Boogarins, the Brazilian, indie psych rock sensation can trace their origins to when its founding duo, Fernando “Dino” Almeida and Benke Ferraz started playing music together as teenagers in their hometown, the central Brazilian city of Goiânia — and the music that Almedia and Ferraz began to write and then eventually record was a psych pop that managed to filtered their country’s rich and diverse musical history through a modern lens. The duo’s 2013 debut full-length effort, As Plantas Que Curam was a decidedly lo-fi home studio effort, pieced together in isolation before the duo had recruited a rhythm section or played a live gig. By the time the album was released that year, the fully-fleshed out band had started developing a profile across their hometown and nationally as they started booking regular gigs in Sao Paulo and Brazil’s largest cities. In fact, the band’s debut effort was a commercial and critical success in their homeland as the album received praise from Rolling Stone Brazil, who had dubbed the band “Best New Artist” in 2013 and was nominated for several awards on GloboTV’s annual music award shows — all without much support from a label or from PR. Arguably some of the success Boogarins stems from the fact that unlike the majority of contemporary Brazlian bands that primarily sing lyrics in English, like their British and American counterparts, Boogarins material is sung completely in Brazilian Portuguese.
Over the last couple of years, the Brazilian psych pop act have started to receive increasing international attention as the band has toured across the globe playing at Austin Psych Fest, Burgerama, Primavera Sound Festival and headlining shows in clubs in London, Paris, Barcelona and New York. Naturally, the band started to receive praise from internationally recognized outlets including Pitchfork and The New York Times, who compared the Brazilian band’s sound to the likes of early Jefferson Airplane.
During their Spring 2014 European tour, the members of Boogarins spent two weeks in Jorge Explosion’s Estudio Circo Perrotti in Gijón, Spain, where they started tracking for material, which would wind up comprising their sophomore effort, Manual, which is slated for an October 30 release. Actually, the album’s full (and official title) is Manual,ou guia livre de dissolução dos sonhos, which translates into English as Manual, or Free Guide to the Dissolution of Dreams is meant to be viewed as a diary or sort of dream journal. The band eventually returned to Brazil and in between concert dates across South America, they finished the album in Ferraz’s home studio. Manual‘s material reportedly is not only more personal than their debut, it’s also more socially conscious as it draws from the sociopolitical and class issues affecting their homeland during and after the 2014 World Cup as entire neighborhoods were pushed aside and destroyed for massive commercial developments, instead of uplifting those who desperately needed uplift from the World Cup. (Certainly, as a New Yorker, in light of gentrification changing the city in a way that increasingly seems familiar.)
Just after releasing Manual‘s latest single “Avalanche” and while preparing for an extensive international tour to support it, Boogarins played a sold-out show at Centro Cultural Sao Paulo — and the official video for “Avalanche” was shot during that sold-out show. As for “Avalanche,” the song is a slow-burning, yet breezy and percussive song comprised of shimmering guitar chords played through layers of reverb and delay pedals, swirling feedback and a sinuous bass line paired with plaintive and ethereal vocals. In some way, sonically speaking the song sounds as though it draws from Dark Side of the Moon and Wish You Were Here-era Pink Floyd and Tropicalia but thematically drawing from Rage Against the Machine; in other words, dreamy and trippy yet grounded in the real world — and done in a way that’s powerfully accessible.


text: Marc-Anthony Polizzi was born in 1983 in the post-industrial city of Utica, NY. He attended PRATT at Munson Williams Proctor Institute of Art, The New York State College of Ceramics at Alfred University, and received his Masters in Fine Art from Tulane University in New Orleans. His education was punctuated by time spent as a traveling carnie, factory brazier, video store clerk, set designer, among other jobs. These diverse and happily demeaning experiences would later help shape his work. Also heavily influential was his time spent living in post-Katrina New Orleans and growing up in the failing rust belt city of Utica, NY.

domain: artistic


Thermo gravimetric analyzer (TGA) is in TG, temperature, the temperature or cooling process, observe the quality with temperature or the change of time, the purpose is to study material thermal stability and components. Widely used in plastic, rubber, coating, drugs, catalyst, inorganic materials, metal materials and composites fields of research and development, optimizing process and quality control
Measurement and research material following characteristics: Thermal stability, decomposing process, adsorption and desorption, oxidation and reduction, ingredients quantitative analysis, additives and filler influence, moisture and volatiles, reaction kinetics.
Room temperature ~1150℃
1 ~ 80 ℃ / min
Temperature control mode
Rising, Cooling, Constant temperature
15min (1000℃ ~ 100℃)
Balance measuring scope
Constant temperature and time
0 ~ 300min (set arbitrarily)
liquid crystal display (LCD), English version
inert, oxidizing, reducible, static and dynamic
Built-in gas flow meter, includs switch two path gas and control flow volume
record TG curves automatically, Processing data and print
The sample’s relationship between the TGA, time, and temperature
The sample’s relationship between thermo gravimetric (TGA), enthalpy change (DSC), the time, the temperature.


Digital fabrication is a way to take various forms of design modeled on 3D computer software, and constructing it physically using additive and subtractive methods through a variety of machines such as laser cutters, 3D printers, CNC mills, etc. While these kinds of technology is often used by companies in the industry, the advancement of technology has made these machines more accessible to students, and almost anyone who is interested.
Falso Industries is a “custom manufacturer” right here in Syracuse. It was established in 1950, and switched to a new partnership between two cousins, Raymond Falso and Richard Lorio, to bring Falso Industries. They doubled their sales by refocusing their company and expanding.They specialize in precisely manufactured metal parts custom made for a variety of situations. According to their website, they work in “electronics, scientific and testing equipment, consumer products, industrial processing and machinery and the transportation industry.”
Slocum Hall is the home of the School of Architecture at Syracuse University. The building houses all years of architects and holds all of the architecture classes offered at the University. It is also home to two computer labs, a plot room, a wood shop, laser cutters, cnc mill, 3D printers, and a vacuum former. While the wood shop and the plot room have students to run the services till late at night, other facilities are run by specific staff and are kept very up to date with technology. The machines are all located on the ground floor of Slocum Hall. Once you submit a file, it’s first come-first served. So if there is line, you would need to wait. This is one of the reasons it’s important to recognize the various options available to fabricate. All files are submitted digitally through the School of Architecture computers.
The warehouse downtown is home to many design majors and holds a variety of classes. The building is home to the Industrial Design studio which, similar to Architecture, also benefits greatly from digital fabrication methods available. The Warehouse operates laser cutters, 3D printers, and a CNC Mill. Similar to the culture at Slocum Hall, the services are run by staff with a great range of student support at the Warehouse. The machines are located on the ground floor of the Warehouse. Once you enter from the main entrance, take a left, pass security, and you will see the CNC mill behind a glass panel! Once you submit a file, it’s first come-first served, just like Slocum Hall. All files are submitted digitally via email at email@example.com. The machines are available to all students.
What is 3D printing?
3D printing might be a new term for many people. The idea of printing something in three dimensions might be strange and futuristic idea. However, the technology has been around for decades and various companies use 3D printing for all sorts of applications. The concept is quite simple; print something layer by layer, until the entire object is built. Nike, for example, use 3D printers to create mock-up prints of their new shoe designs in various colors.
What is Laser Cutting?
Laser cutting, as the name suggests, is a form of cutting materials using the powerful beam of a laser. It is one of the most commonly used forms of digital fabrication. Needless to say, it is used often for industrial manufacturing, but is also commonly used by individuals for a variety of uses. Laser cutters can cut all sorts of materials, from thick paper to pieces of metal. One draw back, arguably, is that it cannot cut through very deep materials. In these cases however, a CNC mill will most likely be used.
What is CNC Milling
CNC milling, or ‘computer numerical control’ milling, is a simple and effect form of digital fabrication. This technology is often the most common type of digital fabrication found in many different kinds of shops. The CNC is essentially a drill, mounted on a multi-axial arm which cuts away at material from the top. It is accurate, straightforward and fairly fast. The CNC mill is a much different concept than a 3D printer, primarily because it cannot carve under the material it is milling. This means that there cannot be any cantilever like structure in the model, as the milling arm cannot reach underneath it.
What is Vacuum Forming?
Vacuum forming is yet another straight forward, yet very effect way of fabrication. This process involves taking a 3D object or mold, heating and melting a film of plastic, and placing it over the object so that the plastic takes it’s shape and dries in that form. A usual form of application for this technology is the kind of plastic wrapping a toothbrush, or some headphones, might come in. It is also often used for the fabrication of car dashboards.


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Recipe of the Day
Pickled Grilled Vegetables
Sear cucumbers and peppers over a hot grill, then pack them in a sweet-and-sour pickling liquid. Perfect for picnics!
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Vegetable Medley II
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domain: food


Period Poverty in the United States: What the Law Should Do
By Bridget J. Crawford and Emily Gold Waldman | May 25, 2022
Approximately half the population menstruates for a significant portion of their lives, but only in recent years have periods become part of the public policy conversation. Due to awareness-raising efforts at levels from the grassroots to the halls of the United States Congress, there is growing understanding of the many ways that menstruation affects everyday life. Law and policy are changing in response. For example, a little-noticed provision of the CARES pandemic relief bill now makes it possible for people with pre-tax Flexible Spending Accounts to use that money to purchase tampons and pads. Campaigns to end the unfair and unconstitutional tampon tax are under way in the 27 states that still impose sales tax on menstrual products. The overarching concern targeted by these campaigns and initiatives is period poverty.
While the phrase “period poverty” can mean many different things, it most commonly describes the inability to afford or access period supplies. For many people, period poverty became newly visible for the first time during the COVID-19 pandemic. Stories about consumers buying toilet paper in bulk ran on the nightly news. Similarly, many local and online retailers ran low or sold out of several major brands of tampons. With pandemic disruptions of businesses, many people lost their jobs. With closures of schools and community centers, many more lost access to their only regular source of food or menstrual products. For that reason, it is hardly surprising that in March 2020, I Support the Girls, a nonprofit that collects donations of bras and menstrual products for shelters and others in need, donated 900,000 menstrual products, compared to 200,000 in the same month the year before.
The pandemic may have made period poverty more salient for some, but it is not a new issue. For years, low income women and others have suffered in silence, “making do” with toilet paper, cut-up diapers, or rags when unable to afford tampons and pads.
The pandemic may have made period poverty more salient for some, but it is not a new issue. For years, low income women and others have suffered in silence, “making do” with toilet paper, cut-up diapers, or rags when unable to afford tampons and pads. One pre-pandemic study of low-income women in St. Louis found that 46% of those surveyed were not able to buy both food and menstrual products in the last year. Thirty-six percent of surveyed women who were employed reported missing work at least once a month because of their periods.
In a 2021 national survey of college students, researchers at George Mason University and the University of Pennsylvania found that 10% of all female college students are unable to afford menstrual products each month, leading to skipped classes and greater self-reported rates of moderate or severe depression. Period poverty impacts younger students, too. Over 52% of all public school students in America are eligible for free or reduced price lunch, which is a rough proxy for financial need. For the 2021-2022 academic year, children in a family of four are eligible for a reduced-cost lunch if annual household income is below $49,025, and a free lunch if annual household income is below $34,450. That means that a large number of public school families are likely facing the challenge of paying for period products. At one high school in St. Louis, up to two-thirds of girls reported that they do not have a reliable source of tampons or pads. One third of girls at the same school said that they stay home from class for that precisely that reason.
In a small minority of states, schools are required to provide menstrual products for free to students. Other states should consider following the example of California, Illinois, New York, Oregon and Virginia, to name a few states. But merely making products available isn’t enough. There must also be better menstruation-related education in schools. While this education could presumably be incorporated into sexual health education courses, such courses are not mandated in every state. Even in those states where this instruction is mandatory, there is no guarantee that the information will be scientifically accurate. Given the number of state legislatures that are considering anti-LGBTQ laws, ensuring uniform and gender-inclusive instruction in human biology is unlikely to be a short-term state legislative priority.
One powerful way that federal law can and should change to address period poverty is by making menstrual products eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits.
One powerful way that federal law can and should change to address period poverty is by making menstrual products eligible for purchase with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance (SNAP) and Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits. Both programs are administered by the United States Department of Agriculture; states are not permitted to deviate from the federal program rules without a formal waiver. Earlier this year, the Illinois legislature passed a bill directing the Illinois Department of Human Services to apply for such a waiver, so that Illinois residents could purchase menstrual products with their federal benefits. In 2021, the New York State Assembly considered similar legislation, but it stalled in committee. Given the widespread nature of period poverty, advocates should continue working for change at the national level. Representative Grace Meng (D-NY) has repeatedly proposed a comprehensive Menstrual Equity for All Act, most recently in 2021. That bill would require employers with 100 or more employees to provide free menstrual products at work and make menstrual products available for free in all federal buildings.
A society where menstrual products are available for free to all who need them is not just a pipe dream. Scotland has shown the rest of the world that it is achievable. In 2020, during the ongoing pandemic, the Scottish Parliament unanimously passed the Period Products (Free Provision) (Scotland) Bill. That law requires schools, colleges and universities to make menstrual products available for free, requires local authorities to make free period products available in their communities, and provides funds for that purpose. In the United States, some cities have taken similar steps. In 2019, Brookline, Massachusetts became the first municipality to require free menstrual products in town-owned restrooms. In 2022, Los Angeles began a pilot program that makes tampons and pads available at six city libraries.
An estimated 61% of all people in the United States live paycheck-to-paycheck or struggle to make ends meet. Approximately half the population will continue to menstruate for large portions of their lives. It is time to harness awareness of period poverty into momentum for ending it.
Bridget Crawford and Emily Waldman are Professors of Law at the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University. They are the coauthors of Menstruation Matters: Challenging Law’s Silence on Periods (NYU Press, 2022).


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A Relative Murder
Series: Medlar Mystery #4
by Jude Deveraux
Publication Date March 29, 2022
Published by MIRA
Purchase Here Buy on Amazon US - Buy on Apple - Buy on Kobo - Buy on Google - Buy at Barnes and Noble - Buy on Audible - Buy on Amazon UK
Genres: Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Amateur Sleuth, Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Women Sleuths, Fiction / Romance / Contemporary, Fiction / Women
***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***
Even the closest families have secrets hidden away.
Bestselling novelist Sara Medlar is skilled at sharing stories about other people, but she hoped the truth about her own family would never surface. Her home in Lachlan, Florida, is her refuge and she loves having her niece Kate and dear friend Jack Wyatt together under her roof. The Medlar Three, as they are known around town, have sworn off getting involved in any more murder investigations.
When the sheriff unexpectedly leaves on vacation, Jack is surprised to find himself appointed as deputy. So when Kate stumbles upon a dead body while visiting a friend, the Medlar Three are back in the sleuthing game. Kate also has a charming new real estate client with a mysterious past. He seems to be followed by trouble and that makes Sara and Jack uneasy.
It doesn’t take long to discover that the murder and the new man in town are somehow related—the question is how. When the stranger’s true identity is revealed, Sara realizes her carefully crafted story is about to unravel and she fears she’ll lose Kate and Jack forever. But she desperately hopes that love and honesty will win out over years of lies and deceit. And besides, family is family—even if you sometimes want to kill them.
A Medlar Mystery
Book 1: A Willing Murder
Book 2: A Justified Murder
Book 3: A Forgotten Murder
Book 4: A Relative Murder
A Relative Murder by Jude Deveraux is her fourth book in her Medlar Mystery series and can be read as a stand-alone book. This lovely mystery has fascinating characters and a mystery that I couldn’t put down.
Sara Medlar, her niece Kate, and their friend Jack have given up on solving murders, but when the sheriff leaves town and deputizes Jack to take his place, they all get involved in one more murder that takes place on their friend, Charlene’s farm on the outskirts of town. This murder investigation also opens up family drama for Sara and Kate. Will their relationship survive the secrets?
This is a twisty mystery that had me on the edge of my seat until the end. These characters are well developed and I liked Sara, Kate, and Jack immediately. They are smart, curious, and kind characters. I also enjoyed the pacing of the story as I was immediately immersed in the story and couldn’t wait to find out who was the murderer as well as the family secrets.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys romantic suspense. I received a complimentary copy of this book. The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
[…] Book Review: A Relative Murder By Jude DeverauxTuesday: Book Review and Book Tour: Love Blooms At Mermaid’s Point By Sarah BennettTuesday: Top […]
I’ve been much more willing to expand into romantic suspense lately. This sounds like something I might be willing to try.
Me too! Thank you!
I read an earlier book in this series (can’t remember which one but they were in England) and didn’t love it but I wonder if that’s because they weren’t at the home base. I’ve been in a big romantic suspense mood lately so I should give this a try.
This one was set totally in Lachlan, Florida. Thanks!
I can’t say I have read a romantic suspense before but this one does sound interesting!
Thank you, Joanna. I don’t read much romantic suspense, but this sure was good.
I really enjoyed your post!
I have book #3 and found the first two as audiobooks on Hoopla. Thanks for letting us know we can read it as a standalone, but I will try to read the others first. I do love romantic suspense. Great review, Wendy.
I think it’s better to read these in order as I did feel like I missed a bit of the relationship.
Ooh I love a good twisty murder mystery! I’m glad you enjoyed this and happy to know this can be read as a standalone. I’ll have to check it out.
Thank you, Nick!
I’m glad to know that even though this book is part of a series it can be read as a standalone. It does sound like a fun read. 🙂
Thank you, Lark!
Love this cover! This sounds like a good one too- I’m in such a murder mystery mood lately!
It’s was a good mystery. Yes, it’s a great cover too.
I have heard of this author but not read anything by her. This sounds like a good mystery.
She’s been around a very long time!
Intriguing! I feel like murder mysteries are getting a little more buzz lately. I wonder why?
I don’t know, Kami? Maybe because the stakes are so high?
This sounds like it might be right up my alley. I’ll have to check out the first book in the series and see if I like it.
Yes, I would suggest starting with the first book for sure. I hope you enjoy it.
Great review! It sounds really good 🙂
Thank you, Cindy. It was pretty good!
I haven’t read a lot of romantic suspense, but I have liked what little I have read of it so far! I’ll keep an eye out for this book.
Thank you Lydia. I don’t read much romantic suspense either, but this is a good series.
This sounds like a great series 💕
Thank you, Jenny. it is a good series.
I used to read some Jude Deveraux but it’s been a while, and I lose track of many authors along the way. That being said, this series sounds like fun. Wondering if I have to start with book #1 to enjoy?
I did not start with book 1, but I wish I had. I think I would have got more out of the book.
I really enjoy this series too. So glad you liked it. Excellent review, Wendy!
Thank you, Tessa! It was very good.

domain: library


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Air Filtration Systems in Ashburn, VA
Every time you take a breath, you are inhaling millions and millions of microscopic airborne contaminants. These contaminants include, but are not limited to, dust, pollen, dander, viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. Prolonged exposure to some of these contaminants will cause little more than allergy attacks, while others can cause flu-like symptoms and even conditions like asthma. In order to protect yourself against these contaminants, it’s a good idea to install an air purifier of some kind in your home. One of the most popular air purifier types is an air filtration system. AllTech Services, Inc. installs and services air filtration systems throughout Ashburn, VA. If you need air filtration services of any kind, call today and set up an appointment.
What Is an Air Filtration System?
An air filtration system is actually fairly simple in terms of construction. It’s just a closely–woven fiber mesh, stretched across a frame and installed at a certain point in the ducts. The mesh has large enough gaps in it for air to flow through the filter. However, any contaminants that the air carries will become trapped in the fiber. As long as the filter is cleaned every few months in order to get rid of the contaminants it collects, it is quite an efficient way to improve indoor air quality. That is assuming, of course, that you have the best one for your needs installed.
The Importance of MERV
Not all air filtration systems are equal. They are governed by a metric known as MERV, which determines how effective they are. MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, and is used to measure how closely woven the fibers in an air filtration system are. All air filters have a MERV rating, ranging from 1 to 20+. The higher the number, the more closely woven the filter is and the more airborne contaminants it can capture. You may be tempted to install a filter with the highest MERV rating you can find, but that would be a mistake.
The higher an air filter’s MERV rating is, the more effort it will take for your forced air systems to push air through it. While high–MERV filters are quite efficient, many of them are so closely woven that a residential system will not be able to push air through them. These filters are commonly used in industrial settings, which have systems that can handle them. You should consult with a professional before installing an air filtration system.
We Install and Service Air Filtration Systems
An air filtration system can remove the majority of airborne contaminants from your home, helping you to breathe easier and stay healthier. AllTech Services, Inc. offers a full range of air filtration services throughout Ashburn, VA. If you need an air filtration system installed or serviced, call us today and schedule an appointment. We can evaluate your home to determine the best air filtration system for your needs. We’ll install it, then make sure to clean it out every few months to keep it operating properly. Trust us to handle all of your air filtration system needs.


text:
Janet McNally’s “Maggie Says There’s No Such Thing as Winter” is a gorgeous gem of a poem, tender and clear-eyed.
The speaker sits with Maggie in summer, under the shade of a tree, as Maggie strings blue stones together; Maggie has memory trouble (the language suggests she may have been in a coma), and has difficulty processing the speaker’s gentle descriptive reminder of the way seasons change, a change enacted in the poem itself, which begins with an invocation of winter (something I’m sure Ms. McNally, who teaches at Canisius College in Buffalo, knows a bit about) and then travels into summer and beyond.
This is a rather colorless description, I’m afraid, of a very fine poem. Here are my favorite lines:
She forgets that sometimes things don’t stay
where you leave them, that the sky fades
to white even before snow begins
What’s your favorite poem about winter?
2 thoughts on ““clouds arranged like asphodel”: Janet McNally’s “Maggie Says There’s No Such Thing as Winter””
Thank you! I think so too.


The first Munich motor show, or 2021 Munich IAA Mobility show, to give it its official name, opened yesterday and as expected there’s a plethora of new models and exciting concepts on show.
Replacing the usual Frankfurt motor show, IAA Mobility is geared at highlighting the enormous (yet exciting) change the automotive market is currently going through. All the big hitters are in attendance with a few notable exceptions such as Vauxhall, Citroen and Peugeot.
Despite the absence of the Stellantis group of brands, there’s lots to talk about such as Audi’s bonkers Skysphere concept and Cupra’s searing-hot hatch Urban Rebel concept. However, we’re focussing on seven cars that are stunning in their own way – from brave design choices to bold industry decisions.
Building on the success of the ID. 3 and ID. 4, VW is going all out with the stunning ID. LIFE concept. Described as a crossover between a supermini and an SUV, the LIFE features a Tesla Model S style yoke and a minimalist wooden dash. It almost looks like VW is getting brave in its new eco-champion guise. Due on sale in 2023 with an expected range of 248 miles, the LIFE is expected to sit below the ID.3 and will very likely adopt either the ID.1 or ID.2 moniker. Following the news that the sporty ID.3 GTX all-electric hot hatch is going into production, we hear that VW also plans to produce a sporty GTX variant of the LIFE.
It was only a matter of time before this classic returned. Although not due until 2024, we’re already looking forward to the Renault 5’s all-electric revival. The Renault design team have produced something thoroughly modern whilst remaining faithful to its classic roots. It’s still a concept at this stage, but we hope it makes it to production unchanged. It’s fresh, exciting, and the off-centre badge on the rear with the number five nestled inside Renault’s all-new logo is quirky French design at its best. The Renault 5 bodes well for the French automaker who has also recently announced the Megane E-Tech electric crossover.
The Smart partnership between Mercedes’ parent Daimler and Chinese manufacturer Geely has had its fair share of ups and downs over the years. The Smart range of ultra-ultra-compact cars has always represented a niche option that never really had a chance at the mainstream. That’s could be set to change as the Smart brand is relaunched as an all-electric offering. The Concept #1 compact SUV is proof of Smart’s ambitions to move away from dinky city cars into the larger segment. It’s a bold reimagining for the brand, but one that has huge potential.
Kia is showing off the new Sportage which now features plug-in hybrid and hybrid powertrains. Looks-wise it’s a radical departure for SUV and draws design cues from the brand’s tasty-looking all-electric model, the EV6. Design was one of Kia’s three key pillars when updating the new Sportage alongside advanced technology and ensuring the car is fun to drive. Despite being derived from the EV6 design, the look is a touch more Marmite than the EV6 which has been universally praised. However, as a long-time favourite of Intelligent Car Leasing customers, we wouldn’t bet against the success of the new Sportage, whatever it looks like.
The EQE is the all-electric equivalent of the E Class and is set to join the EQ family in mid-2022. To our eyes, it’s the nicest-looking EQ model to date with its subtle coupe design cues. It also boasts an impressive 410-mile range that beats out the Tesla Model 3 Long Range when it comes to long-distance electric driving. Inside, it borrows heavily from its big brother, the EQS, featuring a similar interior and the same stunning panoramic display – the preposterously named “MBUX Hyperscreen”. For those who like a little extra oomph to the already exciting electric driving experience, there’s an AMG version in the works too. This could be a huge winner for Mercedes in the all-electric executive space.
Chinese manufacturer Great Wall has announced it will be launching its first model in the UK – the Ora Cat. Due in 2022 with a 248-mile range, it’s another retro-futuristic looker that feels like a cross between the Vauxhall Adam and the long-gone Alfa Romeo MiTO. It’ll compete alongside Volkswagen’s ID. 3 in terms of size, but it’s expected to significantly undercut it on price. China is proving itself enormously innovative in the all-electric space with brands such as Nio, Xpeng and BYD (Build Your Dreams) which, apparently, after Tesla sells the most electric cars per minute. Could the Cat be the initial salvo in a barrage of low-cost ultra-high-tech Chinese EVs? We think it’s inevitable.
We round out our list with something different. On the back of Hyundai’s announcement that it’s planning to launch two new hydrogen powertrains in 2023, BMW announced its own Hydrogen SUV, the iX5. While still in production, it’s expected to launch in limited numbers next year. As the name suggests, the iX5 will form part of BMW’s i-range of zero-emission vehicles. We’re not convinced that the refuelling infrastructure will be in place any time soon to support the initiative, but anything that drives the zero-emission cause forward in innovative ways is worthy of attention. If you do manage to find a hydrogen fuelling spot, four minutes will get you around 311 miles of range.
Categories : Top Car Choices


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Darigold Headquarters to Move to Georgetown in 2017
New location to provide a more collaborative space while maintaining central location in Seattle
Darigold announced that it will move its corporate headquarters to the Georgetown neighborhood of Seattle next year. Just a few miles away from the current location on Rainier Avenue, staff will relocate during the spring of 2017 to Georgetown Squared at 5601 6th Avenue South.
“With the lease expiring on our current building, we took the opportunity to look at upgrade options,” said Stan Ryan, Darigold president and CEO. “I’m excited to increase the quality of our work environment at the new location. The new building will provide a highly collaborative space, which will stimulate teamwork.”
Darigold has been in the dairy business in the Northwest for generations, as it has been farmer-owned since 1918. This move enables the cooperative to continue its Seattle-based tradition of bringing fresh dairy products from the farm to consumers in the region and customers around the world.
“Our co-op’s farm families are proud to bring service and quality to everything they do,” Ryan said. “The dedication of our farmers and employees continues as we will celebrate our 100th anniversary in the new location in 2018.”
Darigold’s lease on the current 1130 Rainier Avenue South location expires in 2017. Employee feedback was sought early during the evaluation of move considerations. The new lease at Georgetown Squared starts in May 2017. Renovations continue at Georgetown Squared, with Darigold’s construction starting late this year. For more information about Georgetown Squared, visit www.georgetownsquared.com.

domain: economics


Russia to reduce its reliance on Boeing and Airbus with new passenger jet
By Marina Romanova
Siberian Irkut Corp. assembling plant, part of the Russian state-run United Aircraft Corporation, rollout a new mid-range passenger jet MC-21-300 this Wednesday in corporation’s home city of Irkutsk, corporation press release said.
The much-anticipated new aircraft was named as a successor to the Tu-154, the legendary Soviet-era trusty beast which had faithfully served then only national carrier Aeroflot since the 1960s. There is a hope that new MC-21 with nearly 25 percent lower fuel consumption than other aircraft in its class could compete with the A320neo and Boeing 737 MAX.
The a twin-engine short- and mid-range narrow-body passenger jet, MC-21 is available in two versions —the 200 and 300— which seat 132 and 163, respectively, in a standard two-class layout, or a maximum 165 and 211 seats. Unlike the old Soviet designs, the new jet is built with a significant amount of composite materials that help reduce weight and enhance fuel efficiency. New jet also has an enlarged fuselage (4.06 meters versus 3.96 and 3.75 meters in the A320 and Boeing 737, respectively), which means larger passenger and luggage compartments.
The range capability of the aircraft will vary from 5,500 km to 6,000km (3,400miles -3,700 miles).
It can be powered by American Pratt & Whitney engines or new Russian-built Perm Engine Co.’s PD-14 (Russia’s Aviadvigatel, Perm city), which are being finalized. Several international companies—including Thales, Honeywell, Goodrich and Zodiac Aerospace—have been chosen as component suppliers for the MC-21.
For the last decade or so Russian airlines have increasingly relied on Boeing and Airbus planes, but the government has made the revival of domestic aircraft-making industries a top priority, Associated Press reports.
Boeing’s 737 line of aircraft are some of the world’s most popular planes. According to Russian Business Consulting (RBC) news agency, Russian airlines operate 194 of them — making up around one-fifth of their total fleet.
As of November 2015, Aeroflot, the country’s flag carrier, has 12 Boeing 737s; S7, one of the country’s biggest airlines, has 13; Utair, another major carrier, has 50; all 12 of the jets flown by Pobeda, Aeroflot’s low-cost subsidiary, are 737s, RBC said, citing data from Rosaviatsia.
Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev and his deputy Arkady Dvorkovich were attended an official ceremony of MC-2-300 unveiled in Irkutsk. Dmitry Medvedev greeted the new jet as the cutting edge in aircraft design, superior to Western planes currently in service.
“The MC-21 is new evidence of Russia’s ability to create planes that move our aircraft manufacturing industry forward and allow us to compete with other countries,” he said. “There are very few nations that have aircraft-making industries. They are the top league and we mustn’t drop out of it.”
The certification and commissioning of the first MC-21 planes is planned for later this year, and mass production is set to begin in 2017. Irkut has so far received orders for 175 planes, including 50 for Aeroflot. Beginning in 2020, assembling plant plans to produce 20 MC-21 aircraft per year; increasing the tempo of production to 70 planes in 2023.
The Irkut hasn’t revealed the cost of new passenger jet production. In 2012 it was estimated that the MC-21 would require 160 billion rubles (about US$2.4 billion US) worth of investment to develop. Another 70 billion (US$1.05 billion) was said to be necessary for the development of the new domestically designed PD-14 engines, which makes one MC-21 passenger jet to be cost around US$70-80 million vs. the US$100 million for the 737MAX and the A320neo, sputniknews.com reports.
The new aircraft’s design characteristics are owned by the Yakovlev Design Bureau, which won the Russian Aerospace Agency competition for new jet design in 2003 and then became part of the Irkut Corp.
“Construction of the first aircraft is the significant milestone of the MC-21 program. We are looking forward to greet at Irkutsk Aviation Plant delegations of our partners, current and future customers”, Oleg Demchenko, the head of the Irkut Corporation emphasizes during the official ceremony of the newest passenger aircraft rollout.
Russian experts believe the new plane will not have any difficulties with international certification as it not trying to break unshakable duopoly of Boeing and Airbus. However, “new player with a competitive product will be able to count on orders from customers who are not ready to wait for a long time” to get jets from the busy market leaders.
As Lenta.ru speculates,” Irkut does not expect to squeeze the giants of Boeing and Airbus out of their dominating position, but getting part of the market anyway is quite a feasible task.” Irkut head Oleg Demchenko believes that if the MC-21 wins over at least 10 percent of the market, the project can be considered a success.
Currently Boeing and Airbus represent 80 percent of Russian civil-crafts market. According to Sergei Yamanov, Irkut Corp. production director, in average, every third A320 series Airbus aircraft has components produced at the Russian plant. He added that the French side had recently asked the Irkut assembly plant to double the production rates of the nose landing gear bays for A320 aircraft, but the talks yielded no results yet.
The Irkut plant has manufactured nearly 7000 aircraft of more than 20 types for 40 different countries since it was put into operation in August 18, 1934. Its current production list comprises of Su-30МК and Su-30SM multirole fighters besides Yak-130 new-generation combat trainer aircraft and Yak-152 primary trainer.
Presently there are 14 thousand highly qualified engineers and competent staff working at the Irkut Corp. assembling plant in Irkutsk, Southern Siberian city located 2611 miles from Moscow and 1030 miles from Beijing.
In March 2004 Irkut Corp. became the first Russian defense firm to carry out an initial public offering (IPO). It traded 23.3 percent of the corporation’s shares in the stock market.
The new MC-21 is the very first passenger plane ever assembled by Irkut Corp.


text:
A ceremony was held yesterday, in the "Salvatore Pisano" barracks in Teulada, to commemorate the heroic figure of the Army Major Giuseppe La Rosa, Gold Medal for Military Valor in memory, who died on 8 June 2013 in Afghanistan following of a terrorist attack.
The soldiers of the 3rd Bersaglieri regiment of the “Sassari” brigade erected a bronze bust, depicting the young officer, which was positioned in front of the command building of the barracks.
The work, created by the sculptor Claudio Bugatti, was discovered during a brief but significant ceremony at which, in addition to the commander of the "Sassari", Brigadier General Giuseppe Bossa, and the commander of the regiment, Colonel Carlo Di Pinto, they attended by the mayors of Teulada, Daniele Serra, and of Sant'Anna Arresi, Anna Maria Teresa Diana.
After the reading of the “Prayer of the Bersagliere”, the fanfare of the 3rd regiment, directed by the chosen caporal major Massimo Pia, performed some of the typical pieces of the Bersagliere tradition.
Colonel Di Pinto during his speech to remember the officer's sacrifice said: “Major La Rosa is a reason for inspiration and reflection for everyone. A soldier dies only when he is forgotten and we will never forget him ".
General Bossa, who at the time was the battalion commander of the "Genius" Task Force of the Italian contingent in Afghanistan, in his greeting address, underlined how, with the sacrifice of Major Giuseppe La Rosa, the number of Gold Medals for Military Valor of the “Sassari” brigade had risen to eleven. Referring to the tragic day of the attack, he also recounted the dismay and pain of hearing the news and urged the soldiers of the "Third" to remember the heroic gesture of Major La Rosa as an act that must indicate the way to go in the moments of difficulty and bewilderment.
Major Giuseppe La Rosa was engaged in the ISAF (International Security Assistance Force) mission in Afghanistan when, "during a logistic tactical movement", we read in the motivation for the awarding of the Gold Medal for Military Valor, "was made the object of a vile terrorist attack. With heroic gesture, showing uncommon courage, unparalleled generosity and conscious contempt of danger, he immolated himself as a shield for the lives of others, protecting them with his own body from the explosion of a bomb thrown inside of the vehicle in which he was traveling. Very high testimony of noble human qualities and heroic military virtues, pushed to the point of supreme sacrifice ".
The high honor, conferred on 6 February 2014 by decree of the President of the Republic, was given to the relatives of Major La Rosa on the occasion of the 153rd anniversary of the establishment of the Army.

domain: history


text:
Orang sukses di negara-negara lain maupun Indonesia selalu menghindari tiga kata terlarang:
“Saya tidak bisa”; “Tidak mungkin”, “Saya sudah tahu”
Saya tidak bisa (I can’t) 179 more words
On May 5, 2015, at 7:02 AM, Theodore Visner <firstname.lastname@example.org> wrote:
Speaking to the current and intentional state of our Michigan courts.
Stating that our courts are “CORRUPT” is incredibly insufficient. 980 more words
”Apple isn’t really known as an enterprise vendor, but rather as a consumer one that people like to use in an enterprise setting. Apple traditionally hasn’t set itself up well to sell into enterprise – they don’t follow the technology enterprise norms,” Ben Kepes writes for Forbes. 287 more words
In honor of Cinco de Mayo, here’s a glance at the importance of marketing to the Hispanic community – cancer, heart disease, diabetes, Alzheimer’s, and liver disease are all highly prevalent among Hispanics, as well as HIV/AIDS, asthma and obesity – all according to the… 278 more words

domain: news


text:
Borrow is a lively history of consumer debt in America that demonstrates how the rise of consumer borrowing—virtually unknown before the twentieth century—has altered our culture and economy. Economic historian Louis Hyman gives a historical perspective on economic turmoil, demonstrating that today’s problems are not as new as we think. Hyman recently contributed “A Brief History of Debt” to the Huffington Post as well as an Op-Ed for the New York Daily News that discusses how budgets can lull consumers into a false sense of security. He was also interviewed by Salon and appeared on NPR’s The Roundtable.
Praise for Borrow:
“Informed and articulate…. An essential story of the American economy…. [Hyman] comprehensively examines the role of debt in shaping the American economy, as well as the rise and recent precipitous decline of the nation’s middle class…. A critical academic investigation into an obscure arena of American historiography that has largely been neglected. But it is also an accessible story concerning a timely economic reality of today’s American experience.”
“We learn from historian Hyman that when debt became a commodity to be bought and sold, it enabled the growth of the twentieth-century economy. Americans increasingly relied on expected future income from wages rather than cash to make consumer purchases. The author traces consumer debt beginning in the 1910s and through the 1920s, when personal loans became legal and mortgages were in demand…. This is an excellent book.”
“Intelligently analyzing both the economics and the social meaning of debt, Hyman grounds these developments in commercial imperatives and an evolving consumer culture, and links them to deeper economic upheavals…. Stocked with colorful personalities and trenchant insights, Hyman’s lucid, entertaining, and timely treatise illuminates the murky processes by which debt became the troubled center of economic life.”
Click to read an excerpt from the book.

domain: sociology


text:
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domain: design


text:
by Sara Lippmann
“You should only listen to yourself, that’s your only job, really, as an artist, even if you are completely wrong, that’s what an artist does, listen to one’s self.”
|Gael Garcia Bernal in Mozart in the Jungle|
If you haven’t seen Mozart in the Jungle, I recommend it for its pure, escapist pleasure, a frivolous if fleeting distraction from the dreadful new daily hell we call life. Gael Garcia Bernal plays an impassioned, unconventional maestro. (Need I say more?) Watch for his face alone, for the whole electric cast, for music that stirs the heart. Watch because laughter – even, especially, in times like these – is a necessary relief. Who can resist a fraught maestro/protégé relationship where lines are blurred and crossed? Watch because the camera loves them. Because although it won’t alter our dismal reality a stitch, the show just might give you good dreams.
The young oboist, says, “I should have listened to you.”
Watch for this mentorship, contained in a simple act of grace: “You should only listen to yourself, that’s your only job, really, as an artist.”
I’ve not always had the best luck with mentors. (An essay for another day, perhaps.) Still, I keep seeking. But more than anything or anyone: We must listen to ourselves. Follow our gut, trust our instinct, even if we don’t understand it, even if it may steer us wrong, because that is our job: to plunge head first, without a safety net, in reckless pursuit of story. Sound precious? Maybe. Who cares. To tell it as we feel it, as we hear it, think it. To ignore what anyone else wants or how we might be perceived – to push away the boatloads of bullshit – to trick ourselves, or do it anyway, despite all the garbage, at least, for a while.
And when we falter we are to pick ourselves up and keep going. Fight on, claw through it, and do not succumb to despair. We know this, deep in the bones.
And yet. Of course, there is interference. Outside opinions may worm its way into our ears. External voices can become internalized, so that suddenly, there are many – so many amped up, competing voices – all we hear is a noisy mess. We may even supplant another’s voice for our own.
Or worse: we forget how to shut up and listen to ourselves in the first place.
I’ve been there. Over the years I have felt needy, desperate. Eager to please. I have overlooked red flags. Sought the quick fix, sacrificed integrity. I have pandered to other people’s notions and dwelled on marketplace. I have caved to pressures, deleting my most honest work. Every self-pitying, self-indulgent thought, I’ve had it. I’m not proud of this, but there is no end to my shame. I’ve felt angry, alone, afraid. I have even questioned my motives, my heart, my fundamental need for telling.
Maybe this sounds familiar.
With the swarm buzzing around me, saying: You have nothing to say. What’s the point? What’s wrong with you? Who do you think you are? No one hears you. And if no one hears you, is there even a sound? I have sat in the dark. Thrust my head under the pillow.
And when the crescendo builds to an undecipherable scream, I have given myself over to it, letting myself be swallowed. I have stopped writing entirely. Sometimes for long stretches.
But my story doesn’t end there.
Eventually, I begin again.
This is my pattern. It is an endless cycle. And so on, etc.
A longer project takes time. A longer project – with no end in sight – requires a different kind of listening. With stories, maybe I can focus intensely for a spell, and find the exit; whereas now, the listening demands are more sustained, but also spread out over time. Months for some, years for others, years and years for me.
What am I doing again?
I’m in the hole. Miles from my comfort zone, from any familiar territory, any ground I can trust. I stay quiet and listen, but my voice is often muffled down here in the tunnel, knee deep in muck. I feel around in the dark, stumble, fall. I keep falling. I’m not sure where I’ll end up. Even if I knew, there’d be no guarantee.
Press on or turn back? I’m wracked with uncertainty. This summer I attended a conference, seeking solidarity, in a classroom, with others on a similar journey. My teacher took one look at me, wet-eyed and nail-bitten, and called me “tortured.” The whole thing was embarrassing: to be 41 years old and seeking what?
A smiley face on the page, a gold star.
Thanks to her fourth grade teacher, my daughter can tell you: Praise gets you nowhere.
No one can give you conviction. Chutzpah. Leap of faith.
To his credit, my teacher offered me this, which I’ll butcher. Hold onto it, he said. That thing you’ve got – your voice, your substance, your story – with two cupped hands as if catching water. Protect it.
If you don’t protect it, if you don’t keep the conduit clear between heart and gut, the music becomes distorted, the message fractured, frayed. I know.
I tell my own students.
Hopefully, we have someone in our corner: if not a mentor, then a family member, a loved one, a spouse, a partner, pet frog, a friend or colleague or writing buddy, a faithful first reader because writing can be isolating. But support is less about empty praise, and more about amplifying your own unique voice. The mentor is the megaphone rooting: Yes, you can. Believe in yourself. That, alone, is what you have. Trust that intuition. Do the work. There is no shortcut. Screw the rest. The days we spend are lonely, the blank page often grim. There will be whopping missteps. Self-doubt may never goes away. It’s what keeps me honest. The best we can do as teachers and peers and decent human beings is tell our dear ones, with love: your creative music, it’s all already there, inside you. Hold it up like a conch. Listen to no one else.
Father’s day appeared in the Lit n Image and was a Wigleaf Top 50 2011
Oh daddy we mommies watch you through the sprinklers’ rainbow mist, thumbing iPhones—who’s the daddy? Not a single daddy or a Sunday daddy but an everyday daddy, a daddy kept by those runty three who climb muscled calves as if you were a jungle gym. We trace your river veins, sweat sliding down the gullet of your cheekbones and into a tickler at your chin. Christ, it is hot on the playground. While you chat up the nannies we sip our sangria from biodegradable cups. Daddy, your children chant, pick me up daddy take me for a ride daddy toss me a ball daddy spin me like a prize: daddy daddy daddy daddy whoops. Your kids are eating mud again. Pica, daddy? They aren’t triplets, your one-two-three, but they are close enough to wonder how they all came from one mother. Really, who has the time? Your wife must make bank. Your son is climbing the chain link, barefoot. Your daughter has fallen off the monkey bars—daddy!—but you’re there, quarterbacking your toddler in order to seize your daughter by the arm. A gasp escapes from the bench where we sit in our Bermuda shorts, stroller mommies with enormous hooded sun shields. Did you see that? We whisper down in a game of telephone, our eyes wide as kiddie pools, he could’ve yanked it out of the socket, dislocated her shoulder, if my husband ever, someone should call child services. Only she is fine. It’s your third one who’s stuck on the fence, a kitten calling from a tree, daddy that means you. We leap, offering woozy breasts—puffy, eager hands. We inhale your smell, and you look at us, grateful and indifferent as you pass along offspring. When your son skitters, scraping his shins, mommies are prepared. Wipes and Band-Aids and lollipops and antiseptic, what does your wife do? We don’t ask but study the pop of your glutes as you crouch before your son and tell him—what doesn’t break us makes us stronger. Meanwhile your other children have adopted us like city pigeons, pecking into bags of cheddar bunnies. Doesn’t your daddy feed you? We giggle, we blow noses, we hand out bubbles and sidewalk chalk; we spot a red bandanna blooming from your back pocket. Breathless are the mommies who wait for the playdate where you take us home to gag us and cinch up our beating wrists.
Sara Lippmann’s story collection, Doll Palace (Dock Street Press) was long-listed for the 2015 Frank O’Connor International Short Story Award. She was the recipient of an artist’s fellowship in fiction from New York Foundation for the Arts, and her work has appeared in Burrow Press Review, Tupelo Quarterly, Midnight Breakfast, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood Fiction Southeast and elsewhere. She teaches with Ditmas Writing Workshops and lives in Brooklyn. For more, see saralippmann.com


State Enterprise Zhytomyr Armored Plant, which is part of Ukroboronprom State Concern, test-showcased a Myslyvets [Hunter] advanced digital fire control system installed on the upgraded version of the BMP-1UMD infantry fighting vehicle, according to Ukroboronprom press service.
The system is able to automatically recognize and track targets and one of the elements of the creation of robotic remote weapon stations. Thanks to the system, BMP-1UMD Myslyvets can be used not only as a means of transportation and fire support of the units, but also as an autonomous remotely controlled combat unit.
In addition, Myslyvets IFV is equipped with a German engine, hi-end weapon system with gun-missile arms and a visibility reduction system.
Despite icy rain, BMP-1UMD Myslyvets went through a series of test routine involving firing at a military range in Kyiv region. The tests were attended by leaders of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, the Ministry of Defense, and the Armed Forces, according to the statement.
It is noted that the use of robotic combat modules significantly reduces the time required to open fire, because the system can independently recognize and lock the target, waiting for a command to engage.


text:
There's a secret ingredient hiding in your 'fridge that makes easy work out of baking, dessert making and basically creating tastier recipes. It's Yoplait® yogurt and here are all the ways bloggers use it in their best healthy recipes.
This post wraps up a Healthy Aperture Blogger Network campaign sponsored by Yoplait®.
When hunger strikes around my house, there's an awfully good chance the first thing I and my oldest son will grab from the 'fridge is a container of yogurt, like Yoplait®. He loves Yoplait®'s classic fruit flavors (which now you'll find even more fruit in every cup) and I love that each cup has 20% of the daily value of calcium and vitamin D.
And although it's our go-to snack, it's also the base of some of our favorite recipes -- muffins, waffles, pound cake and more. Creating healthy recipes made with yogurt isn't hard... the yogurt is doing so much of the work, in terms of taste, texture and tempting yum appeal. To show you what I mean, take a look at what the bloggers here at Healthy Aperture created over the last two weeks with their favorite fruit flavors of Yoplait®.
When hunger strikes next time, it's time to move past the 'fridge and straight to one of these recipes! Enjoy! ~Regan
Pistachio & Cherry Yogurt Cheesecake Tarts
Red, White & Blue Trifles
via Home & Plate
Baked Fish Tacos with Strawberry Mango Guacamole
via Create Kids Club
Blueberry Cloud Bread Danishes
via The Dinner Mom
Peach Yogurt Panna Cotta
via Garlic & Zest
Blueberry Banana Bread Baked Oatmeal
via Recipe Runner
Sweet & Savory 5 Spice Granola
via Craving Something Healthy
Cherry Yogurt French Toast Cups
via Nutmeg Nanny
Whole Wheat Lemon Berry Yogurt Quick Bread
via Lively Table
Strawberry Cheesecake Fruit Dip
via The Wholesome Dish
Strawberry Vanilla Pancakes
via Lauren Kelly Nutrition
Frozen Yogurt Granola Bites
via A Cedar Spoon
ad: Yoplait yogurt is the secret ingredient hiding in your 'fridge that makes healthy recipes easy! Tweet this


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The Nikon C1 confocal laser scanning microscope is a relatively inexpensive and user-friendly instrument. We describe here a straightforward method to convert the C1 for multiphoton microscopy utilizing direct coupling of a femtosecond near infrared (NIR) laser into the scanhead and fiber optic transmission of emission light to the three-channel detector box. Our adapted system can be rapidly switched between confocal and multiphoton mode, requires no modification to the original system, and uses only a few custom-made parts. The entire system, including scan mirrors and detector box, remain under the control of the user-friendly Nikon software without modification.
Multiphoton laser scanning microscopy (MPLSM) has emerged as a powerful tool in physiological imaging of live tissues. The ability to use long excitation wavelengths (700–1000nm) results in reduced auto-fluorescence of biological tissue and significantly less light scattering (1). In studies involving imaging of living brain tissues, these properties allow high resolution imaging of fine structures such as dendrites and even dendritic spines with deep sample penetration by light (2). In addition, by utilizing a very small excitation volume, multiphoton imaging eliminates photodamage out of the focal plane, allowing for long-term functional imaging experiments such as monitoring of Ca2+ transients in dendritic spines (3).
Typically, those wishing to perform MPSLM have been left with the option of purchasing an off-the-shelf commercial system or building a “do-it-yourself” custom system utilizing an existing confocal scanhead(4–6). Often more affordable and flexible, custom-built systems have required a level of technical expertise and programming beyond that of a typical biologist. Additionally, even after design, assembly, and testing by an experienced optical engineer, these setups almost always require constant surveillance and tweaking by the original designer and are prone to software glitches. The presented setup can be assembled, maintained, and utilized by any microscopists requiring multiphoton imaging capability.
A schematic of the converted system is shown in Fig.1a. We have directly coupled a femtosecond pulsed NIR laser (Chameleon, Coherent) to the scanhead to provide multiphoton excitation. This external excitation beam is attenuated by an adjustable neutral density filter (5215, New Focus). In order to overfill the back focal aperture (BFA) of the objective lens, the beam diameter is expanded about three times by a telescope consisting of 50 mm and 150 mm focal length lenses placed sequentially in the beam path. The expanded beam is directed into the scanhead (C1, Nikon) by using a mirror insert (C50299, Nikon) equipped with a silver surface full mirror (21010, Chroma) to replace the dichroic mirror insert employed in the original confocal configuration (inset of Fig.1a). The external optics (Microbench, Linos) are connected to the scanhead through a custom-made adapter plate that bolts directly to the scanhead after removal of the plastic clam-shell case utilizing existing clearance holes. The design of the adapter plate permits easy access to the mirror insert, which must be exchanged for switching between multiphoton and confocal modes (Fig.1b). The original C1 scan mirrors direct the excitation beam to the objective lens (e.g. 40× water immersion, Fluor, Nikon). The back focal aperture of this lens receives ~85% of the laser power entering the scan head, as directly measured by a power meter (Lasermate 1, Coherent). In order to determine the effect of group velocity dispersion (GVD) in our system, we measured the autocorrelated pulse length of the beam (MINI Special, APE). All measurements were subjected to a lowpass filter and are the average of at least 4 measurements. The full width half maxima (FWHM) before and after the scanhead were 204fsec and 246fsec, respectively. This 25% increase in pulse length shows that the silver mirrors included in the scanhead are appropriate for multiphoton scanning.
In order to explore the feasibility of using acousto-optic modulation as an automated mechanism to modulate beam intensity as sample depth changes we inserted a 2mm aperture acousto-optic deflector (AOD) (LS55, Isomet) into the unexpanded beam path, which increased the measured pulse length by 30% to 318fsec. Spatial dispersion introduced by the AOD can be compensated by substituting a diffraction grating for one of the full mirrors in the beam path (7). The expected 30% loss in laser power is of no consequence for in vitro imaging as all presented samples are imaged with a neutral density filter of at least OD 1.5. The AOD can be controlled using the Nikon C1 software through use of an analog to digital converter (PCI-6035e, National Instruments).
Because of the highly local excitation volume, multiphoton imaging does not require spatial filtering by a confocal pinhole (8–10). Therefore, multiphoton-excited epifluorescence is not returned to the scanhead for descanning and spatial filtering by the pinhole, but rather is directly detected. The collection optics are located as close to the BFA of the objective as possible to maximize collection efficiency. For this purpose, an epifluorescence slider (Y-FL, Nikon) was added to the microscope, equipped with a custom filter cube (MPC) holding a long pass dichroic mirror (770dcxr, Chroma) to direct the collected fluorescence away from the scanhead and towards the external detector unit (Fig.1c). This design allows convenient switching between the multiphoton detection pathway and the original confocal configuration. Most importantly, no modification to the C1 scanhead or the epifluorescence slider is needed. Collected fluorescence is sent through a focusing cube (FLC) containing two sequentially placed corrected achromats of 35 and 75mm focal length. This previously described lens system transmits >70% of the collected epifluorescence (11) through an infrared blocking filter (BG39, Schott) into a multimode fiberoptic cable (1.5mm aperture, ThorLabs). We mounted the optical cable through a 25mm SMA connecter on an X-Y positioner (Microbench, Linos) which slides as shown on microbench rails along the Z axis to allow easy adjustment for maximum transmission of emission light. For uncaging experiments which require shorter excitation wavelengths, the 770nm longpass dichroic (Figure 1, MPC) can be easily substituted with a dichroic mirror of shorter wavelength.
We connected the fiberoptic cable to the original three-PMT detection unit (3 detector unit S, Nikon) of the C1 confocal microscope through its SMA connector. Use of the C1 detection unit allows for easy adaptation for various fluorophore combinations due to its exchangeable modular filter cubes.
Imaging can be performed using the standard imaging software (EZ-C1 Version 2.1, Nikon) provided with the confocal system, without modification to operate the scan mirrors, axial positioning of the objective lens, and PMT parameters. Wavelength and emission of the NIR laser can be controlled either directly on the front panel of the laser power supply or using the provided software interface (Chameleon, Coherent).
Images were processed using both the Nikon EZ-C1 software as well as ImageJ software, freely available through NIH. For point spread function (PSF) approximation, a 3-D stack of images of a sub-resolution diameter fluorescent bead was acquired, and intensity values measured along a single axis were plotted versus distance and fit to a Gaussian distribution (Origin 6.0, Microcal).
Exact technical specifications of custom made parts (highlighted in yellow) are available on request.
In order to evaluate the two-photon performance of the modified microscope, we chose to image different types of fluorescently labeled pollen grains (Carolina Biological Supply), producing optical sections at 2 µm axial steps. Fig.2a shows six consecutive optical sections taken from an Alexa 488-labeled spiky grain, illustrating the imaging capability of the modified system. Fig.2b is a maximum projection image of another, dual-labeled, lobular pollen grain, reconstructed from two-photon excited fluorescence gathered in the first (green) and second (red) emission channels. Next, in order to determine the two-photon resolution of our microscope, we imaged subresolution fluorescent beads (180nm, Molecular Probes) mounted on poly-D-lysine coated glass cover slips using an excitation wavelength of λ=840nm and an objective lens of NA=0.8 (Fig.2c). The full width at half maximum (FWHM) fluorescence intensity in both axial and lateral planes was determined as an approximation of the point spread function (PSF). The experimentally obtained value of FWHMaxial = 2.6 µm is a good match to the theoretical value FWHMaxial = 2 µm (12). Because the diameter of the bead approaches half of the theoretical excitation PSF of FWHMlateral (388.5nm) its effect on the observed image was taken into account. Convolution of our theoretical Gaussian PSF with a sphere of 180 nm diameter yields a theoretical image of just over 400 nm FWHM in the lateral plane, comparable to our measured FWHMlateral of 500nm.
Finally, to demonstrate the effectiveness of the modified microscope for imaging of live tissue, we imaged mouse neuronal tissue. For structural imaging, whole retinas were extracted from heterozygous knock-in mice expressing a human rhodopsin-EGFP fusion protein (13). The tissue was imaged in artificial cerebrospinal fluid with a 512×512 pixel scan pattern and a 2.6 µs pixel dwell time. The excitation power at the BFA of a 40× (NA 0.8) water immersion objective lens (Fluor, Nikon) was approximately 30mW at 840nm (Fig.3a). The images reveal fluorescence in clearly observed individual photoreceptor cell outer segments (1.4 µm diameter) where the rhodopsin protein localizes, which corresponds nicely to similar images taken on the C1 using the confocal configuration (Fig. 3b) with the smallest pinhole (30 µm).
In order to demonstrate the capacity to conduct functional imaging experiments, striatal brain slices were prepared from C57 mice. Individual neurons were whole-cell patched and dialyzed with standard internal solution containing 200 µM of the fluorescent calcium indicator dye Oregon Green BAPTA-1 (OGB-1) and 50 µM of the fluorescent label Alexa Fluor 594. Imaging was performed using a 100× (NA 1.1) water immersion objective (Plan, Nikon) and approximately 12mW BFA average power at 810nm excitation. Dendritic structures of a striatal spiny neuron are presented in Fig.3c as a maximum projection image generated from a series of optical sections separated by 0.5 µm. During functional imaging, a train of 15 action potentials was induced by injecting depolarizing current into the soma in current clamp mode. Calcium influx was determined as the increase of OGB-1 fluorescence normalized by its resting fluorescence (ΔF/F) throughout the course of a linescan through a single spine (Fig.3c inset). No significant bleaching or obvious photodamage was observed throughout the course of imaging. The low laser power used as well as the good signal-to-noise ratio of the Ca2+ signal observed from easily discernible distal dendritic spines illustrate that our modified laser scanning microscope can be used effectively for functional imaging experiments with multiphoton excitation.
We have presented here a straightforward and effective multiphoton adaptation of a common commercial confocal microscope that allows rapid switching between confocal and multiphoton modes. The entire conversion requires no modification of the original system and only a few custom-made parts. The previously demonstrated efficient fiber optic coupling of epi-fluorescence emission (11), to the C1 detection unit allows for convenient simultaneous probing of multiple fluorophores that can quickly be changed using the modular filter cubes present in this unit. The imaging software of the original confocal system can be used without any modifications for multiphoton imaging.
The presented microscope is ideal for biological imaging applications and could be modified by users with little or no mechanical or electronics experience. Except for the pulsed NIR laser, the components used are relatively inexpensive and widely available. We have demonstrated the system’s utility by imaging fluorescent proteins and indicator dyes of a number of different excitation and emission wavelengths in two different neuronal preparations. This versatile microscope can be utilized by groups that lack either the resources to purchase a pre-packaged system or the technical know-how to build a new system from scratch.
The presented work was supported by NIH training grant EY T32 EY07102 (JJM), NIH grants R01-EY11900 and R01-DA015189 and Welch Foundation Q0035 (TGW) as well as NIH-NIA/RO1 AG027577 and NSF/DBI-0455905 (PS).


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Polish cinema’s major success this week!!
Paweł Pawlikowski’s movie Cold War is the big winner of the European Film Academy’s awards ceremony. It won Best Director, Best Actress (Joanna Kulig), Best Manuscript and Best European Movie!!
Set against the backdrop of the 1950s Stalinism in Poland, a group of people are trying to create a band.
The movie will be screened in Israel next month and it will be called “Love in Cold Days’.
Extract from a piece in the Haaretz about the Winner:
Cold War is also on “the short list” to win the Oscar for best foreign language movie alongside Ana Zamecka’s movie Communion which is a nominee in the Best Documentary category. Communion is a family drama depicting two young people’s extraordinary and touching struggle with family problems.
To the piece about the movie Cold War

domain: entertainment


Color Me Pink™ from Bonide® raises the pH of the soil to the right pH (6.5-7.0) for pink-flowering Bigleaf Hydrangeas. A neutral to acidic pH can make these shrubs bloom purple instead of pink. To raise the pH, work 3 scoops per plant of Color me Pink™ into the backfill soil for new plantings. For existing plantings, apply in spring, working 6 scoops (1/2 cup) into the soil around the root zone while staying away from the plant stem. Water well after applying.
Measuring scoop and instructions for use included.
Enter your zip code to confirm product availability, find your hardiness zone, and learn your next ideal planting time.
This item is restricted from being shipped to the following locations: All of CA, FL, IA, OR, SC, and WV.
Since 1816, Stark Bro's has promised to please customers with the very best fruit trees and landscaping products, no matter what. If for any reason you are not completely satisfied with your purchase, let us know within a year of delivery and we will send you a free one-time replacement or a refund of the full purchase price.
Trees that are shipped without soil to ensure good contact with soil in your yard. When shipped, they are about 3-4' tall with 3/8" or larger trunk diameter. When they mature, they will be one of three sizes*:
Matures to be about 8-10' tall and wide. Provides an abundance of full-size fruit.
Matures to be about 12-15' tall and wide. Gives maximum fruit yield per square foot.
Matures to be about 15-25' tall and 20' wide. A multi-purpose fruit and shade tree.
Top-grade, bare-root trees that give you a head start on growing. When shipped, they are about 4-5' tall with 5/8" or larger trunk diameter.
Trees in bottomless pots that allow some roots to be air pruned, so that a dense mass of productive, feeder roots can grow within the pot to make transplanting easier. Mature sizes vary. When shipped, they are about 1-2' tall.
Top-grade, potted trees chosen to give you a head start on growing. When shipped to you, they are about 3-4' tall.
*Tree sizes may vary by variety. See our Growing Guide for details.


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VRBO is part of the HomeAway family, the world leader in vacation rentals with over 1 million listings. We offer the largest selection of properties for any travel occasion and every budget. We’re committed to helping families and friends find a perfect vacation rental to create unforgettable travel experiences together. Learn More
This property allows you to book online with a credit card. After submitting a reservation request, the owner or manager has 24 hours to accept, at which time your card will be charged and you will receive an email confirmation
Recent Tidewater Beach Resort reviews
Excellent Location and Beautiful Views
"I would recommend this condo to family and friends. The location was perfect in regards to the beach and easy access to other amenities such as the pools, shopping and dining. The listing photos accurately represented the property. The condo was very spacious, nicely furnished and clean. The views from both the bedroom and the balcony were beautiful and the resort itself was very nice and clean. This condo is absolutely a wonderful place to stay during vacation."
Guest: 081420Date of Stay: November 2014Review Submitted: November 14, 2014
"We stay in the same condo during the same month each year. The condo is beautifully furnished, and is always clean and comfortable. The view from the living room as well as the master bedroom is absolutely gorgeous. Our favorite time of day is watching the sunset from the lounge chairs on the balcony.
The bedroom furnishings are very comfortable and the master bath is great. I love the large walk-in closet, too.
The guest room is also very pretty with its own bathroom.
The kitchen is large with a bar and stools as well as a large dining room table and chairs.
We absolutely LOVE our stay each year and look forward to our trip back this November."
Guest: sharonDate of Stay: November 2014Review Submitted: February 18, 2015
"Oh my goodness, this unit has everything from a stocked kitchen to sand buckets for the kids. We thoroughly enjoyed our stay! We had 10 persons ages ranged from memaw 78 to grand kids 11! No boredom at all! This resort is very family friendly and the staff were so helpful!! The owner is a pleasure to work with and answered all of my questions! The unit has enough room for 20 if need be! You won't fill cramped I promise! My husband was able to walk to the pier and fish anytime! A plus for sure! The views are breathe taking from every window! There are so much to see and do in PBC!!! We loved it!!! Thanks again Lynn for helping make memories that will last forever with my family!!! See ya next year!!!!"
Guest: ShawnaDate of Stay: June 2015Review Submitted: June 21, 2015
"I would like to start off by saying I would recommend this place and even stay here again, however the reason I'm rating it a 4 star (which I would give it a 4 1/2 if it was available) is because there was a terrible smell coming from the laundry room that they couldn't get rid of (we kept the door closed and that did help a lot), also there were missing and broken chairs. The broken chairs did get replaced the night before we left and the missing chair was to arrive the day we left so that was a bummer, thank goodness kids don't care about where they eat :) I was very happy that we were on the 3rd floor and I highly recommend staying on the lower levels because the elevators were absolutely terrible, everyone was complaining but being on the 3rd floor I took the stairs 95% off the time. Now on a better note the place was very roomy, comfy and felt like home.. The view was AMAZING.... Thank you for a great stay !!"
Guest: Michele P.Date of Stay: July 2015Review Submitted: July 21, 2015

domain: travel


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My review today is for The Gospel of Loki by
I think everyone who knows me should know I am a big fan of Norse mythology and I have studied it for quite a long time. That being said I am always up for a new take on the subject.
For all of its flaws i still enjoyed this book. A re-imagining of the Norse myths as told by Loki, from his point of view. I loved the premise, just that the execution was a little off to me. Still a great book and very enjoyable, it just felt lacking. Maybe my hopes were to high. Loki, who is such a dynamic figure, telling his side of the stories seemed so exciting. I feel there could have been so much more to this book. In conclusion, a nice redo on the stories I love so much, just not as in depth into the real Loki as I was hoping for. Still a recommended read.
As you know if you have read my reviews before I am not about long reviews with synopsis and spoilers. I just give my opinion on my experience with this book and you can take it from there. Now on to the next book.
This book is out NOW! So go grab a copy!
About the book:
BUY HERE: The Gospel of Loki by
- Hardcover: 288 pages
- Publisher: Saga Press (May 5, 2015)
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 148144946X
- ISBN-13: 978-1481449465
“A surprise from the author of Chocolat,” New York Times bestselling author Joanne M. Harris, “this pacy adult fantasy is narrated by Loki, the Norse god of fire and mischief” (Vogue).
This novel is a brilliant first-person narrative of the rise and fall of the Norse gods—retold from the point of view of the world’s ultimate trickster, Loki. A #1 bestseller in the UK, The Gospel of Loki tells the story of Loki’s recruitment from the underworld of Chaos, his many exploits on behalf of his one-eyed master, Odin, through to his eventual betrayal of the gods and the fall of Asgard itself.
Using her lifelong passion for the Norse myths, New York Timesbestseller Joanne M. Harris has created a vibrant and powerful fantasy novel that the Sunday Sun recommends “to her long-standing audience with wit, style and obvious enjoyment;” The Sunday Times claims it “lively and fun;” and The Metro adds that “Harris has enormous fun with her antihero…this mythical bad boy should beguile fans of Neil Gaiman.”
About the author:
Joanne Harris is a British author, whose books include fourteen novels, two cookbooks and many short stories. Her work is extremely diverse, covering aspects of magic realism, suspense, historical fiction, mythology and fantasy. She has also written a DR WHO novella for the BBC, has scripted guest episodes for the game ZOMBIES, RUN!, and is currently engaged in a number of musical theatre projects as well as developing an original drama for television.
In 2000, her 1999 novel CHOCOLAT was adapted to the screen, starring Juliette Binoche and Johnny Depp. She is an honorary Fellow of St Catharine’s College, Cambridge, and in 2013 was awarded an MBE by the Queen.
Her hobbies are listed in Who’s Who as ‘mooching, lounging, strutting, strumming, priest-baiting and quiet subversion’. She also spends too much time on Twitter; plays flute and bass guitar in a band first formed when she was 16; and works from a shed in her garden at her home in Yorkshire.


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Unspayed Females Accepted, Neutered Males Only
No Females in Heat
Kia is super sweet and flexible. I really appreciated that she found time to visit my cat over a holiday.
Kia was responsible, friendly and quick to bond with Jack. Would highly recommend her services!!
Kia is amazing! She takes such good care of our little Murphy and I can tell he’s having a great time by all the photos she shares. I know he’s in good hands when he stays with her.
High energy animal lover!
My name is Kia and I have years of experience caring for all sizes and breeds of dog starting when I was young in dog 4-H. I love all animals and enjoy seeing them playing, happy, and having fun. I have a bright, open apartment with a patio. I am also an avid marathon runner and can take your dog running with me! I enjoy going for walks and hikes and going to the dog ...
What Kia would like to know about your dog
Must be friendly with other dogs/cats, fully vaccinated, flea/tick free

domain: pet


A bill introduced in the Canadian Senate could give border agents the power to search electronic devices and look through texts, emails, and photos.
The bill gives the border agents the power to search devices if they determine there are “reasonable general concerns.”
We obtained a copy of the bill for you here.
“At any time up to the time of release or at any time up to the time of exportation, an officer designated under subsection (2) may, in accordance with the regulations, examine documents, including emails, text messages, receipts, photographs or videos, that are stored on a personal digital device that has been imported or is about to be exported and is in the custody or possession of a person if the officer has a reasonable general concern,” the bill states.
For privacy advocates, the issue is that the bill does not clearly define the so-called “reasonable general concern.”
“The very low (and legally novel) threshold of ‘reasonable general concern’ for border officials to conduct a search of a traveler’s personal electronic device does not adequately protect travelers’ privacy,” the Canadian Civil Liberties Association wrote.
CCLA also noted that searching through someone’s phone is much more intrusive than searching their suitcase.
“Searching through the intimate details of our lives contained on our phone or laptop is not the same as digging through a box or suitcase holding a couple of shirts and some socks,” the organization noted.
If you're tired of censorship and dystopian threats against civil liberties, subscribe to Reclaim The Net.


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This is a typical itinerary for this product
Stop At: Piazza Maggiore, 40121 Bologna Italy
Piazza Maggiore is located in the very centre of Bologna. In the past, the square underwent many changes and was embellished with important buildings: the Basilica di San Petronio, Palazzo dei Notai, Palazzo d'Accursio, Palazzo del Podest and Palazzo dei Bianchi.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Museo Ferrari, Via Dino Ferrari 43, 41053, Maranello Italy
Opened in 2012, the Museo Enzo Ferrari includes two buildings: Enzo Ferraris birthplace, the cultural and architectural centre of the whole museum, and a new exhibition gallery surrounding the House.
Duration: 3 hours
Stop At: Le Due Torri Torre degli Asinell, Piazza di Porta Ravegnana, 40126 Bologna Italy
The two towers are the symbol of Bologna and they are strategically placed at the entry point in the city of the ancient Via Emilia.
The Torre degli Asinelli is the tallest leaning medieval tower in the world and it was built between 1109 and 1119. It is 97,20 m tall and was built by the Asinelli family.
The second tower, Torre Garisenda is less taller than the first one, it is just 47 metres tall.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Basilica - Santuario di Santo Stefano, Via Santo Stefano 24, 40125 Bologna Italy
The basilica of Santo Stefano encompasses a complex of religious edifices in the city of Bologna is located on Piazza Santo Stefano.
The Basilica di Santo Stefano, also known as Sette Chiese, is the most peculiar in Bologna. Its name derives from the original idea of dividing the church in seven chuches. Others believe it was commissioned by Saint Petronio, but built on top of the ruins of a pagan temple, next to which other buildings were added.
Duration: 1 hour
- Mobile Voucher Accepted
- Hotel pickup Available
- Free Cancellation
- Duration: 12 Hrs
Departure Time :
Departure Details :
Traveler pickup is offered
We offer pickup in Rome from all the accommodation within the Aurelian Walls.
Cancellation Policy : For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience. Tours booked using discount coupon codes will be non refundable.
OverviewVisit the Ferrari Museum to live the Prancing Horse dream first-hand! Discover the history of Italy's most iconic car manufacturer!
Know More about this tour
- Pick up /drop off from and for the hotel
- Live guide
- Small group limited to a maximum of 14 people
- Entry/Admission - Museo Ferrari
Confirmation will be received at time of booking
Semi Private Tour
Please wear confortable clothes and shoes
This tour/activity will have a maximum of 14 travelers

domain: geography


Miner hysteria has overtaken El Paso in the form of the UTEP women's basketball program.
It was never more evident than on Monday night, as 10,227 fans showed up for the Miners' WNIT Elite 8 showdown with the Pac-12's Washington Huskies at the Don Haskins Center. In the end, UTEP won 70-63 to advance to Wednesday's night semifinals against South Dakota State at the Don Haskins Center.
"The chemistry here at the Don Haskins Center is tremendous," said an elated and smiling Miners coach Keitha Adams as she addressed the media. "The crowd was great again tonight. I'm so proud of our team and our community."
The fans couldn't agree more.
"Great crowd," fan Lisa Sanchez said. "I've come to a few games this year but none like this where there were so many fans. Lots of orange, I like that. Can't wait for the next game."
Fans were lined up for the game a couple of hours before tip, and were even let in to the game before the usual 6 p.m. entrance time. Fans of all ages were excited about UTEP's deepest postseason run in program history.
"This shows the women can play too, and that it's fun to be at UTEP women's basketball games," fan Mary Ann Contreras said. "This is really good for the community. Young kids can look up to these women and see that great things can happen."
UTEP averaged 5,812 fans in three previous WNIT home games this year, beating Arkansas State, St. Mary's and Colorado prior to Monday's game. Those fans were loud and energetic, especially in Friday's win over Colorado, in which 8,234 fans showed up. Monday night's game seemed even louder, as fans were cheering and on their feet even before the game started.
"The women's program has been good for a few years now," fan David Contreras said. "It's about time El Paso sees that. I've come to all four postseason games and they are fun. These women can play and I'm happy they finally are getting the support they deserve."
Fans Bernice and George Garcia are supporters of UTEP athletics, and they said the postseason run by the women's basketball team has been special for them to see.
"We've seen a lot of great support from people and fans are talking about this team all over town," Bernice Garcia said. "In fact we sat by UTEP football coach Sean Kugler and his family at the Colorado game. It's great to see other coaches at UTEP support the other teams. That's the way it should be."
Said George Garcia: "It's a fun atmosphere at the women's games. The crowds have been great in the WNIT. We want to show that El Paso is a good sports city and has good crowds. The games are so much fun when everyone is loud and into the games. This is a great atmosphere for basketball."
And the fans will get to enjoy one more game with this Miners team that has won the hearts of many across the city. Tickets for Wednesday's game go on sale at 8 a.m. Tuesday at the UTEP ticket office. Tickets will be $5 for UTEP students, $10 for general admission and $15 for floor seats.
"It's amazing to see the crowd growing with every game," UTEP forward Kristine Vitola said.


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Wicked Pictures releases hardcore trailer for Joy Ride
Joy Ride is the upcoming “hidden camera” porn film from Wicked Pictures. The movie comes from director Los Scandalous and tells the story of an Uber-esque car service driver who picks up extremely hot girls, offers them cash to fuck, and then “secretly” films all of the encounters for our viewing pleasure.
Los Scandalous has made a few other porn movies, all of them for Wicked Pictures and all of them released this year. Those other films are Selfies, Real Pick Ups, and Revenge Porn. Each of the movies feature the same reality-style porn that’s featured in Joy Ride.
Now, I don’t want to crush anyone’s perceptions, but it should be fairly obvious that the sex featured in Joy Ride is staged. Most of you already know this. Some of you, however, may have been really thinking that there’s a dude driving around in a taxi cab and just banging the shit out of all the hot young ladies in some city somewhere. And maybe there is. But this ain’t that dude nor is it that taxi.
And while I’m on the topic of destroying illusions, Santa Claus isn’t real, either. Neither is Dennis Rodman. I’m sorry.
Of the female talent featured in Joy Ride, Harley Dean is probably the best known and most popular. While still in her rookie year of porn, Ms. Dean has already appeared in 15 adult films and seems to be well on her way to blossoming into an elite talent within the industry. In addition to Joy Ride, those other 15 porn movies include Teens Love Monster Cocks 4, Manuel’s Fucking POV, and Owner Gets Clipped.
Joy Ride is set to be released from Wicked Pictures on September 30th.
What are your thoughts on what we’ve seen so far from Joy Ride? Let us know in the comments below.


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Grand Theft Auto Online: Death Run (11/29/14)
This new event in GTA Online will entail seemingly permadeath gameplay, making every single life count. All players spawn in a tightly packed circle in the middle of the map and have one of two options: Drive away with your team to allow more time to strategize, or go for the center of the circle for a personal weapon boost for the beginning of the match. The two weapons used in this game mode, assault rifles and sniper rifles, are scattered strategically throughout the entire map: Assault Rifles in close quarters and sniper rifles atop hills. Spawn points are placed in a way where, while you'll be able to make a comeback if you die, catching up again will be difficult, as you will respawn randomly throughout the map, isolated from any and all weapon pick-ups. This means that careful planning and strategy is crucial for the success of your team.
For more details on this event, visit the forum post here:
~Posted November 9th, 2014; article by heads1997 More News
Welcome to the Official 'Ron Paul Warned Us crew website!
Ron Paul Warned Us is an exclusive crew in Grand Theft Auto V that dedicates it's time making and playing each others jobs. We are not a serious crew in terms of online domination or that sort, but when we do play against other crews, we take pride in our colors and name. Joining the crew is on an invite only basis, so if you know any of our members, consider yourself accepted. But just because you can't join the crew doesn't mean you can't join us and have fun. If you have a PS3 and you want to get in on the action, just message hairybones1997, the crew leader, because the friends list is always open.
Remember, Bleed Blue!

domain: game