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Spotlight on child protection: Party status for children
Published by Kevin Zakreski on December 16, 2020 December 16, 2020
BY Kevin Zakreski
This post is part of a series that spotlights issues discussed in the Consultation Paper on Modernizing the Child, Family and Community Service Act . To read other posts in the series please click here.
Brief description of the issue
The Child, Family and Community Service Act contains a large number of provisions that declare people to be parties to specific court proceedings under the Act. In the vast majority of these provisions, children (if 12 years of age or older) are required to be served documents in the proceedings but are not parties to the proceeding. Since having the status of a party has implications for a child's role in the proceedings and for access to a lawyer, should these provisions, or some of them, be amended to provide that a child (if 12 years of age or older) is entitled to be a party to the proceeding?
Discussion of options for reform
The options to address this issue range from systematically amending all the listed provisions to add language making children parties to child protection proceedings to proposing to amend only some of the listed provisions to supporting the status quo.
The main advantage to amending the legislation and adding children as parties to child protection proceedings is that it ensures children's voices are heard in those proceedings. Arguably, giving children the status of parties is the strongest possible way to achieve that outcome, as party status gives a person some measure of control over the proceeding. Party status for children would also have to go hand in hand with legal representation, which would give children a valuable safeguard for their rights in child protection proceedings.
The downside of amending the legislation is that it would put in place an idea that doesn't have much of a track record and that could add significant administrative and financial costs to the child protection system. As a commentator has noted, "[i]n most instances of CLR [children's legal representation], the child does not have party status." There may be more limited tools that achieve results for children without imposing added costs and uncertainty.
The committee's tentative recommendations for reform
The committee favoured a middle approach to this issue, one that would fall between automatically making children a party to child protection proceedings and retaining the status quo.
While children value participation in proceedings, having their views taken seriously by decision-makers, and legal representation (topics that are addressed later elsewhere in the consultation paper), party status goes well beyond these concerns. Party status requires a person to be an active player in litigation. Many children do not want to play this role. This reluctance is reflected in child protection legislation across the country, which contains few examples of legislative provisions that automatically make children parties to a child protection proceeding.
That said, the committee decided that there are ways to improve the status quo. A provision could be added to section 39 to deal substantively with the special case of a child applying to the court to become a party.
In discussing this issue, the committee noted that section 39 (like many other provisions in the Act) relies on an age cut-off. The committee noted that these references to a child's age function as proxies for assessing a child's capacity to participate as a party. This approach is open to question, as it excludes mature children, who don't meet the age cut-off but who may have the capacity to benefit from this legislative provision. A better approach might be to carry out individual assessment of a child's mental capacity, coupled with a legislative presumption of capacity. That said, the committee was aware that this issue was outside its mandate. It felt constrained to accommodate its tentative recommendation within the terms of the statute on this point. But further study of this issue (by an organization that has the mandate to directly take it on) would be welcome.
The committee tentatively recommends:
Section 39 of the Child, Family and Community Service Act should be amended to add a new subsection (2.1) that reads as follows: "A child, if 12 years of age or older, who appears at the commencement of a hearing is entitled to be a party, subject to the court's discretion."
In addition to proposing legislative reform, the committee decided that there were changes to practice that could help support its proposed new legislative provision. This support would come from the development of a new form, which could be used to record the child's views on applying to become a party to a child protection proceeding.
A form should be developed for use by lawyers who give independent legal advice, which requires the lawyer to confirm whether or not the child wishes to be a party to a hearing.
The lawyer who gives independent legal advice to a child should provide to the social worker the new form that records whether or not a child wants to be a party, to be maintained on the child's file, and made available to be filed with the court at the request of the child or any other party.
To respond to these tentative recommendations or to read more about issues like this one, please visit the Modernizing the Child, Family and Community Service Project webpage.
Categories:	BlogProject Updates
Tags: Child Protection Spotlight Series


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Homicide victim loved family, food, fast cars
Jesse Moffitt Sr., 45, had made mistakes in his past, but loved his family above all.
Homicide victim loved family, food, fast cars Jesse Moffitt Sr., 45, had made mistakes in his past, but loved his family above all. Check out this story on newarkadvocate.com: https://ohne.ws/2rMTUH7
Bethany Bruner, Reporter Published 1:24 p.m. ET May 16, 2018 | Updated 3:30 p.m. ET May 16, 2018
Jessica Elmendorf, 26, hugs her brother, Jesse Moffitt Jr., 25. Their father, Jesse Moffitt Sr. was gunned down Friday night in a house on Hancock Street in Newark, Ohio. They knew their father was fighting his demons, but he never did anything without good intentions, they said.(Photo: Jessica Phelps/The Advocate)Buy Photo
NEWARK - Jesse Moffitt Sr. was a goofball his entire life.
From using hoses and empty trash cans to create his own swimming pool as a kid to buying all the same clothes as his best friend and purposely wearing the same outfits, he made everyone around him laugh.
And it's those memories his family is drawing on in the days following his killing Friday night.
Moffitt, 45, was shot and killed at a home on Hancock Street. The man suspected of pulling the trigger, 29-year-old Glenn Priest, is now behind bars.
But for Moffitt's family and friends, he's still gone.
Moffitt's best friend since junior high, Jim Savage, said Tuesday Moffitt was one of the funniest people he'd ever met. He said when the two first met at Wilson Junior High, they disliked each other on sight.
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The two had arranged to fight and when they both arrived, they somehow realized they wanted to be friends and were inseparable after that.
"If he loved you, there's nothing he wouldn't do for you," Savage said.
Moffitt's sister, Crystal Davis, said even as a kid, her brother would do anything to make her smile and laugh. Despite being six years older, Moffitt would be the child when they played house, playing the part of baby.
"He would crawl around and everything," she said. "He'd act it out to the full tilt."
And when he had kids of his own, Moffitt always tried to make them laugh through their tears and their fears, no matter the situation.
"You could tell him anything and he wouldn't change the way he looked at you," Moffitt's oldest daughter, Jessica Elmendorf, said.
His children said Moffitt loved nice cars and loud music, especially rap. He knew all the words and would rap along with the music so loud it would vibrate the entire car.
And he loved to eat, Sara Crouse, Moffitt's daughter, said her dad made great food and loved to eat just about anything, ordering two full meals at restaurants sometimes.
Moffitt's omelets were legendary in the family, with multiple cheeses and meats being added so they were thick and filling.
Previously: Murder suspect said he was high when he shot victim, according to police
Moffitt's family said they knew he had made mistakes in his past, taking himself away from them, but had been working to turn his life around.
After being sentenced to 18 months in prison after admitting to punching a Newark Police officer in the face and breaking his nose in two places in 2015, Moffitt had been focused when he emerged a free man.
"His whole demeanor changed, he didn't want to go back," Moffitt's mother, Mary, said. "He said he couldn't go back."
Moffitt's son, Jesse Moffitt Jr., said he had started following in his father's path, making mistakes that landed him in trouble, but his father helped convince him to turn his life around.
"He wanted his kids to be better than him," Moffitt Jr., said. "As much as I've wanted revenge, he watched me stay out of trouble and be a man. I have to do the right thing."
Moffitt's family said his death hasn't entirely sunk in and they keep expecting him to come back and tell them it was a joke.
"It doesn't feel real," Moffitt's daughter, Kayla Fetter, said. "It feels like he should be here. This is the worst thing we've ever been through."
Kayla Fetter, 23, is embraced by her cousin, Franchesica Kidd (left) and younger sister Ashlee Moffitt, 13, (right). FetterÕs father, Jesse Moffitt Sr. was gunned down in a home on Hancock Street in Newark, Ohio. The suspect, Glenn Priest, was on the run for two days before police caught him. Priest says he never would have killed Moffitt if he had not been under the influence of drugs. (Photo: Jessica Phelps/The Advocate)
Fetter also said social media comments about her father in the wake of his passing, as well as theories of what may have happened at 88 Hancock Street in the minutes leading up to Moffitt's death, have made it tough for the family to grieve.
"It would be easier if they'd let him rest in peace," she said.
Moffitt's family will receive family and friends at Reed-Egan Funeral Home from 4 to 6 p.m. Thursday, with a service following.
He is survived by his parents, Gary and Mary Moffitt, his fiance, Lisa Henry, children Jessica (Brian) Elmendorf, Jesse Moffitt Jr., Kayla (Ethan) Fetter, Sara Crouse, Justin and Jason Wolfe and Ashlee and Allison Moffitt, two brothers and a sister, as well as numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
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[Trump] was asked in an interview whether he was getting down in the weeds of other people's companies by, for example, negotiating directly with defense contractors or publicly warning other firms not to move plants overseas.
He cited in particular his jawboning of Ford Motor Co. not to move a production line to Mexico.
Instead, he noted, Ford has scrapped plans to build a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Mexico and is going to invest $700 million in a Michigan facility that would build electric cars.
And, he noted, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV will invest $1 billion in two existing plants in the U. S., creating 2,000 jobs in the Midwest. . . .
The GOP is the party that is supposed to eschew the kind of government intervention in business decisions that Mr. Trump's actions represent.
Ideological conservatives, in fact, look on with a mixture of shock and horror. A true conservative believes in economist Adam Smith's concept that the strongest economy emerges not when a government has a hand in it, but rather when the invisible hand of a free market brings supply and demand into a natural balance that maximizes output and efficiency.
Republicans have traditionally deployed disparaging terms to describe government actions that interfere with freely made business decisions. "Industrial policy" is one; "picking winners and losers" is another.
Beyond ideological beefs, there are two practical risks in what Mr. Trump is doing. The first is that companies begin making questionable decisions about how to invest their money simply to avoid being the target of presidential ire, and in the process sap their long-term viability.
The second is that a company comes to the government seeking favors in order to comply with the presidential insistence that it not move, or shut down, an operation that doesn't otherwise make economic sense. That dynamic was in play, at least in part, with Carrier, a unit of United Technologies Corp. It received state tax incentives to keep jobs in Indiana.
But the Trump view is that today's globalized economy simply isn't open or fair—and that other governments, specifically China and Mexico, already are messing with that invisible-hand idea.


✅ Verified Review | The arrival process at YTZ is very smooth, quick and easy. Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the departure process. As traffic from the airport has increased, the lounge can no longer accommodate all of the passengers. It is very rare that I am able to find a seat. Equally unfortunate are the constant announcements directing passengers to exit doors and gates. These two things combined make for a very loud, stressful experience.
The Pick up and drop off area at this airport is ridiculously small for the number of passengers currently passing through. Parking and pick is basically total chaos at this airport, the rude and aggressive parking "security" guards do not make matters any better. If you are driving seriously consider an alternative.
✅ Verified Review | Toronto City Center, while dwarfed in size by nearby Toronto Pearson Airport, provides an exceptional experience for travelers. Most notable is the terminal cafeteria stocked with free coffee, soft drinks, and light snacks. In an era where nothing seems to be given out for free in air travel, it is refreshing to see this at City Center. The terminal is designed differently than those at most other airports. As opposed to separate waiting areas for each gate, there is one central waiting area which serves every gate (the airport has 10 gates). At first glance, the sight is a bit jarring, but travelers will feel at ease as they settle in to the comfortable seats with their free snacks. City Center is also recommended because of its location. Views from within the airport and during approaches are beautiful as the airport is situated over water (Lake Ontario). Meanwhile, the airport is very close to downtown Toronto, making transport to and from the airport quick and cheap.
✅ Verified Review | Upon arrival to Billy Bishop there were no wheelchairs. My husband used a luggage cart for mobility through the tunnel. We registered as needing assistance. We also submitted doctor form. Cancellation was given way later than seems appropriate. It was a very stressful experience for ourselves and others.
Passed through Toronto City Centre Airport on a recent trip from Chicago to Quebec. It is a small airport so very easy to navigate. We were through Canadian immigration very promptly and back through security for our onward flight without fuss. The departure lounge was very comfortable with plenty of seats available. All the immigration and airport staff that we encountered were friendly and helpful. Overall a great introduction to Canada and one of the best airports that I have been too.
Free food and snacks provided. Great wifi. Nice comfortable chairs like a business lounge. I was able to walk to my accommodation which I've never done before! Very easy access to Toronto with a short free ferry ride and then streetcar available on Bathurst St. Very nice small airport.
Great little airport used mainly by Porter airlines. Check in was efficient and you go down to an airport lounge open to everyone. They serve free tea coffee and soft drinks along with cookies and nuts. The wifi is free and fast! Boarding is effortless and the scenery on take off is stunning! The only downside was that when the lounge is busy it gets a little grubby with dishes lying everywhere. Otherwise it comes highly recommended.
Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) is located on an island near downtown Toronto. They service over 18 cities in Canada and the U.S. with connections to more than 80 international destinations. Billy Bishop is the hub for Porter Airlines. Unlike most other airports that service commercial airlines Billy Bishop imposes a 23.00 curfew for both take off and landing of traffic. If a flight is on route for landing and cannot land prior to 23.00 the flight will be diverted to another airport. Although this rule is known by the airline flights are not held back but simply fly passengers to the closest city. This happened to my young daughter on Jan 6 2014 during one of the coldest nights of the year. Unfortunately there was no communication to the public that the flight was diverted and my daughter was left without support. Her ride was waiting for her at Billy Bishop airport but with no agent even present we had no way of knowing her location. In this case she made her way via shuttle bus from the airport in Hamilton where the flight had been diverted to a downtown train station in Toronto (2AM) where she found a place to stay the night. Based on this experience you may wish to investigate flights to Pearson International Airport using an international carrier rather than to Toronto's Billy Bishop Airport with Porter Airlines.
This airport receives a lot of hype from Torontonians. I flew Porter from Newark NJ to Billy Bishop in the beginning of November. Porter itself is fantastic. The tickets were cheap the free lounge access (with free snacks coffee and sodas) was generous and the entire process as a whole was exceptional for a "budget" airline. Upon arrival we promptly received our luggage safe and sound upon entering the baggage claim. From there we followed the somewhat confusing (not that bad now that I think about it but at the time it seemed odd) signs to the ferry. I don't know if I liked it or not. Thankfully they are implementing a new system of accessing the city but that is not yet finished. You have to wait in a line to get onto the ferry which you are only on for about 2 minutes. Then it's the same process again getting off. It just seems a little excessive and unnecessary. Not sure why this was the solution in the first place. Then came immigrations. I can't remember if this was before the ferry or after. But for the sake of this review I'll say it was after the ferry ride. My father was carrying a styrofoam box (clearly for airport food-which we bought at Newark). Upon meeting a border agent she rudely asked my dad what he was holding. He told her it was leftover food from the flight and she yelled at us for not filling out the part on the card that says you are bringing in food to Canada. She was one of the rudest people I have encountered. For people who are renowned globally to be very friendly she was a terrible first impression of the Canadian people. On the way back security is oddly organized and slow considering how few people actually were in the airport. It took us half an hour while every other airport I've been to that's comparable in size can accomplish this in half the time. Other than that the return experience was fine.
Being a Nexus Card holder living in downtown Toronto I expect my arrival at YTZ and trip home to be very quick right? Wrong! First because of the weird design of the airport we get held on the plane to get off until the passengers for the plane at the gate next to us board so that passengers don't interact (why not have separate gates?). Next there is only one nexus terminal in the customs area so be prepared to wait again (going to an agent may be quicker). Then another wait for the archaic ferry to the city-side (fine this will be soon replaced) but when the ferries seem to be operating at full capacity why not have 2 going? Then you wait 30 minutes in the cold for a taxi. YTZ may brag about being close to the city but they have a lot of work to do to improve their flow. Frankly Pearson may be farther but it works like clock work and I'd rather just go there next time!


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Intel looks
Intel moves beyond CMOS to MESO
January 14, 2022 2:20 PM Image Credit: Getty Images Did you miss a session from the Future of Work Summit? Head over to our Future of Work Summit on-demand library to stream. At the 2021 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), Intel demonstrated for the first time a functional MESO (Magneto-Electric Spin-Orbit) transistor. MESO is what's called…
No Comments on Intel moves beyond CMOS to MESO
January 14, 2022 2: 20 PM
At the 2021 IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM), Intel demonstrated for the first time a functional MESO (Magneto-Electric Spin-Orbit) transistor. MESO is also known as a "beyond CMOS" device. It is a revolutionary new method of building transistors (and computers) using room-temperature quantum materials. MESO could be 10 to 30 times more efficient than existing transistors and could help spur AI efforts across a variety of industries.
