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The Soundcraftsmen PCR800 is one of a kind. It was introduced sometime in the early 1980s, presumably for the hi-fi market. Till today, there's nothing like it.
What is so special about this amplifier is the PCR part, which is an acronym for Phase Control Regulation. To understand this term better, it means the power supply is Regulated. And this regulation is made possible by controlling the phase angle of the thyristors feeding the filter capacitors, hence the term Phase Control Regulation.
Removing the top cover shows the Phase Control Regulation board bolted to two capacitors hidden underneath. The four shiny disks beside the power transformer are the thyristors. They replace the traditional bridge rectifier that is found in an unregulated linear power supply. Let's take a closer look at how this phase control regulation works.
At the bottom left are the four thyristors for full wave rectification. The transformer secondaries are connected at the left. They are at 68-0-68Vac. After rectification, the output is at +/- 70Vdc. This voltage is regulated, meaning it doesn't sag under load. I can verify this because when I bench tested this PCR800 at full power into an 8Ω dummy load, the supply rail voltages stayed at +/- 70Vdc.
The red box at the top is the phase control section. This is the heart of the PCR. This circuit controls the firing of the thyristors. Since the voltage is regulated at +/- 70V, it indicates that the thyristors are fired before 90°. There is a +/- 25V headroom in the power supply because in a conventional, non-regulated linear supply, the output will be at +/- 95V.
The circuit enclosed in blue is for temperature sensing. When the heatsinks of the power mosfets heat up, the fan speed is increased. Should the temperature gets dangerously high, the phase control circuit lowers the output of the power supply, thereby protecting the power mosfets.
Behind the Phase Control Regulation board is the power amplifier module. There are two heatsinks, one for each channel. Mounted onto the heatsinks are the world renowned Hitachi 2SK135 and 2SJ50 Lateral Power Mosfets. The PCR800 uses two pairs of mosfets per channel.
The power amplifier board for the two channels is under the heatsinks and it extends all the way to the rear. As can be seen, the layout is extremely compact, so compact that two PCR800 units can be mounted side by side into a 19″ rack cabinet with a special face plate sold by the manufacturer.
The power amplifier itself is pretty conventional. Starting on the left, we can see the input is Unbalanced. That's the reason why I said earlier that the PCR800 is probably for the hi-fi market because most pro amps will have Balanced Inputs.
The input differential is a pair of MPSL01 TO-92 transistors (Q1, Q2). From there, the signal is direct coupled to a MM4003 TO-39 transistor (Q6). A 2N3440 transistor (Q4) is the current source. Q9 and Q12 act as buffers to the VAS (Voltage Amplifier Stage) and they drive the power mosfets Q10, Q11, Q13, Q14.
Strangely, the PCR800 does not have a feature to adjust the DC Offset at the output. My PCR800 unit has -43mV emitting from Channel A and -73mV on Channel B. They won't harm my speakers but for an amplifier of this caliber, the omission is surprising.
It's a pity that Soundcraftsmen is no longer around. Their PCR concept was very innovative. Even today, after so many decades later, the majority of power amplifiers do not have regulated power supplies.
Perhaps it failed to make an impact is because consumers were adversed to the use of thyristors in the power supply. The chopping off action of the thyristors do generate harmonics in the Mains which some customers feel is detrimental to their hi-fi systems.
Nonetheless, this Soundcraftsmen PCR800 is a cherished member in my amplifier collection of an era gone by. It is in full working condition and has never been repaired before. It will not be lost in history.


text:
About Those Submerged Planes in Florida…
Fact Checks, Viral Content / By Brooke Binkowski / October 11, 2018 October 11, 2018
A photograph shows that Panama City's airport is underwater, thanks to Hurricane Michael.
When Hurricane Michael slammed into Mexico Beach, Florida on October 10th, 2018, the massive storm caused as-yet untold amounts of damage, leveling homes for miles:
Amid images of survivors and the aftermath, the usual hurricane hoaxes began to appear, like this one:
Caption: "Northwest Florida Beaches International Airport – Panama City Beach, FL"The post was shared by thousands, despite the exact same image being used with abandon during Harvey, but purporting to show the Houston airport following 2017's devastating Hurricane Harvey:
In reality, the image isn't even a photograph but a digital mockup from artist Nickolay Lamm, part of a series showing the potential effects of climate change; the article also contains images showing what the same airport (which is LaGuardia, for the record) might look like at sea level rises at five, 12, and 25 feet. (The hoax used the image showing 25 feet.)
There are many scenes showing Michael's devastating power and its aftermath. This one, however, is not one of them. And while we don't ever claim to be in the business of predicting the future, we can say with confidence that when the inevitable "shark swimming through the streets after the hurricane" image appears, it won't be real either.
Mills, Chris. "This photo of Harvey flooding at Houston airport is totally fake."
Freedman, Andrew. "Home Research Publications Special Reports Gallery Interactives Graphics Maps Collections Videos Extreme Weather States of Change On the Media Climate in Context News and Reports States of Change News Archive What We Do Mission Statement What We Do Board Staff Our Programs » History Funding For the Media Legal Jobs Climate Services Press Releases U.S. Airports Face Increasing Threat From Rising Seas."
CNN. "Hurricane Michael tears through Florida."

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
SEARCH SCS.com
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> Game of the Week
(8) Alabama at (10) Auburn
Saturday 2:30 PM CST CBS
Alabama and Auburn meet on the Plains Saturday afternoon in the annual Iron Bowl, a battle for football supremacy in the state of Alabama. Just when it seemed this game had lost some of its luster with the Tide's loss to LSU in overtime last week, the Tigers pulled off a come-from-behind win over Georgia on the road Saturday evening to insure that this battle took place between a pair of squads with just one SEC loss each.
Tommy Tuberville's squad has lost just two games this season by an average of a half-dozen points each. After a rough start to the season, QB Brandon Cox has settled in as the leader of the number one offense in the SEC. The sophomore has completed over 58% of his passes for over 2000 yards and has thrown a dozen touchdowns and just seven INTs. RB Kenny Irons has developed into one of the SEC's best backs this season. The transfer from South Carolina, who himself has scored a dozen times as well, has already run for more than 1100 yards and is averaging 110 yards per game. Cox's favorite targets have been a pair of seniors, WRs Devin Aromashodu and Ben Obomanu. The former has hauled in nearly 500 yards and the latter nearly 300; both have caught four touchdowns in 2005. TE Anthony Mix has also gotten work, scoring a pair of TDs and totaling more than 250 receiving yards on the campaign. The Tigers' defense is ranked third in the SEC, allowing about two touchdowns each night out. That unit has slipped some in recent weeks, however, allowing 27 and 30 points in their last two SEC outings.
In contrast to Auburn, the Crimson Tide's success has been directly attributed to its defense, ranked number one in the entire nation. In fact, Alabama, who allows just nine points per game on average, is the only team in America allowing eleven or fewer points per contest. The unit allows less than 100 rushing yards per game and has intercepted eleven passes in 2005. QB Brodie Croyle has led an offensive unit that has struggled throughout the season. UA has not scored more than 17 points in a SEC game since the first day of October. In last week's loss to LSU, Croyle completed just 19 of 40 passes. One player who did have a good performance against the Tigers last week was all-SEC candidate RB Kenneth Darby. The junior dashed for 104 yards on 21 carries, eclipsing the 1000-yard mark for the season in the process. WRs D.J. Hall and Keith Brown are Croyle's favorite targets. That duo combines for 130 receiving yards and about one touchdown per game.
This is a matchup of the SEC's best offense at Auburn and the league's best defense from Alabama. The Tide has scored just one touchdown in the last sixteen quarters of SEC football, and though the Tigers' defense is not as highly ranked as the Tide's, that unit is still one of the conference's best. Look for Alabama's offensive woes to continue and for Auburn to jump out in front early and pull away late.
The Editor Says: Auburn 27-13
> Next Seven
Bowling Green at Miami (Ohio)
Tuesday 6:00 PM CST ESPN2
These two squads are tied atop the MAC East standings with 4-2 conference records, so the winner of this one takes the advantage with just one game to play. Miami has won four straight since losing at NIU in early October. Though the Falcons have lost two of their last three, they did get back on track with a win at Kent State this past weekend.
The Editor Says: Miami (Ohio) 27-20
Northern Illinois at Toledo
Wednesday 6:30 PM CST ESPN2
The Rockets, 5-1 in league play, are the only MAC team with one conference loss. Northern Illinois and Western Michigan are each just a game back with two MAC losses each. A Rocket victory clinches Toledo's spot in the conference title game, while a Husky road win would set up a huge NIU/WMU showdown a week from Wednesday.
The Editor Says: Toledo 34-24
(6) Virginia Tech at Virginia
Saturday 11:00 AM CST ESPN
The Hokies remain tied atop the ACC Coastal standings but must hope for a Miami loss to either Georgia Tech this week or Virginia next week to make the league championship game. The Cavs have won three of their last four, including victories over Florida State and GT at home. In an upset special, look for Coach Al Groh's team to come out on top.
The Editor Says: Virginia 24-21
(12) Ohio State at Michigan
Saturday 12:00 PM CST ABC
If Penn State were to lose at Michigan State, the winner of this game would hold the top spot in the Big Ten standings. All three teams would have 6-2 league records with a PSU loss and UM win, and the Wolves would have beaten both OSU and PSU. An OSU win and PSU loss would leave the Buckeyes as the outright Big Ten champ.
The Editor Says: Ohio State 23-17
(5) Penn State at Michigan State
Saturday 6:45 PM CST ESPN
A Penn State victory makes OSU/UM meaningless in the Big Ten standings, and that's just what the Nittany Lions aim to do. Michigan State has lost five of its last six since starting the season 4-0, and now the Spartans must beat PSU to go bowling next month. With this much on the line, JoePa takes care of business, and PSU is off to the BCS.
The Editor Says: Penn State 34-24
Clemson at South Carolina
Saturday 6:00 PM CST ESPN GamePlan
This game just got a whole lot more appealing after the Tigers and Gamecocks both scored upset victories over Florida State and Florida last week. Both teams are bowl eligible, and USC actually has an outside shot at making a SEC title game appearance if Georgia was to lose to Kentucky. That won't happen, but Spurrier does get the win.
The Editor Says: South Carolina 27-21
(15) Fresno State at (1) Southern Cal
Saturday 9:15 PM CST FoxSportsNet
Fresno State proved they are both the best team in the WAC and one of the best teams in America with a 27-7 trouncing of Boise State last Thursday. This week's test at top-ranked USC will be much more difficult, however. Just two games stand between the Trojans and a national title game. It will be just one remaining obstacle after Saturday night.
The Editor Says: Southern Cal 44-23
> Predicting the Rest
Ohio over Akron
Texas Tech over Oklahoma
Northwestern over Illinois
South Florida over Cincinnati
Boston College over Maryland
Central Michigan over Ball State
Iowa over Minnesota
Georgia over Kentucky
Vanderbilt over Tennessee
Purdue over Indiana
NC State over Middle Tennessee
Army over Arkansas State
North Carolina over Duke
Eastern Michigan over Buffalo
Navy over Temple
Arkansas over Mississippi State
Oklahoma State over Baylor
Missouri over Kansas State
Notre Dame over Syracuse
UCF over Rice
BYU over Utah
Boise State over Idaho
Nevada over Utah State
Washington State over Washington
Colorado State over UNLV
Marshall over East Carolina
San Jose State over New Mexico State
Houston over SMU
Florida International over Western Kentucky
UTEP over UAB
Oregon over Oregon State
Stanford over California
Louisiana-Monroe over North Texas
Tulsa over Tulane
Miami over Georgia Tech
LSU over Mississippi
Wyoming over San Diego State
Southern Miss over Memphis
> The Editor's Records
Last Week: 38-15 (.717)
To Date: 438-149 (.746)
Game of the Week: 6-5 (.545)
> Talk about it in The College Corner...
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Copyright � 2004 SouthernCollegeSports.com. All rights reserved. This website is an unofficial and independently operated source of news and information not affiliated with any school, team, or league.


text:
'''
TODO Add a proper introduction of the package.
'''
from pyPaSWAS.Core.Exceptions import InvalidOptionException
from pyPaSWAS import set_logger, _override_settings, _log_settings_to_file, normalize_file_path
from datetime import datetime
import configparser
import logging
import optparse
import os
import sys

def parse_cli(config_file):
    '''
    parseCLI()

    This function parses the command line using the optparse module from the python standard library.
    Though deprecated since python 2.7, optparse still is used in stead of argparse because the python
    version available at the development systems was 2.6.
    The options and arguments are stored in the global variables settings and arguments, respectively.
    '''
    # Read defaults
    config = configparser.ConfigParser()
    try:
        config.read(config_file)
    except configparser.ParsingError:
        raise configparser.ParsingError("Unable to parse the defaults file ({})".format(config_file))

    parser = optparse.OptionParser()
    parser.description = ('This program performs a Smith-Waterman alignment of the sequences in FILE_1 against '
                          'the reverse-complement of the reads.\nWhen an alignment indicates the presence of '
                          'palindromes the read will be split at. ')
    usage = '%prog [options] FILE_1'
    parser.usage = usage
    # general options

    # TODO: Get final naming (convention) for all parameters!!
    general_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Options that affect the general operation of the program')
    general_options.add_option('-L', '--logfile', help='log events to FILE', metavar="FILE", dest='logfile')
    general_options.add_option('--loglevel', help='log level. Valid options are DEBUG, INFO, WARNING, ERROR'
                               ' and CRITICAL', dest='loglevel', default=config.get('General', 'loglevel'))
    general_options.add_option('-o', '--out', help='The file in which the program stores the generated output.'
                               '\nDefaults to ./output', dest='out_file', default=config.get('General', 'out_file'))
    general_options.add_option('--outputformat', help='The format of the file in which the program stores the '
                               'generated output.\nAvailable options are TXT and SAM.\nDefaults to txt',
                               dest='out_format', default=config.get('General', 'out_format'))
    general_options.add_option('-p', '--program', help='The program to be executed. Valid options are "aligner"'
                               ', "trimmer", "mapper", "plotter" and palindrome (experimental)', dest='program',
                               default=config.get('General', 'program'))

    general_options.add_option('-1', '--filetype1', help='File type of the first file. See bioPython IO for'
                               ' available options', dest='filetype1', default=config.get('General', 'filetype1'))
    general_options.add_option('-O', '--override_output', help='When output file exists, override it (T/F)',
                               dest='override_output', default=config.get('General', 'override_output'))
    general_options.add_option('-c', '--configfile', help='Give settings using configuration file',
                               dest='config_file', default=False)

    parser.add_option_group(general_options)

    input_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'start & stop indices for processing files. Handy for cluster processing. Leave all to zero to process all.')
    input_options.add_option('--start_query', help='start index in the query file (1)', dest='start_query', default=config.get("Input", "start_query"))
    input_options.add_option('--end_query', help='end index in the query file (1)', dest='end_query', default=config.get("Input", "end_query"))

    input_options.add_option('--start_target', help='start index in the target file (2)', dest='start_target', default=config.get("Input", "start_target"))
    input_options.add_option('--end_target', help='end index in the target file (2)', dest='end_target', default=config.get("Input", "end_target"))
    input_options.add_option('--sequence_step', help='Number of sequences read from file 2 before processing. Handy when processing NGS files.',
                              dest='sequence_step', default=config.get('Input', 'sequence_step'))
    input_options.add_option('--query_step', help='Number of sequences read from file 1 before processing. Handy when processing NGS files.',
                              dest='query_step', default=config.get('Input', 'query_step'))

    parser.add_option_group(input_options)

    aligner_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Options that affect the alignment.\nAligners include aligner'
                                           ' and mapper')
    aligner_options.add_option('--customMatrix', help='the custom matrix that should be used', dest='custom_matrix')
    aligner_options.add_option('-G', help='Float. Penalty for a gap', dest='gap_score',
                               default=config.get('Aligner', 'gap_score'))
    aligner_options.add_option('-g', '--gap_extension', help='Float. Penalty for a gap extension. Set to zero to ignore this (faster)', dest='gap_extension',
                           default=config.get('Aligner', 'gap_extension'))

    aligner_options.add_option('-M', '--matrixname', help='The scoring to be used. Valid options are '
                               '"DNA-RNA", "PALINDROME", "BASIC" and "CUSTOM"', dest='matrix_name',
                               default=config.get('Aligner', 'matrix_name'))
    aligner_options.add_option('-q', '--mismatch_score', help='Float. Penalty for mismatch', dest='mismatch_score',
                               default=config.get('Aligner', 'mismatch_score'))
    aligner_options.add_option('-r', '--match_score', help='Float. Reward for match', dest='match_score',
                               default=config.get('Aligner', 'match_score'))
    aligner_options.add_option('--any', help='Float. Score for a character which is neither in the nucleotide'
                               ' list ("ACGTU"), nor equal to the anyNucleotide character ("N").\nOnly relevant'
                               ' for use with the DNA-RNA scoring type.', dest='any_score',
                               default=config.get('Aligner', 'any_score'))
    aligner_options.add_option('--other', help='Float. Score if the anyNucleotide character ("N") is present in'
                               ' either query or subject.\nOnly relevant for use with the DNA-RNA scoring type.',
                               dest='other_score', default=config.get('Aligner', 'other_score'))
    aligner_options.add_option('--minimum', help='Float. Sets the minimal score that initiates a back trace.'
                               ' Do not set this very low: output may be flooded by hits.', dest='minimum_score',
                               default=config.get('Aligner', 'minimum_score'))

    aligner_options.add_option('--llimit', help='Float. Sets the lower limit for the maximum score '
                               'which will be used to report a hit. pyPaSWAS will then also report hits with '
                               'a score lowerLimitScore * highest hit score. Set to <= 1.0. ',
                               dest='lower_limit_score', default=config.get('Aligner', 'lower_limit_score'))
    parser.add_option_group(aligner_options)

    filter_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Options for finding palindromes and splitting reads' )

    filter_options.add_option('--filter_factor', help='The filter factor to be used. Reports only hits within'
                              ' filterFactor * highest possible score * length shortest sequence (or: defines'
                              ' lowest value of the reported relative score). Set to <= 1.0',
                              dest='filter_factor', default=config.get('Filter', 'filter_factor'))

    filter_options.add_option('--query_coverage', help='Minimum query coverage. Set to <= 1.0',
                              dest='query_coverage', default=config.get('Filter', 'query_coverage'))

    filter_options.add_option('--query_identity', help='Minimum query identity. Set to <= 1.0',
                              dest='query_identity', default=config.get('Filter', 'query_identity'))

    filter_options.add_option('--relative_score', help='Minimum relative score, defined by the alignment score'
                              ' divided by the length of the shortest of the two sequences. Set to <= highest possible score'
                              ', for example 5.0 in case of DNA',
                              dest='relative_score', default=config.get('Filter', 'relative_score'))

    filter_options.add_option('--base_score', help='Minimum base score, defined by the alignment score'
                              ' divided by the length of the alignment (including gaps). Set to <= highest possible score'
                              ', for example 5.0 in case of DNA',
                              dest='base_score', default=config.get('Filter', 'base_score'))
    parser.add_option_group(filter_options)

    palindrome_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Options related to the Palindrome detector.')
    palindrome_options.add_option('--query_coverage_slice', help='Minimum fraction of the read in the alignment needed to slice the read in half.', dest='query_coverage_slice',
                              default=config.get('Palindrome', 'query_coverage_slice'))

    palindrome_options.add_option('--minimum_read_length', help='Minimum length of the read in bp to the saved.', dest='minimum_read_length',
                              default=config.get('Palindrome', 'minimum_read_length'))
    palindrome_options.add_option('--remove', help='Either remove (T) or process (F) the read.', dest='remove',
                              default=config.get('Palindrome', 'remove'))
    parser.add_option_group(palindrome_options)

    device_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Options that affect the usage and settings of the '
                                          'parallel devices')
    device_options.add_option('--device', help='the device on which the computations will be performed. '
                              'This should be an integer.', dest='device_number',
                              default=config.get('Device', 'device_number'))
    device_options.add_option('--number_of_compute_units', help='Number of compute units to use (openCL only). Will not work on every device, recommended for CPU only. Set this 1 to use a single core on the device for example.'
                              'This should be an integer, using 0 for full device.', dest='number_of_compute_units',
                              default=config.get('Device', 'number_of_compute_units'))
    device_options.add_option('--sub_device', help='the sub device on which the computations will be performed. Only used when number_of_compute_units > 0. '
                              'This should be an integer.', dest='sub_device',
                              default=config.get('Device', 'sub_device'))

    device_options.add_option('--limit_length', help='Length of the longest sequence  in characters to be read'
                              ' from file. Lower this when memory of GPU is low.', dest='limit_length',
                              default=config.get('Device', 'limit_length'))
    device_options.add_option('--maximum_memory_usage', help='Fraction (<= 1.0) of available GPU memory to use. Useful with --recompile=F and when several pyPaSWAS applications are running.', dest="maximum_memory_usage", default=config.get('Device', 'maximum_memory_usage'))
    device_options.add_option('--njobs', help='Sets the number of jobs run simultaneously on the grid. Will read'
                              ' only part of the sequence file. (not implemented yet)', dest='number_of_jobs')
    device_options.add_option('--process_id', help='Sets the processID of this job in the grid. ',
                              dest='process_id')
    device_options.add_option('--max_genome_length', help='Deprecated.\nDefaults to 200000',
                              dest='max_genome_length', default=config.get('Device', 'max_genome_length'))
    device_options.add_option('--recompile', help='Recompile CUDA code? Set to F(alse) when sequences are of similar length: much faster.',
                              dest='recompile', default=config.get('Device', 'recompile'))
    device_options.add_option('--short_sequences', help='Set to T(true) when aligning short sequences (trimming?) to maximize memory usage.',
                              dest='short_sequences', default=config.get('Device', 'short_sequences'))

    parser.add_option_group(device_options)

    framework_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Determines which parallel computing framework to use for this program ')
    framework_options.add_option('--framework', help='Choose which parallel computing framework to use, can be either CUDA or OpenCL ', dest='framework',default=config.get('Framework','language'))
    parser.add_option_group(framework_options)

    ocl_options = optparse.OptionGroup(parser, 'Options for the usage of the OpenCL framework ')
    ocl_options.add_option('--device_type', help='Type of device to perform computations on (either CPU, GPU or ACCELARATOR)',
                           dest='device_type', default=config.get('OpenCL', 'device_type'))
    ocl_options.add_option('--platform_name', help='Platform to run computations on (either Intel, NVIDIA or AMD)',
                           dest='platform_name', default=config.get('OpenCL', 'platform_name'))
    parser.add_option_group(ocl_options)

    (settings, arguments) = parser.parse_args()

    # If an extra configuration file is given, override settings as given by this file
    if settings.config_file:
        (settings, arguments) = _override_settings(settings.config_file, settings, arguments)

    if len(arguments) < 1:
        raise InvalidOptionException('Missing input files. please use -h for available options')

    return (settings, arguments)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Saturday morning, 11 o' clock. A friend Whastsapped me some photos of a Russian Kamov Ka-32 helicopter operated by Swiss company Heliswiss during swing load operations near Milan to carry HVAC units for a business district. My friend managed to follow it until it landed, in a park between the municipalities of Milan and Segrate, and speaking with the pilot he was able to tell me that it would have took off again in half an hour.
Fortunately I was visiting my parents nearby, and I had my camera with me. I managed to reach the park just in time to see it taking off.
It was nice to be able to catch it. Last september, this same helicopter was used for sling load operations around some skyscrapers in Milan while I was spotting elsewhere. It even "trolled" me by overflying me that day!
Notice the twin counter-rotating coaxial rotor configuration, typical of Kamov helicopters (but the first helicopter with this configuration flew in Italy in 1930, designed by Corradino d'Ascanio, who later designed the famous Vespa scooter). This configuration allows to dispose of the tail anti-torque rotor, thus enabling a shorter fuselage compared with traditional helicopters. The compactness of this configuration allowed Kamov to win a contract for anti-submarine warfare helicopters to be embarked on Soviet Navy ship, designing the Kamov Ka-25 (NATO codename "Hormone"). The Ka-25 evolved in the larger Ka-27 (NATO codename "Helix"), of which the Ka-32 is a civilian version).


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If you've ever been to SoDak Con, you've seen our dedicated photographers! Weaving in and out of the crowd, catching the action as it happens, and providing a wide variety of photo opportunities for all con attendee's.
This year they want you to know who they are, where they come from, and that they are here for you! Have an awesome idea?! Need a group shot?! Just wanna get caught up in the action?! Catch up with one of us and let us know!
As an avid supporter and participant of all things creative I am proudly embarking on my third year with SoDak Con. This event rings a true calling of people that are rich with the creative spirit. Every year I am floored by what all of you bring and the enthusiasm that follows. Never have I been a photographer of an event this size and left so inspired to join the creativity. You can learn what SoDak Con has invoked in me at www.project6068.com and share your own stories at our dealer photo booth!
If you have any issues reaching any of the pages or are finding functionality issues with the website please contact the web administrator at Admin@sdcon.org.
If you have any questions regarding the convention please contact us!


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Atleast 448 killed in Iran protests over Mahsa Amini's death: Rights group
Tehran [Iran], November 30 (ANI): Iranian Security Forces have killed at least 448 people in a crackdown on protests held in Iran over the death of 22-year-old Mahsa Amini. The protests began in mid-September and witnessed clashes, and killings of demonstrators in large numbers, Arab News reported citing a human rights group on Tuesday.
According to Norway's Iran Human Rights group, 60 of the 448 verified fatalities were minors under 18, including nine girls. Another 29 victims were women. According to the report, security personnel have murdered 16 people in the past week alone, 12 of them were killed in Kurdish-populated areas where demonstrations have been particularly violent.
The number of fatalities has also increased since the deaths of those who were slain in prior weeks were confirmed and included, the rights group said adding that the death toll solely includes civilians murdered in the crackdown, not security personnel.
More than 300 individuals had been slain, according to Brigadier General Amirali Hajjizadeh of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps earlier on Tuesday. This was the first time the government had confirmed such a number, Arab News reported.
The protests in Iran erupted after 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was taken into custody by Iran's morality police on September 16 for wearing an 'inappropriate' headscarf, and later died, drawing allegations of custodial violence.
Earlier on Thursday, India abstained from voting on a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) resolution to set up a fact-finding mission to investigate the alleged Human Rights violation committed on protesters in Iran that started on September 16.
Taking to Twitter, United Nations Human Right Council said, "At its 35th special session, the @UN Human Rights Council decided to create a new fact-finding mission to investigate "alleged HumanRightsViolations in the Islamic Republic of Iran related to the protests that began on 16 September 2022."Apart from India, Malaysia, Indonesia, UAE and Khakhastan had also abstained from the resolution. Meanwhile, Pakistan and China rejected the resolution.
At a special session of the 47-member human rights organisation, the resolution was nevertheless adopted with 25 votes in favour, six against, and 16 abstentions. As a result, the Human Rights Council has now established a fact-finding mission in relation to the protests in Iran.
Moreover, the violent response of Iran's security forces toward protesters has shaken diplomatic ties between Tehran and Western leaders. (ANI)


Our book this week on Monday's green books will take you on a trail that we find one of the most interesting and significant ones in our life: the paper trail.
Mandy Haggith is a freelance writer, researcher and activist. She has spent the past decade campaigning for the world's forests, including lobbying at the United Nations, working as a consultant for Greenpeace and WWF and writing articles for Pulp and Paper International and Resurgence magazine.
What it is about (from the publisher's website): Paper charts the course of our lives, from the medical sheets in maternity wards to our death certificates. We write on it, package things in it, use it as currency and blow our noses on it. Yet our dependence on this seemingly 'green' product is damaging our planet and creating mountains of unnecessary waste.
Join Mandy Haggith on a journey to the heart of the global paper industry, travelling from the pristine forests and managed plantations of Canada, Russia and Indonesia to the pulp mills and paper factories of China and Britain, and the end users in businesses, governments, schools and homes throughout the world.
Pursuing the paper trail from forest to landfill, she uncovers the origins, multiple uses and disposal of this everyday product and gives a fascinating new perspective on the paper industry's dirtiest secrets, from environmental devastation to human rights abuses. You'll discover the truth about the paper we use every day and the simple, practical steps you can take to minimise your own paper trail.
Mandy Haggith took on herself a very important quest: connecting the dots. She wants to get people to better understand the connection between the paper we use and its origins - forests, many of them ancient and endangered ones.
In a way, our perception of paper today is very similar to the perception of cigarettes 30-40 years ago, when people didn't know the consequences of smoking and saw it as a habit and natural part of their life. Hence, I see Hagith like the people who made the connection between cigarettes and cancer publicly known.
It's not that we don't know that paper come from trees. That's not the problem. The problem is that many don't have the full picture in front of them and that's where Haggith's book tries to fill in the void, providing readers with ALL the information about the way the paper do before it gets to your printer or the copy machine at the office.
1. Her research is not based only on reading books at the library and sitting in front of the computer, but mainly on the journeys to forests all over the world, from China and Russia to Canada and Indonesia. I think that her research and activism capabilities create the perfect match for such a mission.
2. It brings many facts and helps to clarify misconceptions and false perceptions people and businesses have which influence the way they think and act. She explained one example to the Independent lately: "No one likes to think of trees being felled, but many of us have a cosy image in our heads that it all comes from recycling or "sustainable" woodlands growing in neat rows, perhaps somewhere in Sweden. It's a myth. Globally, 70 per cent of the 335 million tons of paper the world uses each year comes from natural, un-farmed sources. In Canada, the UK's biggest source of pulp, 90 per cent of its output comes directly from its ancient forests."
3. Haggith not only present the problem, but also solutions, from reducing the usage of paper as whole to increasing the usage of recycled paper. And the bottom line is optimistic - we can change our habits and get over the long addiction to virgin paper.
In Eco-Libris we deal with these issues on daily basis in our fight to make reading more sustainable, and therefore I think it's great to have a book such as this one that can become an important tool in the long fight to reduce impacts of paper production and make sure that we can enjoy the advantages of paper without destroying our forests.
If you're looking for other interesting green books, you are invited to check out our green books page on our website's green resources section.
Nowadays we can not even think a day without use of a paper!For producing of paper we already deforested a huge area of this globe.
Thanks to the Author,She traveled a lot of area for research and find out the truth about paper industry,which are noted down in this book.
However she also gives some suggestions about solving this problem.I very much appreciate for her this kind of effort.
I think this book helps to make awareness among the people of this earth about recycle,reuse of paper.


Generally it is a matter of personal taste – in appearance and your expectations in cleaning and maintenance. Both lacquers and oil change the colour of the unfinished hardwood, although some special finishes preserve the unfinished colour through the addition of small amounts of white pigment in the lacquer or oil.
Most hardwood flooring is available prefinished at the factory.
Modern lacquers sit on the surface of the wood and usually provide a smooth finished surface which is easily cleaned with a damp mop. They are available in gloss, or the more popular satin and matt finishes. However they can be damaged with a sharp object and over time the long term abrasive effect of dirt underfoot, sanding away at the finish. Scratches show more in gloss lacquers than matt finishes.
We do stock repair kits for lacquered floors and polish which gives your floor greater protection and added durability providing a sacrificial layer which can be easily re-coated. Additional coats of lacquer can be applied after abrading and cleaning the surface. When lacquered floors become badly worn or damaged they may require sanding and refinishing by a specialist.
Modern Oils penetratedeeper into the wood. Normally of two types both have slightly more texture on the surface than lacquer.
1. UV (ultraviolet ) oil .Cured by uv light in the factory finishing process that provides a hard finish that can be re-coated with maintenance paste.
2. Natural oil can be re-coated quite simply with most oil finishes or hardwax oil which gives long term protection and an additional wear and tear layer.
A wide selection of maintenance oils and refreshers can be used for cleaning and refreshing the finish. One benefit is the ability to easily repair scratches or minor defects with a little more oil or paste.
In summary an oiled floor requires a little more maintenance than a lacquered surface but is easier to repair day to day wear and scratches.
Unit 11 Malham Road Ind. Est.


Bidens frondosa ("2-toothed," referring to the 2 horns on the achenes). - Family, Composite. Color, greenish or pale yellow, taken mostly from the disk, for the rays are seldom found. The involucre is roundish, and the outer bracts become long, much longer than the disk, leaf-like, rough-margined. Leaves, petioled, pinnately 3 to 5-divided, with segments thin, stalked, sharply toothed, acute at apex, roughish. 2 to 8 feet high. July to October.
One may make the acquaintance of this plant by its fruit, after a walk in the woods in fall. The seeds are achenes, with barbed awns which point down, catching in the clothing. There is no beauty in the plant, and it is often quite too common, becoming a weed more and more widely disseminated. Some of its common names show the low estimation in which it is held - beggar - lice, pitchforks (a really suitable name), stickseed, or sticktight.


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Portable Handwashing Stations Allow Students to Lather Up Before Class
A student-led initiative from UCF Wellness and Health Promotion Services aims to bring awareness to sustaining healthy habits during COVID-19 as flu season approaches.
By Jenna Marina Lee | August 24, 2020
Stations of portable sinks will be available daily around the main and downtown campuses in high foot-traffic areas for the first two weeks of the new school year, and WHPS plans to offer the service frequently throughout the fall semester. (Photo by Nick Leyva '15)
Fresh off her morning shift at her part-time job on UCF's main campus, health sciences senior Danielle Tellier was walking to her car when a voice called out, "Would you like to wash your hands?"
Tellier stopped at the portable sinks stationed alongside the Reflecting Pond and took advantage of the opportunity to freshen up.
"I think this is an interesting idea," Tellier says of the touch-free sinks, a new initiative offered by UCF Wellness and Health Promotion Services. "I like it especially because this area is usually a spot with a lot of activity — people listening to music or student organizations tabling out here — so it's a great way to keep us protected."
UCF Wellness and Health Promotion Services promotes healthy lifestyle habits associated with higher academic performance by providing outreach and educational workshops. Their wide array of services includes free HIV testing, cooking demonstrations, healthy recipes, tutorials on mindfulness, couponing and wellness coaching.
"WHPS wants to reduce as many barriers to self-care as we can. We want people to be as prepared as possible and continue the behavior of handwashing, especially through flu season."
The department's latest outreach measure is bringing portable sinks to UCF, which will give students another option to sanitize their hands before attending classes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, handwashing for at least 20 seconds is one of the best ways to protect yourself and others from getting sick.
"The hope is this will help reduce anxiety around our current situation," says director Maureen Hawkins. "WHPS wants to reduce as many barriers to self-care as we can. We want people to be as prepared as possible and continue the behavior of handwashing, especially through flu season."
The sinks are touch-free. Water flows by activating a foot pump and the soap dispenser and paper towels are automated. (Photo by Nick Leyva '15)
The portable sinks, popular at music festivals and foot races, are touch-free and are stationed near a tent staffed by WHPS personnel to help guide users. Water flows by activating a foot pump — used water drains into a separate container and is disposed of while clean water is added to a different container by staff throughout the day. The soap dispenser and paper towels are automated.
The stations will be available daily around the main and downtown campuses in high foot-traffic areas for the first two weeks of the new school year, and WHPS plans to offer the service frequently throughout the fall semester.
"I think it's important to take steps like washing our hands and wearing face masks," Tellier says. "This is not only about protecting you, but also protecting those who may not be able to protect themselves. We all need to work together so we can get through and eventually overcome this pandemic."
For the latest information about returning to campus, visit UCF's coronavirus and Returning to UCF websites. Students, faculty, staff and visitors will be required to complete the COVID Self-Checker — available via the UCF mobile app or online — each day before arriving to campus.
Coronavirus innovation Wellness and Health Promotion Services
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Spring 2022 Classes at UCF Resume Jan. 10
COVID-19 Testing Site Open at UCF in Partnership with Aventus Biolabs
Top 20 UCF Today Stories of 2021
UCF Researchers Develop Rapid, Highly Accurate Test to Detect Viruses like COVID-19
New UCF Study Finds Reasons Why Hospitality Workers Aren't Returning After COVID
Knights Do That: Expertise on Infectious Diseases and Vaccines
UCF Awards COVID-19 Vaccine Developer Darin Edwards Honorary Degree


Pre-Oreder Your 2019 Subaru Forester Now!
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Finding your dream vehicle, let alone one that you can comfortably call your dream car, should be an exciting process. At least, that's what the folks here at Victory Subaru, serving Somerset, Princeton, Piscataway Township, East Brunswick, North Brunswick Township, South Brunswick, Edison, and the greater Philadelphia and New York region believe. So if a model with impressive safety, eye-catching styling and symmetrical all-wheel drive without sacrificing gas mileage is what you're shopping for, we have plenty of new Subaru models to choose from.
Whether you've heard of vehicles like the new 2017 Impreza, BRZ, WRX, Outback, Legacy, Forester and Crosstrek before, or you're new to the lineup, our expansive selection can be explored both at our Somerset, NJ showroom, and right here on our website. There are plenty of reasons to own a Subaru in New Jersey. Whatever your lifestyle, there is a new Subaru for you at our NJ Subaru dealership.
Once you've found a model that catches your eye, our sales team is happy to help fill you in on all the details. We can go over features, options, and a variety of car finance plans with you, so you'll drive off our lot satisfied.
* Although every reasonable effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained on this site, absolute accuracy cannot be guaranteed. This site, and all information and materials appearing on it, are presented to the user "as is" without warranty of any kind, either express or implied, including but not limited to the implied warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, title or non-infringement. All vehicles are subject to prior sale. Price does not include applicable tax, title, and license. Customer also responsible for $395 Document Fee. Not responsible for typographical errors.


The other view sees the makings of a comeback in her newfound passion, her attacks on Obama, and the pile-on feel of her critics and competitors. I'm afraid I see the latter and predict that tomorrow night, the talk will be of another "Comeback Kid" in New Hampshire.
Now, she is again the frontrunner. The Republican race is more wide-open than ever, with McCain holding a slight edge.
That's the story that's being written today. Here's one that isn't.
It just became much more likely that Mayor Mike Bloomberg will run for president.
The conventional wisdom has been that Bloomberg would run if the parties nominated if one or two things happened: polarization or buyer's remorse. In the first case, the parties nominate two divisive candidates who appeal primarily to the far left and far right. In the second scenario, both races are settled so early that the public grows tired of the nominees and starts looking for a new option.
Most people agree that if Senator Obama wins the nomination (and to a lesser extent, John McCain), there is much less room for Bloomberg. Obama's campaign is built around the themes of hope, change, and unity; bringing the country together to face our common challenges. Though he is not running as a centrist by any measure, his theme is one targeted directly at the independents and moderate Republicans who might be open to a Bloomberg candidacy.
A victory by Obama last night would have only furthered the huge tidal wave he was riding and made it very likely that he would win the nomination. I no longer think that's likely (more on that in the next post) and Hillary Clinton is precisely the type of candidate that Bloomberg wants to run against. But the buyer's remorse scenario is even more important and also, I believe, dead wrong.
Last night's victories means that this campaign has a long way to go. It's entirely possible that much will still be up in the air after Super Tuesday in early February. There are 3 viable candidates on the Democratic side and possibly 4 for the Republicans. This means many more critical debates, newsworthy polls, and a phenomenal amount of argument about strategy and the horse race. With interest in the campaign so high, many likable candidates, and dramatic story lines, there's no opening for a third party.
I see it differently. The unsettled campaign means that things are about to get much less friendly. There is little room to remain above the fray in an increasingly tense and likely bitter battle. We've already seen this from Clinton and the Obama camp has said it's time to respond. The candidates will become much more aggressive and strident. And above all else, our television sets are about to be flooded with attack ads from all sides, including special interests. With the huge number of contests ahead, the campaigns will be forced to rely on advertising like never before.
In the end, voters will grow disenchanted with the candidates and frustrated with the process. A protracted, negative campaign that ends with Senator Clinton as the nominee is exactly the scenario that could lead to a Bloomberg run. If Obama had won last night decisively, the chances were less than 10% that he would. Today, I think there's a 50% chance Bloomberg will run.
Thanks for living up to my expectations. :) Great post. Great post!
Excellent analysis Brian. To my thinking, a third-party candidate's role has always been as a spoiler. Even Teddy Roosevelt, a former president was a spolier when he ran for the Bull Moose Party, and no more.The question is who would Bloomberg spoil it for. That's a tough call.
Shel: Thanks for your feedback. Everyone says repeatedly that Bloomberg will only run if he believes he can actually win. Now, believing and doing are two very different things.
I believe he has a broad enough appeal that in the perfect scenario, that would be possible. But I do tend to think that he would take more votes from the Democrats (particularly Clinton), which could then tip some states to the Republican in the spoiler scenario.
Bloomberg doesn't spoil it for anybody. Bloomberg wins.


In Donald Rumsfeld's new book, Known and Unknown, out February 8, Rumsfeld offers an account of George W. Bush's early interest in Iraq. This was just days after the 9/11 attacks. There were no apparent reasons for Bush to focus on Iraq, instead of on the actual perpetrators of the attacks.
Just 15 days after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, President George W. Bush invited his defense secretary, Donald H. Rumsfeld, to meet with him alone in the Oval Office. According to Mr. Rumsfeld's new memoir, the president leaned back in his leather chair and ordered a review and revision of war plans — but not for Afghanistan, where the Qaeda attacks on New York and Washington had been planned and where American retaliation was imminent.
"He asked that I take a look at the shape of our military plans on Iraq," Mr. Rumsfeld writes.
When the option of attacking Iraq in post-9/11 military action was raised first during a Camp David meeting on Sept. 15, 2001, Mr. Bush said Afghanistan would be the target. But Mr. Rumsfeld's recollection in the memoir, "Known and Unknown," to be published Tuesday, shows that even then Mr. Bush was focused as well on Iraq.
What Rumsfeld seems to be saying, without saying it explicitly, is hugely important: that Bush's rush to war with Iraq seemed to make no sense. More than that, it was downright fishy.
Rumsfeld suggests that Bush had some kind of prior agenda that had nothing to do with any role Iraq might have had (and in any case did not) in the events of 9/11. Bush simply wanted to invade that country.
If so, why? Rumsfeld apparently doesn't speculate. But he doesn't need to.
Herskowitz said that Bush expressed frustration at a lifetime as an underachiever in the shadow of an accomplished father. In aggressive military action, he saw the opportunity to emerge from his father's shadow.
That opportunity, of course, would come in the wake of the September 11 attacks. "Suddenly, he's at ninety- one percent in the polls," Herskowitz said, "and he'd barely crawled out of the bunker." Just four days before, according to a Gallup poll, his approval rating was 51 percent.
Bush's circle of preelection advisers had a fixation on the political capital that British prime minister Margaret Thatcher had amassed from the Falklands War with Argentina. Said Herskowitz: "They were just absolutely blown away, just enthralled by the scenes of the troops coming back, of the boats, people throwing flowers at [Thatcher] and her getting these standing ovations in Parliament and making these magnificent speeches." It was a masterpiece of "perception management"—a lesson in how to maneuver the media and public into supporting a war, irrespective of the actual merits.
What's remarkable is that after all this time, news outlets such as the Times, and almost every other major corporate-owned news outfit, has simply ignored what is now a matter of public record. Herskowitz is no duffer. He is a longtime Texas newspaper columnist who has ghostwritten or co-authored several dozen books on major figures in politics and sports. He went on to write the authorized biography of Bush's grandfather, at the invitation of Bush's father. The family obviously trusted him.
As far as I can tell, these news organizations have never been pressed to explain why they ignore this missing link into one of America's biggest misadventures. So these news organizations have never pressed Bush to respond. And so he hasn't. And there we are.


You certainly made a grand entrance into my life. I was purchasing groceries at Food Lion and you walked in through the automatic door three times. On the inside, you went from one person to another wagging your tail widely from side to side.
Each time you were schussed out, you patiently waited your turn to enter with the next shopper to repeat your search-but for what were you searching? On my way out to my car, I heard a store employee say, "Call animal control." I knew that wouldn't have a good outcome for you. It was Thanksgiving week and you were a large, intact hound dog. Some strangers helped put you in my car. One of them asked, "What are you going to do with him?" "Find someone to adopt him," I replied. When I got you home, I saw that you were a young male in very poor condition. About fifteen pounds underweight with a very poor coat plus you were covered in ticks - twenty-two of them. I gave you your first bath in my tub, called someone from Colonial Capital Humane Society where I was a volunteer and informed them that we had another dog in our foster program. Then I gave you a bowl of food and witnessed the worst case of food aggression that I've ever seen. That was the moment that I realized I had gotten myself into something challenging. I had two dogs of my own and run a very dogmacratic household. This behavior was unacceptable.
I had you vetted and neutered and hand-fed you for about two months. The food aggression subsided. I trained you in basic obedience and was pleasantly surprised at your intelligence and willingness to learn. Yet you still displayed some issues with other dogs so the training and socializing continued. I took you to an adoptathon in the mall when I thought you were "ready." Everyone walked past your big eyes and wagging tail to get a look at the little dogs. Well, this just wasn't your day. A few months later, I took you to your second adoptathon with the same result. Many little dogs had been applied for that day but, like before, you were overlooked. "Duke," I said, "I'm not putting you through this again. Let's go home."
It's been four years since then. You have taken me to new heights in training. You are show-ribbon ready to compete in agility, rally and obedience. We got this far because you are an athlete; you move like a dressage horse, jump like a gazelle and will do just about anything for a treat. You are the right dog for me and have gotten me into pretty decent shape keeping up with you. You've been fun and exasperating. You are the Fonz of the dog world and still misbehave with other dogs, but you are great with people and terrific for me.
So, my Found Hound, I'm glad that things worked out the way they did for us. There are no accidents and you and I are exactly where we are supposed to be. I thank you for giving me your best. I'm glad no one else saw the potential in you that I did else our story would have turned out much differently. You have lifted me up to a whole new dimension of training and enhanced the skills that I can pass on to my clients. Like so many rescues, you have your issues, but the challenges you've brought to me have strengthened our bond and my understanding of dogs like you.
RIP December 24, 2013 - lost you too young. Complications from surgery to remove an obstruction. So sad.


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WTF Are Qubits? The Ones and Zeroes of Quantum Computing Are Many Things at Once
Hint: they have to do with the development of a whole new generation of super-fast computers.
Karl Nyman
Qubits are getting more and more attention these days. You might have heard of them and, if you have, you probably know that have something to do with computers. What, exactly, they have to do with computers is confusing so, before we dive straight in, let's get our collective head around the idea of quantum computing. In quantum mechanics, systems can exhibit very peculiar behaviors. Among these is superposition, when a particle is in two places at once, and entanglement, when the behavior of one particle affects the behavior of other, more distant particles. These aren't phenomena we notice in our day to day lives, which is why we don't worry about the dog sitting in the cat or either one of them getting into a pantry three states over. The way we build computers right now is based on materials called transistors — aka semiconductors that interact with and amplify electronic signals — and they can't take advantage of quantum states. Quantum computers are different.
But if you built a computer that did directly deal with quantum phenomena, your electronic devices could do unbelievable things. These kinds of computers could operate at incredible speeds; sift through troves of data in mere seconds. At the core of making this work is transforming the nature of data. Currently, data is encoded in binary digits we call bits, existing simply as either one of two states only. But if you found a way to make bits quantum — that is, exist in multiple states at once — they would instead be quantum bits, or "qubits."
A qubit specifically works by taking advantage of superposition and having the ability to be not just one of two different states, but simultaneously be both states. It's like a light switch that's both on and off (an apt metaphor when you consider that qubits are based on particular polarizations of photons).That's weird for us in the real world to think about, but in the world of quantum physics, it's not weird at all.
Conceptual art of a quantum bit, or qubit. Karl Nyman
Qubits also exhibit quantum entanglement because they can be acted on simultaneously — further helping to speed data-driven processes. A computer running can do two things at once or, more to the point, run through a process multiple steps at a time.
For example, let's say you have a device that's going through a deep trove of data — like the phone numbers of everyone in the entire world — and organizing and analyzing each entry. A quantum computer based on qubits could accomplish such a task much faster because the data doesn't need to be sifted through one by one. Because the data can take on multiple states, it can be processed much faster.
Quantum computing itself is taking off, but getting qubits to work has been a much more difficult endeavor. There have been a measurable array of successes in the last decade. In 2013, Google launched the Quantum Artificial Intelligence Lab in collaboration with NASA, and successfully built a 512-qubit D-Wave quantum computer. Just this past month, researchers have solved problems hindering the development of optical qubits; and others unveiled the successful test of something called a "qutrit" — which can exist in not two, but three different superimposed states.
Will any of this ever affect the way we interface with mass market technology? It's likely, but there's little practical value to qubit knowledge — beyond understanding the ramifications of what is coming in the not so distant future.


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Former PA Catholic Priest Pleads Guilty In Connection With Repeated Sexual Assaults
October 17, 2018 newsdesk Crime, News 0
BROOKVILLE (Pa.) – A former Catholic priest for four decades in the Diocese of Erie, David Poulson, pleaded guilty today to felony crimes in connection with repeated sexual assaults against one boy and the attempted assault of another boy, according to Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro.
David Poulson, Former Catholic Priest.
Image by PA Attorney General's Office.
Poulson pleaded guilty to corruption of minors and endangering the welfare of children — third-degree felonies — in a hearing in Jefferson County Common Pleas Court, according to the report. Poulson was arrested and charged in May by Shapiro's office.
The victims were eight and 15-years-old at the time of the acts committed against them, according to Shapiro.
"Poulson assaulted one of his victims in church rectories," said Shapiro, in a news conference following Poulson's plea at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Brookville. "He made that victim go to confession and confess the abuse – to Poulson. He used the tools of the priesthood to further his abuse. Today, Poulson is being held accountable and facing justice for his crimes."
Poulson was charged earlier this year by a Statewide Investigating Grand Jury probing widespread sexual abuse by clergy against children in six Catholic dioceses in Pennsylvania, including the Diocese of Erie.
According to the grand jury's presentment:
Poulson sexually assaulted one victim repeatedly in church rectories at St. Michael's Catholic Church in Fryburg and Saint Anthony of Padua Catholic Church in Cambridge Springs. The abuse at the rectories usually happened on Sundays – after the victim served as an altar boy at Mass. These assaults took place more than 20 times.
Poulson required this victim to make confession to the sexual assaults – to Poulson, who heard the boy's confession.
According to Shapiro, Poulson also assaulted this victim and attempted to assault a second victim at a remote hunting cabin that he owned with a friend in Jefferson County. In an effort to assault them, Poulson would bring the youths to the cabin and watch horror movies with them on his laptop.
Since at least May 2010, the Diocese of Erie knew of Poulson's sexual predator tendencies – but did nothing to report him to authorities until September 2016, in response to a subpoena from the grand jury, according to the AG. In a May 24, 2010 secret memorandum – hidden in church archives for six years – Poulson admitted to being "aroused" by a boy and sharing suggestive texts with numerous other boys.
Poulson was assigned to various parishes during his tenure as a priest in the Diocese of Erie. His assignments included serving as Pastor of St. Agnes in Morrisdale, St. Michael's in Fryburg, St. Anthony of Padua in Cambridge Springs, and St. Bernadette in Cambridge Springs.
"Two of Poulson's victims received justice today, but because of outdated statute of limitations laws in Pennsylvania, other victims may never have their day in court," Attorney General Shapiro said.


Bumper stickers in Thailand are make for an interesting language lesson when you're caught in traffic. Apart from the typical เมาไม่ขับ "Don't Drink and Drive" and เรารักในหลวง "We Love the King" stickers, one can typically count on Thai bumper stickers to be one of two things, and frequently both: clever and filthy.
One clever sticker I saw recently made me chuckle. On government vehicles you'll see the lettering ใช้ในราชการเท่านั้น "For Official Use Only" below the logo for whatever department it belongs to. A taxi had adorned its bumper with: ใช้หนีราชการเท่านั้น "For Fleeing (from) Officials Only", a play on the usual phrase by replacing ใน /nai/ with หนี /nii/.
If you're sensibilities aren't too delicate, take a look over at this website that Doug Cooper put up sometime during the Clinton administration.
It's a large collection of Thai bumper stickers. Most are transcribed and many are translated. Some of the translations are wrong, and you have to download a special font to see the phonetic Thai, but it's still a nice collection. The content is not the type of Thai you'll want to use in polite company, if ever. Be warned.
"(I teach) wedding night lessons"
Another popular one I've seen so many times now that I began wondering if I'd gone colorblind. The gimmick is sticker lettering on the rear of the car saying รถคันนี้สี(X) "this car is (color), filling in the blank with any color that the car isn't. The lettering is often the color the car purports to be, but not always.
A typical example: a pink taxi might have lettered on its bumper: รถคันนี้สีเขียว "this car is green". I looked around on some Thai message boards, and many people claim it's done to แก้เคล็ด, as Thais say -- to ward off bad luck. I'm sure plenty do it to be ironic or trendy.
"Real men have a paunch."
The classic Thai grammar written in Thai is called, simply, หลักภาษาไทย "Principles of the Thai Language", by กำชัย ทองหล่อ. First published in 1952, the book joins the select club of Thai publications still in print after 50 years. Though out of date in some respects, it remains a useful book.
The book itself tells nothing about the author except that he received an honorary doctorate. So what did I do? I Googled him, of course. Most of the following below is translated from this brief bio.
Nai Kamchai Thonglor was born in a boat on the Chao Phra River, at Tambon Takhian Luean, Amphoe Mueang Nakhon Sawan, Changwat Nakhon Sawat, on May 17, 1906, to Nai Thongkham and Nang Srimueang.
As a boy he studied at Wat Ko Hong School (โรงเรียนวัดเกาะหงษ์). After finishing primary school, he continued his studies at Nakhon Sawan Boarding School (โรงเรียนประจำจังหวัดนครสวรรค์), finishing grade matthayom 3. After that, he became a novice at Wat Thep Sirintharawat (วัดเทพศิรินทราวาส) in Bangkok. He studied Pali, passing parian level 3, then ordained as a monk at the same temple, and eventually completed parian level 5.
After leaving the priesthood he taught Thai at Intharasueksa School (โรงเรียนอินทรศึกษา) and began to earn acclaim. The headmaster at Bangkok Christian College (โรงเรียนกรุงเทพคริสเตียน) noticed his work and invited Kamchai to teach there. While at the school, he began researching methods for teaching Thai and penned a well-known Thai language grammar and many other books.
Kamchai left Bangkok Christian College after 25 years teaching there. The Faculty of Education at Chulalongkorn University then invited him to join their staff, teaching Bachelor's and Master's students. And starting in 1961, he taught the Crown Prince and Princesses at Chitrlada School.
Kamchai married Nang Sawai, and they had seven children together. During his career he received several royal insignia and decorations: Grand Companion (Third Class) of the Most Illustrious Order of Chula Chom Klao (ตติยจุลจอมเกล้าวิเศษ), Knight Commander (Second Class) of the Most Exalted Order of the White Elephant (ทวิติยาภรณ์ช้างเผือก), and the King's Royal Cypher Medal (เหรียญรัตนาภรณ์). He also received the King's Personal Medal (เหรียญส่วนพระองค์ (ภ.อ.)), the Senior Teacher Medal (เหรียญครูอาวุโส), and was bestowed an Honorary Doctorate in Language and Literature (ปริญญาดุษฎีบัณฑิตกิตติมศักดิ์ สาขาภาษาและวรรณคดี) from Chulalongkorn University.
Kamchai died of a blood infection on August 26, 1985, at the age of 79.
I've started seeing this sticker around, on the back bumper of taxis and such.
"Sick and tired of the PAD"
Preface: With the political conflict in full swing nationwide, it seems a little odd to continue posting without even acknowledging it. The fact of the matter is, it's business as usual for virtually everyone.
The price of the baht is falling, tourism is headed for the toilet, and the government is in a tight spot as the lunatics attempt to wrest control of the asylum. But even with the state of emergency declared in Bangkok and several countries issues advisories against traveling to Thailand, you could be within a couple blocks of Government House and PAD central and be none the wiser.
Today is two-for-one day at Thai 101. You get samples from two (count 'em) translations of that perennial favorite of high school English teachers, The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
I read this for class in high school, and then again my freshman year of college. I enjoy me some Fitzgerald. And I have two Thai translations of Gatsby, actually. One published in 1975 and another in 2003.
The 1975 volume appears to have been a rush job (again, probably because it was a movie tie-in). The first ten pages are printed in mixed-up order, and quick comparison with the English reveals that the translation leaves things out here and there, including the book's final sentence. Bizarre.
1975: พ่อบอกผมว่า "เมื่อใดก็ตามที่เธอคิดจะวิพากษ์วิจารณ์ผู้อื่นละก็ขอให้ระลึกอยู่เสมอว่าคนอื่น ๆ ในโลกนี้น่ะ ไม่มีโอกาสดีอย่างที่เธอมี"
2003: ท่านสอนไว้ว่า "เมื่อใดก็ตามที่แกรู้สึกอยากตัดสินใครสักคน ขอให้จำไว้เพียงแค่ว่า ไม่ใช่ทุกคนในโลกจะมีโอกาสทัดเทียมแก"
He didn't say any more but we've always been unusually communicative in a reserved way, and I understood that he meant a great deal more than that.
In consequence I'm inclined to reserve all judgments, a habit that has opened up many curious natures to me and also made me the victim of not a few veteran bores.
The abnormal mind is quick to detect and attach itself to this quality when it appears in a normal person, and so it came about that in college I was unjustly accused of being a politician, because I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men.
As I do more of these comparisons of translated texts with the originals, I must reiterate: it's hard to translate literature. In some places both translators just don't seem to quite get the author's gist, which can have far-reaching affects for an overall translation.
The story's narrator, Nick Carraway, opens the book by explaining that due to this advice his father game him, he is the (sometimes unwilling) confidante of many a person. Because he's not judgmental, people tend to spill their guts to him, like it or not.
There are a couple of lines in this opening passage that show this. First, that his neutral nature "...made me the victim of not a few veteran bores." That is, sometimes being a good listener makes bores (i.e. boring people) talk your ear off. Also, that "...I was privy to the secret griefs of wild, unknown men". Even people he didn't know spilled their guts to him.
Neither translation quite gets these details right. I guess it's because much is not said directly, but left for the reader to infer and interpret. So while the deft and clever use of language is what makes a book like this a classic, those same touches make it diabolically difficult to render in another language.
Having done some further comparison, I prefer the 2003 to the 1975. Less literal, captures the feel of the English better. The language is a little more lively, a little more creative. And oddly, the 1975 version is missing portions of the final paragraphs of the book, I noticed. The book has a powerful ending, I think, and to see the last sentence entirely omitted from the earlier translation strikes me as odd, to say the least. I wonder if parts are missing elsewhere, too.
โชกโชน = adj. experienced, having been through a lot. Unless there's something I'm missing, this seems like the entirely wrong word for 'vulnerable' in the opening line 'in my younger and more vulnerable years'. (Also used in the sense 'drenched, soaking wet'.) So what exactly does this วัยหนุ่มอันโชกโชน mean--his young 'wild' years? Perhaps the translator was thinking vulnerable as in prone to vice? I'm not sure.
อยากรู้อยากเห็น = adj. curious, inquisitive.
คุณสมบัติ [คุน-นะ-สม-บัด] = n. characteristic, quality.
เหยื่อ = n. prey, victim.
Okay, I'm all analyzed out. See you next time.
The Thai text is even made to look like the English. Scott also made a recent post about other similar logo designs.
Also notice that the Thai cover follows the then-standard practice of prominently featuring the translator's name, with the original author's name nowhere in sight. I think this started to change around the 1980s, but I'd have to pretty much everything prior to that you have to look in the frontmatter to figure out who wrote the book.


Hey there. It sounds like maybe you've discovered that the church you love and the people in it are a little bit sexist.
Maybe you noticed that a woman's voice carries less weight.
Maybe you have been a victim of public shaming over accidental "immodesty".
Maybe you have been asked one many times why you haven't gotten married yet (as though that's something you can easily control).
Maybe you went to the temple and came away with an icky feeling.
Maybe you have failed to start a family, and have thus found yourself in the midst of a personal crisis.
Maybe you're a little bit lesbian (or trans or queer or something other than the cis-het woman you were expected to be).
Maybe you're trying to figure out how to get by on a smaller income than your male peers.
Maybe you're struggling to get garments that fit right, that don't give you infections, that make sense with the shape of your body.
Maybe you are trying to exercise your spiritual gifts, but they don't match up with the gender role you have been assigned.
Maybe you have spent a small fortune on beauty products because part of you knows that your youth and attractiveness are your most valuable (and fickle) assets.
Maybe you are getting a divorce.
Maybe you have been personally harmed by members of your community who care too much about protecting a man's reputation.
Maybe you have been assaulted by a priesthood leader.
Maybe you struggle under the weight of the unrealistic standards that all women are held to.
Maybe you just had a baby, and she's a girl, and you wonder how to raise her in a church that is unlikely to embrace her full potential.
Maybe you just had a baby, and he's a boy, and you are broken hearted to find that the church loves him more because he will grow up to be one of them.
Maybe you long to lay your hands on someone's head and speak comfort to them from the Holy Ghost.
Maybe Heavenly Mother has moved in you, and now you can't pray to the Father alone.
However you got here, welcome. We're happy to have you.
AdelaHope used to be a little girl with a microphone, who loved her bicycle. She is now a woman with a family, a laptop, and a ukulele, who has dreams of traveling to beautiful, interesting places. She's living the Toddler Mom life in New England.
This is excellent, AdelaHope. I guess it might just be that I'm too immersed in Mormon feminism, but I'm often surprised that more women don't come to it more quickly. As your post illustrates so well, there are a myriad of ways women can fall out of what is supposed to be the stereotypical Mormon experience. And that just adds to the fact that women are already on the outside looking in when it comes to church authority to begin with.
I was shocked. You can just say that? You can just call the church sexist? If it would be sexist in any other organization it is also sexist in ours?
Maybe I might just be a litttttle bit feminist. Just a tiny bit.
Love it! You don't know how thrilled I am to have found this site, and know that there are other Mormon women who share my same frustrations and concerns. My ward members, friends, and family members really don't get it, and I've given up trying to talk to them about it. It feels much less hopeless and isolating to know I'm not alone!
Make sure to join our Facebook group for more discussion!
Thanks for the welcome. I've been "trolled" on a few other LDS feminist sites for commenting and apparently doing feminism wrong because I'm so new to this stuff. I'm older and was raised to accept subjugation from male leaders as acceptable, so I ca't seem to get empowerment right, though I desperately want to. I just keep accidentally using speech offensive to the movement, so I won't be commenting often. I'm just too gauche for you young gals. But I sure love reading your posts!
I'm glad you're here, Mary! I don't always get it right, either, but I keep trying. Welcome!


text:
Meeting Minutes for March 07, 2016
Mayor Skalko called the City Council meeting to order at 6:27 p.m. with the following members present: Joe Prebeg, Jr., Susan Tuomela, Alan Stanaway, Tony Zupancich and Mayor Gary Skalko. Also present were: Craig J. Wainio, City Administrator; Amanda Inmon, Municipal Services Secretary; Michael Downs, Director of Public Works; Sally Yuccas, Librarian Director/Special Events Director; John Backman Sheriff's Department and Rod Flannigan, City Engineer. Absent: Bryan Lindsay, City Attorney.
Approve the minutes of the February 16, 2016, special meeting as submitted.
Approve the minutes of the February 16, 2016, regular meeting as submitted.
To acknowledge the receipts for the period February 16-29, 2016 totaling $158,905.10 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
To authorize the payments of the bills and payroll for the period February 16-29, 2016, totaling $457,161.53 (a list is attached and made a part of these minutes).
The motion carried on a roll call vote with all members present.
Mike Grahek spoke on the Garden Drive Assessment, presented a cost per foot analysis, looking at most equable allocation for residents on Garden Drive. Skalko mentioned the public hearing on proposed assessment February 16th. Zupancich mentioned that the residents would be capped out at $5000, regardless of square footage. Prebeg stated that assessments are preliminary, currently waiting on bids, hoping on lower and better rates per square footage, however the city is as always looking for new and fresh ideas.
Chuck Bainter presented and spoke on behalf of creating resolution for new Mountain Iron-Buhl High school, if May 3rd voting goes in positive direction. The Vote "YES" committee, meeting continuously with the overall objective to get voters within the School District to vote yes, thus possibly having the IRRRB give roughly 85% of the $29 million of projected cost, making the residents pay the remaining 15%. This new school would be very beneficial for the current Merritt Elementary students, Chuck stated that it would give them roughly 45 more minutes for teacher-student interaction/contact time, due to later pick-up time. Other option Chuck Bainter mentioned was that the old Mountain Iron-Buhl High School would be maintained at about $19 million over a 20 year period or another option would be to allow for the student numbers to go down, thus allocating them and the tax payer money to other School Districts within St. Louis County.
Prebeg mentioned that even with the added tax, the Mountain Iron-Buhl School District would still be the lowest in regards to school taxes when compared to surrounding districts. However if the District did dissolve, the City of Mountain Iron would pay other School District rates, if combined with St. Louis County, thus burdening the city with their school taxes.
Chuck Bainter stated that they are looking at cooperation not consolation with St. Louis County, however the surrounding Districts pulled out, they are looking for more of a variety of classes for students, thus being a win-win for tax payers and the School District. School board is responsible for bringing up class size, working with Northwest Service Cooperative and County schools to offer more classes with diversity.
Zupancich questioned what the School District's plan was for the old High school once the new High school was built? Chuck Bainter stated that the building or even part of it could be used by local business/people, has not been completely discussed as of currently, due to the fact that part the building is roughly over 50 years old.
Stanaway stated for the desire that there were more open-lined communication/ open door policy amidst the School Board and City Council, especially since residents ask the City Council questions, both should be on board together.
Mayor stated that the key is not the building, but the teachers and curriculum, however to consolidate you have to have a partner, but Eveleth-Gilbert and Virginia not on board, should be for the residents to vote on this referendum for new school.
It was moved by Prebeg and supported by Zupancich to support Resolution #17-16 based on facts currently present; with the City of Mountain Iron whole heartedly supporting ISD 712 in their efforts to pass a bond referendum for a new high school and encourages our residents to vote YES on May 3rd, 2016. Opposed by Tuomela, motion carried with 4:1 vote, supporting referendum (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes) .
Mayor's Report:
Labor Management Meeting scheduling
Condolences to the family of Marie Charivollotti's family.
Condolences to the family of Og Krueger's family.
Congratulations to Council member Joe Prebeg's son, Nick Prebeg on making Command Master Chief and becoming Command Master Chief of USS Chafee; United States Naval Destroyer.
Congratulations to Mountain Iron-Buhl Boys' Basketball team, who beat Northwood, both teams had a great year.
Congratulations to Mountain Iron-Buhl Girls' Basketball team, if win Wednesday, March 9th game, it will be seven consecutive trips to State.
Big thank you to Emergency Management committee for hosting the "Table Top Emergency Workshop," held February 29th at the Mountain Iron Community Center. Attendance from those throughout the region.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to schedule to Labor Management Meeting on Tuesday, March 15th at 2:00 p.m., at the Mountain Iron Community Center. Motion carried unanimously.
The City Administrator reported the following:
Building new house ore structure, housing lots available in South Forest Grove as well as Unity Addition, anyone interested should contact the City of Mountain Iron via phone, email or visit the City website
Non-Audit Services Letter-stating that the City Council appoints City Administrator
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to designate Craig Wainio, City Administrator, to oversee/monitor and except responsibility and evaluate all non-audited services, which include preparation of financial statements and notes to the financial statements which are to be included in audit. Motion carried unanimously.
The Director of Public Works reported on the following:
Residents can call City Hall to be placed on list for culverts which are backed up to be cleaned and steamed once snow and ice have thawed
Library Director/Special Events Coordinator report.
Thank you, to those who helped with Mish Mash Mush on March 5th
March 26th at 12:00 pm, Merritt Elementary 31st Annual Easter Egg Hunt
Sheriff's department:
No formal or informal report at this time
City Engineer:
Nothing to report, however will answer questions about any resolutions and projects
Public Health and Safety Board reported on the following:
Stanaway stated that the Fire Department Officers wanted some sort of Fire Fighter Competency exam, two exams which were determined to be acceptable, submitted to City Council for final approval.
Public Health and Safety Board compared and researched firefighter tests prior to hire, Greg Chad, Fire Chief; would like to make sure that newly hired fire fighters can comprehend competency test.
Zupancich stated that the competency exam would be a condition to employment, done prior to interviews, thus if this test cannot be comprehended the individual would not be interviewed or recommended to go further in the hiring process.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to authorize the Fire Department to implement a basic competency test as part of their hiring procedure as presented (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously. Skalko said competency test should be re-evaluated roughly six months to a year to ensure it is working and not eliminating every candidate.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Tuomela to approve the authorization for the City of Mountain Iron to contact the Minnesota Department of Transportation concerning Highway 169/County Road 109 intersection. Specifically to inquire of signalization of this particular intersection could be included in their 2017 project to upgrade the corridor (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg to approve the Improvement Guide which adopts the following amendment to the City of Mountain Iron's Improvement Guide; being that any residential property within the City that has two or more streets adjacent of adjoining that property and the streets are improved within a ten year period, the total assessment to the property owner for all the projects shall not exceed $5000 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 05-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to obtain two lots on the corner of Mesabi Avenue and Locomotive Street and one lot located on the east side of Mineral Avenue on behalf of Habitat for Humanity. Structures/buildings on two of the lots, St. Louis County land department would remove and be responsible for part of the cost of removal of buildings along with IRRRB, no residents or individuals have shown interest in any of the parcels (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 13-16; authorizing the transfer of MNDot parcel # 175-0071-01168 from the City of Mountain Iron to the HRA, placing the entire parcel in the name of the HRA on one title. Later at future meeting requesting a short HRA meeting to transfer the entire parcel from the HRA to the rightful owner (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Stanaway and seconded by Tuomela to adopt Resolution Number 14-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to request from Habitat for Humanity the Quartz Street lot for public use. Staff is requesting that the City request the lot from St. Louis County for no charge so as to protect the City's infrastructure due to being a sewer main location (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Prebeg to adopt Resolution Number 15-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to approve the Plans and Specifications made by the City Engineer and to advertise for bids for Project #MI16-02, Garden Drive South Street project for 2016 (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Prebeg and seconded by Stanaway to adopt Resolution Number 16-16; authorizing The City of Mountain Iron to approve the Plans and Specifications made by City Engineer and to advertise for bids for Project #MI14-10, Bicycle and Pedestrian Recreational Trail (a copy is attached and made a part of these minutes). The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to approve temporary Liquor License for Soroptimist of Virginia, for their Movie Night for Women-Fundraiser at Cinema-6, on April 13, 2016, at the City of Mountain Iron's Community Center. The motion carried unanimously.
It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to set 2016 Local Board of Appeal & Equalization or Open Book meeting, tentatively scheduled by St. Louis County for April 21, 2016 from 6p.m- 7p.m. at The City of Mountain Iron's Community Center. The motion carried unanimously.
The Council reviewed the list of communications.
Summer Work Outreach Project (SWOP), requests sponsorship to their 20th Anniversary Program. It was moved by Zupancich and seconded by Tuomela to make a donation of $1,000 to the Summer Work Outreach Project, out of the Charitable Gambling Fund. The motion carried unanimously on a roll call vote.
At 7:36 p.m., it was moved by Skalko and seconded by Prebeg that the meeting be adjourned. Motion carried with all members present.
Amanda Inmon
Thank you, from Judy Seurer for the retirement Coffee'n cake, as well as for plaque and generous gift.
Mediacom is in the process of transforming its TV channel line-up to all-digital, moving channels 2-17 through 95 to a permanent digital home.


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