text:
US, allies may increase strikes, surveillance in Raqqa
WASHINGTON — The U.S.-led coalition fighting the Islamic State group may increase airstrikes and overhead surveillance support for the fight to retake Raqqa, Syria, now that the militants have been largely defeated in Mosul, Iraq, the top U.S. military commander in Iraq said Tuesday.
Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend told Pentagon reporters he doesn't see a significant expansion of the U.S. and coalition effort in Raqqa. But he said he thinks there will probably be "a greater level of resourcing," including intelligence and reconnaissance assets as well as more strikes.
"It will become more of a priority now that Mosul is concluded," said Townsend.
The added support would aid the U.S.-backed Syrian forces who have encircled Raqqa, the Islamic State's self-proclaimed capital, breaching the fortified defenses and moving closer to the heart of the city. Officials are predicting a long, tough battle, estimating that more than 2,000 militants are holed up with their families and tens of thousands of civilians in the city's center.
Townsend, however, cautioned that the battle in Iraq is not over. He said he believes Iraqi troops still need time to oust any remaining IS fighters from Mosul. And once that is done, he said, they will probably take a break to reset and rest before launching their fight against ISIS in Tal Afar and other remaining insurgent strongholds in western Iraq.
Iraqi Prime Minister Haider al-Abadi on Monday declared "total victory" over the Islamic State group in Mosul, as his force claimed full control of the country's second-largest city three years after it was seized by ISIS extremists intent on building a global caliphate.
The battle to retake the city raged for nine months, killing thousands and displacing nearly 900,000 from their homes.
Despite the Iraqi victory, Townsend said there could be as many as a couple hundred ISIS members still in the city, and said it will take weeks to clear out the remaining pockets of resistance and hidden explosives. He said a group of ISIS militants offered to surrender Tuesday, but commanders later determined it was probably just a ploy to try to kill Iraqi forces.
"There's a lot of mopping up and back-clearing to be done," Townsend said. "There are holdouts and hideouts that have to be found and run to ground."
Looking ahead, he said the Iraqis already have a plan in the works to retake Tal Afar, and it will begin to unfold in the coming weeks. The U.S., he said, will probably shift forces to assist the Iraqis in Nineveh and Anbar provinces, so it's unlikely there will be any reduction in American troops on the ground in Iraq.
In other comments, Townsend said he doesn't know if Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the Islamic State group, is dead or alive. There have been conflicting reports, including a claim by Moscow in late May that there was a "high probability" he was killed in a Russian airstrike in the southern outskirts of Raqqa.
"I suppose it probably doesn't really matter. If no one knows if he's alive or dead, someone is guiding ISIS, the organization," Townsend added. "And what we have seen with all these paramount leaders is you take them out, and someone else steps up."
About Lolita Baldor
Army Secretary wants to slow transfer of military hospitals to DHA, retain medical research


text:
Ross's promotional photo.
Drink the Kool-Aid
But you WANT to stay!
Gorean
Maum Meditation
Quiverfull
Revolutionary Communist Party (US)
UCADIA
Word of Faith Fellowship
World Mission Society Church of God
Rick Alan Ross (so as not to be confused with the rapper of the same name[1], or with the drug dealer after whom the rapper was named) is an anti-cult activist. He got into the cult thing when he discovered a Pentecostal cult infiltrating the Jewish nursing-home his grandmother was in, and got just a bit pissed off at that sort of thing.
He used to do deprogramming, but got sued to bankruptcy over a case that went wrong and now sticks to exit counseling and making information available.
He is the founder of the Cult Education Institute, formerly the Rick A. Ross Institute, a non-profit organisation with a mission "to study destructive cults, controversial groups and movements and to provide a broad range of information and services easily accessible to the public for assistance and educational purposes online through the Web."[2][3]
His site is a gold mine of good-quality information on all manner of cults, coercive groups and questionable and manipulative organisations.
Ross appeared in two episodes of Penn & Teller: Bullshit! criticising New Age woo and life coaches.[4]
Controversy[edit]
During the 51-day Waco standoff in 1993 the FBI consulted Ross because he claims to be a "cult expert". Scholars blamed the violent ending of the Branch Davidian siege on the fact that the FBI took advice from Ross (who is has no formal education on the subject), rather than academics.[5]
The Cult Education Institute (formerly the Rick A. Ross Institute)
Cult News from Rick Ross
↑ Who he sold rickross.com to, in case you're wondering what happened to old links.
↑ About Us, Cult Education Institute, accessed Aug 22, 2019
↑ Rick Ross, Cult Education Institute, accessed Aug 22, 2019
↑ Penn & Teller: Bullshit!, episode 2.07, Yoga, Tantric Sex, Etc. and episode 3.04, Life Coaching.
↑ http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/news/hush-hush-sweet-charlatans-6426159
This cults-related article is a stub.
Retrieved from "https://rationalwiki.org/w/index.php?title=Rick_Ross&oldid=2182269"
Cults-related stubs

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
brainwashed
J.G. Thirlwell, "Manorexia: The Mesopelagic Waters"
Sunday, 16 May 2010 15:44	Anthony D'Amico	Reviews	- Albums and Singles
Nearly a decade ago, Jim Thirlwell released a pair of instrumental albums under the then-new guise of Manorexia on his own Ectopic Ents label. While he hasn't released anything new from the project since, he has been steadily shaping the Manorexia sound into something rather far removed from its origins through a series of sporadic performances arranged for chamber ensemble. The Mesopelagic Waters is the end result of those efforts, re-envisioning a selection of those embryonic tracks as a harrowing and skillfully rendered modern classical suite.
The mesopelagic region of a body of water is where it begins to get deep and dark, but not so much that no light penetrates. It makes for an oddly chosen title reference, as I am mystified as to where Thirlwell is seeing any light: this is an unrepentantly churning, visceral, and disturbed album. There are certainly some quieter moments strewn about, but they are never, ever placid. In fact, Jim's transition into a serious classical composer (other artists in Tzadik's composer series include Harry Partch and Luc Ferrari) seems to have only increased his disquieting power. Thirlwell hasn't settled down, he has merely replaced his somewhat garish '80s horror movie electronics with violently sawing cellos, violas, and violins.
Those strings form the core of the album, and Thirlwell and his fellow arrangers wield them expertly (no surprise given the album's lengthy gestation period). Felix Fan's cello ominously fills the low-end with simple, sinister-sounding patterns, David Broome's piano veers effortlessly between queasy impressionism and bursts of ferocity, and the violins carry the melodic weight with uncomfortably dissonant harmonies. It all intertwines beautifully into a textural masterpiece of sorts, as the musicians wrench a staggering array of drones, scrapes, creaks, throbs, shimmers, rumbles, and stabs from their instruments. Thirlwell himself generally stays in the background as a performer, contributing occasional samples and very rare (or very inconspicuous) keyboard enhancements. The samples are often integral to the atmosphere though, particularly the slowed-down motorcycle engine and chilling scraping and grinding of the drolly-titled "Tubercular Bells."
The Manorexia aesthetic, in general, is based upon slow-building repetition and escalating tension. Most of these pieces only contain a few distinct motifs, but Thirlwell is quite adept at turning relatively simple repeating ideas into something organic and exciting. The central melodies are not where the action is—Jim's artistry lies in how the surrounding music ebbs, flows, lurches, and pounds around them and how dissonances are impishly added and subtracted in an endless chess match of tension and release.
While the eight compositions here are almost invariably haunting and wonderful, Thirlwell's most stunning achievement here is as a producer. The Mesopelagic Waters sounds massively, impossibly dense during its more cathartic moments. In fact, it sounds like the whole damn world is collapsing during the apocalyptic crescendo of "Tranque," a feat that not many people besides Scott Walker can convincingly pull off. Obviously, composing "serious" music is relatively new for Jim, but he has an intuitive understanding of dynamics and gut-level power that seems miles ahead of both his peers and his influences: music this nightmarish needs to explode out of the speakers and that is exactly what it does.
Armadillo Stance
Canaries in the Mineshaft
Chloe Don't Know I'm Alive
Opinions & Editorials
Sponsorship Ads
Brain Menu
About Brainwashed
Artists and Archives
Brainwashed Store
Recording Companies
Announcement List
Search All of Brainwashed
Buzz Bin
Madlib/Kieran Hebden, "Sound Ancestors"
His Name is Alive, "A Silver Thread (Home Recordings 1979 - 1990)"
zakè, "Orchestral Studies Collectanea"
Esplendor Geométrico, "40 Años Nos Iluminan"
Robert Turman, "Chapter Eleven" boxed set reissue
Alina Kalancea, "Impedance"
Dead Sea Apes, "Night Lands"
Sunburned Hand of the Man, "Pick a Day to Die"
Rachika Nayar, "Our Hands Against the Dusk"
Ashley Paul, "Ray"
SWANS RESCHEDULED North America (2021)
http://soundcloud.combrainwashedcom
© 1996-2016 Brainwashed Inc.


~ The 5 life changing keys to manifest crystal clear clarity in your life, business + relationships.
~ How to WANT in a way that works....there are two ways. One moves you toward what you want, one away from it.
~ How to craft amazing intentions...exactly what to say, what is important... and why you need them.
~ What kind of clarity leads to more synchronicity.
Truth. Clear thinking leads to clear syncs.


text:
By Jason M. Nolan, Ph.D. | September 22, 2021
The U.S. Patent & Trademark Office has issued U.S. Patent No. 11,122,793 on September 21, 2021 to Thomas Portuallo and Blue Iguana Pest Control, Inc. for "Systems and Methods of Controlling Iguana Infestation."
2 Additional Tips for Inventors, Startups, and Small Businesses to Consider Before Applying for a Mechanical Patent
By Jason M. Nolan, Ph.D. | July 28, 2021
In a previous article, we set out four general tips for inventors, startups, and small businesses to consider before filing for a patent. Here we provide two additional tips for consideration before preparing a mechanical patent application.
3 Additional Tips for Inventors, Startups, and Small Businesses to Consider Before Applying for a Chemical Patent
In a previous article, we set out four general tips for inventors, start-ups, and small businesses to consider before filing for a patent. Here, we provide three additional tips for consideration before preparing a chemical patent application.
4 Tips for Inventors, Startups, and Small Businesses to Consider Before Applying for a Patent
This article encourages inventors, startups, and small businesses to consider the following general tips before filing for a patent.


text:
Giuseppe Antonio Capuzzi (1.º. de agosto de 1755 - 28 de marzo de 1818) fue un violinista y compositor italiano.

Aunque fue popular en su tiempo, la mayoría de su música está ahora olvidada. La pieza más comúnmente ejecutada, hoy en día, es su Concierto para contrabajo. El concierto se encuentra en el Museo Británico, y fue dedicado a Kavalier Marcantonio Montenigo, que supuestamente, era para realizarlo en ese instrumento. Un arreglo de la segunda (andante) y tercero (rondó) el concierto de los movimientos también se realiza en la tuba y trombón. Varios de sus quintetos de cuerda, que también se realizan por orquestas de cámara.

En 1805 se instaló en Bérgamo, donde fue primer violín en S María Maggiore, profesor de violín en el Instituto Musicale, y el director de orquesta en el Teatro Riccardi

Enlaces externos
 More about Giuseppe Antonio Capuzzi (en inglés)

C
Músicos de Italia del siglo XVIII
Músicos de Italia del siglo XIX
Nacidos en la provincia de Brescia
Fallecidos en Bérgamo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Opinion, size, age, shape, colour, origin/nationality, material/purpose + noun.
A sad long Russian novel. Why?
The adjectives expressing opinion seem to be rather confusing to me.
I think we generally avoid using more than 2 adjectives before a noun (unless they're of the same type e.g. 3 colours). There's no rule about this, it just sounds a bit strange to have a lot of adjectives before a noun. If we need more, we usually make two sentences (at least when we speak). Think that natives don't usually study the rule of order of adjectives, it comes with practice.
In your example, IMO the second one is correct ' a sad long Russian novel'. 'Sad' is an opinion - what is sad for you may not be so for someone else. But both sentences sound a bit stilted.


text:
'use strict';

let Document;
const get = require('lodash.get');
const utils = require('../../utils');

/*!
 * exports
 */

exports.compile = compile;
exports.defineKey = defineKey;

/*!
 * Compiles schemas.
 */

function compile(tree, proto, prefix, options) {
  Document = Document || require('../../document');
  var keys = Object.keys(tree);
  var i = keys.length;
  var len = keys.length;
  var limb;
  var key;

  for (i = 0; i < len; ++i) {
    key = keys[i];
    limb = tree[key];

    defineKey(key,
      ((utils.getFunctionName(limb.constructor) === 'Object'
        && Object.keys(limb).length)
        && (!limb[options.typeKey] || (options.typeKey === 'type' && limb.type.type))
        ? limb
        : null)
      , proto
      , prefix
      , keys
      , options);
  }
}

/*!
 * Defines the accessor named prop on the incoming prototype.
 */

function defineKey(prop, subprops, prototype, prefix, keys, options) {
  Document = Document || require('../../document');
  var path = (prefix ? prefix + '.' : '') + prop;
  prefix = prefix || '';

  if (subprops) {
    Object.defineProperty(prototype, prop, {
      enumerable: true,
      configurable: true,
      get: function() {
        var _this = this;
        if (!this.$__.getters) {
          this.$__.getters = {};
        }

        if (!this.$__.getters[path]) {
          var nested = Object.create(Document.prototype, getOwnPropertyDescriptors(this));

          // save scope for nested getters/setters
          if (!prefix) {
            nested.$__.scope = this;
          }
          nested.$__.nestedPath = path;

          Object.defineProperty(nested, 'schema', {
            enumerable: false,
            configurable: true,
            writable: false,
            value: prototype.schema
          });

          Object.defineProperty(nested, 'toObject', {
            enumerable: false,
            configurable: true,
            writable: false,
            value: function() {
              return utils.clone(_this.get(path, null, {
                virtuals: get(this, 'schema.options.toObject.virtuals', null)
              }));
            }
          });

          Object.defineProperty(nested, 'toJSON', {
            enumerable: false,
            configurable: true,
            writable: false,
            value: function() {
              return _this.get(path, null, {
                virtuals: get(_this, 'schema.options.toJSON.virtuals', null)
              });
            }
          });

          Object.defineProperty(nested, '$__isNested', {
            enumerable: false,
            configurable: true,
            writable: false,
            value: true
          });

          compile(subprops, nested, path, options);
          this.$__.getters[path] = nested;
        }

        return this.$__.getters[path];
      },
      set: function(v) {
        if (v instanceof Document) {
          v = v.toObject({ transform: false });
        }
        var doc = this.$__.scope || this;
        return doc.$set(path, v);
      }
    });
  } else {
    Object.defineProperty(prototype, prop, {
      enumerable: true,
      configurable: true,
      get: function() {
        return this.get.call(this.$__.scope || this, path);
      },
      set: function(v) {
        return this.$set.call(this.$__.scope || this, path, v);
      }
    });
  }
}

// gets descriptors for all properties of `object`
// makes all properties non-enumerable to match previous behavior to #2211
function getOwnPropertyDescriptors(object) {
  var result = {};

  Object.getOwnPropertyNames(object).forEach(function(key) {
    result[key] = Object.getOwnPropertyDescriptor(object, key);
    // Assume these are schema paths, ignore them re: #5470
    if (result[key].get) {
      delete result[key];
      return;
    }
    result[key].enumerable = ['isNew', '$__', 'errors', '_doc'].indexOf(key) === -1;
  });

  return result;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
assistant quarter-master-general to the right division of the
British Army in Canada" (D. A. N. Lomax, A History of the
Services of the 41st (The Welch) Regiment...1719, to 1895
[Devonport, Eng.: Hiorns & Miller, 1899], 372). For more on
Chambers's career and rank at this time, see WHH's conversation
with Chambers, [May 5, 1813], footnote 6, printed above.
8. In his August 3, 1813, letter to WHH (see above), Croghan
referred to this post as "Fort Sandusky." However, it was more
commonly known as "Fort Stephenson." The fort was constructed at
Lower Sandusky in the summer of 1812 and was named in honor of
Col. Mills Stephenson, an Ohio militia leader who supervised the
final construction of the fortification. The fort site is in the
center of the modern town of Fremont (called Lower Sandusky
before 1846), Sandusky County, Ohio (Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial
Field-Book of the War of 1812... [New York: Harper & Brothers,
1868], 497n, 507; Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812
[Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968, reprint of 1916
ed. ], 4, 86; Alexander Clark Casselman, ed., [Maj. John]
Richardson's War of 1812 [Toronto: Historical Publishing Co.,
1902], 179n).
9. The Draper copy uses the bracketed word.
10. The Draper copy substitutes the number "350" for this number.
11. The Draper copy silently supplies the bracketed word.
12. The Draper copy replaces this number with the words "one
hundred & fifty."
13. See WHH to Oliver H. Perry, August 4, 1813, footnote 5,
printed above.
Transcription assistant quarter-master-general to the right division of the British Army in Canada" (D. A. N. Lomax, A History of the Services of the 41st (The Welch) Regiment...1719, to 1895 [Devonport, Eng.: Hiorns & Miller, 1899], 372). For more on Chambers's career and rank at this time, see WHH's conversation with Chambers, [May 5, 1813], footnote 6, printed above. 8. In his August 3, 1813, letter to WHH (see above), Croghan referred to this post as "Fort Sandusky." However, it was more commonly known as "Fort Stephenson." The fort was constructed at Lower Sandusky in the summer of 1812 and was named in honor of Col. Mills Stephenson, an Ohio militia leader who supervised the final construction of the fortification. The fort site is in the center of the modern town of Fremont (called Lower Sandusky before 1846), Sandusky County, Ohio (Benson J. Lossing, Pictorial Field-Book of the War of 1812... [New York: Harper & Brothers, 1868], 497n, 507; Roster of Ohio Soldiers in the War of 1812 [Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Co., 1968, reprint of 1916 ed. ], 4, 86; Alexander Clark Casselman, ed., [Maj. John] Richardson's War of 1812 [Toronto: Historical Publishing Co., 1902], 179n). 9. The Draper copy uses the bracketed word. 10. The Draper copy substitutes the number "350" for this number. 11. The Draper copy silently supplies the bracketed word. 12. The Draper copy replaces this number with the words "one hundred & fifty." 13. See WHH to Oliver H. Perry, August 4, 1813, footnote 5, printed above.


Gumnaam (Urdu for "unknown" or "anonymous") is a 1965 Indian Horror-Thriller Movie directed by Raja Nawathe, starring Manoj Kumar, Nanda, Pran, Helen and Mehmood. The film became a box office hit.The story is based on Agatha Christie's novel "And Then There Were None".The film came to wider attention when its opening song Jaan Pehechan Ho (a Hindi phrase roughly translated as "We should get to know each other") was in the opening credits of Ghost World. It is sung by Bollywood legend Mohammed Rafi, although he is not the man pictured; the main dancer is Laxmi Chhaya. Plot Seven people mysteriously win a free vacation. On the way to their destination, the plane has engine trouble and they are left abandoned in a remote seaside location. They find shelter in a large mansion inhabited by a comical butler Mehmood. One by one, they are murdered and the remaining vacationers try to figure out why they were chosen for the trip and what they have in common.
This is part 1 of my new lego zombie hunter movie. It's a action movie about a mercenary that for money is doing missions for the US Army in the Chicago city that has been taken over by the zombies.


text:
In Case You Needed More Proof That Tom Hardy Is Completely Terrifying
A f***ing nuts supercut.
By Matt Miller
Tom Hardy can play any type of badass. He can be an evil badass. He can be a good badass. He can be a mustachioed badass or an alien badass or a masked badass who totally messes up Batman. Sometimes his "fuck off" is more of a "fack aff," and sometimes it's a "fuckoff"–it depends on the character. It's like he has this natural seething rage within him that he is constantly fighting to contain.
Matt Miller Culture Editor Matt is the Culture Editor at Esquire where he covers music, movies, books, and TV—with an emphasis on all things Star Wars, Marvel, and Game of Thrones.
Tom Hardy Unleashes His Inner Beast in 'Mad Max: Fury Road'
Tom Hardy Is Not Ashamed of His Old, 'Glorious' MySpace Photos
Tom Hardy Is 'Waiting' for 'Mad Max' Sequels
Tom Hardy Found it "Humiliating" When Asked About His Sexuality
Tom Hardy Plays Not One, But Two Gangsters in 'Legend'
12 Times Tom Hardy Looked Like a Total Badass


A complete care program to keep your trees and shrubs free of insects and diseases.
In the Annual 7 plan, your trees and shrubs will be inspected and treated seven times throughout the year.
In the Annual 4 plan, care will be provided once each season.
Custom plans are also available. Start with a free estimate.
We will conduct a tree and shrub analysis to determine types of trees, types of shrubs, check for disease activity, and look for insects and pests. We will also look for special problems, such as improper pruning and plant location, that you can correct for better health.


text:
Share this Story: MPP Joe Preston throws full support behind PM Harper
MPP Joe Preston throws full support behind PM Harper
Ben Forrest
Joe Preston says he'll wait until next summer to tell the riding association if he'll seek a fifth consecutive term as MP for Elgin-Middlesex-London.
Preston plans to make the announcement next June 28, which will be his 10th anniversary as an MP, he said Tuesday at a barbecue for constituents in St. Thomas.
"A lot of conversation between my wife and I as to what the right move is there," Preston said. "This job takes you from your family a lot, and so that's part of it."
Preston was first elected in 2004, when his Conservative Party finished second to the Liberals and then-leader Paul Martin. He was part of two Conservative minority governments under Stephen Harper and was re-elected for a third time in 2011, when Harper won his first majority.
Harper has said he will run again in the next federal election in 2015 but Preston was non-committal about his own intentions
"I continue to work hard, will continue to work hard," he said. "My dad taught me a long time ago: Somebody's paying you to do a job, go to work. I can't say that about Justin Trudeau, but I can say it about Joe Preston."
The Conservatives have been rocked lately by a Senate expense scandal, and opposition MPs have accused Harper of trying to duck the controversy by asking the governor general to prorogue Parliament until October.
But Preston defended that decision Tuesday, saying the government "sat till midnight and moved hundreds of pieces of legislation" in the last six weeks of Parliament.
"There's not much legislation left on the books and so I like the idea, after putting a whole new ministry in place and what he's done with the new cabinet, taking a couple weeks to write a good throne speech and come back," Preston said.
"It's halfway through our mandate in this majority and (we'll) come back with a new throne speech of what we're going to accomplish in the next two years of this mandate."
As for the Senate expense scandal, Preston said the issue has been "talked through," and the government has asked the Supreme Court to review Senate reform legislation.
"We're hoping they'll come back fall or spring with what their answer is," he said. "We can do nothing till then, and so why don't we?
"I spent some time in opposition too. Sometimes opposition for the sake of opposition is the only game you've got. I'd rather move legislation, and that's what this is about."
Preston also deflected the notion his government is trying to avoid answering questions about the Senate, as NDP leader Tom Mulcair alleged this week.
"I think putting MPs out in their ridings where they have to answer to the people who elected them – not the media, but to the people who elected them and answer those questions – is a far harder job than sending me to Ottawa," he said. "There's nobody up there that votes for me."
Preston also affirmed his support for Harper as leader of the Conservative Party.
"There's been no question that he will be the leader of this party for as long as we will have him do it, and with another election coming up in two years he's excited about it," Preston said.
"We talk about it often. There's no doubt in my mind he'll stay for at least one term. It might be more."
MPP Joe Preston throws full support behind PM Harper Back to video


text:
White House says Rove relayed complaints about prosecutors | McClatchy Washington Bureau
All White House
All Congress
All Justice
The Influencer Series
All Nation & World
Our Newsrooms
White House says Rove relayed complaints about prosecutors
Ron Hutcheson, Marisa Taylor and Margaret Talev - McClatchy Newspapers
WASHINGTON — The White House acknowledged on Sunday that presidential adviser Karl Rove served as a conduit for complaints to the Justice Department about federal prosecutors who were later fired for what critics charge were partisan political reasons.
House investigators on Sunday declared their intention to question Rove about any role he may have played in the firings.
White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Rove had relayed complaints from Republican officials and others to the Justice Department and the White House counsel's office. She said Rove, the chief White House political operative, specifically recalled passing along complaints about former U.S. Attorney David Iglesias and may have mentioned the grumblings about Iglesias to Attorney General Alberto Gonzales.
Iglesias says he believes he lost his job as the top federal prosecutor in New Mexico after rebuffing Republican pressure to speed his investigation of a Democratic state official.
"Lots of people at the White House gets lots of complaints about lots of different people on a multitude of subjects," she said. "The procedure is to listen and take the appropriate action to notify the relevant agency."
Perino said Rove told her that he did not suggest any of the eight U.S. attorneys be forced to resign.
The new details about Rove's involvement emerged as the top Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee declared their interest in talking to him.
The committee is trying to determine whether the firings were part of an effort to exert political control over federal prosecutors. Democrats consider Rove the key source for any political interference at the Justice Department because of his role at the center of politics and policy in the White House.
Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers, D-Mich., and Linda Sanchez, D-Calif., confirmed their plans after McClatchy Newspapers reported Saturday that New Mexico's Republican Party chairman, Allen Weh, had complained to Rove and one of Rove's deputies about Iglesias.
"Mr. Conyers and Ms. Sanchez intend to talk with Karl Rove about any role he may have had in the firing of the U.S. attorneys," Sanchez spokesman James Dau said. "The revelations from Mr. Weh certainly give us something else relevant and salient to talk about."
Conyers and Sanchez last week told the White House they intended to interview several unnamed White House officials. But they had not previously specified Rove. It was unclear whether they would seek his public testimony or simply have the committee staff interview him.
The White House's explanation of Rove's role is the latest attempt to explain the firings of Republican appointees in the middle of an administration and in the absence of allegations of misconduct. After initially citing "performance-related" reasons, the Justice Department later acknowledged that policy differences played a role but denied acting at the request of the White House. Rove's statement Sunday indicates a bigger White House role than was previously known.
In another development, two leading Democrats said Gonzales should resign. Sen. Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Sen. Joseph Biden, D-Del., said Gonzales has lost credibility with his handling of the firings, his failure to catch privacy infringements by federal investigators operating under the Patriot Act and other controversies at the Justice Department.
Perino offered Rove's account of his dealings with the Justice Department after talking with him by telephone. She said Rove routinely passed along complaints about various U.S. attorneys to the Justice Department and then-White House counsel Miers.
Among the complaints that Rove relayed were concerns among Republican Party officials in various jurisdictions that the Justice Department was not being aggressive in pursuing allegations of election fraud by Democrats. Such allegations by Republicans were a particular concern in New Mexico and Washington.
Rove acknowledged that he personally complained to Miers that "voter fraud cases were not being treated as a priority" by the Justice Department, Perino said. He also passed along complaints about Iglesias that he had heard going back as far as 2004.
In addition to the voter fraud issue, some New Mexico Republicans were angry that Iglesias refused to speed up his corruption investigation of several Democratic state officials. At the time, party leaders were looking for any advantage they could get that might help them retain control of Congress.
Neither Rove nor his deputy, Scott Jennings, recalled talking to Weh, the New Mexico Republican Party chairman, about Iglesias, but they did not dispute Weh's account of the conversation, Perino said.
In an interview Saturday with McClatchy Newspapers, Weh said he complained in 2005 about Iglesias to a White House liaison who worked for Rove and asked that he be removed. Weh said he followed up with Rove personally in late 2006 during a visit to the White House, but Rove told him Iglesias had already been fired.
"He's gone," Rove said, according to Weh. While Rove didn't remember the conversation, Perino said that it most likely occurred during a White House Christmas party on Dec. 14 - a week after Iglesias was told that he should step down.
Sunday, Weh said he wanted to be clear he didn't think Rove had the power to fire Iglesias.
"Folks, this isn't about the White House political office, this is about an incompetent attorney," he told McClatchy Newspapers. "Clearly I'm smart enough to know Karl Rove can't terminate anybody. It was a request."
Trump: 'We'll have a look' at Acosta's Epstein link
Has Lindsey Graham really changed? He's still desperate to make a deal
By Emma Dumain
After a dispassionate response to the border crisis and defense of President Trump's racist tweets, Democrats are shaking their heads anew at Lindsey Graham. But there's one area where Graham hasn't changed: He still wants to strike a deal on immigration.
MORE WHITE HOUSE
Rosselló's refusal to resign gives Trump ammunition to attack Puerto Rico
'A top-tier priority': Trump rally highlights NC's big role in picking next president
Will Mark Sanford make a 2020 run against Donald Trump? SC GOP says take a hike
Will Mike Pompeo run for office again? Some Trump advisers believe he already is.
Can Trump crack down on immigration and still be a champion for Cubans and Venezuelans?
Rep. Cleaver abandons chair after contentious House debate on Trump's racist tweets


The coding language we used is Scratch, from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. That's the famous MIT. Scratch has been a great environment because it's readily accessible on school computers without installing anything, and it's so engaging. Also the block-codes remove hurdles of syntax and typing errors that older languages I grew up with such as LOGO and BASIC had.
Unfortunately it has a problem: the runtime is based upon Adobe Flash, which is being phased out by Adobe and support on browsers is already being disabled: I can't run it on my work's computer; I don't know how long before the school computers also turn it off. There is an HTML5 Scratch player project, with code on GitHub, but it's only 40% complete and being worked on by volunteers, not MIT staff. Nobody has time to get it going properly, which is sad.
But there is good news: Scratch is only the beginning of the CodeClub coding journey. They have projects using HTML/CSS, and Python, which can also be run from a browser without installing anything on school equipment. They use Trinket for an in-browser editor and runtime.
The editor, while fairly basic, has syntax highlighting and balances parenthesis/quote pairs, so you can get feedback when you make typing mistakes.
I believe it's time to expose the kids to some "real" code: they have a great grounding from Scratch and understand the basics of Sequence, Blocks, Loops, and Branches, so it's only a small step up.
I'm undecided. We could move on to the HTML&CSS projects, which will be a great grounding in how the Web works, and give the pupils an opportunity for some real "computer literacy" -- they will be able not only to use the web as a resource, but express themselves and create new work in the medium.
On the other hand, we could tackle the Python modules. Python is the main programming language used for the Raspberry Pi, with good reason. It's also very popular as a language for conducting scientific research, as an extension language for games (e.g. Minecraft PI) and office software (Libre Office, or Google APIs), and to program robots.
Both can be done straight away. I am thinking to actually ask the pupils what they would like to do.
Well, we could do that. It's a matter of how much time is available to work through these things, and what goals we want to set for the end of the year. Personally I don't think we could work through all the modules of both, but we could pick-and-choose according to end goals. The risk is trying to learn 2 coding languages at once (actually 3 if you count HTML and CSS as separate languages) could be confusing. Or not: maybe I shouldn't underestimate the kids?
I know that the class has some LEGO™ NXT™ robots that they would like to program, so that is yet another direction.
UPDATE 2017-09-19T12:08+1000 After talking very briefly with the teacher, we feel we should head down the Python trail next term, if only because there are a couple of pupils who've seen it already and may act as teacher's helpers, and because the two languages HTML and CSS are also a move from Imperative programming to Declaraitive.
Or, you can instead visit This bare project I created anonymously and then start to code.
You can keep your work without having a Trinket.io account: Just click the "Share" menu, and choose "Link". You can copy the URL and store it in your notebook. I'll be recommending that pupils follow my fourth rule of computing.
This is clearly oriented towards the UK, and indeed UK now has a computer curriculum for K-6 which the CodeClub projects follow closely. But what about Australia? Well, CodeClub AU have put up this Australian Curriculum Map which maps the projects to the new Australian Digital Technologies curriculum! Very handy resource for teachers. Teachers also can benefit from Teacher training and workshops, online or face-to-face, for free.
An important point in Clare's video is the gap in generations between the current "digital natives" and coders like me who learned to code in the 1980s. Teachers today haven't had the experience of coding that I enjoyed, or at least not from a point of view where they could be supported in teaching it to children. Naturally the new STEM curriculum with computing in it is very scary and frustrating to them.
This is where I feel that I fit in: as a coder and a dad, I'm in a position where facing a room full of children and trying to explain computers to them is -- while daunting and challenging -- not completely terrifying, as it would be to many coders out there. So it's something I'm keen to do.
My personal views on this effort are that true "computer literacy" will only be achieved when pupils can not only use computers, but express themselves with them. Just like English literacy. And also just like English, the goal is not to create a generation of computer programmers. I want coding to be a core skill, like English and Mathematics, because just like those two, it is central to future (indeed current) lifestyles and vocations. We don't teach English to create book authors, but everyone understands its importance. The same is true for programming computers.
I'm really excited to get going for the final term of school and also continue into future years.


A dot distribution map is a type of map that uses the density of dot symbols that are the same size to show the presence of a feature or phenomenon.
Dot distribution maps are used to convey the intensity of an attribute. Each dot on the map represents one or more phenomena being mapped. The author of the map determines the value represented by each dot, and each dot is often placed randomly on the map based on the aggregate totals of their respective source polygons.
A dot distribution map can be layered over other thematic map types. For example, a choropleth map can be used underneath the dot distribution symbol to show two different variables.
Include a legend that shows how many units of data are represented with each dot.
Use the same size dots and ensure the size of each dot is appropriate for the scale and size of the map.
Ensure that colors are distinguishable.
Place dots randomly within a geographic entity. Alternatively, dots can be placed in a systematic fashion using subject-matter expertise.


826 NATIONAL is a network of nonprofit creative writingand after-school tutoring centers dedicated to supporting students,ages 6 to 18, with opportunities to explore their creativity andwriting skills, and to help teachers get their classes excitedabout writing. 826 National's services are based on theunderstanding that great leaps in learning can happen withone-on-one attention, and that strong writing skills arefundamental to future success. JENNIFER TRAIG is the author of the memoirs Devil inthe Details and Well Enough Alone, and the editor ofThe Autobiographer's Handbook.


text:
Home Scene Art Behind Closed Doors
For many weeks John Mackintosh Hall's closed doors meant the venue was pretty much out of bounds, perhaps giving the impression to many that not a lot was going on and Gibraltar Cultural Services (GCS) staff were all at home resting, sitting or even lying back on their laurels... And what a misconception that would be!
Richard Cartwright
Covid-19 played its disruptive part, of course, but diversification took centre stage at GCS and heads were – in effect – banged together to come up with alternatives. "We had to come up with ideas. Our main concern was those at home," Head of Development and Education, Davina Barbara, told me. "We had a responsibility to help and come up with a plan and programmes were structured on a weekly basis."
The wonderful creation of the internet and online availability was one solution and any number of morning library story telling sessions held in small groups, live story reading from home with parents taking part also, music, arts and crafts, and theatre workshops involving GAMPA, focus on Gibraltar Archive and Fine Arts, videos of past exhibitions with much of it online and shown on other social platforms got underway. "We also had Paulette Finlayson showing groups of school children around the Mario Finlayson National Gallery in the Town Hall which displays her dad's and other Gibraltarian artists' works…"
The GEMA (sculptor Victor Quintanilla has an incredible display of his creative work there), Fine Arts and Mario Finlayson National art galleries have certainly not been forgotten with exhibitions and and story competitions involving schools being organised. The JMH Library has had limited activity with children whilst staff have been taking advantage of the lockdown to re-organise part of the room, keeping Davina and her team very busy during lockdown and beyond, with so much more still in the offing! "We've taken a couple of ideas from looking at what's been done in the UK," Davina reveals, "like our Frontline Portrait Exhibition, promoting those individuals who have been keeping us safe from the virus."
A lot of virtual digital work has also been produced during the period, such as the spring digital art exhibition and 'Visit Gibraltar' virtual tours of the Upper Galleries – and there's more to come during National Week…
"We've also had live drama performances with a very limited audience in the Charles Hunt Room with just two actors and everyone present keeping to the Covid rules and social distancing," Davina says. The list of activities and work being done by Davina and her team is almost endless with more exhibitions, a treasure hunt and even a, 'Creatives' competition involving Lego brick building, which is apparently quite popular on the Rock, and not forgetting the 47th International Arts Exhibition planned for November and prizes to be won!
Checking out the wider entertainment package GCS is very much involved in, has meant more head scratching by those working from the corner offices next to the cafeteria at JMH… It must have been heavy going thinking of ways to fill in the gaps left by, GibTalks, Calentita, Summer Nights, the Miss Gibraltar Pageant, the GMF, MUGA events or the Beer Festival. And no Jazz music at Grand Parade, no Drama Festival, no National Day celebrations at Casemates, no Fair Week, no Literary Festival, perhaps no Christmas fun week at John Mackintosh Square and Festival of Lights, no traditional New Year's Eve celebrations also at Casemates, no Three Kings' Cavalcade and more 'no's as far as we can predict. (Keeping fingers crossed that things could change, and not all of the above will be lost!)
However, as advertised, the September Blessing of the Seas Boat Procession around the Rock will go ahead. "And apart from all that Davina has informed you about, we are preparing certain events that will run well into the autumn and further on," GCS CEO, Seamus Byrne reveals.
Abiding by Public Health rules and working hard GCS is doing their best to fill in those gaps. "We'll have choirs and other musical events allowing the use of venues like Ince's Hall, the JMH Theatre, the Alameda Open Air Theatre and even St Michael's Cave. Audience capacity at any events being organised will be staggered starting with one third attendance being allowed and slowly building as weeks and months go by as the virus situation improves."
There are also plans for recording entertainment segments to keep beachgoers reminded of what the 10th of September – National Day – is all about. There'll be lots going on during National Week leading up to the 10th. The week will include GBC Television in full swing with cultural TV archives and other GBC television library programmes alongside its normal programming, the political aspect of the day on the day, the Rock Concert and the traditional, pretty colours shooting up into the sky later, with lots online too.
"Oh yes, we'll have TV screens on all our beaches to help celebrate the day. And for New Year's Eve we'll be recording a show earlier on in December at John Mackintosh Hall Theatre which will be shown on GBC on the night and will include the fireworks display live at midnight. In January we'll also be holding a cultural exchange between Gibraltar and the Lloyd's of London Art Group exhibiting over 100 works at the Gustavo Bacarisas Gallery in Casemates."
Dates and venues of all the exhibitions and events are displayed on posters at JMH and other places and will appear in the media as we get closer to the dates. "The GCS has indeed been very busy during lockdown and the work is ongoing. We're continuing with our street art projects with the next one coming up on the GAMPA building on Hospital Hill." Seamus says it's time for reflection at GCS and asserts there's more to culture than just events, and the GCS will soon be involved in the running of the Mayor's Parlour amongst other projects.
So to say the Gibraltar Cultural Services staff have been very busy during our unfortunate period since March 2020, would be a grand understatement. Reading through the above might prove exhausting because of all that's gone on and has still yet to come, always bearing in mind – as we're not out of the woods yet – the importance of sticking to COVID-19 rules and keeping safe. Hence much appreciation must go towards the work undertaken (which continues) by the GCS. Clearly their workload has been full to the brim…with their busy agenda overflowing well into 2021!
Previous articleThe Secret of Business
Next articleA Zookeeper's Diary September 2020
Lincoln Georgis December 26, 2022 At 2:41 pm
Lincoln Georgis
[…]Here is a great Blog You might Discover Fascinating that we Encourage You[…]


Blowing agents are one of the integral parts of a polyurethane foam. Foam generation can be achieved by an external blowing agent such as a low boiling liquid which evaporates during urethane formation, by a gas dissolved under pressure or by chemical reaction. Fluorocarbons are the most common blowing agents used in polyurethane foams. They offer the advantage of being non flammable, having excellent thermal characteristic and the right boiling point. Over time the fluorocarbon gas diffuses out of the foam and enters the atmosphere. Fluorocarbons have been found responsible for their ozone depletion potential. The EPA has regulated the use of fluorocarbons in foams and has established suitable alternate replacements. For Europe consult this site. Please consult this site for the latest approved blowing agent for a certain application. In the long run all fluorocarbons and other blowing agents will be replaced with carbon dioxide as a blowing agent.


text:
Counterfeit bills in area are likely related
Check your cash. Someone is making counterfeit money and passing it on the southside, according to police logs
Counterfeit bills in area are likely related Check your cash. Someone is making counterfeit money and passing it on the southside, according to police logs Check out this story on jconline.com: http://on.jconline.com/2ygudQP
Ron Wilkins, Journal & Courier Published 4:05 p.m. ET Sept. 21, 2017 | Updated 4:26 p.m. ET Sept. 21, 2017
Lafayette police suspect a sudden surge in counterfeit bills in the area is all related.(Photo: Getty Images/iStockphoto)
LAFAYETTE, Ind. — Counterfeit bills turned up three times this week on the city's south side, and police suspect all three are related, Lafayette police Sgt. Matt Gard said.
On Tuesday, the Village Pantry at 18th Street and Brady Lane reported being duped by counterfeit bills, and the nearby liquor store reported it also had been deceived.
Police arrested Dustin Robert Ledman, 34, of Lafayette, accusing him of those incidents. But while Ledman was still in the Tippecanoe County Jail Wednesday afternoon, the Village Pantry at 3150 Brady Lane reported someone passed counterfeit money there.
That counterfeiter struck again between 12:20 and 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to police logs, and Ledman didn't post bond until 5 p.m., according to jail records.
Gard did not elaborate on why detectives think the three counterfeit reports are related, but the cases are being investigated in an effort to find out who's printing the bogus bills.
It's not uncommon for there to be no reports of counterfeit bills, then a sudden spike, Gard said.
More: Man suspected of using counterfeit money at VP and liquor store
Others read: Acquitted murder suspect arrested for allegedly having weed
Others read: Drugs reported stolen from Franciscan Health Lafayette East pharmacy
"Usually, you don't see the lower bills," Gard said, noting that typically the fake money is larger than $10 or $20 bills.
But that's not a hard and fast rule. Some people might counterfeit $10s and $20s because they believe these bills are not as likely to be challenged by store clerks, Gard said.
With counterfeit bills floating around in the community, it is possible — although not common — that shoppers might receive some of the fake money as change.
It's a customer beware world out there.
But there are ways consumers and businesses can spot counterfeit bills, Gard said, suggesting people go to uscurrency.gov, and become familiar with some of the build-in anti-counterfeit features such as water marks, security threads, subtle background colors and ultraviolet florescent threads.
If customers receive what they believe to be counterfeit money, Gard said take it back to the store and explain what happened. See if they will give exchange if for the real deal. And file a police report, he said.
"Unless they're knowingly giving you counterfeit as change, there's no crime," Gard said.
This means that the customer might be the one shorted by the counterfeit's plot if the store chooses not to cover the loss, Gard said.
There is the recourse of a civil lawsuit, Gard said.
But given the expense of filing a lawsuit, it's not a practical solution to recover a few bucks.
More: You can't make this stuff up: Thursday edition
More: Top 5 things to do for Purdue homecoming weekend
Read or Share this story: http://on.jconline.com/2ygudQP
Boil order for parts of West Lafayette until Monday after water line break
Student blocked from Northridge Middle School after threats to shoot those not wearing red


text:
Krauss Named Honorary Board Member
For Immediate Release: December 15, 2011
Contact: Michelle Blackley, Communications Director
press@centerforinquiry.org - (207) 358-9785
Lawrence Krauss has accepted an invitation from the Center for Inquiry (CFI) board of directors to serve as an honorary board member. Krauss will serve as a nonvoting member.
Krauss holds several positions at Arizona State University. He is foundation professor in the School of Earth and Space Exploration and Physics Department, associate director of the Beyond Center, codirector of the Cosmology Initiative, and director of the exciting Origins Project, which explores questions regarding the origins of the universe, human culture, and cognition. Krauss received his PhD from MIT in 1982 and then joined the Society of Fellows at Harvard University. He was appointed as a professor of physics and astronomy at Yale University in 1985 and then in 1993 joined Case Western Reserve University, where he served as chair and Ambrose Swasey Professor of Physics, professor of astronomy, and director of the Center for Education and Research in Cosmology and Astrophysics.
Krauss is the author of nine popular books including the international bestseller The Physics of Star Trek (Basic Books, 2007); the award-winning Atom: A Single Oxygen Atom's Journey from the Big Bang to Life on Earth … and Beyond (Back Bay Books, 2002); Quantum Man: Richard Feynman's Life in Science (W. W. Norton & Company, 2011), named Book of the Year for 2011 by Physics World; and most recently A Universe from Nothing: Why There Is Something Rather Than Nothing (Free Press, 2012). Krauss is also a radio commentator and appears regularly on television. He is an essayist for major national newspapers and he writes a monthly column for Scientific American. His activities have also included performing with the Cleveland Orchestra, serving as a judge at the Sundance Film Festival, and writing Grammy-nominated liner notes for a CD of Star Trek music (Telarc International).
A highly regarded international leader in cosmology and astrophysics, Krauss is the author of more than three hundred scientific papers, a member of numerous professional societies, and the winner of numerous international awards. He has been particularly active on issues of science and public policy, leading the effort by scientists to defend the teaching of science in public schools.
"We are very pleased to recognize the tremendous achievements of Lawrence Krauss and we are thrilled that he has graciously agreed to give CFI the benefit of his wisdom and guidance. The entire board of directors is looking forward to working with him," said Richard Schroeder, chair of the CFI board of directors. "He will be a great resource for our mission and work."
The Center for Inquiry is a nonprofit educational, advocacy, and research organization based in Amherst, New York; CFI is home to both the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry and the Council for Secular Humanism. The mission of CFI is to foster a secular society based on science, reason, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Our web address is www.centerforinquiry.net.
The Center for Inquiry (CFI) is a nonprofit educational, advocacy, and research organization headquartered in Amherst, New York, with executive offices in Washington, D.C. It is also home to the Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason & Science, the Committee for Skeptical Inquiry, and the Council for Secular Humanism. The Center for Inquiry strives to foster a secular society based on reason, science, freedom of inquiry, and humanist values. Visit CFI on the web at centerforinquiry.org.
CFI's UN Advocate Takes on Saudi Arabia's Human Rights Record
Secular Rescue Success Story: From Sudan to Kenya
The "Reluctant Activist": Being Outed as an Atheist in a Muslim-Majority Country


CBS ran a teaser promo for their upcoming TV series adaptation of Under the Dome during the Super Bowl. You can watch the video at the link below.
CBS has also launched a small interactive experience that you can visit at the link below.
Update:All three versions of the Doctor Sleep Limited Editions by Cemetery Dance have sold out. There is currently a waiting list for a second printing on their site.
Cemetery Dance will publish Doctor Sleep as Deluxe Limited Editions shipping September 2013.
Bound in fine materials and featuring extraordinary artwork by Vincent Chong and Erin S. Wells, the Gift, Limited and Lettered editions are sure to please the discriminating Constant Reader.
Entertainment Weekly has posted an exclusive interview with Stephen regarding the upcoming sequel to The Shining, Doctor Sleep.
UPDATE 1/31:Hollywood Reporter has posted that two more actors have been cast in the upcoming Under the Dome series.
Jolene Purdy (Glee) has been cast as Dodee the engineer. Nicholas Strong (Nashville) will play the role of Phil the radio DJ.
Deadline Hollywood has reported that three roles have been cast in the upcoming CBS adaptation of Under the Dome, to be produced by Stephen and Steven Spielberg.
Colin Ford (We Bought a Zoo) will play the role of Scarecrow Joe with Natalie Martinez (End of Watch) playing Linda the Deputy. Newcomer Alex Koch will play Junior Rennie.
UPDATE 10:57 AM: Profits from GUNS will benefit victims of gun violence.
Subterranean Press is now taking preorders for their Limited Edition printings of The Shining.
The Official Stephen King Facebook page is now live atFacebook.com/OfficialStephenKing.
Managed by the same team that brings you StephenKing.com and the SKDotCom_News feed on Twitter, Stephen's Facebook page is a convenient source for official news and information about Stephen's publishing career, new releases and more.
The Constant Reader should also be sure to check out Stephen's extensive timeline and share their thoughts on everything from Carrie to The Wind Through the Keyhole. Enjoy!
CBS and Amblin Entertainment have announced Under the Dome will premier on June 24th at 10pm.
Production on the 13 part miniseries will commence this February in Wilmington, North Carolina. We'll post more information about this exciting property as it becomes available.
Universal Pictures, Blumhouse Productions and Wonderland Sound and Vision have announced they will bring an adaptation of Stephen's short storyGrammato the silver screen.
TitledMercy, the film will be directed by Peter Cornwell (A Haunting in Connecticut) and will be produced by McG (Terminator Salvation) and Mary Viola (We are Marshall). The screenplay has been written by Matt Greenburg (1408).
The project will star British actor Frances O'Connor (The Hunter) with Dylan McDermott, (The Practice) Chandler Riggs, (The Walking Dead) and Joel Courtney (Super 8) supporting the fantasy-horror film.


KF-25 centering rings are used for mating KF-25 flanges to vacuum connection hardware and hoses. Made of stainless steel with a viton O-ring. To make a complete connection, the KF-25 centering ring sits inside the KF-25 clamp.


text:
Tic-tac-toe Collection
FREE Tic-tac-toe game
Thousands of game variations
Cross-platform WiFi multiplayer
AI with variable difficulty
Single player campaign
iOS now available
Tic-tac-toe Collection is now available to download for iPhone and iPad on the App Store.
All existing game modes and features are available, including cross-platform multiplayer.
Prime is not yet supported, but will be coming soon.
Tue, Apr 9, 2019
0.16.3 Release notes
A small release to fix some iOS issues that only became apparenth after launch, including:
Fixed some screens that did not with certain regional settings (including Arabic and Thai).
Significantly reduced app size.
Fixed the modify game flow not working in some cases.
Improved layout of the modify game page on tablets.
More release notes
Modifying games
0.15 brings a new flow for starting or loading a game based on other games.
It is currently accessible from the load game page, as well as relevant items on the main page, and provides a number of options depending on the source.
First is quickplay, which is always available. This lets you start a new game with all human players, or one human player and AI of a specified difficulty.
Setting up a new game (with the normal setup options) is also always available.
If it is a campaign game, you can continue the campaign. You can also load the game as a normal game (this won't affect campaign progress).
If the game has existing game data (i.e. you are loading a game) then you can load the game but edit the players. This could be useful if you were playing against a human and want to continue with the AI for instance.
Finally, all these options can be used for local games and network games. This was a big part of the motivation since network games can normally only be continued with the exact same devices. If you need to continue with a different device, you can load and host the game and then change the players.
This is all part of a wider effort of general quality-of-life improvements. The next thing will be a revamped game selection screen which will make significant use of the new game buttons.
Wed, Jan 2, 2019
More game design More technical
OliverBrown.me.uk


You could now get Raspberry Ketones in Himeji Japan and break out bottles for Himeji Japan customer and we will certainly show you how.
In addition there are a few points you have to learn about this brand-new weight loss supplement that most consumers do not realize and well help you recognize the difference between a genuine ketone supplement and the many artificial ones out there.
Given that the Dr Oz diet regimen show where he backed raspberry ketones they have turneded into one of the most popular weight loss procedure that you can do right at home.
Raspberry ketones in Himeji Japan has already helped thousands of Himeji Japan people to lose weight and we below from our consumer consistently telling us exactly how our formula has actually helped them.
Let's consider what the raspberry ketones do and exactly how they assist you lose weight. So you can begin by taking a look at this weight loss supplement as a turbo-charger for your physical body's electricity degrees.
It will certainly increase weight loss by protecting against the absorption of fat while improving your metabolism which burns existing fat cells. This makes this one of best fat loss supplements on the marketplace.
You can slim down with routine diet/exercise additionally yet what's making this supplement so preferred is that it will securely accelerate the procedure.
Truth is raspberry ketone isn't really visiting amazingly transform your physical body into shedding 30 or 40 pounds in a week and website with such cases need to be stayed away from. Nevertheless, if you exercise consistently, raspberry ketones will certainly make it much easier to drop weight and keep it off.
There are lots of one-of-a-kind health and wellness benefits provided by real Ketones taken from raspberries and we have actually listed the 5 primary benefits for you and exactly how they work.
Weight Loss- Clinical researches were conducted on mice that show substantial reduction in belly fat in those that were offered ketone doses daily.
Weight loss is the primary benefit of raspberry ketones when taken daily. A lot of consumers see significantly lead to within a week or more, relying on their diet regimen, present weight and physical exercise degrees.
Feedback for individuals which have actually taken ketones have actually stated weight loss of as much as 10lbs, 20lbs and in some cases even 30lbs+ within the initial 3 months.
Lowers Bad Cholesterol levels- In human trial clinical research studies, researchers examined the cholesterol rankings and found that ketones reduces superior LDL (Bad Cholesterol) levels while on the other side raised HDL levels (Excellent cholesterol levels).
Superior degrees of HDL have been revealed to protect against heart attacks. Low degrees of HDL (less than 40 mg/dL) likewise increase the risk of heart problem.
Gets rid of Free Radicals- Red raspberries and it's ketones are very well known as a superb source of antioxidants just by themselves.
Raspberry ketone contains some of the most highly effective anti-oxidants, which will certainly remove risky complimentary radicals from the physical body. Free radicals reduce our bodies food digestion procedures and harm our skin, so it is critical to remove them via purifying.
Lowers Blood Stress - Professional researches carried out in the US have shown that taking a raspberry ketone supplement can assist lesser blood pressure naturally.
These studies reveal that after regarding a month, customers had actually dropped their blood tension degrees by about 15 %. Every one of the people were marginal hypertensive prior to the research and were taken into consideration to be healthy at the end of the research.
Raised Brain Function- Newer researches now reveal that using raspberry ketone could aid enhance key brain features, including memory.
Several of our raspberry ketone consumers have actually told us that our supplement has boosted their concentration, concentration and memory loyalty.
Where to Buy Raspberry Ketone in Himeji Japan?
Not all supplements are created equal and here is how you can mention to the good ones from the bad raspberry ketone supplements.
Below are a couple of ways you could iron out great supplements from poor quality supplements for your safety.
Free Shipping Supplies- Looks like a large amount yet truth is merchants could ship for FREE due to the fact that it's a lesser high quality supplement. Typically poor quality suggests an artificial ketone produced in a lab which set you back a lot much less to make.
High Dosage of Raspberry Ketone- This is an excellent way to find poor quality supplements. If you view supplies for 200- 600mg of ketones each pill keep way. Again they effectively could be this superior of a quantity but it's possibly not pure. If it truly is then the true price of the item would certainly be around $60- $120 a bottle. In this instance the much more it cost the better possibility you have of getting an actual Ketone supplement.
Right here's just what you can do to stop purchasing poor quality fat loss supplements. Looking for an ingredient tag will not consistently aid because it's legal to put a man-made ketone on the tag even though it's not pure or natural so you could go by rate as a beginning factor. If it's under $35 it's probably most effectively to steer clear of.
The best areas to buy Raspberry Ketone Supplements in Himeji Japan is from a relied on source with genuine and organic ingredients like Raspberry Ketone EvolutionSlimming.
When in the morning to give you a natural improvement to start the day and when around midday time to get you through the afternoon. Do not take this supplement at night since it might keep you awake via the evening. Your metabolism will slow at night naturally and you do not wish to interrupt this procedure as the body gets ready for Fasting assumed the night.
To take even more then this suggest raspberry ketone dosage can be a waste of cash. The physical body just can not process greater than this as it will certainly dispose of the remainder as waste significance you'll be squandering your cash.
To obtain FREE containers of our raspberry ketone supplement simply buy greater than 2 bottles, below's the offer Himeji Japan Customers could solve now.
Where to Buy Raspberry Ketones in Levkas Greece?
Where to Buy Raspberry Ketones in Baja California Mexico?
Where To Buy The Best Garcinia Cambogia in Portstewart Northern Ireland?
Where To Buy Phen375 in Georgia?
Where to Buy Raspberry Ketones in Fukuoka Japan?


For more than last 80 years, Santosh Mitra Square has been hosting the Durga Puja with much aplomb and fanfare. The pandal, which is said to be very popular with the residents of Kolkata, grabbed spotlight last year with its intriguing London Theme that saw Goddess Durga in a Buckingham Palace-like setting. This year, the main attraction at the pandal is the chariot mande of 20 tonnes of silver, which is 60 feet high and 40 feet wide.
In its 65th year of celebrating Durga Puja, Suruchi Sangha pandal has been decorated using earthen work to celebrate the mother and soil. Interestingly, this year Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee penned down the theme song of Suruchi Sangha which was launched on the auspicious day of Mahalaya.


SailBot is self contained and houses the electronics, battery and horn system. To control it you will need an iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch (sold separately) and will need to install our free SailBot app from the app store.
SailBot is quite simply the most flexible and advanced sailboat race starting system available. Bluetooth Low Energy connected, iPhone, iPad or iPod Touch controlled, ready when you are.
Curious how this works? Download the free app now and see for yourself how simple it is to to have automated, perfect start sequences.
SailBot is a self contained starting horn used in combination with our free iOS app (available from the App Store). The SailBot starter contains a battery, horn, and Bluetooth electronics in a durable and stylish nautical-inspired enclosure. The iPhone connects to the SailBot by long-range Bluetooth Low Energy and controls the horns.
In addition to the pre-programmed sequences, SailBot is the only sailboat race starting solution that allows users to create and edit their own custom starting sequences! Using an app to control the horn unit allows future upgrades to be easily distributed to all users by way of an app update. We are currently working on groundbreaking features that are only possible with our system.
1 Minute Dinghy, 2 Minute Dinghy, 3 Minute Dinghy, 3 Minute Rule 26, 5 Minute Rule 26, 10 Minute Match, All sequences can be single or rolling, with number of rolling starts set by user.
SailBot Starter is the only sailboat race starting solution that allows users to program their own custom starting sequence! If your team or club has their own way of doing things, download the app now and give it a try for yourself.
We use SailBot for our high school sailing team to run practice races. It is the perfect solution for us! Before SailBot the kids could never hear the whistle and my lungs were sore! SailBot is easy, loud, and convenient. I love that I can set up my own start sequences in the app in case I want to do something different to keep the kids on their toes.
Thank you so much! I have been meaning to write you to let you know that we have loved the SailBot. We had a youth invitational for 94 sailors on July 7 that went off great with the dinghy sequence, and then another 2 day regatta with old turn of the century Wianno Seniors (about two dozen 25 foot sailboats with 4 crew) last weekend using the 5 min Rule 26 start. As an iPhone user myself, having the app as the controller is seamless.
You have a great product you should be proud of. We'll be sure to promote the device among our Southern Mass sailors and clubs.
Thanks a lot. Is really a very good product!


The Vatican insisted on Thursday it is committed to stamping out sexual abuse by the clergy, as top Church officials were grilled before the UN's child rights watchdog.
The hearing came as Pope Francis said all Catholics should feel "shame", in an apparent reference to the scandals that have rocked the Church for more than a decade.
Under the spotlight at the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child in Geneva, the Vatican delegation insisted it understood what it had to do to root out sexual crimes.
"The Holy See gets it, that certain things have to be done differently," said Monsignor Charles Scicluna, the Vatican's former top prosecutor.
"It's not words, it has to be commitment on the ground, on the level of the local churches," he told the committee.
The Roman Catholic Church has faced a cascade of scandals involving child sexual abuse by priests and Catholic lay officials, from Ireland to the United States and from Australia to Germany.
Pope Francis, who has vowed zero tolerance of abuse since he was elected last March, said the scandals "are the shame of the Church."
"Do we feel shame? There are so many scandals that I do not want to name them individually but everyone knows about them!" the pope said in a homily on Thursday.
Like other signatories of the 1989 UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Vatican agrees to submit regular reports on its respect for the rules, and to be scrutinised by an 18-member watchdog panel.
Thursday's session - a regular review of the Holy See's rights record, and not exclusively focused on the abuse issue - marked the Vatican's second appearance before the committee.
The first was in 1995, before the abuse cases burst into the spotlight.
UN committee member Hiranthi Wijemanne charged that perpetrators were too often shielded by the Church hierarchy.
"Why is there no mandatory reporting to a country's judicial authorities when crimes occur? Taking actions against perpetrators is part of justice," she asked the Vatican's delegation.
Past cases of abuse were often covered up by priests' superiors, who typically transferred offenders to new parishes, rather than turn them over to police.
Scicluna insisted this was not Church policy.
"It is not a policy of the Holy See to encourage cover-ups," he said. "Our guideline has always been that domestic law of the countries where the churches operate needs to be followed," he added.
The Vatican's UN ambassador, Monsignor Silvano Tomasi, said the Holy See was legally responsible only for implementing the UN Convention on the tiny territory of Vatican City -- a position long criticised by campaigners.
But he said that as the central body of the Church the Vatican was working with its local branches to develop measures to stem sexual abuse.
It was up to nations to crack down, Tomasi insisted.
"Priests are not functionaries of the Vatican. Priests are citizens of their own state and fall under its jurisdiction," he underlined.
Benedict XVI, pontiff from 2005 to 2013, was the first pope to apologise to victims and call for zero tolerance of abuse, though critics say that his rhetoric outstripped action.
Pope Francis has vowed to take things further by setting up a special committee to investigate crimes, enforce prevention measures and care for the victims.
Pressed for details of the Vatican committee, Tomasi said the ground rules and membership were still being established.
UN committee member Sara Oviedo questioned the Vatican's efforts.
"The Holy See has not established any mechanism to investigate those accused of perpetrating sexual abuse, nor to prosecute them," she said, calling for a "new approach".
Oviedo also demanded to know what the Vatican was doing in case of Archbishop Jozef Wesolowski, a papal envoy from deeply Catholic Poland recalled from the Dominican Republic amid claims of sexual abuse there.
"Abusers are found among members of the world's most respected professions, most regrettably, including members of the clergy and other church personnel," Tomasi said.
"Confronted with this reality, the Holy See has carefully delineated policies and procedures designed to help eliminate such abuse and to collaborate with respective state authorities to fight against this crime," he added.
"Such crimes can never be justified, whether committed in the home, in community and sports programmes, in religious organisations and structures. This is the long-standing policy of the Holy See," he insisted.
Victims' groups say the issue is far from settled with cases of ongoing abuse emerging regularly and the total tally potentially in the hundreds of thousands.


text:
Russian Resurrection of Hitler-Stalin Pact Alarms Baltics
June 22, 2020 June 22, 2020 Christina Kitova Asia, Asia Freelancing Global Gig, Estonia, Estonia Freelancing Global Gigs, Europe, Global World, News Article, Russia, Russia Freelancing Global Gigs
Register to Follow Author
According to Zhuravlev, the resolution "does not comply with the principles of historical justice and was adopted in the context of increasing political instability of those years."
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania summoned Russian Ambassadors to discuss grave concerns over the possible return of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact.
The Pact divided Europe into two spheres of control between Russia and Germany.
Lithuania is concerned about the resurrection of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. The Pact was deemed in invalid in 1989, under Mikhail Gorbachev. However, recently, the Russian State Duma began contemplating a bill that will overturn the invalidation of the Pact.
The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact was a non-aggression pact between Nazi Germany and the Soviet Union that enabled those two powers to divide-up Poland between them. It was signed in Moscow on August 23, 1939, by Foreign Ministers Joachim von Ribbentrop and Vyacheslav Molotov, and was officially known as the Treaty of Non-Aggression between Germany and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.
Deputy Alexey Zhuravlev introduced a bill in late May which proposed to annul the decision of the Soviet Union's Council of People's Deputies of December 24, 1989, condemning the signing of the Soviet-German non-aggression Pact of 1939.
According to Zhuravlev, the resolution "does not comply with the principles of historical justice and was adopted in the context of increasing political instability of those years, accompanied by pressure from external forces." The Duma initiative was supported by 38 scientists, public figures and officers.
Last year, in an historic move, Russia released the original copy of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact. It was to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Pact's signing, the pre-World War II agreement between the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany.
This supposed "non-aggression" pact was signed by the two powers on August 23, 1939. The devastating impact of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact on the Baltic Republics was their loss of independence.
A new compilation of documents "Forced Alliance-Soviet Baltic diplomatic relations and international crisis 1939-1940," released by the Historic Foundation, outlines the tragic events. Essentially, the pact divided Europe into two spheres between Soviet Union and Germany.
Furthermore, on June 18th, the Russian Ambassador was summoned to the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry to discuss their "profound concern" over the Kremlin's agenda pertaining to the Pact.
Additionally, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dalius Čekuolis, stated that "the collusion of the two dictators, which is now being tried to rehabilitate, has been repeatedly condemned not only by the international community, but also by Russia itself."
He also expressed hope that "the Duma of the Russian Federation will have the wisdom to reject the project that returns today's Russia back to the totalitarian past."
Estonia, in a similar move, summoned the Russian Ambassador to their Foreign Ministry last Thursday to discuss the situation. The Estonian Foreign Minister, Urmas Reinsalu, said that "we express our discontent at the legal initiative being considered in the State Duma." Reinsalu added:
"The international community has repeatedly condemned the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact in the strongest terms. The pact and its secret protocols led directly to the cynical dividing of the world by two totalitarian regimes and paved the way for World War II, one of the most terrible chapters in our shared history."
This Baltic states were under Soviet rule from the end of World War II in 1945, from Sovietization onwards until independence was regained in 1991. The Baltic states were occupied and annexed, becoming the Soviet socialist republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
He added that this initiative is particularly reprehensible on the 75th anniversary of the end of world war II. "I hope that Russia does not proceed with a motion that is so disrespectful to the victims of these regimes."
The Latvian Foreign Ministry's Political Director, Janis Mažeiks, met with the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Latvia, Yevgeny Lukyanov, on June 18. Mazeiks indicated during the meeting with the Russian ambassador that the adoption of such legislation would impact Latvian-Russian bilateral relations and the EU's relations with Russia.
Mažeiks also pointed out that the draft legislation contains an interpretation of historical events that contradicts internationally well-established, undeniable and unambiguous facts, supported by extensive documentary evidence, and it may therefore be regarded as distortion of history.
Earlier this year, it was noted that the Kremlin has been using social engineering propaganda to glorify Stalin, and there is a higher approval rate of Stalin in modern Russia. There is also the utilization of the popular game shows in Russia to be used to further the agenda of the return of the Soviet Union.
It is clear Kremlin is forging ahead with its agenda to resurrect the Soviet Union, and to gain full control of the Eastern bloc. Are there dark times ahead for the European nations in the East?
Communal News Estonia Germany Latvia Lithuania Russia Soviet Union
Christina Kitova
I spent most of my professional life in finance, insurance risk management litigation.
Let your voice be heard! JOIN TODAY by registering for a free account.
Affordable Dream Weddings at Hubbard Chapel – Best of the Willamette Valley 2020 Winner!
Advocate Greshun De Bouse Car Tire Sabbatoged En Route to Tulsa Trump Rally
Houston (Wholesale & B2B Marketplace) Shop Online & Save
Israel Roundup — Inoculations, Adelson, Airstrikes


OK, Ashley must really love her Louis Vuitton Multipli-cité, because quite frankly… she's all over the blogs, and while she's got a ton of LV, she seems to be favoring this little wardrobe staple over other really great pieces. In fact recently… I hardly seen her carrying anything else.
And have you noticed? Take a look at the pics- it's like she's doing all she can to make sure we get a good picture- not of her… but of the bag! Don't get me wrong. The Multipli-cité is a fantastic bag! It's big, roomy and let's face it, I can use all the pockets I can get!!! But it just seems that her bags are almost "product placement". I mean, I'm not saying that LVMH is paying Ash to wear their bags, but maybe she wants it to look that way?
Anyway, if you're buying what she's selling… (and I am- I mean, she looks dang cute in that first picture- and the whole Disney High School Musical cast bugs me)… then we can help you wear what she's wearing, for less than the Boutique or Eluxury $1400 sticker price.
We have a gorgie, authentic, pre-owned Louis Vuitton Multipli-cite listed on eBay right now, that will sell for hundreds less than retail! So, go ahead… check it out! And remember, free shipping on any item that I blog about if you read about it here!!!


text:
'Army of the Dead' overruns Las Vegas; FOX TV preview
Tim Riley
Posted On Sunday, 30 May 2021 00:55
'ARMY OF THE DEAD' RATED R
Available in both movie theaters and the Netflix streaming service, "Army of the Dead" sounds like the work of filmmaker George A. Romero ("Night of the Living Dead"), but that would be a neat trick since he passed away nearly four years ago.
Taking up the mantle of mimicking Romero's body of work, Zack Snyder, who did a remake of the master's "Dawn of the Dead" in 2004, takes an aggressive approach to the genre in "Army of the Dead," where zombie heads are like targets in a carnival shooting gallery.
The setting is Las Vegas, not in the way you may remember it from your last visit. It's a walled-off city where the iconic welcome sign has been trashed and replaced by a notice that constitutional law does not apply.
No Bill of Rights protects the zombies. The president has announced that Sin City will soon be annihilated Hiroshima-style. But, first casino tycoon Tanaka (Hiroyuki Sanada) wants a team of mercenaries to pull off a heist of $200 million in his casino's vault.
For the job, he recruits fearsome Scott Ward (Dave Bautista), once a decorated soldier who rescued a high-ranking official from zombies but now a fry cook, to head up a team, with military sidekicks Maria Cruz (Ana de la Reguera) and Vanderohe (Omari Hardwick).
Part of the team consists of nervous German safecracker Dieter (Matthias Schweighofer) and wise-cracking, cigar-chomping helicopter pilot Marianne (Tig Notaro), who's great for some comic relief.
There's also the coyote Lilly (Nora Arnezeder), signed up to help the crew sneak into the undead zone, and Tanaka's insider Martin (Garret Dillahunt), a man with a secret plan who is distrusted by all the other mercenaries.
At two-and-a-half hours long, "Army of the Dead" needs some serious editing to trim the periods that drag a bit or even to shorten the seemingly endless sequences of shooting zombies in the head.
However, why quibble with the running time, when all we really need is to be entertained with a combination zombie apocalypse movie and heist thriller? For mindless fun, "Army of the Dead" makes the most out of the Vegas setting and zombie playbook.
FOX FALL SEASON PREVIEW
An annual ritual for the broadcast television networks is known as the "Upfronts," a presentation of upcoming series programming to the advertising industry which finances what ultimately shows up as entertainment on whatever device you choose.
This year, FOX reached out to the nation's critics to participate virtually, first in a press conference call with network executives and then in the one-hour online Upfront, both hosted by Charlie Collier, CEO of Fox Entertainment.
While the media industry is focused on big streaming services and a turn away from broadcasting, Collier made the case that FOX remains relevant for its programs to be exclusively ad-supported, claiming that no one can "corner the market on creativity."
The unveiling of the primetime slate for the 2021-2022 season during the Upfront revealed the network is adding four new dramas, two new comedies, four new unscripted series and one new animated comedy to its lineup.
Starting this fall, "The Big Leap" and "Our Kind of People" are two new dramas, and "Alter Ego" is a new unscripted series. The midseason is loaded with new programs that were announced at the Upfront.
Compared loosely to the "Glee" musical comedy-drama series, "The Big Leap" drama is a modern tale of second chances, which revolves around a group of diverse, down-on-their-luck characters participating in a reality dance show that builds to a live production of "Swan Lake."
On the heels of his latest show failure and with the help of his choreographer (Mallory Jansen), Scott Foley's Nick Blackburn signs on to produce a brand-new dance contest series filming in Motor City.
Inspired by Lawrence Otis Graham's provocative, critically acclaimed book, "Our Kind of People: Inside America's Black Upper Class," the titular new series takes place in the world of Oak Bluffs on Martha's Vineyard, where the rich and powerful black elite come to play.
"Our Kind of People" follows strong-willed, single mom Angela Vaughn (Yaya DeCosta) as she sets out to reclaim her family's name but soon discovers a dark secret about her own mother's past that will shake up the community.
As for a new unscripted fall series, "Alter Ego" is an all-new original singing competition where second chances are reignited when singers from all walks of life become the stars they always wanted to be, but only as alternative personalities.
By early in the new year, we'll have more to say about a slew of midseason new shows, including the promising comedy "Welcome to Flatch," where a documentary crew stumbles on a small Midwestern town populated with many eccentric personalities.
It may come as a surprise to no one that chef-cum-television personality Gordon Ramsay will be back with his umpteenth cooking competition, where "Next Level Chef" stages a unique culinary gauntlet over three floors of different kitchens.
Tim Riley writes film and television reviews for Lake County News.


EDUCATION: I graduated from Jackson Memorial High School in New Jersey. I then received my bachelor of science degree from Manhattan College, NY where I majored in elementary and special education and concentrated in psychology. I have completed graduate work in psychological counseling and in U.S. history.
WORK EXPERIENCE: I taught at the Alpha School in Lakewood, NJ, which is a school for the multi-handicapped. I completed my student teaching at PS 86 in Bronx, NY. I taught three years in New Jersey before I resided in Virginia. I am licensed in teaching special education, elementary education, and social studies. I meet the criteria for being Highly Qualified in English.This is my twelfth year teaching and my ninth year teaching at Dominion High School.


text:
Reality Tour Gets Up Close & Personal
The consequences of addiction can be devastating. Unfortunately, folks generally don't realize that until it's way too late. Reality Tour aims to change all that — one family at a time.
Make that one classroom full of families at a time. See Reality Tour generally takes place at schools. Makes sense considering kids sparked the cause. Parents, teachers and students aren't the only participants though. They aren't the only ones with stakes in the game either. After all, this Tour addresses an issue that deeply effects everyone in the community. Consequently participants also include folks who work in health care, law enforcement and recovery, as well as members of civic organizations and youth groups. Heck, even the average concerned yet otherwise unaffiliated citizen is eager to volunteer their time and talents to the cause. Why? Because Reality Tour works. It's really as simple as that.
What is Reality Tour?
The best way to learn about Reality Tour is to first learn about Norma Norris. Especially since she's the one saw a problem, then designed and implemented a solution. The problem of course was drugs. Specifically kids getting addicted to and dying from drugs. There'd been a rash of heroin overdoses in her hometown of Butler, Pennsylvania, and Norris wanted to do something about it. Oh, she knew that kids got drug prevention education from K-12. She also knew it wasn't working.
"I felt that parent and child need to be on the same page, with the same information," said Norris. "That information had to be delivered in an engaging manner; it had to be true, emotionally charged and consequence-driven."
The result was Reality Tour. In short, the Tour is a community-based drug prevention system. In reality, it's an immersive, one night stand that unites parents and children against a common enemy: drugs. The three-to-four hour program takes place during evenings or weekends (to fit everybody's schedules) and puts participants face-to-face with the dire consequences of addiction. This ain't no Scared Straight though. Not even close. Instead it's a balanced and thorough integration of drama and facts that's fit for the whole family.
Then again, it better be. Norris didn't ditch a 21-year radio advertising career in order to address half the issue. No, she dropped out of the rat race and devoted herself to something that addressed an issue in its entirety. She continues to do so too. Nearly two decades later.
See Norris didn't just invent and unleash Reality Tour for her hometown of Butler; she designed it for the whole wild world. Norris also established the non-profit CANDLE, Inc to oversee and administer the various tour stops just in case. Good thing too. Because Reality Tour now stops in 10 states and some three dozen counties. Rumor has it, the Tour will soon reach Canada as well.
There have been consequent accolades. In 2005, CANDLE, Inc received the National Association of Counties' Acts of Caring Award, and in 2008 the non-profit received SAMHSA's Service to Science Award while Reality Tour was named "Community-Based Crime Prevention Program of the Year" by the International Society of Crime Practitioners. Furthermore, in 2011 Reality Tour was accepted to the SAMHSA's National Registry of Evidence Based Programs and Practices NREPP, one of few grassroots programs ever to do so.
What's In a Reality Tour?
Again, the Tour takes place either during evenings or weekends in order to meet everyone's schedules. It also often establishes regularly scheduled (monthly/quarterly) prevention sessions.
Reality Tour additionally:
Networks all 12 sectors of the community and school partnerships
Uses existing resources & volunteers
Works in urban, suburban & rural settings
Supports other prevention activities
Energizes community around prevention
Proven sustainability for 16 years
Affordable, launch with or without grants
The Tour's Method is split into Three Parts:
Narrated scenes of life & death choices
Youth participant's own photo morphed
Appropriate for youth ages 10-17 with a parent
THE COPING SKILLS
Recognize 1st signs of use
10 personal goals for drug prevention
Refusal skills engagement
Law officer relates local trends
Youth in recovery de-glamorizes use
Parent of youth affected (optional)
After the University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy did some research on Reality Tour, it found that 92% of youth who attended the program used the information within 30 days. That's an incredibly welcoming number. And an incredible indicator of the program's success.
Healing Properties Salutes
Healing Properties wholeheartedly salutes Norma Norris for giving Reality Tour to the world. Community-based drug prevention is challenging, under even the best of circumstances. It's heartening to have someone meet that challenge head on. We'd also like to salute CANDLE, Inc for all the work it does above and beyond the program. The world could sure use a good few more just like them! (We'd also like to thank the in-the-know Andy Winemiller, who's Teen Court Supervisor at the Children's Center of Northwest North Carolina when he's not serving as some kind of secret weapon at Mount Airy News. Word is he actually wrote the Tour piece that led us to CANDLE, Inc.)
How about you? Could you or yours use a Reality Tour right about now? Might some other help be in order? It's out there you know? All you've got to do is call.
(Image: Courtesy ClipArtKey)
John Hood, on January 21, 2021 in Addiction Prevention
Tags: Butler Pennsylvania, CANDLE Inc, ClipArtKey, International Society of Crime Practitioners, John Peters II, National Association of Counties, Norma Norris, North Carolina, Reality Tour, SAMHSA, Service to Science Award, The Mount Airy News, University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy


text:
from settings_handler import settings
import os
import smtplib
import mimetypes
from email.MIMEMultipart import MIMEMultipart
from email.MIMEBase import MIMEBase
from email.MIMEText import MIMEText
from email.MIMEAudio import MIMEAudio
from email.MIMEImage import MIMEImage
from email.Encoders import encode_base64

def sendMail(subject, text, *attachmentFilePaths):

  recipient = settings.mailTo
  sender = settings.mailFrom
  msg = MIMEMultipart('mixed')
  msg['From'] = sender
  msg['To'] = recipient
  msg['Subject'] = subject
  msg.attach(MIMEText(text))
  print "Start sending mail:"
  print "Recipient: %s" % recipient
  print "Sender: %s" % sender
  print "Subject: %s" % subject
  print "Recipient: %s" % recipient

  for attachmentFilePath in attachmentFilePaths:
    msg.attach(getAttachment(attachmentFilePath))

  if settings.useSmtp():
    if "port" in settings.smtpServer:
        mailServer = smtplib.SMTP(    settings.smtpServer["address"],
                                    settings.smtpServer["port"])
    else:
        mailServer = smtplib.SMTP(settings.smtpServer["address"])

    if "security" in settings.smtpServer:
        if settings.smtpServer["security"] == "starttls":
            # handle starttls
            gmailUser = settings.smtpServer["login"]
            gmailPassword = settings.smtpServer["password"]
            mailServer.ehlo()
            mailServer.starttls()
            mailServer.ehlo()
            mailServer.login(gmailUser, gmailPassword)
  else:
    print "Using sendmail"
    mailServer = smtplib.SMTP('localhost')

  print "Sending mail"
  mailServer.set_debuglevel(1)
  mailServer.sendmail(sender, recipient, msg.as_string())
  mailServer.close()

def getAttachment(attachmentFilePath):
  contentType, encoding = mimetypes.guess_type(attachmentFilePath)
  if contentType is None or encoding is not None:
    contentType = 'application/octet-stream'
  mainType, subType = contentType.split('/', 1)
  file = open(attachmentFilePath, 'rb')
  if mainType == 'text':
    attachment = MIMEText(file.read())
  elif mainType == 'message':
    attachment = email.message_from_file(file)
  elif mainType == 'image':
    attachment = MIMEImage(file.read(),_subType=subType)
  elif mainType == 'audio':
    attachment = MIMEAudio(file.read(),_subType=subType)
  else:
    attachment = MIMEBase(mainType, subType)
  attachment.set_payload(file.read())
  encode_base64(attachment)
  file.close()
  attachment.add_header('Content-Disposition', 'attachment',   filename=os.path.basename(attachmentFilePath))
  return attachment


You are about to use our practice, which aims to facilitate the education of "self-care skills" which is one of the most demanding and most difficult-to-learn skills groups of our students. There are "Hand Washing", "Bathing", "Tooth Brushing" and "Toilet Training" skills in the interior and it is very simple to use. The design is kept as simple as possible and the writing is not used for the illiterate. Our application is set up for Windows and Android platforms and is intended for use on smartphones or tablet / smartphones. The color output of all the images in our application was taken and laminated. This gives us the longevity of our cards. With these cards, the teacher will be able to evaluate and repeat the learners both from the tablet / smartphone and from the intelligent board.