text:
Facebook is broken. Let's all fix it together.
We can't blame this all on the social network. There's personal culpability in fake news gullibility, too.
Illustrated | Facebook, iStock/Paha_L
byGracy Olmstead
How do you solve a problem like fake news?
That's the question Facebook is striving to answer as it faces mounting pressure from critics over its role (or lack thereof) in preventing misinformation during the 2016 U.S. presidential election. But the responsibility is not Facebook's alone. If the social network is broken, it's incumbent upon all of its users to help fix it.
The company has put together a new set of policies and standards for fighting fake news, determining what goes viral, and organizing its news feed — but CEO Mark Zuckerberg says he still wants to be careful to support free speech and "the right to be wrong." In an interview with Recode's Kara Swisher last week, Zuckerberg explained, "If we were taking down people's accounts when they got a few things wrong, that would be a hard world for giving people a voice." He suggested that Facebook should prevent hoaxes and maliciously incorrect information from going viral — but not remove misinformation altogether. (Zuckerberg famously sparked a flurry of facepalms for seeming to suggest that Holocaust deniers might not be willfully spreading misinformation. He later backtracked.)
Of course, plenty of critics are hopping mad at Facebook over its apparent unwillingness to do what is necessary to protect us from ourselves.
"We've seen what happens when Facebook builds a thing and gives people the power to use it in whatever ways they want, and it's really destructive," New York Times technology reporter Kevin Roose argued on a recent episode of The Daily. "So now we're asking Zuckerberg to accept the power he has and use it wisely, and it seems he's reluctant to do that. … You make it, you own it. … Whether he wants to or not, Zuckerberg has to solve this problem now, that he's created."
It's true that Zuckerberg could take a more aggressive approach to fake news. And it's equally true that he runs a company, not a country, and he's not necessarily required to follow constitutional principles in protecting free speech. But critics like Roose make it sound as if Facebook users are lost and vulnerable sheep, unable to protect themselves from harm without Zuckerberg's leadership. In this sense, they take initiative away from social media users and encourage an infantilized internet, one in which we treat ourselves as passive consumers rather than responsible users and sharers.
We all ought to know how to Google things and make sure they are real. We should be able to fact-check things before pushing the "share" button. And we should be responsible enough to point out erroneous links or stories to our friends, so that they are not misled by fake news.
As the internet grows in power and scope, we need to begin adapting our institutions and communities to police it better: to grow in prudence and knowledge, and educate those growing up with the internet to better protect themselves from its falsities and dangers. Yes, some of this might involve Facebook policing its site and fighting misinformation via moderators and censorship. But Facebook users can and should do a better job educating themselves regarding fake news and monitoring their online communities. We need to train up a generation that will exercise prudence and discretion online — not a generation of young people that expects Facebook to vet the news for them.
In 2016, a Stanford study found that middle school, high school, and college students struggled to determine the credibility of online sources, and were often fooled by fake news, sponsored content, and biased stories. As a result, many professors and teachers have begun advocating for "media literacy courses," which would help students navigate the internet with greater skill.
"As a university professor, when I frequently ask my students whether they've received any training or education in media literacy, all I get in response is a bunch of shrugs," professor and author Larry Atkins wrote for HuffPost last year. "My freshman students often cite obscure websites as sources in their papers and articles instead of authoritative government documents or respected news sources. I need to tell them to cite authoritative sources like MayoClinic.org and CDC.gov when discussing the legalization of medical marijuana, not 'Joe's Weed page.'"
This isn't just about teaching students how to write credible papers, however. Knowing which sources to cite is important, but it doesn't teach students how to sift through their news feeds and read judiciously. Young people need to know how to cross-check questionable material with solid sources, so that they're able to pinpoint a scam or hoax when they see one. Just because we're presented with something phony doesn't mean we have to believe and share it. Let's teach ourselves to be better.
It would also be laudatory (if potentially controversial) to teach students how to read "real" news (aka, political stories that are not fake, but still often volatile) with both eyes open. In our highly partisan era, too few readers can determine the difference between editorializing and hard news — and too few are willing to wrestle with political opinions on the other side of the aisle. To bolster our civic discourse, such skills are increasingly necessary. Helping students read and digest various political opinions could foster a healthy political literacy and deeper sense of empathy — both of which we need in our online and offline interactions.
Of course, young people are not the only social media users who need an education in smart news consumption. Often, those propagating fake news are older Americans, part of a generation that did not grow up with the internet and is less versed in navigating its truths and falsehoods. According to a study conducted by Team LEWIS last September, 42 percent of millennials will validate the accuracy of a news story they read online — whereas only 25 percent of baby boomers and 19 percent of Gen Xers will do the same. How do we teach these people to identify fake news?
Facebook's determination to prioritize friends' content and local news on its news feeds will likely have a positive impact. But it (and other social media sites like it) could also help organize ad campaigns that encourage users to cross-check their sources and alert their friends to false news stories. Not only would these efforts ease the burden on Facebook's moderators, they could also foster a salutary sense of responsibility and ownership among site users. Facebook could create a digital version of the "if you see something, say something" slogan that's been used throughout many U.S. airports and metro systems post-9/11. Often, grassroots efforts at rooting out falsehood are more palatable than top-down regulations or censorship — and they may even result in more lasting attitude changes amongst consumers.
The internet has gotten increasingly complex — and perhaps as a result, we've become increasingly lazy in dealing with its chaotic glut of information. But laziness and apathy are a dangerous business when it comes to online news. Sure, Facebook can help keep us safe from misinformation. But ultimately, finding out the truth is our responsibility.
Gracy Olmstead
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The daily business briefing: January 21, 2022
California Gov. Gavin Newsom tours theft-plagued L.A. train yard
'like a Third World country'


