Each breed of dogs has their day at the Kennel Westminster Show. That day can start by putting up against dozens of dogs – or elsewhere.
Outside the rings where 48 French bulldogs were on Monday to get the best of their breed, Peter and Tracy Rousseau had a sense of how they would look at a field that their Norwegian Lundehund could face later.
A member of the rarest breed in the American Kennel Club, Eva was one of the most important types of lute at the most prestigious show. Last year was the only one.
"We are trying to get people to understand this breed and have the opportunity to see" a small dog that is really a variety, "said Tracy Rousseau. Originally reared to reef cliffs, lundehunds have extra fingers and extra flexibility to help them climb.
"They are very unique," so fanatics try to make people realize that unusual legs are not deformities, says Rousseau.
For Rousseaus, it is worth traveling from Colorado to New York just to get attention for the lundehunds in Westminster, where Eva had an unforgettable turn in last year's television semi-final. She stopped to scratch her ear and back as she watched the ring and laughs at the spectators.
On Monday Eve only won a competitor, Pikka, and she started on TV. Owner Carrie Riley of Rockwall, Texas, said she would like to see more people interested in lundehunds.
Rare and super popularity is perceived as a mixed blessing in dog competition and sometimes in the world of a purebred dog as a whole.
Less competition in the breeding circle makes it easier to reach at least the semi-finals, which means Westminster means getting to TV. But that means facing other breeds that judges can know better. Points for championship titles are partly based on how many dogs of the same breed won the victory at the show. And the breeders sometimes care for the future of their beloved breeds.
"This is a very dangerous breed," said Donna Smiley, after Cora, who was co-fallen, was given a breed without a Monday. Harriers are a recognized breed in the United States since 1885, but are now the eighth most remarkable in the AKC.
Traditionally distributed to hare hares, medium sized dogs are training and great family pets if they are provided with sufficient exercise, says Smiley of Indio, California.
"We'd love more people to be interested, so we can keep the breed," she said.
Cora was not the only dog to round the ring on Monday. The English foxhound called Whiskey was also in itself, representing the nation's second most distant breed.
"It's very sad, it's a beautiful breed," said Katie Bernardine, clever, sometimes stubborn, but also sweet. "That's why we show them – to promote the breed."
The only slug that was given did not appear. Athletic dog dogs in the greyhound became eligible for Westminster two years ago.
Altogether, more than 2,800 dogs who have entered the competition for the best this year, come from 203 breeds and varieties. This is every registered breed, except Chinook, sledding, which is the official state dog in New Hampshire.
Dogs, such as French bulldogs and Golden Retrievers – the largest 57-run entry show that competes on Tuesday – have the best crowd just to get the breed.
The French have accelerated from 76th in the last 20 years to the fourth place in the AKC ranking, a kind of increase that makes fans proud, as well as concerns over lax breeders who are trying to get cash.
"It's a great breed and you want people to fall in love with it," said Christine Dudney of Temple Terrace, Fla., Waiting for her to show her French bulldog Millie. "You're just afraid people will get the money."
Some unusual breeds together create a strong presence for Westminster.
In Cirneco dell's Etna, nine flocks of faces appeared on Monday, although the rabbit breed was the seventh most distant in the US and debuted at Westminster in 2016.
Dr. Cheryl McDermott and her twelve-year-old daughter Brenn brought four of Cirnec's contestants.
"The biggest thing for us is to represent a breed with the best dogs," said McDermott, a veterinarian from Ethel, Washington, "so people can have a better chance of this breed as an option."


LAURENCE MILLER, Ph.D. Laurence Miller, Ph.D. is the author of Inner Natures: Brain, Self, and Personality; Freud's Brain: Neuropsychodynamic Foundations of Psychoanalysis; Shocks to the System: Psychotherapy of Traumatic Disability Syndromes, and Treatment of the Brain Injured Patient: Reclaiming the Shattered Self. A psychologist based in Boca Raton, Florida, he specializes in clinical psychology, neuropsychology, forensic psychology, and business psychology. Currently Dr. Miller is the Police Psychologist for the West Palm Beach Police Department, a Forensic Psychological Examiner for the Palm Beach County Court, a Certified Trainer by the International Critical Incident Stress Foundation, an Instructor at the Criminal Justice Institute of Palm Beach County and Florida Atlantic University, and conducts continuing educational programs and training seminars across the U.S. and Canada.


text:
Home Business Dar rubbishes talk about seizing dollars from banks
Dar rubbishes talk about seizing dollars from banks
• Says foreign reserves held by both SBP and commercial banks are always considered part of national kitty • Reiterates common man won't burdened due of IMF deal
Finance Minister Ishaq on Wednesday said the government would not burden the masses in the wake of any accord reached with the IMF as he told media that his team had a detailed meeting with the global lender on the sidelines of the Geneva conference.
He was also critical of those who misconstrued his recent statement about the foreign reserves and rubbished the claims that the government may confiscate the amount held by commercial banks. Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves would improve in the near future, the minister added.
Dar, who was speaking at a conference held in Islamabad by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, said the IMF wanted the government to take fiscal measures and cut back some subsidies. "We have identified some fiscal measures but there will be no burden on the common man. They will be very targeted and categorical," he assured.
"We all know power sector reforms [are required]," he said and reminded the media representatives that the super tax imposed by the government in June last year had been invalidated by a high court.
The finance minister said the IMF was told that they would recover the amount in a staggered manner. "We will recover it still. We are not changing the fiscal budget target and we will achieve it."
About the twisting his recent TV interview, Dar said his comment was greatly misconstrued and nothing of the sort will happen.
The latest remarks come days after he said in an interview that Pakistan's foreign exchange reserves stand at $10 billion, a much higher figure than the central bank's $5.6 billion as of Dec 30, 2022, because "dollars held by commercial banks also belonged to the country".
It gave rise to fears that the government may confiscate dollars from private banks as had been done in 1998 when Dar was the finance minister.
"In February 1999, when I was the finance minister, we devised a system whereby a substantial amount [of dollars] remain with [private] banks. It was on June 30, 1999 that reserves were broken down into three columns — those with the SBP, commercial banks and total."
Before 1999, every cent that came into the country was deposited with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and private banks were not allowed to keep dollars, the minister recalled.
"Whenever Pakistan's reserves are quoted anywhere in the world — a survey or a document — the [total figure] is quoted and then a breakdown is given. I gave a breakdown too," he added.
The minister said "some people" had worsened the country's situation to the extent that it had slipped from being the 24th largest economy in 2016 to the 47th.
"Even now, they cannot tolerate any good development. They gave such a twist [to my statement]," he said. "Nothing of that sort will happen. Everything is all worked out … and in order. Nothing to worry about," he assured, urging those "spreading the rumours" to play a positive national role.
Later, Dar, who is one of the closest aides of PML-N supremo Nawaz Sharif, explained his stance in a series of tweets, asking the people to ignore the "misconstrued, misinterpreted and mala fide propaganda".
National foreign exchange reserves always include forex held with SBP and Commercial Banks. Recently I quoted the forex reserves figure based on this principle. Some vested elements who ruined this country's economy in the past, gave it a deliberate twist and started a campaign
— Ishaq Dar (@MIshaqDar50) January 11, 2023
foreign reserves
Ishaq Dar
Amazon workers on strike in UK, say robots are treated better
Hope of IMF programme revival propels KSE-100 Index by 730 points
Inflation: Suzuki Motor too jacks up prices
Major power breakdown hits country
A life without sharing? Netflix to charge more if password is...
Nikkei leads gains in Asia after tech stocks boosted Wall Street
Govt pays no heed to economic crisis, imports luxury cars worth...

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Here at Nicol Mere, we believe strongly in promoting pupils' SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural development) and preparing our children for life.
We aim to create a climate and ethos that enables all our children to grow and flourish, becoming confident individuals, and appreciating their own worth and that of others.
Our enriching curriculum provides opportunities to develop SMSC. These are carefully planned for. However opportunities, to promote SMSC, regular occur and we seize these moments to further encourage the children's understanding and growth.


We help parents who are feeling at a loss of where to start, overwhelmed and/or discouraged on their potty training journey to gain the confidence, know-how and support needed in order to get their child out of diapers. We are experts in potty training boys and potty training girls.
Many families struggle with potty training, you are not alone.
Behavioral issues that you don't know how to control? We know how to help!
Kids and sleep don't mix well. Luckily, a professional can help your newborn or tot to sleep soundly.
There are several approaches and methodologies to potty training; we will pick the right one based on your child's developmental stage. Every child is unique and some children may master it within a few days, while others may need to take their time.


text:
Is It Bad Luck to Buy Pounamu for Yourself?
We get asked this question a lot, so we decided to link an independent article written by Mountain Jade that speaks to this concern very objectively.
Jade (pounamu) is a precious stone in Maori history and thus has a long-standing tradition of being gifted to others. Throughout history it has been used to seal bonds; whether for friendship, relationships, peace, or to show gratitude and thanks.
It has also been noted that pounamu was a significant item used for exchange, which is how many tribes came to obtain the stone, despite being at a distance from the original source. We believe this has helped fuel the notion that jade shouldn't be purchased for yourself but instead gifted to others, as it would result in giving the purchaser bad luck. It's a topic that we feel is worth further exploration, as we want to respect the traditional beliefs the Maori people had, as well as explore the modern day customs that have come to fruition as a result of these historical ideologies.
The concept of gifting
The concept of gifting was central in the lives of Maori. It was a guiding principle and helped maintain the social 'balance' (mana) of individuals, communities and tribes. The process of this was shown through the gifts being given as a response to another persons doing or previous gift, each one proceeding being of greater significance or value. A material that was often used within this custom, due to its spiritual importance, was pounamu. It was always carved into traditional Maori symbols, each denoting their own spiritual significance to the wearer. Some of the most beautiful or significant carvings were also gifted to leading tribesmen, either for their strength or their spirituality. It was a high honour to receive a carved pounamu in this respect. The Maori people were very connected to the spiritual world and thus very connected to the earth around them. The creational story of Pounamu is that it is essentially the essence of a taniwha (Spiritual water being) called Poutini, hence why greenstone has held such a high regard as a taonga (treasure) within the Maori culture.
Sacred symbols were gifted
Typically, though certainly not limited to, the symbols that were worn by tribe leaders were the Hei Tiki; which is a significant symbol believed to resemble the son of Rangi and Papa (Sky Father and Earth Mother) and some were believed to be the dwelling place for ancestral spirits or vessels for the gods. Adornment was extremely important to the Maori people, objects made from wood, shell and bone, as well as pounamu were often worn for safekeeping. These items were hung around their neck or through their ears. It wasn't until later during the "classical Maori period" that pounamu was the adornment of choice over these other materials. During this time new forms and designs were evolved and it became something considered more fashionable alongside being sacred and practical. This was around the time the Maori people had European contact and simultaneously jade took off as an enterprise. It was used in both jewellery and weapon form as an item to trade with the Europeans.
This is why pounamu carvings are considered a special and significant family heirloom. It's a strong and durable stone, so these carvings last for many generations, being gifted down the family line, emphasising the stone as a true taonga. This was the case in both Maori history as well as within modern day families. Many traditional items from history are still with the original family, having been passed down for many years. Historically, the pounamu carvings were often given names, as it helped personify the jade with the wearers of its past. The carvings reminded people of their ancestors and the life stories they created whilst wearing the stone.
Alongside gifting within their tribes and families, pounamu was also historically used when tribal wars were over, signifying a gift that was to seal the peace treaty between the two tribes.
Violating Tapu was bad luck
Considering that gifting has a strong presence throughout pounamus history, there is no wonder some modern day thinking is that it should only be gifted and that it would result in bad luck to buy jade for oneself. The thinking behind this concept of 'bad luck' is most likely due to the fragmented interpretations of the concepts tapu and mana, which dictate actions of respect and balance within society and if disregarded is hara, and has dire consequences. They are associated with the concept of blessing, as everything from the natural world was considered to be the child of Rangi and Papa (the sky father and earth mother) and thus tapu (sacred). Blessing objects are thought to neutralise (or separate) tapu or energy, and cut these natural objects off from their spiritual source, placing them firmly in the human world. This was so life could continue on safely without the people having fear of reprisal from the vengeful gods. Water was commonly used in tapu removal rituals. It came from the 'wai tapu' (tapu water) and would absorb the tapu from the object, carrying it away. As such, this has shaped modern superstitious beliefs around buying pounamu for oneself, with the 'bad luck' connotation being an incorrect distillation of these tapu 'rights' and the negative consequences if disregarded.
Furthermore, carving was traditionally a sacred (tapu) craft, therefore pounamu carving may be seen by some as equally sacred, due to the act itself as well as the stone. Because of this, some could come to the conclusion that by not having the stone blessed after it has been carved (the sacred craft) it would be hara, a violation, bringing a negative tapu to the wearer because it hasn't been cut off (separated) from its tapu source(s).
A living stone
A final reason this myth may have come to existence is because some believe pounamu stones have their own spirit, who in fact choose their owner, rather than the other way around.
Buying jade for yourself when the spirit of the stone had it's eyes set on another, would anger the gods, creating negative energy and supposedly causing the wearer bad luck.
Our customers often note how specific stones call to them, so we do believe the stone can choose you to an extent. However, there is no traditional tikanga (teaching) that states this is due to a spirit within the stone or that choosing and purchasing a stone for oneself would result in a tapu of bad luck.
We believe that this idea of "bad luck" when purchasing jade for yourself has arisen through interpreting the Maori concepts of taonga, tapu and traditions related to the stone through a modern lens. Just as we try to respect, understand and preserve the Maori culture through our craft, society has adopted these perceived, culturally sensitive beliefs to show respect for Maori culture which is a positive thing.
That said, gifting greenstone is still a tradition today and is often used as a gift for significant milestones or to show someone your love and appreciation.
We personally see no reason why one shouldn't purchase these special stones as a gift for themselves, especially if they feel a particular connection to a piece of greenstone or a design. It is important however that the individuals make up their own mind on the beliefs around gifting and the tapu nature of pounamu. If there is any uncertainty with this concept and others discussed in this article, consulting your local marae for further assistance could help in making a final decision to ensure it aligns with your personal beliefs and those of your local hapu.
This article was written by Mountain Jade. You can visit their website here, and read the original article here.


This Chevron Stripes set wall art decal is chic and the perfect touch for both indoor and outdoor decoration. It is a vinyl sticker that is easy to put onto almost any smooth surface and really brings a room together adding the perfect amount of decoration. This modern vinyl decal is perfect for a touch of decor to an office space, at home, in the bedroom or living room. Our modern decals don't just brighten up the room, but brighten up the day. Using top of the line vinyl across all of our production allows us to be the leaders in quality and design.


text:
Issues Of The Environment: UM Study Shows Plant-Based Burgers Are More Eco-Friendly Than Meat
By David Fair • Oct 2, 2019
Impossible Burger Free Sample
Credit Wikipedia Media Commons / wikipedia.org
Across the country, rapid expansion of plant-based foods is being seen in restaurants and stores. Would a continuing shift away from meat-based foods help the environment? In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair looks for the answer to that question in a conversation with Dr. Martin Heller, a research specialist with the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan.
Issues of the Environment: 10/02/19
In the past year, the popularity of meatless burger substitutes that look, cook, (even bleed), and taste like beef has exploded. Brand names like the "Impossible Burger" and "Beyond Meat" burger are suddenly available at many restaurants in Washtenaw County, and even Burger King is selling a version.
Unlike the veggie burger of the past, these high-tech, plant-based burgers are not aimed at vegetarians. Instead, they are designed to be as similar in taste and texture to a beef burger as possible, and their goal is to help the meat-eating consumer replace some meat purchases.
Then, the University of Michigan's Center for Sustainable Systems was commissioned to do a comparative analysis of the Beyond Burger vs. a same-size beef patty. They found that "a comparative assessment of the current Beyond Burger production system with the 2017 beef LCA by Thoma et al, the Beyond Burger generates 90% less greenhouse gas emissions, requires 46% less energy, has >99% less impact on water scarcity and 93% less impact on land use than a ¼ pound of U.S. beef."
Martin's previous research looked at the relative environmental impacts of different diets. They found that Americans that eat the most meat are responsible for nearly half of the greenhouse gas emissions attributable to food consumption, and that beef consumption accounted for nearly 3/4 of those emissions.
Dr. Marty Heller, Research Specialist with the Center for Sustainable Systems at the University of Michigan, grew up on a traditional livestock farm in southeast Michigan. For the past 10 years, he has assisted new farmers and CSA's while growing organic vegetables on his own farm.
UM Comparative Analysis
Beyond Meat commissioned the Center for Sustainable Systems at University of Michigan to conduct a "cradle-to-distribution" life cycle assessment of the Beyond Burger, a plant-based patty designed to look, cook, and taste like fresh ground beef. The purpose of the study is to compare environmental impacts – chosen here as greenhouse gas emissions, cumulative energy demand (energy use), water use, and land use – with those from typical beef production in the U.S. A secondary purpose is to highlight opportunities for improvement in the environmental performance of the Beyond Burger product chain and provide Beyond Meat with a benchmark against which improvement efforts can be measured. The primary audiences are both internal stakeholders at Beyond Meat as well as external customers, consumers, and interested stakeholders.
The Beyond Burger is considered functionally and nutritionally similar to beef; therefore the chosen functional unit for comparison was defined as 4 oz. (quarter pound, 0.113 kg) uncooked burger patty delivered to retail outlets. This is the marketed patty size of the Beyond Burger and a standard consumer product size for beef patties. System boundaries included upstream ingredient and raw material supply (including farm production of agricultural crops), processing and packaging operations, cold storage, distribution to point of sale, and disposal of packaging materials. Retail and consumer stages, including potential losses at those stages, were excluded, as they were considered equivalent in both product systems. Beyond Meat provided specific information on production of the Beyond Burger, including directly measured processing electricity consumption. This was complemented with information from primary ingredient suppliers. Environmental impact of U.S. beef production was drawn from an existing LCA study commissioned by the National Cattleman's Beef Association (Thoma et al., 2017). The Beyond Burger LCA was evaluated using the same impact assessment methods used in the U.S. beef study.
Based on a comparative assessment of the current Beyond Burger production system with the 2017 beef LCA by Thoma et al, the Beyond Burger generates 90% less greenhouse gas emissions, requires 46% less energy, has >99% less impact on water scarcity and 93% less impact on land use than a ¼ pound of U.S. beef.
Production of the dominant ingredients – pea protein, canola oil, coconut oil – represent important contributions to greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE), energy use, and land use. Packaging also is an important contributor across all impact categories: the polypropylene tray is the largest contributor to packaging's share of GHGE, energy use, and water use, whereas fiber production for cardboard and pallets make notable contributions to land use. We estimate that switching to a polypropylene tray made of 100% postconsumer recycled content could reduce the overall GHGE of the BB life cycle by 2% and reduce energy use by 10%.
The High Environmental Cost of the Americain Diet
On any given day, 20 percent of Americans account for nearly half of U.S. diet-related greenhouse gas emissions, and high levels of beef consumption are largely responsible, according to a new study from researchers at the University of Michigan and Tulane University.
To estimate the impact of U.S. dietary choices on greenhouse gas emissions, the researchers built a database that assessed the environmental impacts involved in producing more than 300 types of foods. Then they linked the database to the findings of a nationally representative, one-day dietary recall survey involving more than 16,000 American adults.
They ranked the diets by their associated greenhouse gas emissions, from lowest to highest, then divided them into five equal groups, or quintiles. The researchers found that the 20 percent of U.S. diets with the highest carbon footprint accounted for 46 percent of total diet-related greenhouse emissions.
The highest-impact group was responsible for about eight times more emissions than the lowest quintile of diets. And beef consumption accounted for 72 percent of the emissions difference between the highest and lowest groups, according to the study.
"A big take home message for me is the fact that high-impact diets are such a large part of the overall contribution to food-related greenhouse gases," said U-M researcher Martin Heller, first author of a paper published March 20 in the journal Environmental Research Letters.
The study estimated the greenhouse gas emissions associated with food production only. Emissions related to the processing, packaging, distribution, refrigeration and cooking of those foods were not part of the study but would likely increase total emissions by 30 percent or more, Heller said.
"Reducing the impact of our diets—by eating fewer calories and less animal-based foods—could achieve significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions in the United States. It's climate action that is accessible to everyone, because we all decide on a daily basis what we eat," said Heller, a researcher at the U-M Center for Sustainable Systems in the School for Environment and Sustainability.
If Americans in the highest-impact group shifted their diets to align with the U.S. average—by consuming fewer overall calories and relying less on meat—the one-day greenhouse-gas emissions reduction would be equivalent to eliminating 661 million passenger-vehicle miles, according to the researchers.
That hypothetical diet shift, if implemented every day of the year and accompanied by equivalent shifts in domestic food production, would achieve nearly 10 percent of the emissions reductions needed for the United States to meet its targets under the Paris climate accord, the authors wrote. Though President Trump announced his intention to withdraw the United States from the accord, many states and municipalities are still working to meet the emissions targets.
In the United States in 2010, food production was responsible for about 8 percent of the nation's heat-trapping greenhouse gas emissions. In general, animal-based foods are responsible for more greenhouse gas emissions per pound than plant-based foods. The production of both beef cattle and dairy cows is tied to especially high emissions levels.
For starters, cows don't efficiently convert plant-based feed into muscle or milk, so they must eat lots of feed. Growing that feed often involves the use of fertilizers and other substances manufactured through energy-intensive processes. And then there's the fuel used by farm equipment.
In addition, cows burp lots of methane, and their manure also releases this potent greenhouse gas.
"Previous studies of diet-related greenhouse gas emissions have focused mainly on the average diet in a given country. This study is the first in the United States to look instead at self-reported dietary choices of a nationally representative sample of thousands of Americans," said Diego Rose, principal investigator on the project and a professor of nutrition and food security at Tulane University's School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine.
By linking their database of environmental impacts to the individual, self-reported diets in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, the U-M and Tulane researchers were able to estimate the distribution of diet-related impacts across the entire U.S. population on a given day.
They found that Americans in the highest-impact quintile consumed more than twice as many calories on a given day—2,984 versus 1,323—than those in the bottom 20 percent. But even when the findings were adjusted for caloric intake, the highest-impact quintile was still responsible for five times more emissions than the lowest-impact group.
Meat accounted for 70 percent of the food-associated greenhouse gas emissions in the highest-impact group but only 27 percent in the lowest-impact group.
NHANES is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The survey, which combines interviews and physical examinations, is a major program of the National Center for Health Statistics, which is part of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The work reported in Environmental Research Letters was funded by a grant from the Wellcome Trust. Rose is the principal investigator; Heller and Gregory Keoleian of U-M's Center for Sustainable Systems are co-principal investigators.
The other authors of the paper, in addition to Heller, Rose and Keoleian, are Amelia Willits-Smith of Tulane's Department of Global Community Health and Behavioral Sciences, and Robert Meyer, formerly of the U-M Center for Sustainable Systems.
What are meat alternatives? Veggie burgers have been around for a while — are these new products any different?
Meat alternatives aren't new. There have been veggie burgers available in grocery stores for a long time.
But the meatless meat products on the market today are different in one important way: An alternative meat, like a Beyond Meat burger or the Impossible Burger, is a product made from plants that is meant to taste like meat, be marketed to meat-eating customers, and replace some of those customers' meat purchases. That's what makes them different from veggie burgers, which have typically been aimed mostly at vegetarians.
There's another kind of meat alternative on the horizon: so-called cell-based (or lab-grown, or cultured) meat products are made from real animal cells but are grown in a food production plant instead of taken from animals raised in captivity and slaughtered for consumption. These aren't on the market yet — and some are skeptical that they'll work out — but they are meat alternatives too, and they might be part of the big picture as we try to move away from relying on factory farming to supply the meat consumers want. (More on them below.)
Caroline Bushnell oversees retail research at the Good Food Institute, a nonprofit that works to promote meat alternatives. "Veggie burgers have been around for many decades," she told me. "Plant-based meats are still just getting started. The next generation is really designed for meat eaters, so the stakes are higher for what the products need to deliver on. People really like the taste of meat. Instead of trying to convince them to eat a kale and quinoa bowl, why not try to make meat for them in a better way?"
The rise of meat alternatives was driven, researchers and marketing experts told me, by one realization: that alternative meats didn't have to be a niche product just for vegans or vegetarians, who make up about 3 percent of the US population. There are lots of Americans who are meat eaters and always will be, but who are up for trying plant-based products as long as they're tasty, cheap, and nutritious. Those consumers, not vegetarians and vegans, would be the target of the next generation of meat alternatives.
The teams behind meat alternatives work to ensure their products have the flavor, macronutrient balance, and cooking experience of meat. The Impossible Burger famously bleeds, thanks to a meat protein called heme, which the company produces from yeast.
The leading companies that produce meatless meat products have actually gone out of their way to make sure their products won't be tarred as just for vegetarians. Burger King's Impossible Whopper, for example, comes slathered in mayo — not vegan at all — and when I went to get an Impossible Burger at a San Francisco restaurant, nearly every selection paired it with bacon bits.
So that's the big difference: Veggie burgers are a niche product targeted toward vegetarians. But the makers of meatless meat are betting they can find their way onto everyone's plate.
Okay, but do they actually taste like meat?
Some of the leading meat alternatives on the market today are burgers, ground beef, and sausages from two companies: Impossible Foods and Beyond Meat.
"Both companies have really led with taste," Zak Weston, an analyst at the Good Food Institute, told me. Everyone agrees that taste will be the big make-or-break factor for these companies. Does their meat really, actually taste like meat?
Food reviewers have delivered mixed verdicts so far. Reviewers at Food & Wine loved the Beyond Burger and Impossible Burger, and were less impressed with more traditional veggie burgers. The Washington Post's Tim Carman wrote, "the Impossible Whopper patty, all by itself, has more flavor than the meaty one," though he noted that while you can't tell the difference on the first bite, you can tell eventually.
Adam Rothbarth at Thrillist was less impressed, writing that his burger had been overcooked and as a result, "it's very one-note in its flavor and texture ... the question shouldn't be whether it tastes like a Whopper (it does), it should be whether it tastes good (not especially)."
It's fair to say that we're at the point where whether Beyond Meat or Impossible Meat taste like meat to a given person depends on that person, and the specifics they pay attention to in their food experience. It's good enough for some, but not good enough for all — yet.
Martin Heller
Martin Heller most recent research interest involves integrating nutritional information into environmental impact assessments of food and diet. He has conducted life cycle assessment studies of short rotation woody biomass energy crops (upstate NY DOE willow demonstration project), a large-scale vertically integrated US organic dairy (Aurora Organic Dairy), and as part of an international team, a comprehensive, spatially-explicit study of US dairy production for Dairy Research Institute. He also developed a seminal report on Life Cycle-Based Sustainability Indicators for Assessment of the U. S. Food System. As a researcher at the C.S. Mott Group for Sustainable Food Systems at MSU, Marty investigated the ecological services provided by pasture-based and confinement-based dairies, and developed a "community food profile" intended to frame for a general audience the opportunities of a community-based food system. He received a BS in chemical engineering from Michigan State and a PhD, also in chemical engineering, at the University of Colorado at Boulder.
Marty has spent much of the past 10 years growing organic vegetables, starting and managing market farms/CSAs. Through a local non-profit, he is currently developing a Farmer Residency program to assist new farmers in gaining farm management experience. He grew up on a traditional livestock farm in southeast Michigan.
— David Fair is the WEMU News Director and host of Morning Edition on WEMU. You can contact David at 734.487.3363, on twitter @DavidFairWEMU, or email him at dfair@emich.edu
plant-based burgers
university of michigan center for sustainable systems
1st Friday Focus On The Environment: Working For Solutions To The Lake Erie Algae Blooms
By David Fair & Lisa Wozniak • Sep 6, 2019
International Association for Great Lakes Research / http://iaglr.org/
The 2019 algal bloom on Lake Erie now measures over 650-square miles and continues to expand. At the root of the issue is agricultural runoff and, in particular, phosphorous. Ed Verhamme is a project engineer with the private water solutions firm, LimnoTech. The company conducts research, analysis, and consults with governmental agencies and other stakeholders to advance the cause of safe and clean waters. In this month's '1st Friday Focus on the Environment' conversation with WEMU's David Fair and Michigan League of Conservation Voters executive director Lisa Wozniak, you'll get the latest on progress and the work towards solutions that lay ahead.
1st Friday Focus on the Environment: 09/06/2019
Issues Of The Environment: The Challenges Of Recycling Glass
By David Fair • Sep 11, 2019
Glass is one of many materials that can and should be recycled. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair talks with Ypsilanti Department of Public Services director Ronald Akers about why glass is no longer allowed as part of the city's curbside recycling program and how residents can make sure the glass still gets recycled.
Issues Of The Environment: Climate Change Is Changing Agriculture In Michigan
By David Fair • Sep 4, 2019
The weather this year has been unfavorable for the corn and soybean harvest in Michigan. Farmers have faced colder and wetter-than-normal conditions in the spring, and that delayed planting. Now, an early freeze could devastate the harvest this fall. In this week's "Issues of the Environment," WEMU's David Fair discusses problems and solutions with Roger Betz, farm business management educator with Michigan State University Extension.


1. I am not qualified yet, I have not completed my training; can I register for work with you now?
To work with us as a locum doctor or AHP Allied Healthcare Professional, you must have a current, valid qualification and professional body registration for the country in which you want to work.
2. I live in one country now, but want to work in another country where you are based. Can I register for work there?
3. Why do I need to attend a face-to-face meeting with an A24 consultant?
All applicants are expected to attend a session with our in-house recruitment consultant, to scan and collect their original employment eligibility documents which forms part of the mandatory requirements set out by UKBA Home Office. This is supplementary to a Skype interview.
4. How do I register with you - as I cannot find details of any of your branches?
A24 Group has moved away from branch locations, preferring to have our medical consultants based throughout the UK. Our medical consultants are car based and therefore have the complete flexibility to meet with you in your local area or workplace. All of our Roving Consultants are equipped with document scanners and other equipment to enable them to fully assist you to register. To start your registration with us just click here to register your contact details.
5. Why do I need a Criminal Records check, when I have one that has been done recently with my current employer?
We can accept any 3rd party DBS on the basis that the disclosure is registered for the DBS update service (To register, click here), maintains the same designation or workforce and received in the appropriate manner as prescribed (original/authentic applicant disclosure copy). It is a legal requirement that all applicants who work in positions whereby they might be in direct contact with vulnerable adults, young adults and children evidence their Enhanced Disclosure prior to commencing work.
7. Is A24 affiliated to any other agencies?
We operate under the brands, Ambition 24Hours and The Locum Services of the UK. Locum Services of the UK is predominately a supplier in the high-end 'pot' market of temporary staffing and works to achieve the highest rates possible for healthcare professionals.
8. Who do I speak to if I am unhappy about anything?


text:
Tag Archives: andy serkis
Ape expectations – Dawn of the Planet of the Apes review
By Simon Miraudo July 9, 2014 If we should take anything away from the terse title characters of Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, it's the power of brevity. So, here's my review: Apes together strong. Sequel merely solid. (The rest is for the human readers, sticklers for protraction.) This laboriously-titled follow up to […]
andy serkis, dawn of the planet of the apes, gary oldman, jason clarke, keri russell, matt reeves, quickflix, simon miraudo
James Franco probably won't be in the Apes sequel
Though his character's relationship with super-smart chimp Caesar formed the backbone of Rise of the Planet of the Apes, James Franco doesn't think he'll be involved with the sequel, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Speaking to MTV, Franco said: "My guess is I won't be in it. Nobody's talked to me since Rupert left." He's referring […]
andy serkis, dawn of the planet of the apes, James Franco, matt reeves, quickflix, rise of the planet of the apes, rupert wyatt
Andy Serkis directing performance captured Animal Farm
Brando in a latex bodysuit, Andy Serkis, is set to direct a performance captured adaptation of George Orwell's novel Animal Farm. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, he revealed it would be the first project for his London-based performance capture studio The Imaginarium (which recalls, in a good way, Troy and Abed's 'Dreamatorium' from Community). Serkis will […]
andy serkis, animal farm, george orwell, quickflix, the imaginarium
Poster Debut: The Hobbit – An Unexpected Journey
The poster for Peter Jackson's first half of The Hobbit saga – An Unexpected Journey – has bowed at Comic Con (provided for our viewing pleasure by Slashfilm). No sign of Bilbo Baggins (Martin Freeman), but we do get to see Gandalf (Ian McKellen) alive and well in the green, green, grass of Middle Earth. But look out behind […]
an unexpected journey, andy serkis, benedict cumberbatch, cate blanchett, comic con, elijah wood, hugo weaving, ian mckellan, martin freeman, orlando bloom, peter jackson, quickflix, the hobbit
Dujardin, Spencer, Malick, and McConaughey now Oscar voters
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has extended invites to 176 individuals, granting them voting rights in future Oscar ceremonies. Deadline has the full list of new members, including 2012 winners Jean Dujardin and Octavia Spencer, as well as recent nominees Jonah Hill, Melissa McCarthy, Jessica Chastain, Kristen Wiig, and Bérénice Bejo. Industry stalwarts […]
academy awards, andy serkis, berenice bejo, bryan cranston, Clifton Collins, dardenne brothers, jean dujardin, jessica chastain, jonah hill, Jr., kirk baxter, kristen wiig, margo martindale, matthew mcconaughey, melissa mccarthy, michelle yeoh, octavia spencer, oscar voting branch, quickflix, sam rockwell, simon baker, terrence malick, wong kar wai
Contagion screenwriter tackles Rise of the Planet of the Apes sequel
Scott Z. Burns has been recruited by Fox to write the sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes, says The Hollywood Reporter. Burns previously penned Contagion and The Informant for director Steven Soderbergh. He will do a pass on the first draft by the original flick's screenwriters, Amanda Silver and Rick Jaffa. Andy Serkis is set to reprise the role […]
andy serkis, contagion, quickflix, rise of the planet of the apes, rise of the planet of the apes 2, rupert wyatt, scott z burns, steven soderbergh
Outside the box – The Adventures of Tintin review
The Adventures of Tintin – Starring Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Rated PG. Originally published December 21, 2011. By Simon Miraudo. The Adventures of Tintin arrives on DVD and Blu-ray in Australia April 25, 2012. Great snakes, I hope they left some exposition for the second Tintin film! A feature […]
andy serkis, daniel craig, herge, jamie bell, peter jackson, quickflix, steven spielberg, the adventures of tintin
Billy Connolly cast in The Hobbit
February 10, 2012	by Jess Lomas 1 Comment
Actor and comedian Billy Connolly has joined the cast of Peter Jackson's The Hobbit, according to The Hollywood Reporter. Connolly, best known for his stand up comedy and films such as Mrs Brown and The Man Who Sued God, will play a dwarf warrior named Dain Ironfoot. Jackson's two-part adaptation of the bestselling J.R.R Tolkien […]
andy serkis, billy connolly, cate blanchett, elijah wood, hugo weaving, ian mckellen, j.r.r. tolkien, lord of the rings, orlando bloom, peter jackson, quickflix, the hobbit
Teaser Debut: The Hobbit
Lord of the Rings fans, your time has come! The trailer for The Hobbit – Peter Jackson's highly anticipated return to Middle Earth – has arrived online. Martin Freeman stars as Bilbo Baggins in the epic adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's LOTR prequel. Check it out in HD over at Apple. The Hobbit will be split into two films, […]
an unexpected journey, andy serkis, cate blanchett, elijah wood, guillermo del toro, lord of the rings, martin freeman, middle earth, peter jackson, quickflix, the hobbit, there and back again
December 21, 2011	by Simon Miraudo 1 Comment
The Adventures of Tintin – Starring Jamie Bell, Andy Serkis and Daniel Craig. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Rated PG. By Simon Miraudo. Great snakes, I hope they left some exposition for the second Tintin film! A feature adaption of Hergé's beloved Belgian comic book hero has been a long time coming, but he could hardly […]
andy serkis, daniel craig, doctor who, edgar wright, herge, jamie bell, joe cornish, peter jackson, quickflix, steven spielberg, the adventures of tintin, tintin
The 10 best male performances of 2011
The 10 best male performances of 2011. By Simon Miraudo. Acting! It's perhaps the most subjective craft in the entire moviemaking process. What better way to celebrate its unquantifiable nature than by ranking our favourite performances of the year? Look past the inherent ridiculousness of comparing dudes who play vicious murderers with those dressed in […]
Home, News, Top 10s
a separation, andy serkis, beginners, bobby cannavale, brad pitt, brendan gleeson, bruce greenwood, christopher plummer, corey stoll, daniel henshall, drive, hunter mccracken, joel edgerton, john hawkes, jonah hill, martha marcy may marlene, meek's cutoff, michael shannon, midnight in paris, moneyball, nick nolte, noah taylor, paul giamatti, Peyman Moaddi, quickflix, rise of the planet of the apes, ryan gosling, simon miraudo, snowtown, steve coogan, submarine, take shelter, the 10 best male performances of 2011, the guard, the tree of life, the trip, tom hardy, warrior, win win
Andy Serkis recruited for Apes sequel
Andy Serkis has signed on to reprise the role of Caesar, the super-intelligent and rebellion-loving chimpanzee, in Rupert Wyatt's sequel to Rise of the Planet of the Apes. According to Deadline, Serkis has secured a seven-figure deal to appear in the flick. He had originally only signed on for one film, so he was able […]
academy awards, andy serkis, caesar, jaems franco, quickflix, rise of the planet of the apes, rise of the planet of the apes 2, rupert wyatt
Chimpanzee that – Rise of the Planet of the Apes review
Rise of the Planet of the Apes – Starring James Franco, Andy Serkis and Freida Pinto. Directed by Rupert Wyatt. Rated M. By Simon Miraudo. That a film about an ape revolution could feature one of the most heart-stopping and gasp-inducing cinematic moments of the year means I have to re-evaluate everything I thought I […]
andy serkis, film review, James Franco, quickflix, rise of the planet of the apes, rupert wyatt, simon miraudo
International trailer for The Adventures of Tintin shows off more footage
The first teaser trailer for The Adventures of Tintin: The Secret of the Unicorn was light on footage, and we feared that the picture's risky motion-captured animation was being hidden from us. A new international trailer has landed online, with plenty more footage (and the added bonus of characters talking), and it has temporarily soothed […]
andy serkis, daniel craig, jamie bell, peter jackson, quickflix, steven spielberg, the adventures of tintin, the secret of the unicorn, tintin
New Rise of the Planet of the Apes trailer: anti-ape sentiments set to surge!
The feature trailer for Rupert Wyatt's Rise of the Planet of the Apes has debuted online, and it gives us a glimpse at how to avoid any chimp-revolutions in real life (basically, don't let a sleepy-eyed James Franco anywhere near those animals). A prequel to the 1968 classic Planet of the Apes, Rise stars Franco as a young scientist who […]
andy serkis, James Franco, prequel, quickflix, rise of the planet of the apes, rupert wyatt, trailer debut
First look at James Franco in Rise of the Apes
It's been a little while since we reported on the Planet of the Apes prequel, Rise of the Apes, but it still very much exists. In fact, production has officially wrapped, and we now have our first look at star James Franco doing science-y things! The image comes courtesy of JoBlo. Franco stars as a […]
andy serkis, australian online dvd rental, freida pinto, James Franco, planet of the apes, quickflix, rise of the apes
Andy Serkis to star in Planet of the Apes prequel
Ooh, Chimpanzee that! Andy Serkis, the nimble-bodied actor behind Gollum and King Kong, has been cast as the lead ape in the upcoming Planet of the Apes prequel. The film is titled Rise of the Apes and will star Serkis as a revolt-leading ape named Caesar. The casting was confirmed by 20th Century Fox VP […]
andy serkis, australian online dvd rental, James Franco, planet of the apes, quickflix, rise of the apes


text:
Мужская репродуктивная система представляет собой совокупность органов системы размножения (репродуктивной системы) у мужчин (мужских половых органов). Она производит мужские половые клетки, а также мужские половые гормоны, ответственные за формирование и функционирование организма по мужскому типу. Она имеет общие элементы с мочевыделительной системой, образуя мочеполовую систему мужчины. Мужские половые органы являются первичными, то есть первыми и главными половыми признаками мужчин, наблюдаемыми у каждого из них со времени внутриутробного формирования этих органов. Только в период полового созревания под действием активизировавшихся половых гормонов организм приобретает вторичные половые признаки: телосложение и оволосение по мужскому типу, преобладание мышечной ткани над жировой, более низкий тембр голоса по сравнению с типичным для женщин.

Здоровьем и болезнями мужской репродуктивной системы занимается медицинская специальность урология и её специализация андрология.

Мужская репродуктивная система развивается у эмбрионов из тех же первоначально не дифференцированных анатомических структур, что и женская, но под влиянием мужских гормонов андрогенов это развитие протекает иначе и приводит к другой структуре, с более выраженными, крупными наружными органами (мужской половой член в норме длиннее и толще клитора, а мошонка объёмнее больших половых губ).

Для осуществления репродуктивной функции — образования зародыша в женском организме — необходимо оплодотворение яйцеклетки в женской репродуктивной системе мужскими половыми клетками — сперматозоидами, содержащимися в семенной жидкости (сперме), и доставка семенной жидкости к месту оплодотворения. Для этого в мужской репродуктивной системе есть органы, предназначенные для 1) выработки сперматозоидов и мужских половых гормонов — это мужские половые железы (яички), 2) образования семенной жидкости — предстательная железа (простата), семенной пузырёк и 3) доставки спермы к месту оплодотворения (семявыносящий проток, уретра и мужской половой член, через который она проходит).

Половые органы мужчины разделяют на внутренние и наружные. К внутренним относятся половые железы — яички (с их придатками), в которых развиваются сперматозоиды и вырабатывается половой гормон тестостерон, семявыносящие протоки, семенные пузырьки, предстательная железа, бульбоуретральные железы. К наружным половым органам относятся вмещающая яички мошонка и половой член, внутри которого проходит мужской мочеиспускательный канал (мужская уретра), который служит для выведения наружу как мочи из мочевого пузыря, так и семенной жидкости из семявыбрасывающих протоков.

Яички и мошонка

Половые железы мальчика — яички — незадолго до его рождения опускаются из брюшной полости ребёнка, где они развиваются, в кожный мешочек, называемый мошонкой. Полость мошонки является частью брюшной полости и соединена с нею паховым каналом. После опускания через паховый канал в мошонку яичек паховый канал обычно зарастает соединительной тканью. Опускание яичек в мошонку необходимо для нормального образования сперматозоидов, так как для этого требуется обеспечиваемая в мошонке из-за её более тонкой, чем у брюшной полости оболочки, температура на несколько градусов Цельсия меньшая, чем нормальная температура человеческого тела. Если яички останутся в брюшной полости человека, то образования полноценных сперматозоидов в них происходить не будет.

Каждое яичко содержит порядка тысячи извитых семенных канальцев, в которых образуются сперматозоиды. Они вырабатываются эпителиосперматогенным слоем извитых семенных канальцев, в котором есть сперматогенные клетки, находящиеся на различных стадиях дифференцировки (стволовые клетки, сперматогонии, сперматоциты, сперматиды и сперматозоиды), а также поддерживающие клетки (сустентоциты).

Образование зрелых сперматозоидов происходит волнообразно вдоль канальцев. Сами семенные канальцы посредством тонких соединительных трубочек соединены с придатком яичка, называемым также эпидидимисом, имеющим вид сильно извитой трубочки, достигающей у взрослого мужчины длины до 6 метров. В придатке яичка происходит накопление зрелой спермы.

У женщин половые железы (яичники) из тазовой полости не опускаются, и орган, развивающийся у женщин из тех же структур, что у мужчин мошонка — большие половые губы — этих желез не содержит.

Семявыводящие протоки
От каждого эпидидимиса (придатка яичка) отходит семявыносящий проток. Он проходит из мошонки через паховый канал в брюшную полость. Далее он огибает мочевой пузырь и проходит в нижнюю часть брюшной полости и впадает в мочеиспускательный канал (уретру). Уретра выходит из мочевого пузыря и проходит в своей простатической части предстательную железу.

Предстательная железа (простата)
Простата является железистым органом, отвечающим за формирование семенной жидкости. В преклонном возрасте нередко наблюдаются её патологическое разрастание (аденома предстательной железы), которое может сдавливать простатическую часть уретры и опасно затруднять мочеиспускание, а также воспаление предстательной железы (простатит). После простаты уретра продолжается внутри мужского полового члена и заканчивается наружным отверстием на его дальнем от лобка конце.

Мужской половой член

Половой член мужчины (пенис, латин. penis) представляет собой эластичный наружный трубчатый орган, внутри которого проходит мужской мочеиспускательный канал. Половой член начинается от нижней вершины лобкового треугольника. Пенис образован тремя продольными внутренними структурами и имеет общий для них кожный покров. Две расположенных под его верхней поверхностью структуры называются пещеристыми телами. Они имеют полости, способные к кровенаполнению при половом возбуждении (эрекции). Нижняя часть внутренней структуры представляет собой губчатое тело, в котором проходит уретра. На дальнем конце пениса губчатое тело ствола члена переходит в округлую головку полового члена, на вершине которой в норме находится наружное отверстие мочеиспускательного канала, через которое при мочеиспускании выходит моча, а при половом акте семенная жидкость. Головка прикрыта подвижной складкой кожного покрова пениса — его крайней плотью, прикрепленной снизу к головке эластичной уздечкой. Крайняя плоть с наступлением половой зрелости может быть оттянута назад, обнажая головку при эрекции и для осуществления гигиенических процедур с целью удаления скапливающейся смегмы для недопущения воспаления и неприятного запаха.

У женщин гомолог пещеристых тел пениса — орган, состоящий также из двух пещеристых тел и развивающийся из тех же эмбриональных структур, клитор, обычно имеет намного меньший размер и бывает трудноразличим. Через него не проходит женский мочеиспускательный канал, наружное отверстие которого лежит ниже клитора над входом во влагалище. Женская уретра собственно репродуктивной функции не имеет, хотя открывается также в области наружных половых органов (преддверие влагалища) и с мочой у женщины выводятся вещества, указывающие на её репродуктивный статус (см. тест на определение беременности).

Семенная жидкость
Во время полового акта сперматозоиды, взвешенные в 2—5 мл семенной жидкости, попадают во влагалище женщины. В семенной жидкости содержится глюкоза и фруктоза, служащие для питания сперматозоидов, а также некоторые другие компоненты, в том числе и слизистые вещества, облегчающие прохождение спермы по выводящим каналам в организме человека.

Семенная жидкость образуется в организме мужчины в результате последовательной работы трёх разных желёз. Недалеко от места впадения семявыносящих протоков в мочеиспускательный канал, в семявыносящий проток изливает секрет пара так называемых семенных пузырьков.

Далее к семенной жидкости добавляется секрет предстательной железы, называемой также простатой, которая располагается вокруг мочеиспускательного канала у его выхода из мочевого пузыря. Секрет простаты выводится в мочеиспускательный канал через две группы коротких узких протоков, впадающих в мочеиспускательный канал.

Далее в семенную жидкость добавляет свой компонент пара желёз, носящая название куперовы железы или бульбоуретральные железы. Они располагаются у основания пещеристых тел, расположенных в половом члене.

Секреты, выделяемые семенными пузырьками и куперовыми железами, имеют щелочной характер, а секреты простаты представляют собой водянистую жидкость молочного цвета, имеющую характерный запах.

Развитие мужской репродуктивной системы
Организм плода формируется по мужскому типу, если в паре половых хромосом его генома наряду с Х- есть Y-хромосома (у женщин обе половые хромосомы это Х-хромосомы).

Литература
 Клод Вилли, Винсент Детье. «Биология. Биологические процессы и законы». Перевод с англ. Н. М. Баевской, Ю. И. Лашкевича и Н. В. Обручевой. Издательство «Мир», Москва, 1974
 Сапин М. Р., Билич Г. Л. Анатомия человека: учебник в 3 т. — М.: ГЭОТАР-Медиа, 2008. — Т.2. — 496 с. ISBN 978-5-9704-0602-1 (т.2)
 Гистология: Учебник/Ю. И. Афанасьев, Н. А. Юрина, Е. Ф. Котовский и др.; Под ред. Ю. И. Афанасьева, Н. А. Юриной. — 5-е изд., перераб. и доп. — М.: Медицина, 2002. — 744 с.: ил. ISBN 5-225-04523-5
 И. В. Гайворонский Особенности кровоснабжения Полового члена и влияние на него суточных биоритмов

Примечания

Ссылки

 Аномалии мужских половых органов
 Причины мужского бесплодия

Размножение

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Kevin Workman Foundation
Finding inspiration at the intersection of art, TECHNOLOGY, and community.
Inner and outer doors closed... module pressurized... AIRLOCK SECURE!
The application period for our San Diego Comic-Con 2020 Sponsored Artist has closed, and our Selection Committee has really got its work cut out for it.
THANK YOU to all of the artists who applied!
We'll be posting updates in the coming weeks and letting you know where we are in the selection process.
Best of luck to all applicants!
Ladies and gentlemen, this is Launch Control...
WE HAVE LIFTOFF!
The search for our SDCC 2020 Sponsored Artist begins NOW!
This will mark our 7th year in service to the art and fandom community, where we provide early-career artists a life-changing opportunity to attend and exhibit at San Diego Comic-Con International.
Do you know a talented visual artist, illustrator, painter, sculptor, or videographer? Are YOU one?
Inspire and be inspired -- APPLY TODAY!
Click Here for more information and our application form!
Our Costume Party & fundraiser "Return to Tortuga" Aboard the Star of India was a Rousing Success!
Click below for party pix from SceneSnaps.com!
Offered to promising artists or creative professionals who use technology in novel ways to inspire or advance the fields of popular arts, videography, photography, game design, writing, and social media.
Provides skill development, tutoring, and mentoring for future generations of artists and creative professionals with the aim of maximizing each individual's opportunity to pursue work in or be inspired by the fields of popular arts.
This website uses marketing and tracking technologies. Opting out of this will opt you out of all cookies, except for those needed to run the website. Note that some products may not work as well without tracking cookies.
© 2015 - 2022 KEVIN WORKMAN FOUNDATION, A GUIDESTAR SILVER-LEVEL 501(c)(3) NONPROFIT
ABOUT | LATEST NEWS | PROGRAMS | CONTACT | GIVE


text:
Melissa McCarthy Wins Emmy for 'SNL' Sean Spicer Impersonation
Melissa McCarthy Wins Emmy for SNL Sean Spicer Impersonation
Kevin Burwick
— September 11th, 2017
Melissa McCarthy won an Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series for her impersonation of former White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live. Dave Chappelle also won for his appearance on SNL as well at Sunday's Creative Arts Awards, which is a precursor to the Emmy Awards next weekend. Chappelle hosted the first Saturday Night Live after the presidential election while McCarthy had a reoccurring guest spot playing Sean Spicer in an exaggerated, often manic portrayal that gained praise and viral laughs days after the show would air, much like Alec Baldwin's impersonation of Donald Trump.
The news of McCarthy's much deserved Emmy award comes to us via The Washington Post while Alec Baldwin is nominated for his impersonation of Donald Trump for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy Series also on Saturday Night Live. McCarthy and Baldwin both were targets in the eyes of Trump and his supporters who did not find the humor in the exaggerated impersonations or the humor in saying word for word what either of them had said in public forums.
On the other hand, many attribute Melissa McCarthy's Sean "Spicey" Spicer impersonation to actually lowering the White House Press Secretary's standing in the eyes of Trump. There are strong rumors that part of the reason that Spicer was let go from his post were due to his exaggerated mannerisms that McCarthy nailed and then took over the top. SNL has a long history of parodying occupants of the White House and the world of politics from Chevy Chase's nonsensical Gerald Ford impression all the way to Will Ferrell's George W. Bush and Tina Fey's ridiculously spot on portrayal of former Vice-Presidential hopeful, Sarah Palin.
Related: Emmy Awards 2016 Winners and Losers
Melissa McCarthy admits that she was puzzled at first to why SNL had even approached her to impersonate Spicer in the first place, but soon warmed up to the idea. At first she says that she didn't understand why people felt that her and Spicer looked like each other, but revealed to Ellen DeGeneres that as soon as she put on the prosthetic ears that it began to click for the actress. McCarthy said, "I feel like my dad and Sean Spicer had a baby, and it's me, which makes it even stranger." The prosthetic ears helped change her face shape and got her closer to Sean Spicer. McCarthy said, "Then, I got into it, 'cause I was like, 'Can I have eye bags?' And the answer was yes."
Regardless of political party or view, Melissa McCarthy did a funny impersonation of Sean Spicer that even he was able to laugh at, after saying that it was totally inaccurate. A lot has happened since SNL took its summer break, so hopefully we'll be able to see McCarthy come up one more time so we can see what life has been like for Sean Spicer since he got canned from the White House. In other, real-life Sean Spicer news, he has chosen the Jimmy Kimmel Show for his late night debut and first major interview since he left his position, which will air on September 13th.
Topics: Emmys
Writer for Movieweb since 2017. Enjoys playing Catan when not writing about superheroes and Star Wars.
Emmy Awards 2018 Winners, the Complete List
Anthony Bourdain Gets Posthumous Emmy Nominations for Parts Unknown
Game of Thrones and Westworld Rule the 2018 Emmy Nominations
2017 Emmy Awards Winners List
2017 Emmy Awards Nominations Are Here
Emmy Awards 2016 Winners and Losers


Located between Trafalgar Square and Regent Street, the SOFITEL LONDON ST JAMES lies within one of the most well-known and prestigious areas of the capital: just a short distance from the most famous spots in the capital (Buckingham Palace, St James Palace, St James Park, the Mall and the majority of the traditional gentlemen's clubs)...as well as the West End theatres and the exclusive boutiques of Jermyn Street and Bond Street.
The French interior designer Pierre-Yves Rochon created a contemporary style whilst retaining the neoclassicism and British character of this grade II listed building.
French savoir-faire and fine living are unmistakably reflected in the interior decoration, catering and hospitality at the SOFITEL LONDON ST JAMES.
Compartiendo con el nuevo concepto "SO SPA" la cultura del refinamiento francés y la inspiración de las mejores tradiciones de salud y belleza del mundo, CINQ MONDES se ha convertido naturalmente en el socio del primer SO SPA abierto en el prestigioso hotel SOFITEL SAINT JAMES en Londres.
5 cabinas de tratamiento So Well, incluida 1 doble, 1 hamam turco equipado con una mesa de mármol para tratamientos, 1 baño de burbujas con cromaterapia, 1 piscina de relajación en un salón inundado de luz, instalada bajo el altillo que envuelve el Spa.
At the heart of the SOFITEL LONDON ST JAMES imbued with French savoir-faire and fine living, CINQ MONDES the French Spa specialist offers a fabulous range of treatments and ancient traditions, marked by quality, authenticity and ceremony and renowned within the spa activity.


The poor and low-income groups continue to suffer from price hike of essentials, especially rice, because of shortfall in production caused by prolonged floods and the inept food management by the government.
Experts said that production shortfall would hurt the economic growth and eroded purchasing power of 24.3 per cent of the country's population still living on less than $1.5 daily income.
Bangladesh Bureau of Statistic on Thursday revealed that overall food production in the country dropped year-on-year by 9.43 lakh tonnes in the past financial year due to floods.
Rice production alone declined by 9.04 lakh tonnes in the year as Boro production was severely affected by early flash floods in haor areas.
Wheat production also declined by 37,000 tonnes in the year compared with previous FY 2016.
While releasing the data at a briefing in the capital, statistics and information division secretary KM Mozammel Hoq said that overall rice production stood at 3.38 crore tonnes in FY 17 which was 3.47 crore tonnes in FY 16.
The losses of crop caused supply shortage and pushed up the price of rice by Tk 20 per kilogram in the local market since August 2017.
The food ministry tried to increase supply by importing rice from neighbouring countries while the National Board of Revenue slashed the import duty on rice drastically to rein the price hike of rice.
The steps hardly helped in bringing down the price of rice at expected level, the experts said.
Agricultural economist Jahangir Alam Khan blamed the inept food management by the government for supply shortage of rice.
He said that the food ministry could not foresee the damage of crops and its consequence against the backdrop of plummeting food reserve in the public depots.
Jahangir, also former Bangladesh Agricultural Economists Association president, said that the government did not have sufficient amount of food grain in its stock and failed to intervene in local markets.
The rice price hike and its impacts on other consumer goods over the past several months affected the common people badly and benefitted the middlemen, said former Bangabandhu Agricultural University agronomy professor Abdul Hamid.
He criticised the government policy on food management saying that it benefited millers not the growers.
Experts said that the country's efforts to alleviate poverty would also suffer because of shortfall in food production.
Already the rate of poverty reduction has slowed down because of decreasing firm outputs, they said.
The Household Income and Expenditure Survey, released by the Bangladesh Bureau of Statistics in October, showed that the yearly average rate of poverty reduction slowed down to 1.2 per cent in 2010-2016 from 1.7 per cent in 2005-2010 while the inequality index increased to 0.483 in 2016 from 0.458 in 2010.
Former adviser to interim government Mirza Azizul Islam said that the slowdown in poverty reduction and widening gap between rich and poor happened because of shortfall in agricultural production.
The poor, still depending on agriculture, are mostly affected because of decline in agriculture productively.


text:
Q: How to Update Swift Version Dynamic Coca Touch Framework I Created a dynamic framework on Swift 3.2 & Xcode 9.0  and use it in my projects worked fine,
today, I update to Xcode 9.2 & Swift 4.0 so compiled framework on Swift 4.0 and export myFramework.framework so added by embedded Binaries it in project.
This is a strange problem when add new framework with Swift 4.0 not resolve any Framework Classes and get error:

Use of unresolved identifier 'MyClassName'

I tired more solution but no solved my problem.
Note: All of Classes Framework have open access.
Where my Framework Problem?
Is there an easy way to update framework swift version?

A: The Issue was that I build framework via Generic iOS Device If it should compiled on iOS Simulators like iPhone SE or iPhone 8.
I build framework on one of iOS Simulator Device and import in project.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: Using Serilog to send email notification immediately in .NET Framework I have configured Serilog in my .NET framework solution. I have setup multiple sinks including a sink for email via the Serilog.Sinks.Email package. The sink works correctly. I realized after setting it up that I have to use Logger.FlushAndClose() to actually send the emails in the pipeline. How can I send the email notification / flush the pipeline through Serilog immediately (or shortly after) it is logged?
I am building a windows service that will remain online for extended periods of time, so shutting down & rebuilding the Serilog logging pipeline every time I need to send an email is not going to work.
Ideally, something like Logger.Flush(), but that doesn't seem to exist.
Thanks.

A: You can band-aid fix this by specifying the batch posting limit.
By setting the batchPostingLimit parameter to 1 when initializing the email sink, emails will be sent after each logging occurs.
Example:
logger = logger.WriteTo.Email(
                    fromEmail: "test@gmail.com",
                    toEmail: toEmail,
                    mailServer: "mailserver.com",
                    restrictedToMinimumLevel: LogEventLevel.Error,
                    mailSubject: "Log Notification",
                    batchPostingLimit: 1
                );


text:
Q: Is there a fast and non-fancy C# code/algorithm to compress a string of comma separated digits close to maximum info density? In a nutshell, I programmed myself into a corner by creating a CLR aggregate that performs row id concatenation, so I say:
select SumKeys(id), name from SomeTable where name='multiple rows named this'

and I get something like:
SumKeys         name
--------        ---------
1,4,495         multiple rows named this

But it dies when SumKeys gets > 8000 chars and I don't think I can do anything about it.
As a quick fix (it's only failing 1% of the time for my application) I thought I might compress the string down and I thought some of you bright people out there might know a slick way to do this.
Something like base64 made for 0-9 and a comma?

A: You'd be much better of if you figure out more reasonable storage for your data (maybe HashSet)...
But for compression try regular System.IO.Compression.GZipStream ( http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.io.compression.gzipstream.aspx ) and convert resulting byte array to base64 string if needed... or store as byte array.

A: How about a hexadecimal representation, where every digit represents a 4-bit half of a character byte (a nibble), with 0xa used as the comma? You will only get a 50% compression, but it is fast and simple.

A: Not sure how "fancy" you'd consider it, but zip/gzip compression is highly effective for any text (sometimes to the tune of 90% reduction or better).  Since you're already working with C# and CLR integration, it hopefully wouldn't be too hard to setup/deploy.  I haven't tinkered with any C# libraries for compression yet, but it's easy to find them.  For example: http://sharpdevelop.net/OpenSource/SharpZipLib/ or http://dotnetzip.codeplex.com/ or even http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/system.io.compression.gzipstream.aspx
Or an easier option might be to switch your field to text or varchar/nvarchar(max), if that's feasible.

A: You can use a Huffman tree. This is basically an algorithm to compress ascii into binary. I was told that it is basically what WinZIP uses, but I'm not sure if that is really true or not. I did a quick search for huffman coding c# and there seems to be at least one decent implementation out there, though I haven't used any of them.
If your "vocabulary" is just digits and commas, a Hoffman tree will get you very good compression.
http://www.enusbaum.com/blog/2009/05/22/example-huffman-compression-routine-in-c/

A: try:
SELECT name, GROUP_CONCAT(id) FROM SomeTable GROUP BY name WHERE name = 'multiple rows named this'

A: I came across a method that will work with SQL Server:
SELECT
  STUFF((
    SELECT ','+id FROM SomeTable a WHERE a.name = b.name FOR XML PATH('')
  ),1,1,'') AS SumKeys, name
FROM SomeTable b
GROUP BY name
WHERE name = 'multiple rows named this'

The WHERE clause is optional


text:
Serving the Elizabeth NJ Superior Court & All Municipal Courts in Union County
(908) 272-1700 Free ConsultationCall Now (908) 272-1700
Assault & Threat Offenses
Fraud Related Charges
Theft Charges
Weapon Violations
Union County NJ Criminal Defense Lawyers
Former County & Municipal Prosecutors
Berkeley Heights Municipal Court
Clark Municipal Court
Cranford Municipal Court
Elizabeth Municipal Court
Fanwood Municipal Court
Garwood Municipal Court
Hillside Municipal Court
Kenilworth Municipal Court
Linden Municipal Court
Mountainside Municipal Court
New Providence Municipal Court
Plainfield Municipal Court
Rahway Municipal Court
Roselle Municipal Court
Roselle Park Municipal Court
Scotch Plains Municipal Court
Springfield Municipal Court
Summit Municipal Court
Union Twp Municipal Court
Westfield Municipal Court
Offenses We Handle
Disarming A Police Officer
Illegal Use or Being Under The Influence of CDS
MDMA – Charged With Possession of Ecstasy or Molly
Promoting Gambling
Theft Of Services
Possession of Alcohol Underage
Receving Stolen Property
Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution
UCPO Press Releases
Prosecutor Ruotolo's Newly Launched Major Crimes Division Fosters Collaboration Among Departments and Numerous Arrests in Union County
Woman sentenced to five years for looting $166,000 from father's estate, lying about absence of will
UCPD officer sentenced to three years for official misconduct, thefts
UCPO, Kean University hosting "21-21" forum on campus sexual violence
Former Summit municipal official charged with fraudulently billing city $74,000
Plainfield NJ Sexual Assault Charges Filed Against Teacher
Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers in Union County New Jersey
A former high school art teacher was arrested this week on charges of sexually assaulting a student. The incidents underlying the charges occurred in 2015. The accused, Joshua Green, 33, taught at Mahwah High School until the end of the school year in 2016. Specifically, he taught "Design & Illustration," "Portfolio Development," and "Art 1" at Mahwah High School for three years.
News reports indicate that Green is currently employed as a graphic design teacher for the visual arts program at Plainfield Academy for the Arts and Advanced Studies. The Plainfield School District, however, has notified the press that Green has been placed on administrative leave since his arrest, and the district will review the criminal charges when deciding what action to take, if any, with regard to his employment. Green has not been back to the school since his arrest last week.
Green is married. However, it appears that in 2015 he engaged in sexual relations with a 17-year-old student, gave that student alcohol, and had daily conversations with the student via Google Chat. Green was the student's art teacher.
The charges against Green are second-degree sexual assault, second-degree official misconduct, and third-degree endangering the welfare of a child. He is currently released on bail. If convicted, Green faces a possible 25 years in prison, parole supervision for life, and registration as a sex offender under Megan's Law. The case is being prosecuted by the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office, because Green is from Clifton and the incidents occurred in his home.
Sexual Assault Offense in Union County
Green allegedly committed sexual assault based on the allegations that he had sexual intercourse with a 17 year old. New Jersey's law on sexual assault can be found in the New Jersey's Criminal Code at N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(c). Under that statute, a person is guilty of sexual assault if he commits an act of sexual penetration with another person, and one of the following circumstances is present:
1. Force or coercion: The actor used force or coercion, and the victim did not sustain severe personal injury.
2. Victim under supervision: The victim is on probation or parole, or is detained in a hospital, prison or other institution; and the actor has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim by virtue of the actor's legal, professional or occupational status.
3. Victim between 16 and 18 years old. The victim is at least 16 but less than 18 years old, and the actor (i) is related to the victim by blood; (ii) has supervisory or disciplinary power over the victim; or (iii) is a caregiver or guardian of the victim.
4. Victim between 13 and 16 years old. The victim is at least 13 but less than 16 years old, and the actor is at least 4 years older than the victim.
In the Green case, it is likely that his conduct falls under number 2 and/or 3 above. Green, as the 17-year-old's teacher, has some supervisory authority over the student by virtue of his employment, and the student was between 16 and 18 years old.
Sexual contact with someone under 13 years old. It is also considered sexual assault, under N.J.S.A. 2C:14-2(b), if a person commits an act of sexual contact with a victim who is less than 13 years old, and the actor is at least four years older than the victim. Only sexual contact, not sexual penetration, is required for this type of sexual assault. "Sexual contact" means touching, directly or through clothing, the intimate parts (e.g., sexual organs, genital area) of a person.
Penalties for Sexual Assault. Sexual assault is second-degree crime. The penalty for a second-degree crime like sexual assault includes 5 to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $150,000. A conviction for sexual assault also triggers registration requirements under Megan's Law, which could last well beyond other punishments imposed for the offense.
Elizabeth NJ Sexual Assault Defense Lawyers
Sexual assault charges are serious, could lead to substantial life-long penalties, and also carry a severe stigma. Here at the Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall, our defense lawyers understand what is at stake in an Elizabeth sexual assault case, including a charge arising in Plainfield New Jersey. That is why every attorney at our firm makes sure to analyze all the facts of your case, review all possible evidentiary and constitutional challenges available, and carefully develop a defense strategy that will get the best possible outcome for your case. We take seriously the proposition that everyone is presumed innocent until proven guilty. A lawyer on our team is ready to fight for you in court, and we will make sure that you are comfortable with the defense every step of the way. Call us to learn more about what we can do for your case. Our number is 908-272-1700, and attorneys are available 24/7 to speak with you.
We can be reached 24/7 for a free initial consultation at
Call (908) 272-1700 or Apply Online
An attorney is prepared to assist you immediately.
The Law Offices Of Jonathan F. Marshall
2204 Morris Ave, Suite 310
Union, NJ 07083
46 Broad Street, Second Floor
225 N Wood Ave #2
We serve the following localities: Union County including Elizabeth, Union, Cranford, Linden, Clark, Hillside, Plainfield, Rahway, Roselle, Roselle Park, Kenilworth, Westfield, Scotch Plains, Springfield, Summit, Berkeley Heights, Garwood, Mountainside, New Providence, Fanwood and Winfield.
Elizabeth NJ Criminal Lawyers The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall Home Contact Union County Criminal Defense Attorney The Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall © Copyright 2019 · Law Offices of Jonathan F. Marshall. All Rights Reserved DisclaimerSite Map All Rights Reserved ·


text:
Classical music in the Republic of Moldova
by Maria Ivanov
Saying "classical music from the Republic of Moldova" the name of master Eugen Doga, the most important composer of the country, instantaneously comes to mind. He began his artistic activity being a violoncelist, but due to a temporary paralysis of the left hand, occurred during his student years, he was unable to pursue his activity as a cellist and devoted himself to composition. From then on, he offered to mankind unique creations: music for ballet, chamber vocal music, music for theatre, fiction films, documentary films, animated films, cantatas, poems. In 2017, Eugen Doga released an album entitled "The Great Successes", which includes 18 of his most appreciated compositions, works that have resisted the times, printre care: "My Sweet and Tender Beast", "Cascade de Paris", "Maria Mirabela" Waltz of Love" "Road of the Gypsy", "Prayer" etc. He lived in Moscow for some time, but Moldova has always been his true home. Continuously touring internationally, he is a cultural ambassador, earing worldwide fame. He won many awards such as: the "Mihai Eminescu" Medal, the Order of the Republic, the National Order "Star of Romania" and others.
Eugen Doga. Source: Composer`s Official Facebook Page
Valentina Naforniță is yet another sonorous and emblematic name for our classical music. She is an opera soprano from the Republic of Moldova who enjoys a colossal- well deserved- success abroad. Since the autumn of 2011, when she becaume the laureate of the "BBC Cardiff Singer of the World" competition and when she became a member of the "Wiener Staatsoper", where she sang Papagena in "The Magic Flute", her unparalleled and unmistakable voice resounds in the largest cities of the world, where she is invited to participate in most important cultural events, conquering the audiences. Besides the 2011 BBC award, she was also offered distinctions such as "Order of Labour Glory". She declared in an interview that Vienna was her home, but, still, she often returns to the Republic of Moldova, to sing and promote classical music, but also to help others, as the patron of a non-governmental organization that helps needy children.
Valentina Naforniță. Source: Valentina Nafoniță`s Official Facebook Page
Marcel Lazar is the most representative example of the young generation having studied abroad and returned home to move things around. He is a graduate of the "Gheorghe Dima" Music Academy in Cluj and of the "Mozarteum" University of the Arts" in Salzburg, Austria. Returning to Moldova with a well-crystallized, large scale vision about the music industry means, especially after his Mozart city experiences, the pianist founded the classical music festival Moldo Crescendo. This festival builds on the desire to offer the audiences of the Republic of Moldova the opportunity encounters with high quality classical music. Each new edition of the festival has brought music to various localities in Moldova, as well as in Romania. In an interview for Radio Free Europe, Marcel Lazar said that the project he is most proud of is "Bach at the House of Culture". Within the project, he performed, together with other Moldo Crescendo musicians, in 9 houses of culture in the Republic of Moldova, for most diverse audiences: children, teenagers, adults–for some it was a first-time encounter with a pianist or a violinist; the reactions were certainly very diverse. Through everything he has done, the artist has set out to be close to people and to promote the true musical-cultural values.
Marcel Lazăr. Source: Moldo Crescendo Festival Official Facebook Page
Another important landmark for classical music in Moldova is the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic "Serghei Lunchevici", founded in 1930. The orchestra has over 80 exceptional players and a rich repertoire and pays lots of attention to the works of local composers. Along the years, the music ensemble has had various collaborations with several composers and conductors; at present, the artistic director and first conductor of the Symphony Orchestra is Mihail Agafiţa, People's Artist, previously Permanent Conductor of the "Transylvania" Philharmonic in Cluj. The maestro's repertoire includes musical creations from different genres and styles, ranging from preclassical to contemporary music, including works in the first audition. Among the numerous distinctions he has been awarded are the "Lya Hubic" trophy, offered by the National Opera Romanian in Cluj and the "Gavriil Musicescu"award, offered by the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Moldova.
Gheorghe Mustea, People's Artist, is also a representative conductor for our culture. He is a flautist, Pan flute player, pedagogue, composer, conductor and member of the Academy especially concerned with promoting values in national musical schools, a promoter of the ideea that aesthetic taste and culture can be educated. In his work he approaches various genres, including opera music; his work includes the operas "Alexandru Lăpuşneanu" and "Stephen the Great". Gheorghe Mustea is the founder and main conductor of the Symphony Orchestra of the Public Company Teleradio-Moldova. He carries out an extensive activity of preserving and promoting the patrimony of local classical music, earning recognition and awards: the State Prize for the opera "Alexandru Lăpuşneanu", Knight of the Order of the Republic, aso.
Gheoghe Mustea. Source: Internet page of Academy of Science of Moldova
Another promising young musician who dedicated himself to classical music is Andrei Zapșa, founder and main conductor of the Smile Youth Orchestra (Chișinău, Republic of Moldova) and of Makassar Youth String Orchestra (Makassar, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia). He has been conducting the Athens Philharmonic Orchestra, the Symphony Orchestra of the National Philharmonic "Serghei Lunchevici", the National Symphony Orchestra of the Public Company "Teleradio-Moldova", the Academic Choral Chapel "Doina" and the "Voices of Spring" choir. Andrei Zapșa won the "Mihai Eminescu" Medal, a state distinction of the Republic of Moldova for special merits in creative activity. He is part of thecultural project PENTAGONIKA, an initiative that aims to create and consolidate a collaborative platform for artists from various cultural fields and geographical areas in order to address current challenges. At present, the project involves members from 9 countries of Europe and Asia. To quote from this young, "classical music must be promoted in a prepared setting. It is very important not only to give the opportunity of the audition, but also to prepare the listener for it."
Andrei Zapșa. Source: Andrei Zapșa`s Official Facebook Page
This need to train valuable listeners of classical music was the reason for the creation of the Bălți Philharmonic for Children, as part of the "Alecu Russo" State University, an initiative of the Department of Arts and Artistic Education of the Faculty of Education Sciences, Psychology and Arts, dating back to 1999. The Philharmonic is managed by associate professor Margarita Tetelea, Master of the Arts, Head of the Department of Culture, Education and Student Life of the "Alecu Russo" University of Bălți. This project started from the desire to offer such musical encounters to children, not only to adults, and thus achieving their musical and spiritual formation, especially since understanding that elitist music requires assiduous training. According to Margarita Tetelea, "classical music players are elite personalities, because understanding of such music requires a certain intellectual level, cultivated at a young age". The first concert, in 1999, featured exclusively children: on stage and in the auditorium. Subsequently, the project took on a very large scale. Over the years, the stage of the Philharmonic, which is, in fact, the 120 seats university concert hall, was hosted the performances of music students from Moldova and Romania, but also those of renowned orchestras, such as the "Jakobsplatz" Symphony Orchestra of the Munich Philharmonic (Germany). All guests were surprised by the quality of the listeners, by their way of interacting with the artists on stage, because in Bălți the musicians are trained not only as performers, but also as listeners. We may have great classical musicians, but if we do not have a select listeners, the value of the player will not be perceived. At the Philharmonic, discussions, debates, interpretations of the works heard are organized after each concert. And it means a lot.
Margarita Tetelea. Bălți Philharmonic for Children
Bălți Philharmonic for Children. Source: Official Facebook Page of Alecu Russo State University of Bălți
This presentation mentions just a few names, just a few of the representatives of the departments of the vast field of classical music in the Republic of Moldova. Starting from these examples, but not only, one can say the Republic of Moldova is home to composers, players, orchestras, conductors and exceptional philharmonics, of European level.
* The opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily represent the position of the Romanian Cultural Institute, but exclusively the opinions of the author.


Performs all tasks related to determining eligibility of families for participation in the Child Care Assistance and Referral (CCAR) program, to include child care referrals from Child Protective Services and Foster Care. Provides case management services for families enrolled in CCAR and provides information about CCAR eligibility requirements to staff from Head Start, Early Head Start, the School Age Child Care Program and other DFS programs. Trains CCAR staff in the development of case management skills. Serves as a consultant to program staff and assists CCAR regional supervisors in analyzing complex eligibility issues related to state and local child care policies and procedures. Serves as a resource in the development of eligibility manuals for CCAR Human Service Workers. Compiles data and is responsible for/assists with the preparation of reports. Duties are performed under the supervision of a Child Care Specialist III.
Note: This position is located in the Pennino Building in Fairfax, with possible weekly assignments in one of the Department of Family Services (DFS) regional offices, either in South County (Alexandria), Reston, or Annandale.
Assists workforce development staff in the operation of employment programs.
Ability to use supportive counseling techniques to enhance and develop clients' problem-solving capabilities.
Any combination of education, experience and training equivalent to graduation from an accredited four-year college or university with a bachelor's degree, plus one year of professional work experience in human services or a related field.
Familiarity with principles and practices of early childhood education, child care programs, and/or family casework.
Experience working with families and/or child care programs.
Experience determining eligibility for benefits and services and using automated systems.
Experience training and mentoring staff and using Documentum, the County's automated record-keeping system.
Ability to work effectively as a leader in a team-oriented environment and to use computers and automated systems as tools for casework and generating reports.
The appointee will be required to complete a criminal background check and a check of the Child Protective Services Registry to the satisfaction of the employer. Some positions may require a driver's license or ability to efficiently access other means of transportation in order to work with clients and community service providers outside the office. Some positions may require oral and written bilingual competency in English and a target or preferred second language.
Ability to use automated technology. Ability to communicate clearly and concisely both verbally and in writing. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.


My MMORPG (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Game) experience started years ago, back in 2005, with World of Warcraft. Ever since then I've jumped to different MMOs until I got stuck on Rift.
Rift is made by the company Trion, this was their first game. The idea was ambitious, the game itself beautiful. Some people called it a possible "WoW killer", though I didn't care for that. I was looking for the MMO that would hold my attention and never let me go.
World of Warcraft was never my thing, though my problem was with the game itself and not with the genre of the game, and after getting some free days from Blizzard in the past couple of years, I know it still isn't. It can't keep my attention for more than a couple of days.
My second MMO was Warhammer Online (which recently was taken off air). The game mechanics were strong (and you can see a lot of those good mechanic ideas in Rift) though because of some changes by the publishers the game changed and lost a lot of subscriptions. They also lost me because what I liked best (low level Player versus Player content, class mechanics that were unpredictable and meant to be that way and the different starting zones) was changed or taken out.
I went through a lot of Free to Play MMOs after that and played a lot of Runes of Magic. Which in itself is fun, but doesn't fully satisfy my need for PVP and faster game play.
That looked good, though I was supspicious about how it all looked. Some companies like to embellish their game in the videos. Not so much for Trion/Rift. Almost all their videos are real game play and awesome to watch.
I've stuck with them since the beginning, that is almost 3 years now. There have been very few months I've not been subscribed and I still love playing the game. I've even got a subscription even though it has gone Free to Play earlier this year.
I hope you enjoyed the weird videos!
Free to play, FTP, games, holidailies, Rift, steam, videogames. Bookmark.


Boulet makes quality, durable cowboy boots with classic good looks and an exceptional fit. These handsome boots have a rich, brown leather upper with ornate western stitching and embroidered pull holes. They feature single stitch welt construction, a horseman heel, rubber sole, and wide square toe. For premium comfort and great cowboy style, in or out of the saddle, try these boots on for size!


The cocktail table in your home's living room should be used for more than just storage. It should also serve as a conversation piece, and this Spencer Cocktail Table from Vanguard will definitely do just that. It is made out of oak solids and veneers and has a variety of different shelves that you can use to store books, home décor items, and more. It also has a glass top that completes the look and makes the entire table look elegant. People won't be able to stop talking about this table when you purchase it from Sherwood Studios Inc.


Brighter, clearer skin. This massage pack has a rich blend of powerful ingredients that promote healthier, brighter skin. The main ingredient, tomato, naturally brightens skin, while clearing complexion of blemishes and trouble spots. Tomato is also known for detoxifying the skin to draw out impurities, a main source of problematic skin concerns. Fruit and botanical extracts promote a radiant and youthful complexion, as massaging the product into the skin promotes circulation.
How To: Cleanse and tone the skin, then apply one scoop to the face. Massage for 1-2 minutes, then let rest for 5-10 minutes. Rinse with lukewarm water.
Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Water, Sorbitol, Titanium Dioxide, Hydroxyethyl Acrylate/Sodium Acryloyldimethyl Taurate Copolymer, Butylene Glycol, Alcohol, Niacinamide, PVP, Squalane, Polysorbate 60, Pearl Powder, Coral Powder, Ascorbyl Tetraisopalmitate, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Glycyrrhiza Glabra (Licorice) Root Extract, Centella Asiatica Extract, Glycine Soja (Soybean) Seed Extract , Solanum Lycopersicum (Tomato) Fruit Extract, Citrus Medica Limonum (Lemon) Fruit Extract , Actinidia Chinensis (Kiwi) Fruit Extract , Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Saururus Chinensis Extract, Panthenol, Methylparaben, Carbomer, Arginine, Aluminum Hydroxide , Fragrance, Zea Mays (Corn) Starch , Propylparaben, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Mannitol, Sucrose, Tocopheryl Acetate.