part of Christmas dinner – My Mum's Bread sauce
Get your office talking and find out what strange gifts your colleagues have received by clicking here to order one of our free Christmas Posters! Each one comes with a collection box so you can support Birmingham St Mary's and make a real difference this Christmas!


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Coenie de Villiers and Die Heuwels Fantasties collaborated in the creation of this song which went to number one.
Music and lyrics by Coenie de Villiers, Hunter Kennedy and Pierre Greeff.
Off the Hart van Glas album by Coenie de Villiers as well as off the Wilder as die Wildtuin album by Die Heuwels Fantasties.
For more info about the new album EMOJI, shows and bookings, check out www.coeniedevilliers.co.za


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Hello again,
at long last I feel I have something worthy of the description "complete".
This may or may not be the correct terminology as when do we (woodworkers) ever feel our shops are complete.
However I do feel it is now at the stage where I can start some projects in a confident mood.
In that vein I would like to take you for a walk with me through my endeavours.
Perhaps before I show the improvements you should see the before pics…...
So that was the mess I was in, now we can see the changes…
That was a general view of my 16×12ft. interior.
I have tried to pack as much in as possible while keeping the centre clear.
That is my Kity 609TI Combi-Saw/Spindle Moulder, the main machine in my shop.
In the bottom right-hand corner is my 10-speed lathe and surface planer/thicknesser.
It has a surfacer of 1200mm and thicknesser capacity of 256×200mm.
To the right is storage for sash-clamps.
On the top left hand corner you can see the 2nd most important piece of gear in my shop, my radio…
Next is my newly built mitre-saw station with a shout out to Tom Clark and his fantastic workshop.
He made me think a little bit more about utilising storage space, CHEERS.
Next is my workbench with storage underneath.
The bench is also hinged in the middle to fold beneath to give more floor-space if required.
It is also at the same height as mitre-saw and can be a support for long pieces.
To the left of my bench are various cramps.
I also have 6 Plano clamps which are fantastic for gluing panels, table-tops, laminates etc.
I acquired those from an ex-boss who ran away with the company secretary leaving a trail of unpaid bills and wages (including mine), and were appropriated with other bits-n-bobs in lieu of wages.
Bottom left hand corner is a work station for my drill-press, morticer and small bandsaw.
With the flap up I can rip on the saw freely and down the 3 tools are on sleds and can be easily moved into position for use.
Below is stored my small compressor, enough air for my nail-gun and gravity feed sprayer. To the left is more storage.
Some shelves for storing rip-fence, moulder and planer equipment, and anything I may be working on at that moment.
The rack above stores all the small-medium size pieces of various hardwoods I have gathered.
I have a timber-rack in an outhouse for larger pieces of softwoods, turning blanks etc.
A thank you is due to craftsmanonthelake for his 3pile suggestion.
Does everyone find it hard to throw "Stuff" away.
In my 16×12ft universe I really need to be more ruthless in future.
Well folks, the tour is now over and I would be grateful for any input/suggestions to improve my shop.
Thanks for your time but I have to go and make a zero-clearance insert and a table for my drill-press, and…
I may be complete but will I ever be finished….....


text: I photographed this wedding a few weeks back at L'Auberge in Del Mar. For those of you reading this in Antarctica and other remote spots, Del Mar is in California, which is in the USA. It's a lovely little beach town, and this is where Jamielle and Jamal chose to say their vows and express their love for each other. I've been meaning to blog about this for a while, and thought, "hey, it's Valentines Day, I've already bought my wife the silver E Class 5 Series AMG, why not post a few photos from their wedding!?" So here are a few shots that I liked…..


