"Let's make a virtual baby"
"This is the headline of a one page article by Natascha van Aalst in Saturday's NRC Handelsblad, a leading Dutch daily newspaper. It's about how children are spending their time and money online and Eccky is profiled as one of the potential beneficiaries alongside another, very succesful, example: Habbo Hotel. The latter has millions of users and, at least in The Netherlans, the monthly average revenue per user is 7 euro. Interesting benchmark;-) Anyway, it's a good read with some interesting interviews as well, looking at what really motivates these teenagers to do these things most parents do not understand..."


Four areas of service will be affected by the shutoff.
Replacement of portion of line set for 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
FARMINGTON — An interruption of water service is scheduled on Saturday for the areas of Morgan Lake, Lower Fruitland, Tsé Daa K'aan and Nenahnezad.
Workers from the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority's Shiprock district will replace a portion of a water transmission line after a leak was discovered this week.
The outage will take place from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., according to NTUA.
Herb Beyale, field superintendent for the district, said the leak is located near the junction of Navajo Route 36 and Indian Service Road 365 in Nenahnezad.
The repair was scheduled for Saturday so it does not interfere with the operation of the Nenahnezad Community School, Beyale said.
Approximately 200 residences could be affected by the outage, and residents are encouraged to take care of their water needs before the shutoff occurs, he added.
Fliers about the outage have been posted in the communities, including at chapter houses, and information is posted on the NTUA Facebook page.
For more information, contact the NTUA Shiprock District at 928-729-4728.


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China Sends the Marines to Thailand
Since Oct. 26, the Marine Corps of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) have been training with Thai Marines in an exercise due to last until Nov. 14 and the latest drill to demonstrate China's expanding military ties across the world.
In September, for instance, an unknown number of China's People's Liberation Army Air Force Russian-built Su-27 and Mig-29 fighters trained with Turkish US-built F-16 fighters in the first ever military exercise of its kind between China and a NATO country. The People's Liberation Army and Air Force also participated in a series of military exercises conducted in September 2010 in Kazakhstan with military personnel from Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Russia. Although the ostensible purpose of the exercise was to test and coordinate joint counter-terrorist operations, in reality the 'Peace Mission' gave China a unique opportunity to deploy land and air units in strength beyond its borders.
The US and other nations including Singapore are closely watching the activity in the Gulf of Thailand in and around the Sattahip Naval Base, near Bangkok, as China seeks to secure its access south to strategic sea lanes. The Blue Assault-2010 joint training exercise is much smaller than America's annual Cobra Gold military drills which, among several sites, also include Sattahip Naval Base, where Thailand's Marine Corps is headquartered at Camp Samaesan.
Washington and Bangkok are non-NATO military allies. During the US-Vietnam War in the 1960s and 1970s, Thailand allowed its territory to be used by America to launch massive aerial bombardments against Vietnam and Laos, where a limited number of Thai ground forces also fought alongside US troops.
After regarding China as a communist foe during the Cold War, Bangkok's relations with Beijing have steadily improved in the past 30 years. Some analysts claim Thailand is intentionally balancing its military and financial dependence on the U.S. by nurturing
better relations with China.
Other analysts say relations between Beijing and Bangkok have more to do with the geographical and commercial closeness of Thailand and China, which are separated by tiny Communist Laos. China wants to diversify its southern routes, especially from landlocked Yunnan province, because China's main southeastern sea port is Hong Kong which is not convenient for some imports and exports. If China could cut straight south across Laos into Thailand, it would give Beijing faster access via Thailand's modern transport links to Bangkok and the Gulf of Thailand, and speed travel further south to Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia, and the southernmost waters of the resource-rich South China Sea.
China is also trying to upgrade a southern route from Yunnan province through Burma, which
opens to Burmese ports along the Bay of Bengal near Calcutta and eastern India, leading to the South Asian island of Sri Lanka and the Indian Ocean.
"It is in the common interests of China and other countries to maintain freedom and security of navigation in the region," said Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army. Ma, however, did not specify the China-Thailand exercise during his keynote speech on Oct. 22 in the Chinese city of Xiangshan where a three-day forum of military scholars discussed the "Evolution of International Strategic Configuration and Asia-Pacific Security," organized by the China Association for Military Science.
The amphibious operation by China with the Royal Thai Marine Corps may involve about 135 Marines from each country, according to sketchy reports about the relatively unpublicized military training. It has attracted attention on the Southeast Asian island of Singapore, however, which is a staunch US military partner for regional security, especially for shipping lanes.
"Amphibious military capabilities have application in disaster relief and humanitarian operations, but they are designed mainly for complex combat assault missions launched from the sea," Singapore's Straits Times reported, describing the Thailand-China military exercise. "In China's case, the capability would be particularly important in a full-scale conflict with Taiwan."
China opposes independence for Taiwan, and has vowed to eventually absorb the island which lies across a 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait. Washington insists it will defend Taipei against any aggression, and has sold weapons worth billions of dollars to the island.
"The United States also has concerns in Asia about threats to peace and stability in the East China Sea, South China Sea, and over terrorist threats in Southeast Asia, humanitarian crises, and security for sea lines of communication, particularly through the Straits of Malacca," which separate Singapore and Indonesia, said a Congressional Research Service report titled, "Guam: US Defense Deployments," issued in 2009 for members and committees of Congress.
China's drill with the Royal Thai Marine Corps began just after the end of a 15-day counter-terrorism training exercise between Thai and Chinese Special Forces in China's southern city of Guilin. "The two armies have been holding annual joint Special Forces exercises since 2007," the Bangkok Post said, adding that the first naval exercise, called China-Thailand Friendship 2005, took place in the Gulf of Thailand five years ago.
Many Thais trace their families' ancestors to China, and are known here as Sino-Thais, enjoying prominent and wealthy positions in Bangkok's political and financial circles. As a result, Thailand is comfortable with improving its relations with China while maintaining close ties with the US, in tactics Bangkok perceives as diplomatic, profitable and pragmatic.
China's snuggling up to Thailand was especially noticeable after the Thai military seized power in a bloodless 2006 coup, when Beijing immediately welcomed Thailand's new junta.
"A central element of Bangkok's hedging strategy is to keep its military alliance with the United States well lubricated, while at the same time expanding defense ties with China," Ian Storey, a Fellow at the Institute of Southeast Asian Studies in Singapore, wrote in 2008. "Given the cozy relationship that has developed between Thailand and China over the past few decades, it is unsurprising that military-security links are among China's most well-developed in the region – second only to Burma, China's quasi-ally," Storey said.
"The number of Thai military officers attending educational courses at the National Defense University in Beijing has increased since 2001, as has the number of PLA officers studying at Thai military academies. The purpose of these courses is to enhance understanding of each other's strategic perspectives, and to improve language skills for future cooperative activities."
Richard S Ehrlich is a Bangkok-based journalist who has reported news from Asia since 1978. His web page is http://www.asia-correspondent.110mb.com

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Born and raised in South Florida Jenna and her husband Evan grew up playing and exploring the sunny beaches of Palm Beach County. They both come from families that value hard work, education and fairness and both come from families of educators. Evan's mother, Patty, was a popular, highly respected 3rd grade teacher and Jenna's mother, Roseann, has taught high school for 25 years while her step father just retired after 41 years in the classroom. It was only natural for Jenna to step into the role of a "teacher"!
Jenna graduated from Florida State University in 2008 with a degree in Family and Child Sciences/ Child Development. She was hired as a fourth grade teacher months after college graduation and loved the challenge to make learning fun. She spent the next three years teaching fourth grade and developed an admiration for the students' hard work and enthusiasm. She also found a niche with the special needs children. She found it was the most rewarding experience to create a bond that encourages growth and allows for success. The next 5 years she spent teaching 2nd grade students and couldn't get enough of their authentic comments and genuine kindness. "Every year the kids really made me want to be a better person", she said. It was in her 5th year of teaching 2nd Grade that she was attending an Autism Speaks walk with teachers and students from her school. She came across the "We Rock the Spectrum" booth and talked with a few of the owners about "A sensory gym that is for ALL kids". And that started the ball rolling…. She quickly contacted Sarah, a great friend since high school, knowing her similar passion and then they reached out to get more information. When they learned more about the heart and mission behind "WRTS" they knew they needed to be part of it!
In 2014, Evan and Jenna welcomed their daughter, Savannah, into their lives and with that momentous occasion came a new commitment as parents. As new parents they feel physical activity is essential to feeling better and feeling well is essential for success.
They also feel strongly that from an early age their daughter and other children should have a good opportunity to learn that "this world, like a crayon box, is filled with many different colors. Each, is beautiful and unique." All and all, The Pignatos are thrilled to team up with The Callahans to make their mark on their community by creating an environment that is welcoming to all children and in turn have a platform for special needs children and their families. They are committed to providing opportunities for physical activities, social interaction, personal growth, and just plain FUN!
Sarah Callahan grew up in sunny Jupiter, Fl. At an early age Sarah's mission in life has been to better the lives of individuals with disabilities. She started that journey at the age of 18 as a paraprofessional at a charter school for children diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sarah continued her journey by becoming a certified K-12 Exceptional Student Educator. She graduated from Florida Atlantic University and is currently enrolled at Florida Institute of Technology pursuing her certification as a Board Certified Behavior Analyst. Sarah has experience working with families in the home as well. While attending Florida Atlantic University she worked In-home as a behavior assistant teaching parents how to implement Individualized behavior plans for their children.
It was during these experiences of bonds being made and watching lives change that her passion for the field was affirmed. She taught for 6 years in the public school system and at a non-profit charter school. The last 2 years she has been a part of the behavior epartment at a non-profit charter school for individuals k-8 diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Sarah enjoys her position helping teachers manage challenging behaviors in the school setting.
Sarah is so excited to bring her passion to another setting in the community. "Watching minds learn in an environment that's naturally motivating" is one of the experiences Sarah is looking forward to.
Her husband Kyle is also committed to serving our community, as he has served as a dedicated Firefighter/Paramedic for the past 6 years and currently in Palm Beach County. They are both born and raised Floridians and who look forward to raising their son Jack in the same community that we grew up in. They are passionate about making differences where they live and creating acceptance for all. They can't wait to provide a fun environment where everyone can learn and play together!


