At the weekend we were privileged to witness and be involved in something very special…the baptism of my very special friend, Mel's (of Le Coin De Mel) littlest girl.
It was a beautiful occasion, and despite not being religious, I found it very moving.
The kids learnt all about what happens at a baptism (and have been sharing their new-found knowledge at school!) and we all got to meet some truly lovely people.
All in all it was a fabulous day!
Of course for me, no celebration is quite complete without a cake so given the allergies of one of Mel's girls, and Roo's dietary requirements, I set about making a cake that was gluten-free, wheat-free, nut-free, seed-free, egg-free and dairy-free.
It just so happened that I had some amazing products from Coconut Merchant, so I made the cake refined sugar-free too!
Pre-planning is not my forte, so on the morning of the baptism I gathered the ingredients and set about baking whilst everyone ate their breakfast!
One thing I had failed to pre-think was the dairy-free milk.
We always use almond milk…which of course is no good in a nut-free cake.
I therefore had to include dairy milk in my version…luckily small amounts don't seem to bother Roo provided she doesn't have it very often!
If you need the cake to be dairy-free then I would recommend using a suitable dairy-free milk.
Being early, there were other mistakes too…like dropping one cake and having to start again.
That just meant that instead of a 2 tiered cake, it turned into a 3 tiered cake.
If you make it you could either follow the recipe below and make 2 tiers, or double the recipe to make 4 tiers.
If you don't want 4 tiers you could freeze one tier to use at a later date.
Anyway, on to the recipe which I promised to share after lots of comments on my social media accounts.
A Very Freefrom Chocolate Cake!
Place the sugar, syrup and dairy-free spread into a large bowl and beat with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy in appearance. This will take about 2 minutes.
Add all the other ingredients and carefully fold them into the mixture until the dry ingredients are combined with the wet.
Whisk together for a further minute or so until nice and fluffy.
Transfer the mixture to two well greased 15cm round tins, and smooth the tops.
Bake in the centre of a pre-heated oven at 190 degrees (170 degree fan, gas mark 5) for 15 - 20 minutes until a skewer comes out clean and the top springs back when you touch it.
Cool for 5 minutes before turning out on a wire rack to cool.
While cooling, make the icing by mixing all the ingredients together until combined, then whisking for approx. 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
Decorate how you like...checking the ingredients of everything you use!
I agree! Can't wait to meet you too!
Thanks Nori. I always try to keep ingredients list short with products that are easy to find…where ever possible!
Hi Mel, thanks for your lovely comment! I think I have pinned it to your shared food bloggers board. Being refined sugar free does not mean it isn't sweet! That is why I object to people using things like coconut sugar and dates and saying they are sugar-free…it is very misleading. Refined sugar is just the white stuff…all sweetener is sweet! I wrote about it in my post, The Sugar Conundrum! So glad you and your family liked the cake though. That means so much. I am having to get used to things being eaten by people that I cannot try…it is very uncomfortable for me!
I'm sorry but you list icing sugar in the icing ingredients?
This is the refined, white stuff, no?
Hi Joanna, yes I list icing sugar for the icing. I don't say that it is refined sugar free. The cake happens to be…but not the icing. You could, as you say, make icing sugar by grinding coconut sugar. But sugar is sugar whatever way you look at it!
The cake sounds divine Vicki! I love using coconut sugar…. it has much more depth of flavour and I always think it adds a lovely caramel sweetness. With a cake this good, I would go for 4 tiers!!!! Far too good to freeze….
Oh wow this looks just like what I'm after – thank you so much for posting this! It's making me feel hungry!
Help… I tripled the ingredients as I'm making a bigger cake but it was really really thick in consistency.. is that right? ?
Thanks Annabel! I do like a challenge!
I made this for my daughter's childcare centre party. It was a hit! I used soy milk and a different type of icing with less sugar.
Hi Suzanne, thank you so much for letting me know! I am so glad it went down well!
Hi Rachel, I'm sure it could…I haven't tried it but you'll just need to bake for less time. I usually do cupcakes for around 15 – 20 minutes if that helps. Let me know how you get on!
My daughter can't have sugar either even coconut sugar. She can have maple syrup…would it work with maple syrup? Thanks.
Hi Emily, I'm not sure because it is a liquid rather than solid. If you try it just cut down the amount of milk to make up for the extra liquid. And do let me know how you get on!


text:
"""States to represent turn and player's death"""
from enum import Enum, auto

class GameStates(Enum):
    PLAYERS_TURN = auto()
    ENEMY_TURN = auto()
    PLAYER_DEAD = auto()
    SHOW_INVENTORY = auto()
    DROP_INVENTORY = auto()
    ITEM_MENU = auto()
    MSG_BOX = auto()
    TARGETING = auto()
    LEVEL_UP = auto()
    CHARACTER_SCREEN = auto()
    SKILL_MENU = auto()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Sandhill Cranes: An Adirondack Rarity
Every so often a flutter of activity is spawned in the northern extremes of the Adirondack Park (Clinton County) when a few sandhill cranes put in an appearance in a farmer's field or nearby wetland. Sandhills are not common birds in the eastern US, and most of the Adirondacks is a bit too mountainous for their tastes. So it's to the lowlands and the agricultural belts around the Park's perimeter that these birds head if they come here at all.
This last weekend I was in Michigan, where I got to witness the migrating sandhill cranes as they flew in to their evening roost at the Haenhle Audubon Sanctuary. A lone whooping crane, a highly endangered species, joined them in some late afternoon snacking in the marsh, much to the great delight of the dozens of spectators who stood on the chilly hillside to witness the spectacle.
Now, to be honest, I never really gave cranes much thought. To me they were simply another "foreign" bird that I was unlikely to see (I'm not the kind of birder who will travel to the ends of the earth to add a particular bird to a lifetime checklist). There were a couple white-naped cranes at the zoo where I used to work, and I knew that of the fifteen crane species worldwide, ten are listed as threatened, critically rare, or vulnerable throughout their ranges, but that was about it.
The tall, long-necked, wading wetland birds with which I am most familiar are great blue herons, which to the untrained eye look a lot like cranes. Both are tall, long-necked, and wade about it wetlands. But the heron, despite outward appearances, is not a crane. And neither are the various egrets that sometimes turn up in ponds and wetlands within the Blue Line.
If one wants to get into specifics, one can start with the fact that herons are in the family Ardeidae (which includes the egrets and bitterns), and cranes are in the Rallidae family. When a heron flies, it tucks its neck back into its body; a crane flies with its neck stretched way out in front, much like a Canada goose. Herons flap their wings with slow up and down movements, while cranes flap slowly downwards, but have a more rapid up-stroke.
I saw my first pair of wild cranes Saturday morning. I was driving northward into southern Michigan when a pair of long birds flew across the road and out over a farmer's field. I did a double take – those weren't herons! The wings were all wrong, and the outline didn't seem right. They had to be cranes, I thought. A short while later, another pair flew by. There was no doubt left in my mind – these were cranes.
The third pair I heard long before I saw them. I was walking along a trail at a nature sanctuary when through the woods I heard this strange croaking call. It was a sound I'd never heard before, and I thought to myself "those can only be cranes" (had I been back here in the Adirondacks, I might've written it off as a raven experimenting with its vocal cords). I walked a little faster, heading toward the field I could see up ahead, hoping I just might see the birds out foraging. No luck – they were on the wing and a few seconds later I watched as they passed above the trees in front of me.
I was thrilled, but at the same time disappointed that I hadn't gotten a closer look.
When I mentioned the cranes an hour later to the gentleman who was manning the gift shop, he told me of the nearby Audubon sanctuary where hundreds of sandhills were coming in to roost every evening. Why, they had over 2000 the other night! I pulled out my road map and with much pointing and the drawing of lines, we had worked out the directions to get me there.
When my interview concluded later that afternoon, my new friends all encouraged me to head to the sanctuary. Grab a bite to eat, go to the refuge and sit back to enjoy the show – that was their advice.
So, I stopped for a quick dinner, then, braving the road construction and some confusing detours, I wound my way toward Haenhle. When I got there, the parking lot was nearly full. I found a spot, changed into my Bean boots, and, laden with camera and binocs, headed into the fields.
It was early evening, the sun only just headed toward the horizon, and already the birds were arriving in pairs and small groups. Some flew in fairly low (we could see their toes), while others were high enough to be merely silhouettes. We could hear them coming long before they arrived – their harsh calls can carry up to a mile in good weather.
They glided in, losing altitude as they neared the marsh. They then spilled the wind from their wings, and put down their landing gear – those long, gangly legs that trail out behind when the birds are in flight. With some back winging, they gently settled in to the shallow water to preen and feed.
As each group arrived, the hushed crowd of human spectators would gasp and murmur at the sight. Spotting scopes caught individual birds as they hopped and fluttered among the grasses and their peers. A lined formed to view the whooping crane, which was lurking behind some shrubbery, barely visible.
Now I knew why the Adirondack birding community gets all excited when a report comes in across the wires that a group of sandhills has been spotted in Farmer John's field up in Rouses Point. To catch a glimpse of these ancient birds (a fossilized sandhill crane bone was found in Nebraska that was dated at over nine-million years old, making these birds among the oldest lineages on Earth) is to witness a bit of pre-history that still walks among us.
Oral, Video History Workshop at Adirondack History Museum
7 Adirondack Stories For Black History Month
SUNY Adirondack Offering Online NYS History Course
Tags: Birding, Clinton County, Rouse's Point, wildlife
Woodswalker says:
Rob Carr says:
Lora VanNoord says:
I spotted a white crane last night, just before dark in Port Kent NY!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Here is the first of a set of this print. I think I am going to do a bit more experimenting with colors and add a few other touches to the image. The title will be LOVE. I have cut a new linoleum plate that I will print and put below this image.
Since this project turned out so well and I have gotten good feedback on it, I am planning to create a whole series of images involving the heart and emotions. Since the heart is where most people feel the most intense feelings. I am very excited about it. I already have ideas for my next heart image!


