Wattle Grove Primary School student Samuel Santosh said he used to be 'bored out of his mind' in class.
There was a time, not long ago, when school was a struggle for Samuel Santosh.
He was "bored out of his mind" and tired of pestering his teachers for more challenging work, only to be given repetitive and mind-numbing worksheets and activities while the other students caught up.
But nowadays the 12-year-old feels completely different.
As a full-time student of Wattle Grove Primary School's program for academically gifted students, called MAC (Multi-age Academic Class), every day is different and there are endless things for Samuel to learn.
"I feel like I'm at home," he said.
"Now we're in the MAC class, we're always challenged with new projects and new things to learn … we do high school algebra and mathematics as well."
Photo Students enjoying the MAC program.
Wattle Grove Primary is one of two public primary schools in Western Australia — the other is Caladenia Primary — that run a full-time program for academically gifted and talented students.
The school introduced MAC in 2015, selecting the brightest minds in Years 4, 5 and 6, and putting them into the one class full-time, with a specialist teacher to constantly challenge and inspire them, and set the bar high.
In between solving Year 10-level algebra and writing complex coding, the MAC students also learn circus skills such as juggling and riding unicycles, to help build resilience through failure — something many gifted children rarely experience.
The program has been so successful that the school is trialling a "mini-MAC" this year.
It is the same concept but for students in Years 1, 2 and 3, giving juniors the opportunity to learn at a higher level, avoid repetition of material they already know and mix with like-minded peers.
Principal Julie Roberts said since the program's inception, a number of families had moved into Wattle Grove with the aim of getting their gifted and talented children into the MAC program.
But she said being in the catchment zone and having clever children was no guarantee of entry.
Ms Roberts has even fielded calls from people living overseas and she said the fact that parents were willing to move countries showed their strong appetite to meet the needs of their high-achieving children.
Photo Principal Julie Roberts said there was intense competition for entry into the program.
It is widely accepted that gifted and talented children make up 10 per cent of students.
"I really can't bear to see children sitting complacently, and sometimes compliantly, and their true potential not being sought or reached," Ms Roberts said.
"I did believe we could do better for catering for high-achieving students.
"Really the answer to me was to provide the opportunity for them to be challenged all day, every day with like-minded, high-achieving students, despite the fact they may be of a different age.
"Children — if they're not engaged and they are high achievers — are sometimes left learning things which they already know and they become disengaged, and there can be behavioural problems."
Photo Students of all ages are placed into a full-time classroom where they are constantly challenged.
Wattle Grove's MAC program currently caters for 30 students, while its mini-MAC program has 24 students.
The school's total student population is 755.
Ms Roberts said competition for entry was "intense" and the school looked at results achieved across all learning areas.
"We also have a look at their attitude, behaviour, work habits, personal and social and emotional capacity, resilience — we look at a range of different aspects before acceptance," she said.
Other than attending their MAC class full time, the students are like any others at Wattle Grove — joining in for assemblies, excursions, sport carnivals and playing with mainstream students at recess and lunch.
A major factor in the program's success is that both MAC teachers are among the best in the state.
Photo MAC teacher Carl Sanderson said the students love coming to school.
Carl Sanderson, who teaches the senior class, won the WA Primary Teacher of the Year award in 2017, while Kirsty Campbell won Beginning Teacher of the Year in 2015.
"You have to be very careful and gentle," Mr Sanderson said.
"You make sure you're treating these kids as kids because that's what they are, they're not little robots, and the Year 4s are still small children.
"These kids want to come to school every day, they love getting out of bed.
"It's the way we structure everything. They're challenged and they're always moving forward.
Photo Carl Sanderson won WA Primary Teacher of the Year in 2017.
"This program we're running here could work in any school, there's virtually no real cost.
"I was a teacher here anyway. You just need people who are willing to have a go at it."
Circus skills are an integral part of Mr Sanderson's teaching, and especially useful for high-achieving children who are used to getting things right the first time.
Photo A Wattle Grove Primary School student practises her circus skills.
"Very few kids can do it so when you say to a child, 'Well if you stick at it … you'll be able to do something that less than 1 per cent of people on the planet can do'.
"That's really powerful to a child, so they want to go, 'Oh wow I really want to do it.'"
Ms Campbell said at first she was worried about the workload involved in teaching three year levels at once, but it had ended up being no different to a mainstream class where abilities can also vary greatly.
Photo Mini-MAC teacher Kirsty Campbell was initially nervous about the workload involved with teaching three year levels.
"I always thought that I would prefer to work in a school that had low socio-economic people to cater for," Ms Campbell said.
"But when you really think about the children in here, they are just as much at educational risk, just at the other end.
"I think that if we can get those children in earlier, identify them earlier, cater for them earlier, you'll have less of the disengagement later on in school life."
Eileen Slater from Edith Cowan University, who has undertaken research in the field, said she hoped Wattle Grove's "fantastic" program would inspire other schools to do more for their gifted and talented students.
She has warned schools the risks were "vast and many" if they did not adequately challenge their best and brightest students — some of whom she estimated spend 50 per cent of their classroom time waiting for other students to catch up.
Photo Education researcher Eileen Slater has urged a re-think of the current PEAC model.
"Every child under the United Nations charter has a right to learn," Dr Slater said.
"We're wasting incredible intellectual capital because if you do not do something in the early years, you will lose them by the time they are six or seven years old.
Dr Slater is also urging a rethink of the PEAC (Primary Extension and Challenge Program) model, which has been around since the 1980s.
PEAC is a part-time program for high-achieving students in Years 5 and 6, who are identified through assessments undertaken in Year 4.
Dr Slater said while PEAC teachers were very good, they simply did not have enough contact hours with the children.
"One reason that PEAC has been maintained is that it offers gifted children the opportunity to spend time with like-minded peers," Dr Slater said.
"This is very important for the social and emotional development of gifted children, however PEAC only operates for 2–3 hours per week.
"Opportunity classrooms like the one at Wattle Grove, cluster grouping and acceleration have students working with like-minded peers on a regular basis at their own school, where they can develop a strong sense of belonging and connection."
Photo Students from Wattle Grove Primary School's Multi-age Academic Class enjoy coming to class to be challenged.
She said accessing PEAC was also problematic because fees were charged and parents needed to drop off and pick up their children in the middle of the day to the courses.
The Education Department said the PEAC model would continue but it would consider possible improvements next year.
"Learning options for the most academically-able primary students — which may include more targeted in-class support, enhanced Primary Extension and Challenge Classes, and full-time classes for identified children — will be developed during 2019 and considered for roll-out in 2020 and beyond," the department's acting director general, Jen McGrath, said.


text:
Institute Visit
l Tickets need to be purchased separately via online registration system.
l Based on first-come-first-serve basis due to limited number.
▌Visit A – October 23, Wednesday Chang Gung Health and Culture Village
TICCèChang Gung Health and Culture VillageèTICC
NT$1,600 (Approx. USD$50) / person
The price included Visit Fee, Tour bus, Insurance, Interpreter and Lunch Box.
Meet up at main entrance, TICC.
Provide Lunch box on the bus.
Chang Gung Health and Culture Village
Chang Gung Health and Culture Village expected to build a healthy and cultural community providing complete health care mainly for elders through professional medical resources of Chang Gung system in 1992. After 7 years of planning and 6 years of construction, "Chang Gung Health and Culture Village" was opened for the registration in 2005. It is the first domestic "continuing care retirement community" including: hardware, health medical treatment, village governance, service facilities, overall community development, living care, cross-community interaction such items. Health and Culture Village provides complete health evaluation, health plan, health promotion and health maintenance providing elders with physical, mental, spiritual and social and environmental health life. The barrier-free space, green landscape design and emergency rescue facilities are available in the whole village that provide safe living environment to the elders.
There are now 587 households and 716 persons living in the village with age 81.4 in average (based on statistics as of 2016.11.30)
Back to TICC
The Visit will be happily end here, we will arrive at TICC around 17:00
▌Visit B – October 24, Thursday National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch
TICCèNational Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu BranchèCombined city tour: Longshan TempleèTICC
The price included Visit Fee, Tour bus, Insurance, Tour Guide, Interpreter and Lunch Box.
National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch
National Taiwan University Hospital Bei-Hu Branch was established in 1949 and its service has been in place for more than 60 years. With the constant upgrading and reforming of National Taiwan University, this medical institute was as well renamed. In 2004, it acquired its current title and officially merged into a member of the National Taiwan University Medical System. The hospital is located in Wanhua District, and focuses on the development of an integrated center for geriatrics and long-term care. The vision of the hospital lies in providing quality health services for the community
Combined city tour: Longshan Temple
The most well-known temple in Taiwan, the Mengjia Longshan Temple was built in 1738 by settlers from Fujian as a gathering place for Chinese settlers. Located in the old village part of Taipei, Wanhua District, this temple has stood the test of time and lasted through several natural disasters and wars.
During World War II, the temple was badly damaged by American bombers during the Raid on Taipei after an accusation the Japanese were hiding arms inside the temple. Since the construction of the temple, Taipei residents have continuously renovated and improved the temple and the surrounding grounds, with the temple coming to represent the pride of Taiwanese temples and worship houses, worshipping a mixture of Buddhist, Taoist, and deities like Mazu.
▌Visit D – October 25, Friday Suang-Lien Elderly Center
TICCè Suang-Lien Elderly CenterèTICC
Suang-Lien Elderly Center
Suang-Lien Elderly Center is established by Suang-Lien Presbyterian Church. In view of the rapid growing population of elder citizens in Taiwan, we have realized our responsibility to take care of them. With this inspiration in mind, we inaugurated this eldrly center since 2000 for the first stage, then in 2003, and finally in 2009. In response to the government's promotion of multi-level and continuous eldercare welfare policies, we've provided elderly center, dementia eldercare division(Unit Care), elderly community college, eldercare research center, community caring station, home care, mission center and so on.
The center near both mountains and sea provide a surrounding with beautiful scenery, peace and tranquility. In addition to resident's room, there are facilities such as church, dining halls, library, classrooms, rehabilitation station. In order to give complete care to elders, we have hired the pastor, administrative personnel, construction workers, cleaning crews, laundry crews, social workers, special arrangement doctors, nursing staff, care workers, occupational therapy personnel, physical therapist, nutritionist…etc. The center provides medical clinic services, varied classes, spiritual counseling. In addition, we also accommodate relatives of the elders for temporary stay with the elders to enjoy kin fellowship and affection. By combining varied functions in our center and cooperating with the industry, government, and academic institution; we've strived to integrate academic professional knowledge and experience for creating satisfactory services to elders in meeting their daily living needs.
▌Visit F – October 26, Saturday Next Aging Lab in New Taipei City
TICCè Next Aging Lab in New Taipei City èTICC
The price included Visit Fee, Tour bus, Insurance, Interpreter, Lunch Box, and a Cup of Coffee.
Next Aging Lab in New Taipei City
The Next Aging Lab is a living lab for the New Taipei City Government to experiment and provide services for modern older adults who would like to stay active and interact with multi-generational populations in the community.
This modern creation was established with three purposes: (1) To develop the best aging imaginations and innovations, (2) To promote and let the people experience products, services and policy for older adults, and (3) To provide international activities. An added value is the Next Aging Café where caregivers and older adults can take a break over coffee and tea at a relaxing space.
People will be given an introduction to the current projects (ex. employment after 65+ and communal kitchen), tour the exhibits and learn how the mixed-age groups are doing to create projects for the youth and older adults. And each participant will get to enjoy a cup of respite coffee!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


If you love water adventures, but feel guilty for leaving your dog behind when you go on your trips in nature, we may have a solution for you – kayaking with your dog. Many dogs love the water and would give anything to be with their owner out there, in the wilderness, having fun. So next time you're about to go on a nice water trip, take your dog with you and share the kayaking adventure with your furry best friend.
Of course, before you can do that, you need to pick the right kayak for you and your canine pet. Because the market is actually oversaturated with kayaks and canoes, we've put together a list of the best kayaks for dogs to help you find the perfect watercraft for you and your pooch. Read on to find your favorite and start your water adventure as soon as possible.
The Lifetime kayak is large, sturdy and stable – all you need for your first kayaking-with-a-dog experience. And although the name suggests otherwise, this kayak can actually fit three people, so you and your dog will have plenty of space – so much actually, that you can take another person, or even another dog with you.
The hull is designed to provide maximum stability, so even if you have a particularly rambunctious dog, this kayak is sure to keep you both firm and stable. It's made of high-density polyethylene and comes with a 5 year limited manufacturer warranty.
Inflatable, comfortable and durable, the Sevylor kayak is a perfect choice for either two people or a person and a dog. Talking about durable, the bottom of the kayak is made from 1000D tarpaulin, while the 840D nylon cover provides excellent protection from punctures.
There are two adjustable seats, which is great news not only for your comfort, but for your canine pet's comfort as well, as you can move the seat closer or further from yourself as needed. And if you get tired of paddling, you can store the paddles in the convenient holders, and add the Sevylor trolling motor.
If you're a total beginner at kayaking with a pet, you need a watercraft that's stable, affordable and easy to use. That's what the Sun Dolphin Bali SS is all about. With a spacey, comfortable seating area, adjustable foot braces and paddle holder, this kayak is great for kayaking beginners – both human and canine.
Made of Fortiflex high-density polyethylene, with a stable hull, the Sun Dolphin Bali SS is durable and quite sturdy – easy to control, especially when moving slowly. This kayak comes with a portable accessory carrier (PAC), a handy thing that can be used as extra storage.
One of the best-rated kayaks currently, the Sea Eagle kayak is spacey, comfy and durable – a perfect watercraft for kayaking with a dog. It can comfortably hold two persons (or a person and a dog, of course), but even three can fit if that's what you want.
Made from a sturdy material, K-80 Polykrylar, this kayak is tear-resistant, durable and designed for stability. Paddling is easy and comfortable too, as the kayak is made from 5 I-beam tubes which help the rider sit stably, as his or her weight is born by the entire floor, not side chambers.
The Old Town Canoes & Kayaks Vapor 10 is one of the most popular kayaks on the market – and for a good reason. It's durable, stable, comfortable, easy to control and has a large cockpit – perfect for one person and a medium sized dog.
Made from durable single layer linear polyethylene, with adjustable padded seats, comfortable thigh/knee pads, a paddle-rest and Glide Track Foot brace, this kayak provides ultimate comfort and ease of control. With a rather large cockpit, it's incredibly easy to get inside the kayak, as well as out of it, with or without a dog.
Another hugely popular kayak, the Ocean Kayak has one of the largest capacities on the market – it holds up to three persons, or a person and two dogs, two persons and one dog. It also comes with a few highly useful accessories.
Made of single layer polyethylene, this kayak is durable, sturdy and stable, no matter where or who you are with. There are three seating positions, where one, two, or three persons can be paddlers. Gear straps are also there, as well as patented overlapping foot wells and side carry handles. Compact and versatile, the Ocean Kayak Two Tandem is the perfect choice for you and your dog(s).
Another kayak from Lifetime, this one too is one of the most stable and reliable kayaks you could find. With two-person capacity - or a person and a medium to a large sized dog – and tunnel hull design that makes tipping over almost impossible, this kayak is one of the best watercrafts for kayaking with a pet.
Made of roto-molded polyethylene, with two soft backrests and two double-sided paddles, this Lifetime kayak provides ultra stability and tracking, as well as great comfort and ease of use. There is a molded front carry handle, the paddle is included, and the entire kayak has a 5 year limited manufacturer warranty.
The Perception Pescador Pro kayak is designed for peak performance – it's highly stable, sturdy, comfortable, and can fit one person (peddler) and a pet no problem, making it one of the best watercrafts for kayaking with a dog.
The hull is made of polyethylene and the entire kayak is quite spacey, with plenty of room for storage. The seat is removable, with two positions – upright and recline – and can be adjusted whenever and however you like using a recessed track. As for accessories, there are dual molded-in rod holders as well as stern tank well with a mesh gear cover.
Now that we've covered the reviews of eight different kayaks for dogs, it should be easier to pick the right one for you and your hound. But if it isn't, don't worry – we understand that you want the best for you and your pet in terms of price, safety and durability, but with so many different boats on the market, choosing the right product can be a little overwhelming. That's why we've prepared this simple, but hopefully useful buying guide. In here, you can read all about the types of kayaks for dogs on the market, which ones you should pay attention to, and which ones you should stay away from. We also write about the features you should be looking for, as well as the safety tips you may want to follow on your next kayaking adventure.
Finally, we also answer some of the FAQs down below, so make sure you check them out before actually purchasing a kayak for you and your canine companion.
There may be hundreds of different kayak models on the market, but not all are actually suitable for dogs. Some kayaks are an absolute dream for people, but for people plus dogs? Not so much. These types of kayaks are usually too small for our furry friends, or are too unstable to support highly energetic animals.
So which kayaks are dog-friendly? Certainly, some kayaks are marketed specifically for dogs (plus owners, of course), and that clears up things a little, however, that's not always the case. Many kayaks are perfectly dog-friendly but they're not marketed as such. In fact, none of the kayaks we reviewed here are. Sure, some may note that they're safe for canines as well, but none of the kayaks actually had a noun 'Dog' in their name. Does that mean they're not safe? Absolutely not – dog-friendly kayaks do not have to be marketed as such in order to be suitable for our four-legged friends. They do, however, need to possess certain things, be of the right size and the right kind of material. We'll talk about that in more detail later, but for now, let's focus on the types of kayaks that are best suited for our furry friends: recreational and sit-on-top kayaks.
Recreational kayaks are mainly enclosed boats. They're best suited for casual (recreational) paddlers and should be used on calmer waters, such as lakes or small and calm rivers. They have larger cockpits than sit-on-top kayaks, as well as wider hulls, which makes them quite stable, but also not good for tracking as they can't maintain a straight line very well. They're also slower than sit-on-top kayaks and have less room for storage.
Speaking of room, recreational kayaks can hold small to medium sized dogs, but absolutely cannot fit larger canines, unless, of course, you buy a tandem recreational kayak that has an extra seat – in that case, even your large dog may be able to fit.
Sit-on-top-kayaks are completely open watercrafts, with plenty of room and stability. And although the recreational kayak is dog-friendly enough, it's mostly made for people with smaller dogs, who only want to keep their pets between their legs, which is why we chose to review only open kayaks.
These types of boats are super easy to get into and out of, and are perfect for various dog sizes, including the really large hounds. Generally, they can hold two to three persons no problem, so your dog(s) will have plenty of space. There's usually also enough room for storage, so you can bring your gear and many other useful things with you.
The sit-on-top kayaks are also mostly stable, which is a crucial thing to look for when you're kayaking with your canine – trust us, the last thing you want is to tip over in the water with a scared dog.
So, recreational or sit-on-top kayaks? There's no right or wrong here – depending on the size of your dog, as well as your needs and preferences, pick the kayak you think both you and your loyal furry friend will like.
Speaking of right and wrong, are there certain types of kayaks you should avoid when planning to go kayaking with your dog? There are, actually – sea kayaks and whitewater kayaks.
Sea kayaks are great if you're an adventurer who loves exploring unfamiliar waters as these boats are built for water sports (paddling). They're small and fast watercrafts with a covered deck, and usually hold one to two persons. The reason why they're not ideal for dogs is that they're quite narrow – so much that maybe only a small sized dog could fit in. Even then, you and your pooch would probably be a little uncomfortable.
Whitewater kayaks are even smaller than sea kayaks – built to help the user steer the entire kayak with his or her body, these boats provide a tight fit, meaning there's basically no room for anything else other than the person using the kayak. For this reason, whitewater kayaks are a definite no-no when it comes to kayaking with a dog.
No matter which kayak you choose to buy – recreational or sit-on-top – there are certain things all dog-friendly kayaks should have.
Kayaks in general need to be sturdy and made of a durable material, but even more so if dogs are going to be frequent visitors. No matter how well your hound is trained, you can bet he will scratch the watercraft with his claws (unintentionally but sometimes even intentionally) and maybe even try to chew certain things, depending on the breed and the situation. Thus, it's crucial to only go for highly durable kayaks.
Sure, you can take your dog on a water trip with you by putting her between your legs, but is that really the most comfortable position for you and your pooch? Not really – most larger dogs prefer riding in their own seat, which is why you should always look for kayaks with two seats. Of course, there are always those pets who love to be next to their owner at all times, and if that's your dog, then feel free to put her in the cockpit, between your legs. This, however, is only recommended if you have a small, timid or overly excited pooch.
Consider also the weight of your dog – if you have a particularly large and heavy dog, make sure your kayak will be able to support both you and your pet, as well as the gear you'll be taking with you.
Kayaking with your four-legged friend can be extremely fun, especially if your dog loves water and is adventurous. However – although you may not mind being flipped out of a kayak from time to time, your dog probably does mind. Getting tossed out of a watercraft can be disorienting and as a result, a traumatizing experience for a dog, especially if he's not a particular fan of the water. The first thing your pet is likely to do when turned over is head for shore. No matter how good of a swimmer that dog may be, if he's against some serious rapids, it's unlikely he'll actually reach the shore. So please, before buying a kayak and actually heading off with your loyal friend by your side, make sure it's as stable as a kayak can be. Look for sturdy, wider kayaks, with stable hulls that will make floating easy.
While kayaking with your canine pet should be first and foremost fun and a great exercise for both of you, you can't forget about the safety. You may be great at taking care of yourself, but your dog, who is the first time out on the water? Probably not that great. That's why you need to think for both of you when it comes to safety.
To help you make your kayaking with a dog experience pleasant and safe, we've put together this handy list of things you need to do/take with you before you step into your kayak.
It should go without saying that a dog you plan to take with you on your kayak trip should be at least somewhat trained. Basic commands, such as 'get in', get out', 'sit', 'stay', 'jump', 'come back', etc., should be learned, as you never know how a canine will act when placed in the middle of a large body of water. This is where dog treats can greatly help – if your furry friend gets too excited or scared, offer him a treat as an incentive to calm down or do a certain thing.
Besides being at least somewhat trained, a dog going kayaking should also be acclimated to that particular kayak. You want to start doing this while you're both on land. If your pet seems curious but a bit scared of the new watercraft, don't just throw her in the kayak and expect her to know what to do. Instead, give your canine buddy a chance to explore the kayak a little and become familiar with the new object. Then, sit in the kayak yourself and invite her to join you. Do this several times, preferably throughout a few days before actually going out on the water.
It's important to take it slow and let your dog become completely comfortable with the kayak. Offer treats, let the pet sleep in the kayak and have fun together – while you're on the land. The goal is to have a dog that's not only neutral towards the kayak, but actually loves spending time in it.
However, you should know that there are currently no dog life vests that have been approved by the Coast Guard, meaning they're unlikely to keep your pet safe if he's unconscious simply because they're not designed to keep the dog's head above water. Still, dog life jackets do help in buoyancy and in saving the animal's energy if he needs to swim for a long time on its own.
If you don't have a dog life vest, a personal floating device (PFD) of any kind is still better than nothing.
You know better than to go out in the sun for extended periods of time without a sun protection, such as a long-sleeved shirt, a hat, and of course sunscreen. But did you know your dog can get sunburnt just like you if she doesn't wear sun protection? It's true, which is why you really want to apply SPF on your dog when going kayaking.
Your pet's certain body areas, especially those not covered by fur such as the nose and inside of ears, are susceptible to sunburns. Even those areas where the fur is less dense, such the belly ad groins can get sunburnt if your pet stays out in the sun for too long. The result is red, irritated and painful skin, and sometimes even hair loss. Therefore, make sure you apply sunscreen on your dog before hitting the water, as well as during your trip (every two hours, or so).
If you're wondering which sunblock to use for your four-legged companion, the PetMD recommends sunscreen specifically designed for dogs. And if that's not an option? A broad-spectrum sunscreen that doesn't contain fragrance and zinc oxide should be fine.
If your dog is overly excited or rambunctious, you may think it's a good idea to tether him to a kayak – but it's not. In fact, it's one of the worst things you can do for your dog's safety. In the case the watercraft gets flipped over, your dog needs to be able to swim. With a leash tied to the kayak, he may not be able to – he may get trapped under the kayak or the leash may get caught around his limbs. Until you figure out what's going on and untie your dog, it may be too late.
Therefore, never tie your pup to a kayak or any other watercraft for that matter. You can take the leash with you for when you and your pet are out of the kayak, but do not use it while you're still inside.
When kayaking with a dog for the first time, it's good to take it slow and stick to calm waters. The dog's first time out on the water should be fun, pleasant and not very long, as you want your canine friend to accompany you the next time (and many more times) you're kayaking. For this reason, avoid whitewaters and paddling too fast – you don't want to stress your pup or make her nervous, but let her enjoy her water adventure so she can look forward to more.
Of course, once both you and your furry friend become kayak experts with years of experience, you can make your trips longer and more exciting.
Make sure you talk to your dog's veterinarian before going on a kayak adventure. This is especially important if your dog has medical issues, such as weak heart, diabetes, etc., as you want to make sure you have everything you and your pup need with you on board.
Furthermore, if you and your dog have been spending a lot of time around water, it's a good idea to get him checked. Mosquitoes are known to thrive around large bodies of water and you never know whether some of them are infected. You want to protect your four-legged friend against heartworm, so make sure you tell your veterinarian you're training the dog for kayaking.
Nobody goes out kayaking expecting to get hurt, but water sports can be very dangerous for both people and animals. Truthfully, no matter how experienced you may be, accidents can and do happen. So get pet insurance before you go kayaking to cover all your basis. This way, if your canine companion gets hurt, you won't be stuck with an expensive vet bill, and you and your dog will be much happier for it.
Q: What Kayaking Gear is Necessary for Your Dog?
A: You know you need a few essentials in order to stay safe and sound on the water, but what about your dog? Things are not so different here – sure, he may not need to bring a change of clothes, but he too needs to eat, drink, sleep, play and even have a few emergency essentials. Let's check them out.
As mentioned before, it's wise to put on a life vest on your dog, even if she's a good swimmer. You never know what can happen, and just in case your fluffy pet needs to swim on her own to the shore, get her a lifejacket. If you really want to be ahead of things, put one on your pet and take one more with you. This is useful if you're planning to do an overnight trip and you forget or lose one dog life vest along the way.
A dog's gotta eat, right? Bring food and fresh water with you, as well as a drinking bowl and dog water bottle. Dogs that love water will probably jump in and swim around from time to time, and that can really tire them out. To re-energize them, bring their favorite food and feed them at times they normally eat or more frequently than that. If you're in salt water, don't forget to bring fresh water with you and hydrate your dog regularly.
Also, don't forget the dog treats! You really want to reward your pet's good behavior so she can learn through positive training and maintain her good habits.
If you want your furry companion to be safe even when you get out of the kayak, bring a leash with you. As a matter of fact, it's a good idea to bring an extra leash, just in case the first one gets lost (you know how those things easily disappear!).
You may also want to take a harness with you – if your pup falls off the kayak, you can pull him up easier with a harness than without one.
If you're planning to spend a whole day (or even a couple of days if making an overnight trip) out on the water, it's wise to bring a few medical essentials with you. We already mentioned a sunscreen for you and your pet, but if your dog has sensitive feet or is prone to injuries, you need to take a few more things, including a hydrogen peroxide for unexpected small cuts, and maybe even some vaseline for sore doggy feet.
And of course, if your dog has a medical condition and needs medication in order to control it, don't forget to bring it with you!
Dog toys may not be essentials, but it's good to take them with you to make the whole kayak adventure super-fun for your dog. Water toys are a great option if your pup loves to swim around, but regular toys are also welcomed, especially if you're doing an overnight trip – when on land, let your pooch play around. Toys are also a great way to reinforce good behavior.
Q: Hard-shell vs Inflatable Kayaks – What's the best?
A: And finally, it's time we deal with the hotly debated topic amongst kayakers – inflatable or hard-shell kayaks, which is better?
Truthfully, there no 'the best kayak' – it all depends on your own needs and preferences. As with most things in life, both rigid and inflatable kayaks have their pros and cons, so ultimately, what you want is a watercraft whose pros fit your own preferences and needs, and whose cons you won't mind much. To help you decide which kayak is the best for you and your pooch we've outlined the advantages and disadvantages of both types of kayaks.
Rigid or hard-shell kayaks are the traditional kayaks usually made from plastic, wood or other materials.
Always ready to go: to use a hard-shell kayak, all you need to do is bring it with you to the water. That's literally it – there's no unrolling, inflating, deflating or anything of the sorts. You just transport the watercraft from the car to the water, and when you're done, from the water to the car. This saves you time and energy and doesn't make your dog wait around.
Very stable: since rigid kayaks are usually heavier than their inflatable cousins, they're more stable and sturdy on the water. This is particularly useful if you're out there in very windy, stormy weather with a scared pup.
More maneuverable: hard-shell kayaks are designed to be fast and easily maneuvered. Generally speaking, they give more control than inflatables, which is helpful in general, but especially if when there is a nervous and scared animal beside you.
Heavy and big: because they're rigid, hard-shell kayaks can be difficult to store and transport. This is particularly problematic if you live in an apartment and don't have a garage. Since they're heavier than inflatables, they can also be difficult to transport from car to the water, depending on where you parked.
Need more maintenance: rigid kayaks are prone to bumps, lumps and scrapes and may require a bit more maintenance than inflatables. This is especially true if you want a wooden kayak (which is why you won't find one reviewed in this article).
These kayaks are the modern versions of traditional kayaks that need to be inflated before use and deflated after use.
Lightweight and easy to store: perhaps the biggest advantage of inflatable kayaks is their light weight. They are small and compact and easier to store and carry than the hard-shells. Many inflatables are super-lightweight and when deflated can fit inside a car's trunk or even a backpack. If you don't have a garage, this is the kayak for you.
More affordable: generally speaking, inflatable kayaks are more affordable than their rigid counterparts. Of course, the high-end inflatables can be as expensive as hardshells, but you don't need to go for those if you're a beginner.
Require less maintenance: an inflatable kayak is made of flexible materials that are less prone to scratches and bumps than the rigid materials used in hard-shell kayaks. However, some models may be prone to punctures, but these are usually cheaper alternatives.
Need to be inflated: unlike the hard-shell kayak that you can just unload from your car and put in the water, an inflatable boat needs to be inflated first before you can use it. Of course, some kayaks inflate in less than 10 minutes, however, more affordable alternatives may require more time. And then there's also deflating – before you can store your inflatable boat, you'll have to deflate it.
Harder to control: because they're lighter than rigid kayaks, inflatables are harder to control. This is a particularly negative trait if you're stuck in the middle of a large body of water during inclement weather. Still, it should be said that the newer inflatable models are more stable and easier to control than ever.


text:
KSGL (900 AM) is a Religious/Adult Standards music formatted radio station licensed in Wichita, Kansas, and is owned by Agape Communications Inc.

History
KSGL's format history includes Top 40 as KEYN-AM, mostly simulcasting with its FM counterpart KEYN-FM.

In 1977, the KEYN-AM call letters and Top 40 format moved from AM 900 to AM 1410 (formally KWBB in the 1960s and early-1970s and would be the future sister station to KSGL). AM 900 became KSGL and signed on with a Christian format, the first station to carry the format in Wichita since there were no other stations in the market that carried Christian programming full-time on the radio at the time.

KSGL's Christian programming still airs to this day with an addition of Adult Standards music in different dayparts. The Adult Standards format was previously aired on its former sister station KMYR-1410 which was sold to Steckline Communications and is now Sports KGSO.

External links
FCC History Cards for KSGL

SGL
SGL
Radio stations established in 1977
1977 establishments in Kansas

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Beddingfield High graduate Everette Brown, who played two seasons for the Carolina Panthers after they made him their top pick in the 2009 NFL draft, was hired by the team as a linebackers coach recently.
Nearly 10 years after he was drafted by the Carolina Panthers with their first pick in the 2009 NFL draft, Everette Brown is back on the payroll of the NFL team again.
The 2005 Beddingfield High graduate and Stantonsburg native was recently hired as the linebackers coach for the Panthers following an internship with the team during training camp last summer.
Brown was drafted in the second round, as the 43rd overall pick of the Panthers in 2009 as an All-America defensive end out of Florida State. However, he only played two seasons in Charlotte before being cut in the 2011 preseason. He bounced the league, playing part of seasons for six other teams before finally retiring before the 2015 season. It's that experience that he thinks adds value to him as a coach — even one who is starting out at the highest level of the sport.
After retirement, Brown focused on his two Charlotte businesses — a Tropical Smoothie Cafe franchise and a luxury automobile rental — as well as helping his wife, Tenisha, a sports attorney, operate her Definite Sports Group, which focuses on representation for athletes. But the football itch hadn't gone away and he applied for and was chosen to receive an internship as an assistant coach through the NFL's Bill Walsh Diversity Coaching Fellowship last February.
It helped that Brown, who played for head coach John Fox on his two seasons with Carolina, got to know Panthers head coach Ron Rivera, who started coming by Tropical Smoothie Cafe.
However, there was no room in the coaching budget to keep Brown on the coaching staff after training camp ended in August.
"So it didn't work out for me at that time to stay with the team. I went back to my daily routine," he said.
But right after Thanksgiving, the Panthers fired defensive line coach Brady Hoke and cornerbacks coach Jeff Imamura. Brown was contacted by the team to return and finish out the season as a defensive intern.
"Very similar to what I was doing in the preseason except now it's during the season and I got a chance to be involved with the game-planning and everything that entailed," said Brown, who also sat in the booth during games and communicated with defensive coaches on the field.
After the season, Brown was offered the job as linebackers coach.
"It just happened organically; nothing was forced," he said.
And the beginning, he hopes, of a long career as an NFL coach.
One major adjustment that Brown and his fellow Panthers defensive coaches will have to make is not having Julius Peppers holding down the line. The future hall-of-famer announced his retirement after 17 seasons last week.
"When it comes to Julius Peppers, he's not somebody that you just replace!" Brown said. "You try to do the best you can but you're talking about 17 years of playing in the NFL and 17 years of playing at a high level. He's definitely a special player and a first-ballot Hall-of-famer when it's his time.
And while Brown will be working with linebackers, he understands as well as anyone that the directive for defensive players is the same.
"You've got to have pass rushers who can get after the quarterback and get him on the ground," he said.


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text:
package org.approvaltests;

import com.spun.util.FormattedException;
import com.spun.util.ObjectUtils;
import com.spun.util.StringUtils;
import javassist.ClassPool;
import javassist.CtClass;
import javassist.CtMethod;
import org.approvaltests.core.Options;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions;
import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
import org.lambda.functions.Functions;
import org.lambda.query.Query;
import org.lambda.query.Queryable;

import java.lang.reflect.Method;
import java.lang.reflect.Modifier;
import java.lang.reflect.Type;
import java.util.List;

public class DocumentHelpersTest
{
  @Test
  void listAllVerifyFunctions()
  {
    Queryable<Method> methods = getAllVerifyFunctionsWithOptions(OptionsTest.getApprovalClasses());
    Queryable<String> lines = methods.select(m -> String.format("%s. [%s ](%s) (%s)",
        m.getDeclaringClass().getSimpleName(), m.getName(), getLink(m), showParameters(m)))
        .orderBy(s -> s.replaceAll("#L\\d+-L\\d+", ""));
    Approvals.verifyAll("", lines, l -> String.format(" * %s  ", l), new Options().forFile().withExtension(".md"));
  }
  @Test
  public void testLineNumberOfThisMethod() throws NoSuchMethodException
  {
    Method method = DocumentHelpersTest.class.getMethod("testLineNumberOfThisMethod");
    CtMethod m = getMethodX(method);
    Assertions.assertEquals(33.0, getLineNumber(m), 1.01);
  }
  public static int getLineNumber(CtMethod m)
  {
    int modifier = 0;
    String simpleName = m.getDeclaringClass().getSimpleName();
    if (simpleName.equals("DocumentHelpersTest"))
    {
      modifier = -2;
    }
    else if (simpleName.equals("Approvals"))
    {
      modifier = 3;
    }
    else if (simpleName.equals("CombinationApprovals"))
    {
      modifier = 3;
    }
    else if (simpleName.equals("AwtApprovals"))
    {
      modifier = 12;
    }
    else if (simpleName.equals("JsonApprovals"))
    {
      modifier = 2;
    }
    else if (simpleName.equals("JsonJacksonApprovals"))
    {
      modifier = -2;
    }
    else if (simpleName.equals("VelocityApprovals"))
    {
      modifier = 2;
    }
    else
    {
      throw new FormattedException("Unknown modifier (%s) for class %s", modifier, simpleName);
    }
    return m.getMethodInfo().getLineNumber(0) + modifier;
  }
  @Test
  void testLineNumbers()
  {
    getLink(Query.first(Approvals.class.getMethods(),
        m -> m.getName().equals("verifyAll") && m.getParameterTypes()[0].equals(Object[].class)));
  }
  private String showParameters(Method m)
  {
    return StringUtils.join(Query.select(m.getParameters(), p -> String.format("%s", p.getType().getSimpleName())),
        ",");
  }
  public static String getLink(Method m)
  {
    String baseUrl = "https://github.com/approvals/ApprovalTests.Java/blob/master/approvaltests/src/main/java";
    String file = m.getDeclaringClass().getName().replace('.', '/') + ".java";
    CtMethod methodX = getMethodX(m);
    int start = getLineNumber(methodX);
    int end = start + 3;
    return String.format("%s/%s#L%s-L%s", baseUrl, file, start, end);
  }
  private static CtMethod getMethodX(Method method)
  {
    ClassPool pool = ClassPool.getDefault();
    CtClass cc = ObjectUtils.throwAsError(() -> pool.get(method.getDeclaringClass().getName()));
    Queryable<CtMethod> part1 = Query.where(cc.getDeclaredMethods(), m -> m.getName().equals(method.getName()));
    Queryable<CtMethod> part2 = part1
        .where(Functions.unchecked(m -> m.getParameterTypes().length == method.getParameterTypes().length));
    Queryable<CtMethod> part3 = part2
        .where(Functions.unchecked(m -> Query.all(m.getParameterTypes(), p -> Query.any(method.getParameterTypes(),
            Functions.unchecked(mp -> mp.getSimpleName().equals(p.getSimpleName()))))));
    CtMethod methodX = part3.first();
    if (methodX == null)
    {
      Queryable<String> select = part2.select(Functions
          .unchecked(m -> Query.select(m.getParameterTypes(), Functions.unchecked(p -> p.getName())).toString()));
      String originalMethod = Query.select(method.getParameterTypes(), p -> p.getSimpleName()).toString();
      String foo = "[Ljava.lang.Object;";
      throw new FormattedException("Couldn't find method for %s", method.getName());
    }
    return methodX;
  }
  private static String getRegexForParameter(Method m)
  {
    // https://github.com/jboss-javassist/javassist
    //        Class<?> parameterType = m.getParameterTypes()[0];
    Type typeParameters = m.getGenericParameterTypes()[0];
    String name = Query.last(StringUtils.split(typeParameters.getTypeName(), "."));
    return name.replaceAll("\\[\\]", "");
  }
  private static int countNewLines(String code, int untilIndex)
  {
    return code.substring(0, untilIndex).split("\n").length;
  }
  private boolean isStartOfMethod(Method m, String line)
  {
    String pattern = "void " + m.getName() + "(" + m.getParameterTypes()[0].getSimpleName();
    return line.contains(pattern) && line.contains(", Options");
  }
  private Queryable<Method> getAllVerifyFunctionsWithOptions(List<Class<?>> approvalClasses)
  {
    Queryable<Method> methods = new Queryable<>(Method.class);
    for (Class c : approvalClasses)
    {
      Queryable<Method> declaredMethods = Queryable.as(c.getDeclaredMethods());
      Queryable<Method> methodList = declaredMethods.where(m -> m.getName().startsWith("verify")
          && Modifier.isPublic(m.getModifiers()) && !m.isAnnotationPresent(Deprecated.class));
      List<Method> methodsWithOptions = methodList.where(m -> !OptionsTest.isOptionsPresent(m));
      methods.addAll(methodsWithOptions);
    }
    return methods;
  }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Manston Airport Independent Party
Email: contact@votemanstonairport.org.uk
About Ruth Bailey
Manston Airport Campaign
Navigation Navigation Home About Ruth Bailey Manston Airport Campaign Manifesto Articles Donations Contact Us Links
Manston Airport (previously RAF Manston) is situated in Thanet, Kent. It has a long and proud history stretching back 100 years. It played major roles in WW1, WW2 and the Cold War. It has been the training grounds of many private, commercial, RAF, Red Arrow and USAF pilots. Operations at the airport were ceased on Thursday the 15th of May by owners Ann Gloag (Stagecoach tycoon) and Pauline Bradley. We believe Manston Airport still has a future as an important local and national asset. We have set out to secure the future of Manston Airport as a vibrant, successful regional airfield.
Manston Airport is in the heart of Kent and would benefit local people by creating jobs and providing an excellent connection to mainland Europe. Flying through Manston Airport is simple, fast and stress-free – much simpler and quicker for many than driving to one of the London airports.
On 15th October 2013, Infratil announced they would sell the airport to a company wholly owned by Ann Gloag, co-founder of Stagecoach Group. Manston Skyport Ltd took over the running of the airport on 29th November 2013. On 19th March 2014, it was announced that a 45-day consultation period into the closure of the airport had begun. Daily losses were said to be running at £10,000. The airport's chief executive announced that the airport could close on 9th April 2014. On 25th March 2014 KLM announced the suspension of their flights to Amsterdam from 10th April, leaving the airport without any scheduled passenger traffic.
Multiple bids were entered to buy the airport by parties including RiverOak Investment Corp., an American company who has previous experience in aviation and debt restructuring. These credible, viable and fair bids had been refused by the airport's owner which was branded as "corporate vandalism" by Sir Roger Gale MP. This leads many to believe Ann Gloag and Pauline Bradley's plan was for re-development from the start. The airport ceased operations on 15th May 2014.
Action continues within the Manston Airport Independent Party's sister group Supporters of Manston Airport, aiming to see the re-opening of the airport. The most prominent avenues at this time are a compulsory purchase order or government intervention.
The prime aim is to use the platform of the General Election to raise the profile of Manston Airport beyond the local area into a national arena.
The Manston Airport Independent Party will be a neutral one-issue party.
Promoted by Ruth Bailey of Flat 8, 26 Granville Road, Broadstairs, Kent CT10 1QB, on behalf of Manston Airport Independent Party at the same address.
Manston Airport Independent Party © 2020
- Website Design & Hosting in Kent by Magic IT Services Ltd.


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text:
DOE Patents Patent: Tunable cylindrical shaped charge
Title: Tunable cylindrical shaped charge
A shaped charge produces an explosive jet utilizing a cylindrical liner surrounded by tracks of explosives. The tracks of explosives are located on the curved surface of the cylindrical liner in a spiral. The tracks of explosives are wrapped around the cylindrical liner in a spiral at an angle to the charge axis. The angle is determined as an angle that assures that the flow speed of the collapsing cylindrical liner is subsonic compared to the sound speed in the material of the collapsing cylindrical liner. The angle also can be selected and varied to directly control the speed of a non-stretching jet, as well as a velocity gradient to produce a stretching jet.
Baum, Dennis Willard; Georgevich, Vladimir
Lawrence Livermore National Lab. (LLNL), Livermore, CA (United States)
Lawrence Livermore National Security, LLC (Livermore, CA)
Baum, Dennis Willard, and Georgevich, Vladimir. Tunable cylindrical shaped charge. United States: N. p., 2019. Web.
Baum, Dennis Willard, & Georgevich, Vladimir. Tunable cylindrical shaped charge. United States.
Baum, Dennis Willard, and Georgevich, Vladimir. Tue . "Tunable cylindrical shaped charge". United States. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1568519.
title = {Tunable cylindrical shaped charge},
author = {Baum, Dennis Willard and Georgevich, Vladimir},
abstractNote = {A shaped charge produces an explosive jet utilizing a cylindrical liner surrounded by tracks of explosives. The tracks of explosives are located on the curved surface of the cylindrical liner in a spiral. The tracks of explosives are wrapped around the cylindrical liner in a spiral at an angle to the charge axis. The angle is determined as an angle that assures that the flow speed of the collapsing cylindrical liner is subsonic compared to the sound speed in the material of the collapsing cylindrical liner. The angle also can be selected and varied to directly control the speed of a non-stretching jet, as well as a velocity gradient to produce a stretching jet.},
Shaped charge device
Grace, Fred I.
Confinement fabrication technique for asymmetrically confined shaped-charge warheads
Segletes, Steven B.
Modified channel effect for solid explosive detonation waves
Guirguis, Raafat H.
Devices and methods for perforating a wellbore
Wang, Zeping; Pratt, Dan W.; Noe, Paul Freeman
Multiple explosively formed projectiles liner fabricated by additive manufacturing
Jennett, Gaston P.; Christianson, Kim L.; Knyazev, Dmitry V.
Architected materials and structures to control shock output characteristics
Gash, Alexander E.; Duoss, Eric B.; Kuntz, Joshua D.
US Patent Document 10,036,616
URL: http://patft.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=10036616
Ultra low density biodegradable shape memory polymer foams with tunable physical properties
Patent Singhal, Pooja; Wilson, Thomas S.; Cosgriff-Hernandez, Elizabeth; ...
Compositions and/or structures of degradable shape memory polymers (SMPs) ranging in form from neat/unfoamed to ultra low density materials of down to 0.005 g/cc density. These materials show controllable degradation rate, actuation temperature and breadth of transitions along with high modulus and excellent shape memory behavior. A method of m ly low density foams (up to 0.005 g/cc) via use of combined chemical and physical aking extreme blowing agents, where the physical blowing agents may be a single compound or mixtures of two or more compounds, and other related methods, including of using multiple co-blowing agents of successively higher boilingmore » points in order to achieve a large range of densities for a fixed net chemical composition. Methods of optimization of the physical properties of the foams such as porosity, cell size and distribution, cell openness etc. of these materials, to further expand their uses and improve their performance.« less
Shape tunable plasmonic nanoparticles
Patent El-Sayed, Mostafa A.; El-Sayed, Ivan Homer
Noble metal nanoparticles and methods of their use are provided. Certain aspects provided solid noble metal nanoparticles tuned to the near infrared. The disclosed nanoparticles can be used in molecular imaging, diagnosis, and treatment. Methods for imaging cells are also provided.
3D printable liquid crystalline elastomers with tunable shape memory behavior and bio-derived renditions
Patent Li, Yuzhan; Rios, Orlando; Johs, Alexander; ...
Described herein are liquid crystalline elastomer compositions comprising aromatic epoxy units crosslinked with alkylene diacid units having alkylene segments containing at least one methylene unit, and/or aromatic epoxy units crosslinked with polyphenolic units, wherein the aromatic epoxy units and alkylene diacid units and/or polyphenolic units are in a molar ratio that results in the liquid crystalline elastomer composition exhibiting a glass transition temperature (Tg) and a thermal stability of the liquid crystalline phase (Tlc) that make them particularly suitable as shape memory materials and for use in methods of additive manufacturing. Methods for producing these compositions and their use inmore » additive manufacturing processes are also described.« less
Method for fabrication of cylindrical microlenses of selected shape
Patent Snyder, James J [San Jose, CA]; Baer, Thomas M [San Jose, CA]
The present invention provides a diffraction limited, high numerical aperture (fast) cylindrical microlens. The method for making the microlens is adaptable to produce a cylindrical lens that has almost any shape on its optical surfaces. The cylindrical lens may have a shape, such as elliptical or hyperbolic, designed to transform some particular given input light distribution into some desired output light distribution. In the method, the desired shape is first formed in a glass preform. Then, the preform is heated to the minimum drawing temperature and a fiber is drawn from it. The cross-sectional shape of the fiber bears amore » direct relation to the shape of the preform from which it was drawn. During the drawing process, the surfaces become optically smooth due to fire polishing. The present invention has many applications, such as integrated optics, optical detectors and laser diodes. The lens, when connected to a laser diode bar, can provide a high intensity source of laser radiation for pumping a high average power solid state laser. In integrated optics, a lens can be used to couple light into and out of apertures such as waveguides. The lens can also be used to collect light, and focus it on a detector.« less


This post contains affiliate links, meaning if you book or buy something through one of these links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Read my full disclosure policy here.
When Matt and I found cheap airfare from Houston to Chicago earlier this year, we decided to do a long weekend trip to the Windy City. We wanted to get the most out of the trip, but we didn't want to have to do an insane amount planning. I came across the Chicago CityPASS and decided to give it a try, just for this one trip. I had no idea if it would be worth it, but hey, on paper (or I guess computer screen?) it all looked good. We took the leap and purchased our passes online. Here's how our experience with the Chicago CityPASS went.
First of all, you can either purchase online (like we did) or purchase at one of the included attractions. At the time we were planning, there was a small discount for purchasing online, so we did. When we went to the first attraction, we stood in a special line to redeem our passes from our confirmation number. They gave us little flipbooks with tear-out coupons/tickets to be used for entrance to the other attractions.
So what's included with Chicago CityPASS?
And value wise, how much are you really saving? Let's take a look at how much each of these attractions would cost on their own.
There's a little bit of mix and match involved here since different people will choose different attractions. But speaking from experience (we chose 360 Chicago and the Art Institute), we saved over $100 in admission fees per person by purchasing the Chicago CityPASS for our trip!
But for some of you, the jury may still be out… You may be wondering, what are these attractions? Are they even any good? A little more detail on that here.
There wasn't really a line when we went, but it was pretty crowded! We could tell they get long lines a regular basis since they had the set up to deal with that outside, but it was a random weekend in March, so not exactly peak season. The aquarium itself was pretty cool. (I'll be honest, I grew up going to the Monterey Bay Aquarium, so I'm very spoiled and have my bar set extremely high for aquariums) There was lots to see, I really enjoyed seeing the beluga whales! My favorite part of the Shedd was the architecture of the building. It was so unique, and I spent a good part of my visit gawking at the details of the rooms I was in. Overall, the exhibits are well done and very educational!
Along with entry, you get a ticket to their 4-D Experience Theater. This was the most memorable experiences of the whole trip. Not exactly in a good way. Maybe I'll share that story on here one day, but now's not the time.
Skydeck is located on the 103rd floor of 110-story Willis Tower. The location provides amazing views of the Chicago skyline from the heart of the country.
With the Chicago CityPASS we were able to pass the line, which saved us quite a bit of time. BUT it doesn't allow you to skip the line for the Ledge. So we saved time to go up, only to wait in line for about 45 minutes to take a few photos. The Ledge is probably one of the famous attractions/photo opps in the city. I didn't want to skip it for sure, but I'm still torn on whether it was reeeeeeeeeeeally worth the wait. But hey, the views were all around amazing!
Honestly, the coolest part of Skydeck is the fact that we felt like Ferris and Sloane looking down at the city. We definitely threw around a lot of FBDO quotes during our visit.
This has become one of my favorite museums in the world. We spent nearly eight hours here, and it was not enough! They had some amazing special exhibits during our visit, and admission to all of them was included in the CityPASS! Along with admission, you also receive a ticket to one of their 3-D movies. Some of my favorite collections/attractions in the museum included: the totem poles, the hall of birds, the Maori Meeting House, and the hall of gems.
I absolutely love this museum and will 100% visit again on subsequent Chicago adventures.
360 Chicago is housed on the 94th floor of the 100-story John Hancock building. This location has a better view of Lake Michigan, which is gorgeous!
The Chicago CityPASS enabled us to skip the line, which made me feel a little guilty as I walked by what seemed like 200 hundred waiting in the GA line. The Tilt isn't included with the CityPASS, but it's not for everyone. If you're a thrillseeker you might be willing to spend a few extra bucks on that experience.
This is one of the best art museums I have ever been to, it's the home to so many iconic pieces. Their collection is enormous. Their Impressionist wing was where we spent most of our time because that's my favorite art movement. It's a little sad the pass is only good for one day here because there is just so much to see that you really can't do it all in one day.
Hopefully this helps you decide! I only have positive things to say about our Chicago CityPASS experience, how was yours? Let me know in the comments below!
I say the 45 minutes on the line to take photos on the Ledge to me seems so worth it! It is a stunning photo! Looks like getting the City Pass is the way to go to avoid the other queues. I love museums and 8 hours is nothing when it comes to it! By the way, what 3 D movie did you get to see?
This seems like a great package deal for all you get. I would love to experience all of this.
I've always wanted to go to Chicago; it's on my bucket list for when I plan a big US trip some time in the future! It's handy to know you can get passes like this, it sounds like a great way to enjoy the city!
I've never been to Chicago but it looks like a nice place to visit. I'm going to bookmark this tip the next time I go. I love package deals!
I wonder if we have something like this in Denver. As my kids are getting older I am really enjoying taking my kids to things like this. We just went to the theater last night and it was great. Going to do some research locally.
I love Chicago! I gotta get one of these next time I'm there. Thanks for sharing.
I've actually never done CityPass anywhere, but it seems like an excellent deal if you're going to make it to more than a couple attractions!


TOMS RIVER — A debunked internet scam has resurfaced with an Ocean County police department connected to it.
The fake alert claims Toms River police officers are warning that carjackers are putting pieces of paper on the rear windows of cars waiting for the driver to return and remove it. When the driver gets out to remove it, the carjackers get into cars and take off.
But the actual police department says this is not true.
"This post has been circulating the internet in different drafts for years and we do not have any incidents of this nature reported in Toms River," the real department says on their Facebook page.
"None of the mentioned officers, nor the Chief of police, issued this warning," the message from the real department says.
In September, Toms River police had to refute rumors about human trafficking at a supermarket parking lot on Route 37.


The latest news and press releases about Skanska UK and features about the hot topics for the construction industry.
Skanska's project team working on The Marq in London's St James's, has reached a significant milestone for its customer, The Crown Estate.
Our highways teams proved that green working can be achieved while saving time and money, when they scooped multiple environmental awards.
Building a wind turbine half a mile into the sky is a tall order – but the real challenge for Skanska to rise to is achieving the highest standards of low-carbon construction.
Information about Skanska UK and our parent company Skanska AB including financial reports.


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text:
Prosecutor v. Rukundo
Citation: ICTR-01-70
Link to the full case: http://unictr.irmct.org/en/cases/ictr-01-70
Date of Trial Judgment: 27 February 2009
Date of Appeal Judgment: 20 October 2010
Emmanuel Rukundo was an ordained priest and former military chaplain for the Rwandan Army. He was tried for his role in ordering, instigating, and aiding and abetting soldiers, members of the Interahamwe militia, and armed civilians to commit widespread and systematic attacks against Tutsis in Gitarama prefecture. He was charged with direct responsibility for genocide, murder as a crime against humanity, and extermination as a crime against humanity.
In 2009, the ICTR Trial Chamber convicted Rukundo of genocide for killing one named individual and causing serious bodily harm to her two children, for abducting and killing Tutsi refugees from the St. Léon Minor Seminary, and for sexually assaulting a young Tutsi woman in the Seminary; of murder as a crime against humanity for the killing of one named individual; and of extermination as a crime against humanity for abductions and killings of Tutsi refugees at the Seminary.
In 2010, the ICTR Appeals Chamber upheld Rukundo's convictions for genocide and crimes against humanity, but reversed the Trial Chamber on the narrow grounds of the form of responsibility used to convict Rukundo of genocide. It also reversed the Trial Chamber's finding of guilt for sexual assault as a grounds for genocide on the grounds that the prosecution failed to show beyond a reasonable doubt, that Rukundo possessed genocidal intent with respect to his act of sexual assault. It reduced Rukundo's sentence from 25 years' to 23 years' imprisonment.
Summary based on notes from the IJRC


text:
Mogwai remain set on playing by their own rules, often evading their potential
By Evan Lilly / 17 February 2021, 08:46 GMT
As The Love Continues
Over the course of an impressive career, Scotland's Mogwai have ventured far and wide in hope of securing one thing: Their identity. But even while they've hit some momentous strides, they're a group oftentimes found teetered on the cusp, not only unsure which direction to jump, but whether or not they should even take a leap.
Their latest, As the Love Continues, is no different. Even while the album holds a scattering of promising moments, they're eclipsed by ones we've heard time and time again. It may be a fair assumption that they aren't necessarily concerned with making headlines as much as they are with simply enjoying the ride - considering they're a group celebrating their twenty-fifth year together.
Mogwai have always been tricky to pin down and this frustration has followed them over the course of their career. Yet while it makes perfect sense to pair them alongside other larger names who share a similar orbit like Explosions In The Sky or Godspeed You! Black Emperor, the one main vexing issue surrounding Mogwai's output is that while they've found comfort in routine over the years, their consistency, and at times, lack thereof, has managed to stifle their potential. But as they settle on fine-tuning their roots, the main takeaway here shows a group still reluctant when it comes to broadening their range, thus placing their newest as another middling addition in their catalogue.
Let's be clear, Mogwai write music framed around emotion and volume. Even as they continue to play to an audience who embrace their vast, thunderous take on post-rock, these moments in particular simply aren't enough. Tracks like "Drive the Nail" are quintessential Mogwai down to the tee. Built around monumental sound, it's predictably arranged, feeling worn out and unexciting. "Fuck Off Money" falls short, too. Dabbling with indecipherable vocals that're strewn through a bevy of effects, its first half feels remote while the rest could be mistaken for an M83 b-side. Still, while these tracks aren't necessarily bad by any set definition, it's worth looking at them through a critical scope and for grand moments like these that once carried so much weight early in their career, we have to begin asking ourselves just how many times can a group reduplicate their sound before their efforts simply become white noise.
For Mogwai, it's a necessary question, but even while the majority of these songs fall on the lower end, there are a couple of standouts that show they haven't lost all their fire. The album's main saving grace is its first two singles. "Dry Fantasy," comes as a synth-driven cut punctuated with hope, insinuating that they were on track to veer away from the mundane, but the main attraction here is the album's second single, "Ritchie Sacramento," an upbeat, indie stunner that steals the show while also sounding nothing at all like Mogwai in the traditional sense. We hear in these moments that there's still a flicker of innovation present, but the letdown is that while these tracks show them at their most engaging, there seems to be little to no interest in building off their success.
Other songs like "Midnight Flit" backtrack to where we started. Accompanied with various electronics and string arrangements, its grandeur never quite reaches its peak whereas "Pat Stains" meanders along with a tired, unimaginative template. Sadly, Mogwai find themselves at yet another crossroads and partly what buries their efforts is a mixture of things.
From refusing to deviate too far off their classic brand to what feels like them almost teasing their audience with tracks we so desperately want to see them expand on–either way, their devotion to their process comes with a price. While Mogwai's dedicated fanbase will assuredly welcome these new songs with open arms, others may just have to accept that they're playing by their own rules from here on out.
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"The project is a collaboration between myself and Belgian beatmaker, SBe, who provides all of the instrumental music for the album," explains Soulstice. "As far as the vocals, the songs are collaborations between myself and many of my favorite artists from around the world. We've got artists from the US, UK, Germany, Ireland, Netherlands, Belgium, Africa, and Canada.
As the rapper explains, Beyond Borders is a culmination of his treks across the globe and experiences from those travels. From photo sessions to international calls and text messages to long overseas flights, its all there.
The upcoming album is slated for release on June 23, and will feature appearances from G.L.C., Oddisee, Kev Brown, Supastition, Wordsmith and Zap Mama and is entirely produced by SBe.


Update 10: After all that, nobody has any idea what just happened, and a word being increasingly thrown around is lawsuit. As Yahoo's Rick Newman writes, if the LBO deal described by Musk with "funding secured" is true, it's a boon for shareholders. But if it's not true, Tesla is in trouble, and shareholders may feel the pain.
On Aug. 7, Musk tweeted: "Am considering taking Tesla private at $420. Funding secured." Those nine words sent the stock soaring from $342 to around $370, an 8% jump. Then the Nasdaq exchange temporarily halted trading in the shares, pending clarification of material news by the company.
About three hours after his momentous tweet, Musk posted a message to employees explaining his rationale for going private. He cited "wild swings" in the stock price and frequent attacks by short sellers as "a major distraction for everyone working at Tesla." He cited Space X, the rocket-launching company where Musk is also CEO, as an example of a privately owned company better able to focus on a complex long-term mission. "A final decision has not yet been made," he said.


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text:
DP Ruto unapologetic about cash donations to churches
Saturday October 27 2018
Deputy President William Ruto with Mathira lawmaker Rigathi Gachagua during the installation of Pefa Church regional bishops at Karatina Stadium in Nyeri County, October 27, 2018. PHOTO | GRACE GITAU | NATION MEDIA GROUP
Mr Ruto, while attending the installation of Pefa Church regional bishops in Karatina, Nyeri County, said he is unapologetic about helping churches.
However, Mr Ruto did not announce his contribution and hand the money over publicly as has been the case in the past.
The deputy president is also supporting a programme aimed at translating the Bible into various languages.
By GRACE GITAU
Deputy President William Ruto on Saturday insisted that he will continue supporting churches through harambees despite criticism and questions about his sources of wealth.
Mr Ruto, while attending the installation of regional bishops of the Pentecostal Evangelistic Fellowship of Africa (Pefa) Church in Karatina, Nyeri County, said he is unapologetic about helping religious institutions.
The DP described himself as an evangelist dedicated to spreading the gospel and supporting churches.
He also pointed out that he was raised by Christian parents.
"If not a deputy president, I would be an evangelist," he said at Karatina Stadium.
Ruto's unmatched generosity; is he the new Mr Moneybags?
Ruto speaks on wealth
Ruto: Lifestyle audit will clear my name
Ruto: Let's ignore prophets of doom
He added: "I know there are charges against me for helping Christians in churches. I plead guilty to the charges so there is no requirement of witnesses. I am not ashamed of my faith."
After his speech, he walked back to his seat without inviting other political leaders to contribute.
Soon after the closing prayers, he took his contribution to the church leadership, away from the cameras.
RUTO'S ARGUMENTS
The DP donated at least Sh60 million in different harambees in the six months to July, almost eight times his salary in as many months. This is according to tabulations by the Nation.
At the functions he attends, Mr Ruto almost always delivers a bundle of crisp notes, well-arranged and into the hands of smiling members of the clergy.
It is a trend he has vehemently defended, arguing that "unlike God, who gave His son as a sacrifice, none of us is being asked to give more than we can".
Even in his immense generosity, Mr Ruto argues that while he is not a poor man, he is being subjected to scrutiny together with those he says are much richer than he is.
Regarding a lifestyle audit, the deputy president said he is ready as he has nothing to hide.
Mr Ruto has also dismissed claims that he owns a chain of hotels and a number of choppers.
"All these are speculations which are not based on any evidence. I have been linked to several hotels such as Six Eighty, Boulevard … and several choppers … I want to [make public] what I rightfully own," he said in an interview in July.
According to the Salaries and Remunerations Commission, he earns Sh1.4 million per month.


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