This page includes a variety of links we feel will be of use and interest to our clients and visitors. If you would like us to add a link to your web site please contact our webmaster.
Stourbridge Rugby Club - where we spend many a happy hour!
Worcestershire County Cricket Club - more happy times!


Passion isn't just about careers and money. It's about finding your authentic self. The one you have burried beneath other people's need.
For me, dance has always been a passion which somewhere got lost while building my educational career. But Twist n Turns has again given me an opportunity and a platform to relive my passion.
Missing my job placements and opportunities for Get on the dance floor, 2016 was the biggest risk I had taken, but the appreciation received from everyone after the performance made me feel that my decision was worth the risk.
The environment out here is so friendly and fun filled that I don't even feel like missing a single class. The instructors are very motivating. Also, there's so much to learn in each and every class.
The Sunday choreo shots was a great experience and I have learned so much from it. Waiting for next season to start.
Thank you Twist n Turns for helping in reincarnating my passion for dance.
I enjoy each and every class of Twist N Turns a lot. Dance means a fresh air to me . Twist Turns gives me that platform to learn, to laugh, to perform (Get on the dance Floor), to be more motivated about my passion for dance . Apart from that the teachers are very friendly here that also make me more comfortable and confident. Moving to dance school like Twist N Turns was one of the best choices I have ever made. I m very happy to be part of Twist N Turns. Thank you and love you Twist N Turns. After all IT'S ALL ABOUT DANCE.
Firstly, I feel very lucky to have world class Dance studio near to my residence. Hip Hop is always been my favorite Dance style which I feel very challenging and exciting.
Before joining this institution, I was bit apprehensive regarding the fact that whether I will be able to catch up all the moves and style of this particular Dance Form. Thanks to Pinaki Sir, such an amazing dancer and 'TEACHER'. He made me so comfortable with this particular dance style regardless its subtle and demanding nature. And, I personally feel that TNT classes are the best of its kind as far as Hip-Hop is concerned.
In last couple of months I have incorporated so many good moves and basic 'KNOWLEDGE (One of the less known pillars of Hip Hop culture unlike Breaking, Mcing, DJing and Graffiti)' of hip hop Dance and culture under the guidance of 'Pinaki Sir'.
Heartly thanks and best wishes to Twist N Turns.
I grew up enjoying dance and loving music but didn't have much confidence in dancing and so didn't pursue it.
I now work with an NGO doing quite hard work so I need fun and a release on my day off. For me, to have an hour a week where I enjoy physical movement, expression and release is both wonderful and really impacts my week! I get immersed in the joy and vibrancy of Bollywood music, dance and culture, and am slowly gaining more confidence.
I look forward to coming each week and love the significance that all are welcomed equally in this place!
Great school. Dedicated staff. Would recommend my friends and colleagues to join and experience some quality stuff.
It has been more than 2 years since I have joined this wonderful institution that not only taught me dance or created my passion in it, but helped me become a better person altogether. Hip hop is not just a dance, it has become a culture for me!! Special thanks to Pinaki sir for everything he has ever done to make us improve to our best.
My son is learning hiphop and jazz since 2014 Nov. Recently he had been the part of Foray, the annual show. I am amazed with his performance out there. The whole group and the sync was awesome. The instructors are rocking. Thanks guys.


New Zealand farming's vulnerability to Chilean needle grass may be reduced if an application to release a rust fungus from Argentina wins approval from the Environmental Protection Authority.
Chilean needle grass is found at some 300 sites in New Zealand, covering around 4,000 hectares. But research suggests up to 15 million hectares may be potentially at risk.
Chilean needle grass is common in Australia and has caused production losses of up to 25 per cent in infested pastures. It displaces other types of grass, but is less palatable and nutritious to stock.
The grass also reduces the sale value of stock. Its sharply pointed seeds bore into the skins of grazing animals, damaging the pelt and reducing carcass value. It can also cause distressing wounds, sometimes blinding lambs and injuring farm dogs.
Marlborough District Council has applied to introduce the rust fungus on behalf of a consortium of regional councils and the Department of Conservation.
The fungus – Uromyces pencanus – infects the leaves of Chilean needle grass and competes with them for nutrients, with debilitating effects. Its spores spread rapidly on the wind.
A year-long study in Argentina found the fungus did not spread to plants other than the target needle grass. Other research suggests there is no direct threat to non-target plants in New Zealand, so no native or ornamental plants would be at risk.
This rust is unlike myrtle rust, which infects a wide range of plant host species within the Myrtaceae family. Myrtle rust arrived accidentally in New Zealand, whereas the introduction of U. pencanus would be intentional for a defined purpose – to control the invasive plant, Chilean needle grass.
The EPA will consider the risks and benefits before any decision is made to release the rust in New Zealand.
Public submissions on this application open on 29 January 2018 and close on 13 March 2018.


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Q: Generating an Excel File, then Downloading it From Browser in ASP.NET MVC Application So I have this page on my application where the user can download a "hard copy" of a rendered view, which represents Skills and their Requirements on Roles within a Project, showing the fulfilment of said Skills by any people on the Role.
I have the functionality working with a csv file, as I can just use a StringBuilder for creating a comma-delimited file.
However, before approaching the Excel approach, where I want some light formatting, I realise I cannot acheive this the same way.
I have used Interop for generating Excel files before, but how would I be able to create one that can be downloaded after it's generation?
Here is the working code to generate and return a CSV file:
public ActionResult DownloadSQEPToCSV(int projectID)
{
    //source my data

    StringBuilder sBuilder = new StringBuilder();

    sBuilder.Append("SQEPMatrix, For Project," + data.First().Project.ContractNumber);

    foreach (var role in data)
    {
        sBuilder.Append("\r\nRole:," + role.First().Title.Name);
        sBuilder.Append("\r\nSkill,Requirement");
        foreach (var person in role.Distinct(uCom))
        {
            sBuilder.Append("," + person.User.UserDetail.Name);
        }
        foreach (var skill in role.Distinct(uCom))
        {
            //More stuff to generate what I want
        }
        sBuilder.Append("\r\n");
    }

    //Attach file to the header
    Response.Clear();
    Response.AddHeader("Content-Disposition", "attachment;filename=SQEPMatrix for " + data.First().Project.ContractNumber + ".csv");
    Response.ContentType = "text/csv";
    Response.Write(sBuilder);
    Response.End();

    return SetTitleAndID("SQEP","dl_sqep_csv");
}

This code is invoked by the following script:
function download(id) {
    window.location.href = '../../Project/DownloadSQEPExcel?projectID=' + id;
}

So my question, is how can I generate an Excel spreadsheet, and return the generated file in a manner similar to how I return my .csv file?

A: If you use something like DocumentFormat.OpenXml you can create the Excel file in a memory stream and then return the stream using a FileStreamResult:
var theStreamContainingSpreadsheet = CreateSpreadsheet();
theStreamContainingSpreadsheet.Position = 0;
return new FileStreamResult(theStreamContainingSpreadsheet, "application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.spreadsheetml.sheet")
                   {FileDownloadName = "Export.xlsx"};

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Diba oder Dîba ist der Familienname folgender Personen:

 Farah Diba (* 1938), ehemalige Kaiserin des Iran, siehe Farah Pahlavi
 Fereydoun Diba (* 1920), iranischer Diplomat
 Hossein Diba (* 1893), iranischer Diplomat
 Kamran Diba (* 1937), iranischer Architekt, Stadtplaner und Maler
 Vasile Dîba (* 1954), rumänischer Kanute

DiBa steht für:

 DiBa, die alte Firmierung für ING-DiBa#Geschichte

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Q: excel- function with multiple variables So I'm not good with excel (computers in general) and can do some things but this one is out of my league.
This is the problem:
The cost of a used car is highly correlated with the following variables:
 t= age of car              1 ≤ t ≤ 5 (years)
 V= volume of engine        1000 ≤ V ≤ 2500 (cubic centimeters)
 D= number of doors         D= 2,3,4,5
 A= accessories and style   A= 1,2,3,4,5,6 (qualitative)

Using regression analysis, the following relationship between the cost and four independent variables was found:
purchase cost= (1+1/t)*V*(D/2+A)

Plot the purchase price of the car as a function of the four variables.
I know how to input the function into excel and only use one number from each variable:
Function:
=(1+(1/B2))*C2*((D2/2)+E2
Where: B2=1, C2=1000, D2=2, E2=1
Which: A1=4000 (for the purchase cost)

What I don't know is how to make the function use multiple number combinations within those variables (i.e. how to change one variable and not the others). I've looked up "youtube" videos and numerous websites to figure this out and none of them showed me what I needed to know (or at least understood). Also, if you could make it in simple terms, that would be great. Took calculus in high school 10 years ago.. apparently it didn't stick with me too well.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

A: One cell has one output.
What you can do however is manipulate your function in order to vary with respect to each of your parameters individually:

The \$ Operator will keep a row or column reference constant. By omitting the \$  operator you can alter your cell reference and thereby reference multiple combinations as required.

You have four parameters so it will be easiest if you use four columns in your calculations, one for variations in each of your parameter.
For example, vary purchase cost with respect to varying age of car (t) the formulae
= (1 + ( 1/\$B2)) * \$C\$2 * ((\$D\$2 / 2) + \$E$2).
Will work for the following layout.

What has happened here is that $B2 has fixed reference to column B, with dynamic reference to the row starting at 2. All other parameters are fixed at their respective row 2 values. So the purchase cost calculated in A3 takes its age of car parameter from B3 and so on.
You can then proceed to  do the same for different combinations. By different applications of absolute or variable cell references.
Note: Where you will struggle is graphing the data you aquire from this. You have four parameters, which will be difficult to interpret on one plot given that you will have to represent the fourth parameter as a colour variance or something. If I had to do it I would reduce and qualify the range of variable parameters, or use more than one plot.


