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( firstname.lastname@example.org or @scottwongDC)
OBAMA BUDGET CALLS FOR CUTS TO ENTITLEMENTS, FEWER TAX HIKES – Zachary Goldfarb reports this morning for the Washington Post: “President Obama will release a budget next week that proposes significant cuts to Medicare and Social Security and fewer tax hikes than in the past, a conciliatory approach that he hopes will convince Republicans to sign onto a grand bargain that would curb government borrowing and replace deep spending cuts that took effect March 1. When he unveils the budget on Wednesday, Obama will break with the tradition of providing a sweeping vision of his ideal spending priorities, untethered from political realities. Instead, the document will incorporate the compromise offer Obama made to House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) last December in the discussions over the so-called ‘fiscal cliff’ – which included $1.8 trillion in deficit reduction through spending cuts and tax increases. …
Story Continued Below
-- “While Republicans are certain to be skeptical of Obama’s call for more taxes, the president also is likely to face immediate heat over his budget proposal from some Democrats and liberal supporters. Obama proposes, for instance, to change the cost-of-living calculation for Social Security in a way that will reduce benefits for most beneficiaries, a key Republican request that he had earlier embraced only as part of a compromise. Many Democrats say they are opposed to any Social Security cuts and are likely to be furious that such cuts are now being proposed as official administration policy.” http://wapo.st/XhtokK
88,000 JOBS ADDED IN MARCH – Seung Min Kim reports for POLITICO: “The economy added 88,000 jobs in March while unemployment dropped to 7.6 percent, the Labor Department reported Friday. The number was far below the expectations of analysts who predicted the economy added about 190,000 jobs last month. Friday’s jobs report is the first to reflect the post-sequester world. With a divided Washington unable to reach a deal, a series of automatic budget cuts to nearly all government programs kicked in March 1, and economists have warned that the sequester could take a hammer to the still-recovering economy. In particular, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has projected the sequester could cost the economy 750,000 jobs this year and scale back economic growth by 0.6 percent.” http://politi.co/16Bl5Do
COBURN: IS GUN FILIBUSTER ABOUT 2ND AMENDMENT ‘OR IS THAT ABOUT RAND PAUL?’ – Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.), a conservative and gun-rights advocate, has come under enormous pressure during recess to back away from any bipartisan talks about gun-control measures, The Wall Street Journal’s Janet Hook and Kristina Peterson: “After Mr. Coburn was asked multiple times an identically worded question about whether he would join Mr. Paul's effort to block gun legislation as he traveled around Oklahoma in recent days, Mr. Coburn bristled at the idea that Mr. Paul would threaten to filibuster a bill before its contents were made final. ‘Is that about filibustering a bill to protect the Second Amendment, or is that about Rand Paul?’ Mr. Coburn said at a town-hall meeting at the Oklahoma Sports Museum in Guthrie, Okla., on Wednesday. ‘I've done more filibusters than Rand Paul is old,’ Mr. Coburn said, but he added that he doesn't announce such moves before he understands the bill. http://on.wsj.com/10EaIcH
COMING MONDAY: POLITICO Pro will unveil Pro Report, an end of the day newsletter designed just for Pros. This is something many of you have been asking for: The most essential policy news that broke since the morning cycle – all in one place. The roundup will also offer a sneak peek into the next day’s biggest storylines. Pro Report will be sent to all Pro readers by 6 p.m. every weekday and published later that evening on POLITICO’s home page. An excerpt of the newsletter will also appear in the next morning’s print edition.
THE GAY-MARRIAGE BACKER’S PLAYBOOK – Lois Romano and Katie Glueck write for the hometown paper: “There’s clearly a new playbook for senators just now coming out for gay marriage: quietly post something on Facebook, slip it into your Tumblr feed or release a statement to friendly media outlets. What most lawmakers are not doing is talking for the cameras. In the past month, 11 senators have endorsed gay marriage, providing a nearly daily storyline of increased support for marriage equality. Lawmakers say they’ve ‘prayed,’ ‘evolved,’ discovered gay children to stand behind or had epiphanies following an illness. ‘It’s sort of been like flower-of-the-month club,’ said LGBT activist David Mixner.
-- “Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is the latest, sending a statement Thursday to the Tampa Bay Times. ‘Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn’t, and I won’t,’ Nelson said. But for all the hoopla over their announcements, combined with media coverage of last month’s Supreme Court arguments on the issue, these moments are scripted to be public — but not too public. There’s little footage available for opponents to use in the next campaign or live interviews with reporters who might ask difficult or inconvenient questions. The fact that so many of these announcements are coming from lawmakers who are retiring or just reelected helps make it even safer for them to take a stand. … Sticking with Facebook posts or issuing a simple statement can also help avoid freelancing on live television and going beyond the language they previously wrote or approved.” http://politi.co/10CADS1
NELSON BECAME THE 51ST SENATOR TO BACK GAY MARRIAGE, notes Roll Call’s Emily Pierce. There are now just six Senate Democrats who oppose it: Mark Pryor of Arkansas, Joe Donnelly of Indiana, Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, and Tim Johnson of South Dakota. http://bit.ly/10EdYEQ
A MIXED HOMECOMING FOR PORTMAN – The New York Times’ Trip Gabriel reports from Cincinnati: “No one heckled Senator Rob Portman during his first appearance before thousands of Ohioans since becoming the most prominent elected Republican in the country to endorse same-sex marriage. ‘Wouldn’t you say,’ he said, turning to his wife, Jane, after marching in an opening day parade for the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, ‘that most of the comments were thank yous and thumbs up and ‘You did the right thing’?’ True, but for some of the Ohioans who acknowledged Mr. Portman, doubts flickered below the surface. ‘Senator!’ said one spectator, Pete Kidnocker, reaching out to shake Mr. Portman’s hand. But after Mr. Portman passed, Mr. Kidnocker said he would vote for an alternative in a Republican primary and accused the senator of ‘betraying his principles.’ ‘If you’re a Christian and you believe in those principles, whether your son or daughter is a homosexual, you can’t change your principles,’ he said.
-- “Mr. Portman’s reversal of his long-held opposition to same-sex marriage — he said it was spurred by a son’s disclosure that he is gay — has intensified and quickened debate over the issue here in his home state. Though his shift has been welcomed by gay rights advocates as an example of how a family’s love can change minds, social conservatives have denounced Mr. Portman and vowed to block his re-election. … One impact of Mr. Portman’s change of heart has been to fuel a movement seeking the repeal of a constitutional amendment in Ohio that bans same-sex marriage, according to the group leading the effort, FreedomOhio. Requests to download petitions from the group’s Web site more than doubled overnight, to 50 a day, after Mr. Portman’s announcement, said Ian James, a co-founder of FreedomOhio. ‘His endorsement of freedom to marry, I would submit, has done more than any politician other than Barack Obama,’ Mr. James said.” http://nyti.ms/Xtixql
New York Times, A1, “Schumer’s new brief: Turning foes into friends,” By Jeremy W. Peters: “For much of the last decade, Senator Charles E. Schumer’s job was to bury Republicans, as one of his party’s most ruthless strategists and tireless fund-raisers. It was a job he did so effectively that he was asked to do it twice. But to watch Mr. Schumer operate these days, it would seem he has managed to get some Republicans to forget. There are now regular early-morning chats on immigration reform with Marco Rubio in the Senate gym. There was the excursion last week to the Mexican border with John McCain, who after learning that their visit would fall during Passover offered, ‘I’ll bring the latkes.’ Just this week, Mr. Schumer spent a good deal of time on the phone with Tom Coburn of Oklahoma, one of the Senate’s most unyielding conservatives, trying to keep the door open to a deal that would expand background checks for all gun sales.
-- “No one in the Senate right now has a legislative portfolio thicker than Mr. Schumer’s, and no one’s political fortunes are as closely linked to the outcome of the major public policy fights now consuming Congress. He is not only a whisperer to Republicans but also an envoy to the White House and a trusted confidant to the majority leader, Harry Reid of Nevada, who having handpicked Mr. Schumer to keep Republicans in the minority is now counting on him as his most important bipartisan bridge builder. … If Congress passes comprehensive legislation on either of these issues, few lawmakers will be able to claim more credit than Mr. Schumer. He would add to his résumé a significant achievement that could make it easier to attain what colleagues believe is his ultimate goal after Mr. Reid steps aside: the majority leader’s post. But if these efforts fail, few will shoulder more of the blame.” http://nyti.ms/YzYaqe Schumer Slideshow: http://nyti.ms/ZDsR9i
POLITICO FLASHBACK: “Schumer plays role of deal maker,” Feb. 25: http://politi.co/WnQwKY
GOOD FRIDAY MORNING, APRIL 5, 2013, and welcome to The Huddle, your play-by-play preview of the day’s congressional news. Send tips, suggestions, comments, complaints and corrections to email@example.com. If you don't already, please follow me on Twitter @scottwongDC.
My new followers include @DreenaWhitfield and @jehred00.
TODAY IN CONGRESS – The House and Senate are in recess this week.
AIRPORT CUTBACKS ON THE RADAR – In two front-page stories on the sequester cuts, USA Today warns about longer lines for international travelers and pilots turning to ‘see-and-avoid’ as airport towers around the country go dark: “Starting Sunday, tens of thousands of pilots flying each day will have to rely increasingly on ‘see-and-avoid’ as the Federal Aviation Administration begins to close nearly a third of its air-traffic control towers to cut costs,” writes Thomas Frank. “The 149 affected airports — small facilities in 38 states catering to private and commuter flights — will remain open but without controllers to keep airplanes a safe distance apart and to warn pilots about runway hazards they may not see. The tower closures are among thousands of steps federal officials are taking to cut $85 billion in spending this year as a 2011 law requires. But unlike furloughs, removing 871 controllers who guide 8 million planes a year around airports raises fears that pilots, passengers and bystanders will be killed. ‘You're putting people's lives at risk,’ said Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan., who is trying to restore funding for the control towers, including five in his state. ‘It's like taking down the stop signs in your town.’ …
-- “U.S. airplane collisions have killed an average of 30 people a year since 1982 — a total of 910 deaths, according to a USA TODAY review of federal records. Another 167 people have been seriously injured, and 729 airplanes have been destroyed or substantially damaged in the collisions, the records show.” Check out the interactive map of where these tower closures are located: http://usat.ly/11w5IdV PDF of front page: http://bit.ly/14Jbr36
-- And international travelers are facing longer waits at customs checkpoints, Bart Jansen reports: “Travelers taking off from the nation's biggest airports aren't facing longer security lines from federal spending cuts yet, but many of those arriving from overseas are. A USA TODAY survey of airport officials and travelers at Atlanta, Chicago's O'Hare, Los Angeles, Miami, New York's JFK and Washington Dulles this week finds that lines at Transportation Security Administration checkpoints aren't noticeably longer for most departing passengers a month after federal spending cuts were imposed. However, customs lines for many people arriving on international flights are growing — prompting Los Angeles airport officials to hold passengers on planes for up to an hour at busy times before letting them into terminals.” http://usat.ly/Y2gN25
CONSERVATIVE GROUPS BACK IMMIGRATION REFORM – Anna Palmer and Jake Sherman report for POLITICO: “High-profile conservative groups are taking on an unexpected cause: passing immigration reform. A diverse mix of the Washington consultant class is cutting TV ads, revving up the grassroots and advising lawmakers on messaging and strategy in hopes of getting a bill across the finish line this year. The surprising effort is a new element to the immigration debate — and one that could influence Republican lawmakers reluctant to support the cause. The next few weeks will be a critical phase for the immigration fight, as lawmakers return to Washington from a two-week recess to face mounting pressure from advocates on both sides.
--“‘We’re doing it to make sure…that Republican congressman and senators feel comfortable,” said American for Tax Reform’s Grover Norquist in an interview. “They look out and hear the guys on talk radio, and they go ‘Oh my goodness, everybody out there thinks this. That’s not necessarily where I was, but I guess if everybody thinks that way, I’ll either be quiet or go along, or I’ll listen to them so they can convince me.’ They’re now hearing the other side of the issue.’ Conservatives say the strongest case in favor of immigration reform is an economic one, not values-based, arguing that an expanded pool of legal workers will boost the economy — the message that tests best in focus groups.” http://politi.co/16vyYky
-- One of the next fights for the Gang of Eight will be what to name the immigration bill, The Hill’s Molly Hooper writes: http://bit.ly/Xtonbd
-- Mark Zuckerberg’s new immigration group is stumbling out of the gates, POLITICO’s Reid Epstein reports: http://politi.co/YzkMXF
A PATH TO CITIZENSHIP has been confusing to Americans, writes NYT’s Julia Preston: “In six nationwide nonpartisan polls released since January, at least 70 percent of Americans said they supported options allowing those immigrants to remain in the country with some form of legal status. Generally only about one-quarter of those polled said the immigrants should not be allowed to stay. But results vary widely when Americans are asked whether legal status should include the possibility of citizenship. In a large national poll released on March 21 by the Public Religion Research Institute and the Brookings Institution, 63 percent of Americans said immigrants here illegally should be allowed to become citizens if they met certain requirements. In a poll published a week later by the Pew Research Center, which asked about citizenship in a slightly different way, only 43 percent said they would give citizenship to the immigrants, while 24 percent said the immigrants should be allowed to stay as permanent residents but not citizens. The 20-point gap points to a difficulty facing lawmakers as they sell their proposals to revamp the immigration system: its procedures are unfamiliar and puzzling to many Americans.” http://nyti.ms/13X4WdG
SPRING TRAINING OVER FOR COLBERT BUSCH – Alex Isenstadt reports for POLITICO: “For months, rookie South Carolina congressional candidate Elizabeth Colbert Busch has had the luxury of kicking back and watching Republicans fight among themselves. With a big hand from her famous brother, comedian Stephen Colbert, she’s drawn money and publicity that other first-time office seekers could only dream of. Spring training is over now. With former Gov. Mark Sanford’s GOP primary battle behind him, Republicans say they’re laying the groundwork for a scorched-earth general election, branding Colbert Busch as a down-the-line liberal who’s out of step with the 1st District’s conservative electorate. She will have to show she can go toe-to-toe with a seasoned, though obviously flawed opponent who was once regarded as potential presidential material. Sanford’s general election strategy is straightforward: divert attention from his own personal baggage, and make the race about Colbert Busch’s support for the policies of the national Democratic Party — in a district where those policies are not popular.” http://politi.co/16vzaAj
THURSDAY’S TRIVIA WINNER – We have a tie: Both James McCaghren and Tom Flanagin correctly answered just seconds apart that Thomas Hart Benton, who would go on to become a senator from Missouri, shot Andrew Jackson, the future president, in a street brawl in 1813.
TODAY’S TRIVIA – Jerry Skurnik has today’s question: Who is the only U.S. Senator to graduate from a branch of City University of New York? First to correctly answer gets a mention in the next day’s Huddle. Email me at firstname.lastname@example.org.
GET HUDDLE emailed to your Blackberry, iPhone or other mobile device each morning. Just enter your email address where it says “Sign Up.” http://www.politico.com/huddle/
** A message from the Association of American Medical Colleges: The 340B Program allows safety net hospitals to purchase drugs at discounts from pharmaceutical companies -- helping teaching hospitals strengthen care for low-income, rural, and other underserved Americans. Best of all? 340B doesn’t cost taxpayers a dime. At less than 3% of the total U.S. drug market, 340B is a bargain for our country and a lifeline for hospitals and communities. Congress should protect the 340B Program. Pass H.R. 4392. Learn more: aamc.org/340B **

