Karrigan won't IGL FaZe moving on, NiKo confirms; roster move "very unlikely"
FaZe Clan's last couple of events did not go according to many people's expectations. The star-studded team made it to the playoffs of the FACEIT Major to keep their Legends status, but ended up playing the deadly Astralis and were eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Much more tragic was their run at the recent ESL One New York, where the team bombed out 0-2 in groups, after a shocking 0:2 loss to NRG Esports. ESL One NY marked the return of Finn "karrigan" Andersen to his usual IGL role after Nikola "NiKo" Kovač had briefly taken over the reins during the Major, only to lead his team into a disastrous finish.
In an interview with HLTV, NiKo spoke of upcoming role changes within the team.
I think this is one of the worst losses at an event and one of the biggest disappointments we've ever had. It's the first time since Stockholm that we're not actually going to play in the arena, so that was pretty frustrating. As you said, we lost to G2 and NRG, two teams we have to win against if we want to get back to our level. Especially G2, we haven't lost to them in over a year or so, I think. When we started losing it started to feel like the beginning of the Major, and that was a big issue.
We had a deal, karrigan is calling this event. We were going to try to fix the issue we had at the beginning of the Major and it didn't work out. From now on we're going to see what's going to happen.
[...] [A roster change is] very unlikely but from now on karrigan won't be the in-game leader anymore, it's going to be me.
He's really good at fixing mistakes outside of the game, like making the mood in the team better. He's really good at getting players to just focus on the game instead of being somewhere else, mentally. That could have helped us [for ESL One NY], maybe we could have won against these teams if he would have been here, but it didn't affect the game that much.
I'm going to start working with him more than karrigan did, because karrigan is the guy that wants to work things himself. He was working alone most of the time, but I'm going to need help from both him and RobbaN.


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Q: Using ipcluster to connect to an OS X server w/ EPD from Linux? I am trying to use IPython.parallel's support for SSH to allow my Linux client to run remote ipengines from an OS X server that has EPD64 installed. This fails, however, as it attempts to use my local machine to figure out the right command to run on the remote host, which has its ipengineapp package in a different location. How do I modify ipcluster_config.py to recognize the difference?
Concretely, when I run ipcluster start --log-level=DEBUG on the remote host, I get console output telling me that contains a line like the following:
[IPClusterStart] Starting LocalEngineLauncher: ['/Library/Frameworks/EPD64.framework/Versions/7.3/bin/python', '-c', 'from IPython.parallel.apps.ipengineapp import launch_new_instance; launch_new_instance()', '--profile-dir', u'/Users/username/.ipython/profile_default', '--cluster-id', u'', '--log-to-file', '--log-level=20']

On the other hand, when run from my local machine with ipcluster start --log-level=DEBUG, I get the following line, as would be appropriate for a Linux host:
[IPClusterStart] Starting SSHEngineLauncher: ['ssh', '-tt', u'hostname', '/usr/bin/python', u'/usr/lib/python2.7/site-packages/IPython/parallel/apps/ipengineapp.py', '--profile-dir', u'/home/username/.ipython/profile_ssh', '--log-to-file', '--log-level=20']

My ipcluster_config.py for this example is:
c = get_config()
c.IPClusterEngines.engine_launcher_class = 'SSHEngineSetLauncher'
c.IPClusterStart.controller_launcher_class = 'SSHControllerLauncher'

c.SSHEngineSetLauncher.engines = {
    'hostname1': 12,
    'hostname2': 12,
}

A: I think this is improved in 0.14, but the config value you are looking for is SSHEngineSetLauncher.engine_cmd.
Edit this in ipcluster_config.py, so it's something like:
c.SSHEngineSetLauncher.engine_cmd = ['/path/to/your/python', '-c', 'from IPython.parallel.apps.ipengineapp import launch_new_instance; launch_new_instance()']

or, sometimes even the simplest thing works, as long as your PATH is configured in a simple ssh session:
c.SSHEngineSetLauncher.engine_cmd = ['ipengine']

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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NSPCC fundraising run for athlete heads through Midlothian
Jack Lancefield at the John O'Groats sign
Dawn Renton
A fitness enthusiast from Epsom will make his way through Midlothian as part of a challenge of a lifetime.
Jack Lancefield (24), who works for KPMG in London, is attempting to run from John O'Groats to Land's End to raise funds for Childline.
Jack started his run in John O'Groats on April 15 and is due to travel through Lasswade, Bonnyrigg, Gorebridge today(Wednesday). He reaches Land's End on May 11.
All the money raised during Jack's epic journey will go to Childline, which is the free and confidential service for children and teenagers in need of help and advice delivered by the NSPCC.
Jack said: "I was fortunate enough to have a good upbringing but when I think of all the young people that the NSPCC support it makes me feel really sad. They'll constantly be at the back of my mind – every step is for them."
On how he's been training both mentally and physically for the challenge Jack said: "I'm running a lot but obviously I don't want to overdo it either and risk injury.
"Ideally I would have liked a couple more years of training but my employer's partnership with the NSPCC is for a limited time so I decided to just go for it.
Paul Cockram, NSPCC Scotland fundraising manager, said: "Tackling the entire length of Great Britain is no easy feat and takes a huge amount of preparation and determination to fulfil this challenge. We would like to thank Jack and wish him good luck in his challenge. We will be following his progress intently and hope he enjoys the stunning scenery on his first trip to Scotland!"

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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About Andrew Hempstead
Where should I go in New Zealand?
I've travelled to New Zealand on assignment at least half a dozen times and authored two books on this unique destination. I've just returned from my most recent trip, and continue to find new and wonderful places previously missed. For travellers, a major draw is the number of different landscapes and travel experiences condensed into a relatively small area. It also leads to an unusual question whenever anyone asks about my thoughts on their travel plans: I always ask "Where are you from?" For example, if you are from Australia or California, you're probably keen to see the glaciers and mountains of the South Island. If you're from Canada, going out of your way to see these same landscapes, and you'll be most interested in the North Island. That said, there are three main areas of interest for everyone: Auckland, one of the world's most beautifully located cities; the geothermal heartland of Rotorua for its Maori history and bubbling geysers; and Southland, which is remote but worthwhile reaching for its ocean-meets-forest beauty. To give you a better idea of New Zealand's layout, following is a regional breakdown of the country and why you may want to visit each area:
If it's been a few years since you've touched down in Auckland, be prepared to be amazed. Instead of picking up a rental car and zooming off into classic New Zealand scenery, you'll want to spend some time in the country's largest and most dynamic city. Perched on a magnificent harbor, museums and performing arts facilities beckon the culturally minded, while parks, islands, and a mass of waterways appeal to the more energetic.
Within easy reach of Auckland, the northern reaches of the North Island have lots of sunshine, endless beaches, and lots of opportunities for watersports. The epicenter of the touristy action is the Bay of Islands, where azure waters and uninhabited islands combine to create the perfect place to go cruising. The region also boasts an interesting natural and human history, with the chance of seeing kiwis (birds), exploring an ancient kauri forest, and visiting the site of the treaty signing that created the seed of a nation.
Waikato, Coromandel, and the Bay of Plenty
Originally settled by Maori, the central section of the North Island lies directly below Auckland and within easy day-tripping distance. In the west is the Waikato, a rich farming district with the city of Hamilton at its heart and attractions such as New Zealand's premier surf spot and the underground maze of Waitomo Caves. East of Hamilton is the Coromandel Peninsula, which was once the site of a gold rush but is now sparsely settled and attractive for its forested mountain range and a seemingly endless stretch of bays and beaches.
Geothermal Heartland
As the name suggests, this is a thermally active region and one that you shouldn't miss. It is one of the most concentrated and active thermal regions in the world, with the city of Rotorua on top of most of the action. Here, you are invited to explore many of the most active areas, soak in hot pools, and explore the lunarlike setting of Mount Tarawera. South from Rotorua is Taupo, where the blue waters of Lake Taupo fill an ancient crater. Continuing south is the volcanic wilderness of Tongariro National Park.
Eastland and Hawke's Bay
The eastern portion of the North Island is dominated by unspoiled scenery that merges native forest with a wildly beautiful coastline. The drive around the East Cape is a great way to experience the way New Zealand was before the tourism boom. Gisborne is a prosperous yet laidback city, the northern extent of a region laced by vineyards and sheep farms. To the south is the art deco hub of Napier, sandwiched between the forested wilderness of Te Urewera National Park and the beautiful beaches lining the Pacific Ocean.
Taranaki and the West
Dominated by a postcard-perfect volcano rising from a patchwork of farmland, this region stretches from black-sand beaches fronting the Tasman Sea to the almost impenetrable forests of the North Island's west-central interior. For outdoor-lovers, the Taranaki volcano and surrounding Egmont National Park should be the focus of your time. Garden-lovers will be in their element around the port city of New Plymouth while history buffs will appreciate the classic colonial architecture and restored paddlesteamers in the river city of Wanganui.
Wellington and the Lower North Island
Through wilderness reserves, passing vineyards, and along golden beaches, all roads lead south to Wellington, New Zealand's capital. Set around a magnificent harbor at the tip of the South Island, here you'll find the magnificent Museum of New Zealand, steep streets lined with beautifully restored buildings, and a choice of accommodations to suit all budgets. But beyond the obvious, you also find a thriving cultural scene, an amazing array of caf<\#142>s and restaurants, and sophisticated attitude like nowhere else in the country.
Marlborough and the Northwest
From the gateway of Picton, the wonders of New Zealand's South Island beckon in all directions. Two hikes–the Queen Charlotte Track and the Abel Tasman Coastal Track–are the main draw for nature-loving visitors. Although it takes multiple days to walk these trails, day hikers use water taxis to zoom from one spot to another and upscale lodges along the way provide a luxurious break from the trail. And when you've finished walking, there are wonderful wineries, an abundance of whales, golden beaches, and abundant birdlife.
In the West Coast, visit the coal-mining and fishing center of Westport, a seal colony at Tauranga Bay, the amazing rock formations of Paparoa National Park, and the historic gold-mining town of Hokitika. Stop along the highway for a spot of trout fishing in one of several major rivers, or take a photography break at one of the many small lakes that reflect distant snowcapped peaks in their mirror-still waters, then push on south to the lush rainforests and mighty glaciers of rugged Westland Tai Poutini National Park.
Christchurch and Canterbury
Although devastated by recent earthquakes, the picturesque city of Christchurch retains an abundance of charms, including Victorian-era buildings, extensive parkland, and the beautiful Avon River winding through town, but it also has its own distinct personality–and lots to see and do, from an ultramodern art gallery to the world's largest Antarctic museum to a nearby village whose French origins shine through. From Christchurch, a patchwork of green spreads west to the snowcapped Southern Alps and Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park.
Like Canterbury to the north, Otago spreads from the Pacific Ocean west to the Southern Alps. The region is anchored by Dunedin, a bustling city filled with historic attractions and modern conveniences. On Dunedin's doorstep, you can marvel at albatrosses, watch penguins, and take a rail trip though a valley uninterrupted by roads. Inland is Queenstown, one of the world's most exciting resort towns. Here, you can go bungy jumping, try jetboating, explore the historic streets of Arrowtown, and then relax at a luxurious accommodation.
After leaving the commercialism of Queenstown behind you, the wilderness of Southland beckons. Much of the region is protected by Fiordland National Park, which encompasses famously scenic Doubtful and Milford Sounds and is well known for its long-distance hikes such as the Routeburn and Milford Tracks. Stewart Island is one of the best places in the country to see kiwi birds in the wild, while the Catlins has an amazing concentration of wildlife that is accessible to everyone.
DESTINATIONS NEW ZEALAND
Wrapping up a Yukon research trip
Where Should I go in British Columbia?
Destination: Sea Island
Lake O'Hara Information Boards
Bestselling Canadian Guidebook
Where Should I go in Australia?
Recommended Books for Budding Travel Writers
Paul P. on Lake O'Hara Information Boards
Antony on Where Should I go in British Columbia?
Ankush on Where Should I go in British Columbia?


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Vintage Toys R Us catalog of Christmas gifts: '80s Out of this World Toy Book (1986)
What became of Florida's historic hotels & old resorts? Trip back to these amazing Victorian vacation destinations
How the TV show 'Leave it to Beaver' began, and made millions yearn for an idealized version of the '50s that never actually existed
Elvis Presley: A different kind of rock idol (1956)
Souperior meatloaf, south of the border meatloaf & frosted meatloaf: Molded meatloaf retro recipes from the '70s
Cocaine-laced Coca-Cola introduced (1886)
A guide to Roots: The TV miniseries, night by night (1977)
5 classic oven-fried chicken recipes from the '30s
Vintage style, loud and proud! See 12 bold striped & checkerboard floors from 1950s homes
67 US incomes at million mark (1921)
1920s, Vintage money & work
67 US incomes at million mark
Only one listed as having $5,000,000 or more yearly in tax audit.
Among 67 persons in the United States rated as having incomes of 1,000,000 and upward, only one is listed by the government as having an income of $5,000,000 and over, according to revised audit of 1918 tax returns, announced today by the Internal Revenue Bureau.
Who the millionaires and multi-millionaires are is not disclosed by the bureau on the ground that tax returns are confidential, and the law requires that the details such returns contain shall not be divulged.
The bureau, it is said, can make no accurate compilation of the total number of American millionaires who paid income tax in 1918. Officials explained that many in that class showed varying incomes. Some reputed millionaires reported net incomes, for example, as low as sums ranging from $200,000 to $500,000. Altogether there were 243 officially listed as in the class having incomes of from $500,000 upward to $5,000,000 and more.
The total amount of not income eported by the 4,425,114, who filed personal returns was $15,924,639,355, and government collected in taxes, both normal and surtaxes, $1,127,721,835. The average tax per individual was $254.85. The 1918 returns showed an increase in number of 952,224 over the filings in 1917, and an increase of $436,228,881 in the tax collected.
Corporations income tax returns numbered 317,579, with a total tax of $3,158,764,422. Of this amount, war profits and excess profits taxes amounted to $2,505,565.939.
Top image of a 1918 1040 income tax return thanks to Tax History Project
DIY Halloween decorations on a budget: Fiendishly clever ideas from the days before party supply stores (1919)
Vintage postcards for the 4th of July
Contest craze: The coffee-drinking record breakers (1927)
Categories: 1920s, Vintage money & work
Source: The Washington Times (Washington, DC)
Original publication date: January 26, 1921
Tags: 1918, 1921, finances, government, money, statistics, taxes
Added or last updated: April 16, 2012
The real Howard Hughes, before he went off the rails and was still Hollywood's secret heartbreaker (1942)
Perfume: The power of fragrance (1916)


One of a series of three ready to ship, signed and dated copies of Tree of Hearts on Luster Paper with Frame. This 18"x18" print comes ready to hang and includes a complimentary phone holder/micro fiber cloth package for your mobile phone. The total frame dimensions are 24"x24".


Ah yes, tis' the seasons of giving, sharing, food, and other goodies. As I look around at all the hustle and bustle of people spending their money on gifts, I sometimes want to ask them if they are buying for the sake of buying, or if there is meaning behind those gifts?
In the past I have received some wonderful presents, and other times I wonder what they were thinking! The gifts I remember the most were homemade with love, or baked just for me. But then again, in the past we have made many gifts, whether the receiver liked it or not, I have no idea.
I sit here remembering past holidays, and Christmas being the most important of them all. I hope that this Christmas, your gifts are meaningful and plentiful! Merry Christmas Folks!


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Playlist: October Music at Meow Wolf's Concert Venue
October's here! Meow Wolf will soon fill its venue crypt with Halloween events.
House of Eternal Return
October's here! Meow Wolf will soon fill its venue crypt with Halloween events, costume contests and performances.
Before we move into ghoul mode, there's plenty of music on the playlist for the living. Here's just a sample of the music in our venue this month. Like the aspen leaves on the mountains above Santa Fe, our October line-up keeps turning and falling, but our turnover is bands — our leaves are dropping beats.
For a full list of shows, please see Meow Wolf's event page.
Friday, Oct. 3: Ty Segall
The prolific indie rock bad boy and sweetheart Ty Segall is returning to Santa Fe. You do not want to miss his live shows. The energy and excitement of his music follows him on stage to create a truly energetic experience:
Ty Segall has made whole records that wrestle with realities – fighting against some, pulling mightily to bring others into being. Ty Segall keeps you guessing, bracing your skin with a welcome astringency, seeking to stem the bleeding with chunks and splashes of guitar, tight beats, audio-verite toilet smashes, a Wurlitzer electric piano in a jam, blazing harmonies, and LOTS of songs to sing.
Ty Segall is joined by Flatworms and The Bed Band. Click here for more information.
Friday, Oct. 13: Zion-I, Wakeself, DJ Element, Def-i
Since 2000 Zion-I has expanded the Oakland Hip-Hop scene. Zion-I's one of a kind, melodic Hip-Hop is the perfect treat for those looking for a beat:
After two dozen releases, spanning albums, EPs, mixtapes and collaborative projects, Zion I has become an Oakland, California mainstay, known for advanced lyrical deliveries, otherwordly Electronic beats, and a cohesive back-to- the-future musical package unlike any others in the space.
Zion-I is joined by Wakeself, DJ Element and Def-i. Click here for more information.
Monday, Oct. 16: Surf Curse
We love DIYers and Surf Curse is a surf rock band from Reno, Nevada that is DIY to their core. In their homefront they help to foster the type of creative spirit we most admire with their DIY music-scene roots. On the road they are a floating island of surf rock sound that everyone can enjoy:
Surf Curse's music is anchored with a blend of punk and pop elements heavily influenced by the pulp of 80s, cult and arthouse cinema. Coming a few years after the boys broke out with 2013's Buds LP and Sad Boys EP, their new album Nothing Yet marks not a return-to-form but a significant step forward from a group that has grown older, more mature, and more effective as songwriters.
Cruz is supported by favorite Santa Fe DJs erin e and Spoolius. Click here for more information.
Wednesday, Oct. 18:MΛX
MΛX's unique Pop Music sound and his strong stage presence have earned him dedicated fans. If you need a positive, dance friendly, high energy evening this is the October show for you:
MΛX is a New York City born pop-soul singer, actor & dancer, known for his powerful acrobatic tenor which commands attention. His devoted fanbase and original voice has given him an incredibly strong social media presence with over 1.2 million followers on YouTube, 400,000 followers on Twitter and over 940,000 likes on Facebook.In October, MΛX embarked on his first headline tour across the U.S., which included multiple sold out dates. A lifelong entertainer, music is not his only talent — MΛX starred in the Beach Boys biopic, "Love & Mercy," as Van Dyke Parks.
Farina is sharing the stage with opening act ROZES. Click here for more information.
Sunday, Oct. 22: JR JR
The duo JR JR, previously known as Dale Earnhardt Jr. Jr., produce easy sounds that will appeal to those looking for a more relaxed, dancy and chill musical atmosphere:
Since first emerging in 2009, JR JR have defined themselves by a commitment to making intelligent pop music. In order to do so, the pair — Josh Epstein and Daniel Zott — paint with an expansive palette balancing everything from indie and alternative to hip-hop and electronic music. They achieved that balance in a big way on their self-titled third full-length album, JR JR, which served as the culmination of their unique camaraderie and musical collaboration thus far.
Monday, Oct. 23: Joyce Manor and Wavves
Wavves played in Santa Fe earlier this year. Their always angsty, but not quite dark style of punk/pop-inspired rock is refreshing in that traditional torn-jeans/down-with-the-norm kind of way. This time they are appearing as part of a duo heading tour with mainstay Joyce Manors:
While Joyce Manor's Epitaph debut Never Hungover Again was recorded in a mere ten days, Cody is the result of two months in the studio with renowned producer Rob Schnapf, credited on classics by Elliot Smith, Guided By Voices, Saves The Day and Rancid among others. The band's guitarist and singer Barry Johnson explains, "This was the first time we really used the studio to our advantage. I felt like I could get a better grasp on what we could do. We always recorded like a punk band—go in and lay 'em down! Just get good takes! And this time we tried a lot more."The word 'brat' has followed Nathan Williams around for almost a decade, but at the age of 30, with a fully-fledged business to his name, as well as the ongoing success of band Wavves, his rebellious streak has proven not just purposeful but pretty damn inspiring.
French Vanilla opens for Joyce Mayor and Wavves. Click here for more information!Thank you and come on out and DANCE with us!
Danika Padilla
Paolo Puck: The Heady Spaces Between Sweet Dreams and Nightmares
Carsen Greene


Does it not? I went out to check on him there and couldn't for the life of me find him, until I spotted him nestled amongst some bits and pieces there. Adorable little lamb, a triplet that we're struggling to keep going at the minute. His poor mum just isn't able for the three of them so we're supplementing with feed for today, and we're going to give him away tomorrow probably.
My grandparents farm only had cows so lambs are a novelty for me. I want it only I don't think it'd do so well in a cramped apartment in the middle of Galway city.
Oh wow, how adorable! Is he still on the go?


This will sound nuts, and I'm not by any means a professional, so take this advice with all due caution...but diluted Queen Helene Mint Julep Shampoo seems to make a good jewelry cleaner.
I tried some out on a whim...before that, I was using my Johnson & Johnson Head to Toe Baby Wash to clean inexpensive jewelry. And I was struggling using Ivory dish soap to clean more expensive jewelry. I tried the Green Queen shampoo out on a few inexpensive pieces...even diluted, you need only a few drops.
Of course you would not use this on softer stones such as amber, pearls, or anything else you wouldn't use detergent on.
What if you mix it with baking soda to make a soft scrub?
That would be a thought... I started out using it for some basic jewelry, where I'd been using the J & J Head to Toe. It struck me that the shampoo cleaned better, and faster, just a few drops of the diluted shampoo.
I tried it out then on a 14KT gold bracelet that was pretty grubby. It worked pretty well...I have a baby's toothbrush for it.
I have a diamond ring that needed cleaning...I read on the Net that you can use rubbing alcohol to clean diamonds. The thing is, the ring has a silver face. If you use rubbing alcohol, it darkens the silver. Whereas, the Queen Helene doesn't, and leaves the silver nice and bright.
So it seems to work on costume or "bridge" jewelry as well as the stuff I tried it on.
I haven't tried soaking anything in it, I'm too chicken to try soaking the ring. Or...? It's just shampoo. I may try soaking it a little bit next time. The bracelet still has some hard-to-reach areas that could do with a soak.


June 2018 spending across video game Hardware, Software, Accessories and Game Cards grew 25 percent when compared to a year ago, to $1.1 billion. Significant growth in both Hardware and Accessories & Game Cards offset a slight decline in Software.
Year-to-date spending across video game Hardware, Software, Accessories and Game Cards is up 17 percent when compared to the same period a year ago, to $6.0 billion. Growth has occurred across all categories of spending, with the largest dollar growth coming from Accessories & Game Cards.
Dollar sales of Console, Portable and PC Games Software combined reached $374 million in June 2018, down 1 percent compared to a year ago. Year to date, software spending is up 6 percent versus year ago, to $2.6 billion.
Mario Tennis Aces was the best-selling game of June 2018. The Nintendo Switch exclusive achieved the all-time highest month 1 sales for a Tennis genre game in NPD tracked history. The previous record holder was Mario Tennis, which debuted on the N64 in September 2000's tracking period.
God of War repeated as the month's second best-selling title, and remains in the same position in year-to-date sales, trailing only Ubisoft's Far Cry 5. God of War is now the 10th best-selling game of the rolling 12-month period ending June 2018.
Lego Incredibles debuted as the #7 best-selling game of June 2018. Lego Incredibles achieved the highest launch month dollar sales for a Lego title since Lego Star Wars : The Force Awakens, which was released in June 2016. Lego Incredibles is the 25th Lego release from publisher Warner Bros. Interactive.
Nintendo Switch was the only platform that produced software sales growth in June, with dollar sales more than doubling those of June 2017. Year-to-date software sales on Nintendo Switch are also more than double those of a year ago. Please note, The NPD Group does not currently track digital full-game software sales on Nintendo platforms.
Some Super Genres are showing particularly strong year-to-date performance. Sales of Action games are up 30 percent on a year-to-date basis, while Racing games (up 22 percent) and Shooters (up 13 percent) are also experiencing double-digit percentage gains year on year.
Full-game software sales performance is being significantly impacted by the growth in sales of re-releases of existing games. Sales of these versions of released games, most often referred to as GOTY / Complete / Remastered / Definitive / Legendary / Anniversary editions, have experienced sales growth of more than 150% in 2018 when compared to a year ago, while sales of launch day versions of games, most often called Standard / Base / Collector's / Limited / Special editions are down slightly.
Nintendo was June's top-selling Publisher, while Ubisoft remains the best-selling publisher year to date.
Hardware spending in June 2018 grew 52 percent when compared to a year ago, to $350 million. All current-generation platforms delivered sales growth. Gains were driven by Fortnite, promotions around the E3 period, and reinvigorated distribution of the NES Classic, among other factors.
For the 2018 year-to-date period, hardware spending has increased 21 percent to $1.7 billion. Spending gains for Xbox One, PlayStation 4, and Plug N Play devices such as the NES Classic and SNES Classic have driven growth.
The NES Classic was June 2018's highest unit-selling hardware platform, while the PlayStation 4 led the market in dollar sales. This is the first time a Nintendo Entertainment System console has led in monthly unit sales since NPD tracking began in 1995.
Xbox One hardware dollar sales nearly doubled in June 2018 when compared to a year ago, while Switch sales jumped over 50 percent. PlayStation 4 hardware dollar sales were also higher. Dollar sales of all other hardware grew more than 23x in the month when compared to a year ago, driven by sales of Plug N Play devices like the NES Classic and the SNES Classic.
Sony's PlayStation 4 was the best-selling console hardware platform in June, and remains the best-selling console hardware platform year to date.
Dollar sales of Portable hardware grew 7 percent in the June 2018 period when compared to the prior year, and are up 2 percent year to date.
Total spending on Accessories and Game Cards grew 38 percent in June 2018 when compared to a year ago, to $353 million. This represents a record high for a June tracking period.
Year to date, Accessories and Game Card spending has grown 31 percent when compared to a year ago, to $1.8 billion. Game Card spending has achieved an all-time high, while Accessory spending has reached the highest year to date total since 2011.
Year-to-date sales of both Headsets and Gamepads have achieved all-time record highs for a June tracking period. The previous year-to-date high spending for Headsets occurred in 2010, and for Gamepads in 2016.
Sales of Headsets/Headphones doubled in June 2018 when compared to a year ago. Year to date, Headsets/Headphones spending has increased 86 percent. The Xbox One Ear Force Stealth 600 Wireless Headset from Turtle Beach is the year's best-selling item in the Headsets / Headphones accessory type.
Gamepad spending grew 35 percent in June versus a year ago, with year to date spending growth of 25 percent. The PS4 DualShock 4 Wireless Controller Black is the best-selling Gamepad in both June and 2018 year to date.
Sales of Memory / RAM Cards have also experienced significant growth. Year-to-date dollar sales of Memory / RAM Cards have increased 135% when compared to a year ago. Seagate's Xbox One 2TB USB 3.0 Game Drive is the year's best-selling item within the Memory / RAM Cards accessory type.


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Monday Briefing: January 14th
By SFC Media time Mon 14 Jan Club
Photo by James Bridle | St Mary's
Start your week off by catching up on all the latest from around Southampton Football Club...
Saints out of bottom three
Ralph Hasenhüttl's side made it seven points from their last three Premier League away games, as they triumphed 2-1 at Leicester City on Saturday to climb out of the relegation zone.
James Ward-Prowse's penalty and Shane Long's strike right on half-time, shortly after Yan Valery had been sent off, gave Saints a precious three points, as they held off a second-half Foxes fightback.
The result moved the team up to 16th in the table, a point above the bottom three.
Suspended trio back for next league game
Saints will be without three players due to suspension on Wednesday night, when they host Derby in the FA Cup, but all will be back for Saturday's home Premier League game against Everton.
Midfielder Pierre-Emile Højbjerg completes his four-game ban in midweek, while striker Charlie Austin will see out his two-game suspension.
Pierre-Emile Højbjerg will be available next weekend
Young full-back Yan Valery will also be absent due to his sending off at Leicester, but will be available again after that.
Derby ticket offer
Don't miss out on Wednesday night's Emirates FA Cup replay with Derby, as Saints look to book a fourth-round trip to Accrington Stanley.
Tickets for the game, which follows the 2-2 draw at Pride Park earlier this month, are on general sale, with some great prices for the match.
Adult tickets cost just £12, with concessions even less. You can also get your ticket, with a hot dog and a drink for just £17.50 in total. Check out full details here, or buy by clicking here.
Yoshida on track in Asian Cup
Saints defender Maya Yoshida is away with Japan this month in the Asian Cup, and he has enjoyed a fine start to the tournament.
Yoshida again captained his country on Sunday, as they beat Oman 1-0 to make it two wins from two in Group F.
Maya Yoshida in action at the Asian Cup
Japan are next in action on Thursday (1.30pm GMT), when they face Uzbekistan in their final match before the knockout rounds.
Under-23s go joint top
It was another excellent weekend for Radhi Jaïdi's Under-23s, as they came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 away from home.
Saints fell behind to an early free-kick, but were level just after the hour mark through Jonathan Afolabi, and they completed the turnaround on 77 minutes when Tyreke Johnson converted from the penalty spot after being fouled himself.
Jaïdi's youngsters are now level on points with Reading at the top of Premier League 2 Division 2 and now face a Premier League Cup trip to Leeds next Monday.
Women book semi-final spot
Southampton FC Women remain on track for a piece of silverware, after winning 9-0 away at Wargrave to book a spot in the semi-finals of the Southern Region Women's Football League Cup.
Chloe Newton bagged five goals in the quarter-final victory, including the first four of the match, with Wycombe Wanderers now standing between Marieanne Spacey-Cale's team and a spot in the final.
Next up for Saints is another quarter-final, this time in the Hampshire Cup, as they travel to Portsmouth on Sunday. Kick-off is 2pm GMT at The PMC Stadium, Eastern Road, PO3 5LY.
Under-18s denied late on
Southampton's youngsters came within seconds of pulling off a stunning victory at reigning Under-18 Premier League champions Chelsea, only to be denied at the very last moment.
Saints looked on course for a memorable three points after Christian Norton struck just before half-time and Will Ferry doubled the advantage on 79 minutes, but the Blues fought back, as Ben Greenwood halved the deficit ahead of Pierre Ekwah Elimby producing an unstoppable free-kick to equalise in the fourth minute of added time.
Next up for the Under-18s is the FA Youth Cup, as they travel to Watford on Thursday night for a fourth-round game.
O'Connor extends contract
Youngster Thomas O'Connor has put pen to paper on a two-year contract extension that commits his future to the club until 2021.
The versatile 19-year-old, who can play in midfield or defence, has represented Republic of Ireland at youth level and has captained Southampton's Under-23s side this season.
"It feels really good," said O'Connor. "I've been here nearly five years now, and I've enjoyed every moment. I'm delighted to sign a new deal and hopefully I can keep improving."
Hasenhüttl pleased by Ward-Prowse and Long displays
Club Men's First team B Team U 18 Women's First Team
SFC_Camera
Gallery: Saints go Stateside
Saints fans travelled to Orlando for the Premier League Mornings Live event.
photo Benali thrills Saints fans Stateside Wilcox appointed Director of Football


One of the counterintuitive ordinances of the "metzora" ("leper") is that one who is afflicted from head to toe, completely white, is considered pure, while on the day that a small amount of normal flesh is found on his body he becomes impure. Is it possible for us to find any message in this curious חק (ordinance), why is it that a non-white spot renders him impure?
One of the major causes of the spiritual disease of leprosy, צרעת, is speaking ill of others, "lashon hora". We know that it is not always prohibited to speak ill of others, but sometimes it is actually mandated. For example if you are aware that someone is unwittingly about to enter a business partnership with a swindler and it is clear that it is to his disadvantage, you are mandated to share the minimum amount of information necessary to warn him away from this ill-fated partnership. The same important rule applies in the area of "shidduchim", prospective marriages. If you know material facts which were halachikly mandated to be shared and they were unethically withheld by the prospective marriage partner your are obligated to share the minimum amount of information necessary. It is necessary to retain proper guidance if an actual case arises as issues of client/patient confidentiality may arise.
If someone is completely "white" he is pure, but as soon as a bit of "normal" skin becomes visible he is declared a leper, מצורע. Perhaps the Torah is teaching that the "White Knight" who rises up for the "sake of Heaven" sharing derogatory information about his fellow is pure of sin only as long as he is completely white. As soon as personal enmity, exaggeration, inaccuracy or personal motives stain the speaker's noble intentions he changes from pure to impure.
The Navee (Prophet) Hoshea announced that HaShem's vengeance would befall King Yehu for wiping out the family of King Achav. But why! Didn't HaShem enjoin Yehu to wipe out the wicked family of Acahv!? The reason that King Yehu and his family were punished is that they had also been ensnared in idol worship. Even though their sins were not of the same magnitude as that of the family of King Achav, a White Knight must not have stained armor. Rising up to mete out punishments is a risky business. While King Yehu was commanded and even anointed by the prophet of HaShem to clean the nation of the scourge of the family of King Achav, he was required to remain untainted. When his family also stumbled in the sin of idolatry he was transformed from a pure warrior of HaShem to an impure murderer.
Perhaps this is one of the messages which we should take away from the ordinance we are discussing. Perhaps the "pink" spot in the white flesh represents the impure action or motive. When a person shares mandated information he must not get "derailed". As soon as he gets "off track" with inaccuracies, exaggeration, or mal-intent his words cease to be a mitzva, but are transformed into being "lashon hara (gossip), and ho'tza'as shem ra (slander).
This is very important in the field of kashrus. We all take the laws of kashrus very seriously and are rightfully appalled by any transgression relating to these important halachos. However, we must always be mindful not to fall into the "White Knight" syndrome. When righteous indignation leads to untruths, exaggeration, unnecessary gossip, or ill-will what would have been a pure mitzva transforms into an impure aveira (sin) of the first degree. May we always be careful to use our mouths, pens and keyboards for the good.


The magazine cover. It is arguably the most important element of a successful publication.
The September issue of USA Hockey magazine is the perfect example of this collaboration, so we wanted to ask Touchpoint creative director Rob Johnson how this multi-media image—which incorporates a chalk illustration, multiple photoshoots, and graphic design—came to be.
Q: What was the conceptualization process like for this cover?
Rob Johnson: Art director Mike DeArmond and myself sat down with USA Hockey magazine editor-in-chief Harry Thompson to discuss the editorial plan for the year. Part of that involves preliminary discussions of cover stories and thus, possible direction for covers. This issue—having to do with back to school and back to hockey immediately made me think of a local illustrator, Jeff Nelson, that I had worked with in the past who does brilliant chalk work.
Q: The final image incorporates a lot of different types of media, what exactly are all the pieces?
RJ: The chalk illustration was actually done on a wall, painted with chalkboard paint, in our Touchpoint Media offices. We then had the local photographer team extraordinaire of Ackerman + Gruber shoot images of our hockey player and the chalkboard. A little photoshop to bring the two together and we had a cover.
Q: What type of impact does a great cover have on the rest of the publication?
RJ: The cover is the first thing that will grab a reader or potential reader's eye. This isn't a newsstand publication, so it's not like we are trying to get people to pick us up in line at the grocery store. But we are trying to cater to a unique group of people with a similar passion, so we need to appeal to that audience across a wide range of ages—kids to adults. The cover also sets the tone for what they can expect inside: great stories about the game they love and great photos and layouts to accompany them. Hockey players and fans might be the most intensely dedicated sportsmen and women out there and we hope to ignite that passion for the game in our covers and get them to enjoy the content inside.
Q: What were the steps to create this?
RJ: Step 1: Discussion with the editor and art director on ideas and approach.
Step 2: Sketches of possible cover layouts and more discussion.
Step 3: Contacting the artists—illustrator Jeff Nelson and photographers Ackerman + Gruber—to explain the project, get them on board and get their all-important input.
Step 4: We actually shot our hockey player, Caden Sampair, first, due to timing and schedules. Caden is a seventh grader at Mahtomedi Middle School in Mahtomedi, Minnesota, and has played hockey since he could walk. He's a USA Hockey member and his dad played at St. Cloud State and now volunteer coaches youth hockey, so the publication is delivered to their house each month, which made the whole process really special, for us and for them.
Step 5: Jeff did the chalk illustration.
Step 6: We shot the illustration.
Step 7: We went through proofs of images and selected the shots we liked and then performed a little photoshop Frankenstein work to bring them together.
Q: What's it like to bring together a bunch of different artists who all contribute a unique portion to the final image?
RJ: It's the best part of the job, honestly. I love being around photographers, illustrators, and other creatives who all bring a unique perspective to a project. I learn so much from them and from the process every time we do it. That collaborative effort is key.


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Plant a tree in memory of Todd
Todd William Swoyer
Recommend Todd's obituary to your friends
Obituary of Todd William Swoyer
Todd William Swoyer, 51, passed away on December 1, 2021, in Philadelphia, PA. Born in Scranton, PA, on August 14, 1970, Todd was the son of Connie Ann (Starr) Swoyer, and the late Harry "Hack" William Swoyer Jr.
Although Todd worked as a chef for various restaurants over the years, he was most happy when he cooked for his family and friends. He also enjoyed vacationing at the beach whenever he could.
In addition to his mother, Todd is survived by his daughter, Ashley Marie Swoyer; his grandchildren, Maisen Alexis Cavill, Makenna Hope Cavill, and Cash Warren Cavill; his brother, Darryl (& Sherry) Swoyer; his sister, Donna (& Gregory) Grillo; and many nieces and nephews.
Services will be private and held at the convenience of the family. Houck & Gofus Funeral Home & Cremation Services, Inc., 955 N. Charlotte St., Pottstown, PA 19464, will be handling the arrangements. Online condolences may be made to the family at www.houckgofusfuneralhome.com.


Richard A. Roth produced 'Summer of '42,' starring Jennifer O'Neill and Gary Grimes.
Richard A. Roth, who produced such films as the coming-of-age classic Summer of '42 and the Gene Wilder comedy The Adventure of Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother, has died. He was 76.
Roth died March 17 of natural causes at his home in New York City, his family announced.
He should not be confused with another producer named Richard Roth; that one earned an Oscar nomination for Julia and also produced other films including Blue Velvet and The Way We Were.
Richard A. Roth was working for a small literary agency when he happened on the screenplay for Summer of '42 languishing in what was described as "the slush pile." He borrowed $5,000 from his father to option the script, then brought it to director Robert Mulligan, and they convinced Warner Bros. to make it for $1 million.
The 1971 period piece, starring Jennifer O'Neill and Gary Grimes, was a box-office hit and received four Oscar nominations, winning for Michel Legrand's score. A song from the film, "The Summer Knows," with lyrics by Marilyn and Alan Bergman and based on Legrand's theme, was recorded by Barbra Streisand and became a hit.
Roth also produced Sherlock Holmes' Smarter Brother (1975), written and directed by and starring Wilder, and he had a bit part as an aide to Inspector Kemp (Kenneth Mars), the guy with the creaky prosthetic arm, in Wilder's Young Frankenstein (1974).
Roth also produced the romantic drama Our Time (1974), set in the 1950s at an all-girls school, and Outland (1981), a space thriller that starred Sean Connery. Both films were directed by Peter Hyams.
An avid yachtsman, Roth attended UCLA, the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Vienna and graduated from Stanford Law School. He worked for CBS Entertainment in the 1980s.
Survivors include his wife Sharon, stepson Richard, sister Diane, brother-in-law Albert and nieces Juliann and Lisa.


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Preconditioning for Cryopreservation of in vitro Grown Bulblets of Lily using Droplet-Vitrification
Mun-sup Yoon3
This study was conducted to improve and supplement the system of cryopreservation for adventitious bulbs induced by tissue cultured bulb-scales of lily (Lilium spp.) cvs. 'Milky way'. The explants, bulblets and bulb-scale-bulblets, were treated to low temperature (4℃) for 7 days prior to the pre-culture. The adventitious bulbs were pre-cultured in Murashige and Skoog (MS) liquid medium supplemented with sucrose (0.3 and 0.7M). The pre-cultured adventitious bulbs were treated to loading solution (LS1 or LS2, C4 or C6) containing 35% of PVS3 (LS1, C4) or 40% of PVS3 (LS2, C6) for 40 min and exposed to dehydration solution (PVS3, B1) containing 50% glycerol and 50% sucrose for 60 min at 25℃. The adventitious bulbs were moved onto droplets containing 3 µl PVS3 on sterilized aluminum foils, and then soaked into liquid nitrogen (LN) for 60 min. The result of highest regrowth rate as 65.7% was obtained in cold treatment (4℃), osmoprotected with LS1 solution, and cultured in PCM3 medium by using bulb-scale-bulblet for cryopreservation. This result shows that droplet-vitrification could be used as a promising method for long-term storage of lily genetic resource.
Droplet-vitrification
Benelli, C., A. De Carlo and F. Engelmann. 2013. Recent advances in the cryopreservation of shoot-derived germplasm of economically important fruit trees of Actinidia, Malus, Olea, Prunus, Pyrus and Vitis. Biotechnol Adv. 31:175-185. 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2012.09.00423022736
Benson, E.E., M. Wilkinson, A. Todd, U. Ekuere and J. Lyon. 1996. Developmental competence and ploidy stability in plants regenerated from cryopreserved potato shoot tips. Cryo Lett. 17:119-128.
Bouman, H. and G.J. de Klerk. 1990. Cryopreservation of lily meristem. Acta Hortic. 266:331-337. 10.17660/ActaHortic.1990.266.43
Bouman, H., A. Tiekstra, E. Petutschnig, M. Homan and R. Schreurs. 2003. Cryopreservation of Lilium species and cultivars. Acta Hortic. 612:147-154. 10.17660/ActaHortic.2003.612.18
Chen, X.L., J.H. Li, X. Xin, Z.E. Zhang, P.P. Xin and X.X. Lu. 2011. Cryopreservation of in vitro-grown apical meristems of Lilium by droplet-vitrification. S. Afr. J. Bot. 77:397-403. 10.1016/j.sajb.2010.10.005
Dhital, S.P., H.T. Lim and H.K. Manandhar. 2009. Elimination of potato virus (PLRV and PVY) by cryopreservation of in vitro grown shoot tips of potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). Hort. Environ. Biotechnol. 50:233-239.
Feng, C.H., Z.F. Yin, Y.L. Ma, Z.B. Zhang, L. Chen, B. Wang, B.Q. Li, Y.S. Huang and Q.C. Wang. 2011. Cryopreservation of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) and its pathogen eradication by cryotherapy. Biotechnol. Adv. 29:84-93. 10.1016/j.biotechadv.2010.09.00220851757
Kim, H.H., E. Popova, D.J. Shin, J.Y. Yi, C.H. Kim, J.S. Lee, M.K. Yoon and F. Engelmann. 2012. Cryobanking of Korean allium germplasm collections: Results from a 10 year experiences. Cryo Lett. 33:45-57.
Kim, H.H., J.G. Lee, D.J. Shin, H.C. Ko, J.G. Gwag, E.G. Cho and F. Engelmann. 2009. Development of alternative plant vitrification solutions in droplet-vitrification procedures. Cryo Lett. 30:320-334.
Lambardi, M., A. Fabbri and A. Caccavale. 2000. Cryopreservation of white poplar (Populus alba L.) by vitrification of in vitro-grown shoot tips. Plant Cell Rep. 19:213-218. 10.1007/s00299005000130754897
Li, B.Q., C.H. Feng, M.R. Wang, L.Y. Hu, G. Volk and Q.C. Wang. 2015. Recovery patterns, histological observations and genetic integrity in Malus shoot tips cryopreserved using droplet-vitrification and encapsulation-dehydration procedures. J. Biotechnol. 214:182-191. 10.1016/j.jbiotec.2015.09.03026432336
Matsumoto, T., A. Sakai and K. Yamada. 1995. Cryopreservation of in vitro-grown apical meristems of lily by vitrification. Plant Cell Tissue Organ. Cult. 41:237-241. 10.1007/BF00045087
Rall, W.F. and G.M. Fahy. 1985. Cryopreservation of mouse embryo at -196℃ by vitrification. Nature 313:573-575. 10.1038/313573a03969158
Reed, B.M. 2002. Implementing cryopreservation for long-term germplasm preservation in vegetatively propagated species. In Biotechnology in Agriculture and Forestry, Cryo- preservation of Plant Germplasm. 50:22-33. 10.1007/978-3-662-04674-6_2
Sakai, A., D. Hirai and T. Niino. 2008. Development of PVS-based vitrification and encapsulation-vitrification protocols: In Reed, B. (ed.), Plant Cryopreservation: A Practical Guide. New York: Springer LLC, USA. pp. 33-58. 10.1007/978-0-387-72276-4_3PMC2645499
Sant, R., B. Panis, M. Taylor and A. Tyagi. 2008. Cryopreservation of shoot-tips by droplet vitrification applicable to all taro (Colocasia esculenta var. esculenta) accessions. Plant Cell Tiss. Org. Cult. 92:107-111. 10.1007/s11240-007-9302-8
Tahtamouni, R.W. and R.A. Shibli. 1999. Preservation at low temperature and cryopreservation in wild pear (Pyrus syriaca). Adv. Hort. Sci. 13:156-160.
Wang, L.Y., Y.D. Li, H.Y. Sun, H.G. Liu, X.D. Tang, Q.C. Wang and Z.D. Zhang. 2017. An efficient droplet vitrification cryopreservation for valuable blueberry germplasm. Sci. Hortic. 219:60-69. 10.1016/j.scienta.2017.03.007
Wang, Q.C. and J.P.T. Valkonen. 2008. Efficient elimination of sweet potato little leaf phytoplasma from sweet potato by cryotherapy of shoot tips. Plant Pathol. 57: 338-347. 10.1111/j.1365-3059.2007.01710.x
Wang, Q.C., M. Mawassi, P. Li, R. Gafny, I. Selal and E. Tanne. 2003. Elimination of grapevine virus A (GVA) by cryopreservation of in vitro-grown shoot tips of Vitis vinifera L. Plant Sci. 165:321-327. 10.1016/S0168-9452(03)00091-8
Yi, J.Y., G.A. Lee, J.W. Chung, S.Y. Lee and K.B. Lim. 2013. Efficient cryopreservation of Lilium spp. shoot tips using droplet-vitrification. Plant Breed. Biotech. 1(2):131-136. 10.9787/PBB.2013.1.2.131
Yi, J.Y., K. Balaraju, H.J. Baek, M.S. Yoon, H.H. Kim and Y.Y. Lee. 2018. Cryopreservation of Citrus limon (L.) Burm. F shoot tips using a droplet-vitrification method. Korean J. Plant Res. 31(6):684-694.


Welcome and thanks for visiting the official web site of the 2009 18u Georgia Roadrunners.
The Roadrunners would like to say a special THANK YOU to Michael Barrett, former Roadrunner and current major league catcher, for all of the help with the team. The players have enjoyed working with you.
Keep checking back as we will post additional committments as they happen.
Roadrunners win the 18u Triple Crown Summer Nationals Championship!!!
The Roadrunners finished up their 2008 summer with a BANG, by winning the 18u Triple Crown Summer Nationals at Myrtle Beach, SC!!!
After going 3 - 0 in pool play scoring 29 runs and only giving up 3 runs the Roadrunners earned the #1 seed heading into the championship bracket. The end of pool play also meant that for the rest of the tournament we would be with out Luke Bailey, Cody Stubbs and Daniel Tuttle as they all headed to the East Coast Pro Showcase.
Our first game in the bracket was against the Macomb Inferno which we won 11-1. The second game of the day and bracket was against the Eastern Shore Hurricanes with the score ending at 13-2. The Roadrunners now where headed to Friday and the semi finals.
The final day of the tournament started off with a pitching duel witch pitted the Roadrunners with Jon Reed pitching against the Red Gamers. Jon was up to the task winning the duel 1-0. With that win the Roadrunners moved on to the Championship against Team Georgia.
The Championship game would go back and forth between the two teams and would go to extra innings tied at 7-7. Due in large part to Tommy Corbin and James Connell. Tommy who had driven in 5 runs in the game including a bases loaded double off the center field fence to tie the game in the 4th. And James who threw 4 shut out innings and would eventually get the win. The Roadrunners would load the bases with 1 out in the bottom of the 8th. After a pitching change for Team Georgia and a pinch hitter for the Roadrunners the next pitch hit the Roadrunners batter to end the game on a HBP.
The Roadrunners had a great tournament offensivly by scoring 62 runs. They also had great pitching as they only gave up 13 runs.
Congratulations to the Roadrunners on finishing the year on such a great run! And for winning your 3rd National Championship in 4 years!!!
Also additional congratulations to 2 Roadrunners who were honored by Triple Crown with Jon Reed getting Defensive MVP and Tommy Corbin getting the Offensive MVP of the event. Way to go guys!!!
The Roadrunners started off the 2009 Summer by winning the CABA State touranment at East Cobb. The Roadrunners went 5 - 0 in the event.
Current Roadruners Luke Bailey and Daniel Tuttle were named to the AFLAC All American Team on 7/1/08. They both were introduced before the Braves vs. Phillies game at Turner Field. Where they received their AFLAC jerseys and meet several more of their team mates. They also got to meet the Honorary Chairman of the event, Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith.
Also two former Roadrunners, Donavan Tate and Drew Steckenrider, were named to the team as well.
They will travel out to California in August to play at Dodgers Stadium in the Alfac game.
Way to go boys, we are all very proud of you and your accompishments!!!
You can click on the headline for the link to the Aflac site.
Two Roadrunners, Luke Bailey and Cody Stubbs, have been asked to tryout for the USA Baseball Junior Team. Youth National Team Trials in Cary, N.C., run from Aug. 4-10, and the Youth National Team Training runs from Aug. 11-14.


Prior to independence, under British administration, women were granted the right to vote on 19 September, 1951. This right was confirmed at independence.
Prior to independence, under British administration, women were granted the right to vote and stand for election on 19 September, 1951. These rights were confirmed at independence.


Who is Marion Harris and why did I record this album? Although largely forgotten to today's audiences, Marion was one of the first internationally famous singers, nicknamed Queen of the Blues. I recorded original versions of her songs to tell her story (one day I hope to shoot a short film of her life) – I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!
Principal photography for the album provided by Sidney Oster Photography. I highly recommend him for all your photography needs; check out his website to see his style!
You can purchase digital versions of each song and/or the entire album at Amazon and CDBaby.com. Album is available streaming through Spotify.


While loss of farmland to development remains a major concern — it's not all bad news on the agrarian front. As the New York Times noted, there are plenty of young people looking to take up agriculture — if only they can get access to the land, equipment and know-how they need. While the rise in organic agriculture degrees will undoubtedly be a boon to this movement, many folks just want to get stuck in and start farming. But farming isn't easy - enthusiasm and ideals can easily turn to isolation and despair without a community of likeminded individuals to support you. That's where the newly founded "Crop Mob" in the Triangle area of North Carolina is seeking to make a difference — assembling willing groups of farmers, would-be farmers and otherwise enthusiastic amateurs to go where the work is needed and dig, harvest, weed or do whatever is needed to lend a hand.
Now we need to repopulate small farms and rebuild that sense of community as we transition from fossil fuel based industrial agriculture toward a more intensive hands-on system. We need to grow food not only on farms, but in our backyards, front yards, porches and alleys. Urban, suburban, and rural communities will all have to come together to plant, harvest, and put up the fruits of their edible landscape.
The group of young farmers decided to do just that. Instead of coming together to sit around a table and talk, we would come together and harvest, plant, or weed. This "Crop Mob" as it came to be called is about working together, co-creating the world we want to live in. We build much deeper relationships working side by side rather than sitting stiffly around a table. We can address the challenges and embrace the opportunities presented to us, we can feel a sense of purpose, and we can build the community that we yearn for so deeply, all while we grow food.
I wonder how much the Crop Mob is about agriculture and how much is simply about enjoying the company of like minded people? We came from all over to dig beds and spread mulch for someone most of us had never met, yet we did it with skill, enthusiasm and the efficiency of seasoned laborers. This is only the second time the Crop Mob was used; for a third of this group of 24 this was their first experience with the group.
An outsider would question our motives as would some cynical old-timers or jaded sustainable agriculture veterans. I wouldn't even bother with those folks. My main thought is not on convincing the skeptics that our agenda is one of filling a need, but rather my main thought is Where do we go from here?
So what makes it different this time around? For one thing, the idea of economic hardship as the driving factor has been removed. Most everyone involved is likely enduring some sort of financial or structural ruin in their lives. I don't have running water, but I own land and make a mortgage payment; another lives in a tent, but lives rent free and worries very little about buying food.
Looks like an interesting crowd at Crop Mob — I'm hoping I'm around for the next one.


Usually when you hear about a woman being shamed for breastfeeding in public, it's a customer at a restaurant or a passenger on plane. This story comes with a twist. This time, it was the customer that was angry at an employee who was feeding her child after returning to work from maternity leave.
Most of the time, the customer is always right, right? Not this time! The customer was served a cold shoulder by the owner of cafe and it was glorious.
The incident happened at the The Veg Box Café in Canterbury, England. The complaining customer observed the waitress breast-pumping milk and immediately left, presumably disgusted.
She returned the next day though.
The customer returned, likely sure that her complaint that her "lunch was ruined" would be registered by the owner and the offending waitress would be disciplined. Instead, the owner threw shade on the customer and banned her forever.
In her Facebook post, which has been since deleted, the owner wrote, "Sadly one of our lovely members of staff was shamed by a rude customer for very discreetly pumping the other day. This is not OK, and we continue to reserve the right to refuse service to anyone."
"There is nothing more natural than a mother feeding their baby — just like adults need to eat, so do babies."
What do you think, was the cafe right in banning the customer or was the customer right that the waitress should have do the pumping elsewhere? Let us know in the comments!


John gained semi-fame playing guitar with pop-punk Chicago-area legends Screeching Weasel starting in 1986 but became a band-leader/songwriter with eclectic-acoustic Even in Blackouts in 2002, featuring singer Liz Eldredge. He's also an author, playwright, and juggler.
We discuss "Rapture in the Third Person" and "Motives Misunderstood in the Key of C" from EIB's Thresholds from the Basement (2009) and "1,000 Stories" from Fall of the House of Even (2006). End song: The new, otherwise unreleased EIB track "Reason" (rough mix). Intro music: "Talk to Me Summer" by Screeching Weasel from Anthem For A New Tomorrow (1993).
Here's Even in Blackouts live from this year and from back in 2005. Here's Screeching Weasel in 1993 or so. The musical biography (of a sort) that I read by John was called Weasels In A Box (2005). Here's one of his films, "How to Remain Friends with a Dead Man" with the Neo-Futurists. Here he is showing off some physical skills playing with a barrel. Learn more at johnjugheadpierson.com.


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SNHD, LVCVA to use convention center for second COVID-19 dose clinic site
Nfl Picks 3 Honorary Captains, Amanda Gorham For Coin Toss
Syrian refugee Mahmoud Mansour, 47, helps his youngest daughter Sahar, 8, with her homework at his rented apartment in Amman, Jordan, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2021. President Joe Biden has vowed to restore America's place as a world leader in offering sanctuary to the oppressed by raising the cap on the number of refugees allowed in each year. Mansour's family had completed the work to go to the United States when the Trump administration issued its travel ban barring people from Syria indefinitely and suspending the refugee program for 120 days. (AP Photo/Omar Akour)
Krish Vignarajah has been in survival mode for four years as the Trump administration slashed refugee admissions by 85%. She's had to close a third of her resettlement agency's 48 offices and lay off more than 120 employees, some with decades of experience. Now, she's scrambling to not only rehire...
Jos Bieleveldt, 91, receives a COVID-19 vaccine in Apeldoorn, Netherlands, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021. Jos Bieleveldt had a spring in his 91-year-old step when he became one of the first Dutch recipients in his age group to get the coronavirus vaccine. One thing though, it really took too long a time coming. The 27-nation EU is coming under criticism for the slow rollout of its vaccination campaign. The bloc, a collection of many of the richest countries in the world, is not faring well in comparison to countries like Israel, the United Kingdom and the United States. (AP Photo/Peter Dejong)
Not In Short Supply: Blame For Eu's Rusty Vaccine Rollout
APELDOORN, Netherlands (AP) — Jos Bieleveldt had a spring in his step when the 91-year-old Dutchman got a coronavirus vaccine this week. But many think that was way too long in coming. Almost two months before, Britain's Margaret Keenan, who is also 91 now, received her shot to kick off the U.K.'s...
In this image taken from NASA video, NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins works outside the International Space Station's European lab on Wednesday, Jan. 27, 2021. Hopkins and Victor Glover went spacewalking Wednesday to install a high-speed data link outside the International Space Station's European lab and connect cables for an experiment platform awaiting activation for almost a year. (NASA via AP)
Spacewalking Astronauts Venture Out To Improve European Lab
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A pair of astronauts went spacewalking Wednesday to install a high-speed data link outside the International Space Station's European lab. NASA's Mike Hopkins and Victor Glover floated out early and headed straight to Columbus, one of the three high-tech labs at the...
Pedro Nuñez wears a mask embroidered with the image of a "catrina" during the COVID-19 pandemic as he waits for clients at his kiosk where he sells sweets and soft drinks on Paseo de la Reforma in Mexico City, Monday, Jan. 25, 2021. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
Mexico Close To Approving Russian Vaccine, With Little Data
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico said Tuesday it is close to granting approval for Russia's Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine, despite the fact that little public data is available. The approval process described by Hugo López-Gatell, Mexico's assistant health secretary, sounded like a Cold War spy thriller,...
Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., walks with reporters, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, as he leaves the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
WASHINGTON (AP) — Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy was taken to a hospital Tuesday evening after not feeling well and later sent home after tests, a spokesman said, hours after the 80-year-old Democrat began presiding over the impeachment trial of former President Donald Trump. Leahy, who'd been in his...
President Joe Biden signs executive orders in the State Dining Room of the White House, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in Washington. Vice President Kamala Harris listens at left. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Joe Biden on Tuesday ordered the Department of Justice to end its reliance on private prisons and acknowledge the central role government has played in implementing discriminatory housing policies. In remarks before signing the orders, Biden said the U.S. government needs to change "its...
TORONTO (AP) — Shortstop Marcus Semien agreed to an $18 million, one-year contract with the Toronto Blue Jays, a person familiar with the negotiations told The Associated Press. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Tuesday because the agreement was subject to a successful physical. Semien...
Protesters lead a chant on Fifth Avenue outside the Consulate General of India, Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2021, in the Manhattan borough of New York. Tens of thousands of protesting farmers have marched, rode horses and drove long lines of tractors into India's capital, breaking through police barricades to storm the historic Red Fort. The farmers have been demanding the withdrawal of new laws that they say will favor large corporate farms and devastate the earnings of smaller scale farmers. Republic Day marks the anniversary of the adoption of India's constitution on Jan. 26, 1950. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)
Protesters Supporting Indian Farmers Demonstrate In Nyc
NEW YORK (AP) — Demonstrators showing solidarity with protesting farmers in India rallied Tuesday outside the Indian consulate in New York, some honking their car horns while others stood in the snowy weather, yelling slogans and waving flags. The crowd gathered on Manhattan's east side on India's...
FILE - In this file photo dated Tuesday, Aug. 13, 2019, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev pets an Alabai puppy, presented to him by Turkmenistan's President Gurnbanguly Berdymukhamedov in his Gorky residence outside Moscow, Russia. Berdymukhamedov has published a book about the Alabai breed and has presented Russian President Vladimir Putin and Prime Minister Medvedev with an Alabai puppy, and according to news reports Tuesday Jan. 26, 2021, he has now declared a national holiday to honor the local dog breed. (Yekaterina Shtukina, Sputnik, Government Pool Photo via AP, FILE)
Turkmen Ruler Establishes Holiday To Honor Local Dog Breed
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan (AP) — Turkmenistan's autocratic leader has established a national holiday to honor the local dog breed, media reports said Tuesday. President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov ordered the holiday praising the Alabai, the Central Asian shepherd dog, to be celebrated on the last...
FILE - In this Sept. 5, 2019 file photo, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, left, shakes hands with Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte during the swearing-in ceremony at the Quirinale Presidential Palace, in Rome. Italian Premier Conte was meeting Tuesday, Jan. 26. 2021 with his cabinet before heading to the presidential palace to offer his resignation after a key coalition ally pulled his party's support over Conte's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini, file)
Italian Pm Conte To Resign, Seek Ok To Form New Coalition
ROME (AP) — Italian Premier Giuseppe Conte went to the presidential palace Tuesday to offer his resignation after a key coalition ally pulled his party's support over Conte's handling of the coronavirus pandemic. Conte is hoping to get President Sergio Mattarella's support to form a new coalition...


Australian SME Efficiency Rising, But Progress Hampered by Lack of Finance and Skilled Staff: survey.
Sydney, 31 August 2017 – OKI Data Australia, a global manufacturer of business printers and multifunction devices, has released its 2017 OKI SME Business Efficiency Survey.
The survey, the third in an annual series, provides insights into how the nation's more than two million small and mid-sized enterprises are working to become more efficient and boost growth. The results also demonstrate how perceptions have changed during the past 12 months.
Responses were collected using an online survey emailed to 3000 SMEs across all Australian states. Each recipient was asked to complete a detailed online form and provide responses on a range of topics including business efficiency strategies and any impediments being experienced.
The survey found 82% of Australian SMEs believe they are operating cost effectively. This is an increase on last year when 76% of businesses reported being in a similar position.
This rise is supported by the fact that 51% of those surveyed said they had implemented cost efficiency initiatives during the past 12 months. However, this number is down compared with last year when 65% reported undertaking such initiatives. A further 21% of SMEs indicated plans to implement cost efficiency initiatives during the coming 12 months, which compares with 13% in last year's survey.
"This year's results demonstrate that strong efficiency improvements continue to be made by Australian SMEs," said Antonio Leone, Marketing Manager ANZ, OKI Data Australia. "However, the research also shows there are still significant opportunities for more to be done. It's clear that one of the biggest limiting factors is a lack of available funds for investment."
According to the survey, almost two thirds (59%) of Australian SMEs spend less that $5000 a year on efficiency initiatives while 85% spend less than $15,000.
"These spending levels mean that, while general IT projects such as hardware, internet connections and printers are affordable, higher-end projects are out of reach. Topics such as Big Data and automation are often discussed, however financing initiatives in these areas is simply unrealistic for most SMEs. For example, our research found just 18% have invested in automation projects."
The research found that, during the past year, 74% of SMEs made investments in general 'efficient' IT technology. This included projects that boosted business efficiency such as development of websites, apps and ecommerce capabilities (nominated by 29% of respondents), and digital marketing and online advertising (28%).
Asked to consider the factors limiting them from becoming more efficient, 26% of SMEs nominated a lack of finance needed to make up-front investments. This was followed by a lack of skilled staff (24%) and technology challenges such as slow internet connections and legacy equipment that was preventing them from taking advantage of cloud-based services (24%).
These results differ only slightly from those of last year when 30% of respondents nominated a lack of finance and 25% a lack of skilled staff as their key roadblocks to improved efficiency. Over the same period, technology challenges as an inhibitor were nominated by 24% - a sharp increase from 13% a year earlier.
When it comes to taking advantage of any new business efficiencies that are achieved, more than a third (35%) of survey respondents confirmed they are savings their efficiency savings rather than re-investing the money into other areas. At the same time, 23% said they are investing the savings into finding further efficiencies while 22% are re-investing to develop additional products and services.
Compared with the 2016 research, the number of SMEs that believe finding new ways to implement technology is a key way to boost competitive advantage has declined. Of those surveyed, 92% felt this was the case in 2016, however this has now dropped to 74%.
"The 2017 survey confirms that, while there continues to be a lot of discussion around the benefits of running lean and efficient operations, SMEs are still on the hunt for fresh opportunities," said Leone. "Unfortunately, a lack of funding is limiting the extent to which many can take advantage of powerful strategies such as automation."
"I'm looking forward to comparing this year's results with future surveys to see whether this situation can be overcome and Australian SMEs continue on their journey of efficiency improvement."
OKI is a global manufacturer of business printers and MFP's. Over 30 years ago OKI pioneered LED printing technology, an advanced form of printing using fewer parts compared with the more widely known laser printing. This in turn provides many benefits to users including longer product life, increased reliability and superior image quality over the entire life of the print engine. All OKI LED printer products are backed by 3 years warranty*. Teriostar products are covered by a 1 year warranty. ColorPainter inkjet printers are backed by 2 years (E-64s) and 3 years (M-64s and H3-104s) parts only warranty. OKI Data Australia commenced operations in 2009 following the acquisition from long-time master agent and distributor, IPL. OKI Data New Zealand was established in October 2015, following the announcement by OKI's then master distributor in New Zealand - Comworth Technologies, to realign its business focus and exit distribution.


On 16th July 2012 18 students from Smile went for exposure visit which was held in M/s. Cafe coffee day. Exposure visits gives practical knowledge about chain of retail business to students, which is very useful. Through exposure visit students are given a broad view about retail industry.Students were taken by a separate cab. Mr. Guru Hr head of M/s. Café coffee day Chennai office welcomed students and students in turn thanked him started to give self introduction. Mr. Guru gave a brief speech about his concern and students gave good response for his speech eagerly.
Followed by student's interaction with him. As every students was very keen to know about his concern they raised many question about his company and their business, how they sell their products, how they attract their customers, the way they treat the each customer was explained. Each and every student was very keen to know entire things carried there.
This programme helped to eradicate the state of unemployment among socially and economically weaker sections of the society. With the help of smile twine-e-learning programme Arunodhaya provided livelihood opportunities to the marginalized people.


This home loan interest subsidy scheme is part of the government's 'Housing for All' initiative. The scheme will be implemented initially for a period of one year.
The government last week announced guidelines on interest rate subsidy scheme under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) for middle-income groups. The scheme has been named as Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Groups – CLSS (MIG). Under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) scheme, middle income groups (MIG) with annual incomes of above Rs. 6 lakh and up to Rs. 18 lakh per year are eligible for interest subsidy on buying their first home. The scheme was earlier announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his New Year's Eve address to the nation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced interest subsidy of 4 per cent on housing loans of up to Rs. 9 lakh for those with an income of Rs12 lakh per year and of 3 per cent subsidy on housing loans of up to Rs.12 lakh for those earning Rs. 18 lakh per year. This home loan interest subsidy scheme is part of the government's 'Housing for All' initiative. The scheme will be implemented initially for a period of one year. Additional loans beyond the specified limit, if any, will be at non-subsidised rate.
1) Beneficiaries eligible for interest subsidy under the CLSS scheme have to apply to their lenders for availing the subsidy benefit.
2) Home loans sanctioned or applications are under consideration since January 1, 2017, are eligible for interest subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme for Middle Income Groups. The beneficiary earlier should not have own a house in his/her name.
3) The total interest subsidy accruing on these loan amounts will be paid to the beneficiaries up front in one go, thus reducing the burden of Equated Monthly Instalment (EMI).
4) Besides commercial banks, housing finance companies, regional rural banks, state and urban cooperative banks, other financial institutions like small finance banks and non-banking finance company-micro finance institutions can also lend under this scheme.
5) National Housing Bank (NHB) and Housing and Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO) will reimburse interest subsidy to the lenders. No extra processing fee will be charged by the lenders from borrowers.
6) Interest subsidy will be provided on loans for construction/acquisition of house with carpet area of up to 90 sq metres for those with income of up to Rs. 12 lakh per year and of up to 110 square metres for those earning between Rs. 12 lakh and Rs. 18.00 lakh per year.
7) Under the scheme, the tenure of loan has been stipulated to be 20 years or that preferred by the beneficiary, whichever is lower.
8) Sriram Kalyanaraman, MD and CEO of National Housing Bank, said that interest subsidy of 4 per cent will bring down EMIs of beneficiaries by Rs. 2,062 per month on a housing loan of Rs. 9 lakh and interest subsidy of 3 per cent will bring down EMIs by Rs.2,019 on a loan of Rs.12 lakh, taking normal housing loan interest rate as 8.65 per cent.
9) The total interest subsidy for middle-income people over 20 years on Rs. 9 lakh loan and Rs. 12 lakh loan comes to around Rs. 2.30 lakh per beneficiary (the present value of interest subsidy provided to beneficiaries over the tenure of 20 year loan at a discounting rate of 9 per cent.
The rebate in interest rate is likely to push housing demand in urban areas and thereby help the sector to revive.
Anyone who has applied and got a home loan sanctioned after January 1 and has less than Rs 18 lakh annual income, will be eligible for interest subsidy of 3-4%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced the interest subsidy on December 31, though the annual income criteria was not announced.
This benefit interest subsidy can also be availed by unmarried and earning young adults for acquisition/ construction of a new house including repurchase. Moreover, flats measuring up to 960 sq ft and 1,184 sq ft will be eligible for 3% and 4% interest subsidy respectively for the specified income group.
TOI on January 4 had first reported that the housing ministry had moved a proposal to provide 4% rebate on interest rate for loans up to Rs 9 lakh and this can be availed by those who earn up to Rs 12 lakh annually in urban areas. Similarly, people earning up to Rs 18 lakh annually will be eligible to avail 3% rebate on interest for loans up to Rs 12 lakh.
Sources in housing finance sector said that though the government had finalised the policy, it has not yet announced it because of election code of conduct. In fact, the ministry had held a meeting with banks and housing finance companies where the operational guidelines for "credit linked subsidy scheme for middle-income groups (CLSS-MIG)" was discussed.


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Category: Social Media Power
Tumblr Gets Into the Election Mix
July 5, 2016 Leave a comment
Recently Tumblr launched a new social impact campaign designed to get more millennials to vote.
Tumblr, in partnership with MTV's Elect This voting initiative, is hosting a series of virtual Q&As called IssueTime, a spin-off of Tumblr's AnswerTime Q&As. Each IssueTime brings together a panel of experts to answer users' questions about a different social issue, including gun violence prevention, immigration reform, women's health and empowerment, mental health, LGBT equality, climate change and national security.
The first panel was held on June 27 and focused on the history of the LGBT movement and featured experts from the Transgender Freedom Project and the National Center for Transgender Equality.
Tumblr also will sponsor "Day of Action" takeovers with various advocacy and nonprofit organizations, posting content about these organizations and encouraging users to volunteer there.
The goals of the campaign are to drive more users to Tumblr and get more young people to vote.
I'm here for it; this election is an important one, guys.
Jet Blue #StandsWithOrlando
Here's one more reason to join me in loving Jet Blue.
Today the company announced it will offer immediate family and domestic partners of Orlando shooting victims free seats on available flights to and from Orlando.
On the airline's blog, Out of the Blue, Jet Blue officials wrote of their close ties to the city and of their sorrow as details of the shooting rampage have continued to emerge. In all, 49 were killed and more than 50 injured in the worst mass shooting in U.S. history:
Like many of you, we continue to watch reports of the Orlando nightclub shooting with great sadness. Our thoughts are with the victims and their loved ones.
This weekend's events are felt by all of our 19,000 crewmembers, many of whom live in, work from and travel through Orlando – one of our focus cities – at Orlando International Airport, our Orlando Support Center and JetBlue University.
We want to do our part to help the victims of this tragedy, as well as support the Orlando community through this difficult time.
Jet Blue will offer immediate family and domestic partners of victims who were killed or injured in the shooting free seats on flights to or from Orlando. Those needing assistance with arrangements should call 1-800-JETBLUE (538-2583) for details.
In addition, the airline instituted a fee waiver for customers traveling to or from Orlando who need to make last-minute changes to their travel plans.
The airline also is offering special resources to employees who have been affected by the event. Crewmembers are encouraged to check the company's internal website for more details.
Lastly, JetBlue officials said they will make a charitable contribution to support the victims and their families.
Not surprising, the company has gone above and beyond to do its part and demonstrate yet again why they lead in the space as far as CSR is concerned.
Skyscanner Gets Botty.
June 1, 2016 May 27, 2016 Leave a comment
My favorite booking service Skyscanner has announced a chat bot that enables users to book their vacation and search for vacay inspiration via Facebook Messenger. The conversation bot's main function is to search for flights on request and redirect users to the Skyscanner website to confirm their booking and complete payment.
Users can also ask the bot to find destinations they might be interested in based on their departure location. The bot searches using current trends and cheap offers to offer up getaway inspiration, which can be activated by users in chat by tapping "Don't know" when asked where they would like to go.
Users can find the bot by typing "Skyscanner" into Messenger's search field. Users without the Facebook Messenger app can still converse with the bot by going to a browser redirect link that takes them to the web version of the social media company's messaging platform.
Skyscanner follows the likes of Poncho, KLM, 1-800-Flowers, CNN, and Foursquare in launching a dedicated bot. Facebook brought the bot support to its Messenger platform last month, allowing approved developers direct access to toolkits and live chat APIs so they can build chat programs for companies that let them interface with customers. Botlist is just one dedicated store that has recently arisen where users can discover chat bots they can interact with through the app.
I am super-excited about the power of Bots as related to social customer care. I've tried CNN's and am not really impressed but realize that the technology is new. Let's see what happens.
Ad Love: Sign Their Yearbook
Right now, young people are busy with all of the fun and festive formalities that come with the close of a school year: class rings, proms and signing yearbooks. Some may never get to experience any of these things as their lives were taken too soon at the hands of gun violence. That's the focus of, "Sign Their Yearbook," a sobering initiative from New Yorkers Against Gun Violence.
The online "yearbook," which went live last week, also serves as a petition; those signing signal their support for universal criminal background checks for people attempting to purchase firearms. (In 38 states, it is legal to buy guns without submitting to such scrutiny.) After 30 days, the petition—in the form of a handsomely printed physical yearbook—will be submitted to the U.S. Senate, where measures to tighten gun laws have previously failed.
This campaign is brilliant. Check out the ad, which gave me chills and be sure to sign the book:
The Dress that Knew Too Much
May 4, 2016 May 10, 2016 Leave a comment
There was a lot going on at this year's Met Gala. All I will say is, Madonna.
The star-studded event, which is an annual fundraising gala for the benefit of the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute in NYC, marks the grand opening of the Costume Institute's annual fashion exhibit. This year's theme was, "Manus X Machina: Fashion in an Age of Technology." Celebs did not disappoint. One of the best dressed was model, Karolina Kurova who wore the most high-tech outfit of the night.
IBM and fashion designer Marchesa unveiled a, "cognitive dress," extending IBM's cognitive computing branding campaign. The data-driven dress — changed colors based on an analysis of fan sentiment in real time. During the gala, Watson processed the huge volume of tweets surrounding the event, and changed the color of the dress according to the emotions in them. Rose signified joy, coral meant passion, aqua was excitement, lavender denoted curiosity, and butter indicated encouragement.
IBM views Watson as its future, and indeed, the future of artificial intelligence. It's a cognitive system that reasons and learns much like a human, and is capable of turning the world's vast oceans of data into usable information.
The dress was a stunner. Check it out:
NYPD Uses Mannequins to Try and Find Missing Boy
April 29, 2016 May 10, 2016 Leave a comment
The New York Police Department and BBDO New York are taking the search for missing persons beyond the milk carton. In a project called "Invisible Faces," the face of a boy who disappeared six years ago will now appear on a store window mannequin in an effort to reinvigorate the search and possibly lead to his return. Agency BBDO created the concept, and worked with the NYPD to execute it.
Seven-year-old Patrick Alford Jr. went missing from his foster home in 2010; his face, aged to 13 years old, has been sculpted onto a mannequin in the store window of jacket brand K-Way, which has a store located in SoHo, one of Manhattan's most well-trafficked shopping neighborhoods. The mannequin is clothed in a similar red t-shirt to the one Patrick was wearing when he disappeared.
If any passersby or store visitors recognize Patrick's likeness, they are encouraged to use an in-store iPad to learn more. The agency has also put together the website www.invisiblefaces.info and the hashtag #bringPatrickhome to spread the word.
The store window will remain up until the middle of May.
Ad Love: CVS and #BetheFirst
Drugstore giant CVS Health and its foundation plan to spend $50 million over five years to bolster anti-smoking efforts with a particular emphasis on young people.
The company recently announced plans to fund Be The First, a campaign that draws its colloquial inspiration from a goal to form the first generation of Americans to spurn tobacco.
The push comes more than a year after CVS stopped selling cigarettes, saying that smoking conflicts with its mission of promoting healthy living. CVS and the CVSHealth Foundation will share the costs of the campaign. Be The First will emphasize education programs, social media and marketing initiatives through groups such as the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids, Scholastic Inc., the American Cancer Society and the National Urban League.
Cigarettes and secondhand smoke cause cancer and other preventable diseases.
CVS set several concrete goals for the five-year campaign: cutting the national youth smoking rate by 3%, reducing the number of new youth smokers by 10% and doubling the number of college campuses that ban tobacco usage.
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