Pipe Dreams | Cover Story | Style Weekly - Richmond, VA local news, arts, and events.
Is it an art form, or just drug paraphernalia? Richmond's vibrant community of glass blowers has heard it all.
If he could, Andrew Morris might like to caption his most recent pieces of work on display at Highpoint Gallery: "This is not a pipe."
Most visitors to the exhibit in Scott's Addition wouldn't argue. Draped over pieces of driftwood, each long string of hand-blown, glass beads is clasped by a pendant shaped like an animal's skull. A shock of scarlet horns sprouts from the forehead of each, the only burst of color against a background of earth tones. It's difficult to look at the necklaces and not think of Georgia O'Keeffe.
But like the work of that enigmatic, Virginia-born artist, Morris's pieces also contain secrets. Cleverly hidden within each pendant are a mouthpiece and a bowl where tobacco can be packed. For all that they appear as elaborate pieces of jewelry, those necklaces are, in fact, pipes.
"I wanted to make pipe art that people didn't want to say, 'Oh, that's just a pipe,'" Morris says. "If you can remove that ... then you really get the true reaction to what they think of the object."
Across town the Virginia Museum of Fine Art has been stunning visitors with its exhibit featuring the internationally renowned glass artist Dale Chihuly. But locally there's a vibrant and growing community of glass-pipe artists whose work is just beginning to appear in various galleries. And although the pieces that emerge from their kilns and torches sell for prices into the thousands of dollars and are sought in cities from New York to Eugene, Ore., most Richmonders have never heard their names — and many are quick to dismiss their work as drug paraphernalia.
As Morris shows in his work, things aren't always as they seem.
Influence Glass is housed in a narrow, unmarked unit in Scott's Addition, right around the corner from Highpoint Gallery. Surrounded by loading docks and warehouses, the exterior gives off the vibe of a contractor's office. Only the flyer tacked up in the front window advertising the gallery's "Melt" show hints at the building's real use.
Inside is a different story. Long workbenches stretch most of the length of the building, crowded with torches, tongs and dozens upon dozens of thin glass rods in every shade imaginable. At any given time, a handful of young men wearing hoodies and protective eyewear are bent over these benches, torches in hand, rapidly shaping layers of molten glass into pipes.
The brainchild of co-owners Morris and Michael Grecheck, graduates of Virginia Commonwealth University's craft and material studies program, Influence Glass is a private working studio that opened in 2008. It rents space to area glass blowers on an invitation-only basis. Along with Morris and Grecheck, who work under the names AKM and G.Check, there's Seth Meacham, known as Elks That Run, and Adam Childress who works under the name Egon, putting Influence at the core of Richmond's pipe-making community.
That community largely is comprised of articulate men in their 20s and 30s, a handful of whom came out of VCU, despite the glass-blowing program's discouragement of pipe-making. They are passionate about their craft and wary of the judgment from strangers who label them as makers of drug paraphernalia — a charge they adamantly deny. They say they only sell their work as art objects or for tobacco smoking, or sell to stores that deal exclusively with tobacco products.
Perhaps because of the sometimes negative perception of pipes, or because of the rigor of glass blowing, the Influence pipe-makers are a tightly knit group. Grecheck and Morris initially met at VCU, when Morris also worked at Katra Gala, which then maintained a single-bench studio in its back room. After graduation, Grecheck picked up a variety of jobs to make ends meet but eventually was pulled back into glass blowing by Morris, who helped him get a job at Katra Gala.
"I had glass-blowing experience, but no pipe-making experience," Grecheck says. He credits Morris with getting him back into the studio: "I learned almost everything I know from Andrew."
The Influence collective offers a number of benefits to the glass blowers who set up shop there. On a practical level, sharing studio space allows the pipe-makers to pool the tools of their trade. With basic torches starting around $500 and kilns around $1,000, glass blowing requires a serious financial investment that's often burdensome for young people a few years out of art school to carry alone.
"Being in an environment like this is really nice," Morris says, "because Seth will buy a sandblaster, and we've all reaped the benefits of that. Michael has a very large kiln, and we've all reaped the benefits of it."
More important, the community allows the pipe-makers to share techniques and foster an environment of creative growth.
For Meacham, a Charlottesville native who spent seven years teaching himself to blow glass in a garage studio, that community has been vital. His arrival at Influence in 2009 marked his first major exposure to the range of techniques that were being used by other pipe-makers.
"There's tons of different ways you can do one thing," he says. "So [coming to Influence] really helped a lot, because you can grow, you can feed off the other artists. They'll influence you to do something, and you'll influence them."
For glass blowers, the versatility of pipe-making is one of its most attractive features. Unlike the "soft" glass that is often seen at historical sites, pipes are made with boro-silicate glass, a highly heat-resistant material that's also used to make Pyrex baking dishes. Although boro-silicate originally was manufactured for the laboratory and the kitchen, pipe-makers and a handful of other glass artists latched onto it in the '80s because of its ability to withstand being heated repeatedly.
"A lot of the innovations in boro-silicate glass have come from modern-day pipe-makers," Meacham says. "A lot of these [glass] companies are developing new tools, new equipment, new colors — mainly just to fuel the artist."
Those scientific developments in turn have prodded the pipe-makers to experiment artistically.
"The pipe-making scene loves something new — something people have never seen before," Grecheck says. "Whether it's a new form, a better representation of something in reality, a new functional achievement, or simply just keeping it fresh for your audience and yourself."
The result? Morris's necklaces, or the pipe Meacham constructed in the shape of a bow crossed with two arrows, spanning almost 4 feet from end to end. Or a pipe by Grecheck that's shaped like a sheep, no larger than a chocolate-chip cookie.
After all, Morris notes, a pipe needs only two elements to be functional: a mouthpiece and a bowl. Then, he says, "you can take that simple thing and make it as complex as you like."
For some, it doesn't matter how ornate the piece, how long it took to construct or how many years of study the artist went through: A pipe is a pipe, and that makes it the kind of tool used to smoke things other than tobacco.
Although the field draws on traditional Venetian methods as well as scientific developments, modern-day glass pipe-making was born in the 1980s, when glass blower Bob Snodgrass inadvertently discovered the technique of "fuming" silver and gold leaf onto glass pipes. Fuming allowed the colors of the pipe to change as the instrument was heated and reheated. Snodgrass's creations became wildly popular among young people who'd dropped out of the mainstream, and within a few years pipe-making spread throughout Oregon and down the West Coast while glass blowers experimented with the form. Grateful Dead shows provided a huge market for Snodgrass's work.
"When the industry started, it wasn't an industry," says Justin Browne, co-owner of glass pipe shop Kulture in Shockoe Bottom, which opened in 1999. "[Sellers] would travel around and go to the shows — Phish, Grateful Dead ... and then on their way to the next city, they would stop by a shop and break out their cases of glass, and we'd pick stuff up."
Throughout the '90s, the industry grew in both numbers and sophistication, and the first pipe artists began to emerge. For a while, the potential of the business seemed limitless — until the early hours of Feb. 24, 2003, when the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration raided dozens of homes and businesses connected with the manufacture and sale of pipes. The investigation, called Operation Pipe Dreams, ultimately indicted 55 people on charges of illegal trafficking in drug paraphernalia.
The pipe-making community was stunned. Subsequent federal initiatives, including 2005's Operation Head Hunter, did nothing to quell fears. Until that time, glass pipes were widely viewed as legal. Some shop owners had even been assured by local law enforcement that they were acting within the law and had been operating openly for years, paying taxes and hiring employees from within their communities.
"That was a big deal," Browne says of the raid. Suddenly, small local businesses weren't sure if they'd awaken to federal agents on their doorsteps. "We didn't want to spend money, because we didn't know what was going to happen."
Although most of the raids ceased after 2005 and many in the industry saw President Barack Obama's election as a sign that a new chapter was beginning, the effects of Operation Pipe Dreams can still be felt nationally and in Richmond.
Because the question comes down to how the term drug paraphernalia is interpreted, businesses worked to tighten up any legal loose ends. All three of Richmond's glass shops — Kulture, Katra Gala and Green House Glass — post prominent signs announcing that their products are intended only for tobacco use, and all three ask customers who use marijuana-related terminology to leave the store.
"We haven't had any issues," says Christian Ronan, manager of the family owned and operated Green House Glass. "We're always in compliance with all the laws and regulations."
"We've never had a problem," Browne says. But, he adds, "from local law enforcement that we're friends with or happen to know, we know that undercover has come into the store."
And no matter their in-store policies, these businesses face other challenges.
"We can't advertise on Google," Browne says. "We can't use Paypal. ... We can't sell our products on eBay or Amazon. A lot of them say, 'Well, that's drug paraphernalia, that's against our policy.' ... Well, I've been doing this for 10 years and no one's told me no, and now you're telling me I can't sell on your website or I can't advertise with you?"
The pipe-makers, too, face challenges.
"There is that stigma of drug use attached to the pipe-making," says Emilio Santini, a Williamsburg-based glass artist who spent nearly a decade teaching glass blowing at VCU and lists Morris and Grecheck as former students. "Even if the pipe-maker makes an art object, there is still a stigma attached to it."
Nowhere in Richmond is that more evident than in VCU's craft and material studies department, which classifies all pipes as drug paraphernalia. Students who attempt to create pipes in the studio are first warned and then asked to leave the program.
The policy runs partially counter to that of the larger university. While pipes are classified as paraphernalia in residence halls and barred from the dorms, "there is not a university policy prohibiting glass pipes," says Michael Porter, a public affairs liaison for the VCU police. "They are prohibited, though, if they're used for drugs."
The department's decision may have as much to do with the significant divide in the glass-blowing world over the differences between artistic and functional work.
"I think that really what it comes down to for a professor there is that he wants his students making artwork, not production glass blowing that's meant to make money," Grecheck says.
"No matter what it is," Morris says. "If you're making 100 Christmas ornaments a day" — another item that VCU students are prohibited from making in university studios — "you're not progressing yourself as an artist."
Although such a prohibition is common in many art schools throughout the United States, Santini sees it as shortsighted. "The majority of glass workers aren't making art objects," he says.
Santini, who makes a living off of producing functional objects such as goblets and tumblers, says the attraction of pipe-making for young glass blowers is money. Given the steady demand for pipes in the marketplace, pipe-making provides a reliable source of income in a field that often isn't financially rewarding, he says.
And although he's wary of the association between pipes and drugs, and suspects that many pipe-makers are simply fascinated with the image of artistic hedonism, Santini finds it impractical to forbid young glass blowers from making the objects.
"Pipe-making is a reality that the art departments in these schools are going to have to face," he says. "They're already selling some of these pipes in well-known, renowned, respected galleries in the United States. It's only a matter of time."
In Richmond, that time arrived in November with the launch of Highpoint Gallery's "Melt" show, organized and curated by Grecheck and gallery owner David Morrison. Bringing together the work of both pipe-makers and more traditional glass artists, such as Santini and Chuck Scalin, the show marks the first time that pipes have appeared in a city gallery. It's an indication of how the larger glass-blowing community is beginning to embrace the pipe-makers.
That growing acceptance is the result of many factors, but one is certainly the ongoing effort of the glass-pipe business to establish its image as a community-oriented industry with a strong emphasis on American-made products over imported, sometimes sweatshop-produced glass.
"That's something we strive for," Browne says, "is to support the artists, support the American glass blower, and keep the glass that we carry American."
Ironically, Operation Pipe Dreams played a major role in securing the position of glass shops in their communities. When the raids began, Meacham's family glass shop Roots Rock Reggae, which had operated in Charlottesville for several years with no problems, suddenly found its business constrained.
"I could no longer call up a company in California and order a product and have it shipped to my store," he says. "So that forced my store to start looking locally."
Buying local has helped pipe-making communities throughout the United States to thrive. In Richmond, Kulture, Katra Gala and Green House Glass make a point to carry work by local artists.
"We've been going to Influence since day one," Ronan says.
But the question remains: Is it art — or is it just a pipe?
"Art is kind of a loose term sometimes," Browne says. "It's all about how one person perceives it. ... You know, is basket weaving art? They had some of Chihuly's baskets at the VMFA, and that's in a museum. [They were] built for a purpose, but now [they're] seen as maybe art to some and maybe craft or a part of history."
Morris sees no conflict between the art and pipe labels. "We like to consider them as both," he says. "It's obviously a pipe, and it's obvious to me that it's art in the way that it's been presented, and the way that it's thought about as opposed to just created for one use."
Grecheck points to the Highpoint show as an example of growing agreement with that outlook. "Everyone in the show treated every object as we look at it," he says — "as a piece of artwork."
Despite his reservations about pipe-making, even Santini agrees that a pipe can be an art object. But, he notes, "It's up to the maker."
The increasing number of collectors and the growing culture of collecting pipes also are evidence of changing perceptions. This group of people sees pipes, like paintings or sculpture, as art objects that can be traded for large sums of money and displayed as a status symbol or for the pleasure of looking at a beautiful object. Ronan recalls one of the most valuable pieces that passed over his counter: a $5,000 pipe by glass artist Banjo in the shape of a sinuous, winged woman. "She had a joyous expression," Ronan says.
And while the collecting world focuses on more sophisticated pieces, there's another development: Many collectors may never use a pipe they've bought.
"There's a higher value to some of these collectors' pieces of work that have never been used," Grecheck says. "That's the selling point."
And the market isn't limited to individual connoisseurs, he notes. "When I was in L.A. at a trade show, there were people from museums coming to look at some of the artwork that was being displayed and seriously considering buying it for their collections."
Virginia's art museums may not have reached this point yet.
Cindy Mackey, public relations liaison at the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk, which has one of the largest glass collections in the world, says that a quick survey of its collection reveals only three blown-glass pipes, all of them historical. Two date from the 1830 to 1850 period and the third dates from 1915. They don't have any contemporary glass pipes at this time, she says.
Like most new mediums, pipe-making is still finding its place. "There's the potential for it to go in any direction," Meacham says. "That's the fun part of it, is that we're all right on the cutting edge of possibility."
This video, by Alex Fuller, shows the blowers at Influence Glass hard at work on a collaboration piece.
AKM G-Check Collaboration from Alex Fuller on Vimeo.


