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AIR4 Concept is a flying Renault 4
To close the celebrations for the 60th anniversary of the iconic Renault 4, the car maker has teamed up with motion design hub TheArsenale to create a futuristic show-car – a flying reinterpretation of the 4L.
Audi S1 Hoonitron Concept
The S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron is a one-off concept developed by Audi for Ken Block and inspired from the iconic Audi Sport quattro S1 Grop B rally car from the 1980s.
Toyota and Lexus reveal 15 new electric concepts and models
On December 14, 2021, at a media briefing in Japan, Toyota presented his vision for the future of mobility and revealed 15 new vehicles across the Toyota and Lexus brands.
Genesis G90 flagship
Following the exteriod design images, Genesis has fully revealed the design og the G90 flagship, which features a new, interpretation of interpretation of the brand’s design philosophy 'Athletic Elegance'.
Jaguar XJ-C Restomod by Carlex Design
Poland-based Carlex Design has revealed the first images of a Rstomod project based on the Jaguar XJ-C from the late 1970s.
Porsche Vision Gran Turismo Concept
Porsche and Polyphony Digital have presented a new virtual racing car concept for the launch of Gran Turismo 7 PS4/PS5 game, scheduled for 4 March 2022.
Lincoln Anniversary Concept by Art Center College of Design
The Anniversary Concept is a futuristic, four-passenger car developed by the Art Center College of Design students. The goal was to enable passengers to connect the present and the past thanks to advanced digital technology, fitting the challenge of...
Simon Loasby on the Seven Concept design on Hyundai’s Podcast
In the latest episode of podcast "Are we there yet?" Simon Loasby, Vice President, Head of Hyundai Styling, gives an overview of the recent Seven Concept.
Kia Carens: preview design sketches
Kia has release some sketches the preview the Carens, the model designed for the Indian market, set to make its world debut on 16 December, 2021.
New Holland Straddle Tractor Concept by Pininfarina
Pininfarina and New Holland have developed the Straddle Tractor Concept, an innovative electric tractor designed for narrow vineyards, with a futuristic design and a high-comfort, high-safety cab.
Steyr tractor and Iveco Truck win German Design Awards 2022
The Steyr Terrus CVT Tractor and the Iveco T-WAY truck were named “Excellent Product Design” Winners by the German Design Council.
Morgan previews all-new three-wheeled model with design sketches
Morgan has revealed a video with some unpreviously seen design sketches showing the direciton for the next model, set to be launched in 2022.
Lexus ROV Concept
The Lexus ROV (Recreational Off-highway Vehicle) Concept is a luxury recreational off-road vehicle powered by the brand's first hydrogen engine.
Mercedes-Benz unveils Project Maybach Concept and pays tribute to Virgil Abloh
Following Virgil Abloh's untimely passing, Mercedes-Benz has revealed Project Maybach, a a concept car resulting from the collaboration between Abloh and the carmaker.
Nissan Ariya Single Seater Concept
Nissan has revealed a high-performance exploration, development and demonstration project of how the all-electric Nissan Ariya road car powertrain could be used in a bespoke single seater racing car chassis.
Mercedes-Benz reveals details on the Vision EQXX ahead of CES debut
First announced in 2020, the Mercedes-Benz Vision EQXX will offer a 1000 km / 620 miles range and extreme aerodynamic efficiency.
BMW Concept XM: design sketches
The official sketches and design renders of the BMW Concept XM, the first standalone M model since the M1.
BMW Concept XM previews most powerful BMW M ever
Set to debut at Art Basel’s 2021 Miami Beach show, the Concept XM features a hybrid drivetrain with a V8 engine and a total output of 750 hp.
1 DAY LEFT!
CIRCUL-A-THON Design Challenge by SABIC
This competition is open to students and professionals – and asks for their most compelling and futuristic circular designs. $50,000 in prizes are up for grabs!
Deadline for Submissions: April 1st, 2023
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domain: design


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Ed Sheeran is ready to “let fans in” with a new a four-part docuseries.
The ‘Thinking Out Loud’ hitmaker has filmed ‘Ed Sheeran: The Sum Of It All’ for Disney+ and the series – which will be avabile globally from 3 May – will feature interviews with his wife Cherry Seaborn and other loved ones, performance footage and even the 32-year-old star’s previously-unseen personal archive clips.
Ed said: “I’ve always been very guarded in my personal and private life; the only documentary I’ve ever made has been one that focused on my songwriting.
“Disney approached me to make a four-part documentary, and it felt like the right time to open the door and let people in. I hope people enjoy it.”
An announcement for the series revealed it will follow Ed “after he learns of life-changing news and reveals his hardships and triumphs during the most challenging period of his life.”
The four episodes are titled ‘Love’, ‘Loss’, ‘Focus’, and ‘Balance’. Watch the full trailer here
The first features exclusive footage of Ed’s teenage years and how he and late friend Jamal Edwards used the internet to launch his career, as well as the love story between the singer and his wife – including Cherry’s receiving “life-altering news”, which isn’t explained in the synopsis but is likely to be connected to her husband’s recent revelation that she was diagnosed with a tumour while pregnant with their second child, Jupiter, now 10 months.
‘Loss’ includes footage of Ed’s ‘Divide’ tour and shines a spotlight on his close network of childhood friends, as well as his struggles following Jamal’s shock death last year.
In the third episode, ‘Focus’, Cherry worries Ed – who also has Lyra, two, with his wife – is throwing himself into work as a distraction from his grief over Jamal as the programme shows him giving his upcoming new album ‘- his all.
The final episode sees the couple reflect on how they manage the challenges of juggling their family when they spend so much time apart, with the ‘Castle on the Hill’ hitmaker in the US promoting his tour, as well as looking towards the future with a new outlook on life.
Ben Turner and Ben Winston of producers Fulwell 73 said: “Everyone in the world knows and loves Ed Sheeran’s songs, as he has been the soundtrack to so many moments of our lives.
“But this series of films shows the true man behind the hits, showing Ed in an entirely different way after a tumultuous year personally and professionally. This four-part series has been an honour for us to make.”

domain: artistic


This letter from a large majority of Junction businesses has been delivered to the City:
May 7, 2018
To: Mayor Kate Stewart, Council Members: Peter Kovar, Cindy Dyballa, Kacy Kostiuk, Terry Seamens, Jarrett Smith, and Talisha Searcy
From: Business Owners of Takoma Junction
Re: Proposed plan in the Junction
We stand in solidarity with The Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-op grocery store, a vital resource and an anchor business located in Takoma Junction currently being threatened by the proposed development plan by NDC. The Co-op management and members have brought up a number of safety and operational concerns to the Council. We urge the Council not to take these concerns lightly. In addition, many of these issues may also affect our businesses located on Carroll Avenue.
We want to see the following issues addressed:
- Our Carroll Avenue strip has seen a particularly promising upswing in new, stable small businesses which may be threatened by increased traffic, difficulty parking, and the potentially higher rents in the Junction that may result from the large retail areas across the street putting additional strain on our businesses.
- The parking issue is especially concerning because it is likely that with increased volume of shoppers, some will look for free parking on the residential streets instead of using the metered parking garage. Parking on nearby streets by shoppers will likely require that Permit Parking be instituted; not something that all residents wish for but will need in order to maintain sufficient parking for themselves. Those who currently come to the Carroll Avenue shops might be deterred from patronizing our businesses due to increased traffic congestion and lack of free parking.
- If this project were to be completed, the large retail spaces are likely to be expensive to rent. As a result we are less likely to attract the small businesses that now characterize much of Old Takoma and Takoma Junction, namely, unique, individually-owned and operated shops and services. Higher rents in those spaces, if not designated for local businesses, may become occupied by chain stores and national businesses instead of locally-owned enterprises. We have a long-standing tradition in this City of encouraging locally-owned and operated small businesses that lend our community charm, character, and uniqueness in a large Metropolitan area filled with big chain stores.
- Keeping in mind the scale of what is already here should be a priority, and this NDC project is out-of-scale with the surroundings. It has been noted that the renderings are misleading and that the proposed building it actually much taller than shown.
- Finally, we are very concerned about the effect such an over-sized construction project including excavation for underground parking may have on our Historic buildings, nearly 100 years old now. Heavy trucks creating a lot of vibration are hard on our antique buildings.
Please do not turn a deaf ear on the business owners in Takoma Junction that already provide (and have for many years) tax revenue for the City.
Please do not minimize the importance of a well-conceived plan for deliveries and trash removal at the proposed site. Once it is built it will difficult, if not impossible, to correct the situation of large trucks sitting in front of the building—possibly double-parked—lined up and emitting fumes. This would be both unsightly and smelly for anyone sitting out and forget dining al fresco!
Lastly, this is such an oversized complex at a time when shopping is increasingly done online, and malls and strip shopping centers are often left with vacant spaces or are closing all together. Once this two-story building is up, what will happen if it is mostly vacant? This plan is on the wrong side of what we stand for in Takoma Park, on the wrong side of a population needing and longing for more community and relaxing green areas, and on the wrong side of quieting a busy intersection.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Takoma Junction Business proprietors:
Rick and Bernita Leonard
Heritage Building and Renovation, Inc.
7334 Carroll Avenue
7216 Carroll Avenue
Spring Mill Bread Company
7300 Carroll Avenue
Urban HiFi, LLC
t/a Linear Tube Audio
7316 Carroll Avenue
Mary Newsome Yancy
7310 Carroll Avenue
With independent operators:
Jo Anne Carey, D.V.M.
Takoma Park Animal Clinic
7330 Carroll Avenue
7312 Carroll Avenue
Takoma Postal & Business Center
7304 Carroll Avenue
Kendra Blackett Dibigna
Bikram Yoga Takoma Park
7324 Carroll Avenue
Carriage House Cleaners
7308 Carroll Avenue
Bruce and Inan Philips
7211 Carroll Avenue
Nazirahk Amen, ND, L.Ac.
Wisdom Path Healing Center
Purple Mountain Organics
7120 Carroll Avenue
RS Automotive, Inc.
7224 Carroll Avenue
Rachel Hardwick, President
Board of Representatives
Takoma Park-Silver Spring Co-op
201 Ethan Allen


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The web world has not even settled from recent Google Motorola acquisition, now another surprise purchase from search giant. Google today announced that it has acquired Zagat, an US restaurant review company to empower Google search and Google Maps. The acquisition of restaurant review empire Zagat provides Google a huge database of restaurant ratings to build up reviews on its local search offerings, and to compete against companies like Yelp.
The company Zagat was founded in 1979 by Tim and Nina Zagat , which became famous for its short restaurant guides based on millions of consumers-submitted ratings and reviews from more-than 100 cities, the firm uses the results to issue a numerical rating on a thirty-point scale.
“The Zagats have demonstrated their ability to innovate and to do so with tremendous insight,their surveys may be one of the earliest forms of UGC (user-generated content)–gathering restaurant recommendations from friends, computing and distributing ratings before the Internet as we know it today even existed,” said Marissa Mayer, Google VP of local, maps, and location services .
The Zagat homepage also shows that the company is excited about the sale, giving Google a perfect 30 out of 30 in all categories.
“We believe this union is the right next step for our employees, our users and for our business, all of which will benefit from the additional resources and reach that Google provides,” said Nina and Tim Zagat in their own post. ”Going forward, we will remain active in the business as co-Chairs, helping to make sure that the combination of Zagat’s and Google’s assets and capabilities will maximize our product quality and growth.”
Buying Zagat is a serious move in the right direction,In 2009 Google offered Yelp over $500 million to buy their crowdsourced local business reviews site. But the deal was failed, it’s not entirely clear whether Yelp walked away for the deal or if Google had second thoughts, but the deal fell through, leaving Google two years to watch the local space expand.Now Google is poised to crush Yelp with the help of zagat.

domain: news


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Ways to Transforming Your Home: Residential Interior Designers in Singapore
Your home is more than just a living space; it’s a reflection of your personality and style. As such, home renovation and interior design play a crucial role in creating a comfortable and inviting space. Whether you’re looking to spruce up your current living space or redesign your new home, working with a residential interior designer in Singapore can help you achieve your desired look and feel. In this article, we’ll explore the ways in which interior designers can transform your home, the benefits of working with a designer, and how to choose the right designer for your needs.
Understanding Residential Interior Design in Singapore
#1 Residential Homes
Residential homes are usually larger than HDB or BTO flats, and therefore provide more space to work with. This means that there is more room for creativity in terms of design, as well as more flexibility when it comes to choosing materials, colors, and furniture. Residential homes in Singapore often have multiple floors and rooms, which can be designed to serve specific functions, such as a home office, guest room, or entertainment area.
#2 HDB Flats
HDB flats are the most common type of residential property in Singapore, and they require a different approach to interior design than residential homes. HDB flats are typically smaller in size, with limited space to work with. As such, HDB flat interior design tends to focus on maximizing space and functionality, while still maintaining a cohesive and aesthetically pleasing design. Space-saving solutions such as built-in storage, multi-purpose furniture, and creative space planning are commonly used in HDB flat design.
#3 BTO Flats
Built-to-Order (BTO) flats are similar to HDB flats in terms of size and space limitations. However, BTO flats are newer properties and are often more modern in terms of design. BTO flat interior design tends to be more minimalist and sleeker, with clean lines and a focus on functionality. Like HDB flats, BTO flats require creative space planning and space-saving solutions to make the most of the limited space available.
Here’s a table that compares residential homes, HDB flats, and BTO flats in Singapore in terms of their characteristics and estimated cost of interior design:
|Property Type||Characteristics||Estimated Cost of Interior Design (SGD)|
|Residential Home||Larger space, multiple floors and rooms, more flexibility in design||30,000 – 100,000+|
|HDB Flat||Limited space, focus on maximizing space and functionality, space-saving solutions||15,000 – 50,000|
|BTO Flat||Limited space, modern design, minimalist and sleek, space-saving solutions||12,000 – 40,000|
It’s important to note that the estimated cost of interior design for each type of property can vary widely depending on factors such as the complexity of the design, the materials used, and the size of the property. These estimated costs are meant to provide a rough idea of what to expect and may not apply to every situation. Additionally, it’s important to work with a reputable and experienced interior designer who can provide a more accurate cost estimate based on your specific needs and preferences.
Ways to Transform Your Home
Here are some of the ways to transform your home through interior design:
1) Space planning and layout optimization
This involves optimizing the layout of your home to create a more open and functional living space. By maximizing the use of available space, you can create a more comfortable and enjoyable living environment.
2) Furniture selection and placement
The selection and placement of furniture are crucial in creating a cohesive and comfortable environment. A skilled designer will select pieces that complement each other and fit the overall design concept.
3) Lighting design
Proper lighting can make a significant impact on the overall feel of a room. Lighting can create a warm and inviting atmosphere or an energizing and dynamic environment. A good designer will know how to utilize lighting to enhance the mood and atmosphere of a room.
4) Color schemes and material selection
The right color scheme and material selection play a critical role in creating a cohesive design concept. A good designer will select colors and materials that complement each other and fit the overall design style.
5) Accessorizing and décor placement
Accessorizing and décor placement can take your room design to the next level by adding character and personality to your living space. This includes selecting the right accessories and décor to enhance the overall design concept.
By utilizing these various interior design techniques, you can transform your home into a more functional and aesthetically pleasing living space. Whether you need to optimize the layout of your home, select new furniture pieces, enhance your lighting design, or add personal touches through accessories and décor placement, a skilled residential interior designer in Singapore can help bring your vision to life.
Benefits of Working with a Residential Interior Designer in Singapore
Here are some of the benefits of working with a residential interior designer in Singapore:
- Expertise and knowledge: Designers have the expertise and knowledge of local design trends and materials. They can guide you in selecting materials and designs that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also functional and durable.
- Maximize space and functionality: Designers can maximize space and functionality by using creative design solutions. They can also recommend furniture and décor that fit your lifestyle and space requirements.
- Access to industry resources: Designers have access to industry resources and contacts, which means they can source materials and furnishings that are not available to the general public. This ensures that your living space is unique and personalized.
- Tailored to your needs and preferences: Working with a designer ensures that your room design is tailored to your needs and preferences. They can work with you to create a space that reflects your personality and style.
- Increased home value and aesthetic appeal: A well-designed living space can increase your home’s value and aesthetic appeal. This can be especially beneficial if you plan to sell your home in the future.
By working with a residential interior designer in Singapore, you can enjoy these benefits and transform your living space into a functional and aesthetically pleasing home.
How to Choose a Residential Interior Designer in Singapore
Here are ways on how to choose a residential interior designer in Singapore:
1) Qualifications and experience
Look for a designer who has the relevant qualifications and experience in designing spaces similar to yours. This ensures that they have the skills and knowledge necessary to create a functional and aesthetically pleasing living space.
2) Design philosophy
Check the designer’s portfolio to ensure that their design philosophy aligns with your vision. This will give you a good idea of their style, creativity, and ability to adapt to your needs and preferences.
3) Communication and collaboration
Communication and collaboration are key in creating a space that is uniquely yours. Choose a designer who listens to your needs and ideas and is open to working with you to achieve your vision. A good designer should be able to communicate their ideas clearly and effectively, and be open to feedback and suggestions.
4) Budget and pricing
It’s important to consider your budget when choosing a designer. Look for a designer whose pricing fits your budget and who is transparent about their costs and fees. Be sure to discuss any additional costs or fees upfront to avoid any surprises down the line.
5) Reputation and reviews
Check the designer’s reputation and reviews online to see what previous clients have to say about their work. This can give you a good idea of their professionalism, reliability, and quality of work.
By considering these factors when choosing a residential interior designer in Singapore, you can find a designer who fits your needs and can help you transform your living space into a functional and beautiful home.
Home renovation and interior design are essential in creating a comfortable and inviting living space. Working with a residential interior designer in Singapore can help you achieve your desired look and feel. By understanding local design trends, maximizing space and functionality, and creating tailored design solutions, designers can transform your home into a beautiful and functional living space that reflects your personality and taste.
Stay ahead of the curve with Interior Times’ cutting-edge interior design
Interior Times is the answer for you, If you are looking for a luxury place to live, then the home you choose should be the best in every way. Your home should look good, but it also should feel good. It is best for the experienced and professional team from Interior Times to avoid any unwanted results and problems in the end due to inexperienced interior design firms. Here are the things that you can get with our service:
- A leader in the luxury housing sector for commercial and private use
- Different renovation packages for all our clients
- Increasing the value of your property and ensure its future-proofed for future buyers
No need to hassle in renovating your dream house. Contact us here to get more information or visit our showroom at 3 Ang Mo Kio Street 62 #01-08 Link @ AMK , Singapore 569139.


Rafael Correa, president of Ecuador, tweeted: “He was a big one. Fidel dead. Long live Cuba! Long Live Latin America!”
Enrique Peña Nieto, president of Mexico, tweeted: “I lament the death of Fidel Castro Ruz, leader of the Cuban Revolution and the emblematic reference of the 20th century ... Fidel Castro was a friend of Mexico, a promoter of a bilateral relationship based in respect, dialogue, and solidarity.”
Nicolás Maduro, the Venezuelan president, wrote, “To all the revolutionaries of the world, we have to continue with his legacy and his flag of independence, of socialism, of homeland.”
Maduro continued, saying: “He made history together with the peoples of the world to signal a way of dignity... Great history with the principles of Bolivar and Martí,” and “Fidel and Chávez constructed el ALBA [the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America], PetroCaribe and left the path of liberation of our peoples...the history absolved.”
Maduro said that “I just talked with President Raúl Castro to send the solidarity and love to the people of Cuba before the passing of Commander Fidel Castro.”
Narendra Modi, the prime minister of India, tweeted: “I extend my deepest condolences to the Government & people of Cuba on the sad demise of Fidel Castro. May his soul rest in peace. We stand in support with the Cuban Government and people in this tragic hour. Fidel Castro was one of the most iconic personalities of the 20th century. India mourns the loss of a great friend.”
Rashtrapati Bhavan, the president of India, tweeted: “Heartfelt condolences on sad demise of Cuba’s revolutionary leader, former President & friend of India, Fidel Castro.”
Imran Khan, a prominent Pakistani politician and former athlete, tweeted: “1. Today the world lost an iconic revolutionary leader Fidel Castro who liberated his nation from all vestiges of imperialism. 2. Castro reasserted the Cuban nation’s dignity & self worth that withstood US aggression & became a global ldr for anti colonial struggles... 3. We in Pakistan will always remember with gratitude Cuba's support on the ground in the aftermath of the 2005 earthquake.”
In the United Kingdom, The Telegraph newspaper reported that former Labour Cabinet minister and anti-apartheid leader Peter Hain, now Lord Hain, said: “Although responsible for indefensible human rights and free speech abuses, Castro created a society of unparalleled access to free health, education and equal opportunity despite an economically throttling USA siege.
“His troops inflicted the first defeat on South Africa's troops in Angola in 1988, a vital turning point in the struggle against apartheid.”
Miami Herald Staff
This is a developing story. Please check back for the latest reaction.


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Sofia Richie‘s got good jeans and great genes.
On Thursday night, the 21-year-old model threw a party at 1 Hotel in West Hollywood to celebrate her new collaboration with Australian denim brand Rolla’s, and was joined by several guests particularly close to her heart.
Richie’s boyfriend Scott Disick, 36, came out to support her, with the fashion star posting a sweet shot of the couple kissing to her Instagram Stories with the caption, “My love.”
Richie’s model brother Miles, 25, and pop-idol father Lionel, 70, were also in attendance, and the latter brought along his much younger girlfriend Lisa Parigi as his date.
In keeping with the evening’s theme, Richie wore a pair of light-wash jeans from her line paired with a black blazer cinched with a wide, corset-style tan belt, while the leading men in her life all sported classic black denim.
In the campaign for the Rolla’s x Sofia Richie range, the star poses topless in shredded cutoffs and high-waisted blues. Available to shop starting Sunday, February 23, the 15-piece capsule will also offer corduroy flares, sundresses and tops.
Other celebrity guests at the launch event included Amelia Hamlin, Maddie Ziegler and infamous “Friday” crooner Rebecca Black.
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domain: celebrity


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more desire to humble his opponents than to benefit his inferiors or his followers. Forgiveness of injuries was not a Roman virtue, and Manlius abandoned himself to the bitter hatred and vindictiveness that were accounted by most men blameworthy only when failing of being gratified. The secret meetings concerning which he had been before accused were soon renewed, with the very designs that had then been falsely urged as the reasons for his arrest and imprisonment. Yet the only treason of which he appears capable was against the authority, or, at most, the safety, of those who had proved their hostility to him by means as treasonable, if we read of them correctly, as any he now sought to use. Not long after the liberation of Manlius, and probably before he had done much to organize his plans, defensive or aggressive, his old enemy, Camillus, was chosen, for the fifth time, to the consular tribunate.” The contrast between the triumph of his rival and his own shame would act like fiery poison upon a soul like that of Manlius; especially at a moment of resolution such as had now arrived. Some charge, perhaps that of aspiring after royalty, was made in relation to him before the Senate, who straightway authorized the magistrates to take any measures, legal or illegal, as they pleased, against him, as an enemy of the public safety; at which two Tribunes of the Plebeians summoned him to stand his trial before the Centuries. But when, on the day appointed, he appeared, surrounded by a throng of citizens who owed him their lives or their liberties, his wounds bared and his arms outstretched to the Capitol, there was not one of the five classes, nor one, perhaps, of all the Centuries, to believe Manlius guilty of treachery to his country or his countrymen. His adversaries in office, as violent against him as he could possibly have been against them, adjourned the trial to another place, from which there was no prospect towards the Capitol,” and assigned a day before which they would have more time for preparing their assault than Manlius for securing his defence. It is reported, and on good authority,” that Camillus was named Dictator to conduct the prosecution against his unfortunate antagonist, over whom he certainly triumphed; though it does not appear certain whether Manlius submitted to a second trial, or whether, resisting it, he seized the Capitol, and there perished in endeavouring to defend himself by force. He died abjured by his family and branded by his foes as if he had been an outlaw.” Thus fell another martyr to the highest cause it was then possible for a Roman to espouse. Even this, though not the cause of the whole nation, much less of its perfect liberty, but simply that of justice or generosity, as it might be called, to the mass of the Plebeians, would have none but martyrs for its advocates, until there were men to support it first and themselves last, if the inducement to supporting it must still be the support they thus could give themselves. Cassius was slain for want of able, Manlius for want of willing defenders; but Manlius, maddened by even worse contumely than befell the others, yet wanting neither ready nor capable followers, was in a great degree his own destroyer. Wars followed, as if his requiem were the clash of swords or the groans of dying men; and the fearful notes were caught up within the very streets of Rome, amongst those whom pestilence smote or bondage crushed with chains. They who, meanwhile, like Camillus perhaps, rejoiced that Manlius was fallen, or the battle won, or the wretched humbled, were not the men whom God long suffers, even where He has doomed them to walk in darkness. A new leaf may be turned in our history. The contests amongst Patricians to give or to refuse the right are virtually told; and we shall begin anew to read how much the willingness of the higher classes to grant was surpassed by the energy of the lower to win the extension of liberty in Rome.
* A. C. 382. Liv., VI. 18.
* Plut., Cam., 36. Liv., VI. 20. 97 Liv., WI. 20. Dion Cass., * Zonaras, VII. 24. Frag. Peiresc., XXXI.
“It is vain to say that enlightened statesmen will be able to adjust these clashing interests, and render them all subservient to the public good.”—MADison, Federalist, No. X. ONE of the Tribunes, chosen, as we have formerly supposed, after the return of the Plebeians from the Sacred Hill, was a Licinius.' The first Consular Tribune elected from the Plebeians was another, Licinius Calvus.” The third great man of this distinguished family was Caius Licinius Calvus Stolo, who, in the prime of life and of popularity, was chosen among the Tribunes of the Plebeians for the fourteenth year” of that sorrowful season which followed the invasion of the Gauls. The ill-fated Manlius was dead seven years before; but Camillus, at the head of his extreme party, was still living in green old age. Such were the memories and such the times of Licinius Stolo; and there is little to add to these few dates and names, except that he was married to the daughter of an eminent Patrician, surrounded by devoted friends, and possessed of a very large estate, in the year of his legislation, or, as it might be styled, his revolution. His character may be better judged as we read on. Another Plebeian, Lucius Sextius by name, was chosen Tribune for the same year. Apparently a tried friend of Licinius, whose purposes, at all events, aroused his sympathy and strenuous coöperation, Sextius was younger" than his more famous colleague, but equally earnest and more sinMarcus Fabius Ambustus, latterly a Consular Tribune,” and of high descent, as his name denotes, was the father-in-law of Licinius, and his strong supporter. A tradition, of the same value as those which made Manlius and Cassius ambitious for a crown, represented the Patrician and the Plebeian as having been united in designs by a whim of the wife and daughter through whom they were connected by domestic ties;" but the plans of Licinius Stolo were far too widely extended and too deeply laid to have sprung from a woman's envy. Some revolutions, it is true, are the effect of an instant's passion or an hour's weakness; nor can they
1 Livy makes him one of the first 3 Chosen in A. C. 376 for 375, two. II. 33. Cf. Dion. Hal., VI. the dates, again, being altogether 89. arbitrary.
2 Liv., W. 12.
Liv., WI, 34. 5 Liv., WI. 22. 6 The story ran as follows:– Stolo's wife was one of two sisters, the elder being married to a Patrician, at this time a Consular Tribune. The younger, being on a visit in her sister's house, was so startled by the unusual knocking of the lictors by whom the Tribune was attended, at the door, that the elder laughed at her fears with some scorn
for her having married a Plebeian. Liv., WI. 34. It is only necessary to repeat the common remark, that this timid creature who had never heard the knocking of the lictors was the daughter of a Patrician and a Consular Tribune. Besides, the aim of Licinius Stolo was not to make himself a Consular Tribune, but to do away with the office altogether.

domain: history


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Kpop singer Youngwoong Lim receives congratulatory messages from fans after winning two awards at the ‘Melon Music Awards 2021 (MMA 2021).’
‘Melon Music Awards 2021‘ took place from 7 pm on December 4. IU, Mujin Lee, Heize, Youngwoong Lim, MSG Wannabe (M.O.M), TXT, The Boyz, ENHYPEN, Brave Girls, STAYC appeared to set a splendid performance.
Kpop singer Youngwoong Lim received the TOP10 and Best Solo Male Award, taking home two awards that night.
He expressed his gratitude to the fans. Youngwoong said, “I am grateful and happy to be able to receive this award at the MMA again this year.
Fans are continuing to celebrate his achievement, winning two awards.
Meanwhile, ‘Melon Music Awards 2021’ put forward the slogan ‘NEXT MUSIC UNIVERSE MMA 2021.’
They selected the winners of special awards in 6 categories. It includes Artist of the Year, Album of the Year, Record of the Year. Also, there are 8 Best Awards, including Best Solo and Best Group, and ten categories, including Hot Trend Award and Performance Award.


The US Army has awarded a contract to L-3 Fuzing & Ordnance Systems to produce and deliver army mortar fuses.
Under the $98.5m contract, the L-3 Communications subsidiary will provide the US Army with M734A1 and M783 fuses, as well as inert and cutaway versions.
The M734A1 fuse, which is a proximity fuse based on frequency-modulated continuous-wave (FMCW) directional doppler ranging (DDR) techniques, has electronic countermeasure hardening.
The M734A1, which delivers a consistent height of burst performance over terrain with various reflection coefficients, can be used on all 60mm, 80mm, and 120mm high-explosive mortar cartridges and the 120mm white phosphorous smoke cartridge.
The dual safe point detonating and delay M783 fuse is intended for tactical training and can be used during tactical operations as well.
The M783, based on the M734A1 fuse for commonality of components, can also be used on all 60mm, 81mm, and 120mm high-explosive cartridges and the 60mm white phosphorous smoke cartridge.
The company will carry out the work, expected to complete by mid-September next year, in Cincinnati, Ohio.


text:
My house became a stable
when my wife gave birth to a horse.
Laid on her side, her legs scissored open,
when the nurse grabbed a hoof and pulled
my wife gave birth to a horse.
The sack fell away from his form
when the nurse grabbed a hoof and pulled.
The surprise of his snout
through the milky sack—
she held him like a child, his spindly legs bent over,
but I could only see his snout.
Slick and dark, he tremored on his cannons
and she held him like a child, his legs bent over.
When he ran, he was a graceful storm,
slick and dark, a cannon’s tremor.
I tried to understand
what sort of beast this was while he stormed
through the fields back to my house.
When I tried, I understood.
Wolves followed in the wake of his gallop
through the fields and back to my house,
flesh-sinking their teeth, eating
through his gallop. When the wolves came
it should have rained, but the sun
shone on their flesh-sunk teeth, eating
my stained breath. Furious light,
it should have rained, but in the sun
I held my horse by its neck. Memories
of light staining my breath,
his skin the color of insect wings,
holding each other like horses. In my memory
the trough refills, my boy walks back
through the cloud of insects unhatching,
through the field as some Lazarus.
Past the trough refilling, the boy who walked back
smelled of cracked flint, passing a tree
in the field like some Lazarus.
No longer laid on his side but his legs scissored open,
past a tree, smelling like cracked flint—
Son, I never told you my house is your stable.
Jacques J. Rancourt’s poems will appear from journals such as Beloit Poetry Journal, Green Mountains Review, and Hayden’s Ferry Review. His work has been anthologized in Dzanc’s Best of the Web, and Two Weeks: A Digital Anthology of Contemporary Poetry and has been nominated for a Pushcart Prize. He currently lives in Madison, Wisconsin, where he serves as a poetry editor for the literary journal Devil’s Lake.
Temper by Beth Bachman.
Rookery by Traci Brimhall.
National Anthem by Kevin Prufer.


text:
Watch Winnie-the-Pooh Goes Visiting (1971) : Full Movie Online Free This was the second of the Russian Winnie the Pooh series. This one had Pooh and Piglet visiting Rabbit for a meal with honey.
|Release Date||:||Jan 01, 1971|
|Casts||:||Evgeni Leonov, Iya Savvina, Anatoliy Shchukin, Vladimir Osenev|
|Plot Keywords||:||based on children's book, cartoon rabbit, cartoon pig, cartoon bear|

domain: library


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The northwestern corner of North Carolina is a great location to call home. It’s beautiful country, offering countless avenues for adventure and fun. It has various degrees of small-town life mixed with attractions popular with visitors from all over the region.
There are countless reasons to find your new home in the High Country. Here are a Great Eight:
1 – The beauty of the North Carolina mountains
Commutes here are beautiful, whether it be on the way to work at daybreak or going home at near sundown. There is also the annual changing of the leaves, which decorate the mountains in brilliant shades of yellows, reds and greens. Go exploring and you can find the serenity of a waterfall, vastness of a vista, or the pleasure of a lovely stroll.
2 – Snow time like snow time
The area averages more than 30 inches of snow a year. It can start falling as early as Halloween and as late as Easter. That translates to months of opportunities to hit the slopes, sled in your own backyard, or just enjoy the spectacles of a winter wonderland.
3 – The arts are alive
Enjoy theater or live music? There are several venues from which to find a seat. The Ashe Civic Center in West Jefferson, Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts in Boone, and Lees-McRae Performing Arts Theater in Banner Elk offer productions year-round. There are also active community art centers throughout the region, as well as the annual Horn in the West outdoor drama.
4 – Outdoor activities galore
There are a variety of hiking trails throughout the area, including at Mount Jefferson, Price Park off the Blue Ridge Parkway, and Grandfather Mountain. If you prefer pedal power you can bike at Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park or Emerald Outback. There is also tubing along the New River, rock climbing along the Blue Ridge Parkway, or take a dip at the Hebron Rock Colony.
5 – An eventful calendar year
An all-encompassing list is near impossible, but a few of the annual events which call the area home include An Appalachian Summer Festival, Woolly Worm Festival, New River Canoe Race, Singing on the Mountain, Mile High Kite Festival, Ashe County Bluegrass and Old Time Fiddlers Convention, Music Fest ‘n Sugar Grove, Winterfest Beer Festival, and Blowing Rock Art in the Park.
6 – Where a kid can be a kid
There are some wonderful parks for play, whether it be the Tate-Evans Park, Ashe Park, Boone Tot Lot, Valle Crucis Community Park, or Blowing Rock Memorial Park. There are also family friendly attractions such as Grandfather Mountain and Tweetsie Railroad. Many annual events also focus on children, such as Emergency Fest, Blowing Rock Trout Derby, Missoula Children’s Theatre, Ashe County Corn Maze and Kidfest.
7 – A spectator sport for every season
Enjoy watching competition? There is plenty from which to choose. There’s NCAA Division I athletics at Appalachian State in Boone, headlined by its powerful FBS program, and Division II sports at Lees-McRae in Banner Elk. Driving 90 minutes in one direction will take to competitive minor league baseball at the Hickory Crawdads, or to NASCAR excitement at Bristol Motor Speedway.
8 – Sports you can enjoy on your own
If you’re more into participating than watching, the High Country can be your playground. That includes some great golf courses, plus one just for disc golf. Fishing is popular throughout the area, including trout farms, flyfishing streams and other outdoor ponds. There are numerous races in which to take park, including Blood, Sweat and Gears, Blue Ridge Brutal, Grandfather Mountain Marathon, Mountaineer Mud Run, and New River Marathon. There is a paraglide competition called the Tator Hill Open, and an active roller derby team called the Appalachian Rollergirls.

domain: geography


text:
The opportunity to play a high school sport is a privilege, No young person has a right to play football, volleyball or baseball. In every case, in every community, high school sports should be conducted with the highest degree of ethics, sportsmanship and decency.
Every school has a code of conduct, a set of rules both for athletics in general and, in many cases for specific teams. These are set by professional educators who are charged with enforcing these rules without fear or favor.
When teenage athletes run afoul of these rules, which some inevitably will, then school officials must, while respecting legal privacy rights, honestly and forthrightly act. It makes no difference is the player is the star quarterback or the last player on the softball bench.
As educational leaders, it is required that officials — superintendents, principals, athletic directors, coaches — be honest and act fairly.
Darien High School did not meet this most basic of requirements. Supt. of Schools Dan Brenner, Principal Ellen Dunn, Athletic Director Chris Manfredoria, and football coach Rob Trifone did not meet this test.
I do not say that lightly. Here’s the evidence.
At least Darien football players were arrested on Nov. 22 on various charges related to the beating of a New Canaan student in a private home.
According to the arrest affidavit, as reported by several news organizations, including Hearst Connecticut Media, Darien High quarterback Jack Joyce, 18, safety Jack Minicus, 18, and an unnamed 17-year old Darien football player arrived at the home of a New Canaan High student who had been engaged in trash talk on social media.
There arrived at 11:15 p.m. on Nov. 6, a Monday night. There was no school the next day, election day
There were “several” New Canaan players at this residence.
Joyce told police they arrived at the home, knocked on the door and entered after knocking. It is unclear if anyone let them in. They went downstairs to where the New Canaan students were and according to the victim — an account verified by others who were there — he was held down by two Darien players and Minicus and to a lesser extent, the 17-year old, punched him “at least 12 times “ in the face.
Joyce denied having anything to do with this, but his version was not supported by anyone else there, according to the arrest affidavit, it was reported.
A thought. Do responsible parents allow their high school kids to go out near midnight on a Monday night, driving from town to town? I wouldn’t, but then, I did silly things as a parent like setting curfews, demand homework be done, no going out on weeknights.
Pretty disgusting behavior so far, right? Enter adults.
Nothing happened — in terms of arrests — until Nov. 22. That’s not unusual as interviews and investigations take time. Then, when Joyce was arrested on charges of interfering with an officer and disorderly conduct and Minicus was charged with third-degree assault and unlawful restraint and the 17-year old was charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit assault and second-degree unlawful restraint, the adults in charge of the Darien school system pleaded ignorance.
Greg Reilly reported in the Darien Times, a HAN Network paper, that Supt. of Schools Dan Brewer said, “No one in the Darien administration had official [remember that word] information presented to them from the New Canaan Police Dept. concerning the alleged incident between Darien and New Canaan students prior to Wednesday, Nov. 22 at 6:45 p.m.
“At no time were any nanes of students or the nature of pending charges reported to the administration.”
What Brenner did, in a classic case of administrative spin-doctoring, was use the word “official” and “reported” to them. What, he expected a personal message from the Pope? The New York Times?
And note he said an incident between kids from both schools. Again, classic administrative dissembling. No, sir. The allegations are that your kids — Darien High School kids — got in their cars late at night, drove across a town line and beat up another kid
New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski, who was named New Canaan’s Person of the Year in 2014, blew Brenner’s attempt to plead ignorance out of the water.
Reporter Reilly reported that Krolikowski said, “A New Canaan student who witnessed the alleged assault sent an email to Darien Public Schools Athletic Director Chis Manfredonia 90 minutes after the incident at 12:43 a.m on Nov. 7 and the email described the assault, named the Darien students who were involved and included other evidence of the incident.”
Krolikowski went on to say that at 6:30 a.m., Manfredonia forwarded the email to Principal Ellen Dunn and Darien Police Officer Bryan Waldman.
“There is no doubt in my mind Darien school officials knew the details of the incident, along with the names of the Darien students from the email sent on Nov. 7,” he said.
Darien had a football game with Bridgeport Central on Nov. 11, five days after the incident. Reportedly all played.
Krolikowski further said that the players all had attorneys and “were told in advance” that the warrants were forthcoming.
And school officials knew nothing until Nov. 22? Oh, I forgot: they were not “officially” informed. Guess there was no in-house investigation.
Enter Rob Trifone, the coach who wins a lot of football games and who also has been suspended from his teaching job without pay three times. Many news outlets said the most recent was for violation of the FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act), law, Board Policy 4300 (using the district computer system to send personally identifiable student information to third parties) and/or violating the direction of school administration.
In October of 2016, he was suspended for two weeks, Schultz’ account went on, for striking a player on his helmet in a game on Oct. 1 and, when that suspension was up, got two more weeks after the administration saw previously unseen videos of the same incident.
Anyway, this coach who wins a lot of football games, was quoted by Reilly in his story about the the incident.
The need to replace the starting quarterback “was sprung on us at the last minute” and back-up quarterbacks “didn’t have any practice time.”
So we are to believe you know nothing about this? That your AD never discussed this with you in the 16 days between the alleged assault by your players and their arrest? It never occurred to you that these were suspendable offenses? Or did you just assume that, despite the allegations of violence, nothing would happen?
Trifone went on to say that he has no control over suspension of players. So someone else told him to sit Joyce for exactly two plays before putting him in the playoff game with East Hartford?
Finally, where are the parents?
If it were my kid — or the kid of most parents I know — who was charged with this disgusting, violent behavior, I wouldn’t be worried about what the school was going to do to my kid. Because whatever punishment the school or the justice system handed out would be far less than my punishment.
No car. No going out with friends. Do homework. No cell phone. I drive you to school. I pick you up from school. And damn straight, no football. And that would be for openers because the time for these punishments would not be measured in days or weeks. It’s called being a parent.
But then, I live in Middletown where first-rate high schools like Middletown, Xavier and Mercy expect — and demand — appropriate behavior.
Darien = Disgraceful.
Middletown football thoughts
I know Middletown fans and players were very disappointed in the 24-9 playoff loss to New Canaan. Yet these are schools of almost identical enrollments — MHS 1,270, New Canaan 1,268 (Oct. 1, 2016 numbers) and yeah, while MHS didn’t play its A game, New Canaan was better.. But there is some perspective needed here, too.
First, MHS was the best team in the Central Connecticut Conference. Yup, even better than the Class LL schools. No way Southington, South Windsor or East Hartford were better than Middletown. The Dragons were No. 1, Windsor was No. 2, then the rest.
I know that does little to make anyone feel better, but it’s the truth.
Fact is, the Blue Dragons got an awful draw in the opening round Everyone knew the Rams were not a No. 8 seed. But they ended up eight because of the CIAC’s deeply flawed playoff-point ranking system. Here are my issues.
New Canaan played a schedule of seven Class LL teams, one Class L team and two Class S teams. And, the Class S teams were borderless schools in Trinity Catholic and St. Joseph.
Middletown, a Class L school, played nine Class L teams and one Class S school, but remember, the S school was a borderless school in Hudson Catholic, N.J. Easy to write, but I believe that Middletown would a have been a least an even bet against any other team in Class L and favored over most.
But that’s the luck of the draw. The leagues hand teams their schedules. A school is almost powerless to change what the league hands it. That’s true for the CCC, the FCIAC, the SCC, the NVL, the SWC and on we go.
Yet I would think three changes would make the football playoff system fairer. 1. No school without borders should be in Class S or M. 2. In the tourney, you should be assigned the tourney based on your schedule. If out of 10 games you play seven or eight Class LL teams, that’s your tourney. 3. There has to be some way to reward teams for playing good teams, even if they lose.
Doesn’t that make sense?
Here’s another thing to make MHS fans apprehensive. Its enrollment is rising. There are 387 freshmen at MHS and current enrollment is up 56. Generally speaking, high school enrollments across the state are at best holding steady, or declining. The floor for Class LL this year was 672 boys. MHS had 630 (Oct. 1, 2016). MHS might be perilously close to Class LL next year.
Doing a lot of thinking this day ....
There was a lot of grumbling, indeed anger, from a variety of folks over the officiating at the New Canaan vs. Middletown game. Hey, if a guy calls a hold, what do I know in the middle of the scrum? Let me make it clear: the best team won the game. They play 10 times, maybe MHS wins four. So no sour grapes allowed.
But I can tell you — and I will — that some Middletown school system administrators were not shy in expressing their feelings to me in following days. And I’m not talking about the AD. One long-time administrator called the officiating “blatant” and former Mayor Seb Giuliano got off a blistering Facebook post.
My thoughts are simple.
For openers, 25 flags are too many. No one wants to see that. That’s what happened in this game. The continuity and flow of the game was ruined.
The CIAC insists on assigning different boards to games. I think that in theory that’s good, but the qualify of football played in different parts of the state and in different classes is different. The guys who did the game were Eastern Board officials. Football in the eastern part of the state is nowhere near as good as the central, southern and southwestern parts of the state.
The CCC, SCC and FCIAC aren’t power conferences for nothing.
I felt this game was a little fast for the officials. Bigger, faster, stronger, better athletes play football at a different level. There is more allowable contact, things happen more quickly, it’s just a much faster game.
I got the feeling these guys were a step behind most of the night . I am not questioning their integrity, but I can tell you I had one Middletown coach tell me, “I knew were in trouble five minutes into the game.”
One point. These guys were sticklers for sideline warnings. They threw two flags which were warnings. Eventually they nailed Middletown with 15 yards for a sideline violation (encroaching on the edge of the field, not misbehavior). I mentioned to the clock operator from that board that I had never seen that.
“Other boards don’t call it. It’s a point of emphasis for us, we do,” he said.
Huh? That just struck me as unfair and, well, a little confrontational. I mean, this was a Class L playoff game between two Top 10 teams played in front of 2,000 people. Had these guys ever seen that before?
Hey, the better team won. But the officiating was, well, maybe not as good as the teams.
Here and there
WCNXRadio.com reported that 3,542 logged on to the broadcast of the game, the biggest audience of the year ... the station will be releasing its basketball slate shortly.
Middletown officials were not pleased with New Canaan from the get-go last Tuesday ... seems the buses drove right through the field gate at the south end up on the field onto the artificial turf .... they also brought a huge TV and heaters to their sideline ... money and privilege, folks.
Rachel Lemke, the Middletown High girls soccer coach, was named CCC South Soccer Coach of the Year ... Xavier cross-country coach Chris Stonier was named SCC cross-country coach of the year ... congratulations to both.
Also congratulations to the Xavier XC team for winning the Nike Regional and finishing 18th in the Nike Nationals Saturday ... story featuring players later this week.
MHS held its fall awards event Thursday ... winners next week... we’ll have Xavier’s when it holds its awards event ...Fifty-six percent of all Middletown High fall athletes made the CCC All-Academic team with a grade point average of 87.5 or better ... in the end, that’s the most important thing.
Very nice touch at the awards event was that coach Sal Morello presented kicker Mike Aresco, the state record holder in career field goals with 24 (out of 29 attempts), and co-holder of the state record of four in one game, and holder of the longest in MHS history of 52 yards with a football autographed by the entire team ... classy move.


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Healthy Recipes at Your Fingertips! Download the app for your phone or iPad today. Click here
SparkRecipes is on Facebook. "Like" us and get more tips from Chef Meg, connect with other healthy cooks, and more! Click here
Want more healthy recipes? Sign up for our Recipe of the Day email newsletter.
Traditional Ginger Bread taste in a moist delectable loaf!
Hearty! Healthy! Low Fat! High Fibre! What more could you ask from a muffin?

domain: food


Tesla Model S: new prototype…
Even though I am not a Tesla specialist, I can tell you this is one weird-looking Model S.
The front hood looks much flatter and higher than the current version.
And I haven’t seen these wheels on any Tesla yet.
This looks to be a mule for some all-new model. Could they be testing a next-generation Model S? So early after the 2021 “facelift”?
Is this some sort of new SUV model? Or a high riding hatch/wagon thing?
What do you think?


SOUTH PATRICK SHORES, FL., March 2023 - In 2018, residents living less than a mile south of Patrick Space Force Base raised concerns about military debris buried under their homes. The area, previously a Navy landfill, now has over 300 homes built on it.
In 1980, Congress acknowledged the risks associated with disposing of hazardous waste through burial. Federal authorities located 54 toxic dump sites in Florida where such materials were present. These substances can infiltrate groundwater, leading to environmental harm and contamination of drinking water. Additionally, they are capable of damaging plant life, causing soil erosion, and releasing harmful gases that can permeate residential areas.
In the 1970s, the U.S. Air Force dealt with landfills by covering the waste with a layer of soil between 1 to 12 feet deep. These landfills did not have control measures, such as liners or impermeable caps, so hazardous materials could easily migrate from the site. Open dumpsites without liners pose a significant risk for groundwater contamination.
After WWII, toxic chemicals are suspected of contaminating water on bases and nearby communities with chemicals ranging from cleaning solvents, explosives, and firefighting foam. This contamination has been linked to numerous health problems, including cancers, asthma, colon and digestive disorders, stillbirths, miscarriages, headaches, and nose bleeds.
Jacksonville oncologist, along with cancer survivors and nationally recognized environmental health advocate Stel Bailey helped get the state to investigate cancers in the Satellite Beach and Suntree area. After a yearlong wait, the Florida Department of Health released the results in May 2019. They concluded that cancer rates were higher but that there was no significant public health risk. The agency failed to examine all cancer types and didn't include hundreds of local cancer cases reported to the department. Breast cancer was one they left out that is associated with chemical exposures, as seen in a Camp Lejeune study. Fight for Zero, hosted a community meeting with renowned environmental activist Erin Brockovich in September 2018. A week before the meeting, they met with Brockovich's water consultant Bob Bowcock to tour the water treatment plants, review years of research, share crowdsourced data with mapping, and more insight into the area. Bowcock was immediately concerned that homes had soil vapor intrusion. An Army Corps of Engineers presentation in August 2021 validated his concerns. Bowcock criticized the military for dismissing and belittling the risks from their past activities on and near the base. He refers to numerous examples of the Department of Defenses' contamination from Camp Lejeune to the Aberdeen Proving Grounds. In the '90s, the community of about 3,000 residents had 11 cases of Hodgkin's Lymphoma and an additional 16 cases on the base, totaling 27 cases of cancer. Statistically, two cases of Hodgkin's disease could have been expected in the area. They also had a high incidence of Lou Gehrig's (ALS) disease. Residents brought health concerns to state and federal agencies who ultimately blamed cancer cases on a virus and went silent. Hazardous Waste Violations
The military is one of the country's largest polluters. Patrick Space Force Base (formerly air force) has been inspected many times, dating back to 1986 by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) agency. In July 2014, the facility was out of compliance with violations, including failure to properly identify hazardous wastes, exceeding the limit of stored hazardous waste, failure to properly label containers, improper storage of hazardous waste that exceeded toxicity limits for cadmium, management of hazardous waste without a permit and disposal of toxic warfarin trash to a local landfill. When FDEP inspectors went to the facility to inspect on July 22, 2015, the Base would not allow the inspectors to access the grounds. According to the notes in the following inspection in September, this matter was closed without formal enforcement.  Patrick's toxic dumps have been under scrutiny since the abnormal rate of Hodgkin's Disease first headlines in the '90s. In November of 1991, the EPA conducted soil and groundwater sampling in South Patrick Shores and detected elevated levels of lead and aluminum. The aluminum levels in one well were 2000-3000 times greater than levels seen in all other wells. There was one sample from a well in 1991 that exceeded health criteria. It showed PCBs, metals, pesticides, and volatile organic compounds. State and federal experts told papers that the South Patrick Shores neighborhood was built over an old military dump, but tests showed no toxins in the soil or water under homes. A Formerly Used Defense Site (FUDS) Designation
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers designated an area of South Patrick Shores in 2019 as a part of their Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program after decades of residents uncovered buried military debris. The designation puts the neighborhood in line for a federal investigation. Officials failed to find records of the military owning or leasing the South Patrick Shores land in 1991. Then in 2018, national attention was brought to the area by Erin Brockovich, who shared videos by Fight for Zero where the group metal detected and dug up buried debris from residential yards. Debris ranged from military dog tags, rounds, small practice bombs, airplane parts, vintage Pepsi bottles, and more. Fight for Zero met with Congressman Bill Posey in Washington DC in 2019, whose office found records showing the Navy used the property. Patrick was formally known as Banana River Naval Air Station until 1950. The area became eligible for cleanup under the Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) program. The collaborative efforts between Fight for Zero, experts, national allies, and residents who demanded an investigation by emailing state and federal officials compelled the federal government to take action over 30 years after the initial disease cluster surfaced. Area Targeted for Cleanup
On February 27, 2023, the federal government began its investigation with ground penetrating radar (GPR). This radar surveys the top of the ground using a small lawnmower-sized instrument. They will scan yards in the area that signed the "rights-of-entry" forms to test for groundwater and soil contamination. A draft report is expected to be released in mid-2024. Three hundred property owners were eligible for the environmental investigation. So far, 182 owners have signed the "right-of-entry" form to allow the Corps to explore their yards. The agency will test homes for vapors if the groundwater or soil samples cause concern.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is preparing to begin the first phase of the Remedial Investigation field work (ground penetrating radar) near Patrick Space Force Base. For information, email FUDS.Florida@usace.army.mil or call 800-710-5184. Formerly Used Defense Sites (FUDS) mapping by Fight for Zero: https://www.fight4zero.org/fudsmap
Fight for Zero is composed of seven chapters in the state of Florida and works with community groups from across the country directly impacted by toxic exposures. The organization aims to protect natural resources while fighting for zero illness. They have been at the forefront of numerous environmental health investigations. For more information on Fight for Zero, please visit http://www.fight4zeor.org, and please consider donating to help continue this work!


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Such treatment options are carried out in health centers and clinics. They will shall be carried out also inside hospitals. Massages also handle individuals who lead their own business. Generally, each running a privately owned business female massage Greater london, also works in another place where he performs massages. As a result, it is certain that within the absence of private jobs, may have something to live. For many masseurs private services are additional work. These additional requests are usually massage of a rehab and order them to people who can not get to the place of treatment. Massage therapists who work with centers beauty within them execute primarily deep tissue therapeutic massage London massage or other action relaxation. Although these types of massages are performed for other purposes than the ones that have removed the pain should be done in a certain way, they will not contributed to the discomfort. Even the simplest massage, performed poorly, can bring harm.
More: male massage london.

domain: health


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Scala caresses women with stylish vibes
05.02.2014 | Almere, The Netherlands – Scala Playhouse is expanding its own brands rapidly. This time with Caresse by ToyJoy, part of the ToyJoy family, with its own look and feel. The new ergonomic, full silicone toy line is designed for women who seek a complete and luxurious experience. The full collection is exclusively available at Scala Playhouse.
The Caresse by ToyJoy collection offers innovative products for the experienced users who expect high quality and value for money. The toys collection consists of two distinguished colors; hot Pink and classy Purple. Every color represents the perfect match for women who want a gentle touch of tenderness, fondness and love.
This collection offers vibrators, massagers and remote controlled eggs, made of silicone and other durable body safe materials. The silent motor is USB rechargeable in order to provide its user with a powerful climax. At Scala Playhouse, innovative products are being designed and developed to increase the exclusive brands as an affordable alternative to other high quality brands.
The complete Caresse collection is now available at Scala Playhouse and will be introduced at its house fair on 9 & 10 March at the company’s HQ in Almere.
For more information visit www.scalaplayhouse.com.


THINGS are heating up with Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans.
The Sun exclusively revealed how the Pussycat Dolls star “couldn’t stop kissing” her X Factor love interest.
Are Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans dating?
In November 2019 The Sun exclusively revealed how Nicole Scherzinger and Thom Evans are secretly dating after meeting on X Factor: Celebrity.
An ITV source said: “Thom is completely Nicole’s type. And for his part, Thom was smitten early on — he’s always said Nicole is one of the most beautiful women in the world.
“He fancied her long before meeting her on the show. He was initially a bit nervous about starting something up, and ruining his chances on the series, but they had great chemistry from the off.”
Nicole hasn’t publicly confirmed the romance, but when quizzed on Loose Women, Thom said: “Who wouldn’t want to date Nicole? She’s gorgeous.”
What did Simon Cowell and Louis Walsh say about the relationship?
When Thom’s X Factor: Celebrity group Try Star opened the show back on November 23 by singing The Greatest Show, Simon couldn’t help but smile as he gave Louis a wink before Nicole started commenting on the act.
“Oh my gosh this is the greatest show and that was the greatest way to open the show.” she began. “Three rugby players who turned out to be true showmen, gentlemen and you look like a million bucks.”
Louis and Simon couldn’t help but add fuel to the fire as the Irishman added: “Nicole I agree with you but you love this act a lot, she sees something in this group that we don’t. She genuinely cares about them Simon.”
Why did Nicole Scherzinger and Lewis Hamilton break up?
Thom and Nicole have a whole of host of famous exes between including her eight-year relationship with F1 driver Lewis Hamilton.
The pair met at the 2007 MTV VMA Awards.
The Brit said he and Nicole broke up because he was too focused on his career and trying to win more championships.
Nicole however gave a slightly different reason for their 2015 breakup, stating that she had become too comfortable and complacent with Lewis.
Who are Thom Evans’ famous exes?
Thom famously dated 90210 star Jessica Lowndes and was once linked to former Made In Chelsea star Caggie Dunlop.
But his most high-profile relationship was with model and actress Kelly Brook.
They dated between 2010 and 2013.
The couple also tragically suffered a miscarriage during their relationship in 2011.


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Motsoaledi wants MPs to engage on polyandry debate without resorting to ’war of words'
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Cape Town - Home Affairs Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has entered the fray on the polyandry debate after his department has been criticised by some of the parties in Parliament.
The ACDP said on Wednesday it will engage with the process on the green paper regarding marriage statute in the country.
Al-Jamah slammed polyandry saying it was against the Constitution.
But Motsoaledi on Wednesday said this was the time for all the parties to debate the issue without resorting to a war of words.
He said it was unfortunate that this issue has turned into a spat among some of the stakeholders.
“Honourable House chair, it was with a deep sense of disappointment that the envisaged national dialogues turned into a war of words and cynicism about one and only one of the issues that were raised in the Ministerial dialogues. The issue of polyandry, which like all others which I mentioned above, was raised by some of the participants at the ministerial dialogues,” said Motsoaledi.
He said MPs will have the opportunity to engage with the green paper.
But the fact of the matter was that there has been consultations on marriage statutes in the last two years.
During these processes, a number of stakeholders proposals had been made, he said.
“From the debates I have listened to it became clear to me that many of such commentators did not even bother to read the Green Paper documents that were given to them,” said Motsoaledi.
He said the green paper was clear in its preamble that this was a consultative process and not the final product of government policy.
“Honourable chair, the whole idea of a green paper is a British Westminster concept that we inherited through colonialism. On the other hand, the White Paper is issued by government as a statement of policy and often sets out legislative changes or introduction of the law. The proposals often emerge from the green paper process. In short, green is for consultation and white is for proposals and there should be no confusion about that,” said Motsoaledi.
“I am pleading that the national dialogues be constructive, be responsible and in the true spirit of nation building please let’s lower the excitement and deal with the important issues I mentioned, which our people have experienced as hardships in their endeavour to build viable families,” said Motsoaledi.
He said the public has to make comments on the green paper by the end of June.

domain: sociology


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I’ve been dreading this for the past 4 weeks. I had a little tiny baby, I sneezed and now my little baby is about to turn 1. I have on my hands a toddler.
Every morning for the past month I’ve had a different random thought on what to do for her party. My first crazy idea was a bookworm party. She just LOVES LOVES LOVES books. Every day, she goes to her little set of shelves and pulls down every book she owns and devours them (yes, literally, corners missing everywhere). Lately, she sits with them, turning the pages, and makes lots of gorgeous gobbledy-gook sounds. It’s SO cute!
I thought we could get a ‘Hungry Little Caterpillar’ cake made out of cupcakes and all. But then I got a bit stuck when trying to work out whether she’d need a costume for a book party or not…, in the end, decided to shelve it for now… though I reserve the right to the idea next year!
Next thought was a rainbow party. This was Pauline’s great idea, basically based around the fact that I had no idea, and we found that draping tablecloth material from the marquee looked gorgeous for Amelia’s party, and that we could get disposable tablecloths in the 7 colours of the rainbow (don’t you hate it when some books only show 6!?!) and — voila! I like this idea actually, but Charlotte hasn’t really ever seen a rainbow so I felt it had little relevance just yet.
So, what have I decided?? In the end, (and now I’m committed because I just wrote all the invites today!) I’ve gone for a ‘Making Music’ party. Cha cha just LOVES music and will jive along to any song that she hears. Decorations wise we’ll just have lots of colourful things, but for the party favours I’m going to give out little percussion instruments – maracas, tambourines, castanets, even maybe wrist-chimes for the tiny babies! – and we’ll put on some groovy kiddy music and they can sing, dance, shake along to it. I’m going to use the ‘Freckles’ Party from our range, just because it’s got lots of nice funky colours.

domain: hobby


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3M says the pen is more precise than a finger and cuts down on fingerprints on tablets and smart phones. A handful of Minnesota companies are rolling out new products at the Consumer Electronics Show.
Minneapolis Public Schools providing free summer meals, snacks
The summer meal program began Monday.
St. Michael standoff suspect charged, bail set at $10 million
A judge on Monday set the high bail due to "very significant concerns of public safety" regarding Brandon Gardas.
Crisp & Green opening 13th store in Twin Cities in July
The fast-casual salad and grains restaurant has exploded onto the food scene.
Twins to host post-game concert with country star at Target Field
Country singer Cole Swindell is expected to perform for up to 75 minutes after the conclusion of the Blue Jays-Twins contest.
Canton Restaurant closes after nearly 40 years in Burnsville
It's the end of an era in the Twin Cities restaurant world.
Luck strikes in Minnesota: lottery winners in Duluth, Grand Marais
The North Shore just so happened to be a lucky place to be this past weekend.
60-year-old woman arrested after firing shots inside Spicer home
SWAT evacuated nearby residents during the incident.
Florida Georgia Line booked to play at the Minnesota State Fair
The band is the second country music act to be booked this year.
3M unveils light bulb with 25-year lifespan
Minnesota-based 3M Co. has developed what it says is a better LED light bulb, and its first-ever consumer bulb, the Pioneer Press reports. The high-tech bulb boasts a 25-year lifespan (at three hours of use per day) and carries a $25 price tag. It's due in stores in August.
3M profits go up despite weak electronics sales
St. Paul-based 3M exceeded Wall Street expectations in the first quarter. The company's transportation and industrial products section made up for a softened consumer electronics market. Profits rose more than 4 percent with sales hitting $7.5 billion.
3M technology could boost battery life 40 percent
Gadgets might run significantly longer or come much smaller thanks to a new innovation from 3M. The company has devised a new kind of battery component made of silicon that can significantly boost the amount of energy stored in conventional lithium ion batteries (the kind used in our gadgets).
3M hopes to brighten innovation with high-end lighting
3M's Architectural Markets division is adding a little flair to its lighting products. Over the summer, the Maplewood based manufacturer rolled out Its AIR and FLEX lights which feature sleek curves and new patterns that 3M expects to be a hit among high-end architects and designers. The company is hoping the aesthetically-pleasing new lights will also help enhance the division's reputation as an innovator.
3M promises to enhance TV screens
3M and a California-based nanotechnology company will work together to sell a new film that allows LCD displays to deliver richer, truer-to-life color. The Maplewood-based company will provide optical film, as well as engineering and design help. 3M says the film could be used inside TVs, laptops and desktop computers, tablet computers and smartphones.
You Can Get BMTN Special Offers!


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Monday, May 21, 2012
USD8 for a Wreck Marker?! I think not!
... so I dug around the beautiful intertoobs for a bit and found
. A quick printing and a little literal cut and paste later....
Here's a closer look:
Apologies to Privateer Press, I love Warmachine and everything, but no way am I shelling out that kind of money to mark dead jacks. Here's hoping these markers don't see too much use, eh?
清, just 清
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.accountants is a delegated gTLD in ICANN’s New gTLD Program. The applicant and now Registry Operator is Donuts through its subsidiary Knob Town, LLC. Their application succeeded and was delegated to the Root Zone on 7 May 2014.
Donuts is a new registry company that applied for 307 TLDs total. The company raised $100 million in funds to support its registry operations from multiple investors and invested $56 million in application fees alone.
Portfolio applicant Famous Four Media has applied for .accountant.

domain: finance


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How Long is a Flight from Dallas to Chicago?
When it comes to traveling from the bustling city of Dallas, Texas, to the Windy City, Chicago, many people wonder just how long the flight duration is. Whether you're planning a business trip, a vacation, or visiting friends and family, knowing the flight duration is crucial for making travel plans. In this article, we will explore the factors affecting the flight duration between these two cities, airlines that operate this route, and some tips for a comfortable journey.
Factors Influencing Flight Duration
The primary factor influencing the duration of a flight from Dallas to Chicago is the distance between the two cities. Dallas is located in northern Texas, while Chicago is situated in the northeastern part of Illinois. The approximate straight-line distance between these cities is around 800 miles.
The choice of airports at both ends can significantly impact the overall travel time. In Dallas, you have two main options: Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) and Dallas Love Field Airport (DAL). Similarly, in Chicago, you can either arrive at O'Hare International Airport (ORD) or Midway International Airport (MDW). The airport you choose can affect your travel time due to differences in facilities, flight schedules, and transportation options.
Flight Duration Variations
The quickest way to travel from Dallas to Chicago is by taking a direct flight. These flights typically operate between major airports and have shorter flight times. On average, a non-stop flight from Dallas to Chicago takes approximately 3 to 3.5 hours.
If you're looking for more flight options or cost-effective choices, you might opt for connecting flights. However, connecting flights can increase your total travel time. Depending on the layover duration and location, the overall journey can take anywhere from 4 to 7 hours or more.
Airlines and Flight Options
Several major airlines operate flights between Dallas and Chicago, including American Airlines, United Airlines, and Southwest Airlines. These carriers offer various flight options to suit different budgets and schedules.
The flight duration can also vary based on the time of day you choose to fly. Generally, morning and evening flights tend to be in higher demand and may have slightly longer durations due to air traffic.
Tips for a Comfortable Journey
To make your flight more comfortable, don't forget to pack essentials like snacks, a neck pillow, headphones, and entertainment devices.
Staying hydrated during the flight is essential. Consider bringing an empty water bottle to fill up after passing through security.
Choose the Right Seat
Selecting the right seat can make a significant difference in your comfort level. If you prefer extra legroom, consider paying a bit more for an exit row or bulkhead seat.
Download movies, music, or books to keep yourself entertained during the flight, especially on longer journeys.
Plan your transportation from the airport in advance to avoid any last-minute hassles.
In conclusion, the duration of a flight from Dallas to Chicago varies depending on several factors, including the type of flight, choice of airports, and airline options. On average, a non-stop flight takes around 3 to 3.5 hours. However, if you choose connecting flights, it can take longer. To ensure a comfortable journey, pack wisely, stay hydrated, and plan ahead. Safe travels!
Call Now to Book Your Flight: Dial 1-833-902-2087 to book your flight ticket today.
1. Are there any non-stop flights from Dallas to Chicago?
Yes, several airlines offer non-stop flights from Dallas to Chicago.
2. How much does a flight ticket typically cost for this route?
The cost of a flight ticket can vary widely depending on the airline, time of booking, and travel dates.
3. What is the busiest time for flights between Dallas and Chicago?
Morning and evening flights tend to be the busiest.
4. Can I find last-minute flight deals for this route?
Last-minute deals are possible, but they may be limited, so it's advisable to book in advance for the best fares.
5. Which airport in Chicago is closer to the city center?
O'Hare International Airport (ORD) is closer to downtown Chicago compared to Midway International Airport (MDW).

domain: travel


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Aired September 26, 2013
Family Cooking Contest
Rachael loves encouraging families to cook together to get kids excited about healthy eating, so she teamed up with Uncle Ben's on their Ben's Beginners™ Cooking Contest! The grand prize included $15,000, an appearance on the Rachael Ray show and $30,000 toward a makeover of the winning child's school cafeteria! There were also 2 fantastic Runner-Up prize packages plus, the three additional schools that have the most participants in the contest are going to be rewarded with $30,000 each towards a cafeteria makeover by Uncle Ben's. Click here for all the details!


Beijing: China’s new HyperSonic Ballistic Missile is being described as a challenge to America with India and Japan. The Tokyo Diplomat, last month, told the US intelligence sources that the rocket force of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) of China has tested the new missile ‘HyperSonic Glide Vehicle’ (HGV). It has been named DF-17.
Its first test was done on November 1 and the second two weeks later. Both tests were successful and the missile would be deployed by the year 2020. During the missile test, it went up to 1400 km.
South China Morning Post said on Tuesday, Beijing’s military analyst Zhou Chennaming: “Hgv is extremely complex compared to traditional ballistic missiles and it is difficult to kill. The US, Japan and India should be concerned about the development of China’s HVV technology. It can reach military bases in Japan and nuclear reactors in India with quickness and more accuracy. ‘
Former member of PLA Song Zhongping said that HGV weapons can also be used with ballistic missile DF-41. The missile capacity of this missile is 12,000 km. It can kill any place in America within an hour. Macau military observer Antoine Wang Dong, capable of destroying the Box Thaad, said that the HGV could destroy the US anti-missile system. Thad has been deployed in South Korea to defend against North Korea’s attack.


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Zeigler Pond Fancier Pellets 33lbs (Staple) – ZE205338
Item – Zeigler Pond Fancier (Staple)
Size – 33 lbs.
The Zeigler Pond Fancier is a complete nutrient dense diet for all pond fish. This high quality diet has marine protein to increase palatability, digestibility, and eliminates waste. The Zeigler Pond Diet has more nutrient dense pellets than competitors. The Zeigler Pond Fancier diet also contains stable vitamin C and Brewers yeast for healthy fin, gil, and tissue development. (5.0 mm Floating Pellet)
Zeigler Pond Fancier is a wheat based diet, ideal for feeding during colder periods of the year. The low protein/low fat content makes it a lower energy diet that is easily digested when fish are experiencing colder water tempratures.
Crude Protein – MINIMUM: 28.0%
Crude Fat – MINIMUM: 4.0%
Crude Fiber – MAXIMUM: 5.0%
Moisture – MAXIMUM: 11.0%
Ascorbic Acid (Vit. C) – MINIMUM: 175 mg/kg
Wheat Flour, Dehulled Soybean Meal, Wheat Middlings, Fish Meal, Hydrolyzed Feather Meal, Dicalcium Phosphate, Ground-Extruded Whole Soybeans, Salt, Manganese Proteinate, Zinc Proteinate, Copper Proteinate, Calcium Iodate, Iron Proteinate, Cobalt Proteinate, Calcium Carbonate, Sodium Selenite, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin D3 Supplement, dl-Alpha Tocopheryl Acetate (Vitamin E Supplement), Vitamin B12, Riboflavin Supplement, Niacin, Calcium Pantothenate, Menadione Sodium Bisulfite Complex (source of Vitamin K Activity), Folic Acid, Thiamine Mononitrate, Pyridoxine Hydrochloride, Biotin, Choline Chloride, L-Ascorbyl-2- Polyphosphate (source of Vitamin C).

domain: pet


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Play the 19th COURSE TRIAL on DDR A20 PLUS, “Let’s DANCE!” to unlock 「私をディスコに連れてって TOKYO / U1 vs U1 overground」. Ranking for the trial will run from March 10, 2022 through March 22, 2022.
DDR GRAND PRIX is adding three new songs, a couple of which are familiar licenses from previous versions of DDR to the March 1st update: 「only my railgun」 「Trickster」 「オリオンをなぞる」 A new music pack, vol.3 is available for purchase here. Buying a music pack will allow you to play the
So you got the chance to play DanceDanceRevolution at the arcade and you want to know how you can play it at home. The old soft foam pad that you got bundled with the console version of DDR isn’t cutting it anymore and you’re longing for a more arcade-like experience.
The 14th GOLDEN LEAGUE PLUS for DDR A20 PLUS will begin on February 24, 2022 through March 9, 2022. Play DDR A20 PLUS on the 20th anniversary gold cabinet to get points towards the GOLDEN LEAGUE PLUS. Players ending the period with a gold rank will receive “THIS IS MY
KONAMI has posted their official schedule for the 10th KONAMI Arcade Championship, taking place on February 11, 12, and 13, 2022. You can find the schedule here and select the days to find the games you want to see. DanceDanceRevolution A20 PLUS regular and women’s finals will take place on
A new DDR GRAND PRIX update has arrived with some new quality of life features, including: Borderless Window Mode to make it easier to switch between applications. Maximum volume setting can go up to 200 in the OTHER SETTINGS under CONFIG. Setting the side you play on to be either
The 13th GOLDEN LEAGUE PLUS for DDR A20 PLUS will begin January 27th, 2022 and run through until February 16th, 2022. Players with Gold rank by the end of the league period will be able to play 「DDR TAGMIX -LAST DanceR- / BEMANI Sound Team “TAG underground overlay UNLEASHED”」. 「MUTEKI

domain: game


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Editor’s Note: Listen to the story here.
From: National Public Radio
By Melissa Block
Electronic cigarettes are popping up in more and more stores around the country and consumers are “vaping” in bars and restaurants with gusto. Sales of the devices are expected to reach nearly $2 billion this year. Until now, the top tobacco companies have been out of the game, but both Altria, which owns Phillip Morris, and R.J. Reynolds are now launching their own brands. Back in 2009, the FDA warned that e-cigarettes could pose health risks. This month, the agency is expected to release a set of proposed regulations on the devices.
AUDIE CORNISH, HOST:
From NPR News, this is ALL THINGS CONSIDERED. I’m Audie Cornish.
MELISSA BLOCK, HOST:
And I’m Melissa Block. We begin this hour trying to understand the soaring popularity of electronic cigarettes. Anecdotally, you’ll hear ex-smokers say e-cigarettes are a godsend that helped them quit tobacco.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #1: I found these and I was like, wow, that’ll get me there. I’ll be OK.
BLOCK: Smoking is, after all, the leading cause of preventable illness and death in this country, responsible for about half a million deaths each years. But are E-cigarettes a solution or part of the same problem? Tobacco watchdogs warn that e-cigarettes are addictive and simple perpetuate the epidemic and little is known about the potential health effects.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #2: Well, I think e-cigarettes today are the triumph of wishful thinking over data.
BLOCK: For the uninitiated, an e-cigarette is a device that looks like a regular cigarette. It uses a battery to heat and vaporize a liquid solution. It might have an LED at the end that lights up to simulate burning. It doesn’t contain tobacco, but it does have nicotine and the e-cigarette brings with it a new vocabulary.
People who use them are vapors and they’re vaping. E-cigarettes also lead to a retro-nym by way of contrast, traditional cigarettes, the kind with tobacco are now called burn cigarettes or analog or combustible cigarettes. If you want to find out how wildly popular e-cigarettes have become, drop in at Zelick’s Tobacco in Miami Beach.
JOSH GIMELSTEIN: Electronic cigarettes, it’s the hottest thing in the market right now.
BLOCK: Josh Gimelstein is the manager.
GIMELSTEIN: We carry Blu, Gamucci, we carry Premier Hookah, EZ Cigs by Philip and Kings.
BLOCK: This store has been in business for 53 year and e-cigarettes are transforming the market.
GIMELSTEIN: I see that it’s growing every single day. More and more people are coming in and asking about it. Don’t forget they can also smoke this indoors. As of yet, there’s been no laws changing that, so they love it.
BLOCK: Now, some states and cities has extended local smoke-free laws to e-cigarettes, but on the federal level because they’re not being marketed as smoking cessation devices, they’re not regulated as such and the Food and Drug Administration doesn’t yet regulate them as tobacco products. That will change soon, but for now, it means there are no limits on advertising.
No national ban on sales to minors, no requirement to list the ingredients. And sales of e-cigarettes have skyrocketed. They’re expected to more than double this year, approaching $2 billion by year’s end.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #3: You know what the most amazing thing about this cigarette is…
FOREIGNER: (Singing) It feels like the first time…
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #3: It isn’t one.
BLOCK: There are hundreds of brands and the big tobacco companies are all in on e-cigarettes, Altria, R.J. Reynolds, Lorillard, they see a huge growth market. So the people who brought you Marlboro, Camel and Newport are now pushing the brands, MarkTen, Vuse and Blu. And they’re going after the market full throttle with TV ads and celebrity.
JENNY MCCARTHY: Hey, I’m Jenny McCarthy. You know, being single has its perks, but when it comes to smoking, smelling like an ashtray is not the ideal aphrodisiac.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #4: It’s time smoking changed forever. Welcome to Views.
UNIDENTIFIED MAN #5: We’re all adults here. It’s time we take our freedom back.
STANTON GLANTZ: The marketing that you’re seeing in these cigarettes, it’s the Wild West. It’s like cigarette marketing in the ’50s.
BLOCK: Stanton Glantz directs the Center For Tobacco Control Research and Education at the University of California San Francisco.
GLANTZ: They’re making health claims. They’re using celebrities, movies, television. It’s just like getting into a time machine.
BLOCK: Remember, cigarette ads on TV have been banned for more than 40 years, but in the absence of regulation, the e-cigarette market is a free-for-all. In half the states, children can legally buy them. They’ll find flavors that include cotton candy, tutti-frutti, gummy bear and cherry crush. Jesse Gaddis is the CEO of an indie e-cigarette company based in Brooklyn called Bedford Slims.
JESSE GADDIS: The experience is, you know, you kind of hear this crackling sound and you feel this warm vapor kind of flowing into your mouth.
(SOUNDBITE OF CRACKLING NOISE)
BLOCK: Gaddis explains the e-cigarette that he is vaping has two components, a rechargeable battery and a vaporizer with a heating element and the key ingredient inside.
GADDIS: Electronic cigarettes juice or e-juice as it’s known commonly.
BLOCK: That e-juice contains among other things, a humectant such as vegetable glycerin or the chemical propylene glycol, also nicotine and flavorings. Bedford Slims flavors include traditional tobacco, menthol, cloves and root beer.
GADDIS: You get these flavors and immediately you start the feel of nicotine sensation just like you would with a regular cigarette. When you breathe out or, you know, expel the vapor, it’s a very light cloud or mist and it dissipates very quickly.
BLOCK: Gaddis is presenting sales for his company of a million dollars this year, most of it online. So who’s buying? Well, Gaddis claims a lot of e-cigarette customers are heavy smokers who are trying to quit. Count Brian Congleton in that number.
BRIAN CONGLETON: Yeah, 20 plus years, two packs a day at least, all brands, started with Winston, then Marlboro for most, Camel in between there a little while.
BLOCK: We found Brian vaping at a bar here in Washington, D.C. He says e-cigarettes have helped him kick his heavy tobacco habit.
CONGLETON: If you think that smoking this fake-looking electronic cigarettes is in any way cool, it’s not. It’s got ridiculous lights on the end of it, sometimes blink, it looks like Rudolph’s nose. The only people that go to these are drawn to these because they legitimately want to quit smoking.
BLOCK: So if you’re substituting an e-cigarette for a burn cigarette, is that a good thing? Well, you’re avoiding hundreds of the cancer-causing toxins in tobacco cigarettes. Dr. Tim McAfee directs the Office on Smoking and Health at the Centers for Disease Control and he sees a big potential upside.
TIM MCAFEE: Burn cigarettes, combusted cigarettes are an obsolete product. It makes no point for a company to manufacture one form of a product that we know eventually kills half of the users of that product if they simultaneously are offering another product that doesn’t do that.
BLOCK: But Stanton Glantz with the Center for Tobacco Control Research and Education says, OK, they’re safer. So what?
GLANTZ: It really comes down to the question of what should you be comparing them to. There’s no question that using an e-cigarette is less dangerous than smoking a cigarette, but smoking a cigarette is wildly dangerous.
BLOCK: Glantz says because e-cigarettes aren’t yet regulated by the FDA, we don’t know exactly what’s in them or how dangerous they are. And while some e-cigarette promoters claim the product helps people quit smoking, health advocates have doubts. Tim McAfee with the CDC fears e-cigarettes will simply prolong the smoking epidemic by encouraging what’s called dual use. In other words, people won’t quit, they’ll use both. They’ll smoke cigarettes where they can, vape e-cigarettes where they can’t.
MCAFEE: Dual use is the 800-pound gorilla in this situation.
BLOCK: And there’s another huge concern. Tim McAfee worries that all those flavors and sexy ads are especially seductive for young people. A recent CDC study shows the percentage of middle and high school students who’ve tried e-cigarettes more than doubled in just one year.
MCAFEE: This renormalizes something that looks about 95 percent the same as smoking, so that, especially children and young adults, will become more prone to think that it’s normal for somebody to be, you know, sucking chemicals out of a white tube.
BLOCK: He fears e-cigarettes could become a dangerous gateway to tobacco cigarettes. The FDA is expected to propose rules on e-cigarettes soon under the 2009 tobacco control act. They could regulate how and where they’re sold and whether minors can buy them. They could also regulate ingredients and flavorings.
As for television ads, well, it’s unclear which federal agency would have to impose a ban. The e-cigarette industry is spending millions lobbying on this, arguing that their product should not be treated the same as traditional cigarettes.
Joe Murillo is president and general manager of Newmark, part of the big tobacco company Altria. Murillo’s group is starting to market an e-cigarette called the MarkTen. And his message for regulators is this.
JOE MURILLO: Smoking is not vaping and vaping is not smoking, and that seems obvious. But despite the popular name, an electronic cigarette is not a cigarette. You are not burning tobacco. There is no odor. So what I would urge everyone – including the public health and regulators, just like consumers – is to think about this for what it is not for what it’s not.
BLOCK: So even if motion is same, it looks like cigarette, you’re exhaling something that looks like smoke, there’s a key distinction there.
MURILLO: Yeah, it’s not. It’s not smoke.
BLOCK: Look for those proposed FDA regulations to come as soon as this month.
(SOUNDBITE OF MUSIC)


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Please note that other Zeversolar inverter models are available but due to the fluctuating Euro exchange rate these will need to be priced individually upon request.
Zeversolar products offer different certificates to suit different grid networks in the UK, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. View the Certificate Overview document in the download section of the Zeversolar website to see which products are currently available in each country. Please check suitability for your area before purchase.
Design your own Zeversolar PV system using the ZeverPlan online configurator here.