Modern architectures implement relaxed memory models which may reorder memory operations or execute them non-atomically. Special instructions called memory fences are provided, allowing control of this behavior.
To implement a concurrent algorithm for a modern architecture, the programmer is forced to manually reason about subtle relaxed behaviors and figure out ways to control these behaviors by adding fences to the program. Not only is this process time consuming and error-prone, but it has to be repeated every time the implementation is ported to a different architecture.
In this paper, we present the first scalable framework for handling real-world concurrent algorithms running on relaxed architectures. Given a concurrent C program, a safety specification, and a description of the memory model, our framework tests the program on the memory model to expose violations of the specification, and synthesizes a set of necessary ordering constraints that prevent these violations. The ordering constraints are then realized as additional fences in the program.
We implemented our approach in a tool called DFence based on LLVM and used it to infer fences in a number of concurrent algorithms. Using DFence, we perform the first in-depth study of the interaction between fences in real-world concurrent C programs, correctness criteria such as sequential consistency and linearizability, and memory models such as TSO and PSO, yielding many interesting observations. We believe that this is the first tool that can handle programs at the scale and complexity of a lock-free memory allocator.


Maternal and paternal lineages of the Samaritan isolate: mutation rates and time to most recent common male ancestor.
Bonne-Tamir B, Korostishevsky M, Redd AJ, Pel-Or Y, Kaplan ME, Hammer MF.
The Samaritan community is a small, isolated, and highly endogamous group numbering some 650 members who have maintained extensive genealogical records for the past 13-15 generations. We performed mutation detection experiments on mitochondrial DNAs and Y chromosomes from confirmed maternal and paternal lineages to estimate mutation rates in these two haploid compartments of the genome. One hundred and twenty four DNA samples from different pedigrees (representing 200 generation links) were analyzed for the mtDNA hypervariable I and II regions, and 74 male samples (comprising 139 links) were typed for 12 Y-STRs mapping to the non-recombining portion of the Y chromosome (NRY). Excluding two somatic heteroplasmic substitutions and several length variants in the homopolymeric C run in the HVII region, no mutations were found in the Samaritans' maternal lineages. Based on mutations found in Samaritan paternal lineages, an estimate of a mutation rate of 0.42% (95% confidence interval of 0.22%-0.71%) across 12 Y-STRs was obtained. This estimate is slightly higher than those obtained in previous pedigree studies in other populations. The haplotypes identified in Samaritan paternal lineages that belong to the same haplogroup were used to estimate the number of generations elapsed since their most recent common ancestor (MRCA). The estimate of 80 generations corresponds with accepted traditions of the origin of this sect.


text:
ivyandironstone	Charleston, Historis homes, history, Travel, Uncategorized	 September 9, 2019 4 Minutes
It's hard to believe that a landowner/businessman would design and oversee the construction of this mansion based on pattern books, but John Drayton did exactly that.
This year as we were planning a beach trip to South Carolina, I also wanted to re-visit Drayton Hall Plantation. Although we had visited years ago, before social media and blogging, I have been following them on Instagram for some time. And in my mind, the folks behind Drayton Hall have been doing a fabulous job of teaching history.
Briefly, Drayton Hall is an 18th-century plantation on the Ashley River about 15 miles from Charleston, and its history and architecture are notable. Historically, Drayton Hall is the only plantation to survive the Revolutionary and Civil Wars intact. Additionally, it is a remarkable example of Palladian Architecture in the United States, built by John Drayton Sr. and designed without the benefit of professional architects. Instead, like many other other wealthy and well-educated planters of his time, Drayton relied on British "pattern books" that detailed classical architecture.
The first time I visited Drayton Hall I was sorely disappointed. As someone who loves historic homes and had visited the likes of Mount Vernon and Williamsburg more than once, I loved seeing these buildings restored and renovated as necessary and filled with the appropriate furnishings. In fact, for me that was a big part of their allure.
This reflects how the building was found when it was acquired from the Drayton family, on the 1970's. The workmanship on the paneling and molding is remarkable.
Not so at Drayton Hall.
Drayton Hall is a preservation, not a restoration. So, it's empty. What you see are the architectural details of a building that was inhabited by Draytons from the 1740's until it was turned over to the National Trust for Historic Preservation in the 1970's. It has never had electricity or indoor plumbing. The preservation philosophy at Drayton Hall was to stabilize the house and maintain it as it was when acquired from the family. This was radical at the time, but it has resulted in considerable technical and scientific research into the original building and the people who lived there. And the lessons learned have given me a whole new appreciation for the role of historic preservation.
For example, historians originally believed construction was begun on Drayton Hall in 1738 after John Drayton Sr. acquired the property. However In 2014, scholars examined the wood cores of the attic timbers and determined that they were cut from trees felled in the winter of 1747–48. Because the attic would have been framed well before the remainder of the house, scholars now believe Drayton Hall was not occupied by the family until the early 1750s. This is just one example of the kinds of data the building continues to reveal.
Expanding on plantation history
Today the plantation includes an Interpretive Center and Museum. The Interpretive Center traces the history of the property, the Drayton's, and South Carolina. This history includes that of the enslaved people who built the house, planted the crops, tended the fields and served the family, all of which made plantation life possible. This reality is nothing like Gone With the Wind.
Drayton Hall is constructed from bricks made on-site. Often enslaved children worked on brick-making. Look closely at the red brick on the right in the third row. A child's handprint is visible.
One of the things Drayton Hall has done very well is to reveal more about the enslaved people who lived there. Plantations like Drayton Hall and its counterparts throughout the South would not have been possible without the labor provided by the enslaved community. It's important we understand the economic impact of slavery on the South, the North and even Europe.
During our visit we attended a presentation, Port to Plantation: Slavery and the Making of the Early Lowcountry Economy. The presentation takes visitors back 400 years to the beginning of the Triangular Trade Route (from Europe to West Africa, to the Americas, and back to Europe), paying special attention to the middle passage which carried slaves from West Africa to the Americas. Slaves were traded in South America, the Caribbean and North America, but their role in the American South is now under increasing scrutiny thanks to additional historic research like that at Drayton Hall.
Portugal, Great Britain, France, Spain and the Netherlands all participated in the slave trade, sending ships to West Africa, where they loaded slaves for the Americas, then after selling the slaves, reloaded their ships with valuable cotton and rice to return to Europe. The passage itself was gruesome, with hundreds of Africans packed onto ships. Many did not survive the journey, and those who did were often crudely "warehoused" at their destination until they regained their strength for the auction block. This was, after all, business, and the factors or agents responsible for the slave sales depended on top-dollar transactions,
Drayton Hall is not alone in re-thinking how it presents slavery. The McLeod Plantation on nearby James Island, and the Aiken-Rhett House and Nathaniel Russell House, both overseen by the Charleston Historic Foundation in Charleston have also re-cast and expanded their interpretation of slavery. They have traded the term "slaves" for "enslaved people" to more clearly recognize them as people rather than property. To read more about this, including the controversy it has generated, see the recent feature in the Post & Courier by Robert Behre.
Not everyone is a fan of this revised history. Guides at these and other sites report visitors who complain that this history is "depressing" at the least. Some are more outspoken than others. (A sign of these outspoken times, perhaps?) But as hard as some of this is to see or hear or read (I find myself speechless over the child's handprint in the brick), I think we are very fortunate to continue to learn more about this chapter in our history. This historic site visit pushed me to consider how little I know and how much more there is to learn.
It's also a reminder that one of life's great gifts is the opportunity to re-think, re-write, re-imagine, and grow. What if we gave similar license to other life experiences?
Drayton Hall
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The first action is to assess the damage and the suitability for a cosmetic repair [also known as SMART repair], our highly trained technicians will advise you of the best way forward. Once agreed that a repair of this type is suitable we first remove the tyre from the wheel to allow full access to the damage. The wheel is then thoroughly cleaned to remove any traces of wax or silicon from the damaged area, this will ensure a first-rate adhesion when the final paint is applied.
To find out if your wheel is suitable for a cosmetic repair then please discuss with your technician.


"Saints have beaten the Dragons by margins of nine and fourteen this year and a bet on them to triumph within the dozen points offered on the handicap looks the way to go"
Rugby League fans are in for a treat on Sunday as the Challenge Cup Semi-Finals take place as a double-header from the sold-out Bolton Wanderers' University of Bolton Stadium, with both games live on BBC1 in the UK.
The runaway Super League leaders St Helens can book their first trip in ten years to Wembley, but won't have it all their own way against a resurgent Catalans in the first match.
Saints are 4/6 with the Sportsbook to lift the trophy for a thirteenth time on August 25th, and it will be a brave punter who bets against them given they've tasted defeat just twice in 2018 and made it fourteen wins in a row last week against fellow Semi-Finalists Warrington courtesy of an 80th-minute Danny Richardson penalty.
There were loud cheers from the home fans present as they were paired with Catalans in the draw after their hard-fought 25-22 win over Hull in the Quarters, but those supporters have every right to be weary two months on with Steve McNamara's side a different beast now. They've lost just twice in twelve games since they last faced St Helens on May 3rd, making the Super 8s with a bit to spare, and have the bit between their teeth, though they'll have to do without the influential Greg Bird and Jodie Broughton here.
Saints have beaten the Dragons by margins of nine and fourteen this year and a bet on them to triumph within the dozen points offered on the handicap looks the way to go.
For a tryscorer bet look no further than Jonny Lomax, who has struck in his last three matches against Catalans, opening the scoring in both of this season's games. At the very least he has to be backed to strike again anytime at 9/5.
Warrington can make the final for a fifth time in ten years with victory over thirteen-time winners Leeds.
These sides have plenty of recent form in the competition, the Wolves coming out on top against their rivals at Wembley in 2010 and 2012 before coming unstuck in the semis in 2014, with the Rhinos going on to lift the trophy.
It has been a hugely-contrasting year for the two sides. Warrington comfortably secured a top-four finish in the Super League under new coach Steve Price and produced easily the best performance in this season's Challenge Cup when whitewashing Wigan 23-0 in the Quarter-Finals.
Meanwhile 2018 has been annus horribilis for the reigning champions Leeds. They won just once in ten games in the league in a spell from the start of April that saw the departure of record-breaking coach Brian McDermott.
They'll end the year in the Qualifiers and a trip to Wembley is the only way they can salvage something from a disastrous campaign. Ties against Super League-basement club Widnes and disappointing Championship-side Leigh have given them a relatively-smooth passage to the last four and this represents a whole different challenge, one that it's hard to see them overcoming on this season's form.


