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As this heavy duty week nears a close, it is nice to have a story that is about creation, not destruction. Thus I am thrilled as all get-up to officially introduce the city of Chicago to “White Sox Fitted,” the latest single from Young General.
“White Sox Fitted” available at iTunes
Inside the Making of “White Sox Fitted”
BY JACK M SILVERSTEIN
Chicago hip-hop track “White Sox Fitted.”
Conceptualized by Young General with a beat from Volcano, “White Sox Fitted” is a new kind of city anthem: a Chicago song from an out-of-towner’s eyes… a sports song that is region-specific within a city… a merging of studio production and live instrumentation. The song was recorded at both Horse-Drawn Productions and The Attic, mixed by The Attic’s hip-hop wizard G-Ball, and features verses from Young General, Mikkey Halsted, and Twone Gabz with a violin performance from Lee England Jr.
In this collection of interviews conducted during August 2010, Jack M Silverstein sits down with the minds behind the song to discuss the story behind its making…
YOUNG GENERAL What you need to know about the song is that I’m a Chicago-transplant. I’m not from here. So when I got this beat from the producer Volcano, it just made me think about the city of Chicago and what I’ve seen. It was an observation. It’s an emotional song. I did two verses on it, and I felt this would be a great song to get a featured artist. We thought about it as a camp. We did a, “Who would be a good person to get on this song?” And we thought of Mikkey. We were like, “Yeah. We get him on this, that would be a good look.” I’m looking from the outside in, and we want someone who can bring this from the inside out, as far as their experiences in Chicago. And let me guarantee you that’s exactly what happened.
VOLCANO, hip-hop producer One late night, about 2 a.m., I was watching the movie 300. Some of the music in the battle scenes kind of inspired me to make an epic sounding track. I turned the tube off, went down to my basement, and started to piece the track together. I know a lot of producers brag about how fast they make beats from scratch, which I can do in some instances, but this one took a little while. It took a while because I couldn’t get the drums how I wanted them. When I finally got it right it was probably around 8 a.m. (Laughs.)
I went into the process with no idea of what would come out, so I didn’t have any artist in mind. I just wanted to recreate the feeling of one of those battle scenes. After the process of making the track began, I thought it had to be some sort of anthem-ish song because of how big it sounded.
YOUNG GENERAL I got the beat, heard it. How I write my songs is I drive around in the car. I play the beats in the car and I just drive and drive and drive. And that’s when the song’s concept came, as I was driving around the city of Chicago. That’s how it came together.
JASON GARCIA, YG manager I heard the beat for the first time in G’s car one night after Sub T. At the time, there was no concept in place. It was just a super hard beat that I was really feeling. It reminded me of Coming To America when the king comes to NYC looking for Akeem in his limos. It’s almost the same drums.
We both agreed that he had to do something with a beat that raw. G said to me that riding around listening to that beat just reminded him of Chicago and he wanted to implement that into the song.
LETTER L, YG collaborator When I first heard the beat – I mean, I’ll be honest with you Jack, man, it’s kind of interesting how these things come up. You’ve been to G’s house. You know the process of how he picks beats. He’ll start playing people beats, and he won’t tell you who it is, he’ll just see how you react. That kind of thing. Me, I’m a producer. I’m competing for a spot on his album at all times, know what I’m saying? For me, it’s hard to give it up for a beat. And when I first heard the beat, man, it was cool.
The thing that really catches you is those drums. (Acts out drums). I’m almost convinced he sampled that off Coming to America. And that is sick. Maybe it’s a difference of opinion – me, I like more melodic stuff. G always teases me like, you know, “You gotta stop trying to be the conductor of some kind of orchestra. (Begins conducting mid-air orchestra, Fantasia-style.) You got your strings coming in this! And your horns coming in here!” But what I’m starting to learn, in hip-hop, a lot of times simple is better. A little three, four note melody, but the bass is hitting hard. What really makes the beat is the choir, the horns that come in eventually, and obviously we’ve got Lee England who adds some authenticity.
VOLCANO I was actually more sold on a couple other tracks that I let him hear. This track was one of those tracks I thought I would be the only person that saw the beauty in it. I shopped it to a couple other artists and A&R’s, and they kind of ignored it, which I didn’t understand. Must’ve been meant to be. He kind of poker faced the first couple tracks I let him hear but after I let him hear the track for “For Y’all,” he opened up. Then I let him hear this one and that was it. He really dug it.
JASON GARCIA I reached out to Mikkey’s manager Javin 4Man about the track. After G laid down his verses, I sent it over to Javin. Mikkey heard it and absolutely loved it. The following week he came to the studio and put down his 16.
MIKKEY HALSTED, Chicago MC Crazy song. Young General doing his thing… sent me the record… I heard the record. Once I heard him spit, and the energy on it, immediately I had to jump on it. I knew it was gonna be something big. Came here, really just wanted to vibe and get in the moment with the record. That’s really what I like doing moreso than doing a whole bunch of pre-writing – I kind of just listen to it, get some ideas, and then try to come in and just put the finishing touches on it, so I can be in the moment. I got into the song, got into the beat.
LETTER L When we first got in the studio, we doing what we usually do. Sitting there, bullshitting around on the computer, broadcasting from wherever, USTREAM or whatever. I’m sitting on my computer and I hear G start doing the hook. We had heard the beat a couple times – I looked up, and I was like, (makes stunned face) “Oh!” And you know, as he adds layers, the engineer puts reverb on it, that kind of stuff, it starts to thicken up and sound more like radio playable, right? First take. I don’t know what he was doing, but it caught my attention right away. He always starts with the hook, and that kind of make you want to do your head like this (bops head), that David Banner kinda…
He starts to lay it down, and it’s like, “Yo man. That sounds pretty good…” He does his verse, and it’s like “Yeah man. You really hit it!” The thing that tripped me out about the verse was it was so authentically Chicago. Like, “You from Minnesota, man. What do you know to be writing these verses?” But it sounded real.
YOUNG GENERAL You know, not being from here, it would be like the new kid in class. You’re always concerned about being judged, and kind of being isolated and people not showing you love, but it’s been really the exact opposite. When I came down here, it was, people want to come to shows. It seems like they really respected talent. When people see talent they want to get behind it. That was really important to me. So it’s a big deal. Coming to Chicago has been the best thing that’s happened to me in my life.
When you look at successful songs in hip-hop, they usually have the contrast in voice. Any good song, there’s great contrast. And when you hear Mikkey’s voice tones and my voice tones and the style of rap – all the lyrics are on point, but it’s the contrast that really fits on top of the dramatic landscape of the song. It really keeps you engaged, really does make you want to listen to it.
MIKKEY HALSTED It’s dope. Good energy. It’s a feel-good record. One thing that I like about it is that it’s an “up.” And a lot of people, producers, feel like I’m a mid-tempo guy. More of a storyteller because they hear “Liquor Store.” I don’t get a lot of ups. And this is an up-tempo record which allows me to do what I do. I love that.
YOUNG GENERAL Mikkey’s at the album stage. People know who he is. People are just starting to find out who I am. I’m at the single stage. You need to get one or two songs out – like Mikkey talked about “Liquor Store.” It’s a slow record, but it’s a record everybody knows. I’m trying to get my first couple records that everybody knows, so this fall – you know, I got Mikkey on it for a reason. To promote it, and to get people interested in the other music I got. You start getting to the point where you build your infrastructure and build from there. I’m at a point where I have enough music to do an album, but I’m just focused on getting one or two songs out that people like.
TWONE GABZ, Chicago MC The record is so Chicago. It’s the embodiment of Chicago, particularly the South Side. Who doesn’t wear a White Sox fitted cap proud, walking through the city? That’s like your go-to hat. If you’re from Chicago, especially from the South Side, and you’re a sports fan, you got a White Sox hat somewhere stashed away and you wear it proudly. Everything on the record, from the production, myself, Young General, Mikkey Halsted – the record is crazy. It ain’t just a song. It’s a movement.
YOUNG GENERAL We were put in touch with Twone Gabz by Javin, Mikkey’s manager. He said, “It’s a nice song, and I think Twone would be a good guy to get on it.” Because we wanted to get some official Chicago guys on it.
What of Twone’s work had you heard at that point?
Dog, you don’t understand. All these beat battles and stuff like that… I had been at Twone Gabz’s beat selection party, where producers came and brought beats for him to listen to for his new album. And it was stacked in there. That’s how I linked up with Omega Supreme and a bunch of other different producers, because for me, it’s like (makes “easy” sound.) Remember Coming to America and the Black Awareness Rally? When they had all the woman up there? You know, “There’ll be some good, clean girls over here.” (Laughs.) Whatever Akeem doesn’t pick, I’m taking home with me! I’ll take the leftovers at the Black Awareness Rally.
That’s how I felt going to the Twone Gabz beat selection party. I’m like, “You’re telling me it’s just going to be guys playing hot beats, and he’s going to pick three or four out of the thirty or forty that get played?” I’ma be like, “Yeah, we need to get that guy’s information right there.” I’ve known about Twone – he had a big song a while back called “Bully.” He’s got a new album coming out. Twone’s been doing this forever. He’s been doing mad shows. I knew he would be official for it.
TWONE GABZ I listened to the song over and over a couple times. I hear so much of the same stuff recycled in hip-hop. And when I heard the record, I listened to the record over and over because it was inspiring me and motivating me. I listened to it and said, “You know what? I’m not going to wait to do this rap.” And I wrote off the inspiration I felt from listening to the record. I wrote my verse right then and there.
LETTER L Twone came in, laid it down, one, two takes. When Twone has the line (pauses) “something like a Cyclops/ kill and skin a Cubby Bear/ turn ‘em into White Sox,” we all looked at each other. You know how it is at the Attic. You have to be still when they’re recording because he’s got that, like, open thing…
What was so raw about Twone – his delivery is so clear and crisp, I was able to start saying back his lines already on the second take. I had just heard ‘em. It was like that.
YOUNG GENERAL Watching Twone do his thing was really cool, because as a hip-hop artist now who considers himself a professional, it’s like a pinch hitter. Jim Thome is a great pinch hitter because he comes in in clutch situations and delivers. Everybody knows how difficult that is. And it’s the same thing with a hip-hop artist when you’re coming in for a feature. Your verse has to be on point, and not only that, you don’t want to be wasting a bunch of studio time trying to lay down your 16 or 32 or whatever you’re doing. And Twone came in there, he was prepared, his verse was hot. I hadn’t even heard it. But that’s why you get people on the level who you know are gonna come with it. Same with Mikkey. I didn’t hear Mikkey’s verse; he just came in and dropped it.
I had heard about Lee for a long time. Had followed him. It’s funny – I’m working with a guy named Khalid, who put together The Vail Soul Fest. We’re trying to book some shows out in Denver, and, you know, he wants to get to booking something with me, but he doesn’t have time right now because he’s so busy with The Vail Soul Fest. So I look at the lineup, and sure enough Lee England Jr. is one of the guys playing at the soul fest. And then I find out Lee England’s on the Vail Soul Fest mix CD. I see Lee is doing his thing, because that’s a pretty nice ticket. So then I start thinking “Okay, Lee’s doing his thing. He’s definitely up and coming…”
LEE ENGLAND JR., hip-hop violinist I love orchestral music. Don’t get me wrong. I love violin concertos and all that good stuff. But at the end of the day I don’t enjoy playing it as much because most of the time it’s kind of boring. When you’re doing string quartets and things like that, that’s fun. But this, it’s in the moment. It’s what the people are going to hear, so you want to put your best foot forward. It’s gonna be good to get that response – you know, it’s a different kind of response.
YOUNG GENERAL Lee was a whole different ballgame. It took a long time, but it was amazing. When you do something on a song, it has to be repeatable. You have to know what your words are so you can say them over and over. So although Lee can play improvisation violin, you can’t improvise a part of a song and then do it again the same way, especially with a violin, because of all the note changes. What Lee actually did was he composed it. I watched him go write it via piano, just like a person would who plays the guitar – compose it note by note, write it down on a piece of paper, and then go in and play those notes exactly on the song. Which was a phenomenal experience. I’ve got the whole thing on tape. It was awesome. Speaks a lot to his organic creativity.
LEE ENGLAND JR. I sit there, listen to the track, I find out from whoever produced it, or whoever’s rapping on it, if it’s the General or whoever, find out what they’re thinking – you know, he let me do my thing. I would rather sit there and plot it out first, because most of the time, I go in and do one line and that’s it. But he said “Put your stamp on it,” so I’ma go in and give it more of a bigger feel with the live strings, kind of add something to it so people are like “Man! That string section on the end – what was that?” Then they’ll come looking for me. (Smiles.) What I was doing was basically just sitting down and writing out the notes so that when I get in front of the mic I just one-take it.
Most of the time, people want to produce you. “Do it like this, and I seen this one person doing this but I don’t know who it is and I can’t describe it, but I want you to do that!” And it’s like, “Come on man.” When it’s all said and done, nine times out of ten, they’re like, “Alright, just do what you was gonna do then.” (Laughs.) So for him to start with that, that saves so much time.
YOUNG GENERAL Think about the fact that you’re writing violin notes and songs and tones on a hip-hop beat. That takes a certain type of mind to be able to do that on the fly. He’d heard the song, he liked it, he knew he wanted to do it, but he didn’t write the stuff before he got there. He wrote it on the spot in the studio. That was a pretty cool experience, to see a different side of music from a composition standpoint. Because I write words, and he writes notes. It’s the same thing: the pentameter, the way you say things, the inflections, all the different things are just like the sharps and flats on violin notes. The emphasis on words, and the drops, and the spaces – it’s the same thing. No difference. Only, it was amazing to see him do it with an instrument. That motherfucker’s for real.
MIKKEY HALSTED It’s a process. It starts with a thought, and then you really gotta put a rhythm to the thought and get inside the beat and become an instrument on it. Once I started getting the feeling, you could really see it morph. Everything starts for me from freestyling. It goes from freestyling to the iPhone so I don’t forget. I remember when I first started rapping I used to have, like – (looks up at Young General and others) You know, you had your seven go-to verses? (laughter in room) Last time I checked my drive, I think I had 376 songs on there.
TWONE GABZ I’m a writer. I’m a writer, period. I write short films, short stories, R&B. I do ghostwriting for a lot of artists. My thing is always pushing yourself. When I go to write a rhyme or a song, I listen to other stuff that I feel is really dope, be it from myself or whoever, and being like “Okay, how can I top that the next time around?” And when I heard the record, and when I heard Mikkey say he a South Sider, and just “White Sox Fitted Cap,” like it’s Chicago, the concept is Chicago, but let’s be honest: that’s some South Side shit.
JASON GARCIA The hook is very simple but so catchy. I love that the song is not about the White Sox. It’s a song about Chicago and the people who rock White Sox fitted caps.
VOLCANO I really liked the song concept because it just put words to what I wanted the track to be. A big, anthem-ish kind of deal. I think he nailed it. Then when I heard the finished product I was really impressed by what those guys did. Each one added to the appeal of the song, rather than detracting.
LETTER L I wish it was my song, but it’s not. That’s okay. I’ve got plenty of good ones out there. It is what it is. But I support my man Volcano. (Raises voice.) Volcano – hey man, really, on some real shit, Volcano hooked me up with a lot of software about two weeks ago, and showed me how to use it. I cannot hate at all. He’s just a real lookout, you know, good dude. (Pauses.) I still wish it was my shit! (Laughter.) I still wish it was my shit. But I got the opportunity to do the song. I got the opportunity to meet Javin, to meet Mikkey Halsted, to meet Twone Gabz. It opened up another network for me. The song’s already done things for me that I really, thus far, had not been able to do for myself.
MIKKEY HALSTED The Young General song, this song, is an important song because he’s really getting me when I’m strictly in album-mode. I don’t do a lot of features when I’m in this mode because you try to stay focused. But like I said, the record was of that quality, and he was spitting on that quality where it made me feel like, “Man, I won’t have to go outside myself to do what I need to do. I can still be focused on doing what I’m doing with my album.” That’s what it is, man. Chicago, showing love to Chicago, and doing what we doing. He’s a Chicagoan now. He stay here, he live here, so I embrace him like he was born here. And that’s just what we do. That’s what Chicago unity is all about.
YOUNG GENERAL Get ready. Get your popcorn ready. Yeah man. I’m fired up. I’m just happy to have a song that I feel represents my talent. This is a song that fits me, fits what I’m trying to do, and I feel like I’ve got the right people behind me this time that are gonna give it the legitimacy it needs to get the listens. Because here’s the difference – here’s how I feel: the difference between a well-known rapper and a not so well known rapper in a lot of cases is not talent. It’s just how many people have heard him. It’s just exposure. I feel like I’m on the level as far as talent. I can do this. But nobody’s heard of me. This is going to be a chance for people to finally hear me. And that’s cool. That’s cool.
Jack M Silverstein is a freelance writer covering music and culture in Chicago. Contact him at email@example.com, or say hey at twitter/readjack or facebook/readjack. His story on rock band Great Divide’s summer of touring runs Oct. 4th. Here is an excerpt.
*** NOVEMBER 4, 2010 UPDATE ***
THE VIDEO IS FINALLY ON YOUTUBE. Catch it also at whitesoxfitted.com
8 Replies to “Inside the Making of “White Sox Fitted””
I love the bio and the artwork. I’m a true fan patiently waiting on the video. I can’t wait until the video is finish. God bless!


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Coming up: Lighthouse closed, Clematis pup crawl, beach clean-up
First, the bad news: Jupiter Inlet Lighthouse is closed through Sept. 27. Now the good news: Tours will go as far as lighthouse deck area, and the museum is open. Now the best news: Admission is only $5 and includes the tour and access to museum exhibits. 500 Captain Armour’s Way. 561-747-8380; www.jupiterlighthouse.org.
WEST PALM BEACH
On Friday, the Samantha Russell Band will perform country music, live, on the Plaza Stage at CityPlace from 7 to 11 p.m. (This event, part of CityPlace’s Entertainment on the Plaza series, occurs every Friday.) Free. 700 S. Rosemary Ave. 561-820-0074; www.cityplace.com.
PALM BEACH COUNTY
On Saturday, throughout Palm Beach County, help out during the Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup. Earn community-service hours; get a free T-shirt. In addition to collecting trash, volunteers gather valuable information about the types and sources of debris found. For start times, sites and registration information, call 561-686-6646 or visit www.keeppbcbeautiful.org; click on “International Coastal Cleanup.”
WEST PALM BEACH
Pets on parade
The fourth annual, family-friendly West Palm Beach Pup Crawl is set for Sept. 28 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Restaurants and businesses on and around the 200 block of Clematis Street will offer food and drink specials, and pooches accompanied by their two-legged “companion” can enjoy a day devoted to them. The event includes a pet parade, doggie fashion show, dog-themed games for kids, pet adoptions and vaccinations. Representatives from Kibblez of Love and Dogs 4 Disabled Veterans will be on-site. For the full schedule, visit www.pupcrawlwpb.com.

domain: news


(The Western Journal) Democrats hoping to become the next president breathed a sigh of relief when former Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton said she wasnt running but Clinton clarified Tuesday that shes still considering a run. Clinton who would be a formidable opponent for any Democrat heavily implied that she wasnt going to run for president in an interview with New Yorks News 12 Westchester on Tuesday. In fact Clinton outright said Im not running." Im not running but Im going to keep on working and speaking and standing up for what I believe" Clinton said. I want to be sure that people understand Im going to keep speaking out. Im not going anywhere. Whats at stake in our country the kind of things that are happening right now are deeply troubling to me."


With this feature enabled, you will have additional options to make security-related alert notifications more prominent and additional features to review them.
The current alert types this applies to are as follows:
Stopped in Risk Zone Alert
Out of Route Alert
GPS and Cell Signal Loss Alert
Panic Button enhanced alerts
How it works
Turning on the enhanced alert (red banner in fleet overview page)
For the aforementioned alerts, you will have an option to turn on banner alerts in Fleet Overview from the alert configuration page:
By default, this option will be OFF
If this setting is enabled, when the alert fires, a red banner will show in the Fleet Overview at the top of the vehicle list. The banner will show for 24 hours.
Enhanced Alert Modal
If there are multiple enhanced alerts showing in the Fleet Overview, there will be a button at the bottom of the red banner to see all the alerts:
After clicking the option to view more alerts, a modal will pop up where you can review all of the alerts with the enhanced alert option selected. In the modal, for each alert, you can dismiss it from the fleet overview page or view the specific alert incident:
Note: Admins with the “Create, edit, and remove alerts” permission will be able to dismiss alerts.
1 Click to Disable Vehicle
For vehicles with an enhanced alert, if you have an engine immobilizer installed, in your vehicle show page, there will be a prominent button to disable the vehicle:
Alert type filter in incidents page
You will be able to filter by alert type in the Alert Incidents page:


text: Ilse is a strategy consultant at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath who manages initiatives to address scientific, clinical and public health challenges. With more than a decade of experience working with life sciences, health care and tax-exempt organization clients, Ilse provides strategic, project management and impact evaluation services to advance her clients’ goals. She specializes in forming and managing multi-sector collaborations that involve private, non-profit, and public sector organizations. Additionally, she assists clients with initiatives related to clinical research and data privacy compliance. Ilse joined the Foundation’s Board in January 2020 out of a desire to spend more time giving back and creating healthy futures for kids and families.

domain: medical


text:
36 x 35.5 x 34cm approx. Stay connected with the help of this Ferrex Inverter Generator. Caravanning, motoring, boating and camping are all activities where you may find yourself without access to a reliable power source. Make sure you have everything you need by bringing along your very own generator. Produces a clean sine wave for sensitive electronics.
Lightweight and easy to transport.

domain: hobby


Sia and Brooke Simpson wowed everyone on ‘The Voice’ finale with their incredible duet of ‘Titanium.’ The duo’s performance will go down in ‘Voice’ history as one of the best ever! And, yes, Sia had on her wig!
Sia and Brooke Simpson were meant to sing together. Their powerhouse voices sounded incredible as they belted out Sia’s hit “Titanium” during The Voice season 13 finale. The performance was a slowed-down version of the tune, but it didn’t lack any power. Sia and Brooke hit those high notes effortlessly. Sia, while singing from inside a large box, had on her signature black and white wig with a huge pink bow on top. Sia is no stranger to The Voice. She is a former advisor!
The day before the final episode of The Voice season 13, Brooke stunned the viewers, coaches, and audience members with her three amazing performances. She sang her original song, “What Is Beautiful,” for the first time and also performed the holiday classic “O Holy Night.” Brooke also teamed up with coach Miley Cyrus to sing “Wrecking Ball.” Who knew that “Wrecking Ball” would be such a good duet?! Miley and Brooke’s voices together were just EPIC. Miley and Brooke have really bonded this season, and we know this is just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
Sia and Brooke’s performance wasn’t the only epic collaboration of the night. Vince Gill, Billy Idol, Norah Jones, Jessie J, Bebe Rexha all teamed up with the top 8 finalists for special performances. Charlie Puth, Demi Lovato, Kelly Clarkson, N.E.R.D., and season 12 winner Chris Blue also hit the stage for solo performance. What a night! The season 13 finale of The Voice ended things on such a high note. How will other seasons compare?!
HollywoodLifers, what did you think of Sia and Brooke’s performance? Let us know!


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It was another wild and volatile week in the equity markets this past week, although the turbulent activity was tempered somewhat by the lack of trading volume. Stocks started out the week on a weak note, and rebounded slightly to end mixed on Friday. What really threw cold water on the stock market this week was the ugly weekly jobs report, which showed 500,000 new jobless claims. That is appalling given how much time has passed since the "recession" officially began in December 2007.
Friday the 13th of 2010 actually came this past Wednesday, when the stock market began to panic over a possible double-dip recession when the Federal Reserve issued another warning about our nation’s weak economic conditions. The major stock indexes all dropped by nearly 3% on that dismal Wednesday and continued to sputter throughout the rest of the week.
Stocks were sent reeling southward this past Friday as the monthly jobs report was disappointing to say the least, and raised fresh worries about economic weakness and the risk of deflation. The jobs report, which showed non-farm payrolls fell by a larger-than-expected 131,000 last month, added to a stream of economic data over recent weeks that indicate the American recovery continues to weaken, and stoked fears the country could still fall back into a recession. This caused investors to scramble to buy relatively safe Treasury bonds at the expense of equities.
The temperatures in Alabama weren’t the only thing that was hot during the month of July. All of the major equity indexes were higher by around 7% for this past month, the biggest month investors have enjoyed since a year ago. Investors flip-flopped throughout July, buying stocks on strong earnings reports and then subsequently selling on weaker-than-expected economic numbers. For the sizzling month, the Dow rose 7.1 percent, its best showing since it rose 7.8 percent in July 2009.


I tend to carry one of three different knives, depending on the occasion. When dressed for business, I have a lovely little 2-inch penknife with an imitation antler handle. The blade is narrow and the handle makes it look just a little bit classier than your standard working blade. It’s small size means that I can carry it discreetly while wearing suits and sport coats. For camping I carry a Camp King, the classic boy scout knife. It has a simple blade that is half way between a spey and a drop blade in shape (rounded with a slight point), an awl, screwdriver, can opener and bottle opener. It is a civilian version of the classic “Demo Knife” carried by soldiers since WWII. I like it’s basic utilitarian design, no frills. Tough simple and cheap. I carried this the entire time I walked the AT in 1996 and came to love it. It is, however, just a little bulky for carrying around when dressed up.
For casual use, I have carried several different knives. I recently purchased a nice little folding lock blade with a 2 inch modified clip blade. I was inspired to purchase this knife (for the extremely high price of $7.00 at Lowe’s ) by Chick Wetherbee, the instructor of my fire making class.
What’s so special? I can open it and close it with one hand.
That may not seem like a big deal, but I cannot stress to you how cool it feels to take a knife out of your pocket, open it with the same hand, use it, close it, and put it back all with the same hand. It feels cool, and it really makes the knife much more useful.
So I’ve been practicing. Open it.
I like my new knife.


BENNINGTON, Vt. — The top-seed Southern Vermont College Mountaineers are headed back to the New England Collegiate Conference (NECC) men's basketball championship for the second straight year, matching up against No. 3 Becker College for the right to advance to the NCAA Regional Tournament on Saturday.
SVC defeated No. 5 Regis College 73-68 Friday night in a rematch of the 2015 NECC Championship, pulling in front of the Pride in the second half to win the league tournament's first semifinal of the evening played at the Mountaineer Athletic Center. Becker then used a strong run in the first half to go ahead of second-seeded Elms College before closing out the 88-79 victory over the Blazers to set the title pairing.
Southern Vermont and Becker will line up at the MAC on Saturday, tipping-off at 5 p.m. for the crown. The Mountaineers are searching for their program's first NECC Championship in their second trip to the title game while the Hawks are going to the Conference's tournament finals for the fifth time in team history; BC has captured one NECC trophy (2012) while also getting into the NCAA Regionals a second time with an at-large bid in 2011.
Southern Vermont 73 – Regis 68
Regis grabbed the early lead in the night's first semifinal, going up by as many as 13 late in the opening period before taking a 37-30 upper hand into the locker room. SVC went in front for the first time all night with 10:41 left in the second half and pulled ahead to grab a sizable advantage. The Pride fought to the end but fell short, a buzzer-beating three by the visitors making for the final five-point Mountaineer victory over the reigning NECC Champions.
Southern Vermont improves to 23-3 on the year while extending its winning streak to 15 games. Regis ends its 2015-16 campaign with an overall record of 12-15. SVC also takes a 7-6 edge in the all-time series against the Pride, not having won its last three straight meetings with RC and five of the last six.
Mountaineer senior Casey Hall (Albany, N.Y.) tied the game-high of 16 points while pulling down a game and career-best 14 rebounds for his fourth straight double-double and fifth of the season. Junior Rayshawn Taylor (Silver Spring, Md.) came off the bench to score 14 points and grab six boards, and senior DeShawn Hamlet (Hartford, Conn.) had 12 points and 10 rebounds for his eighth double-double of the year. SVC freshman Josh Borders (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.) had five points, five rebounds, and a game-high five assists in the win.
Regis junior Sam Jean-Gilles (Melrose, Mass.) tied Hall's 16 points while adding five rebounds and four assists to his line. RC senior Jordan Monts (Springfield, Mass.) and freshman Ademola Afonja (Staten Island, N.Y.) each had 14 points and six boards on the night as Monts dished out a pair of helpers.
SVC shot 32.8 percent (20-61) from the floor while RC connected on 35.3 percent (24-68) of its field goal attempts. The Pride had great success from deep, going 11-for-24 (45.8 percent) from three-point distance as the Mountaineers were just 5-for-23 (21.7 percent) on long-balls. Southern Vermont owned a strong 56-39 advantage on the glass, using its 20-11 offensive rebound tally to outscore Regis 20-7 in second-chance points. SVC ran the floor well, notching 30 fast-break points to the Pride's two.
Regis won the opening tip and ran the shot clock all the way down before Jean-Gilles connected on a trey with just seconds left, but Hamlet answered soon-after with a triple of his own on the left edge of the arc to tie it up as the battle began. RC got a huge spark when Monts lobbed it up toward the hoop where Afonja was able to grab the pass and slam home the alley-oop, putting the Pride in front 8-3.
A three-ball from RC senior Jeff Tager Jr. (Brockton, Mass.) extended Regis' upper hand to 24-16, and six unanswered Pride points, capped by a jumper from senior Hector Heredia (Lawrence, Mass.), then pushed the lead out to 13 (35-22). SVC closed out the half with a 6-1 spurt, started by a trey at the right edge of the perimeter from sophomore Daemond Carter (Forestville, Md.), sending the game to halftime with the Mountaineers down 37-30.
The two sides traded scores as play resumed before SVC rallied for 12 straight points to tie it at 46-46. Hall made a steal in the Regis end as the Mountaineers applied the press, slamming home an electrifying dunk during that run. Afonja answered with a slam and an ensuing jumper to put his team back in front, only to see Southern Vermont complete a pair of and-one plays to take its first lead of the night at 53-50. Taylor would add six straight points with a downtown bucket and his second old-fashioned three-point play of the half, and a Hall spin move in the lane allowed him to sink a jumper from the key to give SVC the 64-57 upper hand.
Regis notched the next five to inch back, Jean-Gilles banging home a three from the top of the arc to make it a two-point game. Missed shots at both ends of the floor brought the game to the final minute where Southern Vermont went up six with a pair of Taylor free throws. Monts connected on a trey to get Regis back to within five, but SVC took advantage of bonus trips to the line to seal the deal. Monts got a three to go from just over the half-court line as time expired, but it was a meaningless basket as the Mountaineers celebrated their second straight trip to the Conference finals.
Becker 88 – Elms 79
With the score tied 10-10 in the early-going of the nightcap, Becker took to an 11-2 run that gave the Hawks a lead they would never relinquish. BC brought a 40-28 upper hand into the intermission before holding off the Blazers in the final 20 minutes to close out the victory.
Becker improves to 17-10 on the year while Elms falls to 14-12 with the loss.
All five Hawk starters reached double figures in the points column, being led by junior Kyle Credle (Queens, N.Y.) who tallied 18 points to go with his seven rebounds and game-best four assists. BC senior Rashaun Liggon (Elizabeth, N.J.) followed with 16 points while grabbing nine boards and dishing out three assists, and freshman Kareem Davis (Lowell, Mass.) had another 16 points in the win. Sophomore Samuel Durodola (Rosedale, N.Y.) registered 15 points and a team-best 10 rebounds for his 13th double-double of the season, and senior Reginald Finney (Ansonia, Conn.) chipped in with 12 points.
Elms senior Jerry Buchanon (Windsor, Conn.) notched a game-high 22 points while adding six rebounds and three assists to his line. Sophomore Devonte Marshall (Springfield, Mass.) had 18 points and six boards, and junior Symon Smith (Oklahoma City, Okla.) scored 16 points on the night. Blazer sophomore Conny Ihearahu (Largo, Md.) recorded 11 points while grabbing a game-high 15 rebounds for the double-double.
Becker shot at 46.7 percent (28-60) from the floor as EC connected on 38.3 percent (31-81) of its field goal attempts. BC grabbed a slim 48-41 edge on the boards and topped Elms 10-9 in second-chance points. The Blazers committed only five turnovers on the night to outscore the Hawks 13-4 in points off turnovers, and EC had a 46-30 advantage in points from the paint.
Neither side could pull away as the contest began, Finney banking home a jumper for a 10-8 Hawk lead before Ihearahu answered on the next trip down the floor to tie things. Becker would then take to an 11-2 run, however, Durodola making an acrobatic, scooping shot in that stretch for BC to go up comfortably. Davis then knocked down a three-pointer from nearly 10 feet behind the arc to put his team on top at 25-16, but Elms kept its distance as Buchanon swished home a jumper from the top of the key to make it a 30-20 Becker lead.
The Hawks tallied the next five points with two coming when sophomore Nafis Streeter (Philadelphia, Pa.) got a pretty reverse layup to go off the glass, and the teams traded scores down the stretch of the half before Buchanon registered the final two baskets in the period to send the Blazers into the break down 40-28.
Elms came out of halftime with momentum, Marshall baking home a jumper from the left side to open up a 10-3 Blazer run that cut their deficit down to five. Liggon then got nothing-but-net on a 15-footer at the 14:01 mark to give Becker the 47-40 lead, starting a 10-2 BC spurt that put the Hawks back in front by 13 (55-42). Davis and Credle then teamed up for back-to-back threes from the left side of the perimeter to extend the Hawks' separation.
Becker maintained its distance down the stretch until Elms started to chip away in the final minutes, cutting it down to a 77-72 BC lead with 1:08 left to go. Forced to foul, however, EC's comeback was spoiled by an 11-for-12 Hawk performance at the charity stripe in the final minute as Becker's free throw shooting helped finish out the semifinal victory and earn a spot for the Hawks in Saturday's championship game.


In the last two decades, Americans have experienced more temperature variation than at anytime in history. Our summers are becoming hotter and our winters colder. As a result, we have become even more dependent on our HVAC air conditioning systems.
Many Americans rely on HVAC air conditioning systems to stay comfortable and maintain a healthy indoor environment. HVAC air conditioning systems have several essential components, one of the most important being the thermostat.
What Is a Thermostat
The thermostat is a monitoring device that senses and regulates the air temperature of a particular environment. Thermostats are a critical component in refrigeration units, car cooling systems, and heating and cooling HVAC air conditioning systems.
A thermostat is a programmable device that monitors the ambient temperature in a particular environment and initiates a process should the temperature fall below or rise above the pre-programmed temperature.
For example, when the room temperature falls below the pre-programmed temperature, the thermostat will generate electrical signals instructing the boiler to operate and create warm air. The thermostat works the same way when cooling. When the temperature in a room rises above a preset level, the thermostat senses it and sends electrical signals telling the HVAC air conditioning system to produce cold air.
When the thermostat records a temperature within the desired range, it signals the HVAC system to stop the heating or cooling process. The thermostat helps maintain a constant room temperature, an essential element of an expected level of comfort.
How Do Thermostats Work
The thermostat works on a process called thermal expansion. The thermostat contains two metal strips bolted together, each composed of a different metal (steel and copper, or steel and brass) that expand and contract according to how hot or cold they get.
The strips are called bimetallic strips, and as they expand and contract, they form a bridge within the electrical circuit that signals the HVAC system to produce cool or hot air. The expansion and contraction will switch on and turn off an electrical circuit that controls the heating and cooling process.
The History of Thermostats
The first thermostat appeared in a rudimentary form in 1620. Cornelius Drebbel invented an oven that incorporated a mercury thermostat and an air intake that expands and contracts, allowing more or less hot air into the oven.
In 1830, a Scotsman named Andrew Ure invented a thermostat to keep steam boilers warm. Also, in 1830, Warren Johnson invented an electrical thermostat that helped keep his classrooms warm.
In 1883, Albert Butz patented the damper flapper that controls the airflow into coal furnaces, lowering or raising the temperature, and in 1906 Mark Honeywell used Butz’s patent as the basis for the first programmable thermostat.
In 1934, the thermostat containing an electric clock first appeared. In the 1950s, the first dial thermostats began to appear, and similar thermostats are still operating today.
The 1980s saw the first digital display thermostats become available, and in the late 1990s and early 2000s, a new generation of smart thermostats connected to the internet began to appear.
What Are the Different Types of Thermostats
When defining the different types of thermostats, the definitions are usually based on whether the thermostat contains mechanical or digital components. The mechanical thermostat uses physical mechanisms to measure and control the air temperature, whereas the digital thermostat uses electrical sensors.
For example, the mechanical thermostat will utilize bimetallic strips, gas-filled bulbs, and air tubes. The digital thermostat uses electrical sensors to detect variations in temperature, and digital thermostats are programmable and don’t need manual operation.
The different types of thermostats can also be categorized using voltage as the determining factor. For example, there are line voltage thermostats and low voltage thermostats. A line voltage thermostat has an electrical voltage that flows through the thermostat into the heater and is usually used in single heating systems. Line voltage thermostats operate on 240 volts.
Low voltage thermostats are usually incorporated into central heating and HVAC systems. Low voltage systems are more adaptable and enable easier program control. Line voltage thermostats operate on 24 volts to 50 volts.
What Is a Water Heater Thermostat
Thermostats can also be categorized by the device and the function they serve. One example of this is the water heater thermostat. It is a temperature-activated device that monitors and controls the water temperature.
The water heater thermostat regulates the water temperature by switching the upper and lower elements on and off. It senses the water temperature and energizes the element to heat the water when it reaches below a pre-programmed temperature. All modern water heater thermostats are programmable.
Central Heating Thermostat
Another example of a thermostat defined by its function is the central heating thermostat. It heats an entire building from one central source. The central heating thermostat monitors a building’s ambient temperature and instructs the heating or cooling system to make adjustments once the ambient temperature rises above or falls below a pre-programmed temperature.
A thermostat is an essential part of any HVAC air conditioning, cooling and heating system. It monitors ambient room temperature, and when that temperature dips below or rises above a pre-programmed temperature, the thermostat will instruct the HVAC system to make appropriate cooling or heating changes.
Thermostats are subject to wear and tear and can malfunction. If you experience problems with your thermostat, contact our experts at DunRite Heating & Air, Inc. We have the necessary skills, experience, and equipment to repair your thermostat.
For thermostat repairs, contact DunRite Heating & Air, Inc.
If you are experiencing discomfort because your HVAC in San Jose is not working efficiently, the problem could be the thermostat. For a professional checkup of your thermostat or if your thermostat requires maintenance, contact DunRite Heating & Air Inc. We can conduct a maintenance check, make the necessary repairs, and ensure your thermostat is operating at peak efficiency.


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At the same time, the company is opening a new plant in the country, located in Heidelberg, southeast of Johannesburg which will fill Coca-Cola’sValpré Spring water using the recyclable packaging.
PlantBottle packaging is currently made by converting sugarcane into monoethylene glycol (MEG), which represents 30 per cent of the total composition of the PET plastic by weight.
In its first year, PlantBottle was launched in nine global markets, including Brazil, Canada, Chile,
Denmark, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Sweden and the US, on brands like Bonaqua Water,
Barqs, Coca-Cola, DASANI, Fresca, iLOHAS, Sokenbicha, Sprite, and vitaminwater.
South Africa was an important market to focus on for a PlantBottle launch as the inhabitants are very conscious in terms of recyclability, with a population that is “highly educated” about sustainability, Angela Harrell, communications director for Coca-Cola South Africa told BeverageDaily.
According to Harrell, the country has one of the recycling rates for cans in the world, with a 38 per cent collection rate for PET.
The firm claims PlantBottle packaging has a lighter footprint on the environment due to its reduced dependence on nonrenewables such as petroleum.
The other 70 per cent of the bottle is made from purified terephthalic acid (PTA), which is made from traditional sources. However, Coca-Cola said it is currently developing a plant-based replacement for PTA.
The company is also working with R&D partners such as universities and research institutes to advance technologies to extract sugar from plant-based wastes for PlantBottle packaging.
“So, while we are only using sugarcane today, we expect over the long-term to also be able to use natural resources like stems, barks or fruit skins in the near future,” said Coca-Cola.
By the end of 2010 (in two years since its introduction in the US), more than 2.5 billion PlantBottle packages had been produced, eliminating the equivalent of approximately 60 000 barrels of oil from plastic bottles, said the firm.
Selected for its close proximity to markets and distribution sites in the Guateng Region and a similar source water profile as Valpré's, Coca-Cola said the new South African plant will help the country meet the increasing demand for bottled water in the country.
According to Harrell, the facility will also be Africa’s greenest Coca-Cola plant through strategies that allow the company tolower its water and energy usage.
For example, the plant is North-South facing, a position which optimises the facility’s sunlight exposure, explained Harrell.
Furthermore, the use of solar panels and greater use of natural light in the building means less electricity is used at the facility.
Harrell said Coca-Cola also maximized its use of recycled materials in the building of the facility, using most of the materials from local communities which were “literally across the road” from the plant.
In addition, the facility also has a "zero to landfill" target.
The company said the facility is in the process of being LEED certified (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) -- an internationally recognized program that is the accepted benchmark for design, construction and operation of high-performance green buildings.


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The yerba mate plant, which is really a tree, is an evergreen from the Holly family that grows in the subtropical forests of South America. The yerba mate tree, from the Aquifoliacae family, stands between 6 to 8 meters tall, being able to reach even 15 meters. There are many different species in the family, the Ilex gender having more than 550, the holly plant included, 280 species found in South America, 60 of which occur in southern Brazil. Only 3 species though are used in the mate industry (I. paraguariensis, I. angustifolia, I. amara), Ilex Paraguariensis being the most important. The mate plant, due to the widespread genetic variety of the Ilex family, may have white or light purple stems, and thick waxy leaves that may present dented or smooth edges.
The amount of xanthene alkaloids in the leaves of maté is believed to be directly related to the quality of the soil. This influences the flavor of the yerba mate giving it a milder taste. This flavor varies from region to region, the soil of southern Brazil presenting drastic variations in mineral content, texture, and organic mass. The tendency though, is for the cultivated maté to have a stronger bitterness, and probably higher xanthene content. The native trees, which grow in the nitrogen-rich topsoil of the Paraná Pine forests, tend to have a milder bitterness, characterized by a stronger leafy flavor. Obtaining the right balance of these is the secret to having a stable, fresh tasting yerba mate. (more…)

domain: agronomy


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With 266 days of golden sunshine a year, San Diego has bright skies and a mild climate benefit with gentle ocean breezes mitigating the heat.
On your private driving tour of San Diego’s beaches, you will:
- Enjoy hotel pick-up and drop-off from your private driver-guide at any centrally located San Diego hotel;
- Begin your day at La Jolla Cove, where you will see active marine life;
- Enjoy spectacular views from Soledad Mountain, from which you can see Mission Bay, downtown, and Tijuana Beach;
- Visit Pacific and Ocean beaches, where you will begin to see how each beach town has its own communal vibe;
- Enjoy breathtaking scenery at Sunset Cliffs Natural Park;
- Venture to Coronado Island, where you will take a stroll, and even see the famed and haunted Hotel Del;
- Enjoy a lunch stop at any number of local places recommended by your guide (price not included in the tour);
- Finish your tour with a stroll around scenic Seaport Village, where you will be able to see the US Navy hard at work and see how large an aircraft carrier is from the port.
Stretching from Oceanside to the Mexican border and from the beach east into Anza-Borrego Desert State Park and the Cleveland National Forest, San Diego’s 70 miles of picturesque coastline boasts 33 gorgeous sandy beaches. Rugged bays and tide pools teem with barnacles, crabs and sea urchins and are home to seals and sea lions, while dolphins, whales and turtles can be spotted in open water.
Each beach has its own distinct Southern California beach culture, from skaters on boardwalks to palm-hemmed secluded sands and laid-back hang-outs where surfers rule the waves. Your Private Tour of the San Diego Coast and Beaches takes you straight to the finest coastal stretches to discover the heart and soul of the city where, literally, life's a beach.
Your tour visits Ocean Beach, with its laid-back rhythm. It has a vintage SoCal hippy vibe with surf shops, taco stands, microbreweries and dog-friendly sands. Here, you can enjoy a pit stop at one of the many beachside eateries, or wait until you hit the crashing waves of the Pacific Beach. Serious surfers head to Pacific Beach - or “PB” as the locals call it - for an electric party atmosphere, glowing bonfires and excellent swells.
Your final stop is La Jolla, a scenic stretch dubbed ‘Paradise by the Sea’ sheltered by a 300-ft rocky bluff that is home to seals, sea lions, numerous seabirds, lush beach flora and a wide sweep of soft honey-colored sand.
Along the Point Loma Peninsula’s western shoreline, the 68-acre Sunset Cliffs Natural Park encompasses native coastal scrub, dramatic cliff formations, craggy caves, intertidal lagoons and mesmerizing panoramic ocean views.
The alabaster-white sands of Coronado Island, home to the haunted Hotel Del Coronado, boasts quintessential San Diego seaside allure, running along Ocean Boulevard and evoking the era of Marilyn Monroe, who famously filmed Some Like It Hot here in 1958. Next Seaport Village where a picturesque century-old harborside boasts numerous seafood bistros and waterfront cafés.
Please note: Your guide will be happy to drop you off at one of the last beaches on the tour, so feel free to bring your swimsuits and towels to soak up the glorious San Diego sun!
- A friendly, professional English-speaking driver guide for your own private group
- Plenty of time to take photos of your favorite places
- Private transportation including hotel pick-up and drop-off (if centrally located)

domain: geography


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Cracked Wheat bread is one of the best tasting loaves around, and possibly one of the best kept secrets. Everyone seems to love white bread, or proclaim the health benefits of whole wheat, completely neglecting this classic. Like all bread, it’s easy to make and once you get into the habit of baking, it’s almost second nature. It’s a pleasure to put your hands to such easy work for such a superb return.
Makes 2 loaves
- 3 c warm water
- 2 T honey
- 1 T yeast
- 2 T molasses
- 2 c cooked cracked wheat cereal
- 2 c white flour
- 2 c whole wheat flour, plus additional for kneading as necessary
- 2 t salt
- 1 large bowl, preferably ceramic
- 2 – 9 x 5″ loaf pans, generously buttered
- Put the warm water into a large bowl and add the honey, stirring to dissolve.
- Add the yeast and stir gently. Let sit about 10 minutes.
- Add the remaining ingredients, adding the flour a cup at a time until the dough is kneadable, elastic, and just barely no longer sticky. It will feel a little bit dense.
- Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface and knead well, about 10 minutes.
- Shape dough into a ball, put it into a large buttered bowl, turning until the surface of the dough is coated with butter. Cover the bowl and let dough rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- When the dough has doubled, punch it down and let it rest for about 10 minutes.
- Divide dough into 2 equal portions, and shape each portion into a loaf. Place each loaf seam side down into the prepared loaf pans and let rise until the top of each loaf rises about 1″ over the top edge of the pans. The rising time can be 30 minutes or longer, depending on the warmth of the room.
- When the loaves have risen to the proper height put them into a 350 degree, pre-heated oven and bake 45 minutes – 1 hour.
- When they are golden brown and sound a bit hollow when tapped, they are done. Cool them on a rack for a few minutes then remove the loaves from the pans and cool completely before slicing.
BTW, there are very few things in this world that taste as good as a slice of freshly baked bread slathered with real butter. Add a fantastic soup and some salad and you’ve got a wonderful, satisfying meal. Bon Appetit!


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Hi, so i finally updated my Unity engine to the proper version and the first thing i wanted to do is release this fun to make /play game .
A group of the internet’s hottest models and influencers come together to do an awesome photoshoot
in the Brown Sugar club when an argument between two girls turns into an all out brawl.
which sexy model will come out on top? play the game and find out. oh and there is a small bonus
gallery of pics that was taken before the fight. I’ve been drawing these ladies for years and I been wanting to make a fighting game featuring internet models and sexy influencers. I’ll be updating with new stages, music and of course new sexy girls to play with. Hope you like what I made and thank you for your time. https://backalleytoonz.itch.io/sexy-girls-fight-club

domain: artistic


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Investors seek post-Brexit business stability
Recent research found that investors are opting for nations who are perceived to have dealt with the crisis in a better.....
Citizenship investment programs have seen huge increases in demand this year, driven by the super-wealthy looking for COVID safe alternatives to their native nations.
Recent research found that investors are opting for nations who are perceived to have dealt with the crisis in a better manner to others, with Australia and New Zealand seeing some of the biggest increase in demand.
But there is a second factor that is causing an undercurrent of investor demand to build and that’s the anticipation of life after Brexit and the ability to do business without borders within Europe.
As Konstantin Kaminskiy from the alternative residency and citizenship acquisition experts, Astons, explains.
“There’s no doubt that COVID is shaping the current landscape where citizenship and residency migration is concerned. The Caribbean programs, in particular, are currently undergoing their best quarter in many years with a 300% uplift in demand so far in 2020.
However, with Brexit once again rearing its ugly head in the UK, investors are returning focus to their business endeavours and how they may be impacted when the UK leaves the European Union.
We’ve already seen a consistent uplift in demand for many EU investment programs so far this year, with Cyprus seeing a 50% increase along with Greek residency which is up by 20%. This has been largely driven by UK demand as a direct consequence of Brexit and this is a trend we expect to accelerate over the coming months.”
Most stable nations for business-focussed migration investment
Astons has tipped four EU migration investment programs to perform particularly well in the lead up to Brexit due to the stability they offer via their SDG score.
The Sustainable Development Report ranks all 193 UN member states based on a range of criteria including no poverty, zero hunger, health, education, equality, innovation, infrastructure and work and economic growth, to name but a few.
Just five prominent nations offering migration investment programs rank with an SDG score above 75, the UK, Spain, Portugal, Malta and Cyprus.
For those looking for visa-free access to Europe in the wake of Brexit, Cypriot citizenship can be obtained within six months, however, it comes at the higher end of the investment scale at €2.2m (£2.008m).
Malta has also proved popular, with investors securing residency in four months with a minimum investment of €880,000 (3803,321), with the ability to gain citizenship just one year later.
However, it’s Portugal and Spain that currently offer the fastest routes to border-free business in the EU. Both take between two to three months to gain residency with the ability to secure citizenship in five years.
But it isn’t just speed that is increasing appeal, with the minimum investment in Spain just €500,000 (£456,172), while in Portugal it falls further still, to just €350,000 (£319,320).
Konstantin Kaminskiy continued…
“If there is one thing many high-net-worth individuals value more than anything, it’s their time. So the ability to react to any Brexit developments and secure alternative EU residency within just two to three months is far more attractive to them compared to finding the most affordable route.
However, in addition to the speed of securing residency, they also require a stable landscape in which to live and work, not just for themselves, but for their family. So the overall health of a nation also plays an important part in the investment process and a country’s SDG score is a good way to conduct this health check.
The low cost of investing, the quick time frame to securing residency and the overall stability of each nation are the driving factors behind the likes of Cyprus, Malta, Spain and Portugal becoming very popular from a migration point of view. We expect this will continue to be the case as Britain approaches its final exit from the EU.”
Table shows nations offering residency or citizenship by migration programs that also score 75 or above in the UN Sustainable Development Report
|Nation||Program name||Program details||Timeframe for residency or citizenship||Minimum investment||SDG Score|
|United Kingdom||United Kingdom Tier 1 Investment Programme||Residency 1 month – Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR) after 5 years then Citizenship after 6 years||1 month||£2,000,000 GBP||79.79|
|Portugal||Portugal Immigrant Investor Programme||Residency – Then Citizenship after 5 years||2-3 months||€350,000 EUR||77.65|
|Spain||Spain Investment Visa||Residency – Permanent residency after 5 years and then citizenship after 10 years||2-3 months||€500,000 EUR||78.11|
|Malta||Malta Individual Investor Programme (MIIP)||Residency – Citizenship after one years residency||3-4 months||€880,000 EUR||75.97|
|Cyprus||Cyprus Investment Programme||Citizenship||6 Months||€2,200,000 EUR||75.21|
For more information visit: www.astons.com
- Don Diablo sells world’s first full length concert NFT for $1.2 millionDutch visionary Don Pepijn Schipper – best known as Don Diablo – has made history with the drop of the world’s first full length concert NFT
- Hurricane Electric establishes points-of-presence in 13 EdgeConneX® Edge Data centres worldwideThese points-of-presence will provide critical IT infrastructure, IP transit, bandwidth and cloud access options to meet accelerating enterprise demand in these edge markets
- Blockchain-powered professional verification platform bridges the trust gapPrimary Source Verification provider, TrueProfile.io® updates its service offering and blockchain partner to deliver unrivalled recruitment offering for businesses and intuitive career platform for individuals
- SH Capital Ltd selects FinIQ as digital trading platformDubai-based fintech provider SH Capital Ltd has chosen FinIQ’s digital trading platform to reconnect businesses with international banking services, digital treasury management solutions, risk management and cash investment products
- Healthcare startups raised $38B in a year; total investments jumped to $135.5BGlobal investments in healthcare startups set a new record in 2020, as investors flocked to this sector due to the pandemic


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Essex Police has struck a deal with Agilisys to design and build new products on its Analytics for Everyone platform.
It has agreed on a two-year, £700,000 contract with the digital transformation specialist to develop dashboards using Microsoft Power BI to make relevant data more widely available among its officers and staff.
One of the first dashboards will focus on identified high harm crimes, delivering information to support a preventative approach to policing where possible.
Agilisys will also work with the Essex Police analytics and research team to develop internal specialist skills to maximise the benefits of the Analytics for Everyone platform. This will be accompanied by a focus on developing the data culture across the organisation.
Essex Police Chief Constable Ben-Julian Harrington said: “Understanding data is key to Essex Police being an innovative, forward thinking force. By making the most out of the resources available to us, we can utilise our force of fantastic officers and staff to deliver the best possible service to people in Essex.
“We centre around preventing, responding to and investigating crime. To ensure we do this, as a force we need to make sure we are skilled, equipped and enabled to use data and technology. I am looking forward to working with Agilisys and seeing how this partnership will benefit communities in Essex.”


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We are committed to helping your child feel inspired about soccer. With that in mind, we have secured a membership to the Soccer Parent Resource Center for all the parents and coaches in the club.
At the Soccer Parent Resource Center you will find monthly webinars for parents, articles and interviews with tips and advice, guidance and support, and much more to help you support your child in soccer.
To gain access to your free membership and all the great content at SoccerParentResourceCenter.com simply follow the link below to register.
To activate your free membership, simply copy this link into your browser: https://soccerparentresourcecenter.com/register/club-membership/wasatchsc/
The mission of the Soccer Parenting Association is to inspire players by empowering parents.
- We believe youth soccer parents will be difference makers when it comes to improving the game.
- We believe when parents seek information about how to best support their player, great things will happen.
- We believe a collaborative environment between coach, parent, club, and player is in the best interest of player development.
- We believe a strong and supportive community of level-headed and like-minded parents and coaches will inspire players.
We are proud to be a Club Member of the Soccer Parenting Association. We believe youth soccer parents will be difference makers when it comes to improving the game and we believe a more collaborative environment between coach, parent, club and player is in the best interest of player development.

domain: sports


Beginning in 2002, BBC 6 Music's Funk and Soul Show hosted by Craig Charles has been a roaring success story, three hours of nothing but funk, soul and disco classics on Saturday night's airwaves managed to win over the nation. Those sets come alive in his live appearances, as he takes to the decks and spins the best tracks of the genres creating a dance worthy soundtrack.
His DJ sets are renowned around the country, having been invited to cities all over the UK and checked off numerous festival stages such as Parklife, Lovebox and Funk and Soul Festival. He now brings it to Birmingham's Hare and Hounds this May bank holiday for a full day of groovy beats.
Charles will be joined by fellow DJs Sam Redmore and Tom Wilson warming you up and spinning some danceable tracks before his headline slot. While live support comes in the form of Birmingham's own funk and pop fusion collective Heavy Beat Brass Band as well as the trio who hold homage to the classic organ use in classic jazz music, Three Step Manoeuvre.


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Ever feel like someone was following you? Well, that’s exactly how poor Rabbit feels when out of the blue he realizes he’s got a Black Rabbit trailing behind him. No matter how fast or far he runs, he just can’t shake him. At least not until he gets to the dark woods. But when a new foe surfaces, Rabbit runs out of the woods and finds that the Black Rabbit isn’t so bad after all.
Graphic designer Philippa Leathers’ very charming debut picture book, captures the sense of discovery and wonder that children have as they learn about the kinds of things we now take for granted… like our shadows. A

domain: library


Nuclear weapons were supposed to provide ‘more bang for the buck (US dollar)’. The facts, expertly researched and presented by Ben Cramer in the book Nuclear Weapons: At What Cost, demonstrate the opposite. Military expenditures have increased in every country ‘joining the nuclear club’. The nine nuclear weapon States collectively spend about US$90 billion annually on nuclear weapons programmes. This is about 8% of the global military budget – or about the amount required to meet the UN Millennium Development Goals of ending hunger; providing universal primary education; reducing child and maternal mortality by 2/3rds, ensuring environmental sustainability (including combating climate change), achieving greater gender equity, and combating HIV/AIDS, malaria and other major diseases.
UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, in his five-point plan for nuclear disarmament, lists this opportunity cost of nuclear weapons as an important point in building the political momentum for disarmament. The Nuclear Age Peace Foundation has produced a chart on what could be accomplished globally with the annual $55 billion the U.S. spends on nuclear weapons.
In February 2010, US President Obama requested an increase in funding for the US nuclear weapons complex (See Obama budget seeks 13.4 percent increase for National Nuclear Security Administration). According to a November 2010 White House Fact Sheet An Enduring Commitment to the U.S. Nuclear Deterrent, the US Administration’s plan “to invest more than $85 billion over the next decade to modernize the U.S. nuclear weapons complex.. [is a] level of funding unprecedented since the end of the Cold War.” According to some analysts this additional funding ‘was the price exacted by the U.S. military-industrial complex and its representatives in the Senate for Senate ratification of the new START (Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty) on December 22, 2010’.
US Rep Ed Markey and a number of other Congress members sent a letter to the House Appropriations Sub-committee criticizing specific aspects of the funding request, including the increase in funding requested for the production of plutonium pits and uranium processing that could be used to manufacture new nuclear warheads, and the decrease in funding requested for warhead dismantlement. Markey and the co-authors argued that the government should prioritise nuclear security funding for warhead dismantlement and stockpile reduction to support multilateral disarmament, rather than the modernization and production of warheads which are a stimulus to proliferation.
See also Nuclear Security Spending: Assessing Costs, Examining Priorities by Stephen Schwartz and Deepti Choubey.


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11) Mommy's food is always preferable.
It doesn't matter that she just ate a huge bowl of the same meal pureed. The food on Mommy's plate is where it's at.
12) Diaper changes cut into valuable playtime, and escaping while bare bottomed is always hilarious.
She can crawl amazingly fast while half-naked, probably because she's less 2lbs.
13) The t.v. remote is more fun than any other toy.
Way more fun that a toy, slightly more fun than the phone and TONS of fun when all the electronics shut off at the same time when the power button is pushed.
14) Standing in the tub is the ultimate thrill.
Mostly because I have to keep saying "on your bum" and sitting her down, just to have her laugh and pop back up again.
15) EVERYTHING MUST BE TASTED.
Flecks on the carpet. grass, twigs, shells on the beach, rocks, mommy's face and the odd time, even food.
16) Kitchen cupboards and drawers are much more fun to play in than the toy chest.
Throwing towels, hot plates, utensils, pots and pans are much more exciting - plus they have the added benefit of making WAY more noise.
17) Kisses can make anything feel better.
But we all know that.
18) Dropping a nap can be a good thing!
Just no sleeping after 4pm or that little party animal will be up 'till midnight.
19) "Baby Einstein" can be a lifesaver.
Need 20-30 minutes to do a task? Pop that baby in, and get 'er done.
20) Board books are an awesome teether.
I have board books used just as chew toys and are full of little tooth dents.

domain: entertainment


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This is the first of a few articles about my time at EGX 2019 and the games that really stuck out to me. EGX has everything from brand new unreleased titles, popular games, merchandise, sponsors, tech, meet and greets and anything else they can think of to appeal to the average and hardcore gamers!
Every year I visit and the main section of the show I enjoy the most is the Rezzed/Indie area, where any developer or company can show off their game and speak directly to players for feedback and criticism. Here, I managed to play quite a few games over the 2 days I was at the event, and some surprised and impressed me enough for me to write about them and hopefully get you to check them out yourselves.
We start with Gearshifters, which, according to the games website, is a “high-intensity top-down vehicle combat combining classic shoot-em-up arcade gameplay with rogue-like systems” from developers Red Phantom Games.
Gearshifters is inspired by Spy Hunter, with the classic shmup style but using cars on the road instead of the typical planes or spaceships. The demo at EGX featured only a small portion of what the developers have made so far, but it was still enough to impress me.
The gameplay is polished and slick, featuring smooth controls, power ups such as drifting to aim diagonally, different types of enemies and bosses bringing about an all round classic and fun game. During the story you face different factions each with their own enemies and a boss to defeat, spread across different terrains and areas. You can also upgrade your car to suit your gameplay style making it a more personalised gaming experience.
As you can see from the screenshots, the game is played from a top-down perspective, however the developers told me this might not always be the case. The game is fully 3D, which reflects in a wonderful modern look, and this gives them the freedom to use different camera angles for cut-scenes, key moments etc if they want to.
Gearshifters is also going to be 60fps on each console which is always a big plus with me. You can follow @RedPhantomGames as they release new screenshots and gameplay up until release.
Red Phantom Games is a small team of developers with over 40+ years of game making experience and are based in Leamington Spa in the UK, right near myself! They do not only make their own games but help other companies with theirs, and are keen to release Gearshifters sometime next year on PC, PS4, Xbox One and Nintendo Switch.

domain: game


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On May 13, 2021, NetSPI President and CEO Aaron Shilts was featured in the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.
Cybersecurity company NetSPI has raised $90 million in growth funding, it announced Wednesday.
The round was led by New York City-based investment firm KKR. Cybersecurity-focused venture capital firm Ten Eleven Ventures also participated.
Read the full article here: https://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2021/05/13/netspi-raises-90-million-cbersecurity.html


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Lady Gaga Houston Tickets
Lady Gaga Tickets for the Houston Toyota Center Show
The Fame Monster herself is coming to Texas as Lady Gaga Houston tickets go on sale on VividSeats.com. Gaga singles “Telephone”, “Poker Face”, “Just Dance”, and “Bad Romance” have charted around the world, her album sales have totaled in the millions, and now she has a ground-breaking US tour on the road. Houston music fans have already stampeded the box office looking for Lady Gaga Toyota Center tickets, but through Vivid Seats, passes are still available. Critics have been hailing the ongoing Lady Gaga tour as a glamorous dance party full of infectious pop music. When Gaga leaves town, you'll want to be one of the true fans that can say "I saw Lady Gaga in Texas" this year. If you want to get Lady Gaga Houston TX tickets before the glam pop diva comes to town, reserve your seats ASAP through Vivid Seats.
Enjoy the individual attention you’ll receive from our friendly customer help team when you buy Lady Gaga Houston tickets. Whether it’s online or through our call center, Vivid Seats is always available to lend a hand to those shopping for Lady Gaga Houston concert tickets. Get your seats to see the one and only Lady Gaga today!


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BAGHDAD: Iraqi premier Adel Abdel Mahdi will travel to Iran on Saturday, a member of his office said, in his first official visit to the country rivalling Washington for influence over Baghdad.
The US reimposed tough sanctions on Tehran’s energy and finance sectors last year but has granted Baghdad several exemptions to keep temporarily importing Iranian gas and electricity, crucial to Iraq’s faltering power sector.
Abdel Mahdi, 77, has repeatedly said Iraq wants good ties with both the US and Iran.
The prime minister would spend two days in the Islamic republic, a member of his office told AFP on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to speak to press.
He was expected to discuss “the issue of trade outside the framework of sanctions” in addition to “the rapprochement and the convergence of views between Iran and Arab countries”, the official said.


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I have data looking like below. I need to calculate the total points of player in every 3 consequitive games. For example, player 1 played only 3 games , so I need some of 10+3+2. But player 2 played 5 games, so for that player, I need 3 records. One with sum of points of first 3 games (8+3+7) and another with the second set (3+7+11) and one with the last set of 3 games (7+11+13). How do I achieve this with SQL?
select player, sum(points) over (partition by player order by game rows 2 preceding) -- includes current row -> 3 rows from tab qualify count(*) over (partition by player order by game rows 2 preceding) = 3 -- exactly three rows, i.e. first two rows per player are removed


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Stuffed Fabric Turtles (with pattern pieces)
We were shopping around, down in Florida, after we went to the zoo several weeks ago (yes, in Jacksonville…..some of you asked)……..and we stopped by a Pottery Barn Kids store. I’m a window shopper. Well, and an inspiration-seeker shopper. I love walking around and daring myself to find something I want to make. Ha. Want to go shopping with me? I might drive you crazy. Then you and my husband will have something in common. While we were there…..we saw some cute little stuffed turtles. So I snapped a picture with my phone, and I decided to try and figure it out at home. So, here’s my version…..a bit different, but just as sweet. They are soft and plump and are perfect for little hands. …..and the tail may be my favorite part. After making one, you better let your turtle explore outside. Would you like to make your own? Turtle pattern pieces found here. Cut out all of your turtle pieces, in whatever fabric and color choices you want. Then sew each piece closed, about a 1/4 inch from the end. Enjoy.

domain: design


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Despite the growing popularity and the beneficial effects of CBD, there are still a lot of misconceptions and myths about its use.
Here are 9 misconceptions about CBD/CBD Oil.
1. Cannabidiol is Non-Psychoactive and Non-Psychotropic
From the simplest to the most extensive level of research level you hear CBD being called the non-psychoactive cannabinoid. The reason why this is a misconception is because CBD have an effect on your mental state – it can make a lot of people less anxious or a little more relaxed. So to say that it’s non psychoactive is mischaracterizing because it does have an effect on the mental state but it is not intoxicating in the way that alcohol or THC (tetrahydrocannabinol) is. So it is better to say CBD is non-intoxicating rather than non-psychoactive. That is why it has been found to be very effective in treating mental illness, anxiety, and depression.
2. CBD is Most Effective Without THC
Patients are often faced with the option of either using products made from pure CBD isolate or those that include THC and other cannabinoids. Previously, it was believed that CBD in its isolated form was more concentrated and potent than full spectrum CBD. However, a new study has debunked this. The study concluded that full spectrum CBD provided higher levels of relief when compared to CBD isolate.
3. CBD is Sedating
For some people, CBD might be sedating while for others even in high doses it is only alerting or mildly energizing. Very high CBD doses can trigger a biphasic effect and it can promote sleep. We can attribute the sedating effect of certain CBD products to sedating terpenes such as myrcene which can be found in full plant extracts product. Myrcene is a terpene with painkilling and sedative properties.
4. CBD is a CB1 Inverse Agonist Like Rimonabant
Rimonabant is a synthetic cannabinoid and it’s also called SR141617. It is a little bit of a controversial cannabinoid because it caused a lot of adverse effects and got taken off the market right away. Rimonabant is an inverse agonist at the CB1 cannabinoid receptor which basically means it acts as an agonist but produces an opposite effect. So it wasn’t actually used for its effect on the CB1 receptor, it was used as an appetite suppressant.
Rimonabant is used to treat obesity as it works as an appetite suppressant. This is because when THC interacts with the CB1 receptors you get very hungry as an agonist but this was an inverse agonist so it attached to the receptor but produced the opposite effect. CBD on the other hand is not an agonist at the CB1 or CB2 receptor. At the CB1 receptor however it is an antagonist but what it does is it interferes with the binding of THC. So it doesn’t work like Rimonabant rather what it does is it works as an antagonist and it attaches as a negative allosteric modulator (it attaches to a different site) rather than the main site on the cannabinoid receptor.
CBD doesn’t cause the negative effects as Rimonabant and what it does is actually interfere with the attaching of THC to the cannabinoid receptor. That is part of the reason why THC and CBD work well together. There is a less of psycho activity and other effects from THC largely due to the CBD.
5. CBD Turns into THC in the Body
There was a study that led people to believe this however new evidence has refuted this misconception. There is no evidence that CBD turns into THC in the body and this was checked on multiple factors. Extensive clinical trials have demonstrated that ingesting CBD, even in high doses doesn’t cause THC-like psychoactive effects. In contrast, CBD in sufficient amounts can neutralize or even lesson the THC effects. In conclusion, CBD does not turn into THC in the body; it is its own cannabinoid with its own metabolites.
6. CBD Can Get You High
Because CBD and THC are both from the cannabis plant, many assume that using CBD can get you high similar to ingesting THC. Although this is a genuine concern, it is also a misconception. There is a group of receptors known as the Endocannabinoid System within the central nervous system in our body. Researchers believe these receptors controls our mood, appetite, memory, pain sensation, and other important functions.
One of the receptors within the Endocannabinoid System is the CB1 receptor. When the CB1 receptor attaches to THC, it can cause psychoactive effects but when CB1 receptor attaches to CBD it doesn’t cause psychoactive effects.
7. CBD is Legal in all 50 US States
The legal status of CBD is still a gray issue. According to many lawyers working in the cannabis space, CBD from hemp is legal as long as they source it from a compliant Farm Bill state. There is still need for clarity on the legal status of CBD especially at the federal level. CBD is legal in 44 states at the moment; however, the law varies from state to state. While a lot of progress has been of legalizing CBD the laws are yet to be well-defined. Since cannabis legalization in Canada, it has become more accessible to patients and CBD can easily be purchased online.
8. All CBD Products are Created Equal
In order to have a quality CBD yield, very high standards must be followed when growing, manufacturing, extracting, and forming it into the final product. Just like in any industry, CBD manufacturers can also cut corners which can result in a low quality products. So it’s important to always research the company before making your purchase to ensure you buy from companies with a good track record.
9. High CBD Doses Work Better than Low Doses
Although it is true that CBD isolates require higher doses to be effective, it does not mean a single molecule CBD is better than CBD-rich cannabis. According to reports from patients and clinicians, a synergistic combination of THC, CBD, terpenes, and other cannabis components are effective in low doses. It is important to note that THC and CBD have biphasic properties which mean that low and high dosage can produce opposite effects. An excessive dose of CBD can actually be less effective than a moderate one.

domain: chemistry


Two people allegedly working as spies for British intelligence have been arrested in Moscow, a Russian MP has told a television programme.
Last week, Russian TV showed what it said was the spy rock
"They are not silent they are talking," Nikolai Kovalyov, the former head of the security service said.
There is no official confirmation of the claims, which are due to be broadcast on Sunday evening.
It is not clear if the men are linked to last week's spying claims allegedly involving British embassy workers.
The UK Foreign Office said Britain was asking the Russian foreign ministry for information.
"We have not been notified but it is not clear whether this report is about British staff," a spokesman said after Mr Kovalyov's comments in a trailer to the programme on Russia's NTV television in which he referred to two "British spies" being arrested.
On Wednesday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said officials were still considering how to respond to the alleged UK spy scandal.
Last week's TV programme said four officials from the UK embassy and one Russian citizen, allegedly recruited by the British secret service, downloaded classified data from a transmitter in a fake rock planted in the street onto palm-top computers.
The programme also said a UK diplomat made regular payments to Russian non-governmental organisations.
The UK Foreign Office expressed surprise at the allegations and denied any improper behaviour.


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Even before the 2017 regular season started, the New England Patriots have had to deal with some high-profile injuries. Wide receiver Julian Edelman and defensive edge Derek Rivers both tore their ACLs over the summer, while linebacker Shea McClellin and wideout Malcolm Mitchell were placed on injured reserve with a chance to get activated at a later point during the season – something the Patriots planned to do.
However, neither of the two players would see the field in 2017 as both suffered setbacks after being designated for the two injured reserve returnee spots. Second-year wide receiver Mitchell, who was dealing with an undisclosed foot injury, recently spoke with ESPN Boston's Mike Reiss about his recovery at a public reading in a bookstore 15 minutes from New England's Gillette Stadium.
“This entire season I missed, it was a very adverse situation,” the 24-year old said. “That obviously wasn’t something I wanted. It happens in football, just like situations happen in life that you have no control over.” Mitchell was coming off a promising 2016 rookie season during which he established himself as one of the Patriots' top four wide receivers and a trusted target for quarterback Tom Brady.
However, the injury halted his development and forced him to virtually sit out his sophomore year. “I read during that time,” Mitchell pointed out after Sunday's event. “It encouraged me to keep going. And this mission, for the second year, will be even bigger than last year regardless of how football season went. It’s two different missions: Become the best football player I can be, and make sure kids understand the importance of reading.”
“One won’t affect the energy I put in the other,” the former fourth round draft choice out of Georgia continued. “They’re both very, very important to me.” Mitchell's Read with Malcolm initiative deals with one of the two and aims at teaching children the power of reading: “Reading can help you overcome adversity, can help you overcome hard times, situations that you might have been placed in and had no control over. I believe reading helps us become the best we can possibly be,” the receiver said.
When it comes to his second passion and job, playing pro football, Mitchell acknowledged that he has a big offseason ahead of him. “This offseason will be big,” he told Reiss. “Obviously I missed all of last season and I won’t shy away from the importance of making sure I’m ready when we start OTAs.” As for his injury status, which will determine just how ready he will be, Mitchell said that he was “feeling great”.
Entering the offseason, Mitchell will be a part of a deep wide receiver group that features Brandin Cooks, the above-mentioned Edelman and Chris Hogan as the top three options, with Phillip Dorsett and Kenny Britt as the depth players. Fellow wideout Danny Amendola, an unrestricted free agent, is a likely candidate to re-join to the group and bring competition to the table when it comes to playing time within the offense. Being at full health and ready to partake in all workouts will therefore be a key for Mitchell this year.


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Madison settles lawsuit with fired police officer
MADISON -- The town has settled a lawsuit brought by a former police officer who was fired in 2008 while facing 50 administrative charges, including consorting with prostitutes and felons while on duty.
The settlement was reached one day before the lawsuit was scheduled to go to trial last week.
The former officer, Bernard Durgin, filed for a disability pension after being placed on administrative leave in 2007, pending an investigation into the alleged indiscretions.
The disability pension would have entitled him to half of his annual salary, but the town denied the request, causing Durgin to sue to get his pension.
"It was a suit against the town for breach of contract and violation of due process," said Durgin's attorney, Bill Wynne of East Hartford. "There was no direct appeal, so we had to sue in court."
Under the settlement, Durgin will receive half of his original disability pension payment, which amounted to $16,000 a year for about 22 years, or until he is 65.
He gave up his retiree health benefits, to which he otherwise would have been entitled.
"This closes a chapter from the past," said First Selectman Fillmore McPherson. "While we were tempted to move forward with the trial because we felt the town had a strong case, there is always some uncertainty in these situations. We therefore felt it was in the best interest of the town to clear the decks."
McPherson added that a significant factor in the decision was Durgin yielding his retiree health benefits. He said that "liability over the next 25 years could prove to be very costly."
Wynne explained that Durgin was injured on the job.
He has a serious back injury that required a major operation, and the injury still is affecting him.
"I think it was a fair settlement for both sides," said Wynne. "The main thing is, (concerning) all of the things that were said about Mr. Durgin in the past and the way his reputation was tarnished, it ends up that none of that stuff was proved."
Call Alexandra Sanders at 203-789-5714. Follow her on Twitter @asanders88. To receive breaking news first, text the word NHNEWS to 22700. *Msg+data rates may apply. Text HELP for help. Text STOP to cancel.


St. Francis Memorial Hospital is set to get a big piece of provincial funding set aside for hospitals in Ontario.
The province says $175-million will be put towards upgrades and repairs at 131 hospitals this year.
St. Francis Memorial Hospital CEO Randy Penney says $1.7-million is being given to the hospital in Barry’s Bay, for upgrades to its heating, ventilation, and electrical systems.
Meanwhile, QHC is set to receive $491,000 from that funding. That money will be split between replacing the emergency generator at North Hastings Hospital, and replacing the domestic hot water system at Belleville General Hospital.


The following page consists of definitions for some of the deprecated terms, technologies and tools.
The term "eject" was popularized by create-react-app, and it is used in Expo to describe leaving the cozy comfort of the standard Expo development environment, where you do not have to deal with build configuration or native code. When you "eject" from Expo, you have two choices:
ExpoKit is an Objective-C and Java library that allows you to use the Expo SDK and platform and your existing Expo project as part of a larger standard native project — one that you would normally create using Xcode, Android Studio, or
react-native init. For more information, see Ejecting to ExpoKit.
Support for ExpoKit ended after SDK 38. Expo modules can implement support for custom native configuration, and projects that need even more custom native code can expose their Android Studio and Xcode projects with
npx expo prebuild.
Another term we occasionally use for Standalone app.
XDE was a desktop tool with a graphical user interface (GUI) for working with Expo projects. It's been replaced by Expo CLI, which now provides both command line and web interfaces.


You will receive an email from the HOA Board with the time of the meeting and a Zoom link if the meeting is being held via Zoom.
If you do not receive an email, please contact the Chairman and make sure the Board has your email address.
No activities are scheduled at this time
Thanks to all who attended the Annual HOA mtg.
The meeting went very well, with excellent feedback from the attending community.
Your support and contributions are greatly appreciated!
Fall River Estates HOA Board