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Loftus-McManus Funeral Homes Inc.
Send Flowers for Clinton
Clinton Gilbert Mahoney II
February 27, 1941 ~ January 21, 2023 (age 81) 81 Years Old
Read more about the life story of Clinton and share your memory.
Clinton Gilbert Mahoney II, 81, of Birmingham, AL formerly of Long Island NY and Paducah, KY, passed away on January 21, 2023. Clint was born on February 27, 1941 in Freeport, NY to Clinton Gilbert Mahoney I and Charlotte Josephine (Story) Mahoney. He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Marilyn Lucey and Ellen Rose. He is survived by his wife of 40 years, Nancy Lawrence Mahoney, his four children Kathy (Bob) Scruggs of Brentwood, TN; John Mahoney of Paducah, KY; Tara (Ron) Padgett of Brentwood, TN; and Clinton G. Mahoney III of Rushville, IN as well as thirteen grandchildren and six great-grandchildren, by nieces Terry and Kelly and nephew Sean, his brother in-law and sister in-law Thomas and Vickie Collins of West Paducah, KY, their daughters Amanda and Cassandra, and four grandchildren and two great grandchildren.
Clint graduated from Freeport High School in 1958, served as an Air Force medic stationed in Germany from 1959-63, where his talent caring for people was discovered and he was encouraged to be an AF doctor, and where he taught himself guitar. After honorable discharge, he worked for NY Telephone, South Central Bell (Bell South) in Paducah and Birmingham for 30 years, starting as a lineman, promoted to foreman in record time, and retiring as manager in 1994. Clint, like his father, also worked as a NYC taxi driver to bring in extra money at night. He volunteered in many organizations, helping the homeless and tutoring at-risk teens for high school graduation and life success. Clint was also Master Mason of Lodge #127 in Paducah and a 32 degree in Madisonville, KY. Whatever Clint did, he was always stylish, with his aviator shades, handlebar mustache, (mutton chops in the 70s) and just as comfortable in old jeans and sneakers as in one of his many snappy suits or blazers.
Clint was ordained as a minister of the Church of God International by Ronald L Dart in 1995 and served as minister in churches in Birmingham, Montgomery and Atlanta for over 20 years. He was an ordained elder for 28 years, serving in any way needed.
Clint will be remembered as loving God, family, country, quiet time praying and studying his Bible, fellowship with his church and family, his appetite for coffee and bananas, love of nature and camping, daily jogs, science and history (especially the Civil War), playing guitar and harmonica while singing bluegrass and gospel with good tenor, but especially rich bass and baritone. His children and grandchildren will always remember his hearty laugh, zany humor and quiet wisdom. His wife will remember decades of faithful dedication and love to each other and to others.
Clint passed away peacefully in the hospital surrounded by his children, with his wife holding his hand.
Services for Clint will be Saturday February 4th, at Loftus-McManus Brookport Funeral Home, 7742 S US 45 Rd, Brookport, IL 62910. Visitation will begin at 11 AM with services following at 1 pm.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to THE CHURCH OF GOD INTERNATIONAL, 3900 Timms St. Tyler, Texas 75701.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Loftus-McManus Brookport Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at www.aikinsfarmer-millerfh.com
To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.
7742 South US 45 Rd.
Brookport, IL 62910
Send Flowers to Clinton's Visitation
Send Flowers to Clinton's Funeral Service
Guaranteed delivery before the Funeral Service begins
Orders begin printing on February 2
Clinton Mahoney II
February 27, 1941-January 21, 2023
The Church Of God International
3900 Timms Street, Tyler TX 75701


One night Hannah wakes up. It is still dark outside and everyone else is asleep except Shiro the cat. Hannah discovers a night-time world of adventure and with nobody awake to tell her off she can do just as she pleases.
Japanese author and illustrator Komako Sakai has created a gentle tale that combines simple language with beautifully executed chalk and charcoal illustrations. Their muted colours capture the innocence and wonder of a young child as she tip-toes around the house exploring at night.
Sakai's skill is in the way she captures Hannah and her night-time antics - perching on the toilet with Shiro by her side in a litter tray or the double-page-spread of Hannah surrounded by toys as she plays in bed. The expressive drawings show a restless toddler which many parents will be able to identify with. This is a lovely bedtime story for sharing.


Summertime is here, and in Southern California, that means soaring temperatures. Heat waves can hit use at anytime, with the mercury climbing well above 100 degrees in the bargain, and if you have an older air conditioner, the strain of keeping it running might prove to be too much. We get a lot of repair calls this time of years and an equal number of replacement calls as well. You simply can't go without a functioning air conditioner in this part of the world in August, but the difference in cost between a simple repair job and a flat-out replacement can be considerable. How can you tell when an older air conditioner just needs fixing and when you need to put it out to pasture in favor of a new one?
Repair costs need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and if the warranty has expired, repairs are apt to be more expensive than they might be before it expired. If a single repair costs more than you think the system is worth, you're likely better off spending that money on a replacement system instead.
But it needn't be just a single repair call either. Generally speaking, if you've had to call for repairs more than twice in a single twelve-month period, it's usually a sign that the air conditioner is on its last legs and needs to be replaced. Similarly, the monthly cost of running the air conditioner enters into the equation as well. Older air conditioners are less efficient than newer ones and therefore cost more to run from month to month. That can add up to quite a bit in August, and here in Southern California, high temperatures can last well into October sometimes. If your monthly budget is screaming for mercy and you've been considering a replacement for an inefficient unit, installing a new system now will let you take advantage of improved efficiency and cut down on your home's operating costs for the rest of the summer.
For quality air conditioning replacement and repair services in Whittier, CA, call the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!
© 2017–2019 Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. All rights reserved.


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Tighnalinn, Glenallachie, Aberlour, Banffshire, AB38 9LR
2,920 sq ft(271.28 sq m)
TighnalinnGlenallachie, Aberlour, Banffshire, AB38 9LR
Three bedroom detached bungalow with five public rooms
A well maintained property which is ready to move into
Spacious and versatile living accommodation of tasteful decor
Elevated position encompassing grounds of about 1 acre
A timber clad chalet provides delightful guest accommodation or studio space
Ideally positioned to take in the best the Spey Valley has to offer, including salmon fishing and whisky tasting
Impressive three bedroom detached bungalow with double garage and chalet, located within the rolling fields of Speyside and with views towards neighbouring Ben Rinnes.
Nestled in the rolling fields of Speyside, with superb views across to Ben Rinnes, Tighnalinn offers spacious living accommodation which has been immaculately maintained by the current and only owners. Inclusive of three bedrooms, Tighnalinn has five versatile reception rooms and a striking dining kitchen. Set within beautifully maintained grounds of about an acre, there is ample opportunity for outside dining, while the timber clad chalet provides an excellent opportunity for a home studio or annexe living accommodation.
The entrance door with glazed surround leads into the welcoming entrance hall, which features a pitched roof with exposed ceiling beams. From the entrance hall there is access to a WC cloakroom and fitted storage.
Twin 15 pane Georgian style doors lead into the generously proportioned reception hall. Fitted with cream carpeting and of neutral décor, the hall features decorative ceiling arches, lit display alcoves, and generous fitted storage facilities.
From the reception hall, twin 15 pane Georgian style doors lead into the spacious sitting room via a dark wood split level platform. Fully carpeted, the sitting room overlooks the property frontage, while partially glazed doors lead out to a canopied veranda beyond. Central to the room is the striking gas fireplace with tiled inset.
Overlooking the rear garden, the attractive dining kitchen lies at the heart of the home. Fitted with a range of white storage cabinets, extensive granite worktops complement the gleaming Italian marble floor tiles. Featuring a range of integrated appliances, the central island is fitted with undercounter storage, in addition to a wash hand basin. With ample seated dining space available, from the kitchen there is access to the utility room which has a door out to the rear garden and a secondary WC cloakroom.
From the dining kitchen a door leads into the carpeted family room, from where there is also dual access to the reception hall. Cosy and comfortable, a stone fireplace houses an electric fire. A set of glazed doors
leads into the delightful sun room which overlooks the rear garden. The dining room could also be suitable as a further bedroom, with a large recessed window overlooking the garden, while the charming study could also perhaps be suitable as a single bedroom and includes twin windows which overlook the property frontage.
The large principal bedroom is of elegant décor and exudes a peaceful ambience. Enjoying dual aspect views, there are twin double fitted wardrobes, while an open hallway leads into the bright dressing room. Fitted with full length fitted wardrobes with sliding mirror panel doors, there are lovely views across the driveway to the neighbouring hillside. The dressing room leads into the en suite shower room, which includes a modern two piece suite with vanity unit and walk in shower enclosure with curved surround.
Bedroom two is a further generously proportioned room overlooking the rear garden. Fully carpeted and fitted with twin double fitted wardrobes, there is shared access to the principal bedroom en suite. Bedroom three is fully carpeted and of neutral decoration. A window overlooks the front garden and there is good fitted storage.
Completing the accommodation is the luxurious bathroom. Fitted with a large vanity unit housing twin wash hand basins, there is also a bidet, WC and shower enclosure. A raised split level stair allows for access to the eye catching sunken bath.
Tighnalinn lies within fully enclosed grounds of about 1 acre. Mostly laid to lawn, the property is well sheltered by mature trees and hedging, while an extensive tarmac driveway allows for parking and access to the double garage. Large paved terraces and a canopied veranda are perfect for al fresco dining, while within the rear garden an immaculate seating area laid with decorative stone chips provides an ideal setting for summer barbeques and garden parties.
The timber clad chalet is a delightful and versatile structure. A large studio space on the ground floor is currently fitted out with a range of storage units, while there is also access to a modern shower room. An external staircase with decked seating platform leads up to the bright sitting room, which provides fantastic triple aspect views over the surrounding countryside.
View payable LBTT Calculator for this property
"Both practical and immensely comfortable, Tighnalinn benefits from flexible living space and a wonderfully scenic setting, while the very attractive chalet would be perfect for Airbnb type accommodation (ideal in this whisky distillery and salmon fishing heartland) or used as guest/additional family quarters if desired."
Fiona Gormley Property agent
The Spey Valley is an area best known for its stunning countryside, salmon fishing, malt whisky production and as a popular destination for those seeking activity and sporting holidays, including the Speyside Way long distance walking route, shooting and stalking on nearby estates, salmon fishing on the world famous River Spey, as well as mountain biking, hillwalking and kayaking opportunities. There are also a number of golf courses within the surrounding environs, most notably at Dufftown, Elgin, Rothes and Ballindalloch Castle. Those who enjoy winter sports have access to the stunning Cairngorm mountain range, while the beautiful Moray coastline is dotted with lovely sandy beaches.
Tighnalinn is situated on the outskirts of Aberlour, an attractive village located in Moray on the south shore of the River Spey. Officially founded in 1812 and originally named 'Charlestown of Aberlour' the village has a thriving high street, with a good selection of restaurants, independent stores and a health centre. With a regular bus service in operation to Elgin and Aviemore, there are a range of local primary schools, with secondary schooling available at Speyside High School. The Speyside Sports and Community Centre and Speyside Swimming Pool provide local leisure facilities. Aberlour has also retained its historical connections with the whisky trade, being located in the heart of 'whisky country' with many world renowned distilleries in the area, including the Aberlour and Glenallachie distilleries, the latter being situated close to Tighnalinn. Walkers shortbread is also produced within the village, while the Aberlour Strathspey Highland Games are held every August.
Approximately 21 miles away, Huntly is an historic town which prospered during the 18th century through the expanding linen industry. Today, the amenities include a railway station, providing a direct link to Aberdeen and Inverness, primary and secondary schools, two major supermarkets, local shops and recreational facilities.
Elgin is steeped in history with a renowned cathedral dating from the 13th century. It has an impressive range of shops, together with a railway station, business and leisure facilities, including a swimming pool and leisure centre. The famous public school, Gordonstoun, which includes Aberlour House as a junior school, is only a short drive from Elgin and takes both day pupils and boarders, from 8 to 18.
Inverness is a modern and vibrant city with excellent and varied facilities, including the new marina and airport with regular flights to the south and summer and winter flights to Europe. Just a short distance from the city centre is the beautiful, peaceful and unspoilt countryside for which the Highlands are so famous.
Directions: If coming from the south take the A9 north from Perth, and then take the A95 through Grantown-on-Spey and Ballindalloch. Before reaching the Aberlour distillery, turn right off the main road and continue up the hill. On sight of the Glenallachie distillery turn left, where the property entrance is located on the left hand side. If travelling from Aberdeen, follow the A96 to Huntly, and then the A920 to Dufftown. Leaving Dufftown, follow the A943 towards Aberlour, turning left onto the A95 which takes you through the village. On leaving Aberlour, after the entrance to the Aberlour distillery turn sharp left and continue up the hill. Aberlour 1.6 miles Huntly 20.9 miles Elgin 16.5 miles Inverness 53.4 miles *Please note that all distances are approximate
EPC Rating = F
View detailed EPC rating for this property
EPC Rating Graph
Fiona Gormley
Laura Totten

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Reign FC forward Megan Rapinoe told the press conference crowd on Wednesday that she is excited to play in Tacoma. Photo by Shawna De La Rosa.
The Seattle Reign women's soccer team is relocating to Tacoma. The team, which will now just be called Reign FC, will play its 12 home matches in Cheney Stadium during the upcoming 2019 season. The National Women's Soccer League team majority owner Bill Predmore made the announcement at a press conference Wednesday.
The team's former home, the 71-year-old Memorial Stadium in Seattle, needs too many upgrades, Predmore said.
The team will train on the Foss High School field.
Eventually, Reign FC will play in a proposed new 5,000-seat soccer stadium, which is currently under review in a feasiblity study. The likelihood that the stadium will come to fruition made the decision to move down to Tacoma easy, Predmore said. If approved, the soccer facility would be located between Cheney Stadium, Foss High School, and South 19th Street. It would be a joint venture between the Sounders FC, the Tacoma Rainiers, and Metro Parks Tacoma.
Tacoma Mayor Victoria Woodards, who was also present, said she is hopeful that upon completion of the feasibility study there will be a new stadium in Tacoma for professional soccer.
In addition, MultiCare Health System CEO Bill Robertson announced that the organization will build a 60,000-square-foot medical facility as part of the proposed development. It will focus on community health needs and sports medicine and be integrated into the stadium.
In another piece of news at the press conference, Aaron Artman, president and owner of the Tacoma Rainiers, announced the Seattle Sounders' USL franchise, formerly known as S2, has been renamed Tacoma Defiance FC.


The joy of hate reading, fighting fake news, how a six-hour work day saves money, and more.
How to avoid staring at your phone before bed, "untranslatable" emotions you never knew you had, and more.
The future of urban burial, chanterelle season is here, free Black Lives Matter syllabus, and more.
Readers make the best lovers, the 8-minute Comcast plea, and more.
What Do Immigrant Farmers Need?
Which places have the most people of East Indian ancestry?
A Somali Bantu farmer with high hopes runs into market realities.
How can we grow more non-white farmers?
Who draws more foreign-born residents? And why?


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Kyle Busch's now infamous Coca-Cola 600 post-race interview created quite the stir. It seems like everyone has an opinion on it, and like most things Kyle Busch, some were bothered by it while others were not.
In retrospect, it is a classic moment that will go down in NASCAR history.
His six word presser will endure long after memory of that nine-second performance fades. Oh, it will take a while before we forget the second place finisher huffing in his modified downward "Surrender Cobra" pose before picking up the mic in his right hand to answer the only question asked and gripping it with the same finger he'd just removed from his nose in an unsuccessful attempt to extract some offensive Charlotte debris, uttering the now famous six-word reply before dropping the mic. When no further questions were asked, he was finally dismissed like a misbehaving school boy who then stomped hurriedly out of the room to do whatever, wherever.
It was quite a performance. Some attributed the behavior to his overpowering desire to win and deep hatred for losing. That may be true. I guess drivers who hate to lose also get a pass on poor personal hygiene practices as well. I hope some handler had the foresight to wipe the mic off before the next competitor picked it up.
But that will all soon be forgotten. It's all a part of "Boys have at it!" attitude the sanctioning body encourages in an attempt to overcome the corporate sanitized versions of wheelmen (and lady) we have today. This performance definitely broke that sanitized image.
Yes, the performance will eventually be forgotten, but his words, his six word response have now become a part of NASCAR immortality. His terse, insincere utterance now takes its place among other notable, once timeless racing phrases, like -
"Boogity, boogity, boogity... Let's go racing boys!" I just wish this would go away, but it's like an irritating fan belt squeal; no matter how hard you try it just won't.
"If you're not first, you're last" was the mantra of the infamous Ricky Bobby of "...Talladega Nights" fame. Sometimes I wonder if the driver of the 18 believes that movie was actually a racing documentary and lives by that as well.
"To finish first, you must first finish". I've heard that one as long as I've been around racing.
"... he didn't slam you; he didn't bump you; he didn't nudge you... he *rubbed* you… and rubbin, son, is racin.'" I believe that was an old Harry Hyde one, resurrected by the character "Harry Hogg" from that other NASCAR "documentary", "Days of Thunder"
And who can forget those famous words uttered by Mike Helton after the announcement of the Chase? "It is what it is."
And finally the all-time racing phrase from the King himself, Richard Petty "It was one of those racing deals."
Depending how those words rolled off his lips in his distinct North Carolina dialect they perfectly covered everything from the best possible thing that could happen on the track to the absolute worst and everything in between.
The beauty of those words is depending on how the King delivered them, there was never a question what they meant and how they were intended.
Petty's phrase is the absolute best, but a strong case can be made that Busch's quote is like his Charlotte finish that triggered them, a close second. Oh, some phrases above are better but unfortunately due to recent changes in the series are no longer true and must be eliminated from contention. Take for example -
"BBBLGRB" is just downright irritating and is only a part of the racing vocabulary for half the season anyway. Once the utterer is off screen it will disappear.
"If you're not first, you're last" and "to finish first, you must first finish" are no longer true with stage racing. You can win two stages, finish dead last and still leave with more points than the race winner, so strike those.
The current aero-dependent cars in the series have made Harry Hogg/Hyde's "...rubbin's racing" quote invalid as well. If you even touch and crinkle this sheet metal your day is done as you'll never get the handle back. Slams, bumps, nudges and rubs now have dire consequences on your chances of winning.
So that leaves us with Helton's "it is what it is" and Kyle's now immortal "I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations" as truly timeless racing phrases.
In his resultant post-post-race press conference explanation, Kyle Busch took no personal responsibility for his behavior, instead attributing it to genetics and God. In effect, he used a personal variation of Helton's "It is what it is", which comes off more like the old Popeye description "I yam what I yam". Can't you just see him singing his version of the Popeye theme song -
"I'm Kyle Busch the race car man/
Drives race cars as fast as I can/
If I lose or crash/Then I show my... tailpipes/
I'm Kyle Busch the race car man/
Vroom - Vroom"
(Editor's Note: Adorable lyrics, but this lady claims first credit for the comparison of Mr. Helton to Popeye and you can verify by clicking right around here somewhere. )
Like the King's "racing deal", Kyle's utterance is nearly perfect. Not only was it the perfect response to the question asked in the press conference but depending on delivery, inflection and body language it can be used in about any racing situation-good, bad or unexpected. Let's take a look.
Q: "Jimmie, you have eleven wins at Dover. Did you think you could ever do that?"
Jimmie Johnson: (elated) "I'm not surprised by anything."
Q: "Joey, what do you think about Kyle coming after you after the Las Vegas race?"
Joey Logano: (excited) "I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations"
Q: "Brad, what do you think about the contact between you and Kurt Busch that ended your day at Dover?"
Brad Keselowski: (disappointed) "I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations". Note-In reality, Brad actually chose the King's "racing deal" in his response, again showing its timeless perfection.
But Kyle's six words (or five depending on the situation) could be used to respond to off-track situations as well.
Q: "Kyle, you are the leader in stage racing. What did you think when NASCAR arbitrarily added a fourth stage to the Coca-Cola 600 right before the race?"
Kyle Larson: (smiling) "I'm not surprised by anything."
Q: "Danica, can you describe what it feels like to have the Nature's Bakery lawsuit behind you?"
Danica Patrick: (sigh of relief) "I'm not surprised by anything."
Q: "Rick, what did you think when Dale Jr. told you he was going to retire at the end of the 2017 season?"
Rick Hendrick: (dejected sigh) "I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations"
Q: "Dale, Jr., what did you think when you caught Kyle Busch's trip and fall in the Charlotte pits?"
Dale Jr: (laughing) "I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations". Note - Dale Jr. did use a variation in his initial tweet, so it proves its applicability.
Q: Martin, Did you know Kyle Busch picked up the mic with his snot covered nose-picking finger right before you picked it up to give your interview?
Martin Truex, Jr: (shocked) "I'm not surprised by anything."
Q: "Brian, what do you think about the Dover TV ratings? They earned a 2.1 final rating and 3.4 million viewers on Fox Sports 1 Sunday afternoon - down 16% in ratings and viewership from last year (2.5, 3.99M) and down 16% and 15% respectively from 2015 (3.9, 3.94M) and was the lowest rated edition of the race since at least 1998 or in other words the lowest rated edition of this race in this century?"
Brian France: "We were still the number two watched sport of the weekend, behind the NBA playoff games. You know the NBA season is almost as long as ours and they are in the equivalent of their Chase... I mean Playoff right now so they are going to be tough to beat now. We did kick some major hockey butt though. Whoever Stanley is, his Cup is no match for the Monster Energy NASCAR Series Cup and we proved it once again. We might not be first but we're not last, no matter what Ricky Bobby says."
OK - so it's not perfect and it depends on the deliverer, but you have to admit, it is right up there.
So now that Kyle Busch has made NASCAR immortality I'll watch press conferences and interviews with renewed interest to see if it is used and if not, could it have been.
I'll be watching Kyle Busch's behavior as well, to see his next performance and remember no matter if it's good or bad, mature or immature, classy or classless, it is what it is; just one of those racing deals and I'm not surprised by anything. Congratulations.


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Comparison of the Acute and Long-Term Effects of Exercise on Glucose Control in Type I Diabetes
B Zinman, M.D.,
S Zuniga-Guajardo, M.D. and
D Kelly, M.D.
Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Toronto General Hospital, Department of Medicine, University of Toronto Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Address reprint requests to Dr. B. Zinman, Toronto General Hospital, 101 College Street, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada.
Diabetes Care 1984 Nov; 7(6): 515-519. https://doi.org/10.2337/diacare.7.6.515
To determine the long-term effect of exercise training on glucose control, 13 subjects with type I diabetes and 7 control subjects performed 45 min of cycle exercise three times per wk for 12 wk. The acute blood glucose response, the long-term effect on glucose control (glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose), and changes in nutrient intake were assessed. Fitness as measured by VO2 MAX increased in both control (33.8 ± 1.7 to 43.2 ± 3.5 ml/min/kg) and diabetic (38.7 ± 3.3 to 46.5 ± 3.6 ml/min/kg) (P < 0.05) subjects although body weight remained unchanged. In the diabetic subjects, an acute glucose-lowering effect occurred with each exercise session throughout the 12-wk training period (225.8 ± 16.1 to 148.5 ± 16.8 mg/dl, P < 0.001). However, fasting plasma glucose and glycosylated hemoglobin remained essentially unchanged (pretraining, 193.7 ± 27.5 mg/dl and 10.7 ± 0.3%; 6-wk training, 192.5 ± 27.1 mg/dl and 10.7 ± 0.03%; 12-wk training, 202 ± 30.1 mg/dl and 10.3 ± 0.8%). Total caloric intake as assessed by diet history increased significantly on exercising days (2569–2849 kcal, P < 0.05). Although plasma glucose decreases acutely with exercise, increased caloric intake on exercising days obviates a long-term effect of training on glucose control. More precise guidelines and recommendations as to exercise timing and nutrient intake, likely based on self-monitoring of blood glucose, are required to achieve a beneficial effect of exercise training on metabolic control in type I diabetes.
Copyright © 1984 by the American Diabetes Association
November 1984, 7(6)
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B Zinman, S Zuniga-Guajardo, D Kelly
Diabetes Care Nov 1984, 7 (6) 515-519; DOI: 10.2337/diacare.7.6.515
Gestational Diabetes, Pregnancy Hypertension, and Late Vascular Disease
The Human Placenta in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus
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Jack Pellegrino is in Panama for World Youth Day and he was walking down the street in the Old part of Panama City and he met up with this gentleman for a selfie. The gentleman in the picture is the president of Panama.
Hope the president got a copy of the photo with the famous American swimmer!


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William Edmond (Federalist) was elected to represent one of the four seats in  in late 1797.  He replaced James Davenport (Federalist) who had died August 3, 1797.

External links
 https://elections.lib.tufts.edu/catalog/tufts:ct.special.congress.1797, complete results

See also
 United States House of Representatives elections, 1796#Connecticut

1797
Connecticut
United States House of Representatives
United States House of Representatives 1797 At-large
Connecticut 1797 At-large
Connecticut

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Education secretary says, where students need to take competency assessments to progress to work, these should go ahead
The education secretary has failed to give a direct answer as to why Btec exams are being allowed to go ahead in January but not in February and March.
Speaking in front of the House of Commons Education Select Committee this morning, Gavin Williamson was asked about a decision – confirmed in his letter to Ofqual today – that Btec exams scheduled to go ahead in February and March were to be cancelled.
Btecs: Exams should not go ahead in February and March
Opinion: Btec debacle shows we are still too often forgotten
When asked why college leaders were given the choice to host Btecs in January, but not in February or March, Mr Williamson highlighted the importance of competency-based assessments.
These assessments can go ahead, he said, where students have to demonstrate proficiency required to enter directly into employment, where they are needed to complete an apprenticeship, or where assessments are available "on demand", such as with functional skills.
He said: "There's a whole stage of assessments and lots of technical vocational qualifications have a competency assessment in terms of various different aspects.
"If you take accountancy, for example, you still need to be able to demonstrate a certain competency element, and the same in electrical work, gas and plumbing, in order to be able to have the ability to practise.
"So it's really important that you know, we weren't in a position where we're ruling out so many youngsters from being able to maybe move on to the next stage of their career, potentially into work, by having a unilateral approach."
'Quite strong views'
Susan Acland-Hood, permanent secretary at the Department for Education, added that the reason the exams are being allowed to go ahead in January is because there were "quite strong views" from the sector.
She said: "We got quite strong views, not all pointing in the same direction from the sector themselves, some saying the children are ready to sit these exams and we want to enable them to do that. Others saying that they thought they should be cancelled."
She added: "I think it's different when you look forward to February and March, where you've got the ability to plan and you don't have the same situation of children literally being on the point of taking a qualification as the decision was taken."
Exams and assessment


Emp is a package for encapsulating MetaPost figures in LaTeX: the package provides environments where you can place MetaPost commands, and means of using that code as fragments for building up figures to include in your document. So, with emp, the procedure is to run your document with LaTeX, run MetaPost, and then complete running your document in the normal way. Emp is therefore useful for keeping illustrations in synchrony with the text. It also frees you from inventing descriptive names for PostScript files that fit into the confines of file system conventions.


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Q: How to understand "-input[range(target.shape[0]), target]"? In the official example of PyTorch, it gives a loss function as follows.
def nll(input, target):
    return -input[range(target.shape[0]), target].mean()

loss_func = nll

How to understand the grammar of "input[range(target.shape[0]), target]" in the above function?
"input" has a torch.Size([64, 10]) and "target" has a torch.Size([64]). Why use "range" function here?

A: The range function is used as a shortcut to create a vector/list/generator starting from 0 up to 64. So it is shorthand for essentially [0,1,2,...64]
To make this explicit you could do the following:
def nll(input, target):
    minputlist = list(range(target.shape[0]))
    print(minputlist )
    return -input[minputlist, target].mean()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Meritocracy Vs. Diversity Impasse Stalls Last Hope For Immediate Immigration Reform
Gregory Ferenstein	8 years
A Republican immigration reform bill to grant more visas to high-skilled immigrants is facing an uphill battle in Congress. The proposed bill, The STEM Jobs Act, trades the 55,000 visas allotted under the Diversity Immigrant Visa program to underrepresented nations, especially Africa, and reallocates them to foreign-born students with American graduate degrees in science, technology, engineering, and math. House Democrats, led by California Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren, have offered their own high-skilled alternative, which notably keeps the diversity program. The predictable partisan division, which will likely prevent any meaningful immigration reform before next year, underscores a fundamental debate between those who prioritize diversity over fast-tracking, high-skilled immigrants. Late last night, prominent tech lobbies threw their support behind the Republican's bill.
"I am surprised Democrats would vote against an important bill that will help us create jobs, increase our competitiveness, and spur our innovation," said Rep. Lamar Smith, who introduced the STEM Jobs Act. "The STEM Jobs Act makes our immigration system smarter by eliminating the fraud-ridden diversity visa program and reallocating those visas to foreign graduates of American universities who could help make us more competitive in the global economy."
Democrats, for their part in the do-nothing congressional circus, blamed Republicans for sacrificing the neediest of society for economic gain. "Republicans are only willing to increase legal immigration for immigrants they want by eliminating legal immigration for immigrants they don't want," said Illinois Representative Luis Gutierrez.
The schism in Congress is a familiar one, with one side arguing that piecemeal solutions for immediate needs in the technology sector should come before the long journey to comprehensive reform.
The Information Technology Industry Council, the Consumer Electronics Association, and other noted tech lobbies are siding with Republicans, writing, "Hiring advanced degree STEM professionals is a key to creating and retaining jobs in a variety of sectors in our innovation economy."
But with the election around the corner, high-skilled immigration reform is unlikely to be a voting issue, and tech companies may have to delay their hopes for immigration reform.