Supermarket chain "Yerevan city" thinking of the most interesting and profitable purchases of customers, have launched the creation of the bonus program in the form of cards: "Basic" and "Additional". When shopping in supermarkets "Yerevan city" and if you have a "bonus" card, you earn points for purchases, which will automatically be credited to your personal account. You can spend points at any time on all purchases if you wish! Just always show your "Bonus" card at the checkout.
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+ 3 points for each 100 AMD (if you make a purchase on your Birthday).
If you want to double, triple or multiply your points several times, you can order the "additional" cards in any quantity and give them to family members, relatives, friends, etc.


Excluding Bamberg and Denmark towns. All that part of twp. bounded as follows: North by Southern R.R. Branch of S.C.& G.R.R. East by public road leading from Bamberg to Odoms bridge; South by Little Salkehatchie river; West by Barnwell county.
Excluding Midway town. All that part of twp. bounded as follows: North by public road leading from Bamberg to Fishpond Township line; East by Fishpond Township; South by Little Salkehatchie river; West by Bamberg Township.
All that part part of township lying to the north and west of a line beginning at the Little Salkehatchie river and following Colson branch to Cowpen's branch; thence along Cowpan's branch to road crossing the same near Joyner's old still and the Macedonia Church; thence along said road to public road leading from Odom's bridge to Kearse's post office; thence down this road for about one mile to its intersection with the road to Buford's bridge; thence along the buford's bridge road to twp. line.


Florist quality puffs of pink cover these easy to grow annuals all summer long and the more flowers you cut, the more the plant produces. Plants reach 1- 1.5m, have finely cut foliage and 7cm flowers that look great in the garden and have a long vase life. Our strain has double flowers that range from lightly double to flowers so fully packed with petals they remind me of the crepe paper or Kleenex flowers of my childhood. A must have for the cutting garden. Annual.


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The type of lens that will be used will also be the basis for the design that you will have. Whenever it is a camera is what you are looking at then choose the right lens. The lens is the one that collects light from a scene, focus the image to produce a sharp image on the camera's imager. The size, shape, and sharpness of the image are things that can be affected by the lens that you will be choosing.


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A fountain in the desert
by Clare Cannon Oct 8, 2013 May 1, 2020 / 2 mins /
An engaging and cultured story for young teens that actually makes them think.
Fisher writes stories you can sink your teeth into. On the one hand they offer well-paced, surprisingly original entertainment, and on the other they raise profound questions for individuals and societies. Unlike any other author I know, Fisher successfully combines time travel, historical fiction and fairy lore, and from this cultured mix draws philosophical reflections on life and happiness. That's my ideal for a storyteller.
All of the characters are interesting but we identify most with Jake, the teenage protagonist, whose father has been missing for two years. Like us, Jake doesn't know why his father has disappeared, and we must both wait patiently as the clues are slowly pieced together.
As a developing mystery the story is suspenseful and intriguing, beginning in a contemporary American high school but soon relocating to British woodlands where a secretive house accommodates clues to the past and future.
Then, when Jake is sent back in time, we are confronted with the brutality of Dickensian London: the opulence of a rich and well-kept neighbourhood juxtaposed with a tangle of slums filled with the stench of suffering and disease. There's the mystery surrounding the mirror's hiding place, with the pentangle in the opium den a fitting symbol for the self-serving corruption of the one who hides it.
The fairies appear in the form of the Shee: mysterious, immortal and magical beings who inhabit the enchanted grounds of the forest and who disdain mortal humanity, acting only in their own interest.
There is much philosophising about time and mortality, power and love. A human boy, coaxed away from his family by the Shee with promises of immortality and magic, finds himself still trapped in their world two centuries later. He realises that though he has eternity and everything humans dream of, he does not have love or the joys and sorrows of a real family. His world is a place where fear has no boundaries, an ageless land of summer but in the company of beautiful people who think only of themselves, their music, their cold laughter, and who have no ambition, no future and no past.
This is the first in a series and it's not always easy to determine the good and the bad; we don't yet know all the characters' histories. We do see the good or bad that motivates particular actions, however, which makes us reconsider certain characters we had thought sinister, and doubt those we presumed were on our side.
For a young teen readership Fisher's novels are neither too long nor too short; they are an intriguing, thought-provoking stroll down a very interesting and entirely unknown path.
Clare Cannon is the editor of www.GoodReadingGuide.com and the manager of Portico Books in Sydney.
Clare Cannon
clare.33@mercatornet.com
Clare Cannon lives in Sydney where she is editor of The Good Reading Guide and manager of Portico Books,... More by Clare Cannon
Tagged: fantasy, historical fiction, young adult

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


FreeBookNotes found 2 sites with book summaries or analysis of Question and Answer. If there is a Question and Answer SparkNotes, Shmoop guide, or Cliff Notes, you can find a link to each study guide below.
Among the summaries and analysis available for Question and Answer, there are 1 Short Summary and 1 Book Review.
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A Girl For Voice Chatting?
does any girl (cuz i am a little shy with boyz:D) here want to have a voice chat with me?
i want to improve my talking skills.
Sorry Jeremiah, but Annahita's last post was 6 years ago.


