text:
Santa Barbara is my hometown. I grew up in Santa Barbara, graduated from Santa Barbara High School, was married there and my children were born there. So, when the local Santa Barbara News Press received national attention for being attacked and vandalized by pro-illegal immigration activists, for using the word “Illegals”, I drove up there, on Martin Luther King Day, to support my hometown newspaper’s right of free speech.
As I drove there I reflected that never in my wildest dreams would I have believed this trip would be necessary. Why would Americans ever have to defend their right to free speech?
What had incensed the protest against the News Press was a headline that said, “Illegals Line Up for Drivers Licenses”. The protestors said “illegal” is a pejorative term and shouldn’t be used. They carried signs that said, “We aren’t illegal, the border is illegal”. They demanded the News Press stop using the word “illegal”. The News Press replied that they have used the term for decades, it is the legal term and they would continue to use it.
The rally was scheduled for 12:30pm in front of the News Press offices in the De la Guerra Plaza. The Plaza has a U shaped road going from De La Guerra Street to the News Press building and back and forms a small grassy park in the middle.
I arrived early so that I could stop and visit with friends who own a wine bar across the street from the Plaza. As we stood in the doorway of their wine bar, we saw the rally had already started so I left to join it. I brought with me signs that said, “Je Suis News Press”. I wanted to keep the message on free speech. I knew a counter protest had been planned and I was certain they would change our message to anti-immigrant/racist……and they did.
As I approached the building I could see where the graffiti had been painted over but there was still pink paint splashed on the large carved wooden doors and also on several windows. The doors are old and historic and will need to be refinished. This damage was done by people supposedly “in the shadows”.
I joined the rally. It consisted of nicely dressed people, some in business attire, carrying American flags and home made signs, mostly supporting free speech. People came and asked if they could hold the signs I brought. As soon as I joined the rally I noticed a 40ish, Latino man in a plaid shirt and baseball cap. He had a professional looking camera and a microphone and was walking back and forth in front to the crowd supposedly interviewing people, but I noticed his camera wasn’t on. It was clear he was there to agitate. As he passed me he was saying Santa Barbara was his hometown. I told him it was my hometown too. He came back and said I should understand how offensive “illegal” was. I told him I support free speech no matter who it offends. I told him I’m offended every day by people telling me what I can and can’t say.
A real reporter from Univision asked if he could interview me. He asked me why I was there. I told him I was there in defense of free speech. I said without free speech, we are not free. This is a country of laws and laws had to be applied to all equally. I told him this country had been so successful and lasted so long because we believed in the Rule of Law and that the divisiveness we are seeing is being caused by the erosion of the Rule of Law.
He asked what my sign said and what it meant. I told him it said, “Je Suis News Press” which translates to, “I am News Press”. It was in support of France’s fight for free speech caused by the Charlie Hebdo attack. I told him I didn’t like what Charlie Hepdo had to say but I supported their right to say it because free speech isn’t about protecting the speech you like, it’s about protecting the speech you don’t like.
The fake Latino reporter continued to be disruptive. Whenever someone would try to take a photo or video of the crowd, he would stand in their way. Counter protestors started arriving. At the height of the rally, I’d guess there were nearly a hundred people on each side. The counter protestors were an interesting assortment of people. The younger ones mostly yelled, “Racist” and gave us the finger. One had bright pink hair, another with yellow hair turning green at the neck. Several people had spiky mohawks, one of them a middle aged woman. They had several very expensive banners. I wondered who paid for them as no one there looked as if they could afford such an expense. A woman wearing a shirt that said, “Legalize LA” walked up and down our line with a small “point and shoot” camera video taping everyone.
A grey haired, bearded man, held up a sign that said, “God isn’t Racist”. He and a woman with him spent most of their time screaming at people and shaking their fists. Another younger bearded man carried an upside down American flag and stomped on it. Some of our group would try to talk to the counter protestors but it always ended in shouting.
Eventually, the counter protestors gathered to listen to their own speakers and then marched around the Plaza. The first time around they shouted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, the USA has got to go”. The next time around they shouted, “Hey, hey, ho, ho, the News Press has got to go” and the last time around they said, ironically, “Love, don’t hate”.
Illegal aliens want us to “love” them as they swear at us, tell us we stole this land, vandalize property and demand rights they aren’t legally entitled to. I wonder how they think that will win them support.
I can’t really blame them for being mad, however, when we have a President who has been making a mockery of our Rule of Law and promising them amnesty for the last six years. The population of Santa Barbara is now 44% Latino. It wasn’t close to that as I was growing up. There is no question illegal immigration has contributed to the increase. And the biggest tragedy is that they are bringing with them the policies they fled.


Open Space Management Plan
The Sierra Club and League of Women Voters will host a public meeting on the Open Space Management Plan at 7 p.m. Dec. 3, 7 PM at UNM-LA, room 230.
The Dec. 5 County Council meeting has been changed to a regular council meeting at 7 p.m. Dec. 9 in council chambers. At this meeting, the Chicken Ordinance Public Hearing, the Ski Shuttle service and the Branding Revisit are scheduled.
The Mesa Public Library Film Series. “Baghdad Café,” 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the upstairs meeting room.
The Prevention Office is asking for donations of snack items for the Listening Post. The Listening Post is an opportunity for volunteers to offer free snacks to students to lift spirits during stressful times. Donations can be dropped off at the main office. Businesses or organizations willing to do a collection can request a free pick up of items by calling 663-3252.
County Councilors will host a “Lighting of the Holiday Tree” in the Municipal Building lobby at 5:30 p.m. Saturday as part of Winterfest activities. Doors open at 5 p.m. and the lobby will be open until the holiday lights parade begins at 6 p.m.


text:
Did you hear? Obama won, same-sex couples can get married, and Maryland won’t get any more casinos. Sounds pretty good to me, I’ve gotta say — unfortunately, the voters in question were in middle school, so they don’t actually get to weigh in on the issues in real life. But still, these are the kinds of results that make me hopeful for the future.
More than 2,500 sixth-, seventh-, and eighth-graders from 29 city schools listened to debates, argued issues in class, and hosted visitors like Republican delegate Pat McDonough and Democratic delegate Mary Washington. Social studies classes taught about the history of elections, and how voting has changed over the years. And then, this Monday, they voted.
If President Obama was running for middle school class president in Baltimore, he’d win handily: he came away with 96 percent of the ballots cast yesterday. Nearly two-thirds of students voted in support of Question 6, which would legalize gay marriage in Maryland. “Who are we to say you can’t marry who you love?” sixth-grader Isabelle Padgett told the Baltimore Sun. “It’s America, it’s a free country.” (She also noted that Mitt Romney lost her vote because he said he would kill Big Bird.) An even greater majority (70 percent) voted in support of Question 4, the Dream Act initiative, which would allow children of illegal immigrants to receive in-state tuition rates.
The most divisive issue was Question 7, which deals with expanding casinos in Maryland. “I understand that it could bring in money and boost our economy, but at the price of addiction,” sixth-grader Maebe Thistel told the Sun. “I think for the sake of our community, it’s just not right.”
However you feel about the issues, this level of political engagement is encouraging to witness. So make like a seventh-grader and get out there and vote!
- The Effect of a Dilapidated Home on a Baltimore Block - September 19, 2017
- The Ku Klux Klan Is Apparently Still Alive and Well in Maryland - August 24, 2017
- Baltimore May Be Getting a Professional Soccer Team - September 16, 2016

domain: politics


“Adam became mute. He wouldn’t talk. He didn’t want to leave the house. He used to curl up in a ball in the footwell of the car so that nobody could see him.”
15-year-old up-and-coming racing driver Adam Parker, from Heywood, started secondary school at 11 like any other child, putting on his school uniform and his backpack and heading off for his first year in a completely new world.
Adam is not like just any other child, being diagnosed with high functioning autism at a young age. He struggles with crowds and loud noises.
But a normal school life did not last long, Adam not being accepted into any friendship groups and was soon bullied for being different.
In what would be his last day at school, Adam was beaten up by five students, who shouted at him and kicked him.
After this, something in Adam changed.
“He’d go to the extent of putting a balaclava over his face, a hat on his head and a coat zipped up so all you could see was his eyes,” said his mother, Maxine. “He didn’t want anyone to see him. He felt safer.”
Maxine, and Adam’s father, Andrew, were forced to home school Adam for the next few weeks, Adam being treated for post-traumatic stress disorder. Although no physical scars were present, the emotional damage remained.
Eventually, the family attended an event aimed at raising money to treat a family member’s medical condition. The event included an auction with Andrew being asked to be an auctioneer.
“It was a bit of a joke,” Andrew recalled. “I ended up stood in front of a room full of people and my family were bidding on these tickets. I was trying to get other people to bid, because I knew that it would be me paying for it!”
One of the items was a VIP go-karting pass, which the family promptly bid on. Adam was intrigued by the karting, and the family soon found themselves at Rochdale, both concern and hope on their minds.
“It was like a lightbulb moment,” Maxine said. “He just took to it. He fitted in. He was happy. Not only was he happy, but he was really good at it.
“That enabled him to start going from the reclusive person that he’d become, and helped him to become more confident with others. He wonders off and does his own thing. He’s just happier.”
Since then, Adam and his family have pushed to go full-time in racing. He finished 11th in the National Karting Championship in 2020, and has since spent two years in the Junior Saloon Car Championship.
“Our single goal at the start was not to be last,” Andrew said with a smile on his face. “And we got to our first race, and we weren’t last. We were over the moon.
“We went from being the team that everyone felt sorry for, and people would tell us how to set the car up and help us out. As time went on, people were less helpful because we started beating them. They started coming to us.”
Adam is set to go into his first adult racing series, and will be the youngest driver the Civic Type R Championship has ever seen.
Adam’s father added: “We’re going to rock up with a 16-year-old autistic kid and a second-hand car we’ve bought, and we’re going to try and compete with them. It’s bonkers! Who’d have thought that was a good idea?”


