text:
Southern Area Directors
BERNICE MARTIN
1ST SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
"You are all Links! In our organization, each member has an obligation, a responsibility–her own unique contribution to make—towards our understanding of life and of our club."
GEORGIA SCHANK
2ND SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
"We have recognized the need for ethical relations. Let us begin today, now, at home in our chapters, with ourselves to live up to that term "ethical" in our literature. Let us make it a real and living word—not just a space filler."
ESMERALDA R. HAWKINS
3RD SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
A charter member of the first SA chapter, Wilson-Rocky Mount-Tarboro. During her administration the friendship chain extended with the chartering of four chapters: Durham (NC), Daytona Beach (FL), Montgomery (AL), & Jackson (MS).
LINDA H. REDDICK
4TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
"I came into the office ready for a challenge…a challenge I found! On the positive side I found a veritable 'hot-bed-of-talent'—(the) most intellectually, talented women, just waiting to be 'tapped' for service."
MAUDE K. REID
"I considered the four years I served as Area Director, 1965-1969, to be my most rewarding years in a leadership role of one of the finest group(s) of women I have been privileged to serve. The cooperation, dedication, loyalty and involvement of these ladies inspired me to serve (the) Southern Area to the best of my ability."
GLADYS D. WOODS
"Periodically, there is need for self-renewal and organizational renewal—a time for taking stock of where we are and the direction in which we wish to move in the future. . . . Let us . . . re-examine our total organization by looking for new ways of reaching the goals of the three-fold purpose of The Links, Incorporated. . . . Let each Link in her own mind and in her own way measure the part she will play in strengthening the Area program through personal involvement."
JULIA B. PURNELL
"Since the inception of The Links, Incorporated, every effort has been made to make The Links, Incorporated by legacy the premier organization of the century. To this end, the organization is continually evaluating to make sure we have a quality organization."
JUANITA J. JOHNSON
"Every human being needs other human beings to grow into successful social human beings. This encourages a productive society bent on rendering service through friendship, love and understanding. You have indeed enriched my life! As we work toward our common goals, may God allow all of us to become more diligent servers and greater friends."
REGINA J. FRAZIER
"We are the validation of the vision of Sarah Scott and Margaret Hawkins. We have done much. Let us recommit today to do even more…I challenge you individually and collectively to enhance the legacy of the Links, Incorporated through a passionate rededication to friendship, leadership and service."
MARTHA BOONE
10TH SOUTHERN AREA DIRECTOR
She encouraged chapter and individual service by providing achievement incentives. During Area Director Martha Boone's tenure three chapters were chartered: the Crescent City (LA), Triangle Park (NC), and Elizabeth City (NC) Chapters.
CAROLYN C. WASHINGTON
"The work that you do and the decisions that you make will be unparallelled in historical significance to the growth and success of our organization."
BARBARA S. MOORE
"We must not rest on our laurels…for it is our charge and sacred duty to meet the challenges before us. The greater the challenge, the bigger the opportunity; it is our responsibility to meet the challenges that confront us because these are our opportunities to serve."
KATIE R. BELL
"An informed group is a cohesive working group and knowledge is power. Linkdom belongs to us all. Though we come from all over, when we are together we wear green and that is all that matters. United together we are a force unlike any other to be reckoned with."
JOYCE M. DIXON
"Creativity ignited the ideas, cooperation provided the intensity that kept them afloat, and continuity energized their soaring to extraordinary heights. There were times when I worked on a project until the energy level was depleted and said: "Okay, Lord, it's all yours." The lesson learned was: He knows the shortcuts.
NANCY S. ANDERSON
"Our legacy has been emerging, strengthening and evolving since 1946, because what is legacy, but a gift, a bequest we receive from our predecessors. Our legacy from Sarah Scott and Margaret Hawkins and their friends is rich, decisive and resolute. (Since the beginning) we have committed ourselves to enriching, and helping sustain the lives of African-Americans and others of African ancestry."
MARGARET T. JOHNSON
"The legacy of The Links, Incorporated is second to none. Our legacy is a phenomenal gift and an awesome responsibility. We must always be focused on what we are, who we are, what we have done and what we can do to better serve. Let us pledge to work together in alignment with our national officers to ensure that our legacy remains strong and bright."
MARY F. CURRIE
"We have unselfishly offered our time, talent and support to continue the Southern Area's legacy of friendship and service. The creativity of our programming, the depth of our service and the warmth of our friendship continue beyond measure. We have had many exciting accomplishments."
ENEID A. FRANCIS
"One of the most important things we can do is to help kids be more prepared academically so that they stay in school. Experience demonstrates that arts integration levels the playing field in education."
ANNE HERRIOTT
"Embracing Our Legacy, Fulfilling Our Promise, reflected Herriott's efforts to build upon our rich legacy of both friendship and service. Under her leadership, members successfully embraced three transformational signature Initiatives."
SYLVIA PERRY
"Collective Excellence: Elevating Our Friendship, Enriching Our Service" is the theme of the current Area Director. With a foundation of servant leadership as the core of her term, The Area is growing in friendship and service under her leadership. Her favorite quote is, "Excellence is the fine line between what you can do, and what you are capable of."


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« Tenderness is the Path of Choice of the Strong | Main | 5 Books to Understand Ourselves Better »
12 Angry Men: the Power of Seek First to Understand
"Seek first to understand, then to be understood."
[Stephen R. Covey]
A boy is put on trial for murder, accused of killing his father with a knife. The jury is composed of twelve men of varying ages, personalities, cultural backgrounds and social standings. They retire to the jury room after the admonishment that the defendant is innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
Eleven of the jurors vote for conviction, each for reasons of his own. The sole holdout is Juror No.8, played by Henry Fonda. What begins as an open and shut case about an "ethnic" boy soon becomes a mini-drama of each of the jurors' prejudices and preconceptions about the trial, the accused, and each other.
This is the premise in the 1957 classic 12 Angry Men — a good movie to insert in the narrative arc of a strategic conversation team retreat or training. It's perfect for the emotional climax at the end of day one, to reflect on how our worldviews impact decisions and how we don't need to have formal power to influence others.
The movie was filmed mostly in one room using different camera angles to convey the tension created by personality conflicts revealed by body language and words. The experience of watching (or witnessing) the dialogue opens the door to a deeper understanding of humanity and how we're often called to discern "truth" as we're influenced by our emotions, past experiences, memory and its limitations, prejudices, and a myriad other factors.
Henry Fonda as the sole driving force of change proves that it's possible to refocus and examine the facts. When we watch the movie, we are accomplices in taking sides and labeling... until we too confront the questions.
Seek first to understand
The initial verdict of the jury's preliminary vote nets eleven guilty and one not guilty. We soon learn that Fonda is the only one voted not guilty. His next step it to propose a secret vote and asks there be a discussion if someone else votes not guilty.
Rather than confronting the other jurors, Fonda observes them and sees what's going on — the Salesman and Yankees fan wants to get out of the deliberation in time for the baseball game, "we can all get out of here pretty quick. I have tickets to the ball game tonight. Yanks and Cleveland." Then he speaks his mind.
He proposes something rather simple, taking an anonymous vote, a request easy to grant. His justification for asking the other jurors to invest the time, "I don't know, maybe no reason…" but "We owe him a few words… let's take an hour."
In the conversation, Fonda puts himself at the same level of the others, "I don't have anything brilliant, I only know as much as you do" and "It's not easy to raise my hand."
As Fonda persuades the jurors to re-examine the evidence, we learn the backstory of each man. Juror No.3 (Lee J. Cobb), a bullying self-made man, has estranged himself from his own son. Juror No.7 (Jack Warden) has an ingrained mistrust of foreigners; so, to a lesser extent, does Juror No.6 (Edward Binns).
Jurors No.10 (Ed Begley) and #11 (George Voskovec), so certain of the infallibility of the Law, assume that if the boy was arrested, he must be guilty. Juror No.4 (E.G. Marshall) is an advocate of dispassionate deductive reasoning. Juror No.5 (Jack Klugman), like the defendant a product of the streets, hopes that his guilty vote will distance himself from his past.
Juror No.12 (Robert Webber), an advertising man, doesn't understand anything that he can't package and market. And Jurors No.1 (Martin Balsam), No.2 (John Fiedler) and No.9 (Joseph Sweeney), anxious not to make waves, "go with the flow."
One by one, Fonda disarms the objections and distractions with patience. He says, "I kept putting myself in the kid's place. I'd have asked for another lawyer." and creates doubts with "supposing they are wrong… they are only people, people make mistakes." He's part of the conversation and demonstrates he's listening.
Create movement
The turning point is when Fonda produces a knife identical to the one used in the murder. He bought it in the same neighborhood of the accused the night before. It's an arresting moment because of the concrete possibility that someone else has the same exact knife.
From the earlier secret vote one more person changed his verdict to not guilty, juror No.9. Four additional jurors subsequently changed their vote, ending the second part of the movie with a six to six tie. Fonda acknowledged his first supporter publicly and continued to hold one on one conversations with other jurors to learn about their motivations. His determination to keep everyone focused on the task at hand is tested by two of the jurors playing tic-tac-toe. A man's life "isn't a game," he says.
Another turning point in the examination of the evidence is when Juror No.5 remarks about the old man who testified against the boy. The assertion that "witnesses can make mistakes" inspires Fonda to learn more about the man's apartment, "I'd like to know if an old man who drags one foot cos he had a stroke can get from his bedroom to his front door in 15 seconds." How indeed.
Fonda recreates the scene of the old man going to the door, "Here's what I think happened: the old man heard the fight between the boy and his father a few hours earlier. Then, when he's lying in his bed, he heard a body hit the floor in the boy's apartment, heard the woman scream from across the street, got to his front door as fast as he could, heard somebody racing down the stairs and assumed it was the boy!"
The concrete demonstration helps the other jurors make sense of what they heard vs. what was possible, making it tangible.
In other parts of the dialogue, Fonda lets jurors' statements undermine their credibility.
Build on momentum
With six jurors to go, Fonda set out to connect with each one based on his behavior. Bonding through listening works with neutral jurors, rational argument with those who had displayed those qualities as he asks people for feedback and participation. We often see juror No.9 in full-frame — he has a way of cutting to the crucial point and stating the obvious after it has eluded the others.
The emotional ones are more unpredictable, yet still worthy of respect, "it´s always difficult to keep personal prejudice out of a thing like this."
One person can be the driving force for change. When we seek first to understand, we can then create movement based on what we learn, and build momentum as we continue to focus on the motives that inform the behaviors of others.
Valeria Maltoni in business | Permalink

