text:
What Comes After SaaS? by@njess
What Comes After SaaS?
Originally published by Noah Jessop on May 22nd 2017 33,907 reads
@njessNoah Jessop
It was a crisp San Francisco morning. Louis [name changed] was feeling confident, cable car track lines whirring in the background, as he stepped into his local cafe to grab his morning coffee. Strolling down the hill to his software-as-a-service company, the bright sun matches his prospects. The company, built from a three month coding binge in Louis' tiny south bay apartment, was becoming a real business — in sight of the mythical "unkillable" stage of $10M a year in annually recurring revenue.
Later that week (February 2016), SaaS and technology stocks plunged by more than 30%. Some companies — such as data visualization platform Tableau, saw their values cut in half. This culminated in the mighty Linkedin acquiescing to Microsoft. The next Monday had a cold chill in the air — grimacing, Louis zipped his jacket up against the cold, rushing to his office, his quiet morning routine looking like an oddly distant memory. Along with a day of fog, this chill ushered in Cloud 3.0.
SaaS is dying. Here's why.
The early innings of cloud were a relatively friendly place for entrepreneurs — following in the wake of the Goliath Salesforce, all scrappy folks had to do was attack an old, underserved market. Or maybe even just build a product for the little companies who had previously been ignored.
The markets reacted very favorably to this new "stickier" revenue — and valuations for high-growth companies were incredibly favorable. The experience was better, faster to set up, and easier to manage than ever before. Products could quickly evolve, improve and delight their customers.
But as Gil Dibner notes — the SaaS revolution's success may lead to it's own downfall:
[T]he easy availability and mass adoption of cloud-based (SaaS) technology makes advanced software systems so much easier/cheaper/faster to build that "value" is rapidly bleeding out of the software stack. Yes, software is eating the world, but software's very ubiquity is starting to threaten the ability to extract value from software. In other words, the ability to write and deploy code is no longer a core value driver.
Jerry Chen of Greylock (as well as Dibner) notes that the traditional moats enterprise technology companies have enjoyed are fading away fast:
In an era of cloud and open source, deep technology attacking hard problems is becoming a shallower moat. The use of open source is making it harder to monetize technology advances while the use of cloud to deliver technology is moving defensibility to different parts of the product. Companies that focus too much on technology without putting it in context of a customer problem will be caught between a rock and a hard place — or as I like to say, "between open source and a cloud place."
It wasn't apparent to Louis — or any of the aspiring new entrepreneurs — that even if you found a moat, this new way of doing business had two severe problems: Stacking and Switching costs.
Software empires of old — Oracle, SAP, and others — had a very easy path to accelerate their own growth: turn-key M&A. Buy growing software firms, cut research and development budgets and attach the acquired product to their internal sales force for significant new distribution. Nearly overnight, a $10M a year company could freeze future development, cut its most expensive costs, and become a $40, $50 — even $100M a year business. All this new value realized — just by plugging into the acquirer's distribution paths.
But now in a SaaS world — software is continually changing and growing, shepherded by the product and engineering teams. The monthly contract value is often far less than the customer acquisition costs (mostly sales and integration). Creating and capturing real value requires up-front investment, and only pays out for happy, long-standing customers.
Thus, for a SaaS acquirer, the team either has to be small enough (and the market large enough) to warrant significant investment, or else have sufficient scale to make a real contribution to the bottom line. Everything else in between is too expensive and too hard to roll up to scale.
Stacking revenue just isn't as simple as it was in the days of shrink-wrapped software in a box…
SaaS companies enjoy relative ease of on-boarding new customers — no on-prem data to move, easy integration hooks, etc. — but so do their competitors. To make matters worse, there's even a whole class of SaaS companies built to make switching easier. They emerged from trying to solve their own challenge — attempting to enter a SaaS business and finding a moat:
Peter was annoyed. An energetic young fellow — he faced a pretty serious problem: people weren't even willing to try his company's analytics product. Even though it was (in 2012) a very immature market — and the current offerings lacked a lot of what customers wanted. Why? It was simply too much time and engineering cost — to migrate from the nascent "incumbent" analytics platforms. So Peter and his team build middleware to make it easy to switch between SaaS providers (maybe then people might try his system). Then, developers around the world found it, and Segment helped usher in a new level of connectivity. (Since this was written, Peter Reinhardt told this story himself to Startup School.)
Not large enough to stack, not worthless (or weak enough) to die
SaaS's own success is it's own enemy — the cost and the time to build novel things has fallen significantly. Thus as a software company hits real scale, it's left in a no man's land — not large enough to stack, not worthless (or weak enough) to die — but too much competition — from the low end, the high end, from customers cobbling together a series of other tools — to prevent any real growth.
When Google releases a full app building tool — that a clever person could use to replace nearly any different app needs their company might have — we know change is in the air.
Enter Cloud 3.0
New Cloud Techniques. Image credit The Onion.
The next chapter of Cloud software will lead to an explosion of new vendors and offerings. But they won't quite look the same as before — expect lots of point solutions (run by small teams or even individuals) and software as a delivery for more elaborate (e.g. human-in-the-loop) service.
This new way of doing business is still developing rapidly. But here's a spotting guide to identify this new breed of company in the wild:
Cloud 3.0 Company Differentiators:
Connect from anywhere: one click auth, integrations with all major platforms with relevant data sources to power the tool
Open platform: complete developer APIs and export functionality — and maybe even storing core data in one or more other vendors' systems
Programmatic use: many happy customers may only ever interact programmatically — no more interfaces, dashboards or logins to remember. Just value and connectivity.
Clear core value: most companies seem to fit in one or more of the categories below:
One or More Core Value
I: Best-in-Class Point Solution (e.g. Lead Scoring)
II: Connectivity Platform — the integrations are the product (e.g. Segment, mParticle, Zapier )
III: Solution Ecosystem — the core value of product might actually be other developers who happen to deployer or deliver their value through this product's pipes.
Interestingly, Salesforce — who brought us "The Cloud" — may even be the first major window to what next generation companies look like. After all, one could argue the value to a SMB choosing Salesforce (instead of the many ways to manage sales contacts) has become:
A standardized schema for CRM data
Easy integrations with hundreds of other point solutions
A pool of independent contractors with familiarity of the problem space
We could imagine even faster innovation if only there were a way to establish trust with many remote vendors and workers, each offering the very best point solution in the world. 10 Million "companies" powered by the very best person in the world at their solution. Sounds a little bit like Ethereum and the token-based economy… (More on this another day.)
Some of Louis' customers started to erode. They love his service, but are wondering if he could reduce the price, since some of them may have trouble raising their next round of funding at the current pace. Besides, the costs of everything — compute, storage, etc. — are all plummeting. Maybe the ailing companies should consider rolling their own version of Louis' software to cut the monthly bills?
This is the beginning of a post-SaaS world playing out — fewer and fewer companies will break through. Few companies can grow fast enough. The rest…a prolonged stasis, the day to day management of what boils down to a bond — a known flow of future cash with some risk attached to it — just waiting for a buyer…
What value do you uniquely — best in the world — provide?
So to CEOs — what value do you uniquely — best in the world — provide? Do you have the market fit (and the moat) to make the jump in the next stages? What stops the next generation from copying your product and selling it for 1/10th the cost? You and Louis lie awake at night thinking these same things.
Noah is a Silicon Valley Entrepreneur (and former SaaS company CEO). You can find him on Twitter and LinkedIn.
From Porn To Peloton: 5 Predictions For Tech And Social Media In 2021
@KleinKleinKleinMatt Klein
Hacking Remote Work for Pay Equity
#remote-work
@brianwallaceBrian Wallace
#saas#software#silicon-valley#technology#what-comes-after-saas


All my life growing up I was told that I was German. 100% German. Grandpap spoke German after all. Yep, nothing but German.
Yeah, but what about Grandma saying she was Irish Catholic?
All a lie … nope … no Irish Catholic going on here. Nothing to see. Move right along. German. Both sides. All German.
Imagine my surprise when a little checking on ancestry.com came up with some interesting facts.
Like the fact that my Grandmother's Grandparents were straight from Ireland.
And that my Aunt (Dad's youngest sister) remembers her Grandmother having an Irish brogue?
Do I get to wear green on St. Patrick's Day officially?
Forget the fact that I've been wearing Orange (ala Protestants) for years on the day.
I should probably look more closely at the man who reached out to me on the dating site today that claimed an Irish Heritage then, shouldn't I?
So flash forward to this past Christmas when, on a whim, I bought two DNA kits to test my parents for their ancestral roots. To see how much what was what in each of them. They suggest finding the oldest relatives for this.
Imagine my surprise when I discovered that there was virtually no German in my Mom's DNA.
You'll notice that Germany is suspiciously empty except for a trace 4%.
And my Dad's chart has the German in it. I expected that since I knew there was a connection to Alsace-Lorraine there.
They both have trace Finland/Northwest Russia DNA.
Dad has DNA from the Iberian Peninsula.
Dad has trace DNA from Caucasus and India.
But the biggest surprise … Scandinavia.
So. What? I'm ten percent Scandinavian?
Happy St. Patrick's Day, all.
Not sure what the first one means but thank you!!!
Well it was *supposed* to say "Thank you … And the same to you" Oh well.
Not educated in Europe! The second was right, the first doesn't translate well.
What. Ompany did you use for the testing? I've heard of several, but always good to know someone who used the service. Thanks!
I used the Ancestry.com tests.
They give you the info I showed in the post here, and they also attach the results to your family tree … and make them available anonymously to the world so if anyone else with the same stuff shows up, they add it as a suggested match for you to explore.
No long lost rich uncles yet … lol.
Thanks, Holly. Maybe this summer when I see my parents in Michigan I'll try this. "Well, Holly's parents let HER do it" (just like high school).
Well Skol back at ya. I'm hoping I have something besides German in me! I can't believe you railroaded your parents into the DNA test. My parents would never go for that. They'd be very suspicious of the whole testing thing – one of those vast conspiracies or something.
Frankly I was surprised they went for it, too. And it involved spitting!
But I assured them it was for informational purposes only and that by doing them separately we could learn more on each branch of the family.
Plus they heard commercials for this on their Fox News and Radio. Guess they figured it was their conspiracy folks so it was OK.


There's no St . Patrick's Day parade in Naas but that doesn't mean the town will be devoid of fun. The postponed Special Olympic Polar Plunge, called off last month because of stormy weather conditions, takes place on March 17.
Members of the Kildare senior football team as well as local gardai will take part by jumping into a freezing outdoor water pool at Poplar Square between 10am and 4pm.
"Poor weather conditions meant it was called off for health and safety reasons," said fundraising coordinator Marianne Rowan and she is asking Naas people to support the event which takes place between 10am and 4pm.
The event is set to raise €6,000 for Special Olympic Leinster and it's hoped that this can rise to €10,000.
The Special Olympics organisation is a sports charity supporting those with an intellectual disability.
The polar plunge was launched by Kildare senior football team manager Jason Ryan with Garda superintendent Ian Lackey and Kildare players Emmet Bolton, Emmet Fogarty and Padraig Fogarty. Anne Murray chairperson of Naas Special Olympic club wants as many people as possible to make the first Paddy's Day Polar Plunge in Naas "a memorable experience."Those taking part are asked to raise a minimum of €50 and once you register on www.specialolympics.ie you receive a sponsorship pack. Those taking part can wear what they like - swimsuit, uniform, fancy dress, shorts and t-shirt but not wetsuits.
The water will be very cold but the organisers will have lots of hot drinks and some food.The participants will be in the water for a minute or so and the for those doing it only once it will take 20-30 minutes of their time.


POPLAR BLUFF, MO (KFVS) - An American history teacher at Poplar Bluff Junior High received a statewide honor through the VFW Citizenship Education program.
Kathy Pattillo is only the second Poplar Bluff teacher to receive the honor for her summer enrichment program "I'm A Citizen, Too."
Former R-I educator Jan Desgranges, who is also Pattillo's mother, gave Pattillo high praises in her nomination letter.
Desgranges founded 'I'm A Citizen, Too' about 30-years-ago, and was the district's previous statewide award winner around the year she retired in 2008.
While Desgranges continues to lead the summer school class, Pattillo has assisted for five years, with plans to continue the course when her mother retires.
The program teaches students, grades 5-8 and covers what it means to be productive citizens to one's family, community, state and nation.
Around 50 students are recruited each June to learn: about the environment through the Mingo National Wildlife Refuge; are taught how the Chamber of Commerce attracts businesses; tour the police and sheriff's departments; conduct a mock city council meeting; act out a trial at the county courthouse; and are shown how a bill becomes a law by state legislators.
The students also take a field trip to either the Capitol or perform a patriotic program at a Springfield Cardinals game.
An assembly is even hosted for area veterans and students visit the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center, which is Pattillo's favorite event.
Pattillo was recognized at a banquet hosted by the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Auxiliary.
The previous weekend, JROTC instructor Command Sgt. Maj. Marc Roderick of PBHS was also honored as the top secondary teacher by VFW District 15 in Cape Girardeau on the regional level of the program. Both Pattillo and Roderick received their initial awards from local Post 6477 in December.


Sasha Dela: The title of the show, Point of Departure, refers to loss, and possibly change? Dana Harper: This has been a very,..
Project Row Houses is a non-profit arts organization established by African-American artists and community activists in Houston's Third Ward.
Not many people would think of the Core Residency Program as an artist-run residency, but to some extent it is. Joseph Havel is an artist who has been directing the Glassell School and Core residency for over twenty years.
Andrea Grover moved to Houston in 1995 to attend the Core Program. Shortly after, she founded the Aurora Picture Show. Andrea has much to say about the playfulness and DIY spirit of the Houston art scene and reveals the secret of running a successful program at Aurora.
The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Center for the Arts has an interdisciplinary and collaborative focus that is very unique in Houston and nationally.
Eric Schnell discusses co-founding the Galveston Artist Residency which provides a studio, housing, stipend, and a bike to artists in residence.
During one of many mundane days at his San Francisco office, Alex Clausen was surfing the net, dreaming of escape and reconnecting with the land, and purchased a small parcel of land in Texas for under $500 bucks.


Is banna rac-cheoil Meiriceánach é Incubus. Is iad na ceoltóirí atá sa bhanna ná Mike Einziger (giotár), Ben Kenney (dordghiotár), Brandon Boyd (guth agus cnaguirlisí), Jose Pasillas (drumaí) agus Chris Kilmore (caschlár). Is iar-bhaill an bhanna iad Alex Katunich (nó Dirk Lance) agus DJ Lyfe.
Tugadh an leathanach seo cothrom le dáta an 28 Lúnasa 2017 ag 00:02.


text:
Rome Exhibition Zevi's Architects. History And Counter-History Of Italian Architecture 1944-2000
Dates: 25.04.18 - 16.09.18. Address: MAXXI, Via Guido Reni 4/A, 00196 Rome, Italy.
Bruno Zevi was a great historian, lecturer, critic, politician and designer who was born in Rome (22nd Jaunary 1918) and was a vocal critic of "classicizing" modern architecture and postmodernism. The 'Zevi's Architects. History And Counter-History Of Italian Architecture 1944-2000' exhibition represents both a new overview of Italian architecture from the post-war years through to the end of the 20th century and an opportunity to spotlight Zevi's extensive criticism and writing, his political and social passion and his presence in the civic history of the country. Through drawings, models and other visual materials, the exhibition intends to clarify his fundamental role in the Italian post-war architectural debate, highlighting the importance of the relationship between architecture and active politics. Maurizio Sacripanti, Luigi Pellegrin, Franco Albini, Giovanni Michelucci, Mario Ridolfi and Carlo Mollino are just a few of the 35 featured architects whose designs, published and supported by Zevi, accompanied his career in over 50 years of critical, militant activity.
Opening hours: Tuesdays to Wednesdays: from 11:00am to 7:00pm, Thursdays: 11:00am to 10:00pm, Fridays to Sundays from 11:00am to 7:00pm (closed on Mondays). Tickets: 12 Euros. Last entrance is one hour before closing time.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The adoption of Positive Psychology methods has been gaining popularity as a way to focus on building a good life. As University of Michigan professor and positive psychology guru Christopher Peterson puts it, it's the "scientific study of what makes life most worth living."
Optimism, purpose, and connection are all part of the positive psychology movement and leveraging technology to emphasize them in the workplace can help us feel more productive, fulfilled, and happy.
Positive Psychology studies show that participants that kept daily gratitude journals ranked higher in happiness and reported lower stress levels. Technology can help create this practice of optimism through popular apps like Grateful, which literally helps you count your blessings.
One team I worked with would have weekly 30-minute meet-ups where we would follow a guided meditation through an app called Calm, a tool focused on helping others learn the life-changing skill of meditation. We would all join in a quiet conference room, close our eyes, and follow the guided meditation. Doing this mid-day as a group created accountability, and we each left refreshed and recharged.
Not everyone is a natural born optimist. For those of us that could use a little more positivity in our day, finding time for gratitude and reflection can elevate our optimism.
Connect with colleagues through social media channels as a way to go deeper in understanding who they are and what they are passionate about. So much of what we do on our "personal time" is kept secret from our colleagues. Like the three-day family camping trip you shared on Facebook. Or the amazing four-course meal you prepared and posted on Instagram.
Choose the right platform and be responsible with the amount of sharing. This takes maturity and evaluating where you work. If you use your social media accounts to complain about work, another opportunity could be to start small by sharing a pic from your weekend with the team on an email or Slack channel.
A team coordinator I once worked with had a personal Instagram account solely centered on vegan food. She baked, visited restaurants, and shared stories about all things vegan. It was evident from her posts that this was something she was passionate about and allowed the team to get to know her outside of the office walls.
Her passion for well-crafted vegan food was a compliment to her role as a team coordinator. Both in and out of work, she was passionate about creating meaningful, beautiful experiences for the people around her.
The platform doesn't matter as much as the content. The idea is to open up and build trust by sharing insights into who you are and what makes you tick.
The advance of video conferencing has allowed remote teams to collaborate from around the world--in their pajamas. But it has also created barriers, where we have fewer interactions with our colleagues to connect at a deeper level.
Leverage video conferencing to do something you miss when meeting in the office--get a brief glimpse into a team member's home and life.
While we often situate our home-office so that others don't see the pile of laundry in the background, it's those "life moments" that actually connect us, tapping into an understanding of what drives others.
I worked on a project where a team member once joined when he was working at his parent's house--the home he grew up in. Behind his chair, you could see a generation of family photos and award ribbons. While we were waiting for other team members to join, he shared the fascinating story of how he and his father used to raise and train pigeons.
The technology of video conferencing allows us to join from wherever we are. An often missed opportunity is to use it as a looking glass into the life of a colleague, connecting us briefly beyond the workplace walls.
Rather than trying to stage a perfect setting, allow team members to see you in the wild and get to know you in your natural environment. Dirty laundry and all.
How can technology be designed to make for better workplace interactions and social connections? When it's used to assist, not replace the human connections, and emphasizes the importance of having a higher purpose and the value of social connections at work.


Take these 6 steps first to secure your firm's future.
As the saying goes, you can't stop the hands of time. And time passing has given rise to one of the greatest demographic shifts our country has ever seen. The mighty Baby Boomer population, which at its height was nearly 80 million strong, is starting to sunset, with roughly 10,000 reaching the age of 65 every day and the entire group, born from 1946 to 1964, reaching 65 by 2030—less than 13 years from today.
This entrepreneurial group still maintains much of the power and money in this country, but that is ever so slightly shifting every day, with Generation X stepping up into leadership and Millennials now the largest group in our workforce. Yet what troubles me is that I still don't see many firm leaders with active strategies for managing this monumental shift within their own client communities.
Sure, more and more firm leaders are dialed in to next-generation talent management strategies, which are critical. But equally critical is this question: What are you doing to engage your next-generation clients? In this article, we'll explore six first steps to position your firm to keep your corporate clients as they transition their businesses, and find new individual clients as your existing clients age out.
Before we explore these next-gen client engagement strategies, though, let's take a minute to explore seven common next-gen motivators, as several will point to the first actions to take.
Change: Next-gen clients believe there are better ways of doing almost everything, so they shy away from service providers that maintain the status quo, preferring instead to work with those offering fresh ideas and new approaches.
Efficiency: Next-gen clients plan to work smarter, not harder. This doesn't mean that they won't put in the effort—they will—but first they want to be sure that the organizations they partner with are employing strategies and processes that are faster and better.
Flexibility: Next-gen clients value being able to conduct their work at the time and place of their choosing. As a service provider, you'll need to support new modes of communication and relationship development as traditional "on premise" and "8 a.m. to 5 p.m." norms cease to be valid.
Empowerment/autonomy: Next-gen clients value their independence and want their providers to give them access to both knowledge and information so they can undertake do-it-yourself solutions.
Transparency: If you want the trust of younger leaders, you have to share the good with the bad, and share more information sooner. For instance, talking about pricing earlier in the process builds trust in the eyes of the next generation, and not doing so erodes it.
Technology: This is what will make it all happen! Next-gen clients expect their providers to leverage the latest technology to support efficiency, flexibility, transparency, and autonomy.
Service: Giving back and making a difference are important to the next generation.
Understand your demographics and develop strategies accordingly. If you serve individuals, what is the average age of those individuals? (For tax, you can get this from your tax software.) Is that average age increasing or decreasing? For the industries you serve, what is the average age of the business owners and CFOs, and is it on the rise or decline? If you serve aging markets, what strategies should you employ, including diversifying your specialties, to replace those clients—or the revenue they represent—as they age out?
Why this is important: Without this information, you might not feel an urgency to act or change, or you might not focus on your higher-risk areas first.
Build relationships with the next-gen people in your accounts immediately. Identify the potential (or actual) successors for your corporate and individual clients. Build rapport with these future leaders and understand their goals in the services your firm offers. Be careful not to make them feel subordinate or less important because they are less experienced. Equally important, don't make your traditional contacts feel they are less important to you than the next generation. Bring your own next-gen talent along to these meetings and deploy a one-to-one "defense" in which each of your next-gen people is assigned a next-gen client relationship to nurture. Include the clients' next generation in everything you can.
Why this is important: If you don't connect with them now, you risk the next generation planning to replace you and your firm with their own friends when transition takes place.
Transform your firm's client experience. There are too many processes to name here, but think about what it's like to visit your website, go through your new-client welcome process, sign an engagement letter, meet with you to collect data, receive a deliverable, and then stay in touch and communicate. Offer flexible service options, loading information on your portal in lieu of a traditional meeting, conducting the lion's share of your audit remotely, or delivering your findings and recommendations via webinar. Learn to use remote communication tools such as Skype, Zoom, and GoToMeeting. Always offer remote-meeting options. Use technology to enhance the client experience wherever possible—such as incorporating an e-sign tool into your engagement letter process and offering easy mobile apps that deliver more self-service.
Why this is important: If you lag in this area, your next-gen clients and prospects may see your firm as "old school" and choose a provider with a better interface.
Expand your marketing communications to include a lot more digital. Build your online profiles (you have to have a picture to be real!) and grow your connections in social media, especially on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram—hey, are you following me? Look for ways to incorporate short videos, podcasts, blogs, or other information-sharing technologies into your firm's communications mix—potentially replacing your traditional newsletters and emails over time. Recognize that next-gen clients expect their providers to deliver content and advice using the tools and mediums they prefer.
Why this is important: Avoiding newer communication platforms could cause you to miss an entire population of prospects and decision-makers who gather their news and information mainly online.
Get your firm's data in order. Your clients want all of their data in one place, accessible to everyone in your firm and to them, too. They expect you to be using the data you have from them to deliver ideas and advice—not to have to ask for it multiple times, in multiple ways, because your systems don't integrate or aren't current. This is probably the most challenging idea we offer—and you'll never get there 100%—but in my opinion, the winning firms will be those that invest first in technology resources needed to cleanse and integrate data, extract and analyze it, and use the information to deliver insights and value.
Why this is important: Information is power! Failing to leverage the information you have to provide value may mean missing an opportunity to stand out now.
Transform your firm's IT function. Four of the five strategies offered involve technology. Are you appropriately staffed in your firm's technology function? Do you attend conferences or events that highlight the latest in IT solutions within your discipline? Do you have a forward-thinking, next-gen-focused person driving your IT strategy? Have you given your IT leader the resources they need—in employees, contractors, and budget—to develop a next-gen client experience? If not, seriously consider starting here.
Why this is important: To help you, read these articles on moving past your IT roadblocks and prioritizing your IT strategies now.
As you embrace your next-gen client engagement strategies, don't forget about your traditional clients. Understand and honor their preferences, too. Some will want to keep things the way they are now. Others will readily embrace new approaches. Provide options and transition support as you drive change so your traditional and next-gen clients both feel valued.
Succession is a top strategic priority for most firms, but many remain inwardly focused while transition in their client community is already happening. Don't make this mistake. Take steps to make your firm ready today for next-gen clients.
Jennifer Wilson is a partner and co-founder of ConvergenceCoaching, LLC, a leadership and management consulting and coaching firm that helps leaders achieve success. Learn more about the company and its services at www.convergencecoaching.com.


text:
Islam Makhachev crushed Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 280.
UFC / MMA Sports
October 24, 2022 December 31, 2022 AdminLeave a Comment on Islam Makhachev crushed Charles Oliveira in the main event of UFC 280.
The highly anticipated fight between Islam Makhachev and Charles Oliveira at UFC 280 has finally come to a end, as Makhachev has emerged victorious to claim the title of world champion in the lightweight division. People traveled from all over the world to watch this match at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi on the Saturday, October 22, because there was so much buzz surrounding it. There were 13,400 spectators in total that were there to watch the game.
ISLAM MAKHACHEV IS THE UNDISPUTED LW CHAMPION OF THE WORLD! 🏆
[ @MakhachevMMA | #UFC280 ] pic.twitter.com/aJzHlS6fxF
— UFC (@ufc) October 22, 2022
However, Islam Makhachev eventually demonstrated in front of the whole world that he is the best lightweight fighter in the world. Prior to the bout, many people expected that Charles would dominate Islam, but Islam Makhachev defeated Charles. In every way, he was superior to Charles Oliveira, and he even knocked him out in the second round of this fight before finishing him out with a brutal arm-triangle choke in the very first minute of the bout. In the main event of the competition, Islam Makhachev prevailed against Charles Oliveira after 3:16 minutes had passed in the second round.
After the match was over, Islam stood in the center of the ring and said, "I trained so hard for this moment; I want to say thank you. I always think this is not going to be an easy fight. He always pushes opponents but I know he's going to be scared of my wrestling skills. I said this is my goal and Allah give me. My belt for my coach for Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov. He said training hard and you're going to be champion, (Khabib's) father made me."
Khabib carries Islam on his shoulder and celebrates after the match.
Everyone was wrong when they said that Islam is primarily a ground fighter and is not good on his feet, but this match demonstrated that they were wrong. During the fight against Oliveira, he showed no fear and was able to smash him with his feet and the ground throughout the entire game. During the match, it was clear that Charles Oliveira was intimidated by Islam Makhachev, as evidenced by the fact that he was unable to take any action that would lead to his winning the match.
Islam was aware before the match that Charles is skilled with his kick, and as a result, he did not allow Charles to have any opportunities throughout the match, and instead, he consistently moved closer to Charles. As a direct consequence of this, Charles was unable to effectively kick Islam in the face, which was a major setback for him.
Islam's current coach, Khabib Nurmagomedov, has repeatedly asserted that his pupil will emerge victorious over Oliveira, despite the fact that other people did not share this opinion, and that Islam is the finest lightweight fighter in the world at the moment. Now that he has reached this point in his career, he is at the pinnacle of his abilities, both mentally and physically. Islam Makhachev was reportedly Khabib's late father Abdulmanap Nurmagomedov's favorite student, and according to Khabib's late father, the younger Makhachev has a lot of potential to become the best fighter in the world. Islam is the only one who has a chance of becoming the champion after Khabib, and after this fight, every aspect of the statement was proven to be accurate.
Islam Makhachev became the Undisputed Lightweight Champion of the World.
After the bout, Oliveira stated, "Sometimes you're here and it's not your day; Hey Dana [White], hey Hunter [Campbell], I've never denied a fight. I've always been there for you. Give me a fight, I need a chance to be the next guy."
Prior to the match, Oliveira had won his previous 12 matches in a row, while Islam had won his previous 10 matches in a row. As a result of Oliveira's defeat in this bout, Islam has now won 11 consecutive bouts and established himself as the undisputed lightweight champion of the world.
After the match, Islam placed the lightweight championship belt on Khabib's shoulders, who is currently serving as Islam's coach and a previous lightweight champion. After the match, Khabib had other thoughts and announced who the next opponent for Islam would be.
Khabib stated, "Islam is the pound-for-pound No. 1 fighter today; Now our plan, fly all the way to Australia to fight with pound-for-pound king Alexander Volkanovski". After the announcement, Volkanovski stepped out onto the ring, shared a moment with Islam, congratulated him and his team, and then said, "Let's do it; the lightweight title and the pound-for-pound No. 1 are on the line."
Who's next? @MakhachevMMA wants @AlexVolkanovski in Perth 👀 #UFC280 pic.twitter.com/xE3YMd7Fmr
The UFC 284 program that will take place in Perth, Australia, was recently revealed, and Islam's opponent for the event was a breeze to pair him with. All that can be done at this point is wait to find out whether Islam Makhachev or Alexander Volkanovski will emerge victorious from their encounter.
Tagged Charles OliveiraIslam Makhachevkhabib nurmagomedovlightweight champion ufcUFC 280
Erling Haaland scored again as Man City defeated Brighton 3-1 in the Premier League.
Virat Kohli led India to a 4-wickets victory over Pakistan in their first match of the T20 World Cup 2022.
Karim Benzema finally achieves his life-long dream by winning the 2022 Ballon d'Or.
October 19, 2022 December 31, 2022 Admin
Manchester United win against Liverpool in absence of Ronaldo.
Man United won 3-2 over Omonia in the Europa league.
October 7, 2022 December 31, 2022 Admin


Learn more about one of our signature programs.
The Silver Fox Advisors CEO Roundtable program enables CEOs of privately-owned companies to interact with and receive valuable input from their counterparts in the business community. Roundtable members discuss issues and share their knowledge and experience in confidential, small-group monthly meetings. The Roundtables effectively serve as advisory boards that assist their members in managing and growing their businesses. Each Roundtable is guided by a Silver Fox Advisor whose participation enhances the discussion through wisdom gained through years of experience. To qualify as a Roundtable member one should be an owner or hold a "C" level position (CEO, CFO, or COO) of a business based in the Houston area which has been in operation for more than two years, has four or more employees, and generates annual revenues in excess of an established minimum threshold. There is no charge to be a Roundtable member.
A confidential forum to discuss sensitive business issues and challenges.
A sounding board for critiquing ideas, visions, strategies, and tactics.
Regular meetings with experienced business owners and CEOs.
Problem-solving conducted in a real-world environment.
Helpful advice from knowledgeable Silver Fox Advisors.
An additional benefit of CEO Roundtable membership is the opportunity to present your business plan for growth, financing, restructure, acquisition, expansion, exit or other pressing situation to the Silver Fox Advisors Fox Den. The Fox Den consists of a panel of Silver Fox Advisors that listens to the plan being presented and provides suggestions and recommendations to the Roundtable presenter. CEOs who participate in the Fox Den receive valuable input and feedback.
New Roundtables are forming, and seats are available in existing Roundtables. If you and your business meet the qualifications mentioned above, we have a place for you.
If you would like to join a CEO Roundtable, please click here for an application and follow the submission instruction. One of our Silver Fox Advisors will contact you to determine if any of the existing Roundtables have openings or if a new Roundtable may be formed.
Here is a listing of the current Silver Fox Advisors CEO Roundtables named by general meeting location, day and time of the meeting, and each Roundtable's Silver Fox Advisor.
Meeting date and time - The 2nd Wednesday of the month at 8:00 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 4th Monday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting date and time - 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:15 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 2nd Thursday of the month at 11:30 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 2nd Tuesday of the month at 7:30 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 4th Friday of the month at 11:30 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Thursday of the month at 4:30 p.m.
Meeting date and time - The 2nd Tuesday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Wednesday of the month at 6:00 p.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 4th Wednesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Tuesday of the month at 1:00 p.m.
Meeting date and time – The 3rd Tuesday of the month at 7:00 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Tuesday of the month 7:00 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 2nd Friday of the month 7:30 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 3rd Tuesday of the month at 9:00 a.m.
Meeting date and time - The 1st Friday of the month at 9:30 a.m.
If you would like to learn more about the CEO Roundtable Program and hear testimonials from actual CEO Roundtable members we ask that you watch this short video.
Obtain advice and support from fellow entrepreneurs and business owners. Click on the link below to complete your application today! Please use this form to apply for Silver Fox Advisors' CEO Roundtable. Depending on your browser, you may be required to open this form in another view to complete online. This choice might be visible in the upper right-hand area of your web browser. Please contact mkole@silverfox.org for any questions.


text:
Cuscuta macrolepis är en vindeväxtart som beskrevs av Rhui Cheng Fang och S. H. Huang. Cuscuta macrolepis ingår i släktet snärjor, och familjen vindeväxter. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Snärjor
macrolepis

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


After backing a lawsuit against Blackstone and Prisma Capital Partners for matters pertinent to lackluster fund performance, the Kentucky Retirement System (KRS) received a countersuit last week by those same firms in order to recoup their expenditures on legal fees and other expenses to defend themselves.
The original lawsuit, coined the "Mayberry Action," was filed by state taxpayers in December 2017 and alleges that Prisma, Blackstone, Pacific Alternative Asset Management, and KKR breached their contractual obligations to KRS with funds that performed far worse than their general partners originally forecasted, subsequently being "unsuitable" for the Lexington-based institutional investor.
However, in litigation papers prepared by Blackstone's legal representatives, the private equity firm stated they delivered an annualized return of 6.5% to KRS, exceeding the benchmark agreed upon by the two by nearly three times, with KRS receiving more than $158 million net of fees.
KRS has publicly declared its support for the Mayberry lawsuit, even having embarked on a joint litigation effort with the plaintiffs from the case, but strayed from formally joining the suit itself as a plaintiff.
"Because the Mayberry Action is predicated on the plaintiffs' rejection of KRS contractual representations to BAAM, and because KRS continues to be actively engaged in the prosecution of the Mayberry Action, KRS should be required to reimburse [Blackstone] for its costs in defending this meritless lawsuit, and in the unlikely event of an adverse judgment, for that judgment," Blackstone said in its litigation papers.
Blackstone continued that KRS said in contractual agreements that its investments in Blackstone's vehicles were suitable for the portfolio, and understood the nature and risks associated with the fund.
KRS declined to provide additional comment on the cases. It is also facing internal challenges with the state government, which recently proposed to allow secondary institutions to disband from the retirement system to save themselves from mandatory increased contributions, which could potentially leave many of them with no choice but to stop operations.
The system also recently appointed a new chief investment officer (CIO) and deputy CIO earlier this year, who will help shepherd the pension out of its $43 billion-plus deficit.


text:
The Morgan Stanley report further noted that RBI can move to commence a shallow rate hike cycle by the fourth quarter of this year. Photo: Reuters
RBI to keep policy rates on hold, maintain neutral stance: Report
1 min read . Updated: 26 Mar 2018, 07:40 PM IST PTI
According to Morgan Stanley, although India's economic growth is on an uptrend, recovery remains in an early stage, and this warrants a neutral stance
RBIRBI policy ratesMonetary Policy CommitteeRBI monetary policy review meetMorgan Stanley reportInflation
New Delhi: The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) is expected to keep policy rates on hold and maintain its neutral stance at the ensuing policy review meet early next month, says a Morgan Stanley report.
According to the global financial services major, although India's economic growth is on an uptrend, recovery remains in an early stage, and this warrants a neutral stance. "Considering the growth and inflation backdrop relative to the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC's) assessment, we expect the MPC to remain on hold and maintain its neutral stance," Morgan Stanley said in a research note.
The central bank's next monetary policy review is scheduled for 5 April. It had kept the policy rate unchanged in its February meeting on fears of inflation. Headline CPI inflation print for January-February has averaged 4.8%. This is slightly weaker than the RBI's projection of 5.1% for the March quarter this year.
On the growth front, the release of the gross domestic product (GDP) statistics for the December 2017 quarter indicate that "the economy continues to be on a recovery path as the impact of the currency replacement programme and GST implementation wane".
"Indeed, with no fresh new concerns over the inflation dynamic and with the recovery remaining in a nascent stage, we believe that the MPC will find merit in not taking up rate hikes at the upcoming meeting," the report said.
The report further noted that RBI can move to commence a shallow rate hike cycle by the fourth quarter of this year, as inflation is not expected to overshoot the RBI's target and the country's economic recovery is also expected to be on a better place by then.


text:
Explore This Tatters-Turned-Picturesque Fixed Up Farmhouse
By Lisa Evans
This farmhouse from the 1800s was in serious need of a makeover, but that didn't stop someone from buying it off Craigslist. With a lot of time and effort, this rundown house was renovated into a beautiful family home. Take a look at the before and after pictures of each room and be amazed at the transformation.
Before: Exterior
With it's bland and dingy siding and an unkempt yard, the outside of this farmhouse was very uninspiring and unappealing. The only redeeming feature was the spectacular double porch, which was in desperate need of a repaint and some seating so it could be utilized properly.
After: Exterior
The area around the house was properly landscaped to boost the farmhouse's curb appeal. Seating was maximized on the double porch, with a cosy pair of swings and four pretty white rocking chairs. To dress up the seating areas, patterned throw pillows were added, and planters and shrubs were placed around the front of the house. To refresh the exterior, new upper porch spindles were installed, and the tired looking door was replaced with a deep mahogany version to add warmth to the outside of the house.
Before: Entryway
The entryway is the first part of the house people see when they enter, so it needs to be inviting. However the original interior did not offer a warm welcome. Plain white walls and a rundown staircase contributed to the drab and unpleasant look of the entrance area. There was nothing visually appealing about this part of the house, and it was screaming out for some color.
After: Entryway
Walls were given a much needed lick of white paint before a beautiful floral covering was applied to brighten up the room and add some playful shades of color. A rug matching the blue on the walls was laid down on the floor, and a complimentary stair runner was painted in a light pastel blue. The entryway was already a generous size but to make it appear more spacious, a large selection of mirrors were hung up on the wall.
Before: Bedroom
There wasn't much wrong with this bedroom apart from the original beadboard ceiling and walls needing a lick of paint. Old pine floors were hidden underneath the carpet but were in need of costly restoration, so it was decided that they would be painted instead.
A gorgeous dreamy blue was painted on the floor of the bedroom to give a pop of color, and complimentary blue draperies with a bold white print were hung up in front of the window. To make the most of the space, a double bed was placed underneath the window. Matching bedside tables with nickel bedside lamps were placed either side of it to create symmetry in the room. An elegant ceiling fan was installed above the bed, while a tufted linen settee completed the focal point of the room.
Before: Open Storage
On the other side of the bedroom there was a storage area for clothes instead of a closet, and an old unattractive fireplace. Worn down dirty carpet covered the floor and hid the house's original hardwood flooring. To make matters worse, the color of the walls wasn't very inviting and gave the room a dull and dreary appearance.
After: Writing Nook
The hanging rod for clothes was taken away, and it was replaced by a pretty wooden desk and chair to create a writing nook in the corner. Beautiful flowers and a personal photograph were placed on the desk to make it feel more homely. A gold lamp was also added to ensure whoever sat at the desk had enough light so they could easily focus on their work.
After: Armoire
After the original space for clothing was taken over by a pretty writing nook, an antique armoire was placed beside it to act as a makeshift closet. This added to the vintage look already created by the weathered wooden desk. To brighten up the room, the beadboard ceiling and walls were painted a clean, refreshing white. Framed artwork was also placed above and beside the closet to give the bedroom a more personal touch.
After: Fireplace
The tired looking fireplace was repainted in an unusual shade of black blue, which appears almost black in concentrated areas, but much bluer when painted on larger surfaces. Continuity is demonstrated throughout the bedroom, with ebony accents adding sophistication to this cozy space. Minimalist paintings similar to the ones near the closet are also on display on the mantelpiece.
Before: Kitchen
The tatty and outdated kitchen and dining room was begging for a much needed revamp. Shabby hardwood flooring and basic old fashioned cabinets and counters did not do justice to this spacious room. The only redeeming feature, was that a lot of natural light was let in by the large window, which brightened up the kitchen.
A luscious shade of light pink was painted on the floors to rid the wood of its tatty look. The walls and trim were refreshed with a coat of crisp white paint, while ceramic subway tiles covered the remainder of the bright green walls to add some texture. Patterned roman shades were hung up by the window to bring some color back into the kitchen without being too bright. Subtle light grey cabinets replaced the off color cream ones that were previously in the kitchen, and beautiful quartz countertops were put in place underneath to give the kitchen a touch of elegance.
Before: Dining Room
The open plan layout of the kitchen and dining room meant the dining area shared some of the same unattractive design elements as the kitchen. A pastel green covered the beadboard walls and it featured the same shabby flooring. Separating the kitchen from the dining room was a beautiful fireplace that added a homely feel to the large space, and created a good focal point.
After: Dining Room
Just like the kitchen, the original beadboard walls were painted the same white, and the hardwood floors were covered in a light coat of pink. The fireplace remained almost untouched, apart from some white and gray concrete tiles added to the hearth. To accentuate the cozy feel created by the presence of the fireplace, a rustic set of table and chairs were placed in the middle of the room. A stylish bench with throw pillows was also added to the side. Additional lighting was placed in the dining room in the form of a tasteful chandelier that complimented the honey hue accents on display.
Before: Bathroom
The bland appearance of the bathroom was very off-putting, and everything in the room looked tired and old. Despite the generous size of the room, it looked very cramped, especially the shower at the back of the bathroom.
After: Bathroom
The whole room was given a complete makeover to turn it from drab to fab. A mixture of green and black and white prints were added to the walls and floor to liven up the room and give it personality. New wooden cabinets were put in place to create the ideal base for the sink and faucets. To compliment the soft hue of the wooden, a curio cabinet of a similar shade was placed at the side of the wall to display and hold the bathroom towels. One of the biggest renovations to the bathroom was the shower, as it was elongated so it was no longer cramped in the corner. It was also refreshed with a clean white tile design.
Before: Second Bedroom
The second bedroom in the house featured dated green paint, and an unclean shade of white on the ceiling and border of the walls. There was also a very awkwardly placed dividing wall which separated the bedroom into two segments.
After: Second Bedroom
The first thing to go in the bedroom was the dividing wall. As soon as that was taken down there was much more space to work with. A strong dark shade of paint was applied to the walls to unite the divided room. To make the furniture and other features of the room stand out, the ceiling was also painted the same color as the walls. Two beds were covered in matching white bedding to create symmetry in the room and compliment the white painted flooring. A small rug featuring warming tones of red and gold was placed between the beds to add a hint of color. To make the room more modern, a starburst chandelier was installed and a wide nightstand holding a stacked glass table lamp was positioned in the middle of the beds.
Just like the other beadboard walls in the rest of the house, they needed refreshing with a lick of paint. The overall beige tone made the living room look bland and boring, rather than a welcoming family room. It was also filled with clutter that looked out of place such as a red velvet chair.
Continuity is key in this house, so the beadboard walls were painted with the same white that was used in the entryway. To coordinate with the walls, the mantelpiece was also replaced with a freshly painted white version. A soft blue was painted on the floors to provide the room with color, while the rest of the room was decorated in relaxing neutral colors with a beige sofa and wooden coffee table. A pretty patterned rug was then placed in the center of the room which ties in with the color of the furniture, while blush colored draperies were hung over the window.
Comment on Explore This Tatters-Turned-Picturesque Fixed Up Farmhouse
12 DIY Kids Room Ideas to Give Your Child's Room a Magical Makeover


text:
U.S. Military Parents on Okinawa Demand Truth About Toxic Contamination Near Base Schools 在沖米軍基地内小中学校 保護者近辺の毒物汚染の実情を要求
Volume 10 | Issue 54 | Number 172
Between 2012 and 2014 we posted a number of articles on contemporary affairs without giving them volume and issue numbers or dates. Often the date can be determined from internal evidence in the article, but sometimes not. We have decided retrospectively to list all of them as Volume 10, Issue 54 with a date of 2012 with the understanding that all were published between 2012 and 2014.
On Okinawa, U.S. military service members and their families are demanding answers from the Pentagon about a chemical dumpsite located adjacent to two Department of Defense schools.
Last summer, dangerous levels of dioxin were discovered near Kadena Air Base, but only recently did many Americans stationed on the island learn of the contamination.1 Parents whose children attend the potentially-poisoned facilities claim base officials failed to inform them of the risks and, for almost six months, they did not investigate whether the pollution extended onto their schools' land.
Now many are accusing the military authorities of endangering their children's health. In addition, a growing number of parents affiliated with the base believe their children's serious illnesses may have been caused by dioxin exposure.
The focus of parents' fears are the playing fields of Bob Hope Primary School and Amelia Earhart Intermediate School, facilities operated by the Department of Defense for the children of U.S. service members. Last June, construction workers unearthed more than 20 chemical barrels on civilian land bordering the schools. Tests in July revealed that the barrels contained high concentrations of dioxin, a substance which can cause cancer, immune system damage and developmental problems in children. Dioxin levels measured 8.4 times the legal limits for soil while water peaked at 280 times safe levels. Tests also revealed levels of arsenic in the soil in excess of safe limits. The land had once belonged to the adjacent Air Base but was returned to civilian usage in 1987.
"Knowing that the base has probably been aware of this situation for many months, I feel very angry. I cannot imagine what could justify their decision to withhold this information from us parents. I believe they were morally and ethically obliged to warn us of the possible threat to our children," said Jannine Myers, the mother of a 10-year old girl attending Amelia Earhart Intermediate School.
Myers first heard about the contamination after reading a letter that appeared in The Japan Times newspaper on December 24 titled "Demand answers about dioxin threat at Okinawa schools." 2
Angered by the authorities' failure to notify parents and local residents about the possible dangers, Myers created a Facebook group on January 10 named "Bob Hope/AEIS - Protect Our Kids," in the hope of convincing base officials to hold a public meeting and explain what action has been taken. The group currently has more than 800 members.
"If there is a dioxin threat at the schools, it will take an enormous amount of public pressure to a) have the U.S. authorities admit that they are responsible, and b) cause them to clean up this mess and protect our children," Myers said.
Correspondence between Kadena Air Base officials and the Okinawa Defense Bureau (ODB) reveals that the U.S. authorities were aware of the proximity of the school fields to the chemical dumpsite as early as June. Documents detail ODB enquiries to the base immediately following the barrels' discovery. In response to these questions into past usage of the land, Kadena officials replied, "Starting in 1980, the area adjacent to the site was used as baseball fields and playgrounds for a nearby elementary school on Kadena Air Base."
"The moment the knowledge of the barrels being uncovered and the potential for any dioxins to be found were known, every parent of the schools, and every person on Kadena should have been notified. I feel outraged," said Tina Eaton who often takes her 3-year old daughter to play on the schools' fields.
In response to the anger from Eaton and other parents, the base was forced to act.
On January 28, at a hastily-convened meeting, 18th Wing Commander Brigadier General James B. Hecker, admitted to parents that he ought to have informed them of the contamination next to Bob Hope Primary School and Amelia Earhart Intermediate School as soon as he learned of the problem the previous summer.3 But he reassured his audience of 100 that there were no indications the base itself was polluted and he stated his staff were doing all they could to protect children from any harm.
However, in the days following the meeting, members of the Okinawa Defense Bureau unearthed a further 50 barrels on the adjacent land. Similar to the 33 barrels previously discovered, some of the latest batch bear the logo of the Dow Chemical Company; one was marked "Malathion" - an insecticide - in Japanese katakana script suggesting it may have been used by Okinawan maintenance staff employed by the installation.
Workers handle latest of 83 barrels discovered adjacent to Kadena Air Base in January. Photo by Naoya Kuwae.
Many of the barrels appeared far more intact than those previously unearthed.
On January 31, in response to the latest discovery, which brings the current barrel tally to 83, Japanese Defense Minister Onodera Itsunori told TV reporters that the government would investigate the contents of the barrels and research the factory from which they came. He added that the full details and background of the discovery had not yet been confirmed.
Fears that toxic barrels may also lie beneath the school grounds themselves have been heightened by allegations from retired USAF Major Ronald Thomas. As a teenager in the late 1960s, Thomas lived on the base. He claims that he regularly drove empty barrels to land near where the schools now stand which, at the time, was an unofficial dumpsite.
"They were 55 gallon (208 liter) and, on occasion, 30 gallon (113 liter) drums. You could smell the chemicals and a few were stenciled with "Defoliant" in white with "Property KAB Special Services"", said Thomas.
According to Thomas, some of the drums were buried while others were burned or sold to local Okinawan residents.
Thomas is unsure whether the barrels he transported held Agent Orange - the Vietnam War defoliant manufactured by Dow Chemical and other companies in the 1960s and '70s. More than 250 U.S. veterans claim the substance was sprayed, stored and buried on the island during the Vietnam War.
U.S. military records related to Agent Orange catalogue a herbicide stockpile at Kadena in 1971.4
Honda Katsuhisa, the Ehime University scientist tasked by Okinawa City with the examination of the barrels likened the land to contaminated fields in Vietnam where the Pentagon sprayed millions of liters of Agent Orange in the 1960s.
Last year, Washington issued a report denying that Agent Orange was ever present on Okinawa. The report was widely condemned by international experts who said it included a number of serious flaws in both methodology and contents.5
More than ten parents whose children developed serious illnesses while living on Okinawa bases have expressed fears that contamination at the two schools may be to blame. Many of the sicknesses from which they are suffering include those known to be caused by dioxin exposure - birth defects, auto-immune disorders and childhood cancers.
Telisha Simmons, who lived on the island between 2011 and 2012, is one of those who worries that her children's ill health may have been caused by base contamination.
"I am disgusted that this information has been kept from us. Not even after my daughter was diagnosed with bone tumors and my son with a brain cyst were we informed," she said.
Simmons' family doctors have been unable to offer an explanation for her children's illnesses. Her son attended Bob Hope Primary School and often played on its fields.
"He went out in all weather conditions and at times was wet, muddy and dirty when getting home. It makes me sick that this has been kept hush-hush," she said.
At the January 24 meeting, the base authorities told parents that all tests for toxins on the schools had come back clear. However many parents questioned whether the 6-inch (15cm) deep soil samples were sufficient to detect contamination. On the nearby civilian land, some of the barrels were buried several metres below the surface.
The Air Base has announced it will conduct further tests on the schools' grounds and it provided a telephone number for parents with sick children to contact.
This is not the first time that Kadena Air Base schools have been the focus of public concern. In 1983, a large quantity of live ammunition was discovered buried beneath the playground of Bob Hope Elementary School.
Under the current U.S.–Japan Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA), the Pentagon is absolved of all responsibility for environmental damage caused by its bases. However, in December, Washington announced that it would soon negotiate a new Environmental Stewardship Pact with Japan to supplement the current SOFA.6 The Pentagon claimed the deal would improve environmental standards on its installations but skeptics dismissed it as an attempt to placate Okinawans' anger over plans to build a massive new military complex in Nago City.
However, it seems clear that concerns over military pollution on Kadena Air Base has united many on both sides of the fence.
"We need to find out if our kids are at risk. That is the least the U.S. government/military owes us - and owes the people of Okinawa. They do not deserve this lethargic attitude on such a potentially devastating discovery, and neither do we," said U.S. mother, Eaton.
1. For an account of the discovery of the barrels, see here.
2. The Japan Times letter can be read in full here.
3. The January 24 Kadena Air Base meeting, including Gen. Hecker's full briefing for parents, can be watched online here.
4. For details on this report, see here.
5. For a full exploration of the Pentagon report, see here.
6. See, for example, "Pollution rife on Okinawa's U.S.-returned base land", The Japan Times, December 4, 2014. Available here.
Jon Mitchell is an Asia-Pacific Journal associate and visiting researcher at the International Peace Research Institute of Meiji Gakuin University, Tokyo. In 2012, "Defoliated Island: Agent Orange, Okinawa and the Vietnam War" - a Japanese TV documentary based upon his research - was winner of an award for excellence from Japan's Association of Commercial Broadcasters. A Japanese-language book based upon his research into Agent Orange on Okinawa will be published in Tokyo in 2014.
Asia-Pacific Journal articles on related issues include:
Jon Mitchell, "Deny, deny until all the veterans die" - Pentagon investigation into Agent Orange on Okinawa
Jon Mitchell, Were US Marines used as guinea pigs on Okinawa
"Deny, deny until all the veterans die" - Pentagon investigation into Agent Orange on Okinawa - See more at: http://www.japanfocus.org/-Jon-Mitchell/3951#sthash.TjnpvNZi.dpuf
C. Douglas Lummis, The US-Japan Status of Forces Agreement and Okinawan Anger


1. Add butter to egg and beat it, before you make Omlette for a more excellent taste.
2. To sprout the grains, soak them for 8 hours, drain the water and place them in Hotpack or any plastic cotainer and keep it closed for a night. The next morning you see beautiful sprouted grains.
3. When you make porridge for kids, add a spoon of corn meal to get extra protein contents for your kids.
4. When your dish becomes too salty, add either of milk, cream, curd, lime juice, tomato pulp appropriately that suits your dish. Adding potatoe also lowers the salt content.
5. Fry cabbage with ginger till cooked and grind with chilli, salt and curd to make a different raita.
6. Grind soaked Peas with chilli, salt, asafoetida, and add curry leaves to make crispy vada. Can add cabbage and onion also.
7. If you have previous day's cooked rice, dont worry. Make a superb dosai out of it as follows: Grind that rice, add gram flour, green chilli, salt, curry leaves, corriander leaves, 1 spoon curd, mix well and make a crispy, yummy dosai.
8. When you prepare soup add 2 spoons of barley water along with for a more healthy soup.
10. If cooked spinach is left over, add flour of urad dal and try a vadai out of it. Really it will be very tasty. Or you can knead it along with Chapathi flour to get tasty spinach chapathis.
Happy that you posted my cooking tips which I posted on 27/3/09. These are very easy ones and often practised by me. Thanks.


text:
Home | Newsfront
Tags: climate | change | meat | tax | activists | chatham
Climate Change Activists Want 'Meat Tax'
By Cathy Burke | Saturday, 28 November 2015 10:49 PM
A London-based think tank that supports slashing meat consumption is calling for the radical diet change to be "high on the list" of strategies studied by world leaders gathering in Paris next week to discuss global warming.
In its report, Chatham House says cutting down on meat-eating can prevent global warming by 2 degrees by the end of the century, declaring that the cultivation of animals is responsible for about 15 percent of the world's carbon emissions.
"As governments look for strategies to close the Paris emissions gap quickly and cheaply, dietary change should be high on the list," report author Laura Wellesley writes.
The think tank is also recommending government interventions and initiatives to make meat eating less attractive – and Americans, who eat more meat than most people in other countries, will likely be a top target, Libertarian Republic reports.
Among the recommendations is a so-called carbon tax.
"Interventions to change the relative prices of foods are likely to be among the most effective in changing consumption patterns," the report notes, adding countries should aim "to increase the price of meat and other unsustainable products" through a carbon tax.
One analyst slammed the idea as dangerous.
"Which will be the first group of people to be harmed by these taxes?" asks Marlo Lewis Jr., a senior fellow at the Competitive Enterprise Institute, the Libertarian Republic reports. "It's the poor obviously."
"A better-fed population is more productive, and a more productive population makes food more abundant and secure. The Chatham House proposal would break this virtuous cycle of progress at both ends."
He also slams the report's goal of becoming part of the conversation at the global warming conference, calling it akin to "taking Michael Bloomberg's policies and trying to make a treaty out of it."
Obama: Paris Climate Change Event 'Powerful Rebuke' to Terrorists
Israel Climate Change Impact: What Actions Scientists Say Jewish Nation Needs to Take Against Global Warming
© 2022 Newsmax. All rights reserved.
A London-based think tank that supports slashing meat consumption is calling for the radical diet change to be high on the list of strategies studied by world leaders gathering in Paris next week to discuss global warming.In its report, Chatham House says cutting down on...
climate, change, meat, tax, activists, chatham
Saturday, 28 November 2015 10:49 PM
More Hot Topics
GOP Leader Predicts Russia Will Invade Ukraine 'in the Next Month'
Friday, 21 Jan 2022 21:10 PM
Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Texas, predicted on Friday that Russian forces would move into Ukraine within the next month, cit . . .
Trump Media CEO Nunes Girds for 'Battle of All Battles' Against Big Tech
Former Rep. Devin Nunes, R-Calif., told Breitbart on Friday that taking on woke Big Tech as CEO of the new social media . . .


text:
Five ideas for Europa Universalis 5
Now is a great time to idly speculate as to what would make EU5 a great game, whenever it's announced...
On the surface, Europa Universalis IV may look like nothing more than a map and a cartographer's dream, but it has nevertheless exerted a powerful hold on our imaginations and further established grand strategy games as a sub-genre with mainstream appeal.
There are few strategy games in which every single decision has so much impact on the state of the world — a game of such bewildering complexity that it inspires countless inner historians — with so many rules and mechanics that the learning curve stretches into the hundreds of hours. But EU4 is seven years old now, and is showing signs of age. With Crusader Kings 3 taking Steam by storm (you can read our CK3 review or learn some tricks in our CK3 tips guide), now is a good time to start thinking about Europa Universalis 5.
We've put together several suggestions that could be incorporated into a sequel. Here are five main things that we would like to see in Europa Universalis 5, whenever Paradox get around to announcing it. Victoria 3 when?
Historically, the tumultuous relationship between the crown and the estates was often the focus of internal conflict throughout much of the period. Even as late as the 18th century, these localised bodies intersected with the life of the citizens in a much more intimate manner than the monarchy or the state.
Speaking of speculation: What is Warhammer 3 going to be like?
So our first suggestion is that the relationship between monarchy and estates should become the central feature of EU5, and the one through which all others should interact. The coring process would be completely reworked to emphasise the challenges of integrating the estates from newly conquered territories into your realm. Autonomy would become a struggle for control between crown and estates. And absolutism would make estates more pliant and easier to core in the late game eras.
Loyal estates would provide plenty of powerful boons such as collateral for loans and local militias to the crown. But highly disloyal estates could also meddle in the domestic affairs of the realm. Foreign countries could likewise interfere with your disloyal or highly autonomous domestic estates by negotiating directly with them, therefore bypassing the crown. An expanded estates system would enable Paradox to simulate state-building and internal politics without dramatically altering the essence of the series.
Early modern Europe was a combustible patchwork of different faiths, where even the most obscure disagreements could "ignite revolutions and overturn thrones," according to the historian Christopher Clark. The current religious system — an odd relic of EU3 — arguably doesn't capture the full scope of religious strife during this period. So religious minorities should be represented as an actual percentage of your population that acts with a semblance of unity and purpose across your entire realm.
This would force players to make difficult trade-offs. If the player chooses to eradicate a minority religion, then it will threaten widespread strife and disharmony that could plunge the entire nation into chaos. But if the player chooses to tolerate the minority, then they will need to respect their religious customs and devolve power to the local level, which could generate friction with other religions.
If the struggle between religious solidarity and tolerance affected the internal politics of a nation, it could also provide a useful diplomatic instrument of statecraft and diplomacy on the international scene. Particularly devout and pious rulers often expressed solidarity with the plight of oppressed minorities in other realms to win favours with like-minded nations. Therefore, EU5 could allow you to offer religious asylum to oppressed peoples to gain some development at home and some diplomatic credentials abroad.
Coalition and League Wars
The War of the League of Cambrai, which lasted between 1508 and 1516, was the type of international conflict at which EU4 should excel. What began as an anti-Venetian alliance quickly evolved into a pact between Venice and the Papal States to drive the French from Italy. It ended with France and Venice allied against England, Castile, Austria, and the Pope. But as anyone who has played the 1508 start date knows, the war is impossible to model within the current war system.
To make them more dynamic and interesting to interact with, coalitions should be quick to form, especially against big and threatening nations. They would attract rivals and other opportunistic nations looking for a quick land grab. To make them fairer, however, the game should offer a measure of flexibility and diplomacy — such as the opportunity to buy off wavering coalition members with promises of land or money. Assuming it can be correctly implemented (which is a big ask), wavering nations should be able to switch sides during an ongoing war (something the current system doesn't allow for).
These changes should make coalitions still very powerful but more volatile and unreliable to work with. Early battlefield setbacks or diplomatic friction between members (especially rivals) could cause a tenuous coalition to unravel quickly as members lose the will to fight. However, friendly coalition members are more willing to support each other until the end.
The EU4 timeframe between 1444 and 1820 almost perfectly encapsulates the high watermark of the mercantilist doctrine. This was an era of convergence between states and businesses in which traders and proto-industrialists came to see the ruler as a partner in economic policy who often promoted the values of trade abroad.
More like this: Here are the best strategy games on PC
This can be modelled by a deeper and more dynamic Victoria-style trade system that allows you to control the flow of individual goods through tariffs and regulations. The other important economic trend in this era was the precipitous growth of a financial system to pay for expensive wars and building projects. In a hypothetical Europa Universalis 5, this could require you to negotiate loans with specific providers of finance.
Claims & Warfare
The espionage-based claims system in EU4 was always a rather imperfect and peculiar approximation of historical reality. Even up to the 18th century, strategic marriage was the preferred instrument of territorial acquisition for any ambitious state. So EU5 should emphasise the critical importance of royal marriages and inheritance for generating claims. Once you have a claim in hand, foreign nations can pledge to support or even oppose it, perhaps sparking an international crisis.
Given the centrality of warfare to the series, Paradox could significantly improve it by introducing new unit types and a supply system similar to Imperator. Nations would also 'pledge' a percentage of their armies and income to a war, depending on many factors such as trust. The rest of the army would remain neutral to prevent every conflict from escalating into all-out bitter struggles. Another possible mechanic would allow you to decline to engage in an unfavourable battle. You can either stand and fight or immediately withdraw.
More like this: A guide to grand strategy games
EU4 made interesting strides in the realm of warfare, especially in re-working the significance and impact of forts, but these are strategic (and peace-time) decisions. Imperator showed that there is a way of making grand strategy combat more tactical and interesting without going into the weeds of a Hearts of Iron-style system, and it would be good to see a sequel incorporate these newer ideas.
Jacob Stutsman
{"schema":{"page":{"content":{"headline":"Five ideas for Europa Universalis 5","type":"feature","category":"europa-universalis-5"},"user":{"loginstatus":false},"game":{"publisher":"","genre":"","title":"Europa Universalis V","genres":[]}}}}
Europa Universalis V


text:
iHaveNet.com: Travel
Crazy Cruise: 7 Absurdities of the Sea
By Christopher Elliott
There's something for everyone on a cruise. And I don't mean that the same way your travel agent or cruise line does.
Whether it's a silly upsell, like asking you to pay extra for fine dining on your "all-inclusive" vacation, or dumb laws that prevent you from boarding or disembarking your vessel, you won't fail to find something absurd at sea.
Just ask Shirley Ann Schultz, a sales assistant in Tampa, Fla. When she boarded a recent cruise, the ship's security confiscated a five-inch knife she uses to prepare food. "Then, a couple of hours later, they handed us a steak knife -- with a six-inch blade," she says.
No one ever claimed the security rules made any sense.
For better or worse, cruise ships are unlike anything else in the travel industry. These enormous floating hotels don't play by our rules, thanks to maritime laws and ports of convenience, which ensure minimal regulations while they get to pocket the maximum profits.
But none of that explains the absurdity of some cruise line practices. Nor does it begin to help you prevent these bizarre policies from sinking your next cruise vacation. Here are six more practices that defy explanation, and how to get around them:
NONSENSE MARITIME LAWS
When James Dixon missed his cruise in Miami because of a flight delay, he tried to catch the ship in Key West, Fla. But when he arrived, a cruise line representative informed him that because of the Jones Act, he and his party couldn't board. "I was in tears because our scheduled vacation for my mom was ruined," he says.
I asked my colleague, cruise expert Anita Potter, what was going on. "Yes, there is such as thing as the Jones Act -- this law was designed in the 1800s to protect and regulate the American shipbuilding industry and ensure a fleet of United States-flagged ships," she told me. "In today's world this law is very outdated -- and sadly, still in effect."
In Dixon's case, the Jones Act forbids foreign ships, which includes most major cruise line fleets, to transport cargo or passengers between two United States ports without first stopping at a foreign port. How do you avoid it? Don't try to board a cruise ship anywhere but its homeport.
THE RESTAURANT UPSELL
Most cruise ships now offer "premium" dining that cost extra. Of all the fees that they charge passengers, these are probably the most maddening. Cruise lines like to present these upsells as options: If you want a "special" restaurant experience, they say, why not go out for a steak dinner?
But frequent cruiser Candice Sabatini has a different take. "I've already paid $5,000 on an all-inclusive cruise," she says. "Also, I think it (implies) the cruise line will serve sub-standard food in the main dining room." She avoids cruise ships that don't include all meals for that reason.
It's difficult to do that, but there are still some cruise lines out there that are truly all-inclusive. You have to look long and hard -- and sometimes you have to pay a lot more -- to get them. But if you don't like being charged for something that should be included in your cruise, it's worth the effort.
NICKEL AND DIMING
It isn't just the best restaurants that are extra, of course. That margarita you ordered with lunch is $8. Sodas are extra, too. So are excursions, and pretty much anything else that isn't bolted down on the ship.
Even amenities that you think would be included, aren't. For example, Diane Hansen found that her luxury cruise didn't allow her to use the sauna and steam room without paying a surcharge. Most cruise ships allow you to use the spa at no extra charge. So she blogged about her experience (http://travelaccomplice.blogspot.com/2009/11/cruise-review-norwegian-star.html) and then decided to take her business elsewhere. "We were going to get a couples massage on board," she says. "Instead, we opted for one on shore and didn't spend any money at all in the onboard spa."
AIR DEVIATION FEES
When you buy a cruise, most travel experts recommend booking your airline tickets at the same time, since you're more protected if you miss a connection. "But you have no idea what your flights are going to be, nor what they will cost," says Peter Mescher, a computer engineer from Raleigh, N.C. "When the cruise line reveals your itinerary, if you don't like it, you call them and pay an air deviation fee."
Even then, you don't necessarily get the flight you want, but instead choose from a basket of possible itineraries, some of which may still have inconvenient connections.
Why bother with a deviation fee? Part of it is the money, but part of it is the perception that you'll be better off booking an "air inclusive" cruise if you miss the boat. But is the money you save worth the hassle, or are you better off buying the airline tickets yourself and finding a good vacation insurance policy that would help you if you had to cancel or get delayed? Probably not.
THE CRUISE CONTRACT
If you thought airline contracts were bad, check out a cruise contract. They seem to be written by a team of maritime lawyers who want to take your money and give you nothing in return.
Think I'm kidding? Reader Melissa Aakre just returned from a cruise to Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. "On the first day at sea, we were told that the ship had a propulsion problem and that we were not going fast enough to get us to Jamaica, and that they were hoping we could get to Grand Cayman," she recalls. "On day three we were told we would only make it to Nassau, Bahamas, which is just 90 miles from Miami." What did she get for the missed port? A $75 credit.
The cruise line should have refunded her port fees, but a review of her cruise contract -- the legal agreement between her and her cruise line -- shows it didn't owe her much more than that. It had no obligation to keep her advertised schedule. The contract is full of other clauses and traps that you should familiarize yourself with before you set sail.
JEWELRY AND ART SALES
Smart cruisers stay as far away from onboard jewelry seminars as possible. Look out for art auctions, too. "These events are tagged as educational seminars that also include tip sheets on where to buy while in port, and on some cruise lines includes a 'buyer's guarantee' that is supposed to help the passenger with refunds in the event that they are unhappy with the purchase," says Jacci Dewdney of Advanced Jewelry Appraisals in Des Moines. "What continues to amaze and frustrate me is that passengers either are not told, or do not understand, that the jewelry stores on the list have paid a premium to be listed, and are essentially paying the cruise line to funnel passengers to them."
Unfortunately, travelers are often caught up in the romance of the moment, and feel a false sense of security because of the cruise line's guarantee, adds Dewdney. When they get home, they realize that their jewelry is worth less than they thought and that the cruise line is unwilling to help.
These absurdities are enough to make you rethink your next cruise vacation, aren't they? But if you decide to cruise, you might consider a few preventative measures (http://www.elliott.org/the-travel-critic/revenge-at-sea-5-ways-passengers-are-getting-even-with-cruise-lines) that will ensure you don't get the short end of the stick.
After all, it's a cruise. And there's something for everyone.
Christopher Elliott is the ombudsman for National Geographic Traveler magazine.
© U.S. Christopher Elliott, The Travel Troubleshooter
More Vacation & Travel ...
AUTOS | HOBBIES | EDUCATION | FAMILY | FASHION | FOOD & RECIPES | HOME DECOR | RELATIONSHIPS | PARENTING | PETS | TRAVEL | WOMEN
Travel | Crazy Cruise: 7 Absurdities of the Sea
© iHaveNet.com
HOME | WORLD | USA | BUSINESS | WEALTH | STOCKS | TECH | HEALTH | LIFESTYLE | ENTERTAINMENT | SPORTS
RSS Feeds | Shop Amazon.com | Email Alerts | Site Map | Privacy


Home/Business News/Celebrating the best in Construction in the South West – Enter today!
Returning for their 10th consecutive year, the South West Built Environment Awards are set to return on the 9 June 2017 and due to its ever-increasing popularity, for the first time, the event will be held at the Ashton Gate Stadium, Bristol.
The awards are recognised as being in a class of their own, celebrating best practice combined with great entertainment and an effective platform for networking. Having gained traction over the previous decade, the awards have continued to grow year on year and the 2017 awards are set to be the biggest event yet with circa 600 industry figures in attendance.
Winning the South West Built Environment Awards automatically qualifies winners' entry into the prestigious National Constructing Excellence Awards (excluding image of construction and achiever of the year), where the best that the region has to offer is pitted against the best nationwide.
Following a full re-launch of the Constructing Excellence Awards, we are delighted to announce that there are updated awards categories and a brand new (and much simpler) entry form!
SME of the Year – Judges are looking for an exemplary organisation, with 249 or less employees, although they emphasise cultural achievement, not size, matters.
People Development Award – Judges are looking for an organisation leading the way on developing their existing human assets and attracting new entrants to the industry.
Health & Safety Award – The judges will be looking for a project, organisation or initiative where health and safety has been driven way beyond the industry norm.
Integration & Collaborative Working Award – Judges will be looking for evidence of early involvement, selection by value, common processes and tools across organisations such as BIM, long term relationships, modern commercial arrangements and fair payment practices.
Preservation & Rejuvenation Award – Judges will be looking to recognise the achievement of high standards in the repair, re-use and revitalisation of the region's historic buildings, sites and places.
Project of the Year – Building Projects – The winner is likely to be an outstanding local project or a high-profile landmark, but whatever it is all parties will be proud of and inspired by it; the designers, constructors and clients.
Project of the Year – Civil Engineering – The winner is likely to be an outstanding local project or a high- profile landmark, but whatever it is all parties will be proud of and inspired by it; the designers, constructors and clients.
Image of Construction Award – This Award looks to recognise a project that has resulted in inclusive and barrier-free construction using equality and diversity design principles while embedding inclusive practices into every day site working.
You've got to be in it to win it! If you have an outstanding project, innovative product and/or dynamic people promoting construction excellence in the South West across the UK, why not enter the South West Built Environment Awards?


text:
"Little League® Days" Event Gets Players Back to the Field in Czech Republic
Over the past few months, the COVID-19 Pandemic has kept players, volunteers, and families away from the Little League® field, but now as health and government officials have eased restrictions on gatherings in the Czech Republic, Little League officials have made it their priority to find a way to bring the Little League experience to children across the country.
Knowing it would be tough for many leagues to hold a typical season, volunteers across the Czech Republic held a "Little League Days" event to provide a tournament-style experience for Little League Softball® players across the Major and Junior divisions.
"Following the government restrictions that were enforced due to the Coronavirus pandemic, many of our local Little League games were forced to be canceled," said Vojtěch Albrecht, Little League Czech Republic District Administrator. "We want to thank all of the volunteers who participated in these efforts to get our Little Leaguers back to the field and play outside. Over the course of this past year, the family of regions across our country has grown and has allowed for more girls to participate in the Little League program, and all of that is due to the efforts of our dedicated volunteers."
The event, which took place in Havlickuv Brod, Czech Republic, brought players, families, and volunteers out for a competitive event between four regular-season teams.
"While only one team took home the championship, all of the players and coaches took home memories that will last a lifetime," said Mr. Albrecht. "We hope that Little League will return in the fall and with a traditional course of play in 2021 but are proud to be able to provide our Little Leaguers with this experience after a difficult few months."


Pasha is a highly-ranked South Asian outpost in the Worcester region, defending the honour of Indian cuisine by leading the charge in terms of spice mix strategy, by conducting careful culinary combat in the kitchen, pincer movements with traditional pickles, paratha, and Punjabi specialties, by triangulating the tandoor and coordinating the curries, and finally by waging war against way-too-high prices. Find Pasha holding court down St John's in St John's, near the post office.
The food was great at Pasha and the service was very good however we both found the restaurant to be rather cold and could have done with some heating on.
The magic of Pasha is not just in its menu. The first thing you will notice when you step inside Pasha's lavishly appointed premises on Worcester's St John's is the standard of decor and service, from the wallpaper to the thick carpets, to the smiles on the faces of the servants to their steady hands when it comes to swooping boiling hot curries over your eager self and safely down onto the carefully laundered tablecloths, all without spilling a single drop on the top of your unprotected head.
The next thing you will notice is the food, but the first thing you will have to do it look at Pasha's long, long menu. We recommend turning to Pasha's signature dishes, all of them authoritative interpretations of classic Indian cuisine. Those in Worcester who like to escape the bad weather will probably dive into the magma-hot chicken badshahi or merchi, both with a three-chilli rating, which means very hot and both aromatic and deeply delicious. St John's has never had it better, thanks to Pasha.


The Ennismore Curling Club is essentially a member volunteer club. Our leagues and bonspiels are organized and staffed by volunteers, a lot of facility maintenance and operating work (e.g. ice-in, ice-out) is carried out by volunteers, and your conveners and board members are all volunteers. While this is necessary for financial reasons, volunteer involvement is the basis of our curling community and the social interactions that help make curling a rewarding activity.
CLUB REQUIREMENT: To allow the Club to operate financially and efficiently, all members are required to help out with a minimum of four hours of service each year during bonspiels. These hours are over and above any other volunteer service members provide.
Shortly after the start of each season, a schedule set up by the VOLUNTEER CONVENER is posted on the "Volunteer Schedule" bulletin board showing the member's assignment in a respective event. If the member is unable to do her/his scheduled assignment, the member must switch with someone else and notify the KITCHEN or BAR CAPTAIN of the change.
BAR DUTIES FOR LEAGUE PLAY: The CONVENER(s) for each league will normally arrange a schedule for each team to look after the bar at some point during the season. These assignments are incidental to your required four hours, as described in the preceding paragraph. While anyone can help around the bar, to serve alcohol a person must have a SMART SERVE certification, which can be gained through arrangements made by the ECC. Serving alcohol is a highly regulated area. Inspectors can arrive at any time, request your certification or take notice of any serving infractions – that could cost the ECC its license under the Alcohol and Gaming authority.
OTHER VOLUNTEER ACTIVITIES: Apart from those assignments, your LEAGUE CONVENERS or BOARD MEMBERS can provide you with information on taking part in other ways. You might be surprised to discover how rewarding it can be personally to use your skills and knowledge in helping the Club.


text:
Q: Remove item from one list if NOT in another list? This problem sounds very simple and probably has a very easy solution. However, nothing I have tried works.
The file I am importing, 'bedwars.csv', has 29 rows. Each (comma-separated) row consists of a player and their point value: 'Player, Points'.
I have a list of 16 players, 'samplePlayers.csv', all of whom are also in 'bedwars.csv'. I am trying to remove the players that are NOT in 'sampleplayers.csv' from 'bedwars.csv'. FWIW the players in 'samplePlayers.csv' ae just the first 16 players in 'bedwars.csv'.
My attempt is below.
import pandas as pd

playing = pd.read_csv('samplePlayers.csv') # test data

# imports all past game data
bedwars = pd.read_csv('bedwars.csv')
bedwars.columns = ['Players', 'Points']
players = list(bedwars.Players)
points = list(bedwars.Points)
bedwarsPoints = list(zip(players, points))
print(bedwarsPoints)

for i in bedwarsPoints:
    if i not in playing:
        bedwarsPoints.remove(i)
print(bedwarsPoints)

Outputs the following:
[('Star_Dragon4', 40.88), ('LethalPilot', 32.18625), ('macrocosms', 27.4), ('mrjad333', 25.82142857), ('IceKing12323', 22.51666667), ('AllieThaDon', 20.568), ('SuperToad916', 18.675), ('odsstel', 18.04285714), ('NautilusReign', 17.6), ('14ham', 16.39), ('Hunter13004', 15.72), ('sapphronn', 15.44), ('SerRonanIrwin', 14.23333333), ('LightningLucario', 14.062), ('Dispuesto', 13.565), ('KirynMissy', 13.12285714), ('Abach6', 12.68857143), ('lurchlurger', 11.78), ('Labmonjo1210', 10.78), ('humilau', 9.65125), ('BYTECH', 9.57), ('de_eh', 9.3), ('cowDude12345', 8.65), ('Menderlovemybug', 8.5), ('tenparks', 8.366666667), ('TheUW', 6.8), ('QuinnQuimby', 5.2), ('stealthguy11', 4.05), ('Buck274', 0.0)]
[('LethalPilot', 32.18625), ('mrjad333', 25.82142857), ('AllieThaDon', 20.568), ('odsstel', 18.04285714), ('14ham', 16.39), ('sapphronn', 15.44), ('LightningLucario', 14.062), ('KirynMissy', 13.12285714), ('lurchlurger', 11.78), ('humilau', 9.65125), ('de_eh', 9.3), ('Menderlovemybug', 8.5), ('TheUW', 6.8), ('stealthguy11', 4.05)]

The first being an array of length 29 (good), the array from 'samplePlayers.csv'. The second, however, consists of the mangled remnants of the attempted removal. I noticed that the "for" loop has only been removing every other value.
Please let me know if any more clarification is needed and I will respond. Thank you all in advance for your help.

A: Assuming playing is a list of strings corresponding to player names:
bedwarsPoints = [i for i in bedwarsPoints if i[0] in playing]

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange