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Curtis Denies Protecting Police Chief Accused of Sexual Misconduct
Provo chief John King was forced out of office last year after he was accused of assaulting a volunteer
Rep. John Curtis, R-Utah, denied knowing about sexual harassment claims against Provo's former police chief. (Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call file photo)
By Eric Garcia
Posted March 22, 2018 at 8:56am
Utah Rep. John Curtis is denying charges that he ignored sexual harassment complaints about Provo's former police chief.
Curtis, who was mayor of Provo before his election to the House last year, sent a statement Wednesday to media outlets in response to a lawsuit filed the day before, according to The Salt Lake Tribune.
"I have not and would never knowingly do anything to shield any individual who acted inappropriately with respect to sexual harassment," he said.
Curtis also said the allegations were "not accurately reported" in the media.
The lawsuit was filed by five women who contend Curtis ignored complaints against former police chief John King, who was forced out of office late last year after allegations he assaulted a volunteer.
Curtis is accused of holding a meeting in 2014 with police supervisors in which he allegedly said he did not want to hear any more accusations about King.
The Tribune also reported that Curtis held a closed-door meeting about King's conduct in late 2015 or early 2016.
But Curtis said he received only two complaints about King.
"The first incident was when a police dispatcher informed the city that she felt uncomfortable with the way the former chief looked at her," he said.
Curtis said he never questioned the validity of the allegation and worked with the city's human resources department.
"I personally worked with the chief to set boundaries in dispatch to make a better work environment for the employee," he said.
Curtis said the second incident was a report of sexual assault that led to King resigning in March 2017. The woman in the case is one of the women in the lawsuit against Curtis.
"I received a phone call in my car from a woman who explained that she had been raped by the Provo City police chief," he said. "I never attempted to protect or shield John King or the horrendous actions."
Curtis also said he was not aware that when King worked for the Baltimore Police Department that he was forced out because of a report he assaulted a coworker.
"Somehow, we missed those warning signs," he said.
Watch: The #MeToo Impact on 2018


This Christmas, show your love for mustaches and everything that resembles one with the Mustache Ornament. Hang it up proudly beside your Tru Blood Bottle Christmas Ornament and Gingerbread Zombie Christmas Ornament.
Your own mustache might be growing a bit slow and it might take one more year before it will look as full as the one on the Mustache Ornament. And although you won't be able to stick this stache onto your upper lip, you can at least put it on display on the tree for everyone to see for a truly Mustache-y Christmas.
The Mustache Ornament is so in demand that it's still out of stock at the NeatoShop, but you can still pick it up at Mcphee for $6.51.


MARKSVILLE - The second of a pair of Marksville deputy city marshals that took part in a deadly officer-involved shooting in November may be released from jail as early as Wednesday, according to the sheriff's office.
That marshal, Derrick Stafford, and Norris Greenhouse Jr. were taken into custody on Nov. 6 after the duo was accused in connection with shooting and killing 6-year-old Jeremy Mardis and seriously injuring the boy's father, Christopher Few. Greenhouse and Stafford were with two other part time marshals when the shooting happened at the end of a pursuit that began when the marshals tried to serve Few with a warrant.
Stafford and Greenhouse were booked on one count of second-degree murder and one count of attempted second-degree murder each.
State Police would investigate the shooting, finding that there were no weapons inside of Few's vehicle as initially claimed. Investigators also couldn't locate the warrant the marshals were supposedly trying to serve when the chase began. It was also later revealed that Few had exited his vehicle with his hands up, and a total of 18 rounds were fired at the scene by the two deputies.
Greenhouse's family secured a $1 million property bond to bond the man out toward the end of November. Stafford has remained in jail as his family did not have access to the resources necessary to secure a similar bond. Now, Stafford's lawyers indicate that his family has secured enough property to up for a bond in the same amount. All of the necessary paperwork has been filed under seal, which means it is not open to public record. Regardless of whether or not he bonds out, Stafford will still appear in an Avoyelles Parish court on Sept. 26 when he is trial is scheduled to get underway.
After we posted our original story, Stafford's attorney called WBRZ and confirmed it was likely his client would be released sometime Wednesday afternoon, with paperwork processing beginning early in the morning.


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ArtsBeat | Cornell Sues Pei's Firm Over Museum Expansion Design
Cornell Sues Pei's Firm Over Museum Expansion Design
May 7, 2015 5:25 pm May 7, 2015 5:25 pm
The firm founded by the Pritzker Prize-winning architect I.M. Pei committed "architectural malpractice" in submitting "inherently flawed and materially defective" designs for the expansion of Cornell University's Johnson Museum of Art, the school has charged in a lawsuit.
Cornell alleges that it has experienced "at least" $1.1 million in damages as a result of designs by the firm Pei Cobb Freed & Partners that led to structural deficiencies, roof cavities, ceiling cracks and other flaws.
The news of the Supreme Court suit, filed last month in Tompkins County, was reported by the Ithaca Voice on Wednesday.
Mr. Pei designed the original museum in 1968, and the firm, from which he retired in 1990, was hired by the university in 2006 to build the addition. The new wing was completed in 2011, though some construction continued into 2012.
Neither the university nor the firm would comment because of the pending litigation.
The Pei firm's projects include the Louvre Pyramid in Paris, the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston and the Museum of Islamic Art in Doha, Qatar.
A version of this article appears in print on 05/08/2015, on page C2 of the NewYork edition with the headline: Cornell Accuses Pei Firm of Defective Designs.
Chris Rock to Direct Amy Schumer Special
Video Reviews of 'The D Train,' 'Hot Pursuit' and '5 Flights Up'

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Church cancels Gingrich appearance
CNN Associate Producer Gabriella Schwarz
(CNN) - The Basilica of St. John in Des Moines, Iowa canceled a screening of Newt Gingrich's documentary about Pope John Paul II, the church confirmed.
The former House Speaker and recent convert to Catholicism co-produced the film, "Nine Days that Changed the World." He was exepcted to speak at the viewing.
Dwayne Weuve, the Business Manager for the church said they were not able to "work out all of the details" for the May 16 event and that Gingrich's potential bid for the White House was "one of the considerations that went into it [the decision]."
The Des Moines Register reported the event could be considered a conflict of interest.
Rick Tyler, a spokesman for Gingrich, said the film has been screened across the country and "thousands have come to see and be inspired by its powerful message."
"These events are a time to come together to remember Pope John Paul II, his life, and the remarkable period of history," Tyler said. "These are in no way political events and it would be a shame not to go forward and share this movie with the Basilica in Des Moines."
"In any case, however, we will respect the decision of the Basilica of St. John," he added.
Filed under: 2012 • Newt Gingrich
EddyL
He's a fat lying slob
May 3, 2011 01:43 pm at 1:43 pm |
Rudy NYC
Most churches and non-profit groups (religous or otherwise) do not allow politicians to speak to their memberships. Especially politicians who bear a strong resemblance to being a candidate for an elected office, looking for votes.
It would appear that Mr. Gingrich is trying to return the favor. He feels that he has been "saved" and maybe even converted. Now he must want to save and covert church members. "Nahp! No thanks." I didn't say that. The church did.
Steve in Denver
"Recently" converted to catholicism? Does that mean after his two divorces (and the affairs that went with them)? Catholics can't be divorced and remarry, how does gingrich get a pass? Do the same archbishops who advocate denying communion to supporters of abortion rights also deny gingrich, who has committed an actual (in the eyes of the church) sin?
aleppo1091
Need a Catholic here to answer some questions: How would Newt's two previous marriages which ended in divorces filed by Newt when the women were critically ill, affect his conversion? Does the Church only recognize the 'sanctity' of marriage between two (heterosexual, of course) people? Do converts essentially get a 'Get out of Jail Free' card?
Bob Dog
Its super to see churches finally begin to flee the CHEAP HYPOCRISY and ETHICAL STENCH which is Newt Gingrich.
I'd object to gingrich in the catholic church, but I more strongly object to the man who was at the head of the catholic church during a great many sex scandals being a "saint." Bringing Bernard Law to the vatican so he won't be prosecuted isn't my idea of what Jesus would do with a man who facilitated the sex abuse in Boston. I don't know what Jesus would do, but I'm pretty sure he would not remove an archbishop who continually moved abusing priests around away from any accounibility.
Billy, NYC
In Newt's mind Chruch mean $$. A lot of $$. He changes his religion to get $$. Will he change his gender to get women's votes? Stay tune.
Danny Gonzalez
The reason why is because the film was produced by "citizens united" the same organization creating political films for the republican party; they are extremely partisan and it probably is one of the reasons the curch saw a conflict of interest on the film
Love the Church
re: carrotroot "Biden and Kennedy are good representatives of the Roman Catholic faith" Please don't say such things!!! Biden supports abortion which is directly against Catholic teaching and the Kennedy family has openly defied Church teaching on so many fronts that we can't begin to address them in this comment section! Maybe it takes a convert, not saying Gingrich is the one, to truly represent the Faith, since a convert studies just what makes a good Catholic and is not simply born into it. By the way, I am a cradle Catholic.
Thats because he,s a Natural Born Sinner. Talk about" I need to make some confessions" ???
Exactly the right decision. Keep political figures and their "stuff" out of the church.
RonC
"Fig" Newton is such a quack. Like a few others have posted, I'm sure the Church cancelled due to fact he want piles of cash to further his run for POTUS as there are very few that would donate even a quarter to him.
2 Old 2B Afraid
If one wants to celebrate the life of Pope John Paul 2, I suggest you read his autobiography rather than join Newt's Club for his Own Financial Growth. He's a flim flam man just as $arah Palin's family are grifters. Newt is all about tired old ideas and greed. He needs a long vacation in Somalia to appreciate what supporting the general welfare of America really means. And it's not full time wars, demonizing others, or claiming "American exceptionalism" to get money or votes.
Nothing new here
I am not Catholic, but I believe the Basilica of St. John made the right decision.


text:
49 posts tagged with MeFiHorrorClub and horror.
Displaying 1 through 49 of 49. Subscribe:
Movie: From the Dark
A couple on a trip through the Irish countryside find themselves hunted by a creature who only attacks at night. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Mar 6, 2016 - 7 comments
Movie: Tucker and Dale vs. Evil
Tucker & Dale are on vacation at their dilapidated mountain cabin when they are attacked by a group of preppy college kids. [more inside]
posted by Etrigan on Nov 13, 2015 - 18 comments
MeFi Horror Club: The Faculty
On October 30th, let's check out this 1998 high school alien invasion flick! It's got a strong cast, cool effects, and all the body snatching you can handle! [more inside]
posted by yellowbinder on Oct 23, 2015 - 0 comments
Movie: The Loved Ones
When Brent turns down his classmate Lola's invitation to the prom, she concocts a wildly violent plan for revenge. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Oct 17, 2015 - 6 comments
MeFi Horror Club: The Loved Ones
The next pick for MeFi Horror Club will be 2009's Australian film The Loved Ones, written and directed by Sean Byrne. iMDb's summary: "When Brent turns down his classmate Lola's invitation to the prom, she concocts a wildly violent plan for revenge." Good news: this movie is available in its entirety, legally and free through Paramount's YouTube Vault. [more inside]
Movie: Frogs
A group of hapless victims celebrate a birthday on an island estate crawling with evil frogs. [more inside]
posted by bakerina on Sep 25, 2015 - 6 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Frogs
A wealthy family is menaced during a Fourth of July birthday party by an army of ruthless amphibians, reptiles, and birds. [more inside]
Mefi Horror Club Volunteer?
Anyone interested in picking the next horror selection? [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Sep 13, 2015 - 15 comments
Movie: Killers
A serial killer and journalist form an unusual bond when they encounter each other on a website where users upload videos of murders. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Sep 12, 2015 - 0 comments
Mefi Horror Club: Killers
This movie is about the odd connection that evolves between a psychopathic executive and a journalist. [more inside]
posted by miss-lapin on Sep 4, 2015 - 2 comments
Movie: Creep
When a videographer answers a Craigslist ad for a one-day job in a remote mountain town, he finds his client is not at all what he initially seems. Trailer [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Aug 28, 2015 - 8 comments
Mefi Horror Club: Creep (2014)
Next up for the MeFi Horror Club, Creep, a low budget single camera movie about a craigslist job that goes wrong. Notable for Mark Duplass' eponymous performance and how so much of it is normal everyday creep behavior turned up a bit.
Movie: You're Next
When the Davison family comes under attack during their wedding anniversary getaway, the gang of mysterious killers soon learns that one of the victims harbors a secret talent for fighting back. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Aug 14, 2015 - 19 comments
MeFi Horror Club: You're Next (2011)
Next up for MeFi Horror Club: on August 13th, we'll be discussing You're Next (2011) by Adam Wingard. This is a kind of convention-tweaking slasher film, with considerably more energy and fluidity than standard slasher fare. It makes for a pleasing pivot from how these stories usually unfold. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Aug 6, 2015 - 5 comments
Movie: Killer Klowns from Outer Space
Killer Klowns from Outer Space is a 1988 American science fiction horror comedy movie made by The Chiodo Brothers and starring Grant Cramer and Suzanne Snyder. [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero on Jul 31, 2015 - 4 comments
Movie: Berberian Sound Studio
A sound engineer's work for an Italian horror studio becomes a terrifying case of life imitating art. [more inside]
posted by Artw on May 22, 2015 - 10 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Berberian Sound Studio
Toby Jones is hired as a sound engineer for Italian horror film "The Equestrian Vortex", or is something more sinister going on? It's Berberian Sound Studio, the next MeFi Horror Club film! [more inside]
posted by Artw on May 15, 2015 - 6 comments
Movie: Don't Look Now
John and Laura Baxter (Donald Sutherland and Julie Christie) move to Venice after the tragic drowning of their young daughter. There they encounter eerie visions, omens, psychic sisters and (of course) murders. [more inside]
posted by brundlefly on May 8, 2015 - 10 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Don't Look Now
posted by brundlefly on May 2, 2015 - 0 comments
Movie: Jacob's Ladder
A veteran attempts to discover the truth about a devastating attack on his unit in Vietnam years earlier, while reality crumbles around him and gives way to demonic, nightmarish visions. [more inside]
posted by Joakim Ziegler on Apr 24, 2015 - 10 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Jacob's Ladder (1990)
Jacob Singer (Tim Robbins) is a postal worker in New York City in 1975 who experiences frightening hallucinations and breaks with reality that are possibly related to a devastating attack on his unit in Vietnam four years earlier. As he tries to figure out what's going on, things turn even stranger and more sinister. [more inside]
posted by Joakim Ziegler on Apr 20, 2015 - 2 comments
MeFi Horror Club: The Host (2006)
In The Host, toxic chemicals create a monster of a problem in Seoul, South Korea. The director is Bong Joon-ho of Snowpiercer fame. It's funny, scary, and good fun. This is the pick for April 10. [more inside]
posted by Ik ben afgesneden on Apr 2, 2015 - 4 comments
Movie: Housebound
Kylie Bucknell is forced to return to the house she grew up in when the court places her on home detention. However, when she too becomes privy to unsettling whispers & strange bumps in the night, she begins to wonder whether she's inherited her overactive imagination, or if the house is in fact possessed by a hostile spirit who's less than happy about the new living arrangement. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Mar 27, 2015 - 7 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Housebound (2014)
The pick for March 27th will be Housebound. A surly bank robber is sentenced to house arrest at her parents' home, and a malevolent spirit isn't any happier about it than she is. canistream.it listing [more inside]
Movie: Friday the 13th Part 2
Friday the 13th Part 2 is a 1981 American horror film directed by Steve Miner. It is a direct sequel to Friday the 13th, picking up five years after that film's conclusion, where a new murderer stalks camp counselors at a nearby training camp. The film marks the first time Jason Voorhees is the antagonist. [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero on Mar 13, 2015 - 7 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Friday the 13th Part 2 (1981)
posted by Literaryhero on Mar 5, 2015 - 2 comments
Movie: The Orphanage
The Orphanage is a Spanish language horror film produced by Guillermo Del Toro, and directed by Juan Antonio Bayona. It is the story of a woman returning to her childhood home—an orphanage—with her husband and adopted son, intending to reopen the facility. [more inside]
posted by GrumpyDan on Feb 27, 2015 - 11 comments
MeFi Horror Club: The Orphanage (2007)
The Orphanage is the story of a woman returning to her childhood home—an orphanage—with her husband and adopted son, intending to reopen the facility. Produced by mefi favorite Guillermo del Toro, The Orphanage is praised by critics for its spooky atmosphere, good acting, and emotional core. [more inside]
posted by GrumpyDan on Feb 20, 2015 - 5 comments
Movie: Friday the 13th (1980)
Friday the 13th is a 1980 American slasher film directed by Sean S. Cunningham and written by Victor Miller. The film concerns a group of teenagers who are murdered one by one while attempting to re-open an abandoned campground, and stars Betsy Palmer, Adrienne King, Harry Crosby, Laurie Bartram, Kevin Bacon, Jeannine Taylor, Mark Nelson and Robbi Morgan. It is considered one of the first "true" slasher movies. [more inside]
posted by Literaryhero on Feb 13, 2015 - 9 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Friday the 13th (1980)
posted by Literaryhero on Feb 9, 2015 - 2 comments
MeFi horror club: House of the Devil
House of the Devil is one of those movies that's better not to know anything about the plot beforehand. Released in 2009, it is made to look like a horror movie from the late 70s/early 80s, and pulls off this aesthetic remarkably well. At the same time it is just a great horror movie, extremely effective at slowly building suspense to a terrifying climax. House of the Devil is available for streaming on Netflix and Amazon Prime. [more inside]
posted by Librarypt on Jan 9, 2015 - 8 comments
Movie: Triangle
The story revolves around the passengers of a yachting trip in the Atlantic Ocean who, when struck by mysterious weather conditions, jump to another ship only to experience greater havoc on the open seas. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Jan 2, 2015 - 20 comments
MeFi Horror Club: Triangle
Long one of MeFi's favorite horror movies, Christopher Smith's 2009 film Triangle gets the MeFi Horror Club treatment. The extremely vague iMDb blurb for it says: "The story revolves around the passengers of a yachting trip in the Atlantic Ocean who, when struck by mysterious weather conditions, jump to another ship only to experience greater havoc on the open seas." That doesn't tell you much, but if you haven't actually seen it before, you'll have a better time going in as blind as you can. The film stars Melissa George and Liam Hemsworth. And is freaking amazing. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Dec 29, 2014 - 9 comments
Movie: V/H/S: Viral
A wraparound story about a mysterious ice cream truck rampaging through Los Angeles ties together three found-footage horror shorts by various writers/directors. [more inside]
posted by doctornecessiter on Nov 21, 2014 - 10 comments
Horror Club 2.0 Brainstorming
So Horror Club, the very first MeFi movie club kind of petered out into nothing there. It can still work, but it maybe needs help. Let's brainstorm. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Nov 12, 2014 - 11 comments
Movie: House of Wax
An associate burns down a wax museum with the owner inside, but he survives only to become vengeful and murderous. Vincent Price stars. [more inside]
Movie: Ju-On
The original Japanese version of The Grudge, from 2002. A mysterious and vengeful spirit marks and pursues anybody who dares enter the house in which it resides.
Movie: Bride of Frankenstein
Mary Shelley reveals the main characters of her novel survived: Dr. Frankenstein (goaded by an even madder scientist) builds his monster a mate. [more inside]
MeFi Horror Club: #18 - Ju-On; #19 - VHS Viral
The next two picks in the MeFi horror club are Ju-On (The Grudge, the original 2002 version) and V/H/S Viral, which get a thread on the same day it is released via On Demand. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Oct 10, 2014 - 10 comments
Movie: Ravenous
THE SPIRIT OF 99 VIEWING CLUB + HORROR CLUB: Things aren't what they seem at this remote outpost in the American West around the time of the Mexican-American war and a new hire suspects claims of cannibalism have root in fact. [more inside]
posted by The Whelk on Oct 7, 2014 - 18 comments
Movie: Dead Alive
A young man's mother is bitten by a Sumatran rat-monkey. She gets sick and dies, at which time she comes back to life, killing and eating dogs, nurses, friends, and neighbors. AKA Braindead [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Oct 2, 2014 - 11 comments
MeFi Horror Club: October Bonus Picks!
In honor of Halloween, MeFi Horror Club is going to double up, with extra picks every Friday in October. By design, these picks will primarily be the kind of widely-seen movies that a hefty chunk of horror fans will have already seen. This will allow us to maybe lure in some people with big titles, cover some movies we'd normally skip for being too overexposed, and present the opportunity for people to comment on films they may know well enough they needn't rewatch them to join in. List after the jump... [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Sep 27, 2014 - 3 comments
MeFi Horror Club #16: Dead Alive (aka Brain Dead)
It pains me greatly to call something from 1992 a "retro" movie, but I couldn't call it "recent" with a straight face, so working within our parameters, it's "retro." [more inside]
Movie: Monsters
Six years after Earth has suffered an alien invasion a cynical journalist agrees to escort a shaken American tourist through an infected zone in Mexico to the safety of the US border. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Sep 24, 2014 - 15 comments
MeFi Horror Club #15: Monsters
The pick for this coming Wednesday is a "crossover" pick. It's 2010's Monsters by Gareth Edwards (whose Godzilla remake hit screens this summer.) [more inside]
Movie: Let the Right One In
Let the Right One In (Swedish: Låt den Rätte Komma In) is a 2008 Swedish romantic horror film directed by Tomas Alfredson, based on the 2004 novel of the same title by John Ajvide Lindqvist, who also wrote the screenplay. The film tells the story of a bullied 12-year-old boy who develops a friendship with a vampire child in Blackeberg, a suburb of Stockholm, in the early 1980s. [more inside]
MeFi Horror Club #14: Let the Right One In
Oskar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl. [more inside]
Movie: Maniac
When the owner of a mannequin shop helps a young artist with her upcoming exhibition, suppressed desires come to the surface. [more inside]
MeFi Horror Club: New Rotation Slot Idea
Hi everybody! Horror club is seven weeks in and still going strong. We've been trying to get a rotation going, to make sure we see a variety of films. But I think we still need another spoke or two in the wheel to really get things going. Here's a proposal: Sequel week. [more inside]
posted by DirtyOldTown on Jul 31, 2014 - 43 comments


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What Makes Superman So Iconic?
In his 80 years as a key part of modern pop culture superman has become instantly recognisable and in a word, iconic. Literally the archetype of almost every Superhero that followed, nearly every modern day superhero we see can relate to Superman in one way or another (be that via direct homages and influence, or a stark contrast to the type of hero he is).
Having endured for decades as one of the most influential and beloved superheroes, and overcoming a dip in popularity in more recent years with the likes of Batman taking centre stage, we still look to Superman as a truly iconic character who combines his incredible abilities, a huge amount of recognisable allies and enemies, and still manages to relate to audiences on a number of levels.
As a superhero audiences have often criticised the Man of Steel as being too over powered, and admittedly his super strength, near invulnerability and healing, flight, super speed, heat vision, super hearing, x-ray vision, ice breath all add up to a very powerful, and in many cases unbeatable hero. But if we look to his long history, we can see that his power levels have varied pretty significantly over the years.
When he was first introduced in the 1930's Superman couldn't fly and instead could simply 'leap' huge distances, he had super speed (which meant he could 'run faster than the fastest trains'), and super strength, but that was about it. Additionally, when we first met him Superman wasn't a unique Kryptonian, and everyone from the planet had these abilities on their own planet as well as ours. Soon after (in the Silver and Bronze ages of comics) Superman's powers were expanded upon significantly.
He could now fly, his strength was increased dramatically (with the ability to move planets), he was pretty much invulnerable, his super vision meant he could see through almost all substances except lead, and even across galaxies, he had an incredible intellect, hypnotic powers, his stamina and healing powers were also greatly increased, and of course 'Super Ventriloquism', which despite sounding a little ridiculous actually helped him throw off enemies and hide his secret identity.
From there, and after the crossover event 'Crisis' which changed many details of the DC Universe, Superman's abilities were attributed to Earths yellow sun (with Krypton having a Red Sun) and his powers were reduced significantly in an attempt to make him more appealing, less godlike, and make him easier to write (as realistically challenging him had become a relatively hard task).
This led to a significantly less powerful Kal-El, and almost all of his strengths were reduced to the point where numerous other heroes could over power him, and humans such as Lex Luthor and Batman were classed as smarter than him.
In the more modern era however Superman's powers have risen again, and leading up to the New 52 reboot in 2011 he wasn't quite at his strongest, but was a considerably more powerful version of the hero than we saw in the 90's (and around the time of the Death of Superman arc). Even now (excluding a short spell as a depowered hero as a part of the DC You initiative) the hero is more or less back to the 'standard' version of the Man of Steel, with the all of the powers the average person would expect from Superman.
Overall Superman's powers have been cited as perhaps one of his disadvantages, as they sometimes make his stories less engaging and his problems less serious, but it is impossible to deny that they are iconic, and that his powers are the archetype for the ultimate Superhero.
Much like Batman, one of Superman's biggest attributes is the amount of well known and popular allies he has. Characters such as Lois Lane and Jimmy Olson, Superboy, and Supergirl are almost as renowned as the Man of Tomorrow himself, and are a big part of Superman's appeal.
Lois Lane is of course a fundamental part of Superman's history and if we look to him as the archetype of a superhero, she is the archetype of a Superheroes' love interest. Originally Lois was one of the main people Clark tried to hide his superhero identity from, and thus she had significant ties to both Superman and Clark.
Like most characters in Superman's story Lois has gone through a number of alterations and retcons, and in the New 52 her relationship with Clark/Superman was a very different one, with Superman being romantically involved with Wonder Woman rather than her. Following the Rebirth soft reboot and the book Superman: Lois and Clark however, Superman and Lois are married once again, and now have a son Jon, with Lois becoming a much more significant character in her own right over the years, far surpassing the love interest role she was once relegated to.
Again if we look to Superman as the archetype of a Superhero, then Jimmy Olson is surely the mould for the best friend/sidekick character. Being the best friend of Clark Kent and a photographer at the Daily Planet, Jimmy Olson used to feature much more prominently than he does now, at one point even getting his own comic book. Olson was traditionally Superman's confidant, and was for a while one of the few people who knew Superman's true identity.
There have been a range of characters to take on the mantle of Superboy, with Kon-El/Connor Kent being the most prominent. The various versions of the character have ranged from being clones of Superman, children of Superman or other Kyrptonians (such as General Zod), or versions of the character from alternate dimensions, regardless of the origin however the relationship between Superboy and Superman has primarily been a parental one, with Superman offering guidance, help and advice for Superboy.
Superman's relationship with other superheroes, in particular that of the Justice League is yet another of his appealing traits; he often takes on the father figure/'do gooder' type role, with many of the younger heroes, like Shazam, idolising him. Through his extremely strong powers, and the fact he is an alien with no planet of his own, he is able to connect with characters like Martian Man Hunter, or even Wonder Woman, and the Flash in a way that few others can.
Perhaps his most interesting relationship, is of course the dynamic Superman shares with Batman. Being the two biggest DC heroes there is, and amongst the most popular hero characters in the world there was always going to be a comparison between the two. That, added to the fact that in some ways they are almost exactly the same (a lack of biological parents, their incredible motivation and drive to do what is right and to make the world a better place), where as in others they couldn't be further from each other (Batman's lack of powers, their world view, and what it takes to get the job done) their relationship is one of the more interesting in comics.
The dynamic between the two has been portrayed by a number of the industries' biggest names, and Batman and Superman have had their own comic book on and off for a number of years, with the 'fremenemy' relationship they share being yet another of the things that makes Superman so iconic.
Perhaps the best way to measure a hero is to look to his villains, and Superman has one of the best known rogues gallery in modern pop culture, with only characters such as Batman and Spider-Man having a more recognisable list of enemies.
Interestingly Superman's arch nemesis is of course Lex Luthor, who unlike the god-like super powered alien that is Sueprman, is simply a very intelligent (and very rich) human. The relationship between Lex and Superman has varied over the years, with some stories (and the TV show Smallville) showing them to be childhood friends, whereas others have Lex simply hating Superman from a fear/jealousy point of view.
Through his huge intellect and vast wealth Lex has all sorts of schemes and plans to stop Superman ranging from an extensive use of Kryptonite, to cloning the Man of Steel (an experiment which in various stories has resulted in versions of Superboy, Cyborg Superman, and Bizzaro – the later two being important Superman villains in their own right). Luthor has gone on to be on of the most important characters in the DC Universe, and in the current Rebirth run of Action Comics is actually a hero, utilising an Iron Man like suit that gives him the abilities of Superman.
On a relatively level heading with Luthor in Superman's bad books is Zod, a former Kryptonian General who is hell bent on destroying Superman. Like all comic book characters Zod's past has changed a number of times over the years, and in some cases he is responsible for the destruction of Krypton.
A few things remain true about him near enough in any incarnation however, namely he almost always survived the destruction of Krypton whilst being trapped in the Phantom Zone (a parallel dimension where Krypton sent it's criminals), he shares the powers of Superman when in contact with a yellow sun, and he more often than not has some sort of relationship with Jor-El, Superman's father. Zod has featured in a number of prominent Superman arcs, as well as in the first two of the Christopher Reeve movies, and 2013's Man of Steel.
Although one of the more recent additions to Superman's rogues gallery, Doomsday is still one of the biggest (both in terms of size, and how big of a deal he is). Usually depicted as some sort of ancient being from Krypton with limited brain power or emotion, set on destroying the last remaining Kyrptonian (Superman). Doomsday succeeded in his ultimate goal in the year of his debut and actually killed Superman in the Death of Superman arc, he has since gone on to be one of the more prominent Superman villains since his inception, and feared in 2016's Batman v Superman (as the evil force that eventually unites the heroes).
Where some villains challenge Superman on a physical/power level, others do so on a more intellectual level. One of the biggest and best villains who more often than not combines the two approaches is Brainiac.
One of the most powerful beings in the DC Universe, and although he has various origins and back stories is usually depicted as a sort of android/cyborg who is extremely intelligent, very powerful and enjoys collecting worlds and cities, he even extracted Kandor, the capital city of Krypton, moments before the planets destruction and has miniaturised and preserved it ever since. Being a villain that can control almost any machine, transfer his consciousness with extreme ease, produce force fields to withstand Superman, and a range of other telepathic abilities (again depending on the version) Brainiac has gone on to become not only one of Superman's, but also the Justice League's, most powerful and dangerous adversaries.
Superman has a huge range of formidable villains, each of whom challenge him in a very different way; Metalo, who is part Kryptonite, Parasite who can drain and steal peoples powers, Cyborg Superman and Bizzaro who are a match for the Man of Steel in terms of sheer power, Mister Mxyzptlk who is a 5th dimensional being who can do pretty much anything, and Darkseid, the new god, and ruler of Apokolips has always had it out for Superman. The Man of Steel has a huge villain's roster, and each of them add to the appeal and depth of the character as each one challenge the god-like hero in a number of different ways.
When discussing Superman, his popularity, his powers and his relationship to his audience the obvious comparison is of course Batman, comparatively the two heroes are popular for very different reasons; Batman is a grounded and flawed human character, whereas Superman is a god-like alien who more often than not always sticks to the rules, and as such we connect with them on different levels.
Superman is an unstoppable physical force, who is invulnerable to almost any kind of damage, he can fly, has super strength, super hearing, super vision and can shoot laser beams from his eyes, in short he is the archetype of a superhero, and combines a number of amazing abilities, none of which any human can relate to on a realistic level. And so the relationship between Superman and his audience comes more from a basis of fascination, escapism, and the desire to experience a more fantastical world than our own, rather than one of relatability.
Of course Superman has emotions, often deals with past mistakes, and has relatable qualities (just like Batman) but generally his life and actions are not defined by the trauma of his past (as Batman's are), Superman instead looks forward, attempting to make Earth his new home, rather than look back to the loss of his own planet and parents, and is generally speaking a more 'perfect' character than the damaged one of Batman. The relationship the audience shares with Superman is thus one of escapism and fantasy, as well as one of admiration and aspiration, all of which totals to a truly iconic hero.
As a character Superman has evolved time and again over the years, and adapted to culture and society repeatedly, this has allowed him to sustain his relevance and popularity for a very long time. Words such as 'Kryptonite' are near enough commonplace both inside and outside of pop culture, and prove undeniably that Superman's iconic status will ensure his enduring popularity for at the very least another 80 years.


text:
Q: Ssh into server from within ZeroTier network only I would like:
1) all devices within a ZeroTier network to be able to ssh into each other via ZeroTier IPs.
2) No devices from outside the network to be able to ssh into the network neither via ZeroTier IPs or standard public IPs.
The issue is that in spite of having my devices on the same ZT network, I can still ssh into those via public IP. How do I prevent this?
IP address for eth0:            104.xxx.xx.xxx (public IP)
-> should not be able to ssh using this IP

IP address for ztxxxxxxxx:      10.xxx.xx.xx (ZeroTier IP)
-> should be able to ssh using this IP

Many thanks.

A: You need to bind the sshd process to the ip given by zerotier to your server,
follow the steps on this link: http://www.geekpills.com/operating-system/linux/how-to-limit-ip-binding-in-ssh-server

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Style is the most general criterion. Rugs can be traditional, contemporary, or transitional. Within these broad categories there are endless designs and colors.
Provenance is where the rug was made. For traditional rugs this affects the design, since different areas have different traditions. For example, an Anatolian rug will have a different look from one made in Tabriz, and both will be quite distinct from a Turkoman rug.
We pride ourselves in having the most unique furniture selection in the area. From beautiful hand-carved Oriental wedding chests executed in reclaimed elm, to luxurious seating with hand-carved legs and available in thousands of fabrics, to that special piece for the foyer, we strive to offer pieces that amplify a distinct personality that distinguishes an Abu home.
With our unique and often one-of-a-kind assortment, you can be assured of furniture that reflects your personality and is unique just to you. Our furniture will fit perfectly into any home. Whether it be traditional, transitional or contemporary, we have selections to satisfy the most demanding tastes. You'll feel as if we had shopped just for you.
As an extension to our palatial location, we have added an event center so that you can enjoy the feeling of royalty in the ambiance that our center provides.
Call 336.454.7771 or email palaceevents@aburugs.com to book your next event with us and we shall be glad to discuss the details with you.
Come and enjoy a walk through of our beautiful facility.
We promise to make your event a one to cherish for a lifetime.
With 30 years plus experience in the rugs business, we understand the need to maintain your rugs and our expert staff know exactly how to do so. Be it basic or deep cleaning or even shampooing your carpet to make it renew its appearance and feel, our staff does it all. You can also download our cheat sheet which provides excellent guidelines and tips to maintain your prized possessions.
Our master weavers restore damaged rugs with a lot of care and precision almost to the point where it is hard to believe that the damage ever existed.
Over time, damage to your floor can be caused by collections of dirt and grime underneath your rug. These small abrasions can scratch your hardwood floors or wear down carpeting. Rug pads also help to prevent dyes from rugs staining carpet when there is a spill.
At Abu's we want you to take care of your carpets just like we do. With our years of experience in the industry, we have put together a set of instructions with some tips and tricks that will go al long way in preserving your prized possessions. Click here to download the cheat sheet.
Just sending a note to thank you again for your help in appraising my hand-knotted silk Kayseri Turkish rug. Sewing the loops on the backside, and adding the rod and tassels, makes for a perfect wall hanging. You can see this in the Photo Jim texted to you. I will enjoy this work of art for many years to come.
During our visit, we reflected on our many travels, especially in Europe and the Middle East. As a young man just out of high school, I spent 2 years on a navy destroyer. Most of those two years, we were in the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Later on, as part of my career with AT&T, I lived in Tehran for two years 1977-1979. This is when the Iranian Revolution was brewing. For the most part, the Iranian people were friendly and hospitable to us expats. You and I were fortunate to experience the different cultures in various parts of the world.
I am impressed by the quantity, quality, and variety of carpets in your showrooms. Your knowledge and experience, combined with your focus on customer service, will ensure your success in the future.
The moment I walked into Abu Rugs and Home I felt very welcome. The staff was incredibly knowledgeable and friendly and led me to selecting a rug I know I'll pass down to my children.


There has always been a debate about whether George Gershwin's Porgy and Bess is an opera or a musical. But who cares? Gershwin epic tale stars Musa Ngqungwana as Porgy, praised by the New York Times for his "rich, glowing voice and elegant legato". Laquita Mitchell first sang Bess with San Francisco Opera and subsequently with Boston Symphony, Cleveland and Tanglewood. Her onstage husband Crown is Donovan Singletary recently of the Young Artist Program at the Metropolitan Opera; South African Rheinaldt Tshepo Moagi is drug dealer Sportin' Life.
The action takes place in South Carolina in the 1930s.
People relax after work at Jasbo Brown's club; in the courtyard of Catfish Row, Clara sings a lullaby to her child. Her husband, Jake, sings his own lullaby and gambles on dice with friends including Sportin' Life, a drug-dealer. Porgy, a beggar, tries to join in and defends Bess against the gossip. Jake accuses Porgy of being soft on her. Porgy's viewpoint is that God made him a cripple and meant him to be lonely.
Bess and her husband Crown join the dice game. Crown loses and picks a fight with Robbins who is killed. Crown runs to hide, telling Bess he will be back. Sportin' Life offers to take her to New York, but she refuses. They wait for the police.
Bess is shunned by everyone. Porgy offers to help her.
The mourners at Robbins' funeral are led by his widow, Serena. The police appear and arrest Peter the Honeyman as a "material witness." Serena convinces the undertaker to bury Robbins for less than his usual fee. Bess leads the mourners and the community reluctantly allow her a place amongst them.
Life in Catfish Row is back to normal. Jake is about to leave for work on the fishing boat but Clara begs him to stay. Every year around this same time, there are dangerous storms.
Porgy compares his own life to theirs. Sportin' Life is still selling his "happy dust." Lawyer Frazier arrives and sells Bess a divorce. Mr. Archdale, a well-meaning white man, offers to pay Peter's bail.
Everyone is preparing for the church picnic on Kittiwah Island. Sportin' Life again asks Bess to leave for New York. Again she refuses. She has given up dope and with Porgy has found happiness. Porgy spots a buzzard flying over the town and yells at it to go away. It is a bad omen.
As Maria heads to the boat, she invites Bess to join the picnic. Bess initially declines but is persuaded. Porgy stays behind.
At the picnic, Sportin' Life sings about his own brand of religion. The picnic is nearly over when Crown, hidden in the bushes, calls out to Bess. She tells him she's Porgy's woman now, but he blocks her escape.
Some time later, Bess is still delirious after Crown's attack. Peter wants to send her to the hospital, but Serena would rather pray over her. The street fills with people and Bess eventually emerges. She explains to Porgy that she wants to stay with him but that Crown won't allow her to. Porgy vows to protect her.
Everyone gathers in Clara's room and prays for shelter from the hurricane. Eventually the storm surge recedes and the women are crying for their men lost at sea. Sportin' Life teases them. Crown enters and fights Porgy who kills him.
When the police and the coroner arrive the next morning, everyone pleads dumb. Porgy is asked to identify Crown's body, but refuses so is dragged off to jail. Sportin' Life tells Bess that Porgy will be locked up for a long time. She eventually succumbs to the happy dust and is persuaded by Sportin' Life's dreamy depiction of their new life together.
A week later, Porgy returns and discovers Bess has left with Sportin' Life. Determined to find her, Porgy prays to God and sets out to New York City.


text:
Q: object issues of javascript I constructed a function defined as
var Func1 = function()
{
    return {
             alert: function() { alert( "Lady Gaga" ); }
           };
};

And I assigned Func1() to a variable, like this:
var func1 = Func1();

I found something make no sense to me that Func1() created an object for func1 although I didn't put the new in front of it.
Isn't that objects could only be created by new?
What happened when the expression above is being executed?

A: JavaScript doesn't need the new keyword. The above code assigned the return value to the newly created func1 variable.

A: Look at what you are returning from Func1:
return {
    alert: function() { alert( "Lady Gaga" ); }
};

You return an object, and that object is assigned to func1. So func1 = Func1(); simply calls Func1, and assigns the result of that to func1.

A: Your function is creating an object with:
{
    alert: function() { alert( "Lady Gaga" ); }
};

Using that notation, there's no need to use the new operator.

A: The () actually executes the function, which returns an object with a method (a method is a property of type function).
In JS, you don't explicitly call new to create new objects:
var song = {
  name: "Entrenched",
  artist: "Morbid Angel"
};

song.artist = "Bolt Thrower";

This creates an object with the properties name and artist.

A: When you write a javascript literal object (json like), it's the equivalent to create a new object with the new operator and assign its properties.
This
var a = { test: 123, caca: 'pipi' };

Is the same as
var a = new Object();

a.test = 123;
a.caca = 'pipi';

A: The new keyword used with a function is one way to create an object, but not the only way. It means that a new object will be created with the specified function called as a constructor - within the constructor the this keyword will reference the new object, and the new object will be returned. Call the same function without the new keyword and an object will not be created.
The object literal syntax (e.g., var x = { }; or return { };) is another way to create an object.


text:
Die Liste der Kategorie-A-Gebäude in South Ayrshire umfasst sämtliche in der Kategorie A eingetragenen Baudenkmäler in der schottischen Council Area South Ayrshire. Die Einstufung wird anhand der Kriterien von Historic Scotland vorgenommen, wobei in die höchste Kategorie A Bauwerke von nationaler oder internationaler Bedeutung einsortiert sind. In South Ayrshire sind derzeit 73 Bauwerke in der Kategorie A gelistet.

Weblinks

 Datenbank für Baudenkmäler von Historic Scotland

!Kategorie A
South Ayr

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
David J Singh (2009)
For contributions to the methodology for electronic structure calculations and in applications to diverse classes of materials.
Charles Forsberg (2006)
For his leadership in light-water reactor development, reactor safety, and the disposition of uranium waste.
Lynn A Boatner (1992)
For research leading to the development of new materials and to the solution of a wide range of fundamental and applied problems in solid-state science through the application of modern methods for the synthesis and characterization of ceramics, glasses, and alloys and the growth of single crystals.
Samuel H Liu (1988)
For fundamental contributions to many areas of theoretical solid-state physics that directly relate to experimental programs, including the electronic structure and magnetism of transition and rare-earth metals, metal-electrolyte interfaces, superconductivity, and physical properties of heavy fermion, mixed valent, and fractal materials
Benjamin A Carreras (1986)
For contributions to understanding plasma turbulence and the nonlinear properties of magnetohydrodynamic instabilities, especially their role in explaining the behavior of magnetically confined plasmas, and for development of new magnetic confinement concepts that overcome these limitations.
Senior Corporate Fellow (2)


text:
FOX 7 Care Force
City of Bastrop to begin enforcing hands-free ordinance
Round Rock neighborhood on high alert for bobcats
LBJ: the 'can-do' man who helped get us to the Moon
Teen beaten at park, father asks attackers to come forward
Body cam footage, 911 call released from officer-involved shooting last March
Good Day Austin
Cooking with FOX 7
Pets Page
FOX 7 Sports on YouTube
FOX 7 Unplugged
FOX 7 News Team
FOX 7 Signal
Job Shop
Police open murder investigation after grass fire
By Bridget Spencer, FOX 7 Austin
Posted Aug 29 2018 10:16PM CDT
Video Posted Aug 29 2018 09:18PM CDT
Just before 6:30 on Sunday evening, the Austin Fire Department was notified about smoke coming from the 7500 block of South IH-35.
"When they arrived on scene they observed a campsite in the woods that was on fire, as they got closer they observed a body," said Sgt. Eric De Los Santos, Austin Police Department.
Police identified the body as 66-year old Harold Parham, a homeless man who lived at the campsite.
"Mr. Parham was burned so assessing his injuries at that time was difficult, so he was transported to the medical examiner's office," said De Los Santos.
An autopsy revealed he died from what police said was a "penetrating wound." There are pieces to the puzzle detectives are still putting together.
"Earlier in the day about 10:00 am there was another campfire relatively close to this one. The person AFD believes lit that fire has been arrested. I can tell you that person obviously is a person of interest in ours," said De Los Santos.
Court documents say the man arrested for arson was Richard Wroblewski. Police say he started a fire intentionally earlier that same day, after an argument over his bike being stolen. Another witness told police around the time of the morning fire, she could see three men leaving the wooded area carrying propane tanks.
"This community that lives in that particular area, they all know each other, so was there an argument amongst the group?" said De Los Santos.
Police say the evening fire and murder are definitely connected. The morning fire, that's still uncertain.
By Jennifer Kendall, FOX 7 Austin
Posted Jul 16 2019 08:52PM CDT
Updated Jul 16 2019 09:35PM CDT
A new hands-free ordinance is in effect in Bastrop city limits, although police said they need to fix some street signs before enforcement begins.
"I think it's time. Might save a life or two," said Chris Blair who learned about the dangers of distracted driving seven years ago.
"I was run over by a lady at 6 o'clock, changing a boat tire as a pedestrian, she was doing 70 miles an hour, she was on the phone and it changed my life," Blair said. "Things have been a lot different since then."
By Steven Sarabia, FOX 7 Austin
A Round Rock neighborhood is high alert Tuesday night because of bobcats and the family who got pictures of one worries pets could be on the menu.
Michelle Powell's family was enjoying the morning in their backyard when an unsuspecting visitor walked by. Powell quickly alerted the neighborhood as she doesn't want any kids or pets to get hurt.
Round Rock has plenty of creeks and greenbelts which, according to the city, means plenty of wildlife in them including bobcats.
By Casey Claiborne, FOX 7 Austin
50 years ago, Lyndon B. Johnson looked up. He'd been out of office for about six months as he watched the three-man crew of Apollo 11 launch into outer space -- a mission that would make history.
"What amazes me is that half a century after this remarkable achievement we can still look back and think 'how did we do that?' said Mark Updegrove, president of the LBJ Foundation.
Updegrove says LBJ was one of the catalysts for forming NASA.
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Silver Plated Bracelet Cuff with Natural Quartz [SPJ2470] - $7.00 : Mexico Sterling Silver Jewelry, Proundly from Mexico to the world.
Dimensions: Inside Circumference : 7 1/4" Length : center[piece 1 1/4"
Mexican silver plated bracelet cuff with a rustic design, simple and modest composition that has a special appeal. Its only decoration is on the centerpiece where you will find a light purple color quartz, this is a rough natural stone, only polished on the front and back, but most of the edges are rough too.
This Taxco plated bracelet also was completely handmade, just like most of my jewelry.


I am a passion driven Professional Makeup Artist with over a decade of extensive experience in beauty, makeup industry and expertise over top brands. It had been pleasure creating more than Hundreds of Happy Brides.Makeup is My Art. I believe it is magical and exhibits the skill of the makeup touch.. It hides the flaws and compliments the features, outfit and occasion. It gives confidence and Self esteem .


Bangladesh confirms what we all knew: he made comments calling Swizz Beatz irrelevant. He clarifies what happened to ThisIs50.
Check out the latest video from Bangladesh, Bangladesh "Christmas Time In The Hood" Video.
Hit up Bangladesh's profile page for the latest info, news, songs, and mixtapes. Remember to follow Bangladesh on Twitter.


text:
Cubby Bones Bios
Steve Wiest
Steve Wiest is a multiple Grammy-nominated trombonist, composer, author, and cartoonist. The former soloist and writer for Maynard Ferguson, Steve went on to perform on the road with Doc Severinsen and the Old Tonight Show Orchestra as well as many other artists. Steve has numerous recordings out as a leader, the most recent of which is the debut album from the critically-acclaimed all-star horn band Vinyl Hampdin. Along with being the trombonist with the group, Wiest has composed and arranged all eleven tracks for their new recording titled "RED." Joining Steve in Vinyl Hampdin is an all-star assemblage of Grammy and Juno winners: Lisa Dodd, Frank David Greene, Ray Herrmann, Sly5thAve, Stockton Helbing, Ryan Davidson, Eric Gunnison, Art Bouton, and Gerald Stockton.
Steve Wiest is a clinician for Edwards Instruments and plays the custom "Excalibur" version of the T302 and the Griego-Steve Wiest Mouthpiece (gold plated) exclusively.
To learn more about Steve, please visit his website at steve-wiest.com
Steve Wiest on the Chicago Cubs:
Man, for as long as I can remember, I have been a Cubs fan. It was already in my DNA as my father was an avid fan and even as a child he and some buddies crawled over the fence (at that time) to get into Wrigley to see the 1945 World Series! Growing up in the 1960s (elementary school years) my father took me and my brothers to Wrigley often. Getting to see Ernie Banks hit a home run in person was a regular occurrence for me in those years. I thought of that 1969 team (Ron Santo, Ernie, Billy Williams, Glenn Beckert, et al) as some kind of Justice League of America–and Wrigley was my ultimate temple of Super-Heroes!
Like all lifelong Cubs fans, I am STILL thrilled that I lived to see our 2016 World Championship–in truth, I still wake up occasionally in a cold sweat thinking that Cleveland somehow won that game...a perfect "Goat Curse" moment would have been KB slipping and then throwing over Rizzo's head as the winning run scored. But that did NOT happen! Kris did slip (so did my heart) but big-and-tall Rizz grabbed the high toss and WE WON THE WORLD SERIES!)
To write for and play in the Cubby Bones is a dream come true for this Cubs Blue-Bleeding young man! As part of our original visit to Wrigley recently with the Manager of Cubs entertainment Max Berman, I actually got to stand in the same on deck circle where "Mr. Cubs" Ernie Banks stood all those years ago. Such is the power of music, such is the passion of being a Cubs fan!
Dave Dickey
Dave Dickey is a trombonist, educator, clinician, and band leader. He currently directs and performs in the 18 piece Dave Dickey Big Band, Mosaic Jazz Sextet, and co-directs the Cubby Bones. While living in Miami, Dave toured Europe, Canary Islands, South America, Central America, Mexico, and United States with Latin artists such as Celia Cruz, Rey Ruiz, Arturo Sandoval, Nestor Torres, Huey Dunbar, Tito Nueves, and Charlie Cruz. During that time, Dave was an musician and actor for 2 DVDs: Arturo Sandoval's HBO movie "For Love or for Country" (with Andy Garcia, Charles S. Dutton, Gloria Estefan, Mia Maestro, and Jose Zuniga) and perfored and soloed in a documentary DVD/CD on Cuban music called "La Cuba Mia" performing with Celia Cruz, Willy Chirino, Miliki, and other Cuban artists.
Dave has also performed with David Sanborn, Louie Bellson, Dave Liebman, Bobby Shew Randy Brecker, Vic Damone, Johnny Mathis, Four Freshman, Roberta Flack, Temptations, and others. Dave was also the creator and programmer of a popular trombone internet radio show called Groove Bone from 2004-2013. This was a radio show featuring the trombone on small group and big band jazz, Latin jazz, and funk recordings. The show also featured interviews with well-known jazz trombonists and autographed CD contests. Dave was also a jazz DJ at WDNA - Miami for 5 years and at WEFT - Champaign for 4 years.
Dave on the Chicago Cubs:
Dave Dickey was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa and was always a big Cubs fan. He would attend Iowa Cubs games with his family at Sec Taylor Stadium (which is now the beautiful Principal Park). On school days, Dave would hurry home from school to turn on WGN to watch his Cubs. His favorite player for the Cubs was Ryne Sandberg and would also copy his bat stance. Dave's favorite number growing up and today is still 23 (Ryne Sadberg's and Michael Jordan's retired numbers). Dave tries his best to never miss a game: watching on tv on MLB@Bat listening to Len Kasper and Jim Deshaies, or radio with Cubs announcers Pat Hughes and Ron Coomer, or cheering them on at Wrigley Field.
Tom Garling
Tom Garling's career started at the age of twenty, when he joined Buddy Rich's Big Band in 1986. Later, he joined Maynard Ferguson's band in 1993, and in 1995 became Maynard's Music
Director until 1998. He maintains a busy performing schedule at premier jazz clubs and large venues in Chicago and around the world. His playing and writing can be heard on numerous albums by Maynard Ferguson, Buddy Rich, the Chicago Jazz Ensemble and the Chicago Yestet, to name a few. Most recently, he toured with Frank Sinatra Jr. for 4 years, and just completed a 2 week tour of Japan as a guest artist. He has been in high demand in the music scene for over 30 years as a performer, composer, arranger, director, recording artist, and educator.
To learn more about Tom, visit his website at www.tomgarling.com
Tom on the Chicago Cubs:
I can hear Jack Brickhouse as if it was yesterday: "Back, Back, Back....Hey Hey!" The kids in my neighborhood would play baseball every summer starting when I was about bout 7 years old, roughly 1972. Our favorite thing to do was pick a player to be for every game. I remember my favorite choices were Billy Williams, Jose Cardenal, Ron Santo, and Don Kessinger. We would imitate some plays we saw while watching the Cubs, like the Jose Cardenal fake bunt-homer. Or another play when (I think it was) Rick Monday had a fly ball pop out of his glove, and Billy Williams made a diving catch before it touched the ground. I cried when the the Cubs lost to the Padres in the NLCS in 1984. When the Cubs won the World Series, my first thought was how happy Ron Santo would have been if he were still alive, Enough said.......
Andy Baker
Born and raised in London, trombonist Andy Baker was performing professionally at the age of 14 and had appeared on recordings and TV shows by 18.
Andy toured extensively, performing at major jazz festivals and clubs across the world before relocating to Chicago in 2001. Quickly establishing a reputation as one of the most versatile musicians in town, Andy performs and records with many of Chicago's finest jazz and contemporary music ensembles, is the musical director of the New standard Jazz Orchestra, a member of Fulcrum Point, and leads his own sextet.
Andy's recorded compositions and arrangements include works for brass ensembles, jazz orchestras, rock bands and commercial television. Andy is an Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Jazz Studies at the University of Illinois at Chicago.
To learn more about Andy, visit his website at www.andybakertrombone.com
Andy on the Chicago Cubs:
Although I first went to Wrigley in 1999, my love affair with the Cubs really started after I moved to Chicago in 2001. Hanging out in our apartment with very little to do but practice, I watched and listened to most day games that year!
I started going to Wrigley regularly in 2002 (when they were so bad, the team were giving away tickets at my local Jewel..) and have been going ever since.
They've broken my heart a few times - 2008 was particularly rough - but I sill love 'em!"
Tom Matta
Bass Trombonist Thomas Matta is an Associate Professor of Jazz Studies at DePaul University, and boasts a body of work as a musician that spans an impressive spectrum of genres, styles, and disciplines. An active performer, Mr. Matta has performed extensively internationally, and is one of the most sought-after bass trombonists in Chicago. His compositions and arrangements have been performed world-wide by top jazz, chamber, and orchestral ensembles. He couldn't be prouder to be a part of the stellar Cubby Bones!
Tom Matta grew up in Minnesota, and is such, proudly holds the Minnesota Twins close to heart. Hey, who can blame him, growing up watching Rod Carew, Butch Wynegar, Roy Smalley, Kent Hrbek, Kirby Puckett, Burt Blyleven – to name a few. Moving to Chicago in 1992, he quickly adopted the Cubs as his national league team. Matta has never lived more than a couple miles from iconic Wrigley Field – and loves the charm of the park, the neighborhood, and of course the loyalty of the fans. Matta loves the radio broadcasters he's been transfixed by over the years, especially during the WGN era: Harry, Steve, Pat, Ron. Some of the best baseball analysis and random chatter one could ever wish for!
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What is the object of the Apprentices Act 1961 ?
Who is called an apprentice ?
What is the difference between an apprentice and a worker ?
Would non-registration of the contract of apprenticeship change the status of the apprentice to that of a workman ?
Is there any restriction of age for engaging a person as an apprentice ?
Is it permissible for the employer or the apprentice to terminate the contract of apprenticeship before the expiry of the period of apprenticeship training ?
What are the obligations of an employer ?
What are the Obligations of an apprentice ?
Is the apprentice governed by any rules of conduct and discipline during the period of his training ?
Whether period spent by employee as apprentice can be added in his regular service ?
Is the employer required to make any payment to an apprentice undergoing apprenticeship training under him ?
Can an apprentice file an application under Section 33-C(2) of the Industrial Disputes Act for recovery of stipend ?
Are any provisions of the Factories Act, 1948, applicable to apprentices ?
Is an apprentice entitled to any leave and holidays ?
Is the employer liable to pay any compensation for injury caused to an apprentice undergoing apprenticeship training under him ?
Is an apprentice a worker ?
How can we resolve the conflict between the provisions of Section 2(s) of the Industrial Disputes Act which says that an apprentice is a workman and section 18 of the Apprentices Act which says that an apprentice is not a worker ?
Is an apprentice covered by the Employees State Insurance Act, 1948 ?
Is a factory employing 18 workers and engaging 2 apprentices covered by the Employees' State Insurance Act ?
What is the remedy provided under the Act for resolving a dispute about the interpretation of the contract of apprenticeship ?
Can an apprentice straightaway invoke the provisions of Article 226 of the Constitution of India for regularization ?
Is the employer obliged to offer any employment to an apprentice undergoing apprenticeship training under him ?
Where a letter of appointment given to an apprentice contains an assurance that on successful completion of his training he will be absorbed in the service of the employer, can the employer say that he is under no obligation to offer employment to him ?
Is it just and proper for any employer to employ non-trained direct recruits where trained apprentices and available ?
Is an employee appointed as an apprentice in the newspaper industry an apprentice under the Apprentices Act ?
Is it open to an employer who is not covered by the Apprentices Act to engage persons as apprentices ?
Is the Act applicable to every scheme for training of persons ?
What are the offences under the Act and what are the penalties for them ?


/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park players celebrate after their win over Katy Cinco Ranch during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Lauren Pacewicz (11) works her way around the ball against Katy Cinco Ranch player Allison Boni (21) during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Lauren Pacewicz (11) and Katy Cinco Ranch player Allison Boni (21) collide as they scramble for the ball during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Kate Summers (24) tries to reach around Katy Cinco Ranch player Sophie Salverino (4) during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Rachel Wasserman (8) and Katy Cinco Ranch player Madee Gallagher (10) both eye the ball during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Lauren Pacewicz (11) with the assistance of Claire Addison (22) try to keep the ball from Katy Cinco Ranch player Allison Boni (21) during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Coach Stewart Brown recognizes Highland Park goalkeeper Ginny Hoy (26) after blocked a ball during the penalty shots and preventing Katy Cinco Ranch from a win during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Sierra Jones (10) and Katy Cinco Ranch player Halle Dure (11) both eye the ball during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Riley Malone (23) keeps the ball from Katy Cinco Ranch player Kamy Birk (2) during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Savanna Jones (15) and Katy Cinco Ranch player Allison Boni (21) both race after the ball during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Lauren Echols (12) keeps the ball away from Katy Cinco Ranch player Alexa Zarvos (16) during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Riley Malone (23) tries to take control of the ball against Katy Cinco Ranch player Madee Gallagher (10) during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park's Savanna Jones (15) tries to gain the ball from Katy Cinco Ranch player Jules Echavarry (9)during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.
/Thao Nguyen - Special Contributor. Highland Park player Lauren Echols (12) and Katy Cinco Ranch player Kamy Birk (2) fight to gain control of the ball during the UIL Girls Semifinal 6A soccer game at the Birkelbach Field in Georgetown, Texas on April 17, 2015.


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Home Tech and Education Technology
Acer to connect with Indochina, Myanmar
Tech and Education
by Justin Calderon - Oct 23, 2012
Corporate PC users in Southeast Asia are expected to rise
Acer has set up a 50 million baht ($1.6 million) maintenance and service facility in Thailand to prepare for the advent of the ASEAN Economic Community in 2015.
Acer, the fourth-largest personal computer maker in the world, will use the new facility as a hub to access the high-potential markets of Myanmar Laos and Cambodia, Sophon Panchim, the service manager at Acer Computer (Thailand), told the Bangkok Post.
The facility will improve service speed by up to 80 per cent and reduce logistics costs by 20 per cent, he added.
Revenue from these markets is expected to contribute 10 per cent of Acer's global service revenues by 2015, Panchim said. The strategic move into Southeast Asia comes at the time of an unexpected slowdown in profit for the Taiwanese PC maker.
Reuters reported that third-quarter net profit for Acer was NT$68 million ($2.32 million), far below estimates. A poll of 18 analysts previously conducted by Thomson Reuters predicted a mean quarterly profit of NT$756 million.
The shortcoming in earnings is likely to be the result of foreign exchange losses and higher tax rates, one analyst noted.
Senior management at Acer are now entering Southeast Asia with the hope to offset any future anemic growth rates, working to capitalise off of increased spending on PCs as the AEC comes into formation.
The company may spend up to $10 million to open offices in Cambodia, Laos and Myanmar, added Boonyaphat Choobunjerd, the head of Indochina operations at Acer Computer (Thailand). Myanmar is the first of the three countries being considered for an office due to the emergent economy's attractive foreign investment incentives.
Southeast Asia's expected high return on investment is due to growth in corporate users.
Acer was the leader of the computer notebook segment in Thailand last year.
ASEAN economies' GDPs remain robust, backed by services
ASEAN's GDP forecast to double by 2020
Three ASEAN countries among top-50 innovative nations globally
Brunei, Indonesia, Vietnam big winners in Doing Business ranking
Cambodia "least tourism-friendly country" in Southeast Asia: WEF
All ASEAN-5 countries but Thailand drop in world competitiveness report
Philippines, Vietnam have highest tax burden in Southeast Asia
German micro lender enters Myanmar
Foreign arrivals to the Philippines at all-time high
Vietnam: Death penalty for executive fraudsters considered
Malaysia's economy picks up steam unexpectedly
Vietnam's ministry of planning and investment has presented a new concept for the country's planned north-south high-speed...


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Fed Updates Terms of TALF 2.0
Client Alerts | April 10, 2020 | Special Situations and Credit | Private Equity Funds
On April 9, 2020, the Federal Reserve Board (the "Fed") updated its term sheet of the Term Asset-Backed Loan Facility ("TALF 2.0") that it authorized on March 23, 2020. The key changes include: updates to the definition of eligible borrower, additions to the types of eligible collateral, changes to loan pricing, and the release of the collateral haircut schedule. The full updated term sheet can be found here.
TALF 2.0 is a credit facility intended to support the asset-backed securities ("ABS") markets for consumers and businesses by creating a new source of stable funding for investors to purchase eligible ABS backed by consumer and business loans. Our first release outlining the initial term sheet of TALF 2.0 can be found here.
Update to Eligible Borrower Definition
U.S. branches or agencies of foreign banks were removed from the eligibility criteria, and the definition of a "U.S. company" was modified to mean a company "created or organized in the United States or under the laws of the United States and that has significant operations in and a majority of its employees based in the United States."
While this requirement was included in the text of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (the "CARES Act"), this definition was not included in the initial term sheet of TALF 2.0, and the definition differs from the definition of "U.S. company" used in the TALF that was established following the 2008 financial crisis ("TALF 1.0").
Under TALF 1.0, "U.S. company" expressly included investment funds organized in the United States and managed by investment managers that had their principal place of business located in the United States. As this prong has been removed from the current TALF 2.0 definition of "U.S. company," it is not yet clear how the Fed will apply this definition to investment funds.
Additions to Accepted Collateral
Following input from market participants and investors, the Fed added commercial mortgage-backed securities ("CMBS"), leveraged loans and equipment leases (in addition to equipment loans which were included in the first release) to the list of eligible collateral. Contrary to other ABS, which are required to be issued on or after March 23, 2020, CMBS are only eligible if issued before March 23, 2020. Additionally, CMBS exposures must be to real property located in the United States or one of its territories. Collateralized loan obligations ("CLOs") must be static to be eligible collateral. The term sheet goes on to clarify that single-asset single-borrower CMBS and commercial real estate CLOs will not be eligible collateral.
Changes to Loan Pricing
For CLOs, the interest rate will be 150 basis points above the 30-day average secured overnight financing rate.
For Small Business Administration ("SBA") Pool Certificates, which have seen a spike in applications due to the Paycheck Protection Program of the CARES Act, the interest rate will be 75 basis points above the top of the federal funds target range.
For SBA Development Company Participation Certificates, the interest rate will be 75 basis points above the three year fed funds overnight index swap ("OIS") rate.
For all other eligible ABS, the interest rate will be 125 basis points over the two year OIS rate for securities with a weighted average life of less than two years and 125 basis points over the three year OIS rate for securities with a weighted average life of two years or more. Previously, the quoted rates were 100 basis points over the two year and three year LIBOR swap rates, respectively.
Haircut Schedule
The haircut schedule is on page 3 of the updated term sheet and stays consistent with the 2008 TALF 1.0 haircut schedule.
Many hedge and private equity fund managers continue to analyze the opportunity and it is anticipated that managers will soon begin to structure and launch private funds that are specifically designed to pursue TALF 2.0 investment opportunities.
JARED R. GIANATASIO
212.880.9893 jgianatasio@kkwc.com
JOSEPH ISKOWITZ
212.880.9867 jiskowitz@kkwc.com
MARY KUAN
212.880.9833 mkuan@kkwc.com
URI ROSENWASSER
212.880.9811 urosenwasser@kkwc.com
ERIC S. WAGNER
212.880.9845 ewagner@kkwc.com


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Q: How to find two non-isomorphic elliptic curves with isomorphic products with another elliptic curve? The question is related to this MO question.
From the answer of the above question, we know T. Shioda in "Some remarks on Abelian varieties" found counter-examples of the "cancellation law" of abelian varieties. From the mathscinet review I found that in particular Shioda found elliptic curves $E$, $E^{\prime}$ and $E^{\prime\prime}$ such that $E\times E^{\prime\prime}$ is isomorphic to $E^{\prime}\times E^{\prime\prime}$ but $E$ is not isomorphic to $E^{\prime}$.
I don't have the access to the above paper. Is there anyone who has some ideas on how do construct this example?

A: Here is the paper you seek, by Tetsuji Shioda, on "Some remarks on Abelian varieties." Hope the counter-examples there help you.


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Performance Track Record of Composites in Chlorine Manufacturing
For 30 years SABIC has been using composite pipes and assemblies in its Chlorine manufacturing operations. Through the collaboration with Versteden, and using high quality Atlac® resins from AOC Aliancys, these reliable material solutions have enabled SABIC to run its operations in a safe and continuous way, as explained by Thana Kammeijer, Paul Peterse, and Erwin Simons.
At the site of SABIC in Bergen op Zoom (Netherlands), the company is operating a Chlorine plant, making Chlorine, Hydrogen, and Sodium Hydroxide. These chemicals are used in different parts of the site, where various types of thermoplastic resins are produced (including products with established brand names such as LEXAN™ resins).
In the Chlorine plant the Chlorine is manufactured using solid salt as a raw material. At the beginning of the process the salt is dissolved in water. The heart of the Chlorine operation is the Cell room which houses a large series of electrolysis cells, converting the brine into the main product, Chlorine. In this process Hydrogen, Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide are produced as by-products.
After the electrolysis, the gas streams of Chlorine and Hydrogen are compressed. The compressed Hydrogen is transported through pipelines to a boiler for conversion into steam. The compressed Chlorine is liquefied and sent (in liquid phase) to another production unit at the site. The side streams of Hydrochloric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide are pumped into storage tanks, awaiting further processing. As part of the Chlorine drying process, concentrated Sulfuric Acid is being used.
"We want to make sure that chemicals like Chlorine, Hydrochloric Acid and Hydrogen remain inside an enclosed environment and are well-contained", explains Thana Kammeijer, Manager Chemical Operations Chlorine Unit at SABIC. "In that way we ensure that the plant is a safe place to work, and that we are running our processes in a responsible way. At the same time, we do not want an eventual equipment failure to interrupt the continuous operation of the Chlorine Unit, as this may affect the downstream processes on this site. Therefore, we closely follow the condition of all piping and equipment, and take the right actions for preventive maintenance."
The Chlorine plant was designed by German Engineering Company UHDE, and has been in operation since 1987. "The brine, Hydrochloric Acid, Sulfuric Acid and Sodium Hydroxide are obviously highly corrosive materials", comments Paul Peterse, Mechanical Integrity Engineer at SABIC. "For that reason composites pipes and vessels have been used right from the start. In some applications we chose to use pure composite piping, while for other applications (including wet Chlorine gas streams) we selected composite pipes with thermoplastic liners (like PVC, PTFE)."
Paul Peterse worked with composite materials for more than eleven years. He is one of the leading engineers at the site to monitor the integrity of the Chlorine plant operations. "We inspect pipes and pipe connections continuously in order to understand their condition and minimize the risk of potential leaks", he adds. "We use mostly visual inspection methods, and to some extent X-ray and Ultrasound techniques. This gives great insight into the condition of the parts, and confirms composites are very reliable construction materials for contact with corrosive chemicals at elevated temperatures."
Every four years the chemical plants on the Bergen op Zoom site are subject to a planned extensive turnaround. This enables execution of larger maintenance jobs and equipment modifications for process improvements. It also allows detailed inspection of pipes and vessels. Through the inspection of the composite components it is determined whether these can remain in operation for another four year cycle, or whether they need to be replaced.
Quality and Consistency
Many of the pipes, fittings and assemblies used by SABIC in Bergen op Zoom have been supplied by Versteden (Bergen op Zoom, Netherlands). Versteden was involved in the construction of the Chlorine plant in 1987 and has been supporting SABIC ever since.
"In the early years SABIC in Bergen op Zoom was cautious using composites and replaced pipes and tanks in critical areas every eight years", comments Erwin Simons, Technical Director at Versteden. "Since then, we have worked with SABIC and learned together how these materials perform over a longer period of time. As a result we were able to extend the lifetime of composite components and assemblies through optimizing part design, fine-tuning part production processes and improving overall quality consistency."
"During part production at Versteden all elements of the process are monitored and recorded, so we can trace any anomalies", Erwin continues. "Our employees in production are well trained and certified by external parties in the processing of composite materials."
Versteden uses Atlac® 580, Atlac® E-Nova FW 2045, and Atlac® 382 resins from AOC for making the composite components. "We like to work with AOC. The Atlac resins have a long track record of consistent performance in pipes and assemblies used in chemical plants. The great resin quality gives us a huge predictability and consistency of our production."
Solid Future for Composites
Besides working at SABIC in Bergen op Zoom, Paul Peterse is also actively involved in the education of young engineers at the HU University of Applied Sciences Utrecht. He explains to them the benefits of composites. "Many of my students quickly realize that steel has its limitations, and therefore for corrosive environments composites are a better alternative. I help them to gain insight in the use of composite parts in chemical plants by providing design and inspection guidelines. Based on my experience over the years, I can tell that composites will be the material of choice."
"Keeping my plant in the right condition and knowing that the chemicals stay where they should be, are my highest priorities", adds Thana Kammeijer. "I am very happy that through all these years composite solutions have proven that they are capable of performing under such tough environmental conditions. And that we can also rely on knowledgeable partners like Versteden and AOC to make these materials work for us."
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