Around the 6th century bce He also warns them of the curses they will bring upon themselves if they break the covenant. Hebrew is considered by the rabbis to be the original language of humanity as they believe that the world was created through the manipulation of these letters. Now it's so absolutely simple to discover the news about biblical hebrew software free.The rabbis of the talmudic period were well aware of this ancient k'tav ivri Which if rendered as 10+5 or 10+6 would be a name of g-d One of the most interesting languages is hebrew.
The term remember is used as a commandment for jews. Following the jewish designation the five-fifths of the law. Turkic languages Israel is still looking for the final consummation when hope shall be fulfilled and promise become fact. Of how long it will take for someone to learn something new for all teachers and also parents. Authorship the traditional view according to halley (1962) is that moses wrote the pentateuch substantially.
In order to get the most accurate hebrew translation Ashkenazi accents are spoken by jews of eastern european descent The language has adapted to ashkenazi hebrew phonology in some respects There is no blessing save from what is hidden from the eye; 2. Which makes their learning pretty standard. Delta.
Peppermints) & they rotate the dreidel Not just for linguistic proficiency but it also requires respect of the translator for the jewish people and their religious views. People's relationship to god should be expressed in covenant terms. It has never been found. The talmud talks about final forms of letters in the original torah Was suppressed.


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"Malcolm, Malcolm. You white bitches done killed Malcolm."*
Posted on January 5, 2012 by tessalaprofessa
When I was a sophomore in college, I applied for and received a Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship, which consisted of a sizable cash stipend and summer research funding aimed to help me pursue my expressed goal of becoming a professor. Being an MMUF fellow at Princeton also involved monthly meetings with other undergraduate and graduate fellows, casual talks with professors of color, and a fancy annual banquet in which some professor or other reiterated every year how miserable the PhD process is, and enjoined upon us to keep on keepin' on.
The goals of MMUF are as follows; it was my job as an aspiring sophomore to convince my school's committee that I met them:
The fundamental objectives of MMUF are to reduce, over time, the serious underrepresentation on faculties of individuals from minority groups, as well as to address the consequences of these racial disparities for the educational system itself and for the larger society that it serves. These goals can be achieved both by increasing the number of students from underrepresented minority groups who pursue PhDs and by supporting the pursuit of PhDs by students who may not come from underrepresented minority groups but have demonstrated a commitment to the goals of MMUF. (mmuf.org)
That's me, at the end: "students who may not come from underrepresented minority groups but have demonstrated a commitment to" these goals. The irony of it all was that MMUF, which had previously been a fellowship for minority students, was forced by anti-affirmative action legislation (I believe under the Bush II administration) to broaden its selection criteria from racial to ideological.
Six years later, I'm an MFA holder teaching hiphop studies to college freshmen (but still a white woman with an ambiguously ethnic name). Last semester, after one of my sections was in a classroom after a white man teaching a course on jazz and before another white man teaching a course on African cities, I turned my attention to novelist Cecil Brown's Dude, Where's My Black Studies Department? The Disappeareance of Black Americans from Our Universities (2007). The book opens to the author wandering across the greens of his alma mater, UC Berkeley, and wondering, like "one of the characters in the film Dude, Where's My Car?" (ix), Dude, where are all the black students?
I was interested in this book not only because of my own experience as a white woman teaching Black subject matter to largely white and Asian students, but (more importantly) because Mr. Brown taught a course at Stanford called "From Homer to Hiphop," and a peruse of this book's Table of Contents online revealed that the author professed to have rediscovered Black Studies in the streets, among the hiphop heads. I was keen to read his arguments about the rifts between written and oral cultures of information.
I empathized with Mr. Brown's statistics on the erosion of affirmative action policies in the last few decades–my courses are as much a commitment to diversity as an expression of my own interests. And many of his arguments were provocative, like his suggestion that while "special programs are established to help [Asian and Asian-American students] with their writing and speaking skills" (94),the same effort is not made to bring other students of color up to speed.
But what ultimately disappointed me about this book was Mr. Brown's blanket dismissal of genuine white interest in hiphop music, an exasperation I see again and again in black writers' work on hiphop. Brown suggests "rap music helps white youth deal with their fear of girls" (99), and that "White attraction to Black pimps are…symptoms of an unconscious desire to escape the structured life of the mechanical world" (102). But he's never open to the possibility that white listeners empathize with rap's critique of a racist and hypocritical society. I was reminded of Tricia Rose's seminal Black Noise, where the author sneakily suggests her bias:
Jazz, rock'n'roll, soul, and R&B each have large devoted white audience members, many of whom share traits with Norman Mailer's "white negroes," young white listeners trying to perfect a model of correct white hipness, coolness, and style by adopting the latest black style and image. Young white listeners' genuine pleasure and commitment to black music are necessarily affected by dominant racial discourses regarding African Americans, the politics of racial segregation, and cultural difference in the United States. Given the racially discriminatory context within which cultural syncretism takes place, some rappers have equated white participation with a process of dilution and subsequent theft of black culture. Although the terms dilution and theft do not capture the complexity of cultural incorporation and syncretism, this interpretation has more than a grain of truth in it. (5)
Look how Ms. Rose deftly undercuts the possibility of "young white listeners' genuine pleasure and commitment" and then invokes the terms "dilution and theft" without taking responsibility for them.
Some of the only welcoming language I've seen is in the introduction to (Asian-American) Jeff Chang's wonderful Can't Stop, Won't Stop, where he declares of the hiphop generation: "Whom does it include? Anyone who is down" (2). Even the provocateur Nas, after calling out to all his "kike niggers, spic niggers, Guinea niggers, chink niggers," reminds his posturing audience, "They like to strangle niggers, blaming niggers, shooting niggers, hanging niggers, still you wanna be a nigger too?" ("Be A Nigger Too," Untitled).
In Cecil Brown's 1969 novel, The Life and Loves of Mr. Jiveass Nigger, the titular protagonist sits with the only Black woman he's found in Copenhagen and lays his hand to her pregnant form:
He felt the small lump running smoothly under his fingers as she brought his hand smoothly over her brown hot belly.
"That's a baby," she said.
"Really," he said. He was scared stiff.
"A white baby, " she said.
"Does it make you feel a little bit disgusted?"
"Yeah, I think so." (124)
* from Cecil Brown, The Life and Loves of Mr. Jiveass Nigger, 105.
This entry was posted in Book Reviews, White Girl Spitta, Writing Sample and tagged Cecil Brown, Dude Where's My Car, hiphop studies, Jeff Chang, MMUF, Nas, teaching, the academy, Tricia Rose, white people by tessalaprofessa. Bookmark the permalink.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Concerns voiced over proposed South Texas refinery
Julián Castro
Tricentennial
Cowboys & NFL
Spurs Nation
52 Weeks of Burgers
52 Weeks of BBQ
Top 100: Dining & Drinks
John MacCormack Feb. 1, 2017
BRUNI — Opponents of a new oil refinery proposed for nearly rural Duval County warned of air pollution and health threats Wednesday night during a packed public meeting.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the wolf is at our door and now is our chance to keep that wolf at bay," said Tom Benavides, a Bruni resident and member of the newly formed coalition South Texans Against the Refinery.
"Why would we allow someone to come into our home, pollute it, and export the product somewhere else?" he asked of the nearly 100 people attending, including some elected officials, from a half dozen communities.
Bruni is a quiet, isolated settlement of several hundred residents about 50 miles east of Laredo. On most nights, the only signs of activity are the crowded 8-liner parlors.
But the Bruni Community Center was bustling, and the program was preceded by free barbecue and frightening images rolling on a large screen of refineries billowing smoke and spewing flares.
A colorful handout also listed dangerous chemicals, including benzene, dioxins, mercury compounds generated by refineries, and described health risks including asthma, cancer and birth defects.
But rather than just trying to alarm people, the main purpose of the meeting was to help the public to become informed and involved, said Tricia Cortez, of the Rio Grande International Study Center.
"We are here to get the conversation started. We believe the public has the right to know the full picture of a refinery being built nearby," she said as the program began.
"We haven't heard anything about the environmental, public health or economic impacts. And this site would be four miles upwind from the Bruni school campus," she added.
Among the invited speakers at the program was Allen Messenger, an environmental engineer, who said he grew up in the refinery where his father worked.
"Refineries are very complex machines. Machines break. Accidents happen. Uncontrolled releases happen," he said.
"It will be a major source of pollution and Bruni is downwind," he added of the proposed project.
Raven Petroleum, a company founded a year ago by Christopher Moore of Houston, is behind the $500 million refinery project which would initially process 50,000 barrels of light crude a day.
If built, it would be the largest new refinery in the country in 40 years. Moore has forecast the start of construction by mid-2017 and completion by the end of next year.
The refined products, including gasoline, diesel and jet fuel, would be exported to Mexico utilizing the Kansas City Southern Railroad line that bisects the property.
The 832-acre site in the southwest corner of Duval County was chosen because of its proximity to the Eagle Ford Shale, a highly productive play just to the north, according to Moore.
Judges Rocky Carrillo in Duval County and Humberto Gonzalez in Jim Hogg County are apparently already behind the project. It would fortify the Duval County tax base, and according to Moore, also create 1,500 construction jobs and 300 permanent jobs.
Webb County Judge Tano Tijerina is taking a wait-and-see approach. His position will be determined by the benefits of the project to the local community, said Marah Montez, his spokesman.
So far the company has not applied for air permits from the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, so much is unknown about the project.
One apparent uncertainty is the funding. Moore, who has been vague about his financial backers, did not return a call seeking comment on Wednesday.
Bob Bruni of San Antonio, who grew up in Bruni and owns property nearby, was skeptical of the promises of an economic boost.
"It's easy for someone to come in talking about jobs and growth and get the county judges behind them. The problems I have is that once it's complete, we'll be left with an automated refinery and just a handful of jobs," he said..
During the public comment portion of the meeting, Remy Salinas of Laredo delivered a fiery call to arms, urging the attendees to declare war on the project or suffer the consequences.
"It's a battle you have to be willing to fight tooth and nail. It will be ugly. And they don't give a damn," he said.
jmaccormack@express-news.net
John MacCormack
Follow John on:
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John MacCormack has been covering South Texas and the Mexican border for the past 27 years, first for the Dallas Times Herald and since 1992 for the Express-News.
San Antonio Light's moon landing 'Time Tube' found in Blanco barn
Jean Collins, 91, pursued a genealogy quest for decades
Hemp rush begins on West Texas farms
New Braunfels scuba diver hunts for treasures lost by tubers
Police investigate ninth body found in the San Antonio area in July
Climate change study: San Antonio could see more than three months of 100-degree heat a year by end of century
San Antonio home sales dipped in June as prices climbed
The night Harlandale ISD trustees really needed a lawyer
CPS Energy CEO leaves chamber post amid legal battle over San Antonio paid...
Sheriff's office urges south Bexar County residents to search properties...
San Antonio high school choir takes top prize at international festival
Judson expands free summer camps
Education not enough as hot car deaths continue in Texas
Climate change study: San Antonio could see more than three months of...
By John MacCormack, Staff writer
San Antonio Light's moon landing 'Time Tube' found in Blanco...
By Krista Torralva, Staff writer
By Joshua Fechter, Staff writer
CPS Energy CEO leaves chamber post amid legal battle over San...
By Jacob Beltran and Priscilla Aguirre, Staff Writers
Silvia Foster-Frau and Dudley Althaus
Podcast: With children in tow, mothers' journey ends in death at...


Birds and Birdhouses templates (PSD & TIFF) are made with vector SHAPES, which means that you can make them larger (any size) and they won't get blurry or have jagged edges. Use with any graphics app that will open PSD or TIFF files. Change colors, change sizes, add/remove or change any pieces you want.
Generous CU4CU license allows you to create new clipart / embellishments to re-sell with your own CU license (you must change my original graphics in some way – you can't resell them as they are).


Fiona Hughes is the Violinist and Artistic Director of Three Notch'd Road, and a versatile performer of both modern and baroque violin.
Named for a colonial road through central Virginia, Three Notch'd Road is Charlottesville's only professional ensemble that performs a full season of early music on period instruments. The mission of Three Notch'd Road is centered around a vigorous historical approach, offering little-known music of the baroque as well as incisive performances of well-known favorites.
Listen below. Or hear this interview series on-air, Wednesdays at 7:55 a.m.


An American CEO and Chairman of AOL, Inc. and Former President of Americas Operations of Google Inc.
Tim Armstrong, the CEO and Chairman of AOL, Inc., has an estimated net worth of $400 million. He is the former President of Google America. He is also the founder of 'United Football League' and an owner of the 'Boston Blazers Lacrosse Team'.
Tim Armstrong is an investor in 'Patch Media'. He sits on the boards of the Interactive Advertising Bureau (IAB). He is a founding investor at "FitOrbit Inc.", a company which provides online fitness guidance. He launched 'I-Way', the first consumer internet magazine.
Tim Armstrong started his career by co-founding and running a newspaper in Boston. He joined IDG to introduce first consumer magazine, 'I-Way'. He was the Director of Integrated Sales and Marketing at Disney's and Starwave's ESPN/ABC Internet Ventures. At Snowball.com, he worked as the Vice President of Strategic and Sales Partnerships. He also worked with some well-known brands and advertising agencies.
Presently, he is the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of AOL, Inc. He is responsible for planning long-term strategies, as well as oversees the day-to-day operations of the company.
He is the trustee at 'Lawrence Academy' and 'Connecticut College'.


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Grant officially opens new care home in WGC
Welwyn Hatfield MP Grant Shapps cut the ribbon to officially open the new Oakview Lodge Care Home in Welwyn Garden City.
The care home, owned and operated by Country Court Care, is a luxury residential and dementia care provider located on the site of the old QEII Hospital.
The opening ceremony was attended by Welwyn Hatfield Deputy Mayor Cllr Barbara Fitzsimon and Country Court Care Chief Executive Abdul Kachra. Grant was given full tour of the facility, which includes a hair salon, a tea room, a relaxation spa, a pub (called the Hatfield Arms), a cinema room, a family room and numerous lounges/communal areas.
Grant said: "This is really a fantastic addition to our community in Welwyn Hatfield. We are going to need a lot more care over the next few years. By 2025, there will be a million people with dementia in this country. It is very important we have this quality of care."
Managing Director Alykhan Kachra said: "It was our absolute pleasure to host Grant at the opening of Oakview Lodge. To be given the opportunity to show Grant how the Country Court Care Group are trying to shape the care industry through the provision of family led care was a real privilege. We look forward to welcoming Grant back again in the future, once Oakview Lodge has had a chance to embed itself into the local community."


As a parent, relative, teacher, faculty member, etc., there is one thing you all probably have in common. That is, the desire for your children or the children that you teach to perform well.
Student achievement is often purely looked at from the perspective of the strength of the curriculum or the quality of the teachers. While these things are all vital to the success of their achievement, there is another factor that has been overlooked in the past, but has been given more attention in recent years.
The sustainability of the actual school building.
Over the last few years, there have been a number of studies showing a direct correlation between school facility conditions and student performance. They all conclude that, a greener learning environment does impact a student's ability to perform well. While having a healthy learning environment may seem intuitive, many of us might not understand just how exactly a greener environment impacts a student's performance.
Just What Is A Green School?
A Green or High Performing School can be characterized by many things. They help conserve resources through energy efficiency, lowering utility costs, and reducing waste. In addition, they provide things like clean air, natural light, an environment free of toxic materials and chemicals, and much more.
The Center for Green Schools has rounded up 4 ways in which green schools contribute to learning.
Indoor air quality: According to the Department of Education, more than 20% of public schools in the U.S. have unsatisfactory indoor air quality. Poor indoor air quality can triggersymptoms like headaches, fatigue, coughing, sneezing, asthma attacks, and much more. It can also expose students to toxic substances that may be in the air, especially in older buildings. This may inhibit a student from focusing and has the potential to get them sick. Therefore, controlling exposure to dust and pollen, improves the health of students while also reducing sick days.
Acoustics: Greener schools feature HVAC systems with appropriately placed vents, lined ductwork, and much more. These things all affect a buildings acoustics. There is a clear connection between proper acoustic design in schools and performance from students. In fact, there have been a large amount of studies that confirm just how important it is to have little background noise, especially in an educational environment (Berg et al., 1996; Crandall & Smaldino, 1995; Knecht et al., 2002).
Thermal comfort: Stuffy warm classrooms can make students restless, less interested, and less alert (Wargocki & Wyon, 2007). Greener schools have more windows and open ventilations. This provides a proper supply of air for students while also providing a comfortable indoor temperature. Therefore, an improved thermal comfort is vital to the productivity and performance of students.
Daylighting: Giving access to daylight and outdoor views to buildings has been shown to heighten student participation, lessen distraction and encourage learning. Studies have shown that when deprived of natural light, children's melatonin cycles are disrupted, thus likely having an impact on their alertness during school.
ATI strives for sustainable and energy efficient design in its efforts to minimize the impact of the built environment on natural resources, acknowledging the increasing need to become more sensitive to preserving our natural resources and the environment. Our on-going involvement with governmental funded projects has mandated the incorporation of green building design.
Beginning with its own staff, ATI has been a proponent of Green Building Design. ATI sponsors staff to obtain LEED Certification and Collaborative for High Performance Schools (CHPS) Training.
There are many positive outcomes to a greener, more sustainable learning environment. At ATI, we have made sustainability a priority by creating designs that meet the needs of this generation without compromising the needs of generations to come.
We are pleased to share that San Juan Unified School District had its Grand Opening of the Winston Churchill Middle School Classroom Additions. ATI focused on providing a flexible learning environment and integration of technology allowing for both indoor and outdoor educational instruction. School Administrators, teachers, and students are all enjoying their 21st Century classroom learning environments.
The Grand Opening was featured on KCRA 3! Click on the link below to watch the video.
Beautiful School Design…But is it Safe and Secure?
When designing structures for school districts, there are many questions that come up: Is the design functional? Does it meet District and State specifications? Is it within budget? Will it be completed on time?
It is important for school district administrators to be addressing student and teacher security needs during the design phase of any building project. The first step of doing this is to carry out a security assessment that identifies risks and vulnerabilities. It is important to then use this information to develop a building design that helps to mitigate potential threats.
"Our security design model is risk driven which allows district administrators the ability to review district standards against emerging trends and technology innovation" said Phillip Caires, Director of Special Projects. "With an over-arching architectural security framework as the goal".
A comprehensive security assessment should include an evaluation of how well the school is able to deter, detect, delay and respond to a security or safety threat. It is important to analyze the day-to-day operational flow of students, faculty, staff and visitors into and through the school to determine where entry points are in the morning, where entry points for visitors and parents are during the instructional day, and where exit points are at the close of the day.
Additionally, the analysis should identify the specific flow of students and teachers to the playground at recess, and if there are modular classrooms or detached buildings, the pathway and doors out of the main school building into the portable/detached building area.
"Operational security is a design level function that focuses on alignment and monitoring which are the key drivers when establishing the most effective implementation elements," said Caires.
The following is a list of general security and safety items that ATI implements into their designs. These elements should be considered for any school district design.
The environment of classroom learning is shifting as technology is now the equivalent of a #2 pencil. Districts, schools, and teachers are learning new methods to support a 21st Century Learning environment through digital learning. With the world literally at student's fingertips, these new 21st Century learners need quick access to information and are capable of learning at a whole new level with a constantly evolving array of technological tools and activities.
Far more important is the educator's role in employing material that is accessible and engaging in a technology-infused learning environment. The outcome of this transformation means fusing the traditional three R's (Reading, Writing and Arithmetic) with the four C's (Critical Thinking, Creativity, Communication, and Collaboration). These 21st Century skills are now a requirement in the classrooms in order to prepare students for this progressing globalized workforce.
We recently asked our Associates to define and describe a 21st Century Learning Classroom from their own perspectives.
No longer does learning have to be teacher-centered, one-way, one-size-fits-all. More schools are transfiguring their classrooms into a very exciting environment. Classrooms are no longer that quiet classroom, but rather a class that is vibrant, vocal, and where children are talking, collaborating, and helping one another. 21st Century Learning involves more than just the use of technology, but students using technology to achieve goals in a different way than what was possible before.
For schools seeking to transform their learning spaces into an environment that meets modern expectations, Emily offers a pathway to achievable results.
The 21st Century Learning Environment is much more then adding additional outlets, enabling Wi-Fi throughout the campus, and integrating state-of-the-art interactive technology. At its core, the learning environment touches every aspect of a school – visionary leadership, flexible learning space, instructional development and everything else in between……all necessary in achieving the desired 21st Century learning environment.
Classrooms will feature bright, open, flexible spaces with partition walls, and flexible furniture to accommodate the latest thought on the best learning environments. Partition walls will provide enough separation and flexibility for teachers to co-teach, provide hands on group learning, and expand to larger lecture spaces, if desired. The furnishings and technology will allow configurations to support creative group based learning.


The 2019 Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge will be held on Friday, May 17, 2019, at the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center.
The Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge, hosted by the University of Maine, asks teams of students to design and construct a floating platform for a scale model wind turbine, and then deliver a presentation to a panel of expert judges. The event is designed for student teams with a diverse range of experience. We encourage all middle and high school students to participate.
The 2019 Guidebook can be downloaded, here.
The Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge 2019 will be held in the UMaine Advanced Structures and Composites Center Alfond W2 Ocean Engineering Lab on May 17, 2019. Teams should plan to arrive between 7:45 AM and 8:15 AM, and should plan to depart around 2:00 PM.
What's the Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge?
Teams must independently design and construct a floating platform for a 1:100 scale deepwater wind turbine, based on a 285 foot full-scale 5 MW turbine. This scale would thus be a turbine tower height (to hub and not including blade length) of 33 inches. Designs should maximize stability under various wind and wave conditions. Judges will also score an oral presentation.
While constructing the floating platforms, it is very important for all parties to act safely. The use of any tools and materials should be done with proper knowledge of the tools, personal protective equipment, and adult supervision.
High School Teams are teams of 4 or less high school students. Members of the top qualifying team will be offered an internship at the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center, contingent upon their enrollment at UMaine, valued more than $20,000.
Middle School Teams are teams of up to 10 middle school students. These groups will test their platform and provide a presentation, just like high school teams, but they will not be considered for the internship award. This type of team may be ideal for student groups who have not participated in the challenge before, classrooms that want to work together to submit a single platform, or similar scenarios. An alternative award will be granted to the members of a winning middle school team.
The 2019 Kleinschmidt Windstorm Challenge would not be possible without generous support from Kleinschmidt Associates.


Came in mid October hoping to miss the big crowds. Didn't happen . Wall to wall crush with double strollers, wait times at 75 minutes. Fast pass reservations all gone until late in the day. Streets were not well lit at night. People tripping over each other. Fireworks partially blocked by trees. Mickey has gotten very greedy.
"Great Day, one bad egg"
When you walk through those gates and gaze down Main Street, its like you're home. Everything about the Magic Kingdom is magical, and with the upcoming Fantasyland Expansion that magic only continues. The mountain attractions are always thrilling, and each land is an immersive, consuming environment. The background music completes it all, and dramatic views of Cinderella Castle are the icing on the cake.
best park in the world!!! i love to go there!
"Hard to believe its real"
if you want to truly experience Walt Disney World, you have to visit Magic Kingdom. I cant even think of anything i dont like about it. it sounds cheesy but it really is magical. Tons of great rides, even the ones geared towards little kids are enjoyable for me. Especially if you're a kid at heart or a true Disney fan, you will love it. No complaints at all!!
"Magic Kingdom, the place to be..."
I know this sounds ridiculous, but if I could go anywhere in the universe it would be Walt Disney World, no joke.
Why eat pizza in Rome when you can eat any international food you like on the world showcase?
Why ride a bullet train in Tokyo when you can just try Splash or Space Mountain!
And guess what the very heart of all of Disney World? The Magic Kingdom!
Florida is the place for me.
This is my happy place! I've never been happier than when I spent 3 days at MK!
I want to go back to my happy place!!!!!!!!
A GREAT PARK.. IT TRULY IS THE HAPPIEST PLACE ON EARTH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Brings back memories of a long time ago when everything was fun. It's the happiest place on Earth!
"great, evokes magic and makes memories"
Maybe you have to be over 30 to appreciate it, or have kids. The Magic Kingdom remains little changed (though vastly improved somehow) since my first visit in 1981. There's something about the nostalgia, and the innocence of it. You can't be human and not feel a little tingle the first time you see Cinderella's Castle from Main Street on your visit. People take more pictures of it than any other landmark in WDW, yet none of those pictures seems to capture its essence. You just have to be there.
My favorite ride is still Peter Pan's Flight. I am a big fan of coasters, but there's just something about that ride. Splash Mountain is incredible. Space Mountain is that venerable old friend that you want to hang out with all day. I see something different everytime I ride Big Thunder Mountain, or Pirates of the Caribbean, or the Haunted Mansion. It never gets old (well maybe the theme to It's a Small World, but I still ride it at least once every visit).
If only every park in WDW had the same grace, charm, and perfect balance of thrill and enchantment...if only.
"A Masterpiece Of Pure Perfection!"
From the second you stand in the etrance right in front of the railroad station a strange and magical feeling over sweeps you. The Magic Kingdom is home to the best rides in the world! From silly spooks in The Haunted Mansion to the swashbucling priates in The Pirates of the Caribbean, you truly know that The Magic Kingdom is the happiest place on earth.
This is the most Magical Park, probably because this is what started FL. You just feel like a child again. For me it brings back my visit in 77 with my dad and my Honeymoon with the wife.
Our first picture was in a empty MK park with Mickey. We were going to Cindy's character breakfast and out the big Cheese walks.
OK, I wont go on and on...BUT you need nerves of steel to navigate the park successfully...and when you do, it's everything you could wish for. Truly inspiring and wonderful for families.
This park is perfect for little ones and adults who just can't get enough of the "magic". It has a few thrill rides but not too intense for the kids. This park is a excellent example of what Disney parks are supposed to be like.
"The Heart of Disney World"
While not abundant in thrill rides, no park does everything else as good. First and foremost a family park, Magic Kingdom has set the standard for theme parks since its construction in 1971. It has an amazing atmosphere which cannot be compaired to any other created by any other park. Regardless of how many parks Disney constructs on their Florida resort, the Magic Kingdom will always be the heart of the Walt Disney World Resort.
"The most magical place on"
All I can say is, if people see the themeing here as 'average', what would one expect to see when the theming is 'excellent????
I think this park is beautifully built and maintain and captures the hearts and souls of every nation, young and old.
When you enter the park, everything is Disney! And there're magic everywhere. Let this be a place for your family fun. It's great for every one and every time.
The one that started it all for WDW. The MK will always be my favorite Diz theme park. It made a strong impression on me when I was 5 (1978) and visited for the first time, so I'm probably a little biased.
the kiddy kingdom is a childhood favorite, a nostalgic favorite, and a classic for years to come. I find very little fault in anything here at the kingdom, and I really don't want to go searching for anything wrong. I do miss the mr. toad ride, but the pooh ride is cool. they have managed to keep the best rides in working order, and added new rides to the mix. the mountains are a must, along with pirates, mansion, and peter pan. I could spend days, weeks, months, and years just wandering around ,watching the crowds, and soaking up the mickey atmosphere. I would never get bored with the food, there are plenty of places to eat. the rides will keep me amused, and I can always get my hair cut at the harmony barber shop. Magic kingdom, don't ever change.
"Magic Kingdom Is The Best"
You just cannot match the quality of the Magic Kingdom. It is aging SO quickly but you just really can't see it within the park. Everything is kept up to date and thrills guests as it has for the past 32 years.
"A Classic now and always"
What can I tell you that you dont know already....its a one of a kind park. NO other park can come close to it. Sure other parks have major thrill rides which we enjoy....but which park takes you away and makes you feel like your in another world??? None other then WDW. Fantastic for all ages. Love it!
Wow, this park is still great after all these years. You would never guess that this park opened in 1971. It looks much better than most new parks. Very much to do for everyone, too.
This is a wonderful theme park for all ages. Cinderella's Castle is a must do for a character breakfast. Your family will love the theming and special attention to detail at this restaurant. On main street, dont miss the fudge. Don't forget to grab a turkey leg from the cart vendors, they are soooo good. Enjoy all the sights and smells of this classic park. It will make you feel like a kid all over again.
It all started here. The park can be a little dated but it is nice to go back to a 50's theme from time to time.
The park that started it all in 1971. Always growing and changing with the times. I actually think there is too much to do in the Magic Kingdom, but that is what makes it so well known.
i love this park! It is the classic of all classics!
"This is my favorite place"
I have been to this park many of hundreds of times and never get tired of it. The feeling of leaving the real world sure helps. So much to do and see here.
The Magic Kingdom is a definite must for anybody visiting Walt Disney World but many will be disappointed by the lack of excitement at the park that started it all for Walt Disney World. There are too many kid friendly rides and not enough thrill rides. Plus there hasn't been anything new in the park for years that was considered an E-Ticket attraction. I know Mickey's PhilharMagic will be added but this is a 3-D show and not exactly an E-Ticket attraction, though I am really looking forward to it. Anything new added to the park is greatly welcomed. Some changes are in store that should be done. First, GET RID OF THE CAROUSEL OF PROGRESS. The attraction is a waste of space, time and money that could be used on something much more important. Second, enough with the reproducing of other attractions. Three "Dumbo-type" rides in the same park is ridiculous. How many of those stupid things do we need? Third, get a thrill ride in here and FAST!! The park hasn't had a new thrill ride since Splash Mountain opened in 1992. Something needs to be done about that. Everything else is fine but some things, which I won't mention, must be update because they are getting pretty old.
Magic Kingdom was well named. I mean with Alien Encounter, Space Mountain, Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, Jungle Cruise, Pirates, Cinderella's Castle it all just captivates you. With more rides like Haunted Mansion and CoP and Tiki Room and so many more. I just love this place. Your favorite stories come to life. There is no fantasy here because everything is a reality. The only fantasy would be to believe in no fantasy because you are surronded by it. Mickey and the Princess's come and greet you. Your favorite heroes and villians come and shake your hand or smile your way. I can not explain it all. You just have to see it to well to believe it all.
"Best Park in the World!!"
The castle, the "mountains", the atmosphere, the service, the entertainment ... unparalled. Anywhere.
The Magic Kingdom is a different world. It has an incredible mix that really stimulates your senses. No park in the world could ever compare to the Magic Kingdom. This park was built to last the test of time.
The Magic Kingdom is one of the best theme parks in Florida. The 5 Different sections of the parks are unique. Tommorowland is the best area of the park and the Carousel of Progress is the best ride in the park.
What more can I possibly say about MK? The place is Magic and can turn any person, no matter what age into a kid again. Perfect for couples and perfect for families. The ultimate in Theme & Amusement Parks. Should be your very first stop at WDW.
MOSTLY FOR THE YOUNGER SET. THE BEST RIDES-SPLASH MOUNT.,RUNAWAY TRAIN, ALIEN, BUZZ LIGHTYEAR, PIRATES OF C. ARE BEST SEEN WITH A E- TICKET TO AVOID THE LINES.
I love the magic kingdom. It's the happiest most magical place that a child could imagine and that's what's important, a childs imagination.
This place is exactly what it says it is...MAGIC!!!
Fantasyland aside, which needs some major work to bring it up to Disneyland's brillance, the Magic Kingdom continues to shine. Tomorrowland is incredibly fun and unique. Alien Encounter is a fresh approach and a challenge to the kingdom mindset- I love it!The atmosphere of Liberty Square brings an elegant charm to the place. Frontierland lacks unity (Splash Mountain seems so misplaced) but Big Thunder is wonderful. Adventureland felt great until Aladdin's carpets came in. Of course, who can resist seeing the Crystal Palace all lit up at night? Overall, just goes to show incredible theming AND attractions that tell strong stories,(something Disney's forgotten recently- try California Adventure for disappointment in this area), create a truly magical place.
"The Best Park in WDW"
The Magic Kingdom is the best park in all of Walt Disney World. The start of Walt Disney's Florida empire, it's home to the most must-see rides and attractions out of all the theme parks. Space Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain Railroad, Peter Pan's Flight, Haunted Mansion, Splash Mountain, ....these are but a few of the incredibly entertaining rides scattered throughout the various lands. Cinderella Castle, long the well-known landmark of WDW, is a beautiful sight. Kids of all ages will enjoy the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes to be found in the happiest place in Walt Disney World. By far the best park.
The BEST period. I love to see the look on a childs face when they first see Cinderella's Castle.... Like grizzlyhall said, Magic really DOES happen here.
The first Disney themepark in Florida provides the magic of your stay. Make it the first park you go to, it will provide the Magic throughtout the stay. You feel like your in another world. Everthing is excellant except the thrill aspect of the park. They could add one or two more thrilling rides. (Roller Coasters, flume rides or raft rides).
"The start of it all..."
The Magic Kingdom is probably my favorite at Walt Disney World. It features original classics (Carousel of Progress, It's a Small World, Country Bear Jamboree, Haunted Mansion, Pirates, etc.), some exclusive and exciting new ones (Alien Encounter, Timekeeper, Pooh, Aladdin), and the classic thrills (Splash Mountain, Big Thunder, etc). Service is incredible...the parades...and seeing a child's face light up is beyond words! Magic happens here!


Quincy Jones has introduced a live performance to have a good time Michael Jackson albums this 12 months.
For the primary time ever, Quincy will probably be performing three of his most iconic works, the Michael Jackson albums 'Off the Wall', 'Thriller' and 'Bad', back-to-back on June 23 and The O2 in London. The albums, which Quincy produced, have offered over 150 million copies mixed and function among the most influential pop data of all time.
Jones has enlisted the assistance of a symphony orchestra, which will probably be carried out by Jules Buckley and Quincy himself, to carry out the trio of landmark albums. The present will even function performances from some very particular visitors, that are but to be introduced.
Tickets go on normal sale on February 15 at 9am by way of Ticketmaster.


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Stories and Oceans
CD and Book Launch
Middlesbrough Reference Library
Regular readers may remember our feature on the run-up to this event. The Reference Library made an excellent venue for a combined book and CD launch. Three acts took their turn at centre stage, with regular, civilised breaks for tea and biscuits.
Sara Dennis was launching her debut CD, 'Time and Tide'. Andy Broderick and Ray Legg were there with their new CD and Daniel Pettitt was promoting a new book featuring all of his song lyrics.
Full reviews of all the new material will follow here soon. Meanwhile, here's a photo report of an evening of very fine entertainment.
Sara Dennis introduced Daniel Pettit for the first set. Sara provided the backing vocals too.
Dan (interviewed here) is an assured and experienced performer.
His trademark 'flame' guitar was very much in evidence.
Dan's repertoire for the evening included 'Come Away My Love', 'I Don't Know What To Believe', 'Dancing Gypsy Child', 'Mama Death's Blue-Eyed Boy', and 'Undiscovered Country'.
Dan's last song was 'Above the Taj Mahal', one his catchiest of all and a very good finale.
It was all change for the second set, with Dan providing the backing for a showcase of Sara's songs from 'Time and Tide'. 'Life is Hard' kicked off the set in style.
A rare shot of the three performers together. Andy Broderick was appreciating the great sound.
'Emily Said', Sara's own song about Emily Dickinson, was next. It is one of the stand out tracks from 'Time and Tide'.
'Weeping Willow' and 'Crazy Man Michael' followed. 'I do like a good murder ballad', confessed Sara, introducing the latter. Another murder ballad - the upbeat 'Pretty Polly' - was next, with it's ghostly, supernatural overtones.
Dan introduced 'Lemuria', one of his own songs, which Sara sings on her CD. Dan jokingly said he was jealous because Sara's version is better than his own.
'House Carpenter' brought the 35-minute showcase to a triumphant conclusion.
The third set featured Ray Legg and Andy Broderick.
I had to miss the bulk of their performance due to uncooperative bus timetables, but a major feature and Andy, Ray and their work is in the pipeline.
There will be a lot more on each of the featured artistes very soon.
The Christmas Tree just outside the library added to the evening's feel-good factor. It was an uplifting event with an excellent combination of artistes and a promise of a lot more to come.
Game of the Month: December
Two Games
Dimensions 2010: Part Two
Dimensions 2010: Part One
Event Three
Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman
Mary Chapin Carpenter
The Banoffee Pie Tour Collective
Bridie Jackson Interview: Part 2
Launches For Great Folk
Amy Macdonald: Love Love UK Tour


 2014 Top Events in Montana, Travel Information, USA Travel Guides, State Parks, Tourism Video, Photos,Top Events, Calendars and things to do. Discover America! including festivals, fairs and special activities.
When it comes to special events, fairs and festivals, Montana has something for everyone. Whether it's honoring food, history, heritage, or one of the four seasons, Montana's celebrations are known for their authentic charm. The following is just a sample of the events taking place year round.


Woo hoo! Shopbop is having a major sale now through Friday, April 12th. Get 20% off orders under $500, and 25% off orders $500 or more with code EVENT19. Right now is a great time to stock up on the things you need for spring, as well as grab some trends to update your look. Scroll down to see what's on sale from my closet, my picks for under $100 and the things worth investing in. Enjoy!


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In This Article Academic Achievement
National and International Reports
Measuring Academic Achievement
Students' Characteristics
Students' Familial Background
Other Variables Predicting Academic Achievement
Changing Professional and Academic Identities
Gender and Achievement
High-stakes Testing
Linguistically Inclusive Pedagogy
Mathematics Instruction and Interventions for Students with Disabilities
Single-sex Education
Standards-Based Education
Tracking and Detracking
Civic and Social Engagement of Higher Education
Equity, Ethnicity, Diversity, and Excellence in Education
Technologies, Teaching, and Learning in Higher Education
Ricarda Steinmayr, Anja Meißner, Anne F. Weidinger, Linda Wirthwein
LAST REVIEWED: 28 April 2017
Academic achievement represents performance outcomes that indicate the extent to which a person has accomplished specific goals that were the focus of activities in instructional environments, specifically in school, college, and university. School systems mostly define cognitive goals that either apply across multiple subject areas (e.g., critical thinking) or include the acquisition of knowledge and understanding in a specific intellectual domain (e.g., numeracy, literacy, science, history). Therefore, academic achievement should be considered to be a multifaceted construct that comprises different domains of learning. Because the field of academic achievement is very wide-ranging and covers a broad variety of educational outcomes, the definition of academic achievement depends on the indicators used to measure it. Among the many criteria that indicate academic achievement, there are very general indicators such as procedural and declarative knowledge acquired in an educational system, more curricular-based criteria such as grades or performance on an educational achievement test, and cumulative indicators of academic achievement such as educational degrees and certificates. All criteria have in common that they represent intellectual endeavors and thus, more or less, mirror the intellectual capacity of a person. In developed societies, academic achievement plays an important role in every person's life. Academic achievement as measured by the GPA (grade point average) or by standardized assessments designed for selection purpose such as the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) determines whether a student will have the opportunity to continue his or her education (e.g., to attend a university). Therefore, academic achievement defines whether one can take part in higher education, and based on the educational degrees one attains, influences one's vocational career after education. Besides the relevance for an individual, academic achievement is of utmost importance for the wealth of a nation and its prosperity. The strong association between a society's level of academic achievement and positive socioeconomic development is one reason for conducting international studies on academic achievement, such as PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment), administered by the OECD (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development). The results of these studies provide information about different indicators of a nation's academic achievement; such information is used to analyze the strengths and weaknesses of a nation's educational system and to guide educational policy decisions. Given the individual and societal importance of academic achievement, it is not surprising that academic achievement is the research focus of many scientists; for example, in psychology or educational disciplines. This article focuses on the explanation, determination, enhancement, and assessment of academic achievement as investigated by educational psychologists.
The exploration of academic achievement has led to numerous empirical studies and fundamental progress such as the development of the first intelligence test by Binet and Simon. Introductory textbooks such as Woolfolk 2007 provide theoretical and empirical insight into the determinants of academic achievement and its assessment. However, as academic achievement is a broad topic, several textbooks have focused mainly on selected aspects of academic achievement, such as enhancing academic achievement or specific predictors of academic achievement. A thorough, short, and informative overview of academic achievement is provided in Spinath 2012. Spinath 2012 emphasizes the importance of academic achievement with regard to different perspectives (such as for individuals and societies, as well as psychological and educational research). Walberg 1986 is an early synthesis of existing research on the educational effects of the time but it still influences current research such as investigations of predictors of academic achievement in some of the large-scale academic achievement assessment studies (e.g., Programme for International Student Assessment, PISA). Walberg 1986 highlights the relevance of research syntheses (such as reviews and meta-analyses) as an initial point for the improvement of educational processes. A current work, Hattie 2009, provides an overview of the empirical findings on academic achievement by distinguishing between individual, home, and scholastic determinants of academic achievement according to theoretical assumptions. However, Spinath 2012 points out that it is more appropriate to speak of "predictors" instead of determinants of academic achievement because the mostly cross-sectional nature of the underlying research does not allow causal conclusions to be drawn. Large-scale scholastic achievement assessments such as PISA (see OECD 2010) provide an overview of the current state of research on academic achievement, as these studies have investigated established predictors of academic achievement on an international level. Furthermore, these studies, for the first time, have enabled nations to compare their educational systems with other nations and to evaluate them on this basis. However, it should be mentioned critically that this approach may, to some degree, overestimate the practical significance of differences between the countries. Moreover, the studies have increased the amount of attention paid to the role of family background and the educational system in the development of individual performance. The quality of teaching, in particular, has been emphasized as a predictor of student achievement. Altogether, there are valuable cross-sectional studies investigating many predictors of academic achievement. A further focus in educational research has been placed on tertiary educational research. Richardson, et al. 2012 subsumes the individual correlates of university students' performance.
Hattie, John A. C. 2009. Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. London: Routledge.
A quantitative synthesis of 815 meta-analyses covering English-speaking research on the achievement of school-aged students. According to Hattie, the influences of quality teaching represent the most powerful determinants of learning. Thereafter, Hattie published Visible Learning for Teachers (London and New York: Routledge, 2012) so that the results could be transferred to the classroom.
OECD. 2010. PISA 2009 key findings. Vols. 1–6.
These six volumes illustrate the results of the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2009—the most extensive international scholastic achievement assessment—regarding the competencies of fifteen-year-old students all over the world in reading, mathematics, and science. Furthermore, the presented results cover the effects of student learning behavior, social background, and scholastic resources. Unlimited online access.
Richardson, Michelle, Charles Abraham, and Rod Bond. 2012. Psychological correlates of university students' academic performance: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychological Bulletin 138:353–387.
DOI: 10.1037/a0026838E-mail Citation »
A current and comprehensive review concerning the prediction of university students' performance, illustrating self-efficacy to be the strongest correlate of tertiary grade point average (GPA). Cognitive constructs (high school GPA, American College Test), as well as further motivational factors (grade goal, academic self-efficacy) have medium effect sizes.
Spinath, Birgit. 2012. Academic achievement. In Encyclopedia of human behavior. 2d ed. Edited by Vilanayur S. Ramachandran, 1–8. San Diego, CA: Academic Press.
A current introduction to academic achievement, subsuming research on indicators and predictors of achievement as well as reasons for differences in education caused by gender and socioeconomic resources. The chapter provides further references on the topic.
Walberg, Herbert J. 1986. Syntheses of research on teaching. In Handbook of research on teaching. 3d ed. Edited by Merlin C. Wittrock, 214–229. New York: Macmillan.
A quantitative and qualitative aggregation of a variety of reviews and quantitative syntheses as an overview of early research on educational outcomes. Walberg found nine factors to be central to the determination of school learning.
Woolfolk, Anita. 2007. Educational psychology. 10th ed. Boston: Pearson.
Woolfolk represents a comprehensive basic work that is founded on an understandable and practical communication of knowledge. The perspectives of students as scholastic learners as well as teachers are the focus of attention. Suitable for undergraduate and graduate students. Currently presented in the 12th edition.
About Education »
Academic Audit for Universities
Academic Freedom and Tenure in the United States
Action Research in Education
Adjuncts in Higher Education in the United States
Administrator Preparation
Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate Courses
African American Racial Identity and Learning
Alternative Certification Programs for Educators
American Indian Education
Assessing School Leader Effectiveness
Assessment, Behavioral
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Athletics, College
Beginning-Teacher Induction
Bilingual Education and Bilingualism
Case Study in Education Research
Children's and Young Adult Literature
Children's Beliefs about Intelligence
Children's Rights in Early Childhood Education
College Admissions in the United States
Comparative Education
Computer-Based Testing
Counseling in Schools
Crossborder and Transnational Higher Education
Culturally Responsive Leadership
Culturally Responsive Pedagogies
Culturally Responsive Teacher Education in the United Stat...
Data Collection in Educational Research
Data-driven Decision Making in the United States
Desegregation and Integration
Development, Moral
Digital Age Teacher, The
Distributed Leadership
Doctoral Education and Training
Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in Denmark
Early Childhood Education and Development in Mexico
Early Childhood Education in Australia
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Education For Children with Autism
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Family and Community Partnerships in Education
Federal Government Programs and Issues
Finance, Education
Global Mindedness and Global Citizenship Education
Global University Rankings
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Higher Education and Globalization
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Learning, Lifelong
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Mathematics Teacher Education
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Meta-Analysis and Research Synthesis in Education
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Museums, Education, and Curriculum
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Performance Objectives and Measurement
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Student Access, Equity, and Diversity in Higher Education
Student Assignment Policy
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Teacher Evaluation and Teacher Effectiveness
Teacher Unions and Associations
Teaching Critical Thinking
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Transitions in Early Childhood Education
University Faculty Roles and Responsibilities in the Unite...
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Value of Higher Education for Students and Other Stakehold...
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Hello and welcome to the Gristmill Antique Center. We are a small family owned business with a passion for antiques. We will make your shopping experience with us a special one. Come in as a stranger and leave as a friend.
We are one of the largest multi-dealer centers in upstate New York. We currently have 4,000 square feet of great Antiques from fine furniture, glassware and books to costume and fine jewelry. There are more than 35 professional antique dealers with fabulous treasures to cater to all.
Copyright © 2018 Gristmill Antique Center, LLC - All Rights Reserved.


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EntertainmentTV
Alanna Ubach and Benjamin Levy Aguilar Talk Filthy Rich
Filthy Rich Premieres September 21 on FOX
Michael Sandoval Follow on Twitter Send an email September 18, 2020
Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Tumblr Pinterest Reddit Pocket Share via Email Print
MUSE TV recently talked with two members of the cast of Filthy Rich on FOX, Alanna Ubach and Benjamin Levy Aguilar about their new show.
Benjamin Aguilar plays Antonio Rivera who is an inspiring MMA fighter taking care of his son and Alanna Unbach plays his mother Yopi. She's a fighter who knows how to win and a career gambler who's always willing to take a chance.
A southern Gothic family drama in which wealth, power and religion intersect – more correctly, collide – with outrageously soapy results. Meet the Monreauxes, a mega-rich Southern family famed for creating a successful Christian television network. On the cusp of launching a digital retail arm of the company, the family's patriarch, Eugene, dies in a plane crash, leaving his wife, Margaret, to take charge of the family business. Not surprisingly, Eugene's apparent death greatly impacts the family, who are stunned to learn that Eugene fathered three illegitimate children, all of whom are written into his will. Now, Margaret must use her business savvy and Southern charm to control her newly legitimized heirs, whose very existence threatens the Monreaux family name and fortune.
Filthy Rich premieres on Monday, September 21 at 9pm PT/ET. For more information about the show please visit https://www.fox.com/filthy-rich/
Alanna Ubach Benjamin Levy Aguilar Featured Filthy Rich Fox MUSE TV musetv.net
Michael created MUSE/MUSE TV after a career in professional sports and journalism. Born and raised in Los Angeles, California. He attended Don Bosco Technical Institute in which he studied Electronics and Computer Science and California State University, Fullerton in which he graduated with a degree from the College of Communication in Journalism. He is a big Foo Fighters fan, loves Star Wars and loves photography.
Knott's Celebrate the Fall Season with Taste of Fall-o-Ween
CHILEAN BAND COMO ASESINAR A FELIPES LAUNCHES "HEMOS VUELTO DEL ABISMO"


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Canadian singer Justin Bieber has been revealed to rank at number seven in the list of 50 most popular women on the web, as per Google searches.
According to COEDMagazine.com, Bieber, 16, pops up on 34,200,000 pages, while 'Poker Face' singer Lady Gaga grabbed the number one position with an impressive 229,000,000 pages.
The article posted on the website on April 12 was discovered this weekend by website Babble's gossip blog Famecrawler, the New York Daily News reported.
And though Bieber, who has 6.6 million Twitter followers, is exceedingly popular among tween girls, he has been criticised for his appearance and his high voice.
He also reportedly has a fan base of lesbians who call themselves Biebians and a blog devoted to gay women who look like the musician fittingly called "lesbians who look like justin Bieber".
But the pop star, whose voice appears to have dropped in recent performances, has been working hard to turn his image more macho.
He appears on an upcoming cover of UsWeekly with a new haircut and has recently been photographed hanging out with Disney starlet Selena Gomez.


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Gayle today!
Sarah was extremely helpful, gave excellent advice and was very professional at all times."
- Terence K
Home / Cruiselines / Celebrity Cruises / Celebrity Infinity / Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise
Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise
Cruiseline
30 Aug 2020 Other Dates
$268/day
Cruise: Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise
Departure Date: 30 Aug 2020
Duration: 10 nights
Departs: Barcelona
Returns: Lisbon
Ports of call: 8
Ship Info
Port Slideshow
BONUS up to USD$600 onboard cabin credit for this cruise!
(suite categories only)
Layby from only $104 per week after the initial deposit is paid - learn more.
Itinerary and Ports Show / Hide Port Details
1 Sun 30 Aug 2020 Barcelona, Spain Embark 5:00 PM
Barcelona, located in Catalonia Spain, is Europe's largest metropolis on the Mediterranean coast, and one of the world's major global cities. Today, Barcelona balances itself on the cutting edge of architecture, intellectual life, and style. Indeed Barcelona won the 1999 RIBA Royal Gold Medal for its architecture, the first time that the winner has been a city, and not an individual architect. The 'Gothic Quarter' is the centre of the old city of Barcelona, where many of the buildings date as far back as the Roman settlement. The Art Nouveau architectural style has a great number of buildings listed as World Heritage Sites. more info
2 Mon 31 Aug 2020 Valencia, Spain 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
Valencia city, the administrative capital of the Valencian community and the centre of the region of L'Horta, is situated in the centre of the Spanish Mediterranean coastline. The Old City of Valencia, with its monuments, museums, and gardens, is a major tourist attraction. Here one finds the Gothic building of La Lonja that has been declared by UNESCO as a universal heritage monument. Built between 1482 and 1548, this late Valencian Gothic style building is possibly its major attraction.The Cathedral of Valencia, with its amazing Apostles Door that is situated in the centre of the ancient Roman city, where some believe the temple of Diana once stood, is also well worth visiting. more info
3 Tue 1 Sep 2020 Alicante, Spain 8:00 AM 7:00 PM
Alicante lies on the east coast of Spain and is Valencia region's second-largest city. Famous for its excellent weather and its long stretches of sandy beaches such as San Juan, thousands visit each year. Its most notable feature is undoubtedly the Castle of Santa Barbara situated on Mount Benacantil that dominates the city. Also of interest is the colourful quarter of the old city, Barrio de la Santa Cruz, with its small houses, decorated with their tubs of flowers and flags, that climb up the hill through narrow streets to the castle. more info
4 Wed 2 Sep 2020 At Sea
5 Thu 3 Sep 2020 Malaga, Spain 8:00 AM 10:00 PM
Malaga is a lively, prosperous city on Spain's fabled Costa del Sol aside the Mediterranean Sea, just 100 km east of the Strait of Gibraltar. The city's warm winter temperatures (average daytime of 17 C) make it an ideal place to visit any time of year. The archaeological remains and monuments from the Phoenician, Roman, Arabian and Christian eras convert the historic centre into an 'Open Museum' displaying its rich history of more than 3,000 years. Visit the unfinished Gothic cathedral, surrounded by traditional balconied buildings, narrow pedestrian streets and some of the best tapas bars in the province. more info
6 Fri 4 Sep 2020 Gibraltar, United Kingdom 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Gibraltar shares a northern border with Spain, but is a UK Overseas Territory located near the southernmost tip of the Iberian Peninsula, overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar. It has an area of 6 sq.km. and a 1.2 km border with Spain. Under its 2006 constitution Gibraltar governs its own affairs, though some powers such as defense and foreign relations remain the responsibility of the UK Government. The Rock of Gibraltar dominates the entrance to the Mediterranean between the southern tip of Spain and the continent of Africa 14 km to the south. Both famous and enigmatic, Gibraltar contains some of the most extensive military fortifications in Europe, spanning over 1200 years of Moorish, Spanish and British history. more info
7 Sat 5 Sep 2020 At Sea
8 Sun 6 Sep 2020 La Coruna, Spain 9:00 AM 6:00 PM
Located in the NW corner of Spain, La Coruna is part of the Spanish autonomous community of Galicia. It's a region of vast green landscapes with a rich Celtic and Roman heritage that keeps, to this day, a mystic and magic allure. Once protected by walls on three sides and by the sea on the other, the lively streets of the early medieval town with good examples of preserved Romanesque architecture, make for a fascinating visit. The city also offers a variety of modern museums, devoted to fine arts, science, anthropology, and even old clocks. more info
9 Mon 7 Sep 2020 Oporto, Portugal 8:00 AM 6:00 PM
Located in the scenic estuary of the Douro River with swathes of vineyards clinging to the hills, Oporto - aka Porto - is Portugal's second largest metropolis, and one of Europe's most charismatic cities. The city is home to monuments by leading world architects from the past and the present, and some fantastic baroque carvings. Then there's the world-famous sweet wine, and Ribeira - Its historical centre - that was awarded World Heritage status by UNESCO. Understandably, it is considered the economic and cultural heart of the entire region. Oporto is also well known for its enterprising spirit, distinctive culture, and local cuisine. more info
10 Tue 8 Sep 2020 Lisbon, Portugal 8:00 AM Overnight
Lisbon, the capital of Portugal, lies in the western Iberian Peninsula aside the Atlantic Ocean and the Tagus River. As one of the oldest cities in the world, it is rich in Romanesque, Gothic, Baroque, Modern and Post-Modern constructions. The city is also crossed by historical boulevards and monuments along the main thoroughfares. The Lisbon Coast hosts some fine sandy beaches at Cascais and Estoril and fishing villages like Sesimbra. With a little travelling, visitors often visit Sintra to appreciate the stunning views from Europe's westernmost point, and to explore its royal palaces and the country's best kept secrets, the historic villages. more info
11 Wed 9 Sep 2020 Lisbon, Portugal Overnight Disembark
Be spoiled on the Celebrity Infinity enjoying 10 unforgettable nights on the Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise exploring Europe - Mediterranean. Your ship sails from Barcelona and visits 8 ports in 2 countries before finishing at Lisbon. This 4 star cruise from Celebrity Cruises has 2 forward departures. You can join this cruise today for as little as $268 per person/day, twin share. So call now and get expert, friendly advice.
Celebrity Infinity Overview
Celebrity Infinity alternates between the Mediterranean and the Caribbean annually. In the Mediterranean from May to September Infinity sails out of Barcelona, Civitavecchia (for Rome) and Venice over seven to 12 nights. Just look at the ports visited, and the quality of Celebrity, compare with other similar cruises, and make your selection. All of the Caribbean cruises are short 4- and 5-night breaks sailing from Miami. The 4-night cruise visits Key West (USA) and Nassau, the capital of the Bahamas, with one sea day. The 5-night cruise also visits Key West, and Cozumel in Mexico, with two sea days.
Four out of five cabins have an outside view, and of these three-quarters have a private balcony. Standard cabins have a sofa or convertible sofa bed, twin beds that convert to a double bed, plenty of storage space, personal safe, mini-bar/refrigerator, interactive TV, and good-size bathroom. The cabins are nicely decorated and appealing with warm wood-finish furniture. Suites have more space, butler service, more and better amenities and personal service. Those at the stern are in a prime location. There are no single cabins, and 26 wheelchair-accessible cabins available in the Sky Suites. Her AquaClass staterooms are new.
The two-deck Trellis Restaurant, with its grand staircase and musicians' gallery overlooking the sea through a huge glass wall, offers excellent meals and service at two dinner seatings. The décor adds to the fine dining experience. The first alternative dining venue, the SS United States (reservations-only, extra cost), serves classic French cuisine in absolute style – allow three hours. The other alternative is Qsine ("Cuisine") with an iPad menu. AquaSpa guests dine at Blu with a Mediterranean menu. Japanese à la carte lunch and dinner is available at Sushi on Five.
The 900-seat Celebrity Theatre is the three-deck venue for production shows, major cabaret acts and big-screen movies. During the voyage relax in solitude, or select your level of conversation and excitement. Daytime activities include a broad range of classes and competitions. For evening entertainment there are soloists at the cafes and bars, participation in karaoke, and of course the casino. The Celebrity Life enrichment program is divided into three themes. "Savor" focuses on wine appreciation, mixology (of drinks), and cooking. The "Discover" program draws on the educational expertise of famous institutions. Passengers learn about the history, culture, art and architecture of destinations; and broaden their exposure to language study, photography, modern digital technologies and dance, to name a few.
Other Ships
Flight/s and/or transfers as specified
All main meals on-board
Coffee, tea & milk 24 hrs
Open/anytime or traditional/set time & multi-venue dining
Alternative specialty dining (extra)
Suites: Butler, private restaurant & lounge, priority dis/embarkation
In-cabin dining at no charge
Some fitness classes
Complimentary in-stateroom movies
Activities - organised & individual
Infant crèche, kids clubs & teen programs
Special needs requests (when booking) & service animals allowed
Ship-shore-ship transfers
What's excluded?
Alternate specialty dining venues (unless specified)
Casino gaming, bar expenses
Wi-Fi, Internet, satellite/mobile phone & fax charges
Childcare night services (3-12 yrs, 10pm-1am)
Babysitting, individual or in groups (from 1 yr)
Customary land tour gratuities are welcome
GRATUITIES, SERVICE CHARGES
US$ 14.50 (Concierge/Aqua $15, Suites $18) pp/night all ages. Adjust on board at your discretion.
Service charge 20% beverage, mini-bar, spa and salon
All gratuities & service charges are subject to change at any time.
All Australian & New Zealand bookings in AU/NZ: Gratuities are included in the fare.
Xpedition Class: Gratuities include in fare
Check 6 months valid passport
Order dietary requests at booking
Don't bring an electrical extension cord
Drones can be used on shore outside port area
What's onboard?
Suite butlers
Interconnecting balcony staterooms
Full room service
Destination concierge
Celebrity Exclusive on-shore experiences (pay)
COMPLIMENTARY DINING
Main Restaurant (all meals)
Luminae (suite guests)
Blu (Mediterranean; AquaClass only)
Traditional dining (2 seatings) OR 'any time'
In-stateroom dining menu (fee if late night)
'Evening Chic' dress 1 or 2 nights
Dietary requests (at time of booking)
Beverage & Dining packages
COVER CHARGE DINING
Complimentary to higher suites
Qsine (order by iPad; dinner)
Tuscan Grille (Italian; lunch, dinner)
Sushi on Five (Asian à la carte; lunch, dinner: + service charge 18%))
Oceanview Café (buffet, all meals)
AquaSpa Café (b'fast, lunch)
Mast/Seaside Grill, lido deck
Café al Bacio & Gelateria (desserts; pay)
Afternoon tea (buffet)
Aquaspa Café (breakfast, lunch)
Bars & Lounges (9)
Main Theatre
Nightclub, cabaret
Enrichment seminars, destination speakers
Rooftop Terrace: 'A Taste of Film' tasting menu (pay)
In-stateroom movies complimentary
Live music, daily activities, ship wide
Dance floor, bandstand
Celebrity iLounge (Apple products)
Pool butler
Thalassotherapy Pool
Fitness Centre & programs
Adults-only Solarium
Persian Garden, aromatherapy
The Hideaway, quiet reading
The Studio (family photos)
Workshops & lectures
Shore excursions organised
Programs for 3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 12-14, 13-17y
X Club for teens, video arcade
Fun Factory (3-11y)
Toddler Time for under 3s, with parents
In-port & evening baby-sitting (pay)
Autism Friendly status
Wheelchair access & special needs
110/220V AC
High speed Wi-Fi Internet packages
Cellular at Sea (pay home carrier)
Select your cruise or cabin type below to continue
You will then have the option to send us an enquiry or you can call us for FREE and speak to one of our Cruise Specialists who will check availability and find you the best possible price.
Select Cabin Category
30 Aug 2020 (Sun) $2,684
$268 per day $2,874
USD$600 OBC
Prices are twin share per person in AUD, include all taxes and are subject to change.
View the current location for Celebrity Infinity here!
Alternative Departure Dates
19 Sep 2020 (Sat) $2,954 $3,224 $3,474 $6,347
Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise Be spoiled on the Celebrity Infinity enjoying 10 unforgettable nights on the Best of Spain & Portugal Cruise exploring Europe - Mediterranean. When: 19 Sep 2020 (Sat) — 10 night cruise Ship: Celebrity Infinity Category: Cruise Cabins from $2684 per person


Would you buy KLM a beer?
We live in an era of real-time social brand engagement. When broadcast dies, what do you do? You interact. Engage. Become part of the conversation.
Sports fans (like many) don't like broadcast. They like excitement.
Does a sports fan want to be spoken to by a brand? No. They want to be equal to the brand.
Would a Fútbol fan sit in a bar for 5 minutes listening to a brand argue why their new ad is the best World Cup ad ever? No. But will they sit in a bar and have the best, all-night, most drawn-out, ugly and ultimately enjoyable on every level of passion imaginable "discussion" with another fan? Absolutely. It's what they live for.
To reach fans at the world cup, you have to be a fan. Don't broadcast, be a fan. Engage.
And got kicked out of the bar. Welcome to the World Cup.
I'd buy them a beer. A Dos Equis.
Featured Image by Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports.
25 minutes. That's how long KLM's Mexico tweet lasted.
Professional Services: Do you know the difference?
Are we Outsourcing Common Sense to the Internet?


You will not find a cleaner tallboy. Back up for sale after a family friend pulled out.
The time has finally come to part ways with my favourite bike to date. Meticulously maintained and still in awesome condition overall. I used 2 XL All Mountain Frame protection packs on the frame so in perfect nick all round.
Rides a like a dream with the RS1 fork being super active and plush.
Nothing else to spend on this bike. Willing to ship at buyers expense.
Great deal for a proper MTB! GLWS man!


Iodobenzene Diacetate is used in wide range of medicals industrial applocations as well as in human and animal nutrition products such as antiseptics and disinfectants, pharmaceutical intermediates, polarizing films for liquid crystal display [LCD] chemicals. Iodine derivatives are also used as organic building blocks, analytical reagents etc.
Iodobenzene Diacetate appears like white crystals, and has melting point of 156-160°C. Iodobenzene Diacetate (Diacetoxy Iodobenzene) has a CAS No 3240-34-4 and has Molecular Formula C10H11IO4. Its Molecular weight is 322.10.
Omkar Speciality Chemicals Ltd. is known as the Leading Manufacturer and Exporter of Iodobenzene Diacetate at the most Competitive price with guaranteed Quality Specifications & Timely delivery.


text:
The COVID-19 pandemic provides the perfect opportunity to investigate and quash corruption in the UN's aid agencies by Avagay Simpson
By	Admin Posted on May 25, 2020 May 28, 2020
More than 100 million people across the world living in war zones and other emergency settings are dependent on humanitarian assistance facilitated by the UN. These populations are likely to be profoundly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and require support now more than ever. The UN that in recent years has been fraught with corruption incidents and has witnessed the siphoning of humanitarian aid funds by aid workers now faces two choices. It can either fail to adequately monitor aid allocated to the fight against the pandemic that can allow corrupt practices to continue, or it can seize the opportunity the crisis presents to boldly fight corruption by reviewing and rethinking its aid allocation practices.
In 2018, ten years after Haiti's devastating earthquake, I wrote a blog article here asking where the money allocated to humanitarian aid in Haiti had disappeared to. This article raised questions about the accountability of aid workers and the lack of transparency in international aid. Fast-forward to today and these questions are even more potent. An undercover investigation by the CNN revealed that dozens of areas in war-torn Yemen were receiving aid on paper but, in reality, war victims were not being helped. It also highlighted that the UN in 2018 found that 1% of aid allocated globally was going missing.
On 5 August 2019, AP in an article titled 'UN probes corruption in its own agencies in Yemen aid effort' reported that a WHO worker had tipped off Houthi rebels about ongoing investigations of the UN's aid in Yemen for fear that her theft of humanitarian funds would be exposed. This resulted in the Houthi rebels confiscating computers with critical information before investigators could board a flight to Yemen.
Yemen is the poorest country in the Arab world and has been going through a civil war since 2015. This civil war has been named the worst humanitarian crisis of our time: "more than 3.3 million people have been displaced; and 80% of the population need assistance and protection, including 10 million now reliant on food aid."[1] Despite Yemen's situation having been labelled the worst humanitarian crisis at present, the UN, whose mandate it is to solve international humanitarian crises, is failing to help the Yemeni people. This case illustrates that some UN representatives have strayed from the core mandate of the organisation and have instead opted for rent-seeking activities pursued in their own interest. It is alleged that billions of dollars were deposited in the personal accounts of UN staff in Yemen with suspicious contracts with monies not reaching the Yemeni people. How is this possible?
The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) of the UN Secretariat is responsible for coordinating responses to emergencies and is supposed to manage, monitor, and deliver effective aid. But how robust are these monitoring systems? What mechanisms have been put in place by the UN to safeguard the transfer of money to the field, particularly to emergency zones?
Over the years, the UN has taken the initiative to address transparency and accountability issues in its organisations. In 2007, the United Nations Transparency Accountability Initiative (UNTIA) was launched to ensure that the billions of dollars contributed to aid would be delivered to those who need it most. Other initiatives preceding the UNTIA focused on enhancing the effectiveness of aid; some strategies include the development of codes of conduct, policy manuals on finance, complaint mechanisms, staff rotation schedules, resource tracking systems, and supply chain management.
These mechanisms are evidently not working, as in 2019 there were several other reported cases of corruption in humanitarian aid. These include the disappearance of US$18 million in aid funds from the UN, the EU and Saudi Arabia in Somalia. The Somalian Government received the funding, but the monies did not make it through the Central Bank's treasury account. Similarly, in May 2019 it was revealed that the UN in 2018 found that millions of dollars had been stolen in Uganda. A whistle-blower in the government made the report and subsequent investigations by the UN European Anti-Fraud Office (OLAF) and Uganda's government revealed that the number of reported refugees was exaggerated and the additional resources intended for these people stolen.
Clearly, despite the UN having several measures to improve accountability, the results are not supportive. While humanitarian crises are very complex, with vast, changing resource levels creating opportunities for corruption, sufficient emphasis on corruption prevention could help to nip it in the bud.
Rebecca Affolder (2017) in an analysis titled 'An Accountable United Nations Development System for the 21st Century' noted that the UN for the past 40 years has been consistent in developing proposals and blueprints to improve transparency and accountability but has failed to implement these sufficiently. She emphasised that the UN's failure to implement reforms has resulted in 'trust' issues within the UN, between organisations, member states and civil society.
A 2008 report by Transparency International on preventing corruption in humanitarian assistance highlighted that even though mechanisms and policies exist to ensure transparency and accountability in humanitarian aid, these oftentimes are not put into practice. The report also indicated that complaint mechanisms are often not readily accessible to the public and in some instances only exist for staff. The report also indicated that the majority of the staff interviewed from these participating agencies did not rate corruption prevention as a priority of their agency.
Given the nature of humanitarian aid, one may argue that it is difficult to focus on transparency and accountability when the primary aim is to save lives. Some may even go further to say that putting greater emphasis on corruption prevention may divert well-needed human resources require to help the needy. But think about how many could have been helped if there had been better accountability. The UN needs to rethink its approaches to humanitarian aid and implement measures to ensure that these accountability mechanisms are working as they should.
Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 100 million people are living in war zones and other emergency settings who depend on UN humanitarian assistance.[2] The OCHA is mandated to protect the people living in these areas and to ensure that they are receiving the intended aid and protection. This pandemic has created an environment ripe for corruption, but also presents a window for the UN to increase its fight in the war against corruption. Now is an opportune time to review, rethink, and act.
The UN is an important player in world humanitarian relief but needs to take a bold step in the fight against corruption. Its failure to act now means that sooner rather than later its legitimacy will be questioned—to the detriment of those in need of assistance.
[1]BBC News (August 1, 2019) "Yemen war: Has anything been achieved?" https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-49179146
[2] https://www.unocha.org/story/un-calls-global-ceasefire-combat-%E2%80%98common-enemy%E2%80%99-covid-19
Avagay Simpson is a graduate of the International Institute of Social Studies with a master's degree in Development Studies specialising in Governance and Development Policy. Her research interest are the governance of international humanitarian aid, non-profit governance, anti-corruption, and Public Policy. She also holds a master's degree in International Relations and currently works as a consultant in Jamaica.
Image Credit: UN Photo/Marco Dormino on Flickr.


text:
using System.Globalization;
using System.Linq;
using System.Reflection;
using System.Security.Cryptography;
using System.Text;
using Newtonsoft.Json;
using Newtonsoft.Json.Converters;
using Newtonsoft.Json.Serialization;

namespace DotNetApis.Common
{
    public static class Constants
    {
        public static UTF8Encoding Utf8 { get; } = new UTF8Encoding(encoderShouldEmitUTF8Identifier: false);
        public static SHA1Managed Sha1 { get; } = new SHA1Managed();

        public static JsonSerializerSettings StorageJsonSerializerSettings { get; } = CreateStorageJsonSerializerSettings();
        public static JsonSerializerSettings CommunicationJsonSerializerSettings { get; } = CreateCommunicationJsonSerializerSettings();

        private static JsonSerializerSettings CreateCommunicationJsonSerializerSettings()
        {
            var result = new JsonSerializerSettings
            {
                Culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
                ContractResolver = new CamelCasePropertyNamesContractResolver(),
                Formatting = Formatting.None,
            };
            result.Converters.Add(new StringEnumConverter());
            return result;
        }

        private static JsonSerializerSettings CreateStorageJsonSerializerSettings()
        {
            var result = new JsonSerializerSettings
            {
                Culture = CultureInfo.InvariantCulture,
                ContractResolver = new CustomContractResolver(),
                NullValueHandling = NullValueHandling.Ignore,
                DefaultValueHandling = DefaultValueHandling.Ignore,
                Formatting = Formatting.None,
            };
            result.Converters.Add(new StringEnumConverter());
            return result;
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// This contract resolver serializes properties as camelCase and skips serialization of properties that are empty collections.
        /// </summary>
        private sealed class CustomContractResolver : CamelCasePropertyNamesContractResolver
        {
            protected override JsonProperty CreateProperty(MemberInfo member, MemberSerialization memberSerialization)
            {
                var result = base.CreateProperty(member, memberSerialization);
                var property = member as PropertyInfo;
                if (property == null)
                    return result;
                result.ShouldSerialize = instance =>
                {
                    var propertyValue = property.GetValue(instance) as System.Collections.IEnumerable;
                    if (propertyValue == null || propertyValue is string)
                        return true;
                    return propertyValue.Cast<object>().Any();
                };
                return result;
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub