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U.S. Money Reserve's CEO on How to Safeguard Your Wealth
2016-10-24 Company News, GoldBy USMR Staff
Home » Company News » U.S. Money Reserve's CEO on How to Safeguard Your Wealth
Increased economic instability. Brexit. Unemployment. Slow growth. These are all reasons to take steps to protect your family's future, says U.S. Money Reserve CEO Angela "Angie" Koch in Why It's Imperative to Protect Your Future. Featured on HuffingtonPost.com, Koch's article speaks to the threat these current matters pose and provides tips for reducing your chances of being negatively affected. Read on as we summarize today's pressing risk factors and highlight a few of Koch's most salient pieces of advice, then head over to The Huffington Post to read her full article.
Current risks that could derail your financial future—fast
Safeguarding your family's financial future is important not only because of the increase in economic, cultural, and political instability around the world, but because life itself could throw you an unexpected curveball at any moment. More than a third of Americans, 39 percent, say their personal financial situation causes them to lose sleep, and this number is 11 percentage points higher than last year, reports the Marketplace-Edison Research Poll. Before you lose sleep over how your family's financial future could spiral out of control, take steps to understand today's most pressing risks. Koch points to the following risk factors as being the most likely to negatively affect your financial future.
Escalating economic uncertainty on an international scale
When both the International Monetary Fund (IMF), a multinational organization that strives to promote global economic stability, and the World Economic Forum announce that the financial outlook for the world looks dim, experienced wealth holders pay attention. In April, the IMF warned of global threats to financial stability, including increased risk in advanced economies. In October, the global financial watchdog added that "mid-term risks continue to build," and cyclical and structural challenges continue to hinder the progress of financial institutions, in addition to low growth, low interest rates, and weak profitably.
Koch notes too, that as early as January the World Economic Forum predicted the biggest threats to world stability in 2016, many of which have materialized over the past ten months. These threats include unemployment, interstate conflict, the collapse of fragile governments, and major, involuntary migrations.
Choppy waters between the U.S. and U.K.
In further support of her concern over global economic instability, Koch points to the fact that Britain has yet to figure out a way to leave the E.U. without sending the system into a downward spiral, despite it being more than 60 days after the Brexit vote was cast. Until the U.S.'s closest ally can sort through its own economic future, a segment of the U.S. economy could remain in limbo.
"It's hard to have a serious conversation about what the nature of a future US–UK trade relationship might look like," says U.S. trade representative Michael Froman, and a hazy relationship between two of the world's most influential economies could lead to negative economic consequences on an international scale.
Unemployment and slowdown in key economic sectors at home
The U.S. economy added only 151,000 new jobs in August, notes Koch, and the monthly job report indicated a slowdown in key economic sectors that traditionally offered well-paying jobs.
What's more, in September the U.S. unemployment rate increased to 5 percent, compared to 4.9 percent in the previous month and missing market expectations, reports the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics via Trading Economics.
In sum, says Koch, these factors indicate that economic risk is high. "Essentially anyone with assets is at risk of being negatively affected by any and all of these factors," she advises. So what's a diligent wealth holder to do? Prepare for the worst by taking the following protective, yet practical measures.
How to protect your wealth in light of today's risks
1. Make wise decisions with your financial portfolio
Like many experienced financial planners, Koch's first piece of advice is to make smart choices when it comes to building a "well-rounded portfolio of stocks, bonds, real estate, and precious metals to ensure you get the best long-term return for your money." Look for assets whose returns have not historically moved in the same direction and to the same degree, reports Fidelity via Forbes, and ideally assets whose returns typically move in opposite directions. "This way, even if a portion of your portfolio is declining, the rest of your portfolio, hopefully, is growing."
Koch encourages readers not to shy away from alternative means of diversification too, like fine art, gold coins, and usable precious metals to further protect their income from economic fluctuations. "Assets such as gold and gold and silver coins have long been referred to as 'safe haven assets' because they maintain value even when paper currency might be in decline," says Koch.
"Diversifying your financial portfolio is a wise decision in these uncertain economic times and finding the right information is crucial," says Philip N. Diehl. Your first step to getting that information is a click away. Sign up to receive U.S. Money Reserve's Gold Information Kit today. It's free and includes everything you need to know before making your precious metals purchase.
2. Double check your insurance coverage
Koch's next piece of advice for protecting your family's future is to regularly review all of your insurance coverages, including your health, homeowner, auto, mortgage, and life insurance policies. In the event that the unthinkable happens or you fall ill and are no longer able to cover your monthly bills, a combination of the right insurance coverages could help ensure your family's home, financial future, and peace of mind stay protected.
3. Build your retirement fund
"A solid nest egg" is a "crucial source of future income," says Koch. Like you should do with your insurance coverage, give your retirement fund a yearly review. Does your mix of stocks, funds, precious metals, and other financial holdings match your age and retirement goals? If not, take steps to readjust.
4. Prepare for the worst
While it's an uncomfortable topic to confront, planning for a time when you may no longer be around is an important step in protecting your future, notes Koch. Ensure your account beneficiaries are up to date, you've taken measures to plan for your estate, and that your will reflects your most current holdings and intentions.
While simple in nature, Koch's four tips are practical measures you could put into place to help ensure that nothing derails your family's financial future.
"Never make big financial moves without consulting the right experts first," says Koch
When it comes to gold and silver coins, bars, and bullion, U.S. Money Reserve's Account Executives know what they're talking about. U.S. Money Reserve is the only gold company led by a former U.S. Mint Director and is trusted by over 400,000 clients and counting. Our Account Executives understand that no portfolio is the same and that like your family, your portfolio is unique. Let us help you see how precious metals ownership could fit into your future. Call 1-844-307-1589 for a free, personalized one-on-one consultation today. Our Account Executives are experienced, knowledgeable, and ready to answer your call.
Read all of Angie Koch's articles, including Why It's Imperative to Protect Your Future, on The Huffington Post.
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text:
from builtins import str
from elasticsearch import Elasticsearch, ConnectionError
import logging
import os
from six import string_types
import sys
import time

from .base import Updater

class ElasticsearchUpdater(Updater):
    """
    Writes inbound events to Elasticsearch

    An event may be a Message, a Join or Leave notification,
    or any other Event.

    Updaters expose a filtering function that can be connected to the
    inbound flow of events handled by the Listener.

    Example::

        updater = ElasticsearchUpdater(host='db.local:9200')
        listener = Listener(filter=updater.filter)

    """

    def on_init(self, host=None, index=None, **kwargs):
        """
        Writes inbound events to Elasticsearch
        """
        self.host = host
        self.index = index if index else 'shellbot'

    def get_host(self):
        """
        Provides the Elasticsearch host

        :rtype: str
        """
        if self.host:
            return self.host

        return self.engine.get('elasticsearch.updater.host', 'localhost:9200')

    def on_bond(self, bot):
        """
        Creates index on space bonding
        """
        self.db = Elasticsearch(
            [self.get_host()],
            )

        try:
            self.db.indices.create(index=self.index, ignore=400) # may exist
        except ConnectionError as feedback:
            logging.error('- unable to connect')
            raise

    def put(self, event):
        """
        Processes one event

        :param event: inbound event
        :type event: Event or Message or Join or Leave

        The function writes the event as a JSON document in Elasticsearch.
        """
        logging.debug("- updating Elasticsearch")
        result = self.db.index(index=self.index,
                               doc_type='event',
                               body=event.attributes)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
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The Power of Introverts in Today's Teams
Guest Blogger, Ankita Narayan: "Ankita is an English Literature Postgraduate whose passion for stories propelled her to start writing her blog and later, host her own podcast; (featured as one of iTunes' New and Noteworthy podcasts in 2017); and in three years of blogging, worked as a Google Create India Partner. Her podcast, interviews real life heroes, sharing stories of how they got to where they are today and Ankita has made appearances on BBC Asian Network, Awaz FM, Deccan Chronicle and Islam Channel. It's her love for stories that has shaped her career so far, which continues with the Google Digital Garage."
Between group recruitment drives and modern open plan workspaces, building a career and earning a living are both dominated by what Susan Cain refers to as the "Extrovert Ideal" in her 2012 bestselling book, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking. She cites her seven years of extensive research that went into this book, which explains the biological, psychological, neuroscientific and evolutionary aspects of introversion, which deem it not only natural (roughly 50% of workers identify as introverts) but also "the next great diversity issue of our time". The latter part of her statement is owed to the way introverts have been treated like second class citizens pretty much since the dawn of the American industrial revolution in the late 19th century, where a shift took place from a "culture of character" to a "culture of personality". The most charismatic and outspoken person in a room thus began to dominate conversations and leadership roles, although it is very hard to establish a correlation between a confident speaker and the generation of great ideas.
This inevitably has led to one of two outcomes in most workplaces –
Introverts missing out on opportunities to grow.
Introverts acting as "pseudo extroverts" to fit in, thus getting into the unhealthy cycle of acting out of their true characters in order to avoid the bias against their identities.
Susan Cain on Introversion
As one can imagine, failing to tap into the unique talents of over 50% of any given workforce isn't ideal. So here as some of the workforce planning strategies suggested by Cain to avoid the same in modern workplaces and teams:
Avoid over-dependence on "The New GroupThink": Cain argues that people (not just introverts) come up with their best ideas individually and that brainstorming can be a mistake as the loudest (and perhaps the most charismatic) person in the room will be more likely to voice opinions, leading to potentially better ideas not being voiced at all. Cain sights research arguing that for most people (again, not just introverts), opposing a dominant voice or group consensus causes their brains' amygdalae to light up, which in turn causes fear of rejection, leading to the inevitable hesitation to voice potentially valuable ideas.
Allow for Physical Space: Cain sites that the the average workspace has shrunk in size by about 60% since the 1970's. While the open plan workspaces are an extrovert's dream with more accessibility to vibrancy and energetic conversations all around, the average introvert tends to suffer mentally and physically as a result. There are stats showing reduced productivity, impaired memory and higher rates of illness among introverts due to a constant exposure to a highly stimulating environment. Allowing for removed physical spaces within offices where employees can retreat to in order to recharge from time to time is ideal as solitude and quiet can be crucial for their creativity.
Allow for More Written Communication: Not only does this prevent people from saying the wrong thing at the wrong time without thinking, but it also allows introverts to commit the social act of communication "in the midst of solitude", thus letting them dwell on their ideas for a little bit more and empowering them to share the same without the fear of perceptible rejection. Reading, along the same lines, is also a "deeply social act" for introverts that allows them to get into other people's heads in the most non-obtrusive way.
It's important to recognise that an inclusive workplace is the result of a balancing act. In no way is one personality trait superior to the other, but it is essential to recognise the potential loss for organisations and teams by catering to only one type of employee. Leadership and creativity can be honed equally by both sets of people, the key being to identify who is best led by whom, and who should be allowed to run with what idea. Introverts basically are sensitive to high stimulation which leads them to become good listeners, planners and thinkers. This makes them work really well with proactive team members who thrive with great sounding boards. On the flip side, extroverts thrive on high stimulation, leading them to become the best people for collating teams, encouraging friendships and motivating passive team members. The best outcomes can be achieved by ensuring the right kinds of people work together and by providing the right space and environment for each individual to thrive.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
The Crypto Crisis
Fallout from FTX
Crypto-Crash GuideSBF SubstackSBF InterviewFTX in AfricaCaroline EllisonA Doomed EmpireNewsletter Signup
This copy is for your personal, non-commercial use only. To order presentation-ready copies for distribution to your colleagues, clients or customers visit https://www.djreprints.com.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/ftxs-collapse-leaves-employees-sick-with-anger-11668603708
Johnny Simon/WSJ, Images: Bloomberg News, iStockphoto
FTX's Collapse Leaves Employees Sick With Anger
Many say they learned of crypto exchange's deteriorating situation through media and lost access to their funds
Alexander Osipovich ,
Caitlin Ostroff and
Nov. 16, 2022 8:01 am ET
One FTX executive vomited when he learned that the crypto exchange was missing billions of dollars of customer money. A company lawyer quit via a harsh text message to then-Chief Executive Sam Bankman-Fried. A top salesman who had bet big on FTX equity saw most of his wealth evaporate overnight.
What started as a dream job turned into a nightmare for employees of FTX, the crypto exchange that imploded in spectacular fashion last week. The Wall Street Journal spoke to more than a dozen current and former employees, many of whom said they were stunned by FTX's swift demise and shocked by the alleged misuse of customer funds.
For its roughly 300 staffers, FTX seemed like an opportunity to reap financial rewards at one of the world's fastest-growing cryptocurrency firms while fulfilling a sense of moral mission. Mr. Bankman-Fried pledged to give 1% of the exchange's fee revenue to charity, and he appeared to be a paragon of ethics in an industry plagued by scams.
WSJ Live Q&A
The Crypto Crisis: A Conversation With Coinbase's Alesia Haas
In one week, FTX went from being one of the biggest cryptocurrency exchanges to bankruptcy, shaking the entire digital-asset market. Coinbase CFO Alesia Haas discusses what comes next for the industry.
Watch the Conversation
Then it collapsed with lightning speed. Bahamas-based FTX filed for bankruptcy Friday, just four days after Mr. Bankman-Fried tweeted that FTX was fine despite a flood of customer withdrawals. He now faces questions about why FTX lent some $10 billion in customer funds to an affiliated trading firm, Alameda Research.
The crypto exchange said in a bankruptcy-court filing Tuesday that its collapse had drawn "substantial interest" from regulators and that it had been contacted by the Justice Department, the Securities and Exchange Commission and dozens of other agencies during the previous 72 hours.
Ryan Salame, co-chief executive of the exchange's Bahamas-based unit FTX Digital Markets, told people close to him that he became physically sick and threw up when he became aware of FTX's problems early last week, the people said. Although he worked closely with Mr. Bankman-Fried, Mr. Salame wasn't part of the inner circle around FTX's leader, the people said.
Employees complained that they were learning about the rapidly evolving situation from Twitter and the media rather than from their own management. "I have very limited transparency and more is not possible without full cooperation from the founders," Ryne Miller, general counsel of FTX's U.S. arm, said in a message to staff posted on a companywide Slack channel, a copy of which was seen by the Journal.
"I don't see anyone's reasonable questions being answered. Out of respect to all the employees of this company, I think we deserve better given the circumstances," one junior U.S.-based employee said in another message on the same Slack channel that was viewed by the Journal.
Mr. Bankman-Fried later apologized to employees in a late-night Slack message. "I completely understand that this is a tough time for all of you," he wrote.
In an email Tuesday, Mr. Bankman-Fried told the Journal: "During the crash, many of my internal communications were being leaked onto Twitter, making it difficult for me to address the whole company with information that wasn't yet ready for the public."
By then, many staffers were gone. Dozens of FTX employees quit last week, including senior figures such as head of product Ramnik Arora, chief regulatory officer Dan Friedberg and head of institutional sales Zane Tackett, people familiar with the matter said. One employee said he submitted his resignation to his boss, only for the boss to say he had already resigned himself.
A friend of Mr. Friedberg's who had dinner with him the day he quit said the attorney—previously a big admirer of Mr. Bankman-Fried—was visibly shaken.
Mr. Friedberg showed this friend the text message he sent to Mr. Bankman-Fried and other top FTX executives submitting his resignation. In the message, the friend recalled, Mr. Friedberg described himself as devastated and said: "One day I hope I can forgive you."
The implosion of FTX was financially ruinous for some employees. Outside the U.S., many staff were paid via direct deposit to their accounts on the cryptocurrency exchange, so when FTX froze customer withdrawals last week, these employees couldn't access their funds, people familiar with the matter said.
"You have to understand just how devastated the average FTX employee was," said Nathaniel Whittemore, a former FTX marketing specialist who quit last week. "Not only did it seem they might be out of job, but they also were potentially facing the total loss of their savings. All I could think of was rage and white-hot anger."
Cryptocurrency exchange FTX was seen as a survivor in a struggling industry, but over the course of six days the exchange collapsed due to a sudden liquidity crunch. WSJ explains the factors that drove FTX's growth and what led to its downfall. Illustration: Alexandra Larkin
It was also common for employees to hold FTX equity or get part of their pay in the exchange's FTT tokens, the people said. Last fall, Mr. Bankman-Fried offered employees the opportunity to buy shares in FTX at a 50% discount to what venture capitalists had paid in a recent funding round, the people said. Now, that equity is worthless and the price of FTT has crashed 90% since the start of November.
Mr. Tackett—who continued to tweet updates to FTX customers last week even after quitting his sales job—said he had lost 80% of his net worth in the collapse. "I kept nearly all my money on FTX," he told the Journal.
By this past weekend, only a skeleton crew remained at FTX's Bahamas headquarters, helping Mr. Bankman-Fried in frantic attempts to secure funds to repay users, employees said.
WSJ Crypto
Smart and accessible crypto market analysis for investors.
FTX relocated to the Bahamas from Hong Kong last year and created a cushy lifestyle for employees. The company spent more than $100,000 every week on catering for its headquarters, as well as millions of dollars on housing for executives in exclusive beachside developments, according to former employees. It provided fleets of cars—including BMWs, Toyotas and Hondas—for employee use.
FTX also hired dozens of Bahamian citizens, largely for logistics, compliance and partnership roles. Excited to be part of what seemed like a promising new industry in their island country, some local hires spent thousands of dollars to buy FTX equity earlier this year, they said.
As FTX disintegrated last week, many of the expatriate employees said they left the island for Hong Kong or New York. Those who left earlier were able to book flights on their FTX credit cards. Those who waited longer said they found their credit cards declined.
—Angel Au-Yeung and Dave Michaels contributed to this article.
Write to Alexander Osipovich at alexo@wsj.com, Caitlin Ostroff at caitlin.ostroff@wsj.com and Gregory Zuckerman at Gregory.Zuckerman@wsj.com
What has been your experience with trading cryptocurrencies or investing with a crypto lender? Tell us about it in the form below.
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One FTX executive vomited when he learned that the crypto exchange was missing billions of dollars of customer money. A top salesman who had bet big on FTX equity saw most of his wealth evaporate overnight.
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text:
https://www.sfgate.com/politics/article/Jerry-Brown-says-he-d-support-delaying-water-bond-2641966.php
Jerry Brown says he'd support delaying water bond
STATE GOVERNMENT Postponing $11 billion measure could help his tax plan
By Marisa Lagos and Wyatt Buchanan
Published 4:00 am PST, Friday, January 20, 2012
Orange County Business Council members, (left to right) Julie Miller-Phipps, chairperson, Emile Hadda, chairperson and Lucy Dunn, President and CEO join California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., as they speak to the media after their meeting in Irvine,Ca., on Thursday Jan. 19, 2012. less
Orange County Business Council members, (left to right) Julie Miller-Phipps, chairperson, Emile Hadda, chairperson and Lucy Dunn, President and CEO join California Governor Edmund G. Brown Jr., as they speak to ... more
Photo: Michael Macor
Irvine --
Gov. Jerry Brown indicated Thursday that he would support delaying an $11 billion water bond currently on the November ballot, saying a massive overhaul of the state's water system can begin without voters approving huge borrowing this year.
Postponing the bond measure - which has already been pushed back once - could give Brown's five-year, $35 billion tax increase a better chance of passing in November. Brown made the comments on a two-day tour of Southern California, where he appeared before civic leaders in Los Angeles, Orange and San Diego counties to tout his budget proposal, tax plan and stress the state's strengths.
Speaking after a meeting with the Orange County Business Council on Thursday morning, the governor said the statewide general obligation water bond is not immediately necessary because ratepayers in several water districts would foot the bill for a conveyance project - like a pipeline or canal - to move water through or around the Sacramento-San Joaquin River Delta.
"My time frame does not require that that be done in November. ... I don't want to make that kind of decision sitting here in Orange County. But we definitely have to take a look at that project and make sure it really fits with what's absolutely needed," Brown said.
Plan ready by summer
Such a project could take the form of massive tunnels under the delta that would bring water to pumps that feed Southern California and parts of the Bay Area. Brown said an initial plan for what the project would look like would be completed by summer.
"Our obstacle is not the big water bond there. It's the environmental impact report and the state and federal permits, that's what we've got to do," he said. "Then at some point, we've got to have the money for the habitat restoration, but these are 50-year programs, and I think that bond issue is one I'm going to take a look at."
Brown mentioned delta habitat restoration and water storage as key parts of the statewide bond, though they make up just $5.2 billion of the $11 billion bond. The governor and leaders in the Legislature have said they want to revisit the size of the bond, and lawmakers also have raised the possibility of a delay.
When the bond was first approved by the Legislature in 2009 for the November 2010 ballot, leaders stressed the urgency of fixing California's aging water infrastructure and reversing the quick decline of the delta habitat.
Cynthia Koehler, California water legislative director for the Environmental Defense Fund, said she is not concerned that the massive construction project would happen without a major effort to restore the delta's ecosystem and said she doesn't doubt Brown's commitment to that.
Besides, she said, "The law requires a deal where these things are going forward hand in hand." The organization has a neutral position on the bond measure.
Brown also spent time this week defending the goals of his budget, saying proposed cuts to welfare and medical services for the poor and increased taxes do not conflict with his commitment to building a $100 billion high-speed-rail project and pursuing those major upgrades to the state's water system.
"For some, chewing gum and jumping rope is daunting, but I think we can handle both. We have to invest, and we have to cut. We have to cut operating costs while we build the foundations of an abundant future," he said.
Brown had barely wrapped up his State of the State speech Wednesday in Sacramento when he hit the road to Southern California, a population-rich - and politically crucial- region the governor will need in order to pass his tax plan this fall.
Over two days, Brown met with Burbank educators to get their ideas on reform; received a warm welcome from city and community leaders at Los Angeles City Hall; and attempted to sell business and community leaders on his budget plan - which relies on a temporary tax increase - in the Republican strongholds of Orange and San Diego counties.
Teachers and school administrators at Bret Harte Elementary School in Burbank spent nearly two hours separately chatting with Brown about their challenges and needs, and emerged impressed with the governor's candor and openness. Brown proposed vague education reforms in his speech Wednesday, calling for reducing the number of tests students must take and concentrating more power at the local, not state, level, and said he was in Burbank not to speak to educators, but hear from them.
"We talked to him about the lack of resources, that we have too many kids in our classrooms - I think he understood our frustration," said Lisa Crystal, a kindergarten teacher at Bret Harte who has been a teacher for 13 years. "We spend so many hours preparing to take tests. He seemed like he definitely listened to what our needs are."
In Orange County, business leaders indicated they would be open to supporting the governor's tax plan - particularly because it would earmark billions of dollars for education, and would not raise taxes above what most people were paying in 2010.
E-mail the writers at mlagos@sfchronicle.com and wbuchanan@sfchronicle.com.


Difference between revisions of "The Traitor's Stage"
The Traitor's Stage (裏切りのステージ ,Uragiri no Sutēji?) is the 866th and 867th episodes of the Detective Conan anime.
Rokumichi Hado's death is in reality a suicide, but his manager Kanae Enjo tried to make it look like a murder. Rokumichi killed himself after being overwhelmed with the regret of having accidentally caused his old girlfriend to miscarry their unborn child; said girlfriend was Kanae, who found his corpse and desperately tried to make it look like a murder, in hopes of distracting others and not have their sad past revealed.
The song ASACA is spelt with a "CA" instead of a "KA" because of their unborn child, he heard about her pregnancy in a "CAFE at dawn ("Asa"), combining the words ASA and CA from café to make ASACA, which proves the song unrelated to the Case from 17 years ago. Scotch's death is revealed to be a suicide, Akai convinced him not to, but after hearing Rei's approaching footsteps, believing them to be of one of the Organization's members, he chose to commit suicide, destroying his cellphone to prevent anyone from discovering his identity as well as to protect his family and friends. At the end of the case, Rei seems getting close to discovering Subaru's identity as he told him he can't wait to fold down his turtleneck after he obtains real proof.
Meanwhile, Ran told Azusa (Vermouth) that she isn't the real Azusa, and asks her if she is the same woman who called here Angel before. Vermouth simply warned Ran to not get involved in the Organization's matters because she considers Ran along with Conan, the only 2 treasures she has in the world.
In the anime, Subaru takes part in the cleaning of Shinichi's house. He's wringing out a mop when he hears Sonoko say that the song "ASACA" is written with the letter "c", and not with the letter "k". Upon hearing this, Subaru drops the towel in the bucket of water. This wasn't in the manga.
In the anime, it's Sonoko who asks Conan if he wants to go with her and Ran to have a word with Rokumichi. In the manga, it was Ran.
In the manga, it's mentioned that Rokumichi would habitually pull all-nighters to work on song lyrics. He would make a conscious effort to stay up long enough to watch the sunrise with a coffee in hand. Okuyasu notes that he and Rokumichi bonded over mountain climbing. Following a concert, the two would set up camp after climbing and later watch the morning sunrise. These conversations are omitted from the anime.
Despite his membership in a mountain climbing club, Hirokazu claims he never learned how to tie a knot. His inability to tie a knot was not established in the anime version.
In the manga, Rokumichi's eyes are shown to be open after the body has been brought down. The medical examiner can be seen physically inspecting the body for rigor mortis and the eye for dilution. In the anime, his eyes are shut during examination and no mention is made of rigor mortis.
In the manga, it's mentioned that Rokumichi had a blog. Hirokazu notes that the popular musician wrote about his desire to "die on stage" when his time came, suggesting that the murder was perhaps committed by a devoted fan. No mention of a blog is made in the anime.
In the "See you next time" sequence at the end of the episode, Amuro tells Akai that "It's been a long time since the ferris wheel". This is a reference to The Darkest Nightmare.


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Home Entertainment Justin Lin is back to direct Fast & Furious 9 and 10
Justin Lin is back to direct Fast & Furious 9 and 10
By Kervyn Cloete
I'm willing to bet some of my colleagues' more redundant organs (why does Darryn need a brain anyway?!) that not a single soul who watched the original The Fast and The Furious way back in 2001 suspected that not only would it get seven more sequels, but that it would become one of the biggest movie franchises in the world. Heck after the completely irredeemable 2 Fast 2 Furious, most people just wanted these movies to crash and burn, but here we are, eight movies and $5.1 billion dollars later. And the man who arguably made that all possible is finally coming back to end it off as star/producer/human franchise talisman Vin Diesel took to Facebook last night to reveal that the upcoming final two films will be directed by Justin Lin.
The Taiwanese American film director boarded the franchise with third film, 2006's The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift, and would helm the next four films as well until 2013's Fast & Furious 6 It would also be Tokyo Drift that saw the start of one of the most unexpected multi-film story arcs in Hollywood history – because who ever expected these movies to have a story?! – as Lin would begin laying the groundwork for plot reveals that would only be realized many years later. Along with that, he would completely revamp the franchise from just petrolhead porn to globetrotting blockbuster heist movies, with the rather amazing Fast Five standing as the pinnacle.
Lin stepped away from the franchise after Fast & Furious 6 though to help Star Trek Into Darkness which itself ended up being an amazing sequel that revitalized its own franchise… but ended up making far less money than anybody expected. While he was remiss, James Wan (The Conjuring, Aquaman, Saw) would keep the tyres spinning with the equally good Furious 7, which also acted as the emotional send-off for late star Paul Walker who was tragically killed in a car accident during a break from filming. F. Gary Gray (Straight Outta Compton) would take the reins for The Fate of the Furious, but it was not as warmly received by fans as previous efforts – still made a crapload of cash though.
The later films had been edging further and further into the realm of comic books with the action set pieces becoming more and more over the top. Hell, for intents and purposes, Dwayne Johnson's Hobbs was a superhero in The Fate of the Furious as no human being could pull off the physical feats of strength he had. I'm hoping that with Lin back, those things can be dialled back down a notch, and we can get back to the heist brilliance Fast Five. Then again, Lin is also the guy who gave us Fast & Furious 6's infinite runway, so…
For what it's worth Diesel seemed to echo the sentiments of getting back to what worked when he said in the video that "You wanted 9 and 10 to be incredible. We've heard your concerns about the saga and where it needs to arrive in its final chapters". Possibly in an effort to reclaim that position, Diesel also revealed that actress Jordana Brewster, who missed out The Fate of the Furious would also be returning along with Lin.
Whatever they will be up to in the ninth and tenth films, believed to be the last in the franchise, it will be some time before we see it. As was revealed recently, Fast & Furious 9 has been pushed back to 10 April 2020 due to a new spinoff being developed that focuses on the unlikely pairing of Johnson's Hobbs with Jason Statham's badass criminal Deckard Shaw. That spinoff is now set to be released on 26 July 2019.
Kervyn Cloete
A man of many passions - but very little sleep - I've been geeking out over movies, video games, comics, books, anime, TV series and lemon meringues as far back as I can remember. So show up for the geeky insight, stay for the delicious pastries.
Sometimes a movie series should just know when to give up. Evidently the people behind the…


CITY MUSIC is located directly on Berlin's well-known shopping boulevard Kurfürstendamm in the center of the city.
We buy records (LP) that they no longer need.
Located in the basement, our specialty store offers everything that appeals to fans of good music. The assortment includes almost all music genres, which are clearly summarized in individual departments. In addition to the extensive range of CDs, LPs, singles and DVDs of all genres you will also find here Berlin's probably largest selection of bandshirts, posters, calendars, cups and other merchandise of all kinds.
The competent, music-loving team likes to overwork and tries to fulfill even the most unusual tastes. If something is available but not available, it can usually be ordered at short notice from home or abroad.
In addition, City Music is considered to be Berlin's largest acquisition and sales of second-hand soundtracks. Here you can often get rare articles out of stock items at a reasonable price.
The numerous fan articles make sure that a visit to City Music also offers some surprises for musically less interested people.


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Iowa man sentenced for role in faking deaths for insurance
Posted 5:58 am, November 17, 2017, by Associated Press
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) _ An Ottumwa man has been sentenced to 18 months in prison for his role in helping a woman fakes the deaths of three of her family members to collect insurance payments.
The U.S. Attorney's Office for Iowa's southern district says 34-year-old Cletus Abongwa Ngwa was sentenced in September and ordered to pay joint restitution of more than $260,000 after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud.
His co-defendant, 47-year-old Venancia Amora Rodriguez, was sentenced last year to two years in prison for her role.
Prosecutors say she claimed her 17-year-old son had died of dengue fever in the Philippines in 2014. Months later, she claimed her husband had died of a heart ailment in that country, and the next year claimed her 15-year-old son drowned there.
Officials say all three are still alive and that Rodriguez paid people in the Philippines to fake the death documents.
Man who used corpse to fake his own death pleads guilty
Man sentenced to 21 years for death of girlfriend's son
Father who killed 2-month-old son gets 60-year sentence
Man who cut up wife sentenced to nearly 9 years in prison
Woman sentenced for providing material support to terrorists
Great-grandmother says California boy who died suspiciously begged not to be reunited with birth parents
Iowa woman gets probation in insurance fraud case
Woman seeks new sentence for role in 1987 kidnapping
Convicted grandmother in teen's death faces escape charge
Charleston mother gets 20 years in son's neglect death
Fifth suspect in Davenport robbery death pleads not guilty


Yesterday was spent getting food to the respite center in McAllen to feed the 1000+ refugees that were dropped there. HEB grocers was heaven sent. We worked to move leftover Hurricane Harvey hygiene kits and supplies, along with diapers, from Taft to McAllen. Feeding the refugees was accomplished. There is still so much more needed.
The Humanitarian Respite Center in McAllen, Texas is running out of most supplies and is hopeful that you can donate. See list below and links to suggested donations.
NOTE: Login to SMILE.AMAZON.COM (with First Presbyterian Church of Austin as your donation recipient), and a percentage of your donations will fund the missions here at FPCA as well.


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Baby Brooklyn from Scottsdale Wins Free Domino's Pizza
By: Domino's Pizza via PR Newswire
ANN ARBOR, Mich., March 13 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Domino's Pizza (NYSE:DPZ), the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, had a "special delivery" take place on Leap Day - Brooklyn Elizabeth Threinen! Brooklyn, born on February 29 in Scottsdale, AZ, was the winner of Domino's BRKLYN Leap Year promotion.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080313/CLTH078 )
"In honor of Domino's BRKLYN (Brooklyn-style pizza), we've been celebrating everything "Brooklyn," including Leap Day newborn, Brooklyn Elizabeth Threinen," said Jenny Fouracre, Domino's Pizza spokesperson. "We created this promotion to honor Leap Year babies and their families whose love of the old neighborhood inspired them to name their children after it."
The Threinen family was the first to contact Domino's regarding the birth of their Leap Year newborn, Brooklyn and won $1,000 in Domino's pizza gift certificates.
"Brooklyn beat the odds by being born on February 29, a day that rolls around only once every four years," said Fouracre. "We think she is very special and deserves a memorable birthday and a lot of Domino's Pizza."
Whether you are a Leap Year baby named Brooklyn or not, all customers can enjoy a large, one topping BRKLYN pizza for just $9.99.
About Domino's
Founded in 1960, Domino's Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery. Domino's is listed on the NYSE under the symbol "DPZ." Through its primarily franchised system, Domino's operates a network of 8,510 franchised and Company-owned stores in the United States and more than 55 countries. The Domino's Pizza(R) brand, named a Megabrand by Advertising Age magazine, had global retail sales of nearly $5.1 billion in 2006, comprised of $3.2 billion domestically and nearly $1.9 billion internationally. During the third quarter of 2007, the Domino's Pizza(R) brand had global retail sales of more than $1.2 billion, comprised of approximately $725.7 million domestically and approximately $510.7 million internationally. Domino's Pizza was named "Chain of the Year" by Pizza Today magazine, the leading publication of the pizza industry and is the "Official Pizza of NASCAR(R)." Customers can place orders online in English and Spanish by visiting www.dominos.com or from a Web- enabled cell phone by visiting mobile.dominos.com. More information on the Company, in English and Spanish, can be found on the Web at www.dominos.com. Domino's Pizza: You Got 30 Minutes.
Source: Domino's Pizza
Domino's Pizza Inc


This is the first bicycle lane project under a highway in Bangkok, going from Ngam wong Wan road (#302) to Samakkhi road. For this project, the expressway authority of Thailand has divided the implementation plans into 2 stages. Starting from stage 1 Ngam Wong Wan road to Samakkhi road 2.7 km, from Ngam Wong Wan road to soi Buea Khuen temple and soi Buea Khuen temple to Samakkhi road.
Stage 2 from Samakkhi road to Chaeng Wattana road (#304) 2.05 km, but for stage 2 the expressway authority of Thailand is still awaiting for additional agreements with private companies who have volunteered to manage this project.
The reviewer that observed stage 1 bike lane found that some parts of the bike lane can become flooded during times of heavy rain. Most people who make use of this bike lane are elderly and children. The reviewer also found that the 2.7km bike lane was not 100% ready and finishing touches still need to be completed (as of July 2015).
Overall, this bike lane looks good from the reviewer's opinion. There are 2 lanes for opposite directions and 1 separate lane for walking or running. Some pedestrians use the bicycle lane instead of the footpath.
The 2.7 km bike lane is not 100% connected and there are a few points that cyclists have to cross a road to get to other side of the bike lane. There are no overhead lights along this bike lane and therefore it can be dangerous for users at night. The longest connected distance is 1.2 km from Samakkhi Road to Buea Kuen temple. However, the reviewer will observe again when this project is completed.
In conclusion, the community definitely benefits from this project for exercising. Although, for people who like to ride fast, they might not like it because the distance is short and there are many elderly and children to watch out for while riding.