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& ostr, const ISerializable* obj)
{
	assert(obj != NULL);
	return obj->serialize(ostr);
}

std::istream& operator>>(std::istream& istr, ISerializable* obj)
{
	assert(obj != NULL);
	return obj->deserialize(istr);
}

std::ostream& operator<<(std::ostream& ostr, const ISerializable& obj)
{
	return obj.serialize(ostr);
}

std::istream& operator>>(std::istream& istr, ISerializable& obj)
{
	return obj.deserialize(istr);
}

namespace Serialize
{

bool SaveAs(std::string filename, const ISerializable *obj, bool binary)
{
	std::fstream file;

	file.open(filename.c_str(), (binary? std::ios_base::binary | std::ios_base::out : std::ios_base::out));

	if (!file.good()) {
        std::cerr << "Blad odczytu pliku \"" << filename << "\"\n";
        return false;
    }

	try
	{
		file << obj;
        file.close();
	} catch (Exception & ex) {
		std::cerr << "Ojejciu! Serializacja obiektu do pliku " << filename << "spowodowala wyjatek: \n" << ex.what();
		return false;
	}

	return true;
}

bool LoadFrom(std::string filename, ISerializable *obj, bool binary)
{
    std::fstream file;

    file.open(filename.c_str(), (binary? std::ios_base::binary | std::ios_base::in : std::ios_base::in));

    if (!file.good()) {
        std::cerr << "Blad odczytu pliku \"" << filename << "\"\n";
        return false;
    }

    try
    {
        file >> obj;
        file.close();
    } catch(Exception & ex)
    {
        std::cerr << "Ojejciu! Blad odczytu z pliku \"" << filename << "\", rzucony wyjatek:\n" << ex.what();
        return false;
    }

    return true;
}

std::string ToString(const ISerializable* obj)
{
    std::stringstream ss;

    try
    {
        ss << obj;
    } catch (Exception &ex)
    {
        std::cerr << "Ojejciu! Blad podczas serializacji obiektu do tekstu - rzucony wyjatek:\n" << ex.what();
    }

    return ss.str();
}

bool FromString(std::string string_input, ISerializable* obj)
{
    std::stringstream ss(string_input);

    try
    {
        ss >> obj;
    } catch(Exception & ex)
    {
        std::cerr << "Ojejciu! Blad odczytu z tekstu, rzucony wyjatek:\n" << ex.what();
        return false;
    }

    return true;
}

void operator>>(const std::string & string_input, ISerializable& obj)
{
    std::stringstream ss(string_input);
    ss >> obj;
}

};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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25 posts tagged "ND Fencing"
Fencing chaplain embraces Notre Dame spirit
Nate Moller | Wednesday, August 26, 2020
Notre Dame fills a special place in Stacey Noem's heart. Although she currently serves as the chaplain for the prestigious Irish fencing program, the spirit of Notre Dame has been instilled in her since her youth. Although she grew up in Florida, both of her parents were undergraduates at Notre Dame, so she was a
Former student-athlete, coach, administrator Brian Boulac dies at age 79
Greg McKenna | Friday, June 5, 2020
Brian "Bou" Boulac, who served Notre Dame athletics for over 50 years as a student-athlete, football and softball coach and devoted administrator, has passed away at the age of 79, according to an obituary published by the University's athletic department late Thursday afternoon. Karen Croake Heiser, a professor in the University's Film, Television and Theatre
Sirico battles through injuries to make mark on fencing program
Aidan Thomas | Friday, May 15, 2020
Fencing has always run in the family for Notre Dame graduate student Amanda Sirico. "My parents met during RecSports fencing at the University of Texas at El Paso," Sirico said. "My dad actually recruited my mom to the fencing team. My younger siblings both fence, and I've been fencing basically since I could walk." The
Depleted-yet-veteran Irish see season end as teams peak
Hayden Adams | Friday, May 15, 2020
It was not a typical year for the Notre Dame fencing program — even before their season was cut short by a pandemic. From the outset, they had to overcome the loss of some of their best athletes, but not because of graduation. Rather, several took a year off to train for the upcoming Tokyo
Kvaratskhelia comments on Notre Dame's dominant ACC Championships performance
Connor Mulvena | Tuesday, February 25, 2020
The Notre Dame men's and women's fencing teams posted a strong performance in the ACC Championship over the weekend at home at the Castellan Family Fencing Center, in which they swept the field entirely, achieving every championship title up for grabs. After the meet, Irish head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia spoke with The Observer about his
Irish gear up for ACC Championships
Connor Mulvena | Thursday, February 20, 2020
After a week off following wins from both the men's and women's fencing teams at the Duke Duals, the Irish are gearing up for the ACC Championships, which will be hosted here at Notre Dame. Ahead of the big weekend, head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia said the team feels good and most of the fencers will
Irish end regular season at Duke Duals against top competition
Hayden Adams | Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Notre Dame's No. 3-ranked women's and No. 5-ranked men's fencing teams competed in the Duke Duals this past weekend, with the women going 3-2 and the men continuing an unbeaten streak stretching back to the DeCicco Duals on Jan. 25 and 26. "Both teams performed at a very high level," Irish head coach Gia Kvaratskhelia
Irish to wrap up regular season in Durham at Duke Duals
Hayden Adams | Friday, February 7, 2020
The Notre Dame fencing teams will travel to Durham, North Carolina this weekend to take part in the Duke Duals. The No. 5-ranked Irish men's team and No. 3-ranked women's team went undefeated last weekend in the Northwestern Duals in Evanston, Illinois. The Northwestern Duals saw the Irish post their second-straight undefeated weekend after recording
Fencing teams record sweeps at Northwestern Duals
Jimmy Ward | Wednesday, February 5, 2020
The No. 3 ranked Notre Dame women's fencing team and the No. 5 ranked men were both able to record sweeps on the road this weekend at the Northwestern Duals. Both teams were able to record an undefeated weekend for the second time this season in as many weeks Saturday at Ryan Fieldhouse in Evanston,
Notre Dame heads to Northwestern after dominate home tournament
Connor Mulvena | Friday, January 31, 2020
After dominating the competition at the DeCicco Duals, which the Irish hosted, the No. 1-ranked Notre Dame women's and No. 2-ranked men's fencing teams will head to Evanston, Illinois to take on Northwestern, and other programs, in the Northwestern Duals this weekend. The Irish will also have the opportunity to face off against Princeton, Ohio


Re: chillin jammin music !
rite now im jammin dat super ultra rare window's 96 album.
Wow that there sounds like a lot of closed deals.
Did you see the news?
Where can i watch gundam 0083?
yo can someone delete boy c's post in this thread?


Trump For President—Politics Or Entertainment?
The Huffington Post recently announced they would no longer report on Donald Trump's candidacy as anything other than entertainment, and many reporters around the country are struggling to make sense of how to report on him at all. Is Trump a serious contender for President of the United States, or just a political sideshow?


Firefighters are still describing the restructured communications system for Fire and Rescue New South Wales as a "disaster".
Communication centres at Wollongong and Katoomba were closed as part of the rationalisation this year, with all triple-0 fire calls now directed to either Newcastle or Sydney.
Personally, even today, I've just watched fire trucks in the Illawarra responded dangerously to calls where other trucks should have gone, and I've attended calls where the closest stations are skipped to save money and call other fire stations further away.
Fire and Rescue NSW keep calling the issues "technical problems" but they are failing to fix the problems, and the community is now at risk.
The system is failing every hour, and it's only a matter of time until someone is hurt.
I've just watched calls to a hospital and an aged care centre be affected by the system. Disgraceful.


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Travel is increasingly a competition of access: who know what the locals know? Who knows the secrets of where to eat and visit? It can be exhausting as it is thrilling, and sometimes all you really want to do is read the menu of a lovely restaurant you've stumbled upon.
The Eat Smart Abroad app would like to change the way travelers approach this question, asking not just where but what should be eaten when you visit a new place. Do you know the best dishes in Turkey? How to navigate a market in India? How to order in Norwegian? Combining a bilingual menu guide with a run-down of flavors and foods particular to the destination, the apps encourages you to take charge of your gustatory adventure.
You may not, but the app can help, with a variety of features including Guides including chef recommendations, historical and regional background, phrases to used in restaurants and markets, and a bi-lingual index for easy reference. It gives a plethora of resources for more than ten destinations (and counting!) inside the app. Destinations covered include Brazil, Turkey, Indonesia, Mexico, Poland, Morocco, India, Sicily, Peru, France, Norway, and Germany, with more to come as the app updates.
The app is based on the Eat Smart Abroad guidebook series, created by the mother-daughter team of Joan Peterson and Susan Chwae. The two lead culinary tours and write the guidebooks; the app is a natural extension of the series, hoping to connect travelers with authentic regional cuisine and culinary experiences. There's no need for a wi-fi connection, and the app is free-standing–no account or advertisements needed.


