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With your donation we can continue to grow and develop. Charities change, like any organisation, under the influence of various factors – economic fluctuations, trends in donor giving and grant making policies, changes in beneficiaries needs. Despite our considerable successes over the past fourth years, we are always struggling to attract enough funding for running our activities/projects at Haylands Farm.
We rely on the generosity of private individuals, companies, trusts and foundations for maintaining and developing a range of activities and services we offer for our students. each year we are facing deficit funding, and each year this figure will rise. Over the years funding has enabled us to expand our capital assets, however it has revenue costs, which we continuously have to take strongly into consideration in order for Haylands Farm to survive.
How to Make a donation by cheque or direct debit
Regular Donation
By making a regular donation to IW Mencap will support the many projects which already exist. It will also allow us to plan long-term programmes for adults with a learning disability. You can make payment by Direct Debit to:
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You can make a one off donation by sending a cheque to IW Mencap/Haylands Farm.
Gift Aid
If you are a UK tax payer, you can make your donation go further with Gift Aid. For every pound you give, we will receive an extra 25p from the Inland Revenue.
How do we claim your Gift Aid
For us to claim Gift Aid you need to be a UK taxpayer.


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Today I set out on Day 2 of my Taylor Lautner adventure. Writing an entertainment blog in Pittsburgh, and having one of the most current and relevant "heartthrobs" of our time filming a movie here in my hometown – well, it's like hitting a blogger-jackpot.
So, today I went star-seeking, and, set out to talk to other Pittsburghers about what it meant to them to have a movie star in our presence, and to see what they thought that this meant for our region. Additionally, as a writer, and always the observer, I really wanted to be able to soak up this experience and be as "in it" as all of the fans were, to be able to take it all in, and truly be a part of it, from all perspectives and all sides of the situation, as much as I am able to, with it being a closed set, and my not having and press privileges….(yet! But, as always, I'm determined!)
So, on this 90-degree summer day, I played two very appropriate roles: journalist, and fan girl.
Last night, I found out from a source that Lautner would be filming scenes today Osage Road in the relatively affluent subdivision Virginia Manor where he resides in the Mt. Lebanon neighborhood of Pittsburgh. I got there around 11:00am to find that there were about 60 others already anticipating his arrival – just waiting to catch a glimpse of their favorite star. The majority – as you'd expect – were women, ranging from toddlers to tweens, coeds to cougars, Hollywood types to housewives – it was quite a mix, with an age ran spanning 5 months to, I'd say 50 years! (And even including true-blue paparazzi!)
Osage Road was lined. Two police and a number of Abduction crew members and security had the road blocked off at Valleyview Drive, where barricades were in place. No one – and I mean no one, including the postal worker and street residents – was allowed down the portion of the street where they were filming. I witnessed some desperate attempts – some of which were pretty funny. There were quite a few "joggers" who were rerouted (many of whom you could simply tell were SO not runners), a younger couple in a car who were "looking through the high school" (in a housing plan?) and a little girl who said she lived on "Pine Street" (the police informed here that there were "5 other ways to get there, and this definitely wasn't the most efficient.")
Devotion was unswerving, though, amongst the diehard Lautner fans! Some girls who I talked to from the Hookstown area, all 13 and 14 years old, were there since 8am and made a handcrafted sign for the actor. (The same group, Sarah, Jess, Elaina, and Sydney, sat for 9 hours in the rain on Monday at Lautner's Abduction shoot at Hampton High School, but did not meet or speak to the actor.) Two sisters who I also spoke to, Alexandra, 21, and Beatrix, 19, from Sewickley, are such Lautner fans that, in the past, they've traveled to the "real" Forks, Washington, where the "Twilight" book series is based. (As most of you know, the Twilight movie series is what shot Lautner to fast and furious fame, though he's in Pittsburgh filming the thriller, Abduction.)
Many residents of Mt. Lebanon think that it is "neat" or "interesting" that a movie is being filmed in their neighborhood, and the teenage girls (and some of their mothers!) are certainly smitten by Lautner. However, it doesn't seem that all of the residents are pleased. Many teenage and twentysomething boys walked or rode past making snide remarks, teasing girls about Taylor Lautner, or making otherwise rude comments, and a sense of jealousy or simply being "territorial" was in the air. Additionally, many older residents expressed disdain and/or annoyance at not being able to drive down their own streets, or were simply annoyed by the inconveniences imposed by the hoopla and spectacle of it all. One woman named Mary complained about the "circus" in her "once quiet" neighborhood.
The goal of everyone in attendance was the same: to meet Taylor. Fans wanted photos, autographs, handshakes, and hugs.Many people had Twilight memorabilia or Taylor Lautner posters to be signed, some came unprepared but just wanted to see their favorite star in person. One girl told me that she "just wanted to see him" and admitted to sitting outside his house for hours. "The police have escorted me off of his lawn more than once." Another woman was advising the crowd "not to scream" because it would "make Taylor run away."
This brings me to my next point: when is enough enough?
Lautner has a reputation for being a nice star – very down to earth, friendly, and known to take pictures with fans and sign autographs. However, I do agree that some of this behavior WOULD make him "run away."
Here's an example: after I went home for the day, I decided to drive on by, again, after a Starbucks run, since I live 5 minutes away, out of curiosity, to see if there were still people there. THERE WERE. Not only were there still people, with chairs and coolers, lining Osage Street … but there were 20 people or so CAMPED OUT on his LAWN. Where he is LIVING.
Now, I admit that watching the scene unfold earlier on in the day was intriguing; a little exciting. "Lautner-hunting" has been fun, and I still hope that, during his time in Pittsburgh, I somehow cross paths for him, get a hello, a quote, a handshake, or, best yet, a photo! But, that being said, as enjoyable as the day was, I didn't obsess. I stayed for a couple of hours and left, went back a couple of hours later, and left again. Some people were literally there from 8am until, well, probably 10pm when I drove past again later in the night. I'm not judging them, by any means – to each their own – but, it makes me feel badly for him, or any celebrity, really. It's one thing when he's on set, doing his job. However, when they're at home, or "off the clock" and just living their life…I personally say, let it go. Give him some space! But, that's just me, just my personal opinion, that's all.
But …
I hope if any of you are still camped out in front of his house that you at least brought your laptop and are reading the Glitzburgh blog!
I will continue to update you on all things Taylor Lautner as I get news and information!
(I'll be out of town for a week, though, so you all will have to give me the scoop as I am away from Pittsburgh!)
BTW: Pick up a copy of Saturday's Tribune-Review! A quote from me will be on the front page of the Living section in the article about the Taylor Lautner movie and it will talk about the Glitzburgh blog!!
Pssst… I'll have more news on the Katherine Heigl movie, too, when I return from my trip! She's also filming here in the Ambridge/Sewickley area in a movie called, "One for the Money!"

subset: commoncrawl


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Image credit: bikeriderlondon / Shutterstock.com
California prison realignment transferred responsibility for non-serious inmates onto each county's Community Corrections Partnership (CCP). Similar to data inconsistency from California's local jails, each county chooses from multiple methods of assigning detainees risk scores and recovery paths. Arrests in one county versus another could result in a harsher sentence, harsher in-custody experience, and a less relevant rehabilitation.
Risk and needs assessments are implemented in four key ways:
- Probation supervision and intervention programs
- Jail release decisions
- Pretrial release decisions
- In-custody program placement
The state's situation is complicated, though: 18 out of 58 counties use at least two separate risk standards to guide their assessments, divvying up four functions between specialized systems. Seven out of the 18 employ a combination of three or more.
A breakdown of California risk assessment policies:
- STRONG (Static Risk and Offender Needs Guide): (53% of counties)
- COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions): (15.5%)
- ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System): (15.5%)
- CAIS (Correctional Assessment and Intervention System): (12%)
- VPRAI (Virginia Pretrial Risk Assessment Instrument): (12%)
- LS-CMI (Level of Service-Case Management Inventory) (8%)
- LSI/LSI-R (Level of Service Inventory [Revised]) (7%)
- WRAI (Wisconsin Risk Assessment Instrument): (7%)
- other: (15.5%)
STRONG and COMPAS
STRONG (Static Risk and Offender Needs Guide) and COMPAS (Correctional Offender Management Profiling for Alternative Sanctions) dominate the field by virtue of their familiarity, simplicity, and efficiency. They're both automated, need no formal qualifications to administer, and weave together risk versus needs.
STRONG and COMPAS share automated communications and accountability, low barriers for staff to administer, and decision criteria neatly divided into risk assessment and rehab needs. COMPAS was billed by realignment advocates as a new start.
COMPAS intended to be the transition from STRONG. COMPAS has strict requirements for structured inmate interviews; STRONG doesn't. Qualification to administer is open but requires two-day training. Decision criteria are flexible with individual case needs.
COMPAS can self-evaluate and construct its own reports while STRONG's automated system is limited to case planning. COMPAS administrators can even choose additional training in the "theoretical underpinnings" of corrections. If COMPAS was the update, why do 53 percent of state counties use an outdated system while only 9 percent have implemented COMPAS?
ORAS and LSI-R/LS/CMI
ORAS (Ohio Risk Assessment System) and the LSI-R/LS/CMI (Level of Service Inventory-Revised, Level of Service/Case Management Inventory) are more structured, amassing detailed documents and research on jail inmates. Like STRONG and COMPASS, ORAS enables administrators through similar training, but risks and needs are intertwined in six thorough sub-programs, including a pretrial risk indicator.
The LSI-R and its variations mix structured interviews, official sources, collateral records, and self-reporting to construct a 54-item compilation of assessment variables. Unlike the rest, LSI-R and LS/CMI recommend that a "professional with advanced training in psychological assessment must assume responsibility for the instrument's use, interpretation, and communication of results." It ensures that access to decisions about an inmate's past, present, and future isn't afforded to unqualified staff.
Finally, CAIS (Correctional Assessment and Intervention System) is unique because it's balanced between the simplicity of STRONG and COMPAS and the thorough criteria of ORAS and the LS variations. Like the first two, CAIS is web-based, automated, and open to any trainee, but it is also a modernized version of existing measures each sporting 50-70 exhaustive items. CAIS's training packet is tasked with closing this difference between inexperienced interviewers and thorough data.
Inconsistent county data collection is obfuscating statewide progress; here that data vacuum is apparent. The relative efficacy of these risk assessments has yet to be formally compared; comparing overly disparate data sets could produce inaccurate results. While counties deserve freedom to target unique problems, various county strategies must be untangled.