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Discussion Topics
- Panic begins with a confrontation between Justin, a dancer, and some local bullies. How does this help capture the reader's attention? Discuss the impact of bullies in schools. What is your opinion of how Justin handles the bullies?
- What predictions can the reader make about Justin and his role as a dancer and a teenager? Compare those predictions to what really happens at the end of the novel.
- Describe the dance academy and the role it seems to play in the lives of the students who take lessons there. How is the relationship between a dance teacher and her students different from an academic classroom teacher and his or her students?
- Describe Diamond's home life. As you first meet Diamond, how is she like many young people today? How is she different? What seem to be her biggest insecurities? Her greatest strengths? What character traits does she have that will help her through the difficulties to come?
- Describe the initial meeting between Diamond and Thane. How believable is it that he is able to convince her to leave with him? Do you think he planned that confrontation? What would you have done in the same situation?
- Discuss the reactions of the students to Diamond's disappearance. Which characters stand out and why?
- How does Diamond gradually discover the enormity and evil of her situation? What is both ironic and horrible about Thane's explanation of what is to happen?
- Describe Donovan--physically, emotionally, and socially. Why do you think a girl like Layla lets him mistreat her? What factors in her life might play a part? How is Donny's behavior another form of bullying?
- If available, listen to the music Justin dances to in chapter 11. Visualize his performance as you listen. How do the words match both the movement and the music?
- Compare and contrast the Sunday morning of April 14 of Mercedes and of Diamond.
- How do extraordinary events affect the lives of ordinary people? Describe how Diamond's disappearance affected her parents and her sister and her friends.
- Compare and contrast the relationship of Mercedes and Steve, and the relation of Layla and Donovan. Give specific examples of noticeable differences.
- The source of pleasure for most of the characters in the book is dance. Describe how music and dance in the novel help to aid various characters throughout. Why are music and performance easy ways to explain complicated feelings? How can self-expression be used as a tool for helping or healing?
- Layla thinks she is in control of the situation when she lets Donny take the pictures. Describe how innocent lapses in judgment led to her problems the next day.
- Discuss the power of social media, the internet and instant sharing of information. How can that be both positive and negative?
- Compare and contrast the reaction of students at school to Layla's pictures, and Justin's reaction to the pictures and to Layla.
- How does Diamond find the strength to survive her ordeal? What does she do to cling to hope? How successful do you think her re-integration into both school and dance classes will be?
- Compare and contrast Diamond's abuse and Layla's abuse. How are their situations similar? How are they different?
- Explain the title of the novel. Why does the title have more than one possible interpretation? Use specific examples to support your answer.
- Partner abuse in high school, bullying, and the criminality of internet sexual abuse are topics that needs to be discussed. Discuss how realistic the lives of Diamond and the others are portrayed, and how they can become voices for young readers.
Activities and Research
- You are a reporter at one of the following scenes. Write the story for your newspaper.
- The dance recital
- The video made by Diamond's parents, pleading for her release
- The scene where rescue crews arrive for Diamond
- Classes and activities at the dance academy
- Investigate child abductions. Find out statistics as well as solutions.
- Investigate bullying in schools. Find out statistics as well as solutions.
- Explain how the quotes from Peter Pan fit into the flow of each chapter. OR Read the original Peter Pan and analyze it as a children's story.
- Write a letter to one of the characters in the book explaining your feelings about the events in the story. What advice would you give Diamond, or Layla, or Justin, or Mercedes?
- Imagine it is three months after the end of the novel. Write a letter or create a conversation between the following characters:
- Layla to Justin
- Diamond to Shasta
- Mercedes to Miss Ginger
- Zizi to Jillian
- Thane to his lawyer
- In diary form, write the life of Diamond for several months. Include details about how she copes with her bad memories, her lost dreams, and her hope for the future.
- Trace the story of one of the following characters. Imagine you are a reporter doing a story on one of their lives. Write everything you know, as well as whatever you can infer about the character in order to write your magazine article.
- Thane
- Donovan
- Miss Ginger
- Zizi
- Listen to the songs used in the novel and tell how each one fit into the themes of the story and the lives of the characters.
- Describe the relationship between the friends in the book. Is friendship enough when situations become monumental and overwhelming to young people? Explain.
Writing Activities
A. "I thought you loved me." He increased the pressure.
Layla's mind reeled-he was going to kill her if he didn't stop. She could barely speak. "Please. You. Are. Hurting. Me. Stop! Stop!"
He squeezed even harder. "Then you got some decisions to make."
She felt dizzy. Her words gurgled. "You. Know. I. Love. You. Please. Let. Go." She could tell she was about to black out.
He released his hand. Layla slumped in relief against the door, inhaling and exhaling sharply. She rolled down the window, gulping the damp air.
B. Please, please untie me!" Her head pounded, and her brain felt so fuzzy. She couldn't think. Why was the room spinning?
Thane laughed again. "You still don't get it, do you? You wanted to be in a movie, and you're just in time for your audition."
Diamond tried to think straight. Nothing made sense. She felt drugged. "Wha? What? I-I don't understand."
"No!" she screamed. "Let me go! Please, please, let me go!"
Write a paper comparing the situations of Layla and Diamond. OR Write about two people you know who faced horrible situations and compare how they dealt with it. Make sure you use specific details to make your paper effective.
" But as the flickering lights sputtered out in tiny puffs of smoke, Justin felt a cold chill. It was too much like a hundred small deaths happening all at once.."
Write a descriptive paper that uses sensory imagery. Use vivid verbs and powerful adjectives and adverbs as you write. Use as many of the senses as you can. (sight, sound, smell, touch, taste).
"As they headed for the stairs, Mercedes counted three policemen in the living room and two more in the den. Phones rang. Strange wires had been stretched across the floor. A bulky piece of electronic equipment sat on the dining room table next to a set of telephones. "That stuff is for in case the kidnappers call for ransom-so they can trace the call," Shasta whispered. "How do you know all this?" "I listen at the top of the stairs." Write a narrative paper from the point of view of someone who listened at the top of the stairs, or someone who overheard a conversation. Tell what the person might have learned, the reactions to the information, and the results of that knowledge. Make sure you use specific details to make your paper effective.
"Exhausted, she sat down and paid close attention to where she was. The room was small, the walls steeply slanted. It made her feel a little dizzy to look at them. A converted attic, she figured. The only window, a small octagon, was tucked at least twenty feet above her head, in the triangle where the two walls met. A chance to escape? Probably not. How would she ever get up there? Thin light, made gray by the rainy weather, filtered through it.
She paced the room, checking for anything she could use to help her. She tried to remove a picture from the wall, but found it was nailed there. There were no lamps. No decorations. No television. There was nothing she could use as a weapon. Not one thing. She put her ear to the door, but she all she could hear was thick silence. It was as if she were in a tomb..
Write an expository (explanatory) paper that describes a room in your house, or in your school, or an area in your neighborhood. Use as many specifics as possible.
"Six years now. He got sent away when I was ten. I should be used to him being gone, but it still sucks."
"Does dancing help?" Mercedes asked.
"It totally saved me. It was my dad who found Miss Ginger's when I was in first grade; he's the one who convinced my mom to let me try out the classes. It's like somehow he knew that dancing made me feel real."
"He used to wait in the parking lot every night until I finished class."
"I remember! Sometimes you guys would give me a ride home. Didn't he always have a strawberry smoothie waiting in the cup holder for you?"
"Yep." Layla tried to smile, remembering. "He never missed a pickup. He never missed a show. And then he was gone."
Write a persuasive paper that argues the point: "Children who have parents who are incarcerated are negatively influenced because of it." OR "Children who have parents who are incarcerated are positively influenced because of it." "Children who have parents who are incarcerated are both positively and negatively influenced because of it." Give specific examples to support your opinions.
"Another song began. "Just the Way You Are" by Boyce Avenue. It was slower, more sensuous. Breathing hard, Justin extended his hand to Layla. She smiled and reached out her hand to him. They moved together, almost as if they were one person. They twisted and stepped together. He twirled her around, then gently lifted her while the music surged around them. The words to the song were so perfect for Layla-for the two of them, Mercedes thought. "It's so sad to think she don't see what I see/When I see your face, there's not a thing that I would change/'Cause you're amazing, just the way you are . . ."
Layla landed delicately and spun within the circle of Justin's arms. For a moment, there was only Justin, Layla, and the music that swirled around them."
Read the passage above and explain how the point of view of the character who makes the observation influences the description. How would Donovan have written this passage?
"...her pointe shoes barely making a sound as she spun effortlessly with the music.
The final strains of the music, as bold and strong as Jillian's leaps, echoed in the background. The cheers and applause from the audience resounded. Jillian took her bows gracefully, then trotted off the stage in that awkward walk of girls who would prefer to be on pointe, in the air, above the rest of the world, rather than walking flat-footed on solid ground in heavy-toed pointe shoes.
Her makeup smeared with sweat, Jillian pushed Zizi and Layla out of her way, headed to the nearest garbage can, and threw up. Jillian always vomited after her performances. As Zizi said, she danced like the devil, then she puked.
Write a character sketch of a strong powerful person--a friend, a relative, a family member. Use strong verbs and adjectives, as well as sensory imagery.
"She found energy in thinking about the studio, which always felt comfortable, like a favorite sweatshirt. The smell of popcorn from the microwave in the cafe, the swirling strains of thousands of songs, the glaring reality of the mirrors that covered each wall. Miss Ginger's voice, demanding and gentle at the same time. The sound of fifteen pairs of tap shoes on the wooden floor. Sweat-honest, exhilarating sweat after a great class.
Diamond opened the door to the Crystal Pointe Dance Academy, walked into the main dance room, and inhaled deeply. It smelled of cocoa and costumes, of perspiration and popcorn, of happiness and hope. Happy smells a lot like leftover sweat, she thought with a smile."
Write a personal essay that describes a special memory or objector place in your life. Explain why it is meaningful to you. Be sure to include sensory imagery--sights, smells, touches, tastes, sounds.
Write a poem about one of the following topics, or another topic of your choice:
- Stupid Decisions
- Lost and Alone
- Forever Friends
- The Joy of Dance
- Escape
- Thunderstorms
- Controlled by Love


