Season 14 kicks off with auditions in Los Angeles, California. As much as I enjoyed watching the younger dancers last season, I am happy to see the adult dancers back. I didn't even realized that I missed the opening credits and song till it played. Also, happy to see Mary back and that nothing has changed with the banter between her and Nigel. Vanessa seemed to fit right in and was genuinely excited to be there.
We only had one hour of auditions to watch tonight instead of two. It's easier to stay interested in the show when there is only a few auditions to watch.
Mark Villaver: He has a great energy and perfect way to start the show. Mark referred to the style he was performing as thera…which basically translated to being your true self. I enjoyed his audition and his seamless fusion of break dancing and contemporary.
Kristina and Vasily: Married ballroom couple. Interesting to see the man blindfolded. I thought they dance beautifully and I felt like they successfully created a routine that showed of their various styles of ballroom they have studied.
Robert Green: A violinist turned dancer with an investing outfit to wear to an audition. Robert was my favorite of the night, so entertaining. I can already see the All Stars loving him and possibly fighting to have him on their team.
Alexis Gilbert: She is a beautiful dancer that you can take your eyes off of while she performs. However, for me the song choice and the style of dance didn't quite work for me. The only reason I can think of is that I just saw the pro female dancers from DWTS do a number to this exact song and it a more serious tone compared to how Alexis performed it.
Luke Dryjski: This is what I like to call the featured bad dancer audition. Luke's style of dancing reminds me of how some dancers dance when they are just goofing around and not taking themselves too seriously. Loved that Vanessa thought he was cute and decided to get up there and dance with him.
Darius Hickman: Very rare to see Nigel mention a dancer's story before the dancer does. Darius has had a tough life and dance became his outlet on how he dealt with his life. He was the other standout of the night for me and I see a few of the All Stars wanting to work with him.
There was a montage of dancers from around the world and the night ended with twins from Russia who came over to the states just for the competition.
Ananstasiia and Viktoriia: It was such an interesting piece and I felt like I wasn't watching an audition but an actual performance. Looking forward to seeing what else these two can do.
Next Monday auditions continue in Los Angeles.
Thanks to Vogue over on Pure DWTS, I came across this really great Sugar and Bruno video that contains a whole slew of SYTYCD dancers. I guess I should have known that dancers make for great models. Chelsie, Kathryn and Mollee are a few of my favorites in the video. Plus, how amazing does Stacey look? She's defying time.
Time for a great discussion of SYTYCD season 9 with the famous Debbie Allen. Debbie Allen gives you some really big hints on some dancers that make it to Las Vegas, so listen for those comments. I also dig in a little bit with Debbie Allen about how dance has evolved and even ask her what she thinks about a Dancing with the Stars – Contemporary edition. Enjoy!
In case you missed it, be sure to check out my interview with Cat Deeley about SYTYCD 2012 and with Nigel Lythgoe as well.
Time for a great discussion of SYTYCD season 9 and ballroom dancing on SYTYCD with Mary Murphy. I think this interview does a good job of showing what Mary Murphy is really like. She's much more calm and not playing it up for the big cameras. I liked talking with her about ballroom dancing on SYTYCD. Plus, Mary Murphy talks about the change from SYTYCD Top 20 to only 18 dancers making the finale. I also ask her what she thinks about having ballroom dancers "dance for their life" with a partner.
The next in my set of interviews with the SYTYCD season 9 Las Vegas week judges is with Lil C. It was an interesting interview. He basically dances as he talks, so you'll see a lot of camera movement. He reveals the name of one act that makes it to Las Vegas. Plus, he adds a lot of info on how he looks at dancing. Enjoy!
The next in my set of interviews with the SYTYCD season 9 Las Vegas week judges is with Adam Shankman. In it, Adam Shankman discusses SYTYCD season 9 and what differentiates the dancers. He also talks about his other dance projects including: Rock of Ages, Step Up Revolution (4), Glee, and This Is Where I Leave You (non-dance), and an action adventure version of the Nutcracker.
The next in my set of interviews with the SYTYCD season 9 Las Vegas week judges and host is with Nigel Lythgoe. In this video, Nigel primes the marketing meter with what he calls a "Major Change" to SYTYCD and one that when we see the change we'll wonder, "Why didn't you do that years ago?" Of course, he's not letting the cat out of the bag yet, although I did try to press him for more information. No, the major change he's talking about isn't SYTYCD Cancelling the Results show. What do you think the major change is?
In case you missed it, be sure to check out my interview with Cat Deeley about SYTYCD 2012 as well.


Job Seekers from Telangana State can check the latest TSPSC Recruitment 2018 Notifications on this page. So, interested aspirants can check the complete details from this page. Most of the aspirants are waiting for Latest Telangana Public Service Commission Jobs. For those contenders on this page, we are providing all the updates about TSPSC Vacancies 2018. Aspirants can find all the information on this page. Aspirants who want to build their career in a government sector they have to utilize this opportunity. This page is very useful for the aspirants who are looking for Telangana PSC Jobs. Scroll down and check more updates.
TSPSC Recruitment 2018: Telangana is a newborn state. And it has the humongous number of Opportunities in the State. In this page, we provide you with all the information regarding job notifications, deadlines and qualifications for every particular sector of the government job in Telangana State. So, freshers and Graduates can apply for jobs. Recently Telangana Govt has decided to release notification through TSPC Recruitment 2018 to fill up to 150000 positions. Telangana has 10 districts namely Hyderabad, Nalgonda, Warangal, Karimnagar, Khammam, mahbub Nagar, Adilabad, Nizamabad, Medak and ranga reddy. So, to run successfully the government has huge requirement of eligible candidates which include many governments and private jobs in various sectors of Telangana State.
If you are looking for jobs in the government of Telangana State then hurry with the process. Telangana State Public Service Commission is a recognized and authorized body to conduct exams and recruitment in the state for the government jobs. In this TSPSC Recruitment 2018, it generally includes sectors like Police, Teachers, Media, Postal, Water grid, Panchayat raj, TSRTC, District Court Jobs, Irrigation Department, Electricity Department, Forest Department, I.T and much more. And for more Govt jobs in Telangana State candidates can check them on our site SarkariRecruitment for more fresh and often updates.
Telangana State Public Service Commission is the youngest Public Service Commission in the country constituted vide GO Ms No.43, GA(Ser.A) Department, dt. 8.8.2014. The system of selecting young talent for public services through a process of selection was in vogue in the Telangana since the period of Mir Mahboob Ali Pasha, VI Nizam (1869-1911). The Telangana State Public Service Commission, endowed with such rich legacy of over 150 years of recruiting young talent through selection, shall endeavor to make use of this heritage for selecting the best talents in Telangana for reconstruction and resurrecting the glorious past of Telangana. Under the A.P. re-organisation Act 2014, the Telangana State came into existence with effect from the appointed day i.e., 02.06.2014. Constitution of Telangana State Public Service Commission (TSPSC) Section 83(2) of the Andhra Pradesh Re-Organisation Act, 2014 (Central Act.6/2014) provides for constitution of a Public Service Commission in the Successor State of Telangana read as follows. 83(2) There shall be constituted a Public Service Commission in accordance with article 315 of Constitution by the successor the State of Telangana, and until such Commission is constituted, the Union Public Service Commission may, with the approval of the President, agree to serve the needs of the State of Telangana in terms of clause(4) of that article.
Governor of Telangana was given the power to the Public Service Commission for the Telangana State with immediate effect for making selections to the posts under various categories meant for direct recruitment under its purview in the State of Telangana and for carrying out functions.
Candidates who want to apply their Age must be Minimum 18years and Maximum Age will be According to the Norms of the Government of Telangana State. Age Relaxation will be According to the Norms of the State Government.
Interested applicants who want to apply for TSPSC Recruitment 2018 need to apply online through its official website.
Every Year Government of Telangana State Releases new Notification to Recruit Candidates throughout the State. This whole Process of Recruitment will be Conducted by a Government Body called TSPSC ie., Telangana State Public Service Commission by releasing Group I, Group II, Group III, Group IV notifications. Interested can check them and apply for them according to their Eligibility.


