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M2 motorway (Great Britain)
Medway Towns Bypass
The motorway crossing the River Medway next to the High Speed 1 railway line
Maintained by Highways England
26 mi (42 km)
Existed
Major junctions
Shorne
Boughton Street
Roads in the United Kingdom
A and B road zones
← M1 M3 →
The M2 is a motorway in Kent, England. It is 26 miles (42 km) long and acts as a bypass of the section of the A2 road to run past the Medway Towns, Sittingbourne, Faversham, and to provide an alternative route to the Port of Dover, supplementing the M20.
1 Route
2.1 Original construction
2.2 Junction amendments
2.3 Widening
2.4 Service area
3 Junctions
Route[edit]
The M2 starts west of Strood, Kent at Three Crutches, diverging southeastwards from the A2 road that heads ESE from Central London, one of five roads of dual carriageway width or greater reaching into the southern half of Greater London. From Junction 1 it has four lanes each way that slope into the Medway Valley south of Rochester. On the west bank of the River Medway is Junction 2 intersecting the A228 between Strood and West Malling, a junction where the master exit roundabout passes under the HS1 track and which retains, by footbridge and tunnel, the North Downs Way (a public footpath).
By this point the road is mounted on the Medway Viaduct, passing over the Medway Valley railway and the river. On the east (right) bank are Wouldham marshes, south, and north are the elevated suburbs of the three conjoined Medway Towns including Borstal, a village nationally synonymous with its prototype 1902-founded Young Offenders' Institution.
The M2 ascends a steep stream valley to Blue Bell Hill (under which HS1 runs in tunnel) using split-levels to reach Junction 3 (for Medway Towns & Maidstone) by Walderslade. It takes the north of the escarpment of the North Downs becoming a conventional three lanes, and runs northeast across Cossington Fields, Westfield Sole, Lidsing, and Bredhurst towards Junction 4 where the road becomes two lanes to Junction 7.
Continuing east, passing Medway Service area, it crosses the A249 over the Stockbury Viaduct at Junction 5 (for Sheerness and Maidstone East). It then takes the unusually gentle coastal lower slopes of the North Downs, below which 2 miles (3.2 km) before its end, is Faversham north of Junction 6. It ends at Junction 7, allowing traffic to continue on either of two dual carriageways: the A299 for six coastal towns including four on Thanet or the upgraded A2 towards Canterbury and Dover as far as Lydden, 2 miles (3.2 km) from the edge of Dover which then mainly reduces to one operational lane each way.
Original construction[edit]
Junction 2 of the M2, the roundabout on the A228, showing the motorway crossing the Medway and climbing up the Nashenden Valley. Alongside is High Speed 1.
Junction 5 of the M2
The widened section approaching the lane drop at Junction 4
The initial section of the motorway (junctions 2 to 5) was opened by the then Transport Minister Ernest Marples on 29 May 1963,[1] with the remainder being constructed in 1965. It was opened in three stages:[2]
Junctions 1 to 2 in 1965
It was planned to extend the M2 to London and Dover, making it the main route between London and the channel ports, but this extension never materialised due to a lack of traffic demand.[3] Instead the A2 was dualled and improved from Brenley Corner to Dover.[4][5]
The M2 was originally to be designated as the A2(M), but as a result of the Daily Telegraph reporting it as the M2, the Ministry of Transport adopted this, and later decided upon the M20 designation for the main London-Channel Ports link.[6][7]
Junction amendments[edit]
Aside from retrofitting central crash barriers, like all early motorways, the alignment of the M2 did not significantly change until the late 1990s. Traffic using it decreased when the M20 was completed from London to Folkestone in May 1991,[8] while the M2 continued to Canterbury and the North Kent ports of Sheerness and Ramsgate. Junction 1 was altered when the A289 Wainscott Northern bypass was built in the late 1990s.[9]
Widening[edit]
The M2 was still busy between Junctions 1 and 4, and suffered from HGVs blocking the outside lane.[10] In 2000 work began on widening the M2 from two lanes to four lanes. A joint venture between Costain, Skanska and Mowlem (CSM) created the company that would undertake the project. The project required the redesign of Junction 2 and Junction 3, and a second Medway Bridge. The existing bridge was converted to a four lane eastbound carriageway (including a hard shoulder). The new bridge formed the westbound carriageway. The entire stretch was lit with streetlights (the old section was not lit). The old Medway Bridge was physically narrowed by removing part of the footpath. High-pressure water cutting equipment was used to cut the concrete into manageable sections for disposal. There is only one path open to the public now.
Spoil from the North Downs Tunnel was used to form the new embankment for the London bound traffic between Junction 2 and the Nashenden Valley.
The widening was completed in July 2003.[11]
Service area[edit]
The M2 opened with a single service area between Junctions 4 and 5, named Farthing Corner Services and operated by Top Rank.[12] Today the services are known as Medway services and are operated under the Moto brand with a Travelodge hotel.[13]
The services have an access road to the local network for service and delivery vehicles that is not, like some motorway service areas, restricted with a gate or barrier.[14] This has led to local businesses using the services as an unofficial exit from the motorway.[15]
Junctions[edit]
M2 motorway junctions
Westbound exits (B carriageway)
Eastbound exits (A carriageway)
44.3 Road continues as A2 to London J1 Rochester A2
Gillingham, Grain A289
Non-motorway traffic 51°23′58″N 0°26′36″E / 51.39953°N 0.44332°E / 51.39953; 0.44332 (M2, Junction 1)
Grain, Rochester A289 J1A Start of motorway
46.6 Strood/Rochester, West Malling A228 J2 Strood/Rochester, West Malling A228 51°23′02″N 0°28′05″E / 51.38383°N 0.46799°E / 51.38383; 0.46799 (M2, Junction 2)
52.8 Maidstone, Chatham, Rochester A229
Chatham B12(A) J3 Maidstone, Chatham A229
Channel Tunnel (M20) 51°20′14″N 0°30′28″E / 51.33729°N 0.50790°E / 51.33729; 0.50790 (M2, Junction 3)
58.8 Gillingham A278 J4 Gillingham A278 51°20′10″N 0°35′04″E / 51.33616°N 0.58438°E / 51.33616; 0.58438 (M2, Junction 4)
Medway Services Services Medway Services 51°20′28″N 0°36′28″E / 51.34120°N 0.60781°E / 51.34120; 0.60781 (M2, Medway Services)
64.9 Maidstone, Sheerness A249
The WEST, Gatwick Airport (M20) J5 Maidstone, Sittingbourne, Sheerness A249 51°19′47″N 0°39′44″E / 51.32986°N 0.66231°E / 51.32986; 0.66231 (M2, Junction 5)
81.8 Faversham, Ashford A251[16] J6 Faversham, Ashford A251 51°18′02″N 0°53′18″E / 51.30060°N 0.88843°E / 51.30060; 0.88843 (M2, Junction 6)
84.7 Start of motorway J7 Canterbury, Dover, Channel Tunnel A2 51°18′05″N 0°55′32″E / 51.30151°N 0.92543°E / 51.30151; 0.92543 (M2, Junction 7)
Canterbury, Channel Tunnel,
Dover, Faversham A2
Non-motorway traffic Road continues as A299 (Thanet Way) to Ramsgate
Distances in kilometres and carriageway identifiers are obtained from driver location signs/location marker posts. Where a junction spans several hundred metres and the data is available, both the start and finish values for the junction are shown.
Coordinate data from ACME Mapper.
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi
List of motorways in the United Kingdom
^ "Golden anniversary for the M2". Highways Agency. Archived from the original on 31 August 2013. Retrieved 29 May 2013.
^ "Motorway Database – M2 Timeline". CBRD. Archived from the original on 12 February 2007. Retrieved 27 January 2007.
^ Michael Heseltine (15 July 1970). "M2, Dover". Retrieved 18 September 2012.
^ Michael Heseltine (15 July 1970). "M2 Motorway (Brenley Corner – Dover)". Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ Michael Heseltine (16 December 1970). "M2 Motorway (Extension)". Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ "Copy of Civili Service minute". Pathetic Motorways. Retrieved 27 January 2007.
^ "Motorway Database » M2". CBRD. Retrieved 31 December 2011.
^ "Road Schemes". 16 October 1995. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ "New Road Schemes". 21 October 2002. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ Kenneth Clarke (22 July 1980). "M2 (Heavy Vehicles)". Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ "Route Management Stratergy – A2/M2/A249". Highways Agency. Archived from the original on 26 September 2006. Retrieved 27 January 2007.
^ "Motorways (catering facilities)". 17 February 1964. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ "Medway Services M2". Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ "Google Maps : Medway Services (Streetview)". Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ "Directions to Hartlip Place". 2008. Retrieved 18 December 2012.
^ Stafford, Lowri (20 September 2013). "M2 London-bound near junction 6 for Faversham reopens after car crashes into central reservation". kentonline.co.uk. Retrieved 19 March 2014.
Map all coordinates using: OpenStreetMap
Download coordinates as: KML · GPX
Route map:
KML file (edit • help)
Template:Attached KML/M2 motorway (Great Britain)
KML is from Wikidata
CBRD
Motorway Database – M2
Media – Photos Of the Medway Viaduct Under Construction
Histories – Opening Booklets, including M2
Photographs of the Medway Viaduct From Its Public Footpath
Photographs of the M2 between Junctions 5 and 7[permanent dead link]
The Motorway Archive – M2
Motorways in the United Kingdom
M6 Toll
A1(M)
A38(M)
A6144(M)
M4 relief road
Catthorpe
Gravelly Hill
Handy Cross
Scotch Corner
Switch Island
Thorney
Highways England
Preston By-pass
Smart motorway
Strategic road network
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=M2_motorway_(Great_Britain)&oldid=933854564"
Motorways in England
Roads in Kent
Use British English from May 2014
Infobox road maps for Wikidata migration
Lists of coordinates
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Articles using KML from Wikidata


Home » Cheese Making» The super pod!
The Pembrokeshire coastline is always impressive, but sometimes it's amazing! A large 'super pod' of over 500 dolphins were spotted earlier this week just off the coast a few miles north of St Davids. Click on the link below to have a look.
Dolphin spotting off the Pembrokeshire coast.


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Highlanders News · Dec 16 Adams Rise Club – Sports & Character
Adams Rise Club
Adams Athletics is proud to announce the formation of a new student-athlete leadership initiative. In conjunction with Rise to Win, this club will be a launching point for empowering the Adams athletic community to foster leadership in our student-athletes through education on social justice and equality in and through the platform of sports. We are looking for student-athletes who want to challenge the character ARC of their athletic and academic journey while at Adams and beyond.
The initial plans include an 8 week approach that will have a Rise facilitator help educate and moderate discussions on various topics around social justice in sports. These 8 weeks will feature zoom meetings that are 45 minutes to 1 hour long. Plans after that include the development of service projects and opportunities for our ARC members to be leaders through civic engagement and sports.
Please email Mr. Hassler at bhassler@rcs-k12.us if you are interested of have any questions.
There is an urgent need for youth to exercise greater leadership and this, hopefully, will offer an opportunity to do just that. Bring your ideas, visions, and a heart for others and let's make a difference.
"The only thing greater than sports is the spirit that rises from it."
By Brian Hassler on Dec 16, 2020

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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I give up on the whole Tuesday tip thing. I can never stick to it and before I know it, it's Wednesday night and no blog post has gone up.
So whateves, I'm being rebellious, I can recommend you stuff whenever I want! I will not let my tips be controlled by days of the week starting with T! Power to the people!
..No YOU need to get a life!
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For the past 10 years, I have been painting full time and am doing my best to catch up with the time missed; the years which I had been deprived of. A long story filled with feelings and emotions which I am now showing in my work. I want to express all the beauty of natures colour, texture out of a human's body, bottled up for almost a life time.


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In Malawi, most of the population works in agriculture and many people grow just enough food to survive, sometimes less. Agricultural technology can enable farmers to grow more food, but questions remain about how to get farmers to adopt new technologies and more efficient farming methods. Researchers in this study examine if certain established social networks can break down information barriers and increase adoption of new agricultural technology in Malawi.
Crop yields in developing countries are often many times lower than those that could be achieved using readily available technologies and farming techniques, and food security can be a serious problem. Agricultural incomes and food security can depend on farmer adoption of these tools and techniques. Despite a long-standing awareness that adoption of agricultural technologies is low, and that information on using new technology can flow through social networks, there has been little research on how best to harness social networks to promote technology adoption.
Agriculture is central to Malawi's economy and national life, comprising 36% of its GDP1 and occupying more than 80% of its workforce2. Tobacco is the leading export crop, followed by tea, sugar and cotton. The staple food crops are maize, cassava and millet, grown by smallholder farmers mostly at the subsistence level. Most rural families have too little land to produce sufficient food and too little income to buy extra. According to some reports, a quarter of the population runs out of food only five months after the harvest.
partnership with the Malawi Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, researchers investigated how social networks can be used to overcome information barriers that may prevent farmers from adopting profitable technologies. The project will promote pit planting, a method of planting that has been shown to increase agricultural productivity in many regions of Africa. Malawi has a widespread system of agricultural extension workers to spread information about agricultural methods and technologies. In this evaluation, well-connected "seed" farmers are partnered with agricultural extension workers to promote adoption of the pit planting technology.
Using a social network census, researchers identified individuals in the community who would be the most effective "seed" farmers based on their positions in their village networks. Which farmers are optimal depends on how much exposure to information is needed to motivate adoption. Villages are randomly divided into one of several treatment groups, with comparison villages receiving the existing extension practices in Malawi.
The first treatment group ("simple contagion") will utilize four "seed" farmers from within the village, who have the greatest number of social contacts. The second group ("complex contagion") will select "seed" farmers based on connections to other "seed" farmers. A third treatment group will use geographic location within the village to proxy the social network and mimic the "complex contagion group", assuming that the network is perfectly correlated with geography. Comparisons of treatment and comparison villages will estimate the potential of social networks to enhance technology adoption, and whether extension efforts need to allow for multiple information sources.


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Tadeusz Foryś (born 31 October 1910 – 6 March 1987) was a football player and manager.

Career
Foryś spent his playing career with Warszawianka.

After his playing career, he went into coaching and management. In total he was assistant manager of Poland eight times, and the Polish first team manager twice. In the league he managed Polonia Warsaw, Gwardia Warsaw, Lechia Gdańsk, Arka Gdynia, ŁKS Łódź, Odra Opole, GKS Katowice, Ruch Chorzów, and Bałtyk Gdynia.

In 1983 he became an honorary member of the PZPN (Polish Football association).

Personal life
His father, Walenty Foryś, was the president of the Polish Athletic Association. His brother, Czesław Foryś, was an athlete who competed for Poland in the 1928 Summer Olympics as a 1500m runner. He was the vice president of the Polish Athletic Association from 1949–65, and became an honorary president for the association in 1965.

References

1910 births
1987 deaths
Polish footballers
Footballers from Kraków
Polish football managers
Odra Opole managers
GKS Katowice managers
Arka Gdynia managers
ŁKS Łódź managers
Ruch Chorzów managers
Lechia Gdańsk managers
Poland national football team managers
Association footballers not categorized by position

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text:
The Seven Worlds
B.O.B.'s Bestiary
Adventure Inc.
AllHailMoriarty.com
Session #21: Through the Elderwyld
Posted on January 7, 2021 February 7, 2022 by Tony Breeden
As Weddumlir Aleshield the Dwarf Fighter, Davroar Hollysword the Elf Cleric of Moriarty, Nathan Garney the Human Cleric of Everly, Meldor Ironforge the Dwarf Wizard, Acindor the Human Fighter and Thril Wolfsbane the Elf Fighter surveyed the area where the mushrooms grew unchecked in the TYRAN FIRION LINE TUNNEL, they noticed that there was a ring of red mushrooms growing amid the ones they'd been sent to fetch. At the center of this ring, a chicken scratched and pecked at the mine tunnel floor.
Unexpected Visitors
As Davroar moved closer to get a better look at the chicken, he noticed that it only had one eye, set in the middle of its head like a cyclops. The cycluck seemed unconcerned by their presence.
Before he could consider the strange creature further, he felt himself compelled to step into the ring of mushrooms, whereupon he immediately vanished from sight. Thril and Acindor approached the ring to see if the ycould determine what had happened to Davroar, but they too felt compelled to enter the ring. Weddumlir decided to kill the chicken but fared no better, vanishing into the ring along with the rest. Meldor and Nathan decided to enter the ring of their own volition, not wanting to be separated from their friends.
The adventurers awoke along the side of a perfectly round void at the center of a sunlit meadow; however, the edges of their view were obscured with purple mists infused with electrical energy. Two paths through the mists led away from the clearing.
"Moriarty's luck, we're in the Elderwyld," Davroar breathed, realizing where they were.
Thanks in part to his fey ancestry, the elven cleric of Moriarty knew that the Elderwyld connected the Seven Worlds. The Seven Gates of Farrago and other established portals through the ELderwyld were relatively safe and could be likened to highways through the fey regions. The Elderwyld was a wilderness of fey creatures and deities, many of whom used their various pockets within the purple mists as traps. Their victims were used to stock their larders, provide subjects for their experiments and amusements, and slaves for their private kingdoms. His suspicions were confirmed by the presence of seven suns in the sky, one from each world.
He grimaced and stared at the round void they'd come through. If he was in the Elderwyld, this portal was a one way affair. They'd need to find another exit.
His companions were frozen in various postures around the void. Wedd' s axe was raised high to strike a cycluck that was no longer before them. Nathan Garney's face was frozen with an expression of grim resignation as he stepped forward. It was Acindor who unfroze first after Davroar. The latter quickly informed his friend that they were in the Elderwyld and that they needed to find another way out of it.
The others animated in due course, according to the time they crossed into the Elderwyld.
After a quick discussion, the adventurers decided to head north. Hoping to give them an advantage, Davroar cast a spell to detect magic and then immediately after remembered why that spell was considered near useless in the Elderwyld. Everything but the black void they'd entered through became blindingly bright, as everything in the Elderwyld was technically made of magic. Attempts to reach out to their deities for guidance resulted in interference from the purple mists around them.
Nathan Garney alone had moderate success. He flipped his sacred coin. It landed on tails, which he interpreted to mean "fate." The path to the north seemed to widen, though none of the others witnessed this phenomenon. They decided on the fated path.
In the next clearing, they surveyed a sunny meadow filled with strange glowing trees which seemed upon closer inspection to be made of hives of glowing, near-translucent insects. They moved slowly across the meadow, crawling with their roots as if they were merely living trees. Cyclucks pecked and scratched in the meadow; however, they noticed that the one-eyed hens northeast, they noticed a conspicuous gate. To the north, they spotted a house made of candy.
As they considered their options, they heard an unearthly shriek. The shriek was immediately answered by several wolfish howls.
Acindor decided to lead Davroar through the meadow, after they decided to head for the candy house. As they approached the psychotrees, Meldor and Wedd felt themselves strangely attracted to them. The leaves of the trees seemed to be filled with gold coins and overflowing stones of ale hung from their branches. To their companions' horror, the dwarves began walking toward the psychotrees. Thinking quickly, they tackled the dwarves. The impact triggered the protection of Baldnoggin, activating Wedd's sureshield. A wall of force swept out from the blessed shield, plowing into the psychotrees. The trees fragmented into insects along the way.
The activity attracted the attention of a pair of large wolves, whereupon the adventurers double timed to the candy house.
Despite the presence of a sign on the door which read, "Shove Off!", they felt they had no choice but to go inside. Hopefully within, they could fortify themselves against the wolves.
The interior of the candy house was pleasant and warm. A banquet table in the middle of a large room was filled with all manner of candy and chocolate. A roaring fire blazed in the fireplace. Sticks for rafting marshmallows lay conspicuously nearby. A familiar figure rested on a throne at the other end of the room.
"You!" Davroar accused, recognizing Balin Thanatar from his many unwilling stops in the Room of Eight in the Temple of Wanjo.
"Welcome! Welcome, my name is Castor Thanatar," the figure said.
"I believe we have met before," Davroar said.
"You have not. I have never left this place. You must have met my …brother, Balin."
"Ah," Davroar said. The minute he'd stepped into the room, the world had lost its magical brilliance but it was if the light Freon his spell to detect magic were hidden beneath a basket. Occasional spots of light shone through and patches of the room seemed to glitch as if reality were uncertain. Davroar turned to his comrades and discreetly hissed, "Don't touch anything."
"For what it's worth," Castor said, "I wouldn't trust my other further than I could throw him. He serves B.O.B."
"And who do you serve?" Nathan asked.
"I serve no man nor any god."
"Forgive the intrusion," Davroar said. "We are being chased by wolves."
Castor chuckled. "You've met my puppies. They're blink wolves. You've heard of blink dogs, right? These are the creatures they were domesticated from. I like them better. They're bigger and, for my purposes, well, I have a lot of chickens to take care of. They're very useful in keeping the chicken population… manageable." He brightened. "By the way, would you like some chicken? I'm personally sick of chicken. That's all I ever eat around here is chicken. I would love to have something other than chicken."
They offered him some of their spare rations but Castor demurred. "I can't accept something for nothing. Why don't you all sit down and have something to eat?"
Davroar begged off that they'd just eaten.
"Oh, please do change your mind," Castor said. "I don't often get visitors these days. I used to get goblins, a wonderful elf engineer or two or a handful of humans, but now all I seem to get are ghouls. I don't know what's going on. Is the portal no longer in the Temple Mines? Did they move it to a graveyard? Ghouls are such foul things. They leave such a bad taste in your mouth."
They offered to help rid his domain of ghouls if Castor were willing to show them the way out.
Castor considered the idea but suggested that they get a good night's rest before they set out. They were reluctant to accept hospitality from anything in a fey realm and, besides which, they were already well rested. Upon hearing their decision, Castor said that he would be happy to accept their offer, but first they must share a cup together to seal their bargain.
Thril Wolfsbane took the first drink. He sat down with a satisfied grin.
"How is it?" the others asked.
"It's great! Try it!"
Wedd took the next drink. He felt a lightness in his step and an aura of invincibility.
Davroar whispered a prayer of protection to Moriarty. His drink turned to gelatin. He pretended to drink anyway, watching Castor suspiciously. "Ah, wonderful!" he said, saluting their host with his chocolate cup.
"If you say so," Castor said.
Meldor tasted black licorice when he drank. He didn't care for the taste but he was more concerned with the fact that he seemed to have six fingers suddenly. When he blinked, he had the normal number of digits. Nathan tasted iron as he drank. He peeked into his cup and watched an eyeball float to the top of a pool of blood. Acindor started seeing cyclucks all over the room, each staring into his soul with their single baleful eye.
Castor smiled. "In addition to the sharing of cups, I must insist that one of you remain behind to help me with dinner. It will not be three of you, but you three" – He looked at Meldor, Nathan and Acindor in turn – "have failed my test. The cup disagreed with you."
"Are we to help you with dinner, or are we the dinner?" Acindor asked, not bothering to hide his suspicions any longer.
"Strange question," Castor said. "Is this customary where you're from? In most civilized cultures, the civilized creatures eat only brute animals."
After discussing the mnatter amongst themselves, they decided that Acindor should stay behind. Davroar assured his comrade that they would return for him, no matter what.
Castor grinned at their decision. "Wonderful! This whole affair is so delicious! Such a spice to my usual humdrum fare these days. It really is opportune that you fine folk came along when you did. I was simply starving for the delight of a passing guest."
It was at this moment that Davroar heard the voice of Moriarty in his head. "Get out now! The house is a mimic!"
Davroar's eyes widened.
Though he didn't hear the voice of Davroar's god, Castor seemed to pick up on the cleric's demeanor. He licked his lips. "You know what? I'm being a bad host. I'm really going to have insist that you all stay for dinner. I've thought about it and it's been such a long time since I've had guests. I'm out of practice, I'm afraid. Anyway, it would really be rude of me to let you leave and go on this adventure without a hearty meal to fatten you up . And of course, you'll want a good rest after such a hearty meal." He smiled but the warmth didn't quite reach his eyes. "And I know you won't refuse my hospitality. Do you know how I know that?"
Davroar could contain his dread no loner. "Look over there!" he shouted, pointing behind Castor. As their host, turned to investigate, the cleric grabbed Wedd and shouted to his friends. "Run! Run!"
When Wedd resisted his tug, the cleric made his urgency more clear. "The house is a mimic! Run!"
Castor gave up all pretenses. Hastily, the house mimic's front door slammed shut and tentacled sprouted from the door frame to bar their escape.
Wedd Thought to rise and attack the doorway but discovered that he was stuck to his seat, held by the mimic's adhesive nature. Davroar shouted a magical word, commanding the door to open. The doorframe tentacles writhed in agitation as the door blasted open. Davroar thought to dash out the door, but found his shoes were stuck to the floor. Meldor too made for the exit, , but likewise found his sturdy dwarves boots stuck to the floor. Acindor, Thril and Nathan were able to escape the house mimic's sticky hold and managed to run out the door to safety through the flailing tentacles.
Am enormous maw opened up at the feet of their host as he laughed at his trapped guests. Tentacles began stretching out of the teethsome mouth, reaching for the victims of Castor's over-sized roach motel. The interior stopped looking like candy and took on a more organic look. Eyeballs, teeth and tentacles began appearing on various surfaces. The more the house mimic's true form emerged, the more it's became evident that this monster was composed of several mimic's working together like a jellyfish. As two were fighting over Davroar, he wrenched free of the floor and made a mad dash for the exit. The tentacles around the doorway tripped him on his way out. He landed on his face but he landed outside.
Meldor growled with fury and wrenched himself free of the house mimic's grip. The house mimic was so intent on preventing him from leaving that it released its grip on Weddumlir. The dwarves danced and somersaulted toward the door, dodging teeth and tentacles on their way outside.
The house mimic roared as they escaped pits interior. The outside of the candy house transformed quickly into a disgusting mass of writhing teeth, tentacles and eyeballs.
The roar was answered by howls. Turning their attention to the gate to the east that they'd spotted earlier, the adventurers saw the gate open. Out of the gate, something that looked something like a giant reptilian one-eyed chicken emerged. The cycluck rooster was the size of an adult tyrannosaur. Two blink wolves flanked the rooster, who began herding it toward them until it was running at full speed.
Flight from the Everwyld
The eldritch horror behind them shrieked again. The horror of the house mimic was so unfathomable that Wedd and Thrill had to fight not to pass out from terror. Their fight-or-flight responses kicked in and they reacted in exact opposition to one another. Wedd turned to fight the house mimic abomination, determined to vanquish it from the earth. Wedd's ineffectual attack resulted in his being entangled in one of the house mimic's tentacles. Thril fled as fast and as far as he could, running toward the cycluck rooster. Thril was barely able to dodge out of the way of the cycluck rooster's way to avoid being trampled; however, the creature's leg did deliver a glancing blow that sent him tumbling.
Wedd savagely tore himself free of the tentacles grip and shook off his fear. Though he noted that the blink wolves ignored Thril as they passed, Davroar tugged a boom stick out of his pack as he ran south, out of the path of the thundering rooster. Those still near the house mimic quickly followed his example. Nathan Garney cast guiding bolt on the house mimic, hoping to make it more vulnerable to attack.
When the cycluck rooster reached the house mimic, it bit down hard on one of the larger tentacles, wrangling it like an earthworm in the soil. One of blink wolves beside it also attacked the horror with its teeth and claws. In rage and pain, the house mimic scooped up a blink wolf in its tentacles but the fay canine teleported out of its grasp.
While the monsters fought one another, the adventurers made a mad dash for the gate.
The gate led to a wide open field filled with cycluck hens. At the other end of the field was a portal, their way out of the Elderwyld. Wedd prayed a quick prayer to Baldnoggin, thinking to use his sureshield to plow through the chickens with a wall of force; however, Davroar and Acindor realized that the rooster would probably come calling if the cycluck hens were harmed. Instead, they tossed their rations into the cyclucks, causing a path to clear in front of them. Making their way through the field and their rations, they reached the portal.
Unwilling to waste his boom stick, Davroar lit the fuse and tossed it into the cyclucks. He witnessed the glorious chaos of an explosion of chicken feathers, blood, and other parts as he and the others passed through the portal.
When they came to their senses, they were face down in a pig pen. As the stench of pig mud, slops and unmentionable wastes filled their nostrils, they became aware of the unmistakable sounds of a large city above the squeals and grunts of protesting porkers.
As they got to their feet, a gnome accosted them. "Get out of my pig pen! What are you doing in there? Guards! They're stealing my pigs!"
"Wait!, Wait, we're not here to steal your pigs," Acindor said, hands raised in surrender. "Can you tell us where we are? Please, we need your help."
"What's that? You don't know where you're at?" The gnome scoffed. "Great. More travelers." He sized them up and sighed. "Alright, come with me then and, um, welcome to Farrago."
Next: Session #22 – Farrago
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Session #20: Further into the Temple Mines
Session #22: Farrago
Adventure Inc on Facebook


Ever since developers first put animated pixel to screen, the industry has been on a quest to create a truly immersive world. As tech has progressed, we've got closer, turning blocky scenes into near photo-like depictions. Virtual reality could allow us to take the final step, from peering into the action to being in it.
Developers, having had the opportunity to try out various demos that have been shown at conferences over the past few years, have also been filled with wonder about the prospects for VR.
But while there is undoubted excitement for the format, the industry higher ups aren't exactly leaping on board. There's a sense of caution in the air and the majority of bosses are taking a wait-and-see approach rather than jumping into projects for a format that they don't yet know will be successful.
In less than a year, the three standout consumer VR headsets – the Oculus Rift, the HTC Vive from Valve and Project Morpheus for Sony's PS4 – will be out and in the hands of consumers. And with an array of games on the way, they could be immense fun.
However, VR is not likely to simply replicate the current array of games in a virtual form. Instead, certain genres are looking set to blossom on headsets in a way they have not done recently on consoles and PCs. Most notable of these is horror, thanks to the level of shock and emotion that a virtual experience offers.
For those not keen on having their nerves frazzled by immersive virtual shock, games focusing on wondrous visuals are also likely to do well.
VR could also see a re-emergence of other genres that have fallen into the niche zone in recent times, such as JRPGs and simulators. A demonstration of the latter's potential was shown at Oculus' E3 event, in the form of Eve: Valkyrie, a first-person space combat simulator from the makers of Eve Online.
As exciting as the prospect of VR gaming is, the elephant in the room is the fact that it does not yet get close to matching some of the portrayals in fiction. Shows such as Sword Art Online depict vast, truly realistic open worlds with complete sensory perception that gamers can explore via headset, and, of course, the reality is a little less awesome. In fact, even the idea that you can take a game and port it effortlessly to VR is rather unrealistic thanks to technical limitations and the risk of motion sickness.
"Many people assume you can take existing genres and put them in VR. Unpredictable camera motion and rotation might be fine in non-VR games, but if you're doing that with the player's head, they'll suffer from severe motion sickness," said Allgeier.
However, there are ways to tackle this, and the current crop of VR game developers are currently forging a path that many future games will no doubt follow.
"With EoN, we were very conscious of discomfort from the start and designed the game to have a 'north facing' camera that moves with the hero character down the path," he added.
Camera control looks set to be one of the defining differences between regular and VR games, and Uber Entertainment is planning a similar approach for Wayward Sky.
Of course, there are some things that VR cannot yet do. Outputting to a headset means a computer or console is effectively outputting to two screens rather than one, which effectively halves the graphical capabilities of a regular game. For this reason, it will be a fair while before we see games that can match the graphical quality of current triple A games, and discussion about how the technology will advance is common among the major players in the field.
The multiplayer issue is a less discussed, but equally limiting factor. For the most part, VR simply cannot run multiplayer on all but the most powerful machines, and in a world where co-op content is a must, this could be a real problem.
"The current software for these virtual reality devices cannot be played simultaneously by a number of people," said Shigeru Miyamoto, Nintendo senior managing director and general manager of the company's entertainment analysis and development division, in a Q&A session with shareholders.
The exception here is Project Morpheus, which was confirmed as having multiplayer support for up to four people at Sony's E3 event. The showcase title for this feature is mech soccer game RIGS, developed by Guerilla Cambridge, but it is notable that this only supports three players simultaneously.
It appears that the more players the game supports, the lower its graphic quality – a trade-off that may not be appealing to some players.
For all its limitations, many game developers are still itching to try their hand at VR, including heavyweights such as executive game director for the Deus Ex series, Jean-François Dugas.
However, it's up to those in charge of the money to decide whether a game is made, and few have seen the opportunities as fiscally sound. The exception is Ubisoft, which has announced that it will be releasing several games for the format from next year.
As hesitant as the industry is, many feel that the technology has a firm future in gaming, even if it takes several iterations of the hardware to cement its place.
"While non-VR games are not going to die anytime soon, I think more people will adopt VR as headsets get lighter and cheaper," said Allgeier.
Along the way development approaches, and therefore games, are also expected to improve.


text:
Jeff Campbell selected to fill Delegate District 42 seat
By ANDREA LANNOM
The Register-Herald
CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Gov. Jim Justice appointed Jeff Campbell, a teacher and radio broadcaster in Greenbrier County, to the House of Delegates District 42 seat left vacant when Stephen Baldwin was named to the District 10 Senate seat.
Del. Jeff Campbell
The round of changes started when former Sen. Ron Miller resigned in September to take a position with the Justice administration.
The 42nd District encompasses most of Greenbrier County and portions of Monroe and Summers counties. Campbell will complete Baldwin's two-year term in the House. Justice announced the appointment Monday.
"I'm very excited," Campbell said. "Honestly, it's a dream come true. It's something I've been thinking about ever since I was a kid. Now, I have the chance to do this to represent the district i grew up in and lived in all of my life. It's humbling."
The 42nd Delegate District Democratic Executive Committee forwarded Campbell's name along with those of Cindy Lavender-Bowe and Cathey Sawyer last week to the governor for consideration.
Campbell has been a teacher in Greenbrier County since 2001, teaching social studies at Eastern Greenbrier Middle School in Ronceverte for the last nine years.
He has worked as a radio broadcaster in Greenbrier County for 33 years, broadcasting Greenbrier East football and boys basketball games for radio WRON. He also has served as a statistical coordinator for West Virginia University football broadcasts for 29 years.
Campbell remembered the unfolding of events over the weekend down to the time he heard the news. He said he and his friends had gone out to TGI Fridays in Clarksburg after a game in Morgantown.
His friend Casey Crane had messaged the governor earlier asking him if he would stop by the radio booth. The governor said he couldn't make it but said to tell "Delegate Campbell" to call him in the morning so he could congratulate him.
Campbell said he couldn't believe the news at first and had asked Crane to screenshot the message and send it to him.
"I had to have proof to believe it," he said. "But that's how I found out, through a text message to Casey Crane at a TGI Fridays in Clarksburg at Saturday at 5:47 p.m."
Campbell had already planned to run for the seat in 2018 and had filed his pre-candidacy papers.
"I was already committed as far back as this spring when I decided to run for it," Campbell said. "Then the opportunity came up with Senator Miller taking a job in the administration and Delegate Baldwin moving to the Senate. It created an opportunity that I had prepared for for months."
Campbell said he spoke with House Minority Leader Tim Miley, D-Harrison, Monday. He said Miley had planned to recommend him to House Speaker Tim Armstead for some committees, including education.
"Education is absolutely where I want to be," Campbell said. "I definitely want to be on the education committee. I see issues every day I'm concerned about that I think we need to work on and make better."
Campbell said he's also passionate about infrastructure issues.
"With the passage of the road bond a few weeks ago, I'm excited about what opportunity that may bring to the district.
Email: alanno[email protected]; follow on Twitter @AndreaLannom
See more from The Register-Herald


text:
Harbor Place Condominiums
Frankfort, MI
More than 15,600 square feet; Six units
Responsible for the design and documentation of this 15,600+SF, six-unit, two-story condominium development beautifully positioned in the quaint beach town of Frankfort, Michigan. Located overlooking Betsie Bay, these 2,500+ SF condominiums include 2+ bedrooms, 2½ baths, a fully equipped kitchen with island, master suite with fireplace and walk-in closet, master bath with whirlpool tub, a spacious great room with fireplace, private deck, and a two-car attached garage.
The developer wanted to maximize their return on a fairly small parcel of land on Main Street in a small resort community in northern Michigan. In order to maximize return on investment; the developer needed as many high-end units as possible.
Based upon the developer's needs, we designed six attached three-story, three-bedroom with two-and-half-bathroom condominiums with attached garages. Each unit is approximately 1,700 square feet with a nautical style of architecture overlooking Lake Michigan. All six units were sold in six months after completion.
One Ludington Place Condominium at Ludington Harbor
205 Division
240 Ionia Housing Development
26 Cherry Street Housing Development
Pete Lazdins
Senior Site Designer


Please note this is a seconds version of my Worrying pin. These pins have very small imperfections, such as small marks in the enamel but are still perfectly good pins!
The perfect quote for born-worriers and nervy people (just like me!). Try not to worry, I know it's easier said than done. Place your mind elsewhere. Read a book or watch your favourite movie. Play a game and try to take your mind off whatever was worrying you. See? You got it. You'll be fine.
Your enamel pin will be wrapped snugly in bubble wrap and posted in a small, padded envelope.


text:
<?php
date_default_timezone_set('UTC');
var_dump(strtotime('i like to eat slices at work'));
?>

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The 33rd Parallel
Tag: Rothschild
Journey To West Snowfrica AKA England
After the debacle in Russia, we were relieved to be in England. Words I never thought I'd say before.
We went to England for two reasons, the 1st was to complete the first leg of our European tour. We had people in England and we did not want to disappoint, although that was inevitable, but doing a show, in front of people who actually understood what you were saying, was always a dream of Ben's. But me? I could seriously take it or leave it.
The 2nd reason we had ventured into Western Snowfrica, the actual real reason, was to do something that we had our eyes on since we started 33rd parallel, to join the illuminati.
The plan was simple, we would go to the Bank of England, located in the city of London, but actually located in its own territory like the Vatican. (That's right, the actual Bank of England is literally like its own fucking city) and we would apply for jobs.
We were willing to start at the bottom. The mailroom was fine, but if we had to take jobs as janitors, so be it. Once we were gainfully employed, We would use our charm and wit to climb the corporate ladder until we found a place at the table with Lord Rothschild.
Ben was all in.
"This is a terrible plan," Ben said as he rolled another joint. "Jose, I don't think you realize what a stupid plan this is."
"Ben, we have to try something." I said. "What's the worst that could happen? They hire us and we stay?"
"That's the worst that could happen?" Ben said. "It's private property."
"I think it's brilliant." Tuan said. Tuan had agreed to give us safe haven for the first couple of days on his couch. He also supplied quite a bit of the sacred herb that would prove to be both our savior and undoing, "That shit sounds funny."
"Thank you, Tuan," I said. "I was kind of hoping you'd be willing to film it. You know, chronicle our journey into prominence."
Tuan, is a director with a great eye. I trust him because he's smart, talented, and practical. And like anyone who embodies these qualities, he looked me in the eye and gave me an immediate response.
"Do you happen to have a camera that can film from long distances? Like let's say, from 3-4 kilometers away?"
"I was actually hoping we coul…" Before I could even finish my sentence, Tuan waved his finger with all the authority of a director.
"Do you have the fucking camera or not." He said. Reiterating his position.
"Then no fucking way," Tuan said. "I like watching people do stupid shit, but I haven't survived all these years by participating in insane acts. Besides, why are you so dead set on joining the illuminati anyway?"
A moment of silence passed over the room, as if an angel passed. Ben, who was always ready to talk 80% of the time, answered the question that we had never really asked ourselves. Clearly joining the illuminati wasn't about money? Anyone who knows us knows that Ben and I clearly hate money (Ben especially) which is why we tend to be in the financial positions we normally find ourselves in. But now, confronted with this moment of truth, we had no choice but to say out loud what had been boiling beneath the surface.
Ben smiled, but his eyes were intense as he looked Tuan in the face and gave him the answer that no one in that room wanted to hear or was prepared for.
"We are here to stop the apocalypse." The words filled the room. They seemed to be crisp and clean, but at the same time venerated with a low vibration. As if they had their own consciousness.
Tuan's face changed from serious, to an expression of extreme befuddlement, then he did what any other sane, rational human being would do after hearing such a thing, from such people.
He asked again.
"Excuse me?" Tuan said. "I think you didn't hear my question so I'm going to ask again. Why is it you're so intent on joining the illuminati?"
Ben nodded and repeated his answer with the same irrational confidence that he says everything.
"We want to stop the apocalypse." Ben said.
Tuan's look of sheer befuddlement morphed into something unexpected, anger.
"Get out of my house," Tuan said. "Get out of here right now."
"What the hell?" Why do you want to throw us out?" I said. Ben, had already began to put on his jacket.
"You two bumbling idiots are going to stop the apocalypse? How are you going to do that? With your dedicated work ethic? What are you doing to do? Smoke the illuminati into submission?" He said. He began to giggle as he could barely finish his sentences. "Get out of my house! And how dare you? I mean, how fucking dare you? I want you and this fucking Snowfrican out of my house. I don't want to look at you."
Ben had already begun to walk out of the house.
"Are you still coming to the show?" I said.
"Do I have to film anything? Tuan said.
"No," I said shaking my head.
"Then I'll see you there." He said.
I grabbed my shit and put on my scarf. As I walked out the door I stoped for a moment and looked back at Tuan.
"Can I take some weed?" I said.
"Sure," Tuan said.
I met Ben outside. He already had a joint in his mouth. And it was fucking cold.
"What do we do now?" I said.
"The only thing we can do," Ben said as he lit the joint. "We summon a magician for help."
"Who?" I said.
Ben began to chant as the smoke from his joint began to swirl until it became a shape. The shape suddenly began to take form of a face. I could tell by his slim face and symmetric eyes that this was quite a pretty Snowfrican.
"Jose, I would like to introduce you to Rob Rider Hill. Our savior." Ben said.
I looked up at the image of the pretty, yet clearly, malnourished Snowfrican.
"Oh shit," I said out loud. "Wtf have I gotten myself into?"
Next. Part three, continuation of the England chronicles and the introduction of Rob Rider Hill.
If you want to listen to what happened on this day, you can check us out on iTunes
33rdparallelblog
33rd Parallel


text:
Ousted Sri Lankan leader faces arrest calls after return
COLOMBO: Deposed Sri Lankan president Gotabaya Rajapaksa faced calls for his arrest Saturday after returning home from self-imposed exile under the protection of the government that took charge when he fled.
Rajapaksa fled the island nation under military escort in July after a huge crowd stormed his official residence following months of angry demonstrations against his government.
The 73-year-old announced his resignation from Singapore and spent weeks under virtual house arrest at a Bangkok hotel lobbying his successor to allow his return.
Leaders of the protest campaign that toppled his government said Rajapaksa, who lost his presidential immunity after leaving office, should now be brought to justice.
"Gotabaya returned because no country is willing to accept him, he has no place to hide," Joseph Stalin, the leader of a teachers' trade union that helped mobilise demonstrators, told AFP.
"He should be arrested immediately for causing such misery for the 22 million people of Sri Lanka. He should be prosecuted for his crimes."
Rajapaksa's government was accused of chaotic mismanagement as the Sri Lankan economy spiralled into an unprecedented downturn.
The crisis saw acute shortages of food, lengthy blackouts and long queues at gas stations for scarce fuel supplies after the country ran out of foreign currency to pay for vital imports.
"He can't live freely as if nothing has happened," said Stalin, who was named for the former Soviet leader by his leftist father.
Rajapaksa arrived at the main international airport in Colombo and was garlanded with flowers by a welcoming party of ministers and senior politicians as he disembarked.
He was driven in a security convoy to a new official residence in the capital provided to him by the government of his successor, President Ranil Wickremesinghe.
Rajapaksa's younger brother Basil, the former finance minister, met with Wickremesinghe last month and requested protection to allow the deposed leader to return.
Rights activists have vowed to press for Rajapaksa's prosecution on a litany of charges, including his alleged role in the 2009 assassination of prominent newspaper editor Lasantha Wickrematunge.
"We welcome his decision to return so that we can bring him to justice for the crimes he has committed," Tharindu Jayawardhana, a spokesman for the Sri Lanka Young Journalists' Association, said Friday.
Several corruption cases lodged against Rajapaksa stalled after he was elected president.
Rajapaksa also faces charges in a US court over Wickrematunge's murder and the torture of Tamil prisoners at the end of the island's traumatic civil war in 2009.


text:
Rezin's Report: October 27-31st
In a state known for its lagging job growth and burdensome tax and regulatory environment, State Senator Sue Rezin (R-Peru) said three companies' plans to develop or expand in Illinois are a welcome development.
Also this week, a new report outlines both positive and negative news associated with the state's municipal pensions, and a recent study shows cyclists in Illinois should exercise extra caution when hitting the road.
Amazon, Cronus and Coyote Logistics announce plans to establish facilities in Illinois
Illinois received positive economic news this week, as Amazon Inc., Cronus Chemicals and Coyote Logistics announced plans to either establish future facilities in Illinois or, in the case of Coyote Logistics, expand its already existing location.
Amazon confirmed plans to begin operations in the state by 2017, bringing with them 1,000 full-time positions. A company representative did not specify what those jobs would be, but said that the company plans to pursue a variety of different activities in Illinois.
Facility locations have not been decided, but the company is scouting possibilities around the state and noted the Chicago area is one of the potential locations.
The state also celebrated a similar announcement made by Cronus Chemicals LLC, which has chosen Illinois to be the site of its new $1.4 billion fertilizer plant. The plant will produce nitrogen-based fertilizers urea and ammonia.
The plant will be constructed near Tuscola, in East Central Illinois, beginning in spring 2015. Approximately 2,000 temporary construction jobs are expected to be created, with 175 full-time positions once the facility is completed. At this time, 25 Cronus employees work out of the company's Chicago headquarters.
The company chose Illinois over runner-up Iowa, though a Cronus spokesman said that the company looked at 76 sites in nine states before ultimately deciding on Illinois.
Technology company Coyote Logistics also announced plans to add 500 jobs at its Chicago headquarters.
Illinois' extensive transportation network is said to have drawn both Amazon and Cronus to the Land of Lincoln.
Illinois ranked 31st in business tax climate, 45th in job growth
Cronus, Amazon and Coyote Logistics' plans to expand in Illinois are a boon for the state, particularly when taking into account the results of two separate studies that placed Illinois in the bottom half of states when it comes to business tax climate and job growth.
According to the most recent edition of the State Business Tax Climate Index (http://taxfoundation.org/article/2015-state-business-tax-climate-index), released by the nonpartisan Tax Foundation, Illinois' business tax climate dropped two places since last October and is considered by the organization to be the 31st best tax climate in the nation.
To determine an overall ranking, the Index considers more than 100 tax variables in five important areas of taxation including corporate, individual income, sales, property and unemployment insurance tax. A state receives a less favorable ranking for overly burdensome, complex tax codes and high rates. The Index also noted a state's ranking could change dramatically from year-to-year due not only to its own policies, but in recognition of tax-related modifications or reforms that are made in other states.
The Tax Foundation noted that "evidence shows that states with the best tax systems will be the most competitive at attracting new businesses and most effective at generating economic and employment growth." While also conceding that "taxes are but one factor in business decision making," the report noted that compared to reforms in other policy areas that employers pay close attention to, such as healthcare, transportation infrastructure and education, which can take many years to execute, changes to a state's tax code can be made quickly, and rapidly and dramatically improve that state's business climate.
Improving the state's business climate is critical if Illinois hopes to improve its job growth ranking. A report (http://research.wpcarey.asu.edu/seidman/current-state-rankings/) published by Arizona State University placed the state 45th in the nation in job growth using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. This is drop from the state's 2013 ranking of 39th in the nation.
Good and bad news on local pensions
A report from the legislature's bipartisan Commission on Government Forecasting and Accountability (COGFA) is a mix of good and bad news on municipal pensions in Illinois.
The report examined the financial status of various public employee retirement systems in Chicago and Cook County, along with the Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund.
The bad news? The eight Chicago municipal pension funds examined had a combined average funding ratio of just under 42% – meaning that they only had sufficient assets to cover 42% of their obligations.
The study also found that two Cook County pension funds are careening toward bankruptcy. Both the Cook County Employees' Pension Fund and the Cook County Forest Preserve Pension Fund are expected to have negative funding ratios by 2038, meaning they are projected to run out of assets needed to pay pension benefits.
But, there was also good news in the report. The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund, which covers most municipal and county employees outside of Cook County, remains the strongest public pension fund in the state, with a funding ratio of 87.6%. That is down from a pre-recession ratio of 96%, but represents a gradual climb after hitting a low of 83% in 2011.
The Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund has traditionally been the best-funded public pension system in the state, largely because local governments are required to meet annual contributions to the fund.
More good news – while many of the pension systems examined currently have poor funding ratios, these funds are projected to recover and achieve a targeted 90% funding sometime around mid-century. That's generally due to recent reforms that established benefit changes for newly hired employees – including higher retirement ages, more modest cost-of-living increases and caps on the salary used when calculating a pension.
As employees hired under a more generous system gradually retire or leave public employment, the long-term obligations of the systems will drop for newly-hired employees, saving the systems money in the coming years.
For example, the Fireman's Annuity and Benefit Fund of Chicago currently has a dismal 24% funding ratio, meaning it only has enough assets on hand to cover 24% of its obligations. But, thanks to reforms adopted in 2011, the funding ratio is expected to climb each year over the next 25 years, until it reaches 90% funding in 2040.
Because the reforms, most of which were adopted in 2011, impact only new hires, they have not been subject to the same court challenge as changes that were adopted in 2013. The 2013 pension changes are being challenged as an unconstitutional reduction in promised benefits. Opponents have argued that because the 2013 changes were aimed at current employees, those changes violate the constitution's protection against reducing pension benefits once an employee has been hired.
Although the long-term projections for many of these pension systems is a reason for optimism, critics point out that those projections are contingent upon governments meeting their funding obligations and on the legislature resisting pressure to either roll-back reforms or offer more generous benefits to new hires. Reversing the 2011 reforms could quickly send these retirement systems back on the path to bankruptcy.
Illinois fifth in nation in bike deaths
A three-year study of bicycle fatalities shows Illinois had the fifth-highest number in the nation. The report from the Governors Highway Safety Association showed that 80 bicyclists were killed in Illinois during the three-year period.
However, that number was significantly below the top two states. California had 338 fatalities and Florida had 329 during the same period.
The study looked only at the total number of deaths, without considering population, so the study doesn't necessarily confirm that bicyclists in Illinois are at a greater risk than in other states. Still, the report indicates that as urban commuting by bicycle has become more popular, the number of fatal accidents in urban areas has increased.
In 1975, half of all bicycle fatalities occurred in urban areas. By 2012, the percentage had climbed to 69%. In addition, as bicycles have become more popular with adults, the percentage of adults killed has shot up – going from 21 percent in 1975 to 84 percent in 2012.
Adult males comprised 74% of all bicyclist deaths in 2012. More than two-thirds of those involved in fatal accidents were not wearing helmets.
Finally, drinking and bicycling do not mix. Twenty-eight percent of those 16 and older killed in bicycle accidents had a blood alcohol content of .08% or higher. Surprisingly, the percentage of alcohol-related bike fatalities was only five percent less than that of passenger vehicle drivers (33%).
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A garden wedding. This one took place in a family "backyard", 3 or so acres, more resembling a park, beautiful, lush, green, private. The bride asked for flowers with a garden-y feel. As though they could have been cut from that garden. A palette that spoke to summer colors. There was one bridesmaid was the step-daughter-to-be. The only specific bride request was about her bouquet. Something a bit cascading. With a few calla lilies. And vine. The Reception: poolside. The lanterns were moved from the ceremony to tables. They made for a graceful transition from afternoon ceremony to evening reception, with toasts and dancing. All on a perfect August day.
Lovely when the look of the wedding, flowers, decor, linens, all take their cue from the wedding site.


text:
SITA spearheads tech role to make non-secure airport areas more secure
By Michele McDonald | March 20, 2017
SITA formed a new Secure Journeys Working Group to address safety and security in non-secure areas of US airports.
The focus would include elements such as check-in lines and baggage claim areas, and to combat the insider threat.
The group is an expansion of SITA's Border Automation User Group, which was formed in 2015 to facilitate implementation of the US Customs and Border Protection's Automated Passport Control program.
Its formation was prompted by the March 2016 bombing at Brussels airport, which attached a departure hall, and the mass shooting at a baggage claim area in Fort Lauderdale's airport in January this year.
The group says airports need to rethink how to move people through airports more quickly.
Other challenges that it plans to address are:
Reducing and managing security wait times to reduce lines of people in non-secure areas.
Incorporating biometrics for passenger screening authentication.
Addressing ways in which identity management solutions can be used along with data analytics to reduce the growing concerns around the insider threat.
More on Technology
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text:
Ohio State moves to free campus laundry policy
Andrew Hudson || Aug 16, 2019 || Privilege Control
Ohio State University will no longer charge its students a fee when using campus laundry facilities. The new policy is set to take effect for all on-campus students starting this fall semester.
According to student publication, The Lantern, the new policy will apply to all washers and dryers in university-run housing units, and will not assess no charge for use. In addition to laundry facilities in campus residence halls, washers and dryers in the Buckeye Village community center and Greek houses managed by Ohio State will also be free to use.
Under the old, paid model students used either coins or their BuckID -- OSU's student ID card -- and BuckID cash via a card reader. According to university housing, the previous cost per load of laundry was $1.50 to wash and $1.25 to dry. The decision to move to a free model was inspired in part by policies at other institutions.
"Some other universities have moved toward this, and so we looked very closely at what they were doing and how they were doing it," says Dave Isaacs, an Ohio State University spokesperson. "We decided that this was something that we could do, and certainly it would be helpful and convenient to students, so we made the decision to go forward."
Universities have a few options when it comes to charging students for laundry services, with the most common models including pay-per-use, pay-per-semester or the so-called complimentary service being implemented at Ohio State. The varying methods will each have their merits depending on the campus.
In our "Future of campus payments in campus laundry" coverage from 2017, we examined the factors that universities must consider when making this decision. Hear insights from numerous industry professionals as they compare and contrast the different laundry payment structures, and when each model is advisable.
On a campus near you . . . Houston's Cougar... European Campus Card Association suggests rap... Brown University to launch virtual ID, mobile... U. of Denver community reacts to 'checkoutles...
|| TAGS: Payments


text:
package com.example.achuan.teamsystem.app;

/**
 * Created by achuan on 17-1-25.
 * 功能:存放一些静态不变的量
 */

public class Constant {

    //=================MODULE TYPE CODE====================
    public static final int TYPE_SIGNIN=100;
    public static final int TYPE_NEWS=200;
    public static final int TYPE_CONTACTS=300;
    public static final int TYPE_MYSELF=400;
    /*MAIN TYPE CODE*/
    public static final int TYPE_SETTINGS=101;

    //活动间进行数据传递的"内容标示名称"
    public static final String PHONE="phone";//手机号
    public static final String TITLE="title";//标题
    public static final String CNO="cno";//课程号

    //对应于Bmob表中的列名称内容
    public static final String SNO="Sno";//学号

    //=================SHARED_PREFERENCE VALUE_NAME====================
    //创建的SharedPreferences文件的文件名
    public static final String PREFERENCES_NAME = "my_sp";
    //当前处于的模块
    public static final String CURRENT_ITEM = "current_item";
    //当前环信账号的用户名
    public static final String KEY_USERNAME = "username";
    //当前用户的身份权限
    public static final String ADMIN_RIGHT = "admin_right";

    //=================环信即时通讯相关====================
    //用户登录异常的情况
    public static final String ACCOUNT_REMOVED = "account_removed";
    public static final String ACCOUNT_CONFLICT = "conflict";
    public static final String ACCOUNT_FORBIDDEN = "user_forbidden";
    //聊天消息的类型
    public static final String EXTRA_CHAT_TYPE="chatType";//当前会话的类型(单聊\群聊)
    public static final String EXTRA_USER_ID="userId";//单人聊天的名称
    public static final int CHATTYPE_SINGLE = 10;//单人
    //public static final String EXTRA_CHAT_TYPE="group_type";//群聊天类型
    public static final int CHATTYPE_GROUP = 20;//群
    public static final String EXTRA_GROUP_ID="groupId";//选中群组时传递过来的群ID号
    public static final int CHATTYPE_CHATROOM = 30;//聊天室
    //创建群组
    public static final String GROUP_NAME="groupName";//创建群组时的群名称
    public static final String NEW_MEMBERS="newmembers";//创建群组时邀请的成员集合
    //=================REQUEST CODE请求码====================
    public static final int GROUP_PICK_CONTACTS_REQUEST_CODE=0;
    public static final int NEW_GROUP_REQUEST_CODE=1;
    public static final int CHAT_REQUEST_CODE=2;

    //=================蓝牙相关====================
    public static final String DEVICE="device";
    public static final int DISTANCE=10;//允许可以进行签到的距离
    //目标蓝牙的MAC地址
    public static final String TARGET_BLE_MAC="20:91:48:31:D0:EB";
    //目标蓝牙service的uuid号
    public static final String TARGET_SERVICE_UUID="0000fff0-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb";
    //目标特征值的uuid号
    public static final String TARGET_CHARACTERISTIC_UUID="0000fff6-0000-1000-8000-00805f9b34fb";

    //=================OTHER STRING====================

}


text:
The Story Of A Poor Boy From Korea Who Became A World Famous K-Pop Idol
This rags to riches story will make you love him even more.
This poor boy is now one of the most famous celebrities in the world, but to get to where he is today he had to overcome struggles and heartbreak.
His first sacrifice came at the tender age of 13, when he decided to move out on his own to save his struggling family.
His family couldn't afford to feed so many mouths during the harsh economic crisis that hit Korea during his childhood.
After traveling to Seoul, he auditioned for a company that was just beginning to gain ground in the entertainment industry.
He was cast in a minor acting role for a hip-hop duo that would eventually become trailblazers for rappers in Korea.
"I loved music since I was little. But I didn't express my love, since I was too shy. When I was in the 4th grade, I went to an acting academy. My family was having financial difficulties so I was sent to my aunt's and I tagged along with my cousins who went to the academy.
The [CEO of an entertainment label] was casting the younger role for a rapper so I auditioned for that part. I was accepted and that's when I encountered hiphop for the first time and it made me want to become a trainee [at the company]."
Filled with his newfound love for hip-hop, this intrepid kid directly approached the company's CEO and asked to be trained as a singer.
Sensing his determination and charisma, the CEO immediately said yes.
"After working on the music video, I had to go back to my old life. But I didn't want to. I went to [the CEO] and said, 'I want to become a singer. Let me train here.' And he said, 'Ok, let's do it.' I think he liked how determined I was at such a young age."
At that time, entertainment companies were still growing and artists trained in small studios, with little to no support.
While experiencing the struggles of a trainee, he would go on to meet another young boy who would become his closest friend and brother in life.
This trainee also entered the company at a similar time and age, instantly creating an unbreakable bond between the two.
During their trainee days, they became famous within the company as the two young kids hustling and grinding to become superstars.
"[He] was part of an underground hiphop group back then, until he was chosen by the company. We sometimes fought after becoming trainees but we only had each other. We were unable to have a normal school life, so all I have of my childhood memories are with him."
Next, the duo met another trainee who had also decided to train as a rapper in their company.
The three boys became inseparable friends. Little did they know that they would one day create one of the most successful K-Pop boy groups of all time.
In 2006, the hero of our story finally debuted in that legendary group…BIGBANG.
His best friend would become known around the world as G-Dragon. The third trainee was T.O.P.
Taeyang overcame experienced harsh circumstances and underwent grueling training to get where he is today.
He put his family first and made a leap of faith to achieve his dreams. This K-Pop legend went from having nothing to being on the Forbes List in 2017.
He earned over $30 million USD with BIGBANG in 2016 alone, putting his net worth amongst the world's top-earning celebrities.
"Intro (Put Your Hands Up)" on KBS's Music Bank was BIGBANG's first performance. They've been making history ever since!
These Stats Prove That ARMY Must Have Really Missed Jin


Russian security officials said they may bring espionage charges against John Edward Tobin, a U.S. Fulbright scholar jailed on a drug conviction in Russia. His lawyers called the claim a dubious legal bid to keep Tobin behind bars.
An official at the Moscow headquarters of the Federal Security Service, or FSB, said the new accusations against Tobin could be based on the testimony of a Russian scholar who claimed that the American tried to recruit him as a spy. According to the FSB, Dmitry Kuznetsov named Tobin as an agent who interrogated him in a U.S. prison in January 1998.