Generally, a wired alarm system consists of a control panel with a back-up battery. The back-up battery provides four to six hours of energy during a power failure. The location of the panel should be protected in order to prevent tampering. A phone jack connects to the house phone line. This device enables the alarm system to tap into the phone line to signal the monitoring company of an intrusion or fire at the location.
You can beef up your DIY wired alarm system by adding passive infrared motion sensors (PIR), window and door sensors, fire detectors and carbon monoxide detectors. You can also add glass break detectors or ceiling-mounted glass break detectors to your DIY wired alarm system.
The most effective alarm system is one that focuses on the entry points on the perimeter of the home. The theory here is that a home intruder will be shooed away by an alarm sounding when one of these entry points is breached. Start with the basement, and working your way up, sketch out the window and door areas that must be protected and by what type of device.
Position the control panel in a location that is not easily accessible, such as a basement. Put the control panel close to the phone line and electrical panels. The control panel must be protected by a magnetic sensor or motion sensor. Plan the route for the wires. Start the installation process and work toward the basement or the location where the control panel is installed.
It may help to have a central closet or other space to run the wires to and down to the panel. Put as much of the wires as possible within the protected areas of the home.
Usually magnetic sensors are mounted on each window and door that is accessible from the outside. Such sensors detect when a circuit has been opened, which means a door or window has been opened.
A typical installation method can run from the entry door down to the basement. Often, recessed contacts are installed in doors. These devices are concealed when the door is closed. Begin drilling in the door jamb about 4 inches from the floor. You'll need a 3/8-inch diameter drill bit, 12 to 18 inch long. Pull the wire up through the hole out of the basement. Give yourself 12 inches of wire to work with at the door and at the panel before you cut it from the spool. A keypad can be installed on the wall immediately adjacent to the entry door. A code must be entered into the keypad to set the alarm or shut it off.
Work carefully when stapling the wires into place because you will have a difficult time tracing a wire that has been penetrated with a staple. Mark the wires with masking tape so that you will be able to identify the device and location when you connect the wire to the control panel.
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Ellen DeGeneres Put Kris Jenner On The Spot About The Kanye West Situation
On Friday, Kris Jenner was the special guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. Clearly, there's a lot going on in Kris' life–having to play "crisis manager" to all of her kids and their families.
More or less, Kris Jenner is always in control of every situation her kids are in–but, recently, this hasn't been the situation. Instead, there's been cheating scandals, mental health accusations, and everything under the sun surrounding Kanye West.
Obviously, Ellen made it her priority to ask Kris about the situation with West and his very, very harsh opinions about Donald Trump and slavery being a "choice."
Right off the bat, Ellen dove into the questions about Kanye–saying she wanted to "get it out of the way." Ellen asked "What is going on?" and "Is he okay?"
Kris responded saying:
"Kanye has a lot of love for all of you, all of his fans, and everybody who's been there to support him forever. And, I know that he will explain himself in his own way."
"I think that anything he does—and I just think this is important to say is—he always does things with really good intentions. So, I'm going to let him explain himself when the time is ready.
I just keep rolling on, trying to keep up…with the Kardashians."
Ellen also asked about how Khloé is doing since giving birth to her daughter, True, and dealing with the aftermath of Tristan Thompson's cheating scandal. Kris was so emotional about the situation that she had tears in her eyes talking about it–saying the cheating reports were very unexpected.
Khloé is amazing! I'm so proud of that kid. I get choked up because she's such a good mom and honestly I get so emotional.
She continued:
I was in Cleveland last week, it was snowing, and she was all nestled in the nursery and the baby. She's just concentrating on that, just being a mom, her baby and I think that's what her sisters are doing as well. She's so excited about motherhood and trying to get the nursing thing down, which is a little tricky.
Ellen then asked what she truly did and how she reacted when she saw the video leak of Tristan in a club with two women days before her daughter was due.
I think we do what we always do and that's spring into action with love. We all hopped on a plane and flew to Cleveland because that's what we know to do. I'm there to support my kids no matter what happens. I just do the best I can, just like anybody else would for their family. There's a lot of us, and we all get together and we do things together and we're a force to be reckoned with.
One thing is for sure–although the Kardashian's lives are always hectic and chaotic, Kris Jenner knows how to keep it together. Plus, she's absolutely hilarious at all times. Kudos to the momager of the century for keeping this family together.
in Celebs
Kanye West Roasted Tristan Thompson On His New Album And Fans Are Howling
Kris Jenner Revealed The Truth Behind Khloé Kardashian's Daughter's Name
Khloé Kardashian Is Reportedly Pregnant With Her First Child, So It's A Family Affair
in Celebrity
Tristan Thompson Confesses His Hookup With Jordyn Woods And Reportedly 'Doesn't Care'
Khloé Kardashian Dumps Tristan Thompson After He Allegedly Hooked Up With Kylie Jenner's Best Friend
in Celeb Controversy
Kanye West Says He Masturbated To Pictures Of His Sisters-In-Law And Twitter Is Wildly Uncomfortable

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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SOFI TUKKER Borrow From Brazil For "Matadora"
Hear the second single off the N.Y. folk-dance duo's upcoming EP, Soft Animals.
By Zara Golden
The New York-based folk-dance duo SOFI TUKKER—comprised of Tucker Halpern and Sophie Hawley-Weld—have experienced a groundswell of notoriety since the release of their infectious first single "Drinkee" (which may be familiar from its placement in an Apple watch ad). They are now working towards the release of their debut EP Soft Animals with the release of a second single, titled "Matadora."
Like its predecessor, "Matadora" is SOFI TUKKER's sonic interpretation of a poem by the Brazilian poet Chacal. It features a backbone drumbeat that hits like a heard of hooves and the melodramatic wail of an Andean string instrument called the charango. "While we were making it, we envisioned a female matador in an ornate red and gold costume teasing a dangerous bull," the duo wrote in an email to The FADER. "We love performing this song because we get to jump around and hit things."
SOFI TUKKER hit the road with The Knocks next week; see when they'll be in a city near yours below.
Tour Dates with The Knocks:
1/14: Baby's All Right - New York, NY
1/15: The Foundry @ The Fillmore - Philadelphia, PA
1/16: 9:30 Club - Washington, DC
1/19: The Sinclair - Cambridge, MA
1/21: Le Belmont - Montreal, Canada
1/22: Mod Club Theatre - Toronto, Canada
1/23: Lincoln Hall - Chicago, IL
2/8: The Boardwalk - Orangevale, CA
2/9: The Independent - San Francisco, CA
2/10: The Independent - San Francisco, CA
2/12: The Casbah - San Diego, CA
2/13: El Rey Theatre - Los Angeles, CA
Electronic, Pop, SOFI TUKKER, Zara Golden


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2020 Hyundai i20 first drive review
Bertrand D'souza Updated: November 12, 2020, 11:04 AM IST
A quick drive in the new fourth-generation Hyundai i20 tells you much. It shows just how far Hyundai has come as a car maker. It also shows how far the much humbler Getz, the first generation premium hatchback has come since it was first introduced in 2004. The new i20's styling is bold, the engines small but powerful, the technology packed in up to the window sills, is as contemporary as it 'Getz' and the features nothing short of generous. We've been getting glimpses of the new i20 for several months now, and a walkaround last month revealed several new details. Here is finally what it feels like to be driven.
Hyundai i20 platform
The new i20 sits on an all new monocoque platform, called the K platform. This is a new lightweight structure, that has a lower kerb weight than the previous generation i20. At the same time tensile strength has gone up by 13 per cent by using more advanced high strength steel, 36 per cent more than before. This results in a 66 per cent stronger and thus a safer crash structure, while at the same time enhancing fuel efficiency by being lighter as well.
The body shape also has a lower coefficient of drag, the Cd value stands at 0.33 one of the lowest in the segment. The smoother airflow is one more step in improving fuel efficiency.
The dimensions of the new body structure have also grown. Overall length has increased by 10mm to 3,995mm. Overall width has increased by 41mm to 1,775mm, though height stays the same as the previous generation hatch at 1,505mm. The wheels are also placed further apart, wheelbase has gone up by 10mm to 2,580mm whereas there is a 30mm increase in track width. All of this has a significant positive impact on interior space with shoulder room increasing majorly and as well as driving stability.
Brakes utilise a combination of discs and drums front and back respectively. And adding a large safety net are the six airbags, electronic stability control (ESC), vehicle stability management (VSM) and emergency stop signal (ESS) that switches on the hazard lamps under hard braking.
Hyundai i20 ride and handling
I'm going to ignore the styling and get straight to the handling because this is without a doubt what caught my attention the most. Who ever talks about handling and Hyundai in the same breath? For years it has been an area ignored by both Hyundai and its consumers. You looked at Hyundai as the forebearer of affordable technology and features, that you only accessed in large premium cars. Surprisingly, here is a car that steers attention away from the gear and gadgets to a more engineered character.
The new i20's suspension setup on paper is a kind of regular, run-of-the-mill setup. MacPhersons at the front and a coupled torsion beam at the rear with gas-charged shock absorbers continuing from the previous-gen car. Not revolutionary, and certainly not something that should stir up anyone's interest. This sort of setup however has several benefits, with fewer shortcomings especially for smaller cars. The principal benefit being keeping the cost low. The second benefit that also matters equally is that you get the closest feel to a multi-link suspension at a more affordable price point. Then there is durability, reliability, and more. But all that aside what I do like is just how minutely the suspension system has been tuned. Lots of fettling later, what the new i20 gets is probably the finest ride and handling character in the segment, I'd wager this is just that tiny bit better than the benchmark car for handling in this segment, the Volkswagen Polo. The ride is firm, with just enough give in it to provide a comforting level of cushiness. It's all very tightly controlled, with little body roll to upset its line and it's all down to that suspension tuning.
Aiding the stability and improved control is an increase in the dimensions of the i20. Both wheelbase and track have got longer to provide a larger more stable footprint on the ground. While wheelbase has increased by 10mm, the track has gotten wider by almost 30mm! Even the tyres on the Asta variant I drove are 195/55 16-inchers which play a trio of roles - it smoothly balances out better tractability, stability and there is just enough damping to provide adequate ride comfort.
But all this is moot if you can't precisely place the i20 where you want it to be and this is where the tweaks to the electric power steering come in. It's quick to turn, and every move from the steering is supported by the tyres that cling to tarmac with a vice-like grip. There isn't much feedback, like any electrically-assisted system it's a bit deadpan, the electronics and the quick motors compensate any twitches to the wheel so you don't really get much feedback at the wheel. But the precision is there and so is the necessary weight. It's light in urban driving conditions, and weighs up nicely as you dial in more throttle. Turning radius for the new i20 has also dropped down to 5.12 metres from 5.23 metres compared to the older i20.
Hyundai i20 engine and performance
I've sampled the new 1.0-litre turbo petrol motor (T-GDi) mated to the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, and to me that's the second highlight of the new i20. This isn't an all new powertrain, Hyundai first placed this 3-cylinder Kappa II turbo petrol motor in the Venue compact SUV, and followed that up with the Aura, Grand i10 Nios, the Verna, and now it has been positioned in the i20. It is available in two states of tune, one churning out 100PS, and like in the case of the new i20, a 120PS, making it the most powerful hatchback in the segment, as of now. And it shows, acceleration is brisk past 1,800rpm and leads up to a manufacturer claimed 9.9 seconds to 100kmph. At under 1,800 revs, the variable geometry turbo does not give you the sense of urgency you would want from a 120PS-generating engine. The turbo kicks in around 1,800rpm, and it then picks up pace rapidly, but before that you're left wanting a bit of a push!
Once past the 1,800rpm mark though, and the new i20 is wonderfully quick, with the gearing tuned to take it well past a 160kmph with ease, at least that is as much as I saw before backing off the throttle for lack of room. I just didn't have the space to test the top speed, but I'm guessing this tiny motor could take the new i20 to a 180kmph if not further. The dual clutch transmission is also quick to respond to the engine revs, and it shifts up or down quickly and smoothly. For a bit more spirited experience, simply slide it into manual mode to work the gars the way you want. I only wish Hyundai offered paddle shifters with this variant.
Hyundai i20 features
What would a Hyundai be, if not packed with features? An exhaustive feature list, with many class leading and premium ones has been the wind in Hyundai's sails for well over a decade. Topping the list is the new 10.23-inch HD touch screen that sits above the dashboard. The new i20 also offers the latest iteration of BlueLink, Hyundai's proprietary connected technology that adds some 50 new features and a 3-year subscription as part of the package. Explore these at leisure. You also get an air filtration system that maintains the AQI inside your car. Wireless charging, voice command operations, tilt and telescopic adjustable steering, a smart watch and a Bose sound system are a few more key highlights in the feature list depending on the variant.
Hyundai i20 styling
I've kept the design and styling bit of the new i20 for last because that is an area I believe will divide opinions and definitely draw parallels to the design of the previous generation car. I, personally, am quite fond of the previous generation hatchback, which despite its straighter lines and more upright hood looked, in my opinion, more handsome. I'm not too fond of the new i20 and the way it looks, though it does have some very strong styling elements. The wrap around headlamps, the glossy mirror finished grille, the rear lamps, the 16-inch alloys, these are all very stylish bits and lend the new i20 with a premium look and feel. I just don't like the way it all sits together, and the cab-forward stance with that swooping downwards hood is my least favourite element on the new i20. I also think the large hexagonal grille with those headlamps extending from the edges of the grille would sit better with a lower front bumper and side skirts.
Even at the rear it's a very busy area, and while the chrome strip connecting the Z-patterned rear taillamps east to west is premium there is a lot going on in that area to sink in.
Hyundai i20 interiors
Even on the inside, there are certain elements that deserve top billing, but then are also let down by a few elements. The touchscreen sitting on top of the dashboard gives the interior immense swag. But the ribbed dashboard effect looks much better in images than in the flesh. It certainly makes the cabin look wider, but the quality of materials could have certainly been better, especially the quality of the plastic blow the ribbing. The red accents on the Turbo variant I drove add a touch of class, they are subtle hints at the power the new i20 envelops without being garish or ostentatious. The steering wheel also feels chunky to grip though the quality of the buttons on it could have been better, and why did Hyundai not add a flat bottomed steering wheel to spice up that sporty flavour?
Some of the better, but I'm sure ignored elements, will be the thick edges at the window sill near the A-pillar which flows fluidly into the windscreen area. It makes the car feel more European. Visibility is top notch from that large windscreen and the A-pillar does not impede vision. The seats are also well cushioned and supportive though I'd appreciate it having adjustable lumbar support and ventilation would have added significantly more value. On the space front too, the new i20 increases in interior roominess, principally adding more shoulder and knee room to enhance passenger comfort. The rear bench is also expansive with good under thigh support and a backrest that is sufficiently raked to provide adequate support and comfort over long distances.
Hyundai i20 first impressions
The all-new i20 elevates the premium hatchback proposition that was kickstarted by Hyundai in India eons ago. It is a remarkably better car than ever before and now that it has received the fantastic array of new engines and transmissions, upgraded its chassis, added a plethora of new features, it promises to bring a whole lot more value and pleasure to prospective customers. The pricing is quite attractive too (for certain variants), though the Rs 11.17 lakh sticker price on the 1.0-litre turbo petrol DCT for the Asta Option variant is fairly steep. You could choose the slightly lesser equipped Asta variant, you'd lose some safety features like the 6-airbags and ISOFIX points, though not much else.
Photography: Anis Shaikh
Watch our video review of the 2020 Hyundai i20 below
Hyundai i20 2020 Full Spec
Volkswagen Polo 2020 Full Spec
Tags: 2020 Hyundai i20 review | Hyundai i20 review | Hyundai i20 first drive review | 2017 hYUNDAI i20 Coupe WRC | overdrive review | Overdrive | new i20 review | New Hyundai i20 review | i20 features | i20 performance | i20 handling | i20 DCT review | Hyundai i20 DCT review | Hyundai i20 turbo review | i20 Turbo review |
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Aprilia is an Italy motorbike company, located close to Venice, that has become famous for racing sport bike, in fact it has had many successes in Moto GP and other competitions. In 2000 two famous Italy brands were bought: Moto Guzzi and Moto Laverda. In the category there are pictures of a red scooter: you can see the head light and the speedometer.
Aprilia, Italian, motorbike, Venice, racing, sportbike, Moto Guzzi, Moto Laverda, red, scooterAprilia.


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Top Non Business
Indonesian plane crashes after take-off with 62 aboard
JAKARTA: A Sriwijaya Air plane crashed into the sea on Saturday minutes after taking off from Indonesia's capital Jakarta on a domestic flight with 62 people on board, and their fate was not known.
The Boeing 737-500, en route to Pontianak in West Kalimantan, disappeared from radar screens after taking off just after 2.30 p.m. (0730 GMT) – 30 minutes after the scheduled time because of heavy rain.
Indonesian Transport Minister Budi Karya told a news conference that 62 people had been aboard Flight SJ 182, including 12 crew. The detik.com website quoted him as saying the plane crashed near Laki Island, some 20 km (12 miles) from the airport.
Rescue agency Basarnas said in a statement it would send a team to the Thousand Islands area to help in the search for victims "after the crash of Sriwijaya Air SJ 182".
All those on board were Indonesian, Indonesia's transport safety committee said.
Indonesia's Navy had pinpointed the site of the missing aircraft and ships had been sent there, a Navy official said. Authorities did not say whether they believed there were survivors.
Indonesian airline Sriwijaya Air's chief executive, Jefferson Irwin Jauwena, told a news conference that the plane had been in good condition before the flight.
The nearly 27-year-old Boeing 737-500 was much older than Boeing's problem-plagued 737 MAX model, one of which crashed off Jakarta in late 2018, killing all 189 people aboard the Lion Air flight. Older 737 models are widely flown and do not have the system implicated in the MAX safety crisis.
A Boeing spokeswoman said, "We are aware of media reports from Jakarta, and are closely monitoring the situation. We are working to gather more information".
Reliable tracking service Flightradar24 said the Boeing jet took off at 2:36 p.m. local time (0736 GMT) and climbed to reach 10,900 feet within four minutes. It then began a steep descent and stopped transmitting data 21 seconds later.
A transport ministry spokeswoman said air traffic control at Soekarno-Hatta International Airport had asked the pilot why the plane was heading northwest instead of on its expected flight path just seconds before it disappeared.
There were no immediate clues on what may have caused the sudden descent and safety experts stress most air accidents are caused by a cocktail of factors that can take months to establish.
DISTRAUGHT RELATIVES
Indonesian television channels showed pictures of suspected wreckage.
Distraught relatives waited at Pontianak, around 740 km (460 miles) from Jakarta.
Yaman Zai, a father of three children who were aboard the plane with their mother, said that he was at the airport in Pontianak waiting for them, when he heard the news.
"I will never meet her again," he said, holding up a photo of his oldest daughter.
Indonesia's KNKT safety agency was expected to launch an immediate investigation. The U.S. National Safety Transportation Board will automatically be part of the probe, since the plane was designed and built in the United States.
Founded in 2003, Jakarta-based Sriwijaya Air group flies largely within Indonesia. The airline has a solid safety record until now, with no onboard casualties in four incidents recorded on the Aviation Safety Network database.
INDONESIA'S PATCHY SAFETY RECORD
The Boeing 737 is the world's most-sold family of aircraft and has undergone several makeovers since it entered service in 1968.
The 737-500 is two generations of development before the most recent 737 MAX, which has been embroiled in a worldwide safety crisis following crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia. It does not use the software system implicated in those crashes.
Nonetheless, experts say planes such as Sriwijaya's leased 737-500 are being phased out for newer fuel-saving models. Civil jets typically have an economic life of 25 years, meaning they become too expensive to keep flying beyond that compared to younger models, but they are built to last longer.
Indonesia itself has a patchy air safety record.
In 2007, the European Union banned all Indonesian airlines following a series of crashes and reports of deteriorating oversight and maintenance since deregulation in the late 1990s. The restrictions were fully lifted in 2018.
Between 2007 and 2016, the US Federal Aviation Administration lowered its Indonesia safety evaluation to Category 2, meaning its regulatory system was inadequate.
Indonesian officials say they have worked hard to bring safety up to international standards.
PAKISTAN EXPRESSES CONDOLENCES
Pakistan on Saturday expressed condolences and deep sympathies with the government and people of Indonesia over loss of lives in a tragic plane crash.
"We offer our profound sympathies & condolences over the loss of so many precious lives in tragic crash of Indonesia's Sriwijaya Air Flight 182, travelling from Jakarta to Pontianak. Our thoughts & prayers go out to families of victims, govt. & brotherly people of Indonesia," foreign office spokesperson Zahid Hafeez Chaudhri posted on his twitter account.
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The Book of Joan
by Hope L
It will soon be two years since Joan Rivers passed away, and her daughter has written a touching, sarcastic, book about her mother: "The Book of Joan – Tales of Mirth, Mischief, and Manipulation," by Melissa Rivers.
Anyone who loved Joan Rivers' humor will love this book. Interspersed within the reflections are both jokes used by the comedienne in her act over the years and new ones the younger Ms. Rivers herself includes; "The Book of Joan," by Melissa Rivers is available at DCPL, as are titles by the comedienne herself:
"Still Talking," by Joan Rivers with Richard Meryman
"Bouncing Back : I've Survived Everything– and I Mean Everything– and You Can Too!" by Joan Rivers with Ralph Schoenstein.
"Don't Count the Candles – Just Keep the Fire Lit," by Joan Rivers
"I Hate Everything – Starting with Me," by Joan Rivers
"Diary of a Mad Diva," by Joan Rivers
"Joan Rivers: A Piece of Work," by Ricki Stern, DVD recording
Adele 25 Review
by Arthur G
Four years ago, Adele's cathartic and solid album 21 erupted onto a totally unprepared music scene like a belting volcano, drowning her contemporaries in the sheer majesty of her voice and the strength of her plaintive lyricism. Riding the Contemporary R&B wave, this blue-eyed soul singer swept the 2012 GRAMMY Awards, netting a record-tying six awards, including Artist of the Year. However, instead of following-up immediately on her phenomenal success, Adele took a three-year hiatus from the music biz, breaking only to compose the Academy Award-winning "Skyfall" for the eponymous 2012 James Bond film. The drought finally ended with the release of the breathtaking "Hello" in late October. The reaction was overwhelming, with the song practically lionized by the music industry as the official music video racked up over 400,000,000 views on YouTube in less than a month. So with all this outpouring of praise and anticipation, does the final product live up to the hype surrounding it? Well, yes and no: yes, in that the vocals and sincerity are as superb as one would expect from Adele, but it often sounds indistinguishable from previous efforts. The promise of cap-stoning her musical Bildungsroman never quite materializes in most of the tracks.
The lead single "Hello," of course, needs no introduction. It sets the tone of the album and ultimately stands out as its most powerful song. This classic ballad drips with regret over a failed relationship, appearing to all the world as the mature follow up to her signature "Somebody Like You." But beyond its poignant message is Adele's commanding vocal range, stretching across multiple cords, all in tune with the piano's melodic rise and fall. "Hello" is that rare song with the power to carry an entire album on its own, and if everything else in 25 had been sub-par, it would be worth getting the album just to hear this searching ode in its full, uninterrupted glory.
Still, while the musicianship on the album is a testament to Adele's continuing maturity as an artist, its content still sounds like more of the same. Tracks like "Send My Love," with its upbeat, almost popish rhythms, and the somber, reflective "When We Were Young" hit all of the right notes – and heartstrings – but will undoubtedly feel very familiar to anyone with even a passing familiarity of her corpus. This isn't a bad thing, mind you, as Adele's stratospheric vocals are nearly immune to anything mediocre. But with the glimmer of lyrical maturity hinted in "Hello," I'd hoped that the British songwriter would show a bit more inventiveness, especially with an array of talent as diverse as Bruno Mars, Paul Epworth, and Danger Mouse all contributing to the production. "A Million Years Ago" is probably the most original track on the record – a calm, Spanish guitar lamentation, punctuated by Adele's piercing voice at certain emotional peaks, that reminisces on the price of fame and its effect on those who knew her. Otherwise, 25 is a retread over the same territory forged by 21, and while a few songs like "River Lea" and "Water Under the Bridge" stand out, respectively, for their striking imagery and retro 80s tempo, there's nothing fundamentally adventurous here, and only the most attentive fans will spot the subtle differences between the two albums.
That shouldn't stop anyone from giving 25 their full attention, though. Adele is without doubt a once-in-a-generation talent, and while those looking for the much-vaulted maturity this album promised may leave disappointed, fans of this modern siren's soulful wails of lost love will definitely find reasons to celebrate.
If you're interested in Adele or any similar musicians we harbor here at DCPL, check out some of the hits below:
Adele – 19 and 21 are both wonderful albums, and well worth a listening even after her latest offering.
Amy Winehouse – Adele's sister in the blue-eyed soul family, she had a rawer, more earthy voice that was tragically short cut, but still left a few gems like Back to Black and Frank.
Florence + the Machine – Though more ethereal and baroque than either of the preceding ladies, her music belts with the same maturity and range. Definite must-haves are Lungs and Ceremonials.
Ann Rules Indeed
Ann Rule wrote 30 New York Times bestsellers, all of which are still in print. I, for one, think she really does rule. Unfortunately, the prolific author died July 26, 2015, at age 83. She had her first bestseller in 1980 with her book about serial killer Ted Bundy.
It may not be the first of Rule's books that I've read, but The Stranger Beside Me definitely is the one that scared me the most and was the most memorable. I think it was the personal connection that Rule had to Ted Bundy that made that book unique and incredible–that, and of course, the subject matter of Ted Bundy, a serial killer whom most of us have heard about.
More recently, I read her book about Gwinnett County dentist Bart Corbin, Too Late to Say Goodbye: A True Story of Murder and Betrayal.
Ann Rule was once a Seattle police officer, and that's why her writing seems so authentic, so mesmerizing. Right now I'm reading Every Breath You Take: A True Story of Obsession, Revenge, and Murder, and she fleshes out the myriad of details and somehow puts everything into a fascinating account. Allen Van Houte, the criminal in this book, is truly unbelievable–and she recounts with incredible heartbreak the many people whose lives he ruined.
I've read a lot of true crime books, and I'd have to say that Ann Rule is right up there at the top of my favorites. She would write forewords to her books that spoke to readers like they were friends, often inviting them to drop her a line or an email. Indeed, Every Breath You Take was written after Rule received a request from a fan who said that her sister wanted Rule to write her story should she ever die tragically (at the hands of her then ex-husband).
Click here to see what's available by Ann Rule at DCPL.
Foxy Brown, She-ro
I'm not really a Twitter person, but when I joined Twitter and tried to use the doggone thing, I was surprised when a famous person, none other than Pam Grier–yes, THE Pam Grier of Foxy Brown, Jackie Brown and most recently, The L Word (cable TV series) fame–started following me.
Now, there are probably those of you who have celebrities following your Twitter feed. I, on the other hand, am a complete social media novice, and when Pam Grier's name popped up–well, I mean, with Foxy and Roger Corman and Richard Pryor and Freddie Prinze and Kareem, oh yeah, and more recently, Jackie Brown and Quentin Tarantino…
Being the Hollywood gadfly that I am, I went and checked out Foxy: My Life in Three Acts, by Pam Grier with Andrea Cagan, from my DCPL branch. It just confirmed what I already knew about Pam Grier/aka Foxy–she is one cool chica.
Now, I had watched her for a few years around the turn of the millennium in Showtime's The L Word. And of course a chick like Pam would play a character who could only drive a green vintage late 60's/early 70's vehicle (Chevelle? Impala?). She couldn't exactly drive around in a Subaru, now, could she?
As Pam explains:
"I had become one of the most recognizable female stars of the blaxploitation genre… This movement of which I was such a prominent member was shadowing the women's movement, where women were demanding equal rights to men in art, business, family, and all aspects of life. My movies featured women claiming the right to fight back, which previously had been out of the question."
You, GO, Girrrrl!
Yes, the queen of Blaxploitation movies is not only cool, she has had one heckuva life so far. Highlights of her life include enduring and witnessing racial discrimination from all directions, like being in a church choir bus that was shot at in the middle of Watts during the historic riots of 1965; and, just as she garnered her first job as an actress, meeting and dating the soon-to-be famous college basketball player Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor, Jr. ("Call me Lew" before he changed his name to Kareem Abdul Jabbar); and, upon prodding from Gloria Steinem, appearing on the cover of Ms. Magazine; AND, dating and loving two major comedians who would struggle with drug addiction (Freddie Prinze and Richard Pryor), and on and on.
Pam Grier did many of her own stunts, like riding the stunt horses and popping wheelies on motorcycles. She starred in movies with Paul Newman, Eartha Kitt, and had a role on the blockbuster TV miniseries Roots. She survived both cancer and the entertainment industry.
As I watched Jackie Brown the other night, I rooted for Jackie (Pam). In the end, I knew she would get revenge, the money, and the guy–if she wanted him.
Pam Grier defines the word SHE-RO. Plus, unlike me, she knows how to tweet and use Twitter.
Command and Control: America's Nuclear Quandary
Eric Schlosser's new book keeps me up at night.
Command and Control: Nuclear Weapons, the Damascus Accident, and the Illusion of Safety by Eric Schlosser, that is. He scared the willies out of me with Fast Food Nation and now this. I do appreciate the way nuclear fission is explained fairly clearly for laypeople like me. The book gives a brief history of the Manhattan Project and the events leading up to the use of nuclear weapons on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and it relates frightening tales of what has occurred since.
Here is Publisher's Weekly's summary:
"In 1980 in rural Damascus, Ark., two young Air Force technicians (one was 21 years old, the other 19) began a routine maintenance procedure on a 103-foot-tall Titan II nuclear warhead-armed intercontinental ballistic missile. All was going according to plan until one of the men dropped a wrench, which fell 70 feet before hitting the rocket and setting off a chain reaction with alarming consequences. After that nail-biting opening, investigative reporter Schlosser (Fast Food Nation) goes on to tell the thrilling story of the heroism, ingenuity, mistakes, and destruction that followed. At intervals, he steps back to deliver an equally captivating history of the development and maintenance of America's nuclear arsenal from WWII to the present. Though the Cold War has ended and concerns over nuclear warfare have mostly been eclipsed by the recent preoccupation with terrorist threats, Schlosser makes it abundantly clear that nukes don't need to be launched to still be mind-bogglingly dangerous. Mixing expert commentary with hair-raising details of a variety of mishaps, the author makes the convincing case that our best control systems are no match for human error, bad luck, and ever-increasing technological complexity. "Mutually assured destruction" is a terrifying prospect, but Schlosser points out that there may be an even more frightening possibility: self-assured destruction."
Mind-boggingly dangerous, indeed! What is suprising to me is that we have been so lucky thus far.
The Atlanta Mary Mysteries
Truth really is stranger than fiction. That's the main reason I enjoy reading non-fiction books. In this post and the next, I will explore the strange stories of the two Marys.
I'm fascinated with true crime mysteries right here in our own metropolis, but none intrigue me more than the cases of the two Marys: Mary Phagan, a 13-year-old pencil factory worker who was found murdered in 1913, and Mary Shotwell Little, a 25-year-old C & S secretary who disappeared seemingly into thin air from Lenox Mall in 1965. Mary Shotwell Little vanished after eating dinner with a friend at the S & S Cafeteria at Lenox Mall.
Here are a few books from the Library's collection about the Mary Phagan case. My next post will highlight some publications on the Mary Shotwell Little case.
And the Dead Shall Rise: the Murder of Mary Phagan and the Lynching of Leo Frank, by Steve Oney, is definitely the most thorough account of the Phagan/Frank crimes I've read. If you don't know about Mary Phagan: The 13-year-old was found murdered in the pencil factory where she worked. Factory superintendent and part-owner Leo Frank was tried and convicted of the crime. His death sentence was later commuted by the governor to life in prison. Upon hearing this, an angry mob took Frank at gunpoint from the state prison at Milledgeville and brought him to Marietta where they hanged him. Frank was ultimately pardoned posthumously. The story became nationally famous because of the anti-Semitism involved, the founding of B'nai B'rith's Anti-Defamation League, the resurgence of the Ku Klux Klan and the local newspaper sensationalism pitting the working class and child labor vs. Atlanta's moneyed elite.
Murder in the Peach State – Infamous Murders from Georgia's Past, by Bruce L. Jordan, starts with a chapter on Mary Phagan and Leo Frank. The book itself is dedicated to columnist Celestine Sibley, who was a court reporter for years covering the trials of Georgia's most infamous murders.
The Murder of Little Mary Phagan, by Mary Phagan (great-niece and namesake of the Mary Phagan), tells the family's side of the story and the grim nature of the crime. Another book about the story is The Leo Frank Case, by Leonard Dinnerstein.
World Trade Center Remembered
"My God. What these people went through. I just cannot imagine it." — John Kirby, who had visited the World Trade Center as a 12-year-old during construction of Building Number 7 and made this comment when he was assisting in the rescue/recovery/cleanup of the demolished WTC site.
On this 12th anniversary of the fall of the World Trade Center, I remember the people that were lost, but also the buildings, and the icon that was the symbol of New York.
Personally, I found it incredible when a friend told me of her experience that day working in an outer building in the WTC complex. The thought of her and other workers casually walking from their building and leaving Manhattan, only to find out later exactly what had happened by watching it on television and learning that their building, too, had eventually collapsed, just amazed me.
City in the Sky: The Rise and Fall of the World Trade Center by James Glanz and Eric Lipton, is the chronicle of the buildings and the people who fought to make them happen, as well as the destruction years later of the famous landmark.
Brace yourself. This book is not for the faint of heart; but it is an important book because no matter what we already know about that day and how much time has passed, it reminds us of the stark terror that was 9/11. And as steel worker John Kirby said, it is unimaginable.
Part history, architecture, forensics—and just sheer physics—the book ties together all things World Trade Center: from its politically-charged, controversial start (the razing of the mostly retail electronics businesses of Radio City) through its construction, profitability, tenants and finally its untimely collapse. Just the details regarding the construction of such a tall (at that time a world record) structure fascinated me.
Danny Doyle, who had helped build the WTC some 30 years ago and was part of the site cleanup, cried out upon seeing a "distinct mound of debris set into the pile (of collapsed buildings), about six feet high, with strands of wire and pieces of rebar sticking out. It looked like layers of sediment that had turned into rock and been lifted up on some mountainside. From one to ten he counted the layers, before it began to dawn on him just what he was looking at: …here were ten stories of the south tower, compacted into an area of about six feet."
Indeed, most of the recovery crew "never saw a desk, chair, telephone or file cabinet." Or, as first responder and NY Deputy Fire Chief Charles Blaich said upon arriving at the scene of the collapse: "Where did everything go?".
Unimaginable, too, are the factoids found throughout this book: the first jet which hit the north tower hit at approximately 460 mph, with the second hitting the south tower at 560 mph; when the top of the south tower hit the ground, it was moving at an estimated 120 mph; and another deduction: at one thousand degrees, steel has softened enough to lose half its original strength.
I could not stop reading this book. It is thorough, if not complete, and has put forth an astonishing array of information into a fairly reader-friendly book. Just prepare to be very sad—if not disturbed—for some of the book is … well, as steel worker Doyle put it regarding the recovery site: "Welcome to hell. This is ugly, ugly."
On this September 11, may we all remember the gravity of this tragedy and the souls that were lost.
A Good Laugh
Having gone to see We're the Millers this past weekend, I was thinking about how good it felt to laugh; then I started remembering some of my favorite funny movies.
And it just so happens that (in my humble opinion) DCPL has an impressive collection of comedy DVDs.
So, without further ado, here is my list of DeKalb County Public Library's funniest movies (in order):
1. Airplane (1980) – Silly take-off of "Airport," (the original disaster movie). Cracks me up every time. Leslie Nielsen reawakened his career with this comedic turn. As soon as I see him driving the luggage cart I start laughing uncontrollably.
2. Death at a Funeral (2010) – Chris Rock presides over his family's ordeal with hysterical goings-on. Very, very funny.
3. The General (1926) – This uproariously funny film is silent. Buster Keaton, known for his stone face, struggles with the enormous steam engine train while pursuing a beautiful girl. I actually saw the real General years ago; it now resides in Kennesaw at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History.
4. Bridesmaids (2011) – Hilarious female answer to The Hangover, except that I liked this much better. Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig are awesome.
5. Barbershop (2002) and Barbershop 2 (2004) – Ice Cube stars in both of these, with Cedric the Entertainer, who always cracks me up.
6. A Night at the Opera (1935) – Groucho and his brothers on the loose to the consternation of Kitty Carlisle. Still funny after all these years.
7. Harold and Maude (1971) – Watching Harold in the background while his mother interviews prospective dates for him makes me laugh each and every time. Ruth Gordon as the free spirit Svengali and the original cougar. The Cat Stevens soundtrack makes it even sweeter.
8. City Lights (1931) – Charlie Chaplin tries to impress the girl and gets into all kinds of mischief in another classic silent film. My favorite line, often quoted… The Tramp: "Be careful how you're driving." Eccentric Millionaire: "Am I driving?"
9. Tootsie (1982) – Dustin Hoffman's drag is cute 80's fun.
10. Babe (1995) – Cute and funny with the irresistible Pig. I loved the cat, too!
11. The Three Stooges Collection – Volume 1 and Volume 2 (1934-1939) – I just had to include these guys.
12. Diary of a Mad Black Woman (2005) – Hometown boy Tyler Perry stars as one of my favorite characters: Madea. Watch out for that chainsaw!
13. The Muppet Movie (1979) – I just LOVE The Muppets!
14. Annie Hall (1977) – Diane Keaton plays the ditzy heroine in this Woody Allen film.
15. Shrek (2001) – Cute for the kids, funny for the grown-ups. Mike Myers voices the loveable ogre. Eddie Murphy supplies plenty of laughs as Donkey. I loved the gingerbread man.
Remembering Emmett
Now, I don't know if you know about Emmett Till, but you definitely should.
This time every year—but especially now with Trayvon Martin's death and the trial of George Zimmerman—I think of Emmett. It is a sad time.
14-year-old Emmett Till was savagely murdered August 28, 1955, while visiting relatives in Money, Mississippi.
Death of Innocence—The Story of the Hate Crime That Changed America by Mamie Till-Mobley and Christopher Benson, tells the story as only a mother could. I loved this woman's courage.
Her son's 'crime'? Entering a small grocery store for sweets and supposedly whistling at a white woman, the wife of the proprietor.
Emmett's mama insisted his casket be open at the Chicago funeral (in order to do so without the smell, a glass-covered casket was used) with thousands of people filing in to view the body. Photographers took pictures of her son—photos that appeared in a black newspaper and Jet magazine. The result was shock, horror, and—some say—the impetus for the civil rights movement.
"People had to face my son and realize just how twisted, how distorted, how terrifying race hatred could be. People had to consider all of that as they viewed Emmett's body. The whole nation had to bear witness to this," she said.
Heartbreaking as it is, Till-Mobley's account of her son's murder is a testament to her strength, vision and tenacity. And her words ring especially true today.
She writes, "If you look at Emmett's century, you see that the men who lived important lives, significant lives, were truly gifted. They were blessed with good mothers, mothers who gave them exactly what they needed—unconditional love. That, and the freedom to express themselves, to fulfill their promise. In that way, these mothers helped their sons come to believe that there was nothing they couldn't achieve. This was a gift I gave my own son—a boy of great potential."
Sadly, potential never realized. As Mamie Till-Mobley said during the 1989 dedication of the Civil Rights Memorial (at the Southern Poverty Law Center Headquarters, Montgomery, Alabama):
"We cannot afford the luxury of self-pity. Our top priority now is to get on with the building process. My personal peace has come through helping boys and girls reach beyond the ordinary and strive for the extraordinary. We must teach our children to weather the hurricanes of life, pick up the pieces, and rebuild. We must impress upon our children that even when troubles rise to seven-point-one on life's Richter scale, they must be anchored so deeply that, though they sway, they will not topple."
The murder of her son pushed her into activism: the NAACP asked Till-Mobley to tour the country relating the details of her son's life, death, and the 1955 trial that acquitted his murderers. (Roy Bryant and his half-brother J.W. Milam confessed in Look magazine, reportedly earning $4,000 for their participation in the 1956 article.) In 1956 she graduated from Chicago's Teacher's College; in 1976 she obtained her master's degree in administration at Loyola University Chicago.
Till-Mobley died in 2003 at age 81 during the writing of her book, and although she sought justice for her son her entire life, no one has ever been convicted of the crime. The state of Mississippi had to exhume Emmett's body in 2005 to reopen the case, and his casket now resides in the Smithsonian.
But perhaps Emmett and Mamie led the way for that other boy of color with a single mother, born six years after Emmett's death: Barry Obama.
ShareReads: Cryptonomicon
by Jesse M
As long-term readers of DCPLive know, I am a big fan of the science fiction genre. In past ShareReads posts, I've talked about the sub-genres of space opera and cyberpunk, and this year, I am going to discuss a different type of science fiction novel, one that seems to straddle the boundaries between science fiction, historical fiction and techno-thrillers: Cryptonomicon by Neal Stephenson.
Unlike some of Stephenson's other novels, in which the imaginative/speculative element of science fiction is more prominent (such as in the seminal cyberpunk novel Snow Crash or its loosely related "post-cyberpunk" sequel, The Diamond Age), Cryptonomicon features technology that while complex and technical to the layperson isn't fictional at all. Information security is a major theme of the book, and in-depth asides and descriptions of cryptography and digital espionage techniques such as Van Eck phreaking pepper the narrative. The lengthy story (the paperback version owned by DCPL clocks in at 1152 pages!) is split between two time periods, one circa World War II and the other in the late 1990s, and as the plot evolves the connections between the two storylines become increasingly apparent (in fact, the main protagonists of the latter storyline are direct descendants of the protagonists in the WWII storyline). With the exception of a very few instances in the novel where phenomena seem to occur without any basis or explanation in modern science, Cryptonomicon can be considered to be very hard science fiction. The World War II storyline, while sparing no technical details of the complex struggle between Allied and Axis cryptographers and codebreakers, also features several notable historical figures including Alan Turing and General Douglas MacArthur, placing the book firmly into the category of historical fiction as well.
Fans of Stephenson's digressive style will love Cryptonomicon, which features informative tangents in spades, from the mechanics and structure of pipe organs to the description of a manual cryptosystem calculated with an ordinary deck of playing cards. Indeed, such asides are a major factor in the book's appeal. Upon finishing Cryptonomicon, readers looking for something similar should check out Quicksilver and its sequels, which form a sort of prequel to Cryptonomicon (featuring ancestors of the protagonists and shedding light on a few of the unexplained mysteries in Cryptonomicon) and are also written in a digression-heavy style. I also encourage interested readers to pick up a more recent work by Stephenson, Anathem, which although more speculative in nature than Cryptonomicon possesses similar qualities in terms of informative asides.
And if you've just finished Cryptonomicon and are feeling like you've missed some references, or that a plot point went unexplained, take a look at this site, which offers a good deal of insight into some of the more complex and esoteric references and plot points. But don't click the link until you've completed the story, as there are spoilers aplenty to be wary of.
What are your favorite books that straddle genre boundaries? How do you feel about the digressive writing style that Stephenson so often employs? For the sci-fi enthusiasts out there, would you consider Cryptonomicon to be science fiction? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments.


Over the last decade or more the number of solid surface options seems to have grown exponentially. Conglomerates, agglomerates, man-made composites … call them what you will, Compac, Dekton, Lapitec, et al, have increased their reach through a combination of aesthetic sophistication, larger formats for seamless applications, and effective marketing of the materials' impressive technical performance.
As one of the most commercially astute companies in the tile world, the Porcelanosa Group was not about to miss out on this fast-growing market. The Group actually consists of eight different and powerful brands. One of them – System Pool – has specialised in shower, bath and wellness environments for almost 25 years. Around 10 years ago, System Pool drew on its expertise in the use of acrylic and similar materials, to develop Porcelanosa's solid surface option: Krion.
This synthetic resin consists of two thirds of natural minerals combined with high strength resins. The resulting material is hard, compact, pore-free, homogeneous, fire-, frost-, UV- and chemical-resistant.
It is also seamless, repairable, easy to maintain, bacteria-proof, environmentally-friendly and antistatic.
Porcelanosa markets Krion in two forms. Krion Bath, only available in white, comprises a large collection of elements (basins, sinks, etc,) all with a matt finish and a velvety surface texture.
Krion Solid Surface, sold in panels, is ideal for customised projects. It can be cut, drilled, thermoformed, milled, bent and glued to create worksurfaces, wall coverings, façades, furniture and even sculpture.
Suitable for backlit installations, it comes in many different sizes and thicknesses, as well as in a multitude of colours.
For several years now, System Pool has been working on a new formula for a material capable of cleaning up the air: K-Life. This new generation of Krion features Eco-Active Solid Technology and works through photocatalysis: the activation of a semiconductor using the energy provided by light. The physical qualities, colour or potential applications of the product are not affected because this is not a surface treatment. The material itself is active and offers air purification, antibacterial and self-cleaning properties.
In contact with K-Life, a chemical reaction occurs that degrades nitrogen (NOx), sulfur oxides (SOx) and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and transforms them into harmless products. Laboratory tests have shown that, over one year, one sq. metre of K-Life can purifiy the air breathed by 6.5 people.
And, as these photographs show, in the hands of talented designers, Krion and K-Life can bring a whole new dimension to today's interiors.


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Home / News / Extreme Engineering Satisfies Demanding Military SWaP Requirements with 8.8 Pound XPand4200 ½ ATR System
Extreme Engineering Satisfies Demanding Military SWaP Requirements with 8.8 Pound XPand4200 ½ ATR System
Extreme Engineering Solutions (X-ES) is shipping the 8.8 pound XPand4200 Series, a sub-½ ATR, forced air-cooled enclosure for conduction-cooled modules. The XPand4200 Series is designed to reduce the Size, Weight, and Power (SWaP) of deployed military systems. A fully populated XPand4200 weighs less than 15 pounds and is ideal for C4ISR applications in vehicles such as UAVs, helicopters, planes, tanks and light armored vehicles, HMMWVs, and UGVs.
The XPand4200 conducts heat from conduction-cooled modules to heat exchangers, where the heat is dissipated to the ambient environment by forced-air cooling. Compared to similar systems, the cooling capability of the XPand4200 Series is significantly higher due to a heat exchanger integrated into the top of the unit. Since the design supports conduction-cooled boards in an air tight enclosure, the XPand4200 Series provides enhanced shock and vibration protection and isolation of the boards from the outside environment.
The system measures 4.88″ (W) x 6.0″ (H) x 13.5″ (D) and weighs only 8.8 pounds. The XPand4200 has an optional removable memory module attachment that supports the XPort6191 Solid State Disk (SSD) Removable Storage Module, with 64 GB of storage capacity. With the memory module attachment the height increases to 7.62″ and the weight to 11.1 pounds. Up to six conduction-cooled, 0.8″ pitch 3U VPX, 3U cPCI, or power supply modules can be configured into the XPand4200 Series. Additionally, the XPand4200 Series can be configured to meet custom I/O requirements with conduction-cooled XMC/PMC modules available from X-ES or third parties.
The XPand4200 can be populated with 3U VPX or cPCI X-ES single board computers, such as:
XPedite7370 Intel® Core™ i7 processor 3U OpenVPX™ SBC
XPedite5470 NXP (formerly Freescale) eight-core P4080 processor 3U OpenVPX™ SBC
XPedite7130 Intel® Core™2 Duo processor 3U cPCI SBC
XPedite5370 NXP (formerly Freescale) MPC8572E PowerQUICC™ III processor 3U VPX SBC
XPedite5170 NXP (formerly Freescale) MPC8640D processor 3U OpenVPX™ SBC
"Initial customers are very excited because they recognize that the small footprint and volume of the XPand4200 Series, coupled with the increased compute- and I/O-density of our 3U VPX offerings, saves them 50-67% in SWaP over a 6U system," said Jeff Porter, Senior Systems Engineer at Extreme Engineering Solutions. "One customer said the XPand4200 Series has allowed them to decrease a 35 pound two chassis solution to a single chassis weighing less than 15 pounds while increasing both functionality and performance."
The XPand4200 Series supports Gigabit Ethernet, graphics, RS-232/422/485 serial, MIL-STD-1553, ARINC 429, as well as custom conduction-cooled XMC/PMC I/O through D38999 circular connectors. An optional front panel USB port provides system monitoring and maintenance capabilities. There are several power supply options, supporting up to 200 W from a MIL-STD-704 28 V DC or 115 V AC input, as well as internal EMI filtering and hold-up for up to 60 ms at 200 W.
The XPand4200 Series has design flexibility to accommodate unique I/O requirements with standards-based products. Please contact X-ES sales to discuss your unique application and hardware requirements because each system has a unique combination of processing, I/O, power, and storage components.
About X-ES
Extreme Engineering Solutions, Inc. (X-ES), a 100% U.S.A.-based company, designs and builds single board computers, I/O boards, power supplies, backplanes, chassis, and system-level solutions for embedded computing customers. X-ES offers cutting-edge performance and flexibility in design, plus an unparalleled level of customer support and service.
Contact X-ES


Victor Hănescu, one Romanian male tennis greats, brought smiles on the faces of hundreds of children, campaign "Every champion has a beginning". Cluj Napoca edition took Winners Club and has made public more than two hundred fans of tennis, parents and children. The young tennis player receiving the ball, rocket performance, Shirts, caps and other items ready to wear them luck on the ground.
The children were anxious awaiting great sport that had the chance to change some ball. Victor watched carefully every junior game and saw some talent that promised to deal. About 170 The little ones enjoyed the exchange of the ball with great tennis player, stating that this day will remain memorable for them. Naturally, the event has not missed any autograph and photo session that Victor has given pleasure to those at Winners Tennis Club. After a pleasant afternoon, spent with quality tennis, little ones were spoiled with Pizza Pudding Guseppe and Paula. More, juniors have had a surprise from BT sponsor. KidCont the bank mascot cartoon atmosphere for children come Winners Tennis Club.
"We spent a beautiful day in Cluj Napoca in the middle of over 200 Tennis enthusiasts children. My goal has been met. I saw many children happy to learn the secrets of tennis. The children received professional gaming equipment. I saw some very talented kids and I realized that the game here at Winners Tennis Club is very high. I'm excited about the conditions that we found this the sport and I think that children are able to be next Ilie Nastase and followers of mine, "said Victor Hanescu.
Victor Hanescu support the development of junior tennis, through the "Every champion has a beginning", aimed at helping thousands of students and youth across the country. This initiative comes from the desire Romanian tennis player to start a national movement with similar events and provide a starting point for future champions Romania.
Handelsbanken edition was supported by BT and Dr.Oetker Romania. The promotion campaign was conducted by SCG – Smart Corporation Group.
© 2019 Copyright SCG - Smart Corporation Group.


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McDonald's is testing out self-serve stations because the future is here
By Bethany biron
Got a hankering for a McCafe? Now you may be able to skip the line at McDonald's and serve one up yourself, if a trial kiosk spotted in downtown Chicago catches on.
The self-serve coffee machine, which features a touch-screen ordering system, includes "lattes, mochas, and cappuccinos that are customizable with various flavoring, types of milk, and amount of espresso," according to Eater.
While at first blush it seems like a smart tech venture for the popular fast food chain, others are worried it's an effort to outsource jobs in response to ongoing changes to minimum wage policy.
Fast food workers demanded a $15 an hour minimum wage and union rights as part of series of strikes that swept 270 cities across the nation last fall, according to Info Wars. Many of these efforts have been successful, including most recently in the state of California, which reached an agreement at the end of last month to increase the minimum wage to $15 by 2020 in response to outcries from the worker group, Fight for $15.
However, transitioning to self-serve machines, or even more futuristic projects like a robot developed by a San Francisco start-up that emulates a fast food worker, may also threaten jobs. As restaurant owners struggle to make ends meet to account for higher wages, many are enticed by the prospect of utilizing technology to replace employees.
McDonald's certainly hasn't been the first to test self-serve kiosks in an effort to accelerate service and improve efficiency. Other companies adopting the model include Panera, Chili's, Applebee's and IHOP, Eater reported.
At this point it's tough to say what the future of fast food will look like, but if it means cutting jobs for thousands of people in need of employment, it's probably better for us to keep waiting in line.


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New edition of "Traveler's Guide to Firearm Laws of the Fifty States" features 2018 legislative changes in 19 states
by A1F Staff - Sunday, March 3, 2019
Helping prevent you from violating another state's firearms laws is a guidebook containing both legislative changes from 2018 and information about requirements in 50 states.
The 23rd edition, with changes in the law for 2018, of the "Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the Fifty States" provides an outline of legal pitfalls to avoid when traveling from state to state while carrying firearms.
"Many horror stories exist in which the nonresident traveler is arrested on a firearm felony charge for a violation that wouldn't qualify as a misdemeanor in the traveler's home state. A routine traffic stop suddenly degenerates into a nightmare journey through the criminal justice system," noted the guide, written and researched by J. Scott Kappas.
Featuring a checklist and scale ranking each state from total prohibition to total freedom, it also contains a section on travel to Canada and Mexico.
A new section in the "Traveler's Checklist" details each state's rules about possession requirements for people with ammunition.
The states listed in the guide with changes in their state firearms laws for 2018 are: Arkansas, California, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Idaho, Kansas, Maryland, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Dakota, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Vermont, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
The guidebook, priced individually at $14.95, is available at: gunlawguide.com.
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What's the best way to wash down some delicious red velvet pancakes? With a red velvet latte of course! Local MBassy has the best of both. The cafe's signature dish is its vibrant stack of red velvet pancakes, so popular that they now offer it in waffle form too. The talented barista can whip up a variety of specialty drinks including hot taro lattes and frozen mint chocolate cream frappes. It's a great food menu too. Grab a Mediterranean Brekky in the morning, Bacon Wrapped Chicken in the afternoon and squeeze red velvet pancakes somewhere in between.


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1 15708/ASR-KIR EXPRESS MEX S M T W T F S ASR 07:10 TDL 19:08 11:58 2A 3A SL GN
2 18102/JAT MURI TATA EXPRESS MEX S M T W T F S ASR 19:35 TDL 08:33 12:58 GN
How Many Trains run between AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR) & TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL)
As of now, 2 trains run between from AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR) to TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL).
What time does the first train leaves from AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR)
The first train from AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR) to TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL) is ASR-KIR EXPRESS (15708) that departs at 07:10 and runs 7 days a week
What time does the last train leaves from AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR) to TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL)
The last train from AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR) to TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL) is JAT MURI TATA EXPRESS (18102) that departs at 19:35 and runs 7 days a week
Which is the fastest train to TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL) and what is its timing?
The fastest train from AMRITSAR JUNCTION (ASR) to TUNDLA JUNCTION (TDL) is ASR-KIR EXPRESS (15708) that departs at 07:10 and arrives to at 19:08. It takes approximately 11:58 hours.


G3W recently received a plaque of appreciation in recognition of its contribution to the relief and rehabilitation operations in the areas affected by super typhoon Yolanda/Haiyan.
The plaque was awarded by Samahang Operasyong Sagip (Organization for Rescue Operations) or SOS during a special gathering of its volunteers and donors for the victims of typhoon Yolanda last April 4 . SOS is a network of volunteer health organizations, workers, professionals and students aiming to render assistance to disaster victims through relief and medical missions. G3W partner, Council for Health and Development is one of its founding members.
To date, SOS has already conducted 6 major relief operations, 21 medical missions and 24 psycho-social therapy sessions among the Yolanda survivors. Most of the areas that they were able to reach and serve were areas which were never reached by government relief operations.
SOS is also supporting the demands of the People Surge, a broad alliance of Yolanda survivors and organizations helping the typhoon victims, such as the provision of P40,000 for every affected family as a financial relief, scrapping of the government's "No-Build Zone" policy that enforces outright land grabbing and eviction of the victims from their homes and livelihood, holding of public consultations in crafting the rehabilitation and reconstruction plan to ensure that the victims and not the big businesses are at the core of this plan, speeding up of the rehabilitation of agricultural sector to ensure food security, hastening the reconstruction of public hospitals and schools, review of all government policies that are destructive to people's lives and the environment such as mining policies, and holding the Aquino government criminally liable for its negligence in ensuring the safety and welfare of it people, and its ineptness in the rescue, relief and rehabilitation efforts, among others.


When children are struggling in school, it's important to find out why. It may be that a disability is affecting your child's educational performance. If so, your child may be eligible for special education and related services that can help.
✧ to help the child learn the information and skills that other children are learning in the general education curriculum.
Who can I talk to concerning Special Education in the Upper Adams School District?
A copy of the special education regulations and standards may be obtained by writing the Bureau of Special Education or by calling the main number at (717) 783-6913.
An IEP is an Individualized Education Program and is the written plan for the education of a student who has a disability. The IEP is based on the individual student's needs and describes the special help the student will receive in school.


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Brian Jagde
Tenor Brian Jagde Performs At Time In Children's Arts Initiative [OperaWire Exclusive]
Not many people get the chance to see an opera singer up close and personal. Even in a recital hall or opera house, there is a distance created by the stage. The connection comes from the music and the artistic involvement on both ends of the spectrum.
But on Tuesday, New York students were able to get an experience few others can claim to have – seeing an opera singer up-close. And by up-close, I mean arms length. Brian Jagde, the tenor making major house and role debuts around the United States and Europe over the coming months, came to Time In Children's Arts Initiative and performed.
— David Salazar, OperaWire
But on Tuesday, New York students were able to get an experience few others can claim to have – seeing an opera singer up-close. And by up-close, I mean arms length. Brian Jagde, the tenor making major house and role debuts around the United States and Europe over the coming months, came to Time In Children's Arts Initiative and performed a selection from Bernstein's West Side Story alongside pianist Lara Downes, who also performed "Over the Rainbow" …
At one point in the presentation, students were shown a scene between Tony and Maria in which they discussed running "Somewhere" where they would not be constantly pursued by conflict and pain and everyone would be accepted regardless of their affiliation. Students were subsequently asked what their somewhere would be and in a moment of innocent precociousness one student responded "New York City."
After discussing the film, students were allowed to create their own art while Jagde and Downes performed. As the tenor's massive sound filled the room with the rapturous "Maria," numerous students looked up from their work, their mouths agape at what they were listening to.
The tenor, who specializes in dramatic repertoire, admitted that he actually struggled to pick a selection to sing for the children.
"Most of the roles that I sing are so dark and most the characters die," he explained. "I wanted to find a piece that was appropriate for these kids that wasn't 'Mary Had a Little Lamb.' I could have done that, and maybe in the future I will, but most of the arias I sing are a little too dramatic for first graders. Not even a popular tune like 'La Donna e Mobile' fits despite the music, because the text is so misogynistic."
"Eventually I hope that they can grow to learn that those things exist in the world, just like they know at home that they exist, and that there is a way around all that."
Time In Children's Arts Initiative educates at-risk children in numerous art forms including performing arts and visual arts. The Initiative consistently brings in talent to talk to the children about great works of art and even engages them in the creative process. Earlier this year, soprano Ailyn Perez was brought in to sing and coach children on a scene from Puccini's "La Boheme." The children were then assigned to create art based on their impressions of the opera.
-David Salazar, OperaWire
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Is there a business case for environmental social governance?
Company & Commercial USA
Shareholder preeminence theory
Business case for ESG
Do companies that ignore long-term environmental or social costs in the pursuit of near-term profits pay another price in foregoing potentially long-term sustainable profit opportunities? The Business Case for ESG, from the Rock Center for Corporate Governance at Stanford University, authored by Stanford academics and representatives of ValueAct Capital, considers a framework for incorporating sustainability or ESG (environmental, social and governance) factors into corporate strategy and decision-making. The prevailing theory is that the failure to take sustainability into account is a component of short-termism, "leading to decisions that increase near-term reported profits at the expense of the long-term sustainability of those profits. The costs of those decisions are assumed to manifest themselves as externalities borne by members of the workforce or society at large." The paper cites investors like Laurence Fink of BlackRock and innovative approaches like The New Paradigm as examples of efforts to encourage companies to take into account stakeholders other than solely shareholders. The paper suggests that, properly analyzed, sustainability can affect not only externalities, but can also benefit the business itself—there is a business case for ESG.
Although the shareholder preeminence theory still largely holds sway in the U.S., it has recently come under more critical scrutiny—and from what might otherwise seem unlikely sources. For example, in his last two annual letters to public companies, Laurence Fink, the Chair and CEO of BlackRock, has advocated that companies recognize their responsibilities to stakeholders beyond just shareholders—to employees, customers and communities—as part of an overall focus on the long term. In his 2018 annual letter, Fink suggested that governments have just not been up to the task of addressing the many challenges afflicting society, with the result that "society increasingly is turning to the private sector and asking that companies respond to broader societal challenges…. To prosper over time, every company must not only deliver financial performance, but also show how it makes a positive contribution to society. Companies must benefit all of their stakeholders, including shareholders, employees, customers, and the communities in which they operate." [Emphasis added.]
According to the paper, the first step in the framework is to "map the ecosystem of stakeholders"—customers, suppliers, employees, regulators, the community and general public (including environmental impact), shareholders and competitors—and analyze what their goals might be and their various interests lie. The paper indicates that the map should reveal which ESG factors are most relevant: "Certain factors, such as governance and human capital, might be applicable broadly while others, such as environmental footprint, might be more limited."
With that analysis in hand, under the framework, the company next evaluates its own position and risk related to each of the identified factors. The paper suggests that engaging a substantial investor with a long-term perspective can help to elevate the discussion of risk with the board, encourage corporate investment to mitigate risk and champion the decision among other investors.
However, the paper asserts, ESG has relevance well beyond risk reduction:
"ESG factor analysis can lead to the identification of investments or activities by the company that increase long-term returns. For example, a company's investment in a more sustainable supply chain can deepen relationships with customers (thereby promoting volume growth and premium pricing), attract talent to the organization, and perhaps reduce costs….These positive effects can build on one another and create a powerful flywheel effect. To identify and capitalize on opportunities such as these, senior business leadership must consider material ESG factors as core inputs into their strategy development."
The footnotes to the paper make clear, however, that the research literature is not entirely positive on the financial benefit to companies that have jumped on the sustainability bandwagon:
"Some research finds that companies that embrace ESG principles perform better, although the results are mixed. [A paper from 2017 found] that during the financial crisis, high-ESG firms experienced greater returns, profitability, growth, and sales per employee relative to low-ESG firms. [A 2013 paper looked] at value creation from mergers, showing that high ESG acquiring firms experience significantly more positive returns from acquisitions than low-ESG firms. [A 2016 paper provided] evidence that well-governed firms that suffer less from agency concerns engage more in ESG activities, and that a positive relation exists between ESG and firm value. However, [a 2011 paper found], in a meta-analysis of 251 studies from 1972 to 2007, that the 'overall average effect [of ESG…] across all studies is statistically significant, but on an absolute basis it is small.'"
Nasdaq, which has just released a new voluntary ESG Reporting Guide, contends that a "range of studies have found correlation between companies with good ESG practices and a lower cost of capital, lower stock price volatility, and better valuation over the long term. Nasdaq itself is persuaded that a correlative exists, and it seems to exert positive influence for listed companies." According to Nasdaq, the notion that ESG factors should be characterized as "non-financial" is itself controversial: "how a company manages them undoubtedly has financial consequences [and] many believe that ESG information is no less relevant or useful to an investor in assessing the financial prospects and operational performance of a company than information channeled through traditional accounting practices."
While ESG factors can be integrated into the strategies of all companies, the paper maintains, some companies are able to put ESG "at the center of the investment thesis," or to develop business models that "are core to the ultimate solution for specific environmental and social problems." One example of these companies discussed in the paper benefited from adopting a long-term investment horizon, transitioning its decades-old business by making "an up-front investment in order to increase long-term value." The case study involved a mature power company that provided capacity to utilities globally, relying on coal as its primary energy source. But the company was able to recognize that there were costs to that reliance and began to reposition its business to renewable sources. It then accelerated that transition through a major reorganization, divesting primarily coal plant assets, and entering into joint ventures to build capacity for energy storage and development of renewables. Through various public sustainability reports and public commitments to substantially reduce its reliance on coal, the company made clear the seriousness of its transition to green energy.
The paper identifies a number of ripple effects from these actions, including galvanizing the company's culture, helping it to attract talent, increasing workforce productivity and innovation, attracting positive recognition from NGOs, attaining relief from shareholder pressures regarding sustainability and securing new investments from green-oriented investors. Significantly, during this period of investment, "the company's price-to earnings multiple expanded from approximately 9x in January 2018 to 14x by March 2019, and its stock price outpaced industry indexes." Through this transition, the company was able to turn an environmental challenge into a long-term profit opportunity, creating value and generating returns by fundamentally changing its business model to one that addressed stakeholder concerns regarding sustainability.
For further information on this topic please contact Cydney Posner at Cooley LLP by telephone (+1 415 693 2000) or email (cposner@cooley.com). The Cooley LLP website can be accessed at www.cooley.com.
This article has been reproduced in its original format from Lexology – www.Lexology.com.
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Cydney Posner
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Do Opposites Attract?
Life is strange. Relationships are strange. We're strange in our own little ways. Bundled together and shared together, it becomes a 'thought to be' predictable venture, sometimes ending up to find out you were strangers all along, whether together for a year or for twenty. Change is good. Evolving from "one person" to "this person" is okay. When it involves someone else who is changing in a different direction, it might sever the ties that bind that particular relationship. Some people never leave a relationship that has taken two different paths because well, "they've invested so much into it" or "they have a history together". When it involves kids, it becomes more about being selfless or selfish. Whose happiness are you sacrificing besides your own? But, we all want to be happy. We all want that "perfect relationship" and I'm here to say there is no such animal. You either have to accept the imperfections to make it "perfect" or you have to decide whether or not to stay or leave. Ending a relationship or marriage that went beyond ten years, a house, some pets and maybe a kid or five means adapting to a whole new lifestyle - a whole new "life" in itself. It means moving out of your home, or having the people you love move out of your home --- whichever the case, the life is completely thrown up into the air with a bunch of uncertainties...and that scares us. So we stay. We try. We tolerate what we cannot stand. We grumble. We bitch and moan. We...are miserable.
The younger generation seems to think that you need the spark even after 5 or 10 years. In my opinion, this is why there are so many divorces. People give up so quickly once that fiery passion fades. I do believe that "passion" turns into a more loving experience in terms of intimacy, a "connection". And I dare the next person who says they still have butterflies in their tummy with their longtime spouse by taking a polygraph test. Sure, I believe there's love, but it's not like when they first met, or even the first year of dating. It's just different. Also, it's not a bad thing. There are stages of love.
The courting stage (with the passion and butterflies we all want to keep forever)
The planning stage (nesting and setting up for the future)
The contentment stage (where you are comfortable, relaxed and have a newfound love - a "family" type of love for your partner)
What happens when you're at stage 2 or 3 and your partner wants to trek it back to stage 1 again? Or, your partner or spouse goes through some midlife crisis, where he or she wants to live in a bar or go clubbing - a more "unsettled" life, as it was in stage 1, but for you, it's not so exciting anymore. Maybe an argument over that new convertible Porsche sitting in the garage or perhaps a night out with the boys becomes more of a daily happy hour venture that runs into all hours of the night. And of course, what if someone slips and has an affair because they found a "stage 1" type of feeling? The "stand by your man" statement was made in what --- the 1930's? Well, Hillary Clinton did it, but then again, maybe it was just to save her political career. I'm sure many women would have backed up her decision to divorce the feisty hubby in the oval office, but I think "traditional values" are more sought after when you're in such a high position. But what about for us little guys? We'd be shunned by our friends and family if we stayed with someone who cheated on us --- even once. I do believe in forgiveness and slip ups, but let's face it, a tiger never changes their stripes.
Commonality. It's rare to find. I am not a believer in "opposites attract" -- and I mean that in the sense of polar opposites. I also think you can't date your clone either. (At least for me, for good reason.) Now what I'm about to say needs to be taken with a grain of salt and an opened mind. A little more than 50 years ago, interracial couples weren't allowed to get married legally. It was also seen as a "sin" within society - or looked down upon for reasons of either 'not knowing their roots to the fullest extent' or just not adapting the culture whatsoever. People have overcome that and progressed so much throughout time. We've come together more, shared more, accepted more. But what happens when you date someone after a period of time and start to realize that you are still not adapting to their culture, to the ways that their family celebrates certain holidays or even, how they still feel tense around you due to your lack of knowledge of their race? You can't use the same terminology around them or perhaps you feel awkward talking at all, feeling judged and ridiculed over every word that goes against their accent or slang and lack thereof. On the up side, you have to be one helluva' confident person to keep plugging along in that relationship with all the challenges of the opposing cultures. It takes strength and determination to learn and share with people who maybe have no clue about your own heritage. They don't have to make an effort if they don't want to - it's all up to you to put your best foot forward, and sometimes that just isn't enough. If you're not "in" with their family, then half your partner's heart is elsewhere. If you don't combine your union with the extended family, it will be an eternal conflict, well at least until the relationship or marriage is over.
What's the glue that keeps your relationship or marriage together? Or, why do you think your relationship or marriage fell apart too soon?
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For more of Deb's articles, please visit: www.debrapasquella.com or join her on Facebook and Twitter. Check out her cooking blog for some of her famous recipes!
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Fuggedaboutit'!