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James Richard Trembath (ur. 15 marca 1871, zm. 2 kwietnia 1942) – południowoafrykański strzelec, olimpijczyk.

Trembath wystąpił na Letnich Igrzyskach Olimpijskich 1924 w jednej konkurencji – karabinie dowolnym leżąc z 600 m. Zajął 51. pozycję wśród 73 strzelców.

Wyniki

Igrzyska olimpijskie

Przypisy

Bibliografia

Południowoafrykańscy strzelcy
Południowoafrykańscy olimpijczycy
Uczestnicy Letnich Igrzysk Olimpijskich 1924
Urodzeni w 1871
Zmarli w 1942

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


KPM GERMAN HAND PAINTED PORCELAIN PLAQUE IN GILT WOOD FRAME. DELICATELY PAINTED, DEPICTING A PORTRAIT OF A YOUNG BOY GAZING OFF TO THE SIDE. IN A SUPERBLY CARVED ROCOCO FRAME WITH SCROLLS OF ACANTHUS LEAVES. The item "KPM GERMAN HAND PAINTED PORCELAIN PLAQUE IN ROCOCO GILT WOOD FRAME" is in sale since Thursday, December 13, 2018.
This item is in the category "Antiques\Decorative Arts\Ceramics & Porcelain\Other Antique Ceramics". The seller is "lavalenciainc2013" and is located in Los Angeles, California. This item can be shipped worldwide.


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Q: Dynamic(ExpandoObject) vs static type(Model) in asp.net mvc Dynamic vs static type in asp.net mvc
Is car better than motorcycle? It all depends on the scenario you are using it.
Without knowing the scenario it is not possible to make that determination!
Is Dynamic typing better than static typing for certain problems/situations.
In this case
I need to show the view when OnException() method of BaseController is called.
This is one time thing and i show the error page once instead of yellow screen of death.
Suppose i need to show ErrorMessage and Stacktrace on the view.
As this is one time thing is it not better to use dynamic than create a error model for this.
       dynamic obj = new ExpandoObject();
       obj.ErrorMessage = "message";
       obj.StackTrace = "bla bla bal";
       return to view.

What is the best practice.
Thanks for the reply.

A: "Is Dynamic typing better than static typing for certain problems/situations."
Of course.
"Suppose i need to show ErrorMessage and Stacktrace on the view. As this is one time thing is it not better to use dynamic than create a error model for this."
In this case you usually have a view model that can carry the errors with it.  Sometimes I use a base view model class with:
public class ViewModelBase
{
      public string ErrorMessage { get; set; }

}

Most often I'll put the errors in TempData:
TempData["Errors"] = "";

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


In 2015, Audi announced that it plans to launch in 2019 its new Q8 flagship SUV, as part of its plans to provide a solid foundation for its growth path. Now, Audi is inching closer to that plan as it disclosed its intentions to unveil a concept of the Q8 SUV at the upcoming 2017 North American International Auto Show (a.k.a. Detroit Auto Show) on January 9 to 22.
According to the German premium carmaker, the Audi Q8 Concept is a near-production study representing a fusion of the emotional styling of a coupé and the roominess of an SUV. The carmaker said the Audi Q8 concept would be a key to a new segment in the full-size SUV category.
So far, Audi has provided two official renders of the new Audi Q8 concept – one showing the front end while the other parades the side profile (although it is a bit shadowy) of the SUV prototype. These two renderings are aimed at spicing things up and increasing the excitement leading up to the official unveiling of the Audi Q8 concept at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.
When Audi announced in 2015 its plans to introduce the new Q8 SUV in 2019, the premium carmaker also said it was working on its first full-electric SUV, which would be a rival for the Tesla Model X crossover. That would be the e-tron SUV – sans any specific model designation – as confirmed by Audi chairman and chief executive Rupert Stadler. Interestingly, the render of the Q8 Concept's front end shows the "e-tron" lettering on the front number. This could mean that the Audi Q8 Concept would be an all-electric SUV or an electric version of the Q8 is also on the way.
As the frontend render shows, Audi Q8 Concept features an evolution of Audi's octagonal single-frame – with 3D sculpting -- that is now wider than those seen on the carmaker's current production vehicles. This grille is bordered by chrome frame with Audi's four-ring logo – also in chrome – positioned centrally on the upper section of the grille. Both sides of the bumper are home to large air vents. Meanwhile, the other rendering shows the Audi Q8 Concept donning flared shoulders above the wheels as well as a flat and wide C-pillar. Of course, the side profile of the Audi Q8 Concept reveals its coupe-like proportions yet it has a high-ride configuration typical of SUVs.
According to Marc Lichte, Head of Design at Audi, the Audi Q8 concept is the carmaker's new top honcho within its Q model line thanks to its design that strongly exudes both prestige and sportiness.
As for further details about the new Audi Q8 Concept, these will be known once the German brand officially unveils it at the 2017 Detroit Auto Show.
As a preview of the Audi Q8 SUV that will be introduced in 2018 as a 2019 model, the Audi Q8 Concept features a number of design elements that could be adapted into production. On the front, highly noticeable is the octagonal Singleframe grille with honeycomb insert and six vertical double bars. This grille -- bordered by frame in contrasting color – is flanked by flat, wedge-shaped headlights, each visually forming a single unit with surrounding air inlets. Interestingly, each individual lighting unit has its own glass covering, although the entire headlights create the impression of freedom in space.
The low and high beams of the headlights employ digital Matrix laser technology that is responsible for its x-shaped, blue laser light signature. As for the dynamic turn signals and the daytime running lights, these functions are integrated into a narrow LED light guide placed just below the front edge of the bonnet, serving as the border of the headlights. Also flanking the 3D grille below the headlights are two large air inlets that look like turbine intakes. The front end of the Q8 Concept is completed by a unique aluminum blade on the lower section of the front bumper.
When viewed from the sides, the Audi Q8 Concept reveals a solid silhouette of the 1.70-meter (5.6 feet) tall technology study. One highlight is the SUV's flat roofline, as helped by the absence of window frames on the doors. The absence of handles would make you wonder how the doors could be opened. Well, the answer is through touch. These doors feature touch sensors that could detect hand contact, opening them to a defined angle. It's remarkable how all body lines flow upward from the front to the rear while the body surfaces are all sportily curved. There is also an obvious recession in the lower section of the concept's doors. The quattro logo can be seen on the brushed aluminum sill region of the doors. Also recognizable from the sides are the SUV concept's flat and wide C-pillar and strongly flared shoulders on the wheels – evoking the appearance of the Audi Ur-quattro from the 1980s. The silhouette of the Audi Q8 concept also exposes its balanced proportions as well as its prominent double-design wheel arches.
Meanwhile, the rear end of the Audi Q8 Concept is marked by a light strip – acting as the tail and brake light as well as the dynamic turn signals -- flowing across its entire width as part of a characteristic e-tron light signature. This light strip is complemented by four outer lighting elements in aluminum blades. A black trim strip is placed between the lights – accommodating the license plate for the SUV concept. The rear end of the concept is also marked by a sloping rear window flanked by a long roof edge spoiler on top and a double spoiler lip below. The appearance of the concept's rear-end is completed by an aluminum diffuser with high-gloss Carbon Atlas clasp.
Now, we'll move inside the luxuriously sporty cabin of the Audi Q8 Concept. The way Audi employed the colors and materials in the A8 concept made the interior exude a luxurious yet sporty ambience. For instance, the cabin features a 3D engineered grain on the instrument panel, floor and doors. The cabin is also replete with high-gloss carbon treatment, aluminum strips, aluminum frames and an abstract fabric structure.
A stunning characteristic is the gradual application of shades (gray, steel gray and pastel silver) from the headlining to the center console. Meanwhile, the seats are wrapped in pastel silver Fine Nappa leather and Nubuk leather. The concept's head restraints are also wrapped in pastel silver structured textile.
Furthermore, the cabin of the Q8 Concept is roomy enough to accommodate 630 liters (22.2 cu ft) of luggage. The spaciousness and sportiness of the interior is visually highlighted by the widely stretched lines.
The concept's wrap-around theme is emphasized by a large, horizontal arc running along the lower edge of the windshield, thereby hugging the front occupant. Each occupant – driver and three passengers – has his or her own individual sports seats. Interestingly, the rear passengers are also separated by a center console.
A "black panel" – essentially a black strip framed by an aluminum clasp – flows across the full width of the front section of the SUV's interior, serving as the home for the instrument panel, central control and display surfaces. A graphical quattro badge is stamped onto the black panel just adjacent to the front passenger. Easily noticed on the doors are arrow-shaped inlays, each featuring filigree aluminum bars that can be used to open the doors of the Audi Q8 Concept.
As for the core of this Audi Q8 Concept, a plug-in hybrid powertrain that is presently available on production models is utilized. This combo includes 3.0-liter TFSI internal combustion engine and a powerful electric motor. The conventional engine delivers 245 kW (333 hp) of max output and 500 Nm (368.8 lb.-ft.) of peak torque while the electric motor provides 100 kW of maximum output and 330 Nm (243.4 lb.-ft.) of peak torque. These powerplants -- mated to an eight-speed Tiptronic transmission – deliver 330 kW in total system output and 700 Nm (516.3 lb.-ft.) in total system torque.
At this power level, the Audi Q8 Concept could dash from nil to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 5.4 seconds and reach a top speed of 250 km/h (155.3 mph). As per plug-in hybrid standards, this plug-in hybrid powertrain eats up only 2.3 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (NEDC cycle), travels up to 102.3 miles per gallon, and emits 53 grams of carbon dioxide per km. Providing the juice for the electric motor is a 17.9 kWh lithium-ion battery pack consisting of 104 prismatic cells.
This battery pack allows the Audi Q8 Concept to travel up to 60 kilometers (37.3 miles) in all-electric operations and up to 1,000 kilometers (621.4 miles) when both powerplants are employed. Users could completely recharge the battery pack in around two and a half hours, through a 7.2 kW output.
Amazingly, the Audi Q8 concept features a hybrid management system that could control its operating states – allowing the full-size SUV to boost, coast and recuperate as necessary. This hybrid management system is complemented by a predictive efficiency assistant that sends detailed information regarding nearby surroundings. Other technologies considered include Audi connect Car-to-X services and route data from the navigation system.
The concept is also provided with the Audi drive select system that has three driving modes: EV, hybrid and battery hold. In EV mode, the Audi Q8 Concept employs only the electric motor as much as it can. In hybrid mode, the hybrid management system determines how the vehicle should be powered. Battery hold, meanwhile, activates only the combustion engine, thereby saving available electric energy.


