Euro 2020: Italy Set New National Record, Extend Unbeaten Run To 31 Games After Win Against Austria
Euro 2020: After their 2-1 win over Austria in extra-time in their round of 16 clash, Italy set a new national record as they extended their unbeaten run to 31 matches.
- Italy registered a 2-1 win over Austria in round of 16 clash at Euro 2020
- This was Italy's 31st straight win, setting a new national record
- Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina scored for Italy in extra time
As a result of defeating Austria in the ongoing Euro 2020, Italy on Saturday (local time) set a new national record, extending their unbeaten run to 31 games. Extra-time goals from Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina saw Italy triumph over Austria in the round of 16 match of the ongoing Euro Cup 2020 on Saturday (local time) at the Wembley Stadium. As a result of this 2-1 win over Austria, Italy has qualified for the quarterfinals and the side would now play their next match on July 2.
After the win against Austria, Italy broke a record that has stood for 82 years.
Earlier, Roberto Mancini's side had equalled the record with a 1-0 win over Wales, but the win against Austria, saw Italy breaking the record, reported Goal.com.
Vittorio Pozzo was the coach of Italy when the side went four years without defeat between October 1935 and July 1939.
During that phase, Italy went on to win their second consecutive World Cup and also the gold medal in the 1936 Olympics.
Italy has lost two matches since Mancini took charge in May 2018, and the last loss had come against Portugal in a Nations League match in September of that year.


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Art. 1 - General Provisions
1. These General Conditions of Sale apply to the sale of products by
Vivishare of Michele Zucal (hereafter referred to also as Camping Pro)
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These conditions were drawn up on 20/08/2019 and modified on 27/01/2020.
Information regarding online dispute resolution is, according to Art. 14 Para. 1 of the ODR (Online Dispute Resolution Regulation):
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Information regarding online dispute resolution pursuant to Art. 14 Para. 1 of the ODR (Online Dispute Resolution Regulation):
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domain: law


A key component of any cloud computing offering is durable storage. Windows Azure provides 3 forms of durable storage: tables, blobs, and queues. Join me as we explore the highlights of these 3 important implementations.
In this session you will learn storage capabilities of Windows Azure, Blobs, Tables and Queues. Discover how to create storage accounts; upload and retrieve blobs and blob metadata; create, update and query tables; and create a simple service that uses a message queue for communication.


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Cancer challenge a fairway to go
Sam Forward and Dan Squire are very good golfers, but playing 100 holes in a day will stretch their abilities to the maximum.
The Porirua teachers – Mr Forward at Aotea College, Mr Squire at Porirua College – will tackle the Marrowthon 100 Hole Challenge at the Wairakei International Golf Course in Taupo next month.
They will join a field of 40 raising money for Leukaemia & Blood Cancer New Zealand.
Mr Forward has a personal connection to the challenge, as he lives with chronic myeloid leukaemia.
He had to give up playing rugby, and relies on medication to battle the disease.
The Marrowthon, which last year raised $155,000 towards research and patient care and counselling, is on October 12.
Mr Forward and Mr Squire, members of Judgeford Golf Club, took part in the inaugural outing last year and found the mental part of the challenge far more taxing than the physical.
‘‘You’re starting at 7am and after 36 holes last time we were doing well,’’ Mr Forward recalls.
‘‘But we realised we had to get a move on, it became like speed golf to get finished.
‘‘It’s hard to stay focused, but we got there and we’re looking forward to giving it a crack again.
‘‘The course is long, the greens are lightning fast, it’s tough.’’
The duo raised nearly $3500 last year and hope to reach $5000 this year.
To that end, they’re willing, in the spirit of the event, to get dressed up, adorn their golf cart with sponsorship – whatever it takes.
They hope local businesses and individuals will rally behind the cause.
‘‘ Anyone who’s willing to get involved and back us, we’ll promote you any way you want,’’ Mr Squire says.
The competitive cousins will go head-to-head in matchplay over the 100 holes, to keep it interesting, with Mr Forward looking to repeat his win from last year.
He is a 9-handicapper, to Squire’s 11, so it should be a tight contest.

domain: news


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New England Railway ran a steam excursion from Burlington to Middlebury and back over a weekend in September in 1998. The railroad crossing is just before the railroad bridge. I stood on the roadway bridge to make the photo of the grade crossing then turned to my right to get the bridge. The river falls are under the road and drop considerably.
Engine is the Susquehanna 142, a 2-8-2 configuration. The small drivers on the locomotive make it a freight engine. Passenger locomotives had larger drivers for speed.Little Chicago Road Ferrisburgh, Vermont 8/16/1998
Little Chicago Road Ferrisburgh, Vermont 8/16/1998
Nikon F Ektachrome 160 86mm lens

domain: geography


- May 19: GM To Offer Compensation For Overstating Fuel Economy news | 10 days ago
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- March 10: General Motors Recalls 7 Models of Cars and Trucks recalls | 80 days ago
2013 Buick LaCrosse
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We made it to Ushuaia! After riding (and pushing) our bicycles 24.267 km through North, Central and South America we reached this windy, and cold city at the end of the American continent. And it felt good!
After being stuck in Villa O`Higgins for four days (too windy for the ferry to run) we finally got the thumbs up from the boat captain that it was time to leave. Early morning, out to the port, and we see for the first time why the captain was so worried about the wind. The regular ferry that holds 60 passengers and looks like a small cruise ship is broken, and our ferry was basically a canoe.
A massive landslide killed 16 people, burried half a town and closed the only road heading South. So we took to the water.
After what felt like 3 months of non-stop desert and pampa riding, we couldn’t handle the disappointment that the Argentinian pampas (very dry, dusty, hot empty landscapes) caused us. So after two more weeks of kill-me-now boring, stinking hot pampa (Nyle’s smelly feet were at an all time high, despite the foot deodorant) with sand blasting headwinds we boarded an overnight bus from San Juan to Neuquen (we still don’t know how to pronounce that name). And it was heavenly...
We made it! Our final country of the trip, Argentina was always the goal, the dream of crystal clear rivers, sky high mountains and cooler temps. It turns out our vision of Argentina hasn’t quite come true as the vast majority of the country is covered in sand and small bushes struggling to survive until the next rain season... Maybe we should do more planning, maybe we should watch less YouTube, maybe I should eat less cake, maybe.


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The NAACP has sued Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves after he signed two bills that largely expand state authority over the city of Jackson, the state’s capital. It isn’t the only challenge to SB 2343 and HB 1020.
SB 2343 grants the Republican-run state’s Capitol Police jurisdiction over the majority-Black and Democratic-run city.
HB 1020 creates a temporary court within a defined area of the city that appoints state-chosen judges rather than elected ones.
The NAACP warned that these “separate and unequal policing structures” target Jackson’s majority-Black residents, as it is not implemented in any other jurisdictions of the state.
“They’re only imposing this on the city of Jackson,” said NAACP national president, Derrick Johnson, during an April community meeting in Jackson. “No other jurisdiction in the state of Mississippi will have this type of oversight and taking of local authority. That is a direct violation of equal protection.”
But Reeves claimed the laws are necessary due to the rise of violent crime, as Jackson has a homicide rate that’s 15 times higher than the rest of the U.S. From 2020 to 2022, the city has had over 100 homicides each year, an increase from years prior.
He also claimed that the Jackson Police Department is severely understaffed, adding that he believed that deploying state-run Capitol Police to the city could provide stability, according to AP News.
While Reckon did not receive a response from the office of Governor Reeves when asked whether Jackson Police Department had available job vacancies and, if so, how many, the office of Jackson Mayor Chokwe Antar Lumumba confirmed that “there are active vacancies” they are working to fill, but did not provide a number of how many openings there were.
The NAACP’s lawsuit detailed how these laws worsen the violation of Jackson residents’ equal protection rights by giving state officials “unfettered discretion” to limit their freedoms and empower state officials to prosecute and sentence a person without regard of the seriousness of the offense.
“In certain areas of Jackson, a citizen can be arrested by a police department led by a State-appointed official, be charged by a State-appointed prosecutor, be tried before a State-appointed judge and be sentenced to imprisonment in a State penitentiary,” the lawsuit said. “Regardless of the severity of the act.”
Critics of the bill also argue that these laws would shift power to mostly white conservative officials making decisions for a city that’s 83 percent Black.
Three Jackson residents also filed a lawsuit against state officials on Monday, over HB 1020′s violation of the Mississippi constitution.
“State lawmakers have said that this takeover of our judicial system is for our own good, for our own safety, and that is deeply offensive to me,” said Ann Saunders, one of the plaintiffs, in a statement. “African Americans in Mississippi died so that we could vote. How does weakening the right to self-governance make us safer?”
That’s why Blake Feldman, Mississippi Center for Justice’s Impact Policy Counsel and Project Coordinator, thinks the state should invest in “the things we know make communities safer,” like affordable housing, good-paying jobs, access to healthcare and quality education, instead of expanding jurisdiction and authority of “unaccountable state police force and unelected judges.”
“Depriving citizens of equal treatment, democracy, and fundamental civil rights doesn’t make us any safer,” said Feldman, in an email statement to Reckon. “And even if it did, that price is too high.”
Jackson isn’t the only democratically-run city to encounter a state takeover of authority.
Tennessee’s lawmakers passed a series of bills restricting its capital city, Nashville, to have the right to self-govern during this year’s legislative session.
They include cutting the size of the Metro Nashville Council in half, eliminating its police oversight board, overtaking seats on the city’s airport and sports authorities, and many more restrictions.
Flint, Michigan, is another example of a majority-Black city that had local authorities stripped of their jurisdiction by the state government, with significant consequences.
Michigan’s then Republican Gov. Rick Snyder approved a state takeover for Flint in 2011 after determining the city was in a financial emergency. Snyder’s appointed emergency manager made the detrimental decision to switch the city’s water supply to the Flint River in 2014.
The water was not treated to decrease corrosion from old pipes, which caused lead to contaminate it.
And despite widespread complaints over water quality by residents, the indifference of state environmental regulators exacerbated the Flint Water Crisis.

