text:
Illinois Playbook
Shia Kapos' must-read rundown of political news in the Land of Lincoln
RAUNER's 4th pick — Polls show it's MENDOZA v. PRECKWINKLE — CUBS shout-out at 44th Ward forum
By SHIA KAPOS and ADRIENNE HURST
Happy Thursday, Illinois. Chicago could get its third skyscraper observatory and all I can say is I hope y'all enjoy it cuz I'm not going up. Story here
Richard Porter was the fourth person Gov. Bruce Rauner approached to run for governor. The Chicago attorney who also serves as an Illinois RNC National Committeeman told POLITICO it wasn't so gauche as to be an outright ask.
"I would have described it as more of an aside in a strategy conversation focused more on how he could win (rather) than an offer," Porter said of their telephone call. Rauner also approached state Sen. Karen McConnaughay, Cubs owner Todd Ricketts and then-GOP attorney general candidate Erika Harold.
Rauner "was in to win," Porter said. "He was never a quitter. To the contrary. He was always focused on finding the best path to winning. And if that meant he should fall on his sword, then he was willing to do that — and give millions of his money away to boot. I think Rauner's comments on this have been misunderstood."
Porter's referring to political watchers who say Rauner's courting of others was a desperate act by a candidate who thought he'd lose. But Porter says Rauner just wanted to be assured of a win.
MORE BUZZ
Toni Preckwinkle withdrew her objections to Susana Mendoza's petitions yesterday, setting the stage for a head-to-head matchup. Two new polls show Mendoza and Preckwinkle leading the pack of candidates—and there's some head-to-head information, too.
A Chicago Federation of Labor survey conducted Dec. 4-9 by ALG Research, a firm that's polled for Democrats Rahm Emanuel and Hillary Clinton, shows Preckwinkle beating Mendoza 21 percent to 16 percent. They're followed by Bill Daley (9 percent); Willie Wilson (8 percent); Garry McCarthy (7 percent); Dorothy Brown and Paul Vallas (tied at 6 percent); Amara Enyia (5 percent); and Gery Chico (3 percent).
But in a one-on-one matchup, Mendoza, the state comptroller, beats the County Board president 45 percent to Preckwinkle's 39 percent. Sun-Times has details on the ALG poll here
In a separate survey initiated by Preckwinkle's team and conducted by another Democratic polling firm, Tulchin Research, Preckwinkle leads with 22 percent in a race with 12 candidates. Mendoza is second with 12 percent; Daley and Vallas (tied with 10 percent); McCarthy (8 percent); Wilson (7 percent); Enyia (6 percent); Lori Lightfoot and Chico (tied at 3 percent); LaShawn Ford (2 percent); and undecideds (19 percent).
In this hypothetical runoff, Preckwinkle edges Mendoza 42 percent to 39 percent with undecideds at 19 percent. And against Daley, Preckwinkle gets 49 percent to his 31 percent with 20 percent undecided. Tulchin poll here
Welcome to POLITICO's Illinois Playbook. Have a tip, event, announcement, endorsement? Send to [email protected] or @shiakapos
PROGRAMMING NOTE: Illinois Playbook will not publish from Dec. 24 to Jan 1. It will be back in your inbox Jan. 2.
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— Fireworks were expected Tuesday night for the 44th Ward aldermanic forum. The event was sponsored by Neighbors for a Better Lakeview, named as a dark money group funded by the Cubs to unseat Ald. Tom Tunney. The forum gave a fair shake to Tunney and challengers Austin Baidas, Elizabeth Shydlowski and Patrick Shine. Organizers controlled the questions—mostly standard fare about taxes, leadership and staying independent when the mayor's a force. But there wasn't a single question related to the Cubs. After nearly an hour-and-a-half, a frustrated audience member yelled out, "Ask about the Cubs! C'mon! This is ridiculous!"
Organizers quickly moved the forum to closing statements. Tunney, who was last up, finally addressed the elephant in the room: "We have worked tirelessly with the Cubs and Ricketts family to renovate that area while respecting residents and other small business' rights." The crowd, which was well-attended by Tunney supporters, cheered and the event wrapped up. Facebook video here
— Daley starts the ball rolling on a series of televised mayoral debates. Candidate Bill Daley wrote a letter Wednesday to eight television station managers, noting that with Election Day just 10 weeks away, there's "little time to waste" in getting the ball rolling on a series of mayoral debates. "The people of Chicago deserve to hear how mayoral candidates will address the issues, so they can decide which candidate best represents their voices and can deliver on promises," Daley wrote. Sun-Times' Fran Spielman has the story here.
— Every candidate in this West Side race might get knocked off the ballot (once again) — except the sitting alderman, by Blockclub's Mauricio Pena. Story here
— How I wound up chauffeuring a mayoral hopeful for a day, by Chicago magazine's Ali Barthwell: "Watching her work, it's easy to feel impressed, even a little intimidated, by Amara Enyia. Not in that way that most white men mean 'impressed' when they talk about meeting an intelligent and thoughtful woman of color. I just mean she's really damn impressive," Barthwell writes. Story here
— Following up on our list of potential candidates for the state Senate seat being vacated by Kwame Raoul: Watch for Curtis Tarver II, who was just elected to the House seat held by retiring state Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie. Other names batted about: Reclaim Chicago's Robert Peters and Adrienne Irmer, who lost to Tarver in the House D-25 primary race.
— Does Ald. Marty Quinn still have an in with House Speaker Mike Madigan? Sun-Times' Fran Spielman wonders in a story here. Plus, ABC/7's Craig Wall says the teen candidate running against Quinn got a call from the FBI about those fraud allegations. Story here
Some surprises in the Chicago Federation of Labor's endorsements for municipal elections. For now, at least, it's staying neutral on the mayor's race (see its poll above). It's endorsing Melissa Conyears-Ervin in the competitive city treasurer race (that seems like an oxymoron) and incumbent Anna Valencia for city clerk. The labor union is backing most incumbents, though in a surprise move it isn't weighing in at all in the 14th Ward race that has embattled veteran Ald. Ed Burke facing four challengers. Here's the full list, and following are more standouts:
20th Ward: Endorsing veteran school council member and chairman Jeanette Taylor. She's among 15 candidates vying for the seat of outgoing Ald. Willie Cochran. He's going on trial for bribery charges (ignore how casually that sentence is stated).
22nd Ward: Endorsing Michael Rodriguez for seat being vacated by Ald. Ric Munoz.
25th Ward: Remaining neutral for the seat being vacated by Ald. Daniel Solis. There are five candidates.
31st Ward: Endorsing Felix Cardona Jr. over incumbent Ald. Milly Santiago.
35th Ward: Remaining neutral in race that has incumbent Ald. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa facing three challengers.
39th Ward: Endorsing Joe Duplechin for seat being vacated by retiring Ald. Marge Laurino.
43rd Ward: Endorsing Derek Lindblom over incumbent Ald. Michele Smith.
45th Ward: No resolution on endorsement for seat held by Ald. John Arena.
47th Ward: Endorsing Michael Negron for seat being vacated by Ald. Ameya Pawar, who's running for city treasurer.
49th Ward: Remaining neutral in race where incumbent Ald. Joe Moore faces three challengers.
FROM THE DELEGATION
— The inside story on the Dick Durbin and Jared Kushner criminal justice bill deal, by Sun-Times' Lynn Sweet. Story here
— U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth addresses America's own war zone. "I went to Iraq because I felt it my duty to be there. I chose to risk my life, to be shot at, to serve this country. These kids didn't," she writes in the Washington Post opinion column here
— A report released Wednesday by Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan shows the Catholic church in Illinois has dramatically underreported the number of priests with sexual misconduct allegations. Sun-Times' Robert Herguth has the story here.
— WBEZ shines a light on test that fair housing organizations use to expose housing discrimination, a practice that dates back to the 1960s housing campaign led by Martin Luther King Jr. in Chicago. The test works like this: Fair housing groups send two people to visit the same landlord. The volunteers are similar except for one detail — a white man and a black man, perhaps, or a woman with a Section 8 voucher and a woman without — and they report back on how they were treated. Natalie Moore has the story here.
— As police cover-up verdict looms, civil rights lawyer asks why bosses weren't charged, by WBEZ's Chip Mitchell: Attorney Locke Bowman says there's "every reason to suggest that the commanding officer was an active participant in the creation of the narrative at odds with the videotape." But there have been no charges against police bosses in the alleged cover-up of Laquan McDonald's killing. Story here
— Ride in Elon Musk's LA tunnel was 'a little bumpy,' Chicago alderman says. Not yet smooth sailing for O'Hare project either, by Tribune's Mary Wisniewski: Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th) was one of a group of Chicago officials this week who got to test-ride a Los Angeles transportation tunnel built by Elon Musk. He still has "a lot of questions" about how a similar tunnel could be built in Chicago. Story here
— More than $100 million in infrastructure improvements is planned for the metro-east levee system. The work will help protect about 288,000 people, 4,000 businesses and more than 56,000 jobs in the region from flood waters, reports Belleville News-Democrat's Joseph Bustos. Story here
— Illinois declines in population for fifth year in a row with more than 45,000 fewer residents, by Tribune's Angie Leventis Lourgos: "Illinois suffered the second-largest numeric loss of any state, following only New York, which was down 48,510 residents but has a much larger overall population of more than 19.5 million, according to the data. Other states that declined were West Virginia, Louisiana, Hawaii, Mississippi, Alaska, Connecticut and Wyoming. No other states in the Midwest had losses." That's according to the latest Census Bureau data released Wednesday. Story here
— Short-term senator gets committee leadership pay. A Republican state senator appointed to the legislature to fill a 45-day gap is getting not only his base pay, but $1,270 extra to be minority spokesperson on a committee that hasn't met since months before he took office and has no meetings planned. The State Journal-Register's Bernard Schoenburg reports. Story here
— An ongoing project to digitize all of Abraham Lincoln's papers has received a grant. AP has that story here
— The clock is ticking on College Illinois' future, by Crain's' Steve Daniels: The state agency that runs College Illinois — a savings program that sets payments for contracts promising full tuition coverage, among other expenses, at the University of Illinois and other state schools — is gathering input from lawmakers and others on how to address the reality that it soon won't be able to meet all of its commitments to contract-holders. Story here
— What's the fate of that controversial school tax-credit program now? by Crain's' Steven R. Strahler: Gov.-elect J.B. Pritzker campaigned on a promise to swiftly end a controversial tax-credit program for private school kids. Now he sounds less definitive. Story here
— Senate passes bill to avert government shutdown, by POLITICO's Burgess Everett, Eliana Johnson and Sarah Ferris: Story here
— Republicans rip Trump's surprise Syria withdrawal in meeting with Pence, by POLITICO's David Brown, Gregory Hellman and Burgess Everett: Story here
— Mick Mulvaney as chief of staff: Let Trump be Trump, by POLITICO's Nancy Cook: Story here
Appellate Judge Bertina Lampkin and 6th Subcircuit Judge Andrea Webber
WHERE'S THE MAYOR
At Jane Addams Memorial Park to open the first section of the Navy Pier Flyover.
WHERE'S THE GOV
No public events.
Shia Kapos @shiakapos
About The Author : Shia Kapos
Shia Kapos is a reporter for POLITICO and author of POLITICO's Illinois Playbook, the most indispensable morning newsletter for influencers in Illinois government and politics.
Prior to joining POLITICO, she wrote the popular Taking Names column for the Chicago Sun-Times (and before that Crain's Business). She's also had stints at Dealreporter and the Salt Lake Tribune. Shia's career has been built on breaking news and landing sit-down interviews with notable names and personalities. She's covered billionaires on the rise and lawmakers' precipitous falls—and all the terrain in between.
About The Author : Adrienne Hurst
Adrienne Hurst is an audio producer at POLITICO.
Before joining the audio team, she was a senior web editor for POLITICO Pro. She was previously a reporting fellow at the nonprofit investigative news organization Injustice Watch and has also written for publications including Chicago magazine and the Chicago Reader.
Adrienne graduated with a master's degree in journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor's degree in creative writing from the University of Washington.
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Dr. Jennifer Walden lives and works out of the Austin, Texas Area where she also attended all of her higher academic schooling such as the University of Texas at Austin where she attended from 1990 to 1994 achieving her Bachelors in Biology and then also the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston where she attended first to obtain her Md in Medicine in the year of 1998 and then later stayed still longer under the institutes Integrated Plastic Surgery Residency from 1998 on till 2003 before leaving for her fellowship years to attend the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital to engage in the hospital's Aesthetic Surgery Fellowship from 2003 up until 2004 when she first officially entered into the professional world of medicine.
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Posted on April 12, 2017 by anthony denton.	This entry was posted in Beauty surgeon. Bookmark the permalink.
After staying at the Manhattan Eye, Ear, and Throat Hospital for nearly four more years, Dr. Jennifer Walden decided to take a position as Cosmetic Plastic Surgeon. There are so many things that http://www.rushmyessays.co.uk/ have been doing which is absolutely normal for others to follow suit.


text:
#include <stdlib.h>
#include <stdint.h>
#include <string.h>
#include <time.h>
#include <sys/ioctl.h>
#include <errno.h>
#include <fcntl.h>
#include <unistd.h>
#include <linux/spi/spidev.h>
#include <rpi/rpi_spi_iqrf.h>
#include <rpi/rpi_io.h>

/*
 * Indicates, whether this library is initialized.
 * 0 - not initialized
 * 1 - initialized
 */
static int libIsInitialized = 0;

/* Designates, that file descriptor is not used. */
static const int NO_FILE_DESCRIPTOR = -1;

/* File descriptor of device special file. */
static int fd = -1;

/*
 * Device's mode (according to document: "SPI. Implementation in IQRF TR modules"):
 * Idle clock polarity: low
 * Clock edge: output data on SCK rising edge
 */
static const uint8_t SPI_MODE = SPI_MODE_0;

/* Device's wordsize. */
static const uint8_t BITS_PER_WORD = 8;

/* Device's max. bitrate [Hz]. */
static const uint32_t SPI_MAX_SPEED = 250000;

/*
 * Delay between 2 consecutive bytes.
 * T2 period
 */
static const struct timespec T2_DELAY = {.tv_sec = 0, .tv_nsec = 800000};

/*
 * how long to delay [microseconds] after the last bit transfer
 * before optionally deselecting the device before next transfer
 * T1 period
 */
static const uint16_t DELAY_AFTER_TRANSFER = 10;

/* SPI checking packet indication. */
static const uint8_t RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CHECK = 0x00;

/* SPI command packet indication. */
static const uint8_t RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CMD = 0xF0;

typedef enum {
    CTYPE_BUFFER_CHANGED,
    CTYPE_BUFFER_UNCHANGED
} rpiiqrf_SPICtype;

/* Last error. */
static errors_OperError* lastError = NULL;

/* Null byte transfer. */
static struct spi_ioc_transfer nullTransfer;

/*
 * Initializes nullTransfer structure.
 * It is used for application of T1 delay - see document:
 * "SPI. Implementation if IQRF modules. User Guide", version: 130430
 */
static void initNullTransfer(void) {
    nullTransfer.tx_buf = NULL;
    nullTransfer.rx_buf = NULL;
    nullTransfer.len = 0;
    nullTransfer.delay_usecs = DELAY_AFTER_TRANSFER;
    nullTransfer.speed_hz = SPI_MAX_SPEED;
    nullTransfer.bits_per_word = BITS_PER_WORD;
    nullTransfer.cs_change = 0;
}

/* Sets SPI mode. */
static int setMode() {
    int setResult = 0;
    uint8_t rdMode = -1;

    setResult = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_WR_MODE, &SPI_MODE);
    if (setResult < 0) {
        return setResult;
    }

    setResult = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_RD_MODE, &rdMode);
    if (setResult < 0) {
        return setResult;
    }

    return 0;
}

/* Sets bits per word. */
static int setBitsPerWord() {
    int setResult = 0;
    uint8_t rdBits = -1;

    setResult = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_WR_BITS_PER_WORD, &BITS_PER_WORD);
    if (setResult < 0) {
        return setResult;
    }

    setResult = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_RD_BITS_PER_WORD, &rdBits);
    if (setResult < 0) {
        return setResult;
    }

    return 0;
}

/* Sets max. speed. */
static int setMaxSpeed() {
    int setResult = 0;
    uint8_t rdSpeed = -1;

    setResult = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_WR_MAX_SPEED_HZ, &SPI_MAX_SPEED);
    if (setResult < 0) {
        return setResult;
    }

    setResult = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_RD_MAX_SPEED_HZ, &rdSpeed);
    if (setResult < 0) {
        return setResult;
    }

    return 0;
}

/*
 * Sends data, stored in @c dataToSend buffer, to SPI device.
 * @param dataToSend data to send
 * @param len length (in bytes) of data to send
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if operation performed successfully
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during operation
 */
static int sendData(void* dataToSend, unsigned int len) {
    int result = 0;
    int trans_id = 0;
    uint8_t* tx = NULL;
    struct spi_ioc_transfer completeTransfer[2];

    tx = malloc(len * sizeof (uint8_t));
    memcpy(tx, dataToSend, len * sizeof (uint8_t));

    struct spi_ioc_transfer dataTransfer = {
        .tx_buf = (unsigned long) tx,
        .rx_buf = NULL,
        .len = 1,
        .delay_usecs = DELAY_AFTER_TRANSFER,
        .speed_hz = SPI_MAX_SPEED,
        .bits_per_word = BITS_PER_WORD,
        .cs_change = 1
    };

    completeTransfer[0] = nullTransfer;
    completeTransfer[1] = dataTransfer;

    for (trans_id = 0; trans_id < len; trans_id++) {
        completeTransfer[1].tx_buf = (unsigned long) &(tx[trans_id]);

        result = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_MESSAGE(2), &completeTransfer);
        if (result == -1) {
            errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_sendData", errno, 1, 1);
            free(tx);
            return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
        }

        // delay T3
        int sleepResult = nanosleep(&T2_DELAY, NULL);
        if (sleepResult == -1) {
            errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_sendData", errno, 1, 1);
            free(tx);
            return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
        }
    }

    free(tx);
    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

/*
 * Sends data, stored in @c dataToSend buffer, to SPI device and receives data
 * from SPI device to @c recvBuffer buffer. Maximal length of both buffers
 * must not exceed @c len.
 * @param dataToSend data to send
 * @param recvBuffer buffer to store received data
 * @param len length (in bytes) of buffers
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if operation performs successfully
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during operation
 */
static int sendAndReceive(void* dataToSend, void* recvBuffer, unsigned int len) {
    int result = 0;
    int trans_id = 0;
    uint8_t* tx = NULL;
    uint8_t* rx = NULL;
    struct spi_ioc_transfer completeTransfer[2];

    tx = malloc(len * sizeof (uint8_t));
    memcpy(tx, dataToSend, len * sizeof (uint8_t));

    rx = malloc(len * sizeof (uint8_t));
    memset(rx, 0, len * sizeof (uint8_t));

    struct spi_ioc_transfer dataTransfer = {
        .tx_buf = (unsigned long) tx,
        .rx_buf = (unsigned long) rx,
        .len = 1,
        .delay_usecs = DELAY_AFTER_TRANSFER,
        .speed_hz = SPI_MAX_SPEED,
        .bits_per_word = BITS_PER_WORD,
        .cs_change = 1
    };

    completeTransfer[0] = nullTransfer;
    completeTransfer[1] = dataTransfer;

    for (trans_id = 0; trans_id < len; trans_id++) {
        completeTransfer[1].tx_buf = (unsigned long) &(tx[trans_id]);
        completeTransfer[1].rx_buf = (unsigned long) &(rx[trans_id]);

        result = ioctl(fd, SPI_IOC_MESSAGE(2), &completeTransfer);
        if (result == -1) {
            errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_sendAndReceive", errno, 1, 1);
            free(tx);
            free(rx);
            return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
        }

        // delay T3
        int sleepResult = nanosleep(&T2_DELAY, NULL);
        if (sleepResult == -1) {
            errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_sendAndReceive", errno, 1, 1);
            free(tx);
            free(rx);
            return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
        }
    }

    free(tx);

    memcpy(recvBuffer, rx, len * sizeof (uint8_t));
    free(rx);

