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Posts Tagged 'Software & Tools'
Google Removes The 404 Blinders
Google added a simple, yet extremely useful feature to its suite of Webmaster Tools. Now you can see who is linking to pages that don't exist. And maybe, you can do something about it.
Previously, users could view which pages were not found, but had no information about where those links came from. With the addition of the sources, webmasters can change the link (if they own the site), or e-mail and ask nicely.
As Google's Matt Cutts says, these are some of the easiest links you'll ever get. No PageRank passes when someone links to a page that doesn't exist, even when there's an errant HTML tag in the URL. While asking someone to change the link may sound like a lot of work, it's not, in comparison to scoping out new links. In the case of broken links, you know they want to link to you, so you're just alerting them to a mistake.
If you haven't checked out Webmaster Tools yet, this is a good excuse to look it over. If much of your traffic comes from Google (and for many of us, that's greater than 50 percent), it's important to know how it sees your site. Plus, fixing mistakes should make you look better to all search engines and, more importantly, your users.
Sitemap Files Ensure Google Finds All Your Webpages
New Tools To Remove Content From Google Index
Google Adds Links To Webmaster Tools
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Greasemonkey Shows Off Political Colors
Andy Baio, a prominent blogger and creator of Upcoming.org, has released a Greasemonkey script to visualize the perceived political bias of linked content on the political news aggregation site Memeorandum. If a site tends to link to more left-leaning stories, it's colored blue. Right-leaning linkers are red.
With the help of Delicious founder Joshua Schachter, Baio used a recommendation algorithm to analyze the last three months of linking behavior for each news source. With that data stored in a Google Spreadsheet, Baio used the Ajax support in Greasemonkey to grab a JSON feed and colorize the links. Those with Firefox's Greasemonkey extension and Baio's script installed will see the colorized links when viewing Memeorandum. Baio also released a full-fledged extension that does not require Greasemonkey.
This is a great example of how Greasemonkey can be used to change the way you view a page. In Baio's case, he wanted to see the perceived bias of a site at a glance so he could choose a balanced view. The code from this project is available under the free and open-source GPL license. You could use it to create other ways of visualizing data on the web.
If you're brand new to Greasemonkey, be sure to read my new Greasemonkey tutorial on the versatile Firefox extension. If you've ever written JavaScript before, you'll quickly learn the ways of Greasemonkey, which essentially gives you the ability to insert your code anywhere in someone else's site, but only for your own use on your local machine.
You don't need to bite off as much as Baio, who admits this is his first Greasemonkey script. One of the biggest benefits I've found is that I can write code to pull out the important stuff already in the page. My tutorial shows a simple example of that, where I create a floating menu of all <h2> tags on the page. It turns out this is useful for long Wikipedia entries… and Webmonkey tutorials.
Andy Baio: Step Away from the Computer
GMail Adds Official Greasemonkey Support
Run Greasemonkey Scripts in Google's Chrome Browser
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Google: 'Beta' Means What We Say It Means
Google is probably the most prolific distributor of "beta" software in the world. Pingdom recently went through the entire stack of Google apps and found that nearly half of them (45 percent) are still officially at beta status.
Traditionally "beta" has been used to designate software that isn't ready for prime time and may have bugs, yet millions of people use the four-year-old Gmail on a daily basis and, for most, Gmail is bug free. So why call it a beta?
The shorthand way of looking at software development is something like this: alpha = not ready, beta = still not ready, release candidate = still not quite ready and x.0 = finally ready.
So why would a company like Google want equate its products with what most people consider "not ready?" The answer is that Google doesn't use the term beta according to the usual definition, it apparently has its own, private definition of beta.
In response to those questioning Google's heavy, and possibly inappropriate, use of the word beta, a Google spokesperson tells NetworkWorld, "we believe beta has a different meaning when applied to applications on the web…."
The spokesperson never exactly gets around to what Google's precise definition of the word beta is, but reading between the lines it would seem the company means something like "we're still adding features."
In which case, don't expect most Google apps to ever come out of beta. Which isn't really a problem, it is after all just a word — just be aware that Google has its own definition.
[Note that Webmonkey on the other hand is very much a beta in the traditional sense of the word. Try our RSS feed… see, beta.]
[via Slashdot]
Why You Should Turn Gmail's SSL Feature On Now
Gmail Suffers Outage, World Ends
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Vote for Your Favorite Web Framework
Frameworks help build the web. Photo courtesy Toneray via Flickr
We've been covering DjangoCon the last few days, and if we know one thing for sure, it's that programmers love web frameworks — libraries of often used code which allow them to copy (or steal, if you're naughty) functionality to their own site. Why do they love frameworks so?
When you begin coding as a budding web developer, you typically start building your first site piece-by-piece from scratch. Developing your first project is the most difficult part of the job simply because you're designing utilities, buttons, animations, scrolling, text entry, backend data management, scalable networking, etc… — usually while learning and typically by a method which will make other, more seasoned developers balk, point fingers and mock.
However, once you build these tools to your liking, you have them on hand for all future projects. Simply tweak the code for use in your next development project. Reusing code is fast, its stable and its tremendously productive.
Therein lies a web framework's appeal. Many of us will admit we'll never be the rock star developer some others are, but collectively joined by web frameworks, we don't really have to be. We get a peak into what makes good code which we can implement on our own sites and learn from it in the process.
In some instances, after getting familiar with a framework, you can piece together a rich interactive website in about twenty minutes.
How do frameworks earn money? Most of them are open source and depend on the financial and content contributions of friendly programmers. Some have a foundation behind it which fund and provide for the business aspects of the project in exchange for the rights to charge large operations using the code for customized support.
If you've never used a framework because you think they're for noobies or are less powerful and less scalable than a custom-written site, consider the websites already powered on popular frameworks:
CNN, New York Times, Apple, Digg, and Fox News use Prototype JavaScript libraries
Digg and BBC use JQuery
LinkedIn, Walmart and (of course) Yahoo use Yahoo UI Library (YUI)
So which are the best? Prototype and JQuery are arguably the most popular JavaScript frameworks. Meanwhile, Python-powered Django has a considerable drive behind it as does PHP's Drupal. Ruby on Rails has a verifiable fan base. There are many more up-and-coming frameworks out there. Which do you use? Add your favorite web framework and vote for your favorites below.
[Hat tip to Pingdom]
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Our Miami: The Magic City DVD (English Version)
Category: Media
Historic Miami Film – Produced by JLM
In 1980 the Junior League of Miami created and produced an Emmy award-winning film entitled "Miami, The Magic City" which was enjoyed by newcomers and old-time South Floridians alike. In 1994, the Junior League produced a new, updated and expanded version of this acclaimed film. It focuses on Miami's unique and ethnically diverse heritage and tells the story of the people and events that have shaped our international community.
Narrated by Cliff Robertson and written by Miami's beloved historian Arva Moore Parks, "Our Miami: The Magic City" is a fascinating, 60-minute film detailing 10,000 years of Miami history from a tropical frontier to a glittering, international metropolis.
Click here for a clip from the film. (30 sec. 3.5 MB QuickTime Movie)
Copies of "Our Miami: The Magic City" Available
"Our Miami: The Magic City" provides a wonderful historical overview of Miami, ideal for learning and sharing with others. A DVD of the film is for sale with proceeds benefiting League community projects. The price per copy is $20.00 each plus $3.50 for shipping. Prepayment is required by sending a check to the Junior League of Miami, 713 Biltmore Way, Coral Gables, FL 33134. The price reflected includes shipping.
Discounts are available for orders of 10 or more copies. Available in English or Spanish.
Our Miami: The Magic City DVD (Spanish Version)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Plus, if you're looking to get into the rental game, we touch down on the "Granny Flat" ordinance.
Southern hospitality is alive and well in Dallas. In May 2018, Airbnb released its list of the 10 most hospitable cities in the U.S.—and Dallas made the cut at No. 9. The rankings were based on cities with the highest percentage of 5-star ratings in the last year. Texas cities in general seem to be warm and welcoming—Austin and San Antonio also made the list. In fact, Airbnb reported a 77 percent growth rate of Airbnb guests in Texas from 2017 to 2018.
So whether you're searching for a unique staycation experience, seeking the perfect rental for a tailgating weekend, or just looking for more space to welcome your own guests to the city, we've rounded up our favorite Airbnbs in town.
Our favorite local Airbnbs for inspiration or a staycation.
Get cloaked in Hygge in this two-bedroom.
Enjoy a backyard pool and tons of natural light.
Take advantage of walkability from this exposed-brick loft.
Stretch out in this 2,400-square-foot modern home.
Feel tucked away in this wooden abode.
Accessory dwelling units (ADUs), or secondary rental properties, have long been a controversial topic in Dallas. Urbanists are for them; traditionalists against. But a city ordinance passed in June 2018 established a process for moving forward with ADUs. In short: if you have a secondary dwelling unit—or already have permission from the city to build one—and you want to rent it, you have to apply to the city's board of adjustment (BDA) for approval and registry in the city's rental program.
If you haven't built one yet, start by applying to the BDA for permission to build and rent—they'll determine whether the new structure will "adversely affect neighboring properties." Once approval is obtained, you can apply for building permits. Another option: Neighborhoods can form committees and request an overlay that permits ADUs throughout the neighborhood, with approval by the City Council.
Minimum Size: 200 sq. ft Design must complement primary structure in materials, colors, roof, foundation, doors, and windows.
Maximum Size: 700 sq. ft Or 25% of the main residence size—whichever is greater. Can be attached or detached.
What can you make a month renting you granny flat?


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Premier Inn faces backlash over Good Night Guarantee cash-back promise if guests don't get good night's sleep
Angry customers who had their 40 winks in Premier Inn hotels broken are finding the on-site refund is no longer what it seems
Rene Butler
Stephen Hayward
Industry insiders believe the Good Night Guarantee campaign was revised after a barrage of dodgy claims (Image: Evening Gazette)
For six years, Lenny Henry's Premier Inn adverts have promised a no quibble refund if guests don't get a good night's kip.
But some angry customers have woken up to find the famous cash-back pledge is no longer what it seems.
Rather than being handed the cost of their stay by staff at the reception, guests need to go online and fill out a complaint form to try to claw back cash.
Industry insiders believe the Good Night Guarantee campaign, introduced in 2012, was quietly revised after Premier Inn was inundated with claims from people wanting a freebie.
One said: "No longer do they offer on-site refunds if you haven't enjoyed your stay. They changed their policy as they were getting a pounding from people taking advantage of the system."
The Good Night Guarantee campaign at Lenny Henry's hotel chain was rolled out in 2012
Premier Inn to replace cladding on 12 of its hotels amid Grenfell fears
Martyn James, of customer complaints website Resolver, said: "Never undersell or over-promise, as the old advertising industry adage goes.
"You can bet the bosses at Premier Inn have turned a distinct shade of purple after their 'good night's sleep' promise became a ticket to a free night. While it's admirable that the deal lasted this long, don't expect any easy freebies in future now the firm has toughened up its rules."
Premier Inn, one of Britain's biggest chains, with 750 hotels, says it moved to a centralised refunds system last year to make the way it handles customer claims "as consistent, professional and simple as possible".
A spokesman said: "We're consistently voted the UK's best-loved hotel brand, including for three consecutive years by Which?, and our Good Night Guarantee helps ensure every guest leaves happy. In the rare event a stay falls short of expectations guests are asked, in the first instance, to chat to our friendly reception teams who are on-hand 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
"They are empowered to resolve any issues on a case-by-case basis and will be pleased to put things right. This is our Good Night Guarantee. Guests who wish to claim their money back are directed to contact the guest relations team through an online form. In order to make refunds as consistent, professional and simple as possible, we changed the way people request a refund under our Good Night Guarantee by moving to a centralised system over a year ago.
"We have a highly trained team of guest relations advisors who do an outstanding job of guiding guests who have experienced an issue through this process, and the change enables our on-site teams to put their full efforts into providing a world-class welcome to the millions of guests who love to stay with us each year."
The guarantee does not cover issues which are beyond the hotel's control, such as power cuts, fires and extreme weather.
The Premier Inn
Face MasksMan, 26, born with disfigurement says face masks have slashed upsetting prejudiceAtholl Mills, 26, said the obstacles he faced day-to-day have since disappeared when face coverings became mandatory last July. He is now dreading the day they are no longer compulsory


Nature and music are intimately connected. Humans are not the only acoustical performers on earth, it has been ingrained in our nature for eons. For instance, the music of song birds has been present in our earth since Cenozoic era, 65 million years ago. The music composition and style takes varying forms in different cultures, nevertheless it is present in all cultures. It suggests that there is a deep human need to create, perform and listen to music. It has a great impact on a person's mindset and well-being. Therefore, music therapy has been studied to mitigate numerous medical conditions.
Environmental Music Therapy (EMT) is a non-invasive mind-body intervention that responds to people's physical, psychological, cognitive and socio-cultural needs. Since ancient times, music was used as a curing tool in many cultures across the world. EMT, as a complimentary medicine, was proven to positive help heal medical conditions like scars and pain, psychiatric disorders, behavioural disorders in children and diseases like cancer that weaken the immune system.
The sound curing is based on 'frequency of vibration'. The zones in the body that are affected by a disease or illness are the zones where the natural frequency is distorted. To heal these zones, it is required to transmit 'right frequency' to such zones. Using meticulously and carefully chosen instruments, the patient is helped to relax and the right frequency is transferred to heal the person. Recently, EMT has taken a new route towards exerting the same principle on healing the environment. By revoking a person's physical and emotional connection to the surrounding nature and their personal values, EMT cultivate the ideals of sustainability and the necessity to make their life and habits ingrained to the nature. Thus, it develops a right mindset among the people to protect our environment, rather than continuing the mainstream environment destructive activities. To popularize this innovative research area that integrate the nature and ethno-traditional and cultural values, Tropical Institute of Ecological Science conducts a musical concert Laya at the serene environment of TIES campus. Being a practical demonstration of this year's World Environment Day theme, Laya will create a lasting impact on the audience and will open new arenas for the development of this field to bring major widespread habitual changes in the society.
In connection with World Environment Day celebrations of this year TIES proudly presents a music exponent who did extensive research in finding out the truth behind therapeutic and ecological impacts of music, Ms. Smitha Pisharody. Her Ph.D research topic was on Music Therapy and she demonstrated that specific music played regularly for 40 minute a day can cure several diseases. Besides she proved some music is potential enough to purify water contaminated with coliforms.
The programme is on 2017 June 4th, from 4PM to 6PM at TIES GROVE Hall, Velloor, Pampady, Kottayam. A half an hour lecture on Music Therapy followed by a concert is proposed. An august audience including people from different parts of Kottayam and neighbouring districts is expected.


Some debut images from a couple of upcoming releases have hit the web. First up, the first two images from director Allen Hughes' (The Book of Eli) political thriller Broken City highlight stars Russell Crowe, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Mark Wahlberg. The story centers on a private detective (Wahlberg) who is hired to identify the lover of a powerful politician's (Crowe) wife. Zeta-Jones is onboard as said unfaithful wife, and Wahlberg—who also serves as a producer on the film—compares the pic's elements of "really strong characters [and] plot points you didn't see coming" to Roman Polanski's classic Chinatown. The pic opens on January 18th, 2013.
We've also got the first images from the horror film Mama, which was directed by Andres Muschietti based on his own short film. Jessica Chastain and Game of Thrones star Nikolaj Coster-Waldau topline the thriller as a couple who take in their neice and nephew after the children mysteriously surface five years after disappearing on the day of their mother's murder. The supernatural pic comes from producer Guillermo del Toro and also opens on January 18th, 2013. Hit the jump to take a look at the images.


There exist about 9 million km² of tropical rain forest on our planet. Of this, 1, 8 million km² (approx. 20%) are found in Africa. Almost 65% of the 500,000 known species of plants on the earth are found in tropical zones. Some tropical floras have been extensively studied; but African flora, cradle of the first man, has not been given the attention it deserves.
Cameroon is a perfect synthesis of diverse landscapes and climates of sub-tropical Africa. It is a harmonious union of dense forest, grassy savannah and vast plains, which end only at the brink of the Atlantic Ocean. All these dominated by a chain of mountains with its highest peak Mount Cameroon or the "Chariot of Gods" with an altitude of 4100m making it the highest mountain in West Africa.
Cameroon aptly called "Africa in Miniature" possesses a floral biodiversity and vegetation, which ranks amongst the richest and most diverse of sub-Saharan Africa. Its flora is composed of about 9000 species from about 800 plant families, which makes this country a 'plant paradise'.
Certain tropical plants have noble names in the global pharmaceutical industry; for example Rauwolfia Serpentina& R. Vomitaria, Vinca Minor& Voacanga Africana, Physostigma Venenosum, Catharantus Roseus/Vinca Rosea, Pausinystalia Yohimbe, Strophantus Gratus, Pygeum Africanum/Prunus Africana etc which have produced powerful chemical products like Reserpine, Ajmaline Ajmalicine, Eserine (physostigmine), Vincristine, Vincaleucoblastine, Vincamine, Vinpocetine, Vinburine, Yohimbine, Ouabaine. Many pharmaceutical products contain these substances or their derivatives.
To date, our world is afflicted more and more by pandemics and diseases: viral diseases - AIDS, Ebola, Avian Flu, Mad Cow Disease; metabolic and degenerative illnesses – Parkinson's disease Alzheimer's Syndrome; different types of cancer and addictions.
In view of this "pathological crusade" against man, why shouldn't our phyto-chemotherapeutic salvation be found in AFRICA's FLORA?


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Evan Altman is the EIC and co-founder of Cubs Insider and has proclaimed himself Central Indiana's foremost Cubs authority. He is a husband, father, homebrewer, and award-winning blogger with entirely too much pop culture knowledge. Evan's greatest accomplishments include scoring 400 points in Magic Johnson's Fast Break, naming all 10 members of the Wu-Tang Clan in under 3.5 seconds, and winning the Meese Literary Award at Hanover College.
Evan AltmanJanuary 28, 2022
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👀 https://t.co/Jo8QD3XK6R
@biest22 Never seen them down before this. Not to say it hasn't happened but it sure does jump out when you haven't ever seen it.


Kent J. Gebert, for appellant.
Peter H. Willis, for respondent.
Peter B. Meadow, for appellant.
Henry Neal Conolly, for respondent.
These appeals raise two issues, whether a canine sniff of the exterior of a lawfully stopped vehicle constitutes a search under article I, § 12 of our State Constitution and, if so, what level of suspicion is required before law enforcement can conduct that search. We hold that such action constitutes a search requiring founded suspicion that criminal activity is afoot and that, in each of these cases, such founded suspicion was established. The orders of the Appellate Division should therefore be affirmed.
On August 1, 2007, two police officers pulled over a vehicle after observing its operator, Troy Washington, talking on a cell phone. Washington, who was unable to produce his driver's license or registration, told the officers that the vehicle was registered to his cousin. Asked his cousin's name, Washington said that he did not know. When the officer asked for the cousin's whereabouts he pointed to defendant, who was seated in the passenger seat. When the officers ran the license number they discovered that the vehicle, while not reported stolen, was registered to a female. Because of the "suspicious inconsistencies" in Washington's answers, the officers decided to conduct a canine sniff of the exterior of the vehicle. Washington and defendant were ordered out of the vehicle, and the officers retrieved a dog, trained in detecting narcotics, from their SUV.
After sniffing the exterior of the vehicle, the dog "alerted" at the pillar between the driver and rear passenger seat windows, indicating to the officers the presence of drugs. One of the officers opened the driver's side door and commanded the dog to search. The dog scratched at the console between the driver and passenger seats. A search of the console uncovered a quantity of crack cocaine.
Subsequent to his indictment for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third and fourth degrees, defendant moved to suppress the drugs as the product of an illegal search. After a hearing, County Court held that the canine sniff constituted a search, and that the police lacked reasonable suspicion to conduct the canine sniff. The Appellate Division, Third Department reversed, holding that the police needed only founded suspicion as opposed to a reasonable suspicion to conduct a canine sniff of the vehicle's exterior (57 AD3d 1240, 1242-1243 [3d Dept 2008]).
On July 27, 2007 at 10:30 a.m., a police officer effected a lawful stop of defendant's vehicle, which had no front license plate. Although the officer initially suspected that defendant's insurance had lapsed, he received verification from the insurance carrier that the insurance was in effect. The officer wrote defendant a ticket for a missing front license plate and expired inspection sticker, but permitted defendant to go on his way.
Approximately 45 minutes later, another police officer effected a lawful stop of defendant's vehicle on the Taconic State Parkway in Columbia County, having observed that it was missing its front license place and had sticks, twigs and other debris protruding from the front of it. A check of the license number showed that defendant was the registered owner of the vehicle, but also showed, incorrectly, that the insurance on the vehicle had lapsed.
Defendant showed the officer a ticket he had been issued for the inspection sticker violation, and apprised the officer about the prior stop and insurance mix-up. Unsure whether defendant had shown him all previously-issued tickets, the officer directed defendant out of the vehicle. The officer tried to contact the first officer by cell phone and police radio to verify defendant's account, but was unable to do so. During this time, defendant stood outside the passenger side of the SUV. According to the officer's suppression testimony, defendant "started to get a little fidgety and nervous," was "leaning towards my vehicle and [was] trying to look through the window, towards the back" at the narcotics-sniffing dog. The officer told defendant, "Yeah, I really do have a dog in here." Defendant responded, "I already got my ticket today. Can't you just let me go? I need to go."
The officer returned to defendant's vehicle and spoke with the passenger, Ekwambu Gayle, who had remained seated. Gayle gave the officer a convoluted tale of being involved in a minor accident upon entering the roadway, concluding with an implausible story that defendant picked him up on Long Island, that his job was to keep defendant awake en route to Schenectady, and that defendant was going to drive back from Schenectady to Brooklyn to drop Gayle off mid-afternoon and then return, alone, to Schenectady later that evening.
Suspecting more than a joy ride, the officer directed Gayle out of the vehicle and retrieved his narcotics-sniffing dog from the SUV. As the dog circled the vehicle, it "alerted" to the driver's side door and attempted to climb through the window. When the officer opened the door the dog jumped into the backseat and "alerted" near the rear speaker on the passenger side. After removing the dog from the vehicle, the officer took the keys from the ignition and walked the dog toward the rear of the vehicle. The dog once again "alerted" and the officer opened the trunk. There he found a black duffel bag, which the dog tried to grab from his hands. Defendant claimed no knowledge of the duffel bag. Upon inspection, it was found to contain two freezer bags of cocaine.
Following defendant's indictment for criminal possession of a controlled substance in the first degree, County Court conducted a suppression hearing and concluded that the search was lawful. The Appellate Division, Third Department affirmed, holding that the officer properly conducted an exterior canine sniff of the vehicle based upon "a founded suspicion that criminality was afoot" (64 AD3d 1087, 1089 [3d Dept 2009]).
Leave to appeal to this Court was granted in both cases and we now affirm.
In People v Dunn, this Court held as a matter of State constitutional law that the use of a canine sniff in the hallway of an apartment building to detect the presence of controlled substances inside an apartment constitutes a search 77 NY2d 19, 25  cert denied 501 US 1219 ). We rejected the Supreme Court's approach in United States v Place 462 US 696 ) that a canine sniff does not constitute a search because it discloses only the presence or absence of contraband, observing "that the fact that a given investigative procedure can disclose only evidence of criminality should have little bearing on what constitutes a search" (Dunn, 77 NY2d at 24). Rather, we concluded that the analysis should "focus on whether there has been an intrusion into an area where an individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy" (id. at 25 [emphasis supplied]).
We applied a similar standard in People v Price, where we held that the canine sniff of the defendant's luggage did not violate either Federal or State constitutional standards or statutory law 54 NY2d 557, 564 ). Our analysis, once again under State law, centered on the reduced expectation of privacy one has relative to luggage placed in the hands of a common carrier (see id. at 563-564; Dunn, 77 NY2d at 24).
Based on our State jurisprudence, therefore, whether a canine sniff constitutes a search is necessarily dependent upon whether it constitutes an intrusion into a place where a person has a reasonable expectation of privacy. One clearly has a greater expectation of privacy in one's home than in an automobile (see New York v Class, 475 US 106 ), but that does not render the latter interest undeserving of constitutional protection (see Arizona v Gant, __ US __, 129 SCt 1710, 1720  [addressing warrantless searches of automobiles]). There is a legitimate, albeit reduced expectation of privacy in an automobile. But that expectation is greater than the significantly reduced expectation of privacy one has in luggage turned over to a common carrier. We therefore hold that a canine sniff of the exterior of an automobile constitutes a search under article I, § 12.
In both of these cases the Appellate Division properly concluded that the officers "founded suspicion" that criminality was afoot provided sufficient grounds for the search. While the more demanding "reasonable suspicion" standard applies to a canine sniff outside the door of one's residence (see Dunn, 77 NY2d at 26), there is a "diminished expectation of privacy attributed to individuals and their property when traveling in an automobile" (People v Yancy, 86 NY2d 239, 246 ). It follows that law enforcement need only meet a lesser standard before conducting a canine sniff of the exterior of a lawfully stopped vehicle. Given that diminished expectation of privacy, coupled with the fact that canine sniffs are far less intrusive than the search of a residence and provide "significant utility to law enforcement authorities" (Dunn, 77 NY2d at 26), application of the founded suspicion standard in these cases is appropriate.
There is record support in each of these appeals for the Appellate Division holdings that police possessed a founded suspicion to conduct the canine sniff. In Devone, Washington's inability to produce his driver's license and registration for the vehicle, coupled with his responses that his cousin owned the vehicle, that he did not know his cousin's name, and that defendant was his cousin—together with the fact that the vehicle was registered to a female and not defendant—gave the officer a founded suspicion that criminal activity was afoot, justifying the canine sniff. Similarly, in Abdur-Rashid, the condition of defendant's vehicle, the unusual travel plans of defendant and Gayle, and defendant's "nervous" behavior, gave the officer a similar founded suspicion that criminal activity was afoot.
Accordingly, the orders in Devone and Abdur-Rashid should be affirmed.
Because I believe that the reasonable suspicion standard should be met before law enforcement conducts an exterior canine sniff of a vehicle, I respectfully dissent.
In People v Dunn 77 NY2d 19 ), we held that an exterior canine sniff constitutes a search within the meaning of article I, § 12 of the New York Constitution (id. at 25). We further held that reasonable suspicion that defendant's apartment contained illegal drugs was required before law enforcement could conduct a canine sniff in the common hallway outside the apartment (id. at 26). To determine this standard, we balanced the degree of the search's intrusion against its utility (see id.; see also People v Kuhn, 33 NY2d 203, 209-210  [reasonableness of search determined "by 'balancing the need to search against the invasion which the search entails'"]). Because exterior canine sniffs are "uniquely discriminate and nonintrusive" and of "significant utility to law enforcement authorities," we found that they "may be used without a warrant or probable cause, provided that the police have a reasonable suspicion that a residence contains illicit contraband" (Dunn, 77 NY2d at 26). Conducting the same balancing here, I do not see any reason to depart from the reasonable suspicion standard we articulated in Dunn.
It is well-settled that an individual has a legitimate expectation of privacy with respect to spaces within a vehicle that cannot be viewed from the outside (see People v Class, 63 NY2d 491, 495 ), and law enforcement must usually have probable cause before searching any of these areas (see People v Yancy, 86 NY2d 239, 245 ). This is, of course, the same level of suspicion required before law enforcement may search a residence (see e.g. People v Brown, 96 NY2d 80, 88 ), though automobile searches may be conducted without a warrant (see Yancy, 86 NY2d at 245-246). While it is true that, generally speaking, an individual has a lesser expectation of privacy in a car than in a home (see Yancy, 86 NY2d at 245-246), this distinction has never affected the standard required to search areas of a vehicle shielded from outside view, and it should not now justify a search of these private spaces based on mere founded suspicion rather than the reasonable suspicion standard applied to residences and their thresholds (see Dunn, 77 NY2d at 26)1. Indeed, prior to today, the predicate of founded suspicion of criminality adopted by the majority would have permitted no more than a request to search, not a search itself (see People v Dunbar, 5 NY3d 834, 835 ; People v Hollman, 79 NY2d 181, 191-192 ).
Where our law distinguishes between vehicular and residential privacy, it does so because of pragmatic considerations not present in this case. The automobile exception to the warrant requirement, for example, was born of expediency, not a general finding that private areas of a vehicle are not entitled to protection (Yancy, 86 NY2d at 245-246 [considering "the mobility of the vehicle and the corresponding probability that any contraband contained therein will quickly disappear, and the diminished expectation of privacy attributed to individuals and their property when traveling in an automobile"]). Here, unlike in Yancy, there is no reason why the contents of a car's trunk or console should be afforded less constitutional protection than the contents of one's home. In fact, the officers in Yancy were justified in conducting a warrantless search of the automobile based on "incidental observation of hundreds of separately packaged empty vials and caps in open view following a valid automobile stop" (id. at 246). Thus, I believe that, as in Dunn, the minimal intrusiveness of an exterior canine sniff justifies requiring such a search to be predicated on reasonable suspicion.
Moreover, the predicate for a canine sniff selected by the majority, founded suspicion that criminal activity is afoot, is divorced from the realities of the encounter. By way of example, the canine in Devone could not assist the officers in ascertaining whether defendant's vehicle was stolen, as originally suspected. Trained canines are capable only of detecting drugs. Yet the majority allows such a search without requiring any suspicion of illegal drug activity. Without a nexus between the suspicion held by the police and the capability of the canine, the probe sanctioned by the majority is but a fishing expedition.
Particularly in light of New York's strong tradition of protecting our citizens from unreasonable searches under article I, § 12 of the New York Constitution, I believe the appropriate level of suspicion that must be present before law enforcement conducts an exterior canine sniff search of a vehicle is the standard of reasonable suspicion of the presence of illicit drugs in the vehicle, not the lesser "founded suspicion" standard chosen by the majority here.
Accordingly, I would reverse both orders of the Appellate Division.
In Each Case: Order affirmed. Opinion by Judge Pigott. Judges Graffeo, Read and Smith concur. Judge Ciparick dissents and votes to reverse in an opinion in which Chief Judge Lippman and Judge Jones concur.
1 Under our traditional De Bour formulation governing the appropriate level of suspicion in police-citizen encounters, level one requires that police have "an objective, credible reason, not necessarily indicative of criminality"; level two requires "founded suspicion that criminal activity is afoot"; level three requires "a reasonable suspicion that the particular individual was involved in a felony or misdemeanor"; and level four "requires probable cause to believe that the person . . . has committed a crime" (People v Moore, 6 NY3d 496, 498-499 ; see also People v De Bour, 40 NY2d 210, 223 ).


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'Out There': Ryan Quincy's Take on Those Awkward High School Years
Jean Trinh talks with Ryan Quincy, creator of animated show 'Out There,' premiering today on IFC.
Jean Trinh
Updated Jul. 12, 2017 12:56AM ET / Published Feb. 22, 2013 4:45AM ET
Out There/IFC
"You never forget the first time you see your best friend."
In the opening scene of Ryan Quincy's new animated show, Out There—which begins tonight at 10:30 p.m. on IFC—socially awkward teen Chad (Quincy)—whose blonde, furry head is likened to the hairy monster Gossamer from Looney Tunes—finds his future best friend, Chris (Justin Roiland) tied to a tree and stripped down to his tighty whiteys. Chad unties Chris, and Chris gallops away without saying a word.
In other words, this isn't your average South Park episode.
Quincy, the multiple Emmy award-winning animation director and producer of Comedy Central's South Park, departed the subversive comedy last February, after a 14-year stint, to pursue Out There full-time.
"At first, I was hoping I could make both things work, but it didn't work out," Quincy told The Daily Beast. "The show consumed me completely."
Unlike South Park, a fast-paced show that relies heavily on pop culture references, Out There has a timeless quality to it—viewers won't be able to pinpoint the exact time period of the cartoon. Quincy described his show as a "slow burn" with a "nice, melancholy sweetness to it like Charlie Brown."
It's also reminiscent of Judd Apatow's beloved sitcom Freaks and Geeks, but with a dry, off-beat, and humorous, original voice. Out There chronicles the life of melodramatic 15-year-old Chad and his hilarious and endearing exploration through the uncomfortable teen years of trying to fit in, pining over love interest Sharla—voiced by Linda Cardellini (Freaks and Geeks)—and getting into wacky adventures with his "out there" best friend. Within the first couple of episodes, Chris tries to escape his small town using a hot-air balloon, Chad's father—played by veteran comedic voice actor John DiMaggio (Futurama, Adventure Time)—goes on a weed bender, and the boys chase down some bullies to get a pornographic magazine in what they call the "great boob race."
The series boasts a list of heavy hitters in voice acting, with Fred Armisen (Portlandia, SNL) playing the new-agey deadbeat live-in boyfriend of Chris's mom and Megan Mullally (Will & Grace) as Chad's conservative churchgoing mother. Other notable guest appearances include Nick Offerman (Parks and Recreation), Jason Schwartzman (Moonrise Kingdom), Jemaine Clement (Flight of the Conchords), and Sarah Silverman (The Sarah Silverman Program).
Inspired by the drawings of Charles M. Schulz, Dr. Seuss, and Maurice Sendak, Quincy designed all the characters and background to possess a similar aesthetic quality. "Animation style–wise, I wanted the characters to walk," said Quincy. "And that's part of the charm of South Park, where the characters bob around. I wanted this to feel more real, and it's very important with the facial expressions to make it feel more natural."
In regard to the stylistic choices, it's never acknowledged in the show why some characters are hairy beasts with tiny claws, while others look rather human; however, "how they look on the outside is how they feel on the inside," said Quincy.
The humanistic quality to Out There is a direct outgrowth of the story's semi-autobiographical aspects, which draw on Quincy's own life. He grew up in Holdrege, a small Nebraskan town with a population of about 6,000 at the time he lived there. (Holdrege is thinly veiled as Holford, the fictional town in the show.) Although Chris's personality is based on an amalgamation of a few of his different best friends' traits, he especially modeled Chris after one specific friend.
In 2008 when Quincy was given the green light by 20th Century Fox to produce three shorts for his Out There idea, he was excited to tell his best friend about the project, but was met with a shocking and heartbreaking revelation. He discovered that his friend had just died from a brain aneurysm, and would never learn about the show. From that moment on, Quincy dedicated Out There as a "love letter" to his late friend and the time they spent growing up together—a childhood full of making movies and hanging out at the local 7-Eleven.
"I wanted to do a show about first real best friends," Quincy said. "The first best friend you meet in junior high or high school is the primer to all relationships here on out. It feels like friendships aren't as strong and potent as that first one."


The Sunder Horns is a Kellid tribe in the Sellen Hills region of Numeria. The Sunder Horns are not nomadic and live in their ancestral territory, known as Sunder Horn, centered near an iron mine. They are notorious raiders and cruel slavers, attacking even other Kellid tribes for slaves. Their slaves work in the mines to death. They are also known as accomplished smiths. The leader of the Sunder Horn tribe, a sadist and cruel barbarian named Ghievhalt, perceives himself as divinely chosen to be part of some great and bloody plan. Beneath the Sunder Horn tribe's sacred ground, lies a Rough Seed of Rovagug. The aura of violence and rage the Seed radiates has transformed Ghievhalt into a perverted monster. He renamed himself Rovagug's Nail and under his leadership the savage tribe has become something far worse. All ties and alliances between them and other tribes have been cut.
This page was last modified on 24 March 2015, at 10:15.


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City Shakes Produces Macbeth Film Adaptation, The Heat of Deeds
by Shakespeare in LA in Films, Los Angeles Tags: City Shakes, macbeth
The City Shakespeare Company invites you to a staged reading of their latest project on May 22nd; a feature film adaptation of Shakespeare's Macbeth titled The Heat of Deeds, currently scheduled to shoot in Boulder, Colorado in September.
"This script is something brand new; it is a hybridization of classic Shakespearean text and modern American English," says Allison Volk, City Shakes co-founder who wrote the screenplay and is slated to play Katherine, the Lady Macbeth character.
Volk has been recognized for her writing in previous years. In 2013 she won the California Film Award for her short film, Last Ditch Therapy, and earlier this year her full-length play, Rite of Seymour, was produced in East Los Angeles by Drive Theatre Company.
"People will either really, really love it, or really, really hate it," laughs Brooke Bishop, co-founder of City Shakes and Heat of Deeds director. Both women are excited to share this new project with the community and welcome creative feedback.
"It's a process," says Volk, "and we're all about the journey."
The Heat of Deeds staged reading will take place at 8 pm on Thursday, May 22nd at 1454 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica, CA 90401. There is plenty of free street parking after 6 pm. Admission is free, but please RSVP to CityShakes@gmail.com to reserve a seat. For more information, visit www.CityShakes.org.
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Knowles Acquires Microphone Design Assets from ams AG
ITASCA, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN), a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, today announced it has acquired the MEMS microphone ASIC design business from ams AG. The transaction includes intellectual property, rights to source ASIC wafers from multiple foundry partners, and the transfer of the ASIC design team, which will continue to be based in Switzerland.
"As voice has become a primary interface for mobile, ear, and IoT applications, we expect this acquisition to result in an immediate financial benefit from vertical integration and further enhance our leading position in the MEMS microphone market," said Jeffrey Niew, president and chief executive officer of Knowles. "In addition to bringing in world-class mixed signal circuit design talent and IP, this transaction will provide significant cost synergies. We plan to leverage this ASIC design team and IP to develop innovative new products, further broadening our industry-leading portfolio of MEMS microphones."
The purchase price of $58 million was paid from cash on hand. Knowles expects the acquisition to be accretive to non-GAAP diluted earnings per share beginning in the first quarter of 2020, and intends to provide additional details regarding this acquisition during its Q4 earnings call.
About Knowles
Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN) is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic, audio processing, and precision device solutions, serving the mobile consumer electronics, communications, medical, defense, automotive, and industrial markets. Knowles uses its leading position in MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience in mobile, ear, and IoT applications. Knowles is also the leader in acoustic components, high-end capacitors, and mmWave RF solutions for a diverse set of markets. Knowles' focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing, and global scale, enables it to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user experience. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles is a global organization with employees in 11 countries. The company is focused on investing in high value solutions to diversify its revenue and increase exposure to high-growth markets. For more information, visit knowles.com.
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "project," "estimate," "budget," "continue," "could," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "seek," "should," "will," "would," "objective," "forecast," "goal," "guidance," "outlook," "effort," "target," and similar expressions, among others, generally identify forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The statements in this news release are based on currently available information and the current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions of Knowles' management concerning risks and uncertainties that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those outcomes or results that are projected, anticipated, or implied in these statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: (i) difficulties or delays in and/or Knowles' inability to realize the expected cost synergy opportunities; (ii) difficulties or delays in and/or Knowles' inability to integrate ams' mixed signal ASIC design business, leverage its innovation capability and retain key personnel; (iii) unforeseen changes in MEMS microphone demand from our largest customers, in particular, two North American, a Korean, and Chinese OEM customers; (iv) the success and rate of multi-microphone and smart microphone adoption and proliferation of our "intelligent audio" solutions, including our audio edge processors, to high volume platforms; (v) the timing of OEM product launches; (vi) risks associated with increasing our inventories in advance of anticipated orders by customers; global economic instability including the recent economic slowdown in China; ; and (vi) other risks, relevant factors, and uncertainties identified in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2018, subsequent Reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and our other filings we make with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Knowles disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Financial Contact:
Mike Knapp
Knowles Investor Relations
Email: mike.knapp@knowles.com


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CaribbeanTales Announces Its Annual Call For Submissions
Published: February 1, 20177:53 am Updated: February 18, 201712:21 am
TORONTO, Canada, Wed. Feb. 1, 2017: CaribbeanTales, a multi-faceted group of film production, marketing and distribution companies, has announced its annual Call for Submissions for the Film Festival and Producer Incubator programs that will take place in September 2017 in Toronto, Canada. Applications for both programs will be open until March 31, 2017.
The winning pitch from the CaribbeanTales incubator of 2016. (CaribbeanTales image)
CTI Presented by Flow – Get Your Original Caribbean TV Series Made!
The renowned CaribbeanTales Incubator Program (CTI), now in its eighth year, has hosted over two hundred producers from across the Caribbean. Sponsored by Flow, the Caribbean's leading telecommunications company, the CTI serves as a funnel for the creation of original TV Series.
CTI offers selected producers the opportunity to hone their creative and business skills within an international marketplace environment, producing compelling and sustainable content that increases the Region's pool of world-class indigenous television content destined for the global market.
The CTI includes seven weeks of online tuition, and an intensive five-day workshop in Toronto that culminates in a Caribbean Pitch Breakfast at the TIFF Bell Lightbox attended by high-profile industry delegates.
There are several lucrative awards, including up to $30,000.00 USD in production funding for each of three (3) successful TV series pilots, that will be broadcast on Flow's TV networks across the Region.
CTFF – Your Caribbean film on the international screen!
The CaribbeanTales International Film Festival (CTFF), now in its twelfth year, showcases diverse, shared stories and cultures, and celebrates the talents of established and emerging Caribbean filmmakers.
The Festival will hold its Media Launch and Screening in early July, and a series of community screenings throughout August. The Festival's main juried program of feature films and shorts will be held between September 6 and September 20, 2017.
CTFF will program films of all lengths and genres. Please note that films considered for programming must be Toronto Premieres.
For more information about the two programs, email submissions@caribbeantales.ca.
To submit your films and projects visit the CTI website, and CTFF website.
For media inquiries contact marketing.caribbeantales@gmail.com.
ABOUT THE CARIBBEANTALES MEDIA GROUP
CaribbeanTales is a group of companies that produces, markets, and sells Caribbean-themed film and television content for global audiences.
It includes CaribbeanTales Inc. a registered Charity based in Canada; the CTI; the CTFF; CaribbeanTales Worldwide Distribution (CTWD), the largest full-service distribution entity dedicated to the monetisation of Caribbean content; CaribbeanTalesFlix, our production arm, and CaribbeanTales-TV, a video on demand platform.
About C&W Communications
C&W is a full-service communications and entertainment provider and delivers market-leading video, broadband, telephony and mobile services to consumers in eighteen countries. Through its business division, C&W provides data center hosting, domestic and international managed network services, and customized IT service solutions, utilizing cloud technology to serve business and government customers.
C&W also operates a state-of-the-art submarine fiber network – the most extensive in the region. Learn more at www.cwc.com, or follow C&W on LinkedIn,Facebook or Twitter.
Source : CaribPR Wire
caribbean tales
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7 SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT POOP EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW! 7 SIMPLE FACTS ABOUT POOP EVERY PARENT SHOULD KNOW!
Your child's poop can tell you a lot about what's going on with their overall health. These are the 7 top facts about poop you should know.
When you're a parent, talking about poop is a totally normal conversational piece. After all, parents should know everything about their kids, right down to the dirty topics. It is important to be educated and well informed about your kid's poop and what it tells you about their bowel movement and gut health.
It can reveal signs of digestive problems, lack of nutrients and a whole string of other things. You don't necessarily have to run to the doctor immediately with a sample if you think there might be something wrong with your toddler's poop.
Fact #1: Poop is mostly made out of water!
Parents, you always tell your children to eat more fibrous foods like vegetables, beans and nuts. Even still, the poop that comes out is mostly made out of water.
Fact #2: Poop colours: Yellow, green or brown are totally normal.
Colour, consistency and smell of your kid's poop may vary. Brownish and yellowish stools are normal, and may vary between the two shades depending on what they eat2.
Interestingly enough, green stools could be the result of your child's diet being high in greens like spinach, and so the poop could also come out a little greenish3. But if your child is passing stools that are bloody or pale white, do consult a doctor as it is a sign of a more serious issue2.
Just because your kids don't pass stools every day does not mean that there is something wrong. New parents might be concerned that this could pose a health threat. But in fact, it may be perfectly normal for kids to not pass stools every day. They are growing and as such, their abdominal muscles and digestive functions are still developing4.
If your child is acting normal and happy, chances are, they are not constipated. If they seem like they are in pain while passing hard stools and their bowel movements are irregular, it could be a sign of constipation4.
Just monitor them closely, especially for the consistency of their stools as this is a good indicator of whether or not they are actually constipated.
According to the Bristol Stool Chart, if your child's stools look like the example under Type 1, there is a possibility that he or she is suffering from constipation. The stools are described as hard and abrasive. The scratchy consistency of the poop is what makes passing it extremely uncomfortable, or even painful, for your toddler. In severe cases, your precious one could even experience bleeding from it.
Prolonged cases of constipation could lead to a large mass of poop being held in the gut and later on could lead to soiling (when a child is toilet trained but still uncontrollably soils themselves while awake and active). Long term wise, this may reduce their self-confidence in social settings.
Don't let it get to this point and ensure that your child's diet is always well-balanced.
Fact #5: Constipation is common among children.
It is sad but it is true. Constipation among toddlers is a common issue6. It can arise from a series of issues, which includes lack of fibre in their diets, not drinking enough liquids, reluctance to be potty trained and anxiety over changes in their routine (e.g. starting nursery school, arrival of a sibling, change of nanny, etc). You can help overcome this by making sure to incorporate fibre in their diet.
When your child has diarrhoea, be sure to keep him or her properly hydrated, whether it is with milk or water to prevent dehydration. But do avoid fruit juices as this will actually make the condition worse. Medical experts recommend taking probiotics when your child has diarrhoea and to make sure he or she is always hydrated7. That being said, diarrhoea is uncomfortable for a child, so proper treatment and management are important.
The good thing about quick growing toddlers is that they will eventually start potty training. When the time comes for them to be potty trained, going to the potty for number two is far easier than number one! You can start training them gradually but if they seem put off, don't force it. They may not be ready and it may cause them to lose confidence in using the potty in the future8. It would help if your child's bowel movements are regular and their stools look healthy too!
Now that you are armed with all of these facts, you should be able to ensure your child's bowel movements are as smooth as their bottoms.


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Blue Bell Hits the Restart Button on Its Operations After Listeria Outbreak
The ice cream giant shut down operations and recalled prodcuts over listeria.
SYDNEY LUPKIN
More Ice Cream Recalled After Listeria FoundABC News' Dr. Richard Besser explains how listeria contamination can affect people.Getty Images
— -- After a listeria outbreak that shut down Blue Bell Ice Cream operations and left three consumers dead, the company has announced a reboot.
Starting April 27, Blue Bell will "embark on an intensive cleaning program," the company said, and retrain employees at all four of its ice cream plants for the next week or so. The reboot will involve enhancing existing preventive measures, teaching hundreds of plant employees new cleaning techniques and making design changes to equipment. All ice cream made during that time will not be for sale to consumers.
"We just needed to set a reset button and get it right," Blue Bell spokesman Joe Robertson told ABC News, adding that they have not yet decided when to resume normal ice cream production.
Blue Bell Creameries: What It Can Learn From Past Recalls
Heartbreaking Testimony From Son of Caramel Apple Listeria Victim
3 Dead in Blue Bell Listeria Outbreak as Sabra Recalls Hummus Over Same Bug
The 108-year-old ice cream company expanded its earlier recalls this week to include all Blue Bell products. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also announced this week that listeria cases tied to Blue Bell Ice Cream had an illness onset date dating back as far as January 2010, after retrospectively reviewing old cases for the DNA fingerprints. The CDC has confirmed 10 listeria cases tied to Blue Bell in four states. Three of these patients died, according to the CDC.
When the first Blue Bell products tested positive for listeria and the company issued a recall, Robertson said Blue Bell identified the piece of equipment and shut down the whole room of the plant. The company had already recalled 25 ice cream products when a batch of half-gallon chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream tested positive for listeria, too, prompting the complete recall.
"We've always worked to make the very highest quality ice cream," Blue Bell CEO and President Paul Kruse said in a statement. "We intend to make a fresh start and that begins with intensive cleaning and enhanced training. This is a paradigm shifting event at Blue Bell and we want to put in place new systems to drive continuous improvement."
Although most people who are exposed to listeria don't become sick, it can be a very serious illness, said ABC News chief health and medical editor Dr. Richard Besser. It kills about 260 people a year, according to the CDC.
"Ice cream isn't one of those foods that we tended to worry about because of pasteurization, where you heat the milk that would kill listeria," he said. "So they're going to be looking very hard at these factories to try to figure out what went wrong here."
Although there is a "zero tolerance" policy at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration when it comes to listeria, food safety expert Sandra Eskin told ABC News that companies aren't required to test for it -- at least not until the Food Safety Modernization Act is implemented later this year.
Robertson said Blue Bell had been testing for listeria and other bacteria, but it will begin testing even more going forward.
On Thursday, another ice cream company, Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, announced that it was recalling all products after a positive listeria test. In a statement to ABC News, the FDA said it does not believe the outbreaks are related.


Clive Baldwin is Canada Research Chair in Narrative Studies at St. Thomas University, Fredericton, NB. He moved here from the UK in May 2011, from being Programme Director of Mental Health and Senior Lecturer in Social Work (Mental Health) at the University of Bradford. Prior to that he was the Co-ordinator for the MSc in Dementia Studies at the internationally respected Bradford Dementia Group, University of Bradford. He is a qualified social worker and has many years' experience in the not-for-profit sector, primarily in developmental roles.
He is currently working on a number of research projects: on the use of narrative in social and health care , on resilience and narrative and on transabelism, the desire to become disabled. He has published articles and book chapters on ethics and technology, ethics and dementia, narrative and law with respect to child abuse, rhetoric in expert reports, and Munchausen syndrome by proxy and most recently has published Narrative social work: Theory and application, a text for and about social work. His academic interests are wider still, including actor-network theory, the works of Ivan Illich and narratives of madness.
For official Canada Research Chair profile, click here.


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Michal Birner (né le  à Litomerice en République tchèque) est un joueur professionnel de hockey sur glace.

Carrière
Le , il est échangé aux Ducks d'Anaheim par les Blues de Saint-Louis avec Doug Weight et un choix de  ronde au repêchage de 2008 en retour de Andy McDonald.

Statistiques
Pour les significations des abréviations, voir statistiques du hockey sur glace.

En club

|2003-2004 || HC Sparta Prague || Extraliga ||1 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2004-2005 || Colts de Barrie || LHO ||28 ||4 ||10 ||14 ||12 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2004-2005|| Spirit de Saginaw || LHO ||37 ||7 ||21 ||28 ||29 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2005-2006 || Spirit de Saginaw || LHO ||60 ||31 ||54 ||85 ||91 ||4 ||1 ||3 ||4 ||8
|-
|2006-2007 || Rivermen de Peoria ||LAH ||66 ||11 ||17 ||28 ||20 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2007-2008 || Rivermen de Peoria || LAH ||18 ||2 ||5 ||7 ||4 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2007-2008|| Pirates de Portland || LAH ||40 ||7 ||6 ||13 ||14 ||15 ||2 ||1 ||3 ||6
|-
|2008-2009 ||Chops de l'Iowa || LAH ||2 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||0 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2008-2009 || Pelicans Lahti || SM-liiga ||6 ||0 ||2 ||2 ||14 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
|2009-2010 || TPS Turku || SM-liiga || 58|| 15|| 30|| 45|| 38|| 15|| 4|| 6|| 10|| 22
|-
|2010-2011 || TPS Turku || SM-liiga || 48|| 4|| 13|| 17|| 24|| -|| -|| -|| -|| -
|-
|2011-2012 || TPS Turku || SM-liiga || 60|| 11|| 14|| 25|| 36|| 2|| 2|| 0|| 2|| 2
|-
|2012-2013 || HC Lev Prague || KHL || 24|| 1|| 3|| 4|| 8|| 2|| 1|| 2|| 3|| 0
|-
|2013-2014 || HC Lev Prague || KHL || 40|| 5|| 5|| 10|| 12|| 13|| 1|| 3|| 4|| 8
|-
| 2014-2015 || KalPa || Liiga || 60 || 15 || 21 || 36 || 32 || 6 || 2 || 1 || 3 || 0
|-
|2015-2016 || HC Bílí Tygři Liberec || Extraliga || 51 || 13 || 26 || 39 || 69 || 13 || 2 || 9 || 11 || 18
|-
| 2016-2017 || Traktor Tcheliabinsk || KHL || 12 || 0 || 1 || 1 || 6 || - || - || - || - || -
|-
| 2016-2017 || HC Fribourg-Gottéron || LNA || 31 || 9 || 23 || 32 || 8 || 10 || 2 || 8 || 10 || 14
|-
| 2017-2018 || HC Fribourg-Gottéron || LNA ||39 ||9 ||20 ||29 ||22 ||5 ||3 ||2 ||5 ||0
|-
| 2018-2019 || HC Fribourg-Gottéron || LNA ||9 ||0 ||3 ||3 ||4 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
| 2018-2019 || HC Bílí Tygři Liberec || Extraliga tch. ||32 ||9 ||19 ||28 ||26 ||17 ||7 ||6 ||13 ||8
|-
| 2019-2020 || HC Bílí Tygři Liberec || Extraliga tch. ||41 ||20 ||41 ||61 ||12 ||- ||- ||- ||- ||-
|-
| 2020-2021|| HC Bílí Tygři Liberec || Extraliga tch. || 50 || 14 || 31 || 45 || 38 || 15 || 4 || 12 || 16 || 10

Internationales

Notes et références

Naissance en mars 1986
Joueur international tchèque de hockey sur glace
Choix de repêchage des Blues de Saint-Louis
Joueur du HC Sparta Prague
Joueur des Rivermen de Peoria (LAH)
Joueur des Pirates de Portland
Joueur des Chops de l'Iowa
Joueur des Pelicans Lahti
Joueur du TPS (hockey sur glace)
Joueur du HC Lev Prague
Attaquant de hockey sur glace
Joueur du KalPa Kuopio
Naissance à Litoměřice
Joueur du HC Bílí Tygři Liberec
Joueur du Traktor Tcheliabinsk
Joueur du HC Fribourg-Gottéron
Joueur de hockey sur glace aux Jeux olympiques d'hiver de 2018
Naissance en Tchécoslovaquie

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


WASHINGTON – President Donald Trump issued the first veto of his presidency Friday to secure federal money for a border wall he promised as a candidate and considers a crucial priority for reelection, capping a week of confrontation with both political parties.
"Today I am vetoing this resolution. Congress has the freedom to pass this resolution and I have the duty to veto it," Trump said.
Twelve Republicans had joined Democrats to challenge Trump over his declaration of a national emergency at the U.S.-Mexico border, which would allow the president to circumvent Congress and spend billions on wall construction.
The rare rebuke from members of his own party was symbolically important, but Congress does not have the votes to overturn Trump's veto.
Most Republicans who defected did so as a protest vote over the president's methods and their fear about the precedent of executive overreach rather than the underlying debate over whether a border wall is necessary. Democrats and some Republicans challenged the declaration as a blow to the separation of powers.
Trump had sought to frame the debate in terms of immigration, arguing that Republican senators who supported border security should back him on the emergency declaration.
Trump also has maintained he has the legal authority to act.
A Justice Department letter to congressional leaders details the arguments defending the Trump's emergency declaration, arguing that the president was authorized to do so by the National Emergencies Act of 1976.
"The president acted well within his discretion in declaring a national emergency concerning the southern border," the Justice Department argues in the letter, a copy of which was reviewed by The Washington Post.
The letter, which draws much of its reasoning from analysis done by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, points to various crises for which past presidents have declared emergencies under the law.
The letter, sent last week to the top Democrat and Republican in the Senate, goes on to argue that the situation at the border has worsened.
A Justice Department letter to congressional leaders details the legal arguments defending the Trump emergency declaration, arguing that the president was authorized to do so by the National Emergencies Act passed by Congress in 1976.
The letter, which draws much of its reasoning from analysis done by the Justice Department's Office of Legal Counsel, goes on to note the various lesser crises for which past presidents have declared emergencies under the law.
In challenging Trump on Thursday, only one Republican who is up for reelection next year – Susan Collins of Maine – voted for the disapproval resolution.
In addition to Collins, the other GOP senators voting for the resolution were Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, Roy Blunt of Missouri, Mike Lee of Utah, Jerry Moran of Kansas, Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, Rand Paul of Kentucky, Mitt Romney of Utah, Marco Rubio of Florida, Patrick Toomey of Pennsylvania, Rob Portman of Ohio and Roger Wicker of Mississippi.
Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., another senator up for reelection in a politically divided state, had announced last month that he would vote for the disapproval resolution. He wrote an opinion piece in The Washington Post at the time arguing there would be "no intellectual honesty" in supporting executive overreach by Trump that he had opposed under President Barack Obama.
But on Thursday, Tillis cast his vote with the president, saying he was reassured by indications that Trump would support changes to the National Emergencies Act itself to rein in presidential powers going forward, and that his GOP colleagues also backed such legislation.


text:
Author Chris Brookes is fueled by a passion for the arts
And his tech skills help indie authors promote their books
Author Chris Brookes
I met British mystery author Chris Brookes in a Facebook author group. Chris impressed me with his positive outlook and his creative approach to marketing and promotion. When I learned about his mystery trilogy, the Entanglement Series, I knew this author was a kindred spirit. Like me, Chris is captivated by history. The bit of history that hooked him was the fascinating story of Walter Greenway, an eccentric Englishman whose bravery during World War I was memorialized in the writings of Robert Holmes, a Sheffield man who was a police court missionary (an early version of a probation officer).
"The mystery of both Walter and Robert Holmes consumed me and I found myself entangling facts with fiction," Chris explains. "Suddenly my idea was born—to create a police court missionary character and write entangled stories based on the experiences of people listed in his registers. And what better place to start than with Walter—this most intriguing man whose experiences stretched from Sheffield to the war zones of Mesopotamia and included many acts of heroism."
Chris dove down the rabbit hole of research and happily emerged years later with three historical mystery novels: Entanglement of Fate, Entanglement of Revenge, and Entanglement of Deceit. I was thoroughly impressed with Chris's storytelling skills when I read Entanglement of Fate, and I look forward to the rest of the trilogy. Here's my interview with Chris about the path that led him to the indie author life. I hope you enjoy it!
Q.You've always been drawn to creative work and are happiest when you're writing or drawing. How did interest in the arts develop for you?
A. Actually I never read or wrote as a child, this was something that developed after working in theatre. My love of drawing, however, started in my teenage years. I started working as a theatre production manager in the 1980s and from there went on to produce many UK touring shows. Working in that environment brought me into contact with many talented and creative people, some of whom I ultimately got the chance to work with on a regular basis. One such person was director Mark Kenyon, who was also a screen writer and was responsible for fueling my interest in writing. He taught me all the basics, and more, of character development, effective description, and how to thread plots with anticipation and create cliff hangers. All of Mark's teaching I still use today in my writing.
Q. During the years of raising children, you put your creative pursuits on the back burner for a while. Are you able to write full time these days?
A. As with most jobs in theatre, sometimes there isn't much prospect of a steady income so I decided to take a 'day job' as they say. I worked in corporate service management roles, but always kept my interest in script writing. Eventually in 2013, with my children grown up and beginning to flee the nest, I decided to return to my creative roots and began writing full-time again. In addition, I created a company to offer book promotion services which seems to fulfill my desire for designing things. Currently I'm working on a fourth book, and ideas for a fifth, in the Entanglement series, as well as some script editing work for a production company.
Q. Your Entanglement series started as a screenplay, sat in a drawer for a few years, and then you brought it back to life as a series of novels. I love that the character of Walter Stanford was based on a very charismatic real person whose story fascinated you. What was your writing process once you decided to transform it into novel form?
A. I write very cinematographically and have to have everything clear in my head as a movie. Once I have an idea I begin to embellish details and craft it into a scene. Only once I'm happy that the story is working as a film do I start writing. Then it's a process of describing what I'm seeing in my head and developing my plot, characters, and conflicts.
The Entanglement Series
Q. Did you make up your mind to commit a certain number of hours a day to writing until the first book was out?
A. Not really, I'm not very disciplined with writing, unless doing script work to deadlines. I generally just sit and write when the mood takes me. Some days I can be in the zone and work more than 14 hours, other times the feeling just isn't there so I'll go off and do other things (but don't tell my wife or she'll have me working through that decorating task list!)
Q. Did you publish all the books independently?
A. Originally they were traditionally published but now I have gone over to self-published.
Q. Why did you choose to go indie? And what do you like about being an indie author?
A. Ultimately it was about me wanting back control and getting a better ROI [Return On Investment]. I love the fact that I have the freedom to make final decisions on all aspects of my work. That being said, it also brings the headaches if things go wrong.
Q. What was your process with the first book? (Did you hire an editor, use beta readers, etc.)
A. I absolutely recommend working with a proper editor and not just a proof reader. A good editor will challenge you and the story's construction, characterizations, and help you keep consistency. I start by sending Helen, my editor, the opening five chapters and she will red pen it all and we'll go back and forth with ideas and suggestions for changes. After this the process is normally write a chapter, edit a chapter. I also have a few good beta readers from my reader group mailing list, but generally I find they aren't critical enough. Over the years I have worked with some very talented designers and printers, so I'm fortunate that I know where to find good people for things like cover design, book formatting, ebook conversions, etc.
Q. Did the second and third go more quickly? Did you find it easier?
A. Yes and Yes, for the second book at least. I don't really know why. Perhaps it's because you become more comfortable writing in the voice of your main characters. Most of the foundations have already been laid so it's easier to develop things.
Q. What are your biggest challenges as an "authorpreneur"?
A. I think this will always be how do I get my book read by people? And how do I get readers to buy book two, three, four, etc? The other big challenge is how to successfully build a fan base outside of Amazon.
Q. Who are your inspirations?
A. I admire many writers for the way they can craft their stories and draw the reader in. From the old school there is obviously Agatha Christie or Dorothy L. Sayers, further back still, I love to read the Jacques Futrelle mysteries. I also have an affection for John Buchan's work. Modern-day authors I will happily read include the likes of Stephen King, James Herbert, John Grisham and James Patterson.
Q. How do you stay positive?
A. Remembering that being negative doesn't lead anywhere!
Q. I've participated in one of your author promotions (which you did at no cost to the authors who participated, though I know you put a lot of time in) and I'm excited about a new service you're developing, short video ads to publicize books. Is marketing and advertising a particular interest of yours?
A. Yes I love exploring ways to find new readers. What do they like and what do they want? Sometimes it's simply a case of I like an idea so I'll give it a go.
Q. You seem very tech-savvy. Do you enjoy learning and using new technology?
A. Absolutely, although I can't tell you how many expletives I've hurled at my screen over the years when I can't grasp things.
Q. What are you working on next?
A. As previously mentioned I'm currently working on book four and five in the Entanglement series. But this year I've allocated to spend a lot of time on my Authors to Readers projects [joint promotions for authors] and I'm really excited about developing my video ad service.
Original artwork by Chris
Q. Do you sell your artwork?
A. I haven't painted seriously and sold my pictures for well over twenty years now. But I sense those days aren't that far away again!
Find Chris Brookes at his website, where you can learn more about his Entanglement historical mystery series. To read a sample of Entanglement of Fate, the first book in the series, click here.
PreviousThe Girl from Oto Book Club Discussion QuestionsNextPsst…check out my interview on the Writer Mom Life podcast!


text:
Vistra Employees Restore Historic Black Cemetery
Robert Hornbuckle walks through the newly-restored cemetery in Trinidad, Texas. Hornbuckle helped lead the project after discovering he had family members buried at the site.
Vistra Luminant Trinidad Power Plant employees, along with Fluor and Merico contractors, volunteered their time clearing vegetation, removing old trees, and installing a new fence and gate around a historic Black cemetery.
Thursday, September 9, 2021 - 8:20am
NEWSROOM: Vistra
CAMPAIGN: Supporting Communities We Serve
TRINIDAD, Texas, September 9, 2021 /3BLMedia/ - Employees at Vistra's Luminant Trinidad Power Plant gathered with community leaders Thursday, Aug. 26, 2021, to mark completion of a cemetery restoration project. The cemetery, located on Trinidad Power Plant property, is the final resting place for generations of Black residents, including enslaved Texans.
Trinidad Power Plant employees, along with Fluor and Merico contractors, volunteered their time clearing vegetation, removing old trees, and installing a new fence and gate around the cemetery. The project was in coordination with Texas native Robert Hornbuckle, who has relatives buried at the site.
"My great-great-grandfather used to own this property, and my grandfather, John Hornbuckle, was one of the last Trinidad residents to be buried in this cemetery," Hornbuckle said. "After working with the Henderson County Historical Commission, we believe there's graves dating back to the 1840s and numerous slaves buried here, which makes this cemetery even more significant in Texas history. I'm proud to have worked with the Luminant team and to see this piece of history preserved for future generations. With help from the historical commission, we're hoping to have the cemetery designated with a marker as a Historic Texas Cemetery."
About Luminant
Luminant, a subsidiary of Vistra (NYSE: VST), is a competitive power generation business, including wholesale marketing and trading, mining, and development operations. Luminant has approximately 39,000 megawatts of generation across 12 states, powered by a diverse portfolio of natural gas, nuclear, coal, solar, and battery storage facilities. The company operates in six of the seven competitive markets in the U.S. Vistra is a premier, integrated retail electric and power generation company based in Texas, combining an innovative, customer-centric approach to retail with a focus on safe, reliable, and efficient power generation. Visit luminant.com and vistracorp.com for additional information.
CATEGORY: Social Impact & Volunteering
More From Vistra
Vistra Named One of America's Most JUST Companies by JUST Capital and Media Partner CNBC
Tuesday, January 11, 2022 - 11:00am
Vistra's TXU Energy Donates Meals, Blankets and Holiday Decorations to Families in Need
Vistra Launches Green Finance Framework
Friday, December 3, 2021 - 12:05pm
Videos from Vistra
Vistra Donation Provides Broadband Internet to Rural Ohio Students, Bridging the Digital Divide


I have not written in a bit but wow have I been busy. Nothing too exciting, just working on promoting Daughter of Athena and getting reviews for it. I am also currently working on a couple of different writing projects that I'm excited about.
I hope to do some book signings and events soon once Daughter of Athena gets a little more buzz (at least I hope it gets more buzz). It is now available for 99 cents and is also available on Kindle Unlimited! The more readers the better! Honestly, I just hope you all love this book as much as I do.


Here's our first installment of weekly Power Rankings listing the best and worst (just to be assholes) teams in MLB based on overall record, record over the last 10 games and current win/loss streak. I'm sure this will create some healthy debate!
You've ranked the Sox too high!


There's a fourth Powerpuff Girl and she's amazing!
Meet Bliss – the fourth Powerpuff Girl who is officially mixing things up. You might remember watching Buttercup, Blossom and Bubbles when you were a kid, and, like us, a tiny part of you probably jumped for joy when the Cartoon Network brought the cartoon back to our screens last year.
Yet in an exciting new twist, the channel have introduced a fourth Powerpuff girl named Bliss, voiced by South African singer Toya Delazy. In a welcomed diverse move, Bliss has been introduced as the first black Powerpuff Girl, and fans are praising Cartoon Network for the move.
The Powerpuff Girls becan in 1998 and follows super powered triplets as they are constantly called upon to save the city of Townsville.
What do you think of the new addition? Let us know in the comments below!
Perfect for burning off some of your toddler's endless energy, diddi dance classes use ribbons and hoops as props. Dance classes have a theme, which changes every 5-7 weeks, and includes salsa and 1920s Charleston – think jazz hands.
Disco Duck are nationwide award-winning dance classes for pre-school boys and girls. Designed by an ex professional dancer, dance teacher and choreographer, the classes have been developed to increase little one's confidence, self-esteem, social skills, balance and concentration. The classes operate in a fun and safe environment and are attended every week by Disco Duck himself! There is also Disco Duck merchandise including a CD and stories, and parties which are really popular with parents and children.
If you love your downward dog or salute to the sun, you can take your baby along to YogaBellies classes, which includes baby massage, focused yoga postures for the mums, and poses for both you and your baby so you can bond with each other. They're suitable for babies and toddlers and classes last one hour, which you book in blocks of six classes.
A good class for newborns and very young babies, MamaBabyBliss massage can help sooth colic and wind, and encourage your baby to sleep, as well as building his digestive, circulatory and immune systems.
Great for getting your baby used to the water from a young age, Waterbabies baby swimming classes also boost confidence and improve strength in your baby's arms and legs. The sooner you start, the more used to the water your tot will be.
You'll be surprised at how quickly your little one can pick up a foreign language (if you've ever watched your toddler parroting away to Dora the Explorer you'll understand). Lingotot classes teach a range of languages including French, Spanish and even Chinese.
babyballet is a fun, award-winning pre-school dance class for girls and boys from 6 months to 6 years. With a real focus on learning through play, babyballet, which runs across the UK, allows babies, toddlers and young children to enjoy the physical and social benefits of ballet, song and dance in a safe, caring, positive and informal environment. Little ones will build their confidence and social skills, while developing basic ballet technique, coordination, musicality, balance, posture and rhythm. babyballet's fully qualified teachers are joined in class by the babyballet bears, Twinkle & Teddy, who help to encourage all the little stars to interact and share as they learn to dance without any pressure. There is also a line of merchandise and parties available.
If you've already gone into new mum anxious mode, checking smoke alarms and practising infant choking positions, sign up for a first aid class run by the National Childbirth Trust and the British Red Cross. The course covers health issues such as loss of consciousness, CPR, choking, bleeding, burns, high temperatures and meningitis.
While we're not expecting your pre-schooler to be doing back flips and triple flip twists quite yet, a Tumbletots class will encourage him to climb, jump, and roll while learning how to control movements more precisely. It uses soft play equipment for children to clamber over and under and it's a great way to make friends.
Encourage your toddler to help prepare food and he's more likely to have a healthy relatonship with food. During each Kiddycook session the children have fun creating recipes, which encourages them to learn about good food and explore new flavours in a fun way. Its Cookie Tots classes are perfect for 2-4 year olds and after creating a dish, children then join in with music, games and activities based around preparing and enjoying food.
If you can see your little one as the next Beckham or Rooney, sign up for a Little Kickers football class. They run a Little Kicks class for children aged 18 months to three years, and then you graduate to the next level – Junior Kickers which goes from 2 years to 3½ years. Classes will help your little one gain better body control and co-ordination skills.
As well as being a fun way to connect with your baby or toddler, Sing and Sign classes can help your little one communicate with you before she starts speaking. She'll learn words such as "milk", "hot", "thank you" and "more" but there's also plenty of singing and games.
If you've experienced the *joy* of peeling dried Play-Doh off the kitchen floor, you'll appreciate the Creation Station. It offers arts and crafts classes for babies, toddlers and pre-schoolers without the mess for you.


text:
Fears for safety of Morpeth schoolchildren as pupils cross busy road unaided
By Brian Daniel
Morpeth Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools, which share a site next to a B road, have had no crossing patrol in place since October
Chantry Middle School and Newminster Middle School have no crossing patrol in place
Fears have been voiced for the safety of around 1,000 schoolchildren who are having to cross a busy road unaided.
Morpeth Chantry and Newminster Middle Schools, which share a site next to a B road, have had no crossing patrol in place since October.
With no appointment in the offing, grave concerns have been expressed that a child could be knocked down and injured or even killed while crossing the road without a patrol.
A school head, a parent and the local education authority last night issued a plea for anyone interested in filling the role to come forward.
The schools, which have around 500 nine to 13 year-old pupils each, are based on the B6343 Mitford Road, used by many motorists to travel to and from the town and close to where Morpeth's new flood defences are being built.
However, the crossing patrol officer who served the schools was moved to a school in his home town of Ashington in October, after Northumberland County Council ceased paying travel expenses.
A replacement was lined up by the authority but on the day he was due to start in December, told officers he had landed another job.
No-one else has been identified to fill the role.
Steven Johnson, head of school at Chantry, last night told how the school had tried to find a replacement through newsletters and text messages to parents.
Staff at the schools are allowed to be present at the road side but can not escort children across the road without training.
Mr Johnson said no staff had expressed interest in receiving it.
"We are just really struggling and we have to try and move this agenda forward because the road outside the school is a busy B road and we feel there should be a school crossing patrol there really.
"We just need someone out there in the community to come and do that."
Mr Johnson voiced concerns over the lack of safety measures in place outside the school, such as a zebra crossing.
He said there had been no accidents yet but added: "I think that we have to be aware that that may happen and we do not want that to happen, I do think that could be a possibility."
Alison Byard, a 47-year-old Morpeth Town councillor from Crookham Grove in Stobhill Manor whose 11-year-old daughter Katie is a year seven pupil at Chantry, said: "It is a danger.
"It has been going on a long time but a child could be killed if there is no crossing attendant."
A council spokeswoman said: "The council is actively recruiting for school crossing patrol officers.
"We would ask anyone who is interested in undertaking such a valuable and rewarding role to apply via the county council jobs site. We regularly advertise via social media as well as the local press and school newsletters in order to fill vacancies as they arise.
"However, we do advise parents that the council does not have a statutory responsibility to provide school crossing patrol officers. Until a replacement can be found, it is ultimately parents' responsibility to ensure that their child gets to school safely.
"We appreciate that this is a busy road, and until a replacement officer can be found parents are asked to help ensure that children cross the road safely."
Car parking charges to go in parts of Northumberland
Car parking charges are to be removed in Northumberland, but not everywhere
Northumberland County Council pulls out of Morpeth housing inquiry
Morpeth County Hall could be sold in drive for savings
Claims village is carrying the 'unrealistically' heavy load of housing plans
Members of the Ponteland Green Belt Committee have submitted a 25-page document in which they share their concerns
National Union of Teachers claims letter to Northumberland teachers was 'bullying'
Council sends damning letters to North East teachers in bid to up standards


Adding a conservatory to your home not only gives you more space, but also opens up your house to the outside world, bringing your home to life in a way nothing else can.
Within a very short space of time, you will realise the value of the extra space and freedom a conservatory brings, meaning you will want to use it every day, not just on hot and sunny days.
Natural light, sunshine and constantly changing scenery act as a magnet to young and old, so you will find that a conservatory will rapidly become one of the most popular rooms in your home.
A conservatory brings you so much closer to nature than doors and windows ever can. The ability to throw open your house to the sights, sounds and scents of a garden or patio is a much loved benefit of a conservatory and one you will prize dearly.
Whether you choose modern or traditional, we have an extensive range of conservatory styles, from lean-to units through to grandiose Period-style conservatories. Our conservatories can be individually tailored with a style, size and layout to suit your home, garden... and also your pocket!