Hello There! Welcome to Nemerulez' Blog: WHAT ARE YOU THINKING ABOUT?
And it doesn't end there. Your attitude can also affect people around you. This is so true!
Negative thoughts on the other hand have a sapping effect on other people. It makes you look gloomy and sad, and can turn a fun gathering into a very sad moment.
Our attitude is also defined by the way we look at the world. If you choose to focus on the negative things in the world, more or less you have a negative attitude brewing up. However, if you choose to focus on the positive things, you are more likely carry a positive attitude.
A positive attitude begins with a healthy self-image. If you will love the way you are and are satisfied, confident, and self-assured, you also make others around you feel the same way.
Although it is impossible to keep ourselves from the negative things around us, you can still carry a positive attitude by focusing on the good things, the positive things in life, no matter what! Problems become something you can overcome.
You do not have anything at all to lose by adopting a healthy, positive attitude. Studies show that such an attitude actually retards aging, makes you healthier, helps you develop a better stress coping mechanism, and has a very positive effect on all the people you meet every day. So, what's not to like about a positive attitude? Adopt one today.


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If you choose to provide us with personal information by sending an e-mail through our Web site, we use that information to help us respond to your request. We do not collect personal information for any other purposes. We will not call you regarding any promotions, or share your telephone number with any other company.
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Winter holidays for families are a great way to spend time together, learn new skills, and create magical family stories that are sure to be recounted for years to come. The best thing about winter holidays for families is that they suit just about any age - with younger children meeting reindeers, sledging and making snow angels, and older ones snowshoeing, building igloos and looking out for Arctic wildlife.
Winter activity holidays are a big pull on the family budget, especially on the back of Christmas. Although, if you choose wisely, they can often be the most memorable escapes you will have together. Most importantly, frosty, family fun doesn't have to mean downhill skiing. Try hiking through the snow dusted Grand Canyon, snowshoeing and jumping into thermal pools in Slovakia, or reindeer/husky sledding in Lapland. There are many carefully crafted and expertly guided winter holidays for families out there, which go way off piste and way off the tourist trail too. Leave the chair lifts queues behind and lift your snow angels' spirits in a completely new and exciting way.
Meet Sámi in Lapland. Spending time with these indigenous people will open your children's eyes to traditions that they won't believe still exist. Reindeer herding, ice fishing, felt making, igloo building, husky sledding, music and storytelling. Some Sámi experiences can feel a bit fake, so travel with a local expert who understands and supports the culture in a sustainable and non cynical way.
For families who like to hike, there are plenty of snowshoeing opportunities out there, often thrown into activity holidays that include other fun snowy stuff, such as tobogganing, sleigh rides, husky sledding and so on.
But snowshoeing in Slovakia or Sweden, Lapland or the Pyrenees will show them what slow travel, in the snow travel, is all about.
Children's adrenaline will be pumping on a winter activities holiday, but nothing will stop them in their tracks, or have their heart beating quite as hard as when they see an elk standing proud in the Finnish wilderness. Or a chamois leaping from one icy rock to another in the Alps, an Arctic hare dashing across Lappish snow or a polar bear crossing the tundra.
If you'd like to chat about winter holidays or need help finding a holiday to suit you we're very happy to help.


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Metz Cometz vs Toulouse Stade (Jun 23, 2019)
Composite box score
CHAMPIONNAT BASEBALL D1 2019
Metz Cometz at Toulouse Stade - Composite Box Score
Jun 23, 2019 at TOULOUSE (Knady Nelson)
Metz Cometz ab r h rbi 2b 3b hr bb sb cs hp sh sf so ibb kl gdp po a e
AUBRY lf 2 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
GIOVAGNINI 3b 3 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 0
MACHADO ss 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2 0 1 2 0
PRIETO 2b 4 0 1 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0
ROZE cf 4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0
DEMAY 1b 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 4 0 1 0 8 0 0
NOBLET c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 13 1 0
MANGEAT dh 4 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
KOLLER rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 0 0 0 1 0 0
WATSON p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Totals 31 3 4 3 1 1 0 5 0 0 0 0 0 16 0 3 0 27 7 0
Toulouse Stade ab r h rbi 2b 3b hr bb sb cs hp sh sf so ibb kl gdp po a e
SCAVO ss/rf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0
SANCHEZ L cf 4 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 2 0 0
MENDOZA c 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 15 1 0
MURREY 1b 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 6 0 0
MONTERO 2b/p 3 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 1 0
ROUSSEL lf 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 1 0 0
DRUET dh 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 1 0 0 0 0
NAGANO ss 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
PRUNIERE rf/p 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0
LAZIES rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
GARCIA 3b 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 2 0
ROJAS p 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0
Metz Cometz ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go
WATSON Nolan W,4-3 9.0 1 0 0 1 14 1 0 0 0 28 29 7 8
Toulouse Stade ip h r er bb so wp bk hbp ibb ab bf fo go
ROJAS Keivy L,1-6 7.0 3 1 1 3 14 0 0 0 0 24 27 4 3
PRUNIERE Laurent 0.0 0 2 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0
MONTERO Bennedict 2.0 1 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 7 7 3 1
Umpires - HP: BAUDRY William 1B: TOMBEUR William
Start: 13:40 Time: 2:15 Attendance:
Weather: sunny Game notes: Scorer: PINENQ Judicaelle Data entry: FATOUT Aude
PRUNIERE faced 2 batters in the 8th.
Metz Cometz at Toulouse Stade
Metz Cometz starters: 88/lf AUBRY; 9/3b GIOVAGNINI; 71/ss MACHADO; 3/2b PRIETO; 51/cf ROZE; 34/1b DEMAY; 2/c NOBLET; 99/dh MANGEAT; 67/rf KOLLER; 30/p WATSON;
Toulouse Stade starters: 94/ss SCAVO; 25/cf SANCHEZ L; 6/c MENDOZA; 55/1b MURREY; 16/2b MONTERO; 11/lf ROUSSEL; 77/dh DRUET; 28/rf PRUNIERE; 7/3b GARCIA; 95/p ROJAS;
Metz Cometz 1st - AUBRY walked. GIOVAGNINI reached on a fielder's choice to pitcher; AUBRY out at second p to ss. MACHADO walked; GIOVAGNINI advanced to second. PRIETO flied out to cf; GIOVAGNINI advanced to third. ROZE singled to shortstop, RBI; MACHADO advanced to second; GIOVAGNINI scored. DEMAY struck out swinging. 1 run, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 1st - SCAVO flied out to cf. SANCHEZ L struck out swinging, grounded out to c unassisted. MENDOZA grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 2nd - NOBLET struck out swinging. MANGEAT struck out swinging. KOLLER struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 2nd - MURREY struck out swinging. MONTERO struck out looking. ROUSSEL struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 3rd - AUBRY struck out swinging. GIOVAGNINI flied out to rf. MACHADO grounded out to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 3rd - DRUET struck out swinging. PRUNIERE flied out to lf. GARCIA struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 4th - PRIETO grounded out to 3b. ROZE struck out swinging. DEMAY struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 4th - SCAVO popped up to ss. SANCHEZ L struck out swinging. MENDOZA struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 5th - NOBLET struck out swinging, out at first c to 1b. MANGEAT doubled to left center. KOLLER struck out swinging. AUBRY struck out swinging. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 5th - MURREY flied out to cf. MONTERO struck out swinging, grounded out to c unassisted. ROUSSEL flied out to rf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 6th - GIOVAGNINI struck out swinging. MACHADO struck out looking. PRIETO flied out to lf. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 6th - DRUET struck out looking. PRUNIERE grounded out to ss. GARCIA walked. SCAVO grounded out to ss. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Metz Cometz 7th - ROZE fouled out to 3b. DEMAY struck out looking. NOBLET walked. MANGEAT singled to right field; NOBLET advanced to second. KOLLER struck out swinging. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 2 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 7th - SANCHEZ L grounded out to 3b. MENDOZA grounded out to 3b. MURREY struck out swinging. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 8th - SCAVO to rf. NAGANO to ss for DRUET. PRUNIERE to p. / for ROJAS. AUBRY walked. GIOVAGNINI walked; AUBRY advanced to second. SCAVO to 2b. MONTERO to p. LAZIES to rf for PRUNIERE. GIOVAGNINI advanced to second on a wild pitch; AUBRY advanced to third on a wild pitch. MACHADO struck out looking. PRIETO tripled to right field, 2 RBI; GIOVAGNINI scored; AUBRY scored. ROZE popped up to 1b. DEMAY struck out swinging. 2 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 8th - MONTERO doubled to left field. MONTERO advanced to third on a wild pitch. ROUSSEL struck out swinging. NAGANO struck out swinging. LAZIES grounded out to p. 0 runs, 1 hit, 0 errors, 1 LOB.
Metz Cometz 9th - NOBLET flied out to cf. MANGEAT grounded out to 3b. KOLLER popped up to 1b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Toulouse Stade 9th - GARCIA fouled out to 1b. SCAVO struck out swinging. SANCHEZ L popped up to 2b. 0 runs, 0 hits, 0 errors, 0 LOB.
Metz Cometz 3, Toulouse Stade 0 (Jun 23, 2019 at TOULOUSE)
Metz Cometz......... 100 000 020  -  3  4  0      (8-2)
Toulouse Stade...... 000 000 000  -  0  1  0      (7-3)
Pitchers: Metz Cometz - WATSON Nolan and NOBLET Clement. Toulouse Stade - ROJAS Keivy;
PRUNIERE Laurent(8); MONTERO Bennedict(8) and MENDOZA Jossue.
Win-WATSON Nolan(4-3)  Loss-ROJAS Keivy(1-6)  T-2:15  A-0
Weather: sunny
Scorer: PINENQ Judicaelle
Data entry: FATOUT Aude

