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It took 20 years and cost $4.8 million, but Oakland library renovation is complete
OAKLAND — Twenty years, five directors and $4.8 million later, the library renovation is finally completed.
The long-awaited ribbon cutting and open house celebration is scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday.
"We survived," said Library Board President Ronnie Levine, who has been part of the process since the first $2.6 renovation bond was approved by voters in 1998. "It's been a very long time in coming."
The renovation odyssey stretched over a generation with high hopes, lawsuits, cost overruns, contractor departures and plan disputes.
Mayor Linda Schwager helped found the Library Growth Foundation to raise $250,000 for capital projects, and ran for her first term in 2011 on a promise to finish the project.
"I'm excited for all the residents of Oakland," Schwager said. "We have a library to be proud of under the outstanding leadership of our library director."
Story continues below gallery.
Peter Havel is the fifth director of the library under renovation conditions. He acknowledges the efforts of his predecessors who kept the library going despite abandoned scaffolding, mountains of used books and construction debris.
Still, Havel said he's immensely proud of the results.
"What you can do in the here that you could not do in the old library is...everything," Havel enthused during a pre-open house tour.
The original library was built as the borough hall, completed in 1936. It was intended as a replica of the nearby 1829 Ponds Reformed Church. Its red sandstone corner blocks date to 1740, and the new steeple's weather vane came from the church.
Depression-era artist Giogi Manuilov created the 1930s mural at the west end of the building that depicts a meeting of colonists with the Yawpo Indians.
The library was first housed in the borough's firehouse, and moved to the municipal building in 1962. In 1971, the downstairs was converted from a community room, bowling alley and civil defense headquarters to house the children's library. The balcony above the main floor was added in 1976.
In 1998, a $2.6 million bond was intended to renovate the original library structure and add an addition to double its size. A contract was awarded in 2001, but work was delayed and costs increased when a slate roof and lower courtyard were added to the plans.
Construction began in July 2002 and was scheduled for completion in November 2003.
Timeline of library upgrade events
- The borough contended its contractor had underbid the project and produced unsatisfactory work. The contractor blamed the architect for lack of clarity. In November 2005 the borough declared the contractor in default.
- The contractor sued the borough and the architect for default. Then the borough filed a counterclaim in January 2006 against the contractor and architect for faulty and incomplete work.
- The children's wing opened in March 2006, the central office area in 2007.
- In August 2008, Oakland sued the contractor's owner for fraud. The owner in turn sued Oakland and the architect for damages.
- The contractor filed for bankruptcy in July 2009.
- In 2010, newly hired director Abigail Sanner had the DPW Sheetrock and paint the library's lobby walls, which had been stripped to the studs.
- The claims against the contractor were dismissed in 2012, the same year Oakland settled its suit against the architect.
- The original library's cupola was repaired and painted in 2013.
- In June 2014 a new architectural firm was hired to draw up designs to complete the project in three stages for an additional estimated $2.2 million. The plans were presented in September 2015, and final designs delivered in July 2016.
- A second bond ordinance for $1.6 million to complete the renovations was adopted in January 2017.
- The renovated original library was reopened in February, the central section this fall.
Borough Administrator Richard Kunze estimated the two bond ordinances at $4.2 million. Various settlements for $300,000 were spent on the project as well as $300,000 in legal fees, bring the total cost to $4.8 million.
The newest renovations have taken place in the central two-story lobby area of the building. The front desk area that previously provided display space for the library's DVD collection has been cleared for seating.
Previous office space by the front desk has been converted for a young-adult meeting/reading room, and employee space has been reworked behind the front desk.
"This was a really important change for us because the teens were coming here after school and setting down everywhere," Havel said. "This gives them their own room where they can talk and collaborate on school projects."
Downstairs the central hall has taken on more of a lounge look with upholstered chairs. The tutoring area has been moved to the adjacent meeting room area, which also includes two meeting rooms, a private study room, and a "maker space" room for craft projects.
Doors lead to an outdoor patio that will eventually house umbrella tables and access to the nearby Veteran's Park.
"There is something here for everyone,' Havel emphasized. "I reject the notion that only people with children use libraries. If residents don't take advantage of the library, it doesn't mean it doesn't have value."
Residents pay $33 per $100,000 assessed value for public libraries through municipal property taxes in New Jersey.


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Monday evenings high schools aged teens from 9th to 12th grades, 7:15pm to 8:15pm.
Wednesday evenings adults from 18 years old and up 6pm to 7pm.
Thursday evenings middle school aged adolescents 6th grade to 8th grade 5pm to 6pm.
Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) was originally designed for people with Borderline Personality Disorder, but has been found to be effective for other conditions, such as self-destructive behaviors (self-harm, suicidal ideology, eating disorders, substance abuse, etc.…), anxiety, major depression, PTSD related with childhood sexual abuse, Bipolar disorder, ADHD, and other cluster B personality disorders.
In DBT therapy, the client and therapist work on bringing together self-acceptance, and the work needed to change negative behaviors in order to bring about positive changes. During the group session, clients are taught skills that will help them effectively change their negative behaviors to positive behaviors using four main strategies:
Mindfulness – clients are taught skills that will help them to focus on the present
Distress Tolerance – clients are taught skills on how to tolerate and survive their current situations
Interpersonal Effectiveness – clients are taught skills that will help them build and keep health and positive relationships.
Emotion Regulation – clients are taught skills to help them recognize and cope with negative emotions
Some insurances can be billed; please inquire. Cash price is $50/week
Is your teen adolescent with self-esteem, working through difficult feelings, and connecting with others? We invite your adolescent to join us for Actor’s Workshop; an interactive and movement based therapy group that offers adolescents the opportunity to process and work through life’s challenges in a unique and experiential way. Using dance movement therapy, Actor’s Workshop utilizes movement, theatrical activities, and creativity to encourage adolescents to build self-esteem and courage, explore emotional expression, and develop pro-social skills in a therapeutic and supportive group environment.
Some insurances can be billed; please inquire. Cash price is $35/week Saturdays from 12pm to 12:50pm
RESUMING SOON!! CALL TO SIGN UP!
Shamanic Relaxation Workshop
Experience the healing power of breath by learning the ancient shamanic techniques for stress management, relaxation, personal insight, grounding, somatic symptom disorders, and more!
Meeting monthly to explore and experience together what the 60,000 year-old shamanic traditions of our planet have to offer the modern world. Our bodies and minds respond to our intentions and our breath is a gateway to natural regulation of stress, anxiety, and many other challenges of daily life.
Each First Tuesday 6:00 pm
Suggested Donation: $10
Foundations of Yoga: Saturdays 10-11 am
Learn the fundamentals postures that are crucial for building a long healthy practice. We focus mainly on Asana (Posture) with a little bit of Pranayama (Breath Awareness) to work our way to meditation. Think of this class as a staircase to help build a safe practice that can go on all of your life.
Mindfulness Movement: Wednesdays 6:30-7:30 pm
In this class we take traditional poses a bit further by adding our own expressions and variations. Allowing for deeper space to be created in the physical body for the mind-body connection to grow stronger and more intelligent. We coordinate breath with movement and expand awareness beyond posture into more subtle regions of the body. Think of this class as more of a meditation class, where we focus on more subtle energy within and around the physical body.

domain: psychology


According to the 2020 report from the U.S. Census Bureau, Guam’s total population count numbered just slightly over 153,800.
On Monday, Police Chief Capt. Stephen Ignacio told lawmakers at a budget hearing for the Guam Police Department that there are only 267 uniformed police officers — that’s fewer than 300 trained public safety personnel charged with keeping the streets, neighborhoods, schools, businesses and visitors in the island’s 19 villages safe.
That equates to roughly 575 citizens for every one police officer.
Given the alarming number of prisoners escaping from the Department of Corrections and the alarming nature of crimes involving machetes, riots and assaults that are being reported daily, to say that the number of police officers in Guam is insufficient would be a gross understatement.
During last year’s budget hearing, the police chief told lawmakers that the department would like to have at least 475 officers. We still are a long way from that target.
Although our island’s leadership has done what it can to maintain and grow the police force by increasing the pay for public safety personnel, with new vehicles periodically being added to the police force’s fleet, more needs to be done.
Guam Police Department’s budget request for the upcoming fiscal year is a total of $48.8 million — $44 million of which will come from the General Fund, with about 82% of that going directly to personnel-related expenses.
This represents $14 million more than the department’s previous budget request.
Though some may see this as a significant increase, can we really put a price on public safety?
Given that law enforcement personnel were given various pay increases depending on positions and ranks, we believe this increased request is insignificant given that $50 million in pandemic-related relief funds may be going toward building a “theme park” in Tumon.
Guam needs to recruit and retain as many public safety personnel as possible, especially as we enter a post-pandemic world, where families everywhere are struggling to put food on the dinner table.


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Visit the UK’s leading indoor agricultural event, with eleven packed halls of the very latest in agricultural machinery and equipment. Now at the NEC, Birmingham this is free to attend and free to park.
Sexed semen has not only proved a vital component of Somerset-based Widcombe Farms’ herd expansion plans, but also helped ensure every beef calf produced is of high value and suited to the farm shop’s butchery.
Certainty is rare in farming, but it is something every farmer craves. In a quest to confirm practical decisions made in crop agronomy and animal husbandry, an increasing number of farmers are conducting their own trials and openly sharing findings with the industry.
Since the BBC’s Blue Planet series escalated society’s awareness of the polluting potential of plastics, the topic has rarely been far from the public conscience. BASF is one company looking at ways to reduce the environmental burden it causes.
The use of a breeding programme has helped produce a more consistent batch of heifers at Upper Ley Farm, Gloucestershire, where the farm- specific breeding strategy is helping to produce a herd fit for the future.
It takes an open-minded farmer to admit they could run their business better. In the relentless drive to improve efficiency, comparing how one farm business is performing against others can be a powerful tool in highlighting where costs can be cut.
While predictions for the ideal farmer, agronomist, farm managers and other support roles for the Arable Farm of 2027 abound, it is not so easy
to see where these multi-talented and data-savvy recruits will come from.
Some of the genetic technologies currently being developed and trialled in research institutes could be available on-farm in less than 10 years, according Dr Alison Bentley, director of genetics and breeding at NIAB.
NutriOpt Dairy is a radical new rationing system for dairy herds, from Trouw Nutrition which says the revolutionary approach helps develop efficient diets to increase production, health and margins, whatever your feeding system.
With nine out of 10 dairy farmers rating better use of grass silage as extremely or very important in their goal to reduce bought-in feed costs, Volac has launched its new Cut to Clamp initiative to help. We explore its first three steps.
With oilseed rape growers reporting crops, for the most part, having established strongly and come through winter well, thoughts have turned to how to make the most of the potential for the coming season, according to Syngenta technical Light exposure manager James Southgate.
To celebrate the launch of Farm Essentials, a new insurance product for small farmers from NFU Mutual, we are showcasing small farmers at the top of their game. In the first in the series, we profile Will Steward’s Living Larder.
A leader in animal nutrition, feeding systems and feed fat supplements, Volac manufactures performance milk powders, bypass fats and silage additives. It is also committed to customer education, producing a number of websites aimed at providing customers with practical help and guidance.
In the final article in our Maize Matters series for 2016, experts are upbeat about prospects for this year’s crop, with predictions both yield and quality will hold up well compared with previous seasons.
The National BVD Survey is supported by Dairy Farmer and commissioned by Boehringer Ingelheim, makers of the innovative BVD vaccine, Bovela. Here, Matt Yarnall, technical manager at the company, runs through a few of the
The Mayo Mattress range has been a favourite with British farmers since its launch in the late 1980s. Now, the family-run company behind the mats is undergoing a change of name and has a new face at the top.
A joint venture between three European plant breeders is increasing the choice of competitive varieties available to UK farmers. Paul Spackman takes a look at the wheat programme and explores future breeding priorities.
Introducing concentrate feed at an early age has transformed performance at Milston Farm, near Salisbury, Wiltshire, where progeny from the mixed-breed suckler herd now leaves the farm around four months earlier than in
Always eager to see best practice, Dr Dave Davies of Silage Solutions visited Dam Dale Farm, a grass-based dairy farm in the Peak District above Buxton, where the Fletcher brothers are using all baled silage.
In the first in our Maize Matters series for the 2016 season, experts are advising growers to be patient, before commencing seedbed preparation. It may also be worth cutting seed rates, in situations where an early harvest is required.
Dairy Farmer is working closely with Boehringer Ingelheim to conduct a survey which will help to improve the future management of BVD. Please take part in order to be in with a chance of winning a Musto Snug jacket worth £130.

domain: agronomy


Denver, CO, is an incredibly important city on the western side of the United States. Many people flock to Denver because of its close proximity to the gorgeous Rocky Mountains, booming economy, and hot arts scene. Whether you’ve lived in Denver for many years or you’re a recent transplant, there’s so much to love about living in Denver.
Perhaps you own a business in Denver, or you work for one, that requires metal machined parts. If that’s the case, then you need to send the most essential components to Extrude Hone AFM to undergo our patented process. You’ll notice a dramatic improvement in the performance of your machinery after sending them to Extrude Hone AFM.
How does it work?
Our patented process works for all machined parts of all kinds. Our patented process is customized to achieve unique results in every application. During extrude honing, media is forced through every passage of a component to surface finish and polish the inside, even in the hardest-to-reach areas down to the microscopic level. Using a holding tool to direct the flow exactly where it is needed and a hydraulic ram to pressurize the polymer media so it contacts all the surfaces at once and removes material evenly.
Our patented process accomplishes the following objectives in every application:
- Reaches any internal or external surface with a chemically inactive media
- Handles complex arrays of cross-drilled and intersecting holes with ease
- Can be applied to any metal from the hardest super alloys to soft aluminum or copper
- Provides roughing and finishing in the same pass
- Delivers highly precise and repeatable results for each application
To customize the results of each application, we adjust the following variables:
- Media viscosity
- Abrasive particle size and concentration
- Media flow rate, pressure, and temperature
Industries we serve in Denver, CO
Our unique deburring and polishing process is ideal for all kinds of machined metal parts. Internal passages, slots, and holes will be smoothed during the extrude hone process. We serve many industries throughout the US including right here in Denver, CO, including:
We first formulated our patented process to serve the aerospace industry. It requires tremendous precision and close attention to detail. The geometry of your part will never be altered during or after the extrude honing process, and your part will perform so much better once our experts are done with it.
Reduce turbulence and increase flow up to 25% with our extrude honing services. Make air and fuel flow through your automotive engine more efficiently when the manifold and other key components have been extrude honed.
If your key components haven’t been extrude honed, then you may be producing contaminated food. Rough surfaces can trap bacteria and lead to contamination. Our deburring process is called Ultra Pure – it’s been specially designed to meet the strict standards and premium needs of the food processing industry.
Serving Denver, CO
Give us a call at (562) 531-2976 or email email@example.com to request your custom estimate today.


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Merchandise loan is offered to the customer as a bundled-offering against the existing loan. It’s a short-term credit facility provided to the customer against which the merchandise is held as a guarantee or security for the loan. This will help in fulfilling the desire of availing consumer durables.
Obtaining merchandise loan is quick, easy and hassle-free. One should have an existing relationship with Community Finance or choose to make a balance transfer from any other recognized financial institutions.
Features & Benefits
Higher Loan Amount Against the Market Offering
The loan amount will depend on the quality of customer’s credit rating and that of the collateral. It will be higher than the market offering if the customer meets the eligibility criteria of the company.
Instant & On-the-spot Approval
No branch visits required. No waiting for days. Just some basic data and get instant provisional approval subject to completion of documentation and verification.
Relationship officers analyse and understand needs and give the best suitable financial offering at every stage of life.
Few essential documents like photo ID proof, residence proof, one passport size photograph and one cancelled cheque in case of NACH/NEFT for the applicant and co-applicant is required.
For details about Merchandise Loan Agreements, Terms and Conditions or have any questions, you can refer to our Merchandise Loan FAQs or can contact us at the nearest Community Finance office.
Eligibility & Documents
Individual must be between 19-60 years* (salaried/self-employed)
*Age at the time of completion of the loan
As an Applicant and Co-applicant one must have:
- Photo ID proof
- Residence proof
- One Passport size photograph
- Cancelled Cheque in case of NACH/NEFT
Fees & Charges
Please refer to the ‘Loan Charges’ section for detailed Fees and Charges related to our product offering (About Us → Policy → Loan Charges)
How to Apply
Applying for a Merchandise Loan with Community Finance is quick, easy and completely hassle-free. Read on to know more about how to apply for the same:
- Contact our relationship officer
- Visit our nearest branch office
- Visit the ‘Apply Online’ section in our website
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Merchandise loan is a short-term credit facility provided to the customer against which the merchandise is held as a guarantee or security for the loan.
Customers who has an existing relationship with Community Finance or who can choose to make a balance transfer of the existing obligation from any other recognized financial institutions.
To fulfill the desire of availing consumer durables.
The loan offers competitive interest rates as against the market offerings.
The eligibility for merchandise loan depends on several factors related to the existing loan offering. Kindly visit the nearest branch or contact the relationship officers for more details.
The loan tenure of the merchandise loan is bundled with the existing loan and the balance tenure remaining for the existing loan serves as the tenure for merchandise loan.

domain: economics


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Superfund Site Redevelopment
Thank you to everyone who gave their input on the post-remediation design for the superfund site. The input received from the public and various committees was provided to the Council for their consideration for final approval of a plan. This approved plan will be used to inform decisions now on what utilities/amenities to leave on the site so that it best serves the City’s wishes for future use of that area.
The City of Ashland Common Council voted in approval of the Concept C Design at their April 19th, 2016 meeting.
Please see the attached Approved Plan Highlights 2016).

