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Facing the challenge of staying alive and relevant with kids in an ever-broadening multi-screen universe has put U.S. kidnets in a bit of an expansionist frame of mind this season. And the drive to claim new territory seems to be centered around two goals – offering services on new delivery platforms and tapping into ever-younger viewing demographics.
It’s no coincidence that so many nets have zeroed in on the preschool set in their attempts to build channel loyalty with the next generation of viewers as early as possible. As PBS senior VP John Wilson notes, ‘Whether they can put words to it or not, kids learn brands before they learn words. Iconography is a form of literacy, and we want kids to be media-literate.’ But while the primary goal may indeed be to educate kids socially and stimulate them intellectually, the added bonus is that brand awareness helps groom viewers for the future.
But how do you make brand connections when more households are opting to watch their shows on-demand? Comcast, for one, racked up 10 million more views of its VOD programming in Q2 2005, compared to Q1, and its PBS Sprout channel has been viewed six million times a month since launching this spring.
Cartoon Network, Disney Channel, Discovery and Nick have already implemented on-demand strategies, and Coleman Breland, Turner Networks executive VP of sales and marketing, says Cartoon’s VOD service has performed so far beyond expectations that the company recently expanded the offering from six to 20 hours a month. ‘It’s an opportunity to reach viewers with a complimentary service,’ he says, so as opposed to approaching VOD as a separate business, kidcasters see it as a programming extension of their linear brand that doubles as a promotional and marketing platform.
The Disney On-Demand service has been up and running since June 2003 and is currently available to subscribers on Cablevision, Lodgenet and (thanks to a just-inked deal) Verizon. Scott Garner, VP of program planning and scheduling, takes care of finding content for the Disney Channel, ABC Family and Toon Disney VOD offerings, and exclusives are what he’s after. The Disney Channel on-demand channel streams its programming into two packages: ‘Only On,’ which features episodes, series and movies not airing on the linear channel; and ‘First On,’ centered around premieres of new series or movies.
Garner says windowing is his biggest challenge when it comes to on-demand scheduling, not content availability. And in terms of refreshing the VOD lineups, more than half of the programming is replaced each month, with a small percentage getting updated weekly.
With VOD penetration pegged to hit 36.5 million U.S. homes by 2008, according to media research firm The Yankee Group, Disney is exploring the viability of expanding its services. Garner says a Jetix channel serving up action-adventure fare for boys six to 14 may be an option down the road.
But the ultimate value of any new technology remains dependent on the programming that’s nurtured on linear channels. So no matter how much time they spend looking into the crystal ball of future delivery systems, programming executives are still focusing on strategies to keep kids engaged today.
PBS splits preschool in two
Like many other kidcasters, the mighty U.S. pubnet is grappling with the impact of age compression, which has carved up one of its traditional kid demographics into two. Wilson says most preschool programming used to serve kids ages zero to five pretty effectively. But now, specific developmental needs have evolved for the zero to three set.
To address the schism, Wilson has cherry-picked 40 half hours of It’s a Big Big World (produced by Bear in the Big Blue House creator Mitchell Kriegman) especially for younger preschoolers. Set in a lush rainforest, the show is designed to teach two-year-olds about science and geography by bringing the rainforest characters alive. ‘Even if the viewers can’t articulate geo-science, they’ll clearly know it’s about the natural world with a really good social, emotional foundation,’ he says.
Wilson also feels it may be necessary to make a brand distinction down the road. Although he’s not sure what shape that move might take, he thinks the six-year-old branding for PBS Kids might soon be in need of a tuneup. ‘Frankly, the PBS Kids Go brand (which is designed to appeal to six- to nine-year-olds) has been so strong, we don’t want the mother brand to look tired and faded by comparison,’ he says.
Cartoon ages down and out to serve a wider kids cadre
New branding is certainly the name of the game at Cartoon Network this season, starting with the introduction in August of Tickle U, a new weekday morning block sporting a humor-based theme and gunning hard for two- to seven-year-olds.
Responding to criticism from the Coalition for a Commerical-Free Childhood about its decision to sell advertising time in the two-hour block, the network takes issue with being singled out from similarly commercial competitors such as Nick Jr. In addition to consulting with developmental experts to uphold age-appropriate pacing and content, the network is diligently limiting the number of ads running in Tickle U and relegating them to airing in between shows so as not to blur the line between programming and commercial messages in the minds of the block’s young viewers.
Elsewhere on the cablenet, the team is still working hard to even out a slight gender imbalance that sees 65% to 70% of its six- to 11-year-old audience comprised of boys. And plugging Naruto into the schedule last month may prove to be a good first step – although its girl appeal isn’t immediately obvious. Studio Pierrot’s 52 x half-hour adaptation of the best-selling graphic book series from manga artist Masahi Kishimoto tells the story of a rebellious teenage boy attending ninja school and merges elements of action, magic and comedy. But the show also features several female characters and proved to be just as popular with girl viewers as boys when it debuted in Japan on TV Tokyo in 2002.
Cartoon’s in-house production arm has also turned out a new toon that should straddle the gender divide when it launches in Q1 ’06. My Gym Partner’s a Monkey is a 26 x half-hour comedy about a 12-year-old boy who’s accidentally sent to an all-animal middle school. ‘Comedy transcends gender,’ says Bob Higgins, senior VP of programming and development. ‘Plus this particular show takes place in a school setting, which girls will relate to.’
But to keep its core boy audience entertained, the network has come up with sci-fi action-adventure romp Ben 10, created by L.A.’s Man Of Action. Debuting in May, the 26 x half-hour show stars a kid who finds a watch that gives him the power to turn into any one of 10 alien superheroes.
Michael Ouleween, senior VP of development and creative direction, says spreading the launch of new shows throughout the broadcast season has proven to be a successful strategy, especially given that many advertisers don’t see fall as their most important messaging window. ‘We’re going to have a bunch of holiday one-offs to create a new canon of Christmas specials,’ he hints.
Nick test-drives a next-gen launch strategy
The kids TV titan put a lot of promotional muscle behind the September launch of Dora spin-off Go, Diego, Go! on Nick Jr., testing a new strategy that involved more of Viacom’s broadcast platforms. The idea was to offer viewers a sneak-peek of the new series on video-on-demand (through cable platforms and on-line) and short-form video clips on Verizon Wireless before it settled into its regular time slot. On the web, the full-episode preview on Nickjr.com spiked the site’s unique visitor draw by 100,000 during its 10-day appearance, as well as upping overall traffic by about 30%.
Hoping for continued success with interactive preschool formats, Nick Jr. and Noggin have launched a new 13-ep live-action series called Jack’s Big Music Show, which is hosted by a music-loving puppet and features children’s recording artist Laurie Berkner. It seeks to promote music appreciation and its integration into everyday life, says Brown Johnson, Nick Jr.’s executive VP. The show will also be peppered with drop-ins by popular children’s songsters.
On tap to join Nick Jr.’s schedule in Q1 2006 is live-action/animation hybrid The Wonder Pets from New York’s Little Airplane Productions and Wow! Wow! Wubbzy!, an animated series from Fairly OddParents art director Bob Boyle featuring creatures of unspecified origin that each take a different approach to problem-solving. It’s been given an order for 26 episodes and is expected to debut in the latter half of 2006. These two shows both deal with protagonists who cleverly solve problems through fun and active play, which is right in line with Nick Jr.’s mandates, says Nick president Cyma Zarghami: ‘Kids don’t passively sit in front of the television; preschoolers view television with an active mind, and their minds work best through play,’ she says.
Nick is also rejuvenating its big kids lineup for six- to 11-year-olds with three new shows that toe the gender-neutral line. Catscratch, a toon about three felines who inherit their late owner’s fortune, is meant to appeal to girls’ love of humor and boys’ propensity for silly adventures. Just For Kicks, a live-actioner produced by Whoopie Goldberg, should draw a significant number of female eyeballs since it’s about four adolescent girls pursuing their dreams to one day play professional soccer. And following up in November will be The X’s, a 13 x half-hour animated series starring an undercover family of spies fighting crime in suburbia, again with a comedy skew to attract girls, and action to lure boys.
Disney builds on Jetix success and tries after-school movies
According to Garner, building on gains made by the Jetix action-adventure block last year is the biggest goal this season. ABC Family scored big with boys when it brought in Jetix on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m. and weekends from 7 a.m. to noon in February 2004. The destination has since become a bona fide boys hub, delivering a 72% testosterone-charged audience on average. And over on Toon Disney, where Jetix airs from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekdays and from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m. weekends, season-to-date ratings for the block are up 20% with kids six to 11 and 75% with tween boys.
Garner has again chosen to stake out a less crowded summer canvas for his launches this year, which is why new Jetix gems Get Ed (Walt Disney Television Animation) and Kong (BKN International) joined the lineup last month. While both new series play on Jetix’s high-octane adventure mandate, Garner anticipates Kong will gain some additional traction on the back of Peter Jackson’s big-screen remake, which Universal is rolling out in December.
In terms of new landmarks, Garner is introducing a 5 p.m. weekday block called The Big Movie Show on Toon Disney that will screen animated features from the Mouse House catalogue. Since most of the channel’s competitors air animated series in this daypart, Garner is hoping the big-screen block will help Toon Disney stand out from the crowd.
Over on the broadcast side of the dial, Garner is using ABC’s Saturday morning block as a showcase to window its properties. ‘There are still between 15 million and 20 million U.S. homes that don’t have cable, and we use this as an opportunity to broaden the exposure and the reach of our programs,’ he says. The Buzz on Maggie exercised the strategy this year, debuting in June on the Disney Channel, and then migrating to ABC Saturday mornings in September. The linear channel skews girl already with shows such as That’s So Raven and Kim Possible, so Garner reckons the 21 x half-hour series produced by Walt Disney Animation in association with Dave Polsky and Laura Perkins Brittan will prove to be a perfect complement.
Preschool block Playhouse Disney, meanwhile, welcomes Little Einsteins, which was developed in conjunction with the creators behind the Baby Einstein franchise. Launching this month, the interactive series features a unique aesthetic that combines real photo backgrounds and 2-D animated characters to teach children about music, art and nature. Given its US$170-million retail pedigree, Garner is confident that the property’s built-in brand awareness will help drive eyeballs to the show.
Kids’ WB! loads up on laughs to get more girls
According to senior VP and GM Betsy McGowen, the decision to scrap the two-hour Kids’ WB! weekday afternoon block at the end of this year is a seesaw proposition. On the downside, the kidnet will lose an important promotional platform. But on the upside, the Saturday morning block is set to expand by an extra hour. ‘With two more time slots available, we will actually need more original programming, so that gives us a chance to develop more shows,’ she says.
Over the past year, Kids’ WB! has struggled to reorient its identity and airspace along less boy-dependent lines. ‘This fall we should see the fruits of our efforts,’ says McGowen. ‘The goal was to keep our core boy audience, but introduce more comedy-based shows to bring girls back. And now we’re finally getting programs on that are not just boys action.’
Kicking off the refresh is the block’s first pure comedy in many years. Coconut Fred’s Fruit Salad Island, a 13 x half-hour show from Warner Bros. Animation, is about a walking, talking coconut who lives on an island with equally surreal characters. Echoing Cartoon’s Higgins, McGowen says comedy is the great gender equalizer when it comes to kids audiences.
In addition to attracting more girls, McGowen is aiming to pick up viewers on the younger side of the net’s six to 11 target. ‘Our median age was inching up to the higher end of the demo,’ she says. ‘We want to bring it back down to around eight.’ The action-adventure shows that previously dominated the Kids’ WB! schedule pigeon-holed the block to a tween audience, and McGowen believes that by injecting a little more humor, she’ll attract a broader age range and increase ratings.
Discovery Kids builds show profile with promos and consumer products
While the Discovery Kids block on NBC still lags behind in the ratings race, GM Marjorie Kaplan says it’s finally starting to gain some profile, thanks in part to taking reality show Endurance on the road this past spring and summer. The Discovery Kids Endurance Experience tour made 14 stops at fairs and other public events across the U.S. and spurred thousands of local kids in each host city to face off in competitions that mirror the obstacle races and mental challenges kid contestants face on the show.
The block is also benefiting from increased exposure for Darcy’s Wild Life star Sara Paxton, who Kaplan says is the net’s first break-out celebrity. With a movie called Aqua Marine coming out next spring, a first music CD in stores and a book series launching this month, Paxton’s star is certainly rising. And Discovery is planning to cash in on her popularity by rolling out a country-chic clothing line based on the show in Kmart stores next spring. The next goal will be to sign home décor and accessories licensees, and explore the possibility of imbedding merch cues into new episodes of the show.
The three-hour block’s new entry for the season is Flight 29 Down, a 13 x half-hour live-action drama series from Darcy creator Stan Rogow. Premiering this month, the show was shot on location in Hawaii and is about a group of teens who get stranded on a remote island after their plane goes down. Sound familiar? ‘I know nobody will believe it,’ sighs Kaplan, ‘but we had this show ordered before Lost ever came on the air.’
Overall, Kaplan doesn’t plan to stray far from Discovery’s focus on older kids ages six to 11 and eight to 14 this year because one of the block’s goals is to create a front door into the Discovery Kids digital and VOD services. According to the network, the kids programming service is Discovery’s most popular VOD destination, and the plan is to use it to preview upcoming originals and specials.
4Kids.TV gives equal weight to boys and girls
Al Kahn’s TV philosophy remains as simple as when he bought the Fox block in January 2002: Programming and licensing are irrevocably intertwined. So the continuing effort to attract more girls is less about building ratings and more about broadening the company’s merch opportunities. ‘That’s the whole game for us, the whole premise of our positioning,’ Kahn readily acknowledges. ‘We want to have programming that spearheads licensing. And to do licensing that’s driven by play patterns, you have to segment programs to either boys or girls.’
So this season, the 4Kids.TV weekend morning block will devote two hours to each gender. New girl-skewing fare includes Bratz, a 26 x half-hour 4Kids/MGA co-pro featuring characters based on the hugely popular doll line. And joining the lineup in November is anime metaseries (which is characterized by overlapping characters and stories) Magical DoReMi from Toei and Asahi TV.
DIC’s branding strategy is Berry good news for affiliates
The biggest change on the DIC Kid’s Network this year will take place in January 2006, when Strawberry Shortcake replaces Captain Planet in the three-hour syndicated block that airs on more than 450 U.S. affiliates.
According to Noel Fogelson, VP and co-general counsel at DIC, input from licensees including Fox and American Greetings has a big impact on programming choices since DKN is an important tool in the company’s brand-building arsenal. The next big brand in the pipeline is, of course, Trollz. But so far, DIC’s merch partners seem happy with the slow-build course to exposure the company has charted.
A 65-minute special based on the brand scored a 4.0 rating on Disney Channel earlier this year, and an animated TV series is in production. It’s possible that this toon will join DKN’s lineup next June. But Angela Rodgers, director of domestic television, says it’s just as likely that DIC will mine its 1,500-hour catalogue or sign an acquisitions deal to refresh the schedule.