Help Centre General What is Florence?
Florence is a web platform that connects private healthcare institutions with pre-vetted, self-employed nurses (RGNs and RMNs) who are looking for extra shifts.
Because there are no agencies involved and their associated costs, the health care facilities save money which means that they can pass some of those savings back to the nurse in the form of higher wages. Florence is a more fair and transparent way of nurses engaging with healthcare organisations.


text:
Q: Socket not created by this factory with spark streaming and AWS I am hitting this exception with spark streaming S3 access.
java.lang.IllegalStateException: Socket not created by this factory
at org.apache.http.util.Asserts.check(Asserts.java:34)
at org.apache.http.conn.ssl.SSLSocketFactory.isSecure(SSLSocketFactory.java:435)...
at com.amazonaws.http.AmazonHttpClient.execute(AmazonHttpClient.java:310)...

at org.apache.hadoop.fs.s3a.S3AFileSystem.verifyBucketExists ...

I have tried these steps [from other threads like AWS Socket Not created by this factory or Cannot use AWS SDK in Spring Boot Application (Socket not created by this factory) ] and didn't work.

*

*Shading the all amazonaws and apache http jars.

*Upgrade httpclient and httpcore explicitly to 4.5.x.

*Upgrade amazon sdk to 1.11.x.

*Upgrade hadoop to 3.1.x.

None of this worked and I am stuck for 2 days now which means I have tried most of the solutions in stackoverflow and internet already. Any other ideas?

A: This is "new", but spark has upgraded to a version of httpclient which breaks s3a in hadoop 2.8 in some cases. this sounds like one of the symptoms
I would recommend grabbing the ASF hadoop download consistent with those in the spark release you are using and then dropping in the (hadoop-aws, aws-, http) JARs from that release. Or build spark yourself with the -Phadoop-cloud profile and let maven do the work.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


'Bachelor' Holds Casting Call at Maryland Live!
ABC's "The Bachelor'' is holding a casting call at the Maryland Live! Casino.
Show producers will be at the casino Thursday evening from 5 to 8 p.m. to interview potential candidates. Both men and women are being invited to the casting call. Admission is free, but interested bachelors and bachelorettes are encouraged to bring a filled out application and pictures.
"The Bachelor'' debuted in 2002. The show's season 18 began in January with bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis, 32-year-old a former pro soccer player.


Late Wednesday night, the Building/Zoning Committee of Queens Community Board 7 ("CB7") voted to deny the Willets West / Willets Point Phase One ULURP application of Sterling Equities and Related Companies. The vote tally was 7-2, against the application. Those who voted "No" included committee Chair Chuck Apelian and CB7 Chair Eugene Kelty. We believe that if Queens residents realized what is truly at stake, they would be applauding and supporting this very important decision, and the work of the CB7 committee and leadership.
Willets Point United Inc. ("WPU") commends CB7 for finally taking a stand against this inappropriate development proposal of Sterling/Related – which calls for the construction of a huge 1.4 million square foot mall on 30+ acres of public parkland property, and would nearly double the size of the Willets Point development from 62 acres as proposed during 2008, to 108.9 acres as intended, now. The horrendous traffic impacts of such a large project at this Queens location, which will affect residents of surrounding communities as well as anyone who needs to commute efficiently past Willets Point, are just one key reason to deny this harmful application.
While the proposed Sterling/Related project prioritizes construction of an unnecessary, newly-added mall, key "benefits" of the Willets Point development that were touted during 2008 are not guaranteed, and instead are subject to contractual escape clauses. For example, housing and affordable housing were originally said to be linchpins of the development; but the present plan allows Sterling/Related to opt out of building any housing, upon payment of a penalty (which will be a mere cost of doing business). Moreover, Sterling/Related are not permitted to build any housing, unless new access ramps to and from the Van Wyck Expressway are first constructed – but the City has made it crystal clear in its contract with Sterling/Related, "for the avoidance of doubt, in no event shall EDC or the City be required to construct the Ramps as part of the Development". Without those ramps, there can be no housing – and Sterling/Related would not pay any penalty. Thus, it is entirely possible that not much other than a mall on parkland will be constructed if the project proceeds – hardly what was promoted during 2008.
Committee members were also troubled by the prospective abuse of eminent domain to forcibly acquire more property for this project – not for any essential public purpose, but to enrich private developers.
The Building/Zoning Committee convened four separate times during the past month to hear presentations by Sterling/Related and to discuss their application, for a total of roughly 13 hours. The developers had every chance to present thorough information in support of their application, and did so. Having considered everything, the committee voted to deny the application. We hope and expect that the full community board will recognize the wisdom of the committee's decision, and vote similarly after the public hearing on May 13, 2013.
We strongly encourage members of the public to attend and speak during the CB7 public hearing on Monday, May 13, 2013 at 7:00PM, at the Union Plaza Care Center, 33-23 Union Street in Flushing; 9th floor.
Please review the handout materials that we provided to the CB7 committee, reproduced below.