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Baby, bye bye bye
'It might sound crazy, but it ain't no lie' the Flames secured a first round bye
Live by the three, die by the three. In the regular season finale against the Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, the Liberty Flames men's basketball team did just that in an 86-81 Senior Day victory, Feb. 27.
The Flames could not have asked for a hotter start. An immediate defensive stop led to a quick three from freshman forward Caleb Homesley. After forcing a steal in the next possession, sophomore guard John Dawson maneuvered his way through Gardner-Webb's defense and found a cocked and loaded Homesly who nailed his second straight three, giving Liberty the early 6-0 lead.
The Bulldogs got on the board with an instant reply from senior guard Adonis Burbage who hit a three. However, Flames sophomore guard Ryan Kemrite netted a corner-pocket trey-ball to put the lead back at six. And in the next possession, the sophomore did the exact same thing from the other corner.
Three minutes in, the Flames were 4-4 from the three-point line and maintaining a commanding 12-3 lead. It was not until the 16-minute mark that Liberty scored elsewhere. With most of the Flames set up shop around the three-point line — as they were for most of the game — they swung the ball from one end to the court, stretching out the Gardner Webb defense, creating a driving lane for senior guard Anthony Fields. Fields blew past a closing-out defender for an easy layup.
Three minutes later, sophomore center Evan Maxwell added three points the old-fashioned way with a spinning and-one drive to the basket.
Down 17-5, Bulldog senior Harold McBride stopped the bleeding with a corner three. But Flames freshman guard Lovell Cabbil shot the lead back up to 12 with a three on the left wing.
After Cabbil and Homesley both knocked down a three apiece, the Flames, up 26-10, appeared to be running away against the Runnin' Bulldogs.
Homesley, who finished with a career-high 22 points, drilled his third three of the first half. Then Isaiah Ivey arrived to the party. Gardner Webb's senior guard buried a corner three. After a pair of free throws from both Gardner Webb's junior forward Tyrell Nelson and Flames freshman forward Ezra Talbert, Ivey buried another. Liberty's lead became 11 points.
After another stop, the Bulldogs passed Ivey the ball at the top of the key. Ivey pulled up for another three-pointer, cutting Liberty's lead to eight points.
A two-minute scoring drought for both teams ended when Ivey found Burbage for his second three of the day. Liberty's lead dwindled to five points.
Gardner Webb freshman guard Laquincy Rideau joined the ongoing three-point barrage, as he knocked down a three from the top of the key. Then Ivey swished another from downtown as the Bulldogs watched their double-digit deficit become a one-point lead.
"Defensively, we were balanced … until (Ivey) got cookin," Flames Head Coach Ritchie McKay said. "It didn't seem like we could stop him."
The Flames failed to score a single point in more than six minutes. With 3:30 remaining in the first half, Fields sizzled past defenders for a layup, ending the drought and reclaiming the lead, 30-29. But Ivey took the lead right back with his fourth three of the half.
Down 32-30, Liberty closed the half on a 6-3 run, giving them a one-point lead.
In the first half alone, McKay's side took 27 field goal attempts and made 12 of them — 20 of those shots were from behind the arc (made 9).
"We shoot a lot of threes," McKay said. "We want to take what the defense gives us."
Despite the offensive explosion, there was one player who failed to notch a single point — sophomore point guard John Dawson. But after a halftime speech with his team and coach, the second half would be his.
"We challenged him at halftime," McKay said. "When (John) doesn't feel like he's pulling his end of the bargain, he'll get a little down on himself. I asked his teammates at halftime 'do you believe in John Dawson?' And they all said in a resounding way, 'yes.'"
Dawson's team believed in him, and in the second half, he gave them ample reason to. In the first moments of the second half, the guard drove and hit Homesley for an open three. Then, after sizing up the defender, Dawson nailed a quick mid-range jumpshot — his first points of the game. After this, he was in complete control. Dawson either scored or assisted on 17 of the Flames 19 points to start the half.
He, along with Fields' constant penetration in the paint, was vital in freeing up the outside shot for their teammates.
"All year, we've been trying to touch the paint," Fields said. "That's kind of been my role as a facilitator and get guys shots. It opens up for our shooters when we're touching the paint and sharing the ball."
The Flames dribble-drive gameplan continued to plague Gardner Webb's defense throughout the second half. Dawson, who finished with 17 despite not scoring in the first half, continued to attack the paint and find open shooters.
But as he had done throughout the game, Ivey — who finished with a career high 32 points — willed the Bulldogs back into it.
Down 60-51, Gardner Webb ignited a 14-5 run, capped off by Ivey's fifth three of the contest. But Kemrite and Dawson both hit crucial threes in the final minutes to reclaim the lead and ultimately put the Bulldogs away. After the second half offensive explosion, the Flames walked out with the 86-81 victory. And after a little help from Longwood and Radford, Liberty secured the fifth seed and a first round bye in the upcoming Big South Tournament.
"Going into the tournament with a four-game losing streak would have been hard to prevent them from doubting," McKay said. "It helps us."
Fields, Liberty's lone senior who was honored before his final game in the Vines center, echoed his coach's comments.
"You never want to get too high or too low," Fields said. "But I feel like if you're going into the tournament with some momentum that's always good. … Going in with a win is going to get guys to have more confidence."
Haywood is the editor-in-chief.


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When I see a track with a lineup like this, I always get really excited right at first, and then almost immediately really worried that it won't be able to live up to the sum of its parts.
Big Boi – Gossip (feat. UGK & Big K.R.I.T.)
In this particular situation, you've got a lot of potential pitfalls: one of the dudes on the song has been residing in the spiritual world for the past four and a half years, two of them are very established, approaching middle-age rappers from different parts of the south, and one is a young and aspiring artist from yet another part of the south from everybody else. Ideally, with a song with this many strong talents on board, it would be best for all of them to spend some time in the same room together to get on the same page and get all of their comparably genius creative minds pointed in the same direction, but in this case, that would clearly not be an option (see reasons above). But in my opinion, aside from the Pimp C verse sounding a little uncharacteristically unsmooth and out of the pocket, this track actually does a pretty good job of living up to its lineup. Plus, Big Boi in the first verse makes reference to one of my favorite non-Soul Food Goodie Mob tracks.
Goodie Mob – They Don't Dance No Mo'


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My order.
"Thanks for the great service we receive from you, the beers always turn up pretty quick!y"
Liane from Auckland, Jul 2012
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Ballast Point Dorado Double IPA - Watermelon (355ml Can)
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Tasting Notes
Imperial/Double IPA
Imperial IPA, Double IPA or DIPA is a strong, often sweet, intensely hoppy version of the traditional India Pale Ale. Bitterness units range upward of 100 IBUs and alcohol begins at 7.5% but is more commonly in the 8.5-10% range. The flavour profile is intense all-round. Unlike barley wines, the balance is heavily towards the hops, with crystal and other malts providing support.
Standard Drinks: 2.80
Style: Imperial/Double IPA
Serving Temperature: 7°C
Country: America (USA)
Brewery: Ballast Point Brewing Company
Brewery Website: Click Here
Stock: Not Available


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Remember when I talked about my first toys? Questionable material, poor quality, and so forth? Another big issue I had with these toys were batteries.
I firmly believe that batteries are the bane of toy play. More than once I had batteries die on me at a really bad time. It wasn't too bad if I happened to have rechargeable batteries on hand, but I didn't always.
With my hatred of batteries in mind, a few years ago I started to look to see if there was a toy that plugs in. That's when I came across the Hitachi.
A little bit about it: The Hitachi Magic Wand is an external massager/vibrator. It is not waterproof, so any use with it must be careful. The white head, roughly the size of a tennis ball, is made of a wrinkly…plastic? Rubber? What you get if plastic and rubber had offspring? Anyway, underneath the head is a blue, semi-flexible neck, followed by the long, hard plastic handle with the two speed switch (high and low). The Hitachi is roughly 12 inches from the top to the base, with a 75 inch (6 1/4 feet) cord. It plugs in, so no worries about batteries.
What I loved: Talk about power. Lots and LOTS of power! I won't lie, this is the strongest vibrator I have ever owned. It makes the big O nearly a sure thing for me. That is the only thing I love about it. The strength.
What I didn't: The cord may seem long at over 6 feet, but from outlet to bed…that's not a lot of slack. I've accidentally pulled it out of the outlet more than once.
There are only to settings on the vibrator, and even the low setting is stronger than most other vibes. I find it's easy for me to get used to the power of the Hitachi, and be harder (for a while) for me to use weaker vibrators.
For couples play, this thing is huge and most certainly gets in the way. In woman-on-top (cowgirl), we can make it work, but we haven't been able to find any other position we can use it in.
Final thoughts: I've noticed that almost everyone one screams that the Hitachi Magic Wand is an item that every toy box must have. Personally, I think that although the Hitachi is pretty good, it does have it's limits. The cord is annoyingly short, it can't be used internally (without a special head attachment), it's big, it's heavy, it's not great for couples play. I find that I just don't need vibrations that are as strong as Hitachi. On a scale of 1-5 of vibration strength, the Touch is on a low 4 on the highest setting, while the Hitachi is such a high 5 that it is barely on the scale. I find I don't mind a 4. I also find there are better shaped toys out there for sex play…but then again, technically speaking, the Hitachi is supposed to be a muscle massager. I'm curious as to how it became hailed as the do-all, be-all of sex toys.
The Hitachi is fun to have. But as far as the idea that it is the one and only toy you'll ever want…I just don't think that's true. It does what it does and does it well, but it there are others out there. It just doesn't have to be the center of the toy world.


