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Why We Are Asking You To Pay To Attend Sahara Sparks 2018.
It has been three years now since we did our first event at Mlimani City,
13th -14th May 2016. A lot has happened from that time to now; we have moved from being just an event to a group of company that supports the growth of innovation and technology entrepreneurship ecosystem in Africa, Sahara Ventures.
Sahara Sparks was formed as a platform to bring together young entrepreneurs to link them to potential partners, investors, mentors etc and to spark conversations on how we can create the right environment for new innovative ventures to emerge. The event has evolved to become a platform for everything tech, innovation, and entrepreneurship. Since its initial launch the event has registered almost twice the number of startups showcasing during the event, double the number of attendees of the event, increased the number of investors, sponsors, and partners. In 2017 we had more than 1200 attendees, 139 startups, over 40 speakers, 8 sessions and 5 side events building up to the main event.
Moving from “Breaking The Barriers” to “Towards Smart Solutions” our two previous events themes, was never easy. The quality of the 2016 event was very high we had to stretch ourselves to the limit to be able to offer a better experience in 2017 and I’m happy we’re able to do that. In 2017 the quality of the speakers went up, the quality of the startup was better and the side events really created value for the attendees. We learned a lot from events such as; Omidyar Fintech Breakfast, Daser David — Header File Event, Tsavo Labs Social Enterprise Session etc.
2017 also gave us something different, the diversification of tech across untouched areas of potential tech-related businesses in Africa. We talked about opportunities in the digital music market with high profile musicians, technology in Arts, technology for socioeconomic development etc. We discussed challenges and opportunities as we move to the smart era of adopting easy to use, data-driven, user-centered technologies that add real values to people and transform our way of life.
In three years, our community has also grown with over 70 speakers who have been Sahara Sparks stage, 239 startups which have applied to take part in the event, over 10,000 Facebook followers, 20 high profile sponsors and over 100 partners from across the globe. The event which started has a Tanzanian event, has become a regional event with build up events potentially in Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, and Uganda before the main event in Tanzania.
Our mission is very simple, Building Africa’s Innovation Ecosystem. We believe by having a locally established platform owned and run by Africans to discuss innovation, technology, and entrepreneurship in African context while preserving Africa’s interests will create a chance for new potential solutions for most pressing issues in the continent through; positive conversations, quality startups with innovative solutions, changed mindset of youths, improved policies, and regulations, innovation for development and collective actions from diverse groups of stakeholders and changemakers.
Fast forwarding to 2018, Sahara Sparks event is officially an African event. We are excited to work side by side with AfriLabs, the network of African tech hubs and labs to organize one event for the African innovation and technology entrepreneurship ecosystems. The event themed “Innovation in The Data Age” has come in the right time when everyone is speaking about the power of data and new trending technologies; AI, Blockchain, Robotics etc in transforming people’s lives. Who are we not to talk about it? Africa needs this kind of discussions now more than ever if we are to catch up with our colleagues in the developed North.
A continent with a market of 1.2 billion people over 200 Million youths (expected to double by 2045) with an internal trade (intra African exports) of less than 20 percent needs to sit down and talk about innovation, technology and data, either at Sahara Sparks or any other platform and not only talking but coming with concrete action plans — JRM.
By now you should be able to understand why we are asking people to pay to attend the event but these are our two major reasons among others;
- We want to have a completely independent event driven by what needed to be discussed rather than who sponsored the discussion.
- For the event to be sustainable it has to run as a business, creating a sustained value and building a brand based on people royalty and appreciation to the brand. We want people to own the brand Sahara Sparks.
Going forward, Sahara Sparks is going Africa, holding series of City Sparks events across the continent by working with local innovation and technology entrepreneurship communities; hubs, spaces, labs etc to continue these conversations at the city level. Sparkling discussions, recruiting startups, search for investors, building networks of mentors, sponsors, and partners across the continent. This is not an idea is already happening and we will have City Sparks events this year.
If you believe in our mission you can access the City Sparks concept note here and we can help you organize one.
Looking forward seeing you at our main event on October 11th — 13th, Golden Tulip Hotel, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. You can get your ticket here. To attend buildup events and City Sparks event just follow the updates on our social media pages and register on our website.
We would like to appreciate the support of everyone who has been involved in one way or the other on making this event possible including organizations and partners who have already committed to support us again this year.
By the way, the early bird registration is open, you can register now and get a chance to pay 50 percent less of the actual ticket price.
CEO, Sahara Ventures.


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AHC, EHC, FDIA
Brad has spent well over three decades in the Openings Industry, working in various disciplines including Conventional Hardware, Electronic Hardware, and Hollow Metal and Wood Doors. Brad also specializes in Specification Writing, System Design, Project Management, and Project Troubleshooting.
Brad’s involvement with the Door and Hardware Institute began in 1990. Since then his roles with DHI have included Chapter President, Positions on both the National and International Committees, and teaching at industry schools in the United States and Canada while designing new courses and testing procedures and delivery methods.
Some notable projects Brad has worked on include: The Supreme Court of Canada-Security Upgrade, Foreign Affairs Building-Retrofit, The National Gallery of Canada, The Ottawa Hospital Cancer Centre, Montfort Hospital Veterans Wing, Toronto Pearson International Airport, and Ottawa International Airport.
AIA, LEED AP, DHT
Kelley is a licensed architect and construction professional with over 30 years of experience in all facets of the design and construction industries. Kelley has an exceptional track record of advancing multimillion dollar projects from initial design conception, through project completion while maintaining project budgets and timelines. Kelley’s areas of expertise include Education (Preschool-College), Government/Civic, Corporate/Commercial, Healthcare, and Historic Preservation.
Kelley’s involvement with the Door Hardware Institute began in 2011, when she sought to deepen her knowledge of the architectural hardware industry and meet client needs through an architectural lens.

domain: design


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Pressemeldinger • mai 16, 2017 17:16 CEST
Zalaris ASA has signed a five-year contract with Statkraft, the Norwegian state-owned energy champion. The agreement, referred to in Zalaris' Q1 report, now includes operations for more than 3 000 employees globally.
Pressemeldinger • apr 27, 2017 08:00 CEST
Zalaris' Q1/17 revenues were up 8.0% to NOK 106.4 million, with an EBIT margin of 10.1%. Multiple wins for international clients and an agreement announced yesterday to acquire the company sumarum AG in Germany kick off the company’s expansion plans.
Pressemeldinger • apr 26, 2017 20:52 CEST
Zalaris ASA has agreed to acquire sumarum AG, a leading human resources outsourcing and consulting company based in Germany.
Pressemeldinger • apr 20, 2017 19:21 CEST
Zalaris ASA has signed a five-year renewal with the industrial champion Siemens for its Swedish operations. The agreement extends the value creating partnership over the past 12 years.
Pressemeldinger • feb 28, 2017 07:00 CET
Zalaris’ Q4/16 revenues were up 11.2% to NOK 105.2 million, with an EBIT margin at 11.8% - well above target. Dividend for FY/16 proposed at NOK 0.87 per share.
Pressemeldinger • feb 08, 2017 08:36 CET
Zalaris ASA has extended its partnership with Norsk Hydro ASA – a global aluminum company - to provide payroll and HR services to Hydro’s 4,400 employees and 8,100 pensioners in Norway.
Pressemeldinger • jan 11, 2017 20:05 CET
Industry leading analyst NelsonHall cites Zalaris as a leader in cloud-based HR services. “This recognition is yet another tribute to Zalaris and its dedicated SAP SuccessFactors team,” remarked Zalaris CEO Hans-Petter Mellerud.
Nyheter • okt 17, 2016 21:50 CEST
Zalaris will publish its third quarter results for 2016 on Wednesday 26 October at 07.00 a.m. Join our CEO and CFO for a webcast at 08.00 a.m CET.
Om Zalaris ASA
Nordisk ledende innen lønn- og personaltjenester
Zalaris ASA yter fullservice outsourcing av forretningsfunksjoner for lønn, personal-, og HR med tilhørende konsulent- og HR systemleveranser for store virksomheter. Tjenestene gir kundene mulighet til å operere med felles lønn- og HR prosesser på tvers av landegrenser, tilgang til skybaserte løsninger for talent management samt reduserte kostnader. Zalaris leveranser dekker hele Norden, Baltikum, Polen og India. Zalaris er SAP BPO partner.
- Zalaris ASA
- Hovfaret 4B
- 0275 Oslo