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Q: Meteor waiting for method call in komposer container before subscribe So I want to call a method to check if the component should be subscribe or not but i had tried many way and it failed.
let container = (props, onData) => {
   Meteor.call("check", (err,res){ res return true and false
      if(res){
        const sub = Meteor.subscribe("data");
        if(sub.ready()){
           onData(null, data);
         }
      }
   });
}

but the sub.ready() in call back would always false but if i subscribe outside the call back it work but I don't want to subscribe to every component that check method return false

A: I've had trouble with something similar. My workaround was to not do any too many tasks from within the callbacks. Please check if something along these lines works:
let container = (props, onData) => {
        // a simple flag
        var canSubscribe = false;

       Meteor.call("check", (err,res){ res return true and false
          if(res){
            canSubscribe = true;

          }
       });
        //moved this outside of the callback.
        if(canSubscribe){
                 const sub = Meteor.subscribe("data");
                 if(sub.ready()){
               onData(null, data);
             }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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AEDC presents N1.5m relief materials to IDPs camp
Displaced by Boko Haram
Published By: Ezeibekwe Kingsley
Internally Displaced Persons in the North East of Nigeria
The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) on Thursday presented relief materials worth N1.5 million to Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) in Aso Gurku camp, Nasarawa State.
It will also sponsor the immunisation of 400 children in the camp to demonstrate its love and care for the less privileged in the society.
AEDC's Managing Director, Mr Ernest Mupwaya, made the presentation.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 1,300 displaced persons from the North East are currently resident in the Gurku inter-faith based camp, with women and children under-12 constituting a higher number of the population.
The exercise was part of programme AEDC 's activities to celebrate the World Immunization Week, celebrated every last week of April annually.
The immunization week is aimed at promoting the use of vaccines to protect people of all ages against diseases.
Mupwaya, represented by the Head of Corporate Communication, AEDC, Mr Oyebode Fadipe, said that the gesturee was part of AEDC's Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
He said that the IDP camp was chosen to futher actualise the commitment and mandate of the World Health Organisation (WHO).
"By this exercise, the management of AEDC further demonstrates its commitment to the belief that strengthening the healthy systems is key to breaking the cycle of extreme poverty and disease."
Breaking: UBA Plc takes over ownership of AEDC
Striking AEDC workers plunge Abuja into darkness
AEDC notifies Maraba residents of power interruption
He said that the process was also designed to promote health, productivity and prosperity among the less privileged.
READ: Commission records over 6,000 pupils in Nomadic Schools
Mupwaya thanked the traditional ruler of the community for providing a space for the IDPs in his kingdom.
Responding, the Ese of Gurku, Mai Kasuwa Darbmir who spoke through an interpreter, expressed gratitude to AEDC for the gesture.
According to him, members of his community are living in peace with the IDPs.
The Chairman of the camp, Mr Yohanna Zidico exprssed happiness over the exercise, adding that a committee had already been set up to distribute the items equitably.
He called on the government to provide more assistance, especially immunization to the camp, adding that over 600 children required the service.
Items presented to the camp included food stuffs like bags of rice and nodules
Tags: Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) IPDs camp Relief Materials


NO CUTTING COMPLEX ANGLES! - NO FLATTENING TUBES!
SIMPLE COLOR CODED ASSEMBLY THAT CAN SCALE TO YOUR NEEDS!
STRONG, PRECISE, SIMPLE & FAST!
NATURAL FREQUENCY offers the simplest, fastest Hub-Only connectors as a kit for Geodesic Domes up to 48 feet in Diameter. The design of our connectors offer the Do-it-Yourself'er (DIY'er) the opportunity to quickly assemble high strength wood or pipe strut geodesic domes using your own local materials. Whether its for greenhouses, events or even a beach hut using bamboo instead of pipe, our geodesic dome connectors will not disappoint.
Our Natural Frequency geodesic dome connectors only require you to make square cut (90 degree) cuts to each strut. Only having to make square cuts on the end of each strut takes all the guess work our of our dome assembly. It also saves you time and keeps you from wasting timber. Not using our connectors requires the cutting of complex angles that can take weeks and one wrong cut could cost an entire board or pipe. By butting the strut up to the hub connector, the angle produced is not only correct to the geodesic mathematics, but the strut is captured on all sides creating additional strength for your greenhouse, garden, event venue or shelter.
Easy integration with a riser wall or other structure.
Assemble the hubs with your pre-cut struts and the frame can be erected in an afternoon.


Magnets to stick and dress-up your photos.
The package contains 28 magnets.
Magnets to attach and make your photos even more funny.
Dress-Up your friends, your family or your pets in cute characters. Make them become a baseball fan, a pirate, an Indian ... and many other fun characters!


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Q: Probability question involving chess. The problem is as follows:
Chess pieces are randomly drawn from a bag and placed on a table. The table has 3 black and some white pieces on it. Another piece is randomly drawn from the bag and placed on the table. Now, instead of drawing from the bag, one chess piece is randomly picked up from the table. The color of the chess piece picked up from the table is black. What is the probability that the last piece that was drawn from the bag was black?
$(a) \frac{4}{7}$
$(b) \frac{4}{5}$
$(c) \frac{4}{2}$
$(d) \frac{4}{6}$
I think option (c) is obviously incorrect because it is greater than 1. Other than this I have no idea how to proceed. I think the required probability should be $\frac{13}{29-x}$ where $\mathit {x}$ is number of white pieces on the table, but I am unable to find $\mathit {x}$.


GAP Connections exists to support you.
You are the farmers, the backbone of an industry that stands for tradition and pursues excellence.
You are committed to your craft, committed to your communities, and committed to producing a quality product.


What is your favorite Bob Hoskins performance?
Maybe there was something in the water, but living on the cul-de-sac where I grew up were four future members of the Country Music Hall of Fame: George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Bobby Bare Sr. and, as of today, Hank Cochran.
Although he was a recording artist for nearly thirty years with seven chart hits, I think of Cochran primarily as a songwriter. He wrote several number one country hits including Patsy Cline's "I Fall To Pieces," Eddy Arnold's "Make the World Go Away," George Strait's "Ocean Front Property" and Ronnie Milsap's ""Don't You Ever Get Tired (of Hurting Me)."
While hanging out at Tootsie's Orchid Lounge in Nashville, he discovered a singer-songwriter named Willie Nelson and immediately urged his record company to sign him.
Cochran passed away in 2010.
What's The Second Best Bette Davis Movie?
Who Am Us writes to tell us that he finally saw his first Bette Davis movie, All About Eve, and that he loved it. And a good choice it was. If I were going to recommend one and only Bette Davis movie, that's the one I'd pick.
But what should he see next? Now, Voyager? The Letter? What Ever Happened To Baby Jane? Something else? Vote here, and remember an eager young man's budding infatuation with Bette Davis hangs in the balance.
Your pal has just seen his first Bette Davis movie, All About Eve. What should he see next?
The final contest seesawed back and forth for days, but in the end, Bette Davis defeated Barbara Stanwyck, 49-47, to win the 2014 Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament. I imagine she'll cherish this victory over even her two Academy Awards.
She's the tourney's fourth winner, joining Irene Dunne, Ginger Rogers and Carole Lombard in the winner's circle. Congratulations, Ms. Davis! Click here to head on over to Monty's site All Good Things and read more about it.
The final round of Monty's Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament has started over at All Good Things. Barbara Stanwyck versus Bette Davis. Davis made it to the finals last year, losing to Carole Lombard. Stanwyck was this year's pre-tourney favorite. Either would be a worthy champion.
And people wonder why I never go to reunions.
A new documentary series on the TLC cable network about real life female homicide detectives starts tonight ... I mention it because my nephew shot tonight's episode, following Jenny Luke of the Cincinnati Homicide Unit around.
"Why didn't David become a lawyer?" asked my pal bellotoot. "Can you talk to him?"
"There was just no talking sense to that boy," I told him. "He insisted on doing something he loved."
P.S. My brother also tells me that my nephew filmed a public service announcement featuring the Nigerian World Cup soccer (football) team, about the prevention of malaria. It's currently playing in Nigeria, so if you happen to be visiting there, give it a look-see.
Katie-Bar-The-Door and I continue to binge-watch cult television, following up three seasons of Veronica Mars with Joss Whedon's sci-fi western, Firefly. Set five hundred years in the future, the story centers on the Firefly-class spaceship Serenity and its crew of would-be pirates who smuggle contraband between the outlying worlds and their moons, some of them technologically advanced, others as primitive as the 19th century American West.
Nathan Fillion (TV's Castle) was the swashbuckling captain, Gina Torres his first officer, Adam Baldwin, the brawny but brainless hired muscle. The chief engineer was a fresh-face farm girl with no formal training, the pilot a loveable goof who played with toy dinosaurs.
To pay the freight, they also ferried passengers hither and yon, including a high-priced courtesan, a preacher with a shady past (Ron Glass of TV's Barney Miller), and a doctor and his mad-genius sister, the latter two fugitives from the law. A three-hour tour, it wasn't—there were no space zombie cannibals on Gilligan's Island that I can recall—but it was great fun, filled with action, witty dialogue, and more cows than you'd expect, considering how much of it took place in outer space, sort of a steampunk cross between Star Wars and The Wild, Wild West.
To say that the Fox executives who commissioned the project didn't get it would be an understatement. They took one look and promptly buried it on Friday nights where its core audience was unlikely to see it. To make matters worse, they refused to air the two-hour introductory episode, showed the rest of it out of order and pre-empted it frequently for the baseball playoffs. Premiering in September 2002, it was off the air for good by New Year's Eve.
And then like another misunderstood sci-fi classic, the show refused to die, eventually winding up in the theater as a movie. That it failed to spawn multiple sequels and spinoffs, ala Star Trek, is not to say it wasn't worthy.
The film begins six months after the television series ended. The Alliance—the not so much Evil as too well-meaning for its own good Empire that runs the known galaxy—is determined to keep its citizens happy whether they like it or not. And for reasons even she doesn't understand, the girl mad-genius is a threat to that stability. To track her down, the Alliance brings in "the Operative" (Oscar nominee Chiwetel Ejiofor), the worst kind of assassin, a true believer who wants to create a world so perfect there won't be any place in it for people like him.
This presents a problem for Captain Malcolm Reynolds. He fancies himself a hard-nosed cynic and would like to give the girl the boot, but like Humphrey Bogart in most of his good films, he always finds himself fighting for lost causes. "They'll swing back to the belief that they can make people better," he says of the Alliance. "And I do not hold to that. So no more runnin'. I aim to misbehave."
So guns blazing, he takes on the Alliance, the Operative and a horde of space zombies known as Reavers, and goes in search of an answer he's not sure he's going to like when he finds it.
If you haven't seen the series, don't fret—writer-director Joss Whedon wrote this as a stand-alone feature requiring no previous experience with the television show. Not that watching the series requires much of a commitment (there are only fourteen episodes) and doing so will add an extra layer of insight and understanding, but then maybe you aren't binge-watching fools and you're just looking for some top-notch fun-stupid. Serenity falls on the smart, fun, well-made end of the fun-stupid scale.
Note: I've written about Whedon before. Better known for Buffy the Vampire Slayer and The Avengers, his low-budget, modern dress production of William Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing was one last year's best movies. You can read my review of that one here.
No, not Florida, Kentucky, et al. Barbara Stanwyck, Bette Davis, Audrey Hepburn and Elizabeth Taylor. The voting starts Saturday at All Good Things.
Audrey Hepburn has narrowly defeated Doris Day, 65-60, to advance to the Final Four of Monty's Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tourney—and on Doris Day's 90th birthday, to boot. That's just mean!
When I know who else won, I'll let you know. Please wait by your computer with bated breath.
Here are my three favorite Alec Guinness movies. If you skipped to the end of his story, you really need to go back to the beginning.
Alec Guinness plays eight murder victims in this black comedy classic about a would-be British aristocrat determined to climb the family tree.
A caper comedy proving once again that (to very loosely paraphrase Fraiser) the only thing better than a perfect crime is a perfect crime with one tiny flaw you can pick at for the rest of the movie.
My absolute favorite Alec Guinness movie, a comedy about a painter in the single-minded pursuit of his artistic vision.
"But there have to be artists!"
"And lunatics too! But why go and live in an asylum before you're sent for?"
Katie-Bar-The-Door tells me that some of my family has been steering traffic the Monkey's way via Facebook. I'm not on Facebook myself—trust me, nobody wants to look at my face, and I'm still working on my latest book—but new readers are always welcome.
If you're here to vote in the Favorite Classic Movie Actress Tournament, click here. Otherwise, scroll on down and check out some of what the Monkey has to offer (click the highlighted links).
At last count, 78 of my reviews are linked on the Internet Movie Database. Here are three of my favorites: Broken Blossoms, City Lights, and My Man Godfrey.
There are also book reviews and theater reviews. I even reviewed a television show, once.
The eight-part, 12,000 word biography of the Marx Brothers is a bit of an-joke for longtime readers of the Monkey. But there are others almost as long. If brevity is the soul of wit, you'll find very little of it here.
Forget auteur theory, formalism, genre studies or any of that other film school claptrap, the unifying thread running through any well-rounded and not so well-rounded film education is Oscar trivia. And once you start looking at the Oscars, you can't help but argue about what the Academy got right and (more often) got wrong.
For some reason, tracing the lives of popular actors through photographs as they age from youth to old age has proved endlessly fascinating. Judging from the number of hits, the two most popular subjects are Greta Garbo and John Wayne.
Photoshop and leisure time are a bad combination.
For example, here and here.
Once in a while I write for ClassicFlix and Sharpologist.com.
Probably other stuff. I don't know, I never read it myself. Enjoy. Or not.


