10 Bewitching Places To Visit In Lithuania On Your Vacation!
10 Top-Rated Places To Visit In Lithuania For All Travelers!
Lithuania is a country that is located on the southernmost part of Europe's Baltic State. There are ample places that must be visited in this country. The 18th-century cathedral is the most attractive place in this country. It has attracted a lot of people for a long time. Lithuanian is the most commonly used language in this country. But the people of this land are well known with English. During the early days, Lithuania had a very powerful empire during the 14th and 16th centuries. Russia occupied Lithuania during 1795 and so this country faced several problems. Vilnius is the most prosperous capital of Lithuania. It is also a very flourishing place and is quite well known for its natural beauties. There are some beautiful places to visit in Lithuania that all adventure seekers must visit. So, get packed and leave right away!
Let's focus on some of the most attractive places to visit in Lithuania. You will really love to know and gather information about the chief features of these places. Even the exact address must be known correctly.
It is an island that is located in Trakai. It is a stone castle and the construction of this castle began during the 14th century. It was in 1409 when the construction work ended, but still, some works were still left. Kestutis was the main founder of this castle. This castle must be visited by the tourists. You should go to the best places to visit in Lithuania.
Timings: 10 AM -7 PM.
It is a pilgrimage point and so many people from various corners of the world come here. There is a big open land and it is full of greenery. This place is actually located on the northern part of Lithuania. The main attraction of this place is crosses and crucifixes. In addition to this, you will also notice a statue of the Virgin Mary. Come and explore the top places to visit in Lithuania.
This castle is the remaining part of the upper castle of Vilnius, Lithuania. This castle has three floors. It is well maintained till this date and this is the main attraction among the tourists. The symbol of the Gediminas Tower is said to be very historical. It is also said to be a great archaeological site. Many renowned historians have visited this place and gathered ample information. So it is one of the best places to visit in Lithuania.
The other name of this area is Sharp Gate and it is the main gate of the city of Vilnius. There are ample religious and cultural monuments found in this place. This gate was constructed between 1503-1522. However, it went much renovation work, but still, now, it has retained its beauty to a great extent. If you are visiting Lithuania for the first time, then this place must be seen.
This place is the neighborhood of Vilnius. It is also recognized by UNESCO as the World Heritage Site. There is a great historical significance of this place. The term "Uzupis" connotes beyond the river or the other side of the river. In fact, Vilnia River flows through this place and so the name is given. Vilnius was the name that was derived from the Vilnia River.
It is a very old Roman Catholic Church that is located in the old city of Vilnius. The church is exactly located on the bank of the Vilnia River. It is also a prominent landmark of Vilnius. People from all over the world, mostly come to this place for exploring its beauty and history. It is also a great example of Gothic architecture. The design of the church is really mind-blowing. The church was opened in the year 1500. You will really feel nice once reaching this church.
Previously it was the museum of Genocide victims, but slowly it turned into this museum. This museum has a huge collection of documents that are related to the 50-year occupation of Lithuania. It is located in the KGB headquarters and so the other name of this building is KGB building. Each and everything in this museum is very well maintained. If you have a keen interest to know about the history, then this museum must be visited.
It is one of the five National parks that were established in the year 1991 to preserve the ecosystem of Curonian Lagoon. It is a great protected area and is quite important. In each and every corner of the park, you will notice boards that clearly state everything. It must be visited mandatorily. The whole park is protected by the State. Any type of human activity is strictly provided inside the park apart from minute observations. All the restrictions must be maintained at any cost.
It is a lake that is situated in the Trakai area of Lithuania. There are about 21 islands in this lake. There are some small ruins of the Orthodox Church that can be found in this place. There are some lakes that surround the castle on all sides. This place is also ideal for boating and so people can hire a boat and take around. You will really enjoy the whole ambiance of this place. The blue river is also amazing. The lake is very close to the Trakai Castle. You should include the visit to this lake during your trip to Lithuania. You will feel happy under the clear sky.
It is a very prominent monument of Vilnius. This is also known as Bald Hill. History reveals the fact that Seven Franciscan Friars was beheaded at the top of this hill. It was really a very tragic scene and there are ample stories regarding this fact. There are wooden crosses that are built in this location during the 17th century. However, this place was again renovated several times. In the year 1950, the monument was demolished by the Soviet Union and it was again rebuilt. The rebuilt monument is about 1.8 meters.
Lithuania is really a very amazing place. There are many histories that must be revealed in this place. Apart from this, there are many facts about World War II that should also be known. In fact, the museums of Lithuania provide much amazing information about history. Entire Lithuania is very beautiful with natural beauties. You will be really happy to see the entire Lithuania. There are some countries that border Lithuania. So politically there is a great significance in this country. So, get packed and book your customize your international trip with TravelTriangle right away!


text:
Opening Day Crowd Shows Growing Support for Single-Payer in Oregon
An Oregon house bill sponsored by Rep. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, is not expected to pass, but advocates claim momentum
Nearly a thousand people swarmed the front of the Oregon Capitol Building for the opening session Monday, demanding that Oregon become the second state to enact single-payer healthcare legislation, which would set up a government financing system to pay for and provide health care coverage and access for all Oregon residents.
Protestors at the Health Care for All Oregon rally hoisted signs, listened to speeches, heard woeful tales of the current health care system, and sang along to bluesman Norman Sylvester: �I don�t care what party you�re in, Democrat or Republican, we don�t need to fight, healthcare is a human right.�
�The brother said we don�t need a fight, but they�re going to fight us,� said Rep. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, leading the crowd. Dembrow is the chief sponsor of the single-payer legislation, House Bill 1914. �We don�t necessarily need to fight back, we need to organize. Let�s go forward and organize this state, everybody in, nobody out.�
Dembrow said HB 1914 and companion legislation in the Senate already had 19 co-sponsors, all Democrats � eight more sponsors than its predecessor from the last session, HB 3510.
One of those new sponsors, Rep. Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland, said she supported the legislation because her sister was one of the thousands of Oregonians who each year file for bankruptcy under the weight of medical bills.
�I�ve been a legislator for three weeks now,� Williamson said. �The first bill I signed onto as chief legislator was a bill for universal healthcare.�
Dr. Paul Gorman, a member of Physicians for a National Health Program, said he ran a free clinic where a man came in complaining of pain in his abdomen. The man had no insurance and he put off seeing a doctor for a long time, allowing his pain to get worse and worse. �By the time he came to see us, his liver cancer was advanced, and he died.� Gorman said 500 Oregonians die each year because they don�t have insurance.
Health Care for All Oregon argued that while the Affordable Care Act signed into law by President Obama in 2010 does improve access for some people � expanding Medicaid and offering private health insurance subsidies to others � the single-payer advocates said the reforms were inadequate and would do little to rein in skyrocketing costs.
Single-payer healthcare would work similar to Medicare, with a single government fund paid for through taxes rather than paying premiums to several private companies.
HB 1914 isn�t expected to pass the Legislature or even come to the floor for a vote this session. But Dembrow expected to double the number of legislative sponsors and asked everyone in the crowd to lobby their representatives to support single-payer, hoping to find three more legislators by the end of the day.
The number of sponsors didn�t immediately grow to the goal of 22 legislators, but Marissa Johnson, an aide for Dembrow said they hoped to exceed that goal by the end of the week.
�We have interest from more than a handful of representatives and [Dembrow] will be following up with them today,� Johnson said.
Dembrow said at the rally he expected a million votes would be needed to pass a statewide measure while withstanding millions of dollars of negative advertising from groups like the for-profit private health insurance industry, which would be cut out of healthcare under the proposed system.
�The real work is not going to be done inside this building,� he said. �It�s going to be solved by a million people in Oregon, organized.�
�I think it�s going to take a lot of people stepping outside their comfort zones,� said Rio Davidson of Newport, who volunteered at the end of the rally handing out lists of legislators and asking people to contact their representatives. �Unfortunately, a lot of people who want single-payer are working low-wage jobs.�
Longtime advocate Betty Johnson said afterward that 60 organizations had been involved in the Health Care for All Oregon rally, and the group had recently hired a full-time field organizer. �Absolutely we are growing. We are organizing a number of chapters throughout the state,� she said.
Gov. John Kitzhaber has not shown support for single-payer, putting his energies instead into implementing a private health insurance exchange and transforming the healthcare delivery system through coordinated care organizations. Despite his position, Johnson said she hoped he would meet with single-payer advocates to discuss how it could work in tandem with the CCO model.
�He�s strengthening the delivery system,� Johnson said. �We really want to change the financing system. When we pass single-payer, the CCO system will work alongside it.�
Dembrow said there are restrictions in the federal Affordable Care Act that prevent states from passing single-payer laws without special permission before 2017. He lamented the added restriction, but said it also gave single-payer supporters three years to build support, get better organized, and develop a plan that would work for Oregon.
The state of Vermont enacted single-payer legislation in 2011 to cover all of its residents, but funding mechanisms are still being worked out and the state will also have to wait until 2017 to receive federal waivers.
Dembrow is introducing a second bill this session that would call on the Legislature to support a formal study of how single-payer would work in Oregon. Activists on Monday called on supporters to ask their legislators for public money, but Johnson said Dembrow believes the study could be paid for with private money.
These Health Law Bets Are No Figure Of Speech
UnitedHealthcare Pledges To Keep Popular Coverage,...
Crisis = Opportunity for Single-Payer
How the Insurer Knows You Just Stocked Up on Ice C...
Governors' D.C. Summit Dominated By Medicaid And T...
Hospitals Clamp Down On Early Elective Births
More Answers To Your Questions About The Health Ca...
Hospital Observation Units Fill Gaps, But Patients...
Jill-Care: Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan K...
Medical Waste: 90 More Don'ts For Your Doctor
Hispanic Heritage Month and Community Health Centers
Why The Hospital Wants The Pharmacist To Be Your C...
Don't Count On Extra Weight To Help You In Old Age
Thousands Of Hospitals Face Penalties For High Rea...
HealthMap Vaccine Finder: Helping Adults Find the ...
Lab Findings Support Provocative Theory On Cancer ...
Cancer Patient Gets Help From 'Bake Sale' And Aetn...
Need A Price For A Hip Operation? Good Luck With That
Hanging A Price Tag On Radiology Tests Didn't Chan...
Isbah-Care: Getting Health Coverage as a Young Adult
Health Care Law Saves Seniors Billions on Prescrip...
Magnets May Pull Kids With Sunken Chests Out Of Op...
Opening Day Crowd Shows Growing Support for Single...
Court's Ruling May Blunt Reach of the Health Law
Teaming Up with WebMD to Take Your Questions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Separating from a partner and ending a relationship is a very difficult time for everyone involved. There are some things you need to know about how to apply for divorce that will help you in making this transition a bit easier to undertake.
Before you can apply for divorce, you and your partner need to have been separated for at least 12 months. You will also need to provide some information to show that there is no reasonable likelihood that you can work out your issues and get back together. For marriages that are under two years, the Court requires you to attend counselling first or file an application with the Court as to why you cannot attend counselling. Reasons for the Court allowing you to skip the counselling can include where there is family violence in the relationship.
If you have separated from your partner but have continued living in the same house with them for a period, you will need to provide some extra information with your application. The Court will want to know about your sleeping arrangements, whether you divided up any financial accounts and if you continued going to family outings together and doing things around the house for each other. You should also be able to explain why you continued living in the same house and if you are going to be moving to another residence.
The application can be lodged online or you can post the documents to the Family Law Registry so they can file it. The cost of filing for divorce is $1200. However, you may be eligible for a lower fee of $280 if you meet certain criteria. The requirements to be eligible for a reduced fee include if you hold a concession card, have been granted LegalAid or receive youth allowance. You can also apply for the reduced fee if your income and expenses would mean the full fee would leave you in financial hardship. You can pay the fee online, in person via EFTPOS, by a cheque or money order or by credit card.
After you have sent in the application for divorce, you will need to attend a divorce hearing. You must attend the hearing if you filed the application yourself or if you and your partner have children under 18. At the hearing, you will be asked some questions by the Registrar about your application. If you do have children under 18, they will ask you more questions about the arrangements you both have made for the children, such as where they will live. If the Registrar is under the impression that you have met all of the requirements for divorce, then the Court will accept your application and grant you a divorce. The divorce is then made final one month and one day later.


From humble beginnings in Chicago, Jim Moran's entrepreneurial spirit came alive when he began selling soda pop at sandlot baseball games at the age of seven. As he neared adulthood in 1939, he saved $360 to buy a Sinclair gas station, soon turning it into the highest volume and most profitable Sinclair station in Chicago. His skill and innovation in advertising and marketing helped him build his Hudson and then Ford dealerships into the world's largest. He was a pioneer in the use of television to sell cars, and came to be known as "Jim Moran the Courtesy Man." He became the only automobile dealer ever to be featured on the cover of TIME magazine on March 24, 1961.
After leaving Chicago to retire in Florida to battle – and win – a diagnosis of cancer, he was approached by Toyota Motor Sales with the possibility of distributing Toyotas. On October 26, 1968, during his first visit to Japan, Jim was awarded the franchise to distribute Toyotas and Southeast Toyota Distributors was born. Other automotive-related businesses followed, including parent company JM Family Enterprises. Now one of the largest, most innovative and diversified companies in the automotive industry, learn more about JM Family.
Jim Moran was presented with the prestigious Horatio Alger Award in 1996. In 1997, Florida State University awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters to Jim Moran to recognize his marketing talent and skills. On October 11, 2005, Jim Moran was inducted into the Automotive Hall of Fame in Dearborn, Michigan. It is the highest honor bestowed in the international motor vehicle industry and is reserved for those who have significantly influenced the automotive industry and are distinguished for their creativity, toil and genius.
In December 2015, Jan Moran and The Jim Moran Foundation committed $100 million to FSU – the largest gift in the university's history – to expand the Jim Moran Institute's operations statewide and create the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship.
Learn more about Jim Moran's legacy of giving.
Founded in 2000 by automotive pioneer Jim Moran, the mission of the Jim Moran Foundation is to improve the quality of life for the youth and families of Florida through the support of innovative programs and opportunities that meet the ever-changing needs of the community. For further information, visit the Jim Moran Foundation website or call 954-429-2122.


With the food colourings from Brauns-Heitmann, I can conjure up colourful cakes, creams, and other sweet treats with ease.
Take a peek at my baking ideas to see what these can look like!
For a beautiful rose red and your loved ones.
Flavourless food colouring powder free of azo dyes.
A sunny greeting for all.
For little hoppers and much more.
For the peg leg and treasure chest.
Please observe the recommended dosage on the package.


The conceptual models of the com¬puter scholastic programs.
Home Archive 2005 Year Issue №7 The conceptual models of the com¬puter scholastic programs.
Three conceptual models of the computer scholastic programs are considered. The first is founded on use the information approach and is oriented on building of the CBI programs. Rests are founded on idea of the artificial intelligence. It Is Described main variants and generalized structures of the models. It is shown that forerunner in realization more simply; however, realiza¬tion of the knowledge-based computer scholastic pro¬grams provides the more qualitative process of the edu¬cation.


text:
Southern Jewish Life
Jewish Louisiana
Jewish Alabama
Jewish NW Florida
Jewish Mississippi
Shaya's Engel wins James Beard Rising Star award
The streak continued for the team at New Orleans' noted Israeli restaurant, Shaya, at the James Beard Awards on May 1. Zachary Engel, Sh...
The streak continued for the team at New Orleans' noted Israeli restaurant, Shaya, at the James Beard Awards on May 1.
Zachary Engel, Shaya chef de cuisine, won the James Beard Award for the U.S. Rising Star Chef.
The award is presented to "a chef age 30 or younger who displays an impressive talent and who is likely to make a significant impact on the industry in years to come."
Last year, Shaya was named the nation's Best New Restaurant at the James Beard Awards, and in 2015 Shaya founder Alon Shaya was named Best Chef, South.
Engel grew up in Orlando, the son of a rabbi. While attending Tulane, he decided to become a chef, cooking at Tulane Hillel. As a senior, he worked as a pastry assistant at Domenica, which Shaya led.
After graduating in 2010, he worked for long-time friend Michael Solomonov at Zahav in Philadelphia, and spent some time at Catit Restaurant in Tel Aviv.
By coincidence, one of the other four nominees for Rising Star Chef was Camille Cogswell, pastry chef at Zahav, while Solomonov took home the national Outstanding Chef award.
He returned to New Orleans after a stint in northern California, working at Gautreau's. He had the idea of starting an Israeli restaurant in New Orleans, but instead, he became part of the team opening Shaya in late 2014.
Last April, Engel was part of a Partnership2Gether trip to Israel with the Jewish Federation of Greater New Orleans. The mission, celebrating the 20th anniversary of Partnership2Gether, started with all 43 communities from around the world visiting New Orleans' partner community, Rosh Ha'Ayin, for a New Orleans-style party. Engel and Chris Lusk were the chefs for the event, and over the next week they taught seminars in Rosh Ha'Ayin and experienced Israeli cuisine.
They also had home hospitality in Rosh Ha'Ayin, where Engel learned more traditional Yemenite specialties to bring back to Shaya.
Dave Hardie, director of gastronomy for San Pellegrino, which sponsors the award, made the presentation to Engel.
"To everyone in New Orleans, you've been the perfect audience for us to tell this brand new story of Israeli food down in the South," Engel said. "I'm so grateful you guys have been so open to it."
He thanked the "incredible team at Shaya… they are the rising stars today." To Shaya, he said "you took me in and you showed me how to cook in a way that makes people feel the pure joy of warm hospitality."
He thanked his parents, who were in attendance, and his wife Meredith. "Six years ago on a trip to Israel, you fell in love with a nerdy know it all line cook with big dreams," he said.
Engel wasn't the only member of New Orleans' Jewish community to be nominated. Neal Bodenheimer's cocktail bar Cure, which he opened in 2009, was a finalist for Outstanding Bar Program, but the award went to another New Orleans institution — Arnaud's French 75 Bar.
Support Southern Jewish Life
Subscribe to Our Weekly E-News
Tulane Doctors
Run For Zion, March 2020
Hollywood Feed: MS Made
December 2019 SJL New Orleans Edition
NOLA Issue Viewable Online
December 2019 SJL Deep South Edition
Deep South Issue Viewable Online
Tweets by sjlmag
Sign up for 'This Week in Southern Jewish Life'
/fa-fire/ TRENDING$type=one
Fraud alert: Email request scam spoofs several rabbis in region
An email spoofing scam has hit several congregations in the region, where the rabbi supposedly sends out an email requesting gift cards or l...
NOLA Federation unveils two major new community initiatives
Federation CEO Arnie Fielkow briefs local media on the new centers on Jan. 8, as ADL Regional Director Aaron Ahlquist looks on The Jewish...
Rabbi Schiller stepping down as head of Tulane Hillel
After 11 years of transforming Tulane Hillel into one of the most innovative Hillels nationally, Rabbi Yonah Schiller will be stepping down ...
Civil Rights Special Series
Archive Jan 2020 (7) Dec 2019 (11) Nov 2019 (10) Oct 2019 (14) Sep 2019 (9) Aug 2019 (12) Jul 2019 (4) Jun 2019 (6) May 2019 (14) Apr 2019 (23) Mar 2019 (18) Feb 2019 (8) Jan 2019 (10) Dec 2018 (6) Nov 2018 (12) Oct 2018 (14) Sep 2018 (13) Aug 2018 (9) Jul 2018 (8) Jun 2018 (8) May 2018 (9) Apr 2018 (7) Mar 2018 (11) Feb 2018 (12) Jan 2018 (12) Dec 2017 (10) Nov 2017 (9) Oct 2017 (16) Sep 2017 (15) Aug 2017 (18) Jul 2017 (11) Jun 2017 (10) May 2017 (10) Apr 2017 (19) Mar 2017 (19) Feb 2017 (10) Jan 2017 (9) Dec 2016 (12) Nov 2016 (20) Oct 2016 (18) Sep 2016 (17) Aug 2016 (14) Jul 2016 (8) Jun 2016 (7) May 2016 (6) Apr 2016 (14) Mar 2016 (12) Feb 2016 (14) Jan 2016 (7) Dec 2015 (7) Nov 2015 (17) Oct 2015 (14) Sep 2015 (18) Aug 2015 (16) Jul 2015 (10) Jun 2015 (4) May 2015 (8) Apr 2015 (14) Mar 2015 (12) Feb 2015 (10) Jan 2015 (5) Dec 2014 (9) Nov 2014 (12) Oct 2014 (13) Sep 2014 (7) Aug 2014 (6) Jul 2014 (17) Jun 2014 (9) May 2014 (9) Apr 2014 (12) Mar 2014 (13) Feb 2014 (7) Jan 2014 (11) Dec 2013 (9) Nov 2013 (12) Oct 2013 (9) Sep 2013 (12) Aug 2013 (12) Jul 2013 (6) Jun 2013 (10) May 2013 (14) Apr 2013 (9) Mar 2013 (11) Feb 2013 (9) Jan 2013 (11) Dec 2012 (8) Nov 2012 (14) Oct 2012 (13) Sep 2012 (14) Aug 2012 (14) Jul 2012 (12) Jun 2012 (15) May 2012 (17) Apr 2012 (15) Mar 2012 (7) Feb 2012 (5) Jan 2012 (5) Dec 2011 (8) Nov 2011 (8) Oct 2011 (5) Sep 2011 (6) Aug 2011 (10) Jul 2011 (10) Jun 2011 (5) May 2011 (10) Apr 2011 (2) Mar 2011 (9) Feb 2011 (5) Jan 2011 (3) Nov 2010 (6) Oct 2010 (10) Sep 2010 (2) Aug 2010 (2) Jul 2010 (4) Jun 2010 (2) May 2010 (8) Apr 2010 (6) Mar 2010 (2) Feb 2010 (1) Jun 2009 (1) May 2009 (6) Jan 2006 (1) Dec 2005 (7)
Subscribe to the SJL Feed
© 2016 Southern Jewish Life
Jewish Daily Forward
NOLA Community Obituary Notifications
Click here to be added to the NOLA Community Obituary Notification List.
Tablet Magazine
Volunteers for Israel
slide,4,slide2,4,slide3,3,
Southern Jewish Life: Shaya's Engel wins James Beard Rising Star award
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Q0Oz9onAho/WQ6Hcl_hLHI/AAAAAAAADRA/rSLMagxdjEwRajix07GnRzZKy-cSXhQcQCLcB/s320/zachengelweb.jpg
https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--Q0Oz9onAho/WQ6Hcl_hLHI/AAAAAAAADRA/rSLMagxdjEwRajix07GnRzZKy-cSXhQcQCLcB/s72-c/zachengelweb.jpg
http://www.sjlmag.com/2017/05/shayas-engel-wins-james-beard-rising.html
http://www.sjlmag.com/