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Here at Fowler we prioritise quality and transparency throughout our build and construction process. It is paramount that the quality of our home builds meets the high standards we set ourselves so as to ensure the dream home you've been waiting for, is what is delivered.
For these reasons, we collaborate closely with the reputable and renown H&K Ryan and Associates who have extensive experience within the building industry. Through our relationship with H&K Ryan and Associates, every one of our homes built is independently inspected meeting various council and government regulations.
Your home is Our Passion – so safeguarding the delivery of your home through quality and independent inspection is a priority for us.


Providing the most comprehensive dental care means having the best dental hygienists working at Coast Dental and Orthodontics offices. Our Hygienists work with our talented general dentists in a friendly team environment and have the latest dental technology and hygiene tools to help provide the best possible care to our patients.
At Coast Dental and Orthodontics, our talented hygienists are an integral part of our practices and pivotal to our acclaimed Coast Comprehensive Care program (C3). C3 provides a unique framework for hygienists and doctors to collaborate and treat patient's periodontal health. Together they help patients achieve optimal oral health and a strong foundation of healthy gums, the basis for lasting restorative and cosmetic procedures.
Dental hygienists that work in our offices strive to deliver the highest quality of care using technology advancements to help manage their patient's periodontal health. Hygienists are trained in the use of soft tissue lasers and products to help with treatment and care.
Coast Dental hygienists enjoy many rewards including unlimited earning potential. We also offer a comprehensive benefits package with many employer-paid components and an opportunity to purchase additional benefits at group rates for yourself, your family or domestic partner.


Dr. Rosalyn Golfman, C. Psych.
Dr. Rosalyn Golfman, a Registered Psychologist, has been counseling couples and families since 1984. Dr. Golfman was a founding member of Giving Children Hope (a treatment program for divorced families in high conflict). In addition to having her doctorate in Psychology, Dr. Golfman is a Registered Marriage and Family Therapist, taught in the Masters Program in Marriage and Family Therapy at the University of Winnipeg, a member of the Psychological Association of Manitoba, the Canadian Register of Health Service Providers in Psychology and the American Association of Family and Conciliation Courts.
Dr, Golfman served on the board and steering committee since the inception of Collaborative Practice Manitoba. Dr. Golfman has spent 21 years as a custody/access evaluator for the Courts and believes that a better alternative to the Court process is collaborative relationship coaching where a couple can be supported to dissolve their marriage in a manner that helps them minimize the impact of separation and divorce on the children and themselves.


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Q: siteData parameter in translator web widget I am exploring to add translation widget to our webpages by using Bing Translator Web Widget API. The URL given for the end point (http://www.microsoftTranslator.com/ajax/v3/WidgetV3.ashx?siteData=ueOIGRSKkd965FeEGM5JtQ**) has a siteData parameter which does not seem to be documented anywhere. Can someone point me to an appropriate resource that explains if I need to generate my own siteData parameter? I also need to know if this API subjected to any limits on number of characters translated per month. Thanks in advance for helping me.