text:
Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection
A. Chamberland, M. Sylla, M. R. Boulassel, J. G. Baril, P. Côté, R. Thomas, B. Trottier, D. Rouleau, J. P. Routy, C. Tremblay*
The rapid evolution of HIV-1 is a major obstacle to viral eradication. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) during primary HIV-1 infection could limit viral diversity. Eighteen patients recently infected with HIV-1 were selected. Nine initiated ART soon after enrolment and nine remained untreated. Replication-competent (RC) viruses were quanstified at baseline and after one year of follow-up. Viral diversity in the C2V5 envelope region was evaluated from plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and cell culture at both time points. The amount of RC virus in the treated group declined (median -5.42 infectious units per million [IUPM]) while it remained stable or increased in the untreated group (median +0.87 IUPM). At one year post infection, we observed a significant increase in diversity for the C2V5 (+0.150%) region, specifically in the hypervariable loops V4 (+0.73%) and V5 (+0.77%), in the untreated group. More importantly, viral diversity did not significantly increase in treated individuals during the first year post infection. Genetic diversity during primary infection remains low through the first year of infection. Early treatment could contribute to a decrease in RC viruses from PBMCs and to limitation of viral diversification in the viral reservoir. These findings may have relevance for the rational design of specific immunotherapeutic strategies.
International Journal of STD and AIDS
https://doi.org/10.1258/ijsa.2010.010292
Acute infection
Primary HIV-1
Sequence diversity
10.1258/ijsa.2010.010292
Dive into the research topics of 'Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.
Molecular Evolution Medicine & Life Sciences 100%
HIV-1 Medicine & Life Sciences 67%
Virus Replication Medicine & Life Sciences 58%
Infection Medicine & Life Sciences 37%
Blood Cells Medicine & Life Sciences 31%
Secondary Prevention Medicine & Life Sciences 18%
Genetic Variation Medicine & Life Sciences 18%
HIV Infections Medicine & Life Sciences 17%
Chamberland, A., Sylla, M., Boulassel, M. R., Baril, J. G., Côté, P., Thomas, R., Trottier, B., Rouleau, D., Routy, J. P., & Tremblay, C. (2011). Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection. International Journal of STD and AIDS, 22(3), 146-150. https://doi.org/10.1258/ijsa.2010.010292
Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection. / Chamberland, A.; Sylla, M.; Boulassel, M. R.; Baril, J. G.; Côté, P.; Thomas, R.; Trottier, B.; Rouleau, D.; Routy, J. P.; Tremblay, C.
In: International Journal of STD and AIDS, Vol. 22, No. 3, 03.2011, p. 146-150.
Chamberland, A, Sylla, M, Boulassel, MR, Baril, JG, Côté, P, Thomas, R, Trottier, B, Rouleau, D, Routy, JP & Tremblay, C 2011, 'Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection', International Journal of STD and AIDS, vol. 22, no. 3, pp. 146-150. https://doi.org/10.1258/ijsa.2010.010292
Chamberland A, Sylla M, Boulassel MR, Baril JG, Côté P, Thomas R et al. Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection. International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2011 Mar;22(3):146-150. https://doi.org/10.1258/ijsa.2010.010292
Chamberland, A. ; Sylla, M. ; Boulassel, M. R. ; Baril, J. G. ; Côté, P. ; Thomas, R. ; Trottier, B. ; Rouleau, D. ; Routy, J. P. ; Tremblay, C. / Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection. In: International Journal of STD and AIDS. 2011 ; Vol. 22, No. 3. pp. 146-150.
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title = "Effect of antiretroviral therapy on HIV-1 genetic evolution during acute infection",
abstract = "The rapid evolution of HIV-1 is a major obstacle to viral eradication. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) during primary HIV-1 infection could limit viral diversity. Eighteen patients recently infected with HIV-1 were selected. Nine initiated ART soon after enrolment and nine remained untreated. Replication-competent (RC) viruses were quanstified at baseline and after one year of follow-up. Viral diversity in the C2V5 envelope region was evaluated from plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and cell culture at both time points. The amount of RC virus in the treated group declined (median -5.42 infectious units per million [IUPM]) while it remained stable or increased in the untreated group (median +0.87 IUPM). At one year post infection, we observed a significant increase in diversity for the C2V5 (+0.150%) region, specifically in the hypervariable loops V4 (+0.73%) and V5 (+0.77%), in the untreated group. More importantly, viral diversity did not significantly increase in treated individuals during the first year post infection. Genetic diversity during primary infection remains low through the first year of infection. Early treatment could contribute to a decrease in RC viruses from PBMCs and to limitation of viral diversification in the viral reservoir. These findings may have relevance for the rational design of specific immunotherapeutic strategies.",
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N2 - The rapid evolution of HIV-1 is a major obstacle to viral eradication. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) during primary HIV-1 infection could limit viral diversity. Eighteen patients recently infected with HIV-1 were selected. Nine initiated ART soon after enrolment and nine remained untreated. Replication-competent (RC) viruses were quanstified at baseline and after one year of follow-up. Viral diversity in the C2V5 envelope region was evaluated from plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and cell culture at both time points. The amount of RC virus in the treated group declined (median -5.42 infectious units per million [IUPM]) while it remained stable or increased in the untreated group (median +0.87 IUPM). At one year post infection, we observed a significant increase in diversity for the C2V5 (+0.150%) region, specifically in the hypervariable loops V4 (+0.73%) and V5 (+0.77%), in the untreated group. More importantly, viral diversity did not significantly increase in treated individuals during the first year post infection. Genetic diversity during primary infection remains low through the first year of infection. Early treatment could contribute to a decrease in RC viruses from PBMCs and to limitation of viral diversification in the viral reservoir. These findings may have relevance for the rational design of specific immunotherapeutic strategies.
AB - The rapid evolution of HIV-1 is a major obstacle to viral eradication. Early antiretroviral therapy (ART) during primary HIV-1 infection could limit viral diversity. Eighteen patients recently infected with HIV-1 were selected. Nine initiated ART soon after enrolment and nine remained untreated. Replication-competent (RC) viruses were quanstified at baseline and after one year of follow-up. Viral diversity in the C2V5 envelope region was evaluated from plasma, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), and cell culture at both time points. The amount of RC virus in the treated group declined (median -5.42 infectious units per million [IUPM]) while it remained stable or increased in the untreated group (median +0.87 IUPM). At one year post infection, we observed a significant increase in diversity for the C2V5 (+0.150%) region, specifically in the hypervariable loops V4 (+0.73%) and V5 (+0.77%), in the untreated group. More importantly, viral diversity did not significantly increase in treated individuals during the first year post infection. Genetic diversity during primary infection remains low through the first year of infection. Early treatment could contribute to a decrease in RC viruses from PBMCs and to limitation of viral diversification in the viral reservoir. These findings may have relevance for the rational design of specific immunotherapeutic strategies.
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Hello, Northwest writers! As an avid reader and lifelong resident of the Evergreen State, I'd like to share some tips on how to distill the essence of our region in your fiction. By following my 10 easy tips, you'll be able to write a bestseller that captures the spirit of this awesome part of the country. Let's get started!
Lance Nakayama was calling his broker to dump his InfoSpace stock when he was almost struck by an airborne Chinook.
See how we were able to pique the reader's curiosity while displaying our intimacy with regional wildlife? This is the kind of opening sentence that keeps a reader turning pages. A flying what? Where the heck is this taking place? They will want to read on!
Notice how our sample opening sentence contains the name of an information technology company? It never hurts to refer to a handful of these companies in any novel having anything to do with Washington State. And remember: Biotech is hot, hot, hot! A tip for intermediate writers: Try combining salmon and technology. Perhaps there's a technology company whose headquarters is threatening a precious salmon habitat?
Cleaning the stables that morning, Dr. Cecilia Gonzales Mossington enjoyed the pungent aroma of llama urine. Why? Because she knew that the hormone it contained was the key to the breakthrough pill she was developing at the biopharmaceutical company she founded down the street from the Pike Place Market.
You can apply this same strategy to create male characters. Just combine blue-collar grit with graduate-level education, add a Y chromosome, and you have yourself a credible Northwest male character!
Here's a trend-setting idea (that I'm offering to you for free): See if you can draw interesting parallels between your characters' inner selves and the famously mercurial weather of this region. Having characters interact with weather, particularly rain, is the ticket to making them thoughtful and important-seeming. Without characters who are reflective and rain-soaked, where exactly are you as a fiction writer? Answer: nowhere.
Every so often, have your characters stop what they're doing to describe the experience of looking at a tree. Be specific! For instance, the way the sun drapes ringlets of gold upon the boughs of an amabilis fir. It's important to always have your trees interact with the weather. As with characters, this makes them more interesting.
Forget I said that. I was kidding. Everyone is interested in reading about salmon and trees!
Oregon is a good source for radical politics. (There has to be a little rioting in your opus for it to qualify as a Great Northwest novel.) So include a couple of edgy characters from Oregon. Pick a radical character type in column A and pair it with an Oregon location in column B. Next, make a list of likes and dislikes (that is, what kind of coffee they drink) to develop these descriptions into fully dimensional characters.
So you've developed some deep-thinking, tree-watching, cutting-edge-drug-developing, tech-savvy characters and set them loose in a Northwest setting that's instantly recognizable. Then what? Easy. Just add intrigue. Nothing will put your Great Northwest novel on the New York Times bestseller list--or at least get you a favorable review in the New York Times Book Review--like a healthy dose of corporate espionage, infidelity, double-crossing, and maybe a chase scene on a ferry. Or a priceless carved whalebone that has suddenly gone missing? Oh, the material you have to work with as a writer from the Great Northwest.


This is the third article in a series of three from Ownersite Technologies about ensuring the maintenance of a secondary property, including vacation homes and rental dwellings. The topics include maintenance tips, owners' rights when renters do not take care of a property, and how to work with tenants to maintain a home and maximize its value.
Renting a property is never an easy task. Many investors turn to property management companies to handle the responsibilities because of time restrictions or fear that there will be problems with the tenant that require the expertise of a professional that understands and enforces the laws on their behalf.
Do not believe all the horror stories. A number of home investors will tell you that the job of a landlord does not have to be that difficult or troubling if you find good tenants and you work together to maintain the property in a way that is mutually beneficial. There are many ways to create a long-term partnership if a clear agreement is reached and consistent actions illustrate each party's willingness to maintain the property.
Everyone is different and you cannot believe what a wide range of personalities or expectations you will encounter once you become a landlord. Try to see their position by putting yourself in their shoes so you understand what their expectations might be of you as the landlord and what you are providing them in terms of shelter and quality of life.
Looking at it this way may help you see beyond just your position as a business person. Taking this approach will help establish a good working relationship that results in a long-term rental rather than the time-consuming task of interviewing and checking new tenants every few months or once a year.
The best approach you can take as a landlord is to keep the lines of communication open so the tenant knows that they can speak to you when needed. Developing mutual respect for each other's roles as well as putting all agreements on expectations in writing will help to ensure a pleasant experience. Make sure that everything is understood from the beginning for both of you. If you do not start out on the right foot, it may be a difficult journey and lead to problems. Also responding quickly to any requests will put your tenants at ease and create a good partnership.
While our previous article provided a list of maintenance chores for both the landlord and the tenant, there may be some instances where consensus is reached that the tenant will maintain property and make all necessary repairs. Often, renters that plan on staying for the long term like to know that they can paint, garden, or add upgrades to the home to make it more enjoyable while they live there.
Usually, the rent is adjusted to reflect this extra work and expense on the behalf of the tenant. It is important that the tenant understand that they must get written permission from you prior to forging ahead on their redecorating or remodeling projects. They should also provide copies of receipts for any items purchased so you can have an accounting of why the rent was reduced during certain months. This kind of assistance not only helps you lighten your load in terms of maintenance, but it also provides an incentive for the tenant to stay longer and can potentially add value to your investment.
To make a lease more inviting, you might want to consider including certain maintenance services within the monthly rent to justify what you plan to charge. These services might include pool and spa or gardening services. You might also want to replace carpet or freshen up the home with a coat of paint. All of these actions will send the right message to your tenant that you are willing to maintain the home so you would expect the same.
Always view your investment rental as a business arrangement with your tenant. It is not a wise choice to get into friendships because the lines will be blurred as to who is responsible for what and each side may then end up taking advantage of the other. It is best to just have a good tenant that pays the rent on time and keep the place well maintained.
Take care to do your maintenance and repairs to the property when your tenant is not at home. After all, no one really feels that comfortable having someone they really do not know very well in their personal space even if the property is not their own. Both you and your tenant should agree when it might be an opportune time for both of you to conduct any maintenance on the inside or outside of the property.
Mistakes happen and disagreements can result. As a landlord, you may be consumed by your work or numerous properties, forgetting to keep up with certain maintenance tasks. This can cause friction with your tenants who do not want to take it upon themselves to remind you or get stuck with the work.
An online home maintenance schedule with e-mail alerts to your e-mail, PDA, or cell phone will remind you when it is time to take care of certain tasks at your investment properties. You can suggest that your tenant keep a similar online schedule of their agreed-upon tasks so that each of you has a sense of when the other will be keeping up on certain tasks. This will help both of you also track tax deductible expenses.
Services like Ownersite Technologies, which offer this convenience, can also offer an online depository to keep all types of information about your second home, including an inventory of each room to ensure nothing has been stolen or damaged. While this will help you reclaim the value of items with your insurance company, it will also keep clarity and transparency with your tenants so that they know you have accounted for every item on the property along with photographs. This also provides a sense of security and cuts out any misunderstandings. If a situation were to occur where you had to go to court – and you would hope that it never reached that point – you would also have specific documentation.
Your tenant wants a place they can call home and you need someone to take care of the property for you. By reaching consensus as well as defining clear roles and responsibilities for each of you, there is the opportunity for a long-term profitable relationship. It is well worth your time and money to ensure that you keep a tenant for the long haul instead of having a high turnover or the risk of no interested parties.
Be sure to read our other articles about maintaining a vacation home or rental property as well as how the maintenance work is divided between you, as the landlord, and your tenants in a way that lightens the load for both of you.


text:
The Crystal Lake
Print 978-1-62798-413-3 16.99
E-Book 978-1-62798-412-6 6.99
Sequel to The Wind-up Forest
Archangel Chronicles: Book Five
The thief of the Grail has been identified and the Brotherhood of Archangels is moving to counter her evil machinations. But as demons flock to the side of the thief and betray Hell, monsters are enslaved and shifters and an angel turn traitor. The love between Gabriel and Michael is tested as they join the rest of the Brotherhood on the trail of Naamah. Danger makes strange bedfellows in the form of Lucifer, the Archdemons, and Lilith.
A traitor lurks among the angels and humans, and the Venatores are discovering vital new information. Lovers Liam, a Necromancer, and Baxter, a shifter working for Michael's Venatores unit, must face not just the living but the dead. Archangels Raziel and Uriel contend with demands on Raziel's power that wear him to the brink of exhaustion. The Brotherhood will need all their strength to prevail against the threats surrounding them.
GABRIEL STOOD beneath the sprawling branches of a large tree and watched as Michael trained a short distance away.
Michael was bare-chested, wearing dark gray fisherman's pants, white socks, and simple black cotton shoes. His long black hair was held back in a single braid, and he was moving through the motions of kung fu, each step and gesture perfectly precise. As Gabriel watched, Michael slipped easily into the katas ofiaido and then, when he had finished those, he began the forms of wushu. His wings were visible, flared high, the dark brown and russet feathers rich in color and glistening with the oils of good health.
The plateau Michael trained upon was covered in grass that reached to midcalf, bordered on one side by mountains, the other by a green and fertile valley, and dotted with trees and flowers. The sun shone down, warm and bright, and there was a light breeze. In the very far distance, the sea shimmered bright blue and white, and overhead, birds flew, calling to each other.
Gabriel drank in the sight. Michael snapped the fingers of his right hand, and his sword, a jian, appeared. Michael continued his training, now using his sword as he moved, and Gabriel committed the scene to memory. Finally, Michael stopped moving and thrust his sword point-first into the turf before bowing to it.
Gabriel walked over to him, never taking his eyes from Michael. Michael's torso was covered in a thin sheen of sweat that dried in the gentle breeze.
"Hi," Gabriel said as he drew close to his lover.
Michael smiled at him. "Hello."
Gabriel smiled in return. This was a moment of perfect clarity and peace, and he had a feeling that he would need to remind himself of this in the days and weeks to come. As Michael furled his wings, the great pinions faded from sight, and Gabriel let out a quiet sigh.
"What troubles you, da bao?" Michael asked as he retrieved his sword.
"Nothing, not really. Well, no more than the usual," Gabriel said. "I enjoyed watching you."
Michael blushed a little. "Did you?"
"Aye." Gabriel looked over the plateau, out toward the sea. "It was like watching peace in motion."
"That is very poetic, Gabriel."
Gabriel turned back to Michael and smiled again. "You inspire me, solnyshko."
Michael pulled a simple blue and white wrap-around tunic to him with his power and tugged it on. "You are very kind," he said as he dressed.
"Not kind often enough, I reckon, but I try," Gabriel said. "So."
"You have news?"
"Aye. It ain't good," Gabriel said.
Michael shrugged. "I fear that until we find and contain Naamah and return the Grail to its rightful place, there will be little news that is good."
"Probably true," Gabriel said. "Raz is still upstairs with God, and I just got a call from Max. He and Minnie found something, and they think we should take a look. He didn't go into detail, but I got the feeling he wants us there sooner rather than later."
Michael pursed his lips. "I see. That does not bode well."
"Yeah, it gave me a feeling of impending doom, too." Gabriel looked out toward the sea. "It's so peaceful here," he said, almost to himself.
"Come," Michael said, his voice gentle. "Let us attend to things, and then we may find a few moments for more peace."
Gabriel looked back at his lover. "You're a poet, baby." He squared his shoulders. "All right, let's go." He placed his hand on Michael's arm and, with his power, moved them.
The outside of Minnie and Max's house looked just the same as it had when Gabriel and Michael had last visited only a few days before. It felt much longer to Gabriel. So much had happened, and he was worried, weary, and angry. He opened the gate and gestured for Michael to precede him, following his lover through and turning to latch it closed.
Minnie was standing on the doorstep, looking at the pair of them. Her expression was worried, and she gestured to them to hurry.
"We came as quickly as we could," Gabriel said.
"I know. Get inside, fast," Minnie said, looking toward the street. "We don't know who's watching."
Gabriel and Michael exchanged a look and went into the house. Minnie closed the door behind them and locked it and then ran her hands through her hair.
"It's safer in here," she said. "Max is waiting for you. This way."
Michael and Gabriel followed her down a corridor to an open door. As they entered the room, they saw that it was full of computers and tech, wires and cables strewn over the floor, some taped to the wall with duct tape. A large, ginger cat snoozed on top of a box with flashing lights, and Gabriel wondered what all of this instrumentation was for.
Max was leaning forward in his battered chair, glaring at a computer screen. "Shut the door," he said without turning. "Lock it."
"I am," Minnie said with some asperity in her voice.
"Okay, so why all the cloak and dagger?" Gabriel asked.
Max sat back and turned. He looked as though he hadn't slept for days. There were dark circles under his eyes, and his clothes were rumpled and stained. He grabbed a can of soda and took a long drink, shaking his head. "There's a lot of weird shit going on," he said. "And we're being watched."
"By whom?" Michael asked.
"That"—Max set the can down—"is the million-dollar question. They're invisible. I can't see them, but the sensors are picking up movement and shapes. There's body heat involved, too. Minnie can't get any sort of information about them with her magic."
"It's like casting a spell on a rock," Minnie said. "I know it's there, but I don't know what, exactly, it is or what its intentions are."
Gabriel let out a slow breath. "We've had the same problem with some of the individuals involved in this thing." He told them of the Order of Midnight and their shields, and of the shifter, Arkady, and the demons that had attacked the Order of Midnight and the angels Gabriel had sent to follow them.
Max was frowning so hard that his eyebrows seemed to be knitted together. "I need more power," he said.
"Another feather?" Michael asked.
Max shook his head. "I'm afraid that won't do it. I have a hypothesis."
"Let's hear it," Gabriel encouraged.
Max grinned. "I'm getting to it. Where's Raz?"
"Heaven," Gabriel said.
"You know he's not on call as our personal scientist," Minnie said.
"I know, I know." Max took a deep breath. "All right. As near as I can figure, whoever it is who's watching us has some sort of magic. It must be from this plane of existence, which is why Min's magic can't penetrate their shields. But it isn't strong enough to block technology, which is why we know someone's there, just not who or why. It suggests to me that whoever it is who's watching knows little about technology. It also suggests to me that as you guys spend so much time on Earth, they planned for that so that they could block you too. After all, your magic and Min's magic is born of the same thing, right?"
Gabriel and Michael stared at him and then looked at each other.
"Forgive me," Michael said. "I fear I do not know what you mean."
"Okay, well, it's like this. The more time you spend on Earth, the more your powers are… touched by this plane. As you were created by the same power that created the planet, it stands to reason that it's basically the same at its core, its energy matrix. But if we got power from something or someone who isn't so attuned to Earth, we might be able to get a reading on these watchers."
Michael and Gabriel looked at each other again. "Is Ondrass still in Yerevan?" Michael asked.
"Aye, as far as I know."
"Max, Minnie, would you allow an Archdemon to enter your property?" Michael asked.
Max's eyes went as round as saucers, and Minnie swore.
"Which one?" she asked.
"Ondrass."
"Archduke of Hell, Lord of Chaos and Despair." Minnie whistled. "I've heard of him."
"He's an ally—for the moment," Michael said. "I would strongly advise you to restore any shields you might lower to permit him entrance once he has left."
"You can count on that," Max said. "Holy crap. Ondrass."
"I'm calling him now," Gabriel said, fishing his cell phone from his pocket. "And I'm making sure he comes on his own and leaves Markus and Adramelek in Yerevan."
"Adramelek?" Minnie had gone as pale as a bed sheet. "The leader of the Order of the Fly? The right hand of Lucifer Morningstar?"
"That's him. He thinks he's clever." Gabriel rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, no." Minnie shook her head. "Ondrass can come in, but not Adramelek."
"I'll tell him," Gabriel said. "And if Adramelek insists, I'll send him off to scare our watchers."
"Would he do that?" Max asked.
Gabriel shrugged. "Probably. This ain't a normal day, after all. Hell, it ain't a normal month." He punched in the number for Ondrass's cell and waited for the Archdemon to answer.
"Ah, Gabriel." Ondrass's voice was silky in Gabriel's ear. "How lovely to hear from you. To what do I owe this honor?"
"Spare me the hyperbole," Gabriel said. "I need you in Australia."
Gabriel ground his teeth together. "We need your powers to figure out who's watching us. Leave Markus and Adramelek behind. This is your mission."
"And this call will self-destruct in seven minutes? How very Mission: Impossible of you." Ondrass sighed. "Give me the coordinates, and I'll be there as soon as I can."
Gabriel did so and then ended the call without waiting for an answer. "I'll go and wait for him in the garden," he said.
"He's coming alone?" Max asked.
"He better, or I'll be pissed," Gabriel growled.
"Language," Michael said.
"I'll drop the shield enough for him to come into the garden," Minnie said, "but I'd really rather he not come into the house."
"Will that be workable?" Michael asked.
Gabriel shrugged. "Aye, for me. But what about you, Max? You're the one calling the shots on this."
Max nodded. "I can rig what I need so I can show him on the laptop."
"Okay." Gabriel moved to the door. "I'll go and welcome our Archdemon."
Ten minutes later, his expression profoundly skeptical, Ondrass stood with his hands resting on the handle of his cane. "Let me see if I understand this correctly," he began. "You want me to use my power to see who these hidden watchers are because my power is not connected to Earth or to those who made it?"
"Yes," Max said.
"And why am I the one to have this honor?"
"'Cause Adramelek's a Fallen One," Gabriel said, "and Markus ain't powerful enough."
"What about Melcherisa or Lix Tetrax?" Ondrass asked, arching an eyebrow.
"They are not as powerful as you," Michael said.
"I am flattered," Ondrass said with a smirk. "So what do you wish me to do? Saunter down the street like an Archdemon of leisure and confront those who are spying on you?"
"Pretty much, yeah." Max suddenly laughed. "Are you an Archdemon of leisure?"
"From time to time," Ondrass said, buffing his nails on his leather coat. "Gabriel, come with me. I assume you delightful humans have surveillance set up to be able to watch what we're doing?" he asked, turning to look at Max.
"Yes, but I'll go with you, too," Minnie said.
"Are you certain that is wise?" Michael asked.
"I'll be with the Archangel of War and the Archdemon of Discord. Only an idiot would interfere with them. A dead idiot, I'd bet," Minnie said.
"You got that right," Gabriel said. He concentrated for a moment and blurred into his armor. Resting his right hand on the pommel of his sword, he looked at Ondrass. "Do you need anything?"
"For this? Hardly." Ondrass sniffed. "Come along, then. Let's take our little walk." Without further comment, he marched toward the gate.
Gabriel shook his head in amusement and followed him with Minnie at his side.
Ondrass was walking down the street, looking for all the world like a prosperous Chinese man on a Sunday afternoon stroll with friends… one of whom wore full chain mail armor. Gabriel shook his head, the hilarity of the situation not lost on him.
"Gabriel," Ondrass said, "stop laughing. I've spied our spies."
Gabriel was instantly alert. He drew his sword from its scabbard. "Where?"
"On the other side of the road." Ondrass turned, his dark eyes glittering with red fire. "Miss Minnie, I ask you now to close your eyes and keep them closed. My true self is not the sort of thing a human can see and retain their sanity."
"You're going true form?" Gabriel was startled.
"Yes, unless you'd like to dodge arrows. They're preparing to fire on us."
Gabriel rolled his eyes. "You couldn't say this earlier?"
"I could, but where's the fun in that?" Ondrass smirked at him. "I'll find out who they are and who they work for, never fear. Just keep back, and let me do my thing."
Gabriel hesitated for a moment before answering. "All right. If they're human, though, try not to kill them."
Ondrass sniffed at that, and Gabriel chose not to question the noise, instead unfurling his wings and curling them around Minnie, providing a barrier of feathers.
"It's a good thing I'm not allergic," Minnie said.
"Aye. Close your eyes anyway," Gabriel said.
"I have." She paused. "Is his true shape really so awful?"
"More than you could imagine," Gabriel said.
Ondrass had crossed the street, and as he stepped up onto the pavement, his human shape melted away to be replaced with his Archdemon form. Gabriel's upper lip curled as he watched; he couldn't help it. It was easy to ignore what Ondrass was when he appeared in human form, but when he was his true self, Gabriel's inbuilt urge to kill all things from Hell reared up. It took all of his control to stay where he was and not march up to Ondrass and decapitate him.
Now eight feet tall, his body vaguely humanoid—in that he had two arms and two legs—Ondrass's head was that of an owl. His eyes glowed orange, and he held a wand in his left hand. With a flick of his wrist, energy surged out of the tip of the wand and struck a large cluster of bushes two feet away from him.
The bushes exploded, leaves and twigs flying everywhere. Suddenly, Gabriel could clearly see the four individuals who had been hiding there, revealed by Ondrass's power. They were not, he was relieved to see, human; they were definitely demon. Lesser demons, too, by the look of them; the signature of their powers in their auras was low. Ondrass sneered and reached out one talon-tipped hand to grasp the nearest demon.
The demon battered at Ondrass's arm to no effect. Ondrass was too strong and too powerful, and as Gabriel watched in sickened fascination, Ondrass lifted the demon from its feet and snarled in its terrified face.
"You foolish child," Ondrass spat, his voice colored with the hooting tones of an owl. "Did you truly think to hide yourselves from us forever? Now I know who you are and who you work for."
"You can't stop what's coming, Lord Ondrass," the demon spluttered. "No one can."
"We'll see." Ondrass hissed, the sound carrying a hint of fury. And then as Gabriel watched, Ondrass raised the demon even higher. His beak opened so wide that it defied the shape of the owl's head, and before Gabriel's stunned eyes, Ondrass bit the head off the demon and ate it.
The sound of a giant beak breaking down the skull was awful. Gabriel looked away, toward the other three demons who clung to each other with naked terror on their faces. Ondrass continued his ghastly feast, throwing the remains of the carcass of the demon away onto the road, where it landed with a loud, wet splat. Then he lunged for the other three.
"Is he eating them?" Minnie asked. Her voice trembled.
Gabriel growled. "Aye. Block your ears, Minnie."
"I am." She clapped her hands over her ears, turning to press her face against his armored chest. Gabriel tightened his wings protectively around her, cushioning her in black, gray, and white feathers.
Ondrass took his time with the three demons, eating them and mocking them. Gabriel wished he'd hurry up. Finally, after what seemed like forever, Ondrass waved his wand over the remnants of the corpses of the dead and they caught fire, burning with black flame until nothing was left but ash. A wind blew up, and then even those last fragments of the demons were gone, blown away.
Ondrass crossed the street again, returning to his human form. He dabbed at his lips with a silk kerchief. "A bit thin," he observed to Gabriel, "but one does have to make do, sometimes."
Gabriel furled his wings and gently pulled Minnie's hands away from her ears. "He's decent now," he said.
Minnie's face was very pale. She turned and looked at Ondrass and shuddered. He grinned at her, wide and bright.
"You're awful!" Minnie said.
Ondrass bowed. "Thank you!"
"Come on," Gabriel growled, "let's get back into the garden."
The Spy Who Wants Me
WARNING: MAY BE TOO HOT TO HANDLE Elle Gray looks like a supermodel, thinks like a super agent, and can kill a man with her bare hands. But when she meets Dr. Beau Ruston, the brilliant scientist and ex-college football star in charge of the project...
Turbulent Passions
Love, is it providence or just a lump on the head? Sapphire and Aries Demas are twins with a secret. Since the awful day their parents were killed, they've been in hiding, fearful the same fate will befall them. But...
Turbulent Seas
Christine Feehan
Joley Drake has an enormous career, the most famous of all the Drake sisters, her voice loved by millions. On her world tour, she finds both adoration and danger. Somewhere there is someone who loves her. There is someone who hates her. And there is ...
Secrets, Volume 21: Primal Heat
CAGED WOLF by Cynthia Eden--Alerac La Morte has been drugged, kidnapped, and taken to some hole in the wall far from civilization. Even worse, Alerac realizes that his captor, Madison Langley, is actually his destined mate. Madison hates his kind--sh...
Girl Gone Nova (Project Enterprise 2)
Pauline Baird Jones
Doc--Delilah Oliver Clementyne's—orders are simple: do the impossible and do it fast. A genius/bad ass, she does the impossible on a regular basis. But this time the impossible is complicated by an imminent war between the Earth expedi...
Keena Kincaid
A druid who doesn't believe in destiny or second chances... Out of place in the Plantagenet court, minstrel AEDAN ap OWEN misuses his Sidhe gifts for the king's dark business. Sent north to investigate rumors of treason and dispatch the troublem...
Sudden Devotion
Nicole Morgan
Sara is inexperienced with men, but finds her untapped sexuality is bursting beneath the pressure of lustful desires. Mitch works with Sara and knows office romances can go horribly wrong, but that doesn't stop him from going ahead with his ...
HER MATES
Suzanne Thomas
AVAILABLE: Monday, March 29th [Menage Amour: Erotic Menage Romance, F/M/M/M/M/M, Shape-shifting Were-Bears] When the five Dupries brothers first look upon the lush beauty destined to be their mate, they are awed and filled with lust. Alice ha...