text:
These A/B Tests Increased Revenue Per Visitor for VeggieTales by 38%
By Megan Bush
A/B Testing, A/B Testing Case Studies, E-commerce, Product Page Optimization
VeggieTales is an animated children's TV series, hugely popular with pre-schoolers in the United States. Since 1993, they have sold over 70 million videos, 15 million books, 7 million CDs, and all sorts of accessories touting the iconic vegetable characters.
They wanted to systematically optimize the design of their entire e-commerce site, store.veggietales.com, so they got in touch with my optimization strategy team at Blue Acorn for direction and results.
Our initial research drove us to start with some subtle design changes that, after reaching statistical significance through A/B testing, now receive 100% of the traffic as permanent design changes. All together, these subtle changes led to significant changes in revenue and growth:
38% increase year-over-year in sitewide revenue per visitor
42% increase year-over-year in sitewide conversion rate
By first examining their analytics, we were able to determine where to start testing and what to test.
At a glance, here are the results we produced for the VeggieTales store:
17.4% increase in revenue per category page visitor
13.9% increase in revenue per product page visitor
14.3% increase in revenue per checkout page visitor
36.8% increase in revenue per homepage visitor with social media changes
28.1% increase in revenue per mobile visitor
In this video, Kevin Eichelberger, Founder of Blue Acorn and John Pfaender, Director of eCommerce at VeggieTales, speak about their approach to optimization.
Let's look at the hypotheses and variations that produced these results.
Primary conversion metric: RPV
We feel the truest metric for measuring the success of optimization testing for an e-commerce site is Revenue Per Visitor (RPV). Increasing our clients' conversion rates is easy if they agree to start to sell everything at 90% off, but that would kill their revenue. Constantly attempting to improving your conversion rate is still a smart idea. However, e-commerce merchants should focus on RPV their primary Key Performance Indicator (KPI).
VeggieTales Original Category Page
VeggieTales' category pages had featured very large, bright, distracting banners. Customers landing on the page didn't have general guidance on where to go, and they were getting distracted from finding products they wanted and continuing to the product page.
Hypothesis: Dropping the banners would result in a higher RPV.
VeggieTales Variation Category Page
Results: Without the banner, VeggieTales' category pages produced a 17.4% increase in RPV.
Statistical Confidence Level: 95.3%
VeggieTales Original Product Page
Using custom heat mapping tools, we confirmed that VeggieTales' current product pages had very poor spacing, distracting attributes, and lacked organization. They weren't awful by any means, but they weren't optimal either.
Hypothesis: Improving the spacing and increasing the prominence of the primary call-to-action will result in a higher RPV.
VeggieTales Variation Product Page
Results: The product page variation produced a 13.9% increase in RPV.
This is where eCommerce conversions happen. However, VeggieTales' checkout page included all of the same header and footer elements that were found on every other page of the site. They're good elements, but they serve as unnecessary distractions to a visitor trying to convert to a customer, and can be eliminated using a website optimization tool like Optimizely.
VeggieTales Original Cart Page
Hypothesis: Simplifying the checkout by removing all of the distractions in the header and footer – except those designed to act as confidence builders—will result in a higher RPV.
VeggieTales Variation Cart Page
Results: The more streamlined checkout page variation produced a 14.3% increase in RPV.
The original homepage had a strong callout for free shipping, which is never a bad idea for converting visitors, but it overshadowed the site's social icons.
However, we didn't just want to move the social icons to the header, we wanted visitors to be aware of the immense size of the VeggieTales community, which serves as a confidence builder.
VeggieTales Original Store Homepage
Hypothesis: By adding social icons to the header and making visitors aware of the size of the VeggieTales community, visitors will be more likely to have social interactions within the community and consumer confidence will increase.
VeggieTales Variation Store Homepage
Results: Not only has VeggieTales gained more fans and followers, but the variation homepage produced an astounding 36.8% increase in RPV.
Original Mobile UI
There's actually nothing mobile about this UI. It is simply the desktop UI viewed on a mobile device. It's nice in that it doesn't rely on Flash, which is still not supported on iOS, but it requires a tremendous amount of effort to navigate the site on a smartphone.
VeggieTales Store Original Mobile Experience
Hypothesis: Sending mobile traffic to a mobile-themed UI will increase the mobile conversion rate and revenue per visitor.
VeggieTales Store Mobile-Optimized User Experience
Results: Thanks to testing, VeggieTales now knows they can be generating a lot more revenue from their mobile visitors, as this quick, non-customized, mobile-themed UI saw a 28.1% increase in revenue per visitor.
Just the beginning
The improvements VeggieTales has experienced thus far, which have resulted in 38% sitewide increase YOY in RPV, are just the beginning. Once the changes to the homepage variation are applied to the rest of the site, we expect that number to grow even higher. We focused on the lowest of the low-hanging fruit—or should we say vegetable—in order to produce the quickest gains for our client. Now it's time to pick the rest.
Download the PDF version of the VeggieTales case study from Blue Acorn.
About Megan Bush:
Megan is a Conversion Consultant at Blue Acorn, where she spends the majority of her day immersed in clients' testing plans. Her expertise in quantitative analysis all started with a degree in Math from University of San Diego. She also likes wine. Follow her @meganpbush.


text:
The story of Ursula Lofthouse
'The small, secluded romantic village of Dallowgill, in the West-riding of this country, has, during the past week, been thrown into the greatest alarm and excitement, by the sudden and mysterious death of a person named Robert Lofthouse.'
The deceased, a 26-year-old local clogmaker, had been poisoned. His wife, Ursula Lofthouse, was subsequently charged with his wilful murder.
Ursula had married Robert at St. Andrew's Church in Kirkby Malzeard in 1832, when she was 23 years old. She gave birth to their daughter a year later. But all was not well in the family home, for by the end of November 1834, just two years into their marriage, Robert was dead and Ursula stood accused of poisoning her husband.
Ursula Lofthouse was eventually found guilty of his murder and became the last woman to be publicly executed in York.
This is her story, told through a compilation of contemporary press reports, which retain the language of the time and allow the voices of those who were present to be heard once again.
The research into the life of Ursula Lofthouse was carried out by Jonathan Price, a former teacher and a volunteer at Ripon museums. While volunteering at the police museum, Jonathan was involved in local school visits, recounting the story of two poacher brothers from Pateley Bridge called the Sinklers, and Samuel Winn and Thomas Sweeting, the city's first policemen. When he was researching the brothers, crime, and early policing in nineteenth century Ripon, many other stories with connections with Ripon began to emerge. One of them, the story of Ursula Lofthouse, he deemed worthy of further investigation.
Read the full story of Ursula Lofthouse


90 percent of blasting for removal of material has been completed.
Utility work began with the first sewer line heading from Nolensville Road into Expo buildings.
The final concrete slab for Expo building 1 was completed.
In the coming week, crews begin erosion control work on the Fair Park area of the site.
The first steel arrives on site for Expo 1 and erection begins.
Roofing is place on Expo building 1.
Installation of service outlets begins.
Work on the West retaining wall begins.


text:
1st WT President's Cup, Asian Region Taekwondo Championships
Uzbekistan - 2017/08/12 - The inaugural World Taekwondo President's Cup-Asian Region Taekwondo Championships kicked off in Tashkent, Uzbekistan on August 11, 2017.
The three-day G-2 event, which features cadet, junior and senior divisions, drew a total of 620 athletes and 140 officials from 26 countries.
Reflceting the high popularity of taekwondo in Uzbekistan, the opening ceremony of the event took place at the Universal Sports Palace, with the attendance of Mr. Rozukulov Ulugbek, deputy prime minister of Uzbekistan; Mr. Kurbanov Rustambek, chairman of the State Committee for Physical Culture and Sport of Uzbekistan; Mr. Akhmatdjanov Umid, deputy chairman of the National Paralympic Association; and Mr. Parpiev Botir Rakhmatovich, president of the Uzbekistan Taekwondo Association.
Uzbek President Awarded Honorary WT Black Belt
"Tashkent has a long history of inter-Asian trade and interaction, and increasingly of taekwondo. It hosted the 5th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in 2010 and the high number of participants in the 1st President's Cup well reflects the strong leadership of the president of the Uzbekistan Taekwondo Associaion," said World Taekwondo President Chungwon Choue.
A day earlier, WT President Choue was awarded at the Tashkent City Hall the honorary citizen of Tashkent City and an honorary doctor from the National University of Uzbekistan. He also awared Mr. Shavkat Mirziyoyev, president of the Republic of Uzbekistan, with an honorary 9th dan black belt at the latter's office.
Dr. Choue's speech was followed by the congratulatory message by the deputy prime minister.
Dr. Choue gave a plaque of appreciation to the deputy prime minister, the sport minister and the Uzbekistan Taekwondo Association president. He also gave the World Taekwondo certificate to the Uzbekistan Taekwondo Association president, who participated in a Board Break Challenge event and donated for the Taekwondo Humanitarian Foundation.
The World Taekwondo Presentation (Demonstration) Team performed at the end of the opening ceremony, drawing a big applause from spectators.
A welcome dinner hosted by the deputy prime minister followed.
By: WT.
World Taekwondo WT


