Do polar bears keep up with the news or follow the latest academic research on polar climates? Unlikely, of course, but it sure seemed like it this week when a bunch of the predators on Russia's remote Troynoy Island threatened a group of scientists at a weather station there.
According to the Russian news agency TASS, the researchers reported that a female bear had begun sleeping underneath the station's windows on Saturday, essentially trapping the team inside and forcing much of the weather monitoring to stop. Ten adult bears including females with cubs had been spotted around the station. One of the two dogs living at the station was killed and bears also broke the station's warehouse windows.
This story was emerging from Russia this week the same time that new research was being published in the journal The Cryosphere that finds essentially all Arctic Polar Bear populations are affected by declining sea ice and shorter sea ice seasons.
These are particularly salient new facts for the situation on Troynoy Island.
A source at the weather agency running the station there told Russian media that "at the end of October, or in the beginning of November the near-shore waters will freeze and the bears will leave the island in search for food."
But the new research found that all polar bear regions are seeing increasingly earlier spring ice melts and later autumn freeze-ups, which could mean hungrier bears hanging around longer at places like the Troynoy weather station.
Over the past 35 years, the study found the season for good sea ice that polar bears rely on to hunt from has shrunk by a total of about seven weeks.
"We expect that if the trends continue, compared with today, polar bears will experience another six to seven weeks of ice-free periods by mid-century," another co-author, Harry Stern, said.
On Wednesday, a helicopter managed to deliver a new supply of flares and puppies to help scare the polar bears away. The chopper also reportedly scared the bears away in the process.
Given the trajectory of the shrinking sea ice season, which the American researchers say is neither accelerating nor leveling off, it seems that polar bear season on land could be getting even longer in years to come. Perhaps the crew at Troynoy might want to consider putting in for a transfer.


Signs of potential physical and health issues to look out for include poor motor planning and initiation and spacial like the inability to report, respond, or orient to stimuli. Symptoms also include seizures, visual/perceptual changes, hearing changes, scars/hair loss, self-care activities, pain/headaches.
Strategies that can help students cope include rest breaks and short days, a home-based instructor, shortened and split assignments, speech or vision therapy, individual healthcare plans, seizure management.
Watch for mood swings, increased anxiety, lack of awareness of social cues, physical or verbal aggression, lack of inhibition, and difficulty empathizing. Help the student build trusting relationships through honest, caring, consistent interactions. Conduct a Functional Behavioral Assessment (FBA) to determine the functions of the behavior. Check out www.PENT.CA.GOV.
Implement an individual behavior plan based on data related to the function of the behavior and positive replacement behaviors. Intervene early in cases of situations that may escalate. Try relaxation training, daily/weekly progress reports, modification of non-academic tasks (lunch or recess), using scripts and directions for teaching and eliciting adaptive behavior, adjusting the class schedule to align to times during the day when the student with TBI may be more likely to exhibit behavioral challenges.
These can include difficulty expressing thoughts, trouble understanding, trouble with voice production and articulation, and aphasia (no speech or confused speech). Refer to speech and language services, utilize assistive technology, augmentative, or alternative communication, or use visuals.
This refers to a shortened attention span, poor initiation, difficulty engaging in activities or being unable to attend to more than one thing at a time. Consider the environment – avoid distracting situations. Teach self-regulating techniques to keep attention (Am I paying attention? cue card or other cues). Allow for rest periods or physical activity breaks. You can also use a visual timer or alarm sounds for reminders of when to focus.
A student with TBI may be unable to remember names, new information, rules, and steps, or tasks performed from one day to the next. You can help by establishing a structured daily routine using memory aids like calendars, schedules, lists, notebooks, etc. Have the student record and check off tasks as they are completed. Pair new information with things the student is able to recall, perhaps visual cues (schedules or sequences on a device or on the wall).
It is crucial that the cause of the reading problem is diagnosed in order to remediate effectively. Some of the more common causes in reading problems: Inability to see print correctly, recall words, remember letter sounds to sound out words, difficulty with comprehension due to processing, or difficulty with fluency or processing.
Strategies: Daily vocab drills, vision therapy or eye training exercises. Seek reading material with visuals/multi-sensory approaches. Listen to books on tape while reading along. Check out Orton Gillingham (most effective for initial reading instruction after TBI) and engage in timed reading trials after listening to a model reader such as the Read Naturally program.
If the student has trouble physically accessing writing tools, is unable to form letters or complete thoughts, or remember how to spell, help them relearn letters using multisensory strategies (sand trays, sandpaper, glue cards, large motor, etc.). Try dot to dots and tracing of letters to reinforce letter formation, trace letters written in yellow highlighter ink, or use organizational strategies for writing paragraphs, such as Inspiration Software. A computer word processor with a word prediction program or a text-to-speech program might be beneficial.
Relearning math facts through music (commercial products available), using memory aids such as touch math/touch points, utilizing drill and practice software programs, make visuals of the steps required for operations, and buying a talking calculator. Remember to take frequent breaks to avoid mental fatigue.
demanding math tasks and providing short breaks.
or allow the use of a calculator.
supports; color code math steps.
calculator until skills is regained.
The functioning of students with TBI can change rapidly. Therefore, continuous and periodic formal assessment is paramount in relation to academic intervention.
One tool for progress monitoring is Domains of Functioning Observation Framework Description For Individuals with TBI by Diana Browning-Wright (available at www.pent.ca.gov/frm/tbidomainsguide.pdf).
This is the last of ACSA's 3-part article series on traumatic brain injury. To continue learning, check out recent news stories like this one, this one, and this one, and keep up with the latest medical research. You may also find these resources helpful: "What Trauma Can Look Like in the Classroom," BrainLine, the Brain Injury Support Center, and NASET.
Check out the video below to see ACSA's story on high school student Nicky Macchiavello. When Nicky was 17, a motorcycle accident at a motocross track changed his life forever. The varsity soccer player crashed and suffered a TBI, landing him in a medically-induced coma at Arrowhead Regional Medical Center for the next 2 ½ months. The Huntington Beach community rallied around Nicky, holding car washes, selling bracelets, and hosting Go Fund Me sites to help with Nicky's medical costs. It wasn't long before Nicky was back at school and back on the soccer team (as captain!) with an incredible story that shines a light on the power of community, friendship and a positive attitude.
It is important to stand for your values and be competitive.
Recent amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act include attention to TBI.


text:
Love Matters
Citizens' Voice
RNTC
Global development partners
Working at RNW Media
Suhaib Tantoush – bothering the comfortable
Cartoons and caricatures are serious business when it comes to commenting on political and social issues. Striking images can spark a response more swiftly than words and cartoon artists can be effective influencers and activists. RNW Media's Huna Libya platform works with local artist Suhaib Tantoush to generate and distribute cartoons and caricatures that address often controversial issues in an engaging way.
Huna Libya aims to be a place where young Libyans from different backgrounds can come together to discuss issues that matter to them. It offers different perspectives on restrictive social norms that encourage it's audience to challenge their mindset. Cartoons are one of the formats Huna Libya often uses to present a new or challenging perspective and Suhaib Tantoush is a regular contributor. Libyan blogger Malak Altaeb recently interviewed Tantoush about his work and he told her '' الفن هو الذي يزعج المرتاح و يريح المنزعج'' – Art is what bothers the comfortable and comforts the bothered.
Meaning and laughter
Tantoush is a 24-year-old law graduate whose cartoons and drawings document what Libyans have been going through since the 2011 revolution. He's been drawing and using art as a way to express himself since childhood and found his way to cartooning in a fifth-grade religious studies class when he was around 10 years old. The teacher asked the students to explain the lesson and Tantoush did so in drawings that made the lesson clear – but also made his teacher and classmates laugh. This made him realise that art is a tool to deliver meaning – and it can make people laugh.
One in a series depicting the dangers of journalism in Libya by Suhaib Tantoush for Huna Libya
His interest in caricature as an art form grew in 2006 when his Grandfather gave him a book by famous Libyan caricaturist Mohamed Al-Zwawi. Al-Zwawi depicted Libya's struggles during the Gaddafi era in terms of social injustice, economic restraints, political changes and other issues relating to many parts of the Arab world. Tantoush was inspired by his work and the book was a turning point.
Don't be proud – be better
Tantoush believes the artistic scene in Libya is improving as it gradually becomes more widely known both at home and abroad. Art and beauty have long been considered as something for the privileged few – but that is slowly changing. His work is contributing to that change and Tantoush is an inspiration to many other Libyan artists. But when asked of which work he is most proud, he says his philosophy is to not be proud of your work but to continue striving to be better.
You can find more of Tantoush's work on Instagram suhaibtarek
Read Malak Altaeb's full interview on her blog, which she describes as A window to my life as a human and as a Libyan.
Habari RDC
The award-winning Habari RDC platform brings together young Congolese from across the political spectrum.
Huna Libya
Huna Libya challenges traditional norms and perspectives to bring together young Libyans on issues that unite them.
Benbere
Benbere, launched in Mali in May 2018, aims to reflect the diverse voices of a highly fragmented country.
Justice4Her
Justice4Her focuses on reducing gender-based violence against young women migrant workers in China.
A Peek Inside Manasati30
The Manasati30 team consists of changemakers coming from all regions of the country. Both online activities and offline events ensure that young people's voices are heard by mainstream media and other influential actors and their agendas are gradually being represented in policy and social changes.
Securing Access to SRHR during COVID-19
With a rise in gender-based violence and diversion of resources from SRH services around the world as a result of the pandemic, Global Affairs Canada responded by providing funding to MSI Reproductive Choices, International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) and RNW Media to fortify women's access to sexual and reproductive health and rights.
Brave Digital Spaces! The Online Sexuality Education Exchange
We recently held the exciting 3-day online interactive event: 'Brave Digital Spaces! The Online Sexuality Education Exchange', together with the Love Matters Global Network as part of the RHRN2 programme. The event focused on building digital communities to address sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR).
Long-Term Impact of RNTC Training
We recently conducted research into the long-term impact of RNTC trainings on participants media careers. A survey was shared among participants focusing on trainings held between 2000 and 2015 to explore the long-term impacts of these trainings on participants careers by 2020.
RNW Media Annual Report 2020
2020 was a year of many unexpected challenges for the global community. At RNW Media, we adapted to a new way of working, changed our activities to respond directly to the COVID-19 crisis and tapped into our digital media expertise and creative staff to do it. We are proud to present our Annual Report 2020, highlighting our key achievements and progress from the year.
Engaging Dutch youth
Social media has immense power to reach out to and engage with young people. As an international NGO based in the Netherlands, we believe it is important for Dutch youth to learn about the challenges facing young people in restrictive settings.
Masaraat
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Yaga Burundi
About RNW Media
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Scholarship Fund for Media Development
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Echoes across the digital divide Data Matatu – data-driven advocacy