FF Production has acquired solid experience in the recording and the live broadcasting of large-scale gatherings and events. Anticipation, reactivity and pooling means and ressources are our priorities.
We master the most modern filming techniques (robotic computer controlled, on-board, aerial, helicopter and super slow motion cameras) in order to highlight your event and reach the widest possible audience.
the executive production and live direction of international sports competitions, concerts, demonstrations.
the link between organisers, partners, and diffusers.
the script-writing, filming and directing of documentaries and magazine programmes for television channels.


Prior to traveling abroad, it is up to the passenger to check with the embassy or consulate of (the) country of destination, entrance and stay formalities and, the nature of required ID documents and their validity period.
Beware, time limits in obtaining some documents may take several months through.
Some products (food or equipment) are prohibited from entering some territories. Check with the consular services or tourist office of your destination country. Import and export of counterfeit products stand for customs crime.


Future fertility is an important factor for young people diagnosed with cancer to consider.
A charity that helps young people preserve their chance of fertility after cancer has boosted its funding for women.
Through Fertile Future's Power of Hope: Cost Reduction Program, women can now apply for up to $2,500 to go toward egg freezing, subject to a sliding scale based on income.
"It helps subsidize fertility preservation for young men and women before they go in for fertility threatening cancer treatment," said Jessica Séguin, executive director of Fertile Future.
Séguin said many people don't even think about young people getting cancer, never mind the effect on fertility after the cancer battle. The Ottawa-based organization has helped people as young as 15 preserve the chance of becoming a biological parent.
"It's not every single cancer treatment that will pose a threat to fertility, but most of them do," said Séguin.
One aspect of the charity's efforts is advocating for fertility after cancer to be planned in advance, and not an afterthought by medical professionals.
Fertile Future was founded in 2008 and the cost reduction program was implemented in 2010.
"The cost can be quite prohibitive, especially for women," said Séguin, who pegs the cost for women to freeze their eggs at between $6,000 and $10,000.
The organization has what it calls "power of hope partner clinics" that have agreed to reduce their fees by at least a third, if not more.
Previously the charity offered women $1,000 to help with the process. Now, depending on a woman's income, she can be eligible for up to $2,500. Men are eligible to receive up to $350.
Séguin hopes that with the increased funding, the option will be within reach for more women.
Currently Quebec is the only province or territory to offer full in-vitro fertilization funding.
Manitoba has a Fertility Treatment Tax Credit which reimburses up to 40 per cent of costs for treatments within the province, to a maximum of $8,000 per year.
New Brunswick offers a special assistance fund by way of a one-time grant, refunding up to 50 per cent of eligible fertility expenses up to $5,000.
Ontario is implementing funding for fertility treatments, but full details have yet to be released.
Many young men are helped by the service as well. Séguin says the cost to preserve men's fluids are far lower than the cost to freeze women's eggs, so more men are financially able to do so.
In the last five years the program has helped 360 people; in its last fiscal year it helped 35 women and 49 men.
Fertile Future is a registered charity and does not receive any government funding or grants; all Canadians are eligible to apply for its cost reduction program.


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Oppenheimer Chief Strategist John Stoltzfus, on Bloomberg discussing this morning's disappointing (to put it mildly) release of the Institute for Supply Management (ISM) September Manufacturing Survey, says it's all about the trade war:
"We really do believe that if we get a trade deal all of this goes 180 degrees in a different direction, and people will be worried about when the Fed will raise again. This is artificial overhang."
I absolutely believe that most traders are absolutely in Mr. Stoltzfus's camp, in fact, from start to finish during what turned out to be the worst correction of this now record-long bull market (at the end of last year) I was very much camping there as well.
But like I said way back in February:
"If the Administration keeps this conflict alive too long, general conditions will deteriorate in accelerated fashion, risking the possibility that even the ending of the trade war will not avert the next bear market."
Speaking of "way back in February", three days after I penned the above our proprietary macro index scored a +38.37, with 49% of its 80+ data points scoring positive, 10% negative, and 41% neutral.
Well, alas, this week's showing suggests general conditions are moving closer to the present bull market's point of no return; i.e., with or without a trade deal:
Macro Score: +2.33
Indicators Positive: 36%
Indicators Negative: 34%
Indicators Neutral: 30%
Here's straight from this morning's ISM report (issued by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business Survey Committee): note: below 50 denotes recessionary conditions...
PMI® at 47.8%
New Orders, Production, and Employment Contracting
Supplier Deliveries Slowing at a Slower Rate; Backlog Contracting
Raw Materials Inventories Contracting; Customers' Inventories Too Low
Prices Decreasing; Exports and Imports Contracting
"Global trade remains the most significant issue, as demonstrated by the contraction in new export orders that began in July 2019. Overall, sentiment this month remains cautious regarding near-term growth," says Fiore.
WHAT RESPONDENTS ARE SAYING...
"Second month in a row in which shipments have outpaced new orders." (Computer & Electronic Products)
"Continued softening in the global automotive market. Trade-war impacts also have localized effects, particularly in select export markets. Seeing warehouses filling again after what appeared to be a short reduction of demand." (Chemical Products)
"Business outlook remains cautious. Orders seem to be decreasing, but luckily not as sharp of a decrease as we were expecting." (Transportation Equipment)
"Chinese tariffs going up are hurting our business. Most of the materials are not made in the U.S. and made only in China." (Food, Beverage & Tobacco Products)
"General market is slowing even more than a normal fourth-quarter slowdown." (Fabricated Metal Products)
"Demand softening on some product lines, backlogs have reduced, and dealer inventories are growing." (Machinery)
"Business has been flat for us. Year-over-year growth has slowed dramatically." (Miscellaneous Manufacturing)
"We have seen a reduction in sales orders and, therefore, a lower demand for products we order. We have also reduced our workforce by 10 percent." (Plastics & Rubber Products)
"Incoming sales are sluggish for this time of year." (Furniture & Related Products)
"Economy seems to be softening. The tariffs have caused much confusion in the industry." (Electrical Equipment, Appliances & Components)
Note: Past the macro point of no return or not, I still expect to see a quick burst to all time highs for the major averages on news of a U.S./China trade deal. For us to fully engage, however, such a move would have to be followed by a marked improvement in the underlying fundamentals...


Offering an outdoor pool and free WiFi in all areas City Express Junior Villahermosa is located 3 km from Villahermosa town centre. It also features free parking. Each room here will provide you with air conditioning and a desk. The bathroom also comes with a shower. You can enjoy city view from the room. At City Express Junior Villahermosa you will find free shuttle service and a 24-hour front desk. Other facilities offered at the property include luggage storage. The property offers free parking. The hotel is 1.8 km from Parque Museo La Venta and 1.4 km from Tabasco 2000 Shopping Mall. Villahermosa Airport is 16 km away.


"Inside Me" is a top-down shooter in which you play as one of nanorobots embedded in the human body to fight infection. While clearing the infected cells you will fight with various enemies and dangerous bosses. The general gameplay consists in controlling more smaller bots in fighting with parasites. During the game you will be able to reveal unique abilities which you can combine with each other.