THE more than 2,000 city scholars in the Asian College of Technology International Education Foundation Inc. (Actief) enrolled on the academic year 2014-2016 may now start claiming their transcript of records.
Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña himself announced the court approval of the compromise agreement on his Facebook post the other day.
Cebu City Councilor Joy Agustus Young, chair for the committee on Education and Scholarships, met with the president of the school yesterday to discuss the arrangement on the settlement of the remaining dues of the city scholars.
"We finalized the terms nga naa sa compromise agreement yesterday. It's now a matter of releasing na, the students just have to get their clearance to process their TORs," Young said.
After yesterday's meeting, Actief agreed to release the TORs of the scholars even before their dues are fully paid.
"This is one of the things I asked them kay magprocess pa ta and will just inform the COA that the court has already made a decision unya bayran na nato," Young said.
Based on the compromise agreement, P26 million were billed for the first and second semesters of academic year 2014-2015, while another P23 million were billed for the first and second semesters of academic year 2015-2016 and first semester of 2016-2017.


If you already know you can't get on with memory foam earplugs, then you need to look at different types of earplugs to help you sleep.
The Wax and Silicone Earplugs Sleep Pack contains only earplugs which can be moulded over the opening to the ear canal. You don't push them inside, as you do with foam earplugs. This means that it doesn't matter what size or shape your ear is - these earplugs should fit you regardless.
Silicone Earplugs: Insta Putty earplugs, Mack's PillowSoft, Medical Grade Silicone.
Wax Earplugs: Ohropax Classic earplugs, Mighty Plugs.


The culminating experience for this course of study is an internship in a student interest area: athletic trainer/physical therapist/occupational therapist job shadowing, personal trainer job shadowing, or strength and conditioning. While not a requirement for graduation, certification through a national accrediting body is encouraged.
The exercise science major allows the student to prepare for a career as a health/fitness professional. Many of these careers, according to the United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, are anticipating much faster than average job growth through 2024.