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Man living in contaminated Fukushima nuclear zone takes care of abandoned cats
Neighbors left their cats as they fled the nuclear fallout in 2011.
By Danial Martinus March 5, 2021
> Social Good
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake struck northeastern Japan, triggering a deadly tsunami and killing nearly 20,000 people.
It leveled whole towns and rendered millions homeless. Worst of all, the tsunami triggered a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant, which announced a level-7 event – the most dangerous since Chernobyl.
Amid the fallout and ensuing chaos, residents had to evacuate the area; many of them leaving behind voiceless family members, their pets.
IMAGE: Reuters
A construction business owner at the time, Sakae Kato (57) decided to stay put in his three-generations-old home and rescue all the cats that had been left behind by his fleeing neighbors.
"I want to make sure I am here to take care of the last one," Kato told Reuters. "After that I want to die, whether that be a day or hour later."
Why the nonchalance about death, you ask? It turns out the piece of land that Kato's home sits on is still contaminated by radioactive materials. However, the Japanese government has made immense efforts in decontaminating the area around his home, deeming it safe enough for residents to return soon.
While he's allowed to visit his home, he's not technically permitted to 'live' in it.
"I don't want to leave, I like living in these mountains," he said. "It might last another two or three years. The walls have started to lean."
Kato takes care of 41 cats and one dog in his home and in an empty building nearby.
Without any running water, the man has to collect some from a nearby mountain spring. He also has to drive to public toilets whenever he needs to relieve himself.
Kato spends roughly US$7,000 a month on food for the animals. He even feeds the wild boar that roam freely in the area, which are blamed for the extensive damage inflicted on empty homes. To farmers, they're considered pests. But to Kato, they're just like all the other animals that need tender, loving care.
Sadly, Kato has also had to bury 23 cats in his garden, for reasons undisclosed. One could speculate they died of complications rising from the radiation leak. Even some of the living cats are suffering from illness.
According to Reuters, Kato was arrested on February 25, 2021 for allegedly setting free wild boar that had been trapped by the Japanese government.
He's still currently in detention, but local volunteers have stepped up in his place and are helping him take care of the animals. Tokyo vet Yumiko Konishi says at least one cat has passed away since Kato was detained.
Read more Japan stories:
Artist creates incredibly-detailed sculptures from ordinary pencil lead
Japanese supermarket sells cans of beer damaged in earthquake as 'brave heroes'
Female politicians in Japan can now attend meetings, only if they don't speak
Cover image sourced from Reuters.
Topics: Social Good, cats, Abandoned Places, japan, Fukushima, Nuclear
You Now Can Earn College Credit Through YouTube Videos
The Green brothers, dads of YouTube and TikTok, have done it again.
Heartbroken Girl Asks Driver to Stop at McDonald's for Depression Ice Cream
We have all been there.
5 Tips For Gen Zs To Land Jobs During Uncertain Times, According to LinkedIn
It's possible if you follow these tips.
Think Twice About Getting 'Natural' Birth Control Advice From Influencers, Study Says
Influencers may share a relatable story but leave out important details that could lead to unplanned pregnancy.
Your Attention Span Isn't Dead — Yet. These Tips Can Help Restore Your Ability to Focus.
An expert who's studied the art and science of focusing shares her go-to strategies.


text:
require 'spec_helper'

describe BooticClient::Entity do
  let(:client) { double(:client) }
  let(:list_payload) do
    {
      'total_items' => 10,
      'per_page' => 2,
      'page' => 1,
      'an_object' => {
        'name' => 'Foobar',
        'age' => 22,
        'another_object' => {'foo' => 'bar'}
      },
      '_links' => {
        'self' => {'href' => '/foo'},
        'next' => { 'href' => '/foo?page=2'},
        'btc:products' => {'href' => '/all/products'},
        'btc:search' => {'href' => '/search{?q}', 'templated' => true},
        'curies' => [
          {
            'name' => "btc",
            'href' => "https://developers.bootic.net/rels/{rel}",
            'templated' => true
          }
        ]
      },
      "_embedded" => {
        'items' => [
          {
            'title' => 'iPhone 4',
            'price' => 12345,
            'published' => false,
            '_links' => {
              'self' => {href: '/products/iphone4'},
              'btc:delete_product' => {'href' => '/products/12345'}
            },
            '_embedded' => {
              'shop' => {
                'name' => 'Acme'
              }
            }
          },

          {
            'title' => 'iPhone 5',
            'price' => 12342,
            'published' => true,
            '_links' => {
              'self' => {href: '/products/iphone5'}
            },
            '_embedded' => {
              'shop' => {
                'name' => 'Apple'
              }
            }
          }

        ] # / items
      }
    }
  end

  context 'parsing JSON HAL' do
    let(:entity) { BooticClient::Entity.new(list_payload, client) }

    it 'knows about plain properties' do
      expect(entity.total_items).to eql(10)
      expect(entity.per_page).to eql(2)
      expect(entity.page).to eql(1)
    end

    it 'has hash access to properties' do
      expect(entity[:total_items]).to eql(10)
    end

    it 'wraps object properties as entities' do
      expect(entity.an_object).to be_a described_class
      expect(entity.an_object.name).to eql('Foobar')
      expect(entity.an_object.age).to eql(22)
      expect(entity.an_object.another_object).to be_a described_class
      expect(entity.an_object.another_object.foo).to eq 'bar'
    end

    it 'has a #properties object' do
      expect(entity.properties[:total_items]).to eql(10)
    end

    it 'responds to #has?' do
      expect(entity.has?(:total_items)).to eql(true)
      expect(entity.has?(:items)).to eql(true)
      expect(entity.has?(:foobar)).to eql(false)
    end

    describe '#to_hash' do
      it 'returns original data' do
        expect(entity.to_hash).to eql(list_payload)
      end
    end

    describe 'embedded entities' do

      it 'has a #entities object' do
        expect(entity.entities[:items]).to be_a(Array)
        expect(entity.entities[:items].first.entities[:shop]).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Entity)
      end

      it 'are exposed like normal attributes' do
        expect(entity.items).to be_kind_of(Array)
        entity.items.first.tap do |product|
          expect(product).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Entity)
          expect(product.title).to eql('iPhone 4')
        end
      end

      it 'has hash access to properties' do
        expect(entity[:total_items]).to eql(10)
      end

      it 'recursively builds embedded entities' do
        product = entity.items.first
        product.shop.tap do |shop|
          expect(shop).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Entity)
          expect(shop.name).to eql('Acme')
        end
      end

      it 'includes FALSE values' do
        expect(entity.items.first.published).to be false
        expect(entity.items.last.published).to be true
      end
    end #/ embedded entities

    describe 'link relations' do
      it 'responds to #has? for link relations' do
        expect(entity.has?(:next)).to eql(true)
      end

      it 'responds to #can? for link relations' do
        expect(entity.can?(:next)).to eql(true)
        expect(entity.can?(:foo)).to eql(false)
      end

      it 'builds relation objects' do
        expect(entity.rels[:next]).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Relation)
        expect(entity.rels[:next].href).to eql('/foo?page=2')
      end

      it 'understands namespaced cURIes' do
        expect(entity.rels[:products]).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Relation)
        expect(entity.rels[:products].href).to eql('/all/products')
      end

      it 'adds docs if cURIes available' do
        expect(entity.rels[:products].docs).to eql('https://developers.bootic.net/rels/products')
      end

      it 'adds docs if cURIes available even in nested entities' do
        prod = entity.items.first
        expect(prod.rels[:delete_product].docs).to eql('https://developers.bootic.net/rels/delete_product')
      end

      context 'eagerly fetching rels' do
        let(:next_page) { BooticClient::Entity.new({'page' => 2}, client) }

        it 'exposes link target resources as normal properties' do
          expect(client).to receive(:request_and_wrap).with(:get, '/foo?page=2', {}).and_return next_page
          entity.next.tap do |next_entity|
            expect(next_entity).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Entity)
            expect(next_entity.page).to eql(2)
          end
        end

        it 'takes optional URI parameters' do
          expect(client).to receive(:request_and_wrap).with(:get, '/search?q=foo', {}).and_return next_page
          entity.search(q: 'foo').tap do |next_entity|
            expect(next_entity).to be_kind_of(BooticClient::Entity)
            expect(next_entity.page).to eql(2)
          end
        end

        it 'complains if passing undeclared link params' do
          expect {
            entity.search(foo: 'bar')
          }.to raise_error(BooticClient::InvalidURLError)
        end
      end

    end

    describe 'iterating' do
      it 'is an enumerable if it is a list' do
        prods = []
        entity.each{|pr| prods << pr}
        expect(prods).to match_array(entity.items)
        expect(entity.map{|pr| pr}).to match_array(entity.items)
        expect(entity.reduce(0){|sum,e| sum + e.price.to_i}).to eql(24687)
        expect(entity.each).to be_kind_of(Enumerator)
      end

      it 'is not treated as an array if not a list' do
        ent = BooticClient::Entity.new({'foo' => 'bar'}, client)
        expect(ent).not_to respond_to(:each)
      end
    end

    describe '#full_set' do
      let(:page_2_data) {
        {
          'total_items' => 10,
          'per_page' => 3,
          'page' => 2,
          '_links' => {
            'self' => {'href' => '/foo?page=2'},
            'next' => { 'href' => '/foo?page=3'}
          },
          "_embedded" => {
            'items' => [
              {"title" => "Item 3"},
              {"title" => "Item 4"},
              {"title" => "Item 5"}
            ]
          }
        }
      }
      let(:page_2) { BooticClient::Entity.new(page_2_data, client) }

      it 'lazily enumerates entries across pages, making as little requests as possible' do
        expect(client).to receive(:request_and_wrap).with(:get, '/foo?page=2', {}).and_return page_2
        expect(client).to_not receive(:request_and_wrap).with(:get, '/foo?page=3', {})
        results = entity.full_set.first(4)
        titles = results.map(&:title)
        expect(titles).to match_array(['iPhone 4', 'iPhone 5', 'Item 3', 'Item 4'])
      end
    end
  end

  context 'empty response' do
    it 'does not break if response is nil' do
      entity = BooticClient::Entity.new(nil, client)
      expect(entity.links).to eql({})
    end

    it 'does not break if response is empty string' do
      entity = BooticClient::Entity.new('', client)
      expect(entity.links).to eql({})
    end
  end

end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


There are still 2 days left to enjoy shopping during Summer Savings at U.S. Kirkland's stores and Kirkland's online. It is only up to you how much you save. Spend $50 or more and save 15% off your purchase. Spend $100 or more and save 20% off your purchase. Spend $150 or more and save 25% off your purchase. Spend $200 or more and save 30% off your purchase. To receive the offer in-store use printable coupon (available through Kirkland's emailing). To receive the offer online use promo codes: SUMMER15, SUMMER20, SUMMER25 or SUMMER30. Source of the information is Kirkland's. Offer expires 06/26/2016. For more details visit Kirkland's store or Kirkland's online.


text:
Sacramento este capitala statului California începând din anul 1854. Orașul se află pe cursul râului American River (137 km), un afluent al râului Sacramento.  În același timp, Sacramento este sediul comitatului Sacramento.

Aflat în Valea Centrală a Californiei (în engleză, California Central Valley), orașul este cel de-al șaptelea oraș al Californiei luat după populație.  Conform datelor din 2006, Sacramento avea o populație totală de 457.514 locuitori. Orașul este centrul economic și cultural al celor patru comitate pe care se găsește zona sa metropolitană: comitatele El Dorado, Placer, Sacramento și Yolo. Cu o populație de 2.042.283 locuitori, zona metropolitană Sacramento este cea mai mare din Central Valley și cea de-a patra din întregul stat California, după zona Los Angeles-Orange County, zona San Francisco Bay Area și zona San Diego. Zona extinsă a orașului Sacramento ("Greater Sacramento") a fost menționată ca fiind printre cele mai plăcute zone de locuit din Statele Unite ale Americii, iar orașul a fost menționat de revista TIME ca fiind unul dintre "cele mai integrate orașe ale Americii".

Clima
Cu toate că orașul se află situat numai la 120 de km de coasta Pacificului, vara este aici frecvent caniculă, dar briza umedă răcoroasă care suflă noaptea din San Francisco Bay (Golful San Francisco) face ca zilele fierbinți de vară să devină mai suportabile.

Geologie
Prin poziția geografică a orașului, care se află în apropiere de falia San Andreas, unde se întâlnesc două plăci tectonice, în regiune având loc frecvent cutremure.

Istoric
Din anul 1839 regiunea face parte din teritoriul "Elveția nouă", numită așa de colonistul elvețian Johann August Sutter, care cu aprobarea regelui Noii Spanii (Virreinato de Nueva España) întemeiază aici o colonie. Schimbarea situației în regiune au adus-o anii 1848, când a avut loc goana după aur, căutătorii de aur urcând pe valea râului Sacramento. Sacramento este declarat oraș în anul 1850, iar în 1856 există deja o cale ferată, după care devine un centru comercial important în regiune, centru care s-a dezvoltat și mai mult prin construirea canalului pentru circularea vapoarelor.

Creșterea numărului populației

Orașe înfrățite
  Chișinău, Republica Moldova
  Hamilton, Noua Zeelandă
  Jinan, China
  Liestal, Elveția
  Manila, Filipine
  Yokohama, Japonia
  Yongsan-gu (district din Seoul), Coreea de Sud

Personalități născute aici
 Hiram Johnson (1866 – 1945), guvernator al Californiei;
 Robert Warwick (1878 – 1964), actor;
 Henry Hathaway (1898 – 1985), regizor;
 Bob Kiesel (1911 – 1993), atlet;
 Michael J. Adams (1930 – 1967), astronaut;
 Joan Didion (1934 – 2021), scriitoare;
 Mel Ramos (1935 – 2018), pictor;
 Anthony Kennedy (n. 1936), jurist; a condus Curtea Supremă de Justiție a SUA;
 Jessica Chastain (n. 1977), actriță.

Referințe

Legături externe

 Official website
 Official tourism website from the Sacramento Convention and Visitors Bureau
 Old Sacramento – Official website
 Sacramento Wiki

Fondări în 1839

!
Orașe din California
Sedii de comitate din California
Sediile comitatelor din Statele Unite ale Americii

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Energy Petroleum is pleased to partner with Phillips 66 for fuel distribution and supply. Phillips 66 is among the largest refiners in the United States and a major supplier of jet fuels and avgas to general, commercial and military aviation. Their extensive network of refineries, pipelines and supply terminals are strategically located to provide a reliable supply across the country. For you, this partnership with Energy Petroleum translates into secure supply now and in the future.
Pilots and FBOs have been relying on Phillips 66 Aviation for more than 85 years as their source for the highest quality jet and aviation gasoline fuels. Their stature in aviation stretches back to WWII, when they developed 100-octane fuel. Later, they developed anti-icing additives for jet fuel and made technology improvements such as the controllable-pitch propeller, the first refueling truck, and the drag chute. Energy Petroleum is excited to unite with Phillips 66 to continue providing forward-thinking programs and quality fuel for both the flying community and our vast network of high quality FBOs.


text:
Bertula depressalis is een vlinder uit de familie van de spinneruilen (Erebidae). De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd door Snellen.

depressalis


text:
#include <stdlib.h>

#include "crypt.h"
#include "encoding.h"
#include "random.h"
#include "mathutil.h"

/**
 * Encrypt a message with the U-LP cryptosystem.
 * @param uint8_t msg[] - the bytes to encrypt (number of bits has to match the l parameter in the key)
 * @param ulp_public_key* pub_key - the public key used for encryption
 * @param ulp_ciphertext** ciphertext_p - pointer to the ciphertext pointer (will be generated)
 * @return int - 0 on success, a negative value otherwise
 */
int ulp_encrypt(uint8_t msg[], ulp_public_key* pub_key, ulp_ciphertext** ciphertext_p) {

    if(msg == NULL || pub_key == NULL)
        return -1;

    // allocate memory for ciphertext and other buffers
    ulp_ciphertext* ciphertext = ulp_alloc_ciphertext(pub_key->n, pub_key->l);
    uint64_t* e1 = malloc(pub_key->n * sizeof(pub_key->se));
    uint64_t* encoded = malloc(pub_key->l * sizeof(pub_key->q));
    if(ciphertext == NULL || e1 == NULL || encoded == NULL)
        goto fail;

    // gather random data for e1, e2 and e3
    int err = 0;
    err += get_random_numbers(e1, pub_key->n, pub_key->se);
    err += get_random_numbers(ciphertext->c1, pub_key->n, pub_key->se);
    err += get_random_numbers(ciphertext->c2, pub_key->l, pub_key->se);
    if(err != 0)
        goto fail;

    // encode input
    encode(msg, encoded, pub_key->l, pub_key->q);

    // c1 = A*e1 + e2
    for(size_t i = 0; i < pub_key->n; i++) {
        for(size_t j = 0; j < pub_key->n; j++) {
            ciphertext->c1[i] = (ciphertext->c1[i] + mulmod(pub_key->A[i*pub_key->n + j], e1[j], pub_key->q)) % pub_key->q;
        }
    }

    // c2 = P*e1 + e3 + encoded(msg)
    for(size_t i = 0; i < pub_key->l; i++) {
        ciphertext->c2[i] = (ciphertext->c2[i] + encoded[i]) % pub_key->q;
        for(size_t j = 0; j < pub_key->n; j++) {
            ciphertext->c2[i] = (ciphertext->c2[i] + mulmod(pub_key->P[i*pub_key->n + j], e1[j], pub_key->q)) % pub_key->q;
        }
    }

    // exit properly
    free(e1);
    free(encoded);
    *ciphertext_p = ciphertext;
    return 0;

    fail:
        ulp_free_ciphertext(ciphertext);
        free(e1);
        free(encoded);
        return -1;

}

/**
 * Decrypt a ciphertext with the U-LP cryptosystem.
 * @param ulp_ciphertext* ciphertext - pointer to the ciphertext to decrypt
 * @param ulp_private_key* priv_key - the private key used for decryption
 * @param uint8_t** msg_p - pointer to the message buffer pointer (will be generated)
 * @return int - 0 on success, a negative value otherwise
 */
int ulp_decrypt(ulp_ciphertext* ciphertext, ulp_private_key* priv_key, uint8_t** msg_p) {

    if(ciphertext == NULL || priv_key == NULL)
        return -1;

    if(ciphertext->n != priv_key->n || ciphertext->l != priv_key->l)
        return -2;

    // compute number of bytes needed for storing the decrypted plaintext
    size_t num_bytes = priv_key->l / 8;
    if(num_bytes * 8 != priv_key->l)
        num_bytes++;