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Federica Mogherini on the vote on constitutional amendments by the Parliament of Ukraine
The vote today in the Verkhovna Rada on the constitutional amendments related to decentralisation is an important step that paves the way towards a substantial devolution of powers from the central level to regions and communities, increasing in parallel the accountability of territorial self-governments to their constituencies. The amendments will also facilitate the implementation of the Minsk Agreements. The EU looks forward to adoption of these amendments in final reading later this year, as well as to continued work on the judiciary-related constitutional amendments, taking into account the Venice Commission's recommendations. This process shouldn't be jeopardised by violence; today's events are very worrying. We offer our condolences to the family of the deceased law enforcement officer and our deepest sympathy to those injured in the explosion during the demonstration in front of the Verkhovna Rada. I am sure that Ukraine will stay firmly on its way to further reforms, both institutional and economic, as well as comprehensive reform of police and the law enforcement sector to ensure public order and safety across the...
High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini speaks to newly-appointed interim Foreign Minister of Turkey, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, and EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator of Turkey, Ali Haydar Konca, and meets with HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş
High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission, Federica Mogherini, held phone calls with Turkish interim Foreign Minister, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, and interim EU Affairs Minister and Chief Negotiator, Ali Haydar Konca. In the morning, the High Representative received HDP Co-Chair, Selahattin Demirtaş. Mogherini congratulated the two ministers on their appointments and stressed that she is ready to cooperate closely with them to reinforce the strategic relationship with Turkey. She looks forward to welcoming Foreign Minister, Feridun Sinirlioğlu, at the upcoming Informal Foreign Affairs Council ("Gymnich") in Luxembourg, where the refugee crisis and migration will be discussed also with candidate countries. They agreed to meet separately in the margins. The High Representative expressed with all her interlocutors the EU's readiness to work together with the interim Government in order to further strengthen and broaden the EU-Turkey relationship and to address common international challenges, such as the refugee crisis. She explained how important and relevant latest political and security developments in Turkey are to the EU and to the entire region. At the same time, she underlined the fundamental importance of keeping the Kurdish peace process alive and on track in the run-up to and after the 1 November parliamentary...
Mogherini meeting with Ukrainian President Poroshenko
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the Commission Federica Mogherini met with the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko as part of the President's visit to Brussels on 27 August 2015. President Poroshenko, who was accompanied by Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin, provided an update on the security situation in eastern Ukraine, where the recent escalation of fighting was of particular concern, as well as harassment of the OSCE's Special Monitoring Mission by separatists. High Representative/Vice-President Mogherini underlined the European Union's continued support for the full implementation of the Minsk agreements, starting with respect for the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy weapons. The EU would continue its support notably for the OSCE, the facilitation of ongoing trilateral discussions with Ukraine and Russia on energy security and continuing trilateral talks on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement's provisions on a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area. The High Representative welcomed President Poroshenko's update regarding the country's progress on constitutional reform enabling decentralisation, as well the announcement of an agreement reached between Ukraine and its ad-hoc creditor committee on debt, which should allow for the continued vigorous pursuit of economic and political reforms. Both the President and the High Representative hoped for further rapid progress on the path to visa-free travel between Ukraine and the EU. High Representative Mogherini reiterated her position for the release of Nadiya Savchenko, Oleg Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko and other Ukrainian prisoners in the Russian Federation and their safe return to Ukraine. The High Representative accepted the President's invitation to visit again Ukraine in the near...
Remarks by Federica Mogherini at the joint press conference with the Austrian Federal Chancellor Werner Faymann, German Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel and Serbian Prime Minister Aleksandar Vucic, at the Western Balkans Summit in Vienna
Thank you very much, first of all, to the Chancellor personally for hosting and organising this meeting. It is for me a pleasure to be back in Vienna; the last time I stayed here was very successful –it was in July for the Iranian talks. And we didn't have the chance – I didn't have the chance – to publicly thank you personally, Chancellor, as well as the Austrian Government for the hospitality and support on that occasion. I take this chance to do that, hoping that Vienna can host many successful negotiations – we need that dramatically in these times. So, I am happy to be back in Vienna and I am also glad to bring to bring to Vienna a piece of good news. We also need desperately good news in these difficult times, which is the something that both Chancellor Faymann and Chancellor Merkel referred to, the signing last Tuesday of four very difficult and very important agreements by Prime Minister Vučić and Prime Minister Mustafa, with the facilitation of the European Union. But they were the brave ones, the committed ones, the dedicated ones that showed leadership and courage, delivering for their people and for the people of the region on four difficult issues: on energy, telecommunications, the establishment of an association community of Serb majority municipalities, and on the freedom of movement and the Mitrovica Bridge. Four difficult issues, on which we managed to build understanding and open the way forward, not only to bilateral understanding and cooperation, but also setting, I think, an example to the whole region of what kind of cooperation...
ederica Mogherini, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides and Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica on the signature by President Kiir of the peace agreement for South Sudan
Today, President Kiir decided to sign the peace agreement endorsed by other South Sudanese parties in Addis Ababa on 17 August 2015. President Kiir's commitment to engage in a political process to achieve a lasting peace is a crucial step. This agreement offers a new opportunity, that cannot be squandered, for South Sudan to move towards a future of transparent government that places the interests of the citizen above all else. If properly implemented, it will end the fighting and install the transitional institutions essential to the rebuilding of the country. To ensure this happens, effective implementation of the agreement will be essential. A ceasefire must come into place and all obstacles to full and unhindered humanitarian access must be removed immediately. A strong monitoring body with regional, international and South Sudanese civil society representation is vital to ensure that the agreement is respected by all stakeholders. Accountability and transparency will be central to the way forward for South Sudan. The EU will continue to stand by the South Sudanese people during the transitional process and appeals to the political leaders of South Sudan to rise to their responsibilities, end the suffering of the South Sudanese people, account for the atrocities targeted at civilians and children and prevent an even greater humanitarian tragedy from...


Nolen Niu Distinctive Minimalist Furniture Zero Chaise Lounge // Polished Stainless Steel Base (ELMOsoft // Black) from Touch Of Modern is a great gift idea for any occasion. Nolen Niu Distinctive Minimalist Furniture Zero Chaise Lounge // Polished Stainless Steel Base (ELMOsoft // Black) is listed in new condition, and is currently listed at $5950.00.
For more information about "Nolen Niu Distinctive Minimalist Furniture Zero Chaise Lounge // Polished Stainless Steel Base (ELMOsoft // Black)", be sure to visit Touch Of Modern.


This charming late 19th century house has been lovingly renovated by the owner. The décor of each room is complimented by the hostess' collection of arts and crafts. The second floor guest room is simple and serene–in the tradition of William Morris–with hand-blocked wallpaper, a carved chest of drawers, a rocker, built-in desk, and twin beds. The bath is down the hall, and although shared with your hostess, is essentially private. Wireless internet is available.
Each morning your hostess will provide a continental buffet with coffee, tea, fruit or juice, toast, assorted jams, and cereals.
The room is also available for longer term rentals-perfect for grad students or visiting professors.
This B&B is within walking distance of the University of Pennsylvania, Drexel University, Presbyterian Hospital and the Art Museum. Interesting restaurants and cultural activities are nearby.


Housing for All - How Mutual Funds Can Help You in Buying Home?
Lets check out how you can adequately utilize mutual funds schemes to build a considerable corpus for your home.
One of the first big ticket expense that most of us face in our life is owning a home. To own a roof over one's heads is certainly not a tough job considering the financing options available these days. Buy it outright if you have the funds at your disposal else borrow from a bank or other lending institutions. Presently, home loans are offered anywhere between 8.5-9 per cent per annum calculated on monthly reducing basis.
How Much of Self-Finance is Required?
Home, however, cannot be entirely financed by lenders. As per new RBI rules, one has to pay-up at least 10 per cent (earlier it was 20 percent) of property value as down payment to the lender and the balance i.e. 90 percent can be financed. This holds true if the loan amount is less than Rs 30 lakh. For loan amount between Rs 30-Rs 75 lakh, the minimum down payment is 20 percent of loan amount, while for loans above Rs 75 lakh, the minimum down payment is 25 percent. So, on a Rs 60 lakh property, the down payment comes to Rs 12 lakh, while the balance Rs 48 lakh can be availed as a loan.
If you are 3-5 years away from owning a home, start investing towards creating a corpus for the down payment.
- Firstly, fix a budget for the home.
- Then find out how much you need to save each month towards it.
Ideally, do not aim for securing the mandatory 10/20/25 percent margin which the bank would seek as down payment. Use the financing option to bridge the gap and rather not depend on it entirely. After all, lesser the loan amount less will be the interest burden and that much less will be the final cost of your home.
1. If you have already arranged or accumulated the amount for down payment and the search for the right house is still on, better to put the amount in a liquid fund or a short-term bond fund. The volatility in such funds is least and will help to preserve the capital.
2. If the horizon is anywhere between 3-5 years, a bit of exposure to equities helps. Choose at least two balanced mutual funds with more than 65 percent exposure to equities for tax effective high returns. Balanced or hybrid funds exploit the potential of both debt and equity asset classes to generate returns. Start systematic investment plan (SIP) in them and opt for the growth option in them.
3. Another saving alternative for your house, if the horizon is around 5 years, could be through diversified equity funds. Diversified equity funds invest 50-65% in large caps and the remaining in mid-cap funds. Diversified funds take the middle route and therefore, the volatility and return potential of these funds lie somewhere between large-cap and mid-cap funds.
Investing in the right scheme may not be sufficient. You need to strategize your investment moves thus executing the investment is equally important. At least a year before reaching your goal, move your funds into less volatile liquid or debt fund. This helps to preserve the capital accumulated.
Life on rent is very different from living in a place which you could call your own. The sense of ownership overpowers all other things especially when the trade-off is between renting and owning. Renting after all involves frequent changes in residences at the whims and fancies of the landlord and is sure to witness a constant increase in annual rent revision.
With several financing options and the property prices lying flat, it's time to bargain hard with developers and get a home of your own. But make sure you do not overstretch your EMI amount. After all, there are other goals in life too that needs your attention. Prepare a partial repayment plan simultaneously to finish off the home loan as early as possible to lower your interest burden.


