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Author: corp11imag
Riser Named Director of Digital Operations for The Corporate Image and Corporate Marketing
Posted on February 14, 2017 by corp11imag
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Christine Riser has been named director of digital operations for The Corporate Image (TCI), an integrated communications firm, and Corporate Marketing (CM), the firm's marketing and advertising division, both headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee.
In her new position, Riser's responsibilities include the direction of all digital marketing and advertising, supervision of the digital media team, collaboration on traditional marketing and advertising initiatives, and client relationship development.
Riser has nearly three decades of experience in broadcast and online news, production, sports marketing, advertising and promotions, and market research. Her extensive background includes serving as a reporter, producer, news director and general manager for a number of news outlets, including WJHL, and she has provided consistent oversight of multimillion-dollar advertising strategies and budgets for such organizations as Bristol Motor Speedway (BMS). Most recently, she served as director of consumer data and research and executive producer of Colossus TV for BMS.
"Christine's background spans the news, advertising and marketing industries," says Robbie Phillips, vice president of TCI. "Her depth of experience and technical expertise will prove to be exceptional resources for clients, and we're delighted to welcome her to our team."
A native of Columbus, Ohio, Riser holds a bachelor's degree in radio, television and film from the University of North Texas in Denton, Texas. She has served on multiple boards and committees for area organizations, including the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcasters Board, Girls, Inc. of Johnson City/Washington County, and the Kingsport Chamber of Commerce, among others. She is a recipient of the U.S. Military Reporters & Editors Distinguished Reporting Award, the Texas Press Association Katie Award, and is a Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International.
"I am excited to join a company that's been such an integral part of the Tri-Cities region for more than 20 years, and to lead the digital team at TCI and CM," Riser says. "I'm eager to play a role in the continued success of the company, and our partners and clients."
Founded in 1993, The Corporate Image is an integrated public relations and marketing firm that specializes in strategic corporate communications. TCI's marketing division, Corporate Marketing, designs, develops and implements targeted marketing and advertising strategies for clients.
Robbie Phillips, vice president, The Corporate Image, at 800-476-7459
or visit the company at www.corporatepr.com.
Corporate Marketing, The Corporate Image Christine Riser, Corporate Marketing, Digital Operations, The Corporate Image
Domtar's PaperPal Program Brings Students, Seniors Together
Posted on January 23, 2017 February 2, 2017 by corp11imag
KINGSPORT, Tenn. — On Tuesday, Jan. 24, at 10 a.m., students from John Adams Elementary School will visit senior adults at the Kingsport Senior Center for a special meet and greet opportunity.
This event is part of Domtar's PaperPal program, an initiative that brings together elementary students and senior citizens through letter writing.
The pen pals have been exchanging letters, corresponding the old-fashioned way — with paper and pen — since September. Domtar provided stationery, pencils, crayons, glue and stamps for the students and senior adults to create one-of-a-kind, handwritten letters. Tuesday's event will provide an opportunity for the pen pals to meet in person.
The Kingsport Senior Center is located on the first floor of the Kingsport Renaissance Center, 1200 E. Center St. in Kingsport.
For more information, contact Kezia Murphy,
human resource advisor at Domtar's Kingsport mill,
at 423-392-2710.
Domtar Domtar
Mullican Flooring Expands American-Made Engineered Collections, Debuts New Colors
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – Mullican Flooring, a leading manufacturer of quality hardwood floors, has expanded some of its most popular engineered collections, adding new color variations to three of its American-made product lines.
"Mullican Flooring is proud to introduce seven new color choices in 2017 in response to an increase in consumer interest of our most popular precision-milled flooring collections," says Brian Greenwell, vice president of sales and marketing for the Johnson City, Tennessee-based company. "These engineered collections — Castillian, Lincolnshire and Hillshire — blend style with durability. Each collection offers its own innovative appeal to consumers, and each individual color selection provides homeowners with a dramatically improved surface that upholds Mullican's tradition of quality and beauty."
Three new wire-brushed color selections — oak copper, oak natural and oak stone — have been added to one of Mullican's largest engineered collections. Precision manufactured from the finest oak, these additions to the exquisite Castillian Collection are available in 6- and 7-inch widths.
The Lincolnshire Collection has been expanded to eight hand-sculpted selections with the addition of three new colors ― hickory espresso, maple dark mocha and maple frost. All of the selections are available in 5-inch widths.
Red oak merlot has been added to Mullican's Hillshire Collection, increasing its available selections to 14. This American-made collection features a distinctive grain pattern, and is available in 3- and 5-inch widths.
The Castillian, Lincolnshire and Hillshire Collections are protected by Mullican's Alpha A'Lumina Real World Finish, a third-generation aluminum oxide finish with a subtle satin look. Alpha A'Lumina is backed by a 25-year finish wear-through warranty.
One of the nation's top five hardwood flooring producers, Mullican also operates manufacturing facilities in Norton, Virginia; Holland, New York; and Ronceverte, West Virginia.
Mullican manufactures and sells more than 1,500 products via a network of 40 distributors and 5,000 retail stores across the United States and Canada. For more information about the company and its products, visit www.mullicanflooring.com.
More about Mullican Flooring
Founded in 1985, Mullican Flooring is known for its diverse range of products and for introducing the hardwood flooring industry's first solid hardwood products that carry a lifetime moisture warranty.
The company is a charter member of the National Wood Flooring Association's Responsible Procurement Program and has achieved multiple certifications to demonstrate its support of proper forest management. All of Mullican's domestic products are allowed to carry the "verified sustainable" seal of the Appalachian Hardwood Manufacturers, Inc.
Mullican Flooring Mullican Flooring
Mullican Flooring Adds Four Collections to American-Made Product Line
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. — Mullican Flooring, a leading manufacturer of quality hardwood floors, debuted four new American-made collections — two engineered and two solid — at The International Surface Event in Las Vegas, held Jan. 17-20 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center.
"Mullican Flooring has made a conscious effort to bring to market new American-made products," says Brian Greenwell, vice president of sales and marketing for the Johnson City, Tennessee-based company. "During development, we strived to design the new collections with consumer preferences in mind. By introducing a locking product for easier installation, and crafting an American-made product with a European appearance, we are demonstrating Mullican's commitment to listening to our consumers ― designers and homeowners alike."
Featuring a 5-inch width, Mullican's new engineered products are protected by the company's Alpha A'Lumina Real World Finish and carry a 25-year warranty.
The Merion Collection, a 3/8-inch-thick locking product, has lengths up to 4 feet and includes six selections in hickory, maple and oak. The hickory offerings include Natural and Winchester, while the maple products are available in Cappuccino and Natural. The collection also includes Granite and Natural in red oak.
A 3/8-inch-thick engineered product, the Devonshire Collection, has a lightly wire-brushed matte finish and is available in seven selections of hickory and red oak. The hickory options include Espresso, Greystone, Natural and Provincial, while the red oak offerings include Espresso, Provincial and Saddle.
In addition, Mullican introduced the new Castle Ridge Collection, a 3/8-inch-thick birch product with a hand-sculpted surface texture. This engineered collection, featuring selections in Espresso, Greystone and Provincial, is protected by the company's Alpha A'Lumina Real World Finish carries a 15-year warranty.
Both of Mullican's new solid product introductions, the Wexford Collection and the Nature Collection, have 5-inch widths and are protected by the company's Alpha A'Lumina Real World Finish. Each collection features the company's patented Aqua Shield system and lifetime moisture warranty.
The Wexford Collection, a European-inspired product line, combines three traditional North American sawing techniques to create a classic European look. This 3/4-inch-thick product has random lengths up to 7 feet. The collection's prefinished version is available in six selections of oak, including Charcoal, Espresso, Harbor Mist, Natural, Saddle and Seabrook. The Wexford Collection's unfinished offerings are available in 5- and 6-inch widths.
The Nature Collection, a 3/4-inch-thick hickory product, has a lightly wire-brushed surface texture. Available in a 5-inch width, this collection features random lengths up to 7 feet. The Nature Collection features five selections, including Espresso, Greystone, Natural, Provincial and Saddle.
Farris-Luke Appointed to Funeral and Memorial Information Council
Posted on January 5, 2017 February 2, 2017 by corp11imag
ABINGDON, Va. — Kim Farris-Luke, president and owner of Abingdon, Virginia-based Farris Funeral Service & Crematory, has been appointed to the board of directors of the Funeral and Memorial Information Council. Her three-year term began Jan. 1.
The Funeral and Memorial Information Council (FAMIC) is a unique organization committed to enhancing the understanding and experience of the funeral service and memorialization. Founded in 1991, the organization is comprised of representatives from the top 10 member associations in the funeral profession.
In her new role, Farris-Luke will serve as an ambassador for the Selected Independent Funeral Homes, a FAMIC membership association that provides resources, solutions and ongoing support to independently owned funeral homes.
"It is an honor to have the opportunity to serve within the associations that have impacted my development as a leader in our company and community," Farris-Luke says. "My new role on the Funeral and Memorial Information Council enables me to give back, network with professionals from across the world, and learn from others who are deeply committed to serving families who have lost loved ones. I look forward to continuing to learn and grow in my profession."
Farris-Luke was appointed to the board of directors of the Selected Independent Funeral Homes in September 2016. As the Group 3 representative, she represents members from an eight-state area encompassing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.
A fourth-generation funeral professional with more than two dozen years of experience, Farris-Luke has served on numerous nonprofit boards and committees. She frequently speaks at seminars and teaches classes in the community focusing on bereavement support, advanced planning, "green" service and cremation options.
About Farris Funeral Service & Crematory
Celebrating its 65th anniversary in 2017, Farris Funeral Service & Crematory is the only funeral home in Washington County that has been owned and managed by the same family throughout its history. This continuity provides the organization unparalleled perspective on the services, administrative assistance and emotional support needed during the bereavement process. Farris' spacious facilities offer a number of conveniences, including a full-service reception center available for gatherings and meals, comfortable meeting areas and ample parking. Administrative offerings include assistance with the filing of essential documents, as well as a number of grief education and counseling programs. For more information, call (276) 623-2700 or visit www.farrisfuneralservice.com.
For more information, contact Kim Farris-Luke,
president/owner of Farris Funeral Service & Crematory,
Farris Funeral Service Farris Funeral Services
The Corporate Image Promotes Stinson, Adds Taylor to Staff
Posted on December 5, 2016 December 16, 2016 by corp11imag
BRISTOL, Tenn. — Donna Stinson and Mary Taylor have been named to new positions at The Corporate Image (TCI), an integrated communications firm headquartered in Bristol, Tennessee.
Stinson, who previously served as administrative manager for TCI and Corporate Marketing (CM), the firm's marketing and advertising division, has been promoted to office manager. In her new position, she is responsible for accounts payable and receivable, human resources, and all internal communications systems. Stinson also manages the companies' tax compliance and regulatory affairs in the various states in which TCI and CM have clientele.
Taylor joins the companies as administrative assistant. Her responsibilities include assisting Stinson with invoicing, billing and office management tasks.
"We're delighted to promote Donna to such a deserving position and welcome Mary to our team," says Robbie Phillips, vice president of The Corporate Image. "Both individuals bring a variety of diverse organizational skills to their respective positions, and we look forward to benefiting from their knowledge and experience."
A resident of Blountville, Tennessee, Stinson served as office manager with First Class Travel and Cruise Center in Bristol, Virginia, before joining TCI in 2014. A certified travel agent, she has also served as a consultant for travel firms in the region.
Taylor is a graduate of East Tennessee State University, where she earned a bachelor's degree in sociology. A resident of Bluff City, Tennessee, she most recently served as a credit services specialist for Citibank.
Founded in 1993, The Corporate Image is an integrated public relations and marketing firm that specializes in strategic corporate communications. Corporate Marketing, designs, develops and implements targeted marketing and advertising strategies for clients.
The Corporate Image The Corporate Image
Tennessee Municipal Organizations Create Donation Fund for Sevier County Wildfire Victims
BRENTWOOD, Tenn. — City employees and local government officials across the state are joining together to assist colleagues who have been impacted by this week's Sevier County wildfires.
The relief effort is being coordinated by the Tennessee Municipal League Risk Management Pool, more commonly known as The Pool, and the Tennessee City Management Association (TCMA), along with the Municipal Technical Advisory Service (MTAS), the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police (TACP), and the Tennessee Professional Fire Fighters Association (TPFFA). Together, these organizations have created a GoFundMe campaign to assist East Tennessee city workers whose homes were severely damaged or destroyed in one of the largest ongoing fires in the Southeast.
The campaign is a means for The Pool's membership, comprised of nearly 500 municipalities and public entities across Tennessee that employ more than 36,000 staff members, to help their peers in Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge and Sevierville.
"Our co-workers across the state, along with friends and family members, have expressed a heartfelt desire to help their fellow employees in East Tennessee," says Dawn Crawford, president and CEO of The Pool. "These public servants work tirelessly for their communities, and some of them have lost almost everything but the clothes they had on. Let us remember those who make our lives easier and better through the services they provide."
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/etn-wildfire-cityemployee-hms-lost to make a contribution or to learn more.
The Pool is a nonprofit insurance cooperative in Tennessee that provides a broad range of insurance and risk management services for more than 90 percent of the state's municipalities and local public agencies. For more information, visit www.thepool-tn.org or call 800-624-9698.
– ### –
The Pool The Pool
Mullican Flooring to be Featured on HGTV's "Brothers Take New Orleans"
Posted on November 28, 2016 December 16, 2016 by corp11imag
JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. ― Mullican Flooring has partnered with Scott Brothers Entertainment as the exclusive hardwood flooring provider for their newest HGTV show, "Brothers Take New Orleans," which debuted at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 23. The next episode will air at 10 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 30.
"Brothers Take New Orleans" is a new four-episode series featuring twin brothers, business partners and co-stars Drew and Jonathan Scott. Drew is a seasoned real estate agent, while Jonathan is a licensed building contractor. Drew and Jonathan have co-hosted several popular television shows on HGTV, including "Property Brothers," "Property Brothers at Home," "Property Brothers at Home on the Ranch," "Buying Selling," and "Brother vs. Brother."
The new show shadows the duo as they challenge one another to a residential renovation competition on a dilapidated two-unit, double-shot gun home in New Orleans, Louisiana, that suffered extensive storm damage from Hurricane Katrina. With a timeline of four weeks and a budget of $100,000, the duo will compete to restore the historical home to its original beauty.
A leading manufacturer of quality hardwood floors, Mullican recently renewed its commitment as the exclusive hardwood flooring provider for HGTV's top-rated show, "Property Brothers," following a successful ninth season that showcased products from a number of the company's hardwood flooring collections.
"Mullican Flooring is delighted to extend our partnership with HGTV to this new series," says Neil Poland, president of the Johnson City, Tennessee-based company. "We are honored to participate in the ongoing, positive transformation of the New Orleans community. Mullican has a history of assisting communities with their relief and rebuild efforts following a catastrophe, and we're pleased to play a role in the continued rebuilding of this extraordinary city."
The show's first episode, "Welcome to The Big Easy," features a residential renovation project that includes the installation of engineered hardwood flooring from Mullican's new Mount Castle Collection. On Jonathan's 1,298-square foot side of the home, viewers are introduced to the 9/16-inch thick Mount Castle Oak Ivory, while Drew's 1,227-square foot portion features the 5/8-inch thick Mount Castle Oak Natural.
The Mount Castle Collection highlights today's flooring trends of wider boards and textured surfaces. Constructed in 9/16- or 5/8-inch thicknesses, and available in 7.44- or 9.45-inch widths, the Mount Castle Collection includes a dozen oak and walnut selections. The collection's hand-sculpted and wire-brushed surface treatment options create an elegant and distinctive appearance. Protected by Mullican's Alpha A'Lumina Real World Finish, this collection carries a 25-year warranty.
Visit www.hgtv.com/shows/brothers-take-new-orleans for more information about "Brothers Take New Orleans."
Mullican Flooring ranks among the nation's top-five hardwood flooring producers. In addition to the Johnson City facility, the company operates additional manufacturing sites in Norton, Virginia; Holland, New York; and Ronceverte, West Virginia. The company manufactures and sells more than 1,500 products via a network of 40 distributors and 5,000 retail stores across the United States and Canada. Visit www.mullicanflooring.comfor more information about the company and its products.
Domtar Wins 2016 CenturyLink Faith in the Future Award
Posted on November 8, 2016 December 16, 2016 by corp11imag
KINGSPORT, Tenn. —Domtar was chosen as a 2016 winner in the highly sought-after Faith in the Future Awards, presented by CenturyLink on Thursday, Nov. 3, at the Millennium Centre in Johnson City, Tennessee. Nominees were evaluated by judges based on their commitment to the future of their business, their employees, their community and the region. For its century-long investment in Kingsport and forward-looking commitment to the region, Domtar was nominated and won in the Manufacturing category.
For the past 100 years, Domtar's Kingsport mill has been a significant part of the economic, social and cultural heritage of the city of Kingsport and the surrounding region. The company has manufactured paper products since its founding in 1916 as the Kingsport Pulp Company.
In the nomination, it was noted that while the paper and pulp industry has experienced countless changes, the mill's commitment to remaining a cutting-edge operation has remained constant. In the 1970s, the mill featured one of the fastest paper production machines in the world. In 2002, following a $475 million investment, the mill was rebuilt as the newest and most modern paper production facility in North America. At the time, the rebuild represented the largest single capital investment in the history of the state of Tennessee. Today, the Kingsport mill has the capacity to produce nearly 420,000 tons of paper and more than 300,000 tons of pulp annually.
Since being acquired by Domtar in 2007, the mill has remained a first-class operation in the paper and pulp industry, and has strengthened its support of the Kingsport community. Domtar ranks as the city's third-largest manufacturing company, employing 390 workers at the mill and the Ridgefields converting facility, and generating an additional 750 indirect jobs for the Kingsport area. In total, more than 1,100 workers benefit from Domtar's presence in Kingsport, and the mill's estimated regional economic impact is $190 million each year.
"From both an economic and community involvement perspective, we want the Kingsport mill to remain a key contributor to our city's growth and prosperity," says Bill MacPherson, Kingsport mill manager. "Kingsport has been a vital partner in the mill's century-long history of success, and we are thrilled to add the Faith in the Future Award to our accomplished story."
Businesses and individuals from Carter, Greene, Johnson, Sullivan, Unicoi and Washington counties (Tennessee and Virginia) are invited to participate in the award nominations process. An evaluation team from outside of the area reviews all nominations based on the criteria, choosing one winner per category. The nomination process allows a business to review its strengths, as well as its impact on the community.
This is the seventh year for the Faith in the Future awards, with 26 nominees represented among the eight award categories.
About Domtar
Domtar is a leading provider of a wide variety of fiber-based products, including communication, specialty and packaging papers, market pulp and absorbent hygiene products. With approximately 9,800 employees serving in more than 50 countries around the world, Domtar is driven by a commitment to turn sustainable wood fiber into useful products that people rely on every day. Domtar's annual sales are approximately $5.6 billion and its common stock is traded on the New York and Toronto Stock Exchanges. Domtar's principal executive office is in Fort Mill, South Carolina. To learn more, visit www.domtar.com.
Five Guys Burgers and Fries to Host Jon Odum Community Night Fundraiser at Bristol Location
Posted on October 28, 2016 December 16, 2016 by corp11imag
BRISTOL, Va. — Five Guys Burgers and Fries will host a Jon Odum Community Night Fundraiser from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 7, at 200 Linden Square Drive, Bristol, Virginia.
One hundred percent of the profits will benefit Jon Odum, who was recently diagnosed with an aggressive form of brain cancer. Odum is a physical education teacher at Wallace Middle School, and head golf and men's basketball coach at John S. Battle High School.
"Five Guys Burgers and Fries has a vested interest in our community, which includes providing strong support to our local schools and educators, including Coach Odum," says Jeff Steiner, franchise owner of the Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport Five Guys restaurants. "I highly encourage everyone to attend this special Community Night Fundraiser, and show your support for this beloved husband, father, son and coach."
All participants are asked to identify themselves as part of the Jon Odum Community Night Fundraiser during the time of purchase in order for the transaction to be included.
A Bristol native, Odum is a 1998 graduate of John S. Battle High School and a 2003 Virginia Intermont College alumnus.
For more information about the Jon Odum Community Night Fundraiser, contact Ann Marie French at 423-793-1357.
With locations in Bristol, Johnson City and Kingsport, Five Guys Burgers and Fries offers Community Night Fundraisers, which enable schools, parent-teacher associations, sports teams or other school groups to receive 20 percent of the additional sales they generate at the designated Five Guys location. Visit www.five4twenty.com for more information.
Visit https://www.gofundme.com/jonodum for more information about the fundraising efforts for Jon Odum.
About Five Guys Burgers and Fries
Five Guys Burgers and Fries is a worldwide chain with locations throughout the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Visit www.fiveguys.com for more information.
Five Guys Five Guys
The Corporate Image Garners Six Awards from Public Relations Society of America
Judge Returns Opioid Lawsuit to Tennessee State Court
Merj Enters CBD Arena, Bringing Large-Scale Industrial Hemp Cultivation and Processing to Northeast Tennessee
Manufacturers Chemicals Celebrates Centennial Anniversary
WCSA Earns Top Ranking in Operations, Performance for Ninth Consecutive Year
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Ann Catherine Lavelle
Ann Catherine Lavelle (nee Marble), 53, passed away September 27, 2021. Beloved wife of Joseph R. Lavelle for 27 years. Loving mother of Mai and Crystal Lavelle. Daughter of the late Richard Marble and Pamela Thomas (Robert; surviving). Daughter-in-law of Joseph M. Lavelle and the late Patricia Harvey (George). Dear sister of Miriam Marble and Beth Koller (Curt). Sister-in-law of Rachel Louden, Dave Lavelle (Renee), and Matt Lavelle (Katie). Cherished aunt of Gannon, Calista, Gavin, Hannah, and Alyssa. Ann was a homemaker who was an expert crafter. She loved to basket weave, create origami, make quilts, and was an avid gardener. She was also a part of Marble Animal Factory (Teddy Bears). ALL SERVICES SATURDAY OCTOBER 2, 2021. Visitation will be held on SATURDAY from 2-5PM at JARDINE FUNERAL HOME, 15822 PEARL RD, STRONGSVILLE. No Flowers Please. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to The Wilderness Center for their Tree of Life program. Please visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/3t6erp-tree-of-life?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_cf+share-flow-1 to make a donation in Ann's memory.
Ann Catherine Lavelle (nee Marble), 53, passed away September 27, 2021. Beloved wife of Joseph R. Lavelle for 27 years. Loving mother of Mai and Crystal Lavelle. Daughter of the late Richard Marble and Pamela Thomas (Robert; surviving). Daughter-in-law... View Obituary & Service Information
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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4 – Aboriginal Futures
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Futures.
Along with the Central Coast Council I acknowledge and pay my respects to the Traditional Owners and custodians of country throughout Australia.
We honour and respect the diverse cultural heritage, customs and beliefs of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
The Central Coast Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are a wide-ranging group who come from many communities and language groups from all over Australia. Thus cultural views are diverse. Many Aboriginal people on the Central Coast identify as being Darkinjung or Guringai. I acknowledge the land claims of the Darkinjung and
Guringai people and note the application by Guringai to the National Native Titles Tribunal for recognition of their native title in areas of the Central Coast Council.
I acknowledge some Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in the local government area belong to Stolen Generations or have been affected by child removal policies. Many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples Australia-wide, including those in the Central Coast LGA, have been affected to varying degrees by assimilationist policies or ongoing discrimination which negatively impacts people's social and emotional wellbeing and access to culture.
I also acknowledge the impacts of intergenerational trauma as well as the inherent strength and resilience of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in contemporary Australia.
Of crucial importance, I acknowledge the necessity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to have access to the power and resources necessary for a self-determined future.
I will support the Council in moves to encourage and support a progressive move towards equitable outcomes between Central Coast Aboriginal people and the wider community and, in concert with Council I will encourage and support opportunities which enable Central Coast Aboriginal people to move towards financial independence.
Elements/Actions.
4.1 Local Community Governance
4.1.1 I will consult regularly and frequently with both the Darkinjung Land Corporation and the Guringai Tribal Link Aboriginal Corporation as well as other aboriginal individuals, groups and businesses.
4.2 Central Coast Council
4.2.1 As the Independent Member for Robertson I will maintain a determined process of consultation and negotiation with individual Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people and, specifically, the Guringai and Darkinjung.
4.2.2 I will persistently advocate that Council should establish a permanent standing committee to advise and recommend actions for Council.
4.3 NSW Government
4.3.1 As Federal Member for Robertson I will seek NSW Government funds to assist with programs, which enable partnering in opportunities to achieve a progressive future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
4.4 Federal Government
As the Independent Member for Robertson I support the objectives of the 2017 Statement from Uluru, including the call for a negotiated Treaty, Constitutional recognition, and dedicated indigenous seats in the Commonwealth Parliament of Australia.
This policy has been adapteded from the Community Plan Central Coast, Aboriginal policy section 4.


How to soften old and crumble polymer clay?
Polymer clay, basically, does not have a shelf life. Of course, it's always easier and better to work with fresh polymer clay, but if properly stored (even outside the original packaging), and if it is not exposed to heat (radiators, heaters and other home appliances) or direct sunlight (near the window), polymer clay can last for years. The problem is that it gets harder over the time because particles of PVC and softeners, which are part of polymer clay, tend to separate. The softener in the clay, which is on an oil base, have a tendency to leak and/or evaporate over time, so the PVC particles become misplaced and dried. When you take an old polymer clay into your hands it starts to crumble because PVC particles do not have enough softener to re-distribute and bind again. But this clay is certainly not unusable, so do not throw it away. The solution is to add softener and that way the PVC particles will re-join, and clay will get the desired flexibility and workload. Some clays, such as Fimo professional, has a tendency to crumble even when is fresh, so steps in this tutorial will help you to the condition it faster and much easier. In this tutorial, I deliberately used very, very old clay (yellow and greenish blue Fimo Classic, that is no longer produced, and which I bought sometime in 2010) in original packaging as an evidence that, with a little love and effort, it can be usable again and returned to a softer state.
There are two types of softener manufactured especially for polymer clay - in solid (Fimo Mix Quick) and liquid (Sculpey clay softener) state. Look for them in arts and crafts supplies stores near the polymer clay. If you can't find one of this softeners locally, they can be ordered online.
Mix Quick is primarily intended for increasing the flexibility and softening the Fimo polymer clays (Professional, Doll, Soft and Effect), but in my experience, it works very well with other clay brands too. This softener is packed in a plastic wrapper, it looks similar to classical polymer clay bar, and it weighs 100 grams (3.5 oz). Its color is milky white, but after processing and baking, it becomes transparent and invisible. It's soft to touch. After opening the original package of Mix Quick is broken, so to keep it fresh wrap it with cling foil and store it in the zip bag away from direct sunlight and heaters. The cling foil is necessary because Mix Quick has a tendency to dry over the time.
Sculpey clay softener is clear, slightly blurred liquid. It is primarily intended for Sculpey polymer clays (Premo, Souffle, Sculpey III, Super Sculpey, Ultra Light), but you can use it for other clay brands as well. It comes in a plastic bottle and it weights 30 ml (1 fl oz). Elongated tip on the squeezable bottle makes it easier to measure droplets. It's oily to the touch. Store the Sculpey softener in original package (opened bottle is protected with the cover) away from sunlight and heaters.
Before you start adding softener it's necessary to prepare clay so your job will be easier and faster. There are two preparation steps, and I highly recommend that you do both. Also, it's good to combine those two, and I will explain how to do it down below.
Warm up the clay - Place the clay (in the original package or unwrapped, it's your choice) in the zip bag. Then sit on the clay or put it under the armpit, as this procedure will make it easier for you to continue softening it. I know, it sounds funny, but it works. The heat of our body is high enough to warm up the clay, but also low enough not to bake it. The minimum time that you need to warm up the clay is about 15 to 20 minutes, but the more you warm it up with your body it's the better. While you're working on a computer (for example, reading posts on my blog) or watch a movie, you can use that time to warm up the clay. If you squeeze the clay after warming, you will notice that it's a bit softer then when you started the process.
If you have pets you can place zip bag with clay in their beds, and cover it with an old blanket or towel. Pets body temperature is slightly higher than humans, but it's also safe for clay. Never, ever, in any case, do not warm up the clay by putting it in hot water or near a heating bodies, because you will partially bake it and then it will not be savable. Sitting on the clay, putting it under the armpit or in your pet bed is the safest way to warm up the clay. You can use this method with fresh clay too, and that way make conditioning easier and faster. For fresh clay, 10 to 15 minutes of warming up with your body will be sufficient.
Beat up the clay - This method is bit crazy, but it's so helpful in the clay softening process. For this, I use a rubber mallet (a tool used during ceramic tile or laminate floor placement, and sometimes is called soft mallets), but a regular hammer or acrylic roller will do just fine. Place zip bag with clay on the floor, take your mallet and smash the clay firmly few times on all sides. Beside this is a great way to release the stress, by beating the clay you will help PVC particles to move and distribute evenly. You will notice that the clay has slightly deformed and flatten, which means that you had done a great job. This method is great for very, very old clay which has stayed on the shelf or in your drawer for long period of time (for e.g. few years) and it's super hard, but it can be used on fresh clay too. Also, you can hit the clay few times before warming it up with your body, and of course after that. That will help the softening process even more.
I know that on the market are a tool called Never Knead. It's machine especially created for conditioning polymer clay, and it smashes the clay under the pressure, but since I didn't try it I can't tell you more about it. It's quite pricey and with additional costs for postage and customs duties I can afford it, so, for now, I will stick to my trusty rubber mallet. By the way, you can find rubber mallet in any hardware store.
How I prepare the clay - After I pack the old clay in the zip bag I will hit it few times with the mallet, and place it under the old towel in my cat's bed to warm up overnight. In the morning I will beat up the clay again, and then unpacked it and start conditioning and adding softener.
I use this combo even for fresh clay, as part of conditioning, but then after the first beating, I warm the clay with my body for about 15 minutes. Until I finish preparing all stuff I need for claying, the clay on which I sitting has warmed enough. Then I will hit it a few more times with the mallet.
Unpack the Mix Quick, cut out a very thin tile of softener, and then from it cut a small piece about 1 centimeter (0.39 inches) long.
Unpack the clay and with a blade cut it into small pieces.
Get few chunks of clay, knead them with your hands, and form a small irregular ball. You will notice during the kneading that the clay start to crumble, but do not worry about it.
Squeeze the separated part of the softener with your fingers, and add it to the clay ball. Knead them together with your hands.
Alternately knead and add to the ball new pieces of clay until you connect all of the cut pieces. If necessary, add one to two pieces of softener. Always measure a very small amount of softener that you will mix into the clay. According to the instructions, it is best to measure 1/8 of the softener in relation to the amount of clay. Although, I always work by feeling. I put a very small amount of softener at the beginning, and gradually adding more Mix Quick if I feel under my fingers it's necessary.
It is better to gradually add smaller quantities of softener in the clay, then to mix a larger amount at once. Because the clay with too much softener can become mushy. Too much softener can slightly change the color of the clay, so you should know that the maximum mixing ratio is 2/3 of the clay and 1/3 of the Mix Quick.
With the piece of the clay that is softer than before, pick up those chunks that were scattered on the working surface during the early preparation. Mix them with the rest of the clay.
Flatten the balls with the roller, and put the one tile on top of other. Clay tiles don't need to be very thin. Roll all the clay like this until you have one tile.
Pass the clay tile at least 10 times through the clay machine on thickest setting (on most machines that it's setting number 1). If the clay is still crumbling put a small piece of Mix Quick on tile, and pass it through the machine until you get uniform and smooth tile. Overall, it is necessary to overlap the clay tile and pass it through the machine about 20 times in order to allow the softener to spread evenly and clay becomes flexible again and ready to use. Then set the machine on setting 2, and roll the clay tile few times on it. Switch over to setting number 1 and roll the clay few more times.
You can put back the clay into a zip bag and leave for few days to absorb Mix Quick even more, but basically, your clay is ready for use right away. You can store softened clay in a zip bag, and it will remain soft and pliable for work for several months.
Squeeze one to two drops of Sculpey softener on to the clay.
Knead the clay and softener with your hands.
Gradually add few more chunks of clay into the mixture. Continue kneading and adding new chunks of clay. As the clay absorbs the softener, it will become soft and smooth, removing any crumbling. If your clay still isn't pliable enough, add a little more softener. Just make sure to use it sparingly (mix in a drop or two at a time) so you don't make the clay too mushy. If it easier for you, work with the smaller amount of clay and later connect them to one piece.
Flatten the clay with the roller.
Pass it through the clay machine on thickest setting (on most machines it's setting number 1) at least 10 times. Then set the machine on setting 2, and roll the clay tile few times on it. Switch over to setting number 1 and roll the clay 10 more times. At first, clay may be crumbly when you pass it through the machine, but at the end, the softener will spread evenly and clay will become flexible again.
You can put back the clay into a zip bag and leave for few days to absorb Sculpey softener even more, but basically, your clay is ready for creating right away. You can store softened clay in a zip bag, and it will remain soft and pliable for work for several months.
There are three additional solutions to soften old polymer clay in case you do not have Mix Quick or Sculpey softener.
Liquid clay - This is my favorite method for softening old clay. Although I have Mix Quick and Sculpey softener, I use liquid clay to bring the life into old clay for years. I also use it when I condition fresh Fimo Professional, and sometimes I know to add a drop or two of liquid clay in the mixture of clay and softener since this makes the whole process faster and much, much easier. And, I had never had any problems with the clay I added liquid clay in.
Another reason I love to use liquid clay is that the softeners can be pricey, especially if you order them online. I can bet that every bit more serious clayer has liquid polymer clay at home. So, use it and save the money. If you do not have it buy it because you can use liquid polymer clay for various techniques, while the softener only serves for softening. The principle of softening clay with this material is the same as with Sculpey softener so you can use that part of instructions as a reference. Just keep in mind that you can't use colored liquid clays for this. For softening you can use only translucent liquid clay.
Translucent polymer clay - Mixing translucent clay into your old polymer clay can also help, since this clay is usually quite a bit softer than the other colors. The principle of softening with translucent clay is the same as with Mix Quick so you can use that part of instructions as a reference. I use translucent polymer clay in rare cases when I stay without liquid clay and/or softeners.
Mineral oil - Though not manufactured for the purpose, clear, odorless mineral oil can be mixed into dry polymer clay to return it to a softer state. Use it in the same way as you would Sculpey softener or liquid polymer clay. Mineral oil is stocked in the pharmacy department of most stores.
I will admit, I do not like to use mineral oils with polymer clay at all. Many years back when I started working with polymer clay I used it for a while, and I do not have happy memories about it. Maybe the problem was in the type of oil I used, I do not know, but my clay wasn't durable. Regardless of how little oil I'd put in clay, it would always crack under slight pressure. On another hand, I know many clayers who use mineral oil for years without trouble. So, it's up to you to try it or not. But, according to my logic, it is better to invest money in a liquid clay or softener manufactured especially for polymer clay then into something that may or may not be good.


As of winter term 2019/20 students of the Max Planck School of Photonics (MPSP) complete their qualification phase at MAOT to proceed with a PhD after graduation. Application to the MPSP must be submitted via the application portal on the MPSP website.
What is the Max Planck School of Photonics?
The Max Planck School of Photonics is a nationwide graduate school and professional network that offers a two-phase PhD programme to excellent students from all over the world.
In the first phase, successful applicants pursuing or in posession of bachelor's degree obtain a master's degree from one of three teaching universities in Erlangen, Jena, or Karlsruhe. The first phase takes two years and, if completed successfully, directly qualifies the candidate for entry to the second phase.
The second phase is research work on a PhD project. The main criterion for applicants wishing to enter the second phase is an excellent master's degree in a subject with a sufficient component. The PhD project is conducted in a group led by an MPSP-Fellow. The MPSP-Fellows are spread across seven locations in Germany. Students can apply to study any of the research topics offered by the Fellows. Changing locations between the first and second phase is very much welcomed and underlinse the network character of the school. The second phase of the programme usually lasts three years.
Students are supported for the entire duration of the programme, both financially through a scholarship or full-time employment in the qualification and PhD phases, as well as professionally through close supervision, a diverse workshop program and networking events.
These are the fellows of MPSP working in Erlangen. Many of them give courses in MAOT. For all fellows in the MPSP please go to Link.


text:
2017 Honda Pilot – A Problem Solver
08/12/2016 Update:
Like some of its predecessors, the new member of the Honda family will include both Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but that is not all. The 2017 Honda Pilot will also feature additional color options inside the cabin and a fingerprint-resistant touchscreen.
"The all-new third-generation Pilot has been a huge hit with SUV buyers," stated Honda Division senior vice president and general manager, Jeff Conrad. "For 2017, we're making Pilot even more appealing with new technology and options that our customers are seeking."
To navigate through the infotainment system, the customers will have to use a fingerprint-resistant eight-inch Display Audio touchscreen. Following the latest trend, the infotainment system will be equipped both with Android Auto and Apple CarPlay. Japanese car maker has added one more color option that should satisfy customers that love contrasting colors. So, the 2017 Pilot will get a new black interior along with White Diamond Pearl exterior.
Source: motortrend.com
Honda did not want to change the three-row SUV too much, which is why the 2017 vehicle is very similar to the last year model. To be fair, the 2016 Pilot was an outstanding car which got top safety scores from both the IIHS and NHTSA and earned many titles that showed its worth. Some of which were KBB.com's "Best Family Cars of 2016" and U.S. News & World Report's "Best Cars for the Money."
The company wanted to offer vehicle equally fuel-efficient as the last year version, so the Touring 2WD trim will remain to be the most fuel-efficient version of the Pilot. That SUV can go 20 mpg in the city, 27 mpg on the highway and 23 mpg combined.
The 2017 Honda Pilot price will rise for $550 to $650 when compared to 2016 model, which means that the starting price for the 2017 Pilot LX 2WD is estimated at $30,595. For the Elite AWD trim, buyers will have to set aside around $47 grand.
2017 Honda Pilot – Strong acceleration,Spacious interior
The third generation of the Honda Pilot has been first showcased back in February 2015 and since then it managed to get itself among the best-selling three-row crossovers on the market. However, the car is not perfect, and there are some rumors suggesting that the Honda Pilot 2017 is going to solve or at least try to address some of these issues.
Previous issues fixed
The biggest grief of many people with the new Pilot 2017 is the fact that the excellent nine-speed automatic gearbox is only being offered as an option while as standard a six-speed unit is used. This is expected to be changed with the new model which people say it will get the new nine-speed automatic as standard. This is great because it will allow people to concentrate on other options and features and they will not have to spend money on getting the good transmission.
2017 Honda Pilot Engine
On top of this, there are also some strong suggestions that the car's 3.5-liter V6 might get an option which would be for the first time ever in the model's history. A turbocharged option might not be included here, and rumors suggest looking in other direction.
We still don't know for sure what engine Honda is going to use, but it seems that they might go for a hybrid. However, instead of going for a V6 hybrid, this time around we expect Honda to use a new generation 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle inline-4 coupled to two electric motors. The total output for this system will be around 220 horsepower and over 200 lb-ft of torque which is not enough for a sporty car but more than sufficient for a crossover aimed at long journeys.
With this powertrain and with the help of a single clutch-based nine-speed gearbox, the car will be able to return more than 40 MPG on average, and it will be able to run in electric, combined or standard gasoline mode without any issues, meaning that it will give people tons of flexibility. We also hope that the Pilot 2017 will receive a more powerful version shortly that could definitely be successful considering how many people are looking for sporty crossovers.
Safety features @ 2017 Honda Pilot
Unlike the ongoing model which is rather bad regarding safety features offered as standard, the new car will likely get a lot of safety technologies as standard, such as an active cruise control system with a frontal collision monitoring system, as well as lane-keep assist and blind-spot protection. On top of that, the materials on the dashboard and certain areas of the doors might be improved so the 2017 Honda Pilot should now withstand the abuse from kids with a lot more ease.
What About Styling of new Pilot?
Don't expect major changes until model year 2022-2023. however, some minor styling changes, including new paint jobs, may be available. So, expect the 2017 Honda Pilot to be similar to the current model, which you can see in the photos below. The interior will also be the same, with lots of storage space behind the third-row seat.
Release Date of Honda Pilot 2017?
Expected release date of the new Pilot is in fall/winter 2016.
Pilot competitors:
Major 2017 Honda Pilot competitors are: Dodge Durango, Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Hyundai Santa Fe, Mazda CX-9, Kia Sorento, Toyota Highlander!
Current 2016 Honda Pilot Photos
Below you can see some photos of the current Pilot released for the 2016 model year.
Images source: netcarshow.com
Current (Honda Pilot 2016) Model Features
The Honda Pilot 2016 is available in many trim levels, including variants of the same model with 2WD or AWD. It was the first redesign of this crossover since 2009. The price also varies if the SUV comes with additional features or not, such as Rear Entertainment System or GPS navigation. You can choose between LX, EX, EX-L, Touring and Elite models, for the price tag set between $29,995 and $46,420. All models come with the latest variant of a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 250 horsepower and 253 lb-ft of torque, allowing them to reach the estimated top speed of 130 mph. Majority of models come with a 6-speed gearbox, but some are available with a 9-speed automatic transmission. Safety has also been improved; the 2016 Honda Pilot has received a Top Safety Pick+ award from IIHS.
2016 Honda Pilot: Mostly Everything You Ever Wanted to Know
Source: Honda.com
Source: Edmunds.com
Official web site: https://automobiles.honda.com/pilot
Tags:2017 Honda Pilot, design, engine, Honda Pilot, Pilot, rumor, specs, suv
This model is really a transformation. It does not look like any of its predecessor. One that stands out is its more stylish exterior design.
This new Honda Pilot has powerful engine and more advanced equipment than its previous generations. It also has more interior space.
Toni Fontello
I'm glad Honda is standing behind the Pilot and revamping it for 2017. It is a good vehicle that just needs some updating and issues addressed to give it the quality reputation that all Honda vehicles have.
Aly A
A little bit sleeker than the 2016 model. I hope that the assumption of it going to be a hybrid car is possible with better performance and mileage.
Maria Cruz
If the planned revamp materializes, then Honda will be a fantastic car. This might be my next ride.
Jhei
It looks very much like a Honda CRV. Then again, many SUVs look nearly identical… Pictures of the interior would be a nice addition to the article…
Courtney Boucher
I like the fact that Honda is focusing on the current models failures as their main areas of improvements. The safety features, such as cruise control and lane keep, are definitely something to look forward to if you're in the market for this type of crossover. I especially am impressed by the 40MPG possibility, as well as the option of it being an electric car.
Jackie Cua
The 2017 Honda Pilot looks really sleek and stylish. It's the perfect SUV for small families.
Returning 40 mpg is a great selling feature on this ride. But then again honda has always had a great reputation for quality cars and great gas so mileage so I'm not surprised.
I really like the smooth look and redesign of this Honda. The architects did a great job on it imo.
Jason Graham
That frontal collision monitoring system as well as with lane-keep assist is really what's important to me. The ride looks nice but safety is paramount. I think we can count on Honda to make the necessary improvements.
I'm looking forward to more safety features because those on the previous weren't so great, but as this one is a problem solver I think that it's going to be great this time around.
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3 Best Chevy SUVs for Large Families to buy in 2022


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Right-wing lawmakers claim the National Constituent Assembly has taken all of their responsibilities, stripping them of their positions.
Members of Venezuela's National Constituent Assembly, ANC, have rejected allegations that the opposition-led National Assembly was dissolved and that their members were "stripped of their credentials."
The ANC assumed some of the National Assembly's functions by decree on Thursday, as it continues to be in contempt since it swore in lawmakers whose elections were under investigation for irregularities.
ANC President Delcy Rodriguez said that despite mainstream media and opposition claims that the legislative body was dissolved, only certain of its functions were assumed by the new group, adding that lawmakers can continue working.
Echoing Rodriguez, Venezuelan attorney Maria Alejandra Diaz accused opposition legislators of endorsing recent violent protests that led to the death of more than a hundred people. Due to their inaction on opposition violence, Diaz said, the ANC issued a decree in which the newly-elected body assumed powers to legislate in order to promote peace and stability.
Nonetheless, the ANC has since proposed setting up a liaison commission made up of deputies from the newly-elected body and the National Assembly to facilitate dialogue and work.


My own design is the "Fight the Fire 2" CRPS, RSD awareness ribbon charm. It is an orange ribbon with red flames.
Charm= 1" long, silver toned. The metal loop on top makes the charm 1.25" in total length.
Designed to spread awareness for CRPS and RSD.


Find your perfect Dental Diagnostic Tests tutor.
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Refollium Failing to plan for deformity. How would your family be provided for if you couldn't work with a number of years or within? How would you pay for nursing home care? Should you be in business with your own partners, how much time would your salary resume? Could someone whom you trust take control of your savings and pay your bills without the involvement of this Probate Mandement? You could provide for ongoing asset management with durable powers of attorney and revocable trusts. Well thought out health care decisions powers of attorney allow for you to express your own, unique wishes. If you have had business partners, a properly designed shareholders' or partnership agreement should address both short and long term disability. You may have to consider disability income insurance and Long & Strong Hair insurance.


text:
Position : Manager / Sr. Manager - Broker Channel
Location: Across India
Department : Corporate Marketing
> Expertise in identifying new prospects and analysis their financial status and finally converting them as new dealers or distributors for the company.
> Initiating new development plans to promote schemes to attract customers to enhance business growth.
> Analysing latest marketing trends, tracking competitors' activities and providing valuable inputs for fine-tuning sales & marketing strategies.
> Achieving sales targets for each product category and models as per the business share from each channel partners.
> Establishing Go-to-Market Strategy for generating higher sales towards the achievement of assigned annual targets.
> Candidate will be reporting to Branch Head.
> Candidate with minimum 2 years of experience in General Insurance will have an added advantage.
Locations : Chennai , Delhi , Gurgaon , and Mumbai.
वेतन (₹): 1,000,000-1,800,000	सालाना
अनुभव (साल) : 8 to 16
शिक्षा: Any graduate can apply. Specialized in Insurance will be preferred.
कम्पनी के बारे में : IFFCO TOKIO
IFFCO-Tokio General Insurance was incorporated on 4th December 2000 with a vision of being industry leader by building customer satisfaction through fairness, transparency, and quick response. It is a joint venture between the Indian Farmers Fertilizer Co-operative (IFFCO) and its associates and Tokio Marine and Nichido Fire Group which is also the largest listed insurance group in Japan.IFFCO Tokio General Insurance has Pan India presence with 78 "Strategic Business Units' (SBU's) and a wide network of over 171 'Lateral Spread Centres' (LSC's) and 400 Bima Kendras.. It offers a wide range of uniquely customized policies covering a range of customers i.e. from farmers to some of India's largest automobile manufacturers. From a modest Rs 213 Crores of GWP (Gross Written Premium) in 2001-02 it has achieved an impressive Rs 3537.2 Crores in 2015-16, thereby becoming one of India's leading private players.IFFCO Tokio General Insurance has got the Technical Support for underwriting and reinsurance from Tokio Marine and on Risk Management from Tokio Risk Consulting (TRC). It is the first company in India to underwrite mega policies for a fertilizer and an automobile company. This comprehensive policy is based on international rates and optimizes the premium outflow for clients even as it offers a one-stop, all-risk cover. Other than the conventional products, it has been able to come out with niche products like Credit Insurance, Fine Arts Insurance, P & I Insurance, Errors & Omission Policy for the IT Sector etc. At the same time it has steadfastly carried out its rural centric initiatives by launching products like Sankat Haran Bima Yojana, Mausam Bima Yojana, Mahila Suraksha Bima Yojana and Janata Bima Yojana for the masses. It's pioneering work using technology like RFID (Radio Frequency Identification Device) and NDVI (Normalised Difference Vegetation Index) have made it possible to offer Cattle and Weather insurance to the rural population at large.IFFCO Tokio is also the only insurance company in the country to have a 100%-owned distribution channel to service its retail customers called IFFCO-TOKIO Insurance Services Ltd (ITIS). It finds special mention in the 'Capgemini World Insurance Report- 2009' as an innovative distribution channel. Today, ITIS has a highly motivated workforce of over 1500 employees in over 350 towns.As a customer focused company, we conduct bi-annual customer satisfaction surveys through independent agencies to gauge its operational efficiencies. This is backed by a robust IT infrastructure which has enabled among other things, speedy settlement of claims.
You are applying for Position : Manager / Sr. Manager - Broker Channel Position
in IFFCO TOKIO at Across India Location.


text:
Monkeys in Finland zoo prefer traffic noises over nature sounds
Monkeys in a zoo in Finland have shown a "significant" preference for traffic sounds over jungle noises, researchers have found.
A tunnel fitted with sensors was installed in a monkey enclosure at Korkeasaari Zoo in Helsinki.
This allowed the white-faced saki monkeys to choose whether they listened to a playlist of traffic noises, nature and falling rain – or a choice of either zen music and dance music.
Dr Ilyena Hirskyj-Douglas, a researcher at Aalto University in Finland, said: "We thought they would enjoy more calming sounds, such as zen music, but actually they triggered the traffic sounds more."
The traffic playlist was the most popular choice among the monkeys, who also groomed themselves or each other and sometimes slept when the sounds was playing – something they did not do for any of the other noises.
Kirsi Pynnonen, the zoo's research coordinator, said the sounds of the road mimic some of the ways in which the animals naturally communicate.
She said in the wild, the animals "use high-pitched hissing, squeaking and croaking to stay in contact", indicating that they may hear these noises in the traffic sounds too.
More from Finland
The research was part of an experiment looking into how technology can be used to improve the wellbeing of animals in captivity.
According to the researchers, this is the first time a sound experiment has given animals full control over what they would like to listen to.
They hope that these findings could allow zoos to provide extra stimuli to animals within their enclosures in the future.
Dr Hirskyj-Douglas said the animals could one day control their own lighting or temperature settings, and perhaps play games.
"The technology is very much open and we're just starting to bridge into this area," she said.
As a part of the next step, the research team are planning to install screens within the tunnels for monkeys to watch if they want to.
White-faced saki monkeys are native to northern countries of South America.
Despite popular belief, they do not eat bananas and instead feed on seeds, nuts, insects and some fruits.
James Blake slams women's treatment online after girlfriend Jameela Jamil 'leaves' Twitter
Ethiopia's government votes to remove leaders in Tigray amid unrest


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      }
      ,contact_index: {
        src: [
          'src/html/partials/_head.html'
          ,'src/html/partials/_header.html'
          ,'src/html/partials/contact/_index.html'
          ,'src/html/partials/_footer.html'
          ,'src/html/partials/_foot.html'
        ]
        ,dest: 'build/contact/index.html'
      }
    }

    ,htmlmin: {
      test: {
        options: { // Target options: https://github.com/gruntjs/grunt-contrib-htmlmin
          removeComments: false
          ,collapseWhitespace: false
          ,removeCommentsFromCDATA: false
          ,removeCDATASectionsFromCDATA: false
          ,collapseBooleanAttributes: false
          ,removeAttributeQuotes: false
          ,removeRedundantAttributes: false
          ,useShortDoctype: false
          ,removeEmptyAttributes: true
          ,removeOptionalTags: false
          ,removeEmptyElements: false
        }
        ,files: {
          'test/index.html': 'build/index.html'
          ,'test/error.html': 'build/error.html'
          ,'test/lab/index.html': 'build/lab/index.html'
          ,'test/blog/index.html': 'build/blog/index.html'
          ,'test/work/index.html': 'build/work/index.html'
          ,'test/contact/index.html': 'build/contact/index.html'
        }
      }
      ,dist: {
        options: { // Target options: https://github.com/gruntjs/grunt-contrib-htmlmin
          removeComments: true
          ,collapseWhitespace: true
          ,removeCommentsFromCDATA: true
          ,removeCDATASectionsFromCDATA: false
          ,collapseBooleanAttributes: false
          ,removeAttributeQuotes: false
          ,removeRedundantAttributes: false
          ,useShortDoctype: false
          ,removeEmptyAttributes: true
          ,removeOptionalTags: false
          ,removeEmptyElements: false
        }
        ,files: {
          'dist/index.html': 'build/index.html'
          ,'dist/error.html': 'build/error.html'
          ,'dist/lab/index.html': 'build/lab/index.html'
          ,'dist/blog/index.html': 'build/blog/index.html'
          ,'dist/work/index.html': 'build/work/index.html'
          ,'dist/contact/index.html': 'build/contact/index.html'
        }
      }
    }

    ,recess: {
      test: {
        options: {
          compile: true                 // Compiles CSS or LESS. Fixes white space and sort order.
          , compress: false                // Compress your compiled code
          , noIDs: true                    // Doesn't complain about using IDs in your stylesheets
          , noJSPrefix: true            // Doesn't complain about styling .js- prefixed classnames
          , noOverqualifying: true        // Doesn't complain about overqualified selectors (ie: div#foo.bar)
          , noUnderscores: true            // Doesn't complain about using underscores in your class names
          , noUniversalSelectors: false    // Doesn't complain about using the universal * selector
          , prefixWhitespace: true        // Adds whitespace prefix to line up vender prefixed properties
          , strictPropertyOrder: true    // Complains if not strict property order
          , zeroUnits: true                // Doesn't complain if you add units to values of 0
        }
        ,files: {
          'build/styles/lib/bootstrap.css':'src/styles/less/bootstrap.less'
          ,'build/styles/lib/bootstrap-theme.css':'src/styles/less/theme.less'
          ,'build/styles/main.css':'src/styles/less/main.less'
        }
      }
      ,dist: {
        options: {
          compile: true                 // Compiles CSS or LESS. Fixes white space and sort order.
          , compress: true                // Compress your compiled code
          , noIDs: true                    // Doesn't complain about using IDs in your stylesheets
          , noJSPrefix: true            // Doesn't complain about styling .js- prefixed classnames
          , noOverqualifying: true        // Doesn't complain about overqualified selectors (ie: div#foo.bar)
          , noUnderscores: true            // Doesn't complain about using underscores in your class names
          , noUniversalSelectors: false    // Doesn't complain about using the universal * selector
          , prefixWhitespace: false        // Adds whitespace prefix to line up vender prefixed properties
          , strictPropertyOrder: true    // Complains if not strict property order
          , zeroUnits: true                // Doesn't complain if you add units to values of 0
        }
        ,files: {
          'build/styles/lib/bootstrap.css':'src/styles/less/bootstrap.css'
          ,'build/styles/lib/bootstrap-theme.css':'src/styles/less/theme.css'
          ,'build/styles/main.css':'src/styles/less/main.css'
        }
      }
    }

    ,uglify: {
      testDefault: {
        options: {
          mangle: false
          , compress: false
          , beautify: true
          , report: false
          , sourceMap: 'test/scripts/source-map.js'
          , sourceMapRoot: 'src/scripts/'
          , preserveComments: true
        }
        ,files: {
          'build/scripts/lib/jquery.js':'bower_components/jquery/jquery.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/bootstrap.js':'<%= concat.bootstrap.dest %>'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/modernizr.js':'bower_components/modernizr/modernizr.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/html5shiv.js':'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/html5shiv-printshiv.js':'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv-printshiv.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/JSXTransformer.js':'bower_components/react/JSXTransformer.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/react.js':'bower_components/react/react.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/d3.js':'bower_components/d3/d3.js'
          ,'build/scripts/main.js':'src/scripts/main.js'
          ,'build/scripts/plugins.js':'src/scripts/plugins.js'
        }
      }
      ,distDefault: {
        options: {
          mangle: false //(only main.js, plugins.js)
          , compress: true
          , beautify: false
          , report: 'min'
          , sourceMap: 'dist/scripts/source-map.js'
          , sourceMapRoot: 'src/scripts/'
          , preserveComments: false
        }
        ,files: {
          'build/scripts/lib/jquery.js':'bower_components/jquery/jquery.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/bootstrap.js':'<%= concat.bootstrap.dest %>'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/modernizr.js':'bower_components/modernizr/modernizr.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/html5shiv.js':'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/html5shiv-printshiv.js':'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv-printshiv.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/JSXTransformer.js':'bower_components/react/JSXTransformer.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/react.js':'bower_components/react/react.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/d3.js':'bower_components/d3/d3.js'
          ,'build/scripts/main.js':'src/scripts/main.js'
          ,'build/scripts/plugins.js':'src/scripts/plugins.js'
        }
      }
      ,gzipDefault: {
        options: {
          mangle: false //(only main.js, plugins.js)
          , compress: true
          , beautify: true
          , report: 'gzip'
          , sourceMap: 'dist/scripts/source-map.js'
          , sourceMapRoot: 'src/scripts/'
          , preserveComments: false
        }
        ,files: {
          'build/scripts/lib/jquery.js':'bower_components/jquery/jquery.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/bootstrap.js':'<%= concat.bootstrap.dest %>'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/modernizr.js':'bower_components/modernizr/modernizr.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/html5shiv.js':'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/html5shiv-printshiv.js':'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv-printshiv.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/JSXTransformer.js':'bower_components/react/JSXTransformer.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/react.js':'bower_components/react/react.js'
          ,'build/scripts/lib/d3.js':'bower_components/d3/d3.js'
          ,'build/scripts/main.js':'src/scripts/main.js'
          ,'build/scripts/plugins.js':'src/scripts/plugins.js'
        }
      }
      ,testBrowserify: {
        options: {
          mangle: false
          , compress: false
          , beautify: true
          , report: false
          , sourceMap: 'test/scripts/source-map.js'
          , sourceMapRoot: 'src/scripts/'
          , preserveComments: true
        }
        ,files: {
          'test/scripts/modules.js':'build/scripts/modules.js'
        }
      }
      ,distBrowserify: {
        options: {
          mangle: false //(only main.js, plugins.js)
          , compress: true
          , beautify: false
          , report: 'min'
          , sourceMap: 'dist/scripts/source-map.js'
          , sourceMapRoot: 'src/scripts/'
          , preserveComments: false
        },
        files: {
          'dist/scripts/modules.js':'build/scripts/modules.js'
        }
      }
      ,gzipBrowserifyDefault: {
        options: {
          mangle: false //(only main.js, plugins.js)
          , compress: true
          , beautify: true
          , report: 'gzip'
          , sourceMap: 'dist/scripts/source-map.js'
          , sourceMapRoot: 'src/scripts/'
          , preserveComments: false
        }
        ,files: {
          'dist/scripts/modules.js':'build/scripts/modules.js'
        }
      }
    }

    ,jsx: {
      client: {
        src: 'src/scripts/main.jsx'
        ,dest: 'build/scripts/main.js'
      }
    }

    ,browserify: {
      test: {
        options: {
          /*ignore: modernizr.js,html5shiv.js,html5printshiv.js,JSXTransformer.js
          noParse: []  // better to shim libraries that don't need to be parsed for require() statement than to use noParse
          ,alias: []
          ,aliasMappings: []
          ,external: []
          ,transform: []
          debug: true // enable source map support
          ,shim:
          ,postBundleCB: */
        }
        ,files: {
          'build/scripts/module.js': [
            'bower_components/jquery/jquery.js'
            ,'<%= concat.bootstrap.dest %>'
            /*,'bower_components/d3/d3.js'*/
            /*,'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv.js'
            ,'bower_components/html5shiv/dist/html5shiv-printshiv.js'*/
            ,'bower_components/react/react.js'
            ,'bower_components/react/JSXTransformer.js'
            ,'src/scripts/main.js'
            /*,'src/scripts/plugins.js'*/
          ]
        }
      }
      ,dist: {
        options: {
          /*ignore:
          noParse: []  // better to shim libraries that don't need to be parsed for require() statement than to use noParse
          ,alias: []
          ,aliasMappings: []
          ,external: []
          ,transform: []
          debug: false // enable source map support
          ,shim:
          ,postBundleCB: */
        },
        files: {
          'build/scripts/module.js': ['src/scripts/**/*.js']
        }
      }
    }

    ,copy: {
      common: {
        files: [ //copy these files from bower_components, run bower update [component_name] to keep them updated
          {expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["bower_components/html5-boilerplate/crossdomain.xml"], dest: 'src/html'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["bower_components/html5-boilerplate/humans.txt"], dest: 'src/html'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["bower_components/html5-boilerplate/robots.txt"], dest: 'src/html'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["bower_components/html5-boilerplate/apple-touch-icon-precomposed.png"], dest: 'src/images/ico/h5bp/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["bower_components/html5-boilerplate/favicon.ico"], dest: 'src/images/ico/h5bp/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["bower_components/bootstrap/docs-assets/ico/*"], dest: 'src/images/ico/bootstrap/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/images/ico/bootstrap/*"], dest: 'build/images/ico/bootstrap/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/images/ico/h5bp/*"], dest: 'build/images/ico/h5bp/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/images/*"], dest: 'build/images/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/fonts/*"], dest: 'build/fonts/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/data/blog/*.markdown"], dest: 'build/blog/data'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/html/*.xml"], dest: 'build/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/html/*.txt"], dest: 'build/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["src/html/*.ico"], dest: 'build/'}
        ]
      }
      ,test: {
        files: [
          {expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/images/ico/bootstrap/*"], dest: 'test/images/ico/bootstrap/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/images/ico/h5bp/*"], dest: 'test/images/ico/h5bp/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/images/*"], dest: 'test/images/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/fonts/*"], dest: 'test/fonts/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/styles/lib/*.css'], dest: 'test/styles/lib/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/styles/*.css'], dest: 'test/styles/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/scripts/lib/*.js'], dest: 'test/scripts/lib/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/scripts/*.js'], dest: 'test/scripts/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/blog/data/*.markdown"], dest: 'test/blog/data'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/*.xml"], dest: 'test/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/*.txt"], dest: 'test/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/*.ico"], dest: 'test/'}
        ]
      }
      ,dist: {
        files: [
          {expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/images/ico/bootstrap/*"], dest: 'dist/images/ico/bootstrap/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/images/ico/h5bp/*"], dest: 'dist/images/ico/h5bp/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/images/*"], dest: 'dist/images/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/fonts/*"], dest: 'dist/fonts/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/styles/lib/*.css'], dest: 'dist/styles/lib/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/styles/*.css'], dest: 'dist/styles/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/scripts/lib/*.js'], dest: 'dist/scripts/lib/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ['build/scripts/*.js'], dest: 'dist/scripts/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/blog/data/*.markdown"], dest: 'dist/blog/data'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/*.xml"], dest: 'test/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/*.txt"], dest: 'test/'}
          ,{expand: true, flatten: true, src: ["build/*.ico"], dest: 'test/'}
        ]
      }
    },

    /* TODO: Convert from bootstrap blog validation to byrongibson.com page validation */
    validation: {
      options: {
        reset: true
      }
      ,files: {
        src: ["_gh_pages/**/*.html"]
      }
    }

    /* TODO: Convert to byrongibson.com custom js tests */
    ,qunit: {
      options: {
        inject: 'src/scripts/tests/unit/phantom.js'
      }
      ,files: ['src/scripts/tests/*.html']
    }

    ,connect: {
      test: {
        options: {
          port: 3001
          ,base: './test/'
          ,keepalive: true
        }
      }
      ,dist: {
        options: {
          port: 3000
          ,base: './dist/'
          ,keepalive: true
        }
      }
    },

    /* TODO: Obsolete, update to work with new build process, integrate with browser plugins */
    watch: {
      src: {
        files: '<%= jshint.src.src %>'
        ,tasks: ['jshint:src', 'qunit']
      }
      ,test: {
        files: '<%= jshint.test.src %>'
        ,tasks: ['jshint:test', 'qunit']
      }
      ,recess: {
        files: 'src/styles/less/*.less'
        ,tasks: ['recess', 'copy']
      }
    }
  });

  // These plugins provide necessary tasks.
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('browserstack-runner');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-clean');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-concat');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-connect');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-copy');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-jshint');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-qunit');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-uglify');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-watch');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-htmlmin');
  /*grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-mincss');*/ /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-contrib-mincss */
  /*grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-compress'); */ /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-contrib-compress */
  /*grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-imagemin'); */ /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-contrib-imagemin */
  /*grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-contrib-requirejs'); */ /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-contrib-requirejs */ /* https://github.com/jrburke/r.js/blob/master/build/example.build.js */
  /*grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-usemin');*/ /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-usemin */
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-html-validation');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-browserify');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-recess');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-aws-s3');
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-react'); /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-react */
  grunt.loadNpmTasks('grunt-jsx'); /* https://npmjs.org/package/grunt-jsx */

  // Docs HTML validation task
  grunt.registerTask('validate-html', ['validation']);

  // Test task.
  var testSubtasks = ['dist-styles', 'jshint', 'qunit', 'validate-html'];
  // Only run BrowserStack tests under Travis
  if (process.env.TRAVIS) {
    // Only run BrowserStack tests if this is a mainline commit in twbs/bootstrap, or you have your own BrowserStack key
    if ((process.env.TRAVIS_REPO_SLUG === 'twbs/bootstrap' && process.env.TRAVIS_PULL_REQUEST === 'false') || process.env.TWBS_HAVE_OWN_BROWSERSTACK_KEY) {
      testSubtasks.push('browserstack_runner');
    }
  }
  grunt.registerTask('test', testSubtasks);

  // Concat but don't minify html and JS files.
  grunt.registerTask('concat-bootstrap', ['concat:bootstrap']);

  // Concat but don't minify html and JS files.
  grunt.registerTask('concat-html', ['concat:html_index','concat:html_error','concat:lab_index','concat:blog_index','concat:work_index','concat:contact_index']);

  // Concat but don't minify html and JS files.
  grunt.registerTask('concat-all', ['concat']);

  /***** Compile HTML *****/

  // Compile but don't minify html, distribute to ./test only
  grunt.registerTask('test-html', ['concat-html','htmlmin:test']);
  // compile and minify html, distribute to both ./test and ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('dist-html', ['concat-html','htmlmin:dist']);

  /***** Compile CSS *****/

  // Compile less & css into single css file, distribute to ./test only
  grunt.registerTask('test-styles', ['recess:test']);
  // compile and minify less & css, distribute to both ./test and ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('dist-styles', ['recess:dist']);

  /***** Uglify Scripts *****/

  // don't compile or minify, just beautify and copy to ./test
  grunt.registerTask('test-scripts', ['concat:bootstrap','uglify:testDefault']);
  // compile and minify js, distribute to both ./test and ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('dist-scripts', ['concat:bootstrap','uglify:distDefault']);
  // compile and minify js, distribute to both ./test and ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('gzip-scripts', ['concat:bootstrap','uglify:gzipDefault']);

  /***** Browserify Scripts *****/

  // don't compile or minify, just beautify and copy to ./test
  grunt.registerTask('test-scripts-browserify', ['concat:bootstrap','browserify:test']);
  // compile and minify js, distribute to both ./test and ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('dist-scripts-browserify', ['concat:bootstrap','browserify:dist']);
  // compile and minify js, distribute to both ./test and ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('gzip-scripts-browserify', ['concat:bootstrap','uglify:gzipBrowserifyDefault']);

  /***** Build Default *****/

  // Test build, builds ./test
  grunt.registerTask('test', ['clean:test', 'copy:common', 'test-styles', 'test-scripts', 'test-html', 'copy:test']);
  // Production build, builds ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('dist', ['clean:dist', 'copy:common', 'dist-styles', 'dist-scripts', 'dist-html', 'copy:dist']);
  // Optimized build, builds ./dist with gzipped assets
  grunt.registerTask('gzip', ['clean:dist', 'copy:common', 'dist-styles', 'gzip-scripts', 'dist-html', 'copy:dist']);

  /***** Build Browserify *****/

  // Test build, builds ./test
  grunt.registerTask('test-browserify', ['clean:test', 'copy:common', 'test-styles', 'test-scripts-browserify', 'test-html', 'copy:test']);
  // Production build, builds ./dist
  grunt.registerTask('dist-browserify', ['clean:dist', 'copy:common', 'dist-styles', 'dist-scripts-browserify', 'dist-html', 'copy:dist']);
  // Optimized build, builds ./dist with gzipped assets
  grunt.registerTask('gzip-browserify', ['clean:dist', 'copy:common', 'dist-styles', 'gzip-scripts-browserify', 'dist-html', 'copy:dist']);

};


Were Egyptian hieroglyphs the origin of the alphabet?
The Biblical Archeology Review has an article on how the alphabet was born from Egyptian hieroglyphs.
The article focuses on the Serabit El Khadem site in Sinai, and the inscriptions found in the temple of Hathor there.
Lot ts of good detailed pictures of the inscriptions. Check the 2 side bar articles as well. One is about Wadi El Hol inscriptions, the other is about an Ugaritic cuneiform alphabet.
This is not completely related but quite close. I was writing an article today on the influences of Sumerian cuneiform in the Magyar(Hungarian) peoples of Asia and central Europe and how they may have been in close cultural contact with the Sumerians before heading westward to Europe.


NYC Graffiti Walk — permundum. film photography.
I commute daily into New York City from Connecticut, and even on the days that I am off I try to spend as much time as possible in the city. NYC is blank canvas that never stops changing, sometimes for the better and sometimes for the worse. There is always a new place or corner to be explored and it never gets boring. Change is good, but it's sad to see some of NYC's old architecture fading and being replaced with new architecture.
This past Monday, November 23rd, I spent my day off walking around the East Village, Lower East Side and Soho with my camera and captured some of the street art that is all over Lower Manhattan. As mentioned above, NYC keeps changing quickly and graffiti has an even shorter lifespan. Up on the wall one day, gone the next. Some see it as vandalism, I see it as art and something that gives NYC its identity. I've had a fascination with graffiti dating back a long time to my teenager years back in Germany. I even tried it out myself, but saying I had any talent for it would be a huge overstatement.
For years I wondered what sparked my interest in graffiti and New York. All I remembered was a scene from a movie that I watched when I was very young, not even in my teens yet, and back in the days when I lived behind the iron curtain in Halle (Saale) in East Germany. I vaguely remember the movie being about graffiti and hip hop, and that it played in New York City. I must have watched the movie once (back then we didn't have a VCR and there were no repeats), but it had a huge impact on me because for years I would remember a particular scene from the movie.
The scene played in the NYC subway. I remember one of the main characters painting one of the subway cars, an altercation with another character, and the main character being electrocuted by the third rail. For years and years I tried finding the movie, unsuccessfully. Well, I finally figured out the name of the movie. Seeing all the graffiti in the city earlier in the week sparked my curiosity and I did some more research. The movie is called "Beat Street" and it was released back in 1984. Needless to say, I went straight to iTunes and bought the movie. Doing some more research I also found out that the movie was very successful in Germany, both West and East Germany, and it is being credited with introducing the hip hop and graffiti culture in Germany.
I am biased, I am an 80s kid, but if you like movies and documentaries that were filmed back in the days in NYC, I highly recommend "Beat Street", "Wild Style", "Style Wars" and "Deathbowl to Downtown". They are certainly on my Thanksgiving movie list this year.


text:
Free Press Summer Fest 2012 Has Outdone Itself
This year's Free Press Summer Fest has been announced, and, wow, I must say I am impressed. Snoop Dogg, The Avett Brothers, Primus, Big Freedia, Danny Brown, Jeff the Brotherhood, Willie Nelson, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Flaming Lips (performing Dark Side of the Moon), Wavves, Diplo, Best Coast, Major Lazer, Turquoise Jeep! I'm gonna have a hard time avoiding the miserable Houston heat this summer!
no comments	| tags: Best Coast, Big Freedia, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Danny Brown, Diplo, Flaming Lips, Free Press Summer Fest, Jeff the Brotherhood, Major Lazer, Primus, Snoop Dogg, The Avett Brothers, Turquoise Jeep, Wavves, Willie Nelson	| posted in Music, News
FFF6 Playlist Series – Friday's Orange Stage
A friend of mine and I were discussing the awesome awesome lineup for Fun Fun Fun Fest this year, and yesterday, they announced their schedule for our viewing pleasure. My friend was excited, but admitted he knew only a few bands. Where, he wondered aloud, could he find a comprehensive rundown of each band, a sampling of their musical chops, so he could further educate himself before the finest weekend of his year? I assume the Fun Fun Fun website has such a playlist, and they do, and it's cool, but I wanted to make my own. So every Friday, from now until the fest (that's nine weeks), I will be posting a playlist for your educational purposes for each stage and day, excluding the Yellow stage, which is mostly comedy.
This week's playlist covers the bands playing on the Orange (Indie) stage on Friday – Boxer Rebellion, Cloud Nothings, Ocote Soul Sounds, The Thermals, Heartless Bastards, Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Okkervil River, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, and Passion Pit.
Listen to the playlist on Spotify.
Missing From Playlist (not on Spotify yet): TV Torso, Jim Ward
My Stage Pick: Cloud Nothings
While The Thermals rank high on my anticipation list, I am most excited to see a repeat viewing of the high-energy Cloud Nothings, whose SXSW sets knocked me on my ass with rapid-fire tempo and singalong refrains.
no comments	| tags: Black Joe Lewis and the Honeybears, Boxer Rebellion, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Cloud Nothings, Fun Fun Fun Fest, Heartless Bastards, Jim Ward, Ocote Soul Sounds, Okkervil River, Passion Pit, The Thermals, TV Torso	| posted in Music, Playlist
My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 200-191
200. 50 Cent – I Get Money
Dr. Dre and Eminem's protege hasn't released anything of substance, save for this song, in my opinion. Most would say his first album is pretty good, and that "In Da Club" is an alright song, but they are sadly mistaken. For some reason though, this song, released late in Fiddy's career, really took a shine to me. Maybe it's the snare hits, the deep synth line, or the rhythmic sampling. Maybe it's 50's dumb rhymes. Maybe it's because every time I hear this song my thoughts hearken back to a college party when a friend was trying to teach me how to C-walk to this song. Yeah, it's probably that last one.
no comments	| tags: 50 Cent, A, Ben Folds, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Decemberists, Mae, The Avalanches, The New Pornographers, The White Stripes, Wheatus	| posted in Analysis, List, Music, Top 300 Songs of the 2000s, Video
My Top 300 Songs of the 2000s – 270 – 261
270. The Shins – New Slang
I heard all the brouhaha about Garden State and the hype surrounding this band, but I didn't actually see the film until I met my good friend Kim in college. I believe it is still one of her favorite movies, and it is one that I enjoyed immensely, though I haven't watched it since. I managed to get my hands on a copy of Oh, Inverted World back in high school, and, honestly, I didn't really get it. Sure, the songs were pretty and soft, but I was initially bored. And dumb. It took repeated listens and a few years for me to appreciate it; what a brilliant little debut from a band that would, along with Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, probably be the first in the new indie-Internet age to become too popular too quick.
New Slang – The Shins
no comments	| tags: Ben Gibbard, Billy Bragg, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Death Cab For Cutie, Dizzee Rascal, Elefant, Elton John, Eminem, Garden State, Green Day, Grizzly Bear, KTXT FM, Less Than Jake, Lil Mama, Owl City, Pepsi Blue, Phil Spector, Rock Against Bush, Sev, Starsailor, the Crystals, The Descendents, The Postal Service, The Shins, Travis, UGK	| posted in Analysis, List, Music, Top 300 Songs of the 2000s