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Someone is hard at work killing off any remaining former Gadhaffian members of state, especially the close-knit club who are priviledged to all sort of sensitivites informations, dealings and so forth. The chain of killings began with Gadhafi himself, his sons, and one remaining, I have no doubt he will be dealt with, and given … Continue reading
Whether we like it or not, to discuss or comprehend, that there is a coming end to the jews of Palestine as those rightful owners of the land are slowly pushing ahead, and the beneficator of the old order (the west) is weakening internally and externally. To under Palestine, one needs to understand and study … Continue reading
Camorra code is cracked: Letter reveals how jailed boss still ran the mafia The chilling (and balaclava-clad) face of modern British policing: London siege reveals armed-to-the-teeth team preparing for the Olympic Games £206,000 superhead quits as police probe his lavish spending: Academies chief hired his family and used school cash to buy gadgets, antiques and … Continue reading
A. The Intrusive New Measures and Security Services So there are passing the intrusive bill. I told you, they can not be stopped, anything, literary anything, the secret security services (gestapos, stasis and so forth) wants you can be sure they will always get it; after all it is not just for them and their … Continue reading
Remember in the past I stated how the intelligence services are actual rulers of 'democracies'; manipulating elections (even in Egypt they just achieved to 'positioning' finally Mr. Amr Moussa, the pro-western former Mubarak regime FM, and others), blackmailing uncorruptable public represenatives and political leaders, assasination and intimidations, and so forth. Here is an excellent repetition … Continue reading
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/apr/23/government-plan-share-personal-data http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/23/spy-gareth-williams-friction-inquest http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2012/apr/24/former-spy-chief-laws-snooping http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2012/apr/23/databases-proliferate-whitehall http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/apr/23/telegraph-chairman-david-cameron-editor http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2012/apr/23/british-empire-crimes-ignore-atrocities http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2133912/Four-spies-given-anonymity-body-bag-inquest-coroner-rules-exposing-identities-harm-national-security-international-relations.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/facebook-hit-as-profits-slide-7670781.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/gadgets-and-tech/news/former-gchq-head-calls-for-greater-surveillance-of-facebook-and-twitter-7670544.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-iraqs-road-back-from-oblivion-7670582.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134218/French-presidential-elections-2012-results-Marine-Le-Pen-says-Nicolas-Sarkozy-does-deserve-support.html http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/pentagon-creates-new-espionage-unit/2012/04/23/gIQA9R7DcT_story.html http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/24/us/politics/occupy-movement-prepares-for-democratic-convention.html?hp http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/23/us-financial-banks-laundering-idUSBRE83M1DG20120423 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/23/us-cuba-economy-idUSBRE83M19Y20120423 http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/04/23/us-un-crime-idUSBRE83M12P20120423 http://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/style/i-spy-at-national-gallery-the-art-of-candid-photography/2012/04/23/gIQAWsgEcT_gallery.html http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/24/americans-give-peace-a-fighting-chance/ http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,829218,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,829305,00.html http://www.theatlantic.com/national/archive/2012/04/racial-bias-in-death-penalty-cases-a-north-carolina-test/256197/ http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,829189,00.html http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2012/apr/24/leveson-inquiry-hunt-newscorp-bskyb http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2012/apr/24/kenyans-allege-british-involvement-rendition http://www.independent.co.uk/news/business/news/uk-back-in-recession-7678157.html http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/teenage-plus-the-new-adolescence-7676016.html http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/christina-patterson/christina-patterson-its-not-social-cleansing-if-newham-council-cant-afford-to-house-these-people-any-more-7675887.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134464/Leveson-Inquiry-Jeremy-Hunt-faces-calls-resign-News-Corp-releases-BSkyB-bid-emails.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134427/James-Murdoch-DID-discuss-BSKYB-takeover-David-Cameron–Christmas-dinner-Rebekah-Brookss-house.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134688/3-000-town-hall-staff-earn-100-000-hundreds-figure-salaries-despite-cutbacks.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134857/We-recession-Economy-suffers-double-dip-GDP-figures-fall-second-quarter-row.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2134394/Four-spies-given-anonymity-body-bag-inquest-coroner-rules-exposing-identities-harm-national-security-international-relations.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/9225684/MI6-spy-Gareth-Williams-was-straight-and-not-a-transvestite-friend-tells-inquest.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702303592404577363380943434206.html?mod=WSJEUROPE_hpp_sections_ukintl http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/fisk/robert-fisk-the-children-of-fallujah–sayefs-story-7675977.html http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/asia/pakistan-tests-missile-days-after-indias-launch-7678070.html http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/financialcrisis/9225414/Britain-in-double-dip-recession-as-growth-falls-0.2pc.html http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304723304577365301140802744.html?mod=WSJEUROPE_hpp_LEFTTopWhatNews http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052702304811304577365062937359528.html?mod=WSJEUROPE_hpp_MIDDLEThirdNews http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/24/james-murdoch-grilled-over-phone-hacking-failures/ http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/24/yemeni-army-recaptures-center-al-qaeda-held-city/ http://www.nytimes.com/2012/04/26/world/europe/rupert-murdoch-testimony-leveson-inquiry.html?hp http://www.france24.com/en/20120423-Bahrain-religion-Formula-One-gas-Israel-Egypt-Israeli-Palestinian-conflict-week-middle-east http://www.presstv.ir/detail/238000.html http://www.presstv.ir/detail/237999.html http://rt.com/news/breivik-trial-england-extremist-920/ http://rt.com/news/spy-bugging-twitter-facebook-875/ http://rt.com/usa/news/occupy-san-francisco-fargo-910/ http://rt.com/news/russian-american-airborne-drill-923/ http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,829451,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/germany/0,1518,829173,00.html http://www.spiegel.de/international/europe/0,1518,829447,00.html http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2012/apr/24/hbos-girls-bleak-response-to-sex-in-the-city/?page=all#pagebreak http://www.france24.com/en/20120423-amnesty-international-report-says-muslims-victims-discrimination-europe http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2011/jul/27/bunny-greenhouse-war-profiteering?INTCMP=ILCNETTXT3487 … Continue reading
Originally posted on SS SERVICES:
————-Declassified————- Here is my report, playing the role of an FSB strategic agent, analysing 'Russia in contemporary world (of the Cold War II)'. Please understand this is a merely role-playing exercise, though the report was sent to few 'special friends' for review. [1] This first attachment (fsb support) is a…
So, after having studied and practised warfare for at least the large chunk of my life, I finally came to deeper understanding of the phenomenon. As all along the time ever since, I have kept asking myself why some win and some lose? Is there a real, tangible, secret behind such an explanation? Is it … Continue reading
The document contains essentially only the first 'introductory' chapter of the study (which took me three years for completion, not the chapter but the complete study, and still ongoing). res.des.2012
[A] The Times on Heywood as MI6, (UK) writes; "Pressure to reveal if murdered Briton was spy in China: William Hague under pressure from MPs to reveal whether British businessman Neil Heywood worked as a spy before his mysterious death". Then it goes on it's usual business of war lobbying: "The Syrian dictator's forces have … Continue reading
Introduction: The West Still Rule The Arabs So, after the euphoria and idiocy from all corners and sources, and for those of us who saw where the "revolutions" were going, we can all clearly congratulate the western counter-revolutionary efforts against 'popular democratic" interests and desires. In short, the middle east of today is not any … Continue reading
————-Declassified————- Here is my report, playing the role of an FSB strategic agent, analysing 'Russia in contemporary world (of the Cold War II)'. Please understand this is a merely role-playing exercise, though the report was sent to few 'special friends' for review. [1] This first attachment (fsb support) is a simple 'executive summary': fsb support … Continue reading
Without a doubt all specialist (expert, professional, or whatever) of international intrigues and affairs, knows and associates the death of the British businessman in China, Mr. Heywood, to MI6; if not, he or she, is not really an expert! For generations MI6/5 and others have used native businessman abroad and other 'notables' as their 'insiders' … Continue reading
South America is slowly showing off it's independence and growth: [1] Argentina takes on UK, Spain and the rest of EU and UN at one go. It renationalise oil firms, YPF. It remilitarising at alarming rate with Falklands on her sights (my opinion, it is rightful theirs, even when brave fighters fell upon it from … Continue reading
From the Birthplace of Big Brother Published: April 15, 2012 The George W. Bush team must be consumed with envy. Britain's government is preparing sweeping new legislation that would let the country's domestic intelligence agencies monitor all private telephone, e-mail, text message, social network and Internet use in the country, bypassing requirements for judicial warrants. … Continue reading
I keep watching the video of the explosion, and it does appear that it might have been 'laser-tagged', i.e. shot down, and more probably from a space-based weapon system (was the recent US secret space weapon system launch the source?????). In short, as info keep coming in, and as I continue to examine the images, … Continue reading
So, Messr. 'A' emails me yesterday evening, and asked, if I could further elaborate on the violent nature of previously mentioned groups of mercenaries (Italians, Spaniards, Gurkhas, Latinos etc). Well, here is my original email reply to him for the benefit of the rest of you guys; "[First] the Italians: These are braggers, in for … Continue reading
breaking news : Mugabe has been flown out of the country secretly to Malaysia for emergency prostate cancer surgery….mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm……I have never heard of the guy sufferring or having previously shown any signs of cancer threats…I bet it is the doing of the new secret western 'cancer-assassins' at work again, who is next? Kim Un of … Continue reading
So there is a lot of conceptual issues concerning what is, but not who is, is terroris(t)m? Here is my definition based on comparative historical research. I found out that every application of the term has been used by a contemporary status quo against the challengers to such a status quo position. For example, during … Continue reading
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.