domain: sociology


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You’ve probably heard the warnings of a “tripledemic” this winter.
With flu cases already trending above previous years’ totals, and cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) rising rapidly among children and the elderly, it’s especially important to take extra precautions to stay safe this fall and winter. You may be weary of messages to “get vaccinated,” but they’re being repeated for good reasons.
Flu and RSV cases were down the last two years because travel was limited, schools were closed, and people stayed home, wore masks and socially distanced from others. When students were learning from home during the COVID-19 pandemic, flu and RSV had trouble transmitting. Viruses thrive in populations that have never experienced them or when an individual’s immunity wanes. With conditions set for a perfect storm, emergency departments, like the one at Luminis Health Anne Arundel Medical Center, are experiencing a surge of patients and cause for concern about the coming months.
Flu, RSV, and SARs CoV2, which causes COVID-19 disease, are all viruses. High-risk groups for all three viruses include, but aren’t limited to, adults over 65, very young children and those with chronic conditions such as asthma, heart disease, neurologic issues, weakened immune systems and obesity. Women who are pregnant may also be at risk.
Flu vaccines are available now, so get yours, sooner rather than later. It takes two weeks for antibodies to be effective. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine each year, with rare exceptions. Vaccination is particularly important during pregnancy and for those at higher risk of serious complications such as pneumonia and even death. Flu can also cause problems that may result in inflammation of the heart, brain, muscle tissues, and multi-organ failure.
You should also receive the latest COVID-19 omicron-specific booster, even if you had the original series; you can get this at the same time as your flu shot.
There’s no vaccine for RSV, which typically causes mild, cold-like symptoms. RSV can inflame the small airways of the lungs or cause pneumonia — which is a lung infection — in children younger than 1 year old.
The CDC says that each year in the United States, an estimated 58,000 children younger than 5 years old are hospitalized due to RSV infection. Many people don’t realize that, in addition, approximately 177,000 older adults are hospitalized annually with RSV and 14,000 of them die — which highlights the importance of prevention.
You’ve heard this before, but truthfully, these are the best ways to protect yourself from serious illness this fall:
In addition, experts agree that getting a flu shot and COVID-19 booster will help keep you from being hospitalized for severe illness and will make more hospital beds available for those who really need them.
Jean Murray is the system director of infection prevention and control at Luminis Health. She has over 26 years of experience in infection control, outbreak surveillance and epidemiology.
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domain: biology


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With the pandemic COVID-19 taking over the world and the subsequent lockdown, all of us are craving for that breath of fresh air. With zero physical activity outdoors, staying fit indoors is the only option left. Battling boredom, stress, and anxiety? Read below to know why daily exercise is the need of the hour
- To maintain good mental and physical health – Exercise addresses our basic need – maintaining a healthy lifestyle and staying fit. The lockdown has made us all lose our good mental and physical health. There is a tendency for a person to be obese staying at home for a long time. Regular exercise helps us to increase the rate of metabolism in one’s body and that directly aids in weight loss. What’s the best way to get rid of the excess fat from your body that to do exercises?
- To build a strong immune system – Rigorous physical activities help you to flush out toxic bacteria from your lungs and kidneys. It helps you to strengthen your White Blood Corpuscles (WBC) and the creation of more effective antibodies. This would help you to fight against deadly viruses. Recent research has also indicated that COVID-19 is less likely to affect those people who are into all forms of physical activities and recreations.
- To maintain your psychological balance better – Regular workouts or physical exercises are excellent ways you can keep depression, stress, and anxiety at bay. Staying at home continuously for more than a month will invariably lead you to experience stressful situations and in the worst case, trauma. However, when you exercise daily for half an hour or so, it will help you stay calm and be at peace with yourself as well as the current situation.
- To avoid creating a hormonal imbalance in the body – Our body requires some of the most essential hormones – such as, Insulin, cortisol, oestrogen, testosterone, etc. which create the perfect balance for us to sustain. Lack of physical activities can reduce the secretion of these hormones and create several health-related problems. So, don’t let this sedentary lifestyle create hormonal imbalance in your body. Instead, work out right in the comfort of your home. While it may not be possible to get involved in outdoor sports activities, jogging, and walking outdoors, you can easily replace these with spot jogging, a mindful but casual strolling around the house or your rooftop, and doing other exercises.
- Lets you get rid of boredom – In the days where social media challenges are everywhere, exercises during lockdown has found a new dimension. With people throwing workout challenges at one another and posts pictures online, its time to motivate yourself to do the same. Additionally, you can find a whole lot of new channels on YouTube that you can subscribe to, to stay ahead of the new kinds of diet, high-intensive exercises and tips for staying healthy.
So, stay motivated, and keep yourself stress-free from the lockdown anxiety. Get up and get going. And in case if you wanted to check out some fitness equipment online to fuel your fitness game, you can surf through the Power Break Fitness website here.

domain: medical


The Heart of The Matter : Episode 3 | Couple goals: Ricardo and Rosie Espinoza | Apna Network NZ | NZ on Air
Couple goals is the love story of Ricardo Espinoza and Rosie Leota in mid 30s – both footballers when they first met in 2001 in Cook Islands during tournaments.
The Heart Of The Matter is a show that features an emerging cultural trend of inter-cultural marriages within NZ’s migrant communities highlighting the changing demographics and diversity of Aotearoa New Zealand and the shifting cultural values of new migrants. Proudly supported by NZ On Air.
Stay tuned for more exciting episodes and stories only on Apna Television Channel 36 on every Monday and Thursday at 7PM and on Apna Network Social Media handles at 7:30PM.


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Separate names with a comma.
Discussion in 'Tejas and the Gulf States' started by Danger4u2, Dec 5, 2015.
He was walking across the street and sat down when I pulled up to take the photo at 07:39.
John and I met at McD's in Shawnee. By time we finished our senior coffees, we were too late!
Tag.....Boomer Lake Park ..Stillwater
New .....had to hurry before it got dark....
Old Tag: 2.5 miles W of I-35 on hwy 51
Good place to go for Black Friday, no waiting in line and the parking lot is so massive it makes you feel like you are the only one there.
That sign has been laying there how many years???
Probably knocked over by these guys
I thought the same thing. I pulled in there Saturday just to look around and was surprised to see the sign. I thought this would be a great tag, so went back and got it today.
I don't remember the original location of the sign and don't know how long it's been laying there.
In satellite view you can see tire tracks looping around the parking lot, probably the drifters.
Old tag , what's left of Stroud Tangier Outlet mall
And the new, open weekends only. BBQ
Old Tag: E side of Wellston on hwy 66
I haven't been through there in a while, when did the BBQ place build the building?
Don't know, kind of surprised me when I saw that new building, it is nice. I'm going to have to get up there some weekend and have lunch.
They built it in phases and spaced them out so if you didn't know the overall plan (if there was one) you might think that's all they were doing when they finished a phase. They started out just adding steel framing and roof over the outside dining area. I go by there fairly often so it's hard for me to remember the timeline. I would have said the cover went up a year ago but looking at pictures on their facebook, it looks more like maybe 2 years ago.
Here is a news clip from Jan 2019 - link
I think this summer they added a concrete slab under the roof. Shortly after that they added the sides, then another 15' or so extension to the south end, then just recently the garage doors, then another covered (not enclosed), addition on the east side. It's still in work, there are now forms in front of the garage doors, ready for concrete.
We used to go there but it has become too successful (crowded) for me and have not been there for a couple of years.
Old tag in Stillwater
Old Tag: Guthrie, South side of Guthrie Lake on Cove Drive
I wonder if there is a modern day map showing the route of the Ozark Trail? That might be an interesting ride.
Maybe not what you are looking for but still a good resource. These are not modern day maps but archives of old maps.
Oklahoma DOT State Highway Map Archive - link
1916 map - This map shows section lines.
1925 map - There are 3 versions of this map. One has route descriptions. Looks like the Ozark Trail was route 7.
Oklahoma Historical Society - OZARK TRAIL HIGHWAY - link
Thanks for the links, I’ll be exploring them.
Old tag. Main and Second Ave, Stroud