UCL's Professor Alimuddin Zumla is the lead guru of the new Lancet TB Series linked to the Lancet TB Observatory, a new global initiative to address key issues around TB treatment and diagnosis.
The launch was held at the World Health Organisation (WHO) in Geneva on 18 May. In this Q&A Professor Alimuddin Zumla (UCL Division of Infection and Immunity) tells us why it is so important that this disease remains on the global health agenda and his commitment to keep it there.
What is the Lancet Series?
The Lancet Series is highly regarded across the world as a set of 'state of the art' reviews in specialist fields. All conclude with a 'call to action' article which calls upon governments, donors, and funding agencies to support innovations and improvements in a particular field to achieve better global health services and treatments.
The Lancet has published several such series, including one on child maltreatment and another on maternal (both launched by scientists from the UCL Institute of Child Health), and decided in October 2008 to cover Tuberculosis.
Why is it so important to generate advocacy for TB now?
TB is one of the top three killer infectious diseases worldwide with HIV/AIDS and malaria and kills 1.8 million people every year, despite the fact that cheap and effective treatment has been available for over 60 years. The disease kills 5,000 people (both adults and children) every day - three people every minute.
This is a shameful indictment of the current world order and is a sad reflection of its neglect by western governments and donor agencies, and of governments of TB endemic countries. Worryingly, drug-resistant TB is spreading and the cost of treating these cases is several times more than drug-sensitive TB. Drug-resistant TB is now rampant in eastern Europe and threatens the rest of Europe.
Extensively drug-resistant TB (TB that is resistant to many TB drugs) is now spreading throughout the world. It is therefore important that TB is now brought under control.
Furthermore the number of cases of TB is increasing in sub-Saharan Africa because of its close links with the HIV/AIDS epidemic. So African governments need to increase their commitment and improve their health systems with linked TB and HIV/AIDS care for effective delivery of point-of-care health services to manage and control TB.
The TB epidemic represents a global health crisis, which is intimately linked to existing economic and development disparities. Urgent action is needed by national governments to fund their programmes, and for the G8 countries and other donor governments, Global Fund, USAID, PEPFAR, EU, World Bank, foundations, academics, civil society, non-governmental and faith-based organisations, public-private partnerships, and WHO to support governmental efforts and contribute to the best of their capacity. There has never been a greater need for health and political world leaders to join in a concerted effort to find sustainable solutions and pursue bold new policies that will facilitate ultimate TB eradication.
Can you explain your role in the Lancet TB series?
I was selected to take the role of 'lead guru' and was asked to develop an outline proposal for the Series. My proposal comprised six articles covering the epidemiological, clinical and research priorities on important areas of the disease. I selected two TB specialists to act as co-gurus for the Series.
Dr Mario Raviglione, Director of the STOP TB Partnership, WHO, Geneva; and Professor Ben Marais, a Paediatric TB expert from Stellenbosch University, South Africa helped me lead the series and acted as co-gurus.
What issues and potential solutions do the articles within the Series address?
One of the articles reflects upon some of the successes of the current TB control programme and the problems associated with controlling TB in AIDS/HIV endemic areas; drug-resistant TB and extensively drug-resistant TB.
Current treatment for TB requires the patient to take six months of anti-TB drugs and many patients stop taking them. Newer drug regimens are being developed to reduce the duration of treatment so that patients can be more compliant. Newer drugs are also being developed for use in drug-resistant TB.
Active cases of TB that keep on spreading the disease need to be diagnosed. Unfortunately for the past 100 years, accurate diagnosis of patients with TB is performed by sputum microscopy, a technique that only picks up 50% of cases. The other 50% of cases remain undiagnosed and continue to spread the disease in the community. One of the Series' articles on TB diagnostics and biomarkers updates the readership on the efforts that are trying to develop more sensitive tests for diagnosing TB in adults and children.
The current BCG vaccine is not effective in preventing TB in the majority of people immunised. New vaccines that will offer protection in various geographical areas are urgently required and several are under development.
Health systems which deliver TB care need to improve so that delivery of care reaches all people in remote areas.
In the final paper we call for a serious and sustained worldwide effort to bring tuberculosis under control and start targeting elimination. Strong political commitment at both the international and national level is essential. The call to action speaks to a wide audience, since synergistic action is required on multiple fronts, both inside and outside the traditional confines of TB control.
How will the series generate advocacy for TB in practical terms?
Firstly it will update all scientists, TB health workers, doctors, scientists, politicians and funders that TB remains a global threat and that, unless action is taken, it will continue to kill millions of people each year.
Secondly, by being launched at the World Health Assembly of Ministers of Health in Geneva, the Series will create high-profile visibility for the disease and it will remain on the political agenda for action.
Thirdly, it will pressurise donor agencies to keep TB on their funding agenda and invest more in the disease.
What is the role of the Lancet TB Observatory?
There is a real need to monitor this call to action and make sure that the pronouncements, requests and pledges made in this series will be driving urgent policy changes.
To foster this global need, The Lancet in collaboration with the STOP TB Partnership, WHO, the Global Fund and the lead 'gurus and co-gurus' of the Lancet TB Theme series is starting a new initiative, 'The Lancet TB Observatory', which will assess and monitor progress in TB control and research, evaluate domestic and global financing, regularly disseminate information, and advocate for intensified efforts with stakeholders at all levels.


text:
The Nolan Carroll Foundation, Northeast Florida Community Action Agency Announce Partnership May 31, 2018
NOLAN CARROLL FOUNDATION is providing scholarships for low-income teens April 10, 2018
Carroll's Charity Golf Tournament A Success March 07, 2018
Fields Auto Group To Sponsors Kids Classic Charity Golf Tournament January 25, 2018
Cowboys Optimistic That Defensive Reinforcements Are On Their Way October 03, 2017
Despite Diverse Backgrounds, Dallas Locker Room Joins Together September 26, 2017
Cowboys' Nolan Carroll: Considered day-to-day September 18, 2017
Injuries Force Cowboys' Young Defensive Backs Into The Fire Against Denver September 18, 2017
Scout's Eye: Cowboys Tackles, Nolan Carroll Face Steep Challenges In Denver September 14, 2017
Cowboys Preview Capsule September 03, 2017
Injuries Force Cowboys' Young Defensive Backs Into The Fire Against Denver
Posted Sep 18, 2017 by Nolan Carroll
DENVER – The Dallas secondary was already facing a steep challenge before Sunday's game kicked off, and it got steeper quite quickly.
The Cowboys knew going in that they'd be without Orlando Scandrick while trying to defend Demaryius Thomas, Emmanuel Sanders and the Broncos' passing attack. Scandrick was ruled out with a broken hand, which he suffered last week against New York.
What they didn't expect going in was the rash of injuries that hit their secondary, as Nolan Carroll was ruled out with a concussion and Chidobe Awuzie was lost to a hamstring injury – all by halftime.
The result was a makeshift secondary, with second-year starter Anthony Brown serving as the Cowboys' most experienced cornerback for the rest of the day.
"It just came at us pretty fast with two corners down," Brown said. "Me and Jourdan just had to stand up basically and do the best that we can."
That would be Jourdan Lewis, who made his NFL debut as the Cowboys' No. 3 corner when Awuzie went down. By the time Carroll exited, Lewis was promoted to No. 2 – with rookie safety Xavier Woods having to play nickel back.
It was a far cry from the initial plan for Lewis, who was active for his first NFL game after recovering from a hamstring injury.
"I wasn't supposed to really play defense as much, just get my footing down, but I just had to come in and step up," Lewis said. "I tried, and it obviously wasn't my best performance. It was just a learning experience, definitely."
It's not so much that the Broncos bombed away through the air. Trevor Siemian only threw for 231 yards on the night. But he completed a whopping 70 percent of his passes, and he guided his offense to a fantastic 9-of-15 performance on third down.
More telling than that was Siemian's performance in the red zone, as he took advantage of the Cowboys' mismatched secondary to the tune of four touchdowns.
"It was just self-inflicted wounds, definitely, and having my eyes in the right place – especially on that touchdown," Lewis said. "It's not trying to look at the quarterback as much and make plays – especially in the red zone, when you know you've got to be plastered to your guy."
It's not to say Lewis's day was completely forgettable. He took advantage of an overthrown ball in the third quarter, intercepting Siemian and returning it 25 yards. But in the wake of a 25-point loss, it was cold comfort.
"It was a losing effort, honestly," he said.
Now the Cowboys will need to see how quickly they can nurse their secondary back to health. There's optimism Scandrick can be ready in time for next week's game at Arizona, having successfully undergone surgery on the injured hand.
Awuzie said he hopes to be ready in time for next week, but he acknowledged it's a bit too soon to speculate.
"It's definitely my goal to play," he said. "Even today I wanted to play, but you've always got to be smart. It's up to the trainers, and I know they're going to do their best job to get me on that field."
While that situation sorts itself out, the Cowboys' defensive backs will have to go back to the drawing board – with some valuable experience under their belts.
"I got thrown in the fire, but it's a learning experience – one of the best, in a real situation and a real game," Lewis said. "It's just not how we wanted it to turn out, so we're going to make some adjustments. I definitely will watch the tape and will definitely get better at some of my technique and have a better effort next week."
Source: Dallas Cowboys | David Hellman | September 17, 2017