    // allocate memory
    uint64_t* tmp = malloc(priv_key->l * sizeof(priv_key->q));
    uint8_t* msg = malloc(num_bytes);
    if(tmp == NULL || msg == NULL) {
        free(tmp);
        free(msg);
        return -1;
    }

    // S * c1 + c2
    for(size_t i = 0; i < priv_key->l; i++) {
        tmp[i] = ciphertext->c2[i];
        for(size_t j = 0; j < priv_key->n; j++) {
            tmp[i] = (tmp[i] + mulmod(priv_key->S[i*priv_key->n + j], ciphertext->c1[j], priv_key->q)) % priv_key->q;
        }
    }

    // decode decrypted message
    decode(tmp, msg, priv_key->l, priv_key->q);

    // exit properly
    free(tmp);
    *msg_p = msg;
    return 0;

}


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Simply: Exactly (or even better) as detailed in manufacturer's (Enewall Limited) specifications.
Result: Another happy Client, great feedback and job supported with 5 years workmanship guarantee and 10 years manufacturer's guarantee!


text:
LEWAS Legacy
Aramco's Hala Al-Sadeg: Rising star and energy industry trailblazer recognized at LEWAS
EXPEC ARC researcher recognized for skills and leadership.
By Robert S. Hughes
Aramco petroleum scientist Hala A. Al-Sadeg has won the prestigious 2022 Rising Star Award — part of the Leadership Excellence for Women Awards (LEWAS), which recognize trailblazers in the energy industry.
Al-Sadeg, who has been with Aramco for four years and works in the EXPEC Advanced Research Center, is passionate about solving complex global problems through innovation and research. As an Upstream researcher, she helps navigate the energy transition by promoting clean technologies.
The Rising Star award recognizes Al-Sadeg for, among other things, her strong technical ability and contributions to research, particularly in the area of advanced materials related to sustainability. In addition to excelling in the use of research instruments and complex tools, she has published and contributed to an assortment of journals and technical presentations, and has filed patents.
Al-Sadeg says it's an "absolute honor" to be named Rising Star.
I am delighted to have had the opportunity to share my contributions with the industry and have them recognized by esteemed industry leaders, and I hope to inspire the youth to find their voices and lead in their areas.
— Hala A. Al-Sadeg
Ali A. Al Yousef, chief technologist of the Reservoir Engineering Technology Division, says, "Since Hala joined the EXPEC ARC Reservoir Engineering Technology Division, she has shown outstanding commitment to develop her career and to contribute to the upstream R&D portfolio of technology development."
Al-Yousef adds: "Hala also demonstrated a great commitment to engage and contribute to the sustainability R&D portfolio of the organization. Her efforts resulted in an assortment of journal papers, conference papers, technical presentations, and filed patents, truly signifying a dedicated and knowledgeable young technical professional."
Al-Sadeg says: "It was an overwhelming amount of support that I received from my colleagues. They all were delighted to hear the news and share their warm wishes. I would like to thank Upstream management and Saudi Aramco for their continuous empowerment and investment in my development."
Al-Yousef concludes, "Hala exhibits a unique combination of demonstrating a wealth of technical knowledge in addition to exceptional leadership skills, along with soft skills. She is an honest, dependable, and incredibly hardworking person, who pushes through with her smart intellect and vision in any project she undertakes."
Now in its eighth edition, LEWAS engages, empowers, and elevates issues that are at the very heart of the energy industry. In addition to recognizing women, it also celebrates male advocates and corporations who champion women in energy, enabling them to shatter stereotypes and drive advancements.
Since its inception in 2013, LEWAS has recognized and honored women who are not only making a mark, but are also advocating for women's empowerment in the Middle East.
Caption for top photo: Hala A. Al-Sadeg accepts her Rising Star award at LEWAS in Bahrain from H.E. Mohamed bin Mubarak Bin Dania, Ministry of Oil, Bahrain. Also pictured are, at right, Aramco's Reem Al Ghanim, LEWAS chairwoman, and Ezz Almanni, co-chairperson and director of Policies and Strategic Planning.


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Sold in pairs. Suitable as replacement for OEM part 45075-96.


text:
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Drawing;
using OpenTK;
using OpenTK.Graphics.OpenGL;

namespace Robmikh.Graphics
{
    class TextureBrush : IBrushInternal
    {
        public Texture Texture { get; }
        public System.Drawing.RectangleF SourceRect { get; }

        public TextureBrush(Texture texture)
        {
            Texture = texture;
            SourceRect = new System.Drawing.Rectangle(0, 0, texture.Width, texture.Height);
        }

        public TextureBrush(Texture texture, System.Drawing.RectangleF sourceRect)
        {
            Texture = texture;
            SourceRect = sourceRect;
        }

        public IEnumerable<VertexInfo> GetVertexInfo(IEnumerable<Vector2> verticies)
        {
            var list = new List<VertexInfo>();

            float left = (float)SourceRect.Left;
            float top = (float)Texture.Height - SourceRect.Top;
            float right = (float)SourceRect.Right;
            float bottom = (float)Texture.Height - SourceRect.Bottom;

            float sampleWidth = SourceRect.Width;
            float sampleHeight = SourceRect.Height;
            float textureWidth = Texture.Width;
            float textureHeight = Texture.Height;

            float maxX = float.MinValue;
            float minX = float.MaxValue;
            float maxY = float.MinValue;
            float minY = float.MaxValue;

            var tempVerticies = new List<Vector2>();

            foreach (var vertex in verticies)
            {
                var tempVertex = new Vector2((vertex.X + 1) / 2, (vertex.Y + 1) / 2);
                tempVerticies.Add(tempVertex);

                if (tempVertex.X < minX)
                {
                    minX = tempVertex.X;
                }
                if (tempVertex.X > maxX)
                {
                    maxX = tempVertex.X;
                }

                if (tempVertex.Y < minY)
                {
                    minY = tempVertex.Y;
                }
                if (tempVertex.Y > maxY)
                {
                    maxY = tempVertex.Y;
                }
            }

            foreach (var vertex in tempVerticies)
            {
                var tempVertex = new Vector2((vertex.X - minX) / (maxX - minX), (vertex.Y - minY) / (maxY - minY));

                float x = ((tempVertex.X * sampleWidth) + left) / textureWidth;
                float y = ((tempVertex.Y * sampleHeight) + bottom) / textureHeight;

                y = 1 - y;

                list.Add(new VertexInfo(System.Drawing.Color.Transparent, new Vector2(x, y)));
            }

            return list;
        }
    }
}


text:
Kelly Cup Champions Logos
The Patrick J. Kelly Cup goes to the playoff champion of the ECHL. The Kelly Cup has been awarded to teams since 1997. Prior to 1997, the playoff winner was awarded the Riley Cup, named after former American Hockey League President Jack Riley. The current cup is named after Patrick J. Kelly, the league's first commissioner. The cup is loaned to the winning team for one year and is returned at the start of the following year's playoffs.
ECHL Team Logos • Kelly Cup Champs
Kelly Cup Champions
Alaska Aces
Atlantic City Boardwalk Bullies
Hampton Roads Admirals
Greensboro Monarchs
Carolina Thunderbirds


text:
Archive for the 'Hemma Fashions' Category
Designers of Color: Hemma Collection
Q: How did Hemma Fashions come about?
A. In the spring of 2007, while attending NYU, the designers studied abroad in Ghana, West Africa, where we discovered beautiful African textiles. While Cindy, pursued a career in law, and Edna, medicine, they also independently designed for years. They were inspired by African fashion and textiles, in particular intricately handwoven Kente. Drawing from its rich history, they began incorporating Kente into the garments that they made for themselves while in Ghana. At the same time, they were dedicated to volunteering as teachers at La Yahoushua, a local middle school. The passion for their students transcended the classroom as they advised a photography club, extending to many students their first opportunity to capture the world around them.
Once back in New York, Edna and Cindy received such wide acclaim for their designs that they launched a lifestyle brand combining African luxury with a fresh spin on classic designs. Hemma is a luxury womenswear collection that incorporates the same traditional techniques that have been used to weave Kente for African nobility for centuries. The name Hemma derives from the word "ohemma," meaning queen in the Twi language of Ghana. Hemma affords each client an opportunity to dress with undeniable contemporary style while indulging in the textures and richness of royalty. 5% of all profits will be donated to the school that remains so dear to our hearts.
Q. Tell our blog readers a little about each designer's vision when they created the line. What was the objective?
A. Edna – My vision for the 2010 Hemma collection was to have a chic yet classic collection. We wanted to bring this intricately hand woven fabric to the West and reveal how well the Hemma garments can be mixed and matched with pieces you already have in your closet. I also wanted it to have the cosmopolitan style of a New Yorker, with an international twist.
Cindy – I was inspired by the celebration of the women's silhouettes present in African fashion. With this collection, we wanted our garments to flatter a women's shape, allowing her to feel confident about what she is wearing. I also wanted to stay true to the tradition of kente being used for the royal class by creating a chic and immaculately tailored collection that would make any women feel like royalty.
Q. What are a few things you consider when creating a collection? Where do you find inspiration when creating looks?
A. We find inspiration by thinking about what women would feel comfortable in yet turn heads. The Hemma woman will make a statement, what kind of statement is up to the client—we have an all Black Asante suit which has detailed pattern on a solid subtle palette but we also have the beautiful Blue Asante suite that has patterns using black and copper, always a show stopper. The best part is that all of our suits can be worn together or as separates depending on the look you hope to execute.
Q. Describe Hemma using three adjectives.
A. Chic, Innovative, One-of-a-kind
Q. Tell us about your latest collection. What excites you about it?
A. In Hemma's latest collection we used a sleek silhouette that lends itself to all shapes and sizes and creates a beautifully fitted garment that hugs the right places. Construction and fit are a major focus in the 2010 collection. We pride ourselves on creating clothing that makes women feel comfortable and confident. We also wanted to emphasize the wear-ability of Hemma while maintaining its luxe feel. This high-end vision is achieved by putting attention into even the smallest of details, for example by creating custom made buttons with the Hemma adinkra symbol, the dwennimmen, a powerful image in West Africa that represents humility & strength. This is one of the pillars of Hemma's first collection, being a powerful force in contemporary fashion but also incorporating humanitarian aspects through The Hemma Foundation. The pieces in this collection, while being very stylish are not trends. They are very well constructed garments that can sustain the test of time. Hemma's pieces are so versatile that they can be worn now and for years to come.
Q. You donate 5% of your profits to charity. How important is helping the community to you?
A. We both volunteered as teachers and photography club advisors at La Yahoushua Junior Secondary School in Accra, Ghana. We witnessed the economic hardships faced by young children in Ghana, many of whom work long hours to assist their families. Numerous primary and secondary schools also lack basic resources such as bathrooms and up-to-date learning materials. In order to improve the educational facilities while granting disadvantaged students an opportunity to attend school, we created The Hemma Foundation. We will continue to guide the foundation's growth and support its efforts by way of an ongoing investment of 5% by Hemma's annual sales.
Q. What else does the future hold for Hemma? What would you like to see happen for the brand in the next five years? Do you have any free standing stores/boutiques?
A. Hemma's future is very bright. This is just our first collection and our future collections will continue to evolve and improve. Characteristics of Hemma that will remain constant are Quality of fabric and construction, Beauty in pattern and color, and a Fit that will make women feel good about their curves. In the next five years we would like to be in boutiques across the country and around the world, as well as have expanded to our men's collection. We will hopefully have a flagship store by that time as well.
Q. Is there anything else you would like to add?
A. There are so many things to love aesthetically about Hemma but we are very proud about Hemma's economic and social impacts as well. Since the inception of Hemma, we have created jobs for individuals in Ghana as well as here in NYC. For many of our employees, the fair wages that Hemma provides is their only means of supporting themselves and their families.
Also, we are very strong proponents of the green movement and are a very socially conscious company. It's about time that society and fashion wake up more to eco-friendly practices that work towards sustainable and innovation. Each of us has to do our part in the fight to be more responsible and accountable for our world and the society we live in. Hemma is doing its part by using raw, organic cotton to weave the Kente that is colored with natural dyes. The weaving process takes a very long time, about 2-3 months to create enough fabric to construct 2 suits. But it is all woven by hand on wooden looms not in factories and no tools are used. Only certain families with this tradition in its lineage can pass on the skill of weaving Kente.
We are proud to bring such a chic, luxe collection to the market and through it also expand the innovation, social conscience and face of fashion!
Bravo to Hemma Fashions! — O
Posted in African Fashion Designers, Designers of Color, fashion, Hemma Fashions | Leave a Comment »
You are currently browsing the archives for the Hemma Fashions category.