Gracefully blending the very best of Thai hospitality with the unparalleled luxury setting of the Maldives, Dusit Thani Maldives is a luxurious island resort set on the island of Mudhdhoo in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Baa Atoll. Surrounded by a turquoise lagoon and white sandy beaches, this sophisticated resort features ultra-chic villas set on the beach, on the water's edge on stilts above the reef. Villas are beautifully appointed and gorgeously furnished with island-style décor, outdoor dining areas, private wine cellars, and spectacular terraces overlooking the ocean.
The resort has several award-winning dining options, ranging from a chic Thai restaurant and seafood grill to stylish lounges and romantic bars with sunset views. Upscale facilities at the resort include an ocean-edge infinity swimming pool, an exclusive spa with treetop pods that offers indulgent and pampering massages, body treatments and salon services, a fully equipped gym, and a children's club. Other activities include fishing trips, cruising and sailing adventures, tennis and yoga lessons.
Dusit Thani Maldives features exquisitely appointed villas located on the beach, the water's edge, or in the water above the reef. Villas range in size and layout from standard Beach Villas and Beach, Ocean, and Water Villas with swimming pools, Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilions, Family Beach Villas, and Two and Three-Bedroom Residences. All villas are beautifully furnished with island-style décor, spacious open-plan living and dining areas, kitchenettes or kitchens, bedrooms with king-size beds in luxurious linens and pillow menus, and en-suite bathrooms with rain showers, plush towels, bathrobes and slippers, and Molton Brown bathroom amenities. Large private terraces boast outdoor showers, hot tubs, barbecue grills, patio furnishings and breathtaking ocean views.
Deluxe in-room conveniences include 46′ LED televisions with satellite channels; Bose surrounds sound systems, work desks, and ergonomic chairs, mini-fridges stocked with fruit, bottled water and snacks, Nespresso coffee machines, TWG Tea making facilities, hairdryers, beach towels, and sandals, and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access. Additional guest services include butler services, a daily buggy service around the resort, and a selection of daily international and local newspapers and magazines.
Beach Villas and Beach Villas with Pools are 122 square meters in size with private terraces that lead onto a secluded beach, and feature generous living spaces with contemporary Thai décor, luxurious bedrooms and open-air garden bathrooms with indoor and outdoor showers and soaking tubs, and private plunge pools. Beach Villas and Beach Villas with Pools boast private terraces that lead out to a pristine, yet a secluded beachfront and have secluded gardens in which to relax.
Beach Deluxe Villas with Pools offer contemporary Thai interiors with a Maldivian twist and stunning private plunge pools and terraces overlooking the beach. Open-air gardens provide tranquil sanctuaries in which to relax, and high-end in-room conveniences include 46′ LED televisions with satellite channels; Bose surrounds sound systems, mini-fridges stocked with fruit, bottled water and snacks, and Nespresso coffee machines. Beach towels, and sandals, and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access are also available.
Water Villas with Pools and Ocean Villas with Pools range from 150 to 180 square meters in size and have their own private waterfront swimming pools and terraces with indoor and outdoor lounging areas, a combination of beach and lagoon access, spacious open-plan living areas with contemporary Thai décor, and indulgent bathrooms with soaking tubs. Wooden walkways connect the stunning thatched roof Ocean Villas with the Indian Ocean as a backdrop, and luxuriously appointed villas feature floor-to-ceiling glass windows and doors with unfettered views.
Two-Bedroom Ocean Pavilions are floating oases that offer 370 square meters of space perched above the ocean at the edge of a wooden causeway with breathtaking views. These luxurious Ocean Pavilions feature spacious living and dining areas with indoor and outdoor dining areas and spacious verandas, private wine cellars, fully equipped kitchenettes with stocked minibars, beautifully appointed bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms and private swimming pools and terraces.
Deluxe in-room conveniences include 46′ LED televisions with satellite channels; Bose surrounds sound systems, work desks, and ergonomic chairs, mini-fridges stocked with fruit, bottled water, and snacks, Nespresso coffee machines. Beach towels, and sandals, and complimentary wired and wireless high-speed Internet access are also available.
Designed for families, Two-Bedroom Family Beach Villas offer over 400 square meters of secluded communal space within beautiful walled-in gardens. The sumptuous villas have spacious patios, expansive outdoor dining pavilions with barbecues, private swimming pools, and landscaped tropical gardens. Family Beach villas provide a natural and relaxed haven for an intimate family getaway. They also feature private wine cellars, fully equipped kitchenettes with stocked minibars, beautifully appointed bedrooms and en-suite bathrooms.
Two and Three-Bedroom Beach Residences feature luxurious bedrooms with king-size beds, en-suite and outdoor bathrooms with soaking tubs and walk-in showers, sumptuously furnished living and dining areas, including open-air dining pavilions, private swimming pools, sun decks and terraces, and tropical courtyards that connect to individual beach pavilions.
Dusit Thani Maldives offers a variety of world-class dining options and culinary journeys, ranging from authentic Thai delicacies to mouthwatering international buffets in an array of beautiful settings.
Feast on fresh seafood and steaks grilled to perfection at Sea Grill, which outstanding globally-inspired cuisine accompanied by fine wines and other libations from around the world. Savor the exotic tastes of authentic Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Indian Ocean specialties intricately prepared and artistically presented in a stunning poolside setting overlooking the ocean and beneath a star-studded sky.
The resort's signature Thai restaurant, Benjarong takes diners on a culinary journey to the 'Land of Smiles' with a signature selection of sumptuous Thai cuisine, including Thai style lobster, soft shell crabs, crispy reef fish and roasted duck in a stunning over-water setting. The beautifully appointed over-water restaurant boasts spectacular ocean views, which complements the seafood-centric menu which is accompanied by a hand-curated selection of coveted wine offerings.
Experience palate-pleasing perfection at The Market, which presents a full breakfast buffet featuring a wide range of cuisine from around the world. Tuck into freshly baked pastries, fresh organic seasonal fruits, egg dishes, meat and fish plates, and more from this globally-inspired culinary feast.
Guests can also enjoy a unique concept known as 'Borderless Dining' which involves private dining in incredible settings around the island with mouthwatering menus tailor-made to suit any occasion.
The Sala and Sand Bars offer idyllic spots to savor sundowners and light meals against a backdrop of breathtaking views. Situated alongside the infinity pool – one of the largest in the Maldives – the Sand Bar serves tempting snacks and colorful cocktails against a backdrop of spectacular ocean views and live entertainment in the evenings.
Dusit Thani Maldives is home to the luxurious Devarana Spa, part of the Thai-inspired spa chain that offers a wealth of indulgent and pampering massages, body and skin treatments, facials, and salon services. Aptly named, the Devarana Spa, which means 'garden in heaven' in Thai-Sanskrit offers a tranquil oasis of gardens, ponds water fountains, and soft melodic music to create a quiet sanctuary in which to escape.
The luxury spa encompasses six deluxe treatment pods which sit elevated among the island's palm trees, as well as two stunning ground level treatment rooms, a manicure and pedicure-dedicated area, and a private outdoor swimming pool, steam, and sauna.
Dusit Thani Maldives offers an array exceptional facilities and guest services, ranging from the exclusive Devarana Spa with its unique treetop treatment pods, infinity outdoor swimming pools, hot and cold Jacuzzis with a sauna and steam room, and a fully equipped fitness center. The resort also features a yoga pavilion with a resident yoga instructor, two floodlit tennis courts, a selection of restaurants and elegant bars, borderless dining at various spots around the island, a Kid's Club with a large outdoor play area and a tree house, and complimentary bicycles to use.
The Water Sports and Marine Center offers an array of water-based activities, including snorkeling in the coral gardens and with turtles; snorkeling and swimming with manta rays; scuba diving tours for both beginners and experienced divers; a variety of water sports ranging from jet-ski rides, para-sailing, wake-board and water-ski to catamaran sailing; private sandbank trips; big game sports fishing; and traditional sunset fishing from a dhoni.
Guest services include housekeeping, laundry, butler and concierge services, a variety of retail and boutique stores, daily activities such as Thai cooking classes, nature walks, yoga classes, and marine programs led by resident Marine Biodiversity Educator, and a medical service with an on-call doctor.
The Baan Sanook Kids Club offers an array of activities for children of all ages, ranging from T-shirt painting, nature walks, pizza-making, treasure hunts and face painting to funny mask making, coconut or shell-painting, origami art, hide-and-seek, and cookies and cupcake decorating. There are also plenty of board games, play station games on LED TV, and movies and cartoons to enjoy, as well as building sand castles and a foosball table.
Book this beautiful beach side resort here.


Reverses the track while held down. When Censor is released, the track will continue as if censor had not been pressed. This can be used to cover up explicit language in a song.
TIP: Use the Keyboard Shortcuts U and J to activate Censor for the left and right decks respectively.
NOTE: Censor is not available when using Absolute Mode.


text:
#include "CJavaRun.h"

#include "../run_support/JavaRunner.h"
#include "ModelBase/src/model/TreeManager.h"

namespace OODebug {

CJavaRun::CJavaRun() : CommandWithFlags{"run", {}, false}
{}

Interaction::CommandResult* CJavaRun::executeNamed(Visualization::Item* source, Visualization::Item*,
	const std::unique_ptr<Visualization::Cursor>&, const QString&, const QStringList&)
{
	while (source && !source->node()) source = source->parent();
	Q_ASSERT(source);
	auto manager = source->node()->manager();
	Q_ASSERT(manager);
	auto result = JavaRunner::runTree(manager, "exported/" + manager->root()->symbolName());
	Q_ASSERT(result);
	return result;
}

bool CJavaRun::canInterpret(Visualization::Item* source, Visualization::Item* target, const QStringList& commandTokens,
									 const std::unique_ptr<Visualization::Cursor>& cursor)
{
	if (CommandWithFlags::canInterpret(source, target, commandTokens, cursor))
	{
		// Check if there is a tree manager
		while (source && !source->node()) source = source->parent();
		return source->node()->manager();
	}
	return false;
}

} /* namespace OODebug */

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The trees are blooming and we can hear birds singing to wake us up every morning! What a beautiful time of year!
Yes indeed, it is a beautiful time of the year. The birds awaken me every morning and early too! I love it!
I have this family of mockingbirds that continue to sing througout the night where I live. Love it. Beautiful picture Ruthie, thanks for sharing!
Awe inspiring Beauty!! Does that tell us ANYTHING about Our Amazing God?


In a recent blog post, Google outlined security changes the company is making to Gmail that will hopefully keep you safe from suspicious email and web sites.
On the web or Android, if you receive a message that can't be authenticated with either Sender Policy Framework (SPF) or DKIM, you'll see a question mark in place of the sender's profile photo, corporate logo, or avatar. On the web, if you receive a message with a link to a dangerous site known for phishing, malware, and Unwanted Software, you'll begin to see warnings when you click on the link. These warnings are an extension of the Safe Browsing protection available to various web browsers today.


