The following is a link to a debate I will (Lord Willing) be doing this coming Saturday, January 5, 2013: BTR: Canon Debate: Is the Deuterocanon/Apocrypha God's word? 01/05 by HealingXJWS | Blog Talk Radio.
I previously debated William Albrecht on this question, and so I hope to spend some time this week leading up to the debate reviewing that previous debate in preparation for this Saturday's debate.
Apparently there will be an opportunity for audience participation during/after the debate. I hope Roman Catholics will take the opportunity to call in with any questions they may have.


text:
HomeGamesStorm of Darkness v1.1.4 APK
Storm of Darkness v1.1.4 APK
Storm of Darkness - A world plunged into chaos. A relentless army of invaders. A storm of darkness.
The sky citadel of Meredith on Planet Eona has repelled attack after attack for centuries. It was long thought to be the most secure of all the Union's great cities. But now, its survival hangs in the balance.
The gathering storm has finally broken over the city and unleashed the forces of evil. The Scythes, destroyers of so many worlds, have arrived! Can you save Meredith and defeat this army of darkness once and for all?
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=================================================================================
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
package merchant

type IMerchantRep interface {
	// 获取商户管理器
	GetManager() IMerchantManager

	CreateMerchant(*Merchant) IMerchant

	// 创建会员申请商户密钥
	CreateSignUpToken(memberId int) string

	// 根据商户申请密钥获取会员编号
	GetMemberFromSignUpToken(token string) int

	// 获取商户的编号
	GetMerchantsId() []int

	// 获取商户
	GetMerchant(int) IMerchant

	// 获取合作商主要的域名主机
	GetMerchantMajorHost(int) string

	// 保存
	SaveMerchant(*Merchant) (int, error)

	// 获取账户
	GetAccount(mchId int) *Account

	// 获取销售配置
	GetMerchantSaleConf(int) *SaleConf

	// 保存销售配置
	SaveMerchantSaleConf(v *SaleConf) error

	// 保存API信息
	SaveApiInfo(d *ApiInfo) error

	// 获取API信息
	GetApiInfo(merchantId int) *ApiInfo

	// 根据API编号获取商户编号
	GetMerchantIdByApiId(apiId string) int

	// 获取键值
	GetKeyValue(merchantId int, indent string, k string) string

	// 设置键值
	SaveKeyValue(merchantId int, indent string, k, v string, updateTime int64) error

	// 获取多个键值
	GetKeyMap(merchantId int, indent string, k []string) map[string]string

	// 检查是否包含值的键数量,keyStr为键模糊匹配
	CheckKvContainValue(merchantId int, indent string, value string, keyStr string) int

	// 根据关键字获取字典
	GetKeyMapByChar(merchantId int, indent string, keyword string) map[string]string

	//获取等级
	GetLevel(merchantId, levelValue int) *MemberLevel

	// 获取下一个等级
	GetNextLevel(merchantId, levelVal int) *MemberLevel

	// 获取会员等级
	GetMemberLevels(merchantId int) []*MemberLevel

	// 删除会员等级
	DeleteMemberLevel(merchantId, id int) error

	// 保存等级
	SaveMemberLevel(merchantId int, v *MemberLevel) (int, error)
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