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Vaccine Equity Petition
May 10, 2021
As more and more of us get vaccinated and we feel the nearing of the end of this dark isolation, we have to recognise that this is not the situation in many parts of the world.
While there are many reasons for this state of affairs, the monopolies created by intellectual property rights play an undeniable role in bringing this about. Countries from the global South have supported some frameworks for temporarily waiving these rights, and countries from the global North have consistently blocked and subverted these frameworks. Hundreds of civil society organisations, including Doctors Without Borders, have come out in support of these waivers.
This article by the Indian economist Jayati Ghosh is an excellent summary of the state of affairs.
We would like to put some pressure on the Biden administration to change their position on this, through the University. Stanford is the producer of a lot of scientific progress (and, consequently, intellectual property) and so a public declaration by the administration would carry some weight. To make this happen, we would like to submit a petition to the Executive Cabinet of the University asking them to pass a resolution calling on the Biden administration to support COVID-19 vaccine IP waivers and ensure equitable global vaccine distribution.
While the Biden administration has taken some recent positive steps in this direction, they are far from adequate; remembering that this announcement shows the effectiveness of public pressure, we must keep the pressure on.
The petition text is at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1PBDO40fpdQ7YiGf–7XQQ0jNqobhITQnSf8XX7p9how/edit?usp=sharing
Please sign it at https://forms.gle/BytRJDy4YtFCqgST9
We would also like to request that you share this petition with your colleagues, coworkers and friends in the Stanford community.
Needless to say, every signature helps!
Ronak M Soni (firstname.lastname@example.org)

domain: law


Vt. lawmakers poised to address child care crunch; Report offers roadmap
BURLINGTON, Vt. (WCAX) - Vermont lawmakers are expected to dive into the issue of child care next week, a major priority for the session.
Ike Bendavid spoke with Morgan Crossman, executive director of Building Bright Futures, which worked with the Vermont Early Childhood Data and Policy Center on the report.
Copyright 2023 WCAX. All rights reserved.


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The high court by three votes against two does not see reasons of urgency to remove the Vice President of the Government as a precautionary measure
Vox requested the precautionary suspension of the royal decree that included it, relying on the ruling of the TC that separated Pablo Iglesias
The Fourth Section of the Contentious-Administrative Chamber of the Supreme Court has been divided and by the minimum he has refused to provisionally suspend the royal decree that included in the meetings of the Delegate Commission of the Government for Intelligence Affairs, which is the one that controls the CNI, the second vice president of the Government and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Diazas requested by Vox.
In an order, the magistrates have declared, by three votes to two, that “no damages to the general interest are credited for the permanence” of Díaz until they resolve the merits of the appeal filed by the far-right party. Yolanda Díaz joined this commission when she was Third Vice President and Minister of Labor and Social Security.
The Chamber also does not consider that maintaining it is important, if he ends up agreeing with Vox, as the Constitutional Court did with the designation for this same responsibility of the former Vice President of the Government Pablo Iglesias and the former director of the Presidency Cabinet Iván Redondo.
The Constitutional declared unconstitutional their appointments, because the Executive of Pedro Sánchez should not have done it by decree-lawsince it was not justified in the reasons of “extraordinary and urgent need” provided by the Constitution for this legislative route.
As with pardons
That resolution has been the point on which the division of the magistrates that make up the Fourth Section of Contentiousness has been articulated, similar to the one that the Fifth Section experienced in its day when it came to resolving the appeals against the pardons of the ‘procés ‘.
In their private opinion, the dissenting magistrates, Jose Luis Requero and Antonio Jesus Fonseca-Herreroconsider that the ruling of the Constitutional Court that declared article 6.2 of the Law regulating the CNI unconstitutional, which allowed the vice presidents decided by the President of the Government to be included in the Delegate Commission of the Government for Intelligence Affairs, now allows the contested rule to be provisionally suspended , because its coverage comes from a law declared unconstitutional.
The Canadian News
Canada’s largets news curation site with over 20+ agency partners