domain: economics


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Playing at Live casino with your cellphone is most fascinating and thrilling experience. Be it your Android or iOS smartphone, live casino or any other casino games like slots, poker, table games, lottery games or sports betting are also on the go at live casino on mobile. Earlier it was a thing of the past and live casino on mobile was not even heard of but now with instant play version of almost all the live casinos apps in Canada, this is a dream come true for punters.
Also as the mobile device suppliers be it Apple, Samsung or any other, produce powerful products with strong technical specifications and large responsive displays, there is rise in demand of more and more mobile casino games. Thus software developers started creating numerous mobile slots, table games and instant wins as well as they optimised live casinos in a way that makes them accessible by mobile devices. Hence, the latest trend in the online gambling business is live mobile casinos.
Live Mobile Casino
- You can visit live casino at any time of the day, no matter where you are at the moment with any of your cell phone be it iPhone (all generations) or Android smartphones like Samsung Galaxy, HTC, Google Nexus, LG, Sony.
- In order to play live casino all you need to have is a good internet or WIFI connection and a device that runs on a supported operating system.
- Playing on the go is very simple and even though few online casinos prompt you in downloading software, the process is very easy and quick; hence, you can start playing within couple of minutes.
- These live casinos that can be visited via cell phone are powered by leading software providers like Microgaming, Playtech, Netent; they are also safe and make it possible for players to register accounts and make deposits directly from their smartphones. Most popular live casino software Evolution gaming has fully optimised mobile gaming solutions and it is one of the world-leading live casino mobile app offering games to many Canadian live casinos and mobile casino apps. With Evolution Live Casino players can enjoy world-leading live dealer casino games not only on their desktops and laptops, but also on the world’s leading tablets and smartphones across IOS and Android, and via browser or Native App.
- All the games for mobile are beautifully optimised for each specific device and OS and use a similar, familiar UI to the equivalent live games accessed on desktop. This means players can easily switch between devices and enjoy greater choice over where and when they play with extended access and longer playing sessions.
Live Mobile Games
Most commonly found live mobile games are Live Roulette, Live Blackjack and Live Baccarat. However, at certain casinos players can also play Live Mobile Texas Hold’em, various live poker games, card games, Sic Bo, Hi Lo, Spin a Wheel and various other new types of live games.
Live Blackjack is most popular of live casino games and is brought to you by top rated gaming software providers like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, Netent and others. This mobile live game can be presented in both landscape and portrait orientations with the exception of NetEnt live game that only offers landscape version. Playtech offers both European and Vegas rules while the others all play to Vegas rules. Most tables offer 7 seat while Playtech and Netent has version called Unlimited mobile Blackjack where multiple players all play the same hand.
Live Roulette is probably the most mobile friendly game and is played widely. There are many variations of the game like European and American roulette are most played. Portrait versions of mobile live roulette will have all the video streaming of the live game for easy access to betting grids which can be maximized if you want place bets with mobile.
Besides live games you can play slots, table games as well as lottery games and do sports betting with your cell phone.
Note that there are usually more than one table and several game variants offered to users who like playing on their smartphones and tablets. Every live mobile game has its own table limits that depend on the game variant and the target group of players like low, medium or high rollers. Mobile versions of casino games are designed to detect the type of device you’re using and automatically adapt to the size of screen, so this means at a mobile casino you’ll experience the same high quality HD graphics and animation as you’d find at an online casino.
Bonus offers on live casino mobile
Like online casinos, mobile casinos too offer great bonuses and offers for you to avail when playing with your mobile device. These bonuses vary from casino to casino. You will find new player or welcome bonus, weekly match bonuses, monthly bonuses, sports betting bonuses, slots free spins bonuses, cashback bonuses and VIP bonuses or loyalty point rewards.
All these offers are quite lucrative and you will feel really pampered when playing with your cell phone You need to find which bonus suits you best and according to your game play. There are also traditional casino bonuses for Canadian mobile casino players like birthday or anniversary bonus or some specific events or games are tied to such offers like poker tournament day offer so on and so forth.
When you’re deciding on the best mobile casinos for yourself, try to choose options that suit your playing style. You’ll get maximum benefit from these rewards, so you can bet more, win more and have your personal best mobile casino experience.
One thing to note is before you redeem these bonuses is to check the terms and conditions of these promotions before agreeing to anything, and make sure that they work for you.
Banking with your Mobile Casino
Mobile casino banking is just like your ordinary online casino banking. To make a deposit at the mobile casino you can simply visit the banking page of the particular mobile casino, choose your best banking method and do your funding transaction with the payment mode that suits you best like credit cards, Instadebit, Bitcoins, Neteller or Skrill using CAD. All deposits with your mobile are safe and secure and you need not worry anything for it and just in seconds of time you can make your deposit at the casino to play mobile games.
As all mobile casino games real money for Canadians are licensed casinos as well as eCogra certified and offer safe and responsible gaming to you which you will enjoy every bit of it with your smartphones. As you experience friendly support at online casinos same you will find with your mobile casinos. The customer support is 24/7 and whenever you need to solve any issue or you are in doubt you can use the various contact method with your mobile like live chat, email, phone call or even skype. Now Enjoy!

domain: hobby


|Dial Color||Black Dial|
Watch Case: 316L. Our case is made of 316L, which is a high-grade stainless steel alloy. It is corrosion resistant, easy to weld, durable and safe to use.
Case Back: Solid. We use a sturdy bottom cover, which allows you to use and keep the watch for a long time.
Crystal: Mineral Glass. The material of the watch is a lustrous and transparent crystal, which is usually used for high-precision optical instruments.
Hand: Silver-tone. About the watch, the hands is silver-tone, which is delicated and cool.
Second Markers: Minute Markers around the outer rim. As shown in the picture above, the second mark on the watch is the minute mark around the outer edge.
Dial Markers: Index. According to a study, the human eye is sensitive to point, unlike a regular dial, the watch uses a few simple indexs to mark the dial to indicate the current time.
Luminiscence: Hands and Markers. The luminosity of the watch is hands and markers. With this watch, you will lose your time in dark.
Bezel Material: Stainless Steel. The stainless steel bezel material is one of the best materials for watches. It is one of the most beautiful and delicate parts in the watch. The stainless steel bezel provides a durable, endurable and expensive look to the watch.
Clasp: Deployment. This watch case has a designed lock to make it easier and faster for the user to open and fold the watch case to keep it secure.
Water Resistance: 30 meters. The watch we use a waterproof at 30 meters, which is like a real watch. Tips: The A Replica is just daily waterproof, need to purchase additional waterproof service which is up to 30 meters.
Function: Date, Hour, Minute, Second. Its function of the watch is to measure time and seconds.


Video Series: Join the Celebration
Whether you’re an old pro or new to the scene, NAB Show has it all.
NAB Show Update: Radio Hall of Fame Inductees
Adrian “Stretch Armstrong” Bartos and Bobbito García are the 2023 Broadcasting Hall of Fame inductees for radio.
Video Series: Hands-On Experience
Learn why NAB Show is the place for innovation — the coolest gear and latest tech all under one roof.
The Centennial Countdown Is On
In this installment, a special video invitation, a trip through NAB history and your favorite NAB Show memories. Stay tuned — we’re just getting started!
Video Series: What Is NABiQ?
In this recap video from last year’s NAB Show, see how teams of industry professionals came together to compete in the NABiQ challenge.
Through the Years: Locations & Milestones
A fond look back at some of the interesting locations and important milestones that shaped the first 100 years of NAB Show.
NAB Show Update: New Floor Tours
NAB Show and StoryTech are launching three unique attendee tour experiences.


Planting resistant crop varieties has historically been one of the most effective control measures for many plant diseases. However, there are currently no russet varieties with resistance to potato cyst nematodes. One major goal of the GLOBAL project is to develop such new varieties. The fumigant methyl bromide has also been used extensively for the eradication of cyst nematodes and other soilborne plant pathogens. However, use of this chemical has been increasingly restricted. Other nematode control measures, including the use of non-host trap crops, microbial biocontrol agents, and plant products that contain naturally-produced nematicidal compounds, are promising control approaches.
Nematode Control Approaches
Researchers have been testing the efficacy of using Solanum sisymbriifolium (also known as litichi tomato or sticky nightshade) as a non-host trap crop to help eliminate PCN in eastern Idaho. Results have been promising.
Pale Cyst Nematode Field Tour
The 2017 Snake River Pest Management Tour -- sponsored by the University of Idaho's Aberdeen Research and Extension Center -- provides an update on work to control and eradicate the pale cyst nematode. Presented to potato growers and the community in southern Idaho in summer 2017. Presenters include Pamela J.S. Hutchinson, UI; Tina Gresham, USDA-APHIS; and UI graduate students Jn Bertrand Contina and Cole Harder.
Pale Cyst Nematode in Idaho: A Grower's Perspective
In 2006, pale cyst nematode (PCN) was detected in potato fields near Shelley, Idaho. Searle Farms eventually had fields quarantined and regulated because of PCN infestation. Owner-grower, Bryan Searle recounts the economic challenges, as well as the social impact he encountered as a result.
Presented at Potato Association of American (PAA) 2018 Symposium 'Impact of Quarantined Pests on the Potato Industry,' Boise, ID. July 2018.


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With the tax season in full swing, cyber criminals are returning with a fresh crop of taxation-related phishing attacks.
Researchers with McAfee Labs are reporting a new round of phishing emails seeking to defraud UK taxpayers. The emails claim to be from HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) reporting unclaimed tax funds. Users are asked to follow a link within the message to an external site.
Upon visiting the site, users are presented with a site that includes both valid links to external pages from HMRC as well as several links to supposed banking sites which are in fact phishing pages designed to harvest account credentials.
Phishing operations around tax time are nothing new. Over the last several years, scammers have constructed phony notification scams which target taxpayers in both the UK and the US.
Neither the HMRC nor the US Internal Revenue Service ever contact users about tax refunds or rebates via email, but the scams continue to work.
McAfee Labs director of research and communications Dave Marcus told V3.co.uk that while this year's scams show little difference from those in previous years, the tactic continues to be effective for cyber criminals looking to make money.
"You cannot get around the fact that there are always people who are doing their taxes online for the first time. These things prey on that," said Marcus.
"They are going to see the brand, think it looks like the site, and [the attack] is most likely going to work."
Marcus recommended that users exercise caution when receiving any unsolicited emails claiming to originate from HMRC or any other financial institution. He also advised users to run browsers which support anti-phishing security tools.
Comcast's £29.7bn winning bid more than twice the £13.7bn Rupert Murdoch valued Sky at just eight years ago
A nuclear strike has been considered, but Bruce Willis is nowhere in sight
Spray-on antenna could enable seamless integration of antennas with everyday objects
Parker Solar Probe, TESS and GOLD missions will deliver exciting data, claims NASA

domain: news


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Wild cannabis plants are typically hermaphrodites, meaning they carry the physical traits of both sexes. This is done as an emergency response to the lack of either sex in a certain crop and also allows for self-pollination. This dioecious trait has been bred-out of most contemporary, commercialized plants, in order to manipulate the cultivation process and save time by removing the need to sex plants. Good quality feminized strains on the commercial market are all but resistant to becoming hermaphrodites, particularly if grown in proper conditions.
The creation of feminized cannabis seeds meant that the inconvenience of male plants, particularly their size, was no longer a concern.
Before feminized seeds were introduced to the market, regular seeds were the norm. These were typically made up of 50% male and 50% female seeds. This was often a source of frustration for growers who were forced to double the number of seedlings in order to ensure a satisfactory number of female plants for future cultivation.
If you’re looking to collect pure feminised seeds for the future then buy feminized marijuana seeds at Seedsman now.
Because male plants can fertilise many females, the popularity of feminized seeds continues to significantly aid the future preservation of cannabis strains for generations to come.
Today. Feminized seeds are bred in a way that enables them to develop and flower as female plants only. Their breeding process eliminates virtually all male chromosomes; the probability of female plants growing is 99.9%.
The creation and evolution of Feminized cannabis seeds have been one of the defining moments in the expansion of the cannabis market over the last few decades.
Whether you’re a sativa lover or not, the Durban Poison seed strain always wins hearts and minds with its award-winning characteristics. If you’re ready to buy the best feminized sativa landrace seeds in the USA — there’s no better choice than Durban Poison.
The real kicker of the Girl Scout Cookies seed strain lies in its terpene and cannabinoid profile. From dank dough to nose-curling spice, Girl Scout Cookies flowers are as good as it gets.
#10 Chemdawg Feminized Seeds
The effects of White Cookies are outrageously potent and produce a wide variety of sensations, such as relaxation, euphoria, and happiness. However, too much of the White Cookies seed strain may result in body-numbing and sleep-inducing effects.
Overall, Girl Scout Cookies seeds grow into medium-sized feminized beauties that excel in SOG or ScrOG methods. After 8-10-weeks, cultivators will be warmly greeted with a massive yield of outrageously sticky buds.
In our opinion, the Blueberry Widow seed strain has it all — fast flowering times, ease-of-growth, mouth-watering terpenes, sky-high THC content, and an abundant yield.
By clicking ENTER, you confirm
you are 18 years or older
Several types of store-bought soil are perfectly suitable for cannabis growing. However, all soils should meet the following criteria:
What Are the Advantages of Feminized Cannabis Seeds?
After germinating your seeds, keep your seedlings on a warm windowsill or in a greenhouse. When they outgrow their original container, transplant them into their final pot or a spacious garden bed. Most outdoor growers plant seeds in early spring, once the threat of frost is gone.
Want to experiment with different feminized strains? Try out our mixed packs of 3 and 5 seeds! You’ll get to experience all of the distinct attributes of some of the finest feminized strains out there.
Plants will need different ratios of these nutrients during the vegetative and flowering phases, alongside adjustments in micronutrients like calcium, iron, magnesium, copper, and several others.

domain: agronomy


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The Nixon Presidential Library's website has a section about Nixon's visit to China. In this section you can listen to recordings of Nixon discussing the rationale for the trip and his post-trip reflections. You can also listen to Mrs. Nixon discuss the arrival of two Pandas at the National Zoo.
The PBS American Experience website has a map of Nixon's visit to China. The map highlights the places that Nixon visited during his seven day visit in February 1972. The map and the rest of the website are designed as companions to the PBS American Experience film "Nixon's China Game."
And you can learn even more about President Nixon in the three hour American Experience documentary about him. That video can be watched here or as embedded below.

domain: geography


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ISSN 2586-0151 (Print) | ISSN 2586-0046 (Online)
대한불안의학회지 (18권1호 32-37)
Working Memory Impairment in a Delayed Matching-to-Sample Task Among Young Male Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder
지연 표본 대응 과제에서 나타나는 젊은 남성 강박장애 환자의 작업기억 결손
Young Jun Boo, MD1, Jin Young Park, MD2,3, Chan-Hyung Kim, MD3, and Se Joo Kim, MD3
Graduate school, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Department of Psychiatry, Yongin Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Yongin, Department of Psychiatry and Institute of Behavioral Science Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea
Impaired working memory has been known to play an important role in the pathophysiology of obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) with growing evidence. Delayed matching-to-sample task (DMST) is a working memory task which have an advantage in analyzing several different working memory process- es in one task. However, most of the studies have failed to reveal the working memory impairment with the DMST. The aim of this study was to identify whether working memory deficit in OCD can be evaluated with the DMST.
Methods : The participants included 20 OCD patients and 20 healthy volunteers. Working memory was evaluated with the DMST with two different working memory loads. Accuracy of response and mean re- sponse time were measured.
Results : OCD patients showed a significantly longer reaction time and lower accuracy in DMST com- pared to healthy controls in the task with high working memory loads. Moreover, the difference in accuracy showed interaction with the working memory load.
Conclusions : The present results indicate that working memory deficit in patients with OCD can be eval- uated with the DMST. The findings also suggest that previous negative behavioral results using the DMST were from low working memory load of the task. (Anxiety and Mood 2022;18(1):32-37)
Obsessive-compulsive disorder; Working memory; Delayed matching-to-sample task; Working memory load.

domain: medical


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Marianne Design product used: Clear Stamp Don & Daisy - Ice Skating Don (DDS3315), flower die LR0257, Creatables Anja Corner dies EC- LR0200
Others: Mijello watercolour, Martha Stewart Frond punch, Oval dies
Stamped image and coloured with watercolour, diecut with smaller oval die before adhere to bigger oval diecut from red cardstock. Added flower die-cut from the flower die. Matted the white cardstock which was diecut from Anja corner onto red card front.


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Watch this anti-authoiratian classic in the Great Hall at Queen’s University. Incendiary, subversive, and darkly humorous, If.... is a landmark of British countercultural cinema
One of the most atmospheric academic buildings in Belfast acts as the location for our screening of this classic film. Queen’s University is similar in style to Cheltenham College, the filming location of ‘If….’
Lindsay Anderson’s ‘If….‘ is a daringly anarchic vision of British society, set in a boarding school in late-sixties England. Before Kubrick made his mischief iconic in ‘A Clockwork Orange’, Malcolm McDowell made a hell of an impression as the insouciant Mick Travis who, along with his school chums, trumps authority at every turn, finally emerging as a violent saviour in a vicious game of one-upmanship played by both students and masters. If…. remains one of cinema’s most unforgettable rebel yells. (c) Criterion
Introduced by Robert J Simpson.

domain: artistic


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Concerned about inequities in special education, Jefferson Parish school officials have embarked on a comprehensive study to determine what changes are in order.
With the unanimous approval of the School Board, officials contracted with Educational Support Systems Inc., a Washington consulting firm, to do a top-to-bottom assessment of the special education program. The study began last week and is continuing this week with visits to five schools in East Jefferson and four on the West Bank. The cost is $3,250 per school, or $29,250.
"We decided to look at a sampling of nine schools," said Germain Gilson, Jefferson's assistant superintendent of federal programs. "We want to know if we are giving students the services they actually need.
"On the whole, our parents feel their children will get the services they need, but we have some parents who don't feel that way."
Rudolph Matas Elementary School in Metairie, for example, has a reputation for excellent special education offerings. Gilson said it is vital that students who don't attend Matas are afforded that same quality.
Last week, consultants visited Matas, Bonnabel Magnet Academy High School, Theodore Roosevelt Middle School and Henry Ford Middle School. This week they are going to Woodland West Elementary School, John James Audubon Elementary School, Harry S Truman Middle School, L.W. Higgins High School and John H. Martyn Alternative School.
The study covers special education for students with a wide range of disabilities, including autism, developmental delays, emotional disturbances and physical impairments. They make up about 12 percent of the system's 45,500 students. The number does not include students in the gifted and talented program, which is also part of special ed.
"I expect we will be presented with areas of challenge and areas of strength in the type and quality of service we provide special education students," schools Superintendent James Meza said. "This information will be helpful as we realign district resources to improve services to families and students with the most cost effective method of delivery."
The study includes interviews with principals and special education staff concerning their school's challenges, compliance issues, instruction and services, parent relations and attendance, suspension rates and academic performance of students.
Consultants also will review a sampling of student's individual education plans to gauge whether "best practices" are being applied. Individual education plans are developed for each student by the school's special education team with input from parents. They specify a student's academic goals and the method to reach them, and they identify what the student needs to be successful.
Additionally, the study will review the process for referring students to special education programs, to determine compliance with federal law.
Once the information is collected, consultants will assess the program's strengths and shortcomings, including areas that warrant corrective action. They will recommend improvements in as many as four areas: operation and management, instructional approach and academic achievement, clinical services and adherence to federal, state and local regulations.
Jefferson has been under a state-mandated corrective action plan for emotionally disturbed students since August 2005. The plan resulted from a class-action lawsuit alleging the school system routinely suspended or expelled emotionally disturbed children for minor offenses related to their disabilities. It requires schools, in part, to reduce suspensions and expulsions by providing more in-school interventions, instead of sending them to an alternative school.
Barri Bronston can be reached at email@example.com or 504.883.7058.


Traffic in Paso Robles will be congested for an hour and a half July 20, as some 50 head of cattle make their way through the city as the “kick off” for the Mid-State Fair.
Traffic will slow between 10 a.m. and 11:30 a.m., according to the Paso Robles Police Department. The cattle will arrive at the Paso Robles Event Center between 11 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
The drive will begin at Golden Hills Auto Center at the corner of Highway 46 and Golden Hills Road, and cowboys will “guide” the cattle down Golden Hills Road to Union Road, cross North River Road to the 13th Street Bridge, and then turn right up Riverside Avenue to the Paso Robles Event Center.
The department will close intersections as the cattle move through the city.
Police are urging motorists to be patient, to expect delays, and to plan alternate routes.


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Brett Shannon has been painting sets in Hollywood for 26 years, most recently for on such TV shows such as "Cold Case," "Pushing Daisies" and "Without a Trace." He has been able to make good money, earning $100,000 or more a year.
Recently, though, the Huntington Beach resident took steps to apply for a contractor's license, concerned that the TV work would dry up and he wouldn't be able to pay his ex-wife the $3,200 a month in required for spousal and child support. "If they go on strike and we get locked out, I could lose everything," said Shannon, 45.
Despite the slowdown in construction, he's hoping he can line up enough painting jobs to tide him over should a strike happen. "All I can do is keep my fingers crossed," Shannon said. "I've got to work somewhere."