domain: politics


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Not being able to conceive a child can be an emotionally distressing experience for any couple. When you’re trying to conceive and it isn’t happening, it may be time to consult with a fertility specialist to find out if you have male infertility.
You don’t need to feel ashamed or embarrassed if you’re experiencing male infertility — it’s a very common problem. In fact, according to the American Society for Reproductive Medicine (ASRM), about one-third of all cases of infertility are due to male factor infertility.
Treating male infertility usually involves addressing the underlying cause of the problem. But in some cases, treatment may also involve using assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF).
An important part of the evaluation process for male infertility is a semen analysis. Now you might be wondering, what on earth is semen analysis? Keep reading to learn more about this important fertility test.
What is Semen Analysis?
A semen analysis is a simple test that evaluates the quality of a man’s sperm. The test will look at the quantity, shape, and movement of the sperm.
The semen sample is collected in a cup and then sent to a lab for sperm analysis or sperm genetic testing as the doctors deem necessary. This test is an important part of the fertility workup for both you and your partner because it can help to determine the underlying cause of infertility and guide treatment decisions.
It’s important to note that you will need to abstain from any sexual activity for 2-3 days prior to the test in order for the results to be accurate.
Why is Semen Analysis Important?
A semen analysis is an important tool that helps fertility specialists determine the best course of treatment for male infertility.
The results of the test can help identify any issues with the quality of the sperm, which may be causing fertility problems. For example, if the sperm are not of good quality, they may not be able to fertile diagnose and treat male infertility. In case the underlying cause can not be determined, you can opt for an advanced test which is known as the Sperm DNA test. This will help you to know if the sperm is healthy or not.
How is Semen Analysis Used to Treat Male Infertility?
Once the results of the semen analysis are back, your fertility specialist will be able to develop a treatment plan that is tailored to your specific needs.
If the cause of infertility is a low sperm count, your doctor may recommend medications or supplements that can help to increase sperm production. If the problem is due to poor sperm quality, you may be referred to a urologist for further evaluation and treatment.
In some cases, assisted reproductive technologies (ART), such as in-vitro fertilization (IVF) may be recommended. IVF is a process where eggs are collected from the woman and then fertilized with sperm in a lab. The embryos are then transferred back to the woman’s uterus, where they will hopefully implant and grow.
If you’re experiencing male infertility, it’s important to consult with a fertility specialist to discuss your treatment options. Don’t hesitate to ask questions and get more information about semen analysis and how it can help you conceive a child.
How to repair sperm DNA damage naturally
It is possible that you may have some sperm DNA damage and not even know it. If this is the case, there are things you can do to help reduce or even repair the damage.
Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your fertility. Not only does it decrease sperm count, but it also increases the risk of sperm DNA damage. If you smoke, quitting is one of the best things you can do for your fertility.
Eat a healthy diet-
Eating a nutritious diet is important for overall health, but it’s also crucial for sperm health. Make sure to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Avoid processed foods and excessive amounts of saturated and unhealthy fats.
Moderate exercise is good for overall health and it can also help improve sperm quality. Avoid excessive exercise, as this can actually have the opposite effect and decrease sperm count. Training 5-6 times a week is usually sufficient.
Chronic stress can have a negative impact on fertility. If you’re struggling with stress, there are a number of things you can do to help reduce it. Consider things like yoga, meditation, and deep breathing exercises.
Get enough sleep-
Sleep is important for overall health; it helps the body to repair and heal. Getting enough sleep will help to reduce stress levels, which can also contribute to sperm DNA damage.
These simple but effective lifestyle changes can make a big difference in sperm quality and overall fertility. If you’re struggling to conceive, talk to your doctor about these and other treatment options.
If you have tried everything and nothing has worked, consider talking to a fertility specialist. They can help you to understand the cause of your infertility and develop a treatment plan that is right for you.
Yashoda IVF Centre: Best Infertility Hospital in Navi Mumbai
Yashoda IVF Centre is a well-reputed name in Navi Mumbai when it comes to Infertility. With a team of the best infertility specialist in Navi Mumbai, we provide the finest treatments to our patients. We use the latest technologies and methods to help our patients conceive.
We understand that infertility can be a very stressful experience. That is why we offer emotional support to our patients throughout their journey. The importance of a positive mindset cannot be stressed enough when it comes to infertility.
If you’re looking for the best infertility hospital in Navi Mumbai, look no further than Yashoda IVF Centre. Our Sperm genetic testing cost is very reasonable. The team at Yashoda IVF Centre will work with you to ensure that you get the best possible treatment.
For more information, please visit our website or contact us today. We would be happy to answer any of your questions.

domain: medical


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The Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD) Governing Board gave the go ahead to upgrade Wi-Fi and the computer network internal infrastructure at their March 12 meeting. Dr. Kent Frison, Associate Superintendent for Operations and Finance, told the board the new system would put an access point in each classroom. The current system averages about one per every three classrooms. Board President Cynthia Weiss likened it to three classrooms all sharing a single doorway. Some of the older access points will be upgraded as well.
Frison said in 2015 there were approximately 2900 units connecting with the school’s Wi-Fi system, now the number is 4400. He projected another 2000 devices would be utilizing the system within the next two years. In addition, network switches would need to be replaced and additional cabling would be required as well to handle the capacity and speed needed. The next step would be to increase the band width at all schools and facilities across the district.
Board Member Mark Warren questioned if more should be done now, to avoid ‘kicking the can down the road?’ Would it be better to do more now, so more would not need to be done two to three years down the road? After the board was assured that this would satisfy the district’s needs for five to eight years, they voted unanimously to move forward with $430,024 project.
Update: In a later meeting with Superintendent Debbi Burdick, she said E-rate funds would be sought for the upgrade project. E-rate is a common nickname of the Schools and Libraries Program of the Universal Service Fund. According to Wikipedia, ‘The program provides discounts to assist schools and libraries in the United States to obtain affordable telecommunications and Internet access.’
The Universal Service Fee you see on your phone bill is what funds the program. According to the Superintendent, the district has never been denied when funds have been requested and it’s estimated that about 40 percent of the upgrade will come from the fund.
Black Mountain Excellence Awards
Black Mountain Elementary School (BMES) Excellence Award winners were announced at the March 12 Cave Creek Unified School District (CCUSD) Governing Board meeting. Presenting the awards were CCUSD Superintendent Debbi Burdick and BMES Principal Matt Owsley. The Excellence Award for teachers was presented to Rina Yurcak, Spanish teacher, for parents or PTO Board Member, Mike Marcinko, who fits in both categories won the award, and the student award went to Leo Morris.