The word wonder in the title of this post is sleeved in quotation marks because the perspectives of self-styled "social justice advocates" aren't those of critical thinkers but those of religious zealots. That people, particularly women, never lie about fear or abuse, and that even if they do (note the contradiction of the overarching tenet), there are no consequences to their deceits worthy of consideration—these are articles of faith. Liberal activists' perspectives on these matters are as precognitive as any hive insect's or rabid carnivore's.
I went to the dentist for the first time in over a decade last week to be informed I grind my teeth in my sleep, and evidently have done for some while. This is among the possible consequences of chronic stress—to say nothing of, for example, cancer or heart disease or carelessly (or deliberately) wrapping your vehicle around a phone pole.
The dentist's urgent recommendation was a full set of crowns, which he estimated would run me in the neighborhood of a "pretty good new car." My own vehicle has in excess of 170,000 miles on it. I settled for a cleaning, which itself overextended my resources.
The hygienist was very professional. If she winced, I didn't notice.
I was harassed through law enforcement and the courts for 12 years by some attention-seeking freaks I found hanging around my house, a house that now has termites in the ceiling, mice in the cupboards, and truly fascinating arachnid architecture spanning entire walls (all of it laden with dust). The parts of the exterior that haven't literally fallen away are sloughing paint.
I've tried to stanch the tide of decay during the six months since the last of the matters arising from the latest round of accusations leveled me concluded. Note: That case was the last of four initiated (or reinitiated) in 2016, and it featured a "Victim's Impact Statement" (and the originating accusations began in 2006, with many more made in the interim "to the Court…[and] to multiple police departments, detectives, federal agencies, and other officials in several states," which included to the FBI—and possibly NASA).
Some might say I prevailed. That's semantics only.
I work as a manual laborer. I used to tutor kids (I'm an almost Ph.D. and probably always will be). But the chances I'll ever apply for a job at Sylvan Learning Center or the like are today zero. I had aspired to publish humor commercially, and the likelihood of my recovering the clarity of mind, purpose, and environment that demands is scarcely better.
The residual taint of legal abuses, much of it digitized and preserved for posterity, is potent.
My father died two years ago in a "professional nursing facility." To translate: He lay in bed, in a room he shared with a stranger, staring at the ceiling while he starved to death with a wad of cancer cells devouring his colon. I was meanwhile distracted by the looming threat of a year or so behind bars, which conclusion would only come after months of hearings…and filings…and trials. After a long night of poring over legal twaddle, I got a call at around 2:30 in the morning informing me my dad was dead.
I deposited the plastic box with his ashes in it on a windowsill just inside my door—another ambient token of loss—where it remained until the courthouse games ended in July.
It now sits on a closet shelf. It's not alone. My dog, who was my emotional ballast during the long fallow years, died a year before my father, while I was similarly preoccupied with railing against injustices that shouldn't be possible in a civil society. A plastic box with her remains occupies the same shelf as my father's. What else is on the shelf I haven't looked at since before I had white hairs.
It's conceivable, of course, that I have cancer. More significant to remark is that I have no interest in finding out and really wouldn't care.


As an educator, collaborator, and innovator, Woodrow Wilson Wagner is committed to developing the skills, strengthening the character, and challenging the intellect of his students. With over eighteen years of developing curriculum and delivering dynamic courses in interactive environments, Mr. Wagner's experiences have promoted student development, administrative management, and institutional service.
Woodrow Wilson Wagner was born and raised in Victoria, TX and graduated from Texas A&M University with a BA in Political Science and a BA in Speech Communication. After working in Washington DC as a Legislative Assistant for Congressman Greg Laughlin, he moved back to Victoria and worked at Memorial High School for three years as a Debate Coach/Speech and Broadcasting Teacher while completing his MA in Speech Communication at Texas State University. He then moved to the Dallas/Fort Worth area and began working as a Speech Instructor for Tarrant, Dallas, and Collin County Colleges. For nine years, he was an Associate Professor of Communications and Politics and the Faculty Development Coordinator at The Art Institute of Dallas, during which time he also completed an MA in Politics from the University of Dallas. In November 2015, he became the Director for General Education at The Art Institute of California- Sacramento and worked there for the past three years improving the quality of course delivery, student learning outcomes, faculty development, and institutional effectiveness.
Mr. Wagner is excited to return to his hometown and give something back to the wonderful community that help mold the person he is today. Not surprisingly, he is inspired by the legacy of President Woodrow Wilson who once said, "We are not men because we have skill of hand, but we are men because we have an elevation of spirit. It is in the spirit that we live and not merely in the task of the day." As an educator, Mr. Wagner seeks to elevate the intellectual spirit of his students by helping them use communication to exercise their freedom, listen to/understand the specific needs of diverse groups, and execute unique and innovative solutions to make their community a better place.


text:
Oil (General)
Energy General
Offshore Oil's $105 Billion Hangover Adding to Industry Woes
The Debate Starts : Remake Republican Party vs. Third Party
ceo_energemsier June 6, 2020 in Oil (General)
offshore oil
ceo_energemsier + 1,735
(Bloomberg) -- Aging offshore oil wells that once brought market prominence to Europe, the U.S. Gulf and Brazil are increasingly money losers that companies want shut down amid low oil prices and a struggling global economy. But the effort won't be cheap.
The cost worldwide: An estimated $104.5 billion by 2030, according to Wood Mackenzie Ltd. At least 23 platforms a year could be retired in the North Sea alone, Rystad Energy Inc. reported in May, while the national oil company in Brazil has said it's planning to spend $6 billion to retire 18 platforms, pipelines and other infrastructure by 2025.
Companies can't just abandon aging offshore wells. In most cases, regulators who approved them required pricey guarantees to make sure they're properly sealed, and there are environmental issues involved in their upkeep. That can mean the use of divers or robot submarines to plug wells and pipelines on the ocean floor, an expensive proposition, as well as cutting apart and moving steel platforms that can weigh as much as 17,000 tons.
"Abandonment costs will haunt the industry in the years to come, especially if governments get tougher with parent company guarantees," said Marcelo de Assis, the head of Latin American upstream research at Wood Mackenzie Ltd. "The crisis fast forwarded the situation."
The spectacular decline in North Sea production since it peaked in the 1990s has left so much equipment unused that by 2025, oil companies will spend more on removing redundant equipment than developing new fields, according to Wood Mackenzie.
Deepwater production was a new frontier for the oil industry in the 1980s and 1990s, and many of these projects are now reaching the end of their lives.
But the push to close offshore wells comes as the oil industry has suffered some major blows. They include a price war between Saudi Arabia and Russia that flooded the world with crude, a pandemic that destroyed demand and skepticism from investors who want less money spent on exploration and more returned to them. The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies will meet Saturday by video conference and, according to a delegate, are set to extend output cuts to prop up the oil market.
At the same time, the U.S. shale boom has drastically lowered the cost of opening and operating a well on land, as well as closing one, compared with the price tag tied to wells offshore.
Despite a recent uptick in oil prices, they remain too low and volatile to lure buyers to the aging and small-producing fields Brazil's Petroleo Brasileiro SA and other deep-water operators are walking away from. The small- to mid-sized producers with low enough costs to turn a profit from exhausted oil fields are protecting their balance sheets, and banks are reluctant to provide funding.
In the U.S. Gulf of Mexico, which generates about 15% of the nation's output, explorers are expected to spend about $1 billion a year over the next half decade to decommission hundreds of wells, according to Wood Mackenzie.
While the collapse in oil prices is having an effect on more offshore wells permanently shut, there's also a push in the Gulf to extend the lives of some aging infrastructure. The key: Drilling new wells near existing platforms that can be fed by undersea pipelines as a way to cut costs.
"Companies are doing everything they can to avoid abandoning facilities because that's very expensive," Justin Rostant, principal analyst at Wood Mackenzie, said in a phone interview. "They're just bringing in third-party production wherever they can to extend the life of these facilities."
It costs an average of $10 million per well in deepwater and about $500,000 a well in shallow waters to plug and abandon a well in the Gulf of Mexico, Rostant said. Most wells shut down in the U.S. Gulf are coming from shallow waters, where the wells are the oldest and have lost their ability to make money.
U.K. Payout
Meanwhile, the U.K. will be the leader in North Sea decommissioning, followed by Norway and Denmark. The U.K. is forecast to pay out more than 20 billion pounds ($26 billion) to close its platforms in the region by 2030.
Removing offshore platforms can be controversial. Royal Dutch Shell Plc has sought permission to leave the giant concrete "legs" of its iconic Brent field in the North Sea because it says removing them would pose a greater environmental risk. However, Germany and the Netherlands, as well as environmental group Greenpeace, have raised concerns over leaving the structures in the sea.
Brazil's Goal
The goal in Brazil is to restore the environment as close to its original state as possible, Raphael Neves Moura, a superintendent at ANP, Brazil's national petroleum agency, said during a web conference held by the Brazilian Petroleum Institute, an industry group.
ANP introduced regulation in April to handle the influx of deserted equipment due to fallout from the pandemic. The agency will seek to find buyers for discarded fields before moving to abandonment, Moura said.
In a statement, Petrobras said it continues to seek buyers to take on assets it's written off. Petrobras is planning to auction three Campos Basin platforms that date back to the 1980s for scrap metal in July. These platforms have been off line since 2015 or so, so weren't part of the 62 shut since the pandemic.
In the first quarter, Petrobras wrote off 62 shallow water platforms, or about 75% of its fleet, as part of a 65 billion real ($12.5 billion) impairment. The wells to be closed only produced a combined 23,000 barrels a day, less than half of Petrobras's top wells in the so-called pre-salt region.
'Stress Tests'
In Brazil, the Campos basin has been eclipsed by larger discoveries with higher-quality oil even deeper in the Atlantic, where Rio de Janeiro-based Petrobras is focusing its investments. As a result production has plummeted at these fields, and Petrobras is carrying out "stress tests" at its remaining projects to weed out others that can't survive.
Rystad expects low service costs to encourage operators worldwide to clear out old equipment now that low oil prices have undermined incentives to extend them.
No matter how the millions of tons of steel and pipes are removed, governments are likely to step in to make sure tax payers aren't the ones paying, said Wood Mackenzie's Assis.
"There is a push from regulators. There will be more pressure for financial guarantees," he said.
"That can mean the use of divers or robot submarines to plug wells and pipelines on the ocean floor, ..."
Would someone please enlighten me on how 'divers or robot submarines' could possibly be utilized to properly P&A (plug and abandon) an offshore well? I am fairly certain that it is impossible without a rig.
PS: The correct terminology for a 'robot submarine' is a 'remotely operated vehicle' or ROV.
Where do they find these expert authors!
17 minutes ago, Douglas Buckland said:
Apparently during these tough times , even so called journalists /writers reporters want oh well I lost that chain of thought... idiots hahahaa
ROV's they have been around a long time but these idiots cant figure it out!!!
How have you been Doug?
First day back on the bike in about 3 weeks! A perfect day in the hills. Back to town for a lamb sausage breakfast....life is good!
Oil is creeping back up again. Had a call last week re a well in MENA. Fingers crossed!