It's time to face a harsh reality: the GOP no longer behaves like a traditional American political party. It has become an extremist party. Moderates and sensible conservatives need to firmly reject and condemn this deeply disturbing and dangerous trend.
Although it is only a few days since the 2012 election ended, the national media is already settling into a familiar political narrative regarding the GOP, a narrative that goes as follows: the Republican Party, having suffered major setbacks at the polls, is now "reassessing" its approach and seeking ways to "moderate" its image and positions.
This is a profoundly comfortable and comforting narrative - one that reflects a kind of ceremonial ritual in American politics. A political party, chastened by defeat, is widely praised by mainstream commentators as it moves back toward the center, re-establishing the basic "balance" and "moderation" of American political life.
But in this case there is one overwhelming problem with this narrative: it is profoundly and dangerously wrong.
Beginning last spring, a growing chorus of influential observers and commentators - political moderates and centrists rather than partisan progressive Democrats -- began to express a very different view of the GOP - a view that the Republican Party was no longer operating as a traditional American political party. Rather, they argued, it had evolved into an extremist political party of a kind not previously seen in American political life.
During the presidential campaign this perspective was temporarily set aside as journalists and commentators tried to keep up with the almost daily twists and turns of Mitt Romney's reinventions of himself as a conservative, a moderate and then a conservative once again. But now that the election is over, the underlying issue must be squarely faced.
The two authors quoted Mike Lofgren, a veteran Republican congressional staffer, who wrote an anguished diatribe about why he was ending his career on the Hill after nearly three decades.
"The Republican Party is becoming less and less like a traditional political party in a representative democracy and becoming more like an apocalyptic cult, or one of the intensely ideological authoritarian parties of 20th century Europe,"
Normally I shy away from apocalyptic readings of the American predicament...But when you look at the sequence from Bush v. Gore, through Citizens United...and you combine it with ongoing efforts in Florida and elsewhere to prevent voting from presumably Democratic blocs; and add that to the simply unprecedented abuse of the filibuster in the years since the Democrats won control of the Senate and then took the White House, you have what we'd identify as a kind of long-term coup if we saw it happening anywhere else.
Liberal democracies like ours depend on rules but also on norms -- on the assumption that you'll go so far, but no further, to advance your political ends. The norms imply some loyalty to the system as a whole that outweighs your immediate partisan interest.
American politics has always been open to the full and free expression of even the most extreme ideas, but the profound danger posed by the current extremism of the GOP lies in one deeply disturbing fact: the Republican Party's extremism goes far beyond support for extreme public policies. Instead, in three key respects, it deliberately seeks to undermine basic norms and institutions of democratic society.
To clearly demonstrate this, however, it is necessary to carefully distinguish between two entirely distinct meanings of the term "political extremism."
On the one hand, it is possible for a person or political party to hold a wide variety of very "extreme" opinions on issues. These views may be crackpot (e.g. "abolish all courts and judges") or repugnant ("deny non-insured children all medical care"). But as long as the individual or political party that holds these views conducts itself within the norms and rules of a democratic society, its right to advocate even the most extreme views is protected by those same democratic institutions.
The alternative definition of the term "political extremism" refers to political parties or individuals who do not accept the norms, rules and constraints of democratic society. These individuals or parties embrace a view of "politics as warfare" and of political opponents as literal "enemies" who must be crushed. Extremist political parties based on a "politics as warfare" philosophy emerged on both the political left and right at various times in the 20th century and in many different countries and circumstances.
Despite their ideological diversity, extremist political parties share a large number of common characteristics, one critical trait being a radically different conception of the role and purpose of a political party in a democratic society. In the "politics as warfare" perspective a political party's objective is defined as the conquest and seizure of power and not sincere collaboration in democratic governance. The party is viewed as a combat organization whose goal is to defeat an enemy, not a representative organization whose job is to faithfully represent the people who voted for it. Political debate and legislative maneuvering are seen not as the means to achieve ultimate compromise, but as forms of combat whose only objective is total victory.
It is this "politics as warfare" view of political life that leads logically and inevitably to the justification of attempts to attack and undermine basic democratic institutions whenever and wherever they present a roadblock to achieving the ultimate goal of complete ideological victory.
The new moderate and centrist critics of Republican extremism have noted three specific kinds of attacks that the GOP has launched on basic American democratic norms and institutions.
1. Paralyzing the operations of government to extort political "ransom"
The filibuster, once relegated to a handful of major national issues in a given Congress, became a routine weapon of obstruction, applied even to widely supported bills or presidential nominations. And Republicans in the Senate have abused the confirmation process to block any and every nominee to posts such as the head of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, solely to keep laws that were legitimately enacted from being implemented.
In the third and now fourth years of the Obama presidency, divided government has produced something closer to complete gridlock than we have ever seen in our time in Washington, with partisan divides even leading last year to America's first credit downgrade...On financial stabilization and economic recovery, on deficits and debt, on climate change and health-care reform, Republicans have been the force behind the widening ideological gaps and the strategic use of partisanship.
"I think some of our Members may have thought the default issue was a hostage you might take a chance at shooting. Most of us didn't think that. What we did learn is this -- it's a hostage worth ransoming."
Far more than any critique by a Democrat or independent observer could possibly have demonstrated, McConnell's statement itself revealed the fundamentally extremist character of the Republican strategy. It is an open admission that that strategy is actually to hold the economy "hostage," and force Dems to "ransom" it order to extort policy results that could not be achieved by reasoned political negotiation between the elected representatives of the citizens. The metaphors of "hostages" and "ransom" provide a startling demonstration of the inherently extreme and anti-democratic nature of the strategy.
In this year's elections an unprecedented number of state laws were passed and administrative decision taken by Republican state governments whose intention was to make voting more difficult for minorities, students and other groups who tended to vote Democratic. These measures were widely condemned as profoundly unjust and undemocratic.
The attempts to disenfranchise Democratic voters did not play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the election in 2012 only because of the sheer scale of the Democratic victories, the massive mobilization of lawyers and poll watchers by groups defending voting rights and a series of major court decisions that temporarily blocked key policies that would have disenfranchised the largest numbers of citizens.
In 2014 and 2016, however, similar measures could easily play a decisive role in illegitimately changing the outcome of important contests across the country. By most estimates, had all the voter suppression measures introduced by state governments actually been in effect during this election hundreds of thousands of voters - particularly in Florida, Pennsylvania and Ohio could have been prevented from casting a ballot.
Moreover, in states with Republican elected officials and election administrators, the potential exists for the enactment of measures that could disenfranchise entire classes and categories of citizens. Students, for example, are uniquely vulnerable because of their distinct status and pro-democratic voting patterns.
Seven states have already passed strict laws requiring a government-issued ID (like a driver's license or a passport) to vote, which many students don't have, and 27 others are considering such measures. Many of those laws have been interpreted as prohibiting out-of-state driver's licenses from being used for voting.
Wisconsin once made it easy for students to vote, making it one of the leading states in turnout of younger voters in 2004 and 2008. When Republicans swept into power there last year, they undid all of that, imposing requirements that invalidated the use of virtually all college ID cards in voter registration. Colleges are scrambling to change their cards to add signatures and expiration dates, but it's not clear whether the state will let them.
The potential effect of disenfranchising college students can be summed up with one startling statistic. In Florida, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin -- three states where measures to disenfranchise students have been seriously proposed -- severely restrictive measures could potentially deprive over a million young voters of their most fundamental democratic rights.
Political leaders should be encouraging young adults to participate in civic life, but many Republican state lawmakers are doing everything they can instead to prevent students from voting in the 2012 presidential election. Some have openly acknowledged doing so because students tend to be liberal.
William O'Brien, the speaker of the New Hampshire State House, told a Tea Party group earlier this year that students are "foolish" and tend to "vote their feelings" because they lack life experience. "Voting as a liberal," he said, "that's what kids do." And that's why, he said, he supported measures to prohibit students from voting from their college addresses and to end same-day registration. New Hampshire Republicans even tried to pass a bill that would have kept students who previously lived elsewhere from voting in the state; fortunately, the measure failed, as did the others Mr. O'Brien favored.
3. The use of propaganda and agitprop techniques that were once considered the hallmarks of totalitarian regimes.
During the 2012 election there was an extraordinary change in way political advertising was produced and designed. While it can reasonably be argued that false claims, distortions and baseless charges are all abuses of long standing in American politics, a qualitatively new element was added in the 2012 campaign - the incorporation of technically altered or edited video and audio that makes a candidate appear to express a view he or she did not actually assert.
If you were successful, somebody along the line gave you some help. There was a great teacher somewhere in your life. Somebody helped to create this unbelievable American system that we have that allowed you to thrive. Somebody invested in roads and bridges. If you've got a business - you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen. The Internet didn't get invented on its own. Government research created the Internet so that all the companies could make money off the Internet.
The point is, is that when we succeed, we succeed because of our individual initiative, but also because we do things together. There are some things, just like fighting fires, we don't do on our own.
Read as a whole, it is clear that the words "you didn't build that" actually modify the phrase "roads and bridges." The Romney campaign extracted the truncated fragment "If you've got a business - you didn't build that. Somebody else made that happen" and presented it as proof that Obama actually despises small business and businessmen. The Romney ad team elevated the "you didn't build that" accusation against Obama into one of the core elements of their national ad campaign.
Conservative commentators minimized the radical departure that this use of deceptively edited video and audio represents by lumping it together with a variety of examples of other "negative" advertising from both campaigns. But, there is a huge, indeed, fundamental difference between an ad that asserts - fairly or unfairly - that an opposing candidate's policies will result in sick people dying and an ad that deceptively edits video clips of the candidate to make him appear to actually say the words "So what if people die. It's no big deal, sick people die all the time."
"First of all, ads are propaganda by definition. We are in the persuasion business, the propaganda business.... Ads are agitprop.... Ads are about hyperbole, they are about editing. It's ludicrous for them to say that an ad is taking something out of context.... All ads do that. They are manipulative pieces of persuasive art."
For anyone who is old enough to remember the eras of WWII or the Cold War this is a genuinely appalling and deeply repulsive assertion. In that period "propaganda" and "agitprop" were techniques that were universally considered clearly and unambiguously evil - they were the vile, cynical tools of the worst totalitarian monsters like Hitler and Stalin. In that era calling a message a piece of "propaganda" or "agitprop" was tantamount to calling it a dirty, bald-faced communist or fascist lie. For Romney's top campaign ad strategist to proudly embrace those same words as admirable goals is an absolutely extraordinary illustration of how extremism and cynical amorality in the Republican Party has become "the new normal."
And it must be noted that this new acceptance of technically manipulated video and audio, which began on the political fringe in 2009 with Andrew Breitbart's dishonest editing of a speech by USDA official Shirley Sherrod, was not limited to the Romney campaign. Similar fraudulent editing of video and audio material could be noted in advertisements from sources ranging from the Republican National Committee to outside groups like the Emergency Committee for Israel.
"Anyone who does well for themselves should do their fair share in return. Now some people call this class warfare"
Do we want to keep giving tax breaks to the wealthiest Americans like me, or Warren Buffett, or Bill Gates -- people who don't need them and never asked for them? Or do we want to keep investing in things that will grow our economy and keep us secure?
Now, some people call this class warfare. But I think asking a billionaire to pay at least the same tax rate as his secretary is just common sense. We don't envy success in this country. We aspire to it. But we also believe that anyone who does well for themselves should do their fair share in return, so that more people have the opportunity to get ahead -- not just a few.
Equally, in October 2012 the Emergency Committee For Israel put out an automated robocall with what sounded like an actual face to face "debate" between Obama and Benjamin Netanyahu during which Obama seemed to directly reject Netanyahu's call to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons by saying that the United States would respect Iran's sovereignty and not interfere with its affairs.
In fact, however, the so-called "debate" was actually an utter fraud created by cutting and pasting together audio clips taken from three different speeches by Obama made three years apart - one delivered in 2009, one in 2011 and one in 2012. Washington Post fact checker Glen Kessler characterized the ad as "an Orwellian descent into falsehoods and misrepresentation."
Despite the widespread popularity of the current narrative that describes Republicans as "reassessing" and seeking to "move toward the center", the simple fact is that there has been absolutely no Republican repudiation of the three central extremist strategies described above.
Not a single major figure in the current GOP has publically repudiated the efforts to disenfranchise voters.
Not a single major figure in the current GOP has criticized the quasi-totalitarian propaganda tactics of deliberately distorting video and audio that were employed during the 2012 elections.
Whatever Republican motion toward the center is actually occurring is entirely tactical and pragmatic. Many GOP figures now urgently assert that "we have to win more Latino votes" or "we have to win more women" and so on. But there is absolutely no assertion of the view that "we must forcefully repudiate the dangerously extremist philosophy of "politics as warfare" and the anti-democratic strategies that flow from it."
But despite its profound inaccuracy, the narrative that Republicans are "seeking moderation" maintains its popularity. It does so because it is extremely convenient for three key groups within American society.
For the media the notion that the "GOP is seeking to moderate its positions" allows them to continue to use a well-worn, clichéd journalistic narrative and to continue to perpetuate the "false equivalency" notion -- the idea that journalistic objectivity consists not in reporting the facts as they are but in criticizing Republicans and Democrats in mechanically equal measure regardless of the actual merits of the case.
In practice, however, what this approach actually does is simply to allow everything that is distinct and uniquely dangerous in current Republican extremism to slip by without criticism. As such, it amounts to both intellectual dishonesty and journalistic malpractice. It allows the GOP extremists to have it both ways - to demand that the GOP be treated by the media as a normal political party but yet to simultaneously be able to persist in extremist behavior and even privately gloat and sneer at the gullibility of the mainstream press.
For non-tea party individuals in the Republican Party, on the other hand, the myth the GOP is seeking to move to the center is useful because it allows them to call for tactical reforms in the party's outreach and messaging without having to directly challenge the extremists in their party and explicitly attack the extremist philosophy and strategy.
Some traditional Republicans have taken a very timid first step toward rejecting the extremism within their party by calling for greater "civility" in American political life. George Herbert Walker Bush, Colin Powell, Richard Lugar and Olympia Snowe, for example, have joined with Democrats on the board of the National Institute for Civil Discourse, an organization set up after the shooting of Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. The problem that must be confronted within the GOP, however, goes deeper than a lack of civility. Until the remaining moderates within the Republican Party directly and explicitly challenge the extremist philosophy of "politics as warfare" and the anti-democratic tactics that flow from it, calls for "civility" will have little if any effect.
Finally, for moderates and centrists outside the Republican coalition, the myth of current GOP "movement toward the center" allows them to avoid the unpleasant need to directly confront their conservative counterparts and firmly assert that the current Republican extremism is fundamentally unacceptable in a democratic society. It permits moderates and centrists to continue to treat conservatives as a normal and traditional part of the American political dialog and to pretend to themselves that genuine "extremism" is a fringe phenomena that exists somewhere outside of current mainstream conservatism itself.
But the harsh truth is that even formerly reputable and influential conservative institutions like the Heritage Foundation and the Cato Institute are now increasingly adopting the ideology of today's Republican extremism.
The Heritage foundation, for example, has a reputation that dates from the Reagan era as a serious think-tank that developed market-oriented alternatives to liberal social policies (The private insurance based approach that is at the heart of Obamacare, for example, was originally derived from research done at the foundation).
Abandoning our posts in this war will abandon America to a future of managed decline.
The video ends with dark, apocalyptic images of war and dictatorship while Reagan dramatically intones the words "We have nowhere else to go - this [America] is the last stand of freedom on earth."
When Reagan spoke those words he was pointing to the Soviet Union and world communism as the great threat to human freedom. The extraordinary extremism now dominating the GOP and major conservative institutions is dramatically illustrated by the fact that these groups now define the democratically elected president of the US and the majority of the American people who elected him as a dictatorial "threat to freedom" entirely equivalent to that which was posed by world communism.
Moderates and centrists cannot continue to pretend that this is not a dangerous and unacceptable view. They must move from timidly expressed disapproval to genuine and passionate outrage.
...those who regard themselves as centrists now have a moral obligation to make clear what the stakes are in the current debate. If supposed moderates refuse to call out the new conservatism for the radical creed it has become, their timidity will make them complicit in an intellectual coup they could have prevented.
It is impossible to express the issue any more simply or eloquently than that.nd dangerous trend."
[Ed Kilgore has an extensive background in political analysis and communications and public policy at the federal and state levels, and in the Washington think tank world. He was formerly Vice President for Policy at the Democratic Leadership Council; Communications Director for U.S. Senator Sam Nunn; and a federal-state relations aide to three governors of his home state of Georgia.
Kilgore has published widely in political magazines; is a frequent guest on political radio and television programs; and is a well-known blogger, especially at his former site, NewDonkey.com.