A salute to Richmond’s notable basketball stars
Fred Jeter | 5/26/2022, 6 p.m.
Robert L. “Bobby” Dandridge, aka “Greyhound,” “Bismarck,” and “Pick,” was born in Richmond on Nov. 15, 1947. He became a headliner at Maggie L. Walker High (Stretch Gardner) and Norfolk State (Ernie Fears), and was drafted in the fourth round by Milwaukee in 1969.
In 1971, in his second NBA season, Dandridge helped the upstart Bucks shut out Baltimore, 4-0, in the finals.
Teammates included a young Kareem Abdul-Jabbar and veteran Oscar Robertson.
Dandridge added a second title in 1978 with Washington. The Bullets defeated the Seattle Supersonics in the Finals, 4-3. Elvin Hayes and Wes Unseld were the headliners, along with Dandridge, who scored 15,530 points in his career.
Dandridge was elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame in 2021.
June 11 has been designated Bobby Dandridge Day in Richmond, with ceremonies
to take place at the now Maggie L. Walker Governor’s School. Coordinating the Bobby Dandridge Remembrance Committee is former Walker AD Howard Hopkins. More details are forthcoming. Dandridge also is a “Strong Men & Women in Virginia History” 2022 honoree, a program sponsored by Dominion Energy and The Library of Virginia.
In addition to Dandridge, other Richmond Public Schools athletes have left a lasting impression on the NBA Finals.
Gerald Henderson (Huguenot High) and Paul Pressey (George Wythe) combined for six championship rings, turning RVA into “Bling City.”
Henderson won three as a player, Dandridge two as a player and Pressey, following a brilliant playing career, one as an assistant coach.
While there are no 804 area code players involved in the current chase for basketball’s highest team honor, let’s turn back the clock on the scoreboard and review the past.
Jerome McKinley “Gerald” Henderson was born in Richmond on Jan. 16, 1966. He starred at Huguenot High School (Coach John Bunsavage) and VCU (Chuck Noe, Dana Kirk) before reaching the NBA as third round draft pick by San Antonio in 1980.
In 1981, Henderson came off the bench to help Boston defeat Houston, 4-2, in the Finals.
In 1984, he had a more prominent role, helping the Celtics top the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-3. Henderson’s last-gasp steal of a James Worthy pass led to a Boston win in Game 2.
His Celtics’ teammates included Hall of Famers Larry Bird, Robert Parish, Kevin McHale and Dennis Johnson.
In 1990, Henderson played a more limited role in Detroit’s 4-1 triumph over Portland.
Paul Matthew Pressey, aka “Point Forward,” was born in Richmond on Dec. 24, 1958. Coached by Bob Booker at Wythe and Nolan Richardson at Tulsa, he was a first round draftee by Milwaukee in 1982.
Pressey never reached the NBA Finals, but he did play in 16 playoff series and 75 games during his illustrious career with the Bucks and San Antonio.
He was head coach Gregg Popovich’s right- hand man on the sidelines in 1999 when the Spurs topped the New York Knicks, 4-1, in the finals. Leading roles were played by Tim Duncan and David Robinson.
The Henderson and Pressey NBA legacies continued. Gerald’s son, Gerald Jr., went on to play in five playoff series (15 games) with Charlotte and Portland between 2009 and 2017.
Pressey’s son, Phil, played in the NBA from 2013 to 2016, and took part in the 2015 playoffs for Boston.


The latest issue of Net-A-Porter’s magazine The Edit boasts the beautiful Emma Watson on its cover. In the accompanying interview, Watson discusses her work with the Green Carpet Challenge and how she vets potential award show outfits.
“I’ve always had this huge problem, I would love to wear garments that are ethically sourced, but there aren’t enough options for me to be able to do that realistically,” she said. When Watson learned about the Green Carpet Challenge, she felt it was “something I had to do, something I’ve been waiting for.”
Watson’s known for her keen style eye, and she revealed the methodic process through which she picks red carpet outfits — and the pressure she feels in preparing for these events. “You have to consider, ‘Will people see up my skirt? If a flash goes off, can you see through this?’ So I’ll do a test sitting, a testing standing… it’s nerve-wrecking,” she admitted. “People really scrutinize. On the red carpet, I’m usually in so much discomfort — my shoes are uncomfortable, I can’t breathe in the dress. I don’t compromise like that in my everyday style.”
See more photos of Emma Watson by Natalie Brewster below.


CISC Semiconductor will be exhibiting at RFID Journal Live! 2016 in Orlando. Please feel free to stop by our booth #845 from May 3rd to 5th 2016. We are looking forward to meeting you! Please contact us if you would like to make an appointment.
CISC Semiconductor releases improved “UHF RFID Real Time Sniffer” for reader and application testing
CISC Semiconductor is happy to announce the release of new and improved UHF RFID real-time “Sniffer” for CISC RFID Xplorer; a versatile equipment to resolve all tag and reader performance, RFID deployment and chip development issues. Sniffer is a tool to analyze RFID reader and tag signals and communication. The detection and decoding of reader [...]
CISC RFID Xplorer is ready to perform measurement tests based on “tagged-item test procedure” defined by the GS1 Tagged Item Performance Protocol (TIPP) Guideline. This test is used as criteria for establishing that a tagged-item meets a specified grade level. For the complete information please read the PRESS RELEASE.
CISC Semiconductor strengthens its global presence by adding new partners in global key locations. Klagenfurt, Austria – 16 September. CISC Semiconductor (CISC) is pleased to announce that 3 new partners have joined CISC to provide CISC RFID/NFC test and measurement solutions and to maximize the existing customer satisfaction. This will ensure prompt local support on [...]
CISC Semiconductor is pleased to announce that we are now a member of the RAIN Alliance. RAIN is an industry alliance that will promote awareness, education, and initiatives to accelerate UHF RFID growth and adoption in business and consumer applications worldwide.
Josef Preishuber-Pflügl is the chief technology officer of CISC Semiconductor and the head of the International RFID Institute's Certification Committee, is seeking SMEs to help us increase their database of certification questions, and to create new certification exams. To read the full article please click here.


text:
The University of Maryland has published a website to share information, resources and FAQs regarding the current coronavirus outbreak. Until further notice, the university is not authorizing travel to China, and has suspended Education Abroad programming in China for undergraduates for spring 2020.
UMD has published a new web page, umd.edu/virusinfo, to serve as the primary source of information on virus prevention, guidelines for absences from campus, FAQs, links to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and other health resources. It also includes current information about the university's actions and responses to coronavirus. We urge everyone with questions or concerns to visit the site.

domain: medical


text:
The world of real estate marketing has undergone significant changes, evolving from a static presentation to one of the most engaging examples of technology. This started with the advent of 3D software and architecture’s adaptation of Hollywood-quality programs. In the late 1990’s, 3D renderings began to tell the architect’s story and convey their vision better than any sketch or ink on mylar drawing could.
Slowly, but surely, these images began to make their way to the marketing and sales side of real estate as people saw the benefit in providing more lifelike examples. Still, in the early days, renderings appeared to be more computer generated than photo-realistic. Over time, technology and artistry would bring life to the images, resulting in true “photo-real” renderings.
As computers improved and software advanced, more possibilities were introduced. 3D renderings became an integral part of the architect’s design process and photo-real renderings would become the foundation for many real estate developments. These renderings would be utilized throughout the project, from early approvals to final presentations.
Alongside other emerging technologies, such as web and video, 3D rendering companies began to take advantage of this new marketing tool. These specialty firms focused on combining the technology with an artistic touch, bridging the gap between the traditional architecture illustrators and new market expectations. These companies have formed the foundation for much of the presentation and marketing efforts of the real estate world.
Expectations grew as competition for the “new” continued to expand. 3D animations took the presentation to the next level, giving the audience a true feeling for the building design and amenities. These videos enhanced renderings and become small movies with true fly-by and fly-through experiences.
As the web became a fundamental part of any marketing effort so too did it become an integral part of real estate marketing. Through the early 2000’s internet speeds gradually increased, opening the possibilities of accessing more complex content for the average person. Websites were built around the 3D renderings and animations, providing unlimited marketing reach with a modest investment.
Competition for buyers fueled the marketing efforts and more emphasis was placed on preconstruction presentations. The importance of visually communicating each development’s vision became a crucial piece of the project. Detailed renderings were expected to represent the future reality in a realistic manner, from the materials to the paint colors.
Towards the peak of the boom, the boundaries between Hollywood movies and real estate development presentations continued to blur. Technology advanced, expectations rose, and the need for preconstruction sales propelled marketing efforts, thus providing a catalyst for creative possibilities and investment in presentations. A combination of visual elements were expected, including 3D renderings, animations, graphics and interactive elements.
The push to elevate each presentation encouraged more techniques to be borrowed directly from Hollywood. These began with the software and led to live action video footage, including aerial (helicopter) shots. The 3D renderings and animations were composited into the footage, creating a video indistinguishable from reality.
The technological advancements allowed for near limitless possibilities with each presentation. These videos moved closer and closer to Hollywood quality and incorporated more traditional approaches such as actors, scripts and storytelling. These “movies” could have true storylines written to engage the potential buyers, giving them a glimpse of the lifestyle that was being sold. Showrooms became the theaters for these movies, presented on large touchscreens that connected with the online websites.
Through the great recession much of these advancements in presentation techniques stalled as real estate came to a halt. Interactive media, however, continued to move forward as mobile platforms became ubiquitous. Smart phones and tablets pushed web development to adapt to the variety of platforms, resulting in a multitude of viewable formats. The same media viewable on a traditional computer could span several devices and reach viewers anywhere.
As the economy comes back, these new platforms have become an integral part of marketing. The phone and tablet are a valuable piece in the presentation puzzle, allowing the 3D renderings, animations, and content to be accessed anywhere. While certainly presenting technological and design challenges, this variety of formats is proving to be a great tool for marketing and helps create a consistent message throughout the project.
Currently, real estate presentations are utilizing each of these pieces and incorporating them into the foundation of marketing efforts. Storytelling is emerging as a differentiator amongst development projects of all sizes and budgets. This will continue to penetrate each corner of the real estate market as we move forward and expectations reach higher.
Communicating each project’s vision and story through a multifaceted approach is the goal for marketing and presentations. Branding is combined with visual storytelling to truly express each project’s unique elements. In an ever increasing competitive real estate market it is essential to a project’s success that these messages are communicated with a captivating and engaging presentation. The tools used vary depending on the project, but the basic pieces remain consistent.
The future looks very bright for 3D and technology. We have virtual reality becoming a real possibility with Facebook’s Oculus and Microsoft’s HoloLens, both promising new ways to engage the viewer. While it is uncertain how well these new tools will integrate with real estate markets, what is certain is that expectations for understanding and making decisions in a digital environment will continue to grow.
For everyone, the experience will continue to improve and bridge the gap between virtual and true reality. Artistic talent and marketing skills will push technological innovations in new directions, allowing anyone, anywhere, to make informed decisions and to have a greater understanding of each project.

domain: design


text:
Written by Carolyn Mobley
The World Justice Project is an organization focused on improving worldwide rule of law that publishes a yearly Rule of Law Index ranking legal systems across the globe. In the recently released 2017-2018 report, the United States ranked 94th of 113 countries in “accessibility and affordability” of its civil justice system. Additionally, the U.S. ranked lower than all other high income countries in this category. Furthermore, according to the rankings, the conflict-torn countries of Afghanistan, Colombia, and Sierra Leone have more affordable and accessible civil justice systems than the United States.
The Rule of Law Index ranks each country in eight categories and forty-four subcategories. “Accessibility and affordability” of civil justice is the United States’ lowest ranking in any of the categories, which emphasizes just how hard it is to get legal help in the United States. The U.S. even ranked lower in this category than it did for lack of discrimination in its criminal justice system—not an area in which the country enjoys a sterling reputation.
Our low rating in access to justice is a direct result of misregulation of our legal system. Many Americans look for alternatives to expensive, licensed lawyers for legal assistance. These lawyer alternatives include legal service models such as websites that provide legal self-help, and legal assistance from non-lawyer professionals. While these alternative legal services are advantageous for consumers, lawyers fear that these services will take business away from them.
Lawyers have maintained policies that stifle innovative legal service models and prevent non-lawyers from competing with lawyers at affordable rates. Lawyers have been able to create and maintain these policies because lawyers govern the legal system themselves without any oversight from non-lawyers. This lack of public supervision allows lawyer policymakers to put their own perceived self-interest ahead of the customers they are supposed to be serving. Shifting oversight of the legal industry from lawyers to the public would prevent the bar from maintaining these self-serving regulations, and would drastically improve the United States’ rank in access and affordability of its civil justice system.
“Lawyers’ abuse of their regulatory power has caused an access to justice crisis of immense proportions,” lamented Responsive Law Executive Director Tom Gordon. "Without comprehensive and systemic reform, this crisis will only continue. It is imperative that lawyer insiders face this reality and stop obstructing reforms that would allow all Americans access to legal help.”
The U.S. has consistently ranked low in this category in the Rule of Law Index. To read more, visit Responsive Law’s response to the 2016 World Justice Rankings and the 2015 World Justice Rankings.
Carolyn Mobley is a Responsive Law Intern.

domain: news


text:
Another Sussex Birder's Observations
(ASBO) or Andrew's Sussex Birding Observations
I am a novice to birding and have become interested since walking Frank our dog, a cross Flat Coat / Springer around Hastings Country Park and the surrounding area, I realised the little brown birds weren't just sparrows.
View my complete profile
Monday, 12 March 2012
Sunday 11th March. SWW Coates Common and Burton Mill Pond
A walk starting off from Coates Common, found Woodlark, and drumming GS Woodpeckers.
a distant Great Spotted Woodpecker
Further on a couple of Little Owls were spotted in the distance by one of the group.
2 well camouflaged Little Owls
Back at Burton Mill 2 Grey Wagtails were on the mill race.
Around the back of the mill Pond the usual woodland birds, with plenty of crests calling, a Buzzards nest was noticed and this one was close by.
Later on at Petworth park we went looking for Brambling but no luck, seems they have eluded me this winter, but the Egyption Goose were close at hand.
Another lovely day out in perfect weather.
Post a Comment
Post Comments (Atom)

domain: hobby


text:
Small Z and I had gone to sleep to the thrumming of sub-tropical rain on the roof. We awoke in the morning to gunmetal skies, and the noises of nature. The noises! I had forgotten already how alive everything sounds up there. Just like when we lived in Hervey Bay. The birds are louder, the bugs are bigger, the rain is wetter and everything springs out of the ground with a vengeance.
We had a shower and wandered over to the house, where everything was kicking on. arcoM generally wakes up at 6.30am and Ian and Small C have to get off to work and school. The coffee machine was going, the fancy museli was out, the toaster was toasting and the babies were plopped down together as we fuelled up for the day.
Small Z and I jumped in the car with Jen and Marco, with Small C squished in the middle of both babies. Thank goodness for Small C, who entertained Small Z all the way to school. We went for a wander for necessities around Mullumbimby. Walking around there with Jen takes me back to when I was first getting it on with M. Whenever we would walk down Brunswick Street or Smith Street (in Fitzroy and Collingwood, respectively) he would see about a bamillion people he knew. And thus it is with Jen. They share the same birthday and the same Labrador gene.
We got drinks, moved tables when a jackhammer started up on the other side of the wall to where we were sitting and chatted while I periodically got up to scoop up Small Z from where she had crawled out the door and on to the footpath. I know by now that her immune system is like a ROCK if only due to all the dirt she encounters while on all fours. Marco slept on the journey home and Small Z, who was feeling more at home with her situation, was not particularly perturbed by the car ride.
Then there was sleeping. It was super muggy and humid – the rain the night before had not really broken the weather at all. Small Z didn’t seem to mind it.

domain: literature


Representatives of the European Union announced yesterday that digital assets fall under the category of "transferable securities", therefore they are also included in the package of sanctions against the Russian Federation and Belarus, which unleashed a full-scale war against Ukraine. Now, legal entities and individuals from the two aggressor countries, who were blacklisted for supporting the hostilities and war crimes of the Russian army, are prohibited from trading digital assets in the EU. We are talking about 160 people, including 14 billionaires and businessmen working in the most important sectors of the Russian economy. Crypto-ban is the second most important EU sanctions action after the political alliance announced a ban on access to the SWIFT international payment network for a number of Russian banks. The first victim of the sanctions was the largest Russian bank Sberbank. By the way, today the European Union has decided to block several Belarusian banks. According to some experts, Russia may switch to Bitcoin mining, which cannot be limited by sanctions. Even before the war, the Moscow dictator declared that Russia had a "competitive advantage" in this industry (apparently, in the Russian Federation, electricity, like the work of power engineers, will soon become free). Russian businessmen also have the opportunity to trade on decentralized crypto exchanges at their own risk.
Support for Ukraine from the crypto community is growing rapidly, and at the moment, the country, which was attacked by Putin's occupying army, managed to collect about $108 million in Bitcoin and a number of altcoins. So one of the largest NFT-metaverses, Bored Ape Yacht Club (BAYC), on Wednesday joined the list of philanthropists who provided assistance to the Ukrainian people and army. Its developers stated that after successfully collecting approximately $1 million in ETH from the wallets that held the native BAYC coin, they will double the donation by transferring another $1 million in ETH. Cryptocurrency exchange Kraken also announced its intention to donate more than $10 million to customers who create accounts from Ukrainian IP addresses until March 9. In addition, Ukrainian Kraken users will receive $1,000 in BTC regardless of their account balance at the start of the promotion. This amount can be withdrawn instantly, and when withdrawing up to $1000, the exchange will not charge a commission for currency conversion. At the moment, an emergency fund from Binance has already been opened in Ukraine, which since its launch has received about $11.3 million in BTC, BNB and BUSD. The Kuna crypto fund also operates in the country, having raised more than $14 million in currencies such as Polkadot (DOT), Tether (USDT), Candle (CNDL), USD Coin (USDC) and Dai (DAI).
The National Bank of Ukraine received the first tranche from the global Solana community in the amount of $1 million as part of the “Aid for Ukraine” initiative, which is supported by Everstake, FTX, Solana Labs, the Metaplex Foundation, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine. These funds will be spent on supporting the victims of war crimes committed by the occupying Russian forces, restoring Ukraine's infrastructure, as well as on purchases for the Ukrainian army. So far, the initiative has raised approximately $1.4 million, of which $375,000 has come from the Ukrainian company Everstake, the country’s largest decentralized staking provider in the blockchain industry. Fundraising continues, and you can monitor the statistics of receipts in real time on the website of the initiative, as well as on its official Twitter channel. Received funds will be converted with the support of the FTX crypto exchange, which has become the official partner of “Aid for Ukraine”. Recall that non-governmental humanitarian organizations in Ukraine have also opened addresses for crypto donations. They have already raised over $30 million.


text:
Learn the Game of Chess Tournament
Come and celebrate Chess Day at the Dimond Branch. Enjoy a fun filled day of learning, playing and socializing with your neighbors through the great game of chess.
WhenThis event has already occurred. Visit our events calendar for future events.
3565 Fruitvale AvenueOakland, CA 94602
Phone: (510) 482-7844


text:
The smallest of the wild dogs is the South American bush dog, weighing in at less than 15 pounds. No bigger than a terrier, it has a solid little body and short legs. The bush dog is built low to the ground so it can dart through the underbrush of the rainforest without being seen.
The problem with their small stature is that bush dogs can’t even see each other in tall grass and thick bushes. They make up for this with a repertoire of grunts, squeaks, whines and growls that carry over long distances at ground level. They “talk” almost constantly, telling each other where they are and what they’re doing. Bush dogs also mark their paths of travel with frequent urine marking.
Bush dogs have soft, reddish brown fur. With their short ears, round heads and blunt noses, they look more like weasels than dogs. When a bush dog jumps into the water, it looks like an otter, paddling with its webbed feet. Bush dogs dive underwater like experts and swim with their eyes open to catch fish, turtles, and other water animals. Because of this ability, they usually live near rivers. To watch a video of bush dogs catching a turtle click here.
Holes vacated by armadillos and other burrowing animals often become the homes of bush dogs. Others move into hollow logs. If they can’t find anything ready-made, bush dogs dig their own dens (photo).
Hunting together during the day, a pack of bush dogs fans out over the forest floor. Occasionally they hunt alone, listening and sniffing their way along. As a pack, they work together so intelligently that they can bring down prey as large as peccaries and tapirs—some weighing over 500 pounds.
When a bush dog pair has pups, other adults in the pack stop mating. This allows the group to focus on one litter at a time. For several weeks, the babies stay hidden in their den. The extended family makes sure no predators get close. When the pups finally emerge, pack members share the job of protecting and feeding them. Their aunts and uncles carry them in their mouths just like their parents do.
As the pups outgrow nursing, pack members bring them food–chewing it first and then transferring it to the babies’ mouths. The pups paw at the muzzles of the adults to them know they’re hungry.
Among the friendliest of the wild dogs, bush dogs greet each other joyfully after a separation, wagging their stubby tails. They sleep close to each other (click here), travel in an orderly way (single file), and rarely fight over anything. The packs have no clear ladder of dominance the way other wild dogs do. They treat each other as equals. It’s hard to say who’s running things in a bush dog pack.
Little is known about these secretive animals because they stay so well hidden in the rainforests of South America, mainly in Brazil. Much of our knowledge of their behavior comes from zoos helping to preserve the species in captivity. Zoo staff find them friendly and sociable, much like pet dogs. As of 2010, the American public could see bush dogs in only five city zoos—Oklahoma City, Palm Beach, San Antonio, St. Louis, and Little Rock.

domain: biology


text:
Seven boroughs of Greater Manchester have seen a week-on-week rise in Covid-19 rates, new data shows.
The weekly rates have fallen in two areas, and rates have stayed level in one district.
Rates in Stockport, Bury, Trafford, Tameside, Wigan, Oldham, and Rochdale, have all risen.
Stockport now has the highest coronavirus infection rate in Greater Manchester, replacing Trafford.
The borough recorded a rate of 265.5 cases per 100,000 people in the week ending March 3, according to the latest data from the UK Health Security Agency.
The lowest infection rate is in Rochdale, where the rate is 148.0 cases per 100,000 people.
In Greater Manchester as a whole, the infection rate is now 199.8 cases per 100,000. The infection rate in the region is lower than the national average, which is 330.1 cases per 100,000 people.
A total of 5,667 people tested positive for coronavirus across Greater Manchester in the week which ended on March 3. The Greater Manchester weekly total has increased by 173 cases compared to the previous week, which means the infection rate was up three percent in the last week.
The infection rate is lower than the national average in all ten local authorities in Greater Manchester.
In the week ending on February 27, a total of 308 patients were admitted to Greater Manchester NHS hospitals with Covid-19. That is 10 fewer than the week before, a fall of three percent.
On Tuesday (March 1) there were 14 Mechanical Ventilation (MV) beds occupied by Covid patients in Greater Manchester NHS hospitals. That is 10 fewer than a week earlier.
This is the most recent available data for hospital admissions, the figures for NHS trusts are not updated daily.
In the week ending March 3, a total of 23 people died within 28 days of a positive Covid test across Greater Manchester, which is four fewer than the week before.
Since the start of the pandemic, there have been a total of 905,606 confirmed coronavirus cases in Greater Manchester. There has been a total of 8,783 deaths.


text:
When asked about what quarantining with a significant other felt like last year, many couples’ automatic response was: difficult. Catherine Middleton, though, can’t help but disagree. Amid a particularly challenging year, the Duchess leans quite a lot on her husband for support and comfort.
What Has the Couple Been Up To?
Prince William, 38, and Kate Middleton, 39, persevered through the COVID-19 pandemic as a team, caring for and homeschooling their 3 beautiful children and juggling their royal responsibilities alongside.
With 10 years of togetherness, the couple has bloomed from globetrotting newlyweds stealing romantic getaways whenever the opportunity presented itself to perfectly contented parents whose world now centers around the lives they created.
Although you’ll find child-rearing slip into most of their conversations, it seems like they maintain the balance quite nicely and know when it’s time to take a break and hit the pub- before the pandemic, at least.
Throughout the craziness of 2020, the couple managed to spearhead many amazing projects- Kate with her Hold Still Photography challenge, where people were encouraged to submit pictures relating to the coronavirus pandemic. The Duke of Cambridge, on the other hand, spent his time making secret visits to homeless shelters.
The couple has also been on puppy duty! The family lost their dog of 8 years at the turn of last year, which prodded brother James Middleton to duly gift a new English cocker spaniel puppy to the family.
Kate Gets Real on Video Call
On a recent video call organized by Roe Green Junior School, where little Charlotte and George are students, Kate’s unsure and vulnerable parenting side stuck out like a sore thumb. When asked what parenting during the pandemic has been like for her, a one-word answer came through: exhausting- and we couldn’t agree more.
The Duchess revealed that the subject she has been struggling most with while homeschooling is math. When asked to rate her math skills on a scale of 1-10, she went for -5, stating that she’s right at the bottom when it comes to handling the subject.
During the same candid conversation, Princess Kate admitted that Prince William was her biggest support during the pandemic. She also added that the lockdown and isolation period was particularly difficult for many families as they were unable to fall back on their usual support systems.
Even Royals Weren’t Immune From Pandemic Pains.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have been stowed away at Amner Hall ever since the outbreak and its seriousness was first reported. Moreover, the monarch of Great Britain has barely left Windsor Castle since last year and is in extensive quarantine with Prince Phillip.
As demanding as royal life can get, the pandemic put an indefinite question mark on all activities meant to be held in person. However, the royals saw them through with either a more distance-supporting medium or without the usual crowd.


text:
A St Maarten cruise schedule has revealed that Anthem of the Seas will make bi-weekly stops at the Caribbean port.
Royal Caribbean's Anthem of the Seas will make her first stop in St Maarten on 9th November 2015, after she leaves Southampton earlier that month to begin the winter season sailing from Fort Lauderdale.
However, she will not make another call into the port until a month later on 9th December 2015. After which she will operate a bi-weekly schedule calling at St Maarten. It is unknown where the ship will sail to during that time, although it may be likely that several 'taster cruises' will take place.
Her final call in St Maarten, will be 21st April 2016, where she will then sail back to Southampton for her summer season.


text:
If you listen to music on Spotify, there’s a small thing you can do that will be a big help to me: FOLLOW me there! Once I get to 250 followers, Spotify will verify my account, which opens up some cool possibilities for my music, and I’ll also be able to keep you updated whenever I release new songs or playlists. If you have a second, please click follow on Spotify. It really will be a huge help. Thanks!
You can also follow Casual Gaze and Half Dug or read more about Washing Away. Click ‘Continue reading’ to check out out Washing Away ‘s Discography, a Spotify playlist of my songs spanning 2009 to today.

domain: artistic


text:
Here she is, folks: my final (finished) painting for the “30 Paintings in 30 Days” challenge! I don’t know if I can really call them daily paintings anymore, though, because I’m taking longer and longer to finish them, but I digress…
Some notes about this specific painting:
- painting albino skin tones is NOT an easy feat. If you’re up for the challenge, proceed with caution! 😉
- I finally realized with this painting that it’s in my best interest to add another coat or two of gesso (with some light sanding in between) to my pre-gessoed canvasses. The basic Omer Deserres canvasses are fine, but these small Apollon ones would pill here and there and leave tiny bits of matter in the paint.
Things I’ve learned about oil painting in general thanks to this painting:
- I really should use more paint.
Next time: A complete rundown of the pros and cons of doing this daily painting challenge – what I learned, where I stumbled, how often I asked myself “why the frig am I doing this?”, etc! Stay tuned…
4 thoughts on “Painting for September 29”
I adore her, so beautiful subtle color changes and I love thin stylizing edges on the neck! You should do more!
Thank you so much! If i can find some people willing to pose for me, I just might do more! 😉
Emma this is wonderful, it reminds me of the old Masters! Thanks so much for your lovely comment on my blog today. Are you going to do a collage for September? Following you now, so I won’t miss it if you do 🙂
Thanks, Sheila! I feel like I can’t take all the credit because albino skin is already halfway “Old Master”-looking anyways! 😉 But yes, I’m prepping my collage and blog post as we speak (gotta hurry before Leslie “closes the gates”)!


text:
New thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors for primary and secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke
AbstractAtrial fibrillation is a major risk factor for first and recurrent ischaemic stroke, and anticoagulation, mainly by use of coumarin medications, is an effective strategy for reducing ischaemic stroke occurrence in these patients. However, the coumarin medications have disadvantages. Over the past decade, important strides have been made towards developing improved anticoagulant medications. This review discusses these new developments and what they mean for the future of primary and secondary ischaemic stroke prevention in patients with atrial fibrillation. Relevant papers were identified with electronic searches of the Medline and EMBASE databases. Ongoing trials were checked using the Trials Results Centre website. The direct thrombin inhibitors, and the factor Xa inhibitors are the two major new anticoagulant drug classes under development at present. In phase III trials, dabigatran and rivaroxaban demonstrated at least as good performance as warfarin at reducing the rate of ischaemic stroke, systemic embolus, and haemorrhagic ischaemic stroke, whilst maintaining a comparable or lower rate of major bleeding events. Drug level monitoring was not required due to stable pharmacodynamics. AZD0837, apixaban, YM-150, edoxaban and betrixaban all showed promising results in phase II trials, as did S35972 in animal, in vitro and ex vivo models. The future of these new anticoagulants looks encouraging, although there are still some significant challenges to overcome. We need to consider the accumulation of long-term safety and efficacy data, and the development of effective means of reversal of anticoagulation for the direct thrombin inhibitors and factor Xa inhibitors.
CitationWinstanley, L., and Chen, R. (2013). New thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors for primary and secondary prevention of ischaemic stroke. CNS & Neurological Disorders-Drug Targets, 12(2), pp. 242-251.
JournalCNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets
The following licence applies to the copyright and re-use of this item:
- Creative Commons
Except where otherwise noted, this item's license is described as https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/
- Clinical trials of direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors in atrial fibrillation.
- Authors: Stewart RA
- Issue date: 2011 Jul
- New oral anticoagulants for atrial fibrillation: a review of clinical trials.
- Authors: O'Dell KM, Igawa D, Hsin J
- Issue date: 2012 Apr
- The king is dead (warfarin): direct thrombin and factor Xa inhibitors: the next Diadochian War?
- Authors: Diener HC, Eikelboom J, Granger CB, Hacke W
- Issue date: 2012 Feb
- Novel anticoagulants for stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation: current clinical evidence and future developments.
- Authors: Schirmer SH, Baumhäkel M, Neuberger HR, Hohnloser SH, van Gelder IC, Lip GY, Böhm M
- Issue date: 2010 Dec 14
- Oral factor Xa inhibitors for the prevention of stroke in atrial fibrillation.
- Authors: Piccini JP, Lopes RD, Mahaffey KW
- Issue date: 2010 Jul


09/28/2016 – PB Minutes
BETHLEHEM PLANNING BOARD
Master Plan Work Session
Wednesday. September 28, 2016
Bethlehem Town Library
Present: Chairman Michael Bruno, Chris McGrath, Marie Stevenson
Absent: David Wiley, Sandy Laleme, Jonathan Stevenson, Steve Gorman
Master Plan Planning committee in attendance: Frank Claffey, Rita Farrell, Dann and Kevin Roy
The Master Plan meeting started at 6:00pm. Fue to this meeting not having a quorum, nothing will be voted on, just discussed.
June Garneau went over what was reviewed from the last master plan meeting. Chapter, 10, 5 and 6. The board and the committee discussed the Vision Statement, survey results, mapping and other loose ends.
The board and the committee looked over the typos, asknowledgement, and vision statement, info from the selectmen’s office, survey results, implementation plan, and an email from Sandy Laleme. There was discussion on maps, with color coating for districts. Deer Yards were discussed.
There was talk about updating the cover page of the Master Plan with a more current look at Bethlehem.
Mike Bruno motion to adjourn at 8:00pm, Marie Stevenson seconded.


text:
Rush University Medical Center, a nationally recognized clinical and academic institution, and the teaching hospital for Rush Medical and Nursing Colleges, located in Chicago, invites applications for the Dermatology Residency Program Director position.
Rush Dermatology seeks a candidate to direct the training of future dermatology physicians. The Residency Program Director will be responsible for residency program operations, curriculum, policies and procedures, maintaining ACGME accreditation, residency recruitment, and evaluations. The Director will also participate in oversight of the budget process and supervision of the program coordinator. Candidates must have an MD, DO, or equivalent degree, be board certified in Dermatology, and have least three years of experience educating dermatology residents or fellows. Faculty appointment and compensation will be commensurate with experience.
The Rush Dermatology Residency is a nationally recognized leader in education, training residents to practice at the highest level of dermatology. The ACGME-accredited residency program includes seven residents who have their primary clinical outpatient experience at Rush University Medical Center with rotations on inpatient consults, dermatological and Mohs surgery, and dermatopathology. We have a strong commitment to excellence in patient care and research. The residency fosters a supportive environment where residents build skills in clinical dermatology across a broad spectrum of cutaneous diseases.
Rush Dermatology includes of nine full-time and 15 part-time and affiliated faculty members. We play an integral role in the core mission of Rush University Medical Center. Faculty have a range of interests, including psoriasis, skin cancer, autoimmune blistering diseases, connective tissue diseases, skin of color, oncodermatology, hidradenitis suppurativa, vasculitis, and vitiligo, which fosters a rich educational environment. The division also offers a wide range of aesthetic services and procedures.
Rush University Medical Center is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or Protected Veteran status.
job, healthcare, licensure, medical, clinical, wellness, career, employment, opening, staff, benefits, health care, clinic, Chicago
General Dermatology – Clinical Faculty
Rush University Medical Center – Chicago
Rush Copley Medical Center
Rush University Medical Center is an elite medical community recognized for excellence in patient care, medical discovery and clinical expertise. Our continued pursuits have earned Rush University Medical Center the distinction of being on U.S. News & World Report’s Best Hospitals Honor Roll for 2020-2021. This places the Medical Center amongst the top 20 of the 3,000 hospitals evaluated. U.S. News & World Report has also recognized 11 Rush programs amongst the nation’s best, including top five national rankings for orthopedics, neurology and neurosurgery.
These accolades, along with many others that include a decade of Magnet® designation, are a reflection of the collective efforts and commitment to excellence demonstrated by our physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses and medical staff.
Rush is united by diversity, inclusion and a commitment to health equity. Rush is also a perennial “Leader in LGBT Healthcare Equality.”
Quality of life
Chicago offers an excellent selection of homes in downtown, suburban and rural locations, as well as public and private schools and colleges. Local museums, entertainment, culture and the arts are world-class. Celebrated restaurants, craft breweries and local distilleries abound.
Research at Rush
Rush is currently involved in more than 1,600 research studies, many NIH-funded. Rush’s long tradition of discovery dates back to determining the causes of scarlet fever, heart attacks and sickle cell anemia. Today we’re also leaders in neurosciences, cancer, immunology, infection, regenerative medicine and more. Join us in spearheading life-changing research at the national level.


The formula for a 12 second Mustang GT/Bullitt.....
OK, I see so many people having big problems with their cars at the track, while my quest for the 12's was pretty easy and uneventful. While the majority on here are good guys, I think 75% of our younger crowd who are building their first fast car have no clue whatsoever. It's not all about horsepower guys. I have a bone stock engine, the valve covers have never even been off. I don't have a supercharger or nitrous, and I drive my car 70 miles a day back and forth to work. So for the younger guys, I'm going to save you a ton of money to get into the 12 second range and be a serious contender. In my opinion 12 second cars are where you start to get fast, so take that for what it's worth.
#1: Track Time, Track Time, Track Time......You have to do it to get better at it. Don't worry about your car being slow, or what other people think, you're on there for one reason: To work on YOUR driving. Go to a test and tune every other week, or at least once a month. I started at a 14.1, and got down to a 13.9 without doing any changes to my car, I just learned how the car wanted to be driven. Shifting at redline on a stock 4.6 will slow you down also. Play with your shift points, but I've found 5600 to be a good starting point.
#2: Tires, Tires, Tires.......Unless you've got a fairly stock automatic, you'll never be consistant on street tires. Even a stock 5 speed is hard to launch and get anywhere near decent 60ft times on street tires. My 60ft times on stock tires was a 2.2. Upgrading to BFG Drag Radials got me a 1.8. That's .4 second gain right off the starting line, and equated to a .6 gain at the stripe. There's no other mod you can do right off the get-go that will net you that type of gain without a power adder.
#3: Control Arms....... Let's face it, the factory Mustang rear suspension is horrible. Horrible for handling, Horrible for drag racing, so do something about it. There's 2 different ways to do this, and it really depends on what your goals are with the car. Lower control arms are not an option, you have to have them. I went a bit aggressive on mine, and have HPM Megabite SRs with adjustable heim joints in them. You don't have to get that serious, but you do need something better than stock with some good stiff bushings. With the upper control arms, you have to make a decision. How much money do you want to spend, and how 1/4 mile focused are you vs. handling? I went the expensive route, because I want my car to handle like it's on rails, not just be a 1/4 mile queen. I went with FRPP upper control arms and the Maximum Motorsports Panhard bar to keep the rear end centered under the car. I adjusted my pinion angle using the lower control arms to -2 degrees. However, the cheap way if you just want to make 1/4 mile blasts is to buy a set of double adjustable upper control arms, and set your pinion angle using them. The only drawback to this is that because of the geometry of the rear end, using poly bushings in the upper control arms induces some bind in the rear suspension. If you're just a casual driver, and 1/4 mile junkie, you'll never experience it though. Only if you get into hard cornering will it happen.
#4: Weight Reduction........Seriously, did you really need that double 1/4 pounder with cheese for lunch? Seriously though, it's been said that for every 100lbs you can cut off your car, you gain around .1 in the 1/4 mile, and I'd say that's pretty close to begin with on a street car. How crazy you get with this is up to you. Like I said, I drive my car 70 miles a day, so just gutting my car isn't an option. Before I go to the track, I take everything out of the trunk, including the spare tire, and I take the passenger and rear seats out, and make sure that all my crap is out of the center console. That's as far as I go, and probably 150-200lbs lighter, I would guess.
#5: Gears and Tune.....I always suggest doing these two at the same time, it just makes sense. I chose 4.10's because most of my driving is down back country roads, and road with speed limits of 55mph or less. My GPS tells me average speed for however long I want, and I've been letting it go for 2 months, and my average is 40.2mph. 4.10's in a naturally aspirated car is the perfect gear for blasting down the 1/4 mile. It will take you to the limits in 4th gear, and provide the max torque multiplication you can get. I've calculated that 4.10's on a 26" tire will be good until I'm running high 11's, then I'll have to switch to a 28" tire in order to not run out of gear. No problem. As far as the tune, at this stage, I don't think it's completely necessary to go spend $400 plus the cost of the tuner for a custom dynotune. I bought an SF3 from Holcomb Motorsports with the canned tunes in it, but never used the canned tunes at the track. To be honest, my car ran like crap with the canned tunes, because they were GT specific. I think the best deal for the money is to contact VMP, Brookspeed, or another company that will do remote tuning. They send you a base tune, which you load into your car for fairly cheap, $50-75. You then take your car to a local dyno, and datalog on the SF3 or X3 and get the air/fuel readings from the dyno operator. Then you take all that information and email to them, and they adjust your tune for you to be as close to perfect as you can get it. I think that's one of the best deals going.
#4: Bolt Ons....... Make them count. Don't waste money, period. I did buy a CAI for my car, mainly because my car didn't have a stock airbox on it when I bought it, it had a cheap Spectre filter bolted onto the back half of the factory airbox. GHETTO!!!! But honestly, you don't need one. A good paper filter kept clean flows as well as any K&N or oiled gauze filter. I know you don't want to hear that, but it's true. Dyno Proven. I would take snorkel off of the airbox, and possible open the hole up a little, and take your passenger's side headlight out while you're at the track, and the air blows straight into the filter. It's only 2 slide clips, and unplug the bulbs, not a huge task for anyone. An aftermarket shifter is one of the best purchases you can make, honestly. It will allow you to become very good at shifting your car, and the factory one is very very sloppy. Highly recommended. You can do underdrive pulleys if you want, but I made it into the 12's without them, they're still sitting in my office in the box. The only other mod I made to my car is weld in mufflers, which aren't worth any power, and I went with an off-road X pipe from UPR. That's it!!!!!!!! That's the secret, or lack of it. Because mine is a Bullitt, I do have a different intake and throttle body, but at this horsepower level, a simple plenum and throttle body combination on your stock GT intake is plenty to make up the difference. How do I know?
A friend of mine with similar mods, (different brands, but the same mods) in a GT with plenum and throttle body and I made a side by side pass down the 1/4 mile, the differences being only .04 seconds. Now that's a good run!!!!!!
My only disclaimer to this list is that I have been drag racing for 18 years, and my track is close to sea level. Different altitudes and barometric pressures will effect your times significantly. There are quite a few online calculators that will allow you to adjust your times to sea level to account for those. I do not condone using those times as "your times", but it does help you compare your times to others, such as mine that are more near sea level to see if your driving and your mods are making the difference they should.
Now, get to the track and start practicing!!!!!!
2001 Dark Highland Green Bullitt
12.25@110 naturally aspirated on a bone stock 2V longblock
Under Reconstruction for RS275 Drag Radial Class
Pushrods and Powerglide Coming Soon
If it weren't for physics and law enforcement, I'd be unstoppable.


text:
ABOUT THIS BOOK
Calling poetry a "question that begets another question," Adonis sets into motion this stream of unending inquiry with difficult questions about exile, identity, language, politics, and religion. Repeatedly mentioned as a possible Nobel laureate, Adonis is a leading figure in twentieth-century Arabic poetry.
Restless and relentless, Adonis explores the pain and otherness of exile, a state so complete that absence replaces identity and becomes the exile's only presence. Exile can take many forms for the Arabic poet, who must practice his craft as an outsider, separated not only from the nation of his birth but from his own language; in the present as in the past, that exile can mean censorship, banishment, or death. Through these poems, Adonis gives an exquisite voice to the silence of absence.