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Post Office Box 91
Iron Mountain, Michigan 49801
In Michigan's Beautiful Upper Peninsula
Serving The Church Since 1981
Phone: 1-906-396-2745
email: email@example.com
Dear Friends and Fellow Servants for Christ Jesus,
Warm, heartfelt greetings from Iron Mountain, Michigan … in Michigan's incredibly beautiful Upper Peninsula … a finely crafted jewel of God's creation.
Please receive this greeting as if it were my hand outstretched to you, warmly welcoming you to our website.
This website was ingeniously designed and created for ease of use. Our web developer works diligently and tirelessly to provide you with a convenient way of doing business with us. It offers you the basics in church supplies. And be assured, Jensen Church Supplies will not sell, trade, share or rent your email address. We believe that your email address is personal and should be kept that way.
We use your email address to provide you with better service support.
Many of the items on this website have discounted prices or are reasonably priced in an effort to be of service to His Church we serve. Many of the items are in stock and ship via UPS to your church address. Specialty items shipped directly from manufacturer.
Thank you!
Larry Jensen

subset: commoncrawl


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Cinch Food (cooking classes, catering, Team Building)
75 Hillside Road
75 Hillside Road
Welcome to Cinch of Fairfield, CT
If you've found our page, you must love food, and so do we. That's why we've created a little piece of food paradise right in the heart of historic Greenfield Hill. At Cinch, we help you prepare gourmet-quality meals using only the freshest and highest quality ingredients. Our open kitchen concept welcomes customers to view the food preparation and the passion behind it. With an emphasis on the healthy and delicious, we believe the preparation of your meal should be just as enjoyable as its consumption.
Our Market
We specialize in supplying you with healthy, delicious snacks, sides, and ingredients.
Our staff knows how a good meal with your entire family can make any day wonderful. We have everything you need to feed your family like fresh, homemade pasta, sauces, and salads and one of CT's finest local cheese selections.
You can also grab some of our fantastic frozen appetizers and all the accoutrements for a perfect cheese board so you can throw a classy party on whim.
Just want to peek in? That's okay too! We also carry specialty oils, honey, salt, and chips to tempt any shopper or make a beautiful gift basket for your foodie friends.
Be the first to hear about upcoming course registration and special events.
1950 Bronson Rd, Fairfield, Connecticut 06824, United States
Closed Sunday
Monday - Saturday by Appointment
A lesson on how to make the best street food from cities all around the world!
This class will be hosted here at Cinch Food on June 8th, from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.


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Adam Pretty/Getty Images
This is what they hope to win.With the ESPY Awards almost upon us, let's take a look at three of the top categories to provide statistical insight into who may walk away with the trophy as Best Male Athlete, Best Female Athlete and Best Team.
Best Male Athlete
Miguel Cabrera – MLB
Cabrera led the majors in batting average (.348) and finished second in home runs (44) and runs batted in (137). His 9.0 offensive wins above replacement was second in MLB. Cabrera became the first player to win consecutive MVP awards in the AL since Frank Thomas in 1993-94 and just the seventh man in AL history.
Kevin Durant – NBA
Durant was the first player since Shaquille O'Neal in 1999-2000 to lead the NBA in points per game (32.0), player efficiency rating (29.9) and win shares (19.2). Durant also made history this season by becoming the fourth player to average at least 32 points, 7 rebounds and 5 assists, joining Hall of Fame players Michael Jordan, Wilt Chamberlain and Elgin Baylor.
Peyton Manning – NFL
Manning set the NFL single-season records for passing TDs (55) and passing yards (5,477). Manning had a Total QBR of 95.8 in the red zone as well as an overall Total QBR of 82.9, which ranked second in the league. Manning was spectacular in his first two playoff games, putting up QBR numbers of 91.1 and 88.8 to get to his second Super Bowl.
Floyd Mayweather – Boxing
Mayweather defeated Saul "Canelo" Álvarez by landing almost double the punches (232 to 117) en route to a majority decision victory. That fight also set the record for largest gate in Nevada State Boxing history at over $20 million. Mayweather then defeated Marcos Maidana by majority decision in May. Mayweather landed 54 percent of total punches and 65 percent of power punches. He earned $105 million for the two fights.
Best Female Athlete
Maya Moore – WNBA
Moore was named the 2013 WNBA Finals MVP for the Minnesota Lynx, averaging 20 points per game in a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Dream. Moore was the top three-point shooter in the regular season at 45.3 percent and scored 18.8 points per game, third in the league.
Ronda Rousey – MMA
Rousey moved her MMA record to 10-0 over the past year, recording the first two knockouts of her career in wins over Sara McMann and Alexis Davis. In December, Rousey won her eighth fight by armbar when she defeated Miesha Tate at UFC 168. In her last three fights, Rousey has landed 77 percent of her takedowns.
Mikaela Shiffrin – Alpine Skiing
Shiffrin became the youngest Olympic slalom gold medalist when she won in Sochi at age 18. She ended the 2014 season as the reigning Olympic, World Cup and world champion in slalom. In the 2014 season, Shiffrin won five times and had six podiums in slalom.
Breanna Stewart – WCBB
Stewart led the UConn women's basketball team to their second national title in a row and in doing so won her second consecutive Final Four Most Outstanding Player award. Stewart led the team in points per game (19.4) and rebounds per game (8.1) and in the national title game scored 21 points (18 in the paint) to lead the Huskies.
Best Team
Boston Red Sox – MLB
The Boston Red Sox won their third World Series in 10 years by leading the majors in runs scored, slugging and OPS. David Ortiz led the charge for the Red Sox, hitting .688 (11-for-16) with two home runs and six RBIs in the World Series while Jon Lester went 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA.
Los Angeles Kings – NHL
The Los Angeles won their second Stanley Cup in three years with Jonathan Quick in net. Quick won 43 games (regular season and playoffs) and posted a 2.07 GAA (fifth-lowest). In the playoffs, Justin Williams took home the Conn Smythe for playoff MVP, scoring nine goals with 16 assists, including the OT winner in Game 1. The Kings had a plus-17 goal differential in the 3rd period/OT (plus-1 in first two periods).
San Antonio Spurs – NBA
The San Antonio Spurs were sixth in both points per game (105.4) and fewest points allowed (97.6) which helped them lead the NBA in wins with 62. The Spurs set the NBA Finals record in the three-point era (since 1979-80) for effective field goal percentage (60.4 percent) and offensive rating (118.5). Tim Duncan became the all-time leader in playoff double-doubles, but Kawhi Leonard was the star. Leonard averaged 17.8 points on 61 percent shooting in the Finals, becoming the second-youngest Finals MVP.
Seattle Seahawks – NFL
The Seattle Seahawks defense ranked first in points per game allowed, receiving yards allowed and total yards allowed. In the Super Bowl, the Seahawks shut the Broncos high-scoring offense down, winning by 35 points which was the third-largest win in Super Bowl history. Russell Wilson threw 26 touchdowns in the regular season and in the Super Bowl put up a Total QBR of 88.1. Richard Sherman led the NFL with eight interceptions and caused the interception that sent the Seahawks to the Super Bowl.
UConn Women's Basketball – WCBB
The Connecticut Huskies are one of eight teams to finish the season undefeated after their 40-0 season. The Huskies finished the season outscoring opponents by 34.3 points per game while holding opponents to just 47.8 points per game. Along with Breanna Stewart, Bria Hartley was second on the team with 16.2 points per game and center Stephanie Dolson scored 17 points and grabbed 16 rebounds in the Huskies national title win over Notre Dame.
Florida State Football – CFB
Florida State won the national championship and completed at 14-0 undefeated season by averaging 51.6 points per game. On defense, FSU led college football in both interceptions (26) and interceptions returned for touchdowns (5). Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston had an 88.5 adjusted QBR and threw for over 4,000 yards and 40 touchdowns. He threw the game-winning touchdown pass in the national title game to Kelvin Benjamin, who was second on the team in receiving yards (1,011) and led the team with 15 touchdowns.


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One of the foods that my Quack suggested that I incorporate into my diet was avocados. "Great", I thought sarcastically, "I don't particularly enjoy guacamole".
So when I discovered this Mango Avocado Salsa recipe in Free For All Cooking (check out an overview of the cookbook in this post), I thought it was a great way to incorporate avocados because I hadn't yet had a chance to do any searching for recipes using avocados, and I have loved mangoes ever since my first Mango Daiquiri at the Mexican resort that our good friends got married at, in back in 2011.
Mango Avocado Salsa
(from Free For All Cooking)
Serves 4
1 large mango, peeled and diced
1 large ripe Haas avocado, peeled and diced
1 cup black beans, rinsed
1/2 ear cooked corn, cut off of the cob
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 small bunch fresh cilantro, chopped
Approximately 3/4 teaspoon Tabasco
1/2 teaspoon cumin
1/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and gently toss together to combine. Taste to determine if you like more spice.
- Serve with corn tortilla chips, Golden Potato Latkes, Fish Tacos, or over grilled white fish like tilapia, orange roughy, or flounder.
I didn't have Tabasco on hand so I decided to throw on a dash of Tex-Mex spice and topped it with a dab of sour cream. It was delicious and a great option for anyone with an tomato allergy/intolerance who miss the ability to enjoy salsa (I'd caution to check any spice mixes that you might use to ensure that they are free of tomato).
What types of recipes do you like for incorporating avocados?