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Something a little Different at Let's Get Sketchy. This week Team A and Team B have joined forces to bring you these amazing pages. The Challenge is to
Create a monochromatic layout
Melinda F.
Create a monochromatic layout
Melinda F.
December Sponsor
December Prize
Please link up your pages in the sidebar in the linkup for the December Week 5 Challenge, you have until Jan. 4th midnight CST to linkup for this challenge.
We can't wait to see what you create and happy scrapping!


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home shield 800
Boiler, Controls & Radiator Cover £11.00 per month
Home Shield 800 covers your entire central heating system including your boiler, controls, radiators, radiator valves and radiator pipe work with no excess payments. You also receive a free annual boiler service.
what's covered?
- Gas Boiler
- Room Thermostat
- Central Heating Timer
- Controls (Including Pump)
- Radiators & Radiator Valves
- Radiator Pipework
also included...
- Unlimited Call Outs
- Annual Boiler Service
- Annual Gas Safety Check
- Annual Energy Efficiency Check
Excess £0 - Home Shield T&C's


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Classes at Circus Juventas land under two different price types: General Fee and Fixed Fee. See the details below to find out more:
Additional charges that could be added throughout the year include:
- Registration Fee
- A non-refundable $45 registration fee is due once per academic year in the first session of enrollment (so if you pay it in fall 2019 you don't owe it again until fall 2020). Fee is per student, not per family.
- Spring Show Costume Fee
- Costume fees are charged during the winter session to all spring show performers. Costume price for the 2019-2020 year is $95 per costume.
- Summer Show Costume Fee
- Most costumes are between $175-300 each, though lead character costumes will likely be priced higher. Our show costumes are both character- and act-based, so a student's number of performing acts does not necessarily correspond to the number of costumes needed. Accessories may also require additional fees.
- Show Shoes
- Some acts require specific shoes for training or for the spring show performance. A full listing of required shoes for the show will be released in the spring session.
- Workshops
- Guest artists visit throughout the year to work with our CJ students. We'll send out more details on those artists and what classes are eligible for their workshops as it becomes available.
- Performer Fee
- Performers are charged a fee in order to help cover the costs of keeping the circus running when in "performance mode." Students will be notified whether they owe a performer fee in the session before their show (Only applicable to summer show performers in the summer session).