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Disciplines History United States History
Walls and Mirrors Mexican Americans, Mexican Immigrants, and the Politics of Ethnicity
by David G. Gutiérrez (Author)
Latino/a & Chicano/a History History of Immigration
About the Book From Our Blog About the Author Table of Contents Awards Related Books
Covering more than one hundred years of American history, Walls and Mirrors examines the ways that continuous immigration from Mexico transformed—and continues to shape—the political, social, and cultural life of the American Southwest. Taking a fresh approach to one of the most divisive political issues of our time, David Gutiérrez explores the ways that nearly a century of steady immigration from Mexico has shaped ethnic politics in California and Texas, the two largest U.S. border states.
Drawing on an extensive body of primary and secondary sources, Gutiérrez focuses on the complex ways that their pattern of immigration influenced Mexican Americans' sense of social and cultural identity—and, as a consequence, their politics. He challenges the most cherished American myths about U.S. immigration policy, pointing out that, contrary to rhetoric about "alien invasions," U.S. government and regional business interests have actively recruited Mexican and other foreign workers for over a century, thus helping to establish and perpetuate the flow of immigrants into the United States. In addition, Gutiérrez offers a new interpretation of the debate over assimilation and multiculturalism in American society. Rejecting the notion of the melting pot, he explores the ways that ethnic Mexicans have resisted assimilation and fought to create a cultural space for themselves in distinctive ethnic communities throughout the southwestern United States.
Immigration Syllabus: UC Press Edition
With last Friday's executive order on immigration from seven predominantly Muslim countries, along with plans to continue construction of the barrier along the US-Mexico border moving forward, the current presidential administration has brought heightened attention to immigration …
David G. Gutiérrez is Assistant Professor of History at the University of California, San Diego.
1. LEGACIES OF CONQUEST
2. ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND IMMIGRATION, 1890-1920
3. THE SHIFTING POLITICS OF ETHNICITY IN THE INTERWAR PERIOD
4. THE CONTRADICTIONS OF ETHNIC POLITICS, 1940-1950
5. ETHNIC POLITICS, IMMIGRATION POLICY, AND THE COLD WAR
6. SIN FRONTERAS? THE CONTEMPORARY DEBATE
W. Turrentine Jackson Prize for the best first book published by a beginning professional historian, Western History Association
The Railway Journey
Wolfgang Schivelbusch
Water and Los Angeles
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text:
Charlotte To Get A 220-Acre "Central Park"
Charlotte To Get A 220-Acre "Central Park"
Alexis Zarycki	July 10th, 2020
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA - APRIL 21: A general view of the Charlotte skyline during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic on April 21, 2020 in Charlotte, North Carolina. The city of Charlotte issued a Stay at Home Order on March 26, 2020 in order to further combat the spread of COVID-19 in the community. (Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images)
Here's some good news to look forward to!
Renderings have just been released for a 220-acre space that will transform Charlotte's industrial rail yard into a massive park.
The park will be called, "Queens Park" and organizers say, "Queens Park will be the largest and most diverse park within the City,"
The park will be situated at the intersection of the Cross-Charlotte Trail, the Lynx Blue Line, the Rail Trail, and North Tryon Street, and will offer plenty of new opportunities. While a completion day is not yet announced, the renderings definitely have me excited!
Organizers are asking supporters to post to social media using the hashtag #Tracks2Trees. The public also can show their support by ordering a Queen's Park t-shirt, donating to the group, or signing up to volunteer on its website.
CENTRAL PARK FOR CHARLOTTE: The local nonprofit Friends of Queens Park Inc. has released renderings of what the group hopes for as part of a proposal to transform a 220-acre site north of Uptown from an industrial railyard site into a Central Park for Charlotte. Queens Park, the site's proposed name, would be the area bordered on the west and east by North Tryon and Brevard streets, then Matheson Avenue and 16th Street to its north and south. Queens Park would turn the gray railyard, owned by Norfolk Southern, into a vibrant greenspace for gathering, hosting festivals and cultural events, housing art, and connecting neighborhoods. . The Agenda wrote about this proposal last November. Friends of Queens Park is using the hashtag #Tracks2Trees for the project. Renderings courtesy of Friends of Queens Park.
Alexis Zarycki is your average girl with the hopes of leaving an everlasting impact on the world. Follow her on Instagram @official_lexpaige
Charlotte,Charlotte park,Local,outdoors,Park,queens park