The Kizlyar Supreme Sturm is a sturdy fixed blade with a resilient build. It features a full-tang AUS-8 blade with a satin finish and prominent jimping for added grip and control. ABS core Kraton handle scales offer exceptional comfort, and ensure the knife stays firmly in hand during use. Includes a MOLLE compatible Kydex belt sheath.
I have taken the Kizlyar Supreme Sturm on three outings where I used it to chop down small trees, strip branches, baton, make feathersticks and wood shavings, carve tent pegs, and remove the bark from a small tree trunk to make a walking stick. Even with all this use, the Sturm was still sharp enough to push-cut paracord, leather, and nylon webbing with almost no effort. But not only did the edge hold up, so did my hands due to the comfortable, grippy Kraton-coated handle scales. If you want an ergonomic and aesthetically-pleasing utility/tactical fixed-blade that instills confidence and a pride of ownership, the Sturm is definitely a knife to consider closely.


text:
Madeira’s PSD party representative at the Assembly of the Republic recently stated that the new ‘Sea Law’ reinforces Madeira’s autonomy.
Party spokeswoman Sara Madruga da Costa stated that the new approval of the Law of the Sea, made in the national parliament, and which includes the President of the Republic’s suggestions covering the consolidation of autonomy with regards to open spaces, i.e. the sea, allows the region to have a more decisive say in the management of this important resource. She said “there is no going back, the law has been passed again and Madeira has more power in respect of the sea surrounding the island.”
“With this double approval by the parliament and the President of the Republic, we now have a new law that already corresponds better to the Regions responsibilities, reinforcing its powers over its territorial waters and thus imposing a new paradigm regarding shared management of this resource which is fundamental for our future.” She went on to stress that this new legislation assumes the greatest importance for the“ consolidation of autonomy” and for what she considers to be “the clear definition of competences, on this resource, by both the Regional and Central Government.”
She went on to explain that, “this law, establishes the foundations for the planning and management policy of the National Maritime Space and establishes the shared management of the sea between the central and regional administrations while clarifying the intervention capacity of both parties, thus identifying the respective responsibilities and competences that until now have not been properly formalised.”.
The diploma in question thus transfers to the Autonomous Regions of Madeira and the Azores the competences of the central administration regarding the maritime space under sovereignty or national jurisdiction adjacent to the respective archipelagos up to 200 nautical miles. The competency, exercised by regional legislative decree and the opinion of the central administration, is mandatory and binding in matters relating to the integrity and sovereignty of the State. In addition to the 200 miles, it is up to the Government of the Republic to approve the instruments for maritime spatial planning.
Sara Madruga da Costa concluded by saying “The PSD has long advocated a more relevant role for Madeira’s own governing bodies over her territorial waters and the need to clarify the management issues shared between those bodies and the central administration. In truth, the new approval of this Law, with the corrections introduced by the President of the Republic, already correspond better to what we consider essential regarding our claims.”
info at madeira-weekly.com


text:
Book your room at Sir Stamford At Circular Quay
Elegant Sydney hotel steps from Circular Quay, Opera House
Royal Botanic Gardens
Located in Sydney's central business district, this European-inspired luxury hotel is across from the Royal Botanic Gardens and about a 10-minute walk from Circular Quay and the Sydney Opera House.
Outdoor pool, sundeck
The hotel features an outdoor pool with a city-view sundeck, as well as a sauna and fitness centre. An award-winning restaurant serves modern Australian cuisine. Cocktails and high tea are served in the bar.
Rooms with a view
Sir Stamford at Circular Quay's spacious, smoke-free guestrooms overlook the city, the Royal Botanic Gardens, or the harbour. All offer high-speed Internet access, cable TV, and sitting areas.Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!
Sir Stamford At Circular Quay
This European-style hotel is a short stroll from the waterfront Circular Quay, the Sydney Opera House, the Royal Botanic Gardens, and offices in the central business district.
Part of the hotel comprises a landmark building dating from the late 1800s. Décor includes hundreds of crystal chandeliers, eight fireplaces, a vast collection of fine art, and 18th-century Louis XV and Georgian antiques.
For recreation and relaxation, the hotel offers an outdoor pool with a sundeck and a well-equipped fitness centre with a sauna.
The Dining Room serves buffet and Continental breakfasts, as well as a la carte dinner. The Bar serves lunch, cocktails, and afternoon tea.
- Total number of rooms - 105
- Number of floors - 9
- Breakfast available (surcharge)
- Conference space
- Express check-out
- Fitness facilities
- Concierge services
- Dry cleaning/laundry service
- Laundry facilities
- Express check-in
- Designated smoking areas
- 24-hour front desk
- Business center
- Rooftop terrace
- Luggage storage
- Multilingual staff
- Safe-deposit box at front desk
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Outdoor pool
Available in all rooms: Wireless internet access ( 24.95 AUD per 24-hour period )
- Pay movies
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Shower/tub combination
- Wireless Internet access (surcharge)
- LCD TV
- Hair dryer
- Air conditioning
- Climate control
- Coffee/tea maker
- Iron/ironing board
- In-room safe
- Cable TV service
- Complimentary newspaper
- Soundproofed rooms
- Room service (24 hours)
Where to Eat
The Dining Room - Elegant setting for contemporary Australian cuisine. Buffet and Continental breakfasts. A la carte, prix fixe, and pre-theater dinners. Dinner highlights: Pasture-Fed Beef Rib Sirloin, Veal T-Bone, Mixed Seafood Skewer, Marinated Victoria Lamb Shoulder. Views across Macquarie Street to the Royal Botanic Gardens
The Bar - Cocktails, fine wines, high tea. Bar menu, desserts. Open seven days a week, noon till late.
Check-in time starts at 3:00 PM
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
- Breakfast fee: between AUD 25 and AUD 35 per person (approximately)
- Fee for in-room wireless Internet: AUD 24.95 per 24-hour period (rates may vary)
- Self parking fee: AUD 40.00 per night (in/out privileges)
- Valet parking fee: AUD 50.00 per night

domain: travel


Roohi is an upcoming bollywood horror comedy movie 2021, directed by Hardik Mehta. The movie is produced by Dinesh Vijan and Mrighdeep Singh Lamba under the banner of Maddock Films. Roohi 2021 movie is written by Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, Gautam Mehra. The film is Edit by Devendra Murdeshwar while cinematography is done by Amalendu Chaudhry.
The film stars Rajkumar Rao, Janvi Kapoor, Varun Sharma in the prominent role while Alexx O’Nell, Pankaj Tripathi, Seema Pahwa, Ronit Roy, Aamna Shariff in special character. The film will be released in the Hindi language.
The movie has a ghost story that kidnaps the bride on her honeymoon. Rajkumar Rao is playing the role of Hero and Janvi Kapoor paly the lead lady. The film was set to be released in November 2020 but was postponed due to Corona Now this film is going to be released on 11 March 2021.
Here we shared all about b cast & crew, movie details, star cast, release date, and much more about the movie.
Roohi Movie Cast & Crew
Director- Hardik Mehta
Producer- Dinesh Vijan, Mrighdeep Singh Lamba
Writer- Mrighdeep Singh Lamba, Gautam Mehra
Star Cast- Rajkumar Rao, Janvi Kapoor, Varun Sharma, Alexx O’nell, Pankaj Tripathi, Seema Pahwa, Ronit Roy, Aamna Shariff
Genre- Horror Comedy Drama
Music- Ketan Sodha, Sachin-Jigar
Cinematography- Amalendu Chaudhry
Production Company- Maddock Films
Release Date- 11 March 2021
Shooting Location- India
Roohi Movie Story
Roohi 2021 movie is Horror Comedy-drama. According to the makers, The film is about a singing ghost who puts the groom to sleep so that he can go to his bride.
Roohi Movie Trailer
Roohi Movie Poster
Roohi Movie Release Date
Roohi movie will release on 11 March 2021 in theater. According to the media report the movie will release in 1500+ screen across India.
Roohi Movie Box Office Collection


text:
Michael Jordan - 30,000th Point - Photofile
BuyMePosters.com has a huge inventory of posters and print at discounted prices which includes popular posters such as Michael Jordan - 30,000th Point - ©Photofile, Michael Jordan - The Shot - Photofile (Limited Edition) and Michael Jordan - Bulls Win 2nd Championship - Photofile (Limited Edition). We often have free shipping as a limited time offer.
We have developed a unique partnership with All Posters to give our customers the satisfaction of being able to browse through hundreds of thousands of posters and art online.
Title: Michael Jordan - 30,000th Point - Photofile
Size: 8 x 10 in
Item #: 359367
Usually ships in: 24 hoursOur Price: $5.99


I'm writing a custom import script for .dae scenes coming out of Blender, and I'm having some issues adding new nodes to anything other than the root node. Here is my example code:
func post_import( scene ):
# adding something to root node
var new_node = Spatial.new()
# adding something to child of root
var new_node2 = Node.new()
# adding something to grandchild of root
var new_node3 = Area.new()
The sample .dae coming from blender is a Cube named "Parent," with child Cone named "Child." It looks like this in Blender:
Only the first block, adding something to root, actually works. The other blocks just do nothing.
I also tried a few other things on different scene setups, like accessing multiple children of the scene root with scene.get_children() and iterating through to add new nodes to each one, but that also did nothing - no errors or anything.
I am using the Better Collada plugin for Blender, and Godot 2.1.3. The documentation on import scripts is a little sparse, can someone provide some direction on how to accomplish this? Can nodes only be added to the root node from an import script?
Thank you so much!


text:
About 20 PC games — including The Elder Scrolls Online and Conan Exiles — have removed a piece of third-party spyware tracking users’ activity outside of the game, and dozens more are said to still have it more than a week after it came to light on Reddit and Steam forums.
Called Red Shell (yes, it’s named for the Mario Kart item), the spyware sells itself as a means for video game makers to “uncover where their players come from through reliable attribution.” It “matches” whether players with Red Shell installed on their games visited a market’s campaign, whether Facebook and Twitter, YouTube, a web page or others.
To do this, Red Shell has to follow what users are doing outside of the game. But the company said it does not collect any player’s personal information, and only collects information about their browsers and devices “for purposes of attribution.” No data is sold to a third party, Red Shell said.
On June 9, Red Shell’s presence was discovered in this thread on the Steam subreddit, and over the past 11 days, players have ferreted out about 50 games that use it. Since then, several have either pulled Red Shell’s .dll files or have posted in forum threads saying that they would do so. These include Battlerite, The Elder Scrolls Online and Conan Exiles at the outset of the controversy. Red Shell had also been in Total War games, but Creative Assembly said it would remove it. Fatshark said it would be taken out of Warhammer: Vermintide 2.
According to this list there are many more games using the tracker, some familiar, others obscure. Red Shell defended both its service and its methods in a statement to Kotaku yesterday. And to PC Gamer, Dire Wolf Digital, the former makers of The Elder Scrolls: Legends, said Red Shell was not spyware, it’s “just some under-the-hood analytics that help us understand how our advertisements perform.” Redditors generally rejected those kinds of justifications, saying such things should run with an opt-in or their knowledge.

domain: game


uncertainty in the Eurozone is leading European companies to
adopt US initial public offering (IPO) structures.
the European IPO model, companies must make their prospectus
available for at least six trading days. But the US IPO model
allows for smaller offerings and a shorter marketing period,
both factors that appeal to companies in times of macroeconomic
companies opt for a smaller IPO with a shorter marketing
period, the macro market volatility in that period tends to be
more predictable and therefore the chance of getting it away is
increased, said Derk Lemstra, head of Stibbes
equity capital markets practice in Amsterdam.
also noted an increasing desire among European issuers to use
anchor investors. This gives companies a guarantee that a
couple of investors will step in, before they go public,
Horton of Simmons & Simmons in London said fragile markets
had led to pilot fishing taking place earlier too, enabling
firms to establish whether the IPO will be successful before
moving into the full execution phase.
companies are also showing an increasing preference to list in
& Cases London-based US securities partner, Doron
Loewinger, said in the past eight months a significantly larger
number of European and Russian companies, largely from the
technology industry, had been approaching the firm wanting to
do an IPO in New York.
in London need to have at least 25% of their shares in the free
float; but there is no percentage requirement under Nasdaq.
Firms just need at least 1.1 million shares and a market value
of $18 million (£11 million).
previous years specialist issuers would routinely choose the US
over Europe. This preference fell away a couple of years ago
because of increased regulation in the US.
firms are much more prepared for all the investigations and
procedures needed to assist companies in their Sarbanes Oxley
requirements, said Loewinger. The whole process is
much shorter and less expensive than it was ten years
shift in preference has been further bolstered by a more
advanced recovery in the US capital markets post global
financial crisis than their European counterparts.
Loewinger warned firms looking to tap the US markets needed to
be aware of liability issues.
some sense there is more risk, he said. The liability
under securities laws in the US is stricter.
listing in the US need to comply with more defined periodical
filing requirements, he said. And for local deals, a higher
level of diligence is required in the US. Additionally, while
European corporate governance rules typically take the form of
comply or explain, allowing for some deviation from
the regime, the US framework is significantly less


@WhoIsJY Ft. Nipsey Hussle and @YoungScolla – We All Good is produced by Toofortunate.com. This is the second song off of the “The Slave Shift: Walking Down” which drops on the 18th.Details
After much speculation and rumors circulating regarding the anticipated collabo album Watch The Throne, Yeezy took to twitter and reveald the first single, which WE hinted at in the last post. Click Here To Read More
‘Wretched, Pitiful, Poor, Blind and Naked’ in stores January 15th.Details
@AOutrageous finally unleashes her new mixtape compiled of your favorite newcomers and artists on the rise. Contributions from Phil Ade, Gilbere Forte, Freddie Gibbs, Killa Kyleon and more. Download and tracklist below.
DOWNLOAD: Ashley Outrageous Presents: The Playlist Vol. 2 (Mixtape)
directed by Mills Miller.Details


More on the Bush-era greenhouse gas endangerment recommendation
The release of documents discussed in Holly’s post ends the story of one of the more ridiculous of the last Administration’s unceasing efforts to delay climate change regulation. Scientists and policymakers at EPA had concluded that greenhouse gases were a danger to the public and should be regulated under the Clean Air Act. They sent an email, with accompanying memo, to the White House saying so. Rather than deal with the substance of the message and its consequences, the White House took an easier route: It refused to open the email.
The episode was splashed across the pages of the Washington Post and lampooned, hilariously, by Jon Stewart (if you haven’t seen Stewart’s great clip, or you have seen it but are beginning to forget what life was like pre-Obama, treat yourself).
Here’s a link to the infamous unopened email and its 28-page attachment that is not password-protected.


text:
President Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday, appointed Mr. Tolu Ogunlesi as his Special Assistant on Digital/New Media with immediate effect.
A statement signed by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, noted that Ogunlesi, who is a renowned blogger and journalist, graduated from the University of Ibadan in 2004.
He obtained a Masters’ degree in Creative Writing from the University of East Anglia, UK, in 2011.
Before his appointment, Ogunlesi had worked as a Features Editor and Editorial Board member of NEXTNewspaper. He also worked as a West Africa Editor for The Africa Report magazine from 2014 to 2015.
Ogunlesi is a two-time winner of the CNN Multichoice African Journalism Awards, and a 2015 New Media Fellow of the United States State Department’s International Visitor Leadership Programme.
The statement said that Ogunlesi will be assisted by Bashir Ahmad, who is a Personal Assistant to the President on New Media.


The news of Fredrik Eklund’s twins has ignited the Internet…
Miranda Kerr’s marriage with Evan Spiegel is set to take place in LA very soon, as her family has arrived from Australia
Supermodel Miranda Kerr’s marriage is all set to happen. According to the reports, Miranda and her fiancé Evan Spiegel are gearing up for their marriage. Kerr’s family has also landed into Los Angeles from Australia to be a part of this wedding. The couple announced their engagement last year in July 2016 after dating more than a year. Miranda, who is a former Victoria’s Secret Angel, is 34 whereas her fiancé Evan, who is the founder of Snapchat, is 26.
The reports have it that the wedding is set to be an extravagant fiesta in true Evan style. The couple met each other way back in 2014 at Vuitton dinner.
In an interview, Miranda tells about her fiancé saying that he acts like a 50-year-old man. He simply goes to his office, comes back home and we have dinner together and go to bed early.
This is going to be the second marriage of the supermodel Miranda Kerr, who previously tied the knot with Orlando Bloom (2010 to 2013) and they have a 6-year-old son together.


The Thomson Reuters/University of Michigan consumer sentiment index decreased this month to a four-month low, a report is projected to show on Friday. Those figures contrast with the Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index, which has held within a narrow range since jumping to a six-month high in mid-October.
Mon, Dec 17, 2012 - Page 15 News List
This story has been viewed 2036 times.
Comments will be moderated. Remarks containing abusive and obscene language, personal attacks of any kind or promotion will be removed and the user banned.
Listing from 2017-04-21 to 2017-04-28
- Most read
- Most e-mailed
1Events and entertainment listings
2S Koreans outraged over Trump’s China comment
3Chinese fired at fishermen: Philippines
4Hong Kong pop diva Sandy Lam tops “Singer 2017” show
5Large sections of Australia’s Great Barrier Reef found dead


text:
FM for capacity building of Afghan authorities to counter terror threats
Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari on Saturday urged the international community to help build the capacity of the Afghan interim authorities to take on the threats of terrorism.
The foreign minister said this while taking part in a panel discussion at the Munich Security Conference.
He said the international community wanted the Afghan interim government to live up to its obligations and commitments in areas like women’s education, an all-inclusive government and tackling of potential threats from terrorism, emanating from terrorist groups such as the Islamic State, TTP and Al-Qaeda.
The foreign minister said if this issue was not taken seriously, the terrorist groups could conduct attacks from Afghanistan, as had been witnessed recently in Pakistan.
The interim Afghan set-up neither had a standing army, a counter-terrorism force, even a border force nor the capacity, he commented.
Bilawal said the global community should convince the Afghan authorities to take on the threat of terrorism and demonstrate its will.
“Terrorism not only poses a threat to the immediate neighbors of Afghanistan, but also to the West,” he cautioned.
Pakistan had helped Afghanistan in the past, and would continue to do so, as it had hosted the largest number of Afghan refugees on its soil, he said, adding the international community could not wash their hands and turn away from Afghanistan.
The minister stressed the world should continue its humanitarian support, unfreeze Afghan assets, open up banking channels and engage with the Taliban, society and the women.
He reiterated that a peaceful Afghanistan was vital for the stability of the region, and the international community must play its role in this regard.
The Afghan interim government had assured to eradicate terrorism from its soil, he added.
The foreign minister also elaborated that the continuation of economic activities and progress in the war-weary Afghanistan was must for peace and stability, and would help the interim authorities to run affairs of the country.