Cambridge Audio has released a brand new wireless speaker system duo, with the Minx Air 100 and Minx Air 200 hitting stores now.
A major draw of the setup is the wireless compatibility the Minx Air speakers have with Apple and Bluetooth devices, enabling the user to stream music straight from their phone or tablet.
The use of Apple's AirPlay system makes for easy link up with iPhones, iPods and iPads, while Bluetooth connectivity means a host of Android and other devices can be used as the Minx Air's music source too. Services like Spotify, YouTube and Last.fm can also be streamed to the speakers.
Radio playing capabilities are enhanced by the Minx Air app - available in Apple's app store and Google Play - which includes a library of over 20,000 stations. It's not all about wireless streaming though, as the Minx Air sports traditional sockets on the back so TVs and Blu-ray players can also be connected.
For its latest model, Cambridge Audio claims its patented Balanced Mode Radiator (BMR) technology and Digital Signal Processing (DSP) creates a richer than expected sound for speakers of its size.
The Minx Air 100 and 200 are priced £329.95 and £429.95 respectively, and are available now from cambridgeaudio.com and Richer Sounds stores across the UK.


The International Bureau of Education is an information centre for UNESCO member-states in all matters concerning education. It was founded in Geneva in 1925 as a private organisation and became the first intergovernmental organisation in the field of education in 1929. In 1969 it became an integral part of UNESCO.
IBE acts as an information-exchange centre on educational matters, covering educational policies and systems throughout the world, as well as a centre for comparative studies in the education field. Its work is divided into three main areas: research and study, publications, and documentation and information.


text:
All Blogs · Theology Thursday · Oct 14, 2021
The Story of Dussehra
This is the story behind Dussehra, but told from the point of view of Ravana.
Once upon a time there was a ten-headed King of Lanka named Ravana. He and his siblings hailed from Brahma's lineage, who was the creator of the universe.
He had been granted a boon from Brahma that made him invincible and gave him the power to assume literally any form. Of course, there's always a "but"... and in his case, his demise would come because of a woman.
We all know Ravana as the demon who abducted the innocent Sita, and died at the hands of her husband.
But many of us may not know he had some good in him as well. He was knowledgeable, a musician, and his kingdom flourished under his rule.
Ravana's troubles with Rama began because of his sister, Surpanakha.
It was "lust" at first sight for her when she saw Rama. Rama told her he's happily married but Lakshman, on the other hand, is single. #WorstWingmanEver
After facing rejection from both the brothers, she attacked Sita in rage. This led to an all out war, in which Surpanakha's entire army was destroyed by Rama.
This only angered Surpanakha even more, who convinced her married brother, Ravana, that Sita was a woman worth fighting for.
Using more wit than grit, Ravana was able to distract Rama and Lakshman to ensure Sita was home alone when he went to go abduct her. He was well on his way to Lanka, until an aged demigod in the form of a vulture, witnessed the kidnapping. Despite his old age, the vulture courageously fought to save Sita, but ultimately lost.
Although Ravana was holding Sita hostage, he decided he wouldn't marry her against her will. Not until she was ready.
FUN "FACT":
This wasn't because Ravana was a gentleman. He had actually been cursed by another woman that he would not be able to touch any woman without her permission. In fact, when he kidnapped Sita, he literally could not hold her and instead had to lift the entire chunk of earth that she was standing on.
In the meantime, Rama began building an army of Vanaras, where he met Hanuman. Without them, Rama would not have been able to cross the sea between India and Lanka.
When battle ensued, Ravana was already aware his days were numbered. After all, as the son of a sage, he was pious and knew Rama was an incarcanation of Vishnu. But he welcomed the idea of earning salvation by dying honorably on a battlefield, at the hands of God.
Dussehra marks Rama's victory over evil so in many parts of India, it's celebrated by burning an effigy of Ravana. I personally find it a bit odd for two reasons:
1) Doesn't it technically promote violence, especially to young, impressionable children? (Granted, it's meant to be symbolic of burning the evil qualities he represented, rather than Ravana himself).
2) Why are we heralding the villain of the story, instead of the hero? Why not parade around a statue of Rama, as we do of Ganesh for Ganesh Chaturthi?
Maybe it's to remind us that there's a Ravana in every corner of the world... perhaps one even lurking inside of us. There's a heavy price to pay when your actions stem from nefarious desires like lust, ego or power.
But if we're lucky, every once will in a while, there will come along a pair, backed by powerful supporters, who will help reinstate all that was once
good in the world.
Back to Theology Thursdays


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Defend Trade Secrets Act To Be Signed Into Law
On April 27, 2016, the U.S. House of Representatives approved the Defend Trade Secrets Act (DTSA) by a vote of 410 to 2. As the DTSA has already passed the Senate by an 87 to 0 vote, the bill now heads to President Obama to be signed into law. The Obama Administration has voiced strong support for the DTSA, and the passage of the bill appears certain.
The bill represents a monumental shift in trade secrets law, which has long been governed at the state level through adoption of the Uniform Trade Secrets Act (UTSA). While most state trade secret laws are substantively similar, subtle variations in the laws can make enforcement in different states challenging. The DTSA now creates a federal, private civil cause of action for trade secret misappropriation that will be available in conjunction with a state law cause of action for misappropriation of trade secrets, as the DTSA specifically states that it does not preempt the states' trade secret laws. In this manner, the DTSA will be similar to the Lanham Act in how it interacts with state trademark laws.
The most controversial aspect of the DTSA regards a new remedy offered under the law that is not found in the UTSA. While the standard remedies of monetary and injunctive relief are included, the DTSA also allows, in "extraordinary circumstances," courts to issue ex-parte orders to seize misappropriated trade secrets to prevent further dissemination or destruction of property. The concern of many public and private companies has been whether this could lead to opportunistic plaintiffs seeking the seizure of a party's manufacturing plant or research and development lab as a means to leverage settlement in a dispute. To assuage those concerns, lawmakers added certain provisions specifically requiring that a court finds it "clearly appear[ant]" that:
no other adequate relief is available;
immediate and irreparable injury will occur if such seizure is not ordered;
the harm to the trade secret owner outweighs the harm to the party whose property is being seized;
the harm to the trade secret owner "substantially outweighs" the harm to any third parties (for example, a customer awaiting product from a manufacturing plant);
the trade secret owner is likely to succeed in proving the existence of a trade secret and misappropriation;
the trade secret owner has described with "reasonable particularity" the matter to be seized and its location;
the accused party would destroy, move, or hide the matter if the case were to proceed normally; and
the trade secret owner has not publicized the requested seizure.
Trade secrets owners seeking ex-parte seizure will need to seriously consider whether such an extreme remedy is merited, as there is risk for a trade secrets owner that abuses the provision. Specifically, a party whose property is seized may seek damages in the event of a "wrongful or excessive seizure." The DTSA also requires the trade secrets owner to post a bond in an amount to be determined by the court in order to cover such damages if the seizure is found to have been unjustified or unwarranted.
Another variation between the UTSA and the DTSA is that the DTSA also provides immunity from a trade secrets misappropriation claim for whistleblowers that disclose a company's trade secrets when reporting a suspected violation of law. The new act requires that companies provide notice of such immunity in an employee contract, non-disclosure agreement, or confidentiality agreement. The failure of a company to provide such notice in an employee's contract prevents the company from recovering exemplary damages or attorneys' fees under the DTSA in action against that employee. The cost of companies updating all employment agreements may not merit the benefit of exemplary damages or attorneys' fees under the new federal act when a trade secret owner could still recover such damages under a state's UTSA. Lastly, the act omits the inevitable disclosure doctrine and, in fact, explicitly states that a court may not "prevent a person from entering into an employment relationship." How this language interacts with states that have adopted the inevitable disclosure doctrine will be one of the many interesting developments in the wake of the DTSA.
The DTSA provides trade secret law with more bite, but does come with some trade-offs. While companies will be able to follow a clear and consistent path to protecting company secrets and enforcing trade secrets misappropriation across state lines, the law's requirements may not be worth the cost of implementation. Baker Donelson will continue to monitor the development of the DTSA. If you have any questions or want to discuss strategies to best utilize the DTSA, please contact any of the attorneys in the Firm's Intellectual Property Group.


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Franklin Sandoval
Research Director, Empire Center for Public Policy
THIS YEAR'S RANK: 97 CHANGE: -4
LAST YEAR'S RANK: 97
As founder and research director of the Empire Center for Public Policy, E.J. McMahon is a go-to expert on budget plans and policy proposals. His organization promotes greater transparency, accountability and fiscal responsibility in state government, which often puts him at odds with lawmakers and the governor. McMahon previously worked as a journalist in Albany, as an Assembly Republican staffer and a budget adviser for almost 30 years, giving him great insight into the goings-on in the Capitol.
Emerita Torres is the vice president of policy, research and advocacy at the Community Service Society and a former U.S. diplomat. She is also a Fellow at the Truman National Security Project.