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Research shows that most owners use their RV's, boats or other Powersports for about 21 days a year, this means that their items are idle for 48-49 weeks of every year. The costs of ownership unfortunately are never idle and that's were URentMe can help!
Renting out your RV's and Powersports quite simply produces income that helps offset these costs
At URentMe, you have the freedom to set up your RV and Powersports availability calendar, all terms and conditions, along with pricing according to local and seasonal conditions. You have the flexibility to vary your rental terms as you see fit. If you have more than one rental item, the income opportunity increases substantially.
Congratulations! Your now on your way to making extra cash!
Did we mention Insurance? Our comprehensive policy is UNRIVALED in the industry, we have you covered!
If your listing is an RV, our partner Coach-Net offers 24/7 Premium Roadside Assistance, this can be purchased for only $15 a day when checking out an item you are booking.
If your listing is a boat, towing, refueling & recovery services are available from:
Competitors in this arena are limited in number and in product set and availbilty. For Powersports owners rental services are offered principally by commercial companies. These companies are highly expensive and do not offer the conveniences and choices of renting through URentMe.
As an owner, renting via URentMe's platform means that a much higher proportion of the rental goes to the owner's pocket! URentMe advertises to verified, trusted, and prospective renters to draw them to owners' onsite listings and to increase their number of rentals.
A number of owners have chosen alternative ways such as Craig's List as a platform to advertise their toys for rent. The disadvantage here versus URentMe is that we specialize in the recreational toy segment. We advertise to draw renters to our site and it's much easier for them to navigate our site and find their suitable rental.
URentMe offers you a completely secure escrow payment system for renters to pay and for owners to receive funds.
-We pay out all rental income via Stripe through ACH – With easy and quick set up, no headache of payment gateways, secure interaction with seamless checkout
When the booking takes place, the renter is charged for the booking and confirmation emails are sent to both owner and renter.
Right away! Just follow our registration process https://www.urentme.com and start searching for the perfect vehicle for your adventure.
Nothing! Our service is FREE for now to all renters.
Take a close look at the listing details, photographs and owner profile. Make sure you question any aspect where you have any doubt. URentMe will also carry reviews from prior renters, to give you peace of mind.
Any registered owner is looking for multiple rentals and is therefore looking for you to be completely satisfied and to provide a 5-Star review.
When you go to pick up, you will complete an Acceptance document with the owner. Highlight any issues. You will also complete a Return document at the end of rental. Copies of both may be included with your review.
Finally, remember the owner will not receive full rental payment until you have both signed the Acceptance document.
Here are the Recommendations we make to Owners prior to your picking up your Rental:-
Pre-Arrival Checklist
Here's a handy list of tasks to complete before the arrival of your renter:


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Yea yes, I know; I should be painting 1:72 Napoleonics by now but today I had a special pre-Holiday Quest at school using a custom Quest "Mound of the Beastmen"and I didn't own any beastmen so had to start from scratch.
First up I need to say that my mission to spread the hobby-joy is succeeding, since two of my pupils now own a HQ boxed game as well. Since their miniatures are unpainted and therefore rather unsatisfying, I have started painting them up for them in between other projects and these 5 will go to Collins set soon.
Next up are some more Greenies. I have managed to paint up some of the WHQ Goblin archers and spear-men. The archers apparently are a sort of prototype night-goblin but their hats make them look silly to me.
For the custom quest I needed Beastmen and a Chaoshound. Ebay proved to be my friend and I was able to score some metal OOP figures as characters. The first of which I present here: the Chaoshound, Shaman and the Beastlord, some others are still in cue.
Through a FB trading page I obtained a sprue of plastic beastmen and made and painted 10, yes there are only 9 of them in the picture because I stupidly forgot one at school today. The pictures are not the best and sadly the blue of the bases is not shown in it's actual hue but it's really dark and has a really nice light blue highlight. I am almost happier with the bases then the figures themselves.
To top today is another figure Arthur has painted, I gave him an old Ex Illis mounted figure to paint in order to practice for the metal riders he has planned for later on in the Challenge. I know his palette to be a little limited but he was adamant that this is how the knight should look. Since it was a trial in dry-brushing for him I did not press the matter.
Specially for Lady Sarah: I have put your suggestion of painting a female adventurer before him and he's not convinced. I got him to accept that Girls can, in theory, be cool and badass yet he does not actually want to paint one at this moment. I'll keep on it ;-)
So for me that would be 31 foot figures in 28mm making 155 points and Arthur has a mounted 28m for 10 if I am correct.
Wow, Sander, you are absolutely on fire with painting your (and your students'!) Heroquest collections! You must be one of the most popular teachers in your school.
I love seeing these old Beastman castings as they were one of my early Warhammer Fantasy armies (I remember them being a very nasty lot in 4th edition). I agree with you, your stone bases on these fellows look very fine - that blue highlight is a great touch. Please let Arthur know that I think his knight looks excellent. I especially like the horse's barding, the heraldry on the shield and the neat marbling effect on the base. The lad has talent! (Sarah is confident that he will come around to liking the ladies.)
So that's 155 points you and another 10 for Arthur. Well done boys!
Welcome to the Painting Challenge. Here you will find the fabulous, fevered work from miniature painters from around the world. While participants come from every colour, gender, age and nationality, they have at least three things in common: they love miniatures, enjoy a supportive community and they have all taken the Challenge. This site features the current year's event along with the archives of past Challenges. Enjoy your visit and remember to come back soon.
Friday, 9 February 2018
From VictorC: Four More 10mm Spanish Battalions Arrive for Battle! (224 points)
Again all of the flags are speculative and taken from what I could piece together from various sources.
The de la Armada battalion
The Cordova battalion
The Guadalajara battalion
The Valladolid Grenadier battalion
I have 9 more Spanish infantry battalions to complete for my Battle of Almanza project.
What a terrific group of battalions, Victor. I like the punchy bold colours you've used for these fellows, with my favourites being the chaps in yellow from the De la Armada and Guadalajara battalions. I'm curious: what rules will you be using for this Almanza project once it's done? One thing for sure, it's all going to look spectacular, especially with what you've shown us to date.
224 points for your march up the points roster Victor. Excellent work!
Posted by Victor at 1:28 am 13 comments
Labels: 10mm, War of Spanish Succession
From MilesR: Sons of Anubis (217 Points)
This weeks submission is 31 painted Anubis Jackal Warriors. These will be added to the growing ranks of NPC opponents for my upcoming Historicon participation game "DAK & Dragons 2.0" - I think these miniatures are from the Eureka "Chaos Egyptians" line. I'm not totally sure as these were purchased second hand. More on their acquisition at the end of this post...
Thirty warriors and a leader that make up this pack. All of the figures are in some form of motion and most only have one foot on the ground which is a bit of an issue for stability. I'll need to add some weight to the back of most of the bases to keep these fellows from toppling over.
The shields are really basic for now but will suffice. I'm trying to track down more of these figures so I can have a few different unit running around causing mayhem (as is their nature).
The Eureka website classifies these as 28's but they're rather large mini's as compared to two future opponents - a Perry Plastic SAS figure (DAK & Dragons) and a Empress US Ranger (SOCOM & Sorcery). I tried to normalize base heights to get a fair representation.
These figures are not quite 40mm but way over 28mm. I'll leave it to our fair and just Challenge Overlord to determine how to judge these humble servants of Anubis. I also feel obligated to mention that Curt is a very snappy dresser and is both erudite and charming. Obviously, since these are statements of fact, they can not be misconstrued as an attempt to sway his opinion.
Many people may also say that bonus points are in order for my possessing a ruler with the blasphemous metric system on it. It's just another proof point that I am a citizen of the world and regard all of people-kind with the same level magnanimity. There really are only two types of people in this world - highly evolved miniature painters and Morlocks.
The way I purchased these figures is a funny story and also shows how generous and thoughtful our gaming community can be. While running a DAK & Dragons game last year at Historicon (I think was my 6th iteration of the game) a gentleman came up to me and said he really liked the game and had some minis on his flea market table that, rather than sell, he wanted to give to me - it was a box with these minis. I was blown away by the generosity but did insist on paying his listed price. The box also had a much larger Jackal Warrior, who you might see in a future bonus round.
I think we should always bear in mind that the vast majority of people in this hobby are both kind and generous, especially if one chooses not to delve in the darker internet corners of the hobby like the TMP forum.
What a cool batch of figures Miles. Maybe it's me being such a dog lover, but I've always found the whole anubis thing very creepy - whenever I've come across them I often have a hard time meeting my dogs eyes for a few hours. Nonetheless, I've always enjoyed the sculpts coming out of Eureka - they always seem very characterful and well thought out. I also really liked your feel-good story about the generous fellow at Historicon. Trolls and troglodytes aside, there are so many amazing people to be found in this hobby, many of which, I am proud to say, are participants of this humble event.
217 Points for these dog-faced boys, well done!
Posted by jmilesr at 12:12 am 11 comments
Labels: Chaos Egyptians, MilesR
Somewhat Harried, but Friday's Here!
Happy Friday Everyone!
I've been on the road for work today, travelling back and forth between cities for meetings, so please bear with me as my updates may be a little choppy.
Also, please remember, if you haven't already, to make your selections for the 'Music / Musician' theme round. The results of the voting will be announced this Sunday.
Have a great day!
Posted by Curt at 12:09 am 1 comments
Labels: Administration, Curt
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Which materials does a 3D printer use, and which ones should I choose? Approaching this world, this is one of the first questions coming on mind. Different 3d printing materials change with the kind of 3d printing technology. Once again we are focusing on FFF – Fused Filament Fabrication (or FDM – Fused Deposition Modeling), that means printing objects through the melting of 3d printer filament made by polymers, because this is the easiest technique. Filament, usually with a diameter between 3 and 1.75 mm, is heated by a resistance and, passing through a nozzle, it lays down layer after layer taking the shape of the object that we are printing. So let's go into the substance of the main materials used for this technology, analyzing differences and applications.
ABS and PLA are the most widespread 3D printing materials. They are two thermoplastic polymers: it means that they become flexible and manipulable at high temperatures and go back to solid cooling down (reversible process). The choice between these two materials is an eternal dilemma. There are hundreds of supporters fighting for each cause, but it doesn't mean that it's not possible to draw up precise features that distinguish the two polymers. The truth is that for a good choice you should just try both ABS and PLA, using them depending on what you want to do.
ABS filaments (Acrylonitrile, Styrene, Acrylate) can be used to create light and rigid objetcs, like, for example, Lego bricks, parts of car body, hydraulic tubes, musical instruments like flutes or clarinets. ABS derives from petroleum. It is soluble in acetone (so you can sand it with a brush, or weld different pieces with few drops of fluid).
Strengths: lightness, strength, durability, resistance to high temperatures (up to 100 degrees), easy to use and to reuse, good flexibility.
Weaknesses: bad smell and toxic fumes, need a heated plate, easily warping.
Structurally similar to ABS, filament ASA (Acrylonitrile, Styrene, Acrylate) resists to UV rays and water: so, getting old, it doesn't get that typical yellowish colour (for this reason it is frequently used for outdoor furniture and objetcs).
PLA (polylactic acid) is made by a polymer derived from vegetable products processing, including corn. Naturally transparent, it can be painted, made matte or shiny. For this reason, PLA filaments are suitable for artistic and aesthetic uses, small domestic objetcs or for educational purpose in the schools. Its solvent is caustic soda.
Strenghts: ecological (vegetal origin, compostable in industrial structures), it can be extruded at lower temperatures (doesn't need heated plate), low warping, transparent look.
Weaknesses: less strong, more rigid, it begins to deteriorate at 60 degrees.
The main benefit of Nylon is its resistance: it is much more stronger than previous polymers. Flexible and durable, it melts at high temperatures, often more than 250 degrees. Part of the synthetic polyamide family, it was originally used in textile production. Its main lack is the tendence to warping, like ABS (also with Nylon you need heated plate). Moreover, you must dry it very well before printing, because it easily absorbs water, even from the air: better dry it in the oven for few hours.
Polycarbonate is very resistent to warmth. It is often used as electrically insulating, in medical application and in some mechanical parts of mobile phones. It easily warps, so you always need a heated plate. It is one of the most tough and resistant material. It melts above 260-270 degrees.
Composed materials
Composed materials for 3d printing are products made by the combination of two or more materials from different origins, of which at least one made by fibre. Assembling different materials allows to improve thermal and mechanical performance and also rigidity. One of the most common composed material is polyamide with glass fibre, that needs, however, 50% of fibre at least. Another composed material, that guarantees high performances with lower percentages, is the one made on carbon fibres.
Giulia Foschi
Freelance professional journalist, graduated in Public Communication, Social and Political Communication, I deal with writing articles and producing editorial content for newspapers, magazines and websites.