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KNOWER are a searing hot music group from Los Angeles spearheading a new musical movement. The LA duo represent the best of drummer-producer Louis Cole and singer Genevieve Artadi. Currently touring their fourth album ‘Life’ , they opened for The Red Hot Chili Peppers in 2017 and continue to take over with their hard-hitting funk, cool chords, deep melodies and funky vocals into an incredibly imaginative off-world experience.
An entirely DIY act since formation in 2010, KNOWER’s viral videos, discography and live visual experience has become an international internet phenomena. Clocking millions of views, their videos ”Overtime live house and “THE GOVT. KNOWS” are experiences that will stick with you forever. Known for their visual live show, they take their infectious energy to another level.
Their live 5-piece rotates Dennis Hamm (Keys), Sam Wilkes (Bass), Rai Thistlethwayte (Keys), Jacob Mann (Keys), Sam Gendel (Sax), and Pedro Martins (E.Guitar), and Thom Gill (E.Guitar). Combined with Louis Cole (Drums/Vox) and Genevieve Artadi’s iconic hot funk vocal style, audiences love KNOWER because they never hold back and they never settle. Quincy Jones best sums up why you can’t miss them, “KNOWER WILL BE LEAVIN’ YA’LL ON YOUR KNEES, BEGGIN’ FOR MORE.”

domain: artistic


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Welcome to Texas Ranch RV Resort, one of the Lone Star State’s newest destinations for your next RV vacation. Texas Ranch RV Resort spans across 100 acres of Texas grassland. With 50 acres of oversized RV sites and another 50 acres of recreational area, we aren’t kidding when we say this ranch is Texas-Size.
Take a look below to see some of the features that will be available soon at The Ranch. Whether you’re looking for a game of horse shoes, a dip in the pool, an afternoon or fishing, or just a quiet stroll on one of walking paths, Texas Ranch RV Resort will have something you’re sure to enjoy.
ALL THE NECESSITIES
PICK YOUR SPOT NOW!
Take a look at our Resort Map to get a lay of the land and decide which spot is right for you!