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SEATTLE – Microsoft may write flawed software, but it can take solace in the fact that the author of the Blaster worm also makes mistakes.
And that error may be Microsoft's biggest weapon in fending off part two of the Internet attack that started Friday and is expected to continue into Saturday. The worm, which so far has infected more than 350,000 computers around the world, now aims to bring down Microsoft's website for software patches by flooding it with traffic.
In addition, two new versions of Blaster are known to be circulating, although both were rated low-risk by security experts. A spam e-mail that purports to protect computers from Blaster was making the rounds on the Internet, too.
The Department of Homeland Security has not noticed any activity from the worm yet, but urged home users and small and mid-sized businesses to download the patch.
The virus-like infection, also dubbed LovSan or MSBlast, exploits a flaw in most current versions of Microsoft's Windows operating system for personal computers, laptops and server computers. Although Microsoft posted a software patch to fix the flaw on July 16, many users failed to download the patch, leaving them vulnerable to the worm, which first started hitting computers around the world Monday.
The worm caused computers to reboot frequently or disrupted users' Internet browsing. But it also packed a second punch: Starting at midnight local time Aug. 16, infected computers that have not cleaned up the virus will in effect turn into a legion of zombies instructed to repeatedly call up a Microsoft website that houses the software patch. With so much traffic flooding the network, the site could be unreachable and computer users would be unable to access the patch.
But there's a flaw. The worm instructed computers to call up http://windowsupdate.com – which is an incorrect address for reaching the actual Microsoft website that houses the software patch. Although Microsoft long has redirected those who visited that incorrect address to the real site – http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com – the company disabled the automatic redirection Thursday in preparation for the onslaught of infected computers.
Microsoft also has added capacity to handle an increase in traffic, said Steve Lipner, director of security engineering strategy at Microsoft.
"We've taken a number of steps which should be pretty effective" at stemming the attack, he said.
Microsoft's real website should still be accessible to users, said Microsoft spokesman Sean Sundwall. However, those who don't know the correct address may be confused and believe that the so-called denial-of-service attack worked. The company is taking other measures to keep its site up and running, Sundwall said, although he declined to give specifics.
"Microsoft has pulled Blaster's teeth," said Lloyd Taylor, vice president of Web performance monitoring firm Keynote Systems, noting that nothing much had happened as midnight passed in Asia. "We do not expect to see any impact on the Internet infrastructure" from the worm's denial-of-service attack, he said.
Microsoft's network and others around the country may still see a slowdown in Internet traffic simply from the volume of activity the worm is expected to generate from its legion of infected computers, said Vincent Weafer, senior director of security response for Symantec, a security and antivirus company.
However, considering that Microsoft has disabled the automatic link from the incorrect Web address to the correct website, the worm's effects are "not going to be catastrophic," he said. "The Internet by itself is very resilient."
"It's a very simple and effective way of redirecting a denial-of-service attack into nowhere," he said.
The rate of new infections has slowed, he said. But computer users who still have not downloaded the patch need to do so, he said, adding that the company expects new infections to continue for as long as two years to come.
In addition, at least two new versions of the worm are circulating, including one dubbed Randex that installs a back-door Trojan application that provides an attacker remote access to the computer, according to Symantec. The worms were rated low-risk.
An e-mail spam also is circulating that purports to offer a patch for the worm, but which instead can drop a Trojan horse program onto the recipient's computer, said Microsoft, which never distributes software via e-mail.
The worm leaves behind a love note on vulnerable computers: "I just want to say LOVE YOU SAN!" It also carries a hidden message to taunt Microsoft's chairman: "billy gates why do you make this possible? Stop making money and fix your software!"
Microsoft doesn't take the taunt personally, said Sundwall.
"Certainly we have had our naysayers in the past and I think those who have an ax to grind and happen to know how to write some code sometimes choose this mechanism to exhibit their frustration," he said.
Sundwall noted that Microsoft has been trying to make its software more secure, even before the "trustworthy computing" memo Microsoft chairman Bill Gates sent in January 2002. The memo emphasized the need for security and spawned months of training for developers on how to tighten up their code.
Despite that initiative, the flaw Blaster exploits appeared in Windows Server 2003, the first new operating system to come out since Microsoft's trustworthy computing campaign began.
Sundwall said there's more work to be done, and that Microsoft is looking for any ways to improve its security. "Most people would agree while we have a long way to go ... we've come a long way," he said.
Reuters and AP contributed to this report.


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I've never followed Penn State but as a college football fan I always had a lot of respect for Joe Paterno. Recent events at PSU have been sad and I hope justice will be served.
The Kentucky men will likely move up to #1 in the polls as Syracuse finally lost a game yesterday, at Notre Dame, 67-58. The only remaining unbeaten team is Murray State from the western part of the Bluegrass state.
How fun must it be to be a Florida State fan after routing North Carolina then going to Duke and ending a long home winning streak by the Devils.
The Ohio State men had no trouble in Lincoln last night. I am thinking maybe Missouri will be ranked #2 coming off a big win at Baylor 89-88. That would put Ohio State at #3.
The Kentucky women are alone atop the SEC as the only unbeaten team. The Cats host Florida this afternoon in what could be a trap game as UK has already beaten the Gators in Gainesville.
The Ohio State women have looked good since the loss to Michigan and will play host to Illinois today.


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By Luke Anderson
Growing up in a family of musicians has given me a fairly good ear, though I'm by no means an audiophile. I just know good sound quality when I hear it. I had the opportunity to test out ableplanet's latest high-end noise-canceling headphones.
The difficult thing about testing audio equipment is that unless you have something to compare with, it's hard to be fair. Luckily I had the chance to pit their Linx Audio Clear Harmony headphones against a comparable set from Bose. After listening to a couple of selections with both, it was clear that the Linx Audio set were of a much higher quality. Not only could I not hear a single thing going on around me (which seemed like a miracle in that environment) but the mids were much clearer.
You'll have to pay for a quality set of headphones like these. The ones I tested out will run you around $300, which isn't too outrageous if you're into music recording, or something similar that requires the clearest possible sound.


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One of the best things about having a mobile device is the ability to store contacts within the device. That way, you never have to worry about remembering all the numbers when you need to contact someone. This great mobile device feature while very advantageous, the reality of having technology is that one mistake can mean the loss of all data. The same is true of your contacts which is why it is very important to always have a backup of not just contacts but all other data on the device.
If you lose some of the contacts on your Android device and you didn't have a backup, getting them back can be trying and some people even say impossible. This article is going to prove them wrong by showing you how easy it is to get your missing contacts back and the best tool to help you do that.
Recover Deleted Contacts using iMyFone Android Data Recovery
When you lose contacts or any other type of data on your device and you don't have a backup, the easiest way to get the data back is to use a data recovery tool. While there are very many data recovery tools for Android devices, only one guarantees to recover any type of data you want as fast as can be done. This data recovery program is none other than iMyFone Android Data Recovery and the following are some of the reasons it is the only option for you when it comes to data recovery.
- It is very easy to use. As we shall demonstrate in a simple tutorial, you can recover any number of contacts in just a few minutes.
- It can be used to recover other types of data as well including videos, photos, documents, messages and many others.
- It is compatible with all Android devices and all versions of the Android OS.
- It's preview function makes it easy to selectively recover the missing data. This essentially means that you can choose to only recover some contacts over others.
How to Recover your Missing Contacts
Download and install iMyFone Android Data Recovery to your computer and then follow these very simple steps to recover your missing contacts.
Step 1: Connect the Android phone to the computer using USB cables and then launch the program on your computer.
Step 2: You will need to enable USB debugging to continue. This will allow the software to detect the device. if you have already, you just need to tap "OK" on your device to continue. If you hadn't, follow the on-screen instructions to do it.
Step 3: Select "Contacts" as the type of data you want to recover and then click "Next" to continue.
Step 4: This next step requires a rooted device. if your device isn't rooted, iMyFone Android Data Recovery will automatically install an assistant app to help you do that. Just tap "Allow" on your device to continue. If it doesn't work, click "Retry" to do it again.
Step 5: In the results page, choose the missing contacts from the missing results and then click "Recover" to save them.


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How to Replace a Vanity Light
Replacing a damaged vanity light or installing another style in keeping with your new bathroom design is relatively easy. Most vanity lights have one or more thumb screws at the front that hold the light in place, which makes removing the light a simple job. If you're installing a larger light with multiple lamps, the manufacturer provides a bracket that attaches to the electrical box in the wall. In most cases, a screwdriver is all that's needed to replace a vanity light.
Turn off the breaker for the bathroom electrical circuit at the main electrical panel.
Stand a stepladder at the area of the vanity light. Remove the lamp, or lamps, that cover the light bulbs on the light. Hold the lamp with one hand. Loosen the three small thumbscrews, turning them counterclockwise where the lamp attaches at the base of a light socket. Remove the lamp, or lamps, and remove the light bulbs.
Hold the light with one hand. Loosen the large thumbscrew cap on the light's base by turning it counterclockwise. Pull the light away from the wall to access the light's wires.
Ask an assistant to hold the light. Loosen the screw that secures the end of the green ground wire to the inside of the electrical box in the wall, using a screwdriver. Pull the end of the green wire off the screw and out of the electrical box.
Unscrew the wire nuts that connect the black and white wires from the electrical circuit to the black and white wires at the back of the light. Pull the wires apart at the connections and set the old vanity light aside. Loosen and remove the threaded stem from the bar across the front of the electrical box.
Ask the assistant to hold the new vanity light in place just below the electrical box. Ensure the wires at the back of the light are aligned at the box. Wrap the end of the green ground wire around the screw inside the electrical box where the old ground wire was removed. Tighten the screw securely.
Use the provided wire nuts and connect the corresponding black and white wires from the light to the ends of the black and white wires at the circuit. Hold the bared ends of a wire together with one hand and screw the nut on until it's tight.
Position the new light against the face of the wall. Align the hole for the thumbscrew stem at the base of the light with the threaded hole at the existing bar across the front of electrical box.
Insert the end of the new, threaded thumbscrew stem into the hole and thread it clockwise into the hole at the bar. Screw the stem in until 1/4 inch is extending at the outside of the light's base. Thread the new thumbscrew cap onto the end of the stem and tighten it by hand. Position the light correctly and tighten the cap securely.
Attach the new lamps into place and tighten the thumbscrews. Install a new bulb in each socket before switching on the breaker at the electrical panel.
Things Needed
- Stepladder
- Screwdriver
- For larger lights with multiple lamps, attach the provided bracket at the face of the electrical box with the provided screws.
- For lights with more than one hole for thumbscrews, thread the provided shorter stems in the remaining holes at the light's base and into the holes in the provided bracket. Thread a thumbscrew cap onto the outer end of each stem and tighten each securely.
Photo Credits
- Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images