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Table of Contents » Title 10. Finance and Financial Institutions » Agency 5. State Corporation Commission » Chapter 200. Payday Lending » 10VAC5-200-70. Additional Business Requirements and Restrictions.
10VAC5-200-70. Additional Business Requirements and Restrictions.
A. A licensee shall conspicuously post in its licensed locations the days and hours during which it is open for business.
B. A licensee shall not deposit or otherwise present for payment more than two times any check given by a borrower as security for a loan, and in no event shall a licensee recover from a borrower more than a total of $25 attributable to returned check fees incurred by the licensee with respect to a single check.
C. A licensee shall not knowingly make a payday loan to a member of the military services of the United States, or the spouse or other dependent of a member of the military services of the United States. To enable a licensee to make this determination, a licensee shall clearly and conspicuously include the following questions in its written loan application, which the licensee shall require each applicant to answer before obtaining a payday loan. A licensee shall not make a payday loan to an applicant unless the applicant answers "no" to all of these questions:
1. Are you a regular or reserve member of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard serving on active duty under a call or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or fewer?
2. Are you married to a regular or reserve member of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard serving on active duty under a call or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or fewer?
3. Are you under the age of 18 and the son or daughter of a regular or reserve member of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard serving on active duty under a call or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or fewer?
4. Was more than one-half of your financial support for the past 180 days provided by a regular or reserve member of the United States Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, or National Guard serving on active duty under a call or order that does not specify a period of 30 days or fewer?
D. A licensee shall maintain in its licensed offices such books, accounts, and records as the Commissioner of Financial Institutions may reasonably require in order to determine whether such licensee is complying with the provisions of the Act and all rules and regulations adopted in furtherance thereof. Such books, accounts, and records shall be maintained apart and separate from those relating to any other business in which the licensee is involved. Such records relating to loans, including loan applications, shall be retained for at least three years after final payment is made on any loan.
E. A licensee shall report, in accordance with § 6.2-1812 of the Code of Virginia, the institution of an action against the licensee under the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (§ 59.1-196 et seq. of the Code of Virginia) by the Attorney General or any other governmental authority.
F. A licensee shall endeavor to provide the loan documents, printed notice, and pamphlet required by 10VAC5-200-30, in a language other than English when a prospective borrower is unable to read the materials printed in English.
G. A licensee shall not file or initiate a legal proceeding against a borrower until 60 days after the date of default on a payday loan, including defaults under extended payment plans or extended term loans, during which time the licensee and borrower may voluntarily enter into a repayment arrangement.
H. Nothing in the Act or this chapter shall be construed to prohibit a licensee from voluntarily accepting a payment on an outstanding loan from a borrower after the date that such payment was due to the licensee. However, except as otherwise permitted by the Act and this chapter, the licensee shall not collect, receive, or otherwise recover any additional interest, fees, or charges from the borrower.
§§ 6.2-1815 and 12.1-13 of the Code of Virginia.
Historical Notes
Derived from Volume 18, Issue 24, eff. July 22, 2002; amended, Virginia Register Volume 25, Issue 04, eff. January 1, 2009; Volume 28, Issue 20, eff. June 1, 2012.


So I finally saw the cardiologist. The ECG done at the hospital that day was fine and he obviously wasn't too impressed with the one done at my GP's surgery.
He discussed my activity levels with me and reassured me that I do not have a heart condition.
Because of my history of high cholesterol he is going to send me for a CT scan of my heart to see if the arteries are furred up, but that won't be for another few months as it's not regarded as urgent.
Meanwhile I have the go ahead to travel/work/take cardio exercise etc.
Almost inevitably, as a result of my total failure to go to Thailand, my husband and I have been thrown back together and have decided not to get divorced after all. Instead we're trying to "make it work".
So I can't just rush abroad again and look for employment teaching ESL. My husband works in the U.K. and his earnings pay our enormous mortgage instalments. Well, they seem enormous to me, as I expected to own a property outright by now.
Thus I need to stay in this country too. And, ideally, find employment. I have three choices for earning a living. Lawyer, secretary, ESL teacher.
In all honesty I have no desire to teach ESL in the U.K. The only point (for me) of teaching ESL is you get to live in an exotic and hopefully sunny country with a low cost of living.
I can't really face doing clerical/secretarial work again. So much stress for so little money. If I'm going in for that lifestyle I might as well go back to Legal Aid work. Assuming I can find any.
I was admitted as a solicitor in December 1992. In December 2013 I transferred to the Bar and was "called" at Lincoln's Inn. For most of what I jokingly refer to as my career I worked in criminal defence. During my entire working life I felt I was running in front of a juggernaut that was eventually going to knock me down, to wit: the ever increasing cuts to Legal Aid and the justice system generally.
When I last worked as a secretary a few years ago it was for the NHS. "Bank" work, i.e. zero hours contract, for a couple of local hospitals. I seem to have a compulsion to work for important institutions that are being systematically destroyed by the government.
I have now sent out applications to the five local chambers that cover criminal work, two in Exeter, two in Plymouth and one in Taunton. I am currently in that comfortable zone between applying and being rejected when one can fantasise about what the work might be like and how much one would enjoy it.
The reality is that any chambers which are recruiting want barristers with Crown Court trial experience, which I do not have. I would love to get some – it's a feeling of unfinished business I have in terms of my legal career. But my time is running (has run?) out.
If I don't find work as a barrister locally then going back abroad will be seriously tempting. And what happens to "making it work" then?


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Shrewsbury For Groups
Shrewsbury Shropshire Coach Friendly Town Award
Shrewsbury Tourism
Acton Burnell Castle
www.english-heritage.org.uk/daysout/properties/acton-burnell-castle/
customers@english-heritage.org.uk
Acton Burnell
The red sandstone shell of a semi fortified tower house built in 1284-93 by Bishop Burnell Edward I's Lord Chancellor. Parliaments were twice held here in 1283 and 1285.
The castle of Acton Burnell is located in a remote village of the same name and isn't a traditional castle at all. It is one of several fortified manor houses located in Shropshire that would have been built for comfort, rather than battle, the most well known and best preserved of these being Stokesay Castle near Craven Arms.
The castle is tucked away a few miles south of Shrewsbury, located half way between the village of Cressage and the A49 at Leebotwood. From today's perspective it may be difficult for us to understand why anyone would build a castle in such a remote location, however, at the time the position was very important, as it was close to Watling Street, an old Roman road linking the city of Vironconium (Wroxeter) with Church Stretton. The red-sandstone remains are historically important because they are the site of the first parliament at which the commons were formally represented. The building was believed to have started in 1283 as a replacement for the original building, home of the Burnell family. The head of the family, Robert Burnell, was the Chancellor of England and a personal friend of King Edward I. He had been granted a licence to crenelate the castle from the King. This licence would allow the owner to place battlements on the structure; however there are no remains of any fortifications at the castle today.
Robert Burnell had begun his career serving as a clerk, under (the then Prince) Edward, the son of Henry III. Once Edward became King he took a great interest in this region of the country as part of his efforts to conquer the Welsh. In 1274 he rose to the ranks of Chancellor, and later acquired much land and importance as the Bishop of Bath and Wells. The castle featured a two-storey rectangular, central building, containing all the family rooms and two towers in the corner of the structure served as stairwells which were set into the thick castle walls. There was also a chapel and service rooms. Burnell continued to add to the structure until his death in 1292.
Burnell also built the nearby Church of St Mary, which is still in use and remains one of the most complete 13th century village churches in Britain. The surviving architecture is well preserved and although not as grand as Stokesay Castle, it is still worth a visit. In the same year King Edward I held a Parliament at the castle. This is possibly a reflection of the great friendship between the two men. In 1420 the male line of succession in the Burnell family perished and castle fell into a state of decay. The building passed through various hands until it came into the possession of the Smythe family, who decided in 1672 that the castle was no longer the desirable building that it once was and quickly set about turning the castle into a folly. Today the site is under the care of English Heritage.
Please see our website for current opening times.
For more information visit the Acton Burnell Castle website »
Facilities explained
From junction A5/A49 (S) Shrewsbury follow the A49 south towards Leominster Continue through Dorrington until you reach a turning for Acton Burnell on the right hand side Acton Burnell is brown signed approaching the castle
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Opinion: It's time to rethink the canned food drive
Campus Canned Food Drive Community Opinion Top Stories
by Emma Dewey November 30, 2017 November 30, 2017 1758
As M-A's famed annual canned food drive races into the final stretch, our campus is once again flooded with canning paraphernalia. "Help us meet our goal!" reads the enormous banner in Pride Hall; Uncle Sam recruits your cans from the B-21 door; minimalist Chi-Can posters line the bathroom stalls. Yet beneath the catchy beats of the "Can $huffle" lurks the serious reality: according to the Second Harvest Food Bank (SHFB) 2014 Hunger Study, ten percent of Silicon Valley residents rely on SHFB for food every month; on average clients receive assistance from the bank 13 times a year, versus the national average of eight.
The fact that M-A has been working to combat food insecurity in our community with the canned food drive since 1999 is a testament to our school's dedication to giving back. But I think M-A's lighthearted approach to the complex issue of food insecurity washes over its nuances and is a missed opportunity for more meaningful service.
A banner in Pride Hall encourages students to can.
We put a lot of emphasis on canning when in reality, cash donations are much more helpful for food banks than food donations. Canned or boxed foods purchased in stores might be expired, fail a bank's nutrition standards, or just don't fit a family's tastes; this October alone, about 9500 pounds of food donations to SHFB went to waste. Meanwhile, monetary donations can go towards buying food in bulk. According to the SHFB website, "Every $1 donated to the Food Bank provides nearly $3 worth of healthy food at a local grocery store."
In fact, all the food on Distribution Day comes from monetary donations. Using the funds raised, Leadership selects certain foods they feel are essential for all families to have — such as bread, apples, oranges, or tuna — and buys in bulk. The actual cans that M-A students collect get distributed around the Bay Area through SHFB.
Uncle Sam canning posters cover the B-21 door.
This is not to say that throwing money at the issue is a solution either. There is value in going out and spending time serving the community, but why do we insist that it be through canning when we know money goes farther in helping food insecure families? This year, Leadership classes started a letter writing campaign where they wrote letters to 20 friends and family members asking for monetary donations. What if we encouraged the entire student body to do the same, instead of encouraging canning? Since the food given out on Distribution Day is entirely from monetary donations, with more funds we could increase the amount of fresh, nutritious foods we are able to give directly to local families.
"I think one thing that schools can do is connect curriculum with the cause," Bernadette White, the community relations coordinator at SHFB, commented through email, "What causes hunger in our community? Why does it exist? Really raising the questions that we should all be asking — and using that line of inquiry to engage in further action!"
Following this line of thought, another alternative could be something like a service month, where students are encouraged to volunteer directly in food insecure communities — perhaps tutoring low-income youth, working in community gardens, or food sorting at SHFB — rather than standing outside stores in privileged neighborhoods asking people for cans. This service could be part of a larger all-school discussion about food insecurity, how it manifests itself locally, and how it is linked to health, education, and housing.
Leadership teacher Mike Amoroso had a slightly different outlook. "I'm not the one to try and train teenagers… to worry about food insecurity because I feel like you're only a kid once and that should be the least of your worries," he said.
A poster advertising the canned food drive. Credit: Sara Madsen.
However, I think the more comprehensive, education-based approach would be a little more sensitive to our own peers that are food insecure. M-A is a microcosm of the inequalities that exist in our community; 34.5 percent of M-A students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Even if its Spotify streams are raising money, I don't think that satiric 80s rap demanding "Give me food!" is the best way to show solidarity to the significant portion of our student body that experiences food insecurity every day.
Through the barrage of encouragement to meet M-A's goal of 250,000 pounds of food, we've diluted the true purpose of the canned food drive: giving back to the community and helping our neighbors and classmates. It shouldn't be about pounds of food raised, it should be about building connections and lasting solutions. I do not doubt Leadership's intentions at all in serving our community, but in disseminating the message to the student body it has become more like a game than addressing a serious issue. Although making service fun and enticing is important if we want to get the school engaged, it should not be at the price of minimizing the gravity of food insecurity.
I realize that canned food drives are not meant to be a comprehensive solution to poverty, but if we can put aside our pride in M-A's canned food drive for one second, I would ask: is the way we are approaching food insecurity the best it can be?
Maybe it is unrealistic to expect high schoolers to consider the multifaceted nature of poverty and hunger. But maybe our school would be a better place if we did.
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All Allied Up Showcase highlights diversity of M-A
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Emma Dewey
Emma Dewey is a senior in her second year on the Chronicle staff and her first year as an editor. She enjoys working with other writers to make the Chronicle the best it can be. She is most interested in using journalism to connect with her community and affect social change.
Why Bullying Culture Thrives at M-A
Marshall July 6, 2018 at 2:53 am
I really like your writing style, fantastic information, thank you for posting
:D.