domain: geography


Yesterday, I wrote about how my 2020 was in terms of audio gear. Today, I’ll be talking about my initial purchases and what’s to come over the next few days and weeks.
I’m always looking to try new digital audio players and DACs mainly, followed by some headphones, usually from KZ. This year, I’m starting it with new products from Hiby, Hidizs, and Fiio. Let’s see the products below.
The Hiby R2 is Hiby’s newest ultra-portable player, which has most of the features of the R3, but in a smaller body. It is able to decode and render MQA, and can stream music from Tidal via Wifi. I’m a huge user of the Hiby R3 Pro Saber, so I’m really exited to give the R2 a try!
The Hidizs H1 is a neckband Bluetooth cable that comes with the Hidizs MS1 Rainbow. For the price, it is a real bargain, considering you get both items and also considering that most people will already have 2-pin 2.5mm or 3.5mm cables. Since I already own the Hidizs MS1 and MS4 which I backed on Kickstarter, the MS1 Rainbow is the only one I still don’t own. I also already have Hidizs’ 2.5mm and 3.5mm cables, as well as their BT01 Bluetooth cable. This means that this cable will be new in my collection. The Hidizs H1 is also compatible with the Hiby Blue app. It supports the SBC, AAC, aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs.
The Hidizs H2 is Hidizs newest Bluetooth receiver adapter. It shares a few design details from Hiby’s own W3 adapter, having physical buttons as well as the LED which will be green or blue depending on the audio sample rate. It supports the main Bluetooth codecs, while also having support for LDAC and Hiby’s UAT codec. The Hidizs AP80 and AP80 Pro, as well as Hiby’s products already support UAT, so it is guaranteed we will have the best audio quality when listening on those products with the Hidizs H2. It also supports the Hiby Blue app and can also be used as a USB DAC.
The Hidizs S9 is Hidizs newest DAC, sporting an AKM AK4493EQ DAC. It has both 2.5mm and 3.5mm outputs and supports up to 32bit/768Khz.
The FiiO BTA30 is a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter. It claims to transmit audio using LDAC when using an optical or coax cable. My main purpose of this product is to attach it to my TV and see how much the audio quality improves and to try LDAC with it.
And that’s my initial purchased for products I should be receiving in the next couple of days. The Hidizs S9 is the product with the most far date, presumably due to AKM DACs shortage due to their factory fire. I’ll patiently wait, and I’m really looking forward to try all of these new products.
Last year was a great one when it came to acquiring new Audio Gear. In this post, I’ll talk about my acquisitions with a bit of overview for each product.
Digital Audio Players
In 2020, I got the FiiO M5, the Shanling Q1, the Hiby R3 Pro Saber, and the Hidizs AP80 Pro. These 4 companies do great products, so I went ahead and ordered their newest products. I had the Shanling Q1 already preordered on Kickstarter.
The FiiO M5 is a hybrid DAP. I say it’s hybrid because it also has a Qualcomm Bluetooth chip inside that makes it work as a Bluetooth receiver and transmitter separately. While products like Hiby and Hidizs DAPs also have Bluetooth receive/transmit functions, these work entirely using their Ingenic X1000E CPU and their Bluetooth chip, while the FiiO M5 uses its CSR8675 chip for this purpose.
The sound quality of the M5 is musical, using an AKM AK4377 with Velvet Sound, which seems to focus on mid details. The only downside is that a USB DAC cannot be used when using it in Bluetooth receive mode, and that it does not supports Opus files.
Hiby R3 Pro Saber
The Hiby R3 Pro Saber is a derivative product from the Hiby R3 Pro. Its main difference is that it uses 2x ESS 9218p DACs as opposed to the dual Cirrus Logic DACs found in the Hiby R3 Pro. Hiby claims the R3 Pro Saber offers a more analytical sound, and I can describe the sound as being more airy and open than the R3 Pro. This has been my favorite DAP to this date.
Hidizs AP80 Pro
The Hidizs AP80 Pro is the successor of the original Hidizs AP80 (pictured on the left). Its main difference is that it now offers dual ESS 9218p DACS and the Hiby HBC3000 FPGA. These same DACs and FPGA are found in the Hiby R3 Pro Saber, but they sound completely different. I would describe the sound of the AP80 Pro as being more warmer, especially in the bass, while the sound of the Hiby R3 Pro Saber is more open and fuller. I think that the AP80 Pro would fit those who seek deep bass while the Hiby R3 Pro Saber fits those looking for a more musical and open sound.
The Shanling Q1 (Pictured in the bottom center) was launched in Kickstarter. This player didn’t had Wifi until a later update added it with the DLNA feature. It also uses an ESS 9218p, but sounds different than the Hiby R3 Pro Saber and Hidizs AP80 Pro. The sound seems to be centered around mids. It sounds good, but different at the same time. The only downside is that the headphone jack is right in the middle and it is slippery. The buttons are also sensitive, but otherwise it’s a good DAP.
DACs and Dongles
Moving to the DACs and Dongles category, last year I got the new Tempotec BHD, the IFI Hip-Dac, and an off-brand very cheap DAC that’s surprisingly good.
The IFI Hip-Dac is an affordable DAC with a Burr-Brown DAC. It also renders MQA. Its sound is warm. On the back, it has a USB-C port which is only for charging, while a USB-A Male port is used for data. I rarely use this DAC because of the weird ports and I’d rather prefer it having 2 USB-C ports rather than its USB-A port. On the good side, the analog volume potentiometer works great, but be careful with sensitive IEMs as the volume gets extremely loud!
Tempotec Sonata BHD
The Tempotec Sonata BHD can be considered a “successor” to the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro. This one has dual Cirrus Logic CS43131 and has a 2.5mm output. It also shares the independent volume controls as the HD Pro. On the downsides, this one doesn’t have a detachable cable, and like the HD Pro, it has few volume steps. On the good side, it shares the same sound signature as the Tempotec Sonata HD Pro and doesn’t get warm.
Geekuy USB DAC
This one was a surprise find on Amazon. It is very cheap, considering it has an XMOS controller and an ESS DAC. It also features a 3.5mm output. For the price, I was surprised at how good it sounds. It also doesn’t generate heat, is USB Audio Class 2.0, and works great with the PC. However, it had compatibility issues with my DAPs.
In this category, I got the FiiO UTWS1 (My favorites!), the Shanling UP4, the Qudelix 5K, and the new TRN BT20S Pro.
The FiiO UTWS1 seems to be a rebranded TRN BT20S with a different button configuration and better volume control. Its advantages are a more functional button configuration that includes raising and lowering the volume. This is the most warm Bluetooth adapter I have, which would satisfy bass lovers.
The Shanling UP4 is yet another product using dual ESS 9218p DACs. It, again, sounds differently than other products with the ES9218p. This time, it is warmer yet musical at the same time. When compared to the similar FiiO BTR5, which also uses the same dual ES9218p DACs, the sound of that one is more analytical, working best for treble and more analytical detail retrieval, while the Shanling UP4 works best for concert-like music and to be immersed into the music experience. It has a volume knob and supports major Bluetooth formats, which is standard in this kind of products nowadays. It also supports USB DAC functionality up to 16bit/48khz due to it its Qualcomm CSR8675 SoC.
The Qudelix 5K is made by a team of people who, according to sources, are the same ones who did the original EarStudio ES100 Bluetooth adapter. The Quidelix 5K is unique in that it uses the newer Qualcomm QCC5124 SoC versus the usual CSR8675 that others use. It also supports USB DAC mode up to 96Khz due to the improvements of the chip. It, again, uses dual ES9218p DACs, but sounds different due to the implementation used as well as their DSP processing. It sounds clean and not harsh. My only complaint is the button learning curve.
TRN BT20S Pro
The TRN BT20S Pro is the successor of the TRN BT20S. They now include their own charging case which replaces the Micro USB port on the units. The hooks are also replaceable shall they go bad or you’d like to switch from 2-pin to MMCX. Unfortunately, it doesn’t play well with my phone as the volume is too loud. They also still have some hissing noise that’s also noticeable in their previous versions.
The only Bluetooth transmitter I purchased last year was the Avantree DG80.
The Avantree DG80 supports aptX Low Latency, as seen on the FiiO BTR5 on the right. It is a small dongle that transmits audio from a PC or other devices supporting USB Audio Class 1 products. I’ve been an Avantree customer for some time due to their excellent transmitter and receiver devices, and their excellent support.
Last year, the only headphone acquired was the KZ ZAX.
The KZ ZAX uses 8 drivers per side, consisting of 1 dynamic driver and 7 Balanced Armatures. The sound profile is V-shaped. It sounds somewhat similar to the KZ ZS10 Pro, yet more refined and doesn’t have a metallic sound that the ZS10 Pro suffered from. The sound is clean too and I sometimes listen to this over the Hidizs MS4, which are the ones I use the most. They retrieve a lot of detail in the music despite their V-shaped signature. On the downside, they do not isolate sound as well.
Late in 2019, I ordered the NiceHCK Spiral tips, which I received early in 2020. Later in the year I ordered some tips from AZLA.
NiceHCK Spiral Tips
The NiceHCK Spiral tips have a spiral form in them. I ordered them after comparing them to other tips and making the nozzle close to the ears. The sound isolation is very good and improves bass in most cases.
I brought these tips accidentally, because it resembled the bass tips of the Hidizs MS4. Turns out the nozzle stays far from the ear, but they did improve the sound stage.
AZLA SednaEarFit Xelastec
Made from a different material than silicone, these have a sticky feeling. I wrote a more detailed review of these that you can find here.
And that was my 2020 in music gear. In my next post, I’ll talk about my acquisitions for 2021 that I will be reviewing as I receive them.
I haven’t received most of the products above, so keep looking forward to my reviews over the year too along with my new 2021 gear!
This is a Bluetooth adapter that works as a PC audio card. It transmits audio via Bluetooth using the SBC, FastStream, aptX, or aptX Low Latency codec, depending on which codecc your headphone or adapter supports. Having the aptX codec provides us with a better audio experience.
The aptX Low Latency codec allows us to watch movies and videos without any audio delay. Most Bluetooth receivers today support this codec and having a transmitter with it makes us take advantage of this.
The DG80 packaging is small and simple.
We can see the adapter along with its manual and documentation behind.
We can see the transmitter is really small.
Finally, we have the included documentation.
Using the transmitter
Using this transmitter is as simple as plugging it into a USB port and going into pairing mode.
We can see Windows detects it as Avantree DG80.
The transmitter has a bit depth and sample rate of 16bit/48khz, which is common with these adapters.
I paired it with my Fiio BTR5 and we can see it is using the aptX Low Latency codec.
Here’s a video of the pairing process of the adapter:
Becuase this transmitter uses a Qualcomm chipset, the sound quality is realy great, thanks to its support of the aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs.
Avantree claims the adapter will work up to 30 meters or 100 feet. This may be true unless there are some obstacles in the way. In my tests with the Whooshi adapter, known to have signal issues, I was able to listen to music while I was in the same room. However, going away I could hear the audio getting cut. If you’re looking for the best signal range, the Avantree DG60 is a better choice.
If you still do not have a USB Bluetooth audio transmitter, the Avantree DG80 is a good start. It’s small, portable, and cheap. It also supports the aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs to provide excellent audio quality.
Today, I’ll be reviewing the TRN BT20 Bluetooth adapter for 2-pin In-Ear Monitors (IEM):
The TRN BT20 is a Bluetooth 5.0 adapter that is available in 3 different versions:
The version I purchased is the 2-pin 0.78mm for my KZ ZS7 IEM’s.
The adapter syncs together to bring you stereo sound. It uses a Realtek Bluetooth 5.0 SoC that while it is not specified which specific chipset it’s being used, I suspect it may be using the Realtek RTL8763B.
Because of it using a Realtek chipset, it doesn’t support the aptX audio codec, but it does support AAC along with SBC. This means that when paired with an iPhone or Android device, it should use AAC instead of SBC, and for backward compatibility, the SBC codec will be chosen if a device lacks the AAC codec.
The packaging is very simple, as can be seen in the following images:
Here, you can see the sides:
And here you can see the back:
To open it, you have to slide the box outside:
Opening the box, both pieces of the TRN BT20 are revealed:
As you can see, they are very well protected and can be easily taken out:
Continuing unboxing the box, we need to take out the cable and manuals which are after taking out the following:
There’s a Micro USB Y-Cable that allows us to charge both Bluetooth pieces at the same time:
Finally, we have the manual, warranty card, and the card that says it passed quality checks:
Using the TRN BT20 with the KZ ZS7
I was using my KZ ZS7 IEMs with a Revonext 3.5mm 3-button cable before using this TRN BT20 Bluetooth adapter.
I removed the IEM from the cable so that I can plug them in the adapters:
Plugging them was straightforward and they are tightly attached:
This is a part where these don’t work well with my ears and the KZ ZS7.
This adapter is supposed to be hanged behind the ears:
Unfortunately, My KZ ZS7 doesn’t get sealed in my ear and the TRN BT20 pushes them out, so I’m using them without hanging them behind my ears:
They are not heavy and now my KZ ZS7 seals fine in my ears. I think if TRN releases a version of the BT20 with a larger ear hook, then they may fit better. Otherwise, I don’t have a problem using them this way.
Pairing the TRN BT20 with my phone was extremely easy. You just turn it on and it will enter in pairing mode automatically. From there, you can choose it in your phone and it will pair:
I haven’t yet discharged the TRN BT20 battery entirely, as I don’t listen to music at loud volumes. My Android phone reports 50% of battery left after about 3 hours of continuous usage. The volume is set around 1/4 of the slider and that produces a comfortable audio level to my liking. Past it, and it’s too loud. As mentioned above, the TRN BT20 supports the AAC audio codec which my phone is using. Because of this, charging normally takes around 45 minutes (Remember I have not discharged this completely). I’m not using the supplied cable to charge them. Rather, I’m using the UGREEN Micro USB Y cable:
There’s one side that will always charge faster because one side acts as a receiver while the other is receiving and transmitting the audio to the other BT20 side. I have paired the left adapter to my phone so that one takes a couple of more minutes to finish charging.
I’m actually surprised by the quality of these. I think, personally, that the TRN BT20 has an advantage given that it uses a Realtek SoC on both sides. This means each side is decoding its own audio channel. This is similar to how balanced DACs work, in that each DAC decodes a specific channel. This has the advantage of improving the sound stage and channel separation. That’s exactly what I’m experiencing with the TRN BT20. The tonality is just awesome.
Because each side is decoding their own corresponding audio channel, I feel this improves the sound separation much like how balanced DACs work, except that there are no cables around.
It’s true that the TRN BT20 doesn’t support aptX nor LDAC, but given its ability to decode AAC, the audio quality is of very good quality. Even using the SBC codec, I find the quality to be amazing.
There’s a bit of a hiss when used with sensitive IEM’s, but it’s way less than other Bluetooth adapters, especially those that are not using dedicated audio DAC’s in their implementations. The sound quality is not degraded because of this, but I’m sure some may not like the hissing.
Overall, I’m pleased with the sound quality, and I’m using this Bluetooth adapter rather than my USB DACs with their cables.
I’ve been using the TRN BT20 with my Samsung Galaxy S9+, where it uses the AAC audio codec. The sound quality is excellent.
I also tested this with my HiBy R3 and Hidizs AP80 which I use as a DAC and Bluetooth transmitter to transmit my PC audio to the BT20. In this case, the SBC codec is used, as Hiby OS does not support transmitting AAC audio yet, although HiBy replied to a comment saying they may add this in a future firmware.
I normally set the volume between 7 to 13. Going up, it is too loud.
The only problem I found is that when using some Qualcomm transmitters with Windows, the volume will be extremely loud.
At around $33-34 on Amazon, you can’t go wrong with the TRN BT20. They do not have aptX, but their ability to decode AAC means the audio quality is not compromised.
The use of Realtek on both sides means each side decodes their own channel audio, which can improve the sound separation and sound stage.
There’s a bit of hissing which could be distracting for some, but it’s not very noticeable compared to other adapters.
The battery life is great and will last some hours. Charging should take at maximum 2 hours, but it charges in way less than that, having a 70mAh battery on each side, and charging at about 50mAh, it should take about an hour and a few minutes.
Unfortunately, it’s the fitting that didn’t work for me, but this part is one that depends on the IEM’s being used and your ears.
I’d rate this 4 out of 5, that last star being because of it not playing nice with my ears.
You can get the TRN BT20 on Amazon. Select the version that is compatible with your IEMs:
Unboxing and overview of PLUB: Bluetooth Headphone Adapter
In this post, I’ll show you a video of me unboxing the PLUB, which is a Bluetooth Headphone Adapter.
The Bluetooth adapter features Qualcomm aptX audio codec, so the audio quality is really good compared to the plain old SBC. The way you use this is simply by connecting a headphone/earphone to it.
The adapter also features no buttons except for the Reset one and that’s it. No power up, volume, or multi-function buttons are there. So you may wonder, how does it turn on?
The PLUB works entirely by using your headphone buttons. Just plug it in, and it will power on. Once it’s powered on, you use the headphone buttons to control your device. For example, to change the volume, you just press the headphone volume buttons as you normally would do. To play music, you just press the function button of the headphones. The PLUB effectively recognizes these signals and sends the commands to your devices.
There’s also no USB connection. Then, how do you charge it? Using the same 3.5mm jack! Yup, the PLUB comes with a USB to 3.5mm similar to how the iPod Shuffle would charge. Just plug the 3.5mm into the PLUB and connect the USB cable and let it charge. You can track the progress by checking the LED color.
Yesterday, I received the PLUB in the mail, and you guess what I first did: The Unboxing video.
You can watch it here:
Overall, I’m very satisfied with this device.
I’ll see if I make another video demonstrating how it works because it’s really a simple device and I really like it due to its simplicity.
Hope you enjoyed this video!
The new and improved Avantree Clipper Pro (Batch 17F1)
Today, I’ll talk about the new batch of the Avantree Clipper Pro:
The Avantree Clipper Pro is an aptX Low Latency-enabled Bluetooth adapter that turns wired headphones into wireless bluetooth.
As a tester of Avantree, I get products from the company to evaluate and give feedback, and this time, they kindly sent me this revision, 17F1.
New to this batch is new voice notifications, replacing the power on, pairing, and power off beeps and the volume buttons no longer have any delay (the previous revisions had a 1-second delay when pressing the buttons). Yay!
The Avantree Clipper Pro is a Bluetooth adapter where you connect your headphones to it to turn them into Bluetooth. It is an amazing adapter because there are still some really good headphones that are only available wired, or they also have Bluetooth connectivity but lacks the aptX audio codec which this Bluetooth adapter has. It has aptX and aptX Low Latency codecs, so when watching videos, as long as the device you’re using also supports the aptX Low Latency codec, you will not notice lip-syncing issues. Otherwise, the adapter will work only in aptX mode or in SBC mode. This adapter is also Bluetooth v4.2!
I use this adapter with my JBL Synchros S200, which are by far my favorite in-ear headphones, having tried other headphone brands and me not satisfied with the sound, I decided to get this Bluetooth adapter to turn the S200 into Bluetooth.
Before I got the Avantree Clipper Pro, I previously owned the Jabees IS901 both the v3.0 and the v4.1 versions. Of those 2, the v3.0 sounded a little better than the v4.1. Unfortunately, I lost it at the airport. I think I left it in the airplane while I was picking up my carry-on baggage, so I decided to buy the newest model, the Jabees IS901 v4.1. It has to be noted that the v3.0 model was accidentally dropped into a cup filled with Sprite/7up and it survived XD. I really liked that model, but it was replaced with the v4.1 version… So the Jabees v4.1 arrived and it was an “improvement” from the v3.0. Now the Jabees IS901 v4.1 talks, saying “Power On”, “Pairing”, “Maximum Volume” and lots of more messages, but unfortunately, it didn’t last long. First, the 3.5mm headphone jack became bad, so I dismounted the adapter attempting to fix it, and I did! The audio was fixed, but a few days later, the battery suddenly died. It would only work when the Jabees IS901 v4.1 was connected to the micro-USB cable, so I got rid of the now non-functional Jabees IS901. (Jabees, if you’re reading this, I still like your products 🙂 Don’t take it personally)
After looking up on Amazon for other Bluetooth Adapters, that’s where I noticed the Avantree Clipper Pro, and the aptX Low Latency codec, along with the Usable when Charging feature were the factors that made me get this, as the Jabees IS901 would disconnect and turn off when I plugged in the charger. The Avantree Clipper Pro doesn’t have this issue. Yay! The battery should last up to 6 hours but I’ve still haven’t got the low battery warning after continuously listening to music.
Pairing the adapter was as simple as pressing the MFB button for a few seconds, and I paired it with my 2 phones, a Samsung Galaxy Note Edge, which should have the aptX codec, and the Blu R1 HD, which doesn’t mention the aptX codec anywhere and is unlikely that it has the codec. In both cases, the sound came beautifully, almost like if I were listening to the music completely wired, with no noticeable quality loss. I then paired this with my Windows 10 computer (which, according to Microsoft, has the aptX codec) and started listening to Music CD (yes, I still buy Music CD and have a beautiful Music CD collection 🙂 ). Wow!!! I must say, I’m really impressed with this adapter! The sound was also excellent with no noticeable quality loss.
Oh, and did I mention that when you plug this adapter into your PC by using a Micro USB cable that passes data (the Micro USB cable that comes with this Bluetooth Adapter is just a charging cable) you can use this as a wired USB audio device? Yes! You read that well! Basically this is a 2-in-1 product. It works as a Bluetooth adapter or you can plug this in your PC and it will work as a USB Audio Output device. Nice bonus!
Here you can see the Avantree Clipper Pro when connected in Bluetooth and with USB. When you connect the Clipper Pro with a Micro USB cable, it will show as CSRA64215 USB Headset and you can disable the Bluetooth in your PC and continue to listen to music or watching movies just using a USB cable.
So, my thoughts on this adapter in a few words: Get it! This is a very simple adapter that delivers CD-like quality thanks to its aptX and aptX Low Latency codec, is usable while charging, and works as a USB Audio Adapter as well. If you have a pair of headphones you like so much and you haven’t found a Bluetooth equivalent for them, give this adapter a try and you’ll not be disappointed.
You can get this adapter on the following link:
Here is my Unboxing video of this adapter. Hope you like it!
NOTE: This is my honest review and I wasn’t paid nor was sent this adapter for free to write this review. I usually buy new stuff on Amazon to make unboxing videos and write reviews.
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Denver, Colorado 2021-11-25 00:54:17 –
Idaho Springs, Colorado — Colorado families wanted accountability after Idaho Springs police officers tasted their older loved ones. Instead, they feel disappointed and disappointed.
“The end result of this is that we are not going to get justice,” said Sheri Clarke, Michael Clarke’s daughter-in-law.
This week, Sheri Clark said she and her family learned that police officers charged with criminal charges in their father-in-law’s case were offered a judicial deal with fewer chargers.
“I don’t think it’s fair to Michael at all,” she said.
on May 30A police officer in Idaho Springs was called into a housing complex by a woman who claimed that 75-year-old Michael Clarke had beaten her during a noise conflict.
Body camera footage of the incident, taken by Denver 7 in July, showed police officers asking the woman and then knocking on the old man’s door. Michael Clarke can be seen opening the door with a vow of collectibles, being asked by a police officer, and then cleaning it up.
The moment Michael Clarke returns to the door frame of his unarmed apartment, Officer Nicholas Hanning uses him a taser gun. The video later shows Michael Clarke being dragged to the floor of an apartment building.
so Press release Beginning in July, the Idaho Springs Police Department announced that Hanning had been dismissed in the case and was charged with three criminal charges for a class 6 felony, an adult at risk.
Sheri Clark said she felt that the charges would have been higher at that time.
“If this was your dad, would you raise the same charges?” Said her daughter-in-law.
NS Federal Civil Rights Proceedings It was also submitted on behalf of the old man during the summer.
The Fifth District Attorney’s Office told Denver7 that it could not confirm whether Hanning was offered a judicial transaction, but said the unresolved proceedings could change.
according to Colorado lawIf Hanning is convicted of at least three assaults, he will be disqualified to remain a state officer. Each state has its own standards for who can and cannot be officers.
Hanning’s next court day is scheduled for November 30th.He has another name Proceedings of excessive force It was submitted in September on behalf of the hearing impaired who alleged unnecessary force and illegal imprisonment due to the 2019 arrest.
Family worries for outcome of criminal case against former officer Source link Family worries for outcome of criminal case against former officer

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View Full Version : WTB Small rifle primers in SoCal
04-18-2009, 6:16 PM
Let me know what you have. Thanks.
04-18-2009, 6:24 PM
GL- tough goings out there right now.
04-18-2009, 6:49 PM
there is a wtb forum. FYI.
04-18-2009, 7:17 PM
i sell ya 1 box of CCI #41 for 1 gold bar.
04-19-2009, 10:09 AM
I have some small rifle magnum Wolf, I'd like to trade them for some 7.62x39 brass if you have some. If not I'd be more than happy to help out a local Calguner.
04-19-2009, 1:09 PM
if you don't mind the wait and hazmat fees cabelas is only 1-2 weeks backorder on primers.
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text:
Apr 3, 2013 ... David Lynch and Russell Brand Join Forces for “Meditation in ... Pomp and
Circumstance: Harnessing the Power of Lynch's Pomp and Brand's ...
www.ask.com/youtube?q=David Lynch And Russell Brand Join ?&v=M8-AHTcO2G8
Nov 10, 2014 ... http://davidlynchfoundation.org Taken from an in-depth interview from David
Lynch Foundation Executive Director and Transcendental ...
www.ask.com/youtube?q=David Lynch And Russell Brand Join ?&v=CCyK2FnIjio
Dec 17, 2012 ... Russell Brand stand up at David Lynch Foundation gala supports
Transcendental Meditation Find out more at http://tmcityandeastlondon.com/
A LETTER FROM RUSSELL BRAND TO YOU THE READER Last year, ... Please
help support David Lynch's Foundation by DONATING and JOINING MY TEAM ...
Dec 13, 2010 ... US combat veterans join Clint Eastwood and Russell Brand in praising technique
at launch of Operation Warrior Wellness.
Nov 29, 2011 ... David Lynch Foundation vice-president Bob Roth asked Brand if he ... 3, Brand
will join actress Ellen DeGeneres and Def Jam's Russell ...
Oct 18, 2016 ... Russell Brand, who says TM helped him stay sober, calls it "a shower for your
brain." And gray-pompadoured film director David Lynch—whose ...
Mar 20, 2011 ... POSTER BOY Russell Brand, left, with David Lynch at a Met fund-raiser in
December ... David Lynch explains Transcendental Meditation at his fundraiser.
.... Turkey's Push to Join Battle for Mosul Inflames Tension With Iraq ...
Apr 16, 2015 ... Russell Brand, Twin Peaks and other alternative films to see at a cinema ...
Director Michael Winterbottom and controversial comedian Russell Brand join
forces ... David Lynch's prequel to his cult television series Twin Peaks ...
Between 2007-2009 the iconic American director David Lynch made a series of
trips to 16 countries in Europe and the Middle East to talk about Transcendental ...


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Faithful 1.4.4 Texture Pack – Faithful Texture Pack for Minecraft 1.4.4.This is 64×64 resolutions pack, so Faithful Texture pack a double resolution texture pack that stays faithful to the original Minecraft textures. This is one of those texture packs that everyone should have in their minecraft game , because its unique a very fun .. Makes your Minecraft 1.4.4 very interesting and fun.If you want to download Faithful 1.4.4 Texture Pack Minecraft 1.4.4 see download link below and install instructions.This mod was created by Vattic Faithful 1.4.4 Texture Pack Minecraft 1.4.4
Faithful 1.4.4 Texture Pack Update
This texture pack now has update and compatible with the latest minecraft 1.4.4. if you talking about Faithful texture pack, you talk about a classic yeah very classic. If you want to install this texture pack you need to MCPatcher HD Fix, in this Faithful 1.4.4 Texture Pack have some update like :
- Iron block
- Gold block
- Diamond block
Faithful 1.4.4 Texture Pack Installations for Minecraft 1.4.4
- Download and install OptiFine or patch with MCPatcher HD
- Click the “options” tab in McPatcher and select all of the water and lava to be default.
- Then Open “mods” and click patch.
- Download Faithful pack and then drag it into .minecraft texturepack folder.


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MP3 The DOC Band - Matt Ross - GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel
Gospel Rock music that was made to worship God and to support the work that He is doing here on earth.
9 MP3 Songs
GOSPEL: Contemporary Gospel, ROCK: Modern Rock
The DOC Band is a dynamic group of professional musicians who came together through Catching Life Christian Church in Chicago and who seamlessly mix gospel, rock, and jazz to create a high energy performance. While carrying out their careers in Music, these musicians had agreed to help form a band for the weekly worship services of this progressive church which uses the contemporary Rock, Gospel and Jazz Fusion sounds to form a spirited atmosphere. The DOC Band is committed to living lives of extravagant worship while they bring others into the presence of God.
Drawing on Chicago''s best, this music was made to worship God and to support the work that He is doing here on earth. Who Am I? (track #5) received an honorable mention in the 2004 International Christian Songwriting Contest! Lead by Matt Ross, all of the songs are original and communicate an honest approach to worshiping God. Matt, a professional guitarist and singer/songwriter in Chicago, is the Music Director at Catching Life and has spent many years developing his craft. A jazz studies major from DePaul University, Matt has recorded for and played in all kinds of different bands that have influenced a unique musical approach to his worship.
Bassist Chris Clemente humbly took the time to produce, record, mix, sing, and play on the new cd. Chirs is an accomplished musician who has established himself as a dominant figure in the music scene for decades. Many others have contributed to the creation of this album, and it is nothing short of a miracle. Maturing in Christ and following where He leads has proven to be an incredible ride.
A portion of the proceeds from this album will go to support Bridge of Hope, a prostitution outreach ministry on the West side of Chicago. To find out more about this important ministry, visit https://www.tradebit.com.


text:
Krauthammer: Boehner Clearly Never Had Any Power
House John Boehner (R-Ohio) will hold his job, but continue to be a weak leader of his caucus in the wake of the shutdown, Charles Krauthammer said on Fox News Thursday.
Trending on Townhall Media
Public Unions Have No Business Existing: Even FDR Admitted That
Mexico's Immigration Law: Let's Try It Here at Home | Human Events
Science journal Nature finds assigning gender by the genitals one is born with 'has no foundation in science'
Another Company Throwing Its Weight Behind Gun Control
No Deal: Democrats Have Devised A Way To Dilute Trump’s Judicial Picks
Uh oh: Private GOP poll finds Republican lead in Mississippi Senate race down to five points
Michigan Descends Into Dhimmitude As Federal Judge Rules Congress Can't Outlaw FGM


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Beeswax Wraps! A fantastic alternative to Clingfilm or single-use plastics. Produced locally using Beeswax supplied by Wyefield Apiariers and material from Bobbins of Brecon.
Wash in warm soapy water (not hot), if they dry out, put on a baking tray on baking paper in a low oven, the wax will re-disperse or grate a little natural beeswax on top.
They are also biodegradable so once they have been used to the max they can be placed in a compost bin!


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ATHENS – Charges by a former board member of the Hellenic Statistical Authority (ELSTAT) that the government deliberately inflated the size of the 2009 economic deficit has prompted an investigation into possible wrongdoing and a criminal complaint that its former vice president, Nikos Logothetis, hacked into the e-mail account of the authority’s President, Andreas Georgiou.
Logothetis denied the charges and his lawyer said he was set up because he was critical of the board’s procedures.
Zoi Georganta, who, along with the rest of the board apart from Georgiou, was forced to resign by Finance Minister Evangelos Venizelos, told local media that ELSTAT, after being pressured by the European Union’s statistical agency Eurostat, inflated the 2009 revised deficit from about 12-13% to 15.4% to insure that Greece would have to adopt strict austerity measures to get a $152 billion rescue loan package from the EU, International Monetary Fund and European Central Bank.
Georganta, a professor of econometrics, said the higher deficit figure was made possible by including expenditures from public utilities in the general government spending. Some workers in that utility are now going to be put into a labor reserve board at 60% of their salaries and face firing in a year as Greece seeks to pare down its workforce as a condition of getting more aid. Georganta said the calculation method conflicted with Eurostat practices and that critical studies and statistical calculations were not used. Her allegations have led to the intervention of Financial Prosecutor Grigoris Peponis. Another prosecutor, Popi Papandreou, was assigned to conduct a preliminary investigation to see if any crimes were committed.
“The 2009 deficit was artificially inflated to show that the country had the biggest fiscal shortfall in all of Europe, even higher than Ireland’s, which was 14 percent,” said Georganta. A political battle over the 2009 deficit figures led Greece to ask its partners in the Eurozone of other countries using the euro as a currency for a bailout but that has backfired and helped push Greece into a deep recession. Logothetis’ lawyer, Michalis Dimitrakopoulos, told Skai TV that Logothetis is the victim of a political vendetta because he objected to the way that Georgiou was running the statistics service, and that Greece’s final deficit figure for 2009 was much higher than it should have been.
(Sources: Kathimerini, ANA)


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Urbana building ID
Posted in the Urbana Forum
#1 Jun 14, 2012
Would anyone know what the business was that occupied the building near the Howard Paper Mill and just south of the nearby Urbana water tower? More specifically, the lat./long. coordinates are:
+40° 6' 40.04",-83° 45' 29.23"
Thanks in advance.
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|Title:||Characterization of mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties of novel aerogel composites||Authors:||Sachithanadam, Mahesh||Keywords:||DRNTU::Engineering::Materials::Material testing and characterization||Issue Date:||2016||Source:||Sachithanadam, M. (2016). Characterization of mechanical, thermal and acoustic properties of novel aerogel composites. Doctoral thesis, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore.||Abstract:||Silica aerogels (SA) are very light and highly porous materials that are intriguingly and complexly networked with large internal surface area, high hydrophobicity with extremely low density and thermal conductivity. These features make them an ideal choice for applications as thermal and acoustics insulators or as optical, electrical and energy storing devices. However, their exploitation for a wider spectrum of applications is inhibited primarily by their brittleness, which also makes processing and handling of SA difficult. While there are hybrid SAs doped with polymers, ceramics or metals in the market, the improvements in their properties are often compromised with significant increase in density and reduction in thermal insulation performance. The aim of this PhD research is to develop SA based composites fabricated via binder treatment methods namely, ‘froth and mix’ (FM) and ‘freeze drying’ (FD) that are hydrophobic, lightweight with enhanced mechanical, thermal and acoustics properties while retaining the unique properties of SA granules through careful selection of constituent materials and additives to customize significant improvement in individual property. In this research, Gelatin, a water-soluble polymer (WSP) with numerous side chains, which has the versatility to be functionalized with other materials, was used as the main binder. Additives such as sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and COOH functionalized multi wall carbon nanotubes (FMWNTs) were added to achieve specific results. The gelatin silica aerogel (GSA) based composites have shown; i) an increase in strain recovery of up to 90% under 45% compressive strain; ii) thermal conductivities in the range from 0.016 to 0.030 W/m-K resulting in a reduction of 7% as compared to SA granules; iii) super-hydrophobicity averaging 155±10° in contact angle when doped FMWNT; and, iv) balanced acoustic absorber and barrier qualities with up to 20 decibels reduction in transmission. The above outcomes were achieved through numerous experiments validated through the development of predictive and statistical models for the composites properties. Negligible amounts of up to 0.67 wt% SDS and up to 0.084 wt% FMWNTs were added during fabrication of GSA composites with mass fractions ranging from 0.1/0.9 wt% to 0.5/0.5 wt%. The dependency of process variables involved were studied and investigated in the development of the associated mechanical properties through Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) model. The optimal strain recovery with the associated compressive modulus, strength and density were established using the experimental data. The optimized composition of 0.56 wt% SDS regardless of gelatin content were tested and validated with the derived statistical models. The test data presented from these composites was analogous to ‘creep-like’ behavior of a material, typically identified as the primary, secondary and tertiary stages. The rationale and mechanisms behind the ‘creep-like’ behavior were explained using various schematic diagrams and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectrometer (EDX) images. X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy/Electron Spectroscopy for Chemical Analysis (XPS/ESCA) was studied to determine the active elements that facilitate the binding between the aerogels and gelatin/SDS mixture. In the next phase of study, a two-term Gaussian function predictive model was developed as a function of the distribution of aerogel granule size and was extended to derive the predictive models for the thermal properties of the composites. The effects of FMWNT on the GSA and GSA-SDS composite properties were studied and compared. Hydrophobicity, an intrinsic feature for water-resistant and self-cleaning material was observed to be highly prevalent in FMWNT composites. Finally, the acoustic absorption characteristics of the SA granules, GSA-SDS and GSA-SDS/FMWNT composites were investigated. The best absorptive SA granules were then used in fabricating the GSA-SDS and GSA-SDS/FMWNT with single configuration but in various thicknesses. It was observed that maximum absorption occur between 2300 and 2950 Hz which coincides with the most sensitive frequency range for the human ears. From the results, an ‘Inferential Method’ was developed to determine the transmission loss of the specimens and compared with sound meter measurements.||URI:||http://hdl.handle.net/10356/66245||Fulltext Permission:||restricted||Fulltext Availability:||With Fulltext|
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Politics of Wednesday, 25 December 2013
2012 flag bearer of the Progressive People’s Party (PPP,) Dr. Papa Kwesi Nduom, has expressed hope that better days are ahead for the country as it is being ushered into the New Year, 2014.
He has, therefore, enjoined all those in leadership positions to fight and work hard to improve the living conditions of workers, the poor, aged and children.
Below is Dr. Nduom’s full statement
My wishes for a better Ghana in 2014
I wish to join together with All Ghanaians to give thanks to God Almighty for His grace, guidance and forgiveness. Through all our challenges, He has kept this country together. Truly, the year 2013 has been a challenging one. Indeed, “Ghanamanfo Abre.” I continue to believe that we are a chosen people put on this special piece of land we call Ghana. Otherwise, how could we waste some of the best human and other natural resources such as gold, diamond, bauxite, oil, manganese, etc., and still have hope for a better Ghana? Truly, God has been Good to the Ghanaian.
Under other circumstances, allegations of corruption, mismanagement and theft of both public and private resources as have been alleged in Ghana would have caused massive upheaval and unrest. But we Ghanaians have been spared. The sins of our leaders – government, public service, religious and business people have not been visited on the people. Our people have absorbed hikes in prices of electricity, water, petroleum products, VAT and are hoping for best. We are a special people.
I remain hopeful that better days are ahead of us. As a result, I have some serious wishes for 2014:
1. That all of us in leadership positions in the country fight and work hard to improve the living conditions of workers, the poor, aged and children.
2. That when we the people complain about difficulties that confront us as we live in our own country, leaders in government will show us some respect and talk to us in a manner to give us hope for a better tomorrow.
3. That President John D. Mahama will ensure that the 1992 Constitution is amended to allow the people to lead their own District/Municipal/Metropolitan Chief Executives.
4. That President John D. Mahama will ensure that the 1992 Constitution is amended to separate the Office of Attorney-General from the Ministry of Justice so that the Independent Prosecutor can lead a serious effort in the war against corruption.
5. That our country men and women will find it in their hearts to support Ghanaian enterprises to become stronger, more prosperous and that our government will support them through the judicious use of its purchasing power.
I wish all Ghanaians, our President, religious and private business leaders, good health, tolerance for each other’s opinions and a good life in 2014.
By the Grace of God.
Papa Kwesi Nduom
December 21, 2013

domain: sociology


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If you find subway rats to be more creepy than cute, a new study suggests you're right to be afraid. This research claims to be the very first look into the potential diseases our fair city's street-rodents carry, and the picture is pretty grim.
For the study, published today in the open-access journal mBio, researchers from Columbia University's Center for Infection and Immunity collected 133 Norway rats from five different sites in midtown and lower Manhattan. The researchers then tested the rats for a variety of bacteria and viruses that could lead to human diseases. Almost all of the rats (119/133) tested positive for at least one mammalian pathogen; researchers found nearly 20 different pathogens within the rat group as a whole.
Clostridium difficile: This one, referred to more often as C. diff, can cause nasty, drug-resistant infections. Usually, these occur in hospitals when patients' immune systems are already somewhat compromised. C. diff can be treated in many cases by a controversial procedure known as fecal microbiota transplantation.
Streptobacillus moniliformis: This is one of two bacteria known to cause a little something called Rat Bite Fever. As the name implies, it can be transmitted through bites or scratches from an infected rodent, but you can also get it from simply handling infected animals. But, it isn't spread between humans. The disease is effectively treated by antibiotics, but can be deadly if left untreated.
Although we don't know for sure how or how often transmission of these and the other subway-rat diseases could occur, lead author Cadhla Firth, PhD says it could happen in many ways. For one thing, rats leave pathogens behind in a variety of little presents for us, such as their saliva, feces, and urine. And, let's be real: Subway rats treat our public transport system as their living room, bedroom, and bathroom. So, fellow New Yorkers, let us all keep our hand sanitizer handy — and maybe leave our shoes at the door when we get home.

domain: biology


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e-mail: [email protected] address: 402 aries street waterkloof ridge, pretoria, 0181. directions once on the n1, you need to take rigel off ramp. from there follow the road and turn right into aries street – follow the road. we are number 402 on your left hand side.
Official Edinburgh Castle Website | Buy Tickets & Plan
edinburgh castle is a fitting backdrop to unforgettable corporate events and private dining experiences, the setting of exquisite weddings and civil ceremonies or the finest hospitality before the world-famous military tattoo. email us. lines open: 9.30am - 6pm gmt (apr - sept)

domain: travel


We’re turning the airwaves Upside Down with Set It Off this Friday. Your favorite Florida pop rockers are ready to release their third full length, and they’re bringing it to the idobi airwaves for a Release Day Listening Party that’s gonna be Uncontrollable.
The guys grab our mics at 7PM ET this Friday, October 7 to celebrate by playing the album in full for us on the day it drops. If you don’t tune in, you’ll Never Know their exclusive stories from the studio, or learn about the guys’ personal connection with the songs.
Between tracks that shine bright like a Diamond Girl, Cody, Dan, Zach and Maxx will tell you everything—from the track that almost didn’t happen, to the “dummy lyrics” title, to the meanest, angriest song they’ve ever put out.
So tune in and get ready to party, because with Set It Off in studio, it’s sure to be a good time. It all goes down at 7PM ET this Friday, and don’t forget to bring a notebook: you’ll want to share these stories with your friends while you jam the album all weekend long.
Tune in to idobi Radio this Friday, October 7 at 7PM ET to hear Set It Off host their Release Day Listening Party and play their brand new record Upside Down in full: ido.bi/player
Tags: Release Day Listening Party, Set It Off, Upside Down


Cicuta douglasii, the western water hemlock, is a poisonous plant in the family Apiaceae. It is a perennial plant that grows in wet places such as marshes, stream banks, slough margins, ditches, meadows, and wet pastures. The roots are thick and tuberous, with many smaller tubers on the main tuber, allowing survival in wet conditions. Water hemlock is most abundant in British Columbia, and is indigenous to North America, where it grows primarily from the base of the Rocky Mountains to the Pacific coast, stretching from Alaska all the way to California. Water requirements limit this plant from inhabiting open rangelands.
Characteristics of water hemlock include its stem, which is 0.5–2 meters tall with purplish spots, thick roots, and alternate leaves that are compound pinnate. The leaflets are usually 5–8 cm long and 1–2 cm wide, with jagged edges. Its inflorescences are compound umbellate with many small, white flowers. There are two seeds per flower. Seed dispersal is by means of wind, water, machinery, clothing, and through transported soil. The seeds germinate in spring, and flowers mature near the end of June and beginning of July. In addition to sprouting new plants from seeds, rootstocks can also produce new plants in the fall from the basal meristem. When these detach the following spring, they may form a new plant.
The main distinguishing characteristic of western water hemlock is its toxicity. Cicutoxin is the toxin that is produced, making water hemlock the most poisonous plant in North America. Cicutoxin is a yellowish liquid that is prevalent in the roots. This unsaturated alcohol has a major impact on the central nervous system of animals. Early symptoms of cicutoxin poisoning include excessive salivation, frothing at the mouth, nervousness, and incoordination. These symptoms can progress to tremors, muscular weakness, seizures and respiratory failure. Ingestion of green materials of western water hemlock in amounts equivalent to about 0.1% of a person's body weight can even lead to death. In addition to being extremely hazardous to humans, this plant has an enormous impact on animals. As little as 0.2–0.5% body weight for sheep, 0.1% body weight for cattle, 0.5% body weight for horses, and 0.3% body weight for swine can be lethal. Death can occur within fifteen minutes of ingesting the toxin. It is one of the first plants to emerge in springtime, and has a very appealing odor. These characteristics, along with the fact that it grows in moist areas, make the plant very attractive, but deadly, to grazing animals.
- Weeds BC (2005-07-13). "Water hemlock, Cicuta douglasii". Archived from the original on 2002-07-30. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- Saskatchewan Agriculture and food (2005-07-13). "Western water hemlock". Archived from the original on 2005-10-28. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)
- Block, N. (n.d.). (2005-07-13). "Cicuta douglasii (DC.) Coult. & Rose".
- Schep LJ, Slaughter RJ, Becket G, Beasley DM (April 2009). "Poisoning due to water hemlock". Clin Toxicol. 47 (4): 270–8. doi:10.1080/15563650902904332. PMID 19514873. S2CID 21855822.
- Ministry of agriculture, food & fisheries (2005-07-13). "Western water hemlock". Archived from the original on 2005-08-29. CS1 maint: discouraged parameter (link)


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Units of Russian forces are remaining in the city of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast, in southern Ukraine.
Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook
Details: Around 18:00 on the evening of Thursday, 23 March, the General Staff reported that "as of 22 March, all units of the occupation army stationed in the settlement of Nova Kakhovka in Kherson Oblast have left the city".
An hour and a half later, the General Staff refuted this statement.
Quote: "The occupiers still remain in Nova Kakhovka. Information about their alleged retreat from this settlement was shared as a result of an incorrect interpretation of the existing data."


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In this map you will find an old and abandoned house which appears to nearly fall apart. It’s perfect if you are looking for a house to spend your first nights in. Your goal could be to gather the necessary resources and craft the right tools to fix it up with new windows, doors and anything else that needs repairing.
It’s a really cool house which adds more fun to an otherwise ordinary infinite world.
How to install Abandoned House Map for Minecraft PE:
- 1. Download the map of your choice in Internet Browser on Android.
- 2. Go to MyFiles or Astro from Android Market: ASTRO File Manager
- 3. Then go to in the app /mnt/sdcard/downloads.
- 4. Extract the map if you have to and place it in /mnt/sdcard/games/com.mojang/minecraftWorlds

domain: game


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436 58th Street, West New York, nj 07093
Contact Our Office At (855) 208-3650 For A Free Phone Consultation
Mr. Bloom represented a West New York mother, an illegal immigrant, who was the principal caregiver of a young child. Mother had threatened to take the child out of the country and never permit the father to see the child again. The father went to court to seek custody of the child and prevent the woman from ever leaving the country. Mr. Bloom negotiated that the mother continues to be the parent where the child primarily lives. He was able to secure child support to benefit the infant and have the child receive medical care from the father. Additionally, Mr. Bloom got permission from the father to permit the mother and child to leave the country on vacation.
Our Bergen County attorney works with clients to determine the role that spousal maintenance should play in a final divorce settlement. Either the man or woman can receive alimony, depending on an analysis of the answers to questions such as those listed here. We also help clients who have lost their job or are unable to meet alimony obligations due to illness. We can evaluate your situation and explain what your options are in complying with support obligations in a down in economy.
A Secaucus father retained Mr. Bloom complaining that his children, who resided with the mother, were not treated properly and lived in unsanitary conditions. Mr. Bloom went to family court in Hudson County and, despite heated opposition by the mother and her attorney, was able to secure a transfer of custody of the minor children to their father. He was also able to have the wife undergo therapy, take parenting classes and clean up the environment where she lived. Thereafter, Mr. Bloom’s client consented to the return of the children to their mother knowing that they would be in a safe and healthy home.
A young Ridgefield bride with two children approached Mr. Bloom scared that her husband’s threats that she would be left on the street with no money, no car and no children would become a reality. Although involved in a short term marriage, the mother was not fluent in English, not well educated and her husband was an affluent entrepreneur. After a hotly contested series of negotiations, and numerous trips to court in Bergen County, Mr. Bloom was able to secure for his client the sole ownership of the family residence. He also negotiated that the husband would pay both outstanding mortgages on the property; provide health insurance for the children and wife as well as provide a luxury vehicle to the wife for ten (10) years, in addition to having the husband pay child support at levels far exceeding those required by the law. After several months, the now ex-wife, wanted to move to Florida. Again, after substantial negotiations, Mr. Bloom was able to facilitate the transfer of his client to Florida with the minor children as well as the Nanny that the father had been paying for.
In a nationally publicized case, Mr. Bloom was retained by a Union City single mother of a disabled child who was the beneficiary of a substantial medical malpractice verdict following her birth. After surviving for 22 years, the child unfortunately passed away without a Will. The father, who lived in New York, had no contact with the mother and never paid child support, appeared to claim his share of the inheritance. Although New Jersey did not have a law that was favorable to the mother and child support laws are usually interpreted to prohibit retroactive payments, Mr. Bloom defended the mother against the absentee father. After extensive arguments and lengthy briefs, the trial court Judge ruled in favor of the father and permitted him to collect ½ of the estate and not have to pay child support. Dissatisfied with this egregious result, Mr. Bloom appealed the issue to the Appellate Division. Unfortunately, the Appellate Division would not create a law that disinherited absentee parents. However, for the first time in a reported decision, the Appellate Division recognized that a parent might be entitled to retroactive child support under the appropriate circumstances. Previously Judges had ordered that a parent seeking child support will be awarded that support only retroactive to the date they filed papers with the court, and not to the date when the need for support arose. It is believed that this ruling will expand the ability of a parent to secure proper care and support for their child when confronted with a non-compliant parent.
An elderly man was estranged from his wife and forced to leave the family home. Although courts had ruled for years that he still had to provide alimony and maintain the home he did not live in, Mr. Bloom filed papers to reverse that trend. After a hearing, Mr. Bloom was able to secure an Order compelling the wife to either maintain all costs associated with the marital residence or that it be sold. This permitted the disabled client to eliminate the tremendous financial burden that had been draining all the money he had saved for his retirement.
A Bergen County woman, who served as a stay at home mom for many years, was suddenly confronted with her husband filing for divorce. The husband, who owned two (2) businesses as well as real estate, had been the primary provider for the entire family. The mother was anticipating being thrown out of the marital home and possibly losing custody of their child whom she could not provide for financially.
This case was originally handled by another law firm for over one (1) year. During that time numerous motions and filings were had with the Court just to determine visitation time of the two parents. Mr. Bloom took over the file and within weeks had orchestrated a detailed custody and parenting time plan that was acceptable to both parties. Within two and a half (2 ½) months, he helped secure the completion of a forensic analysis of the husband’s business and properties and, working through mediation, was able to craft a settlement of the divorce. Settlement resulted in his client being able to remain in the marital home with the young child. She was also given support that would permit her to pay the bills on the marital home and time to secure a job that would assist her in providing for herself and child in the future. Also, by resolving the matter without a trial, Mr. Bloom was able to save the parties saved tens of thousands of dollars in additional legal fees and costs.
A North Bergen mother of two (2) children wanted to relocate from New Jersey to another state with her fiancée and their baby. Unfortunately, the two (2) different fathers of her two (2) older children refused to permit her to leave. Mr. Bloom filed separate motions against each of the fathers to permit his client to leave New Jersey. After lengthy negotiations, one of the fathers consented to the move. The other, however, adamantly refused and a trial was held. Mr. Bloom presented evidence as to the tremendous benefits that child would have being with his mom and new family in their home state. After extensive testimony and presentation of evidence, the Court concurred that the move would benefit the child and an Order was granted permitting the mom to leave New Jersey.
Recently Mr. Bloom represented a Passaic resident who worked on a loading dock. After a truck had been fully loaded and was preparing to leave the dock Mr. Bloom’s client jumped out of the open bay, instead of taking the stairs, landing right behind the truck. The truck suddenly backed up pinning the gentlemen against the building causing the amputation of his leg. Despite that the client had jumped into a zone of danger putting himself at risk, Mr. Bloom was able to negotiate a settlement in excess $750,000.00 for the injured worker, in addition to a substantial settlement of the workers’ compensation case.
Mr. Bloom was retained by a man, who, in his third day of the job, was working for a roofing company when he suddenly fell fracturing his skull. The roofing company’s insurance carrier claimed that they did not provide insurance coverage and would not be responsible for the loss. The case involved substantial issues of independent contractor liability, relationships of casual employees, subcontractors and general contractors, as well as when architects go beyond the scope of their role and act as general contractors. After a lengthy trial Mr. Bloom was able to secure full benefits for his client, including payments of over $270,000.00 of medical bills and 1 ½ years of retroactive temporary disability.
An Accountant, seeking to save some money, wanted to install a fire door in his home. He ordered an appropriate door from Home Depot and, when he went to the store to pick it up, the door fell off the cart slicing several fingers on his dominant hand and causing nerve damage. Although Home Depot argued that the door had been properly loaded onto the cart and the accident was solely the result of the customer, Mr. Bloom was able to secure an award of $125,000.00 for the damage to the small finger of his client’s hand.
A super in a building was significantly injured when he fell on his head fracturing the orbit of his eye and sustaining severe neurological injury. The gentleman he worked for stated that he was not an employee and would not provide any workmen’s compensation benefits. That person also did not have insurance which would cover the loss. After an extensive trial in which Mr. Bloom’s client was on the witness stand for five (5) days, six (6) different doctors testified and a myriad of other experts and fact witnesses were presented to the Court, a Judge of compensation found that Mr. Bloom’s client was an employee and was entitled to workers’ compensation benefits. The Court ruled that the employer, which did not have insurance, had to pay all medical bills and permanent disability benefits to Mr. Bloom’s client from their own pocket. The result was Mr. Bloom’s client securing a substantial permanent disability award as well as the payment of tens of thousands of dollars for medical bills that were incurred by the client.
Please contact the Law Offices of Jeffrey M. Bloom today to schedule your consultation on family law, workers’ comp, or personal injury legal matters. We serve clients in West New York, and throughout Ridgewood, Bergen, and Hudson Counties, New Jersey – call (855) 208-3650.