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Another Gaze – Issue 1
Another Gaze Issue 1 is out now. The first issue contains interviews with women including Carolee Schneemann, Mania Akbari, Laura Mulvey, Alice Diop, Bette Gordon, and Lis Rhodes. It contains pieces on the films of women including Kathleen Collins, Sally Potter, Chantal Akerman, and many more.
Another Gaze Issue 1 is available now on loremnotipsum.com and contains interviews with women including Carolee Schneemann, Mania Akbari, Laura Mulvey, Alice Diop, Bette Gordon, and Lis Rhodes. It contains pieces on the films of women including Kathleen Collins, Sally Potter, Chantal Akerman, Moyra Davey, Camille Henrot, Naomi Kawase, Germaine Dulac, Alice Guy-Blaché.
The first issue is divided into five sections:
FIRST LIGHT contains interviews and writing on some of the founding mothers of feminist theory and film today;
EARLY VIEWING is made up of personal essays about the young female viewing experience, from experiencing anxiety at watching Susan Sontag on-screen, to a Black viewer's experience of seeing 'Africa' portrayed through 'Mean Girls' and the 'Wild Thornberries', to a queer viewer having to 'queer the absence' in order to make her space in film;
WOMEN LOOKING AT WOMEN explores how women filmmakers have seen their women subjects, from Naomi Kawase to Sally Potter;
SOUNDS AND VISIONS encompasses writing on alternative, 'othered' subjects or subject matter, from the trans body on-screen to how to best depict rape;
LOOKING AROUND is a series of reviews of films, TV, conferences and exhibitions of the past year, by women and men.
The magazine is run through with portraits and names of women filmmakers that we consider should be (re)discovered, and accompanied by stills by photographers and cinematographers including Nan Goldin and Sophie Maintigneux.
Another Gaze was founded early in 2016 in response to the difficulty in obtaining rigorous writing – whether online or in print – about women and film: its sources being disparate, or access requiring membership of an academic institution or the will and resources to get through a 'paywall'. Another Gaze magazine is the only self-published printed feminist journal available today. Feminist criticism is not, and should not be considered elite or specialist; nor should it require the reader to have a university degree or be a self-proclaimed 'cinephile'. Particularly since the advent of the internet, young women, queer people and people of colour, have had the opportunity to discover films which reflect and affirm their lives and aspirations in a manner which is harder to find in the prescribed male canon, and to create their own.
Details: Another Gaze – Issue 1
Published by Another Gaze
Manufactured in United Kingdom
Tag Film & Entertainment
Article No. bfanothergaze0001
Dimensions 27 × 24 × 2 cm
Film & Entertainment
Another Gaze Issue 3 is here and includes essays about Barbara Hammer, Agnès Varda, Camille Billops, Jane Arden, Penny Slinger, Ana Mendieta, Hito Steyerl, Mati Diop, Catherine Breillat, Carol Morley, Ulrike Ottinger, Charlotte Prodger, Charlotte Pryce, Rosalind Nashashibi & Lucy Skaer and many more.
Design · Photography
Noon Magazine – Issue 11
Noon Magazine Issue 11 is out now. Noon Magazine Issue 11 is the Truth Issue and about having 'just enough'. We're speaking truth to power: recontextualising Trumpian politics and calling for direct action on climate crisis.
2 items in stock
Perfect Strangers Magazine – Issue 2
Perfect Strangers Magazine Issue 2 is out now. How do you interpret Peking opera for a Finnish audience? What is it like navigating a cross-cultural marriage in a remote town in southwestern Japan? Or working as a tour guide in Cairo? Delve into these stories, and many more, in our second issue.
Last item in stock
City Guides · Culture · Photography · Society
Zurich Magazine Volume 1
Zurich Magazine Volume 1 (Fantastic People) is out now and available now at loremnotipsum.com. A surprising mixture of unique views by international and national artists. The secret of life, its fantastic people, and everything you always wanted to know about living in one of the most versatile and livable cities in the world.
NANG Magazine – Issue 5
NANG Magazine Issue 5 is dedicated to Inspiration. Featuring artists and filmmakers who voluntarily or involuntarily moved outside of their country of origin, this Issue focuses on hyphenated identities and films that exist in the in-between.
Art · Culture · Fashion · Photography
Marfamily – Issue 2
Marfamily Issue 2 is available now at LOREM (not Ipsum). Issue 2 features Lara Stone, Neal Jones, Edward Kay, Ann Craven, Hans Eijkelboom, Mini Anden, WITCH, In-house supermodel Lily McMenamy and her theatrical peer Sir Henry.
Film & Entertainment · Photography
Scenes Journal – Issue 2
Scenes Journal Issue 2 (Fractures) is out now and includes interviews with Hossein Amini, Josephine Decker, Joel Potrykus and Ioana Uricaru - all writers and filmmakers, who, in some way or another, come from outside of the system and approach film through a different perspective.
Pleasure Garden – Issue 2
Pleasure Garden Issue 2 (Admit one for) is out now. Our path into the Pleasure Garden continues with Issue Two and escapism is provided on many levels. The posters of Copenhagen's Tivoli Gardens capture the magic and fantasy of the 174-year-old Danish institution.
Design · Sports · Travelling
Kinfolk Magazine – Issue 26
Kinfolk Magazine Issue 26 is out now and examines sport and the body, exploring the values that underpin an active life: camaraderie and self-discipline, pleasure-seeking thrills, endurance, balance and leisure. We take a wide view of the sports world, from tennis to hiking, sailing, boxing, riding and team sports.
NANG Magazine Issue 3 is dedicated to Fiction. Writers and comic artists from around the world were invited to present creative responses to an Asian film or films of their choice.
Little White Lies – Issue 64
Little White Lies Issue 64 (The Arabian Nights Issue) is out now! Back in 2012, we awarded our annual film of the year prize to Tabu, a sweeping colonial love story featuring a melancholic crocodile by the Portuguese director Miguel Gomes.


SPONSORED: As 2016 comes to a close we take a look at four extraordinary Alaskans making a difference.
The year 2016 has been one to remember; filled with accomplishments by Alaskans. Artists and athletes created and conquered. Innovators unveiled groundbreaking new ideas. Community leaders stepped up to help the people around them in unprecedented new ways.
It's been a year of discovery, invention, perseverance and progress—mind, body and spirit. As it comes to a close, take a look back at some of the milestones.
In 2016, brothers Grant and Reid Magdanz brought Alaska Native languages to iPhone keyboards.
"It really was just like most things in tech," Grant said. "We saw that there was a need for this."
Raised in Kotzebue, Reid said he was inspired to create the app after beginning to study the Inupiaq language in earnest about two years ago. With its special characters and spellings, Inupiaq—like all Alaska Native languages—was difficult to type on a traditional smartphone keyboard.
"I was motivated to find a solution to that," Reid said. "I really appreciate being able to type languages in the way they're supposed to be written."
So the brothers went to work. Grant, with experience in coding, tackled the tech side. Reid worked to reach out to native speakers who could help verify spelling and usage. In January 2016, they released Achagat, an Inupiaq-only keyboard app. In October, they released Chert, the first keyboard app to service all 20 Alaska Native languages. The response was good.
"People seemed to like it," Grant said. "It seemed there really was a need; really was a want to type the language the way it was supposed to be written."
They heard feedback from friends and family and the woman working at the post office in Kotzebue. The iTunes app store listing is filled with five-star reviews written by people who typed their thanks in Tlingit.
The Magdanz brothers say Chert is a testament to collaboration: Without the help of native speakers around the state, the app wouldn't exist. It's a work in progress, too: Grant said they're still trying to iron out the final glitches. But at the end of the day, they consider it a success—a way to communicate in Tlingit on your touchscreen phone, or add a Yupik caption to your latest Snapchat.
"I think it's really important to make the statement that they are modern languages and can be used in modern contexts," Reid Magdanz said.
In 2016, Nick Hanson jumped, swung, lifted and lunged his way from his hometown of Unalakleet all the way to the finals of the NBC competition show American Ninja Warrior.
A World-Eskimo Indian Olympics champion, Hanson grew up playing basketball and volleyball, running and wrestling. As a teenager, he competed in front of small crowds in high school gyms. When he appeared on the June premiere of American Ninja Warrior, more than 6 million viewers tuned in to watch.
But Hanson's more than a star athlete—he's also a role model. When he's not competing on TV, he's coaching everything from kids' cross-country running to Native Youth Olympics sports. And he says that's what he wants to do for the rest of his life.
In 2016, Inupiaq artist Allison Akootchook Warden installed herself in the Anchorage Museum at Rasmuson Center for a two-month-long work of performance art: Unipkaagusiksuguvik, the place of the future/ancient.
The work of art came to life within a makeshift qargi, an Inupiat ceremonial/community house located, according to Warden, "in the space of where the hyper-future meets the super-ancient, a liminal space where myths are born and the Eagle Mother is honored with ceremony and dance." Inside, Warden led talk shows, beading workshops, crafting, musical performance, a special Halloween event and significant cultural ceremonies.
The work was creative, compelling and utterly Alaskan—an artistic milestone for Alaska's largest museum.
In 2016, Samuel Johns was inspired to take a stand for environmental conservation.
Raised in the Southcentral Alaska community of Copper Center, Johns has made a name for himself as an Alaska rap artist, performing under the name AK Rebel. But his work doesn't end on the stage or at the studio door: He uses his music to make change in the communities around him, and his passion for social justice has carried him across Alaska and beyond.
This year, he traveled to the FBI headquarters in Washington, D.C., to receive the Director's Community Leadership Award. In Alaska, he was named one of the Alaska Journal of Commerce's Top 40 Under 40. His organization, Forget Me Not, continues to connect homeless Alaskans with family members and home communities. Perhaps the most meaningful milestone of 2016, though, was his trip to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation, where he joined thousands of others protesting the construction of the Dakota Access Pipeline.
Now, Johns says, "I want to wake people up and create a clean energy revolution in Alaska."
"I want to create change by waking people up; showing people there is a brighter future," he said. "I just want people to know they are intelligent. They are smart, and they can innovate. We've gotten way too comfortable with where we are today."
Johns points to Alaska communities like Igiugig, where hydropower is a growing solution to local energy needs. In 2016, the National Hydropower Association named the Ocean Renewable Power Company one of four Outstanding Stewards of America's Waters for the company's work installing a special underwater turbine in Igiugig's Kvichak River. Johns hopes to see other alternative energy initiatives blossom around the state.
He's inspired by his daughters, ages 13, 9 and 1. Their curiosity motivates him to ask his own questions, he said. He hopes to inspire other Alaskans to be curious, too. Abandon apathy. Make a difference.
"We do have the power to change things," Johns said. "We could make change today if we wanted."


The leaf reminded me of an old piece of parchment.
Trying to read the parchment I couldn't figure out exactly what the meaning was. Perhaps that something new was about to be born.
Dog-oh seemed to be relatively disinterested. He had smelled leaves before and other things were more enticing.
Thanks for reading! The picture was originally taken by me with my Galaxy S7 and processed in GIMP and is a collaboration with @kalemandra who so nicely provided some cool artwork.
How wonderfully artistic of you. It really deserves a closer look. Kalemandra's art is very inspirational and she is a delight to work with.
Thank you! I like how the details in the pencil artwork show in the photo when you look closely.
This is fantastic and very creative! :))) Thanks for participating!
Thank you! I really enjoy working on these types of things, and often I kind of need something to get me started doing things and it helps to have something really neat like your art for inspiration.
Thank you very much for the comment, vote, and resteem! You can't beat GIMP for price to value ratio, LOL. I'm gradually learning more about it but still have all the Photoshop quick keys memorized that I try to use on GIMP.
I am trying to get a better handle on Photoshop. I watch a tutorial and think I know something until a day goes by and I try to do something again and have to go back to the tutorial...frustrating... Getting old I guess!
That's how it goes with me too. I just get used to something and then have to learn something new. Oh well, it keeps things fun. I like Photoshop too but my copy is so old that it runs on XP and I'm a bit frightened of booting into that operating system at this point, LOL. I tend to use GIMP more because of that.
Thank you. I enjoy these collaborations, I'm glad you liked it.
its ok you visit my blog i hope you like my post??
thank you so much brother @lightsplasher i will be 100% support from you go ahead and carry on???
Wow- when @Kalemandra's art is combined with the leaf - it sort of looks like a guitar! Awesome!
Thanks! It does look like that now that you mention it. Pretty cool!
Thank you! Some of the old black and white photography used interesting effects as well both in the exposure and development of the prints. I think we kind of got out of a lot of the special effects with color processing because no one could do it themselves. With digital processing there is many more opportunities to be creative both in color and black and white. It makes things fun.
ohh,that's the reason, but it's looking so outstanding extraordinary photography, thank you so much.
looks more beautiful in this mode..
Thanks! I kind of got into the black and white mode from the previous challenge. It is fun how things build on each other.
Thanks! It is interesting how things come together through these collaborations.
Thanks! I had fun making it.
Thanks, I'm glad you viewed and liked it.
Wow! This is awesome and you used the doodle so creatively.I am so tempted to participate in this challenge too. Thinking of something creative. You raised the bar high dude.
Thank you! You should participate if your interested - it is really fun. This actually started out as my trying to do a collaboration with @everlove 's photo but things were not working out really well so I didn't post that. It is tough to see what is possible to do unless you try out a few things.
Yeah I'm thinking of chipping in too though I don't know what I'll be doing.
It is tough to see what is possible to do unless you try out a few things.
Yes, what you said above, I completely agree with.
A wonderful piece of art, delicate and fragile. Really inspiring!
Thank you! The leaf was very fragile looking, I'm surprised it was mostly still together after the light snow, rain and frost.
Thank you! It would be interesting to see what it looked like printed out.
You're lucky to find it :) it looks beautiful!
Thanks! I feel lucky when things come together and form something different or unusual.
The intricacies are captivating! I'm willing to bet that Dog-oh already understood the message. ;) And yes, the nose is the all-important guide to adventure. My Scotties used to say that that is because they know where the treats are.
Exactly! It is just amazing the level of excitement that Dog-oh has when I even make the littlest motions towards going for a walk. I believe he knows what I want to do before I do. (Or hopes so).
Well they seem to know what is best for us before we do! ;) Some of my best teachers have had four legs!
It is beautiful how nature so Inspires and opens simply by being.
Love the art work too, I see Yoni, so very apt for New Birth!
Gorgeous! I wish I had a notebook pad of these beauties! Thank You!
Wonderful photography, its looking really beautiful, thanks for sharing.
This is an awesome photography. Its really amazing photo and also creative art. I really impressed your photography.
thanks for the new blog. that is great and nice photography.
wonderfull post i like it.
inspiration is a great factor to attain success.


text:
Universite du Quebec Chooses Ex Libris Primo Solution
A proven track record in the support of sophisticated consortia and fully-multilingual products prompted the selection of Primo
Chicago, IL – April 14, 2008. Ex Libris Group is pleased to announce that the Universite du Quebec (UQ) has selected the Primo® discovery and delivery solution to serve as the main portal for the libraries of eight of the university's constituents. Major factors in the university's choice of Primo were its flexible consortial functionality, one-stop search solution, and out-of-the-box multilingual support for all aspects of the system.
"Always mindful of innovations that correspond with the strengths and needs of our institution, we were impressed with the manner in which Primo addresses user expectations for quick, easy, and effective searching and retrieval. We are sure that its Web 2.0 features, such as tags, ratings, and reviews, will be very popular with our students," explains Line Cormier, directrice des bibliotheques et du soutien technologiquea l'enseignement at the Universite du Quebec. "We look forward to introducing the French Primo interface to our users."
"Last year, Ex Libris™ and UQ implementation teams worked closely to merge the eight UQ catalogs into one and migrate to the Aleph® integrated library system by Ex Libris. We feel that this close collaboration was key in meeting our aggressive time line without any extra expenditures," comments Benoit Seguin, directeur du developpement et des services techniques et informatises at the library of Universite du Quebeca Trois-Rivieres. "This successful experience led library directors to look into acquiring additional products from the Ex Libris suite. UQ is planning to go live with the MetaLib® gateway and metasearch system and to implement the company's Primo discovery and delivery solution as the libraries' main portal."
"We are pleased that our successful partnership with the Universite du Quebec in setting up the Aleph system has led so soon to an expansion of our relationship," comments Susan Pastore, vice president of sales at Ex Libris North America. "A short time after going live with Aleph, we are now working together to implement MetaLib and Primo."
Primo will be deployed at Universite du Quebeca Trois-Rivieres, Universite du Quebeca Chicoutimi, Universite du Quebeca Rimouski, Universite du Quebec en Outaouais, Universite du Quebec en Abitibi-Temiscamingue, Institut national de la recherche scientifique, Ecole nationale d'administration publique, and Ecole de technologie superieure; and hosted at the Universite du Quebeca Trois-Rivieres site.
Click here for French version of the Press Release
About Universite du Quebec:
Created by the Government of Quebec in 1968, Universite du Quebec is the largest university network in Canada. Its mission is to facilitate access to university education and to contribute to the scientific development of Quebec, as well as to regional development.
From its headquarters in Quebec City, Universite du Quebec coordinates courses taught by nearly 6,000 professors and their assistants to 86,000 students in its nine establishments in 54 cities across the province. As the youngest university in Quebec, Universite du Quebec has established an identity based on innovation and challenge, quality of teaching, and openness to the world at large.
For additional information on Universite du Quebec, see http://www.uquebec.ca.
About Ex Libris:
Ex Libris is a leading provider of automation solutions for academic libraries. Offering the only comprehensive product suite for electronic, digital, and print materials, Ex Libris provides the efficient, user-friendly products that serve the needs of libraries today and will enable them to transition into the future. Ex Libris maintains an impressive customer base consisting of thousands of sites in more than 70 countries on six continents.
Dedicated to developing creative solutions in close collaboration with its customers, Ex Libris enables academic, national, and research libraries to maximize productivity and efficiency and, at the same time, greatly enhance the user experience. By empowering users to discover and obtain the information they need, libraries ensure their position as the bridge to knowledge.
For additional information on Ex Libris Group, see http://www.exlibrisgroup.com/.
from Ex Libris
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A positive combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house of a horoscope in the sign of Gemini can bless the native with good results related to marriage, profession, fame, authority and many other types of good results depending on the overall tone of his horoscope. Such favorable combination of Sun and combust Saturn can prove good for the marriages of some natives due to which these natives may witness benefits through their marriages in many possible ways. A positive combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini can bless some natives with life partners who may have well established professions and they may enjoy good social status by virtue of their professions. For example, if a positive combination of Sun and combust Saturn is placed in the eleventh house of a horoscope in the sign of Gemini, positive Venus is placed in the tenth house of this horoscope in the sign of Taurus and positive Jupiter is placed in the ninth house of this horoscope in the sign of Aries, the native witness this result. The native benefitting from positive combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini and other positive planets may get married to a woman who may have a well established profession and she may have good social status by virtue of her professional success.
The positive influence of a combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini can bless the natives with success through many fields of profession, when accompanied by profession favoring planets in the horoscopes of these natives. Such positive combust Saturn can bless some natives with success through the field of media due to which these natives may engage in professions related to this field and they may achieve success as news reporters, news paper owners, news channel owners, news editors and other such professionals. For example, if a positive combination of Sun and combust Saturn is placed in the eleventh house of a horoscope in the sign of Gemini, positive exalted Moon is placed in the tenth house of this horoscope in the sign of Taurus, positive Mercury is also placed in the eleventh house of this horoscope in the sign of Gemini, positive Rahu is placed in the eighth house of this horoscope in the sign of Pisces and positive Ketu is placed in the second house of this horoscope in the sign of Virgo, the native may come across this result. The native under the collective impact of this positive combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini and other positive planets may take a course in journalism and he may become a professional journalist after completing such course.
The native benefitting from such positive combust Saturn and other positive planets may get selected for a well paying job related to the field of media and he may earn good amount of money and success through this field of profession. At the same time, if positive Venus is placed in the first house of this horoscope in the sign of Leo and positive Mars is placed in the third house of this horoscope in the sign of Libra when all other planets are placed in the already mentioned houses of this horoscope, the results may become much better. The native benefitting from positive combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini and other positive planets may become the owner of a news paper and he may come across very good amount of money, fame and recognition through such news paper. Apart from this, a positive combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini can bless the natives with success, fame and authority through a variety of other professions, depending on the type of beneficial planets which accompany it in the horoscopes of these natives.
On the other hand, a negative combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house of a horoscope in the sign of Gemini can trouble the native with problems related to marriage, profession, health and many other types of problems depending on the overall tone of his horoscope. Some natives may suffer from the bad impact of such combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the sphere of their health due to which they may face problems in this field. A negative combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house in the sign of Gemini can trouble the natives with many types of health issues which may aggravate with the intervention of other negative planets in the horoscopes of these natives. In an extreme case of this type when supported by other negative planets, a negative combination of Sun and combust Saturn in the eleventh house of a horoscope in the sign of Gemini can afflict the native with a serious and permanent type of disease which may trouble him till the end of his life and which may reduce his lifespan.


text:
Carvajal, Nacho, Morata, Jese - The Kids Are All Right!
The Cantera has had a bumper-crop as the kids have impressed all year and at the U21.
By J A Marsano Jun 19, 2013, 5:55pm CEST
Share All sharing options for: Carvajal, Nacho, Morata, Jese - The Kids Are All Right!
Ian Walton
Jese Rodriguez holds a new record this year. He's scored more goals than our legendary Emilio Butragueno did in the second division. His final goal of the year, in which he collected the ball nearly at the half-way line and then dribbled past 3 defenders on his way goalward before striking, had Florentino Perez on his feet. He will play in the U20 World Championship.
Dani Carvajal returns from Germany to Real Madrid named the 4th best fullback in that league. Impressive enough for a debut season. It's even more impressive when you realize that the other three (Philipp Lahm, David Alaba and Marcel Schmelzer) all played in the Champions League final. This week, when his replacement at Bayer Leverkusen was discussed it was not "Leverkusen's new fullback" who was being discussed. The press made the position his and German headlines read: "Carvajal's replacement could be coming..."
He has also been in Israel in summer.
Another young player at the tournament is Nacho, who is likely to sign on for Madrid in the long-term this week. That same snippet of news contains the information that Florentino Perez has determined that Jese, Carvajal and Nacho will all stick around and will be joining the Brazilian Casemiro for more first-team playing time.
There is a fifth player too, and that is Alvaro Morata.
During his tenure at Madrid, Mourinho often wanted a third striker. He rarely had one. Madrid seem to be leaning in that direction this summer though and Morata's outing at the U21 this summer in Israel was wonderful. It is not, historically, a tournament for many goals for the golden boot winner. The previous golden boot winner had 2 in the tournament. Morata managed 4 goals and 2 assists. He won out-right because no other player scored more than 3 goals.
This follows his accomplishment as an U19, when he managed the same feat in the tournament with 6 goals.
Morata had a very interesting tournament. He was not always a starter, for example and though he played in every game was subbed on more often than starting. Spain were goal-shy in the first two games, and Morata (substituted in just after the hour mark in both games) scored the only goals of those games. A splendid header against Russia and a fine piece of individual work against Germany to break the deadlock.
In his first start of the tournament against Holland, Morata scored again, early in the game, showing he was not just some super-sub.
Against Norway he scored an angled shot off the rebound from a ball he had to keep in play. With defenders rushing into the box the goal showed composure, calm and accuracy.
In the final yesterday he had, admittedly, a fairly anonymous game compared to his previous outings. But his team won 4-2 against Italy in a thriller (one highly recommends watching this game) and Morata did assist the first goal. Even in a quiet game, his quality was there.
There is some considerable interest in Morata this transfer season. He entered the tournament rather underrated by commentators. Now clubs like Napoli and Liverpool are interested.
The player is very firm in what he wants, however. He wants to stay at Madrid with Jese, Nacho, Casemiro and Carvajal. Increasingly, it looks like he could be given a chance behind Benzema and whatever striker Madrid take on to replace the want-away Gonzalo Higuain.
It is, strangely, a season in which it seems lucky to be one of the Canteranos. Zinedine Zidane is an open fan of most of these players. In general: the kids are all right.


DESCRIPTION A truly new beer style is a rare thing. Funkenrauch is born of brewmaster Eric Johnson's obsession with understanding beer on a molecular level. A 100% smoked malt beer shouldn't be so bright and light - but the addition of Drie Fonteinen brettanomyces eats up much of the smoky phenols that could have overwhelmed the palate, leaving behind a sour smoked ale that is unlike any we've ever tried.


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1998 cedar rapids 30 x 54 portable jaw crusher value (30" x 54" jaw size); … 30 x 54 cedar rapids jaw crusher ... Cedarapids 3054 Jaw Crusher.


text:
Sao (cywilizacja) – cywilizacja afrykańska
 Sao (księżyc) – księżyc Neptuna
 Sáo – flet wietnamski
 Sao – rodzaj kambryjskich trylobitów


text:
Tiger Global Management
Reliance Jio Digital Services
Experts strike a discordant note on Saavn, Jio $1Bn deal
Analysts say it's unclear as to why JioMusic, with a fraction of Saavn's revenues, is deemed to be worth nearly 4x the pre-money value of venture-funded firmET Bureau | April 02, 2018, 08:51 IST
India's largest company Reliance Industries set the country's digital sector aflutter late last month, by announcing that its music streaming unit would merge with Saavn India, creating a new entity deemed to be worth $1 billion.
JioMusic, housed within Reliance's telecom arm, was valued at nearly twice the estimated worth of Saavn, according to the terms of the deal.
In a market notoriously tough to monetise, not only in India but also in developed markets like the US and China, the valuation of the merged entity has left investment bankers and analysts, who track the sector, surprised.
As per the terms of the deal, Reliance Industries has invested $124 million into Saavn at a pre-money valuation of $177 million, a 40-50% discount to the last round valuation, when Saavn raised $100 million in 2015.
This pegs the post-money valuation of the entity at $301 million. Of the $124 million investment, $104 million is to be paid to existing investors via a buyback, according to sources, and $20 million infused into the company for operations.
Reliance is also transferring JioMusic business, housed under an entity called Reliance Jio Digital Services, to Saavn India through "a slump sale", valuing JioMusic at $670 million. Therefore, the merged entity is valued at $970 million, with Reliance committing to invest another $80 million into the venture.
In this structure, Reliance has declared its own music unit to be a unicorn with a valuation of $1 billion, setting a benchmark for a potential external round of funding in the near future, said two investment bankers. Saavn's investors will get $104 million in cash, less than what they invested in the company, along with residual equity holding in an entity 81% owned by Reliance.
Saavn India, founded by Rishi Malhotra, Vinodh Bhat and Paramdeep Singh in 2007, is backed by investors like Tiger Global Management and Bertelsmann.
Experts said it was unclear as to why JioMusic, with revenues that are a fraction of Saavn, has been deemed to be worth nearly 4x the pre-money value of the venture-funded company. Typically, the value of privately held internet companies is based on their market share of usage or of revenues, as well as future prospects on market share and market size.
According to analysts, metrics such as the number of active users and engagements have been used for JioMusic valuation. But a few of them also point out that the 'installs' of the JioMusic app, because of the JioPhone, are disproportionately more than its usage. RIL and Saavn did not respond to email queries sent by ET, including requests to share user metrics.
Jio has been investing in a number of content players like Eros and Balaji Telefilms, and experts tracking the space said the company's strategy is to drive monetisation through more data consumption. Investments like Saavn is a part of Jio's user acquisition strategy in a bundled offering. So far, JioMusic is only available to Jio subscribers.
"Jio's strategy is to build an ecosystem that gives people a reason to consume copious amounts of data, which is the revenue driver. Saavn being an independent service earlier and now part of a larger media house, they individually have a huge library of music and the combined entity will definitely be a significant player in the market but I would not necessarily say dominating the market," said Jehil Thakker, partner at Deloitte.
Going forward, the battle for leadership in the music streaming market will be fought between three local players-JioMusic-Saavn, Times Internet's Gaana, which recently raised $115 million last month from Tencent, China's largest internet company, and Bharti's Wynk - besides global players such as Apple Music, Amazon Prime Music and Google Play Music. Times Internet is part of BCCL, which publishes The Economic Times.
Analysts foresee a few challenges for the Jio-Saavn combine in the future. A large portion of Saavn's revenues come from outside India. As far as the battle for the Indian market is concerned, Gaana's revenues are more than Saavn's in the local market. Moreover, like Bharti's Wynk, which is being bundled for free with Airtel, Jio-Saavn will be a free service as well. This will add to Jio's costs.
Experts tracking the space said that Apple and Google are unlikely to aggressively push their music products as it is a part of their operating systems. Both Airtel and Reliance have been able to gather a larger user base for Wynk and Jio, respectively, because they are either pre-installed or are subsidised heavily as a part of the marketing strategy.
"In terms of market share, you would presume that about 60-70% is Gaana and Saavn dominated, with both of them having almost an equal share. Gaana would comparatively have a slightly larger subscriber base and the rest would come into the remaining 30-40%," said an analyst tracking the space. "Definitely see the main four surviving - Jio-Saavn, Gaana, Wynk and Amazon Prime Music. As long as they keep driving data consumption, there is no pressure for them to show profits and losses."
Tags : Internet, reliance jio, Saavn, Music streaming, Tiger Global Management, Reliance Jio Digital Services, music, Bertelsmann


Tax reform has incentivized companies to return their offshore cash to the U.S. This could create opportunities for U.S. investment grade bonds.
Comments Off on What could billions of repatriated dollars mean for bonds?
In my recent blog on the impact of the tax reform, I explained why I believe the new tax law should be extremely supportive of the U.S. investment grade (IG) bond market, including provisions that could lead to reduced supply. Looking beyond IG, the news appears to look good for other fixed income sectors as well.
Comments Off on A rising tide for fixed income?
Comments Off on Tax reform: A year-end bonus for fixed income?
For income-focused investors, yield remains incredibly elusive in most markets, with roughly 20% of global fixed income assets delivering negative yield. In Europe, that rises to about 40%.
The Federal Open Market Committee (the Fed) is set to convene its final meeting for 2017. It promises to be the event the markets have been waiting for since 2008.


Within Temptation is a symphonic metal band from The Netherlands. The band was founded in 1996 by vocalist Sharon den Adel and guitarist Robert Westerholt. Their music is variously described as symphonic metal, as well as gothic metal in some media, although in an interview, Den Adel said they fell into a symphonic rock genre with various influences. Their music is also influenced from alternative metal, being most notable on The Heart of Everything album.
Directly after the release of their first album Enter, the band became prominent in the underground scene. It would however take until 2001, when they became known by the general public, with the single "Ice Queen" from the album Mother Earth, which reached #2 on the charts. Since then, the band won the Conamus Exportprijs five years in a row. Their next album The Silent Force debuted at #1 on the Dutch charts. Their latest album, The Heart of Everything, also debuted at #1. They are often labeled as a band with a similar sound to Evanescence, although the only true similarity is a female singer.
I heard one song of theirs last time I was here, actually. I think they're very interesting, I mean they're very dramatic, I like them. Definitely dramatic would be the word. I don't know, it's kind of off the wall. It's hard in the States, especially for music like ours, because if you're not having fun and like, it seems like if it's not heavy and fun, then a lot of stations don't want to play it because it just brings you down. So it was hard, even for our music, which is so dramatic, you know? So I think they'll probably have similar problems that we have.
In every country we get comparisons. Not only with Evanescence, but with Lacuna Coil when we're in Italy, Nightwish when we're in Finland, and they get compared when they come to our side of Europe. It's inevitable, although I think the bands are all very different. They sound all so different. That's what I like about this genre of music. You can't even call it a genre because the bands are so different from each other. It's sort of like the time you had the grunge period — like Nirvana, Alice In Chains, Pearl Jam, and they said it all sounds the same, but looking back on it they're so different. They're so special in their own way and that's the same thing [here] I think. Although, of course, those are major bands, but it's just a comparison.
Sharon met Evanescence for the first time after the Synthesis Live show in Amsterdam, Netherlands on March 25, 2018.
This page was last edited on 28 February 2019, at 01:06.


text:
Q: Save state of checkbox inside a spinner I need to save the state of my CheckBox, they are inside of a Spinner, and every time I open the Spinner all of CheckBox is unchecked.
AdmListagem.java
        final String[] select_qualification = {
                "Todos", "1", "2", "3", "4",
                "5", "6"};
        Spinner spinner = (Spinner) findViewById(R.id.spinner);

        ArrayList<StateVO> listVOs = new ArrayList<>();

        for (int i = 0; i < select_qualification.length; i++) {
            StateVO stateVO = new StateVO();
            stateVO.setTitle(select_qualification[i]);
            stateVO.setSelected(false);
            listVOs.add(stateVO);
        }
        MyAdapter myAdapter = new MyAdapter(AdmListagem.this, 0,
                listVOs);
        spinner.setAdapter(myAdapter);

spinner_item2.xml
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-8"?>
<RelativeLayout xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
    android:layout_width="wrap_content"
    android:layout_height="wrap_content">

    <TextView
        android:id="@+id/text"
        xmlns:android="http://schemas.android.com/apk/res/android"
        android:layout_width="match_parent"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:paddingLeft="25dp"
        android:paddingTop="10dp"
        android:paddingRight="10dp"
        android:paddingBottom="10dp"
        android:textSize="16dp"
        android:textColor="#000000"
        android:background="@drawable/spinner_item_border" />

    <CheckBox
        android:id="@+id/checkbox"
        android:layout_width="wrap_content"
        android:layout_height="wrap_content"
        android:layout_alignParentEnd="true"
        android:layout_alignParentRight="true" />
</RelativeLayout>

MyAdapter.java
public class MyAdapter extends ArrayAdapter<StateVO>  {
    private Context mContext;
    private ArrayList<StateVO> listState;
    private MyAdapter myAdapter;
    private boolean isFromView = false;
    String[] values;
    Boolean[] checkedStatus;

    public MyAdapter(Context context, int resource, List<StateVO> objects) {
        super(context, resource, objects);
        this.mContext = context;
        this.listState = (ArrayList<StateVO>) objects;
        this.myAdapter = this;
    }

    @Override
    public View getDropDownView(int position, View convertView,
                                ViewGroup parent) {
        return getCustomView(position, convertView, parent);
    }

    @Override
    public View getView(int position, View convertView, ViewGroup parent) {
        return getCustomView(position, convertView, parent);
    }

    public View getCustomView(final int position, View convertView,
                              ViewGroup parent) {

        final ViewHolder holder;
        if (convertView == null) {
            LayoutInflater layoutInflator = LayoutInflater.from(mContext);
            convertView = layoutInflator.inflate(R.layout.spinner_item2, null);
            holder = new ViewHolder();
            holder.mTextView = (TextView) convertView
                    .findViewById(R.id.text);
            holder.mCheckBox = (CheckBox) convertView
                    .findViewById(R.id.checkbox);
            convertView.setTag(holder);
        } else {
            holder = (ViewHolder) convertView.getTag();
        }

        holder.mTextView.setText(listState.get(position).getTitle());

        // To check weather checked event fire from getview() or user input
        isFromView = true;
        holder.mCheckBox.setChecked(listState.get(position).isSelected());
        isFromView = false;

        if ((position == 0)) {
            holder.mCheckBox.setVisibility(View.INVISIBLE);
        } else {
            holder.mCheckBox.setVisibility(View.VISIBLE);
        }
        holder.mCheckBox.setTag(position);
        holder.mCheckBox.setOnCheckedChangeListener(new CompoundButton.OnCheckedChangeListener() {

            @Override
            public void onCheckedChanged(CompoundButton buttonView, boolean isChecked) {
                int getPosition = (Integer) buttonView.getTag();
                String t = String.valueOf(getPosition);
                Toast.makeText(mContext, t, Toast.LENGTH_SHORT).show();

            }
        });
        return convertView;
    }

    private class ViewHolder {
        private TextView mTextView;
        private CheckBox mCheckBox;
    }
}

StateVO.java
public class StateVO {
    private String title;
    private boolean selected;

    public String getTitle() {
        return title;
    }

    public void setTitle(String title) {
        this.title = title;
    }

    public boolean isSelected() {
        return selected;
    }

    public void setSelected(boolean selected) {
        this.selected = selected;
    }
}

When I run the code open the Spinner check what I want, touch on screen to close the Spinner, open it again and all the CheckBox is unchecked.


Classical guitar with artist Fabio Cicala on Sunday 9 September at Stream. Buy festival pass today to hear Fabios performance live at Dartington at the festival.
Fabio Cicala is a solo performer presenting an eclectic array of songs ranging from the classics, vintage music, jazz standards and pop music with just a hint of Italian enthusiasm with a dash of a Mediterranean sense of rhythm!


Inspired by many summers collecting different shapes, sizes and colours of pebbles on the beaches of Kefalonia in Greece. Our mix + match Pebble collection comes in two contemporary polish finishes, Weathered Black and Dark Ash, and stands on 1950s inspired brass legs. Brass legs are screw-in. To know more, "Request quote" and get in touch with the seller directly via Treniq.
Iqrup + Ritz is a contemporary furniture and décor brand established in 2014 by mother and daughter duo, Iqrup and Ritika (Ritz) Dhamija. Since launching the brand has shipped 1000s of products worldwide and become synonymous with beautiful design, understated luxury and expert craftsmanship.


text:
package devmapper

import (
	"github.com/docker/docker/daemon/graphdriver/graphtest"
	"testing"
)

func init() {
	// Reduce the size the the base fs and loopback for the tests
	DefaultDataLoopbackSize = 300 * 1024 * 1024
	DefaultMetaDataLoopbackSize = 200 * 1024 * 1024
	DefaultBaseFsSize = 300 * 1024 * 1024
}

// This avoids creating a new driver for each test if all tests are run
// Make sure to put new tests between TestDevmapperSetup and TestDevmapperTeardown
func TestDevmapperSetup(t *testing.T) {
	graphtest.GetDriver(t, "devicemapper")
}

func TestDevmapperCreateEmpty(t *testing.T) {
	graphtest.DriverTestCreateEmpty(t, "devicemapper")
}

func TestDevmapperCreateBase(t *testing.T) {
	graphtest.DriverTestCreateBase(t, "devicemapper")
}

func TestDevmapperCreateSnap(t *testing.T) {
	graphtest.DriverTestCreateSnap(t, "devicemapper")
}

func TestDevmapperTeardown(t *testing.T) {
	graphtest.PutDriver(t)
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Compiled by Andrew Rolfson, ASA Research Coordinator
Each year the American Studies Association surveys PhD granting programs in American Studies and American Ethnic Studies to compile a bibliography of doctoral dissertations. Individual recipients are also surveyed in order to gauge trends in demography and employment. The ASA collects dissertation abstracts (available at www.theasa.net) as part of the bibliographic record. The survey is based on requests to American Studies, American Ethnic Studies, and Women's Studies programs for lists of dissertations completed between 1 July 2004 and 30 June 2005. The program survey was sent to 43 universities. Twenty-seven were American Studies programs of which twenty-one replied. Eight were American Ethnic Studies programs of which two replied. Eight were Women's Studies programs of which three replied. The following programs had no completed dissertations to report: University of Southern California; University of Kansas; University of Hawaii; University of Michigan; Claremont Graduate University (American Studies); Emory University (Women's Studies). A total of 93 completed dissertations were reported. The total number of reported dissertations decreased this year from 106 in 2003-04. Because of the method used for collecting reports, it is difficult to tell whether this represents an actual decrease in dissertation production across the disciplines. In 2002-03 there were 91 reported dissertations; in 2001-02, the number was 123.
The ASA received a total of 41 responses to its survey of individuals. Continuing a trend, female respondents outnumbered male respondents (61% to 39%), although the gap has closed somewhat in recent years (in 2002-03, the ratio was 73% to 27%; in 2003-04, it was 63% to 37%). In terms of ethnicity, 67% of respondents were white, which marks roughly a ten percent reduction in that proportion over the last two years (2002-03: 74%; 2003-04: 71%). African Americans made up 15% of the respondent group, while Asians constituted 12%; the representation of both groups is consistent with last year's results.
This year's employment statistics continue to indicate discrepancies between the hopes of those obtaining Ph.D.s in American Studies and the job markets they confront. Of those surveyed, 37% were able to find tenure-track positions (up from 32% in 2003-04). However, during the last three years the percentage of respondents who list a tenure-track position as their primary employment goal has risen: in 2002-03, the proportion was 73%; last year, it was 77%; this year it increased to 83%. Those not locating tenure-track positions found employment in several other fields. 36% found other academic employment: 7% in secondary/elementary schools, 12% with full-time term appointments in higher education, and 17% with part-time appointments in the same. These employment statistics speak to two basic realities. First, Ph.D. production, in the context of the intentions of candidates, continues to outpace the needs of the job market. Although it is difficult to explain why this is so, it is a helpful reminder to Graduate Program directors and faculty advisors that they have a responsibility to effectively counsel graduate students about their employment prospects. Secondly, it is clear that universities and colleges are continuing to replace lost faculty with non-tenure track appointments. Two years ago, term and part-time appointments combined totaled 15% of hirings registered by the survey. Last year that number was 23%; this year it is 29%. The methods used here do not allow for the conclusion that such hiring practices have increased by about 100% in three years, but it is clear that institutions are turning in that direction.
Disparity between levels of debt for groups of students also continues. On a positive note, 41% of respondents were able to graduate with no school-related debt whatsoever, while another 39% owed $5,000 or less. In all 87% of those surveyed had less than $20,000 in debt at the time of their graduation. Unfortunately, the remaining 13% all reported having debts of more than $45,000. These figures roughly correspond to those reported last year, indicating that the funding regime that supports graduate students in American Studies continues to create a serious division between haves and have-nots.
Statistics also indicate a continuing trend towards increases in time-to-completion of degrees. Over the last five years the majority of respondents have reported that they required between 5 and 10 years to complete their programs, but the number has steadily increased from 62% to 72% along the way. In 2004-05, only 3 respondents (7%) reported having obtained their Ph.D.s in less than 5 years. The largest percentage of those graduating continues to fall into the 31-35 year-old category (44%; last year, 38%), while the proportion of respondents between the ages of 36 and 45 continued to increase steadily (34%). Only 14%of respondents were able to obtain their degrees by the age of 30.


Do you work with a d**khead boss? Does your workplace feel toxic?
Organisational research shows that 75% of people say their boss is the worst part of their job. Workplace bullying in Australia has nearly doubled in recent years, leaving some with mental health issues.
Why are so many people complaining about their workplaces? Why does work mean so much to people? Why do companies espouse values that aren't truthful? Join an organisational guru, a bullying expert, a philosopher and a HR sage as they dissect how to deal with a dickhead and detoxify the office.
Hong-Kong based Dr Richard Claydon is an organisational expert who has worked at the Macquarie School of Management and Asia Pacific International College.
Dr Carlo Caponecchia is a senior Lecturer at the University of NSW with expertise in stress, psychological hazards at work and workplace safety.
Katriina Tahka is an internationally recognised diversity and inclusion professional, and co-CEO of A Human Agency, an HR consultancy.
Jean-Philippe Deranty is Associate Professor in Philosophy at Macquarie University with a special interest in work.


text:
Voyages From Montreal, On The River St. Laurence, Through The Continent Of North America, To The Frozen And Pacific Oceans: In The Years 1789 And 1793. With A Preliminary Account Of The Rise, Progress, And Present State Of The Fur Trade Of That Country. Illustrated With Maps.
ALEXANDER MACKENZIE
Publication: Printed for T Cadell, Jun and W Davies, Strand; Cobbett and Morgan, Pall-Mall; And W Creech at Edinburgh, By R Noble, Old- Bailey, 1801, London
First edition. Full Leather, early 19th century binding, decorative endpapers, viii, cxxxii, 412,[2]pp. plus 3 folding maps, half-title, frontispiece portrait. Errata. A classic of North American exploration; describes the extraordinary travels of Alexander Mackenzie in northwest America in 1789, when he discovered the Mackenzie River, and in 1793, when he crossed the continent to the Pacific. "Mackenzie's expedition departed Fort Chippewyan in northern Alberta on October 10, 1792, and wintered at a remote trading post near the modern town of Peace River. Leaving there on May 9, 1793, with five companions and two Indian guides, they reached the Fraser River in British Columbia on June 18. Taking this south past present-day Prince George, they followed its tributary known today as West Road River and took overland trails through present-day Tweedsmuir Provincial Park to Bella Coola. From here they descended the Bentinck Arm of the Dean Channel to the Pacific, which they reached July 21, 1793, midway between the north end of Vancouver Island and the modern boundary of Alaska and British Columbia. They began the return trip two days later and reached Fort Chipewyan again on August 24, 1793, having crossed overland to the Pacific more than a decade before Lewis and Clark would." "First crossing of the continent from ocean to ocean by a white man. The narrative portion was prepared for publication by William Combe from Mackenzie's notes. The account of the fur trade--first ever published--is attributed to Roderick Mackenzie."---Wright Howes. "No writer upon the subject of Indian customs and peculiarities, has given us a more minute, careful and interesting relation of them, as indeed none were better fitted to do, by long experience among them as a fur trader."---Thomas W. Field. This work also contains rudimentary vocabularies of the Knisteneaux, Algonquin, Chipewyan, Nagailer, and Atnah Indian languages. "Mackenzie's narrative is of consummate importance in the literature of transcontinental travel. It is the first account of an ocean to ocean crossing of the North American continent. Mackenzie's account of the fur trade is of almost equal interest."---Everett Graff & Colton Storm. This copy is in exceptional condition. Offsetting of frontispiece to title page, else text block is clean with very light foxing on title-page and only a few pages. The 3 important, large folding maps are in Fine condition. This volume has been rebacked in leather in late 19th century to match early 19th century leather boards. Boards show aging to leather with cracking and scuffing. Gilt stamping around inner and outer perimeter of boards, as well as on spine, including title in gilt on morocco label. Early previous owners bookplate on inside of rear board. An important landmark work protected in clamshell case with title in gilt on morocco label on spine.
Canada | Western Americana | Reference | Indians | Exploration, Expedition | Maps, Cartography | Mountain Men, Fur Trade | States, Territories
Mackenzie's Last Fight With The Cheyennes: A Winter …
CAPT JOHN G. BOURKE
Soldiering In Dakota, Among The Indians, In 1863-4-5.
PRIVATE FRANK MYERS
A Trip To Pike's Peak & Notes By …
CLARK, M. D., C. M.
Tragic Jack. The True Story Of Arizona Pioneer …
R. MICHAEL WILSON


text:
Subscribe to fraud
FCC Announces Plan to Create New Fraud Division, But Provides Few Details
By Bradford Currier & Steve Augustino on February 4, 2019
Posted in Enforcement, Investigations & Audits, Federal & State Regulatory, Lifeline, Litigation, Universal Service Fund
On February 4, 2019, the FCC announced a plan to create a new division housed in its Enforcement Bureau, dedicated to prosecuting fraud in the agency's Universal Service Fund ("USF") programs. Citing to recent USF-related proposed fines and voluntary settlements, the FCC asserted that the creation of a specialized Fraud Division was necessary to combat misuse of funds under the High Cost, E-Rate, Lifeline, and Rural Health Care programs that make up the USF. The FCC's brief, two-page Order leaves many questions unanswered about the proposed Fraud Division's ambit and the status of the "USF Strike Force" that preceded it. However, the Order signifies that the FCC plans to redouble its fraud enforcement efforts in 2019 following recent setbacks on the USF rulemaking front. As a result, eligible telecommunications carriers and other recipients of USF support should keep a close watch as the scope and function of the new Fraud Division starts to take shape.…
Podcast – FCC Enforcement Update, Episode 11: Perils for the Unwary
In this edition of Full Spectrum's recurring series on FCC enforcement, Partner Steve Augustino and Associate Brad Currier address the legal dangers facing entities that may be unfamiliar with telecommunications regulation. Steve and Brad focus on a multi-million dollar DOJ fraud prosecution involving the E-rate fund and a settlement of inadvertent transfers of FCC licenses…
Does the Rural Healthcare Program Need a Check-Up? Program Under Microscope Following $18.7 Million Proposed Fine for Fraud
By Steve Augustino & Bradford Currier on February 5, 2018
Posted in Enforcement, Investigations & Audits, Federal & State Regulatory, Universal Service Fund
The Rural Health Care Program ("RHCP") is sure to face increased scrutiny in the wake of a $18.7 million proposed fine issued by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") at its January meeting against a telecommunications reseller for allegedly defrauding the program. The FCC claims that DataConnex, one of the top five recipients of RHCP funding, violated the program's competitive bidding rules and submitted falsified documents to increase the support it received. The FCC recently ramped up enforcement involving the RHCP and proposed significant reforms last month aimed at improving oversight and deterring fraud. The FCC's actions potentially foreshadow additional restrictions on the use of RHCP consultants and the amount of available funding.
E-Rate Fraud in Crosshairs Following Charter School Indictment
By Steve Augustino & Bradford Currier on January 28, 2018
Posted in Enforcement, Investigations & Audits, Litigation, Universal Service Fund
E-Rate fraud is back in the spotlight following the indictment of a Dallas charter school CEO and the owner of a contracting company for an alleged kickback scheme resulting in over $300,000 in illegal subsidies. Federal prosecutors stated that the pair violated the E-Rate program's competitive bidding requirements and submitted fraudulent invoices to the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"). The indictment comes on the heels of major FCC settlements and enforcement actions against educational institutions and service providers for alleged E-Rate violations. FCC Chairman Pai has repeatedly criticized the administration of the E-Rate program and the indictment may spur further calls for action to combat fraud in the program.


text:
Tag: Major Leaguer Baseball
Report: Facebook Watch Struggling for Recognition — on Facebook
Facebook Watch, the social media behemoth's streaming video platform launched in 2016, has access to Major League Baseball and Premier League soccer, among other marquee content. But more than 50% of Facebook users don't know what Watch is — and fewer still use it, according to new data from The Diffusion Group.
In a survey of more than 1,600 adult Facebook users, just 21% said they streamed content on Watch monthly. Another 14% said they streamed content weekly and 6% said they watched ad-supported content daily.
"Despite the slow build of Watch users, it would be remiss to underestimate Facebook's long-term potential as a large-scale video provider," Michael Greeson, president of The Diffusion Group, said in a statement.
Greeson said Facebook is employing Watch as a means of exploiting its "massive scale" to sell video, similar to what Amazon is doing with Prime Video. Indeed, Facebook reportedly is spending upwards of $1 billion in 2018 to fund original programming.
Programs include teen dramas, "SKAM Austin," "Five Points," "Sacred Lies," and "Turnt," in addition to comedies "Strangers," "Starter Pack," and "Sorry for Your Loss."
Regardless of the strategy, TDG contends Facebook – like Amazon and Apple – has the advantage that it is not dependent upon video for revenue growth or sustainability as are standalone video, music and gaming services.
"This is why technology companies are so dangerous to legacy media companies," said Greeson. "Facebook, Google, Apple, and Amazon have such deep pockets and vast business empires that they can spin up a service in short order and lose money on it for years if it serves a higher purpose, like keeping Facebook users in the branded ecosystem for longer. For large tech companies, media services are commonly a means to a larger end, not ends in themselves."
Author Erik GruenwedelPosted on August 22, 2018 August 26, 2018 Categories Digital, News, Research, Streaming, TVTags Facebook, Facebook Watch, Major Leaguer Baseball, Michael Greeson, Premier League, Sacred Lies, Social Media, Starter Pack, The Diffusion Group, TurntLeave a comment on Report: Facebook Watch Struggling for Recognition — on Facebook


The oldest specimens of toreutics, open in the CIS are the middle of the third Millennium B. C. These samples are from the barrow, which was discovered in 1897 on the streets of the city of Maikop in the North Caucasus.
The Maikop Kurgan is a monument of world importance. Among the burials of the bronze age in Europe for the richness of its finds are rivaled only by the famous Mycenaean tombs in Greece.
In the tomb of the powerful leader of one of the tribes of the Kuban was a lot of different things, including precious jewelry and utensils, in large part originating from Western Asia.
The head of the deceased was crowned with two gold diadems with rosettes around the neck were several necklaces of gold, cornelian and turquoise beads. Built over the dead man's funeral canopy-the canopy was originally supported by four silver tubes impaled on them perfectly executed sculptures of bulls. Two of them are cast of silver, two of gold, the details of the images engraved.
At the end of the ceremony of the burial of chiefs, the cloth of the canopy is removed and covered the body of the deceased, and the silver tube, the bars were thrown into the grave. The fabric of the canopy was adorned with the sewn on her small gold plaques in the form of rings, as well as figures of walking lions and bulls. Their images printing on gold plates on a wooden form and then cut out. These figures on household items in the countries of the Ancient East, it was concluded that silver and gold Maikop bulls (which differ only ornament on the forehead and the shape of the horns) could be objects of Commerce, and came to the North Caucasus from Western Asia.
Near stood buried sixteen gold and silver vessels. The most remarkable hammered silver cups with engraved designs. On one played following each other animals, on the other — the mountainous landscape and animals . The manufacture of these things, created about four and a half thousand years ago, worked apparently by the best masters of his time, a perfect mastery of basic skills in processing precious metals: casting, forging, stamping, engraving, embossing.


text:
Mark Beede is a USPTA, PTR, and ATPCA certified tennis coach, manager, and educator. Born and raised in Maine, USA, Beede received his undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and law degree from the University Of Maine School Of Law. After practicing law for sixteen years, Mark changed careers to tennis and moved to Hawaii to work with the USTA–Hawaii Pacific section and the Hawaii Pacific Tennis Foundation. Beede then moved to Istanbul, Turkey, to work as director of coaching education and special projects with Gavin Hopper at his international academy of professional players and elite juniors. Beede has a grown daughter and ... View Profile
Another benefit of post-tensioning is that contractors can build larger slabs using thinner concrete sections, and they don't have to install control joints which can interfere with play. "In order to build a reinforced concrete court that has the same structural capabilities as a post-tensioned court, we would have to install so much steel and concrete that the reinforced court would actually cost more," says Kolkmann. "Also, a reinforced court needs control joints, usually at a spacing of 10 to 15 feet, including in the playing area. Eventually these joints may widen, as well as any cracks that appear."
Advanced players improve their performance through a number of accoutrements. Vibration dampeners may be interlaced in the proximal part of the string array for improved feel. Racket handles may be customized with absorbent or rubber-like materials to improve the players' grip. Players often use sweat bands on their wrists to keep their hands dry and head bands or bandanas to keep the sweat out of their eyes as well. Finally, although the game can be played in a variety of shoes, specialized tennis shoes have wide, flat soles for stability and a built-up front structure to avoid excess wear.
To determine who serves first, you flip a coin or (more likely) spin a racket. Whoever wins the toss gets to decide one of four things: that she wants to serve first, that she wants to receive first, which side of the court she wants to start on (in which case, the opponent chooses who serves first), or that she wants to leave the choices up to her opponent.
You are entirely responsible for maintaining the confidentiality and security of your Account Information and for all activities that occur under your account. You agree to indemnify, defend and hold the USTA Family of Companies, the USTA' Family of Companies' subsidiaries and other affiliated companies/organizations and sponsors and their respective officers, directors, employees and agents harmless from and against any third-party claims, demands, actions, suits, proceedings, liabilities, damages, losses, judgments and expenses (including, but not limited to, the costs of collection, reasonable attorney's fees and other reasonable costs of defense or enforcing your obligations hereunder) resulting from or arising out of any breach of any of your representations or misuse of this or any other USTA Family of Companies site or of any site linking to this or any other USTA Family of Companies site. You shall use your best efforts to cooperate with us in the defense of any claim.
I too began tennis as a retirement activity at age 65. I am now 74 and have found that I can only play with people at my age and level. I get nothing from watching a young, experienced player smash the ball past me and standing in front of every shot I hit, no matter where I aim it. If you would like to correspond and chat and compare notes further, I am at alsal38@me.com. My name is Al Salganick.
We will take reasonable steps to protect your personally identifiable information as you transmit your information from your computer to our Site and to protect such information from loss, misuse and unauthorized access, disclosure, alteration or destruction in accordance with this Privacy Policy and the Terms of Use. You should keep in mind that no Internet transmission is ever 100% secure or error-free. In particular, email sent to or from this Site may not be secure, and you should therefore take special care in deciding what information you send to us via e-mail. Moreover, where you use passwords, usernames, ID numbers or other special access features on this Site, it is your responsibility to safeguard them
Generating effortless power on the tennis forehand is right up there on any tennis players wish list. The trouble is when most players think about generating more power they tighten up, their muscles get stiff and they try to muscle the ball. In this video Top Tennis Training coach Simon Konov will help you get more power on your forehand with one simple trick.
Good Vibrations: Beginners need not apply with this oddly-shaped modern tennis racket. The 98 square-inch head has the same iconic – which is to say strange – shape that Yonex has been pushing for years, yet this one feels much more normal for intermediate and advanced players. The sweet spot is larger than usual, but still smaller than many choices. It's a bit weighty at 11.5oz but Yonex seems to have used the extra weight to good effect with their Dual Shut System which uses the grommets near the handle to dampen bad vibrations for cleaner hits. It actually seems to come alive the harder you swing so it works well for playing an aggressive defense. While it shines against power hitters, trying to get the top spin to make a really heavy ball just won't work. [Purchase: $199]
A tie-break set is played with the same rules as the advantage set, except that when the score is tied at 6–6, a tie-break game (or tiebreaker) is played. Typically, the tie-break game continues until one side has won seven points with a margin of two or more points. However, many tie-break games are played with different tiebreak point requirements, such as 8 or 10 points. Often, a 7-point tie-breaker is played when the set score is tied at 6–6 to determine who wins the set. If the tiebreak score gets to 6-6, then whichever player to win the best of two points wins the set. [19]
They might have to sacrifice their education a little bit but some kids can go pro without sacrificing. If your kid has the ability to balance them both then it's a great thing. You can probably get some private coaching for them in their formative years or get them admitted to a Tennis Academy which focuses on their education as well as the game. They will probably be playing great tennis by the age of 12-13 years and they'll be participating in tournaments
The Babolat Pure Drive Junior racket has a child-friendly yet professional design so that even the youngest can feel great. Thanks to the high-quality workmanship and the use of only first-class materials, a junior player will certainly have a lot of fun with this children's tennis racket. The price-performance ratio of the Pure Drive Junior racquet is excellent.
Premier events for women form the most prestigious level of events on the Women's Tennis Association Tour after the Grand Slam tournaments. These events offer the largest rewards in terms of points and prize money. Within the Premier category are Premier Mandatory, Premier 5, and Premier tournaments. The Premier events were introduced in 2009 replacing the previous Tier I and II tournament categories. Currently four tournaments are Premier Mandatory, five tournaments are Premier 5, and twelve tournaments are Premier. The first tiering system in women's tennis was introduced in 1988. At the time of its creation, only two tournaments, the Lipton International Players Championships in Florida and the German Open in Berlin, comprised the Tier I category.
Tennis is an Olympic sport and is played at all levels of society and at all ages. The sport can be played by anyone who can hold a racket, including wheelchair users. The modern game of tennis originated in Birmingham, England, in the late 19th century as lawn tennis.[1] It had close connections both to various field (lawn) games such as croquet and bowls as well as to the older racket sport today called real tennis. During most of the 19th century, in fact, the term tennis referred to real tennis, not lawn tennis.


And ask them the kind of annoying questions that gay people always get!
… and a host of other common questions straight people like to throw our way.
Watch the video below to see their completely unscripted and absolutely hilarious responses!