A top Ford executive implied on Nov. 25, 2019, that Tesla’s video showing its new Cybertruck beating an F-150 in a tug-of-war might not have been completely fair.
“Hey @elonmusk send us a Cybertruck and we will do the apples to apples test for you,” Sunny Madra, who leads Ford X, the automaker’s mobility-ventures lab, said on Twitter. Not long after, Tesla’s billionaire CEO accepted the challenge, saying “bring it on.”
On Nov. 21, 2019, as part of a laser-filled reveal that didn’t always go to plan, Tesla CEO Elon Musk went out of his way to take shots at Ford and other automakers.
“You want a truck that’s really tough, not fake tough,” he said.
Ford was quick to fight back.
“We’ve always focused on serving our truck customers regardless of what others say or do,” a Ford representative told Business Insider.
Madra’s tweet appears to be the first time since the Tesla reveal that a Ford executive has publicly discussed the Cybertruck. Musk responded to the Ford executive’s challenge on Nov. 25, 2019: “Bring it on,” he said.
For its part, Ford has big plans for its own electric-truck fleet.
Earlier this year, Ford showed off an electric F-150 prototype that handily towed 1 million pounds of train cars for 1,000 feet. (For context, a properly configured Ford F-150 pickup truck can tow 13,200 pounds.)
It’s not clear whether Tesla will take Madra up on the offer of a test, which could be the first of its kind for the nascent electric-vehicle industry — and certainly a treat for automotive fans.
This article originally appeared on Business Insider. Follow @BusinessInsider on Twitter.
To the absolute surprise of no one in the military, being enlisted personnel can suck. Of course, the magnitude of that suckiness depends on your unit but, overall, there’s a very good reason it tops many peoples’ lists of “worst jobs in the world.”
Being the lowest guy on the worst totem pole isn’t all bad, though. There are genuine moments of levity that keep troops reenlisting — despite how much bile they spew about their unit.
Leaders in the military aren’t the troops’ mothers. They won’t pat them on the back for tying their boots properly or washing their hands like a big kid. What a good leader will do, however, is commend good troops when it’s warranted. And, to be completely honest, there was no better feeling than knowing you’ve impressed your chain of command.
As a lower enlisted, these are the six greatest things you’ll hear.
“Huh… I guess you’re right”
Good troops will always try to better themselves in their given field. If they’re an infantryman, you know they’re going to try to be the best infantryman they can. If they’re a waterdog, you better believe they’ll be be best damn waterdog the world has ever seen.
Acknowledgement of one’s hard work is rarely direct. You’ll likely never hear, “good job, Pvt. Smith. You really cooked one hell of a batch of eggs this morning.” True gratification usually comes when a leader admits that they’ve been bested at a given task by the person they’re training.
Having a superior admit that you’re in the right is a sweet, sweet feeling.
“The commander has a surprise for you at close out formation”
Surprises are almost never a good thing. Ninety-nine times out of a hundred, it means that the poor Joe has to go clean the latrines or sweep all that sunshine off the sidewalk.
When it’s specifically noted that a surprise is coming “at close out formation,” however, it usually means either a promotion ceremony or an award. You know, the kind of surprises you actually want.
“I got nothing else for you. Go clean your barracks room or something”
The military can’t stop for a single second. That’s just how it works. So, when the business day is reaching its close, the company area has already been cleaned for the seventh time that week, and there aren’t any pending connex layouts, leaders still need to find something for their troops to do.
There’s an understanding between good leaders and troops that the phrase “clean your barracks room” doesn’t always mean “clean the barracks.” Sometimes, it means go hide out in your room with your phone on. It definitely mean, “start drinking” — you’ll be called back in at any moment.
“Your paperwork was pushed through”
You’d think that with the stupid amount of bureaucracy in the military, accountability of paperwork would be paramount. It isn’t. Not by a mile. When people tell you to make copies of everything and keep your originals, it’s not an off-handed suggestion. Things will get lost.
That being said, there are those once-in-a-blue-moon moments when everyone in the training room and battalion S-1 are in sync and absolutely nothing gets lost, torn, or rejected. When everything works in concert and a leave form is involved, it’ll bring a tear to your eye.
“My guy is one hell of a soldier/Marine/airman/sailor”
Leaders are in a perpetual pissing contest, trying to prove that they lead best. That’s part of the reason they push for their Joes to make the “Soldier of the Month” boards. Sure, it looks good for the soldier, but it’s more about getting some bragging rights over other leaders.
Still, knowing that you’re one of the guys that your leader is willing to put on a pedestal is one hell of a feeling.
This list wouldn’t be complete without the one-word phrase that makes a morning so much better:
It means that the first sergeant is fine with giving the troops a morning of PT off if they can sprint to their barracks room/car before they have time to change their mind. Legend has it that the first sergeant will do something if they catch someone — but nobody has ever been slow enough.
This innovative process uses 3-D printing software to break down a digital model into layers that can be reproduced by the printer. The printer then builds the model from the ground up, layer by layer, creating a tangible object.
Marine Corps Sgt. Adrian Willis, a computer and telephone technician, said he was thrilled to be selected by his command to work with a 3-D printer.
3-D printing is the future
“I think 3-D printing is definitely the future — it’s absolutely the direction the Marine Corps needs to be going,” Willis said.
The Marine Corps is all about mission accomplishment and self-reliance. In boot camp, Marine recruits are taught to have a “figure-it-out” mindset, and 3-D printing is the next step for a Corps that prides itself on its self-sufficiency.
“Finding innovative solutions to complex problems really does harken back to our core principles as Marines,” Willis said. “I’m proud to be a part of a new program that could be a game-changer for the Marine Corps.”
The Marines deployed here use their 3-D printer as an alternative, temporary source for parts. As a permanently forward-deployed unit, it’s crucial for the 31st MEU to have access to the replacement parts it needs for sustained operations. The 31st MEU’s mission — to deploy at a moment’s notice when the nation calls — is not conducive to waiting for replacement parts shipped from halfway around the world. So 3-D printing capabilities dovetail with the MEU’s expeditionary mandate.
‘Fix it forward’
(Marine Corps photo by Cpl. Stormy Mendez)
“While afloat, our motto is, “Fix it forward,” said Marine Corps Chief Warrant Officer 2 Daniel Rodriguez, CLB-31’s maintenance officer. “3-D printing is a great tool to make that happen. CLB-31 can now bring that capability to bear exactly where it’s needed most — on a forward-deployed MEU.”
Proving this concept April 16, 2018, Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 121 successfully flew an F-35B Lightning II aircraft with a part that was supplied by CLB-31’s 3-D printer. The F-35B had a plastic bumper on a landing gear door wear out during a recent training mission. Though a small and simple part, the only conventional means of replacing the bumper was to order the entire door assembly — a process that’s time-consuming and expensive.
Using a newly released process from Naval Air Systems Command for 3-D printed parts, the squadron was able to have the bumper printed, approved for use and installed within a matter of days — much faster than waiting for a replacement part to arrive from the United States.
‘My most important commodity is time’
“As a commander, my most important commodity is time,” said Marine Corps Lt. Col Richard Rusnok, the squadron’s commanding officer. “Although our supply personnel and logisticians do an outstanding job getting us parts, being able to rapidly make our own parts is a huge advantage.”
VMFA-121 also made history in March as the first F-35B squadron to deploy in support of a MEU.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Samuel King Jr.)
Making further use of the MEU’s 3-D printing capability, the MEU’s explosive ordnance disposal team requested a modification part that acts as a lens cap for a camera on an iRobot 310 small unmanned ground vehicle — a part that did not exist at the time. CLB-31’s 3-D printing team designed and produced the part, which is now operational and is protecting the drone’s fragile lenses.
The templates for both the plastic bumper and lens cover will be uploaded to a Marine Corps-wide 3-D printing database to make them accessible to any unit with the same needs.
The 31st MEU continues to brainstorm new opportunities for its 3-D printer, such as aviation parts and mechanical devices that can be used to fix everyday problems. Though only in the beginning stages of development, officials said, the 31st MEU will continue to push the envelope of what 3-D printing can do in the continued effort to make the MEU a more lethal and self-sufficient unit.
When ground troops need a little extra firepower to get out of a jam, there’s no more comforting sound than the distinctive BRRRRRT that comes from the GAU-8 Avenger. For anyone who doesn’t know, the Avenger is the seven-barreled wonder carried by the U.S. Air Force’s much loved A-10 Thunderbolt II.
Firing a deadly barrage of 30mm rounds at high velocity was such a good idea, it’s no wonder other countries’ armed forces have an Avenger-like weapon of their own. But the cannon American ground troops should care most about is Russia’s BЯЯЯЯЯT: the Gryazev-Shipunov GSh-6-30.
There are a handful of important differences between the two weapons platforms. If their rate of fire and muzzle velocity are what floats your boat (and maybe sinks the enemy’s boat), then the Avenger has the Gryazev-Shipunov beat, hands down. The Russian weapon system has only six barrels, where the American has seven, and the hydraulic-electric BRRRRRT is a hybrid that no one is going to make fun of.
Russia’s big gun also comes with a few heavy drawbacks, the most important being that the aircraft firing the gun can actually be damaged while using it. With a weapon as powerful as the GAU-8, American defense contractor Fairchild Republic actually designed the A-10’s airframe around the gun. Taking out a friendly aircraft to provide close-air support to soldiers on the ground seems counterproductive, right?
Though firing the cannon can affect the Thunderbolt’s airspeed, it doesn’t cause any actual harm. It’s not expected to be a supersonic fighter jet, it needs to go slower to perform its CAS mission. There’s nothing wrong with how it operates now, except for maybe making the A-10 a slightly easier target for troops on the ground to take shots at, but that’s why they uparmored the slow beast, making it into a flying tank. There’s a reason it was nicknamed the “Warthog.”
This is not so for its Russian counterpart. Built by the Soviet Union in the mid-1970s, the Gryazev-Shipunov was not built to have an airplane designed around it. It was added as the primary gun for the MiG-27D “Flogger,” extending outward from the bottom of the fuselage. This positioning allowed the plane to absorb its recoil more efficiently but would vibrate the cockpit to an uncomfortable degree and create a lot of noise.
The vibrations would eventually cause cracks throughout the airframe, including important parts like the landing gear, avionics, and fuel tanks. Firing the gun would even destroy the lights MiG pilots used for landing at night. More serious vibrations caused by the Gryazev-Shipunov would damage gunsights, instrument panels, and could even cause the cockpit canopy to break.
A weapon like this has probably damaged more Soviet MiGs than any American fighter aircraft ever did throughout the Cold War.
MiG-27Ds with the Gryazev-Shipunov were used for the same missions as the A-10 Thunderbolt II, air-to-ground close-air-support missions. But where the nose-mounted GAU-8 Avenger can hit a target with relative precision, the Gryazev-Shipunov fires its bursts all over creation – the kill zone is a 200-meter radius around the actual target.
The Russian BЯЯЯЯЯT isn’t used on any aircraft currently operated by the Russian Federation, but it was still used in the Kashtan close-in weapons systems used by the Russian Navy as recently as 2017.
Russia is no stranger to carefully crafting military propaganda for Western audiences. From “doomsday” submarines to missiles with “unlimited range,” the Kremlin has a knack for the dramatic when they know it’ll capture the world’s digital attention span. If I’m honest, that’s why I clicked on the link for a recently uploaded video of Russian president Vladimir Putin training with the Russian Judo team.
I expected to see a carefully crafted bit of propaganda meant to hide Putin’s advancing age. Instead, I was surprised to find that the 66-year-old man actually does seem rather spry and capable. Moreover, despite some rust on the joints, he genuinely does appear to know what he’s doing on those mats.
Most real martial arts training looks like this: two people working on techniques at 50% intensity.
(Image released by the Kremlin)
It’s worth noting that despite years of training in multiple forms of martial arts, I’m no expert in Judo. My background began with scholastic wrestling and led to a passionate pursuit of martial arts throughout my time in the Marine Corps. I secured multiple waivers to earn my black belt in the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program by the time I was a corporal, and then proceeded to join the Corps’ first formal mixed martial arts team, Fight Club 29, under the tutelage of (then) Sergeant Major Mark Geletko. During my time there, I trained largely in American boxing, Muay Thai, and Pankration, before transferring to a unit near Boston, where I studied Brazilian jiu-jitsu for a time under Rickson Gracie Cup Champion Abmar Barbosa. Since then, I’ve gotten out of the Corps and moved to Georgia, where I’ve focused largely on Filipino martial arts systems.
I went undefeated in my short semi-pro fighting career, but I left the world of competition behind when I took a solid right hook in sparring and lost much of the vision in my right eye (since repaired). I’m not the toughest or baddest fighter in the world, the country, or probably my state – but I have been around long enough that I can usually pick the real fighters out of a crowd when I see them.
If I were to sum up my expertise, I’d call myself a jack of multiple martial arts trades, but certainly a master of none. I’ve had the good fortune to train with a number of masters though, and it’s not a title I take lightly.
Despite Vladimir Putin holding a black belt in Judo, this video suggests that he’s no master either, though he could have been close once. Coming back to a discipline you’ve left stagnant for years is a lot like riding a bike: you may never forget how to do it, but when it’s been a while, you still look a little foolish. And Putin does indeed seem a bit silly executing the agility drills at the opening the video.
From there, the video moves to what I expected to see: a young man with a black belt serving as Putin’s training dummy and doing a fine job of allowing himself to be thrown, rolled, and balled up, meaning the former KGB agent didn’t need to execute any judo techniques with the requisite form or intensity necessary to actually take down an opponent in a real fight. Putin’s footwork and use of leverage does, however, suggest an active awareness of his body and what it’s supposed to be doing as he executes throws and leg sweeps. Form and leverage are integral to the proper execution of these types of techniques, and while the intensity is lacking, the form does largely seem present.
For plenty of 66-year-olds, this stretch is death defying enough.
(Image released by the Kremlin)
These drills aren’t meant to be street fights, they’re meant to develop the muscle memory required to execute these movements with little or no thought, and in that regard, Putin shows a level of competency in the footage that suggests that at least some of the martial arts awards and honors bestowed upon him may have been legitimately earned.
Of course, I’ve read pieces like this one in the Washington Post where “tough guys” have accused Putin of lacking real chops, since the only footage one tends to find of him are in training environments such as this, but in truth, these claims are largely foolish grabs for attention rather than legitimate criticisms. Training of the sort shown in this video is not only completely normal, it would make little sense for a 66-year-old man to climb in the ring and spar at 100% with anyone just to silence an internet troll–even for someone as bravado-based as Putin.
Putin may not look like a spring chicken in this video, but he does appear to harbor a level of martial arts competency that, while rusty, is certainly more impressive than I’ve seen out of other celebrity martial arts “masters” like Steven Seagal. Is Putin as dangerous as he wants the world to believe? Probably not–but for a Bond villain on the downward slope of his 60s, he doesn’t appear to be a pushover either.
The Coast Guard‘s top officer said on Aug. 1, 2018, that the U.S. can’t afford to delay its presence in the Arctic. But lawmakers are eyeing the cash planned for a new icebreaker to fund the wall on the U.S.-Mexico border.
With the November 2018 primaries looming, some members of Congress are eager to show their constituents that they support President Donald Trump’s plans to build a wall along sections of the southwestern border. That left $750 million for a new heavy polar icebreaker out of a draft of the Department of Homeland Security Appropriations Act.
“I’m going to take a guardedly optimistic approach that … there’s still a lot of interest in getting an icebreaker to replace our 40-plus-year-old Polar Star, which is the only heavy icebreaker in the U.S. arsenal,” Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said at an event hosted by the Center for Strategic and International Studies. “… We need that ship now.”
A report released July 27, 2018, by the Congressional Research Service warns that Russia is increasing its military presence in the Arctic region. The Russians have more than 45 icebreakers, and they’re currently working on building a nuclear version, Schultz said.
China has also declared itself a near-Arctic nation and is working on building a new icebreaker. Diminishing ice levels could lead to an influx of traffic in the Arctic in coming years, and there’s “increasing mission demand for the Coast Guard up there,” Schultz said.
(Photo by Petty Officer 1st Class George Degener)
That’s as two of the Coast Guard’s three polar icebreakers — Polar Star and Polar Sea — have exceeded their 30-year services lives, the report states. The Polar Sea is no longer operational, and the need for search-and-rescue and other missions in the region will increase as traffic in the Arctic picks up.
“The reality of the Arctic is on us today,” Schultz said. “My thinking is a six-three-one strategy. We need six icebreakers — three of them need to be heavy icebreakers and we need one today. We need to get going there.”
He said Trump’s 2019 budget request, which includes plans for a new icebreaker, shows that the Coast Guard’s mission in the region is a priority for this administration. The Senate’s appropriations draft for DHS still includes the 0 million for a Coast Guard icebreaker, so it’s still possible that the service could get the funding in 2019.
Eight House Democrats sent a letter to Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, and Rep. Kevin Yoder, Homeland Security subcommittee chairman, criticizing the plan to ditch the 0 million icebreaker funding request,Business Insider reported.
The bill wastes “a staggering .9 billion on a border wall and increasing the Immigration and Customs Enforcement budget by 8 million,” the letter states, while leaving U.S. national security at a disadvantage for years to come.
The Coast Guard is working with the Navy on plans to acquire three heavy icebreakers for about 0 million per ship.
This article originally appeared on Military.com. Follow @militarydotcom on Twitter.
President Donald Trump revealed new details about a mystery missile during an address at West Point Saturday, appearing to offer new insight into a high-speed weapon he previously called the “super duper missile.”
In mid-May, Trump boasted about US military strength from the Oval Office, and in the process, he announced that the US is building a new missile faster than anything currently available.
“We’re building incredible military equipment at a level that nobody has ever seen before. We have no choice with the adversaries we have out there,” the president said.
“We have — I call it, the ‘super duper missile,'” Trump said, explaining that he “heard the other night, 17 times faster than what they have right now, when you take the fastest missile we have right now.”
“You’ve heard Russia has five times and China’s working on five or six times. We have one 17 times, and it’s just gotten the go-ahead,” he said.
The prevailing view of the president’s remarks was that the president was referring to some type of hypersonic weapon. The Department of Defense said in a statement shortly after the president’s announcement that the Pentagon “is working on developing a range of hypersonic missiles to counter our adversaries.”
Hypersonic weapons are able to travel at high speeds and along unpredictable flight paths, making them difficult for traditional air-and-missile defense systems to intercept. The development of these weapons has become a point of competition between the US, Russia, and China.
Speaking to the graduating class of 2020 at the US Military Academy at West Point Saturday, Trump provided new information on the weapon he boasted about last month.
“We are building new ships, bombers, jet fighters, and helicopters by the hundreds. New tanks, military satellites, rockets and missiles, even a hypersonic missile that goes 17 times faster than the fastest missile currently available in the world.”
He said that the missile can strike a target 1,000 miles away, striking within 14 inches of center point. These appear to be the most specific details to date about the missile in question.
Trump’s description of the new missile as being 17 times faster than the fastest missile currently available in the world is likely an exaggeration or a misunderstanding, for while hypersonic systems tend to be faster than some missiles, such as Tomahawk cruise missiles, they tend to be slower than some ballistic missiles.
For instance, the US Air Force’s LGM-30 Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile can hit speeds as high as Mach 23, over 17,600 mph. A weapon able to travel at speeds 17 times faster than that would be unbelievably fast.