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Objections pour in after Aberdour school owners lodge housing plans
by Aileen Robertson
Hillside School.
Hillside School in Aberdour has lodged plans for a 125 new homes on a prominent swathe of land in the village.
The proposal has already drawn more than 100 objections, with local residents raising concerns about the scale of the development, impact on wildlife and the fact it would be contrary to the draft local development plan.
Some residents have said landscape and wildlife would be "decimated".
Aberdour Community Council will discuss the proposal when it meets on Thursday, at 7.30pm in the Institute.
Currently housed in a 200-year-old building, with extensions built around the 1960s, the school for boys with behavioural problems is in need of modernisation.
Hillside director Anne Harvey hopes the development would fund a new school on land north west of where the existing buildings stand.
The area which currently accommodates the school is a brownfield "housing opportunity" site with an estimated capacity of 70 houses.
Resident John Burrell, who has objected to the development, said building houses at Hillside was "a fallback option inserted by Fife Council in the local plan to find a use for a brownfield site should the existing commercial operation no longer be viable."
He added: "The size of the development is totally inappropriate for a village like Aberdour. It would increase the village area by at least a third and the total area including school, if built, would double the size of the village."
In a submission to Fife Council, another objector said: "Safety from a transport point of view will be even further compromised.
"The village is also suffering from congestion problems already so a possible increase of 250 vehicles would be devastating."
In another objection, a resident said the Salesian Fathers of St John Bosco, who set up a boys' school at the site in 1960, would not have approved of the development.
"They deliberately designated the school and its large grounds of fields and trees for the use forever for the care and rehabilitation of young wayward and vulnerable boys," she said.
Concerns were also raised about drainage and impact on local amenities, including the primary school.
Felsham Planning and Development, who are acting on behalf of Hillside School, said the proposal would result in a "more robust, less dense and sustainably designed development, instead of piecemeal development."
The planning firm argued that the remainder of the site could be developed in the future and that Dunfermline and west Fife had the largest housing shortfall in the region.


Roast peppers in oven under broiler, turning a few times until skins are charred all over. (You'll know if you haven't roasted long enough if it is difficult to remove skins as directed below; you'll have roasted too long if there's not much meat left when you try to remove skins.) Remove roasted peppers from oven and place in a bowl full of cold water. Once they have cooled down sufficiently to handle, remove stems, skins, and seeds under slowly running water. Grind prepared peppers in a meat grinder with a medium blade. I find that a traditional hand meat grinder works best and doesn't take long. Place ground peppers into a wire strainer which is placed over a sink or bowl to let drain for 15 minutes or so to get rid of excess water. Once drained, place peppers into a stainless steel or enamel pot and add oil, vinegar, and salt. Cook over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until the mixture is reduced to the point where it will make a mound on a spoon. It usually takes about 45-60 minutes, depending on the water content of the peppers. Once cooked, ladle peppers into prepared hot pint jars following manufacturer's directions (I prefer ball jars and lids). Wipe rims well and close with hot caps and rings as directed by the manufacturer.
Process by covering jars completely in a boiling water bath for 15 minutes. Remove and cool, testing to make sure that all jars have sealed. Stubborn jars can be reprocessed or refrigerated and used right away.
"Wow, way too many ingredients for something so simple" - kim t.


Aside from leaving gates open, there is no valet trash or pet waste stations. There is no water pressure in my unit (even after multiple work requests). The appliances are the cheapest and lowest quality that I have ever used. That, mixed with the dinky sized bathtub & no sensored light on garage opener, make The Village far from a luxury apartment community. I feel tricked because there wasn't viewing available when I moved here, otherwise I would have known these things.
Friendly and helpful staff not only help set this facility apart from other but the sincerity shown by the staff truly makes you feel like part of the community.
I love that I am the first person to live in my apartment. The keyless entry is something ive never seen in an apartment and it gives me a feeling of safety. I also love how it sits back away from all traffic. I work downtown and I have easy access to the highway to.. This has been the perfect fit for me. Everyone from the staff to my neighbors are so nice and excited about everything being brand new. I highly recommend Crown Village at Elm Ridge.
Crown Villas have done a Great job at addressing all and any issues that have came up.
$200 pet fee, $10 pet rent and Must be at least 1 year of age. Large dogs welcome, with some restrictions.
Our spacious apartments feature fully equipped kitchens that includes stainless steel appliances, kitchen islands, pantry, wood style plank floors*, washer and dryer connections, large walk-in closets, 9-foot ceilings and the bathrooms included a cable hookup. Crown Village at Elm Ridge is the first community in Broken Arrow to offer key-less entry.
Here at Crown Village at Elm Ridge Apartments we offer a convenient location within minutes of Broken Arrow's best shopping and dining and the BA Expressway. Crown Village at Elm Ridge is also located in one of the area's finest school districts, Broken Arrow Schools. Our community offers multiple free on-site amenities such as a huge resort-style pool with misters, veggie gardens, business center, picnic areas with gas BBQ grills, fire pit, 24-hour state-of-the-art fitness center, pet park and controlled access entry. We are pet friendly and a smoke free community.
I'm interested in Crown Village At Elm Ridge. Please send me current availability and additional details.


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The Foch Line was a temporary demarcation line between Poland and Lithuania proposed by the Entente in the aftermath of World War I. The line was proposed by Marshal of France Ferdinand Foch, which was discussed only with Polish side, was accepted by the Conference of Ambassadors in 1919. After the Polish–Lithuanian War, with small adjustments the line formed the basis of the inter-war Polish-Lithuanian border.
The line left Vilnius on the Polish side. After World War II only its westernmost part, close to the town of Suwałki, follows the line.

References

Bibliography

See also
 Curzon Line
 Polish-Lithuanian War
 Suwałki Agreement
 Sejny Uprising

1919 in Lithuania
Lithuania–Poland border
1919 in Poland
Lithuania–Poland relations
Eponymous border lines

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Chinese Billet Prices Drop 18-Months Low, Can it Flood the Global Market?
Have Chinese Steel Prices Bottomed Out?


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Michael Moser
Enerjisa Enerji S.A. - Turkey
Location Turkey
Firm Website View Firm Website >
Enerjisa Enerji S.A. -
Dr Michael Moser, MBA, LL.M, MSc., BSc. has graduated as a lawyer and business economist in universities in Boston, Shanghai, London, Frankfurt, Zürich and Münster.
Dr Moser started his career in the global law firm Baker & McKenzie as a lawyer for M&A transactions and afterwards moved to the international energy company E.ON SE to become the global head of M&A Legal. He then got promoted to Chief Development Officer for the stock listed energy company ENEVA S.A. in Brazil, moved back to E.ON SE for steering the spin-off and the listing of Uniper SE, became Chief Audit Officer and later CFO of E.ON New Customer Solutions business. Since June 2019, Michael is the CFO of the stock listed energy company Enerjisa Enerji S.A. in Turkey. In this function, he has been responsible for investor relations, strategy, accounting, treasury, controlling, tax, procurement, M&A, risk management, internal control, corporate office, sustainability, legal and compliance.
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unitedcolorsofamsterdam – "It takes more than a good memory to have good memories."
"It takes more than a good memory to have good memories."
Enjoy the white carpet and Bike On!
Take the future in your hands!