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LEFPD
Decentralisation Plan
Healthcare Local-Regional Cooperation
Dr Hani Shennib
Libya: Resuscitating a bleeding healthcare system
Dr Hani Shennib completed first critical carotid surgery in Zleiten Medical Centre on 76 year old woman
When I suffered from a foot injury as a young man in Libya, prior to Gaddafi's coup d'état in September 1969, I received prompt and efficient care at one of Benghazi's social security polyclinics. Libyan citizens had access to both private and public medical coverage, with equipped hospitals staffed by the best foreign doctors and nurses. King Idris's government had even begun investing in its own young physicians, granting them scholarships to the United States and luring them back with economic incentives.
I was one of those aspiring students to be sent to Texas; but I would be diverted to Egypt when Gaddafi came to power, placed instead at one of Gamal Abdel Nasser's Arab Nationalist medical schools. Thereafter, I would escape to North America to complete my medical studies at McGill University and University of Toronto and qualify as a leading Cardiothoracic surgeon.
Fast forward to my recent trips to Derna, a city in the eastern region of Cyrenaica, that was bombarded and razed to the ground in 2017 during battles between the Libyan National Army and the Derna Protection Forces (DPF). There had been one hospital to cater for the locals, though unsuitable for patient care in my view, having been neglected by the changing authorities over 50 years. Now, despite all the promised government funding and international support, I found its condition worsening, so that the only medical facility for a population of 200,000 is deserted, revealing a dire level of negligence by a centralised government 1,000 miles away in the capital Tripoli.
Between that promising historical snapshot and today's dismal conditions, there was the harm wrought by the 42-year dictatorship era, when all health and educational institutions had been nationalised, replacing apt practitioners with revolutionary mobs. I had left long before the damage had become so entrenched; with some time being active in the political opposition which had led to a sentence to prison in absentia.
Dr Hani Shennib on a visit to Benghazi Diabetic Clinic with the director, constant shortages of Insulin
There were dozens of hospitals sitting idle, with white elephants worth billions of dollars lying unused; the steel doors, windows and equipment rusted by the brutal humidity. On paper these were staffed but none of the employees had ever set foot in them! A sham, this front had been used to embezzle billions of dollars from the rentier oil economy with consent from the top; and, thus, it had deprived thousands of Libyans of suitable care and forced them to travel, daily sometimes, to health facilities in nearby countries, like Tunisia and Egypt.
Since the February 2011 revolution and following decade of turmoil, Libya's healthcare system is bleeding and struggling for life. Although Gaddafi was removed, this did not magically result in improvement for the country's vital organs, nor did it miraculously transform people's fraudulent and lazy habits. With the changing governments, East versus West divisions, shifting militia ownership of land and regions, as well as the deterioration of security, it makes for a profound case puzzling all expertise.
After several medical missions to Libya and studying the precarious system, I assembled a group of consultants with the Libyan Expertise Forum for Peace & Development (LEFPD), to reach a consensus: that Libya's situation calls for a bottom-up re-engineering strategy. It is no longer possible for a model of central governance, first designed in the late 1940s during the British Mandate, to continue to provide policies and application. Decentralisation is the way forward, with the creation of a hybrid administrative system and a local government coalition, based on three to six primary geographical zones.
To transcend the political and security differences and effectively triage and prioritise healthcare initiatives, we have called for a National Health Council. Although first ignored by the UNSMIL, international donors and consecutive adversary governments, we still propose it. With the pressure on the current care-giver government of Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah to deal with public services – he was publicly urged to do so by US Secretary of State Antony Blinken – the time to act is now and not later.
Looking ahead, the LEFPD will convene a conference in November to bring Libyan and international healthcare experts, to lay out ideas and propose concrete steps to the government and other stakeholders, in the hope of jumpstarting the Libyan healthcare reform efforts and resuscitating them.
A medical mission to Libya back in 2004 with Dr Hani Shennib accompanied by renowned Dr Michael DeBakey at the Tripoli Central Hospital (2004)
Originally published in Middle East Monitor
Libyans Rebuilding Libya: Local Governance Best Practices
Libyan Expertise Forum for Peace and Development (LEFPD)
info@libyan-efpd.org
Copyright © 2022 LEFPD. All rights reserved.


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Lazar Markovic Swansea Deal Falls Through
The 23-year-old could end up stuck at Liverpool for the remainder of the season.
By Noel Chomyn@LFCOffside Jan 31, 2018, 6:19pm GMT
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Lazar Markovic's Liverpool career has not gone according to plan, and now it seems he may not even be able to find a loan home for the second half of the 2017-18 season—which would mean another half-season stuck in the stands.
Having only made a single U23 appearance this season and having never played a first team game under Jürgen Klopp, it's clear Markovic has no future at Anfield. He must move on in order to even have a chance at resurrecting his career.
Looks like Lazar Markovic to Swansea is off but Liverpool still looking to loan him out elsewhere prior to tonight's deadline. #LFC
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) January 31, 2018
For a time, it looked like he would, with Wolfsburg and Swansea both eager to sign him. Wolfsburg, though, couldn't agree a permanent deal with Liverpool and—if the move was to be a loan—so Liverpool looked to send him to Swansea.
Swansea, though, had other priorities and now do not have room for him. Meanwhile, the transfer window has already closed in Germany, meaning a move to Wolfsburg is off the table even if Liverpool were willing to reconsider it.
Liverpool are reportedly still trying to find a loan home for the Serbian winger, but as of now it looks as though he won't be leaving Liverpool this month after all—not on a permanent deal and not even on loan.
Full Coverage: Liverpool's January 2018 Transfer Deadline Day
Liverpool's Risky Business
Hull City Join Race to Sign Liverpool Winger Wilson


Great writeup and love the 'plain english' approach to writing a contract.
I have a question though: why aren't ALL contracts like this? I'm no legal expert but I'm assuming contracts are usually full of legal mumbo-jumbo because the lawyer that has written them actually knows what they're doing. Is there a danger that an informal approach like this – whilst making the contract process easier-going for the majority of your clients – actually might leave you open to risk from the small minority of problem-clients?


As fencing contractors Fort Lauderdale, we understand that the visual and functional roles of a fence on any property are significant. Fences enhance the aesthetic value of many homes, improve the security, delineate the boundaries, and add immense value in several ways. That is why we offer lots of varieties to choose from, each with its inherent attributes that suit your needs. Just like there are several types of properties, there is a fence for any development. We have plenty of fencing options for single-family homes, condominiums, and apartments. And, our company provides a broad array of fencing options that suit several commercial developments, such as shopping facilities, malls, and restaurants. In most cases, modern fences are instrumental when it comes to adding security and delineating the property lines clearly. Schools, day care facilities, retailers, construction companies, correctional institutions, and barracks require the reliable security that is guaranteed by our fence installation Fort Lauderdale experts.
Our fencing solutions are not limited to only these listed, call today for more information!
Post and rail fences are ideal for demarcating your indoor spaces. While these fences are not ideal for the perimeter fences, where a wall would suffice, they are suitable for defining space within your property. Since you can plant some colorful flowers on either side of the fence, they look great while looking friendly and inviting. These fences are also ideal for setting up the irrigation and lighting gadgets since they allow you to eliminate these fixtures from the lawn. The fences allow you to create several planting beds on the periphery if you are looking to define some space for functional and recreational roles.
Aluminum fences are some of the most common and attractive options. This fencing option is relatively maintenance-free, and you can customize it to any shape or color depending on your taste. Our team has everything you need to customize an aluminum fence to your needs. We also have a vast array of paints that can match with the rest of the landscape design or home décor.
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We understand that a fence can act as a visual screen to limit the visual access to eyesores. If you want to enjoy the best views from your living room, we can use the garden fences to screen off the eyesores in your property. Some of these eyesores might include the garbage bins, dumpsters, compost pits, and junk yards. You might also want to screen the domestic servant quarters and other utilitarian areas where you store the garden equipment. Our fences will allow you to highlight the visual accents in your garden. If you have a rose garden, you can leave it open and allow your guests to feast their eyes on the moist petals of your favorite flowers. Our visual screens can also allow partial or filtered views from your outdoor deck. You can also use our wooden fences to create espaliers by assembling some wooden members in a diagonal form. Our espaliers allow the vines to intertwine around them, creating a great aesthetic accent in your garden.


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HomeIran News NowIran Opposition & ResistanceIran-Iraq: Panel of experts in U.S. capital condemns Iran meddling in Iraq
Iran News NowIran Opposition & Resistance
Iran-Iraq: Panel of experts in U.S. capital condemns Iran meddling in Iraq
NCRI, October 18 – A panel of Middle East legal and political experts condemned Iranian regime's meddling in Iraqi constitution during a conference in the US capital on October 13.
The event, hosted by the Global Coalition Against Fundamentalism, focused on mullahs' interference in Iraq and the implications of its meddling in the Iraqi constitutional referendum on the main Iranian opposition group, People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran (PMOI), based in Camp Ashraf, Iraq.
Mrs. Shirin Nariman, the head of Global Coalition Against fundamentalism started the meeting by introducing the goals of the movement and stressed that "We are gathered here primarily to discuss the status of Iranian refugees who are based in Camp Ashraf, Iraq." She added: "Our organization views the residents of Camp Ashraf as the leading force against fundamentalism that is emanating from Tehran." She then introduced the speakers and called on Dr. Abdullah Jabouri who was until recently the elected governor of the eastern province of Diyala in Iraq to take the floor.
With a direct experience of dealing with threats of the fundamentalist regime in Iran Dr. Jabouri said: "The Iranian regime has used its proxies in Iraq to meddle even in the writing of the new constitution. As a result, the draft constitution contains a clause that is against international law on political asylum. This is important for us, Iraqis, because we believe that the Iranian opposition PMOI and its allies in the coalition National Council or Resistance of Iran are the best friends of the Iraqis who demand freedom and sovereignty. Last April, 2.8 million Iraqis signed the biggest petition in the history of Iraq and called on the Iraqi government to reaffirm the PMOI's status as a legitimate resistance movement and the political asylum of its individuals."
"The Iranian opposition NCRI and PMOI are our allies in this huge struggle for democracy and peace in the Middle East," Aljubori said, adding that Iran's meddling in Iraq had given rise to Islamic fundamentalism in the mostly Shiite Muslim country.
Professor Steven Schneebaum, of the law firm Greenberg Traurig LLP and an adjunct professor of law at John Hopkins and Cornell universities, addressing the conference, focused on the language of Article 21C of the draft Iraqi constitution. "This section, which concerns the granting of asylum, currently provides that no one may receive political asylum in Iraq if he or she, among other things, has been 'accused' of committing international or terror crimes. We would have no quarrel with the blanket denial of asylum eligibility to persons who have been tried and convicted as terrorists. … But neither the Geneva Conventions nor the various international covenants governing the treatment of refugees permit the determination of someone's status on the basis of what he or she may be accused of having done."
Reza Bulorchi of U.S. Alliance for Democratic Iran said, "Iran's multi-faceted and multi-pronged campaign of destabilisation in Iraq represents an enormous threat to the future of a stable, peaceful and democratic nation."
"Tehran's campaign in Iraq is not just some small scale operation in reaction to the U.S. involvement in Iraq. Businesses, front companies, religious groups, NGOs and aid for schools and universities are all part of the mix," Bulorchi added.
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Special Report – Conference in Auvers-sur-Oise, France: Hold Iran's Regime Accountable for Genocide, Terrorism & Nuclear Defiance
Special Report: French Parliamentary Committee Meeting – January 12, 2022
"Resistance Units" — Iran Society's Response to Mullahs' Rule of Terror


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Ilias Mitrousis
Syria's fragile balances and the looming threat of a new vicious circle of instability
Despite the latest ceasefire in Idlib, tensions are once again rising across Syria. In the northwest, the high mobility in Idlib indicates that renewed fighting is rather a matter of timing, while in the south and east, escalating assassination campaigns in Daraa and Deir ez-Zor generate new dangerous dynamics. In central and eastern Syria, the resurgence of ISIS cells further exposes a severe security vacuum that opens way for intensive influence competition between the Kurds and the regime. Last but not least, the unprecedented economic crisis that face the country threatens to derail even the minimum stability enjoyed in Syria at the moment.
Published in Middle East Flashpoints
συριακή κρίση
As Israel normalizes relations with the Arabsphere, can the Palestinians revive the Palestinian Question?
Israel's normalizing relations with various Arab countries brought the Palestinians once again before the bitter realization that time is working against them. It appears that this realization triggered a process of reconciliation among the Palestinians. Yet, will these efforts suffice to influence the course of the Palestinian Question within a rapidly changing regional environment?
israelipalestinian conflict
ισραηλοπαλαιστινιακή σύκρουση
αραβικά κράτη
Φατάχ
Syria's never-ending war(s); or why the end of the civil war does not mean peace
As the Syrian civil war nears its end, the regime's imminent victory against the remaining opposition forces in Idlib tends to be overshadowed by several emerging issues that threaten to trigger a new circle of instability. In the meantime, irrespective of any outcome in the north, another 'war' still rages and will continue to rage in the country. The one between Iran, which struggles to recover from the assassination of General Qasem Soleimani, and Israel, which meticulously tries to fend off the former's entrenchment in the country.
Sudan Calling: A belated Arab Spring or a continuing process?
Protests across Sudan are well into their fourth month, consistently defying President Omar al-Bashir's suppressive response, as well as his superficial political appeasing efforts. That persistence, stemming from economic and political demands highly similar to those expressed in several Arab countries during the so-called "Arab Spring", interestingly underscores a relevant continuity of the transformative dynamics that emerged back in 2011. In Sudan, similar peaceful revolts have twice -in 1964 and 1985- ended up in the collapse of military dictatorships. Nevertheless, despite the protesters' determination, the existence of a particularly rigid pro-status quo regional political landscape further complicates the equation that could lead to actual political change.
arab monarchies
Σουδάν
δυνάμεις ασφαλείας
αραβικές μοναρχίες
New Government – Persistent Challenges: Fragile Balances in post-elections Lebanon
Following an eight-month-long political deadlock, a new Lebanese government was ultimately formed on January 31. Although many key politicians have retained their presence in the new administration, the reflection of last May's national election results, and the dynamics generated thereof, is evident. PM Saad Hariri's significant electoral losses were translated into gains for the Shi'i coalition that also includes Hezbollah. Domestically, the latter's increased cabinet share indicates a political elevation, which in turn causes considerable anxiety to the West, Israel and the Gulf. More importantly though, its growing influence, if combined with other political forces, may as well impact significantly the country's foreign policy vis-à-vis Syria
Χεζμπολλά
Published in Research Associates
The Palestinian question and the Trump presidency: current developments
Among the promises the U.S. President Donald J. Trump has made is the formulation of a plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian issue. To that end, the task was assigned to Jared Kushner, senior adviser to the White House and his son-in law.[1] However, the details of the plan known as the "Deal of the Century" are yet to be released. In the meantime, recent developments, generated by the actions taken by the U.S. administration and their implications on the both Israel and Palestine need to be taken seriously into consideration, as they directly influence the already fragile situation on the ground.
ισραηλοπαλαιστινιακή σύγκρουση
ειρηνευτική διαδικασία
παλαιστ


A fishing charter operation in Charleston, South Carolina, Redfin has 2 Blackjack 224's.
The BlackJack 224 represents the ultimate blend of prowess and performance, all wrapped together in a sleek and striking design from legendary boat builders Bill & Gary Kenner. From the smooth, dry ride of the "Carolina flare" bow to its classic "tumblehome" transom, the BlackJack 224 blends tradition and technology like no other boat on the market. Her hand-laid hull and deck are heavy-duty but lightweight. Reverse-angle, spray-reduction chines deflect the water with authority.
For these and other reasons Redfin uses the Blackjack 224's extensively in its fishing charters and given they are chartered most days they see their fair share of sun, salt and use. Given the black hull, the older of the two has seen UV damage on the transom as noted in the picture. Prior to the time of application, we performed a Gloss Meter test of the gelcoat on the transom and the reading averaged 4-5.
The boats were then both washed with Glidecoat Nano Wash which is a high foam, non-abrasive soap. After washing and rinsing down, the older of the two boats was then compounded using Glidecoat Nano Compound – a medium cut.
After compounding the boat, we then applied Glidecoat Nano Polish to help restore the shine using a dual action polisher.
After polishing we used Glidecoat Surface Wipe to de-contaminate the surface of the boat, both hull and topsides.
Lastly Glidecoat Liquid Crystal was applied to add further shine and gloss, but also seal the surface for up to 2 years, making it hydrophobic and provide much needed UV Protection. After application the Gloss Meter readings averaged 82-84 on the older boat, making it equivalent to factory new again.
The pictures below show the before and after upon applying Glidecoat.
As the pictures illustrate, the Glidecoat Liquid Crystal was able to revitalize this sun beaten boat by restoring the gloss and shine in the black hull, while also sealing the surface to prevent this type of heavy oxidization from reoccurring.


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Home > Stocks & Markets > Healthcare > Johnson & Johnson
Johnson & Johnson's Valuation Compared to Its Peers
By Mike Benson
Johnson & Johnson's valuation
Headquartered in New Brunswick, New Jersey, Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) has an operational presence in more than 60 countries. Its pharmaceutical and healthcare products are supplied to over 200 countries.
The chart below compares the stock price, price-to-earnings (or PE) multiple, and EV-to-EBITDA[1. enterprise value to earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization] multiple for Johnson & Johnson. This series explores the major factors and segment-wise performance of the company's products.
Forward PE
From an investor's point of view, the two best valuation multiples used for valuing companies like Johnson & Johnson are forward PE and EV-to-EBITDA multiples, considering the relatively stable and visible nature of their earnings.
PE multiples represent what one share can buy for an equity investor. On March 10, 2017, Johnson & Johnson was trading at a forward PE multiple of ~17.7x, compared to the industry average of 17.0x.
Over the last year, the company's forward PE has traded in the range of 14.4x–18.2x. Its competitors Pfizer (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), and Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) have forward PE multiples of 13.0x, 16.9x, and 20.0x, respectively.
Forward EV-to-EBITDA
On a capital structure–neutral and excess cash-adjusted basis, JNJ currently trades at ~12.0x, compared to the industry's average of ~11.9x. Its competitors Pfizer (PFE), Merck & Co. (MRK), and Eli Lilly & Co. (LLY) have forward EV-to-EBITDA multiples of 10.1x, 9.9x, and 14.2x, respectively.
Analyst recommendations
On March 10, 2017, Johnson & Johnson stock increased more than 17.9% over the last 12 months. Wall Street analysts estimate that the stock has the potential to return ~4.2% over the next 12 months. Analysts' recommendations show a 12-month targeted price of $131.24 per share compared to the last price of $125.95 per share on March 9, 2017.
Of the analysts covering Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), 38% recommended a "buy" and 62% recommended a "sell." Changes in analysts' estimates and recommendations are based on changing trends in the stock price.
Investors can consider ETFs like the Vanguard Dividend Appreciation Index ETF (VIG), which holds 3.9% of its total assets in Johnson & Johnson.


What's a Senior Showcase and How Do You Plan One?
What do you do when you have have four marvelous, faithful, dynamic and long-time pianists who are graduating from high school and leaving your studio?
You throw a Senior Showcase.
What's a Senior Showcase? I held one other such event about 7 years ago when I had three dedicated seniors graduate in one year. I did the same for four seniors last year. This show included considerable "upgrades" thanks to the latest tech tools and my ongoing desire to provide creative-based teaching.
Perhaps you have dedicated seniors that deserve recognition for their time spent with you on the bench? If so and if you care to follow through with holding your own showcase, here are the steps I took to make it a reality.
Secure a date at my church where all the past recitals have been.
Feature favorite repertoire and original compositions and songs of the seniors.
Invite friends and/or family members to sing or play along with them.
Hold a reception that could double as a grad party if they prefer.
Choose one piece that they would play together as a quartet.
Collect digital senior pics–they usually have tons of poses!
Ask them to write a 50-word bio including plans for the years to come.
Take pictures of them together wearing their college t-shirts.
Order gifts and or flowers for each senior. As a studio tradition, I gave each one a piano music box purchased here.
Offer a knockout printed program featuring dazzling photos and important info about the seniors. TIP: Canva.com is amazing! Make sure to check out this free graphic design program.
Prepare pianists to perform around 5 of their favorite current or past pieces that best represent their playing AND their creativity.
Present a projected slide show featuring snap shots of "lifetime" pics of each senior to loop prior to the showcase.
Include a projected slide reflecting the mood or style of the piece as each pianist performed.
Meet a special-request for one of the seniors by displaying slides with various movie posters as he played a tribute medley honoring all his favorite film composers.
Set up cool lighting to provide sophisticated staging.
Ensure outstanding and confident performances from each pianist showing their unique personalities and skills sets.
Create an opportunity for each pianist to read a score on an iPad and turn pages with a blue-tooth pedal.
Design a pop medley collaboration featuring all the pianists using the piano and the impressive voice selection of the Clavinova.
I'm pleased (and relieved!) to say that the above agenda pretty much happened as planned even though I unexpectedly took charge of all tech support. I was given a crash course and learned how to run the projector, lights, and mics.
The state of the art tech center at my church runs EVERYTHING through apps. I could even mute and change the volume of the mics on the iPad! I called my designated workspace in the back of the sanctuary Mission Control. Below is a pic of where I sat for a good part of the evening changing slides and running sound.
What does all this agenda and tech stuff have to do with a mission statement and a senior showcase? With such a profound occasion at hand, I felt it necessary to write something "important" to my students and families so I included my statement in the printed program at the beginning of my short essay.
As a prompt for where to begin with this task, I revisited my mission statement posted on my website. I haven't read it in quite some time (it really should be memorized!) and I was curious if these four seniors being sent off into the "real world" matched up with my intentions as a piano teacher.
Students of any age will develop the necessary skills to become independent pianists allowing them to enjoy making music on the bench for a lifetime.
Abi, Kenna, Sarah and Addison were drawn to the piano for different reasons and followed a path as unique as each of their individual personalities.
The dedication each pianist demonstrated from week to week, year to year— showing up for lessons on time (even early in the morning) practicing with diligence, reading and following my long lesson notes—shows their remarkably loyal dedication to 88 piano keys. They spoiled me!
Music is something to be made. These four seniors are what I'd call high-functioning music makers. Each pianist has worked to learn favorite repertoire of the masters as well as compose and improvise away from the page. They are comfortable playing from chord charts and collaborating with other musicians.
Tonight is a celebration of Sarah, Kenna, Abi, and Addison putting into action all their music-making skills. In addition, it is a testament to their drive to develop dynamic and creative voices at the keys.
I'm thankful for the parents of these four seniors and their support of lessons with "Ms Leila" and this somewhat eclectic approach to learning the piano.
Although I'll miss seeing these students, I'm extremely grateful for the time I had with them and know they will cherish making music for a lifetime.
Students of any age will develop the necessary skills to become creative, tech-savvy, comprehensive and independent pianists allowing them to enjoy making music on the bench for a lifetime.
One way this updated mission statement is portrayed in the senior showcase was the "Pop Medley" that concluded the show.
The seniors took turns playing solos from all styles like Debussy, Chopin, Gershwin, Line, Mier and also played original compositions and songs. They wanted to play something with all four of them at the keys.
Since they enjoy playing pop music and because I wanted to provide a chance for them to collaborate like a band, we created a medley of four pop pieces.
Each pianist took the lead for their choice piece and made decisions regarding who would play what. They worked from iTunes, the Yamaha Chord Tracker app, YouTube videos and hand-written lead sheets.
Had incredible fun playing "drummer" and "back-up synth" on the Clavinova.
Wore some crazy glasses and their t-shirts sporting their college choice for the next year.
Does your mission statement need some updating?
If so, will students leave with music skills that are in line with it?
Do you want more super ideas and an organized planner for your Senior recital? Stay tuned for a detailed resource packed full and carefully packaged by Heather Nanney and coming SOON to the Piano Teacher Planning Center!


Mad Men has meant a lot to me over the past few weeks (months?) as I've worked through it. I couldn't bring myself to binge through it, as so many of the episodes demanded some really deep thought and reflection. I found Alan Sepinwall's reactions to each episode to be a great after mint, even when I didn't agree exactly with his take aways.
It's wild how all over the map the fan reactions are to this show.
Been jotting down a lot of notes, and obsessing in my spare time, about vidHero and Space Cops (which will now be renamed "Space Crimes")(or maybe "Space Privates." not sure.). Occurs to me I should just start posting my notes about characters and plot for vidHero here in the development blog. why not? better than babbling about movies and video games and science and society.
So, hopefully this will be the last pseudo-critique post for a while. Watched a bunch of movies and tv this weekend. fun. relaxing. but also like gorging at mcDonald's. Still feel kind of weird and sluggish.