text:
Presidential powers invoked to deal with forex abusers
1	May 28, 2021 9:07 PM
Source: Presidential powers invoked to deal with forex abusers | The Herald
Business Writer
The Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe now has powers to impose civil penalties on institutions and individuals that uses foreign currency obtained from the auction trading system for a purpose other than that specified in the application of the foreign currency.
According to Statutory Instrument 127 of 2021, gazetted under Presidential Powers (Temporary Measures) (Financial Laws Amendment) Regulations, 2021, the central bank can impose the penalties in the event of default in complying with Exchange Control regulations that govern use of funds obtained from the forex auction.
Those found guilt of infringing Exchange Control regulations will be slapped with a fixed penalty of the amount of one million Zimbabwe dollars or an amount equivalent to the value of the foreign currency obtained (whichever is the greater amount).
Offenders will however be given 48 hours, from the date of its issuance to show cause why the penalty order should not have been issued, that is to say, to show that the order to penalise was issued in error.
Also gazetted under Statutory Instrument 127 of 2021 is penalisation of natural or legal person guilty of being a seller of goods or services not authorised by law to charge for them exclusively in foreign currency.
This includes businesses and individuals that refuses to allow any buyer to tender payment for them in Zimbabwe dollars at the ruling exchange rate.
Business that refuse payment at the ruling exchange rate will be fined a fixed penalty of the amount of fifty thousand Zimbabwe dollars or an amount equivalent to the value of the foreign currency charged for the goods or services in question (whichever is the greater amount).
Statutory Instrument 127 of 2021 also deems as a civil infringement if an authorised dealer submits to the Reserve Bank an application for foreign currency or exchange control authority, or a return or any other document without exercising reasonable due diligence to verify the correctness of the information in or accompanying the application.
If found guilty, the authorised dealer be hit by a civil penalty of the amount of five million Zimbabwe dollars plus penalties for late payment of the fine.
Statutory Instrument 127 of 2021 also says a natural or legal person shall be guilty of a civil infringement if he or she sells, displays or offers goods or services for sale at an exchange rate above the ruling exchange rate, or imposes (for the predominant purpose of encouraging payment in a foreign currency) a premium on Zimbabwe dollar payments or allows a discount on foreign currency payments.
In the event of default in complying with the above, the offender will be fined a fixed penalty of the amount of fifty thousand Zimbabwe dollars.
The new law also provide for penalties for a natural or legal person who being a seller of goods or services, issues to a buyer thereof a receipt in Zimbabwe dollars for payment received in foreign currency, or records sales other than in the currency in which the sale was conducted.
Upon the expiry of the ninety-day period within which any civil penalty order of any category must be paid or complied with, the defaulter shall be guilty of an offence and liable to a fine not exceeding level six or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding one year or to both.
In the case of a corporate defaulter, every one of its officers is liable to the penalty of imprisonment, and to the fine if the corporate defaulter fails to pay it.
The Presidential Powers have also been used to amend the The Bank Use Promotion Act [Chapter 24:24] which now penalises business entities that fail to open bank accounts.
Failure to bank surplus cash in a bank account within the time specified, will now also attract a penalty of the amount equivalent to a single day's banking of cash, being the estimated average daily banking of cash in a continuous period of seven business days within the last twenty-one days preceding the issuance of the order.
Online publications present challenges in maintaining journalistic standards
Mbuya Nehanda is not a national hero
Dr Ace Mukadota PhD 8 months ago
So long as ZW has exchange control the battle will rage on. The RBOZ manages the country's currency exchange rate vs the USD. Since 1961 the country has been under the yoke of exchange control where the RBOZ maintains an overvalued exchange rate vs the USD.
Today the RBOZ says the official rate is 84 ZW$ to one USD. The black market says it is 125 ZW$ to one USD.
Result – everybody both inside and outside of ZW who has a brain is a currency trader. Buy one USD at 84 and resell it at 125. If you work in the RBOZ you can become a USD millionaire very quickly – also ZANUPF cadres can always access the cheap USD provided by the corrupt RBOZ.
Only in ZW is there such a thing as "a shortage of forex" No shortage in Botswana or South Africa. Reason – the ZW $ is mispriced by the RBOZ. Even in Ian Smith's day this facade would take place. Ian Smith did not understand the problem and neither did Robert G Mugabe PhD and today Ed Mnangagwa follows this idiocy because he does not know any better. He is a 78 year old semi educated man with little understanding of money and economics.
The man in the street will always outthink the RBOZ or the ZRP and market forces will prevail. Never bank your USD in a ZW bank comrades. They have stiolen them before and in ZW history repeats itself. Chokwadi.


Having two kids playing sports is definitely a different experience. Brody and Evan both started their baseball seasons this month with their first games. Even with several games being rained out, it has been a busy schedule with most of the games in the evenings during the week. And since all of our games are played about 30 minutes away in the neighboring town of Garner, it makes for a late night. We have had about two games a week for the past couple of weeks with Brody's games starting at 6:15 and Evan's starting at 7:30. It is a little harder to get good shots at Evan's games because of the poor lighting in the evening with the bright lights over the ball field. I am working on getting more pictures of his games, but he has been playing very well. He hits the ball every time at bat now although his first couple hits went right to first base so he got out. I reminded him that was what happened to him last season and that he just needed to angle himself more towards third base. It worked for him, and last game he hit a double towards second base and then scored his first run of the season to help his team win the game. He is actually back to playing coach pitch this season instead of machine pitch because his current league did not have a machine pitch, and we did not want him going up to kid pitch yet. We watched our kid pitch team playing some on the next field, and they were hitting some big hits and looked really good. I doubt we will stay in this league though and hope to get into the league that plays in our town next year. Brody has also been playing really well considering he is the youngest member of his team since he is not quite four. Evan's birthday also fell right before the cut off age to begin t-ball so he started his first season at three too although he did turn four before his first game. Brody can hit the ball pretty well although he isn't the fastest runner yet so he often gets out although they do not count outs yet which is good for him. He is very proud of himself when he makes it to the base though. He played third base in one of his games and actually stopped a ground ball and threw it to the pitcher because he couldn't throw it all the way to first base which is pretty typical at this age. Some of the players on his team are actually old enough for coach pitch at 5 and 6 years old so there is a big age difference in the players, and Brody is really keeping up with them. We just love watching these boys play ball!
Brody is a cute little ballplayer. His team is the Little Scrappers because their sponsor is a carpet business. They have little scrappy bulldogs on their hats. It suits him. At first I thought white pants for t-ball players was ridiculous but now I think it is pretty smart since I can throw them in the wash with bleach.
Waiting to run. These shots of his first game were taken with my phone. Because of all the gear and kids I had to get to the field, I forgot the camera. Since the games are on weeknights, I usually transport the kids by myself after picking Evan up from school since he doesn't get out until about 4:00. We meet daddy and eat dinner close to the ball field.
He is very proud of getting on base.
And there is some playing in the dirt of course.
And talking with his teammates. And yes, he is #1!
No telling what tale he is telling here. Something is "very big, very big, very big!" Haha!
Cute little ball players whose feet don't touch the ground.
Sitting with one of his girl teammates. He has several girls on his team including two sisters.
Baby Mattox loves cheering for his big brothers. We have a tradition of having a newborn on the ball field since Brody came right at the start of Evan's first t-ball season. It seemed like it would be such a long time before Brody would be the one playing ball.
Practicing stopping some ground balls before his next game.
Looking so big walking with Daddy to the dugout.
Taking his position in the outfield.
Big boy playing third base.
A little break to play in the dirt.
Yes, he does over swing a little sometimes. Haha!
I love the smile on his face when he is running.
Running home. Yes, he wears Evan's helmet.
Daddy helps keep him focused on the field.
Making it to first safely this time.
I don't know what the hands on his helmet and the look on his face was for.
A very sweet Daddy and son moment on the ball field. Brody was very happy to get to third base where Daddy was waiting.
No, he doesn't slide into home, but he loves to jump onto it.
Big brother Evan is a very handsome ball player.
I love him! He definitely has the heart for all sports.
Wish I could get a better shot of his swing and hits.