domain: politics


One of the most beautiful and poignant pieces by J.S. Bach, arranged here for the first time for lever or pedal harp and organ. Originally the second movement of the Sonata No. 2 for solo violin, unaccompanied, Mr. Barnwell has skillfully adapted it for the intermediate harpist and organist. Included is a full score the organist can read from and an 11×17 page for the harpist. In the key of C, with a few accidentals, which are clearly marked with lever and pedal changes. This is a perfect meditative piece for worship services.


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The recently-built restaurant and pension Hubert Varga is conveniently situated in the historic part of Komarno. Our three-room luxury apartment has a spacious inner area. Deer-luxury apartment – 2+2 person fitted with a tiny kithcen nook, a counter, a roomy living-room and a bedroom and a terrace. Relaxation and tranquility are further enhanced by the spacious, exclusive bathroom equipped with a double jacuzzi and a flat-screen television. Wild Boar-luxury apartment –2+1 person, a tastefully furnished apartment, a bathroom equipped with a shower cubicle. Roebuck-luxury apartment – 2+2+2 person fitted with a study – in case you can’t get away from work-a minibar – for pleasant evenings. A Roomy bathroom equipped with a hydro-massage shower cubicle.
- Jókaiho 28/19, 94501 Komárno, Slovakia
- 47.7588064, 18.130519999999933
No offers available
24-hour front desk
Designated smoking area
Facilities for disabled guests
Free private parking is possible on site (reservation is not needed).
Free public parking is possible at a location nearby
Pets are allowed on request. Charges may be applicable.
Private parking is possible on site
Private parking is possible on site (reservation is needed)
Public parking is possible on site
Restaurant (à la carte)
Safety deposit box
Spa and wellness centre
WiFi is available in all areas and is free of charge
WiFi is available in public areas and is free of charge
Twin Room - € 35 , Double Room - € 40 , Apartment - € 80 Book your accommodation now, pay only when you stay!

domain: travel


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Taotao cc Super Stinger Sport Bike ON SALE!!!! Mini Motorcycles For Sale - Find new and used Taotao Motorcycles on vochtprobleem.info
The bike has held up amazingly well, and rides very smoothly. He loves it!
Guardian Kids Bikes Ethos. Safer Brake System for Kids. Lightweight Steel Construction. Easy Assembly.
ASO SharkTank. We are so happy with the Guardian bike.
We got the 16 inch and it is perfect. The owner of the company responded instantly with feedback and help for us. My son was able to go straight from a Strider to this bike.
The brakes are the best safety feature we could ask for. We are so happy with this.
In a couple years when it's time to move up to a bigger bike we will definitely be buying from this Plcket again. My parents are also going to buy one of these to keep at their house for when we visit. After having him on 150cc super pocket bike bike, we don't feel comfortable or safe book bike him ride any other kind!
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While the common perception that motorcycling is dangerous can be true—especially Cateye Pocket Bike 49cc Would you watch another build video!? Like or What a punk.
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New Vlog Channel https: 150cc super pocket bike Sale! MotoBravo Hornet california street legal mini motorcycle cc This is an automatic motorcycle california street leagal goes mph Note: Pocket bikes for Christmas More. The 50cc Bbike is a smooth running, economical trike that is easy to ride and fun for everyone.
With a large rear mounted storage box, the Bullseye is great for commuting to school or work and picking up groceries. Available in Blue, Black, and Burgundy.
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News:Pocket bikes, super pocket bikes, gas scooters, and electric scooters are all growing in interest here in the Pitbull cc Scooter Trike 3 Wheel Street Ruckus.
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domain: hobby


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This is a framed set of 2 panes of "1941: A World at War" Stamps. This is a wonderful gift for the stamp collector or World War II collector in your life. This is the 1st. in the series of 5.
World War II 1943: A World at War Postage Stamps The Postal Service issued a commemorative sheet of ten 29-cent stamps marking the 50th anniversary of World War II in Washington, DC. This issuance is the first in a series of five issued annually through 1995. The stamps were manufactured by the Bureau of Engraving and Printing in the offset/intaglio process. The stamps, designed by artist Bill Bond of Arlington, Virginia.