John hammer mill it runs and works just fine. This was a full size feed grinder that has been cut down to a smaller more useable size.
Cervus Equipment - John Calgary John loader frame for 563 and 673 series loaders. Please contact Cervus Equipment at 403-280-2200 located 2 minutes east of Crossiron Mills. Please contact Cervus Equipment at 403-280-2200 located 2 minutes east of Crossiron Mills.
Find hammer mill Farm Equipment for Sale! Search Gumtree Free Online Classified Ads for hammer mill Farm Equipment for Sale and more. . P2 Search Gumtree Free Online Classified Ads for hammer mill Farm Equipment for Sale and more. .
HAMMER MILL-John Collectable 1950's. Hammer Mill by John Deer–works–Has Been under Roof in My Barn–I am looking to clean out the barn and remodel.
2013-01-22· Hammer mill John #10? Ok I need help! I bought a hammer mill a couple of weeks ago and the guy I bought it from had cut the original drive pulley off it and was running it with a small gas motor and a V belt.
Compare prices for hammer mill working graphics. Locate hammer mill working graphics available for purchase right now!
John No 14 Hammer Mill En Venta . los angeles heavy equipment - craigslist. los angeles heavy equipment . favorite this post May 1 14 International 4400 24 Ft. Box Truck $ . favorite this post Apr 30 2011 John 318D pic .
Original Ad: Up for sale is a very rare John #14 Hammermill. This mill is all original and all parts are present. Has extra screens as well.


Everybody and his brother's startup has a free classified service these days. Even if you're ignoring all but the bigger players — Craigslist, Base, Edgeio, eBay — who can keep track?
Hint: they're black and white and read in large but ever-decreasing quantities.
For the moment, newspapers in the smallest markets should probably still be trying to minimize the content that leaks onto competitors' sites. But in mid-size markets (and, before long, in the smaller ones) papers can keep offering value to classified advertisers by offering a service the big boys don't: syndication of your ad throughout the Internet. Anybody who pays for a classified should get it listed on all the free sites in addition to the print edition and the newspaper's Web site.
It's not clear whether these guys are going to make money for such a relatively simple service. But if newspapers can seed their ads into both the Web-savvy and Web-illiterate markets, they'll be saving their clients a lot of time.
Tear down the wall? At the Times, too early to say. But in the next few years, small papers should build their subscription strategy around this question: what on the Web is a substitute for print, and what's not?
A model I like, but have never seen, is actually the inverse of the most common one. Instead of a permanent archive wall, it's an ever-advancing blindspot.
1) Can it be done with information we already collect?
3) Can it be presented in a way that is only possible or convenient online, so as to avoid substituting for the print product?
From this angle, charging for archives looks like the dumbest possible formula. We've all got colossal electronic archives. All we need to make them useful is a good search feature. And here's the thing: archives don't substitute for print at all. What subscriber saves two-week old newspapers for use as reference material? Online archives only add value. A free, well-ordered archive for a local newspaper would take it a long way toward its eventual goal: becoming the primary information site for its community.
Yesterday's news is different. In most cities, you can get yesterday for 50 cents in the newspaper, or on the Web for free. Print and Web become substitute products — and get moreso with every redesign.
Okay, what about today's news? I lean toward the Spokane model — breaking news and comment should be free. They're dynamic. They can't be done in print. They're dealing with radio and TV competitors.
You can see by now what this all means: the sensible place for a subscription requirement is content from, say, the last three days. Farther back than that, it should all be free again.
I've never seen it done. I'd love to hear why not.
2) Online purchasing correlates to wealth and broadband; not so much to age.
3) Guidelines for user-content submissions should be written aspirationally: "we will do our best to." Laying this out may actually help us in libel cases, since their very existence helps verify our regard for the truth, etc.
4) Soundslides is apparently everybody's favorite $40 slideshow editing app. Two problems: it outputs in Flash and only runs on Macs.
Three short things I learned in my first evening at Poynter's seminar for Online News Managers.
1) Boston.com's forum moderators have a "bozo button" at their disposal. Once they hit it, a forum troll who they've marked as a "bozo" continues to see his posts appearing on the site — but nobody else sees them. Mitigates the threat of re-registration by banned users. Dirty. Genius.
2) Local TV sites get a big traffic jump at lunchtime, because people at work can get away with (or justify) watching video over the lunch hour.
3) Generally, the percentage breakdown of technology adopters is as follows (not cumulative): 2.5 percent innovators (e.g. RSS); 13.5 percent early adopters (e.g. blog readers); 34 percent early majority (i.e. broadband subscribers); 34 percent late majority (i.e. Internet users); 16 percent laggards (i.e. your aunt Susan). But: let's not forget the wealth that drives all these differences, eh? Nobody who cares about universal access to technology drives onward on the assumption that everybody will eventually follow.


About two years ago, joint venture owners Origin Energy and AWE agreed on a substantial mid-life enhancement (MLE) project that would see the conversion of a usually unmanned platform located in Australia's Bass Strait, into a manned facility – the opposite of what normally happens with offshore oil and gas fields.
New Plymouth-based Fitzroy Engineering Group (FEGL) subsequently won the significant engineering procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the Yolla Module, after a global search, to design and build the facility which provides accommodation for up to 44 people. The complete module complex incorporates bunk-rooms, a state of the art kitchen, mess hall, laundry, gymnasium, offices, associated power and water facilities and even fire fighting installation.
With your help, we were able to pull in all the resources we needed to complete the challenging project on budget and on schedule.
Wells provided instrument and Electrical support for construction phase of 9 Yolla modules, with a combined weight of 650 tonnes. Wells provided material and labour supply, installation, commissioning and a close working relationship with Fitzroy Engineering to ensure that project activities "dove tailed" into all other aspects of the project delivery.
Project value: $35 million (NZ) Size/Scale: 35 m long accommodation unit for attachment to the Yolla Gas platform in Australia's Bass Strait. Electrical and instrumentation fit out of nine modules of various sizes with a combined total weight of 650 tonnes.


Weather still favorable. Dry enough to plant but wet enough. Rain makes grain. Wheat and Corn are coming back from their intraday low though, a bit of short covering before the planting and condition report after the close. Big question on corn, 50% or not? Whatever the actual number, planting are now moving very fast. Fact. Chicago Wheat Corn spread continues to tighten.
Bird flu is back in the headlines. Iowa has four more farms infected (Iowa being the biggest egg producer in the US). The State of Emergency is declared and this is the third state doing so (after Wisconsin and Minnesota).Soybeans could not care less. Green day for soy complex across the board. They are helped by the strikes in South-America. Oilseed are following the soy complex higher.
No real surprise on the MATIF today. Down. Spreads up, pressure in on the K5 short, they can afford to spread without putting too much effort in it, rolling a short profitable short position when market goes down is kind of stress free. Dec15 150P traded 1000 times and there is still a bid for 1000 lots.
CFTC COT showed official numbers: funds are short 92,400 lots of corn, 106,900 lots of wheat and short 32,000 lots of soybeans.
On the currencies, it's a quiet day, a bit scattered. USD up versus GBP and EUR but down versus the CAD. On other markets, precious metals are up, energy down.


When comparing properties, please consider that we include high speed wifi, use of the BBQ grill, cable, and all paper products, detergents, soaps, and shampoos in our nightly rate. If this home is booked for your dates, check out its brand new sister property, Shine Gathering House , HomeAway # 4562818.
Events and parties are not permitted.
Our family loves to travel, especially to Disney! Our photo albums are full of Disney character autographs and great memories at all the theme parks. The character dinner in Animal Kingdom is a favorite with our three sons. All the boys have great memories of joining the Donald and Mickey parade of instruments! We now laugh about the time our youngest was afraid to get anyone's autograph and we marvel at the number of times we got to ride Goofy's Barnstormer in a row one evening. We think it was 30 or more times! Our last visit, we got to ride the new Seven Dwarfs Mine Train and eat at Be Our Guest. Both were wonderful and well worth the wait!
One trip to Disney included extended family, so we rented a vacation home for the week of Thanksgiving. Everybody had their own room and bathroom with plenty of places to hang out together or relax alone. It was such an enjoyable experience, that the idea was planted to find our own place near "The Most Magical Place on Earth." A few years later we found the perfect location we call Sun Gathering House!


text:
Recalls of Household Products
Sunbeam recalls Crock Multi-Cookers
The lid may suddenly detach while the product is in use
James Limbach Reporter
Photo source: CPSC
Sunbeam Products of Boca Raton, Fla., is recalling about 933,000 Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers sold in the U.S. and Canada.
The recalled cooker can pressurize when the lid is not fully locked. This can cause the lid to suddenly detach while the product is in use, posing burn risks from hot food and liquids.
The firm has received 119 reports of lid detachment, resulting in 99 injuries ranging in severity from first-degree to third-degree burns.
This recall involves Crock-Pot 6-Quart Express Crock Multi-Cookers, Model Number SCCPPC600-V1, which is shown on label on bottom of unit.
The multi-cookers were manufactured between July 1, 2017 and October 1, 2018, with date codes K196JN through K365JN and L001JN through L273JN.
The date code is engraved on one of the prongs of the electrical plug and on the bottom of the base.
The cookers, manufactured in China, were sold at Walmart, Target and other retail stores nationwide and online at Amazon and other online retailers from July 2017, through November 2020, for between $70 to $100.
Consumers should immediately stop using the recalled Crock-Pot in pressure cooker mode, but may continue to use for slow cooking and sautéing.
Consumers should contact Crock-Pot immediately to obtain a free replacement lid.
Consumers who continue using the multi-cooker in pressure cooker mode while waiting for the replacement lid should be certain the lid is securely turned to the fully locked position by aligning the arrow on the lid with the lock symbol on the base.
Consumers may contact Crock-Pot at (800) 323-9519 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (ET) Monday through Friday or online at recall.crockpot.com for more information.
Take a Home Warranty Quiz. Get matched with an Authorized Partner.
James Limbach
A Washington, D.C., reporter for more than 30 years, Jim Limbach covers the federal agencies for ConsumerAffairs. Previously, he was a reporter and news anchor for Associated Press Broadcast Services, where he covered business and consumer news as well as space shots and other major spot news events.
Get the news you need delivered right to you.
Gift cards carry a high risk of fraud, expert warns
Major cryptocurrency exchange suffers multi-million dollar hack
Coronavirus update: Infection boosts immunity, study finds
CFPB to take a harder look at student loan procedures to better protect borrowers
Mortgage rates hit their highest level in nearly two years
Students who struggle to pay attention in class may be more likely to cheat, study finds
Toyota recalls model 2022 Toyota 4Runners
Relish Foods recalls frozen tuna steaks


text:
Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts
Zhiyuan Wang, Weilin Huang, Ping'an Peng, Donna Fennell
School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Environmental Science
Rutgers, The State University
This study investigated reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) in the presence of Pd/Fe, Cu/Fe and Ni/Fe bimetallic catalysts or zero-valent iron (ZVI) under aqueous and ambient temperature conditions. It was found that the Pd/Fe catalyst can rapidly transform 1,2,3,4-TCDD to chlorine-free dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) with >95% of conversion and half lives on the order of 5 h, whereas Cu/Fe, Ni/Fe and ZVI were not reactive over 10 d. The dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD in the Pd/Fe systems was found to be stepwise, with 1,2,3-tri (TrCDD), 1,2-di (DCDD), and mono-(MCDD) chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins as the three intermediate products at low concentrations and DD as the final and dominant product. The reaction rate of 1,2,3,4-TCDD dechlorination appeared to decrease as the coverage of palladium on iron particle surface increases from 0.0060 mol% to 0.0228 mol%. Compared to our prior study of reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD with zero valent zinc (ZVZ) as the reductant, the reactions with Pd/Fe bimetallic materials were relatively slower for TCDD, but much faster for TrCDDs and DCDDs, yielding DD as the major product. The study suggested that Pd/Fe bimetallic catalyst-based reactions may be suitable for rapid decontamination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) polluted soils and sediments.
Chemosphere
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066
Dechlorination
TCDD
dioxin
Reaction rates
dibenzofuran
reaction rate
PCDD
Pd/Fe catalyst
Reaction kinetics
Reductive dechlorination
Wang, Z., Huang, W., Peng, P., & Fennell, D. (2010). Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts. Chemosphere, 78(2), 147-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066
Wang, Zhiyuan ; Huang, Weilin ; Peng, Ping'an ; Fennell, Donna. / Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts. In: Chemosphere. 2010 ; Vol. 78, No. 2. pp. 147-151.
@article{e2494eb5ab2f49dfa6451bfbd214584e,
title = "Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts",
abstract = "This study investigated reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) in the presence of Pd/Fe, Cu/Fe and Ni/Fe bimetallic catalysts or zero-valent iron (ZVI) under aqueous and ambient temperature conditions. It was found that the Pd/Fe catalyst can rapidly transform 1,2,3,4-TCDD to chlorine-free dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) with >95{\%} of conversion and half lives on the order of 5 h, whereas Cu/Fe, Ni/Fe and ZVI were not reactive over 10 d. The dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD in the Pd/Fe systems was found to be stepwise, with 1,2,3-tri (TrCDD), 1,2-di (DCDD), and mono-(MCDD) chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins as the three intermediate products at low concentrations and DD as the final and dominant product. The reaction rate of 1,2,3,4-TCDD dechlorination appeared to decrease as the coverage of palladium on iron particle surface increases from 0.0060 mol{\%} to 0.0228 mol{\%}. Compared to our prior study of reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD with zero valent zinc (ZVZ) as the reductant, the reactions with Pd/Fe bimetallic materials were relatively slower for TCDD, but much faster for TrCDDs and DCDDs, yielding DD as the major product. The study suggested that Pd/Fe bimetallic catalyst-based reactions may be suitable for rapid decontamination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) polluted soils and sediments.",
keywords = "PCDD, Pd/Fe catalyst, Reaction kinetics, Reductive dechlorination",
author = "Zhiyuan Wang and Weilin Huang and Ping'an Peng and Donna Fennell",
doi = "https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066",
journal = "Chemosphere",
publisher = "Elsevier Ltd",
Wang, Z, Huang, W, Peng, P & Fennell, D 2010, 'Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts', Chemosphere, vol. 78, no. 2, pp. 147-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066
Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts. / Wang, Zhiyuan; Huang, Weilin; Peng, Ping'an; Fennell, Donna.
In: Chemosphere, Vol. 78, No. 2, 01.01.2010, p. 147-151.
T1 - Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts
AU - Wang, Zhiyuan
AU - Huang, Weilin
AU - Peng, Ping'an
AU - Fennell, Donna
N2 - This study investigated reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) in the presence of Pd/Fe, Cu/Fe and Ni/Fe bimetallic catalysts or zero-valent iron (ZVI) under aqueous and ambient temperature conditions. It was found that the Pd/Fe catalyst can rapidly transform 1,2,3,4-TCDD to chlorine-free dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) with >95% of conversion and half lives on the order of 5 h, whereas Cu/Fe, Ni/Fe and ZVI were not reactive over 10 d. The dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD in the Pd/Fe systems was found to be stepwise, with 1,2,3-tri (TrCDD), 1,2-di (DCDD), and mono-(MCDD) chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins as the three intermediate products at low concentrations and DD as the final and dominant product. The reaction rate of 1,2,3,4-TCDD dechlorination appeared to decrease as the coverage of palladium on iron particle surface increases from 0.0060 mol% to 0.0228 mol%. Compared to our prior study of reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD with zero valent zinc (ZVZ) as the reductant, the reactions with Pd/Fe bimetallic materials were relatively slower for TCDD, but much faster for TrCDDs and DCDDs, yielding DD as the major product. The study suggested that Pd/Fe bimetallic catalyst-based reactions may be suitable for rapid decontamination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) polluted soils and sediments.
AB - This study investigated reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (1,2,3,4-TCDD) in the presence of Pd/Fe, Cu/Fe and Ni/Fe bimetallic catalysts or zero-valent iron (ZVI) under aqueous and ambient temperature conditions. It was found that the Pd/Fe catalyst can rapidly transform 1,2,3,4-TCDD to chlorine-free dibenzo-p-dioxin (DD) with >95% of conversion and half lives on the order of 5 h, whereas Cu/Fe, Ni/Fe and ZVI were not reactive over 10 d. The dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD in the Pd/Fe systems was found to be stepwise, with 1,2,3-tri (TrCDD), 1,2-di (DCDD), and mono-(MCDD) chlorodibenzo-p-dioxins as the three intermediate products at low concentrations and DD as the final and dominant product. The reaction rate of 1,2,3,4-TCDD dechlorination appeared to decrease as the coverage of palladium on iron particle surface increases from 0.0060 mol% to 0.0228 mol%. Compared to our prior study of reductive dechlorination of 1,2,3,4-TCDD with zero valent zinc (ZVZ) as the reductant, the reactions with Pd/Fe bimetallic materials were relatively slower for TCDD, but much faster for TrCDDs and DCDDs, yielding DD as the major product. The study suggested that Pd/Fe bimetallic catalyst-based reactions may be suitable for rapid decontamination of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxin/dibenzofuran (PCDD/F) polluted soils and sediments.
KW - PCDD
KW - Pd/Fe catalyst
KW - Reaction kinetics
KW - Reductive dechlorination
U2 - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066
DO - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066
JO - Chemosphere
JF - Chemosphere
Wang Z, Huang W, Peng P, Fennell D. Rapid transformation of 1,2,3,4-TCDD by Pd/Fe catalysts. Chemosphere. 2010 Jan 1;78(2):147-151. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2009.09.066


Goku's headed for a showdown with a sinister green fiend!
A new breed of evil - more powerful than anything ever experienced - is taking the world's greatest martial artists down for the count. Goku is quick to join the fight, but he's about to meet his match in the form of King Piccolo. This menacing monster has the power to pulverize the planet, and his murderous rampage will not stop until he controls the power of the seven magic Dragon Balls.
When Krillin is the first hero cut down by the monster's minion, the stage is set for a brutal grudge match between Goku and Piccolo. Earth's greatest champion vows to avenge the loss of his best friend, but first, he must journey to Korin Tower on a quest for the Ultra Divine Water: a magical elixir that could give him the strength to save humanity - or send him straight to the grave!


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub