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Hanukkah – The Festival of Lights, The Feast of Dedication – Part One
The Ninth Month of Kislev – the Month of Miracles
From Darkness to Light – Concealment to Revelation!
Kislev, as we have previously noted, is the ninth month on the Jewish calendar, counting from Nisan. It is best known for the Festival of Hanukkah, which begins on the 25th of Kislev. What is often overlooked is the possible connection to the 9th month in the human cycle of life that represents a birthing process with something new being born! What, we may ask, is the connection?
Are there hidden sparks beneath the surface just waiting for us to discover? We shall see as we delve deeper into the messages of this month and the festival of Hanukkah. As the days become shorter and the nights longer, we become increasingly aware of the growing darkness descending upon us in this month of Kislev. In actuality by the twenty-fifth day of every lunar month, it appears as though the moon is very close to having gone into exile. In no month is this more apparent than in Kislev for as we near its end, we find that the sun is also in the process of going into exile as the winter solstice approaches.
We learned from our previous article that Kis derives from the word to cover or to conceal in Hebrew and that Lev has several meanings…one meaning is His or to Him. If we relate this to HaShem, it means HaShem is covered, concealed, or His concealment.
Could we perhaps associate this concept of HaShem being concealed or covered with the growing physical darkness that comes in the month of Kislev to the resulting emotional and spiritual darkness that descends upon many of us during this dark time of year? Encompassed by the darkness it can become easy to become overwhelmed, slip into despair and succumb to depression. For many it may begin to feel as though HaShem our G-d and Creator is hidden and that the light may never return.
But that is only a feeling, not a reality, for we know that He is always with us, whether we feel it or not, and that the light will indeed return…for everything has an order. In the wise words of King Solomon from the Book of Ecclesiastes we read, "To everything there is a season and a purpose to everything under the sun" (Eccles. 3:1)…and this includes the darkness in the month of Kislev.
It helps to recall that in the beginning when HaShem first began creating the world that it was "void and without form (tohu v'vohu) and darkness was upon the face of the deep" (Beresheit/Genesis 1:1)…and what did HaShem do? He brought forth the light!
This was a precedent set from the beginning…that light always follows the darkness, and with that light comes hope. As the Psalmist so eloquently penned, "Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalm30:5).
As we brought forth in our last article, often we can visibly see this transformation. As the dark clouds pass over after a storm and the sun shines through the dissipating raindrops a beautiful rainbow begins to emerge filling our hearts with hope and renewing our bitachon (trust) that HaShem is always with us, even today amidst the darkness, just as He was with our forefathers and with the Maccabees in the days of old.
It is during this time that we once again have the opportunity to reach deep inside ourselves, into our hearts and souls, our innermost being and bring out that spark, that hidden light within, the Light that our Creator so lovingly placed within us that may have gone dim or even dormant…and let it shine forth even in our darkest moments.
We recall the poignant words, "He (HaShem) will light my candle," and the equally endearing phrase…"The flame of HaShem is the soul of the human being"(Psalm 18:29 ,Proverbs 20:27 ).
This takes us back to the broad based themes of the month of Kislev…Concealment to Revelation…Darkness to Light…two basic themes that spring forth from a study of the rich background of this ancient Festival of Hanukkah…the Festival of Light and Miracles…themes that we will discover to connect not only to our personal lives and to this day and time, but also to our Torah portions this season of the year…and even forward to the promise of the coming redemption!
The Story of Hanukkah – It's History and Traditions and a Fascinating Prophecy
You will not find the story of Hanukkah explicitly laid out in the canonized Hebrew Bible referred to as the Tanakh. It is, however, included in the Catholic Bible in the book of I Maccabees 1-4. To read the entire story for yourself, you may go to https://apocrypha.org/.
The message of Hanukkah is the perpetual power of light over darkness…good over evil. It is a holiday that celebrates religious freedom and the G-d given victory of the weak over the strong. Contrary to popular belief Hanukkah is not a Jewish Christmas. Often it coincides or falls in close proximity to this holiday, subsequently the tradition of gift giving crept in to appease to appease the children.
Hanukkah, referred to as the Festival of Lights, begins on the 25th of Kislev and is celebrated for 8 days. Although it is not specifically mentioned in Torah, some Jewish sources say that is perhaps alluded to in that the 25th word in the Torah is ohr which is translated as light (Gen/Beresheit 1:3).
There are also several obscure, but quite fascinating passages in the second chapter of the Book of Haggai (verses 10, 15, 18, 20) which have not been given much attention by the Jewish sages, but speak explicitly of the 24th day of the 9th month, the day before Hanukkah. Twice in these verses we find the promise of HaShem, "from this day forward I will bless you." The dating, according to Biblical scholars of the Book of Haggai was 520 BCE which was over 350 years before the Maccabean victory!
Could it be that this little known prophecy given on Kislev 24, 520 BCE was a precursor to this gargantuan victory which would take place hundreds of years later? Or is it just a coincidence?
How likely is it that this rag tag little Jewish army led by Judas Maccabee, after the fight of their lives for 3 years, could rally, march back into Jerusalem, defeat the mighty Syrian forces, restore their desecrated temple and take back their land…and that it would fall on the selfsame day, the 24th day of the ninth month, as mentioned in the Book of Haggai over 350 years earlier?! Is anything too impossible for HaShem?!!!
"Not by might, not by power, but by my spirit, says HaShem." Could this be a reference to the "day of small things" as mentioned in Zechariah 4:10?
Was this a partial fulfillment of Haggai's ancient prophecy of HaShem speaking of the 24th day of the 9th month and proclaiming…"from this day forward I will bless you?" Was this blessing foretelling Kislev 25 and the inauguration of the festival of Hanukkah? Was it a blessing designed to be ongoing?
I will leave you with a question…What was the date in 1917 on the Jewish calendar when General Allenby freed Jerusalem from the Ottoman Empire? You may be surprised, but perhaps not. For the answers to this question and more please click on the following link. https://jamestabor.com/hanukkah-tonight-and-the-mysterious-date-of-kislev-24-on-the-hebrew-calendar/
Is There a Connection to the Sons of Rachael to the Message of Hanukkah?
Rabbi Samson Raphael Hirsch says yes. In Rabbinic literature, the month of Kislev is believed to correspond to the tribe of Benjamin. Thought-provoking that Benjamin is connected to this month of Kislev where we speak of concealment and revelation and celebrate Hanukkah and the victory of the small over the mighty. Rabbi Hirsch explains…
Benjamin, he says, was absorbed into Judah (concealed)…no longer recognizable as a tribe. In his commentary on Genesis/Beresheit 48:27 regarding the blessings of Ya'akov to his children on his deathbed he writes, "It will be the smallest and the youngest among them that would repel the wolf, (the eternal Amalek)." He continues by explaining that according to Aggadic tradition, "the archenemy Amalek will not be overthrown by Judah but by the sons of Rachel, who have the least power of all. 'The youngest of the herd will drive them off as spoil'" (Jeremiah 49:20). So it is Rachel's children, Joseph and Benjamin, now concealed who will one day in the future be revealed to come forth and defeat Amalek (The Pentateuch with a translation by Samson Raphael Hirsch and excerpts from the Hirsch Commentary, p 206-207).
Interesting that the rabbis connect Benjamin to our month of Kislev where we speak of the themes of concealment and revelation and celebrate the festival of Hanukkah, the victory of the small over the mighty, but how does Joseph relate?
Joseph was also concealed, at least to his brothers when they came before him begging for food. His true identity was unknown to them… he was an Evrit, a Hebrew, hidden in the courts of Pharaoh until the time came for him to reveal his true identity and save his people!
The Choice – to Assimilate or not to Assimilate
Is it not at all surprising that the Joseph saga is read in synagogues all over the world as the festival of Hanukkah approaches? We see the theme of concealment to revelation in both the story of Joseph and the background story of the brave Maccabees, but within this theme is another very powerful one that is key to understanding the ancient message of Hanukkah and its relevance to us "in this time and in this season!"
Both Joseph and the Maccabees had a choice…assimilate or stand firm. Those of us today living in the 21st century have this choice as well… and these ancient accounts bring that choice fresh to our minds.
In his day, Joseph, having become a powerful figure in Egypt, 2nd in command to Pharaoh, could have easily succumbed to the alien culture surrounding him had it not been for his choice to refuse to assimilate. Instead he chose to honor the godly influence of his upbringing. Joseph did not forget where he came from. We must do likewise.
Hundreds of years later (about 167 BCE) a Jewish priest by the name of Mattathias along with his 5 sons, referred to as the Maccabees arrived on the scene. Maccabee was in actuality not the family name at all, but an acronym for "Mi Chamocha Baelim Adonai" translated as "Who is like You Adonai among the gods?" The Maccabees, true to their heritage and obedience to the One G-d earned this title for they too did not forget where they came from.
Choosing not to assimilate under the Hellenistic decrees of the powerful Syrian ruler Antiochus IV Epiphanes (whose name is Greek meant "god manifest"), he makes a daring choice to rebel rather than follow the order to make a sacrifice on the altar using a pig which to Jews is prohibited. He strikes the Greek official and subsequently, he and his sons are forced to flee for their lives into the wilderness from their little village of Modi'im.
A short time later after the death of his father, Judas Maccabee the third son, with the nickname of the "Hammer" or the "Extinguisher," became the leader of the resistance movement. He and his brothers rally a small Jewish army in order to gain back the control of the Holy Temple and exercise their religious freedom. A bloody battle lasting three years ensues and Judas Maccabee, true to his nickname, does indeed extinguish the mighty Syrian army and victoriously leads his men back into Jerusalem where they remove and destroy all the foreign statues of the alien gods!
In addition to this miraculous victory of the small and militarily weak Jewish army over the mighty Syrian-Greek Empire, there is another aspect to Hanukkah recorded in the Babylonian Talmud that gives birth to a tradition that has become one of the key elements in the celebration of the Festival of Hanukkah (Tractate Shabbat 21b).
After winning the war, the Jews returned to discover that not only had the Holy Temple become desecrated, but that there was only one small jug of oil left undefiled to light the menorah. Using the one remaining small jug of oil they lit it, and in faith re-dedicated the Temple to HaShem.
According to tradition that one-day supply of oil miraculously burned for eight days! As a result, the sages instituted the eight day festival of Hanukkah or Chanukah, pronounced with the guttural "ch" (from the root word "chinuch" meaning dedication. We too are given the opportunity, especially at this season each year, to rededicate ourselves to our Creator as did the Maccabees of old, as each of us are to be representative of a temple to our G-d.
As a sign of our dedication we commemorate this glorious Festival of Lights by kindling the menorah each night for eight nights, thus increasing the light and driving away the darkness as we publicize the miracle. We begin by lighting one candle or little vial of oil on the first night…and with each successive night, we add another until all eight candles are burning brightly!
Our Sages have said, "A little light expels a lot of darkness." And all we need is one little spark…one little candle to begin…Baruch HaShem!
Note: Hanukkah 2021 is celebrated from nightfall to nightfall beginning on Sun, November 28th through Mon, Dec 6th when the last of the eight candles are kindled. Chag Chanukah Sameach!
More about this joyous Festival of Lights will be forthcoming in Part Two.
By Elisheva Tavor, 15 Kislev 5782
From the Heart of Heaven – Reflections on Shavuot and the Sinai Experience – Part Two
by Netiv / The Path · Published June 2, 2021
From the Mountaintop of Sinai to the Descent of Babylon – Part One
by Netiv / The Path · Published June 26, 2021 · Last modified June 28, 2021
The 7th Month, Tishrei and its Festivals -Part Four
by Netiv / The Path · Published October 1, 2021
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>Demographics
The study of populations and their effects on energy and the environment has become increasingly important to both the private sector and government. RAND demographers—experts in fields such as economics, statistics, mathematics, epidemiology, population and migration, and labor markets—conduct multidisciplinary, policy-relevant research and host annual conferences and demography workshops to help solve real-world problems.
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Linda G. Martin
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


ABN Amro has compensated four customers who lost cash when hackers stole money from their accounts using a malware phishing technique.
The hackers overcame the bank's two-factor authentication system by first sending the victims an e-mail containing an attachment.
The bank's customers opened the attachment which installed malware on their machines. This malware changed the customers browser settings, so when they tried to visit the ABN Amro site they were instead directed to a spoof copy of the site.
They were then asked to log in in the usual way, along with a temporary password supplied by their security token.
This information was then collected by the hackers to simultaneously log into the real ABN Amro site to withdraw money from their accounts.
ABN is using the fraud to try and educate its customers about the threat to their online accounts.
It has said users should not open e-mails from people they don't know, and to use a personal firewall along with anti-virus software.
The amount stolen from the ABN customer accounts has not been disclosed.


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Wireless Extensions: Cut Your Dependence on Lines to Drive New Revenues
By webdesign | October 1, 2004
Cable is a wired business. But what rides this industry's cables are radio frequencies and light waves — in other words, types of electromagnetic energy that are wireless by nature. That combination makes cable more precisely a kind of "wired wireless" business and sets the stage for the ongoing adoption of technologies that wirelessly extend the cable plant. This is a technical adjustment, not a paradigm shift. Take microwave-based gear designed to transport the industry's data services across waterways, railroad tracks, parking lots, freeways or whatever other obstacles stand between existing plant and potential customers. To an engineer who already knows the electromagnetic spectrum and the Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification (DOCSIS), such solutions are not far outside the box. Abetting this trend are vendors who seem to be hitting their stride. "Four years ago, much of this technology was bleeding edge. Engineering designs weren't ready for three or four nines of availability," says Hunt Eggleston, president of Lawton AG, a telecommunications consulting firm. "Designs, chip sets, business practices at a number of these companies have improved." The story behind wireless line extensions is something other than the consumer demand for mobility (although the line is beginning to blur). It is partly a matter of cutting plant construction costs. Above all, it is a way for operators to offer data services to potential residential and business customers who otherwise lie beyond their reach. The big picture These potential markets cover a lot of territory, from individual subscribers to campus-wide enterprises. Their technical demands likewise range from the cable modem to T1- equivalents and higher. "We're looking at plant extension for lots of things, primarily in our quest to serve multi-location opportunities," says Kristine Faulkner, vice president of product development and management for Cox Business Services. In particular: "Certain vertical areas, such as education, government, hospitality and health care." At the same time, Faulkner says Cox wants to capitalize on its existing data service with smaller customer opportunities. And wireless line extensions are a key to reaching a significant chunk of the small to medium business (SMB) market, according to Chris Martin, vice president of marketing for Arcwave. He says that 20 percent of SMBs in the United States that cable passes cannot be served using wired technology, yet 90 percent are within a mile of existing cable plant. Given its range of its target markets, Cox is likely to pick several solutions. Even within the vertical markets, Faulkner sees wireless fulfilling several possible roles: "As a permanent solution; as an interim solution, until possibly we can build to a campus or business park; and lastly as a nice redundancy option," she says. Mediacom's FSO trial The city of Valdosta sits 20 miles north of the Florida line, off Interstate 75 in south central Georgia. It is the site of one of the four master headends that Director of Technical Operations Powell Bedgood oversees for Mediacom in that state. And it was here that Mediacom tested a cutting — if not bleeding — edge solution for the high-end enterprise market. The goal was to see whether it could provide a customer, the Valdosta Convention Center, with something more than cable modem service. To do so, Bedgood installed gear from Nortel Networks that uses free space optics (FSO), a license-free technology originally developed more than 30 years ago by the military and NASA. With a SmartBits simulator, Bedgood generated a constant, bidirectional stream of 100 Mbps traffic between one of Nortel's light emitting diode (LED)-based FSO links on the side of a Mediacom office and another one at the convention center 300 meters away, across a four-lane boulevard. While a common perception of FSO has it working better in outer space than within the Earth's variable atmospheric conditions, the results of this trial suggest that operators might want to add it to their commercial services toolkit. "The testing of the technology has been wonderful to date," Bedgood says. "We're at seven nines, with very little packet loss." As it happens, the 45-day trial coincided with this summer's considerable rainstorms, as well as occasional fog, which poses an even greater threat than rain to optical links. "And still no issues," Bedgood says. Certainly there were no conventional interference issues, given the RF immunity of optical links such as these in the 800-900 nm (infrared) space. Going forward, Mediacom plans to light up fiber between this particular office and a master headend 5 miles away, thereby connecting the FSO gear directly to the MSO's cable modem termination system (CMTS) infrastructure. Would this be what Faulkner calls an "interim" solution, a prelude to dropping fiber off at the convention door? "Absolutely not," Bedgood says. "The cost to do that makes the business model not work." Extending DOCSIS Persuasive business models also underlie the deployment of the microwave-based extensions of the DOCSIS network. With less capacity but longer reach than FSO, these solutions operate largely in the Unlicensed National Information Infrastructure (UNII) bands of the 5 GHz spectrum. And being unlicensed helps. Eric Gallbreath, vice president of Rensselaer TV, a small, independent operator in northwest Indiana, considered a licensed approach several years ago. "The cost was just astronomical," he says. Considerations of cost and Federal Communications Commission interactions make operators skittish about licensed bands. Dave Blumberg, vice president and COO of Wireless-Bypass, which is now supplying Rensselaer with microwave transceivers, says his company met with a cold reception when they unveiled a licensed product at SCTE's Cable-Tec Expo four years ago. Blumberg says that on the final day of that show in Las Vegas, one cable engineer, who said he was using an Alvarion radio to transmit Ethernet, was intrigued to learn that he could send the entire DOCSIS channel. But like others, he didn't want to use licensed spectrum. "So we went and developed the 5.8 GHz unlicensed radio, and it took off like hotcakes," Blumberg says. This category does appear to be blooming. Blumberg says a retooled production process will help Wireless-Bypass achieve a more efficient cost structure and meet rising demand. According to the company, its gear is approved by two of the three largest U.S. MSOs. Competition comes from Arcwave, whose $8 million investment round this summer was led by Paul Allen's Vulcan Capital; also participating was Comcast Interactive Capital. Arcwave's Martin says they have about 10 deployments serving live customers and some 30 deployments involved in trails or certification activities. Arcwave uses both 5.8 GHz and 5.3 GHz for downstream and upstream traffic, respectively. And joining the fray is VCom (formerly WaveCom Electronics) with its own 5.8 GHz strand-mounted radio. VCom says it has other solutions designed to extend an operator's DOCSIS network at different licensed and unlicensed frequencies including, but not limited to, 700 MHz, 2.5 GHz and 3.5 GHz. Five-mile link The case of Rensselaer TV sheds more light on both the business model and technical capabilities of wireless line extension technology. Serving some 4,500 subscribers in three northwestern Indiana communities, Rensselaer's Gallbreath says the challenge he faced was delivering data service to several isolated subdivisions. "We've had cable out to these areas. But for us to do Internet, it was such a long cascade, especially on the return — 25 amps deep — it would kill us," he explains. Gallbreath says they considered fiber, but the annual recurring cost on 5 miles of pole easements of $3,000 was an initial disincentive. Add to that fiber and lashing, headend equipment and nodes, and the total project costs approached $100,000. "For 125 customers, I didn't think that it was going to pan out," he says. Instead, Rensselaer deployed a point-to-point, bidirectional system from Wireless-Bypass. Costs were a fraction of fiber, and the project took a week rather than a year to complete. The solution entailed installing an integrated flat-panel antenna and hub on a pole in the targeted subdivision and a 3-foot parabolic dish halfway up the operator's 400-foot tower in Rensselaer, five miles away. Instead of putting all the equipment on the tower, Gallbreath opted to link the parabolic antenna with (Times Microwave) LMR 900 cable and house the hub equipment below to cut down on maintenance costs. Operationally, the "wireless" traffic gets one downstream and one upstream port on Rensselaer's Cisco uBR CMTS. But Gallbreath says the link is transparent. "Truthfully, we don't even know it's there anymore. It's like regular plant," he says. The upshot was the opening of an otherwise closed market and a tremendously cleaner delivery of data than would have otherwise been possible. "Basically, you've knocked it down to a cascade of maybe five (amps) just in that neighborhood," Gallbreath says. "That would be the only noise." Next up is a 10-mile jump of coaxial from its system in Winamac to 175 subscribers in the Bruce Lake community. "We're going to do exactly the same thing over there," Gallbreath says. And he also thinks this technology would be a good fit for a nearby college. Options and imperatives Wireless is part of cable's ongoing shift toward new markets. At the CTAM Commercial Services Seminar in May, Jeff King, EVP Time Warner Cable and president of Road Runner, admitted that fiber is not always the best solution. "Go wireless the last mile," he said. Charter CEO Carl Vogel told attendees at Cable-Tec Expo in June that wireless plant extensions are an important way to reach enterprises. The task at the system level is now to assess market demands and technology options. Extending the DOCSIS network wirelessly, on a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint basis, is one promising alternative. "Cable modem service is what we deliver the most of, and this delivers cable modem service," says Peter Hicks, Charter's manager of product development for commercial data. "I think it's a natural fit." Not every MSO aims to meet the multi-location and high-capacity demands of large enterprise customers, as does Cox. Serving that market segment may entail another set of wireless tools, such as Nortel's FSO gear. Wireless equipment that takes DOCSIS traffic and hands off Ethernet-based service to the enterprise is another option. How 802.11x (Wi-Fi) or 802.16 (Wi-MAX) technologies fit into this equation is a related and difficult question. Both play into the consumer demand for mobile data and voice solutions. Vendors are crowding into this space, and the line between enterprise and individual customers is blurring. As for pure-play line-extensions, the bottom line is a simple imperative. "Cable companies know they have to get involved in commercial services in order to continue to be profitable enterprises," Blumberg says. "So they've got to look at alternative access technologies." Jonathan Tombes is executive editor of Communications Technology. Email him at jtombes@accessintel.com. Bottom Line To reach and better serve residential and commercial customers, many operators are testing, trialing and deploying wireless line extension equipment, including those based on infrared and microwave transmission technologies. Deploying Wireless Line Extensions: Practical Advice "Do a path or spectrum analysis of what is available your area. There's so much wireless being deployed these days, you don't want to interfere with someone else. And with more and more people using (unlicensed spectrum), some people may not know what they're doing when they put (a radio) up." Eric Gallbreath, Rennselaer TV "One of our challenges is just to be efficient at analyzing the suitability of wireless. There are challenging locations and line-of-sight issues. I want to hit a building that's a mile away, and it's popular development. Will there be a building in front of me in six months?" Peter Hicks, Charter Communications "The biggest interference potential will be self-interference. (Operators) put one up and want another one collocated, one street down. There is a terrible potential for interference. What you have to do is change the frequency." Dave Blumberg, Wireless-Bypass "Keep in mind that use of the unlicensed wireless spectrum does pose some potential risk regarding interfering with or being interfered by licensed over-the-air services. If this happens, the unlicensed user must take whatever steps are necessary to eliminate the interference—including shutting down the unlicensed link. Licensed spectrum users have priority." Ron Hranac, Communication Technology's Senior Technology Editor


You'll find something surprising in every aisle of the Alberta Gift Fair – top name manufacturers, innovative newcomers and cutting-edge designers. Featuring more than 700 exhibitors and over 11,000 retail buyers annually, this renowned show offers the finest mix of gift-giving ideas!
The Alberta Gift Fair is a trade-only event open to qualified employees of gift-industry retailers.


text:
HomeSportsNHL cruelly breaks hearts of hockey lovers
NHL cruelly breaks hearts of hockey lovers
February 23, 2005 Andrew Grant Sports 0
Last Tuesday was a beautiful day in so many ways. Outside the birds were chirping as the warm sun shined brightly. People were playing Frisbee out on the fields. And most importantly, it actually looked like the NHL was going to have a season.
Wednesday started off in the same fashion. It was another warm, sunny day and the NHL was reportedly only a few compromises short of bringing the season back to life. But just around 1 p.m., when the storm clouds suddenly started to collect over campus, NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman stepped up to the podium in New York.
"I have no choice but to cancel the 2004-05 season," Bettman said. "This is a sad, regrettable day that all of us wish could have been avoided."
His words were like a stake through the heart. And just when it appeared things couldn't get any worse, it started pouring outside. Even Mother Earth was depressed.
Nobody else seemed to care. For the few diehard hockey fans left out there, Wednesday was a nightmare come true. For everyone else, it was just another day.
But the season would not be lost that easily. On Thursday, rumors swirled that the owners and players were finally willing to compromise and work out a deal. By Friday night, many hockey experts would have put money down that the season would be miraculously revived.
However, after putting hockey fans through yet another episode of false hope, the season was officially cancelled for the second time in four days on Saturday. Only in the NHL could a season be cancelled, let alone twice in less than a week.
It marked the first time that the entire season of an American major pro sports league was cancelled due to a labor dispute. It will be the first time since 1919 that the Stanley Cup, the best trophy in all of sports because it has every champion's name written on it, will not be awarded. They had a much better excuse back in 1919 – there was a horrific flu epidemic.
Many of the players will be adversely affected. Young players who thought they would get their first crack at professional hockey will have to wait. Aging players may have already played their last NHL games. Star players have one less season to reach league records and career milestones.
But forget about the athletes; it's the fans that are really suffering. Hockey fans are devastated, not to mention the owners of all the sports bars and other businesses that set up camp near arenas on game days.
Furthermore, the lack of an NHL season only makes this time of year worse for professional sports lovers. The period from February until early April is always rough because the two most widely watched sports, football and baseball, are in their offseasons. Sure there's basketball, and usually hockey, but they don't attract the widespread appeal of America's two biggest sports.
Sit in front of the television on a weekday night and think about what sporting options are available. You can watch the NBA, but this area's three major teams- Knicks, Nets and 76ers – all had more losses than wins as of the All-Star break. You can watch college basketball, but chances are you'll be witnessing a game that is pretty much over by halftime. If you're not into those sports then you're pretty much out of luck, unless you happen to belong to the minority that enjoys NASCAR, golf, arena football or meaningless spring training baseball.
It is truly sad that a sport can be shut down because of greed. Owners and players look at hockey as a bunch of dollar signs. They take a simple, entertaining game and turn it into a business with salary caps, luxury taxes and salary rollbacks.
Ice hockey is an amazing sport, combining speed, strength, aggression and even grace. Despite playing on skates, players can elegantly weave around defenders while still keeping control of the puck. They can unselfishly dish out a series of perfect passes that lead to a goal. When they want to create a little excitement, they can drop their gloves and start throwing punches.
On Saturday afternoon, Continental Airlines Arena, home of the New Jersey Devils, should be filled to capacity with fans proudly wearing their red and white sweaters. Just before game time, the zambonis should be rolling over the ice surface until it is glistening under the arena lights. The day should be filled with sounds of pucks, sticks, goal horns and screaming fans.
But thanks to the selfishness of the NHL, Continental Airlines Arena, along with the other arenas used by the 30 NHL franchises, will be quite a lonely place.
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text:
Q: using ifelse in renderDataTable (Shiny)  #server

tables <- reactiveValues(XVALUES=data.frame(),
                     YVALUES=data.frame())

output$userinput <- renderDataTable({

  if(input$name=="X" &  input$city=="BOS" & (is.data.frame(tables$XVALUES) && nrow(tables$XVALUES)!=0)){
      cbind(data.frame(Serial=seq(1:5)),tables$XVALUES)}
  else if(input$name=="X" &  input$city=="BOS" & (is.data.frame(tables$XVALUES) && nrow(tables$XVALUES)==0)){}
  else if (input$name=="Y" & input$city=="NYC"  & (is.data.frame(tables$YVALUES) && nrow(tables$YVALUES)!=0)){
    cbind(data.frame(Serial=seq(1:5)),tables$YVALUES)}
  else if (input$name=="Y" & input$city=="NYC"  & (is.data.frame(tables$YVALUES) && nrow(tables$YVALUES)==0)){}

})

based on two user inputs I create and display a new data frame by adding a additional Serial column to the XVALUES or YVALUES dataframe. The issue is that even if the XVALUES/YVALUES dataframe is empty it still displays the serial column. I want nothing to be displayed if the XVALUES data frame is empty. where am I going wrong in this?

A: I can't reproduce that error. The table is empty on my machine. Here is what I typed in
server = function( input, output, session ){
  tables <- reactiveValues(XVALUES=data.frame(),
                           YVALUES=data.frame())

  output$userinput <- renderDataTable({
    if(input$name=="X" &  input$city=="BOS" & (is.data.frame(tables$XVALUES) &&
      nrow(tables$XVALUES)!=0)){
      cbind(data.frame(Serial=seq(1:5)),tables$XVALUES)}
    else if(input$name=="X" &  input$city=="BOS" & (is.data.frame(tables$XVALUES) &&
       nrow(tables$XVALUES)==0)){}
    else if (input$name=="Y" & input$city=="NYC"  & (is.data.frame(tables$YVALUES) &&
      nrow(tables$YVALUES)!=0)){
      cbind(data.frame(Serial=seq(1:5)),tables$YVALUES)}
    else if (input$name=="Y" & input$city=="NYC"  & (is.data.frame(tables$YVALUES) &&
       nrow(tables$YVALUES)==0)){}
  })
}

ui = fluidPage(
  selectInput("name","name",c("X","Y")),
  selectInput("city","city",c("BOS","NYC")),
  dataTableOutput("userinput")
)

shinyApp( ui, server )

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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text:
Лабанорас () — містечко у Швянченіському районі, Вільнюского повіту, розташований у Лабанорського озера та оточений найбільшим регіональним парком в Литві. Як центр парку Лабанорас, місто приваблює туристів. У 2003 році в приміщенні колишньої школи було відкрито готель і ресторан. Згідно з литовським переписом 2011 року в місті проживало 59 мешканців.

Історія
Альтернативні назви поселення включають Лабанарі, Лабаноро, , та .

Поселення відоме з 1373 року. У 1386 році великий князь Ягайло подарував Лабанори та інші населені пункти щойно створеній Вільнюській архідієцезії. У 1965 році біля міського кладовища було знайдено близько 470 монет. Скарб містив празький гріш, викарбуваний  Карлом IV (1316—1378) і  Вацлавом IV (1361—1419), а також ранні монети Великого князівства Литовського часу Вітовта (1350—1430) та Казимира IV (1427—1492). Вважається, що скарб був похований протягом 1470-х рр. Перша церква згадується в 1522 р., фільварок в 1539 р., садиба в 1568 р., парафіяльна школа в 1781 р. У місті було 196 мешканців у 1866 р., 443 в 1923 р., 264 в 1959 р. і 186 в 1979 р.

Під час Другої світової війни, влітку 1941 року, айнзатцгрупи та їхні литовські колаборанти вбивали місцеве єврейське населення.

Лабанорська церква

Чудотворна картина Божої Матері вперше згадується в 1655 р. під час канонічного візиту. Дерев'яна церква була побудована в 1820 році, але вона згоріла у грудні 2009 року. Станом на січень 2011 року жодного офіційного звіту не було. Неофіційно, виключена можливість випадкової пожежі через несправну електричну установку, що залишає підпал як головного підозрюваного. Вважається, що в церкві було пограбовано понад 30 цінних картин (15 з них були державними пам'ятками мистецтва), а потім вона спалена для приховування злочину. Під час прибирання, 1017 монет (німецькі пфеніги, російські копійки, литовські центи) знайшли під спаленим вівтарем. Реконструкція фінансується урядом і приватними пожертвами.

Примітки

Міста Литви

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


This lovely home is new to the market and priced for a Quick Sale!
With floating floorboards throughout the lounge, dining, kitchen and bedrooms, this home is very low maintenance.
The kitchen is a good size, with electric stove and large pantry.
Both bedrooms have built-in mirrored robes and ceiling fans and there is also air-conditioning in the loungeroom.
It has a good size bathroom with shower and a separate toilet and there is also an internal laundry.
Additional features include a good size carport with garden shed for extra storage.
Call to inspect today — at this price it will not last long !!!


text:
// Copyright 2012 Google Inc.

#import <GoogleCast/GCKDefines.h>

#import <Foundation/Foundation.h>

NS_ASSUME_NONNULL_BEGIN

/**
 * Utility methods for working with JSON data.
 */
GCK_EXPORT
@interface GCKJSONUtils : NSObject

/**
 * Parses a JSON string into an object.
 *
 * @param json The JSON string to parse.
 * @return The root object of the object hierarchy that represents the data (either an
 * NSArray or an
 * NSDictionary), or nil if the parsing
 * failed.
 */
+ (nullable id)parseJSON:(NSString *)json;

/**
 * Parses a JSON string into an object.
 *
 * @param json The JSON string to parse.
 * @param error If not nil, the location at which to store a pointer to an
 * NSError if the parsing fails.
 * @return The root object of the object hierarchy that represents the data (either an
 * NSArray or an
 * NSDictionary), or nil if the parsing
 * failed.
 */
+ (nullable id)parseJSON:(NSString *)json error:(NSError **)error;

/**
 * Writes an object hierarchy of data to a JSON string.
 *
 * @param object The root object of the object hierarchy to encode. This must be either an
 * NSArray or an
 * NSDictionary.
 * @return An NSString containing the JSON encoding, or
 * nil if the data could not be encoded.
 */
+ (NSString *)writeJSON:(id)object;

/**
 * Tests if two JSON strings are equivalent. This does a deep comparison of the JSON data in the
 * two strings, but ignores any differences in the ordering of keys within a JSON object. For
 * example, { "width":64, "height":32 } is considered to be equivalent to
 * { "height":32, "width":64 }.
 */
+ (BOOL)isJSONString:(NSString *)actual equivalentTo:(NSString *)expected;

/**
 * Tests if two JSON objects are equivalent. This does a deep comparison of the JSON data in the
 * two objects, but ignores any differences in the ordering of keys within a JSON object. For
 * example, { "width":64, "height":32 } is considered to be equivalent to
 * { "height":32, "width":64 }.
 */
+ (BOOL)isJSONObject:(id)actual equivalentTo:(id)expected;

@end

NS_ASSUME_NONNULL_END

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Judging from the number of hair related posts (or lack thereof) on this blog, you can probably figure out that I don't take much time to do anything to my hair. A few weeks ago Brian from Misikko contacted me and asked me if I would be interested in trying out one of their most popular items, the Hana Professional 1'' Flat Iron. I figured I had nothing to lose and one of the reasons why I don't straighten my hair often is because I'm not a huge fan of the Solia flat iron that I purchased over a year ago. I am happy to report that the Hana hair straightener definitely works better than my Solia iron and I want to share my honest opinions about the Hana flat iron.
The flat iron itself is very sleek and lightweight which makes it easier to maneuver and bring along with you on trips. Compared to my Solia iron, the Hana is thinner on all sides and therefore lighter. I believe the thin design will also be good for people who like to use straighteners to curl their hair. I have yet to master that technique and when I want curls I opt for my curling iron. Interestingly, both the Hana and Solia irons feature blue ceramic plates. The Hana iron heats up within a matter of seconds which is another feature I really enjoy about it. I literally plug in the cord, flick the switch to on, spray some heat protectant into my hair and it's ready to use!
Here is some information taken directly from Misikko's website about the Hana flat iron. Although the Hana is quite pricey at $119.98, you do get a few freebies such as the leather pouch, silicone mat and tin case. I really like all three of the freebies as they are all very high quality and the pouch is perfect for vacation packing! I also prefer the silicone mat over the felt mats that come with most other flat irons.
My hair is naturally wavy and I tend to get flyaways which are extremely annoying. I use the Hana iron between the 200 and 300 degree setting and section my hair so that I can evenly straighten each part. You can see that although the ends of my hair are not totally straight, the roots and midsection of my hair are tamed and sleek. I have never been able to totally straighten my hair from root to tip by myself and I don't particularly mind as it looks very unnatural when my hair is extremely straight.
I was also sent a mini Hana Shine Shield which is a heat protectant and styling liquid. I usually do not like to put products into my hair unless it is a heat protectant but I quite like this. The texture is liquidy and very runny so it is easy to smooth through the hair. It leaves my hair feeling light yet tamed. It's something I can live without simply because I like to put as few things in my hair as possible but if you enjoy testing out products in your hair, this is pretty good.
All in all, I really enjoy the Hana Professional 1'' Flat Iron and would recommend it those looking for a hair straightener. It is a bit pricey but it is on par and even less expensive than some other high end irons on the market. The added bonuses and high quality packaging make this investment worth it, especially if you travel a lot or need to tote around a straightener for freelance jobs or something of the sort. The team at Misikko displayed some of the best customer service I have ever encountered as well. I hope this review was helpful and would be happy to answer any questions you may have!


With a stay at Best Western Beau Site Notre Dame in Rocamadour, just steps from Cite Religieuse and Ascenseur de Rocamadour. This hotel is 5.7 mi (9.2 km) from Prehisto Dino Parc and 10.8 mi (17.4 km) from Padirac Cave.
Make yourself at home in one of the 37 air-conditioned rooms featuring flat-screen televisions. Complimentary wireless Internet access keeps you connected, and satellite programming is available for your entertainment. Conveniences include safes and irons/ironing boards, and you can also request rollaway/extra beds (surcharge).
Grab a bite at Au Bistrot, one of the hotel's 2 restaurants, or stay in and take advantage of the room service (during limited hours). Quench your thirst with your favorite drink at the bar/lounge. Breakfast is available daily from 7:30 AM to 10 AM for a fee.
Featured amenities include express check-in, express check-out, and a safe deposit box at the front desk. This hotel has 2 meeting rooms available for events. Free self parking is available onsite.


text:
Providing a Safe and Supportive Environment
Respect is a core value at Baylor College of Medicine. It sets the standard for how we treat each other. Respect fosters collaborative research, compassionate patient care and a safe and supportive learning and work environment. It cultivates trust and promotes inclusion.
Baylor College of Medicine is committed to a safe and supportive learning and working environment for its learners, faculty and staff.
Read Notice of Nondiscrimination
Weather Matters
Sign up for the College's Emergency Notification System and be prepared for rain or shine. (BCM Login Required)
Use our maps to get around the Baylor College of Medicine campus and the Texas Medical Center.
See Maps
Maintaining a Secure and Respectful Campus
We expect that all members of our diverse and inclusive community will conduct themselves in a way that respects the rights of others.
Baylor College of Medicine is committed to providing its faculty, staff, students and guests with a safe and secure environment. Learn about Campus Safety and Security. One way we gauge our progress is with our Annual Security Report, provided in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act. The College has a very low incidence of crimes reportable under the Clery Act.
We also survey our community members. In 2016 the College was one of 34 institutions to take part in the Education Advisory Board Survey of Unwanted Sexual Experiences, a national research forum's assessment of students' perceptions about the climate on campus. While our data compare favorably with that of the survey cohort, any sexual harassment involving our community is unacceptable.
In response, we are reviewing nondiscrimination policies, updating procedures and implementing training sessions across the institution. Know that violating our policies has consequences. But also know that the College has leaders with the expertise and resources to help survivors and bystanders. We strongly encourage the prompt reporting of discrimination, harassment and crime to local law enforcement or a College advisor.
Resource Stewardship
Find out where you can recycle on our campuses and the locations of water bottle refill stations.
Read how the College's biomedical innovations helped build the Texas Medical Center.


Those who go through medically assisted drug withdrawal to minimize their discomfort but do not receive any further drug addiction rehabilitation perform about the same in terms of their future substance use as those who never attended a drug rehab. Over the last 25 years, studies have shown that completing a drug rehab works to reduce drug intake and crimes committed by drug addicted people. Researchers have also found that drug abusers who have been through a drug rehab are more likely to have jobs.
One significant goal of long-term drug rehab treatment programs like Narconon Fresh Start is to improve their client's ability to function in society again. A drug rehab will help minimize the medical and social complications of drug abuse. Many drug rehab treatment programs incorporate some type of behavior modification into their program. This is beneficial for the recovering drug user because it helps them to replace their old drug using habits with new healthy ones they can use once they have completed treatment.


text:
Owain Fôn Williams (Caernarfon, Gal·les, 17 de març de 1987), és un futbolista gal·lès. Juga de porter i el seu equip actual és l'Inverness de la Scottish Premiership d'Escòcia.

Selecció nacional
Ha estat internacional amb la Selecció de futbol de Gal·les Sub-21 i amb l'absoluta.

Clubs

Referències

Futbolistes internacionals amb Gal·les
Futbolistes al Campionat d'Europa de futbol 2016
Porters de futbol gal·lesos
Caernarfon
Persones de Gwynedd


Hunting. It has been around for thousands of years. It is as much a part of Louisiana culture as are the moss draped oaks and festivals celebrating our way of life. But just as hunting can be challenging and invigorating, so can it be very dangerous as well, says Sheriff Mike Tregre.
In the course of three days, three separate and unrelated hunting accidents in southeast Louisiana claimed the lives of two men and left two other men with gunshot injuries.
In light of these recent occurrences, Sheriff Tregre advised parish hunters that enjoying the social, economic and ecological benefits of hunting can be enhanced by observing these basic rules when handling, using or transporting firearms.
ALWAYS... point firearms in a SAFE direction.
ALWAYS ... treat a firearm as though it is loaded.
ALWAYS ... assume a firearm is loaded and off safety until you PROVE otherwise.
ALWAYS ... watch out for other shooters in your area.
ALWAYS ... keep your finger away from the trigger until you are ready to shoot.
ALWAYS ... inspect your ammunition carefully for proper size and condition.
ALWAYS ... make sure your shooting area is safe, before you launch projectiles.
NEVER... put "too much" trust in the safety mechanism.
NEVER ... transport a loaded firearm.
NEVER ... point at anything you do not want to shoot.
NEVER ... modify ammunition or firearms if you are not qualified to do it.
NEVER ... use Alcohol or Drugs while handling firearms.
FREQUENTLY... check the muzzle for obstruction.
FREQUENTLY ... check your firearm for loose or broken parts.
FREQUENTLY ... check your trigger pull weight (it sometimes changes).
FREQUENTLY ... check to make sure it is not loaded when you do not want it to be.
Sheriff Tregre concludes, "By incorporating some common sense measures and these safety tips, your hunting experiences can be all the more enjoyable and provide for some pretty interesting stories to tell around the campfire long after the hunt is over."
Due to passage of a mandatory hunter education bill, beginning on September 1, 1985, hunting licenses will not be issued to anyone born on or after September 1, 1969, unless the applicant provides proof of completion of an approved hunter education course.


text:
Chocolatier revamped "like a jewelry store" with sweets
By Bridgett J. Galaz on	 November 6, 2021 Jewelry store
SOUTH BARRINGTON, Ill. (AP) – After purchasing and remodeling a chocolatier in South Barrington, a suburban businessman is now considering expanding to Barrington.
Mauricio Andrade of North Barrington owns the Cocolotte Chocolate Factory in the South Barrington Arboretum, near Higgins Road and Route 59. The business was previously Anna Shea Chocolates, which Andrade acquired in March.
The name "Cocolotte" comes from the combination of the nickname of Andrade's daughter, Chloe, Coco, and the name of his other daughter, Charlotte.
Andrade set out to transform the store's decor as well as its offerings, reports the Daily Herald.
Once dark and frilly, it now has a white color scheme and white marble glass displays, "like a jewelry store," he said.
Andrade said he kept all of the previous employees, who continue to use the same recipes to make chocolates and candies.
It is also expanding the range of homemade sweets.
Anna Shea sold cupcakes and purchased ice cream from other companies, Andrade said. Cocolotte makes its own cupcakes and will be launching its own ice cream, he said.
In January, he hopes to add homemade macaroons and more pastries, like éclairs.
"They (Anna Shea) had high quality products and we're going to add more high quality ones," he said. "We decided to create our own because we want to stand out with freshness and quality. "
Meanwhile, Andrade is also working on opening a new location in Barrington, in the old Carpet Mill building.
Barrington Village Council recently granted special use to the property, allowing it to become a retail chocolate store up front with prep and shipping areas to the rear. Andrade said he hopes to open around June.
Suzanne Corr, president and CEO of the Barrington Area Chamber of Commerce, said the group is planning a ribbon cutting for the South Barrington Cocolotte at 4 p.m. on December 7.
"Who doesn't like chocolate? Said Corr. "We are always happy to see people succeed. Chocolate, fancy chocolate, and gift chocolate are something that seems to be on everyone's list all year round.
Andrade has a unique story: he was born in Brazil and met his Filipino wife while living in the Philippines. The couple moved to Las Vegas, where they lived for 15 years until Andrade retired from a company that made slot machines. They moved to North Barrington in 2016.
"We decided to move because Vegas is not a great place to raise a family," he said. "We were looking around and found the Chicago area suburbs – and we fell in love."
Andrade said he had done some consultations and finally decided he wanted to start making ice cream, which he loves.
He made several trips to Italy in 2018 and early 2019 to research old family recipes in small town ice cream parlors, he said.
"When you walk up to (these stores) you say, 'What is that smell? It smells like strawberries. When they make a flavor, everyone around the store over 100 feet can smell it, because the smell is amazing.
Andrade said he signed a contract with a northern suburban mall to open an ice cream stand, but the plan was derailed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I said, 'I have to start over after the pandemic,'" he said. "Then I saw Anna Shea was for sale and I said, 'Wow, let's go. "


quoted in Kirk, D. and MacPhail, A. (2002) 'Teaching Games for Understanding and Situated Learning: Rethinking the Bunker-Thorpe Model', Journal of Teaching in Physical Education 21(2), pp. 177-192.
batter can score runs (I have scored this in (high)fives – run to the coach and get a high five; run back to the batting crease; repeat) until the ball is returned by the fielders.
The game isn't new, I know.
But how we use it might be – more emphasis on having the children (start to) understand how the game works (batter vs. fielders), hopefully some understanding of how to win the game (hit the gaps when batting; return the ball quickly when fielding), then when we do work on technique it will, hopefully, make more sense than it does now.
The description of the "minimal" form for striking & fielding games is quoted from Kirk, D. and MacPhail, A. (2002).
The paper also discusses some definitions of "Teaching Games for Understanding", a PE methodology intended to develop game awareness as much as specific playing skills, which matches the requirement of coaching cricket with children with little or no understanding of what cricket actually is!


Q: Why do I need to register with the Board?
A : For one to practice as an Engineer, one is required by law to register with the Board. This applies to both Kenyan citizens and foreign nationals as well. The registration provides an assurance to the public that one is adequately skilled to take the responsibilities that come with making engineering decisions. A registered professional engineer is issued with a practicing licence every year.
Q: What do i need to register as an engineer?
A : Engineers are registered in different categories which include graduate engineer, professional engineer, consulting engineer and accredited checker. For one to be registered as a graduate engineer, one is supposed to have obtained a basic degree in engineering programme that is approved by the Board.Thereafter,one works under the supervision of a professional engineer in order to gain the desired level of experience, maturity of judgement and professional competence as an engineer, whereby he/she can safely assume full responsibility for the engineering works in his charge.Subsequently,a graduate engineer sits for professional interview to be admitted as a professional engineer.
Q : What is the professional interview? How is it administered?
A : The professional interview / examination is primarily intended to be a means by which the graduate engineer can show that he has achieved the desired level of experience, maturity of judgement and professional competence as an engineer, whereby he can safely assume full responsibility for the engineering works in his charge.
(1) a report on experience to date (This aids the examiners form an opinion of the benefit that the graduate has derived from experience).
(2) an engineering design report (calculations and drawings which are submitted in advance of the interview and are examined in detail by the interviewers. The design report should be relevant and must have been undertaken by the graduate engineer in the course of the training period.
Q : What is the age requirement for one to register as a professional engineer?
A : There is no age restrictions for registration as a professional engineer. The only requirement is for a graduate engineer to demonstrate that he/she has acquired sufficient skills and professional competence to work as an engineer.Typically,this is may be achieved within two and half to three years where structured training is effected.
Q : What is accreditation of engineering programmes?
Programme Design : This assesses whether the programme is intellectually credible, coherent and meet national needs, needs of students and other stakeholders. An assessment is made on whether the programme maintains an appropriate balance of theoretical, practical and experiential knowledge and skills.
Curriculum Design : The criterion for curriculum content assures a foundation in mathematics and basic sciences, a broad preparation in engineering sciences and engineering design and an exposure to non-technical subjects that complement the technical aspects of the curriculum.
Training Facilities and Infrastructure : This criteria ensures that the faculty has suitable and adequate learning venues,libraries,laboratories,workshops,IT infrastructure and all facilities necessary to adequately train competent engineering graduates.
Duration of training :The Board recommends a training period of five years in Kenyan education system to adequately cover the engineering curriculum.
Q : Which programmes are accredited in Kenya?
Q : Does the Board recognise awards programmes which are not accredited?
A : The Board does not recognise the awards from unaccredited programmes as sufficient for practise of engineering in Kenya.
Q: Does the Board recognise foreign degrees?
A : Yes. The Board assesses the foreign qualifications to determine the sufficiency for practice in Kenya. Students planning pursue studies outside the Country and wish to practice in Kenya are advised to seek information on the programmes they seek to undertake with the Board first.
Q: Who is an accredited checker?
A: This is a new category of engineers introduced by the Engineers Act 2011.An accredited checker is a senior specialised engineer who can be called upon to review the works of a professional engineer. His/her role is to check, with specialised knowledge, any aspect of another professional engineers work submitted to him for checking with particular reference to the safety of the works.


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Earnings Season Preview: What to Expect From Banks
Ilan Moscovitz, The Motley Fool, AOL.com
Oct 15th 2011 3:57PM
With JPMorgan Chase (NYS: JPM) reporting mixed results Thursday, earnings season for banks has officially arrived.
Since the massive financial crisis bottomed out in late 2008, the financial sector has rebounded spectacularly, though growth has slowed quite a bit in recent quarters:
Sources: S&P data and author's graphical design chops.
So how are individual banks doing, and what do analysts expect of them this quarter? Let's take a look:
Expected Reporting Date
Expected EPS
Year-Ago EPS
Reported EPS Last Quarter
% Surprise Last Quarter
Citigroup (NYS: C) Oct. 17 $0.99 $0.72 $1.09 11%
Wells Fargo (NYS: WFC) Oct. 17 $0.69 $0.60 $0.70 3%
Bank of America (NYS: BAC) Oct. 18 ($0.90) ($0.77) ($0.90) NM
US Bancorp (NYS: USB) Oct. 19 $0.53 $0.45 $0.60 13%
PNC (NYS: PNC) Oct. 19 $1.47 $2.07 $1.67 14%
Fifth Third Bancorp (NAS: FITB) Oct. 20 $0.27 $0.22 $0.35 30%
Huntington Bancshares (NAS: HBAN) Oct. 20 $0.15 $0.10 $0.16 7%
Regions Financial (NYS: RF) Oct. 25 $0.05 ($0.17) $0.04 NM
Synovus (NYS: SNV) Oct. 27 ($0.07) ($0.25) ($0.07) NM
S&P Capital IQ. NM = not meaningful.
A few names, including Bank of America and Synovus, are still struggling with the aftermath of the financial crisis. But by and large, banks have had surprisingly strong earnings in recent quarters, largely on the backs of improving credit quality and declining provisions for loan losses.
But growth is getting harder and harder to come by. You can't reduce provisions indefinitely -- particularly at the major banks involved in the massively-costly-and-still-unfolding foreclosure fraud scandal. And revenue is drying up, because of fewer lending opportunities and new regulations aimed at curbing fees. So while analysts are predicting growth over last year's third quarter, we're starting to see earnings begin to stagnate on a quarter-by-quarter basis.
How are banks responding in such a lukewarm environment? Strategies vary considerably. Some, like JPMorgan, are stressing international growth as a way to compensate for lackluster U.S. loan demand. Others, like Bank of America (and many troubled European banks, for that matter), find themselves having to lay off workers.
It'll be fascinating to follow the next chapter in the desperate saga of banks' attempts to maintain their record earnings in the aftermath of a burst credit bubble.
Investors have traditionally relished banks for their supposedly safe dividends, but almost all of those payouts had to be dramatically cut during the crisis and, for the lucky companies, are only now starting to return. If you'd like some reliable dividend opportunities, The Motley Fool has put together a special report, "13 High-Yielding Stocks to Buy Today." Hundreds of thousands have requested access to this special free report, and now you can access it today at no cost. Get instant access to the names of these 13 high yielders -- it's free.
At the time this article was published Ilan Moscovitzdoesn't own shares of any company mentioned.You can follow him on Twitter, where he goes by@TMFDada. The Motley Fool owns shares of JPMorgan Chase, PNC Financial Services Group, Citigroup, Wells Fargo, Bank of America, Huntington Bancshares, and Fifth Third Bancorp. Try any of our Foolish newsletter servicesfree for 30 days. We Fools don't all hold the same opinions, but we all believe thatconsidering a diverse range of insightsmakes us better investors. The Motley Fool has adisclosure policy.


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ORHub Announces Publication of a Peer-Reviewed Article Titled "Effects of a Surgical Receipt Program on the Supply Costs of Five General Surgery Procedures"
-Co-authored by Blake Stock, Senior Director of Product ORHub-
-Median costs are significantly decreased across three surgical procedures-
NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., December 19, 2018 (PRNewswire) – ORHub, Inc. (OTC: ORHB) (the "Company" or "ORHub"), a SaaS-based healthcare data analytics company uniquely focused on the business of surgery to improve the profitability of health systems, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs), today announces an original article was published in the Journal of Surgical Research titled "Effects of a Surgical Receipt Program on the Supply Costs of Five General Surgery Procedures" which was co-authored by Blake Stock, MBA, Senior Director of Product for ORHub.
The abstract clearly shows that while controlling surgical supply costs remain challenging, an automated and operationalized surgeon-directed cost feedback system derived from the automated surgical receipt may be a useful tool to control surgical expenditures for healthcare systems. According to the study, there was a significant decrease in median case costs for three commonly performed surgical procedures after deploying the use of an automated surgical case receipt.
"We are extremely proud to have a senior member of the ORHub team published amongst his peers," said Colt Melby, Chief Executive Officer of ORHub. "Blake's expertise, having spent over ten years developing healthcare enterprise analytic solutions at various health systems, was instrumental in the development of the Surgical Spotlight™ where one of the key reports is the daily surgical case receipt. Over time, we expect similar results across ORHub's clients to be reflected in the lower cost of surgical care."
"As physicians, our main focus is on patient care and achieving the best possible outcomes. Given the problematic rising cost of healthcare, physicians need to understand the finances of procedures to play a role in controlling these costs. The ORHub case receipt is part of a game-changing platform to help physicians and administrators institute changes to control surgical expenditure and enhance patient care," said Dr. Kevin Kaplan, Jacksonville Jaguars Head Team Physician. Dr. Kevin Kaplan is a nationally esteemed orthopedic surgeon who has contributed to over twenty publications, earned research awards and has received specialized training in orthopedic trauma surgery.
The article is currently available for download at Science Direct website.
Spotlight™ is a differentiated platform that links OR efficiency metrics to cost data for materials and labor. Implementation of the Surgical Spotlight™ custom dashboard is lightweight and doesn't require EHR integration, costly analysts or complicated software. Its cloud-based data feeds populate dynamic dashboards that can be used by administrators, surgeons and nurses.


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2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2456.) REFERENCES IN TEXT The Wilderness Act, referred to in subsec. (a), is Pub. L. 88-577. Sept. 3, 1964, 78 Stat. 890. as amended, which is classified generally to chapter 23 (§ 1131 et seq.) of this title.
2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2485.) REFERENCES IN TEXT This Act, referred to in subsec. (a). is Pub. L. 96—487, Dec. 2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371. as amended, known as the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. For complete classification of ...
2, 1980, 94 Stat. 2371, as amended, known as the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act. For complete classification of this Act to the Code, see Short Title note set out under section 3101 of this title and Tables. §3212.


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Guantanamo protest. Photo by Matthew Daloisio
1 Opinion Social Issues
Solidarity From Central Cellblock To Guantanamo – OpEd
January 16, 2018 October 19, 2022 Brian Terrell 0 Comments
By Brian Terrell
On Thursday, January 11, the sixteenth anniversary of the opening of the US military prison at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba was marked by a coalition of 15 human rights organizations gathered in Lafayette Park, across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House in Washington, DC. An interfaith prayer service was followed by a rally featuring song and poetry and addresses by activists from the sponsoring organizations, including attorneys for some of those detained at Guantanamo, few of these charged with any crime and some cleared for release years ago. Despite his declaration that "In the dark halls of Abu Ghraib and the detention cells of Guantanamo, we have compromised our most precious values," President Obama failed to fulfill his promise to close the prison and days before his inauguration last year, Donald Trump tweeted, "There should be no further releases from Gitmo. These are extremely dangerous people and should not be allowed back onto the battlefield."
I participated in the day's events as part of the Witness Against Torture community. This was our fourth day of fasting, reflection and action together and many of us wore orange jump suits and black hoods representing the 41 Muslim men still held there. After the rally, WAT performed a simple ritual, serving 41 cups of tea one at a time to "detainees" who each lifted their hood to accept their cup and take a sip before laying it down in a row on the sidewalk. The names of the men were spoken aloud and had been written on each of the styrofoam cups, remembering that drawing and writing on such cups has been one of few outlets for expression for many detainees.
Immediately after the tea was served, five of us, Ken Jones, Manijeh Saba, Helen Schietinger, Beth Adams and I, stepped into Pennsylvania Avenue, walking toward the White House with a banner calling for the release of these 41 along with the thousands imprisoned in immigration detention centers and the millions of victims of hyper-incarceration in the US. To approach the White House, we needed to cross under yellow police line tape and were immediately arrested by uniformed Secret Service police.
I have been attending protests at the White House since Jimmy Carter lived there and with each succeeding administration, the space allowed for political discourse has been reduced and the once protected free speech of citizens increasingly criminalized there. Under Trump, half the width of the formerly public sidewalk in front of the White House is fenced off, the inner perimeter now patrolled by officers armed with automatic weapons. Pennsylvania Avenue, long ago closed to vehicular traffic, is now closed off to pedestrians at the hint of a demonstration. This public forum, a place of protest and advocacy for more than a century, the place where the vote for women and benefits for veterans were won, has been strangled to the point where no dissent is tolerated there.
The five of us were vigorously searched and taken to a local DC Metro Police station where we were photographed, finger printed and charged with "crossing a police line." My four friends were released from the station after a few hours with a pending court appearance date, as is usual for such petty crimes as ours. I, on the other hand, was transferred by the Secret Service to the Central Cellblock to be brought before a judge the next day.
The booking sergeant told me that if it were up to the Metro Police, I would go home with my friends. The arresting authority, however, was the Secret Service and they wanted me held over due to an apparent outstanding case from Las Vegas. Last April, I was arrested at the armed drone operation center, Creech Air Force Base in Nevada, for the alleged crime of disturbing the peace. The District Attorney in Las Vegas declined to file any charge against me (maybe because I was disturbing the war?) but the chief judge of the Las Vegas Justice (sic) Court summoned me to appear before him on September 25 anyway. I made a motion to the court for clarification and received a response from another judge that I was not required to appear in answer to the summons. I also got official notice from the DA's office that they had "determined not to file formal charges at this time." Apparently, the chief judge was not happy with that decision and decided to take the role of prosecutor himself and issued a warrant for my arrest.
Central Cellblock is a crowded, noisy, roach infested hot box where all those arrested and held for various crimes around the city are collected for their initial appearances in court the next day. I was one of more than 90 men who spent the day shunted in chains from cell to cell between the jail and the court. Of these, there was one Latino and a young man from Mauritania, the rest African American. I was the only white man arrested in all of Washington, DC, on January 11 that the authorities chose to keep in jail.
Late Friday afternoon the United States Attorney decided not to press the "crossing a police line" against the five of us and so I was released before coming to court. Had I appeared before a judge, the government would likely have asked the court to hold me over for extradition as a fugitive from justice in Nevada. If this were granted, the Las Vegas authorities would then have had three days to come to DC to fetch me if they cared to.
In our group planning the events of January 11, the question came up about the usefulness of risking arrest for this cause. For myself, beyond strategic benefits, is the issue of solidarity. Just as we fast for a few days as a small gesture of sharing the suffering of the brothers in Guantanamo on hunger strike, so arrest and a few hours in a police station cell can bring us closer to understanding their unjust confinement. My intention was more than realized this time! The suppression of free speech in front of the White House is not the crackdown on the Arab Spring in Bahrain and Central Cellblock is not Abu Ghraib. My would-be extradition to Las Vegas is not "special rendition" to Jordan or to Guantanamo. These evils, small or large, are all growing from the same roots of imperial arrogance and in our different places and conditions, we are in this struggle together.
* Brian Terrell is a co-coordinator for Voices for Creative Nonviolence
← Yesterday's 'Shithole Countries' Can Become Classy Places Donald, And Vice Versa – OpEd
Sovereign Wealth Funds: Investment Vehicles Or Political Operators? – Analysis →
Brian Terrell
Brian Terrell is a co-coordinator for Voices for Creative Nonviolence. He can be reached at: [email protected]
Ahmed Mosaheb on History Doesn't Justify Either Israel Or Palestine – OpEd


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Lexus IS250 SE at Lexus Hatfield
Lexus IS250 SE
Adrian Foster takes a first drive in the new Lexus IS250 SE
WHEN I first saw the new Lexus IS250 SE parked outside the showroom of Lexus Hatfield I confess I wasn't sure what to make of the car. Some new cars are great, but you somehow know what to expect. But every now and again you come across one that genuinely takes you by surprise.
I had never even sat behind the steering wheel of a Lexus before and yet I had already made up my mind to pigeon-hole the IS250 as yet another pretend BMW loaded with executive toys but lacking the engineering expertise of the Bavarian icon.
True, the IS250 has a similar-looking taut, hunkered-down nose and wheel arches and the rear light clusters do have a passing resemblance to the BMW 5 Series, at least from the side. But such comparisons do the Lexus a disservice, as I was to discover.
First impressions of the Lexus are good. In the styling department at least, the thrust-forward, muscular-looking nose and the perky tail hold their own. Get behind the wheel and you are immediately struck by the superb build quality of the cabin and the feel of the high-grade materials used.
In SE specification, the IS250 comes with 17in alloy wheels, perforated leather seats with eight-way electric adjustment for those in front, an optional multimedia package and a host of safety features.
The quality feel remains when you press the starter button and the 204bhp, 2.5-litre V6 motor zings into life. The free-revving V6 punches well above its weight in performance terms and I had to constantly keep reminding myself that I wasn't driving a car with an engine half as large again.
And this engine delivers in all respects: 0 to 60mph comes up in 8.4 seconds and on the open road the car feels quick. The IS250 is well priced, especially once you take into consideration the generous standard equipment, particularly on the SE version that we tested. This latest model has moved the Lexus a significant step forward and can now be considered a genuine contender in the top-end executive car stakes.
Article taken from July issue of Hertfordshire Life


As a student at Chestnut Hill College, you not only have the opportunity to pursue your passion in over 35 subject areas, you'll do so in small classes with professors adapting to your personal learning style and helping you get the most out of your education.
Not sure about the course of study you want to pursue? Check out our Academic Discovery Program.


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HomeNewsLocal governmentThe eCivis Grants Management Online Program Goes Live
NewsLocal government
The eCivis Grants Management Online Program Goes Live
Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal testifies before the Senate. (Photo by Barry Leerdam for the USVI Legislature)
Gov. Albert Bryan Jr. and Office of Management and Budget Director Jenifer O'Neal have announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands is implementing the eCivis grants management digital software, which streamlines and reduces the red tape traditionally associated with the grants' management process.
The eCivis has fully automated the grants management process through the full life cycle of a grant – from solicitation to expenditure – and it will be used by every government agency and department, eventually including the semi-autonomous entities.
Departments and agencies will use the grant management system to search and apply for grants and report on grants, be able to manage sub-recipients through a portal, and review grant proposals for solicitations.
The system enables state data collection; analysis and reporting on successful applications; grant dollars received; missed funding opportunities; and compiling data on awards, sub-recipients and grant matching.
The system went live on March 9, which was the first day of training for more than 100 employees from every agency and department and is being managed by the Office of Management and Budget's Federal Grants Management Division. Employees were trained on the proper use and navigation of the system by eCivis staff.
The program also provides cost allocation software and other professional services associated with grants management. Collaboratively, the eCivis system helps ensure a more efficient use of all grants awarded to the Virgin Islands, decrease the time spent administering the grants, and allow for more time servicing residents of the territory.
The eCivis grants management system is an integral part of Gov. Bryan's management agenda, which calls for the increased use of technology to make the V.I. government more efficient and cost-effective, and to improve customer service.
Implementation of eCivis also establishes a system that standardizes data collection and reporting processes across the entire government and promotes transparency by producing more timely and accurate reporting and compliance with federal grant requirements, such as the Uniform Guidance (2 CFR 200).
Governor Bryan pledges to continue his efforts at making the Government of the Virgin Islands more efficient and accountable through innovative solutions to address age-old problems across all agencies and departments.
V.I. Storm Strong Program Shares Remote Learning, Hurricane Preparedness Activities
Prison Library Project Delivering Volumes to Golden Grove
Press release - January 27, 2023
U.S. Virgin Islands Supports Its Travel Advisors With New Rewards and Incentive Program
American Red Cross, V.I. Fire Service Kickoff 2023 Sound the Alarm Home Fire Safety Events


The 1992 presidential campaign was the first I can recall. At the age of 8, I wasn't exactly the target audience of the nominees, but there was an unprecedented call for young people to engage in the political system—MTV's "Rock the Vote" commercials are still fresh in my mind. Couple in Bill Clinton as perhaps the first pop culture friendly candidate [the brilliant SNL sketches, the saxophone, etc.] and this was an event that really geared me up to vote. Still, as most voters today, I only consumed information on the candidates and the race based on what I chose to watch or read. In the grand scheme of things, that's only the tip of the iceberg. The year after Bill Clinton won the election, iconic documentary filmmakers Chris Hegedus and D.A. Pennebaker released their look into the insane weeks behind the scenes. The War Room is a landmark documentary, unique in the depth it provides in a world so rarely seen. Even as the process has become more transparent and on the 24-hour news cycle, it is refreshing to how a campaign works without the inevitable spin and over-analyzation.
In a lot of ways, the political climate in '92 was a lot simpler than today. The most important issues were the cornerstones: the economy and education [with a little war mixed in, of course], issues that have rarely been broached this election season, replaced by terrorism, technology, and scandal. Then again, there were also many similarities as shown in The War Room. Obviously, there was a Clinton on the ticket; focus on the issues were skewed a bit [but not to the same degree] by a sexual scandal; there was also an ultra contentious primary, with a candidate unwilling to concede and uncertainty headed into the conventions—like Ted Cruz this year, Democratic runner-up Jerry Brown vowed to speak his mind at the DNC. Finally, third party candidates were active in the national discourse, with thoughts and fears that they could sway the result.
The War Room starts in the middle of the action with Clinton in a difficult fight for the Democratic nomination, setting up the film's form. There isn't any real identifiable structure, just moments all building to election night. There aren't timestamps or narration setting the stage at any particular moment. With its purely observational style, The War Room zips through the campaign, more of a pastiche than a historical account. This may not be the conventional way to make a documentary, but it is unquestionably the best way to capture the unique energy of a campaign, The fly-on-the-wall approach doesn't actively influence the conversations, speeches, or off-the-cuff reactions, giving the film a much more natural tone.
Sure, a traditional talking heads doc could build a better story or more coherent analysis, but that's clearly not what the filmmakers cared to capture. "Capture" is actually an accurately descriptive word for the way The War Room flows, as opposed to what another film may try to craft. Hegedus and Pennebaker are much more interested in finding the interesting moments that organically come from the dynamic people on camera, and there are plenty of them—one of my favorites: James Carville's jokingly disgusted reaction when told the beer on special is Busch.
This loose structure doesn't mean there isn't genuine substance, however, even if the biggest takeaway is the film's totality. The focus on Clinton's two chief strategists, "Ragin' Cajun" James Carville and future Good Morning America co-anchor George Stephanopoulos gives something to hold onto from scene to scene and they both come off as the political superstars they would soon become. Both shine throughout their work. Carville firing up volunteer staff to give it their all is just as compelling as Stephanopoulos completely destroying a Ross Perot staffer who is threatening to release a tabloid-level scoop on Clinton. The film seems to capture the genesis of every slogan and talking point that pushed Clinton to the win. At the periphery of the film we also meet Mary Matalin, one of George H.W. Bush's top aides and the wife of Carville. She becomes one of the most compelling figures in the film for her contrast to her husband and her passionate attacks on Clinton—bringing her in through news footage actually helps balance the political scale, which probably isn't necessary but is welcome.
Overall, The War Room is a wonderful document of a political era and the entire political process. Even 23 years later it is unique in its approach and access. Of course there have been other documentaries to take this behind-the-scenes approach, and some good ones at that [Our Brand Is Crisis—no, not the Sandra Bullock on—and the completely underseen Mitt are fine examples], but none are as special as The War Room. Hegedus & Pennebaker's observational mastery is on full display, they disappear from the scene but keep their watchful eye for moments big and small. So, if you're still on an election kick and you want sometime a little more serious and substantive than Election, The War Room is a must see.


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Publishing Grants
Albert Camus, journaliste Reporter à Alger, éditorialiste à ParisJérome DELATTRE2021-03-16T10:15:16+01:00
Albert Camus, Journalist Reporter in Algiers, Editorialist in Paris
Maria Santos-Sainz
ILLUSTRATIONS: /
BINDING: Softcover
WORDS: 84 000 approx.
RIGHTS SOLD: Spain
PUBLICATION DATE: May 2019
PUBLISHER: Editions Apogée
This book allows us to put the importance of Albert Camus' journalistic work in context, from his firstprofessional steps as a reporter in Algiers until his
memorable editorials, published in the columns of Combat during the Second World War, not forgetting his chronicles at L'Express.
From the outset, Albert Camus practiced a committed journalism that condemned the injustices experienced by the most disadvantaged and downtrodden. His journalistic life is marked by the correspondence between his work and his existence, a legacy of his relationship with the world, rooted in his childhood, and a duty to bear witness.
The Author(s)
María Santos-Sainz has a PhD in Information Science and is a lecturer at the Institute of Journalism at Bordeaux Montaigne University, where she was director from 2006 to 2012. Between 2010 and 2015, she was president of the CEJER which brings together researchers in journalism from prominent institutions, and she is a member of the Société des Etudes Camusiennes (Camusian Studies Society). She has written several books, including L'Élite journalistique et son pouvoir (Apogée, 2006) and Espagnols à Bordeaux et en Aquitaine (Sud-Ouest).
Key Sales Points
– In the current context of mistrust of the media, rethinking and drawing inspiration from Albert Camus, journalist seems more than necessary.
– No previous book has gathered and analyzed the whole of the famous author's journalistic writing, a body of work in which his talent, social conscience and moral commitment are already obvious.
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Evonik worldwide
Contact person economic press
Alexandra Boy
Deputy Head of Corporate Press
alexandra.boy@evonik.com
Supervisory Board resolves on changes on the Executive Board of Evonik Industries AG
CFO Dr. Wolfgang Colberg to leave the company on September 30, 2013
Ute Wolf appointed to succeed him effective October 1, 2013
On June 21, 2013 the Supervisory Board of Evonik Industries AG resolved on termination of the term of office of Dr. Wolfgang Colberg (53) as Chief Financial Officer and a member of the Executive Board by mutual agreement, effective September 30, 2013. Further, the Supervisory Board appointed Ms. Ute Wolf (45) to the Executive Board as the new Chief Financial Officer of Evonik Industries AG effective October 1, 2013.
Werner Müller, Chairman of Evonik's Supervisory Board, stressed: "Mr. Colberg is leaving the company in best mutual agreement. Evonik has much to thank him for. Through his prudent approach, he played a key role in ensuring that the Group emerged strengthened from the financial crisis of 2008/2009. Other lasting contributions include his role in aligning the company to specialty chemicals and the successful preparation and realization of Evonik's stock exchange listing. On behalf of the Supervisory Board, I would like to thank Mr. Colberg most sincerely for that." Müller also commented: "Ms. Wolf is a highly qualified successor who has extensive experience of the capital markets thanks to her previous positions at three large listed corporations. I am certain that as our Chief Financial Officer she will play her part in shaping Evonik's future with enormous competence."
Klaus Engel, Chairman of the Evonik's Executive Board: "In Wolfgang Colberg we are losing a valued member of the Executive Board with whom we have always worked well. We are very pleased that his place will be taken by Ms. Wolf, an experienced manager from within the company."
Dr. Colberg has been CFO of Evonik since April 1, 2009. Ms. Wolf has been head of Evonik's Finance Division since January 1, 2006. She has a degree in mathematics and previously held a range of positions at Metro AG, Düsseldorf, Telekom AG, Bonn, and Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt.
Evonik, the creative industrial group from Germany, is one of the world leaders
in specialty chemicals. Profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company form the heart of Evonik's corporate strategy. Its activities focus on the key megatrends health, nutrition, resource efficiency and globalization. Evonik benefits specifically from its innovative prowess and integrated technology platforms.
Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world. In fiscal 2012 more than 33,000 employees generated sales of around €13.6 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of about €2.6 billion.
In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this press release or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release.