The 1944 Technicolor romantic musical "Meet Me In St. Louis" may not be the first film to come to mind when thinking about Christmas films. The story about the Smith household, told in seasonal vignettes over the course of a year, is a lavishly composed film that features a exceptional performance from Judy Garland. It's impossible not to get into the holiday spirit once Ms. Garland performs "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas".
"I feel it in my fingers, I feel it in my toes." When Bill Nighy's aging rock star character Billy Mack sings those lines the Christmas spirit is alive. "Love Actually" might be considered by some as a sappy romantic comedy, however I think it's a better than average Christmas movie. Based in London a month before the big holiday, this film focuses on the lives of numerous couples exploring what love and the Christmas spirit means to them.
It's amazing that director Bob Clark has a hand in creating two holiday themed classics. "A Christmas Story", more than 30 years after its release, still plays on repeat on Christmas morning. However, Mr. Clark's horror film "Black Christmas" had a role in changing the landscape of horror and helped in defining the modern slasher movie genre. While on Christmas break a group of sorority girls are stalked by a unseen killer; it's a simple plot that is executed with tension and fear.
You can't have a holiday list without including one of the many versions of Charles Dickens "A Christmas Carol". While I enjoy many of the versions, especially the 1984 version with George C. Scott, the animated version directed by Richard Williams is one my favorites. The animation is beautiful and creepy with a tone that is consistently gloomy, similar to the composition of the Scrooge character. This version brings out the darker aspects of the tale, displaying a world without hope; this makes it all the more enriching when the light of joy comes through in the finale. A must watch for Christmas Carol enthusiasts.
Director Robert Zemeckis and screenwriter Fred Dekker crafted one of the best episodes of the entire "Tales From The Crypt" series with "And All Through The House". A quick and effective tale that defined the structure of the entire television series with Larry Drake as an escaped mental patient stalking a vengeful wife in a Santa outfit on Christmas Eve. It's a short but effective season's greetings.


text:
~ a musical
by Lindsay Warren Baker & Amanda Jacobs
Good News 3
Assembly Dance
Isn't She Wonderful
When I Fall in Love
Silly Girls
He Thinks She Thinks
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Jane Austen's Pride And Prejudice,
ACT ONE. One afternoon, at her home in Hampshire, England in the year 1811, Jane Austen receives a letter from the publishers of "Sense and Sensibility." They have invited her to submit a new manuscript (GOOD NEWS). Austen's sister, Cassandra, encourages her to submit her story "First Impressions." Austen doubts whether something she wrote almost fifteen years ago is worth submitting. As she and Cassandra re-read the work, the novel's characters come to life in the sisters' imaginations.
In her story, a wealthy young man named Charles Bingley arrives in the neighborhood and becomes enamored with Jane Bennet, the eldest of five sisters (ISN'T SHE WONDERFUL?). Mr. Bingley is accompanied by his snobby best friend, Fitzwilliam Darcy, who is even wealthier than he is. Mr. Darcy rejects everything about the country neighborhood, including Elizabeth Bennet, the second eldest Bennet sister. Elizabeth is offended by Mr. Darcy, but is excited for her sister, Jane. Elizabeth questions the nature of love, romance, and what she wants in a potential partner (WHEN I FALL IN LOVE).
Jane Bennet receives an invitation to visit Mr. Bingley's sister, Caroline (MY DEAREST JANE - FIRST LETTER). Mrs. Bennet is thrilled with the invitation and schemes to keep Jane at the Bingley's home as long as possible to the wonderment of Mr. Bennet (SILLY GIRLS). While at Netherfield, Jane becomes ill and Elizabeth cares for her. Over the next four days, Darcy becomes increasingly intrigued with Elizabeth, though Elizabeth is confused and exasperated by his "attention" (HE THINKS/SHE THINKS).
When the Bennet sisters return home, they learn that their pompous cousin, Mr. Collins, is to visit the family (MEETING MR. COLLINS). Mr. Collins will inherit the Bennet estate, which creates tremendous pressure for all five daughters to marry well, but Mr. Collins is aware of his duty both to the Bennets and to his patroness (LADY CATHERINE DE BOURGH). As the author, Austen has encouraged Mr. Collins to pursue Elizabeth. However, when Austen is inspired to introduce a new character – a handsome officer, George Wickham (MEETING MR. WICKHAM) – Elizabeth's attention is engaged elsewhere. Wickham shares his past with Elizabeth (MY DREAM), and her prejudice against Mr. Darcy increases.
Austen questions her plot choices and examines the interactions between all of the growing romantic relationships at a party held by the Bingleys (THE NETHERFIELD BALL). Following an embarrassing evening, Elizabeth rejects a proposal of marriage from Mr. Collins to the dismay of Elizabeth's mother (MY POOR NERVES). While Elizabeth could never marry someone she does not respect, Cassandra reminds Austen that there are those who choose to marry for convenience. The sisters uncomfortably discuss a similar marriage proposal from their past, and Austen imagines what would happen if Elizabeth's best friend, Charlotte Lucas, were to marry Mr. Collins (NOT ROMANTIC).
Jane Bennet is informed that the Bingleys and Mr. Darcy have left the neighborhood (MY DEAREST JANE – SECOND LETTER) and Elizabeth is invited to visit the newlyweds, Charlotte and Mr. Collins. During this visit, Elizabeth meets Mr. Collins' condescending patroness, Lady Catherine de Bourgh and is re-introduced to Mr. Darcy, who is also Lady Catherine's nephew.
After several encounters, Mr. Darcy proposes to Elizabeth not realizing how much she hates him – not only because of her feelings for Wickham, but because of the news that Mr. Darcy separated Mr. Bingley from her sister, Jane (THE REFUSAL). Austen is excited about the dramatic potential, but Cassandra is horrified by the turn of events. Their disagreement over the story escalates into an argument about their own lives and Act One ends with cruel words spoken between the two sisters.
ACT TWO opens with Austen frustrated and upset by the negative consequences of reviewing "First Impressions" (SECOND CHANCES). She and Cassandra begin to repair their relationship, but Austen is unsure of what to do with the story. She attempts to reconcile her new ideas with the old ones. Austen determines that Mr. Darcy should seek Elizabeth out one more time (TAKE A WALK) in order to explain his actions (DARCY'S LETTER). Elizabeth is humbled when she accepts the truth (HAD I BEEN IN LOVE).
Austen continues to see where her creativity will take her, and Elizabeth returns home to discover that the soldiers are leaving her neighborhood. Austen decides to send Lydia with them much to Kitty's dismay (I CAN'T RESIST A REDCOAT). Meanwhile, Elizabeth is invited to journey north with her uncle and aunt, and they visit Mr. Darcy's home. While she's there, Elizabeth recognizes how mistaken she was about Mr. Darcy (THE PORTRAIT SONG), and when Mr. Darcy appears unexpectedly, their romance begins.
Cassandra is relieved by the reconciliation between Elizabeth and Darcy, but Austen is still not convinced that the story is truthful enough (THE STORY IS NOT FINISHED YET). Austen chooses to test her leading characters by having Lydia run away with Mr. Wickham. Elizabeth realizes that she is in love with Mr. Darcy, but fears the scandal has destroyed her chances with him (WATCH HIM GO). Meanwhile, Lydia and Wickham "enjoy London" and rumors of the scandal spread (WHAT NEWS).
Mr. Bennet returns home with news of Lydia's pending marriage to Mr. Wickham. Austen informs Elizabeth that it was Mr. Darcy's doing, and Bingley returns to propose to Jane Bennet (I THINK YOU'RE WONDERFUL).
Mr. Darcy's aunt, Lady Catherine, disturbed by rumors of a possible engagement between her nephew and Elizabeth, appears in order to confront Elizabeth with her objections. Elizabeth denies the engagement, but will not promise to reject Mr. Darcy if he proposes. Thwarted, Lady Catherine tries to extract the same promise from Mr. Darcy but fails. Darcy is left with the hope that Elizabeth will give him a second chance and begs Austen for another opportunity (FINE EYES). Recognizing the openness of Darcy's heart, Austen reflects on the miraculous, unselfish nature of love (ROMANTIC) and re-unites the hero and heroine. She shares her joy with Cassandra and decides that not only is "First Impressions" is worth submitting for publication, but that she wants to be the kind of writer who speaks the truth about matters of the head and the heart (FINALE).
The Creative Team
Lindsay Warren Baker is a freelance theater artist: stage director, playwright/composer, teaching artist and yoga instructor. Besides Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, A Musical, additional writing credits with collaborator Amanda Jacobs include LILY, A Musical Portrait; TRUTH IN BEAUTY: A Shakespeare Sonnet Project (2012 Penfield Music Commission Project);and DANIEL, The Musical. Ms. Baker's other theatrical work includes professional engagements with Geva Theatre Center (Rochester, NY), Eastman Opera Theatre/Eastman School of Music, SUNY Geneseo, Rochester Lyric Opera, and the Ohio Light Opera. Education and Training: O'Neill National Theater Institute, Moscow Art Theatre, St. Olaf College, SUNY Empire State College.
Amanda Jacobs, initially trained to be a pianist. Her life led her to composition and playwriting where she is most recognized for her award-winning work on "Jane Austen's PRIDE AND PREJUDICE, A Musical", which swept the New York Musical Theater Awards in 2011, and included the coveted "Stage Entertainment Award. Outside of Musical Theater, Ms. Jacobs has won numerous composition awards, including 1st Prize from the Long Island Arts Council (2009), the Marin Lutheran Church Competition (2009), Celebrating Grace (2009), NATS (2001), as well as international recognition for her "MASS for the LIVING" from the Sacred Arts Foundation (2010).


Boston area undergrads and graduate students, we want you!
Our Student Ambassador program is seeking ambassadors for the Winter/Spring 2016 semester.
Download the application, and learn more. Questions? Email emma@barresoul.com.