A parallel to a better Iran – discovered, or maybe just a dream of a utopia once desired by Plato. It is clear that Atlantis is a parable regarding the need for virtuous government and people. As Plato once said, we all would like that sometime, somewhere, there was or is or will be a nice utopia but unfortunately that is all Atlantis is, a tale of utopia.
The work takes multiple stages from abstract painting in acrylic to scavenged old photographs of demolished iconic monuments, mainly the hundreds of gates to the city of Tehran to the intricate flat printing over the painting.
Neda Nickzad is a self taught contemporary artist. She is looking forward to future exhibitions around the globe but for now she is on the hunt for a new wave of artists, up and coming and established that understand her passion for illuminating and disruptive art.


On November 23, 1991, just after Nirvana released their second studio album, Nevermind, the band stopped by Studio Brussel, a Dutch-speaking radio station in Belgium. Footage of the interview with frontman Kurt Cobain was thought to be lost in "the huge archives of the Belgian public television and radio," but it's since been discovered and shared on YouTube.
It's particularly interesting to hear Cobain's praise of Dave Grohl, especially because in 2005, as Consequence of Sound notes, Grohl revealed that this wasn't always the case, telling Rolling Stone that there was a time when Kurt wasn't happy with his drum playing.


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TFC Curriculum
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Sporting Clays Shoot
Ice Cream Fundae
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Storytelling Event
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Susanne L. Cole, MA, MBA
PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Susanne L. Cole was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of Pressley Ridge in 2011. In this role, she is responsible for overall leadership for the strategic direction, fiscal, operational, and administrative management of the organization.
Susanne has devoted her career to serving our most vulnerable children and families in our communities. She is passionate about helping those that face challenges reach their full potential. She began her career with Pressley Ridge in 1990 working directly with children and families in one of the many programs Pressley Ridge operates. Through the years, she has held a number of roles with increasing responsibility, including Executive Director of West Virginia and Virginia; Senior Vice President of Programs; and, most recently, Chief Operating Officer before becoming President and Chief Executive Officer.
Susanne's career path has allowed her to experience the many facets of social services and community work from the ground level of operations through administration, policy and management. This has allowed her to develop expertise in the areas of Strategic Planning, Board Governance, Management/Leadership Development, Financial Planning, Program Operations, Marketing/Communications, Quality Improvement and Fundraising/Development.
Susanne holds a Master's of Business Administration from Chatham University in Pittsburgh, PA as well as a Master's in Special Education and Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Marshall University in Huntington, WV.
Susanne has recently received the following honors:
Fox Rothschild Outstanding CEO's and Top Executives Award Recipient 2018
Arthur J. Gallagher Smart 50 Awards Winner 2017 – Sustainability Category
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Relayer — A Grander Vision
by Mike Grimes, Published 1996-08-01
Walking a fine line between progressive and straight ahead rock, Relayer flirts with both these styles but never strays too far toward the progressive side of the spectrum. Vocalist John Sahagian sounds remarkably like Brad Delp of Boston – a really high tenor with a pure tone. Most of the music is in mid-tempo 4/4 time, without a lot of variation in dynamics or rhythm. This is the weakest aspect of the album. There are some great monophonic synth and guitar harmony solos illustrated in "The River," organs, a 20 minute song... much of the standard prog fare is there. However, even in the epic title track for example, about eight minutes pass by before there's a substantial change in the tempo or even the feel of the tune. It's not that the music is bad, but after a while the same parts don't seem interesting anymore. Actually, it's only on the last track that the band switches meters around. While changing time signatures aren't required to make interesting music, they can certainly help break up long sections of music nicely. A Grander Vision contains some interesting music. Hopefully, Relayer will expand their base of song structures for the next album. It would make all the difference.
Related artist(s): Relayer
Five Fifteen - Alcohol – Has it really been eight years since Six Dimensions of the Electric Camembert? That was the last full album by this Finnish hard rock band this writer heard, more or less corresponding to their switch... (2008) » Read more
Akku Quintet, so cool they might "Freeze"


It was Tihar today, my favorite festival. And I happen to be posted in Sri Lanka, from Nepal, in a Fredkorpset Norway Exchange Program! As much as I am beginning to love my new home, Sri Lanka with all its serenity and contrasts; with its warm beaches, its coyness; its spices and coconuts; the long names; twisty dialects; the artistic script , which I am yet to learn and the tyrannical heat; being away from one's family is always hard. Especially for a girl like me who has never been away from home, it is painfully difficult. I was in Bangkok during Dasain as well, for the 19th Fk exchange preparatory course, but there were many others like me, my country people; who were also away from their homes; and it's amazing how nationalities and commonness can bring people together. Though I missed home then, there were many of us missing our homes, so we celebrated Dasain together along with others and it ended quite well.
It's not that people here don't have Tihar. Actually today was a holiday for Diwali here. The Tamil community celebrates Diwali here. So, almost everyone knows what it is about. People were wishing me Happy Diwali and asking me about it. But since this is my fourth day in a new country, all alone, I decided not to try and celebrate Tihar here. I did try to find a temple here, but I couldn't go by myself and others, who could accompany me to the temple; either didn't know where it was or were too busy to take me there. Disheartened, I just tried to carry on as I would on any other Saturday. "Ra.one" – an SRK movie released today. Senali Akki suggested we go watch a movie and since it's an SRK movie, I thought it would be a good distraction, if I again felt homesick. Just in case! So we went to watch it; first day, first show. It was a good movie, we had lots of fun. After that we went to have pizza and choco-sundae and then went shopping. So, the morning ended just like any other holiday.


The Banbridge store hosted a special coffee morning for patients and shoppers in Banbridge town centre as part of a year-long fundraising marathon for neo-natal and special baby units in Craigavon and Daisy Hill hospitals.
Customers enjoyed a charity party of tea, coffee and juice as well as a range of tray bakes, buns and other treats and in return for the hospitality made a voluntary donation.
A year ago, the team embarked on a year-long charity drive as store director Wayne Watson and his wife Lynn, a schoolteacher in Banbridge wanted to thank both hospitals for the care and support they had received when twins Isla and Micah were born prematurely back in 2015.
Throughout the past 12 months staff have held raffles, coffee mornings, taken on cycling events and 10k walks to help generate cash for both hospitals.


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Setapp Blog How to Lifestyle News
Tips and tricks to get more things done during the work day
No matter what you use your Mac for, it's fair to say that getting more done in less time is at the top of most people's wishlists. Whether you're easily distracted by social media or colleagues, or find it difficult to focus on a single task, there are solutions. And the good news is that many of them are available to you right now as part of your Setapp subscription.
Apps like Lacona, HazeOver, Focus and Be Focused are there to help you be in the moment and concentrate on what you need to do. Rocket Typist stores snippets of text and types them out at the touch of a key, whereas Paste gives you access to multiple iCloud-based clipboards.
Boost your efficiency with hotkeys, keywords, text expansion and more
How to be more productive using apps? From launching apps to translations to doing something on the web, apps like Lacona gets it done in no time.
Start to be more productive with Lacona
Lacona is the best keyboard assistant for any Mac commands. If haven't already installed it, launch Setapp and search for Lacona. Click Install and, when prompted, give it permission to access your Calendar and Contacts.
Test it. The default keyboard shortcut for Lacona is Alt–spacebar. If you want, you can change it by clicking on Lacona's icon in the menu bar and selecting Preferences. For now, click Alt-spacebar and type "Remind me to [insert any task]" followed by "today" and a time. You'll see a list of options appear below the Lacona text bar, with keyboard shortcuts next to each. Use the relevant shortcut to select an option. When you're done, the task will be added to your macOS Reminders app.
Use it regularly. As with any change to your workflow, getting used to Lacona takes time — you need to remind yourself to use it. You can search the web, translate text using Google Translate, make calls using FaceTime and control iTunes, just by typing text into its text bar. But first you'll need to train yourself to rely on it. Click on it in the menu bar, then Preferences, and go through each section, learning the keyboard commands for every element you'd want to use.
Focus better with Haze Over
HazeOver puts a shade on the parts of the screen you're not currently using. If you use a MacBook or MacBook Pro and are accustomed to working in full-screen mode, you won't need it. But if you use an iMac or multiple screens and have several windows on display at one time, it's an excellent way to stay focused.
To eliminating distractions and paying attention to what you need to do follow these steps:
Install HazeOver from Setapp.
When the Preferences window appears, click on each tab and configure the options so HazeOver works the way you want it to.
Then click Allow to open System Preferences and enable HazeOver in the Accessibility pane. When you've set it up once, it will work automatically.
Get more done using Be Focused
One technique for improving productivity is to work in bursts, focusing solely on one task for a period and then taking a break. Be Focused allows you to do just that by setting timers for completing specific tasks. The idea is that you start with big goals, break them down into smaller objectives, then use those to create tasks. Once you have a list of tasks, you focus on one at a time and set a timer to help you avoid distractions.
Install Be Focused from Setapp
Add a task. Click on the "three lines" icon at the bottom left of the Be Focused window and then click "+" to add a task. Hit Return when you're finished or "+" to add another.
Start a task. Press the play icon next to the name of a task to start the timer countdown. By default, it starts at 25 minutes. However, you can specify whatever length of time you like in settings.
Block out time-wasting websites and apps with Focus
Focus automatically blocks access to popular websites and social media like Facebook and Twitter, so you aren't distracted from work. It can also block specific applications, such as games. Focus sessions can be started manually or on schedule. You can run it for a set amount of time — the default is 25 minutes — or change your preferences in Preferences. Get Focus on Setapp and start blocking distractions.
Here is a wrap-up video of how it works:
To configure websites to block:
Click on the Focus icon in the menu bar (it looks like a camera shutter) and choose Preferences.
Click on the Blocking tab and then Websites.
Press the "+" button and type the address of a website you want to block.
To configure applications to block:
In the Blocking window, click Websites and then the "+" button.
Navigate to an application you want to block and click Open.
To start a 25-minute Focus session, click on the Focus icon in the menu bar and select the first option. To manually set the length of time, click Custom Focus.
Save time with Paste
The macOS clipboard allows you to copy one element and then paste it somewhere else. Paste allows you to copy lots of different elements, store them in the clipboard, categorize them, search them, and sync them with iCloud.
Copy items to Paste. Start by copying text you use often, like the introductory paragraph of an email, for example.
Manage snippets. Items copied to Paste are called snippets. You can view them by pressing Command-Shift-V or by selecting Show Paste from the app's menu bar item. You can rename snippets by right-clicking on them and choosing Rename. To add a new category, click the "+" in the list of categories and give it a name. To add a snippet to a category, right-click on it and select "Pin to," then choose a category.
Paste a snippet into an application. Right-click on the snippet, choose Copy then go to the application and press Command-V to paste it.
Get Paste from Setapp to manage your clipboard, keep history, fast access to your snippets, etc.
Stick to what works for you
You can see there are lots of ways you can improve your productivity and get more done. And there are a lot of apps that can help you, especially if you are already using Setapp. Try them all for free and once you find the solution that works — stick to it and reap the benefits.
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More reads you might like
The 7 Steps to Strategic Plan with a High Chance of Success
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One of my favorite things from the One Room Challenge is these amazing blue and white botanical prints that Jennifer from The Pink Pagoda created for Linda (Calling It Home)'s family room. They are available in her Etsy store as a pair, three, or four. Aren't they wonderful? They would work well in an entryway, dining room, living room, or bedroom as well.
I created an inspiration board using the set of four with a green Parsons table, a pair of ginger jars from The Pink Pagoda and a stunning green glazed vase from The Pink Pagoda.
Here is more of this combination I adore - green with blue and white Chinoiserie. This green is getting me in the mood for Christmas decorating. I can't wait. I am planning a huge upcoming series on decorating your home for the holidays with Chinoiserie.
Gorgeous rooms, and I have to agree. Jennifer of TPP has outdone herself as always! I also like the green touches with the blue and white!
I am in love with the prints, too. And now I want a sleek green table instead of the credenza that I have. Darn you and your inspiration boards, they keep me wanting to change my home.......again.
P.S. I think Jennifer is creating a green version of the prints...can't wait to see how you style those.
They look INCREDIBLE with the green parsons table. LOOOOOOVE. Thanks for featuring them! And the jars, too! Those jars are so very pretty in person.
I absolutely love the green and blue. They are perfection!


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Needless to say, after I recounted this Bible passage, the young girl was not comforted, she was afraid. I start off this post with this story and Bible passage all to say witchcraft is not all make-believe (though there is a lot of that). There is some power behind it and witchcraft is dangerous.
As stated in the first blog post in this series, I come from a line of witches. This has allowed me to hear some interesting stories concerning witchcraft. One of these stories had to do with my grandma and holding a seance to bring back the ghost of a man who had recently been killed and eaten by pigs. I did not get much detail on the seance itself as my grandmother was ashamed that she had once participated in the wickedness of witchcraft. However, several people that lived in that home accounted that for the next year or so there were sightings of a bloodied man who would sit in a chair and moan. Another account that was passed down to me was about my great-great-grandmother. She was a woman who was very natural to the craft, in fact, she was said to be able to simply look at people and tell their fortunes. She stopped practicing witchcraft for a while, unfortunately, not because she found a Savior in Jesus Christ, but due to the ramifications of witchcraft. As the story goes, she had a customer come to her whose husband had recently died and she wanted to know if there was a message that he wanted her to know. As it turns out, he had actually written her a letter and my great-great-grandma called upon the "spirits" (demons) to show this lady where the letter was. Sure enough, my great-great-grandma gave this lady perfect directions to the letter and a week after reading this letter the woman committed suicide. This caused my great-great-grandma to quit witchcraft as she knew the effects it could have on people. Several of my aunts even recall her telling them that the powers didn't come from God, rather they came from the devil.
The stories above may seem innocent enough and seem like there is no cause for concern, but I do want to bring two more to your attention. The first was an account from my grandma. Though my grandma would rarely open up about her days when she practiced witchcraft, on one occasion she did open up and told me a story of her cursing a man. The man that she cursed was a bill collector and he had come knocking on my grandma's door to collect a bill that she couldn't afford. My grandma was a hard worker, but she didn't live a godly lifestyle and had seven children; this led to her often not having enough money to pay the bills. This bill collector came on the wrong day and it set my grandmother off! She was so upset that right then and there she started cursing the man and pushed him out the door. The curse she put on the man was a death curse as she threatened the man's life for trying to collect upon a bill, by the end of the week the man had died. The other account of witchcraft I would like to point out happened in Sioux City, Iowa; an area that is quite similar to the Cedar Valley. In Sioux City, there were two little girls by the name of Kendra and Alysha Suing who were murdered during a witchcraft ritual. Their stepfather, Lawrence Douglas Harris Sr., was "casting a spell that had gone bad". Sadly put, these two girls (ages 10 and 8), were tortured and brutally murdered in the name of witchcraft. I say once again, witchcraft is dangerous! It is dangerous for an individual, it is dangerous for a family, and it is dangerous for our community.
Though I do believe there is power in witchcraft, it is my desire to finish this post on a positive note. I want to share two truths that are a driving force in confronting witchcraft. The first is that God has more power than witchcraft. I want to remind you of my grandma who placed a successful death curse on a man, called up spirits, and told people their future. When I was ten years old she accepted my parents' invitation to come to church and hear a man preach the word of God. This man was an apologist who went around preaching and teaching on creation and giving proofs of how the world was created by God. This touched my grandmother's heart and she accepted Christ as her Savior! She knew Christ had come and died on the cross for her sins, that He was buried, and that He rose again on the third day. She believed that Jesus was the only One who could save her and she "called upon the name of the Lord" and as God's word promises, she was saved from that day forward! No matter how strong or powerful witchcraft had taken root in her life before, Christ uprooted it and changed her life! Christ turned her into one of the sweetest (even though she was still a bit ornery) and most hospitable people to ever live! She became a great prayer warrior who you would have a hard time recognizing that she once walked in darkness! The second truth I want to end on is that Christ can save to the uttermost! Hebrews 7:25 says, "Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them." No matter your sin, no matter how great your offense before God is, God can and will save you if you accept Christ as your Savior!
Good articles. You may want to equip yourself with knowledge from "From Witchcraft to Christ" by Doreen Irvine. Available on Amazon.
After our talk I thought we had left this on a positive note but you are still coming off with a very negative attitude against paganism and wicca. I do not ever remember hearing anything about 2 girls being killed by someone using witchcraft in a destructive way which again is NOT who we are!
Just for clarification this was written and published before the meeting. But the story is a true story with a self proclaimed witch practicing witchcraft.