domain: history


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Covering an overall area of 49.768 sq km, the Namib-Naukluft National Park is the largest game park in Africa and the fourth largest in the world.
The present boundaries of Namib-Naukluft National Park came into being in 1978, the year of its establishment by the merging of the Namib Desert Park, the Naukluft Mountain Zebra Park, some sections of Diamond Area 1 plus some other bits of government land in the neighborhood. The habitat of this massive conservation area has Rocky areas stretching over 26%, Grassland covering about 12% and the Desert covering 61%.
This is a stunning pan situated in the Namib Desert. It is surrounded by the massive red sand dunes in awesomely enormous patterns. It covers over 32.000 sq km stretching between rivers Koichab and Kuiseb. It is also a habitat for some animals such as rodents or jackals and reptiles of the Park. During the wet season, several migrant birds are seen along the marshes and rivers of the area.
Gemsbok, springbok and Hartmann’s Zebra occur widely in park and Leopard, Brown and spotted hyenas are available although not so common. The black-backed jackals and spiraled-horned Oryx are more visible. There are also many snakes in the Park. On a good safari day, over 15 species of different snakes can be spotted.
There are also hundreds of beetles, termites, fishtails and other insects which feed on vegetation blown into the desert or deposited by the few plants which grow in the sand.
There are many bird species that have been recorded in the Namib Desert and many of them are common to Namibia but there are species that common to this the desert areas only. Raptors available include the African Penguin, Lesser Flamingo, large bustards, ostriches, sand grouse, Crowned Cormorant, Bank Cormorant, African Oystercatcher, Monteiro’s Hornbill, Gray’s Lark are very common. Rare birds are best found around the beds of the two main rivers, the genab waterhole and the northern section of the park around the Naukluft Mountains. Flamingos constitute the largest percentage of water birds in Namib-Naukluft National Park. The chestnut-banded plover; white pelican and black-necked grebe are some of the endangered Red Data species commonly spotted around Sandwich harbor.
Include Walvis Bay and Sandwich Harbor just outside on the coast, the moonscape of the Swakop Canyons – smoothly carved tunnels from the sandstone resulting from the meandering Tsauchab River. Naukluft Mountain is massive rock formation and heavenly vegetated with riverbeds. It provides perfect shelter and covers for the mountain zebra, springbok, kudu, rock, rabbits and black eagles. The Tsauchab River which meanders into the middle of the desert is also another beautiful sighting.
Getting To The Namib-Naukluft National Park
Most of the park is inaccessible although some minor access roads are at times in poor conditions. The most common way to access the park is on 2WD to the entrance. A few gravel roads traverse the northern section of the park and another leads into the middle dune area of Sossusvlei and Sesriem Canyon. There are also possibilities of using a light aircraft or hot air balloon, for the best view of this rippling desert park.
Best Time to Visit
The period between the months of September and March is the best time to visit Namib-Naukluft National Park.
Where to Stay
There are several safari camps and private lodges in Namib-Naukluft National Park where you can relax or retreat and even enjoy viewing wild animals. They are well-maintained and fitted with facilities for a comfy stay. The most prominent are Naukluft Camp and Sesriem Camp. There are also five other camping sites and lodges including Wolwedans Private Camp, Wolwedans Boulders Camp, Wolwedans Dune Lodge, Wolwedans Dune Camp and Sossusvlei Desert Lodge. Most of them offer walking trails and guided trips into the national park.
The highlight of a visit to the Namib Naukluft National Park is usually a trip to the Sossusvlei.
- Desert Walks – along sand dunes of Sossusvlei and to Dead Vlei
- Photographic Safaris
- Flying over safaris – using a light aircraft or hot air balloon
- Bird watching – especially the water birds around the Sandwich Harbour
- Night gazing – Because of the heat most of the animals operate by night and sleep or burrow during the day. So some visitors opt for night gazing.

domain: geography


“Not Just a Maintenance Issue”
Revitalization efforts spread to East Central
It seems like anything's negotiable these days. Say, for example, you're so far behind on your water utilities that, in lieu of paying off the debt, you cut a deal with the city to demolish the property instead.
Punked. Immediately following last week's presidential debate, Ken Mehlman, George W. Bush's campaign manager, convened a teleconference with GOP "team leaders" around the country to discuss strategy. An unknown fact to Mehlman, however, was that an Internet blogger named Atrios had circulated the event's phone number and password on his website. And who reads blogs more than other bloggers, right? After Mehlman talked about Kerry's "credibility gap," he offered to take three questions. According to Jack Pine Savage, one of the bloggers who listened in, the first question came from a "young Republican in Washington." The woman announced she thought Kerry won the debate and was now going to vote for him. The second caller, another woman, said Kerry would make a worthy Commander in Chief and the third call criticized Bush for playing-down al Qaeda. "Mehlman apologized to the Bush supporters listening and acknowledged that the call had obviously attracted some Democrats," wrote Savage on his blog.
Peeking into the Crystal Ball
Early odds for the 2005 mayoral elections
In less than a month, the nation will elect (or re-elect) a president. Everybody and their monkey is speculating on the outcome of that horse race, so why not look little further down the political road?
Ortiz y Pino
Mute Those Stupid TV ads!
The debates make all the difference
The week before last Thursday night's first of the 2004 presidential debates we heard a lot about the limitations of this tightly packaged quadrennial ritual: how it isn't truly a debate, simply an opportunity for multiple sound bites; how it is highly unlikely to ever produce a clear-cut winner or loser, and so on.
Odds & Ends
Dateline: Japan—According to the Shukan Gendai newspaper, an inventor has come up with a cell phone ring tone that will increase a woman's breast size. Hideto Tomabechi, who first made a name for himself in Japan by deprogramming brainwashed members of the AUM Shinrikyo doomsday cult, says, “Most would think it's a lie, but the techniques involved in the process have been known for some time and are the result of research I carried out in the '80s and '90s. I use sounds that make the brain and body movie unconsciously. It's a technique involving subliminal effects.” Amazingly, more than 10,000 people have scrambled to download the ring tone in its first week. “I listened to the tune for a week expecting all the time that I was being duped,” Chieri Nakayama, a 19-year-old pinup model, told Shukan Gendai. “But, incredibly, my 87-centimeter bust grew to 89 centimeters! It was awesome!” Tomabechi says he's already got plans for ring tones that improve memory, reduce baldness, help people quit cigarettes and increase attractiveness with the opposite sex.
For the first time in many years, I actually watched the presidential debates. I'm glad I did, because it's fascinating to witness the spin the corporate media has tried to put on it on behalf of our president. Already they are trying to portray Bush's truly embarrassing and utterly incompetent performance as "emotional," but the truth is, Bush came off looking like a complete moron. Anyone who tries to put a good face on his shrill, angry performance is just as stupid as Bush himself.


FCA to Produce Autonomous Vehicles With Aurora
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Aurora recently announced that they’re signed a memo of understanding as they cement a deal. The deal, in what would be FCA’s second involvement in autonomous tech after teaming up with Waymo, would be for FCA commercial vehicles to be fully integrated with Aurora’s self-driving system with other possibilities further down the line. As the announcement is rather recent, neither company has given a time frame, so it’s difficult for experts to make educated guesses as to which of FCA’s commercial vehicles would get the Aurora autonomous driving system.
Aurora calls the system the Aurora Driver. Comprised of hardware, software and data services, the Aurora Driver helps guide self-driving cars with further development stemming into the Level 4 Capacity. Automation has a total of 5 levels, and level 4 is when a vehicle can operate without physical human input or oversight depending on the driving conditions, road type and geographic area. In essence, Aurora Drive functions entirely on its own, under specific parameters of course. Limited areas with sufficient map data are the preferred stomping grounds of Level 4 self-driving cars thanks to the geo-fencing. The end goal for all companies is a Level 5 self-driving car – one that’s able to function entirely on its own under all conditions while exhibiting responses expected of a human driver.
Like we mentioned earlier, this isn’t FCA’s first foray into the autonomous driving segment, with FCA supplying Waymo with Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans that are subsequently outfitted and converted into self-driving machines. The self-driving minivans form part of Waymo’s expanding fleet. Unlike Waymo, Aurora is only interested in licensing their Aurora Driver system to automakers and other firms. Aurora is intentionally developing the system in a manner that’s as flexible as possible so that automakers can integrate the Aurora Driver program at scale. For the time being, Aurora has fitted the system into sedans, SUVs, minivans, large commercial vehicles and even class 8 trucks for testing.
Initially founded in 2016, Aurora has already forged major deals with other automakers such as Hyundai, Volkswagen, China’s Byton (electric car company) and now FCA. Headquartered in Palo Alto, Aurora also has offices in Pittsburgh and San Francisco. “As part of FCA’s autonomous vehicle strategy, we will continue to work with strategic partners to address the needs of customers in a rapidly changing industry. Aurora brings a unique skill set combined with advanced and purposeful technology that complements and enhances our approach to self-driving,” FCA CEO Mike Manley said.
Check out our previous Waymo & the Self-Driving Future piece to learn more about FCA’s involvement in the autonomous driving world until now. Follow Hollywood Chrysler Jeep on social media to stay up to date with the latest FCA autonomous driving news.