text:
Two-minute letdown answered with beatdown
Philadelphia was comfortably in control of its game with Ottawa, holding a 3-0 lead late in the second period. The Senators made things interesting. For about half a period.
Ottawa scored twice, once shorthanded, in the second period's final two minutes but Philadelphia responded with three third-period goals to come away with an easy 6-2 victory. Then the fights started in the last eight minutes, with surprising guys like Jeff Carter and Claude Giroux dropping the gloves for the Flyers.
There were five fights in the game.
As for the offense, Mike Richards had two goals and two assists and Danny Briere and Andrej Meszaros had one of each for the Flyers. Chris Pronger returned to the lineup with two assists. Sergei Bobrovsky made 25 saves.
About that genius move
Well, one night after scoring four times, Marian Gaborik was held without a point as Carolina knocked off the Rangers, 4-1. Jeff Skinner and Chad LaRose each had a goal and assist and Tuomo Ruutu set up two goals. Cam Ward made 39 saves, only two coming from the stick of Gaborik.
Roaring back
Toronto scored four unanswered goals - two by Mikhail Grabovski - lighting up Jonas Hiller to earn a 5-2 victory over Anaheim. Clarke MacArthur scored and set up two others and Tyler Bozak had a goal and assist. Jean-Sebastien Giguere made 26 saves.
Goalie roulette
Who rotates goalies more, Philadelphia or Washington?
Braden Holtby made 24 saves and Alex Ovechkin assisted on both Washington goals in a 2-1 victory over the Islanders. Nicklas Backstrom and Jason Chimera scored.
No Crosby, no Malkin, no goals, no points
In the most predictable result of the night (as I called a few days ago), Martin Brodeur shut out Pittsburgh. The Penguins, without Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin, mustered just 23 shots on goal - few threatening ones - in the 2-0 loss. Brent Johnson gave up two brutal goals in the first 10 minutes, though the second, by Nick Palmieri, came off a terrible turnover by former Devil Paul Martin. Brian Rolston scored 1:22 in that allowed the Devils, who had only 20 shots, to implement their trap right away.
No Thomas, no points
I don't care who earns a game's Three Stars, but I do point them out sometimes when there's something curious about them. In this case, Buffalo knocked off Boston for a key 4-2 win and three Sabres were the game's stars. None were Ryan Miller, who made 38 saves, including 18 in the third period. Thomas Vanek, who scored and assisted on Jason Pominville's goal, both strikes coming in the third period to snap a 2-2 tie, was also not one. The Sabres did the damage against Tuukka Rask, who has only four wins despite some solid numbers.
Nashville scored three third-period goals, including two in the first 4:22, to secure a 5-1 rout of Colorado. David Legwand and Cody Franson both had a goal and assist and Pekka Rinne made 32 saves.
Still bad
Los Angeles continued its struggles as Phoenix scored a controversial goal and downed the Kings, 2-0. Martin Hanzal's power play goal appeared to be hit with a high stick but no one associated with the NHL thought so, and Lee Stempniak scored 57 seconds later in support of Ilya Bryzgalov's 36 shots. Phoenix mustered just 15 attempts against Jonathan Quick. The Kings have lost three straight, scoring only two goals during that time, and 10 of 12.
Dallas won its fifth straight game, 4-2 over Edmonton, behind goal and assist efforts by Jamie Benn and Adam Burish plus Kari Lehtonen's 30 saves.
--Tampa Bay twice erased a one-goal deficit on goals by Steven Stamkos and Dominic Moore's shootout goal in round four helped the Lightning to a 3-2 shootout win over Atlanta. Dwayne Roloson made 27 saves.
--St. Louis scored twice in the third period to force overtime but Darren Helm scored on a 2-on-1 in the extra frame to give Detroit a 4-3 victory. Jiri Hudler posted three assists and Jimmy Howard made 26 saves.
--Antti Niemi made 36 saves and Joe Pavelski's shootout goal gave San Jose a 2-1 win over Vancouver. Roberto Luongo stopped 45 shots.
--I dunno, the Penguins just do not match up well against New Jersey. They can't do anything right against the Devils. They were lucky to beat them twice earlier this season. I'm not even mad at the loss, I knew it was coming. As usual, the Penguins couldn't adjust to the style New Jersey plays.
--The East playoff race won't and can't be anywhere near as tight as the West but the wins by Carolina and Buffalo (Nos. 9 and 10) and Atlanta's shootout loss have made things a touch more interesting.
--It took Stamkos long enough to reclaim the goal scoring lead from Sidney Crosby, who's been out most of the month, but Stamkos is looking unstoppable again.
--I'm sure I'm not the first to ask this, and this is probably counter to my past Chris Osgood arguments, but is Jimmy Howard good or just a product of Detroit's system? Since they've been missing some of their regulars, he's been mediocre at best.
--Actually that's not fair. He's been mediocre since the middle of November.


May's throw of the dice comes a day after her dramatic pledge to resign in order to persuade her rivals to finally back her vision for breaking Britain's 46-year membership of the bloc.
The prime minister's back is against the wall as she tries to keep Britain's economy from imploding and the pound from plunging when a post-Brexit border splits the two tight trading partners.
Andrea Leadsom, the government's representative in parliament, said Thursday that the new vote gave recalcitrant lawmakers the chance to secure Britain's delayed departure from the EU on May 22.
"I encourage all MPs to support it and ensure that we leave the EU… giving people and businesses the certainty they need," she told MPs.
House of Commons Speaker John Bercow gave his approval to hold the vote after he had rejected a similar attempt last week, ruling then that May's text was essentially the same one that lawmakers had voted down.
"(It) is new, substantially different and in conformity," he said of the deal to be put to MPs on Friday's vote, which will only cover the main withdrawal agreement in May's plan and not an accompanying political declaration for future EU relations.
Any failure by lawmakers to pass the pact that was signed off last year by May and the 27 EU leaders could result in a feared "no-deal Brexit" scenario on April 12.
The prime minister's handling of Brexit has provoked anger, frustration and ridicule at home and abroad.
"I know there is a desire for a new approach — and new leadership — in the second phase of the Brexit negotiations and I won't stand in the way of that," May told a packed meeting of party members.
Former foreign minister Boris Johnson said he would now back the premier "on behalf of the 17.4 million people who voted for Brexit" in the deeply divisive 2016 referendum.
But the opposition Labour party said May's pledge only created more uncertainties by leaving open the question of who would lead the trade talks that will define EU-UK relations for decades to come.
"It's even more of a blindfold Brexit," Labour's Brexit spokesman Keir Starmer said.


