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‘Girl Night Stand’ Has Queer Women Finding Connection Amid Distancing
From Jenna Laurenzo, director, writer, and star of the beloved film Lez Bomb, comes Girl Night Stand: Chapter Two, a short film that reflects the times. And the trailer is out now.
The official synopsis for the film that drops February 5 reads, “A woman craving connection during Covid reaches out to her ex-girlfriend. When she’s invited over, they awkwardly navigate whether or not they’re willing to drop their masks to reignite their romance.”
Girl Night Stand: Chapter Two takes the idea for Laurenzo’s 2015 short Girl Night Stand: Chapter One, which featured a woman questioning her sexual identity after a hookup with a woman and updates it for the very different world of today.
Laurenzo, wrote, directed, and starred in the new Girl Night Stand: Chapter Two under safe COVID protocols this past year.
“In order to shoot during the pandemic, we had to keep it to a skeleton crew. The benefit of both acting and directing is it allows me to fill two roles as one person,” Laurenzo told The Advocate. “I wanted to create something that I could release directly online in the spirit of creating something for the fans of the original Girl Night Stand. This past year was tough and felt very heavy. I wanted to create a piece of content that felt uplifting and hopeful of better days ahead.”
The new short stars Laurenzo as Katie and Meryl Jones Williams as Sarah, reprising their characters from the 2015 Girl Night Stand.
Watch the trailer below. And watch for the short film on February 5.
Original Article on The Advocate
Author: Tracy E. Gilchrist


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I have written about one of my holiday traditions in the past, baking Sand Tart cookies with my mother each year. Sand Tarts are a Pennsylvania Dutch cookie recipe. I starting helping my mother bake these Christmas cookies at a very young age.
As most kids do, I would put a ton of colored sugar on the cookies. My grandson and step-daughter help me keep holiday traditions alive. And yes, he also loves to load the cookies with colored sugar. We have a new addition to our Sand Tart baking day, we now do a gluten free version. Simply use your favorite gluten free flour in place of the wheat flour.
Sand Tart Recipe
1/2 pound butter (2 sticks) softened, not melted
1 1/2 cups sugar
Mix in a mixer, these two items then add in
3 eggs – mix a few seconds
4 cups flour – add slowly
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cream of tartar
This makes a very heavy dough. Separate into 3 segments and wrap each segment in plastic wrap and refrigerate overnight.
Roll each dough segment on a floured surface (waxed paper works) to about 1/8” thick. Cut into shapes with cookie cutters, place shapes on an ungreased cookie sheet. Brush with egg white and sprinkle colored sugar on cookies.
Cook for 7 to 8 minutes at 375o
Chow Chow can be found in almost all the family style restaurants in Lancaster County, PA. It is a Pennsylvania Dutch pickled relish. This is an item that is hard to come by if you don’t live in an area populated by Amish or Mennonites . Since I have not been able to find Chow Chow in Colorado, I decided to break out my canning equipment and make my own.
September is the perfect time of year to make Chow Chow; with vegetables fresh from your garden or a local farmer’s market.
When I cook, I usually have many different recipes in front of me. I take a little from each one and make my own version. That is really easy to do with Chow Chow, since you can make it with so many different kinds of vegetables.
Here are the veggies that I like to use:
Mary Ann’s Chow Chow
3 cups chopped cauliflower
1 chopped green pepper
1 chopped red pepper
4-6 fresh ears of corn on the cob – cooked for 4 minutes then cut off the cob
2 -3 cups sliced carrots
3 cups yellow and green string beans – cut into 2 inch pieces
1 can of red kidney beans
3 cups lima beans
1 teaspoon dry mustard
1 teaspoon celery seed
2 cups granulated sugar
1 quart of white vinegar
Chop vegetables in varying sizes and cook until just tender (do not overcook). Cook vegetables in separate pots then mix them all together.
Combine sugar (you can adjust this to make it less sweet), vinegar and dry mustard in a large pot and bring to a boil.
Pack sterilized canning jars with mixed vegetables and pour the vinegar solution to 1/2″ from the top of jar; seal and process in a hot water bath (water should cover jars by 1″-2″). Process 15 minutes in the boiling water bath. Increase time if at high altitude – check freshpreserving for times. If you have a pressure canner, that would be the preferred device.
I love regional cooking. I did not realize when I was young that much of the food I grew up with was regional. I grew up in Lancaster, PA and the predominate cuisine in that area of the country is Pennsylvania Dutch. I made this Chicken Corn Soup recipe with my mother and grandmother, every year. The best time of year to make it is August, using fresh corn.
Boil one whole Chicken for about an hour with salt & pepper. Take out of pot and pick all the chicken off of the bones. Tear into small pieces. Skim the chicken broth that is left behind, so that it is fairly clear. While you are boning the chicken add veggies to the clear broth. (You can add a little bit of chicken stock seasoning such as Herb Ox Brand.)
Chop into small pieces – one onion and 5 – 8 stalks of celery – Simmer until tender. Add the chicken that you have taken off the bones.
Add 1 bag of frozen corn. If you can find white corn or fresh corn, that is best.
Add 3 finely chopped hard boiled eggs.
Cook a small bag of thin egg noodles in boiling water just until they are al dente’ – drain off water. Add noodles so that you have a thick soup, but not so much that it soaks up all the broth.
Add chopped parsley right at the end.

domain: food


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People lay their lives down whenever they place their trust in a doctor for a prescription or even for a simple check-up. Because even with almost a decade of dedicated study, doctors are just people and they also make mistakes. Unfortunately, when a doctor makes a mistake, everyone else has to pay the price.
Medical negligence is a complicated issue to unravel. First, authorities need to determine whether the issue was unforeseeable, or if there was a better option available that the doctor didn’t even consider pursuing. Firms, such as Secure Law, are gaining ground in the medical negligence industry, not because there are more cases of negligence, but because more people recognise negligence when it happens.
Ignorance of a certain technique, methodology, study or technology is hardly an excuse, because all professionals need to keep up with the latest developments in their field. After all, if doctors didn’t bother reading up on research everyone might still be treating homosexuality through medical coercion as they did in the 50s.
Lack of knowledge is hardly the only way a doctor can inadvertently cause their patient harm, as carelessness and arrogance can also play a significant part in medical negligence. This is the situation in the most common form of medical negligence: misdiagnosis.
Most patients are more forgiving of their doctors for misdiagnosis, and don’t consider it a form of medical negligence at all. But medical professionals should know the serious implications of their actions, especially in cases of misdiagnosis.
When doctors incorrectly diagnose a patient’s condition, not only will patients miss treatment opportunities that may help them avoid serious injury or death. In addition, wrong treatments may actually worsen or expedite the condition to levels of seriousness it should never reach.
In most other professions, a misdiagnosis is equal to an ‘oops’ moment. Oops, the sum of those dividends is wrong; Oops, the grammar on this sentence isn’t right; Oops, it’s actually leukaemia, not asthma. See the difference? The National Health Service (NHS) is currently under a storm of cases of negligence filed against medical practitioners, misdiagnosis right at the top of the causes.
Unfortunately, misdiagnosis isn’t a virus or an enemy. It’s just a consequence of normal human error, and the only way to combat it is through knowledge and awareness. If doctors can accept that they can be wrong on even a subject that’s so simple, the easier it is to correct mistakes, and save lives.

domain: medical


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COLUMBIA – South Carolina learned Sunday night that it would host an NCAA tournament Regional for the third straight year, while Clemson learned it will travel for the second straight year. On Monday afternoon, both teams learned who they will play in their opening games, on Friday.
And sure enough, for the second straight year, Clemson will visit Columbia to perhaps renew the rivalry on a grand stage.
USC beat Clemson in two Regional games last year to earn a Super Regional berth, on its way to a third straight College World Series. USC this season is trying to make its fourth straight Omaha trip, which would be a school record.
USC will open with Saint Louis, while No. 2 seed Clemson gets No. 3 Liberty, which is coached by former USC assistant Jim Toman. USC opened this season with Liberty and went 2-1 against the Flames.
Clemson was also the No. 2 seed in USC’s Regional last season. USC beat Manhattan in the first round, and Clemson beat Coastal Carolina, to set up the first matchup. The second matchup happened after Clemson beat Coastal Carolina in a losers’ bracket game, to remain alive in the Regional.
This year, USC’s Friday game against Saint Louis will be at 7 p.m., while Clemson-Liberty will be at 1. On Saturday, the winners play at 8, the losers at 2. On Sunday, the losers’ bracket game is at 1, the winners’ bracket game at 7. If a Monday game is needed, it will be at 7. Both of Friday’s games will be on ESPN3.com only. All of the remaining games in the Regional will be on ESPNU as well as ESPN3.com.
USC beat Clemson in two of three games earlier this season in its traveling series, just as it did in the 2011 and 2012 regular season series. In 2010, Clemson won the regular season series, two games to one, but USC got revenge by winning twice in Omaha, on its way to its first national title. Since the beginning of the 2010 College World Series, USC is 10-3 against Clemson.
The winner of the USC Regional gets the winner of the North Carolina Regional, which includes the Tar Heels (the top overall seed in the tournament) playing Canisius in the first round and No. 2 seed Florida Atlantic meeting No. 3 seed Towson.
Saint Louis, which has never played USC, won the Atlantic 10 regular season championship and went 41-19, 17-7 in the league. The Billikens’ 41 wins matched a school record. Saint Louis also won its third Atlantic 10 tournament title.
The Billikens went 1-2 against the top 100 of the Ratings Percentage Index, with their win coming over No. 47 San Diego. Saint Louis finished 72nd in the RPI.
Saint Louis’ two leading hitters are Mike Vigliarolo and Alex Kelly. Vigliarolo is hitting .347 with eight home runs and 40 RBI. Kelly is hitting .340 with 11 homers and 60 RBI. Saint Louis has a team batting average of .307 and a team ERA of 3.58. So offense appears to be Saint Louis’ strength.
USC and Virginia Tech earned Regional host sites on Sunday, while Clemson and Arkansas were sent on the road. The Tigers closed the regular season by losing five straight games, including a 0-3 trip to the ACC tournament.
But none of those five were bad losses. The first two were Florida State, which finished No. 8 in the RPI. In the ACC tournament, the Tigers lost to North Carolina State, North Carolina and Miami — Nos. 7, 1 and 19 in the RPI. Clemson won its first game of the series at Florida State.
Hosting is a big deal for USC because it is historically very successful in NCAA tournament rounds played in Columbia. In terms of whether or not USC won the Regional or Super Regional, it is 18-2 all-time in home NCAA tournament rounds and 3-15 in road rounds.
The only times USC has lost a home NCAA tournament round of any kind – the 1976 Regional and 2000 Super Regional. The only times USC has won a road NCAA tournament round – the 2003 and 2006 Regionals in Atlanta and Charlottesville, Va., and the 2010 Super Regional in Myrtle Beach.
In terms of individual games, USC is 55-8 in all home NCAA tournament games and 35-31 in all road NCAA tournament games. The only teams to beat USC at home in the NCAA tournament are Clemson and Furman in 1976, South Alabama in 1977, Louisiana-Lafayette twice in 2000, Central Florida in 2001, and North Carolina and Miami in 2002.
Since losing to Miami at home in the 2002 NCAA tournament, USC has won 24 consecutive NCAA tournament home games, including clean sweeps of 5-0 in home Regionals and Super Regionals the past two seasons.
A big reason why USC went 30-4 in the NCAA tournament the past three seasons – with two national titles and a national runner-up finish last year – is that the Gamecocks are 13-0 at home over that span in tournament games.
Friday night against Saint Louis, the Gamecocks go for their 25th straight home NCAA tournament win, and another push for Omaha will begin.
The winners of the South Carolina and North Carolina Regionals will play the winners of the North Carolina State and Oregon Regionals in the College World Series opener. Playing at N.C. State are the Wolfpack, Binghamton, William & Mary and Mississippi. Playing at Oregon are the Ducks, South Dakota State, San Francisco and Rice.
As expected, USC did not receive a national seed in this year’s NCAA tournament. Of the Gamecocks’ six Omaha trips, four have come after receiving a national seed. The exceptions are 2003, when USC won a home Super Regional, and 2010, when the Gamecocks won a Super Regional over Coastal Carolina in Myrtle Beach.

domain: news


Nanostructure evolution and mechanical property changes during aging of a super duplex stainless steel at 300°C
Journal article, 2015
The nanostructure evolution and the corresponding changes in mechanical properties of a super duplex stainless steel 2507 (UNS S32750) during aging at 300. °C up to 12,000. h have been investigated. Microstructural studies using transmission electron microscopy and atom probe tomography show that subtle Cr concentration fluctuations develop during aging. The amplitude of the concentration fluctuations is proportional to the hardness of the ferrite phase, and it is also proportional to the decrease in room temperature impact toughness during aging. The fracture behaviour of the alloy changes gradually from ductile to cleavage fracture, upon aging. The cracks were found to propagate through the ferrite phase, partly along deformation twin interfaces, and delamination between the austenite and ferrite phases was observed.
Duplex stainless steel
Atom probe tomography (APT)
Transmission electron microscopy (TEM)


text:
Contributed By: Live. Life. Simple
- Pick flowers and quickly cut to tray size and pre-freeze
- Freeze Dry
- Very Fragile, good for decorating and long lasting
My cycle time in a medium freeze dry in a garage during high heat and humidity was just shy of 18 hours.
Not intended to rehydrate.

domain: hobby


A new national survey of the people involved in the child welfare system paints a dismal picture of the state of foster care, a scenario that many respondents noted was amplified but not caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The overwhelming consensus is that the child welfare system is failing the children and youth it is responsible for raising,” according to Voice of the Foster Care Community, which canvassed thousands of people involved in the system every day. The organizer of the project, iFoster, intends to establish the survey as an annual read on the foster care system to be released each May, and has already begun collection for year two.
The 68-page survey is broken out into austere sections for each of the three groups — current and former foster youth between age 16 and 24, caregivers and parents, and members of the workforce. It asks respondents about their own personal circumstances, to rate the quality and availability of supports such as legal help or financial support, and includes some open-ended questions such as: “If you were in control of the child welfare system, what would be the first thing you would invest time, money, and resources in?”
The text answers to such questions were arranged thematically using inductive coding, done by transition-age youth working with iFoster, to determine common themes and views. Those themes are presented alongside the quantitative data in the survey report, and a searchable annotation of the text comments is available as well.
The report identifies several themes that emerge from the survey, including the view that structural inequities drive child welfare involvement; providing stable permanency and teaching youth self-sufficiency are not enough of a priority; and that the system suffers from a rampant scarcity of resources.
While those are hardly unheard-of critiques of the foster care system, Voice of the Foster Care Community is the first attempt to develop an annual view of the system directly from those who live in or have children in it, and from frontline workers and caregivers.
“My perspective, just mine, is that the overriding theme which all the others derive from is that child well-being is not the focus,” said iFoster CEO Serita Cox, of the first year results. “Issues with permanency, disproportionality, self-sufficiency, scarcity, to me those are outcomes of not putting well-being first.”
One survey question asked respondents to identify the most pressing needs of foster youth for the Biden administration. The top answer selected by youth was free mental health and therapy; both caregivers and workers most frequently selected ensuring that youth in the system get all of the services they are eligible for.
At least one survey finding around education supports indicates that connecting youth to what they are owed is indeed an issue. When asked about Chafee Education and Training Vouchers — a federal fund that provides substantial aid to current and former foster youth pursuing higher education — 63% of current and 42% of former foster youth reported that they either did not know about the vouchers or were not aware they were eligible for them.
iFoster is a Truckee, Calif.-based nonprofit that connects foster youth to resources and opportunities around the country. The survey was emailed to 22,485 caregivers, 8,581 youth and 2,283 workers/advocates, with a response rate of 7.2%.
The survey was designed and prepared by the Community Advocacy Research and Evaluation Consulting Group and by Jeremy Goldbach, a professor at Washington University in St. Louis and a veteran researcher in the fields of LGBTQ and adolescent mental health.
The survey was born of a more targeted, “Tell It to Biden” email engagement from iFoster soliciting input on what the current administration should know about foster care. After that quickly yielded an unexpectedly high number of responses, Cox said, the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation provided support to build it out into an annual survey.
Cox said the plan going forward is to build out a state-by-state dashboard on foster youth well-being, and augment the survey results with focus groups.
“If people really feel like they need to have a voice, then we have to let them have a voice,” she said.
Foster youth, caregivers and workers interested in participating in the Voice of Foster Care Year 2 Survey can click here to access it.
The Hilton Foundation is a financial supporter of Fostering Media Connections. The foundation played no role in our decision to publish this article, per our editorial independence policy.


text:
Marc Piscotty © News
Leslie Hanks, 54, the vice president of Colorado Right to Life, began a hunger strike Thursday in opposition to the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube. Although she doesn't plan to do serious harm to herself, Hanks says she'll "protest that her (Schiavo's) country's murdering her."
Hunger strike gets under way
Colorado Right to Life official joins Schiavo's 'pain and sorrow'
By Jean Torkelson, Rocky Mountain News
March 25, 2005
The vice president of the Colorado Right to Life organization began a hunger strike Thursday to protest the removal of Terri Schiavo's feeding tube.
Leslie Hanks plans not to eat until the tube is reinserted - or until Schiavo dies.
"I feel so desperate I don't know what else to do," said Hanks, 54. "Hundreds of people around the country are going on hunger strikes. To think this madness is taking place during Holy Week - the holiest week of the Christian year.
"The least I can do is join (Schiavo) in her pain and sorrow and to protest that her country's murdering her."
A national hunger-strike movement is under way, and details of how to participate are being spread through e-mails to concerned Catholics, said -Mimi Eckstein, head of the Respect Life office of the Denver Archdiocese.
"We're just trying to keep everybody informed in prayer," Eckstein said.
Hanks' 35-year-old organization is an independent nonprofit organization not connected to any church.
Hanks said she planned to fly to Florida Thursday on her fourth trip to join protesters outside Schiavo's hospice. She said frustration is mounting, and some protesters think that Schiavo's father "should just go in there and carry her out. If it was my kid, I sure would be inspired to do that."
Hanks said she doesn't know how long she can subsist on water and herbal tea and, in any case, doesn't plan to carry her strike to such extremes that she does serious harm to herself.
"I just want to do something, and I feel there's so little time left for Terri," she said. "We couldn't do this to a dog without going to jail."
Hanks has been active in Colorado politics and ran for lieutenant governor and for Congress in the 1990s on the Constitution Party ticket.