This weekend there has been a lot of chitter-chatter on social media about a new research paper published by academics from the Graz University of Technology in Austria. 'Take Away: Exploring the Security Implications of AMD's CacheWay Predictors' talks about two new claimed AMD CPU side channel vulnerabilities dubbed Collide + Probe and Load + Reload.
The researchers say the AMD L1 cache way predictor architecture present in all its CPUs since 2011 allows these attack techniques to work. You can check out the research in full by downloading this PDF. However, there is some controversy about one of the research professors being Intel 'sponsored' (see this Twitter link and its replies). Additionally, AMD all but dismissed the concerns brought to light by the Graz researchers in an official security bulletin published on Saturday.
You can read more about the claimed potential security exploits in AMD CPUs from the white paper linked in the intro. In brief the 'Take A Way' flaws can be summarised as follows. Firstly the researchers reverse engineered AMD's modern L1D cache way predictor which was designed to reduce processor power consumption by improving the way the CPU handles cached data. Herein the purported weakness lies. All AMD processors since Bulldozer have this speed-up feature built-in. Knowledge of an "undocumented hashing function" of the L1D cache formed the basis of the new attack techniques.
- Collide+Probe: "an attacker can monitor a victim's memory accesses without knowledge of physical addresses or shared memory when time-sharing a logical core."
- Load+ Reload: "we exploit the way predictor to obtain highly-accurate memory-access traces of victims on the same physical core. While Load+Reload relies on shared memory, it does not invalidate the cache line, allowing stealthier attacks that do not induce any last level-cache evictions."
The researchers go on to document the way their attacks work and provide some case studies and examples of attacks. They assert that the research shows that AMD's CPU design with L1D cache is demonstrably "vulnerable to sidechannel attacks". The attacks could be used in the real world, say the researchers, without needing physical access to the computers, and without specialised equipment.
- We established a high-speed covert channel and utilized it in a Spectre attack to leak secret data from the kernel.
- We recovered a key from a vulnerable AES implementation.
AMD was apparently notified of these findings last August so the company has had some time to react and look at updates to counter 'Take A Way' flaws / exploits. However, AMD's official response has been short and rather dismissive. There currently seems to be a disagreement about whether systems with fully updated OS, firmware and software are vulnerable to Collide + Probe and Load + Reload exploits...
Looking at the bigger picture, the Take A Way vulnerabilities aren't / weren't that severe. In Daniel Gruss's own words - the professor who is controversially 'sponsored' by Intel - "The attacks leak a few bits of meta-data. Meltdown and Zombieload leak tons of actual data." (For quote see Twitter relies to the link in para 2)


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Alicia Svigals and Lauren Brody Duo," Amherst, MA, 16 Jul 2017
Alicia Svigals and Lauren Brody Duo
Sun, Jul 16, 2017, 3pm
Yiddish Book Center
1021 West St.
Amherst, MA 01002
MEMBERS | $30 GENERAL ADMISSION | $36
Concert tix/more info
Alicia Svigals, the world's greatest klezmer violinist, and accordion wizard Lauren Brody, a major figure in the original klezmer revival, join forces in an electrifying concert of traditional Yiddish folk songs and klezmer tunes. Alicia and Lauren - cofounders of the all-women Yiddish music ensemble Mikveh - have a deep, rich history of performing together and draw upon an equally deep repertoire of Eastern European-derived melodies delivered in poignant, contemporary fashion.
Yidstock 2017: The Festival of New Yiddish Music
Thu July 13, 2016 - Sun July 16, 2016
Festival info from the Yiddish Book Center website

domain: entertainment


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Let's make this PD Day a Winter Wonderland to remember!
Beat the cold of winter and join us as you get creative with crafts and paintings that are all winter themed.
Full day is from 9am - 3:30pm. Full registration details will be sent separately along with a registration form.
*All supplies required are included in the price.
Choose Your Crafts
First, browse our selection of crafts in studio (Day Creatures) or online (Night Creatures) and choose what you would love to create!
Invite Your Friends
Crafting is fun with friends, so invite them too or drop in at the studio & meet new friends! Even plan a private group event.
Crafty Creatures is an experience! Sure, you get to take home all your crafts, but you also get to make memories!

domain: artistic


Maldivian Arrested for Fraud Involving Counterfeit Telegraphic Transfers Targeting Foreign Companies15 Mar 2023
Male, Maldives - On the first week of March 2023, a 37-year-old Maldivian male was arrested by the Maldives Police Service (MPS) in connection to a fraud case involving multiple foreign companies. The individual is suspected to have used counterfeit telegraphic transfers (TT) to acquire goods from international companies.
The Economic Crime Department of MPS is currently investigating the case, which saw complaints from several foreign companies lodged between 2019 and 2022 regarding the use of fake TTs in exchange for their goods. It is estimated that the arrested individual was a key figure in the scam, having acquired and imported goods worth more than US $80,000.
The number of companies that may have been affected by this fraudulent trend is expected to increase as the investigation continues. The Maldives Police Service is working closely with INTERPOL and other international counterparts to identify the targeted companies.
Late in 2021, the INTERPOL NCB Male' published a purple notice to alert member countries about this particular modus operandi. As per the INTERPOL Global Crime Trends Report (2022), financial crimes and fraud have been on the rise during and after the Covid-19 waves, as companies shifted their communication to online platforms. It is advised that businesses verify the identity of their counterparts before proceeding with transactions.
The arrest of the Maldivian individual serves as a warning to businesses to remain vigilant and cautious when conducting transactions online. The investigation into this case continues, and further details are expected to be released in due course.


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The opening credits of Simon Birch assert that it was "suggested" by John Irving's popular 1989 novel A Prayer for Owen Meany. Actually, it's a thin but relatively faithful adaptation of the first few chapters of Irving's comic ramble through the nature of religious faith, predestination, and heroism. Screenwriter Mark Steven Johnson, who also directed, reworked the material from a decade-spanning account of the Sixties into a small-town coming-of-age story spanning one year; additionally, he altered the title character's climactic Vietnam-era act of bravery to fit a mid-Sixties New England setting.
Johnson also changed the names of several characters -- Owen Meany has become Simon Birch -- and shifted the town from New Hampshire to Maine. These changes were the result of Irving's insistence that his title not be used if the book was adapted. Admirers of the novel will probably be grateful, in that it feels a bit less as if Owen Meany has been appropriated and downgraded.
He has, of course. The film is a feeble shadow of Irving's funniest and least self-conscious book, a book that won over even those of us who are not really fans. It need hardly be said that Johnson, who wrote the two Grumpy Old Men films, didn't create a cinematic equivalent to Irving's deadpan, sweetly hilarious narrative. But if you can set aside comparison (as is usually wise), Simon Birch isn't without its pleasures.
Indeed, it's probably just as well that Johnson jettisoned most of the novel's Forrest Gump-ian epic sweep and tried a less ambitious, more Touchstone Pictures-friendly approach -- a few laughs, a few jerked tears, and we're out of there happily enough. The story is narrated by Jim Carrey as the grown-up version of Joe, Simon Birch's inseparable childhood pal. Twelve-year-old Joe is played by Joseph Mazzello, the sensitive T. Rex bait in Jurassic Park, while the diminutive Simon is played by eleven-year-old newcomer Ian Michael Smith.
Simon's survival of his own infancy is regarded by those around him as a miracle, and Simon himself interprets this literally. He believes he is destined to a mission of messianic heroism, though he's unclear on the details. The dour minister (David Strathairn) and Sunday school teacher (Jan Hooks) of the local Episcopal church he attends squirm at Simon's fervor; as old-school Protestants, they're accustomed to an abstract, genteel, impersonal faith. Joe and his saintly, lushly beautiful single mother (Ashley Judd) are comfortable with Simon's eccentricities, and the boy becomes their adopted brother and son, respectively (his biological parents, disappointed by his size, have forsaken him).
From this basic context, the film bounces lazily among several strands: Joe's curiosity about his father's identity, which his mother has kept secret; his relationship with his mother's new suitor, an easygoing drama teacher (Oliver Platt); and the freak tragedy of which Simon is the unwitting and blameless cause. There's also a crowd-pleasing slapstick set piece in which Simon reluctantly plays the role of Baby Jesus in an ill-fated Christmas pageant.
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None of this is handled with any particular cinematic grace. Johnson's favorite running gag is to play Peggy Lee singing "Fever" whenever Simon is seized with lust. But corny and heavy-handed as the comedy is, I was glad there was so much. It's far better than the film's earnest side.
A first-rate cast helps keep matters light; not just Mazzello, Platt, and Judd, but also reliables such as Hooks and Dana Ivey and Beatrice Winde in supporting roles. Only Strathairn, superb actor though he is, seems off. His performance as the fed-up priest doesn't really connect.
The cheeriest element of Simon Birch is the work of Ian Michael Smith, with his reedy yet forceful voice, his disproportionately large head (he suffers from Morquio's syndrome, which also explains his stature), his crooked front tooth, and his riotous grimaces of dismay. At times the filmmaker seems on the verge of treating Simon like his classmates do, turning him into a toy, a doll. But Smith is more than just physically suited for the part. His comic timing is instinctive and lucid and he doesn't go for cute; he underplays. At its best Simon Birch takes its lead from the young star's performance. Less, in this case, really is more.
Directed and written by Mark Steven Johnson. Starring Ian Michael Smith, Joseph Mazzello, Oliver Platt, Ashley Judd, and David Strathairn.

domain: literature


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Date of Award
Master of Science
This thesis is based on a research project aimed at creating new electron acceptors from cyclopenta-fused polycyclic hydrocarbons (CP-PAHs). We have utilized Pd-catalyzed cyclopentenelation reactions to create 2,7-bis(trimethylsilyl)cyclopenta[hi]aceanthrylene 1 and 2,7-dibromocyclopenta[hi]aceanthrylene 3. Upon bromination these fullerene fragments serve as a building block for creating both small-molecule and polymeric electron acceptors. The resulting materials are dark green and possess narrow band gaps with low-lying lowest occupied molecular orbitals (LUMO). A fluorescence quenching at poly(3-heylthiophene) demonstrates the electron accepting behaviors of the materials. Traditional semiconductors are integrated with an CP-PAH core creating small molecules (or small molecules are created consisting of a CP-PAH core, complementary semiconductor, and aromatic substituents).
This thesis is only available for download to the SIUC community. Current SIUC affiliates may also access this paper off campus by searching Dissertations & Theses @ Southern Illinois University Carbondale from ProQuest. Others should contact the interlibrary loan department of your local library or contact ProQuest's Dissertation Express service.

domain: chemistry


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This is a double size ACEO card. (3.5″x5″) done completely with colored pencils. I normally use paints or markers for an under painting but on this I wanted to just try out straight up colored pencils.
Started with the outline in light graphite. Added some flesh tones and shadow areas.
More flesh tones and shadows. When using colored pencils, I use a lot of colors to get the flesh tones right. I don’t have any specific colors I use. I do tend to use a brownish red and a golden yellow/ I determine what colors after studing the reference picture. Depending on the lighting dictates the color direction I will be using.
Now, I am just relayering the midtones and shadow to give it contrast.
Using the reference pic, I decide to use the same brown in the sweater.
Adding red to the flesh being careful not to over due it. Too much red would make Crissy look like she has a sun burn.
Now onto the hair.
Adding red to the sweater and working on the hair some more.
“Art has been a major part of my life since I was very young. My art has been my enjoyment, my passion and my escape.”
Creation is more than expression—it’s an extension of the creator. My passions vary in subject from lush landscapes to touchable nudes, and soul-capturing portraits to symbolic art. I strive to inject a little part of myself into every piece I create. Through my eyes, I will take you on a journey of the senses.
Black and white are the colors of good and evil—the essence of the life force—so charcoal and graphite are my minions. By pushing the lead, I can create contrast and detail that will make you take a closer look.
Armed with raw talent, I arrived at Antonelli Institute of Art and Photography and swiftly rose to the top of my game by the time the institute changed hands the following year to Bradley Academy for the Visual Arts. During the summer break, I learned screen printing by trade, which has enabled me to provide wearable art to the masses.
While working as a screen printer and full-time artist by day, my nights are spent prowling for new inspiration with the help of seven or eight cups of high test. I’ve had the pleasure of tricking out ads for fast-food restaurants like Hardees as well as local radio stations and other businesses. Even rock icons like The Black Crowes have been “Rudisill’ed” with my apparel designs for promotional giveaways.
Today, after finding the American dream with an amazing wife and three kids, I have complete creative control with my screen printing and embroidery business, featuring 9-11 anniversary graphics and designs on the backs of MMA fighters such as Thiego Alves and Donald Cerrone. I freelance to other printers and larger apparel companies worldwide.
My free time is spent manipulating the disorganization of my mind into fine art, which I hope you’ll enjoy by browsing through my gallery.
View all posts by garyrudisill


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HM Construction is geared towards commercial projects. We take on jobs such as commercial franchises, churches, salons, restaurant renovations and builds. We work with clients to first create the space needed and then design a workable space that will bring customers back time and time again.
Bellaire fine homes, a division of hm construction, is a st. Clair based business aimed to help create and build the custom home you’ve always dreamed of! Our staff provides concept designs to give you a realistic view of what each room of your house will look like. Our team is composed of highly skilled tradesmen and can accomplish any look you’re aiming for.
Cedar Creek Cabinetry & Woodworking provides an array of cabinets that will fit anyone’s style! Our team will work with you and together we create an amazing kitchen space to entertain or a spa like retreat in your bathroom. With 2020 design, we can show you exactly what your kitchen, bath or laundry room will look like! Our custom woodworkers build one of a kind pieces of furniture that suits your personality, from staircases to end tables, we can do it all.
About Our Company
HM Construction was inspired by a team of two guys: Tony Mills & Nazih Hussein. Together with their experience in building, steel fabrication and some creative imagination, they opened up shop that sets HM Construction/Bellaire Fine Homes aside from the competition. With home base centered in St. Clair, they came across a building that perfectly suited the ideas they have envisioned for this company. As you walk through the showplace you will become inspired to work with our team. From our unique floors to our custom-built furniture and staircase you envision your own project. Each part of the showroom is uniquely built to showcase what our team is capable of creating. Our team is built to suit the needs of your project and to see it through with confidence.
So Glad we found HM Construction…. HM Exceed our expectations for our home remodel. Very professional and Very creative. The Staff/Crew/Team were the Best, we now call them Friends. And, we trusted them with our home while we were away…
Also, we never came home to a mess….
We would definitely Recommend HM to Family and Friends….
Thanks HM Construction….

domain: design


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Nichijou Anime's English Dub Video Previews Mio
posted on by Jennifer Sherman
Funimation began streaming a new video for its English dub of the Nichijou - My Ordinary Life anime on Monday. The video previews Leah Clark as Mio Naganohara.
Funimation also began streaming a video that previews Anthony Bowling as Sakamoto on Saturday, and a video that previews Morgan Garrett as Yuuko Aioi on Sunday.
Follow the outlandish adventures of three ordinary girls as they learn their most important lessons the hard way. While elsewhere in their unusual town, a pocket-sized professor makes life difficult for a robot who just wants to be normal.
Kyoto Animation's 26-episode Nichijou - My Ordinary Life anime premiered in 2011. Bandai Entertainment previously licensed the series, but cancelled the release in 2012 when the company stopped offering new home video and manga releases. Funimation released the series on Blu-ray Disc and DVD with English subtitles in February 2017.
Update: Sakamoto and Yuuko videos added. Thanks, Getchman
Source: Funimation's YouTube channel
this article has been modified since it was originally posted; see change history


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Veteran actor Nana Patekar recently found himself at the center of controversy after a video of him smacking a young fan on the head during a shoot in Varanasi went viral on the internet. Netizens expressed disappointment and criticized the actor for his actions, a reaction that caught Patekar by surprise. However, the director of the movie, Anil Sharma, quickly stepped in to clarify that the incident was actually part of a scene being shot.
In a video statement, Nana Patekar addressed the misunderstanding surrounding the viral video, explaining that it was a rehearsal of a shot from his upcoming film 'Journey.' He insisted that the incident was a mistake and not a premeditated action. Patekar expressed regret and extended apologies to the young fan, who was not part of the film's cast or crew.
Patekar further emphasized that he has always been open to taking pictures with fans and has never said no to anyone. He expressed surprise at the sudden appearance of the young fan and stated that if there was any confusion or misunderstanding, he should be forgiven.
The actor also revealed that he attempted to call the young fan back after realizing the misunderstanding, but the fan hurriedly left the scene. Patekar expressed his willingness to apologize to the fan in person and clarified that such behavior is not characteristic of him, as he has never engaged in any similar incidents in the past.
The viral video sparked a wave of criticism on social media, with many fans expressing their disappointment over the incident. However, now that Nana Patekar has clarified the situation and apologized for the misunderstanding, it remains to be seen if the controversy surrounding the incident will die down.
It is essential to remember that actors are human beings and, like anyone else, can make mistakes. While it is crucial to hold them accountable, it is equally important to acknowledge genuine apologies and attempts at rectification. As fans, it is important to exercise restraint and avoid jumping to conclusions based solely on viral videos. Understanding context and allowing individuals the opportunity to clarify their actions can lead to a more balanced and informed perspective.


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Epic Games is known for some amazing stuff, most notably their game engine which is utilized today in many different games on multiple platforms. Unreal Engine 3, the companies current game engine, is succeeded by Unreal Engine 4 which NVIDIA has just announced today will be introduced to mobile gamers on a massive scale, via the NVIDIA Tegra K1 192 core super cpu mobile processor. If you happened to miss the NVIDIA live stream showing off some of Epic’s demos, the graphical capabilities and visual performance is simply stunning. The graphics are something you just have to see to believe, and thankfully we were able to get some images to show off some of what Unreal Engine 4 will be able to do for mobile gaming.
Between NVIDIAs computing genius and the power of the Tegra K1 chip, and the talented folks at Epic Games, mobile gaming just skipped like 10 levels and went straight to the bonus stage. There was no mention of when we can expect to start seeing some of the games that will run this new game engine from Epic, but considering that the Tegra K1 chip was just announced and Unreal Engine 4 is going to be brought to the world of mobile gaming via the 192 core Super CPU, it probably won’t be anytime soon. Despite that we know little more than the fact that the combination of these two new technologies will bring mobile gaming to an awesome new arena, it’s hard not to be excited about what’s to come.
Utilizing the power of Tegra K1, games that run on Unreal Engine 4 will be capable of providing gamers with an experience unlike any other on mobile thus far, with powerful new visuals and insanely realistic lighting effects and textures. It really is amazing to see where mobile gaming is headed. Tegra K1 allows companies like Epic to deliver powerful graphical processing that is on par with next-gen consoles like the Playstation 4 and the Xbox One. Until now, mobile gaming was at best standing in the shadow of PC and console games, but after watching the demo of Unreal Engine 4 on the Tegra K1 chip, mobile gaming just might begin to cast the shadow instead.

domain: hobby


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ABOUT THE SHOW: Kid Switchblade Productions & Bygone Theatre are looking for a composer for the dark new musical, Kill Sister Kill. A nun, doing God’s work in the filthy streets of New York City in the late 1970s, reunites with her once-troubled sister to celebrate her engagement.
The arrival of a vulgar, depraved punk and his kid brother despoils their happy reunion. After watching the murder of her sister and being brutally attacked herself, the Woman of God turns her attention to revenge, rebuilding herself as a hell-bent woman seeking vengeance.
The show premiered at the Toronto Fringe Festival in 2013 and is now being re-written and expanded with new music. We are looking for a composer to start immediately and to be an active part of the creative team.
COMPANY INFO: Kid Switchblade Productions: If it isn’t offensive, it isn’t interesting. Kid Switchblade Productions are a brother-duo team of writer/ director, Andrew “Drac” and Jamieson Child. They are drawn to the dark, sleazy, horrific and hilarious, producing all things 1970’s low-budget cinema inspired. Previous original shows include No commercial Interruptions (2010) and Sister, Sister (2009).
Bygone Theatre: Bygone Theatre was founded in late 2012 by Emily Dix and Matt McGrath. The company focuses on 20th century productions and creates period accurate shows. To date they have produced Doubt: A Parable (January 2013), Dial M For Murder (August 2013) and Rope (November 2014) as well as the successful Retro Radio Hour series. Bygone’s love of cinema and all things vintage brought them to this production.
POSITION INFO: The composer will be responsible for the entire score of the musical, and may be asked to come on as music director as well. There may be an opportunity to assist with the writing of some lyrics. As this is a low-budget production, funding is relying significantly on fundraising and grants. Payment will depend on the success of these funding ventures and may only exist in a profit-share format.
- Formal music training
- Experience in composition
- Understanding of the Fringe circuit & amateur theatre scene
- Familiarity with 1970s genre & rock music as well as traditional musical theatre styles
- Ability to work quickly and effectively
- A positive attitude and sense of humour
OPPORTUNITY: The successful candidate will have an opportunity to be a key part of the creation of a new Canadian musical.
HOW TO APPLY: Send a resume along with a cover letter highlighting your musical experience and detailing why you would like to be involved with this production. Samples of previous work (score, video or cd) are strongly encouraged. Submissions should be sent to:
Emily Dix (Producer) email@example.com
Deadline: January 30, 2015
We thank all applicants for their interest; those selected for an interview will be contacted mid-January.


June 1, 2018.
Just like you’d trade in your old phone for a newer model, upgrading your home’s features with smart home technology can be easy. Much easier than taking on a major home improvement project and with the potential to make your home sell faster. Although the return on your investment is nice, it’s non-monetary benefits like these that are enticing so many homeowners to make smart upgrades.
According to a 2017 survey conducted by T3 Sixty, a brokerage consulting firm for residential real estate, 40 percent of realtors believe smart homes sell faster, regardless of price.
This smart home selling potential has increased 33 percent in the past year. “Style, safety, and comfort have always been the most attractive features within a home, but in recent years, energy efficiency has become a key factor that millennials are looking for or upgrading on their current houses,” Kevin Miller, Director of Growth at Open Listings, an all-in-one homebuying service, says. “I do see upgraded homes sell very quickly. They have greater appeal among the younger generation now entering the real estate market.” Miller predicts that smart home features will become standard as “the new normal.”
It’s the smart way to buy, sell, and refinance — and it’s fast and easy. Download the LoanFly app for free.
Read on to find out what makes a home so smart (and so valuable).
11 smart home features you won’t regret installing
It’s never polite to brag. But after making the upgrade, you’ll have fun showing your guests the many ways your smart home makes you look even smarter:
1. Smart appliances
Smart appliances win big in the ROI game, expected to bump the average ROI up 11 percent more than standard appliances. In the 2017 Concept Community study conducted by MFE, 18.2 percent of people listed appliances as the smart home feature with the highest ROI.
2. Smart home security camera
Home security and video, confirms T3 Sixty research, is the fastest growing sector in smart home technology. The T3 Sixty survey shows that 36.4 percent of homebuyers ask most often about smart home security. “Owners can get some peace of mind knowing a home is secure at all times. All by using an app on the phone. This peace of mind is priceless to a homeowner,” Rudy Cortes, real estate investor and co-founder of Property Coin offering Crypto for investors, says.
Have some free time? Get prequalified for a mortgage or refinance in just 15 minutes.*
3. Smart hub
A smart hub can manage thermostats, appliances, lighting, music, and more, as well as the activity on any connected device. For homeowners preparing to sell, throwing a smart hub in with the property listing is a quick way to grab attention. Julie Gurner, a staff writer at Fit Small Business specializing in real estate, says, “Millennials are the largest share of homebuyers at 36 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors’ 2018 report. Thermostats, alarms, lighting, and smart locks can all be appealing to a generation who prefer and are familiar with technology.”
4. Smart lighting
Over 8 percent of MFE Concept Community survey participants also ranked automated lighting for having a high ROI. It’s probably because smart LED bulbs save up to 75 percent more energy. One way to showcase smart home features when selling a home, Gurner says, is to calculate the cost savings they offer. “For example, if you have a smart lighting system, highlight your energy savings or low utility costs. Compare this to similar homes when putting together your open house information.”
5. Smart locks
Doors equipped with Bluetooth and/or Wi-Fi smart locks eliminate the need for a spare key. They can also unlock remotely or automatically upon arrival. Smart locks can even be programmed to give guests, family members, and repair workers special access. At least 63 percent of homebuyers are looking for smart locks, a 2018 Coldwell Banker Real Estate Smart Home Marketplace Survey confirms.
6. Smart shades
Smart shades cut costs on heating and cooling. Installing even a small feature like this can pay off, Nick Hodapp, associate broker at the Atlas Real Estate Group, says. “The connected home is a remodeling trend that can be done without replacing all appliances with smart home products. Instead, it can be accomplished by making small investments,” he explains. “Practical and functional additions are minor projects that have a major impact in listings.”
7. Smart smoke detectors
With carbon monoxide detection, smart hub connection, and the ability to identify smoke or fire down to an exact location, it’s no wonder 75 percent of homebuyers want pre-installed smart smoke detectors, according to 2018 Coldwell Smart Home Marketplace Survey stats.
Upgrading your home is a smart move when you can get more for the same (or lower) monthly payment. Contact a Cornerstone loan officer to learn how.
8. Smart speakers
Over 21 percent of the homeowners surveyed by T3 Sixty ask about smart home entertainment features often. To up the ante, homeowners can sync speakers, TVs, and PCs to a smart home security system — putting a video doorbell to good use.
9. Smart sprinklers
For starters, manufacturers estimate that using smart sprinklers can reduce annual water use by 30 to 50 percent — benefiting monthly bills and the environment. Then there’s the convenience factor. A smart sprinkler system can be programmed automatically, at home or away. It can also be adjusted to weather.
10. Smart thermostats
Right behind home security, T3 Sixty data shows that 26.7 percent of homebuyers are frequently interested in smart home energy management. Likewise, smart heating, cooling, and utility control were ranked by 10.1 percent of MFE 2017 Concept Community survey participants as a high ROI feature. Cortes says he sees the same spike in interest among buyers looking to keep monthly bills to a minimum.
11. Smart voice control
Even a simple smart device like the Amazon Echo hub can be interfaced for voice control of smart appliances, lighting, and security systems. Syncing a smart home security system with an Echo enables cameras, locks, and alarms to respond to voice command.
Within the T3 Sixty report, Coldwell Banker and CNET say a “smart home,” should have a minimum of three smart devices, with at least one geared toward temperature or security. The modern-day smart home lets homeowners control their homes using smart devices, either from the couch or remotely. Smart home controls — which include temperature, lighting, appliances, safety, entertainment, and more — can be managed from the office or while traveling to cut down on energy use and check home security. For many homeowners, never having to worry about leaving the stove on or asking a neighbor to check in on vacation is well worth the cost of installation.
With smart home technology now accessible and affordable, “not-so-smart” homes are taking a backseat. If you’re ready for a smart home upgrade, we’re here to help. Join the homeowners who are making the move to bigger, better, and smarter homes — without changing their monthly payment.
*During normal business hours.
For educational purposes only. Please contact a qualified professional for specific guidance.
Sources are deemed reliable. But not guaranteed.


Trending Ghanaian talented rapper and songwriter, Jay Bahd is here with yet another banging drill record captioned; “Y3 Y3 Dom”.
The Life Living Records music collective superstar, Jay Bahd collides with Reggie, Kwaku DMC, City Boy, Kawabanga, O’Kenneth, and Skyface SDW to outdoor this potential hit single.
This latest track owes production credit to Chris Rich. “Y3 Y3 Dom” is the official follow up to his previous tune; “U Can’t Show Me Nattin“.
“U Can’t Show Me Nattin” which was released in May this year has garnered over 154,000 views on streaming platform, Audiomack. Jay Bahd is well known for his song; “Condemn”.
The ‘Kumerica’ based rapper is a member of the music collective, Asakaa Boys. The group is made up of O’Kenneth, Kwaku DMC, Kawabanga, Cedi City Boy, Reggie, Sean Lifer, Rabby Jones and Braa Benk.
ALSO: Lil Gotit ft Lil PJ – The Ones
Take a listen below and don’t forget to share your thoughts with us !


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Time waits for no man. In Cheong Ann Watch Maker, one was constantly reminded of the fleeting nature of time with the many clocks on display. CityJo Bruce caught up with the third-generation owner of the business, Shawn Lim, to find out more about how the business had changed.
Although Cheong Ann no longer makes watches, they are still very involved in the business of repair and restoration. Through his years of experience, Shawn shared with Bruce that the chimes of mechanical clocks sound different from that produced by electronic clocks. Shawn shared that this was due to the differences in the materials used. Bruce was also educated on how an antique clock was valued.
As the pair zoomed in on an antique clock ornamented with lion heads and dragons, Bruce was quizzed on its origins. Bruce thought that the clock was made in China, when in fact, it was made in France for the Chinese market. The pagoda-like timepiece was made between 1860s – 1880s, and originally retailed by Tiffany & Co. Owing to its intricate design and history, the antique clock was valued at between $12,000 – $14,000.
Keen to know if you are holding onto an antique timepiece? Watch this episode to find out.


ThreatSTOP and FiveBy are working to automate sanction compliance.
SEATTLE, WA, October 11, 2023 /24-7PressRelease/ — Many businesses are worried about the risks posed by global sanctions and anti-money laundering regulations. ThreatSTOP has partnered with FiveBy Solutions, a leading risk intelligence and fraud consultancy, to offer an automated, customizable compliance enforcement solution supporting the US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) rules. This solution is easily integrated into existing network devices – including DNS servers, firewalls, routers, and endpoints. With One-Click Sanctions Compliance, organizations will gain access to automated OFAC sanctions compliance using a network enforcement solution, providing a checkpoint against transacting with sanctioned entities and their subsidiaries.
Navigating Compliance Challenges in a Changing World
Businesses today face mounting challenges in safeguarding their firms amid an ever-evolving sanctions landscape. Rapid changes in compliance requirements, driven by geopolitical conflicts, impact internet traffic and business dynamics. Since the invasion of Ukraine, US sanctions on Russia have skyrocketed, with over 2,500 new Russian-related targets added to the Treasury Department’s SDN (Specially Designated Nationals) list. Engaging with these entities or their subsidiaries can lead to penalties, investigations, negative publicity, and business disruptions. However, identifying subsidiaries, scattered globally, requires extensive investigative and digital forensic research, intensifying the complexity of compliance.
To overcome these obstacles, compliance officers and businesses must adapt by identifying sanctioned entities and subsidiaries, and strictly enforcing all compliance requirements. Staying ahead of evolving sanctions and skillfully navigating compliance is critical to protect firm integrity and reputation.
One-Click Sanctions Compliance: Expertise Meets Technology
Introducing One-Click Sanctions Compliance: a powerful solution by ThreatSTOP and FiveBy. Automate compliance for sanctions regulations and protect your network effortlessly. The ThreatSTOP platform blocks machine-to-machine connections with sanctioned countries, entities, subsidiaries, and seized territories, preventing prohibited business engagements. Customize enforcement policies to fit your specific needs, allowing you to selectively block countries and sanctions regimes while enabling traffic on an entity-specific basis.
Save time and resources by automating compliance efforts, freeing you to focus on business growth. One-Click Sanctions Compliance provides data-backed evidence of your commitment to compliance, blocking and logging communication attempts to prevent violations. It offers internal and external network communications tracing for quick decision-making and action, enhancing your risk mitigation efforts.
ThreatSTOP is a cloud-based automated threat intelligence platform that converts the latest threat and sanctions data into enforcement policies, and automatically updates your firewalls, routers, DNS servers and endpoints to stop attacks before they become breaches. For more information, go to www.threatstop.com or contact [email protected].
FiveBy is a leading Risk Intelligence and Fraud consultancy. When it comes to risk and fraud management, FiveBy’s industry experts bring strength and clarity to protecting our clients’ profits and managing their reputations. This can be done through one-time risk assessments, or ongoing managed services.
For the original version of this press release, please visit 24-7PressRelease.com here


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|Reviews for Fight Club|
| solvethebomb chapter 13 . 5/19
I’m not sure how I haven’t previously reviewed this story, but since I’ve returned 4 years after I first read it for another read through, I want to ensure I leave one now. Brilliant character development, excellent pacing, and (greatest strength) expertly planned. Very well done, thank you for so an outstanding fic.
| Guest chapter 1 . 2/18
Wtf Quinn is freaking psychotic idek if I want to read this but I'm SO FREAKING INTRIGUED
| dnttlkboutfite chapter 13 . 5/30/2017
This is the best fic I've read. It is so dark and heartbreaking, but ends with just the slightest nuance of hope and happiness. I am so glad Quinn ended up somewhat okay and everything worked out for the best in the end. This is my third time reading this fic, and each time it just pulls me in and captivates me. It's relatable in some ways, and it's so nice to read a dark fic that doesn't completely depend on teen angst to get it going. I hope that you keep writing, even if it's not fanfics, or professionally. You've got a real talent.
| Guest chapter 13 . 6/16/2016
The story was wonderfully written and although many saw Quinn as a manipulative b*tch, I kind of felt bad for her. Through out the story I'd hope Santana would just leave her but by the end I'm glad she didn't. That she was able to help her and for a second i honestly thought she was going to kill Quinn. Would there be a chance of you writing/posting what Quinn was feeling through-out the story. It'd be great to have a chance to understand her more. Like what was going around in her head when she'd have those moments she's show Santana she was okay? More depth of how her home life was and what she did after she left Santana. Was there anything specific that made her want to change beside Brittany ans Santana being there for her.
The way you wrote Quinn's character made me like the story more, to know it wasn't just all rainbows and flowers for brittana(although them ending together is great).
| IWantsToGetMyBrittanaOn chapter 13 . 12/8/2015
You really dropped my jaw several times with this one. So many mixed emotions all over the face. Quinn is truly an evil, manipulative, devil. Man was she fucked up. It's no wonder with her Dad abusing her but the way she mindfucked everyone else was ingenious, impressive, and frankly terrifying. Poor Santana got the brunt of her madness but I'm glad that she was a stronger person than even she thought she was. Actually all of them are, even Quinn. She left everything she knew and somehow managed to land on her feet. Thanks for giving Brittana their happy ever after. This story was literally painful at times to read but quite epic. Brava!
| insanedairyfarmer chapter 13 . 10/16/2015
This was absolutely brilliant. I honestly can't recall the last time a piece of writing sent me on a roller coaster of emotions like this (except for Color but yeah). Thank you so, so much
| me gusta chapter 13 . 8/12/2015
Just wanted to let you know that this story is absolutely brilliant XD I actually felt scared of Quinn too. I mean, you can't really tell what's going on in her pretty little messed up head (up until the final chapter of course). It had me on the edge and it's a perfect mix of suspense, drama, mystery, action and romance/love. Kudos to you, well done :)
PS I'm actually a Quinntana fan but I deliberately ignored how this involves Brittana pairing cuz it's that awesome
| mine29 chapter 13 . 5/20/2015
i still cant decide if i love this fic or i hate it...i love it because it has such depth and well thought out stories. i hate it because of quinn. i always love her so seeing her in this kind of character is hard for me. but for someone who experienced what she experienced, i think her actions are justified. not right but understandable. thank you for sharing this story and more power on your writing!
| Guest chapter 13 . 12/26/2014
I love how all your work has such depth to it,how its more than just a fanfic. your work rivals some novels ive read
Truly one of the best stories ive read. Im looking forward to your next fic. even if it take super long.
| lordsnix chapter 13 . 10/1/2014
Okay wow...that was very intense and amazing as usual. I couldn't stop reading. I'm a big fan of what you do and my english is awful but anyway thank you ; ))
| Lisaand chapter 13 . 9/26/2014
I honestly think that this is the best fic that I've ever read and trust me; I've read a lot in my time.. I love your writi and hopefully you'll write something new in the future that you'll share with us.
| tohs chapter 3 . 9/12/2014
Quinn was on point. For a crazy angry person. Everything makes so much sense!
| weeoil chapter 12 . 7/7/2014
Whoa...I'm shocked! Didn't see it coming like AT ALL!
| xxKOEMI-CHANxx chapter 13 . 2/22/2014
Awesome story. Very dark and twisted, but it was a good read. :)
| Guest chapter 13 . 2/9/2014
That was the most epicly tragic and intense brittana and Quinn story ever. I'm kind of at a loss for words that was so heart breaking with sort if a happy ending much more so then it could have ended it just still leaves you with a pang of hurt but it's realistic just so incredibly sad that these sort of things aren't fake they actually happen and I just wish there was a way to end it before it began but maybe that's why stories like these are important because the more people are aware the more people might be able to do something to stop it. Idk but incredible story btw


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The Center's latest film debuts on HBO, reaching students and others nationwide.
Jan. 13, 2004 -- With award-winning education kits and a highly acclaimed magazine, Teaching Tolerance continues to make great strides in promoting understanding and acceptance in classrooms across the country.
The Center's education video, Mighty Times: The Legacy of Rosa Parks, will receive nationwide exposure beginning in February when the cable network Home Box Office (HBO) will begin airing the Oscar-nominated film during primetime hours on February 8.
Mighty Times recounts the amazing story of how one woman's refusal to give up her bus seat to a white man stirred an entire community to unite against segregation. Rosa Parks' quiet courage was the catalyst for the yearlong Montgomery Bus Boycott, and the subsequent birth of the Civil Rights Movement.
Through the video, schoolchildren have learned the valuable lesson that one person can make a difference in bringing about positive change in their communities.
Teachers praise this inspirational film, which, since its creation in October 2002, has been sent to more than 25,000 schools.
"Our emotions were stirred to the point of anger and tears," one California teacher said. "My students were able to feel the injustice and enduring prejudice ... It became real, as much as possible, to them. They want to build character to emulate people like Mrs. Parks, Dr. King, and countless others who tried, who helped, who hoped."
A Kentucky teacher wrote: "The kids have learned much more about one of our beloved American heroes. The study about Rosa Parks has ignited their interest and has helped me recall why I love teaching. I love making a difference in the lives of children and I'm proud to help them learn about how a sweet, quiet woman many years ago made a difference for a nation!"
The generosity of Center donors has enabled Teaching Tolerance to not only produce five high-quality video education kits for students of all ages, but also distribute these kits to thousands of schools free of charge.


Dallas real estate firm buys S.A. apartment community
Published 3:02 pm, Wednesday, March 26, 2014
SAN ANTONIO — A Dallas-based real estate firm acquired a 348-unit apartment community on the Northwest Side.
Presidium Group LLC purchased the Villages of Cinnamon Creek near Fredericksburg and Wurzbach roads, according to a news release. The community's previous owners are listed as F&F International Associates LP, according to the Bexar Appraisal District.
The terms of the deal were not released.
Last year, the property was assessed at $21 million.
Presidium will rebrand the apartment community and plans to spend about $3 million on renovations.
This marks Presidium's fourth acquisition in San Antonio in the past six months. The firm also has ownership stakes in the 252-unit Oakwell Springs, the 81-unit Hunter's Ridge Apartments, and the 123-unit Towne Oaks apartments.
Presidium owns and operates more than 7,000 apartment units in Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Waco.


MakerBot Print is our newest print-prepration software, which supports native CAD files and STL assemblies,
allows you to interact with all your printers via the Cloud, and many other exciting new features.
I've got it printing petg decent when its pretty much all layers. I went to print something a bit bigger that uses a good bit of infill layers and after it printing my bottom layers i came back and noticed the nozzle was covered in material and clogged. What would cause this issue? Perhaps the nozzle is too close, or a retraction issue?


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There is no reason that when the plants you put in the garden in the spring start to give up you have to be done. If you start planting as we get to August you will have another bounty in the fall. I’ve found some space in my garden, some for happy reasons, some not so happy. But it was time to plant the next round.
An important skill for any homesteader is to be able to preserve the harvest. I’ve written some about canning in the past, but once again, if you are going to do some canning you’ll want to do it safely. I would recommend taking a look at the Ball Complete Book of Home Preserving . It has a ton of information on the best way to safely can a large number of different items that you might have grown.
As many of you know there was a solar eclipse that was visible for a large chunk of the United States. We were not in the path of totality, but we did get to see a partial eclipse. I know that my photo line up isn’t the greatest ever, but I would like to share with you a series of photos that I look from the Hootenanny Homestead.
Last year was our first year with really having a garden and as such there was a lot of figuring things out and trying to determine the best way to do things. That hasn’t really changed dramatically, as we are still learning different approaches. One should keep learning through out one’s life. However, I am happy to say that I have remembered an improvement that we’ve implemented. Last year we grew stuff and didn’t really have a good tally at the end of the year.
It is rather relaxing to go out at the end of the day and just take in the birds. It is fun to watch them run about, especially in the evening when they get really excited by chasing beetles about for a pre-bedtime treat. But there is that other bit that comes with having various kinds of birds. The eggs!
It’s summer time and that means that there is quite a bit to do on the homestead, battle squash bugs and vine bores, harvest potatoes, sell duck eggs and other such wholesome homestead type activities. It generally means that by the time there is some free time to do some really awesome blogging or practice the fiddle, I’m probably a little bit beat.
I have a bunch of ideas for different posts, I just need to get caught up on getting them written and published. So, for the time being, I apologize for the low number of articles. Hopefully, in the not too distant future, there will be a more steady stream of material shared here and we can work on growing the community.
For now, though, I leave you with this picture, I hope you enjoy.
So one of the things that I’ve been growing in the garden is tomatoes. Last year we mostly grew big beefsteak ones, but the majority of what we did with them was can them and make spaghetti sauce. This year we switched it up some and have more sauce varieties. Well, they have started to come in and that means there is but one thing to do, make sauce!

domain: agronomy


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Voleur du Feu Theatre is a Taiwan-based group that aims to explore original screenplays and interpret contemporary literature and world classics from the perspective of Taiwan. It is also dedicated to promoting art education, international exchanges, and cultural policy studies. The group was selected by the Ministry of Culture's subsidy program for literary performing arts in 2016.
Founder Hsieh Tung-ning (謝東寧) is a theater director who studied movement and the human body in Paris for nine years. Upon returning to Taiwan with rich experience in European performing arts, he established Voleur du Feu Theatre to reflect the society and people in Taiwan through performances that include special effects and the theatrical elements of music, dance, song, and spectacle.
The Taipei-based theater debuted with "Buy 4 Get 1 Free! (買四送一)” in 2014. Created by playwright Liu Tian-ya (劉天涯), the original story featured five actors who presented how capitalism influences individual life and society through monologues by five members of a family. The production was also staged in China the following year.
"Le petit Paris (美麗小巴黎),” the group's second original play written by Liu, again explores capitalism in modern society. Comprising three stories that became intertwined together following the establishment of the Le petit Paris community, the production illustrates how people from all walks of life cope with rapid changes in society, and presents the absurdity of everyday situations through a humorous performance.
In 2016, the theater invited playwrights Liu and Ho Ying-kuen (何應權) to create two plays under the theme "Altered State of Existence (生存異境)” in commemoration of 110th anniversary of Samuel Beckett, an Irish modernist writer who was celebrated for his writings of absurdity and existentialism.
The two resulting plays - "Please Let Me In (請讓我進去)” and "Us Over There (那邊的我們)” - led Voleur du Feu Theatre to explore the idea of humanity's existence through its absurdity, leaving audiences to contemplate upon the modern human existence after each performance.
The theater's latest work, "Qibla (吉卜拉),” is a literature-derived piece produced in collaboration with the National Museum of Taiwan Literature in November 2017.
Written by author Shen Wan-ting (沈婉婷), "Qibla” is a story about a foreign caregiver who is running away with the grandmother under her care. Based on Shen's observations on the relationship between elders and caregivers in her family, the story won the Taiwan Literature Award for original screenplay in 2015.


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Snapped in the Snow: Stars at Sundance!
From Elisabeth Moss to Aaron Paul, see who's having fun in PEOPLE's photo booth
Credit: Larry Busacca/Getty
Published: Wednesday Jan 22, 2014 | 12:05 PM EST By: Brooke Showell & Lance Debler
More from PEOPLE
- Courtney Love and Frances Bean Cobain Share a Hug at Sundance
- The Style Top 5: A Look at a Sexy New Jeans Ad (Starring Adrian Grenier)
Kendall Jenner's Makeup Secret & More
- Lindsay Lohan Posts Racy Photo and Jokes About Her Untreatable Illness
- How Did JLo's Sexy Co-Star Sculpt His Washboard Abs?
- Go Behind-the-Scenes of the Sundance Film Festival!

domain: celebrity


Markets closed mixed on Wall Street today:
- Dow -0.16 percent
- S&P -0.04 percent
- Nasdaq +0.07 percent
- Oil -0.35 percent
- Gold +0.47 percent
On the commodities front:
- Oil (NYSE:USO) fell slightly to $98.43 a barrel
- Gold (NYSE:GLD) climbing to $1,742.60 an ounce
- Silver (NYSE:SLV) fell 1.12 percent to settle at $33.15
(Related: IRS Delays Refunds)
Today’s markets were mixed because:
1) Summit: EU leaders agreed Monday to strengthen the region’s financial firewall while all but two of the group’s 27 member nations agreed to sign a new fiscal compact that would impose quasi-automatic sanctions on countries that breach budget deficit limits and enshrine balanced budget rules in national law.
However, the first summit of the year ended without new solutions for the debt crisis in Greece. Athens has yet to reach a deal with private creditors on restructuring its debt, and without a deal, the government jeopardizes its access to bailout funds it needs to meet a 14.5 billion-euro bond payment due on March 20. If Greece is unable to make the payment, it will go into default.
2) Reports: The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index today showed the value of U.S. homes to have dropped 1.3 percent in November from the previous month. The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index was also released today and showed consumer confidence to have declined slightly in January when economists had predicted improving sentiment.
But while worse-than-expected economic data tempered the morning’s gains, it wasn’t enough to prevent markets from holding on to “the best January of the 21st Century.”
3) Earnings: RadioShack shares plunged after the electronics retailer warned Monday that its fourth-quarter earnings would fall short of expectations.
Exxon Mobil reported a jump in quarterly earnings, but Edward Jones described the oil giant’s fourth-quarter results as “mediocre” and said the company’s “downstream unit” — that which deals in chemicals and engine lubricants — is down.
Exxon shares tumbled today, while Mattel shares surged after the toymaker’s quarterly earnings beat Wall Street’s estimates and raised its annual dividend 35 percent.
Pfizer also beat Wall Street’s expectations on earnings and revenue, but was hurt in the fourth quarter by the loss of its patent for cholesterol drug Lipitor, causing shares to slide lower.
[Editor’s note: the above is a cross post that originally appeared on Wall St. Cheat Sheet.]