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(METRO UK) – A man is recovering in hospital after he was allegedly raped when he was raped by two women in South Africa.
Police say the 25-year-old was hitchhiking in Polokwane in Limpopo province when the middle-aged women stopped to give him a lift.
They then held him at gunpoint and he said he was ordered to drink a substance before they raped him. He is currently in a serious condition in hospital after they dumped him at the roadside in the town of Tzaneen.
Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe told Capricorn Voice: 'After the ordeal, it is alleged they drove further with the victim and dropped him off in a secluded area near Tzaneen CBD, where he proceeded to the Tzaneen Police Station and reported the matter.'
The alleged rape is the latest in a series of attacks by so-called 'semen bandits' in the Limpopo region.
In May this year a 23-year-old man alleged that he was repeatedly raped by a gang of three women over a three-day period. He caught a taxi in Pretoria which then started driving in the wrong direction and he was injected with an unknown substance that caused him to pass out. When he woke up he said he was in a room on a single bed and was forced to drink energy drinks as the women raped him.
In July a teacher was kidnapped at gunpoint by three women who offered to give him a lift while he was waiting for a bus in Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe.
Another teacher on his way to Bulawayo was gang raped by four women in February.
And in 2011 three women were found to have 31 condoms filled with semen when they were stopped at a police road block.


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When you purchase a digital book from Amazon or Apple, you don't technically own it. You are merely licensing the electronic version for an indeterminate amount of time and there have been many cases where users' entire libraries get deleted. The question of ebook ownership has been a hot button issue, because when you buy the physical book, it's yours. You can sell it to a used bookstore or loan it out to friends. Last month Amazon filed a patent that had something to do with establishing a new digital system that would allow the reselling of content you purchased from them. In the last 48 hours, Apple has also filed a patent to sell used digital content, adding credence to the rumor that both companies will be unveiling a new way to buy and sell used ebooks.
One of the biggest concerns the games, music, and publishing industries have with digital content is the transfer of ownership without the original owner still having access to their copy. Amazon and Apple both have elaborate systems that deliver content to your specific used account. When you buy a Kindle book, it is transferred to your main account and you're able to read it on any e-reader, tablet, or app on a smartphone. The same thing occurs when you buy a book from iBooks; it is easily tracked that you bought the book. These new patents could allow for the removal of paid books from your account when the ownership is transferred.
The removal of content from your account is something Amazon and Barnes and Noble have developed with their lending ebook programs. Kindle Lending allows publishers and authors opt into a program that allows book buyers to loan a book out to a friend, over the period of two weeks and only once in the lifetime of the book. While the book is loaned out the original owner cannot read the book, and after two weeks it is automatically returned to the owner. When you borrow books from Overdrive on the Kindle, the books are also temporarily available for you to read and then returned when you are done. You can say that Amazon has extensive experience with removing and adding content to customers' accounts. It would make sense the company is laying down the groundwork for a used market for e-textbooks and ebooks.
The Apple and Amazon patents for used digital content could be the makings of a huge shift in the marketplace. Both companies sell books directly to the users and have full control over the master account. Not to mention that both of these companies are juggernauts and Amazon is thought to control over 60% of the global ebook market. I could see both of these behemoths take a cut out of each used book sold, to double dip in the profits. They would remove the initial cut from the publisher from selling the book, and then get another fee from reselling it to another user.
Michael Kozlowski is the Editor in Chief of Good e-Reader. He has been writing about audiobooks and e-readers for the past ten years. His articles have been picked up by major and local news sources and websites such as the CBC, CNET, Engadget, Huffington Post and the New York Times.


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Watch this short video from Visit Kent to see how our partnership has benefited both local Kent families and attractions.
I particularly like the comment from Therese Helsop of Canterbury Cathedral who says that by encouraging local people to visit turns Kent residents into ambassadors for local attractions.
This second year of the partnership saw nearly 1,000 local children and parents enjoying a day out that they otherwise would not have been able to afford.
I think this type of partnership has the potential to be replicated across the country.