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However, to avoid confusion a clause should state that failure to achieve satisfactory standards may lead to dismissal at any time throughout the period. State of Wisconsin Department of Corrections. 42 Jobs. But, not immediately. Driver Information Section P.O. Opening Estates Stats., by and between the State of Wisconsin and its Agencies (hereinafter referred to as the Employer) represented by the Office of State Employment Relations and the Wisconsin State … A probationary period in an employment setting is a set period of time wherein an employee's performance is monitored closely in order to assess their capabilities. Applications for those who wish to become a probation and parole agent in Wisconsin are accepted online at the State of Wisconsin Government Employment site. Juvenile aftercare is handled by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, Division of Juvenile Corrections. COVID-19 Updates For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19 ... Search current job openings using the Job Center of Wisconsin: Workforce: Yes: Find Employment: Need to search job openings? The Civil Litigation Unit handles a wide variety of matters on behalf of the State of Wisconsin, its agencies, the University of Wisconsin System, and individual state employees. Professions & Specialties. The probationary period also provides time for the new employee to experience the University, the department, and the position, and to determine whether the position meets the employee's expectations. Paying restitution. ER-MRS 22.08(1) and (2), and chs. This policy outlines the University's policy regarding the support, training and assessment of university staff employees during their probationary periods. (See ss. Minimum or Administrative supervision for a reasonable period of time. A probationary period may be extended by the division if an employee has received a disability accommodation during the probationary period. State of Wisconsin Employee Telephone & Email Directory To search for address, telephone or email information, fill in the corresponding field. Probationary periods are often applied to new employees as a means of determining their capabilities in a new job. ¶11 WISCONSIN STAT. In Wisconsin, you must ask for expungement of a conviction when you are sentenced. Employees who transfer or demote in lieu of layoff may be required to serve a probationary period. These documents should clearly state that an employee may still be fired for any reason at any time, during … 3. https://kb.wisc.edu/ohr/policies/page.php?id=53158, Performance Management for Managers and Supervisors, Copyright 2018 Board of Regents of the University of Wisconsin System, probation, duration, period, extension, expectations, pass, release, probationary policy for university staff, Academic Staff Policies & Procedures (ASPP), Alcohol and Controlled Substances Testing Policy, Concurrent Appointment Policy for Fellows and Trainees, Graduate Assistantship Policies and Procedures (GAPP), Maximum Levels of Graduate Assistantship Appointments, Approved University Records Retention Schedule, Federal Family and Medical Leave Act Poster, Guidelines for Proposing Academic Staff Members for Indefinite Status, Privileges for UW-Madison Retirees and Emeriti, Records Management Guide for Departing Employees, Searching for Excellence & Diversity: A Guide for Search Committee Members, Titling Guidelines [Unclassified and Transitional], Wisconsin Family and Medical Leave Act Poster, 7.01 Probationary Policy for University Staff. A probationary period may be extended for any of the following reasons: Note: The employee must be given a reasonable amount of time to demonstrate the employee's ability to meet job requirements, performance standards, or correct inappropriate behavior. A 12 month probationary period is required. By Tedia Gamino. For instance, you may have to take part in drug or alcohol counseling, family counseling, a school program, a job program, or other programs. This section contains user-friendly summaries of Wisconsin laws as well as citations or links to relevant sections of Wisconsin's official online statutes.Please select a topic from the list below to get started. Tiggs believes that WIS. STAT. Company: Wisconsin department of corrections - Milwaukee, WI Probation/ parole office summer internship. Learn about salary, employee reviews, interviews, benefits, and work-life balance This also falls … Generally, employment laws cover probationary employees in the same way as regular employees. Remember that although most employers use probationary time frames of sixty or ninety days, you generally have substantial discretion in setting a period from thirty days to one year. (bn) The appointing authority shall waive any remaining portion of the extended probationary period if the reasons for extending the probationary period are met. If the employee does not achieve sustained satisfactory performance in the time period identified in the performance improvement memorandum, the supervisor may terminate the employment relationship at any time during the probationary period. State of Wisconsin OFFICE OF STATE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS - DIVISION OF MERIT RECRUITMENT AND SELECTION - Date: August 30, 2004 Locator No. 111.80-111.94, Wis. State Employee Travel Manual; ETF Website ; Wisconsin Flag Status; Contact Information 3099 East Washington Ave. Madison, WI 53704 (608) 240-5000 ; Public Information Links Public Notices Public Records Requests Press Releases Legislative Website Other … Type of Employment: Part Time (less than 40 hrs/week) Salary: The starting salary is between $26 and $33 per hour depending upon qualifications, plus excellent benefits. All extensions, except due to absence, must be approved by the Office of Human Resources (OHR) prior to the extension occurring. of Community Corrections) Includes chapters on revocation, violations, absconding, intrastate transfer, etc. 263 State of Wisconsin jobs. Immediate termination without a performance improvement memorandum can occur if the employee's actions are serious in nature (e.g., employee no call, no show, insubordination, etc.). Immediate Family Member: includes an employee's spouse, parents and children; an employee's and employee's spouse's immediate family members, grandparents, grandchildren, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters and their spouses; children over the age of 18 and their spouses; and any other relative who resides in the same household as the employee. Elhajjmalik Brickhouse Milwaukee, WI. The employee shall receive, in writing, the reason(s) for the release during the probationary period and the effective date of the release. Case management; financial employment planner. If the University determines at any time during the probationary period that an employee is not suited for the position, that employee may be released prior to the end of the probationary period. You will start with up to 3 weeks vacation, 9 holidays, 4.5 personal holidays and up to 130 hours of sick leave. ER-MRS 15 and 17, Wis. Adm. Code, for requirements for the fulfillment of probationary periods.) In the written request for extension due to an approved absence, disability, or light or modified duty, the manager or supervisor shall provide the period of time during which the employee was absent from the workplace or not fully performing the duties of the position, and the proposed new probation end date. Not leaving the State of Wisconsin without permission. Serves as the campus expert on probationary period policy and consults with colleges/schools/divisions as needed, Provides template probationary period templates and other pertinent information, Monitors compliance with this policy and supports employee and supervisor needs, Understands the probationary period policy, Fully participates in the probationary period policy as outlined in this policy, and/or divisional guidelines, Participates in the probationary period in a timely and constructive manner. And, possibly not ever. State of Wisconsin Group Health Insurance for Employees and Retirees includes health, dental and wellness benefits. Managers/supervisors should, at a minimum, conduct a mid-point feedback and coaching conversation approximately midway through a new employee's probationary period. 230.28 Probationary period. Employees who held positions in the classified service on June 30, 2015, who had not achieved permanent status on that date are eligible to receive the reinstatement privileges under Wis. Stat. (d) A promotion or other change in job status within an, CFR > Title 4 > Chapter I > Subchapter A - Personnel System, U.S. Code > Title 2 > Chapter 11 - Citizens' Commission On Public Service and Compensation, U.S. Code > Title 39 > Part II - Personnel, U.S. Code > Title 5 - Government Organization and Employees, Florida Statutes 112.532 - Law enforcement officers' and correctional officers' rights, Florida Statutes > Chapter 110 - State Employment, Florida Statutes > Chapter 111 - Public Officers: General Provisions, Florida Statutes > Chapter 112 - Public Officers and Employees: General Provisions, Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code Chapter 108 - Limitation of Liability for Public Servants, Texas Government Code > Title 6 - Public Officers and Employees, Texas Government Code > Title 8 - Public Retirement Systems, Texas Local Government Code > Title 5 - Matters Affecting Public Officers and Employees, Texas Vernon's Civil Statutes > Title 109 - Pensions. Apply to the latest jobs near you. Box 7983 Madison, WI 53707-7983 . Associate Program Director Verlee Home for Girls, llc. Wisconsin Family And Medical Leave Act (FMLA) Overview. The system's Charter for Excellence (pdf) states the shared professional identity, goals, and values of probation and pretrial services officers. If your probation is revoked, you're looking at serious consequences. State of Wisconsin Department of Transportation Skip to Content (Press Enter) ... Probationary driver license. State Government (608) 266-5579. Additionally, Wisconsin employee rights state that any worker can know within 60 days advance notice of the event that health care benefits may cease: mandatory information during the hiring process. The purpose of the probationary period is for supervisors to help employees successfully perform the duties and responsibilities of the position and to allow time for the supervisor to verify that the new employee can satisfactorily meet performance expectations before granting ongoing status. Before the end of the probationary period, the supervisor must evaluate the employee's performance and decide if the employee has successfully completed the probationary period, or has failed to achieve expectations. OSER-0049-MRS Subject: Computing Probationary Periods for Employees Performing "Light or Modified Duty" Tasks The purpose of this bulletin is to clarify how to compute probationary periods for employees who are performing … Company: State of wisconsin probation/parole Ptrobation/parole agent. Completing community service. The employee will be notified, in writing prior to hire, of the requirements for a probationary period and its length. However, persons who transfer or are reinstated to supervisory or management positions consistent with conditions under sub. During this time, the supervisor will evaluate the employee's: Ability to learn and progress to successfully perform necessary job duties. Date of Appointment: the date when the employee reports for work. Full Profile. A probationary period may be extended only in specific circumstances where there has not been an adequate opportunity to evaluate the employee in significant aspects of job performance. From Business: The Parole Commission, governed by the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, grants discretionary … Find over 27 million businesses in the United States on The Official Yellow Pages Directory website. That said a state employee can generally find a private sector job with significantly higher benefits and pay. Click on the images below to learn more about available benefits. probationary period may be extended for division-approved absences due to an employee or immediate family member's medical condition. Employees working in the first 6 months of a probationary period may take the extra personal holidays but, if the employees voluntary fails to complete the probationary period, the time take will be consider leave without pay and the state will recover from the employees the value of the time taken. 230.28 Probationary period. Unless employee actions are serious in nature, as identified below, termination cannot occur unless the employee first receives notice and an opportunity to correct the performance deficiencies, as identified above. This position is in pay schedule and range 11/04. The court, as well as your agent, may require that you do certain things or prohibit you from doing certain things while you are on supervision. 230.28. (bm) At the request of an appointing authority and an employee, the director may authorize, at any time before the completion of the probationary period, an extended probationary period of up to one additional year for an individual with a disability, as defined in s. 1. Supplemental benefits available are Vision Insurance, Accidental Death & Dismemberment, Long-Term Care Insurance and Pre-Tax Savings Accounts (for health, dental, vision, day care and commuter expenses). The probationary period may be extended in this case in order to allow the accommodation to go into effect. The probationary period serves as an extension of the selection process and is also an essential component of new employee onboarding. He believes that every single person has value, and if we are going to change the direction of our state, we must do it together. 3099 E Washington Ave. Madison, WI 53704. The employee and supervisor are encouraged to communicate frequently during the probationary period. Assigned different or additional duties in the current appointment, Transferring to a different multi-shift position within the same title within the same division, or. Parole AgentPoliceAgentSales Representative. The law allows workers time to establish some form of health care before the company benefits end. Following all laws. Quartz Health Benefit Plans Corporation administers the Uniform Benefits for the State of Wisconsin and Wisconsin Public Employers Group Health Insurance program as determined by the Group Insurance Board. of Corrections; Electronic Case Reference Manual (WI Dept. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - A former employee at Los Alamos National Laboratory has been sentenced to five years of probation and fined $75,000 for making false statements about involvement with China, federal officials said. Division HR offices should be consulted in these circumstances. Probationary employees are not subject to or protected by just cause or progressive disciplinary steps required for non-probationary employees. Apply to Probation Officer, Parole Officer, Senior Probation Officer and more! Benefits Paid Time Off (PTO) Find work-life balance as a state employee with a generous PTO package. State of Wisconsin employees are offered a rich benefits package alongside their take-home pay. Education – The requirements to become a probation and parole agent for the state of Wisconsin include knowledge in an area such as the methods of social work, criminal justice, counseling, or problem solving. State of Wisconsin Office of State Employment Relations What's Inside Administrator's Vision Significant Changes in the State Workforce Personnel Transactions Affirmative Action Report for Wisconsin State Government July 1, 2002 to June 30, 2003 25th Edition Jim Doyle Karen E. Timberlake Governor Director. Their telephone number is 1 (715) 261-1600. Light or modified duty work is defined as being less physically demanding duties identified until the employee has reached end of healing, or is able to return to their previous position with or without restrictions. If a candidate is selected, he or she will complete an online examination for the position. During your first meeting, your agent will discuss the rules and conditions of supervision. For select titles, the probationary period may be approved by OHR to be greater than six months in duration. The probationary period clause should expressly state that the employee will not be deemed to have passed their probation unless they receive written confirmation to that effect from the employer; otherwise, the probationary period may inadvertently lapse and the employer will not be able to extend the probationary period.
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Juan Darío Gutiérrez is the Foreign Investment and Business Law Director and partner in Gutiérrez Márquez Asesores, a legal, accounting, and financial advisory practice in Medellin, that specializes in providing personalized and client-oriented services in tax, contract, corporate, real estate, business, labor, foreign investment, and immigration law, as well as accounting processes, audits, and corporate finances.
In other words, Juan Darío is the legal resource you need to do whatever you're imagining you might want to do in Medellin.
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text:
Posted on June 1, 2018 by Piqua Daily Call
Hometown kickoff ushers in festival
Opening night events held at Treasure Island
By Cecilia Fox - cfox@troydailynews.com
Cody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Left to right, Lucas Summers, 5, and Rhys Garrity, 5, both of Troy, compete in the Big Wheel race during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
Cody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Nick and Gina Schwieterman, along with Logan, 4, and Leah, 2, enjoy treats from TJ's Nice Cream Truck during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
Cody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Dejayes Dynamic Performers of Dayton march in the Children's Parade during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
Cody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Reagan Barlage and Leo Mallery toss Frisbees during the Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday.
Cody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Left to right, Strawberry Festival second attendant Cassidy Poland and Strawberry Festival Queen Brooke Klopfenstein participate in the Crazy Sock Fun Run during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
TROY — Rain clouds looming over Treasure Island Park couldn't put a damper on the opening festivities of the 2018 Troy Strawberry Festival.
Festival Chairman Eric Roetter welcomed guests to the Troy Strawberry Festival's Hometown Kickoff Celebration, a chance for locals to have some fun before the festival really gets going.
Moving the Friday night festivities to Treasure Island was a dream come true of Roetter's.
"I brought the idea to the City of Troy because we've spent all this money on Treasure Island, remodeling it, redoing it," he said. He added that hosting the festival kickoff allowed the city to showcase the park's amphitheater, river access and space for events.
Friday night fun included the annual children's parade, which this year took place along the bike path, and the first-ever Crazy Sock Fun Run. The fun run was added to the line-up by Roetter, who was sporting a pair of strawberry socks himself.
"We're kind of trying to breathe the life back into Friday night," Roetter said.
Troy Mayor Mike Beamish said he was pleased to see the crowd gathered at Treasure Island Park.
"It's a good way to kick off the weekend. Beautiful grounds, lots of activity," he said of the park. "It's been a vision of mine for years to bring this alive again."
In keeping with the "Strawberry Palooza" music theme, Friday's festivities included the beginning of the Homegrown Talent competition, followed by a performance by Velvet Crush.
"'Strawberry Palooza' being my theme, I wanted to focus a lot more on quality music all weekend long and that's what I think we've achieved," Roetter said.
Roetter said he is looking forward to the people arriving for the festival Saturday, noting that the Friday night events are "for the locals."
"I'm excited to see everybody here this weekend. Shop, dine, listen to some music. Eat breakfast, lunch and dinner here at the festival," he advised.
He also recommended parking at one of the festival lots and taking the shuttle downtown.
"It's free and you don't have to worry about finding parking because parking is very, very limited," he said.
Parking will again be available at WACO Airfield, 1865 S. County Road 25-A , Troy, and the Miami County Fairgrounds, 650 N. County Road 25-A, Troy. Only handicapped parking will be available at the Hobart Corp./ITW Food Equipment, 701 S. Ridge Ave., Troy, parking lot.
Shuttles will also be available between the downtown location and the levy.
https://www.dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/06/web1_Welcome1.jpgCody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Left to right, Lucas Summers, 5, and Rhys Garrity, 5, both of Troy, compete in the Big Wheel race during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
https://www.dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/06/web1_Welcome2.jpgCody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Nick and Gina Schwieterman, along with Logan, 4, and Leah, 2, enjoy treats from TJ's Nice Cream Truck during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
https://www.dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/06/web1_Welcome3.jpgCody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Dejayes Dynamic Performers of Dayton march in the Children's Parade during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
https://www.dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/06/web1_Welcome4-WEBONLY.jpgCody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Reagan Barlage and Leo Mallery toss Frisbees during the Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday.
https://www.dailycall.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/30/2018/06/web1_Welcome5-WEBONLY.jpgCody Willoughby | AIM Media Midwest Left to right, Strawberry Festival second attendant Cassidy Poland and Strawberry Festival Queen Brooke Klopfenstein participate in the Crazy Sock Fun Run during the 42nd annual Troy Strawberry Festival opening festivities on Friday at Treasure Island Municipal Park.
By Cecilia Fox
cfox@troydailynews.com
Reach Cecilia Fox at cfox@troydailynews.com.
Hi! A visitor to our site felt the following article might be of interest to you: Hometown kickoff ushers in festival. Here is a link to that story: https://www.dailycall.com/top-stories/41330/hometown-kickoff-ushers-in-festival