text:
Home » US Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year
Page 548 (1968: The Defining Year)
Marine and U. S. Army air observers ventured north of the DMZ-an area previously accessible to them only at grave risk-to assist in adjusting fire and providing battle damage assessments. The damage to the NVA defenses was so great that even the vulnerable O-Is operated over the area for the rest of Operation Thor without sustaining any casualties, or indeed, receiving any hits.
The air observers reported that the Cap Mui Lay sector was a fortified area. Most villages consisted of a group of dug-in huts, with only their roofs above ground, connected by a series of trenches. Although rice was visible in the open in many villages, there was no evidence of farming activity, indicating that the enemy shipped in rice from other areas. Few personnel sightings occurred, but light antiaircraft fire came from several of the fortified villages. Fire missions directed against these villages often caused secondary explosions, indicating the storage of ammunition or fuel. There was every sign that the Cap Mui Lay sector was a military garrison area and that its villages were actually supply dumps or troop staging points.
During the final days of Operation Thor, III MAF artillery continued to pump an average of about 4,000 rounds per day into the target area, while naval gunfire added another 3,300 rounds per day. Air strikes totaled a further 2,400 tons of bombs, with 1st Marine Aircraft Wing crews flying 256 attack sorties. On the afternoon of 7 July, VMCJ-1 flew the final photo reconnaissance mission of Operation Thor. The next morning, artillery units began withdrawing from the forward positions, while air and naval units resumed normal operations.
Operation Thor expended enormous quantities of ordnance. Attack aircraft delivered 3,207 tons of bombs, while B-52s dropped an additional 5,156 tons. III MAF artillery units fired 23,187 rounds of 155mm, 175mm, and 8-inch ammunition. Ships of the Seventh Fleet accounted for 19,022 rounds of 5-inch, 6-inch, and 8-inch naval gunfire. The human cost of this massive application of firepower was low. On the ground, one soldier was slightly wounded by NVA counterfire, while Marine, Navy, and Air Force aviation units flew more than 2,000 sorties with the loss of three aircraft destroyed and one crewman killed in action. Marine aviation units and artillery units sustained no losses.
In assessing the damage to the North Vietnamese in their former sanctuary area, the after-action report filed by XXIV Corps stated that "severe damage was inflicted upon the enemy." The report cited as evidence "the minimal and ineffective hostile fire from the Cap Mui Lay Sector in the thirty days subsequent to THOR and the continued ability of our observation aircraft to operate over that area."39
Damage assessments included the destruction of 789 antiaircraft positions containing 63 weapons; 179 artillery positions containing 19 guns; l43 bunkers; 9 surface-to-air missile sites; and numerous trucks, sampans, structures, storage areas, and other miscellaneous targets. Pilots and observers noted 624 secondary explosions and fires. Unconfirmed reports of North Vietnamese killed totaled 125, but without the opportunity to send ground troops to investigate the area, the actual figure could not be determined. MACV noted:
Finally, there may well have been one contribution that could not then or perhaps at any later time be measured with assurance: If the enemy had intended using the CM1S [Cap Mui Lay Sector] as a staging point for staging a major infiltration program into the South, that possibility had been preempted. And preemption has always been one purpose of interdiction.40
Following the completion of Operation Thor, Lieutenant General Richard E. Stilwell, commanding the newly redesignated XXIV Corps, pressed for continued overflight of the Cap Mui Lay sector by air observers and forward air controllers to sustain the success of the operation by daily engagement of recovering NVA targets, but this was not done. On 1 November 1968, all questions of how best to exploit the gains of Operation Thor became academic when, by order of President Johnson, all offensive operations against North Vietnam and the DMZ, including air strikes, artillery missions, and naval gunfire missions, were discontinued, except as necessary to retaliate to Communist attacks. Thus, the sanctuary was restored.41 Fire Base Tactics
By July 1968 with the imminent abandonment of the Khe Sanh base, the 3d Marine Division had instituted a mobile concept of operations patterned to a large extent upon the 1st Air Cavalry. While not completely abandoning the Dyemarker strong points, Major General Raymond G. Davis, who assumed command of the 3d Marine Division in May, had each of them manned with as small a force as possible, usually not above company strength. Starting with the Task Force Hotel operations in western Quang Tri, the 3d Division began a series of wide-flung heli-
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Supermarket worker slams 'rude and nasty' shoppers as pressure mounts over supply issues
It's a far cry from the thanks and support they received in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, he says
Dave Owen
Frustrated shoppers need to show some consideration for under pressure supermarket staff, claims the employee (Image: Getty Images)
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A supermarket worker in Leicester has slammed the behaviour of some shoppers at his store, claiming they are getting "ruder and nastier" as pressure mounts over supply chain issues.
The employee, who insisted on remaining anonymous, said the harsh treatment he has received at the hands of frustrated and entitled customers has led to panic attacks, and even forced him to take time off work.
It is a far cry, according to the key worker, from the widespread thanks and support staff received in the early days of the coronavirus pandemic and first lockdown.
READ MORE: Find news from across the city and county LeicestershireLive's food and drink section.
He blames a growing impatience on the part of the public and a general ignorance and a lack of understanding of the delivery issues supermarkets are currently struggling to deal with but, in many cases, have "no control over" for the problem.
"Back in the early days of the first lockdown, we were thanked for working hard during this period," he told LeicestershireLive.
Aldi expansion will create thousands of jobs - including 750 at new Leicestershire site
Fuel deliveries arriving at Leicestershire's petrol stations - but people are still panic buying
"But over the past few months, myself and my colleagues are noticing customers are getting ruder and nastier."
He admits that there are still "some lovely customers", but criticises others who "moan about every single minute thing" and think "it's the end of the world" if they find a product they are after has sold out.
The man's tirade comes as some supermarkets experience supply problems due to a lack of trained HGV delivery drivers, an issue that has also contributed to some fuel shortages at petrol stations and resultant panic buying.
His diatribe continued with a swipe at some older shoppers.
"We have retired customers who, for some bizarre reason, still shop for their weekly shop on Saturday mornings when they have almost all week to shop," he said.
"Then they have the cheek to moan that it's busy.
"Who made them shop then? It's certainly not the supermarket staff," he added, before advising them they will "notice the difference" if they shop on a midweek morning instead."
The supermarket worker said the issue of rude customers is the same across the big retail chains (Image: Getty)
The worker believes that many of the rude shoppers would soon change their tune if they knew what members of staff routinely had to deal with.
"In my opinion, those who shout at staff have never worked in retail, the dining trade or customer service," he said. "Plus, they don't understand how supply chains work.
"Some of the supply issues the staff and store management have zero control over. Staff have left and not been replaced fully. And this is the same for many retailers."
He added: "Due to some customers' rude behaviour, I had to leave work early on a few occasions due to panic attacks.
"I wish customers would stop staring at me when I have them as it made them worse.
"I'm on medication for this now. I just wish customers would understand that retail staff are under so much strain.
"Supermarket staff seem to be the forgotten key workers now - but if you want us not to leave the industry, be more pleasant towards us and understand that some things are beyond our control."
The man also had a stinging rebuke for the "idiots" who have been seen panic buying fuel on forecourts across the city, county and wider country.
Food shortages have been blamed on both Covid and Brexit
"I work at a supermarket that doesn't have a petrol station," he explained.
"But this weekend we were busier than before as at another supermarket of the same chain, a few miles away, customers couldn't get into the car park thanks to the idiots who believe in every word the media says and panic buy fuel.
"The only shortage before this was intelligence. This store has only one vehicular entrance for the supermarket, petrol station and deliveries.
"It was horrendous at my work and customers didn't put two and two together to understand why we were so busy.
"They kept tutting, sighing, moaning and stared at me, which made things worse for us."
He added: "We have suffered the brunt of this fuel panic buying, which the media made a mountain out of a molehill.
"I couldn't wait to go home on both shifts as I developed headaches and had a panic attack when I got home on Sunday.
"Customers need to accept that some things like this are beyond our control and accept that they may have to queue for longer.
"If they can't accept this, then they are nasty people."
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BEST PRICED PROPERTY IN WHITE HORSE PARK!! SELLER MOTIVATED!!!White Horse Park mobile home and lot!!. You own the lot. No ground rent!! Trailer needs a lot of TLC but the value is in the lot!! Walk to pool , marina , crabbing , boat yard etc!! Renovate the current home or replace new! nOY GOING TO TAKE A LOT OF $'S TO FIX IT UP!! Can easily be made into a two bedroom! White Horse Park is 10 minutes to Ocean City Beaches !! Minutes to Casino, shopping , restaurants, and the many golf courses in the area!! White hose park HOA includes, water and sewer, pool, 24 hour gated security, play grounds, basketball, crabbing gazebo, picnic area's 2 bath houses, laundry rooms and boat ramp!!. $50 a year for storage space in the boatyard for your boat or Jet skis. $250 a year for your Cable TV. Marina was completely renovated 2 years ago and you can get a boat slip for $500 a year with electric and water. Boat slips 1st come 1st serve so hurry so you can get on the list. White Horse Park is Zoned " Campground Subdivision" Park is open year round but can not be principle residence and can only be occupied a total of 60 days between Nov 1 and March 31st. Get your beach home in a great secret private community close to beaches and all resort attractions for a minimal price tag. Call today for more information and a private showing. You can only enter the park with a REALTOR!!!