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Dear friends and those kind souls who leave comments, I'm sorry to
say that, do to the lack of courtesy and commenting from others,
I sadly posted my last texture on Flickr today.
I'm not one that demands link backs if you use my textures, and I'm
not an asshole who craves attention, or praise,and I can see where
posting a thank you can get really obnoxious and tedius, which is why
I say if you don't feel like posting words, simply leave a : ) "smiley
face" or something in it's place, something to let me know I have an
audience and should continue posting.
At Flickr, I would receive hundreds of views and downloads and only a handful of comments, that's not rewarding enough to further my time and efforts posting, sad to say.
So, I shall start posting my textures here, at Shadowhouse Creations, and I hope my Flickr friends come to visit ocassionally, after all, it only costs a few clicks and a : )
BTW........the textures I have posted at Flickr will remain there,for anyone to use and also a way to show my appreciation to the community.


text: Pastor of Muppets 5777 Posted May 1, 2019 Former FBI Director James Comey on Wednesday published a brutal op-ed in theNew York Times dissecting how people such as current Attorney General Bill Barr and former deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein have found themselves corrupted by President Donald Trump. In his op-ed, Comey explains that being in constant contact with an "amoral leader" such as Trump inevitably tests officials' ethics — even when those officials see themselves as guardrails against Trump's worst behavior. In the cases of both Rosenstein and Barr, he argues, the two men have shown that they lack the needed "inner strength" to defy the president, which has led to the destruction of their reputations as law enforcement officials. "Accomplished people lacking inner strength can't resist the compromises necessary to survive Mr. Trump and that adds up to something they will never recover from," he writes. "It takes character like [former Defense Secretary James] Mattis's to avoid the damage, because Mr. Trump eats your soul in small bites." Comey then says that Trump's power of corruption starts with his incessant, nonstop lying that mentally bludgeons officials into at least keeping silent and not correcting his falsehoods — even when they are directly contradicted by the public record. From there, officials feel pressured into publicly praising the president, even though they may privately see him as dishonest and lacking in ethics. "From the private circle of assent, it moves to public displays of personal fealty at places like cabinet meetings," he writes. "While the entire world is watching, you do what everyone else around the table does — you talk about how amazing the leader is and what an honor it is to be associated with him." Comey is sympathetic toward leaders who stay aboard based on the rationale that their country needs them to act as a check on the president, but he says doing this will require you to lie to yourself and others about the man you're really serving. "Of course, to stay, you must be seen as on his team, so you make further compromises," he write. "You use his language, praise his leadership, tout his commitment to values. And then you are lost. He has eaten your soul." 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites


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The School for Scale-Ups Programme has been designed to help brilliant leaders scale effectively by growing and developing their teams. The core programme is delivered by experienced business trainers who have supported Cambridge Network members successfully through scaling.
Participants will benefit from collaborative learning with peers and mentors inside and outside their own company, accelerating their learning by exchanging ideas and experiences with Cambridge companies with similar management challenges and opportunities.


