Offshore oil drilling in shallow waters (depths of less than 500 feet) has been in existence since World War II. While oil spills in shallow water have occurred in the past, only 15 barrels of oil have been spilled in over 11,000 shallow water wells drilled in the past 15 years—a remarkable record. Compared to deepwater oil drilling, shallow water drilling is less complex, resulting in better safety records from a more established industry. So, it is very bewildering that the Obama Administration included shallow water drilling in its initial moratorium on offshore drilling and set up additional rules for drilling in these lower depths. These new rules have consequences. The rules will further increase the costs of drilling in shallow water and they will increase delays in permitting. These changes will result in less domestic oil production, greater oil imports, and higher energy prices for consumers—all for an activity that has spilled 15 barrels of oil over the last 15 years.
According to records from the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management in the U.S. Department of Interior, 11,070 wells were drilled in waters of less than 500 feet in the past 15 years with only 15 barrels of oil spilled.[ii] During those 15 years, the largest spill was 10 barrels, occurring offshore Louisiana on March 8, 2003. In fact, according to the National Academy of Sciences, between 1990 and 1999, oil and gas drilling represented only one percent of all petroleum discharged in North American waters. Recreational marine vessels, for example, discharged almost twice as much. See chart below.
However, that is not to say that accidents have not happened in shallow water. In 1979, Mexico's Ixtoc oil well's blowout in 160 feet of water was the largest oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico until the Deepwater Horizon spill occurred this year. And last year, off the coast of Australia, an oil spill occurred in 250 feet of water caused by an explosion on the rig.[iii] While some had thought oil spilled when a fire resulted from a rig explosion in shallow waters off the Louisiana coast recently, the fire was contained and the 13 crew men were rescued without a spill occurring.[iv] Using 2008 data, the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that oil and natural gas extraction has a lower injury rate than 89 percent of working Americans based on industry groups, with grocery and department stores, for example, having higher incidence rates. See chart below.
The Obama Administration decided to include shallow water drilling in their moratorium on offshore drilling in early May, but lifted it quietly by the end of the month. Unfortunately, though the ban on shallow water drilling offshore was lifted on May 28, 2010, just 22 days after it was instituted, a de facto ban continued because of the very slow approval of permits by the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management.
In 2007, drilling companies, on average, applied for 20 permits a month; in 2008, they applied for 18 permits a month; but, in 2009, due to lower energy prices, they applied for less than nine a month. As prices increased into 2010, applications were averaging 11 a month in the first four months of 2010.[viii] Once the Deepwater Horizon accident occurred and after the moratorium was pulled on shallow water offshore drilling, shallow water applications slowed due to uncertainty about the rules. Permits for new shallow water wells averaged just 1.8 a month between May and September, 2010.[ix] See chart below.
According to the Administrator of the Energy Information Administration, it could take two years to recover from the moratorium resulting from the Deepwater Horizon spill because of the lag time between drilling and production.[x] The outcome of the moratorium then is lower oil production offshore in the Gulf of Mexico; more oil imports from foreign countries, making the United States more dependent on those countries for oil supplies; higher oil and gasoline prices; and less income for federal, state, and local governments. According to Department of Interior data, nearly $60 billion has been collected in federal royalty revenue from offshore activity in the U.S. Gulf of Mexico since 2001[xi]. See chart below.
It is unclear why the Obama Administration included shallow water drilling in its initial moratorium on offshore drilling when the mechanics and engineering principles of the industry are so different from deep water drilling and exploration. And, the resulting delays for obtaining permits due to the new rules for shallow water drilling along with the higher costs required to meet those rules are hurting mainly the small independent oil and gas producers, who represent over 70 percent of the shallow water market. According to the Federal Register, the new rules will cost shallow water drillers $90,000 more per well to comply with the regulations.[xii] Some industry representatives are wondering whether the small independent producers can afford the increase.[xiii] Regardless, the delays in permitting and the new rules will mean less domestic oil production, more oil imports, and higher energy prices for consumers.


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It takes Great Effort to save what remains of China's Great Wall
The Great Wall of China was built slowly over 1,800 years by more than one dynasty. Kid's Connect.com says, "The construction of The Great wall started in the Spring and Autumn Period (BC 770 – 476) and went on until the Ming Dynasty (1368 – 1644 AD)… Its building involved some 20 states and dynasties."
The reason the Great Wall was built in the first place was to protect Chinese civilization from the primitive northern nomadic tribes like the Mongolians, and Manchus. Other invaders were the Huns during the Qin (BC 221 – 206) and Han Dynasties (BC 206 – 220 AD), the Turks in the Sui Dynasty (581 – 618 AD), the Khitan in the Song Dynasty (960 – 1279 AD), and the Tatar, Oirat, and Jurchen during the Ming Dynasty.
"Unfortunately, most of the Great Wall sections built before the Ming Dynasty have almost disappeared," China Highlights reports, and only a few sections of the Ming Dynasty wall are still in good condition. The following video shows how challenging and dangerous it is to save just one small section of what remains of The Great Wall.
"As the Great Wall was built on mountains or across deserts, it was quite hard for the Chinese people to protect every inch of it, especially those parts of the Great Wall that were built in rural areas.
"Also, the earlier Great Wall sections were made with earth, lime, and even branches, which didn't make it solid enough to withstand the yearly rains, storms, earthquakes, and other natural disasters."
The Guardian reported in 2004 that "Only one-third of China's Great Wall still stands as tourists take their toll. Two-thirds of the Great Wall of China has been destroyed by sightseers, developers, and erosion, Beijing's state-run media reported yesterday a warning that the world heritage site is crumbling out of existence."
It wasn't until 2006, that the CCP enacted regulations to protect what was left of the wall. The most popular rebuilt sections of the Great Wall are at Badaling (7.5 miles), Mutianyu (1.5 miles), and Juyongguan (located in a mountain pass) where tourists will find 1,700 steps to climb to reach the top of the mountain from the west wall.
UNESCO says, "In 220 B.C., under Qin Shi Huang (China's first Emperor), sections of earlier fortifications were joined together to form a united defense system against invasions from the north. Construction continued up to the Ming dynasty when the Great Wall became the world's largest military structure. Its historic and strategic importance is matched only by its architectural significance."
If all of the sections of The Great Wall were rebuilt, they would run for more than 13,000 miles. – History Answers
Lloyd Lofthouse is the award-winning author of My Splendid Concubine, Crazy is Normal, Running with the Enemy, and The Redemption of Don Juan Casanova.
My Splendid Concubine is now available to read through Kindle Unlimited.
Leave a Comment »	| China, Chinese Culture, Chinese history, cultural differences, environment, history, Lloyd Lofthouse, military, military spending, tourism	| Tagged: How hard is it to save what remains of the Great Wall of China, How long did it take to build The Great Wall of China, How long were all the ancient sections of The Great Wall, What are the three most popular sections of the Great Wall of China today, What was the name of the last dynasty to rebuilt the Great Wall of China, Who was the Chinese emperor that connected all the sections of the Great Wall more than two thousand years ago	| Permalink
The Little Known History of Racism in the United States against the Chinese
Thirty-six years before the 1921 Greenwood Massacre of African Americans in Oklahoma, there was a similar incident in Wyoming but the victims were Chinese.
"On September 2, 1885, 150 white miners in Rock Springs, Wyoming, brutally attack their Chinese coworkers, killing 28, wounding 15 others, and driving several hundred more out of town," History.com reported.
"The Rock Springs massacre was symptomatic of the anti-Chinese feelings shared by many Americans at that time. The Chinese had been victims of prejudice and violence ever since they first began to come to the West in the mid-nineteenth century, fleeing famine and political upheaval (the Christian led Taiping Rebellion and the English and French led Opium Wars). Widely blamed for all sorts of social ills, the Chinese were also singled-out for attack by some national politicians who popularized strident slogans like 'The Chinese Must Go.'"
The Rock Springs massacre wasn't the only incident of racism against Chinese immigrants in the United States.
The Chinese Exclusion Act, a United States federal law signed by President Chester A. Arthur on May 6, 1882, ended all immigration of Chinese laborers. The African American Policy Forum says, "The Chinese Exclusion Act was an immigration law passed in 1882 that prevented Chinese laborers from immigrating to the United States. The Chinese Exclusion Act was the first immigration law that excluded an entire ethnic group. It also excluded Chinese nationals from eligibility for United States citizenship."
"During their first few decades in the United States," The Library of Congress informs, "they (Chinese immigrants to the United States) endured an epidemic of violent racist attacks, a campaign of persecution and murder that today seems shocking. From Seattle to Los Angeles, from Wyoming to the small towns of California, immigrants from China were forced out of business, run out of town, beaten, tortured, lynched, and massacred, usually with little hope of help from the law. Racial hatred, an uncertain economy, and weak government in the new territories all contributed to this climate of terror and bloodshed. The perpetrators of these crimes, which included Americans from many segments of society, largely went unpunished."
Leave a Comment »	| America, American culture, China, Chinese Culture, Chinese history, Christianity, cultural differences, history, human rights, Lloyd Lofthouse, propaganda, religion, United States	| Tagged: What countries started the Opium Wars in China, What country is known as the land of famines?, What happened to Chinese immigrants in Rock Springs Wyoming, What happened to Chinese immigrants in the United States in the 19th century, What was the Chinese Exclusion Act, When was the Chinese Exclusion Act singed into law, Who was the leader of the Taiping Rebellion in CHina	| Permalink
What came first, Paper for Printing or for the Toilet?
Since COVID-19 struck like a venomous cobra killing thousand daily, toilet paper has become a very popular item in the United States and from what I am learning, the world.
March through May, I didn't see much Costco toilet paper at the store where I shop. That started to change in June, and on Wednesday, June 17, 2020, I saw more of Costco's Kirkland brand toilet paper in one place than I have ever seen before.
The Costco I shop at added more storage at the back of the store for toilet paper on the heavy metal shelves the chain uses that soar 30 feet from the floor to the ceiling. At the checkout stand, I asked the clerk if that mountain of toilet paper was enough to satisfy demand, and she said, those shelves had to be filled three times a day to keep up.
The pandemic is in its fourth month and demand for toilet paper doesn't seem to be ending. What are shoppers doing with all the toilet paper they are buying, insulating their houses with it?
On the way home, I thought about the history of toilet paper. I already knew that China invented paper just like they did the printing press centuries before they both showed up in Europe, but what about TP.
History.com says, "Although paper originated in China in the second century B.C., the first recorded use of paper for cleansing is from the 6th century in medieval China, discovered in the texts of scholar Yen Chih-Thui. In 589 A.D, he wrote, 'Paper on which there are quotations or commentaries from the Five Classics or the names of sages, I dare not use for toilet purposes.'
"By the early 14th century, the Chinese were manufacturing toilet paper at the rate of 10 million packages of 1,000 to 10,000 sheets annually. In 1393, thousands of perfumed paper sheets were also produced for the Hongwu Emperor's imperial family.
"Paper became widely available in the 15th century, but in the Western world, modern commercially available toilet paper didn't originate until 1857, when Joseph Gayetty of New York marketed a 'Medicated Paper, for the Water-Closet,' sold in packages of 500 sheets for 50 cents. Before his product hit the market, Americans improvised in clever ways (don't ask)."
Why did it take more than five hundred years for toilet paper to reach Europe and the United States from China?
I wonder if China had a toilet paper shortage like we did in the U.S. after the Chinese learned about COVID-19, and first warned the world on December 31, 2019. I found one answer dated in February from the South China Morning Post reporting that in Hong Kong there was a fear driven rush to buy all the toilet paper one could drag home. Guo Yukuan, a senior researcher with the China Society of Economic Reform, a state-backed think tank, said the panic buying was irrational. "This is purely driven by panic and stress," Guo said. "China's production capacity [for toilet paper] can supply not just Hong Kong but the whole world."
Next time, before you flush, thank the Chinese for inventing toilet paper.
Leave a Comment »	| America, business, China, Chinese Culture, Chinese history, cultural differences, education, health care, history, United States	| Tagged: Before there was toilet paper how did people clean themselves, What caused people around the world to panic and empty the stores of toilet paper, What country invented paper, What country was using toilet paper in the 14th century, When did China tell the World Health Organization about the COVID-19 virus, When did the United States start to use toilet paper, Why did stores run out of toilet paper after COVID-19	| Permalink
China's Heritage Sites Growing in Popularity
China has 55 World Heritage Sites, and I have been to four of the top ten: the Great Wall, Temple of Heaven, Forbidden City, and the Terracotta Warriors. I have also been to the Ming and Qing Dynasties Imperial Tombs, South China Karst region along the Li River near Guilin, the West Lake Cultural Landscape of Hangzhou, the Grand Canal, and possibly a few others I did not recognize when I was looking at the list while writing this post.
In 2012, CNN.com reported, "Tourism boom threatens China's heritage sites. … Places that were previously very remote and didn't see a lot of (Chinese) tourists are now seeing enormous numbers arriving because they have the money to travel," says Neville Agnew, group director of the Getty Conservation Institute, which has worked in China since 1989. "It's an interesting phenomenon because it's in complete contrast to the experience in Egypt, where almost all the visitors are foreigners."
World Atlas.com also reports, "China's Forbidden City gets more visitors (15 million) than any other UNESCO World Heritage Site." The Great Wall had ten million.
World Atlas also said, "Although the high number of tourists visiting these UNESCO World Heritage Sites translates to high revenue for the receiving country, the cost of maintaining these sites is also significantly high."
In 1971, the United States was central to UNESCO's mission, and the People's Republic of China was isolated from the world. China had no world heritage sites and showed no evidence of public religious activity. That all changed after U.S. President Richard Nixon visited China in 1971. The Berkeley Center said, "By the 1980s, China had been recognized with its first World Heritage site and a massive religious revival was underway."
Tragically, "Nearly half a century later, the United States (with 23 UNESCO World Heritage Sites) has withdrawn from UNESCO (because of President Donald Trump who values nothing but his power, his fame or infamy, as long as he is getting attention from the media, and money even when he has to cheat people to get it), and China eagerly seeks a greater role in the organization, which has recognized China with the second-highest number of World Heritage sites in the world."
Leave a Comment »	| China, Chinese Culture, Chinese history, cultural differences, education, environment, history, Tibet, tourism	| Tagged: How many World Heritage Sites does China have, What are the top ten most popular World Heritage Sites in China, What did President Donald Trump do about UNESCO, When did China get its first World Heritage Site, Who is the American President responsible for isolating the country, Who is the American president that helped open China	| Permalink
When it comes to World Heritage Sites, China and Italy are tied for First Place
When it comes to World Heritage Sites, China is tied with Italy for first place. Each country has 55 World Heritage Sites. China has 14 natural and 37 cultural sites vs Italy's five natural and 50 cultural.
A World Heritage Site is a landmark or area, selected by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance, which is legally protected by international treaties. The sites are judged to be important for the collective and preservative interests of humanity.
To be selected, a World Heritage Site must be an already-classified landmark, unique in some respect as a geographically and historically identifiable place having special cultural or physical significance (such as an ancient ruin or historical structure, building, city, complex, desert, forest, island, lake, monument, mountain, or wilderness area). It may signify a remarkable accomplishment of humanity, and serve as evidence of our intellectual history on the planet.
The sites are intended for practical conservation for posterity, which otherwise would be subject to risk from human or animal trespassing, unmonitored/uncontrolled/unrestricted access, or threat from local administrative negligence. Sites are demarcated by UNESCO as protected zones. The list is maintained by the international World Heritage Program administered by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee, composed of 21 "states parties" that are elected by their General Assembly.
The reason Italy and China are tied for 1st place is because Italy was home to the Roman Empire (27 BC to 1453 AD) and China to the Han (206 BC – 280 AD), Tang (618 – 907 AD), and Qing (1368 – 1644 AD) Dynasties.
National Interest.org says, "Contrary to the common perception of China being historically isolated and weak, many Chinese dynasties were very powerful and have had a profound impact on global history. … The Han Dynasty ruled China for a solid four centuries, from 206 B.C.E. to 220 C.E. Although the preceding Qin Dynasty unified China, it was the Han Dynasty that kept it together and developed the institutions that characterized most of Chinese history since. …
"After the Han Dynasty collapsed due to civil war, China entered a period of disunity until being reunited by the Sui Dynasty, which was subsequently succeeded by the Tang Dynasty, which ruled China from 618-907 C.E. The Tang Dynasty was one of China's most cosmopolitan and urbane dynasties, opening China up to a period of foreign influences. The Tang Dynasty was also likely China's largest and most powerful dynasty in history and is considered the golden age of imperial China."
The Qing Dynasty was China's last and one of its greatest from 1644 to 1911. The National Interest explains why, "The Qing were the first Chinese state to effectively control regions like Tibet, Xinjiang, Manchuria, and Mongolia, peripheral regions that were inhabited by people that had always harassed China."
Leave a Comment »	| China, Chinese Culture, Chinese history, cultural differences, education, environment, history, Lloyd Lofthouse, tourism	| Tagged: What are the requirements to become a World Heritage Site, What are World Heritage Sites, What did the Roman Empire and Han Dynasty have in common, What does it take to get a World Heritage Sites, What two countries have the most World Heritage Sites, Who decides what a World Heritage site is, Why does China have the same number of World Heritage Sites that Italy has	| Permalink
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Title: Amending Article VIII, entitled "City Sales Tax", of Chapter 68 of the Code of General Ordinances of Kansas City, Missouri, as amended, entitled "Taxation." By enacting a new section thereof, designated as Section 68-473, imposing a tax for general revenue purposes on all sellers for the privilege of engaging in the business of selling tangible personal property or rendering taxable services at retail at the rate of three-eight percent (0.375%) per tax on the receipts from the sale at retail of all tangible personal property or taxable services at retail within said city. If such property and services are subject to taxation by the state of Missouri under the provisions of sections 144.010 to 144.525. RSMO., pursuant to the authority granted by and subject to the provisions of sections 94.600 to 94.655.RSMO., dedicating all of the proceeds of such tax to transportation purposes, improvements, and maintenance subject to the provisions of sections 644.032 to 644.033., RSMO., and providing for submission of this ordinance to the qualified voters of the city for their approval on the next available election date as may be provided by law.
8/24/2006 Councilmember Glover Move to Advance
8/24/2006 Councilmember Glover Move to Amend
8/24/2006 Passed as Amended
ORDINANCE NO. 060931, AS AMENDED
Amending Article VIII, entitled City Sales Tax, of Chapter 68 of the Code of General Ordinances of Kansas City, Missouri, as amended, entitled Taxation. By enacting a new section thereof, designated as Section 68-473, imposing a tax for general revenue purposes on all sellers for the privilege of engaging in the business of selling tangible personal property or rendering taxable services at retail at the rate of three-eight percent (0.375%) per tax on the receipts from the sale at retail of all tangible personal property or taxable services at retail within said city. If such property and services are subject to taxation by the state of Missouri under the provisions of sections 144.010 to 144.525. RSMO., pursuant to the authority granted by and subject to the provisions of sections 94.600 to 94.655.RSMO., dedicating all of the proceeds of such tax to transportation purposes, improvements, and maintenance subject to the provisions of sections 644.032 to 644.033., RSMO., and providing for submission of this ordinance to the qualified voters of the city for their approval on the next available election date as may be provided by law.
WHEREAS, under the provisions of Sections 94.600 to 94.655 and 644.032 to 644.033, RSMo, the cities of the state are empowered to impose by ordinance, for general purposes, a tax for general revenue purposes on all sellers for the privilege of engaging in the business of selling tangible personal property or rendering taxable at retail at the rate of three-eighths of one percent (0.375%) per tax on the receipts from the sale of all tangible personal property or taxable services at retail within any city adopting such taxes, if such property and services are subject to taxation under the provisions of Sections 144.010 to 144.525, RSMo, and Kansas City, Missouri decides to avail itself of such authorization and within the terms thereof; and
WHEREAS, under the provisions of said Sections 94.600 to 94.655 and 644.032 to 644.033, RSMo, no ordinance enacted pursuant to the authority granted by the provisions of said sections shall be effective until it has been submitted to the qualified voters of the City and approved by a majority of the qualified voters voting thereon; NOW, THEREFORE,
Section A. That Article VII, entitled, City Sales Tax, of Chapter 68 of the Code of General Ordinances of Kansas City, Missouri, as amended, entitled, Taxation, is hereby further amended by enacting one new section to be added thereto and to be known as Section 32.181.6, said section to read as follows:
Sec. 32.181.6. Imposition of Tax.
Pursuant to the authority granted by and subject to the provisions of Sections 94.600 to 94.655 and 644.032 and 644.033 RSMo, a tax for the benefit of the City is hereby imposed upon all sellers for the privilege of engaging in the business of selling tangible personal property or rendering taxable services at retail to the extent and in the manner provided in Sections 144.010 to 144.525, RSMo, and the rules and regulations of the director of revenue issued pursuant thereto. The rate of tax shall be three-eighths percent (0.375%) on the receipts from the sale at retail of all tangible personal property or taxable services at retail within Kansas City, Missouri, if such property and service are subject to taxation by the State of Missouri under the provisions of Section 144.010 to 144.525, RSMo. The tax shall become effective according to Section 32.087, RSMo.
Section B. The sales tax proceeds shall be used for the sole purpose of funding the following transportation improvements to Kansas City:
1. Implement Kansas Citys new Heartland Light Rail System consisting of a north/south light rail spine beginning at the Kansas City Zoo in Swope Park and ending at Kansas City International Airport including, but not limited to, stops at UMKC, Nelson Art Gallery, Plaza, Westport, Union Station, Performing Arts Center, Convention Center, Power & Light District, Sprint Center, City Market area, North Kansas City, North Oak Trafficway, and Zona Rosa; with the route following 63rd Street, Troost Avenue, 50th Street, Rockhill Road, Emanuel Cleaver Boulevard, Mill Creek Park, Broadway Boulevard, along the high ridge in Penn Valley Park to the junction of Kessler Road and Pershing Road, the west side of Union Stations Carriage House, Broadway Boulevard, 13th Street, Oak Street, Heart of America Bridge, Burlington Avenue, N. Oak Trafficway, Englewood Road, Waukomis Drive, the interurban right-of-way, Barry Road, Amity Avenue, and concluding at a transit hub, park & ride lot, and shuttle station near Madrid Avenue at KCI; also including new ground-level power supply technology (no overhead wires), and park & ride lots;
2. Implement a green fleet of sixty electric shuttles to provide connecting transit service to all light rail stops making possible the expansion of the light rail systems service area to nearby job centers, neighborhoods, and other primary destinations not directly served by the rail line;
3. Implement an aerial gondola tram system providing passenger service between Union Station, Liberty Memorial, and Penn Valley Park; remove all thru vehicular roads, including Broadway, in the park and re-route traffic around the park; replace roads with landscaped transportation corridors for new bicycle &walking pathways, the gondola, and a wooden light rail truss bridge; with the funds also to be used to retire bond indebtedness related to the projects, and to help secure additional federal, state, and regional transportation funds?
Section C. An election is hereby called and shall be held in Kansas City, State of Missouri, on Tuesday, November 7, 2006, at which election this ordinance shall be submitted to qualified voters of Kansas City, Missouri, for their approval, as required by Section 94.510, RSMo. The ballot shall read as follows:
In order to provide for the people of Kansas City a pioneering urban rail passenger system, constituting the foundation of a future regional transit system, offering not only increased energy-efficiency, comfort, mobility, transportation savings, and convenience, but also a greener, cleaner, safer environment, a stronger economy, and a means to help America reduce its dependence on imported oil; shall the City of Kansas City, Missouri extend the current three-eighths (3/8) cent transportation sales tax, due to expire on march 31, 2009, for 25 years, beginning April 1, 2009 and ending March 31, 2034, with said tax to be used solely to fund the construction, operation, maintenance, and beautification of the following transportation improvements under the auspices of the Kansas City, Missouri City Council:
Implement an aerial gondola tram system providing passenger service between Union Station, Liberty Memorial, and Penn Valley Park; remove all thru vehicular roads, including Broadway, in the park and re-route traffic around the park; replace roads with landscaped transportation corridors for new bicycle &walking pathways, the gondola, and a wooden light rail truss bridge; with the funds also to be used to retire bond indebtedness related to the projects, and to help secure additional federal, state, and regional transportation funds?
______ Yes _______ No
The voter who decides in favor of said ordinance shall place a cross mark (x) in the space opposite the word, Yes, or in the case of the use of voting machines, shall pull the lever so as to place a cross mark (x) in the space opposite said word; or in the case of a punch card voting device, shall punch the card opposite said word. The voter who decides to vote against said ordinance shall place a cross mark (x) in the space opposite the word, No, or in the case of voting machines, shall pull the lever so as to place a cross mark (x) in the space opposite said word; or, in the case of a punch card voting device, shall punch the card opposite said word.
Section D. If a majority of the qualified voters voting at said election shall vote in favor of the approval of the ordinance, then the same shall become binding and effective according to Section 32.087, RSMo.
Section E. The City Clerk shall deliver to the Board of Election Commissioners of Kansas City, Missouri, to the Board of Commissioners of Clay County, Missouri, Cass County, Missouri, and to the Board of Election Commissioners of Platte County, Missouri, each a certified copy of this ordinance which shall be the authority for said respective election authorities of the City to conduct said election, provide the ballot labels and ballots thereof, give notice thereof according to law, and certify the results thereof.
Section F. Within ten (10) days after approval of this ordinance by the qualified voters of Kansas City, Missouri, the City Clerk shall forward to the Director of Revenue of the State of Missouri by United States registered mail, a certified copy of this ordinance together with certification of the election returns and accompanied by a map of the City clearly showing the boundaries thereof.
Section G. This ordinance, providing for the submission of a City sales tax to the people of Kansas City, Missouri, is hereby recognized to be an emergency measure within the meaning of Section 15, Article II, of the Charter of said City, and as such shall become effective immediately upon its passage.
Dorothy L. Campbell


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Larchmont: Developer appeals teardown moratorium
The developer of the 40 Ocean Ave. project in Larchmont says it was targeted by the village's moratorium
Christopher J. Eberhart
ceberhart@lohud.com
LARCHMONT - The developer of a controversial project in Larchmont is challenging the village's moratorium on demolition and subdivisions in residential neighborhoods.
KOSL Building Group said the moratorium was "enacted to thwart" its proposed plans to tear down a home at 40 Ocean Ave. and build four new homes on the 1.57-acre property, according to an appeal filed on Feb. 3. The property was acquired through a private sale for $4.7 million, and the project doesn't need a variance from the village.
"Prior to purchase, (KOSL Building) made all appropriate inquiries to confirm that there were no impediments to the demolition of the existing structure," the developer's attorney Lucia Chiocchio said in the appeal. "The applicant and its design team demonstrated through project studies and analyses that subdivision of this premises into four new lots fully complies with the village zoning code."
But the project set off a firestorm in the community who love the 1896 home, known as "The Orchard." Resident Stacy Jamar Caffrey has said demolishing it would be like "tearing down the Empire State Building."
Larchmont residents fight to protect iconic home
Larchmont puts brakes on new housing
Teardown trend alarms Westchester's Sound Shore
KOSL Building filed its application Dec. 7. Within an hour, opposition erupted on social media. A grassroots group, Preserve Larchmont, rallied quickly and filled village hall later that night to denounce the project and the village-wide trend of subdivisions.
Projects on Palmer and Larchmont avenues that replaced one home with several are under construction. The village Planning Board is vetting plans for another similar development at 5 Vanderburgh Ave., which has also drew concern from residents.
On Jan. 11, Larchmont passed a six-month moratorium to give planner Richard Preiss time to analyze the impacts of subdivisions and make recommendations to the village board. The moratorium included pending and future applications.
"It is apparent from the community opposition to the project at 40 Ocean Ave, the media articles regarding the project and the timing of the moratorium law … that the Board of Trustees enacted the moratorium law in direct response to the project at 40 Ocean Ave.," Chiocchio wrote in the appeal.
Chiocchio and KOSL Building did not return calls for comment.
A provision in the moratorium law sets up parameters for an appeal. If the moratorium creates an "unnecessary hardship," the Board of Trustees has the power to grant a waiver that allows a developer to continue with its project. But the waiver cannot adversely affect the purpose of this local law or the surrounding area.
"The burden is on them to show undue hardship," Larchmont Mayor Anne McAndrews said. The village board has 30 days from Feb. 3 to render a decision.
Joel Sachs, an attorney from Keane and Beane who's representing Preserve Larchmont, said they plan to "vigorously oppose this appeal."


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Fitbit Surge/Charge HR Pre-Orders in Canada Hit Amazon, Future Shop, Starting at $169 [u]
by Gary Ng – Tue, January 6, 2015
Back in October Fitbit announced its new fitness trackers, the Charge HR and GPS-equipped Surge, the next generation of wearables from the company. These devices are now available for pre-order from major Canadian retailers such as Future Shop, Best Buy and Amazon.ca.
The Fitbit Charge HR is priced at $169.99, while the larger Surge is available for $279.99 from both Future Shop and Best Buy, with an estimated release date of January 23, 2015. Amazon.ca has the Charge available for $169.95 as well but it's out of stock. (UPDATE: We made an error and corrected the pricing of the Charge HR from Amazon.)
The Surge is much more expensive as it displays text and phone notifications, on top of measuring all of your activity data such as sleep monitoring, heart rate, steps, GPS location data and more.
In the meantime, we'll keep an eye out for Fitbit Flex deals as they'll most likely be cleared out to make way for these newer models. The lowest price we've seen was $79.99 around Black Friday and Boxing Day.
For the price of $280 though, you may want to wait and see how much the Apple Watch will retail exactly for when it debuts in Canada sometime in 2015 (the entry Sport model will debut at $349 USD in the U.S.).
Mophie Announces New Battery Cases for iPhone 6 and 6 Plus [CES 2015]
Nick Salerni
Tue, January 6, 2015


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Q: GridSearchCV: ValueError - self._run_search(evaluate_candidates) I'm trying out different regressors of Scikit Learn on a dataset of mine and I'm using GridSearchCV as a method of finding the best parameters possible. Everything was running smoothly (it ran on Lasso, SVR, Random Trees among other regression techniques with no problem) until deciding to experiment with the KNeighborsRegressor. As soon as I try to fit it on the Train dataset, it's giving me a Value Error.
Here's the critical snippet of my code:
# GridSearchCV
parameters = {
    'n_neighbors' : [1, 2, 3, 5, 10, 100],
    'p'           : [1, 2, 3]
}
knn = GridSearchCV(KNeighborsRegressor(), parameters)
knn.fit(X_train, y_train)
# Best parameter set
print('The best parameter set is: ' + str(knn.best_params_))

And here's the precise ValueError it outputs:
ValueError                                Traceback (most recent call last)
<ipython-input-155-907f16234c8f> in <module>
      5 }
      6 knn = GridSearchCV(KNeighborsRegressor(), parameters)
----> 7 knn.fit(X_train, y_train)
      8 # Best parameter set
      9 print('The best parameter set is: ' + str(knn.best_params_))

C:\ProgramData\Anaconda3\lib\site-packages\sklearn\model_selection\_search.py in fit(self, X, y,
groups, **fit_params)
    720                 return results_container[0]
    721
--> 722             self._run_search(evaluate_candidates)
    723
    724         results = results_container[0]

I basically applied the same logic on how I ran the other regression techniques using GridSearchCV, only changed the parameters matrix and the regressor passed in as a parameter (KNeighborsRegressor) in this case.
EDIT: Just to make it clear that I'm dealing with a purely numerical data, I'm including snippets of the two sets parsed into the fit() function.
X_train

y_train - contains the values of the target attribute we're supposed to predict

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Daniel Richard "Danny" McBride (29 de dezembro de 1976) é um ator, roteirista e produtor estadunidense.

Vida e Carreira
McBride nasceu em Statesboro, Geórgia e foi criado em Fredericksburg, Virgínia, onde ele cursou a Courtland High School. Em 2006 ele atuou como um dos protagonistas do filme The Foot Fist Way, que ele escreveu com amigos e colaboradores.

McBride apareceu empapéis coadjuvantes nas comédias Hot Rod (2007), The Heartbreak Kid (2007), Pineapple Express (2008) e Tropic Thunder (2008) e Observe and Report (2009). Ele criou o sitcom da HBO Eastbond & Down, série que ele também protagoniza.

Filmografia

Ligações externas

Naturais de Statesboro
Atores dos Estados Unidos
Roteiristas dos Estados Unidos
Produtores de cinema dos Estados Unidos

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


London-based Bates Wells Braithwaite is renowned for its work in the third sector, representing a huge swathe of charities and public sector clients, some of whom are international. The firm also has strengths in corporate, employment, real estate and immigration law, to name a few.
Administrative and public law; Brand management; Charities and not-for-profit; Commercial contracts; Commercial property: corporate occupiers; Electoral; Employment: employers and senior executives; Immigration: business; Local government; Media and entertainment (including media finance); Professional discipline; Property litigation; Sport.
Renowned for its 'reputation in immigration and charity law', Bates Wells Braithwaite is a popular choice for those drawn to firms with a 'socially responsible ethos'. It is repeatedly BWB's 'specialist areas of practice', and 'client base' which attracts aspiring solicitors to the firm. During their training contract, recruits have worked for a variety of clients ranging from 'small start-ups' to 'large household names', 'refugees' to 'international NGOs'. This 'varied client base' allows for an 'extremely varied workload comprising more high-level legal work' reports one trainee. Though it's acknowledged that 'trainee experience varies from department to department' with some experiencing 'longer hours' or 'less stimulating work', recruits across the firm are nonetheless 'actively involved in areas of work that they have expressed an interest in'. Respondents from BWB felt they experienced 'more client contact' and had access to a 'wider range of seats' than pals at other firms. Whilst they disliked 'cataloguing thousands of emails in anticipation of disclosure' and dealing with 'land registry forms', times when they got to 'attend a week-long trial at the High Court' made it all worthwhile. For one trainee 'the best moment was when, after a few late nights compiling evidence, a lovely young immigration client who had overcome many obstacles in life was granted leave to remain by the Home Office'. As is to be expected, BWB's involvement in CSR and pro bono is substantial. There are a 'range of outreach schemes aimed at improving diversity within the legal profession' and 'valuable pro bono opportunities for small charities'. If you would like to be part of a firm which is 'trying to do something unique and worthwhile', consider applying to Bates Wells Braithwaite.
9.15am: I head over to our atrium where the charity and social enterprise department holds a weekly meeting to discuss capacity and work coming up.
9.35am: I'm due to head to a client meeting with one of the partners at 10am, so spend some time reading into the matter.
10.00am: The client has arrived and we meet them in reception. The client wishes to establish a new charity in the wake of a recent humanitarian disaster, so I take a detailed note of the proposed activities of the charity and the advice given in the meeting.
11.30am: The meeting has ended and the partner tells me that a detailed note of the meeting isn't urgent, but she would like me to draft an email to the client summarising both the advice given and suggested next steps. There has been plenty of client contact throughout my training contract and it is likely that I will be the first point of contact for this client as we work towards a successful registration.
12:30pm: My supervisor asks me to give a potential new client a call to find out more about the advice he wants. I do so, draft a quick note of the call and update my supervisor. BWB's given me a lot of client-facing responsibilities, which I've enjoyed.
1.00pm: It's summer, so a few of us head up to the roof terrace to have lunch looking out over the Thames – double-checking the weather forecast before we head up there!
2.00pm: I am back at my desk promptly as I have a call with a client and need to brief the partner beforehand. We have been advising the client on their submissions to HMRC regarding the human rights impact of the new common reporting standard for certain charitable trusts. I update the partner on my review of the current draft HMRC guidance documents and my proposed improvements. The emphasis on early responsibility was something that attracted me to the firm as I enjoy taking initiative. She agrees with my proposals and we call the client. The client is very happy with our approach and asks us to draft a letter to HMRC.
3.20pm: On my way back to my desk I catch up with a colleague about BWB's upcoming B Corp reassessment. B Corp certifications are like Fairtrade for businesses – if you pass the assessment, it's a recognition that your business values people, the environment and making a positive impact on society as much as it values making a profit. The assessment is rigorous and needs to be undertaken every two years to ensure we're keeping up standards. I return to drafting the letter.
4.00pm: An associate asks if I can join them on an urgent call. We pop into one of the 'pods' so we don't interrupt anyone in the open plan office.
5.30pm: I finish my first draft of the letter and read it through for typos. I draft a covering note for the client and send it to the partner for review.
5.45pm: I'm a member of the firm's social committee and we have arranged a firm-wide pub quiz for tonight. I double check the questions I have written and head over to the venue to set up for a 6.00pm start. The firm embraces the opportunities to get all colleagues together for social events.
Who we are: Bates Wells Braithwaite is a professional services firm, combining a UK 100 legal practice with consultancy services in impact measurement, outcomes-based planning and strategy, and financial services regulatory compliance. BWB is the first UK law firm to certify as a B Corp.
What we do: We have one of the leading charity and social enterprise teams in the country, along with a fast-growing corporate and commercial practice. We work with a wide range of clients, large and small, across a variety of sectors – from established businesses, charities and social enterprises and public bodies to innovative start-ups and high-profile individuals.
What we are looking for: We want to attract the best possible potential commercial lawyers who understand the work we undertake, the clients we work for and who are committed to our values. We expect applicants to have a sound academic background plus an ability to communicate clearly and effectively. Most importantly we want an applicant who is positively looking to join a firm with our work mix and approach.
What you'll do:In the first year there are two six-month seats and in the second year there are four-month seats which, between them, cover a wide range of work. From time to time the firm arranges secondments to clients on an ad hoc basis. The firm runs a programme of internal seminars specifically addressed to trainees and operates a mentoring scheme.
Perks: These include a firm pension scheme with match funding provided, interest-free season ticket loan, permanent health insurance (PHI), health cash plan, death in service scheme, subsidised use of gym/corporate gym membership, wellbeing classes, cycle to work scheme, access to complementary therapies, option to purchase additional leave, Christmas shopping day, firm-wide profit sharing scheme, policies for flexible and remote working.
Sponsorship:The firm will provide full fee support for both the GDL and LPC course. Fees will only be paid for courses that commence after the training contract has been successfully applied for.
How: Online via the website.
What's involved:Online application, critical thinking test, video interview and assessment day.
Training contact commencing in 2021: By 1 June 2019.
Spring vacation scheme: By 31 January 2019.


text:
Q: get protocol and www of url java I'm loading a page in webview(android) and i need a full url of a page like "https://www.google.com", but i only have a string "google.com".
Some web site have http protocol, some others - https, some sites have www in it's name, the others don't.
If i do just webView.loadUrl("google.com"); it doesn't work but if i add "http://www." then it works.
So i need to retrieve this prefix somehow for any web page. If you want to know, i get this url from chrome using accessibility service, the visible to user part of url in chrome on android starts with domain so it's the only thing i can get using accessibility service


text:
Robert Tomas
Policy officer
European Commission, DG GROW
Dr. Robert Tomas holds a Master's degree in geochemistry from Charles University in Prague and PhD in geoinformatics from the Masaryk University in Brno. Between 1995 and 2009 he worked in the Czech Geological Survey, including as the Deputy Director for Informatics. In 2009, he joined the European Commission, DG Joint Research Centre to implement the EU INSPIRE Directive. In 2020, he joined the Energy Intensive Industry & Raw Materials Unit in DG GROW as a Policy officer responsible for international partnerships on raw materials with Western Balkan and Eastern Partnership countries, the EU critical raw materials projects database and the European Raw Materials Alliance.
Status of the EU Critical Raw Materials policy developments
Critical raw materials are essential components of the green and digital technologies needed for the EU to achieve its green and digital transition. Global supply chain disruptions initiated by the Covid-19 pandemic have been aggravated by the Russian aggression against Ukraine. In this new geo-political context of growing instability and fierce global competition, the Commission received a political mandate to intensify the work on securing EU sustainable supply of critical raw materials. The presentation will provide an overview of activities following the Commission's Action Plan on critical raw materials adopted in September 2020 as well as will reveal some recent policy developments to reduce Europe's strategic dependencies for critical raw materials.


1967 House Bill 0846. An Act Increasing The Salary Of The Clerk Of The Third District Court Of Southern Worcester.
Title 1967 House Bill 0846. An Act Increasing The Salary Of The Clerk Of The Third District Court Of Southern Worcester.


text:
Timewasters is no waste of time
Daniel Lawrence Taylor's sitcom about a time-travelling jazz band is well worth your time.
In Timewasters, a filthy lift in a dilapidated block of flats becomes a time machine, sending a struggling four-piece jazz band back to the roaring 20s. The central players are Daniel Lawrence Taylor (Hunderby, How Not to Live Your Life) who wrote the show with Barunka O'Shaughnessy (Hunderby, Up the Women) as script editor, plus Kadiff Kirwan (Crims, Chewing Gum), Adelayo Adedayo (Some Girls) and Samson Kayo (Famalam).
Daniel Lawrence Taylor said to The Guardian about researching the time period: "In the 1920s there was racism, but also negrophilia [a craze for black culture, when to collect African art, to listen to black music and to dance with black people was a sign of being modern and fashionable]. In Timewasters there are people chucking things at the quartet in the street, while others want a black jazz band in their house or a black lover – it's ripe for comedy."
Episode 1 sees the group land in the 1920s, where they immediately attract attention – the original working title of the show was 'Black to the Future' – and are hired to play music at a birthday party. TVO regular Tom Meeten (above) shows up as a shopkeeper and Kevin Eldon makes an appearance as inventor of the television John Loagie Baird.
Episodes 2 and 3 feature guest appearances from veteran actors Nigel Havers, playing an eccentric psychiatrist who's setting up a eugenics programme, and Nigel Planer (below) as a long-suffering butler.
The first four episodes of the series have aired on ITV2 over the last few weeks and are available to watch on the ITV Hub now. The fifth and sixth episodes will air on Monday 30th October and Monday 6th November.
Catch up with Timewasters now.
Daniel Lawrence Taylor
How Not To Live Your Life


text:
Saigon Images
Officially named Ho Chi Minh City, the century-old name Saigon is still preferred and used more by the local Vietnamese. From the very first day when the city was founded, Saigon has remained the leading economic center of Vietnam.
While Hanoi charm lies in the laid-back atmosphere, slow-paced life and more suitable for poets and writers; Saigon is well-known for its entrepreneurial spirit, the vibrant life-style and more suitable for businessmen. Hanoi is more a city of history, of traditional values; Saigon is embracing for change and more a city of the future. Let's join Paradissa's photographers to explore Saigon on a walking tour around the city center, you'll experience the complete Saigon without requiring much effort or time.
In late afternoon, we start our tour at the Notre Dame Cathedral to adore the amazing traffic flowing by...
In early evening, the lighting and the Cathedral looks just more spectacular.
Walking along Dong Khoi Street or formerly known as la rue Catinat, we'll be charmed by the traffic again, the street lights and the cliche shops.
We'll be passing many old building and hotels which were from the 19th century.
We stop for a rest at the Municipal Theater once the Parliament Building of the former Republic of South Vietnam.
Then we continue onto Le Loi Boulevard heading towards to Ben Thanh Market.
We turn right into Nguyen Hue Boulevard with crescent-shaped street lights.
Walking towards the end of Nguyen Hue Boulevard, we arrive at L'hôtel de Ville or the Building of Local People's Committee.
If you have time, we can walk further to the Central Park near Ben Thanh Market for a move at the dance club in the Central Park of Saigon.
Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) Travel


What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Somatropin?
If you have an allergy to human growth hormone or any other part of somatropin (rDNA origin).
This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with somatropin (rDNA origin).
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take somatropin (rDNA origin) with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.
What are some things I need to know or do while I take Somatropin?
Tell all of your health care providers that you take somatropin (rDNA origin). This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
High blood sugar has happened with somatropin (rDNA origin). This includes diabetes that is new or worse. Talk with the doctor.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking somatropin (rDNA origin).
If you have cancer or a tumor or have ever had cancer or a tumor, talk with your doctor. The chance of cancer or tumor growth is raised with somatropin (rDNA origin). The chance of new tumors may also be raised in some patients.
This medicine may affect how much of some other drugs are in your body. If you are taking other drugs, talk with your doctor. You may need to have your blood work checked more closely while taking somatropin (rDNA origin) with your other drugs.
If you are 65 or older, use somatropin (rDNA origin) with care. You could have more side effects.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using somatropin (rDNA origin) while you are pregnant.
Children who use somatropin (rDNA origin) can rarely have a bone problem in the hip (slipped growth plate). Call the doctor right away if your child has hip or knee pain or a limp.
How is this medicine (Somatropin) best taken?
Use somatropin (rDNA origin) as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.
This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take somatropin (rDNA origin).
Skin breakdown where somatropin (rDNA origin) is used.
Raised pressure in the head has rarely happened with somatropin (rDNA origin). The risk may be greater in patients with Turner syndrome or Prader-Willi syndrome. Signs most often happen within the first 8 weeks of starting somatropin (rDNA origin). Call your doctor right away if you have change in eyesight, a very bad headache, upset stomach, or throwing up.
What are some other side effects of Somatropin?
How do I store and/or throw out Somatropin?
After mixing, store in a refrigerator. Check with the doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about how long somatropin (rDNA origin) may be used after mixing.
Be sure you know how long you can store somatropin (rDNA origin) before you need to throw it away. Check the storage information that comes with this drug. If you have questions, check with your pharmacist.
Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about somatropin (rDNA origin), please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


Two days after eight labourers working on the construction of a tunnel as part of the government's Neera-Bhima river-linking project in Pune district died after a crane crashed, the police arrested four people in the matter on Wednesday. According to sources, a case of negligence has been registered against the security in-charge of Soma Enterprises Company, Rambahadur Rama Asarepal; mechanical engineer Naveenkumar Ravidutt Sharma; manager Muralikrishna Shivajirao Mehardara and another official Shridhar Valeshwarroa Vejadla, at Bhigwan police station.
Speaking to mid-day, Nishikant Rathod, assistant police inspector of Bhigwan police station, said, "During investigation we realised that it was a case of negligence and that there were security lapses. The concerned people should have taken appropriate measures to ensure that the workers were safe." Another police officer said, "As the machine had not been repaired since a very long time, it might be one of the reasons behind the incident. However, the investigation is still going on. Villagers and family members of the deceased are of the opinion that the owner of the company should also be booked in the case. We have sought legal opinion, based on which we will take further action. The four arrested accused were produced before the court of judicial magistrate (first class) in Indapur and sent to two days of police custody."
When contacted, Saurabh Rao, collector, said, "The incident is quite serious, hence, we have written a letter to our superiors requesting them to provide financial assistance to the deceased's family members."


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text:
A HISTORY OF DISNEY'S MASTERPIECE ON ITS 60TH ANNIVERSARY
By Daniel Lammin
Since beginning his career as an animator in the early 1920s, Walt Disney pursued an ideal that animation was not just a form of popular entertainment, but an art form worthy of admiration and respect. This ideal led him towards film projects now counted amongst the finest in animation, but each were a gamble that placed his Walt Disney Animation Studio in jeopardy, his pursuit of perfection only achievable with extraordinary cost. In 1959, the studio released their 16th animated film, 'Sleeping Beauty', a film that exemplifies Disney's belief in the extraordinary artistry and with the dangerous risks, he was willing to go to prove it.
Sixty years later, 'Sleeping Beauty' is regarded as one of the great masterpieces of animation, and one of the crown jewels of Walt Disney Animation. Many cite it as some of the most beautiful animated images ever captured on film, a level of graphic sophistication and beauty that has never been matched since. If Disney's aim was to create a film to solidify animation as a legitimate art form, you could argue that no film achieved this more than 'Sleeping Beauty', and it has a stature and legacy few films other than 'Fantasia' possess. I've been hopelessly in love with this film for as long as I can remember (I'm not even sure when I first saw it), and even now, I still count it among my favourite animated films. There's something beguiling and haunting about it, something that lingers in you after it finishes, and even though it only runs for 75 minutes, there are few animated films that feel as epic. This reputation has built over the last sixty years, overshadowing a complex and troubled production that pushed the studio to its financial and artistic limits.
Walt Disney Animation had found its feet following the Second World War with the release of 'Cinderella', a commercial and critical success, and the first Disney film to make a significant profit since 'Snow White' in 1938. It was followed by 'Alice in Wonderland' (1951), 'Peter Pan' (1953) and 'Lady and the Tramp' (1955), but while all three were well-received, they weren't nearly as successful as 'Cinderella'. With development in full-swing on Disneyland, Disney decided to return to the princess-centric fairytales once more for a win, since his two biggest hits had been such tales. However, 'Sleeping Beauty', though similar in terms of narrative, would be significantly different in its execution, led by a number of key decisions that link to Disney's ambitions and frustrations.
One of the key figures in shaping the post-war Disney style was conceptual artist Mary Blair, whose extraordinarily simply yet striking concept art for 'Cinderella', 'Alice' and 'Peter Pan' impressed Disney enormously. Disney was disappointed that her distinct style was watered down in the animation process, losing much of what made her work so special. This would influence his appointment of background and concept artist Eyvind Earle as the key artist on 'Sleeping Beauty' - Earle had developed a look for the film based on pre-Renaissance medieval gothic paintings and tapestries, a remarkable proposition for the look of an animated film, and Disney was determined that this style remained intact. As a result, Earle would oversee all aspects of the visual look of the film, making sure that the distinct colour palette and geometric shapes of gothic art permeated throughout the film.
'SLEEPING BEAUTY' TRAILER
This would influence not just the look of the film, but the tone. Such a strong graphic language could not accomodate the gags or slapstick that had been such a part of the studio's language, demanding a more sophisticated approach to the storytelling and characterisation. While there are many Disney tropes in 'Sleeping Beauty', the film feels more classical, more adult and more considered. Its narrative is stripped bare, its characters simple and clear, and nothing could cloud any of that clarity. The consequence of Earle's control throughout, with Disney's full support, was conflict with the animation staff, many of whom unsure about such a radical change in approach, and most troubling, a drastic increase in hours required to do the work and the money it would cost. 'Sleeping Beauty' took six years to make, more than any animated film before, and some sequences took that entire six years to complete.
Another contribution to the enormous expense of the film was Disney's fascination with technology. In order to make the film all the more singular, he made the extraordinary decision to shoot the film in Super Technirama 70mm Widescreen, an incredibly wide aspect ratio never used in animation before - in fact, it wasn't until the Blu-ray release in 2008 that the full width of the image was actually seen by the public after the initial 70mm release in 1959, a huge visual shock to someone who had grown up watching full-screen VHS versions. This increased the work, not only because of more of the frame needing to be animated, but the level of detail required with the increased resolution. On top of that, the studio, after inventing stereo sound for 'Fantasia', went one step further by inventing six-track stereo sound for 'Sleeping Beauty', requiring the score to be recorded in special studios in Germany. There is not a single aspect of this film that wasn't pushing its medium to breaking point, and with the costs mounting and the vision all the more uncompromising, the studio was being pushed towards bankruptcy. This wasn't the first time the studio had been in this position - the commercial failures of 'Pinocchio' (1940), 'Fantasia' (1940) and 'Bambi' (1942) had done the same, though that was partly due to losing foreign markets during the war. In this case, the studio was about to be capsized by a single film.
That the film was such a risk, and a risk that, despite its enormous commercial success, never fully paid off because of its crippling budget, seems in hindsight such an obvious one to take. The results speak for themselves - 'Sleeping Beauty' really is a masterpiece, and for all the reasons that make it singular. You could take any frame of the film and put it on a wall in a gallery, so extraordinary are its visuals, a moving medieval tapestry where the stunning backgrounds and breathtaking character animation are in perfect harmony. The characters, as simple as they are, dazzle in that simplicity. Neither Princess Aurora or Prince Phillip are the most engaging characters, but the film compensates for that by making its focus be the secondary characters, especially the three protective fairies Flora, Fauna and Merryweather. The push for sophistication resulted in maybe the finest of all the Disney villains, the hypnotic and terrifying Maleficent, a figure whose cold fury is as striking as her extraordinary silhouette. Many of the sequences are beyond description, such as the fairies putting the castle to sleep, Aurora and Phillip's meeting in the forest, and the chilling sequence where Maleficent calls Aurora to the spinning wheel. Most spectacular of all though is the climactic dragon fight, an awe-inspiring action sequence that has never been bettered, and is often sighted as one of the great achievements in 70mm filmmaking. There might not be much to 'Sleeping Beauty' in terms of narrative or writing, but it does so much with its visuals that it hardly matters.
There is not a single aspect of this film that wasn't pushing its medium to breaking point...
And completing the perfection of the film is its revolutionary score, again a radical departure for a Disney film. Songs had been written, but apart from the love ballad 'Once Upon A Dream', none fit the more gothic tone of the film. Instead, studio composer George Bruns completed an extraordinary adaptation of Tchaikovsky's ballet for the film, expansive and classical and enormous, and thanks to the conditions of its recording, shockingly rich in sound. It adds another dimension and more weight to the film, and the often inspired ways Bruns interprets Tchaikovsky's music demonstrates a keen understanding of the original music and how it can be woven into the context of the film, a stroke of genius Clint Mansell would evoke decades later when he adapted Tchaikovsky's 'Swan Lake' in his equally incredible score for 'Black Swan' (2010). Bruns' score was subsequently released on LP, often sighted as the first ever commercial release of a film score.
While the decades have only added to the stature of 'Sleeping Beauty', it has also given cause for concern. As should be the case, there are many questions now around how we should view the Disney Princess films against our more developed understanding of female representation and the effect these films can have on young children in terms of their understanding of gender politics. In the case of 'Sleeping Beauty', you have a lead female character being awoken by a kiss, something she is not in a position to consent to, and while some might dismiss this concern as political correctness, there is an argument that this kind of trope could encourage a belief in young boys that kissing a girl without her permission is okay. The films of Walt Disney Animation are one of the great loves of my life, and have been a constant source of solace and inspiration, but it would be foolish not to acknowledge that, removed from their time and context, there are behaviours that would not seen acceptable now in these classics. At least in the case of Aurora and Phillip, a relationship is established beforehand so that she at least knows who he is, so that the lack of consent is not as problematic as in 'Snow White', but perhaps the gift that these films can give us now, being removed from the social understandings under which they were made, is that they can promote genuine discussions with children while watching them, engagement with the stories and ideas at their heart, so we can not only highlight that which is questionable in them, but also that which is to be celebrated.
Disney had raised the bar with 'Sleeping Beauty', but it was to be the end of an era for the famed animation studio. That level of rich and uncompromising detail was simply too expensive, and ways had to be found to cut costs. For their next film, '101 Dalmatians' (1961), they developed a Xerox process where the animation was photocopied onto the animation cels, saving time and money but rendering the clean-up artists, who had transferred the animation to cels by hand, redundant, effectively ending the careers of many (mostly female) emerging artists. While many of the post-1959 films are wonderful (especially 'The Jungle Book' in 1967), that opulent classical look that had reached its zenith with 'Sleeping Beauty' would not be repeated again until 'Beauty And The Beast' in 1991. Disney was also further distracted, both by live action films like 'Mary Poppins' (1964), and the development of Disneyland. With his death in 1966, no animated film would receive his attention as much as this film had. 'Sleeping Beauty' had been the culmination of Disney animation up until that point, but it also represented the end of that era. Films like it were now simply too ambitious.
As I'm writing this, the soundtrack to 'Sleeping Beauty' is playing in the background, music I've listened to my whole life, bringing back images I've been looking at my whole life, and what becomes clearer the more I listen and the more I dream is that this isn't a film any amount of words can possibly do justice. 'Sleeping Beauty' is a sensory experience, once where the act of viewing and listening create sensations where words are inadequate. This was something Walt Disney pursued most of his life, to create something that proved that animation possessed something unlike no other art form. In many ways, 'Sleeping Beauty' is the most thunderous example of this. It is a masterpiece of beauty and wonder, danger and excitement, humour and heart, but foremost it is a complete work of art in every way. In the history of animation there had never been anything quite like it, and even after sixty years, there hasn't been anything since.
RELATEDPINOCCHIOA 75th anniversary celebration
RELATEDBEAUTY AND THE BEASTA love letter to Disney's masterpiece
RELATEDPETER PANDisney's classic soars on Blu-ray


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Home > Things to Do > Arts and Culture > Architecture > St. Augustine's Church
St. Augustine's Church
Favorite Off Hwy W - New Diggings, WI
One of the Parishes established by Fr. Samuel Mazzuchelli in 1844. The church is a small wooden structure and is a combination of the Greco-gothic and classical styles. The church has three rooms behind the altar which provided the living quarters for the priest whenever he stayed in the village. Father Mazzuchelli opened a school in these rooms in 1847.
Lafayette Development Corporation
History/Heritage Type
Wisconsin History
Veteran's Memorial Park Event 6/06/2020 Hazel Green - 5.07 miles away
Heritage Day Celebration 7/04/2020 Platteville - 15.28 miles away
Make Music Platteville 6/21/2020 Platteville - 15.35 miles away
Platteville's 4th of July Celebration & Patriotic Program 7/04/2020 Platteville - 15.99 miles away
Gallery Night 12/06/2019 - 12/08/2019 Mineral Point - 23.77 miles away
Mineral Point Celebrates the Fourth 7/04/2020 Mineral Point - 23.77 miles away
Tour of Fairy Homes 6/06/2020 Mineral Point - 23.87 miles away
Jammin' on the Porch 6/12/2020 Mineral Point - 23.92 miles away
Wisconsin Indoor Activities for the Whole Family Enjoy the Terrace at Wisconsin Memorial Union 11 Unique Wisconsin Bridges You Have to See The Wright Stuff: Wisconsin Home to Frank Lloyd Wright Real Fun: Our Visit to Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Find Inspiration at Frank Lloyd Wright's Taliesin Wisconsin Executive Residence Holiday Video 2016 Lighthouses in Wisconsin - Making Family Memories Peter Greenberg's Hidden Gems: Wisconsin, Architecture of the Nations


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Resistive screens are dead: HTC now selling a stylus for capacitive screens
Greg Kumparak	@grg / 11 years
When it comes to touchscreens, you just can't beat the feeling of a nice, high-quality capacitive screen. If you've been using an iPhone, Motorola Droid, or any one of many capacitive smartphones made in the past few years, try to hunt down one with a resistive screen; the difference is almost shocking. Touches to a capacitive touchscreen are registered with the lightest tap, while moving things around on a resistive screen requires you to press down so hard that people probably think you're angry at it.
Of course, resistive screens have their benefits; namely, they play friendly with styluses. As predictive text gets better, this isn't too big of a deal for English speakers – we only have so many characters to deal with. But for the many languages of the world in which there are simply too many characters to squeeze into any sort of usable user interface, character recognition is the only option. As a result, a stylus — and thus a resistive screen — is a must. HTC wants to combine the best of both worlds, and have just launched a stylus that plays friendly with capacitive screens.
They're certainly not the first to do it (POGO has had a stylus that plays friendly with iPhones for a long while now), but this is the first time we've seen a company of HTC's magnitude get into the space. HTC pumps out a whole lot of handsets each year – if they're doing this in preparation of bailing on resistive screens once and for all, this may very well mark the death of resistive touch screens in the mobile space.
The stylus is only being sold as a stand alone item for now, at the grand price of $28 bucks. With that said, don't be too surprised if HTC starts including these in the box sometime in the near future, if only for the sake of us with big ol' meaty digits.
[Engadget Via Phonescoop]


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Best Sports Highlight
Gwen Jorgensen
St. Paul resident Gwen Jorgensen is an American pioneer. She won America's first triathlon gold medal at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Brazil. She knifed through almost a mile-long swim, pedaled 25 miles, and ran more than six miles in well under two hours. That performance on the world stage gives credence to the argument that the planet's best athlete, male or female, lives in our midst. What makes Jorgensen our Minnesota Sports Center highlight champ isn't just her Olympic gold. It's her backstory. She blew a tire during the bike portion of the 2012 Olympics, finishing in 38th place. Jorgensen used that disappointment as fuel to win four consecutive World Triathlon Series races in 2014, paving her way to a world championship the following year. The rest, as they say, is history.
Best Road Ayd Mill Road


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Q: Programação paralela Qt C++ Estou começando a aprender programação paralela, e estou querendo comparar um programa com single thread com um com multi thread.
O que eu pensei foi fazer um algorítimo bem simples que, em um intervalo de 1 minuto, calculasse a quantidade maior de números primos possíveis, e, me mostrasse o último número primo calculado e a sua posição nos números primos, por exemplo, digamos que fosse o número 23, apareceria o numero 23 e sua posição, no caso 9, pois ele é o 9º número primo.
Utilizei o QtConcurrent para fazer a divisão das threads.
Sem utilizar o paralelismo, o número encontrado foi 117779, na posição 119963. Porém, ao utilizar paralelismo, eu obtive o número 198227, na posição 17934 (posição errada e número errado, esse valor não é primo e o primo anterior tinha posição 17839, bem menor do que a posição mostrada no final). Acredito que eu tenha que usar a biblioteca , mas eu não consigo encontrar um jeito de implementar no meu código.
Abaixo segue o código:
#include <QCoreApplication>
#include <qtconcurrentrun.h>
#include <QFutureSynchronizer>
#include <QThread>
#include <time.h>
#include <iostream>
using namespace std;

time_t endwait;

int ehPrimo(int num) {
    int  i;
    for (i=2; i<=num/2; i++)
        if (num%i==0) return 0;
    return 1;
}

void funcThread(QString name, int *p, int *n, int *u){
    while (time (NULL) < endwait){
        if(ehPrimo(*p)) {
            *n = *n + 1;
            *u = *p;
        }
        *p = *p + 2;
        //qDebug() << endl << name << " p"<<*p<<" n"<<*n<<" u"<<*u << "from: " << QThread::currentThread();
    }
}

int main(int argc, char *argv[]) {
    QCoreApplication a(argc, argv);

    int p = 5, n = 2, u=p;
    int seconds = 5;

    endwait = time (NULL) + seconds;

    QFuture<void> t1 = QtConcurrent::run(funcThread, QString("A"), &p,&n,&u);
    QFuture<void> t2 = QtConcurrent::run(funcThread, QString("B"), &p,&n,&u);
    QFuture<void> t3 = QtConcurrent::run(funcThread, QString("C"), &p,&n,&u);
    QFuture<void> t4 = QtConcurrent::run(funcThread, QString("D"), &p,&n,&u);

    t1.waitForFinished();
    t2.waitForFinished();
    t3.waitForFinished();
    t4.waitForFinished();

    cout << "\n\n Encontrou " << n << " primos.";
    cout << "\n\n Ultimo primo: " << u << ".\n\n";

    return a.exec();
}

A: Pelo que eu entendi, o seu código tenta fazer o cálculo num determinado intervalo de tempo, então acho que é normal a posição variar. Sobre o resultado errado(o numero não ser primo), eu acredito que isso aconteça pq as suas threads estão usando as suas variáveis numa ordem errada porque a sua função está dessincronizada. Isso é chamado de race condition.
Quando você "dispara" uma thread nova, você não tem controle sobre ela. Você precisa usar algum recurso pra impedir que ela faça coisas inesperadas como modificar uma variável ao mesmo que outra thread ou em uma ordem diferente da que vc espera.
Eu usei QMutex pra lockar a sua função e o resultado aqui sempre foi um número primo.
time_t endwait;
QMutex mutex;

int ehPrimo(int num) {
    for (int i=2; i<=num/2; i++)
        if (num%i==0) return 0;
    return 1;
}

void funcThread(QString name, int *p, int *n, int *u) {
    QMutexLocker lock(&mutex);
    while (time (NULL) < endwait){
        if(ehPrimo(*p)) {
            *n = *n + 1;
            *u = *p;
        }
        *p = *p + 2;
    }
}

Pesquise sobre sincronização de threads e as class QMutex, QWaitCondition, etc.
http://doc.qt.io/qt-5/threads-synchronizing.html


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Varun Grover's Directorial Debut All India Rank To Premiere At IFFR
Famous stand-up comedian and screenplay writer, Varun Grover's directorial debut All India Rank, is all set to have its world premiere at the International Film Festival Rotterdam as the closing film.
Written and directed by Varun Grover, the film is produced by Sanjay Routray, Sarita Patil, Dikssha Jyoti under Routray Production Company, Matchbox Shots Sales, and Matchbox Shots. The film stars Bodhisattva Sharma, Shashi Bhushan, and Samta Sudiksha.
Sharing the news on his social media profile, Varun Grover tweeted, "Beyond thrilled to know that my debut feature ALL INDIA RANK (Produced by @MatchboxShots) will have its World Premiere at @IFFR as the Closing Film. Congratulations and gratitude to our entire team (comprising of so many debutantes)"
"Of course it's a HUGE team that came together to make this film happen. From the lights and electric crew to the caterers and drivers and spotboys and junior artistes and tailors and assistants in every department but to begin, here are the names of the HODs of key departments" read the full tweet.
The film revolves around a 17 years old boy named Vivek, and as every middle-class family in India would attest, it is high time he was enrolled in coaching classes for the notoriously competitive entrance exams of the Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs). Vivek's father, who sees an IIT degree as a moral certificate, ships his only son off to a residential preparatory school in Kota, the Mecca for IIT coaching. Over two years, Vivek goes through the motions of Indian adolescence, but it is his parents who do the growing up.
Steeped in the pop culture of liberalised India in the 1990s, multi-hyphenate Varun Grover's semi-autobiographical debut feature All India Rank is a smart, bittersweet portrait of a nascent national hallucination. Leaning on Grover's characteristically acerbic wit and eloquent lines, the film diagnoses the malaise of a society where children squander their best years living their parents' dreams and parents let their self-worth repose on their children's achievements.
With a sharp eye and a velvet glove, Grover, an IIT graduate himself, comes down on middle-class India's repression, casual corruption and chronic inability to communicate. But All India Rank is a generous work in the way it allows Vivek a space to float in a state of not knowing what he wants, like "a moth among butterflies". Vivek refuses to dream, and therein lies his salvation.


Rick Anderson has written a great introduction to ASP.NET Bundling and Minification at here. In addition to the options presented by Rick, there are some other features in System.Web.Optimization framework which is also important for developers to understand in order to make their application performance and architecture good. In this article, I will show you some of the advance stuff of ASP.NET Bundling and Minification.


Ed Sheeran's upcoming MetLife Stadium show is listed as the top-seller this fall across all acts in the U.S. by StubHub.
The chart-topping "Shape Of You" singer will be in East Rutherford on Friday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 22.
Sheeran's New Jersey show tops BTS' performance at the Oracle Arena in Oakland, Calif. The British singer, however, was sandwiched at No. 2 between Elton John (No. 1) and BTS (No. 3) on StubHub's list of best-selling acts (full tour) based on ticket sales from Labor Day to Thanksgiving 2018.
Tickets are still available but selling out quickly.


Redbubble Is Still In The Game.
Redbubble is and has been around awhile. My favorite thing about them is that they were one of the main competitors to Cafepress (CafeDEPRESS). As long as you aren't looking for nor wanting to design and sell pop culture designs (DMCA take downs) they still are a valid option. Orignal art and concepts such as the Screwed design with the scuba diver shown below.
Redbubble Is More than Just Tees.
Not only do they sell various styles of graphic tshirts with an industry average print quality (still light years ahead of Cafepress) they have outstanding Sublimation printing on products such as throw pillows. Other products such as: Device Cases, Stickers, Greeting Cards, Wall Art, Home Decor, Stationery, Bags, and more give shopkeepers and customers tons of options to get started. And there is no time better than Halloween to begin the venture.
In conclusion, for anyone looking to get their feet wet by opening an online shop Redbubble is a favorite because of their extensive advertising and open communication such as with their customer service.


Strawberry Moon is 'a rapper's album without the rap'. With a focus on classic hip-hop bass lines, this album was recorded at the foot of Mt. Tsukuba in a traditional stone warehouse. "You and me" recorded live in Tokyo has been included as a bonus track, the only song on the album with lyrics. The title ' Strawberry Moon' was inspired when Takatsuki saw a full moon in a strawberry field that triggered memories of " Jingyu-gobou" in Jugyuzu (Ten Ox-Herding Pictures).


Please join us for Pathology Grand Rounds this Thursdayat noon at Holtz Children's Hospital, conference room 2034. Parvin Ganjei-Azar, M.D. professor of pathology, will present "Thyroid FNA Cytology: Bethesda and Beyond."


Employment Services — Abilities Services, Inc.
In Tippecanoe, Montgomery, and Clinton counties, Abilities Services works with individuals who are seeking employment but may need assistance in locating, applying for, training, and maintaining a job. Most commonly, individuals for Employment Services are referred through Vocational Rehabilitation.
ASI Employment and Training Specialists (ETS) work with individuals to identify job-related strengths and interests in order to place the person in a position where he/she can be successful. The ETS maintains good working relationships with many employers in the community to assist with job placements when they have a good match.
Once a person is placed in a job, the ETS continues to provide assistance to the consumer to make sure he/she has the right skills to be successful. The Employment and Training Specialist helps coordinate any needs between the employer and employee to make sure it will be a long-term placement.
Vocational evaluation: Our employment specialist meets one on one with qualified persons to determine their wants and abilities. We gather extensive background information that includes education, employment, and family history.
Job readiness training: Some individuals need additional training before pursuing employment. Our staff may train the individuals themselves, help them locate books or manuals to gain the necessary education, or assist them in signing up for continuing education or college coursework.
Job search: Our staff assists individuals in searching newspaper advertisements and the Internet, phoning employers, and dropping by workplaces to determine current employment needs.
Job development: Once an employer or position is identified through a job search, our staff will begin to work with the individual to help him or her obtain the position.
Job shadowing: Employment specialists may also work side by side with individuals while they perfect their performance.
Follow along services: Once individuals are working on their own, staff may observe them occasionally at the workplace to ensure they're still meeting employment expectations.
Vocational Rehabilitation Services (VRS), a program of the Bureau of Rehabilitation Service (BRS), provides quality, individualized services to enhance and support people with disabilities to prepare for, obtain or retain employment. Through active participation in their rehabilitation, people with disabilities achieve a greater level of independence in their work place and living environments. To contact Vocational Rehabilitation Services, call toll-free 877-847-9892.
If you believe that you or someone you know could benefit from our services, please contact us at 1-800-362-4021 or locally in Crawfordsville at 765-362-4020, in Frankfort at 765-659-4631 or in Lafayette at 765-446-9201. Our staff will be happy to assess your needs and assist in determining eligibility.


9 M-Tech Gold G10 Spring Assisted Open Folding Pocket Knife Tactical Combat. SPRING ASSISTED 5" CLOSED 4" 4MM THICK BLADE, STAINLESS STEEL TITANIUM GOLD PLATED TANTO BLADE WITH SAW BACK BLACK G10 HANDLE INCLUDES POCKET CLIP. Tanto blades are meant to be strong so they can force their way into places that other knives may not be able to. This spring assisted tanto blade is four inches long and has a saw back to make sure you can resolve any problem at all. This blade is a stainless steel that has been plated with a gold titanium. The handle is black with a diagonal striped pattern and a black pocket clip to prevent this knife from falling out of your pocket. The item "9 M-Tech Gold G10 Spring Assisted Open Folding Pocket Knife Tactical Combat" is in sale since Wednesday, April 18, 2018. This item is in the category "Collectibles\Knives, Swords & Blades\Collectible Fixed Blade Knives\Modern Fixed Blade\Factory Manufactured". The seller is "sale_pros" and is located in US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Sweden, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Philippines, Norway, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Brazil, Colombia, Costa rica, Dominican republic, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras.


"Orange Medal" token, awarded by Dzahn.
Creating a new Book collection and choosing «Preview with PediaPress» on https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Special:Book sends the data through http:// and their website is browsed without https: until the last step, where it changes to https:// (and sets HSTS, hiding it on further requests).
So does pediapress have to fix their cert on tools.pediapress before this can be merged or is it unrelated to that change?
Thanks for the heads up. If there is no other option, we can get a wildcard SSL cert for tools.pediapress.com.
@Ckepper How about using https://letsencrypt.org/ it's easy with https://certbot.eff.org/ , you don't have to spend any money on it and the root cert is in all browsers. At WMF we use it for several "misc" services now (also puppetized).
Thank you @Dzahn, that's an excellent suggestion. I will look into it and try to set it up for tools.pediapress.com.
Only the last patch depend on the pediapress changing their certificate. The other hosts have a valid certificate, and should be safe to merge.


Jacksonville Mobile Imaging and First Coast Mobile Imaging stores your password in encrypted form, and we are unable to tell you what your password is. Further, for security reasons, we do not provide a way for you to reset your password.
If you have forgotten your password, you will need to contact your facility's Authorized Administrator and have them create a new password for you.


A vocalist par excellence, Sameer Dublay started under Pandit Rambhau Mate and mastered nuances of raags and performance technique with Pandit Jitendra Abhisheki, a legendary vocalist of Agra Gharana. At present he is learning from Dr. Ashok Da. Ranade, the great musician and musicologist. Sameer has toured extensively in India, UK, Europe, USA and Australia and has performed at numerous concerts. His CDs and writings are applauded. Sameer trains students from Lalit Kala Kendra, Pune University as a Guru and is Co-founder of Spectrum, an organization that imparts basic musical understanding through a well-designed Music Acquaintance Programme.