text:
Minister, Samsung chief meeting falls short of expectations
Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon, second from left, shakes hands with Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong ahead of their meeting at the company's semiconductor plant in Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province, Monday. Yonhap
By Park Hyong-ki
The much anticipated meeting between Finance Minister Kim Dong-yeon and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Lee Jae-yong, Monday, fell short of expectations.
The two met as planned at the tech giant's Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi Province plant that develops and produces semiconductors for the global market.
The meeting came amid a sense of urgency that Korea needs to revive corporate investment as the Moon Jae-in administration has failed to produce tangible results from its income-led growth policy.
Kim's plan to meet executives of any company, whether big or small, signaled a change in policy to focus on innovation, leading the hype that Samsung in coordination with the administration would announce a huge investment plan that would hopefully create a large number of jobs.
However, the meeting did not live up to expectations as Kim only wished Samsung all the best as the top company to "lead innovation" and be a "role model" in shared growth.
"Our economy is at a critical crossroads. Samsung's role is important in leading change in our economic paradigm," Kim told Lee at their meeting.
"We hope Samsung can be a model by growing side-by-side with other smaller companies."
Kim also told reporters the two discussed issues concerning foreign investment and biotechnology, declining to reveal more details.
There was speculation that Samsung would unveil an investment plan worth millions of dollars following the government's desperate attempt to revise its policy to revamp the economy. A local liberal news outlet reported Cheong Wa Dae ordered the top economic policymaker not to appear like he was "begging for money."
Cheong Wa Dae said in a press briefing Monday that it had, in fact, talked in advance with Finance Minister Kim regarding the schedule of Samsung's investment announcement and its effectiveness.
However, it added Jang Ha-sung, its chief policy adviser, did not tell Kim "not to make the meeting look like this administration was begging."
Kim had told reporters before his meeting with Lee that the government has and will never force companies to come up with investment and employment plans for the economy.
Kim and Lee's supposedly "sugarcoated" meeting with Jang's possible clash with Kim over his ministry's economic policy has raised questions yet again as to who and which state agencies are running the country's economic policies -- Cheong Wa Dae or the ministry?
It is a well known fact that Kim and Jang do not see eye to eye on issues such as the minimum wage and corporate-led innovation.
Jang has been for chaebol reform and increasing the wage to enhance wealth redistribution. Kim has called for a slowdown in the rate of the wage increase, while emphasizing the importance of the private sector in leading innovation and job creation.
The minister indicated last May that the finance ministry should be "at the center of economic policymaking" amid news of possible conflicts of interest with Cheong Wa Dae's economic team.
Kim had already met with executives from conglomerates including LG, Hyundai Motor, SK and Shinsegae.
His visits to the nation's largest conglomerates have significant implications from two aspects.
First, many expected the rare meetings to become a turning point for strengthening communication between the government and business. Secondly, they could be a yardstick for the future course of the Moon Jae-in administration's economic policies.
Against this backdrop, analysts say the meetings should have paved the way for the administration to listen more to businesses, and reassess and redirect its policy.
"The meetings should have provided a catalyst for the government to refine its relationship with the private sector. This is because without the private sector, it will not be able to sustain growth just by increasing wages," said Yun Chang-hyun, an economist at the University of Seoul.


ABC has released renewal news that's sure to satisfy a multitude of fan-bases.
Renewals are in store for ABC hit shows Scandal, Revenge, Once Upon A Time, Grey's Anatomy, Castle and newcomer, Resurrection, which stars Omar Epps and is about a small town that's learning how to deal with their dead coming back to life.
The network has also announced that it will add more shows to its lineup, including comedy Black-ish, starring Anthony Anderson; American Crime, from executive producer John Ridley (12 Years A Slave); and new Shonda Rhimes drama,How To Get Away With Murder, which will star Viola Davis as a brilliant and mysterious criminal defense professor who becomes entangled in a murder plot.
News of the Greys and Scandal renewals, along with the pick-up of Murder , spells 3 shows in production at once for Rimes for the first time since the end of Private Practice.
Did your ABC favorites make it past the chopping block? Will you be tuning in to any of the new shows?


text:
Australian Conversation: Stephen Zappelli, Venue Manager at W Melbourne
July 19, 2022 By Sandi Sieger
Stephen Zappelli loves looking after people and making drinks. A former mechanic in Gippsland, Stephen relocated to London to learn the art of tending bar and worked his way to the position of head bartender at daring cocktail den, The Alchemist. On his return to Victoria, he spent time as venue manager at Vue de Monde offshoot Lui Bar and Mornington Peninsula winery, 10 Minutes by Tractor. He is now the Venue Manager at W Melbourne's Curious Bar.
The jump from mechanic to bartender is an interesting one. Tell us about it.
Growing up in country Victoria and racing motocross it was natural for me to get into mechanics. When I wasn't racing I was working as a bartender, and eventually I realised that I want to work with people rather than under a car (I do still enjoy mechanics but more as a hobby). With hospitality I explored as much as I could, through working events, in cafes and in kitchens. I enjoyed it all, so then took it to the next level, and that was my flight to London where I started at the Alchemist. It's been a journey which has now led me to Curious at W Melbourne – a place I can grow with the team and prove that cocktails are much more than a sipping sensation, but a conversation of flavours and a celebration ground for life.
What is it about making drinks that you love?
Many things! I love developing a connection with each guest, and then either creating something that they are craving, like a martini, or creating something fun for them based on my conversations with them about flavours that they enjoy. When creating a menu it can be much the same, taking ideas from experiences like this, and pushing them that little bit further, like ageing the cocktail and seeing the development, or infusing something to take it to another level. In Curious we like to push the boundaries, test flavours and get creative, we even bring some of our home grown chilies in for spicy margaritas.
What is your go to drink to impress?
The creation of the Curious 'Glinda' Cocktail is both theatrical, playful, yet sophisticated. The famous 'bubble cocktail' known to most usually has the same 'WOW, get your phone out' reaction – sometimes our guests make us do it a couple of times so they can experience it again. For me, it's not just a drink to impress, it's always important for our team to get the flavours right – to make it unique but ace the basics. The Glinda cocktail has rosella infused vodka, jasmine and apple.
What do you love about Melbourne?
The competitive yet supportive nature of the hospitality scene – bars and restaurants are always looking to do something new and exciting, and in doing this they are also helping others improve their skills – through masterclasses, collaborations…living in Melbourne means embracing its antics including food, beverages, art, fashion and more, it's where I now call home and is one of the most diverse and celebrated cities in the world, and that is something I want to recognise and live by every day.
Where are your favourite places in Australia to travel to, eat at and enjoy?
Being a country boy myself, I like to go to the country, to where all of the produce we source comes from. There's beautiful restaurants in these places as well. I love Mornington for short trips, Lakes Entrance, and Tasmania. Being in Melbourne's CBD however, we're spoilt for choice, you can find the newest fine dining restaurant which is utterly amazing or a hole-in-the-wall wine bar on the next corner which serve up the best Australian produce. Melbourne is culturally known as being the 'foodie' state so it's near impossible to name a favourite. Is it biased if I say, Curious, for a drink.
What does being Australian mean to you?
Being Australian, we are gifted with such a beautiful place to live as well as being so multi-cultured. It's about being free to be what you want and being inclusive of others from different backgrounds and accepting and respecting their differences. With this in mind we can all share and enjoy the beautiful place we live in.
6 Effective Study Techniques To Help You Prepare For Exams Like A Boss
A Pharmacist's Advice On How To Prepare For Cold & Flu Season
With exam season approaching, everyone's thoughts turn to exam preparation methods. Everyone has a unique study strategy,...


text:
17th Shanghai International Fisheries and Seafood Exhibition
17th Shanghai International Aquaculture Exhibition
August 23-25, 2023 • Shanghai New International Expo Center, China
Product sectors
ITE's Food Events
Shanghai International Sea Cucumber Industry & High-end Tonic Expo
Exhibition price
Exhibitor account
Exhibition manual
Getting to the venue
Schedule for visitors
In 2025, seafood will replace pork as the main source of protein for Chinese people
Datetime:2022-03-09
China plans to increase seafood production to 69 million tonnes by 2025 in its 15th Five-Year Plan, which is currently under development.
In the 15th five-year plan, China's seafood production, including farmed and wild seafood, will reach 69 million tons by 2025. China's total seafood production will increase from 64.5 million tons in 2017 to 65.4 million tons in 2020, 65.7 million tons in 2021, and 66.1 million tons in 2022.
During the "15th Five-Year Plan" period, the production level of seafood will be higher than the 55 million tons of pork production level proposed in the document. Pork is considered to be the main protein in the Chinese diet, and it is symbolic that it will be replaced by seafood in the future.
A document issued by China's State Council on February 11, 2022 called for greater investment in remote fishing bases. Long-distance fishery bases refer to fishing ports and processing centers built by Chinese fishery companies in West Africa, Latin America and Oceania.
At the same time, it calls for stricter environmental measures for household aquaculture, strengthens the strict planning of "tidal protection system", refers to the large number of aquaculture facilities in China's coastal areas, and proposes the development of "rice and fish integrated aquaculture", "large-scale ecological fishery" and "saline-alkali" Breeding", and promised to "optimize the offshore green aquaculture program"
News source: Seafood Media Group
About the exhibitionExhibition pricePre-registrationContact us
07-18 Announcement: World Seafood Shanghai 2022 Moving to Hangzhou
06-27 Another financial services giant enters Hong Kong sustainabl
06-01 Hong Kong restaurants focusing on commercial survival over s
03-09 In 2025, seafood will replace pork as the main source of pro
03-04 Seafood Expo North America/Seafood Processing North America
12-10 China's seafood production, consumption continue to grow
Copyright © World Seafood Shanghai Exhibition (WSS) 2023
关注SIFSE


Home > SHOOTING ACCESSORIES > Lubricants > Silicone Grease by Hill Air Gun Pump U.K.
Silicone Grease for lubricating your Hill Pump.
The only lubricant we recommend (please be aware that no petroleum or oil based products should be used on our pump).
SKU:HL-06R50011A. Categories: Default Category, AIR GUN HAND PUMP, Air Rifle Pump Spares & Accessories, SHOOTING ACCESSORIES, Lubricants.


text:
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A man is walking by trees in front of the city skyline .
a man walking next to an extremely large tree trunk
An old man is walking next to big , tall trees .
Someone in a light shirt is walking past several large trees overlooking a city .
The man walks among the large trees .
</content></readable>


text:
The 1906 Army Cadets football team represented the United States Military Academy in the 1906 college football season. The Cadets compiled a  record, shut out four opponents (including a scoreless tie with Colgate), and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 59 to 37.  Henry Smither was the coach in the first game of the season, and Ernest Graves, Sr. was the coach in games two through nine. The team's setbacks included losses to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. In the annual Army–Navy Game, the Cadets lost to the Midshipmen

Two Army players were honored by either Walter Camp (WC) or Caspar Whitney (CW) on the All-America team. They are tackle Henry Weeks (WC-3, CW-2) and guard William Christy (WC-3).

Schedule

References

Army
Army Black Knights football seasons
Army Cadets football

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The last thing we heard about the new Canon 5D Mark III, was that Canon's latest DSLR would launch some time in March, and now according to the guys over at Canon Rumors, the Canon 5D Mark III will be announced next week either on the 27th or 28th of February.
The Canon 5D Mark III is expected to come with a 22 megapixel sensor and also feature a 61 point auto-focus system, up form a 19 pint AF system on the previous model and a 3.2 inch LCD display.
Other rumored features include slots for both CF and SD cards, and it is rumored to retail for around $3,500, we should have the full specifications some time next week, assuming that the 27th or 28th is the correct date for the official launch.


Life Tastes Good » 2010 » October - A diary of food and wine from the perspective of a passionate cook who is inspired by the colors and flavors of the changing seasons.
October 6th, 2010 – Dinner at Bouley hosted by 56 Degree Wine. Words cannot describe how ethereal this experience was. I'll try, but don't blame me if you get hungry… or jealous.
The venue in and of itself is something out of a fairy tale. Magical is the word that comes to mind. Bouley hired the best men for the job (some from overseas) to create the look that he was envisioning. Imported French doors (the one leading to the cellar is so heavy that Chef Bouley referred to it as "almost petrified,") details dating centuries back, and stone that was from the same quarry used to restore the Versailles Palace in France are just a few of the authentic ingredients used to transform this space into a structural paradise. Upholstered frames, over-sized mirrors, and textured walls add to the appeal. It is romance to the nth degree. I had the opportunity to feast in the elaborate main dining room two years ago, but this time, the event was to take place entirely in the downstairs private room, adjacent to the wine cellar. The massive walnut doors and antique hardware was reminiscent of an old French Chateau. Just stunning.
My notes… Such a unique dish! The creaminess of the sea urchin stood our for me, and my first encounter with kinome leaf – so savory, slightly peppery.. perfectly balanced dish. I was looking for ways to re-create this dish at home (challenge!) and then I found THIS! SCORE!!!!
My notes… Rich and earthy while preserving a wealth of freshness and brightness (perhaps the corn?) Someone at the table questioned this and decided that the dashi was too overwhelming. I couldn't disagree more. Amazing balance in this dish! And, it paired magnificently well with the Lesec!
My notes… Always a favorite of mine on any menu… the FARM EGG. The coconut broth brought a whole new dimension to this dish, resulting in a mouthful of tropical richness. The Ciallabianco was a great pair – although I still had a tiny but of Puligny left over, and it was just as stellar of a pairing!
My notes… Perhaps the marriage of the night! Rich lobster, earthy mushrooms, tropical passion fruit and lychee, fresh peas, and aromatic hyssop. Almost a chaotic slew of ingredients – but wow. The combination was magic (there's that word again!) Every bite revealed another dimension, every sip of the Riesling reminded us of how incredible a meal like this can get with the "proper" wine pairings. Kudos and thanks to Chris and Joe and to the staff at Bouley for recognizing all of these flavors and for allowing every single guest in that room the chance at such a food and wine epiphany!
My notes… The venison loin was brought out just before slicing, and Chris caught a picture of it. Click here to view the masterpiece (keep in mind that there was very low light in the room when the picture was taken!) Again, such fragrant and savory flavors. And what better wine than the Giacosa Barbaresco to bring out the delightfulness in it all? PS – The coolest thing about this dish is that every item could have stood on its own… the venison; the chestnut gnocchi; the brussel sprouts; and the "comte" cloud – literally a cloud of cheese. YUM.
My notes… For what seemed to be a "palette cleanser" or "pre dessert," this course left us so satisfied and content. Fresh, bright, delicious!
My notes… The dessert is a masterpiece. The thinnest slices of caramelized pear wrapped the little package up. Inside, was Valrhona chocolate and biscuit breton (a buttery biscuit that was first made in the northwest part of France.) Hot toffee sauce topped the pears and the sorbet and ice cream flanked on either side. The dessert wine was the perfect balance of nutty, toffee, rich goodness balanced with a good amount of acidity, so it didn't seem cloying at all.
An unforgettable meal and experience. Still, the words I use don't seem to do justice to the evening. So, I'll just relish in my memory.
You are currently browsing the Life Tastes Good blog archives for October, 2010.


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If you could solve one of the following global issues, which one would you fix? Why?
This is a pulitzer prize winning photo that was taken by Kevin Carter in 2003. I had (as most of us I'd imagine) had seen it, but had never really *seen* it. At least not until 2002. While on a trip to Texas with my husband, we decided to tour Dallas' Sixth Floor Museum. Yes, it's the place that Lee Harvey Oswald hid and supposedly killed JFK. But the Museum houses other exhibits on it's other floors. And at this time, I was lucky enough to experience an exhibit featuring all of the Pulitzer Prize winners for photography. I had never seen a collection quite so moving before and I'll be hard pressed to be so moved by one again. We spent hours there. Gazing at photos, reading the bios and explanations. Recounting history.
But then I reached this one. It stopped me in my tracks. I had been influenced by the 'We Are the World' campaign. I remembered watching the gruesome infomercials about the famine in Ethiopia. But this photo is haunting. It haunts me still. If you aren't aware of the background of this photo, I'll give you a little synopsis. It's easy to find information about it.
In 1993, Kevin Carter was a brave photojournalist shooting atrocities in South Africa. He decided to go with a UN food drop to take some photos of the famine in Sudan; an area he felt was being overlooked. Supposedly, he and the other photographer with him were expressly told not to touch anybody due to the risk of disease. Supposedly they were only given 30 minutes to take pictures. Anyway, the story goes that this poor little girl was trying to make her way to the food camp located about a kilometer away when she collapsed, not able to go further. The vulture in the background completes the story. According to his own account, Mr. Carter didn't help her. He chased the vulture away and cried under a tree. The photo was purchased and ran by the New York Times and got such a high response that they added an editors note saying they didn't know the fate of the little girl shown. A short while later, Kevin Carter committed suicide. The guilt he felt and the horrors he had seen being too much for him to bear.
Many get angry at Mr. Carter. How could he not have intervened? How could he have so coldly just snapped his picture and stood by while this poor precious child most surely must have died? But here's the thing. We were all standing by. Just because we weren't there, doesn't make us any less guilty. He showed us. And yet we still stand by and let this happen. At least he did something! While most of us do nothing. If only we could fix this and make sure no one ever starves again.
And this doesn't just happen in Africa. There are children and adults all around us. Going hungry. Who don't have enough to eat. And yet, we scrape food into the garbage each day as if it's worthless. I think about this picture. Almost every day. I think about Kevin Carter and the bravery he showed by bringing an awareness to the first world of horrors easier left unnoticed.
It's not that the other issues aren't important to me. It's just that this photo burns in my soul. If I had one wish from a genie in a lamp it would be easy for me to choose. End world hunger. Now.
I am with you 100% on this issue. For the past 10 years I worked at a leading non-profit organization in Southeast Michigan dedicated to empowering families and individuals impacted by poverty and homelessness – both of which results in hunger. My stance however is – giving back locally, helping your neighbors in need. I know that hunger is a global issue but I do my best to not just stand by. I heard a quote recently – "We can not help everyone, but we can help someone." I think that is an excellent example of how we can help others in need in any situation. P.S. I am now haunted by that picture – it says more than words could ever say.
I had never seen that photo before, nor heard the story. I'm utterly heartbroken right now.
Oh. I forgot. My answer here.
I think I would choose to fix the environment, if I could. My reasoning there is that it isn't going to fix itself. It's going to require us to stop thinking about ourselves the way we do. We've got to start seeing ourselves as part of the world we're trying to fix. I think that if we can alter our perceptions on that level, then many of the other problems, like world hunger, get fixed along the way.
Sorry I have to pick 3 world hunger, the environment and the aids epidemic. Why? Because they would make the world a better place for my children to grow up in. I also wish you had world peace in the list as well but I guess that was kind of in the nuclear threats catagory. I want my children to live long healthy happy lives. I don't want their life spans to be shorter than mine and that is what the experts are predicting for them. My grandma lived until she was one month shy of 93. I want that for my kids and myself and I have my doubts on its ability to happen.
I'm with you on the world hunger thing too. I've BEEN hungry. Not the sort of hungry that most people face where they have things in the pantry but no real taste for them at the time. I mean REAL hunger. The sort of hunger that fades into the background because no matter how hard it screams and rants, there's nothing you can do about it.
Things got better for me. People took notice where I worked and shared with me. I don't know HOW they noticed, since I never said a word about not eating at the time. But they did, and they helped. I was too hungry to be proud and say "no thank you, I'm good." That little white lie was completely lost.
I don't ever want to feel that way again. EVER. I don't want anyone else to feel that way either. Part of it's selfish, but in my selfishness I'll happily help others.
A close (very close!) second was the environment. I'm a tree-hugger after all.
Hi Urchin! I missed your comments! I'm so glad you had people step in when you really needed them to. That makes me feel good about the humanity of others.