♥ I am the author of a mystery novella (Dark Hours), three YA/Juvenile fiction books (Strange Occurrences; Summer Hayes & the Idol of Neuworth; Samantha), an illustrated children's book (Blossom the Elephant) and twelve poetry books (Spring; Winter; Autumn; Summer; Four Seasons; New Life, New Day; Four Roads to Freedom; Reflections in the Green Triangle; Dancing in the Sunlight; The Allure of a Summer Evening; Little Bird; A Thousand Cranes – Volume 1). Currently, I'm working on many more fiction and poetry books.
♥ I am a musician and have released two singles, feel-good pop/rock songs. My first single is The Strength of Hope, which is available for purchase on iTunes & Amazon MP3. I also produced and directed the music video for this song, and this can be found on YouTube. I also released my second single, Shooting Star, which has a video available on YouTube as well.
♥ I have released two short films, Golden Ladders to the Stars & Beyond, & Gifts of the Heart. I wrote, directed, and acted in both films, which are available on YouTube.
♥ Dogs, manatees, sloths, koalas, tapirs, peacocks, rabbits, beavers, otters, moose, elephants, turtles, hummingbirds, anteaters, and basically all animals are my favorites!
♥ My other hobbies include playing with my dog Sparky, painting, drawing, writing music, writing lyrics, using the computer, observing the world around me, solving logic and mind puzzles (I love Sudoku!), learning about a variety of subjects, exercising, and being outside.
♥ My favorite color is yellow, but I also love orange, pink, blue, green, and purple.
♥ The Beach Boys, The Beatles, Billy Joel, Cyndi Lauper, Jess Penner, & Queen are my favorite bands/musicians.
♥ National Treasure, the Indiana Jones movies, Overboard, My Cousin Vinny, Hunt for Red October, the Mission Impossible movies, & the Sherlock Holmes movies are my favorite films.
♥ The Complete Sherlock Holmes by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Chasing Vermeer by Blue Balliett, the Harry Potter books by J. K. Rowling, & the Agatha Christie books are my favorites.
♥ Harrison Ford, Zooey Deschanel, & Emma Watson are my favorite actors & actresses.
♥ Wes Montgomery, Les Paul, Jimmy Page, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Mick Rogers of Manfred Mann's Earth Band (one of the most underrated guitarists ever), & Joe Satriani are my favorite guitarists.
I love gardens, color, music, textiles and knitting, cooking…we have a lot in common! Looking forward to reading more.
Thanks for reblogginf Dandelion, sorry I have not replied sooner but I've been away for a few weeks. Great blog, keep it up.
It was great learning a bit about you.


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A grade 3 student asked me today, What's your favourite book? I told him that's a really hard question to answer.
Then his twin brother asked about my "worst" book. That's even harder.
The easy answer is "I can't choose!" But no kid wants to hear that. I told them I love ROMEO AND JULIET, but they don't know what that is. What kind of answer are they hoping for?
My classes are based around a library of about 200 books, mostly the Caldecott and Newberry winners, grouped by reading level. I haven't read them all, but I know them all after four years of teaching. And still my students are amazed by this.
Perhaps they're hoping my favourite book might be amongst the handful they've read.


TecAndForm is a marketing agency based in London. We provide a full range of marketing services across all platforms. From Social Media to a Complex Web Design, from a logo design to a brochure printing, from a simple restaurante menu to a full shop from decoration, from a printed t-shirt to a full van vinyl decoration, TecAndForm is the company you can contact. We also complete our services with merchandise products, such pens, etc and we run two diferent business directories, where we leading with thousand's of diferent costumers areas of activity.
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text:
Stephen Wagner
Paranormal researcher with 30 years of experience
Creator of the paranormal podcast "Taking Flight"
Author of "Touched by a Miracle" and "True Tales of the Oujia Board"
Stephen Wagner is a former writer for ThoughtCo, contributing articles on paranormal phenomena for 18 years. He has been an investigator of paranormal phenomena for over 30 years. His work has appeared in numerous magazines, including FATE, and he has appeared in the radio program "Coast to Coast AM with George Noory."
Wagner holds a bachelor's degree from the State University of New York at Oswego in English, theatre, and broadcasting.
"Touched By a Miracle: True Stories of Ordinary People and Extraordinary Experiences"
"True Tales of the Ouija Board: Terrifying, Wondrous, and Fascinating Experiences with the Mysterious Spirit Oracle"
LiveAbout and Dotdash
LiveAbout is a reference site focused on entertainment, activities, and hobbies. We know that time away from the stress of work and responsibilities at home is limited, and we want to help you make the most of those precious hours.
That's why our coverage is a lovable jumble of urban legends, sports history, and esoteric trivia. Our articles discuss everything from fashion advice to UFO sightings, all so you can make the most of your time off.
For more than 20 years, Dotdash brands have been helping people find answers, solve problems, and get inspired. We are one of the top-20 largest content publishers on the Internet according to comScore, and reach more than 30% of the U.S. population monthly. Our brands collectively have won more than 20 industry awards in the last year alone, and recently Dotdash was named Publisher of the Year by Digiday, a leading industry publication.
Read more from Stephen Wagner
Chupacabras: The Blood-Sucking Creature from Hell
The Ghosts and Monsters of Salt Lake City
Camping Encounters with Monsters and Ghosts
Children's Premonitions, Encounters with the Dead
Get Spooked All Year Long With These Haunted Vacation Packages
Ghosts and monsters: True stories of camping terror
If You've Encountered UFO's, These Stories May Sound Familiar
Check Out These Spooky True Halloween Tales
Encounters with Little People - Fairies, Elves and Leprechauns
A collection of true stories about encounters with shadow people.
7 of the Weirdest Human Enigmas
Four Chilling Tales of Curses and Their Aftermath
A disturbing look at a suicide attempter's NDE
True experiences of ghosts of pets and other animals
The Hunt for the Ghosts of Edinburgh Castle
Gallery of Monsters
A spirit returns from the grave to name her own murderer
Wymering Manor: Britain's Most Haunted House
10 Most Perplexing Mysteries Found on Earth
Encounter with Death Entity or Grim Reaper
Could Vampires Conceivably Be Real?
Check Out These Haunted Places From Around the World
6 Stories of Time Travel That Just Might Be True
True Stories of Encounters With Hooded Beings
Who -- or What -- Are the Shadow People?
Watch Out for the "Inhuman" Invasion of the Black-Eyed People
Haunted Christmas—True Stories of Ghosts and Spirits
The True Story of a Monster That Terrorized a German Village for Years
What Are Some True Stories of 'Money from Heaven'?
The Strange Tale of the Anguished Man Haunted Painting
Descriptions of the Afterlife from Those Who've Died and Come Back
The Most Mysterious Anomalies of Mars
Psychometry: Sensing an Object's Past Through Touch
Did Nostradamus Predict World War III?
Are You Haunted by a Black-Cloaked Entity?
Did an Arizona Family Encounter a Skinwalker?
Remarkable, embarrassing, life-saving ways these people affect electronics
The Giant Bird Haunting the Skies of Pennsylvania
Fascinating Real Ghost Pictures That Will Make You a Believer
What Evidence Is There for Sasquatch's Existence?
Stories About Phone Calls From Other Worlds or Dimensions
What Is a Shadowman?
The REAL X-Men: Real People with Extraordinary Abilities and Powers.
Reported Encounters With Gettysburg Ghosts
Polar Shifts May Have Caused Cataclysmic Climate Changes
Do 3 Mysterious Knocks Foretell Death?
Learn the Facts About the Phenomenon Known As "Old Hag" Syndrome
World's Most Haunted Roads
Paranormal and Ghost Webcams
Amazing Stories of Near-Death Experiences


TheLiteracyCenter is one of more than 5,000 organizations on LibraryThing. TheLiteracyCenter is listed as a "basic adult literacy program."
About meThe Literacy Center is dedicated to improving basic adult literacy in our community.
About my libraryOur library includes all the books that we utilize with our basic adult literacy program.


Bradford City are delighted to announce a new commercial partnership with Harrogate Spring Water.
The Yorkshire based Drinks Company will be supplying water to both the first team and supporters within the stadium in its bars and kiosks for the 2017/18 season.
As part of the new deal, the easily recognisable 'Harrogate Spring Water' logo will be displayed along the top of the club's dugouts offering prime TV exposure as well as an advertising board behind the goal on the TL Dallas stand.
Pictured, is Greg Hatton, Export & New Business Manager at Harrogate Spring Water, Damien Wilkinson, Finance Director at Harrogate Spring Water, and James Mason, Chief Operating Officer at Bradford City.


Microsoft and RIM have teamed up to make Bing the default maps and search option on BlackBerry devices.
According to reports, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer made an appearance at BlackBerry World 2011 to announce the partnership.
Bing search and maps will be integrated into BlackBerry's OS and the first devices running them will appear in time for Christmas.
Ballmer also said Microsoft would "invest uniquely in the BlackBerry platform." It will also push the BlackBerryEnterprise Server to its clients.
Both RIM and Microsoft are facing stiff smartphone competition from Apple and Google and this deal could be one way to fight back.
Microsoft previously completed a deal with Nokia to make Windows Phone 7 the mobile phone company's primary operating system.
Separately, Meteor announced it will expand its range of BlackBerry devices to its prepay customers.
Meteor Pay As You Go customers who sign up can avail of a three months free offer, including free BlackBerry Messenger, Push Email, web browsing and access to free and paid apps through BlackBerry App World, which normally retails at €9.99 per month.
Meteor has also released a pink version of the BlackBerry Curve 8520.
Prices start at €129.99 for new and existing customers who pre-registered and €139.99 online for all new and upgrading customers.


text:
HomeMaritime NewsRegionsAsiaChina denies piracy incident
China denies piracy incident
Super User_2 | Feb 07, 2011
Beijing: The China Maritime Search and Rescue Center (MSA) has denied reports of a Chinese-flagged commercial ship being hijacked by Somali pirates off the Yemeni coast.
The Xinhua news agency quoted a MSA official as confirming that the organisation had made contacts with the ship and found that the "Tien Hau" ship and its 22-member crew, are safe.
He further said that a suspicious boat had followed the ship for a while, but it was never attacked or hijacked.
Earlier on Saturday, the Yemeni Interior Ministry had said the ship was hijacked by pirates some 20 kilometres off the Yemeni island of Al-Tair off the city port of al-Hudaida, and was heading towards the Somali coast. [07/02/11]


Former "The Voice of the Philippines" finalist and Team Apl.de.ap member Jessica Reynoso landed her biggest stint yet as an artist after starring in the comeback video of The Black Eyed Peas titled "Ring The Alarm."
"So thankful and so blessed to be able to be a part of this project," Jessica wrote on her Instagram account.
The singer joined the first season of The Voice of the Philippines, where she met Apl.de.ap, who way back then promised to make her known in the international scene. The Black Eyed Peas member has fulfilled that promise and signed the singer with his label BMBX in 2014. Jessica has already been performing for numerous shows in the United States before landing a stint in "Ring The Alarm" music video.
It is not confirmed though if Jessica is the replacement of former lead singer Fergie who already left the hip-hop group.