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Frequently Asked Questions for Campus Admissions
Are interviews mandatory?
Interviews are encouraged, but are not mandatory.
What standardized tests are required for applicants?
Nursing applicants are required to take SAT or ACT, including transfer students with fewer than 15 college credit hours. Student applicants in other majors are not required to take SAT or ACT.
What is more important – a high GPA or honors level classes?
Academic rigor is important. Applicants need to take at least college preparatory classes. If an applicant has a lower GPA but took honors classes, then the applicant is considered a stronger candidate because of the honors challenge.
Does Saint Joseph's College have early action and/or early decision?
The college offers an early-action admission plan. Students interested in this nonbinding admission plan need to send their application along with all required supporting materials by November 15. Beginning mid-December, we will begin the notification process.
What are the application deadlines?
Early-action applicants are due by November 15. The regular admission priority deadline for nursing applications is December 15 and for all other programs is March 1. Students may apply until August 1, if space is available. The financial aid priority deadline is March 1.
Can I use the Common Application to apply?
Yes, we accept the Common Application.
What do I need to send in order to be considered?
Applicants will be considered for application when the Admission Office receives the completed application form including an essay, official high school transcript and official copies of any course work, a recommendation from a guidance or college counselor, a recommendation from a teacher and SAT or ACT score (for nursing applicants only).
How soon will I find out if I am accepted?
Beginning mid-December, we will begin notifying Early-action applicants. Regular admission applicants are generally notified 2 to 3 weeks after their application becomes complete.
What should I expect from an admission interview?
The admission interview is a way for us to learn more about you and it allows us to answer any questions you have about Saint Joseph's.
When can I visit?
We offer open houses throughout the season as well as focus program for prospective students interested in nursing. If you prefer, individual tours are available Monday through Friday at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. In April, we host an open house for high school juniors. To visit the campus, please call the Admission Office at (800) 338-7057 or (207) 893-7746.
I'm ready to make a deposit. What is the process?
Once accepted, to reserve your seat in the Fall, you must submit a New Student Deposit Form and a $200 tuition deposit. Deposits are due May 1. Note: deposits are refundable with written notice to the Office of Admissions by May 1st. After this date NO refunds will be issued.
For students who will be living on campus, please be sure to also fill out the housing contract in mySJC.
How many students return after their first year?
Saint Joseph's College is committed to helping students choose the best college for them. The current retention rate is 82%.
What is the graduation rate?
The four-year graduation rate for Saint Joseph's College students is 52%.
What is the average class size?
The average class size is 16 and laboratory classes generally have only 15 students.
What is the student to faculty ratio?
The student to faculty ratio is 13 to 1.
What is the classroom environment like?
There is a spirit of excitement that is shared by students and faculty in a Saint Joseph's classroom. Our 13:1 student-to- faculty ratio allows collaborative learning to take place. A typical class size is 20-25 students, though laboratory classes generally have only 15 students. As students progress further into their major area of study, classes often become even smaller to allow for more in-depth discussion.
Education in the classroom is supplemented by real-world experience. Opportunities abound for fieldwork, internships, research, and study abroad. Students graduate from Saint Joseph's prepared for the next chapter in their life, whether it be graduate school, entering into a career, or both.
What can I do with a degree from Saint Joseph's?
The Saint Joseph's graduate leaves knowing that they can make a difference. Employers say our graduates are extremely well prepared and ready to contribute professionally. Alumni of Saint Joseph's College are vice presidents of international banks, emergency room nurses, television reporters, teachers,principals, and successful entrepreneurs. Students who choose to continue their education attend graduate schools across the country and abroad.
Career Development assists with career planning, job search strategies, and the graduate school application process. In a recent survey conducted by Career Development, 95 percent of graduates were either employed or attending graduate school within eight months of graduation.


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I posted this thread because I've seen people searching for it.
Air conditioning...
Can you add A/C to a vehicle that didn't originally come with it? Have you ever done this?
I've heard of dealers putting in A/C as a dealer-installed option (in general, not specifically for Nissans).
Cruise control...
I know the answer to the cruise control question: yes, it can be added. There are aftermarket cruise kits (like this one is for the 2014 Versa Note which may work on the Micra).
Another possibility, if the throttle is drive-by-wire: sometimes it's as simple as buying the OEM buttons/switches for the car -- the wiring is already there and the computer has the programming by default. I've seen people do this DIY with other late model cars (a GM though).


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KRATOS is the best model for bike parks.
The descent is its domain.
KRATOS is for people who love the descent and associate it in particular only with Bike park or pick-up.
KRATOS distinguishes by an extremely solid, light and tough frame and a geometry expressly studied for the descent.
The particular virtual pivot point of the swingarm optimizes the rear wheel trajectory .
The clean and rational design of the links makes the swingarm highly stable and reliable.


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PAUL J. MAROTTA - Chairman
Mr. Marotta retired after 41 years of civilian service with the U.S. Air Force.
TERESA S. CONRAD - Secretary
Ms. Conrad retired from the Air Force as Pacific Command (PACOM) Branch Manager for the International Airborne Battle Management Command and Control (BMC2) Division. She is a Director of Hanscom Federal Credit Union. Ms. Conrad lives in Chelmsford, MA.
JOHN BRODA – Treasurer
Mr. Broda, President and Chief Executive Officer of Armed Forces Financial Network, LLC. He lives in Boonton, N.J.
DEBORAH S. DETORA - Director
Ms. DeTora is currently the Director of the Program Protection Office, 66th Air Base Group, Air Force Life Cycle Management Center (LCMC), Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC), Hanscom AFB, MA and Installation Information Security Program Manager. She is a resident of Chelmsford, MA.
DAVID M. PRONCHICK – Director
Mr. Pronchick is a retired colonel with the United States Air Force and currently serves as Assistant Department Head Contracting Services Department for MIT Lincoln Laboratory. He resides in Lexington, MA.
BOBBY JACQUES – Charity Advisor
Bobby Jacques, 66th Air Base Wing Executive Services Chief serves as an advisor to the Board of Directors. He is a retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant. He is a resident of Litchfield, NH.
Notice is hereby given to all supporting members of the Hanscom FCU Charitable Foundation Inc, that the foundation will hold its 7th annual meeting.
Date: Monday, October 28, 2019
Time: 4:00 PM
Register for the Annual Meeting