- Cardinal photographer wins national competition
- U of L announces eight Fulbright winners
- Brief: Chris Jones not indicted in rape case
- Brief: CUAS invited to participate in contract reviews, protest continues
- Your ultimate guide to having a good time in the 502
- Brief: Students stage sit-in in President Ramsey’s office
- Q&A with Athletic Director Tom Jurich on Ecarma’s Career
- Ecarma reminisces on student experience of 1986 National Championship
- Know your Cardinals: Tennis’ Rex Ecarma
- Lacrosse’s ACC growing pains prepare Cards for postseason
All posts tagged "coaching staff"
Petrino completes coaching staff
By Sam Draut On Friday morning, Bobby Petrino announced the final additions to complete his coaching staff for the University of Louisville football team. Garrick McGee was brought in as the Assistant Head coach and Offensive Coordinator....
- Posted January 22, 2014


text:
Illustrator has built-in 3D effects to make 3D text but this process creates better, more manageable results. Using the 3D effects creates way too many border shapes to work effectively with. My process yields fewer shapes that are easier to recolor. Let's get started!
1. Select and set your type
This tutorial is fairly easy to do with a sans-serif typeface. I'm using the over-used Gotham typeface from Hoefler & Frere-Jones at typography.com. When choosing a typeface, look for a bold weight that will show off the 3D detail. Work in large font sizes to make things easier. I set this word at 150 px. You can always scale down later.
2. Outline and offset
Select your text and, from the menu bar, go to Type > Create Outlines. This will convert your editable text into non-editable text shapes.
Keep the text selected and go to Object > Path > Offset Path. For my large type, I'm using an offset value of 6 pixels.
Just make sure your offset isn't too thick to blow out small spaces. For example, if I used too big of an offset, the little space within the A would be non-existent.
3. Recolor the offset shapes
This step merely recolors the offset shapes. The contrast between the two colors will make editing in later steps easier.
4. Adjust spacing (if necessary)
If some of the letters are touching as a result of the offset, such as the C and T in the below example, ungroup the type and make spacing adjustments.
5. Shear the type
For added visual interest, I used the Shear tool to slant the text a bit.
6. Create the facets
This process may be a bit tedious but it's necessary to create the tops, bottoms and sides of the letters. Enable Smart Guides (View > Smart Guides) to make this easier. Use either the Line Segment tool or the Pen tool to create paths that connect anchor points from the original letter shapes to the offset shapes.
Using Smart Guides, you'll see "anchor" labels appear to help you make connections. It also helps to use a stroke color that contrasts with the two existing colors. Below is the result of connections I made on the first two letters. And it's perfectly fine if the connector lines are longer. It's critical the lines be exact or longer when it comes to creating the facets.
7. Handling curved letters
When it comes to making connections on curved letters, you'll use your best judgement. Make connections where it's obvious, such as these parts of the letter "P".
Given that this is dimensional text, you'll want to consider your light source. For my end result, the light is coming from the top left. As such, I'll make connection lines where I feel the light will change. Below are the connectors on the letters "P" and "C".
8. Divide the letters and offsets
This is where the exact or longer connector paths are crucial. Select all of the shapes (letters, offsets, connectors) and click the Divide command on the Pathfinder panel. This will create the individual facets on the letters.
9. Apply fills
Ungroup the results of the Divide command via Object > Ungroup to make selecting individual shapes easier. Select at least 4 colors to use on your letters. One is really bright, two are medium colored and the remaining is dark. I'm using a range of yellow/orange colors.
Here's the first few letters with color applied to the facets.
10. Those curves again!
I use gradients when it comes to the curves on the letters. Gradients blend into one another and look more natural. By not using gradients, you get this.
Here, the same letter with gradients applied.
You can stop coloring the offset paths at this stage or you could also apply gradients to the other letters as I've done here.
11. Coloring the main letters
For the fills of the letters, I'm sticking with my yellow/orange color palette. The fill color I'm using is R:255 G:145 B:0. It also features a 2 pixel wide stroke of a light yellow color (R:255 G:246 B:154).
Now, at this stage, you may see some random paths on your letters. This is a result of using long connector lines. I've kept the black fill on to show you an example of this. You should be able to simply delete them with the Delete Anchor Point tool.
12. Inner glow
Select all of the letter shapes (exclude those offsets!) and apply an Inner Glow effect (Effect > Stylize > Inner Glow) using the following settings.
13. Adjust the stroke
The previous step has the unfortunate effect of muddying up the strokes from the glow. To counter this, make sure all your letters are still selected, open the Appearance panel (View > Appearance) and set the blending mode of the strokes to Screen.
Ain't that perty?
14. Almost there!
Make a copy of the layer. Lock this top layer and turn off its visibility.
If you have letters with holes in them, such as the P and A here, you'll need to do a little bit of editing. Those holes are actually shapes unto themselves. These were created as a result of the Divide command and we need to delete them. I've colored one so you can see it.
They're virtually impossible to select on their own so select a shape near them and cut it (Edit > Cut). Locate the hole shape with the Selection tool and delete it.
Once deleted, paste the cut shape back into the document using either Paste in Front (Edit > Paste in Front) or Paste in Back (Edit > Paste in Back).
15. Merge the shapes
With the holes removed, select all of the shapes and apply the Unite command from the Pathfinder panel.
16. Last step! A drop-shadow.
Select the merged shapes and set the fill color to a light yellow or white. Too dark of a color and you'll see dark fringes on your dimensional letters. Apply a drop shadow (Effect > Stylize > Drop Shadow) to the letters using the settings below.
Turn visibility of the other layer on and wipe that tear of pride from your face. You're done!


text:
Cafe Du Monde Style Beignets
Cafe du Monde is the most famous cafe in New Orleans. Everybody goes to this Jackson Square institution for beignets and cafe au lait. These beignets are delicious served with powdered sugar, fresh blueberry sauce, any good-quality purchased fruit sauce and even eaten on their own. I've been to Cafe du Monde several times to enjoy these treats in New Orleans.
⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌⨌IngredientsFor the Blueberry Sauce
4 pints fresh blueberries
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 cups waterFor the Beignets
1 cup warm milk (about 105 to 115 degrees F)
1 package dry yeast
1/4 cup sugar
2 medium eggs
1/4 cup (1/2 stick) butter, melted
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups (or more) all-purpose flour
Solid vegetable shortening (for deep-frying)
Powdered sugarDirectionsBlueberry Sauce
Puree all ingredients in food processor until smooth. Strain through fine sieve into heavy medium saucepan. Season sauce to taste with more sugar, if necessary. Simmer sauce over medium-low heat until syrupy, about 20 minutes.
Sauce can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and refrigerate.Beignets
Combine milk and yeast in large bowl; let stand until yeast dissolves, about 5 minutes. Whisk in eggs and melted butter. Add flour, sugar and salt and stir to form moist sticky dough.
Knead dough on floured work surface, incorporating flour as necessary, until dough is smooth and elastic, and no longer sticky, about 10 minutes. Form into ball. Lightly oil same large bowl; place dough in bowl. Cover with kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let dough rise until doubled in bulk, about 40 minutes.
Heat shortening in deep fryer to 325 degrees F. Transfer dough to floured work surface. Punch dough down; cover with kitchen towel and let stand for about 15 minutes. Sprinkle dough with flour. Using rolling pin, roll out dough into 12-inch square. Using pizza cutter, trim edges slightly to form perfect square. Cut dough crosswise into 4 equal strips. Cut each strip into 6 pieces, forming 24 rectangles total.
Working in batches, fry dough rectangles in hot oil until golden brown, about 1 1/2 minutes per side. Using slotted metal spoon, transfer beignets to paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain.
Arrange 3 beignets on each of 8 plates. Ladle blueberry sauce over and around beignets. Generously sprinkle powdered sugar over beignets. Alternatively, place beignets on platter. Generously sprinkle with powdered sugar, and serve blueberry sauce alongside.

domain: food


text:
I’ve added another mold to my repertoire of veggie forms.. as the heading suggests I got a hold of a lovely All Blue potato, grown at RSK farm in Prattsville, NY by Potato Bob/ AKA Bob Kiley. and if you’ve never encountered the beautiful said potato, here’s a glimpse, just prior to the mold making process, when I draw a parting line around the form to decide where my mold will be separated into parts.
When sliced open, the interior is a lovely sparkling blueish purple
It’s a real shame that this color oxidizes and doesn’t hold up over time, because if you’ve been following my project, you know that I wouldn’t think twice about juicing it and painting it on my seed bomb forms if I thought it would give me a new color. Oh well, it still makes a lovely new form for slipcasting with my local clays! Here’s what the two part mold looks like:
and here are a few color variations of the completed forms:
left to right: Walkill clay painted with carrot juice, Walkill clay straight up, still moist, and then Marakill clay after drying out.
Here’s it again with three layers of the beet juice:
Somehow this beet variation looks even more real than the actual potato.. go figure! These are of course made of clay, hollow and filled with seeds. I particularly like how the split on the actual potato translated into the mold, but then again, this coming from someone who gets excited about potatoes…
As the title indicates, burlap has made an appearance in my studio.. it’s being considered for a backdrop of sorts to be used in my thesis exhibition. I like the texture, and also that it is comprised of roughly woven plant material
“Multipurpose, biodegradable and perfect for composting and planting activities” Seems fitting, don’t you think?
Another consideration for my display backdrop, along these lines, is landscaping fabric, which is essentially a thin, black mesh-like fabric used for keeping weeds from sprouting up on your landscaped areas. I took a picture of the kind I bought, but it’s not very exciting. I think you won’t be disappointed that I’ve excluded a black rectangle here. Somehow this black fabric highlights and shows off my vegetable forms in a more formal manner, like a fancy tablecloth, that happens to keep weeds from sprouting through it. Any thoughts to share on this idea?
While I am partial to the burlap idea, it was brought to my attention that it does not convey a quality of preciousness. I already purchased a big roll of the stuff and wouldn’t want it to go to waste if I don’t end up using it in my display… How ridiculous would it be if I made myself a burlap dress for the opening of my thesis show? High fashion in burlap here. Scroll down the page to the section “Were you raised in a Barn?” Admittedly, I wasn’t raised in one, per se, but there was definitely a barn on the premises, and I’m a fan of the rustic, natural look if you hadn’t gathered that. Thanks for reading and stay tuned!


text:
Sleep-dependent motor memory consolidation in older adults depends on task demands.
Gudberg C., Wulff K., Johansen-Berg H.
It is often suggested that sleep-dependent consolidation of motor learning is impaired in older adults. The current study challenges this view and suggests that the degree of motor consolidation seen with sleep in older age groups depends on the kinematic demands of the task. We show that, when tested with a classic sequence learning task, requiring individuated finger movements, older adults did not show sleep-dependent consolidation. By contrast, when tested with an adapted sequence learning task, in which movements were performed with the whole hand, sleep-dependent motor improvement was observed in older adults. We suggest that age-related decline in fine motor dexterity may in part be responsible for the previously described deficit in sleep-dependent motor consolidation with aging.