Look no further than the Legacy Reclining Sofa by Franklin for comfort and function that will last for years and years! Features include a hidden table with lights and cup holders along with a soft and durable chocolate brown microfiber upholstery plush pillow arms and built-in recliners on each end for you to relax in after a long day. Franklin builds quality and dependable furniture that you can count on for years of enjoyment.


Information Walk the spectacular cliff-side nature trail to the famous sea caves or "Ovens" for which the park was named.
Experience the Park's fascinating gold rush history, unique geology and diverse coastal environment as you enjoy our self-guided tour along the beautiful sea cliff trail that leads to the famous Ovens Sea caves.
High points of the tour are the visits to Tucker's Tunnel, the overlook at Indian Cave and finally, spectacular Cannon Cave, where you will be able to hear the resounding boom created as the waves enter the cavern.
This is an easy 1 hour tour.
Folks come to visit us from all over the world, or locals come down to enjoy themselves and/or bring their friends and houseguests. The Ovens seacaves are quite unique and well worth the visit. Other day visit activities are gold panning, yes gold panning. The Ovens Natural Park is the site of a gold rush in 1861, and lots of gold was found here. To this day folks come here to find their fortune. We rent and sell gold pans in the little general store here at the park. To make a reservation to camp (tent or RV or cabin) please contact us by email or phone.
We offer some of the best camping in all of Nova Scotia.


The world is moving further and further. So does education. Today, schools, colleges, and university homework are full of various tasks that students have to accomplish. Writing an analytical essay can become one of such tasks. The problem is that not everybody knows how to write an analytical essay correctly. For some people, it can become a challenge in some way.
Not all students, even the diligent ones, know how to write a good analytical essay, make it catchy and deserving a high grade. There is nothing wrong about it. People are quick learners.
In this article we'll teach some hints and tricks, tell the rules and give some tips to follow if you don't want to turn to a custom writer. Scroll down!
What Is an Analytical Essay and Its Purpose?
Every type of writing is different and, for that reason, has different purposes, which is obvious.
What is an analytical essay? We have to start with the definition. It is a paper of academic writing that requires separating facts so that readers could take it more easily and precisely. Such a paper discusses those facts as well and gets the reader to the conclusion, which is based on the discussion of facts.
Let's find out what purpose analytical essays have. The purpose of such a paper is pretty simple and clear. A narrator has to get the reader to the main idea, which is based on discussion of specific facts on a particular topic. A narrator has to make his readers analyze it. The analytical essay definition and purpose are quite simple and clear. So, you do not have to be afraid of it that much. Every single student is capable of good analytical essay writing without any exceptions. Now see what features such a paper has and how to follow its structure, making everything right.
For some reason, a lot of students can get scared when they hear something about rules, structure, and requirements. You do not have to worry. Instead, be happy about it. Once you have the structure of an analytical essay, you no longer have to worry about how to design a paper well, so it could look appropriate because you already have a pattern. All you have to do is to follow the standard scheme.
Introduction (this is the part where you should give some background info on the topic that you have picked, and make your reader get closer to it + at the end of the intro you also present your thesis statement, which is considered as the main idea of the whole paper).
Body (present every single example, argument and said word to support the main idea of your paper; those items support your thesis statement).
Conclusion (conclude all the facts, examples, arguments and your thoughts in one place, and if you want, give your readers some message).
Remember, writing an analytical essay is not a problem until you make it an issue. Everything is in your head. Things are easier than they can seem.
How to Start an Analytical Essay?
The first part of every type of writing is always essential. Why? Because it is the part where you have only one chance to make your reader interested in further reading. If you do not know how to begin an analytical essay, you have to learn it. Your ability to catch the readers depends only on you.
In the first sentences, you should provide the readers with some background info on the topic that you have picked and make them acquainted with it.
The last sentence of an introduction is a thesis. What is it? A thesis is a statement which covers the main idea of the whole paper of yours and presents it in one small sentence, which gets the reader straight to the next part of an essay. It gets them to the body part, which is based on the intro as well.
How to Conclude an Analytical Essay?
Even the fact that your intro and main body were successful does not mean you do not have to know how to end an analytical essay either. This part is very important because you have to keep your writing at the same level in every part of the paper. If you managed to write a good introduction, try to keep it that way until the end.
Restate your thesis. Do not repeat your statement! All you have to do is to restate it, which means that you have to make it shorter, change the words' places, and/or add or take away some constructions. It does not have to look the same but does have to mean the same.
You also have to add a couple of sentences, it may be 2 or 3, for example. They have to conclude and cover every single argument and example that supported the main idea.
End your text with a precise and clear sentence on a topic.
As an addition, you can avoid simple ending and add a message, which you want the readers to take and understand. It has to be catchy and deep.
We hope that this article was helpful for you at least a bit and you took something from it for yourself. So, follow the structure, know how to start and end a paper, and enjoy your high grades for papers which are worth reading!


German Auto Repair Tacoma WA | Total Performance Inc.
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Many of these automobiles are built to an incredibly high standard. For German auto repair, Tacoma vehicle owners know that if their repairs aren't performed at that same level they won't last. Our ASE certified mechanics provide complete repair work for everything from oil changes to major engine rebuilds. We believe when it comes to German auto repair, Tacoma deserves the very best. We'll have your vehicle accurately diagnosed and repaired better, faster, and at an affordable price.
All of our repair services are backed by a 2 year or 24,000 miles warranty. Using state of the art equipment designed to provide better analysis of German auto problems allows us to quickly pin point issues. Our turnaround is second to none, and repairs are performed using genuine oem parts or those that meet or exceed OEM standards. These often come with extensive warranties, covering you in the event of pre-mature part failure on top our stellar warranty.
When you're looking for German auto repair in Tacoma trust the German auto repair shop that puts its customers and their vehicles first. We measure success with customer satisfaction achieved through excellent craftsmanship and service. From basic maintenance to electrical problems and engine rebuilds, our comprehensive repairs are performed for lasting durability.
When you want reliable, affordable, and guaranteed German auto repair in Tacoma call (253) 471-8905 or contact us today.


Blog What is inventory worth to your business?
What is inventory worth to your business?
'Better' planning for your business starts with sales and operations plan (S&OP). However, for the plan to really make a difference, operations must be structured to enable response to demand in an acceptable time period.
Responding to demand means providing availability of items. This requires either making or assembling the items as required, or delivering finished items from inventory. But do you know enough about the behaviour patterns of your inventory to know how much to hold and where? This is the basis of logistics; designing the inventory management structure and processes, supported by your analysis of inventory usage and profitability.
My previous three blogs discussed the calculation and use of CoV through the Coefficient of Variation Management (CoVM), a structure developed by Tom Rafferty, which makes the CoV calculation useful.
Having structured the SKUs in a matrix based on their pattern of sales variation, you also need to know what financial return is earned from holding each SKU in inventory.
For example: an SKU placed in the LUMPY category has a gross margin of 56 per cent and inventory turns of 1.7 times per year. The calculation shows this SKU provides a gross margin of $2.16 per dollar of inventory investment. Considering the costs associated with holding inventory, an enterprise should aim to earn about $3 for each dollar invested in its newly effective inventory, following the CoVM process.
If an SKU is not achieving the required margin on its inventory investment, you must propose an increase in the sell price or decrease in the buy price, to obtain a higher gross margin. The alternative is to achieve higher stock turns through selling more at the current price and achieving more frequent stock replenishment.
The final decision concerning sell price and sales volume for each SKU belongs to marketing and sales. But no matter what decisions are taken, there will now be a continuing record of the financial return on inventory investment for all SKUs, together with their CoVM category.
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The BlogJapanese cultureCoffeejapanese food
<i>Coffee Life in Japan</i>: The Exotic and the Apparently Familiar
When it comes to food, Japan has lost some of its mystery. Restaurant patrons are conversant with sushi, sashimi, and tempura. Still, there are still layers and layers that some Western foodies have yet to consider.
Fabio Parasecoli, Contributor
Professor, New York University
Oct 9, 2012, 03:33 PM EDT | Updated Dec 9, 2012
Roasted coffee bean | coffee beans Granos de café tostado (natural). Des grains de fr:café | café torréfiés. Biji kopi alami yang telah ...
Japan occupies an interesting place in Western popular culture: as one of the most developed countries in the world, its presence is warranted among the major players in the global economy and in international politics. Its industrial and technological products are among the most common household names in consumer culture across the globe. Its popular culture, especially when it comes to fashion, design, anime, and manga, has a considerable following outside its borders. The disasters following the recent tsunami have also contributed to a prominent spot for Japan in the global imagination.
Yet, when it comes to food, Japan has lost some of its mystery. Restaurant patrons are conversant with sushi, sashimi, and tempura, and shoppers are less and less surprised to see wasabi, seaweed, green tea, and even mocha in the "international aisles" of their supermarkets. The recent documentary Jiro Dreams of Sushi reflects the interest of Western gourmets in a culinary tradition that, until a few decades ago, was shrouded in exoticness. Now we have access to delivery sushi; we can pick sashimi off little conveyor belts; and cookbooks, TV shows, and other media are contributing to make Japanese cuisine accessible and comprehensible. Still, there are still layers and layers that some Western foodies have yet to consider, including the many local traditions that stubbornly survive in parts of the country, the kaiseki dining and cooking style, and the ongoing evolution that has created relatively novel approaches like the Japanese-inflected wafu pasta.
Merry White's new book, Coffee Life in Japan guides us along as we discover a visible yet quite unexplored dimension of Japanese consumer culture. An anthropologist by training and by trade (she teaches at Boston University), the author takes us from coffee house to coffee house, uncovering a whole world that would be hidden from those wrongfully believing Japan is only about tea. As a matter of fact, it is the third largest coffee-importing country in the world, with an internal market shaped by high prices, high quality, and high costs of production. Although the country's love affair with the drink is more recent than Europe's, cafes were thriving long before the arrival of Starbucks.
White proves that the drink has played a significant role in the process of modernization in Japan through its ability to adapt to political earthquakes, changing urban structures, and evolving behaviors. Cafes turn out to be places where people can take a break from social pressure and express one's individuality outside the harmonious consensus that many perceive as a defining trait of Japanese culture. Throughout the book we get to explore wildly different establishments, meeting a curious cast of characters that have dedicated their lives to preparing the best café possible, each embracing quite different standards. Preparations, design, techniques, atmosphere and soundscapes may vary, but all the café owners portrayed in the book seem to take coffee and customer care with the greatest seriousness.
Kodawari, the disciplined dedication and attention to detail that these individuals display, is far from being the stereotyped perfectionism (bordering on the pathological) that many attribute to Japanese culture. As White points out:
"A café in Japan is not a 'global space' -unless one counts the Seattle-based chain stores - nor is it usually a deeply local place, forbidding to newcomers... There is no single model for the café... The very openness of definition, along with the cultural parameters of services and quality that make these places 'Japanese' is the draw and the preservative of the café in Japanese cities... Its cultural logic is strongly Japanese, but the experience of the café can break almost all the usual rules of being Japanese."
White wanders from café to café, from brewing master to coffee merchant, with nonchalant pleasure. At times the book structure seems far from linear, returning to topics and concepts already touched on before, but White's affection for the world she describes is infectious. The narrative often reads like a memoir, and the author is able to transport us to places and situations that are not only described with the eye of the anthropologist, but shared with the passion of a true coffee lover.
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Driven to build, I spend my time with startups, photography and in my maker space.
Starting at zero and building something new is how I relax.
Accelerated learning required when starting at zero excites me.
I thrive when tackling the torrent of challenges with limited resources and discovering "unknown unknowns".
Connecting people and ideas to create a shared vision delights me.
Building and leading teams fills me with joy.
This blog post is based on my Keynote at Desai Accelertor's Demo Day in October of 2017. The blog post (and video!) explores how a business model from another domain provides insights to building a thriving startup community.
In this post I discuss how I built "The Board of Pete" - my personal board of directors that help steward my career and growth opportunities.
The Board of Pete started about 7 years ago. I collected several of my closest colleagues and friends. People I trust implicitly, familiar with my strengths and "opportunities for growth", and most importantly, willing and able to hold up a mirror for me to see into my blindspots.
As founder you alone are responsible for creating shared values, shared vision, and shared execution on the team.


text:
Recently released CDs can keep you warm at home
Music Beat
Peter Jacobi H-T Columnist
Let's catch up with some more CDs.
But before I do, permit me to correct my review, printed in the paper last Tuesday, of the inaugural Calliope's Call concert. Inexplicably, I credited mezzo-soprano Megan Roth for singing a set of charming songs by John Duke when, in fact, it was baritone Scott Hogsed who did so, and with great verve.
I wrote Scott's name next to the Duke entry in the printed program, which I did for all of the program to help me remember. I do that all the time. But somehow, when I sat down to write the review, I typed in Megan's name, leading to an embarrassing published error. I'm truly sorry for the mistake. And let me repeat that this concert of art songs was beautifully pieced together.
Now, to the CDs, most of which have local connections.
The first one doesn't, but it won the Pulitzer Prize for Music. Alaskan composer John Luther Adams (not the probably better known John Adams) earned the coveted award for "Become Ocean," an orchestral work commissioned, then premiered, then recorded by the Seattle Symphony. Ludovic Morlot conducts.
Adams loves nature and worries about its state of health. That love and that worry inspired him to compose "Become Ocean." Says he: "Life on this Earth first emerged from the sea. Today, as the polar ice melts and sea level rises, we humans face the prospect that we may once again, quite literally, become ocean." The 40-plus minutes of music he wrote sound like a relentless sea surging and waiting for an inevitable invasion of the land mankind needs. It is Debussy's "La Mer" enlarged, lengthened, and brought up to date. (Cantaloupe Music)
'KammerMahler'
A CD titled "KammerMahler" features Mahler's large-scaled Symphony Number 9 in miniature. The arrangement is by the German conductor and pianist Klaus Simon. He reduced human forces to chamber dimensions in the belief that more musical institutions would perform this Mahler symphony if they didn't have the burden of needing to pay all those extra musicians required in Mahler's score. Initially, members of the Berlin Philharmonic helped Simon with a performance. Now, so has an orchestral ensemble at IU's Jacobs School gathered by Caleb Young, who earned a master's in conducting here after working with David Effron and Arthur Fagen.
The arrangement works quite well. One misses the outsized Mahler climaxes. But the recorded performance contains plenty of passion. The intimacy leads to enhanced clarity and a contemplative atmosphere appropriate for this magnificent piece of music. After all, Mahler doesn't only shock with scope; his scores contain introspection, too. Young's intensely musical reading scores high marks. (www.kammermahler.com)
'The Birthday Feast'
A far lighter, brighter entertainment awaits you with a CD that contains the music of "The Birthday Feast," a musical for families commissioned and performed by Cardinal Stage Company. The songs ("I Love to Eat," "Down in the Dirt," "Birthday Soup," "Mutt's Tarantella," and more) are melodic, thanks to composers Alex Crowley and Robert Cruz, and clever, thanks to the lyrics of Scott Russell Sanders. They're sung by members of the original cast. It's for all of you who dream of climbing a mountain of fudge and swimming in a lake of pop, who wish burgers and fries would grow on trees and clouds would consist of whipped cream. (Available on line via cdbaby)
'Paintings Composed'
"Paintings Composed" features compositions inspired by the paintings of several Chicago artists. One of those composers is IU's Don Freund. Others include Daniel McCarthy, Amos Gillespie, Seth Boustead, Hannis Brown and John Elmquest. Don Freund's attractive piece has the most amusing title: "There is often no pressure to be a giraffe when you are not one." Since the album lacks adequate photos of the art works in question, I cannot vouch for how seriously the compositions describe or explain the paintings, but the music one hears holds interest and variety, and it's effectively played by the Gillespie Chamber Quartet (flute, clarinet, alto saxophone, and cello). (Gillespie Chamber Quartet)
'Embrace the Wind'
James Pellerite was principal flutist of the Philadelphia Orchestra for years and years. He then became professor in the Jacobs School, adding to his contributions. After retirement, and by chance encounter, he came upon the Native American flute and fell in love with the instrument. He vowed to promote the instrument by playing it and by commissioning composers to write for it.
On a CD labeled "Embrace the Wind," Pellerite celebrates the flute as he plays it, accompanied by a group of IU-trained musicians: percussionist Brian Blume, sopranos Christine Buras and Lindsey McLennan, mezzo-soprano Amanda Russo, tenor Mason Copland, bass-baritone Julian Morris, countertenor Andrew Rader, violist Andrew Francois, violinist Rachel Patrick, and cellist Cole Tutino. They perform contemporary works of eight composers, including Bloomingtonian David DeBoor Canfield. The sound of the Pellerite flute will haunt you. (Albany Records)
Pacifica Quartet CDs
The Chicago record producer Cedille, which gave us the resident Pacifica Quartet's cycle of Shostakovich string quartets, has enriched the mound of availabilities with several CDs that contain some sort of Bloomington connection. Briefly, they include:
• "Two X Four," performed by violinists Jennifer Koh and former IU professor Jaime Laredo. They play ever so beautifully Bach's Concerto for Two Violins in D Minor, plus — for a comfortable mix — suitably chosen modern pieces: Anna Clyne's "Prince of Clouds," Philip Glass' "Echorus," and David Ludwig's "Seasons Lost."
• "Excelsior" features the Fifth House Ensemble, which drifted down from Chicago to IU and Bloomington not long ago for a residency and concert. The 11-member ensemble includes IU alums, and together in different combinations, they perform some of their commissioned pieces: Alex Shapiro's "Perpetual Spark," Jesse Limbacher's "Air," Mason Bates' "Red River," and Caleb Burhans' "Excelsior." The chosen music is contemporary but not too far out; it attracts rather than repels, and fits with the Bach.
• "The Pulitzer Project" gives us Pulitzer Prize-winning works by William Schumann ("A Free Song"), Aaron Copland ("Appalachian Spring") and Leo Sowerby ("The Canticle of the Sun"), as performed in first rate fashion by the Grant Park Orchestra and Chorus. Carlos Kalmar conducts; he came here a few summers ago to lead the IU Festival Orchestra, which he did famously, just as he does the Grant Park Orchestra, which he serves as music director.
And that does it for the moment.
Contact Peter Jacobi at pjacobi@heraldt.com.
• This afternoon at 2 in the Lilly Library, Concentus offers music of Christopher Simpson, directed by Wendy Gillespie. Free.
• This afternoon at 4 in Auer Hall, the University Singers and Student Chamber Orchestra combine, under the direction of Betsy Burleigh, to perform works of Bach (Magnificat in D Minor), Brahms ("Ave Maria"), Mozart ("Regina coeli" in C Major) and Rheinberger ("Stabat Mater"). Free.
• This evening at 5:30 in Bloomington's Unitarian Universalist Church, Fee Lane at the Ind. 45/46 Bypass, the choir Voces Novae explores how we know what we know, along with music of the Beatles, Benjamin Britten, Malcolm Dalglish, Gabriel Lubell, Giovanni Palestrina and Julian Wachner. Admission: $10 for general public, $5 for students and seniors.
• This evening at IU Cinema, "Double Exposure" features collaborations by students of film, composition and the recording arts. Free.
• Monday evening at 8 in the Musical Arts Center, the Brent Wallarab Jazz Ensemble performs. Free.
• Wednesday evening at 8 in the MAC, David Effron conducts the IU Concert Orchestra in music of Mussorgsky ("Night on Bald Mountain"), Britten (Violin Concerto with Yu Wang as soloist) and Robert Schumann (Symphony No. 2). Free.
• Wednesday evening at 8 in Auer, guest David Tanenbaum plays a guitar recital. Free.
• Thursday afternoon at 5 in Auer, the Fountain City Brass Band comes to visit, led by music director Joseph Parisi. Free.
• Thursday evening at 8 in Auer, David Dzubay directs the IU New Music Ensemble in a work by guest composer Keeril Makan ("If We Knew the Sky") and M Sweeny (premiere of doctoral dissertation piece, Chamber Symphony). Free.
• Thursday evening at 8:30 in Ford-Crawford Hall, Howard Klug directs the IU Clarinet Choir. Free.
• Friday evening at 7 in Ford-Crawford, the Rubens Quartet, annual visitors in summer, returns for a guest recital featuring works of des Prez, Beethoven (String Quartet Opus 18, No. 3) and Janacek (String Quartet No. 1, "Kreutzer Sonata"). Free.
• Friday evening at 8 in Auer, Daniel Duarte directs the IU Guitar Ensemble. Free.