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Why We Incorporate Functional Ingredients Into Our CBD Products
Therapeutic benefits along with a relatively promising safety profile and nonintoxicating effect have made CBD an increasingly popular supplement for issues related to acute and chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, and insomnia.
While CBD is a powerful agent on its own, many Lazarus Naturals products incorporate a host of other functional ingredients into their formulations for even more targeted action. CBD may be the star of the show, but the addition of functional ingredients can personalize its effects to meet specific needs.
Counterirritants
The incorporation of counterirritants such as camphor, capsaicin, and menthol is the gold standard in pain-relieving topicals. These ingredients provide a tingling effect that gives way to a sensation of warmth—distracting the mind from pain shortly after applying. Counterirritants are a proven and effective method to reduce pain and discomfort, which is why we always include them to boost the therapeutic benefits of our CBD Muscle Gel and Relief + Recovery Balm.
Capsaicin is a chemical compound found in the fruit of the capsicum (more commonly known as red pepper) that has been shown to alleviate pain in muscles, joints, and nerves—as well as reduce swelling—when applied to skin. Camphor is a similar counterirritant compound derived from the camphor tree, and used topically to relieve pain, irritation, and itch. Camphor has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects when used to treat arthritis.
Menthol is a chemical derived from the mint plant that promotes deeper, easier breaths. It is characterized by an invigorating cooling sensation when applied to the skin. This icy sensation can be effective for calming skin irritations and easing any associated pain or tension. Similarly, eucalyptus has a crisp, sweet, minty-pine scent—promoting easier breathing via bronchodilation (i.e., opening of the lungs). It has also been shown to have an analgesic effect if applied topically, making it a great ingredient for products crafted for pain relief.
Capsaicin, camphor, and menthol are incorporated into our CBD Muscle Gel and Relief + Recovery Balm—while eucalyptus is specific to the CBD Muscle Gel.
Sleep Promoters
CBD can be combined with known sleep promoters for increased relaxation before bed to promote better rest. Lazarus Naturals Relax Capsules, Sleep Capsules, and Relax + Unwind Balm all incorporate a blend of functional ingredients—including chamomile flower, lavender, lemon balm, passion flower, ashwagandha, and melatonin—known to support sleep. Paired with full spectrum or CBD isolate, these relaxing combinations work to naturally increase production of vital sleep neurotransmitters and hormones (such as GABA and melatonin) and reduce anxiety before bed for a more restful night.
Chamomile is a traditional herb widely used in teas to help people relax and fall asleep. It acts as a mild sedative to calm nerves and lower anxiety. Studies suggest that the sedating effect of chamomile may be due to a flavonoid, apigenin, which binds to benzodiazepine receptors in the brain. Lavender is a natural herb historically and frequently used to reduce stress and anxiety, mainly attributable to the high levels of the terpene linalool. Lemon balm and passion flower are natural herbs used for centuries to aid with relieving stress, anxiety, and restlessness before sleep. Ashwagandha is a natural evergreen shrub that has demonstrated similar calming effects, and has been shown to reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol. Melatonin is a natural hormone that helps regulate your sleep-wake cycle and one of the most commonly incorporated functional ingredients in sleep therapies today.
Energy Promoters
Coffee isn't the only thing you can use to get your day started! Lazarus Naturals Energy Capsules pair THC free CBD isolate with supplemental ingredients—like caffeine (sourced from green coffee beans for a more balanced, less intense boost), vitamins B12 and B6, L-theanine (an energizing compound found in dark chocolate), rhodiola rosea (an herb found at higher altitudes that's been used for centuries to combat stress), and cordyceps—for sustained focus and energy.
Caffeine is a naturally occurring stimulant that is commonly used to fight sleepiness and promote alertness. Some studies have suggested that caffeine increases adrenaline and overall brain activity. Most commonly associated with coffee, caffeine is also found in other plants such as yerba mate and guayusa.
L-theanine is a naturally occurring amino acid that can be found in green tea, black tea, and some mushrooms. It has been shown to affect chemicals in the brain that influence mood, sleep, emotion, and cortisol. It is primarily used to increase mental focus, aid in relaxation, and increase cognitive performance.
Vitamins B12 and B6 have been shown to boost energy, improve memory, and prevent heart disease. Both are essential to brain function and are crucial for maintaining the integrity and health of the nervous and immune systems.
Rhodiola rosea is an herb that helps us to react and adapt more readily when faced with physical, chemical, and environmental stress. It's been used to help relieve anxiety, depression, fatigue, and headaches.
Cordyceps mushrooms are a traditional medicine that have become increasingly popular in modern health regimens. Reportedly excellent for fighting fatigue, the natural energy boosters have also been reported to offer antioxidants and anti-inflammatory benefits.
Other Ingredients That Improve Functionality of Lazarus Naturals CBD
Permeation Enhancers
Permeation enhancers allow CBD to absorb past the skin layer more easily. Terpenes such as camphor, pinene, and limonene are each naturally effective permeation enhancers. We incorporate these and similar enhancers to ensure as much CBD as possible can cross the skin barrier to reach the deeper muscles, fascia, and joints. Permeation enhancers also reduce time taken for maximum levels of CBD to accumulate within the body.
It's been shown that co-administration of CBD with lipids (i.e. fats or oils) significantly increases the amount of active CBD absorbed by the body. Softgels are formulated with organic flaxseed oil and organic coconut MCT oil to boost the bioavailability of the cannabinoids and to ensure maximum potency.
Moisturizing Agents
Several types of moisturizing agents can be used as methods for administering CBD topically. Different moisturizers offer various consistencies and textures, with each specializing in its own use cases. CBD Body Lotions are made with organic mango butter and aloe, for non-greasy application that absorbs quickly. CBD Balms include organic beeswax and lanolin (a permeation enhancer) for a more concentrated formulation, ideal for targeting specific areas in need of relief. While the smoothest, most massage-worthy experience can be found in our USDA Certified Organic CBD Body + Massage Oil—another great daily moisturizer option that leverages deeply hydrating jojoba and almond oils.
About the Reviewer
Dylan Summers — VP of Government Affairs at Lazarus Naturals
Throughout his time in the industry, Dylan has performed the role of salesman, processing technician, project manager, and interim roles in marketing and finance. Today, as VP of Government Affairs at Lazarus Naturals, he primarily assists with navigating the policy and compliance realms on federal and state levels—interfacing with various boards, committees, and associations concerning industrial hemp and lobbying efforts. In his role as the founding member and President of the Association of Western Hemp Professionals, he advocates with business allies across five states for hemp and hemp-adjacent operations. As a technical advisor, he recently was able to help land a historic $10 million grant from the USDA that will help define economic opportunities for hemp in the western United States. As an invaluable generalist, Dylan serves as the Director on the board of the Industrial Hemp Association of Washington in addition to representing us on the Cannabis Committee of the American Herbal Products Association.
From a humble start in farmers markets to the industry leader we are today, Lazarus Naturals was founded on the belief that CBD should be affordable, effective, and accessible to all. Since 2014 we've crafted products of the highest quality at the lowest cost by handling everything ourselves—from our sunny Central Oregon farm to your front door. Being vertically integrated means we oversee each step of the process, from seed to sale, so you know what you're getting. (Among 111 CBD companies recently tested, Leafreport found our labels to be the most accurate in the industry.) The Lazarus Naturals Assistance Program is at the heart of who we are as a company and offers 60% off to veterans, individuals on long-term disability, and low-income households. As the brand that's "Made to Work. Made for All." we are proud to offer products that are vegan, kosher, and USDA Certified Organic. With cGMP, B Corp, and Leaping Bunny certifications, customers can rest assured we'll never place profits over our purpose, our people, or our planet. ...
Jose Munoz-NievesJanuary 26, 2022
Thanks, very informative
DonnaJanuary 26, 2022
I love this article. As I have trouble with sleep and chronic pain so it's good to know some products to use besides what I'm already doing. Thank you Lazarus Naturals!
Vickie CosgroveJanuary 25, 2022
As always, whether I am on the phone or reading Lazarus Naturals is an awesome product grown made and sold by WONDERFUL PEOPLE!!! So blessed to be a part of the Lazarus family!!!
Jim CoatesOctober 23, 2021
This kind of information is exactly why I am a Lazarus Naturals customer. This is a new and emerging field, and I feel that Lazarus Naturals helps me keep on top of advances, as well as giving me information to make the best decisions for myself.
Dennis October 22, 2021
Excellent article and very informative. I absolutely enjoyed reading it and learning more than I expected.


text:
Treason trial opens for Cambodia opposition leader
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha's treason trial began under heavy security in Phnom Penh
The treason trial of Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha opened Wednesday, more than two years after his arrest in a case decried by his family as a "farce" and described by the US as politically motivated.
The 66-year-old co-founded the now-banned Cambodia National Rescue Party, once considered the sole viable opponent to the ruling Cambodian People's Party (CPP) led by strongman premier Hun Sen -- who has ruled Cambodia with an iron fist for 35 years.
Sokha was arrested in 2017 and his party dissolved ahead of widely criticised elections the following year -- leaving the CPP to canter to victory virtually uncontested.
The opposition leader was first detained in a remote prison then placed under house arrest before his bail conditions were relaxed in November last year.
"I haven't committed any acts... detrimental to the national interests," Sokha said in a statement posted on his official Facebook page as the court sat.
"My political activities were focused on the participation in free, fair and just elections."
He stands accused of conspiring in a "secret plan" with foreign entities to overthrow the government, according to court documents -- charges he vehemently denies.
If convicted, he faces up to 30 years in jail.
Police surrounded the Phnom Penh court on Wednesday morning as Sokha arrived for hearings.
Reporters and human rights monitors were barred from entering the court, with the limited seating reserved for foreign diplomats and relatives.
Kem Sokha's daughter Kem Monovithya on Wednesday decried the proceedings.
"This whole ordeal is a farce," she told AFP.
"It is damaging to Cambodia's image. We hope he will be acquitted, so Cambodia can begin to get back on a democratic path."
Amnesty International called the trial "a mockery of justice", while the US State Department has said the charges "appear to be politically motivated".
Due to concerns over human rights, the European Union is reviewing whether Cambodia should be withdrawn from a tariff- and duty-free scheme.
If axed, it could deal a blow worth billions to the kingdom's lucrative garment sector.
While preferential access to Western markets is essential for some sectors, the kingdom's economy has been pumped up on Chinese investment and soft loans -- delivered without questions over rights and democracy.
To relieve international pressure, the government may reach for a compromise solution to the Sokha issue, according to political analyst Ou Virak.
This could come in the form of a royal pardon if Kem Sokha is convicted, he said.
Cambodian opposition leader Kem Sokha has denied conspiring to overthrow the government
Trump Hails Musk, 'Very Disappointed' in Boeing: Davos Update
Jess Phillips Endorses Lisa Nandy In Labour Leadership Contest


To pass the course, you must have passed the assignments (labs) and have passed the exam (see more information). For the exam, the only permitted material is a dictionary.
Some previous exams are available below for reference.
Q1 : (a) The scenario q1, q2, p1, q1 gives n=0 at the end. The scenario p1, q1, q2, p2, p1, q1 gives n=1 at the end.
Q2 : The abbreviated version leaves out p1, q1, p4 and q4. Each state now shows where the program counters of p and q are, and the values of wantp and wantq. Draw the state diagram and show there is no state with p5 and q5.
Q3 : (a) The state diagram is on p108 of the text-book (b) the definitions of wait and signal are on p109 and p110. (c) See algorithm 6.8 on p119.
Q4 : (a) See p 161. (b). eating(i) becomes true only by executing takeForks(i) completely, or by by being unblocked in releaseForks(i+1) or releaseForks(i-1). In both cases, we have fork[i].
Q5 & Q6 : These are programming problems, not involving formal reasoning.
Q7 : (a) the processes can livelock, looping p- to p3 and q- to q3. The invariant is that exactly one of C, Lp and Lq is true, (b) We did this in class, in my 3rd lecture. If p does not progress, Lp must be false. So q must progress, and will then set C to true. Assuming fairness, p must then progress.
The list above will give you a pretty good idea what to expect from an exam. Of course, the course has been run by different teachers and each of them has its own style. If you still want more exams, you can get a copy of them from the Studieexpedition. The structure of the exam and the type of questions is not drastically changing throughout the years. It is true that the used programming languages can be different but the problems the past exams ask to solve are relevant.


Carnegie Hall offers various options for rental space. A gem in the heart of Lewisburg, Carnegie Hall symbolizes the community commitment to the arts. From meetings to holiday parties, we invite you to take the stage and let Carnegie Hall be the picturesque backdrop for your next gathering.
Say "I Do" at Carnegie. Carnegie Hall offers tailored rental packages that fit the budget of every bride. Call today and speak with the Rental Coordinator to schedule a private tour of the facility. After all, A Historic Occasion deserves A Historic Location.
The following spaces are ideally suited to foster the most successful affairs. For information regarding rental availability and rates, please contact Carnegie Hall at 304-645-7917 or email inquiries to info@carnegiehallwv.org.
Public events sponsored by outside organizations must be consistent with the mission of Carnegie Hall. Carnegie Hall's facilities are available at the discretion of the Executive Director for rental for private functions to which the general public is not invited.
The auditorium is the home to many performances, including our Mainstage Series. This location is a popular spot for musical acts, magic shows, presentations and conferences. It is accommodating yet intimate and has incredible acoustics.
Hardwood floors, direct access to Church Street and accenting art exhibits denote this space. A great and popular spot for parties and receptions of all kinds. Terrific to use in conjunction with the kitchen and Ivy Terrace.
Both of the classrooms include chalk boards or white boards for instruction.
Equipped with mirrors and a tile floor, this large and open space is used weekly for dance classes and has been rented for special events, including children's birthday parties.
The Kellar Art Studio includes ample work space and the room is filled with sun from a wonderful sky light.
Our fully equipped Pottery Studio contains all the essentials for wheel throwing and hand building: work stations, pottery wheels, shelving, a kiln room, etc. and is a private space with its own entrance from the alley. Additional rental requirements may apply.
The Mezzanine Room is located between the first and second floors and is accessible by the elevator or stairwell. This space is a great learning environment.
Even if you don't have a performance scheduled, this is a great meeting place with a comfortable atmosphere and sofa seating. The Green Room is a private space with direct access to restrooms.
Located adjacent to the main Auditorium of Carnegie Hall, the Museum Gallery is home to incredible art exhibits. This is a wonderful place for a reception or meeting and can be used alone or in conjunction with an event in the auditorium.
This outdoor space is great for weddings, receptions, and performances in seasonable weather. The Terrace is accented by a fountain created by local artist Sassi Harel, beautiful landscaping, and a brick patio.


text:
How to Get the Absolute Most Out of Your Dildo
Who knew a simple sex toy could be used in such creative ways?
By Hannah Smothers
If you're even remotely acquainted with the human anatomy, a dildo seems pretty self-explanatory. Much like their IRL counterparts, dildos don't have any fancy bells or whistles like most vibrators do. It's just, uh, well—it's a dick. A plastic dick.
Sex Talk Realness: Sex Toys
But don't let that bore you. Instead, think of dildos as a blank canvas upon which to explore all your sex toy dreams. Whether you're a certified dildo enthusiast or on the brink of buying your very first one, here's everything you could possibly need to know about how to use a dildo.
The dildo basics
Step 1: Acquire the correct size dildo
Like penises, dildos come in all shapes and sizes. All that variety exists for a reason: This is basically your only chance to find the perfect peen and usher it into your life via your wallet.
When it comes to size (which refers to both length and girth), it's better to start small and then work your way up, says Dulcinea Pitagora, a psychotherapist and sex therapist. "You can get more pleasure from larger sizes when you're more aroused," Pitagora says.
That said, if you're someone who knows you prefer a wider girth, go forth and buy a wider dildo. Or if you plan on using it for anal stimulation, find a shape that's narrow at the end and gets wider toward the base.
Step 2: Consider the material
Unlike penises, dildos come in a variety of materials. "They can be expensive, but it's worth investing in the best quality dildo that you can afford, because it will last longer in the end," Pitagora says.
Body-safe silicone is your best bet, since it's non-porous and easiest to clean (you can sterilize it by putting it in boiling water). But if you want something that looks like modern art and feels extremely smooth, or you're into temperature play, you can also buy a glass one or a metal one.
Pitagora also recommends taking a close look at where the dildo's bumps and ridges are (if any): Does this particular model have a totally smooth shaft, or a ridgy one? And do you think your vagina will like that?
"There's no right or wrong in choosing textures and shapes," Pitagora says. "I recommend going to a sex toy store and feeling a variety of them. Follow your instinct toward one you're drawn to. Or take your time shopping online, and try to order from a site with reviews so you can read how others have experienced the product."
Step 3: Lube it up
You can basically use a dildo however you please: During masturbation and/or during partnered sex, so long as you have consent. In all cases, use lube. Even if your selected D is slick, lubricant will only make it slicker and help stimulate arousal for you, whether you're solo or with someone else. In other words, don't sleep on dildo lubrication!
Just a List of Ways to Use Lube During Sex
Step 4: Use it the right way
If this is a dildo you plan to use with multiple partners, put a condom on it the same way you would an IRL penis.
"You absolutely must use a condom on your dildo if it's made from porous materials," adds Dr. Deb Laino, a sex therapist and sex educator. So, if it's made out of a squishy jelly-like material, wrap it up. Otherwise, you could be putting you or your partner at risk of infection or STIs.
8 Genius New Ways to Use Your Sex Toys
The other, equally important dildo rule is the same one that applies to all sex toy use: If it's that's just been in an anus, do NOT put it in a vagina or mouth. The bacteria that lives in/on one body part can be transferred to other body parts, which can lead to an infection. That's why it's crucial to fully clean a dildo before using it for different purposes or with different partners.
Step 5: Clean the dildo
Silicone dildos have the added bonus of easy cleaning, because you can just throw 'em in boiling water for a few minutes and voila, clean. Dr. Laino says glass, metal, plastic, or skin-safe rubber dildos can be washed using warm water and a mild, unscented soap. No matter the material, make sure your dildo is thoroughly dried before putting it away to avoid (gag alert) mold.
How to Have Sex With a Double-Sided Dildo
Follow Hannah on Twitter.
Hannah Smothers Hannah writes about health, sex, and relationships for Cosmopolitan, and you can follow her on Twitter and Instagram.
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I know it took a while for this chapter to come out but it's finally out. This chapter is short but very funny. I hope you enjoy it. Don't forget to comment and share with your friends. Thank you for reading. For those joining us today, here's a link to the first chapter.
Let's also show some love to the Author of this book (Yemisi Erinle) by visiting her blog. She has other stories and some poems on her blog.
Greg let out a fake grin at his date. It hurt his head making conversation with a girl with no brains, but he knew how to stay afloat with a word or two. Usually Thelma didn't even let him hook up with such girls so he was out of practice but since she was away for the weekend, he was free to do whatever he wanted… especially when it involved girls which rich dark skin like he had— they weren't so easy to find where he stayed.
"They'd probably think we're brother and sister." Greg joked as his date smiled back at him. He hated starting conversation when there was nothing to say.
What kind of one-liner was that? He ruined it before anything had even started— he was pretty sure of it.
His date's mischievous face looked totally out of place with the grin she had on.
Greg chuckled, but not nervously this time. Her hands wrapped around his waist from behind as she pressed her frame tightly on his.
"Errr…" he usually got uncomfortable with girls that needed to justify their history, asides the struggle to believe if they were actually telling the truth.
Greg moved towards the nearest seat and plopped on it. This was too much to take standing. His date took it as a cue to switch to story-mode.
His date gasped in shock and picked up her purse, slamming the door behind her as she left. Greg sunk deeper into the couch, cursing under his breath.
But even with that, he couldn't wait to tell her his ordeal.
She was going to have a laughing fit… and tell Ivy.
He'd be hearing about this for months.


Download Galaxy Note 9 with S-Pen Mockup for Free. This Samsung Galaxy note 9 mockup is available for free to download.
Galaxy Note 9 with S-pen Mockup is based on smart objects. You can easily place your design via smart object.


Dental implants are available in a range of materials. While the quality of your implant is the main factor in the pricing of these tooth replacement plans, the material used is extremely important to ensure successful implant placement. Titanium has been used in bone repair treatments for years, and it is highly biocompatible, making it the ideal material for implants. Titanium is still the most frequently recommend material. For patients who have allergies or sensitivities to metal, zirconia is becoming a very popular implant option. This quality solutions is also lighter in color, so you don't have to worry about your implant showing when you smile.
Because dental implant posts replace the lost root structures of teeth, the resultant restoration looks, feels, and functions more like your natural smile. The artificial root structure provides the necessary support for replacement teeth and offers stimulation to maintain jawbone density and gum tissue volume, preserving your full, healthy facial shape.
By recreating the natural tooth structures, implant supported replacement teeth also improve overall oral health. They don't rely on healthy oral structures for support like traditional replacements. Additionally, they help to preserve healthy gum and jawbone tissue more like your natural smile. For those patients who still have healthy teeth, this reduces risk for additional tooth loss.
Most tooth replacement options will need to be replaced every five to ten years. Dental implants typically last two or more decades before they need to be repaired or replaced. Many patients keep the same implant supported replacement tooth for the rest of their lives.
At Boston Smile Center of Brookline, Dr. Alan Sasson and his team are happy to offer quality, safe, and effective dental implant supported tooth replacement plans. Dr. Sasson has years of advanced training and experience providing oral Implantology services. Whether you're missing a single tooth or your complete smile, our team will partner with you to create a treatment plan to fully renew your healthy, functional smile. Give our trusted implant dentist and dental care team a call today to schedule your tooth replacement consultation.


Verbal communication is vitally important as it keeps information flowing throughout all Businesses. No Matter whether communicating with colleagues, customers, or suppliers, Business teams should be focused on the message, not the Delivery.
Enterprise-grade voice solutions are easy-to-use, work within your existing communications, and are so clear that everyone can hear. No matter where they are, Polycom Products keep businesses connected and productive.


Pigs are reared in Holfirth so local to us based in Huddersfield , we are a small family business .
We have four menu options and can cater for vegetarian ( ie home made quiche ,Frittarta ) and gluten free guests also as standard we use Brioche buns or we can supply floured white baps too apple sause and stuffing is standard.
We can supply a self serve option which is good fun , we give you some tips and leave you to it , but we are at the end of the phone if needed.


WE ARE LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO HANDLE SIGNAGE AND ADVERTISING FOR THE 2019 YEAR.
Please contact Shellee Tylenda if you are interesting in helping out with the community event.
To participate just place balloons on your mailbox post!
Children under the age of 12 are NOT PERMITTED to fish in the retention pond without adult supervision. Please remember these are resident's properties and should not be trespassed on unless given permission by the homeowner. Kindly clean up after yourself. Thank You!!
▶PLEASE COME TO A COMPLETE STOP at all stop signs in the neighborhood. There are a lot of small children out playing so take extra care when driving and encourage your teen drivers to do the same. Use extra caution when driving around parked care and if at all possible avoid parking on the streets.
▶Keeping your Dusk-to-Dawn lights in working order is a good measure to deter crime. Also flood lights around your house can help. Let your neighbors know when you will be traveling this summer to help them keep a watchful eye on your premises.
Our designated date for trash pick-up is Wednesday. HEAVY TRASH is the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Please only put out trash the night before or morning of pick-up.