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A total eclipse of the Moon is a highlight in a month that also features exceptional views of several planets. While the fainter worlds gather in the early evening sky, the more luminous ones congregate before dawn. Skywatchers should mark their calendars for the morning of the 22nd, when the two brightest planets, Venus and Jupiter, pass just 2° from each other.
The eclipse gets underway the evening of the 20th. Luna enters our planet's outer penumbral shadow at 9:37 p.m. EST. The penumbra's subtle shading initially has little effect on the Moon, but viewers should see the lower limb start to darken within a half-hour.
The partial eclipse officially begins at 10:34 p.m., when our satellite encounters Earth's inner umbral shadow. No direct sunlight enters the umbra, so you might expect the shadow to look black. And it does, at least at first. But as the Moon dives deeper into the shadow and totality approaches, it takes on a distinct orange glow. The color comes from all Earth's sunrises and sunsets — our planet's atmosphere bends this light into the shadow.
The color becomes even more noticeable during the 62 minutes of totality, which commences at 11:41 p.m. The eclipsed Moon is mesmerizing however you view it, but be sure to enjoy the surrounding sky. As the eclipse progresses, the sky darkens and the star-studded winter sky blossoms into view. Binoculars will reveal the attractive Beehive star cluster (M44) just 7° east of the Moon.
The total phase of the eclipse ends at 12:43 a.m., and the Moon exits the umbral shadow at 1:51 a.m. The final trace of the penumbra leaves the lunar disk without fanfare at 2:48 a.m. Don't pass up the opportunity to see this total lunar eclipse — you'll have to wait until May 2021 for the next one.
While the Moon glows orange only one evening this month, Mars shows a similar color every January night. The planet appears about halfway to the zenith in the southwest as darkness falls. It remains on view until it dips below the western horizon after 11 p.m. local time.
The eclipsed Moon hangs just below the twin stars Castor and Pollux in Gemini at midtotality January 20/21.
The planet begins the month southeast of Pisces' Circlet asterism, a distinctive grouping that lies due south of the Great Square of Pegasus. The ruddy world then treks eastward rapidly. It slides 0.9° south of 4th-magnitude Epsilon (ε) Piscium on January 26.
Despite Mars' prominence to the naked eye, it doesn't offer much to observers with telescopes. The planet continues to move away from Earth and thus shrink in size. Its apparent diameter holds at 7" during the first half of January but drops to 6" by month's close. You'll need excellent viewing conditions to see it as anything more than a featureless disk.
Mars serves as a guide to finding Uranus and Neptune this month. The two conveniently bracket the Red Planet and glow brightly enough to show up through binoculars.
You'll want to hunt for Neptune first. It lies west of Mars and thus hangs lower in January's evening sky. The outer world lurks among the background stars of Aquarius, standing some 30° high at the end of twilight in early January. Its altitude drops by half at the end of the month, however, so don't put off your attempts to track it down.
Neptune lies midway between Lambda (λ) and Phi (ϕ) Aquarii, a pair of 4th-magnitude stars in eastern Aquarius. A trio of 5th- and 6th-magnitude stars — 81, 82, and 83 Aqr — form a right triangle in this area. But you'll need to hold your binoculars steady to spot the magnitude 7.9 planet among these stars.
Neptune lies 14' southeast of 81 Aqr on January 1. But the ice giant moves eastward and pulls away from 81. It ends the month 55' east of this star and 46' north of 83 Aqr.
You'll have an easier time chasing down Uranus. Not only does it shine brighter than Neptune (magnitude 5.8), but it also stands higher in the evening sky. Uranus spends the month in eastern Pisces, just a stone's throw from that constellation's border with Aries. The planet appears 60° above the southern horizon as twilight fades to darkness in early January, and it's still 50° high in the southwest at the same time late this month.
Uranus' position relative to the background stars barely budges during the first half of January. Look for it 1.2° north of the 4th-magnitude star Omicron (ο) Piscium. The planet edges eastward during the month's second half, reaching a point 1.4° north-northeast of Omicron by the 31st. Because no other star in the vicinity glows as brightly as Uranus, you should be able to identify it quite easily.
If you're still unsure which point of light is the planet, point a telescope in its direction. Uranus displays a disk that measures 3.6" across and appears distinctly blue-green.
Once Uranus sets after midnight, the sky remains planet-free for a few hours. But don't go to sleep yet — or at least, plan to wake up early to catch the best January has to offer.
New Year's Day dawns in spectacular fashion, with a waning crescent Moon and three bright planets arrayed above the southeastern horizon. The Moon rises first, just after 3 a.m. local time, with Venus following a half-hour later. Five degrees separate the night sky's two brightest objects. Jupiter comes up about 90 minutes after Venus and Mercury trails an hour later.
A half-hour before sunup, the four solar system objects stretch out across 35° of sky. Venus appears nearly 30° high and shines at magnitude –4.6; Jupiter is 15° high and glows at magnitude –1.8; and magnitude –0.4 Mercury stands 5° high in the brightening twilight. You also might catch a glimpse of the 1st-magnitude star Antares 5° to Jupiter's lower right.
Venus reaches greatest elongation January 5/6, when it lies 47° west of the Sun and climbs 25° high in the southeast an hour before sunrise. If you point a telescope at the planet on the 6th, you'll see a 25"-diameter disk that should appear half-lit. But it probably won't — Venus' phase always appears as a fat crescent when it should be half-lit. German astronomer Johann Schröter first described this effect in 1793, which likely arises from the planet's thick atmosphere. Observers typically see Venus as 50 percent illuminated a few days after greatest elongation. What do you find?
Each day after greatest elongation, Venus loses a bit of altitude while Jupiter climbs higher. The two are destined for a stunning conjunction January 22, when Venus passes 2° north of Jupiter. The pair rises in a dark sky by 4:30 a.m. local time and remains visible even in bright twilight.
A waning crescent Moon returns to the predawn sky at month's end. On January 30, it appears 6° to Jupiter's upper right; the following morning, it slides 2° to Venus' right.
Mercury has long since disappeared by then. The innermost planet adorns the twilight sky during January's first week, but the Sun's glare soon overwhelms it. It passes behind the Sun on January 29.
Although Saturn passes on the far side of the Sun on January 1/2, it emerges in the predawn sky during the month's second half. On the 31st, the ringed world stands 7° high in the southeast 45 minutes before sunrise. You should be able to spot the magnitude 0.6 planet through binoculars, though you'll want to wait until next month to target it with a telescope.
Observers in southwestern Alaska, Japan, and eastern Asia who practice safe solar-viewing techniques can see the Moon partially eclipse the Sun on January 5/6. Maximum eclipse occurs in eastern Siberia, where our satellite covers 71 percent of the Sun's disk.
When second best is still fine
Only about a dozen major lunar valleys appear on the Moon's nearside. Most observers consider Vallis Alpes (Alpine Valley) in the north to be the best, but Vallis Rheita (Rheita Valley) in the southeast runs a close second.
With a bit of practice and an eye for detail, you can tell that the Rheita Valley is neither the youngest nor oldest feature in the lunar southeast. Notice a couple of battered craters on the valley's northeastern flank. Their rims and floors appear worn down because they were pounded by later impacts, proving they formed earlier. Rheita Crater in the northeast and Young D at the south end clearly came later because they look sharper and obviously reshaped the underlying valley.
The Rheita Valley is the longest and widest valley on the nearside. But many similar crater chains surround large impact features. The chains form as debris from an impact shoots out in linear sprays like the spokes on a bicycle wheel. The Rheita Valley's size implies that the impact must have been big. It was: It blasted out Mare Nectaris (Sea of Nectar) to the north.
Sunrise occurs over the Rheita Valley on January 8, but the image more closely matches what you'll see on the 9th. Take another look on the 22nd and 23rd, when the Sun sets over this region. The reversed lighting helps you see that the valley points right back to its origin in Mare Nectaris.
Scientists expect the shower to peak around 9 p.m. EST. Sadly, the radiant — the point from which the meteors appear to originate — doesn't climb high until early morning. And rates drop dramatically from the peak. The Quadrantids can produce up to 120 meteors per hour at maximum, but that number drops to 30 just eight hours on either side. Although North American observers should see a good display, the best views likely will come from Europe.
The radiant lies in northern Boötes, an area once claimed by the now-defunct constellation Quadrans Muralis. That's where the shower gets its name.
The comet made its closest approaches to both the Sun and Earth in December, and it is now leaving the inner solar system. Not surprisingly, this leads to a drop in brightness. Wirtanen may dip to 9th magnitude by month's end, so try to observe it during the Moon-free block of time in January's first 10 days.
A telescope should reveal the comet's sharp eastern flank. This is where solar radiation ionizes the gas escaping from Wirtanen, and the solar wind picks up these ions and pushes them directly away from us. Through 10-inch and larger instruments, you might see a hint of green on this edge. In contrast, the dust leaving the comet curves gently into a fan-shaped tail.
When Wirtanen returns to the inner solar system in 2024, it will be farther from Earth and likely won't make our viewing list. We'll have to wait 27 years for the comet to come close to Earth again and light up our night sky.
For observers, Eros makes one of its periodic close passes by Earth this month. At closest approach January 15, the asteroid comes within 19 million miles of our planet. But it remains nearly this close all month, glowing at 9th magnitude from its perch high in the east after darkness falls. A small telescope will let you follow Eros as it heads south along the Perseus-Auriga border before entering Taurus near month's end. Avoid searching between January 15 and 19, when the waxing gibbous Moon spills too much light into this region.
The asteroid travels nearly 1° per day, so it takes only 30 minutes to shift position noticeably at 100x. The chart below will get you to the right field. Make a sketch of the stars in the vicinity, going deep enough to include Eros. Then, take a 30-minute break before returning to the field and noting which dot has moved the apparent width of Jupiter's disk. If you watch for half the night, you also should notice the asteroid's brightness vary by half a magnitude during its five-hour rotation.
Eros typically doesn't glow as brightly as it does this month. It won't beat 9th magnitude again until 2056, when it will peak at magnitude 7.6.
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Whenever the lyrics of the National anthem are echoed, the Nigerian citizens are reminded of their pledge to "serve our fatherland" as "one nation bound in freedom, peace and unity."In 1960, this building project of one nation was taken over by those who thought that the human beings who were amalgamated from different empires and tribes would have a common national identity. It was presumed that Nigeria's independence was the end of slavery and colonialism. Unfortunately, Nigeria is still gasping for breath like a patient on oxygen and life support machine. The national identity remained fractured into Hausa, Fulani, Yoruba, Igbo and other tribes that have been labeled ethnic minorities. The civil war slogan, "to keep Nigeria one is a task that must be done" indicated that this project to build and grow one Nigeria has not been feasible. The civil war should have taught the ruling class in Nigeria that the gun cannot kill an ideology and the yearning for human dignity. This can only be achieved through justice, equity and peace.
It appears that the drive to rule in Nigeria is not ideas that last forever but material wealth that is very transient. This could be the reason why Late Prof. Dora Akunyuli who led the Ministry of Information and Communications in the "Rebranding Nigeria Campaign" died without realizing her dream. Another sword in the heart of Nigeria is ethnicity and abuse of religion. During the political campaigns in 2015, President Muhammadu Buhari lamented that religion and ethnicity have eaten deep into the core of Nigeria. He said: "Wicked propagandists continue to spread vicious lies about me for political gain, including claiming that I once asked Muslims not to vote for Christians. This must be the height of absurdity. How could I ever say that, when whoever voted for me would be voting for the Christian running with me on the same ticket? And how could I ever say that of Christians when my own holy book, the Qur'an, tells me that in the entire world those that are nearest in love to me are those who believe in Jesus Christ? I ask, who, intending to win any election, ever does that? How can I choose southern Christian running mates (Chuba Okadigbo of blessed memory, Pastor Tunde Bakare and Pastor Yemi Osinbajo) and with them by my side make such silly utterances" (https://www.thenigerianvoice.com/news/267533/2019) ?
The immediate past Presidents has expressed his frustrations in his recent book: "Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, My Transition Hours, Kingwood, Ezekiel Books, 2018." Just a few quotations may drive home our points in searching for this one nation: "It takes conscience to use power as a shield and ego to use power as a sword" (Page 2). "When some individuals preach one Nigeria in public, those who know them better in private simply chuckle. One Nigeria, where there is equity, fairness and justice is what I believe is best for the people of this country" (Page 17). "In Nigeria, during football matches involving the national teams and foreign teams, both Christians and Muslims sing and dance to the tune of the same music. That is patriotism. In politics, I am yet to see such patriotism" (Page 20). "Until African politicians consider their countries' interest first in whatever they do, the continent will continue to lag behind. Politics should be about the people and not about fighting to occupy offices (Page 26).
One then may be right to ask: "If the search for one nation has been so difficult, why this search for one nation through the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC)? My answer would be that we must not give up on Nigeria. We must keep trying until we get it right. The preamble to the Constitution of NIREC is like a compass that points to the direction of our quest: "We, the representative of the two Principal Religions - Islam and Christianity in Nigeria, having voluntarily decided by ourselves to come together to form an association on the 11th day of September, 1999, and the association having been inaugurated on the 29th day of September, 1999, guided by our divine revelations and the dictates of our CREATOR, determined, within the context of our religions, to forge Inter-Religious harmony and concord, having firmly and solemnly resolved, within the confines of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, to live in unity, harmony and peace for the welfare, security and prosperity of our peoples and our Nation under God, do hereby make, enact and give to ourselves this Constitution to guide and direct our collective endeavors." With this declaration, I have no reason to doubt the sincerity of our Religious leaders in this resolve grow and promote an ideal nation.
I would love to take my office as Executive Secretary of NIREC as a mission givenby God through the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Catholic Bishops' Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) and the Executive of NIREC. I would love to do all that is humanly possible and leave the rest for God who has not abandoned Nigeria. Article 3 of the Constitution of NIREC points to a direction that can help our mission with the following aims and objectives: To honestly and sincerely understand the true teachings of the two religions; promote dialogue between Christians and Muslims; inculcate moral, ethical, social and cultural values of the two faiths for the rebirth and rebuilding of a better society; to provide a forum for mutual co-operation and promotion of the welfare of all citizens in the nation; to create fora and channels for the peaceful resolution of any friction or misunderstanding that may arise from time to time; to serve as an avenue for articulating cordial relationship amongst the various religious groups and between them and the Government; to assist the Federal, State, and Local Governments of Nigeria and the Populace by emphasizing and accentuating the positive roles religion should play in nation building and development; to serve as a forum to achieve national goals, economic growth, national unity and promotion of political stability; to consider and make recommendations to the Federal and other levels of Government on matters that may assist in fostering integral and spiritual development of Nigerians; to make recommendations on such other matters as the Federal and other levels of Government may from time to time refer to the Council and to network with organizations of similar aims at home and internationally, for the furtherance of the objectives of the Council.
I believe that NIREC can reposition Nigeria if the members prefer the common good to selfish interest. NIREC Secretariat should be a home for every Christian and Muslim. Given that the NIREC office is situated in the Federal Secretariat, the staff of NIREC should begin simple dialogue by engaging the staff of the Federal Secretariat in a way and manner that the Federal Secretariat could be a model of what a nation should be. At resumption of office as Executive Secretary of NIREC, I visited the Imam in charge of the Mosque and the Police officers in the Police Station at the Federal Secretariat. I also visited the Chapel and the Mosque where the staff of the Federal Secretariat meet to pray. The people I met expressed the need to work together as Nigerians to harvest peace, progress, justice, freedom, contentment and all that can give happiness to humanity. We could take NIREC to the grassroots by visiting the different States with the message of building a nation. If the Nigerian government could provide an office space for NIREC, then the council could work to discover the God given capacity that could be explored to put smiles on the faces of every Nigerian. May this our search for one nation through NIREC not be in vain!
(Fr. Cornelius Omonokhua is the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Inter-Religious Council (NIREC) (firstname.lastname@example.com; www.omonokhua.blogspot.com)


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Grandstream Releases a New High-End Smart IP Video Phone
The GXV3380 offers a powerful desktop video collaboration and productivity solution with an 8" touch screen, Android™ 7.0, integrated Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and more
Boston, MA USA – Monday, July 1, 2019 – Grandstream, connecting the world since 2002 with award-winning unified communication solutions, today announced the release of the newest addition to their GXV series of IP Video Phones for Android. The new GXV3380 combines a multi-platform video collaboration device with a 16-line IP phone and the functionality of an Android tablet to offer an all-in-one desktop communication solution.
This High-End Smart Video phone delivers a powerful desktop experience thanks to its 8-inch touch screen, 2-megapixel camera, support for 1080p HD video, integrated dual-band Wi-Fi, built-in Bluetooth, HDMI input/output and more. The GXV3380 runs on Android 7.x and offers full access to the millions of Android applications. It can be seamlessly integrated with other Grandstream products, including facility access control solutions, IP PBXs, video conferencing systems and SIP cameras. This IP Video Phone for Android is the ideal desktop device for busy, multi-tasking professionals, pairs well with any SIP video security solution and offers a powerful yet cost-effective video device for any conference room.
"We are excited to introduce our most powerful IP video phone ever brought-to-market, the new GXV3380," said David Li, CEO of Grandstream. "This new product will extend the award-winning legacy of our GXV series of IP Video Phones while offering a significant upgrade thanks to Android 7.x, the largest touch screen within the series, support for multi-party 1080p HD video conferencing, computer screen sharing, and more. We are confident that this world-class video phone will continue our tradition of producing the finest IP video phones on the market."
Notable features of the GXV3380 include:
- Run Android 7.x and offers access to the millions of Android apps
- 8-inch (1280x800) capacitive 10-point touch screen IPS LCD
- Built-in 2-megapixel camera for video calling with privacy shutter
- Integrated dual-band Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)
- Built-in Bluetooth support for syncing with mobile devices, Bluetooth headsets, etc.
- Support for Full-Band voice with 48KHz sampling rate, dual-mic HD speakerphone with advanced echo cancellation and excellent double-talk performance for any scenario
- Dual Gigabit ports with PoE/PoE+
- 16 lines with up to 16 SIP accounts
- 7-way HD audio conferencing and 3-way 1080p 30fps FHD video conferencing capability
- 64-bit quad-core processor with 2GB RAM and 16GB flash
- Peripherals include an HDMI-IN for computer screen sharing, HDMI-OUT, USB 2.0, Micro SD, RJ9 headset jack, 3.5mm stereo headset
- Advanced SDK/API available for application deployment
Product Resources
Click here to visit the product page for the GXV3380, which includes datasheets, technical resources and more.
Pricing and Availability
The GXV3380 is generally available now for purchase through Grandstream's worldwide distribution channels at a suggested retail price of $499 USD.
About Grandstream
Grandstream Networks, Inc. has been connecting the world since 2002 with SIP Unified Communications products and solutions that allow businesses to be more productive than ever before. Our award-winning solutions serve the small-to-medium business and enterprises markets and have been recognized throughout the world for their quality, reliability and innovation. Grandstream solutions lower communication costs, increase security protection and enhance productivity. Their open standard SIP-based products offer broad interoperability throughout the industry, along with unrivaled features and flexibility. Visit www.grandstream.com for more information or connect with us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.
Grandstream Contact
Phil Bowers
*Android is a Registered Trademark of Google LLC.


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A warm welcome to Jasmine Class
Our teacher is Mr Montgomery and we are Year 1. We also work with Miss Brooks and Mrs Floyd.
Come and find out all about us and looks at what we have been learning about.
All website content copyright © Beeston Fields Primary School and Nursery
Website design by PrimarySite


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Santa Monica Beach and Pier
|Los Angeles, CA
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At Santa Monica Pier and Beach there is so much to do! Here, the beach is absolutely gorgeous. The waves crash strongly on the shore and it's great to go for a walk east of the pier. Rent bikes at the shop near the bike path and ride to quirky Venice Beach on the bike path over the sand.
Just east of Santa Monica Pier, check out Old Muscle Beach, a cool area where acrobatic people work out. Watch the amazing tricks they pull. It's fun for kids to swing here like gymnasts, to climb high up a rope like a fire pole, or to stand on the slippery rounded cement boulders. Lots of people come here to slackline, a sort of tightrope walking. It's great to watch them.
There's a small ship playground with a huge dragon's mouth carved out of stone. Kids can climb inside, grab onto the teeth, and pretend they are being eaten alive! Unfortunately, there's some graffiti on the dragon and ship and it's dirty.
At the base of the pier there's an indoor carousel all decorated in baby blue. It was a little disappointing once, because the horses we chose did not go up and down, so choose the inner not the outer horses.
On the pier there's an arcade game place, loud and crowded- hell for parents but lots of fun for kids, who will be very wired if you stay too long. Vendors along the pier sell trinkets and food. An amusement park called Pacific Park beckons, with an incredibly scary pirate-ship ride that looks like a dragon. It goes much higher than you're used to and it feels like you are falling off a building each time it comes down. There's an antique roller-coaster that's not particularly frightening to ride on and a ferris wheel that looks beautiful when lit up at night. Come with your date at night! From the top of the ferris wheel you get a fantastic view of the beach. It's not very thrilling though because you're all sitting in a circle and your legs don't hang over.
At the tip of the hundred-year-old wooden pier, it's gorgeous to stand and look down on the sparkling water below. You can run around the rim of the pier with your kids and breathe in the fresh air. We love to come here after arriving at LAX. We stretch our legs, breathe the salt air, and rejuvenate. And the yummy finale is that we eat at Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory, which is on the pier and has the most incredible views of the beach to the west of the pier and the red cliffs by the highway. Sunsets here are spectacular. It's a little rowdy with the waiters and waitresses yelling out trivia questions and all manner of hoop-la but the food is good and you can't beat the AMAZING views! During holidays or weekends the wait to be seated can be impossible- they will tell you it's an hour wait, then you wait an hour, come back, and they tell you it's another hour. Not worth it!
From mid-July to mid-Sept, there are free outdoor concerts on the pier, Thursdays at 7pm.
The wood is so old on the pier that several people a day are in for a surprise. Splinters longer than sewing needles can easily anchor themselves in your foot. The policemen on the pier are so used to dealing with this that they've become expert splinter removers. One poor lady sat on the pier, scooted to the side and got a splinter as long as a knitting needle wedged you-know-where. Ouch! Be extra careful.
If a picnic on the beach sounds great, walk from the beach to 2400 Main Street (this is about a mile south of the pier and three blocks back from the beach). Here you'll find a wonderful European delicatessen owned by a German woman. It's called Shoop's. There are plenty of yummy European chocolates and goodies to buy while you're there.
While in Santa Monica, check out 3rd Street Promenade, a pretty, pedestrian-only area with great street performers and musicians and many sidewalk cafes. It is lovely at night when the trees are lit up. Also, don't miss a walk along Palisades Park, just across the bridge from the pier, where you can enjoy winding walkways above the clay-red cliffs of Santa Monica and gorgeous sweeping views of the beach, the Pacific Coast Highway, and the chic pastel beachhouses. There are many homeless people but on busy days plenty of tourists as well. Across the street from the pier, there's a playground with rockclimbing grips built into a hill, called Tongva Park.
Photo GalleryClick on photo to see large version
From Highway 405, take Highway 10 west. Take the 4th Street exit and turn right on 4th Street and get into the left lane immediately. Turn left on Colorado Ave and then left on Ocean Ave. Turn right immediately into a little lane called Seaside Terrace. Go down a steep hill and there is a parking lot on the right. It is 2 hour pay-parking that is very affordable. This is our secret parking, so consider yourself lucky I'm telling you about it!
If you need an address to find a parking structure, try parking in Lot 4 at 1321 2nd St, Santa Monica CA 90401. Parking in this lot is $8.
There are public restrooms at Old Muscle Beach, on the pier, and in the carousel building- but I'd recommend waiting and using one at the restaurant.
Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory, Santa Monica Pier, call (310) 393-0458.
Shoop's Delicatessen, 2400 Main Street, call (310) 452-1019. There is parking right outside the delicatessen. To get to Shoop's, exit Highway 10 at 4th Street, left on 4th, right on Pico, left on Main St.
This is an interactive map, you can zoom and move it.
Visitor Ratings
Overall Visitor Rating:
10/15/2009 12:17
|I've been to many piers (Santa Cruz, Port HUeneme, Santa Barbara, Manhattan just to name a few) but none have beat this pier!
10/09/2009 13:44
|Eat at Bubba Gumpas- it's right on the pier, so you can't beat the location. the movie parphernalia is a bit overboard, but it is fun at the same time. The food is really good and they bring celery sticks and carrot sticks for your kids.
10/01/2009 14:51
|where houses are on the beach and where the girls look better than the view.


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Hotels in Myrtle Beach
Find a place to stay
Top neighborhoods in Myrtle Beach
Top landmarks in Myrtle Beach
Find out more about Myrtle Beach
Gilded with miles of pristine beaches and home to more golf courses than you can swing a club at, Myrtle Beach is South Carolina's premier holiday haven. R&R comes sun-drenched beside the sparkling water; while livelier pursuits simmer all along the palm studded Grand Strand. From all the fun of the boardwalk, to fruity cocktail-fueled nightspots, attractions and amenities all aim to please. Locally caught seafood is the order of the day, and hospitality comes flavored with lovable Southern charm.
Things to see
If you're visiting Myrtle Beach you'll certainly want to stroll along the oceanfront Boardwalk. Stretching just over a mile, the palm-lined promenade buzzes with a carnival-like atmosphere, with jesting street performers and live music. With an array of shops, bars and eateries to entice you, the centerpiece of the breezy Boardwalk is the SkyWheel. At 187 feet high, the towering Ferris wheel delivers glittering views to the ocean, and bustling views of the city. For wholesome fun, the Family Kingdom Amusement Park is the quintessential seaside funfair. Here you'll find over 30 kid-friendly and white knuckle rides, while the sea air and smell of cotton candy will fill you with nostalgia. A lively waterside complex, Broadway at the Beach is a utopia of shopping, dining, and partying. Here you'll find the New Orleans-styled Celebrity Square pumping with nightclubs, along with Ripley's Aquarium. For fishing enthusiasts, cast a line off Cherry Grove Fishing Pier – a fruitful fishing spot.
Hotels in Myrtle Beach
As you might expect from a holiday hotspot, hotels in Myrtle Beach are in healthy supply. From palm-laden beachfront digs, with pools and soothing sea views, to self contained condo resorts just moments from the sand, all tastes and budgets are covered along the Grand Strand. The luxury hotels in Myrtle Beach boast every amenity under the sun, with spas, gymnasiums, and ritzy onsite cocktail bars to name a few. Unlike other popular destinations, the mid and budget accommodation choices won't cost you an arm and a leg. From sprawling golf resorts to cheap and cheerful motels, thriftier stays are plentiful and well appointed, granting you all the mod-cons.
Where to stay
A hotel in Myrtle Beach itself puts you at the touristy epicenter of the Grand Strand. Here you can take it easy with a spot of sun worshipping or golf, while watersports, nightlife and an itinerary of lively attractions can take things up a notch. North Myrtle Beach moves at a quieter pace altogether. With a healthy share of the Strand's world class golf courses and other gentle pursuits, it's the perfect paradise for sheer, sunbaked R&R. With a golden reputation as 'The Family Beach', Surfside Beach is a community that offers something for every generation.
How to get to Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach International Airport is the main gateway into the sunny Grand Strand. Most visitors coming from afar however connect to it via larger airports, such as Atlanta International. Located just over three miles from the city, the best way to get from Myrtle Beach Airport to your hotel is via a pre-arranged private shuttle. Relatively cheap and convenient, door to door service from the airport to your hotel will take around 20 minutes or less. If you're staying further up in North Myrtle Beach however, you'll have to sit tight for just a little bit longer.


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The Special Procedures assumed by the Human Rights Council are thematic and country-related. Independent Expert is one of the titles used for these procedures. The present one was established in 1993.
More press releases and statements
Mr. Aristide NONONSI(Benin), 2014
Mr. Mashood BADERIN(Nigeria), 2012-2014
Mr. Mohamed Chande OTHMAN (Tanzania), 2009-2012
Ms. Sima SAMAR, (Afghanistan), 2005-2009
Mr. Emmanuel KWEI ADDO (Ghana), 2004
Mr. Gerhard BAUM (Germany), 2000-2004
Mr. Leonardo FRANCO (Argentina), 1998-2000 (resigned on 25/10/2000)
Mr. Gáspár BIRO (Hungary), 1993-1998
Sudan Country page
Special procedures
Human Rights Council


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Today I was watching the Little League World Series. One of the players made a great play that resulted in a run, putting the team in the lead. I was in the other room listening to the announcers. One of the commentators complimented the player saying that this man was responsible for the putting Iowa on the score board.
While it was a great compliment.
But I was also struck, because in order to play in the Little League World series you are between the ages of 10-12. However, there was no hesitation in calling this player a man. I listened more closely and noticed the sportscasters would call them boys when they were referring to them as a team but when commenting on individual players they were either men or young men.
I found this contrasted some commentating I've heard for women's sports, namely surfing. Over the past year there has been a major shift and the surfers are referred to as women, ladies, athletes or surfers there are still some who see no issue with calling these athletes girls.
What really stands out is for surfing these women are professionals and with the Little League World Series, they are a ways off from professional status.
Admittedly there is a cultural difference in surfing and baseball. But using language like young man or man gives validity to the career path. Men have careers, boys have hobbies and past times.
Since I was younger, there has been a push to take charge of the word girl and make it a word of power. However, there are still people who think it is nothing but cute how women are pushing to make the word girl powerful. While all of this focus on making being a girl powerful, it is still an insult to call a man or boy a girl or accuse them of acting like a girl. When the word girl is no longer thrown out as a way to put someone down, then we've made real progress.


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Highly motivated and creative freelance Senior 3D Artist specialising in Hard Surface modelling with 20+ years of experience in VFX Films, Video Games and Television Commercials.
-- Skillset:
- 3D Modelling (Hard Surface, Vehicles, Props, Organic, Environments)
- Texturing
- Photogrammetry
- Lighting
-- Software Experience:
Maya, MEL, UVlayout, Redshift Renderer, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Nuke, Mari, Photoshop, Photoscan.
-- Companies I have worked for:
Weta Digital, Animal Logic, Rising Sun Pictures, iloura / Deluxe, Method Studios, Bazmark Film III (Baz Luhrmann), National Geographic, Fuel VFX, Digital Pictures, 2K Games / Irrational Games, The Lab Sydney, Rotor Studios, Electric Art, Flying Bark, Plastic Wax, Brilliant Interactive Ideas, eBrilliant.


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NDP Bookkeeping Services
Pretoria, Gauteng
Pretoria, Gauteng
I have over 35 years of experience in the industry and have a proven track record. I specialise in Legal Bookkeeping for Attorneys and Advocates, as well as bookkeeping for small and medium enterprises.
Prior to starting NDP Bookkeeping, I worked in the Banking and Financial Services sectors. I have a passion for Financial Management and pursued and received accreditation whilst working full time and raising my 3 daughters.
I have an extensive knowledge of Pastel Partner, Winlaw and LegalSuite, Euclid Clear Vantage, Microsoft Office, and Dreamweaver, amongst others. I have worked with clients across a range of industries, not limited to Construction, Beauty, Legal, Travel, Insurance, Education, Equestrian, Property Development, and Agriculture. I also have international exposure.
NDP Bookkeeping maintains accurate and concise accounting records and my mission is to provide professional bookkeeping services, tailored to each valued client's specific needs. I build lasting relationships with my clients and am invested in the success of their businesses.
Services include managing the Attorneys' Trust and investment accounts, Bank Reconciliation, Processing and Recording Transactions, Debtor and Creditor Control, Processing Invoices, Trial Balance, Balance Sheet, Cash Movements, Budgeting, Payroll, Tax Preparation, Reporting, VAT Submissions, Audit Preparation, and General Bookkeeping. I also manage your website, assist with graphic design for marketing mailers and newsletters and assist with social media.
Be the first to leave a review for NDP Bookkeeping Services.
What do you love most about your job?
Working with people, seeing my clients happy with my work. I enjoy working with figures and thrive on being able to assist others in achieving success.
What inspired you to start your own business?
I was a stay at home mom and wanted to use my knowledge and passion in bookkeeping to work with others.
Why should our clients choose you?
I am reliable, hard working, honest, committed and friendly.
Legal Bookkeeper
• Process monthly accounts to trial balance Maintain financial records and prepare general ledger accounts Reconciliation of all general ledger control accounts Prepare the income statement Produce accurate and reliable financial information • Process payments from current and trust accounts • Attend to Trust and business payments as well as inter account transfers between Trust and Business bank accounts • Liaising and attending to queries with bank managers • Allocate payments and income to relevant client accounts and ledger accounts • Capture monthly cashbooks on accounting system Prepare weekly, monthly bank and investment reconciliations (Trust, Business and Investment accounts) and payment to Law Society • Process journals (standard and adhoc) • Reconcile debtors accounts • Process creditors invoices on accounting system Prepare monthly creditors accounts reconciliation Prepare all payment requisitions and ensure that these are paid by the required deadlines Prepare batch payments on electronic business banking Verify and consolidate creditor reports • Preparation of income statements • Manage Trust payments and Trust Investments 78 2(a) and 78 2(A) • Prepare SARS Vat • Process monthly SARS returns for PAYE, UIF, VAT • Preparation of annual accounts for auditing and prepare documents for auditors
Bookkeeper and Event Co-ordinator
• Process monthly accounts to trial balance • Issue invoices and statements • Process payments • Reconcile debtors and creditors • Preparation of income statements for presentation to management • Organise events and manage budgets • Preparation of annual accounts for auditing • Business administration, CIPC updating, liasing with auditors • Manage website, blog and social media • Design electronic invitations and newsletters • Manage membership, new, renewals and queries • Plan educational events and manage logistics • Annual conference planning, logistics including delegate registration


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Arts Middle School Family Update
Monday, November 6, 2017
Important Dates
- Tuesday, November 7th - No School - Professional Development
- Friday, November 10th - No School - Veterans Day
- Wednesday, November 22nd - Half Day - 12:00 dismissal
- Thursday, November 23rd - No School - Thanksgiving
- Friday, November 24th - No School - Thanksgiving holiday
- Monday, December 4th - Evening of the Arts at the Learning Corridor Theater
Hello Arts Middle Families,
This Thursday, November 9th we have our first school dance of the year. In order to attend students need to have turned in a permission slip (the deadline was last Friday). Students also need to be in good behavioral standing with no major referrals in order to attend. Then dance is from 5:30 to 7:30. Parents should pick up and drop off on Van Dyke.
Dance pick up time is 7:30.
Morning Drop Off
Please do not drop students off before 7:20 in the morning. We want to make sure all students are safe. There are not staff in the building to monitor your children until 7:20.
8th grade will be going to the Bushnell to see Warriors Don't Cry on Wednesday, November 15th. Please turn the permission slip as soon as possible.
Warriors Don't Cry permission slip is below.
Congratulations to our students of the month!!!
Spooky School Spirit Day!
Hands on Science!
Stay Connected to Arts Middle!
Via twitter at
Via Facebook at
The Greater Hartford Academy of the Arts Middle School
At Arts Middle, all students will achieve at their highest level both artistically and academically through quality instruction and a culture of collaboration in order to become leaders in society.


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The Faculty of nursing sciences established at the year 2016. The Faculty awards a bachelor degree in nursing sciences.
The program will be up – to – date always with the new trends in nursing education and service that enable the graduates to meet the changing community needs.
The mission of this program is dedication to community development through provision of high quality education that results in graduation of competent nurses who give holistic care at all levels of health facility based on evidence, able to conduct nursing research and participating in other health researches, able for life long learning and capable for giving nursing services at community settings.
Higher education requirements (secondary school certificate (biology).
Conform to the standards medical fitness set by the program authority.
Pass the personal interview.
Commit to the rules and regulations of the program.
As an ISU alumnus, you are a member of a lifelong community of over 10,000 across the globe. Access exclusive alumni benefits, join a local group and keep in touch.Find out more
ISU people share ideas, expertise, and technology to find answers to the big scientific questions and tackle global challenges...All Researches
What steps do i need to take to Apply?Download pdf
Do you have any questions? download our Admissions FAQDownload FAQ
7:00 am – 2:00 pm
a unique program that provides you with the best technical, digital and traditional tools, creative environment, and entrepreneurial skills you need to be an outstanding architect.
Detailed information, brochures and forms can be mailed to you upon request.
We regularly hold information events for parents and prospective students.See our Calendar of Events


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I am playing again the Monochromatic Challenge over at Lucy's card Blog. She has a great blog!!
Card Recipe:
Card Stock: White, Pretty In Pink.
Paper: SU Bella Rose (retired)
Stamps: Hip to be Square (Gina K. Designs)
Ink: Pretty in Pink, Real Red, Plum (for sponging)
Embellishments: Pearls (kaiser Crafts), White Satin Ribbon (Offray), Thin Pink satin Ribbon (Offray)
Accessories: Mini scallop scissors, sewing machine, white thread, Mini glue dots, SU Dimensionals, Daubers.
Hope you like it.
Have a great and blessed day!


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Willem Buiter (of the Financial Times and the LSE) nicely diagnoses the major scandal entailed in Paulson's plan to recapitalize the banks.
Buiter argues that the US taxpayer is getting a "terrible return" from Paulson's promise to supply $250 billion to the banks, "bound to rise to probably around twice that amount." It is basically a "free gift." In Paulson's program, "the injection of capital is through non-voting preference shares yielding a ridiculously low interest rate (5 percent as opposed to the 10 percent obtained by Warren Buffett for his capital injection into Goldman Sachs)." There are also no attractively valued warrants; the shares "can be repurchased after three years, at the banks' discretion, on terms that are highly attractive to the banks." Unlike in Belgium, the government gets no vote even as it ponies up the funds. Unlike in Britain, whose preference shares get a 12 percent yield and board members, the US taxpayer gets a 5 percent yield and no say in the running of the firm.
The major scandal, as Buiter notes, is that neither in the latest iteration of the Paulson Plan nor in the bailouts of AIG and Freddie and Fannie did unsecured senior creditors have "to take an up-front haircut. Worse than that, even holders of junior debt and subordinated debt could come out" of each bailout whole. "There were no up-front haircuts, charges or mandatory debt-to-equity conversions."
Buiter emphasizes the "moral hazard" objection to proceeding in this vein, arguing that "we are laying the foundations of the next systemic crisis" by this conduct. That may be—it is indeed a horrible precedent--but the far larger point is simply that the whole proceeding upends and makes a total mockery of basic principles of bankruptcy law. It's as if the shareholders of an insolvent firm decided that they were going to simply make off with all the excess cash and potted plants, stiff their creditors, and waltz away unimpaired. You can't do that. There is an order to these things. There are several laws on the books against it. That shareholders must suffer first from insolvency, with the creditors picking up the scraps, is like some sort of first principle, is it not? Yet the US government's policy violates this principle and allows both shareholders and creditors to gain unfair advantages at the expense of the public.
There is a proper role for the state as the "lender of last resort" in panics; it is not the idea of government intervention that is objectionable. The government should probably be willing to commit public funds and guarantees in a supplementary vein in the aftermath of the bankruptcy and recapitalization procedure that Zingales calls for. To do so in the first instance, however, is a simple fraud on the public, a great crime committed in broad daylight. 10/24/08
David Merkel also makes the key point, though somewhat tentatively: "I think it might have been better to let Bear, Fannie, Freddie, and AIG fail, but with some sort of expedited bankruptcy process that quickly disposes of equity rights, and converts all debt claims into varying degrees of new equity. This extinguishes debt claims, and accelerates the healing of the economy. This would be true reform." Right. It would have been clearly better! 10/25/08
Buiter continues to hammer away at the absurdity and incompetence of the government's approach, as the AIG price tag rises to $150 billion. 11/11/08
Robert Reich aptly calls it "Lemon Socialism." He rightly wonders why the shareholders of insolvent firms "should not be cleaned out first, and their creditors and executives and directors second -- before taxpayers get stuck with the astonishingly-large bill." The powers that be have crafted an absurd form of political economy in which "taxpayers support the lemons" and "capitalism is reserved for the winners." 1/24/09
Here are some additional links sympatico with this general line of criticism:
Blodget, "Why are We So Afraid to Fix the Banks the Right Way?" 1/19/09
Tilson, "Preventing the Greatest Heist in History," 1/20/09
Drake: Police & Motorcycle Jackets in Chapel Hill, NC—Noted
29 minutes ago


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You have three boxes. One has only red marbles, one has only blue marbles and the third has an equal number of red and blue marbles. The labels on the boxes have intentionally been switched so that each box is now marked incorrectly.
Your job is to relabel the boxes correctly. Of course you could just look in the boxes to find out which labels match, but can you do it without looking into each box? Reach into any one of the boxes and select one marble. Can you now correctly label all three boxes? If not, select a second marble from any box. What is the fewest number of marbles you need to inspect in order to correctly label each box?Riddle Answer


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The goal was to get across the modern fairy tale and romance aspects of the story. Hopefully, those goals were accomplished. To be honest, I had the hardest time finding an image of an African-American mermaid, since my main character is an African-American jazz singer from the 40's who's eventually...wait, I don't want to give spoilers away.
But stock photo sites just didn't have what I needed, so I had to put my average photoshop skills to work on this one.
I'd love to hear what you think of the new cover. And if you haven't read the story, it's a bite-size tale that you can finish in 1-2 hours (only 5 chapters long). Enjoy!


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Punjab cabinet recommends dissolution of Assembly
A decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the Cabinet chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal in Chandigarh on Friday.
The Cabinet has recommended dissolution of the state Assembly under Section 15 sub-section 2 of the People's Representation Act, 1951, a government spokesman said.
The Governor is competent to dissolve the state Assembly under section 2(b) of Article 174 of the Constitution of India.
The Cabinet rejected the proposed draft water policy of the Central government. The Cabinet also rejected the proposal of the Union government to set up the National Counter Terrorism Centre (NCTC).
Ex-post facto approval was also given to the additional Government of Punjab Guarantee worth Rs 1500 crore to the Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) during 2011-2012.
The Cabinet allowed the Cultural Affairs department to utilise Rs 10 crore out of Rs 50 crore corpus for the repayment of installments of the principal amount against the loan taken for the completion of World Class Virasat-e-Khalsa Heritage Complex at Sri Anandpur Sahib.


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Completed Projects
Ukaliq and Kalla Go Fishing (2017)
Ukaliq and Kalla Go Fishing tells the story of an ice-fishing trip taken by two unlikely friends—Ukaliq the Arctic hare and Kalla the lemming. Well-meaning but impatient, Ukaliq can't catch a single Arctic char! Good thing Kalla is there. Embodying the calm, thoughtful nature of traditional hunters and those who… Read More
The Owl and the Lemming (2016)
The oral history of Inuit is filled with many folktales, legends, and myths. In this traditional story, a young owl catches a lemming to eat. Inuit stories are often instructive, and with this fable, children quickly learn the value of being clever and humble, and why pride and arrogance are… Read More
Little Folk of the Arctic (2015)
In the folklore of most cultures around the world there are stories of magical little folk. And the Arctic is no exception. Inuit traditional knowledge is filled with references to many different races and tribes of little folk. These beings always try to avoid human encounters, but over the years… Read More
Ogress of the Gravelbank (2015)
Inuit oral history is filled with strange beings and supernatural creatures. One of these feared land spirits is the Ogress of the Gravelbank. This cruel being was known to lure children into her lair and trap them there. All that perish in that cave remain there as spirits and animated… Read More
The Amautalik (2014)
A neglected orphan and a kind little girl encounter one of the most dangerous land spirits from Inuit folktales—the Amautalik. This huge creature wanders the tundra, looking for children or lone travellers. When the Amautalik finds the two children far away from the safety of their camp, she is certain… Read More
The Orphan and the Polar Bear (2013)
According to Inuit oral history, long ago animals had the power of speech, could shift their appearances, and could even assume human form. In The Orphan and the Polar Bear, a neglected orphan is adopted by a polar bear elder. Under the bear's guidance, the little orphan learns the skills… Read More
Amaqqut Nunaat: The Country of Wolves (2011)
It begins as an average hunting trip for two young men, but when they find themselves lost, the only safe haven to be found for miles—a mysterious village filled with the sounds of drum dancing and revelry—turns out to be even more dangerous than the frigid ocean. Directed by Neil… Read More