Although still in research, MESO represents the greatest advancement in computing since the introduction transistors. If it is commercialized, it would also lead to changes in electrical engineering courses. Intel's previous theoretical research has shown that MESO could provide significant improvements over traditional transistors in terms of energy consumption and chip area. MESO could allow circuits to run at just 100mV, and would be especially promising for application in AI chips.
In the more recent demonstration, Intel showed the potential of the new transistor.
In 2021, Intel laid out its process roadmap through 2025, which it will also use to build its new Intel Foundry Service business. Most noteworthy from that roadmap is that, in 2024, Intel will make another big (but more evolutionary) change to the transistor with the introduction of RibbonFET and PowerVia.
Although MESO is still a futuristic technology, it's important because it's the only transistor (out of many that have been studied) that might be capable of replacing or augmenting conventional semiconductors. We will now dive into the science behind MESO.
How MESO goes beyond CMOS
Although computing existed long before the invention transistors (through devices like vacuum tubes), computing has only increased exponentially since then. Moore's Law is a widely recognized trend that has seen these devices become ever smaller. They are able to scale well, but what makes them so popular is the on-off switch they offer circuit designers that provides a gain. Doping can also be used to control the properties of silicon, which is a semiconductor that is used in transistor fabrication. This means that conductivity can be controlled by doping silicon with impurities.
Over the years, particularly as the transistor entered nanoscale dimensions, there have been many improvements to speed up or reduce power consumption. One of the most significant improvements was the conversion of the transistor from a planar device into a 3D FinFET (wherein the fin extends beyond the original silicon wafer). This structure will be improved over the next few years by the gate-all transistor. It goes by many names, including the RibbonFET (Intel), or MCBFET(Samsung).
Despite these changes, the structure of a MOSFET remains fundamentally unchanged: current through the transistor channel is controlled by applying voltage to the gate. Because the gate is isolated from the conducting channel, current flows only from input to output. These contacts are called the source and drain.
Over time, many alternative structures were proposed. These structures are based on different physical properties and mechanisms, but they have the same on-off switch characteristics of a MOSFET.
The MOSFET can therefore be described as an electronic, charge-based device. Its working principle is electronic (electrostatic). Another device in the charge-based category is the tunnel FET. It uses the quantum mechanical property that tunneling has. Other types of devices include magneto-electronics and orbitronics.
Are these devices just curiosity for engineers and physicists to study or can they be used to replace silicon in high-volume production? This is due to the fundamental working principles that semiconductors have, which place a limit.
An on-off switch must have a significant current difference between the off- and on-states to work properly. This is done by applying voltage to the gate, as mentioned previously. The current through a transistor does not change arbitrarily when voltage is applied. The laws of thermodynamics and statistics limit the ability to produce current in semiconductors. Given the temperature at which electrons can move, there is a fundamental limit on how much current a transistor can absorb as voltage increases.
More specifically, the laws and principles of thermodynamics dictate a distribution of the energy available for electrons at a particular temperature (since temperature is merely their average energy). This distribution's "tail" decays exponentially. When the transistor is switched off (reducing voltage below the threshold), the current will decrease exponentially with decreasing voltage. Importantly, this decay rate also depends on temperature.
This property is known as the subthreshold slope, and it's expressed in terms of how many millivolts are required to increase or decrease the current by 10x. (The exact limit is ~60mV/dec, as it turns out.) This slope determines the operating voltage of a transistor. A transistor with a steeper slope will be able operate at a lower voltage. This would decrease its power consumption, and result in higher energy efficiency and speed. The slope is determined solely by thermodynamics. Therefore, it is impossible to increase the slope. This limitation is also known by the Boltzmann Tyranny.
Because the switching characteristics of a traditional CMOS device are limited by fundamental physics, it is possible to find devices that work on different physical mechanisms. This is why beyond-CMOS devices are so appealing.
Although many alternatives have been suggested to the traditional transistor, decades of R&D have made silicon a formidable material. In a landmark research paper in 2017, Intel benchmarked about two dozen beyond-CMOS devices. The summary graph shows that not many devices are faster than HP CMOS and a few have lower power than LP CMOS. Overall, however, it didn't appear that there was a single candidate that could be faster or use less power. It is unlikely that there are significant improvements to CMOS. However, it might be worth spending billions of dollars on R&D to create a switch suitable for high volume manufacturing. Other issues, such as cost, may also play a role.
Given the flexibility of CMOS, regular semiconductors, from low power to high-performance, analog to RF, high voltage to digital and so on, it is unlikely that CMOS technology ever will be completely replaced. Rather, a new technology would perhaps be integrated in combination with CMOS so that it could be used only for the circuits in a system where it delivers a real benefit.
More recently, a new kind of device (MESO) has emerged, invented by Intel and proposed in a 2018 paper. It is claimed that it could offer substantial advantages over CMOS. Since it would operate at just 100mV, it could result in 10 to 30 times higher efficiency. Intel claimed that it could increase logic density by five times. The MESO device is non-volatile, meaning it is saved when power is switched off, and also has spintronic capabilities, which could allow for new types of circuits that are suitable for AI.
"MESO is like a transistor – input voltage controls the current at the output (so it is electrical voltage in and current out like MOSFETs, but it switches at [approximately] 10x lower voltage than a MOSFET," according to Intel. "Thus, wires only have top swing 10X lower voltage – this saves power."
The architecture and physics for the MESO transistor are very different from traditional semiconductors. It makes extensive use of quantum effects, materials, and is similar to a transistor. MESO uses no less than three types of information carriers, according to the beyond-CMOS classification. These are electronics, magnetoelectronics and spintronics.
But the best thing about MESO is the fact that information is only transferred to the device via a standard charge-based interconnect and then out again as an electric current. The device converts the charge to magnetism by using the magnetoelectric effect and then to charge again using the spin-orbit effects. Below is an image of the device and information flow.
The device architecture is as follows. The input is a ferroelectric capacitance that is connected to an interconnect with regular charge-based charges. The magnetic properties of ferroelectric materials can be controlled by currents. This is how charge is converted into magnetism. Ferroelectric materials can also be used in an electric motor to convert current into magnetism. This ferroelectric material controls a nanomagnet, or ferromagnet that will point north or south depending upon its input.
Although this nanomagnet is the output state, it still needs to be converted to a current. This is done by a quantum effect known as a spin-orbit interaction or, more precisely, the inverse Rashba–Edelstein effect. A spin-orbit interaction is, in general, the interaction of an electron and a magnetic field. (Remember from quantum physics that every electron has an intrinsic magnetic moment called it its spin). It is a relativistic interaction between a particle's motion and its spin within a potential. This is a more technical description. Rashba–Edelstein's effect converts charge to spin. The inverse effect achieves the desired spin-to-charge conversion. The nanomagnet sends a current (Isupply) through it. Due to the inverse Rashba–Edelstein effect the output will either be positive or negative depending on which direction the nanomagnet is facing.
The switching property is achieved because the nanomagnet has an thresholding property. An input voltage controls it (through the ferroelectric materials), and this will point north or south. This will result in either positive or negative output current.
To make circuits using these devices, it is simply a matter connecting the output of one device with the input of another device. A positive current from the first device could charge the ferroelectric input capacitor in the second device. Conversely, a negative current would cause it to discharge. The thresholding property can be used to create "majority gate" using multiple voltages as input. A majority gate will produce a 1, if all its inputs are a 1. Intel claims a 5x increase in density. This is because it was already known from spintronics research that majority gate circuits could be smaller and require fewer transistors than traditional CMOS circuits.
In summary, the input charge converts to a magnetic signal through the ferroelectric materials, which control a nanomagnet. The output charge will be determined by this nanomagnet. It works through a quantum effect, which converts spin (induced by the nanomagnet into charge). It is analogous to an electric motor. The input current controls the motor. However, the motor is also used as an electrical generator to convert motion back into electricity, like a wind turbine.
The room temperature quantum materials, which Intel highlighted in 2018 as the main hurdles toward the physical realization of this device, are "correlated oxides" and "topological states of matter."
In the larger context of beyond-CMOS electronics, traditional electronics are based upon spin/magnetism instead of charge. MESO solves the fundamental problem in the device's readout due to the conversion back to charge at its output. From the 2018 paper: "The discovery of strong spin -charge coupling in topological matter via a Rashba-Edelstein or topological two-dimensional electron gas enables this proposal for a charge-driven, scalable logic computing device." For comparison, in traditional spintronics, the spin for example decays exponentially through an interconnect.
In technical terms, the use spin for the transistor's output is called a "collective status switch". It is dependent on a collective order parameter that can have either plus or minus theta. This value can have two values which are basically just the spin being up/down. This switch is actually a switch because there are two outputs. However, the different mechanism it uses (based on the order parameter), overcomes the Boltzmann Tyranny that plagues traditional electronics.
The graph above shows Intel's benchmark results (based on simulation) from 2018 for a 32-bit ALU. MESO achieved a higher throughput density (TOPS/cm2) while using a lower power density than both the CMOS HP or LV.
Besides the lower operating voltage, Intel indicated that the different transistor architecture also allows for improvements in the interconnect, with resistance and capacitance requirements that are up to 100x "less stringent than conventional interconnects," which in turn would reduce interconnect power by 10x. This might also contribute to MESO's efficiency, since interconnects in modern chips could consume over 50% of the total power. Furthermore, Intel has demonstrated that the MESO device characteristics improve as the device is scaled further down (following a cubic trend), and MESO also promises integration and compatibility with CMOS.
Intel originally published a paper with various target specifications in order to achieve a 1aJ/bit device. Intel claims this is 30x lower than CMOS, which seems in the ballpark given that another source provides a lower limit of ~144aJ/bit in older 45nm process technology. Although 1aJ/bit was provided as the target, further in the paper estimates from 0.1 to 10 aJ/bit were also mentioned.
How these specifications could be translated into chip-scale specifications using circuits operating at possibly GHz-scale frequencies (if possible with MESO) remains to be seen. For comparison, state of the art commercial NPUs (neural processing units) achieve up to 10 TOPS/W at INT8 precision, which translates into 100 fJ/instruction or roughly 10 fJ/bit. This implies the circuit level is ~100x less efficient than a single inverter at its most efficient voltage-frequency operating point.
Applications in AI
In an interview with VentureBeat in 2019, Intel identified AI, in particular, as a promising application for the MESO device, rather than CPUs. There are a few reasons for this.
First of all, the MESO device's low operating voltage may limit its ability to match the high frequencies of CMOS devices. MESO is more suitable for graphics and AI applications that require parallel operations, which run at lower speeds than a CPU.
Secondly, AI can take advantage of the various switching properties of MESO. Deep learning is particularly well-suited to the majority of MESO-compatible gates. By designing circuits that take advantage of majority gate, neural networks can be implemented with fewer transistors. "Majority Gates is the next door neighbor to a neuron. Deep neural networks are about weights and neurons. Intel stated that MESO technology, which can perform majority gates, is attractive to AI. Multiple inputs can be brought into the MESO magnet through a thresholding gate or'majority gate'. This is similar to the way neural networks use weights ."
to show the influence of nodes.
There could also be a more practical reason: "CPUs, which are the most commonplace when you're building silicon, are oddly enough the hardest thing to build," Amir Khosrowshahi, VP of Intel, said in the interview with VentureBeat. It's a simpler architecture in AI. AI follows regular patterns. It mainly computes, interconnects, and stores memories. Neural networks can also tolerate inhomogeneities within the substrate. This technology is likely to be adopted in AI sooner than I expected. By 2025, it's going to be the biggest thing."
Timeline for MESO
As for the commercialization of MESO, the 2025 timeline might be ambitious given how many challenges are involved with bringing a fundamentally new technology into production. It has taken over a decade for improvements to standard transistors to be made into production.
Based on the above discussion, there are two possible options. Either MESO could represent an alternative manufacturing technology that
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baseball, Jazz
Jazz Club of Sarasota and Baltimore Orioles Team Up for Jazz In the Ballpark April 22 at Ed Smith Stadium
February 20, 2017 dougmilesmedia	Leave a comment
(Sarasota, FL) The Jazz Club of Sarasota and the Baltimore Orioles have teamed up to present Jazz in the Ballpark on Saturday, April 22, at 7:00 p.m. at Ed Smith Stadium, 2700 12th Street. Tickets go on sale February 17th for the outdoor concert, titled "Big Band Jazz Through the Decades." The performance will feature music of the Andrews Sisters and America's favorite big bands from the 1940s to the present. Vocalists Michele James-Pruyn and the Swing Sisters are backed by the Sarasota Jazz Project.
Michele James-Pruyn, a native of North Carolina, has been singing and acting since the age of 15. During her career she has won dozens of vocal competitions and performed at the White House, Disneyworld and other venues throughout the world.
As "Michele and the Swing Sisters," James-Pruyn and her friends, Kim Kollar and Cathy Noeth, have performed their cabaret act, "The Sounds of Harry James and the Andrews Sisters," across the country for more than 17 years.
The Sarasota Jazz Project, formed in 2010, is a 17-piece big band under the direction of co-founder George McLain, who also plays tenor sax and sings. In addition to songs of the Andrews Sisters, the band will present tunes from nostalgic to newer, including songs made famous by Harry James, Glen Miller, Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Buddy Rich, Maynard Ferguson and Tower of Power. The band will feature many of the top jazz soloists in Florida including David Pruyn on trumpet, Tony Benade on saxophone, and Greg Nielsen on trombone.
While enjoying the nostalgia, fans can feast on ballpark food including hot dogs, drinks and snacks.
Tickets are available from the Orioles beginning on February 17. Reserved seats are offered to adults at $50 (VIP), $30 and $20. Children and students may buy $20 seats for $10. "Proceeds from this exciting event will be donated to the Jazz Club Scholarship Fund, which benefits local young musicians," said Peg Pluto, president of the Jazz Club.
For more information, please visit www.jazzclubsarasota.org.
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⚓ T118407 Requesting a huge favour from BIS for ALiVE Mod - object list for Tanoa.
Requesting a huge favour from BIS for ALiVE Mod - object list for Tanoa.
For ALiVE mod, we "index" maps, that basically means we grab a list of all objects on a map and group them into categories to create a tactical/strategic view of a map for AI commanders.
However, Tanoa is an EBO file, that we can't run deWRP against. Would it be possible for someone to run deWRP against Tanoa for us and send us the object list file?
Without this, we won't be able to have compatibility for ALiVE with APEX/Tanoa.
Please send the output to me via Discord, BIF or my email.
If Tanoa map is a PBO at release, we can just do the indexing then. If not, it would be good to get an object list output once Tanoa is in final data lock.
Could the same information be extracted in-game using a script?
It's time consuming and a pain to do in game - if possible at all.
If we can get it say late on the 10th or even early on the 11th then we can get compatibility out probably 11th/12th.


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[SOLVED] Module 2 – SLPHRM AND MARKETING ICSC is "tweeting" RECon. Account holders on the social-networking service called Twitter will be able to receive updates (tweets, in Twitter parlance) about sessions, – Marketing
by admin | Aug 22, 2022 | Marketing
Module 2 – SLPHRM AND MARKETINGICSC is "tweeting" RECon. Account holders on the social-networking service called Twitter will be able to receive updates (tweets, in Twitter parlance) about sessions, events, networking opportunities and new initiatives at RECon by signing up to follow ICSC_RECon. While on the ICSC_RECon page, participants can follow other Twitter-using RECon attendees as well.From REITs and retailers to third-party mall managers, the shopping center world is virtually a-twitter over Twitter's vast marketing potential, and that of other social-networking sites, such as Facebook and MySpace. Not only are young consumers already socializing en masse on these online stomping grounds, but also social media are emerging as a vastly cheaper and much more targeted marketing vehicle than newspapers and other traditional means. Sephora and Anthropologie routinely beef up sales with exclusive Twitter-only deals. Starbucks uses multiple social-media networks to help launch or test new products. Most retail REITS have recently launched social-media marketing programs or they are contemplating it. Macerich has been conducting a Twitter test for Kierland Commons, in Scottsdale, Ariz., spotlighting retailer discounts, book signings and other events for users who electively follow the doings there. The firm also has a Facebook page for Scottsdale Fashion Square. This year ICSC launched its own Facebook page.It is no wonder that HR is bringing marketing into its repertoire of skills, especially regarding social media marketing. If an organization wants to attract young people, then they must go to where the young people are, and that is on social media. This is just one trend that has suddenly become the "in" way to contact potential new employees.This SLP assignment is about this and other trends in this second decade of the 21st century. AssignmentConduct research about the new marketing trends in the arena of Human Resources. One source to begin your research with is an article found at the website of HR Technologist: https://www.hrtechnologist.com/articles/recruitment-onboarding/top-recruitment-marketing-trends/. There are other related articles at the same website, HR Technologist that you might find useful for this assignment, too.What 3 trends would you adopt for your employers HR marketing portfolio? Discuss these trends in detail, including a discussion of why they were selected. Is there something not found in your research that you think should be an HR recruitment trend?Sources:Top 8 recruitment marketing trends for 2020 and beyond. (2019, November 12). HR Technologist. https://www.hrtechnologist.com/articles/recruitment-onboarding/top-recruitment-marketing-trends/Twitter. (2009). Twitter to spread the word at RECon. SCTWeek, 14(20), 5.Your submission will include:Cover page (with all required components)A 2- to 3-page paper with APA citations (2- to 3-sentence introduction, responses to the questions, 3- to 4-sentence conclusion). A 2- to 3-page paper means the professor is looking for two full pages minimum.


