There was no fear in Shantell Field’s voice. The worst had already happened when she found out that her youngest child, Lauren, had been pronounced dead days after it took place. But as she and her son Lakeem Jetter began to go through the details of it afterwards, her tone tightened and a force of strength pushed through her grief as she declared, “The family, we are her voice!”
In an exclusive interview with Complex, Shantell and Lakeem shared details about Lauren’s case, starting with what happened on Dec. 29 when they were asked to give their DNA to the authorities.
“The more we fight, the more I get nervous and scared for my family,” Shantell said.
As we originally reported, the family of Lauren Smith-Fields is suing the city of Bridgeport, Connecticut in connection with the police department on the grounds of mishandling the case—which is, according to the attorney representing the family, Darnell Crosland—a violation of the 1983 Civil Rights Act.
In a now-viral tweet from Cardi B, the rapper said, “Connecticut, you have failed that young lady.” Her tweet along with involvement from rapper BIA has brought mainstream attention to the case.
Lauren was the life of the party, according to Shantell and Lakeem. She loved music and coincidentally, was a huge fan of BIA’s breakout hit “Whole Lotta Money”—the remix featuring Nicki Minaj, of course. Her mother added, “she also loved SZA’s ‘Good Days.’”
Crosland, who also spoke with Complex, confirmed on Wednesday that to date, multiple pieces of key evidence including lubrication, a used condom (with semen), a pill, and a sheet with blood stains have not been received by the lab. That evidence was found by Shantell, Lakeem, and other family members on Dec. 29, a full 17 days after Lauren’s death.
“The day that the family was there, they wanted a swab of everyone. And we were like, ‘Wait shouldn’t you be worried about the two people that were there that night,’ and Detective Garcia told us that if we didn’t give him a swab then ‘we won’t continue the investigation,’” Shantell said. Lakeem added the crime scene investigator and detective told the family that they “wanted our DNA to rule us out.”
The family didn’t provide their DNA or consent to a swab.
On Jan. 23, when Lauren would have turned 24, her family organized a march in Bridgeport that attracted local and national attention. The following day—after being told that cause of death could take 30 days—the Connecticut Office of the Chief Medical Examiner ruled her death accidental “caused by acute intoxication due to the combined effects of fentanyl, promethazine, hydroxyzine, and alcohol.”
More than 1,350 people have died from drug overdoses in the state of Connecticut in 2021, according to data collected from the state. That data also says fentanyl was the main cause for overdose.
Smith-Fields’ family maintains Lauren had no history of drug use. Further, when the case made it to CourtTV, forensics expert Joseph Scott Morgan—who was also an expert correspondent during the George Floyd trial—was brought in to speak about the combination of drugs in her system.
“We’re talking about a 23-year-old young lady here,” he said. “This is not somebody who would have had time to develop these dependencies that are multilayered drugs that we’d see later on in life. I think there are some hard scientific questions that need to be asked in addition to the investigative questions.”
Of the drug allegations, Crosland said, “I think they thought we were going to shut up, and lose faith in Lauren and think she was just a drug addict. But people didn’t run away, they doubled-down.”
The day she died, the police confiscated Lauren’s cell phone, a passport, keys, a credit card, and a little over $1,300 in cash. Lauren had been pronounced dead at around 6:49 a.m.
The night before her death, she’d met 37-year-old Matthew LaFountain, a white man she’d become acquainted with through the mobile dating app Bumble. He is believed to have been the last person to see her alive. Medics said Lauren had been dead for at least an hour prior to LaFountain calling 9-1-1, according to the police report. LaFountain’s name was redacted from the initial report.
Peter Karayiannis has confirmed with the Connecticut Post that he’s representing Matthew LaFountain—though he says his client will not be making any formal statements. Per Connecticut Post, LaFountain “has not ruled out taking legal action of his own,” according to Karayiannis, who added, “It’s still too early to tell in regards to that.”
Earlier in the week, Crosland alleged a possible connection between Cronin and LaFountain during an interview with Atlanta Black Star.
According to Crosland, “They’ve been tight lipped about his involvement, but we’ve been finding out on social media that LaFountain, the individual who was with Lauren, has a huge connection with the police department and his family does as well,” further alleging that “Cronin has intentionally or negligently created a cover-up for the responsible party in Lauren’s death.
Lauren’s family was told by the landlord that someone knocked on the door that night, around the time she was said to have actually died. “The landlord said he got a knock on the door at 5:30 and he didn’t answer because it was too late. The 9-1-1 call was at 6:30 a.m., so who came and knocked on the door at 5:30?” Lakeem asked.
To the family’s knowledge, this has yet to be investigated.
It’s been widely reported that the family was told of Lauren’s death from the landlord who placed a note on the door.
“It was horrifying,” Lakeem said. “When we got there, you could see the terror in the landlord and kids eyes. They didn’t want to tell us she was dead.”
Shantell says that it looks as if Bridgeport doesn’t have a protocol in place when it comes to communicating with Black families. “They’re saying that they didn’t need us. When a person passes away, they have 24 hours to reach out by phone or knock on door.”
Detective Kevin Cronin was removed from the case after alleged misconduct, pending an ongoing investigation with internal affairs. As of today, the Fields family has not seen Cronin in person, but their interaction with him—which has been exclusively over the phone—has been enough to get him removed from the case and placed on administrative leave.
Crosland alleged on Wednesday the possibility of an inappropriate relationships within the precinct. “The acting police chief was a longtime live-in girlfriend of the head of internal affairs, we have a lot to outline the incestuous corrupt and disorganized space here.”
Shantell and Lakeem remember walking into the police precinct and being treated as “suspects,” they said. Where they thought they would have been meeting in a regular room used for non-criminals or persons of interest, they were instead put in a tiny interrogation room.
When the family walked into the precinct, Shantell says the entire room stopped. Everyone looked up “and they gave us dirty looks.” Lakeem added, “It was scary! They were yelling at our lawyer, telling him to shut up and grabbing their guns.”
The family was told they were there to have a meeting with the police officers involved with the case.
“They didn’t want to answer any questions about the case,” Shantell said.
It was recently announced that the case would become a homicide investigation, led by the Bridgeport Police.
The family has lost confidence in the Bridgeport Police as they’ve expressed consistently. “It’s more smoke and mirrors,” Lakeem said. “They just want it to go away,” Shantell added.
Crosland plans to get the Department of Justice involved. “We are sending a letter to the DOJ in DC and ask that a case manager be assigned to this case and come with a team. We need help from an outside agency to oversee this, because we don’t have confidence that they can do this on their own,” he said.
A study conducted by criminologist Zach Sommers in 2016 deals directly with Missing White Woman Syndrome—a term originally coined by news correspondent Gwen Ifill. Sommers told CNN, “As a culture we are readily willing to accept stories about White folks as victims as something we should care about.” He added, “When we see a White person who has gone missing, we say that could be my daughter, neighbor or cousin or friend… and they identify with that person and are more likely to read the story than we would if it were a person of color.”


text:
(Miami-Dade County, FL) -- Vice Chairwoman Audrey M. Edmonson joined the men of the Sigma Alpha Chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity on November 8, 2012 in a march through the streets of Liberty City to call attention to the violence in the streets.
Members of the clergy and the fraternity began the "Walk for Peace: Save our Community" at Mount Tabor Baptist Church on N.W. 17 Avenue and 66 Street and finished at a rally held at Miami Northwestern Senior High School, 1101 N.W. 71 St.
The march was one of a series of events organized by the fraternity in conjunction with the Omega Activity Center Foundation intended to address some of the issues faced by the community and to provide free assistance and inspiration to residents, particularly young black men and boys.

domain: sociology


text:
Professor Lutz Fügener began his studies at the Technical University Dresden, where he completed a foundation course in mechanical engineering. He then transferred to the Burg Giebichenstein University of Art and Design in Halle/Saale, Germany, where he obtained a degree in industrial design in 1995.
In the same year, he became junior partner of Fisch & Vogel Design in Berlin. Since then, the firm (today called “studioFT”) has increasingly specialised in transportation design. Two years after joining the firm, Lutz Fügener became senior partner and co-owner. Since 2000, he has been chair of the BA degree course in transportation design and is a member of the board of governors of Pforzheim University.

domain: design


text:
Two shows, two continents, one night - the Lyric Theatre is putting Northern Ireland theatre on the map by opening two very different productions on either side of the Atlantic on 5 Sept.
Jane Austen and Brendan Behan are the unlikeliest of bedfellows, yet they both feature in the Lyric’s autumn feast of theatre in Belfast and New York.
The Lyric’s acclaimed comedy drama Brendan At The Chelsea, directed by and starring Adrian Dunbar, opens off-Broadway tonight where it will play for five weeks.
It is fitting that this witty drama about the notorious Irish writer, Brendan Behan and written by his niece, Janet Behan, should go to the Big Apple as the play is set in the legendary New York bohemian hub, The Chelsea Hotel.
Back home in Belfast, a new musical adaptation of Jane Austen’s best-loved novel, Pride and Prejudice – the Musical opens tonight (5 September) and runs until 6 October.
Ciaran McAuley, Lyric Chief Executive said: “The fact we are opening two shows on the same night on either side of the Atlantic reflects the ambition of the Lyric Theatre. We have always wanted to bring the very best of Northern Ireland theatre to both shores. We are delighted to be able to take Brendan At The Chelsea on tour after it was a huge hit at the Lyric in 2011. We also hope that our new musical adaptation of Pride and Prejudice goes down as well in Belfast as it did in Cork over the summer.”
Brendan At The Chelsea is running at the Acorn Theatre, West 42nd Street and then comes home to Belfast for a limited run on the Danske Bank Stage at the Lyric from 30 October to 10 November, before touring to Dublin and Londonderry. The tour is generously supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland, the British Council, Culture Ireland, NI Bureau, NI Connections and Tourism Ireland.
Aubrey Irwin, Tourism Ireland, said: “This is a great way to highlight Northern Ireland talent in New York and show the creativity and home-grown enthusiasm for the arts scene in Northern Ireland. By supporting this programme, Tourism Ireland is helping to showcase the cultural richness that makes a visit here memorable and increase the number of overseas visitors.”
Noírín McKinney, Director of Arts Development at the Arts Council of Northern Ireland said: “As principal funder of the Lyric Theatre, we are delighted to be able to support their production of Brendan at the Chelsea in touring to New York. This play about legendary Irish writer Brendan Behan and starring Adrian Dunbar, one of Northern Ireland’s leading stage and screen actors, aptly represents the international calibre of our theatre and is a must-see for one and all.”
Richard Croxford, the Lyric’s Artistic Director said: “We are delighted to have one of Ireland’s finest actors, Adrian Dunbar, reprising his role as Brendan Behan in a production that packed out the Naughton Studio at the Lyric when we first opened two years ago. It will undoubtedly attract large audiences in New York and we are grateful to our generous supporters who are making this tour possible.”
Richard Croxford has directed Pride and Prejudice – the Musical which has been timed to celebrate the 200thanniversary of Jane Austen’s best-loved novel.
The two romantic leads are Hazel Gardner as Lizzie (The Sound of Music) and Neil McDermott, best known as Ryan Malloy from Eastenders, who plays the swoonsome Mr Darcy.
“With set and costume designer Robin Peoples and local composer Mark Dougherty on board, this will be both a visual and musical treat,” said Richard.
Pride and Prejudice – the Musical runs on the Danske Bank Stage, at the Lyric from 5 September to 6 October. Tickets from £10 - £24.50.

domain: geography


text:
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. (CBS19 NEWS) -- CNN chief White House Correspondent Jim Acosta paid a visit to the University of Virginia on Thursday to speak on the challenges and controversies of being a reporter in today's political climate.
Acosta has clashed with President Donald Trump several times in the past. Trump has ignored Acosta's questions and has called out Acosta specifically as "fake news."
In 2018, Trump tried to take away Acosta's White House press pass, which a judge ruled to be a violation of his rights.
The UVA Center for Politics, which hosted Acosta along with the Frank Batten School of Leadership, gifted Acosta a large press pass that cannot be taken away from him at the event.
Acosta said his right to report on the White House is something that should not be taken for granted.
"We're joining a category of countries where the press isn't safe and the press isn't free," he said. "And we just can't have that."
Acosta said Trump's rhetoric is dangerous to both democracy and journalists as human beings.
"My concern is that if we continue to have that kind of rhetoric, somebody is going to get hurt, a reporter is going to get hurt, or even worse than that, maybe even killed," said Acosta. "As a country, we can't just keep tearing each other apart like this. At some point, it just has a real unhealthy effect on our democracy and on our country."
Larry Sabato, director for the Center for Politics, said he wanted students to see Acosta as a person.
"They've been called fake news, they've been called the enemy of the people, they're nothing of the sort," said Sabato. "This is just a maligning of people who are essential to democracy. And I wanted them to hear directly from someone who has been viciously attacked from the president on down."
Acosta said no matter what the Trump administration throws at him, he is not going to stop doing his job.
"They can take away our press pass but they can't take away our ability to do what we do on a daily basis," he said. "And we still have a system of checks and balances to make sure that if they do take your press pass away you can get it back."
Acosta said he is writing a book with more details on his clashes with the White House titled, "The Enemy of the People: A Dangerous Time to Tell the Truth in America."

domain: news


How do i get my labtop to work when there is a modem in the house Tags: Desktops Cable Modem Networking Last response: December 8, 2009 4:41 PM in Networking Share mskiki84 December 8, 2009 2:43:58 PM I have cable thru the cable company and i have the modem hooked up to the desktop computer. How do i get internet to work on my labtop More about : labtop work modem house Anonymous December 8, 2009 4:41:16 PM Add a router designed to work with cable. Wireless router if the laptop has that. m 0 l Can't find your answer ? Ask ! Publish Related resources Lighting struck house and my router,modem and computer don\'t work every thing c Forum Virgin mobile broadband mc760 modem won't work in my two story house with metal Forum Solvedhow do I get rid of the E on my icons on your labtop Forum Solvedhow do i reset my labtop without the installation disc? Forum Using modem/router ARRIS TG862 in a 3 story house 2 levels are only geting a weak signal Forum How do I install TP-LINK router to work with Planet ADSL Modem Forum CAN I HAVE HELP HOOKING UP MY LABTOP TO THIS NETGEARWIRELESS MODEM Forum SolvedHow to wire my house for better connection? Forum how can I change the dedicated video memory on my labtop? and I don't have the bios thing. Forum SolvedHow to get to cmos battery on sony vaio labtop? Forum can I use My mobile to somehow connect a 2 wire modem and have Internet 4 the whole house wired and wireless Forum SolvedHow good is this labtop? Forum SolvedCan i run a 2wire wireless modem and a speedstream modem in the same house? Forum How can i fix my labtop from shutting off ? I will be trying to save a video from movie maker & fan sounds then force off ! Forum How to set up dir 615 wireless router can work with out modem Forum SolvedI use Carlson for survey work. I want to be able to work from my house when I cant make it to my office. What equipment do i Forum SolvedHow can I use spam for three laptops in my house?will be the signal weak? Forum SolvedHow to create home network from cat5 cables leading to the outside of a house? Forum How do I make my Netgear wireless router work with my Comcast modem? Forum Have linksys wirless N router near modem and want to extend signal to guest house 20 meters away. Tried extenders, but did not Forum More resources Read discussions in other Networking categories Routers Gateways VPN LAN WAN Firewalls Cisco Netgear !


text:
Baccarat is actually a well-known on line casino online game which happens to be played out with charge cards from a banker and also the player. It is a online game where it has three possible effects- gamer, banker, or tie up. The game possibly began in early 19th century in France. This game is played all over the world even before casino was legalized. Throughout those times it was actually played out on the list of novelties in individual gaming areas. Any person fascinated to perform this game can simply do this by studying the techniques. You need to How to jokergaming365 understand the important methods for บาคาร่าเล่นยังไ.
Keyways to experience Baccarat: –
•The participant can guess on both edges:
The principle target of the game is usually to bet around the winning aspect. The Player has the opportunity to select from either the participant aspect or even the car dealership side. The wagers have to be located ahead of the video game begins.
•Working with the cards:
The internet casino owner bargains two charge cards the two towards the person and also the banker. The very first card that encounters up is definitely the player’s and therefore the banker’s credit card. Afterward, the proprietor deals with 2nd player credit card and banker greeting card.
•Establishing the things:
Each of the greeting cards are worthy of their encounter beliefs except tens, jack, queen, and king that have benefit. The ace will be worth one point. Adding the beliefs on two cards whoever features a report near to 9 usually wins. If introducing the amounts on greeting cards has two numbers usually first digit is fallen. As an example, when the credit card value is 15, then it will likely be computed as 5.The banker or even the player who see credit card value brings upto 8 or 9, this is a natural win. The bets which are located could be cashed out. If each of them have a identical benefit right after introducing, it becomes a tie up and no a single wins.
The game is quite entertaining and intriguing. The rules are incredibly basic and the player has very good likelihood of successful however they need to know บาคาร่าเล่นยังไ. They may be very renowned throughout the world and several athletes play it in casinos to succeed big cash.
https://recommendations.on line casino/blog/guideline/how-to-perform-baccarat

domain: entertainment


text:
A frightened mum called police at around 1pm yesterday (Wednesday, May 25) after the woman grabbed the hand of her three-year-old boy in Clevedon Road.
The woman – described as white, tall, medium to slim build, with dyed red hair and wearing a black jacket and black joggers – fled when confronted by the boy’s mum.
Another mum told the Gazette that a woman matching her description tried to grab her daughter’s hand in the same area whilst walking to nursery earlier that day.
“It happened while I was waiting to take my daughter into her nursery on Egerton Road in the morning,” said the girl’s mum, Jordan Carey.
“Some woman tried to grab her hand. Luckily me and my friend caught her before anything serious happened and she ran away without saying anything.
"I’m so thankful the nursery was there to support us and listen to us.”
Lancashire Police say an investigation is underway into the ‘suspicious incident’ and enquiries are ongoing to trace the woman.
The force added that patrols have been stepped up in the Claremont area, near Kids Planet Day Nursery and Westminster Primary School.
Det Ch Insp James Edmonds, of Blackpool Police, said: “We are keeping an open mind about the circumstances of the incident and are keen to trace the woman involved.
“We would ask that she make contact with us as soon as possible.
“Reassurance patrols have been deployed to the area and there will be a visible policing presence in the area in the coming days.
“I would ask that anyone who was in the area and may have witnessed the incident contact us. I would also ask that if you were in the area and have dashcam footage contact us.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 101 quoting log 0612 of May 25.
It follows reports of a man in a ‘white taxi’ who reportedly approached a schoolboy in Fleetwood on Tuesday (May 24).
But police have investigated and say they believe this incident to have been a ‘misunderstanding’. You can read our report here.

domain: law


text:
Innovative design, leading marine solutions, trusted expertise. We take pride in offering custom solutions that contribute to a better maritime world.
Leadership in Marine Design,
Survey and Consultancy
Our experienced team of surveyors having surveyed hundreds of vessels are ready to perform any of your required surveys.
A dedicated team of designers, naval architects and engineers are ready to help transform your ideas into reality
We have built a wealth of knowledge through our survey and design to aid you with any marine challenges you might face.
company highlights benefits
Leaders for over 10 years in Marine Design, Surveying and Consultancy
We’ve mastered our craft. We participate in sector-wide decisions and partner with owners, managers, and crew to guide them safely and efficiently through the myriad of rules and regulations they need to navigate.
Valuations to date
Insurance and independent boat valuations performed to date
Commercial Yachts coded
On behalf of Malta flag, we code a large array of vessels under 500 GT
Commercial Yacht Fleet Tonnage in service
The cumulative tonnage of yachts surveyed or coded to date
New vessels under construction
In our role as technical owner representative and flag surveyor
Major Refit projects
Engineering and design refit projects involved to date
Ballast Water Treatment system retrofits
Design and Engineering of retrofit Ballast water treatment systems to date
CFD projects delivered, from hulls, to appendages to exhaust scrubbers
We operate in a wide variety of maritime sectors, covering everything from small pleasure craft to large commercial vessels and yachts
01 / Superyachts
02 / Commercial vessels
03 / Specialist vessels
04 / Fish farm vessels
A trustworthy partner, accredited to high international standards.
NAS holds multiple accreditations across the various marine fields, relevant to areas we operate in. NAS itself operates in, and is officially certified in accordance with the ISO 9001:2015 quality management system.


text:
Nice to be back after a year and recognised and welcomed by receptionist on arrival. Although undergoing a refurb in the bar and restaurant everything smooth again and good to see Christian has been promoted and Robert still working the bar.
Although we only visit every 12 months the little things like recognition does make a difference and the staff are always happy and polite.
- Official Description (provided by the hotel):
- Relish captivating views at this waterfront hotel in Jersey. Explore unspoilt beaches, magnificent cliffs and picturesque landscapes from this attractive Channel Islands locale. Located directly on the bustling waterfront promenade, this hotel offers Jersey visitors premium accommodation. Enjoy amenities like Free high-speed, wireless Internet as well as the convenience of an in-house health club. Savour a meal alfresco at the Waterfront Restaurant and Terrace, and take advantage of easy access to nearby attractions like Elizabeth Castle. To top it off, this venue's five fully equipped meeting rooms make it the perfect place for mixing business with pleasure. ... more less
- Reservation Options:
- TripAdvisor is proud to partner with Priceline, Booking.com, Hotels.com, Cancelon, Travelocity, TripOnline SA, Hotwire, HotelQuickly, Evoline ltd and Orbitz so you can book your Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Jersey reservations with confidence. We help millions of travelers each month to find the perfect hotel for both vacation and business trips, always with the best discounts and special offers.
- Also Known As:
- Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Jersey Hotel St. Helier
- St Helier Radisson
- Radisson St. Helier
- Radisson Blu Waterfront Hotel, Jersey St. Helier

domain: travel


text:
Despite to give even more allure looks Alfred Sung likewise included some accessory in attractive sparkling appearances that was applied around the used wedding gowns for sale
. It was looked for the waist, straps and was spray around the used wedding gowns for sale
. Alfred Sung likewise plays carefully with ruffles and flare for the skirt that’s why this used wedding gowns for sale
looks so elegant and also captivating at once.
It appears that Alfred Sung still keeping traditional looks for his used wedding gowns for sale
collection. It was shown from white motif that was coming to be main points for this wedding dress in appeal design. White in used wedding gowns for sale
was really identically as the sign of real love and affection. White also becoming favorite colors for the bridal gown although today colored used wedding gowns for sale
were offered in all over. As well as here Alfred Sung pick that wonderful shade, white, as the major shade for his used wedding gowns for sale
collection. The combination shinning white style and also beauty design make this used wedding gowns for sale
from Alfred Sung really enchanting as well as elegant. Every bride should be concurred with me that this expensive charming Alfred Sung white used wedding gowns for sale
design in beauty style was so magnificent and thrilling.

domain: artistic


text:
We're so happy to announce that ArtServe International (ASI) is officially a 501c3 nonprofit organization. This was a huge and exciting step for us. When I think about all the years that we have used art as a tool to communicate God’s love and craftsmanship, I am humbled and grateful. 2015 was a wonderful year with local opportunities as well as international. Whether we are in our church leading art workshops or traveling to Africa to give art as a gift in the form of painted portraits, one thing is for sure - what we value most is those small moments of connection with others. These moments are a treasure to us. It is also a reminder that God is inside of us yearning to love, teach, and create beauty.
2016 is off to a great start! We had our second annual Martin Luther King Jr. one day camp, The Art of Peacemaking. The focus of this workshop was for the campers to value their personal artistic point of view as well as the point of views of others and learn about the importance of MLK’s dream come true. We do this by allowing kids to create a self portrait that shares a little about their hopes and dreams or what makes them unique. Then we did a collaborative portrait of MLK. It was at times, a painstaking process for all of us because we each had a piece of portrait and it looked so abstract. Some of the kids thought it would never look like Martin Luther King! The quote of the day was “Where’s Martin?” In all honesty, we sometimes scratched our head and wondered if it would come together. Inwardly we were preparing our speech of encouragement when an art project fails. Little by little, we pieced it together and with a little squint of the eye and lo’ and behold! There’s Martin! Our young artists were amazed to see the finished piece and they felt proud of their contribution.
To further the idea of community and contributing, we announced that the finished piece would be donated to a non profit to be announced soon. This tradition began when we donated last year’s MLK portrait to The Collective at Cumberland who specialize in helping the local community find job training and employment.
We also did paper weaving. It truly symbolized what it means to be a unique person that is knit together with others in an accepting way. Each created two painted papers, one with warm and one with cool colors. One of their papers was made into strips and added into a “community pile,” while the other was prepared as a loom. The idea was that each would visit the community box and collect strips to weave into their loom. It was great to see the young artists feel happy to find someone’s strip or sometimes not know whose strip they were adding to their finished piece. This symbolized not only the unity we felt as a group, but also lived out Martin Luther King’s dream that...
“With this faith we will be able to transform the jangling discords of our nation into a beautiful symphony of brotherhood. With this faith we will be able to work together, to pray together, to struggle together…”
It was emotional to stand back and see the young artists working on this project and being knitted together, so to speak.
ASI has a few ongoing programs and some that will take place soon. For starters, we have a few gifted students who take private lessons. We are consistently impressed with the ability, maturity, and determination these students display. Another ongoing program has been running sort of behind the scenes. This is the JEMS worship dance team. (Jesus Es Mi Salvacion, translates: Jesus is my salvation). It is a free discipleship group of women and young teen girls who meet together to pray and worship through dance and the use of flags. The funny thing is, none of us have any dance training. This leaves us to fly by the seat of our pants and trust the Holy Spirit. The focus is not on performance, but on worship. The results are very deep moments between women, girls, and God. Please consider donating to this program as it is completely free and open to the church community of women and girls who are seeking confidence, belonging, and healing.
ASI will be conducting our first official after-school art program! This will take place at The Stonehaven School. We look forward to the fun times creating with kids and will update you with the outcomes.
Your donations also help us with art supplies. Thank you so much for joining us on this beautiful journey!


PROTECT YOUR NETWORK FROM THIS WINS FLAW
Many organizations rely on the Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS)
to help manage complex Windows environments. WINS manages the association
of workstation names and locations with IP addresses, so the administrator
doesn't need to make each configuration change.
Earlier this month, Microsoft confirmed previously released information
that this service includes a buffer overrun flaw that can leave Windows
servers -- all versions, including Windows NT -- open to attack. In
order for the attack to be successful, the WINS service needs to be
Rated moderately critical, the flaw would potentially allow an attacker
to take control of a server and run code of his or her choice. While
Microsoft has not yet released a fix, it has suggested a workaround.
Until Microsoft can provide a fix for the flaw -- expected in the
company's December security update--it recommends that users who don't
use WINS disable this service. If you do use WINS, disable both TCP
port 42 and UDP port 42 at the perimeter firewall.
For more information about this issue, check out Microsoft Knowledge
Base article 890710.


Our district is growing. To plan for the growth, we use the objectives and policies of the 2016 National Policy Statement on Urban Development Capacity (NPS-UDC). This includes carrying out a Housing and Business Development Capacity Assessment (HBCA) every three years to understand the demand for housing and business land and our capacity to meet this demand. The HBCA provides an evidence base for planning and decision-making and has informed development of the Proposed District Plan.
Click on the link below to read our 2019 HBCA report, the first of our assessments under the NPS-UDC 2016.
The NPS-UDC also requires us to regularly monitor and update the HBCA data. We monitor the data on a quarterly basis and publish an annual report that details:
a) purchase and rent costs for housing, residential land and business land by location and type; and changes in this pricing over time
b) the number of resource consents and building consents granted for urban development in relation to population growth for each quarter
c) an analysis of housing affordability based on specific indicators (Policy B6).
Annual Quarterly Reports
Was this page useful?
Page last updated: 04:39PM Tue 26 October 2021


Melissa Villaseñor is an impressions queen, and she certainly gets to flex her skills as a Saturday Night Live cast member, but I'm wondering why we haven't seen her Billie Eilish impersonation yet? The comedian recently broke out an eerily accurate portrayal of the "Bad Guy" singer at a Texas show, and it would totally work for NBC's sketch comedy show. Melissa compares her teen self to Billie's many accomplishments at just 18 years old. Hey, most of us pale in comparison to Billie's résumé! She even tried out a spot-on version of Billie's "When the Party's Over," which is not an easy feat. Who wants to sign my petition to see this impression on SNL?
From Our Partners


text:
Join us for an all-ages musical extravaganza that promises
to entertain adults and kids alike.
The Human Lard Dog is a cartoon character come-to-life who descends from
planet Belopio on his Giant Pretzel to take you and your family on a musical
journey of absurdism, frivolity, and unbridled joy.
Hollywood actor extraordinaire Mark Ruffalo declares, “It’s
one of the most original shows I’ve seen in years” and entertainment critic
Jonathan Fox raves, “This kind of fun is unstoppable!”
Lard Dog and his 6-piece Band of Shy invite you to their
unique audio-visual universe complete with catchy songs, multi-media
graphics—including art by star cartoonists Tony Millionaire and Sam Henderson—
and a pretzel toss!
Come play along and slurp the noodle of life!
After all, Life's A Real Dream.
Affordable, engaging, and as unique as a show can get.
(Don't worry, kids, this show will babysit your parents!)
KIDS UNDER TWO YEARS OLD - FREE!


text:
Most Native American tribes during the War of 1812 sided with the British because they wanted to safeguard their tribal lands, and hoped a British victory would relieve the unrelenting pressure they were experiencing from U.S. settlers who wanted to push further into Native American lands in southern Canada and in the …
Why did several Native American tribes support the British?
The British made many promises to the Native Americans to convince them that they should provide support to the British government and military in the Revolutionary War. … The British promised trade and protection of the Indian’s land. The American Colonists kept pressing westward and north into the Indian lands.
Did Native Americans support Britain?
Cherokees and Creeks (among others tribes) in the southern interior and most Iroquois nations in the northern interior provided crucial support to the British war effort. With remarkably few exceptions, Native American support for the British was close to universal.
Why did most Indian nations side with the British during the American Revolution?
Why did many Indian nations side with the British during the American Revolution? They feared that a Patriot victory would mean westward expansion into their territory. What was asked to take the lead in drafting the formal resolution that would become the Declaration of Independence?
What was the relationship between the British and the natives?
While Native Americans and English settlers in the New England territories first attempted a mutual relationship based on trade and a shared dedication to spirituality, soon disease and other conflicts led to a deteriorated relationship and, eventually, the First Indian War.
How were the Native American treated by the British?
The English treated the Natives as inferior, believed they stood in the way of their God-given right to the land in America and tried to subject the Natives to their laws as they established their colonies.
Why did Native American tribes fight each other?
Indians fought as European allies in these wars to advance their own perceived interests in acquiring weapons and other trade goods and captives for adoption, status, or revenge. Until the end of the French and Indian War, Indians succeeded in using these imperial contests to preserve their freedom of action.
Which of the following best explains why some Native American groups supported the British during the American Revolutionary War?
Which of the following best explains why some Native American groups supported the British during the American Revolutionary War? The British promised to recognize the all Native American groups as independent nations. Native Americans were promised that the British would bring an end to settlement in the west.
Which side did most Native American support in the American Revolution apex?
Most of the Indians fought on their side. These Indians perpetrated no massacres or torture of prisoners on British soldiers or civilians. But from another more long range point of view, the Americans may have benefited more.
How did Britain benefit from supporting the Native Americans during the war?
Britain had an advantage in convincing Native Americans to fight on the side of the Crown. British policies before the war had tried to limit the encroachment of white settlers onto Native lands, while American colonists were eager to expand westward.
How did British alliances with American Indians contribute to tensions between Britain and America?
British alliances with American Indians contributed to tensions between the U.S. and Britain. … An ambiguous relationship between the federal government and American Indian tribes contributed to problems regarding treaties and American Indian legal claims relating to the seizure of their lands.
Which Native American tribes were important British allies?
The British colonists were supported at various times by the Iroquois, Catawba, and Cherokee tribes, and the French colonists were supported by Wabanaki Confederacy member tribes Abenaki and Mi’kmaq, and the Algonquin, Lenape, Ojibwa, Ottawa, Shawnee, and Wyandot tribes.


Woman who crashed car 'six times legal limit'
A 45-YEAR-OLD woman has shocked local police by driving with a blood alcohol reading that was more than six-times the legal limit.
Chinchilla Police were called to a Middle St address on October 15 at 7.30pm after the alleged offender had crashed a car whilst trying to leave a driveway.
The driver returned a blood alcohol content reading of .312.
Chinchilla police officer-in-charge Sergeant Gerard Brady said it was the highest he had ever seen.
The woman was charged with high range drink driving.


Samsung Odyssey G7 Gaming Monitor QLED 240hz 32inch Unboxing and Setup
New Metal Quantum dot Samsung QLED delivers purer, brighter, and more lifelike colors especially reds and greens than conventional monitors. SAS & SCSI Controller Cards. Samsung c32hg70 32 inch led 144hz 1ms gaming curved monitor 2560 x 1440, 1ms
ide, sata & scsi cables. A new reality, in perfect detail.


text:
Technology; Using the Body's Lubricant To Heal Scars and Knees
By ANDREW POLLACK
Published: February 2, 1992
If one thinks of the human body as a well-oiled machine, hyaluronic acid is that oil. This slippery substance lubricates the joints, protects delicate tissues in the eyes and helps the skin stretch and bend.
Now several companies hope to put hyaluronic acid to use in medicine. They are working on applications in which the body's natural lubricant would be used to ease pain and facilitate the movement of arthritic knees, to prevent complications from surgery, to moisten dry eyes and even to smooth out facial wrinkles.
The prospect of such widespread uses has set off a race among several biotechnology companies, including Biomatrix Inc. of Ridgefield, N.J.; the Biotechnology General Corporation of New York; the Genzyme Corporation of Cambridge, Mass.; Lifecore Biomedical Inc. of Chaska, Minn., and Medchem Products of Woburn, Mass.
But success is not assured. Some of these companies have been pursuing such uses for more than a decade already, with little to show for it. "The ideas there have been around for a long time," said Dr. Bryan Toole, chairman of anatomy and cellular biology at Tufts University Medical School and an expert on hyaluronic acid. "Some people really think it's going places. Others are not so sure."
Hyaluronic acid, which is also called hyaluranon or simply HA, is actually a complex sugar that is present in all animals, usually in the spaces between adjacent cells. It is biocompatible, meaning it does not elicit an immune reaction when implanted into the body.
But what makes hyaluronic acid special is its mechanical properties. "It is the most viscoelastic substance known to mankind," said Dr. Endre A. Balazs, an emeritus professor at Columbia University Medical School and a pioneer in the purification of hyaluronic acid. In some cases, he explained, hyaluronic acid is viscous, meaning it flows, albeit sometimes slower than molasses, and helps lubricate movement. In other cases, it is elastic, meaning it absorbs energy and bounces back to its original shape, helping the knees, for instance, absorb the impact of jumping. Another substance that is viscoelastic, he said, is Silly Putty.
Hyaluronic acid, which can also retain almost 100 times its weight in water, has already found widespread use in skin moisturizers and other cosmetics, like Estee Lauder's Night Repair, and in shaving creams and sun screens.
And it has one medical use. Since 1980, it has been used to help the eye retain its shape and to protect sensitive tissues during ophthalmic surgery, particularly in removing cataracts and implanting intraocular lenses. Kabi Pharmacia, the Swedish company that is the leader in this market, had United States sales of $72.5 million for its product, known as Healon, in 1991. For all vendors combined, worldwide sales are estimated to be about $200 million.
But hyaluronic acid has not yet blossomed into a bigger product, partly because it is difficult to manufacture and is expensive. The material used in eye surgery sells for millions of dollars a pound, said James W. Bracke, founder and chief executive of Lifecore Biomedical. Fortunately, he said, only about $100 to $200 worth is needed for an eye operation.
Kabi obtains its hyaluronic acid from the combs of roosters, which, for reasons not yet fully understood, have a high concentration of the stuff. But several companies, including Lifecore, Genzyme and Biotechnology General, now make hyaluronic acid through fermentation of certain types of bacteria, allowing, they say, for the production of greater quantities at lower prices.
Another factor that could presage broader use is that companies have also succeeded in modifying natural hyaluronic acid to improve its properties. They can make forms that last longer in the body and thus would be more effective as medical treatments, and they have produced solids, gels, membranes and other forms for specific functions.
Biomatrix, which was founded and is headed by Dr. Balazs, has linked natural hyaluronic acid strands together to form larger patented comcalled hylans, which it says would be superior to natural hyaluronic acid in medical use. The company, which went public last year, is developing 13 different products from hylans.
The one attracting the most attention is a formulation called Synvisc, which Biomatrix hopes to inject into the knees of patients with osteoarthritis to lubricate the joints and reduce pain. Hyaluronic acid is a natural component of the fluid in the joints, and it is already used for arthritis in Japan and for treating the knees of racehorses in the United States.
Synvisc is still in clinical trials for the United States market, but Biomatrix says it has met the requirements to begin selling Synvisc in Canada this year. Dr. Balazs said some patients in a clinical trial in Germany saw pain relief that lasted six months, with the best results coming in patients in early stages of the disease, before the joint had deteriorated much. But the results have not been published yet for scientific scrutiny.

domain: chemistry


text:
The best Side of online marketing for small businesses
So I had been wholly offered on the strategy. My problem is, could you probably write some thing comparable for Fb? I discovered all the advice/Expert out there are all so confusing, largely offering informations regarding how to make tabs, not teaching us how to realize more followers in the stategic strategy such as one you talked about for this put up.
Among the list of library’s most vital belongings is its staff members; however, we regularly wait an entire calendar year to provide them with comments on their own do the job. Anoka County (MN) Library just lately switched into a coaching product, which incorporated creating new operate final result statements for all employees and training supervisors to get coaches.
Whilst polarization and The shortage of civility are rampant within the national stage, libraries can Engage in a critical role in addressing these tensions regionally. Examine the concepts of civility and how libraries can foster civil discourse and respect for others.
What platforms are available And the way can community librarians implement them productively? Join us as we discover how Maryland Public Libraries are sharing virtual, and combined actuality with their communities.
Learn how libraries are configuring their Actual physical Areas to offer accessibility to all users from the Local community. You’ll hear about initiatives to take the library into the Group, over and above the Actual physical structure.
This session will prepare you to definitely harness the power of fandom to make Similarly well-liked and prosperous STEAM based mostly systems, regardless of the measurement of the software, budget, or library.
Also frequently the most effective library packages never ever get to the Young ones most in want. We may be from Iowa, but we are aware that “when you build it, they will occur” isn’t usually legitimate. So we found a way to go to them.
Sign up for a cohort of general public libraries interested in employing Task check my site Result to push transform, impact determination earning, and exhibit the influence of their systems and services.
What’s more crucial as opposed to way somebody feels when moving into your library? Whether or not a buyer is new to our place or new to our doors, libraries can generate environments which can be welcoming to all.
If you're able to produce your message within just one-2 minutes using video, trust me you may have catch the attention of the reader. This doesn't imply that you should lessen your web site written content, but ensure that you increase your video information way too as this could enable your position and acquire more shoppers
With limited community assist and federal funding beneath danger, company donations look an uncomplicated way to reinforce the library’s finances.
But a number of people just create or work a thing in only a click here now kind of social networking and appear to overlook that numerous consumers are not on that social media.
Libraries are among the essential sites exactly where jobseekers change when they want guidance acquiring work. But how can libraries integrate by themselves more thoroughly into the present workforce progress framework at the neighborhood, condition, and nationwide level?
On closer inspection at the type of photos she was talking about, Kevin Systrom found which the images she was discussing were being basically “prettied up” using filters.

domain: library


Connekt, LLC is now offering rapid prototyping as a featured service to our clients Worldwide.
Rapid Prototyping is often used to describe the process of turning a 3D CAD design into a real tangible part. Rapid prototyping technologies are frequently used towards the beginning of the product development lifecycle to create prototypes or parts used to test and verify designs before full-blown production begins.
We utilize a network of highly qualified partners, to be a leading provider of rapid prototyping solutions. Our highly qualified Global resources allow us to handle projects of any size and complexity, including those requiring management of multiple processes and secondary operations. Processes we commonly utilize include CNC milled metal and plastic, Cast HDPE, Urethane and a long list of other elastomeric materials in a wide variety of durometers, wire forming, Printed Circuit Boards, electronic assembly, sheet metal formed and stamped parts as well as 3D printing.


text:
DJ and music blogger Simon Iddol shared this mix, ‘created as a tribute to timeless electronica’.… Read More Tangerine Dream reLOADED
Tangerine Dream shares their take on ‘Stranger Things’…… Read More Tangerine Dream Tribute To ‘Stranger Things’
“This album is the closest to an actual release of electronic music that I’ve come to since leaving TD in 1990.”… Read More Paul Haslinger´s ‘Halt And Catch Fire’ Soundtrack His Most Electronic Since Leaving Tangerine Dream
It looks like there’s going to be a Tangerine Dream documentary. Organizers of a Kickstarter project to fund production of the documentary have announced that they have met their funding goals, raising €71,727 with 779 backers. Here’s what the producers TAG/TRAUM have to say about the project: We want to explore the world of Tangerine Dream for the first time… Read More Tangerine Dream Documentary Meets Funding Goals
Composer Peter Baumann (Tangerine Dream, solo) shared this music video, for Searching in Vain, from his album Machines of Desire.
The Kickstarter project for a new documentary about Tangerine Dream is now live. Here’s what the producers TAG/TRAUM have to say about the project: We want to explore the world of Tangerine Dream for the first time in a feature-length documentary. Our goal is to uncover the band’s musical evolution, their style and their philosophy behind… Read More Tangerine Dream Documentary Kickstarter Now Live
Peter Baumann, right, has shared some new previews for his upcoming album, Machines Of Desire, embedded below. Baumann was a member of Tangerine Dream from 1971 to 1977, the group’s most important period, for many fans. In addition to his work with Tangerine Dream, Baumann produced records by Conrad Schnitzler, Cluster and Hans-Joachim Roedelius;, released… Read More Peter Baumann’s ‘Machines Of Desire’ (Sneak Preview)
TAG/TRAUM has announced plans for the first feature-length documentary about Edgar Froese & Tangerine Dream. The film promises to include rare footage of Tangerine Dream; interviews with famous artists and collaborators, including Michael Mann, Volker Schloendorff, Brian May, Paul Brickman, Jean-Michel Jarre and Jim Rakete; and both current and former members of the band. The… Read More Tangerine Dream Documentary Announced


text:
Thu, September 5, 2019, 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Thursday, September 5, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m., Finley Recreation Complex, 2060 West College Avenue
Thursday, September 12, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., Third Street Cinemas, 620 Third Street
Tuesday, September 17, 6:00 – 7:00 p.m., City Hall Council Chambers, 100 Santa Rosa Avenue
Attend free public screenings of Last October, a 50-minute documentary capturing the experiences of several City employees and officials who served as first responders, disaster service workers, or community leaders during the Sonoma Complex Fires. The September 5th screening is hosted in conjunction with the opening reception for the public art exhibit “Sonoma County Residents Reflects on the 2017 Wildfires” (reception hours from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m.). The September 17th event is hosted in conjunction with the public art exhibit Sketching Fire Stories on display at City Hall.
These individuals recount both their professional and personal experiences, the critical participation of mutual aid agencies, and the overwhelming selfless support and heroism of the community during and following one of the most destructive wildfires in state history. The film provides a firsthand glimpse into the breadth of the City’s response and what it was like to work as a public servant during the fires, such as a recreation employee operating an emergency shelter, a City mechanic hearing of the loss of his own house while working to keep public safety vehicles in service, a CityBus worker transporting evacuees, police officers and firefighters on the front lines, and more. In many instances, employees reported to duty not yet knowing the fate of their own homes or of their families who were evacuated.
Finley Community Center
2060 West College Avenue


I would like to address a recent article entitled, “Community Meeting Addresses Quaker Ridge Road Improvements.” While the meeting was well attended, I along with other residents believe that the audience was not as enthusiastic as thought.
Many residents had a great many concerns and questions regarding this project. Some of the questions included:
- The need to install bike paths
- Who would pick up the cost overrun if one should occur
- How would the entrance from side streets be handled
- What material will be used over the present concrete pavement
- Who will pick up the cost if water lines are damaged in the process
- How will traffic be impacted by the reduction in lanes.
Since this will be a major change that will have a great impact, it is necessary to receive answers to these questions and others before proceeding with this project.


text:
Paul Whitinui/Marewa Glover/Dan Hikuroa
Ara Mai he TeteKura – Visioning our Futures
$36.00 inc. GST
With less than 2 per cent of the total Maori population holding a doctorate, the need for Maori leadership planning in academia has never been greater. The purpose of this book is to present the experiences of new and emerging Maori academics as a guide for others aspiring to follow. In 2010 Professor Sir Mason Durie oversaw the creation of the Te Manu Ao Academy at Massey University, designed to advance Maori academic leadership. In partnership with Nga Pae o te Maramatanga, the course looked to develop participants’ thinking around effective leadership principles, values and ideas. This book grew from that programme, in response to the need to create the space for new and emerging Maori academic leaders to speak openly about what leadership means both personally and professionally.


In the realm of online dating, platforms like "Cougar Life" have carved out a niche for themselves by catering to a specific demographic: older women (often referred to as cougars) seeking younger men (commonly known as cubs) and vice versa. This unique approach to matchmaking has sparked curiosity and controversy alike. In this article, we will explore the world of Cougar Life, delving into its features, benefits, and the complexities of age-gap dating in the digital age.
The Evolution of Age-Gap Dating
Age-gap relationships, where there is a significant difference in age between partners, have existed throughout history. However, the rise of online dating platforms has made it easier for people with varying age preferences to connect and explore relationships. Cougar Life, founded in 2006, has been at the forefront of this trend, offering a platform for individuals to pursue age-gap relationships with confidence.
Introducing Cougar Life
Cougar Life is a popular online dating platform designed specifically for older women and younger men who are interested in age-gap dating. While it caters to a niche audience, it has garnered attention for its user-friendly interface, specialized features, and commitment to facilitating connections between cougars and cubs.
Key Features of Cougar Life
- Profile Creation: To get started on Cougar Life, users are required to create a detailed profile that includes photos, personal information, and a description of their preferences and interests. This information helps match users with potential partners who align with their desires.
- Membership Options: Cougar Life offers both free and premium memberships. While free users can access basic features like profile creation and browsing, premium members have access to advanced features such as unlimited messaging and enhanced search filters.
- Search and Match Tools: Cougar Life utilizes sophisticated algorithms to match users based on their preferences, location, and relationship goals. This ensures that users are connected with potential partners who share common interests.
- Messaging and Chatting: Premium members can initiate conversations through Cougar Life's messaging system, fostering interactions between cougars and cubs. Effective communication is crucial for building connections.
- Privacy and Safety: Cougar Life takes privacy and safety seriously, offering features like private photo galleries and the ability to block or report suspicious users. This ensures a secure and discreet dating experience.
- Events and Parties: The platform occasionally hosts events and parties in various locations, allowing members to meet in person and take their online connections to the next level.
- Targeted Audience: Cougar Life's niche focus means that users can easily find potential partners who share their interests and preferences for age-gap relationships.
- Empowerment for Older Women: Cougar Life provides a platform for older women to embrace their desires and confidently pursue relationships with younger men, breaking down societal stereotypes.
- Exploration of Preferences: Users can explore their preferences and desires openly, as Cougar Life encourages transparent communication about what each person is looking for in a relationship.
- Privacy and Security: The platform's commitment to privacy and safety ensures that users can explore age-gap dating discreetly and without fear of harassment.
- Real-Life Connections: Cougar Life's events and parties provide opportunities for users to meet in person, fostering genuine connections beyond the online realm.
Challenges and Considerations
While Cougar Life offers a platform for age-gap dating, it's essential to acknowledge some of the challenges and considerations associated with such relationships:
- Societal Perceptions: Age-gap relationships can face scrutiny and judgment from society due to stereotypes and preconceived notions. It's important for individuals involved in such relationships to be prepared for potential criticism.
- Long-Term Compatibility: Couples with significant age differences should consider factors like long-term compatibility, life goals, and family planning, as these can become more pronounced as the relationship progresses.
- Individual Goals: Both partners should have a clear understanding of their goals and expectations in the relationship. Open communication is key to addressing potential issues that may arise due to age disparities.
- Legal and Ethical Considerations: In some regions, age-gap relationships may be subject to legal restrictions, particularly when one partner is a minor. It's crucial to be aware of and adhere to local laws and ethical guidelines.
Cougar Life has emerged as a unique and specialized platform in the world of online dating, catering to the desires of older women and younger men interested in age-gap relationships. Its commitment to privacy, safety, and empowerment for its users has made it a reputable choice for those exploring unconventional dating dynamics.
Age-gap relationships, like any other type of partnership, come with their own set of challenges and considerations. It is essential for individuals involved in such relationships to communicate openly, be aware of potential societal judgments, and prioritize long-term compatibility.
In a digital age where personal preferences and desires can be openly expressed, Cougar Life serves as a testament to the diversity of human relationships and the importance of finding a platform that aligns with one's interests and goals in the pursuit of love and companionship.


text:
White may be taboo after Labor Day but you can happily immerse yourself in rich blues, greens and oranges at the beach well through October for some visual stimulus and R&R. Just rent one of the new, well appointed cabanas at the Pacific Edge Hotel in Laguna Beach ( 647 South Coast Hwy), the cool go-to spot for families, couples seeking romance and executives doing biz by the pounding surf and ecru sand.
The newly featured five cabanas are former hotel rooms renovated for day and evening use, a clever marketing tool by the Joie De Vivre chain for raking in more cash on a continuous basis year round. Right smack on the beach with expansive decks, the spaces offer groups “an oceanfront base camp” while doing what you would do when checking in for the weekend: sunning, swimming, schmoozing, and drinking and dining at the sought after destination. Each cabana holds up to 8-10 guests with immediate access to the sand, ocean and The Deck, the popular hotel restaurant and bar.
Whether gathering a bunch of women friends for a birthday pampering party or plotting a new start-up with associates off the golf course, you can’t go wrong with these five retreats stocked with the comforts of luxury beaching; a sitting area padded in orange and cream upholstery, a private bath with a shower, a mini bar, flat screen TV, stereo, expansive private deck and lounge furniture with day beds.
Day trippers are waited on hand and flip flop by beach butlers and cabana hosts who coordinate the food and beverage service (minimum required as part of packages) as well as beach activities, water sports from stand-up paddling to surf lessons and even gallery tours.
So who’s biting the seaside fare? “We have eclectic use so far from people booked in less expensive rooms without ocean views who want this access for the day to 20-30 something singles to families of wedding couples to big spenders wanting a relaxing day,” notes Bree Vetere Case, marketing executive for the hotel.
Packages let you occupy the cabana from sun up to sun down (11am to 8pm) and range from $450 for the “Coastal Comfort” route with all the amenities plus two pitchers of specialty cocktails and two catered platters to the more extravagant $950 “VIP View” with four catered platters, a case of beer on ice and two more hours of use.
The good news is the beach decor is highly appealing in typical dressed-down Laguna fashion, clean and modern and more sophisticated than the apartments and suites at the hotel built with kitchenettes and allowance for coastal wear and tear. The palette of cool breezy shades is inviting on a late summer or early fall day and the hotel food is tops and the vista breathtaking.
The deck, perhaps the biggest draw to the hotel, is furnished in inviting wicker with yellow cushions and protective umbrellas make hanging outside safer on the last warm days of the season. Still, you can take advantage of the cabanas in moody weather, as well, when June gloom or the chill of December makes the Edge an ideal setting for a book group needing a respite from stressful traffic and urban squalor.
To reserve a cabana, call: 714-965-4447.


text:
For the past few months, Joachim Kuhn has scrambled to rework his factories and rapidly ramp up production of temperature-controlled containers — a critical but often overlooked part of the global supply chain that will be needed to deliver Covid-19 vaccines around the world.
Container supplies are among the countless challenges facing companies that are part of a vast, behind-the-scenes global network planning to quickly transport huge numbers of Covid-19 vaccines. And each link in the proverbial chain — from finding a spot to keep doses sufficiently cold to protecting them from heists — is equally important in order to ensure enough vaccines reach their far-flung destinations as quickly as possible.
“This is high noon for vaccination,” said Kuhn, chief executive officer of Va-Q-Tec, which rents containers and sells storage boxes for shipping pharmaceuticals and vaccines.
The specially designed containers vary in size, but typically can hold thousands of doses of vaccines that must be stored at specific temperatures to remain effective over time. But with forecasts calling for billions of doses needed over the next couple of years, Va-Q-Tec and other container manufacturers are racing to meet unprecedented demand. The Germany-based company is growing its inventory of containers by 50% and attributes more than half of a 90% increase in sales of storage boxes this year to the pandemic.
“Everything depends on how many vaccines will be on the market, whether they require one shot or two shots, where they are produced and how much distribution is needed. And there will be high demand for safe transports,” he explained. “So there are many, many questions. Everybody has to think about how to handle this sensitive and precious cargo.”
The pandemic has prompted the U.S. government and others across the globe to secure huge numbers of doses from Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers, who are pushing clinical trial timelines like never before in order to get their vaccines ready for use as soon as possible. One or more of these vaccines may be approved by regulators here and abroad in the months ahead.
The effort to distribute those vaccines has accelerated just as quickly. Just as container makers are squeezing more out of their production plants, vaccine makers are busy modeling transportation routes and storage conditions in many countries. Wholesalers are lining up warehouse space and trucks. And freight forwarders and airport managers are expanding security for what will immediately become the world’s hottest commodity.
“I’m more than 30 years in the business and thought I’d seen everything, but it’s an unchartered situation for all of us,” said Larry St. Onge, global life sciences and health care sector president at DHL, which provides a range of transportation services for pharmaceutical products. “The scale of the challenge is going to be very large and there will be a pressing need to eliminate bottlenecks.”
To transport Covid-19 vaccines globally, DHL estimates that about 200,000 pallet shipments and 15 million deliveries in cooling boxes will be required. And to make that happen, approximately 15,000 flights will be needed.
To be sure, transporting pharmaceuticals and vaccines that require temperature-controlled environments – such as containers, special freezers and storage facilities — has long been a big business. Before the pandemic, global spending on so-called cold-chain logistics was forecast to reach $17.2 billion this year, according to the Biopharma Cold Chain Sourcebook.
Most of that spending will be devoted to air freight, as opposed to ground and ocean shipping. Meanwhile, about $5 billion will be spent this year on insulated containers and instrumentation, the sensors and data loggers that are used to track shipments and temperatures, respectively, according to Nick Basta, founding editor of Pharmaceutical Commerce.
Such spending was already rising before the pandemic because of the growing number of biologic medicines, which also have special shipping and storage requirements. The total value of temperature-controlled pharmaceuticals is estimated at $341 billion, out of a total 2020 market of $1.3 trillion. Basta added that the overall value of cold-chain pharmaceuticals is expected to grow at approximately twice the rate of conventional medicines between 2018 and 2024.
This enormous spending — which is now likely to balloon even more during the Covid-19 crisis — reflects the complexities of the supply chain.
This is how it typically works: Vaccines are placed in storage boxes, which are then placed in temperature-controlled containers. The vaccine maker usually has an agreement with a freight forwarder, which is responsible for transportation or making arrangements for transportation, such as refrigerated trucking to distribution centers. From there, the containers are delivered to an airport, where they are stored in temperature-controlled facilities before being loaded on to airplanes.
But when it comes to Covid-19 vaccines, supply chain experts are planning with an incomplete picture. For instance, companies are still waiting to learn how long each vaccine will remain stable and, therefore, effective. They also have to consider the degree to which vaccines must be kept cold, depending on the technology used to develop each vaccine.
Typically, vaccines are stored at 2 to 8 degrees Celsius, but some Covid-19 vaccines may require much colder temperatures, anywhere from -20 to -80 Celsius. Moderna, for instance, expects its vaccine to be shipped at -20 Celsius, while Pfizer is working on a vaccine that must be stored at -70 Celsius.
Pfizer, meanwhile, developed its own thermal shipping boxes that can hold up to 5,000 doses for up to 10 days if stored at the point of vaccination at the proper temperature. But the boxes, which would be shipped in containers, should not be opened more than twice a day and not open for more than one minute at a time, another example of supply chain challenges.
Generally, most temperature-controlled containers can hold vaccines for a few days before dry ice is used to keep vaccines from thawing out for another few days. Such requirements, however, add still more pressure on each link in the supply chain to properly store doses and also move shipments quickly from one destination to the next.
“The problem is there’s not even remotely enough capacity in the system to service that and it’s a critical system and that’s what everybody is scrambling to look at,” said Mark Sawicki, chief executive officer at Cryoport, which specializes in cold-chain logistics services. “There’s not enough inventory of temperature-controlled containers to support anticipated systems.”
“There aren’t millions of square feet of -80 Celsius storage space in the world. You can’t use a massive cold box at an airport like you would use for bananas. It doesn’t exist, he added. “But if you have countless doses of vaccines with limited storage capacity, how do you address that? And any accumulation at airport locations with limited storage for that temperature range also creates a risk.”
“There’s very little tolerance for mistake,” said Neel Shah Jones, global head of air carrier relationships at Flexport, a freight forwarder. “What if a vaccine isn’t loaded on a plane right away and sits out for a period of time? It may have to be destroyed if the temperature went out of range. What if you don’t have enough refrigerated trucks to handle a shipment or refrigerated storage facilities when a shipment lands? ”
Planning is made still more complicated by changing flight trends. Fewer passenger planes are flying due to the slowdown in air traffic caused by the pandemic. For the past three decades or so, drug makers shipped about half of their products in the bellies of passenger planes, but as much as 80% of that capacity has disappeared, according to Jones.
More than 30,000 aircraft flew pharmaceuticals last year, according to the International Air Cargo Association. By April, roughly 18,000 aircraft were grounded, and overall cargo volume could decline by 14% to 31% in 2020. The association is working with another industry organization, Pharma.Aero, to find ways to safely and efficiently move Covid-19 vaccines in and out of airports.
“One of the biggest challenges we’re facing is capacity, the space on airplanes,” said Emir Pineda, manager of aviation trade and logistics at Miami International Airport. “Today, most markets in the world are closed. We don’t have passenger airlines flying to many places at the level as we did before. And we don’t know when or how much of it will come back. It’s very worrisome.”
Pineda has another concern: preventing heists. Theft is hardly a new worry for drug makers and their transportation partners, but anxiety is running high because any Covid-19 vaccine will be extremely valuable. Pineda is forming a task force with members of the security, police, real estate, land, and planning departments of the airport, which will then work with airlines, truckers, and storage companies.
Pfizer, for instance, is adding extra security and background checks on everyone involved in each step of the process for transporting vaccines. Moreover, each box of vaccines will have a GPS tracker placed inside, a step the company has not taken before. In the past, the company would simply place a GPS in each truck to ensure the vaccines followed the planned routes over the estimated travel time.
“We’ll be able to monitor the shipment from the time it leaves the plant to where it needs to get to,” said Tanya Alcorn, who heads the Pfizer supply chain team. “We have a control tower — a digital system that looks at temperatures and locations of all boxes plotted against a route. The system will push alerts to our phones and computers if there’s a deviation in temperature or the driver is not following course or at a place on time.”
Such concerns are magnified when distributing to other parts of the world, supply chain experts said. On top of the usual security issues, some poorer countries may lack certain forms of infrastructure, whether it is refrigerated storage facilities at airports, a sufficient number of refrigerated trucks, appropriate cold storage in hospitals, or passable road conditions in certain areas.
“Each country may work differently,” explained Roddy Martin of TraceLink, which develops technology to mitigate diversion and counterfeiting. “There will be this mad scramble, especially in low-income markets where verification is harder. How will you know a vaccine is not a counterfeit or has been diverted? The angst around all this — everything in the supply chain, for that matter — is going to be on orders of magnitude higher than we’ve previously seen.”


text:
Design wall decals for your interior decoration!
These design wall decals and this Artistic garden can give you ideas for decorating. Bring a new style, warmth and modernity, even in small spaces to modernize your living room by choosing this sticker Artistic Garden as wall decoration.
Where can I stick this wall sticker?
This wall sticker will be perfect on one of the walls of your living room or kitchen! If you have a design interior, this sticker is a very good idea to decorate your wall.


text:
Should the Government and FASEA consider developing a special classification for risk advice?
- Yes (78%)
- No (19%)
- Not sure (3%)
Our latest poll is effectively asking you whether life insurance advice should be treated as a special case when it comes to minimum adviser education standards.
This is a question which does not have a right or a wrong answer. It’s more a question of who you are and what you think. It’s a conscience vote.
The prevailing (and mandated) approach to regaining trust in financial advice is manifested in FASEA’s adviser exam and in its minimum education standards, which must be successfully completed by all advisers by 1 January 2026, if the Government’s amendments are passed by the Senate (see: FASEA Extensions Confirmed).
There are compelling arguments – for compelling reasons – that can be made in support of an industry structure that will require every adviser on the ASIC register to undertake the same examination and to attain the same minimum education standards, irrespective of the nature of their advice proposition.
In an ideal world, no-one would contest this proposition. It makes so much sense, especially as it relates to restoring customer faith.
In the real world, however, many in the financial services community offer an alternative perspective. That perspective is based around a pragmatism which contends that stand-alone life insurance advice is indeed a different proposition.
The idea is that a different set of minimum education metrics should apply when it comes to delivering life insurance advice solutions – for risk specialists – but that if they seek to provide advice across a broader spectrum, they would be required to meet the currently-mandated FASEA standards.
A significant focus of this debate revolves around the notion of how advisers add value for their clients. When it comes to investment and superannuation advice, it’s entirely appropriate to argue that the quality of that advice should not be dependent on the rise and fall of the value of a client’s investment portfolio. It has more to do with the best advice (and wisdom) an adviser can deliver to their clients, given the individual adviser has little control over the vagaries of the stock markets.
…there’s a proviso …which presumes the consumer is prepared to pay the equivalent fee for life insurance advice as they are for their investment and superannuation advice
Does this ‘ideal’ logic also apply when it comes to life insurance advice? Yes, it does. But there’s a proviso applied to that logic, which presumes the consumer is prepared to pay the equivalent fee for life insurance advice as they are for their investment and superannuation advice. But they are not – and therein lies the crux of this issue.
The Government and FASEA’s position that every adviser – regardless of the nature of their advice proposition – should be treated the same, is both admirable and naive. It’s naive because they’ve not taken into account the fact that the consumer – who is the intended beneficiary of these reforms – does NOT value life insurance advice in the same way as they value investment and super advice.
Unintended consequences: will the current FASEA exam and minimum education standards spell the end for most risk-specialist advice businesses? And will less Australians (including many ‘mums and dads’ families who need it most) have access to quality life insurance advice/wisdom as a result?
Perhaps consumer attitudes towards the relative value of life insurance advice will evolve over time, when compared with how they perceive the value of their investment and superannuation advice. But the Australian community just hasn’t arrived there yet – and that’s the argument that supports the contention that minimum education standards for risk advice, at least for now, should be given the respect of individual consideration.
As usual, there’s a more nuanced conversation that exists beyond the blunt question we’re asking. But for the time being, we’ll hand the debate over to you and will report back next week…

domain: finance


Announced at MWC 2017 earlier this year, Sony has launched the Xperia XA1 Ultra smartphone in India today. The smartphone is priced at Rs 29,990 and will be available across all Sony Center and major electronic stores across India. The smartphone is available in black, white and gold color variants. Also Read - Samsung and LG confirm presence at in-person CES 2022Also Read - E3 2021: What is it, entire schedule, how to watch livestream for free, what to expect
This is the latest addition to the ‘X-series’ of smartphones. Talking about the smartphone, it comes with a full metal body. Up front, the smartphone comes with borderless design at the sides. The company says that the smartphone is made up of an aluminium side which gives the phone its rich look. At the back, there is a camera module and LED flash placed at the top left corner of the phone. The Xperia branding can be spotted at the center. On the right-hand side, the smartphone comes with a power button, volume rocker and a dedicated camera shutter key at the bottom side of the phone. The smartphone comes sans fingerprint scanner.
On buying the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra, customers will also get Quick Charger worth Rs 1,490 bundled in the box. They will also be eligible for 3 months of free subscription to Sony LIV. An additional Rs 1,000 off can also be availed on purchase of Xperia XA1 Ultra with Style Cover Stand (SCSG40). Sony has also launched the Style Stand Cover SCSG40 for the Xperia Xa1 Ultra for Rs 3,490. The Style stand cover is already available in the market in black and white color and comes with an inbuilt stand. ALSO READ: Sony SRS-XB40 Review: Lights and sounds kinda thing
Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra specifications, features
The smartphone comes with 6-inch full-HD edge-to-edge displays. Under the hood, the smartphone comes with an octa-core MediaTek processor and are paired with 4GB of RAM. Also on offer is 64GB of internal storage which can be further be expanded up to 256GB via microSD card.
On the camera front, the Xperia XA1 Ultra comes with a 23-megapixel rear camera with f/2.0 aperture, phase detection, and laser autofocus and LED flash. On the front, it comes with a 16-megapixel camera with Optical Image Stabilisation. The smartphone is also armed with a 2,700mAh battery. The battery comes with Qnovo Adaptive Charging, STAMINA Mode and Quick Charging, that the company says can charge your phone to 60 percent in 45 minutes. TheXperia XA1 Ultra comes equipped with USB Type C connector for data transfer and charging. ALSO READ: Honor 8 Pro to OnePlus 5: A look at dual-camera setups and how they differ
In terms of competition, the smartphone will go take on the likes of OnePlus 5 and Honor 8 Pro, priced at Rs 32,999 and Rs 29,999 respectively. Both the OnePlus 5 and Honor 8 Pro offer much better specification when compared to the Xperia XA1 Ultra. To begin with both the smartphone offer dual camera setup. Apart from that, the smartphones also come equipped with a fingerprint scanner which is missing from the Sony Xperia XA1 Ultra.


text:
The wingback chair is essentially a club chair with "wings" attached to the back that often extend to the arm rests. Though the flat and scroll wing styles are most typical, imaginatively ornate versions like bat-wing chairs and butterfly-wing chairs can also be found. Most designs are fully upholstered with wooden legs, but older versions tend to have an exposed wood frame as well. The colorful version pictured below demonstrates how this iconic design can be reinterpreted. Even vintage velvet upholstery feels fresh when paired with wooden legs painted in a color that coordinates with your favorite throw pillow. For a twist on wooden frame versions, try gilding the frame for a contemporary, aristocratic vibe.
Like many classic furniture pieces, the wingback chair's stylish design was born out of necessity. Created to trap heat and shield the top half of the body from drafts, the chairs were often positioned in front of a crackling fire. Aside from adding a sense of grandeur, these chairs offered a cocoon-like comfort. Today, they remain just as popular with or without the presence of a hearth.
Do you love this look? Learn how to make your own colorful chair at Martha Stewart!


text:
Healthy spices are for life, not just Christmas
Beyond their uses in the kitchen, herbs and spices offer a whole range of benefits for our health and nutrition, writes Rozanne Stevens
Herbs and spices are integral in cooking, adding flavour, aroma and even colour and texture. Beyond their culinary uses, herbs and spices are nutritious and even have therapeutic benefits, used for centuries in traditional herbal medicine and now being studied scientifically and harnessed for their healing powers.
But what is the difference between a herb and a spice? Quite simply, a herb is the green, leafy part of the plant while a spice are the woody bits and roots. This could be the bark (cinnamon), the root (ginger and turmeric), the seed (fennel) or part of the flower (saffron).
Spices are often dried and then used whole or ground down to a fine powder. You may also harvest both a herb and a spice from the same plant -- think coriander leaves and seeds. Spices are concentrated sources of essential oils, nutrients and chemical compounds. It's no wonder they are yielding treatments for ailments, ranging from mild in the case of nausea to severe illnesses, such as cancers.
Here are a few widely used spices, languishing in most spice racks, which have potent health benefits:
I'm sure we all have a bottle of ground cinnamon in the cupboard and probably whole cinnamon sticks too. Invaluable in baking and used in most global cuisine, cinnamon has emerged as a powerful antioxidant spice, natural food preservative and is even being used to manage Type 2 Diabetes.
Cinnamon adds a sweet intense flavour to foods like porridge and fruit crumbles, replacing the need for sugar. Studies have shown that cinnamon helps regulate blood sugar and insulin levels.
One of the first clinical trials showed a 20-fold increase in glucose metabolism when using cinnamon. Mixing cinnamon with high carb foods can help prevent spikes in insulin levels. An excellent example of this would be baking, where you can easily add a bit of ground cinnamon which can offset the negative effects of the white flour and sugar.
There are several varieties of cinnamon available, some with a more intense flavour and aroma.
There are some arguments that the more pungent species, such as Saigon cinnamon, have greater health benefits. I bought a bottle of Saigon cinnamon and it is indeed very intense and aromatic, but studies show that all types of cinnamon have health benefits, so do use whatever you have in the kitchen.
I add cinnamon to all kinds of baking and even savoury dishes such as tagines and chilli con carne. On a daily basis, I sprinkle cinnamon on my porridge or dissolve it in plain yoghurt. No need for added sugar and I feel that I'm doing something good.
The intense orange yellow pigment known as curcumin, contains the most concentrated of the anti-inflammatory properties that is the subject of several clinical trials. Curcumin is a powerful anti-inflammatory comparable in effectiveness to some prescription and over the counter medications.
Clinical studies yielded promising results for curcumin in treating the symptoms of inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn's and ulcerative colitis, rheumatoid arthritis and cystic fibrosis. Curcumin also shows powerful antioxidant benefits in certain types of cancers -- breast, prostate, lung and colon cancers -- by inhibiting the growth of tumours and also improving liver function.
This super spice also has excellent cardiovascular benefits by lowering LDL cholesterol and preventing the oxidation of cholesterol in the arteries, which is what causes the narrowing of the arteries and increases the risk of heart attacks.
Curcumin is being studied as a preventative for Alzheimer's Disease. The mechanism by which it works is quite complicated as it does so in several ways: by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation and also preventing plaques between the nerve cells, which interferes with brain function.
Turmeric is in curry powder blends which you can use in creative ways, such as a dressing for chicken coronation salad or in egg mayonnaise. A traditional South African recipe is to add a teaspoon of ground turmeric, a cinnamon stick and two tablespoons of raisins to a pot of rice before you start cooking. This turmeric rice has a fabulous colour and the sweetness from the raisins and cinnamon are delicious with a lamb or pork roast.
Ginger is a wonderfully warming spice, especially in winter warmer dishes or a steaming mug of ginger tea. It is used for treating nausea, motion sickness and stomach upsets. In the Obstetric and Gynaecology Journal, ginger was shown to be a safe treatment for nausea and vomiting experienced during pregnancy, with no side effects. While not every woman will get sufficient relief from taking ginger, it is at least reassuring that it is a safe remedy.
Increasingly, ginger is being used as a effective anti-inflammatory for osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Another bonus is that ginger does not cause gastrointestinal upset which many pharmaceutical anti-inflammatories do.
While not a cure, studies show that the active ingredient in ginger, gingerol, does provide some relief for the pain associated with these conditions. It is most effective in milder conditions, such as aching knee joints, which are also aggravated in cold weather. The good news is that dried ginger is almost as effective as the fresh root, so enjoy it in cooking, as a fresh or dried tea -- even candied ginger will have benefits.
Fennel seeds impart a mild anise flavour to cooking and make a pleasant tasting tea that is effective in reducing flatulance and bloating.
This is a safe and gentle natural remedy that may prove useful over the festive season with the overindulgence in rich foods that you wouldn't normally eat.
Fennel is a widely used galactagogue with nursing mothers drinking fennel tea or a tea blend with fennel to boost breast milk production. A small amount of the active ingredient might pass to your baby, thereby also soothing infant colic.
For post Christmas excess, fennel could be useful to shed the festive spread. It has been proven to be effective as a weight loss aid as it helps reduce cravings and balance blood sugar. Fennel also contains melatonin, which is a natural substance which aids a good night's sleep. Sufficient sleep has many benefits, one of which is a healthy waistline. Sleep deprivation has been linked to an increase in insulin resistance which is a precursor to weight gain and possibly Type 2 Diabetes.
Moroccan Spice Blend
This is the ideal recipe to use up bits and bobs of dried spices that you may have in the cupboards. The flavours are very well balanced and will enhance salmon, chicken, lamb and veggie dishes. Even simply sprinkled over roasted vegetables or stirred through quinoa or couscous. You can also make up small jars of it and give it away as a festive foodie gift, with serving suggestions to ensure that it gets used!
* 2tsp ground cumin
* 2tsp ground coriander
* 2tsp paprika
* 2tsp ginger
* 2tsp cinnamon
* 1tsp ground white pepper
* 1tsp ground turmeric
* 1tsp fennel seeds, ground
* 1/4tsp chilli powder
* 1/4tsp ground nutmeg
Carefully measure out all the spices into a clean jar with a tight-fitting lid. Give it a good shake and store in a cool, dark place. If the spices are new, use within six months.

domain: food


- CRISTINAEFFE Knee-length dress
CRISTINAEFFE Knee-length dress
- Made In Italy Item made in Italy, synonymous with quality and design creativity.
- Product Info Composition: 78% Viscose, 14% Polyamide, 8% Elastane - +
- Composition: 78% Viscose, 14% Polyamide, 8% Elastane
- Details: jersey, solid color, deep neckline, sleeveless, no appliqués, no pockets, lined interior, no fastening, stretch, dress
- Product code: 34620768FV
Similar to cristinaeffe knee-length dress
Bailey 44 Knee-length dress is on sale!
CLIPS UP Knee-length dress is on sale!
L'EDITION Knee-length dress is on sale!
TwinkleDeals Halloween Lace Up Jersey Cocktail Dress - Black - 2xl is on sale!
TwinkleDeals Vintage Sleeveless Lapel Dress - Red - L is on sale!


Development of a reduced four-component (toluene/n-heptane/iso-octane/ethanol) gasoline surrogate model
Alexandros Tingas, Efstathios
Im, Hong G.
KAUST DepartmentChemical Engineering Program
Clean Combustion Research Center
Combustion and Pyrolysis Chemistry (CPC) Group
Computational Reacting Flow Laboratory (CRFL)
Mechanical Engineering Program
Physical Science and Engineering (PSE) Division
Online Publication Date2019-03-13
Print Publication Date2019-07
Permanent link to this recordhttp://hdl.handle.net/10754/652955
MetadataShow full item record
AbstractThe prospect of blending gasoline fuel with ethanol is being investigated as a potential way to improve the knock residence of the base gasoline. However, one of the drawbacks is a lack of proper understanding of the reason for the non-linear response of blending ethanol and gasoline. This non-linearity could be better understood by an improved knowledge of the interactions of these fuel components at a molecular level. This study proposed a highly reduced four-component (toluene/n-heptane/iso-octane/ethanol) gasoline surrogate model containing 59 species and 270 reactions. The model was reduced using the direct relation graph with expert knowledge (DRG-X) (Lu and Law, 20015; Lu et al., 2011) and isomer lumping method. The computational singular perturbation (CSP) analysis were performed to reduce the potential stiffness issues by accordingly adjusting the Arrhenius coefficients of the proper reactions. The model has been comprehensively validated against wide range of ignition delay times (IDT) and flame speed (FS) measurement data as well as compared against two representative literature models from Liu et al. (2013) and Wang et al. (2015). Overall, good agreements were observed between model predictions and experimental data across the entire research octane number (RON), equivalence ratio, pressure and temperature range. In addition, the model has also been coupled with the computational fluid dynamic (CFD) models to simulate the experimental data of constant volume reacting spray of a low-octane gasoline (Haltermann straight-run naphtha), and in-cylinder pressures and temperatures of a high-octane gasoline (Haltermann Gasoline) combustion in a heavy duty compression ignition engine. The coupled model can qualitatively predict the experimentally obtained data with an improved performance for PRF, TPRF, and TPRF-ethanol surrogates.
CitationLi Y, Alfazazi A, Mohan B, Alexandros Tingas E, Badra J, et al. (2019) Development of a reduced four-component (toluene/n-heptane/iso-octane/ethanol) gasoline surrogate model. Fuel 247: 164–178. Available: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.fuel.2019.03.052.
SponsorsThe authors acknowledge the support from KAUST and Saudi Aramco under the FUELCOM project.


text:
14K White Gold Classic Bezel Set Round Diamond Engagement Ring
14K White Gold Classic Bezel Set Round Diamond Engagement Ring. This classically elegant style features a solitaire round diamond securely set in a full bezel. Price will vary, depending on the size of the center diamond. Available in different sizes, shapes, metals and colors. Center diamond sold separately. Designed by Gabriel & Co.
Book a free online appointment to discuss how we can customize this ring to meet your exact requirements, including your options on stone, size, metal, and more...


Impact Damage Resistance of Shape Memory Alloy Hybrid Composite Structures
MetadataShow full item record
The strain energy absorption of shape memory alloy (SMA) bars and beams under tension and bending loading was studied. A theoretical model is presented that can give quantitative relations between the martensite fraction, the applied load, and the strain energy absorbed in the shape memory alloy (SMA). It was found analytically that the super-elastic SMA demonstrates a high strain energy absorption capability. The closed- form solution of the strain energy absorption capability of SMA bars is a simple and useful tool in the design of energy absorption applications of super-elastic SMA. The nonlinear equations for SMA hybrid composite plates, which can be used for low velocity impact or quasi-static contact loading, are derived. The governing equations include the transverse shear deformation to the first-order, large deformation of the plates, and SMA/epoxy lamina. The equations are derived in the general form with general boundary conditions and general stack of angle ply. The equations can be simplified to special forms in the specific applications. A theoretical study of the impact force and the strain energy absorption of an SMA/graphite/epoxy composite beam under a low-velocity impact has been performed. The contact deformation, the global bending deformation, the transverse shear deformation, and the martensitic phase transformation of the super-elastic SMA fibers are studied. The energy absorbed by the SMA hybrid composite is calculated for each task of the absorption mechanisms: contact deformation, global bending deformation, and The analysis methods and models developed in this dissertation are the first reported research in modeling SMA composite under low velocity impact and quasi-static loading. The models and methods developed here can be used for further study and design of SMA composites for low velocity impact or quasi-static loading in failure process.
- Doctoral Dissertations