Camaraderie is one of my favorite words in the English dictionary, simply because it's used to describe a variety of situations. It can be applied as an adjective to describe a college's student body, or a verb to describe an ideal workplace attitude, OR simply a feeling of belonging. I mean, we all want to feel like we belong and make an impact, am I right? But the essence of camaraderie is much more than just being somewhere, it's actually investing yourself in where you are and belonging to something bigger than yourself, like sports.
Too many people watching sports might seem silly or maybe it just seems like a waste of time; but to New Englander's sports are a pillar of connection. No matter where you're from, whether you're athletic or maybe not so athletic (cough, cough me); sports culture is key to our community, identity and sense of home. Now maybe that's a lot of weight to put on the shoulders of the few New England sports teams, but I believe whether they win or lose, our sports teams shape our community. I mean, they even have an impact on the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the songs that resonate with us.
More often than not, I've found myself living outside of New England, yet no matter how far I traveled, I still found my little corner of New England. How did I do this, you ask? Well, I often did it by finding New England sports bars; I even wrote a whole post listing my favorite New England Patriots bars, outside of New England, here! So whether you're moving to a new city or feeling homesick towards the city you left, getting involved in a cities sports scene can make you feel a part of something even when you're in a completely new place. Trust me, I know this from experience.
However, now that I'm back in New England, I made it a priority to get up to Fenway a few times per season. Traveling to Fenway, depending on Cape Cod traffic, can be a challenge but nothing will stop me from arriving at my seats properly dressed for the game. In fact, Vineyard Vines just launched a bunch of new Red Sox items that are SO GOOD (classic Red Sox pun)! I actually laughed out loud when I found out they named the shirt I'm wearing above the 'EDSFSGSGSG shirt'. Anyway, Matt decided to stand out in this embroidered Winstead stripe performance polo and I sized down to a small in the EDSFSGSGSG shirt, from the men's department. All and all we got complimented on our attire all day long, and I felt so lucky to have the chance to live so close to such an amazing and camaraderie focused city.
I guess what I'm trying to say is, whenever I'm feeling lost, overwhelmed or just discouraged; I turn to sports. Overall, these last couple weeks have been a rollercoaster of emotions, and as I've started searching for a home in Connecticut, I've found myself feeling more disconnected from my community than ever. I think, that's kind of normal to feel when stress strikes or maybe it's just a me thing, but either way, it was a feeling I just couldn't seem to shake. So, this past Sunday I decided to sneak away from open houses and reconnect with my favorite New England community gathering spot, Fenway Park. The energy and enthusiasm that comes from the thousands of Bostonians gathered here is contagious, I kid you not. It's hard not to smile and feel like you belong, amongst such passionate and excited fans. It also doesn't hurt that I often bump into a few TCC readers at the park, meeting you guys refuels my energy each and every time. Now I want to hear from you! Are you a baseball fan? If so what team? Matt and I eventually want to visit every baseball park and I'd love to hear where you think we should head next.


Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport is a warm and friendly hotel centrally located in Richmond, British Columbia. A free airport shuttle to and from Vancouver International Airport, just 10 minutes away, is provided. All rooms at Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport are 100% non-smoking and offer a variety of modern conveniences including a TV with video games and movies, tea and coffee making facilities, high-speed Internet access and deluxe bathroom amenities. Adjoining rooms, suites and disability accessible rooms are available to suit the needs of a variety of travelers. Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport is a perfect location for meetings and conferences. Meeting and event staff are on hand to assist in assembly planning, along with technicians to aid in the use of our audio-visual equipment. Video conferencing services and high speed Internet are also obtainable. The World Wide Café at Four Points by Sheraton Vancouver Airport, offering dine-in or room service options, is open every day for breakfast and dinner. For those who venture out to eat the local culture is rich in Asian influence, which is reflected in the traditional Asian offerings of the surrounding restaurants. Take a short walk to Lansdowne Station where a 20 minute trip on the SkyTrain will take you to the popular city of Vancouver. Or visit the nearby fishing village of Steveston Bay and discover its historic canneries, great seafood restaurants and quaint shops. Richmond's Night Market, an Asian flea market and food court, is another local treasure.


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Norwalk's Lockwood-Mathews Mansion plans for $13.5 million renovation
Work continues on construction projects and the roof repairs at the Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Museum on Monday August 27, 2018 in Norwalk Conn.
Alex von Kleydorff / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
New signage outside Lockwood-Mathews Mansion Saturday, December 18, 2021, in Norwalk, Conn. The new signs describes the history of the house and its grounds.
Erik Trautmann / Hearst Connecticut MediaShow MoreShow Less
NORWALK—The Lockwood-Mathews Mansion released plans for a $13.5 million renovation that will include some modern technology in the historic home.
The bulk of the renovation is to bring the mansion up to date with technology and utilities, said Patsy Brescia, vice chair of the mansion's board of trustees.
Given current limitations, mansion staff can and visitors can only use the first floor of the house, Brescia said. The basement and second floor can be used seasonally but do not have adequate heating and air conditioning.
"The first floor is the only floor that really has heat and electricity, which is hard to believe. The others are minimally wired for electricity, but the basement isn't, and second floor isn't," Brescia said. "The heating dates back to the 1960s and there's no fire suppression system."
Additionally, only a portion of the building is fitting with Wi-Fi, Brescia said.
Due to the building's inadequate utilities, the mansion is currently only open for tours and programming during warmer months and closed for the winter. With the updates, the mansion will be able to operate year-round, Brescia said.
While the mansion undergoes renovation, however, the mansion will not cease programming, but move to a new location, Brescia said.
Mansion staff and trustees are still looking for accommodations for both public events and programs, as well as a safe space to store the mansion's artifacts while the house is under construction, Brescia said.
"We're physically moving to different venues, planning programming and events in different locations," Brescia said. "This is a very complicated project. It is not run-of-the-mill construction. It is sophisticated and complicated because of the uniqueness and need to protect this national treasure."
About $50,000 from the project budget was allocated to securing a new location for the artifacts and to continue programming, Brescia said.
"We're in the planning stages. We officially have to move out and we know the importance of keeping venues where we can continue programming and come up with additional programming opportunities that we will be forced into in order to keep the mansion alive and in front of the public," Brescia said.
Funds for the project were acquired over the last three and a half years from the city and state government, Brescia said.
Among the $13.5 million accumulated for the renovations is $3 million the State Bond Commission approved last month.
Exact reopening plans are still unknown. The project will go out to bids from construction companies in late summer with plans for construction to commence in January 2023, Brescia said.
The planning stages of the project will run from April through December this year and construction is expected to run from January 2023 to June 2024, according to project architect David Scott Parker.
Parker presented the project designs to the city's Historical Commission during Thursday's meeting.
While the base project is to update the heating, air conditioning and technology in the building, several other parts of the project were mapped out should funds be available, Parker said. Building-wide fire sprinklers will also be added to the building.
Among the alternate projects laid out are renovation of the museum's gift shop, executive offices, wine cellar and bowling alley area in the basement, Parker said.
The add-on projects are unlikely to come to fruition in this batch of renovations, partially due to the cost of supplies and inflation, Parker said.
"Everything that's in the mansion will be removed from the mansion for safekeeping and put in climate-controlled storage," Parker said. "We are very relieved and pleased that additional funds have been allocated, and this happened fairly recently, to make it possible to do the base project but the other things I think are probably beyond that at this point. It does depend on what happens with pricing and inflation over the next few months."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


"Suuwhsiagyetu (Strong Wings, male) and Suupu'ighyetu (Powerful Eyes, female) are back! The Southern Ute Wildlife Division is pleased to announce the return of a pair of ospreys to our nest at Lake Capote. The birds have been busy rebuilding the nest, and we had the first egg laid on Monday April 8th.
Check out lakecapote.com/osprey-cam/to follow this year's breeding cycle and compare it with observations from the last two years. Get in touch with the Wildlife Division with any questions or comments!


Our Stella jean is now available in rich black denim. The denim has been sourced for its incredibly soft handle, fantastic stretch and great recovery, but also because the 33% polyester has been made from recycled plastic bottles! They're jeans with a conscience, yes, these little beauties are good for the environment.


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WHO Calls for $22-Mln Aid to Tackle Cholera in Yemen - Press Service
© AFP 2019 / MOHAMMED HUWAIS
A total of 340 suspected cases of cholera have been registered in Yemen by October 17, however no deaths have been reported so far, according to the report of the WHO.
© AP Photo / Hani Mohammed
Saudi Arms Sales: Calls for Inquiry Into Spanish-Made Weapons Found in Yemen
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The World Health Organization (WHO) called on the international donors to provide multimillion financial aid to help the organization to deal with cholera in the crisis-torn Yemen, the WHO's press service said in a Tuesday statement.
According to the WHO, a total of 340 suspected cases of cholera have been registered in Yemen by October 17, however no deaths have been reported so far.
"The World Health Organization and health partners urgently require support from the international donor community to contain the spread of acute watery diarrhoea/cholera in Yemen. A total of US$ 22.35 million is required by the Health and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene clusters, of which US$ 16.6 million is immediately required," the statement said.
© REUTERS / Andres Martinez Casares
Specter of Cholera Rises in Haiti as Remote Towns Wait for Aid to Arrive
WHO added that more than 7.6 million people lived in the affected areas, including 3 million of internally displaced people.
Since 2014, the Middle Eastern nation has been engulfed in a military conflict between the government headed by country's President Abd Rabbuh Mansur Hadi and Shiite Houthi rebels, the main opposition force of Yemen, who have been supported by army units loyal to former President Ali Abdullah Saleh. Since March 2015, a coalition led by Saudi Arabia has been conducting airstrikes on Houthi positions at Hadi's request.
The ongoing violence in Yemen has already resulted in a large-scale humanitarian crisis. According to UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator for Yemen Jamie McGoldrick, over 13 million Yemenis are in need of immediate assistance in the country.
Saudi Arabia Stands for Cessation of Hostilities in Yemen
Hurricane Matthew Sparks Horrific Cholera Outbreak in Haiti, Situation Worsening
UN Mission in Haiti: Cholera Outbreak One of Many Crimes
cholera, World Health Organization (WHO), Yemen


Why grab possessions like thieves, or divide them like socialists, when you can ignore them like wise men?
Our love is God. Lets go grab a slushie.
It is better, I think, to grab at the stars than to sit flustered because you know you cannot reach them... At least he who reaches will get a good stretch, a good view, and perhaps even a low-hanging apple for his efforts.


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Sustainable Space
Homes that don't consume
The curious phenomena of zero-energy homes
By Greg Kallio
Sustainable Space columnists Lori Brown and Greg Kallio are professors in the College of Engineering, Computer Science and Construction Management at Chico State University.
No what?
Zero-energy home (ZEH) and zero-energy building (ZEB) are catchy terms frequently used in sustainable-building literature. They refer to a home or commercial building with a net energy consumption of zero during a typical year. Like most homes, a ZEH uses power from the utility grid. What's different about a ZEH is that it puts electricity back into the grid from on-site renewable sources such as solar or wind energy. The required amount of electricity generated on-site to achieve net-zero energy depends on the ZEH definition.
There are several definitions (based on cost, site energy, source energy or carbon emissions) and understanding the differences can get pretty complicated. In my view, the best definition is one that strongly encourages energy efficiency, is easy to understand, and is verifiable. A definition based on site energy (the energy used at the home rather than what is used at the source, e.g., a power plant) fits these requirements and will also contribute to reducing both carbon emissions and a dependence on fossil fuels.
In addition, it will provide a measure of energy security against future energy crises. With this definition, a ZEH must generate electricity in an amount that equals the combined electrical and gas (or other fossil fuel) energy used for all heating, cooling, lighting, appliance and electronic needs on an annual basis. In California, solar photovoltaic (PV) systems are clearly the most popular method of on-site electricity generation.
Designing an affordable ZEH requires a holistic, integrated approach and a fair bit of building-science expertise. (If cost were not a factor, any home could achieve zero-energy by simply installing a huge solar PV array on the roof!) Fortunately, there is a plethora of information available to guide homeowners or designers interested in forming a practical zero-energy strategy. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Research Center has excellent technical resources at its Web site, www.toolbase.org, including the following steps with many how-to links:
• Decrease space-heating, cooling, and water-heating energy requirements (with a highly insulating and well-sealed building envelope).
• Increase the efficiency of the furnace and air-conditioner.
• Install a solar hot-water pre-heat system, efficient backup water heater, and efficient distribution system.
• Install efficient lighting fixtures (fluorescents) and appliances (such as Energy Star).
• Install a properly sized PV system.
• Turn off lights, computers and appliances when not in use.
Pricey endeavor Attaining net zero-energy isn't cheap, especially if it requires remodeling an older home. Even so, the ZEH model is very useful because it provides a goal and strategy for reducing energy end-use and moving toward renewable-energy resources. The U.S. Dept of Energy's Building America Program is an industry-driven research program with a goal of achieving affordable ZEHs by 2020. Check out www.buildingamerica.gov for more resources.
If you live in a ZEH or near-ZEH, know of one in this area, or are a building professional who specializes in designing or building these homes, please contact me at <script type="text/javascript" language="javascript">{ document.write(String.fromCharCode(60,97,32,104,114,101,102,61,34,109,97,105,108,116,111,58,115,117,115,116,97,105,110,97,98,108,101,115,112,97,99,101,64,110,101,119,115,114,101,118,105,101,119,46,99,111,109,34,62,115,117,115,116,97,105,110,97,98,108,101,115,112,97,99,101,64,110,101,119,115,114,101,118,105,101,119,46,99,111,109,60,47,97,62)) } </script>. I'd like to chat with you!
More Green » Sustainable Space
Raindrops and runoff
Protecting the ground and water during construction is essential in green building.
Energy craze
Greg Kallio's daughter thinks he's crazy over energy; hindsight is 20/20; and making the best selection for our climate zone.
The power of green power
Purchasing clean energy—and renewable-energy certificates—reduces greenhouse gases.
Extreme windows
Take a peek at some cutting-edge technology leading to less-porous portals.
Sustainable vision
When it comes to green building, the first step is to scope out the right location.


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Whatever happened to PC soundcards?
By Karl Hodge
How this once essential component became a niche product
Are soundcards becoming a component you can live without or is there more going on?
Where did all the soundcards go?
The growth of USB audio
When I was a lad, it was all soundcards 'round here. Now a trip to your local PC emporium's a very different experience. You'll find a handful of cards pitched at pro-gamers, a couple of USB interface devices and lots of speakers. Speakers and headphones. Aisles of them stretching as far as the eye can see, like that bit in The Matrix.
Okay – we exaggerate – but only a bit. The PC audio industry has turned topsy-turvy. Where once the soundcard was an essential component in every system, it now seems like an afterthought – if it's included at all. Check out a cross section of ready built systems aimed at Joe Public; like Dell's Studio XPS range.
They're high performance desktop PCs aimed at power users, shipping with Windows 7 Ultimate and up to 16GB of dual channel memory, but with integrated audio by default.
Or there's the Mesh's Matrix Pro PII 955, it's great for gaming with 8GB of memory and 512MB ATI Radeon graphics but with 7.1 audio built into the Asus multimedia motherboard.
Where did the soundcard go?
The ability to upgrade PC hardware has long been one of the platform's most appealing aspects. Memory and storage can be slotted in at will. Even CPU upgrades are no longer the rocket science they once were. So what's happened to the soundcard? When did they become so scarce and why?
We already had some ideas of our own. The switch from XP to Vista then Windows 7 seemed to play its part. Integrated audio is looking pretty good these days, too. To confirm our speculation, we spoke to a panel of industry experts; bigwigs in the world of PC audio production. They paint a picture of an industry that's very far from being sent to the knackers' yard. In fact, it's looking healthier than ever.
For some, the shift in attitude towards PC audio can be traced back to the release of Windows Vista and DirectX 10 in 2006. In the previous versions, DirectSound: the API layer between the software on your machine and your soundcard directly communicated with the hardware through its drivers. In Vista, this functionality was radically altered so that DirectSound ran in emulation mode instead, as a software process.
The immediate result was that apps requiring hardware acceleration took a performance hit. Games with DirectSound3D sound went silent, DVD soundtracks didn't play back properly, mixing was glitchy and effects were dry.
Gamers' frustration
Reading through messages left on gaming boards revealed much more than leet speak and bad punctuation. There was a lot of frustration, not only with Microsoft, but with soundcard manufacturers for a response to the issue that was perceived as slow.
Considering that the Universal Audio Architecture deployed in DirectX 10 had been around on paper since 2002 – and had even been implemented previously in the 2004 release of Windows 2000 SP4 – that frustration may have had some foundation. Three years down the line, what's the state of play?
Microsoft hasn't budged on the issue. It's following a decade long plan to help standardise audio hardware support, after all. Windows 7 and DirectX 11 still emulate DirectSound in software. But, audio component developers have caught up and, more significantly, have even made strides to correct legacy game behaviour on Vista and Windows 7.
"When we transitioned from XP to Vista, we came up with a utility called Creative ALchemy that intercepted DirectSound calls and rerouted them to OpenAL APIs, which has direct access to the hardware," says Steve Erickson, VP of Audio at Creative Labs, "That solution is still relevant for Windows 7. We provided that as a free service to anyone who owns our (legacy) products, so that they would have a good experience going forward".
Good for the industry?
Some manufacturers even say that the change that began with Vista has been a good thing for the industry. Asus make discrete soundcards and motherboards with integrated audio, so are well placed to survey the market from the top and the bottom.
"In Vista and Win7 - everyone's at the same starting point," says Asus spokesperson, Iain Bristow, "Even in XP, the CPU resource required by audio is so little that the difference isn't noticeable". Referring to benchmarks that show little difference in response time between hardware accelerated systems and CPU reliant audio, Bristow says it makes little sense for gamers to chase nanoseconds of latency.
"The key to great gaming experience is sound quality, which Asus provides consistently throughout all of our sound products".
Altec Lansing is well known for its speaker solutions. Adrian Bedggood, who oversees PC audio for the company in Europe is in agreement with his competitors at Asus: "Windows Vista did make significant changes to the handling of audio within Windows OS. Over the long course, this will allow more integration of software with the sound system allowing new features and convenient function".
Integrated audio
Arguably, the changes in the PC audio market go back much further. There have been sound chips on mobos since the first PCs, but it wasn't until 1997, with the introduction of Intel's AC97 codec that it became feasible to drive game audio and music apps with an onboard chip:
"Integrated audio is a reality. It's been like that for over 10 years now," says Steve Erickson. Rather than seeing it as a threat to the soundcard, the Creative Labs VP thinks that integrated audio is just another segment of the market.
"If I'm going to play a first person shooter, I'm probably going to use a discrete soundcard, because the graphics load is still very high, to get a good game experience".
"We also deal directly with PC OEM producers like Acer, Asus, MSI. We provide them with the software stack that goes on their motherboards to give them functionality that's similar to our high-end soundcards, but that runs in software. From a consumer perspective it's good no matter what they have; it just depends on what their desire is".
Predictably, developers who have more of an invested interest in onboard audio are a little more bullish. IDT (Integrated Device Technology) make PC audio chips with up to 10 audio channels, with Windows Logo Program certification.
"Even for demanding gamers, the integrated audio on modern PCs is normally more than adequate," says Pietro Polidori, an IDT Vice President overseeing Europe, the Middle East and African markets, "The IDT High Definition Audio products are developed specifically for major PC manufacturers, who then integrate them onto their motherboards. It's hard to understand the need for a separate soundcard for any mainstream app".
Current page: Where did all the soundcards go?
Next Page The growth of USB audio
Karl Hodge
See more Upgrades news


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Assembly's First Year
City of Cleveland
City Recommendations
The Business of Art
Artist as an Entrepreneur Institute
Guide to Getting Involved
Collaborate with Other Artists
Arts & Culture Sector
Arts Small Business Support
Help with finding Space
Financial and Funding Resources
Employment (external link)
ARPA Rescue Fund
Arts & Economic Prosperity 6
Arts Leadership Residency
Workbench Series
Public Officials Recognition Breakfast
Refresh Collective
Return to Support Organizations
Location: Cleveland Area
Services:Commercial Space (Studio/Rehearsal/Etc.)
Disciplines:Music
Organization Type:Nonprofit
Refresh Collective specializes in hip-hop style digital music production, lyric and vocal coaching, recording, mixing and mastering. We can help produce your songs and/or podcasts. Our work supports artists who provide meaningful and conscious messages to benefit our community. We do not support artists or messages that are destructive to our community. Call us for a free consultation!
http://RefreshCollective.org
Enter your email address below to stay up-to-date with all arts and cultural initiatives of Assembly for the Arts.
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Assembly for the Arts is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a focus on advocacy, cultural policy, racial equity initiatives, research, marketing that elevates the region, and services for nonprofits, artists, and creative businesses. Put simply, Assembly is here to "expand the pie" and increase equity in Cleveland's arts and culture industries. It is governed by a volunteer board with a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion. More than 50% of Assembly for the Arts board members are women or non-binary people and more than 40% are BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color). Assembly by design operates in close partnership with Cuyahoga Arts & Culture, a government agency and Assembly for Action, a 501(c)4 political action nonprofit to serve the entire creative sector.
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Assembled in Ohio. Made in Cleveland.


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7 Questions to Ask A Hiring Manager
November 21st, 2014 by lewis
Last month, we featured Edmund Lau's questions to ask after the interview. Today, Business Insider featured some excellent questions to ask after the interview, and I couldn't resist featuring them below.
Questions to Ask After the Interview
"If you were to rank all the people who have done this job in the past, tell me about No. 1 and why you would put them there?"
"You've described this as a place that welcomes innovation. Can you tell me about a time when you failed at something, or when someone else in the organization failed at something? How did the organization deal with it?"
"'Fast-forward a year, and imagine that you're looking back on this hiring decision. The two people you hired have exceeded your highest expectations. What did they do that impressed you most?'"
"What qualities did the person who held this job previously have that you'd like to maintain? What are the most important qualities that the person filling this job should have? What's your definition of success?"
"As CEO of the company, what worries you and keeps you awake at night?"
"The smartest question, hands down, was a candidate who asked me to describe the skills and characteristics of those considered 'high potentials' at our company/organization, meaning, those who are known to have excelled through key results and behaviors. In essence, they wanted to know more about my views on the exemplars of my organization."
"How does a leader come into a company like Accenture that has such a strong culture and make an impact, and how does the organization help enable success?"
Photo Credit: Ethan @ SportSuburban
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