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One county in North Carolina was left without electricity, last night. Moore County, which is located just outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, had nearly 40,000 residents left without electricity. A couple of months ago, the city of Raleigh was placed under lockdown, as a shooter was wreaking havoc on the city. Now, Moore County is dealing with their electricity substations being the targets of shooters. As a result, the residents took to social media to speak out. Only the Duke Energy substations were targeted in these shootings. As a result, there were 38,000 people who did not have power. However, Duke Energy has 47,000 customers, so this left all of their Moore County customers, with the exception of 9,000 people without electricity. After receiving complaints, the Moore County Sheriff Department spoke out. It turns out, the electricity substation shootings were acts of intentional vandalism.

https://hip-hopvibe.com/news/moore-county-nc-left-without-power-after-substations-were-shot-up/

Danielle Smith has served as Alberta’s premier for only a few months and has already managed to anger, insult and disregard many marginalized and racialized communities here in Canada. Since assuming the role of premier and taking office, Smith has pushed hard against the federal government and has gone as far as saying she is fighting for Albertan sovereignty. According to Merriam-Webster’s dictionary, “sovereignty is supreme power, especially over a body politic.” The keywords that need to be pointed out here in that definition are “supreme power.” I’m not sure, she or Albertans truly understand the gravitas associated with those words. In the Alberta legislature on Tuesday, Smith equated Alberta’s fight for sovereignty and autonomy with the federal government to that of First Nations in Canada, when responding to NDP questions about her sovereignty act and Indigenous consultation. “The way I’ve described it to the chiefs that I’ve spoken with is that they have fought a battle over the last number of years to get sovereignty respected and to extract themselves from the paternalistic Indian Act,” Smith told house members Tuesday. “We get treated the exact same way by Ottawa,” she said. “They interfere in our jurisdiction all the time and we are looking forward to pushing back and being treated exactly like Quebec. Those words are simply daft. Indigenous Peoples in Canada have suffered atrocities at the hands of this country for over a century, atrocities she cannot possibly equate to the frustration she may feel in a relationship with a powerful centralized government. Our constitution is clear. There are powers divided between the federal and provincial jurisdictions. According to the Canadian government website, “The powers of Parliament enumerated in ss. 91 and 92 (10) of the Constitution Acts, 1867 to 1982, concern matters of national interest.” Those interests include, but are not limited to “national defence, citizenship, direct or indirect taxation and works connecting provinces; beyond boundaries of one province; within a province but to the advantage of Canada or more than one province,” the website said. The one to highlight from the list above is the last point concerning matters that are beyond the boundaries of one province. To put it as simply as it can be, when something benefits the whole, the federal government has the right to act. During question period on Wednesday in the Alberta legislature, Opposition NDP Indigenous Relations critic Richard Feehan, asked Smith to apologize for her comments linking the Sovereignty Act or “Bill 1” to the atrocities faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada. “Does the premier understand the harm her comments create when she minimizes [the] abuse of First Nations [that] they have faced throughout Canada’s history and they’re still fighting now?” Feehan asked. Smith has come under fire from First Nations chiefs across the country and particularly in Alberta for not consulting them on her recently introduced legislation that has since passed a third reading last week. The chiefs have called for it to be withdrawn, but Smith reiterated that the bill promises treaty rights will be respected. “We won’t be withdrawing Bill 1,” Smith said. Bill 1 declares Alberta will fight for what it considers its powers under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, but treaty chiefs say those powers would endanger their rights and agreements with the federal government. Earlier Wednesday, Smith held a previously scheduled meeting with Treaty 6 chiefs. However, the chiefs quickly reiterated in a news release their opposition to Bill 1. “It was clear from our discussions that Premier Smith does not understand treaty or our inherent rights nor does she respect them,” the chiefs said. “The premier will not dictate how we will be consulted. We point her once again to the duty to consult to learn more about how to engage and work with us appropriately,” they said. Smith doesn’t understand the gravity of this legislation nor the disrespect associated with naming it the “Sovereignty Act.” If she truly wants to respect Indigenous people in Canada she’ll rethink this legislation and educate herself more seriously on the matter.

https://humbernews.ca/2022/12/editorial-albertas-sovereignty-act-an-affront-to-indigenous-people-in-canada/

The North American Tour has begun! We knew there would be many surprises but…. So, let’s take a look at how this is working. Let’s begin with Ignazio’s comments…. Today I look like a white salami….and…. if you want an ice cream just feel free to ask me! Let me respond in this way…. As to the white salami, I’m not touching that comment. I’m in enough trouble already. So, let’s go to the ice cream…. If this was your ice cream man, I think the kids would be in trouble because you ladies would be knocking the kids over to get in line first. This is not your ice cream man. Ignazio this picture is drop dead gorgeous…. So, at first, I was not entirely on board with the white suits. Let’s say it’s my mentality. I remember a long time ago I did an interview with a local TV station and the one thing they told me was not to show up in white. It creates a problem for the cameramen. Well, the guys weren’t doing a special for TV so, No cameras! No problem! Then, there are the comments that some wrote about not wearing white after Labor Day! They’re Italian!!! It doesn’t count! Not in my book! I’m sure they don’t even know what that means! So, in the end the pictures said it all. They are Drop Dead Gorgeous! You can put potato sacks on these guys, and they would look gorgeous!!! Moving on…. Or rather moving back…. Back to the beginning when they first came to America. It was a Whirlwind! This is a story about three teenage boys who conquered the music industry. They came from Italy from very different regions, very different families, very different backgrounds but, they had one thing in common, the ability to capture audiences with their amazingly, beautiful, voices. Thinking back over the years, I realize they have put so much energy into such a short period of time. Thirteen years of a lifetime but, in reality, they did it all in five years! How is it possible that these three men could do, in such a short period of time, what most men cannot do in a lifetime? The secret is in the voices! Going back to the beginning, I remember what Gianluca said…. Of course, Gianluca was referring to the night they sang together for the first time on Ti Lascio Una Canzone. From the first note that came out of their mouths, everyone recognized how unique their voices were. Michele and everyone else felt they were incredible! Today the guys still sing bel canto, but they have expanded their horizons and added new music. Beautiful melodies from the past. They’ve taken their beautiful Neapolitan songs which we love so much and added this new playlist of themes from many wonderful movies of the past. Together with their operatic pop it works so well! Their voices embodied bel canto but they felt a need to go beyond and so we arrive at the new concerts. How did this all happen? In their concerts, they sing beautiful arias because they have beautiful operatic voices. Just as bel canto reinvented opera, so they reinvented it with their Operatic Pop. Always light, free flowing, ethereal! They took away the rigidness and left the beauty of the words which they present in their special ways with their special voices! So, let’s move on! To America! Piero recalls: We were fifteen and sixteen when we found ourselves in this American dream. We had signed a contract with a record company that includes famous artists like Beyonce and many others. We were invited by the record company to a party. We turned and saw, Quincy Jones; we turn around and we saw Rihanna; we turned and shook hands with Lady Gaga. We talked with them, some singers who were idols for us and for our peers. It was already in May 2010 and the Il Volo album was about to come out all over the world. Maybe I was too small and naive, but I did not feel the anxiety of the job like today. The first major television show we appeared in, in America, was American Idol, the world’s most famous music talent show. And what a performance that was. They sang “O Sole Mio” and in that moment, they captured the hearts of thirty million people. Not to mention Ignazio giving five to Steven Tyler. But that’s a story for another day! NOTE: These two videos about their beginnings on PBS are hidden treasure that surface every now and then. This video is in two parts. Glad to share it with you. This past week we followed the guys to Detroit where they stepped on the stage at the Fox Theater and of course, it brought back great memories of the first time they stepped on stage at Detroit Opera House and sealed their fate! After their concert on PBS, they took America by storm! Going back and looking at the changes in their lives I can’t help but stop at a moment, six years later, in Miami. My mind wonders off to 2018 when the guys departed for the moment from their bel canto and recorded one of my favorite albums ~ Amame! This was the moment when the guys were crossing over, making some very interesting moves and beginning to come into their own. They were making a statement! They were very successful and, they were very comfortable in their performances. All was so right! The albums keep coming! The success keeps coming, the tours in North and South America keep selling out and the boys have grown into fine attractive young men. And now they were ready for a new experience. The music evolves and they are ready to crossover. This to me was a unique moment! Like nothing you would expect but it worked as everything they record works! Gianluca’s voice vibrates and expands to realms I’ve never heard before. So, let’s move forward to my kind of town ~ Chicago! Tonight, the guys will be performing at the Chicago Theater. We don’t know if they will wear White or Black, but we do know whatever they wear, they will be Drop Dead Gorgeous! Let me add a quick note here! In the next few weeks, I will be travelling through Italy with my pilgrimage group, and I will be promoting my book along the way. On September 23rd, Padre Pio’s Feast Day, I will be doing an interview with Sacred Heart Radio in Cincinnati, Ohio. The interview will be at 4:05 PM ET. Listen to my interview online at sacredheartradio.com. I will continue to publish my stories while I am in Italy so…. Susan, thanks for taking us on yet a fantastic journey with our friends IL VOLO. Just love to read your articles. First and foremost I am sos glad to learn that the guys seem to do more than well on their new US Tour. I was a bit worried after having seen the sales figures in the theatres – but the footage shows the guys sparkling in front of a huge crowd :-). And yes, they sparkle in their new white suits and truly I don’t believe anyone thinks in terms of season or traditions when it comes to show appearances. So white is fine with me all year. I must admit though that someone should tell them not to wear black shooes with the white… that bothers my eye somehow, but, well who cares ;-). I love the old videos and WOW I learned something completely new today. I have never heard or seen those latin ones – OMG they are fantastic! And I am not at all familiar with the Album Amame… don’t recall it being displayed on the guys’ website. Wonder why? And wonder why they don’t sing a song or two from that repertoire these days? I have never seen them down that lane – they are truly great latin singers and performers. I want more of that <3 <3 <3. Now I must see if I can track down that album somewhere as I wish to include it in my Il Volo Album collection. The album is only offered as a download. It never came out in a hard copy. Something must have happened with the rights to the songs/album because once it was released they never mentioned it. Susan, I love your article and photos. Yes, these super talented men have shown through the years they can wear ANYTHING and look spectacular. Looking back at their early photos reminds us of how far they have grown, not only in looks, but with their beautiful voices. They have been a gift to all of us who follow them and are enchanted by their voices and admire them for the loving, respectful lives they lead and show to their fans at all times. They are simply put, the real deal. as always, I enjoy your stories about the guys, their growth, and the successes for they have worked so hard. Do you know the back story on why they never sing those songs or why it doesn’t show up on their official web pages. I love the singing, but not at first, Amame is definitely something that grows on me. And I hope others too. After two cancelations I finally get fly to hear and see them in Phoenix! Would love to hear from other FlightCrew fan going! Me and my daughter are going to the Phoenix concert. I would love to meet you. My name is Irene and we have seats in orchestra c row 2. I’m also going to the sound check and meet &greet. Maybe we can connect and have a coffee or lunch together. Thank you Susan for this wonderful posting . I became a fan way back when they did their first PBS special. I remember scrolling the channels for something interesting to watch and came across this PBS special. I was mesmerized by their voices and charming personalities. Also thank you for those early hidden treasure videos. I had not seen them before. It was especially interesting to hear from the individuals who helped shape their future.I attended the Chicago concert last night. As always, they were fabulous but I must say that I wish they had sung more from their Morricone album. I’m so pleased that you mentioned Amame, it’s a wonderful album, I was disappointed that it wasn’t released everywhere. Fortunately I was able to download it so I can listen to it often. I don’t have a meet and greet. Does anyone know if I’ll have a chance to buy a ticket for that when I get to the symphony hall? Go to Ilvolomusic.com an join the fanclub, 20 Euro I think. Then you can buy meet & greet and also as a fan you are entitled to free soundcheck tickets. Ignazio can be my ice cream man any time! Again thanks, a wonderful adventure which I and many others have traveled with them. It is so exciting to have them back here again and share their talents. I’m especially happy to hear that Ignazio still has that ring in his voice, it’s beyond compare. Hello, Susan. I have loved and followed our guys for years, almost from the very beginning. But I always learn so much from your articles. You write so intensely with the emotion we feel when we listen to their music. Thank you for your immense contribution. Thanks, Susan. I agree, all three are drop dead gorgeous – beautiful inside and out. Also agree that they would look and sound great even wearing potato sacks!! Thanks, Susan They could wear anything, love them all. Thanks for letting us know what’s happening. Love the bug show, funny. There voices just keep getting better and better. Thanks once again Susan for an amazing trip down IL VOLO Lane! Cannot wait for the show at Radio City and hope that I’ll be able to join you and others for a bite before the show. I’m in section 4 Row b, seat 405, not far from yours. I will go to sound check and hope I’ll find you! I’m sure we will meet up at Sound Check. So excited! Hi Susan. Thank you for another great article about the guys. I always learn something new reading your posts. I totally agree about Amame. Although a departure from their usual bel canto music , this one shows that they can sing any genre. Everytime I listen to it I find myself dancing around the room, and even listening in the car my shoulders start dancing. It is a shame that they have said they will not perform music from that album on any tour. It would be a hit. 4 weeks for me to see them in Phoenix. We are set for sound check too. Cheers! Thank you Susan I really enjoy your essays and videos and everything Il Volo. I have been listening to those super talented young men for over ten years now and their music fills my house every day.

https://ilvoloflightcrw.com/2022/09/14/drop-dead-gorgeous-by-susan/

As the temperature warms up and the weather behaves, it’s a good time to check out the health of your colleagues and staff. With the flu season on the horizon, it’s a good idea to make an effort. The following tips and tricks can help you and your colleagues maintain a healthy well-being. Keep in mind that the office can be a breeding ground for germs, and the best way to keep your employees and customers healthy is to keep your finger on the pulse. To this end, consider taking advantage of professional cleaning services Portland. One of the most common types of bacteria is staph. It is very harmful, and it can cause many skin infections. The bacteria are most commonly found in the skin, but they can invade the bones and even the bloodstream. This is why it is essential to keep your hands clean. Most cases of staph infections are minor and can be treated without antibiotics. But sometimes, the bacteria can be highly resistant. If you have a staph infection, you must take all the antibiotics you have. You should also avoid sharing medications with other people. Likewise, it would help if you never tried to drain an abscess. Only a healthcare provider should do this. Staph is spread through cuts, wounds, and contact sports. Because of this, it is essential to disinfect equipment and medical tubing. In addition, you should always wash your hands after coming into contact with another person. It’s no secret that a properly maintained office building is a haven for office personnel and visitors alike. However, the same can’t be said for the germs and bacteria that increase in these areas. A professional cleaning service might be the best way to ward off disease and germs. First, look at common infectious diseases, their symptoms, and their prevention methods. The information below can help you keep your office a healthy place. A professional cleaning service can give your building a fresh look without causing any damage. Office cleaning services Portland can prevent the spread of common diseases, keeping the facility healthy. However, the germs that cause colds, flu, and other illnesses can stay on surfaces for days. They can also affect employee productivity. In a commercial office, influenza costs an estimated $7 billion annually. Flu outbreaks can compromise equipment, products, and safety. Employees need to be more productive and present when they are sick. Sick employees are more likely to infect guests, customers, and other workers. Keeping the office clean can reduce absenteeism. A CDC study estimates that 17 million days are lost every year because of illnesses. Whether or not an employer requires their employees to stay home when they are sick is a choice. But the cost of missing work is high. The CDC says that ill employees are more likely to infect other people. This is why it is so important to have a clean workplace. A virus can spread through sneezes and coughs when it reaches the workplace. It also applies to touchpoints, such as door handles, computer mice, and phones. Cleaning high-touch areas, like door knobs and elevator buttons, is vital. According to research, these areas are one-fourth of the places in the workplace where germs are spread. It’s also critical to keep the air clean. Indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air. So clean the air ducts regularly. Also, use heavy-duty cleaning products to kill viruses and bacteria.

https://insanewarz.com/most-of-the-diseases-are-spread-in-the-office-with-cleaning-services.html

Wendy Feldstein is the Vice President of Design at Crestron Electronics, a global leader in audio visual automation and integration. She oversees and engineers the creation of Crestron’s mechanical products and is named on more than 73 patents for the company. As a graduate of Pratt Institute’s Industrial Design program, she initially worked for a Manhattan interior designer, before enrolling in the graduate program at New York University’s Tish School of the Arts for training in set and production design. Her skills landed her jobs as a set designer and art director for films and off-off-Broadway productions. Wendy’s roots in industrial design kept calling and she found herself at Crestron. She was able to learn AutoCAD and apply her keen artistic talent and training to develop the company’s drafting department into a more robust Engineering Services (ES) team. She has a natural talent for bringing order to chaos and was able to create standards, processes, and procedures for the growing company – many of which continue to be used today. Over the last 30 years she has continued to grow and evolve multiple groups within the ES Department. She continues to coordinate with other department leaders to create and improve processes and procedures throughout the company. When it comes to Crestron’s people, Wendy is a firm believer in developing the company’s employees to help them reach their full potential. Whether it is an informal mentoring discussion or coaching someone to develop new skills, she champions professional growth opportunities for people at all levels of the organization. Wendy believes strongly in the importance of giving back to the community and is frequently invited to participate in educational events throughout the community. She prides herself on identifying and nurturing the potential in students and helping them realize their own self-worth. Wendy strives to empower young girls and women by encouraging them to pursue STEM education as well as critical thinking and problem-solving skills, so they are prepared for future opportunities. Her passion for the environment had her ahead of her time in product considerations, where she continues to improve efforts. It also led her to volunteer for a local Environmental commission where she has served since 2016. She is on several other local boards.

https://jacketmediaco.com/episodes/221-wendy-feldstein-a-natural-talent-for-bringing-order-to-chaos/

Earlier this month, I noticed some kind of light display while I was driving home on the highway. Based on the location, I figured it might have been a part of Hubbard Park. I’ve only ever visited Hubbard Park once but had a fun day exploring it. For those of you who don’t know, Hubbard Park is an 1,800-acre park located in Meriden, Connecticut. I’d recommend clicking here to learn more about the park and its history. As soon as I got home, I did a quick google search to see if there were any holiday festivities and surprise surprise. It turned out that there’s an annual silver lights festival that takes place in Hubbard Park from around Thanksgiving until right after New Year’s. I decided that I wanted to check it out. I saw that the park is opened typically from 8am-10pm. Since it would be a light show, I figured it was best I go after dark to get the full effect. At first, we drove in and followed the procession around the park. It was such a beautiful sight. All of the pretty lights and decorations. The pictures and videos that I took really doesn’t do it justice. We ended up driving around 3 times but before leaving, we stopped at a different parking lot which had a tiny house. It looked so cute almost like a little gingerbread house. Before even getting out of the car, I noticed a little girl running up to the mailbox and putting in a letter. When I walked over and saw it up close, I realized it was a mailbox dedicated to letters for Santa. How cute! Of course, after my usual photoshoot session, I wanted to check out this house. Upon further inspection, I saw that it was a display house and was fully decorated with Christmas goodness. They also had Mr. & Mrs. Claus dancing for us at the window. I left the park filled with the warmth of the holiday season. I’d definitely say that this is something everyone should experience if they can, especially since you don’t even have to leave the warmth of your car to experience the show. Such a wonderful Christmas site ..we have these here in Nova Scotia.

https://jemslens.com/2022/12/17/a-festive-evening-drive-through-hubbard-park/

JK Lakshmipat University is ‘A’ Grade Accredited by NAAC. The university offers innovation-led study programmes that are backed by student-centric pedagogy and integrated learning. The multitude of undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programmes in Engineering, Management, and Design allow students valuable access and exposure to the Incubation Centres, Centres of Excellence, state-of-the-art laboratories, and world-class faculty at JKLU campus. The university also offers lateral entry to external students who wish to take a transfer from their present institution after completing the 1st year or the 2nd year of their undergraduate study programme. This academic session, we plan to admit a small group of transfer students to B.Tech., BCA, BBA, and B.Des. programmes as there are limited seats available in these highly competitive and sought-after courses. The transfer students would need to fulfil the eligibility criteria requisite of their chosen programme of study. Our Lateral Admission allows the students flexibility in course selection while reviewing his/her ability to pursue the course programme of their choice. We are now accepting applications for lateral entry to our undergraduate programmes for the Academic Year 2022-23. Apply now and benefit from the JKLU edge and NAAC advantage. Students who have successfully completed one or two years at an educational institution in India may apply for Lateral Admission.

https://jklu.edu.in/lateral-admissions

If you own a smartphone and have decided to switch to another carrier, you’ll need to unlock your phone. The process is not complicated. Just be sure to do your research before starting. It will make it more useful. It also allows you to use prepaid GSM chips. You can find companies that offer this service. Your carrier will usually have an unlocking policy. It’s important that you read the policy and ensure you follow it. Carriers will usually reject your request if the device isn’t compatible with their network. You can expect rejections for reasons such as a lack of activation or if the installment plan is not paid. There are many options to unlock huawei. The easiest way to unlock your phone is to contact your carrier. To unlock a network, a customer service representative is required. Other companies offer a simple online form. Some companies require that users pay a fee. Regardless of the method you choose, you’ll need to provide your phone’s IMEI number. This number can be found in the Settings or About section of your phone. However, it’s important to note that not all devices have the same IMEI number, so it’s worth researching the phone you have. Another option is to take the phone to a local store and have it unlocked. These businesses generally charge around PS15, but it is worth checking the reputation of the shop before you make your purchase. A third way to unlock your phone is to use a third party unlocking service. Although many websites and apps claim they can unlock your phone for you, these services often require that you pay. You may also have a hard limit by the carrier on how many times you can unlock your phone per year. For example, AT&T used to have a maximum of one unlock per month, but it has since been removed. Also, proof of purchase must be provided and your account must be in good standing. Some companies offer free unlock codes. However, they must be used within the United States. Verizon, for example, has an easy to understand unlocking policy. After 60 days of being a Verizon subscriber, your phone will be automatically unlocked. Unless you opt for another plan, you can continue using your unlocked mobile phone on the Verizon network. Before you begin unlocking your account, make a list. You will need the IMEI number to access it later.

https://lacasadelactor.org/why-you-need-to-unlock-your-phone/

Zoni Language Centers 34th Street Campus is located in the heart of midtown Manhattan, in close proximity to many of New York City’s iconic attractions and landmarks. The campus is conveniently located near public transportation and is within easy reach of many of the city’s cultural, educational, and recreational facilities. The campus offers a variety of language programs, including intensive English, academic English, and exam preparation courses. It also offers language programs in other languages, such as Spanish, French, and Mandarin Chinese. The school’s faculty consists of experienced and qualified teachers who are dedicated to helping students achieve their language learning goals. The 34th Street Campus features modern classrooms equipped with technology, a student lounge, and a library. The classrooms are designed to provide a comfortable and engaging learning environment, and the school uses a variety of teaching methods and materials to ensure that students have the opportunity to learn in a way that is best suited to their needs and learning style. In addition to language instruction, Zoni Language Centers 34th Street Campus also offers a range of extracurricular activities to help students learn about American culture and practice their language skills. These activities may include cultural events, field trips, and other activities that provide students with the opportunity to interact with native speakers and learn more about American culture. The 34th Street Campus is located in a vibrant and diverse neighborhood that is home to many of New York City’s iconic cultural institutions, such as the Empire State Building, the New York Public Library, and the Museum of Modern Art. The campus is also close to many of the city’s universities and colleges, making it an ideal location for students who want to learn English while experiencing all that the city has to offer. Overall, Zoni Language Centers 34th Street Campus is a reputable and well-regarded language school that offers high-quality language instruction and a range of extracurricular activities to help students learn about American culture and practice their language skills. If you are considering studying English or another language at Zoni Language Centers 34th Street Campus, it may be worth contacting the school directly for more information about its programs and facilities.

https://languageschools.reviews/school/zoni-language-center-34th-street-campus/

There is a rise in the usage of personal mobility devices (PMD) in our urban environment. PMDs are extremely affordable and serve an emerging demand for micro-mobility, especially for bridging the last mile. In comparison, a Toyota Camry costs around a hundred and fifty thousand Singapore dollars while a PMD costs an average amount of five hundred Singapore dollars and a car in Singapore can incur various other costs such as road tax and parking. With a PMD, you have the autonomy and freedom to get to your destination whenever you want, and wherever you want while being eco-friendly. In recent years, PMD accidents have been on the rise, and LTA had seen the need to implement various measures to counter this trend through the process of PMD registration. However, there have been concerns and doubts regarding the effectiveness of the license in promoting good riding behaviors as it only takes into account the roadworthiness of PMDs. PMDiquette is an AWS Sumerian-powered virtual reality-based PMD safety training simulator. Through the game, PMD users would go through various stages to learn the rules of safety and responsible PMD riding by practicing their riding skills in a virtual environment before being certified. We clinched 1st Runner up (Institute category) and Viewers’ Choice!

https://leeweijuin.medium.com/aws-build-on-singapore-2019-hackathon-institute-category-45db5492ac12?source=user_profile---------3----------------------------

I decided to quit Google. It’s a thing I’ve been thinking about doing for a year or two, so last weekend I finally pulled the trigger. The reasons are many, but basically boil down to a need to cut down on pointless internet use and a resentment at the all-pervasiveness and ubiquity of one company’s presence every time I turn on my computer. I’m still thinking through what I’ve done and whether there was any point to it, but for the moment, it feels like the right move. What made me hesitate in all the time I’ve been considering cutting Google out of my life is the hours of mind-numbing work it would take. I’ve used Gmail for well over ten years and have stored thousands of files in Google Drive for many, as well. Going through thousands of email, image, sound, and word files to figure out what to keep, where to put it, and what to cull was a daunting task. But once I started—like binge-watching some TV show I just discovered—I couldn’t stop. The first thing was to find a new email service. I chose Proton Mail after reading some articles rating various options. I had to pay a subscription fee to get some features I wanted, but I have no problem paying for products. One of the devastating mistakes of the internet is the idea that anything on it is free. One way or another we all pay—be it in dollars or by sprinting furiously on someone else’s hamster wheel for their research and benefit, nothing on our screens is truly free. Nor should it be. People deserve to be compensate for their labor. Once you know your habits are being tracked for marketing or other purposes, it seems like a no-brainer to offer money rather than data for the products you like. I have no doubt Proton Mail isn’t run by saints, but their smaller size and forthright demand for payment for enhanced email features feels a lot more attractive than Gmail’s allegedly free model. The second step was finding a browser and search engine to replace Chrome and Google. I went with Firefox and DuckDuckGo because they take steps not to track people’s searches. I’m sure it’s not foolproof and I’m not worried about companies finding out anything embarrassing or incriminating from what I look for online, but I’m sick and tired of Google searches which constantly morph from keywords and subjects I use. The feeling of constantly having my sleeve tugged to buy this or that has gotten very old. The third step was to move all my cloud-stored files from Drive to Dropbox. That took about seven hours, after which my poor laptop seemed to be gasping to catch its breath. Then I deleted about 60 gigabytes of data from Drive. It felt good. Like emptying out a room I no longer wanted to go into. I could now shut the door. Step four took the longest. I had to go through thousands of saved email to see what to save and what to cast aside. This took days. Other folders were full of letters from exes, long-forgotten, often unrealized art projects, and much correspondence with people I could no longer remember. I made word files for ones I thought could be useful for future work and dumped the rest. After the selecting was done, I went to the All Mail tab, hit Select All, and sent over 25,000 email to the digital graveyard, where, hopefully, only tech wizards with time on their hands can ever get to it again. Whether that’s so or not, I felt a weight lifted knowing that I would never have to consider wading through it all again. Much like the time four years ago when I quit social media and smartphones, there were people in my life questioning what I was doing. I explained the best I could, but it boils down to simplifying my life and purging unhealthy and unnecessary habits. Chief among them, the use of Google’s search engine. In the absence of the dopamine rush of Likes and Follows, I’d sometime use Google for similar narcissistic bumps of self-approval. You can get an up-to-the-hour update of what people are looking for that relates to you. You can keep refreshing these searches as the day goes on and wondering one thing climbs the rankings, while another disappears altogether. For compulsive types like me it’s irresistible, but also completely insane making. Getting rid of the option to even look was the only way I could stop this bad habit. Sure, I can look myself up on DuckDuckGo, but it doesn’t feel the same. And because I’m self-conscious about it, I don’t do it nearly as often. I’m hoping I wean myself of the habit altogether except for practical research work reasons. We’ll see. These last few days have felt like I moved to a new neighborhood. Quiet and unfamiliar but one I think I’ll like over the long haul. —Wanna read an article about the shitty small press which put out my second book? — I Don’t Care If We Go Down in History as Barbarians is about the Odessa Massacre perpetrated by Romania against that city’s Jews, but it’s as powerful an evocation of a country’s refusal to accept its historical culpability as I can recall seeing in a long time. It nails the way people twist facts to suit their own ends in a way that should give pause to anyone living in the US these days.

https://letter.dmitrysamarov.com/2019/08/04/ungoogling-myself/

On 09/24/2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting in the area of the old Williston Middle School. The investigation determined individuals exited their vehicles and shot at each other. One suspect fled the scene. Deputies spoke to the other individual who remained on scene, who alleged he acted in self-defense. This person could not identify the other involved individuals. On 10/12/2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a shooting at the intersection of NE 212th court and NE 37th place in Williston. Upon law enforcement arrival they discovered a 21 year old male shot in the back with a .223 rifle. The investigation discovered that a group of men in a passenger car exchanged gun fire with someone who lived in the area. The 21 year old male was uncooperative with investigators. Detectives believe he was involved in the initial altercation that occurred on 9/24/22. Detectives learned both shooting incidents stemmed from a gambling debt. Detectives identified individuals involved in this feud were Larron Ross (9/17/2000) and Jacques Days (10/2/92). Both are residents of Williston. On 12/03/2022 the Levy County Sheriff’s Office responded to a shooting at the Toad Stool Bar located at 21080 NE 35th Street east of Williston. This investigation determined Jacques Days and Larron Ross exchanged gun fire in the parking lot of the bar. All parties involved fled the scene prior to law enforcement arrival. Detectives were able to obtain arrest warrants for Days and Ross; charging them both with discharging a firearm from a vehicle and discharging a firearm in a public place. On 12/07/2022 Jacques Days was arrested in the parking lot of the Levy County Court House on the charges listed above. He was booked into the Levy County Detention Center and his bond was set at $85,000. He is currently in custody. On 02/01/2023 the Florida Regional Fugitive Task Force assisted by the Alachua County Sheriff’s Office and the Levy County Sheriff’s Office located Ross at an address in the City of Gainesville. Ross was arrested and later transferred to the Levy County Detention Center on 2/2/23 where he posted an $85,000.00 bond and has since been released. Although these two arrests have been made this investigation is still on-going. Detectives know other individuals are involved in these shooting incidents as well as other criminal activity in the Williston community. Detectives are seeking the public’s assistance in solving these crimes. Anyone who has information about this crime or any other crime is asked to contact the Levy County Sheriff’s Office Criminal Investigations Division at |||PHONE_NUMBER||| . Tips can be made anonymously by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-877-349-8477. You could be eligible for a cash reward. Two arrests made by Levy County Detectives in 2022 came to resolution recently in Circuit Court as both defendants plead guilty. On 3/14/22 Cole Langston (7/26/2000) of Williston was arrested in Gainesville after a warrant for his arrest was issued for his participation in a shooting incident that occurred in Williston on 3/11/22. Langston has been held in custody at the Levy County Detention Center since this arrest. On 1/18/23 Langston entered a guilty plea to the lesser included offense of shooting into a dwelling and was sentenced to a ten (10) sentence in the Florida Department of Corrections which will be followed by two years community control and three years probation. On 3/2/22 Jon B. Flores (9/15/85) of Trenton was arrested for possession and production of child pornography. He has been held in custody at the Levy County Detention Center since his arrest. On 12/14/22 Flores entered a guilty plea for possession and production of child pornography and was sentenced to two (2) years in the Florida Department of Corrections. On January 27, 2023, the LCSO Communications Division received a report of a stolen vehicle from the convenience store located at 8051 NW 115th Street in Chiefland. The victim reported that their 2013 Nissan vehicle had just been stolen after the victim went inside the convenience store. The victim had followed the stolen car in another vehicle but lost the thief north of Chiefland. LCSO Deputies and Detectives responded to the scene where they collected video evidence and witness statements. According to witnesses, the car thief had been hanging around the store for a while and was captured on store surveillance video. LCSO Detention Center personnel were able to use the video to identify the suspect as Michael Hannigan (1-6-83). Hannigan had been booked into the Levy County Detention Center six previous times. Hannigan was most recently released from the Detention Center on January 4, 2023. A short time later, a concerned citizen reported to LCSO that Hannigan had been seen at another convenience store located at SR 345 and NW 60th Street. Deputies John Finkell and Matt King located and detained Hannigan at the store. Hannigan admitted being at the crime scene but denied stealing the vehicle. A short time later, Deputy Bill Godwin located the abandoned stolen vehicle approximately 1.5 miles from where Hannigan was taken into custody. The stolen vehicle was processed by LCSO crime scene personnel. Several items of personal property had been stolen from the vehicle but were not recovered. Hannigan was arrested and booked into the Detention Center (for the seventh time) on charges of Grand Theft Auto and Petit Theft. He remains in custody with his bond set at $27,500.00. Sheriff McCallum expressed his appreciation to the witnesses who assisted in the quick resolution of this case. He encouraged everyone to take the extra seconds necessary to secure your vehicles and belongings even when you leave them unattended for only a short time. An alert citizen contacted Deputy TJ Miller on January 13, 2023 and reported a suspicious person seen in the parking lot of the Captain’s Quarters Motel in Inglis. The citizen told Deputy Miller the suspicious person was a female and was last seen leaving the parking lot driving a red SUV. That citizen also gave Deputy Miller the tag number on the SUV. He located the SUV in the parking lot of the nearby Circle K. Deputy Miller identified the owner of the vehicle by confirming the tag number he saw attached to the SUV. He then went inside the store and located the owner, Sarah Buck (9/30/80) of Inglis. No crime had been report as of that moment. As Deputy Miller was speaking to Ms. Buck the citizen who initially called in the tip came into the store. This citizen discovered items missing from her vehicle that had been parked in the Captain’s Quarters parking lot. A brief verbal exchange occurred between the citizen and Ms. Buck who made an incriminating statement. Ms. Buck was immediately detained by Deputy Miller. Deputy Miller conducted his investigation and discovered Ms. Buck illegally entered five vehicles parked in the Captain’s Quarters parking lot and stole property from each vehicle. Deputy Miller was able to identify each victim and recovered their stolen property. Ms. Buck was arrested and charged with five counts of conveyance burglary and five counts of theft. She is currently being held in the Levy County Detention Center in lieu of a $150,000.00 bond. “Due to the quick reaction of this citizen by calling in the suspicious person we were able to solve this crime. This too should be a reminder to our citizens to LOCK your vehicles and secure your valuables.”, said Sheriff McCallum. On 12/14/22 Levy County Detectives were alerted that a John Deere front end loader had been stolen from a job site in City of Dunnellon. Detectives learned that the tractor may have been hidden in the Morriston area of Levy County. LCSO Detective Scott Stancil began working on this lead and discovered the suspect, Anthony Ralph, was in possession of a John Deere tractor. The investigation continued and came to conclusion yesterday when Detective Stancil received a tip telling him exactly where the tractor could be located. Detective Stancil with assistance from Officers with the Florida Wildlife Conservation Commission responded to the reported location. When officers arrived they found Anthony Ralph (1/3/80) of Crystal River, operating the tractor and took him into custody. The investigation determined the John Deere 544 front end loader, valued at over $50,000, was was being used by Ralph to clear properties in the area south of SR 121 and CR 337. Ralph had active warrants for his arrest from Citrus and Alachua Counties and has a lengthy criminal history from multiple counties in Florida. Detective Stancil contacted the victim in Dunnellon and returned the tractor. Detectives also seized methamphetamines and drug paraphernalia from Ralph’s vehicle. Detectives know Ralph used the tractor to perform work on private properties in Levy County. Detective Scott Stancil is requesting anyone who hired Ralph to contact him at |||PHONE_NUMBER||| ext.364.

https://levycountysheriffsblog.blogspot.com/

Is western magick culturally appropriated? It’s a question Western practitioners should be asking. Perhaps it’s not as simple as declaring all western magick as culturally appropriated. It’s certainly important to understand what is meant by cultural appropriation and how cultural appreciation might fit in. Let’s first consider the terms “witch” and “magick”. At Magenta, our dominant demographic for the people who work here is Western, white and cisgendered. Here we don’t mind the terms “witch” or “magick”. We’re keen to claim these terms back from the authors of The Malleus Maleficarum, who used these terms to persecute people. However, not everyone who practices “magick” identifies as “a witch”. In some cultures labelling sacred rituals as magick is quite offensive, and these labels can sometimes used to justify violence against others. So whilst from our white, Western perspective we are fine with these terms, we don’t expect everyone else to be. We use these terms very carefully outside of the Magenta school. Especially when understanding the practices of others. We’re using this one, for no reason other than it came up at the top of the search. There’s many many others….but there are some key words that leap out. Unacknowledged is one massive word to consider and the other is dominant or (and let’s not skirt the issue) the winner of the war. So is Western magick culturally appropriated or appreciated? We would suggested it’s terribly complicated. But let’s start with the moon. The moon is a true icon of magick if ever there was one. The full moon is considered to be one of the most optimal times to practice magick, have a ritual and work with nature. The moon itself we’re not suggesting has been appropriated by the West, but how about the full moon’s name convention? Most Westerners follow a Gregorian calendar, starting off in January and finishing off in December. The full moon in any Gregorian month is usually, unoriginally, named after the month. For some cultures who do not use a Gregorian calendar, the full moon in each month has its own name, often drawing on the natural environment for naming conventions. For example, in North America the moon’s names, such as Wolf Moon or Strawberry Moon, were named after the various events of the season such as when fruits were ripe or when animals called out to each other. These names then found their way into Western cultures when Europeans came to the region where the indigieous people lived and started to use the same names. Was this credited at the time? Unlikely. So here we are experiencing our first look at the ‘unacknowledged’ part of the definition we’re using. Certainly the Europeans ended up as the dominant society in North Amercia. It’s always worth pausing to reflect on whether any names used to describe the full moon have been appropriated, based on historical factors. Are western magick correspondences culturally appropriated? The Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn took a lot of their teachings from practices such as Jewish Kabbalah. They took from Middle Eastern and East Asian systems for alchemy and astrology. They also took lots of deities from all over the world. The Golden Dawn then drew up tables of correspondences from a whole mix of these practices and built them into the fabric of their work. Some of these original practices were shared, others were taken through conquests. Some were just used because it suited the Golden Dawn to do so without credit. So we’re again into the ‘unacknowledged’ part of the definiton above. The Golden Dawn then inspired other religions such as Thelema and Wicca, who also added in their own correspondences to their practices. The Hindu concept of chakras was appropriated by the West in the 1920s after C.W Leadbeater’s book on the subject attributed seven colours of the light spectrum and the human endocrine system to 7 of the chakras. As a 2017 article by The Rainbow Body: A History of the Western Chakra System from Blavatsky to Brennan author Kurt Leyland explains, by the 1970s and 1980s Westerners started to use these “chakra colours” for meditation and aura work, right through to the 21st century. So this idea of “chakra colours” is now used both in a magickal and non magickal sense. Some of the magickal practices that found their way into the West were shared freely by other cultures through the publication of ideas and knowledge sharing. Often at a point in history when these ideas were considered to be the accepted science of the day, rather than magick. But certainly not everything. Certainly some of today’s western magick is culturally appropriated through conquest and colonisation. Some were popularised through the media age and societal change. So the question is Western magick culturally appropriated or appreciated can get really complicated really quickly. Is our western magick culturally appropriated? The Middle Eastern systems for astrology and its intersection with folk magick was what first interested us in this question. Astrology as a practice is thousands of years old, probably created by the Babylonians, definitely exported to North Africa and Europe through conquests. Our astral magick comes from an Arabic practice, one that was shared openly when Baghdad was the world authority on the stars. This was at a time when astrology was thought of as science. But even this practice was translated from Alexandrian texts into Arabic. So its really difficult to know for sure whether it was orginally freely shared or taken by a dominant society. At Magenta, we also like some aspects of Thelema and Wicca. However, we didn’t really understand the deities in the same way Wiccans would and we didn’t feel connected to the Kabbalah the way those who practice Kabbalah might. For us it didn’t feel right trying to connect to either of those religions. Once we recognised that having no cultural context to the words or the deities was the core to this struggle, we stopped. We know modern Wiccans take the bits from Wicca they like and leave the rest behind… So we followed suit. And we conducted lots of research. For example, in our Magick Discovered course we explain where our ideas and practices have come from. We try to only use teachings from other cultures where we believe this practice is open. For example, if we see something interesting but our research shows it’s from a closed practice, we respectfully leave it. If we see something that our research indicates was shared by the original culture with openness, we use the practice respectfully and sensitively. Then we credit where it comes from. A lot of our magick uses source material from the open practice, rather than the culturally appropriated versions from later practices. We always explain when and if we are using a massively Westernised version of a system. We are always mindful that the Internet is not a cultural ambassador. So, one website does not speak for an entire culture, so just because a magickal practice can be researched using the Internet it does not mean it’s an open practice. That said, we also know there is more we can do to improve our knowledge even with our hundreds, if not thousands, of hours of research. We encourage you to research where your practice comes from. Only use it if it truly speaks to you, if it’s open for you to use and only use it in the way it was intended…then absolutely credit it. Always ask the question is my western magick culturally appropriated or appreciated? Blessed Be, kids. *Like Crowley, we spell magick with a ‘K’ to distinguish our values and beliefs as different to stage magic. Appropriated or appreciated? We still don’t know.

https://magentaschoolofmagick.com/2022/02/25/is-my-magick-culturally-appropriated-or-appreciated/

Whether you are simply just beginning to date a Latin female or you have already begun a relationship with a Latina, it is important to be aware of her way of life and customs. This know-how will help you make a strong foundation for your relationship and ensure the fact that the relationship goes on to be exciting and interesting. Online dating a Latina is known as a completely different experience than online dating a woman from a further culture. Your lover may be a little more feisty you anticipate, but it is very important to be well intentioned and tolerant. It is also important to avoid making her jealous. As a result, it is best to be in advance and genuine about your intentions. If you don’t, your sweetheart may translate your cowardliness, timidity, fearfulness, apprehension as a very bad. In most Latin American countries, family is the most important a part of society. For that reason, it is important to show respect on your Latina’s family. As the idea of a family-oriented tradition may be different to West men, it is a reality that many Latina women share. Moreover, Latinos create a great deal of benefit on their male counterpart’s identity. As such, they will expect you as a good partner and take care of you. The best way to make an impression a Latin female is to discover her culture and traditions. This is because the information will aid you to create a solid foundation for your romantic relationship and allow you to appreciate your girlfriend’s life. Besides, knowing regarding the lifestyle will also help you https://sinpol.infohelponline.com/for-what-reason-am-i-receiving-spam-emails-from-online-dating-sites/ to raised understand her. When dating a Latin girl, it is important to dress properly. She may expect you to embellish high heels and wear the appropriate types of garments to show through your taste stylish. For example, men ought to prevent wearing sweatpants and t-shirts. Moreover, this individual should uncover some basic Spanish words and phrases so that he can communicate with her. Having a chat about religion is also important. The majority of Hispanics contain deep-rooted religious union. In addition , their families will be rooted in tradition. A Latin woman will be more likely to acknowledge how to date a latina woman a proposal right from a man in cases where he is willing to discuss religion with her. Additionally it is important to remember that while courage is still in and well, it isn’t always the most popular way to treat women. For illustration, a Latino woman may increase her voice during a struggle to show her emotions. In addition , a Latino spouse may use non-verbal PDA showing off his affection. However , while these gestures will be amazingly efficient, it is also crucial that you be honest regarding https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-mind-blowing-facts-about-online-dating your intentions. For the reason that an effect, Latin women are always fun to be about. They get pleasure from playing games, going out to eating places, and doing various things together. Furthermore, they love to have fun and to fall in appreciate. They may not always be very self conscious in front of a man, but they may possibly still get annoyed when they feel that they’ve been forgotten. It truly is vital that you understand that whilst Latin women are feisty, also, they are very serious regarding love. They are expecting you to take care of them and so they take going out with seriously. Additionally, they will be very likely to make love in the event you focus on a long lasting romantic relationship.

https://meattapas.nl/2022/03/15/the-right-way-to-impress-latina-women-by-being-aware-of-her-dating-traditions/

We’ve been gathering together for years, a group of us ladies in the neighborhood, under the guise of playing Bunco. Yes, we play the game, most of the time. A few members had gone, new ones had come along, but there was a core of us who’ve been here since the beginning.

https://medium.com/the-plan-b-vibe/six-little-words-d16b83257f4f?source=post_internal_links---------3----------------------------

Frida Gustavsson a native of Stockholm, is a Swedish model and actress. She has walked shows for various fashion houses including; Shiatzy Chen, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Lanvin, Carolina Herrera, Fendi, Christian Dior, Jil Sander, Alexander McQueen, and Anna Sui. Frida was born on June 6, 1993, in Stockholm, Sweden. She is 28 years old as of 2021. Gustavsson stands at a height of 6 feet o inches (1.85 meters) and weighs about 61 Kgs (134 lbs). Her hair color is blonde paired well with her blue-grey eyes. Further details will however be updated as soon as they are available. Frida was born and raised in Stockholm, Sweden. She was born to her parents whose information she is yet to disclose to the public. The model has not revealed much information about her childhood. However, this information will be updated soon. Frida was previously married to her ex-husband Hjalmar Rechlin a Stockholm-based photographer. Their wedding took place in Stockholm at the Katarina Church. Her wedding dress was featured in a number of fashion magazines. They divorced in 2017. In 2018, Frida started dating Marcel Engdahl, a model and currently the Label Manager at Northern Electronics. Gustavsson was cast to play the role of the great Viking warrior Freydis Eriksdotter in the Vikings sequel Vikings: Valhalla which premiered on February 25, 2022. She has also appeared in other film and tv shows like; Swoon, Tigrar, The Witcher, The Inspector and the Sea, Arne Dahl: Efterskalv, and När karusellerna sover. Frida started her modeling career in 2008 and moved to Japan later that year. She went on to open the Valentino Haute Couture fall 2012 show in Paris. She has since then walked shows for; Dolce & Gabbana, Givenchy, Yves Saint Laurent, Ralph Lauren, Blumarine, and Versace. In 2012, she walked in the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show. In addition, she was made the new face of Maybelline. Frida has appeared in various magazines like; Elle, W, Numéro, Vogue, L’Officiel, and Crash. Further, she has appeared in advertising campaigns for Marc Jacobs, Jill Stuart, Anna Sui, H&M, Max Mara, Tiger of Sweden, and Prada. In 2011, she received the Elle Sweden’s Model of the Year award. In 2020, Frida walked for Jean Paul Gaultier’s Haute Couture Spring 2020 Show.

https://meforworld.com/frida-gustavsson/

Let's consider the programs offered by these schools. App Academy offers both Full-time and Self-paced in Software Engineering. Hack Reactor offers Full-time and Part-time in Software Engineering and Design. We'll also need to think about the financing options available: online courses can be costly. App Academy offers Upfront, Income Sharing and Scholarships plans. Hack Reactor operates Upfront and Financing plans. App Academy VS Hack Reactor is based on 18 applicant, student and graduate reviews. Hack Reactor is one of the best bootcamps in the tech industry for software development training. The 13-week-long bootcamp offers software engineering training in Austin, Texas and seven other major cities. It also has a fully functional remote platform for students who prefer to learn from the comfort of their own homes. While Hack Reactor receives many glowing testimonials, you need to decide if it’s a good fit for you. This review and guide will examine all of the key factors to help you make up your mind. Hack Reactor was founded in 2012 by tech entrepreneur Shawn Drost and his friends. Since then, over 5,600 students have graduated successfully and achieved rewarding careers in the tech industry. Over 2,500 hiring partners recruit talent directly from Hack Reactor. Hack Reactor has a group of experts as part of its career services team. These experts provide students with one-on-one mentorship and career coaching. They also help with salary negotiation and other forms of job assistance. The bootcamp’s job placement rate is nearly 80 percent, and graduates secure jobs in companies like Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, and Visa. Hack Reactor has different schedules for the same software engineering program. Whether you are starting from scratch or already have some tech experience, you can benefit from Hack Reactor’s software engineering program. Hack Reactor has a challenging application process, but students must complete it to be considered for admission. After you turn in the online application, you will automatically be sent for the coding test. The goal of the test is to show the bootcamp that you know the basics of software engineering, and that you are a quick study. You will only be invited for an interview after you pass the coding challenge. Keep in mind that you will be required to take another technical assessment after the interview. It will test you on JavaScript fundamentals and your team spirit. If you pass the second technical challenge, you can enroll. Hack Reactor has a single tuition rate of $17,980 for part-time and full-time programs. The bootcamp offers all the standard bootcamp payment options. These are loan financing, income share agreement (ISA), and scholarships. If you opt for the ISA, you will only have to pay tuition when you secure a job that pays at least $60,000 annually. Loan financing is available through Ascent Funding and Climb Credit. Finally, Black students may be eligible for scholarships at Hack Reactor.

https://onlinedegreehero.com/comparisons/app-academy-vs-hack-reactor/

Home » Is Counting Cards Illegal in Canada? Counting cards is a strategy that is often used by poker players to gain an advantage in a game of chance. This is done by altering the nature of the game. For instance, if you have a bad hand, you may try to count the cards that are in the deck to increase your chances of winning. There is no law in Canada that makes it illegal to use this strategy, but there are penalties that can be levied for doing so. Blackjack, formerly known as Black Jack and Vingt-et-un, is one of the most popular card games in the world. It is played with a minimum of two players. The object of the game is to get a total higher than the dealer. There are several variations of the game. The most important thing to remember about blackjack is that you must play it with skill. This is especially true if you want to win big. You need to make the right decision and use the correct strategy. In a typical blackjack session, you can choose to stand, hit, split, or double your bet. While you’re at it, you may also consider using the insurance. One of the first things you’ll notice about the game is the speed. This is a great thing if you like fast-paced action, but it can be a bit of a drag if you are playing for hours on end. Card counting is a strategy that many poker players use to gain an edge over their opponents. The goal is to find out what the opponent’s hole cards are. Counting is not illegal, but most casinos consider it cheating. Card counting is not a simple process. First, you need to know how cards are dealt. After each hand, the deck is shuffled and the cards are re-dealt. This means that all the cards are relevant until the end of the game. Secondly, you need to calculate the odds of winning a hand. For example, if you hold a pair of jacks, you have a 50% chance of winning. When you have a jack on the table, it is not a good idea to try to draw an ace high flush. Thirdly, you need to study the odds of forming certain hands. If you have a flush draw, you need to have nine outs on the turn. Can you get in trouble for counting cards? Counting cards at a casino is a great way to bring the house edge into your favor. However, it can also get you into some hot water. Casinos are private properties and aren’t always fond of the idea of counting cards. If you are a card counter, you may be banned from the casino. In some instances, you can also be charged with fraud. This can mean hefty fines and a stint in prison. The fact of the matter is that counting cards isn’t necessarily illegal. You can actually be a card counter in a Las Vegas casino. But there are some rules to follow, and you might want to check out the local laws before deciding to play blackjack at your local casino. There are no federal laws that specifically prohibit card counting. However, the act of counting cards in your head is still legal. A single deck works best, but it’s possible to count the cards from two or three decks. Cheating is a method of modifying the nature of a game to obtain an advantage. In the case of video games, cheating is a process of altering rules, such as the way players can interact with their opponents or the ways in which they can interact with objects or locations in the game. The player may also try to change the game’s success or failure in order to achieve greater rewards. Typically, cheating involves taking advantage of cooperative social behaviors. A common example of this is when a family agrees to stash money they pay in fines under a free parking square. Another popular example is using previews or walkthroughs to gain an edge over the competition. Other forms of cheating include using computer bots or software to simulate the actions of real humans. Such software can circumvent anti-cheating programs and complete tedious tasks for the player. The phenomenon of cheating is particularly widespread among high schoolers. One study reported that 90 percent of students admitted to cheating in their high school or college years. Researchers suggest that this phenomenon may be linked to the increasing expectations students have for their academic careers.

https://openscholarspress.org/is-counting-cards-illegal-in-canada/

The New Year is almost here, which means it’s time to start thinking about plans to ring in 2023 with style and good cheer. Luckily, Marin County is chock-full of celebratory affairs to attend on and around Dec. 31. So, the time has come to break out the bubbly and celebrate the last days of 2022 the North Bay way—and remember, New Year’s resolutions don’t kick in until Jan. 1, so feel free to let loose and enjoy the last of this year’s holiday spirit! For a family-friendly version of the New Year’s ball drop celebration, look no further than downtown Novato’s bouncy ball drop. This playful take on the New Year’s ball drop tradition will take place at Trek Winery and is free to attend. Children and adults of all ages are invited to swing by and see exactly what happens when 23,000 (celebrating 2023) small bouncy balls are dropped onto the street from a ladder truck 40 feet in the air. Children in attendance will receive a souvenir “hard hat,” sponsored by Rempe Construction, and will be allowed to keep as many bouncy balls as they can gather. They can come chase after balls as they bounce in every direction, or stand to the side and watch others scamper. The ball drop will happen rain or shine Dec. 31 at noon—whatever the weather, participants should bring an umbrella to protect themselves from the bouncy ball cascade! One can choose to celebrate the end of 2022 with a meal and music at Sweetwater Music Hall in Mill Valley. Hot Buttered Rum, an American five-piece progressive bluegrass act, will join forces with Jessica Malone and Hattie Craven on Dec. 31 to put on a show highlighting the best of California’s love of bluegrass, folk, jazz and soul, in a riveting strain of Americana. Doors open at 8pm, and the show begins at 9. All ages are welcome to attend, and those over 21 may have a complimentary glass of champagne for a celebratory toast at midnight. Tickets range between $80 to $150. For more information, to buy tickets and to see the New Year’s Eve dinner menu, visit sweetwatermusichall.com. As the French say, “Bonne année!” If celebrating the end of 2022 with a decadent, fine dining experience sounds appealing, Left Bank Brasserie in Larkspur is the place to be. This refined French restaurant will celebrate New Year’s Eve by serving holiday menu additions for lunch and dinner alongside their regular all-day menu and brunch until 3pm. The New Year’s Eve menu additions will include a Sea Scallop Crudo with citrus vinaigrette and shaved fennel salad; Surf & Turf with roasted beef tenderloin, a half lobster, broccolini, roasted fingerling potatoes and Béarnaise; and, for dessert, an Opera Cake with crème Anglaise. The restaurant will (of course) be festively decorated for and in the spirit of the occasion with multicolored balloons and streamers. Left Bank’s sister restaurant, Petite Left Bank in Tiburon, is also featuring New Year’s Eve menu additions. One may make reservations for Dec. 31 between 10am and 10pm. For more information or to make a reservation, visit LeftBank.com or call |||PHONE_NUMBER||| . Enjoy dinner and a movie with a screening of ’42nd Street’ at the Lark Theater this New Year’s Eve. Speaking of the Left Bank, the Lark Theater is offering a limited number of “dinner and a show” packages that include a screening of 42nd Street (the largest-ever production of the musical filmed LIVE at London’s Theatre Royal), dinner provided by the aforementioned neighborhood brasserie, and complimentary champagne and chocolates. The full package runs $100 and kicks off at 6 pm, Dec. 31. For more information or to make reservations, visit the Lark online. Among the featured performers (in no particular order) are Emily Catalano, a master at joke writing and deadpan delivery, recently named “one of the top comedians to watch” in Los Angeles. Catalano performs regularly alongside Sarah Silberman, Tig Notaro, Judd Apatow and Patton Oswalt at the Largo Theatre. Dwayne Perkins, a classic thinking person’s comic with a critically acclaimed comedy special on Netflix from 2018, will perform as well. Perkins has a talent for poking fun at real life and people’s perceptions in a way that will make the audience think. Bay Area native Johnny Steele is next to be featured—he has been a radio show host, a TV show host, the subject of a documentary and a San Francisco Comedy Competition winner. Steele is known for his ad-libs and comments on the big issues of the day, from politics to modern American culture. Last, but certainly not least, is Maureen Langan, an award-winning broadcaster and comedian. Her quick wit and honest rants on life’s absurdities have been featured across the U.S., Canada and the U.K. Langan was an on-air personality on KGO Radio for many years and now has a podcast called Hangin’ with Langan. This comedy show takes place Dec. 31 from 8 to 10:30pm and offers free event parking at 1475 Grand Ave. (at the corner of Acacia), a short half-block walk from the venue. To watch a preview of the comedians, reserve tickets and get more information, visit TheOtherCafe.com.

https://pacificsun.com/happy-new-year-celebrating-marin-style/

I once quipped "It would be easier to pass if I could wear a burqa". Later, maybe I decided to maybe joke about it less. Sure, the juxtaposition of extremely religiously conservative practices with extremely queer attitudes is funny. But it is a concrete way of achieving the goal as well. I am actually concerned with how sacraligious it is. I don't wish to severely offend anyone. I probably can't avoid offending people completely, but I DO wish to be aware of how much I'm likely to offend people.

https://paperlined.org/apps/+gender/spectrum/feminine/hijab.html

Parlor Web Design most recently worked with Jejo & Son Handcrafted Jewelry to update their company’s branding and logo. In order to comprehend Jejo & Son’s vision for the business and the message they wished to portray through their branding, the Parlor Web Design team worked closely with them. The design team at Parlor Web Design provided Jejo & Son with a variety of logo and branding possibilities after doing extensive market research and examining the competitive landscape. The group collaborated with Jejo & Son to improve and perfect the selected design, making sure it properly reflected the brand’s aesthetic and values. Parlor Web Design built a unique website for Jejo & Son in addition to redesigning the company’s logo and branding. The group collaborated with Jejo & Son to develop a user-friendly and aesthetically pleasing website that successfully highlights their jewelry offerings. The website offers full product descriptions and price information along with high-resolution pictures of Jejo & Son’s jewelry. Customers can easily contact Jejo & Son through the website’s contact form and extensive FAQ section to learn more about their goods and services. Overall, Parlor Web Design’s work on Jejo & Son’s logo, branding, and website has aided the business in developing a solid and consistent online presence, making it simpler for them to connect with clients and highlight their exquisite jewelry.

https://parlorweb.com/projects/jejo-son-jewelry/

Welcome to January 2023! This month’s Zoom meeting (Sunday, January 8, 2023 at 7:30PM EST) will be a discussion of PHSNE’s past, present, and future. Long-time members can reminisce about the earlier days of the group; newer members can learn how the organization grew into the society it is today. PHSNE was started in April 1973, when a small group of local camera collector enthusiasts decided to meet regularly to buy and sell cameras and associated equipment among themselves, swap stories and information, and develop a local photographic show. The photograph above is the earliest group photo of our founding members, dated June 1973. Fifty years later, as a non-profit 501(c)(3) educational and cultural organization, the Society has grown to include hundreds of members throughout the country and across the world. Along the way, PHSNE has established speaker programs, a highly respected Journal, a monthly snap shots newsletter, a high school photographic equipment donation program, an annual Photographica show that attracts dozens of dealers and hundreds of visitors, an annual auction, an expanding online presence (https://phsne.org), and a strong commitment to help preserve photographic equipment, images, and history. Dick Moore’s Magic Lantern presentation March 1, 2020 – last in-person meeting. PHSNE’s tradition of in-person monthly meetings goes back to the very start of the society, with presentations by members and outside speakers, show-and-tell objects and images, and informal auctions and bartering. The last in-person presentation was March 1, 2020, when Dick Moore recreated a classic 19th century magic lantern show. Two weeks later, COVID-19 shut down everything, and changed everything. As Zoom took over through the spring and summer of 2020, PHSNE started presenting meetings on Zoom in August of 2020. Initially a solution to a temporary problem, we soon found the new format offered many benefits. We now share these meetings live with an audience of members and interested visitors from all over the world. The recorded meetings can be viewed on our YouTube channel: PHSNE Virtual-Meetings. Speakers join PHSNE with a complimentary one-year membership, as our community keeps expanding. We have also adopted a tradition of having the December holiday meeting formatted as a series of member show-and-tell mini-presentations, sharing cameras, images, and stories. Many thanks to Ben Couto for his technical expertise in keeping us up and running on Zoom, and to all who propose speakers and present programs. Dana Gee, Program Coordinator, arranges for interesting presentations on very diverse topics. She is always open to suggestions and can be contacted at |||EMAIL_ADDRESS||| Snap Shots, PHSNE’s monthly newsletter (10 times a year) has been published in various formats for decades. The current archive is continuous from 2005 to the present. Visit https://snapshots.phsne.org to download and view past issues. PHSNE’s fifty years have been filled with discoveries, the rise and fall and rise again of photographic processes, image-making systems, and new forms of visual presentations. Most of us now carry digital cameras everywhere in a purse or pocket, sharing images through the ether by the billions every day. But images are still magic, and PHSNE celebrates the past, embraces today, and looks forward to tomorrow. Join us on Sunday, Jan 8, 2023 at 7:30PM on Zoom. Sign up for our FREE email notices and Zoom announcements HERE.

https://phsne.org/january-2023-phsnes-50th-year-celebrates-its-past-present-future-zoom-meeting-sunday-jan-8-2023-730pm-est/

HomeDigital MarketingThe 5 Top Digital Marketing Jobs In The UK That You Can... With the increase in competition for jobs, more and more people are turning to digital marketing jobs in UK as a profession. Whether you have skills in SEO, content writing, or social media management, several agencies in the UK will be looking for you! In this blog post, we’ll go through five of our favorite opportunities for working with a marketing company. As a social media manager, you will be responsible for managing and executing a company’s social media strategy. This will involve regular updates and engagement with customers and followers across all platforms, as well as creating original content. You should have excellent communication skills and be able to work collaboratively with other members of the marketing team. A successful social media manager will be creative, organized, and have a good understanding of how to use various social media platforms to achieve results. A content manager is responsible for creating, managing, and publishing content across all channels. This includes developing a content strategy, writing and editing copy, managing a team of writers, and ensuring that all content is on-brand and aligned with the company’s overall marketing goals. As a content manager, you will need to have strong writing and editing skills, as well as experience in project management and team leadership. Additionally, you must be up-to-date on the latest trends in digital marketing, so that you can develop strategies that are innovative and effective. To be an online advertising specialist, you will need to have a strong understanding of the various types of online advertising and how they work. You will also need to be able to effectively manage campaigns and track results. As an online advertising specialist, you will be responsible for planning, executing, and managing online advertising campaigns. This will include developing strategies, researching target audiences, creating ad copy, and managing budgets. You will also be responsible for tracking results and analyzing data to optimize campaigns and improve performance. If you are interested in pursuing a career in online advertising, then you should have strong analytical skills and be comfortable working with numbers. You should also be creative and have experience with copywriting or graphic design. ECommerce Specialist – £32,500. In the UK, eCommerce is booming. And with that comes a high demand for eCommerce specialists. As an eCommerce specialist, you’ll be responsible for managing and developing online retail strategies. This includes everything from managing website content and product catalogs, to overseeing digital marketing campaigns and analyzing customer data. To succeed in this role, you’ll need to have experience in eCommerce, as well as strong analytical and project management skills. You’ll also need to be comfortable working with numbers and able to think strategically about how to grow an online business. If you’re looking for a challenge and want to help businesses grow their online presence, then this could be the job for you. There are several digital marketing jobs in the UK that you can apply for today. One of these is the position of conversion rate optimizer. As a conversion rate optimizer, your job would be to increase the percentage of visitors to a website who take action and convert into customers or subscribers. To do this, you would need to have a strong understanding of online marketing, jobs for students in UK, and web design. You would also need to be able to use data analysis tools to identify areas where conversion rates could be improved. Once you had identified these areas, you would then need to devise strategies to improve conversion rates. This could involve A/B testing, split testing, and other optimization techniques.

https://qarticles.com/the-5-top-digital-marketing-jobs-in-the-uk-that-you-can-apply-for-today/

SunRoof, a Polish-Swedish startup creating 2-in-1 solar roofs and energy management technology solutions, has partnered with QMODULAR, a manufacturer of modular buildings, and Samana Group. The collaboration is intended to promote innovative solutions in the construction industry and is a response to the growing interest in energy-efficient and quick-to-build homes. One of the main synergies between the two companies is the creation of the Solar House line of zero-energy houses. QMODULAR specializes in the design, manufacture, and installation of large-scale modular buildings. Over the years, they have carried out investments in the main sectors of the real estate market: residential, retail, office, and hotel. This is the only company in Poland to construct buildings both on land and on water. 70% faster compared to traditional construction methods. The revolutionary combination of integrated photovoltaic solutions offered by Samana Group, SunRoof, and QMODULAR technology makes it possible to construct an environmentally friendly building not only due to the maximized use of renewable energy but also the low carbon footprint of the production process. Buildings made using QMODULAR technology are constructed in an automated production hall under controlled conditions. The entire production cycle is optimized for material and energy consumption. During the construction of a building in QMODULAR technology, significantly less carbon dioxide and construction waste are generated compared to traditional construction methods. QMODULAR Solar House is a line of buildings characterised by a high standard of finish that will allow you to have your environmentally friendly dream home. A building made using QMODULAR technology with the implemented solution from SunRoof is a unique product. Not only does it reduce operating costs thanks to solar energy, but also through precise workmanship and the use of suitable materials such as aerogel used in the aerospace industry, it protects against heat loss and ensures comfort for years to come. The combination of SunRoof’s solar roof and façade technology with QMODULAR’s building architecture allows you to achieve an amazing visual effect. The Swedish SunRoof 2in1 system maximizes the safety and efficiency of the photovoltaic system, enabling it to generate more energy per square meter than competing solutions, using fewer materials and leaving a smaller carbon footprint. The integration of the roof with photovoltaic cells – monocrystalline glass/glass solar panels – ensures excellent durability and tightness of the coating as well as high aesthetics. To date, the company has gained the trust of more than 700 customers in Poland, Sweden, and Germany. One of the stages of cooperation between the three companies is the construction of a Solar House show house on the premises of the QMODULAR headquarters, near the motorway close to Krakow. It will give a real insight into the possibilities offered by modular construction combined with advanced solar technology. The opening of the show house is planned for the first quarter of 2023. As part of the established partnership, Samana Group, SunRoof, and QMODULAR will design, manufacture and deliver modular homes from the Solar House line for Samana Nomad City, a residential-coworking complex located on the Samana Peninsula in the Dominican Republic. The founder of the project is Marek Zmysłowski, a serial entrepreneur, investor, and business expert in emerging markets (HotelOnline.co, Jumia.com), for whom the Dominican Republic has become a second home. By betting on QMODULAR buildings will be much more resistant to cracking and better adapted to seismic waves than traditional houses. Thanks to the SunRoof solar roofs and façades, Samana Nomad City will gain independence from the electricity grid. SunRoof builds powerful 2-in-1 solar roofs and innovative façades that generate electricity, replacing the need for a traditional roof. SunRoof is a smart investment and functional roof providing an efficient energy solution with uncompromising elegance. Our mission is to speed up the global transition to renewables by developing elegant roofs that, by generating electricity, will cover the energy demand of the entire building. SunRoofs' ambition is to provide solar roofs with the lowest carbon footprint on the market. QMODULAR specializes in the design, manufacture, and installation of large-scale modular buildings. Over the years, they have carried out investments in the main sectors of the real estate market: residential, retail, office, and hotel. This is the only company in Poland to construct buildings both on land and on water. The QMODULAR technology is the most advanced construction method. Buildings are completed up to 70% faster than with traditional construction techniques. One of the largest developers and landowners in the Dominican peninsula of Samana. The company develops more than 4,000 hectares of land, building luxury villa estates, hotels, hostels, and apartments. The founders and partners of Samana Group have been working on the project for more than 15 years, acquiring land, creating urban plans, and obtaining planning permission. The uniqueness of the approach lies in its focus on affordable luxury and sustainability while ensuring the experience of living in an untouched natural environment.

https://samana-group.net/2023/01/09/zeroenergyhouse/

Just like any other outfield position, the goalkeepers in women’s football are getting better by the day with the introduction of specialist coaches and the overall rapid expansion of women’s football over the last decade or so. Similar to their male counterparts, these female goalkeepers have been solid and mostly impenetrable between the sticks, producing outstanding saves and winning games for their club and country. So, without further ado, I present to you my top ten female goalkeepers in the world right now. 30-year-old Pauline Peyraud-Magnin has had quite the career. Having played for clubs like Lyon, Marseille, Arsenal and Atlético Madrid, she found her latest home in Turin with Juventus last summer. Magnin was instrumental in Juventus making it out of the group stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) last year as she led the charge by keeping the joint-most clean sheets in the tournament. This season, too, Peyraud-Magnin has been important for both club and country. The cold relationship between the France women’s national team coach Corinne Diacre and veteran goalkeeper Sarah Bouhaddi meant Peyraud-Magnin started all of France’s Euro 2022 matches as they made it to their first-ever semi-final in an international tournament. Almuth Schult is a different case altogether. She was named the IFFHS Women’s Goalkeeper of the Decade for the 2010s, was at the peak of her powers, and won just about every competition out there for club and country. Then, in 2019, she put her career on hold to become the only mother in the Frauen-Bundesliga. She spent the next couple of seasons on the bench, having started exactly two games during that period. However, last season, the Germany international bid farewell to her nine-year spell at VfL Wolfsburg with arguably the best season of her career. Schult played a pivotal role in Wolfsburg winning their fourth Frauen-Bundesliga title as well as making it to the semi-finals of the UWCL. This season, Schult has signed for the newly-formed club Angel City in the US. If there’s one goalkeeper in this list who’s destined to make big leaps in the next couple of years, it’s Ellie Roebuck. It’s still fascinating to think that Roebuck is only 23 years old. She made her league debut at the age of 17, and since then has gone on to win one WSL title, three women’s FA Cups, and three League Cups with her club. The England international was out for some time last season with a calf injury, which led to her losing her spot in the national team to Mary Earps and Manchester City struggling to win games for a sustained period. However, she returned to fitness soon and played like a woman possessed, recording the highest saves percentage (83.3%) and conceding just three goals in ten games as Man City secured that all-important final UWCL place last season. The United States goalkeeper department was so stacked for a number of years that Adrianna Franch played back up to the likes of Ashlyn Harris and Alyssa Naeher. Franch is very good aerially, and her great positioning between the sticks and reflexes make her one of the best in the world. She won the NWSL Goalkeeper of the Year in 2017 and 2018. Last season, Franch made 65 saves, which was the third-best in the league. Besides, the seven saves she pulled off against OL Reign in the NWSL semi-final match helped Kansas City Current reach their first-ever NWSL Playoff Final. 2022 has turned out to be the year where Kailen Sheridan announces herself as one of the best in her position. The 27-year-old emerged as one of the stand-out players for the newly-formed San Diego Wave franchise in the NWSL in 2022, as the Waves became the first expansion team to reach the NWSL Playoffs. Sheridan conceded just 17 goals throughout the season and was given the Goalkeeper of the Year award off the back of it, becoming the first Canadian to win an individual award in the league. Besides her exploits in club football, Sheridan took the No.1 shirt in the Canadian senior women’s national team following Stephanie Labbe’s retirement. Sheridan won the Golden Glove in the 2022 Women’s CONCACAF Championship, letting in just one goal in the entire tournament. Ann-Katrin Berger had a brilliant 2022, as Chelsea won their third WSL title while the German was in goal for both of Chelsea’s Women’s FA Cup successes last season. She conceded just 8 goals in 14 league games last season, exhibiting outstanding stop-stopping ability whenever required, which eventually led to her first international call-up with Germany for Women’s Euro 2022. In August, Chelsea announced that Berger had suffered a recurrence of the thyroid cancer she had suffered earlier in her career. The 32-year-old underwent treatment quickly and made a swift return to Chelsea’s starting line-up at the end of September. Mary Earps is the prime example of someone grabbing their opportunity with both hands. The 29-year-old Manchester United shot-stopper had a decent 2021/22 campaign as the Red Devils finished fourth in the WSL, five points behind the third and final UWCL qualifying spot. It was an unfortunate Ellie Roebuck injury that turned fortunate for Earps as she started in goal for Sarina Wiegman’s first game in charge of England, and she hasn’t looked back since. She started all six games for England at Euro 2022, conceding just two goals in the entire tournament as England went all the way, eclipsing Germany 2-1 in the final, and earned a place in the 2022 Euro Team of the Tournament. Moreover, Earps has started the new WSL season in equally good form and currently holds the WSL all-time clean sheets record with 43. The 27-year-old Arsenal first-choice keeper has kept on improving year after year. After quite possibly recording the best professional season of her career last season, where the Gunners finished in second place, one point behind WSL winners Chelsea, Zinsberger won the Golden Glove, having kept 13 clean sheets in a 22-game season with an 80.3% saves percentage, the most any keeper has ever managed in a single season. Zinsberger’s good form has carried on into the 2022/23 season. She has already broken the record for the most consecutive clean sheets, with 10 this season. She already has six clean sheets in nine league games and two from four in the UWCL. She is also maintaining an ever-impressive 82.2% saves percentage across all competitions this season. The hallmark of a great goalkeeper is their ability to pull off extraordinary saves that make you go: “How on earth did she pull that off?” And Christiane Endler’s highlight package falls somewhere between absurd and ridiculous. Apart from her excellent shot-stopping ability, her sharp footwork and reflexes also allow her to make saves that shouldn’t be made. The Chilean joined Lyon from Paris Saint-Germain last season and proved her worth immediately by keeping the most clean sheets in the league as Lyon won yet another Division 1 title. Moreover, Endler was equally important in Lyon’s Champions League run as they made it to another final, especially her saves in the second leg of the semi-finals against PSG proving pivotal. Lyon won the final against Barcelona, although Endler had very little to do throughout the match. The only reason she isn’t #1 is that she hasn’t had a great first half of the 2022/23 season, most notably shipping five goals against Arsenal at home in the Champions League group stages. Just like the US, Germany is another country that has more goalkeepers than it knows what to do with. And if I have to draw an analogy to their male counterparts, if Schult is Manuel Neuer, Frohms is Marc-André ter Stegen, a fearless goalkeeper who finally got her chance and took it with both hands when Schult was out. 2022 has turned out to be the year the 27-year-old found herself on the biggest stage. After three seasons fighting in the mid-table, Frohms played a big role in Eintracht Frankfurt finishing third in the Frauen-Bundesliga and qualifying for the Champions League, while she was again instrumental in the Euros as she kept four clean sheets as Germany’s No. 1 – the joint highest – as they narrowly lost to England 2-1 in extra-time in the final. Following this, VfL Wolfsburg snapped her up, and Frohms is currently sitting pretty at the top of both her league and the UWCL group at the time of writing.

https://sportskhabri.com/ranked-top-10-goalkeepers-in-womens-football-in-2022/

A pension fund is a type of retirement savings vehicle that is designed to provide a steady stream of income to individuals during their retirement years. Pension funds are typically sponsored by employers, and employees contribute a portion of their salary to the fund. The funds in a pension fund are then invested in a mix of assets such as stocks, bonds, and cash, in order to grow over time. There are two main types of pension funds: defined benefit plans and defined contribution plans. In a defined benefit plan, the pension benefit that an employee receives upon retirement is predetermined based on a formula that takes into account factors such as the employee’s salary and years of service. In a defined contribution plan, the employee’s benefit is determined by the amount of money that has been contributed to the fund and the investment returns earned on those contributions. Pension funds are designed to provide a reliable source of income for employees during their retirement years. They offer several benefits, including the ability to receive a steady stream of income, the potential for investment growth, and the opportunity to receive additional benefits such as survivor benefits or disability coverage. Pension funds are different from provident funds in a few key ways. One of the main differences is that pension funds are typically focused on providing income during retirement, while provident funds may offer more flexibility in terms of withdrawal options. Additionally, pension funds may have more strict eligibility requirements and may only be available to certain types of employees, such as full-time or salaried employees. Another difference is that pension funds are typically funded through a combination of employee and employer contributions, while provident funds are typically funded solely through employee contributions. In some cases, employers may also make contributions to a provident fund on behalf of their employees. One of the main advantages of a pension fund is that it offers a predictable source of income during retirement. By contributing to a pension fund throughout their working years, employees can build up a nest egg that they can use to fund their retirement expenses. This can help to provide financial security and stability during retirement. Pension funds may also offer tax benefits for both the employee and the employer. Contributions to a pension fund may be tax-deductible for the employee, and the employer may be able to claim a tax deduction on their contributions to the fund. However, it’s important for employees to be aware that pension funds may have certain limitations or restrictions. For example, some pension funds may have vesting requirements, which means that an employee must work for a certain period of time before they are entitled to receive the full benefit of the fund. Additionally, the amount of the pension benefit that an employee receives may be based on factors such as their salary and years of service, which may not be sufficient to meet all of their retirement expenses. Overall, a pension fund can be a useful tool for helping employees save for retirement and achieve financial security in their later years. By offering a predictable source of income, investment growth potential, and tax benefits, a pension fund can be an important part of an employee’s overall financial plan. It’s important for employees to carefully consider their options and to thoroughly research the different types of pension funds available in order to determine which one is right for them.

https://stockexchangeyard.com/what-are-pension-fund-and-how-are-they-different-from-provident-fund/

Manchester City are in pole position to sign MLS ‘Golden Boy’ Jack Harrison, who has emerged as one of the brightest young stars in America after quitting Manchester United’s academy six years ago. The 20-year-old winger earned his first call-up to the England Under-21 squad this week following his remarkable rise in the United States. Bolton-born Harrison came through the ranks at United alongside a certain Marcus Rashford, but decided to leave the UK at the age of 14 and pursue a career in America – taking a scholarship in Massachusetts. He joined New York City FC two years ago and the youngster has thrived at the club ever since, developing alongside the likes of World Cup-winners David Villa and Andrea Pirlo as well as former England star Frank Lampard. His England call-up has brought him back to the attention of clubs in the Premier League, with Man City and former club Man United both very keen. But, as he plays for sister club New York City, the Blues have first refusal on the ex-United starlet. According to The Sun, a Man City source told the paper: “City will have first dibs on Harrison at New York if he continues his rapid progress. This is the first time City will benefit from their ties to oversees clubs. The Blues signed Australian midfielder Aaron Mooy from sister club Melbourne City in a similar deal in 2016, and later bagged £10m by selling him to Premeir League newcomers Huddersfield.

https://talksport.com/football/293143/transfer-report-manchester-city-pole-position-sign-mls-wonderkid-jack-harrison-who-came/

People have strong beliefs about “libraries.” There are true believers and skeptics. Our work at TASCHA, recently changed from CIS, has been thinking about libraries as mechanisms for community development, especially outside the US. We have been trying to step back and focus on what they DO and what FUNCTIONS they serve. I understand libraries as incredibly valuable social spaces. I have witnessed generally welcoming spaces where people can read, get info and hang out, usually without being pestered to cough up dough. I have seen also seen libraries with far more wide ranging and radical visions. I have also seen sad libraries where people did not engage, for many different reasons. In the US libraries have played a key role in public information and lifelong education. Libraries fill an ecological niche that is unique, although their functions overlap with other “public” institutions such as NPR and public schools.Given the cost of technology and the importance of digital information, it’s worth it for our social, political and community well-being to think about how libraries can adapt to the changes induced by technology and our social behaviors. Libraryman, a fierce, effervescent and energetic advocate for libraries, (and a bunch of crowdsourced allies) has been pushing the conversation on opportunities for libraries to adapt. Today he got a little love when BoingBoing picked up his video. I couldn’t look away:) Congrats Michael.

https://tascha.uw.edu/libraries-101/

You can also create a slideshow from all your pictures either for print or web presentation. You can easily modify text and shape using optional drawing tools, and you can choose from more than a dozen different brushes, stamps, and textures. In order to perform a variety of tasks, Photoshop has several customer-friendly features. You can use your command and control the software using the work flow commands help window. This helps you to design and create new features of Photoshop. You can also use its annotation tools to make notes for future reference and share them. This is a very handy feature that gives you the facility to work more efficiently. I am delighted to learn that I could do something as small as to remove the approval period from my blog. We have focused so much on the camera’s capacity that we cannot forget its potential. But making a good photograph is the first step in all image processing, and once that is done, you just have to be selective. A good selection is the first step to ensuring the best images. Photoshop (and Lightroom) is a powerful tool to help you get just that. It is more comprehensive than other products, and if you learn its way, you can use it to its best advantage. The quality of image processing has become increasingly good, and Photoshop is no exception. The interface design is also good. By listing all the filters and adjustments, you can select which one you want to use. Adobe Photoshop CC is striving to be the most powerful tool for professional photographers and designers. It is no coincidence that it is an Adobe product and was only natural that it would be the first Photoshop CC upgrade. It still has the same elegance and simple user interface that is clean and easy to use, features a variety of features to enhance your image editing experience. You can save new images to shoot in RAW format to increase your image quality and effort. You can export directly to social networks like Facebook and Twitter, to Email, and other online platforms. Adding a new image experience voting system greatly enhances your image editing experience. So many new features are hinged on Adobe Camera RAW, and if the changes are implemented correctly, it will be highly addictive for you to use. There’s a huge selection of tools at your disposal in Photoshop, and knowing how to use them are essential in creating great graphics. You can even use these tools on your mobile device. This article features a few of our favorites. The Shadow and Gradient tools are among my favorite tools in Photoshop. Use them wisely! They are two of the most powerful features to create custom effects to your images. They are used for adding reflections, deepening or lightening shadows, and creating gradient effects. To be sure, this is all new territory for us, as well. Over the past decade or so, VSCO has primarily focused on the development of filters for non-Photoshop solutions. But there’s no one in the world who knows as much about getting the most out of Photoshop, not just in the field of photography and video, but in all fields. In fact, we’re always humbled to learn that more commercial and creative professionals, who might have never even heard of VSCO, are using the best-in-class assets we’ve built to help bring their projects to life. And we’re thrilled for the opportunity to help more people get the most out of their vision-capturing process. During our research, we found that the market began to understand that the greatest challenges of Photoshop were around user experience, and more broadly around digital imaging and the creative world. And so we were able to look at new formats and new possibilities. You can also create effects directly in the Photoshop Canvas. In this example, I’m taking a photo of my friend, and I want to make it look like it was taken through a fun Tilt-shift effect. I’m seeing this type of effect the most in photomicrographs and in panoramas. This guide will teach you how to create your own demonstration files to showcase your work. Demonstration files are like work samples in that they can be put in an online portfolio to show potential clients. But, you will learn how to create your own demonstration files that illustrate your work. You will also learn how to work with color in Photoshop and how to manipulate color using the HSL color wheel and various tools. Commonly referred to as Photoshop’s magic wand, this tool is used to select a region of an image that you wish to edit. The shortcut for drawing the magic wand is shift+click. Once the magic wand is selected, the user can click to add colour, or change the brush size, shape and opacity. From there, the user can paint within the selected region, and then use the magic wand to paint over each area of the image to add colour, or change the brush size, shape and opacity. In a Photoshop file, there are layers. The layers provide a workflow that allows us to create content and to put it together until we get the content that we want. It is a great way to build content and to put it together in a logical, organized fashion. Each layer is a self-contained item. This means that you have only a single layer in your file. You can add as many layers and as many content items as you like. But if you have more than one layer, you can select these layers and group them. Layer comps are a powerful way to compare multiple source layers to find the best options for your edits. In Elements, you can alter or create a layer comp from the Image > Adjustments > Layer Comps > Layer Comps menu. You can also use the File > External Tools > Layer Comps menu to create a layer comp. A new Layer Comps panel is available for Elements 2019 and later versions. You can view and edit Layer Comps for individual layers, or you can view a single layer to see how it compares with other layers. Layer Comps are also available in the Adjustments panel. You can access Layer Comps in Photoshop in the Adjustments panel and in the Layers panel. You can also update the Layer Comps panel in the Elements Help menu. If you want to create a custom Action, Elements 2032 offers two tools for this endeavor. First is the new Action Panel, which gives you quick access to all the workflow and creative-related tools for creating Actions. Adobe Photoshop CC: A Complete Guide to getting started is your comprehensive and up-to-the-minute guide to getting the most from PS CC. From using the features collectively, to Mastering individual tools, including returning to casual Photoshop, getting the most from your camera and editing your photos, this book will get you up and running in no time. Photoshop Elements: A Complete Guide to getting started is your comprehensive and up-to-the-minute guide to getting the most from PS Elements. From the tools available, to understanding the interface, creating and controlling your layers, and using tools to choose and customize colors, you’ll learn everything you need to know about this popular tool—night and day. Digital Photography with Adobe Photoshop is your complete guide to using Photoshop for photos as a creative professional. It will get you started with the basics in photography and the power of Photoshop, and then take you all the way to advanced concepts for fine art, print, web design, and more. Adobe® Adobe® Flash® CS6: The Complete Guide is your comprehensive and up-to-the-minute guide to getting the most out of CS6. From the file formats and workflow, to the new features, this book will get you up and running with CS6. If you’re a designer, developer, and printer, or if you’re a digital artist using Adobe applications, this book will demystify advanced design and leading edge technology. When you are ready to get back to the art of painting, you’ll be happy to know that only select professional-level reasons and Photoshop CS6 will let you use a brush with over 1,000,000 colors simultaneously. Photoshop commercial artists can now capture images in high-dynamic range and process them in the native 32-bit format. These capabilities greatly increase creative freedom and add great depth and color to the software. Adobe Photoshop is the best solution for all your image editing needs and delivers professional results to its users. Using this software will allow you to work in the most advanced way. Photoshop CS6 is one of the best-selling software in the industry and is available at a cheap price. Use it to enhance your pictures! Delight.io created an event sourcing web API powered within a Lisp interpreter backed by relational data in just a few hours to demonstrate event driven RESTful web application development. Adobe on Thursday unveiled new features in Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Photoshop Extended (beta) available now via the Creative Cloud from a subscription model. The most significant feature is that Photoshop and Photoshop Extended include Web Services, enabling you to save and edit files directly to cloud servers from a Mac or PC running the applications, making it easier to collaborate on projects anywhere, regardless of the device you’re using. This means you can edit designs on your desktop and push changes back to the cloud in real time, without transferring files to a phone, tablet or laptop. For even more layer editing, Photoshop has a Scratchboard retouch tool. Using the Scratchboard, many layers of images can be created and edited as a single composite. This can be particularly useful for teams who are working on projects for multiple clients at the same time, because the file stays consistent, regardless of who’s making changes. Like the Layers panel, the Scratchboard lets you manipulate thousands of visual elements at once. However, it’s also more flexible, allowing you to quickly and easily apply retouching to the image on various parts of the canvas. For example, a simple glance at a client’s face can cause you to quickly rework the eyes, nose, ears, and mouth. Before you start, use the Content-Aware Move Tool to quickly and easily align an image’s layers to create an accurate copy and follow the client’s exact facial features. For even more layer editing, Photoshop has a Scratchboard retouch tool. Using the Scratchboard, many layers of images can be created and edited as a single composite. This can be particularly useful for teams who are working on projects for multiple clients at the same time, because the file stays consistent, regardless of who’s making changes. But there is much more to it than that. Used correctly, a Scratchboard can reduce the time and labour required to redraw large areas of an image. Finally, the Scratchboard offers multiple techniques for editing a client’s entire image. For example, you can quickly and easily relocate the client’s body, resize the image and crop it to create an entirely new, unique final result. Photoshop is a very popular software and Adobe Photoshop Unlocked is one of the best-selling and highly demanded six-version software. With every new version of the software, there are new features introduced, which updates the power and provides a different look and feel. It is the best software to work on which makes amendment and modification fun. Adobe Photoshop essentially is a graphics editor and also a tool. Photoshop is used to edit and modify the type of images, photos, video, or documents. The main task of Photoshop is to prepare images for printing and film when used to edit photos. Photoshop is a very popular graphics editor and Adobe Photoshop Unlocked is one of the most sought-after six-version software. With every new version, there are new features introduced, which updates the power and provides a different look and feel. It is the best software to work on which makes amendment and modification fun. Adobe Photoshop CC 2019 is for everyone, one of the world’s most popular desktop image editing software, an integrated layer-based image editing software for photo retouching, imaging, graphic design, and photo management. Both beginners and advanced users can control Photoshop, since it can be used either as an illustration software or a photo editing application. We use it because we never wanted to use a mouse in our graphics department because we are too busy with our software. The new features Alt to Zoom also helps in zooming in and out of the image. It allows us to see the image at different magnifications to determine the best crop, and now we have a powerful image selector that makes it easy to select images in a clip palette format, where the transitions are optimized, and the UI is different from the ordinary Photoshop. Finally, the Adobe Photoshop suite has turned out to be a very powerful tool for designing in a large number of creative industries. The Adobe Photoshop Features allows you to create A wide range of images and documents in a sequence, to process them in several ways and to design interfaces for a smart device. However, even with such a huge number of features, you can’t overlook the importance of vector graphics in graphic design. This type of images is much more simple and is easy to send to intranet, customers, or even clients. We have created a list of graphic design tools that can help you improve your skills. So, remember: GESS is the best graphic design tool. Adobe Photoshop Elements is the best-known version and software of Serif. It was created in 2000 and the latest version is Adobe Photoshop Elements 20. It is also a photo editing application, that is used in photo retouching for all kinds of images. With this software you can do simple tasks like crop, layers, adjustments, and many more. No other software provides all these features and this makes it highly experienced. This software is has good options for website creation. It allows you to convert graphics to web pages or e-books. Adobe Photoshop comes with a lot of helpful and time-saving macros available for you to choose from. You can add new options like New Image, Cut, Copy, Paste, Undo, and more. With the help of these macros, you can quickly create and edit an image. It is a great time saver when you have to edit a large photograph. With a new touch-capable interface from Adobe Photoshop, you can easily access your favorite tools and edit your photographs with your fingers. Using dual-touch gestures that directly control Photoshop, you can easily navigate tools and change tools. This feature automatically imports the last opened file in Photoshop. With the help of this feature, you need not to select the file again in order to work on it. You can even rename the file and open it in another editing mode. Photoshop is one of the most popular image editors on the planet, and it’s the go-to tool for a wide range of image and graphic applications. Highly similar to Photoshop CS5, Photoshop CS6 is a powerful tool for all levels of graphic design, and features a host of new features that make working in Photoshop CS6 much easier. The great affordability of Photoshop Elements along with its updated features make it a wonderful tool for beginners and professionals alike. With updated features, such as a new smart healing tool and the ability to create memes using Photoshop, Photoshop Elements can be a useful tool for both developers and business professionals. The Photoshop Elements subscription version is pretty fee-based, so you’ll have to pay a yearly subscription to access all of Photoshop’s features. It is one of the best alternatives to the professional version. It offers a lot of advanced features, but not everything is available to the regular subscriber. Adobe Photoshop is faster and more powerful than the previous versions. This is the latest of the Photoshop family, released in June of 2013. But, its speed and overall performance is much better than the older versions like CS3. As the name suggests, it is a faster version of the venerable Photoshop family. With this new release, Photoshop has latest versions of Auto-Crop, Auto-Straighten, Auto-White Balance, and Auto-Keylight. It also has a lot of new features like, Curves Adjustments, Liquify tools, Pen Tool, etc. It is available for all image types. It can be used to edit images from photographs, documents, web pages, and video.

https://thai-news.net/2022/12/30/download-photoshop-trial-for-free-repack/

If you’ve been following sports news in the past couple of months, odds are you’ve heard a lot about Philadelphia. From the Phillies’ improbable World Series run to the Eagles’ excellent start to the season, there has been a lot of buzz surrounding Philadelphia. As someone from southeastern Pennsylvania who grew up in a sports-loving family, I’ve been enjoying this streak. It has also made me reflect on everything I’ve learned from being a Philadelphia sports fan. If you’re unfamiliar with Philadelphia sports or Philadelphia fans in particular, here’s a brief explanation. The genuine devotion that Philadelphians have for their sports teams is unrivalled. I always knew Philadelphia fans were passionate growing up, but I never thought any differently. It wasn’t until I came to New York that I realized not every city experiences that sort of love. In the sports world, Philadelphia has a reputation for being one of the rowdiest sports towns with the most cutthroat fans. The fans are also known for being some of the most hated. Sure, some may argue that this negative reputation is warranted in some cases. For example, in 1968 a Christmas-themed halftime show didn’t go as planned when Eagles fans started pelting snowballs at Santa Claus. However, I’m sure this Santa wasn’t putting on a good enough show. That leads me to my first lesson: it’s ok for not everyone to like you. Simply rooting for a Philadelphia team earns me plenty of haters, but that’s okay. Likewise, in life you aren’t going to be able to please everyone. It’s impossible. The most important opinion about yourself is your own. The second thing I learned is that you need to have thick skin. When people criticize you or your team, you need to learn how to let it go in one ear and out the other. Most of the time, it reflects more on how they think about themselves than how they think about you. For instance, if I was a Cowboys fan, I can imagine I would want to put others down as well. The third lesson I learned from being a Philadelphia sports fan is that you must be loyal. As fun as it is to celebrate the highs, we also need to be there for the lows. Stick with your team through all of their phases, regardless of their performance. The same goes for the people you love in life. You can’t feel the pride and joy that comes with their success unless you were there for them through their rough times as well. Lastly, being a Philly sports fan has taught me patience. As the 76ers so eloquently put it, “trust the process.” It took the Eagles over 50 years to win a Super Bowl, but when it came it was one of the most magical moments of my life. I’ll never forget the pure elation I felt when I attended the Eagles’ Super Bowl parade in 2018 after years of waiting. Sometimes the best things come to those who wait. All in all, I hope some of these lessons ring true to sports fans and non-sports fans alike. As for the current state of Philadelphia sports, time will tell. No matter what happens, I’ll be following along, enjoying every moment of being a Philly sports fan.

https://theionian.org/12088/opinion/what-ive-learned-from-being-a-philadelphia-sports-fan/

Deshaun Watson’s formal request to be traded created hysteria on social media among fans and media alike. It likely will result in a bull rush of teams contacting new Houston Texans GM Nick Caserio about the price tag for the talented quarterback. Should the Browns call the Texans? But not about Watson. The Browns should beat the rush for another Houston player who figures to become available as a result of the team’s imminent rebuilding mode. The Browns should make a pitch immediately for defensive end J.J. Watt. Because it is Watt – not Watson – who is the right player at the right time to move the Browns to the front of the pack in pursuit of the two-time AFC champion Kansas City Chiefs. You want a high-powered complement to Myles Garrett? Imagine the AFC North having to deal with Garrett on one side of the pass rush and Watt on the other side. Ben Roethlisberger would cry himself a fourth river at the confluence behind Heinz Field. Watt wants no part of the rebuilding project confronting the Texans. Late in the year, he expressed frustration with the lackadaisical effort of his losing teammates. The three-time NFL defensive player is on the back nine of a Hall of Fame-bound career. He desperately wants to compete for a Super Bowl before retiring. Joining the Browns would give him a good chance at that. Watt has suffered major injuries that limited him to three, five and eight games in three of his last five seasons. But at 31, he not only started all 16 games for the Texans in 2020, he led all NFL defensive linemen with 1,016 snaps. He was on the field for 91.5 percent of his team’s defensive snaps. If Watt asks out, the Texans would accommodate him. He would help them recoup high draft picks carelessly traded by former coach Bill O’Brien. They are without first- and second-round draft picks in the 2021 draft. I would offer a second-round pick plus a conditional pick in 2022 based on his playing time and performance incentives. Maybe a deal could include other players, who knows? Start the conversation. Watt has one year left on his contract for $17.5 million. That’s too high a number as the Browns plot future contract extensions for core players. But it can easily be reduced with a multi-year deal. Watt’s character is exemplary. He would fit perfectly in the culture now in place. On the field, he could do for the Browns what Reggie White did for the Green Bay Packers in the 1990s. Come to think of it, the Browns better act fast before Watt’s home-state Packers make a run at him. The quarterback situation in the NFL is going to be crazy in the coming transaction season. Watson has asked to be traded five months after signing a four-year contract extension for $156 million. Matthew Stafford and the Detroit Lions have agreed to part ways two years into a five-year deal for $135 million. The Los Angeles Rams are showing buyer’s remorse two years after giving Jared Goff a four-year extension for $134 million. Same with the San Francisco 49ers after giving Jimmy Garoppolo a five-year deal for $137.5 million just two years ago. The Green Bay Packers may have to pacify Aaron Rodgers with a new deal just one year into a four-year extension for $134 million. The Pittsburgh Steelers need Ben Roethlisberger to take a pay cut one year after giving him a two-year extension for $68 million. The Philadelphia Eagles fired their Super Bowl-winning coach because of an unworkable relationship with Carson Wentz that developed one year into a four-year extension for $128 million. Mitchell Trubisky will enter free agency four years after the Chicago Bears traded up one spot from No. 3 to make him the No. 2 overall pick of the 2017 draft. Coming up are big-time contract extensions for 2018 first-round quarterbacks Lamar Jackson of the Baltimore Ravens, Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills and Baker Mayfield. Expect those numbers to exceed -- yes, exceed -- Watson’s $156 million deal on all fronts. And in two years, expect the deals to be outdated – too high or too low. That’s how swiftly things change in the NFL. One trend of this NFL hiring season was the rapid ascension of former NFL quarterbacks to the coaching ranks. Besides McCown, former quarterbacks who landed jobs as QB coaches without much, if any, coaching experience included Charlie Frye (Dolphins) and Mark Brunell (Lions) ... It seems as if Bieniemy is being penalized for the Chiefs' success. If the Chiefs had lost in the playoffs over the past two years and Bieniemy were made available during the height of the hiring season, he'd be a head coach by now.

https://thelandondemand.com/news/2021/jan/28/browns-should-act-swiftly-and-trade-jj-watt/

Holidays in Central Massachusetts are as warm and dazzling as anywhere. The juxtaposition of small town quaintness alongside big city lights is never more palpable than during the year’s darkest month in December. Whether you are looking for indoor or outdoor modes of celebration, whether you find your joy in the rabid consumerism of the season, or in its wintery austerity, Worcester County and its many offerings have you well covered. Though not in the city proper, just over its limits in Boylston, awaits the newly renamed New England Botanical Gardens at Tower Hill. I reached out to Tower Hill to learn some more about their winter holiday programming. Grace Elton, CEO of the gardens was able to speak to one of the season’s most awaited offerings, Night Lights. Of course, aside from this particular event, the NEBGTH calendar for the month of December is brimming with lots of other more minor holiday events, including holiday inspired visual arts workshops, wreath making and of course the treasure trove that is the Garden Shop for some holiday shopping. Not far from Mechanics Hall there lies yet another historic and culturally relevant institution, known as Preservation Worcester. An organization committed to maintaining the integrity of Worcester’s historic architecture, Preservation Worcester hosts Holiday events that incorporate their mission. Now that the dust has settled after their move from the Cedar Street office to their headquarters at the Salisbury House, the Holiday Stroll event is also returning, though it’ll be a bit reimagined this year. There is, of course, one other place where some of the best local vendors cluster for holiday shoppers, and that is the StART at the Station winter market. Taking place in its original setting, Worcester’s majestic Union Station, this year the market will be back with a vengeance. Local artists will set up their tables once more in the great hall on December 4th, from 9-5, inviting anyone looking for well made, and beautiful gifts during this giving season. I admit this is my favorite event, and favorite iteration of stART, and look forward to it every year. This year in continuation of the 15th year celebration, there will be a few more surprises added, as well as a coffee lounge complete with live music and a few live performances. Around here, December is no slouch. There is a real hum of excitement in our growing city only enhanced by the fact that the cold weather hasn’t set in yet, and the sting of our pandemic days has started to fade. I hope whoever you are and wherever you are, that Worcester’s embarrassment of riches brightens this darkest month of the year.

https://thepulsemag.com/2022/12/heart-and-home-for-the-holidays

Every fall semester at St. John’s University, I have the students in my Honors Introduction to Philosophy class read, write about and discuss Viktor E. Frankl’s book “Man’s Search for Meaning” (A Clarion Book Published by Simon and Schuster, 1959, Revised Edition, 1962, pp. 146). If there is anyone reading this column who has not read Frankl’s book, I strongly encourage them to read it. When I discuss the book with my students, I marvel at Frankl’s insights. I learn with the students. One reason that I make the book required reading is that I am trying to help the students become more aware how much they control what is going on in their lives at the present moment, and also how much and to what extent they have some control over their future. Another reason is that I want the students to think seriously about the mystery of love, and to profit from Frankl’s insights into the mystery. The course leads up to a consideration of the mystery of love and I want them to seriously reflect on whether they agree or disagree with Frankl’s reflections on the mystery of love. The first part of “Man’s Search for Meaning” is about Frankl’s experiences in a concentration camp during the Second World War. I know that there are several books about experiences in concentration camps. For people who are willing to think about what it means to be human, and for those who are ready to think seriously about what philosophy can tell us about ourselves, the book can be both illuminating and inspiring. I think that Frankl presents some profound truths about the mystery of being human, truths that can even deepen a person’s religious faith. While in the camp, Frankl noticed that the prisoners who died had given up all hope, that they had no meaning in their lives that might help them stay alive. He found that those who survived had some meaning, some hope for the future and this enabled them to survive in spite of terrible suffering. “… any attempt to restore a man’s inner strength in the camp had first to succeed in showing him some future goal. Nietzsche’s words, ‘He who has a why to live for can bear with almost any how,’ could be the guiding motto for all psychotherapeutic and psycho-hygienic efforts regarding prisoners…. There are problems in everyone’s life, including those who are in their first year of college. I hope that when the students in my class see the problems and obstacles that Frankl and others experienced in a concentration camp, they will be motivated to be responsible and motivated to deal maturely with their own problems and projects. Though what can happen between the lover and the beloved is quite mysterious, I think that what Frankl has written is profoundly true. If I wish to know someone as deeply as possible, I must love that person. There is no other way to know someone as deeply as possible. I think that loving liberates the lover to see what those who do not love do not see. Not only do those who are loved benefit from the gift of love, but also the person who makes the gift of love – the lover, benefits. Through loving, the lover fulfills his or her vocation, which is to be gift-giver. This is the basic vocation of every person.

https://thetablet.org/rediscovering-a-classic-novel/?gated=true

HomeSportsHornets head coach criticizes team's defensive effort after loss: 'There is no... the The Charlotte Hornets are bad and his head coach isn’t happy with the effort. In his second stint as head coach at Charlotte, Steve Clifford overcame his team’s defensive effort following a 141-134 overtime. loss to the Detroit Pistons. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford speaks with LaMelo Ball during a game against the Detroit Pistons on December 14, 2022 at the Spectrum Center in Charlotte, North Carolina. Wednesday’s loss to the Pistons was the sixth straight for Charlotte, leaving the Hornets at 7-21 on the season. It was the fourth straight game in which Charlotte had allowed at least 119 points. Sixers head coach Doc Rivers and Steve Clifford of the Charlotte Hornets speak at the Wells Fargo Center on December 11, 2022 in Philadelphia. The Hornets allowed six Pistons players to score in double figures, leaving Charlotte 25th in the standings. NBA defensive rating. “What I just told them is you either build a game that’s really going to work at the end of the year when you play the big games, or you don’t,” Clifford continued. “That’s it. That’s what the NBA is all about. Hornets head coach Steve Clifford during a Washington Wizards game at the Spectrum Center on December 2, 2022, in Charlotte, North Carolina. “It’s not that we don’t have the talent to do it. All we care about is scoring. That’s it. And if you’re going to try to play like that, you better have like five All-Stars. And we don’t have that kind of talent. “. Clifford is in his first year as the Hornets’ head coach after spending the last three years in orlando. He was also the head coach of Charlotte from 2013 to 2018.

https://thetrendy24.com/sports/hornets-head-coach-criticizes-teams-defensive-effort-after-loss-there-is-no-bright-spot/

Why would the proposal for a second $600 stimulus check be successful? Legislators are negotiating a smaller economic stimulus package. America’s top legislators are looking at a smaller economic stimulus package that could be delivered this month and a larger package by 2021. Negotiations on a new package to help the country cope with the coronavirus pandemic have been held up by the difference between the legislators. Approval of a second stimulus check of up to $600 for those who are eligible this year and a new economic stimulus package that includes direct aid could return to the congressional conversation after President-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20. There is growing support in Washington to pass a second stimulus check, including President Donald Trump’s proposal that is pushing Republicans in the Senate to send a $600 payment by the end of the year. In case Congress cannot agree on a direct payment before the end of December, Biden and Congressional Democrats have committed to reviewing a broader economic stimulus package for the pandemic that could come after the results of the January 5 runoff in the Georgia Senate that will define which political party will have control in the Senate. If a second payment of a smaller stimulus check becomes a reality in this last month of the year, it could suggest an economic stimulus package that would include a new payment in 2021 since there is a strong commitment by some legislators. What prevents a direct payment? The bipartisan $908 billion proposal says a stimulus payment could cost too much. In late March, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) began sending out 160 million payments totaling $270 billion, a budget that represents approximately 30 percent of the bipartisan proposal. As of September, the IRS was still looking for more than 9 million people to whom it still owed the first CARES Act stimulus payment, further raising the total cost. If the legislators reach an agreement by including another $280 billion in the bipartisan proposal, it would bring it to more than $1 trillion, which is higher than the Republicans’ proposal. Without an economic package, the last federal aid will expire on December 31, allowing limited protection for tens of millions of Americans who are fed and living under a roof for fear of eviction for lack of payment.

https://theunemployment.org/stimulus-check/why-would-the-proposal-for-a-second-600-stimulus-check-be-successful/

Russia discussed the creation of an integrated infrastructure for the Northern Sea Route. #ARCTIC. #SIBERIA. THIS IS TAIMYR. Russian president Vladimir Putin has set a goal to increase the volume of traffic along the Northern Sea Route to 80 million tons per year by 2024. For implementation, the government adopted a plan for the development of the NSR until 2035, which includes more than 150 events. Among them there are the icebreaker fleet expansion and modernization, the port infrastructure renewal, the safety and ships navigation provision, and the creation of an Arctic satellite constellation. “In the current situation, when a significant part of cargo flows has turned to the east, the Northern Sea Route plays a strategic role for the development of the country’s economy: it can take part of the cargo from the Eastern range and thus improve economic results. The Northern Sea Route should become the second global transport corridor, taking part of the cargo from the Suez Canal, because it is much shorter”, said Yury Trutnev, presidential envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District, during a meeting at the Vostochny cosmodrome on the creation of an Arctic satellite constellation for the safety of navigation along the Northern Sea Route. “We are facing an ambitious and at the same time very interesting task – to create a comprehensive infrastructure for the Northern Sea Route”. Earlier, This Is Taimyr reported about how warming affects navigation in the Arctic and why it is important for navigation in the North to study ice.

https://thisistaimyr.org/news/northern-sea-route-to-become-second-global-transport-corridor/

Dixie is a classic and majestic armchair that invites the user to enjoy its superior comfort. Dixie has foam in the back and seats, as well as two options for the legs: metal or oak (in seven different colours). In addition, Dixie is also available with two seats, so the family don’t need to fight over the living room ‘throne’. Dixie also comes with a footstool in the same materials as the armchair.

https://top-line.dk/en/chairs/dixie

Is cellular manufacturing right for your business? In the decades following the popularization of lean manufacturing, there have been dozens of strategies and methodologies developed to minimize waste and optimize production processes. One of the standout applications of the lean philosophy is just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing – a practice that allows manufacturers to make enough products for the current market demand, minimizing waste caused by overproduction. Some businesses take this approach even further by instituting cellular manufacturing to maximize productivity within a just-in-time framework. This type of manufacturing allows businesses to speed up production because the production stations are staged next to each other in convenient set-ups, facilitating smoother workflow. In this post, we’ll dive into cellular manufacturing and discuss the pros and cons of this lean strategy and which industries it is most well-suited for. Cellular manufacturing is a production process involving workstations and equipment set up in a convenient sequence, enabling products to move through the manufacturing process with maximum velocity while minimizing waste and logistical effort. Cellular manufacturing is most commonly used in a discrete assembly environment, where items pass through the cells one at a time. This differs from most process manufacturing environments like pharmaceuticals or food and beverage where products are created in batches as opposed to being individually assembled. With cellular manufacturing, each production cell is a uniquely self-sufficient production unit. In many environments instituting cellular manufacturing, workflows are arranged such that the previous station’s output is the input for the next one. However, in some instances, a cell may assemble finished products from start to finish. Digitize your lean manufacturing practices, collect and analyze data in real-time, and remove communication barriers. Cellular manufacturing descends from the concept of group technology – a production technique that involves identifying and grouping similar parts to leverage the similarities in design and production. Mechanical engineer Ralph Flanders originated the concept in the United States in the mid-1920s. In the 1970s, Japanese manufacturers adopted this production method as an outgrowth of lean manufacturing, refining it to improve workflows and reduce waste in a factory setting. Reduced lead times: Cellular manufacturing reduces lead times by streamlining assembly processes and cutting down on set-up times. Furthermore, in this form of manufacturing, each part is processed entirely within a single cell, reducing the traveling distance and time required to move materials and components. This allows manufacturers to fulfill orders more quickly, increasing customer satisfaction and reducing waste associated with work in progress. Improved communication: Workers in a cell are close to each other physically, making it easy for communication within the group. This is particularly evident in U-shaped cell layouts. Clear communication allows workers to remain on schedule. At the same time, it enables easy identification of problems during production. Better product quality: Improved communication provides workers with quick feedback regarding quality defects and other events. This enables operators to more easily identify the source of quality issues, eliminating defects from moving downstream to other cells. Reduced production costs: At the heart of cellular manufacturing and other lean manufacturing methods is reducing waste and increasing efficiency. Cellular manufacturing consists of reduced set-up time, material handling, and streamlined workflows. As a result, manufacturing businesses minimize production costs. Production bottlenecks: Because products flow through separate dedicated cells sequentially as they’re being assembled, an issue at a single cell can create a bottleneck, preventing products from moving to subsequent production cells. Poor cell design and layout: Poor cell design can result in significant underutilization of shop-floor space. This can be especially problematic in facilities where certain production processes can only be performed in certain areas of the factory. In these scenarios, cellular manufacturing might make less sense compared to production processes that enable operators to assemble products in a relatively confined space. Complicated resource planning: Resource utilization and workflow planning can become challenging for businesses adopting a new layout and production strategy. In many cases, the existing systems on the shop floor might not be configured for the new workflows, and changing the systems to adapt to the change in production flow can potentially be challenging and resource-intensive. At Tulip, we advocate for flexible, no-code manufacturing systems that enable businesses to change and configure their digital solutions to more easily adapt to changes in business processes. Ultimately, when it comes to deciding whether cellular manufacturing is right for you, it’s really going to depend on the nature of your production processes and the resources needed to assemble your parts. For basic, discrete assemblies, cellular manufacturing offers significant benefits and allows for more efficient workflows with less waste. The same holds true for companies looking to partake in just-in-time manufacturing. Cellular manufacturing reduces work-in-progress significantly to free up resources for other parts of the business. Regardless of the shop floor layout that you choose for your specific needs, it’s important to implement the right digital tools to collect data and track production from beginning to end. Many of the leading manufacturers trust Tulip to connect the people, machines, and devices across their operations, allowing them to digitize operator workflows, streamline data collection, and track the KPIs that matter most for their business. If you’re interested in learning how Tulip can help increase efficiency across your operations, reach out to a member of our team today! See how a system of apps can help keep processes lean with a free trial of Tulip.

https://tulip.co/blog/cellular-manufacturing/

Through Argentina Vs Australia match, a lot of things could heppen, check it out. The Argentinian soccer team plays against Australia in the Fifa World Cup 2022. It’s an important match for the team as they try to qualify for the tournament. It’s also a crucial match for the fans of both teams. They’ll be able to watch the game live and get all the score updates and news from the competition. Despite losing to Saudi Arabia in their opening game, Argentina has won three consecutive games. The South American side recovered to beat Poland 2-0 and Mexico 2-0. Argentina will face Australia in the second round of 16 matches of the 2022 World Cup. The winners will face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals. Argentina’s starting lineup has a couple of changes. Angel Di Maria is injured in the previous match and will sit out today. Gonzalo Montiel could replace Nicolas Tagliafico. However, there are reports that Di Maria is still short of full fitness. Argentina has struggled to create many chances against Australia. They have yet to be able to make much of the space they have created in the final third. However, they have been able to keep the ball for the last few minutes. Argentina has won Group C. They beat Poland 2-0 in their last group match. Argentina also beat Mexico 2-0 in the second group game. The team is looking to win its third Jules Rimet trophy. It will also be Argentina’s sixth World Cup appearance. The Socceroos have yet to make it out of the first eight in World Cup history. However, they have kept two clean sheets in a row. They will look to make it to the quarterfinals for the first time. Argentina has only ever lost one match against Australia. However, it was an embarrassing defeat in 2006. Australia won 1-0 in 2006. Earlier this year, Argentina defeated Australia in the playoffs. Argentinian football fans are up on their feet as they look forward to their team’s next match. Argentina is currently sitting atop Group C with a two-point lead. They have already beaten Mexico 2-0 and Poland 2-0 in their last two matches. Australia is second in Group D, losing to France in their opening fixture. Socceroos have a difficult task ahead of them. But they can get an equalizer and push on for the second goal. Argentina has the lead in the game and will look to keep the pressure on Australia. They have the ball in the first 12 minutes. But Australia has been defensive and hasn’t had much to offer in the first 20 minutes. Argentina will be looking for a win to keep their World Cup trophy hopes alive. The Socceroos are a tough nut to crack but have managed two clean sheets in a row. They also can score the goal to tie the game. The last time Argentina and Australia met was the Bicentennial Gold Cup in 1988. The Socceroos came to the stadium hoping for an upset. Argentina drew 1-1 in the first leg, which left Argentinian fans disappointed. Argentina’s juggernaut has been rolling along all tournament long, but the Socceroos have had their chance to turn things around. Australia can win its first game against Argentina in the World Cup and take a step closer to making the quarterfinals. Argentine and Australian teams have beaten each other in all but two previous matches. But the Aussies may have a chance to spoil Argentina’s party when the two sides meet in the quarterfinals of the 2022 World Cup. The match between Argentina and Australia is scheduled for Sunday, 4 December, in Qatar. The game will start at 02:00 AEDT local time. The winner will advance to the quarterfinals and play the Netherlands. Argentina has won back-to-back matches over Mexico and Poland, while Australia has lost both games. Argentina is looking to qualify for the quarterfinals for the fourth time in five World Cups, while Australia has never reached the quarterfinals in five previous tournaments. Australia has never beaten Argentina at a World Cup, though it has twice won 1-0 matches. The two teams have never played in a World Cup tournament before, but the two teams met in the 1993 Intercontinental playoff match. Argentina has won two World Cups, while Australia has won one. Argentina is looking for its third World Cup title, while Australia hopes to upset the odds and qualify for the first time in five tournaments for the quarterfinals. Argentina’s opening match against Saudi Arabia was a surprisingly shaky performance. The side squandered a chance to take the lead before a goal from Diego Maradona made the score 1-0. But the match ended with Argentina scoring the first goal of the knockout rounds of the World Cup, courtesy of Lionel Messi. Argentines have won Group C and will face Australia in the last sixteen of the World Cup. The two sides will kick off the match at 2:00 pm ET. The Socceroos have never qualified for the quarterfinals of the World Cup. They lost their opening game to Saudi Arabia and are looking to get back to winning ways. Argentina hasn’t lost in three games. They beat Mexico 2-0 and Poland 2-0. Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said after Argentina beat Poland 2-0 that they aren’t the favorites to win the tournament. However, he admitted that Australia has recently been tough to beat. Despite this, he’s still happy with the team’s performance. Australia’s Jackson Irvine has just earned his first yellow card of the game. Enzo Fernandez fouls him just outside the center circle. The referee shows him the card. The Socceroos have started the game on the front foot but have yet to threaten the goal. Australia has had long spells on the ball in the last few minutes. But Argentina needs to be pressing consistently. They’re waiting for a mistake. Argentina’s Papu Gomez has an ambitious effort outside the box. But his shot misses the target. The Socceroos have two blocks of four behind the ball. Argentina’s Julian Alvarez is in the box and getting close. Australia’s Matt Ryan makes a mistake, and Alvarez takes advantage. He side-foots the ball into the net. Defending World Cup champions Argentina will face Australia in a round-of-16 clash in 2022. The teams will face off at the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Rayan. Argentina has won two of the last three games. They beat Mexico 2-0 in the group stage and Poland 2-0 in the knockout stage. Australia responded with 1-0 wins over Tunisia and Denmark. They lost to France in their opening game but qualified for the knockout round. The two teams last played each other over 17 years ago. In their last competitive meeting, Argentina beat the Socceroos 4-2. Argentina also beat Australia in the 1994 World Cup playoff. The last time Argentina won a World Cup final was in 1990. They also lost to the eventual champions Italy in 2006. Argentina has a lot to prove. They are still chasing Lionel Messi’s dream of winning a World Cup for the first time. This could be the perfect opportunity for him to show off his talents. Argentina is playing a more methodical game than Australia. They’re putting more effort into the flanks and looking to make the most of their chances. Australia is getting a little out of the box, but it is starting to grow into the game. Argentina is a big favorite for this match, but Australia is also not playing badly. They’ve been solid in shape. Australia will look to get more shots on goal and open up more when searching for an equalizer. Despite a win over Tunisia, Australia suffered a shock defeat to Argentina at the World Cup. The Socceroos have failed to reach the quarterfinals in all four of the last World Cups. This time, they were outplayed for most of the match and lost 2-1. Argentina had been looking to make their way back to the top of Group C after losing their opening match to Saudi Arabia. The Socceroos were also coming off a 1-0 win over Denmark in their group. Messi scored his first goal of the tournament. The Argentine playmaker slalomed past three defenders on a 40-meter dribble. He then unleashed a left-footed curl shot past Mat Ryan. The shot was just wide of the top corner. Argentina went on to win Group C. They also beat Mexico and Poland. They lost to Denmark and Germany in the last two World Cups. In the previous two tournaments, Argentina finished as the runners-up. Argentina also has an advantage in the goalmouth department. The Socceroos have yet to have any significant chances in the first half. Argentina’s fans are singing loudly. The Argentine players are also more active than Australia. The fans are also cheering more. Australia did create some opportunities, but they needed the finishing touch to make it count. The Socceroos had an early chance when Aaron Mooy headed away a cross from Aaron Mooy. However, the shot went wide in the final seconds.

https://tvnewsnow.com/argentina-vs-australia/

Adele opens up about suffering from 'really bad' sciatica. What is the condition? The "Easy On Me" singer shared some personal details about her health during her Las Vegas residency. Adele got candid about her health over the weekend during a performance at her Las Vegas residency. The 34-year-old singer told her New Year's Eve "Weekends With Adele" audience on Saturday that her ability to walk has been affected, as she handed out merchandise T-shirts to her fans. "I have to waddle these days as I have really bad sciatica," she said as she moved across the stage at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace, according to Cosmopolitan. It's not the first time the "Easy On Me" and "Hello" singer has opened up about her health issues. In an interview with The Face published in November 2021, the U.K.-born singer explained some of the health problems she's experienced since she was a teenager. "I slipped my first disc when I was 15 from sneezing. I was in bed and I sneezed and my fifth one flew out," she told the London-based publication. "In January [2021], I slipped my sixth one, my L6. And then where I had a C‑section, my core was useless. I've been in pain with my back for half of my life, really. My Health Alberta explains sciatica as "pain, tingling or numbness" caused by an irritation of the root nerves that lead to the sciatic nerve. More specifically, the sciatic nerve is formed by the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord into the lower back, radiating through the buttock and then branching down the back of the leg to the ankle and foot. The two sciatic nerves — one on each side of the lower body — are the longest in the human nervous system, though people with sciatica usually only feel pain on one side. The most common cause of sciatica is a bulging or ruptured disc — also called a herniated disc — in the spine. Several conditions and lifestyle habits can increase your risk for sciatica. Being overweight, lacking strong core muscles, smoking, leading an inactive lifestyle and diabetes can all increase your risk. Jobs that require heavy lifting or sitting for prolonged periods can also lead to lower back problems, which may increase your risk of sciatica. The main symptom of sciatica includes pain that radiates through the buttock and down the back of the thigh and leg. That pain can also change from a shooting or burning sensation, to a sharp or dull feeling, as well as a non-stop or intermittent throb. Numbness and weakness in your lower back, buttock, leg or feet may also occur when you have sciatica. You might also feel "pins and needles," or pain that worsens with movement. Many cases of sciatica will go away with time. Treatment of the condition should focus on alleviating pain and increasing mobility, whether that's with medication, physiotherapy, massage therapy or stretching. To prevent sciatica, it's recommended to avoid sleeping on your stomach, stand whenever possible, sit in chairs with firm back support and ensure your feet are flat on the floor while sitting. You should also exercise regularly and practice proper posture while lifting objects.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/adele-sciatica-condition-explainer-195259231.html

Leeds is developing a reputation as an “anti-car city”, a councillor has claimed, after it emerged local drivers could be hit with more charges in future. Conrad Hart-Brooke, Liberal Democrat councillor for Rothwell, said he backed ambitions to get people out of private vehicles, but that they needed “carrots” before “sticks”. A senior member of the administration insisted the council was not “anti-car” but that charges could be a “silver bullet” to improve air quality. Leeds City Council is targeting a 30 per cent cut in the number of local journeys being taken by car by 2030, as part of its pledge to make the city carbon neutral. To achieve this, it’s trying to develop so-called ’20-minute neighbourhoods’, where people can get to everywhere they need on foot, by bike or via public transport. But as part of a presentation to the council’s climate emergency advisory committee on Monday, councillors were told that “charging measures to reduce demand for travel” by car could be considered in future years. Responding to that, Councillor Hart-Brooke said: “I worry when I see things like that, because ultimately charging and adding costs in disadvantages the poor in our society, disproportionately. “It’s not the guy in the 4 x 4 or the Volvo who won’t drive, they’ll pay whatever. “All it does is hurts the people who need access to the city. He added: “We really need to get the options stood up that are carrots, before we go in with the sticks. Bus and train services in and around Leeds have been stretched to breaking point since the pandemic, with bus operators in particular cutting routes due to a driver shortage. Meanwhile, Leeds City Council has already come under attack in recent weeks for its plans to charge drivers for parking at parks and green spaces around the city. It’s not believed there are any more specific proposals to charge Leeds motorists being developed at this stage. But clean air zones, toll roads and pricier city centre parking are all examples of policies that have been put in place elsewhere to discourage driving. Leeds was due to have a clean air zone introduced in 2020, but that was scrapped after local taxi drivers and bus companies switched to greener vehicles before it was introduced. Responding to Coun Hart-Brooke, Councillor Helen Hayden, the council’s executive member for climate, said: “There will be people who accuse us of being anti-car. “The strategy is for Leeds to be a place where you don’t need a car, and that will benefit the poorest the most because they don’t have cars at the moment, yet they suffer five times more from air quality-related illnesses. “We’re not anti-car. (The ambition) is not ‘you shouldn’t have a car’. It’s ‘you don’t need a car’. Councillor Hayden said efforts were being made to improve public transport, install more cycle ways and make walking and biking “easier and safer”. Everything you need to know about low emission zones in four Scottish cities, as Glasgow drivers prepare for the ban on some vehicles to be enforced in June.

https://uk.news.yahoo.com/leeds-developing-reputation-anti-car-050000579.html

Saving Private Ryan is a 1998 American epic war film directed by Steven Spielberg and written by Robert Rodat. The film is set during the invasion of Normandy in World War II, and follows United States Army Rangers Captain John H. Miller (Tom Hanks) and a squad as they search for a paratrooper, Private First Class James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon), who is the last-surviving brother of four servicemen. The film received overwhelming acclaim, with critics praising its cinematography, acting, and historical accuracy. At the 71st Academy Awards, Saving Private Ryan won five awards, including Best Director for Spielberg and Best Picture. The film’s title is taken from the famous World War II address by then-U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself”. Saving Private Ryan is also the name of a popular World War II board game. In the game, one player takes on the role of the Allies, while the other player commands the Axis. The object of the game is for the Allies to rescue Private Ryan, while the Axis tries to stop them. 1 What is short quantity? 2 What’s a 9 letter word for a hired soldier? 3 What is a thin layered mineral? 4 What is a suffix with Congo? 5 What is common shortcut for quantity? 6 What is the full meaning of quantity? 7 What’s another name for a hired soldier? Short quantity is an inventory management term that means a business has run out of a particular product and does not have any more in stock. When a business experiences a short quantity, it typically means that it needs to find a new supplier for the product or find a way to produce more of it in-house. There are a few potential consequences of running out of a product. First, the business may experience a loss in sales as customers are unable to purchase the product they need. Second, the business may have to refund customers for products that were already purchased. Finally, the business may have to go out of business if it can’t find a new supplier or increase its production. Fortunately, there are a few things a business can do to prevent a short quantity. First, the business can forecast how much product it will need in the future and order accordingly. Second, the business can track its inventory levels and make sure it is not running low on any particular product. Finally, the business can work with its suppliers to ensure it always has a steady supply of the products it needs. A soldier is someone who is a member of an army. A hired soldier is someone who is hired to join an army, often as a mercenary. What is a thin layered mineral? A thin layered mineral is a mineral that occurs in thin layers or sheets. These minerals are usually found in sedimentary rocks, where they form from the deposition of mineral grains from water or air. Some common thin layered minerals include mica, chlorite, and graphite. Mica is a silicate mineral that occurs in thin sheets that can be split into very thin layers. It is found in a variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Mica has a variety of uses, including as an insulator and as a component of electrical equipment. Chlorite is a silicate mineral that also occurs in thin sheets. It is usually green in color and is found in a variety of igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. Chlorite is used in a variety of industries, including as a mineralizer in the production of cement and as a soil amendment. Graphite is a carbon mineral that occurs in thin sheets. It is a soft, black mineral that is used in a variety of industries, including as a lubricant, in the production of steel, and in the production of batteries. What is a suffix with Congo? A suffix is an extra letter or group of letters that is added to the end of a word to change its meaning or to form a new word. In English, suffixes are typically suffixes. In Congo, suffixes can be suffixes, prefixes, or infixes. Suffixes are typically added to the end of a word to change its meaning. For example, the suffix -less means without. So, the word helpless means without help. The suffix -ful means full of. Suffixes can also be used to form new words. For example, the suffix -ization means to make into. So, the word commercialization means to make into a commercial. The suffix -ity means the state of being. So, the word humidity means the state of being humid. In Congo, suffixes can also be used to change the tone of a word. For example, the suffix -za can be used to make a word sound happier. So, the word bikiza means very happy. The suffix -ka can be used to make a word sound more serious. So, the word mukaka means very serious. Prefixes are typically added to the beginning of a word to change its meaning. For example, the prefix un- means not. So, the word unkind means not kind. The prefix re- means again. So, the word rematch means to fight again. In Congo, prefixes can also be used to change the tone of a word. For example, the prefix ka- can be used to make a word sound more serious. So, the word kamuka means to be serious. The prefix za- can be used to make a word sound happier. So, the word zakaza means to be happy. Infixes are typically added to the middle of a word. For example, the infix -um- means in. So, the wordMinimum means in the minimum. The infix -en- means made of. So, the word shizen means made of nature. In Congo, infixes can also be used to change the tone of a word. For example, the infix -um- can be used to make a word sound more serious. So, the word mukumu means very serious. The infix -en- can be used to make a word sound happier. So, the word zenzen means very happy. What is common shortcut for quantity? To quickly add or subtract a number from a quantity, use the plus (+) or minus (-) signs. For example, to add 2 to a quantity, type +2, and to subtract 3 from a quantity, type -3. To multiply a quantity by a number, use an asterisk (*). For example, to multiply 5 by 2, type 5*2. To divide a quantity by a number, use a forward slash (/) symbol. For example, to divide 10 by 5, type 10/5. If you need to find the square root of a number, use the symbol √. For example, to find the square root of 25, type √25. These are just a few of the most common shortcuts for working with quantities. Be sure to explore the options available in your specific software or app to find the shortcuts that work best for you. What is the full meaning of quantity? Quantity is a measure of how much of something is present. It can be measured in terms of volume, mass, or length. Quantity is often used to describe how much of something is available. For example, a store may have a limited quantity of a particular item in stock. What’s another name for a hired soldier? A mercenary is someone who is paid to fight, usually in a foreign country. They can be hired by the government, or by a private individual or company. Most mercenaries are men, but there are some women who work as mercenaries as well. The history of mercenaries is long and complex. They have been used in wars and conflicts for centuries. Sometimes they are seen as heroes, and sometimes they are seen as villains. Today, mercenaries are still used in some parts of the world. They can be a controversial topic, as some people believe that they should not be allowed to fight in wars.

https://uptowncraftworks.com/saving-private-ryan-craft-abbreviation-crossword/

What is AARP Medicare Advantage? AARP Medicare Advantage is a voluntary program for people with Medicare. It gives you the choice of what, where and how you want your Medicare benefits covered. The program lets you choose from a number of plans and providers, all of which offer different coverage and cost-sharing options. AARP Medicare Advantage plans are a type of Medicare Advantage plan that is sponsored by the AARP. These plans are available to people who are enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Part B, and they offer the same benefits as other Medicare Advantage plans. The main difference between AARP Medicare Advantage plans and other Medicare Advantage plans is the cost. AARP members may be eligible for a discount on their monthly premium, and they may also be able to save on out-of-pocket costs such as copayments and coinsurance. HMOs: An HMO plan provides coverage for in-network care only. You will need to choose a primary care physician (PCP) from the plan’s network. The PCP will coordinate all of your healthcare services. In most cases, you will need a referral from your PCP to see a specialist. PPOs: A PPO plan also has an in-network provider network, but you can see out-of-network providers too. You do not need a PCP or referrals to see specialists, but you will pay more for out-of-network services. Private Fee-for-Service Plans: With this type of plan, you can go to any doctor or facility that accepts the plan’s payment terms as full payment. These plans typically have no network restrictions and no need for referrals to see specialists. Special Needs Plans: SNPs are designed specifically for people with certain chronic conditions, such as diabetes or heart failure; people who are eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid; or people who live in a nursing home. There are a lot of different things to consider when you are thinking about signing up for AARP Medicare Advantage. Here are some of the pros and cons that you should keep in mind before making your decision. One of the biggest pros of signing up for AARP Medicare Advantage is that you will have access to a wide network of doctors and hospitals. This can be extremely helpful if you need to see a specialist or if you have an emergency. Another pro is that you will have prescription drug coverage included in your plan. There are also a few cons to signing up for AARP Medicare Advantage. One of the biggest cons is that you will have to pay a monthly premium. This can be difficult to afford if you are on a fixed income. Another con is that you may have to pay more for some services than you would if you had Original Medicare. – Make sure the plan covers the doctors and hospitals you use most. – Check to see if your prescriptions are covered and what kind of coverage is offered. – Compare the costs of each plan, including premiums, deductibles, and copayments. – Ask about extra benefits that may be included in some plans, such as dental or vision coverage. Once you’ve considered all of these factors, you’ll be able to choose the Medicare Advantage plan that’s right for you. If you are a Medicare Advantage enrollee or are thinking about enrolling in one of these plans, it’s important to be aware of the pros and cons before making any decisions. These plans can offer some great benefits, but they also come with some potential drawbacks. Be sure to research all of your options carefully before enrolling in a plan to make sure it’s the right fit for you. What Is The Cambridge Diet Plan? How To Get Smile Teeth For Your Wedding Day: Here’s How?

https://usefultipsandtips.com/aarp-medicare-advantage-you-need-to-know/

For the 5th year in a row, The Sankofa Projects will host its annual International Day of Remembrance ceremony at Buckroe Beach. Remembrance honors the millions of African men, women and children who perished in the Middle Passage of the Transatlantic Enslavement Trade. The ceremony will take place on Saturday, June 11, 2016 at 11:00 a.m. at North 1st and Pilot Avenue beachside. Our sponsors for the third year are the Hampton History Museum and the City of Hampton Parks and Recreation. “For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade”, which is noted as “the largest forced migration in history, and undeniably one of the most inhumane” according to the United Nations. “Millions perished during the enslavement trade and the massacre which occurred in Middle Passage is one of the untold stories of American and global history. The Sankofa Projects is committed to telling this story at Remembrance and honoring the Africans who never made it off the enslavement ships alive,” says Chadra Pittman Walke, Founder and Executive Director of The Sankofa Projects. The tradition of Tributes to the Ancestors began in 1987 in Brooklyn, NY and was spearheaded by author and activist Toni Cade Bambara. Since then, Tributes and Remembrances occur across the United States and internationally. “Noting the historical significance of Hampton as the birth place of slavery in North America and where the seeds of freedom were sown with the "Contraband Decision, I felt it was imperative to start a tradition of Remembrance in the city of Hampton. We talk about the beginning and the end of slavery, but what about the middle? That middle story has not been a part of the conversation nor has it been reflected adequately in the narratives around enslavement. In 2012, The Sankofa Projects began that conversation with our 1st ceremony at Buckroe Beach,” says Pittman Walke. Remembrance is an opportunity for the Hampton Roads community and beyond to learn about this neglected and untold history, honor the lives that perished and celebrate cultural traditions of the African diaspora. Traditional African drumming, dance, theatrical presentations, poetry, meditation, song and traditional African spiritual systems of Kemet and Yoruba will be expressed. At 12:00 noon, an International Libation will be orchestrated by Baba Orimalade Ogunjimi of Ile Nago, which will occur simultaneously across the United States and internationally in Brooklyn, New York, Montgomery, Alabama, Charleston, South Carolina; St. Croix, Virgin Islands and internationally in Panama, Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa and Brazil. Attendees are encouraged to wear white or African attire. We remind attendees to bring beach chairs and umbrellas to shade. You may bring fresh flowers and fruit for the offering. This event is free and open to the public; however we ask that all respect the sanctity of this sacred and historic event.

https://va-hampton2.civicplus.com/CivicAlerts.aspx?AID=1844&ARC=3090

Being an activist and feminist is no easy task. Both are seen in a derogatory sense in so many places, and Colombia is no exception. With the longest-standing internal armed conflict in the region only adding to women’s fight for emancipation, there is also the task of denouncing a social system that has given advantages to men to the detriment of women, opposing the conditions of inequality, discrimination and different forms of violence, has put women at risk on many occasions. I have been working as a social facilitator for more than 20 years in a context that was not designed for us. In my work, I provide tools for women so that they can learn to simply be real, human women. And since gender equality and equity is not only a “women’s issue,” I always invite men to join these initiatives. Men are not the problem; the problem is patriarchy, sexism, and male domination—and it’s on all of us to transform these realities. My personal experience has been based mainly in the Colombian Caribbean and in the department of Cundinamarca. Having the opportunity to work in favour of women and girls has been a gratifying experience because I have been able to work with women and girls of all ages: from pre-school children to older women, going through all social strata and levels of education. I have been a guest lecturer in both public and private universities in the Colombian cities of Valledupar, Bogotá, and Bucaramanga, as well as in conferences for women from the Colombian National Army, and female students training for the Police Force. Knowing the Caribbean region and its particularities, the first exercise I carried out was for women and girls to actually recognise that violence was exercised against them, and that this is not acceptable — even though it is normalised by society; To recognise their bodies as their own property; To acknowledge the preconceptions that we have— whether about work, family, domestic and care responsibilities, vulnerability, and self-care — from a gender perspective; To acknowledge human life and dignity as fundamental values, and education as a fundamental tool for personal and community development. And so, I began my intervention. I carried out a census in my own way to find out how many illiterate women there were in the municipality, and I found there were many of them, often very young women with large families. It was a concern for me that in 2001, this was the reality. At that time, there was no validation for literacy or primary education via evening classes for adults. I looked for a way for a public educational institution to support me in making these women literate. It was not difficult to find support or to agree on an evening class schedule that was convenient for all of them. Everything was going well, but we hit an impasse: some of them did not have the approval of their husbands to study. I went from house to house to talk to each of their husbands and I found the fear that they had, which was that their partners would be unfaithful to them or leave them when they were educated. But that was not the only reason. Their insecurity also lay in the fact that they were also illiterate… I invited them to study, but they did not accept. However, I achieved my goal, which was to make the women literate. I am convinced that social change is made by all of us. We managed to graduate 25 women and 2 men from 5th grade of primary school. I will never forget that celebration and we danced (very animatedly) to the song “Bajo el Palo de Mango” by Diomedes Díaz! The change in these women is gratifying, because when you educate one woman you change her home – and if you educate many, you can change a community. Women were also empowered to be economically independent and to understand that their worth did not depend on their husband’s surname. Thus, several of them built their own houses with productive backyards (with chickens, turkeys, pigs—and in some cases vegetables) and small businesses, among which I remember one of “materas” and “bateas” (mobile washing receptacles that can be easily moved to where it was necessary to take them, due to the scarcity of water in the region). I conducted training sessions for women, men, and adolescents on issues of visibility, awareness, and eradication of violence against women and knowledge of their sexual and reproductive rights. With adolescent women and men, we raised awareness around the importance of education and care for the environment, carrying out tree-planting campaigns in the municipality. We also addressed the importance of self-care for full human development as an exercise of freedom. My work fills me with emotion because I see my students’ growth: becoming women who do not let their rights be violated, and adolescents who are clear about their goals. I still have contact with many of them and I am delighted to know that the seed I sowed continues to bear fruit. In my advocacy, it is clear to me that contributing to peace in Colombia is not the responsibility of the government in power. On the contrary, it is contributing to the construction of peace for which no one feels responsible, and which we build on a day-to-day basis. It is a commitment to the Colombia that we deserve, with a civil society that educates its children by example, and our behaviour and attitudes are proof of the change. Peace is built with daily actions. I recognise myself as a feminist, because “feminists are not born, they are made”, so says Gloria Jean Watkins, better known by her pseudonym Bell Hooks, with whom I fully agree. Feminism gives us transformative tools. It is a place of meeting and generational exchange, where we encourage critical thinking, where we have achieved great and small daily revolutions—both collectively and individually—and today, I’ve shared mine. Imagine a new world that is growing every day, where we realise that we are not alone. Beatriz Ramírez David is a columnist in “Mundo en femenino” (“the Feminine World”) in the digital magazine Panorama Cultural, an initiative that promotes equality and the full integration of women. She has more than 20 years of experience as a facilitator and consultant on gender issues, women’s empowerment, equal rights, and social work with communities at high risk of vulnerability. Beatriz is also an international speaker and panelist on gender, women, social inclusion, and peacebuilding, Ambassador for Women Leading Latin America, Global Ambassador NERDS RULE INC, Founder of Fundación Unidas: Mujeres Construyendo Tejido Social, Co-founder of the ¡Párala Ya! network, International Coordinator of the Women’s Empowerment Commission at OMIS, and Global Director of the Commission for the Promotion of Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women and Girls of Global Compact Women Leaders. Please start by telling us a little bit about yourself...

https://womenindev.com/what-im-struggling-with-being-a-feminist-activist-in-latin-america/

Jamal Mohammed is committed to not repeating what he calls the "mistakes" of previous migrants to Australia in their struggle to build a new life. "They were busy earning dollars, but they were totally distracted from their kids' development," he says. "If we are not engaging the kids, if you are not engaging the youth, there is a possibility of them getting into extremism." For Jamal, the antidote lies at the local cricket club in Melbourne's outer west. "We are worried about extremism," he says. "It's easy for them to get into. You can't control social media. If you don't engage them in a sporting or any activity, they have that spare time to get distracted and go to that side." And through the creation of a new all-girls cricket team, both he and his 14-year-old daughter Mairaj have found another surprising benefit — a link to an Australian identity. To Australians from a non-Muslim background, Jamal's fear of kids being lured into religious extremism might sound jarring — even hard to believe. But he's deadly serious. In recent weeks, the problem has been brought into even sharper focus with the plight of Islamic State widows and children stranded in Syria. Jacinta Carroll, a counter-terrorism expert at the Australian National University's National Security College, says it's a genuine concern in Australian Muslim communities. "It's their kids who are targeted online to join groups like Islamic State," she says. "While the average parent might be worried their kids are up all night playing violent video games, or dabbling in drugs and drinking too much, Muslim communities have that extra fear." As Mairaj was approaching her teenage years, Jamal began to think about setting up a girls' junior team at the Truganina Cricket Club, where he and his friends play. But at first, he had to push back against resistance from other parents in his community. "When we started this girls' cricket, people told us, 'No. My girl is not for this,'" he says. "There is a perception in the community for girls that at 10 or 12, no more education for them, sit at home, get married. That's it. "Our clear message to them was: 'We are Australians. You have moved to this country, you accepted the values, you took an oath'. "So be Australian in a real way, stopping any girl from participating is a 'back home' mentality. That has to change." On Monday, the team played its first home game of the new season. To celebrate, there was an Indian feast, and a line of proud parents on the boundary — including Jamal's wife, Asra, who coaches the girls. For her, this team is about giving her daughter and her friends a sense of belonging to the country they were born in. "We are migrants, but our kids are Australian," she says. "They need to connect to the wider community. Cricket is a very good medium for them to do that — and for the wider community to connect to us." Indian migration to Australia is surging. Last year, India leapfrogged New Zealand into third place on the list of source countries, behind China and England. India is predicted to overtake China into second place by 2031. In Melbourne, migrants like Jamal and Asra landed in the outer-western suburbs like Tarneit and Truganina. Ms Carroll says having those connections to broader society is crucial for the sons and daughters of new migrants — particularly those from Muslim backgrounds. "The propaganda from extremist groups aimed at these kids is not actually about violence. It's about identity, about who they feel they are. And it's very effective," she says. The ABC's Australia Talks National Survey found non-white Australians ranked themselves lower on a scale of how Australian they feel than white Australians. Overall, Australians gave themselves 8 out of 10 on how Australian they feel, whereas non-white Australians ranked themselves a 7.3 and recent migrants gave themselves 6.5. As well as feeling less Australian, non-white Australians thought others would perceive them as being less Australian. When asked how Australian others would rank them out of 10, non-white Australians gave themselves a 6.2 and recent immigrants gave themselves a 5.4. This is despite the fact Australians said being white and being born here were the least important attributes to being Australian. Ismail Mohammed, watching his daughter Zeenath play her first season with the Truganina team, admits he feels less Australian than his kids, who were born here. "I still feel there is a lot of cultural difference for me," he says. "But for my kids, when I look at them, I'm like — these guys are already Aussies. So there's no problem for them." Zeenath has been watching cricket on TV since she was small. Her favourite players are Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja, "Because he's Muslim", she says. "It relates to me. "It feels great to be Australian. Even though I have a Muslim background, I still live in a Western country. "I think everyone should have their opportunities. Everyone should be free to do what they want." And Zeenath desperately wanted to play cricket. But her mum — from a strict Islamic family — wasn't keen on the idea at first. "She was a bit concerned, saying, 'What are our family back home going to think?'" Ismail says. "I said, 'Well, times have changed'." Ismail speaks with a light Indian accent, and still laughs when he hears his daughters speaking in an Australian drawl. For Ismail, Jamal, and the other parents here, watching their girls take the cricket field is a symbol of everything they came to Australia for — and the hope they have for their children. "You're in such a great place, with a lot of opportunities," Ismail says. "It's up to you if you want to grab it. Go for your life. Simple as that."

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-10-23/aussie-muslims-turning-to-cricket-to-combat-radicalisation/11621844

There are many benefits to cross-docking and the best distribution software allows distributors to maximize these benefits. However, before launching into the benefits, it makes sense to clarify the term “cross-docking.” Common usage of the term cross-docking in the supply chain, refers to two different but similar processes. For some, cross-docking means getting goods in then immediately sending them out. Essentially the distributor’s warehouse is organized to support the immediate receiving, sorting, and, if necessary, re-packaging of goods from suppliers, then immediately sending the goods to customers, without ever taking the goods into inventory. For others, cross-docking is a misused but more common term that is synonymous with drop-shipping. Typically drop-shipping is used for items that the distributor doesn’t regularly stock or that are currently out of stock or for unusually large orders of a particular item. To drop-ship, the distributor takes the order from the customer and simultaneously issues a purchase order to the supplier (often the manufacturer), requesting the supplier to ship the item directly to the customer. The customer oftentimes does not know, nor cares, that the item came directly from the manufacturer and that the distributor just facilitated the transaction. In both of these cases, the distributor got all the benefits of not having to put the items into inventory. JIT systems originated in manufacturing but are now widely used in the supply chain. Through cross-docking, the distributor is, in effect, the JIT conduit between the supplier and the customer. In this article we’ll focus on the drop-shipping sense of the term cross-docking, but the observations are applicable to both meanings of cross-docking. fewer “touches” mean less risk of handling damage which translates to fewer returns and happier customers. Simply put, cross-docking saves time and money while improving customer satisfaction. Clearly, there are many advantages to this JIT or “no-inventory” model, but there are also potential problems, as well. With that in mind, here are seven great tips for cross-docking that will help you reap the most reward from the practice, while also avoiding the common pitfalls. Newly launched products whose future demand is difficult to quantify. For instance, if you’re a distributor, you may have customers ask you to have product cross-docked to them directly from the manufacturer. On the other hand, you may be the one drop-shipping directly to an end customer on behalf of a retailer. Depending on the type or types of cross-docking you choose to engage in, you’ll have to have different policies and rules in place to address the different scenarios. Spend some time defining and communicating your returns policies to your customers. For distributors who have product cross-docked from the manufacturer directly to their customers, one of the major downsides of cross-docking is a lower margin on products, because manufacturers often charge a convenience fee. However, because you don’t have to pay upfront for inventory that’s cross-docked, it means you use that working capital to offer a wider range of products. For instance, say you’re a distributor of restaurant equipment. Instead of offering just restaurant equipment to your customers because you have to pay upfront to inventory them, you can have your restaurant equipment cross-docked directly from the manufacturer which frees up capital you can use to inventory and sell restaurant furniture. In the end, although you end up with lower margins on the restaurant equipment, you have a larger product line, appeal to a wider customer base, and have more opportunities to make a profit. Another potential drawback of cross-docking is that you have less control over the inventory, and if you want to keep your customers happy, then it’s essential that you have measures in place to track products and orders. This can work in both ways: either the manufacturer is shipping directly to your customers, and the inventory never even enters your warehouse, or you’re drop-shipping directly to customers, and the inventory involved goes through different channels than your regular product line. In either case, it’s necessary to have a strategy in place that allows you to keep a close eye on your orders, your inventory, and your fulfillments. You need software for distribution companies that manages and tracks your inventory. These distribution software solutions can help you keep an eye on where products are, where they’re going, and when they arrive. Because of the lack of control during cross-docking, it’s important that you choose partners that you trust. Just as you want to have sturdier measures in place to track cross-docked product, so too, you want to carefully vet the manufacturers that you have drop-ship for you or the retailers that you drop-ship for. The main reason for this is that you are ultimately the one responsible for making sure that product gets where it needs to go, and customer dissatisfaction can seriously damage your reputation if you choose the wrong partners. For instance, say that you ask a manufacturer drop-ship a refrigerator to one of your customers. You’re relying on that partner not only to ship the item but also to ship the right item to the right customer, on time. That’s a lot of trust you’re putting into another business, and a vetting process will help you choose our partners wisely. Similarly, if you’re cross-docking on behalf of a retailer, you’re trusting that retailer to provide you with all the right information to ensure you get the right product to the right customer, on time. All of this requires software for distribution companies capable of tracking cross-docked or drop-shipped items. The best distribution software should also give you the ability to comprehensively manage linked special orders and POs and to easily send RFQs to multi-source products at the best prices and terms. How partners communicate with each other regarding inventory availability and stock-outs. Having in place strong business distribution software that allows all these issues to be configured correctly is critically important. Aside from profit, customer satisfaction is the main goal that you must keep in mind when making any business decision, because if the customer isn’t happy, then your business isn’t happy and won’t grow. And whether your customer is the retailer (where the manufacturer drop-ships) or the end consumer, then you must ensure that your cross-docking policies are clearly laid out and understandable for the customer. Otherwise, this could lead to confusion and disappointment, and possibly a returned product, lost sales, and a bad reputation for your business. Cross-docking can be a great way for businesses to sell products without having to spend time and money inventorying and warehousing them, but the practice must be done properly if you want to gain the most benefit. The key points to remember about cross-docking are that you have to choose the right products and the right type of cross-docking for your needs, and you must have clear strategies and policies in place to track and manage orders and expectations. Finally, your policies and strategies must be clear to all parties involved, including suppliers, retailers, and end consumers, because this is the only way to ensure that cross-docking will work for everybody and that your customers will be happy with the process. For more information about how ADS Solutions’ software for distribution companies facilitates cross-docking contact us today. We’d be happy to review your current cross-docking procedures and discuss whether our Accolent ERP software can help your distribution business.

https://www.adssolutions.com/blog/7-tips-for-cross-docking/

Indian financial markets witnessed two crucial reforms earlier this year. SEBI came out with a dedicated regulatory framework for special situation funds (SSFs). And, the RBI approved the new dual-structure bad bank, NARCL-IDRCL. Both these reforms are aimed at solving India’s bad debt problem. While the bad bank is an upgraded version of the existing asset restructuring companies (ARCs) model, the SSF is a relatively novel concept.

https://www.amsshardul.com/insight/why-special-situation-funds-are-necessary/

Last year, International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) sales in Brazil more than doubled to 9.5 million, up from 4 million in 2020. Atlas Renewable Energy takes a look at the trend, and explains what companies need to know before using I-RECs to meet their sustainability objectives. “We’re receiving an increasing number of enquiries from international and national companies with operations in Brazil about I-RECs,” says Felipe Maldonado, commercial analyst at Atlas Renewable Energy, which holds one of the largest solar energy portfolios in Brazil, with almost 1.6 GW of contracted projects. It recently became the first solar developer in the country to offer Brazilian RECs that foster all of the 17 United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals. “These enquiries fall into two main groups: companies that already understand I-RECs and want to purchase them, and those who are looking for guidance,” says Maldonado. He adds that companies are particularly interested in understanding how I-RECs can help them achieve their sustainability goals, and how they differ from other instruments such as carbon credits. Although it may be tempting for executives to think that simply purchasing I-RECs is enough to become “green”, this is far from the case. Numerous regulatory bodies around the world, from the Securities Exchange Commission in the United States to the Monetary Authority of Singapore, are cracking down on so-called corporate greenwashing, enforcing disclosure standards on environmental, social and governance (ESG) reports as vigorously as they uphold rules for other corporate reporting. There are no shortcuts here, but I-RECs should – and can – be used as part of a wider integrated climate action strategy. “The first step is to carry out a carbon inventory in order to find out the level of CO2 emissions your company is responsible for,” says Maldonado. Armed with this information, companies can then take steps to reduce their carbon footprint, through changes in production, transportation, and manufacturing practices, for example. For large electricity users, making the switch to renewables through a partnership with Atlas is an obvious way of slashing emissions. “Where I-RECs – and other instruments such as carbon credits – come in is for those emissions that are impossible to reduce,” explains Maldonado. Globally, the I-REC market is still at a relatively nascent stage, but demand is increasing as more and more corporations commit to 100% renewable energy consumption and climate disclosure objectives as laid out by the CDP and RE100. These goals include meeting compliance with external and internal renewable energy targets, as well as giving their environmental claims real substance – helping them to avoid greenwashing. “One I-REC avoids the emissions created by the use of 1 MWh,” says Maldonado. In 2021, every 1MWh of energy consumed in Brazil created 120kg of carbon emissions – up from around 50 kg in 2020. This huge increase was caused by a rise in thermoelectric generation as a result of the worst drought in almost a century, which saw the country’s hydroelectric capacity fall as dams dried up. However, companies don’t need to go it alone. Numerous consultancy firms can help them develop an I-REC strategy that best matches their goals. As more and more companies with operations in Brazil look for tangible ways to deliver on their renewable energy promises, I-RECs are demonstrating their worth as the most credible way to account, track and assign ownership of renewable energy, as well as encourage the generation of more clean electricity by providing a demand signal to the market.

https://www.atlasrenewableenergy.com/en/what-you-need-to-know-about-the-rise-of-i-recs-in-brazil/

Santa Catalina Lifezone Collection - All Four Posters 18"x24" The Santa Catalina Mountain range near Tucson, AZ is not only a beautiful example of the Arizona Sky Islands, it is also one of the few places where you can see the biodiversity of vegetation and animals as you travel from the desert at 2,300 feet to pine forests at 9,157 feet at the top of Mt Lemmon. This diversity of biological communities has been given a name: lifezone. The Catalinas have four distinct lifezones: Desert, Grassland, Woodland, and Forest. These lifezones are affected by elevation, precipitation, climate, and can blend into each other. The drastic change in elevation and the variety of species found in each lifezone is similar to driving from Mexico to Canada. I wanted to show the beauty in the great diversity found in each lifezone. Through studying, drawing, and painting each lifezone I've come to appreciate the biological wonderland found in the Santa Catalinas and I hope you've experienced that wonderment as well.

https://www.brushesandboots.com/products/all-4-lifezones-poster

Get even more out of your stay with the deals and packages at Campus Tower Suite Hotel. Whether you’re in Edmonton to explore the University of Alberta, travel for medical reasons, or take in a show at the Northern Alberta Jubilee Auditorium, we’re sure to have a rate that’s right for you. We offer stays from one or two nights or long term stay rates if needed. Contract us directly at 1-800-709-1824 for questions.

https://www.campustower.com/deals

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is taking on new responsibilities in 2023, joining Columbia University as a full-time faculty member, the school announced on Thursday. Clinton, who also served as a New York senator, will join the School of International and Public Affairs as a professor of practice in February, the press release confirmed. “She is a remarkable leader who has been on the front lines of virtually every critical challenge facing our world today — from the global fight to save democracy, her advocacy for women’s rights, and her staunch defense of marginalized people everywhere,” Keren Yarhi-Milo, the dean of the school, wrote. “She now brings her leadership and expertise to SIPA as we seek to prepare the next generation of global policy leaders,” she continued. The former first lady will also serve as a presidential fellow with Columbia World Projects, working on initiatives related to global politics and policy and female leaders in those professions, the statement explained. She will also be expected to support programs related to protecting democracy and engaging women and young people worldwide. “I look forward to contributing to these efforts,” she added. Clinton, who has served as a law professor in the past, has been rumored to be in talks with the university since 2017, a year after she lost her second presidential election to Donald Trump. She earned an honorary degree from the school last spring and delivered remarks at the graduation ceremony. Satan’s minions stick together. I hope this means she WILL NOT be running for President in 2024. That sure doesn’t say much about Columbia University does it hiring HILDABEAST. They must be very hard up for instructors. Columbia: Garbage in, garbage out.

https://www.cf.org/news/columbia-university-hires-hillary-clinton-as-professor/

Wood Group expects to meet its full year projections, it said in an interim management statement today. The Aberdeen-based oil and gas company cited a high-performing engineering division and strong developments in Australia, Angola, the North Sea and North America. While the group expects a full-year loss of $15m to $20m (£6m to £9m) in Oman, “we anticipate strong operating cash flow in the second half, and our strong balance sheet provides a robust platform for growth,” it said. Wood Group’s shares were 2.71 per cent up in lunchtime trading.

https://www.cityam.com/wood-group-confident-targets/

Benefits of using a password manager? Remembering an ever-growing number of passwords can be daunting and writing them down is a security no-no. It is becoming ever more complex as nowadays we have to register for every online service we use and across multiple platforms. Wired has researched the best password managers and come up with the suggestions for those it thinks are the best. https://www.colchesterit.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/Password-Manager.jpg 287 365 Ross https://www.colchesterit.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Colchester-IT-web.jpg Ross2022-03-28 14:55:452022-03-28 14:55:45Benefits of using a password manager?

https://www.colchesterit.com/benefits-of-using-a-password-manager/

Midfielder, Adele Pearce, is what she likes to call “one of the originals…” at Dartford FC Women. Yet, this extremely busy mum of two proved a little difficult to sit down and chat to… but we got there eventually, as she revealed a glimpse into her private life and what makes her tick. As you listen to Adele speak, it becomes immediately apparent that football and family are her life. And, the fact that she’s had two children within three years explains why she’s been so busy! In 2018 she married her husband, before giving birth to Mason a year later. Then, last year saw the family unit increased to a foursome with the birth of Daisy. This has meant that, apart from seeing close friends and family, Adele’s off-season was spent looking after the kids which she admits is lovely. As her addictive sense of humour shines through once again, it is apparent that Adele has a more serious, quiet side as well. Her daily life is centred around her husband and their young family. But, when time allows, she does like to sit quietly with a book or go out into the garden and play football. She’s currently on maternity leave, so her time is certainly family orientated. Realising how good his daughter was, Adele’s dad found a clipping in the NewsShopper for London Girls and asked if she wanted to go. The rest, as the say, is history… “The best 22 years of my life.” And, that is where the journey began for Adele and those originals. From that day onwards, when she was just 10-years old, she met Jade Charlton and Emily Vaughan… a group who’d soon become an inseparable foursome as Georgie Davis joined up later. That London Girls U13 side was the best team at the time, and they went on to win the league and the cup. That inspired Adele to push on and play better. Upon reflection, however, she does wish she’d taken the sport more seriously at the time and gone on to have a trial at a higher level. But she also wouldn’t change the way things have turned out and she has shown tremendous dedication and loyalty to remain at London Girls/Dartford FC Women. Adele would also love to win the Kent Senior Cup again, as all the girls really love the tournament. She’d also like to go further in the prestigious FA Cup, but is fully aware of the team’s limitations as far as the tournament is concerned. On a more personal note, she just wants her friends and family to be healthy and happy. She’d like all of us to look after each other and to dream big. Adele would also like Mason and Daisy to know that she always has their backs and, “…be whoever they want to be and to be the best at what they can be. There are no limits in life.” She’d also like to be mortgage-free next year, but says that’s not going to happen!

https://www.dartfordliving.com/dartford-fc-women-in-conversation-with-adele-pearce/

This Tech Speak mini episode offers a front row seat to a tech demonstration of counter-improvised explosive device (IED) technologies. Travel to the Charlie Demolition Range at Marine Corps Base Quantico and follow along as S&T’s Research and Prototyping for IED Defeat (RAPID) program has a blast partnering up with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). RAPID Program Manager Bill Stout was there along with FBI Supervisory Special Agent Dr. Ian Vabnick and numerous bomb squad technicians to see national security research and development in action. Listen now to discover what makes this program unique and why it’s so important. Guests: S&T's RAPID program manager Bill Stout and FBI supervisory special Agent Dr. Ian Vabnick. [00:00:00] Unknown Man: Fire in the hole, fire in the hole, fire in the hole. Fire in 3 2 1. (sound of bombs exploding). [00:00:08] Dave: Welcome to Tech Speak, a mini episode of the Technologically Speaking podcast. [00:00:13] I'm Dave, sound editor with S&T. Back in May, our podcast team attended a field demo of S&T's research and prototyping for I E D defeat or RAPID program in Quantico, Virginia. And they had a blast, pun very much intended, learning about the science of IEDs. Let's hear RAPID program manager, Bill Stout, and partners walk us through the ins and outs of the event. [00:00:34] Bill Stout: So, this week, RAPID's been on the range with the RAPID team who you've seen running around out here today. And basically, they are executing different research and development on tools developed by Dr. Vabnick. And actually, trying these ideas and these tools on real bombs really that's the only way that you can determine if they're effective or not is if you try it on a real bomb. You can't try new ideas or new techniques or new tools on simulated bombs, because you don't get that understanding whether or not you're actually defeating that bomb or not for real. [00:01:12] I would say biggest impact is we've been able through the RAPID tools that we've developed, been able to increase the confidence and capabilities of the United States bomb squads through the tools that we've developed. We've been able to provide not only the tools that we developed free of charge to them. But we've also supplied them with approximately 55 knowledge products that we've published that they can refer to. And that also increases their capability when they're down, down range on a suspicious package or confirmed bomb. [00:01:47] Dave: You heard Bill mention one of his colleagues at the FBI, Dr. Ian Vabnick. We'll hear from him next, A quick note though, at the beginning of the next clip, you'll hear a blast in the distance. Dr. Vabnick explains it's a quote cleanup shot to make sure there aren't any more live explosives out in the field. After the conclusion of the demo, our producer shared that while she jumped straight into the air, because the boom came out of nowhere. Dr. Vabnick didn't even flinch. [00:02:08] Dr. Ian Vabnick: I think the exciting part about being a scientist is you have to have keen confirmation. I'm sorry. That was our cleanup shot. We work with explosives obviously, and we use explosives to kill bombs. And so that was just some background noise for that, but yes, on a regular basis, you know, we're looking at maybe trying to solve one problem, we make a discovery that actually solves another problem. So some of the things that we look at for example, are pipe bombs. Like the Boston bombings, right? We had elbow pipe bombs used there. And so, we were showing some of the technology and how they can remotely open IEDs without setting them off. And so, we were just doing research this week. On fully filled elbow pipe bombs, and you can see how we can get these bombs open and not set them off. [00:02:49] It was actually propellant inside of this device and that we're able to open it and not have the propellant ignite. We also do precision work as an example of that, maybe you have to get inside a bomb and kill a component to, to destroy that device without spreading it all over the place. I think a lot of people, you know, see Hollywood and they see bomb techs, pulling wires out of, you know, bombs and cutting wires and things. And for the most part, we try to stay away from that. We try to deal with bombs as remotely as possible. We like to use robots. We like to, uh, try to keep the bomb tech away from the device. [00:03:23] Dave: It's interesting to hear the Hollywood verse reality of bomb squads. Let's now hear directly from one of those bomb techs, Christopher Ennis, a retired Delaware state trooper with over 30 years of experience. [00:03:33] Christopher Ennis: I've worked with Dr. Vabnick for 10 years and what was kind of neat was I never knew how much I didn't know until I came here. And that was, to me, that was, that was just, it fascinates me all the time. And even though I'm retired, I take this information back to any bomb tech that will listen. And say, hey, look, use this tool for this reason. And this is in this situation. And there's been times before where I'm like, oh wow, this is the greatest tool ever. And then come to find out some nuance has changed to it. Maybe the company makes it a little different or maybe it's something that temperature or something like that, or humidity that's, uh, affected. So, I get surprised all the time and that I think that's the beauty of it. [00:04:07] Dave: Clearly, Christopher's passionate about RAPID. Mr. Ennis went on to speak about the impact this program has had on the bomb squad community. [00:04:14] Christopher Ennis: Bomb techs are the, I mean, they're the quintessential challenger, you know what I mean? They want the ultimate challenge and that's how they kind of view it when they get the suit on, or they get to send the robot down range. This is the challenge. The bomber made this device, and he's saying you can't beat me. And the bomb tech saying, oh yes, we will. And when you shoot a tool at something and it doesn't work, it's frustrating. And that's where the RAPID program really comes into play. When we shoot a tool that we've developed and the science backs it, and we put it out to the community and they see the positive effects, it, kind of gives them a breath of fresh air. Like, hey, it helps them evolve. It's just a matter of getting the tools out to them explaining how to use them and then, you know, like giving them the opportunity to purchase the tools. when it comes down to it, we're all working together. We have FBI bomb technicians here from Newark, um, New Jersey, uh, Buffalo, New York, Delaware, South Carolina, like all over the country. [00:05:07] Christopher Ennis: Um, and getting that outlook or perspective, uh, is huge. Uh, having this multi-state, you know, multi-discipline type agencies or multi governmental agencies working together is, to me in 30 years, unheard of. I think we finally figured it out that, you know, we can't do it alone. The FBI can't do it alone. They need the help of DHS, and our whole goal is prepare for the worst and hope for the best. [00:05:31] (Music playing in the background) And I think the more educated that we make our bomb technicians, the more tools that we give them to be able to be more successful, the better off we're all gonna be. [00:05:41] Dave: (Music playing in the background) It’s good to know folks like the RAPID team are out there dedicating themselves to putting the latest tools into the hands of our bomb squad techs. So, they can be as prepared as possible when responding to an I E D. And for me, it's so cool hearing directly from the folks benefiting from this import and R&D work. [00:06:00] DHS, S C I T E C H. Bye.

https://www.dhs.gov/science-and-technology/try-it-real-bomb

In March, Maik Hesse successfully defended his doctoral thesis on the topic of trust, reputation and data sovereignty in the digital platform economy. From January 2019 to March 2021, he completed his doctorate under ECDF Professor Timm Teubner (TU Berlin), who heads the research group "Trust in Digital Services". Hesse is thus the first doctoral student to complete his PhD at ECDF. In this interview with Samira Franzel, he talks about his time as a doctoral student at the ECDF. You started your doctorate at the end of 2018 and successfully defended it in March 2021. How do you look back on that time? It is great to be able to learn and do research at such a leading institution as the ECDF. At the ECDF, I particularly appreciate the exchange with colleagues on site: A wide variety of disciplines come together here, but we are all united by our focus on digitization. Especially before the Corona pandemic, I spent a lot of time in the Robert Koch Forum and exchanged ideas with colleagues, and in the last few months, of course, mostly digitally. The content-related supervision by Prof. Timm Teubner has helped me a lot, so many joint projects with him have also emerged outside my dissertation. When and why did you decide to do your doctorate? I first studied mathematics in Cologne and the USA, with a minor in business administration. I then worked in consulting in the area of digital transformation. The main focus was on how technologies can be used to design new business models, what requirements and skills are needed in companies for this, and what influence digital technologies have on the business world. I always had it in the back of my mind that I might still want to do a PhD. Then, in September 2018, I read a little deeper into the topic of digital platforms. I was particularly interested in the fact that it is interdisciplinary - classic cross-sectional research in the field of digitalization that combines approaches from various disciplines of business informatics, economics, business administration, and sociology. The specific topic and the design of the doctoral thesis then came about with Timm Teubner. I wrote my doctoral thesis in the area of digital platform ecosystems. It's mainly about how digital identity and sovereignty can be created and used on the Internet. The dissertation is titled "Trust and Reputation Portability in Digital Platform Ecosystems." On platforms such as Airbnb, eBay, Helpling, Uber or (food) delivery services, virtually anyone can now offer services and collect reviews, thus establishing a digital identity. Some of these platforms were even recently classified as systemically relevant - in the wake of the Corona crisis. However, the rating system creates a dependency for the providers on the platform, since the ratings are not transferable. One of the aims of my doctoral thesis was to explore how we can transfer this collected reputation to other services in the online and offline world, so that providers don't have to start over again and again. In the analog world, we are currently entitled to a job reference when we change jobs, and we should do the same in the digital world. What else do you think we can expect in the future in the area of digitization? One big topic that will be with us for a while is data and how we deal with it: How is data stored? How are they processed and what added value do they bring? I see a great need to train citizens in how to handle their own data so that they can become "masters of their data" and act in a self-determined manner. But this also includes the creation of independent digital infrastructures for the European economy, politics and society. The whole thing comes under the umbrella of "digital sovereignty. It also remains exciting to see what influence technologies such as artificial intelligence or blockchain will have on our working world. One thing is certain: completely new professions will emerge and others will become obsolete. As a society, we have to find the right way to deal with this in the medium and long term. What advice would you give to future doctoral students who are also considering doing a doctorate at the ECDF? The ECDF is simply an exciting research incubator - for me it was the right decision and a time with a lot of exchange and a great community right in the heart of the digital research metropolis Berlin. For a doctorate, however, you should realize that stamina and optimism are required. And: Doing a doctorate in 2.5 years is like a marathon with many intermediate sprints - so it's best to plan for some time.

https://www.digital-future.berlin/en/news/news-in-detail/news/erste-ecdf-promotion-doktorand-maik-hesse-verteidigt-dissertation/?tx_news_pi1%5Bcontroller%5D=News&tx_news_pi1%5Baction%5D=detail&cHash=381d3bc26bcdc2c4430260bef6de5fea

What is Voltage Transformer? When to Use Low Voltage and High Voltage Transformers? How Does a Voltage Transformer Protect Your House and Electronics? What are the Advantages of Getting a Voltage Transformer? You’re not alone if a surge damages your appliances and electronic equipment. In fact, it’s estimated that energy surges have affected more than half of households in every urban place. Thankfully, there is a way to shield your house, place of business, and devices from voltage surges. Without voltage spikes or flashing lights, this Volt Surge Protector, low voltage transformer, and high voltage transformer can help block electrical surges up to 10,000 volts! A device that transforms energy from one type to another is called a voltage transformer (VT). By monitoring voltage either directly or indirectly through a VT, VTs are utilized to monitor alternating AC or DC current. Instrument transformers of the parallel connected variety are called voltage transformers. The electromagnetic induction concept is used by a voltage transformer to change the currency’s value. A few different types of voltage transformers exist, such as Smart Low-Voltage Transformers, Low Voltage Transformers, and High Voltage Transformers. The most typical type of transformer used in the electricity supply sector is a voltage transformer. Additionally, they are utilized in some industrial machinery, including hydraulic and pneumatic devices. An effective technique to connect these two distinct voltages together is by using voltage transformers to carry electricity between the two different voltage standards (for example, AC to DC or DC to AC). When a transformer is installed, it takes some time for the system to stabilize and for the transformer to reach full functionality. This time of adjustment may span a few days or several weeks. During this first period of settling, if too much voltage is added to the system, there will be a brief spike in voltage that could result in injury as well as damage to equipment. When supplying electricity to an isolated system, low-impedance transformers are employed to prevent these issues (e.g., battery systems where the battery is isolated from other components of the circuit). When a precise output must be produced based on input at various locations within a circuit, high-voltage transformers and low-impedance transformers may occasionally be used in conjunction. Landscape lighting that runs on a 12–24-volt can use a low-power transformer as a low-voltage lighting transformer. Ad the outdoor lighting transformers reduce the 110 volts or 230-volt line voltage to a low value that can be used to power lights. The rectifiers utilize low-power transformers in order to reduce the AC main voltage and make it lower, which is then turned to DC voltage using a diode and capacitor circuit. Low-power transformers are commonly used in household appliances, including refrigerators, washing machines, phone chargers, thermostats, and doorbells, to create a very low load voltage that shields users from electric shock and short circuits. Any application that calls for voltage to be lowered to a level the component receiving the voltage can use uses high-voltage transformers. For instance, the primary winding of the transformer receives power from the batteries of a hybrid vehicle. The secondary winding then steps down the voltage, and it is finally delivered to various electrical parts of the car, including the electric traction motor. In addition to the aforementioned, an innovative version of transformers features a more efficient function for your low-voltage outdoor lighting transformer – the smart low-voltage transformer. For converting a high-voltage input to a low-voltage output, voltage transformers are the best option. You can connect a smart voltage transformer to practically any electrical equipment in the globe since it has sophisticated, intelligent protection features, including short circuit and over-voltage protection. The hassle of planning the on and off hours for your low-voltage outdoor lights is eliminated by this clever transformer. Any low-voltage landscape lighting system and cloud-based landscape lighting systems are compatible with it. Voltage transformers are used to step up or step down voltage so that you can use it to electrical power appliances in your house. You can also use them to power control signals, household appliances, and other electronic devices. Their goal is the same as capacitors: It enables a current to flow inside the circuit at its capacity. An alternating magnetic field is created in the transformer core when the primary winding of the transformer is powered by an AC source. Flux, or alternating magnetic lines of force, moves through the core. The alternating flux lines create a voltage when a second (secondary) winding is wrapped around the same core. Current flows when a load is attached to the secondary winding’s terminals. Circuits with various voltages are connected using voltage transformers. The majority of available transformers have an automatic switch-over feature built in to safeguard the circuit they are feeding from any potential over-voltage conditions. Offering complete protection from any voltage and protection, this serves to lower the chance of harming any component that is now present in the circuit. It’s easy to get your head around how a transformer operates. They essentially consist of one, two, or more windings with varying numbers of turns encircling a magnetic core. Step-up and step-down transformers are available because the voltage across the other winding is influenced by the number of turns on one winding. One of the simplest electrical components to comprehend is a transformer. Transformers can also be used to increase or decrease voltage levels. Transformers play a crucial role in electrical distribution systems because they can step down extraordinarily high voltage levels at substations, allowing for the safe supply of electricity to homes. When employing a transformer, it is quite simple to create circuits with variable voltage requirements for the various components. Transformers are very inexpensive parts that work well for transmitting, distributing, and isolating electrical current. Cheaper parts that can be used in electrical circuits are smaller transformers. However, the cost of larger transformers used for electrical distribution is higher. There may be many tapping locations on some transformers where various voltage levels can be pulled. This is helpful in electrical circuits that have many components that operate at various voltage levels. The electrical tapping points typically represent a portion of the voltage level of the primary windings or incoming supply. Electrical tapping points of 220V, 210V, and 100V could be present on a 230V primary winding to change the voltage level for other components. Some transformers can function in two different ways. Some transformers have the ability to be reverse linked, allowing for either step-up or step-down operation. Always double-check this, either by speaking with the manufacturer or, in some situations, by looking at the supplementary materials. Transformers function by using electromagnetic induction to transport energy across the windings; they don’t have any internal working mechanical parts. The smaller transformers found in machinery and electrical circuits typically have a longer service life and require little to no maintenance because they lack moving parts. Transformers are often regarded as electrical equipment with an energy efficiency of 97% or above. Given that there are typically a variety of various energy losses, including heat, sound, and vibration, this is high for an electrical component. Energy is moved through the windings of transformers using electromagnetic induction. In a transformer, there are no actual electrical connections between the windings. This isolates the transformer’s circuits electrically. In electrical distribution systems, transformers are essential. Transformers are extremely effective electrical devices that increase the voltage to a high level to enable the transmission of electrical supply across great distances. Once the power has been increased, it can go across great distances with little loss of energy. The power can be scaled down once it reaches the distribution side so that it can then be used in our residences, offices, and places of employment. Transformers can be applied in a variety of different situations. No matter where they are used or what they are used for, all transformers operate on the same premise. Transformers can be employed in electrical equipment for a variety of purposes, including powering specialized current applications, electrical distribution networks, and the control circuit. Fortunately, you can protect your home, place of business, and electronics from voltage surges. This Volt Surge Protector, low voltage transformer, high voltage transformer, and smart voltage transformers can assist in preventing electrical surges and dangers without voltage spikes or flashing lights. Check on your options at www.se.com/th/en. Schneider Electric embodies culture and business, accelerating the overall contributions to a more inclusive world with sustainability as its primary goal.

https://www.dreamlandsdesign.com/voltage-transformer-protect-house-and-electronics/

The website includes a live map of Santa's current location, his next stop, a live video feed of his journey, and an estimated time of arrival at each location. SAN FRANCISCO: To check where Santa is with your presents, you can use Google's Santa Tracking feature to track the real-time location of Santa on his legendary journey as he prepares to deliver presents to kids around the world. According to MacRumors, Google's Santa Tracker, a 19-year tradition of the company, allows excited children (and parents!) to track the jolly gift-travel giver's on December 24. Santa's village transformed into a tracking experience on this day, allowing children to follow Santa and his reindeer as they go about their important work. The feature can be tracked using a web browser on iPhone, iPad, or Mac by visiting Google's official Santa Tracking website, according to the report. It also includes images of previous Santa visits, a live count of gifts delivered, and Santa's current distance from your location, said the report. Other tracking services like the NORAD Tracks Santa Claus app and website, are also available, but Google's site is said to be the most interactive and detailed, the report added.

https://www.dtnext.in/technology/2022/12/25/track-santas-journey-with-googles-santa-tracker

Carrie Douglass is the co-founder and co-CEO of School Board Partners, a nonprofit that supports and trains school board members across the country. She is a twice-elected school board member and past board chair. She has worked as a teacher, school leader, district administrator, and nonprofit leader. With school buildings closed and students learning at home, parents got a front-row seat to their children’s schooling, and they didn’t always like what they saw. Now they felt compelled to scrutinize curriculum choices, library books, teacher quality, and health-care decisions. School closures, mask mandates, and lies about vaccines and critical race theory resulted in mass school board meetings, which were made more accessible as live streaming became ubiquitous. School boards make decisions about what we care most about—our children. School districts, funded by taxpayer dollars, are also often one of the largest employers, land and facility owners, and transportation hubs in a jurisdiction. Therefore, it makes sense that democratically elected members should provide public accountability. The power of school boards also means it is imperative that school boards reflect their communities—in every demographically diverse way imaginable. The days of board members operating in obscurity are over. The goals must be to ensure that a destructive vocal minority doesn’t take over and that the board knows how to effectively engage the community to lead constructive change. Parents want their voices heard, and school boards should be the conduit to executing what communities want to see from their districts. Earlier this year, the nonprofit I co-lead published a report with first-of-its-kind data about our nation’s school board members. We researched why people run for school board, what their priorities are, and what support they need to fulfill campaign promises. We paid particular attention to the opinions of elected leaders of color, as they have long been underrepresented. Our findings provide the beginning of a path forward for our nation’s school boards. We must develop ecosystems to recruit, train, and elect school board members who are more reflective of public school families and who are committed to changing a calcified system that isn’t working. We must support those board members to govern effectively between elections when the real work happens. We must change the design of school board work to make the jobs more accessible to a wider cross-section of community members. Our report,"Empty Seats at Powerful Tables,” highlights data that show the extent to which our nation’s school boards and their leadership are not representative of the families their schools serve across race, gender, age, sexual identity, language, or disability. The system favors potential candidates who are older, wealthier, and more likely to be white than the average school-age parent. Board members historically have been far older than the typical school-age parent. Our survey confirmed that a majority of board members are 55 or older. The age gap is a reflection a larger problem with the structure of school boards. With the inherent shortcomings of a job with nominal or no pay, long night meetings, and insufficient training and resources, the system favors potential candidates who are older, wealthier, and are more likely to be white than the average school-age parent. The result is that the parents who know school isn’t working for their children usually don’t run or don’t run again. The status quo is preserved. As an elected leader in my early 40s, I still need to work full time as I’m in my prime earning years. I also have young children to care for as well as aging parents. My school board job has a big impact on my paid work and family. By comparison, several of my early school board colleagues were retired, with grown children and deceased parents, giving them significantly more available time. How do we restructure the role so younger parents of diverse backgrounds can be present at the decisionmaking table? Our report highlights a warning and an opportunity—only 38 percent of current school board members surveyed plan to run for reelection. (More than 70 percent of 2016 incumbents ran for reelection.) This could be an opportunity to elect more diverse, representative, and innovative board members, but it also points to the challenges of the job and the need to make it sustainable. After several cycles of recruiting and supporting more diverse people to run in my district of about 18,000 students, we now have a board that looks much more like our community in age, race, gender identity, and sexual orientation. All seven of us are parents of school-age children who work outside the home. But how long can we sustain this intense volunteer job that now includes regular threats and opponents trying to reverse our progress on equity? Perhaps school board members should be paid a living wage. Perhaps board members should have staff to help them research, write, and monitor policies that will change systemic barriers to improving student outcomes and experiences. Perhaps board meetings should be held at different times and locations and with child care, transportation, and food available. Certainly, board members should be provided with free, high-quality training to help them govern, including being able to challenge the status quo. A lot of attention was paid to which school board members were elected on Nov. 8, but between elections, countless decisions will be made by those elected leaders with much less fanfare. Large crowds gather for a discussion about book bans, but often not for the decisions that appear less insidious on the surface yet have life-changing consequences, especially for the students who depend on school the most. Decisions such as which students have access to which schools, which students get the most experienced teachers, what curriculum is taught, how resources are prioritized, how students are disciplined, and many more. Let’s reimagine elected school boards so that they can work on behalf of students and families to dramatically improve our public schools and finally make good on the promise of the American dream for all.

https://www.edweek.org/leadership/opinion-the-big-problem-with-who-runs-for-school-boards-and-how-to-fix-it/2022/12

We host weekly and monthly virtual gatherings to connect our members across the world. They are a great chance to meet like-minded people who have experienced encephalitis directly or indirectly. We aim to keep these calls accessible, friendly, supportive and safe. We hold meetings via Zoom, a video chat website. "Thank you so much for the wonderful online gathering! There have been times when I have wondered who else knows how much it takes to fight this. After today, I realise I am not alone." Every Thursday 4-5pm (GMT/BST) – open to all (with a member of the support team). These calls will begin on Thursday 12th January 2023. *Please register your interest at least 24 hours before a meeting. Further meetings for 2023 will be advertised here and on our social media channels. Please note that you need to be an Encephalitis Society member to access these meetings. If you are not already a member, please sign up today to become a Member! Membership is free. A number of our trained Support Volunteers also hold regular regional virtual gatherings on Zoom. These are a fantastic way to meet and connect with other members of the Society in your local area who have been directly or indirectly affected by encephalitis. If you don't see your area covered and would like to set one up, please email Laura - [email protected] for a chat*. *Please be mindful if you would like to run one in your area you will need to train as a Support Volunteer which includes a Safeguarding course and a police check.

https://www.encephalitis.info/Blog/virtual-gatherings

Judith Anne “Judi” Franz, 81, passed away Saturday, Nov. 26, 2022 at St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. She married Maurice Franz, Feb. 16, 1980, in Grafton, and he just recently passed away on Dec. 29, 2022. Judi attended weekly services at the Greenfield United Methodist Church. She was the receptionist for Dr. Chopra’s office in Carlinville until her retirement in 2001. She enjoyed playing bingo with her friends, and spending winters in Texas. She is survived by her sons, Jeff Coker, Brian (Janet) Coker; granddaughter, Chrissy (Reis) Prevost; grandson, Cayden Coker; great-grandchildren, Jaley Maria Prevost and Piper Rose Prevost. She was preceded in death by her parents; sister, Barbara Jean Wernersson and brother, Jerry Cole. Services were held on Friday, Dec. 2, at the Shields-Bishop Funeral Home in Greenfield. Burial followed at the Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery in Godfrey.

https://www.enquirerdemocrat.com/2023/01/04/judith-anne-franz/

I’d turn corner after corner, finding nothing but dead ends. Every step I made toward escaping would promptly be reversed by my apparently sadistic subconscious. Now, thanks to the wonders of virtual reality, I can live out my nightmares in the waking world. Researchers have developed a VR system that can create massive mazes contained inside a single real world room. The new maze system, recently presented at the IEEE Virtual Reality conference, uses technology that tracks the user’s movements and position in the room to create a network of corridors and rooms that never move outside the confines of the actual physical space. Test subjects can literally be walking in circles while the VR creates the illusion of interconnected environments. “People think they are walking in much larger environments. We can simulate rooms connected by corridors, and we could simulate outdoor areas in which certain areas are restricted,” said Hannes Kaufman, a researcher from the Vienna University of Technology. The system isn’t unbeatable. Attempting to use it while walking on a treadmill, for instance, wouldn’t work. That said, some things from the real world can be used to bolster the illusion. At several points in the testing process, researchers tried telling users to try walking through a virtual wall while standing near a physical one in the real world. Upon bumping into the real wall test subjects treated the virtual ones more realistically from that point on.

https://www.escapistmagazine.com/researchers-use-virtual-reality-to-make-rooms-bigger-on-the-inside/

Established in 2017, FORTE is a fast-moving, young and vibrant talent agency based in Soho, London. Founded by ex-international athletes, the agency was built on the foundation of sport and has since grown to develop and supply models, brand personalities and content creators in the fashion, sports, lifestyle and digital spaces. We partner with global brands and agencies that require expert sports movement in campaigns, unique faces or niche social engagement across campaigns. By pairing the distinctive backgrounds of sport and fashion, we represent the next generation of commercial assets. Approachable and diverse, our small but growing team is relentless in the pursuit of authenticity and global inclusivity.

https://www.fortemodelmanagement.com/info/

Sunraiden's solar kits are designed for off-grid use such as supplying power for outdoor appliances, backyard workshops or small dwellings in remote areas. Photos courtesy of Sunraiden. Michael Sewanaku of Arlington is hoping his new enterprise selling mobile solar systems will redeem himself for his early career choice. The 34-year-old founder of Sunraiden, maker of solar inverter/chargers, was born and raised in Canada. He said after college, he worked in the Canadian tar sands for two and half years, mostly doing environmental testing. While he enjoyed the big paychecks he received while on the job, later he had flashbacks about the environmental devastation he’d witnessed – namely the massive deforestation and pollution of land, water and air that came with mining tar sands oil. ​Michael Sewanaku of Arlington started his career working in the tar sands mines. The experience inspired him to want to help the world switch to clean energy. He also had a dream of helping people in third world countries, such as Uganda, where his father is from. Combining these two aspirations, he developed a small affordable solar panel system that could be marketed to people living without access to electricity. While Sewanaku had degrees in science along with a law degree, he had to enlist some friends who were engineering experts to create the product he envisioned. This summer, Sewanaku raised $35,000 on a Kickstarter campaign to put the first models on the market. Starting at $259, the solar kits come with an inverter charger, a solar panel and cables. It works by connecting the Sunraiden inverter to the panels and to a 12-volt battery. They can provide light in a room, run a fan, power a computer and charge a cell phone on AC or DC power. To demonstrate his products' versatility, Sewanaku created a whimsical video showing a high-tech solar-powered doghouse that runs on a Sunraiden solar inverter/charger. This solar panel kit includes a 500W inverter charger, a 50W solar panel and four LED light bulbs with cables and sells for $259. Sewanaku hopes to sell enough of the solar systems to people in the U.S. to help fund his charitable organization FundASolar.org. A portion of sales will go to funding solar systems for people in third world countries who cannot afford them. His mother Doris Evans, a longtime Arlington resident and nurse for the Sisters of St. Mary in Fort Worth, oversees FundASolar and said she hopes to spend more time recruiting donations and locating needy recipients once she retires. While there are other mini solar systems on the market, Sewanaku said he’s made his affordable while maintaining their high quality by selling directly to customers online. He hopes the systems will do to the solar industry what the personal computer did for the computer industry. He said he purposely designed them for the non-tech savvy customer. Sewanaku said he’s already encountered some of the pitfalls of his dream. He would have liked to have made his products in the U.S. however he quickly learned that China is where the manufacturing industry is centered. In addition, he learned that it’s a challenge marketing to people that he’d like to see using his solar panels – people of humble means in remote areas. So he’s shifting his focus to marketing his systems to first world countries, hoping that sales will eventually fund his nonprofit. What to do in nature? Maybe nothing!

https://www.greensourcedfw.org/articles/arlington-entrepreneur-markets-mobile-solar-systems-grid-use

Having secured a much-needed victory over Puneri Paltan in their last game, Gujarat Giants will look to continue their winning momentum when they lock horns with Patna Pirates in their 19th match of Pro Kabaddi League (PKL) Season 9 at the Gachibowli Indoor Stadium in Hyderabad on Friday, December 2. The Ram Mehar Singh-coached Giants rode on an all-round performance to defeat in-form Puneri Paltan 51-39 to stay in contention for the PKL Season 9 playoffs. The Giants' victory on Tuesday ended their six-match losing streak and brought five valuable points to their tally. With six wins, 11 losses and one tie, the Chandran Ranjith-led side is currently placed 11th in the Pro Kabaddi Season 9 standings with 41 points from 18 games. Meanwhile, the two-time PKL finalists need to win all their remaining four matches and also hope other results go their way in order to finish in the top six and advance to the knockout stage. The Giants will once again bank on their star all-rounder Parteek Dahiya, who has been one of the standout players in the ninth edition of Pro Kabaddi. Parteek has already accumulated 131 raid points in 15 matches including eight Super 10s to his name. On the other hand, Patna Pirates head into the fixture after losing 33-35 to U.P. Yoddhas in their previous game on Saturday. Having accrued 48 points from 18 games, the Pirates are currently placed ninth in the standing and will aim to bounce back against the Giants to stay in contention for the playoffs. For the Pirates, star raider Sachin will be the player to watch out for, having amassed 155 raid points in 17 matches so far. Gujarat Giants and Patna Pirates have faced each other on 10 occasions in the Pro Kabaddi League, winning five games apiece. The last time these two sides locked horns, the Pirates secured a 34-28 victory at the Shree Shivchhatrapati Sports Complex in Pune earlier in October. Buoyant Gujarat Giants will aim to secure five points against struggling Patna Pirates outfit in Hyderabad on Friday.

https://www.gujaratgiants.com/pro-kabaddi/news/gujarat-giants-look-to-continue-winning-run-against-patna-pirates-to-keep-playoff-hopes-alive-pkl-9

Network security is mainly used to provide security for the information which has been transmitted from one party to another party, which should not get accessed by the unauthorised people. This survey provides an overview of network security and the techniques of cryptography through which the security can be provided in all sort of the complete information travelling through networks. The information/data generally passing as a form of packets from one end to another end. Meanwhile how the information's will get protected is the main challenge and it is been protected by the technique called "CRYPTOGRAPHY". Network Security, Unauthorised Access, Packets, Cryptography.

https://www.i-scholar.in/index.php/CiiTNCE/search/authors/view?firstName=A.&middleName=&lastName=Madhusri&affiliation=&country=IN

Lucien Ballard, the cinematographer best known for his collaboration with director Sam Peckinpah on such films as The Wild Bunch (1969), was born in Miami, Oklahoma. Ballard became a wanderer after dropping out of the Ivy League University of Pennsylvania and the University of Oklahoma, journeying to China in search of opportunity. When he returned to the United States after not finding any, Ballard gained employment in the lumber business, working in a mill sawing trees and surveying land. Von Sternberg, who oversaw and constructed the visuals on his early films, was credited as cinematographer for The Devil Is a Woman (1935). Though Ballard did not receive credit as a lighting cameraman on the film, this is usually credited (despite the non-credit) as his first film as a director of photographer (a more honored title for a lighting cameraman; just as "Written By" is a privilege for screenwriters to be credited with, so is "Director of Photography" for the cinematographer). Indeed, Ballard and Von Sternberg jointly were cited by the 1935 Venice Film Festival award for "Best Cinematography" for The Devil Is a Woman (1935), though officially, Ballard received his first credit for cinematography on B.P. Schulberg's production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment (1935), which also was directed by Von Sternberg. Ballard and Von Sternbereg collaborated once more on the musical The King Steps Out (1936), but parted ways after falling out, likely over control of the visuals. Ballard moved over to Columbia in 1935, where he worked as a director of photography for five years, primely for the B-movie unit on their less-prestigious low-budgeted "B-pictures" and on two-reel shorts. After quitting Columbia in 1940, he went to work for Howard Hughes on the eccentric multi-millionaire's attempted-smut fest, The Outlaw (1943). Hughes wanted to show off the twin assets of Jane Russell, which -- for his taste -- required innovative camera angles of her cleavage, one of the then-wonders of the then (natural) world. Ballard shot test scenes for the flick and worked as an assistant on the first-unit crew of the great cinematographer Gregg Toland and as the lighting cameraman on the second unit. Though the film was shot in 1940 and 1941, due to Hughes' perfectionism and censorship troubles, the film, though completed and screened in 1943, was be distributed until after World War II, in 1946. After Hughes, Ballard shot two pictures for R.K.O., and then moved on to 20th Century Fox for the war period (1941-45). It was at Fox, working on A-pictures, that Ballard first established his reputation, as a master of motion pictures shot on studio sets. On the set of the 1944 movie The Lodger (1944), Ballard met actress Merle Oberon, whom he married in 1945. After Oberon sustained facial scarring after a near-fatal automobile accident, Ballard invented a key light to be mounted by the side of the camera. The light, nicknamed the "Obie" after his wife, directed light onto the subject's face to wash out blemishes and wrinkles so they would not be caught on film. Ballard and Oberon divorced in 1949. After the war, Ballard spent two years at Universal and another two years at R.K.O. (working again for Hughes, who now owned the studio), before returning to 20th Century Fox for a six-year stint. Fox chief Darryl F. Zanuck had committed the studio to turning out pictures shot in the widescreen CinemaScope process and in Technicolor. The widescreen anamorphic process based on the the "hypergonar" lens called "Anamorphoscope" that 20th Century-Fox bought and redubbed "CinemaScope" had actually been invented by the Frenchman 'Henri Chrétien' in the late 1920s. His old friend Henry Hathaway, now a major director, used Ballard extensively in the early 1950s. They collaborated on Diplomatic Courier (1952), O. Henry's Full House (1952), and Prince Valiant (1954) in that decade, though by 1956, Ballard was sufficiently established to go freelance. This meant their next collaborations did not come until the 1960s: The Sons of Katie Elder (1965), Nevada Smith (1966), and True Grit (1969). Ballard was also able to establish a long-time collaboration -- and friendship -- with director Budd Boetticher, shooting the director's The Magnificent Matador (1955), The Killer Is Loose (1956) (1956), the pilot episode for the television show Maverick (1957), and the Randolph Scott Buchanan Rides Alone (1958). In 1959, he shot The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (1960), Boetticher's last film before the quixotic director pursued his monumental cinema biography of the Mexican matador Carlos Arruza, a decade-long labor of love. Boetticher later told of how when the "Legs Diamond" producer saw the flat look Ballard had created for the film, after discussions with Boetticher, to recreate an authentic look and feel of the 1920s by mimicking the cinematography of that era, the producer criticized Ballard's footage. Not understanding what they were after, he complained to Boetticher, "I thought you said Ballard was a good cameraman!" In addition to much of the bull-fighting footage contained in the docudrama Arruza (1972), Ballard shot Boetticher's last feature film, A Time for Dying (1969). As a favor to his friend, Ballard also shot Boetticher's documentary about his horse farm, My Kingdom for... (1995), after having retired seven years before. One collaboration that didn't stick was with Stanley Kubrick, who was 20 years Ballard's junior, though their joint effort produced a memorable look and atmosphere for Kubricks's breakthrough work, the seminal crime drama The Killing (1956). (This film was the true inspiration for the time-shifts favored by '90s cinema wunderkind 'Quentin Tarrantino' .) The experienced and respected Ballard returned to his Black + Whites roots as the cinematographer on The Killing (1956), but Kubrick always experienced friction with his directors of photography as he, a very talented photographer, essentially considered himself his own D.P. The relationship that Ballard is most famous for was with Sam Peckinpah. They first worked together on the 'Brian Keith' TV series _The Westerner (1960)_ , which had been created by Peckinpah but only lasted half-a-season, and then on the classic 'Randolph Scott' -Joel McCrea Western Ride the High Country (1962). However, it was their next collaboration, The Wild Bunch (1969), that elevated Peckinpah into the pantheon of great directors and made Ballard well-known outside the small circle of professional cinematographers and cult cineastes. Ballard also shot The Ballad of Cable Hogue (1970), The Getaway (1972), and Junior Bonner (1972) for Peckinpah, becoming a principle collaborator with the emotionally troubled and producer-plagued director during the period of his greatness. Lucien Ballard died near his Rancho Mirage, California, home in a car accident on October 1, 1988. He was 80 years old. Unsold pilot: Was cinematographer on a pilot for a series to be called "The 33rd". [on making The Rise and Fall of Legs Diamond (1960)] We wanted to go for an authentic atmosphere for the 1920s where the film was showing. So after seeing some of the rushes, the producer went to Boetticher [director Budd Boetticher] and said, "I thought you said Ballard was a great cameraman - this looks like it was shot in 1920!" And Budd said, "It's SUPPOSED to look like it was shot in 1920!"

https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0005644/

On January 25, the production team shared the news in an official statement. The production team names Taeyeon as the ‘ representative musician who leads global K-pop’ and share anticipation for her new MC job. “Queendom” aired its first season in 2019, its coming back in 2022. “Queendom 2” is slated to start filming next month.

https://www.jazminemedia.com/news/girls-generations-taeyeon-to-host-mnets-queendom-2/

Today's player's resume concerns the San Diego Padres' slugger, Manny Machado. He will commit to Team Dominican Republic in the 2022 World Baseball Classic. "Machado has been a top player since his amateur days and has become widely known as one of the best players since joining the Major. He has performed at a high level every year. In 2022, Machado batted.298 with 32 homers and 102 RBIs, competing for the NL MVP award. He is strong on the off-speed ball hitting and has the skill to deliver a batted ball into the stands with his wrist strength and hip rotation. He also captivates fans with his strong arm as a third baseman. I am sure he is a crucial player in the Padres' long-awaited World Series title." Manny Machado, a well-known player as a high school senior, was selected by the Baltimore Orioles as the third overall pick, following Bryce Harper and Jameson Taillon in the 2010 MLB draft. He made his big league debut against the Kansas City Royals on August 9th, 2012, as a starting third baseman and batting ninth, going 2-for-4 with a triple. Since the 2013 season, he has become a leading player for Baltimore, the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the San Diego Padres and one of the greatest players in MLB. Machado has appeared All-Star six times, received the Gold Glove twice, and the Silver Slugger once. The 30-year-old right-handed hitter has hit 30+ homers five years in a row since 2015. In 2020, the pandemic-shortened season, Machado batted .304 with a .950 OPS, 16 long balls, and 47 RBIs for San Diego to win his first Silver Slugger. In 2021, he recorded .278 with 28 home runs and the National League's third most, 106 RBIs. In 2022, he marked a slash line of .298/.366/.531 with 32 homers and 102 RBIs and showed brilliant defense as a third baseman, competing for the National League MVP with Nolan Arenado and Paul Goldschmidt. In his major league career, Machado has batted .282 with 283 home runs and 853 RBIs in 1445 games at the end of the 2022 season.

https://www.kaispobaseball.com/2022-season/major-leaguer-resume-vol57-wbc-players-resume-vol43-manny-machado-san-diego-padres-major-candidate-for-team-dominican-republic-bit-rugged-big-star

This is used in different contexts. If you are looking at a set of accounts, it refers to the sales (or revenue) figure. If, on the other hand, you are using it in the context of share trading then it refers to the volume of trades that have been executed during a particular trading session. High turnover is usually a good sign in a rising market in that it suggests that the bullish price trend is backed by a high number of deals. Trends that are observed on the back of low stock turnover may not be as reliable.

https://www.killik.com/glossary-content/turnover/

"They're growing up way too fast." As a busy parent, it's essential to have someone who can guide you through all the in-and-outs of children photography, so you don't have to figure it all out yourself. Capture the precious moments of your child's life with Lil'BitofHeart Photography. Based in Circleville, Ohio, we specialize in children photography, ranging from newborns to teenagers. I understand the importance of preserving memories and creating timeless images of your little ones. Trust me to capture the joy and innocence of your child in a unique and artistic way. Don't miss out on our popular Cake Smash sessions, where we capture the messy and fun-filled milestone of your child's first birthday.

https://www.lilbitofheartphotography.com/babyphotography

A Justice Department decision to fold a controversial DOJ anti-pornography task force has reignited the battle over exactly what type of material and prosecutions the department should focus its attention on. On the one side are senators and anti-pornography activists who say that the DOJ needs to target pornography that features adults. On the other side are DOJ officials who contend that they should focus their limited resources on the most egregious type of material-pornography involving children. This debate has gone on for years and played a part in the ousting of U.S. Attorneys during the George W. Bush administration. It now has heated up again, as a result of a DOJ decision to quietly fold its Obscenity Prosecution Task Force, which was headed by controversial attorney Brent Ward. The task force’s work has been transferred to the department’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section, Attorney General Eric Holder told the Senate Judiciary Committee Wednesday. Republican Sen. Orrin Hatch of Ward’s home state of Utah questioned that decision during Wednesday’s hearing. Hatch has spearheaded a letter to Holder, raising concern about the DOJ position on pornography. “I think you need to do a lot more,” Hatch told Holder. Referring to the task force being abolished, Hatch commented, “That looks to me like the department does not give enough attention to adult pornography”. Also this week, Morality in Media, an anti-pornography group, has urged its members to flood the DOJ switchboard with phone calls urging stricter enforcement of the nation’s obscenity laws. The group went so far as to set up a toll-free telephone number that allows members to call the department. Ward, already a federal prosecutor, was named its head. He already was known as a crusading anti-pornography prosecutor. As recounted by The Nation magazine in a March 2007 article, Ward first attracted attention when he gave impassioned testimony to former Attorney General Edwin Meese’s Commission on Pornography. And so, he appeared to be a natural for the job. Although the announcement of the task force did not specifically focus on adult pornography, that clearly became the group’s focus. But not everyone was content with that focus. Ward complained that some U.S. Attorneys were unhappy, and he freely complained to his supervisors about what he believed to be a lack of cooperation. “We found that Ward often sought to invoke the Attorney General’s priorities when trying to persuade U.S. Attorneys’ Offices to assist the Task Force with obscenity prosecutions,” the DOJ Office of Inspector General said in its 2008 report on the firing of nine U.S. Attorneys during the Bush administration. He also complained that the DOJ’s 2003-2008 strategic plan failed to cite obscenity as a department priority. And OIG reported that Ward griped that a set of DOJ Criminal Division enforcement priorities did not list obscenity prosecutions. Ward, according to the OIG, said the omission would encourage already-reluctant U.S. Attorneys not to take on obscenity cases. The OIG report states that U.S. Attorneys had said they did not have the necessary staff to assist Ward on cases they considered marginal. Both U.S. Attorneys were later fired. The Barack Obama administration apparently agreed that the department was stretched thin and has decided to fold the task force. In an April 15 letter to Hatch, Assistant Attorney General Ronald Weich wrote, “The Department has focused its limited investigative and prosecutorial resources on the most egregious cases, particularly those that facilitate child exploitation and cases involving obscene depictions of child rape.” He said that researchers have reported that, since the 1990s, there has been a dramatic increase in cases of exploitation of children. He wrote that since October 2008, DOJ has charged violations of the federal obscenity statute more than 150 times He said a federal grand jury in California earlier this month returned a 10-count superseding indictment in a significant obscenity case. Ward has returned to the U.S. Attorney’s office in Utah. He did not respond to a Main Justice message left on his office voice mail. Has the New Administration Gone Soft on Porn? "It would be a miscarriage of justice to let this case go to a jury." - Judge Roger Titus, throwing out charges against former GlaxoSmithKline lawyer Lauren Stevens.

https://www.mainjustice.com/2011/05/04/folding-of-anti-smut-unit-revives-debate-on-how-to-fight-porn/

The other sight (fortunately further away) is even rarer, and comprises two nuclear reactors being constructed at Hinkley Point. The site is reported to be the largest single building project in Europe, and currently boasts over 20 cranes. The U.K. opened the world’s first commercial nuclear-power station (at Windscale) in 1950, and about 20% of the country’s electricity is currently generated from eight nuclear reactors. Nuclear power has been catapulted up the electricity-supply agenda in Europe by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Natural gas provides 22% of the European Union’s energy, and 40% of this gas comes from Russia. Global gas prices had already surged last year, with Europe suffering particularly badly because of low storage levels, high carbon prices, fewer liquefied natural gas deliveries and infrastructure outages. In 2021, gas prices in Europe rose from €15/megawatt-hour to over €150/MWh, and after retreating to below €80/MWh at the start of this year, prices peaked recently at €340/MWh ($380) before falling back sharply on more encouraging supply signals. The prices of coal and oil have also risen, but it is uranium that is likely to see the greatest long-term impact from the outbreak of war in eastern Europe. Indeed, a reopening of the whole debate about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power is now likely. Nuclear power provides about 10% of global electricity from 440 nuclear reactors in 33 countries. According to the World Nuclear Association, 123 of these reactors are expected to close within 20 years, but there are 55 reactors already under construction in 19 countries, and 308 are expected to come online by 2040. As Europe’s largest economy, and the country most reliant upon imports of Russian gas, Germany is at the centre of the burgeoning energy debate. The country has set itself a goal of being carbon neutral by 2045, and is planning to phase out coal-fired power stations by 2038. Renewable energy accounted for almost 41% of Germany’s power supply in 2021, with wind contributing 20%, solar 9%, biomass 8% and hydroelectricity 3%. Coal contributed 28% last year, with gas adding 15% (over half of which comes from Russia), nuclear power 12% and oil 4%. In contrast to France (whose 58 nuclear reactors supply 75% of the country’s electricity), Germany is currently due to phase out nuclear power by the end of this year. However, the German Vice Chancellor, Robert Habeck, recently announced his intention to further diversify the country’s energy supplies, and signalled that Germany might consider keeping its nuclear plants online. The uranium price has reacted accordingly and recently breached $60/lb. Although almost back to the levels of 10 years ago, the price is still well short of the peak of $128 per lb. reached in May 2007. It marks, however, a comforting cushion from uranium’s low of $15 per lb. in November 2016; Nuclearsaurus now seems unlikely.

https://www.mining.com/the-view-from-england-uranium-is-hot-once-again/

Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) has made a formal claim for Benin works held by the University of Cambridge's Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (MAA). The museum, which holds 136 Benin items, anticipates that the claim will be supported and steps taken to return the artefacts. The objects relate to the British raid of 1897 against the Kingdom of Benin, in what is now southern Nigeria. Benin City was captured and looted, with many of the stolen artefacts ending up in museums across the world. In 2017, the University of Cambridge hosted a meeting of the Benin Dialogue Group (BDG), which brings together European museums and representatives of the Government of Nigeria and the Royal Court of Benin. Since then, the MAA has supported the BDG commitment to return artefacts to a new museum being developed in Benin City. The MAA and the University of Cambridge Museums consortium later developed a framework for the return of artefacts. The policy notes that consideration will be given to whether artefacts were “appropriated in the aftermath of violence, for example in the context of a colonial intrusion or war”. In recent years, MAA staff have visited Benin City, and Benin representatives have visited Cambridge. MAA director Nicholas Thomas said: “The dialogue over the last few years between MAA curators and colleagues in Nigeria has been extraordinarily rewarding. We welcome the claim from Nigeria’s National Commission for Museums and Monuments, the opportunities this process presents, as a university museum committed to working internationally, in partnership." The claim by the NCMM follows the return of a Benin item to Nigeria from Jesus College Cambridge in October last year. The repatriation of the bronze cockerel was the first institutional return of its kind. The return of the Benin items held by MAA is expected to take some time, particularly as there are 136 objects to deal with. A number of other UK museums are making efforts to deal with Benin items that they hold. Harewood House is home to a small Benin bronze belonging to the Lascelles family, which owns the historic property in west Yorkshire. The family are working towards the repatriation of this item and are in conversation with stakeholders. Harewood is currently displaying the bronze as part of its Open History series, which uses objects in the collection to engage visitors in Harewood’s past. Meanwhile at National Museums Liverpool, the World Museum is opening a display about its Benin items. Benin and Liverpool, which will be unveiled on 18 March, has been developed in collaboration with five Liverpool residents of African descent. The aim is to bring absent voices and new narratives to the presentation of the museum’s collections from Benin City. Benin and Liverpool is part of the #WMWhereNext campaign, which is exploring the World Museum’s colonial collections and the contexts in which they were acquired. As well as displaying 21 original Benin artworks, including an elaborately carved elephant tusk damaged during the looting of the city, the display includes audiovisuals that bring contemporary Edo voices to the gallery and two contemporary artworks by artist Leo Asemota. The five Liverpool residents who helped create the display were Nasra Elliott, Saffron Francis, Otis Graham, Ashleigh Nugent, and Emy Onuora. Janet Dugdale, NML executive director of museums and participation, said: "Across National Museums Liverpool, we are thinking about new ways to use objects to understand our collective past, present and future. In Benin and Liverpool, we proactively confront questions about Britain's colonial history, its legacies and our collections. From the latest research into its collections, World Museum has 51 Benin artworks in various materials (copper alloy, ivory, stone, wood) that are highly likely to have been acquired directly or indirectly from participants in the 1897 punitive expedition. This figure does not include one item that was destroyed in a fire at the museum in 1941.

https://www.museumsassociation.org/museums-journal/news/2022/03/museum-of-archaeology-and-anthropology-receives-benin-repatriation-claim/

After 11 years, Derek Waugh is out as head coach of the Stetson men's basketball team. The school made the announcement Saturday afternoon, as the Hatters are nearing the end of yet another disappointing season. Athletics director Jeff Altier said Waugh will remain the coach for the remainder of the season, and will finish out his contract next year as the newly created assistant athletics director. The Hatters are currently 7-21, and have lost 10 of their last 11 games. "As the season has gone on, Derek and I both agreed that our expectations for success have not been met," Altier said in an interview Saturday. "We thought things would have gone better, and so we agreed that a change would be made." Waugh and Altier said the move was announced now, as opposed to at the end of the season, because the decision had been made and they didn't want rumors to leak out to the players. Waugh, 39, said he understood why the move was made. "I'm not naive to the fact that coaches who struggle a few years in a row and don't have a great track record could be in trouble," Waugh said. "We have a talented group here that we know can win championships. But we struggled, record-wise, and I knew a change could be inevitable." Waugh took over the Hatters on Dec. 27, 2000, after Murray Arnold retired midway through the year. At 29 he was one of the youngest coaches in Division I, but he was unable to lift the Hatters program into success. His career record is 119-190, though he is the second-winningest coach in school history (behind the legendary Glenn Wilkes at 552). The Hatters only twice had winning records in the Atlantic Sun Conference under Waugh, and they never finished higher than third in the league, losing 20 overall games four times. The program appeared to make a breakthrough in 2007-08, going 16-16 overall and 11-5 in the A-Sun. Waugh was rewarded with an extension of his contract at that point, but Stetson won just 20 games over the next two seasons, and with the team losing again this season, a change was made. "We had a group that year (in 2007-08) that had been together for a while and really had a great season, and then the following year we started over with a new group," Waugh said. "We just never could get things going again." Freshman starter Corey Walden, who suffered a broken foot in the Hatters' most recent loss, said he was "very surprised" by the move. The Hatters players were told Saturday. DeLand High School senior Dennis Diaz, who signed to play with Stetson next year, said he would honor his commitment. "I want to go to the school and get a great education and play for a great program, no matter who the coach is," Diaz said. "It's sad about Coach Waugh, but I still want to play there." Altier said assistant coaches Sebastian Singletary, Wylie Tucker, and Chris Capko would run the program after the season until a new coach was named. Altier said it would be a "national search" and he was confident the Hatters would be able to get a top-notch head coach. "I think Stetson would be very smart to strongly, strongly consider (the assistants)," Waugh said. "We've had a couple of great recruiting classes and I think this group we have now could win championships. Check that, they will win championships."

https://www.news-journalonline.com/story/news/2011/02/20/waugh-to-resign/30587634007/

The government has no business setting a minimum wage. Wages should be controlled by supply and demand. There are many teenagers who would like to earn a little spending money. There are also many mentally and physically challenged persons who are not worth minimum wage and have nothing to do and feel worthless. There are many simple jobs they could be doing as well as anyone. Producers could make things cheaper. We could all buy things cheaper. Everyone would benefit. Heads of households generally have more experience and knowledge and earn more than minimum wage. Minimum wage only raises prices and puts persons out of work. Wow, another April 15 (Tax Day) has come and gone. The ultra left is again complaining that President Trump has given the store away to the rich corporate business moguls, and stuck it to the middle class. I’m a middle class retired person who served the U.S. government and the state of Nevada for 28 years. I haven’t gotten a federal tax refund for 10 years. This year using the same legal tax deductions as I have used over those past 10 years I received a tax refund from the IRS for over $1,000. Thank you POTUS for your tax reform that put it to the middle class. Gimmee a break hypocrites.

https://www.nnbw.com/news/2019/apr/21/letters-to-the-editor-for-april-20-2019/

Si Horizon: Forbidden West entered its final phase of development last June, it seems, according to some rumors, that its release date will be postponed, for a release then scheduled for 2022. This information is only a rumor for the moment, and it comes from journalist Jeff Grubb. He said on his latest show, the replay of which is only available to premium subscribers, that rumors from the hallway indeed suggest thatHorizon: Forbidden West should no longer appear for the end of 2021, but for the year 2022. However, he wanted to qualify his comments on the Reddit forum, declaring that it was not something certain, the developers and Sony has not yet acted on the decision. Otherwise, the Guerrilla Games studio has never hidden the difficulties he may have encountered due to the COVID-19 pandemic, in particular with the capture of movements involving several actors who need real places that can accommodate physical persons. Anyway, we'll have to wait for any announcement from the studio, but at this time, Horizon: Forbidden West is still scheduled for the end of 2021. Note that a State of Play seems scheduled for this month of September. So we might know more at that time.

https://www.onlyfirstplayer.com/en/horizon-forbidden-west-its-release-could-be-postponed-to-2022

/Not Making Your Decision... Not Making Your Decision Predictable. Reaching to a conclusive decision is never easy. One big decision that I made in my life, was whether to attend higher education at Washington state university, or to stay here and attend highline community college which was more convenient. All throughout out high school WSU was the only school on my mind. It was far from my parents' house which meant a whole a lot of freedom, two of my best friends were also going to attend the school. But the one big reason why I was so attached to this school was because my older brother goes there. Fortunately these reasons weren't enough to make a decision that's going to change my life significantly for the next four years. In his book Predictably Irrational Dan Arily said, "To make informed decision we need to somehow experience and understand the emotional state we will be in at the other side of the experience. Learning how to bridge this gap is essential to making some of the important decisions of our lives". That's exactly what I did. I went around and simply just asked people to better understand and educate my self. The question was how can I benefit my self by attending community college first as a pose to starting at a four year university? The answer I got was very convincing to say the least, small class sizes which meant better interaction with professors. Being a kind of learner that prefers an educational environment where there are small groups and discussion, it was a big deal for me. Also with economy being the way it is, it was very essential that I looked at the financial side of it. "Not Making Your Decision Predictable" OtherPapers.com. 05 2011. 2011. 05 2011 <https://www.otherpapers.com/essay/Not-Making-Your-Decision-Predictable/3243.html>. "Not Making Your Decision Predictable." OtherPapers.com. OtherPapers.com, 05 2011. Web. 05 2011. <https://www.otherpapers.com/essay/Not-Making-Your-Decision-Predictable/3243.html>. "Not Making Your Decision Predictable." OtherPapers.com. 05, 2011. Accessed 05, 2011. https://www.otherpapers.com/essay/Not-Making-Your-Decision-Predictable/3243.html.

https://www.otherpapers.com/essay/Not-Making-Your-Decision-Predictable/3243.html

Pacific World School conducted a special assembly on May 4, in association with Isha Foundation's ‘SAVE SOIL’ movement that has now spread across over 27 countries. Mr. Vatsal and Ms. Florina, associate members of ‘SAVE SOIL’ campaign, highlighted the issue of soil degradation with a striking video. They also urged the students to write a letter to the Prime Minister to take this movement forward. The students also made posters, wrote poems, and engaged in farming and save soil dance to connect more intimately with the campaign. We hope this initiative will help create responsible future citizens who care for nature and all life on our planet. The assembly concluded with the words of our Principal who reminded the students about the 17 SDGs that Pacific World School has taken up as the theme for the session 2022-23.

https://www.pacificworldschool.com/image-gallery-detail.php?gal_id=147

When you go to the doctor or the hospital to receive medical attention, you never imagine that you’ll come out of it in worse shape. According to the National Practitioner Data Bank, there have been over 1,700 Medical Malpractice Payment Reports (MMPRs) in Texas since 2019. This information, provided through the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is a startling reminder that surgical errors, misdiagnoses, and medical negligence happen far too often. If you’d like more information about what to do when filing a medical malpractice claim, call me, Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law. I can help clients from one of my four locations: Houston, Webster, South Houston, or Pasadena, Texas. Patients are able to make a medical malpractice claim if they feel that a medical professional was at fault for damages or injuries caused while the patient was under their care. A successful case must prove that the duty of care of medical staff or doctors was breached, and that their negligence caused your harm. This could be caused by a misdiagnosis by medical staff or an error made during surgery or other medical procedure. Proving this kind of negligence is a high bar to pass, and most victims find they need to work with an attorney to ensure their rights are protected and that they pursue the compensation they deserve. Do bring the claim as quickly after the injury as possible: Texas imposes a strict two year statute of limitations to file a lawsuit, and the clock starts on the date the malpractice occurred. This may seem like a long time, but it will pass sooner than you think. It’s essential to start working with your medical malpractice attorney immediately. Do gather/obtain medical records: Key to any successful claim is substantial evidence. This includes doctor’s reports and diagnoses, bills, or witness testimony including professional opinions from other medical providers. Do hire an experienced attorney: Medical malpractice cases are notoriously hard to bring to court, which is why you need an attorney working on your side. Hospitals and doctors have teams of lawyers working for them to defend against these claims; you need someone with the experience and legal knowledge to present a compelling case. Don’t sign a release without an attorney: The defense team for the doctor will either try to discredit your claim or have you settle out of court. You should never sign anything, including a release, without first consulting with your attorney and having them review the document. Don’t argue with the doctor about what went wrong: Even if you feel your doctor is clearly at fault, you should not communicate with them directly about your case and instead leave the negotiations to your attorney. Proving fault or liability in medical malpractice is complicated and you’ll increase your chances of a successful claim by trusting your attorney to represent your best interests. Don’t miss doctor appointments: Whenever you’re bringing forth a medical malpractice suit, it’s important you attend all doctor’s appointments and follow-up visits. Your actions will be scrutinized and whether you followed your doctor’s orders will be examined to see if the fault lay with the doctor or with you. I have four locations in the area to make it easier to serve my clients: Houston, Webster, South Houston, and Pasadena, but I can also help those throughout the area including Clear Lake, Friendswood, League City, Alvin, Dickinson, Bacliff, Kemah, Seabrook, and Santa Fe. If you’re looking for an experienced attorney who will work tirelessly on your behalf, look no further than Jose Orihuela, Attorney at Law. Reach out today to schedule a consultation.

https://www.paininthecarwreck.com/blog/the-dos-and-donts-of-pursuing-medical-malpractice-claims/

PORT NECHES — While most of his classmates slept, Brayden Thibodaux woke at 3:30 a.m. Monday to head to the gym. After a two-hour workout, he returned home to shower, eat a breakfast loaded with protein and head to school. But even after waking up so early, Thibodaux is known for his kindness and high energy. After spending one year in Bridge City, Thibodaux became a resident of Port Neches. And by the time he was ready for kindergarten, he found his passion. Thibodaux tried out for band in sixth grade with confidence that he’d land on percussion. But it was a hobby that almost ended after three years. And for his final year of high school, the drummer was part of a historic football season that saw PNGHS in the state championship for the first time since 1999. As PNGHS prepares to go into winter break this week, the seniors will be halfway through their final year. Thibodaux will be attending Lamar University in Beaumont to major in mechanical engineering — a career path he only recently found while taking pre-calculus. Almaraz, who will also be attending Lamar to become a social worker, said knowing she’ll have friends from high school with her is comforting.

https://www.panews.com/2022/12/20/bright-futures-pnghs-drummer-brayden-thibodaux-reflects-on-historical-year-as-a-senior/

Alan Braxe is responsible for some of the most enduring hits of the French house scene. He achieved worldwide success as one-third of Stardust, whose only single, 1998's inescapable "Music Sounds Better with You," sold over three million copies. Braxe then founded Vulture Music and released several major club singles, often with co-producer Fred Falke, which drew from disco and '80s pop influences. The well-received compilation The Upper Cuts appeared in 2005, and Braxe became an in-demand remixer, adding the French touch to songs by Beyoncé, Kylie Minogue, Jamiroquai, and others. He occasionally released solo tracks and collaborations with producers like Kris Menace, and switched to an analog setup at the end of the 2010s, producing efforts such as The Ascent EP (2019). Collaborating with his cousin DJ Falcon, he released the Step by Step EP in 2022. Alain Quême was born in Paris in 1971. He first played cello and clarinet, then became a DJ during the late '80s. His earliest dance tracks were produced with only a mixer, a compressor, and a sampler. His debut single as Alan Braxe, "Vertigo," was released by Thomas Bangalter of Daft Punk's Roulé label in 1997. The two then teamed up with Braxe's friend Benjamin Diamond for a performance at the Rex Club in Paris. One of the songs written for the performance included a looped sample from the Chaka Khan song "Fate." The three continued working on the song at Bangalter's studio, adding more instruments and lyrics, but eventually stripping out most of Diamond's vocals so the song became a sort of mantra. The finished track, "Music Sounds Better with You," premiered at the 1998 Winter Music Conference in Miami and was issued as a single-sided 12" by Roulé. Following radio airplay by Pete Tong and other DJs, Virgin licensed the single, and Michel Gondry directed a dreamy video for the song. Its popularity exploded, topping charts in several countries, and it remains a club and radio staple. Despite Virgin offering the musicians three million dollars to produce a Stardust album, the trio decided to disband and move on to other projects. Braxe's next move was founding Vulture Music, and working with co-producer Fred Falke on several other filter-disco singles. The Running 12", led by the track "Intro," appeared in 2000, followed by "Palladium"/"Penthouse Serenade," "Rubicon," and others. The compilation The Upper Cuts gathered most of Braxe's productions dating back to "Vertigo," and was a critical success. The Kris Menace collaboration "Lumberjack" and the Japan-only Vulture Music Mixed by Alan Braxe both appeared in 2007. Braxe continued building his extensive résumé as a remixer, though he stopped working with Falke after 2007, when the duo remixed the likes of Kylie Minogue, Justice, and Dragonette. Braxe released "Addicted" and "Nightwatcher (Show Me)" (featuring Killa Kela and Fallon) in 2008. In 2013, Braxe issued the downtempo pop EP Moments in Time, with the Spimes. He then began using a Buchla modular synthesizer instead of digital equipment, returning to the minimalism of his initial forays into production. An experimental EP titled The Ascent appeared in 2019, and Silence at Sea, inspired by Ian Urbina's book The Outlaw Ocean, was released in 2021. Braxe and his cousin Stéphane Quême, known as DJ Falcon, collaborated for the first time in 2022, issuing the EP Step by Step, featuring guest vocals by Panda Bear on the title track.

https://www.qobuz.com/fi-en/interpreter/alan-braxe-1/523041

The town of Raska and surroundings could be seen submerged by water on Saturday, after flooding hit the Western Balkans following torrential rain. Drone footage revealed the extent of the disaster, showing flooded land, streets and overflowing river beds. According to reports, a body was pulled out of the Raska river on Friday, while dozens of people were evacuated from their homes. A state of emergency was declared in several towns in Serbia earlier in the week, including in Prijepolje, Sjenica, Novi Pazar and Tutin, among others. Serbia, Kosovo and Montenegro were hit by floods, with houses, roads and other infrastructure, as well as valleys and forestland submerged by water. Schools and kindergartens were closed and traffic was disrupted. Several areas in the country have declared an emergency.

https://www.ruptly.tv/en/videos/20230121-014-serbia-raska-and-surroundings-flooded-states-of-emergency-imposed-in-several-cities

You are cordially invited to join us at the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Grant Prideco to be held at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 17, 2007. The Annual Meeting will be held at the Crowne Plaza Houston North Greenspoint (formerly Hotel Sofitel), St. Tropez Ballroom, 425 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, Houston, Texas 77060. This year you will be asked to vote on one proposal: the election of directors. The proposal is more fully explained in the attached proxy statement, which we encourage you to read. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we strongly encourage you to vote your shares on the enclosed proxy card and return your signed proxy card at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your cooperation. Your Board of Directors recommends that you vote in favor of each of the matters to be voted upon. Your Board of Directors has set March 28, 2007 as the record date for the Annual Meeting. Only those stockholders who are holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on March 28, 2007 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A complete list of these stockholders will be available for examination at the Annual Meeting and at our principal executive offices at 400 N. Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77060 for a period of ten days prior to the Annual Meeting. You are cordially invited to join us at the Annual Meeting. However, to ensure your representation at the Annual Meeting, we request that you return your signed proxy card at your earliest convenience, whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting. Your proxy will be returned to you if you are present at the Annual Meeting and request us to return your proxy card. Proposal 1: Election of eight nominees as directors of the Company. Your Board of Directors recommends that you vote FOR each of the nominees for director. Who Can Vote: All holders of record of our common stock at the close of business on March 28, 2007, are entitled to vote. Holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote per share at the Annual Meeting. The common stock is the only class of our securities that is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Broker Discretionary Authority: Under the Rules of the New York Stock Exchange, if you hold your shares through a bank or broker, your broker is permitted to vote your shares on Proposal One, even if the broker does not receive instructions from you. Proxies Solicited By: Your vote and proxy are being solicited by our Board of Directors for use at the Annual Meeting. This Proxy Statement and enclosed proxy card is being sent on behalf of our Board of Directors to all stockholders beginning on or about April 6, 2007. By completing, signing and returning your proxy card, you will authorize the persons named on the proxy card to vote your shares according to your instructions. • casting your vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Your last vote will be the vote that is counted. Costs of Proxy Solicitation: Some of our directors, officers and employees may solicit proxies personally, by telephone or mail without any additional compensation. Proxy materials also will be furnished without cost to brokers and other nominees to forward to the beneficial owners of shares held in their names. Questions: You may call Grant Prideco’s Investor Relations Department at |||PHONE_NUMBER||| if you have any questions. Each of the nominees named above is a current director of the Company with his term of office as director expiring on the date of the Annual Meeting. If elected, each nominee will serve an additional one-year term as director. One of our current directors, Mr. Sheldon Lubar, has informed the Board that he intends to retire as a director of the Company effective as of the date of the Annual Meeting. Thus, Mr. Lubar was not included as a director nominee with respect to the election of directors. All of our nominees have consented to serve as directors. Our Board of Directors has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to act as a director. However, if any director is unable to stand for re-election, the Board will designate a substitute. If a substitute nominee is named, the persons named on the proxy card will vote for the election of the substitute nominee. THE BOARD RECOMMENDS THAT YOU VOTE IN FAVOR OF EACH NOMINEE FOR DIRECTOR. David J. Butters is a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers, Inc., an investment banking company, where he has been employed for more than the past five years. Mr. Butters is currently Chairman of the Board of Directors of GulfMark Offshore, Inc. and a director of Weatherford International Ltd. Eliot M. Fried served as a Managing Director of Lehman Brothers, Inc. until his retirement in 2000. Mr. Fried had been a member of the Lehman Brothers Investment Committee for nine years and was also a member of the Lehman Brothers Commitment Committee and Fairness Opinion Committee. Mr. Fried joined Shearson Hayden Stone Inc., a predecessor firm to Lehman Brothers, Inc., in 1976 and became a Managing Director in 1982. Mr. Fried is also a director of Axsys Technologies, Inc. and Blount International, Inc. Dennis R. Hendrix served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of PanEnergy Corp. until his retirement in 1997, and as PanEnergy’s Chief Executive Officer from November 1990 until April 1995. Mr. Hendrix was President and Chief Executive Officer of Texas Eastern Corporation from 1986 to 1989. Mr. Hendrix serves as a director of Newfield Exploration Company, Spectra Energy Corp and Allied Waste Industries, Inc. Senior Vice President-Finance and Administration of VME Group, N.V., The Hague, Netherlands. Mr. Layman is a director of Blount, GrafTech International Ltd and Infinity Property & Casualty Corp. Michael McShane has served as a director and as our President and Chief Executive Officer since June 2002 and assumed the role of Chairman of the Board beginning in May 2004. Prior to joining Grant Prideco, Mr. McShane was Senior Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer and director of BJ Services Company from 1998, and Vice President-Finance and Chief Financial Officer from 1990 to 1998. Mr. McShane joined BJ Services Company in 1987 from Reed Tool Company, where he was employed for seven years in various financial management positions. Mr. McShane is also a director of Complete Energy Services, Inc. Robert K. Moses, Jr. has been a private investor, principally in the oil and gas exploration and oilfield services business in Houston, Texas, for more than the past five years. He served as Chairman of the Board of Weatherford Enterra, a predecessor to Weatherford International Ltd., from May 1989 to December 1992. He also serves on the board of Weatherford International Ltd. Joseph E. Reid has been involved in the oil and gas business since 1956. From 1984 to 1986, he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Meridian Oil, Inc. and from 1978 to 1982 he served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Superior Oil Company. Since 1986, Mr. Reid has been an oil and gas consultant. Mr. Reid serves as a director of Texas Regional Bancshares, Inc. David A. Trice has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Newfield Exploration Company since February 2000 and was elected Chairman of the Board of Newfield in September 2004. Prior to such time, Mr. Trice served as Newfield’s President and Chief Operating Officer from May 1999, and as its Vice President-Finance and International from July 1997. Prior to joining Newfield, Mr. Trice served as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director of the Huffco Group from 1991 to July 1997. Mr. Trice is also a director of Newfield, Hornbeck Offshore Services, Inc. and New Jersey Resources, Inc. Grant Prideco is committed to having sound corporate governance principles. Having such principles is essential to running Grant Prideco’s business efficiently and to maintaining Grant Prideco’s integrity in the marketplace. Grant Prideco’s Corporate Governance Guidelines adopted by the Board of Directors are available under the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.grantprideco.com. The Board has affirmatively determined that each of the current directors standing for re-election, except Mr. McShane, who serves as our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, has no material relationship with Grant Prideco (either directly or as a partner, shareholder or officer of an organization that has a relationship with Grant Prideco) and is independent within the meaning of Grant Prideco’s director independence standards, which are consistent with the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) director independence standards. In assessing director independence, the Board of Directors considered the relationships described below under “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions” and has determined that none of these relationships could impair the independence of such directors. In making this assessment, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and the Board took into account the level of such transactions in relationship to Grant Prideco’s and each other party’s aggregate sales, the level of director involvement in such transactions and the ability of such directors to influence such transactions. Grant Prideco’s Corporate Governance and Business Ethics Manual is applicable to each of its employees, including its executive, financial and accounting officers, and is available under the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.grantprideco.com. Pursuant to the Corporate Governance Principles adopted by the Company’s Board of Directors, the policies described in this manual are also applicable to each of the Company’s directors. As of the date of this Proxy Statement, our Board has nine directors and the following three committees: (1) Audit, (2) Compensation and (3) Nominating and Corporate Governance. Committee membership is summarized below. The Board has determined that all of the members of its various Committees meet the independence requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Stock Exchange. Each committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board. All of the committee charters are available under the Investor Relations section of Grant Prideco’s website at www.grantprideco.com. During fiscal 2006, the Board held four meetings. Each director attended at least 75% of the aggregate of all Board meetings for which such director was eligible. Directors are encouraged to attend annual meetings of the Company’s stockholders and all current directors attended last year’s Annual Meeting. The Company’s Corporate Governance Principles set forth age limitations for directors and require that a majority of our directors be independent in accordance with the requirements of the New York Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission. In addition, the Corporate Governance Principles provide that the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee will seek to attain a diverse board and that any search by such committee or search firm to fill vacancies will seek to include diverse candidates from traditional and non-traditional pools. Other than these requirements, the Board has not defined any other minimum requirements for Board membership. In general, however, persons considered for Board positions must have demonstrated leadership capabilities, be of sound mind and high moral character, have no personal or financial interest that would conflict or appear to conflict with the interests of the Company and be willing and able to commit the necessary time for Board and committee service. • assessment of the performance of the Company’s internal audit function. The Board and Audit Committee have determined that Mr. Layman meets all of the requirements of an “Audit Committee Financial Expert” as defined by the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The 2006 Report of our Audit Committee begins on page 13 of this Proxy Statement. • administering the compensation plans for the executive officers. Sessions of the non-management directors of the Board are held after each regularly scheduled meeting of the Board. The sessions are scheduled and chaired by the Chairman of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Any non-management director can request that an additional non-executive session be scheduled. Any interested party may communicate with the Board, including the Chairman of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, who chairs sessions of the non-management directors of the Board, and other non-management directors, by submitting such communication in writing c/o General Counsel and Corporate Secretary, Grant Prideco, Inc., 400 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. E., Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77060. Additional information relating to communications with directors can be found on the Investor Relations section of our web page located at www.grantprideco.com. Director compensation is evaluated and approved by the Compensation Committee. The Company does not pay directors who are also employees of the Company any additional compensation for their service as a director. Non-employee directors are compensated in cash, through the grant of long-term equity awards and participation in the Company’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan. In February 2006, the Compensation Committee also awarded each director 2,500 shares of restricted stock, which vest on the first anniversary of the date of grant. The number of shares granted was based upon the fair market value on the date of grant and was designed to provide the directors with overall annual compensation within levels paid to the peer group of companies analyzed by PM&P. 1 For 2006, the peer group of companies selected by PM&P for purposes of analyzing director compensation consisted of BJ Services Co, Cooper Cameron Corporation, FMC Technologies, Inc., Hanover Compressor, National Oilwell Varco, Inc., Oil States International, Inc., Smith International, Inc., Superior Energy Services, Inc. and Weatherford International, Ltd. (1) Represents amounts paid for annual retainer fees, committee chairmanship fees and board and committee meeting fees. Amounts include fees deferred at the election of the director in the Company’s Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan (“NEDDC Plan”). Under our NEDDC Plan, each non-employee director may elect to defer up to 7.5% of any fees paid to such director. The deferred fees are converted into non-monetary units representing shares of common stock that could have been purchased with the deferred fees based on the market price of the common stock at the time of the deferral. If a non-employee director elects to defer at least 5% of his fees, we will make an additional contribution to the director’s account equal to the sum of (1) 7.5% of the director’s fees plus (2) the amount of fees deferred by the director. Subject to certain tax rules, our directors may generally determine when the funds will be distributed from the plan. The amount of the distribution will be equal to the number of units in the director’s account multiplied by the market price of the common stock at the time of distribution. Subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions are required to be made in our common stock upon the executive’s death, retirement or termination of employment. (2) Represents the annual accounting charge under FAS 123R relating to 2,500 shares of restricted stock that were awarded to the non-employee directors in February 2006. The restricted stock vested in February 2007. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for a complete description of the FAS 123R valuation. (3) Represents the annual accounting charge under FAS 123R (without regard to forfeitures) relating to stock options that were granted to the non-employee directors in May 2003. Such options vested in May 2006. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for a complete description of the FAS 123R valuation. (4) Represents Company contributions to each director’s NEDDC account during the applicable year. (5) Directors did not receive any non-equity incentive compensation, or earn any above-market earnings on non-qualified deferred compensation during 2006. Directors also do not participate in any pensions. Thus, no information is presented in the above table relating to these items. as the individual’s name and address; a description of the nominating shareholder’s stock ownership and tenure as a stockholder; a description of all arrangements or understandings (if any) between the shareholder and the individual being recommended as a potential director; such information about the individual being recommended as would be required to be included in a proxy statement filed under then-current rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission and New York Stock Exchange; and an indication of the individual’s willingness to serve as a director of the Company. Three of our current directors (Messrs. Butters, Lubar and Moses), two of whom are also director nominees (Messrs. Butters and Moses), also serve on Weatherford International Ltd.’s Board of Directors. These directors do not constitute a majority of either Grant Prideco’s or Weatherford’s Board of Directors. During 2006, Weatherford purchased products from us aggregating approximately $42.0 million. Total sales to Weatherford represented approximately 2.3% of our aggregate revenues in 2006 and less than 1% of Weatherford’s aggregate 2006 revenues. Our ReedHycalog division sells drill bits and other drilling tools worldwide to oil and gas operators, including Newfield Exploration Company. In addition, our Tubular Technology and Services division sells premium connections and tubular accessories to Newfield. Mr. Hendrix and Mr. Trice are both directors of Newfield and Mr. Trice is also Newfield’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. During 2006, Newfield purchased approximately $2.9 million of products from us, which represented less than 1% of our aggregate revenues during 2006 and less than 1% of Newfield’s aggregate 2006 revenues. Under our Corporate Compliance and Business Ethics Manual, no employee or director of the Company may have any investment or relationship with an outside organization that might put such person in a position that conflicts with our best interests. In general, we will enter into or ratify a “related party transaction” with an executive officer or director only when the Board of Directors, acting through the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, determines that the transaction with the officer or director is reasonable and fair to the Company. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee also will assess whether such transaction impairs the independence of such director. In general, a “related party transaction” is a transaction, arrangement or relationship (or any series of similar transactions, arrangements or relationships) in which the Company (including any of its subsidiaries) was, is or will be a participant and the amount involved exceeds $120,000, and in which any related person had, has or will have a direct or indirect material interest. Under our Corporate Compliance and Business Ethics Manual, executive officers and directors are to report related party transactions to the Company when such transactions become known. In addition, the Company attempts to identify related party transactions by having its executive officers and directors complete director and officer questionnaires. This table shows the number and percentage of shares of common stock beneficially owned by our directors, executive officers named in our summary compensation table on page 26 of this Proxy Statement, and officers and directors as a group, as of March 15, 2007. Each person has sole voting and investment power for the shares shown below, unless otherwise noted. (1) Includes shares of restricted stock that are subject to vesting requirements. (2) Includes shares of common stock that can be acquired through stock options exercisable on or prior to May 15, 2007 and rights to acquire shares under the Company’s deferred compensation arrangements as of December 31, 2006. Excludes options and deferred compensation vesting after May 15, 2007. (3) Includes 26,772 shares held by his wife, for which he disclaims beneficial ownership, and 14,388 shares held in trusts for his children for which Mr. Butters is the custodian, having voting and dispositive power. Reportings do not include holdings by Lehman Brothers for which Mr. Butters does not have a beneficial interest or voting or dispositive control. (4) Includes 200,000 shares held by his wife, over which he has no voting or dispositive power and as to which he disclaims beneficial ownership, and 15,379 shares held in trusts for his grandchildren through the general partnership, of which he is the trustee and has voting and dispositive power. Reportings do not include holdings by Lubar Family Foundation for which Mr. Lubar does not have a beneficial interest or voting or dispositive control. This table shows information for each person known by us to beneficially own 5% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of March 15, 2007. (1) This information included in the table and the footnotes is based on information furnished by each stockholder or contained in filings made with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The person listed has sole voting and dispositive power for its shares of common stock, unless otherwise noted. (2) Represents a group consisting of ClearBridge Advisors, LLC (“CAL”), ClearBridge Asset Management, Inc. (“CAM”), and Smith Barney Fund Management LLC (“Smith Barney”). Within this group, CAL beneficially owns 13,553,493 shares, CAM beneficially owns 588,849 shares, and Smith Barney beneficially owns 247,400 shares. The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is pleased to present this Audit Committee Report. We have reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2006 with management and have discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP, independent public accountants, our independent auditors, the matters required to be discussed by SAS 61 (Codification of Statements on Auditing Standards, AU Section 380), as amended with respect to those statements. We have received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1, Independence Discussions with Audit Committees) and have discussed with Deloitte & Touche its independence in connection with its audit of our most recent financial statements. Based on this review and these discussions, we recommended to the Board of Directors that these audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2006. We also reviewed with Deloitte & Touche and our management the various fees that we have paid to Deloitte & Touche during 2006 for services they rendered in connection with our annual audits, audit related fees, tax fees and other fees. We have considered whether the provision of non-audit services by Deloitte & Touche is compatible with maintaining auditor independence. In addition to Mr. McShane, whose biography is shown on page 6 of this Proxy Statement, the following persons are our executive officers. None of our executive officers or directors has any family relationships with each other. David R. Black was appointed our President — Drilling Products & Services in August 2004. From March 2004 until August 2004, Mr. Black served as our President — Tubular Technology and Services Division. From December 2002 until March 2004, Mr. Black served as Vice President — Operations for our ReedHycalog division. Prior to joining us, Mr. Black served as a business development consultant for Schlumberger Technology Corporation from January 2000 until December 2002 and Vice President and General Manager — Well Completions and Productivity from 1998 until January 2000. Prior to the merger of Camco International, Inc. with Schlumberger in 1998, Mr. Black worked for over twenty years in key management positions at Camco International, including most recently as the President of the Camco Products and Services division. Greg L. Boane has served as our Vice President and Controller since February 2007. From October 1999 until February 2007, Mr. Boane served as our Corporate Controller. Prior to joining us, Mr. Boane was Corporate Controller for Noble Drilling Services, Inc. from November 1996 to October 1999. Prior to joining Noble Drilling Services, Inc., Mr. Boane worked for McDonald’s Corporation as a Regional Controller and EVI, Inc. as Assistant Corporate Controller. Mr. Boane has a B.B.A. in Finance from Texas A&M University and is a Certified Public Accountant. Jim Breihan was appointed President — Tubular Technology and Services Division in November 2004. Prior to such appointment, Mr. Breihan served as Vice President Engineering for our Drilling Products and Services division beginning in May 2004 and our Vice President — Engineering for our Corporate Support Group from October 2001 until May 2004. Mr. Breihan has a BSME from The University of Texas at Austin. Philip A. Choyce has served as our Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary since January 2001. From December 1999 until January 2001, Mr. Choyce served as our Vice President and Associate General Counsel. Prior to joining us, Mr. Choyce was a senior associate with Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P.’s corporate law practice in Houston, Texas. Prior to joining Fulbright & Jaworski L.L.P., Mr. Choyce was a certified public accountant with Ernst & Young LLP in Houston, Texas. Mr. Choyce has a B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas A&M University and a J.D. from the University of Texas at Austin. John D. Deane has served as President-ReedHycalog since our acquisition of the ReedHycalog drill bits business from Schlumberger Technology Corporation in December 2002. From 1999 until his retirement from Schlumberger in January 2002, Mr. Deane served as Schlumberger’s Vice President of Drilling Technology. From 1996 until the merger of Camco International into Schlumberger in 1999, Mr. Deane served as Camco’s President of Hycalog. Prior to such time, Mr. Deane served in various positions of increasing responsibility within ReedHycalog. Matthew D. Fitzgerald was named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer in January 2004. Mr. Fitzgerald assumed the additional role of Treasurer in February 2007. Prior to joining us, Mr. Fitzgerald served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and Treasurer of Veritas DGC beginning in March 2001. Mr. Fitzgerald was employed by BJ Services Company from 1989 to 2001, where he served as Vice President and Controller from 1998 to 2001 and as Controller from 1989 to 1998. Mr. Fitzgerald also was a senior manager with the accounting firm of Ernst & Whinney. Mr. Fitzgerald serves as a director of Maverick Oil and Gas, Inc. Quintin V. Kneen has served as the Company’s Vice President — Finance and Investor Relations since February 2007. From June 2003 until February 2007, Mr. Kneen served as the Company’s Director of Corporate Development. From September 1998 until August 2003, Mr. Kneen served as Director and then Vice President — Transaction Accounting and Risk Management for Azurix Corp. In August 2003, Mr. Kneen’s employment contract with Azurix Corp. was transferred to Enron Corp. where he served as a Vice President and Assistant Controller until joining us in June 2003. Prior to Mr. Kneen joining Enron Corp., Enron Corp. had filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. Mr. Kneen has a B.B.A. in Accounting from Texas A&M University and an M.B.A. from Rice University and is a Certified Public Accountant and Chartered Financial Analyst. The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors oversees our compensation programs relating to our executive and other officers. Our Compensation Committee charter requires that the Compensation Committee have at least three members of the Board of Directors and that those members be independent as determined by the Board in accordance with New York Stock Exchange and Securities and Exchange Commission requirements. • Reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives relevant to the compensation of our president and chief executive officer, Mr. McShane, evaluating Mr. McShane’s performance in light of those goals and objectives, and setting Mr. McShane’s compensation at a level based upon this evaluation. • Reviewing and approving corporate goals and objectives and levels of compensation for the Company’s other executive officers. In 2004, the Compensation Committee retained PM&P as its independent compensation consultant to advise the Compensation Committee on various matters relating to executive compensation. This relationship continued in 2006. Representatives of PM&P have periodically met with the Chairman of the Compensation Committee and representatives of PM&P began attending meetings of the Compensation Committee in November 2006. PM&P assists the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation by providing comparative market data on compensation practices and programs based on an analysis of a peer group of companies selected by PM&P2, as well as industry specific and general industry compensation data. PM&P performs regression and other market analysis on the peer group of companies selected by it, reviews other data and provides the Compensation Committee with comparative data relating to base, bonus and long-term compensation as well as overall compensation levels and provides recommendations on issues for the Compensation Committee to consider. In 2006, PM&P also assisted the Compensation Committee in structuring the Company’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan with comparative market data used to assess non-employee director compensation. Role of the Chief Executive Officer with Respect to Executive Compensation. • Providing recommendations based upon data provided by PM&P of compensation levels for other executive officers, including salary, bonus and long-term equity compensation levels. In addition, with respect to the Company’s equity compensation programs, the Board and Compensation Committee have delegated to Mr. McShane authority to grant stock-based awards to non-executive employees in connection with new hires and promotions. The Company’s 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan that was approved by our stockholders at our 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders provides that the Compensation Committee may delegate to the chief executive officer the authority to grant stock-based compensation to non-executives of the Company. Our compensation philosophy is to provide a competitive compensation package that (1) attracts key employees; (2) retains key employees; and (3) rewards outstanding organizational and individual performance. • Base compensation should be fair but not excessive. An executive’s base compensation generally should be set at a level that provides compensation near the mid-point level of the survey data provided by PM&P. • Incentive and other compensation should reward exceptional performance. Incentive and other compensation opportunities should be set at levels so that each executive officer has the opportunity to reach at least the top quartile level of the survey data provided by PM&P if the Company’s performance exceeds expectations. • A significant percentage of the overall potential compensation that an executive may earn should be long-term compensation that aligns the executive’s interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. • Long-term incentive compensation should be structured to provide strong retention. 2 During 2006, the peer group of companies selected by PM&P consisted of Baker Hughes Incorporated, BJ Services Company, Cooper Cameron Corporation, FMC Technologies, Inc., Halliburton Company, Hanover Compressor Company, National Oilwell Varco, Inc., Oil States International, Inc., Schlumberger Limited, Smith International, Inc., Superior Energy Services, Inc. and Weatherford International Ltd. Although our Company provides methods pursuant to which executives may address their individual retirement needs, the Compensation Committee historically has not considered “retirement needs” or “past wealth accumulation” as factors to be considered in making annual compensation decisions with respect to its executive officers. Compensation Components and Links to Compensation Objectives. The Compensation Committee does not follow a fixed formula when allocating between the components of total compensation. Generally speaking, the Compensation Committee believes that the more impact that an executive officer’s position may have on the operations of the Company, the more that officer’s compensation should be linked to long-term compensation and results. Thus, historically, long-term compensation has been a greater percentage of the compensation of our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Division Presidents, as compared with that of our other executive officers. We expect this trend to continue in the future. Executive base salaries are targeted at median levels of the survey data provided by PM&P with adjustments up or down based upon individual and Company performance, relative experience and tenure with the Company. The Compensation Committee believes this level of base salary provides the executive with a salary that is not excessive, but sufficient to retain the executive. Increases in base salaries are driven primarily by individual performance and comparative data and recommendations provided by PM&P. In setting the base salary of the Company’s executive officers during 2006, the Compensation Committee reviewed the compensation of comparable senior executives as reported by PM&P, which indicated that base compensation levels for our executives were generally between the 25th and 50th percentiles of the market based upon the peer group and industry data compiled by PM&P. Adjustments to base salaries were made in part to bring executives closer to the mid-point of the market. For numerical information on 2006 base salaries, see the Summary Compensation Table on page 26 of this Proxy Statement. The Company provides for annual incentives that provide the Company’s executive officers with the opportunity to earn cash bonuses based upon the achievement of specific Company-wide and division financial performance goals. This annual incentive component of compensation is designed to align executive officer pay with our annual performance. Annual incentive payments are typically paid in cash after completion of the annual audit of our financial statements. Financial goals are determined by the Compensation Committee based on our annual operating budget that is approved by the Board of Directors. Historically, financial goals have been based upon earnings per share and value-added profits, which is an internal non-GAAP measure equal to net operating profit less a charge for the cost of capital used by the Company to generate profit or loss. The Compensation Committee believes that utilizing these measures provide incentive for the Company’s management and employees to focus not only on the earnings-per-share of the Company, but also the cost of investment required to produce such earnings. The amount to be paid to each executive under the annual incentive plan is a percentage of the executive’s base salary based upon the performance of the Company or the applicable division. Historically, incentive levels and potential payouts have been structured so that overall cash compensation (i.e., salary and annual incentive payments) would place the executive officers’ overall cash compensation at market median levels assuming performance at or near targeted levels with upside if Company performance exceeds expectations. For numerical information on annual incentive payments accrued in 2006, see the Summary Compensation Table on page 26 of this Proxy Statement. The Compensation Committee has designed our executive compensation program so that long-term equity compensation has the potential to be the largest portion of each executive’s total compensation. The Compensation Committee believes that long-term compensation should be structured to achieve several objectives. First, it should align the executive’s interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. Second, it should provide a strong incentive for the executive to remain with the Company. Finally, a portion of the awards should be “at-risk” if the Company’s performance is below expectations. When determining the level of long-term equity compensation to award to an executive, the Compensation Committee uses data and recommendations provided by PM&P and seeks to provide an award level that would place the executive in the top twenty-fifth percentile of the peer group of companies selected by PM&P if the Company were to perform at an above-average level. Historically, long-term equity compensation has taken the form of stock options as well as restricted stock awards and is granted on an annual basis at the Compensation Committee meeting held during the first quarter of each year. During the past three years, long-term equity compensation has principally taken the form of restricted stock awards. The Compensation Committee does not follow a specific formula when determining the structure and form of long-term equity compensation and future awards may follow different structures. For numerical data relating to the compensation cost in 2006 of long-term incentive awards granted to executive officers, see the Summary Compensation Table on page 26 of this Proxy Statement, the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 27 of this Proxy Statement and the Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table on page 28 of this Proxy Statement. • The shares will vest on the ninth anniversary of the date of grant so long as the executive remains employed by the Company on such date. The Compensation Committee believed this feature would provide a strong long-term retention incentive for the executives. • The grant includes a “tax gross-up” feature whereby the Company will pay the executive a cash bonus equal to the taxes owed when the shares ultimately vest. 3 For purposes of restricted stock awards granted in 2004, 2005 and 2006, the peer group of companies consisted of the following: Hydril Company, W-H Energy, Inc., Oil States International, Inc., Superior Energy, Inc., National Oilwell Varco, Inc., Halliburton Company, Tetra Technologies, Inc., Baker Hughes Incorporated, Weatherford International, Inc., Cooper Cameron Corporation, Schlumberger Limited, FMC Corporation, NewPark Resources, Inc., BJ Services Company, Smith International, Inc. and Key Energy Services, Inc. In February 2007, the Compensation Committee determined that the Company’s total shareholder return was greater than the 75th percentile of the peer group, and all shares granted in 2004 were vested in accordance with the terms of these agreements. • The shares will vest on the ninth anniversary of the date of grant so long as the executive remains in the employment of the Company on such date. The Compensation Committee believed this feature would provide a strong long-term retention incentive for the executives. • The grant would not include a tax gross-up feature similar to the 2004 award. • The shares will be eligible for accelerated vesting beginning on the third anniversary of the date of grant in the same percentages as the 2004 award. The amount of shares that would be eligible for accelerated vesting would be based on the Company’s total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return of a peer group of companies. The Compensation Committee believed that this feature would provide alignment of the executive’s interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. • The grant does not include a tax gross-up feature similar to the 2004 award and does not provide for any time vesting similar to the 2004 or 2005 awards. Thus, the entire award is “at risk” in the event the Company does not meet the performance measures discussed below. • The shares are eligible for vesting only on the third anniversary of the date of grant in the same percentages as the 2004 award. The number of shares that will vest is based on how the Company’s total shareholder return compares to the total shareholder return of a peer group of companies. The Compensation Committee believed that this feature would provide alignment of the executive’s interests with those of the Company’s stockholders. Any shares that are not vested based upon this calculation would be immediately forfeited. Other Equity Grants. The Compensation Committee made two other awards of long-term equity compensation during the past three years to executive officers. In January 2004, the Compensation Committee awarded Mr. Fitzgerald 60,000 shares of restricted stock and options to purchase 125,000 shares of common stock. These awards all vested completely on the third anniversary of his date of hire and were awarded in connection with his initial employment with the Company. The Compensation Committee also awarded Mr. Black 45,000 shares of restricted stock in February 2006, which completely vest on the third anniversary of the date of grant. This award was designed to provide a strong-retention incentive and reward Mr. Black for the exceptional performance of the Drilling Products and Services division under his leadership. Company’s non-qualified deferred compensation plan (“the NQDC Plan”). Each of these programs are discussed below. For numerical data relating to the compensation cost in 2006 of our deferred compensation arrangements, you should read the Summary Compensation Table on page 26 of this Proxy Statement, the Pension Benefits Table on page 30 of this Proxy Statement and the Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Table on page 30 of this Proxy Statement. The Company has established a SERP for Mr. McShane. The SERP is required under the terms of Mr. McShane’s employment agreement with the Company and was established at the time of Mr. McShane’s hire as a material inducement to his employment and to compensate him for the loss of his retirement benefit at his prior employer. As part of this agreement, Mr. McShane was credited with his prior years of service at his prior employer. Mr. McShane is the only participant in the SERP. For numerical data relating to the value of Mr. McShane’s SERP benefit, see the Summary Compensation Table on page 26 of this Proxy Statement and the Pension Benefits Table on page 30 of this Proxy Statement. Under the terms of the SERP, Mr. McShane is entitled to receive upon his retirement from the Company a hypothetical annual benefit starting at age 60 equal to a percentage of his “highest average annual compensation”, using a percentage equal to 2% per each year of credited service, not to exceed 60%. Under the SERP, “highest annual compensation” is equal to the average base salary and bonus paid to Mr. McShane for the three highest consecutive years out of Mr. McShane’s last ten years of employment with the Company. The benefit is reduced by social security benefits available to Mr. McShane. Mr. McShane’s SERP benefit does not vest until he reaches age 55 and is terminated if he voluntarily leaves employment with the Company prior to age 55. Mr. McShane’s benefits under the SERP are subject to accelerated vesting in the event of a change of control of the Company, his death or disability, or if he is terminated “for cause” or leaves employment for “good reason” as defined in his employment agreement. In the event of a change of control of the Company or termination for “cause” or “good reason”, Mr. McShane will be credited with an additional three years of service when computing the value of this benefit. For more information on Mr. McShane’s employment agreement, see “Employment and Change of Control Agreements” beginning on page 22 of this Proxy Statement. Under the SERP, in the event of death, disability or early retirement before Mr. McShane reaches age 60, Mr. McShane’s benefit is reduced by 5% for each year that Mr. McShane’s age is less than 60, subject to a maximum reduction of 25%. Subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, Mr. McShane’s benefits under the SERP will be distributed upon retirement in accordance with his distribution election. The Compensation Committee may, however, direct that the benefits be paid as a lump sum. A lump sum payment will be paid in the event of death or a change in control of the Company, and may be paid by the Compensation Committee at the request of the participant in the case of disability. The Company has purchased life insurance to finance the benefits under this plan. officer’s account. We have established a grantor trust that is subject to the claims of our creditors, into which funds are deposited with an independent trustee that purchases shares of our common stock for the EDC Plan. We believe the EDC Plan is consistent with our compensation philosophy and objectives. It encourages our executives to invest their own funds into our Company’s stock and further aligns our executives’ interests with the long-term interests of our stockholders. Our 401(k) Plan and our NQDC Plan permit employees and executives to defer earnings. We adopted these plans to enable employees to save for retirement through a tax-advantaged combination of employee and Company contributions and to provide employees the opportunity to directly manage their retirement plan assets through a variety of investment options. The 401(k) Plan allows eligible employees to elect to contribute from 1% to 16% of their eligible compensation to an investment trust. Eligible compensation generally means all wages, salaries, annual incentive and fees for services from the Company. After one year of service, employee contributions are matched in cash by us at 100% of employee contributions for the first 3% and 50% of employee contributions for the next 3% of the employee’s salary. Company matching contributions are immediately vested. The 401(k) Plan provides for several different investment options, for which the participant has sole discretion in determining how both the employer and employee contributions are invested. The 401(k) Plan also provides our employees with the option to invest directly in our common stock. As of September 1, 2006, investment of future contributions in our common stock is restricted to no more than 20%. The 401(k) Plan offers in-service withdrawals in the form of loans, hardship distributions, after-tax account distributions and age 591/2 distributions. We adopted our NQDC Plan to (1) allow executives to continue saving toward retirement when, due to compensation and contribution ceilings established under the tax laws, they can no longer contribute to the 401(k) Plan, (2) provide Company matching contributions that cannot be contributed to the 401(k) Plan due to compensation and contribution ceilings established under the tax laws and (3) enable covered executives to defer base and incentive compensation on a tax-deferred basis. After one year of service, employee contributions are matched in cash by us at 100% of employee contribution for the first 3% and 50% of employee contribution for the next 3% of the employee’s elected eligible compensation, less any matching contributions made by the Company to the employee’s 401(k) Plan account. Company matching contributions are immediately vested one year after the date of employment. The NQDC Plan provides for several different investment options, for which the participant has sole discretion in determining how both the employer and employee contributions are invested. The NQDC Plan does not provide our employees with the option to invest directly in the Company’s stock. Subject to Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, distributions from the NQDC Plan are made in a lump sum following the employee’s termination of service with the Company or death. We have adopted the Grant Prideco Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”) in order to encourage and enable eligible employees to purchase our stock at a discounted rate, thereby keeping the employees’ interests aligned with the interests of our stockholders. Our executives may participate in this plan on the same basis as all other eligible employees. Eligible employees may elect to contribute on an after-tax basis between 1% and 10% of their annual pay to purchase our common stock; provided, however, that an employee may not contribute more than $25,000 to the plan pursuant to tax law restrictions. Shares are purchased at a 15% discount of the fair market value of our common stock on January 1st or December 31st, whichever is lower. • Life Insurance and Accelerated Death & Dismemberment Coverage. We pay 100% of the premium for both term life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment coverage, equal to two times the executive’s base salary. • Short-Term and Long-Term Disability. We pay 100% of the premium cost for these benefit programs for executives. The program provides income replacement at 60% of base pay for up to 180 days of recovery. Upon the expiration of the 180 day short term disability period, the long-term program provides income replacement at 60% of the employee’s based pay level, up to a maximum of $10,000 per month. • Executive Car Allowances. We pay car allowances to our executives ranging from $7,200 to $12,000 per year. • Executive Physical Program. At our expense, subject to a $1,500 maximum, each executive is allowed to have a complete and professional physical exam on an annual basis. The Company has entered into employment agreements with some of its executive officers at the time of hiring and only when it believes that such agreements are necessary in order to recruit and retain such executives. The Compensation Committee believes such agreements are consistent with market practice and assist us in attracting and retaining executive talent. For executives who do not have employment agreements, the Company has entered into change-of-control agreements. For numerical information regarding potential benefits under these agreements, you should read “Potential Payouts upon Termination or Change of Control” beginning on page 30 of this Proxy Statement. Each of these agreements is discussed below. At the time of Mr. McShane’s employment with the Company, we entered into an employment agreement with him which has a term of three years and renews automatically each year for additional three year periods. The base compensation currently payable to Mr. McShane under his employment agreement is $700,000. The employment agreement also obligates us to maintain the SERP for his benefit. The SERP is discussed in more detail above under “Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan” on page 20 of this Proxy Statement. highest reported sales stock price as reported on the New York Stock exchange during the 60 day period prior to the date of termination. • any material reduction in the executive’s benefits. Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, Mr. McShane could be subject to an “excise tax” in the event his termination of employment occurs in connection with a change of control. Mr. McShane’s employment agreement provides that we will pay him a “gross-up payment” to cover the costs of this additional excise tax to insure that he receives the total benefit intended by the employment agreement. At the time of Mr. Fitzgerald’s employment with the Company, we entered into an employment agreement with him which has a term of three years and renews automatically each year for additional three year periods. The base compensation currently payable to Mr. Fitzgerald under his employment agreement is $375,000. • vesting of all stock options and restricted stock. At the time of Mr. Choyce’s employment with the Company, we entered into an employment agreement with him which has a term of three years and renews automatically each year for additional three year periods. The base compensation currently payable to Mr. Choyce under his employment agreement is $335,000. Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, Mr. Choyce could be subject to an “excise tax” in the event his termination of employment occurs in connection with a change of control. The Company has entered into a change of control agreement with Mr. Choyce which provides that we will pay him a “gross-up payment” to cover the costs of this additional excise tax to insure that he receives the total benefit intended by the employment agreement. Change-of-Control Agreements with Other Executive Officers. In addition to the agreements with Messrs. McShane, Fitzgerald and Choyce, we have entered into a change-of-control agreement with each of our other executive officers: Messrs. Black, Boane, Breihan, Deane, and Kneen. Under these agreements, the executives will be provided with certain benefits if there is both a change of control of the Company and the executive is subsequently terminated for any reason other than for “cause” or elects to terminate his employment for “good reason” within two years after a change of control. Under the change of control agreements, a change of control is defined generally as an acquisition by a person or group of persons of at least 50% of our outstanding common stock. Under the Deficit Reduction Act of 1984, each executive officer could be subject to an “excise tax” in the event their termination of employment occurs in connection with a change of control. The change-of-control agreements provides that we will pay the executive a “gross-up payment” to cover the costs of this additional excise tax to insure that such executive receives the total benefit intended by the change-of-control agreement. Tax Considerations. Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code proves that compensation in excess of $1 million paid for any year to a corporation’s chief executive officer and the four other highest paid executive officers at the end of such year will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes unless (1) the compensation qualifies as “performance-based compensation” and (2) we advised our shareholders of, and our shareholders have approved, the material terms of the plan and performance objectives thereunder. Our 2006 Long-Term Incentive Plan was structured and approved in a manner that the Compensation Committee believes will allow it the flexibility to maximize deductibility for performance-based awards under this plan. Although the Compensation Committee desires to structure executive compensation so as to preserve deductibility, it also believes that there are circumstances where our interests are best served by maintaining flexibility in the way compensation is provided, even if it might results in the non-deductibility of certain compensation under the Internal Revenue Code. Stock Ownership. We do not have stock ownership requirements or guidelines for our executive officers. However, all of our executive officers receive a significant amount of their total compensation in the form of grants of long-term equity awards. Financial Restatements. Our Board has not adopted a formal policy regarding the effects of a financial restatement on prior awards. The following table sets forth the compensation paid or accrued during 2006 to the Chief Executive Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the three most highly compensated executive officers of the Company. These officers are often referred to collectively as the “Named Executive Officers”. (2) This column represents the annual accounting expense for 2006 under FAS 123R relating to restricted stock that has been granted to the Named Executive Officers, including the tax gross-up component related to the 2004 restricted stock award which is accounted for as a liability award. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for a complete description of the FAS 123R valuation. (3) Represents the annual accounting expense for 2006 under FAS 123R (without regard to forfeitures) relating to stock options granted to the Named Executive Officers. See Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006 for a complete description of the FAS 123R valuation. (4) Represents annual incentive compensation earned in 2006 under the Company’s annual incentive plan. Annual incentive plan bonuses are paid after the applicable fiscal year following completion of the Company’s annual audit. (5) Amount represents the change in the actuarial present value during the fiscal year related to Mr. McShane’s SERP assuming Mr. McShane retires at age 60. There were no above market earnings on non-qualified deferred compensation balances during the year. (6) All other compensation includes amounts relating to (i) car allowances, (ii) country club memberships, (iii) Company matching contributions to the executive’s 401(k) account, (iv) life insurance premiums paid by the Company for the benefit of the executive and (v) Company contributions to the executive’s EDC Plan account and NQDC Plan account. During 2006, only awards under our annual incentive plan and restricted stock were granted to the Named Executive Officers. The following chart provides information relating to restricted stock granted to each of the Named Executive Officers during 2006. (1) Represents potential payouts under our annual incentive compensation plan. Amounts not vested are immediately forfeited. In the event of death or disability of the executive prior to the third anniversary of the date of grant, such shares will vest as follows: within 1 year: 50%; within two years: 75%; and within three years: the greater of 75% or the calculated vesting percentage (from the table above). In the event of a change of control prior to the third anniversary of the date of grant, vesting occurs as follows: within 1 year: 50%; after one year: greater of 50% or the calculated vesting percentage (from the table above). (3) On February 16, 2006, Mr. Black was granted 45,000 shares of restricted stock, which vest in full on the third anniversary of the date of grant, assuming Mr. Black remains in the employ of the Company on such date. Such restricted stock also is subject to accelerated vesting in the event of Mr. Black’s death or disability or a change in control of the Company occurs. The following chart summarizes outstanding grants of stock options and unvested restricted stock still held by the Named Executive Officers as of December 31, 2006. (1) Calculations based upon the closing price ($39.77) of the Common Stock on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of the year. (3) This restricted stock was granted on February 17, 2005. Vesting occurs on the ninth anniversary of the date of grant. The stock also is subject to accelerated vesting beginning on the third anniversary of the date of grant based upon the Company’s total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return for a peer group of companies. See “Long-Term Equity Compensation — 2005 Restricted Stock Grant” beginning on page 19 of this Proxy Statement for further information regarding this award. (4) This performance restricted stock was granted on February 16, 2006. On the third anniversary of the date of grant, all or part of the grant is subject to vesting based upon the Company’s total shareholder return compared to the total shareholder return for a peer group of companies. Shares not vested on the third anniversary of the date of grant are immediately forfeited. See “Long-Term Equity Compensation — 2006 Restricted Stock Grant” beginning on page 19 of this Proxy Statement for further information regarding this award. (5) Stock options and restricted stock were granted to Mr. Fitzgerald on January 12, 2004, his initial date of hire. Such options and shares vested on January 12, 2007, the third anniversary of his hire date. (6) This restricted stock was granted on February 16, 2006 and vests on the third anniversary of the date of grant. The following chart provides information relating to benefits accruing to Mr. McShane under the SERP. You should read “Long-Term Deferred Compensation — Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan” on page 20 of this Proxy Statement for a discussion of the material features of this plan. (1) Mr. McShane began employment with the Company in June 2002. The additional years of service credited under the SERP were granted to Mr. McShane pursuant to the terms and conditions of his employment agreement as a material inducement for his initial hire in 2002 and to compensate him for retirement benefits he forfeited at his former employer. (2) Represents the accumulated value of Mr. McShane’s SERP benefit assuming he remains with the Company and retires at age 60. This amount, as of December 31, 2006, was $1,282,212. The Company has established two non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements in which the Named Executive Officers participate: the EDC Plan and the NQDC plan. These plans are discussed in more detail on pages 20 and 21 of this Proxy Statement. The following table provides information relating to benefits accrued under these plans. (1) Represents aggregate total of executive deferrals in the Company’s EDC Plan and NQDC Plan. (2) Represents Company contributions to the Company’s EDC Plan and NQDC Plan. (3) Represents the sum of the (i) increase or decrease in the aggregate value of the shares of common stock underlying each executive’s EDC Plan account and (ii) the increase or decrease in interest and dividends earned during the year in the executive’s NQDC Plan account. (4) There were no withdrawals by any of the Named Executive Officers from the EDC Plan or NQDC Plan during the year. The Company has entered into employment agreements and change of control agreements with its Named Executive Officers. Under the terms of the employment agreements, certain of the Named Executive Officers would be entitled to certain benefits in the event such officer were terminated by the Company “without cause” or the executive terminated employment for “good reason”. No special benefits accrue to any of the Named Executive Officers in the event of voluntary termination by the executive. These contracts are more fully described beginning on page 22 of this Proxy Statement. (1) Represents cash payments under their applicable employment agreement. (2) Represents (i) the market value of unvested restricted stock that would vest and (ii) the “in the money” value of stock options that would vest based upon the closing price on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of the year. Includes any tax gross-up amounts paid in connection with vesting of restricted stock awards granted in 2004. (3) Represents the unvested value of Mr. McShane’s SERP benefit that would vest. Under the terms of the Company’s employment agreements and change of control agreements, each of the Named Executive Officers would be entitled to various benefits in the event the officer’s employment was terminated in connection with a change of control of the Company, including various cash payments, vesting of restricted stock and stock options, vesting of supplemental executive retirement benefits and payment of certain excise taxes. These benefits are more fully described beginning on page 22 of this Proxy Statement. (2) Represents cash payments under their applicable employment or change of control agreement. (3) Represents (1) the market value of unvested restricted stock that would vest as a result of a change of control and (2) the “in the money” value of stock options that would vest based upon the closing price on December 29, 2006, the last trading day of the year. Includes any tax gross-up amounts paid in connection with vesting of awards granted in 2004. (4) Represents the unvested value of Mr. McShane’s SERP benefit that would vest as a result of a change of control. On July 26, 2005, Ernst & Young LLP (“E&Y”) informed the Audit Committee that it would decline to stand for re-election as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm and would resign effective following completion of its review of the Company’s financial statements to be included in the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2005, which resignation was effective August 9, 2005. The Audit Committee simultaneously approved the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2005, effective August 9, 2005. E&Y’s report on the Company’s financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004 did not contain an adverse opinion or a disclaimer of opinion, nor was it qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principle. During the year ended December 31, 2004 and during the subsequent interim period through August 9, 2005, there were no disagreements with E&Y on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure, or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of E&Y would have caused such firm to make reference thereto in connection with its reports on the Company’s financial statements for such periods. these matters and the Company has authorized E&Y to respond fully to inquiries by the Company’s successor accountants regarding these matters without limitation. The Company provided E&Y with a copy of the above disclosures, also set forth in the Company’s Current Reports on Form 8-K dated July 26, 2005 and August 9, 2005, and requested that E&Y furnish the Company with a letter addressed to the SEC stating whether it agrees with such disclosures by the Company and, if not, stating the respects in which it does not agree. A copy of the letter from E&Y is filed as Exhibit 16.1 to each of such Current Reports on Form 8-K. During the year ended December 31, 2004 and during the subsequent interim period through August 9, 2005, the Company did not consult Deloitte & Touche LLP with respect to the application of accounting principles to a specified transaction, either completed or proposed, or the type of audit opinion that might be rendered on the Company’s financial statements, or any other matters or events listed in Item 304(a)(2) of SEC Regulation S-K. The following table presents aggregate fees billed or to be billed for professional services rendered for the Company by Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (Deloitte & Touche), our principal auditor for the years ended December 31, 2006 and 2005. (1) Audit fees relate to the audit of the annual financial statements, Sarbanes-Oxley Section 404 internal control audit, statutory audits of foreign subsidiaries and assistance with required filings with Securities and Exchange Commission. (2) Tax fees relate primarily to transfer pricing analysis and tax return preparation. (3) All other fees in 2005 relate primarily to accounting services provided by Deloitte & Touche prior to their appointment as our auditors. The Audit Committee has adopted policies and procedures for the pre-approval of audit and non-audit services by Deloitte & Touche. In general, all services must be pre-approved at duly convened meetings of the Audit Committee or by the Chairman of the Audit Committee. Any services approved by the Audit Committee Chairman are required to be discussed at the following regular meeting of the Audit Committee. All fees paid in 2005 and 2006 after Deloitte & Touche’s appointment as our auditors were approved in accordance with these procedures. All of our executive officers and directors are required to file initial reports of stock ownership and reports of changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange Commission and the New York Stock Exchange pursuant to Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. We have reviewed these reports, including any amendments, and written representations from the current executive officers and directors of the Company. Based on this review, we believe that all filing requirements were met during 2006. Stockholder proposals for our Annual Meeting to be held in 2008 must be received by us on or before January 18, 2008, and must otherwise comply with the rules promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission to be considered for inclusion in our proxy statement for that year. If a stockholder desires to bring business before the meeting which is not the subject of a proposal meeting the SEC proxy rule requirements for inclusion in the proxy statement, the proposal must be received by us by January 18, 2008. Any stockholder proposal, whether or not to be included in our proxy materials, must be sent to our Corporate Secretary at 400 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77060. We know of no other business that will be brought before our Annual Meeting. If any other matters are properly presented, the persons named on the enclosed proxy card will vote the proxies as they deem advisable. We have filed an Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2006 with the Securities and Exchange Commission. A complete copy of our Annual Report on Form 10-K is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. In addition, our Corporate Compliance and Business Ethics Manual, Corporate Governance Guidelines, and the charters for each of our Board Committees are available on the investor relations section of our website at www.grantprideco.com. We will provide to any stockholder a copy of these documents without charge upon written request. Copies of any exhibits to our Annual Report on 10-K also are available upon written request subject to a charge for copying and mailing. If you wish to obtain a paper copy of these documents or have any other questions about us, please contact our Investor Relations Department in writing (400 North Sam Houston Parkway East, Suite 900, Houston, Texas 77060) or by telephone |||PHONE_NUMBER||| ). VOTE BY INTERNET — www.proxyvote.com. ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE STOCKHOLDER COMMUNICATIONS. If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by Grant Prideco, Inc. in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access stockholder information electronically in future years. Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we’ve provided or return to Grant Prideco, Inc., c/o ADP, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. The undersigned stockholder of Grant Prideco, Inc. (“Grant”) hereby appoints Michael McShane and Philip A. Choyce, proxy, with full power of substitution, for the undersigned to vote the number of shares of common stock of Grant that the undersigned would be entitled to vote if personally present at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on May 17, 2007, at 11:300 a.m., Houston time, at the Crown Plaza Hotel North Greenspoint (formerly the Hotel Sofitel), St. Tropez Ballroom, 425 N. Sam Houston Pkwy. East, Houston, Texas 77060, and at any adjournment or postponement thereof, on the following matters that are more particularly described in the Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2007. This Proxy, when properly executed, will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned stockholder. IF no direction is made, this proxy will be voted “for” all of the nominees for director listed on the other side hereof under Proposal 1. Receipt of the Proxy Statement dated April 1, 2007, and the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, is hereby acknowledged. David J. Butters, Eliot M. Fried, Dennis R. Hendrix, Harold E. Layman, Michael McShane, Robert K. Moses, Jr., Joseph E. Reid and David A. Trice. INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority to vote for any Nominee, write that Nominee’s name in the space provided below. (2) To consider and take action upon any other matter which may properly come before the meeting or any adjournment(s) or postponement(s) thereof. Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. Joint owners must each sign. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please give your full title as it appears thereon. If signer is a corporation, execute in full corporate name by authorized officer. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.

https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1097313/000095012907001813/h44705ddef14a.htm

BOILING SPRINGS – To say it was a defensive struggle doesn’t quite cover the complexity of Presbyterian’s 14-7 win at Gardner-Webb’s Spangler Stadium Saturday afternoon. Normally, the side with a turnover edge has a huge advantage in a low-scoring contest. GWU’s defense produced four takeaways and handed the offense the corresponding good field position but the Runnin’ Bulldogs didn't seize the day. And in a cruel turn, Gardner-Webb’s one scoring threat in the first half, which led to a short field-goal try, was a backbreaker. PC’s LaRon Dickey broke through to block it and teammate Ed Britt picked it up and went 80 yards for a score. Presbyterian’s rugged defense lived up to its reputation. GWU had less than 100 yards total offense entering the fourth period and gave up six sacks on the day. The Gardner-Webb defense matched them until PC put together a 52-yard scoring drive early in the fourth period. Redshirt freshman Darrell Bridges, who ran for 135 yards on 24 carries, punched in a seven-yard touchdown to extend the lead to 14-0 with 9:09 left. The ‘Dogs, with their backs to the wall, then awoke. Lucas Beatty found Kalay Jones for a 37-yard completion, then spotted Kenny Cook for an 11-yard touchdown pass to make it 14-7 with 4:39 to go. The GWU defense held and, by using two timeouts, the ‘Dogs started at their 20 with 3:32 left. Beatty scrambled away from the rush and located Juanne Blount out of the backfield for 43 yards to the Blue Hose 37. On the next play, tight end Seth Cranfill made the catch and went inside the 10 but it was called back due to an illegal formation call. Beatty’s desperation pass on fourth-and-15 was picked off by PC’s Cory White at the 4 to seal it. Presbyterian (6-5, 3-2 Big South) capped its first winning season since 2007. Gardner-Webb slipped to 0-4 in the league for the first time ever and is 4-7 heading into next week’s season-finale at Monmouth in another noon start.

https://www.shelbystar.com/story/sports/2014/11/15/pc-defense-frustrates-dogs-in/34125576007/

This article will cover what the different types of snowmobiles there are, how to prepare them for shipment, the different options for shipping, and how to choose a good company for your shipping needs. Whether you enjoy hiking within the mountainous trails within the United States or an overseas adventure with a snowmobile, the problem many people face is how are they going to get the snowmobile to its location. Snowmobiles come in many different shapes and sizes, creating the issue of needing specialized transport for each. In total, there are seven different types of snowmobiles: touring, sport trail, utility, performance, crossover, mountain, and multi-passenger. Since all of these snowmobiles are built differently, some are shipped differently from one another, and it is best to go through a company to complete your shipping needs. Before getting the snowmobile on the trailer or however you are shipping it, you must prepare the snowmobile for shipment. This is an important step to do properly as it will ensure the snowmobile is protected during the transport, and will work efficiently once at its destination. As you know, there are multiple kinds of snowmobiles, and the process of preparing the snowmobile may vary slightly depending on the make an model, so it is important to contact your transportation company for any specific steps for your snowmobile. While there are a few specific details with each make and model, each snowmobile will have a few common steps as well that will be done to every snowmobile, regardless of the make and model. First of all, you should remove some of the external equipment so the snowmobile may be secured for transport. As the company will most likely use skid blocks or toothed chains to secure the object, you should remove things like handlebars, belts, windshield, and tie downs. Another step to take is to have the fuel tank at no more than ¼ full. In doing so, you are reducing the weight of the sled, and will also guard against any problems caused by leaks. After taking off the external parts and draining the sled of fluids, you should then take the time to thoroughly clean it. Make sure you take notes of all damages and scratches already existing on the vehicle. As you are examining the vehicle, make sure you take pictures of it as well to compare it with how the vehicle looks once it has arrived. Typically, the shipping company will do this as well, but it is always a good idea to have your own pictures as well. There are a few different options to choose from when shipping your snowmobile from your home to its new location. One of the most simple ideas would be to simply load it into a pickup truck and drive it yourself. This is a great idea if you are not driving too far, and if you already have a pickup truck. Going along with the pickup truck, if you have a sled deck, simply load the snowmobile into it onto the pickup truck. This is particularly handy when you are transporting two snowmobiles at the same time. An enclosed trailer may be the easiest methods as it protects the snowmobile from being exposed to flying debris along the travel. This is common among farther travels and when going through a shipping company. The only drawback is that there is more planning involved as you are going through a company, and it can be expensive. Again, this may be more common with shipping companies, and it is slightly cheaper than an enclosed trailer. Furthermore, you are able to haul multiple snowmobiles and they are easy to load and unload. If you are transporting the snowmobile on your own, there are a few things you could purchase to help you transport the sled, and items that are an absolute necessity. One item that would help your transport would be ratchet tie-downs to secure the sled to the pickup truck or trailer. If you want to protect your snowmobile during the travel, you could use a ride-on-cover to protect the hood and internals of the sled during travel. For easy load and unload, ski glides and traction pads will make the process much more efficient and reduce the damage to the deck and ramp surfaces. An obvious requirement of moving the snowmobile on your own is either a trailer or pickup truck to put the sled on. Some people may not have the necessary equipment to transport their snowmobile, or maybe they just don’t want the hassle. Whatever the case may be, they can always choose to use a shipping company to transport their sled to the destination. In order to ship with a company, simply follow these steps and you will speed through the process of choosing the company. Once you have decided to go through a shipping company, you should look at the top companies near you. In addition to finding the companies, look at the reviews found online. It is recommended that you choose a company with a good reputation, and has been in business for many years. Once you have narrowed down your search, you are then able to request quotes from companies you feel comfortable with shipping your snowmobile. The quotes you receive will help narrow your search down for the right company. Once you have established the contract with the company, you are then ready to prepare your snowmobile using the steps laid out in the text above. As you are preparing the snowmobile for transport, establish the correct pickup and delivery times with your company to ensure you won’t have any headaches on the day of your pickup and delivery. Moving a snowmobile can be extremely difficult depending on the make and model of your vehicle. There are a few different options for transporting your sled: pickup truck, sled deck, enclosed trailer, and open trailer. Many people opt to move it themselves if they have the necessary equipment, but there are people who would choose to have it shipped through a transport company. If you choose to go through a company, make sure you conduct thorough research on it for positive reviews and a reputable service provider. Finally, once you are ready to ship your snowmobile, make sure you follow the instructions provided to prepare your sled for safe transport and give Ship a Car a call at |||PHONE_NUMBER||| to make the entire process easy and efficient. Ready to transport your snowmobile with SAC? For centuries, ships and large boats have been used for wars, transporting people, and carrying cargo. However, what happens when the cargo that needs to be transported includes equipment from the ships and boats or the ships and boats themselves? If you want to gather information on how to transport your marine equipment, big or small, you’re in the right place. Medical equipment is often sensitive and delicate, and needs special packaging, crating and shipping practices. The medical equipment shipping industry is a highly regulated one. The standards for medical equipment shipping are designed to ensure the safety of both the patient and the equipment being shipped. Construction companies know all about their ‘construction’ business. However, what happens when they need to source equipment needed to perform their business duties. Continue reading to learn all about how to ship construction equipment across the United States.

https://www.shipacarinc.com/how-to-ship-a-snowmobile/

Is your husband ever more of the problem than a skid!! I hate how he parents and he doesn't listen for shit!!! My SD12 cleans up and listens better than my DH. Sometimes I don't know if I'll be able to live like this forever!!! He sets a horrible example for his daughter and ours!!!#! Yep, DH is MUCH worse than SD22. I can see why she is a brat. Between her parents, there was no hope. Definitely not feeling the love right now. I don't know why we put up with it! Skid free w/e!! Haven't had to post in awhile but... Summer break ugh!!!!!

https://www.steptalk.org/blog/klm/whos-worse-155084

Stoner, Inc. is a third-generation, family-owned company founded by Paul Stoner in 1942. Based in Quarryville, PA, the company has remained rooted in the values of patience and persistence characterized by its founder. Paul Stoner learned the value of hard work and discipline on his parents’ farm. He also learned to persevere through hardship. At the age of eight, his mother died of sudden heart failure. His father remarried, but when Paul was twelve, his father died from tetanus. Unable to manage the farm, his stepmother sold the property. Raised by family friends and relatives during the Great Depression, Paul directed hisenergy towards school and part-time jobs. At school he excelled in math and science, prompting his employer to encourage him to apply at a local college. In 1938, Paul graduated with a chemistry degree from Franklin & Marshall College. After graduation he worked for several chemical companies but grew frustrated after one laid him off and another went bankrupt. In 1942, he moved back to Quarryville and founded the Stoner Ink Company, which specialized in printing inks. In his first year, the company’s sales were $1,200. To make ends meet, Paul worked part-time jobs, one of which was at a tire retread plant having difficulty releasing tires from molds. Because Stoner listened and considered how to meet people’s needs, he formulated a lubricant that quickly and easily released tires from molds. His employer soon became his customer along with other rubber molders. In the 1950s, Stoner earned a reputation as an innovator of mold lubricants for the rubber and plastic industries. By the 1960s, America’s leading automotive and electronic manufactures came to Stoner for lubrication and cleaning solutions. In the 1970s, Stoner expanded into the automotive appearance market with auto polishes and waxes. In the 1980s, Paul Stoner’s grandson, Robert L. Ecklin, Jr., purchased the company and has built on his grandfather’s foundation by developing category-leading brands such as Invisible Glass, America’s #1 selling automotive glass cleaner. Today, Stoner manufactures a wide variety of branded cleaners and lubricants for consumer retailers, manufacturers, service businesses, government agencies, and universities worldwide. Stoner is a recognized leader in the plastics, urethane, composites, rubber, electronics, detailing, and car wash industries. Paul Stoner passed away in March 1986, but his values and legacy are ingrained in the company’s culture. His practice of listening to people and meeting their needs still characterizes Team Stoner as it pursues its vision of performance and excellence with passion.

https://www.stonersolutions.com/our-story

Lubbock, TX -- January 7, 2023, Vicente Alfonzo Valdez was injured following an accident where the vehicle he was in crashed off-road. Authorities said that the accident happened at around 4:00 a.m. at the intersection of 130th Street and Indiana Avenue. Initial details said that 27-year-old Vicente Alfonzo Valdez and 25-year-old Adrian Armando Valdez were in a Ford F-150 traveling westbound on 130th Street. At the intersection, the vehicle somehow ran off the corner where it crashed into a pole. Vicente Valdez's injuries were said to be incapacitating due to the crash. Adrian Valdez's condition was not specified. At this time, the cause of the crash can't be confirmed. Perhaps authorities have been thorough behind the scenes and have more answers than what they've released to the public. Unfortunately, though, it wouldn't surprise me if something important is slipping through the cracks here. I've had countless people come to me about crashes they couldn't avoid, due to things like tire issues, mechanical defects, medical conditions, road hazards, other drivers leaving the scene, etc. Yet when they spoke with police, all they got was a sparse report saying the driver was speeding, fatigued, or distracted. Those are common factors, of course, but that often leads to people jumping to conclusions without letting the evidence speak for itself. Did this crash get the proper attention to ensure those involved weren't left with unanswered questions?

https://www.texas-wrongful-death-lawyer.net/189559/vicente-alfonzo-valdez-car-accident-lubbock-tx.htm

What is the Acer Holo360? Why buy the Acer Holo360? The Holo360 is a new 360-video camera from Acer. It’s a similar concept to the Ricoh Theta S that kickstarted consumer interest in shooting 360, with a candy-bar design sporting a lens and sensor on either side. However, this isn’t just a me-too product. For a start, it includes a 3-inch LCD screen and runs Android 7.1. But it also has SIM slot, so you can add a mobile data contract and upload videos direct to online services no matter where you are. It should be stressed that, despite the Android operating system, this isn’t a smartphone with 360-degree camera capabilities. The Android features are focused on empowering the video features of the device, rather than providing a full smartphone platform. Acer itself doesn’t divulge very much about the internal specification of the Holo360, but we know from other sources that it’s based around the Qualcomm Connected Camera Platform and uses a Snapdragon 625 mobile processor. This provides hardware support for 4K video, the 4G data modem, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, and an Adreno 506 GPU optimised for processing fish-eye video from VR/360 lenses. The Qualcomm Connected Camera Platform was also used by the LG 360 CAM. However, with the Holo360, there’s no mention of the sensor included. Nevertheless, the hardware is sufficient to capture 4K 360-degree footage at 30fps, which is an improvement on the 360 CAM. This uses a 2:1 aspect ratio and 4096 x 2048 resolution, with a data rate of 28.44Mbits/sec – which is a little low for 4K. There’s also a 2K video mode with a quarter of the resolution. The Holo360 can capture still images at 4K or 6K resolution, although the latter is labelled as “normal shutter” where 4K is “faster shutter”. There’s no indication of what the difference in shutter speeds actually means in numbers, however. The Holo360 comes with 16GB of internal storage, although almost half of that is already consumed by the Android software bundle. At the top resolution, the approximately 8GB of free space would be enough for around 37 minutes of footage. However, you can add your own microSD memory card to expand this via a tray on the side, which you slide out with the use of a paper clip (or the tool provided). The same tray is also where the mobile data SIM is installed. Although the candy-bar format and screen are convenient, there are downsides. This isn’t the most robust device, and there’s no standard mounting screw on the bottom. As such, you’ll need to use it handheld rather than mounted on a tripod or helmet, which could be a limitation for some activities. You won’t be using the Holo360 to grab your finest skateboarding moments, for example. At this point in a 360 camera review I’d be expressing how limited the on-camera controls are and how you need to load up a smartphone app to get full access to all the settings. But since the Holo360 is essentially a cut-down Android smartphone with a built-in 3-inch touchscreen, you can control it entirely without recourse to another device. You can start the device by default in camera or Android mode. If you choose the former, you’re met with four icons on turning on the device, for accessing the video or stills camera and stored files. Alternatively, you can switch the interface to regular Android, after which there doesn’t seem to be an easy way to switch back to the other mode. When using the camera, you can choose to view the live video from the two cameras as a 360 sphere, or a portrait section from right in front of either camera, with a wider or narrower angle. Surprisingly, there are few other settings. You can toggle a power-saving mode, or choose whether to capture your location with the video, and whether to record to internal storage or an added memory card. With still images you can select whether to capture in continuous shot mode, and whether to superimpose a grid on-screen. With video, you can record with or without a time limit, and with or without audio. There’s a brightness option with seven steps between -3 and +3 EV. You can select auto exposure, night mode, or time lapse with a frame captured every two, three, five, or ten seconds. But that’s it – which is a surprise when there is so much potential for expert features from the Android platform. It’s complicated to get back out of Android mode, but you may not want to, as you get a full suite of Google apps included and could even download and watch commercial video content – if you like doing this on a 3-inch screen. However, the main benefit of the full Android operating system is that you can share your 360 videos and photos directly to popular services or load them onto your Google Drive. Facebook isn’t installed by default, but you can load it from the Google Play Store, alongside other social media apps. Uploading involves processing to equi-rectangular video format prior to upload. Videos in this format uploaded to YouTube and Facebook are recognised as 360, allowing viewers to pan around as they watch. Transferring the 360 video from native spherical to equi-rectangular for upload consumes a lot of processing power, and the Holo360 hardware isn’t particularly potent – so this takes a long time. Around 90 seconds of video took over ten minutes to process. You’re definitely paying in time for the convenience of being able to do this on the device itself. It’s also disappointing to see that, whilst you can stream live to YouTube and Facebook with the Holo360 using the Android apps, it will be a regular 2D stream from the front or rear camera – not 360 video. This is a missed opportunity, when Garmin’s VIRB 360 can stream to YouTube and Facebook in 360 via its smartphone app. But the biggest disappointment is that the footage is rather fuzzy. Even when viewed on YouTube at its top 2160-line resolution, the video is quite blocky and there’s an obvious stitching line on one side. This is highly likely to be because the data rate of the original footage is too low. Either way, it’s a letdown on a device that has some real potential. Here is a sample of 360 footage shot with the Acer Holo360. Here is the same 360 image from the Acer Holo360 hosted on 360player. The Acer Holo360 has some unique features. The fact that you can capture and upload to the internet with one device – either over Wi-Fi or mobile data – makes sharing your 360 video footage much less fiddly than having to use a smartphone or desktop computer as an intermediary. You can share your experiences in 360 as soon as you’ve had them, without having to wait to get home first. But the video quality isn’t that great compared to the latest devices from Garmin and GoPro. It’s also a missed opportunity that you can’t currently stream live 360 video to YouTube or Facebook, although the Android operating system may mean a software update may enable this at some point. So, although the Holo360’s price is reasonable for a 360 video camera with this breadth of features, it’s more a bit of fun than an essential 360 video device. The Acer Holo360 has unique abilities to upload directly to YouTube and Facebook, but video quality is disappointing.

https://www.trustedreviews.com/reviews/acer-holo360-review?utm_source=keystone&utm_medium=keystone_core_reviews_rss&utm_campaign=trusted+reviews

Last post I stressed about listening when sharing your faith. Today I want to expand on that topic. When you listen you need to figure out who you are talking to determine how you proceed in your conversation or next conversation. Jim Warner Wallace compares this to jury selection and in Evangelism you determine whether they are a Christian or a nonbeliever then break down to 2 subsets under either category. If a Christian whether they are have no doubts or have doubts on Christianity and same thing with nonbelievers. A Christian with no doubts is a person probably not able to understand why a person may have doubts especially a former Christian or they don’t think they need to look at the evidence for Christianity. Unfortunately, these kinds of Christians can give off an aura of arrogance whether they mean to or not. Usually these are people who have been Christians for a long time and their personal experience has been the backbone for their belief in God and have less understanding of people’s doubts whether a nonbeliever or another Christian. The strategy for these is to get them understand it’s ok to have doubts even as a Christian. I don’t understand everything about God and have some questions still after over 40 years walking the Christian journey. Remember my post on “absolute certainty” which I think no Christian can be “absolute certain” about God, Jesus, and the Bible. The second subset under Christians is Christians with doubts. A mark of a mature Christian is to understand that everyone has doubts even other Christians especially recently converted Christians. I’m very confident in my belief that God created the universe, earth, and our human bodies also that Jesus was born of a virgin lived an error free life on earth then died to make us an acceptable child of God and he rose from the dead to give us an opportunity to have an eternal life with God even after we die from our decaying bodies. I’m also confident that the Bible holds the truth about God, Jesus, and the purpose of our lives. While I’m very confident, I still have questions about things in my faith yet I stand firm on the most vital beliefs of Jesus being the only way to God, the Father. Some Christians can be a good Christian and have some doubts. The question is where is the Christian with doubts is at with his beliefs in the truth about God, Jesus, or the Bible. Sometimes Christians with doubts can fall into the other subset of nonbelievers which is a nonbeliever with doubts about Christianity. "Are you ready to share your Faith??" This third group while a nonbeliever can be open to discussion on Christianity. Former Christians are in this group as well as people who never heard of the gospel. Most are willing to talk about beliefs in or ask questions about Christianity. Some nonbelievers may take a little more coaxing if you ask the right questions. Listening plays a major role in determining how to ask the right questions and having an amiable conversation about Christianity. Remember a “ rule of thumb” when having a spiritual discussion if anyone gets mad no one wins which I learned from Greg Koukl’s book “Tactics”. Christians need to learn to keep their cool when having discussions about their beliefs and do their best not to upset other person however it can happen other person gets upset, we just need to make sure it’s not caused by our words or actions. The fourth group and second subset under nonbelievers is nonbelievers with no doubts about their unbelief. In my other post, I mentioned the second attitude people need to avoid is “radical skepticism” and this group falls in this area. Unfortunately, these people can be rude even obnoxious however we shouldn’t just ignore them nor should we engage in spiritual conversations with them. The most important thing we can do is PRAY for them. Jim Warner Wallace labels this set as Group #4. When his youth group was training to engage with atheists, some of which are very arrogant and obnoxious, some of the youth wore t-shirts saying “Praying for Group #4”. So here is the list again, 1. Christians with no doubts, 2. Christians with doubts, 3. Nonbelievers with doubts, and 4. Nonbelievers with no doubts. When we have spiritual conversations we need to listen more and assess who we’re talking to so we can strategize how to proceed further in the conversation and keep it friendly or just pray for them. When we listen we can learn more what the other person is thinking and why they have the beliefs they do. I will continue some more posts on Evangelism with specific strategies in certain situations.

https://www.tulipstreet.com/post/always-be-ready-envangelism-know-who-talking-to

There are plenty of science college majors that can give you a promising future. If you are a science student who will or has even graduated from high school / vocational school, you can choose one of the recommended science college majors below. Computer science is the first on the list of the most popular majors among science students. This is a great major for those who are good at problem-solving and interested in learning about computers, playing with data, building websites, Artificial Intelligence, programming robots, and more. Maybe you’ve heard of it or read about it; this college major is very suitable for science students and is in great demand because of its excellent job prospects! It is estimated that computer science-related jobs will continue to grow and be sought after until 2030 and beyond! With this degree, graduates can work in various fields like software developers, data scientists, UX Designers, AI engineers, and game designers. This one science college major is similar to the computer science major. The field of computer engineering tends to prioritize the design and development of computers. In contrast, computer science emphasizes computational theory, with a greater focus on cybersecurity, algorithms, and computer networks. Computer engineering graduates tend to end up working in robotics and electronics. But just like majoring in computer science, the job prospects of computer engineering graduates are vast, especially in this digital era, such as Big Data Engineer, Software Developer, Blockchain developer, Full Stack Developer, and many more. Multimedia Nusantara University (UMN) has a computer engineering department. Interested? Read complete information about the UMN Computer Engineering Study Program here. Also read: Recognize the Differences in Computer Science and Computer Engineering. Science students who like to learn and are interested in life are welcome to major in biology. Biology majors study the science behind living organisms, such as the origin and life history of animals and plants, as well as their characteristics, functions, processes, and habits. Biology has branches: botany, zoology, human biology, and microbiology. Biology graduates can work in the fields: Researchers, Biologists, Lecturers, Microbiologists, Nanotechnology Experts, and others. Although, an industry like this will look for people with a master’s or doctorate degree. Science graduate students can become human or veterinary doctors. Suppose you think becoming a doctor for humans is too mainstream and is sought after by too many people. Did you know? Indonesia desperately lacks veterinarians! According to data from the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics, veterinary employment is projected to grow 17 percent from 2020 to 2030, much faster than the average for all occupations. Approximately this decade, there will be 4,400 vacancies for veterinarians annually. Engineering specializations are physical engineering, robotics engineering, electrical engineering, chemical engineering, and others. Some people may say that science and engineering are unrelated. Still, to master any branch of engineering, you must have at least some knowledge of basic science such as physics, chemistry, calculus, and others. Depending on the branch of engineering you may take, engineering graduates can work in the fields: Data Science, Civil Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Aerospace Engineer, and many more. Are you interested in studying engineering? UMN has 5 study programs under the Faculty of Engineering & Information, which can be seen here. Those are five science college majors that you can choose when you go to college! As you can see, most of the science college majors in demand and need are Science and Technology majors. This is because of the world’s need for people (who tend to be in the fields of science and technology) who can help develop industry 4.0 and above. Want to learn how you can contribute to industry 4.0? Let’s study with UMN!

https://www.umn.ac.id/en/college-major-recommendations-for-science-students/

URBANA, Ill., (WCIA) — Carle Foundation Hospital saw a record number of patients last week as respiratory illnesses spread. From Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, a spokesperson for Carle said they saw the highest number of patients ever. In one day, they saw 353 people in the emergency department. They’re averaging about 300 people daily, compared to the average of 250. Dr. Ben Davis, the associate medical director, said he’s seeing everything. Such as heart attacks and strokes, but especially the flu and RSV. He said it is probably surging now because everyone was used to masking during the height of COVID. “That decreased the likelihood of people getting infected with the other viruses. So, our immune systems have not seen those viruses as much,” Dr. Davis added. He added that often times when you have flu-like symptoms, you can treat them at home. With Christmas right around the corner, he said if you plan to see family members or friends and are feeling sick, the best thing to do is stay home. If you do find yourself at the hospital, he said the best thing to do is be patient with doctors and nurses while they’re trying to work with so many people.

https://www.wcia.com/news/local-news/carle-hospital-sees-respiratory-illnesses-continuing-to-climb/

How do you double the conversion rate of a client's e-Commerce site? The Webselect team are masters at e-Commerce, and turning a good e-Commerce site into a great e-Commerce site is exactly what we do. Our latest client,is a leading supplier of tools, equipment, clock and watch materials to the jewellery and horological trades. Since our work with them began, and in under a month after their new e-Commerce site had gone live, they have seen a significant increase in their conversion rate of customers. 143.35% to be exact! This is tangible proof of our expertise in e-Commerce and testament to the time we take to truly understand what our clients are selling and which buyers they are trying to communicate with. It's never a ‘one-size-fits-all’ approach, and we are well respected in our industry for achieving results like this for online brands and retailers. Our client approached us after deciding that their online sales were not performing as well as they could be; the site was old and they wanted to accelerate their online growth. Being very well-known in the industry as a B2B retailer, the potential was there. Sales from their retail outlets in London and Birmingham were performing well, but something was missing from their online offer. We started by investigating the client’s old site, looking for anything that we could enhance or redesign as a first step, as it's not always appropriate to tear everything up and start again from scratch. Something that we were quick to discover was that their Google Analytics had been set up incorrectly, and was not accurate for all their products, meaning that the sales team did not get the right data to understand the market (strike 1). We also concluded that the User Experience (UX) was clunky, too focused on lists of products and prices and didn't sell the story behind the heritage, experience and quality of service (strike 2). From a back-end perspective, the management of stock, slock levels and availability was broken, workflow was manual and products were potentially available online when not in stock, creating a backorder nightmare. Worst of all, there were products that were showing as not available online, when there was in fact stock (strike 3). The client has a mature discounting policy for trade, and this was not being managed well in the old site. Discounts were being inconsistently applied, requiring manual over-writing and adding to the overhead of the site management and costing the client money, as well as being a hit to the reputation and revenue (strike 4). The processing of orders was also taking too long, impacting the customer’s experience of fulfilment (strike 5). We reported back these findings to the client, and talked through the options with them. Our primary recommendation for the best course of action was to rebuild the site and migrate all the data. It was a simple business case for the client of good money after bad versus a new platform and site that is optimised for the latest technology, that would represent a very positive ROI. We transitioned the client on to our SelectCommerce platform, as a basis for building their website, which empowered them with a working outline of the website very quickly, without causing any impact to the operation. This also allowed them to streamline their back office processes and get to grips with how to use the very intuitive CMS quickly. The primary reason for an increase in conversion rate, we suspect, is down to the new site’s design and usability (UX). With the previous site, there was very little interaction with the customer; the website simply displayed the products and asked visitors to pay for the items. This gave the site a very ‘cold’ feel to the customer. Now, on their new site, customers have access to blog content, videos, and a method of contact, all of which offer interaction and bring the site to life by giving it its own personality, telling the story and building credibility and community. This helps the customers to build rapport with the website, and the company in turn, by allowing visitors to discover more about the company and navigate their story behind the store, which is an integral part of e-commerce in this current age. Using our powerful SelectCommerce platform, stock management, page building, product categorisation, integrations with payment providers, fulfilment and finance systems are now all standard. We eliminated some of the manual processing issues in the back office, saving money, time and also reducing variation in customer experience. In addition, we built a bespoke discounting management system to accommodate the legacy discount model. It is consistent, easy to manage and works every time. Also, changes such as using HTML5 and optimising the site for mobile has helped with shoppers across different devices. As mentioned earlier, the old site’s Google Analytics had not been set up correctly, and as a result of this most, but not all, purchases were being captured. This, in turn, caused a slight miss-representation of the stats from their old site’s conversion rate. The reports from Google Analytics, only 4 weeks after the launch of their new site on SelectCommerce, compared to the previous month, had increased by over 140%! What's the story here? Is it a story of ‘client had a problem and now has a better website’? Or is this a story about how the client was able to work with us, as their digital partner agency, to honestly and openly discover the problems, limitations and opportunities to accelerate their online sales? Hint; it's the latter. The client knew that there was a problem, but did not know what the problems were. It requires trust to work with an agency and believe what they are telling you, but we built that trust and were always looking for reasons for them to save money, or at the very least spend their money wisely on solutions and a platform that would provide a ROI quickly. Additionally, it's not always about the software, we took the time to look at the whole workflow and codify what we could to improve the quality of data, information and therefore controls on the business. Is your e-commerce site performing as you want it to? Are you looking to accelerate your online sales and spend your money wisely on a solution that will return on investment? Are you getting the maximum levels of conversion from your online customers? If you are unsure or need a second opinion, talk to us. It's all about being honest, and we are definitely that.

https://www.webselect.net/blog/conversion-rate-increase

The Province has committed $6.3 million to support organizations in their ability to deliver accessible addictions and mental health initiatives to older adults in Alberta. According to the Province, the newly announced funding will help seniors and their caregivers navigate and access community support, in addition to training caregivers on how to administer mental health first aid in times of crisis. Issues which have a negative impact on mental health, such as isolation, have been compounded for many seniors during the pandemic, as social distancing, clinic closures, and financial stressors have increased. “From isolation to a loss of community, the COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on older persons. As we return to normal life, we must continue to address the lasting impacts on mental health and wellness. This funding will help do just that,” wrote the Minister of Seniors and Housing, Josephine Pon. “When we think of prescriptions, we often think of medications. This new initiative will see ‘social prescriptions’ to community mental health or addiction supports that could benefit an older adult,” said Paula Telfer, chief executive officer of carya Society of Calgary. Albertans, including seniors and caregivers, can find additional information by calling or texting 211 Alberta, or by visiting alberta.ca/mentalhealth to find resources in their region.

https://www.westwindweekly.com/news/2022/06/19/province-expands-community-partnerships-during-seniors-week/

Arkansas coach Courtney Deifel (center) talks with players during a practice Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Fayetteville. FAYETTEVILLE — Courtney Deifel said defense should be a calling card for this year’s University of Arkansas softball team. Arkansas has been known for its power bats the past few seasons. Deifel also said the team’s youth could be seen as a hardship by others, but she said it could be a positive. “I think one of the biggest differences which people are using against us is that we’re young,” Deifel said. “I think that’s just as much a strength as it could be a question mark to people outside of our bubble. The ball was still flying out of Bogle Park with great frequency Sunday afternoon. Junior utility player Hannah Gammill, a first-team NFCA All-American a year ago and native Arkansan from Beebe, said the group is coming together well off the field already. “This is, in my opinion, off the field, this has been one of the better connections that we’ve had,” Gammill said following Sunday’s workout. “On the field, we obviously still have some work to do getting used to each other. But I feel like we’re growing and time will take care of that. “Connection on the field and off the field, I feel, is stronger than it has been in the past. I would say if we are fully connected as a team, I think everything else will take care of itself. Learning newcomers and how they play is the most important part. It comes from practice. I go over and hang out, building friendships and relationships." The Razorbacks brought in a nationally acclaimed signing class, which includes nine freshmen and several are ranked inside the 2022 Extra Inning Softball’s Top 100 list. Kylie Brockman of Kansas City, Kan., is rated No. 19 in the Extra Inning list. She’s also a two-time powerlifting state champion and Kansas 5A state runner-up in the javelin in track and field. Deifel likes the group of newcomers she’s brought in, both freshmen and transfers. She’s also anxious to have opponents be forced to prepare the group’s speed and athleticism more so than just the power bats. The Razorbacks drew the moniker Bogle Bombers the last couple of years because of their penchant for the long ball. But defense will be a major facet that the team will lean on this season, she added. The Razorbacks will have a little more than a month to prepare for their season opener on Feb. 10 in Las Vegas, taking part of the Rebel Kickoff. They are scheduled to play in the Taxact Clearwater Invitational in Florida a week later. Arkansas will then play a string of 16 games at Bogle Park. The home opener against Arizona is slated for Feb. 23.

https://www.wholehogsports.com/news/2023/jan/10/talent-level-high-for-young-ua-softball-team/

How many women would like to be proposed to in a special, meaningful location? Surely there are many women who want this, just as there are many who want a "perfect" wedding. Unfortunately, however, perfection does not exist and, as usually happens in these cases, there are difficulties to overcome. A young man knelt in front of his beloved to asked her to marry him, alongside their young daughter. The tender scene played out on a pier but, unfortunately, not everything went so smoothly ... The young man wanted to ask his partner Stephanie, the mother of his daughter, to marry him in a romantic gesture and in the presence of some of their friends. The proposal took place on a wooden pier which looked out over the sea: an ideal summer atmosphere to set the scene for such a special moment! In the video, which was posted by the woman on TikTok, the young man is seen kneeling and, together with his daughter, they open ring box in front of a very excited Stephanie. Unfortunately, at the climax of the proposal, the little girl accidently drops the ring, it rolls for a bit, then slips through a gap in the wooden planks of the pier. This tragi-comic scene luckily did not end in disaster. When the ring fell, the young man immediately jumped into the sea to to successfully recover the precious item, while his friends looked on. Stephanie couldn't help but laugh at the absurdity of the scene. In some subsequent videos, the couple said they do not blame their daughter for what happened and they confirmed this in her presence. Indeed, it is true that fate can often throw us a curve ball....

https://www.wtvideo.com/video/41477/man-proposes-with-the-help-of-his-little-daughter-but-the-ring-falls-into-the-sea

ONE of the massive projects being undertaken by the second republic, the Gwayi-Shangai Lake project is set for completion this year, with the pumping of water expected to start next year. Premised on delivering the second republic’s promise of consistent water supply to the people of Matabeleland North and Bulawayo, the Gwayi-Shangani Lake project will be completed this year before the actual pumping of water starts in 2024. Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Development, Dr Anxious Masuka said, “We did an impressive 20 metres of the wall and it is very evident behind me also to plan for 2023 as indicated by the President that this lake has to be completed this year so we are planning with the team what works need to be done as works resume and the resources that are required to ensure that this is completed in summer 2023/2024 we start pumping water. The Gwayi-Shangani Lake is also expected to open a new wildlife corridor as animals from the nearby Hwange National Park access the water body. The envisaged agriculture greenbelt will also cater for the irrigation needs of farmers along the pipeline that will be constructed to the Bulawayo Kraal scheme in Binga and from Gwayi to Bulawayo.

https://zbcnews.co.zw/2023/01/11/gwayi-shangai-lake-to-be-completed-this-year/

Thaimassage is an ancient form of healing. 인달 This ancient therapy aims to release blockages in the energy flow to bring about a sense of general well-being. It consists of working on the mainlines, or important acupressure points, to treat the entire body, as well as specific parts of the body that may be causing pain. Using only 10 mainlines, Thaimassage is an effective, practical treatment for the entire body. Recent studies have shown that Thai and Vietnamese massages have positive effects on the immune system. The frequency and intensity of massage can have a positive impact on circulating lymphocytes. A weekly massage session can increase lymphocyte subsets and decrease levels of CORT. Studies have shown that twice-weekly massage sessions resulted in increased levels of CD56+ cells and a decrease in other circulating phenotypic markers. Massaging is an ancient form of therapy that helps the body’s immune system fight off illness and improve circulation. It improves circulation and nourishes the whole body. It also helps regulate blood pressure, increases the flow of oxygen, and improves digestion. Moreover, repeated massage sessions can produce a cumulative effect in the immune system, leading to an overall improvement in health and well-being. Massages can be particularly beneficial for people who are stressed. A Vietnamese massage usually begins with the back, as this is where most tension is held. This part of the body also receives the most benefits from pressure point therapy. The massage then proceeds to other parts of the body, completing at the head. In addition to the back, Vietnamese massages also include foot massages. This type of massage may be full-body or focused on specific body parts. A Vietnamese massage can be as relaxing as it is rejuvenating. If you’re looking for a cheap Thai-style massage, try a Vietnamese one. Vietnamese massages are much cheaper than Thai ones and have far fewer expensive ingredients. You can also find a Vietnamese massage parlor that offers a full-hour service for less than 70 USD. Be sure to pay cash for your massage, however. Spas in Vietnam generally charge the price of the massage, plus a tip. While Thai massages are expensive, you can find some very good Thai-style massages for less than a hundred dollars. Thai massages cost around 200 THB ($6USD) for 60 minutes. Thai massages can be customized to focus on specific areas of the body, such as the feet. However, if you really want a relaxing, rejuvenating massage, you should opt for a full body massage. Thai massages can last anywhere from two to three hours, so you should plan accordingly. A Vietnamese massage is more holistic, including parts of the body, such as the feet. The masseuses use different techniques to release the tension in different parts of the body. In addition to traditional massage techniques, Vietnamese masseuses use natural oils such as licorice and ginger to promote circulation and relieve pain. You can also opt for a foot or leg soak filled with pure salts. A short walk is fine after the massage – the more you walk, the better for your joints. Many luxurious hotel spas and independent boutiques offer traditional Vietnamese massages in Ho Chi Minh City. If you’re looking for an affordable, but luxurious, foot massage, Ho Chi Minh City has plenty to offer. Dong Khoi Street, for example, has many foot massage parlors where young ladies in traditional clothing hand out flyers and encourage you to get one. The massage is a great way to recharge your muscles after a long day of walking. The Vien Dong hotel offers a handjob massage on the second floor for a reasonable price. It has the same prices as Dai Nam, and some of its rooms have sauna services. Vien Dong handjob massage is similar to Dai Nam, and costs between 250 and 300 VND. Many foreigners get a random girl, but there are a few good choices. You can request a particular girl or a particular location, though. Moc Huong Spa is a chain of Hochi Minh City spas that combines traditional herbal remedies with traditional Vietnamese techniques. Massage services are available at Moc Huong Spa, as well as foot treatments, facials, pedicures, and manicures. A massage is only part of the experience at Moc Huong Spa, which also offers art sales. So, take advantage of the spa’s unique benefits by scheduling a massage today! If you’re looking for a traditional Vietnamese massage, there are several places in Hanoi to choose from. Alternatively, you can also head to Ho Chi Minh City to try out a massage at one of the numerous massage salons located on Bui Vien Street. The beauty salons all offer a similar service, but you’ll likely pay more here. The good news is that you can find some of the best massage services in Hanoi. A traditional Vietnamese massage is called Tam quat. It focuses on promoting circulation and relieving pain by applying pressure to the afflicted muscle. Thai massages are particularly soothing, but many salons and spas will use a combination of different techniques for the ultimate experience. Thai massages are particularly popular with couples because the gentle pressure on the feet relaxes and soothes the mind. Most Vietnamese massage parlors combine techniques to provide you with a full body experience. If you’re looking for a more intimate experience, try SF Spa on Cua Dong. It offers a variety of packages and private rooms. The facilities are clean and safe. SF Spa also has a second location, on Cau Go Lane. Both of these massage establishments are popular with tourists and expats alike. You can find more information about these massage services in Hanoi by checking out the brochures and leaflets located throughout the city. A luxurious spa in Hoi An is the perfect way to relax and unwind after a long day exploring the ancient town. The Odyssey Hotel & Spa offers massages, facials, body treatments, and aromatherapy. You can enjoy a Vietnamese massage or a relaxing steam or sauna. The hotel also offers a private marquee in its garden area and a dedicated spa room. If you’d like to experience the ultimate in relaxation, consider booking a package at the Odyssey Hotel & Spa. The Odyssey Hotel & Spa also offers a range of luxurious spa packages, including a Thai massage, aromatherapy, foot massage, pedicure, and other services. A luxury Vietnamese massage is a must when you visit Hoi An. There are hundreds of massage parlors and spas in the city. You’ll find one near every corner of the ancient town. Prices start at around $10 for a sixty minute full body massage. While Vietnamese massages are not cheap, they are highly relaxing and can leave you feeling rejuvenated and revitalized. To book a treatment, you should call ahead or visit the spa’s website. There are plenty of massage therapists in the town, and the standards vary. Prices vary, but with a strong level of competition, you’re guaranteed to find a decent knead at an affordable price. You can also go to Nam Hai spa if you want a luxurious experience. The Hoi An Blind Massage Centre is also an excellent option for a unique massage experience. You can even experience a traditional Vietnamese massage by using the techniques of a blind man!

https://ztimes.xyz/what-is-a-thaimassage/