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How To: Play the Christmas carol "The Little Drummer Boy" on guitar
'Tis the season to get out the guitar and start practicing some Christmas classics! For this holiday, make it a goal to master some great carols for the holiday. Watch this video to learn how to play "The Little Drummer Boy" on your guitar.
How To: Play "Little Drummer Boy" on guitar this Christmas
How To: Play the classic Christmas carol "Silent Night" on guitar
How To: Play "Here Comes Santa Claus" on the guitar for Christmas
How To: Play "Winter Wonderland" on the acoustic guitar for Christmas
How To: Play the "12 Days of Christmas" song on guitar for the holidays
How To: Play a basic version of "Silent Night" on a guitar
How To: Play "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" on the guitar
How To: Play "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" on guitar
How To: Play "Thunder" by Boys Like Girls on the guitar
How To: Play "White Christmas" by Irving Berlin on the guitar
How To: Play "The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don't Be Late)" on guitar
How To: Play "Love Drunk" by Boys Like Girls on guitar
How To: Play the Beach Boys' "Surfer Girl" on guitar
How To: Play "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys Like Girls & Taylor Swift on guitar
How To: Play "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" on guitar
How To: Play the song "Crash" by Dave Matthews Band
How To: Play "Skater Boy" by Avril Lavigne on guitar
How To: Play "Last Christmas (I Gave You My Heart)" on the acoustic guitar
How To: Play "Thunder" by Boys Like Girls on acoustic guitar
How To: Play Elvis Presley's "Blue Christmas" on guitar
How To: Play the "Frosty the Snowman" Christmas song on guitar
How To: Play "Country Boy Can Survive" on the acoustic guitar
How To: Play Silent Night for solo guitar
How To: Play "Jingle Bells" on your guitar for the holiday season
How To: Play "Surfin' USA" by the Beach Boys on guitar
How To: Play "Two Is Better Than One" by Boys Like Girls
How To: Play "Little Saint Nick" by the Beach Boys on ukulele
How To: Play the Christmas song "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" on guitar
How To: Play "Stupid Boy" by Keith Urban on acoustic guitar
How To: Play "Rude Boy" by Rihanna on acoustic guitar
How To: Play the Beach Boys' "God Only Knows" on guitar
How To: Play Keith Urban's "Stupid Boy" on acoustic guitar
How To: Play "The Drummers of England" on guitar
How To: Play "Wouldn't It Be Nice" by the Beach Boys on guitar
How To: Play "If I Were A Boy" by Beyoncé Knowles on guitar
How To: Play "I Don't Care" by Fall Out Boy on guitar
How To: Play "The Great Escape" by Boys Like Girls on guitar


Plainville Little League is here to assist players in developing the qualities of citizenship, discipline, teamwork and physical well-being. Plainville Little League is committed to providing athletes of all abilities the opportunity to develop a strong sense of worth both as individuals and as part of a team. The dedication of a strong volunteer system of managers, coaches and umpires will teach the skills required to successfully contribute to the game of baseball and softball. By promoting the virtues of character, courage and loyalty, Plainville Little League is designed to develop superior citizens rather than superior athletes. Plainville Little League partners with parents, players and all volunteers to achieve these goals.


Mae and her family have moved to a big crowded city and she longs for the garden she left behind. Her attempts to create a new version of her beloved green space are foiled one by one. She longs to "chase butterflies in the wavy grass" again. One day she encounters a leafy green forest in the midst of her gray city and with it, an opportunity. A charming story about dealing positively with inevitable change and "growing where you're planted." Anna Walker's watercolors are vibrant and incredibly lovely, and Florette is an absolute delight.
Florette was written and illustrated by Anna Walker and published by HMH Books for Young Readers. Out soon on February 20!


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What To Expect On Sunday
Where Burdens Are Lifted
Watch A Service Learn more
"By this everyone will know that you are my disciples: if you love one another."
Big Tree Wesleyan is a church on the border of Hamburg and Blasdell, NY. Our heart is for our community, so we continually seek to be a place where people are loved and cared for, and a people who are active in our little corner of the world.
Our weekly worship service is on Sunday at 10:45 AM and is streamed live on Facebook. The service is contemporary, and we have ministries for people of all ages to get connected with.
Our Pastors are always available to meet, answer questions, and grab coffee/tea.
I love this church. It is family to us, they have welcomed us and our kids with open arms.
This church is the most welcoming church you will find, with the best music ever!
Great service every week. Friendly people that always make you feel truly welcomed and never judged.
Feels like home. Feels like family. Makes you feel you have been forgiven and you matter in Gods eyes. When I leave service, I feel a deep inner peace.
True to the teaching of Scripture.
It's a hidden treasure in the Southtowns. Very welcoming and honest!
SUNDAY SERVICE 10:45 AM
4163 Fairview Pkwy.
Blasdell, NY 14219
Served during the morning service.
January 1, 2023 10:45 am - 11:45 am
Message from Pastor Doug Ingersoll
January 4, 2023 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
Local Board of Administration
January 10, 2023 6:30 pm - 7:30 pm
January 15, 2023 10:45 am - 11:45 am


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HomeTechnologyInformation
TechnologyInformation
New NetSol Executive to Focus on Europe
NetSol Technologies Inc. has appointed Chris Mobley as the new head of its NFS Ascent Wholesale operation in Europe. Mobley will lead the introduction of the Calabasas software developer's new subscription-based pricing option for all its cloud-based products and services on a global level as well as orchestrate its European-focused growth plans. Chief Executive Najeeb Ghauri welcomed Mobley to the NetSol team and wished him the best as he builds sales momentum in Europe. "The European market, with its evolving buying cycles and industry maturation, remains a core focus of our overall growth strategy," Ghauri said in a statement. "We look forward to leveraging Chris' experience and expertise in this domain to further spearhead our operations in this market." In July, NetSol announced it had signed a contract valued at about $4 million with an independent used vehicle finance company in the United Kingdom for use of NFS Ascent Wholesale Finance platform. The deal has generated significant initial traction in the European market for NFS Ascent Wholesale, Ghauri said. Prior to joining NetSol, Mobley had leadership roles with APAK Group, a finance software company based in the United Kingdom. Shares of NetSol (NTWK) closed down 10 cents, or just more than 2 percent, to $4.19 on the Nasdaq.
HemaCare Launches Bone Marrow Product Line
Private-Label Manufacturer Blue Cross Labs Acquired


What could I say? Had I made progress? Or just stumbled into another theory even more stupid than radioactive spiders? How could I say that word out loud, the one I'd been trying not to think all night?
I don't know what my face must have looked like, but her expression suddenly softened.
"It's that bad, then?" she asked.
"Can I—can we not talk about it here?" I glanced at the thin partition that separated us from the rest of the restaurant.
"Very bad," she murmured, half to herself. There was something very sad and… almost old about her eyes. Tired, defeated. It hurt me in a strange way to see her unhappy.
The waiter returned with the Cokes. He set them on the table without a word this time and disappeared. I wondered if he could feel the tension as strongly as I could.
She looked down, folding her hands carefully on the empty table in front of her. She glanced up at me from under the thick lashes, and there was a hint of a smile on her face.
I looked down, frustrated. I unrolled my silverware, picked up my fork, and carefully speared a ravioli. I put it in my mouth slowly, still looking down, chewing while I thought. The mushrooms were good. I swallowed and took a sip of Coke before I looked up.
It took me a minute to recover. She waited patiently.
"Okay." I worked to sound casual. "Just one exception, then. How would something like that work? What are the limitations? How would… that someone… find someone else at exactly the right time? How would she even know I was in trouble?" My convoluted questions weren't making any sense by the end.
"Call her Jane," I suggested.
She locked eyes with me, torn, and I guessed she was wrestling against the desire to just tell me the truth.
"You can trust me, you know," I whispered. I reached forward slowly, to put my hand on top of hers, but she slid them back an inch, so I let my hand fall empty to the table.
She hesitated one more second, and then it came out in a rush.
It didn't bother me at all that she was following me; instead I felt a strange surge of pleasure. She was here for me. She stared, waiting for me to react.
I thought about what she'd said—tonight, and before.… Do you think I could be scary?
"You put yourself into that category, don't you?" I guessed.
I stretched across the table again, ignoring her when she pulled back slightly once more, and laid my hand on top of hers. She kept them very still. It made them feel like stone—cold, hard, and now motionless. I thought of the statue again.
She just stared at me, her mouth twitching into a frown.
My joke fell flat. Her frown deepened.
She angled her face down again, her hair falling across her cheeks, and I could barely hear her answer.


Actually, I have some simple sequence repeat (SSR) that would like to find their location on the gene sequences of interest, if repeats located on the coding or non-coding (UTR) regions?
how do you check manually of the UTR contains a SSR ?
I have already find some SSR repeat using SSRlocator, MISA tools. Now, I want to know where is located these SSRs, on the coding or UTR parts of gene sequences of interest?
UCSC has already computed the simple repeats.
Thanks for your nice reply, however I have some predetermined SSR repeats, like AT, CCG, etc. Could you please let me know how I can find just repeats of interest?
Lack of 5' UTR in genome?


The challenge of raising venture capital for start-ups outside the coasts is always challenging, and it gets more so when the new business is in the life science space. Here's a good success story about a company in the nation's heartland that landed $33 million soon after securing its first-ever federal permission to market a device that uses artificial intelligence to diagnose eye disease. And, for good measure, it was a technology coming out of a university.


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Nicholas Sparks biography
Author Biography | Interview | Books by this Author | Readalikes
Nicholas Sparks is one of the world's most beloved storytellers. All of his books have been New York Times bestsellers, with over 89 million copies in print worldwide, in over 50 languages, including over 50 million copies in the United States alone, and his popularity continues to soar.
Sparks wrote one of his best-known stories, The Notebook, over a period of six months at age 28. It was published in 1996 by Warner Books. He followed with the novels Message in a Bottle (1998), A Walk to Remember (1999), The Rescue (2000), A Bend in the Road (2001), Nights in Rodanthe (2002), The Guardian (2003), The Wedding (2003), True Believer (2005) and its sequel, At First Sight (2005), Dear John (2006), The Choice (2007), The Lucky One (2008), The Last Song (2009), Safe Haven (2010), The Best of Me (2011), and The Longest Ride (2013), as well as the 2004 non-fiction memoir Three Weeks With My Brother, co-written with his brother Micah.
Safe Haven, filmed in Southport, North Carolina was released on February 14, 2013 and marks Sparks's eighth film adaptation, following The Lucky One, Message in a Bottle, A Walk to Remember, The Notebook, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John and The Last Song, which thus far have a cumulative worldwide gross of nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars.
Sparks lives in North Carolina with his family. He contributes to a variety of local and national charities, and is a major contributor to the Creative Writing Program (MFA) at the University of Notre Dame, where he provides scholarships, internships, and a fellowship annually. Along with his wife, he founded The Epiphany School in New Bern, North Carolina. As a former full scholarship athlete (he still holds a track and field record at the University of Notre Dame) he also spent four years coaching track and field athletes at the local public high school. In 2009, the team he coached at New Bern High School set a World Junior Indoor Record in the 4 x400 meter in New York. The record still stands.
In 2011, Sparks and his wife launched the Nicholas Sparks Foundation, a nonprofit committed to improving cultural and international understanding through global education experiences for students of all ages. Between the foundation, and the personal gifts of Nicholas and Catherine Sparks, more than $10 million dollars have been distributed to deserving charities, scholarship programs, and projects. Because Nicholas and Catherine Sparks cover all operational expenses of the foundation, 100% of donations are devoted to programs.
On April 19-22, 2012, he launched the inaugural Nicholas Sparks Celebrity Family Weekend and Golf Tournament in New Bern, North Carolina, a weekend devoted to raising awareness and funds for the Foundation. Sparks and his family hosted stars from the worlds of sports, music, movies and television, along with fans, for a full calendar of events, raising over $500,000.
Nicholas Sparks's website
This bio was last updated on 01/18/2014. In a perfect world, we would like to keep all of BookBrowse's biographies up to date, but with many thousands of lives to keep track of it's simply impossible to do. So, if the date of this bio is not recent, you may wish to do an internet search for a more current source, such as the author's website or social media presence. If you are the author or publisher and would like us to update this biography, send the complete text and we will replace the old with the new.
Nicholas Sparks talks about what inspired him to write A Bend In The Road and The Rescue.
A Bend in the Road was a challenging story to conceive and a difficult story to write, though in all honesty, the reasons had more to do with events in my own life than the process of putting the words down on paper. Originally, I'd intended to start writing my new novel in January, 2000 but there were two major events that made work of any kind difficult.
First, my third son was born on January 11th; within days of that event, I learned that my younger sister, who'd been battling cancer for years, had just been given a few months to live. I live in North Carolina and my sister lives in California and I wanted to spend as much time with her as I could; I also wanted to bond with my new child and the push and pull, the wonder of life and tragedy of death, made concentration of any kind difficult. Every ninth day, I flew to California to stay with my sister for four days, and those trips continued through the end of May when she finally passed away. My sister, for those who don't know, was the inspiration for Jamie Sullivan in A Walk to Remember, and she was not only a sibling, but along with my wife and brother, my best friend as well. Her loss, along with the death of both my parents, were without a ...
Books by Nicholas Sparks at BookBrowse
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In her own words: "I was born and raised in suburban Boston. My mother's death, when I was eight, was the defining event of a childhood that was otherwise ordinary. I took piano lessons and flute lessons. I took ballroom... (more)
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Coast Road
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Suzanne's Diary For Nicholas
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This Other Eden
by Paul Harding
A novel inspired by the true story of Malaga Island from the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Tinkers.
We should have a great fewer disputes in the world if words were taken for what they are


Do you have a sport Dog? Let us help you to find the best sport dog training method.
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SportDog replacement transmitter for your SD-1825 Camo remote trainer system.


Every 2019 combined rates mentioned above are the results of Texas state rate (6.25%). There is no county sale tax for Bluegrove, Texas. There is no city sale tax for Bluegrove. There is no special rate for Bluegrove.
The Bluegrove's tax rate may change depending of the type of purchase.


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Kaloko resolution approved | The Honolulu Advertiser | Hawaii's Newspaper
Kaloko resolution approved
By Derrick DePledge
Advertiser Government Writer
Hermina Morita
Neil Abercrombie
The state House of Representatives yesterday passed a resolution urging state Attorney General Mark Bennett to appoint a special deputy to investigate the fatal Kaloko dam breach on Kaua'i because some lawmakers believe Bennett has potential conflicts.
State Rep. Hermina Morita, D-14th (Kapa'a, Hanalei), said the resolution would probably not satisfy people in Kilauea who are demanding an outside, independent investigator to look into the culpability of the state, the county and private landowners in the dam's failure. But she said the resolution could be revised after it moves over to the state Senate.
"We need to think this through. We need to discuss and debate it," Morita said after the House decision.
U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, was the first to call for an independent investigation shortly after the breach last month killed seven people and caused extensive property damage along Wailapa Stream.
Abercrombie has said that Bennett has an inherent conflict in investigating the role of state agencies such as the state Department of Land and Natural Resources, which has no record of ever inspecting the dam. Other lawmakers have said Bennett has the appearance of a conflict because he used to work at the same law firm as William McCorriston, the attorney for retired auto dealer Jimmy Pflueger, the landowner around Kaloko.
But the congressman, and others who want an independent probe, have not been able to define exactly how it would be conducted.
The resolution would have Bennett, the person with the alleged conflict, select the special deputy. Lawmakers are discussing other options, such as providing Bennett with a list of names to choose from for an investigation.
Gov. Linda Lingle has said the Legislature could create its own special committee to examine the dam failure but believes Bennett should continue with his investigation. Bennett has said he does not have a conflict and will conduct a fair and aggressive inquiry.
House Democrats said they have high regard for Bennett's integrity, but some House Republicans said the resolution undermines Bennett. "I believe it impugns the integrity of the attorney general," said state Rep. Barbara Marumoto, R-19th (Kaimuki, Kahala, Wai'alae Iki).
House Republicans noted yesterday that McCorriston has also called for an independent investigation, suggesting to them that Pflueger wants Bennett to step aside. Bennett was involved in an earlier state and federal environmental case against Pflueger that led to a $7.5 million penalty.
"Why are we trying to go with less than the best in this case?" asked state Rep. Cynthia Thielen, R-50th (Kailua, Mokapu).
Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com.


I see them on ebay all the time.
The problem there is that they're 3 or 4 times what I paid before (where I didn't receive anything).
wow these figures look amazing. I just learned about these last night and I'm kind of surprised I hadn't heard anyone talk about them on here yet (this thread died just before I joined the forum a few years ago). I'm not seeing any up on YAJ at the moment unless I'm just missing them; there's lots of Monster Hunter stuff to sift through.
They are pretty stellar. Some of the coolest sculpts that I've ever seem... Super stylized. I have a few, but had to go through a buddy in Japan to get mine. Ebay is far too expensive. Some of my favorite figures though! Particularly the people and some cool monsters designed in the form of combos of two different animals. Definitely worth looking into.
Yeah, I think I may start looking into YAJ, because I have gone far too long without any of these.
Out of interest what would one search for to find these? Theres a lot of Monster Hunter stuff out there and it's tricky to narrow down.