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About Pho House - Hoxton
Food sound delicious?
Book a table before they’re gone
About the restaurant
Opening up shop in Haggerston, Pho House is proud to introduce their second outlet on Kingsland Road just steps from Hoxton railway station. This fantastic Vietnamese restaurant is famous for their pho, which utilises an herb-infused broth that simmers for at least 24 hours. The restaurant’s walls are covered in graffiti-style murals that depict life in both Vietnam and London, and the exposed brick gives the restaurant a decidedly urban feeling. When dining at Pho House on Kingsland Road, your best bet is to go for a bowl of pho – try the Pho House special with beef balls, chicken, beef brisket, egg and rare beef – or you could also opt for one of the delicious mains like chicken grilled with lotus leaf, asparagus scallops or sizzling squid served with leek, celery, and dill on a hot iron plate. Book a table in advance to experience this popular restaurant for yourself.

domain: food


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As you may have noticed, I’ve been on one of my long(er) hiatuses from blogging due to intervening life circumstances. Between several other projects, as well as a cross-ocean move happening next week, I simply haven’t had the time for blogging. So what’d I miss? Anything going on in Iran these days?
I guess in a way I was a bit lucky to be absent from the blogosphere for the duration of the latest round of political protests in Iran, the largest since the Green Revolution in 2009. But really, with seemingly everyone weighing in on what [they think] is happening over there, it’s not like anyone has been starved for hot Iran takes these past few weeks.
That, unfortunately, is part of the problem.
The “Fog of War” instructs us to be wary of the risks of uncertainty in our assessments of warfare as it is taking place. The fog of protest and mass uprisings isn’t much different. Trying to figure out in the moment what mass groups of people really, truly want leaves the door wide open to bad or sloppy interpretations based on selective evidence and confirmation bias. For example, if you thought that the Iranian people yearned for freedom from their tyrannical overlords, then the recent protests were undoubtedly an expression of that desire for liberation. If, on the other hand, you thought that Iranians were fed up with the false promises of better economic opportunities, and thus a better life, well, there was plenty of evidence to support that position as well.
Sadly, too many people are trying to analyze what is happening in Iran without the required self-awareness about what they don’t actually know about the country. That’s why even as the protests were developing and no one really had a good grasp of what was happening on the ground, there was still a deluge of 20+ tweet threads claiming to have the inside scoop on “What is Really Going On.”
This is not to say that there wasn’t anything to be learned here, just that it is difficult to do so while events are still unfolding. Now, with the protests starting to die down and the fog beginning to lift a bit, it is slightly easier to take a more objective view of what happened in Iran over the past couple weeks. Only time and additional information will reveal the true meaning and lasting legacy of this round of protests, but for now, here are a few early observations:
- The Mashad rally on December 28 was the genesis point for the unrest. Conservative factions organized a protest there in an effort to demonstrate public displeasure with the policies of President Hassan Rouhani. The rally quickly grew beyond the hardliners’ control, however, when increasing numbers of Iranians took to the streets in cities across the country to voice grievances with the government that went far beyond complaints about the president.
- Rouhani himself may have [unintentionally] lit the fuse for the counter-uprising when he released the annual budget in early December. The document included details of government spending on unaccountable religious institutions, which received billions of dollars in support while subsidies for ordinary Iranians were cut.
- Slogan-chanting during the rallies ran the political gamut, running from pro-reform to extreme hardline. Scenes of these rallies leaked out on social media platforms like Twitter and Telegram in snippets of video, creating a veritable buffet of ready-made supporting evidence for anyone looking to spin the movement into a preferred single narrative.
- It should also be noted here that there were preexisting plans for massive pro-government rallies on December 30 to mark the anniversary of the end of the Green Revolution demonstrations. Regime supporters tried to use the size of these rallies as evidence of popular support for the system, but these were not spontaneous events.
- The protests were largely leaderless, which made effecting any real political change virtually impossible. I suspect this is the reason why it took so long for Iran’s top political leaders, including Rouhani and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei, to issue public statements about the protests. They may have been hoping the protests would die out quickly without the need for significant government intervention. When that didn’t happen — a testament to the level of overall societal discontent — they were eventually forced to address the issue publicly.
- There were two strands of government response. The hardliners blamed the protests on outside agitators and unnamed “enemies,” suggesting that the origins of the movement were less than authentic (ironically, they were, but for different reasons — see first bullet point above). On the other side, Rouhani stressed the legitimacy of the people’s right to protest, although he was careful to point out that expressing discontent does not include committing acts of violence.
So where does Iran go from here?
It’s difficult to say.
Politically, not much has changed since Iran’s presidential election this past May. Rouhani is still pressing for incremental reform, while his hardline opponents are still trying to undermine his agenda. Rouhani lashed out at the hardliners yesterday, saying, “One cannot force one’s lifestyle on the future generations.” He’s made similar statements to this effect in the past. Rouhani has promised that Telegram, banned in the midst of the protests, will be fully restored soon.
This back and forth rivalry between Rouhani and the hardliners is likely to continue for the foreseeable future. I suspect that Rouhani may have the upper hand. The hardliners, who control most of the positions of unelected power in Iran, remain committed to thwarting the president, but they suffer from a dearth of political talent. Their leadership is aging — Supreme Leader Khamenei has significant health problems — and the conservatives do not have many charismatic or recognizable personalities rising up through the ranks.
Despite Iran’s economic problems, there is no reason yet to believe that the population is turning against Rouhani. That may change in the coming year if the nuclear deal, Rouhani’s signature achievement, completely collapses or if Iran’s economy craters, but absent a real shock to the system, Rouhani’s biggest asset is still his lack of any real competition for public approval.
With his consistent critiques of the hardline establishment, including the powerful Revolutionary Guards Corps, Rouhani has achieved something novel in the history of the Islamic Republic. In effect, he’s co-opted the identity of the opposition movement while remaining an integral part of the regime system. Previous reformers, such as the popular former president Mohammad Khatami, suffered because of their inability to work within the Islamic Republic system. They did not possess the necessary political clout to take on the hardline establishment. Rouhani just might.


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Composting is a great way to reduce waste and recycle nutrients into a great soil conditioner for your yard and garden. Adding compost to your garden improves the soil and feeds your plants. While most people agree that composting is a good thing, many don’t know how to get started, or think it’s a complicated process. But composting doesn’t have to be complicated.
Composting is a natural process that will happen with our without our help. It involves tiny little microorganisms like bacteria and fungi, along with insects and worms, breaking down dead vegetation and releasing the nutrients that have been stored in the plants. These tiny insects and microorganisms begin to feed on the plant matter as soon as it is added to the soil or a compost pile. Because of the good food supply, the population of microorganisms increases rapidly, and this population explosion is what causes a compost pile to heat up. As the microorganisms die, they become part of the organic material. The end product of decomposition is rich, dark humus, which is the component of soil that makes it appear dark brown or black.
There are 3 things the microorganisms need to do their work: warmth, water and oxygen. If you can provide these 3 things in your compost pile, you will be producing your own great soil conditioner in no time. Yes, composting can get complicated and very scientific. You can worry about the carbon and nitrogen levels of the materials you add to your pile, and you can turn it every day, add supplements, and spend a lot of time and effort on your composting! But you can keep it simple and still get good results.
Start with building your pile. You can add any kind of plant material to your pile, such as grass clippings, leaves, pulled weeds (before they go to seed!), sawdust, straw, wood shavings, manures, kitchen vegetable wastes, etc. Any kind of plant material will eventually decompose.
You can just toss these things on your pile as you create them, and eventually, you will have compost. If you want to take it a step further to get compost faster, think in terms of “brown” and “green” materials. For every part of “brown” stuff you use, try to add two parts of “green” stuff! “Brown” stuff includes dried leaves, straw, sawdust, etc. “Green” stuff includes grass clippings, kitchen fruit and vegetable waste, and newly pulled weeds.
You can also throw a shovel full of soil on the pile occasionally to be sure you have a good supply of microorganisms in the pile. Normal decomposition takes 12 to 18 months, but you can speed it along by chopping the materials into small pieces before adding them to the pile. This can be done by running a lawnmower over the materials, or using a chipper/shredder. And, try for a pile that is a minimum of 3 feet high and 3 feet square for best results.
Once your pile is created, do your best to provide the three important components. The first component, warmth, is pretty much out of our control. Our compost simply isn’t going to do much decomposing when it’s frozen solid!
The second component, water, is very important. Keep your compost pile moist, but not wet and soggy. Let the rain fall on the compost pile, and between rain showers, dump a bucket of water over the pile or sprinkle it with the hose when you get a chance.
The third component, oxygen, is important because the microorganisms responsible for creating your compost need oxygen to survive. This is where turning the pile comes in. If you can stir the pile at least once a week, your pile will compost much more quickly. Turning the compost pile not only adds oxygen to the center, it also mixes the coarse, dry material from the edges and any new additions into the pile. If you never stir your compost pile, you’ll still get compost, it will just take a lot longer. That’s all you really need to know to get started in composting!
Sure, you can put a lot of thought and effort into composting, but if you don’t have time for that, you should still have a compost pile. Compost happens, with or without our input. Just pile your vegetative kitchen and yard wastes on a pile, and eventually, you will have compost. The more effort you put into it, the sooner you’ll have that compost to add to your soil in your vegetable and flower gardens.
Author: Diana Alfuth
Horticulture Educator – Pierce, Polk Counties UWEX
Originally Published: The Weekend Farmer, Spring 2009