text:
Sorare has secured an NFT licensing deal with the English Premier League.
The multi-million-pound deal will allow Sorare to sell digital sports cards of Premier League players.
The Premier League may acquire a stake in the crypto startup as part of the deal.
The deal was previously reported to be worth £30 million a year.
Paris-based blockchain startup Sorare has secured a licensing deal with the English Premier League to create and distribute NFTs or digital sports cards of players from all 20 football clubs in the league. The flagship football league’s digital collectibles deal comes at a time when the broader crypto industry is facing a brutal bear market that has eroded investors’ confidence.
Sorare strikes 4-year NFT deal with Premier League
According to a report by Financial Times, Sorare’s deal with the Premier League will last 4 years. The French blockchain-based fantasy gaming startup will be able to create and sell digital sports cards featuring football stars like Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Harry Kane of Tottenham Hotspur. The deal also has a provision for the League to acquire an equity stake in Sorare.
Every digital card will essentially be a non-fungible token (NFT) on the Ethereum blockchain. Users will be able to collect and trade the cards as well as use them in the fantasy football game. Although an accurate figure has not been disclosed, a report from last year valued the deal at nearly £30 million per year.
“The way that supporters follow their favorite teams and players is evolving and the Premier League is always looking for ways to engage with fans.”
Richard Masters, chief executive of the Premier League
Launched in 2018, Sorare quickly made a name for itself in the world of fantasy sports. It currently has a presence in the National Basketball Association (NBA) and Major League Baseball (MLB). The startup has reportedly attracted more than 3 million signups and was valued at $4.3 billion in 2021. Sorare counts Softbank and Accel among its investors who have invested $680 million so far. Football stars including Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappe serve as the startup’s ambassadors.

domain: game


text:
COLUMBIA, SC (WIS & THE BIG SPUR) - By John Del Bianco, TheBigSpur.com
Three weeks after announcing his intent to transfer from Clemson, defensive lineman Josh Belk has committed to South Carolina.
The Richburg, S.C. native, who was a four-star prospect, the No. 102 ranked player in the Class of 2018 by 247Sports Composite, and a U.S. Army All-American, announced the news on Friday night.
Belk decided to transfer from the Tigers just months after enrolling to Clemson due to personal reasons regarding his family and the desire to be closer to home as a result. Columbia and the Gamecocks are less than 60 miles down the road.
"I will be transferring from Clemson University. I appreciate the Clemson staff, fans and Coaching staff," Belk tweeted on May 16. "Thanks to Coach [Dabo] Swinney for the opportunity. Nothing bad to say about the University and my time there. Just feel that it's the best decision for my family and I."
"Circumstances in Mr. Belk's life have led him to request a full, unconditional release from Coach Swinney that was graciously granted by Coach Swinney and the University in a timely manner," Belk's attorney Everett B. Stubbs, III wrote in a prepared statement dated May 12.
The Tigers accepted Belk's commitment on January 29, 2017, beating out the long-favored Gamecocks. He was back on Carolina's campus last week (May 23), an unofficial visit to meet with head coach Will Muschamp and the rest of the football program.
"It went great," Belk told TheBigSpur.com. "Nothing changed. I would be in a great position to walk in and be a key guy to help the team. I had a good conversation with coach Muschamp about how much I can help the team. The coaches are still the fans towards me. They still want me. Showed that feelings never changed."
"I am thankful for the opportunity I had at Clemson University," Belk Tweeted in his announcement. "I am most thankful to the University of South Carolina coaches, staff and players for welcoming me into their program with open arms and allowing me the opportunity to play college football at the highest level of completion while being closer to my family. The University of South Carolina is home. I will be spending the remainder of my collegiate career wearing garnet and black in Columbia, SC playing football for Coach Will Muschamp and the USC Gamecocks. #SpursUp #musCHAMP #SEC"
Under normal circumstances Belk's transfer to South Carolina would require him to sit out the 2018 season and he would be eligible to play in the 2019 season. Hardship waivers to allow a transfer to play immediately have been granted by the NCAA in the past when a student-athlete's choice to transfer revolves around a family matter.
If the Gamecocks do decide to request a waiver, it would not be the first time Muschamp has been a part of the process.
He appealed for that waiver as the head coach at Florida when one of his players, Josh Shaw, elected to return home to Southern California for a family reasons. Shaw transferred to the University of Southern California and played out his career with the Trojans after the NCAA granted him a hardship waiver prior to the start of the 2012 season.
If Belk is granted to play the 2018 season he'll join an incoming class of defensive linemen that includes Kingsley Enagbare, Tyreek Johnson, Rick Sandidge, Jabari Ellis (JUCO signee), and Jesus Gibbs.
If he has to wait until the 2019 season to play he will be a redshirt freshman amongst currently committed linemen Zacch Pickens, Joseph Anderson, Rodricus Fitten, Jahkeem Green (JUCO prospect), and Devontae Davis (JUCO prospect).
Regardless, once enrolled over the summer Belk will be able to take part in all football activities, which includes preseason and in-season practices.

domain: news


text:
This is the DJ mix of music 4 the microglobe #19, the October 2014 edition as heard live on BLN.fm, cuebase-fm and XLTRAX on Thursday, October 16th. With several classics by legendary UK Techno act LFO Mijk van Dijk pays tribute to the late and great Mark Bell - one...
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domain: artistic


Humes manholes are extensively used throughout New Zealand. Made from strong, dense concrete, these manholes are capable of withstanding
infiltration and attack from corrosive environments.
Add to my enquiryShare via email
- Risers are made to AS4058 standard and the bases are cast to NZS 3109 with surface finish to NZS 3114 standard
- Available with a choice of traditional flush joint or a tongue-and-groove flush joint
- Diameter range DN1050 to DN2300 concrete lid designs are available for LD20, HD60 and HN-HO-72 live loads
- Lid load designs to support loads in excess of HN-HO-72 can be provided on request
- For rubber ring jointed 1050mm manholes, please refer to the Humeseal Manhole System product page


E-bikes have come a long way from their humble beginnings. Initially dismissed by many as a fleeting trend, they’ve proved their mettle by melding the tried-and-true mechanics of traditional bicycles with the promise of technology.
The result? A sustainable, efficient, and exhilarating mode of transport that’s taking the world by storm.
But what exactly makes up these marvels of modern mobility? To demystify it, we’ve broken down e-bike components into two distinct sections: those that have stood the test of time, borrowed from their pedal-powered ancestors, and those that are unique innovations of the electric era.
Let’s dive in!
- Electric Bike Components Borrowed from Traditional Bicycles
- E-Bike Components Unique to Only Electric Bikes
- Optional Electric Bike Components
Electric Bike Components Borrowed from Traditional Bicycles
The soul of any bicycle, the frame is where everything comes together.
E-bikes utilize similar frame designs as traditional bicycles, but often with reinforced materials to handle the additional weight and stress of a motor and battery.
While there are special frames uniquely designed for e-bikes, many are inspired by the classic geometries that have been time-tested over the decades. Materials like aluminum, steel, and carbon fiber each offer unique benefits in terms of weight, strength, and flexibility.
Read more about different e-bike frame designs in our definitive guide.
Wheels and Tires
A bike’s connection to the ground: wheels and tires. They play a pivotal role in ensuring a smooth and safe ride. E-bike wheels come in different sizes and are built robustly to manage the added power and speed.
Tires, on the other hand, often sport a thicker tread for enhanced grip and durability. Often, there are different tires used on city commuter e-bikes and mountain e-bikes.
When you add power, you need increased stopping power. E-bike brakes, although similar in design to traditional bike brakes, are crafted to handle greater speeds and heavier loads.
Disc brakes, in particular, have become a favorite among e-bike enthusiasts for their reliability and responsiveness. However, there are different types of disc brakes. In my opinion, hydraulic disc brakes are the best type for electric bikes.
Curious about how different braking systems stack up? Explore our comprehensive guide on e-bike braking systems.
Gearing and Drivetrain
At the heart of any bike’s movement mechanism, the gearing and drivetrain components play a crucial role in determining how efficiently power is transferred from the pedals to the wheels.
E-bikes, with their added thrust, often employ advanced drivetrain setups for smoother transitions between power levels. However, most cheap electric bikes have the same gearing system as traditional bicycles. Traditional gear ratios, chains, and derailleurs have been adapted to meet these needs.
For a deep dive into the topic, check out our full breakdown of e-bike gearing systems.
Saddle and Seatpost
Comfort is key when cruising, and the saddle and seatpost ensure you can ride for hours without discomfort.
E-bikes often feature ergonomically designed saddles tailored to longer rides and the seated posture of e-bikers. And while seatposts might look simple, they’ve evolved to offer better shock absorption, especially beneficial for e-bike speeds.
However, most ebikes have exactly the same saddles as traditional bicycles.
Handlebars and Stem
Steering and stability start here. Handlebars and stems on e-bikes draw heavily from traditional designs but are tailored to the wider range of e-bike styles.
From the upright handlebars on city cruisers to the aggressive, forward-leaning bars on e-MTBs, each design serves a unique purpose.
Pedals play an indispensable role in connecting the rider to the e-bike. While it’s true that thanks to throttle controls some e-bikes can be operated without pedaling, it’s the presence of pedals that classifies them as electric bicycles.
Without pedals, these machines would simply be electric mopeds. Pedals underscore the versatility of e-bikes, offering riders the option to pedal manually and enjoy the traditional cycling experience, engage the motor for assistance, or even coast using motor power alone.
The design and functionality of pedals on e-bikes borrow heavily from their traditional bicycle counterparts, proving that while technology evolves, some foundational elements remain timeless.
The suspension system is an optional component for both e-bikes and traditional bicycles. While the component is not needed for most city bikes, it’s highly anticipated for all-terrain bikes.
The role of the suspension is to absorb shocks and smoothen out the ride, ensuring that bumps, potholes, and rough terrains don’t jolt the rider.
In the realm of e-bikes, the suspension system takes on even greater importance. Given the added weight of the motor and battery, along with the potential for higher speeds, a robust suspension system ensures stability, comfort, and safety.
While e-bikes draw from the tried-and-true suspension designs of traditional bikes, many models incorporate enhanced features to cater to the unique demands of electric cycling.
Read more about e-bike suspensions from our dedicated blog post.
E-Bike Components Unique to Only Electric Bikes
The heart of an electric bike lies in its motor – the powerhouse that provides the added push, making uphill climbs easier and long commutes more feasible.
E-bike motors come in various types, most notably hub motors and mid-drive motors. While hub motors are positioned in the center of either the front or rear wheel, mid-drive motors are strategically located at the bike’s crank and pedals.
Each type has its benefits, depending on the rider’s preferences and the terrain. Factors like torque, power output, and positioning can dramatically influence the bike’s performance and feel.
As technology advances, these motors are becoming more efficient, quieter, and more integrated into the bike’s design.
But this is just scratching the surface. For a deep dive into the intricacies of e-bike motors and how they’re redefining the world of cycling, explore our detailed article on E-Bike Motors Explained.
Arguably the lifeline of any electric bike, the battery is what fuels the motor and gives an e-bike its “electric” essence.
These aren’t your typical AA batteries; e-bike batteries are sophisticated powerhouses designed to store and release energy efficiently.
Typically made of lithium-ion cells, these batteries combine durability, longevity, and power in a compact form. Their placement, whether integrated into the frame or attached externally, can influence the bike’s weight distribution and aesthetics.
As the technology matures, we’re seeing batteries with faster charge times, longer lifespans, and greater energy densities, ensuring riders can go further on a single charge.
But, like all things e-bike, the intricacies of battery technology, capacity, and care are vast. To truly understand the pivotal role of batteries and how to get the best out of them, delve into our comprehensive guide on E-Bike Battery 101.
The controller serves as the bridge between the motor and the battery, orchestrating their harmonious collaboration. In essence, the controller dictates how power from the battery is delivered to the motor. It responds to inputs from the rider, whether that’s a twist of the throttle or a signal from a pedal-assist sensor, adjusting the motor’s output accordingly.
This delicate balancing act ensures smooth acceleration, efficient energy use, and responsive performance. Modern controllers often come with varying modes or levels of assistance, allowing riders to customize their e-bike experience from a gentle boost to a powerful push.
While often overlooked, the controller plays a pivotal role in the e-bike’s functionality and feel. Keen to understand more about the technicalities and nuances of e-bike controllers? Dive into our in-depth article on Electric Bike Controller Mechanics.
Pedal-Assist Sensor (PAS)
The magic of e-biking often lies in its intuitive nature, and pedal assist sensors are at the core of this seamless experience. These sensors determine when and how much electric assistance to provide based on the rider’s own pedaling effort. Broadly, there are two main types: cadence sensors and torque sensors.
Cadence sensors measure the speed at which you’re pedaling. When a certain cadence is detected, the sensor signals the motor to provide a predetermined level of assistance. It’s a bit like having a rhythmic co-pilot that boosts your ride when you hit a specific pedal pace.
Torque sensors, on the other hand, measure the actual force you apply to the pedals. The harder you pedal, the more assistance you receive, creating a more natural and responsive biking experience that mimics traditional cycling dynamics.
Both sensors play a crucial role in tailoring the e-bike experience to individual rider preferences and needs. For a closer look at how these sensors shape the way we ride, check out our thorough exploration of Pedal Assist Sensor Technology.
Optional Electric Bike Components
Display and Control Unit
An increasingly common feature on many e-bikes, the display and control unit acts as both the interface and the informative hub of the electric bicycle experience.
Conveniently mounted on the handlebars, it ensures riders can easily access and modify their e-bike settings. While not mandatory for all e-bikes, Class 3 e-bikes do require a speedometer, necessitating some form of display.
Some electric bike displays are quite basic and only allow riders to switch between different levels of pedal assistance. However, more advanced displays showcase metrics such as speed, battery level, trip distance, and even estimated range. Some of the top-tier models even boast features like GPS navigation, smartphone integration, and diagnostic tools.
Having a display and control unit greatly enhances the rider experience, offering a blend of control, information, and connectivity that takes e-biking to the next level.
One of the defining features that sets certain e-bikes apart is the presence of a throttle. Acting similarly to a motorcycle or scooter, the throttle allows riders to access motor power directly, without the need to pedal. This means riders can effortlessly cruise without breaking a sweat or accelerate swiftly from a standstill.
However, it’s worth noting that not all e-bikes come equipped with a throttle. In fact, in the European market, the majority of e-bikes forgo this feature due to regulatory restrictions and a preference for pedal-assist systems.
Contrastingly, e-bikes in the U.S. market mostly come with a throttle. They typically come in two main styles: the half-twist throttle, which is akin to a motorcycle’s and is activated by twisting a portion of the handlebar, and the thumb throttle, which is pressed with the thumb for activation.
While the throttle offers a unique and often exhilarating riding experience, its presence or absence can greatly influence the feel and function of the e-bike, making it an essential consideration for potential buyers.
The world of e-bikes is a beautiful melding of tradition and innovation. It takes the best of conventional cycling and combines it with modern technology to offer riders an upgraded, more versatile mode of transportation.
Drawing from their traditional bicycle ancestors, e-bikes incorporate:
- Wheels and Tires
- Gearing and Drivetrain
- Saddle and Seatpost
- Handlebars and Stem
- Suspension System
Yet, what truly sets e-bikes apart are the innovative components exclusive to them:
- E-Bike Motors
- E-Bike Batteries
- E-Bike Controller
- Pedal Assist Sensors (Cadence and Torque)
- Display and Control Unit
Understanding these components can enhance your e-biking experience, helping you make the most of your rides, whether it’s a casual jaunt around the city or a challenging trek up a mountain trail.
Embrace the future of cycling and the rich tapestry of components that come with it, and let every journey be a seamless blend of the old and the new.


text:
This summer the Chicago Park District is piloting a new program to rapidly detect bacterial contamination at five of the city’s beaches. The pilot program will cover Calumet, Rainbow, South Shore, 63rd Street, and Montrose beaches.
Through a partnership with the University of Illinois at Chicago, the parks department will know whether beaches are safe for recreation within a few hours rather than the next day. Traditionally, the parks district has collected samples at the city’s beaches in the morning and analyzed the samples for E. coli. With a new method that counts DNA fragments, however, staff will have results by early afternoon the same day.
If samples are found to contain more than 235 colony forming units per 100 milliliters of water – based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Recreational Water Quality Criteria – beach managers will issue swim advisories using a flag notification system and online display.

domain: biology


Les 2009-09-25 19:01:43
The REAL Patricia Cornwell Biography –
Her Crimes, Bribery, Scandals and Mental Illness
Part 3 of 3 – Continued from previous post
weblink and contact for author:
With her wealth, the alcohol and drugs bedevilled Cornwell even more.
On 10 January 1993, in a post-New Year’s drinking binge in California,
Patricia Cornwell flipped a rented Mercedes while Cornwell was drunk
driving. Luckily, no one was killed, and the sturdy Mercedes saved
Cornwell. Cornwell was sentenced to a long term of probation, not quite
being able to bribe her way totally out of that one. But California is
As Cornwell’s crime novels started to sell, the possibility naturally
arose of making movies out of some of them. Cornwell herself had
started to spend time in California to taste some of the glamorous life
there. But Los Angeles was an emotional disaster for Cornwell, and she
wound up retreating back to crooked, redneck, bribery-laden Virginia,
where Cornwell felt she knew how to play the power games.
Cornwell’s agents put together some deals for possible movie projects,
but Cornwell herself was a major saboteur of these projects. Cornwell
demanded too much control over how the movies and scripts would be
done, and people saw no reason to do things Cornwell’s way. Cornwell’s
particular style of being petty, devious and domineering did not
impress the California crowd, plus they could see that Cornwell was a
total ignoramus about movies anyway. Cornwell was a big deal back in
One of the actresses who briefly considered a role as Cornwell’s main
fictional character was Demi Moore. Cornwell later bragged about being
in a hot tub with Demi and smoking cigars. Now, Demi Moore and Bruce
Willis are part of the long list of people Cornwell hates.
The most bizarre episode from Cornwell’s California jaunts, was her
emotional crush upon actress Jodie Foster, who was also considered as a
potential lead actress in a Cornwell movie script. Cornwell had a crush
on Foster, and pursued her obsessively in a weird, stalking way that
must have been very disturbing to Foster. This is described in a
January 1997 Esquire article by Jeanette Wells, “Jodie, Jodie, Jodie”.
Cornwell and Jodie Foster met briefly, but the meeting did not go well.
Foster seems to have found Cornwell somewhat disgusting, and did not
want to pursue the project further. Cornwell kept pursuing Foster,
attaching herself to Jodie Foster’s former tutor Irene Brafstein, after
learning that Brafstein and Foster had remained friends. Just like with
the FBI agents, Cornwell began offering sizeable bribes and gifts with
the idea that Brafstein would induce Jodie to meet Cornwell again and
then they could start a relationship.
Cornwell’s wealth, along with her success at bribing FBI agents and
government officials, had given her a delusion of being powerful enough
to have anything she chose to acquire, including Jodie Foster. It
apparently took a good while for Cornwell to realize that her
manipulation games with Brafstein wouldn’t work, and that Jodie Foster
would never be Cornwell’s lesbian lover. The rejection by Jodie Foster,
and the humiliating publication of Cornwell’s pursuit of her, no doubt
made Cornwell even more bitter toward the world, more desperate to seek
power in other ways, to compensate for Cornwell’s self-disgust.
As the 1990’s came to a close, her Hollywood foray a failure, Cornwell
went back to identifying Virginia as her main home, though she
travelled among several places and in fact was at home nowhere. She
deepened the political and campaign contributions that made her more of
a political force with Republicans and especially in Virginia,
befriending Virginia’s Governor of 1997-2001, Jim Gilmore. Gilmore,
right-wing friend of George Bush, ended up renting Cornwell’s Virginia
mansion and sleeping in the same bedroom where Cornwell had trysted
with lesbian lovers.
Cornwell’s trademark, that of always manipulating people through use of
either power or bribery, constantly shows itself. The bribes and gifts
and favours that had made the Virginia FBI establishment submissive to
Cornwell, was something Cornwell tried to use with reporters as well.
Judy Bachrach wrote in the May 1997 Vanity Fair about Cornwell’s offer
to give her special favours if Bachrach wrote a good submissive article
That approach didn’t work with Bachrach, but it did work in a very
important way, with Bill McKelway of the Richmond Times-Dispatch, a
right wing Republican newspaper with close personal and political ties
to Patricia Cornwell. Bill McKelway began writing articles praising
Cornwell’s wealth and power as far back as the mid-90s, but McKelway
was kept on a leash and did not having good access. McKelway knew he
had to be nice to Cornwell, because she was friends with Gov. Gilmore,
who was good friends with the newspaper’s owners, and so on: It was the
whole good ol’ boy network that Cornwell owned in Virginia.
In the court fraud scandal for which Patricia Cornwell now faces
indictment, one of the major events in that scandal was the publication
of a false “news” story on the front page of the Times-Dispatch,
written by McKelway at the request of Cornwell’s lawyers. McKelway,
eager to do a favour for the Cornwell gang, and also to please his
bosses who had met with Cornwell.
The Richmond Times-Dispatch is the flagship paper of the right-wing
Media General Corporation, one of the large US media conglomerates very
much tied to the crimes of the George Bush family. The Richmond
Times-Dispatch editorial board met with Patricia Cornwell, and in
recognition of her close financial support of the Bushes, committed to
a policy of helping Cornwell commit crimes and cover up for her life.
A low-status reporter at the Time-Dispatch, this Bill McKelway, was
eager to please both Cornwell and his bosses who had met with Cornwell.
At the request of the Cornwell lawyers, McKelway fabricated a phony
interview and phony quotations about me, the author of this Cornwell
biography – Even though McKelway never met me and never interviewed me.
McKelway composed the false story exactly along the lines dictated by
This phony front-page newspaper article was then used a few weeks later
as the main “evidence” in the fake federal court trial purchased by
Cornwell. McKelway’s phony “interview” was used by a federal judge as
the basis to immediately ban my freedom of speech, within minutes after
the Cornwell gang served the lawsuit papers, before I even had time to
read the legal papers I was given. This ultimately led to my needing to
take political refuge in Europe, and publishing this biography of
Cornwell where the US government cannot jail or murder me.
Today, Bill McKelway, the sleazy little reporter eager to kiss up to
Cornwell’s lawyers, may face a federal indictment for the crime of
fabricating false evidence in a federal court case, yet another person
whose life and reputation forever changed by his contact with Patricia
A Short Summary of the Patricia Cornwell Court Fraud Scandal
The Patricia Cornwell court fraud scandal for which she and so many
others face possible criminal charges, is a quite large scandal that is
more fully detailed elsewhere. To complete the biographical picture of
Cornwell, and to give a short summary of the crimes for which Patricia
Cornwell and her gang face indictment, here is a quick overview.
At the end of the 1990s, Cornwell was still writing books, books which
according to many critics had been sinking in quality since those first
few volumes. Even with all her access to FBI facilities and papers, and
all those FBI agents enjoying the favours that Cornwell could provide,
Cornwell was still having a hard time writing the stream of books for
which she was being paid. Even the infamous Federal Judge Robert Payne,
who faces possible impeachment for court fraud with Cornwell’s lawyers,
has declared that Cornwell’s writing was “a load of c***”.
“Load of c***” or not, Cornwell’s books could still be hyped and sold
by the millions. And even if Cornwell was blatantly plagiarising other
people, as was proven in the 1998 lawsuit against her, she could use
her political connections, her willingness to buy officials and judges,
and her stable of submissive FBI agents to get her out of a scrape.
Cornwell definitely would pay big for other people to do her dirty
This court fraud scandal started out as yet just one more of Cornwell’s
likely plagiarism and copying episodes. In the later 1990s, Cornwell’s
books were being published by the multinational Penguin Group
conglomerate, whose New York lawyer, Alexander Gigante, has been very
eager to cover up for Cornwell’s character, so as to try and prop up
her book sales.
Penguin had another author, neither rich nor famous, namely myself, Dr
Les Sachs. I was best known for my own journalism on American
corruption, a Penguin paperback on sleazy techniques of the auto sales
industry, How to Buy Your New Car for a Rock-Bottom Price. In late
1997, I completed a mystery crime novel, “The Virginia Ghost Murders”,
the manuscript of which I showed to the editors at Penguin – who turned
out to be Patricia Cornwell’s editors. I also showed the book to a
literary agency, International Creative Management or ICM – and ICM’s
Esther Newberg in that office, turned out to be Patricia Cornwell’s
My book, “The Virginia Ghost Murders”, had a very unique plot. Penguin
didn’t publish it, and in late 1998, I published the book himself,
aware that hardly any first-time novelists were being published
anymore. My book got very good reviews, and began to sell well for a
small press novel.
In December of 1999, Patricia Cornwell and Penguin published a notice
that Cornwell would have a new book in 2000, called “The Last
Precinct”. The plot of Cornwell’s new book, as announced, sounded just
like the plot of my book, “The Virginia Ghost Murders”. I already knew
about Cornwell’s sleazy reputation, so I began to write bombastic,
teasing letters to Cornwell and the publisher, trying to get them to
not rip off my book too much.
Penguin wrote back to brag that if Cornwell wanted to copy my book
ideas, there wasn’t much that I could do about it. I wrote more
letters, and, in a way, I won my battle. Cornwell and Penguin announced
a delay of publication of several months, while Cornwell re-wrote her
manuscript of “The Last Precinct”. Cornwell took out most of the really
egregious plot copying, but a few remnants of Cornwell’s imitation of
“The Virginia Ghost Murders” still remain in the final published
edition of Cornwell’s novel.
The Cornwell lawyers, however, developed a plan to crush me into total
silence before the book came out, plus enrich themselves for several
hundred thousand dollars out of Cornwell’s pocket. On 1 February 2000,
Cornwell’s New York lawyer Michael Rudell, faxed me an extortion letter
that he wrote for Cornwell, and which he knew Cornwell would enjoy.
This Cornwell extortion letter demanded total silence from me, and
threatened me with a neo-N*** style book-burning of my books, if I did
not apologise and agree to be silent about anything that even “implied”
criticism of Cornwell, and threatened legal action if I did not submit.
I replied strongly, telling Cornwell and her lawyers to take their N***
threats and shove them up their butts.
I have some partly Jewish heritage and the book-burning threats were
extremely offensive to me, given the role of book-burning in the N***
Holocaust. Precisely because it was such a N*** thing to do, these
N***-style book-burning threats were extremely delightful to Patricia
Cornwell, to her greedy lawyers, and to the Jew-hating Federal Judge
Robert Payne that they bribed a few weeks later.
In order to protect myself against Cornwell and her goons, I started
publicizing the Cornwell extortion threats. I issued press releases,
talked about the threats on the internet, and put a sticker on the
published copies of my book denouncing Cornwell.
Cornwell’s lawyers were the exact same people who had arranged to bribe
the judge and buy the false victory for Cornwell in the 1998 lawsuit.
The lawyers had seen there, how easily they could manipulate the
emotionally disturbed, half-crazy and half-stupid Cornwell, how they
could inflame controversy and then milk Cornwell for money. Cornwell’s
lawyer Conrad Shumadine bragged to another lawyer that Cornwell is “a
totally stupid lesbian w****” and that he could “milk that b**** like a
fat f****** cow.”
The lawyers then maneuvered Cornwell so they could cork her for several
hundred thousand dollars. In March of 2000 they contacted the
submissive reporter at the Times-Dispatch, Bill McKelway, and dictated
the phony article to him, which was dutifully splashed on the front
page of the right-wing newspaper and on the internet.
The article fabricated by McKelway printed made-up quotations, putting
words in my mouth. McKelway printed lies, accusing me of publicly
claiming that Cornwell was still copying my book, even after she had
made the revisions, and obscuring the controversy about the N***-style
McKelway and the Times-Dispatch thought they were helping Cornwell and
the Bush family by printing these lies; they did not quite realize they
were helping Cornwell’s lawyers to defraud Cornwell herself out of
several hundred thousand dollars, pushing Cornwell into a lawsuit in
which she wasn’t initially interested.
The lawyers waved the phony article at Cornwell, and after seeing the
phony McKelway article that her lawyers had planted, Cornwell agreed to
give them a blank check to spend whatever unlimited money needed to
crush and destroy me. In return, the lawyers promised Cornwell that she
could enjoy the perverted thrill of the ultimate crime, buying a U.S.
federal judge and undermining the Constitution, and banning of another
American’s freedom of speech,
In April of 2000, the lawsuit was filed, demanding the banning of my
freedom of speech, and the burning of my books. The bribery of Federal
Judge Payne – appointed to office by Cornwell’s friend President Bush –
was all arranged even before I knew about the lawsuit. “Judge Robert
Payne is my name, Federal bribery is my game,” is the saying among
Within minutes after the lawsuit was filed, in a telephone conference
call with , using the phony McKelway Times-Dispatch newspaper story as
“evidence”, the neo-N*** Judge Robert Payne banned my freedom of
speech, and it remains officially banned to this day, on the grounds
that my “false opinions” about Cornwell are a violation of the Patricia
The judge went on to stage a brief phony court proceeding that was
financed by Cornwell’s half million dollars in funds. The judge
appointed one of his friends, a known crook named Thomas Roberts, to
pose as my lawyer, along with a partner, an actual neo-N*** from
Germany, Tim Schulte, all of them getting Cornwell’s money.
Judge Payne and Roberts and Schulte invented a fraud, in writing, that
Roberts was part of a “First Amendment charity foundation”, a so-called
“Freedom Works Foundation”, which doesn’t exist. They put this fraud in
written documents, court transcripts, and even posted this fraud on the
This one fraud alone is enough to begin the felony indictments of the
Cornwell gang and impeach Judge Payne, and send Cornwell herself to
In a staged court hearing, with both “sides” of lawyers on Cornwell’s
payroll, the banning of my freedom of speech and freedom of the press
was formalized in writing. Judge Payne ordered the defacing of my books
to eliminate mention of Cornwell, and Judge Payne began defacing one of
my books himself in the courtroom. I was also ordered to send out
letters which destroyed my little publishing company.
At this hearing, Patricia Cornwell committed clear felony perjury about
the letter she and her lawyer Michael Rudell had faxed, threatening to
destroy my books. Cornwell’s perjury on that day now leads the list of
crimes for Patricia Cornwell faces indictment and many years in prison.
With my freedom of speech banned from the first day the lawsuit was
filed, all of this was conducted in semi-secrecy, although you can read
the transcripts at the courthouse. I was ordered to stay quiet about
the phony proceedings, and I was threatened with an illegal jailing,
torment and rape in jail, and with being murdered in jail by Cornwell’s
lawyers, if I didn’t keep quiet about everything.
Some of the threats of illegal jailing and murder are documented in
writing, and these proof documents are held by the FBI and U.S.
Attorney. One of Cornwell’s thugs later discussed the murder threat in
a court hearing, too, while admitting his close relationship with Judge
Lawyers agreed afterwards that these threats were realistic, and that I
might indeed have been jailed and murdered, if I didn’t escape from
Some weeks after the fake hearing, Judge Payne and the Cornwell gang
announced to me there had been a total victory for Cornwell, and as a
“settlement” in the case, I had “agreed” to the banning of my own
freedom of speech and freedom of the press for the rest of his life,
“agreed” to never appeal these orders, and “agreed” to spend the next
several years paying some $100,000 plus 18 per cent interest to Judge
Payne’s friend, Thomas Roberts, who had helped invent the fake “First
Amendment charity foundation”.
The fraudulent US “court order” banning my freedom of speech is there
at the courthouse, with no signature from me, but with the signature of
Judge Payne’s friend Roberts merely claiming to be my lawyer.
A number of months after Patricia Cornwell carried out this court fraud
with the bribed Bush appointee Judge Payne, after she had paid for this
gang of thugs to threaten to murder me, Cornwell herself evacuated from
Virginia, trying to run away from the serious crimes she had committed.
The pleasure of buying Virginia judges, and hiring thugs to threaten to
illegally jail and kill another writer, proved to be just momentary
satisfactions to Cornwell. In Cornwell’s tormented brain, things were
as bad and anguished as ever, despite the success of committing these
federal terror crimes.
So Patricia Cornwell, guilty and disturbed, relocated her main
residence to the New York area, trying to run away from her own
criminal past, hoping it would not catch up with her. But Patricia
Cornwell’s crimes are slowly catching up with her now.
Shortly after her friend George W. Bush became President in January
2001, Patricia Cornwell gave a $1 million gift to the Bushes, in what
can be seen as buying additional insurance and protection from the Bush
government, so Cornwell wouldn’t get prosecuted for her crimes. The
Cornwell gift took the form of funding a pet project of Barbara Bush,
who is mother of the current President Bush, and wife of the previous
As a reward for the $1 million dollar gift to the Bushes, Cornwell and
her lesbian lover Irene, were invited to come and play for a couple of
days with the President Bush family at the Bush family estate in
Kennebunkport, Maine. A million dollars was certainly enough for the
“born again Christian” Bushes to indulge a little lesbian playtime in
And Cornwell no doubt felt sure that her million dollar gift, was like
buying immunity from prosecution at the George Bush Justice Department.
With Cornwell’s conscience so guilty about her felony crimes of
extortion, court fraud and perverting the course of justice, nothing
less than a million dollar gift would make Cornwell feel sure she had
bought her way out of a possible prison term.
History will see if that million dollar gift to the Bushes, bought
enough influence to keep Cornwell from getting prosecuted while Bush is
For my own remaining time inside America, I wound up discovering how
really bad things had gotten in the US legal system. Lawyers themselves
face being disbarred or jailed if they file any papers about the bribed
judge. With Bush in power, so the lawyers were all afraid of
confronting a federal judge who was backed by Cornwell’s friends in the
Even though I had crystal clear written evidence of felony crimes, no
lawyer was brave enough to help me, fearing for their own safety if
they dared to expose the Cornwell court fraud crimes.
Meanwhile, Judge Payne’s criminal friends wanted money from me, and
they threatened to jail and kill me unless I paid them. Under constant
threat of illegal jailing and murder by the Cornwell group, my freedom
of speech banned, and with no lawyer to help me, I stayed inside the US
for as long as I could, looking for legal help that I never found. Then
they came for me, and I was forced to slip into hiding and then escape
over the border, to freedom outside the USA.
I began a new life as a political refugee in Europe. I exposed the
whole Patricia Cornwell court fraud scandal in a 125-count judicial
misconduct filing on 3 April 2004. Since that filing, America’s federal
judges and the George Bush Justice Department have been stalling
together on the Cornwell crimes. They were of course careful not to
expose the scandal during the Bush 2004 election campaign, and after
that have tried to continue stalling.
The blatant guilt of federal Judge Payne, selling a phony “foundation”
and staging a phony court hearing to illegally ban a writer’s freedom
of speech, is a hot potato among the federal judges. The scandal has
made it all the way to the Supreme Court judicial ethics committee.
They have been trying to decide what to do about it, while minimizing
the disgrace to the whole American judiciary. It makes the judges
nervous, this Patricia Cornwell court fraud scandal, with the federal
judge and his pal and their fake “First Amendment charity foundation”,
crimes carried out for a mentally disturbed celebrity who is friends
with the Bush family. This is a scandal that taints the whole federal
court system with the image of farce and fraud, and so their strong
instinct is to try to sweep the whole thing under the rug.
The US government holds complete written evidence with which they could
start issuing immediate felony indictments against Patricia Cornwell
and her gang. However, major political concerns hold up the
Patricia Cornwell is not just a drug-using lesbian who has engaged in
court fraud and extortion; she is also a friend of the President Bush
himself, with Cornwell celebrating her bribery of the Bushes at their
family estate. These are important considerations for Bush’s friends
and his two Attorney Generals John Ashcroft, and now Alberto Gonzales,
in charge of both the FBI and the prosecutors.
And then there’s the FBI agents. Patricia Cornwell has been bribing FBI
agents with money, gifts and favours since the early 1990s. The FBI
itself acknowledges that Cornwell has gotten stolen documents from FBI
offices. And yet Cornwell has maintained free access to the Virginia
FBI and its Quantico training headquarters, despite her being a known
criminal risk. Cornwell’s friends even include an assistant FBI
There might be a couple of dozen or more FBI agents who’ve engaged in
illegal hanky panky for Cornwell over the years, giving her access and
secret law enforcement documents. These Virginia FBI agents,
well-coddled and well-bribed by Cornwell, are not thrilled about
pursuing a criminal prosecution, that would ultimately lead to exposing
their own misconduct with Cornwell as well.
FBI agents have mounted criminal attacks on me in Europe, e-mailing
computer viruses to me from the FBI’s official e-mail account, very
likely personal friends of Cornwell from Cornwell’s visits to the FBI
centre at Quantico. Thus, some FBI agents themselves face criminal
charges when the prosecution starts. So the FBI incentive for a cover
up is high.
Cornwell and her lawyers, the Bush government and the US embassies, are
not even trying to deny their crimes of court fraud, extortion, terror,
and undermining the Constitution. The FBI doesn’t deny they have proof
of these crimes, either. Yet money and political connections can delay
justice, and Cornwell has both.
In their favour as well, is the fact that the major media companies,
are now so submissive to the Bush regime and to the US government. And
Cornwell herself, the famous author, is precisely the symbol of how the
media corruption is directly tied to the US government. The scandal of
Patricia Cornwell, is the scandal of the big media and publishing
companies, and how they help the US to start wars.
So the big media companies also have incentive to cover up for the
crimes of Cornwell, as Cornwell is one of their own creatures, a tool
and w**** for transferring money from the media companies to the Bushes
and to US politicians.
The Cornwell crimes and court fraud are so clear that the information
on the Cornwell crimes has been requested from me by White House
Special Prosecutor Patrick Fitzgerald, who recently indicted the
Bush-Cheney aide Scooter Libby.
Prosecutor Fitzgerald is backed by the CIA and is a political operator
for the US corporate interests. He is there as a safety valve, to start
issuing indictments of people connected with Bush, when there is enough
political pressure to make that desirable.
Fitzgerald can issue indictments in the Cornwell case in minutes, if he
feels there is political gain to do so. But with the big media
corporations covering up for Cornwell’s crimes, Fitzgerald is quiet for
the moment, though he has everything he needs.
Patricia Cornwell, high on drugs and drink and money and power,
probably spends most of the time thinking she is going to get away with
everything. At other times, she likely thinks about going to prison for
many years, and whether she should kill herself first.
But whatever happens, Patricia Cornwell will always be able to boast of
the thrilling fact, that she pulled off one of the biggest crimes ever
committed in the USA legal system. Hilariously blatant court fraud,
buying a fake trial, bribing a US federal judge, attacking the United
States Constitution, banning another American’s freedom of speech and
freedom of the press, and forcing her victim to escape from America and
take political refuge in Europe under threat of being jailed and
Along with Cornwell’s other past crimes against so many other people,
these are pretty impressive felonies for a redneck girl from a small
town in North Carolina. Cornwell likely gets all hot and excited
thinking about the Bush White House, the bribed federal judges, and the
FBI and Attorney General servicing her and covering up for her crimes.
Not many other criminals can brag about felonies like these. Patricia
Cornwell is now forever in the big time. Her novels will fade, she may
get indicted, Cornwell may kill herself in her mental torment; but she
will always remain one of America’s biggest celebrity criminals.
The REAL Patricia Cornwell Biography –
Her Crimes, Bribery, Scandals and Mental Illness
This concludes Part 3 of 3
weblink and contact for author:


text:
Post by SKYSUMMIT on Sept 28, 2021 18:48:37 GMT -6
1 E Chalmette [St. Bernard Co, LA] LAW ENFORCEMENT reports FLASH FLOOD at 28 Sep, 6:00 PM CDT -- STREET FLOODING AT VERONICA DRIVE IN CHALMETTE AT AROUND 6 PM. THE STREET WAS IMPASSIBLE BUT HAD RECEDED BY 7 PM.
1 ENE Chalmette [St. Bernard Co, LA] PUBLIC reports FLASH FLOOD at 28 Sep, 6:00 PM CDT -- STREET FLOODING AT VERONICA DRIVE AROUND 6 PM. THE STREET WAS IMPASSIBLE BUT HAD RECEDED BY 7 PM.
Freezing Days for Winter 21/22: TBD Freezing Days for Winter 20/21: 24 Wunderground ID: KLAPONCH50 - Downtown Ponchatoula NWS COOP ID: 16-7425-08 CoCoRaHs ID: LA-TG-22
Post by philstorm91 - Greenwell Spring on Sept 29, 2021 12:11:48 GMT -6
Flood Advisory National Weather Service New Orleans LA 1237 PM CDT Wed Sep 29 2021 LAC057-109-292045- /O.NEW.KLIX.FA.Y.0187.210929T1737Z-210929T2045Z/ /00000.N.ER.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.000000T0000Z.OO/ Lafourche LA-Terrebonne LA- 1237 PM CDT Wed Sep 29 2021 The National Weather Service in New Orleans has issued a * Flood Advisory for... Northwestern Lafourche Parish in southeastern Louisiana... North Central Terrebonne Parish in southeastern Louisiana... * Until 345 PM CDT. * At 1237 PM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to thunderstorms. Minor flooding is ongoing or expected to begin shortly in the advisory area. Between 1 and 3 inches of rain have fallen. * Intense rainfall rates of 2 to 4 inches per hour may lead to minor flooding along roadways, low-lying areas and areas of poor drainage. * Some locations that will experience flooding include... Raceland, Gray, Bayou Cane, Schriever and Mathews. Additional rainfall amounts of 1 to 2 inches are expected over the area. This additional rain will result in minor flooding. PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS... Turn around, don`t drown when encountering flooded roads. Most flood deaths occur in vehicles. Be aware of your surroundings and do not drive on flooded roads. &&

domain: geography


text:
Insufficient (Lowball) Farmers Insurance Settlement Offer
Idaho Insurance Claims Lawyer Helping Injury Victims with Lowball Settlement Offers from Farmers
You have been paying insurance premiums for years, anticipating that your insurance company will be there to provide you with compensation in the event of a severe and unexpected accident. However, many accident victims learn too late that insurance companies are not in the business of advocating for injured insureds, and that insurance companies like Farmers are businesses that want to do everything they can to keep their costs low. As such, Farmers and other insurance companies can offer injury victims insufficient or lowball settlement offers in order to close out claims. It is essential to work with an experienced Idaho insurance claims lawyer to ensure that you receive a reasonable settlement for your losses, and that you do not agree to any unfair settlement offers verbally or in writing before speaking with a dedicated advocate.
Accident victims struggle immensely in the aftermath of an auto accident, and they can be convinced by insurance companies to accept very low settlement offers. In some circumstances, low settlement offers may be unlawful, and even if they are not, a Farmers insurance claim lawyer in Idaho can help to renegotiate any offer you receive. An advocate at Hansen Injury Law can speak with you about your settlement offer and your options for compensation.
Insurance Companies Like Farmers Want to Keep Costs Down
When you receive a lowball settlement offer from Farmers or another insurance company in Idaho, it is important to keep in mind that insurance companies put their own best interests first. In other words, even though you may be a customer that has been paying premiums for years or even decades, the insurance company does not have your best interests in mind when it is considering a settlement offer after you submit your claim. Insurance companies want to do all that they can to keep their own costs down, and that includes making insufficient settlement offers to accident and injury victims.
According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), Farmers Insurance Group is among the top ten writers of auto insurance premiums in the country, with around 5 percent of the market share. Although Farmers writes direct premiums totaling more than $10,000,000 each year, it still wants to avoid paying out high claims whenever possible. In some situations, insufficient or lowball settlement offers may violate Idaho laws concerning unlawful claims settlement practices.
Unlawful Claims Settlement Practices in Idaho
There are numerous types of unlawful claims settlement practices under Idaho law, and several of them concern insufficient or lowball settlement offers. Specifically, the statute states that some of the following constitute unlawful claims settlement practices:
- Not attempting in good faith to effectuate prompt, fair, and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear;
- Compelling insureds to institute litigation to recover amounts due under an insurance policy by offering substantially less than the amounts ultimately recovered in actions brought by such insureds;
- Attempting to settle a claim for less than the amount to which a reasonable man would have believed he was entitled by reference to written or printed advertising material accompanying or made part of an application; and
- Attempting to settle claims on the basis of an application which was altered without notice to, or knowledge or consent of the insured.
Considering Idaho Law on Insufficient Settlement Offers
What do some of these unlawful claims settlement practices look like in practice? For example, the statute says that an insurance company like Farmers can violate the law if it fails to attempt to effectuate a prompt, fair, and equitable settlement of a claim in good faith once liability has become reasonably clear. Imagine that Jane files a claim after being injured in an accident. It is clear that the other party is liable based on the evidence and that Jane is entitled to compensation in the amount of approximately $50,000. The insurance company responds promptly with a settlement offer of $5,000. In all likelihood, this settlement offer is not an attempt at a “fair and equitable” settlement of Jane’s claim.
Now, let us consider another scenario. Imagine that Jane submitted that same $50,000 claim, and after submitting the claim, someone at the insurance company looked at the evidence and decided that Jane was only entitled to up to $25,000. In making this determination, the insurance company altered Jane’s initial claim so that she was seeking only $25,000 instead of $50,000. Based on that alteration, the insurance company offers a settlement of $20,000. This type of settlement offer also is likely unlawful under the Idaho statute.
No matter what, you will need to respond to a settlement offer in a timely fashion to ensure that the claims process moves forward and that you remain eligible for compensation. A lawyer can help.
Contact an Idaho Attorney for Lowball Insurance Settlement
You should never accept a lowball settlement offer from Farmers or any other insurance company. An experienced lowballed insurance settlement attorney in ID can help you to negotiate a fair and equitable settlement offer in your case. Contact Hansen Injury Law to learn more about the services we provide to residents and Boise and to injury victims throughout the state of Idaho.

domain: finance


text:
Peter Coker RA, St. Blaise, Méziéres-au-Perche, 1973, 546mm x 749mm
Peter Coker RA. Born I926 in London. Studied at St. Martin’s School of Art and the Royal College of Art. Lives in Manningtree, Essex and like Edward Bawden and John Nash (a friend and neighbour) is generally termed an Essex painter. A ﬁgurative painter his early work included still lifes but more recently he has turned almost exclusively to landscape painting. His oil paintings are inﬂuenced by the French Impressionists, particularly Cezanne, but he has his own style with its bold forms and strong colour. In this picture he used sanguine — a deep red crayon prepared from iron oxide. His ﬁrst retrospective exhibition was appropriately held in Essex — at the Minories, Colchester, and his works have been acquired by the Arts Council, the Contemporary Art Society and provincial galleries.


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Script Teacher Resources
Find Script educational lesson plans and worksheets
Showing 1 - 24 of 4,605 resources
A Reader's Theater Script for Clever Jack Takes the Cake
Breathe life into a reading of the children's story Clever Jack Takes the Cake with this Reader's Theater script. Offering speaking roles for nine students plus a sound effects chorus, this is a great activity that engages the whole...
2nd - 4th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable
High schoolers examine the New York Times review of the film adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings and explore the elements of scriptwriting. They read the article about the film adaptation screenplay and examine a sample...
10th - 12th Visual & Performing Arts CCSS: Adaptable
James Bond in a Honda? Trial Simulation
Your class members will take on the roles of jury members in this exciting simulation. After reading a detailed script and reviewing pieces of evidence, they will determine whether Honda violated copyright and copied James Bond.
6th - 12th English Language Arts CCSS: Designed
The Lorax Reader’s Theater
Bring a reading of Dr. Seuss' The Lorax to life with this reader's theater script. Simply assign roles and read through the script as a class, or spend time creating props and costumes for a school-wide performance, the choice is yours....
3rd - 6th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable
Protagonists, antagonists, stereotypes, and foils. Introduce your scriptwriters to major, minor, round, and flat characters, and how to create them. Rich in examples and activities, the packet includes the directions for an exercise...
8th - 12th English Language Arts CCSS: Designed
Stone Soup Readers' Theater
Readers' Theater is a great way to get pupils engaged in story elements, oral reading, and expression in a fun setting! Using the story Stone Soup, actors discuss the story, review difficult vocabulary, rehearse lines, and incorporate...
1st - 3rd Visual & Performing Arts CCSS: Designed
The American Dream: Gatsby on the Stage
"So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past..." Use this Great Gatsby novel study lesson to reinforce literary analysis in your class. Working in groups, young readers write a script for a chosen scene...
8th - 11th English Language Arts
Writing a Screenplay
It's time to make a movie! Kids follow 15 steps to take their movie ideas from concept to script, following clear examples. The resource includes creative ways to guide learners into developing a few words and concepts into fully...
6th - 8th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable
Writing a Narrative Movie Script with the Use of a Viewfinder
And...action! Turn your middle schoolers into filmmakers with this writing and visual arts lesson. After reading Monster by Walter Dean Myers, they create a viewfinder using an empty toilet paper roll to make a storyboard for their...
5th - 9th Visual & Performing Arts
Scripting The Great Train Robbery
Take writing prompts to another level in this activity, which allows pupils to create scenes of dialogue based on the 1903 silent film, The Great Train Robbery. Useful for a language arts/history cross-curricular activity, the lesson...
6th - 8th Visual & Performing Arts
Will the Real Abraham Lincoln Please Stand Up?
Engage young historians in learning about America's sixteenth president with this fun Reader's Theater script. The second play in this series puts a modern spin on learning about history, involving a game show where three contestants try...
1st - 5th Social Studies & History CCSS: Adaptable
A Reader's Theater Script for Oh, No!
If you are reading Judy Freeman's Oh No! or your class loves animals, use a reader's theater exercise to bring the story to life. After assigning 12 parts to your young actors, have them act out the story with a script that will be...
1st - 2nd English Language Arts
“Speak, I Charge You”: Macbeth On Your Feet, Not In Your Seat
“Is this a dagger which I see before me . . .” As part of a study of Macbeth, class members engage in a series of activities that get them up and moving. Individuals practice, then deliver, a line from the Scottish play. The entire class...
9th - 12th English Language Arts CCSS: Adaptable


text:
Inspired by the British celebration of Guy Fawkes Night and the Hindu Festival of Lights (the so called Diwali), this carnival takes place in Wembley Park, London on October 28th, 2017. The entry is free and the event is family friendly, so dont be afraid to bring your kids. They are sure to have fun.
You will enjoy Asian foods, theatre representations and music performances, as well as lantern processions. The sky will definitely be lit up over the Wembley Stadium that night. Thousands of people will have an amazing time and will enjoy the emotional moment when all the lanterns are lit up and sent into the sky. Some say you are letting go of bad thoughts while others say its about putting your hopes and dreams in the hands of fate. Either way, it can mean whatever you want it to even if its just about looking at a colored paper balloon that goes up into the sky until you can no longer see the little fire inside.
Up to this moment, no more information has been released about the Festival of Fire and Light but its safe to assume its going to be a blast. The people who organized The London Mela on September 3rd will take care of this carnival too. The London Mela is the largest South Asian festival in Europe, so one can expect to have a real Asian experience at the Festival of Fire and Light in late October.
Between now and then, you have one more event to check out, organized by the same people: the Croydon International Mela that takes place on September 30th in Wandle Park. The theme is also related to South Asian culture but with more emphasis on traditional cuisine. You will still see international artists perform in dance and music shows.


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Paris and Los Angeles have been confirmed as host cities of the 2024 and 2028 Olympic Games respectively.
The "tripartite agreement" between the International Olympic Committee (IOC), Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 was ratified in the Peruvian capital Lima on Wednesday.
The historic compromise sees both cities join London as three-time hosts of the summer Games, with Paris getting its wish to go first and celebrate the 100th anniversary of its last Olympics in 1924.
LA, meanwhile, gets the certainty of a Games without a bidding contest and early access to at least €2 billion in shared revenue to kick-start its legacy plans 11 years early.
The deal was sealed on July 31 after weeks of steady negotiations between the three parties.
IOC president Thomas Bach said: "Congratulations to Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028!
"This historic double allocation is a 'win-win-win' situation for the city of Paris, the city of Los Angeles and the IOC.
"It is hard to imagine something better. Ensuring the stability of the Olympic Games for the athletes of the world for the next 11 years is something extraordinary.
"These are two great cities from two great countries with a great Olympic history.
"Both cities are very enthusiastic about the Games and are promoting the Olympic spirit in a fantastic way."
Both Paris 2024 and Los Angeles 2028 officials expressed their excitement at the decision to award their cities the Olympic Games. Paris 2024 bid co-chair Tony Estanguet said: "Paris 2024 is made for sharing."
LA 2028 bid chairman Casey Wasserman added: "The Olympic movement is the greatest expression of shared human values ever created. I can assure you that LA 2028 is ready."
And LA mayor Eric Garcetti added: "The Olympics will help spur a bold vision for our city."
As the cost of hosting an Olympic Games, particularly the larger summer version, continues to spiral upwards, cities are no longer queuing up for the right to play host.
A string of potential bidders pulled out of the most recent race, having seen Rio in Brazil saddled with significant debt and a string of white elephant arenas and infrastructure.
The build-up to the next Olympics has been dominated by Tokyo 2020's spiralling costs.
The price tag on the Tokyo Games has ballooned to nearly twice the initial estimate of €5.5 billion dollars, even after a major cost-cutting effort.
But both Paris and LA officials promised that their Games would not be affected by such issues.


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"The most important kind of freedom is to be who you really are. You trade in your reality for a role....You give up your ability to feel, and in exchange, put on a mask."
-Jim Morrison (Lead Singer, The Doors, 1943-1971)
Freedom is what matters- not status. Today's paradigm, status is created by moneyed powers and their paper money printing press. This fiat money system has created a "ranking system of ahuthority. By the dollar's viability, these various hierarchical structures have remained in tact through wars, famines and disease. Never mind that society is gradually collapsing because of fraud and immorality, people still brainlessly believe in the hoax of authority; even as their brothers are killed, thrown out from their homes into the cold, or forced into bankruptcy by economic thugs. Amazingly, the standard paradigm has survived, through boom after bust, engineered disaster after engineered disaster.
The dollar is an important linchpin in keeping the war machine and the welfare state alive. The dollar's strength feeds the propaganda machine from the universities to large city newspapers. Because very few care about anything other than themselves, most have not bothered to empathetically and introspectively look around at the relative squalor of each of their cages. People have fell for the lie; accepted the unthinkable at the most crucial time and agreed to the their own slavery. This, in part, is why no one really seems to care as the world is plunging into chaos and no one is really held accountable for massive fraud and theft.
This could all change very quickly. The largest holder of government related securities, PIMCO, dumped all their U.S. Treasuries yesterday. This is all prelude to what could be an important Friday in monetary policy history. Often important days in monetary policy history aren't popularly known because the moneyed powers would rather you not know. But the Day of Rage, that has been scheduled in Saudi Arabia since Egyptians were gathered in Tahrir Square, could plunge the global markets into chaos in the event of bloodshed. The Kingdom has outlawed protests of any kind. Protesters have promised to put women at the front of the lines. In the air is a palpable sense of impending confrontation.
In the U.S., Operation Peez-emoff is proceeding in confusing irrelevancy. Led by Homeland Security and TSA, the groping, prying hands are expanding to train stations, sports contests, and even sidewalks. People are upset and annoyed, yet they continue to patronize. It's hard to know what will get Americans' upset anymore- the food is bad, the water is drugged, and the regulatory agencies that are supposedly enforcing "safety" are in cahoots with the large corporations.
It was thought attacks on collective bargaining would get the people hopping mad and ready for random acts of violence. After the flood of protests at the Wisconsin capitol in Madison for the past weeks, the state legislature stripped collective bargaining rights away from public workers.
It is hard to know what makes the people angry anymore because most are either stupid, confused, or afraid of the truth of what has happened and what needs to happen. So Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan can publish the names of all FOID carrying gun owners. Monsanto can shift all liability for the genetically modified frankenfood crops to farmers. Tim Geithner can explain that in economic crisis, the taxpayer always bears the responsibility to pay for the banks' failure. None of it is working.
"Let's get together to fight this Holy Armageddon (One love)
So when the Man comes there will be no, no doom (One song)
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
There ain't no hiding place from the Father of Creation"
For the establishment that lives off the current structure built on the paper dollar, it would be convenient to violently suppress a revolt of dissidents while their still is some viability left in the illusion of the paper dollar system. That way, their violent coercive structure would be in place for when the rug is completely pulled out on everyone unequivocally. So they are trying to infringe a little more every day, hoping for a rise; an excuse to crack down hard. A complete dollar crash will result in their own defeat, so time is running out. Grabbing your kid's genitals doesn't piss you off? How about losing any prospect for a raise in a severley inflationary economic environment? Will you having to eat food that causes organ failure make you angry? Or will you be mad? Maybe a lot of people will just wait and wait and wait until they are killed outright or by the elements of a harsh world.
Therefore, it is comical to see government and the corporate press react at sovereign citizens when they are asserting their God-given right to life. Not man-given- God given. It is comical to watch government officials accuse sovereigns of "paper terrorism" when the government institutions are the original paper terrorists. In the U.S., the government requires every person to obtain a number which creates a corporate fiction attached to every person, dehumanizing them, turning human beings into subjects of a hierarchy of corporations. Thus begins the great myth of freedom in the United States- the myth that has only enable criminals and fraudsters to exploit the world at the barrel of a gun.
It's been rough and rocky travelin'
But I'm finally satnding upright on the ground....


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4th May 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Survey: 0618S – MRV Scotia Duration: 2-12 May 2018 Gear: Sea-Bird CTDs, ADCPs and current meter instrumentation, water filtering equipment, mooring equipment, chemistry sampling and analysis equipment. Objectives: Perform hydrographic sampling along the AlterEco monitoring section in the northern North Sea, which will be sampled on all MSS oceanographic surveys in 2018. Perform hydrographic sampling...
3rd May 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Scotland’s Environment website has a wealth of information and data to help you explore and learn more about our environment. If you’ve not had a chance to visit the website and blog recently, here’s a taste of what’s been happening in January to April. Happy reading! Read the latest round-up
2nd May 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Survey: 0818H – MFV Genesis BF505 Duration: 25 April -10 May 2018 Fishing Gear: Anglerfish Trawl BT 195 Objectives: To undertake a nationally co-ordinated demersal trawling survey of Anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa) at Rockall Bank (ICES area VIb and Northwestern Shelf (ICES area VIa) inside the 1000m isobaths. To additionally record and map...
1st May 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Earlier in April, we received a request from Shetland Coastguard to help with their training for the Coastguard Rescue Helicopter – and the crew of MPV Jura were only too happy to do so! This isn’t the first time we have helped the Coastguard and it usually just involves the Coastguard helicopter performing exercises around and...
19th April 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Exercise Joint Warrior (JW), organised by the Ministry of Defence, is part of a major programme of exercises involving land forces, warships, submarines and aircraft from all the NATO partners, across the UK. The next exercise, Joint Warrior 181, will take place between 24 April and 4 May 2018, mostly near Cape Wrath (live firing) and down the...
17th April 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
One of the ways in which climate change is likely to impact Scotland’s rivers is through an increase in water temperature, particularly during summer months. Stream temperature is of great importance to the growth and survival of a range of iconic fish species like Atlantic salmon and Brown trout, which are relatively intolerant of high...
12th April 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Survey: 0518A Duration: 14 April – 2 May 2018 Gear: Scallop dredges Objectives To carry out a survey of scallop stocks on the West Coast. To age, measure and assess shell damage on all scallops caught. To Identify and sample additional areas of commercial interest to the scallop fishery. To collect information on by-catch of...
10th April 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
As we mentioned in our blog in January, 2018 is the Year of the Engineer as well as the Year of the Young Person. Over the course of the year, we’ll be introducing you to some of our incredibly talented engineers, as well as showing your some of their work. Next up, we hear from our...
5th April 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Survey: 0218H – MFV Genesis BF505 Duration: 6-20 April 2018 Fishing Gear: Anglerfish Trawl BT 195 Objectives To undertake a nationally coordinated demersal trawling survey of Anglerfish (Lophius piscatorius and Lophius budegassa) in the Northern North Sea, ICES area IVa. To record and map distributions of Megrim (Lepidorhombus wiffiagonis), Four-Spot Megrim (Lepidorhombus boscii) Cod (Gadus...
29th March 2018 by Marine Scotland Communications
Last week a number of us congregated in our Lecture Theatre to celebrate our colleague Dr Ian Davies receiving his very well deserved MBE. The MBE, or Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, is an award that recognises and rewards contributions to the arts, sciences, charity and welfare organisations and Dr...


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Analysis of the degree of acceptance of illness among older adults living in a nursing home undergoing rehabilitation – an observational study
Received 31 December 2018
Accepted for publication 10 April 2019
Published 16 May 2019 Volume 2019:14 Pages 925—933
Checked for plagiarism Yes
Review by Single anonymous peer review
Peer reviewer comments 3
Editor who approved publication: Dr Richard Walker
Joanna Kowalska,1 Justyna Mazurek,2 Joanna Rymaszewska3
1Department of Physiotherapy, University School of Physical Education in Wroclaw, Wroclaw, Poland; 2Department and Division of Medical Rehabilitation, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland; 3Department of Psychiatry, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
Introduction: The factors that influence the rehabilitation process among older adults remain unclear. The aim of the study was to assess the acceptance of illness and related factors (socio-demographic data, cognitive status, depression symptoms and functional status) among patients living in a nursing home who are undergoing rehabilitation.
Sample and methods: A total of 119 elderly patients were examined, of whom 96 were included in the research project. All participants were assessed using the following tests: Mini Mental State Examination, Acceptance of Illness Scale, Geriatric Depression Scale and Barthel Index. Tests were conducted at two time points, the first upon admission to the ward and the second after 3 months of regular rehabilitation.
Results: The study group showed relatively low scores for illness acceptance. After 3 months of rehabilitation, the acceptance of illness had significantly improved, but still remained at a low level. The results showed a relationship between acceptance of illness and patients’ depression symptoms, functional status and cognitive status.
Conclusions: The results suggest that assessment of the acceptance of illness among patients living in Nursing Home is important during treatment and rehabilitation process; however, further studies are necessary.
Keywords: older adults, nursing home, rehabilitation, acceptance of illness, depression symptoms, cognitive status
This work is published and licensed by Dove Medical Press Limited. The full terms of this license are available at https://www.dovepress.com/terms.php and incorporate the Creative Commons Attribution - Non Commercial (unported, v3.0) License. By accessing the work you hereby accept the Terms. Non-commercial uses of the work are permitted without any further permission from Dove Medical Press Limited, provided the work is properly attributed. For permission for commercial use of this work, please see paragraphs 4.2 and 5 of our Terms.Download Article [PDF] View Full Text [HTML][Machine readable]

domain: medical


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Workshops for Classroom Teachers
Our Professional Learning opportunities are designed to help you discover meaningful and manageable ways to integrate a variety of art forms into your lesson plans. In these workshops, you'll be guided by our Master Teaching Artists, and learn to infuse your daily teaching practice with innovation and creativity.
For more information email Deirdre Moore:
Teaching Artist Training
Growing and Supporting our Community of Teaching Artists
Our Teaching Artist Training (TAT) supports the development of informed, reflective, and culturally responsive teaching artists. The TAT fosters individual and collective growth within the teaching artist profession and supports access to further employment within the field. Current and planned TAT programs include coaching and specific workshops for continuing professional development. These programs are designed to meet the professional development needs of artist educators, and the schools and arts education organizations that partner with them.
For more information email Adrienne Valencia:


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“We took a fall beach vacation seven years ago, and after barely mustering the energy to put on my bathing suit, I looked out the window at my husband and daughter playing and just felt sad,” recalls, Cathy Shipley, 58. “I was trying so hard to get out there with them, but I was too exhausted to get off the couch. I’ll never be able to enjoy life again if I can’t figure out how to get my energy back.
Always Missing Out
“I’d been living with pain and fatigue for three years. After having a dental implant, I got a tooth infection that wouldn’t go away and brought on terrible exhaustion. Just to get up and move required every ounce of effort. “My amazing dentist couldn’t figure out the source of the infection even though X-rays confirmed its presence. He tried everything and finally told me I’d just have to give it time. But every day felt like a workout, and often I could barely get out of bed.
“My life was coming to a halt. I turned down dinners and get-togethers with friends, who’d try to convince me it would make me feel better to go. I felt misunderstood, like no one believed how sick I was, and feared I’d be homebound forever. So I started reading self-help books and journaling. I was very interested in the writings of Wayne Dyer, Ph.D., an expert on self-development and spiritual growth.
“I had never traveled by myself but was determined to go to a conference in Washington, D.C. that Dr. Dyer was headlining. I worried my fatigue would make it impossible, but I truly believed this was where I was going to find healing. I journaled about it for months and thought, He’ll say something that will click with me and my tooth will heal. I have no idea why I felt that way, but I did. There were 4,000 people at the conference, but I ended up in the front row, only to find out Dr. Dyer had canceled. I was so upset.
The Surprising Cure
“After lunch I heard Nick Ortner, an expert in the Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT), or tapping. It combines gentle acupressure with psychological strategies to relieve stress and anxiety. He talked about unresolved chronic pain, and it resonated with me.
“When he asked for volunteers who’d had pain for six months or more to try tapping, I raised my hand. I said my pain began with an infection, and Nick asked what was happening in my life when it started. I realized it was around the time my mom died and I’d felt abandoned. Nick explained how emotions play a key role in physical health and that unresolved emotions from losing my mother likely contributed to my tooth infection. Tapping could reprogram my brain and body to relieve stress and, ultimately, the infection causing my pain and exhaustion.
“I was curious and open to trying anything. Nick taught me how to tap on points on my body while repeating that I wanted my pain to go away. It was so strange! My pain was an eight on a scale of 10 when I took the stage, but after tapping for 10 minutes it was a one. I was stunned! I didn’t understand it. I waited for the pain to worsen but it was minimal for days, then returned to a five.
“Nick gave me a copy of his book, The Tapping Solution, so I could practice on my own. I went home and kept tapping! The exercise includes saying what you’re feeling in your heart, so I spent my sessions thinking about the pain and fatigue going away, while accepting my mother’s death and the trauma it brought. The first time I tapped at home, the pain was gone by the end of my 15-minute session. I had no doubt it was gone for good because I had read the book and understood the process. I felt euphoric!
“I went back to my dentist a week or so later, and my X-rays showed the infection was gone. Nick even included my story in his second book, The Tapping Solution for Pain Relief. I have so much energy now; I create note cards and I’ve written two books of affirmations. I enjoy my time with my family as an active participant—we do family vacations every year, and I play with my grandkids for hours. Now when I feel tired, I tap. It gives me the energy to do whatever I want!”
Are Blocked Feelings Wearing You Down?
If you’re constantly tired and have two or more of the following symptoms, you may have negative emotions stuck in your body.
- Tight muscles
- Digestive upset
- Get sick frequently
- Neck soreness
- Acid reflux
- Clumsiness/more frequent injuries
- Less self-awareness
- Joint pain
How to Do Tapping
Tapping — using your fingertips to tap your body’s energy hot spots — can release negative emotions, boost energy and fight off infections, says Peta Stapleton, Ph.D. To do: ID the problem you’d like to change (like anxiety) and rate the distress it causes you on a scale of 0 to 10. “Tapping works best when you’re specific,” says Stapleton.
Next, state your goal while tapping the “karate chop” area of your hand. Then tap through the next eight points in order while repeating that goal. Take a breath and re-rate your distress; repeat for 10 minutes. Says Stapleton, “Data shows tapping positively affects levels of cortisol, blood pressure, and DNA expression. It changes your biology.”
1. Karate chop
3. Side of eye
4. Under eye
5. Under nose
8. Under arm
9. Top of head
This article originally appeared in our print magazine.

domain: literature


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It takes something extraordinary to interest politicians in accounting standards. But these are clearly extraordinary times, and officials in Europe are digging deeper into accounting practices than ever in response to the financial turmoil. Specifically — and somewhat improbably — they are preoccupied with paragraph 50 of IAS 39, the standard covering financial instruments.
Addressing reclassifications of financial assets, EU lawmakers last month adopted changes to the text proposed by the International Accounting Standards Board, allowing companies to reclassify certain instruments to avoid marking assets to market in “rare circumstances.” The reclassification rule, which can be applied to third-quarter results, mirrors an existing American standard — FAS 115. Fair-value rules have been a lightning rod for criticism, as some have demonised the mark-to-market methodology for exacerbating the crisis.
Further revisions of the fair-value rules may be on the way. The IASB and its US counterpart have convened a special advisory board comprising “regulators, preparers, auditors, investors and other users of financial statements” to deal with financial reporting issues that have bubbled up from the credit crunch. It is likely that one of the first topics to be addressed will be the application of fair value in illiquid markets.
Accounting issues are also likely to be discussed among leaders of the 20 largest industrialised countries, who will meet this month to hammer out a global response to the financial crisis. Plans for the summit were announced when French president, Nicolas Sarkozy, a particularly fierce critic of fair-value accounting, and European Commission head, José Manuel Barroso, met with US president, George Bush, last month.
Sarkozy can count on the support of many companies in his campaign to roll back fair-value rules. When announcing a large writedown last month, Herman Agneessens, CFO of Belgian bank KBC, noted that profits would be boosted by €500m if the firm were allowed to reclassify collateralised debt obligations according to the altered accounting rules. Meanwhile, the CFO Forum, a group of finance chiefs from European insurers, is urging a broader scope to the alterations. It would, for example, allow insurers to reclassify quoted bonds in their portfolios in order to use amortised value instead of marking them to market, according to Denis Duverne, CFO of Axa and chairman of the forum.
Investor groups, on the other hand, are largely critical of the rule changes. In a survey of nearly 600 of its members, the CFA Institute, an association of investment professionals, found that 79% opposed the suspension of fair-value standards. Peter Elwin, an analyst at Cazenove, wrote in a recent note that “a Never Neverland approach to accounting that denies the existence of mark-downs” would do investors a disservice. Sarah Deans and Dane Mott, analysts at JPMorgan, were even harsher. Further changes to accounting rules would “reduce consistency, comparability and transparency,” they claim. “We do not think it is exaggerating to say that the credibility of European accounting is at stake.”


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Have you made use of the exemptions and allowances available to you? This is particularly important this year due to the impact of COVID-19 and the anticipated tax rises going forward.
Contributions to your pension
Have you any unused pension contributions allowances you need to use up? The annual allowance is progressively dropping so if you have any remaining allowance, then it would be an idea to use it before the end of the tax year.
Director of a limited company? Deciding on which tax year to take your dividends in may save you some tax. There are dividend allowances and different tax rates on those dividends so ensure you speak to your tax advisor before taking profits from your company.
EIS and SEIS
Both of these schemes are approved by HMRC with attractive tax benefits on the growth of your investment. They also ease the pain a little if you end up losing money.
If you like to make charitable donations, ensure you use the Gift Aid scheme to offer you some tax relief and add more to the charities own income. You can carry back some contributions into previous tax years, but the rules around this are a little complicated.
Remember, you have £20,000 to invest in this tax year in either a cash ISA or a Stocks & Shares ISA. For Junior ISAs, it's £9,000. ISAs are a great way to build up a tax-free portfolio of investments.
Reorganise your investments in combination with your spouse or civil partner and make full use of your annual savings allowance. Who wouldn't like £1,000 tax-free interest?
If you keep your income below £50,000, you'll avoid the High Income Tax Benefit Charge if you make pension contributions and donations via Gift Aid.
Again, keep your income low. If it's below £100,000, you'll avoid the withdrawal of your personal allowance. You can make pension contributions and charitable donations using Gift Aid to help you do this.
You can transfer assets to your spouse or civil partner when they pay less income tax, and that will reduce your Capital Gains Tax on the disposal.
And finally, do you know your tax code? Are you sure you have the right one? HMRC often get the codes wrong for high-earners so it really is worth checking you have the right code which could mean less tax liability when you do your end of year tax planning and subsequently file your return.
Until next time ...
Would you like to know more?
If anything I've written in this blog post resonates with you and you'd like to discover more, it may be a great idea to give me a call on 01908 774323 and let's see how I can help you.
Helen brings the personal tax planning experience of the top 20 tax companies to Essendon. Formerly of MacIntyre Hudson (with 45 offices nationwide), Helen worked at Chancery for more than 10 years before joining Essendon as the personal tax specialist.
Tax Planning can make a considerable difference to your tax liability. Helen has specialist knowledge and experience in tax planning and uses every opportunity to minimise your tax bill is utilised. By analysing your investments, income, profit and expenditures, Helen will provide strategic tax planning expertise that could offer significant savings, whilst delivering clear, honest advice and guidance.
When Helen is not at Essendon she spends time with her young son and likes going on long walks with the family dog.
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