RaptorTech's goal was to drop a glider from the edge of space, and with a Raspberry Pi and a high-altitude weather balloon, their vision became a reality.
The goal of this project was to drop a glider from the edge of space using a high altitude weather balloon. The glider is entirely homemade and uses the opensource Pixhawk flight controller + a Raspberry Pi Zero to disconnect at the desired altitude and fly to a predetermined landing location.
Here at Pi Towers, we thoroughly enjoy the link between high-altitude balloon (HAB) enthusiasts and the Raspberry Pi community, from Dave Akerman's first attempt at sending a Raspberry Pi to near-space, to our own Skycademy programme training educators in high-altitude ballooning. HABs and the Pi go together like the macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, chips and gravy…you get the idea.
The RaptorTech team equipped their glider with a Pixhawk flight controller and the small $5 Raspberry Pi Zero to control the time point when the glider disconnects from the HAB, and to allow the glider to autonomously navigate back to a specific landing site.
They made the glider out of foam core and coroplast, with a covering of tape to waterproof the body. Inside it were two cameras, two servos, the Raspberry Pi Zero, and the Pixhawk flight controller with added GPS tracker (in case the glider got lost on the way home). The electronics were protected by handwarmers from freezing at high altitude.
The Raspberry Pi Zero ran a Python script to control the Pixhawk. At take-off, the Zero set the controller into manual mode to keep the glider from trying to fly off toward its final destination. When the glider reached a pre-determined altitude, the Zero disconnected the glider from the HAB by setting off a solid state relay to burn through the connecting wire. Then the Pi started up the flight controller to direct the glider home. You can find the code for this process here.
Due to time limitations and weather restrictions, the RaptorTech team had to drop their glider from 10km instead of 30km as they'd planned. They were pleased to report the safe, successful return of their glider to about 10m from the pre-set landing point.
If you'd like to follow the adventures of RaptorTech, check out their Facebook page. You can also follow them on YouTube and on their website for more RC plane-based mayhem.
mmm,the nefarious potential of this cheap one-use only drone is quite scary. It's no wonder the authorities take a dim view of it.
Once again, I am drawn to the forks analogy. Forks have nefarious potential. They're also very useful for eating spaghetti.
You're 200% right. I usually the pen/pencil analogy. Even plastic knifes can kill with one swift pull over someone's jugular.
tbh I was thinking of deliveries of goodwill messages and the like into prisons, from Gaza into Israel, between the Koreas and between the counties of Ireland. But ho hum. Perhaps the Canadians might consider it to get their Aluminium into the States ?
tbh I was thinking of deliveries of goodwill messages and the like into prisons, from Gaza into Israel, between the Koreas and between the counties of Ireland. But ho hum. Perhaps the Canadians might consider it to get their Aluminium into the States ? Single-use gliders were used for human cargo during WW2 if I'm not mistaken.
You inspire me to work on a fork-based trebuchet system.
I think it is more of an air traffic thing.
If you drop something by parachute, the Air Traffic folks can pretty well guess where it is going to go and keep aircraft clear. Something gliding could end up almost anywhere.
I don't see any of the FAA precautions that are required for High altitude balloon flights.
Does the Rasberry Pi interface with the Pixhawk somehow?
Do you have a wiring diagram?


Designer, Jason Lingard. Image by Sonia Sly.
Jason Lingard made his New Zealand Fashion Week 2017 debut with a dynamic presentation that featured contemporary dancers and showcased his Spring/Summer 18 collection called 'Chaos'. He talks to Sonia Sly from Radio New Zealand's My Heels Are Killing Me podcast about breaking down the barriers to make fashion more inclusive, the inspiration behind his dramatic NZFW show and how his upbringing influenced his vision.
Dancers performing in Jason Lingard's NZFW 2017 show. Image by James Yang Photography.


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BREVILLE Spares and Spare Parts. Find your BREVILLE Part.
Below is a listing of all the Breville models we currently have in our database. Use this page to find your Breville model.
Once found follow the link to see a list of Breville spare parts to fit your Breville machine.


In 1976 the Antique Car Show was in front of Old Snell Hall across from the museum. This year there will be a repeat performance. The museum will have a table with images of antique wedding tents rental cars on the streets of Potsdam at the Snell Hall venue and across the street at the museum there will be an exhibit of artifacts relating to the early days of the automobile.
See our Museum facebook page for luxury wedding marquee hire more images of the 1976 Potsdam Summer Festival!!!


We've put together some FAQs regarding our new commission rates for selling our Lifetime Mortgages.
Will this new commission rate be applied to my existing offers?
No. If we've already offered, the commission rate will not change. The changes will only apply to cases that receive an offer from 2nd April 2019.
Can I request a reoffer on the same terms to benefit from the new commission rate?
No. Please don't request a new offer unless there is a genuine customer need.
Does the commission rate increase apply to all your Lifetime Mortgages products?
Yes, with the exception of our Premier Black Flexible and Premier Black Optional Payment product options. For these cases, commission remains payable at 2% of the initial advance. All commission is capped at £10,000 with any amount above the decency limit will be rebated to the customer by way of cashback at completion.
Are the minimum and maximum levels of commission payment affected?
No, there is no change to the minimum and maximum levels of commission.
For our Flexible and Optional Payment Lifetime Mortgages the minimum commission payable on the initial advance is £500 and the maximum is £10,000. Any amount above the decency limit will be rebated to the customer by way of cashback at completion.
For our Income Lifetime Mortgage there is no minimum commission and the maximum is £10,000.
Where I have issued a KFI which had not reached the decency limit threshold of £10,000 but now does, will my customer qualify for a rebate by way of cashback?
Yes they will. You should contact the customer prior to us issuing the offer to make sure that this remains the right advice and they don't wish to borrow less or switch to a lower LTV product as a result. For example if they want to reduce the initial advance to reflect the increased rebate amount.
If they're switching to another product you'll need to issue a new KFI for that product and confirm the new KFI number with us.
The decency limit threshold of £10,000 has already been reached, and the excess above that is being rebated to the customer by way of cashback. Will this rebate now increase?
Yes it will. You'll need to contact your customer prior to us issuing the offer to make sure that this remains the right advice. They may wish to borrow less or switch to a lower LTV product as a result. For example if they want to reduce the initial advance to reflect the increased rebate amount.
If they're switching to another product you'll need to issue a new KFI and follow our new reoffer process.
Will the sourcing tools reflect these changes?
Yes. The new commission rates will be applied from 2nd April 2019.


