Rural, conservative, impoverished Oklahoma has built the nation's brightest model for early education.
Four-year-old John Kaykay is a serious and quiet boy—"my thoughtful one," his dad calls him. When the official greeters at the front door of the McClure early-childhood center in Tulsa welcome him with their clipboards and electric cheer—"Good morning, John! How are you today?"—he just slowly nods his small chin in their direction. When he gets to Christie Housley's large, sunny classroom, he focuses intensely on signing in, writing the four letters of his name with a crayon as his dad crouches behind him. When he's asked the question of the day—"Do you like music?"—he pauses for a minute before putting his magnetic nameplate in the "no" section.
John's third day of pre-kindergarten will be filled with more questions. Since yesterday was the 20th and tomorrow is the 22nd, what day is today? Can he pick out the card with the number 21 written on it? If the colors go pink, blue, pink, blue, what comes next in the pattern? How many of his friends are in school today? Can he think of a word that rhymes with dog?
Historically, Americans have operated on the assumption that kids will just somehow pick up such essentials along the way to "real" school. But, with concerns mounting over rising dropout rates and grim earning prospects for poorly educated Americans, the matter of when and under what circumstances we begin to teach children is of growing importance. Guided by research that shows that most of the wiring for future academic accomplishment happens in the first five years of life, education experts have been exploring how to get our children off to a better, and earlier, start. Many point to France and some of the Scandinavian countries, where almost all three- and four-year-olds participate in good, public preschool.
But the United States has several stalwarts of early education, too. Even with budgetary challenges, Georgia, Arkansas, and West Virginia have all managed to create high-quality pre-kindergarten programs with strong enrollment over the past few years. But it is John Kaykay's home state, Oklahoma, that offers the single best example of how preschool can work when it's done well—of how it can elevate its students' learning, expand the horizons of the educational system, and enhance the entire community.
Despite growing evidence of the benefits of early education, nationwide only 28 percent of four-year-olds are enrolled in public pre-K. Among three-year-olds, a paltry 4 percent are enrolled in a public educational program. The numbers could decrease even more as pre-K falls victim to recessionary belt-tightening. States have already cut $90 million from education for three- and four-year-olds over the past two years. Eleven states provide no program at all.
Oklahoma has bucked the national trend. Seventy-four percent of four-year-olds—more than in any other state—are in high-quality pre-K. Virtually every parent who wants a spot can get one, whether in a public school or in a partner organization, such as Tulsa's Community Action Project, which runs John Kaykay's pre-K classroom. The effort has been so thorough and so widely embraced that, in effect, public school in Oklahoma begins at age four.
Even among the states that do well by their preschoolers, Oklahoma is exceptional. On paper, nine states have universal pre--kindergarten, meaning that all four-year-olds are theoretically eligible. But in most of those states, there isn't nearly enough funding for everyone to enroll. That's the case in New York, where fewer than half of four-year-olds participate in the "universal" program. Other states do a superb job with enrollment but a poor job of providing the education. Florida, for instance, has the highest percentage of four-year-olds in pre-K programs—76 percent, slightly more than Oklahoma, according to the most recent "State of Preschool" report by the National Institute for Early Education Research. But because Florida doesn't require its teachers to have a college degree in early education—and because the state spends so little on each child—just $2,422 per child per year, $5,000 less than in Oklahoma—the quality of the program is low.
Oklahoma's pre-K teachers don't make the piddling wages that prevail in much of the rest of the country. They're paid the same as elementary and high-school teachers. Christie Housley, along with all other pre-K teachers in Oklahoma, has not only a bachelor's degree but also certification in early-childhood education—so she knows how young kids typically learn to read, she can recognize the disabilities that tend to emerge at this age, and she understands the best ways to handle behavior problems. State law also mandates that pre-K teachers not have more than 20 students in their classroom and that they have an aide.
In fact, only six children were present the August morning I was in Housley's classroom, which allowed her to focus on them individually. John, who was sitting quietly, drew praise for listening carefully to instructions—important feedback for a child who might get no attention at all in a larger class. A little girl who had pigtails and raised her hand at every opportunity was rewarded with a relatively tough question: "What is the opposite of inside?" When one girl strained to remember what day it was, Housley helped by leading the class in a round of their days-of-the-week song.
A boy named Justice demanded a different kind of attention—and Housley was able to give that, too. While his peers were sitting together and learning about the calendar, Justice remained outside the circle playing with blocks and singing loudly. When Housley invited him to join the others, he stayed where he was and increased the volume of his song. Teaching the basic skills of how to participate in a group is one of the biggest tasks of pre-K—and it's hard to do in big classes. When the rest of the children moved on to washing their hands before snack time, Housley sat next to his block tower and talked with him. "Can you hear what the rest of us are saying when you're over here by yourself?" she asked gently. The lesson is part of a bigger one that they'll all learn and relearn this year: how to be a productive, contributing member of a community. Justice, who eventually joined the circle, seemed to be on his way to getting it.
While Oklahoma has a model statewide pre-K system, the city of Tulsa illustrates the public-private partnerships that can grow within that model. The state's second-largest city, in the foothills of the Ozark Mountains, Tulsa has great economic extremes. Some 84 percent of children in Tulsa public schools qualify for free or reduced lunch, meaning they live in households that earn no more than $42,643 for a family of four. But there is also great wealth here, much of it from the local energy industry. Because Oklahoma's law enables private organizations to provide pre-K, a good deal of that wealth has been leveraged to bolster the public system.
Tulsa's Community Action Project (CAP), which has created and runs McClure as well as 13 other early-education facilities, is a sort of turbo-charged Head Start provider. With an annual budget of more than $52 million, it has married private money—primarily from local oilman and philanthropist George Kaiser—with state and federal funds to serve young children. Because state funding covers the four-year-olds, CAP can devote much of its budget to children three and under. One-third of Tulsa's qualifying three-year-olds are now in public preschool; the Union School District, which has gone the furthest in enrolling younger students, is on course to serve all three-year-olds within the next year. Plenty of kids in Tulsa may still be behind the curve on their first day of school, but here that first day often comes at age three rather than four or five.
The result is that Tulsa has become a sort of Sweden of the Ozarks—a magnet for the country's best early-education providers and researchers and a place where preschool is a routine part of growing up. It's a haven for both children and their parents. CAP works hard to engage adults who may have been alienated by schools in the past. To encourage parents to interact with the schools, the organization consciously decided not to provide busing. The schools' daily schedules and yearly calendars are synced with nearby public elementary schools, with which some also share land and playgrounds, a setup that allows parents to drop off their preschoolers and scoot next door to drop off older siblings. In the same CAP buildings—which are carefully designed not to feel institutional—they can also take parenting classes, get career training, and receive financial services.
Though CAP is by mission an anti-poverty organization and serves only students who qualify for free and reduced lunch, its classrooms "don't look like they're for poor people," as one mother remarked upon entering the pine cone–festooned space in which her four-year-old would be learning. Draped with natural-hued fabrics and brightened with "uplighting," which radiates from standing lamps and is thought to be more calming than old-style fluorescent bulbs overhead, the room looks more like a spread from a Pottery Barn catalog than a traditional classroom. When you look out from its picture windows to the sprawling playground where the students are climbing and digging during outdoor playtime, and then beyond to the garden plots the kids will plant and harvest throughout the year, you can't help wanting this for all young Americans.
The students who go to pre-K tend to emerge from the year recognizably ahead of their peers. Studies have shown it, and teachers know it. Laura Hamilton, who teaches kindergarten at Northwoods, an elementary school in Sand Springs, Oklahoma, says she easily picked out the 8 kids in her class of 25 this year who hadn't gone to pre-K. "They're the ones who don't know how to line up. They're not used to sharing, and they're not used to drawing or writing," she says, fishing out four of her new kindergarteners' drawings. Three show recognizable scenes—a family of stick figures, a house with two girls in front, and a house with a sky in the background. The fourth, drawn by a child who didn't attend pre-K, is of seemingly random scribbles. "It's usually these kids that have to stay back and repeat kindergarten," Hamilton says, pointing to the scribbles.
How did Oklahoma—a poor state, and one of the "reddest" in the country—become a preschooling pioneer? It wouldn't have happened if ardent children's advocates hadn't been in the right positions at the right times.
Paul had taken part in a four-year-old program herself as a young child ("It was called nursery school back in those days," she says), had gone on to teach preschool and college courses in child development, and was present at the Rose Garden Ceremony when President Lyndon Johnson unveiled Head Start.
The first big government early-education effort, Head Start was launched in 1965 as part of the War on Poverty. The aim was to address the achievement gap. As with public schooling more broadly, public pre-K was initially seen as an alternative for economically disadvantaged children who couldn't afford private or church schools. In Oklahoma, which ranks 20th in child poverty, there have always been a lot of those children.
The model Paul designed reflected both her experience and the state's demographics. She knew to include high standards for teacher education and pay. She was clear that she wanted the program to be available to all children—not just poor children, who made up the majority of the small number of public preschoolers in the country at the time. "Why would we want to educate just a certain group of children?" she asks.
Paul's pilot program was launched that same year. But it was only a half-day, and its small budget limited it to certain parts of the state. It wasn't until 1998 that a legislator named Joe Eddins quietly pushed through a law that supplied the funding to expand Paul's vision into a mostly full-day program that would be offered throughout the state. Eddins, too, was well suited to advancing early education. A Democratic legislator who had worked as a rancher and high-school biology teacher, he had spent his first few years in the legislature learning about early education—and becoming convinced that school failure was sending a growing number of Oklahoma's kids down a life path of poverty and underperformance.
Eddins's allies included not just child--development experts and education policymakers but also a handful of business leaders who had come to see early education as the state's economic salvation. Getting young Oklahomans into school earlier was not only in the kids' best interest, they argued; it was important for businesses, which were facing a dwindling pool of potential workers and customers.
Eddins had first waded into the education issue to fix what seemed a discrete problem: Many school districts, especially in rural areas, were enrolling four-year-olds in kindergarten. Because the state's population was shrinking, these schools were facing declining numbers of students—and thus declining school budgets. Putting four-year-olds in kindergarten sometimes allowed the districts to bring in enough money to keep their schools open because they were receiving funds based on the number of children in school. But the four-year-olds were in classes designed to teach them at a kindergarten level, and they were lost.
Eddins was creative—some say stealthy—in winning support for universal pre-K. He presented the legislation as an amendment to the school law merely designed to fix the four-year-old problem. His bill did do that. But it also created a statewide four-year-old program that surpassed any other in the country. Among the changes it heralded was the ability of school districts to partner with outside entities on pre-K so the programs could be housed in a variety of settings, including tribal programs, churches, and assisted-living facilities. That shift paved the way for a massive partnership between the public schools and Head Start providers, such as CAP, a move that might have raised red flags for some Republicans—had they known about it.
No doubt, part of pre-K's appeal is that it's a safe—and free—place for children to be while their parents work. Child care can cost more than $500 per week. But for most parents, the educational value of pre-K is at least as important as the financial benefit.
"I wanted my son to learn," explains Maria Mauricio, who lives in the low-income Tulsa neighborhood of Kendall-Whittier. Her four-year-old son, Gabriel, attends pre-K through Educare, another local Head Start provider. A stay-at-home mom of five, Mauricio could have kept Gabriel with her during the day. When she was growing up in Mexico, Mauricio went to school only through seventh grade, stopping so she could help her grandmother support the family by picking peanuts. She wanted more for her son, who, by the age of two, wasn't speaking either English or Spanish understandably, partly because of hearing problems. Mauricio felt confident that starting school early would give Gabriel the best shot at success.
There are mountains of data to confirm Mauricio's hunch. Economically disadvantaged children who take part in a high-quality pre-K program go on to do better academically. They're less likely to need special education, less likely to repeat a grade, and more likely to graduate from high school. Perhaps more important are the other ways they fare better: Attending pre-K lowers their chances of becoming pregnant as a teen, abusing or neglecting their own children when they become parents, and winding up incarcerated or dependent on public benefits as an adult.
The most dramatic illustration of these gains comes out of the Perry preschool in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Started in the early 1960s as an effort to improve the academic performance of low-income students, the Perry program enrolled three- and four-year-olds who performed poorly on tests and had low IQ scores. The early results were impressive. Those who went through the half-day Perry program had higher IQs when the program ended at age 5. The longer-term benefits were even more stunning. At age 14, there were moderate to large differences between the test scores of Perry preschool kids and those who didn't go through the program. At 27, they drank and smoked less. At 40, they were less likely to have been arrested and far outearned their peers. A cost-benefit analysis of Perry provided incontrovertible evidence of the money that could be saved in the long term by working with such young kids. By the time the Perry preschoolers reached age 27, every public dollar spent on their early education yielded a savings of $7.16.
But compelling as the Perry study was, it was based on only 58 preschool students, and all were poor and African American. Another well-studied preschool, the Carolina Abecedarian Project in North Carolina, had similarly impressive results but was also small and exclusively for poor children. As the idea of universal pre-K began to grow around the country, its opponents homed in on the fact that the most clear-cut benefits had been for poor kids. Since there hadn't been large-scale studies of the long-term benefits of pre-K on middle-class kids, they argued, it wasn't worth educating all four-year-olds in tight budgetary times. As governor of Massachusetts, Mitt Romney used this logic when he vetoed a 2006 bill unanimously approved by the legislature that would have set up a statewide pre-K program.
In 2002, Bill Gormley, a Georgetown University professor, saw Oklahoma's program as an opportunity to study the impact of early education on all kids. Because pre-K in Oklahoma cost around $7,500 per child—more than the national average but still far less than the intensive Abecedarian and Perry programs—he could measure the benefits of a four-year-old program with a more acceptable price tag. Because Oklahoma's pre-K was not just high-quality but also delivered on a massive scale, he could address the question of whether it could do more than level the playing field for poor kids.
The Tulsa Public School District, the largest in the state, offered an ideal place to get results from the statewide experiment. While there's plenty of poverty in Tulsa, more than 15 percent of students are middle-class. Unlike most of the kids previously studied, Tulsa's population is multiracial, with almost equal numbers of white, African American, and Hispanic kids, as well as a slightly smaller group of Native Americans. Oklahoma law also requires that all children be evaluated when they enter kindergarten, so Gormley was able to use those results to compare kids who had attended pre-K with those who hadn't.
The gains he found in 2002-2003 were among the biggest ever documented for a universal pre-K program. By the time they started kindergarten, pre-K kids were nine months ahead of their peers with the skills necessary for reading, like recognizing letters and being able to tell stories. They were seven months ahead in pre-writing, including the ability to hold a pencil, and five months ahead in counting and other pre-math skills. The four-year-olds who had been through CAP's Head Start, as opposed to the regular state pre-K program in Tulsa public schools, were equally ahead in math, though not quite as dramatically ahead when it came to early literacy. (This is likely because Head Start, in addition to its academic goals, has a broader mission, including improving children's health, establishing their sense of responsibility to society, and increasing their self-worth.) The most impressive part was that the gains were throughout this entire population. Though the poorest kids were helped the most, all of Tulsa's kids got a boost from pre-K.
The case for universal pre-K ought to be closed. In Oklahoma, it is. Even as enthusiasm for the Tea Party has swept the state, the program has gained in popularity. Oklahomans on both sides of the aisle take pride in being recognized as a national leader in early education. Many rural school administrators regard the program as a lifeline because it helped them keep schools open even as the number of children in their districts diminished. Regardless of their political stripe, most working parents here embrace pre-K as a superior alternative to day care.
Ironically, the rest of the country remains more conflicted about pre-K than rural, conservative Oklahoma. Though President Barack Obama has acknowledged universal pre-K as among the worthiest of public expenditures—he pledged funding for it back in the 2008 campaign and continues to sing its praises—he has done little to expand it in his first four years. This September, his administration established the Center on Enhancing Early Learning Outcomes and is contributing $1.4 million of federal funds per year to help it provide states with technical assistance on their pre-K programs.
The president also used stimulus money to significantly expand Head Start and Early Head Start, the federal programs that serve low-income kids from birth through age four. But these programs are within the Administration for Children and Families, which focuses on social and economic well-being, rather than in the education system. Most pre-K advocates want Obama to fight harder to include early education within the Department of Education and leverage federal funds to encourage more state spending on pre-K programs. It's not clear, though, that he'd succeed even if he did. Many Republicans oppose such an expansion—and some call for shutting down the Education Department altogether. "They want as little federal involvement in education as possible," says Steven Barnett, director of the National Institute for Early Education Research.
Even Oklahoma's big, well-studied program hasn't been around long enough to document the full extent of the bang for the bucks invested. Gormley's research team at Georgetown recently published a paper using data from Tulsa to estimate that pre-K participation could boost a child's future annual earnings enormously—by an average of $30,548 for low-income kids and an average of $24,610 for middle-class children.
But that's just a projection. Oklahoma's universal pre-K is only in its 15th year. It'll be two decades or so before John Kaykay and his classmates reach the point where they can be expected to assume financial responsibility and make their mark on the world. If the rest of the country waits that long to learn from Oklahoma's early-education model, another generation will be lost.