text:
Photojournalists face deportation in Thailand
Bangkok, January 21, 2011--The Committee to Protect Journalists is deeply concerned about the charges and threatened deportation of Thailand-based freelance photojournalists John Sanlin, a Burmese passport holder, and Pascal Schatterman, a Belgian national.
"We call on Thai authorities to reconsider the deportation of journalists John Sanlin and Pascal Schatterman and take into consideration the prospect that Sanlin will suffer severe reprisals if he is forcibly returned to Burma," said Shawn Crispin, CPJ's senior Southeast Asia representative. "Thailand has long been a safe haven for exiled journalists to report freely on Burma. CPJ encourages the Thai government to maintain that important press freedom role for the region."
Both reporters were arrested by Thai authorities at 11:30 a.m. on Thursday in the Thai border town of Mae Sot after re-entering the country from Burma, where they were covering the escalating armed conflict between Burmese government troops and ethnic Karen insurgents.
Authorities confiscated their video footage, including images of internally displaced people suffering from severe deprivation in the remote conflict zone, according to CPJ sources. Today, a Thai court sentenced Sanlin and Schatterman to one-year terms, imposed nominal fines of 500 baht (about US$16), and ruled they could remain in the country because they had no previous immigration offenses.
But after immigration police conferred with the presiding judge, the two journalists were taken back into custody at the courthouse and told they would be deported to their respective countries in the next day or two, according to CPJ sources. The two reporters are expected to be transported on Saturday to Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport, where they are scheduled to be deported.
Sanlin, who has previously provided video footage to Al-Jazeera and France 24, told CPJ he fears that he will suffer reprisals for his journalism if he is deported to Burma. He said he holds a student visa for Thailand, which is valid through March.
Sanlin was on the front-lines of Thailand's armed street clashes last year and provided exclusive video footage aired by France 24 of an April 10 grenade attack that killed and severely injured several Thai soldiers.
Military-ruled Burma is the world's fourth worst jailer of journalists, with at least 13 journalists in prison.
John Sanlin
Pascal Schatterman
Short URL: https://cpj.org/x/40b5
CPJ condemns 15-day ban on Thai TV news station
Bangkok, February 13, 2019--The Committee to Protect Journalists today condemned the decision by a Thai media regulator to suspend the broadcasting license of Voice TV for 15 days and called on the country's military government to allow all media to report freely on the nation's politics....
CPJ calls on Thailand to account for missing Vietnamese blogger
February 6, 2019 12:15 PM ET
Bangkok, February 6, 2019--The Committee to Protect Journalists today called on Thai authorities to investigate the disappearance of Vietnamese blogger Truong Duy Nhat, publicly report on that investigation's findings, and take all measures to ensure that the journalist has not been illegally abducted or detained....
News fixer deported from Thailand to Cambodia on 'false news' accusation
December 13, 2018 12:55 PM ET
Bangkok, December 13, 2018--A Cambodian news fixer who helped to produce a documentary on sex trafficking for Russian government-funded international news network Russia Today, or RT, was deported yesterday from Thailand to Cambodia on accusations of abetting the production of false news, according to news reports....
Thai authorities shut down foreign press club event on Myanmar
September 11, 2018 12:50 PM ET
Bangkok, September 11, 2018--Thai authorities on Monday shut down a panel discussion at Bangkok's Foreign Correspondents' Club of Thailand, marking the sixth such event the country's ruling military junta has canceled since seizing power in a May 2014 coup....
Thai columnist Pravit Rojanaphruk charged with two cases of sedition
August 8, 2017 12:01 PM ET
Washington, D.C., August 8, 2017--Thai authorities should immediately and unconditionally drop all charges against Pravit Rojanaphruk, a columnist at the news website Khaosod English, and allow the journalist to work freely and without further harassment, the Committee to Protect Journalists said today....


Exchange Bittrex Console | APKReal - Your Premium Store to Download Android Apps & Games also with Mods For Free!
Wallets – Bitcoin – Ethereum – All currency …….
We provide individuals and businesses a world class experience to buy and sell cutting-edge cryptocurrencies and digital tokens. Based and fully regulated in the USA, Exchange Bittrex Console is the go-to spot for traders who demand lightning fast trade execution, stable wallets, and industry-best security practices. Whether you are new to trading and cryptocurrencies, or a veteran to both, was created for you!


Many online games that interest you.
Betting games that many people are interested in playing.
Entertainment to make money for yourself.
Gambling games that anyone can play.
Gambling games that make a lot of money.
Gambling games that many people are interested in.
Make lots of money with online gambling games.


About Us | DCM Metal Corp.
DCM Metal Corp. is a manufacturer of lightweight steel framing products that consist of conventional steel stud, joist, track and accessories, metal drywall trims, specialty clips, wires, and security mesh for the specialty gypsum dealer market.
Founded in Toronto, Ontario in 2013, DCM is a member fabricator of the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute (CSSBI), and as such, DCM manufactures in accordance to CAN/CSA S-136-12 and NASPEC, the North American specifications for the design of cold-formed steel structural members.
All DCM steel meets or exceeds the requirements of CAN/CSA S-136-12 and AISI S100-12, the 2010 National Building Code of Canada and the 2012 International Building Code for yield strength, tolerance thickness, and galvanized zinc coatings.


Abstracts of the communications presented during the Segundo Congreso de Cunicultura de las Américas, La Habana. Cuba. July 2002.
Title: Abstracts of the communications presented during the Segundo Congreso de Cunicultura de las Américas, La Habana. Cuba. July 2002.


Valley Milk Products is announcing a recall of 50-pound bags of nonfat high heat milk powder and sweet cream buttermilk powder that were produced from December 10, 2015 to July 5, 2016 due to potential Salmonella contamination, which was identified at the manufacturing facility but not in tested finished product.
Salmonella is a bacteria that can cause serious and sometimes fatal infections in young children, frail or elderly people, and others with weakened immune systems. Healthy persons infected with Salmonella often experience fever, diarrhea (which may be bloody), nausea, vomiting and abdominal pain. In rare circumstances, infection with Salmonella can result in the organism getting into the bloodstream such as septicemia, arterial infections (i.e., infected aneurysms), endocarditis and arthritis.
The products included in the recall can be identified by the following lot numbers which can be found in the lower right front of each bag.
These products are not sold directly to consumers, but are used as ingredients in a number of foods uch as bakery products and distributed by brokers. None of the recalled finished product tested positive for Salmonella but environmental sampling performed by the FDA was positive for Salmonella. Valley Milk is currently investigating the cause for the positive environmental samples.
Below are some pertinent facts and references to aid food manufacturers in determining the disposition of their affected products.
For companies that used the Valley Milk recalled milk powder or buttermilk powder in a consumer ready-to-eat product and there is no FDA-recognized kill step or inactivation step in their processing system, their supplier should be immediately notified with such details as the product which contained the recalled Valley Milk powder products, the amounts of the products, whether these products are in storage or have already been distributed, where the distributed products are and records or other evidence that the recalled Valley Milk powder was used. Their supplier will in-turn notify Valley Milk.
The FDA is available to help companies review their specific processes and determine if additional action is warranted.
All customers that have received these products have been notified by Valley Milk and instructed to return the suspect powder or document the destruction of the powder, after contacting Valley Milk for specific instructions. In case someone identifies Valley Milk powders with the above lot numbers in their dry storage warehouse and has not been ontacted by a Valley Milk representative, please contact Michael Curtis at 301-512-5053 or mcurtis@mdvamilk.com immediately for instructions.
At Valley Milk Products, we are dedicated to producing dairy products that meet the highest quality and safety standards required by our customers as well as complying with all government food safety requirements. Valley Milk Products has a long history of producing these products from our own dairy farmers in the historic Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. We will continue to work cooperatively with the FDA and the Commonwealth of Virginia to provide products that meet our customers' requirements, meet or exceed government food safety standards and provide the nutritious benefits of dairy products to customers throughout the United States.


Don't let dirty grout make you hate your pretty tile floor.
Durable, versatile, and affordable — tile is the perfect flooring choice for bathrooms, kitchens, and other high-traffic areas. Whether you choose ceramic or natural stone varieties like quartz and travertine, you are bound to find a virtually unlimited selection of colors and styles to fit your needs and your budget.
Tile holds up remarkably well to wear and tear. Grout, on the other hand, is another story. In fact, as dirt and other stains permeate the grout, it can quickly make your brand new tile flooring seem aged and in need of replacing. Don't let dirty grout make you hate your beautiful tile floor. Instead, focus on maintaining your tile floor by following these tips.
Once your new tile floor is installed, immediately seal your grout with a chemical sealant. But before you do, ensure that your tile is glazed so the sealant doesn't permeate (and thus ruin) your beautiful tile.
There are a number of quality grout sealants on the market today and your selection will depend on how you plan to apply the chemical: by brush, roller, or spray.
The easiest method is spraying the sealant right onto the grout. This requires a little less elbow grease than brushing and rolling, but keep in mind that some of the chemicals usually wind up adhering to the surface of your tile. This isn't necessarily a horrible thing (after all, the tile is glazed) but it is still a factor to consider since it may or may not wear off over time.
After you're done with the initial seal, set a schedule and remember to reseal your grout up to 2 times every year. If you begin to notice staining in your grout lines, you know it's time.
It goes without saying that part of maintaining your tile floor involves vacuuming and sweeping daily. In fact, a little effort here really does go a long way in preserving the "newness" of your tile floor and grout.
Vacuum on the lowest height setting so the brush is directly up against the floor. If you have the time, take the vacuum extension brush and run along the grout lines, especially near baseboards, cabinets, and anyplace else that tends to accumulate dust and dirt.
Then, follow up with a thorough sweep of the floor using a high-quality microfiber broom or dust mop.
If you're particularly good at maintaining the daily vacuum and sweeping schedule, you're bound to forget to mop. However, mopping is essential in keeping grout stains at bay.
Use a traditional cotton or microfiber mop head, along with a mild detergent or a solution of white vinegar mixed with water on your tile and grout weekly. Pay special attention to high-traffic areas such as by sinks and under tables and chairs.
Even if you are diligent about maintaining your tile floors, grout is still prone to staining from dirt, food, and other spills. Thankfully, there are a couple ways to effectively clean it. And chances are, you already have everything you need in your own home.
To begin, create a paste by combining baking soda and water. Then, apply the paste to the grout, let it sit for up to 15 minutes, and then scrub with a toothbrush or sponge. It's best to work in sections to ensure you don't miss a spot.
Some handy tools available at the store can also help you keep grout lines clean, such as magic sponges (made from melamine foam) and special grout brush kits.
Tile is a beautiful flooring option perfect for almost every room in your house. It holds up well over time and averages on the more affordable side when compared to hardwoods or carpet. At the same time, like all flooring, tile takes upkeep. Take pride in your investment and ensure your tile shines for years to come by maintaining clean, sealed grout.


The 2016 Outer Reef 880 Cockpit Motoryacht has extreme range, extreme comfort, and and extreme quality.
Outer Reef Yachts builds the kind of boat you set your sights on if you're serious about cruising. They're created to demand-driven lengths and are highly customizable by owners. Outer Reef builds the cockpit motoryacht models using three molds; the flybridge, deck and hull, the last of which may be dammed to create vessels of varying lengths. The semi-displacement, flaring hull, which is solid fiberglass below the waterline, has a keel that runs the length of the underbody and stops short of the cockpit. Above the waterline, the hull and deck are vacuum-bagged foam-core sandwich construction.
These designs won't go 30 knots, but they will go over 2,000 miles—and if you're looking to explore the distant horizon, an Outer Reef like the 880 Cockpit Motoryacht we tested should be on your short list.
The layout is classic of an offshore vessel. Side-decks are wide with high gunwales and overhead protection, and they lead to the Portuguese bridge forward, a cross-member that provides both safety for anyone on the bow and structural integrity for the vessel.
The aft cockpit has two levels: On the same level and directly accessible from the saloon, the upper cockpit has outdoor dining for six or more and offers options for a refrigerator and grill. The lower cockpit is perfect for a fishing crowd, divers who need to spread out tanks and gear, or kids looking to have fun in the sun.
On a vessel this size, it's expected that there will be more than one helm station and the 880 Cockpit Motoryacht has three (of sorts). The inside helm is on the main deck ahead of the galley.
Our test boat had a glass bridge formed by three Furuno MFDs angled so the captain and mate in their twin Stidd chairs could see the screens easily, and avoid glare from the windshield.
The dash has everything at your fingertips and information on a litany of vessel systems is overhead. Doors on either side of the pilothouse allow crew to move out to either deck quickly, if needed. From here, visibility forward is affected by the high bow—so it will be a good place from which to drive offshore but may be a challenge in close quarters.
The upper helm on the flybridge can be either open or enclosed in a skylounge option. Visibility forward is excellent and key systems are repeated with twin MFDs, thruster and engine controls, engine displays, and another two Stidd chairs for the captain and a companion. The rest of the flybridge is dedicated to comfort and socializing with two L-shaped settees and tables, and an option for an outdoor galley. In the case of the skylounge enclosure, there's still plenty of room outside for a dinghy, a lift, and even bikes, scooters, or PWCs.
Finally, there's a remote station in the cockpit with joystick control. This one will come in handy while backing into a slip, when you need to see the entire aft section of the boat.
Outer Reef is a semi-custom builder so each boat may be highly personalized depending on the needs of the owner. A $60,000 allowance is provided so that each owner can specify his or her décor with the help of Deborah Manzi, the in-house interior designer, or with an outside agent. Whether your taste leans toward the modern and minimalist, or the traditional with an expanse of teak built-ins, so long as your choices don't impact the structure of the boat and machinery, most elements may be modified to suit your personal vision.
A central focus of our test boat was the galley, positioned between the long saloon aft and the pilothouse forward. It was a home-styled kitchen with endless granite, stainless-steel household-sized GE Monogram appliances, and clever stowage cubbies hidden everywhere. Its location makes the galley central and the chef can easily pass meals to the dinette forward or snacks back to anyone watching TV in the saloon.
A panel between the galley and the dinette can be raised electrically, if the chef or owner so desires.
Accommodations on our test boat included three cabins: One with twin beds to port, a double with a centerline island berth forward, and the full-beam master with a king size bed amidships. The master stateroom was separated from the din of the engine room by the head and a walk-in closet aft of the headboard. The master may be reconfigured and the VIP quarters forward can have two separate bunks.
The entire machinery space is well insulated and gasketed, and throughout it you'll notice bar-code tabs that may be scanned with an app on a smartphone. Each system code will correspond to a section of the digital manual that every owner receives, and information may be sent to shore-side personnel when troubleshooting or requesting parts. Taking it one step further, Outer Reef also has an extensive network of service yards around the country as well as Australia, Canada and even the Middle East. That makes for peace-of-mind for any world cruiser.
Another notable feature is exemplary crew quarters, for which Outer Reef is known. Thoughtfully designed and well-finished-out living spaces make for a happy captain and mate and since only about 50-percent of Outer Reef owners hire professional crew, the extra cabins and galley can also be used by guests or kids. With an all-granite galley and nicely-paneled cabins and heads with stall showers, no one would mind being the captain, guest or grandkid on this boat.
An eight-knot breeze tickled the water during our sea trial on San Diego Bay, and we headed out with full tanks and six people aboard. Like any boat of nearly 200,000 pounds, the stately Outer Reef 880 moved majestically and deliberately through her turns. There was no shimmy, jerky movement, heeling, or hiccups. Heads turned as we brought the boat up to speed at wide-open-throttle where she burned 106 GPH at 14.2 knots. A far better long-range cruise would be at nine knots, where fuel burn was around 12.4 gallons.
With 3,000 gallons of fuel aboard, the boat would easily dip down into Mexico and beyond.
Outer Reef owners are savvy and experienced and generally are not first-time buyers. They may be coastal or bluewater cruisers, and they know what they want, which is why they're usually highly involved with the construction process. The Outer Reef 880 is the boat for these people, as it offers a customizable design where input is accepted and the result is a strong, stable vessel that will get them comfortably around the coast—or around the world.
See Outer Reef yacht listings.
For more information, visit Outer Reef Yachts.


In a year when there is no New York City Fringe Festival, Theater for the New City, along with other theaters, is filling a growing gap for big presentations showcasing theater with a far-reaching assortment of new work.
TNC is gearing up to present its eighth Dream Up Festival, featuring work from across the nation and abroad all presented in one relatively brief burst.
The full lineup of the festival showcases 23 shows from Aug. 27 to Sept. 13 including four musicals, four shows on LGBTQ themes, five solo shows, a clown show, two shows related to race in America and one based on visual art.
It also includes an English language premiere of a work from Iceland mixed in with this nearly month-long presentation of new work.
TNC Literary Manager Michael Scott-Price is curating and overseeing the festival, which includes 12 world premieres, four American premieres and two New York premieres.
Theater for the New City, at 155 First Ave., at East 10th Street, is presenting the shows in its various theaters all in one building.
"An ultimate new work festival, it is dedicated to the joy of discovering new authors and edgy, innovative performances," the theater said in a written statement.
Dream Up Festival tickets are $12-$20 as Theater for the New City, a nonprofit, seeks to keep ticket prices affordable.
"Buskers, the Musical" is a mashup of the highly stylized, fantasy-driven Broadway musical with an unvarnished documentary of subway musicians, weaving together the stories and performances of actual New York buskers to create a unique theatrical experience: a documentary musical, one part American dream, two parts New York grit.
An experimental play based on the book "A Crack Up at the Race Riots" by Harmony Korine collection of jokes, half-remembered scenes, dialogue fragments, movie ideas and suicide notes. Korine has described it as his attempt "to write the Great American Choose-Your-Own-Adventure Novel." The text of the play is taken directly from the novel and is brought to life on stage with a cast of seven performers. Directed by Toney Brown.
A show that utilizes theater, dance and spoken word to tell a story of the difficulties of young minority students in forming their sexual identity for the first time while studying in a Los Angeles art school.
A short dark comedy by Don Nigro about the terror and holiness of theater in which a famous Italian actress Eleanora Duse attempts to find some sort of relief only to be pestered by the comedic interactions of other famous characters, leaving her more uncertain of her eventual fate. The play is a tongue in cheek interpretation of hallucinations. Aan Steele directs and heads the cast of eight.
A memory play about a tailor who mourns the loss of the two most important people in his life: his lover Jimmy and his most famous client, the Duke of Windsor. Directed by Joan Kane.
A musical about a group of talented jazz and classical musician-actors living and working in New York City. Set in the 1930s, the play peeks into a society where the classical instrumentalists are the elite while the Jazz players are poor street workers. Directed by Chris Bayon.
A solo play by JD Stewart who plays a man named Gay Boy experiencing life as an English teacher in Daegu, South Korea. Drawing on a society the West knows little about, Stewart illuminates an aspect of gay culture we think we understand, only to learn that sometimes what we think we know is more harmful than good. Directed by Ashley Wren-Collins.
A one-act play written, directed and performed by Craig Silver, who plays a man contemplating what to do with God when the deity has been captured and put into a box in front of him.
GUILTY BY HRAFNHIDUR HAGALÍN. TRANSLATED BY SALKA GYUDMUNDSDOTTIR.
Iceland in the 19th century was not exactly an idyll; it was an island nation of farming and fishing communities, much cut off from the much of the rest of the world. Crime was rare and capital crimes rarer still. So the country's criminal cases have become the stuff of legend, including an 1837 case as infamous to Icelanders as The Manson Family is to Americans. Contemporary Icelandic playwright Hrafnhildur Hagalín revisits this infamous case with , a verse play that examines issues of obsession and mercy which cling to it to this day. Directed by Robert Greer. Performed in English.
It's the biggest night of the year at The House of Charity soup kitchen. Can the kitchen staff of recovering addicts and alcoholics band together to feed the record crowd and convince wealthy donors that The House truly is fulfilling its mission of love and kindness? We come face-to-face with the reality of addiction and the road back to hope. Directed by Jonathan Schwolsky.
An interactive clown show based on interviews with clowns and the author's experiences with clown training. Directed by Benita de Wit.
Defiant, real, funny, an unapologetic defender of truth, Antigone offers a timely contemporary commentary, denouncing the abuse of power, testifying to the ability we all possess to oppose injustice and government corruption. The play re-appropriates the mythological story of Antigone from her point of view. . Directed by Myriam Cyr.
This play upends the American upends the American literary tradition of the road trip by re-casting the traditionally young male narrative with two older female leads: Jeanie, a self-deprecating artist in her 50s battling doubt and depression and her Aunt May, a feisty woman in her 70s with a youthful demeanor but fearful of the outside world. The two hoard several possessions of their painful past that leads them into trouble with their landlord. Fearing eviction, the duo steal their landlord's car and drive off for the freedom of the open road, Canada. Directed by Jennifer Sandella.
What are the limits of devotion? The play looks at the choices we make to help those we love when lines are blurred between the law and what we feel is right. This is the first play written by Miguel Toruño, who served as an assistant district attorney in the Manhattan DA's office and was a senior attorney to the U.S. House of Representatives' Committee on Ethics. Directed by Penny Templeton.
What can we do when it's too late to fix the mistakes of the past? This musical covers the life of Frida, a middle-aged writer of children's books who decides to read the letter her parents sent her over the years, all unanswered. Directed by Elmore James. Musical Director is Erica Kaplan.
A solo play written and performed by Stephan Morrow based on a global pilgrimage he embarked on at the end of his teenage years.
A darkly comedic, partly autobiographical musical about the chaos of working at a daycare center for minimum wage. Directed by Irene Hernandez. Lyrics are by Hernandez and Music is by Paul Bremner and Jen Bush.
Sebastian travels across the cosmos to obtain the mythical Sword of the Unicorn while overcoming his fears and doubts about his sexuality. The show offers a chance for young LGBTQ people to see their stories reflected in a fun and fantastical way onstage. Directed by Harrison Stengle. Soundtrack by Brendan Stengle, a contributor to the bands Hiding Scarlet and Spearhead Ghoul, is played by an onstage prog rock band.
A collection of four unique plays, inspired by four paintings, featuring 20 artists. The plays included are "Afterlife" by Coni Ciongoli Koepfinger, "Dostoyevsky" by Maxine Kern, "In Alabama" by J. Lois Diamond and "In the Attic" by Liz Amadio. They are directed by Joan Kane, Liz Amadio, Glenora Blackshire, and Danielle Earle respectively.
In preparation for the New Year, a Village housewife joins businesspeople, locals and tourists as they question what matters to them. The play, written in a sequence of interlocking testimonials with movement interludes, captures the dreams and hopes of men and women who wish to explain their wisdom, even in the most troubling moments.
A play on the playful, wicked gallery of ways to be a woman, interspersed with parlor magic. The settings range from a tense job interview to the battlefields of Queen Elizabeth. Directed by Piper Rasmussen.
A solo cabaret show, written and performed by Rachel Schmeling, on the subject of mental health. This show is part stand up, part audience interaction, part musical journey and part panic disaster.Musical director is Jody Shelton.
Tickets are available from Smarttix at 212-868-4444 or at www.dreamupfestival.org. For additional info, call TNC's box office at 212-254-1109.


text:
Chapter 133. Doctor Who – The Smugglers (1988)
18th Apr 2022 3rd Aug 2022 Jim Sangster
Synopsis: It was just a police box, but Ben and Polly are amazed to discover the truth when the Doctor's TARDIS takes them to 17th-century Cornwall. Soon they are drawn into the machinations of a ring of murderous smugglers and a very sinister squire…
1. A Shock for Polly and Ben
2. The Frightened Man
3. Longfoot's Friends
4. Pike
5. Pirate Treasure
6. Kewper's Trade
7. Captured
8. The Squire's Plan
9. Pike's Revenge
10. Treasure Hunt
11. Cherub's Move
12. The Treasure
Background: Terrance Dicks adapts scripts by Brian Hayles for the 1966 story, 21 years and just over eight months earlier.
Notes: Terrance Dicks explains what a police box is (the target readership is now far too young to have any memory of them). The events of The War Machines are summarised and we're told that it was Dodo's decision to remain behind and leave the TARDIS. The Doctor, though old, is 'still alert and vigorous and the eyes in the heavily lined face blazed with fierce intelligence'. Polly is wearing a 'fashionable denim trouser suit [with] her long blonde hair tucked beneath a denim cap' while Ben is in his uniform, 'bellbottomed trousers, blue raincoat and jersey… and a sailor's hat with HMS Teazer on the ribbon'.
'Cherub' is a nickname bestowed upon him because of his bald head with a little tuft of hair behind the ear. The sailor who tells Pike that Cherub is no longer aboard the ship is given the name 'Crow'. The Doctor tells Ben that he feels he has a 'moral obligation' to fix the situation as he's become 'involved in the affairs of this village' and fears that 'my interference may even have brought about the threat of destruction' (a slight clarification of the words said on screen). The final scene sees the TARDIS materialise in its next destination, but it's not specified where.
Cover: Beautiful – Alister Pearson paints the Doctor dwarfing two views of a Cornish village, the beach and a ship at night and the church, separated by the TARDIS.
Final Analysis: We're nearing the end in more ways than one and Terrance Dicks manages to imbue the Doctor with much more vitality than William Hartnell was sadly able to in his final months on the show. We have a Doctor who is alert and analytical at all times, bad tempered with his new young friends but still with a sense of responsibility for their well-being (how far we've come since his first stories!). Dicks sticks to the story as usual, so there's really not much more to report here, but we should still savour every word – there are only two more Dicks novelisations to come!
Categories: Ben Jackson, First Doctor, Historical, Polly, Season 4, Terrance Dicks Tags: Alister Pearson, Ben Jackson, Earth, First Doctor, Historical, Polly, Terrance Dicks
← Chapter 132. Doctor Who – The Edge of Destruction (1988)
Chapter 134. Doctor Who – Paradise Towers (1988) →
One thought on "Chapter 133. Doctor Who – The Smugglers (1988)"
I seem to recall this was the last hardback release, which is a shame. Even though I only owned one (form a second hand shop!) it was nice to see them and borrow them from the library.


Military College Murree is located at upper topa murree Pakistan. It was established in 2008. It is very close to Rawalpindi thus allowing easy access to it. The institution leeds the Pakistan Military Academy. Military College Murree is one of three military college in Pakistan.
Army Officer, Junior Commissioned Officer, Soldier, Civil Armed Force, and Civilians children can apply.
Admission will be on merit base. The selection of candidate will be after written test, intelligence test, medical examination and interview.


The following men's teams are members of the Sun Belt Conference.
Who's interested in playing for the Sun Belt?
The following articles are relevant to men's teams in the Sun Belt.
9-Apr-2014 Countdown: What Do Players Overlook?
7-Mar-2014 Roundtable: Is College Tennis Thriving or Struggling?


text:
Keywords Albion Motors, Leyland Motors, Steam Wagon, Road Transport, Transport, Truck, Buses, Ford Motor Company, Land Transport, Thornycroft, British Leyland, Associated Equipment Company, Scammell, Double-decker Buses, Trucks,
Double-drive Albion Reivers
THREE Albion Reiver 154 - -ton - gross six-wheeled models with double-drive rear bogies arc to be produced by Albion Motors, Ltd., Scotstoun,......
SHEFFIELD'S PARADE OF COMMERCIAL MOTORS.
A Very Successful Display of Petrol and Steam Vehicles. Keen Judging and Very Close Marking. MHE SECOND annual parade organ izeei by the......
M. AND D. WIDEN USE OF ONE-MAN BUSES O NE-MAN buses
Page 41 from 4th January 1957
were on Tuesday introduced into service by Maidstone and District Motor Services, Ltd., on a further 12 country routes. The 12 new buses, which are......
75 Years of Scottish Haulage M ANY unusual tasks face...
in the North of Scotland, and C. W. Robertson and Co., of Inverness, who run five Albion 5-toriners normally used as cattle floats ; know how to......
Two New Bulk-load Albions
Page 42 from 30th January 1959
Body Length of 21 ft. 6 in. Available on Wheelbase of 15 ft. 6 in. : Unladen Weights Well Under 3 Tons TWO new chassis introduced by Albion I......
Licence Claims
From our Parliamentary Correspondent T HE Finance Bill proposes to shorten the time in which claims for money overpaid or underpaid on some......
Page 69 from 8th November 1963
A.E.C. ENGINES FOR FINLAND: Vanajan Autotehdas Oy, the Finnish commercial vehicle manufacturer, has ordered another 30 A.E.C. diesel engines,......
ANOTHER LEOPARD: Ellen Smith (Tours), Ltd., Rochdale, have ordered another Leyland Leopard coach chassis. HAMPSHIRE EIGHTS: I. H. Sparshati and......
Elland U.D.C. has decided to obtain 'vices for a motor...
Page 11 from 17th October 1912
Liverpool's latest addition to its motor fire equipment, a 50 h.p. John Morris turbine motor pump, of 500 gallons capacity, has just been delivered......
Page 48 from 9th March 1962
SEMI-TRAILERS FOR B.R.S. : During the past three weeks British Road Services have ordered 85 10-Eon flat platform semi-trailers and six 8-ton......


Interstellar, directed by Christopher Nolan (helmer of the Batman trilogy and Inception for those of you who like to aggressively ignore all of the less pretty, non-acting types) is a spiritual successor to Stanley Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey, not just in terms of its setting in the deep, dark loneliness of space, but in its ability to confound as much as it entertains.
Like Kubrick, Nolan doesn't seem too concerned that his big abstract ideas may leave part of his audience behind. In fact, he appears to embrace the malleability of it. Interstellar is a blank canvas – you can paint most any interpretation over it. That should lure a few people in, though it could just the same turn a few off.
The film's comfort with ambiguity is evident right from its beginning. Earth is on its last legs. The reason for its demise seems to be a combination of things – starvation chief among them – but there's no one underwriting event to point to as the catalyst. In the end, the why doesn't matter anyway.
Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) lives on a farm with his young daughter Murph, his son Tom, and his father-in-law Donald. A former astronaut, he's asked – through an intricate series of events – to fly a mission to another galaxy through a wormhole recently opened up by a mysterious extra-dimensional force.
Despite apprehensions about leaving his family—the consequences described in the theory of relativity state that even if he were to return home his children could be long dead—Cooper joins the expedition in hopes that he can save his kids from Earth's inevitable decline.
Nolan then proceeds to journey Cooper and his crew through every flashy physics theory he can think of, knowing full well that if the science ever becomes too dense there's enough there visually to keep most anyone enticed.
Indeed, there's something about the scale of Interstellar that makes it feel, for lack of a better term, incredibly awe inspiring. It's amazing how a tiny dot of light against the backdrop of some epic set piece in space can summon so much raw emotion.
But it's the exploration of time on the lives of these characters that makes Interstellar truly compelling. For all the movies that have explored time as a theme over the years—and I don't even mean in science fiction, the passage of time is a surefire way to tug at the heartstrings—none of them have been able to play with the big ideas the way this film has.
Given the real life implications of relativistic physics, it's amazing more movies haven't explored the concept before. Imagine if every hour in one place were equal to years in another. Children who are older than their parents. Essentially a means to time travel into the future. There's a lot of material there, and while it would be easy to lose the characters in all of it, Nolan (along with his screenwriter brother Jonathan) are masters at finding the pathos underlying each scenario they tackle.
For their part, the cast delivers quite well. McConaughey continues his long tradition of delivering existential dialogue with added gravitas (see his Lincoln commercial for proof). Anne Hathaway, playing Cooper's traveling companion Amelia, gives a pretty well rounded depiction (with a little help from the script) to a character that in lesser movies would have amounted to little more than the stock scientist.
In fact, one of the great things about Interstellar is that despite its focus on a multitude of scientific theories, its characters are distinctly human. They know their stuff, but they speak and act like real people, willing to forgo logic for what feels right. Ideals aren't always the easiest things to live out, and Interstellar's nuanced understanding of that is nice to see.
The film does have its flaws. There are countless plot holes, some perhaps explainable by a misunderstanding of the science (I'm pretty well-versed in this stuff, but figuring it all out would probably send me down a month long Wikipedia click-hole) though others seem less forgivable.
Likewise, Nolan, doing his best show-don't-tell, tends to have his characters jump just so we can see what plays out in spite of the fact that a lot of the consequences should have been figured out by these people beforehand.
As in most instances where science meets entertainment, there's bound to be at least a few complaints about accuracy. Nothing brings the scientists and the laymen together like dissecting the merit of a popular movie. Despite the credentials of the film's technical advisor, noted physicist Kip Thorne, some of the methodology just seems far-fetched, and distractingly so.
In fact, my gut tells me a lot of people in the scientific community won't like this film at all. Interstellar seems to want it both ways, to explore the implications of relativity while ignoring a dozen other physical concepts.
But that's missing the point a bit too. A few minor points aside, Nolan has done something else here. He's dared to dream of science yet undiscovered, that there may be things out there we've yet to comprehend. Is that convenient for a filmmaker trying to make something that entertains? Sure it is. But it doesn't make it any less of a possibility either.
What I do know is that Interstellar is a full 170 minutes I spent glued to my seat. And despite the surface comparisons to 2001: A Space Odyssey, it was nothing I'd ever seen before. It may divide, but it demands to be seen.


text:
package sdk.chat.firebase.adapter;

import android.os.AsyncTask;

import com.google.android.gms.tasks.OnCompleteListener;
import com.google.firebase.auth.AuthResult;
import com.google.firebase.auth.FirebaseAuth;
import com.google.firebase.auth.FirebaseUser;

import org.pmw.tinylog.Logger;

import java.util.Arrays;
import java.util.HashMap;
import java.util.Map;

import io.reactivex.Completable;
import io.reactivex.Single;
import io.reactivex.SingleOnSubscribe;
import sdk.chat.core.base.AbstractAuthenticationHandler;
import sdk.chat.core.dao.User;
import sdk.chat.core.events.NetworkEvent;
import sdk.chat.core.hook.HookEvent;
import sdk.chat.core.session.ChatSDK;
import sdk.chat.core.types.AccountDetails;
import sdk.chat.firebase.adapter.module.FirebaseModule;
import sdk.chat.firebase.adapter.utils.Generic;
import sdk.chat.firebase.adapter.wrappers.UserWrapper;
import sdk.guru.common.EventType;
import sdk.guru.common.RX;
import sdk.guru.realtime.RXRealtime;
import sdk.guru.realtime.RealtimeReferenceManager;

/**
 * Created by benjaminsmiley-andrews on 03/05/2017.
 */

public class FirebaseAuthenticationHandler extends AbstractAuthenticationHandler {

    protected FirebaseAuth.AuthStateListener authStateListener;

    public FirebaseAuthenticationHandler() {
        // Handle login and log out automatically
        authStateListener = firebaseAuth -> {
            if (ChatSDK.shared().isValid() && !isAuthenticating() && loggingOut == null) {
                // We are logged in with Firebase
                if (firebaseAuth.getCurrentUser() != null) {
                    // We are logged in with the wrong user
                    if (isAuthenticatedThisSession() && !currentUserID.equals(firebaseAuth.getCurrentUser().getUid())) {
                        logout().concatWith(authenticate()).subscribe(ChatSDK.events());
                    } else {
                        authenticate().subscribe(ChatSDK.events());
                    }
                } else {
                    logout().subscribe(ChatSDK.events());
                }
            }
        };
        FirebaseAuth.getInstance(FirebaseCoreHandler.app()).addAuthStateListener(authStateListener);
    }

    @Override
    public Completable authenticate() {
        return Completable.defer(() -> {
            if (isAuthenticating()) {
                return authenticating.cache();
            }
            if (isAuthenticatedThisSession()) {
                return Completable.complete();
            }
            if (!isAuthenticated()) {
                return Completable.error(ChatSDK.getException(R.string.authentication_required));
            }

            authenticating = authenticateWithUser(FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().getCurrentUser());
            return authenticating;
        }).doFinally(this::cancel);
    }

    @Override
    public Completable authenticate(final AccountDetails details) {
        return Completable.defer(() -> {
            if (isAuthenticating()) {
                return authenticating;
            }
            else if (isAuthenticated()) {
                return Completable.complete();
            }
            authenticating = Single.create((SingleOnSubscribe<FirebaseUser>) emitter -> {

                OnCompleteListener<AuthResult> resultHandler = task->AsyncTask.execute(()-> {
                    if (task.isComplete() && task.isSuccessful() && task.getResult() != null) {
                        emitter.onSuccess(task.getResult().getUser());
                    } else {
                        emitter.onError(task.getException());
                    }
                });

                switch (details.type) {
                    case Username:
                        FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().signInWithEmailAndPassword(details.username, details.password).addOnCompleteListener(resultHandler);
                        break;
                    case Register:
                        FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().createUserWithEmailAndPassword(details.username, details.password).addOnCompleteListener(resultHandler);
                        break;
                    case Anonymous:
                        FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().signInAnonymously().addOnCompleteListener(resultHandler);
                        break;
                    case Custom:
                        FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().signInWithCustomToken(details.token).addOnCompleteListener(resultHandler);
                        break;
                    default:
                        emitter.onError(ChatSDK.getException(R.string.no_login_type_defined));
                        break;
                }
            }).subscribeOn(RX.io()).flatMapCompletable(this::authenticateWithUser).cache();

            return authenticating;
        }).doFinally(this::cancel);
    }

    public Boolean cachedCredentialsAvailable() {
        return FirebaseAuth.getInstance().getCurrentUser() != null;
    }

    public Completable retrieveRemoteConfig() {
        return Completable.create(emitter -> {
            if (ChatSDK.config().remoteConfigEnabled) {
                RXRealtime realtime = new RXRealtime();
                realtime.on(FirebasePaths.configRef()).doOnNext(change -> {
                    if (change.getType() != EventType.Removed) {
                        Map<String, Object> map = change.getSnapshot().getValue(Generic.mapStringObject());
                        if (map != null) {
                            ChatSDK.config().setRemoteConfig(map);
                        }
                    } else {
                        ChatSDK.config().clearRemoteConfig();
                    }
                    emitter.onComplete();
                }).ignoreElements().subscribe(ChatSDK.events());
                realtime.addToReferenceManager();
            } else {
                emitter.onComplete();
            }
        }).subscribeOn(RX.io());
    }

    public Completable authenticateWithUser(final FirebaseUser user) {
        return Completable.merge(Arrays.asList(Completable.defer(() -> {

            ChatSDK.db().openDatabase(user.getUid());

            Logger.info("authenticateWithUser: " + user.getUid());

            User cachedUser = ChatSDK.db().fetchUserWithEntityID(user.getUid());

            if (cachedUser != null && (!FirebaseModule.config().developmentModeEnabled || isAuthenticatedThisSession())) {
                completeAuthentication(cachedUser);
                return Completable.complete();
            }

            // Do a once() on the user to push its details to firebase.
            UserWrapper userWrapper = FirebaseModule.config().provider.userWrapper(user);
            return userWrapper.push().doOnComplete(() -> {
                completeAuthentication(userWrapper.getModel());
            });

        }).doFinally(this::setAuthStateToIdle).subscribeOn(RX.db()), retrieveRemoteConfig())).cache();
    }

    protected void completeAuthentication(User user) {

        setCurrentUserEntityID(user.getEntityID());

        ChatSDK.events().impl_currentUserOn(user.getEntityID());

        if (ChatSDK.hook() != null) {
            HashMap<String, Object> data = new HashMap<>();
            data.put(HookEvent.User, user);
            ChatSDK.hook().executeHook(HookEvent.DidAuthenticate, data).subscribe(ChatSDK.events());
        }

        ChatSDK.core().sendAvailablePresence().subscribe();

        Logger.info("Authentication complete! name = " +user.getName()+ ", id = " + user.getEntityID());

        setAuthStateToIdle();

    }

    public Boolean isAuthenticated() {
        return FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().getCurrentUser() != null;
    }

    @Override
    public Completable changePassword(String email, String oldPassword, final String newPassword) {
        return Completable.create(
                emitter->{
                    FirebaseUser user = FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().getCurrentUser();

                    OnCompleteListener<Void> resultHandler = task->{
                        if (task.isSuccessful()) {
                            emitter.onComplete();
                        } else {
                            emitter.onError(task.getException());
                        }
                    };

                    user.updatePassword(newPassword).addOnCompleteListener(resultHandler);
                })
                .subscribeOn(RX.io());
    }

    public Completable logout() {
        return Completable.defer(() -> {
            if (loggingOut != null) {
                return loggingOut;
            }
            else if (!isAuthenticated() && currentUserID == null) {
                return Completable.complete();
            }
            loggingOut = ChatSDK.hook().executeHook(HookEvent.WillLogout)
                    .concatWith(ChatSDK.core().sendUnavailablePresence())
                    .concatWith(Completable.defer(() -> {

                        final User user = ChatSDK.currentUser();

                        Logger.info("Logout complete! name = " +user.getName()+ ", id = " + user.getEntityID());

                        // Stop listening to user related alerts. (added text or thread.)
                        ChatSDK.events().impl_currentUserOff(user.getEntityID());

                        RealtimeReferenceManager.shared().removeAllListeners();

                        FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().signOut();

                        clearCurrentUserEntityID();

                        ChatSDK.events().source().accept(NetworkEvent.logout());

                        ChatSDK.db().closeDatabase();
                        RealtimeReferenceManager.shared().clear();

                        if (ChatSDK.hook() != null) {
                            HashMap<String, Object> data = new HashMap<>();
                            data.put(HookEvent.User, user);
                            return ChatSDK.hook().executeHook(HookEvent.DidLogout, data);
                        } else {
                            return Completable.complete();
                        }
                    }).subscribeOn(RX.computation()));
            return loggingOut.doFinally(this::setAuthStateToIdle);
        });
    }

    public Completable sendPasswordResetMail(final String email) {
        return Completable.create(
                emitter->{
                    OnCompleteListener<Void> resultHandler = task->{
                        if (task.isSuccessful()) {
                            emitter.onComplete();
                        } else {
                            emitter.onError(task.getException());
                        }
                    };

                    FirebaseCoreHandler.auth().sendPasswordResetEmail(email).addOnCompleteListener(resultHandler);

                }).subscribeOn(RX.io());
    }

    // TODO: Allow users to turn anonymous login off or on in settings
    public Boolean accountTypeEnabled(AccountDetails.Type type) {
        if (type == AccountDetails.Type.Anonymous) {
            return ChatSDK.config().anonymousLoginEnabled;
        } else if (type == AccountDetails.Type.Username || type == AccountDetails.Type.Register) {
            return true;
        } else {
            return false;
        }
    }

    @Override
    public void stop() {
        super.stop();
        if (authStateListener != null) {
            FirebaseAuth.getInstance(FirebaseCoreHandler.app()).removeAuthStateListener(authStateListener);
        }
    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Police & Fire: Assault with a gun; fight over a girl
GUN ASSAULT: A 27-year-old man was arrested after another man, 66, said someone shot at his van. The victim said he was driving past a home on Hoag Street when a man, later identified as the suspect, stood on the porch of a house and yelled, "You want some of this" and fired two shots from a rifle. No one was injured in the incident was reported to Battle Creek police at 2:29 p.m. Friday. Police said a woman, 28, called the house where the suspect and others were inside and said she believed she was being followed by a red van and was concerned because the 27-year-old man had recently been threatened. She believed the person in the van might be the man who made the threats. The driver of the van was not that man, police said, and after the shots were fired he drove away and called police.
PARKING LOT FIGHT: A warrant is being sought for a man, 34, after another man, 18, said he was assaulted in the parking lot at Ritzee's at 1463 W. Michigan Ave. at 8:24 p.m. Saturday. Battle Creek police said the victim told them he was punched by the other man during an argument involving several people. Officers said the suspect, his son and another teen, both 17, went to the restaurant to confront an employee, 17. Police said the suspect's daughter and the victim's brother, 17, had a dispute while working in the restaurant and the father, his son and the girl's boyfriend came to the restaurant. The victim had come to pick up his brother from work and everyone began to argue and the victim said he was punched in the head by the father.
FRAUDULENT PURCHASE: Four men purchased $3,858 worth of lottery tickets using stolen credit card numbers, Battle Creek police reported. A clerk at the Bedford Market at 22100 M-37 in Bedford Township said the men came into the store at 7:18 p.m. Nov. 18 and said they wanted to buy the tickets. They did not have credit cards but gave the clerk numbers for the cards. When she questioned the purchase she said the men told her she needed to complete the transaction or they would make a scene. The owner of the store said the transactions appeared to be valid until Nov. 30 when he was notified the cards were fraudulent. He reported the incident on Saturday.
TWO ARRESTED: A man, 28, was arrested and a warrant is being sought for a woman after an altercation, including a stabbing of the man, in a parking lot in the 100 block of North Brewer Drive at 3:34 a.m. Sunday. Both the woman and the man said they have been living together for several months, having sex but not dating. They said she borrowed the man's car to visit friends. The man learned that she was flirting with his cousin so he demanded she come home and they argued in the parking lot. The woman and witnesses said the man began hitting her, knocking her to the ground and continuing to hit her. She said she was unconscious but when she regained consciousness she pulled a knife from her pocket and the man was cut on the throat and arms. Both were treated at Bronson Battle Creek. He was arrested on a charge of aggravated assault and police are seeking a warrant for assault less than murder for her.
DOMESTIC ASSAULT: Battle Creek police have reported the following cases:
• A woman, 51, was arrested after her son, 32, said he was assaulted in the 200 block of Spring Street at 4:06 p.m. Friday.
• A warrant is being sought for a man, 56, after his girlfriend, 40, said she was assaulted in the 300 block of Cliff Street at 5:40 p.m. Friday.
THEFTS; • Family Fare, 45 E. Columbia Ave.: shampoo. • West Willard AVenue, first block: backpack blower, $350 in cash, bicycle, tanning spray, Christmas decorations from unlocked vehicle.
Call Silent Observer at 269-964-3888 or text CRIMES (274637) SOTIP or see www.crimereports.com with information about crimes.


China will invest 100 billion yuan (about 14.6 billion U.S. dollars) for developing the digital economy in the next five years.
Bangladesh's first geostationary communication satellite Bangabandhu-I would be handed over by the French manufacturing company Thales Alenia Space to Bangladesh Communication Satellite Company Limited (BCSCL) this month.
At the beginning of September, Amazon's online trading firm, Amazon's market value was $ 779 billion, up from a trillion US dollars.
Facebook has removed a feature that allowed users to translate Burmese posts and comments after a Reuters report showed the tool was producing bizarre results.
Facebook (FB.O) said on Thursday it will invest more than $1 billion to build its first data centre in Asia in Singapore, slated to open in 2022.
Customers are no longer required to fill forms to buy a SIM as the mobile operators have introduced e-registration process since Sept 1.
The European Space Agency's (ESA) Aeolus mission — named for the guardian of wind in Greek mythology — promises to improve short-term weather forecasting and our understanding of manmade climate change.


Really enjoyed this post! The paper trees and people are really special and I love all that white! I was thinking of leaving out the colour this year so that confirms it, white it will be!
very interesting !!! there is many ideas on this post .... thanks for sharing !
so beautiful and inspiring. It's nice to see these simple self made ideas as christmas decoration.
I really enjoy your blog, btw!


When the first season of Occupied was on screen the Russians were a fictional threat. Has reality caught up with the conceit, asks Dan Slevin?
Two years ago, Norway's most expensive television production of all time captivated viewers across Europe. A political thriller about a Green prime minister, committed to renewable energy, overthrown by close neighbour Russia in order to control his country's abundant natural gas and oil reserves was gripping and left many viewers – not least my own household – on the edge of their seats when episode 10 failed to resolve the deadlock.
As we reconvene, former-PM Jesper Berg (Henrik Mestad) has been ousted and is in exile in Sweden. His former chief-of-staff Anita Rygh (Janne Heltberg) combines conjugal visits with attempts to keep him in contact with Norwegian political realities but their romantic entanglement seems doomed. Conflicted restaurateur Bente Norum (Ane Dahl Torp) now owns a hotel patronised by oligarchs and is in love with the head of Russian security. Former prime-ministerial bodyguard Hans Martin Djupvik (Eldar Skar) is now head of state security but seems to owe secret favours to everybody – including the majestic Russian ambassador Sidorova (Ingeborga Dapkunaite) who is playing everyone off against each other.
The violent resistance is organised via chat sessions inside an online first-person-shooter (set in a recognisably Nordic environment). The actual military is frustrated that they can't join the fight and many Norwegian citizens are guiltily enjoying the roubles the Russians bring and turning a blind-eye to the Greenhouse Effect.
This season of Occupied is even bigger than the first – a co-production with French, Belgian and Danish television as well as the international might of Netflix. It's gorgeous to look at – Oslo's modern architecture is strikingly photogenic throughout – although you can tell the producers have sometimes struggled to maintain snow continuity.
The central theme also remains intact – the conflict between principle and realpolitik. In S1 Jesper Berg was the peacemaker who reluctantly sold Norway's future to prevent bloodshed. In S2 he has become the figurehead for the resistance – but still so naïve that his face is perpetually perplexed as one person after another double-crosses him.
The most interesting character in the show this time is Rygh – an unelected prime minister selected for the job because the Norwegian parliament couldn't offer up anyone else stupid enough to take it. Watching her engage in snowy brinkmanship with the indefatigable Sidorova is a treat.
Our fast-moving real world understandably hasn't had much of an impact on the latest season of Occupied – no Novichok, no Facebook-mining (although one enterprising young hacker does create an app that gets him a backdoor to the entire prime ministerial email server), no mention of the USA at all – but the air of uncertainty, that the unthinkable is not only thinkable but possible, all feels very much of the moment.
Like many middle seasons of television these days, we end up not a million miles away from where we started but the roundabout journey is a swiftly paced, cinematic and entertaining one.
Occupied S2 is streaming now on Netflix.


text:
Film Review: The Exorcist (1973)
Director: William Friedkin
Starring: Ellen Burstyn, Max von Sydow, Linda Blair and Lee J. Cobb
A title I'm sure we've all heard of would of course be 1973's The Exorcist. Considered the scariest film ever made, in 2006 by various sources The Exorcist followed a little girl throughout a demonic possession and showed her mothers desperate attempts to rid her of the demon by hiring two priests to conduct an exorcism on her.
I got this film for Christmas last year (although I saw it long before then) and was pleasantly reintroduced to this classic. I should mention that if you're looking for a film that will give you a scare you'll remember for days then stop reading now, this film is much more based on the overall mood of the film and comes across as quite creepy rather than scary. At the very start of the film there's a fairly long speech by the director explaining about how if you go into this film thinking it will be shit, then it probably will be. However if you take time to really think about the film and imagine the real life scenario that this was influenced by (yes the film is based on true events) then you may be in for a pleasant surprise. You have to remember that for the time this film was made then no one had seen anything like it before, my dad described being in the cinema and watching people's heads drop to their laps as they became unable to watch any more.
To make this film William Friedkin was allowed access to the diaries of the priests involved and the doctors and nurses, he even got to speak to the young boy the film was based on's aunt. Apart from the head-spinning scene he claims that there were only some minor changes made to the film which means that the rest of it is close to being directly based on the actual events that happened. Try telling me that it's not creepy as shit that these things happened after watching the film..
To conclude I think this is a great introduction to horror as long as you're not too opposed to a tween having sex with a crucifix… The most likely outcome is that you'll watch it and say to yourself "how did anyone find this scary?" but it's still a very enjoyable experience either way.
Verdict: 5 out of 5
Reviewed by Murray McLellan (@CaptainKroch)
If you want more bloody updates, horrorble news and to connect with industry professionals & fans, become a London Horror Society member today for FREE!
Tags:70s horrorHorror film reviewhorror filmsLinda BlairThe ExorcistWilliam Friedkin