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Keeping a Team Mentality
The Wardlaw Family
Pictured: Photographs by Grace-Marie Brunken, grace-mariephotography.com
Brittney and Gary Wardlaw have been through most of the major life changes since they arrived in Waco in January 2017. They've bought and sold a house — and are in the midst of renovating the one they bought — had a baby, changed jobs, moved away from family.
But, they said, it was the right thing for them to do. Brittney was working at Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, when a friend casually mentioned a job opening at Baylor. She thought about it for a while, sort of applied on a whim — and then got hired. She started in the Title IX office at Baylor and then moved over to human resources. Gary, who was in a Ph.D. program, accepted a new role as stay-at-home dad. They've been married for seven years and have two daughters: 4-year-old Anastacia attends Waco Montessori School, and 1-year-old Justice spends her days at home with Gary. The girls will be joined by a sibling in October.
Wacoan writer Kevin Tankersley met with Gary and Brittney in their temporary campus housing near Baylor. They're in an apartment for now as renovation continues on the house they bought in North Waco.
WACOAN: You haven't been in Waco long. Where were y'all previously?
Brittney: We lived in Virginia. We were there a little over 10 years. We both went to Liberty University for our undergrad. Then he stayed for graduate school, and I stayed for law school. Then after that, we got married and planted roots.
Gary: Yeah, she worked at Liberty. I worked for a community behavioral health service board in Lynchburg. We were on boards in Virginia. Pretty planted with professional careers, had family there.
WACOAN: And then?
Gary: So I was in school. I was in my Ph.D. program at James Madison University and going into my second year, which is about an hour and a half away from Lynchburg. I was gone a lot. But I really wanted to work on this degree, and we had basically said Lynchburg was it. Lynchburg was where we wanted to raise our family, where we grow.
Then one day she comes in and says, 'Hey, what do you think about me applying for this position in Waco at Baylor?' That's kind of how it went. Is that how it went?
Brittney: Yeah. A friend that I graduated with in law school was working for Baylor as the Title IX coordinator, and so she was building a team. We were just colleagues in the field. She happened to be visiting and was talking, 'Oh, what's going on with you? This is what's going on in my department,' because I was the Title IX coordinator for Liberty. And so, she mentioned, 'If you ever want to move to Texas, I'm building my team.' And I just kind of [said], thanks, but no thanks.
But for some reason, I just couldn't shake the thought. And I'm like, 'Why am I even entertaining this and having the thought? I'll just mention it to [Gary]. He'll look at me like I'm crazy, and it will be the end of it.'
She mentioned it I think a couple times.
Gary: And this last time, she just couldn't shake it. She thought I was going to shoot it down because obviously I worked super hard to be in the Ph.D. program, to get accepted. And I think I just got to a point where I was like, you know, I'm really not in control of my life, so you know, whatever happens. So when she approached me, I just looked at her and said, 'Sure. Why not? Apply. What's the worst that could happen?'
WACOAN: What's the worst that could happen?
Gary: You get the job, and we leave everything we know. So, she kind of looked at me like, OK. And that was like October 2016.
Brittney: I put in my application November 2016, and we were on a plane and had a U-Haul going across the country January 2017.
WACOAN: Wow.
Brittney and Gary: Yeah.
WACOAN: You're now in human resources, right?
Brittney: Yes.
WACOAN: And what's your title there?
Brittney: It's a really long title.
Gary: Go ahead. Give 'em something, baby.
Brittney: Human resources project manager for policy and affirmative action.
Civil rights and equity stuff. Baylor is wanting to be on the front side of civil rights related issues. Title IX and civil rights are kind of in the same pot.
So they were building this in HR. They were kind of like, 'Hey, would you be interested in being a part of this office and growing that area?' And I was like, 'Great, love to.' I was in Title IX about five or six months and then moved and have been in HR almost a year.
WACOAN: How do you like working in HR?
Brittney: Love working in HR. Cheryl Gochis is the VP. She is hands down probably one of the best leaders I've ever been under in my entire life. She is phenomenal.
WACOAN: What makes her a good leader?
Brittney: The culture she creates in a department. It's a culture that people want to be a part of. People enjoy working. People are motivated to work. She is very intentional about every single person that's in her department. She's super intelligent but very down to earth and genuinely cares for each person and each person's story.
Gary: Makes you feel important.
Brittney: Yeah, she really does. And she just sets a tone. One of the things she's really big about is creating a culture of gratefulness and gratitude for one another. She creates a culture of feedback where you want to get feedback from other people, and we're creating a space where people are comfortable giving feedback.
And she's very, very intentional about no gossip in the workspace. That is just something that she does not tolerate because she just wants to create a very healthy workspace. Work-home balance, she's all about that. Yeah, it's just a lot of things I feel like when I'm put in a leadership position again I want to take away.
WACOAN: In your job with civil rights and equity, what do you actually do?
Brittney: I do investigations for claims that come in related to discrimination, harassment around protected characteristics. So, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, disability, veteran status. Any time someone brings in a complaint, myself and the [equal employment opportunity] manager, we take those complaints, look at our policy, see if it's something that could be a violation of our policy, and we do the investigation. That's one aspect of it.
Then the other aspect is education. Just educating people about bias, implicit bias, explicit bias, diversity, just different things like that.
WACOAN: And when you were in law school, what did you envision yourself doing?
Brittney: I actually had every intention in practicing family law. I had an internship with a family law firm in Georgia. I also worked at Legal Aid. I really wanted to give back to the community in that way. I thought I was going to practice family law.
When I graduated from law school, [Gary] was still in his graduate program. At Liberty, if a spouse works for the university, [you get] tuition assistance, continuing education and all of that. And I was offered a position in student conduct. I was like, oh yeah. That would be something I could do for a little while until he's done. And then once he's done, I can get out and start practicing.
What I found out as I started working in student conduct and student affairs, especially when I would go to professional development seminars, I would meet attorneys everywhere. And I remember thinking, 'I don't understand why you have this job. I know why I'm doing it. Why are you doing it?' And time and time again, they said, 'This is the field to be in. I'm telling you, this is a good place to be. Higher education for JDs is a great spot.'
So, I realized, hmm, this might not be a bad idea. And then shortly after that, that's when all the Title IX stuff hit the fan, and most institutions were putting juris doctorates or attorneys in those positions. So, I was there, and they said, 'Can you do this for us?'
Gary: Yeah. It was like three promotions.
Brittney: Very quickly. Just because of right place, right time.
Gary: And skill set, being able to be a leader. And it fit her. She was actually enjoying what she was doing.
WACOAN: And what was your undergraduate degree in?
Brittney: International business and marketing.
WACOAN: Gary, what was your undergraduate degree?
Gary: My undergrad was in communications, advertising and public relations.
WACOAN: And then you got a master's?
Gary: In marriage and family therapy.
WACOAN: And then you were working on a Ph.D. in?
Gary: Counseling education, which was under the graduate psychology. So, it was a Ph.D. but in counseling education. I would also be able to teach when I finished.
WACOAN: And so, are you going to go back and finish that Ph.D. sometime?
Gary: You know, that's a great question. I don't know right now. I looked at Baylor's program, and it would be a Ph.D. in psychology, so I'd have to start all over. But I was going to be a psychologist. But for right now, I don't know if it would be the time with having two little ones in the home.
WACOAN: So, your title now is?
Gary: My title now is a stay-at-home dad.
WACOAN: How's that going?
Gary: [Laughs.] Oh man, it was the roughest transition ever. It was good though because I think it really taught me how to serve my family. It really taught me how to take care of my girls and my wife, of the household all-day, everyday as opposed to just a few nights for the few hours in the evening, read a book, bathe them and put them to bed. I'm responsible for feeding and nurturing and growing and reading and helping hit developmental milestones.
I think at first it was really fun because I just had a 2-year-old, and [Brittney] was still pregnant when we got here. She was 36 weeks pregnant when we got to Waco, had the baby four weeks later. And then we added a newborn to the mix.
That's when it got really challenging because now I'm having to cater to a 2-year-old or a 3-year-old and the newborn, [now] 3- or 4-month-old. It was really tough trying to learn how to care for each of them in their different stages of life.
Brittney: And one of the things he said was this was by far the hardest job he's ever had.
Gary: I've been more in tears here than ever in the past. And it's just because it's a different skill set. It was muscles I had never used before. It was a huge learning curve to be thrown in because you're just not taught. Men aren't supposed to stay at home or think they can stay at home. I just think the way the culture is set up. So, for me to just be thrown into it with two kids —
Brittney: Two girls.
Gary: Two girls. It was, it was challenging. But just like anything else, I started learning, started getting in the groove. But it is challenging because [as a dad] you just don't have the community that a lot of moms have when they stay at home.
WACOAN: So it sounds like in a space of a month, you left jobs, you moved to a place you had never lived before and you had a baby.
Brittney and Gary: Yes.
WACOAN: So, three major transitions all at one time.
Gary: Does selling and buying a house count? Trying to sell a house.
WACOAN: And having to deal with that while moving and about to have a baby. How was the transition?
Brittney: That's a loaded question.
Gary: Yeah, it's a loaded question. So, at first it was cool.
Brittney: Exciting.
Gary: Yeah, it was really exciting. It was like, wow, we come here, house is on the market, we get here to Baylor, new place. We actually stay on campus but about half a mile over. It's all great. You know, apartment life, we're on campus, food wherever we want. Nice big areas to play in.
Brittney: Meeting people.
Gary: Meeting people, it was great. And it was like we're really getting acclimated to Waco. The people of Waco were great. They love, they surrounded us. When we had a baby, they bought us gifts, they brought us food. I mean, it was really tight-knit community it felt. But then things started getting hard after that started to wear off. Our house wasn't selling, so now we're paying rent and we're paying house mortgage and utilities in both places.
Brittney: And I'm the only one working. [We have] two kids.
Gary: We couldn't do anything until the house sold. And that took nine months.
Brittney: Ten months.
Gary: So you kind of fast forward. We moved to a different place.
Brittney: And obviously missing family. But we've always been pretty tight; he and I have always been a really tight unit. So, [it was] an adventure to us, we're like, 'Yeah, now let's go!'
Gary: Wardlaws to Waco. Yeah, that was our tagline when we got here. Our hashtag was #WardlawstoWaco.
Brittney: And we were excited about all of that. But reality is, like he said, we're really close to our family. And we left all of our family on the East Coast. And so, when things started getting a little harder, and you feel like you need a break, you want somebody to watch your kids, but you don't really know anybody like that, and you don't have family. Those things start to get to you a little bit.
Gary: That was, so that was tough. Because, again, we're so tight, so tight-knit as a family. So when, like holidays start coming around and we're by ourselves, it kind of started sinking in, like, this is not what we signed up for.
Brittney: We did find a lot of community though, we did.
WACOAN: Where did you find community?
Brittney: Antioch [Community Church].
Gary: Your job.
Brittney: My job, too. There's definitely people that have been intentional that we've built relationships with. When I was in the Title IX office, there was another couple that moved here from Virginia a few months before we did. So, people like that and —
Gary: Antioch was a huge blessing. When we got here, we had [Waco Birth Center & Clinic], Brenda Keep, deliver Justice. She was one of the first people to invite us [to church]. So we went there. We definitely found community, found people that we connected with.
WACOAN: And in one of your emails, you said this is temporary campus housing?
WACOAN: So that means there's permanent housing somewhere?
Gary: That's another challenge, yes. Add this to the list. It was so challenging because it's not what we thought it was going to be. This is not how it was going to play out. We were going to come here, find a nice home, maybe even get a fixer upper, right? We're new to the area. We just couldn't find anything. We couldn't buy anything. And then we bought a home in North Waco.
Brittney: The week after our house sold.
Gary: Our house sold in September. We found a home, it was friends of ours [selling it]. They were selling it before they put it on the market, and it was exactly what we wanted because it has a separate guest house detached from the house. And what we've been looking for is a place I can start my private practice for mental health and see couples and families. And so it was perfect.
We walked through the house. It needed to be fixed up. We saw some things. We went outside, and we both looked at each other like, this is it.
Brittney: This is it.
Gary: Asked them how much they wanted. So, yeah within about three or four weeks, working with TFNB, they approved us and we got our things situated, and then boom. So, now we're back to paying a mortgage and rent.
Brittney: It's been a long journey to get to renovations. They didn't move out of the house until about November or December because they were still looking. We were going to start our renovations as soon as they transitioned out. As soon as they transitioned out, we had the cold and the freeze and all that stuff.
Gary: Snow in Waco. The two snows and snow days.
Brittney: The pipes burst in the house.
Gary: I go in inside, and we had a lot of damage, a lot of damage.
Brittney: Yeah. So, enter insurance. Then we start the insurance process. And floors and insurance and all of that, and then tacking on the renovation to that. So, that's been going on since January.
Gary: So fast forward, we finally found a contractor. And they did all the demo. Now we're in the last phases of getting the blueprints, layout.
WACOAN: So when should this no longer be temporary housing and you should be in your permanent place?
Brittney: We have this place until August 10. And the contractors say they'll finish in July.
Gary: And we'll have a baby in October. So I'm hoping and praying that we'll be able to be in our home no later than August. That's the plan.
WACOAN: House struggles notwithstanding, how have y'all liked Waco?
Gary: We've loved Waco.
Brittney: We love Waco.
WACOAN: Why do you love Waco?
Gary: I think the community. I mean, I think it's kind of cliché: 'It's a great area to raise your family.' But it's true. We love the fact that it's not as busy as Dallas and Austin.
Brittney: But Dallas and Austin are easily accessible.
Gary: Easily accessible because we do like to travel, do like to get out. I think the support of businesses around here, the support of local businesses, I really appreciate that about Waco. I love the growth that Waco is having.
Brittney: I think one thing that used to be kind of sad where we were is people would have these dreams and start these great small businesses, but for whatever reason, even if it seemed like there would be traffic there, they would shut down within a year. But one thing we absolutely love about Waco is those small businesses thrive, from what we've seen. People get a good business started. It's like the city rallies around small business and really wants to see you do well.
So that really just gave us a lot of hope, and we've had so much encouragement with his launch, with his private practice. People have been so supportive and so enthusiastic and so eager to offer whatever, their experience, encouragement, anything like that. I think that's one thing that I really love. And there's all these little hidden treasures in Waco too.
WACOAN: Like?
Brittney: When I was on maternity leave, we became friends with Luke and Rachel Whyte, who are owners of Waco Tours. And so, we went on the Waco tour, which was great because it took us to little coves by Cameron Park, Lovers Leap and little restaurants that open in these little random places. I'm thinking of places like Cajun Craft.
Gary: And I love the Tex-Mex. I love Tex-Mex.
Brittney: And we go to a lot of Baylor games too.
Gary: Oh, we love Baylor. And that's one of the great things about being on campus. You just walk to games.
Brittney: We love sports, oh my goodness.
Gary: I love the relationship between Waco and Baylor.
Brittney: It's really good.
Gary: And just to see the support of not only the academic side but the athletic side of things.
Brittney: They give back to the community. Baylor's really intentional about being involved in the community too.
Gary: Food trucks, the events that happen in Waco, like the [Texas] Food Truck Showdown.
Brittney: Yeah, stuff like that. We love that stuff.
Gary: East Waco. One thing I really do appreciate is just getting to know people in the community and how they really are rallying around areas that are really poverty-stricken.
Even when I was driving around East Waco, the rich history, learning about Doris Miller. And just driving through and seeing the mural, and there were even some new construction homes.
I told my wife a couple of days later, 'I need to take you to see what they're trying to do to build up that side of Waco, that side of the community.' What's the restaurant?
Brittney: Lula Jane's.
Gary: It's just where she's located and what she stands for.
WACOAN: How does Waco compare to Lynchburg?
Brittney: It's similar in size.
Gary: Yeah. College town.
Brittney: Yeah, Liberty is in Lynchburg. Liberty is about the same size as Baylor.
In Lynchburg, there's growth, but it's not the uptick as it is in Waco. And I think one of the things that we really appreciate about Waco is the partnership, the Baylor-Waco relationship.
Gary: The trust.
Brittney: It's not there in Lynchburg. You just don't get the same response, like, you can tell by athletic games. Athletic games at Liberty, you're not really going to see anybody outside of Liberty. But here, everybody comes. I mean, it's full. It's the city. It's alumni. It's the students.
WACOAN: Gary, when you told your buddies back in Virginia that you were going to be a stay-at-home dad, how'd that go?
Gary: Oh man. I got everything from, 'You're going to be ironing your wife's clothes' to 'You need to get a job. You shouldn't let your wife work' to 'That's really cool. That's amazing that you get to be a stay-at-home dad.'
It's like I'll call one of my friends in the middle of the day, and he says, 'Look, I got a job. I can't answer. I've got a job unlike somebody I know,' talking about me. I'm just like, 'Y'all don't realize the work that I put in every day.'
So, I think it's probably been like 70/30. It's been like really supportive, and the other 30 percent's been like, 'Uh, when you going back to work?'
Once I got here, I started vlogging ARVE Error: The [[arve]] shortcode needs one of this attributes av1mp4, mp4, m4v, webm, ogv, url
. We created an Instagram page, YouTube channel, Facebook, and I just kind of put everything out there.
WACOAN: Why did you choose to go this route with the stay-at-home dad instead of both working and putting the kids in day care or school?
Gary: A couple reasons. One, when we got here at 36 weeks pregnant, I was like, I don't trust anyone around here to be able to just watch my newborn.
And, I've worked since I was 14. I could probably date it back a little further than that when I was selling fruit. I'm from a real small, country town, so I sold fruits and vegetables on the corner. But I just felt like I had missed a lot of Anastacia's first year, being away, working so hard.
That's the mentality. As a husband, you work, work, work. You try to climb the ladder, get this degree, get this license, get this certification. And I just felt like this was a great opportunity to stay with my girls and to enjoy and embrace these moments that I can never get back. And I think also too just knowing how important it is for fathers to be present.
I felt like I could use my privilege. I have a wife who is intelligent and works hard and doesn't mind going out and working. I just thought, maybe I should use this privilege to be able to put it on social media, to show other people that dads can be involved in their daughters' lives, in their sons', in their children's lives.
And I think the other thing is I didn't want to just get any job. I actually turned down a research position. I applied to a few positions. I got an offer from Baylor Scott & White as a research assistant, which I would have needed to be able to go to Baylor. If I ever wanted to go into their Ph.D. program, I need research experience.
But at that time, I told my wife, I think I'm supposed to open a private practice next year. And when I told her that, she was in full support.
Brittney: It's like, yes! That's it, that's it.
Gary: She just knew, like, yes, that's what we need to do. I think that kind of carried me over to, don't just go get a job. Be patient. Because I didn't want to start a job and have to leave it.
Brittney: And I would have supported him if he wanted to go, but it felt a little bit like he was getting anxious about staying home, and he felt like he needed to get out. And I really believed in this practice, really believed in it. And if this is what he wants to do, I want to support him and encourage him in that.
Gary: But I think another reason why we didn't put our girls in day care, kind of a short story. One of our friends, he's African-American. We grew up together in a small town. Where I'm from, you don't really get out. If you get across the bridge, you're really doing something big, you know. And it was just amazing for me to be able to leave, get into a good school, graduate, get married. Where I'm from, a lot of people don't really get married, have a family.
And [my friend is] really big on education of African-Americans and learning the history and educating ourselves on the things that we're not taught in school. Like, we're taught this one pretty narrow way —
Brittney: Mainstream.
Gary: Mainstream American history. And he's really big about challenging all people, especially African-Americans, 'Hey, let's think about.'
He just called me one day. And it was a pretty tough day I was having, and we were talking about white privilege. I kind of understand this buzzword and the term, and he was like, 'You don't realize it, but, dude, you're privileged. You're privileged to be able to stay at home.' He said, 'Take your privilege.' Because obviously as a therapist and [in] the counseling profession, we always say my privilege is not bad. I think a lot of times people get offended [to be called privileged]. And it's like, just use it for better. Use it for the good.
So, translating that to me, he was like, 'You're a black male.' Where we're from, literally I don't know anyone else where I'm from that's doing what I'm able to do by staying at home. And I mean, it's challenging, it's tough, it's tight. But we still get to do it. And it just dawned on me. I didn't consider myself privileged by being able to stay at home.
So I think another reason why we decided not to put our girls in day care and for me to just go back home, I didn't go back out and work because people do need to see African-American fathers involved, engaged and a part of their children's lives. I feel like I can be that model, that picture, that story, I feel like it's good for the overall community, especially to break down stereotypes of absent fathers.
Brittney: And he's good at what he does. Like, he cooks great meals.
WACOAN: What's his best thing to cook?
Brittney: Oh. Oh, man. He makes, I would say, if it's dinner, he makes homemade French fries, like cuts up the potatoes. He fries them on the stove. They are so good. Homemade French fries with like homemade turkey burgers or bean burgers.
Breakfast, I call them heavenly pancakes. Heavenly pancakes for breakfast. Eggs, bacon. He just finds a lot of creative things to make.
Oh, cauliflower pizza. So, he makes the crust out of cauliflower. It's a lot of work. But it is so good.
Gary: You take the cauliflower. You steam it, get it soft. Put it in the Vitamix [blender]. Rinse it out, take out all the water. You have to really get it as dry as you can. Put your oregano, Italian seasoning, garlic, and you just mix it all up.
So you make the dough out of the cauliflower, spread it out, form it. Add tomato sauce, cheese, pepperoni, usually turkey, whatever we're feeling.
There's a recipe I got, and I kind of modified it a little bit. But I just love doing different things. I made chickpea cookies today and took them to school. Chickpea chocolate chip cookies.
Brittney: Gary's really intentional about finding good-tasting, healthy options that do take a lot more work. He's just really intentional about keeping his family healthy.
WACOAN: Who takes Anastacia to school?
Gary: So, my job literally, we get up, I get [the girls], she picks out the clothes. I get them dressed. I cook breakfast for them. I do the girls' hair. I do my wife's hair. I do it all.
Brittney: Self-taught.
Gary: Yeah, self-taught. We had big spikes in our following on social media [when] someone in the U.K. got a hold of one of my hair videos and reposted it. I appreciate being able to learn how to do my daughters' and my wife's natural hair.
Then I'll take her to work because we're a one-car family, then take Anastacia to school about 8:15 [a.m.] and then I come home. And me and Justice, we read, we play, we nap. I cook. I prep dinner. I'll do laundry. Go pick [Anastacia] up at about 3 [p.m.], and like today, we'll go to the library from about 3 to 5. Or we'll go to the museum, or we'll go to the zoo, or go get ice cream. Fridays are ice cream. We'll take her to Coco's right over there by Waco Montessori. Then 4:45 come get this sweetie, [Brittney], pick her up from Baylor, come home. We'll do dinner here. I'll prep dinner here, or we'll go to one of the dining halls. So, and then after that, bedtime routines, bath, and then at 9 or 10 o'clock or so, we'll get some time to ourselves.
WACOAN: I'm exhausted just hearing that. When you're dropping off, picking up, are you the only dad?
Gary: No. There's actually one other dad. He's a stay-at-home dad.
WACOAN: Is there anything else I need to know?
Brittney: Probably that our faith has sustained us in this transition for sure.
Gary: By faith in Christ. It really has. We've stayed strong. This has probably been the most challenging year of our marriage. But I think at the end of it, we're stronger. And I think when we tell people our story, they're kind of amazed. I think one of her colleagues said, 'You guys need to write a book.' I just don't think we've really realized how tough this has been until we start to tell people. Because we have been on the same page. Because we do keep the team mentality when it comes to this big transition. It's gotten tested, but I do believe that we always come back to our faith and how that has been really the —
Brittney: Foundation.
Gary: Yeah, of our marriage.
Brittney: Because, I mean, literally what we've gone through would either push people apart or bring them together.
Tags: Baylor | Faith | Family | Lawyer | Stay at Home | Stay at Home Dad | Transition


The Gloster Ambient Nest is a solar and mains power rechargeable LED light unit. It has a Infrared remote control with 3 light output settings. Battery life of approximately 4 hours on maximum light setting.


Escobar reportedly supplied an estimated 80% of the cocaine smuggled into the United States at the height of his career, earning over $21.9 billion a year. Named "The King of Cocaine," he was the wealthiest criminal in history, with an estimated net worth of $25 to $30 billion by the early 1990s, which made him one of the richest men in the world at the time.
Colombia's cocaine industry were responsible for the country becoming the world's murder capital with 25,100 violent deaths in 1991 and 27,100 in 1992. The increased murder rate was driven by Escobar's hiring of hitmen to kill more than 600 police officers during this period.
Escobar, who headed the Medellín Cartel for 17 years, was responsible for the deaths of more than 3,500 people. In 1993, he was shot dead by police in 1993, after fleeing from La Catedral prison in Colombia. The scene was recreated in the Netflix series Narcos.
Consumers considered the Australian pop-up's nod to the terrorist to be inappropriate. The "Patron" burger has been widely criticized on Instagram. "This is really offensive and disrespectful to all the families of the victims that suffered the atrocities committed by this monster," one user wrote.
"He is not a hero, he was the biggest cancer in my country," another added. "This is really offensive and no one should ever visit your 'restaurant'. IGNORANT."
Some sought to defend Pablo's Escoburgers, believing that the name of the restaurant is intended as a light-hearted joke. "Snowflakes, petals and the easily offended. When did you lose your sense of humour?" a Facebook user wrote.
Last month, Pablo's Escoburgers released a statement saying that they were not overlooking Escobar's actions with the theme of the restaurant. "We are very proud of our burgers but we do also understand that Pablo Escobar was a horrible man who destroyed the lives of thousands of Colombians," the statement reads. "We do not condone, idolise or promote Pablo Emilio Escobar or his actions in anyway. We are however Australian and know how to have a laugh about a good play on words."
While the Melbourne restaurant recognizes that the restaurant may rub some the wrong way, it is not apologizing or backing down. "Hard not to offend someone in 2019," they added. "Take the high road people, put it to rest and learn to forgive and forget!"


text:
Q: Generating inverse permutation Suppose we are given a vector foo and we have to temporarily permute it (sort or re-order it), compute some vector bar on the base of it, and finally permute back both foo and bar to the original order of foo - that means inverse permutation:
foo <- c(1, 7, 3, 5, 2)
o <- order(foo)
foo <- foo[o] # Now foo is permuted, and sorted: foo == 1 2 3 5 7
bar = 2 * foo # bar == 2 4 6 10 14

And here should go your answer, such that we have the below desired final values:
foo == 1 7 3 5 2
bar == 2 14 6 10 4

How to do this?
Please simply do not reply: "you could do bar = 2 * foo and not permute it". This is just a simple example. In some situations we have to sort foo for efficiency (quick search over it) or something like that.

A: To recover the original order, use order(o):
> (foo[o]*2)[order(o)]
[1]  2 14  6 10  4

A: This will work, because [order(o)] inverts the action of [o]:
foo <- c(1, 7, 3, 5, 2)
o <- order(foo)

(foo[o]*2)[order(o)]
# [1]  2 14  6 10  4

To show that it works more generally:
testAlgorithm <- function(foo) {
    o <- order(foo)
    identical(foo, foo[o][order(o)])
}

x <- c(1, 7, 3, 5, 2)
y <- c(1,2,5,7,4, 99, 88, 3, 0)
z <- sample(1000)                  ## (No ties)
zz <- sample(1000, replace=TRUE)   ## (Many ties)
all(sapply(list(x,y,z,zz), testAlgorithm))
[1] TRUE


It's official, red hair more than a fashion is becoming a must in Korea, since so many of the most popular and attractive K-pop stars have turned their hair to this color.
From a light pinkish to a hot passionate purple we have really seen all shades of red and we love them, none excluded!
Red as passion, red as a K-Pop star, for your inspiration, Thainarak.net brings to you a gallery of the hottest Korean stars of the moment who turned their hair to a red sensation.


text:
Reports Suspicious Deaths And Suicides In Turkey
Suspicious Deaths And Suicides In Turkey
– Suspicious deaths and suicides on the rise in Turkey with 54 people in last 8 months
Against the background of massive crackdown on critics and opponents in Turkey and widespread torture practices in detentions and prisons, 54 people were reported to have lost their lives, most under suspicious circumstances and under lock-up in the last eight months, a report released by Stockholm Center for Freedom (SCF) has revealed.
"Turkish government is responsible for the lives and well-beings of the people who are imprisoned, yet we have seen an unprecedented spike in the reported suicide cases under the watch of authorities," Abdullah Bozkurt, the President of SCF said.
"The suspicious deaths, described by authorities as suicides, has not only taken place in jails but also beyond the prison walls amid psychological pressure and threats of imminent imprisonment and torture following the release of suspects or before the detention," he added.
It is difficult to obtain details of fatalities that occur in jails, detentions or other places because of the fact the Turkish government is not forthcoming with the information and that relatives are afraid of talking to investigators and reporters. Yet, SCF has identified 54 cases in less than a year, mostly from publicly available data by scouring news reports on print and online sources.
In some cases, deaths are believed to have taken place after severe torture suspects were subjected in Turkey's prisons and detention centers. In several cases, suspects reportedly took their lives immediately before an imminent arrest or right after the release, raising suspicions of a foul play on the part of authorities. The psychological pressure by the government and trauma of being targeted as part of an unprecedented witch-hunt campaign targeting critics and dissidents in Turkey have also played a role in some reported suicide cases, many believe.
Just like so many cases of torture and ill-treatment of suspects in Turkey, widely reported by credible intergovernmental institutions including the United Nations and the Council of Europe as well as non-governmental organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, there has been no effective, independent and through investigation into these suspicious deaths.
SCF believes the true number of deaths under the extended emergency rule since July of last year in Turkey is still unknown. Moreover, it remains highly concerned over reports that the government runs secret and unofficial holding centers for some who were abducted with a total disregard to a due process.
SCF considers the information presented in this research is accurate to the best of its knowledge and declares that it remains open to make corrections, updates if further information becomes available.
Suspicious Deaths And Suicides In Turkey: – Human Rights Defenders September 14, 2018 At 12:02 am
[…] https://stockholmcf.org/suspicious-deaths-and-suicides-in-turkey […]


Technically Incorrect: The Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos confronts flying nuisances as only he can.
I'm not sure which fans I find more peculiar -- those of hockey or those of drones.
Indeed, if I were to have dinner with a drone-loving hockey fan, I'd hope that the wine would be especially good.
What had never crossed my mind until Wednesday, however, was that hockey might provide a new way to take out a drone.
Drone-loathers have used guns, of course. But here is the Tampa Bay Lightning's Steven Stamkos taking out drones with his most familiar skill -- puck-propulsion with a big stick.
As the drones hover over the ice, he shoots and scores. The drones collapse to the ground. This all seems to be some sort of promotional wheeze for Sport Chek, a Canadian sports apparel company.
Still, it will surely stimulate some who'll be considering their methods for fighting a flying intruder. Yes, many Americans will choose guns. However, a little more ingenuity will likely emerge from some quarters.
Will Tom Brady be able to de-float a drone with one piercing spiral? Will archers be forewarned and forearmed by flexing their forearms and sending arrows skyward? Will drones be assailed by sticks and stones propelled from homes?
Or will we come to love the little buzzy things the way we've come to adore bees -- what's left of the poor things?
Stamkos, however, seems to have no illusions. Having shot down all the flying targets, he merely mutters: "I hate drones."
That's the lovely thing about hockey players. They're nuanced thinkers.