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text:
Figure Sketches
Zig Zag Interview 2000
CBC News Interview 2001
Outlook Interview 2001
Painting the Portrait in Grisaille
Some of our previous workshops have included:
Foundation in Classical Drawing
For absolute beginners, this workshop will introduce students to the fundamental concepts of how light behaves in relation to three dimensional forms, and how we can best represent that in art. This is the foundation stone of all Classical Art.
Bargue Drawing
Constructive Drawing
This is the reserve knowledge that an artist will need to complement drawing from observation. Constructive drawing teaches how to understand the form in space, using basic tenets of perspective in order to see and depict planes and structure in the human form. It is also the basis of drawing from the imagination and an essential for animators.
Drawing/Painting Hands and Feet
Hands and feet are arguably the most difficult elements of the human anatomy, as so much detail and information is contained in such small volumes. This course covers the construction of each of these, and how we are to represent them with a conceptual knowledge of the structure of each.
Drawing/Painting Mastercopy
Copying from the Masters is a key component of Academic Art training. It is a shortcut for the student to understand how to render the form, and how to handle the formal elements of shape, value, and edges by copying what a master has done. In effect, it is modeling a successful piece of art in lieu of reinventing the wheel.
Drawing/Painting Drapery
This workshop will demystify the complexity of drapery, which is all-essential to drawing and painting the clothed figure. We will examine seven categories of folds, where they occur, and how they can be used to augment dynamism and gesture in a figure, portrait or still life work.
Drawing/Painting Facial Features
We will work on different viewpoints and angles of the eyes, orbital cavities, the nose, nasal structure, the mouth, and the muzzle on which it sits, and the ear. Each feature will be broken down into its component micro form, and this will help the student in presenting it in its most structural and artistic light. Lastly we will pull all of these together into one cohesive portrait.
Skin Tones for Portraits and Figures
Using the limited palette, or the full colour palette, depending on each individual's level, students will paint in oils and do quick block-in's and colour studies for full length figures, and for portraits. The essence of the workshop is to explore and practice different types of skin tones in different lighting conditions.
June 20 & 21, 2015
Painting from Photos
The reality of today's world is that sitters lead busy lives, and may be unable to spend the required time for the artist to complete the entire portrait with live sittings. Photos are then used by the artist as references, to paint or draw the bulk of the work between the first compositional sitting and the final stages. However we need to understand exactly what is overstated and what is omitted in photography.
Classical Realism Atelier
The Atelier is devoted to training artists of all backgrounds to attain excellence in drawing and painting. Teaching is based on The Academic Method, a set of progressive skill-building assignments developed in European Art Academies of the nineteenth century, that produces works of beauty and wonder.
Visit our site to learn more and register for our our latest courses and workshops.
Register for Classes & Workshops
Near Main St. and 2nd Ave.
info@mandyboursicot.com
© Copyright 2014 Mandy Boursicot | Canadian Artist