Drive for a living? We can get your wheels covered.
We have unique access to some of the best commercial vehicle rates in all California. No radius or unit count restrictions. New ventures welcome!
Does it have wheels? We want to see it.
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Get in touch with Kevin for a quote if you drive any of the above!


text:
New parade for the 2017 Rhiwbina Summer Festival
Rhiwbina Events Committee have pulled out all the stops for this year's Rhiwbina Summer Festival.
The popular event takes place on Saturday 1st July and promises to be the biggest and best festival yet.
Rhiwbina Events Committee's Sue Harding told Rhiwbina Living magazine:
"There are so many events taking place this year, and not just on Festival Saturday. We have produced a wonderful programme of events that you can pick up from the local businesses in the village."
Proceedings kick off at the Edwards & Co Festival Stage at 11am. Throughout the day, there will be performances by HLC School of Dance, Suzanne Scale School of Performing Arts, Tippi Toes Ballet, Mundo Dance, Wonderland Studios and Debbie Chapman Dancers.
From 5pm, there will also be the day's headline act, The Verge.
"We have grown so large that we will now be holding some of our outdoor events at Parc y Pentre for the first time," said Sue. "We will also be holding a new parade which will feature groups and organisations from the community. We are very proud of them and want everyone to join in the celebration.
"In Rhiwbina, there is so much going on for all ages and abilities but we are mindful that not everyone has access to everything that goes on. We wanted to come up with a way of showcasing activities and clubs that take place. People may want to meet new people or learn new skills so we want to connect people and support our local clubs and societies that are in abundance in Rhiwbina.
"The parade will begin from the Edwards & Co Festival Stage at 1pm, making its way down Pen Y Dre and finishing at Parc Y Pentre where we will have a celebration and an information tent where you can find a list and contact details of all the people taking part."
The Festival will also have its usual mix of family fun, including children's rides, donkey rides, wall-climbing, stalls, competitions and food.
Follow all the latest from Rhiwbina Events here


text:
Q: C++ Compiler Alignment - Just chars no padding On VC++, why does the compiler only pad struct when non-char datatypes are used?
I.e.
struct TEST
{
   char a[7];
};

struct TEST2
{
   __int32 a;
   char b[7];
};

sizeof(TEST); // Returns 7
sizeof(TEST2); // Returns 12

A: It comes down to the fact that sizeof(char) == 1 -- always.
Arrays are required to be contiguous, so in an array of char (if it's large enough), you end up with elements at every possible alignment. Since the compiler/hardware has to make that work, there can't be a need to insert padding to deal with char in something like a struct either.
Now, that's not to say that a compiler couldn't insert padding. For example, it might be able to improve performance by doing so, even with an array of char. For example, given your struct definition, it would be perfectly acceptable for the compiler to pad your array of 7 char's with one more to make the sizeof the struct 8 -- a nice, neat power of 2.
On some hardware, you'd be likely to see that. As it happens, the Intel hardware supported by VC++ doesn't really benefit much from things like that, so you're unlikely to see it there.


The FLASS is a tracked machine that accurately aligns and spaces up to fifteen sleepers per lift. Due to the unique operation of the hydraulic beam, the need for any manual handling, barring or fine lining is completely eliminated.
The FLASS can install concrete, wood or steel sleepers at an average output of 10 to 12 length per hour accurately lined and spaced, but in ideal situations has achieved 15 length per hour. Snagging work is eliminated and tamping requirements are reduced giving a material saving to the overall cost of renewals.
Can install sleepers at 24, 28 or 30 sleepers per length.
Can also be used to install 60ft lengths of rail on to the sleepers it has spaced and lined.
Fully certified to work under live overhead line equipment.


Steve Jobs, the Apple co- founder and ex-CEO has always been a person of ultimate intelligence and sound intellect. He is known for his obsessive commitment to quality and vision to see technology creating space for those who deserve. His quotes are always a dose of endless inspiration for us. His wisdom and thoughtfulness still helps entrepreneurs and tech geeks drive their passion and live their goals.
We have collected his 25 incredible and inspirational quotes that will tech your unforgettable lessons of life.
1. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it.
2. Great things in business are never done by one person. They're done by a team of people.
3. Technology is nothing. What's important is that you have a faith in people, that they're basically good and smart, and if you give them tools, they'll do wonderful things with them.
4. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
5. It's really hard to design products by focus groups. A lot of times, people don't know what they want until you show it to them.
6. That's been one of my mantras — focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex; you have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple.
7. You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something — your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
8. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle.
9. Being the richest man in the cemetery doesn't matter to me … Going to bed at night saying we've done something wonderful … that's what matters to me.
11. Innovation comes from people meeting up in the hallways or calling each other at 10:30 at night with a new idea, or because they realized something that shoots holes in how we've been thinking about a problem. It's ad hoc meetings of six people called by someone who thinks he has figured out the coolest new thing ever and who wants to know what other people think of his idea.
12. Getting fired from Apple was the best thing that could have ever happened to me. The heaviness of being successful was replaced by the lightness of being a beginner again. It freed me to enter one of the most creative periods of my life.
13. When I was 17, I read a quote that went something like: 'If you live each day as if it was your last, someday you'll most certainly be right.' It made an impression on me, and since then, for the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: 'If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?' And whenever the answer has been 'no' for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.
14. That's been one of my mantras – focus and simplicity. Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it's worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.
16. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way I know to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.
17. When you're a carpenter making a beautiful chest of drawers, you're not going to use a piece of plywood on the back, even though it faces the wall and nobody will ever see it. You'll know it's there, so you're going to use a beautiful piece of wood on the back.
18. I met Woz when I was 13, at a friend's garage. He was about 18. He was, like, the first person I met who knew more electronics than I did at that point. We became good friends, because we shared an interest in computers and we had a sense of humor. We pulled all kinds of pranks together.
19. The engineering is long gone in most PC companies. In the consumer electronics companies, they don't understand the software parts of it. And so you really can't make the products that you can make at Apple anywhere else right now. Apple's the only company that has everything under one roof.
20. The engineering is long gone in most PC companies. In the consumer electronics companies, they don't understand the software parts of it. And so you really can't make the products that you can make at Apple anywhere else right now. Apple's the only company that has everything under one roof.
21. Creativity is just connecting things. When you ask creative people how they did something, they feel a little guilty because they didn't really do it, they just saw something. It seemed obvious to them after a while. That's because they were able to connect experiences they've had and synthesize new things.
22. My favorite things in life don't cost any money. It's really clear that the most precious resource we all have is time.
23. A lot of people in our industry haven't had very diverse experiences. So they don't have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one's understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have.
24. A lot of people in our industry haven't had very diverse experiences. So they don't have enough dots to connect, and they end up with very linear solutions without a broad perspective on the problem. The broader one's understanding of the human experience, the better design we will have.
25. Apple's market share is bigger than BMW's or Mercedes's or Porsche's in the automotive market. What's wrong with being BMW or Mercedes?


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Colin Firth And Livia Giuggioli
Italian born Livia Giuggioli met Colin Firth on the 1996 set of the BBC drama Nostromo. Giuggioli, who is now a film producer, was working as a producing assistant on the show while taking a break from getting her Ph.D. at the University of Rome. By 1997, Firth and Giuggioli were engaged, married and had moved to a villa overlooking the vineyards in Umbria, Italy. Firth learned to speak fluent Italian. They are now the parents of two sons, Luca and Matteo.
Fun Facts: In 1995 when the BBC was looking for someone to fill the role of the handsome Darcy in Pride and Prejudice series, the producer really wanted Firth for the role. However, the rest of the staff didn't think he was good looking enough for the part. The producer got her way, and Firth landed the role. Ironically, not only was the show a big hit but he ended up being voted Britain's best-looking man. No wonder Livia fell for him.