“We have the superfast missiles — tremendous number of the superfast. We call them ‘superfast,’ where they’re four, five, six, and even seven times faster than an ordinary missile,” he said at the time.
The US conducted a test of a hypersonic glide vehicle in March, verifying a design that will be used to develop weaponry expected to come online in the next few years.
Josh Anchondo started his adult life in the Navy, specifically Kings Bay, Georgia. Now, he’s self-styled luxury-events emcee known as DJ Supreme1 and his work takes him to the party hotspots of South Florida and Las Vegas. But he loves to give back to groups like Toys For Tots, Susan G. Komen, and the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
This time, he’s playing for his second family: the U.S. military.
The Palm Beach Gardens-based DJ is headlining the next BaseFEST Powered by USAA on June 2, 2018, at Naval Station Mayport, near Jacksonville, Fla. He’s come a long way from the days of being in the silent service.
“We would be deployed 90 days at a time,” says the former sailor Anchondo. “No sunlight, no newspaper… So my escape being submerged for that amount of time was music.”
He says it’s like living a dream to be able to provide a temporary escape to those going through similarly rough situations. He did five years in the Navy as a sonar technician and the last 20 as a DJ — yes, there’s a little overlap there.
“I know for a fact the military got me to where I am today in my career, to being a great man, a great father, and to living up to the core values that I learned in the military,” he says. “Honor, courage, and commitment. Those core values will always be with me.”
In the Navy, he spent all his spare time training to be a DJ — eating, breathing, and sleeping music. His favorite records were primarily old-school (even for the late 1990s) hip-hop. But his sounds also extend to the unexpected, like jazz and pop standards, doing live mash-ups of pop songs along the way.
“I kind of let the crowd take me wherever they want,” he says. “Take us wherever the night takes us.”
Anchondo, aka DJ Supreme1, is not just a DJ who does music festivals and tours like Dayglow. Like many veterans, he’s an entrepreneur with a heart. He runs his own event productions company and wants to start his own tour — the DoGood FeelGood Fest, focused on doing great work in the community. His company, Supreme Events, even prioritizes charity work.
He acknowledges that DJs have a bad reputation, given what happens in the nightlife around them, but he wants you to know they can have a positive influence as well — and that influence can be amazing. BaseFEST is a huge show for him. He wants his fellow vets and their families to come see and feel his positive vibes at the coming BaseFEST at NS Mayport.
It’s an all-day event that brings the music, food, activities, and more that you might get from other touring festivals — but BaseFEST is an experience for the whole family, with a mission of providing a platform for giving back to family programs on base, boosting morale for troops and their families.
BaseFEST Powered by USAA kicked off in 2017 with two huge festival dates at Camp Lejune and NAS Pensacola, gathering over 20,000 fans for each and creating a fun atmosphere of appreciation and support for service members and their families and friends. The 2018 tour kicked off at Fort Bliss, Texas and runs through Sept. 22 with a stop at Twentynine Palms, Calif.
When it comes to aviation, original ideas are few and far between. Much of the progress that happens in the space can be considered more evolutionary than revolutionary. The F-15E Strike Eagle multirole fighter, for instance, was an evolution of the F-15 Eagle, an air-superiority fighter. This is often the case with transport planes, too.
For example, the general appearance of transport planes hasn’t changed much over the decades. There’s a huge, mostly hollow fuselage, high-mounted wings, and, at the very least, a rear ramp used to load vehicles or pallets of cargo. In developing cargo planes, the real issue isn’t figure out how to transport something, it’s figuring out how to transport that much.
A Y-20 in flight. This plane is based on the Russian Il-76 Candid transport.
(Photo by Alert5)
When the Chinese Communists were looking for a solution for massive-scale logistics, they decided to develop an aircraft based on the Il-76 “Candid” family of planes. They took this already-impressive aircraft and put it on a metaphorical steroid regimen, just like the ones former baseball sluggers Manny Ramirez and Alex Rodriguez used to bulk up.
The Il-76 can haul 44 tons of cargo. Communist China’s Y-20, their ‘roided-out version of the Russian plane, hauls up to 66 tons. The Y-20 has a top speed of 572 miles per hour and a maximum range of 2,796 miles. The Il-76 can go for 2,734 miles at a top speed of 559 miles per hour.
China has acquired 30 planes in the Il-76 Candid, 22 of which are transports similar to this Indian Air Force Il-76.
(U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Shane A. Cuomo)
Now, that still doesn’t quite match up with the United States’ logistical powerhouse, the C-17, which can carry up to 85 tons of cargo up to 2,400 nautical miles. Additionally, the C-17 can be refueled in flight, so it can reach anywhere in the world. But compared to the baseline Il-76, the Y-20 is a substantial improvement, and gives Communist China a better plane — even if it’s still waiting on the WS-20 engines.
Watch the video below to see this plane go through some of its paces.
The only things more badass than these quotes were the actions that followed them.
1. “Just hold the phone and I’ll let you talk to one of the bastards!” – Maj. Audie Murphy, U.S. Army
In January 1945, while fighting to reduce the Colmar Pocket, then-Lt. Audie Murphy led the depleted B Company, 15th Infantry Regiment in an attack on the town of Holtzwihr. The attack quickly ran into stiff resistance from German armor and infantry. Lt. Murphy ordered his men to withdraw while he held his position to continue to call in artillery on the advancing Germans. The Germans were nearly on top of him, but he continued to call for fire. Fearful of firing on their own soldier, headquarters asked Murphy how close the enemy was, to which he replied: “Just hold the phone and I’ll let you talk to one of the bastards!” During the same engagement, Lt. Murphy mounted a burning tank destroyer and drove off the Germans with its .50 caliber machine gun and continued artillery fire. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions.
2. “I have not yet begun to fight!” – John Paul Jones, U.S. Navy
When John Paul Jones sailed the USS Bonhomme Richard against the HMS Serapis in 1779, he was already famous in the Continental Navy for his daring in the capture of the HMS Drake. Although outgunned by the Serapis, Jones attempted to run alongside and lash the ships together, thus negating the advantage. The Bonhomme Richard took a beating, which prompted the British captain to offer to allow Jones to surrender. His reply would echo in eternity: “I have not yet begun to fight!” And he hadn’t – after more brutal fighting, with Jones’ ship sinking and his flag shot away, the British captain called out if he had struck his colors. Jones shouted back “I may sink, but I will never strike!” After receiving assistance from another ship, the Americans captured the Serapis. Unfortunately, the Bonhomme Richard was beyond salvage and sank.
3. “Come on you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?!” – Sgt. Maj. Dan Daly, USMC
Then-1st Sgt Dan Daly was leading the 73rd Machine Gun Company at the Battle of Belleau Wood. He already had two Medals of Honor and cemented his place in Marine Corps history by then. Always tough and tenacious in the face of the enemy, Daly inspired his men to charge the Germans by jumping up and yelling “Come on you sons of bitches, do you want to live forever?!” The Marines attacked the woods six times before the Germans fell back. Daly was awarded a Navy Cross for his actions during the battle.
4. “I’m the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going.” – Pvt. 1st Class Martin, U.S. Army
As Christmas 1944 approached, the American forces in the Ardennes Forest were still in disarray and struggling to hold back the German onslaught. Versions of the story vary, but what is known is that retreating armor came upon a lone infantryman of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment digging a foxhole. He was scruffy, dirty, and battle-hardened. When he realized the retreating armor were looking for a safe place, he told them, “Well buddy, just pull that vehicle behind me. I’m the 82nd Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going.” They would indeed hold the line before driving the Germans back over the next several weeks.
5. “You’ll never get a Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!” – Col. Henry P. Crowe, USMC
Henry Crowe is known in the Marine Corps for his time as a Marine Gunner and his exploits in combat. He first displayed his gallantry at Guadalcanal while leading the Regimental Weapons Company of the 8th Marines. While engaged in fierce fighting with the Japanese, then-Capt. Crowe leaped up and yelled “Goddammit, you’ll never get a Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!” before leading a charge against Japanese positions. He received a Silver Star and Purple Heart for his actions on Guadalcanal and later a Navy Cross for his actions on Tarawa.
6. “Retreat, Hell!” – A number of American badasses who were told to retreat
Americans troops hate to retreat and traditionally respond with “Retreat, Hell!” when told that they should. Here are three of the most badass examples:
Maj. Lloyd W. Williams, USMC
The Battle of Belleau Wood had no shortage of hardcore Marines making a name for the Corps (literally, the moniker ‘Devil Dog’ is attributed to the battle) and then-Capt. Lloyd Williams set the tone from day one. As the French were falling back in the face of a German assault, they came across a Marine officer of the 5th Marine Regiment advancing on Belleau Wood. A frantic French officer advised the American that they must retreat. Not one to shy away from a fight, Capt. Williams responded “Retreat, Hell! We just got here!” Capt. Williams was killed in the fighting nine days later but posthumously received the Distinguished Service Cross and a promotion to Major.
Col. Rueben H. Tucker, U.S. Army
After the initial assault landings at Salerno in September 1943, the Allied beachhead was in a precarious position. The 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment conducted a combat jump to reinforce allied lines and moved out to the high ground at Altavilla to shore up the line. When a strong German counterattack threatened to dislodge the paratroopers, Gen. Dawley, VI Corps commander, called Col. Tucker and ordered his withdrawal. He vehemently replied “Retreat, Hell! Send me my 3rd Battalion!” 3/504 went in support and the regiment held the line.
Gen. Oliver P. Smith, USMC
The Battle of Chosin Reservoir is a story of incredible toughness and tenacity by American forces, particularly the 1st Marine Division. Chesty Puller had his own memorable quotes during the battle, but it was 1st Marine Division commander Oliver P. Smith who reiterated American resolve and refusal to retreat when he said “Retreat, Hell! We’re just advancing in a different direction!” And he meant it – the 1st Marine Division broke through the encirclement and fought its way to evacuation at Hungnam.
Earlier in October, the Navy, Air Force, and Coast Guard worked together to save the life of a 73-year-old mariner in the Pacific Ocean.
In the morning hours of October 2, the Lady Alice, an 84-foot commercial fishing vessel sent out an emergency message. It was sailing approximately 150 miles east of Hawaii when one of its crew got sick. The victim’s fellow sailors notified the Joint Rescue Coordination Center in Honolulu, Hawaii, that the 73-year-old man was suffering from what appeared to be a stroke.
Despite administering medication to the victim, his shipmates were concerned that his situation might deteriorate. It was then decided that a team of Pararescuemen would jump next to Lady Alice and provide emergency medical care to the man.
A few hours later, three PJs from the 129th Rescue Wing jumped with their gear from an Air Force HC-130 Combat Talon II and then boarded the fishing vessel. Upon assessing the patient, the Air Commandos determined that he needed more advanced care and that a medical evacuation was necessary. The Navy was then called in, and an MH-60 Seahawk chopper from Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron 37 transported the patient directly to the hospital.
Pararescuemen assigned to the California Air National Guard 129th Rescue Wing transfer a patient from an HH-60G helicopter to land-based medical facilities. This image shows an older rescue by the unit (U.S. Air Force).
“One of the greatest difficulties when dealing with cases in the Pacific is distance,” said Michael Cobb, command duty officer for Joint Rescue Coordination Center Honolulu in a press release. “This is why partnerships with our fellow armed services are so important out here. The Coast Guard, Navy, and Air Force all have different capabilities and through teamwork, we were able to aid a mariner in need.”
Throughout the operation, a Coast Guard HC-130 from Air Station Barbers Point provided regular weather updates and general support.
The 129th Rescue Wing is part of the California National Guard.
This is another successful non-combat rescue operation for the Air Force’s Pararescuemen. Recently, and in two separate incidents, PJs saved a man and his daughter and a teen hiker who had gotten lost in the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest.
This rescue operation showcased the interoperability between the three services, an interoperability that becomes ever more relevant and important. Great Power Competition (GPC) is the era of warfare, in which Russia, in the shorter term, and China, in the longer term, are the main threats to U.S. national security.
China currently fields the largest navy in the world. Although the U.S. Navy is aiming at a 500-ship fleet by 2045, it will be some time before that strategic vision turns into an operational capability. As a result, inter-service cooperation and interoperability are of the essence to enhance the overall effectiveness of the military.
The victim was the master of the Lady Alice. In a ship, a master is responsible for navigation. The rank used to exist in the Navy as well (it was a warrant officer position) but has long been replaced by the currently active rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade.
The rank of Master also appears in the popular film “Master and Commander,” starring Russel Crowe which takes place in the Napoleonic Wars. That version of the rank, which was between the rank of Lieutenant and Post Captain, was active in the Royal Navy during the Age of Sail and was given to officers who commanded a ship not large enough to merit a master or a captain (in rank).
Russia claims to have developed new tank attack strategies to baffle and destroy modern adversaries while counteracting dangers, according to RIA Novosti, a Russian news agency.
With the advent of suicide cars, IEDs and anti-tank missile systems, Russian T-72 tank crews have implemented new strategies, such as “tank carousels,” “tank trousers” and “Syrian shaft,” according to Defence Blog, which cited the RIA article.
Tank carousels involve several platforms rotating in a circle and firing like a revolver.
“It allows us to fire over an unlimited time period,” Captain Roman Schegolev told RIA, according to Sputnik. “There can be three, six, nine or more machines. They move uninterrupted in a circular motion, one pummeling the enemy, the other moving to the rear and reloading, the third preparing to enter firing position, and so on. Non-stop shooting; just make sure to feed the shells.”
Unlike Abrams tanks, T-72s have automatic loaders which allows for the maneuver, Schegolev added.
“On the other side they will break down and open return fire, revealing their armament,” Schegolev said. “Then our disguised sniper tanks with specially trained crews step into action. They quickly and efficiently strike the identified targets.”
(Russian Defense Ministry)
This strategy was especially successful in Syria, where T-72s were able to fire atop and then hide behind embankments. It can even be used when the tank crews don’t know with what the enemy is armed, Defence Blog reported, citing RIA.
The tank trousers tactic, on the other hand, involves tanks rotating between trenches, staying in each trench for no more than a few seconds.
“The tank enters the trench, fires, kicks into reverse and moves to the next. Enemy anti-tank weapons don’t have time to react,” Sputnik reported.
The third tactic, Syrian shaft, involves tanks hiding behind parapets and shooting through holes in the wall before scooting away, which is effective against ATGM and IED attacks, according to Jane’s 360.
“What’s interesting here isn’t the tactics themselves, but rather that Russia is trumpeting them as innovative,” Peck wrote.
“Rotating tanks in and out of the firing line, rapid fire shooting and switching between alternate firing positions have been standard practice since World War II (the Russians would have learned this the hard way at the hands of the Germans),” Peck wrote. “These are tactics that American, British, Israeli and other tank crews would be familiar with.”
“Tanks may differ between nations,” Peck wrote. “But often tactics are the same.”
This article originally appeared on Business Insider. Follow @BusinessInsider on Twitter.
It was the first major battle of the U.S.-Mexican War. President James K. Polk’s attempts to annex Texas and buy the lands west of the amiable state had failed, and the Army was sent in under Gen. Zachary Taylor to force the issue, starting at the Battle of Palo Alto where a young West Point graduate would first face the guns of the enemy.
Then-Lt. Ulysses S. Grant, at left. Grant and Lt. Alexander Hays fought together in Mexico and later in the Civil War where Hays was killed.
Cadet Ulysses S. Grant had been an underwhelming student, graduating 21st in a class of 39 students in 1843. But even the lowest West Point graduate commissions as a lieutenant, and Grant was sent to be the quartermaster in the 4th Infantry despite having proven himself as an adept horseman.
Palo Alto was named for the tall trees in the area, and Mexican artillery and cavalry numbering almost 4,000 men and 12 artillery pieces had positioned themselves on a hilltop near these trees. The U.S. forces arrayed against them had almost 2,300 troops and only 8 artillery pieces, and they had to march through tall grass and up the slope to attack.
An illustration shows U.S. troops engaging Mexican soldiers at the Battle of Palo Alto.
As I looked down that long line of about three thousand armed men, advancing towards a larger force also armed, I thought what a fearful responsibility General Taylor must feel, commanding such a host and so far away from friends.
But Grant’s memoirs also provide a window of hope for the U.S. forces. Though outnumbered, they had a clear technological advantage:
an army, certainly outnumbering our little force, was seen, drawn up in line of battle just in front of the timber. Their bayonets and spearheads glistened in the sunlight formidably. The force was composed largely of cavalry armed with lances. Where we were the grass was tall, reaching nearly to the shoulders of the men, very stiff, and each stock was pointed at the top, and hard and almost as sharp as a darning-needle.
So the men were in tall, sharp grass like they were advancing through a sea of rapiers, but their enemy was relying on lances to pierce through the infantry. Lances were a dangerous weapon at the time, but disciplined infantry could still give better than they got under lance attack if they stayed in formation and fired when the horsemen were close.
But if they broke and ran, lancers would slice through the lines and gut one man after another.
As Grant and the men advanced, the Mexican artillery was the first to fire, but they opened fire when the U.S. lines were still too far away, and the grass proved itself to be quite useful to the Yanks.
As we got nearer, the cannon balls commenced going through the ranks. They hurt no one, however, during this advance, because they would strike the ground long before they reached our line, and ricocheted through the tall grass so slowly that the men would see them and open ranks and let them pass. When we got to a point where the artillery could be used with effect, a halt was called, and the battle opened on both sides.
Major Ringgold, an artillery officer, was killed at the Battle of Palo Alto.
It was at this point that the U.S. artillery advantage showed itself. The infantry on either side could still inflict little damage as they were too far apart for accurate musket fire. But while the U.S. soldiers were barely in the effective range of Mexican artillery, American artillery could reach further and with greater effect.
The artillery was advanced a rod or two in front of the line, and opened fire. The infantry stood at order arms as spectators, watching the effect of our shots upon the enemy, and watching his shots so as to step out of their way. It could be seen that the eighteen-pounders and the howitzers did a great deal of execution. On our side there was little or no loss while we occupied this position.
For most of the day, Grant and the infantry would trade limited shots with the enemy infantry while their artillery punished the Mexican forces. The U.S. did suffer losses; Grant makes note of two artillery officers hit nearby, one of them killed. The Mexican cavalry tried to turn the U.S. flank, but disciplined infantry fire drove them back. The limited U.S. infantry advances and the punishing artillery fire made good effect, and the Mexican forces began to withdraw before sunset.
Grant went forward under fire to occupy the vacated positions and saw the effects of Mexican artillery at close range.
In this last move there was a brisk fire upon our troops, and some execution was done. One cannon-ball passed through our ranks, not far from me. It took off the head of an enlisted man, and the under jaw of Captain Page of my regiment, while the splinters from the musket of the killed soldier, and his brains and bones, knocked down two or three others, including one officer, Lieutenant Wallen,—hurting them more or less. Our casualties for the day were nine killed and forty-seven wounded.
When Grant and the U.S. forces advanced the next day, they found that their enemy had departed. The Battle of Palo Alto was over with a decisive U.S. victory. But there was a lot of war left to fight, and Grant was at or near the front for most of the major battles, serving under Gen. Taylor for the start but transferring to Gen. Winfield Scott’s command in 1847 before the battles of Vera Cruz, Cerro Gordo, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, and Chapultepec.
During these engagements, he was twice promoted by brevet for bravery, reaching the rank of brevet captain.


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Blackline Inc (BL) Stock Rating Lowered by Zacks Investment Research
Blackline Inc (NYSE:BL) was downgraded by Zacks Investment Research from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report issued on Monday, July 10th.
According to Zacks, “BlackLine, Inc. is a provider of cloud-based solutions for Finance & Accounting which centralize and streamline financial close operations and other key F&A processes for midsize and large organizations. BlackLine, Inc. is headquartered in Los Angeles, California. “
Several other brokerages also recently weighed in on BL. Vetr upgraded Blackline from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating and set a $36.70 target price for the company in a research note on Monday, April 24th. JMP Securities initiated coverage on Blackline in a research note on Monday, June 26th. They set a “market perform” rating for the company. William Blair restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Blackline in a research note on Monday, May 8th. SunTrust Banks, Inc. initiated coverage on Blackline in a research note on Monday, June 26th. They set a “buy” rating and a $43.00 target price for the company. Finally, ValuEngine upgraded Blackline from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, June 20th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. The stock has an average rating of “Buy” and a consensus price target of $35.62.
Shares of Blackline (BL) traded up 1.78% during midday trading on Monday, hitting $30.33. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 699,065 shares. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $37.14 and a 200 day moving average of $31.98. The firm’s market cap is $1.56 billion. Blackline has a 12-month low of $21.66 and a 12-month high of $40.28.
Blackline (NYSE:BL) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 3rd. The technology company reported ($0.03) earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of ($0.15) by $0.12. Blackline had a negative return on equity of 12.55% and a negative net margin of 23.32%. The firm had revenue of $42.30 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $41.45 million. Blackline’s quarterly revenue was up 45.9% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts predict that Blackline will post ($0.17) EPS for the current fiscal year.
ILLEGAL ACTIVITY WARNING: This news story was reported by The Cerbat Gem and is the property of of The Cerbat Gem. If you are reading this news story on another publication, it was illegally stolen and reposted in violation of United States and international copyright law. The legal version of this news story can be read at https://www.thecerbatgem.com/2017/08/08/blackline-inc-bl-downgraded-by-zacks-investment-research-updated-updated-updated.html.
In other news, insider Mario Spanicciati sold 25,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, May 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $32.43, for a total transaction of $810,750.00. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Insiders have sold 188,625 shares of company stock worth $6,561,144 in the last ninety days.
A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in shares of Blackline during the fourth quarter worth about $1,105,000. Franklin Resources Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Blackline during the fourth quarter worth about $5,532,000. Metropolitan Life Insurance Co. NY acquired a new position in shares of Blackline during the fourth quarter worth about $323,000. Teachers Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Blackline during the fourth quarter worth about $310,000. Finally, Nationwide Fund Advisors boosted its position in shares of Blackline by 26.7% in the first quarter. Nationwide Fund Advisors now owns 5,776 shares of the technology company’s stock worth $172,000 after buying an additional 1,217 shares in the last quarter.
BlackLine, Inc is a holding company. The Company provides cloud-based software platform that is designed to automate and streamline accounting and finance operations. Its platform supports accounting processes, such as the financial close, account reconciliation, intercompany accounting and controls assurance.
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Randall Williams is a polymath. He is a world traveler. A sailor. A teacher. A classically voice trained baritone. A citizen of the world. A storyteller. A friend. A guitarist (with and without capos, whole and partial). A newly settled resident of Columbus, Ohio. A writer and published author. A singer/songwriter.
And he’s bringing us an evening of magic. Music and tales to transport us around the world, food for thought and humor, all founded on Randall’s positive energy and deep love of people. Randall has an amazing voice to listen to, smooth and full, with perfect control from his classical training. Listening to him play guitar, you will find yourself looking for the rest of the band, but your eyes will confirm that Randall is the only one playing.
But there is more to this evening!
A unique acoustic duo from the UK, Stryngs, will be opening the show. Stryngs, as a duo, is Strings singing hauntingly beautiful vocals and Martin Giles on guitar filling out the musical tapestry of their music. Stryngs sound is hard to capture in words. Lyrics like poetry seamlessly matched with rhythm and melody create a warm cocoon of sound. Listen closely – these gentle sounds are telling tales of emotion and passion, some wistful and longing but always seeking love and happiness.
Please join us for this wonderful show! Tell all your friends, too.
Randall Williams MySpace
$15 artist donation
Music starts at 7:00 p.m.
Light refreshments provided, you are welcome to bring wine or refreshments to share.
Reservations are required – your artist donation check for $15, payable to Lee Herman, holds your reservation. Please mail to Las Alturas House Concerts, 4055 Tamarisk Road, Las Cruces, NM 88011.
For more information, contact Lee at 575-522-5197 or by e-mail at houseconcerts (at) comcast.net


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Frances Stauffer, from Goshen, Ind., has been donating quilts and wall hangings to the Michiana Mennonite Relief Sale since the very first sale 46 years ago. Stauffer, who celebrated her 102nd birthday in November, has decided 2013 was her final year.
Although she doesn’t have a total count, Stauffer has donated an incredible amount of sewing pieces to the relief sale, anywhere from 50 to 60 pieces per year. Her quilts and wall hangings have raised thousands of dollars for MCC’s relief, development and peace work around the world.
In 2001, Stauffer pieced together a quilted wall hanging titled “New York City at Night” which brought more than $12,000 at the sale for MCC. The quilt was eventually sent to New York mayor Rudy Giuliani.
Stauffer’s love for sewing began when she was young. “I remember as a little girl sitting out on the porch steps making doll dresses,” said Stauffer. After she got married, Stauffer worked as a dress maker and seamstress. Eventually she started making quilts and went from there to smaller wall hangings.
Most of her donations over the past number of years have been unfinished pieces that she has designed and pieced together, which can be quilted to make wall hangings or pillows. For the past 10 years, a group that calls themselves “Frances and Friends” has purchased some of these unfinished pieces and then proceeded to quilt them and bring them back to the quilt auction for sale the following year.
Stauffer has used a variety of themes for her pieces, although she’s partial to flowers and birds in her designs. “I always have my eyes open for ideas,” she said. “I don’t quilt anymore, but I still see things all around.”
When asked why she’s given so much time and energy to make these quilts and wall hangings over the years, Stauffer replied, “I enjoy the work, and it’s a worthy cause.”


Will Boris bet on elections?
After months of machinations by elected leaders and parliamentary strategists, the decisive vote on the future of Brexit may finally fall to the people of the UK.
How did we finally get here? The British parliament has forced Prime Minister Boris Johnson to ask the European Union for a delay in the Brexit deadline from October 31 to January 31. If the EU agrees, a decision that could come later today, Johnson says he'll push for national elections on December 12.
To be clear, national elections are not a second Brexit referendum. But if they're held while the question of Brexit remains undecided, that single issue will surely shape the outcome.
Why would Johnson want a pre-Brexit election? He may calculate that his main rival, Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn, is a profoundly weak candidate, and that it's best to go to voters before the opposition can replace him with a formidable alternative.
He may also reckon that Labour would enter elections at a big disadvantage since it's more divided over Brexit than other parties. Corbyn would struggle to craft an electoral strategy that unites pro-Brexit Labour voters in the north with pro-Remain Labour voters in London.
Johnson may also believe, not without reason, that an election victory would clear the way for him to finish Brexit on his terms, without more delays from Parliament.
What would Boris have to do to schedule those elections? The simplest way would be for two-thirds of MPs to vote to hold elections. But if the Labour Party won't support that, the Conservatives have a Plan B. If another opposition party that does favor early elections – say, the Scottish National Party – calls for a vote of no confidence in the government, the Conservatives could abstain, allowing the government to fall, precipitating early elections if no other collection of parties can form a government within 14 days.
Who is likely to win the election? For now, the numbers favor Johnson's Conservative Party. An aggregation of four major polls conducted over the past two weeks has the Conservatives at about 37 percent, with Labour at 25 percent, the Liberal Democrats at 18 percent, the Brexit Party at 11 percent, and Greens at 5 percent. Vote percentages don't translate precisely to the number of seats won, but if the results came close to these percentages, Johnson might well claim a mandate to move forward, perhaps in partnership with others, toward a final deal with the EU early next year.
Wouldn't Johnson be taking a huge gamble? Yes, he would. Ask former prime minister Theresa May, who lost the Conservative Party's absolute majority in 2017 by calling elections she mistakenly believed would boost her party's Brexit leverage. No one can be sure how a campaign might play out. Some within his party argue that he should deliver Brexit before going to voters.
Might this election decide the Brexit question? If Johnson's Conservatives were to win a decisive victory, he'd probably have the public mandate he needs to push forward with his current Brexit plan, which would likely become law early next year.
But if voters move toward Labour and the Liberal Democrats in sufficient numbers to push Johnson out of Downing Street, that would likely lead to a considerable delay in negotiations with the EU and a second Brexit referendum in which voters would be presented with new Brexit options to choose from.
There is also the (quite large) risk that the result of the vote is ambiguous. If Conservatives win, but with a reduced majority, the Brexit outlook might well become even more confused, as Johnson's leverage would be weaker.
Yes, you read that right: Brexit could still become even more confusing.


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Does anybody know why certain recreational sites are no longer recognizing America The Beautiful passes for discounts on camping fees? I know last year I used mine for 50% off of camping in Maple Canyon. This year it specifically states the America The Beautiful does not qualify... Thoughts?
This statement: "May provide a 50 percent discount on some Expanded Amenity fees charged for facilities and services such as camping, swimming, boat launch, and specialized interpretive services." is under "Senior Pass" and "Access Pass" but not under "Annual Pass"
Local FS campgrounds are often run/managed by a concessionaire under contract to the Forest Service. The contract will specify which passes they accept. I had this issue with a local FS campground that didn't accept the America the Beautiful pass and, after speaking with the FS, found out it varies depending on the contract.
The pass will allow you free access to any National Park where there is an "entrance fee." I wrote that in quotations because the pass is not accepted for getting into Devil's Postpile (not a national park, but federal land), where you pay an "interpretive fee" or some crap like that. Essentially, it is an entrance fee that is called something else.
Quite a few exceptions to the pass covering all federal lands.