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CNN's Brian Stelter Has a Lot of Nerve Getting Snotty About Sean Hannity's Conflict of Interest
Posted at 12:30 pm on April 17, 2018 by Patterico
Brian Stelter of CNN is getting huffy about yesterday's revelation that Sean Hannity may have used President Trump's personal lawyer for legal advice without telling viewers. And Brian Stelter of CNN wants you to know that he is deeply disturbed by this unethical lack of disclosure:
While his off-air relationships might be just a logical extension of Hannity's on-air cheerleading for Trump, it still came as a surprise, immediately raising questions about both Hannity and Fox.
By any standards of any normal newsroom, the Cohen-Hannity relationship is a glaring conflict of interest.
Fox is not a normal newsroom. And Hannity's viewers are not typical news viewers — people who watch almost any other show would likely feel lied to when they learned something like this had not been disclosed to them, but Hannity's want him to have this kind of relationship with Trumpworld.
This comes from Brian Stelter.
Of CNN.
You see the problem? If not, let me sum it up in two words:
Corey Lewandowski.
In June 2016, after Lewandowski left the Trump campaign, he was hired by CNN to be a political commentator. Here's what one Brian Stelter from CNN said at the time:
There are also swirling questions about whether Lewandowski is still bound to Trump somehow.
Like other Trump employees, he signed a non-disclosure agreement that ensures he will not share confidential information.
The agreement likely included a "non-disparagement clause," impeding his ability to criticize Trump publicly.
On Thursday night, in his first appearance as a CNN commentator, anchor Erin Burnett asked about the existence of such a clause, and Lewandowski declined to answer directly.
Meaning, of course, that he had one. Does this mean that Brian Stelter opposed the hire? Judge for yourself by reading the last line of his piece:
Adding Lewandowski is another way to ensure ideological diversity on the air. His perspective might be uniquely valuable given that he was Trump's right hand man up until this week.
LOL. Cue the eternal cry of the hypocritical leftist: But that's different!
Bloomberg Told Employee Who Was Pregnant to "Kill It" According to a Lawsuit
But it got worse. In September, ABC News reported that Lewandowski was still receiving payments from the Trump campaign, even as he gave commentary about Trump on CNN:
Donald Trump's presidential campaign paid former campaign manager Corey Lewandowski's company $20,000 in consulting fees in August, campaign filings show.
Lewandowski was fired as Trump's campaign manager on June 20 . . . Days after the firing, CNN hired Lewandowski as an on-air political commentator, a position he holds currently.
Trump's campaign finance filing shows a $20,000 payment made to Lewandowski's company, Green Monster Consulting, LLC, on August 11 for the purpose of "strategy consulting."
Did CNN immediately fire Lewandowski? No, CNN did not. Indeed, Lewandowski stayed on until days before the election, ultimately resigning in November. As one Brian Stelter from CNN reported:
Lewandowski brought unique first-hand experience running a historic presidential campaign. But some viewers — and even some CNN staffers — felt Lewandowski never should have been hired at all.
Lewandowski was bound by a non-disclosure agreement that impeded his ability to criticize Trump publicly. He also received severance payments from the campaign.
CNN President Jeff Zucker stood by the decision to hire Lewandowski, pointing out that it was critical to have ideological diversity on the airwaves.
Which sounds a lot like Stelter's own quote (already noted above), when Lewandowski was hired: "Adding Lewandowski is another way to ensure ideological diversity on the air."
You know what you did not see from Stelter? A passage like this one, in which I take Stelter's commentary about Hannity and rewrite it for the Lewandowski situation:
While his off-air relationship with Cohen might be just a logical extension of Lewandowski's on-air cheerleading for Trump, it still came as a surprise, immediately raising questions about both Lewandowski and CNN.
By any standards of any normal newsroom, the Trump campaign's payments to (and non-disparagement clause with) Lewandowski relationship constitute a glaring conflict of interest.
CNN is not a normal newsroom. And Lewandowski's fans are not typical news viewers — people who watch almost any other show would likely feel lied to when they learned something like this had not been disclosed to them, but Lewandowski's fans want him to have this kind of relationship with Trumpworld.
You did not see anything like that in any of Brian Stelter's pieces. You did not see him calling Lewandowski's arrangement a "glaring conflict of interest." You did not see him claiming that CNN is not a normal newsroom. Instead, you saw him praising the Lewandowski hire.
What do you know? He has a different standard for Fox News than he has for his own employer!
Which is to be expected. Just don't expect us to take your moral preening seriously, Brian Stelter. You guys are hardly the angels you're trying to appear to be. And we all know it.
Tags: Brian Stelter CNN corey lewandowski Michael Cohen President Trump Sean Hannity
Another boring feminist pretends she's SKEERY: Mona Eltahawy's 'patriarchy' video recorded at #WomensMarch2020 accidentally HILARIOUS
Operation Varsity Blues: Parent releases phone transcripts to prove innocence
Your Paycheck In 2020


A business will incur a VAT sucharge is it is late paying its VAT bill. Initially calculated at 2% of the VAT due figure, repeated 'offences' will see the surcharge rise in increments up to 15% of the total VAT due figure.
We understand that any business, might on occasion, be late paying its VAT bill.
The cardinal error however is to assume that HMRC waive the surcharge if there is good reason why the payment is late.
tell them you were only late by a day etc.
Sob stories and the like are irrelevant to HMRC. An officer can only remove a default surcharge by reference to the legislation.
To give yourself a chance of reducing or cancelling a surcharge you need to demonstrate that you have a reasonable excuse for the late VAT payment.
We have successfully challenged many default surcharges and penalties. What may seem a lost cause to you may appear entirely defensible to us.
Our VAT and Customs Appeals team are experts. Nigel Gibbon used to be head of the VAT division at Customs' Solicitor's Office and Nick Hunt is our expert in relation to Customs' penalties and surcharges.
Why not call us? For the price of a phone call it is worth exlploring your options.


The VUELTA LS Jersey matches the FONDO Jersey with fully customizable long sleeves. It's a comfortable and cost-effective option for the Occasional Adventurer who wants to show off their great design. The VUELTA is perfect for cool weather, sun protection or as a matching item to complete your look.


text:
namespace IEnumerableNamespace
{
    using System;
    using System.Collections.Generic;

    public static class EnumerableExtensions
    {
        public static void ForEach<T>(this IEnumerable<T> collection, Action<T> action)
        {
            foreach (var item in collection)
            {
                action(item);
            }
        }
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}


Roy Davis - Previous Director for Davis Framing, Inc.
Archived Record Littlefield, TX — Previous Director for Davis Framing, Inc.
Roy Davis has been associated with one company, according to public records. The company was incorporated in Texas sixteen years ago.
Receive an email notification when changes occur for Roy Davis.
These addresses are known to be associated with Roy Davis however they may be inactive or mailing addresses only. Please verify address for mailing or other purposes.


The eudicots are the largest group of flowering plants (angiosperms). The term eudicots derives from the term "dicotyledons." Historically, dicots were the group of flowering plants characterized by having two seeds leaves upon germination, presence of woody or secondary growth, tap root system, reticulate (netlike) venation in the leaves, and flower parts in groups of four or five. Recent studies based on molecular phylogenetic evidence suggest that the dicotyledons are an evolutionarily natural, or monophyletic , group. However, a smaller, monophyletic, well-supported lineage termed the eudicots or "true dicots" contains the majority, but not all, of the former dicots.
There are approximately 319 families of plants within the eudicots, and these include about three-quarters of all flowering plant species. One of the most important defining morphological features of the eudicots is the presence of pollen grains having three, long, grooved apertures or openings, and in recognition of that fact, the eudicots are also known as the tricolpates. Many eudicots also exhibit a specific cell ultrastructure: The sieve elements (sap-conducting cells) contain organelles called plastids, which contain starch grains.
Some eudicots have evolved highly specialized associations with animal pollinators.
The eudicots are believed to represent one of the early radiations, or evolutionary expansions, of flowering plants, but the relationship of the eudicots to other flowering plant lineages is not well known. The eudicots include many familiar flowering plants. The earliest diverging lineage includes a group called the Ranunculales (including Ranunculus, the buttercups; Podophyllum, the mayapples; and Papaver, the poppies). Other groups within the eudicots include Proteas (grown as an ornamental) and related plants, the sycamore or plane tree family (Platanaceae), and the so-called "core eudicots." The core eudicots are the largest group of eudicots and include a number of diverse plant families, such as the following groups and their relatives: the carnations, sandalwoods, saxifrages, geraniums, roses, and asters. The eudicots include many economically important plants, such as Nicotiana tabacum (tobacco), Brassica oleracea (cabbage, kale, and broccoli), the legumes (which include beans, peas, lentils, chickpeas, peanuts, and soybeans, among other crops), and Solanum tuberosum (potato).
The eudicots are one of the most diverse groups of flowering plants in terms of floral and vegetative shape, growth form, habitat, and association with animals for pollination, seed dispersal, or nutrition. Some eudicots, for example many woody trees (oaks, maples, hickories, and birches in the Northern Hemisphere), are wind-pollinated and have very reduced petals and sepals , while producing copious amounts of pollen. Others have evolved highly specialized associations with animal pollinators including many species of insects (including bees, butterflies, and moths), birds (especially hummingbirds) and even bats (some species of cactus are pollinated by bats).
Floral modifications characteristic of some eudicots include fusion of sepal and petal parts, and zygomorphic (asymmetical) shape (for example, Antirrhium, the snapdragon and its relatives, and many flowers of the mint family). This trait often provides a "landing pad" projecting from the flower, and is often associated with insect pollination. The aster or composite family (for example, the common daisy, dandelion, and sunflower) has a unique type of inflorescence that is composed of many tiny flowers, some of which form the rays and look like petals, and others which form the disk flowers in the center of the composite head.
Judd, W. S., C. S. Campbell, E. A. Zimmer, and P. F. Stevens. Plant Systematics: A Phylogenetic Approach. Sunderland, MA: Sinauer Associates, 1999.
Magallon, Susana, Peter R. Crane, and Patrick S. Herendeen. "Phylogenetic Pattern, Diversity, and Diversification of Eudicots." In Annals of the Missouri Botanical Garden 86 (1999): 297–372.


Why Keep Website Content Current?
Search engines favor websites that have fresh content. Keeping your content current is fundamental and necessary to achieving and maintaining high search engine rankings. Search engines consider fresh content to be of greater value than outdated content, penalizing websites that remain unchanged and rewarding sites that maintain fresh content.
A great approach to keeping content fresh is to launch a company blog. A blog can serve several useful purposes including keeping your visitors informed and educated.
This entry was posted in Website Maintenance and tagged Mankato Website Maintenance, Website Maintenance on October 7, 2012 by Ross Lund.


It's 8 a.m. on Thanksgiving morning, and Rich Edwards, a wine steward at L'Auberge de Sedona restaurant in Arizona, kisses his son Devon goodbye. He won't return home until long past 10 p.m., when Devon is fast asleep. A brief embrace is all they will share together this holiday.
The heat is on. Long lines form at the hostess stands of area restaurants. Foodservice workers report for duty like Marines headed for combat, armed with comfortable shoes, caffeine and determination. Before them lies a 12-hour stretch of nonstop service in which they will dish out hundreds of turkey dinners without a break or a meal. For these food-and-beverage workers, Thanksgiving is no picnic.
The restaurant industry employs 12 million people nationwide, making it the largest private-sector employer. In Sedona, a city where tourism constitutes the backbone of the economy, this means the majority of its workers report for duty on the holidays, all at a subminimum wage of $2.13 an hour.
From diners and drive-throughs to gourmet restaurants, America's dedicated foodservice workers embrace their long holiday shifts with cheerful attitudes and even enthusiasm for the stressful, if not Herculean, task at hand. For them, it is the best of times and the worst of times.
"We take it in stride," said Faith Spicer, a waitress at Shugrue's who has served food in Sedona for more than 12 years, five of them at the Hillside restaurant. As the mother of two boys who also juggles two jobs, Spicer works a "double" on Thanksgiving, from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Also making similar tradeoffs is Melody Rennie, a waitress at Denny's and the mother of a 2-year-old. This Thanksgiving, she's getting ready to serve 65 passengers of a tour bus due to pull up at any moment. "I miss my little girl right now, but I do get to spend a lot more time with her than I would in most regular jobs," she said.
Over at the Red Planet Diner, "earthlings" munch away at Buffalo wings and fries instead of turkey and mashed potatoes. Here, servers work in two rotating shifts, some of them filling in so that others can enjoy the day off with their families.
The holidays offer a chance to pocket some extra cash in preparation for January's long, lean drought when, according to many servers, their restaurants resemble mausoleums. Feast or famine. But today, it's feast — or rather, feeding frenzy — as servers scramble to keep up with the maddening pace.
This is no job for the faint of heart at any given time. The demand requires servers to be fast on their feet with a mind quicker than lightning. Every second counts, and the loss of a precious five minutes while customers ponder their salad dressing choices can spell disaster. One simple, innocent mistake can completely ruin someone's dinner — and the server's gratuity.
From restaurant to restaurant, a similar situation repeats itself. Stretched beyond the imaginable with an unusually high volume of patrons, the city's eateries look like a loaves-and-fishes scene from some Hollywood Biblical epic. By some small miracle, foodservice employees will feed hundreds at a time with pure finesse.
In the nearby Hyatt complex, martinis line up at a bustling service bar. The kitchen is in full-tilt-boogie, all visible through the open pick-up window. Stress runs high in a business where anything can go wrong and often does. And then everybody wants a separate check.
Stress? Maybe it's why food servers rank high on the list of the Top 10 Stressful Jobs in a recent health magazine article, along with coal miners, air traffic controllers and emergency medical technicians. Yet they remain unflappable.
By late afternoon, people descend in droves on the dining rooms at Los Abrigados Resort, where the staff will serve several hundred meals in the next few hours. The scent of food fills the air, along with the perennial sound of whirling cocktail blenders and wailing infants.
Diners fix their gaze on the swinging door, anxious for a server to emerge with their food. Bussers scurry back and forth like ants, in a frenetic dance between the bar, the kitchen and the dining room. A hostess scans the room for an empty table, desperate for loitering guests to vacate their seats. The staff appears cheerful and upbeat despite the great duress and occasional "stiff" or "deadbeat" — the patron who fails to leave a tip.
A waiter brings out a combination fajita to a woman who insists she ordered the chimichanga. A foreign tourist wants to know why he got beef when he ordered the chicken fried steak. A family complains that their soups are cold. One customer is furious because the bar doesn't stock his preferred vodka. A mother becomes upset when a restaurant runs out of high chairs. The kitchen loses a ticket, and food is delivered to the wrong table. Everyone wants a window table, and no one wants to sit near the door.
Resort bartender Tami Green, a 21-year veteran of the business, says she's worked every single holiday to date. Today, she's working 14 hours; "maybe" she'll get a break. Still, she braves a constant smile.
By nightfall, it's pure pandemonium at many restaurants. No parking spots, long lines. Frantic hostesses struggle to accommodate hungry families without reservations. Bussers race like supply workers on the front lines in Iraq.
A waltz through the swinging doors into the back of the house reveals a world of heat, chaos, grease, cuss, sweat and debris everywhere. Armies of kitchen workers perform a host of prep duties, and the cacophony of shouting cooks, chopping knives and sizzling saucepans permeates the air. Weary servers, now in their eighth hour without a break, grab a bite of a roll and a sip of coffee while adding checks. There's still four more hours to go.
At 9 p.m., foodservice workers, blood sugar now plummeting, still brave a smile to welcome the final strays of Thanksgiving diners. Like their colleagues around town, they've been running on their feet hauling turkey dinners for several hours now — without one of their own.
Their work has just begun.
When the last person has been fed and the doors are shut, servers still face "side work" — closing cleanup duties performed before they can clock out and return home to eat leftovers.
Tables must be reset and napkins folded. Silver, still wet from the dishwasher, is wiped and polished. Counters encrusted with 12 hours worth of caked soup spills and gravy splatters must be scrubbed. Refrigerators are wiped, beverage machines cleaned, pitchers emptied, salt shakers and sugar bowls filled, food wrapped and put away, floors swept and mopped. By 11 p.m., the restaurants are hushed and littered with debris like a stadium after the game.
Coffee breaks, sick days, weekends, holidays and health insurance? These remain as remote to most foodservice workers as the comfort of a leather-back desk chair. But the lure of the job lies in the daily cash.
Most food servers across America report wages of $2.13 an hour, with no overtime or holiday pay. More than 40 states condone these subminimum wage practices under a "tip credit" provision, which the powerful National Restaurant Association fiercely and successfully lobbied for — without opposition or voice from 12 million foodservice workers — in 1996.
Therefore, a server earns $25.56 for a 12-hour shift, before regular deductions and tip taxes. That's where tips come in.
Even when performing non-tipped duties, such as mopping and scrubbing, most servers earn a subminimum wage under current labor laws. In 1991, waitstaff received $2.13 an hour, or half of the $4.25 minimum wage. In 1996, Congress passed the Minimum Wage Increase Act, with an amendment excluding food servers from any future increases in hourly wage under a tip-credit provision. Therefore, their hourly wage has remained frozen at $2.13 for 14 years, exempt from any minimum-wage increases, while the cost of living skyrockets.
Add to this the contradiction of "zero paychecks." The IRS requires servers to report all tips and then taxes them based on their sales. Base wages insufficient to cover the amount of standard deductions and tip taxes translates into no paycheck. In fact, according to many servers, they often "owe" money on payday.
The U.S. Department of Labor reports that America's foodservice workers rank among the nation's lowest wage earners, with an average annual income of $15,000, including tips. While they comprise the largest employee sector in the nation, restaurant workers still lack a unified voice in Washington.
"A little compassion and a lot of humanity go a long way," Green said. Apparently, so does a little generosity.
One out of every 15 adults has worked under McDonald's "golden arches" at some time in their lives under an exploitative, nonunion wage structure of an industry plagued with pervasive patterns of abuse, racism and sexism.
Yet foodservice workers are often the first people foreign visitors meet upon their arrival in America. They are also the stewards of celebration for birthdays and anniversaries, proms and promotions, galas and weddings. What if we had no bartender to mix our margaritas and no busser to clean up the mess? What fun would it be to stay housebound all the time and eat Hamburger Helper?
As multitasking professionals, restaurant workers deserve far more credit for their mental expertise and physical prowess than our condescending society extends them. Serving others is actually a privilege — yes, privilege — and it should be performed with a sense of grace and pride. Instead, bruised dignity seems to come with the job description, along with burning feet and burnt toast.
To America's giant foodservice corporations, these workers represent an ignorant, cheap, disposable pool of desperate laborers who have built their empires on a near-zero payroll. Restaurants make millions in profits while failing to accommodate the basic needs and rights of their employees, who are often fired illegally and denied breaks, with no grievance or mediation.
As American workers undergo an assault from both government and big business, collective action offers the only viable solution to their vicious cycle of alienation, powerlessness and pitiful wages.
Catherine Rourke (rourkescribe@aol.com) is an award-winning labor journalist who specializes in the foodservice industry.


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