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Elizabeth Cheney, Bush Legal Counsel
What a 1988 college thesis by the former vice president's daughter tells us about the Bush presidency.
By Zac Frank
Jan 29, 20091:00 PM
When I worked at the library at Colorado College, I quickly discovered the job had few perks. The free book loans on demand were little better than subprime mortgages when you realized anyone could get them. The only "exclusive" benefit was the chance to keep manuscripts the library threw out. Usually, I had a limited selection of titles, like Proceedings From the Third Workshop on Genetics of Bark Beetles and Associated Micro-Organisms. But occasionally I stumbled across a gem. Rummaging through a bin of discarded books one day, I saw an unusual spine: "CHENEY The Evolution of Presidential War Powers 1988."
In 1988, while Dick Cheney was Wyoming's sole representative in the House of Representatives, his daughter's senior thesis was quietly published in Colorado Springs. The 125-page treatise argued that, constitutionally and historically, presidents have virtually unchecked powers in war. Thirteen years before her father became vice president, she had symbolically authored the first legal memorandum of the Bush administration, laying out the same arguments that would eventually justify Guantanamo and extraordinary rendition, wiretapping of American citizens, and, broadly, the unitary theory of the executive that shaped the Bush presidency.
The Eisenhower Executive Office Building may be bereft of Dick Cheney, but his steadfast efforts to consolidate power around the president have left the scales of power tipped toward the executive. Then there is the force of Cheney's grim, blunt personality, felt even as he attended the inauguration in a wheelchair: His name will stand for the ideas he promoted well into the future, and his daughter's thesis offers an eerily prescient image of the presidency as Cheney believed it should be.
Though less known to the public than her sister, Mary, arguably the most prominent gay Republican, Elizabeth is the elder daughter of Dick and Lynne Cheney. After graduating from Colorado College, she took a job in the State Department before going to law school, and was eventually appointed as one of the chief diplomats for the Middle East in 2002.
Elizabeth Cheney begins her survey at the Constitutional Convention. Contrary to today's middle-school mythology, she tells us, fear of enabling a tyrannical monarch was not foremost in the Founding Fathers' minds. Rather, they did not want to repeat the failure of the Continental Congress' attempts to manage the war for independence. Our constitutional architects, she argues, believed they could not "foresee every possible future use of American armed forces" and, as a result, wanted a commander in chief endowed with great latitude in wartime.
For Cheney, Thomas Jefferson established the path presidents would and should take when dealing with Congress. In engaging American warships against Barbary pirates, Jefferson "chose to inform Congress of his actions at his own convenience." When he did, he fabricated an attack on an American ship to secure their support.
Cheney sides with the president whenever he clashes with Congress over war powers. Following an escalation in the Vietnam War ordered by Lyndon Johnson, she notes, Congress passed the Gulf of Tonkin resolution, based on questionable information, to provide cover for the president. Nevertheless, both he and Richard Nixon after him believed that the resolution provided no "legal basis for their action because they presumed all the authorization they needed was in the Commander and Chief [sic] clause."
Time and again, Cheney contends that in times of war, presidents since Washington have justifiably redefined their authority to preserve the country, and she is scornful of any who challenge that authority. As Congress challenged presidential authority toward the end of Vietnam, she casts them as scapegoating the executive. "As public support dwindled so did congressional willingness to accept responsibility," she writes, "Congress set about to blame the only two men who couldn't escape responsibility." For someone who has vested so much faith in executive wisdom, she is surprisingly unwilling to hold it accountable.
From beginning to end, it's clear that Cheney looks upon the model of the powerful executive approvingly. Her most forceful conclusion is that the Founders "certainly did not intend, nor does history substantiate, the idea that Congress should legislate specific limits on the President's power." To ensure American security, it needs to recognize that the "nature of military and foreign policy demand the 'unity of a singular Executive.' "
One cannot help but see echoes of this conclusion in the administration in which her father was so influential. The Bush White House repeatedly embraced the philosophy of acting first and asking for approval later, especially on issues that involved the power of the purse. They embraced a position that Cheney found repeatedly in history: "The president's duty to protect national security sometimes come before his responsibility to keep Congress informed."
This crusade against oversight was not new to Dick Cheney. In November of 1987, just six months before Elizabeth submitted her thesis, a report he commissioned following the Iran-Contra affair argued that "[c]ongressional actions to limit the president in this area therefore should be reviewed with a considerable degree of skepticism."
For Cheney, apparently, the Constitution and rule of law are no more of a check on this unitary power than Congress. During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln's suspension of habeas corpus and imposition of military tribunals present no legal dilemma to her. "To assert that the Constitution is a shield of protection 'for all classes of men, at all times and under all circumstances,' " she writes, "is to deny the nation the right of self-preservation. There have been and will be times in the experience of the country when constitutional provisions will of necessity be suspended to guarantee the survival of our democracy." The Supreme Court's chief justice was wrong in declaring his actions illegal in Ex Parte Merryman because his power "was actually an assertion of the power of the people."* How he divined that will of the people, Cheney does not explain.
On the first page of her paper, above a neat signature in blue ink, she attests, "On my honor I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this thesis." Her father may not have written her thesis, but before and after its publication, he held unwaveringly to its ideas. As a report on an exit interview the outgoing vice president gave with CBS notes:
While Cheney could not say whether any action by a president in wartime should be considered "legal," he pointed to historic precedents for presidents taking extra-legal measures in order, he said, to protect the Constitution against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
That statement could well have been printed on the cover of his daughter's thesis.
Correction, Jan. 30, 2009: This article originally referred to Ex Parte Merryman as a Supreme Court case. It was a circuit court order written by Roger Taney, the chief justice of the Supreme Court, who was sitting on the circuit court at the time. (Return to the corrected sentence.)


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Far Right Former Split Councillor Martin Pauk Tries to Justify Rimac Attack
By Total Croatia News 28 November 2021
Ivo Cagalj/Pixsell/Index
November the 28th, 2021 - Former Split councillor Martin Pauk, known for leaning quite far to the right of the political spectrum, has attempted to justify the recent attack on Mate Rimac's foreign employees by claiming that the entrepreneur is paying them less than what the average Croatian worker would earn and stating that that is why Croats are annoyed. The Livno-born businessman fired back with some facts, which are rather embarrassing for Pauk.
As Index writes, former Split councillor Martin Pauk, known for his right-wing views, commented on the post of Croatian innovator and entrepreneur Mate Rimac, who announced on Facebook that his foreign colleagues faced racist abuse and were beaten up in Zagreb.
"Bravo Mate, you legend, you only import labour that will work for 50% of the pay a Croat would work for, and then you wonder why Croats feel cheated and exploited," he wrote. He added that the violence was an "unintended consequence", but then continued to justify the attack.
"After all, Mate, you're also from Bosnia and Herzegovina, so you know first hand that there can never be prosperity and peace in a multicultural society precisely because of the different principles and culture according to which different peoples live," former Split councillor Martin Pauk wrote, among other things, and for some odd reason.
"What is it? Are there no lads from Zagreb, Osijek or Split who have graduated from technical school and are qualified to work in your company? Ah, yes, of course there are at least 10-15 classes of people who have qualified for that in this generation alone, but they don't want to work for peanuts so that their boss could buy two million euro houses and half a million euro cars,'' he wrote further.
Rimac's response to the bizarre insults dished out by Pauk soon arrived...
Rimac: Oh you narrowminded man, you've never even laid eyes on the amount they earn in one year.
"What are you talking about, you narrowminded man? People who have worked at Tesla, Apple, Ferrari, Porsche, they work for me... You've never even seen the amount they earn in a year with me. In my companies (Rimac Grusa, Bugatti Rimac, P3 and Greyp) we employ over 1,600 people, of whom 80+ percent are Croats,'' Mate Rimac replied.
The obviously bored Pauk then attempted to enter into yet another discussion below Rimac's social media announcement, with one companion of Mate Rimac. Rimac answered him there as well.
"Martin, take a running jump with your right-wing crap from my profile,'' he wrote.
It's worth mentioning that the former Split councillor Martin Pauk has had his hardly commendable moments of media attention too, when he called on people to throw pork scratching at (primarily Muslim) migrants, statements that machine guns should be placed on the borders because of those same migrants, and justifications of violence against Serbs or other migrants. While he was a councilor, he participated in the online session by smoking and drinking in front of the camera, another move which showcases pure class (yes, that's sarcasm).
To follow more Croatian news, click here.
Tagged under: mate rimac martin pauk
Austrian Die Presse Praises Mate Rimac for Dogged Determination
Rimac Offering €1000 to Anyone Who Recommends Someone He Employs
Mate Rimac and Fabris Perusko Awarded for Economic Contributions


John L. Scott Real Estate is headquartered in Bellevue, WA. It currently has over 110 offices with over 3,000 brokers in Washington, Oregon, California, and Idaho.
John L. Scott is owned and operated by a third-generation Scott, J. Lennox Scott. In 2016, John L. Scott closed over 36,800 transactions and generated $12 billion in real estate sales.
John L. Scott, Inc. was founded by John L. Scott (1898–1986) in 1931 in downtown Seattle.
John L. Scott Real Estate started over seven decades ago when a young Scottish immigrant named John L. Scott set out on a long journey with his bride and infant son in their Ford Model-T—destination San Diego. The two-year trip included a stop in the burgeoning city of Seattle where the young Scott later recalled, "It was like reaching City Beautiful in Pilgrim's Progress." San Diego was quickly forgotten; Seattle would become the Scott family's new home.
John L. Scott began working as a sales associate for a local real estate company, and in 1931, he established his own real estate company. Over the years, the John L. Scott name was largely built on representing exclusive properties. As the founding Scott used to say, "John L. Scott represents quality homes on quality streets."
In 1997 the John L. Scott Foundation was formed in honor of company founder John L. Scott. The agents and staff of John L. Scott Real Estate donate both time and money to the foundation. That money is used to raise millions of dollars for children's healthcare throughout Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.
This page was last edited on 19 March 2019, at 05:17 (UTC).


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El  es un castillo japonés localizado en Hikone, prefectura de Shiga, Japón.

El clan Azai controló el castillo durante el periodo Sengoku, mientras que Ishida Mitsunari lo controló durante finales del siglo XVI después del declive del clan Azai.
El castillo fue atacado por Kobayakawa Hideaki después de la Batalla de Sekigahara. Ishida Masazumi, hermano de Mitsunari, controlaba el castillo y se rindió tan solo dos días después de que comenzarán las hostilidades.

Ii Naomasa tomó posteriormente el control del castillo, el cual fue desmantelado y trasladado al Castillo Hikone.

Referencias

Sawayama
Castillos de la prefectura de Shiga
Sawayama

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Correctional Services plays a key role in Ontario's criminal justice system. We operate adult correctional institutions and probation and parole offices for offenders serving jail sentences of less than two years and community supervision for up to three years.
We also have jurisdiction over adult offenders under provincial parole supervision, and provide programs and services designed to assist in offender rehabilitation.
Careers and volunteer opportunities in Correctional Services are diverse and exciting, and we take pride in making a difference in the lives of those under our custody and supervision, as well as protecting the safety of our communities.


This J. Kent Candidate was heavily involved in volunteer work and internships while attending the University of Denver, proving a strong work ethic and drive to succeed. College internships included working at a private wealth management, assisting in various projects and shadowing senior analysts. As a member of the Colorado Symphony, candidate embraces all that Colorado has to offer and is ready to dive into the finance/accounting world and start a career with a great company!


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Hurricane Barry Makes Landfall, All Flights Cancelled at New Orleans Louis Armstrong Airport
By Jesse Sokolow on 13 July 2019
Louis Armstrong International Airport in New Orlenas
The National Hurricane Center said that Barry made landfall in Louisiana near Intercoastal City as a hurricane and weakened to a tropical storm with 70 mph (113 km/h) sustained winds.
Barry is the first Atlantic hurricane of 2019.
A westward shift in its direction may spare New Orleans from the devastation and flooding that forecasters feared earlier in the week. Forecasters are predicting as much as 25" (64 cm) in parts of southern Louisiana and coastal Mississippi.
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, named for the Jazz great, is closed, resulting in the cancellation of over 270 flights as of 1 p.m. CDT local time.
"Please check with your airline for any flight information related to storm activity," the airport advised on its website.
The National Weather service said to expect dangerous storm surges, heavy rains, and high winds across the north-central Gulf Coast.
At least 95,000 homes were without power in Louisiana on Saturday as of 1 p.m. CDT, according to the state's power companies.
New Orleans was ravaged in 2005 by Hurricane Katrina and it is still recovering from the disaster today. Almost everyone in the city today has a story of how Katrina affected their lives, from taxi drivers to captains of industry.
(Photo: Accura Media Group)
Click here for more news
'Life-Threatening' Tropical Storm Moves Towards New Orleans
Hurricane Harvey Makes Landfall Near Corpus Christi Causing Significant Damage and Hazardous Travel Conditions
Hurricane Harvey Set to Make Landfall in Texas, Bringing Travel Disruptions and Flooding in Its Wake
Hurricane Nate Brings Heavy Rains and Cancelled Flights to Northeast
Germany Bans Travel from U.K. Amidst Rise in B.1.167 Covid Cases
Delta to Continue to Block Middle Seats, But Will Sell All Seats in Delta One Business Class
United Airlines to Extend Boeing 737 Max Cancellations into November
United Airline, one of three U.S. airlines that had to ground its Boeing 737 Max fleet in the aftermath of...


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Posted on 23 January 2014 29 January 2014
Topics: Arms companies, Arms trade events, Government
Nick Robinson at an arms dealers' dinner
Update, 27 Jan 2014: Success!
Following formal complaints from CAAT, the BBC has said that its political editor, Nick Robinson, will no longer be speaking at the ADS dinner. CAAT is pleased that he has withdrawn but disappointed that the BBC has not recognised the obvious conflict between its reputation and values and those of the arms trade. CAAT urges the BBC to take steps to ensure its reputation cannot be co-opted in this way in the future.
Campaigners will be protesting outside the dinner at the London Hilton on Park Lane from 6.30pm on Tuesday 28th January.
Read on for more about the dinner and why it matters…
Image by tompage/flickr
The BBC's political editor is endorsing arms dealers.
On 28 January, arms dealers will dine in London. The BBC's political editor, Nick Robinson, is booked to entertain them.
Dining with death
Representatives of the UK's largest weapons manufacturers will attend the "prestigious black tie event," at the Hilton hotel in Park Lane.
They will include senior staff from BAE Systems, proud to arm some of the world's most repressive regimes, and Finmeccanica, currently being investigated for corruption in India.
Continue reading "Nick Robinson at an arms dealers' dinner"
Topics: BAE, Bahrain
Royal help for BAE
Prince Andrew: Royal help for BAE
Prince Andrew is in action right now, propping up dictators and BAE's weapons sales. He's not alone: senior Ministers, members of the RAF and civil servants are all at the Bahrain International Airshow helping promote BAE's Typhoon warplanes to Bahrain's dictators.
King Hamad of Bahrain has overseen a brutal crackdown on his own people. Those who speak up for democratic reform face being tortured and locked up, or sent into exile.
Bahrain has no military need for BAE's Typhoons, but it does have a political need: it knows that buying UK weapons can also buy UK silence on Bahrain's human rights abuses.
> Please take action: the UK must support human rights not repression.
Continue reading "Royal help for BAE"
Posted on 9 January 2014 18 January 2014
Topics: Action Reports, Bahrain, This is not OK
You've helped us achieve a great start to 2014
Stop The Shipment campaign succeeds as South Korea ends tear gas sales to Bahrain
The Stop The Shipment campaign was launched in October to prevent a massive shipment of over 1.6 million rounds of tear gas from South Korea to Bahrain. CAAT supporters worked with Bahraini and South Korean activists to put pressure on the authorities to stop the deal.
Now DAPA, South Korea's arms export licensing agency, has announced that due to political instability and pressure from international rights groups they are going to cease all tear gas exports to the Bahraini dictatorship. This is a major victory and is thanks to everyone who supported the campaign.
Continue reading "You've helped us achieve a great start to 2014"


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Naga City Punter Wins P8.9 Million Jackpot
Powerball Jackpot Sits at $103 Million 0 13.Nov
56-Year-Old Transgender Wins £4 Million Lottery Prize 0 03.Jan
National Lottery to Introduce a Game of £10,000 a Month for Life 0 22.Nov
As per Philippines Charity Sweepstakes Officials, a ticket holder from Naga City matched all six winning numbers drawn in Wednesday's 6/45 Mega Lotto to win a jackpot of P8.91 million. The winning numbers for Dec. 20, 2017, drawing were 10, 14, 16, 25, 11, and 27. But, the winner has not claimed his/her prize yet.
61 other ticket holders guessed five of the winning numbers to take P12,780 home. The 6/45 Mega Lotto game is held three days – Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays – every week.
On the other side, no lucky ticket holder could match all the winning numbers drawn in Tuesday's 6/58 Ultra Lotto draw. The winning numbers were 13, 50, 8, 45, 7, and 16. The no-winner drawing has increased the jackpot to P156 million. Nine players matched five among the winning numbers to win P131,180 each. The last 6/58 Ultra Lotto was won on Sept. 5, 2017, when two ticket holders shared the jackpot of P256.8 million. The Ultra Lotto game is held on three days – Tuesday, Friday, and Saturday – every week.


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Who Why How
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SurfStats Blog
Pipe Fantasy Preview
It feels weird to be kicking off the title race at Pipe. No world title scenarios, no qualification predictions, no pressure, no form to look at. Nothing. Don't get me wrong; I'm psyched to have the tour back, and I'm super keen to share our fantasy game with the world, but the Pipe build-up is usually an unrivaled spectacle in the world of pro surfing. Conditions As a mediocre... Read more
Last updated December 6, 2020 by Balyn McDonald
After a prolonged hiatus, the WSL men's and women's tours are stretching on the beach in preparation for a re-launch. In any regular season, the Billabong Pipe Masters and Roxy Maui Pro would serve as the championship crescendos. They represent the jewels in the WSL's world title crowns where, when the conditions and ratings combine, the world's best throw down in one final grab for the championship trophy. Their very scheduling conjures up memories of countless world title and requalification scenarios,... Read more
Last updated November 14, 2020 by Balyn McDonald
New Australian Grand Slam venue Cabarita has kick-started the 2020 WSL season Let's be honest: fantasy surfing sits pretty low on the hierarchy of things impacted by covid-19. Most of you probably haven't even noticed our lack of articles or trading for the non-existent WSL events of this year. There's been bigger fish to fry. That said, we are on the cusp of finally being... Read more
Last updated September 14, 2020 by Balyn McDonald
Men's Olympics Update
I often wonder how surfers, let alone the rest of the world, will receive surfing as an Olympic sport. Mostly I'm sure it will exist as a novelty highlights package between women's water polo and the equestrian events. Could we hope for anything more? Surely, if the best surfers in the world represent our sport on the world stage, it won't be a complete embarrassment. Right? The thing is, there's no guarantee that the 'best surfers' will even be asked to attend. The IOC, ISA and WCT have banded together... Read more
Preview: Billabong Pipe Masters
Hawaii has already served up some hefty drama this week, what with Tyler's stunning comeback, Steph's 5th Honolua win, Carissa's 4th title, and Lakey's fall at the final hurdle, it was a massive end to the women's season. Not to be outdone, Sunset brought the men's QS picture into focus with some quality conditions on the final day. When the dust settled, everyone's hopes (except Zeke's) were realised when Jack Robinson won the event and qualified for the 2020 big league. Not a bad start to the winter season.... Read more
Preview: Meo Rip Curl Pro
While Pipe may be the 'Superbowl of surfing', Portugal certainly punches above its weight when it comes to world title speculation. Throw in the race for Olympic qualifications and a decent forecast, and we have plenty to get psyched about for Portugal. Medina, Seabass, Filipe, and Jordy et al. may have ensured that most fantasy teams sucked in France, but the pain will be short-lived. While the tight European turn-around may offer few hours of sleep for me, for everyone else it spells a quick shot at redemption. Conditions... Read more
Last updated October 12, 2019 by Balyn McDonald
Preview: QuikPro France
France is always interesting to watch, but it has felt even more exciting since the pool event was added to the tour. The Freshwater Pro undoubtedly has its flaws, but the WSL hardly help themselves by juxtaposing it against the Tahiti and France events. Tahiti, with its fear factor and raw power, makes the pool seem inconsequential and weak. France, with its dynamic and hyper-variable conditions, makes the pool look monotonous and fake. Maybe the Freshwater Pro was always destined to resemble those qualities anyway, but I feel like France... Read more
Event Preview: Freshwater Pro
The Wave The event will be held at the KS Wave Ranch, located amongst the rural countryside of Lemoore, California. The man-made wave is manufactured in a 600m (2000') long and 150m (500') wide lake originally built for water skiing. It is created when under-water hydrofoils run down a track at around 30 kilometres per hour (19mph), making artificial waves rise up and push across the pool onto the contour reefs of the pool bottom. Waves at the Surf Ranch can reportedly reach a face height of 6.5 feet,... Read more
Event Preview: Tahiti Pro
With J-Bay a distant memory, and the putrid taste of Huntington still souring our collective mouths, it's pretty easy to get excited about Teahupo'o. It will be interesting to see how the tour elite handle going left, especially when it's double-overhead and 1' deep. Traditionally, Tahiti is where the world title picture starts coming into focus too; with only 36% of the title points up for grabs after the final siren sounds at The End of the Road, the line between rippers and trippers becomes more apparent. As Parko reminds... Read more
Last updated August 20, 2019 by Balyn McDonald
Event Preview: J-Bay
How are you travelling at the all-but-halfway point in the season? Fantasy wise, that is. I don't mean that hollow sensation growing deep within your soul that reminds you that you're nearly 40 and still dedicating far too much time to fantasy sports. No? Just me? Anyway, how is your team looking? Were you riding the John John gravy train until recently? That low price from event 1 was a gift. Now we all have to rethink our whole budget, and it could make for some massive opportunities. With two... Read more
Last updated July 6, 2019 by Balyn McDonald
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