The pilot of McLaren's Jenson button said he was ready for the last race in the career of pilot Formula-1.Jenson button "I'm looking forward to this weekend. This will be the start of a special Chapter in my life. With me in Abu Dhabi are some of my friends and some family members. It will be a very emotional weekend, and I hope that with the support of the fans, the teams, the people close to me we can achieve our absolute best and enjoy the race.It's not the end of my career at McLaren-Honda, but the beginning of a new stage, so I'm very positive. This race marks the culmination of tremendous hard work, dedication to racing that I love. I'm very proud of what we have achieved over the past 17 seasons, as well as progress McLaren in the last few years. It was an amazing project, and my participation in it, of course, will not end in Abu Dhabi. I look forward to closing this Chapter to start a new. I can't wait to see what awaits us in the future".


Africa Fashion Guide organises Fashion Africa Conference 2016 in London and we are part of it!! REGISTER NOW!
As the international fashion industry ponders the ongoing questions – Is the African marketplace ripe for business? Is Africa Fashion the final frontier? Is there a growing consumer market in Africa ready to buy? Can Africa be realistically open for international business? Africa Fashion Guide being an industry catalyst changing perceptions of Africa's fashion and textile industry and most importantly encouraging fashion business in Africa by strategically bringing together influential stakeholders and actors via its results focused events to address these issues.
In September 2016, as Africa Fashion Guide turns five years old and therefore for their 5th year anniversary Fashion Africa Conference event, they are extremely pleased to announce a cohort of professional industry speakers which includes our PR girl Cynthia Tabe!
The full day Fashion Africa Conference event will be set out over 2 large rooms on the top floor of the Richmix venue in London. Titled The African Market, it will consist of TedX style keynote speeches in the morning, followed by afternoon panel discussions with international industry leaders and a trade expo dubbed the F.A.T.E (Fashion Africa Trade Expo).
So if you are a fashion retailer, fashion designer, student, journalist or fashion business interested in sourcing and/or producing in Africa, with a strong, active interest in sustainability and ethical business practice – then you cannot miss this conference. The full day seminar event will act as a means to discuss and promote the full supply chain of African Fashion Design, Textiles, and Manufacturing and will be centred around the sub-topics Sustainability, African Fashion Manufacturing, Responsible Sourcing, Africa's Retail Market and the new target consumer market – The Growth of the African Designer market. It will be the key platform for engagement and for social forum for all those attending.
This panel which will include our PR girl Cynthia will look at the message we are getting from Africa today. With focus on the African consumer, the retail stratosphere – standalone stores, pop ups to online retailing and ecommerce and the role of design within this.
This panel will look at where things are going in African fashion – from trends, textile technology, to entrepreneurship, manufacturing options and production business parks to streetstyle, arts and the marketplace as a whole. How the African market appeals more and more to investors abroad for new business ventures. Africa is also an opportunity for existing businesses abroad to open up similar businesses there. Media and researchers are also recognising this and we discuss what angle they are taking and the opportunity Africa has to offer.
It is a celebration for us today and what a way to end the week and welcome the weekend! A year ago today we were honoured and delighted to be part of a selected group of individuals asked by Google's 'Afro Googler Network' (AGN) to be part of their Black History Month celebrations in Dublin, Ireland talking about the great continent – Africa!
It was a rather thrilling experience to have received an email from a Google contact mid September last year informing us about their celebratory plans and subsequently inviting us to be a part of it, to contribute and share to their Google employees our knowledge of the African fashion market.
Excitement kicked in as we planned and prepped and exchanged with the contact during the following days and even as we boarded our flight from London to Dublin on the day of the talk.
At the Google European HQ, we were given a quick tour of their high tech but rather cosy and inviting workspace, we were introduced to some fantastic members of the AGN and also to the other amazing panelists over lunch and then our talk dubbed "Let's Talk Africa" which focused on the business landscape, policy and government, technology and cultural developments in Africa kicked off and it went wonderfully. The theatre space was near full and we also had employees taking part from their desks through a live connection…they are Google afterall and technology is their game!!
"Thank you so much for your time and effort on Thursday. We were absolutely delighted with the talk and surprised by how many people had questions that we couldn't even get to. Our network has seen a massive increase in members since and the general feedback has been very positive. Thank you so much for getting involved with us on such short notice, it really is massively appreciated." was the feedback we received from one of the leaders of the Afro Googler Network! How chuffed and rewarding!!
It was such a great enriching experience, one which will never be replaced! Thank you Afro Googler Network! Thank you Google Ireland!


2018 NEW YORK FILM FESTIVAL: Yorgos Lanthimos shocked the cinematic world with his darkly comedic film "The Lobster" in 2015 before turning some heads in 2017 with "The Killing of a Sacred Deer." His signature deadpan deliveries and uniquely rich directions are on full display with his new period piece "The Favourite." Showing no remorse for his subjects, Lanthimos challenges his players, pushes his crafts team, and manages to administer one of the year's most divisive yet eccentric films. With a gleaming turn from Olivia Colman at its center, along with rich designs, "The Favourite" has the goods to either capture the attention of many, or frustrate the most avid cinema lovers to the very core. That may be a beautiful place to be.
"The Favourite," tells the story of Queen Anne (Colman). At this point during the 18th century, she occupies the throne, while her close friend Lady Sarah (played by Rachel Weisz) governs the country in her stead. When a new servant Abigail (played by Emma Stone), both her and Sarah begin to compete for the Queen's attention and devotion.
Written by Tony McNamara and Deborah Davis, the film's script pops with quotable dialogue and enriching plot devices. Ripping laughs out of the audience like a bully snatching a toy from a vulnerable child, the viewer can almost feel guilty for having as much fun at one's expense. While the laughs can come furious and often, the story doesn't sustain its pace nor promise for a satisfying resolution. Lanthimos' direction can be jarring for the viewer, almost imitating a Tom Hooper-Danny Cohen collaboration, that at times feels distracting.
Swallowing her role whole, Olivia Colman's Queen Anne is a marvelous portrait of a frail, broken woman, with insecurities wearing on every beat and movement of her life. Colman's commitment to her wit, and selecting critical moments in which to illustrate her emotion are staggeringly brilliant. The temptress invites us into her world (many times her bed), to empathize with her suffering and yearn for love, even in the most peculiar places.
Emma Stone's quintessential charm hasn't been put to better use lately as she gets to sprint through the film with grace and a sinister bearing. She ravishes her role at times, playing expertly against her co-stars, and demanding if not, overpowering the viewer's attention before permitting us to look elsewhere. Rachel Weisz's Sarah is hilariously divine, meticulously maneuvering through the film like a tornado, ripping the fear and uneasiness out of anyone she encounters. There's also some fine work coming from the brief but memorable turns of Nicholas Hoult and Joe Alwyn, both flamboyantly charming.
A fisheye lens may not have been the best execution for pivotal scenes, but cinematographer Robbie Ryan makes the commitment, paying off at times. Yorgos Mavropsaridis' editing is one of the film's bizarre spreads as the viewer is forced to move from person-to-person in a fade-in-fade-out manner that becomes more frustration as the minutes move on. We also have to credit the film's thoroughly unsatisfying conclusion on the same technical aspect.
"The Favourite" finds much life in its toothsome production design and immaculate costume work. It's hard to imagine Oscar lineups that won't include Fiona Crombie and Sandy Powell sitting squarely in the middle of it. Surprising was how taken the sound work is, as executed by a team that includes Johnnie Burn, the brilliant mind behind "Under the Skin." For a film that includes so much comedy, a sound mix that almost creates a psychological thriller-like pallet is a heavenly experience that deserves to be noted.
"The Favourite" has its head in the right place. Yorgos Lanthimos is not concerned with appealing to the masses. Much like great auteurs like David Lynch and Terrence Malick, his films are solely his own, and he has decided to tell stories the way he wants to, with no compromise or shortchanging his viewers for the sake of comfort. It's a worthwhile endeavor.
"The Favourite" is distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures and opens in theaters on Nov. 23.
Be sure to check out the Official Oscar Predictions Page to see where "THE FAVOURITE" ranks among the contenders!


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Sports Direct International
What next for Mike Ashley and Sports Direct?
As Mike Ashley speaks in public and opens new discount store, the billionaire tycoon is branching out after a tumultuous year
The tycoon has enjoyed extraordinary success with Sports Direct, building a company that is today worth £4bn Photo: REUTERS
By Graham Ruddick
5:00PM BST 06 Jun 2015
Newcastle United against West Ham United on the final day of the Premier League season witnessed a momentous event for football and the retail industry: Mike Ashley spoke.
The owner of Newcastle and founder of Sports Direct has barely uttered a word in public since floating the sportswear retailer in 2007. However, with Newcastle fighting to avoid relegation, Ashley decided it was time to break cover.
Those expecting a bogeyman or the cockney wide boy that his fiercest critics try to portray him as would have been disappointed. The billionaire tycoon spoke in a deep and often uncertain tone while offering something of a mea culpa for the problems facing the club.
Ashley admitted that responsibility for Newcastle's woes lay at "his door", and when asked what state the club would be in without him, the Buckinghamshire-businessman conceded that the football club should be doing better on the pitch and needed more investment. "We may have the cart financially, but we now need to bolt the horse and we are going to," he said.
Last week, there were two other surprises for Ashley watchers. Sports Direct hired a new finance director, albeit an "acting" one, and it emerged the company had opened a new non-sporting discount store called MegaValue.com.
Sports Direct has been without a finance director for 18 months, and investors had become increasingly agitated. "This puts too much power into one person's hands," Crispin Odey, Sports Direct's third-largest institutional investor, told The Telegraph in February.
The MegaValue.com shop, in Kidderminster, Worcestershire, is a discount chain similar to B&M and Woolworths. New companies called MegaValue.com and MegaValueDirect.com have also been registered at Companies House by Sports Direct.
Ashley's new penchant for surprises suggests he, Sports Direct, and Newcastle United have reached a key moment. The tycoon has enjoyed extraordinary success with Sports Direct, building a company that is today worth £4bn.
He could easily carry on at Newcastle and Sports Direct as he does today – with the club earning a profit but achieving nothing better than mid-table mediocrity in the Premier League, and Sports Direct dominating sportswear with a "pile it high and sell it cheap" mentality.
Mike Ashley recently admitted that responsibility for Newcastle's woes lay at "his door"
But Ashley's actions suggest he may want to achieve more – or at least achieve recognition for what he has done so far.
It has been a tumultuous year for the tycoon, even by his standards.
Newcastle fans have conducted sit-in protests, he has become embroiled in a battle for control of Glasgow Rangers, MPs have demanded he appear in front of the Scottish Affairs Committee to explain the demand of fashion brand USC, and Sports Direct found itself at the centre of a row as Labour pledged to outlaw zero-hours contracts, which the retailer uses for its 20,000 shop staff.
Shares in Sports Direct have fallen by more than 20pc from their highs of April 2014, and Ashley moved a controlling stake in Sports Direct, of more than £2bn, to a new vehicle, Mash Beta. No explanation was given.
Two weeks ago, the direction of Sports Direct was outlined to 900 employees and supplier representatives at a behind-closed-doors conference at St James' Park.
The City was given scant detail, but Dave Forsey, chief executive of Sports Direct and Ashley's right-hand man, has revealed the key messages to The Telegraph.
"I can definitely tell you that MegaValue didn't come up," he explains. "That puts it in its rightful place. It is a trial for excess space. MegaValue is getting too much coverage. The whole purpose of the trial is to see whether it works or not."
Forsey insists the trial is designed to explore how Sports Direct will use shop space that it no longer requires and where it cannot break the lease early. "It is as simple as that," he added.
Despite attempts to downplay the new venture's significance, it is understood that two or three more MegaValue shops will open within two months. They are likely to be on existing Sports Direct shop sites. MegaValue in Kidderminster is based on the site of a department store that closed last year.
The reason Sports Direct expects to have excess space is that its strategy will revolve around relocating to larger shops, ideally in city centres. It also plans to develop sites with a gym and sportswear store after Ashley bought gyms from LA Fitness.
The company has already opened one of its new, larger stores in Oxford Street in London, and a store-gym concept in Aintree, Merseyside. Other new stores are in Leeds and Glasgow.
Forsey told his audience in Newcastle that Sports Direct intends to keep up to 4.75m sq ft of space, but this will be from far fewer stores than the 400 it runs at present. New stores will cover 50,000 sq ft – the size of a supermarket.
One reason for this shift is so that Sports Direct can improve its relationship with the key brands and show off their products.
"They [the new stores] have been very well received by the brands," Forsey explains. "It is helping with our brand relationship, Nike and Adidas in particular. It does also attract many of the specialist third-party suppliers to participate."
The company has had a tumultuous relationship with some suppliers in the past. Adidas pulled its football kits out of Sports Direct shops because it was unhappy at the company's discounting and the lack of investment in its stores. Other top-end suppliers – in sports and fashion – have simply refused to deal with Ashley.
However, he admits that some shops "don't do ourselves justice in terms of how we have moved on in the last five years".
Sports Direct is currently undergoing a costly re-vamp
As well as relocating to larger stores, Sports Direct will refurbish older shops, such as its site in Maidstone.
The relocation and revamp programme will take years. The company plans to provide more details in its annual results in July. Sports Direct will also update the City on its European expansion.
Tony Shiret, analyst at Espirito Santo, said Sports Direct's plans will help to shed its reputation as a "pile it high and sell it cheap" retailer.
"The UK large stores point to the development of a product-driven, more authoritative offer, less prone to discounting," he said.
However, Richard Hyman, another retail analyst, said the core business is now "reasonably mature" in the UK and that plans to open concessions in Tesco and Debenhams, businesses in which Ashley bought stakes, will "test the boundaries".
Despite Forsey's insistence that Sports Direct's focus remains on sportswear, Hyman said it would be fascinating to see Ashley try to take on a new sector.
"Ashley's real skill is sourcing and deal-making," he said. "In sports retail, he entered a sleepy, soft market with fat margins and little competition. It was relatively easy for an aggressive sourcing expert to capture business.
"With MegaValue, he is entering a market already full of Ashleys – Home Bargains, B&M and Poundland are the leading lights. The core strategic strength that has allowed them to capture billions of pounds from the grocery majors is sourcing and deal-making. They are brilliant at it.
"Ashley will need to transfer his undoubted skills to new product markets. It will be fascinating to see how he fares against genuine competition."


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Western Swing,
& Country Fiddle
Clarke Wright
Email Clarke
Stardust Melodies
HWH
SaddlePals
C and B woodpile
Poudre Valley Playboys
Bill Dessens and Clarke
Clarke Wright is an accomplished fiddler, who lives in Northern Colorado. He plays with many bands and is known as a go-to-guy in the fiddling world. Whether it's four or five string, Bluegrass, Western Swing, Country, Jazz and more, his bow is rosined and ready.
Clarke Wright has been playing music in some form or another since the early 1970s. He worked with David Ferretta and the Sunday River Boys in Denver in the mid '70s and appears on their Biscuit City recording "You Can Dress 'Em Up, But You Can't Take 'Em Out." If you ask Clarke how long he has been playing fiddle he will tell you, "Long enough to where you would say, 'Wow, shouldn't you be better than that?'" He has spent over 30 years with The Hollywood Rodeo Band and later their pared down acoustic version, High, Wide and Handsome. HRB/HWH recorded 7 albums and has toured extensively, visiting over 40 nations and territories, entertaining our nation's Armed Forces.
He picked up the fiddle 'sometime back in the 20th Century', and is self taught. "When I hit a wrong note or clam-out a break, I just blame my teacher," Clarke says.
* 2023 *
Please be healthy and safe!
January 21, 2023: Clarke fiddles with Blue Grama at Chipper's Lanes in Ft. Collins, CO. With Stillhouse Junkies. 8 PM $12.
January 27, 2023: Clarke fiddles with The Charlie Stevens Band at Oskar Blue's in Longmont, CO. 8-10:30 PM.
February 2, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at MorningStar in Ft. Collins, CO.
February 3, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at Columbine Commons in Windsor, CO.
February 16, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at Good Samaritan Village in Ft. Collins, CO.
February 16, 2023: Clarke fiddles with Blue Grama at the Aggie Theater in Ft. Collins, CO. With The Fretliners. Details TBD
February 28, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at ElderHaus in Ft. Collins, CO.
March 4, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at Fairacres Manor in Greeley, CO.
March 11, 2023: Clarke fiddles with The Charlie Stevens Band at Oskar Blue's in Longmont, CO. 8-10:30 PM.
March 16, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at Good Samaritan Village in Ft. Collins, CO.
March 24, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at Rehabilitation & Nursing Center of the Rockies in Ft. Collins, CO.
March 24, 2023: Clarke fiddles with The Charlie Stevens Band on KRFC 88.9FM Live at Lunch 12 - 1 PM.
April 20, 2023: Stardust Melodies performs at a private event* at Good Samaritan Village in Ft. Collins, CO.
June 23 - 25, 2023: Clarke fiddles with The Charlie Stevens Band at the Black Hills Bluegrass Festival in Sturgis, SD. Details TBD
Stardust Melodies continues to play for Senior Living Communities, so if you would like more information, please let us know.
* If you have family or friends that live in any of the facilities where we have private events scheduled, please let them know about our performance and come out yourself! Contact us for exact times. Not all private events are listed.
More dates to be finalized and posted soon. All dates and times are subject to change at the whims of powers that be... And they don't always let us know! So, please check back.
©2023 Clarke Wright. All rights reserved. Website by Zooma Design, LLC.


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Bylaw & Constitution
UNA Responsibilities
UNA Constitution & By-laws
Neighbours' Agreement
UNA Regulatory Bylaws
The UNA is responsible for local regulation of such things as parking and noise; for managing community and recreational programs and facilities; and for planning future community amenities. The UNA is also responsible for promoting sustainability, maintaining community green spaces, holding elections, liaising with UBC over access to UBC facilities, and liaising with members of other organizations, such as the Vancouver School Board, and Metro Vancouver on issues that affect UNA residents.
In November 2016, the British Columbia Societies Act came into effect replacing the old Society Act under which the University Neighbourhoods Association (UNA) was incorporated in 2002. The UNA applied to transition from the Society Act to the Societies Act in December 2016.
Current Constitution & By-laws
The Neighbours' Agreement 2015 is the agreement that deals with the way in which the UNA manages municipal services, and financial matters. This Agreement clarifies the UNA's relationship with UBC and provides a framework for the governance of the UNA community.
UNA Enforcement and Dispute Bylaw
Approved: August 2012
Full Document: UNA Enforcement and Dispute By-law
UNA Noise By-law
Full Document: UNA Noise By-law
UNA Parking Rules
UNA roads are under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Transportation (MoTI). UNA neighbourhood parking rules, supported by MoTI, are enforced by the BC Commissionaires under an agreement with MoTI.


Upgrade your outfit with the Reeve pocket square. Featuring a subtle shade of dusty green, this accessory is the perfect add on for both the office and casual gatherings. Pair it with a smart casual jacket and nail the look!


Alpha-digital.co.uk website is scored 380 1Pagerank.com points (1PRS) and has a global traffic ranking of 952,699 in the world. This website Google PageRank is 1 out of maximum 10 and its estimated worth is about $ 720.00. It has potential to earn online around $ 3.00 US Dollar daily. Alpha-digital.co.uk was registered 1 decade 7 years ago (2001-05-16) and is hosted in England, Cambridge, United Kingdom. As no recently active internet threats were reported, Alpha-digital.co.uk is probably SAFE to browse.
Yes! Site Alpha-digital.co.uk now online.


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SportLoMo Welcomes Suisse Rugby
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Suisse-Rugby-4.jpg 294 500 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-07-16 10:43:262019-07-16 15:27:57SportLoMo Welcomes Suisse Rugby
How VR is Changing the Sports Fan Experience
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/vr-pexals-photo.jpg 449 722 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-07-09 12:12:182019-07-09 12:12:18How VR is Changing the Sports Fan Experience
Busy, busy.... lots of new Sportlomo Customers onboard
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/busy-icon.jpg 386 400 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-07-04 11:31:332019-07-04 12:02:32Busy, busy.... lots of new Sportlomo Customers onboard
Two Cork GAA club websites launched
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/kill-and-glen.jpg 369 400 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-06-24 10:49:352019-06-24 11:06:22Two Cork GAA club websites launched
Rugby Canada Run a Top-Notch Organization (updated Case Study)
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Rugby-canada-case-study-homepage-400.jpg 261 400 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-06-17 11:50:322019-06-17 11:52:36Rugby Canada Run a Top-Notch Organization (updated Case Study)
Youth Soccer Case Study: JPL, UK, developing elite youth football, 90 clubs and 7,000 players.
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/jpl-300x.jpg 300 300 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-06-17 11:37:492019-06-17 11:43:50Youth Soccer Case Study: JPL, UK, developing elite youth football, 90 clubs and 7,000 players.
Netball Northern Ireland visit Sportlomo Offices
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Alison-Lisa-Tom-Netball-NI-training.jpg 500 500 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-06-13 15:47:442019-06-13 15:50:59Netball Northern Ireland visit Sportlomo Offices
Field Hockey Canada Donations Now Available
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/field-hockey-Canada-Donate.jpg 228 500 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-05-28 13:50:252019-05-28 13:51:31Field Hockey Canada Donations Now Available
Sportlomo guests of Munster Rugby in Thomond Park
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/munster-rugby-president-w-sportlomo-400x.jpg 347 400 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-05-13 14:37:512019-07-04 09:56:17Sportlomo guests of Munster Rugby in Thomond Park
SportLoMo Present at Rugby Canada AGM
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Noreen-w-Nina-Noelle-Canada-Rugby-500X.jpg 412 500 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-04-26 12:14:052019-05-13 12:18:06SportLoMo Present at Rugby Canada AGM
Cork GAA up first with new Scoreboard App
https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/cork-app-4.jpg 333 500 Vivienne Kyne https://www.sportlomo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/slm_logo_2018.png Vivienne Kyne2019-04-17 13:21:522019-04-17 13:56:35Cork GAA up first with new Scoreboard App
NEW USER CASE STUDY: Schoolboys Football Association of Ireland
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This course is for Fine Art Students from BP201 only.
To introduce students to ways of distinguishing between types of sound, noise & music through an analysis of concepts and practices that have informed and shaped sound culture over a 125-year period.
Class is comprised of a four-hour listening program to introduce students to a broad spectrum of sonic experimentation and research. On weeks 5, 9 and 13 students have the opportunity to present completed or semi-completed compositions for class analysis.
A series of listening examples comprising themes including noise, silence, environment, 20th century classical music, appropriation, soundscape, musique concrète, electronic music & sound art will be drawn upon to analyse approaches to composition, exhibition and performance.
Visiting artists and field trips will also be used to support learning activities.
The Computer Music Journal, Organized Sound & The Wire.
Bandt, Ros, 2001, Sound Sculpture: Intersections in Sound and Sculpture in Australian Artworks, Craftsman House, Sydney.
Cage, John, 1961, Silence, Wesleyan University Press, Middletown.
Chadabe, Joel, 1997, Electric Sound: The Past and Promise of Electronic Music, Prentice Hall, New Jersey.
Cox, Christoph & Warner, Daniel (ed) 2004, Audio Culture, Continuum, New York.
Eshun, Kodwo, 1998, More Brilliant Than The Sun, Quartet Books, London.
Frith, Simon, (ed.) 1990, Facing the Music: Essays on Pop, Rock & Culture, Pantheon Books, New York.
Gonzalez, Jennifer, Gordon, Kim & Higgs, Matthew, 2006, Christian Marclay, Phaidon, London.
Hamilton, Andy, 2007, Aesthetics & Music, Continuum, New York.
Holmes, Thom, 2002, Electronic and Experimental Music, 2nd Edition, Routledge, London and New York.
Johnson, Steven, (ed.) 2002, The New York Schools of Music and Visual Arts, Routledge, London and New York.
Kahn, Douglas, 1999, Noise – Water – Meat, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA and London.
______ & Whitehead, Gregory, (ed.), 1992, Wireless Imagination: Sound, Radio & the Avant-Garde, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA and London.
Lanza, Joseph, 1995, Elevator Music, Quartet Books, London.
Licht, Alan, 2007, Sound Art: Beyond Music, Between Categories, Rizzoli, New York.
Nyman, Michael, 1974, Experimental Music, Studio Vista, London.
Rich, Alan, 1995, American Pioneers: Ives to Cage and Beyond, Phaidon, London.
Roads, Curtis, 1996, The Computer Music Tutorial, MIT Press, Cambridge, MA and London.
Takemitsu, Toru, 1995, Confronting Silence, Scarecrow Press, Maryland.
Tofts, Darren, 2005, Interzone, Craftsman House, Fishermans Bend.
Toop, David, 2004, Haunted Weather: Music, Silence and Memory, Serpents Tail, London.
_______(ed.) 2000, Sonic Boom: The Art of Sound, Hayward Gallery, London.
______ 1999, Exotica, Serpents Tail, London.
______ 1995, Ocean of Sound, Serpents Tail, London.
Young, Rob, 2002, Undercurrents: The Hidden Wiring of Modern Music, Continuum, London and New York.
Zorn, John, ed. 2000, Arcana: Musicians on Music.: Granary Books, New York.
Students must outline a proposal for a solo project by week 4 of each semester. These proposals must be clearly defined, and all work is undertaken in close communication with lecturers and course advisers. Proposals may involve the student being commissioned to provide content or expertise for another student's project or an external production. Proposals may also involve work experience and industry placements.
All students attend the workshops and reviews held throughout the year to present their work for group feedback, and/or to listen/see other student's work.
4). Attend the mid-semester reviews (week 5 & 9) and the end of semester assessment days (week 14) to participate in-group feedback of all work presented.


text:
Reducing leaks: the rise of leak detection technology in water pipes
The street washed out with water. Parked cars sitting partly submerged. Ground floor flats flooded. This was the scene in a south London street in early January.
It's becoming an all too familiar sight. According to data released last year, London has the largest concentration of leaks, with water pipes bursting 36,000 times over the last six and a half years.
For water providers, managing pipeline networks is a complicated business. In England and Wales alone companies are responsible for a network of 335,000km of pipes with some 24 million connections to homes and industrial properties.
The consequence of such a vast infrastructure is that water and sewage companies face a wide variety of challenges when it comes to monitoring and maintaining these networks.
Leaks are an extremely expensive problem to solve and water companies have strict regulatory targets to meet – and shareholders and customers to placate. As a result, many within the industry are turning to technology to help them rise to the challenge.
Importance of innovation
To meet targets, reduce leak failures and cut down on wastage, water companies need to both change their behaviours and innovate.
A recent report by Ofwat, the water industry watchdog, revealed that nine of the 20 water suppliers in England and Wales missed their leakage targets in 2017-18, with Thames Water being the worst offender.
Technological innovation is crucial for an industry that's network is large in size and scope, spans the length and breadth of the country, and is suffering in part from the degradation brought about by age.
Leak failures are rarely without consequence — whether regulatory, financial or environmental — and two of the biggest challenges water utilities face is detection and location. The rate at which water providers can detect potential pipeline leaks has a direct influence on their rate of response.
Instead of reactive digging in order to locate leaks, water companies need to deploy solutions that provide proactive tracking and automated alarms at the first sign of a leak, before it becomes a full-blown disaster.
Detecting and locating leak events
A predictive and proactive understanding of pipeline activity has long been sought out by water utilities. In the event of a leak failure, it's essential for operators to have access to reliable and actionable insights that allow them to coordinate an appropriate response.
One of the most advanced technologies that can be deployed to detect and locate leak events on pipelines is distributed acoustic sensing (DAS). This intelligent, networked solution can provide extensive support to water utilities, particularly when it comes to pre-emptive maintenance, pipeline integrity management and leak detection.
The technology converts fibre optic cables, which are run alongside pipelines, into an ecosystem of highly-sensitive, individual vibrational sensors. As a fully integrated solution — which combines cutting-edge photonics, advanced artificial intelligence and edge computing — it can monitor hundreds of thousands of kilometres of pipelines and identify a wide range of acoustic events.
These acoustic events are then processed by the solution's sophisticated AI which maps the unique characteristics of the acoustic signatures to determine the exact nature of the integrity issue, such as a pipeline failure or leak event.
When it comes to the two biggest challenges facing water utilities, detection and location, recent field demonstrations highlighted the solution's ability to detect a leak and raise an alarm by the time only 30 litres of water had spilt from a pipe; Fotech's DAS solution pinpointing the leak to within 10 meters.
This is a significant enhancement on current leak detection technologies and demonstrates the power of DAS-based solutions when it comes to both detecting and locating pipeline leaks.
Taking back control
By embracing digital technologies, such as DAS, and employing them in legacy infrastructures water utility companies can extract deeper insights on their pipeline networks and enhance operational efficiencies. Intelligent, networked systems will not only help companies tackle leaks, but can also improve operational tactics, promote conservation and help minimize consumption.
As leak failures become more commonplace, smart technologies are fast becoming a necessity for water providers. Under pressure from watchdogs and industry regulators, it's vital that companies have both sufficient oversight and control of leakage performance.
When it comes to leaks, what the industry needs is networked solutions that allow water suppliers to effectively monitor pipelines in real time. By being able to identify the fundamental elements that make up a potential leak event, Fotech's DAS technology can give companies a much-needed boost in their efforts to identify leaks before they become a major issue.
www.fotech.com
Previous articleGeospatial AI – fresh insights into water network failures
Next articlePermaNET+: Changing the economics of leak detection
Anaerobic co-digestion?
Phosphorus in the circle of life
Colony Counts: The Microbiology of Drinking Water


Nimrat Kaur, who is known for her incredible on-screen performances, have nailed it again but this time on the digital platform. The actress will be seen in the role of a combat specialist in the Indian Army in her upcoming YouTube series. Titled The Test Case, the web series marks the digital debut of Tv queen Ekta Kapoor's app ALT Balaji.
The first poster of the series was released on Wednesday and it was simply amazing, with Nimrat Kaur dressed in the uniform and holding a gun in her hands. The Test Case was in news from the very beginning, firstly because of its unusual storyline and secondly for Nimrat Kaur's presence in it.
The makers have now unveiled the trailer of the series and it talks about women empowerment in the most powerful way. Featuring Nimrat Kaur as Captain Shikha Singh, the 3-minuyte video will make you realise the strength of a woman. It gives a sneak peek into the life of a woman who is preparing to be inducted in a combat role in the Indian Army and the hardships she faces while her training.
Nimrat's powerful dialogues and bold performance is the USP of this series and that fierce look on her face is simply incredible. Directed by Nagesh Kukunoor, The Test Case is set against the backdrop of the Indian Army. The trailer of the series was shared by Nimrat on her Twitter account with the caption: The tip of the iceberg! No turning back, no time for fear.
The show will start streaming from April 25 this year.


Love the simplicity and colors! Add some amazing dripping ivory candles and you are good to go!
Same thought process as above, but simply using craft paper as the runner…hmmmmm again not sure about working that in with round tables?
Normally I cringe at Babys Breath (it reminds me of my highschool dances) but I'm loving the silver effect of this and using it alone, and Babys Breath is a VERY affordable way to go.
I am definitely a sucker for green, not to mention that they've set this table with my FAVORITE Hermes china which is not happening people. But I do love the burlap tablecloth withe the hydrangeas and natural element of the branches…I could probably pull this one off.
Loving this, simple and romantic. Though I'd need to find the glass bottles cheap enough…definitely has possibilities.


text:
Q: Determine $X-Y$ offset for rotated element given the $Y$-offset without rotation How to determine the $x$ and $y$ offset of an rotated element from which the $y$-offset without rotation is known?
Example:
Illustration of the problem
The text in the example is pushed 2mm upwards when the rotation is 0. Ie offsetY = -2

*

*If the text would be rotated 90 degrees it is pushed to the right and
I would want to get offsetX=2 and offsetY=0.

*In the case of 180 degrees rotation the text would be pushed 2mm down instead of up, so I would get offsetX=0 and offsetY=2.

Desired solution
I would need both the offsetX and offsetY to determine the new correct position and account for all degrees of rotation.
In mathematical terms:
offsetXafterRotation = ??
offsetYafterRotation = ??

Given the RotationInDegrees and YoffsetWithoutRotation.
I also have the Width and Height of the element.

A: Let $y$ be the initial vertical offset from the center of rotation. Let $x'$ and $y'$ be the offsets after rotation. Let $\theta$ be the angle through which the text is rotated clockwise.
$$x' = -y\cdot \sin \theta$$
$$y' = y\cdot \cos \theta$$

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: How to create scatter plot one after another removing previous in d3js? So I have a .csv file having multiple columns of data.
x,y,d1,d2,d3
28,77,1,2,3
27,78,4,5,6
21,79,2,7,9
10,80,5,7,8
I am able to create a scatter plot of d1, d2 & d3 on a single graph but what is required is: first d1 is plotted then it is removed and d2 is plotted & so on.
I know this can be achieved using separate function & setTimeout() for each data set but I have many data sets like this, so writing same code multiple times is not efficient.
Can somebody help me out in this?
EDIT:
So this is a part of code modified according to what @Lars suggested and it is working as I wanted!
   var indices= d3.keys(mydata1[0])
            .filter(function(d) { return (d !== "xaxis" && d!="yaxis"); }).sort();
   indices.forEach(function(d, i) {
   setTimeout(function() { update(d); }, 5000 * i);
    });
   function update(idx) {

    p.selectAll("ellipse").remove(); //remove previous plot--to give animation like effect

    p.selectAll(".R")
    .attr("class", "ellipse")
    .data(mydata1)
    .enter()
    .append("ellipse")
    .attr("cx", function(d){ return scaleX(d["xaxis"]);})
    .attr("cy", function(d){return scaleY(d["yaxis"]);})
    .attr({
        "rx": 3,
        "ry": 4,
        })
    .attr("fill", function(d)
    {
        d[idx]=(d[idx]/2)+32;
        for(i=0; i<64; i++)
        {
            if (d[idx]==0)
                return mycolor[0];
            else if(d[idx]>i && d[idx]<=(i+1))
                return mycolor[i];
            else if(d[idx]<0)
                return "none";
        }
    });
}

A: You have basically two ways of doing this. First, setTimeout to update the part of the data that is referenced. This would look something like the following, assuming data holds your data.
function update(idx) {
  svg.selectAll("circle")
     .attr("cx", function(d) { return xScale(d[idx]); })
     .attr("cy", function(d) { return yScale(d[idx]); });
}

var indices = ["d1", "d2", "d3"];
indices.forEach(function(d, i) {
  setTimeout(function() { update(d); }, 1000 * i);
});

Alternatively, you can use D3's .transition() to effect the same thing. This is a bit awkward as it wasn't intended for this kind of thing. The idea is to create a set of dummy elements to drive the transitions.
svg.selectAll("dummy").data(indices).enter().append("dummy")
   .transition().duration(1000).delay(function(d, i) { return i * 1000; })
   .attr("foo", function(d) { update(d); });

I would recommend going with the approach that uses setTimeout.


text:
Introducing Duke Pearson's Big Band è un album a nome della Duke Pearson's Big Band, pubblicato dalla Blue Note Records nel 1968. Il disco fu registrato il 15 dicembre 1967 al Van Gelder Studio di Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey (Stati Uniti).

Tracce
Lato A

Lato B

Edizione CD del 1998, pubblicato dalla Blue Note Records (CDP 7243 4 94508 2 0)

 Brani nr. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 e 9 registrati il 15 dicembre 1967 a Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey
 Brani nr. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 e 15 registrati il 3 dicembre 1968 a Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Musicisti
A1, A2, A3, A4, B1, B2, B3, B4 e B5 / CD - nr. 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8 e 9
 Duke Pearson - pianoforte, arrangiamenti
 Randy Brecker - tromba
 Burt Collins - tromba
 Joe Shepley - tromba
 Marvin Stamm - tromba
 Garnett Brown - trombone
 Benny Powell - trombone
 Julian Priester - trombone
 Kenny Rupp - trombone basso
 Jerry Dodgion - sassofono alto, flauto, flauto piccolo
 Al Gibbons - sassofono alto, flauto, clarinetto basso
 Frank Foster - sassofono tenore
 Lew Tabackin - sassofono tenore
 Pepper Adams - sassofono baritono, clarinetto
 Bob Cranshaw - contrabbasso
 Mickey Roker - batteria
CD - nr. 10, 11, 12, 13, 14 e 15
 Duke Pearson - pianoforte, arrangiamenti
 Jim Bossy - tromba
 Randy Brecker - tromba
 Burt Collins - tromba
 Joe Shepley - tromba
 Marvin Stamm - tromba
 Garnett Brown - trombone
 Jimmy Cleveland - trombone
 Benny Powell - trombone
 Kenny Rupp - trombone basso
 Jerry Dodgion - sassofono alto
 Al Gibbons - sassofono alto
 Lew Tabackin - sassofono tenore
 Frank Foster - sassofono tenore, arrangiamenti
 Pepper Adams - sassofono baritono
 Bob Cranshaw - contrabbasso
 Mickey Roker - batteria

Note

Collegamenti esterni


Homeopathy is a complete system of medicine which is based on the principle of "The Law of Similars" – the principle of like curing like – a substance which can cause symptoms in a healthy individual can also be used to treat those symptoms when they manifest as part of a disease.
It was developed about 200 years ago by a German Doctor called Samuel Hahnemann – a medic disillusioned with the ineffective and often barbaric treatments of the day.
Homeopaths do not treat physical, emotional and mental symptoms separately but take the view that they are all interconnected as facets of the patient's suffering. This is what makes homeopathy a truly holistic and refined art.
Because the central principle requires the use of medicines that are often derived from toxic sources, homeopathic preparations are made in a special way which involves repeatedly diluting and shaking the medicines until they contain virtually no trace of the original substance. It is thought that the processes of preparation somehow imprint a characteristic energy pattern or blueprint of the substance onto the water in which they are diluted.
Why Study Homeopathy with The CNM?
The CNM Homeopathy Diploma Course provides high quality training that equips graduates to build highly successful practices. It is carefully structured so each study unit builds on the previous one, allowing students to develop their confidence and skills, and reach their full potential as professional Homeopaths. Students are strongly encouraged to develop their own unique style of consultation and application.
HSC or GCSE, or equivalent academic and/or work experience.
If you are able to demonstrate previous study or work experience you may apply to gain exemptions from some units. Please contact us for more information and to see if you qualify for direct enrolment.


A $5.800 trillion opportunity. This is what greater workplace gender equality could provide the economy, and in doing so, increase global GDP by 3.9%. While equality should not be subject to economic performance, several studies show that inequalities are stalling growth. In some developing countries, inequality-related economic losses account for as much as 30% of GDP.
Inequalities can weigh heavily on the economies of certain countries.
According to a report by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) published in March 2019, economic losses related to gender inequality range from 10% of a developing country's GDP to 30% of the GDP for certain developed countries. Access to employment is particularly called into question. In 2018, the global female employment rate was 49% compared to 76% for men.
According to the World Bank, only six countries, including France, currently grant women the same rights as men. "2.7 billion women still do not have the same options as men in terms of employment," says the World Bank. Yet employing more women would increase the GDP of every country.
In concrete terms, if the gender employment gap was reduced by 25% by 2025, the global GDP would increase by 3.9%, for a gain of $5.8 trillion. Tax revenues would increase by more than $1.5 trillion.
But at the current rate, equal pay in France will not be achieved until 2168, according to calculations by French feminist group Les Glorieuses. And with the addition of automation and other new technologies, women will be particularly affected. According to the IMF, 180 million jobs for women will be at risk globally in the next two decades.


Tooth removal in first trimester?
I have had my tooth crack Was in the last phase of root canal treatment and its cracked. I really can't find much info about getting a tooth out in first trimester. But i don't see how i could last 6+ weeks with this. Any here have any dental work during early pregnancy? Was your dentist accommodating? Did any get denied treatment?
You can definitely get work done. Just no xrays.
Yes I had a crown put on while I was pregnant. No X-rays and the dentist used a lower dose of whatever their numbing injections are called.
Lidocaine (anaesthesia) is pregnancy safe.


text:
Q: Dynamically trigger object method on application start I have an application which should produce cars and operate with them. Car object creation is a complex process so I need a factory for each type of car. Also I want users to be able to provide their own type of cars and factories which produce them. These car types and factories should be plugged to my application as jars (probably there is a better way than jars but I don't see it).
I've come to an idea of making a common CarFactory which accepts the name of the car ("mercedes", "bmw", "nissan", etc) as an argument. CarFactory has a map where each name is mapped to its own factory class. The code looks something like this (sorry I can't provide a working copy because I'm still evaluating it and don't have a version which compiles without errors)
import scala.collection.mutable.Map

class CarFactory {
  var knownCarTypes = Map[String, Class[Factory]]()

  def create(carType: String) = knownCarTypes.get(carType) match {
      case Some(factoryClass) => Some(factoryClass.getMethod("create").invoke(null).asInstanceOf[Car])
      case None => None
    }
  }
}

The knownCarTypes is mutable because I want user factories to register on this map providing what type of car they are responsible for and what is the name of the factory class. So from a user class it looks like this
class Mercedes extends Car

object MercedesFactory extends Factory {
  def register() {
    CarFactory.knownCarTypes("mercedes") = getClass
  }

  def create() = new Mercedes()
}

And here is my question. I don't know how to trigger the register() method of a user factory. Is it possible? Is there a better solution than my approach?
I thought about making common trait for factories, find all loaded classes implementing the trait and trigger method via reflection. But it looks quite complex. I hope some design pattern or OOP trick can be used here. What do you think?
Thanks!

A: If I understand your question correctly, all you have to do is call register from the object's "body":
object MercedesFactory extends Factory {
  def register() {
    CarFactory.knownCarTypes("mercedes") = getClass
  }
  register

  def create() = new Mercedes()
}

A: Finally I got it working via reflection. I iterated over all jars on specified path, found all classes implementing my com.example.Factory trait and triggered their register() method. For jars inspection I used Clapper ClassFinder and for invoking object method I followed Thomas Jung advice. Here is the final code
import org.apache.commons.io.FileUtils
import org.clapper.classutil.{ClassFinder, ClassInfo}
import scala.collection.JavaConverters._

def triggerFactories() {
  val jars = FileUtils.iterateFiles(new File("lib"), Array[String]("jar"), true).asScala.toList
  val classes = ClassFinder(jars).getClasses
  val factories = ClassFinder.concreteSubclasses("com.example.Factory", classes)

  factories.foreach { (factory: ClassInfo) =>
    companion[Factory](factory.name).register()
  }
}

def companion[T](name: String)(implicit man: Manifest[T]): T =
  Class.forName(name).getField("MODULE$").get(man.erasure).asInstanceOf[T]

It's worked for me. It looks tricky but I hope it won't break anything in my application in future. Please post if there is better approach, I'll reaccept the answer.


text:
Is there a way out of the crisis in sight?
2021-03-05 | Spain
There seems to be no way out of the crisis in sight. Official statistics are dire and unemployment is close to an all-time high. The Spanish government and the European Union are suggesting a Keynesian way out through recovery funds, digitalization and, above all, the Green Deal. Could it work?
The topic of this article was chosen today by readers of the Communia channel on Telegram
Companies see no way out of the crisis
The Purchasing Managers Index is based on a survey in which managers in thousands of companies are asked about immediate purchasing forecasts. When the index is above 50, the economy is expected to grow. That represents the expected normality. When it falls below 50, a recession is on the way. Today the European PMI is at 48.8. A second recession within the crisis is just around the corner. In Spain the services sector PMI is at 43. Far from seeing a way out of the crisis. Especially considering that the tourism sector is in the doldrums and each new figure is worse than the previous one.
What financial analysts are saying is that over 453,000 businesses are going to experience solvency problems because of the crisis caused by the pandemic and 1,360,000 will need to carry out a restructuring of their debt terms. The government, to cope with this, wants to make bank write-offs mandatory for SMEs but the banks are reluctant because they fear for their own solvency.
We workers are being impoverished en masse
Official employment figures already show 4 million unemployed. Just the official ones. Because in reality there are 1 million more hidden under temporary layoffs that will surface within 3 months. The media speak of 700,000 people without hope of finding work. There may be more. What is certain is that the shredder has turned on the turbo and suicide attempts are tripling. For those keeping their jobs the outlook is no better: the average Spanish wage is suffering the worst drop in 50 years.
Workers, far from being able to see a single glimmer of hope or a way out of the crisis, are facing an even darker horizon than the current one.
The EU and the recovery funds
At this point the EU has gone from exceptionally allowing deficit limits to be exceeded to preparing the way to do so for another year. The bet is peddled as a sort of new Keynesianism: massive public spending plus expansionary monetary policy.
The truth is that the famous funds and credits of the recovery program only cover a minor part of the disaster suffered by Spanish capital, forcing the state and companies into massive indebtedness. In fact, although negative rates temporarily contain the problem of accumulating public debt, the state is already preparing a fiscal adjustment path... i.e., today's Keynesianism is tomorrow's austerity.
That's why both the government and the EU are pinning the way out of the crisis on the magic of direct aid. They hope that by devoting them massively to the Green Deal they will serve to attract new capital (the Foreign Minister is going to sell projects to the Emirates and Qatar) and, above all, to facilitate a massive transfer of income from labor to capital through technological change.
Leaving aside the fact that developing incompetence at all levels of the state seems to be jeopardizing the capacity to absorb European subsidies, it is worth keeping an eye on the big beneficiaries of the so-called green transition: the energy and automotive companies.
Both are delivering spectacular results: Fiat and PSA will distribute 1 billion in dividends. Iberdrola reports a net profit of 3,610.7 million euros with a growth of 4.2%. Endesa 2,132 million net profit. Enagás 444 million, up 5.1% on 2019. And we could go on. The companies of the Green Deal have already found their way out of the crisis.
But alongside these figures, inside his own house, the CEO of Fiat-PSA declares without hesitation that his success model involves continuing to lay off workers until at least 2030 and charging more and more for cars. In the energy sector the situation is similar. Ibex-listed energy companies, despite the investment boom and the bubble of new wind farms and supply agreements with large companies, have reduced their combined workforce by almost 1,500 workers.
Keynesianism as a way out of the crisis
The citation of Keynesian theory and its association with the 1929 crash often forgets the fundamental point about the British liberal: his General Theory was published in 1936. It served then to argue that in 1929 the still young state capitalism born of World War I could have reduced the duration of the crisis and restarted the engine of accumulation earlier.
The General Theory was followed by the famous Keynes plan: guidelines for wartime economics that the British government imposed from 1940 onwards in order to prop up the greatest slaughter in history so far.
And, in fact, Keynesianism was the application of all of the above to render permanent during the postwar period the tools and centralization of wartime economics. Its aim was to set in motion accumulation... after a gigantic bulk of the world's capital had been destroyed during the imperialist slaughter.
That is to say, Keynesianism is an ideological apparatus which recommends a series of emergency measures (concentration of consumption in the state and intervention of interest rates) as a way of restarting the cycle of capital - that is to say, of overcoming the crisis - after a massive destruction of productive capacities. Either after a crisis that rapidly and massively devalues capital, or after a war.
In both cases, Keynesianism makes no secret whatsoever of its aim: adjusting wages to the prior devaluation of capital while guaranteeing firms a market for production through credit and public spending. In other words, by tossing the ball of the absence of demand - heightened by lower wages - forward.
It is true that this is precisely what capital aims at today as a way out of the crisis. The originality consists in the fact that they do not intend to do it after a devastating war or a massive devaluation of investments like that of 1929, but to avoid these scenarios. That is why they cannot reach their goals only with the mass of funds mobilized by the EU. That is why the adjustment on wages, general operating costs (basic public services) and employment at which it aims is necessarily greater. The more capital to be saved, the more income transfers from workers to be forced.


text:
Guess How Many Zika Cases Showed Up At The Olympics?
Published August 26, 2016 at 10:48 AM PDT
Mosquitoes hover around South Korea's bronze medalist Ki Bo Bae during the medal ceremony for archery, held on Aug. 11 at the Rio Games.
Not 1,000. Not 50. Not even 10.
"There have so far been no laboratory confirmed cases of Zika virus in spectators, athletes or anyone associated with the Olympics," the World Health Organization said Thursday on its website.
Now, no cases doesn't mean no one caught Zika at the Summer Games. About 80 percent of people who get infected don't know it. They don't have any symptoms. And those who do get sick often have only mild symptoms. So the vast majority of cases go unreported.
But so far, it's looking like predictions from computer models were pretty much spot on: Zika wasn't a big threat in Rio de Janeiro during the Olympics.
Back in the spring, several disease modelers built models for how Zika is spreading in Latin America. They predicted there would be — at most — 16 cases at the games. And the chance a fan or athlete would bring Zika home with them after the games was very low.
But other researchers still thought the risk was too high to keep the games in Rio. In May, more than 200 scientists, many bioethicists, signed a letter to WHO, calling for the games to be moved.
One of the lead authors on that letter was Amir Attaran, a professor in the School of Public Health and the School of Law at the University of Ottawa.
He says it's way too early to draw any conclusions about Zika and the Olympics.
"The Olympics aren't even over!" Attaran said in an email to NPR. "WHO has forgotten the Paralympic Games next month," which start Sept. 7 in Rio.
And there's also the issue with sexual transmission, says Arthur Caplan, a bioethicist at New York University.
Zika can stay in a man's semen for months, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says, even if the man didn't show any Zika symptoms. Women can also pass the virus to men through sex, a recent study found.
"We don't know who is spreading Zika via sex that they acquired at the Olympics," Caplan says. "We will need to monitor [the situation] for impact for many many months — not who got bitten over two weeks!"
WHO says it's doing just that.
"The situation is being closely monitored; a few cases may still occur," the agency said, "especially given the approximately one-week incubation period of the virus."