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Tag: colin stetson
Photos from July 16, 2017, the third day of the 2017 Pitchfork Music Festival in Union Park, Chicago. (Click on these links to jump ahead to the photos of an artist: Kilo Kish, Colin Stetson, NE-HI, Derrick Carter, Isaiah Rashad, Joey Purp, Hamilton Leithauser, Ride, Jamila Woods, American Football and Solange. Photos from Day 1 and Day 2. Read my blog post about the festival.
Kilo Kish
Colin Stetson
NE-HI
Derrick Carter
Isaiah Rashad
Hamilton Leithauser
Big Ears: Photos from Day 3
Photos from Day 3 of the Big Ears Festival in Knoxville, Tennessee, on March 25, 2017.
(See more Big Ears Festival coverage)
Lisa Moore
Meredith Monk & Vocal Ensemble
Xiu Xiu Plays the Music of 'Twin Peaks'
Musica Elettronica Viva
Alvin Curran, Richard Teitelbaum and Frederic Rzweski
Colin Stetson Performs 'Sorrow'
A reimagining of Henryk Górecki's 3rd Symphony, with Megan Stetson, mezzo-soprano
Jem Cohen: Gravity Hill Sound+Image
Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith
Supersilent
Dave Harrington Group
Live improvised score to No Country for Old Men
More Big Ears Festival coverage:
Read my main blog post about Big Ears Festival 2017.
Photos from Day 1 (Carla Bley with the Knoxville Jazz Orchestra, Emilia Amper, Matana Roberts, Anna Meredith, My Brightest Diamond and Blonde Redhead)
Photos from Day 2 (Maya Beiser, Matmos, Robyn Hitchcock, Gyan Riley, Richard Teitelbaum, Ståle Storløkken and Arve Henriksen, Jóhann Johannsson's Drone Mass, Meredith Monk, Michael Hurley and Tortoise)
Photos from Day 4 (Pauline Oliveros' "Rock Piece," Knoxville Symphony Orchestra, Oliver Coates, St. John's Choral Evensong, Colleen, Henry Threadgill's Zooid)
Photos of Wilco (plus Jeff Tweedy with Chikamorachi, On Fillmore and Dustan Louque with Nels Cline)
Photos of the Gavin Bryars Ensemble
Photos of Nils Økland
Colin Stetson at Schubas
It's hard to believe what Colin Stetson is able to do with the saxophone. As he performed Tuesday, July 28, at Schubas, it sounded at times like three or four instruments were playing, but he was standing alone, without any electronics gear or effects pedals to aid him. Here's how the Constellation record label's website explains what he does:
Colin Stetson has developed a unique and renowned voice as a performer and composer, chiefly on bass and tenor saxophones, where he rallies an array of technical strengths and innovations (circular breathing, contact micing of his own body and the body of his instrument, vocalizations through the reed) to make some of the most captivatingly organic, darkly soulful and otherworldly solo instrumental work of recent years.
The notes came sprawling out of his saxophones — including a massive bass sax that he played on several of the compositions — with one layer of tones circling around in a pattern while other layers squealed, bleated and soared on top. The force of the music was almost overwhelming at times, both because of the volume levels and the way those notes vibrated against one another. Stetson's performance was something of an athletic feat, and he'd worked up a set by the end of an incredible hour.
Colin Stetson will also play (with the great Chicago percussionist Frank Rosaly) Thursday at Constellation.
Opening act Gracie and Rachel
From Roger Waters to Colin Stetson
Time to catch up on some concerts I've seen lately. Back on July 8, I saw Rogers Water perform Pink Floyd's The Wall at Wrigley Field, a spectacle with plenty of bombast and muddled metaphors, and yet some weirdly small moments — if that's possible — featuring that one guy, Waters, standing way down there like an ant, dwarfed by the iconic wall behind him, and singing his old songs for 40,000 fans. Those were the times with at least a tiny touch of spontaneity sneaked its way into the highly rehearsed and plotted-out proceedings. I did not bring my camera and I sat way up in a nose-bleed section. I attempted to take a few photos with my cellphone, seen below.
Rogers Waters at Wrigley Field (before the concert)
Rogers Waters at Wrigley Field
The following night, June 9, was quite a change of scenery. From Wrigley Field to the Hideout, where alt-country singer-songwriter Megan Reilly was playing achingly beautiful songs from her great new album, The Well, backed by an exceptional band: guitarist James Mastro, bassist Tony Maimone (of Pere Ubu fame) and drummer Steve Goulding (of Mekons fame). The room wasn't as full as it should've been for this show, but in its own way, it was more spectacular than seeing Roger Waters at Wrigley Field. (I had every intention of taking photos at this concert, until I made the boneheaded error of grabbing the wrong camera … the one with a dead battery in it.)
On June 15, The Figgs played a rocking set of power pop at Ultra Lounge — including a nifty cover of the Who's "Happy Jack." It was another show that deserved a bigger crowd, oddly coming one night after the Figgs opened for Smashing Pumpkins at Metro.
The Figgs had three opening bands — the Lustkillers, the Cry and the Van Buren Boys — in an evening filled with plenty of power pop and hair gel.
The Van Buren Boys
The Lustkillers
On June 16, Baby Dee played at the Old Town School of Folk Music's Szold Hall, in the school's new building across Lincoln Avenue from its main center. With a small crowd sitting silently in the room, it felt a bit like a classical music recital, except for the fact that the irrepressibly odd and ribald Baby Dee was saying things such as: "Are there any crack whores here tonight?" Her "dirges," as she calls them, came across with nuance in the acoustically perfect room.
June 17 at the Taste of Randolph Street, David Vandervelde played the best set I've seen him do so far, with a fantastic band that featured bassist Ben Clarke and guitarist Emmett Kelly, a.k.a. Bonnie "Prince" Billy sideman the Cairo Gang. During a couple of long, Crazy Horse-style jams, Vandervelde and Kelly were soloing on top of each other, to riveting effect. Let's hope they keep working together and that Vandervelde gets a new album out sometime soon. Vandervelde played a couple of Jay Bennett covers during his surprisingly long (hour-plus) set, opening with the mordantly humorous "Beer."
David Vandervelde
Emmett Kelly and Ben Clarke
After an opening act of some fire-juggling circus folk…
Pyrotechniq
… The Hold Steady closed out Taste of Randolph with a set that rocked pretty hard from beginning to end — quite a change from frontman Craig Finn's recent solo performance at Do Division. Now that keyboardist Franz Nicolay is no longer in the band, the sound is all guitars. A bit of keyboard would have helped for variety's sake, but the band sounded tight, including a couple of new songs in its set.
Thursday (June 21), Late Bar hosted a cool set by Astrobrite, a shoegaze band that started in the '90s and recently had its first album reissued by Chicago's BLVD label. BLVD impresario Melissa Geils joined the band on keyboards at this gig, which was delightfully noisy.
Astrobrite
The opening act, Cinchel (a.k.a. my friend Jason Shanley), played noise of a different kind, the droning and shimmering sort. Cinchel has a dreamy new record out called Stereo Stasis — check it out on bandcamp.
Cinchel
On Friday (June 22), I caught one set by Jason Adasiewicz and his new band Sun Rooms — a trio that also includes Mike Reed on drums and Matt McBridge on bass — at the Green Mill. Adasiewicz assaulted his vibraphone with alarming force at times, but still managed to coax lovely sounds out of it.
After that stop at the Green Mill, it was over to the Logan Square bar Township, where I saw an exhilarating set by Treasure Fleet, a Chicago band showing some strong similarities to the great Bee Thousand-era tunes of Guided By Voices, as well as 1960s psychedelia and power pop.
Treasure Fleet
Finally, on Saturday (June 23), I arrived at Schubas just in time to see a stunning performance by saxophonist Colin Stetson. From what I hear, I missed great opening sets by Chicago percussionist Frank Rosaly and Arcade Fire violinist Sarah Neufeld. Interestingly, each of the three acts at Schubas last night played alone. Stetson sounded more like a whole band, however. Playing an immense bass sax on most songs and occasionally switching over to an alto, Stetson created undulating patterns of notes reminiscent of minimalist classical music, and then he somehow managed to add internal melodies and tunes on top of all that, which sounded at times more like human singing than woodwind. The crowd watched and listened in rapt silence, and Stetson worked up a good sweat with the sheer exertion of his powerful and impressive music.


If you have a preschooler at home, stop by An Island Life this week for a chance to win a one year curriculum.
Whether you homeschool or just looking to supplement your preschooler's education, Itty-Bitty Bookworm is the perfect curriculum for you.
The Itty-Bitty Bookworm is committed to excellence and devoted to the basic tenet that quality education can be enjoyable, too! Our program is specifically designed for children ages 18 months - 5 years of age, and tailored to meet the unique needs of in-home preschools, family child-care centers, child development centers and home-schooling families.
The great thing is that this program starts as early as 18 months and goes all the way up to 5 year olds. The lessons are contained on a CD that does all the planning for you. It's easy, organized, and very user friendly.
The curriculum is broken down into months with specific lesson plans in regards to letters, numbers, colors, and shapes. There are also monthly book recommendations that your family will probably find very interesting and educational. In addition, Itty-Bitty Bookworm also has Bible Story Units that can be used as a Christian education supplement to your current curriculum.
What a great way to start your preschooler off in the right direction! Stop by Itty-Bitty Bookworm today to find out more!
Also I'm having a giveaway!


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Q: What does the Fermi Energy really signify in a Semiconductor? In understanding the behavior of semiconductors, I'm coming across a description of the Fermi Energy here and at Wikipedia's page (Fermi Energy, Fermi Level). If I understand correctly, the Fermi Level refers to the energy state at which there's a 50% chance of finding an electron. This varies with temperature. The Fermi Energy is the highest occupied energy state of fermions at absolute zero.
I'm a little confused as to the relation of the two terms. Additionally, in a semiconductor, the Fermi Energy falls between the valence band and the conduction band.  However, my understanding is that electrons cannot exist between the two bands -- so why isn't the Fermi Energy the top of the valence band?

A: The reason for this apparent contradiction is that you have two "separate" quantum effects.

*

*Fermi-Dirac distribution describes the energies of single particles in a system comprising many identical particles that obey the Pauli exclusion principle.  Distribution is calculated for potential-free space and is temperature dependant.

*You put electrons into the material, and in the material they feel potential of atomic cores.  This potential restrict possible energetic states that are available for electrons, that is it makes bands, where electrons can behave almost freely (according to Fermi-Dirac distribution), but makes energetic states between the bands forbidden.

A: In despite of being closely related, the Fermi energy and Fermi level are two different concepts which apply to different situations. To former is applied at zero temperature whereas the latter makes sense at finite temperature.
To exemplify the difference let us consider a continuum of energies for a multi electronic system. At $0\, \mathrm K$ all the levels are completely filled from the bottom. The energy of the highest occupied level is then said to be the Fermi energy, although this is not its definition. At finite temperature some electrons are excited and the levels are no longer completely filled up to a given one which forbids us to use the concept of Fermi energy. The best one can do now is to define the Fermi level as the level which has an occupation probability (according to the Fermi-Dirac distribution) of $1/2$.
For semiconductors as well as insulators, the Fermi energy falls in the the band gap. This is actually general property of systems presenting discrete levels of energy. To understand it one has to use the precise definition of the Fermi energy which is the chemical potential at zero temperature. Consider a system with discrete energies, with $N$ occupied levels and at $0\, \mathrm K$. The Fermi-Dirac distribution is given by
$$n=\frac{1}{\exp\left(\frac{E-E_F}{kT}\right)+1},$$
where $E_F$ is the the chemical potential at zero temperature, aka the Fermi energy. The occupation of the $N$th level is $1$ and from the above equation this gives $E_N<E_F$. On the other hand, the occupation of the $(N+1)$th level is $0$ which leads to $E_{N+1}>E_F$. Hence,
$$E_N<E_F<E_{N+1}.$$
In particular, for insulators and semiconductors the Fermi level shall be in the gap between the valence band (whose last level is $E_N$) and the conduction band (whose first level is $E_{N+1}$). Note that only for continuum levels the Fermi energy is equivalent to the energy of the highest occupied level at zero temperature.

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