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Spoony Sam è un cortometraggio muto del 1912 diretto da Arthur Hotaling.

Trama

Produzione
Il film fu prodotto dalla Lubin Manufacturing Company.

Distribuzione
Distribuito dalla General Film Company, il film - un cortometraggio di 175 metri - venne distribuito nelle sale USA il 4 ottobre 1912. La Moving Pictures Sales Agency lo distribuì nel Regno Unito l'8 dicembre 1912.

Nelle proiezioni, veniva programmato con il sistema dello split reel, accorpato in un'unica bobina con un altro cortometraggio prodotto dalla Lubin, la commedia Collection Day.

Note

Voci correlate
Filmografia della Lubin Manufacturing Company

Collegamenti esterni

Cortometraggi commedia

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Featured Sars Cov II
Europe fears the worst as coronavirus surge threatens to overwhelm hospitals
European governments have warned of an alarming rise in the number of coronavirus infections across the continent from west to east, an autumnal second wave that threatens to overwhelm hospitals and will sharply increase the death toll in the weeks ahead.
"The situation is grave," Pedro Sánchez, Spain's prime minister, said on Friday, a day after the country recorded a new daily record of almost 21,000 infections.
His words echoed those of Jean Castex, his French counterpart, who extended a night-time curfew that will cover 46m people, or two-thirds of the population, from midnight on Friday.
"The weeks ahead will be hard. Our hospital services will be put to the test and the number of deaths will rise," said Mr Castex, shortly before France announced a record 41,622 cases in the previous 24 hours.
Overburdened hospitals in Roubaix and Tourcoing in northern France have begun transferring Covid-19 patients to other hospitals, but officials have warned that a transfer system that saved lives in the stricken eastern region in the pandemic's first wave in the spring will not be much use if every part of the country and its neighbours are also badly hit.
Poll: How Biden and Trump Differ on Foreign Policy
Don't be blind to China's rise in a changing world


San Diego is a city that benefits from astounding natural attractions such as the beautiful Californian coast with miles of sandy beaches, magnificent mountains and lush valleys, not to mention a climate that is warm throughout the year. It is also a city that has many man-made attractions such as Mission Bay and Balboa Park that provide a wide range of entertainment options including amusement parks, museums, galleries, theaters and music venues. When you add all the other activities that the city has to offer such as sunset cruises and whale watching trips, it is easy to see why so many choose San Diego, California as the place to take their TEFL/tesol course.
Once a small backwater town living in the shadow of its more illustrious neighbors, it was the arrival of the railroad that sparked San Diego's original growth followed by its development as an important naval base. Since then, San Diego has gone on to become a thriving modern metropolis and is now one of the country's fastest growing cities due to burgeoning healthcare and biotechnology industries.
The main attraction in San Diego is probably the magnificent Balboa Park, a vast area that encompasses numerous gardens, miles of paths and walkways, dozens of museums, theaters, San Diego Zoo and a wide variety of shops, restaurants and cafes. Another major attraction is Mission Bay, the largest man-made aquatic park in the country, which is a fantastic place to spend the day with its miles of sandy beaches that wind around a number of islands and islets. This part of the city is the perfect place for learning to sail or jet-ski or simply to take a leisurely bike ride along the sandy pathways.
The historic Gaslamp Quarter is the cultural epicenter of downtown San Diego and is home to some of the city's best theaters, galleries and museums, as well as a plethora of restaurants, pubs and shops catering to all tastes and budgets. The area also plays host to many festivals and parades throughout the year including the Mardi Gras carnival and various live music and theater events. San Diego has also developed a popular craft beer scene with over 70 craft breweries operating in the area; some of which have won international recognition for their beers. Other attractions include SeaWorld San Diego and Legoland California which is just a little way up the coast.
With a fantastic coastal location, a well-equipped training center and friendly, professional training staff, you cannot go wrong by choosing San Diego as the place to earn your TEFL/TESOL certificate and to take your first steps on the road to becoming a successful English teacher.
Located in a working language school, our TEFL/TESOL course in San Diego is the ideal place for earning an English teaching certificate. The school's five large, comfortable and well-equipped classrooms provide the perfect environment for studying. There are also excellent facilities on hand such as wireless internet throughout the building, a photocopier and a well-stocked resource library. For refreshment we provide tea and coffee making facilities and there is a small shop selling snacks and other items.
Situated in the downtown area of San Diego the training center is perfectly placed for visiting the city's many attractions including its numerous museums and galleries. Served by an excellent public transport network, including the San Diego Trolley system, the city and its surrounding areas are easy to reach and explore.
Our course in San Diego is held in an operating ESL school which means that trainees have the opportunity to gain invaluable classroom experience by carrying out teaching practice sessions in real classrooms with genuine English language students. Classes run from 5:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. Wednesday to Friday and from 9:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. The courses are usually offered during the first week of the month.
If you require accommodation during your time on our course in San Diego, we can recommend a few options that might suit your needs. One popular choice is a residence offering a variety of reasonably priced rooms within a few minutes' walk of the training center. Rooms come with good facilities that include free Wi-Fi access, TV, mini-fridge and a microwave. You can also take advantage of a shared kitchen and onsite laundry facilities. We have a second option offering similar facilities in the lively district known as Little Italy. Although slightly further away, this option is situated right in the heart of an area populated with bars, restaurants and sidewalk cafés.
Also available are a number of studio apartments situated about a 15 minute walk from the school. These well-equipped apartments include a handy kitchenette with refrigerator, microwave and all the utensils you need, as well as cable TV, air-conditioning, free Wi-Fi, and the use of a laundry room and fitness center. Our recommended accommodation is purely optional and can be confirmed once you have secured a place on the course.


text:
O Condado de Greenville () é um dos 46 condados do estado americano da Carolina do Sul. A sede e maior cidade do condado é Greenville. Foi fundado em 1786.

O condado possui uma área de , dos quais  estão cobertos por terra e 25 km² por água, uma população de  habitantes, e uma densidade populacional de 222 hab/km² (segundo o censo nacional de 2010). É o condado mais populoso da Carolina do Sul.

Ligações externas

Greenville


Starting next month, Walmart shoppers in Canada will no longer be able to use their Visa cards to pay for their purchases because of what the company is calling "unjustifiably high" fees associated with the card. The decision, announced quietly on Saturday, comes after an evaluation of credit card transaction fees throughout the country and the rest of the world.
The initiative will be phased in beginning July 18th at the stores in Thunder Bay and from there, will continue throughout the rest of the country. The "no Visa" policy will be limited to Canadian locations and it's not yet known how long the entire process will take. Walmart stores will continue to accept MasterCard, Discover, American Express, debit and cash.
Visa, meantime, says this will have a negative impact on Canadian shoppers, and the company is disappointed that Walmart is choosing to put "their own financial interests ahead of their own consumers' choice." In their own statement, Visa says that it has offered Walmart one of the lowest merchant fees in the entire country.
The department store and the credit card company have been battling it out for years, with the fight reaching a crescendo in 2014 after Walmart sued Visa over swipe fees in New York. Walmart accused Visa of being able to dictate the price of goods and inhibit competition.
Then, earlier this year, another lawsuit was launched with Walmart saying the credit card company was using less-secure methods to verify debit cards in order to increase profits.
While this isn't a concern here in Canada, there are other retailers who have said no to Visa on this side of the border. No Frills won't accept Visa or American Express, citing both as too expensive for their business. Meanwhile, the only credit card Costco accepts is MasterCard.
How Do these Fees Impact You, the Consumer?
All retailers have to pay a credit card fee which is usually between one per cent and 2.5 per cent of the cost of the item being sold. Those fees vary depending on where the customer is shopping and what card they are using – for example, cash-back and premium cards tend to come with higher fees.
But as a consumer, you are not on the hook for these costs and any retailer that charges an additional fee for using a certain credit card is doing so in violation of their contract with that company.
So what's a regular Walmart shopper with a Visa card to do? One option is to search for a new credit card which meets your needs. For example, you may consider the MBNA Rewards MasterCard which makes you eligible for 5,000 MBNA bonus points after your first purchase – the equivalent to about $50 when redeemed for cash back or travel. Tangerine also offers a money-back credit card where you can earn up to four per cent back for the first three months of purchases in your chosen categories.
Another option is to visit another retailer for some of your weekly shopping trips. If you have a Loblaws or a Loblaws affiliate store nearby, consider applying for the President's Choice Financial MasterCard which earns you points towards free groceries.
In the meantime, Walmart Canada says it is still holding out hope that it will eventually be able to reach an agreement with Visa for lower fees.
Will this impact your shopping habits? If so, it's a good time to check out your options. Compare the best credit cards today!
Tags: best credit cards, canada, Canadian Walmart stores, Credit cards, Jackie Rosen, shoppers, shopping, Visa, walmart. Bookmark the permalink.
You need to learn what words mean if you are going to be a writer. Your use of "crescendo" is incorrect and is a common mistake. You do not reach a crescendo, you reach a climax. The build up to a climax is the crescendo. Don't you have an editor who can teach you these things?
Do you get paid to make these types of errors?
Hi Rick. Thanks for pointing it out. We'll keep your suggestions in mind!
One credit card is enough. Back to making out cheques or Better still shop at Freshco, Sobey's loblaws, Canadian Tire, Sears..etc etc. I trust Walmart has given this great thought! Loyalty is where the convenience is.


Discussion in 'Guitars in General' started by JMayerFan, Feb 25, 2008.
I apologize if this is the wrong place to ask this but, my buddy pretty much gave up playing guitar and he has a pretty much brand new PRS custom 22 ten top and wants to sell it, he paid 2200 for it and it maybe has 100 hours of playing on it.
What is a reasonable price to expect to sell it for?
If he wants the most money for it, Ebay is probably the way to go.
You can check to see what similar guitars sold for on Ebay by doing a search there.
$1650 OMG.. i hate being broke...ARGHHHH!!
I sold my Cu 22 10 top with birds for about $1400 last year. It had a lot of mileage on it (over 1000 gigs) but it played and sounded like it did when I bought it new.


text:
Q: JS работает только с одним классом только начал изучать JS, есть такой код, но на сайте применяется только к одному классу

                                <input type="input" class="maskphone form__field" placeholder="Ваш номер" name="phone" id='phone' required />
                                Ваш номер:

var elements = document.addEventListener("DOMContentLoaded", function() {
  var input = document.querySelector(".maskphone");

  input.addEventListener("input", mask);
  input.addEventListener("focus", mask);
  input.addEventListener("blur", mask);

  function mask(event) {
    var blank = "+_ (___) ___-__-__";

    var i = 0;
    var val = this.value.replace(/\D/g, "").replace(/^8/, "7").replace(/^9/, "79");

    this.value = blank.replace(/./g, function(char) {
      if (/[_\d]/.test(char) && i < val.length) return val.charAt(i++);

      return i >= val.length ? "" : char;
    });

    if (event.type == "blur") {
      if (this.value.length == 2) this.value = "";
    } else {
      setCursorPosition(this, this.value.length);
    }
  };

  function setCursorPosition(elem, pos) {
    elem.focus();

    if (elem.setSelectionRange) {
      elem.setSelectionRange(pos, pos);
      return;
    }

    if (elem.createTextRange) {
      var range = elem.createTextRange();
      range.collapse(true);
      range.moveEnd("character", pos);
      range.moveStart("character", pos);
      range.select();
      return;
    }
  }
});

A: var input = document.querySelector(".maskphone");

querySelector выбирает только 1-й элемент. Используйте querySelectorAll, чтобы получить коллекцию элементов, и тогда навесить обработчик на каждый элемент коллекции.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


News Corp. announced today that it has acquired social news agency Storyful for $25 million as a move to accelerate its "digital transformation" and video strategy.
Storyful is known for verifying news from social media, or in other words pulling out the real stuff from a sea of noise and hoaxes. News Corp. says it will use its own resources to enhance Storyful's products and services for newsrooms, advertising agencies and brands. It will also use Storyful to enhance its own publications.
"Video is a vocation for the new News, which will combine with Storyful to reach a growing global audience, enhancing our own editorial products and creating new content communities," he said.
News Corp. considers the acquisition a complement to its existing video offerings like WSJ Live and BallBall.


text:
/**
 * Represents a customer
 *
 * (Task 4/Implementing an inheritance tree)
 *
 * @author Joshua Bizley
 * @version November 10th, 2017
 */
public class Customer extends Person
{
    /* The customer's address */
    private String address;

    /* The customer's email */
    private String email;

    /* The customer's phone number */
    private String phone;

    /**Initialises the customer
     *
     * (Task 4/Implementing an inheritance tree)
     *
     * @param name The customer's name
     * @param address The customer's physical address
     * @param email The customer's email address
     * @param phone The customer's phone number
     */
    public Customer(String name, String address, String email, String phone)
    {
        /* Assigns the local variables to the instance variables */
        super(name);
        this.address = address;
        this.email = email;
        this.phone = phone;
    }

    /**Returns String description of this object
     *
     * (Introduction/Implementing toString in all classes)
     *
     * @return The details of this object
     */
    @Override
    public String toString()
    {
        /* Concatenates the details of the object */
        String s = "CUSTOMER " + super.toString();
        s = s + "\nCUSTOMER ADDRESS: " + address;
        s = s + "\nCUSTOMER EMAIL: " + email;
        s = s + "\nCUSTOMER PHONE NO: " + phone;

        /* Returns the details of this object */
        return s;
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: Solve logarithmic equation for $x$ to find the inverse of $f(x)= \ln(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})$
Let $f(x)= \ln(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})$. Find $f^{-1}(x)$.

Here is what I got so far: $y= \ln(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})$, rewrite as $x= \ln(y+\sqrt{y^2+1})$,
then  $$e^x= y+\sqrt{y^2+1}$$ $$e^x-y= \sqrt{y^2+1}$$ $$  y^2+ e^{2x}-2(e^x)y= 1$$
So if   $e^x= a$, then $a^2-2ay-1= 0$

A: Let $y=\ln(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})$, then:
$$e^{y}=x+\sqrt{x^2+1}$$
$$e^{y}-x=\sqrt{x^2+1}$$
$$(e^{y}-x)^2=(\sqrt{x^2+1})^2$$
$$e^{2y}-2xe^{y}+x^2=x^2+1$$
$$e^{2y}-2xe^{y}=1$$
$$e^{2y}-1=2xe^{y}$$
$$x=\frac{e^{y}-e^{-y}}{2}$$
So $\displaystyle f^{-1}(y)=\frac{e^{y}-e^{-y}}{2}$.

A: here is a trick in this particular situation. that is to recognize
$$(\sqrt{x^2 + 1} +x)(\sqrt{x^2 + 1} - x) = 1 $$ so that
$$\ln(\sqrt{x^2 + 1} + x) = -\ln(\sqrt{x^2 + 1} - x)$$
now we can find the inverse function. suppose $$\ln(\sqrt{x^2 + 1} + x) = y,$$
then $$\ln(\sqrt{x^2 + 1} - x) = -y$$ exponentiating these two equations and subtracting gives you $$x = {e^y - e^{-y} \over 2} = \sinh y $$

A: $$y=\log(x+\sqrt{x^2+1})\implies x+\sqrt{x^2+1}=e^y\implies x^2+1=e^{2y}-2xe^y+x^2\implies$$
$$2e^yx=e^{2y}-1\implies x=\frac{e^{2y}-1}{2e^y}=\frac{e^y-e^{-y}}2=\sinh y (=\text{hyperbolic sine})$$
Also:
$$f'(x)=\left(1+\frac x{\sqrt{x^2+1}}\right)\frac1{x+\sqrt{x^2+1}}=\frac1{\sqrt{x^2+1}}$$
Thus, by the theorem of the derivative of the inverse function:
$$(f^{-1})'(x)=\left.\frac1{f'(x)}\right|_{x\leftrightarrow y}=\left.\sqrt{x^2+1}\right|_{x\leftrightarrow y} =\sqrt{\left(\frac{e^y-e^{-y}}2\right)^2+1}=\frac{e^y+e^{-y}}2=\cosh y$$
You can, of course, also differentiate directly the explicit formula for $\;f^{-1}\;$ .


text:
Category Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations
System O&M Costs
Posted on September, 24 in Renewable Energy Technology Characterizations
Operation & maintenance costs consist of fixed and variable costs. Fixed costs include cooling and genera l maintenance at the site. Variable costs include recharging the batteries and periodically replacing the batteries. These O&M costs are presented as annual expenses in the prior table. The cooling charge is based on a power managemen t system which consists of eight modules, each one of which is the same size as the system being characterized here [18]. The unit must be installed in an air-conditioned room [4], and thus, the parasitic load for the cooling fans is quite small at 1.25 kW. At a peak or shoulder rate of 50/kWh, the annual cost of the cooling load for the 30 kW system is $548...
System Capital Costs
The cost of an energy storage system is affected primarily by four drivers: (a) the initial cost of the storage subsystem, (b) the cost of the power converter, (c) the cost of the balance of system, and (d) the need to design, engineer, procure, and construct one-of-a-kind systems. The capacity of the plant as well as the discharging profile impact both capita l and O&M costs. At present, flooded lead-acid batteries are the dominant choice for many utility applications. Flooded lead-acid batteries have been in widespread production and use for so long that further reductions in costs are unlikely [7]. Industry and government have been working to develop improved VRLA batteries and advanced batteries tha t offer potentially lower costs and longer cycle lives.
The 1997 cost estimates for the...
The assumed economic life of the battery system is 30 years, requiring battery component replacements at appropriate intervals. The structure and power conditioning system are expected to last 30 years [18]. Battery replacement charges vary by the type of the battery and the number of years until replacement. One manufacturer claims that the type o f flooded lead-acid batteries they use should be replaced every three years [25]. When VRLA batteries are used mor e widely for renewable applications in 2005, they initially are replaced at 5-year intervals, improving to 10-year intervals in 2010. Advanced batteries are assumed to require replacement once every 10 years when incorporated into the PV – battery system in 2020 [3,19]...
Performance and Cost Discussion
The most productive hours of sunlight for PV systems are from 9 AM to 3 PM. Before and after these times, electricity is generated, but at much lower levels [8]. In addition, an afternoon thunderstorm will severely reduce local PV output before it will indirectly reduce the load by cooling ambient temperatures and suppressing solar heat gains. This ha s profound technical impacts that can negate some of the benefits associated with distributed, grid-connected PV. A n hour of energy storage can alleviate this problem [9].
Base Case 1997
| +/- %
Battery Subsystem
Lead-acid
Adv. Battery
Performance and Cost
Table 1 summarizes the performance and cost indicators for the storage portion of the system being characterized i n this report.
4.0 Evolution Overview
The 1997 30 kW baseline system is based on a commercially-available 31 kW PV/flooded lead-acid battery system. The battery subsystem is assumed to improve and transition in technology type, changing from flooded lead-acid i n 1997 and 2000 to VRLA beyond 2005. Advanced batteries are anticipated in 2020. These technology changes slo w the cost reduction path for the battery subsystem. The PCS and max power tracker are expected to be integrated, so significant cost reductions are expected as modular design and factory-assembly become the norm and productio n volumes increase substantially...
Battery Operation
The life of a b attery and its energy delivery capability are highly dependent on the manner in which it is operated. Many deep discharges (above 70-80%) reduce the life of lead-acid batteries. High rates of discharge reduce the energy delivery potential of lead-acid batteries. Batteries also have shelf-life limitations.
Poor charging practices are responsible for short battery life more than any other cause. A number of methods exis t for charging batteries used in stationary utility applications. Optimum life and energy output from batteries, but no t efficiency, are best achieved when depth of discharge (low, e. g., 40%) and time for recharge are predetermined and repetitive, a condition not always achievable in PV applications...
This appendix assumes that current R&D activities will lead to significant improvements in the cost and performanc e of battery storage systems. As these improvements take place, battery storage systems will compete with conventional sources of peak electric power generation, such as gas turbines, diesel generators, or uninterruptible power supply units. Flooded lead-acid and VRLA batteries are commercially available today, although not in designs wholly suited to utility applications. Zinc/bromine and lithium batteries are two advanced batteries under development. Each of thes e technologies has particular strengths and weaknesses.
Lead-Acid Batteries: Basically, flooded lead-acid battery technology for renewable energy storage systems is th e large-scale application of a technology simil...
System Application, Benefits, and Impacts
Application: This document describes the use of a battery storage system in conjunction with a PV system to avoi d or reduce the purchase of more costly on-peak power. However, energy storage systems can also play a flexible, multifunction role in an electric supply network to manage resources effectively. Battery energy storage systems are use d for a variety of applications, such as: power quality assurance, transmission and distribution (T&D) facility deferral, voltage regulation, spinning reserve, load leveling, peak shaving, and integration with renewable energy generatio n plants [6]. Battery systems appear to offer the most benefits for utilities when providing power management suppor t (i. e...


TIF Instruments TIF9010A Slimline Refrigerant Scale is a revised and updated version of the classic TIF Slimline scale. TIF TIF9010A brings greater performance, reliability and usability to the trade. With the greatest resolution in the industry, and no compromise on capacity, this unit offers features and specs.


In his book, Hannerberg defined kulturgeografi from the research projects that had been funded by the Swedish Council for Social Science. Research, which he grouped under economic geography, social geography and geographical cultural landscape research. These three fields he considered to be separate branches.
Later, geography came to be developed as an analytical science. Today the discipline is not only concerned with descriptions but also with analysis as well as prediction. ..... Social. Cultural. Geography. Economic. Historical. Settlement. Rural. Urban Agricultural. Trade &. Transport. Industrial. Fig 1.1: Branches of Geography.
The preparation of the 2010 World Social Science Report was financed as part of UNESCO''s framework agreement with the ISSC, and by ..... See http://www.un. org/millenniumgoals/pdf/PR_Global_MDG09_EN.pdf (accessed 3 March 2010). 8. A ccording to ..... Geographical aspects of the financial crisis (David Harvey). 21.
The College, Career, and Civic Life (C3) Framework for Social Studies State Standards: Guidance for Enhancing the Rigor of K-12 Civics, Economics, Geography, and History is the product of a collaboration among the following fifteen professional organizations committed to the advancement of social studies education:.
Oct 27, 2016 ... geology, biology, anthropology, economics, physics, sociology, democraphy and environmental. sciences. It is diversified into several branches of study over the last century. Let us see the. branches of Geography and their importance. The major Branches of Geography are: 1. Physical Geography. 2.
Traditionally, human geography conceived itself generally speaking as a science of spatial processes. Today this may still serve as a description of its research interests. However, if human geography is supposed to be a real human or social science, it has to develop its theory focusing on human activities. This lecture will.
GEOGRAPHY. Maria Sala. Department of Geography, University of Barcelona, Spain. Keywords: Natural science, social science, regional approach, ... development of several different branches of geography, as in many other disciplines. 1. ... two main branches of geography: physical geography and human geography.
Introduction to geography, Branches and Subject matter of geography.
What Are The Main Branches Of Geography?
Is Physical Science The Same As Geography?
What Is The Study Of Human Geography?
What Are The Different Fields Of Geography?
Is AP Human Geography A Social Science?


Rework of some parts to support several keys pers slot.
* src/cert.h (struct cert): Add member certref.
* src/agent.h (struct agent_card_info_s): Remove legacy data.
(scute_agent_get_cert): Copy the certref to the cert object.
* src/gpgsm.c (struct search): Rename to search_cb_parm for clarity.
(search_cb): Pass GRIP to scute_attr_prv and scute_attr_cert.
(session_sign): Actually use the set key. Add a few checks.
* src/settings.h (LIBRARY_DESCRIPTION): Rename to "GnuPG".
* src/slots.c (mechanism_alloc): Change ulMaxKeySize to 4096.
(dump_object): Use for some objects.
# Some status variables to give feedback at the end of a configure run.
*** You need libgpg-error to build this program.
- normal form that looks like (7:sig-val(3:rsa(1:s<LENGTH>:<DATA>))).
+ canonical form that looks like (7:sig-val(3:rsa(1:s<LENGTH>:<DATA>))).
This file is part of Scute.
+ * updated to the actual length of the signature in PULSIGNATURE.
+ * return codes a new C_SignInit is required.
+/* Prepare a signature operation. HSESSION is the session's handle.
+ * (C_SignUpdate, C_SignFinal) can be used to actually sign the data.
#define MANUFACTURER_ID "g10 Code GmbH"
-#define LIBRARY_DESCRIPTION "Cryptoki for SCDaemon"
+#define LIBRARY_DESCRIPTION "Cryptoki for GnuPG"
#error Define VERSION_MAJOR and VERSION_MINOR in config.h.
#define SLOT_DESCRIPTION "GnuPG Smart Card Daemon"
#define SLOT_MANUFACTURER_ID "g10 Code GmbH"
fail_if_err ((cert_attr.ulValueLen != sizeof (cert_trusted)) ?


text:
CRIMINAL JUSTICE + POLICING
GOV + POLITICS
Full vaccination of staff should be a prerequisite for going back to schools
Roger Chesley
First grade teacher Yolanda Vasquez stands in protest along with other teachers and counselors in front of the Hillsborough County Schools District Office on July 16, 2020 in Tampa, Florida. Teachers and administrators from Hillsborough County Schools rallied against the reopening of schools due to health and safety concerns amid the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo by Octavio Jones/Getty Images)
Nearly everyone wants schoolchildren back in classrooms around the commonwealth as soon as possible, since they've coped with roughly a year of the pandemic and less-than-perfect teaching substitutes.
Note my use of the word, "nearly." More on that later.
Gov. Ralph Northam wants a return to in-person studies, though he has only the bully pulpit to exhort school divisions to resume such learning by March 15. Local school boards ultimately make the decision about reopening for in-school teaching.
The lack of such learning "is having a real and significant impact on (students') educational and social development," the guv said in a letter to superintendents and school boards. There's no argument about that.
Parents want it. They're not trained to be long-term teachers — heck, they may know less than their children in some subjects. (Secant? 100 Years War? "The Metamorphosis?" Yikes.) The extra burden of teaching strains their ability to focus on their jobs, too — if parents have been lucky enough to keep one during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Students want to go back. They're going stir-crazy at home and not socializing with peers as they used to.
More importantly, child psychiatrists fear the pandemic has increased the risk of suicides by children. Between April and October 2020, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported, hospital emergency departments saw a rise in the share of total visits that were from children with mental health needs. Pediatricians in Virginia reported similar problems.
Meanwhile the CDC, in a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, said that as schools reopened for in-person instruction, "there has been little evidence that schools have contributed meaningfully to increased community transmission."
The urgency to reopen is understandable. Educators in the commonwealth, though, are saying "Wait a minute." They're justified in asking state and local officials to ensure the building environments are safe before they put their own lives at risk, or the lives of their students.
Many educators still haven't received vaccines. More than 100,000 of the state's 206,500-plus public school personnel — about half the total — have gotten the first dose, Alena Yarmosky, a gubernatorial spokeswoman, told me Wednesday by email.
The state's confusing rollout and availability of doses are factors in the delay.
Teachers, custodians and other school employees will be the ones coming into contact with children who are possibly asymptomatic. These workers will bear the brunt of any negative effects.
The CDC notes children are at risk of getting COVID-19 complications, but they're "less likely to develop severe illness compared with adults." Yet they can spread the virus to others.
That's a serious fear for teachers and school staff with underlying medical conditions. They're also worried about returning to in-school instruction if they live with someone — a spouse, children, elderly relatives — who have significant health problems including heart disease, cancer or respiratory illnesses.
The Virginia Education Association represents more than 40,000 teachers and school support professionals. VEA President James J. Fedderman, in response to Northam's request last week, said the best way to get back to in-school instruction isn't by setting an arbitrary date.
"Instead, we must keep our focus on ensuring that all school staff members have the opportunity to be vaccinated," Fedderman said, "and that all necessary safety precautions and mitigation measures are in place, along with the resources to sustain them."
Some local divisions are balking at returning to in-person teaching so soon, as well. On Tuesday, the Richmond Times-Dispatch reported, Richmond school officials said buildings aren't clean or safe enough to prevent COVID-19, and not enough teachers and other employees have been vaccinated.
"It is literally not possible to do the air-quality enhancements that we would like to do by March 15," Superintendent Jason Kamras told the School Board.
The VEA also cited a poll released this month showing fears by Virginians about reopening K-12 schools. The survey by the Wason Center at Christopher Newport University of 1,039 residents found 45 percent said schools are reopening too quickly, 25 percent too slowly, and 30 percent said the pace is about right.
That suggests there might not be a mandate for Northam's proposal. Return children to the buildings, but do so when it's safe.
It's not always possible to say someone in the schools contracted COVID-19 because of their time there. The VEA told me about several coronavirus-related deaths of members over the past year, including custodians in Prince William County and Alexandria; a bus driver-mechanic in Greensville; a teacher in Mecklenburg; and six school employees in Virginia Beach.
Anecdotally, you hear about other cases of teachers who died around the country, or incidents where those who survived now have lingering ailments. But authorities can't always pinpoint how teachers caught the virus.
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, for example, reported this week that a metro Atlanta teacher continues to struggle after he likely was infected with COVID-19. Ryan Proffitt now has heart irregularities, rashes and muscle pain.
At the very least, in the face of a deadly virus, Virginia officials should ensure our educators and other school staff are vaccinated before they teach in person.
That's a minor — and humane — prerequisite.
by Roger Chesley, Virginia Mercury
Virginia Mercury is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Virginia Mercury maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Sarah Vogelsong for questions: info@virginiamercury.com. Follow Virginia Mercury on Facebook and Twitter.
Longtime columnist and editorial writer Roger Chesley worked at the (Newport News) Daily Press and The (Norfolk) Virginian-Pilot from 1997 through 2018. He previously worked at newspapers in Cherry Hill, N.J., and Detroit. Reach him at [email protected]
Trump's fake electors: Here's the full list by Kira Lerner June 30, 2022
Virginia's teacher shortage is fueling big spending on… by Kate Masters August 9, 2022
Despite law, few Virginia school districts adopt state model… by Nathaniel Cline September 12, 2022
A new look at the Old Dominion
Register to vote | Find your polling place | Who represents me?
Find your polling place
© Virginia Mercury, 2023
Nonprofit. Nonpartisan. No paywalls. Fair and tough reporting on the policy and politics that affect all of us is more important than ever. The Mercury brings you coverage of the commonwealth's biggest issues from a team of veteran Virginia journalists.


Maarten is a senior product owner at Topicus.Finance. Maarten has been studying Ethereum since the start of 2016. Back then he made a PoC for an insurance on the blockchain. Lately Maarten has been busy with conceptualising various other finance problems and trying to solve these with the application of blockchain and smart contracts. Especially in the mortgage sector there are a lot of challenges to solve for which blockchain will aid in the solution.


Is the insider app good?
Hi all, today i install the windows 10 preview for Lumia 630 through the windows insider app, just wondering if by doing that if it will spoil my phone, is there anyone using windows 10 preview? How is it working?
Is there a glitch with the Microsoft Edge search bar?
Why can't I register as a Windows insider?
I mistakingly cancel my window app up grade for windows 10 can I still get 10 or the app back?


This gamepad is designed for the modern generation of gamers with its subtle look and high performance capabilities. This gamepad is a replica of Play Stationu0027s Dualshock Controllers in terms of button layout. The only difference between the two is that the Quantum QHM 7487-2V Gamepad uses numbers instead of PlayStationu0027s use of shapes. It has a comfortable, ergonomic shape for long gaming sessions.


Have you ever watched that hit tv show where celebrities compete with professional ballroom instructors for the spot light? Did you ever wonder how the professionals became so amazing? They started chasing their passion for ballroom and latin dancing at a young age – building layers of the technique, style, and discipline. Competing on a global scale against other kids their own age before expanding from junior to sponsored amateur levels, gaining college scholarships and additional training from world champions. The journey starts now – today – with our tuition free youth ballroom dance program and workshops.
Your child will learn the foundations of competitive ballroom and latin dancing in our tuition free workshop's. The only class requirement is smooth sole shoes and a willing to learn ballroom/latin partner dances. We will cover the cultures and traditions behind six of todays most popular dances – Ballroom: Foxtrot, Waltz, and Argentine Tango; Latin: Swing, Cha-Cha, and Salsa. There are no tuition cost or costume fees involved! This is a 100% free course that will continue in 4 phases; beginner, intermediate, advance, and sport group classes through out the year. We will provide proper training in hopes of building a team of youth dancers to compete on the national level. It all starts by filling out the enrollment form below.


A compact Disk(CD) is a(n).......... data storage of the type.
How do you add degrees of transparency to shapes such as arrows, so that the slide background shows though?
Microsoft's Access and Corel's Paradox are both examples of which type of software?


First aid and CPR are good skills for anyone involved in adventure sports - just in case. And, you need these skills for the PADI Rescue Diver course.
Emergency First Response is a PADI affiliate that specializes in teaching these lifesaving skills - and they're for anyone, not just divers. Most PADI Instructors are also Emergency First Response Instructors!
Through a combination of independent study and skill practice with an instructor, you'l build the confidence and skills to provide basic emergency care. The Primary and Secondary Care Manual and video on DVD preview emergency scenarios and provide step-by-step skill demonstrations.
After completing Primary and Secondary Care, take the PADI Rescue Diver course and the PADI Emergency Oxygen Provider course. Together, these three courses round out your ability to handle scuba diver emergencies.


Born and raised in the City of Brotherly Love, Tyler brings a hard-nosed Philly attitude to the group. Tyler epitomizes the blue collar runner. He's retired from the sport twice only to return after rediscovering his love for running—all while holding down a full-time job. As the oldest member of the team, Tyler is the mentor and running encyclopedia of the squad.
The OG Tinman, and the reason we're all here. After putting together one of the most impressive high school careers in history, Drew flipped the running world on its head by signing a contract with adidas at the age of 18. We like to think of him as a young LeBron James. Drew brings a ferocity and work ethic that empowers the team to achieve individual and collective goals.
Reed was a 4:29 miler when he showed up at Drake University. With a level-headed, nose-to-the-grindstone, Midwestern approach to training and racing, he willed himself into one of the NCAA's best. Reed placed higher at NCAAs than he did at the Minnesota State Meet. A believer in betting on yourself, he turned down several funded groups to work full-time in Boulder and become a founding member of the team. Reed brings a "no bad days" attitude and an analytical, uplifting presence to the team.
Sam learned the importance of camaraderie while at NC State, where he served as captain for three years. An adventurer at heart, he decided to quit running after college to experience the world and find his path in life. After traveling to 16 countries in four months, Sam realized the sport wasn't done with him and decided to put his shenanigans aside. He now serves as proof that with the right mentality, people behind you, and an unwavering self-belief, you can reach new heights. Sam brings a fun-loving, yet compassionate leadership to the team.
After growing up in between homes, campsites, and his mother's car with his younger brother, Kyle settled down with his family in SoCal where running found him. The sport became his outlet to better his life from the one he was dealt. He proved himself throughout his time at Chico State, where he became one of the most versatile and consistent runners in DII history with five top-four finishes in three different events. He capped off his senior year with an appearance at the 2018 USATF Outdoor Championships. Kyle brings an unmatched loyalty, humility, and drive to Tinman Elite.
Boulder born, just like Tinman Elite—Connor ran for the prestigious University of Colorado. Connor decided to take a step away from the sport after graduation to pursue his start up and mission work. But as often happens in this sport, Connor felt the itch to return to running. He immediately found a home on Tinman Elite's roster thanks to an "all in" mentality. He'll be competing for a spot on the Olympic team in the steeplechase in 2020. Connor brings an infectious, uplifting, presence that elevates all members of the team.
Growing up in Surf City, USA—Jeff ignored the beaches, opting for the track. After a successful high school career, he found a new home at the University of Portland. While a Pilot, Jeff asserted his range with All American finishes in the 1500m and cross country. A broken foot derailed his final collegiate season and he was left with an undeniable chip on his shoulder. Jeff is one of the most overlooked up-and-coming talents in American distance running. Jeff brings an ambitious spirit and an uncompromising hunger for excellence to the team.
Hailing from the Land Down Under, Jordan developed his work ethic while working 12 hours a day of hard labor with his parents for their property maintenance business, then heading to an 800m loop down the block to do his workouts at night. Jordan's hard work culminated with runner-up finishes in the 1500m and 5000m in the Australian National Championships in 2016 & 2017 respectively. Jordan brings a headstrong and unrelenting approach to running that embodies the Tinman mentality and will take him to the upper echelons of our sport.


The University of Minnesota Minneapolis campus sits just across the Mississippi River from downtown Minneapolis. Saunders lab is adjacent to a slew of campus amenities, as well as bike paths and public transportation for access to the rest of the Twin Cities.
We are looking for enthusiastic scientists to join the team! Please see below for details and send inquiries to bts@umn.edu.
Potential technician candidates must have a bachelor's degree in neuroscience, psychology, or related life sciences field. Previous research experience is required. Strong communication and organizational skills and the ability to work unsupervised and interact effectively with all lab members are important characteristics. A keen eye for detail and flexibility is also expected. Previous neuroscience-related research experience is required. Previous experience with rodent behavioral neuroscience research is desirable, but not required. Technicians are responsible for basic lab management tasks, such as maintaining lab order and cleanliness, ordering supplies, and maintaining equipment. They also will complete research studies with rats and mice, maintain animal breeding colonies, analyze behavioral and neural data, and generally engage with other lab members about research.
Potential candidates must have (or will have by time of start) a PhD in neuroscience, psychology, biomedical engineering, or related field. Applicants should have a strong record of graduate research, including first-author publications in neuroscience and/or behavioral science journals. A history of graduate-level fellowship funding is desirable. We are especially interested in candidates with research expertise in either rodent behavioral procedures of motivation and addiction-related questions, and/or neural circuit techniques (opto/chemogenetics, viral-based anatomy, calcium imaging, etc) in general. A computational/programming background is also highly desirable.
Post docs in the lab will work within the lab's research domain, but ideally they will lead projects that are driven by their own research backgrounds, and have the opportunity to mentor and oversee others in the lab in the process. We will work together to design projects that allow post docs to acquire and extend the skills necessary for moving on in the career path of their interest.
Those interested should contact bts@umn.edu with a CV, a 1-2 page statement on your research experience and plans for postdoctoral research as you see them fitting in with the lab, and the contact information of 3 people who can provide a detailed reference letter.
Saunders Lab is currently accepting rotation students from the University of Minnesota Graduate Program in Neuroscience. Potential students should contact Dr. Saunders at bts@umn.edu. If you are applying to graduate school right now and are interested in the lab, please get in touch!
Undergraduate students interested in the lab should email bts@umn.edu to inquire about openings. Please send your CV, a brief statement about your research experience and interests, and details on your daily/weekly availability to work in the lab. We will begin accepting students in June/July 2018.


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As experienced by several other countries in the Latin American region, Bolivia went through a tumultuous political history before finally attaining democratic rule. Following the 1952 Revolution, the country was ruled by military elites and faced political instability for almost two decades (1964-1982). The return to a democratically elected government occurred only in 1982 in the middle of an economic crisis and hyperinflation. Social discontent arose in the form of powerful social movements organized by indigenous peasants, miners, and coca leaf growers. Demands for greater participation and more significant impact from citizen voices emerged along these movements and were ultimately consolidated through the enactment of the Popular Participation Law (LPP) in 1994.
The LPP implemented decentralization policies that favored municipalities with a better and fairer distribution of tax revenues. It also fostered participatory planning and incorporated citizens into government monitoring through bodies such as Comités de Vigilancia (Oversight Committees). In parallel, political parties such as Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) included in their statutes their advocacy for a participatory democracy of consensus.
In 2005, Evo Morales, leader of the MAS Movement, won general elections and thus became the first indigenous president of Bolivia. Shortly after winning, Morales convened a new Constituent Assembly. The new Constitution was approved by a constitutional referendum in 2009, recognizing the State of Bolivia as a Plurinational State and adopting a participatory, representative and communal democracy as a form of government in its Article 11.
The literature also widely addresses institutional reforms conducted after the enactment of the new Constitution, which allowed for a decentralized government deeply rooted in communities, and traditional and ancestral forms of organization. Through different innovative mechanisms, Evo Morales' government has also sought to strengthen political inclusion of historically marginalized groups. With 36 native nations living within its territory, Bolivia is one of the most diverse countries in Latin America. It has one of the highest rates of indigenous and peasant populations.
However, it also figures among the poorest countries in the region. In spite of such contrasting conditions, Bolivia's citizen participation levels stand out not only regionally, but globally. In terms of electoral participation, for instance, the national presidential elections of 2014 had a voter turnout of 89.08%. Likewise, Bolivians are among the citizens that most actively participate in political and civic organizations, especially in activities aimed at solving community problems.
Direct Voting 11%
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If somebody would ask you to name a few famous handbag brands, probably Louis Vuitton would be one of your first picks. This company is probably one of the most popular handbag makers and it's logical why this is happening since they create such beautiful handbags that are worn by most celebrities. But they don't limit themselves to handbags, Louis Vuitton also sells shoes, watches, jewelry, accessories, and even books.
The founder, Louis Vuitton, started this company in 1854 in Paris and became famous at first by introducing his easy to carry trunks. People were soon buying the functional trunks but he became more famous when trademarked the stripped pattern that we all see today. This way, no other company was to use that pattern in order to make their products. This is why, whenever we see that, we know it's a Louis Vuitton bag, so it was definitely a well thought strategy. Soon they became known world-wide with stores in all major cities from all continents.
As we know, with success also comes envy and people trying to copy you. Louis Vuitton definitely felt this when they sued a number of individuals for copyright infringement , including Sony for using one of their logos in a music video. They also sued artists that used their brand as an icon in the contemporary world. It seems that all these controversies only made them more and more popular and made people instantly recognize a Louis Vuitton bag. This is also due to the famous celebrities who have been wearing these handbags as a trend for a few years now. Some of them can cost a fortune but they are definitely a fashion icon and a way to show a certain social status.
Another interesting thing about this brand is the fact that they have very exclusive shops where people can only buy limited editions of certain bags. This is why wearing a Louis Vuitton bag is definitely something to be proud of. The way this brand has created an exclusive group definitely plays a big part of their success and this is probably the number one reason why it is so popular among celebrities, especially those trying to build a certain status.
Whether you are an exclusivist or not, you have to agree that there is something really special about a Louis Vuitton bag and you get an amazing feeling while wearing such an expensive and extraordinary item.


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Read: The full statement in which the SACP publicly calls for Jacob Zuma to resign
SACP says Zuma's reckless actions have plunged the country into crisis and that he must resign.
SOWETO, SOUTH AFRICA - JULY 8: Solly Mapaila, second deputy general secretary of the SACP speaks during the party's 3rd special congress on July 8, 2015 at the University of Johannesburg's Soweto campus in Soweto, South Africa. The congress followed a tripartite alliance summit last week in which the partners attempted to resolve issues causing discord between members. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Vathiswa Ruselo)
No, this is not an April Fool's joke.
In a significant move, the South African Communist Party (SACP) has called for President Jacob Zuma to resign on Friday night.
If you don't know why this is significant, remember the SACP forms part of the Tripartite Alliance with the ANC and COSATU.
A number of high-profile political figures have condemned Zuma's cabinet reshuffle, even deputy president Cyril Ramaphosa broke ranks and called it "unacceptable".
The party released a strongly worded statement in which it says Zuma has been "reckless".
You can read the full statement from the SACP below.
The Political Bureau of the SACP met in Gauteng today in the context of the deep crisis into which the reckless actions of President Zuma have once more plunged our ANC-led movement, our hard-won democratic institutions, and our country in general.
The recall from an overseas trip of comrades Pravin Gordhan and Mcebisi Jonas while on a promotional tour in South Africa's interests, and now the firing of these comrades and other well-performing ministers is more than regrettable.
It is frankly outrageous, particularly while the worst performers in cabinet continue to enjoy presidential protection and even, in some cases, promotion.
This recklessness has provoked widespread concern and anger within the ANC itself, and across all sectors of our society. We have reached a decisive moment in which, in the considered view of the SACP leadership, Zuma must now resign.
The coincidence of the dramatic cabinet events with the desperate application this week in the Pretoria High Court by the Gupta-linked Vardospan company should not be missed.
Also read: So… Julius Malema dropped the c-word on live television
Vardospan brought an urgent application to force the Reserve Bank, the Registrar of Banks, and the Minister of Finance to allow it to take over ownership of the obscure Habib Bank. The current owners had given them a deadline of today, 31 March, to settle the matter.
Vardospan's desperation is clearly linked to the closure of Gupta-related bank accounts by the major South African banks, the Bank of China, and now reportedly by their last remaining banking facility, the Indian headquartered Baroda Bank. The Reserve Bank opposed the Vardospan application on the grounds that it has a responsibility to ensure the financial sustainability of the proposed deal.
According to the Reserve Bank, Vardospan has failed to provide clarity on the source of their funding and to provide transparency on other Gupta-related companies, including the notorious Tegeta mining company involved in a dodgy deal with former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe.
Also read: How the reshuffled ministers are connected to Zuma and how it will help the Guptas
The timing of Zuma's cabinet reshuffling and the deepening banking troubles faced by the Guptas is not, therefore, fortuitous. Once more it lays bare a disturbing reality.
Increasingly our country is being ruled not from the Union Buildings, but from the Gupta family compound. More and more, critical ANC decisions are being decided not by elected and collective structures in Luthuli House but in Saxonwold.
In the coming days the SACP will be meeting with our provincial structures, all our alliance partners and a wide range of social movements and formations. It is imperative that popular anger is mobilised and organised in constructive ways that unite South Africans of all persuasions and backgrounds in the defence of our country's interests.
This is not a struggle against an individual. This is not a factional struggle. It is a struggle against a network of parasitism and patronage in defence of our hard-won democratic sovereignty.
Let us roll back corporate capture of the state! Let us call for the South African passports and residential rights of the Guptas to be revoked immediately! Let us call for the sacking of General Ntlemeza, an ex-Transkei security policeman, who many allege tortured our own comrades.
Let us demand progress on the numerous stalled prosecutions and investigations. What has happened to the civil and criminal prosecutions recommended in regard to the Nkandla scandal? Let us ensure that the dodgy Tegeta deal is exposed.
Let us insist that those involved in the whole-sale ripping off of the public broadcaster, the SABC, and of key State Owned Corporations, including PRASA, Eskom, DENEL, and SAA are brought to book.
Mainstream corporate outfits like Allan Gray and the Ruperts' Remgro must own up to their profit-driven collusion with Cash Pay Master Services, Net1, and Grindrod in the exploitation of vulnerable social grant beneficiaries. Politicians and officials who have benefited from back-handers in all of this must be exposed.
Inevitably, SACP members who serve in executive positions in government are now being asked if they will resign. The PB's instruction to these comrades is: Remain at your posts. This is not because there is any individual entitlement.
You are serving in various capacities because of the support you enjoy across the ANC movement, because of your struggle credentials, and because of your performance in government. You have a responsibility to serve a massive constituency and the country at large – now more than ever.
If you are fired at the behest of the Gupta network because of the SACP's stand on these matters – so be it.
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You might remember that I've bought a couple of things from Jiji Kiki in the past.
I love never knowing what I'm going to get, because when the parcel came it felt like Christmas and being a little kid again as I ripped open the envelope with a little too much excitement.
Each item come separately wrapped, which I like, because it means that none of the chains get tangled up.
These are definitely not something that I would ever have chosen to buy independently, but I surprised myself with how much I like them. I even found that they matched a dress I own quite nicely, which is always a plus.
Again, something that I wouldn't have chosen, but I like the cuteness of this bow and wore it recently on a night out with friends.
I have a confession, because I actually managed to break this before I'd even put it on!! But, I did manage to fix it, so it wasn't a problem. This is such a cute and simple little piece that I absolutely adore. It's great when you just want something that is subtle and doesn't draw too much attention to itself.
So, that's four items averaging (I'd guess) at around £6 a piece, which is an estimated saving of around £14 which isn't too bad!


Mone rose from a financially critical background, with no educational qualification whatsoever. After her father's paralysis, she started working as paper distributor. Thereupon, she started working in a fruit shop. However, this wasn't enough to pay for her father's illness and the piling debt.
She joined Labatts at the age of 17. Few years later, she headed the sales division of the company. Michelle continues to rise up the ladder of success, and is currently the CEO and Co-Founder of MJM.


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Thomas Westcote (c. 1567 – c. 1637) (alias Westcott) of Raddon in the parish of Shobrooke in Devon, was an English historian and topographer of Devon.

Biography
He was baptised at Shobrooke in Devon on 17 June 1567. He was the third son of Philip Westcote (died 1601) of West Raddon in the parish of Shobrooke, by his wife Katharine Waltham, a daughter of George Waltham of Brenton in the parish of Exminster, Devon. In his youth he was a soldier, traveller, and courtier, but in middle age he retired to a country life, probably living at West Raddon with his eldest brother, Robert. In 1624 he held a lease of Thorn Park in the parish of Holcombe Burnell.

Westcote interested himself in local antiquities, encouraged by his friendships with fellow Devonshire historians Sir William Pole (1561–1635) and Tristram Risdon (1580–1640). He aimed at a description of Devon, following the model of the Survey of Cornwall by Richard Carew (1555–1620) published in 1602. He was encouraged in his project by Edward Bourchier, 4th Earl of Bath, of Tawstock Court, and compiled two collections: A View of Devonshire, in which, after a general discussion on the history of the county, he gave a topographical account of its condition in about 1630; and the Pedigrees of most of our Devonshire Families, a  compilation of  genealogical information, deemed by later commentators as inaccurate and unreliable. The two works were published in Exeter in 1845, under the editorship of George Oliver and Pitman Jones.

He married Mary Roberts (died 1666), eldest daughter and coheiress of Richard Roberts of Combe Martin, Devon. By her he had one son and heir, Philip Westcott (1614-1647/8), and five daughters.

Westcote was buried at Shobrooke, the date of his death being uncertain, as the register of burials between May 1639 and July 1644 is missing.

References

Sources
Dictionary of National Biography, London, 1885–1900, biography of "Westcote, Thomas"

1567 births
1637 deaths
English antiquarians
Topographers of Devon
Historians of Devon