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Future Startup Interview: Abdullah Al-Rezwan, Founder, MBI Deep Dives January 17, 2023
Reflections and Ideas: AHM Modasser Billah, Senior Back-end Developer, Doist February 1, 2023
Mohan Belani on the making of E27, the future of media business, the importance of trying… September 19, 2022
How To Bootstrap Your Startup?
By Ruhul Kader
For me, a bootstrapper isn't a particular demographic or even a certain financial situation. Instead, it's a state of mind. Bootstrappers run billion-dollar companies, nonprofit organizations, and start-ups in their basements. A bootstrapper is determined to build a business that pays for itself every day. In many ways, it's easiest to define a bootstrapper by what she isn't: a money-raising bureaucrat who specializes in using other people's money to take big risks in growing a business.~Seth Godin
This definition of bootstrapper is interesting. It tells you exactly what bootstrapping is. However, it's not as simple as it sounds. Bootstrapping has several advantages and disadvantages as well. It's often a painstaking approach to take and hard to scale a business. But it will give you more control in your baby and will push you to be creative with expenses.
[su_dropcap style="flat" size="5"]W[/su_dropcap]Ways to bootstrapping
There are several ways of bootstrapping. You can do it as a side project, or you can start with a small capital, or you can start it with a state of ramen profitability. A clear explanation of these three types is given below.
I spent the first 8 months after university working 3 days a week as a web developer and spending most of my other 4 days working on my first real startup. This worked well to a certain extent - the startup was built and launched within 2-3 months, and it got a certain amount of traction throughout that period. ~Joel, Founder & CEO, Buffer
You can start it as side project beside your day job and keep working on it until it becomes something that can give you enough cash to leave job and work full time. Most recent of this example is Tina and Ryan Essmaker's move with The Great Discontent from a side project to full time project. Tina and Ryan have been working on The Great Discontent for almost two years beside their day job and other design engagement. This year they started working on it as a full time project.
Many entrepreneurs of today did this kind of bootstrapping successfully. Tattly, the temporary tattoo making company based in NYC is another example of side project started by Tina popularly known as Swiss Miss.
Taking a startup as a side project is a very challenging task. You need to have that level of attention, dedication, and energy to make it every single day.
Invest you own money
Future Startup Interview: Abdullah Al-Rezwan, Founder, MBI…
Reflections and Ideas: AHM Modasser Billah, Senior Back-end…
Mohan Belani on the making of E27, the future of media…
How law firms work, legal fundamentals for startups,…
For many founders after working few days as side project taking it as full project is the common nature. You work on your project on the side while doing a day job or contract job then after accumulating a small fund you get into it full time to give it a push. However, this can be done in several ways and at several levels. But if your startup is unlikely to generate any cash flow then this is a risky bet. Jole puts it very well: Having tried working in waves, I would not recommend it as a long term strategy.
Ramen profitability
Paul Graham of Y Combinator coined the term first and explained it as follows:
At YC we use the phrase "ramen profitable" to describe the situation where you're making just enough to pay your living expenses. Once you cross into ramen profitable, everything changes. You may still need investment to make it big, but you don't need it this month.~Paul Graham
This is a huge leap. If you can reach at this stage it's almost possible to do anything. A Ramen profitable startup is capable to keep it afloat and can pay your dues as well. Best part of this situation is that you can stop worrying about tomorrow and put everything in work.
But achieving ramen profitability is not that easy. You need to make a product that can generate early revenue. While working on your startup try harder to hit the ramen profitability stage. This can change everything.
[su_dropcap style="flat" size="5"]P[/su_dropcap]Principles of bootstrapping
You can take the challenge and do the hard work it requires. You can even work on a side project or on the waves. But before all of it you have to understand whether your hard work is going to produce any result or not. Few principles of bootstrapping I think you need to understand before embarking on your journey.
Understanding business model start before starting a business. You business must be profitable, adjustable, scalable, protectable to get it rolling
Great ideas do not matter. Make sure your startup can make money. Don't start with an idea that can change the world.
Stop doing lots of things. Keep it as lean as possible and keep your eyes and heart on hitting ramen profitability stage
[su_dropcap style="flat" size="5"]M[/su_dropcap]My take away
If I was just starting out now with the knowledge I now have, I would completely focus on reaching ramen profitability, and I would work on the side on a "tool" with paid plans rather than a "social" idea. This is the approach I took with Buffer and it worked surprisingly well.~Joel, Founder & CEO, Buffer
This quote above tells a lot what you need to do after reading this article. I think changing world is good dream but it will remain a dream if you fail to survive. For startups survival is the key. You should do everything to make money to survive.
Bootstrapping is one of the best ways of making an idea happen. It doesn't require full time engagement; it does not require loads of money and so on. You just make sure you are working with enough focus to hit the ramen profitability. When you are there everything will change.
Notes: [1] To have a more clear understanding on bootstrapping I would strongly suggest Seth Godin's Bootstrapper's Bible
[2] According to Joel, Buffer is a result of successful bootstrapping. For more vivid understanding on this topic check his blog. Many of the ideas of this post is taken from his experience described in his blog.
[3] The Great Discontent is coming up with a great physical magazine. Check their website for details.
[4] Flickr image by Donald Clark & NoHoDamon
Bootstrapping, ideas, starting, Startup
Mohammad Ruhul Kader is a Dhaka-based entrepreneur and writer. He founded Future Startup, a digital publication covering the startup and technology scene in Dhaka with an ambition to transform Bangladesh through entrepreneurship and innovation. He writes about internet business, strategy, technology, and society. He is the author of Rethinking Failure. His writings have been published in almost all major national dailies in Bangladesh including DT, FE, etc. Prior to FS, he worked for a local conglomerate where he helped start a social enterprise. Ruhul is a 2021 winner of Emergent Ventures, a fellowship and grant program from the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. He can be reached at [email protected]


text:
Sports Direct says annual results 'disappointing'
In the midst of a tough trading environment, particularly in the second half, Sports Direct Group said that it had a disappointing financial result for FY16 with underlying EBITDA largely flat on FY15. Group revenue increased by 2.5 percent to 2,904.3 million pounds (3,764 million dollars) in the year, which the company said was primarily due to the increase in Sports Retail revenue of 3.9 percent to 2,491.6 million pounds (3,229.6 million dollars).
Commenting on the preliminary update, Dave Forsey, Chief Executive, said, "The Group has delivered a disappointing full year financial performance, impacted primarily by a tough trading environment in the second half across our sports retail businesses. Our continued investment in upgrading and relocating stores, including key location doors such as Leeds and Plymouth, has been well received by our leading third party suppliers. Unfortunately our disappointing results have meant that the Group has not achieved the first EBITDA target set by the 2015 Share Scheme."
Sports Direct posts disappointing annual results
Premium lifestyle revenue fell by 12.7 percent, largely due to the closure of loss-making stores in the period, and revenue was up 2.3 percent in brands, with increases in both wholesale and licensing. Group gross margin in the year increased by 40 basis points from 43.8 percent to 44.2 percent. Sports Retail maintained the previous year's gross margin at 44.6 percent, while the Brands division gross margin increased by 180 basis points from 40.3 percent to 42.1 percent, and Premium Lifestyle's gross margin increased by 330 basis points from 38.8 percent to 42.1 percent, which was largely due to discounting and clearance of stock in the prior year.
Group underlying EBITDA (pre-Share Scheme costs) for the year was down 0.5 percent and Sports Retail underlying EBITDA was down 2.2 percent, while the Premium Lifestyle and Brands division underlying EBITDA increased to below 5.1million pounds (6.6 million dollars) and 37.5 million pounds (48.5 million dollars) respectively. The Premium Lifestyle division achieved a breakeven underlying EBITDA result in the second half of FY16.
Group underlying profit before tax decreased 8.4 percent due to lower EBITDA and higher depreciation charges. In line with this movement, underlying EPS for the year decreased by 8.7 percent to 35.5p.
Premium Lifestyle and Brands business review
Premium Lifestyle sales decreased 12.7 percent to 181.2 million pounds (234.6 million dollars), due to the closure of loss-making stores in the year. The Underlying EBITDA loss for Premium Lifestyle decreased to 5.1 million pounds (6.6 million dollars) and achieved breakeven in the second half. The company expects to see further benefits of the rationalisation efforts in future years. At the year end, the Premium Lifestyle division traded from 83 stores under four main fascias.
The Brands portfolio includes a wide variety of sport and lifestyle brands. The Group's Sports Retail division sells products under these brands in its stores, and the brands division sells the brands through its wholesale and licensing activities. The brands division's total revenue increased by 2.3 percent to 231.5 million pounds (299.8 million dollars). Wholesale revenues were up 1.8 percent to 196.7 million pounds (254.6 million dollars), including growth in the challenging UK market. Trading in the US market was in line with expectations. Licensing revenues in the year were up 5.1 percent and the company signed 35 new licence agreements and renewed several existing licensees, covering multiple brands, product categories and geographies, during the year. The key growth areas are now expected to include Australasia and Asia Pacific.
Uncertain about the outlook ahead
Trading since the start of May and leading up to the EU referendum was broadly in line with management expectations albeit with the continued volatility seen in the wider retail sector. Since the EU vote, the company expects the current political uncertainty, and potential weakness in the UK's short to medium term economic outlook, is likely to act as a continuing drag on consumer confidence. When combined with the structural difficulties for UK retailers, including high street footfall, and its exposure to the weakness of the pound against the US dollar, these factors make the current outlook for FY17 somewhat uncertain.
picture:sportsdirectplc