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www.mountsinai.org/care/heart
www.facebook.com/mountsinainyc/
abcardio.org/
twitter.com/@mountsinaiheart
twitter.com/@MountSinaiNYC
Dr. Icilma V. Fergus, MD
Icilma V. Fergus, MD was recently appointed Director of Cardiovascular Disparities at The Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. Mount Sinai Medical Center. Prior to that she served as Chief of the Division of Cardiology at Columbia University Harlem Hospital Center beginning in April 2007 and Director of Non-Invasive Cardiology of New York Hospital Queens from 1999-2006. Her current academic appointment is Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York, New York. She is a Barnard and SUNY Downstate graduate. She completed her residency and Chief residency at Albert Einstein Medical Center. Dr. Fergus completed her cardiology fellowship at Weill Cornell Medical Center. Dr. Fergus is board certified in Internal Medicine and Cardiology. Dr Fergus has authored numerous articles related to heart disease and congestive heart failure in peer-reviewed journals and a co-author in the new book entitled "Cardiovascular Disease in Ethnic Minorities". Her current research interests involve cardiovascular disparities, Hypertension and Diastolic Dysfunction as well as heart disease in women. She has been an investigator in several clinical trials including NHLBI sponsored trial evaluating acute ischemia in young women entitled "VIRGO" and DOH sponsored grant for Harlem Healthy Eating and Living. Dr. Fergus is an active member of many professional memberships, including the American Society of Hypertension, American Society of Echocardiography, and the American College of Cardiology. Dr. Fergus served on the board of the Association of Black Cardiologists for six years including two years as secretary and has been the Chair of Community Programs for the past three years. She is a prominent educator in the Harlem community and is a member of the Harlem Healthy Eating and Living Committee supported by the Harlem Chamber of Commerce.


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In 2002, the National competition was expanded to 10 teams which meant the top two teams from each Regional competition was invited to the National competition. The Most Outstanding Player was also awarded for the first time with Tim Woodford winning the first ever MOP award.
California School for the Deaf, Riverside (West)
La Follette High School (Midwest)
Louisiana School for the Deaf (Southeast)
Rockville High School (Mid-Atlantic)
Webster School District (Northeast)
Florida SDB defeated University HS
Rockville HS defeated Indiana SD
Tim Woodford, Senior, Florida SDB
Florida SDB Roster:
Alex Abenchuchan
Hardy Parker
Amanda Willard
Tim Woodford


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Business Certifications
Bargain Shopping & Price Codes
Conserving Resources
Running a Home-Based Business
Advantages and Disadvantages of Living in The Villages, Florida
Since graduating university, Paul has worked as a bookseller, librarian, and educator. Born in the UK, he now lives in Florida.
The Villages is a booming residential retirement complex in central Florida. Here's everything you need to know.
Markus Spiske via Unsplash; Canva
A Review of The Villages: Pros, Cons, and FAQs
The Villages is a booming retirement development in north-central Florida that, between 2010 and 2017, was widely acknowledged to be the fastest-growing small city in the US. In the 2010 United States census, The Villages were reported to have a total population of 51,442. This was an increase of 43,109 since the 2000 census, which counted only 8,333 residents. That's about a 517.33% population growth in only 10 years!
I have operated a business in The Villages area for a number of years and know the people and the place very well, so I thought it would be interesting to put together an article that lists the pros and cons of this unique community and answers some commonly asked questions.
There can be no doubt that many people love living in The Villages, but tastes vary, and there are definitely some disadvantages to residing there as well. If you are from out of state, you may also wish to consider the pros and cons of living in Florida in general (e.g., lots of sunshine and no state taxes to pay but high humidity and plenty of bugs to contend with).
Advantages of Living in The Villages
Disadvantages of Living in The Villages
A Brief History of the Development
Positives of Living in The Villages
Weather: You'll see sunshine almost every day and experience very mild winters. There will be no need to deal with lots of ice and snow. You can play golf and tennis, cycle, and socialize outside pretty much all year round if you wish.
Housing Prices: The housing is affordable compared to many places in the US. There are also options available to suit a variety of budgets.
Local Amenities: The area features quick and easy golf cart access to all kinds of shopping, restaurants, and other services.
Reputation: The developers have a track record of providing an excellent and fun environment for those in the senior age group.
Activity Level: The community is lively and active. On an average day, you'll see people running, cycling, walking, and riding in golf carts.
Neighborhood Characteristics: Most residents live alongside people in their own age group, so there's very little disruption, and there are plenty of people to socialize with. The Villages' population comes from all walks of life and professions.
Safety and Cleanliness: Gated communities that are clean and safe mean that there is little to worry about in regard to trash, crime, or vandalism.
Public Transportation: The area boasts excellent public transport, including The Villages shuttle, which is operated by Sumter County Transit, and the connecting bus to Jacksonville and Lakeland, which is operated by Amtrak. There are also plenty of options for those who need to travel between The Villages and Orlando International Airport.
Proximity to Beaches: You are never far from beautiful beaches and blue seas when you live in Florida. Plus, the cities of Orlando and Ocala are close by.
Supportive Community: Residents often provide mutual support for friends and neighbors suffering from illnesses, mobility issues, and other challenges associated with aging.
The golf cart is the preferred commuting method for many in The Villages. Some carts are street-legal, and some are solar-powered. There are golf cart lanes for easy and safe driving, and tunnels have been built to cross major highways.
Negatives of Living in The Villages
Heat and Humidity: The heat and humidity in Florida can be overbearing, uncomfortable, and energy-sapping at times. Only the visiting tourists deliberately soak it up; the long-term locals avoid the sun and outdoors for most of the year and keep within range of the air-conditioning as much as possible.
Lack of Diversity: If you like to socialize with a varied, cosmopolitan crowd, The Villages may not be the place for you. Pretty much everyone you will meet will be white, financially comfortable, and older.
Private Ownership: Although this isn't often discussed in the community, the developers own almost everything as far as The Villages go, and the residents have very little civic power according to author Andrew D. Blechman (see quote below).
Reputation: Certain tabloid newspapers have focused attention on what they portray as the seedier side of The Villages. The UK's Daily Mail, for instance, wrote that with ten women for every man, a black market trade in viagra and cheap alcohol exists. Some say there is a thriving swingers scene as well.
Political Issues: The owners of the development and many of the residents are republicans who are politically conservative, which can be challenging for some residents who are democrats or have more politically liberal ideologies.
Bugs: Regardless of where in the state you live, there are lots of bugs in Florida, and many of them are quite large.
The government is owned by the developer. Everything's privatized — and they're happy with that. You know, they've traded in the ballot box for the corporate suggestion box.
— Andrew D. Blechman
A typical scene in The Villages: palm trees and sunny streets. Many people find the development idyllic and believe that the advantages vastly outnumber the disadvantages, but others are more critical.
In this section, I'll answer some of the most common questions asked by prospective residents of The Villages. If you have additional questions, feel free to ask in the comments.
Where Is The Villages, Florida?
The Villages is in north-central Florida about 20 miles south of Ocala and 45 miles northwest of Orlando. The development is spread across Sumter, Lake, and Marion counties. The nearest beach is about 70 miles away on the Atlantic coast (Daytona Beach area). St. Augustine is roughly 80 miles away by road in a northeasterly direction. just over 40 miles to the west by road is Crystal River, which is famous for its warm Gulf water, natural springs, and manatees.
How Old Do You Have to Be to Live in The Villages?
The Villages is an age-restricted community. Usually, there must be at least one person aged 55 years or older in the household. To qualify for an exception to the Housing for Older Persons Act prohibitions against discrimination, The Villages needs over 80% of its residents to be over 55.
Residents below the age of 19 years are generally not permitted to live in The Villages unless granted an exemption. However, there are three subdivisions that have been designated as "family units" where the age minimum doesn't apply. As of 2016, 2% of residents were under 5 years of age, 7.1% were under 18, and 56.3% were 65 or older.
What Is the Cost of Living?
The cost of living in The Villages is above average for the USA, mainly due to the cost of housing. At the time of this writing, the median home price in The Villages was $268,600. Things like groceries, health, and transportation compare well with the US average in terms of affordability.
How Many Homes Are There in The Villages?
At the last count, the number of households was over 60,000. The Villages covers roughly 32 square miles.
Does The Villages Have Its Own Police Department?
No, The Villages is policed by local and county law enforcement. There are also plenty of safety and security measures, such as gated entries and community watch, making it a generally safe place to live with a low crime rate.
Is There a Downtown Area in The Villages?
There are actually three—Brownwood Paddock Square, Lake Sumter Landing Market Square, and Spanish Springs Town Square. These areas take the form of themed town squares and are designed as social venues where residents can eat, shop, and be entertained.
Does The Villages Have Its Own Local Media?
The Villages developers operate three media properties:
The Villages News Network, or VNN (aired on the local Comcast cable network)
A local newspaper called The Villages Daily Sun
A Fox News Radio affiliate (station WVLG AM 640)
The central Florida city of Orlando is just 45 miles away from The Villages. That's close enough for a day trip. Orlando is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world and offers many different events and attractions.
Bill Dickinson via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0)
A Brief History of The Villages
The roots of The Villages development go back to the 1960s when a Michigan businessman named Harold Schwartz started selling pieces of land in the area via mail order. A federal law banning the sale of real estate via mail order was introduced in 1968, however, scuppering the business plans of Schwartz and his partner, Al Tarrson.
Left owning large areas of Florida land, Schwartz and Tarrson then tried developing a mobile home park in Lake County, which they called Orange Blossom Gardens. The venture was not very successful, however, and they had only managed to sell 400 units by the early 1980s. At this point, Schwartz opted to buy Tarrson out and bring in his son, H. Gary Morse, as a partner.
Morse researched some of the more successful retirement communities and found that many gave their residents plenty of amenities to use nearby. He upgraded, made improvements, and bought up more land in Sumter and Marion counties to plan an expansion. Sales increased, and Morse changed the development's name to "The Villages."
The development is still largely run by descendants of Schwartz and Morse. Morse transferred the majority of direct ownership in the company to his three children in 2006 before his death in 2014.
Question: Are pets allowed in The Villages retirement community in Florida?
Answer: I am not aware of any restrictions on cats and dogs, both of which are commonly owned there, but I do know that you aren't generally allowed to have a fenced yard in The Villages, which can affect some dog owners.
Question: How wealthy are the people who live in The Villages, Florida?
Answer: Incomes can vary from household to household, but generally, most live comfortable lifestyles. The median household income between 2012-16 was calculated to be $52,594.
Question: What age do you have to be to move into The Villages?
Answer: Generally speaking, there must be at least one person aged 55 years or older in the household in order to live there. As The Villages markets itself as an age-restricted community, they need over 80% of residents to be over 55 in order to qualify for an exception to the Housing for Older Persons Act prohibitions against discrimination. Residents below the age of 19 years are generally not allowed to live in The Villages unless granted an exemption. That said, there are three subdivisions that have been designated as "family units", where the age minimum doesn't apply. As of 2016, 2% of residents were under 5 years of age 7.1% were under 18 years, and 56.3% were 65 years and over.
Question: What is evening quiet time in The Villages? Is it after 10 p.m.?
Answer: Neighborhoods are mostly quiet by nine or ten, but there are bars and other entertainment venues open later.
Question: Is it true business owners in The Villages refer to the property management as The Villages mafia?
Answer: I haven't heard that, although it is possible. The Villages is a private development and as such, they make their own rules. There is less civic power and democratic accountability than you would expect in a regular city.
Question: Are any children allowed to live in The Villages with their parents?
Answer: It really depends on the ages of the children. Generally speaking, there should be one resident aged 55 or over in each household and persons aged under 19 are not allowed unless they have an exemption. Persons under age 19 (such as children or grandchildren) are allowed to visit, but can't stay for longer than 30 days within a calendar year. The only major exception is the three subdivisions in The Villages that have been designated as "family units" where age restrictions don't apply.
Question: Are motorcycles allowed in the Villages of Florida?
Answer: Yes, motorcycles are popular in the Villages and there is even a motorcycle club.
© 2015 Paul Goodman
BH on August 06, 2020:
Anyone moving to The Villages needs to check out the health care situation first. Good physicians are few and far between and difficult to find. A physician told me today that general practitioners in the area are "sketchy." The much touted Villages Health Care system only accepts United Healthcare Advantage plan for primary care. The Villages Health care doctors sign 2-year non-competes. So, even if you have the correct insurance, if your dr. quits or is terminated by The Villages Health Care, you are out of luck if you want to continue seeing that physician because they are no longer permitted to practice medicine in the area.
David Dupont on July 02, 2020:
I have been to The Villages many times. I love the activity and social interaction. I turned 55 in Nov, have since divorced and looking for a place in Florida to live. I am considering living in The Villages. Will I fit in well as a single 55 yr old male? Do younger individuals (that are single) do well in The Villages?
Paul Goodman (author) from Florida, USA on March 04, 2020:
There are retirement communities all around that area of north-central Florida. There are some communities in nearby Summerfield, for example, that are very similar but not part of Villages. Also others around that are independent and more affordable but with less facilities than you get in the Villages.
The gated communities in the area tend to be 55+. There are other types of community and neighborhood around but they are outnumbered in that area. Ocala is about 45 minutes away and is a regular small city with a varied demography.
MaryannFloridabound on March 03, 2020:
Are there 55+ communities on the outskirts of the villages that are similar (but perhaps not on such a grand scale). OR is there a community near by that is 55+ but on the younger side?
Paul Goodman (author) from Florida, USA on February 18, 2020:
Gainesville, a college town about 100 minutes drive north of The Villages, is maybe the closest thing to that in north-central Florida.
P on February 18, 2020:
Is there a florida community for semi liberal to liberal democrats of acadrmic background such sd myself and friends. Not a maga cap in sight?
Bob Merkt on January 05, 2020:
My wife and I are snowbirds from Ohio and are here for a month to see if we would like it. We have been here a week and these are my observations. First of all, the orientation was very marginal. Getting a map of this place is a challenge. The Villages App using the GPS is a piece of garbage but it does have the golf cart path but you will make many wrong turns because it does not provide a directional legend. So, then most people would gravitate toward using Google maps or Siri. For some reason, unless you pick up a weekly paper at a recreation center, you cannot get a street address of anything and often that includes business locations. So you are lost a lot. Taking off in a golf cart without knowing where you are going and using the villages app, is quite irresponsible. If you are interested in real estate from their advertised paper publications, good luck with that; they do not put the street address so therefore you cannot easily drive there. Another thing I have noticed, many residents have a short fuse and will make comments if you are playing pickleball and your ball goes near their court and since they are talking at the net, you trespass over to kindly pick up your ball instead of rudely disturbing them. Also, that includes driving a car or golf cart. Enter traffic circles and unless you are going immediately right, take the middle lane. Also, be very aware of out of towners who are not used to driving here and be defensive. There is a social stratus here, especially when it comes to participating in sports. You need to participate where you belong. Not necessarily a bad thing! But all in all, people are nice but the community has little to any diversity.
John Savakis on October 25, 2019:
Paul Goodman if you think living in a Conservative community is negative, then that is "YOUR" own personal opinion. If you have issues with "Whites" or "Conservatives" why did you move to, or near The Villages to begin with? That is like moving close to an airport, and complaining about the noise.
Boo on October 08, 2019:
With a 100,000 or more homes being built south of Hwy 44 the area is soon to be overly congested. Traffic will worsen (especially during the snowbird season) Its almost impossible to get into a restaurant, so I hope you enjoy cooking. There is almost an accident daily because many cant maneuver the round-a-bouts. Golf carts run you down on the walking path and its not the friendliest home town in America, there are many of grouchy people who are inpatient and entitled. Limited diversity and mediocre entertainment. People are always rushing, I do not know why because they are supposed to be retired. They vote primarily in block and if your not a Fox News fan you feel out-casted. So please make an informed decision before moving to the villages. Do your research carefully.
Maggie P on February 22, 2019:
Paul, your article provided a great insight for people thinking of making The Villages home. I will agree that the lack of diversity can be a drawback for many people, such as myself, but one thing I will say, is like any community, you can find people of varying backgrounds and opinions...it just takes more effort in The Villages. One additional thing I recommend to anyone looking is check out the lifestyle tour or contact people already living there! It can help you get a better and first hand feel for the community without moving. I recommend checking out Talk of The Villages to see what locals say, and to ask your own questions. Beware though...they do like to complain there.
Once again, thanks Paul for the wonderful article.
Maggie P
Paul Goodman (author) from Florida, USA on December 14, 2018:
There are certainly pressures at times created by the rapid expansion of The Villages and the increasing numbers of people living there. Generally speaking, though, it's not a problem. For instance, I would say that it's easier to get a game of pickle ball there than anywhere else in the country!
Ellen on December 14, 2018:
With so many people living in the villages I heard it was hard to get tee times and join clubs. No one talks about that.....is it true? Almost makes sense..... considering retiring to the villages because of all the clubs and activities defeat the purpose if can't join in on activities such as clubs, golf pickle ball. Please give me the real scoop.
Abi on December 10, 2018:
What do you think to start a business there, would it be profitable? and what business would you suggest?
rob on May 28, 2018:
We have lived here for 8 years and I have seen one lie after another from the "developer" aka as the Morse family who run this place with an iron fist. They are expanding the development beyond belief. Yes more economic gain for them and local government, but the residents face increased traffic congestion, crime and pollution. Forget it from January through April when migrants, aka as snow birds are here. Again long lines for everything, forget getting a tee time for four.
Ray on May 19, 2018:
im interested in golf how hard is it to get on the big courses and how much is it.....
Linda Murphy on April 10, 2018:
The flooding, etc., referred to in this thread is the afternath of Hurricane Irma.
Pat Humphrey on September 18, 2017:
No access to golf cart bridge for a week and counting. Villagers are without access to stores, appointments anything on the other side of highway 441. It's flooded, no one has any answer as to when it will be open. So if your thinking about buying on the historic villages because all you need is a golf cart to get around, think again. The major reason I moved here was because I don't drive. I purchased a golf cart and was able to get to stores, doctors, pharmacies, entertainment etc NOT for the passed week. Historic side consists of Orange Blossom and Silver Lake, that's where the Villages began. Mostly manufactured homes, but new site built home are being added rapidly. Help I'm trapped .. It's funny but mostly sad. Pat Humphrey
mike palmieri on July 11, 2017:
Live here with ma wife sheri and we really like it..of course it's not chicago..new york..baltimore...and all that those cities have to offer..but we love it anyway...!
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Home #nebpreps Perfect Ending
Jay Cottam, Thayer Central Titans.
Cottam, Hofmann win state golf championships
Jay Cottam had seen this before.
A playoff for a state golf championship and this time he was ready.
The Thayer Central senior watched as Lincoln Christian's Dana Van Ostrand made bogey on the final hole of regulation at Holmes Park Golf Course in Lincoln that sent Cottam, Van Ostrand and Plainview's Colin Wright into a playoff for the individual championship in Class C.
"I just wanted to stay calm," Cottam said of the playoff. "I have been there before. I just wanted to play well and whatever happened, happened."
But, it was Cottam who ended the extra golf with a birdie on the 406-yard 11th hole, the second hole of the playoff. He needed just a gap wedge from 116 yards to set up his 3-foot putt for the win.
It was a nice reversal for the Nebraska-Kearney golf recruit who lost in a playoff for the Class D championship last season and also finished second as a sophomore.
"I was a little nervous last year and this year I was just kind of used to it," Cottam said of the playoff. "I just went out there confident and knocked one close."
It took a steady-as-she-goes approach for Cottam on Thursday after his Wednesday 73 put him three shots behind Van Ostrand and tied for fifth individually. But the conditions served to his advantage on the final day.
Cottam was one of just four players better than 73 on Thursday. Wright shot 69 to join the playoff after an opening 76, Ord's Colton Zulkoski had a 1-under par 70 and Nebraska women's golf recruit Haley Thiele had 73 to finish two shots out of the playoff. Thiele and her sister, Hannah, both play on the Neumann boys team because they do not offer golf as a fall sport.
"I knew I would have to play well today and the scores would be higher," Cottam said. "I just wanted to put a bunch of pars together. I just ended up lower than a lot of kids. I'll take it today."
His thought process was right as he made 15 pars on Thursday to go with two bogeys and a birdie at the par-4 second. He made just three birdies in two days.
But it was the one that wasn't on the scorecard and in the playoff that was most important. It got him the championship he'd been working for all these years.
The McCook Master
Noah Hofmann, McCook Bison.
Down the road in Grand Island, McCook junior Noah Hofmann didn't have to work overtime for the Class B championship.
Hofmann was the only player at par after his opening round 72. On Thursday he moved away from the field with a second round 70 and a 2-under par total of 142 good for a three shot win over Blair's Vance Janssen.
After a birdie at the first and Janssen's bogey at the second Hofmann was three clear and had extended the lead to five shots with two holes to play after birdies at 8, 11 and 14.
"I made a lot of par putts on the front nine," Hofmann said. "I had a huge 20-foot birdie putt on 11 and that set the pace for the rest of the round."
The win capped a dominant spring for the Bison junior. He won eight of 11 meets and finished under par in six of his wins.
His formula? Listen close, kids: hard work.
"I have been putting in a lot of hours on my short game and my ball striking," Hofmann said. "You just have to put in the time, work extremely hard on your game and when you are having trouble ask somebody that can help you."
And, it leads to the best feeling in the world. At a school with rich golf tradition – the Bison have won ten state titles – Hofmann becomes just the fourth individual winner and first since 2003.
"It hasn't all quite sunk it yet," Hofmann said. "I imagine it's going to feel pretty good. It has been my whole goal since my freshman year."
Other Striv school medalists:
Class B: Caleb Badura, Aurora (T3, 149)
Class C: Hunter Quinn, Southern Valley (T9, 150); Ben Baden, Thayer Central (T11, 151)
Class D: TJ Ostransky, Fullerton (8, 164); Chase Largen, Creighton (T10, 167); Cole Wetzler, Creighton (T15, 169)
Jay Cottam
McCook Bison
Noah Hofmann
Thayer Central Titans
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Met's "Dutchman" sets sail in sturdy revival
By George Loomis
Juha Uusitalo as the Dutchman and Deborah Voigt as Senta. Photo: Cory Weaver/Metropolitan Opera.
Wagner has had a bit of a respite at the Metropolitan Opera this season, a transitional period between old and new productions of the Ring cycle. Last year the company said farewell to Otto Schenk's staging, so cherished by traditionalists, and next year it embarks upon a new Ring with the first two installments of a production by Robert Lepage.
A Met season without at least minimal Wagnerian representation would be unthinkable, and with little more than three weeks to go in the current season, the company offered just that by reviving August Everding's 1992 production of the Der fliegende Holländer, probably the least daunting opera of the entire Wagner canon to put on stage.
It is no cakewalk though, and the current cast held promise by offering two notable singers in portrayals new to the Met in the opera's most crucial roles: those of the Dutch seafarer condemned to wander the seas ad infinitum and of Senta, the woman determined to break his curse through the power of her love.
At the season premiere on Friday evening, both Juha Uusitalo and Deborah Voigt gave strongly sung performances that were sometimes gripping but fell short of expectations. The Dutchman is Uusitalo's calling card, which he has taken to most of the world's major opera houses. In prior encounters with his portrayal (at La Scala and in a Boston Symphony concert performance conducted by James Levine) I warmed to a voice of substantial power that was also capable of expressing the anguish engendered by the Dutchman's ordeal. Here, though, while still sounding robust and projecting an imposing character overall, Uusitalo seemed more limited in his range of vocal colors and the voice tended to sound more grainy than resonant.
Voigt's Senta was also something of a mixed blessing. The voice fills the hall impressively but here it had an edginess that detracted from its luster and occasionally sounded forced. There were some exciting movements, such as Senta's final declaration of faithfulness before throwing herself into the sea. Voigt's Senta was thoughtfully conceived and nicely detailed, but it lacked that quality of wildness, born of obsession with the Dutchman of legend, that animates the best Sentas.
Hans-Peter König has a classic rich and sumptuous German bass and seemed determined to let you know it with every note he sang as Daland, Senta's father. Stephen Gould, in his Met debut, sang Senta's erstwhile lover Erik with a firm and gleaming heldentenor voice that has understandably won him attention elsewhere. It is possible to sing the role with greater lyricism, but this was nevertheless a notable debut. Also making positive contributions were Russell Thomas as the Steersman and Wendy White as Mary.
Stephen Pickover oversaw the revival of the production, which is innocuously updated but thoroughly traditional. One would be tempted to call the room in which the girls do their spinning a Norwegian sweatshop were it not obviously so blasted cold.
The conductor Kazushi Ono kept the performance sailing along in shipshape fashion, despite a few bloopers from the brass. He observed the unfortunate traditional cuts at the end of Act 2 and in the Act 3 trio, which are favored by squeamish Wagnerians who don't like it when the master's music sounds like Donizetti. As is now standard at the Met, he also played the opera in its continuous format without intermissions, which makes for an extremely long sit. Since Wagner also sanctioned breaks for intermissions, why not compromise and just take one after Act 1?
Der fliegende Holländer runs through May 13. http://metoperafamily.org/metopera
One Response to "Met's "Dutchman" sets sail in sturdy revival"
Posted Apr 30, 2010 at 4:25 am by matthew gurewitsch
Those "girls" (ahem!) in Act 2… What the heck are they doing? Not spinning, that's for sure. Sewing new sails?


Employees are some of your most valuable assets, but handling a diverse workforce leads to inevitable wastes of time and funds. Outdated or needlessly complex software causes much of this waste, especially in office environments. Custom software development, however, has your solution. This article shows you how custom software development helps you maximize employee performance.
You want to maximize employee performance, and intuitive controls are one way to do just that. Intuitive controls have become a bit of a fad phase in marketing, and just about every piece of software on the market claims to have them. In reality, intuitive controls are best when they are customized. The more specific the customization, the better they will function. A general intuitive design helps users figure out how to enter and exit software efficiently. Alternatively, most software utilizes complex features that cannot be so easily displayed.
Custom software development designs intuitive controls based on your business's unique work and pace. You may need specialized controls for handling clients, for example. Dashboards and tabs could divide client-oriented work into more specific work tracks. This would shave off time digging through layers of organization to find a specific function. Designs that follow the day to day patterns of your business mean you can spend less time training your employees, and you can waste fewer labor hours.
Embracing the dashboard is another way to maximize employee performance. One of the best advances in the world of software development has been the popularizing of dashboard controls. With dashboards, you can easily collect various functions onto a communal screen. This makes it easy to work through an entire process without flipping between various programs. Everything you need is in one place. This technology offers advantages for essentially any industry, and rudimentary versions are commonplace in most leading software.
However, while most off-the-shelf software features some form of dashboards, they aren't always customizable. Even if they are, your customization options are limited by the developer's ideas about the industry's needs at large. While a few of the available options may work well for your individual business, custom software development would provide dashboards that addressed your workflow and primary needs directly. Since dashboards are meant to save time, it's important for them to adhere to your specific requirements. Unfortunately, basic customization options only take you so far because the original designer's expectations control their limits.
Custom software development offers the chance to maximize some of your greatest assets, your employees. When employees struggle with their tools at work, they have to drain time and resources from IT. If this happens often enough, even if the employee is otherwise doing excellent work, the employee could easily become frustrated. Such employees often feel underappreciated and underutilized at work. This leads to low workplace satisfaction for your top performers. That, in turn, often leads them to seek a new position. There's a way to harness this frustration for the advancement of the company, however.
If you ask your employees what aspects of your company's existing software holds them back, they'll be quick to answer. Careful analysis of the most commonly reported stumbling blocks will give you the raw data you need to make a superior system. Of course, that feedback won't help you if you're simply buying off-the-shelf software. However, custom software developers work with you from the beginning and are eager for your input. Offering employee feedback gives them priceless insight into your goals and struggles. With the aid of software that helps rather than hinders their daily workflows, employees are able to achieve higher standards and production volumes. As an added bonus, those frustrated, high performing employees receive the acknowledgment they need. By taking employee input into consideration, you reinforce your employees' value and encourage long-term loyalty from your top performers.
No one likes to feel like Big Brother is watching over their shoulders, even at work, but in order to get the data you need to efficiently run your business, you need access to detailed reports about employee activity. Many businesses use complex, multi-step logins that waste time and start employees' work days with frustration.
There are better ways to track and reward progress. By including such functions in custom software development from the onset of production, you save your employees stress. You also get more accurate data. After all, managers get to waste even more time under the familiar multi-login system. Whenever an employee forgets one of their logins, they have to make an official report. The manager must then use their report to correct multiple systems. These include hour tracking, employee time cards, etc.
Daily workflow is a complex system of minor and major functions. The right software can turn it from a chore into a productive cycle. Custom software development gives you the keys to solve existing issues, minimize time losses, and encourage loyalty from your best workers. It's a lot to expect from a single investment, but custom software development should always be exceptional.


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Cause of Action: "Court Must Hold Chicago Transit Accountable for Fraud"
More from this topicMay 22, 2014Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE CONTACT: Adam Temple, (843) 722-9670
May 22, 2014 temple@jdafrontline.com
CTA Seeking Dismissal Over Technicality To Avoid $150 Million Fraud Allegation
WASHINGTON – The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) engaged in a potentially years-long fraud, fleecing the American taxpayer, and is now pushing a federal court to follow the Justice Department's lead and look the other way rather than hold it accountable. Cause of Action (CoA), a government accountability organization that is pursuing False Claims Act litigation against the CTA, filed opposition papers today calling on the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois to rule against the CTA's motion to dismiss its claims.
"The Chicago Transit Authority potentially defrauded hard-working American taxpayers of up to $150 million," said Cause of Action Executive Director Dan Epstein. "To date, no funding has been paid back and the CTA is hoping to avoid any accountability by having this case dismissed on a technicality. The court has an opportunity in this case to defer to how Congress intended accountability to work by allowing these claims to proceed past this threshold stage and get to the merits. Our hope is that the district court validates the role that the public can play in making government open and honest."
CTA has likely been overreporting estimated mileage to receive a higher amount of federal grant funding at least as far back as 1982. As a result, it has potentially obtained up to $150 million at the expense of American taxpayers. After CoA reported this story to the government, the Department of Justice, led by Attorney General Eric Holder, declined to intervene in the case. CoA then filed the False Claims Act litigation to challenge CTA's possible fraud.
On March 13, 2014, the CTA moved for the dismissal of CoA's claims on a procedural technicality. The court will now decide whether to dismiss the case or elect to hold oral argument prior to deciding.
About Cause of Action:
Cause of Action is a non-profit, nonpartisan government accountability organization that fights to protect economic opportunity when federal regulations, spending and cronyism threaten it. For more information, visit www.causeofaction.org.
To schedule an interview with Cause of Action's Executive Director Dan Epstein, contact Adam Temple, temple@jdafrontline.com
Tags: Fraud, Chicago Transit Authority


Squatters Rights! - Evolution has a lot to answer for!
The first book from new author Jackie Togwell.
"It is a common scientific belief that mankind is the product of an evolutionary line that began millions of years ago with the primordial slime. It is also a common belief that the universe was created by an all-seeing, all-powerful intelligence as a sort of cosmic nite-lite so that we wouldn't feel alone in the dark. However, the REAL truth is that the mysterious origins of mankind are in fact far stranger, and INTELLIGENCE has got nothing to do with it..."
- "Started reading this early Sunday morning and with nothing particular planned for the day, for 11 hours I just kept on reading..."
- "For those who wish to stretch their mind that little bit further a unique story with plenty of humour, an insight to the possibilities out there."
- "Well written, a lovely read..."