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Nearly 100 school children trapped by deadly Colorado floods are airlifted to safety after two days trapped by rising waters as terrible toll of the tragedy rises to six dead and more than 700 missing
- Almost 100 children and teachers left stranded by flash flooding near to Boulder, Colorado, rescued in dramatic airlift
- Heavy rains that started Wednesday sparked flash-flooding from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs
- Residents urged to leave now or risk being stranded for weeks without water or power
- The National Weather service says there has been over 12 inches of rainfall since September 1, breaking the 73-year-old record for the month
- Surging floodwaters in Boulder led to the evacuation of about 4,000 residents late Thursday
- President Obama has approved a federal disaster assistance request for the area and National Guard have been dispatched
Almost 100 school school children and teachers left stranded for two days by the massive flooding that hit around Boulder, Colorado were airlifted to safety on Saturday as the number of presumed dead rose to six - with over 700 more missing.
The students from Fireside Elementary School in Louisville, Colorado - around 10 miles to the southeast of Boulder - were trapped when flood-waters burst over roads at an outdoor education center in Jamestown.
The 85 fifth graders and 14 adults were lifted from the mountainside by helicopter and taken to Boulder Municipal Airport where they were loaded onto buses and reunited with their emotional parents at Fireside Elementary on Saturday evening.
Safe: Bonnie Dannelly hugs her daughter Makayla after she got off the bus at Fireside Elementary in Louisville, on Saturday. Makayla Dannelly was one of over 80 Fireside 5th graders who were trapped above Jamestown at Camp Cal-Wood
Military Operation: A handout aerial image released by the US Army on 15 September 2013 shows 2nd General Support Aviation Battalion, 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, soldiers evacuating fifth-grade students from Firewood Elementary
'All the kids are down from the mountains and either delivered here or en route,' said Briggs Gamblin, a spokesman for the Boulder Valley School District.
Despite being trapped by the rising flood-waters, the children ate tacos with all the fixings for dinner on Friday evening and were kept occupied by a dance party.
'Last night around 5 o'clock we got a request from the National Guard for assistance,' said Major Earl Brown, deputy public affairs officer for the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson.
In total, seven helicopters, including four Blackhawks, were used to airlift the children and adults out of the area.
Pulled to Safety: The 4th Combat Aviation Brigade was able to assist state and local emergency response efforts under the Immediate Response Authority
Rescued: Families cheer as a bus carrying several Fireside Elementary 5th graders who were trapped at Camp-Calwood arrive to school in Louisville, Colorado on September 14, 2013
'We're just a part of a whole team effort to help those folks out there in Boulder County,' said Brown to NBC News.
As rain continued to fall on Sunday in Colorado, efforts to search for the missing were hampered as the National Guard grounded all helicopters in the state.
'It's unlikely at this point that we'll be able to reach those who are stranded in the hard-to-reach areas,' said Kim Kobel, a spokesperson for Boulder's Office of Emergency Management to CNN.
Governor John Hickenlooper, told CNN on Sunday morning that he hopes many of the missing are simply out of reach of communications and have 'already gotten out or are staying with friends.'
'But,' he added, 'we're still bracing. I mean, there are many, many homes that have been destroyed.'
An aerial view of mobile homes submerged in flood waters along the South Platte River near Greenley, Colorado September 14, 2013
A section of highway is washed out by flooding along the South Platte River in Weld County, Colorado near Greeley, Saturday, Sept. 14, 2013
Lucky: Jon Tarkington with his daughter Evy, 1, look over a diversion dam built in the intersection of 7th Street and University Ave on University Hill in Boulder, Colorado on Saturday
Result: A farm house is surrounded by water from flooding on the South Platte River near Greeley, Colo., on Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013
Crossroads: As heavy rains return after somewhat abating for two days, a field fills with water from overflowing creeks nearby, outside Longmont, Colorado on Sunday Sept. 15, 2013
Frantic: Dean Beacom works to save his home from a flash flood near 19th Street and Upland Avenue, Sunday, Sept. 15, 2013 as Steve Gabel (left) and Patrick Muir move a soaked couch out from Muir's apartment
Justin Slyter with Par Electrical Contractors looks over fallen power poles in a office complex on Arapahoe Avenue next to Eben G Fine Park in Boulder on Saturday Sept, 14, 2013
Sheriff Justin Smith visited areas 'somewhat cut off from the rest of the world,' he said.
Smith cautioned that the death toll from the disaster would almost certainly rise and that it may already be as high as six.
The four confirmed deaths so far include those of a man and a woman, both 19, who were swept away after leaving their car Thursday in Boulder County.
Another person was found in a collapsed home in Jamestown and rescuers found a body on a roadway in Colorado Springs.
The fourth person who has been confirmed as a victim of the flooding is a 60-year-old woman who was witnessed being swept away by water that had leveled her home.
Damage: A car lies on its side in a mud slide on Saturday, Sept. 14, on Olde Stage Road in Boulder, Colo. Rescuers rushed by land and by air Saturday to evacuate Coloradoans stranded by epic mountain flooding
Swept away: A large chunk of road near Greenley, Colorado, has been demolished by the flood
Torn: Evan Russack with his son Trevor, 6, look over Pennsylvania Ave on University Hill which was cut in two by flooding on Saturday Sept, 14, 2013
Collapsed: Lefthand Canyon Road near the intersection of Olde Stage Road in Boulder, Colo., on Saturday, Sept. 14, in Boulder. Rescuers rushed by land and by air Saturday to evacuate Coloradoans stranded by epic mountain flooding
To date, four people are thought to have died as a result of the flood-waters which have swept through Boulder after days of rain.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency said that it is still tracking flood-waters on Saturday and the Boulder Office of Emergency Management told residents on Twitter not to drive through water.
'We are assuming there may be further loss of life and injuries,' Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said on Saturday.
'Given the devastation on some of those canyons, it's definitely a high probability.'
Colorado residents are bracing themselves for further flooding and devastation, with more storms due to hit on Sunday.
Relief: Brian Montgomery helps his mother Barbara Yanari to clean up the mud in her flooded basement on Saturday, Sept. 14, on Olde Stage Road in Boulder, Colorado
Escape: Anita and Art Powner evacuate with their dogs Zypher and Lexus on Saturday, Sept. 14, on Olde Stage Road in Boulder. Rescuers rushed by land and by air Saturday to evacuate Coloradoans stranded
More than 500 people are missing and at least four people have died, with another victim believed to be dead, after flash floods.
Many residents are still stranded in their homes as rescue workers try to reach them. Boulder county officials fear rescue attempts will be hampered by the extra 4in of rain due on Sunday.
Rescue teams are warning people in some Colorado towns isolated by devastating flooding against remaining there, telling them that they could face weeks without basic supplies, including running water and electricity.
Helicopters and truck convoys of the National Guard carried the admonition Saturday into paralyzed canyon communities where thousands of stranded residents were eager to escape the Rocky Mountain foothills. But not everybody was willing to go. Dozens of people in hard hit Jamestown wanted to stay to watch over their homes.
Authorities made clear that residents who chose not to leave might not get another chance for a while. Rescuers won't go back for people who insist on staying, Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.
'We're not trying to force anyone from their home. We're not trying to be forceful, but we're trying to be very factual and definitive about the consequences of their decision, and we hope that they will come down,' Pelle said.
Aerial: Photographs shows the damage and flooding to infrastructure destroyed by heavy rains, with some areas receiving as much as 18 inches in a 24-hour period, in Boulder, Colorado
Four people have been confirmed dead since the harrowing floods began Wednesday
Special education teacher Brian Shultz, 38, was torn about leaving his Jamestown home.
'I was thinking about staying. I could have lasted at least a year. I have a lot of training in wilderness survival,' he said, adding that he probably had enough beer to last the whole time.
As he sat outside a makeshift shelter at a high school, Shultz floated the idea of walking back into the funky mountain town.
'If we hike back, I would stay there and just live. I'd rather be at our own house than staying at some other people's houses,' he said.
His wife, Meagan Harrington, gave him a wry smile. About 10 of their neighbors declined to evacuate, she said.
'They said they wouldn't force you, but it was strongly encouraged,' she said.
Shultz teared up behind his sunglasses as he compared his situation to that of his neighbors.
Eroded: A handout aerial image released by the US Army on 15 September 2013 shows damage and flooding to infrastructure destroyed by heavy rains, with some areas receiving as much as 18 inches in a 24-hour period
'At least all of our stuff's there and will be there when we get back. The people right by the river, their houses were washed away. Other people thought their houses were going to be OK, and then they started to go. It's just really devastating.'
Across the foothills, rescuers made progress against the floodwaters. But they were still unable to go up many narrow canyon roads that were either underwater or washed out.
Meanwhile, President Barack Obama signed a disaster declaration and ordered federal aid for Colorado. The White House said in a statement Saturday night that the action makes federal funding available to affected individuals in Boulder County. The government said that other counties could be added later.
Te city of Longmont ordered a curfew from 10 p.m. Saturday until 6 a.m. Sunday in flood zones and evacuation areas, urging residents to remain indoors.
On Saturday, the surge of water reached the plains east of the mountains, cutting off more communities and diverting some rescue operations.
Four people have been confirmed dead since the harrowing floods began Wednesday. And hundreds of others have not been heard from in the flood zone, which has grown to cover portions of an area nearly the size of Connecticut.
Destroyed: Cars lie wrecked by raging flood-waters near to Boulder, Colorado after days of heavy rain in the state
Some of those who are unaccounted for may be stranded or injured. Others might have gotten out but not yet contacted friends and relatives, officials said.
Police expected to find more bodies as the full scope of damage emerges.
A woman was missing and presumed dead after witnesses saw floodwaters from the Big Thompson River destroy her home in the Cedar Cove area, Larimer County sheriff's spokesman John Schulz said.
'I expect that we're going to continue to receive reports of confirmed missing and confirmed fatalities throughout the next several days,' he said.
Two fatalities were identified by the Boulder County coroner Saturday as Wesley Quinlan and Wiyanna Nelson, both 19.
Authorities believe the couple died when they were swept away after driving into floodwaters and then leaving their vehicle. Their cause of death is under investigation.
The military put more troops on the ground and helicopters in the air to aid in the search-and-rescue effort.
By Saturday night, 1,750 people and 300 pets had been evacuated from Boulder and Larimer County, National Guard Lt. James Goff said.
The airlifts will continue Sunday with helicopter crews expanding their searches east to include Longmont, Fort Collins and Weld County.
It was not clear how many people were still stranded.
Demolished: The walls of this home have been washed away on South Platte River
A helicopter taking Gov. John Hickenlooper on a tour of the flooded areas even got in the act, stopping twice to pick up six stranded people and their two pets. Terry Kishiyama's son flagged down a helicopter with his shirt after a three-day wait for rescue from a neighbor's house on higher ground.
'You could hear the choppers for miles and miles, but I didn't know if they were evacuating people. You see a chopper going down behind a ridge, and you have no clue,' Kishiyama said.
In addition to his son's efforts, Kishiyama said his wife shouted at the chopper, 'We have babies!'
More than 85 fifth-graders from Louisville were greeted by their parents and friends Saturday after they were rescued from an outdoor education center near Jamestown.
Above Larimer County, rescue crews airlifted 475 people to safety and planned to resume helicopter searches on Sunday, weather permitting.
Rain was expected to start up again in the mountains and foothills, with between a half-inch and 2 inches forecast to fall overnight, according to the National Weather Service.
Crews also used inflatable boats to pick up families and pets from farmhouses on Saturday. Some evacuees on horseback had to be escorted to safe ground.
Near Greeley, 35 miles east of the foothills, broad swaths of farmland had become lakes, and the raging South Platte and Poudre rivers surrounded more homes.
In one Boulder neighborhood, residents turned back city crews and machinery that arrived to remove the makeshift berms and sand-filled trash bags protecting their homes. University of Colorado students helped homeowners improvise a way to divert the rising water from Gregory Creek.
'The residents know better than anybody else how the water flows through the neighborhood,' said Colleen Scanlan Lyons.
In communities where floodwaters began receding, homeowners had a chance to assess damage.
In Laporte, Wendy Clark surveyed soggy carpets and furniture that got damaged by the Poudre River.
'This mud smells disgusting,' she said. 'I don't know how long that's going to be around.'
Wrecked: Only the roof of a Jamestown house remains after flash floods ripped through the town
Cut off: A farm house is completely surrounded by rising water
Evacuation: Residents have been told if they don't leave they risk being cut off for two weeks
Authorities who still haven't reached all the stranded victims of floods in northeastern Colorado are bracing for a new round of storms on Sunday.
Already it is estimated that it will cost $150 million to repair more than 100 miles of road and at least 20 bridges that have been washed away.
County transportation director George Gerstle told CNN the repair bill is likely to be 10 to 15 the annual budget.
A sheriff's office spokesman said hundreds of people were unaccounted for, but added that some residents may have reached safety but not been able to contact relatives to tell them.
Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said authorities had to be 'realistic' about the chances that the death toll will rise.
With the rain never seeming to end and the waters continuing to rise, more than 4,000 people near Boulder, Colorado, have been evacuated as nearby Milliken has been surrounded by water and turned into an island, according to reports.
The reality of what is becoming a long-term disaster is setting in, flooding has affected parts of a 4,500-square-mile area almost the size of Connecticut.
An aerial view of vehicles submerged in flood waters along the South Platte River near Greenley, Colorado
Underwater: The small farming town of Milliken, CO, has been surrounded by waters that first turned it into an island, but are now inundating homes
Runaway homes: Trailer homes are floating off their foundations as rushing waters sweep them away
Not just homes: Farms and farm equipment are also being destroyed by the treacherous waters
Unprecedented: The 12 inches of rain recorded since Sept 1 has set an all-time record for the month, and even more is on the way
In the most recent developments, people are stranded in Milliken after the main road out of town was washed away by raging floodwaters, according to CBS Denver. As the devastating rapids rise, they wash away more of the road, and flood ever closer to even more homes.
'The fire department said Milliken is an island but I found a way out,' Jorge Garza told the station.
A CBS Denver helicopter flying over the town spotted a family of three and their dog being rescued from menacing waters via a motorized raft. '[Milliken] has turned into a lake with campers, fields and cars submerged,' the station further reported.
172 people are unaccounted for, Boulder County officials told KDVR.
Sludge: Brian Montgomery wades through thick mud in the basement of his mother's home
Deserted: Residents are being taken to evacuation centers amid reports of more storms
Access: Heavy equipment is used to try to clear debris from a road covered in 20ft banks of mud
Damage: An estimated $150 million of repair work will be needed to fix roads and bridges that have been washed away
As rescuers broke through to flood-ravaged Colorado towns, they issued a stern warning Saturday to anyone thinking of staying behind: Leave now or be prepared to endure weeks without electricity, running water and basic supplies.
Authorities made clear that residents who chose not to leave might not get another chance for a while.
'We're not trying to force anyone from their home. We're not trying to be forceful, but we're trying to be very factual and definitive about the consequences of their decision, and we hope that they will come down,' Boulder County Sheriff Joe Pelle said.
Cut off: A farm house has been turned into an island as flood water rises near Greenley, Colorado
By land: The Army National Guard has brought in heavy equipment meant to assist in the rescue of trapped residents
Or by sea: Officials are also using motorboats to help save trapped people
Shocked: Residents are shell-shocked, many have lost everything, as a result of the historic floods
Waterlogged: Cattle brave the fierce waters on higher ground as everything around them is swept away
Special education teacher Brian Shultz, 38, was torn about leaving his Jamestown home.
'I was thinking about staying. I could have lasted at least a year. I have a lot of training in wilderness survival,' he said, adding that he probably had enough beer to last the whole time.
Another one to two inches of rain is expected to fall between Saturday night and Sunday, which will only add to the problems.
National Guard choppers have been evacuating the Jamestown, of about 295 people - plus pets - after the mountain hamlet became isolated by flooding.
Mike Smith, incident commander at Boulder Municipal Airport, said helicopters would continue flying in and out late into the night.
The outlook for anyone who'd rather stay is weeks without power, cell phone service, water or sewer.
For those awaiting an airlift, Guardsmen dropped food, water and other supplies in Jamestown and other small towns in the winding, narrow canyons that dot the Rocky Mountain foothills.
Swamped: A railway track in Longmont is lost under floodwater
Ruined: Trailer homes have been washed away in the water
The surge: Flash-flooding continues in the Boulder-area of Colorado after three days of record-breaking rainfall
Overflowing: The heavy rains have impacted a large stretch of Colorado from Fort Collins near the northern border with Wyoming, all the way to Boulder, Denver and Colorado Springs more than 100 miles south
Geysers of sewage: A Sewer in Manitou Springs is overwhelmed by rainfall yesterday, gurgling the overflow of water
Thousands of evacuees sought shelter in cities that were nearly surrounded by raging rivers spilling over their banks.
The dayslong rush of water from higher ground has killed four people and turned towns on Colorado's expansive eastern plains into muddy swamps.
Crews used inflatable boats to rescue families and pets from stranded farmhouses. Some evacuees on horseback had to be escorted to safe ground.
Boulder County officials said Friday night that the number of people unaccounted for had risen to 172, according to local television and newspaper reports.
'I expect that we're going to continue to receive reports of confirmed missing and confirmed fatalities throughout the next several days,' Larimer County sheriff's spokesman John Schulz said.
Record-breaking: Over 12 inches of rain has fallen since September 1, which shatters the previous record set in the 1940s of 5.5 inches
View from above: Satellite imaging shows the storm system that swept over the eastern Colorado area on September 11, starting flash-floods that have killed three so far
Flee: The floods have displaced thousands of human residents, but also the wildlife in Colorado. Above, a deer jumps over a sidewalk in a flood-damaged area of Boulder
The officials said earlier that the unaccounted for figure doesn't necessarily represent missing people.
Near Greeley, some 35 miles east of the foothills, broad swaths of farmland had become lakes, and hundreds of roads were closed or damaged by floodwaters. A 70-mile stretch of Interstate 25 was closed from Denver to the Wyoming line.
Rocky Mountain National Park closed Friday, its visitors forced to leave via the 60-mile Trail Ridge Road to the west side of the Rockies.
It will be weeks, if not months, before a semblance of normalcy returns to Lyons, a gateway community to the park. The town, surrounded by sandstone cliffs whose color was reflected in the raging St. Vrain River, consisted of six islands Friday as residents barbecued their food before it spoiled. Several people set up a tent camp on a hill.
Some 2,500 residents were being evacuated from Lyons. Two bridges that led into the area were washed away.
'Wall of water': Around midnight, officials said they were monitoring a wall of water headed toward the area of Emerson Gulch
Churning: Boulder Creek is overflowing and threatening the city of Boulder, which it runs right through
Swept away: The 30-foot wall of water was caused when a drainage gulch burst and swept up debris and vehicles in it's path
Won't stop: Rain continued to fall in Colorado today, only adding to the already dangerous flash-flooding
Stream: Water spills over a hillside home at the base of Boulder Canyon today
Emergency situation: The National Guard has been dispatched to help rescue people stranded in their homes
'There's so much water coming out of the canyon, it has to go somewhere, and unfortunately it's coming into the city,' said Ashlee Herring, spokeswoman for the Boulder office of Emergency Management.
Boulder Creek, which runs through the heart of the city, became a raging torrent that burst its banks and flooded adjacent parking lots and streets as warning sirens wailed.
Officials in Boulder announced just before midnight Thursday that they were tracking a large 'wall of water, containing debris and vehicles' headed towards Emerson Gulch from the Fourmile burn area.
The Denver Post reported that the 30-foot wall of water was caused by a drainage gulch that burst and released a large amount of water which swept up debris and vehicles in it's path.
Other towns nestled along the Front Range of the Rockies north of Denver were also hard hit.
In Longmont about 14 miles northeast of Boulder, the St Vrain River jumped its banks, cascading across main thoroughfares and making travel across the city impossible overnight.
Exploring: Umbrella-toting residents take pictures of the damage the flooding had on a street in Boulder on Friday
Home invasion: A couple returns to find their home Friday to find it water-damaged from the previous days floods
Survivor: So far, officials have announced three deaths related to the flooding. Above, a man is rescued by emergency workers after he spent the night trapped on high ground above his home
Battling the storm: A man in Boulder attempts to make a mud barrier to protect his house from the flooding
Boots are no use: Homeowner Hannah Hinseth returns to her home to survey the damage caused by the severe flooding
Street sweepers: Residents shovel debris to form a protective dike in a neighborhood of Boulder
'Our city is completely divided,' by the floodwaters, assistant city manager Shawn Lewis told Reuters.
Lewis said 7,000 households were under mandatory evacuation orders. The city opened two emergency shelters for displaced residents.
President Barack Obama approved a federal disaster assistance request, which will release funds to help with emergency protection, Governor John Hickenlooper's office said late on Thursday.
National Guard troops were dispatched with emergency supplies to the remote town of Lyons, north of Boulder, which was virtually cut off from surrounding areas when floodwaters washed out U.S. Route 36, county officials said.
Cut-off: Towns like Magnolia, above, have been completely shut off after the raging waters washed out roads
Waiting for rescue: All road access to the town of Lyons, Colorado was cut-off and National Guard troops have been dispatched to bring residents emergency supplies. Above a wiped out road near the base of Boulder Canyon
Baby's first flood: A young family take a walk on Friday to survey the damage in their Boulder neighborhood
A river runs through it: Lefthand Creek runs down a neighborhood street in Longmont, Colorado Friday
Clean-up: Today, a farmer is seen clearing debris from railroad tracks in Longmont, Colorado
Back at last: Evelyn Mortiz carries her luggage barefoot back home after spending the night with friends during the mandatory evacuation in her area
A dozen major roads in northeastern Colorado remained shut with significant damage from flooding, mudslides, rockfalls and other debris, the Colorado Department of Transportation said late on Thursday.
Heavy summer rains are not unusual for Colorado, but the intensity and duration of the downpour that began on Monday night was unprecedented.
The National Weather Service said at least 12.3 inches of rain have fallen on Boulder since September 1, smashing a 73-year-old record of 5.5 inches for the month.
Cleaning house: Lucas Calderon-Griek uses a broom to sweep out the water from his home in Upland
Aid: Colorado National Guardsmen help relocate a family trapped at their heavily-flooded home
Record-breaking: The former record for rainfall during the month of September was 5.5 inches. That's been shattered already with the National Weather Service saying that 12.3 inches have fallen
Wreckage: A man cleans up Canon Avenue after a flash flood burst a manhole and sent water rushing down the streets of Manitou
Pop-up pool: A couple play in the flooded Utah Park in Aurora, Colorado yesterday
Back to work: Men at Namaste Solar are pictured clearing debris off of their work site today in Boulder
One body was found in a collapsed building near Jamestown, an evacuated enclave north of Boulder.
A couple were swept away in floodwaters after stopping their car northwest of the city. The man's body was recovered but the woman was missing and feared dead, said Commander Heidi Prentup of the Boulder County Sheriff's Office.
The body of a third confirmed fatality, a 54-year-old man, was found by police on flood-watch patrols in a Colorado Springs creek, about 100 miles to the south, officials said.
On Friday, a woman who had been swept away was found dead near Boulder, raising the death toll to four.
Nearly 150 people were killed near Boulder in 1976 by a flash flood along the Big Thompson Canyon.
Out of control: The heavy rainfalls have turned Boulder Creek into a raging river with enough power to wash out roads
Ominous: Clouds cover the Denver skyline early this morning. It continues to rain in the area
Up in the air: A Rocky Mountain Rescue Team prepares to depart in a National Guard piloted helicopter
Swamped: A National Guard vehicle drives through a flooded area in Boulder County Thursday as rain continued to pour
Pup saved! This family's poodle couldn't be left behind
Distractions: Carolyn Hornung, distracted by her phone, casually stands in flowing water outside her house in Boulder, Colorado Friday
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ELLISTON, Va. — A Virginia winery has lost almost its entire crop of grapes in a nighttime theft, just hours before it was to be harvested.
Firefly Hill Vineyards co-owner Allison Dunkenberger told The Roanoke Times on Wednesday that the more than 1.8 tonnes of grapes were worth up to US$25,000, and not covered by insurance. Authorities are investigating.
Dunkenberger says the theft could have only been orchestrated by people familiar with the winery's operations.
Her husband, David Dunkenberger, didn't mince words in a Facebook post addressing the "cowardly, human scum" behind the theft: "May you die a slow and agonizingly painful death so that when you are writhing in pain someone will be kind enough to offer you a drink of wine so you know for what you suffer."


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In the Hotseat with a Willamette Week reporter, Mayor Hales called the citizen initiative to place the water and sewer bureaus under a single-mission, elected board... "political terrorism" and a "corporate takeover." That's strong language designed to incite our progressive population against a progressive movement.
It seems to me we are living a corporate takeover NOW, with our current system of managing Portland's most valuable asset and its most dependable income stream (water). Corporations manipulate the mechanisms that control our government spending, so that our spending specifically targets their businesses, thus directing public money to increase their own wealth. Water Bureau employees and City Council alike have looked the other way for the last 10 years as they've steadily marched us into massive build projects we don't need, because the corporations that write our long-term construction plans embed massive make-work in those plans while no one is watching. The corporations that make money building big, don't make any money when we don't build big things.
Our Commissioner form of government fails a public utility, whose intrinsic value makes it a juicy target for corruption. We must move beyond the Commissioner led utility, and provide our water and our ratepayers with better protections. In all the years Portlanders have talked about the failures of the Commissioner style of government, this is the first year citizens/businesses have opened their pocketbooks to hire the legal team required to write a ballot measure aimed at a solution. We need to try something, and if that something doesn't work we need to try something else, but we can't just sit here in a state of analysis paralysis. It is irresponsible.
The level of debt we see today from our Water Bureau isn't normal for Portland. You don't have to look back that far to see a time when Portlander's paid in full for their water system as they went, with today's projects being funded by today's population, leaving tomorrow's population free to afford the projects that come up, tomorrow. The debt load we carry today isn't just normal operating procedure, it is the result of years and years of mismanagement, favoring massive new construction while neglecting normal, necessary maintenance. Our water system is a rare and highly attractive asset that will always be a rich target for the unscrupulous, and we need more eyes watching it.
Thursday, November 7, 2013
Are we really as in-charge as we think we are?
Posted by S. Stewart, MTNA Land Use Committee Chair at 9:25 AM
Labels: Water Board Initiative
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Graphic Rastad & Relling Norwegian Sideboard
A grand offering from one of Denmark's most premium makers.
This impressive teak sideboard by prestigious Norwegian design firm Rastad & Relling for high end cabinet maker Gustav Bahus is a substantial yet highly refined offering. It's a stunning design finished in luminous teak with a rich grain and crafted to the highest standard. We love the graphic front paneling which defines this stunning offering.
Other details, like the proud leg design, really elevate this grand piece. This grand sideboard also offers generous storage space inside and all of the shelves are adjustable. There are also a bank of small crafted trays on the right side. This is a highly memorable offering that will turn heads and suit any contemporary setting.
Note: We are constantly rotating our stock and not all items are on display at once. Please email us if there is a specific piece you would like to view and we'll make sure it's in the gallery.
Materials: Beautifully crafted from teak
Wood Finish: Top has been professionally refinished by our restoration team. Remaining areas in excellent original condition with new finish applied
Construction: Joints are sturdy and solid. All checked and ready to go
Makers Label: Makers label present