text:
Snyder, Schauer to hold 'town hall' debate on Oct. 12
Paul Egan
Gannett Michigan
LANSING – Republican Gov. Rick Snyder and Democratic challenger Mark Schauer will debate live on TV in advance of the Nov. 4 election under a "town hall" format, Detroit Public Television is announcing today.
The Oct. 12 debate in Detroit will be held in front of a live audience of "undecided" voters identified by pollsters for the two daily newspapers.
Stephen Henderson, the editorial page editor of the Free Press, and Nolan Finley, the editorial page editor of The Detroit News, are to moderate the one-hour event. The site of the 6 p.m. debate, which is to feature a relatively unrestricted format, has yet to be determined.
Christy McDonald, who anchors special coverage at WTVS Detroit Public TV, will introduce and close the debate and field questions from the live audience.
"We congratulate both men for taking this step, which is so important to voters and to the democratic process," said Paul Anger, editor and publisher of the Free Press.
"We're looking forward to a robust discussion on issues important to the future of Michigan."
Until recently, progress on holding a gubernatorial debate appeared to be at an impasse, with Schauer's campaign more eager to debate than Snyder's campaign was. The two newspapers moderated negotiations between the camps that led to today's announcement.
Earlier, the governor pointed to a joint appearance planned in front of the Detroit Economic Club on Oct. 13 and on Wednesday announced a series of 10 "town hall" meetings in a move some analysts believed shut the door on a gubernatorial debate.
Most recent polls show Snyder and Schauer in close to a statistical dead heat, with several showing Snyder with a small lead, two showing Schauer slightly ahead, and one poll released today showing an exact tie. Nearly all the polls show a gap between the candidates that is within the polls' margins of error.
In 2010, Snyder and his Democratic opponent, Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero, held one debate.
In 2006, then-Gov. Jennifer Granholm, a Democrat, held three televised debates with Republican challenger Dick DeVos.
Snyder's apparent change of heart on debating Schauer came after pundits and at least one prominent Republican questioned his campaign strategy.
John Truscott, president of the Lansing public relations firm Truscott Rossman, who was press secretary to former Republican Gov. John Engler, on Friday posted on Facebook a link to a column criticizing Snyder campaign tactics
"Pretty good summary of how many are feeling about the campaign right now," Truscott posted. "It's not too late to actually have a winning strategy."
The column, by Inside Michigan Politics Publisher Susan Demas, criticized Snyder campaign tactics and said "he's risking alieanating voters in a race that's neck-and-neck" by appearing to be too smug, including his refusal to debate.
Truscott told the Free Press Friday his main concern was that the Snyder campaign or a third-party surrogate had not moved more quickly "to define Schauer before he defined himself," while at the same time "they allowed Schauer to define the governor a little bit."
Still, Truscott said he expected the campaign would "get it turned around in very short order."
Though Demas leans left, Finley, who is conservative, has also criticized the Snyder campaign.
Paul Egan is a reporter for the Detroit Free Press


HP appears to be the latest hardware manufacturer to be making a strong push into the VR space, after announcing a range of developments including the pending release of a professional version of its mixed reality headset. The announcements came earlier this week at SOLIDWORKS World, a popular event for those working in the field of 3D CAD.
Among the product announcements are an upgrade to the HP Z4 Workstation, the pending (March) release of the commercial-grade HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset – Professional Edition, an HP VR Launch Kit designed for specialized VR deployment, and the extension of HP's Device as a Service offering to VR hardware. The developments built upon HP's previous release of the world's first professional wearable PC, the HP Z VR Backpack.
"Over the past year, HP has launched the world's most powerful workstation, the most powerful detachable PC and the first-ever professional VR backpack," said Xavier Garcia, Vice President and general manager, Z Workstations, HP Inc.
"Today's news reflects our focus on continuously raising the bar with a portfolio of workstations and VR capabilities that will enable amazing new experiences and define the future of computing," he continued.
According to HP, the Z4 Workstation is specifically targeted at high-end computing, including virtual reality productio and simulation-based design. In its new configuration, it can support up to 18 CPU cores and up to two extreme graphics GPUs.
Meanwhile, the company also demoed the HP Windows Mixed Reality Headset – Professional Edition, which will be available in March at an MSRP of $449 USD. It will feature 1440×1440 resolution per eye, operate at a 90Hz refresh rate, and include features specifically integrated for commercial use by multiple users, such as easy to clean, replaceable face cushions; a double-padded headband; a quick-adjustment knob; and a front-hinged display.
Finally, HP announced that it is bringing its Device as a Service (DaaS) offering to VR products. DaaS is similar in some ways to conventional commercial product leases, but also adds various intensity support contracts for businesses.