No Ronnie rescue as Milan slip up.
RONALDINHO sparkled on his debut but he could not prevent AC Milan slumping to a dismal defeat to Serie A newboys Bologna in their opener at the San Siro.The Brazilian, drafted in along with Andriy Shevchenko to try and restore the Milan giants to the top of the game in Italy, showed glimpses of his world-beating best form.But it was Bologna's big summer buy who grabbed the early headlines.
Much-travelled former Juventus striker Marco Di Vaio put the visitors into a shock lead on 18 minutes when the ball fell kindly to him in the box. Just before the half-hour mark, Ronaldinho could have made himself an instant hit with the Milan fans, but his header from Gianluca Zambrotta's cross was straight at goalkeeper Francesco Antonioli. Ronaldinho was at the centre of everything that was good for Milan however, and it was his cross that Massimo Ambrosini headed home to restore parity on 41 minutes.The Brazilian magician then flicked the ball over the defence for Filippo Inzaghi to run onto but after rounding Antonioli the veteran striker couldn't turn his shot in.After the break it was a similar story, with Ronaldinho teeing up Inzaghi and then second-half substitute Andrei Shevchenko, but neither could beat Antonioli. And those misses proved costly as, with 11 minutes left on the clock, Francesco Valiani let fly with a 25-yard thunderbolt that flew into the roof of Milan's net to give the visitors a memorable win.But coach Carlo Ancelotti insists he is not worried. He said: "Clearly we still need to settle the new players in and try out the tactics. The impression I got is that this team can do great things".Fellow title hopefuls Roma were no less disappointing as they opened with a 1-1 draw at home to 10-man Napoli.
The hosts went in front when Alberto Aquilani ran onto a delicate chip over the defence from Daniele De Rossi and took the ball down on his chest before firing home.Despite having Fabian Santacroce sent off on 54 minutes, Napoli were level soon after through Slovakia midfielder Marek Hamsik.Roma's Brazilian goalkeeper Doni then had to make several smart saves.
2007 Al Sidra Media LLC
Provided by Syndigate.info an Albawaba.com company


February 17, 2021
In recognition of its outstanding work during winter storms to keep customers safe and roads clear, the Illinois Tollway has received the 2021 Excellence in Snow and Ice Control Award from the American Public Works Association (APWA).
According to the Illinois Tollway, this annual award is presented by the APWA to "select public works and transportation agencies that demonstrate sustained achievement in clearing snow and ice from their roadways to ensure they continue operating safely during severe winter weather. The Tollway was one of three agencies in North America to receive the award."
The Tollway says they use snowplows equipped with smart technologies that help them efficiently clear snow and ice, while also allowing drivers to adjust the amounts of salt and other de-icing materials dispersed to limit their impact on our environment. "Using various concentrations of chlorides, brine solutions, beet-heat and aggregates enables the Tollway to address varying winter weather conditions on different segments of the Tollway system to better remove wind-blown or hard-packed snow from roadways."
Congratulations to the Illinois Tollway, a long-time client of Epstein's, on this amazing recognition! Epstein is currently planning, designing and engineering a system-wide Maintenance Facility program for the Illinois Tollway, including the M1 Maintenance Facility, M6 Maintenance Facility, and M7 Maintenance Facility.
A network of 12 maintenance facilities, including some new, LEED-certified structures-, are located across the Tollway system to better support snow and ice removal operations.
Again, congratulations to the Illinois Tollway! We hope our indoors truck storage design continues to aid in the speedy and efficient responses.


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The MSI GT60 0NC-004US also comes with Dynaudio Tech Speakers, 802.11bgn WiFi, 3 USB 3.0 ports, 1 HDMI port, and Lithium ion battery. The laptop runs on Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit operating system. Needless to say, such a configuration is good enough for our daily use, people are very satisfied with it.
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Ex-KiwiRail tenant palm farmers trying to challenge a court decision have failed in their seventh attempt to get more time to bring their case, the court's patience being finally exhausted.
On Tuesday, the Supreme Court rejected the application from Brent Hubbard and Harley Haynes, whose business owes the state-owned rail enterprise hundreds of thousands of dollars in rent.
The men wanted more time to be granted an extension, after their seventh attempt.
The pair once rented KiwiRail land in Onehunga to grow exotic palms and for years have been trying to challenge KiwiRail's moves to increase their rent and liquidate their business.
Their Oceanic Palms is in liquidation, owing creditors $392,000 but with only $2000 in assets. KiwiRail claimed $232,833 from the business, which Companies Office records show is now removed from the register.
"The proposed appeal to the Court of Appeal would have challenged a decision of Associate Judge Smith ordering the liquidation of a company called Oceanic Palms and refusing to stay the decision pending other litigation," the Supreme Court decision out this week said.
Hubbard and Haynes were directors of Oceanic Palms and they once grew their plants on surplus KiwiRail land near the railway line. But when they didn't pay the rent they were liable for, KiwiRail had their company liquidated.
The pair have for years tried to challenge that, claiming Oceanic Palms was solvent. They disputed KiwiRail's claim for back rent, which formed the substantial part of the claim for liquidation.
The men claimed a previous court decision was wrong "because it did not recognise the obligation of KiwiRail as a state-owned enterprise to exercise consideration of the social good in its decisions", the latest decision said.
"They wish to argue that the order for liquidation of Oceanic Palms was made contrary to that legal obligation and that, as a result, justice has not been done to Oceanic Palms and its directors, nor to other concerns who were tenants of KiwiRail. They also say that, in evicting Oceanic Palms, KiwiRail has not acted properly."
KiwiRail opposed the men's attempt to appeal a decision it had already won. It says the liquidation is being concluded.
But Hubbard and Haynes wanted to argue KiwiRail's decision to increase Oceanic Palms' rent was made in bad faith, contrary to the duties and responsibilities of a state-owned enterprise and was unreasonable.
The Supreme Court noted how those claims had already been determined in KiwiRail's favour in previous court proceedings.
The palm farmers also wanted to argue the rent calculations KiwiRail relied on were corrupt. But the Supreme Court said valuations KiwiRail relied on were found by the Court of Appeal to be reasonable in a previous decision.
Hubbard and Haynes wanted to argue they were unaware of the time limits in the statutory demand notice for the unpaid rent. The Supreme Court found this argument implausible because the time limits for paying the money were clearly set out in the statutory demand, it said.
Any appeal was also now likely to be moot because Oceanic Palms' liquidation was almost complete, the Supreme Court noted.
Hubbard and Haynes filed their application for leave in the Supreme Court on July 22 last year.
"Since then they sought and were granted extensions of time to file their submissions on seven occasions. These extensions of time were primarily to allow for a response to be provided to a request for information from KiwiRail made under the Official Information Act," this week's decision noted.
Hubbard and Haynes said the further information was needed so they could advance their arguments.
More time was also necessary because of the difficulties they say they faced as lay litigants and to ensure, consistently with the principles of natural justice, they were able to fully present their case before the court.
When the men sought their seventh time extension to allow them to prepare their submissions and to seek discovery from KiwiRail, the Supreme Court said it issued a minute on June 5, 2020 which said it considered sufficient allowances had been made for any difficulties due to them being lay litigants.
The minute recorded that the men would need to file their submissions by June 29.
If those didn't arrive by then, Hubbard and Haynes were told no further time extensions would be granted.
On June 29, the pair asked for yet another extension - their eighth - and this time for four months.
They said that was for various reasons including to await work from the Ombudsman's Office on the OIA request.
But the court had had enough.
"We formally decline that application," the Supreme Court said on Tuesday.
The men had have been given considerable leeway to date, it noted.
"The central point the applicants wish to make in the proposed appeal is clear from the material we have and it is a point that has been well‑ventilated," the decision said.
"In addition, as was set out in our minute, we accept the submission from KiwiRail that the further material the applicants say they still need to obtain from KiwiRail is not relevant to whether the criteria for leave are met or to the underlying issue of whether Oceanic Palms was insolvent," the decision said.

domain: law


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For week 6, twenty countries reported concomitantly high/medium-intensity influenza transmission and wide geographic spread. In addition, thirteen countries reported increasing trends while six reported decreasing trends, compared to 22 reporting increasing trends and only one decreasing in week 5/2013.
Concerning the dengue outbreak in Madeira, twenty new cases were reported by the Portuguese Ministry of Health. In total, as of 3 February 2013, 2 164 cases of dengue infection have been reported. The latest figures from the Portuguese Ministry of Health indicate an important decrease of the number of notified cases reported since mid-November 2012. However, the outbreak is still on-going with 28 cases reported in 2013 and three additional cases recorded by the local epidemiological surveillance system.
Furthermore, the report for week 7 includes information on the novel coronavirus, influenza A(H5N1), measles, poliomyelitis and rubella. The ECDC CDTR is a weekly bulletin intended for epidemiologists and health professionals in the area of communicable disease prevention and control.
Read the full Communicable Disease Threats Report, week 7/2013 (.pdf)
Dengue health topic
Seasonal influenza health topic
Risk assessment: Seasonal influenza 2012/13 in Europe (EU/EEA countries)

domain: biology


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A Fruitful Retirement: Social Security Benefit
Taking your Social Security benefits at the right time may help maximize your benefit.
Have A Question About This Topic?
Is your estate in order? This short quiz may help you assess your overall strategy.
You might qualify for Medicare if you’re under 65-years-old. This article will explain the conditions where you may qualify for Medicare early.
There’s a link between debt and stress.

domain: economics


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Detroit Lions rookie Ndamukong “Badonkadonk” Suh met up with noted recording artist Jay-Z recently. “Recording artist” is my nice way of saying “guy that makes music that I don’t really like.
The No. 2 overall draft pick recently got some career and life advice from Jay-Z. Suh met the rapper and part owner of the New Jersey Nets backstage at the Palms Casino Resort in March.
“He said, ‘Stay humble, hungry. And continue to press on,’ ” Suh said. “He was very proud of the way I carried myself and so forth. Just stay who you are, stay true to what you are and what you believe in. Don’t change yourself. Don’t let the money change you.” –FreeP.
Pretty humble words for a guy hanging out in a plush Vegas hotel that goes home to Beyonce’ at night. And I’ll be fair, “Empire State of Mind” is a pretty good song, but nothing else he’s ever done really blows my skirt up. I’m more of a Skee Lo guy. Who doesn’t wish he was a little bit taller. Or a baller, for that matter?

domain: celebrity


text: Gaining purchaser gratification is our company's aim eternally. We're going to make great initiatives to create new and top-quality products, satisfy your exclusive prerequisites and supply you with pre-sale, on-sale and after-sale solutions for Salon Equipment Hair Dryer, Nose Ear Hair Trimmer For Men, Rechargeable Electric Shaving, Hair Clipper Cordless,Electric Hair Dryer. All prices depend upon the quantity of your order; the more you order, the more economical the price is. We also offer good OEM service to many famous brands. The product will supply to all over the world, such as Europe, America, Australia,Philadelphia, Macedonia,Seattle, Dubai.Corporate goal: Customers' satisfaction is our goal, and sincerely hope to establish long-terms stable cooperative relations with customers to jointly develop the market. Building brilliant tomorrow together!Our company regards "reasonable prices, efficient production time and good after-sales service" as our tenet. We hope to cooperate with more customers for mutual development and benefits. We welcome potential buyers to contact us.


RESTON, VA—Mobile Satellite Ventures LP
(MSV) has entered into a three-year strategic distribution alliance with the Sprint Emergency Response Team (ERT) to offer continuous wireless connectivity for public safety agencies in situations where the public switched telephone network (PSTN) is congested or damaged, or where phone coverage is non-existent.
Through this new agreement Sprint ERT will offer unique MSV satellite products and services as part of its Rapid Deployment Solutions portfolio and resell MSV equipment and services to public safety end-users throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Sprint ERT works side by side with public safety agencies and other customers to coordinate communications during emergencies and other large-scale events, standing ready to provide customers with three key resources during disaster response and recovery efforts—personnel, equipment, and infrastructure.
“MSV satellite communications services will now provide our public sector customers with the benefit of continuous interoperable communications, a necessity for saving lives during emergencies and natural disasters,” said Matt Foosaner, director of ERT for Sprint. “This new addition to our Rapid Deployment Solutions portfolio reflects our commitment to provide the best in class products and services to our customers. At Sprint, we not only provide phones but offer communication tools that help public safety professionals save valuable seconds and lives.”
Under the terms of the distribution alliance, Sprint ERT will also offer MSV’s current array of services including MSV push-to-talk and two-way radio service over satellite as well as telephony over MSV’s MSAT generation satellites. The agreement also includes provisions for adding new and future communications services.
“Our new strategic distribution alliance with the Sprint ERT is another example of MSV’s increasing penetration of the important public-safety vertical market. We are very excited to work with Sprint, an industry leader in providing interoperable communications to public safety agencies,” said Larry D. Haughey, MSV Satellite Services Group vice president for the government sector. “Sprint already has purchased a number of our current generation satellite terminals to augment their disaster response services. Through this agreement, Sprint ERT will sell our unique push-to-talk radio services to government and other public-safety agencies.” n


DUBAI- Renault Middle East is welcoming the all-new Duster – the unstoppable SUV – to its Middle East line-up. Already on-sale in Lebanon and Egypt, and available in Jordan from August, the new Duster will be arriving across the GCC and Saudi Arabia from September and will be on sale in Iraq in late 2018. While offering a range of high-quality, new features, the reinvented SUV will still retain the same level of affordability that the name ‘Duster’ is celebrated for.
The all-new Renault Duster boasts brand-new exterior styling, delivering a distinctly assertive and robust look, as well as an upgrade in perceived quality with a totally redesigned interior for a comfortable and user-friendly driving experience.
Since its global launch in 2010, more than 2.45 million Duster models have been sold across the world under the Renault and Dacia brands. The SUV for everyday motoring has been popular with drivers across the globe, with exceptional sales results recorded in Russia, India, Brazil and the Middle East.
The Duster’s roominess, affordability and off-road capabilities have long been recognised as the model’s strengths and the all-new models continues to carry these desirable attributes.
The SUV’s exterior has been given a more robust look thanks to the addition of a wide chrome-finish grille which extends to the head lights positioned at the car’s front corners. A front skid plate reinforces the Duster’s adventurer credentials and ensures that the vehicle never loses its smart looks. Finished with Renault’s signature C-shaped lighting with LED daytime running lights the Duster is a modern SUV with a rugged personality.
Inside, the Duster is equipped with new, high-quality, driving aids and new equipment, making it a genuine adventure-ready SUV which offers the versatility and comfort for everyday driving. On stepping inside the cabin, the noticeable difference in quality is instantly recognisable – packed with ‘Easy Life’ features like Hill Descent Control, Multiview camera and Blind Spot Warning, 4×4 monitor, automatic air conditioning, Remote Engine Start (GCC only), seven-inch touchscreen tablet and Renault smart card with keyless entry system – as well as quality trims and materials.
The all-new Duster is available in both 2WD and 4WD specifications and offers among the market’s very best off-road capability. With a choice of two petrol engines; 1.6L (4×2) mated to a CVT automatic transmission, and 2.0L with automatic transmission (4×4), the Duster is an SUV equipped for any terrain.
Commenting on the launch of the all-new Duster, Marwan Haidamous, Renault Middle East Managing Director said, “Before the arrival to the region of the original Duster in 2012, there was little awareness of the Renault brand in the Middle East; the original Duster was responsible for boosting the brand’s awareness. Now, six years on, we are welcoming the all-new Duster which will, again, reinvent and reinvigorate the brand to new levels of performance and positive opinion – pushing us further towards our goal of being ‘best in class’.”


San Francisco town in the Contra Costa region, Dublin, CA is a unique and diverse cultural hub. True to its name, it was named Dublin due to the large number of Irish residents. With a large population over 65,000 and is known as one of the best places to live (as dubbed by Money Magazine in 2018). In 2019, Dublin was one of the fastest growing cities in the country. It makes considering Dublin CA, real estate a great choice.
Did You Know These Dublin Fun Facts?
Things to do in Dublin
Looking to buy a home in Dublin, CA and want to know what fun things await you? The Dublin Wave Waterpark is a great place to start. Or how about a scenic hike through the Tassajara Creek Regional Park, Kolb Park, or Emerald Glen Park. With many heritage museums and monuments, and it’s unique Irish history, there is plenty to keep the kids and adults happy.
Range Homes works in a broad spectrum of communities and regions. We are constantly on the lookout for local news that may affect the local housing market. Check-in regularly to see if any more articles have been added that you want to read.
Dublin is a suburban city of the East Bay in California. It is located within the Amador Valley of Alameda County’s Tri-Valley region. It is located along the north side of Interstate 580.
In 1835, José María Amador was granted 16,500 acres for his service as a Mexican soldier and in Mission San Jose where he was an administrator in the valley which was named Amador Valley after him. In 1850, Irish settlers bought land from Amador and founded a town.
Several historical sites are preserved and located where Dublin Boulevard is crossed by Donlan Way, itself formerly the northernmost segment of the main road to Sunol and Niles Canyon (present-day Foothill Road):
- The Murray Schoolhouse (established in 1856 with 50 pupils)
- Green’s Store (opened in 1860) current home of the Dublin Church of Christ.
- The old cemetery was formally established in 1859, although people had been buried in the churchyard for years before 1859.
- Old St. Raymond’s Church (built 1859), is listed on the National Register of Historic Places
- Dublin Boulevard was a part of the Lincoln Highway and later U.S. Route 50. The street formerly curved southward near today’s Hansen Drive to follow present-day Dublin Canyon Road toward Hayward.
In 1960, the first housing tracts were built in West Dublin, transforming the formerly rural community into a suburb. It grew steadily from the early 1960s onward as both a residential and retail center. It’s rapid residential growth is one of the many reasons considering Dublin, CA real estate is a great choice.
Dublin Education Program Partner
How much will moving to Dublin affect my commute?
Please note, the below commute calculator may not reflect current or local fuel price fluctuations. Please use indicatively.


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Argentine Sunday Traditions Come to Portland
The minds behind Abuela Chona's flaky empanada delicacies expand their family-owned business to include one of Portland’s foremost areas of expertise: delicious wine. The LaChona brand tasting room LaChona Empanadas y Vinos Argentinos opens in Portland with the same handmade pastries—plus an expanded menu and full wine experience, all hailing straight from Argentina.
The LaChona brand is built on a love story as old as time: celebrating the romance between food, wine, family, and friends.
It’s a deeply Argentine concept—and a personal one too. Co-owner Amelia Fuertes Mulé grew up in Lujan, where Sundays brought the family together for a “very classic, very standard, Argentine family gathering.”. Amelia’s grandmother, nicknamed Abuela Chona, would cook dinner with Amelia's mother while her stepfather fired up the grill week after week.
The Mulé family—and those sentimental recipes—have called Portland home since 2004. For years, the classic recipes served as the bedrock for dinner parties where Abuela Chona’s empanadas and the chimichurri of Amelia’s stepfather became fast favorites. Slowly, these recipes transitioned to mainstays of the Abuela Chona brand.
But it’s not just LaChona’s recipes that are authentically Argentine. To realize their vision, the couple hired an Argentine design firm to guarantee the layout, decor, and even color palette evoked those family-centered Sundays in Argentina. A soundtrack of modern, tango-tinged tracks coupled with Argentine art and food pairing brings Buenos Aires to life right in the middle of Cedar Mills. And of course, there’s the wine.
LaChona’s 640-bottle wine display is stocked with pours using grapes from both their personal 10 acres of Cabernet Franc and Malbec as well as those of their vineyard neighbors within the Vines of Mendoza, a winemaking co-op featuring one of the highest-rated resorts in the world. Behind each bottle is a passionate and well-connected wine producer, Francisco Evangelista. Twitter will testify: Evangelista has played guitar, grilled, or shared a bite with countless big-name winemakers in the Uco Valley. Evangelista’s passion is palpable in each LaChona bottle, and his family's years of winemaking experience shine through with every sip.
Wine quality is a given, but LaChona devotes special attention to an oft-overlooked aspect outside wineries: serving temperature. The tasting room boasts a custom-built display case perfectly temperature-controlled to ensure each pour comes out just how the winemaker intended. A 16-bottle wine dispenser keeps reds and whites ready to go at their respective temperatures, poised for pours ranging from half-ounce sips—one free per customer—through 2-ounce tastes, 5-ounce glasses, and full bottles. Wine offerings span young, reserva, gran reserva, and icon levels of aging—all available to wine club members with perks: 20% off in-house bottle prices, priority access to monthly off-menu wine dinner tickets, and no corking fee for bottles brought to the tasting room.
The LaChona crew knows good wine is made better with good company. The 50-seat space makes for a cozy, welcoming lunch with friends, a romantic dinner date for two, or an inclusive family meal for busy parents with kids in tow.
With the new space comes more room for menu experimentation. LaChona will still dish up the flaky, puff pastry empanadas of Abuela Chona, but menu newcomers include rotating tapas, vegetarian bites, classic desserts, and new flavors of the classic pastries that started it all.
Needless to say, Abuela Chona herself would be proud to see how Amelia's evolution of Sunday dinner has taken root in Portland.

domain: food


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Last Rites Gallery is pleased to announce its 5 Year Anniversary Show that will feature over forty works of art by a selection of its acclaimed roster of artists. April 13—May 18, 2013. Opening Reception: Saturday, April 13, 7pm – 12am Continue reading
Martin-Georg Oscity, originally from Slovakia, but has now lived in Munich, Germany for many years. He is the founder of his own style called "Visionart". It is a well-done mixture of the aesthetic of forms, the mystic and the philosophic thoughts behind the quantum theory. Which joins every-thing that exists. The most important thing for him is the search for signs of god in men, the real beauty and the unity with the universe.
Martin-Georg Oscity is one of 50 contemporary artists featured in Metamorphosis 2 (beinArt Publishing).

domain: artistic


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KSLA welcomes Viking Pure Solutions to its membership!
Viking offers environmentally safe E-Water solutions such as disinfectants, cleaners and de-greasers. Their Green Technology allows you to produce your own powerful cleaning and disinfecting solutions on-site, thus eliminating restocking and a large portion of your carbon footprint, while removing dangerous cleaning products from your facility. Self-generation means you will never run out and you can make as much as you need for just pennies a gallon. To learn more about Viking Pure Solutions, Click Here or contact John Finney, CEO, 606-424-5654 or email@example.com.

domain: chemistry


The military commands in both the US and Britain have sought increased funding and stepped up deployments of arms and personnel to the Persian Gulf in preparation for an anticipated war against Iran.
According to the Wall Street Journal, the Pentagon, acting on the request of the Central Command, which oversees US military operations in the region, has requested the re-allocation of some $100 million in military spending to ratchet up war preparations.
The Journal cast these preparations as defensive measures aimed at countering an Iranian threat to close the Strait of Hormuz, the waterway through which some 20 percent of the world's exported oil flows. Iran's threat came in response to trade sanctions and embargoes imposed by the US and Western Europe that amount to a blockade, an act of war, as well as open Israeli threats to bomb the country.
"The US military has notified Congress of plans to preposition new mine-detection and clearing equipment and expand surveillance capabilities in and around the strait, according to defense officials briefed on the requests," the Journal reports. "The military also wants to quickly modify weapons systems on ships so they could be used against Iranian fast-attack boats, as well as shore-launched cruise missiles, the defense officials said."
Under the Pentagon's plans, US warships would be equipped with anti-tank weapons, rapid-fire machine guns and light weapons for use against the Iranian navy's small speedboats. They would be backed by increased numbers of unmanned drones.
(Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher).


Fri, Feb 01, 2013
Blakey: Sequestration Threatens National Security And Country's Economic Health
The contraction of the U.S. economy in the fourth quarter underscores AIA's warning for the past 18 months that severe across the board budget cuts—both to defense and non-defense discretionary spending—threaten to throw the economy into a tailspin. That's the assessment of Aerospace Industries Association president and CEO Marion Blakey (pictured), who said in a statement released Wednesday that it is clear from the Commerce Department report that reduced government spending, primarily in the defense sector, is a major cause for the GDP decline. In July 2011, Congress enacted a cut of $487 billion to the defense budget, resulting in ongoing, significant job losses in the defense sector.
"In less than 30 days, unless Congress and the White House act, sequestration will kick in, leading to higher unemployment, reduced tax revenue and lower consumer spending. This will be the second wave that overwhelms our floundering economic boat, likely sinking us back into a recession," Blakey said in the statement.
Blakey pointed out that as recently as Wednesday, Chuck Hagel, nominee for the position of Defense Secretary, said, "[Sequestration] would harm military readiness and disrupt each and every investment program. I urge Congress to eliminate the sequester threat permanently and pass a balanced deficit-reduction plan."
"Sequestration threatens both America's national security and economic health," she said. "Congress and the White House need to focus on a solution that addresses the deficit problem smartly, through a balanced, bipartisan approach that doesn't cripple our economy and hamstring our national security."
Combining The Capabilities Of Apple Technology And ADS-B Out May Replace Airline Pilot Medicals, But There Could Be A Catch ANN's April 1 "April Fool" Special Edition As the Pilots>[...]
Proposes Legislation To Have Journalists Pass A Basic Written Exam ANN’s April 1 “April Fools” Special Edition Senator James Inhofe (R-OK) has proposed legislatio>[...]
Carrier Says Americans Unwilling To Take The Jobs At What It Can Afford To Pay ANN’s April 1 “April Fool” Edition It may just be the tip of the iceberg, but Repub>[...]
Tries To Prevent Launches From Returning To American Soil The Russian Space Agency Roscosmos has filed a lawsuit in a Russian court against Boeing and SpaceX, saying the two U.S. c>[...]
Also: Inhofe Demands Media Aero-Accountability, "Super Duper" Cub, RANS' Exclusive WalMart Deal, Obama To Keep Air Force One, Cessna Bringing Back Bamboo Bomber Pop-star legend, Da>[...]


Henry Winston Mergler was born on June 1st, 1924 in Ohio, and was educated at MIT, Brown University and the then Case Institute of Technology, where he earned a PhD. His professional career began with the National Advisory Committee on Aeronautics at the Lewis Flight Propulsion Laboratory, where he designed NACA’s first large computer facility. In 1948, Dr. Mergler created the first documented coupling of a computer with a remote machine tool, an operation he worked to perfect over his year at NACA until he returned to Case in 1957. During the period 1950-1957 Dr. Mergler moved into the emerging digital technology and continued his computer-controlled system research. Significant contributions made by Dr. Mergler during this period include the optical tape reader, the ultra-high speed hybrid multiplier, methods for digital frequency division and smoothing, and linear and conic interpolators operating in the incremental digital mode. During the 1960s Dr. Mergler's research was centered on the controlled manipulation of robotic devices for handling radioactive material in the Space Nuclear Propulsion Program. Dr. Mergler and his graduate students developed the computer-control techniques which resulted in the “Case Arm" with its seven articulated axes operating under coordinated computer control. This project and its by-products culminated in a multi-axis, self-adaptive, learning and seeing manipulator which performed the dis-assembly and reassembly of an A-5 nuclear reactor core placed in a random orientation. Dr. Mergler selected the ailing U.S. shipbuilding industry as one where he felt the introduction of modern computer-control technology might solve some of the industry's competitive problems. This work resulted in a self-adaptive, computer-controlled cold forming system which permitted the precise fabrication of ship frame structures at a speed and a degree of accuracy never before obtained by the then current fabrication methods. This system is now in construction in massive scale for the U.S. Navy.
论文共 6 篇作者统计合作学者相似作者


Our Community Recycling Centre at Ty Amgen, Llwydcoed will accept asbestos from household properties under the following conditions:-
- All disposals must be booked in advance with the site.
- You must contact the site attendant at Ty Amgen CRC on 07971913289 to arrange a date & time and for information on the packaging requirements.
- Proof of residency will also be required.
Please note: If you engage a builder or company to remove asbestos sheets, pipes etc these items become the responsibility of the builder or company. It is then down to this person or persons to arrange for the removal and disposal of these items.


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PA Tax Credit Program
Did you know that in less than five minutes, you can redirect your state tax dollars to help provide tuition assistance for future Malvern Prep students?
By participating in corporate giving through the Commonwealth’s Educational Improvement Tax Credit (EITC), you can enable us to provide students financial aid that specifically benefits those who otherwise would not be able to afford a Malvern Prep education.
Through corporate and individual support, tuition assistance has been awarded to 43 current Malvern Prep students to date. Although our goal is to expand the program, our primary focus is to continue to provide funding for these students. Malvern Prep strives to provide equal access to all young, deserving scholars.
This simple act of redirecting tax dollars will make Malvern Prep possible for financially deserving students and families. Your commitment will help a place that you love and also provide the lifelong gift of brotherhood to a young man.
Malvern Preparatory School is a recognized Scholarship Organization (SO) under the EITC program through the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. By participating in the EITC program, you or your business can directly impact education by designating business tax credits to Malvern Prep. Eligible applicants can receive a tax credit equal to 75 percent of your contribution and, for a company that commits to the program for two consecutive years, the credit is 90 percent of your contribution.
If you are ready to participate or require additional information, please contact Bridget O'Halloran, Director of Annual Giving, at 484-595-1115.
“The EITC program is an absolute game changer and the easiest way to help give back to Malvern Prep. Without financial aid, I would have never attended Malvern Prep and my life would have taken a much different trajectory.”
-Jim Jacobs '90 P'23'24
How to Apply:
Malvern Prep is a proud member of the Business Leadership Organized for Catholic Schools (BLOCS). By participating in the EITC program through BLOCS, companies and individuals may choose to join at any time of the year. The application process has never been easier with the support of BLOCS Development Managers.
You may also choose to apply directly through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. New applicants must apply on July 1. For complete details on participation in the EITC program and the approval process through the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, please visit their website.
Companies/individuals can claim credits against the following:
- Corporate Net Income Tax
- Capital Stock Franchise Tax
- Bank and Trust Company Shares Tax
- Title Insurance Companies Shares Tax
- Insurance Premiums Tax
- Mutual Thrift Institutions Tax
- Insurance Company Law of 1921
- Personal Income Tax of S corporation shareholders or Partnership Partners
Eligible entities include:
- C Corporations
- S Corporations
- Limited Liability Corporations
- Limited Liability Partnerships
- Sole Proprietorships
Learn more about Malvern's EITC Program:
Please complete the form below to receive more information about Malvern's EITC Program.

domain: finance


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Make Music Darke County is a live, free musical celebration on
Monday, June 21, the longest day of the year.
Enjoy and participate in concerts across Darke County!
Make Music Darke County Performance Schedule!
11 am on the Greenville Library Lawn:
2-4-U Winds, Tami Tennison/flute & Mike Houser/clarinet performing classical, jazz, to popular music
Providence Road Duo, Jerry & Chris Asbury performing 60s & 70s Gospel and Country
Kim Bohler on flute
Percussion Storytime featuring Greenville Children’s Librarian Miss Joanna reading a book while youngsters play a percussion instrument along with the story (instruments will be available or you can bring your own).
MUSIC LESSON MARATHON: HARMONICA – The Greenville Public Library will have harmonicas and a list of online instructors giving lessons available, while they last.
11:45 in front of the Darke County Court House:
Proclamation for Make Music Darke County by Mayor Willman
Darke County Employee Choir at Noon
6 pm at YOLO Park in downtown Greenville :
Peggy Emerson on old fashioned autoharp playing folk/gospel
Carter Qualls on guitar and vocals
Katelyn Hanes, vocalist
Zachary Perry hip-hop artist; and
concluding with a Drum Circle performance.
Each participant will be performing for about 20 minutes. In the event of inclement weather, the events will be moved to the lobby of St. Clair Memorial Hall.
Make Music Darke County is a program of Darke County Center for the Arts, a non-profit organization whose mission is to present and promote performing and fine arts encouraging cultural enrichment.
Your generous support helps keep this celebration of music free for everyone.
Make a donation today!
Mail a check to the address below. Please make checks payable to “Darke County Center for the Arts” and note “Make Music” in the subject line. All contributions are 100% tax deductible.
Make Music Darke County
Darke County Center for the Arts
P.O. Box 718
Greenville, OH 45331
Make Music Darke County welcomes musicians and instrumentalists of any and all types to collaborate on making June 21 a musical masterpiece for performers and audience members. Church choirs, glee clubs, vocal quartets, MCs, marching bands, solo acts or combos of all skill levels are all welcome.
We are NOW ACCEPTING PARTICIPANTS and you will be matched with your performance location after June 1st. To join Make Music Darke County send a description of your music, how many people are in your group, your preferred time & place to perform (if you have one) along with any samples you have of your work to firstname.lastname@example.org.
Currently our team is working to secure venues for performances across Darke County where we will be scheduling performers for the times of 11am–1 pm & 6pm-8pm for 20-minute timeslots.
Want to find out more? Contact us at email@example.com
Are you interested in hosting a Make Music Darke County-approved artist or band to perform at your business? Contact us at firstname.lastname@example.org
Get in touch with us at email@example.com


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19th and 20th century continental pictures : Christie's South Kensington, Thursday, 10 October 1996 at 10:30 am.
- South Kensington : Christie's, 1996.
- Physical Description:
- 84 p.: ill. (some col.); 27 cm.
- Reference LibraryAuction Cat 1996 OctoberAccessible in the Reference Library [Hours]
Note: Please contact the Reference Library to schedule an appointment [Email email@example.com]
- Sale code: OMP 7367
- Subject Terms:
- Painting, European -- Catalogs.
YCBA Collections Search
19th and 20th century continental pictures , 1996

domain: library


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Ukrainians are fighting for ideals of freedom and security. We will continue to support them.
In his annual Christmas speech, King Philippe of Belgium condemned the ‘cruel and senseless’ war in Ukraine.
“It is a cruel and senseless war that claims to replace the force of law with the law of force,” stated Belgium King, adding that Ukrainians are fighting for their freedom and security.
King Philippe thanked the citizens of Belgium who had opened their homes to Ukrainian refugees.
“We will continue to support them. Around us, we see many commitments and gestures of solidarity,” noted King Philippe.
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Monthly Archives: September 2019
To better understand your toenail or nail fungus infection and why it keeps coming back, you have to understand the fungal life cycle. Did you know fungi are actually more closely related to animals than plants? That’s right! They’re living organisms that can reproduce both asexually and sexually.


Michigan's petition signature limits by congressional district ruled unconstitutional
A Michigan Court of Appeals panel ruled Friday that the Legislature's effort to limit how many signatures petition groups can gather per congressional district is unconstitutional because it "will disenfranchise some electors and seriously burden the work of circulators."
The three-judge panel also struck down 2-1 a requirement in the 2018 law that required paid circulars to notify the Secretary of State's office of their status before collecting signatures. The ruling kept intact a requirement that petition forms include a checkbox that paid circulators would have to mark to notify signers that they are not volunteer.
"Constitutional provisions that are self-executing must not be burdened or curtailed by supplementary legislation," Judges Amy Krause and Kirsten Kelly wrote in the majority opinion. "Further, this Court liberally construes constitutional initiative and referendum provisions, through which the people reserve to themselves a direct legislative voice, to achieve their purposes."
Regarding the checkmark requirement, however, the court concluded that it "imposes little to no burden on political speech and substantially relates to an important governmental interest."
Court of Appeals Judge Thomas Cameron concurred with Krause and Kelly, but wrote a separate opinion to underscore the panel's decision that the checkbox requirement is constitutional because it "is designed to ensure transparency and to provide relevant, valuable information to the electors."
Krause is an appointee of Democratic former Gov. Jennifer Granholm, Cameron an appointee of Republican former Gov. Rick Snyder and Kelly was first elected to the court in 2000.
Many requirements of the 2018 law haven't taken effect over the past three years amid a flurry of attorney general opinions and court decisions. Friday's Court of Appeals opinion marks the fourth time a court has ruled on the issue in what's been called a "procedural mess."
The 2018 law signed by Snyder prohibits petition gatherers from collecting more than 15% of their required signatures from one specific congressional district. It also required signature forms be labeled by congressional district, not county, and required paid signature gatherers to notify the Secretary of State of their non-volunteer status.
The law required a checkbox on signature forms that circulators would have to check if they were paid. The petition form would have to contain language noting that paid circulators who violated the rules could not have their gathered signatures counted and could be guilty of a misdemeanor.
Several groups that have relied on the petition process in the past — both liberal and conservative — opposed the legislation. The lawsuit that prompted Friday's ruling was filed by the League of Women Voters, Progress Michigan, Coalition to Close Lansing Loopholes and Michiganders for Fair and Transparent Elections.
When Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson took office in January 2019, she asked Attorney General Dana Nessel to opine on the constitutionality of the petition gathering changes.
Nessel found that the 15% requirement violated the Michigan Constitution because it does not restrict signatures by geographic region. She also found that the checkbox on the form could expose paid petition gatherers to harassment and that the mandate requiring paid circulators to disclose their status with the Secretary of State was unrelated to government interests and unconstitutional.
Nessel said those areas could be severed from the rest of the act.
Around the same time Nessel issued her opinion, interest groups filed suit in the Court of Claims alleging the law was unconstitutional. A month later, in June 2019, the state House and Senate sought an order from the Court of Claims stating the chambers were "the exclusive lawmaking body of Michigan" and, as such, their enacted law should be enforced.
The Court of Claims, which instead allowed the Legislature to file amici briefs in the already existing case, found the 15% geographic cap and checkbox requirement were unconstitutional but ruled the affidavit requirements could stay.
The Court of Appeals, in an expedited decision last year, affirmed the Court of Claims ruling but called the affidavit requirement unconstitutional.
The parties appealed to the Michigan Supreme Court but because one of the filing groups had ended its petition drive because of the pandemic, the high court said the case was moot, vacated the Court of Claims decision and noted the whole episode had "been a procedural mess from the beginning."
The groups refiled after the decision, asking the courts again to weigh in on the issue. The Court of Claims ruled largely along the same lines as it had before and the ruling was promptly appealed, landing it again in the lap of the Court of Appeals.


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Maxim Hygiene Products, Natural Cotton Ultra Thin Panty Liners, Lite, 24 ct


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Purdue QBs want to set tone this spring
It remains to be seen whether Elijah Sindelar will take a snap this season for Purdue football.
Yet after the first day of spring practice on Tuesday, the redshirt freshman quarterback spoke with conviction about the tone his position group must set over the next five weeks.
"We haven’t had the best play at the quarterback position, and we need to change that," Sindelar said. "We can’t wait until the beginning of fall camp. That’s too late. We need to make our presence known now with the team, with the offense, and of course with the defense.
"But it has to start now. We have to build towards that now."
Sophomore David Blough, the returning starter, agreed. In each of the past three seasons, Purdue held an open competition for the job, only to learn midway through the season that the winner wasn't working out.
Blough, Sindelar and walk-on sophomore Aaron Banks wore the yellow jerseys on Tuesday. They're the only quarterbacks on the roster. They're also learning a new system and adapting to the tutelage of a new quarterbacks coach, Tim Lester.
His influence was apparent in the quarterbacks' accessories on Tuesday. All three wore a lightweight brace on their left leg. They are specially designed for quarterbacks to protect the front leg from being rolled up on when planted and from other injuries.
Blough also wore a GoPro camera on his head, so Lester could see where he was looking and hear what he was saying.
Lester said he liked what he saw on the field Tuesday, which synchs with the impression the quarterbacks made in meetings and study sessions.
"The one thing about that room: They are competitive," Lester said. "They expect themselves to be great and they want to know more information, and that’s key No. 1 for a quarterback. The physicality part of it, can you make the throws ... The want-to is such a huge part of it, and the whole room has that."
Blough threw for 1,574 yards with 10 touchdowns and eight interceptions last season. Sindelar sat out after suffering a torn ACL as a high school senior.
Lester said both suffered from the same issue Tuesday: Staying too high when getting progressively deeper into their rotations. It's something he'd talked to both players about, and now he was eager to show them on film.
"Elijah’s got a big arm," Lester said. "He’s got the ability to really make some unique throws. Whereas right now David is more consistent with the ball coming out of his hand. He really spins it well.
"The velocity and his rotation's good, especially on a windy day like this. He’ll have more success because of the velocity he’ll get on it."
Blough took the first-team snaps on Tuesday. He said Lester has been preaching fundamentals, reminding them of lessons they learned as kids about throwing with their feet, not with their arms.
Purdue coach Darrell Hazell said the new system will be simpler, giving the quarterback fewer possible actions after the snap.
"The scheme of things is simplicity, moreso than anything else," Hazell said. "I think that will help every position group, especially the guy that handles the ball every single play. That’s the most important thing — that that guy knows where to go with the football when it’s snapped."
Purdue will also practice Wednesday and Thursday this week, in either the Mollenkopf Athletic Center or the Beimel Practice Field. Practices begin at 3:30 p.m. and are free and open to the public.

domain: news


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Aston Martin AMV10
Vehicle vector footage of a black Aston Martin AMV10 as seen from the side. Realistic image of the mid-engined V10 car in a sleek design and stylish shape. Free wallpaper of the luxury car for desktop and smartphone devices. Free vector for cars, automobiles, speed and race designs.


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Frank de Roover returns to the village of his birth, Portland. There he reconnects with his childhood friends Peter and Koos, as well as the girl all three of them fell in love with, Lili.
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The new voice of Scooby-Doo's sidekick reveals his approach to creating memorable characters, and how surprised he is by what "The Last Man on Earth" managed to get right.
Watch the video

domain: entertainment


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Melissa's Produce // Organic Fruit & Veg Box
We've teamed up with our friends at Melissa's Produce to offer you a selection of seasonal produce that's available to ship nationwide! This assorted organic mixed box contains about 50% organic vegetables, and 50% organic fruits.
Each shipment contains 7-11 pounds of fresh produce made up of 50% fresh vegetables and 50% fresh fruit.
This box includes the following:
Organic Leaf Lettuce
2 Organic Cucumbers
2 Organic Apples
2 Organic Lemons
2 Organic Oranges
1 Organic Avocado
2 Organic Pears
*Specific selection shown above may change due to seasonal availability of items.
Ships out Monday-Thursday each week.


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All about French cinema
Alain Cavalier’s monumental film depicts the true story of St. Thérèse de Lisieux, a young woman who found personal joy and spiritual liberation within the restrictive traditions of an austere religious order. Wishing to dedicate her life to Christ, Thérèse (Catherine Mouchet) enters a cloistered convent of Carmelite nuns at the age of 15. But shortly after joining the order, she finds her devotion to the Lord tested by a grim battle against the debilitating effects of tuberculosis, for which she refuses any treatment. The strength of her faith eventually becomes an inspiration to both her fellow sisters and the millions of admirers who remember her as “The Little Flower of Jesus.”
With: Catherine Mouchet, Hélène Alexandridis, Aurore Prieto, Clémence Massart-Weit, Sylvie Habault, Nathalie Bernart, Mona Heftre, Beatrice De Vigan.
Trailer for the movie Thérèse:
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One positive side to the growing digitalization of cinema is the seemingly increased output of classic restorations. The latest is Josef von Sternberg‘s WWII drama (and final film) Anatahan, which has been restored by Kino Lorber. Along with assumedly a Blu-ray later down the road, Kino will release the film back into theaters for a limited run next month.
Sternberg’s last sole directing effort is set during the final days of the war, as a group of Japanese sailors are stranded on the island of Anatahan. Without the knowledge that the war has ended, a much more intimate one breaks out amongst the group over control of the island. The trailer features gorgeous, crisp imagery, and a perfectly fitting ’50s-style narration.
See the trailer below, along with a poster.
Inspired by an actual event during WWII, Josef von Sternberg’s Anatahan, tells the story of a dozen Japanese sailors who are stranded on the remote island of Anatahan during the waning days of the war. The war ends, unbeknownst to the men, and they engage in their own private war for dominance of their island domain and possession of the sole woman in their midst, Keiko (Akemi Negishi), the so-called “Queen Bee” of Anatahan.
The 2K restoration of Anatahan will have a limited theatrical run starting February 3 at New York City’s Metrograph, and then expands to more cities after.


Oregon lawmakers voted largely along party lines on Sunday to place a measure on the ballot next year that would ask voters whether to reform the state's electoral system by adopting a form of ranked-choice voting. Lawmakers also unanimously voted to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot that would empower legislators to impeach and remove statewide executive officials for abuses of office.
If approved by voters, the ranked-choice proposal would cover primary and general elections for president, Senate, House, and statewide executive offices, though it notably would exclude elections for the state legislature itself. Local governments would also be allowed to choose whether to adopt ranked-choice voting for their own elections.
Ranked-choice voting works by letting voters rank the candidates from their first preference to last preference. If no candidate wins a majority among first-preference votes, then the last-place candidate gets eliminated and has their votes reallocated to each of their voters' next preference. This elimination and reallocation process repeats until one candidate takes a majority of the remaining votes.
The proposed reform's most likely impact would be to significantly reduce the risk of similarly positioned candidates splitting a majority of the vote and enabling another candidate opposed by the majority of voters to win with a plurality. However, since some voters who back eliminated candidates may also choose not to rank additional candidates and therefore see their ballots "exhausted" by the final round, it's possible that the ranked-choice winner won't necessarily win with a majority of all ballots cast.
This measure's advancement comes just months after a competitive 2022 election for governor where Democratic state House Speaker Tina Kotek prevailed only 47-44 over Republican state House Minority Leader Christine Drazan, with moderate former Democratic state Sen. Betsy Johnson taking 9% as an independent. Democrats widely viewed Johnson as a potential spoiler candidate for Kotek given her Democratic past, and it's possible that this close call spurred them to take action on ranked-choice voting.
Regardless of Democrats' motivation, support for ranked-choice voting in Oregon had already been building in recent years. Last fall, voters in Portland, the state's largest city, passed a ballot measure to adopt the system for mayoral races. (They also backed a variant of a related approach known as proportional representation for contests for the City Council, where a ranked ballot will be used to elect three members in each of four districts starting next year.) Some other local governments in the state have likewise adopted ranked-choice voting, and more may follow if this measure becomes law.
Sunday's vote also marks the first time that a state legislature in the U.S. has led the way in pushing to adopt ranked-choice voting at the congressional or state executive levels; Alaska and Maine both use ranked-choice systems, but both were passed thanks to citizen-initiated ballot measures. The Oregon proposal is similar to the one Maine voters enacted in 2016, since it preserves party primaries. That stands in contrast to the "top-four" version Alaska voters approved in 2020, which abolished party primaries and has all candidates regardless of party run on a single primary ballot where the top-four finishers advance to a ranked-choice general election.
Oregon lawmakers' ranked-choice proposal isn't the only major electoral reform effort that could appear on the ballot next year, however, as two citizen-led efforts are currently gathering signatures. One of those efforts would adopt a "top-five" primary and ranked-choice general election similar to Alaska's system that would also cover elections for legislature and local offices. It would additionally move Oregon's May primaries to March for president and August for downballot offices. Like the legislature's proposal, though, this measure is statutory in nature.
A rival campaign is backing a constitutional amendment that would abolish party primaries and have all candidates run on a single primary ballot where the leading candidates would advance to the general election, which critically would not be required to use ranked-choice voting. It's also unclear exactly how many candidates would advance to November, since the amendment would give lawmakers two years to decide on the specifics before the new system would take effect in 2027.
There's no guarantee that either of these two citizen-led efforts will end up making the ballot next year, but if they do,it could complicate the prospects for the legislature's proposal if more than one measure were to pass. While a constitutional amendment would supersede a statute, Oregon law does not specify what would happen if competing statutory measures—namely, the legislature's measure and the top-five primary—were to both pass, though lawmakers also face no limits on amending or repealing statutory measures initiated by voters.
Separately, the amendment establishing impeachment would end Oregon's distinction as the only remaining state without such a process. Impeachment would require a two-thirds supermajority in the state House, after which the state Senate would hold a trial where a two-thirds vote in that chamber would be needed to remove statewide executive officials and potentially bar them from running for state office again. The proposal allows impeachment only for instances of "malfeasance or corrupt conduct in office, willful neglect of statutory or constitutional duty or other felony or high crime."
In just the last decade, two statewide officials (both Democrats) have resigned due to scandals: former Gov. John Kitzhaber in 2015 and former Secretary of State Shemia Fagan last month. If they hadn't voluntarily left office, lawmakers would have had no ability to remove them. Currently, only a recall election initiated by voters can lead to a statewide official's removal prior to the next regular election, a much more expensive and time-consuming process than impeachment.