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My dear, most darling readers.
It's been a busy time for Ye Olde Insomnibaker. Things are blissfully chugging away at Ye Olde Brand New Job, which is going quite well. I have already broken my baking cherry there, by bringing in a tray of Browned Butter Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Cinnamon Buttercream Frosting for Valentine's Day. It was one of those recipes that sounds much more difficult than it is. Browned Butter is just absolutely magical.
Speaking of Ye Olde Dreaded Holiday, your Insomnibaker has once more attempted to dip her dainty toes into the muddied pool that is Online Dating. The theory being that since The Ex's Death, it would probably be a good idea to go on at least a few "practice dates" so that if by chance I happen to meet someone out in Ye Olde Real World, I won't be a complete psychopath.
The good news is, I'm not a complete dud at a dinner table. The bad news is, I've now been out with a couple ripe ones.
I shan't get into the gritty details, but needless to say there have quite a few first dates, with nary a second in site.
The Ex is still missed though. Whatever the many, many, many pitfalls of our tumultuous relationship, he got more than a few things right. He opened doors, he always gave me his umbrella if it was raining, and he always made sure my seltzer glass was full. Cheers to him.
Once, while we were in our 8 year non-speaking period, I happened to be dining in a restaurant where he happened to be the manager. We didn't exchange many words, but apparently when I excused myself to the restroom he zipped over to our table and folded my napkin with an intensity that unnerved the rest of my dinner guests. He placed it lightly on my plate, and strode off without saying a word. I returned to find the table all staring numbly at the perfectly folded fabric, not sure what to say. When I questioned him about it years later, he said, "I wanted to be sure everything was perfect. I even stayed in the kitchen when your food came out to be sure they hadn't missed anything." An odd duck with a big heart, that one.
Moving on. Tomorrow night is Oscar Night. Ye Olde Brother In Law will be liveblogging from Television Without Pity, and I, Good Samaritan that I am, offered to bring a treat. I have yet to see The Artist, but I thought something in a black-and-white theme, with a touch of the old school, would work out best. Thank goodness then, for this exquisite recipe I found for Brownies with Goat Cheese Swirls.
- I pre-het an oven to 350 degrees, and sprayed a 9×9 pan with cooking spray.
- In a smallish bowl, I mixed together 6 ounces of chèvre, one tablespoon of powdered sugar, one large egg, and one tablespoon of flour.
- In a medium-ish bowl, I mixed together 1 and 1/2 cups granulated sugar, some hefty grinds of sea salt, 1 cup flour, 2/3 cup cocoa, and 1 cup chocolate chips.
- You're supposed to add 1/2 cup of powdered sugar, but I forgot.
- I've been watching Grimm on Hulu. It's so . . . so . . remarkably bad. And . . . I can't stop.
- Why can't I stop? There are literally no characters I care about, or even casually like.
- But I keep watching . . . and watching. This episode wasn't even about fairy tale characters, it was about gladiators. SERIOUSLY?!??!
- Into the dry ingredients, I mixed in three large eggs, 1/2 cup of vegetable oil, 2 tablespoons of water, and 1 sizable dollop of vanilla paste.
- It was black as tar, but chocolatey good. Not that I sampled.
- I spread 2/3rd's of the tarry chocolate goodness into the pre-sprayed pan, then glopped the chèvre mix on top, then glopped the rest of the brownie mix on top.
- I slid a knife through the batter to create some lovely lil' swirls.
- I made myself a single cupcake.
- You know, to taste.
- I baked the delicious mess for about 35 minutes.
VERDICT: Just lovely. There is a nice balance between the chocolate and the creaminess of the goat cheese. It's almost like a cheesecake brownie, but with a gorgeous tangy aftertaste. It probably helps if you're ga-ga for goat cheese already, which your Insomnibaker most certainly is. It's not overpowering (honestly, I would pump up the goat cheese a little bit if baking again), but is overall just a lovely solid brownie. Hurrah for the Oscars, and late-night baking.