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Are beer firms to blame for Native American drink woe?
By Pia Gadkari / April 27, 2012 / BBC News
White Clay, Nebraska – After years of failed efforts to address chronic alcoholism, can a $500m (£308m) dollar lawsuit against the beer supply-chain put an end to one tribe's deadly struggle with alcohol?
For generations, the dream of a sober society has eluded one of the largest Native American tribes in the US.
Members of the Oglala Sioux tribe, living in South Dakota's Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, have long tried to shut down the beer stores just across the state line in White Clay, Nebraska.
The four beer shops in the tiny town of White Clay (population: a dozen) operate just steps from the reservation. Between them they sell more beer per head than almost anywhere else in the US – a total of about 13,000 12oz (350ml) servings each day.
"I'm 52 years old and I come up here because I'm an alcoholic," says one Pine Ridge resident, Bald Eagle. He is one of several people who spends his days on the street that runs through White Clay, drinking.
"And I love my alcohol," Bald Eagle says. "For me, it's my life-blood."
"I wake up with a hangover every morning. But you know what? I'm smart. I drink a gallon of water every morning. Sometimes I get lucky and I find a beer on the street. That's just the way it is."
'How people drink'
The White Clay beer stores are the most accessible source of alcohol for members of the tribe, who live on a reservation where the sale or possession of alcohol is forbidden. It has also been the scene of a few horrific crimes.
The tribe has led protests and marches to shame the store owners. It has asked for tougher laws that would make it harder to sell and consume alcohol in the area. It has lobbied for stricter enforcement of Nebraska's existing liquor laws.
Nothing has worked, and Pine Ridge leaders have decided to take a new approach. They have filed a lawsuit seeking $500m (£309m) in damages from not just the beer stores, but distributors and breweries as well.
The core of the Oglala Sioux lawsuit is an allegation that the big breweries and distributors supplying beer to White Clay knew it would eventually be consumed or sold on the reservation illegally.
"What little money our people get, it goes to White Clay. And the distributors are aware of what poor people we are but they don't care," Tom Poor Bear, the tribe's vice-president, says. "They'll take our last dime."
Tom White, the lawyer representing the tribe, says a combination of factors make it virtually impossible for tribal members to drink their alcohol legally.
White Clay and Pine Ridge are extremely geographically isolated. The nearest towns that sell alcohol are more than 20 miles (32km) away and Pine Ridge is the biggest town in the area.
In Nebraska it is forbidden to drink in public or a car, and reselling alcohol is illegal. But White Clay has no bars that could serve alcohol legally and only about three private homes where drinking would be permitted.
Possessing and drinking alcohol has been totally banned in Pine Ridge reservation for more than 100 years, except for a short period in the 1970s. Nevertheless, bootlegging on the reservation is said to be rampant.
The quantities of alcohol being sold in White Clay are so vast, there is no reasonable way it could all be consumed legally, the complaint says.
The lawsuit also argues that the drinking, fuelled by alcohol sales in White Clay, has caused devastating harm to the tribe, causing lawlessness and violence, poor public health and anaemic economic development.
Pine Ridge's county has consistently been ranked as the poorest or second poorest county in the US
At the peak of the violence, in the 1990s, a series of grisly, unsolved killings of Oglala Sioux tribe members in White Clay spurred the tribe into pushing for change.
Despite their efforts, the situation did not improve.
Over the years, scores of people have been killed in drunken brawls and drink-driving accidents. Local authorities say as much as 90% of crime on the reservation is linked in some way to excessive drinking.
"People get stabbed, people get enraged," says Pine Ridge resident Ben Mesteth, who has been sober for about four years. "That's just part of how people drink down here."
According to the complaint, average life expectancy on the reservation is between 45 and 52 years, significantly below the average US life expectancy of over 77 years.
As many as 50% of adults over the age of 40 have diabetes, and the incidence of tuberculosis is 800% higher than it is across the rest of the country, the tribe's filing says.
Meanwhile, it adds, teenage suicide is 150% and infant mortality is 300% higher than the US as a whole.
Finally, the complaint alleges that the drinking deters private investment and economic development in the area, whereas unemployment is estimated to be at least 80%.
For many residents, alcohol is "the only thing that makes everything go away," says Megan White Pike, as she points out her own mother among a group of people sitting in the shade on the streets of White Clay.
She waves across the street to a cousin who she says is also here for beer.
The complaint asks for an injunction to restrict alcohol sales in White Clay to what could be legally consumed, and for an estimated $500m in compensation for damages and social harm caused by the alcohol.
'Not illegal'
The beer companies have until Friday 27 April to respond to the lawsuit, and are expected to ask the court to dismiss the case. They declined to comment for this story. After the deadline a judge has between 30 and 60 days to decide whether to hear the case in a federal court.
As the lines get longer outside the White Clay beer stores in the late afternoon, defenders say tribe members need to be responsible for their own choices.
"It's not illegal to buy alcohol at a place that sells it legally," says Vic Clark, one of the few actual residents of White Clay. He runs a general store there that does not sell beer – but he defends the right of the beer shop owners to do so.
"We may know that it's going to be an illegal thing, but on the other hand so does the guy in Rushville, so does the guy in Rapid City."
For Tom Poor Bear, however, saying that "everybody does it" is no longer a good enough excuse.
"We've always been on the defence," says Mr Poor Bear. "Personally, I'm tired of being on the defence. The best offence that we could come up with was this lawsuit."
Tags: 1999 marches, alcoholism, Anheuser-Busch, bootlegging, lawsuits, murders, Oglala Sioux Tribe, Tom White