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}


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I don really see him talking about that much.


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Home » TI magazine » Your Serve » Something to Write About
Something to Write About
A longtime tennis writer decries the declining coverage the sport has been receiving in local media.
By Mark Winters
It would be hard to fault any of the recent attempts to bring more people into the game. Increasing the numbers makes sense. The benefits to the industry are obvious.
Unfortunately, while this crusade has been taking place, another troubling, much more subtle, issue has arisen. One that is certainly worthy of attention.
Simply stated, stories about tennis tournaments or personalities in the game, in publications other than trade magazines, are withering away. If you doubt the truth of this statement, look at the coverage in local newspapers (or, more to the point, the lack thereof) during the past few years.
High school play may receive a brief mention. If there happens to be a professional event in the area, a staff writer may take a day away from his or her pro baseball, basketball, or football training camp beat and come up with a line or two. The reality is, fewer and fewer papers are sending writers to Australia, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, and the US Open, as well as the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. For the most part, these special events are reported in impersonal recitations taken from wire-service offerings.
Now, you ask, why should I care? The situation doesn't affect my bottom line.
Well, it does — and in a big way. When tennis is in the news, the industry realizes a payback. When the sport is covered indifferently, meaning it is used periodically as a sports-section filler or is not used at all, the game suffers and so do you.
Like a parasite sucking the life from a beautiful tree, a lack of tennis coverage has been slowly devastating the game. In the old days (the early '90s come to mind), pieces from local, national, and international events filled the sports section. Currently, for an ever-growing list of seemingly sane "we are running a business" reasons, tennis stories are like a dead man walking.
Sadly, few in the sectional or national administrative tennis hierarchy truly understand or are overly concerned about how dire this situation actually is. Even worse, organizations such as the U.S. Tennis Writers Association (of which I am a vice president), and the International Tennis Writers Association (I am a founding member), who are attempting to call attention to the problem do not have enough influence or "stick" to bring about a change.
By "stick," I mean the economic leverage, which combined with "see the entire picture" leadership, gives support to grassroots "let's get tennis in the news" campaigns. The point I am making is that many of those who are Racquet Sports Industry magazine readers have what it takes to launch an "increase the coverage" endeavor.
Beginning locally, newspaper, television, and radio personalities should be made aware of tennis activities that are unique and feature-story rich. Focusing on involving these individuals — sports editors or columnists, city beat writers, television anchors or radio show hosts — to take part in or spend time at a tennis offering will result in converts. Borrowing from the recent success that political action groups have enjoyed, letter-writing and e-mail efforts are additional ways to push for increased coverage, and more importantly they will help to initiate a dialogue.
To do so, start looking at tennis from an "is this an interesting story …" perspective. Ask yourself, "Would I want to read about …" If the answer is "Yes," then mobilize club members and those who frequent your store. Make use of your product representatives. Go out of your way to involve anyone with an active lifestyle.
No question about it, it will take work. It will also require combating an "I don't have the time" chorus. But, remember, if nothing is done, it will become even more difficult to find tennis stories in anything other than industry publications.
See all articles by Mark Winters
Mark Winters, who played college and professional tennis, is a former Junior Davis Cup team and college coach. He spent time as a USTA clinician nationally and in the Middle East. He has written about the game for more than 25 years, with his stories appearing in Tennis Week and Florida Tennis as well as the Los Angeles Times and a host of international publications.
From the July 2005 issue


Think of Austria and you think of the stunning scenery of the Sound of Music, of Omar Sharif, Catherine Deneuve and the Vienna Woods in the film Mayerling, of the Empress 'Sissy' and Emperor Franz Josef, the Viennese Waltzes of Strauss and of course the music of Mozart. Austria's history, art and culture, its fairy-tale villages and magnificent castles combined with its natural geographical beauty of lakes, valleys and mountains, makes it one of the best places to visit for a combination of nature and culture.
Vienna is the capital city of Austria. It is a city with such architectural gems as the Schonbrunn Palace, the Hofburg palace, which houses the Spanish Riding School and its Lipizzaner horses, the Belvedere palace which houses a magnificent art collection, and of course the Vienna Opera House. The town centre is clean and easy to walk around with many Viennese coffee houses and luxurious hotels on almost every street. Salzburg, birthplace of Mozart, is also full of historical landmarks, the most significant being the 10th century Hohensalzburg castle built on a hill overlooking the city. Melz is the home of the Melz Abbey, originally a castle before it was given to the Benedictine monks in the 11th century. The Abbey is built on a rocky hill standing guard over the city of Melz.
Austria is a really beautiful country to explore on a Slow Tour. Cycling tours, walking tours and hiking are very popular here, also luxury barge tours and combined bike & barge tours. Enjoy a small group tour to explore the villages and countryside or cruise along the Danube in a luxury barge. There is no doubt you will enjoy some of the delicious locally produced food and wines. The many lakes and mountainous surrounds make interesting and stunningly beautiful walking and cycling tours. Salzkammergut region and the lake Zell are very popular. Also the village of Hallstatt which is UNESCO protected is one of the best known and loved of this country. The region of Styria is known for its wine production and has a milder climate than the higher city of Innsbruck, which is surrounded by mountains.
Central to many other European countries, a Slow Tour in Austria can be combined with other tours in Switzerland, France, Germany and Hungary, Austria's neighbours. Whichever tour you choose, we are sure you will find it fun and enjoyable. Savour the experience!


Massive Congratulations to all the Club gymnasts who competed in the London Gymnastics Floor & Vault Competitions during November. They did fantastically well and a full list of their achievements is available here.
Section of Waiting List Closed - for children aged between 4 and 7 years inclusive - until further notice. There are still sizeable waiting lists for all Sections within the Club.
Congratulations are due to numerous members of the Club Staff Team and Volunteers for being given Awards at the Annual London Gymnastics Awards Evening, held on 15th September at the Sheraton Skyline Hotel in Middlesex. A list of who was awarded what award and in which Category is available here.
Tsunami Effected Japanese Children Visit Club.
Children from the Club pose with their Japanese guests after a fun filled evening.
In what turned out to be a fascinating cultural exchange and fun-filled evening for everyone involved, 20 Japanese children, who were all effected in some way by the Tsunami which struck Japan so ferociously and tragically on 11 March 2011, recently visited the Club.
The trip to London for these unfortunate children was organised and sponsored by the Japanese Olympic Committee and apart from visiting us, the children were scheduled to visit Games events and see the London historic sites.
Leading and accompanying the children as part of the delegation was Mai Nakamura (top right in photo) who swam backstroke for Japan in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games – where she won a Silver and a Bronze Medal.
After the initial greetings (the Ladywell girls had all learned how to say hello and to introduce themselves in Japanese!) the participants were divided into mixed Teams and after a warm-up – threw themselves (literally!) into a session of Obstacle Course Races.
We all then withdrew to an upstairs classroom, where Mai and the Japanese children taught our children how to write their name using traditional Japanese Calligraphy. It must be said that our children proved very adept at this and the final result was often difficult to distinguish from the Japanese drawn original. Both parties signed an Olympic Banner to commemorate the visit and we will take great pride in displaying ours in the gym.
Photographers and TV Crews from both Japanese National and Olympic TV were on hand to record the events and there wasn't a dry eye in the house as we all bade the traditional Japanese farewell of 'Sayonara' to the children and their chaperones.
A special Thank You to Charlotte Chew for getting up and speaking on behalf of our children – with no prior warning and without notes – to the entire gathering. Well done Charlotte!
You can view the new 2012 - 2013 Club Activity Calendar HERE.
Recent Annual Club Championships results added to Results Page.
Olympic Connections - When we decided to incorporate the London 2012 Olympics as the theme for this year's Annual Club Championships - little did we know the connections between the Club and the actual event that would materialize.
Club Manager Shirley was a member of the Lewisham Borough Panel which selected the Torch Bearers to represent the Borough.
Club Coach Calum will be involved in the Opening Ceremony.
Gymnast Eve Davidson will be participating in the Closing Ceremony.
Former gymnast, Sue Biswas will be assisting in choreographing both the Opening and Closing Ceremonies.
Jay Osgerby, a parent of one of our gymnasts is one of the co-designers of the Olympic Torch. The connections just keep on growing!
Fundraising Cake Sale. On 19 May - our enthusiastic, intrepid and eternally dependable Fundraising Team took their place in Greenwich Market at what has become the Annual Cake Sale. Their efforts on the day were suitably rewarded as they raised the fantastic sum of £300.18p. The Club would like to express our heartfelt thanks to Sandra, Emma, Louise, Jackie and Carolyn as well as all those who made cake donations or who baked a cake or who helped in any way towards the success of the day.
Club Head Coach Shirley felt that Ella Ross-Jessop had displayed sufficiently good form at the London Compulsory Championships in February that she deserved to be entered into the British Compulsory Championships - held in Birmingham over the weekend of 22nd and 23rd April.
Far from being overawed at her first competition at this level - Ella performed remarkably well and finished a fantastic 18th out of 54 competitors. Very well done Ella.
Yet again - you have done yourself, your family, your Coach and your Club proud.
Proud to just be there !
All during the winter period, our gymnasts are working hard to prepare for their first competition of the year. To say that this particular year - the children of the Floor & Vault Section have obviously worked extra hard would be an understatement when the results are examined. Out of 21 participants, 19 were awarded their pin and 17 won medals - a stunning performance and a huge WELL DONE must go to all involved; both gymnasts and Coaches. Results and photos from the Spring London Region Floor & Vault Competition are available here.
For the girls of the Advanced Section, the London Gymnastics Spring Championships is usually the first competition of the year - and a chance for them to put all their hard work over the winter into practice. A fantastic set of results from this year's competition clearly shows that they were not to be disappointed. Traditionally, the girls from our Club perform well at this competition - but this year they have excelled themselves. Well done girls; we are all proud of you. The results and photos are available here.
Sometimes it is hard to gauge just how well the Club is performing as an institution when set against other Sports Clubs in the Borough. The annual Lewisham Borough Mayor's Sports Awards give us just such an opportunity as many of the Club's gymnasts have represented Lewisham in competition and if successful - are given awards accordingly. We traditionally have good representation at this gathering - but this year our Coaches and gymnasts did exceptionally well. Please visit the page to see the results and photos from this years Lewisham Mayor's Sports Awards here.
The first Competition of the year for gymnasts from the Club certainly didn't disappoint when Ella Ross-Jessop participated in the London Gymnastics WTC Compulsory Championships. Despite this being Ella's first competition at this level - she acquitted herself remarkably well by finishing in sixth position out of the eleven participants. Also noteworthy is that she recorded the highest score in the Range and Condition Section and had the third highest score on Vault.
The 2012 Club Annual Awards Evening - for achievements in 2011 - was held in the Powerleague, Catford on Saturday 18th February. As usual tickets sold out really quickly and unfortunately some members were disappointed. The evening proved to be a fantastic success as children and adults alike danced away to the Disco - interrupted only by the raffle and the main event - the Presentation. All the children who received awards were delighted and those who didn't were generous enough to give a rousing cheer to each recipient. The main award for Club Gymnast of the Year was deservedly won by Anna Manso de Zuniga - who as the senior gymnast at the Club - continues to be a role model for all her peers and performs at a very high level of consistency every time she steps onto the competition floor. A full list of winner's and a small selection of photos are available to view here.


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In the event that I am unable to identify a particular plant, or am unsure of a plant care query, I will usually take photographs and follow up with the answer to your query as soon as possible.
Once we agree terms, I will meet with you again to discuss the possibilities for your garden in more detail. This is generally a collaborative process involving the amalgamation of our collective ideas. At this point I will have enough information and appreciation of your ideal garden layout to begin the imaginative process resulting in the first draft Conceptual Plan.
When the draft Conceptual Plan is completed, I will present this to you for your input. Should you require amendments or alterations, I will be happy to incorporate them at this stage in order to present the final plan. At this point I will be happy to provide a quote for the detailed planning and installation phase.
It is only once the garden plan has been finalised that I can produce a quotation for the installation phase of your garden. This will typically comprise a lump sum quote usually separated as labour, plants, materials and any subcontracted aspects (eg lighting or major landscaping works). I will also provide a cost for a maintenance schedule ie instructions for future plant care and can provide costs to provide regular expert maintenance care if preferred.
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Richard has provided high quality maintenance gardening over the last year or so and has completely transformed my garden. The garden is now looking absolutely marvelous thanks mainly to Richard.
We hired Richard to provide practical help and advice and to answer all the questions and problems that we have about our garden. Richard is always so helpful and is able to provide high level practical help for those jobs requiring skill and experience like pruning and advising on new plants.
Richard provides me with great inspiration and practical ideas and advice when it comes to stocking my new beds with trees, shrubs and perennials. I enjoy talking to Richard and am always very upbeat after one of his visits. Richard's enthusiasm is infectious and I enjoy working in my own garden so much more now that I have Richard's support and advice to help guide me.


Canadian Postal Rates and Routes to North American Destinations 1859-1914, 1999 by Willson, Victor L. An exhibit showing a variety of covers illustrations rates to the USA and Provinces during this era. BNAPS Exhibit Series #14. Cerlox bound, 120 pp.


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Radha Curpen Featured in CBA National
Radha Curpen is featured in CBA National on the remarkable evolution and importance of ESG. The article looks at how ESG is a crucial part of business and explores how the absence of ESG practices create a risk to an organization's reputation, and consequently its investors, stakeholders and community engagement.
Radha recommends that organizations involve many different departments in developing an ESG framework, including management, legal, compliance, financial and operational. "The ESG requirements will look different for different organizations. There is no 'one size fits all,'" she says. "It will depend on the priorities of the business, the business sector, the interests of the key stakeholders and the location where the business is operating."
Radha encourages organizations to carefully review their ESG goals for accuracy and consistency, particularly if they are public. "The information will be scrutinized whether it is by the public, by the company's employees, investors or regulators," she advises. "So anything that is inaccurate and incomplete can be harmful and can result in reputational harm or legal risk to the company. It can also undermine the ESG narrative and make it difficult for stakeholders to understand the commitments and progress on ESG issues."
To read the full article, visit the CBA National website.
Radha D. Curpen, Vancouver Managing Partner and National Leader, ESG Strategy and Solutions
Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG)


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Pyongyang Threatens Missile Test in Response to U.S.-South Korea Military Exercises
Older Employees Breathe New Life Into Europe's Labor Market
British Leadership Rivals Take Brexit Position That Sets Up Clash With EU
Europe Rallies to Save Iran Nuclear Deal
Failure to Launch: India's Second Moon Shot Is Delayed
https://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2014/08/29/sanrio-says-hello-kitty-is-personification-of-a-cat/
Japan Real Time
Sanrio Says Hello Kitty Is 'Personification of a Cat'
Jun Hongo
BiographyJun Hongo
@junhongowsj
jun.hongo@wsj.com
Aug 29, 2014 1:28 pm JST
Hello Kitty, seen here at a Macy's Thanksgiving parade, made her debut 40 years ago.
The assertion that Hello Kitty is not a cat spread through the online community quickly over the past 24 hours, with most major news organizations, including The Wall Street Journal, posting stories on the subject.
But Tokyo-based Sanrio, creator of the popular character, told Japan Real Time that some details were lost in translation as the story went viral.
Here are excerpts of our conversation with a Sanrio spokesman, Kazuo Tohmatsu.
WSJ: What is Hello Kitty?
Mr. Tohmatsu: It is a character, a 100% personification done in the motif of a cat. This is nothing new. We've always had this setting since Hello Kitty made its debut 40 years ago.
WSJ: So it is not a cat, correct?
Mr. Tohmatsu: We have a character called Kero Kero Keroppi as well, and that character is a frog, because it has elements of frogs in what he does. But Hello Kitty doesn't [have elements of a cat]. It is more of an anthropomorphism.
WSJ: So it's correct to say she is not a cat?
Mr. Tohmatsu: It is difficult to answer that question, but our answer is that Hello Kitty is a personification of a cat--a character.
WSJ: Does that mean it's a human girl?
Mr. Tohmatsu: Well. It's difficult to provide a specific classification of what she is, or say something definitely, since everything is set in a world of characters.
Sanrio explains on its Japanese-language website that Hello Kitty is "a gentle girl" who enjoys baking cookies and playing the piano. She even owns a pet cat named Charmmy Kitty.
The spokesman added that the company's public relations department has been flooded with inquiries regarding Hello Kitty's true identity in the past day.
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Sanrio Says Hello Kitty Is 'Personification of a Cat'


Last night I released the new version of the Tribes Repack (available at http://tribesrpg.org/ or directly at http://beatme101.com/files/Tribes-Repack.exe ).
-Lowered the default gamma slightly. I feel the textures look better when the gamma is not turned up all the way.
-Renamed "Other Info" player setup field to "RPG password", when run as rpg mod.
-Changed console.cs to make command line parameters less strict (-dedicated no longer needs to be on the end).
-Added numpad key-bindings, for repack-compatible servers (the bindings are configured per-server).
-Added War40k mod and some additional skins for other mods.
-Added a few other client side shape files.
-Worked around a bug that caused "REFRESH ALL" to take a long time.
-Repack will now stop accessing the sound device on startup if all sound volume options are turned down/disabled in options. It will still reopen sound on opening the options tab.
-Small changes to client files and defaults.
-Copied a few shapes and skins from SWRPG to RPG.
-The repack should no longer automatically log console output unless running a dedicated server.
As a bit of trivia, there are now 77 keys that can be #set on my main server with the latest repack.