A: You should use the following endpoint to generate the widget code:
https://www.bing.com/widget/translator
This will allow you customize the widget in various ways. The site data is an encrypted value that contains the account used when translating. In the past, you could link the widget to your account but this functionality is now deprecated. All new users will now use the default account.
With regards to the limits, there are hourly and daily limits that are applied on a per IP basis to this default account though I am not sure what these exact limits are.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The New Mobility World is where the future of mobility becomes reality. The big ideas, prototypes and projects of the first edition in 2014 have since become the status quo.
Ridepooling and ridesharing, connected and intelligent infrastructures, and first forays into autonomous driving services and buses. Although these ideas are currently available in many city streets they might be obsolete tomorrow. Today's revolution is tomorrow's convention. Mobility does not stop, it constantly drives innovation.
The New Mobility World unites these trends, developments and projects of the mobility of tomorrow under one roof. Experts, decision-makers and visionaries present and discuss topics such as artificial intelligence, solutions for climate change and air quality, smart cities or even infotainment systems and user interfaces. And so this year's NMW in Frankfurt focuses on automation, connectivity, clean and sustainable mobility, urban mobility and mobility as a service (MaaS).
Over the next few weeks, we will present these key topics and provide a short introduction to each pillar of the NMW. Today we're kicking it off with the automation of mobility: driverless from A to B.
Picture this: We're on the highway. A car is driving at a consistent speed in the right lane. A truck appears on the horizon in front of the car. The car is faster and rapidly approaching the truck. As it gets closer and closer to it, changes lanes, pulls past the truck, and returns to the right-hand lane. What's so special about an ordinary overtaking procedure on an ordinary highway? The car undertakes this manoeuvre independently; the driver dozes in her seat. The dream of autonomous driving has been with us for decades. But now we move from being a mere pop-culture phenomenon and science fiction vision to autonomous driving actually becoming a reality.
The focus of the developers and manufacturers is currently on autonomous driving on the hybrid Level 4. It is simply more in line with the current state of technology. The reason: The tolerance for mistakes of fully autonomous vehicles in real traffic is extremely low. External influences such as the weather and complex situations such as an ambulance or the police chasing down the streets currently contain too many different variables and make complex demands of the systems. While Level 4 autonomy can already be tested and used on the road rather safely, Level 5 is still a case for closed ecosystems (test tracks, university campuses, etc.) where test conditions and external influences can be controlled. These problems are also taken up and analysed in an MIT study from 2018.
1: Machine Learning Algorithms and Computer Vision: The technical advances are the foundation for advanced AI, which can respond in a short time to various changes in variables in real life. The vehicles can correctly identify and solve problems or obstacles and learn from them.
2: The rise of ridehailing: The technology alone could not lead autonomous driving to its breakthrough. Only in combination with the rise of ridehailing could tech catch up to the market and vice versa. Why? Cost efficiency. Currently, the required components for autonomous vehicles – both software and hardware – are expensive. Due to the increasingly popular ridesharing services, providers only need to produce few vehicles for a larger amount of potential users. This way, the efficiency of the acquisition costs increases significantly. It is not without reason that Waymo plans its first autonomous vehicle fleet as a ridesharing service. Other ridehailing providers such as Uber or Lyft are among the leading developers of autonomous cars.
A prerequisite for the automation of all vehicles is the built-in sensor technology and the resulting data. The sensors are the eyes and ears of the vehicle and the data the neurons, which are processed as information by the software. Autonomous vehicles or assistance systems must constantly be aware of their surroundings, predict problems and react to obstacles. In the meantime, on average there are already more than 100 sensors in each mid-range vehicle. From 2021 on, the European Union will additionally only allow vehicles with automatic braking systems, lane keeping systems, intelligent speed adaptation, driver distraction monitoring, and event data recording.
Such developments are ausing the market volume to rise steadily. The market for LiDAR sensors alone – fundamental to autonomous driving – is set to rise from $230 million (2016) to $ 2.5 billion (2016), according to IHS Markit.
But not only sensors are fundamental to automated mobility. It also requires a form of artificial intelligence. Through digitisation, the car is evolving from a means of transportation into a computer on wheels. It must receive, process, understand and apply information within nanoseconds, which at the moment is only possible with artificial intelligence.
Machine learning describes algorithms that adapt and learn based on given data. Deep learning on the other hand describes digital neural networks that simulate scenarios, and interpret human decisions. Combined these to technologies produce said form of artificial intelligence. They make it possible for autonomous vehicles, intelligent infrastructure or assistance systems to be able to understand situations, react to them and learn from them.
The digitisation of mobility, as well as modern sensors, software, autonomous vehicles, and driver assistance systems, have major implications for road safety. With increasing prosperity in former and present "emerging economies", the demand for mobility is growing there as well. The consequences: The global traffic volume is constantly growing and so are traffic fatalities. According to the United Nations, the number of road deaths increased by almost half between 2010 and 2020 to 1.9 million. At the same time, the fatalities in industrial nations have fallen rapidly over the past 30 years. One reason: digital driver assistance systems are becoming more extensive, more popular and a standard in new cars.
Nevertheless, according to the Bavarian Ministry of the Environment and Consumer Protection, 90% of accidents are caused by human error. In the opinion of Australian researchers, this figure is due to decline with the increasing adoption of driverless vehicle technologies.


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DirecTV and Dish Network Satellite Locations
Ku-band-BSS
Ku-band-FSS
Phase III Dish
5-LNB Dish KaKu
Dish 500
Super Dish
The numbers across the top are the satellite orbital slots. Use the Legend to find the service using the satellite, the broadcast band, and the type of multi-sat dishes you can use to receive more then one satellite from a single dish. Any satellite can be received with a single satellite dish. Both the Dish Network and DirecTV often require that more then one satellite dish be installed to receive a desired programming package.
Chart of Satellite Information for DirecTV and Dish Network
Satellite Technology Development
The Early Days
In the 1970's and 1980's, satellites became a chief means of long distance radio communication and facilitated worldwide TV program distribution in real time. In rural areas not serviced by terrestrial TV broadcast stations and cable TV systems, satellite signals made possible direct reception of TV from satellites by TVRO receivers equipped with parabolic antennas with diameters between 2 and 5 meters. For almost two decades, TV program delivery by satellites was done in the 4/6 GHz C-band and 11-14 GHz Ku-FSS bands. (FSS-Fixed Satellite Service)
The Emergence of the "Small Dish"
In the early 90's, advancements in radio communications technologies and the offer of a smaller, more marketable "Small Dish TV" paved the way for DirecTV and later, Dish Network. These new Direct Program Providers use a sub-band of Ku-FSS (11-14 GHz), the Broadcast Satellite Service Band (BSS-12.2 to 12.7 GHz). Today, three technologies have been aggressively developed for the BSS: the direct broadcast service (DBS), BSS-HDTV, and BSS-Sound. The frequencies for the DBS uplink (Earth-to-space direction), are allocated in the FSS. Downlink DBS frequencies are allocated in the BSS.
Ku-BSS satellites broadcast at higher powers then the first Ku-FSS satellite. FSS satellites use broadcast powers around 50-60 watts, and are positioned in orbit as close as 2 degrees, relative. BSS satellites, which include the DBS satellites used by DirecTV and Dish Network use broadcast powers as high as 200 watts. This increased power requires the satellites to be spaced at least 9 degrees apart to maintain signal separation when using a smaller dish. Satellite Dishes for FSS Ku-band reception are usually no smaller then 26-36 inches in diameter. DBS Ku-band satellite dishes can operate as small as 14 inches, but 18 inches is considered the smallest dish size for reliable residential use.
The latest advancements in radio technology and licensing approvals from the FCC have opened the Ka-band market place. Ka-band offers satellite television and broadband providers with increased data transfer rates and increased spot beam control. Currently, only DirecTV has an operational Ka-band satellite for satellite television services. The DirecTV 5-LNB satellite dish receives both Ka and ku satellite television signals. Wildblue, a Satellite Broadband Internet provider, offers a Ka-band Satellite Internet services from the Anik F1 Ka band satellite.


What does Twitters future actually look like? Unlike stability you may see in Facebook based on their quarterly earnings, Twitter isn't looking so hot soon after their largely anticipated IPO. Last week Twitter share holders took a massive hit as news was released on the current user growth and activity. Over the past three weeks Twitter has seen a $14 drop in their share price, bottoming out at $32 at it's lowest. What was it that scared everyone? First, lets look at the amount of twitter users.
Statisa released a fantastic graph showing the number of current active twitter users based on the year they were created. Below you can see almost 25% of the userbase locked down in 2008 is still active on Twitter. What's scary is the staggering gap between active and non active users in the years to come. Fast forward to 2013 only 13% of the accounts created are still actively using their accounts as of February 2014.
Why does Twitter have a stickiness problem?
My thoughts are because of the product use in itself. I can go days or weeks without being on Twitter. When I login, I don't read what I missed, and usually I don't see much worth reading anyway. Most of the people I follow are distant acquaintances, news publishers, or personal interest accounts.
Facebook however is a list of only the people I have chosen to be friends with. Most of the information on Facebook, however mundane it may be, allows me to put a face to the person. I feel more connected because they are generally someone I've met and potentially see a few times a year. I find myself checking my Facebook account several times a day.
Twitter is turning into the new email, where you're constantly getting a lot of messages, most are caught by spam, another bunch are just notifications and social annoyances, and the very few are meaningful messages. The only thing is email is like a mailbox. Everyone needs to have one no matter how much junk mail you end up getting.


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Rare Paper Inc
Welcome to Rare Paper
We specialize in Slavic and Eastern European books, with an emphasis on Ukrainian émigré material. We hold one of the largest collections of books and periodicals published in Ukrainian displaced persons (DP) camps.
Goncharova, Natalia; Larionov, Michael and Ivan (illustrators)
Group of Four Russian Avant-Garde Postcards
[Moscow]: Izd. A. Kruchenykh, 1912. Original lithographic postcards. Good condition. Item #250
Postcards of Russian Futurists published by Alexey Kruchenykh in 1912. Dimensions: Approx. 9 x 14 cm.
One of the key representatives of futurism in Russia was, without a doubt, Alexey Kruchenykh (1886-1968). He was the most radical poet of the Silver Age, the founder of the literary language Zaum* and a man of fanatical adherence to futurism. He gathered and rallied around him artists such as Natalia Goncharova*, Michael and Ivan Larionov*, Olga Rozanova* (his wife), and Vladimir Tatlin*. Together with these artists, Kruchenykh released the first lithographed books, which led to the popularity of the Russian avant-garde all over the world.
However, even before the first lithographed books in 1912, Kruchenykh published, with his own money, an amazing series of postcards. The postcards were designed by the futurist artists in the lithographic technique. He invited to this project the following well-known artists of the day: Goncharova, the Larionov brothers, Tatlin, Aleksandr Shevchenko, and Nikolai Rogovin. The lithographic technique was chosen deliberately because the lithographic pencil gave absolute freedom to the artists, who did not want to repeat their works, rather make different variations of them. The authors of these postcards created their paintings in the primitive style, changing their composition significantly.
The artists released thirty-five postcards in this series. Fourteen cards were created by M. Larionov, eleven by Goncharova, three by Tatlin, three by I. Larionov, three by Shevchenko, and one by Rogovin. Kruchenykh could not publish thousands of postcards because the series was not commercial and he paid out of his own pocket without any profit. In addition, the expense of producing these postcards was very high (special paper, double-sided printing, etc.) This may be why some postcards don't contain any information on the reverse side about the author, the publisher, or even the title. Therefore, we can assume that their circulation was limited to about 300 copies. The rarity of most of the postcards is much greater than that of the well-known series Bauhaus*, since the rarest of them preserved fewer than 10 copies, and probably much less.
Silver Age - the second birth of Russian poetry, referring to the beginning of the XX century. Akhmatova, Mandelstam, Tsvetaeva, Yesenin, Mayakovsky, and other famous Russian poets in this period wrote his best creations.
Zaum – an abstruse language - a literary technique, which consists in the rejection of most of the elements of everyday language and replacing them with other elements, in analogy to conceptualize as language.
Bauhaus - an art school in Germany. In 1923 sixteen Bauhaus artists created postcard series illustrating the school's art ideas. It was a part of the advertising campaign for their first exhibition. Vasily Kandinsky and Paul Klee were among other artists in this project.
Natalia Goncharova (1881-1962) – an innovator of painting, brilliant designer, painter, graphic artist. The great grand-niece of Pushkin's wife, Natalia Nikolaevna, nee Goncharova. She was known as "Amazon of the avant-garde"
Michael Larionov (1881-1964) – a Russian painter, one of the founders of the Russian avant-garde.
Ivan Larionov (1884-1920) – a graphic artist. He was a younger brother of Mikhail Larionov. Worked in a Primitive style.
List of postcards:
1.	Mikhail Larionov. Bread
2.	Ivan Larionov. Landscape
3.	Natalya Goncharova. Ice Breaking
4.	Natalya Goncharova. Mowing.
See all items in Art, Drawings and Prints, Postcards, Russia
See all items by Natalia Goncharova, Michael Larionov, Ivan, illustrators
325 Lafayette Ave
© 2021 Rare Paper Inc. All rights reserved. Site Map | Site by Bibliopolis


WASHINGTON, DC – June 28, 2017 – Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia will partner with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington and the Boys & Girls Club of Annapolis to host their first-ever esports tournament. Participating youth from both Boys & Girls Clubs will compete in a six-week single elimination bracket-style tournament featuring Madden NFL 17 (Electronic Arts) and NBA 2K17 (Take Two Interactive). The tournament will kick off on June 29 at 12:30 p.m. at the Boys & Girls Club in Annapolis and will culminate for the Championship on August 5 at the Smithsonian American Art Museum's "SAAM Arcade" event at 2:00 p.m.
As part of its broader mission, Events DC is dedicated to providing community benefits for residents and enriching the lives of youth across the District. The goal of the esports youth tournament with the Boys and Girls Clubs are to not only serve but to connect the local gaming community by investing in DC youth-based programming and to support DC as an esports destination, while acting as a catalyst for economic development. The youth-focused tournaments are designed to further hone and promote life skills of leadership, teamwork and problem-solving skills for the betterment of our city's next generation.
"Our partnership with Events DC means that the amazing youth we serve get to access the kind of cutting-edge technology and out-of-the-box opportunities that make the greatest of impacts in their lives. Through the power of esports, teens further develop their cognitive skills allowing them to take even more ownership of their paths. This is about more than a game, it's about life," said LeVar A. Jones, Teen Program Director, FBR Branch, Boys & Girls Club of Greater Washington.
Participants will receive specialized team jerseys designed by 4point4, a sportswear company specializing in performance apparel that donates 4.4% of every purchase to nonprofits.
This event represents an additional milestone in Events DC's strategic approach to building an esports capital in Washington, DC as an opportunity to attract future visitors, residents, tournaments and economic prosperity to the city.
Follow us on Twitter for updates and watch the championship tournament live on Twitch.tv/EventsDC.
Events DC, the official convention and sports authority for the District of Columbia, delivers premier event services and flexible venues across the nation's capital. Leveraging the power of a world-class destination and creating amazing attendee experiences, Events DC generates economic and community benefits through the attraction and promotion of business, athletic, entertainment and cultural activities. Events DC oversees the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, an anchor of the District's hospitality and tourism economy that generates over $400 million annually in total economic impact, and the historic Carnegie Library at Mt. Vernon Square. Events DC manages the Stadium-Armory campus, which includes Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium and surrounding Festival Grounds, the non-military functions of the DC Armory and Maloof Skate Park at RFK Stadium. Events DC also built and now serves as landlord for Nationals Park, the first LEED-certified major professional sports stadium in the United States. The most recent addition is Gateway DC, an innovative and versatile space featuring a covered and open-air pavilion in the center of a 1-acre park, conveniently located in the Congress Heights neighborhood of Washington, DC. For more information, please visit www.eventsdc.com.


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Locations and Waters
River Isle
From Eames Mill to Hambridge Bridge
Approximately 7 miles of River. There are various bridges which allow parking and access. Signs on the access gates give which bank to fish and Peg Number. The top half of the river is mainly Chubb, Dace, Perch and Roach, whilst the bottom end of the river is more Chubb, Roach and Pike.
Old Canal
Recreation Ground, Ilminster
At the bottom of the Recreation Ground, behind the tennis court, with parking at Canal Way. Approximately 150 yards of Canal, with Carp, Perch, Roach, Tench, and Bream; Carp going up to 15lbs. The Canal can be fished all year round.
Dillington Estate Pond
One mile out of Ilminster, turn into Eaglewood Park – you will see the pond in front of you. Approximately half an acre, with a depth of upto 25 feet. Main species found include Roach, Rudd, Perch, Chubb, Tench, Bream and Crucian Carp. The pond can be fished all year round. (Juniors must be accompanied by an adult)
Ilminster Angling Association has exchange tickets with Dorchester and District Angling Society and Langport and District A.A..
Please see our links page for links to these organisation's websites.
Somerset Levels Amalgamation of Angling Clubs
Ilminster Angling Association is also a member of the Somerset Levels Amalgamation of Angling Clubs (see Rule 19).
Please click here for a map of River Parrett at Wick and River Brue.
Please click here for a map of River Parrett and Drains.
© Ilminster Angling Association
website by 18a productions


2430 Square Feet (226 Square Meter) (270 Square Yards) 4 bedroom modern flat roof house. Design provided by Green Square Builders & Developers from Perumbavoor, Ernakulam, Kerala.
0 comments on "Modern flat roof house 2430 sq-ft"


Kanyi Daily Wants To Hear From YOU!
The woman whose style is just as fierce and as bold as the confidence that she proudly exudes. The woman who didn't let life control her, but took control of her life, traveled the world, and has the Instagram feed to prove it. The woman who handles business by day, and still gets home in time to sip wine with girlfriends on #ScandalThursday nights. The woman who's experienced enough break-ups and make-ups to write a bestselling self-help guide.
The Man/Woman who's changing the world, one purposeful step at a time.
If that's you, then drop us a line and tell us your story at [email protected]!
Spotlight on men who are more than just eye candy, but who also strive to be the difference in the world through career achievements, community outreach, and more.
Women who run it or own it and are changing the game in business.
Inspirational couples who are redefining society's definition of love.
For people who've ever travelled the world and have Pictures and stories To Prove It.
Please email [email protected] with the subject line PERSONAL STORY.
We want real stories that aren't shy with detail. If writing isn't your calling, don't worry, our editors will work with you to make sure that we bring your story to life!


I just finished putting away the Christmas tree and clearing off the mantel. A new love for us is making some terrariums. An assortment of them in different sizes will live on the mantel. I'm so happy to see these coming back into favor. There isn't anything quite like green plants to cheer up a bad mood and make a room feel welcoming and inviting. We purchased some mosses before we went for a walk in the state park where I found a few on the ground and growing on fallen limbs. They greened up nicely overnight in a closed clear jar.
We just returned to Arkansas from Illinois where we were visiting my dad. I can usually catch someone's open internet while we are there and this visit was no exception. My dad had a question about a couple of things so I was looking up answers for him. From there I took a few minutes to search my name and my blog's name to see what is new.
I expected to find some stolen images which is something we all experience if we have a blog. I was fortunate that most of them were clickable back to the blog, but then there may be others out there I don't know how to find. I was unhappy about finding an unfinished piece on Pinterest. I really wish people would ask before doing this. I have a small copyright notice on the blog but obviously it is ignored. It was even more upsetting to know that other quilt artists were doing this. Maybe I'm different, but I don't find it flattering when you don't ask permission.
There are some exhibits and shows that don't allow your work to be shown any place but your OWN blog. It is disqualified if it is all over the net. So, this unfinished piece that I had planned on entering into some shows won't be able to be entered because someone saw fit to steal my image without asking permission.
I don't know how this is going to affect what I post here. For sure there won't be anything but partial shots of anything. The only pieces that will have full images will be ones that either are for sale or have already been sold. At least until I know how to enter code that stops copying, that will be the rule I have to follow.
Interesting…I have a friend who enters into many AQS shows and I mentioned that I had 'googled' her name and found all of her quilts she had entered on other blogs! She was shocked. I've always waited until she gives me the "OK" to post a pic (usually after she has won something!). I always try to make sure I've rec'd "OK" from folks to post their work…even with our small fiber group. Personally, I'd backtrack and let the person or persons know..or just refer them to this post!
start watermarking dear–it doesn't prevent it–and nothing will ever, because there are a lot of unscrupulous people out there. google search your images with your name + pinterest for example–and drag the photo into the search box–it will show you where it is ending upno one or rarely anyone pays attention to "no pin" policies…and everytime you find one, well then file a DMCA–we shouldn't have to do this, but them's the breaks….
They know we won't file anything so we are forced to do what we can on our end to stop them. BTW, thanks for the tip on the search. That was something I didn't know.
I agree with you. It irritates me to no end that people post photos from my blog without permission. A fellow quilter couldn't understand why it upsets me. She said, "Isn't that why you blog, to get more people to look at your work?" Well, not quite, but I couldn't get her to understand my feelings of violation.
Unfinished work isn't the same as a completed piece of art and I don't think posting of work in progress would disqualify you from Quilt National. But to play it safe, don't post work that you intend to enter in QN on your blog.
thanks everyone. As I said, I will be making some changes. Anything free to use is really not free. As much as I hate having to take the time away from the pieces in progress to research info on a new website, it will be time well spent. What a way to start the new year.


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CRIMES AGAINST WOMEN
Hathras gangrape: Sensitise officials to follow rules for dignified cremation, High Court tells UP
After a Dalit woman was gangraped and murdered in 2020, her family had alleged they were locked up in their home by the police during the cremation.
Aug 05, 2022 · 09:55 pm Updated Aug 05, 2022 · 10:04 pm
Demonstrators in Delhi hold placards as they take part in a protest after the death of a Dalit woman. | Adnan Abidi/Reuters
The Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered the Uttar Pradesh government to sensitise its employees to follow the state's Standard Operating Procedure for dignified cremation of bodies, Live Law reported.
The court had directed the state government to formulate rules after a Dalit woman was gangraped and killed by four upper-caste men in Hathras on September 14, 2020.
The district authorities had secretly cremated the 19-year-old's body around 3 am on September 30, without the consent of her family, who alleged they were locked up in their home by the police during the cremation.
"The last time we saw her face was just after the post-mortem was done," her brother had said then. "They did not even accord us the basic dignity of allowing us to watch her face one last time."
After this, the High Court had pulled up senior Uttar Pradesh government officials and took suo moto cognisance of the case after it triggered nationwide outrage and protests.
In an order passed on Friday, a bench of Justices Rajan Roy and Jaspreet Singh asked the Uttar Pradesh government to widely publicise the SOP in places such as police stations, hospitals, primary health centers and district headquarters to ensure officials are aware of the rules. The guidelines, though, are yet to be notified.
The order stated:
"The right of dignified life under Article 21 of the Constitution of India is not only available to a living person but also to the 'dead'. Even a dead person has the right of treatment of his body with respect and dignity which he would have deserved had he been alive, subject to his tradition, culture and religion which he professed. These rights are not only for the deceased but, his family members also have a right to perform last rites as per religious traditions. Right to a decent burial has been held to be commensurate with the dignity of the individual and this has been reiterated as a recognised facet of right to life guaranteed under Article 21 of the Constitution of India."
— The Allahabad High Court
The officials involved in the final rites should be counseled to "to achieve the object rather than to defeat it", the judges said. They added that the entire exercise should be conducted in a solemn manner with due respect to the person's fundamental rights.
On July 27, the High Court had directed the Uttar Pradesh government to consider providing employment to a family member of the Dalit woman.
The court had also ordered the state government to relocate the family outside of Hathras within the next six months. The judges had noted that it was difficult for the family to lead a normal life in the village after the gangrape.
Hathras gangrape
Dalits
SOP for cremation
Religious leader Asaram convicted in 2013 rape case by Gujarat court


We have the same faithful spirit as what is written in scripture: I had faith, and so I spoke. We also have faith, and so we also speak.
The Scriptures say, "I believed, so I spoke." Our faith is like that too. We believe, and so we speak.
Since we have that same spirit of faith, which corresponds to what is written: "I believed; therefore, I have spoken," we also believe, and therefore we speak.
It is written in the Scriptures, "I believed, so I spoke [Ps. 116:10]." ·Our faith is like this, too [L Having the same spirit of faith,…]. We also believe, and so we speak.
The following is written, "I believed; therefore, I spoke." We have that same spirit of faith. We also believe; therefore, we also speak.
The scripture says, "I spoke because I believed." In the same spirit of faith we also speak because we believe.
It is written in the Scriptures, "I believed, so I spoke." Our faith is like this, too. We believe, and so we speak.
Now since we have the same spirit of faith in keeping with this Scripture: "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe and therefore speak.
This priceless treasure we hold, so to speak, in a common earthenware jar—to show that the splendid power of it belongs to God and not to us. We are handicapped on all sides, but we are never frustrated; we are puzzled, but never in despair. We are persecuted, but we never have to stand it alone: we may be knocked down but we are never knocked out! Every day we experience something of the death of the Lord Jesus, so that we may also know the power of the life of Jesus in these bodies of ours. Yes, we who are living are always being exposed to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus may be plainly seen in our mortal lives. We are always facing death, but this means that you know more and more of life. Our faith is like that mentioned in the scripture: 'I believed and therefore I spoke'.
But since we have the same spirit of faith as that shown in what has been written, "I believed; therefore I spoke," we also believe, therefore we also speak.
It is written, "I believed, and so I have spoken." (Psalm 116:10) We have that same spirit of faith. So we also believe and speak.
The Holy Writings say, "I believed, so I spoke." We have the same kind of faith as David had. We also believe, so we speak.
Seeing then that we have the same spirit of faith as is written of – I believed, and therefore I have spoken – we also believe, and therefore speak.
We have the same Spirit of faith that is described in the Scriptures when it says, "First I believed, then I spoke in faith." So we also first believe then speak in faith.
We believe the same way as the one who wrote, `I believed, and so I talked.' We also believe, and so we talk to you.


This year, 2013, marks five hundred years since Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de Léon landed on Florida shores during Easter Week 1513, somewhere near Melbourne Beach. He claimed the land for the Spanish Crown, disregarding the Native Americans who already lived there, having descended from peoples who had arrived at least ten thousand years before. In his search for gold, Ponce de Léon found something far more valuable—a wealth of natural resources like nothing he'd ever seen.
To European eyes, it looked like an untouched wilderness, a tropical Eden with four thousand native species of trees, shrubs, and other flowering plants quilting the flat landscape in texture and lush greens. Eye-catching wildflowers rippled through pine forests in rivulets of colors like pink, lavender, sky blue, and sun yellow. Their abundance, variety, and beauty so enchanted Ponce de Léon that he named it Florida—land of flowers. More than one hundred species of orchids grow here compared with only two species in Hawaii.
Early travelers described the longleaf pine savanna spread over twenty million acres as "an airy grassland dotted with trees that created a cathedral-like atmosphere." While longleaf pines dominated upland forests, a unique ecosystem called coastal scrub blanketed dunes along parts of the Gulf coast in thickets of stunted, salt-pruned sand oaks, magnolias, and sand pines mixed with lupines and false rosemary.
"Water, water, everywhere" would have described Florida's liquid assets. The state boasted seventy-eight hundred lakes, seventeen hundred rivers and streams, and more than six hundred sparkling freshwater springs, along with thirteen hundred miles of coastline bordering the Gulf and the Atlantic Ocean. This bounty of natural wonders attracted all types of wildlife, from birds and wild panthers and black bear to thousands of fish species, both fresh and saltwater. Where can one find all this glory now?
Who could have envisioned that such a vast, seemingly inexhaustible wilderness would be so transformed in only a few centuries? Ponce de Léon would not recognize it today. He'd stare in disbelief at the endless vistas of high-rises, condos, resorts, and vacation homes that line its shores; restaurants, shopping malls, and theme parks have replaced all but 2 percent of its native longleaf pine forests.
Luckily for all Floridians and millions of visitors today, the Florida Park Service was created in 1935 to preserve "the state's original natural resources for all time, and make them accessible for public enjoyment." Celebrate Viva La Florida 500—a statewide commemoration of Florida's anniversary—at a state park. There are 171 to choose from, spread over a half-million acres of conservation land.
Florida State Parks evolved from a federal program called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which provided conservation-related work programs for young men during the depression. To benefit from the CCC, the Florida legislature directed the Board of Forestry to survey for lands suitable for state parks. The Florida State Park System is one of the nation's largest park systems, and it has twice been awarded the National Gold Medal for best parks. With an ongoing mission to provide resource-based recreation while preserving, interpreting, and restoring natural and cultural resources, the parks are the public's best bet to see the Real Florida.
For a rich sampling of Florida nature, people can explore three parks in the Northwest Florida Panhandle, one of the most biologically diverse regions in the state. All three can be accessed off Highway 30-A, a scenic corridor that runs along stunning beaches and connects the fourteen coastal communities called the Beaches of South Walton.
More like a resort than the other two parks, Topsail balances visitor R & R with flora and fauna conservation. Trams and elevated boardwalks enable folks to get around without trampling fragile dunes and vegetation. The RV resort, campgrounds, and recreational facilities are located near the main entrance far from the secluded preserve section, so while a happy camper grills hamburgers outside his RV, our fine-feathered friends can scour vegetation for an outdoor picnic.
Campbell Lake, one of the fifteen dune lakes, illustrates why this park has been christened "the Crown Jewel of the Emerald Coast." The 1,640-acre park with sixteen distinct natural communities offers superlatives: the longest unbroken stretch of undeveloped beach in Walton County, the most cabins of any park in the state along with the largest dedicated tent site, and one of the tallest dunes in the state.
Topsail Hill—the park's namesake dune—towers nearly fifty feet above the Gulf, affording magnificent views of the wind-sculpted transitional zone between land and sea. From this high ridge, one sees the perfection of God's creation: how everything is interconnected and interrelated as each natural community flows into the next in a seamless, harmonious design. Dunes sweep across the horizon, rising into hills and sloping into valleys called swales before flattening out into the broad beach, before disappearing underwater as the Gulf's floor. Turning around and looking in the opposite direction, one can observe how the high ridge drops down to form a basin swamp filled with water-loving trees and vegetation like cypress. Farther out, the land rises again, changing into wet prairie, and finally, off in the distance, the rounded tops of a longleaf pine forest appear.
It's clear why we need state parks to protect these fragile landscapes, as nothing is here by accident, but every plant and animal is essential for the healthy functioning of the whole. Ripping out vegetation like sea oats would make the primary dunes blow away, leading to coastal erosion and making us vulnerable to winds and storm surges while depriving the Choctawhatchee beach mouse of its food source. If too many shorebird eggs get trampled beneath the sand, the survival of an entire species is threatened. Topsail rangers have noticed a difference in shorebird restoration since they roped off large beach sections for safe nesting sites. "We've had a huge comeback in shorebird populations like snowy plovers and least terns nesting in the dunes," explains park manager Jason Cutshaw. Birds are not the only creatures that hide out in these protected dunes. Growing among the laurel oaks, primrose, and false rosemary clumps is a spindly plant with a significant role called honeycomb head. It's the host flower for the solitary bee, endemic to only a half-mile strip along Gulf Coast dunes from Alabama to Florida.
"Before this area was developed, it looked a lot like this," Talbert explains, gesturing toward a wet prairie surrounded by old-growth longleaf pines. "A sea of longleaf pine grassland spread over most the state. Today, only a few remnants like this remain. With trees spaced far apart, sunshine streams down on grasses and wildflowers. Before fire suppression, lightning strikes ignited fires that pruned away the excess vegetation and kept it open. Today we mimic nature and use prescribed burns for the same results." Talbert points out an old-growth tree with a thick trunk and flattened top he says is around two hundred years old. Wet prairies, basin swamps, and cypress domes mix in with pines to furnish habitat for carnivorous pitcher plants, sundews, and rare orchids. Wet prairies are an important source of fresh water for dune lakes, as rainwater spills off their saturated surfaces into the lakes.
Grayton Beach State Park provides a quiet interlude between bustling Seaside and laid-back Grayton Beach, one of the oldest beach towns skirting the Gulf. Here, one can slip back to when Native Americans fished the Gulf, deer foraged the dunes, and black bear and bobcat roamed inland forests. Like its neighboring communities, the park is user friendly, so attractions are accessible and exploring is easy. Park visitors can hike a coastal trail directly off the parking lot, or take the boardwalk down to a pristine beach for walking, swimming, or fishing the Gulf. Recreational options include paddling a nearby dune lake or crossing Highway 30-A to hike a nature trail through inland forest. They can do all this in a relaxed, unhurried way, allowing nature to work its magic—transforming them into naturalists who will forever love wild places.
Native wildflower plantings—a recent restoration project—greet visitors at the main park entrance. Wildflowers still dazzle us with their bright colors and delicate beauty. More than just a pretty face, however, wildflowers work overtime enriching the soil, preventing erosion, and providing habitat for countless insects like dragonflies, pollinating honeybees, and butterflies, and other small creatures like birds. Monarch butterflies even synchronize their arrival and reproduction with the milkweed's growing season. Wildflowers' vivid colors act like beacons, flagging down monarchs for refueling stops essential for completing their grueling two-thousand-mile journey to Mexico.
These were all good reasons for park manager Dale Shingler to start a wildflower restoration project after a local resident bemoaned the loss of area wildflowers. "We remember masses of golden wildflowers blooming along 30-A and want to bring them back," he shared with Choctawhatchee Basin Alliance and AmeriCorps volunteers who helped plant. Current park manager Matthew Allen, who replaced Shingler when he retired, will continue planting every season until once again wildflowers flourish along park boundaries. It is to be hoped that all this flower power will persuade county officials to change mowing practices that eliminate wildflowers by using low-blade settings and mowing before flowers have reseeded.
A wet prairie restoration project aids in wildflower preservation as certain wildflower species also depend on fire, especially pitcher plants, one of the oldest flowering plants on earth, having survived since dinosaurs roamed. "Once we cleared out encroaching titi, our herb biologist discovered endangered plants like the white-fringed orchid, which we had never seen," exclaims Allen.
At first glance, a burned forest appears desolate and lifeless, with scorched tree trunks and blackened earth. However, a closer inspection reveals new life resurrecting from the ashes. Intense sunlight coaxes up carnivorous plants like the pink sundew; with rosy leaves radiating from the center, it resembles a tiny starfish. The leaves glisten with what looks like dew but is actually a gummy substance that traps insects. Yellow pitcher plants trap insects in furled leaves that would fill up with rainwater without their protective built-in umbrella.
Perhaps Ponce de Léon did discover the fountain of youth. For learning about nature and engaging with it does awaken childlike qualities like awe, wonder, curiosity, and adventure—all instrumental in keeping us forever young.
Without the cabins or camping facilities of the other two parks, Deer Lake offers sanctuary for humans and wildlife alike. The spectacular vista from the long boardwalk suggests a place of quiet retreat. A dune ecosystem—one of the park's eleven natural communities—rolls out in endless waves to the sea, just as it has done for thousands of years. It forms a timeless picture of the way this entire region once looked.
Sculpted by wind into smooth, rounded hills and hollowed-out depressions—all protected by the boardwalk—the scene appears untrammeled except by natural elements. The slithering line of a snake is etched upon the sand as precise and bold as a pen-and-ink drawing on white paper, as is the indented hoof mark of a deer, or a raccoon's delicate paw print. Rare plants like the showy Gulf Coast lupine, spoonflower, golden asters, and clumps of rosemary anchor the sand at intervals. The impenetrable thicket of coastal scrub blanketing the dunes in dark green grows only in Northwest Florida from Ochlockonee Bay west to Destin.
Free of chairs, umbrellas, and other beach gear, it's the kind of solitary place a female sea turtle searches for. An empty beach glowing like a pearl on a moonlit night beckons her ashore for the ancient ritual of species preservation. The Choctawhatchee beach mouse, another endangered species, scurries around at night nibbling on sea oat seeds. Shorebirds like snowy plovers favor these beaches as undisturbed nesting sites for laying tiny eggs in shallow depressions.
Continuing down the boardwalk onto the expansive beach, one can discover what deserted beaches and Gulf waters do for humans. Unplugged from electronic devices, senses tune in and come alive to the therapeutic effects of nature. Sunshine warms and relaxes the body; the meditative sound of lapping water quiets the mind, and energy surges as swimming or walking releases endorphins—all creating a sense of well-being. Like migratory birds, people can find here a respite in life's journey, a place where they can take it easy and reflect, rediscovering the peace and harmony of the natural world.
After reveling in nature, visitors to Florida's parks might concede Ponce de Léon did indeed find gold, although not in the glittering form he expected, for no other factor has contributed to the prosperity and allure of Florida like its wealth of natural resources. They sustained early inhabitants and continue to draw millions to live and vacation here, making it the third largest state in the nation. Fortunately, some wise people realized this priceless resource could be destroyed by future waves of development, rolling over it with the relentless ferocity of a hurricane storm surge.
Spending time in these parks, learning more about the interconnectedness of nature, seeing the artistry of God in a butterfly's wing, one awakens to how priceless something is that cannot be manufactured or duplicated. Now, thanks to our parks, future generations will get a look at Ponce de Léon's paradise—the real Florida.
Have you ever wondered what Florida looked like over five centuries ago? Come see for yourself with a visit to a Florida State Park. The goal of the Florida Park Service is to restore these parks back to their condition prior to European discovery. For information on any of these Florida State Parks, please call (850) 267-8330 or visit www.FloridaStateParks.org.