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Both tribal casinos in Kitsap announced temporary closures on Monday along with a wave of other similar moves at casinos throughout western Washington as tribes attempted to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
The Suquamish Tribe's Clearwater Casino Resort and the Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe's The Point Casino both announced two-week closures that tribal officials said would be re-evaluated. The Suquamish Tribe announced the closure of the facility's gaming floor, spa, all restaurants and bars and the hotel, with a projected reopening date of April 1. The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe said its casino would close by 2 a.m. on Wednesday and remain closed for two weeks.
After moving events but keeping gaming operations running in recent days, it became apparent to tribal officials that it was necessary to close the facilities.
Port Madison Enterprises, the Suquamish Tribe's business arm, which runs the tribe's casino, has around 1,000 employees. Some will be working during the closure, but all employees will be paid normally, PME CEO Rion Ramirez said.
"We encouraged them that this is a time for them to go home and focus on the appropriate social distancing, but to stay home as much as possible," he said. "For all of us to get back to work as soon as we can, we need folks to focus on limiting interactions. We want to get back up and running to be the vibrant entertainment venue we are at the Clearwater. We can't do that until this unforeseen, historic health crisis is put to bed."
Suquamish Tribal Chairman Leonard Forsman called the closure a drastic step but said it was the right thing to do to protect the health of the community.
"This is really hard for all of us," he said. "This is the number one, primary revenue for our tribal government. This is how we try to accomplish our mission of protecting our treaty rights, protecting Puget Sound, taking care of the health and welfare of our people.... This is vital to the sovereignty of the Suquamish Tribe."
The Port Gamble S'Klallam Tribe didn't identify a targeted date for reopening its facility but said the closure would last for two weeks.
"This will be re-evaluated as necessary," it said in its announcement.
Shows would be postponed to June. Casino property restaurants will also close with take-out options available. Other tribal properties – its hotel, the Gliding Eagle Marketplace, High Point and Kountry Korner – will all remain open with protocols in place to encourage social distancing and enhanced sanitization, the tribe said.
The two local closures join a list of similar moves in the region, with the Jamestown S'Klallam, Puyallup, Tulalip and Muckleshoot tribes and others announcing temporary closures.
Forsman, who also serves as the president of the board of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, an organization that represents 57 tribal governments in northwestern states, said tribal officials communicated about tactics and strategies but independently came to the same conclusion.
"It was not necessarily coordinated," he said. "A lot of the tribes have similar values. For us to come together wasn't a big surprise to me."
Nathan Pilling is a reporter covering Bainbridge Island, North Kitsap and Washington State Ferries for the Kitsap Sun. He can be reached at 360-792-5242, nathan.pilling@kitsapsun.com or on Twitter at @KSNatePilling.
Consider supporting local journalism in Kitsap County: Sign up for a digital subscription today.


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Echoes of the Witch
About In memory of Publication Resources Contact
What we choose to remember—and how—has a profound impact on how we understand ourselves and our world.
In 2019, Margaux Crump and Jake Eshelman travelled across present-day America to document the locations where records indicate fifty-four individuals were accused of witchcraft and executed by the state. Operating on the premise that places hold memory and that cultural memory can be deeply political, this project investigates how the land and the people in these sites have honored, altered, hidden, perverted, or neglected the memories of these persecutions.
Richly imagined by Western culture, the archetype of the witch occupies the liminal spaces between past and present, real and fantasy, fear and desire. It exists in the periphery—a metonym for danger and difference. Hag, healer, beggar, heretic, seductress; the witch has long haunted our stories. Yet we have not made it a priority to remember those who were condemned and executed. Why is this? Why does the witch thrive as a cultural construct, while individuals executed for witchcraft are largely forgotten or excluded?
By confronting these questions, Echoes of the Witch strives to help bring these memories back into our collective consciousness, contributing to the process of (un)learning, healing, and evolving together.
Thank you to everyone who has extended their enthusiasm and support for Echoes of the Witch—especially those who graciously offered their time, resources, skills, and hospitality over the course of this project.
Carol and David Allen
Beth Caruso, author of One of Windsor: The Untold Story of America's First Witch Hanging
Tasha Dorsey
Bob and Carolyn Florek
Susan Graham
Paul Joy of Goody Bassett's Ice Cream
Daniel Pagan
Elizabeth Rose
The Fairfield Museum & History Center
The Salem Police Department, especially:
Chief Mary Butler
Chief's Asst. Robert Mulligan
Officer Ryan Arundel
Kristina Stevick and The History Alive Theater Company
Margaux Crump
is an interdisciplinary artist exploring the slippery relationship between agency and structural power. She believes the rich expanses within culturally imposed binaries are fertile spaces to trouble hierarchy, dualism, and anthropocentrism. Recently, she has been working with power as expressed through the constructs of gender and nature, using hunting and sexual desire as a way to trace the complex movements of power between bodies. With a desire to re-enchant the world, her current work builds on these themes, focusing on blurring the distinctions between what we define as magic or science; spirit or matter; and nature or culture.
You can view her work at margauxcrump.com
and keep tabs via instagram
Jake Eshelman
is a photo-based artist and visual researcher whose work explores the complex relationships between humans and other-than-human beings. He asserts that our curious dissociation with the natural and spiritual worlds provides a palpable backdrop in which we can more fully (re)consider humanity's role in ecology. Through a documentary and intuitive practice, his recent work investigates interspecies relationships in industry, agriculture, and conservation in order to question the tenets of anthropocentrism and the implications behind the Enlightenment rationalization of "nature."
You can view his work at jakeeshelman.com
© Copyright 2019—2020, Margaux Crump & Jake Eshelman


Who does not love the beautiful oriental umbrellas? Well i do!
If you also love them, do not hestitate and join.
Welcome to all (new) members.
If you see a figure with an umbrella, please leave a message.
Might change the name, but for now it is okay.


The region of Hillsboro, Oregon was founded back in 1842 and was and still is known as the manufacturing and technology hub of the Metropolitan Portland area. Back in 1950, the population was only at 5,000 people, but today it has exploded into a diverse populous of over 100,000 residents. Even after the population boom, Hillsboro is still one of the most economically wealthy cities on the west coast.
Since there is a great number of people living in the area, there are certain needs and services that are in demand. While the area is known to be 35% safer compared to other major US cities, crime is still present. Which is why such things like the services provided by a Hillsboro DUI attorney are a must in large cities where traffic crimes can sometimes become rampant. There is no denying that a good defense can help the residents of Hillsboro fight an unjust accusation.
A Person Has More Than One DUI Arrest – People with previous records in the state of Oregon will find it more difficult to get through the court proceedings without legal help. Past DUI arrest may result in the suspension of license or even jail time when a lawyer is not present to argue the case.
The "Suspect" Is NOT Guilty – Yes, there are cases where the law enforcement officers who serve and protect the citizens of Hillsboro make mistakes when arresting a person for a DUI charge. This should not go undefended because an innocent person should not be subjected to any form of punishment.
People Who Want To Keep Their Records Clean – An official DUI arrest can be damaging to a person's life and career, a good team of attorney can help bring down the charges and even argue to keep the arrest sealed if there is a due reason.
There are several reasons to call for the assistance of the DUI attorneys of the Gilroy Napoli Short Law Firm. It is their job to defend the residents of Hillsboro and they will surely work with you to help you clear your DUI charges, especially if they are unwarranted.


Neuw's Frenchie Jacket in Zero Enzyme perfectly expresses this season's penchant for modern tailoring and easy-wearing essentials. Made from Premium Soft Cotton in a mid blue wash, creating a striking backdrop to the beige stitching and tortoiseshell buttons. It is crafted to a relaxed-fitting silhouette drawing inspiration from French worker style jackets. Wear it with coordinating denim for a retro look.


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This Week in Ridiculous Regulations
Posted on June 21, 2021 | Comments Off on This Week in Ridiculous Regulations
Members of Congress introduced five antitrust bills last week. Antitrust activist Lina Khan was confirmed to a seat on the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), and in a surprise move, was immediately afterward made FTC chair. There was no Federal Register on Friday in observance of Juneteenth. Meanwhile, agencies issued new rules ranging from chinch weed to educational loans.
On to the data:
Agencies issued 53 final regulations last week, after 65 the previous week.
That's the equivalent of a new regulation every three hours and 10 minutes.
With 1,454 final regulations so far in 2021, agencies are on pace to issue 3,161 final regulations this year. 2020's total was 3,149 final regulations.
Agencies issued 24 proposed regulations in the Federal Register last week, after 27 the previous week.
With 965 proposed regulations so far in 2021, agencies are on pace to issue 2,098 proposed regulations this year. 2020's total was 2,021 proposed regulations.
Agencies published 413 notices last week, after 328 notices the previous week.
With 10,137 notices so far in 2021, agencies are on pace to issue 22,037 notices this year. 2020's total was 22,480.
Last week, 931 new pages were added to the Federal Register, after 1,050 pages the previous week.
The average Federal Register issue this year contains 281 pages.
With 32,360 pages so far, the 2021 Federal Register is on pace for 70,348 pages in 2021. The 2020 total was 87,352 pages. The all-time record adjusted page count (subtracting skips, jumps, and blank pages) is 96,994, set in 2016.
Rules are called "economically significant" if they have costs of $100 million or more in a given year. There are two such rules so far in 2021, none from the last week. Agencies published five economically significant rules in 2020, and four in 2019.
The running cost tally for 2021's economically significant rules ranges from net savings of $100.7 million to net costs of $362.5 million. The 2020 figure ranges from net savings of between $2.04 billion and $5.69 billion, mostly from estimated savings on federal spending. The exact numbers depend on discount rates and other assumptions.
Agencies have published 20 final rules meeting the broader definition of "significant" in 2021, with two in the last week. This is on pace for 43 significant rules in 2021. 2020's total was 79 significant final rules.
In 2021, 301 new rules affect small businesses. Seven are classified as significant. 2020's totals were 668 rules affecting small businesses, 26 of them significant.
Highlights from last week's new regulations:
Tax treatment of small businesses.
The new White Bluffs viticultural area.
As well as the new Palos Verdes and The Burn of Columbia Valley viticultural areas.
Medical malpractice claims by military personnel.
Underground injection control in Michigan.
Archaeological artifacts from Turkey.
Compliance date delays for new drinking water regulations.
The water howellia, a plant from the Pacific northwest, and the Lepanthes eltoroensis, and orchid species from Puerto Rico, are being removed from the Endangered Species List.
The beardless chinch weed, a plant from Arizona and northern Mexico, is being added to the Endangered Species List and is getting critical habitat.
N-ethylpentylone is now a Schedule I controlled substance.
No more usage limits on William D. Ford educational loans.
For more data, see Ten Thousand Commandments and follow @10KC and @RegoftheDay on Twitter.
This entry was posted in regulation. Bookmark the permalink.
RT @ceidotorg: This week, agencies issued new regulations ranging from Post Office Box refunds to sea turtle observers. Read more from CEI'… 2 hours ago


The fruits are consumed as food and used for the production of multiple food products.
Raspberry fruit is used as a vitamin or flavoring. Raspberry bush leaves are also used for diuretic purposes to bring about the elimination of liquids.
Moreover, the fruits are rich in polyphenols and vitamins (especially vitamin C), as well as volatile components that cause its characteristic aroma. Specifically, the aroma confers a particular ketone.


For the Best Auto Glass Repair in Chepachet, RI.
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Bobs GlassShop Windshield Replacement in Chepachet RI. Bobs GlassShop Windshield Replacement in Chepachet carries out complicated dealings as replacing your windshield that require concentration to the smallest factor. If not laid the correct way, the glass can pop out easily as the result of collision. The framework where the windshield is installed has to be outfitted wisely to removeoxidation and assume there's zero damage that could weaken the windshield replacement in Chepachet. The adhesive must be applied in such a way that every part of the windshield edge makes exchange with it. The frame of the glass must be cleansed and groomed to certify flawless linkage. All of this demands a well-trained technician who knows from experience what he's doing. Bobs GlassShop hires only that kind of windshield technician because your safety is at risk. Bobs GlassShop is on call and waiting to help you. Bobs GlassShop Windshield Repair in Chepachet RI. Using Bobs GlassShop Windshield Replacement in Chepachet It's possible sometimes to save a damaged windshield by patching the damaged area. title is a terrific alternative to the cost and inconvenience of replacing the windshield. If you have recently suffered a little chip in your windshield, no larger than a 25 cent coin, we can probably save the glass by inserting a special super-strong resin into the damaged area, saving you an appreciable amount of money. The damage won't completely disappear but the blemish that still appears will be much less noticeable than before the windshield repair. The process is fast, convenient, and improves the appearance of your vehicle. What could be more enjoyable than that? Call for windshield replacement from Bobs GlassShop today. Bobs GlassShop Auto Glass Replacement in Chepachet RI. Bobs GlassShop Windshield Replacement in Chepachet repairs not only windshields but also door glass, vent glass, quarter glass, and back windshields on virtually all makes and models in Chepachet RI. Call us for windshield replacement in Chepachet RI. Our catalog is full to the brim with just about any kind of auto glass you can name. Tempered glass is used in most of these places on your vehicle. It differs from the type of autoglass used in windshields. Windshields are built from two sheets of non-tempered glass (like your kitchen window) that surround a tough plastic layer. The plastic layer provides strength to the easily fractured glass, holding it together when it breaks. Tempered glass, conversely, breaks into tiny, fairly harmless chunks. Both are called safety glass but for different reasons, as evidenced by the earlier description. Bobs GlassShop would like to be your go-to auto glass shop for windshield replacement in Chepachet RI. Bobs GlassShop Auto Glass Repair in Chepachet RI. Bobs GlassShop Auto glass repair and auto glass replacement in Chepachet RI are two phrases that appear in the same context occasionally but can mean different things. Some damaged tempered glass and some windshields can be repaired by polishing. Although Bobs GlassShop doesn't offer that auto glass repair service in Chepachet, mainly because of the high labor cost associated with polishing compared to auto glass replacement in Chepachet, car owners can locate the service in many cities. Because of sometimes marginal results with polishing, we recommend Bobs GlassShop auto glass replacement in Chepachet instead of auto glass polishing, in most cases. If you have glass that is hard to replace, auto glass repair might be your answer. Give us a call for Bobs GlassShop at (401) 396-0118 today and we'll take good care of your car and you.
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Sanders to speak on children's issues
Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders will address children's issues at roundtable
Sanders to speak on children's issues Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders will address children's issues at roundtable Check out this story on desmoinesregister.com: http://dmreg.co/1MJBRV6
Kevin Hardy, kmhardy@dmreg.com Published 10:19 p.m. CT July 22, 2015
Bernie Sanders(Photo: Special to the Register)
Presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders will hold a roundtable on Friday with the national education group Every Child Matters.
The roundtable is slated for 2:30 p.m. Friday at Plumber and Pipefitters Local 33, 501 Bell Avenue in Des Moines.
Sanders, an independent senator from Vermont, is seeking the Democratic nomination for president.
Every Child Matters is a nonprofit, nonpartisan group that focuses to raise awareness of children's issues during elections. The group's website reports its priorities include alleviating child poverty, ensuring access to health care, preventing violence against children and expanding access to after-school program and early-childhood education.
Prior to the roundtable, Sanders will speak at the AFSCME Iowa Council 61's state convention in Des Moines. He'll go on to hold a town hall meeting at Valley High School in West Des Moines.
Read or Share this story: http://dmreg.co/1MJBRV6
Biden, Sanders trade criticism over Social Security
More than 6,400 without power in Des Moines metro
Iowa Sen. Janet Petersen endorses Elizabeth Warren
Andrew Yang, in Iowa, says government can do more for women
FedEx truck hit and ran deputy's car, officials say
Des Moines teen accidentally shot himself in groin


Boulder Community Hospital is now Boulder Community Health!
BCH has served the citizens of the Boulder Valley since 1922. Like our community, we've grown significantly over that time. BCH is now much more than a hospital. We're an integrated regional health system with facilities throughout Boulder County and Broomfield.
We've chosen a new name that reflects our capabilities and says we're still proudly Boulder, intensively invested in our community and focused on keeping local citizens healthy.
Check out our video to see some of the many ways we're helping people stay healthy.


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16310 Innovation Lane
©2017 by Alico ITEC Park
ITEC IN THE NEWS
Florida Gulf Coast University
Emergent Technologies Institute
Florida Gulf Coast University broke ground on its nearly 26,000 square foot Emergent Technologies Institute in 2015. The more than $12 million dollar LEED certified facility is situated within the Alico ITEC Park's property and houses programs for the university's U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering, and also serves as an incubator for its students' entrepreneurial efforts. The ETI boasts two innovation labs, three private offices, prototyping and business planning equipment, and students are encouraged to bring any potential partners. There's state-of-the-art equipment for all students to take advantage of, including 3D printers, DLSR camera and video recording equipment, 3D and prototyping software, graphics software, sewing equipment, and more. FGCU serves as a considerable neighbor to the Alico ITEC Park's resident businesses, leading the way with the school's own eco-conscious efforts that the park has adopted. Businesses in the park with interest in offering internships to students may inquire with FGCU's staff, or drop us an email and we'll be happy to get you in touch with the university.
ETI in the News
FGCU listed among best regional institutions in the South by U.S. News and World Report.
FGCU's Emergent Technologies Institute homepage.
Grad Student Studying Solar is a Maker in the Making, via fgcu360.com
Hotbed of Innovation - Why Southwest Florida is attracting creative startups by young entrepreneurs.
Can you learn how to be an entrepreneur? FGCU thinks so.
American Water Works Association Fourth Annual Model Water Tower Competition at FGCU Emergent Technologies Institute
The Institute for Entrepreneurship's Student Startup Incubator: The Runway Program is held in an exclusive creative space at FGCU's Emergent Technologies Institute building.
John Woolschlager appointed as Backe Chair and ETI Director.
Florida Gulf Coast University and the U.A. Whitaker College of Engineering are pleased to announce that a new Master of Science in Engineering (MSE) will be offered starting in Fall 2017.