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Megan Davis – the journey from couch surfer to communications extraordinaire!
Moral Fairground's Ethical Enterprise Conference is the perfect time for enterprises, big and small, to come together and share their story.
But what about those who are yet to find their voice? Cue the amazing Megan Davis.
As mentioned last week, we are going to be bringing you weekly guest blogs in the lead up to the Ethical Enterprise Conference 2018, highlighting the stories behind the speakers. For those looking to find their voice or articulate their story, keep reading as this is for you.
Megan Davis, the Lead Storyteller of Spendlove and Lamb, has been crafting narratives in Melbourne and around the world since 2012. Spendlove and Lamb specialise in storytelling, narrative strategy, content production and management. Spendlove and Lamb have shepherded the craft of narrative development for a multitude of industries since 2015. Carving a niche as a market leader in this area has impacted the growth and stability for the future of narrative as modern marketing cornerstone.
Meet Megan below…
Tell us about your role, experience, journey to where you are. Why are you passionate about the industry?
I am the lead storyteller of Spendlove and Lamb. What that does that mean? I am a narrative strategist. I create strategic communications for businesses, organisations and projects. I collect stories from real people within the business and then create a narrative that connects all of the stories together to meet strategic outcomes. I first started telling stories at the age of 3 and never stopped. I have been an actor, a singer, a writer, a photographer, studied design and social science and now here I am. I am a person who empowers people to tell their own stories. This is what gets me up in the morning. Finding and amplifying real stories from real people is what makes my brain buzz with excitement. When you take the stories of individuals and bind them together into a larger piece of communication that becomes a narrative, it helps people understand how their own story and voice is part of something larger. It creates context and authenticity for marketing and communication strategies.
Tell us something about you that people may not already know:
Many people would not know that prior to starting my business I was homeless or houseless for 9 months. I decided to travel around the world visiting family and friends for 3 months. Then I landed back in Australia and house sat and couch surfed for 6 more months. My wish was to become an artist. I started a business instead. The more I think about it, the more I do see myself as an artist. I think all great artists are also great strategists. Think of your favourite book or movie. The writers or creative team combined their efforts to make you think and feel exactly what they wanted you to do so. This is a mammoth piece of strategic communication. I bring this level of execution to my storytelling projects.
What can we expect to learn about from your workshop at the Ethical Enterprise Conference this year?
Storytelling: Discover Your Cause's Narrative. Learn how to future-proof your marketing and communication strategy! Through a simple 3-part process we will learn how to deploy all of the story gold sitting within your business.
Do you have an awesome story that you're bursting to share but not quite sure how to go about it? Or are you keen to add oomph with content that speaks volumes?
Be sure to book your tickets to the Ethical Enterprise Conference as soon as possible, by visiting the Moral Fairground webpage here.
Keep an eye out over the following weeks as we bring you more of the stories behind the speakers and we look forward to seeing you at the Ethical Enterprise Conference 2018!
Until next time,
Skye Vadas
Town Hall People


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ASTRA32 Professional Edition – Advanced System Information Tool is an ideal solution for providing comprehensive information about the configuration of your system. Not only does ASTRA32 provide a detailed analysis of your system it also offers diagnostics and comes with some powerful unique features such as a Drivers Troubleshooter and a quick HDD Health Status checker.
You will appreciate the accuracy with which ASTRA32 acquires the information about the detected devices as it mostly refers directly to the hardware, not to the Windows Registry.
ASTRA32 uncovers even undocumented data. You can be sure that the obtained information about the computer hardware and device operational modes is precise irrespective of the installed drivers.
ASTRA32 has a unique feature (Drivers Troubleshooter) that allows searching for all physical devices and creates a list of all devices whose drivers are not properly installed or completely missing.
ASTRA32 will also test your hard drive for reliability and work out the diagnosis using a unique algorithm. With the quick HDD Health Status checker function, you will always know if your hard drive is OK or if it is time to create a backup. Be aware of all contingencies.
ASTRA32 works even with hard drives plugged into external UDMA/SATA/RAID controllers (including reads HDD SMART). The program also provides detailed information about all USB and SCSI devices.
Others features of the program include a built-in report wizard and an ability to work in a batch mode, which supports the use of report profiles and macros. The program can create reports in one of the following formats: TXT, INI, HTML, XML, CSV.
With ASTRA32, you will quickly have complete information about your whole computer system. The benefits for PC repair technicians and system administrators are obvious.
ASTRA32 Professional Program Features
- detects 293 processor and coprocessor types from Intel, AMD, Cyrix, VIA, Centaur/IDT, Rise, Transmeta, NexGen, UMC, IBM, Texas Instruments, C&T, IIT, ULSI, National Semiconductor, SiS
- identifies processor frequency, CPU clock multiplier and FSB clock, detects expected (not-overclocked) processors frequency, processor number, socket (slot, socket) and package (Platform ID) processor type, identifies processor features (MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, Supplemental SSE3, SSE4, SSE5, 3DNow!, 3DNow! Extensions and others) and L1/L2/L3 processor cache size
- a unique Drivers Troubleshooter function. It lists all problem physical devices whose drivers are not properly installed or completely missing
- quick HDD Health Status checker (using a unique algorithm)
- detailed drivers information (driver name, provider, version, date, status, etc.) for each physical device
- identifies motherboard manufacturer and URL, identifies vendor, date, and version of BIOS, identifies vendor and model of chipset
- identifies models and size of ATA/ATAPI devices (HDD, CD/DVD drives, ZIP drives). Detects interface type (Parallel ATA, Serial ATA I, Serial ATA II). Detects PIO, DMA and Ultra DMA modes (including active modes of the configuration). Identifies ATA/ATAPI devices on external UDMA/SATA controllers. Detection of CD/DVD-drives' maximum and current read/write speeds
- reading of HDD S.M.A.R.T. information (including drives using external UDMA/SATA/RAID controllers) and detection of HDD temperature
- identifies SCSI devices (HDD, CD drives, scanners, tape drives). Detects device name, type, size, SCSI serial number, temperature, manufacture date, buffer size, HDD rotation speed, and others
Other More Features in ASTRA32
- detects SPD memory modules (size, type, vendor, speed parameters and many others)
- identifies PCI/AGP/PCI-X/PCI-E/PCMCIA, ISA/PnP devices and used resources. The program can detect over 10600 devices
- identifies USB devices (vendor, model, serial number, version, speed, and others). The program can detect over 11400 devices
- identifies over 9200 monitor models, the viewable diagonal image size, modes supported by the monitor and other features
- support of DMI/SMBIOS standard, including detection of system name, motherboard model, BIOS, CPU, cache, memory subsystem parameters, motherboard slots, and ports information
- identifies vendor and model of graphics controller, video memory size
- identifies sound card type, modem, network card, LPT/PnP devices (printers, scanners) and many others
- information about Windows and installed programs and hotfixes
- creates a file report in plain text (see example), INI, HTML, XML and CSV format
- able to run in batch mode
- able to run without installation
- ability to import reports into hardware inventory management software – Hardware Inspector
Supported Operating Systems: MS Windows NT4, 2000, XP, Server 2003, Vista, Server 2008, Windows 7, Windows 8 (32-bit, 64-bit).
Size: 4.23 MB


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Our Thinking / Healthcare /
Last week on Mercer/Signal: US Health Care Reform, Tracy Watts explained the King v. Burwell case that will be heard by the Supreme Court starting next month, including possible fixes. Today, she discusses the consequences — both intended and unintended — of a decision to disallow federal subsidies for federally facilitated exchange (FFE) coverage, including the potential impact on employers.
In what could be a long list of consequences if the Supreme Court disallows federal subsidies for FFE coverage as a result of the King v. Burwell case, the biggest is a huge increase in the number of uninsured from the number today. The estimated 8 million people currently getting subsidized coverage in a FFE only foot 24% of the cost, on average, with the federal government picking up the rest. Without the subsidy they will most likely not be able to afford coverage. Here are a few of the consequences of most concern to employers:
- More people will be exempt from the individual mandate. Lack of access to affordable coverage (coverage costing no more than 8% of household income) excuses an individual from the individual mandate. The Kaiser Family Foundation estimates that without subsidized premiums, 83% of those in FFE states formerly eligible for subsidies would qualify for an affordability exemption from the individual mandate. Currently, an estimated 3% qualify for an exemption. That means the government will be paying out less in subsidies, but will also be collecting less in individual mandate penalties.
- The FFE individual health insurance options are not likely to survive the impact of anti-selection within a much smaller risk pool that would occur if subsidies are eliminated. This will cause insurers to exit the individual market in the FFE states, and there could be a trickle effect on the state-run exchanges as well.
- Repeal of the subsidy for FFE states could have an impact on employer strategies that leverage public options for hourly employees working less than 30 hours and for pre-Medicare-eligible retirees.
- The repeal of the subsidies doesn't necessarily give employers an "out" in terms of the shared responsibility penalties in states where employees can't obtain subsidized coverage. If an employer has employees in non-FFE states, the population considered in the offer of coverage to "substantially all employees" is the entire employee population, regardless of type of public exchange option.
- One of rationales for expanding coverage to more Americans was that a reduction in uncompensated care for the uninsured would help keep health insurance premiums lower for all. It is estimated that uncompensated care increases family premiums by as much as $1,000 a year.
What does the public think?
Surveys indicate that this case is not on most American's radar screens. In a poll taken by the Kaiser Family Foundation, more than half surveyed (56%) say they have heard nothing about the case. Since the law was passed in 2010, more people view it unfavorably than favorably. Still, only 32% of those surveyed by Kaiser would like Congress to repeal the law entirely, although another 14% want the law scaled back. On the other hand, 23% say they want to see Congress expand the law and 19% want it to move forward as is. Not surprisingly, opinion is sharply divided by political party.
Additionally, when asked what will happen with the law in this Republican-led Congress, 31% believe the law will undergo a major change and 32% believe it will see only minor change. Just 12% believe it will be repealed entirely. Most see lawmakers' proposals to change the ACA as an attempt to gain political advantage (63%) rather than to improve the law itself (29%). Large majorities of Democrats and independents feel this way, while Republicans are divided.
What should employers do?
Employers have planned for ACA compliance since the law was passed in 2010. All along the way we have been challenged by the complexity of the law, zig-zagged to accommodate changes and delays, and digested regulatory guidance that has not always been timely or easy to understand. There have been political battles and attempts to derail the law. Some held out hope that a prior Supreme Court decision or the mid-term elections would bring about major changes, even repeal. So here we are — again. Even if the Supreme Court strikes down FFE subsidies, all other ACA provisions remain in place. Our best advice? Assume the law will remain essentially intact until we know otherwise, and keep doing what you're doing.