    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

/*
 * Returns 1, if the specified SPI status indicates
 * Data Ready. Otherwise returns 0.
 */
static int isSPIDataReady(uint8_t spiStatus) {
    if ((spiStatus >= 0x40) && (spiStatus < RPISPIIQRF_SPI_READY_COMM)) {
        return 1;
    }
    return 0;
}

/*
 * Sets PTYPE of message packet.
 */
static void setPTYPE(uint8_t* pType, rpiiqrf_SPICtype ctype, unsigned int dataLen) {
    *pType = dataLen;
    if (ctype == CTYPE_BUFFER_CHANGED) {
        *pType |= 128;
    }
}

static void bufferXor(uint8_t* crcm, uint8_t* buffer, unsigned int buffSize) {
    uint8_t dataId = 0;

    for (dataId = 0; dataId < buffSize; dataId++) {
        *crcm ^= buffer[dataId];
    }
}

/*
 * Calculates and returns CRCM.
 */
static uint8_t getCRCM(uint8_t ptype, uint8_t* data, unsigned int dataLen) {
    uint8_t crcm = 0;

    crcm ^= RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CMD;
    crcm ^= ptype;
    bufferXor(&crcm, data, dataLen);
    crcm ^= 0x5F;

    return crcm;
}

/*
 * Calculates and returns CRCS.
 */
static uint8_t getCRCS(uint8_t ptype, uint8_t* data, unsigned int dataLen) {
    uint8_t crcs = 0;

    crcs ^= ptype;
    bufferXor(&crcs, data, dataLen);
    crcs ^= 0x5F;

    return crcs;
}

/*
 * Verify CRCS. Returns 1, if OK. Otherwise returns 0.
 */
static int verifyCRCS(uint8_t ptype, uint8_t* recvData, unsigned int dataLen,
        uint8_t crcsToVerify
        ) {
    uint8_t countedCrcs = 0;

    countedCrcs = getCRCS(ptype, recvData, dataLen);
    if (crcsToVerify == countedCrcs) {
        return 1;
    }
    return 0;
}

/*
 * Returns 1, if the specified SPI status indicates valid value of
 * IQRF_SPIStatus_DataNotReady enum. Otherwise returns 0.
 */
static int isSPINoDataReady(uint8_t spiStatus) {
    switch (spiStatus) {
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_DISABLED:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_SUSPENDED:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_BUFF_PROTECT:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CRCM_ERR:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_READY_COMM:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_READY_PROG:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_READY_DEBUG:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_SLOW_MODE:
        case RPISPIIQRF_SPI_HW_ERROR:
            return 1;
        default:
            return 0;
    }
    return 0;
}

/*
 * Sends 10 zero bytes to the module.
 */

/*
static int send10ZeroBytes(void) {
    int sendRes = 0;
    uint8_t* zeroBytes = NULL;

    zeroBytes = malloc(10 * sizeof (uint8_t));
    memset(zeroBytes, 0, 10);

    sendRes = rpibase_sendData(zeroBytes, 10);
    free(zeroBytes);

    return sendRes;
}
 */

// checks specified value of length of data to write or read

static int checkDataLen(unsigned int dataLen) {
    if (dataLen <= 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Number of bytes must be greather then 0",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    if (dataLen > RPISPIIQRF_MAX_DATA_LENGTH) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Number of bytes exceeds upper limit",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

/*
 * Initializes SPI device to use.
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if initialization performed successfully
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during initialization
 */
int rpi_spi_iqrf_init(const char* dev) {
    uint8_t ioResult = 0;
    int initResult = 0;

    if (libIsInitialized == 1) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Library is already initialized", BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // IO initialization
    ioResult = rpi_io_init();
    if (ioResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init: IO initialization error",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return ioResult;
    }

    //enable CE0 for TR communication
    ioResult = rpi_io_set(RPIIO_PIN_CE0, RPIIO_DIR_OUTPUT);
    if (ioResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init: CEO output setting error",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return ioResult;
    }

    ioResult = rpi_io_write(RPIIO_PIN_CE0, RPIIO_PINLEVEL_LOW);
    if (ioResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init: CEO writing error",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return ioResult;
    }

    // enable PWR for TR communication
    ioResult = rpi_io_set(RPIIO_PIN_RESET, RPIIO_DIR_OUTPUT);
    if (ioResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init: RST output setting error",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return ioResult;
    }

    ioResult = rpi_io_write(RPIIO_PIN_RESET, RPIIO_PINLEVEL_HIGH);
    if (ioResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init: RST writing error",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return ioResult;
    }

    initNullTransfer();

    if (fd != NO_FILE_DESCRIPTOR) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init: Invalid file descriptor",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    fd = open(dev, O_RDWR);
    if (fd < 0) {
        errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init", errno, 1, 1);
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // set SPI mode
    initResult = setMode();
    if (initResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init", errno, 1, 1);
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // set bits per word
    initResult = setBitsPerWord();
    if (initResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init", errno, 1, 1);
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // set max. speed
    initResult = setMaxSpeed();
    if (initResult < 0) {
        errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_init", errno, 1, 1);
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    libIsInitialized = 1;
    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

// initialization of default SPI device

int rpi_spi_iqrf_initDefault() {
    return rpi_spi_iqrf_init(RPISPIIQRF_DEFAULT_SPI_DEVICE);
}

/*
 * Returns SPI status of TR module.
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if operation performs successfully
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during operation
 * @return @c RPISPIIQRF_ERROR_BAD_STATUS, if status value is incorrect
 */
int rpi_spi_iqrf_getSPIStatus(rpi_spi_iqrf_SPIStatus* spiStatus) {
    uint8_t spiCheck = RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CHECK;
    uint8_t spiResultStat = 0;
    int checkResult = 0;

    if (libIsInitialized == 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Library is not initialized", BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED;
    }

    if (spiStatus == NULL) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_getSPIStatus: Argument spiStatus cannot be NULL",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    if (fd < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_getSPIStatus: Invalid file descriptor",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    checkResult = sendAndReceive((void*) &spiCheck, (void*) &spiResultStat, 1);
    if (checkResult == BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR) {
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // if checking is OK
    if (isSPIDataReady(spiResultStat)) {
        spiStatus->isDataReady = 1;
        spiStatus->dataReady = spiResultStat;
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
    }

    // check, if the return value of SPI status is correct
    if (isSPINoDataReady(spiResultStat)) {
        spiStatus->isDataReady = 0;
        spiStatus->dataNotReadyStatus = spiResultStat;
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
    } else {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_getSPIStatus: Unknown status",
                RPISPIIQRF_ERROR_BAD_STATUS, 0, 1
                );
        return RPISPIIQRF_ERROR_BAD_STATUS;
    }
}

/*
 * Writes specified data to the module.
 * @param dataToWrite data to write
 * @param dataLen length (in bytes) of data to write
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if operation performs successfully
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during operation
 */
int rpi_spi_iqrf_write(void* dataToWrite, unsigned int dataLen) {
    uint8_t* dataToSend = NULL;
    uint8_t ptype = 0;
    uint8_t crcm = 0;
    uint8_t sendResult = 0;
    int dataLenCheckRes = BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;

    if (libIsInitialized == 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Library is not initialized", BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED;
    }

    if (fd < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_writeSPI: Invalid file descriptor",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // checking input parameters
    if (dataToWrite == NULL) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_writeSPI: Data to write is NULL",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    dataLenCheckRes = checkDataLen(dataLen);
    if (dataLenCheckRes == BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR) {
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    dataToSend = malloc((dataLen + 3) * sizeof (uint8_t));

    // set command indication
    dataToSend[0] = RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CMD;

    // set PTYPE
    setPTYPE(&ptype, CTYPE_BUFFER_CHANGED, dataLen);
    dataToSend[1] = ptype;

    // copy data
    memcpy(dataToSend + 2, dataToWrite, dataLen);

    // set crcm
    crcm = getCRCM(ptype, dataToWrite, dataLen);
    dataToSend[dataLen + 2] = crcm;

    // send data to module
    sendResult = sendData(dataToSend, dataLen + 3);
    free(dataToSend);
    if (sendResult == BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR) {
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

/*
 * Read specified number of bytes from the module.
 * @param readBuffer buffer to store data read from module
 * @param dataLen length (in bytes) of data to read
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if operation performs successfully
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during operation
 * @return @c RPISPIIQRF_ERROR_CRCS, if CRSC of returned data doesn't match
 */
int rpi_spi_iqrf_read(void* readBuffer, unsigned int dataLen) {
    uint8_t* dummyData = NULL;
    uint8_t* receiveBuffer = NULL;
    uint8_t ptype = 0;
    uint8_t crcm = 0;
    uint8_t sendResult = 0;
    int dataLenCheckRes = BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;

    if (libIsInitialized == 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Library is not initialized", BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED;
    }

    if (fd < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_readSPI: Invalid file descriptor",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    // checking input parameters
    if (readBuffer == NULL) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_readSPI: Read buffer is NULL",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    dataLenCheckRes = checkDataLen(dataLen);
    if (dataLenCheckRes == BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR) {
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    dummyData = malloc((dataLen + 3) * sizeof (uint8_t));
    receiveBuffer = malloc((dataLen + 3) * sizeof (uint8_t));

    // set command indication
    dummyData[0] = RPISPIIQRF_SPI_CMD;

    // set PTYPE
    setPTYPE(&ptype, CTYPE_BUFFER_UNCHANGED, dataLen);
    dummyData[1] = ptype;

    // dummy values
    memset(dummyData + 2, 0, dataLen);

    // set crcm
    crcm = getCRCM(ptype, dummyData + 2, dataLen);
    dummyData[dataLen + 2] = crcm;

    // send data to module
    sendResult = sendAndReceive(dummyData, receiveBuffer, dataLen + 3);
    free(dummyData);
    if (sendResult == BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR) {
        free(receiveBuffer);
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    //printf("Data: %s \n", receiveBuffer);

    // verify CRCS
    if (!verifyCRCS(ptype, receiveBuffer + 2, dataLen, receiveBuffer[dataLen + 2])) {
        free(receiveBuffer);
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_readSPI: CRSC verification failed",
                RPISPIIQRF_ERROR_CRCS, 0, 1
                );
        return RPISPIIQRF_ERROR_CRCS;
    }

    // copy received data into user buffer
    memcpy(readBuffer, receiveBuffer + 2, dataLen);
    free(receiveBuffer);

    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

/*
 * Terminates the library and frees up used resources.
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK, if destroy performed successfully
 * @return @c SPI_OPER_NOINIT, if the library was not initialized
 * @return @c BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, if some error occurred during initialization
 */
int rpi_spi_iqrf_destroy(void) {
    int ioDestroyRes = BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    int closeRes = BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;

    if (libIsInitialized == 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "Library is not initialized", BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED;
    }

    // after calling this method, the behaviour of the library will be
    // like if the library was not initialized
    libIsInitialized = 0;

    // destroy used rpi_io library
    ioDestroyRes = rpi_io_destroy();
    if (ioDestroyRes < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_destroy: Error during destroying used IO library",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    if (fd == NO_FILE_DESCRIPTOR) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_destroy: Library is not currently initialized",
                BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_LIB_NOT_INITIALIZED;
    }

    if (fd < 0) {
        errors_setError(
                &lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_destroy: Invalid file descriptor",
                BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR, 0, 1
                );
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    closeRes = close(fd);
    fd = NO_FILE_DESCRIPTOR;

    if (closeRes == -1) {
        errors_setError(&lastError, "rpi_spi_iqrf_destroy", errno, 1, 1);
        return BASE_TYPES_OPER_ERROR;
    }

    return BASE_TYPES_OPER_OK;
}

/*
 * Returns information about last error or @c NULL, if no error yet occurred.
 * @return information about last error
 * @return @c NULL if no error yet occurred
 */
errors_OperError* rpi_spi_iqrf_getLastError(void) {
    return errors_getErrorCopy(lastError);
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Hardcover. Pub Date: 08 2007 Pages: 144 Publisher: BBC Books A Commitment to sourcing the best organic beef and Years of hands-on experience leave No Doubt about Antony Worrall Thompson's passion for Cooking Meat-and his new book is packed with recipes designed to fire up the enthusiasm of cooks everywhere. Featuring clear. step-by-step instructions. the book is arranged by various cooking methods. from roasting and stewing to aising and grilling. Antony Worrall Thompson ' ; s expertise and concise methods guarantee that both novice and seasoned cooks will achieve terrific results every time.


What does File (paperwork) mean in dream?
To dream that you see a file, signifies that you will transact some business which will prove unsatisfactory in the extreme.
(Rasp; Tongue) A file in a dream represents one's tongue. It also means satisfying an innate need or giving a keen edge to an expression. It also represents a helper, a son who provides for the need of his mother or younger brothers and sisters.
1- In modern times to dream of files or filing and thus to put order into our lives, is to make sense of what we are doing and how we arc doing it. lo be filing things away would perhaps indicate that we no longer need to be aware of a particular situation but need to retain the knowledge that an experience has given us.
2- Dreaming of an abrasive file such as a metal file - would indicate that we need to be aware that we can make mistakes in being too harsh with other people.
To see a letter-file in your dreams, is significant of important news, which will cause you an irksome journey.


I am a great fan of sauces and dressings. I used to be one who drowned everything in them.
My two favorite dressings are Catalina (like French) and Honey Mustard (not all, as some are just not good). Immediately after those are vinegar based dressings: Italian, various vinaigrettes, a family recipe affectionately called Dad's Dressing, a good Balsamic, etcetera.
I also enjoy sitting by a good fire (though not to close, as I am a warm person generally). I enjoy the sight of the flames licking at wood and coals, the sound of the crackling and hissing as the fibers are pulled apart in the heat, and the smell of the freshly carbon-ated air (get it?).
I also enjoy the fellowship to be had over a good meal and around a good fire.
The downside is that too much vinegar starts to irritate my teeth and stomach. The downside is that sometimes the wind changes direction, and I have smoke in my eyes, burning and irritating.
Have you ever had to work along side another person who will not work?
In 2002 I worked at a McDonald's with a man who bragged about everything. He wrote some songs for Scott Stapp of the band Creed; he boasted of his girlfriend, the model; he went on about his career in the Marines; and he even shared tales of his amazing Christian feats with me. Nevertheless, I was the one who got in trouble for his lack of work on the line!
I've also been the one who has hired people who looked good on paper, and talked a good game, but forced me to do almost all the work I assigned them (for the two weeks they were each employed by me).
I have been a student working in a group, and had one, or all, of my group members fail to do their part. However, to be fair, I have been that worker and student a time or two, also.
But every time it is irritating.
Every time it takes at least twice the work to get things done.
Just a food for thought: How many times have you been called by God to do something … and not done it?
Jesus, thank You for Your patience and grace. Thank You for Your strength. Help us do the work we are to do, to be pleasing in Your sight and with others. Help us have the same grace, patience, and strength to live with our fellow sluggards.


text:
16.01.2023 - The three-day show set for 54 percent rise in exhibitors, including 42 newcomers from the Emirates.
The 24th edition of Intersec – trade fair for safety, security, and fire protection – opens at Dubai World Trade Centre (DWTC) tomorrow spanning more than 48,000 square-metres and running across nine halls and the Trade Centre Arena.
The event, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansoor bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, will feature 800 exhibitors from Australia, UK, Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, Russia, CIS, North and South America, North and South Africa, Asia, Scandinavia, the USA, and the Indian Subcontinent. The exhibitor profile represents a 54 per cent rise since 2022 with 180 new-to-show participants. Of the 55 nations represented by exhibitors, 10 will have their own national pavilions: Canada, China, the Czech Republic, France, Germany, Italy, South Africa, Singapore, Turkey, and the UK.
"This year's show will feature some of the biggest industry names, alongside new entrants to the sector," said Alex Nicholl, Show Director of event organiser Messe Frankfurt Middle East. "We have 42 newcomers from the Emirates this year, which means the UAE now accounts for 20 per cent of our exhibitor profile. Saudi Arabian participants are up 20 per cent too, while we have also seen particularly strong growth from India, Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, Turkey, Iraq, Qatar, Nigeria, and Egypt."
Dr. Aloysius Cheang, Chief Security Officer, Huawei Middle East & Central Asia, said, "If you can't see the light at the end of the tunnel, either you are looking the wrong way or you are the light. Start looking at the right way by being part of the community, join events such as Intersec and start sharing because Cybersecurity is a team sport! And through sharing, you will become a beacon for others. This is why I am here and why Huawei is part of Intersec - to light up your future!"
Major new entrants include Thales of France, Singapore's ST Engineering, Saudi Arabia's Safe, Germany's AGMC/BMW, Israel's D-Fend, the UAE's Tabbara, The Netherland's Robin Radar, Sigma Security of Greece, Poland's Megavision, and VX Ray of the USA.
The event will run from Tuesday until Thursday, with dedicated product showcases for commercial and perimeter security, homeland security, fire and rescue, safety and health, cybersecurity and special features, plus a powerful conference and knowledge-sharing programme.
Special features include the Attack Zone, which will be hosted by the Loss Prevention Certification Board and see exhibitors testing their products in live-action demonstrations; and the Safety Walk – sponsored by EnSafe Evacuation Chair, Jutec, and Teijin – which promises "a catwalk of industrial safety gear". Meanwhile, the Tech Stage will unveil innovations, including virtual reality solutions, anti-drone technology, and new safety materials.
Intersec Dubai to run from 17-19 January 2023
In the Start Smart Zone, start-ups will connect with decision-makers, buyers, and potential investors, while the purpose-built Future Defenders Hack Arena will see cybersecurity teams from schools, universities and Cisos compete for prizes and industry recognition.
"Forecasts reveal an industry eager to invest," said Nicholl. "The Middle East's homeland security market is expected to grow annually by 14.5 per cent to 2024, while the commercial security market is set for 16.5 per cent annual growth to reach US$2.3 billion in value by 2026. Rising cybercrime is also fuelling demand with the Middle East and African market estimated to grow 14.35 per cent annually to 2030."
Intersec this year also includes cybersecurity awareness sessions for students and sector professionals with Cybernode, a partnership between the Dubai Electronic Security Centre (DESC) and Thales, looking to up-skill the region's cyber workforce.
Intersec Conference
The main Intersec Conference features four dedicated streams and over 150 speakers. The invite-only, two-day Intersec Security Leaders' Summit is a high-level strategic convention for policymakers and decision-makers to collaborate, innovate, and seek new technologies. The gathering will address government strategies, homeland security and policing, commercial and perimeter security, and cutting-edge technologies.
There will also be an on-stage conversation around the development of a holistic approach to large event security management in which FIFA's Director of Safety, Security, and Access will share learnings from the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022.
Other conference highlights will be keynotes by DESC's Dr Bushra Al Blooshi, Head of Research & Innovation, on pioneering the digital economy, and another by Adrian Whelan, SVP, Head of Global Security at DHL Express, focusing on a future supply chain security roadmap.
The UAE Cybersecurity Council will also host a dedicated Cybersecurity Conference with attendees hearing from government leaders, CSOs and CISOs across oil and gas, BFSI, healthcare, hospitality, and energy and utilities industries.
A dedicated Fire & Rescue Conference will be hosted by Dubai Civil Defence and will see the region's fire and emergency service leaders delve into the key challenges, opportunities, standards, policies, and technology. Meanwhile, a highly focussed Safety & Health Seminar will explore MENA's new regulatory changes.
Intersec 2023 will also recognise the best of the security and safety industries through its awards programme, which has attracted 1,256 entrants – including 54 that have been shortlisted to be recognised at a gala dinner at the Ritz Carlton DIFC on Wednesday 18th January.
Messe Frankfurt Middle East anticipates Intersec 2023 will also deliver the event's highest visitor turnout with pre-registrations showing an increase of 133 per cent on 2021. Pre-registered visitors span 111 countries with first-time visitors coming from, among other countries, Ethiopia, and Kenya.
Intersec 2023 is supported by Dubai Police, the Directorate General of Dubai Civil Defence, Dubai Municipality, the Security Industry Regulatory Agency, the UAE's Cyber Security Council and Dubai Electronic Security Centre. The event has a comprehensive sponsor portfolio that includes NAFFCO, Saudi Arabia's National Security Services – SAFE, Dahua Technology, Hikvision, Digifort, Western Digital, Ateis VELOX, Commport, Monitoreal, Honeywell, PERCo, FM Approvals, Huawei, Cellebrite, NX Digital Technology, Onvif, and PricewaterhouseCoopers. It will be open to trade visitors daily from 10am until 6pm.
Intersec Dubai
Messe Frankfurt Middle East
Intersec Dubai Rescheduled to 2022
Intersec, Light Middle East, and Prolight + Sound Middle East to run side-by-side in January 2021
Second Annual Intersec Awards Celebrate Industry Leaders
Nedap stands out at Intersec in Dubai
Stage set for Intersec 2019 in Dubai

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Spartan Newsroom (https://news.jrn.msu.edu/2016/04/delhi-township-steadily-grows-thanks-to-stable-home-values/)
Delhi Township steadily grows thanks to stable home values
By holtjournal | April 21, 2016
More on Holt-Delhi Township
Subscribe to Holt-Delhi Township
By Austin Short
Holt Journal Staff Reporter
A house available on Holt Road sits near the middle of downtown.
Photo credit: Austin Short
Delhi Township's home values and population continue to rise thanks to the reputation of Holt's Public Schools and the great recreation options that are available in the area.
According to U.S. Census data, Delhi Township increased its house occupancy by 19 percent from 2000 to 2010. That was the biggest change of any township in Ingham County during that time span.
Not only does the population continue to go up, but the median value of owner-occupied housing units is higher in Holt than the state as a whole, according to Census data from 2010 to 2014.
"Its location, schools and then the amenities like trails are a big draw," said C.J. Davis, Delhi Township Supervisor.
This data shows the steady growth in Delhi Township. The township population increased from 2010 to 2012.
Being just outside of the capitol is one of the perks of living in Holt since society has become so mobilized, pointed out Jim Buxton, program instructor for Michigan State University Extension and licensed housing counselor.
"A lot of people don't want to live in a bigger city, but Holt is close enough to be in touch still," said Buxton.
Jeff Bone, sales manager at Century 21, also noted that Holt's location can be considered a benefit.
"It's just outside of a large city, so it's still within convenience to reach whatever you need but you avoid some of the inherent problems of a big city," said Bone.
The median value of owner-occupied housing in Holt is over $20,000 higher than the state of Michigan's median value.
Another factor to be considered when families are deciding to relocate is quality of schooling.
"Communities only grow through families. Our schools have always been rated well enough to attract families," said Davis.
Holt's local schools continue to push educational boundaries and provide their kids with a quality experience.
"People mainly want to move to Holt because of the school system. They have a good reputation, especially the high school," said Bone.
Superintendent of Holt Public Schools Dr. David Hornak said that he believes his schools are innovative. Hornak points out Horizon Elementary in Holt is the longest running year-round school, having taught with a balanced calendar for 22 years. Hornak also serves as the Executive Director of the National Association for Year-Round Education.
"Kids lose a lot of what they learn over summer break. Then you have to spend time re-teaching the students," said Hornak. "But overall I think we have the right teachers, programs and support system to help children become all they can be."
Another great feature that Holt has to offer is the recreation in the area. The Ram, Valhalla and Sycamore trails along with the Valhalla, Kiwanis and Burchfield parks are all great options to go out and get some sunshine.
"Recreation in an area and walkability is a new standard that is being more widely considered," said Buxton.
A map of the trails in the Holt area, including the new Ram Trail. Courtesy of delhitrails.com
A trail that would connect Mason and Holt is hopeful to be completed down the line and would open up more housing opportunities in the area.
"Part of my dream is to connect Holt and Mason. Once we put a path there we will be closer to developing behind that trail," said Davis. "Until then it will be a wooded area but a path will make that area more attractive to families who try to stay healthy."
Locals have also taken notice of the steady growth and what makes this area so appealing.
"I think that Holt is an area that is growing because the real estate is fairly priced for the middle class and there is a good amount of space here," said Rachel Leyrer, Floral Designer at Wild Strawberry & More in Holt.
Kristian Bullen, who grew up in East Lansing said, "It's close to my family. I didn't want to go too far. But I like Holt. I like the atmosphere. I think it's a nice community."
This data shows the increase in population over the course of ten years beginning in 2000. Holt had the biggest percent change amongst townships in Ingham County.
As the friendly confines of Holt continues to grow the variety of housing options also expands.
"We have houses that are bargain priced in some of the older neighborhoods and then there are very nice houses. It's a strong possibility that Holt will even add a gated community down the line," said Davis.
The variety of housing options in the area allows for families of all economic classes to be able to invest if they so desire, and a lot of times it is a smart investment.
"Property values in Holt are very stable and continue to rise," said Bone.
Lansing workers return to new normal
Across the Lansing area, workers have faced different challenges since March because of COVID-19. But for recent Mason High School graduate Reagan Bercaw, she said going back to her job at Plato's Closet made her feel just as at home as she did all quarantine.


text:
Faith & Science Resourceexamining origins
Review: A Short History of Nearly Everything
by BILL BRYSON (Black Swan, 2004). Reviewed by Islwyn Rees, March 2007.
There are a lot of books worth reading to understand the controversy between Creationism and I.D versus Evolutionary science that stormed the public through books, newspapers and Television in 2006. But there are two I found very informative. The first is Logans' Responding to the Challenge of Evolution, reviewed on this website, and the other is Bryson's A Short History of Nearly Everything. With this book Bryson held number one in the Top Ten of the Best Sellers chart and in the Top Ten for 70 weeks and sold over a million copies (Sunday Times Culture Magazine, 09.01.05). On the back cover we read that it is Bryson's "quest to understand everything that has happened from the Big Bang to the rise of civilisation – how we got from there, being nothing at all, to here, being us. The ultimate eye-opening journey through time and space, revealing the world in a way most of us have never seen it before." Oxford's Peter Atkins writes of it being "A travelogue of science, with a witty, engaging, and well informed guide who loves his patch and is desperate to share its delights with us." Writing on the front cover, John Waller of the Guardian would represent most readers' view that it is "Truly impressive . . . it's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science."
A Short History of Nearly Everything is worth reading to catch the overall picture of the development of science but also to get the popular views of scientists on pre-history. It is in his prehistory that we become informed about a side of evolutionary thinking in science that is refreshing to read.
On the beginnings of the universe Bryson introduces us to the idea of 'singularity,' an infinitesimal speck of proton invisible to the naked eye. Describing the Big Bang origins of the universe he says on page 28, "In a single blinding pulse, a moment of glory much too swift and expansive for any form of words, the singularity assumes heavenly dimensions, space beyond conception . . .. In less than a minute the universe is a million billion miles across and growing fast. In three minutes . . . we have a universe . . .. And it was all done in about the time it takes to make a sandwich." Says Bryson on page 31, "It seems impossible that you can get something from nothing, but the fact that once there was nothing and now there is a universe is evident proof that you can." That is how Bryson presents the thinking of evolutionary scientists about how the universe began – our universe came from nothing in about the time it takes to make a sandwich!
Darwinian evolution is a belief that says the organised universe came from nothing. Bryson tells us it all happened around 15 billion years ago – and now we have our wonderful ordered universe. And then – 4.6 billion years ago the earth got formed. And then – there was life.
That is what Bryson's book is about, "how we went from there being nothing at all to there being something, and then how little of that something turned into us, and also some of what happened in between and since" (p. 19-20).
There is much in the book that could have been written by Intelligent Design theorists. For instance: "Proteins can't exist without DNA and DNA has no purpose without proteins. Are we to assume, then, that they arose simultaneously with the purpose of supporting each other? If so: wow." "As Davies puts it, 'If everything needs everything else, how did the community of molecules ever arise in the first place?' It is rather as if all the ingredients in your kitchen somehow got together and baked themselves into a cake – but a cake that could moreover divide when necessary to produce more cakes. It is little wonder that we call it the miracle of life," says Bryson (p.352-3).
But Bryson's wonder is saved for time and chance and even 'luck'. There is no Intelligent Designer behind it all; it is as if inanimate material possesses some creative force, to be able to think about the creation of life, survival and development. He has amino acids conglomerating and discovering improvements. There is no shortage of self-assembly.
So powerful is this material impulse to assemble that some scientists believe that life may be more inevitable than we think, (p.363). Conditions (for life) would be encountered perhaps a million times in every galaxy. On p. 356, he says, "Life emerged so swiftly, in fact, that some authorities think it must have had help – perhaps a good deal of help (this is the nearest Bryson gets to acknowledging the Intelligent Design Theorists!). Although not sharing the same conclusions with the 'how,' creationist scientists would agree with Bryson when he says, "Whatever prompted life to begin, it happened just once. That is the most extraordinary fact in biology, perhaps the most extraordinary fact we know" (p.357).
Reflecting evolutionary belief, Bryson says, "everything that has ever lived, plant or animal, dates its beginnings from the same primordial twitch. At some point in an unimaginably distant past some little bag of chemicals fidgeted to life. It absorbed some nutrients, gently pulsed, had a brief existence. This much may have happened before many times. But this ancestral packet did something additional and extraordinary: it cleaved itself and produced an heir. A tiny bundle of genetic material passed from one living entity to another, and has never stopped moving since. It was the moment of creation for us all. Biologists sometimes call it the Big Birth" (p.357-8).
Bryson tries to get as near as anyone can to tell us how life began, except, just as no one else can, neither is Bryson able to say how inanimate material 'fidgeted to life.' Andrew Billen, in his review of The Ancestor's Tale in The Times, quotes Richard Dawkins, "the time is now right for speculating on the origin of life. It is still speculation, but it's far more informed speculation and it's got to the point where you can have serious scientific theories about how life might have originated." In A Short History of Everything, Bryson is reflecting what he understands are the conclusions of evolutionary science such as Professor Richard Dawkins presents, but as Dawkins admits, it is still speculation.
Quoting, Bryson says, "wherever you go in the world, whatever animal, plant, bug or blob you look at, if it is alive, it will use the same dictionary and know the same code (creationists use that as an argument for Intelligent Design, the same building blocks being used for all life – it really is about interpretation). Quoting another scientist on the oldest marine organism, he reports on p. 359, "It was as basic as life can get – but it was life nevertheless. It propagated. And it eventually led to us."
(Could it be that what surprised the British science community in the outcome of the MORI Poll that followed the Horizon programme presented on BBC2 on 26 January 2006, and the survey printed in The Guardian on 15 August 2006 titled How Did we Get Here, was due to such revelations that evolution is no more and no less a belief system as any other?).
What is also interesting from the point of the creation/evolution debate is Bryson highlighting the paltriness in the fossil record. Speaking on the shortage of human evidence from several billion humans who have lived since the dawn of time, he is told by the Curator of the American Museum of Natural History in New York, "You could fit it all into the back of a pickup truck if you didn't mind how much you jumbled everything up" (p. 529). Bryson affirms what Professor Robert Winston admitted in the Radio Times 22-28 March, 2003 speaking on his elaborate BBC programme, Walking with Cavemen: "the fossil evidence on which the evolutionary assumptions are based could easily be fitted into the back of his car" (p.106). On page 15 Winston said, "Inferring the psychology of creatures from a small number of fossilised remains is a matter of considerable conjecture" (p.15).
It all affirms Bryson's honest reflections on pre-history evolutionary beliefs.
Bryson says, "Museums give the impression that we have a global abundance of dinosaur fossils. In fact, overwhelmingly, museum displays are artificial." The exhibit dominating the entrance hall of the natural History Museum of London "is made entirely of plaster" (p. 422). "The entrance hall of the American Museum of Natural History, New York, is dominated by an even grandeur tableau: . . . a wonderfully impressive display – the barosaurus rises perhaps 9 metres towards the high ceiling - but also entirely fake . . . . Visit almost any large natural history museum in the world . . . and what will greet you are antique models, not ancient bones. The fact is, we really don't know a great deal about the dinosaurs" (p. 423).
Commenting on Mary Leakey's find of a pair of footprints, Bryson says on page 534: "The American museum of Natural history in New York . . . depicts life-sized recreations of a male and a female walking side by side across the ancient African plain." Although having chimp-like features, their bearing suggests such humanness to be convincing – except he says, "that virtually everything above the footprints is imaginary." Almost everything about it in shape, size and colour – "is necessarily suppositional."
Bryson has a way of telling it like it is? After reading Bryson what might the reader think of Professor Dawkins' imaginations depicted in the '500 heavily illustrated pages' of The Ancestor's Tale? There is an awful credibility gap between evolutionary fantasy and what we know is reality.
In Bryson we see evolutionists wanting us to fantasise about a time – just one time – far enough in the dim and distant past, when an accident of nature happened – and how we don't know, but life began just as Bryson has described for us, a reversal of the laws of the universe as we know of them today, the two first laws of thermodynamics as well as the information theory, which says life can only come from life. Despite evidence to the contrary, Bryson relays to us the evolutionary conviction that somehow in the dim and distant past, matter was responsible for creating intelligence, you and me.
Bryson is fascinating and provides an enormous amount of history and science made simple 'for a rough guide' in an entertaining way, and when it comes to prehistory and origins, it is worth the reading for his honesty about evolution, even if it appears he believes it. It is nearly 600 pages of very readable, informative and entertaining stuff. As John Waller says, it is 'truly impressive . . . it's hard to imagine a better rough guide to science.'
Copyright � 2006 Islwyn | Based on a design by Andreas Viklund


This project is an update to an existing 1950's residence built in a wooded lot near Bethesda, Maryland. The current house was composed of a frame of exposed Douglas Fir, with large expanses of glass, and looks out over a wooded lot. The clients expanded the existing living area to include a new family room, mudroom, and library. The new family room features a floor to ceiling window wall and a dramatic custom stone fireplace. The site is a complicated sloped property that required extensive engineering to allow the addition to nestle into the hillside.


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#ManInTree in downtown Seattle now on ground
Originally published March 23, 2016 at 7:10 am Updated March 23, 2016 at 8:23 pm
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After about 24 hours of rebuffing police negotiators, a man who climbed the tree outside the downtown Seattle Macy's is back on the ground.
Evan Bush
Seattle Times enterprise producer
A man who climbed a towering sequoia tree outside the downtown Seattle Macy's made his way down just before noon Wednesday amid cheers from a gathered crowd and the relief of police who spent nearly 25 hours trying to coax him back to terra firma.
The unidentified man, 28, spent a few minutes calmly sitting at the foot of the tree, munching on a piece of fruit before Fire Department medics loaded him onto a gurney and took him to Harborview Medical Center for an evaluation.
The man had been perched near the top of the sequoia since Tuesday morning, largely ignoring police negotiators, creating what one officer called "a spectacle, honestly" and inspiring his own Twitter hashtag: "Man In Tree."
He spent the chilly overnight hours bedded down in a nest fashioned from branches torn from the denuded treetop.
A man climbed an 80-foot tree outside the downtown Seattle Macy's Tuesday morning and stayed there overnight. He climbed down Wednesday afternoon. (Erika Schultz & Ellen Banner / The Seattle Times)
Related story: #ManInTree: Why it went viral
From the archive: Seattle's big sequoia has struggled to stay alive — long before a man began plucking branches from its crown.
Editorial: Compassion, not wisecracks, for the man in the tree
Detective Patrick Michaud, Seattle police spokesman, said officers did not consider climbing the tree or taking any other action beyond trying to reason with the man to come down.
"When you try to force somebody out of a situation like that, you risk knocking someone out of the tree," Michaud said.
Officer safety was also a concern.
"The man mentioned he had a knife," said Michaud, adding that the man was also making threats, though it wasn't clear toward whom the threats were directed.
Throughout the bizarre standoff, the man yelled curses in sporadic outbursts, even shouting to police, "How much taxpayer money are you wasting? It's not an emergency!" He also pelted firefighters with an apple and tossed seed cones at police negotiators as they balanced on an extended ladder from a firetruck trying to speak with the man.
The man does not face charges at this time, Michaud said. "We're more concerned about getting him the help he needs."
It is not known whether the man has a history of physical or mental-health issues. Officers are "not in a position to diagnose someone," Michaud said.
A mental-health counselor was not on the scene, but Michaud said, "We work on getting him to one."
Onlookers expressed relief the man was safe and the disruption, which blocked some downtown streets, had ended.
"Now I can rest easy. I was thinking about him all night, worried about him and his experience up there," said Theda Houck, who was running errands downtown. "I don't have any idea what drove him up in the tree, but I hope he gets the help he needs … he had to be in a pretty bad place to pull a stunt like that."
John Lemke, a shuttle-bus driver, said he was happy the man was OK, and pleased to have the routes he usually drives undisturbed.
"It caused a lot of inconvenience, it cost a lot of money, and he damaged a tree nurtured since the '70s — Seattle's Christmas tree. That's the real crime," he said.
For decades, the towering sequoia across from Macy's was decorated with lights every December, earning the nickname of Seattle's Christmas tree.
Lemke said officials did the best they could to manage a difficult situation.
"They were at a stalemate. No matter what they did, they'd be criticized. I think they handled it the only way they could — without injuries," he said.
The tree, though, did not emerge unscathed.
The Seattle Department of Transportation, which employs the city's arborist, will use an aerial lift to inspect the tree and examine its health, spokesman Norm Mah said.
"We're going to be removing some of the broken tree branches for public safety," Mah said. "It will take some time looking at the tree to assess the condition based on what's occurred over the last 24 hours."
David Zuckerman, manager of horticulture at the University of Washington Botanic Gardens, said the tree faces several challenges.
"It's a huge tree to have in an urban environment. Essentially, it's a giant plant in a pot, and there's only so much rooting space," he said. "The unfortunate situation that occurred yesterday and today didn't help."
Zuckerman said damage to the tree could create avenues for pathogens, decay and insects to more easily enter. The broken branches could change the tree's mechanics, and make it move or break more easily on a windy day.
He said trees compartmentalize wounds, and the city's arborists would likely want to prune damaged areas.
"With pruning, the tree has a better chance of walling off decay," Zuckerman said.
Eric Greenberg, who has been lighting the tree during the holiday season most years since 1992, said he rushed downtown Wednesday to check on the sequoia.
"It was pretty sad watching the guy destroy our tree," Greenberg said.
Although previous reports estimated the tree's height at 80 feet, Greenberg believes it's taller, having dangled a 100-foot extension cord to its base.
The man who climbed the tree seemed to have little fear of the height. At times, he moved around its crown seemingly at ease.
Doran Bastin, an amateur street photographer, said he recognized the man and had taken pictures of him at several locations around town, including in a treetop near Pike Place Market.
"After seeing him jumping from branch to branch, he knows what he's doing," Bastin said. "He's an expert tree climber."
Evan Bush: 206-464-2253 or ebush@seattletimes.com. On Twitter @evanbush


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ActionAid has teams of people working around the world. You can visit any of our websites to find out what we're doing and how you can get involved.
Arab Region
ActionAid Zimbabwe
ActionAid
Hefty nomination fees will reduce participation of women, youth, and people with disabilities in electoral processes
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Joint Press Statement
Harare – 02 September 2022 – Activista Zimbabwe, Project Vote 263 and ActionAid Zimbabwe (AAZ) note with concern a recent increase in the nomination fees for election candidates gazetted through Statutory Instrument (SI) 144 of 2022 by the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC). We believe that the increase will disenfranchise marginalized groups such as women, youth, and people with disabilities (PWDs) from running as candidates and reduces chances of their election into public office. These groups already face gendered, age-related, and stigma-based barriers resulting in insufficient political representation, lack of participation in governance and developmental processes, and limited access to life opportunities and means of production. The processes leading to the increase in the nomination fees have also not been inclusive, with these groups, and many others, not consulted at all.
According to the SI 144, a presidential candidate must pay US$20,000, up from US1,000, while a member of parliament (MP) candidate pays US$1,000 from US$50, and a proportional representation candidate has to fork out US$200 from US$100. The Zimbabwe presidential nomination fee is four times higher than that of Zambia and almost ten times higher than Kenya's. The electoral systems in Swaziland, Angola and Mozambique do not require nomination fees for MPs. These countries' systems endorse MPs by a huge number of nominees, (Institute for Young Women's Development, 2022).
The SI 144 pronouncement may have unintended consequences of slowing down voter registration because of loss of trust in the Zimbabwe electoral system. Furthermore, the SI is inconsistent with Articles 3 and 31 of the African Charter on Democracy Elections and Governance (ACDEG), which call for effective participation of citizens in democratic processes and for state parties to promote the participation of social groups with special needs in the governance process, respectively.
Most youths in Zimbabwe are unemployed resorting to working in the informal sector where incomes are unstable and those employed earning below the poverty datum line. Furthermore, youths, women and PWDs are confronted with physical, socio-cultural, and structural barriers regarding their participation in electoral processes where such participation is characterised by less representative quota systems. Women face gender-based violence, patriarchal domination, and gendered traditional roles. PWDs face stigma and discrimination associated with lack of user-friendly facilities and necessities.
The SI 144 of 2022 also violates the founding values and principles in the Constitution of Zimbabwe which advocate for free, fair, and regular elections as well as adequate representation of the electorate. Section 67 of the Constitution provides for citizens' right to elect representatives and the right to be elected, while section 56 advances the notion of equality and non-discrimination in electoral processes. As Activista Zimbabwe, a movement representing youth interests with support from AAZ and Project 263, a youth-led initiative on campaigning for youths to vote, we also believe that the setting of fees to access delimitation maps and the voters' roll through yet another SI 145 of 2022 will infringe on citizens' rights to access information.
We implore ZEC to:
1. Urgently initiate dialogue and consultation with the affected stakeholders and scrap the nomination fees for youth, women and PWDs.
2. Consider the option of increasing the number of signatures of people who nominate presidential candidates to 1000 per province.
3. Reduce costs related to accessing the voters' roll by making them available on various virtual platforms.
4. Put in place mechanisms that promote access to electoral information, technical and financial support for women, youth and PWDs to effectively participate in electoral processes.
5. Expedite the implementation of ALL recommendations of the observer missions to the 2018 harmonised elections to ensure that the 2023 polls pass the credibility test.
6. Implement:
i. Section 20(1)(b) of the Constitution, which emphasises the right of youth to be represented and participate in political spheres,
ii. Section 56(2) which stresses the right of both women and men to equal opportunities in political, economic, cultural, and social spheres,
iii. Section 67(3)(b) which gives every Zimbabwean citizen, including women, youth and PWDs, the right to stand for election for public office and, if elected, to hold such office,
iv. Section 80(1) which gives every woman the right to equal opportunities in political, economic, and social activities, and
v. Section 17(1) (b)(i) which reiterates that both genders should be equally represented in all institutions and agencies of government, at every level.
For more details please contact:
ActionAid Zimbabwe Country Director, Joy Mabenge: Email joy.mabenge@actionaid.org or Mobile +263 772904479
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ActionAidZim
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ActionAidZimbabwe/
Website: https://zimbabwe.actionaid.org/
Vereniging ActionAid International RSIN number: 813342211 Registration number: 27264198


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Question: A New Hope Theatrical Version?
1 How many versions of a new hope are there?
2 Is there an unedited version of Star Wars?
3 Did they add CGI to the original Star Wars?
4 What is the age difference between Anakin and Padme?
5 Did they use elephants in A New Hope?
6 How old is Luke in A New Hope?
7 Will they ever remake A New Hope?
8 Can Disney fix Star Wars?
9 Does the original Star Wars exist?
10 Is 4k77 legal?
11 Can you buy the original Star Wars?
12 Who is Anakin's father?
13 What was the first CGI character?
14 How old is Hayden Christensen?
How many versions of a new hope are there?
This means that (excluding TV edits and pan & scan releases) there have been at least TEN different versions of Star Wars to date.
Is there an unedited version of Star Wars?
' Star Wars: Despecialized Edition' Restores the Original, Unedited Trilogy. One fan spent half a decade putting together a high-quality version of the films without Lucasfilm's later edits. But for years, fans have been clamouring for a high-quality DVD or Blu-ray release of the original and unaltered Star Wars trilogy
Did they add CGI to the original Star Wars?
In the original version of The Phantom Menace, a puppet was used to portray Yoda except for two scenes near the end of the film. This was changed for the 2011 Blu-ray release, with the puppet being replaced with a CGI model, similar to those used for the film's sequels Attack of the Clones and Revenge of the Sith.
What is the age difference between Anakin and Padme?
Padmé was born in the year 46 BBY on Naboo, and Anakin was born five years later, in the year 41 BBY. That makes Padmé five years older than Anakin.
You might be interested: FAQ: Are The Disney Posters Real Theatrical Posters?
Did they use elephants in A New Hope?
Mardji (1953 – 1995) was an Asian elephant who portrayed two banthas in the original release of Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.
How old is Luke in A New Hope?
How Old Luke Skywalker Is In Star Wars' Original Trilogy. 19 years passed between Revenge of the Sith and A New Hope, bringing the year to 0 BBY. When the franchise launched in 1977, Luke was just 19 years old.
Will they ever remake A New Hope?
Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope is a 2025 epic space opera remake of the 1977 Star Wars film of the same name. This reboot was directed by Christopher Nolan and stars Zac Efron, Nathan Fillion and Ingvild Deila amongst others.
Can Disney fix Star Wars?
Disney will never erase the Star Wars sequel trilogy. As much as toxic Star Wars fandom focuses their weird hate on the creative decisions behind the sequel films — The Force Awakens, The Last Jedi, and The Rise of Skywalker — these movies are part of the larger story of Star Wars, like it or lump it.
Does the original Star Wars exist?
The original film (Star Wars), retroactively subtitled Episode IV: A New Hope (1977), was followed by the sequels Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) and Episode VI: Return of the Jedi (1983), forming the original Star Wars trilogy.
Is 4k77 legal?
As a derivative work, Harmy's Despecialized Edition cannot be legally bought or sold in the United States and other countries with treaties respecting US copyrights, and is "to be shared among legal owners of the officially available releases only".
You might be interested: Readers ask: What Is A Theatrical Moment?
Can you buy the original Star Wars?
One of Disney Plus' biggest exclusives for Star Wars fans is no longer an exclusive: the original Star Wars trilogy, the prequel trilogy, Star Wars: The Force Awakens, and Rogue One will be available to purchase in 4K UHD for the first time.
Who is Anakin's father?
Anakin Skywalker is the son of Shmi Skywalker, born without a father through the Force. He is the secret husband of Padmé Amidala, the father of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa, the father-in-law of Han Solo, and the maternal grandfather of Ben Solo.
What was the first CGI character?
Lucasfilm creates the first photorealistic CGI character, "stained glass knight " with 10 seconds of screentime. The first computer-generated music video. The animators would go on to found Mainframe Entertainment. The first use of reflection mapping in a feature film, used for the flying alien spacecraft.
How old is Hayden Christensen?
40 years (April 19, 1981)
FAQ: A Famous Egyptian Theatrical Play?
Question: A Perfect Getaway Theatrical Vs Director's Cut?


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Daniela Raicu, PhD
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Email: dstan@cdm.depaul.edu
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Daniela Stan Raicu, PhD
Daniela Stan Raicu is a Professor of School of Computing, College of Computing and Digital Media at DePaul University, Chicago. She is the co-director of the Medical Informatics and the Intelligent Multimedia Processing Laboratories. Daniela is the founding Director of the Center for Data Science at DePaul. Her research interests include medical imaging, multimedia retrieval, pattern recognition and data mining. Daniela's projects have been funded by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Argonne National Laboratory, Department of Education, and McArthur Foundation. She is the recipient of the DePaul Excellence in Teaching Award 2008, the DePaul Spirit of Inquiry Award in 2010, and the IBM Faculty Innovation Award in 2010. She also serves on the National Council of the Upsilon Pi Epsilon (UPE) honor society in Computer and Information Sciences since 2008. Daniela holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science from Oakland University, Michigan, a M.A. in Computer Science from Wayne State University, Michigan, and a B.S. in Mathematics from University of Bucharest, Romania.
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Is more better? No question. Is it worth $135 per pony? Your call on that one.
British engineer and designer Sir Alec Issigonis created the tiny 37-hp Mini in 1959 for the Austin and Morris marques, but it was left to John Cooper to make it a truly entertaining device for drivers. Thus, it seems fitting that Cooper's son—John Michael Cooper, who goes by Mike—was handed the job of enhancing the driver-entertainment index of the latter-day Mini.
The key to Mike Cooper's upgrade is more power, just as it was with John Cooper's Mini back in 1961 (from 33 to an ungodly 65 horsepower).
So when BMW was developing its product-cycle plans for the Mini revival in 1998, paying a one-time royalty for the Cooper name and then enlisting John Cooper for the eventual performance upgrade made more sense than turning to longtime tuning partner Alpina. Aside from name recognition, it's likely that geography tipped the balance. Alpina is based outside Munich—not exactly consistent with BMW's desire to trade on the Mini's British roots.
John Cooper Works (JCW) offered its first upgrade kit in late 2001, bumping output of the naturally aspirated version of the Mini Cooper from 115 to 132 horsepower. We won't see that package in North America, but we will see the latest version, developed for the supercharged Mini Cooper S. The kits are currently available through 71 Mini dealers in the U.S. and Canada.
Like the kit for the naturally aspirated car, the one for the supercharged S model is designed to enhance engine output only—no suspension or brake upgrades. It's a straight bolt-on, entailing a reprogrammed engine-control chip, a revised cylinder head, a new supercharger, a smaller supercharger drive pulley, and an upgraded exhaust system designed to reduce back pressure.
The bulk of the development time on the S program was devoted to machine work on the cylinder head, aimed at improving intake and exhaust flow. No changes were made to the valvetrain, compression ratio, or crankshaft. The vanes of the new Eaton supercharger are coated with a ceramic compound that provides better sealing, and maximum boost has been bumped from 11.6 to 14.0 psi. Although the system generates more heat than the stock setup, JCW and BMW are confident the Mini's intercoolers and cooling system can handle it without a problem. Similarly, the development team feels the stock clutch and six-speed manual gearbox can deal with the extra thrust.
There's a fair amount of that. The standard Cooper S twirls up 163 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque from its 1.6-liter twin-cam 16-valve four. The JCW version generates 200 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. Mike Cooper says they could have mined more from the iron-block, aluminum-head Pentagon engine, but "we stopped at 200 for reliability," not to mention making BMW's warranty people happy, since the JCW kit is covered by the same 48-month/50,000-mile program as any other Mini. This goes for retrofits as well as new cars.
Adding horsepower and torque makes for a quicker Mini. An unofficial estimate by a Mini spokesman forecast a 0-to-60 time of about 6.3 seconds, in contrast to the 7.0-second run we posted in our first Cooper S test (July 2002). Judging by a short day of driving around the southern coast of England, we feel this estimate may be a bit optimistic. The new supercharger seems to spool up a little quicker than the one in the standard S version, and it also seems to provide much better midrange response, reducing the drama of passing maneuvers.
There doesn't seem to be any dynamic downside to the kit. At about 2800 pounds, the Works Cooper S is chunky enough to damp out any hint of torque steer, and the standard brake system feels capable of keeping up with the increased pace. About the only negative is a slightly higher level of supercharger whine, not bad for short stints, but undoubtedly tedious over a long haul.
The big question, though, is whether the additional punch is worth the money. Mini's marketing minions hadn't finalized pricing as we went to press but were willing to estimate the U.S. price for the kit at about $5000, a figure that includes the nine-hour installation process, to be handled either at the port of entry or through a dealer.
That figures to about $135 per horsepower, and it also makes for a pretty pricey Mini. Adding the JCW kit to a Cooper S propels you right up against the 25-grand frontier, without adding extras such as leather, a sunroof, 17-inch wheels, or xenon headlamps. Should we choose to bolt the kit to the Cooper S that's just joined our long-term test fleet, we'd be looking at a $28,815 Mini, and that's the threshold of Mazda RX-8 and Nissan 350Z territory.
From that perspective, you have to ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" And then you have to provide the answer.


Since 2000, the percentage of employers offering health benefits has declined in California and nationwide, although coverage rates among offering firms have remained stable. Only 55% of California firms reported providing health insurance to employees in 2016, down from 69% in 2000. Implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) in 2014 does not appear to have impacted the overall trend in employer offer rates.
Nineteen percent of California firms reported that they increased cost sharing in the past year, and 27% of firms reported that they were very or somewhat likely to increase employees' premium contribution in the next year. The prevalence of plans with large deductibles also continues to increase.
California Employer Health Benefits: Prices Up, Coverage Down presents data compiled from the 2016 California Employer Health Benefits Survey.
Health insurance premiums for family coverage grew by 5.6%. Family coverage premiums have seen a cumulative 234% increase since 2002, compared to a 40% increase in the overall inflation rate.
The average monthly health insurance premium, including the employer contribution, was $597 for single coverage and $1,634 for family coverage in California, and was significantly higher than the national average.
41% of workers in small firms faced an annual deductible of at least $1,000 for single coverage, compared to 17% of workers in larger firms. The prevalence of these higher deductibles in small firms has increased substantially in the past five years.
Only one in four firms with many low-wage workers (those earning $23,000 or less) offered health coverage to employees in 2016.
In the past year, 24% of large firms extended eligibility for health benefits to workers not previously eligible.
The full report, all the charts found in the report, and past editions are available for download below. These materials are part of CHCF's California Health Care Almanac, an online clearinghouse for key data and analyses describing the state's health care landscape.


There is a wealth of information available online for anyone interested in vintage synthesizers, which might make it seem that books about the topic is redundant. However, if you are one of those people who prefer a nice book in your bookshelf instead of just another bookmark in your browser, there are plenty of options available.
Snowy weather, cozy fireplaces, candlelit dinners and plenty of mistletoe; these are the things that we commonly associate with the festive season. It is also a time for eating too much, spending too much and being bombarded with "Christmas" music at every turn.
To many people, synthesizers are anonymous with the science fiction genre, such as Blade Runner and more recently, Ex Machina. However, the out-of-this-world sounds that synths are capable of producing has also featured prominently in some classic horror movies.
Objectivity can be very hard for a hobby such as vintage synths due to the amount of money and passion that is involved.
The synth-laden opening track for the Netflix hit, Stranger Things, is a great showcase of how these instruments can set the mood for a television show.
Anyone can coax some form of music out of a vintage synthesizer, but making it sound good is a different matter entirely. While there are plenty of suggestions for newcomers in regards to what synths would be a good investment, there are also a few that require extra effort to really master.
Sponsored Post: The analog synthesizer market is getting pretty crowded these days, so it takes some innovation to get noticed. However, this hasn't stopped Novation from releasing a couple of impressive products that truly stand out from the crowd.
Back in the early days of synthesizers it still took some convincing for people to invest in these newfangled instruments. Luckily, there were plenty of advertising folks who believed that they knew just how to entice consumers with flashy commercials.
The prices of many vintage synthesizers have skyrocketed in recent years, putting them out of reach of all but the most dedicated collectors. Fortunately, that doesn't mean that it is impossible to experiment with the sounds of these vintage instruments.
We have partnered with Novation to offer a very exciting giveaway to our readers. Enter now to stand a chance to win a Novation Circuit Mono Station.
Tablets and other mobile devices have come a long way since the early days and these days it's not unusual to hear about professional decisions making use of them in the studio and even live.
Owning a single vintage synth might be cool, but getting access to up to 38 would give you even more options to create great music. This is exactly what Syntronik by IK Multimedia offers.
The name Korg is synonymous with innovations in the synthesizer market, but over the years the brand has also diversified into other ventures, such as recording equipment.


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One person in hospital after fire breaks out in Hochelaga-Maisonneuve home
One person suffered burns from a fire in a Hochelaga-Maisonneuve home early Friday morning.
Presse Canadienne
Firefighters at the scene of an earlier fire at a residence on La Salle Ave. near the corner of Ontario St. in the borough of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in Montreal on Friday, April 3, 2015. Dario Ayala / Montreal Gazette
The victim was transported to hospital, and their condition is unknown at this time.
The blaze broke out around 5:30 a.m. in the second floor of a building on La Salle Ave., near the corner of Ontario St. E.
What caused the fire is unknown at this time.
A safety perimeter was set up to aid the work of the Montreal fire department, who extinguished the blaze before 8 a.m.
Firefighters at the scene of an earlier fire at a residence on La Salle Ave. near the corner of Ontario St. in the borough of Hochelaga-Maisonneuve in Montreal on Friday, April 3, 2015.
Two men arrested for assault, theft in Ahuntsic TransCanada confirms it won't be building Energy East terminal at Cacouna,...
Teen in critical condition after almost drowning in Pointe-aux-Trembles


It is very difficult to calculate the exact odds of hitting a drawing hand when you're sitting at the poker table. Unless you're a genius with a gift for mathematics like Chris Ferguson, you will not be able to do it. That leaves two options for the rest of us: The first option is to sit at home with a calculator, figure out the poker odds for every possible combination of draws, and then memorize them. That way, no matter what situation comes up, you always know the odds. But for those of us without a perfect memory, there's an easier way. Here is a simple trick for estimating those odds.
The first thing you need to do is to count out how many "outs" you have. An "out" is any card that gives you a made hand. To do this, simply count the number of cards available that give the hand you are drawing to. For example: suppose you hold Ac 8c and the flop comes Qh 9c 4c. You have a flush draw. There are thirteen clubs in the deck and you are looking at four of them — the two in your hand, and the two on the board. That leaves nine clubs left in the deck, and two chances to hit one.
The trick to figuring out the approximate percentage chance of hitting the flush is to multiply your outs times the number of chances to hit it. In this case that would be nine outs multiplied by two chances, or eighteen. Then take that number, multiply times two, and add a percentage sign. The approximate percentage of the time you will make the flush is 36%. (The exact percentage is 34.97%.) Now let's say that on that same flop you hold the Jd Th. In this case you would have an open ended straight draw with eight outs to hit the straight (four kings and four eights). Eight outs with two cards to come gives you sixteen outs. Multiply times two and you will hit the straight a little less then 32% (31.46% exactly) of the time.
One important thing to remember is that the percentage stated is merely the percentage of the time that you will hit the hand you are drawing to, NOT the percentage of time that you will win the pot. You may hit your hand and still lose. In the first example, the Q c will pair the board and may give some one a full house. In the second example both the K c and the 8c will put a possible flush on the board, giving you the straight, but not necessarily the winning hand. Still, knowing the approximate likelihood of making your hand is a good beginning step on the road to better poker.


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North Carolina Central University supports the protection available to members of its community under all applicable federal laws, including Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 799A and 845 of the Public Health Service Act, The Equal Pay and Age Discrimination Acts, the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, The Vietnam Era Veteran's Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974, Executive Order 11246, and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
In compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and ADA of 1990, accommodation of the handicapped extends to student programs, employment practices, elimination of physical barriers, and special assistance to students and employees within the School of Law and the University. Initial inquiries regarding services for persons with disabilities should be made with the Office of Student Affairs, 919-530-6325.


How do I attach the Tagg 1.0 tracker to my pet's collar?
Attaching the Tagg 1.0 tracker to your pet's collar is a two-step process. First, you attach the collar clip to your pet's collar, then you attach the tracker to the collar clip.
Note: Click here for instructions on attaching the Tagg GPS Plus tracker to your pet's collar.
1. Remove the collar from your pet.
2. Select the collar strap that best matches the size of your pet's collar (use the clear strap for smaller collars and the gray strap for larger collars).
3. Place the collar clip on top of the collar, with the grooves facing up.
4. Hook one side of the strap into the groove on one side of the collar clip.
5. Holding the clip in one hand, stretch the free end of the strap underneath the collar and attach it to the groove on the other side of the collar clip.
1. Holding the tracker with the indicator light facing upward, place it lightly on top of the collar clip, parallel with your pet's collar.
2. Press down firmly on top of the tracker until you hear two clicks, indicating it is secured to the collar clip posts.
3. Lightly tug on the tracker to make sure it is securely attached.