domain: sociology


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Water information is fundamental to national and local economic well-being, protection of life and property, and effective management of the nation's water resources. A farmer in california claims fracking wastewater injected into the ground is tainting the environment and harming his crops farmer mike hopkins is waging a legal battle over the issue the problem began about eight years ago when the leaves of his newly planted cherry orchard started turning. When it comes to water, everyone knows by now that california's in trouble they're in the fifth year of the worst drought in a century and are scrambling to manage their water better some wasteful practices were banned permanently this month, like hosing sidewalks and washing cars with hoses. California drought the usgs closely monitors the effects of drought through data collection and research usgs science supports water managers in preparing for possible future drought by providing information that takes into account long-term hydrologic, climatic, and environmental changes.
California water issues the lwvc water committee monitors and recommends action on issues concerning water in our state the committee is always interested in learning about major water initiatives going forward around the state. March 2002 water special districts: a look at governance and public participation introduction there are hundreds of water special districts in california, with a great diversity of purposes, governance structures, and financing mechanisms. The government is the largest water supplier california's state water project and the federal central valley project store rain and runoff in reservoirs instead of letting it flow away.
Water is a precious resource in california, and maintaining its quality is of utmost importance to safeguard the health of the public and the environment. The california water boards include the state water resources control board and nine regional boards the state water board is one of six environmental entities. Water policy issues the levee system of the sacramento-san joaquin river delta is an important part of both the governor's strategic growth plan for california and the state water plan.
The california water wars were a series of political conflicts between the city of los angeles and farmers and ranchers in the owens valley of eastern california over water rights. Water is an essential resource that has multiple uses in a community most of the activities of the people in the community require water some of this activities include production in industries, domestic and recreation purposes and finally, for health and life. Issue: small water systems/disadvantaged communities (7) issue : state water project (swp) (28) issue : sustainable groundwater management act (22.
When the citizens of weed, california turn on their taps, pure gravity-fed spring water flows out it's been that way for over a century but roseburg forest products (rfp) owns the land beneath the springs. The metropolitan water district of southern california is already considering water rationing by the summer unless conditions improve there is no need for the rest of the state to hesitate the. California tribal policy advisor anecita agustinez explains how native american communities are impacted by some of the state's most pressing water issues implementation of california's groundwater law is a big focus for the state's tribal communitieschris austin anecita agustinez has a unique. The water stored beneath our feet is an important water supply source in california glossary find definitions of key terms and concepts related to our work.
Join the water association of kern county help support education, outreach and information about water issues in kern county the water association of kern county is embarking upon a new, stronger effort to educate the general public about water issues that effect kern county. A large part of california's water problem has economic roots whenever there's a shortage of anything — whether it's water or seats at a baseball stadium — our first suspicion should be that the price is too low. Of what the water crisis in california means for the rest of the united states and the world, brown said on this week, the weather that's happening in california [will] show up in other. California gov jerry brown imposes mandatory water restrictions on residents, businesses and farms the state is caught in an historic drought.

domain: geography


On this episode of the Supercast, we dive into the Jordan Education Foundation’s Challenge Obstacle Run which is being held on Saturday, May 14 at Veterans Memorial Park in West Jordan. Find out why it has become one of the most popular obstacle runs in the state resulting in fun for families and a big win for teachers in Jordan School District.
To sign up for the JEF Challenge Run, please visit JEFchallenge.org
- Episode info & audio transcription for Episode 137: JEF Challenge Run is Family Fun Benefiting Kids in the Classroom
- Previous episodes can be found at supercast.jordandistrict.org
- Subscribe to the Jordan Supercast on Apple Podcasts
- Subscribe to the Jordan Supercast on Google Podcasts
- Subscribe in other Podcatcher applications
- Subscribe to the Jordan Supercast via RSS Feed


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1. Alberta Ferretti at Milan Fashion Week Spring 2011 2. Photograph by Elaine Schwartz. Street of Jerez, Spain for the Smithsonian Photo Contest 3. Photography by Polly Alexandre for Reverie Magazine 4. Photography by Gia Canali/Flowers by Sharla Flock Designs
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Destination Wedding Organic Outdoor Wedding with Neutral Color Palette
Today’s real wedding feature, located in the incredible mountains in Georgia, features one of the most lovely neutral color palettes that we’ve seen, set against the backdrop of an incredibly scenic view.

domain: artistic


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NEWS PROVIDED BYCircle Internet Financial, Inc.
Aug 06, 2021, 17:35 ET
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BOSTON, Aug. 6, 2021 /PRNewswire/ — Circle, a global financial technology firm that provides internet-native payments and treasury infrastructure, today announced the filing of a registration statement on Form S-4 (the “Registration Statement”), with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The Registration Statement contains a preliminary proxy statement and prospectus, in connection with its previously announced proposed business combination with Concord Acquisition Corp (“Concord”) (NYSE: CND), a publicly traded special purpose acquisition company. While the Registration Statement has not yet become effective and the information contained therein is subject to change, it provides important information about Circle and the proposed business combination with Concord.
As previously announced, under the terms of the business combination between Circle and Concord, a new Irish holding company (the “Company”) will acquire both Concord and Circle and become a publicly-traded company, expected to trade on the NYSE under the symbol “CRCL”. The transaction values Circle at an enterprise value of $4.5 billion.
The business combination is supported by $415 million of capital commitments at $10.00 per share, with participation from top-tier institutional investors including Marshall Wace LLP, Fidelity Management & Research Company LLC, Adage Capital Management LP, accounts advised by ARK Investment Management LLC and Third Point. This investment, when combined with the $276 million of cash held in Concord’s trust account (assuming no redemptions) and Circle’s recently closed convertible note financing, will provide Circle with over $1.1 billion in gross proceeds upon close.
Important Information and Where to Find It
In connection with the proposed transaction, Circle Acquisition Public Limited Company filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the SEC, which includes a proxy statement of Concord in connection with Concord’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by Concord’s shareholders with respect to the proposed transaction and a prospectus of Circle. Concord also will file other documents regarding the proposed transaction with the SEC.
This communication does not contain all the information that should be considered concerning the proposed transaction and is not intended to form the basis of any investment decision or any other decision in respect of the proposed transaction. Before making any voting or investment decision, investors and security holders are urged to read the registration statement and the proxy statement/prospectus, each which have not yet become effective and the information contained therein is subject to change, together with all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed transaction as they become available because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction.
Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the registration statement proxy statement/prospectus and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by Circle and Concord through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov or by directing a request to: Concord Acquisition Corp, 477 Madison Avenue, 22nd Floor, New York, NY 10022.

domain: finance


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The new special edition Veyron pays tribute to Bugatti Type 18 “Black Bess”. Powered by a 5.0 liter engine delivering 100 ps and a top speed of 161 kmph, it is one of the first ever street legal super sports cars. Type 18 was raced by company founder Ettore Bugatti and won the 1912 Mont Ventoux hill climb. Only seven were built, one of them owned by Roland Garros, the famous French aviation pioneer, after who the famous clay-court tennis world championships are named.
Speaking about the Bugatti ‘Black Bess’ Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse, it features a W16 8.0l engine delivering 1200 hp, with 0 to 100 kmph acceleration accomplished in 2.6 seconds while reaching a top speed of 408.84 kmph. This penultimate Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse “Legends” model will receive an all black carbon fiber body with gold accents while interiors will be upholstered in light beige and steering wheel will be done up in red crimson leather.
Black Bess Veyron Gran Sport Vitesse’s grille and rear badge are coloured in 24-carat gold. Door cards and rear car sections will also sport sketches of Type 18 sports car and Roland Garros’ airplane, a close friend of Ettore Buggati and the first owner of the Black Bess. Each of the editions of Veyron Grand Sport Vitesse Legends Black Bess models will be distinct in design from each other with exclusive art work on door panels thus ensuring that no two models are alike.


- ADVANCED BLUETOOTH 5.0 TECHNOLOGY– With the most up-to-date Bluetooth 5.0 technology available. These Bluetooth earbuds will give you increased range, speed, and high available bandwidth.
- PASSIVE NOISE CANCELLATION– Our wireless charging earbuds bring you HD sound via the high-quality speaker driver. You will experience crystal clear sound without distortion and rich bass performance.
- INTELLIGENT TOUCH CONTROL & ONE STEP PAIRING - Our Bluetooth true wireless earbuds will auto power on when taking out them from the charging case and pair with each other, then to your device.
- IPX5 SWEATPROOF AND WATERPROOF RESISTANT–Never worry about any damages on the Bluetooth earbuds during an intense workout in the gym or in the rain.
- GREAT BATTERY LIFE & COMFORT FIT– These wireless earbuds can last for 5 hours' playtime from a single charge and 9 extra hours in the compact charging case.
#Motorola #VERVEBUDS 100 #True Wireless


GFP 400, High Voltage 1000Vdc, 400 Amp DC Passive Fuses + DC Contactor
High Voltage, Battery Disconnect with Passive Function.
|Continuous Current Rating at 85C||Amps||400|
|Max Interrupt Current at 1000V & 27µH||Amps||10000|
|Max Resistance before opening||mΩ||.150|
|Max Clear Time||mS||3|
|Operating Temperature||C||-40 to +85|
|Storage Temperature||C||-40 to +125|
|Triggering Current Tolerance||Amps||+/- 150|
|Minimum Dielectric After Trigger||MΩ||5|
Railway and Metro system, Energy Storage System, Electric Vehicles, Two-wheeled & Three wheeled electric motorcycles and bicycles, Automated Guided Vehicles, Aerospace Devices, Civil ships and Military ships, Power Electronics system of industrial automation equipment and industrial communications Equipment such as satellites and radars ect.
|PART NUMBER SYSTEM|
|Part Number||Trip Current (AMP)|
Order Code Example: GFP410,1000A
Check pdf for all details:
|Gigavac GFP400 Gigafuses HV/DC fuses,|


Consider the benefits of Mostall Bluetooth Smart Watch,IPS Round Touch Screen Smartwatch Phone with Nano SIM Card and TF Card Slots,Pedometer/Sleep Monitor/Remote Capture/Sync Notifications for Android Phone Device [Black]. This intriguing item is a top pick.
Important information about this item
Scan the app(Quick response) in the watch to download the app(Funrun which only support Android) to your Android phone,so remote control and sync message function can’t be used for IOS.
OS and Version:MTK Nucleus
Multi SIM:Single Nano SIM Card
Internal Memory for storage (ROM+RAM):32MB+32MB
Max External Memory Support (T Flash) (GB):Support Max 32GB TF Card
LCD style:ROUND Screen
Screen Size:1.54 inches Full Round Screen
PPI (pixels per inch):262
Touch Panel:Capacitive Touch Panel (Single Points)
Battery Capacity:280mAh(Real capacity )
Talk time:3.5 Hours
Standby time:62 Hours
Normal use:48 Hour
(No memory card and SIM card included)HD IPS Touch Screen:1.54 inches Full Round Screen,240*240 Pixel,It has an awesome display as well as the hypersenstive touch.
As a Phone :When you insert the Nano GSM SIM Card, you can directly make or answer the phone call,also send or view messages.If not,you can connect the watch to phone by Bluetooth, then you can make or answer phone call, also can view messages too.
2in1 Card Slot:Patent Design for Card Slot,TF Card and SIM Card are 2in1.Communication anytime anywhere.It Supports GSM850/900/1800/1900 MHz.(Note:The SIM Card and TF Card are not included in the Package.)You can listen to the music on your TF card in the watch using your bluetooth headphone.
Main functions:Pedometer, Audio Player, Phone Book, Anti lost, Sedentary Reminder, Sleep Monitor, Remote Camera, Calculator, Sound Recorder, Smart Wake-up, Phone Call, Brower, Facebook, What App, File Manager, Calendar, Notes, World Time, Alarm, Calculator, Timer.
Functions Support:100% compatible with all Android phone, it only supports partial functions (Pedometer, Calendar, Call Sync, Calculator, Clock, Stopwatch, Music player) for iPhone and (Sync Message, Notification, Remote capture, Anti lost) will not work for iPhone.
This great gift idea is worth a visit.


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4. You cannot smoke outside of designated smoking areas.
There are many designated smoking areas throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Outside of those areas, smoking is not allowed in the parks at Disney. This is for the safety and comfort of all Guests who visit. The areas that are reserved for smoking are well marked in the parks—if you are unsure about where to smoke, ask a Cast Member to point you in the right direction. Disney does not permit the smoking of tobacco, e-cigarettes or anything else that produces smoke or a vapor outside of the designated smoking areas. If you light up elsewhere, you’ll be asked to stop and move to a designated area.

domain: travel


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Sony is officially quashing rumors that the next Playstation home console will be unveiled at this year’s E3 event.
E3, the Electronic Entertainment Expo, is where the majority of major gaming announcements are made. There has been growing speculation that Microsoft will use the show to debut the Xbox 720, or whatever the next Xbox happens to be called.
When it comes to the PS4, there has been significantly less traction to those rumors, though there have been some reports that Sony would show the console to steal some of Microsoft’s thunder.
Kaz Hirai, the man in charge of Sony’s Playstation division, was quoted by the Wall Street Journal as saying, “We are not making any [PS4] announcements at E3. I’ve always said a 10-year life cycle for PS3, and there is no reason to go away from that.”
In fact, the PS3 has really just started to mature and is hitting its stride later than either of its competitors. There’s no doubt it will last longer than the Xbox 360 or Wii.
Meanwhile, the Xbox 360 hardware is fragmented and the Wii is so outdated it doesn’t even support HD video output. Both of those are in need of a refresh.
E3 is scheduled to take place in June.

domain: entertainment


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Marketing the Best Deal in Town
- Nancy Rossiter
This book covers basic marketing tenets and terminology, how to go about setting up a marketing plan, and contemporary topics such as branding and marketing to women. This book is illustrated throughout with successful strategies libraries are currently using to market their services. Skill-building exercises are included for students and practitioners and cases studies are incorporated for analyzing current library marketing issues.
Paperback, 236 Pages
Published: March 2008
Imprint: Chandos Publishing
â¦a logical structure and additions such as case studies, exercises and suggestions for further reading., The Electronic Library
- Why market libraries? The language of marketing; Innovation 101; Trends; Purple cows, free prizes, and Moogle, oh my! Finding the $$$; Market research; Branding; Buzz; Marketing to women; Marketing to millenials; Marketing yourself.

domain: library


Solid Waste and Emergency Response
Emergency Response and Cleanup
The goal of EPA's emergency response and removal program is to provide quick response to immediate threats to public health and the environment from releases of hazardous substances whenever and wherever they occur. EPA leads the federal effort to reduce risks posed by contaminated land by responding to releases and potential releases of harmful substances and undertaking cleanups and other activities to return land to beneficial use. We collaborate with private organizations, communities, businesses, and government agencies at every level to accomplish these ends.
EPA responds to emergencies (e.g., train derailments, fires involving chemicals) that may require only a few days of involvement, and also conducts removal actions at contaminated sites that may last several months or longer. EPA also responds to major natural disasters and homeland security events as part of the government wide response (e.g., BP Gulf Oil Spill, Hurricane Katrina).
Emergency Response Activities:
Why Community Engagement is Important to Emergency Response and Cleanup
EPA needs citizen participation in the work of local emergency planning committees (LEPCs) so that we can all understand what hazards are present in a community; identify appropriate steps to prevent accidents (e.g., by reducing chemical inventories at fixed facilities, restricting the transportation of hazmat in the community, etc.); and prepare realistic response plans in case there is an accidental release. Citizens are key players in developing evacuation and shelter-in-place plans. When an accident happens, the emergency response community (including fire and police departments, EMS and emergency management agencies, other first responders and EPA) will be busy containing the release or spill; the responders will provide information to the community to help them understand what is happening, what hazards are involved, and what they need to do to protect themselves and their families.
Citizens are also important in non-emergency situations in which EPA is called in to remove dangerous materials (e.g., mercury in schools, chemicals in buried drums and barrels, etc.)., Community members may provide important information about past or current facility operations, or the location of contamination or other environmental conditions related to the problem – and it is helpful for citizens to actively participate in interview sessions and public meetings.
In some emergency response situations, as time and circumstances allow, EPA and other state, local and federal agencies may more actively engage communities and stakeholders about the emergency decisions being made. In all cases, EPA, other agencies and responders will work to provide affected communities and residents with understandable and easily accessible information about the emergency and response efforts.
We want your feedback about how we involve communities in the Emergency Response and Cleanup activities. Please share your experiences with these processes and your ideas for improvement.
Initiate, Conduct and Complete Removal Action
The goal of EPA's emergency response and removal program is to provide quick response to immediate threats to public health and the environment from releases of hazardous substances whenever and wherever they occur. We collaborate with private organizations, communities, businesses, and government agencies at every level.
EPA responds to emergencies (e.g., train derailments, fires involving chemicals) that may require only a few days of involvement, and also conducts removal actions lasting several months. When the responsible party does the cleanup work, EPA monitors and oversees the activities.
EPA typically undertakes the following steps when conducting an emergency response:
1. EPA receives and evaluates release notifications from the National Response Center, states, local governments and the public.
2. EPA then conducts a removal site evaluation to determine whether EPA involvement is necessary.
3. EPA then works with the appropriate parties to determine who will conduct a response (e.g., responsible parties, other federal agencies, states, or local governments).
4. If EPA is to lead the response, EPA documents this decision in an Action Memorandum.
5. EPA then conducts the appropriate response and removal activity.
EPA also participates in response to major natural disasters and homeland security events as part of the government wide response.
How we involve communities:
Community involvement usually occurs after an emergency response or removal action has started. In emergency responses, EPA notifies the community in coordination with local responders. For removal actions expected to extend beyond 120 days, EPA will, within 120 days of the start of the removal, conduct community interviews, prepare a community relations plan, and establish an information repository. Within 60 days of the initiation of an on-going removal activity, EPA must publish in a local newspaper a notice of availability of the administrative record file. As circumstances warrant, EPA may also conduct public meetings, host availability sessions develop additional public information materials, develop a community relations mailing list, prepare meeting summaries, and establish an on-scene information office. Citizens with concerns on a specific site can contact the appropriate regional office.
Links to More Information: None currently available.