domain: news


Architect Friedrich Ludewig of ACME and engineer Charlie Scott of Watermans discuss Victoria Gate, Leeds - phase one of the regeneration and expansion of the retail heart of Leeds. They are joined by architects Stephen Chance and Wendy de Silva of Chance de Silva who discuss Vex, private house in London.
Victoria Gate, in the East of Leeds city centre, forms a natural extension of Victoria Quarter and Leeds’s retail district. The scheme includes a new John Lewis department store, multi-storey car parking and two arcades with a mix of shops, restaurants and leisure facilities. The buildings appear as three distinct elements with individual identities that relate to each other and the vernacular of Leeds and include facades of intricate brick-faced concrete panels, GRC internal facades as well as white acid-etched and polished precast concrete cast in dramatic pattern and relief. The project pushed the boundaries of manufacture, developed through early collaboration with the specialist precasting companies and delivered using 3D modelling.
Vex, private house, is a curved, fluted concrete structure on formerly a derelict site in Stoke Newington. It is also an unusual collaboration between the architects and musician/composer Scanner. Music and architecture both take as their starting point Erik Satie's 'Vexations' – a looping, repetitive piano work that lasts around 18 hours in continuous performance. This free standing building, with looping, sculptural form is set among larger buildings and trees. The over lapping of different floor planes provides opportunities for skylights and manages privacy/views. The entire structure is cast in-situ concrete, the outer wall poured against corrugated steel sheeting carefully crafted to follow the complex, ever changing curves of the buildings perimeter.
Chaired by Elaine Toogood.
Produced by The Building Centre and The Concrete Centre.


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Russia’s Central Bank on Bitcoin and Blockchain: We Don’t Want to be Left Behind
According to Alla Bakina, the head of the Central Bank’s department of national payments system, the regulator is working on applying financial technologies to create a national cryptocurrency and regulate other cryptocurrencies and exchange platforms.
“There are several directions the Central Bank is taking now. One may consider cryptocurrency a national currency, i.e. something issued under supervision and with full understanding of the Central Bank. We haven’t come up with the name, but it’s about applying financial technologies for issuance processes. For now, it’s on the stage of studying and testing,” she said.
Speaking about the usefulness of a national cryptocurrency, the official mentioned the speed, transparency and manageability associated with the new technology.
“Secondly, it’s currency issued by other issuers, like Bitcoin, Litecoin, and so on. In this regard, we’re thinking of how to amend the regulatory framework, i.e. introduce a definition of cryptocurrency for those cases, as well as regulation of operations at exchange platforms, the issues of identification, and the money laundering and terrorism financing problems associated therewith,” she added.
Meanwhile, Dmitri Skobelkin, deputy chairman of the Central Bank of Russia, believes that legalizing cryptocurrencies would reduce the risk of their illicit use.
“Currently cryptocurrencies are often used by criminals and to fund terrorism as the operations feature nearly complete anonymity of payments,” he said.
Mr. Skobelkin also said that if Russia fails to recognize cryptocurrency that circulates in all other countries, this would only make the country’s position more vulnerable.
Still, Elvira Nabiullina, the head of the Central Bank, stressed that the regulator has to thoroughly study the principles underlying cryptocurrencies and only then introduce a regulatory framework. It would heavily depend on whether cryptocurrencies are considered a digital asset or a currency.
“As for cryptocurrencies, financial regulators in most countries are still studying the phenomenon. We have to understand that when we speak of a national cryptocurrency, it has to be studied first if it’s not a mere digital asset but a national currency,” she said at the joint session of financial markets, budget and economic policy committees at Russian parliament.
She also noted that Russia needs to promote digital economy.
“We don’t want to suck wind. We’ve created a Fintech association together with the finance’s key players who are already testing new technologies. Prior to regulating anything we have to realize how it works, what are the associated risks, and build the regulatory framework accordingly. This applies to blockchain technology as well, though it works not just with finance,” the Central Bank’s head stated.
Last week, the deputy chairwoman of Russia’s Central Bank Olga Skorobogatova said the regulator was willing to revisit its plans of creating a national cryptocurrency, and noted that, if blockchain revolution is inevitable, one should do their best in order to be spearhead those efforts.
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- Bitcoin ATMs Operator Faces 30 Years in Prison for Money Laundering
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- Chess Ex-Champion Garry Kasparov: Bitcoin is Natural Choice in Fight Against Human Rights Violations
- CipherTrace: Twitter Hackers Laundered Stolen Bitcoins Through Exchanges and Casinos
- Opinion: Trump’s Election Campaign to Trigger Bitcoin Pump
- Korea Imposes 20% Tax on Capital Gains From Crypto Transactions
- Former GlobalHell Hacker: The Attack on Twitter Is Way Bigger than Anticipated
- UK, U.S., and Canada Accuse Russia of Hacking Attacks to Steal Secret Research on Covid-19 Vaccine

domain: finance


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- Gettysburg, PA
- Celtic Music
- 26 miles from Carlisle
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Jennifer W. said “Across the Pond did an amazing job setting the atmosphere for our renaissance wedding!! They learned very special songs with a short notice and absolutely…”
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Perfectly executed Celtic Music
Across the Pond performed perfectly for our event. We truely enjoyed their selection of celtic dinner music and then after dinner music. They were really flexible to work with. Give them a shot! They were great!
A Celtic harp or Celtic flute can create a relaxed and enchanting atmosphere at a cocktail hour, art gallery opening, wedding ceremony or festival, while a Celtic Band performs fun and traditional music. Search for Celtic Music in Carlisle, Pennsylvania above.
Please note that these Celtic Music may also travel to Plainfield, Boiling Springs, Mount Holly Springs, New Kingstown, Shermans Dale, Mechanicsburg, Landisburg, Gardners, Newville, Dillsburg, Elliottsburg, Grantham, Bowmansdale, Peach Glen, Franklintown, Idaville, Walnut Bottom, York Springs, Enola, New Bloomfield, Camp Hill, Marysville, Bendersville, Aspers, Loysville, Wormleysburg, Summerdale, Lemoyne, Duncannon, and Wellsville.

domain: artistic


text:
The Ellinika Hoaxes, for a fee, execute propaganda and disinformation contracts.
All this clearly emerges through state documents which are evidence of Litigation in America.
This is how the Ellinika Hoaxes were also exposed.
Through a legal dispute in America between the administration of the President of America Joe Biden with defendant the U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE, 2201 C Street NW., Washington, DC 20520., and plaintiff America First Legal (AFL) led by senior members of the Donald Trump administration and including President Trump’s former Senior Counsel, Chief of Staff, Deputy Attorney General and the Budget Director.
Following a related Civil Action No.: 22-3386 filed by the AFL against the STATE DEPARTMENT, communications-records were made public records under the American Freedom of Information Act.
Among them there is also a secret list of persons.
The Secret List consists of journalists and individuals of various capacities, many of whom also happen to be NGO administrators who promote propaganda on behalf of the US government. Many of them are financed through a labyrinthine structure owned by George Soros.
In these files, all the communications-files made public under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) in America, the result of a legal battle, revealed the modus operandi by which the State Department worked with the Global Engagement Center (GEC) to “fight” of so-called “disinformation” and “counter-disinformation” by carrying out state propaganda through willing participants, private media organizations and NGOs owned or directly or indirectly funded by George Soros.
Although the GEC’s mission is supposed to combat foreign disinformation abroad, the AFL previously revealed that the GEC supported US President Joe Biden’s White House National Security Council (NSC) effort to share “Lessons Learned from the CDC and inventory on dealing with disposal information in real time” throughout the federal country, just as it was carried out in Europe, Africa, etc.
Following the AFL’s FOIA requests to obtain records relating to GEC grants outsourcing government propaganda and censorship to private NGO bodies etc, documents were obtained which provide evidence that:
GEC coordinates with a global Soros-, Gates-, Omidyar- and Big Tech cartel who fund “fact-checkers” like the Ellinika Hoaxes through the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network to control the media internationally Poynter Institute for Media Studies — which operates Politifact — and members of IFCN, received initial funding from the US Department of State-funded National Endowment, the Omidyar Network, Google, Facebook, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the George Soros Open Society Foundations.
THIS IS HOW THE ORGANIZATIONAL STRUCTURE ARISES FROM THE FACTS
National Security aspect.
What emerges indisputably from the above data is that Ellinika Hoaxes also deals with Turks.
And this is where the most serious matter of National Security of the country arises regarding what has been communicated and insstructed between the Turks and the people of Ellinika Hoaxes both in Greece and on Turkish soil since the founders and managers of the NGO Ellinika Hoaxes were Military Personnel in Greece at time and the Turks as known close to extremist elements that according to the Turkish Government designated Terrorists PKK, others criminally liable FETÖ, “Fethullahist Terrorist Organization” as instigators of demonstrations and attempts to violently overthrow the Turkish government.

domain: law


Gold traders expect prices to rebound from the longest weekly losing streak in eight years as mounting concern that U.S. lawmakers are doing too little to control the budget deficit spurs demand for a protection of wealth.
Twenty analysts surveyed by Bloomberg expect prices to rise next week, five were bearish and a further two were neutral. While hedge funds cut bullish bets to a four-month low last week as prices slid for a fifth week, investors are holding a near-record amount in gold-backed exchange-traded products that are now valued at $138.8 billion, data compiled by Bloomberg show.
Bullion is in its longest run of annual gains in at least nine decades as U.S. lawmakers this week passed legislation that prevented tax increases for most workers and delayed spending cuts by two months. The International Monetary Fund says the country’s debt ceiling ought to be raised “expeditiously.” While Credit Suisse Group AG yesterday said gold will average the most ever this year, it joined Goldman Sachs Group Inc. in predicting the 12-year bull market will probably peak in 2013.
“Euphoria over the fiscal-cliff avoidance could be short lived as all problems are not solved yet,” said Frederique Dubrion, the Geneva-based president and chief investment officer of Blue Star Advisors SA, which manages metals and energy assets. “There’s still a huge amount of debt. Gold is nobody’s liability, it’s the ultimate alternative currency.”
The metal fell 1 percent to $1,647.35 an ounce today after U.S. Federal Reserve policy makers said they’ll probably end asset purchases this year, according to the record of the Federal Open Market Committee’s Dec. 11-12 gathering released late yesterday. While gold rose 7.1 percent last year, it’s set for a sixth weekly loss, the worst run since May 2004. The Standard & Poor’s GSCI gauge of 24 commodities added 0.3 percent in 2012 and the MSCI All-Country World Index of equities climbed 13 percent. Treasuries returned 2.2 percent, a Bank of America Corp. index shows.
The U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation on Jan. 1, breaking an impasse over how to prevent more than $600 billion in tax increases and spending cuts from coming into force. The so-called fiscal cliff had threatened to push the world’s largest economy into a recession. The budget package passed by Congress won’t reduce deficits enough to avoid a sovereign-rating downgrade, Moody’s Investors Service said.
Gold will reach $2,000 this year, according to a Bloomberg survey of 49 traders and analysts last month, as investors hedge against inflation and weaker currencies. The Fed said Dec. 12 it would buy $45 billion of Treasury securities a month from January. The yen fell to the lowest since 2010 against the dollar today after the Fed’s minutes and amid speculation the Bank of Japan will heed government calls to boost money printing.
Investors bought 60 percent more through gold ETPs last year compared with 2011 and now hold 11.7 metric tons below the record 2,632.5 tons set Dec. 20. The holdings are equal to almost a year of mine production, data compiled by Bloomberg and Barclays Plc show. Nations from Brazil to Iraq to Russia are also buying metal to add to official reserves, according to data compiled by the IMF.
While Credit Suisse forecasts a 2013 average of $1,740, it expects improved economic growth later this year to curb gold’s appeal and sees prices averaging $1,720 in 2014. Goldman’s analysts said Dec. 5 that prices will peak this year because of improving U.S. growth, even as the Fed expands stimulus.
The metal will average $1,600 this year, according to Rene Hochreiter, a director of Johannesburg-based Allan Hochreiter (Pty) Ltd. and the most accurate forecaster in the London Bullion Market Association’s 2012 gold survey. That would be 4.1 percent below last year’s all-time high average.
Speculators cut their bullish bets by 49 percent since October and held a net-long position of 101,922 futures and options in the week to Dec. 24, the least since Aug. 14, U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission data show. U.S. Mint sales of American Eagle gold coins fell 44 percent to 76,000 ounces in December and full-year sales were 25 percent lower than in 2011, data on its website show.
Physical demand may slow elsewhere. India’s Finance Minister Palaniappan Chidambaram said Jan. 2 that 2011’s biggest buying nation may raise taxes on gold imports to reduce the current-account deficit. India bought 24 percent less in the first nine months of last year as gold priced in rupees reached a record, according to the London-based World Gold Council.
Next page: Annual increase
Copyright 2014 Bloomberg. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.


text:
USS Burrows was a Cannon-class destroyer escort laid down on March 24, 1943 and launched on October 2, the same year. It was commissioned on December 19, 1943 under Lt. Comdr. Robert W. Graham’s command with the hull number DE-105 and served in the US Navy for 3 years until it was decommissioned on April 26, 1946. During its activity, the ship carried a complement of 216 men on board and had the main missions in Norfolk, Belfast, Derry, Bizerte, Maine, Bizerte, New London, Le Havre or Southampton. After the decommissioning, the ship was struck from the Navy Register on September 26, 1950 and transferred to the Netherlands where it was renamed Van Amstel (F-806).
89 years old

domain: history


text:
Week 12 Game Scripts to Target in Daily Fantasy Football
Considering game scripts should be a huge part of your process when building lineups in NFL daily fantasy.
How will the game play out? Will it be high paced with lots of potential for fantasy points to be scored? Does it set up well for one team, both teams, or neither? A running back could go from a lock one week as a home favorite to a complete avoid the next week as a double-digit road underdog because the game scripts in these games are completely different.
Projecting these outcomes can be extremely difficult for one person. We can use the lines and totals to see what oddsmakers think and go from there. A great resource is numberFire's Daily Fantasy Matchup Heat Map, which provides those numbers that are used for sports betting, as well as custom metrics that show how the teams will match up against each other. This will give us a much better handle on how games are likely to play out, and how we can take advantage of that in our lineups.
Here are some game scripts to target this week in DFS.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
Buccaneers Implied Team Total: 23.5
Falcons Implied Team Total: 27.5
The highest total on the board in Week 12 is an NFC South division game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Atlanta Falcons. These teams are frequently involved in games we like to target in fantasy due to poor defenses and offenses that are capable of playing fast. According to Football Outsiders, Tampa Bay is sixth in seconds per play while Atlanta is eighth. The defenses have been one to attack all season, especially through the air. Atlanta's defense is 29th in passing defense Net Expected Points per play, while the Bucs are 24th. These teams are also two of the pass-happiest in the league, with Atlanta having the highest pass-run ratio at 2.09 and Tampa fifth at 1.80. All of these pass attempts against weak pass defenses could lead to lots of yards and points in this game.
Matt Ryan ($7,900 on FanDuel) got back to throwing for 300 yards last week after doing so for each of the first six weeks of the season and then having his injury slow him down. He is fifth among starters in FanDuel points per game at the quarterback position. Facing the Bucs, who are ranked first against the run according to numberFire's metrics, should lead to lots of passing opportunities for Ryan. Matty Ice also benefits from having some dangerous weapons, who can make plays in the passing game.
The most obvious weapon for Ryan is Julio Jones ($8,400). Julio is third in the league in air yards, getting the volume we like to see out of a receiver for that price. Tampa Bay has allowed the most fantasy points to wide receivers this year. Jones has historically crushed Tampa Bay, with 102 catches, 1695 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 14 career games against them. Given how bad they have been this season, there is no reason to expect that to change this week.
One thing you are nearly guaranteed when rostering Jameis Winston ($7,600) is lots of pass attempts. Winston has thrown over 40 passes for five straight games, including 51 last week. He was able to put up over 300 yards in each of those five games. While the Falcons defense has been good over the past two games, Kyle Allen was able to put up a season-high 325 yards. Winston should be able to get his throws in and at least put up a reasonable game, with the chance for much more if things break his way.
Mike Evans ($8,000) has had back-to-back duds after posting some monster games earlier in the season. His target volume was down to 14 in the last two games after seeing double-digit targets in the previous three outings. The good news here is that he is in a matchup he should be able to dominate. Pro Football Focus gives him a significant matchup edge over Atlanta cornerback Isaiah Oliver. Evans is seeing an average depth of target of 15.6 yards, so he is always a threat downfield.
Others to Consider
Calvin Ridley ($6,700) finally had a breakout game in Week 11, with 143 yards and a touchdown. He's a downfield target for Matt Ryan with an average depth of target at 13.6 and has more touchdowns (five) than Julio Jones (four).
Chris Godwin ($7,800) got bailed out with a touchdown last week in an otherwise unspectacular game. It was his first game under eight targets since Week 3, so his volume should return to normal in this matchup against a weak Atlanta secondary.
Seattle Seahawks at Philadelphia Eagles
Seahawks Implied Team Total: 23.0
Eagles Implied Team Total: 24.5
This game has the second-highest total and is projected to be very close with the Philadelphia Eagles favored by 1.5 points. It features two teams with above-average offenses against defenses that are rated around the middle of the pack for this season. Both teams have several different options we can look towards to score fantasy points for us.
There are a few different ways this game could play out. The Seattle Seahawks have shown they prefer to run the ball, owning the league's fifth-highest run rate. However, the Eagles will make that difficult with the ninth-best defense against the run. It would be helpful from a game script perspective if the Seahawks got behind, forcing more passing attempts and a faster pace of play.
Whenever Seattle needs to throw a lot, Russell Wilson ($8,200) can have a big game. In the two games in which he attempted the most passes this season, he also had his two best fantasy games. The hope when rostering Wilson is that the run game will not be effective and Wilson will get a chance to throw. Philly is only average against the pass, coming in at 15th in Defensive Passing NEP.
Zach Ertz ($6,100) has seen the target volume that is hard to come by from a tight end. He has 11 targets in back to back games. Both Alshon Jeffery and Nelson Agholor are questionable for this game, which would leave Ertz as the de-facto number one option in the passing game if they were to sit out. The Seahawks are 27th in fantasy points allowed to the tight end this season.
Tyler Lockett ($7,400) has been trending in the right direction after being listed as questionable with a lower leg injury. Lockett being active would be a big boost to both the Seattle passing game and the game script overall. A player who can score quickly on a long touchdown won't take up too much time on the clock and allows the other team to have a chance to respond quickly. Lockett is the clear number one receiver in the offense, receiving 23% of the targets.
With Jordan Howard still limited, Miles Sanders ($5,600) could be the lead back again for the Eagles. Sanders played 85% of the snaps last week. He only scored 5.7 fantasy points, but that was against the number one ranked New England Patriots defense. If he can exceed the 13 touches he has seen in the past two games, he can definitely pay off his$5,600 price tag.
Others to Consider
D.K. Metcalf ($6,700) actually leads the Seahawks in air yards. He was a huge regression candidate with the red zone targets he was getting, and then scored three touchdowns in a two-week span. He still has only 2 catches on 13 red zone targets per NFL Savant, so could be in line for more touchdowns in the coming weeks.
It's not often we can look at two tight ends on the same team, but Dallas Goedert ($5,200) is in play along with Zach Ertz. Goedert has four touchdowns to Ertz's two and could see more targets come his way if Agholor and Jeffery miss this game.
Oakland Raiders at New York Jets
Raiders Implied Team Total: 24.75
Jets Implied Team Total: 21.75
This game may say more about the overall Week 12 slate than anything else. The Oakland Raiders facing the New York Jets doesn't sound like the most exciting game, but there are some reasons to believe that this game could have some fantasy goodness. These teams should force action to the pass game, with the Jets as the fourth-best team against the run this season. The Jets already have preferred passing the ball, with a pass to run ratio of 1.6. The quarterbacks should have time to throw as well. The Jets are below average in adjusted sack rate, whereas the Raiders are just about at the league average. With these quarterbacks -- who are not elite -- a clean pocket makes a big difference.
Derek Carr ($7,400) could feast against this New York defense that is 22nd in fantasy points allowed to the quarterback position. Carr has been surprisingly efficient this season, ranking sixth in Passing NEP per drop back among quarterbacks that have at least 100 drop backs. If the Jets are able to shut down the run and the Raiders choose to pass a decent amount, Carr could exploit a bad Jets passing defense.
An option to pair with Carr would be Tyrell Williams ($6,400). Williams hasn't scored a touchdown since Week 8, but had scored in every game he had appeared in up until that point. Now facing a weak Jets secondary, Williams could use his above-average speed to hit a big play. He has seen 20 targets of 15 or more yards this season.
There are a few players on the Jets you could use to "bring it back" if you are hoping this game goes over the total. Jamison Crowder ($6,500) has scored a touchdown in three straight games and appears to be Sam Darnold's favorite target. In games that Darnold has started, Crowder has a 25% target share.
Ryan Griffin ($5,600) has been a revelation for the Jets at tight end. In the last three games without Chris Herndon in the lineup, Griffin has caught 15 of 17 targets for 225 yards and 3 touchdowns. The Raiders have allowed the third-most points to opposing tight ends this season, making Griffin a sneaky play in a good matchup.
Others to Consider
Darren Waller ($6,200) has slowed down since the early weeks where he was dominating targets, but he is still worth a look. He got somewhat back on track last week with 5 catches for 78 yards and still is the team leader with a 25% target share.
Robby Anderson ($5,600) is a dart throw you can make in this game. He hasn't hit on many big plays this year, but he has an average depth of target of 14.3. If Darnold can be kept clean in the pocket and the Jets are behind and looking to throw, a bomb or two to Anderson isn't out of the question.
Nicholas Vazquez is not a FanDuel employee. In addition to providing DFS gameplay advice, Nicholas Vazquez also participates in DFS contests on FanDuel using his personal account, username hbyanksman. While the strategies and player selections recommended in his articles are his/her personal views, he/she may deploy different strategies and player selections when entering contests with his/her personal account. The views expressed in his/her articles are the author’s alone and do not necessarily reflect the views of FanDuel.

domain: sports


FHFA still eyeing 2019 for implementation of new credit score model
WASHINGTON — Anyone hoping that the Federal Housing Finance Agency will suddenly accelerate the introduction of a new credit score model was likely disappointed by the release of a report Thursday.
The annual progress report on the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac conservatorships reiterated the FHFA's projection that the agency will not set an implementation date for a new credit score model until after the launch of a new Single Security Initiative. The single security is slated for June 3, 2019.
Fannie and Freddie currently use a credit scoring model introduced by Fair Isaac in 2003 known as FICO 5, but the FHFA has been moving toward updating the government-sponsored enterprises' credit scoring models for the last several years. The FHFA is considering whether to endorse the new FICO 9 or VantageScore 3.0 models, or a combination of the two of them.
"While FHFA believes that it would be desirable to update the Enterprises’ credit score requirement from the current Classic FICO standard, FHFA has not determined which credit score option should be adopted as a replacement," according to FHFA's 2017 Scorecard Progress report.
The GSE regulator will be evaluating industry comments on using the latest FICO or VantageScore credit scoring models. Comments are due March 30.
"FHFA will evaluate all responses to the RFI, along with supporting analysis and outreach, and plans to make a decision on updating the Enterprises’ credit score requirements in 2018," the report said. "Any implementation date related to updated credit score models will, however, be delayed until after the implementation of the Single Security Initiative."
The FHFA report also shows Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are continuing to reduce their inventories of real estate owned properties. "Overall, the Enterprises reduced their REO property inventories by over 30 percent in 2017, with a total decline of 14,901 properties to 34,610 properties," the report says.