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Leading Economist Interviews with South Korean EDaily News on China-Korea Relations
"Korean companies shall not give up on the Chinese market…They can find a way out with cultural exports," said Professor of Economics Li Wei from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business (CKGSB), the best private graduate school of business in China, in a video interview with South Korean news media, E-Daily, at the end of April.
CKGSB is a business school founded with support from Li Ka-shing, the chairman of Cheung Kong Group in Hong Kong and one of Asia's wealthiest business leaders. The school has produced many famous entrepreneurs in China, including Jack Ma, the founder of Alibaba. Professor Li, a well-known economist in China, has taught at the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business.
Professor Li said, "GDP per capita of China exceeded 10,000 USD, and the human desire turns into the demand for services when income level increases. In particular, Chinese people started to take an interest in medical service, public health, and exercise because of COVID-19." He advised that "Korea is powerful in the entertainment sector, as we can see with BTS. Besides Korean companies like Samsung Electronics that export electronic devices to China, it would be important for them to also export culture. Chinese people who have reached a certain income level are demanding Korean dramas and cosmetic products."
After the THAAD deployment, Korean companies have been experiencing difficulties in China. Regarding this issue, Professor Li explained that "It is likely to improve after COVID-19. The circumstance is changing with time."
Professor Li advised the Chinese government to increase support on foreign-funded companies, including Korea. He said, "The government needs to subsidize any companies that create jobs, regardless of nationality, because employment is the most critical issue at stake in China."
Chinese economy took a step back in the first quarter.
The 'Business Conditions Index' (BCI), a survey overseen by Professor Li Wei which gauges the business conditions of small and medium private businesses in China, showed an even greater drop than the official GDP indicator in the first quarter of 2020. The official indicator includes all infrastructure businesses like electric power generation and water supply. Such utilities must be provided whatsoever and have been operating without a stop throughout the coronavirus outbreak. COVID-19 had a huge impact on the service industry, with the biggest blow to small and medium private businesses. BCI dropped by about 15% in the first quarter of this year compared to the same period of last year. The official figures saw the Chinese economy contracting at -6.8%. The two figures show the same trend. Changes that occurred in March are most interesting. Compared to February, industrial and manufacturing businesses showed growth due to resumption of businesses. By April, 80-90% of industrial and manufacturing businesses had resumed operations. In some places, this rate even exceeded 90%. Many service businesses have also resumed their operations having been hit hard in the first quarter.
Does the Chinese government have an ace to stimulate the economy?
China will promote large-scale infrastructure construction in April and May. Unless a second wave of COVID-19 occurs in China, all efforts to reconstruct the economy will resume. Investment will increase, and there is hope for consumption to recover. Export, however, seems a bit problematic and may take longer to recover. China's service industry is also slow to recover. Now that Covid-19 has become a pandemic, we are monitoring the global situation while studying the Chinese economy. The possible second wave of COVID-19 in the second half of the year could be a sticky point. As we wait for a vaccine to be developed, we can only hope that a second wave does not happen. But this disease is highly infectious so a reinfection is highly probable. Let's not forget that the Spanish Flu of 1918 came to an end because most people became immune to it. If another wave of the pandemic were to take place, can we take strict measures like quarantine again? The policy was very effective in preventing the spread but had a very destructive effect on the economy.
Will the Chinese economy show a V-shaped recovery?
Yes. As flights have reduced, personal exchanges among nations have disappeared. International trade was continued by human exchanges. It would be okay in the short term, but can trade relations be maintained in a prolonged situation? If we do not recover the normal state in the second quarter, we would not be able to grow in the third and fourth quarters as before. That means we will have a hard time growing by 2~3% this year. The possibility of zero growth increases and even negative growth can happen. Looking at BCI, the private economy of China is likely to experience negative growth this year.
How is the Chinese government coping with COVID-19?
China has presented many detailed policies related to COVID-19, including currency policy, financial policy, fiscal policy, and coupons issued by local governments. The Chinese government decides when and how businesses will reopen. If businesses in China reopen smoothly and the second wave of COVID-19 does not occur, the Chinese economy will recover slowly. But of course, if we see reinfections, it will be a whole different story. While promoting economic recovery on the one hand, we must hope that the disease does not spread again. The economic recovery plan does not take into account the recurrence of COVID-19. All countries, including China, must increase testing and distinguish those who have immunity with those who do not. Amid such uncertainty, companies are not willing to resume business or engage in large-scale investment and employment. The unemployment rate is deemed to spike. The urban unemployment rate in March announced by the Chinese government was 5.9%, but we have to take a look at rural exodus workers. If they cannot return to factories, their income and household consumption will decrease. The expansionary policy of China includes the stimulation of consumption, but such a policy only has a short-term effect. We have to create jobs for these people in order to ensure long-term growth.
How likely is it for the People's Bank of China to lower the base rate?
The People's Bank of China is already pumping money out by lowering the reserve ratio to revive the real economy. We are paying attention to the fact that private interest rates are high. However, private companies and small and medium businesses are still having great difficulty getting a loan. Helping these small and medium companies is crucial. A temporary economic crisis should not bring about the bankruptcy of small and medium enterprises. They have no money to return once they go bankrupt. The central bank must extend the term of loans and give out new loans.
There is more doubt about the likelihood of the "Xiaokang" society (a society in which people live a fairly comfortable life) coming true in 2020, as previously promised by the Chinese government. What are we likely to see come from the annual Liang Hui (China's parliamentary and consultative sessions)?
There is a huge impact. China needs to show a 5.5% growth this year to attain the Xiaokang society, but this growth rate seems difficult now. The two meetings must take place because they are vital for the Chinese government. However, they are going to be held in Beijing after we gain control over COVID-19. The disease is being prevented relatively well in Beijing. The meetings are likely to be held in mid-May.
Korean companies are having a hard time in the Chinese market. There is criticism that China lacks support for foreign-funded companies.
Yes, that is certainly a problem. We must consider this topic policy-wise. We have to think about employment status instead of whether a company is domestic or foreign. Instead of checking who the major stockholder is, the government should subsidize companies as long as they are creating employment. Employment is of the greatest importance in China right now. Millions of graduates will be looking for a job this year. They would have found a job if the economy was growing at a 4~6% rate. If the growth rate drops, it will be a difficult job market. We focused on rapid growth in the past. Now is time for us to look at employment.
Korean companies wish to export their cultural content to China, but it has become challenging after the THAAD deployment.
This issue should be improved after COVID-19. China began to have a different view of Japan because the Japanese government and its private sector offered donations to China. The circumstances are changing with time. I want to tell Korean companies "Don't give up." The Chinese market still matters a lot.
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How to Revive a Dead Car Battery
ATVs & Off Road
Hobbies Cars & Motorcycles
Starting the Car is Such an Everyday Thing, but a Dead Car Battery Will Leave You Stranded. http://www.gettyimages.com/license/625936944
by Benjamin Jerew
Benjamin Jerew is an ASE-certified Master Automobile Technician with over a decade of experience in auto repair, maintenance, and diagnosis.
Every time a driver turns the ignition key or presses the "Start" button, the starter motor is expected to crank the engine. This mechanism is caused by the 12-V flooded lead acid car battery, which is standard on virtually every vehicle on the road. Some cars carry a second battery, and trucks and RVs may carry a battery bank, linking several batteries. Similar batteries can be found in tractors, power equipment, motorcycles, powersports machines, snowmobiles, four-wheelers, and solar power backup systems, to name a few.
Car batteries tend to last for several years, but lifespan depends on how they are used. The typical car battery, driven every day, properly charged, and never deep-cycled, could last upwards of 7 years, but that's a best-case scenario. Most maintenance-free (read: replace on death) car batteries tend to last 4 to 7 years. Short car battery life, less than 3 or 4 years, can be related to several different problems, such as lack of use, corrosion, excessive deep cycling, electrolyte evaporation, damage, or charging problems.
How Does a Car Battery "Die?"
If the Battery Light is Illuminated, it Could Indicate a Problem with the Car Battery or the Charging System. http://www.gettyimages.com/license/185262273
The are several things that can shorten the life of a car battery, and most of them are preventable. Now, we're not talking about that "dead battery" that you get when the dome light was left on or the car hasn't been driven in a month. Usually, a jump start, booster pack, or battery charger is all that's necessary to revive the car battery and get the car back on the road, but the damage has already been done. It's the accumulation of damage that leads to the untimely death of the car battery, at which point it simply will not start the car. Car battery death, for the purposes of this article, refers to the battery's inability to hold a charge, usually caused by sulfation.
At its most basic, a car battery is constructed of alternating plates of dissimilar metals, usually lead and lead oxide (Pb and PbO2), in an electrolyte bath, usually sulfuric acid (H2SO4) in water. When discharging, the "battery acid" facilitates the flow of electrons, from the Pb plate to the PbO2 plate, generating an electric current, which can be used to start the engine or illuminate the headlights, for example. Because of this chemical reaction, both plates become more chemically-similar and converting fully-discharged car battery plates to lead sulfate (PbSO4), wherein lies the problem.
So-called "soft" battery sulfation occurs practically every time you discharge the battery but, because it is usually immediately recharged, electron flow easily forces the opposite chemical reaction, resulting in dissimilar Pb and PbO2 plates. If the car battery is left discharged for long periods of time, "hard" sulfation occurs, the formation of lead sulfate crystals. As PbSO4 crystals form, they gradually reduce the available surface area for chemical reaction, reducing the capacity to charge and discharge the battery. Eventually, PbSO4 crystal formation spreads, leading to cracks and short circuits within the battery, rendering it useless.
Ways to Revive a Dead Car Battery
Even if the Car Battery Can't be Saved, a Jumpstart Will At Least Get You On the Road to the Autoparts Store or Your Trusted Technician. http://www.gettyimages.com/license/200159628-004
Unfortunately, it is impossible to reverse hard sulfation, but it does one good to note, regarding products and services claiming to reverse sulfation, there is no real proof to back up their claims. Still, if you have a dead car battery, there are several things that you can try to get yourself back on the road, even if it's straight to a repair shop or auto parts store for a new battery. Vehicles started using these methods should not be shut off until a new car battery can be obtained, and a couple of these methods will finish off the battery, anyway.
Jumpstart: Jumper cables and a second battery, battery booster, or second vehicle might be enough to jumpstart the vehicle. The dead battery won't accept a charge, though, so don't shut the engine off! Note: Do not attempt to jump start a frozen battery, as it could explode. Thaw it out and attempt to charge it, first.
Distilled Water: If the electrolyte level is low, adding distilled water might be enough to fully-submerge the plates and enable a bit more reaction area. This might be enough to give the engine a few more turns.
Epsom Salt: Epsom salt (magnesium sulfate or MgSO4) can readily be found in grocery stores, home gardening centers, and drug stores. Adding a stronger acid to the electrolyte mix, such as Epsom salt, might be enough to tip the chemical balance, delivering enough charge to start the engine. Dissolve 1 part MgSO4 with 3 parts warm water, then add to each cell until the plates are covered by ¼" to ½" electrolyte.
Aspirin: Imagine a vehicle out in the middle of nowhere, a remote camping trip, and all that's available are a couple bottles of water and aspirin. Believe it, or not, Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid or C9H8O4) can be used to chemically alter the electrolyte mix. Crush and dissolve 12 Aspirin tablets, 325-mg or 500-mg, in about 6 oz of warm water, and add equal amounts to each cell. Add additional water to make sure the plates are covered.
To Prevent Premature Car Battery Failure, Inspect the Charging System Regularly. http://www.gettyimages.com/license/88312367
It's always better to prevent damage than repair it, and in the case of the car battery, "replace it." The only way to deal with car battery hard sulfation is to prevent it in the first place. To prevent sulfation and failure, always recharge the battery immediately after use, make sure the vehicle charging system is functioning properly and put an unused car battery on a float charger to maintain full charge.
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The Olsen family opens it farm doors for travelers seeking to live an authentic and unique experience off the trails in their Ecuadorean adventure. Guests staying at Hacienda La Danesa may enjoy outdoors activities included in the nightly rate such as the Cacao & Chocolate Experience, Lazy River Tubing, Biking, Milking in the Gardens, Horseback Riding and In-Room Spa. A Half Day Excursion is included in this program making it a great option for travelers seeking to immerse in the local culture through the connection with locals and enjoy traditional from farm to table cuisine.
At this time you may explore the property by bike and visit the different plantations on the property such as teak, cacao, sugar cane and rice.
Stroll through the open fields with a Montubio cowboy for a 90-minute horse riding experience. You will have the opportunity to ride through the Teak Plantations and ride through the rivers.
Floating down the lazy river surrounded by nature its quite an experience. The water temperature in the tropics is perfect to spot wild animals such as iguanas, snakes and sometimes sloths.
We will visit the plantations to learn the history and process of the cacao in Ecuador surrounded by cacao trees. You will continue to visit the fermentation and drying process up until the final stage where the cacao beans are stored and ready to be sold. We will then continue to the workshop where our local chocolatier will show you how artisan chocolate is produced. We will cover the tempering and crystallization process up until the packaging. You will have the opportunity to make your own chocolate bar to take home!


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Home Features Amid lockdowns, European travel and training have become more challenging
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Amid lockdowns, European travel and training have become more challenging
Teams are facing more and more hurdles with European destinations under tight restrictions
Shauna Farnell
How do World Cup teams get on with their lives when most of Europe is now under lockdown? It has meant a lot of gas station meals, extra scrambling to find lodging and training sessions without chairlifts.
"It's challenging, for sure," said U.S. Ski Team Women's Head Coach Paul Kristofic, from Schladming, Austria, this week, where the U.S. women's team was staying before heading to the next set of World Cup races in France. "The ski areas in Austria are all closed to the public until Christmas. All the hotels and restaurants are closed until Jan. 7. It's been challenging to find places A) with snow, and B) that are ready to bring in teams to train. It's another matter of finding apartments and hotels that will have us. We can't eat anywhere other than gas stations. Luckily grocery stores are open."
Reiteralm training at the end of November. Photo: Ryan Cochran-Siegle
The U.S. along with the Austrian team and several other small nations and clubs have been training the last few days in Reiteralm, near Schladming, where at least there's a chairlift running.
"Some places don't have lifts operating. They're using snowmobiles for uphill capacities," Kristofic said. "We've had great training here in Reiteralm. They're used to having teams and there's a willingness to run lifts. These places have to figure out if there's a measure of cost efficiency. Everyone is going where there's snow, wherever the place is willing to host you. The few places that are open to professional athletes have a lot of pressure on them."
Pressure from within
Austrian Ski Association President Peter Schröcksnadel along with Austrian Ski School Association President Richard Walter recently wrote a joint letter pleading to the Austrian government to open the country's ski areas to winter tourism.
Austria's Christopher Neumayer training outside Schladming earlier this month. Photo: GEPA pictures/Jasmin Walter
In addition to accusing neighboring countries of "an international anti-winter sports campaign," the letter assures the government that winter sports in Austria (which is considered by many to be the epicenter of Europe's Covid-19 transmissions, as hundreds of cases across six countries were traced back to the Austrian resort Ischgl last season) "cannot be equated with party tourism and unbridled après-ski."
"It is clear to all of us that winter sports have to make an important contribution to containing the pandemic. We also have the greatest interest that skiing in winter 2020-21 does not give rise to further Covid-19 infections," the letter states. "For weeks, the companies have been preparing to guarantee winter sports enthusiasts in Austria the best possible security. There are strict hygiene concepts, space restrictions, guidance systems, cameras for distance control, ventilation systems, trained staff and test capacities."
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National teams have been taking every precaution to avoid the virus since the season launched this fall. Since most European ski areas are not open and many borders are closed to travelers between European Union countries, U.S. athletes and coaches have to make sure they stay on top of changing protocols and double check they have all of the appropriate paperwork on hand. For Europa Cup teams such as Team America, securing such paperwork in the first place was a time-consuming and confusing ordeal.
"It was months of trying to figure it out; sending letters to embassies, trying to get someone with a connection in the embassies, figuring out what the rules were for professional athletes …" said Team America Coach Peter Lange, who arrived in Europe this week with athletic trainer Chris Antinori and Colorado-based racer Alex Leever.
"A lot broke through when they invited Alex to the Europa Cup. When you get entered, you get the letter from the FIS. When the U.S. Ski Team says you can go over, you get their letter, then the Olympic Committee letter. You can get into Europe, but then you have to make sure you're armed to bear when you get on with traveling," Lange said.
In the current circumstances, professional athletes and their entourages are among the rare few able to travel between European countries at all, much less ski in any capacity.
"Switzerland opened ski resorts to the public, but everywhere else is just for professional athletes," Antinori said. "I've read that France and Germany are pushing to have a uniform opening of their resorts in January, but obviously there is pushback. As Americans, unless you have legitimate business in one of these EU countries, they won't let you in."
Kristofic said the U.S. Team has encountered police checkpoints where they have had to present paperwork when crossing borders. When flying anywhere or competing at a World Cup venue, everyone must present proof of a recent negative test result. U.S. athletes are testing for Covid twice a week and are being extra vigilant about avoiding prolonged close contact, especially after situations like that which befell the Swedish Team, when a staff member tested positive and several days later, slalom specialist Anna Swenn Larsson, who, due to close contact, had to miss the November races in Levi, also tested positive.
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"All of those protocols are in place for a reason," Kristofic said. "You're at the mercy of the local health authorities in whatever country you're in. It's required a lot of flexibility, to be honest. You always have to deal with weather and limited choices where you have to go, but that is compounded by the fact that the rules are constantly evolving. We've found good quality training by exploring all of the options. We have to make sure we're testing on all of the right days, planning with medical staff and staying up to speed with what defines close contact. It's definitely a lot more work on everybody to check all of those boxes."
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A Colorado native, Shauna Farnell is a former editor at Ski Racing and former media correspondent for the International Ski Federation. Now a full-time freelance writer, her favorite subjects include adventure sports, travel, lifestyle and the human experience. Her work has appeared in The New York Times, ESPN, Lonely Planet and 5280 among other national and international publications.
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