Morrow takes walk on wild side
In the “just-getting-his-work-in” department, right-hander Brandon Morrow got his work in on Sunday, and it wasn’t a particularly pretty sight.
He was supposed to pitch two innings in his first Cactus League outing, but six of the nine batters he faced in the first one-plus innings reached base, ran his pitch count into the mid-30 range and he was outta there before anyone was out in the second inning.
Manager Don Wakamatsu walked from his chair near the third-base dugout at Surprise Stadium and made a pitching change, yanking Morrow and bringing in left-hander Justin Thomas.
Morrow is determined to start the regular season in the rotation. One rocky start in the spring won’t change that, but the three walks he issued is not what he had in mind.
“I may have tried to throw too easy,” he said. “My arm wasn’t catching up a lot of the time. I might have been too relaxed out there. I have to learn to lower my effort level so I can go seven or eight innings.”
Lefty reliever Justin Thomas,perhaps best known for his Venezuelan Diary which he penned for Mariners.com during his month in the Carribean, inherited a bases-loaded none-out jam and escaped with just one run being scored.
— Jim Street


Honestly this is mad – after the media accusing everybody but not them of fake news they then report on fiction.
Is this politics or a media bubble where two types of people who hate each other only need each other ? should you not be a important politician writing fiction or card carrying journalist reporting fiction then your news is fake.
The issue is moot but when politicians need billionaires (my blog) i wonder. Is government as a concept broken.


For players with job security, spring box scores usually mean very little. But for players auditioning for new roles, a quality stat line can mean everything.
Enter Ivan Nova.
According to Tyler Kepner of the New York Times, the 24-year-old right-hander hurled six no-hit innings against the Orioles on Wednesday night in Tampa. He was on an 85-pitch limit, but he needed only 59 tosses to get through the outing and 41 of those throws went for strikes.
Nova struck out four and allowed only one baserunner via a first-inning hit by pitch. He faced 19 batters in all — one above the minimum.
The Yankees have kept a running competition this spring for the final two spots in their starting rotation and it took a while for the involved candidates to create separation. Nova is likely to capture the No. 4 spot for his stellar performance tonight and the success he has enjoyed all spring long. Freddy Garcia and Bartolo Colon will continue to duke it out for the final opening. The injured Sergio Mitre can probably be ruled out.
This winter might have been rough on the Yanks, but their rotation is finally coming together and looking at least somewhat promising. CC Sabathia, Phil Hughes and A.J. Burnett round out the top slots.


EDITORIAL: Gaston County is filled with 'big hearts'
Listen to the pundits and you might believe America’s greatest days are behind. We see things differently, finding proof in the generosity of people across America this Christmas and especially in the big hearts who live right here at home.
Despite some of the toughest economic times in generations, people stepped up again this year to ensure Christmas came to others.
â–ª Across the country, the Â“Secret SantaÂ” phenomenon spread as Americans walked into stores and paid off the lay-away bills of total strangers. Similar Â“angelsÂ” paid off utility bills for those in need.
â–ª Volunteers at East Baptist Church in Gastonia served 18 hours straight so that some in Gaston County could receive a hot meal, groceries and Christmas gifts as part of the churchÂ’s 12th Annual Christmas Feast. Church volunteers started cooking at 3 a.m. on Monday to get the meals in motion. The fruits of their labor created happy hearts and satisfied stomachs. Organizers estimated they gave away $10,000 worth of groceries, clothing and toys and fed more than 2,200 people at this yearÂ’s event.
â–ª Another Â“big heart,Â” Gaston CountyÂ’s Terry Usery will make his seventh trip to a village in the Ukraine to be part of a mission team to bring gifts to village children and offer help in general. Usery is the principal at Tryon Elementary School where teachers and staff pitch in to help with his volunteer efforts.
â–ª Chairs were filled to capacity at Gastonia Street Ministry this year as more than 150 homeless residents gathered for a hot meal and Christmas gifts. A team of 20 volunteers gave their time to make the fellowship event happen.
â–ª At The Gazette , dreams came true for young and old as individuals and groups found joy in giving through our Christmas Wishes program.
One man granted a mother’s wish for her kids, just as he has done each year since he moved from this community 20 years ago. More than 190 wishes were granted this year by generous people who find Christmas joy in one-to-one giving. Even on Christmas Wishes, supporters of the program were coming in with donations and gift cards to help grant wishes. And a big thank you to Bill Starr, the Toys for Tots Coordinator for the Marine Corps Reserve who brought three deliveries of toys to The Gazette to help fill wishes.
And then there was the Empty Stocking, overflowing with donations.
Year 2012 will go down as the biggest ever for the fund which helps the Salvation Army help people at Christmas and all through the year.
Reaching the goal of $100,000 seemed impossible four days before Christmas. Then a miracle happened.
People gave. And gave. And gave some more — until $126,000 filled the Stocking from the tip of its toe to the top and beyond.
To view the complete list of contributors to this year’s Empty Stocking Fund, go to http://www.gastongazette.com/news/local/2013-contributors-to-the-gazette-s-empty-stocking-fund-1.70300.
Just before Christmas, a report from the World Giving Index showed that few other countries give like Americans. This year, according to the report, 57 percent of Americans donated money to charity, 42 percent volunteered their time, 71 percent helped a stranger, making the United States one of the top five most giving countries in the world.
The giving we witnessed during Christmas makes us wonder if these numbers will climb higher. To be sure, it proves that the long-held American value of looking out for each other in the hardest of times has been anything but left behind.


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MELBOURNE - Tourist Attractions
The City Circle tram
An excellent introduction to Melbourne. Wait at any of the specially marked tram stops in Flinders, Spencer, La Trobe or Spring Streets. Enjoy a free 40 minute ride past most of the city's attractions. Stay on the tram for as many circuits as you like or get off at any stop and enjoy the sights.
The City Circle tram runs seven days a week, except Christmas Day and Good Friday, a ten minute service in either direction from 10am-6pm daily and to 9pm on Thursday, Friday and Saturday (during daylight saving).
Little Bourke Street, between Spring and Swanston Streets, with some of the best Asian restaurants in Melbourne. Visit the Museum of Chinese Australian History, see the Chinese dragon, an admission fee applies.
Learn about the early days of gold mining in Victoria. Join a Feng Sui tour.
Located in the Fitzroy Gardens since 1934, Cook's Cottage was originally built in England in 1755 by the parents of Captain James Cook. It is furnished with both original and reproduction pieces. The garden is planted with fruits and vegetables, and some herbs, that would have been available in the north of England in the 1700s. It was dismantled brick by brick and shipped to Melbourne for Victoria's Centenary Celebrations in 1934. There is an historic display in the souvenir shop outlining Captain Cook's major voyages.
Open daily 9am-5pm.
Crown Entertainment Complex
8 Whiteman Street, Southbank. Located on the banks of Melbourne's Yarra River with a short stroll to the central business district, one of the largest gaming facilities in the Southern Hemisphere. With 350 gaming tables and 2,500 game machines, as well as a shopping arcade, a variety of restaurants, nightclubs, a cinema complex and two hotel towers.
Open 24 hours (closed Christmas Day, Good Friday). for more info
Eureka Skydeck 88
Experience the awe inspiring view of Melbourne from the Southern Hemisphere's highest viewing platform.
Located in the CBD, adjacent to the Yarra River at Southbank.
Open 10am to 10pm, 365 days of the year.
Cnr Flinders and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.
A new city block, built over the rail yards, in the centre of Melbourne.
The Square is the new premises for the National Gallery of Victoria, the Australian Centre for the Moving Image, Australian Racing Museum, the Melbourne Visitor Information Centre and numerous restaurants, cafes and bars, as well as open public areas. for more info
Containing a conservatory and Captain Cook's cottage.
The planning of the garden reflects the strong links that the earlier residents of Melbourne felt towards England.
Flinders Street Station
Built in 1901, a very busy suburban rail terminus.
A landmark which is rarely open to the public.
Russell and Lonsdale Streets, Melbourne. See and experience Greek culture and cuisine. Melbourne has a reputation as the largest Greek-speaking community outside Greece. Home of the annual Antipodes Festival of music, dance, theatre, film, art and culture.
IMAX Theatre Melbourne
Rathdowne Street, Melbourne. The largest film format in the world, ten times larger than normal cinema format, with crystal clear images. Open daily with films screening on the hour every hour from 10am-10pm. for more info
400 Flinders Street, Melbourne, in the Old Customs House, one of Melbourne's finest nineteenth century buildings. Victoria's multicultural history with stories of people from all over the world who migrated to Victoria since the early 1880s. With a 17-metre replica ship, experience the sensation of early sea travel to Australia. Open daily 10am-5pm (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day). Admission free to the ground floor, a fee applies to upper level exhibits. for more info
Between St. Kilda Road (opposite the Victorian Arts Centre) and Domain Road, Anderson Street and the Yarra River, Melbourne.
The area includes Queen Victoria Gardens, featuring memorials to Queen Victoria and King Edward VII, with a floral clock built from over 7,000 plants, Alexandra Gardens, the Shrine of Remembrance, Pioneer Women's Garden, the Sidney Myer Music Bowl, and the Royal Botanic Gardens.
The floral clock tells the time and provides a brief recorded history of the gardens in and around Melbourne.
525 Collins Street, Melbourne. Australia's newest and only Southern Ocean Aquarium. See sharks being fed, and stingrays. Features include mangrove swamps, rock pools and billabongs. Open daily 9.30am-6pm, last admission 5pm. Open January 1-26 9.30am-9pm (last admission 8pm). Admission fees apply. for more info
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Jolimont Terrace, Melbourne. Australia's most famous sporting stadium and home of the Australian Gallery of Sport and Olympic Museum. See trophies, historical costumes and portraits. Tours available daily, fee applies. for more info
Melbourne Exhibition and Convention Centre
Multi-dimensional facilty with more than 50 meeting rooms, able to cater for events of all sizes. for more info
Melbourne Maritime Museum
The last remaining wooden walled dry dock in the world, with the restored nineteenth century Polly Woodside, originally launched in 1885. With indoor and outdoor play areas, films and a souvenir and coffee shop. Open daily 10am-4pm. Admission fee applies.
Carlton Gardens, Carlton.
A hands-on, virtual display. Featuring exhibitions of a rain forest, walk onto the set of the TV show, Neighbours. Displays of Aboriginal culture. See the preserved body of the legendary race horse, Phar Lap. Take a journey with the latest in 3D technology.
Open daily 10am-6pm.
Home to the Australian Open Tennis Championship in January each year, with indoor and outdoor tennis courts, show courts, available for hire seven days a week. Australian Open merchandise. Souvenirs are available from the Pro Shop. for more info
Melbourne's Golden Mile Heritage Trail and Guided Tours
A two-hour tour every Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Beginning at the Immigration Museum, 400 Flinders Street, Melbourne. Learn about Melbourne's early development. Guide booklets available from Visitor Information Centres, Fees apply. for more info
Melbourne Town Hall
Cnr Collins and Swanston Streets, Melbourne.
Built in 1870.
Visit the gallery of Victorian Art and Memorabilia.
Free guided tours. Bookings essential.
Elliott Avenue, Parkville. Over 350 species in natural settings of an African rainforest, with gorillas, rural Asia, the Australian Bush and the world of Bugs and Butterflies up close. Addmission fee applies. Open daily 9am-5pm, and to 9.30pm for the Zoo Twilights Festival on selected evenings in summer. Visit the Zoo Shop. Take-away snacks are available, as well as a licensed bistro serving lunch and afternoon tea. Free guided tours available, bookings essential. for more info
National Gallery of Victoria
Now housed in the Ian Potter Centre, Federation Square, Flinders Street, Victoria. It exhibits only Australian art. With 20 galleries over three levels presenting the history of Australian art, including Aboriginal Art, photography and decorative arts.
Facilities include the Gallery cafe, restaurant and Bookshop.
Open daily 10am-5pm.
Old Melbourne Gaol
In Russell Street, between La Trobe and Victoria Streets. Built between 1841 and 1864, Victoria's oldest surviving penal establishment showing gaol life in the 19th century. There have been 136 hangings, including that of infamous bushranger Ned Kelly in 1880. The gallows are still there, as well as the cell in which Kelly spent his last days. See one of the original suits of armour worn by the Kelly Gang, weighing 47 kilograms, together with the last gun used by Ned Kelly. See authentic death masks and memorabilia of some of Melbourne's most notorious criminals. Open daily 9am-5pm, closed Christmas Day and Good Friday. Admission fee applies. for more info
Old Treasury Museum
Spring Street, Melbourne, housed in the old Treasury Building, an Italian Renaissance building, reflecting the wealth from the Gold Rush.
Highlights include the gold vaults which once stored the young colony's gold.
Guided tours are available.
Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm Sat-Sun (closed Good Friday, Christmas Day and Boxing Day). Admission fee applies. for more info
157 Spring Street, Melbourne.
Built in 1854, at the height of the gold rush.
Free guided tours are conducted when Parliament is not sitting.
One of Melbourne's main theatres for musicals, dates from 1886. for more info
Queen Victoria Market
513 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne.
Melbourne's oldest and largest markets with around 1,000 traders selling
quality merchandise such as gifts, souvenirs, arts and craft and fresh produce.
Rialto Towers Observation Deck
476 Flinders Lane, Melbourne. 360 degree views and located in the tallest office building in Australia. Consisting of two towers, it provides 360 degree panoramic views of Melbourne, telescopes are available. Included in the admission is a 20 minute sight and sound show in the Rialto Vision Theatre. Facilities include a restaurant, bar, kiosk and souvenir shop. Open every day 10am to 10pm. Admission fee applies. for more info
Royal Botanic Gardens
Birdwood Avenue, Melbourne. Renowned for its landscape gardens extending over 36 hectares and displaying more then 52,000 plants from around the world. Free guided walks are held Sunday to Friday. Open daily from 7.30am to sunset. Admission free. During summer there are outdoor performances of classic plays, and the highly popular Moonlight Cinema series. Opens every day November to March from 7.30am-8.30 pm, April to October from 7.30am-5.30pm. Admission is free.for more info
Royal Exhibition Building
Nineteenth century World Fair venue hosted the opening of Federal Parliament in 1901.
With its restored interior and domed area it is home to the Melbourne International Flower and Garden show.
Shrine of Remembrance
A tribute to the men and women who served in armed conflict throughout Australia's history. Construction was completed in 1934 to honour the sacrifices of World War 1.
Various monuments including the Eternal Flame and Cenotaph, have been added to commemorate the service of Victorians in World War 2, as well as conflict in Korea, Malaya, Vietnam. A uniformed guard keeps watch 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Open daily (closed Good Friday and Christmas Day).
Sidney Myer Music Bowl
Built in 1959.
In summer it is used for concerts.
328 Swanston Street, Melbourne.
Victoria's largest reference and research library. The collections date back to the 1850s. Construction began in 1853. The Library opened in 1856 with a collection of 3,800 books
Open daily (closed public holidays). for more info
St Patrick's Cathedral
Cnr Gisborne and Cathedral Place, Melbourne. Gothic revival architecture, begun in 1858, it took 82 years to complete. Melbourne's main Roman Catholic Church, closely associated with Irish Catholicism in Australia. A statue of the Irish patriot Daniel O'Connell stands in the courtyard. for more info
St Paul's Cathedral
Cnr Swanston & Flinders Streets, Melbourne. Anglican Cathedral opened in 1852. Daily services. Free tours are available. for more info
Melbourne's grandest hotel, built in 1883, refurbished in the 1990s,
award-winning five star luxury.
Features a magnificent Grand Ballroom.for more info


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YOUNG and old came together to celebrate the launch of the Rathcoole past and present exhibition and the unveiling of two new murals in the estate.
Culture Minister Nelson McCausland met with the local community at Rathcoole Primary School to celebrate the opening of the two projects on Wednesday, March 9.
The intergenerational exhibition was funded through the European Union’s Peace III Cultural Awareness and Relationship Building Programme.
This project involved story telling from the Rathcoole Creative Memories Group on the life and times of Rathcoole to pupils from Newtownabbey Community High School, Rathcoole Primary School, Whitehouse Primary School, Abbots Cross Primary School and King’s Park Primary School.
A DVD was produced by the groups detailing the process and how relationships evolved between the children and the older generation.
The final result was an excellent exhibition of Rathcoole Past and Present with a contemporary twist.
Full coverage and pictures of the event in this week’s Times...


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Massive Disneyland Attraction Database
The Richard Sherman's Car Toot Twist attraction, fully rejoicing in the shrouded sunlight
Richard Sherman's Car Toot Twist
October 23, 1970
Avg. queue length:
The Richard Sherman's Car Toot Twist queue is like a jaunt inside the real Toottown. The attraction cars are just like Benny the Cap, and when you drive you can twist them by hugging the wheel.
- If traveling with someone trying to avoid the authorities, remember to queue with a relative stranger, because this attraction will definitely make it uncomfortable.
Guest Policies and Warnings
- This attraction was at one time sponsored by Hercules.
- To test the attraction car idea, pranksters installed a Davy Crockett canoe on the Alice in Wonderland track.
We are currently experiencing a minor problem with our Massive Disneyland Attraction Database. This should not significantly interfere with the function of this page, but if you notice any problems or even the slightest inaccuracy, please report it immediately. Thank you for your courtesy.


grammy awards winners
- The GRAMMYs
Subscribe to the GRAMMY Channel NOW: http://grm.my/1dTBF8H Daft Punk win Album Of The Year ('Random Access Memories') at the 56th GRAMMY Awards. For a comple...
- ABC News
Daft Punk took home top awards; plus Lorde, Pharrell, Beyonce and Jay Z sang their hit songs. *MORE: http://abcn.ws/1aWwpxZ.
- CDS Hollywood
Grammy Awards 2014 Winners List - Did your favorite artists walk away with Grammy gold this year? Music's biggest night is finally here! The 56th annual Gram...
lady antebellum, Eminem, train. miranda lambert. muse, lady gaga, esperanza spalding, the suburbs, Grammy awards 2011.
- ABC News
Music & Media Consultant Bruno del Granado with the top moments at the 54th annual Grammy Awards. *More Videos: http://bit.ly/abcWNNvideo.
Check out The Top Winners For 2013 Grammy Awards For more Hollywood news and gossip: http://www.youtube.com/hollywoodbackstage Subscribe at: http://www.youtu...
Video speciale dedicato ai vincitori dei Grammy 2013! (ovviamente ci sono solo le categorie più importanti visto che in totale sono ben 82 le statuette asseg...
Grammy Awards 2014 is over and we are here with the list of winners. Jay Z, Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Daft Punk, Lorde Win Big.
2009 Grammy Awards Recap: Top performances, winners Another year, another awards season. We've got the recap to the biggest night for the music industry: the...
Page: 1 of 100000


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And the plot? I’ll tell you!
While spending a day at a Public library, The South Six and their friends stumble upon an Enchanted book and are sucked into the world of fairy-tales. Along the way, the ten friends encounter familiar fairy-tale characters (resembling them in appearance and personality, in a similar manner to MGM’s 1939 version of The Wizard of Oz, the 1999 version of Alice in Wonderland and the 2002 French-Canadian film “Alice’s Odyssey” [in French: “L'odyssée d'Alice Tremblay”] in order to get themselves to return back to South Park. Or they will be stuck inside the book forever.
LINK (Ao3): https://archiveofourown.org/works/23666 ... s/56810344
LINK (DA): https://www.deviantart.com/thecanadiana ... -837894875
and Did I mention that I already wrote a sequel to my fanfic? Well I did! The sequel is called “Lost In The Books: Friends Forever” and it takes place after the events of their first adventure.
LINK (Ao3): https://archiveofourown.org/works/23666 ... s/56810992
LINK (DA): https://www.deviantart.com/thecanadiana ... -837895629
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Live stream preview
Jonathan McReynolds | Stabal Talk | Interview
Stabal Talks • 6m 53s
Unveil Jonathan McReynolds' inner workings in this interview special. Filmed as part of his Stabal Session in Nashville, hosted by Brock Gill.
Up Next in Stabal Talks
Rhett Akins | Stabal Talk | Interview
Talking to Rhett Akins about his extraordinary 25-year career in music. Filmed as part of celebration concert in Nashville, 2020.
Nick Mulvey | COP26 Special Event Int...
Nick Mulvey talks to us about music, climate change and COP26.
Filmed at the special COP26 event in Glasgow, presented by UMA Entertainment and Stabal.
Hope Winter | Interview
Hope Winter being interviewed at the IVORS Week: 'Behind The Songs' event.


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The movie “Pompeii” marks Kit Harington getting “starring in an action film” off his bucket list. The actor, best known for his breakout role as Jon Snow in HBO’s “Game of Thrones,” plays the vengeful gladiator Milo in the Sony Pictures historical epic, which hits theaters on Feb. 21.
“I’ve done a genre action flick now, that’s for sure,” Harington tells Zap2it during a recent interview. “I’m a f***ing action hero. I can tick that box. Forever more, I can tell my grandkids, ‘Your f***ing grandfather was an action hero.'”
But while the action side of the movie was fun for Harington, the actual content of “Pompeii” was a serious matter. The 27-year-old was approached to do “certain kind of fun things” while promoting the flick, but he said he turned them down because he didn’t think the tale of “Pompeii” warranted that sort of levity.
“Although it’s a piece of history and although it’s in the past, to me it is still a very human event. It’s still something that, even if it’s a millennia ago, that needs to be treated with a certain amount of reverence,” he says. “It’s that kind of human element that I think should make a movie like this.”
So despite the fact this is a Paul W.S. Anderson big budget action-romance-natural disaster movie, it’s one that Harington feels is respectful of its source material. “I don’t think we it do any injustice,” he says. “I think there’s some very beautiful moments in it of death and destruction.”
During his rather short career, Harington has largely played genre projects. He first arrived in 2011 as the bastard son of Ned Stark in “Game of Thrones,” and then had his first movie role in 2012’s “Silent Hill: Revelation 3D.” Both were adaptations, which is a style of storytelling Harington is keen to move away from.
“When it came through the door, I saw ‘Pompeii’ and I thought, ‘It’s a story I think I know about, everyone thinks they know about. It’s an original disaster story and we all know of the eruption of Vesuvius and the archeological site and we’ve all seen the plaster casts, but it seemed like a natural movie to make, actually,” he tells Zap2it.
Harington adds, “I like scripts that come through the door now that aren’t based on a book or aren’t trilogies, that’s a reboot of ‘Jaws’ or whatever. I like movies that come through that are completely original, and that’s what appealed to me about this one.”
Before shooting “Pompeii,” Harington had never visited the site of the devastation in Italy. He headed there after filming wrapped, and found the plaster casts of the people “locked in time” “so moving.”
“The woman clutching her pregnant belly as she dies or the man clasping his face or this other man just sort of looking up at the gods; they’re horrific things but they’re fascinating to us, these people locked in time,” he says. “I think that was what I liked about, when the movie came through the door, is the idea of telling the stories about these people who were turned to home.”
Harington adds with a laugh, “Remember ‘Narnia,’ when [the White Witch] turns people to stone? It’s like that. That was my comparison.”
At the core of “Pompeii,” it’s a simple “Romeo & Juliet” love story set against the backdrop of impending doom. Harington’s Milo falls in love with Emily Browning‘s Cassia, even though the two are separated by status and politics. There’s also a revenge subplot and, of course, the disaster element of the soon-to-be-exploding Vesuvius, but Harington was most drawn to Milo’s outlook on life.
“What was fascinating to me about the character was that he talks a lot in the movie about there being no point to anything,” Harington says. “He’s a simple character, it’s a simple story, and the irony being the minute he finds a purpose in life, the volcano goes off. But it’s kind of beautiful.”
Harington is also looking to find his purpose. He is fully committed to “Game of Thrones” at the moment, but that is a project that has a finite end. He’s already filmed the fantasy flick “Seventh Son” and recorded a voice in “How To Train Your Dragon 2,” but now he says it’s time for a change.
That’s clear in the fact that Harington opted not to go out for a role in “The Fantastic Four” reboot, and instead joined the historical biopic “The Testament of Youth” in a supporting role.
“I have a clear kind of set goal with my career now,” Harington tells Zap2it. “‘Thrones’ plays a big part of my career for the next few years. Alongside that, I want to balance some really interesting projects. The next few years are more me experimenting with what I want to do.”
He continues, “It’s all about eclectic work. It’s about testing and seeing what you want to do, and so I feel like an actor hits their mid-30s and that’s where they want to be and the parts they want to do. It’s about the next 10 years, 8 years, about figuring out where I want to be in my mid-30s.”
“Pompeii” arrives in theaters today. “Game of Thrones” Season 4 premieres on HBO on April 6 at 9 p.m. ET/PT.


text:
I went to the Garden of Love,
And saw what I never had seen:
A Chapel was built in the midst,
Where I used to play on the green.
The relationship between the signifier and the signified rules the world. Most specifically, the literary world. To create meaning, is to derive meaning, from pre-existing concepts, artwork, music, threads and woven metaphors, and to subvert that meaning, into something new and profound. When I first picked up Prince Lestat, and was flipping through those first few pages lovingly, remembering having done just that with every other instalment of the Vampire Chronicles, one of the chapter titles particularly piqued my interest. Of course, they are all beautiful, descriptive, and promising, but, this one…
The Garden of Love.
I have been a fan of William Blake – at least my poetic self has – from as far back as I can remember. Lines from his poems speak to my mind, and, they stand out, in every aspect that I find them. Of course, then, I would draw correlations between this chapter, and Blake’s poem by the same depiction. Naturally, a reader would pursue knowledge within that chapter, with the image of Blake’s words emblazoned upon her thoughts. These four words carry weight, and, there are those that would state that readers, oftentimes, place more emphasis on the signified, than on the symbol as being little more than a literal interpretation. However, if not intentionally, then subconsciously, writers will almost always draw from past knowledge to create a deeper wealth of meaning in an image forged through their words.
Bearing all of this in mind, it is important to remember that, every word, however seemingly random, in any piece of prose, has its place in creating a wholly unique image. And it is that image that leads to discussions and questions on a novelist’s work.
One question that remained of primary concern through the initial reading of Prince Lestat was, is this really Lestat?
He’s moody, sullen, and he chooses to sequester himself away from the world, as opposed to his usual modus operandi of living large in the limelight. Dissonance dictates that, even though the reader has seen these kinds of mood swings in Lestat before, never have they been this pronounced, and never this long-lived, and, so, the concern arises again, what has happened to Lestat? Perhaps he is just seeing the world through the eyes of age, jaded as he is, he is passing on from his youthful exuberance and childlike wonder, and has entered the sombre realm of adulthood. There was a time, when seeing more than one of his own kind, sharingtime with one another, would have bolstered the Brat Prince. But now, it seems to drive him further away form them, and out into the cold, into the arms of strangers, or, just over to solitude. Lestat feels like a stranger, but, maybe that is simply due to the fact that, the world he used to call his Savage Garden, the world that he used to take such gratification and pleasure from, now feels like an unknown entity to him.
Of course, it is not just Lestat who is acting “other” to what the reader is acquainted with. Elders avoid interaction, avoid passing judgement and criticism, familial lines refuse to interfere with one another, for the sake of some misguided attempt at civility or compassionate distance.
And the gates of this Chapel were shut,
And Thou shalt not. writ over the door;
So I turn’d to the Garden of Love,
That so many sweet flowers bore.
It could even be argued that, the author herself, feels something of a disconnected uncertainty, with this world of Blood Drinkers, and, it is reflected in Lestat’s uncertainty. Can he, conceivably, after everything that has passed between them, re-enter their lives as if nothing’s changed? Would they even accept him?
What if the disappointment of their reunion, relationship, and love, not being as it once was, is too much for him to bear?
Oh, and, worst of all, what if they don’t really want him anymore? Or… what if they don’t need him? Lestat thrived, to now, on being the centre of the universe. On transcribing himself into the lives of others of his kind until they could not imagine a world without him in it, but, what if somehow, all that has changed in the time that he has lost contact with them, and they find that, ultimately, they are somewhat let down, by him?
Even to the reader, that idea must chill, a little. Everyone wants to be wanted, and needed, and welcomed, with celebration, tears, music, laughter, dancing – we picture it in our minds, seeing ourselves as if from a bird’s eye view and knowing that, a reunion, is always going to be more beautiful in our heads than in reality. If Lestat is feeling such a fear at this point in his journey, it stands to reason that his voice, the author, is feeling something similar. Twelve years have passed between the last of these novels, and this new instalment. There must be an inherit fear there. What if it is not what is expected? What if those voices no longer speak as they once did?
And I saw it was filled with graves,
And tomb-stones where flowers should be:
And Priests in black gowns, were walking their rounds,
And binding with briars, my joys & desires.
The Garden of Love, by Blake, is a poem of becoming. It stems from his Songs of Experience, and, as such, it dictates how he sees the world through the eyes of one who has seen too much. One who has seen the ravages of religion, but, importantly, one who can recognise them, for what they truly, are. There are levels, at which one can discuss the symbolic impact of this idea on the Vampire Chronicles as a whole, and, on Prince Lestat as a stand-alone novel. In the chapter by the same title, Lestat sits in the garden with Rose (his mortal, that he has, somehow, been keeping secret, wrapped close to his heart, all this time), and his “biological son,” Viktor. As is Lestat’s custom, he is more than a little disconnected from the emotion that this scene might evoke. He sits in the garden and studies the surroundings with more clarity than he hears the words spoken. It is possible, that, it is this point in the novel that has him stunned by the shape that the world he once knew so intimately has taken in his absence.
There are aspects to it, unrecognisable, a voice screaming in his head, and, his hidden mortal, his familial son, and the mute queen of his tribe, all sit together in this one garden. It must seem to him, for a fleeting instant, like the start of a bad joke.
One the nature of religion, and, order, affecting something once-loved – “Thou shalt not. writ over the door” – as stated, there is an argument for the negative effects of rules, regulations, and misguided belief systems on the world of the Blood Drinkers, and on the childlike enthusiasm of a previously manically-humoured hero. It is reasonable to assume that, the Voice, Amel, was the engine that drove Akasha to acts of cruelty, and a near genocide. It is even more reasonable to assume that Amel, not only believes itself to be the god that these creatures must bend their knees before, but, that he is set up to be such. They cannot live without his presence, and, in the end, he can never be punished for his actions. He can only be reasoned with, IF he chooses to value reason at any given time. He is the only true constant among them. And only when each and every single one of them is gone, will he too fade into nothingness. Unless, of course, he somehow finds solace in a new life form. His presence, colours the new world that these vampires inhabit. Not so much of a new world, but, an old world, that they may have, at one time, thought that they knew. And loved. But, now, is strained and unreasonable, and filled with death, fear, and unknown things lurking in the darkness.
The Garden of Love, though, on the surface, seeming to refer to something sweet, and beautiful, and, as magnanimous as an entity whose arms may reach around the world and gather all to his bosom, also hints at something darker with this reference to a poem revolving around the notion of denial, and pain in disappointment and limited expectation. It also promises more grottos, more coves, and more beds in the Savage Garden, moving the boundaries that once kept this garden safe and known, into the realm of the unknown. What is promising, is also, often, to be feared. Is this a hint that, as Prince Lestat ends with such a sense of civility and closeness, the reality of its following instalment may not be as sweet? But of course. Because without conflict, there will be no story.

domain: literature


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text:
80. Due to falsehoods, a person cannot improve his behavior.
81. One who cannot annul his evil inclination through drawing it to the hall of study should know that he is still in a state of wickedness.
82. The Holy One – Blessed is He- desires the mitzvos in which a person also does the will of people, more than those mitzvos which are matters between man and his Creator.
83. It is better for a person to fulfill the mitzva however much possible, than to abandon it altogether.
84. Repairing the body comes before repairing the soul.
85. One who cries and mourns over a kosher man is forgiven for all his sins.
86. It is a mitzva to cause people to repent (alternate text: to warn people) regarding every sin. If you fear that they will not listen to you, say your words in the name of a different tzaddik, so that they will listen to you.
87. All who say Vayechulu (Book of Bereshit, Verse 2:1-3, which is customarily said as part of the prayers on the Shabbat night) with intention, and pray with intention, the Ministering Angels ask G-d to forgive them.


Here's how strange things are for Big Oil. On Tuesday, BP said its head of exploration would be stepping down. In response, its shares did this:
"Did what?" you might ask. And that's the point: Nothing, really.
Which is odd when you consider that exploring for oil and gas is kind of a big part of being a major oil and gas company. Also when you consider that Richard Herbert had only been in the job for about two years. He took the job at a time when, having sold a slew of assets to fund payouts related to 2010's Macondo disaster, BP could use some topping-up. After all, aside from 2013, the company hasn't had a great track record of finding oil and gas lately.
To be fair, BP's 68 percent reserve-replacement rate in 2015 wasn't as bad as Exxon Mobil's 58 percent or close rival Royal Dutch Shell, which turned in a negative number, according to figures from Sanford C. Bernstein. Even so, chapter 1, verse 1 of the Gospel According to Big Oil says, "Thou shalt replace at least every barrel produced (and even more, if thou canst help it)."
The old script(ure) doesn't count quite as much these days. What's the point in spending money on finding more oil and gas when the prices for the stuff you produce already isn't high enough to pay other important bills -- like dividends, for instance.
BP cut its capital expenditure budget again when it reported quarterly results last month, with exploration bearing some of the brunt. Hubbert's departure is couched in the language of streamlining the organization. These days, though, being head of exploration isn't quite the priority position it used to be -- and shareholders focused on payouts probably prefer it that way.
This column does not necessarily reflect the opinion of Bloomberg LP and its owners.
To contact the author of this story:
Liam Denning in San Francisco at firstname.lastname@example.org
To contact the editor responsible for this story:
Mark Gongloff at email@example.com


Title: Heat Of The Moment
Released: April, 1982
Label: Geffen Records
Producer: Mike Stone
Heat Of The Moment is the first single released by progressive rock band Asia from their 1982 eponymous debut. The song was the most popular of the album, peaking at #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock chart and #4 on the Pop Singles chart. It was written by John Wetton and Geoff Downes.
The song was repopularized in 2005 when it was featured in the motion pictures The 40-Year-Old Virgin and The Matador. It is also referenced in the TV show South Park, in the episode "Kenny Dies", when the character Cartman sings it in Congress while Kenny is dying in a hospital.
The song will appear on the upcoming PlayStation 2 video game Guitar Hero Encore: Rocks the 80s
This song is featured in another Asia song called "Don't Call Me" as a dialing number from a telephone.