Each family is unique. When I work with families I want to capture that uniqueness. I work with all kinds of families from maternity and babies to children and teenagers. Every distinct period of our lives should be well documented with photos to give to our children when they leave to start their own lives.


I believe in the existence of Devils. But unlike most people who believe in Devils, I do not believe that they are these evil beings who want to run around and kill everybody. I believe in them as essentially benevolent deities of carnality, intellectual power and progress. They are dark yet beautiful spirits that, strangely enough, actually work for the advancement of humankind. They are not really these stupid fallen angels that want to destroy humanity and the world. Instead, they are mysteriously sentient forces that mastermind every deviation from dogmatic thought that occurs among human beings, and that inspire all of human advancement. They are the gods that rule the Earth. Even the Christian Bible itself refers to Satan as "The God of this World!"
The entire reason that people are led to believe that Devils are really these evil and destructive beings is because they are scapegoated by conventional religionists. The term "scapegoat" itself comes from an ancient Hebrew ritual practiced on the Day of Atonement. This ritual involved the sacrifice of two goats. One goat was ceremonially slaughtered as an offering to the god of Abraham, while the other was "laden" with the sins of the tribe and driven into the wilderness as a live offering to a Devil they called Azazel.
According to the apocryphal book of Enoch (which reflects the beliefs of the Second Temple era), Azazel was a spirit who left heaven and descended to earth because he lusted after mortal women. A whole bunch of them actually did this, but Azazel was their leader. And when these spirits came to earth, they taught and instructed human beings in several arts of civilization (including but not limited to various sciences, cosmetics and martial warfare). The conventional religious leaders of the Hebrews, however, blamed all "evil" in the world upon Azazel and his fellows for this very reason. Azazel didn't actually do anything "bad" in any humanly meaningful sense; if anything, he helped human beings in much the same way that Prometheus did in Greek mythology. Yet he became a scapegoat for all that's wrong in the world.
Azazel was not the first idea of a spiritual being that is the "supreme enemy" of the Abrahamic religions. The first was Leviathan, a gigantic serpent that is pretty much identical to Apep of ancient Egyptian religion. The religious symbolism of a "dragon of primordial darkness" who creates opposition against authoritarian religious regimes recurs throughout almost all cultures of the ancient Middle East. This being was blamed by the Egyptians for bringing foreign invaders against their country, and He was also blamed by the Hebrews for destroying Jerusalem through the Babylonians. Later on, when the Serpent became known as "Satan" in Christianity, He would be blamed for opposing Christians through the Roman government. However, there is no evidence, outside of scripture, to demonstrate that this being is really responsible for causing foreign invasions or such. The people who suffered these events chose to ostracize and scapegoat this spirit so that they could make the harsh realities of this world more "bearable" for themselves. Human beings have an ugly history of scapegoating others - both their gods and their fellow humans - in order to make themselves feel better.
"Satan" was originally a common noun that simply meant "accuser" or "adversary." It was not used to refer to a specific adversary of Yahweh, but to any being that acted in an adversarial manner to anyone else. Often, the term "satan" would be used to describe an angel sent by Yahweh to ostruct a human or humans in some way, such as the angel of the Passover, or the angel that wrestles with Jacob. Later on, particularly in the time that Christ supposedly lived, the Serpent Leviathan was given the name "Satan" as a proper noun, indicating the belief among Christians that He is the ultimate adversary of the biblical god. And by that point in time it was actually believed that this particular being rules the entire Earth. Even the New Testament itself refers to Satan as "the God of this World."
Much later, it would be established as church doctrine that Satan was really a fallen angel with horns and cloven hooves that had rebelled against the Abrahamic god. It would appear that here, the ideas of the Serpent Leviathan and the angel Azazel were melded together. But remember that originally, Azazel left heaven by choice because He apparently liked women. And after the departure from heaven, He eventually decided He liked all human beings and shared divine knowledge with them, making them smarter and more civilized (but always while reminding them of their basic animal natures as well). Satan advances humankind, yet is blamed by the Abrahamic religions for all "sin." Apparently, humanism forms a large portion of the Abrahamic idea of "sin."
Other instances of Abrahamic opposition toward humanity occur throughout the entire Bible. The Hebrews have their god punishing Adam and Eve for eating the Fruit of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, which they were tempted to do by a snake. All the snake did was give Adam and Eve the power to determine moral truth for themselves, apart from the help of any divine spirit. But apparently, the Hebrew religious leaders did not want their followers to believe it's possible to have morality without the Abrahamic god. However, there are millions of people in the world who do not worship Jehovah, or who don't even believe in him, yet who are good and moral people (often more good and moral than many self-proclaimed Christians). People can have morals without having the Bible. But conventional religious leaders do not want people to know this; they want people to think that they must surrender their souls to their god so they can be "morally cleansed."
I don't know about you, but something sounds suspicious here: the snake, who is often identified with Satan, gives Adam and Eve the power to know what is right and what is wrong by themselves. But this is defined as the "original sin," through which "death came into the world." Why should having the power of moral independence be considered "evil," and why should feeling guilty for having it be "good?"
The Hebrews also had their god knocking down the human architectural feat called the Tower of Babel. They also have him commanding his prophet Abraham to ritually sacrifice his only son Isaac as an offering for the Lord (and, even though he supposedly never intended for Abraham to really kill the kid, what kind of a god demands that parents be willing to murder their own children for him?). They later have him wiping out all the innocent newborn males of Egypt because one man (the Pharaoh) refused to do what the Hebrews wanted. Their scripture also claims that the Abrahamic god commanded the Israelites to kill every man, mother, and male child of their neighboring civilizations, and to enslave and molest the virgin girls. And later on, the Christians have their god bloodily sacrificing his own flesh-and-blood son and telling people that the man died for them, and they must believe in him or they will burn in hell eternally for the "sins" of one little lifetime. Sounds like a horrific act of terrorism used to frighten people into obedience, if you ask me.
And why is it so quickly believed that Jehovah is really the Creator god? I myself do not know if such a god exists or not, but if it does it cannot possibly be the Christian god. The Christian god is claimed to be a personal entity who has a specific interest in human affairs. I doubt very much that any Creator god that is ultimately responsible for the existence of everything would have such an interest, because there is a LOT of everything and human beings are like a speck of dust in the midst of the cosmos. I find it much more logical to think that a personal god interested in human affairs would only exist on a smaller-than cosmic scale, meaning that any such god is lesser than the theoretical Creator god. This would mean that the Judeo-Christian god, who is always concerned with "saving" people from their "sins," is not really the Creator but simply a lesser god. This perspective is more fully articulated on Diane Vera's Church of Azazel website, specifically in her articles, "The Here-and-Now Principle in Theology" and "Post-Copernican Natural Theology".
I do not believe that the Old Serpent is really a "rebel" against the Creator. Fundamentalist Christians accuse Satan of wanting to be worshiped as the supreme God, but this is really only what they project onto their scapegoat. They are the ones who want their own god to be worshiped as the supreme God, for he is the one personal deity who is most well known in monotheistic religions today as "God" with a capital "G." But if he is a personal being, he cannot be the supreme God; if he is not the supreme God, their claim of his being God is just that: a claim.
And yet conventional religionists have always used their scapegoats as "boogeymen" with which to frighten their followers into submission. People are made to think Satan is the one who is trying to destroy them, and that only fools them into continuing the age-old cycle of scapegoating others. If the Prince of Darkness is truly the opposite of what fundamentalists consider to be "divine," then He must be a much more logical and humane god than theirs! And what's funny is that this can be determined by studying Judeo-Christian mythology itself.
That's essentially why I worship Satan, whom I also call Azazel, Lucifer, and Apep. For me, worshiping Satan is a deliberate "slap in the face" to all people who continue the tradition of scapegoating others. By worshiping the "Patron Saint of Scapegoats," I am declaring all counter-subversion ideologies to be void. To me, Satan is a dark yet benevolent god who gets a bad rap for doing things that are helpful to humanity. He stirs human beings to fundamentally question all dogmas and fixed ideologies, thereby causing them to advance beyond the superstitious power that holds them back from progress. He is Dark, yet He brings Light. He is the ultimate Enemy of all tyrannical religious regimes, and He is the Promethean friend of Man. He leads us out from oppression, and He puts the fear of Man in the hearts of the gods.


On Saturday, state Rep. Emanuel "Chris" Welch (7th), whose district includes parts of River Forest, convened a press conference in Chicago to protest a resolution that could have empowered local school boards to allow teachers and administrators to carry guns in school.
The proposed resolution, which was introduced by the Illinois Association of School Boards (IASB) and other education leadership organizations in Chicago, failed during a vote at the IASB's meeting held later that day. Forest Park District 91 Superintendent said he does not believe arming school personnel is a solution to stopping gun violence.
"If we truly want to prevent gun violence in our schools, and in our nation, then we need to address the root causes of violence, mental health care, social and emotional competence, and common sense gun laws," Cavallo wrote in an email. "More guns is not a solution to less gun violence."
Some supporters of the proposal cited slow response times by law enforcement in rural school districts.
"School shootings take an average of 12 minutes," Dan Walther, a school board member in Peoria who supports the proposal, told WGN 9. "I mean, there's no way a resource officer could get there. So what we're trying to do is give these small rural districts the option of doing this. Nobody is forced to do this."
According to the proposed resolution, local school boards would have the option of developing school safety and protection plans that "may include administrators, faculty and/or other staff," who have all of the qualifications and prerequisites for carrying firearms, to do so on school grounds.
The resolution urges the Illinois General Assembly to support legislation that would allow teachers and administrators to be armed. The controversial proposal ultimately failed, with IASB members voting 203 to 179, WGN reports.
Welch said he wondered if some IASB members in support of the resolution to arm teachers were aware "that what they are contemplating is in violation" of two federal and state laws, including the Gun Free Schools Act of 1990 and Illinois' Firearm Concealed Carry Act.
"This resolution is in complete contradiction to both of those laws," said Welch, who has drafted a House resolution "supporting schools as gun-free zones and declaring the Legislature opposes arming teachers and administrators," according to a press release his office put out over the weekend.
The Illinois Federation of Teachers also released its own resolution countering the IASB's proposed resolution.
"This group stands together and condemns that resolution," Welch said Saturday. "We ask them to consider putting books in our schools and not bullets."


Harapan, a young male Sumatran rhino, was born at the Cincinnati Zoo in 2007 to mother Emi and father Ipuh. His parents were part of an international breeding program developed to increase the population of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino – now numbering no more than 100 individuals in the wild. Harapan was the third and final calf for Emi and Ipuh; his big brother, Andalas, born in 2001, was the first Sumatran rhino born in a zoo in 112 years.
Harapan spent time in three U.S. zoos over his first 8 years of life: the Cincinnati Zoo, White Oak Conservation Center in Florida, and the Los Angeles Zoo. 'Harry,' as he's known to his friends, was moved to the Sumatran Rhino Sanctuary (SRS) on 1 November 2015. Harapan's move is an excellent example of international cooperation and coordination between the governments of the United States and Indonesia to save this critically endangered species. Like the other rhinos at the SRS, Harapan has access to a 20-acre open forest area where he can experience a semi-natural habitat while remaining safe from humans. SRS staff will gradually introduce Harapan to the resident females. Hopefully, Harapan will soon be an active participant in the Sumatran rhino breeding program. We can't wait to meet Andatu and Delilah's future cousins!


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Operations| 7 min read
The 7 Most Common Franchise Problems (And How to Solve Them)
By AJ Beltis
, 12 May 2022
More than 200,000 quick-serve restaurants in the United States don't count the company as owners. Instead, these locations are franchises, meaning a company (the franchisor) allows an individual or group of partners (the franchisee or franchisees) to run a location of that restaurant under a franchise agreement.
At a glance, opening and operating a restaurant franchise seems more straightforward than building your own restaurant concept. They're established brands, and most of the marketing comes from the corporate office. But that doesn't mean franchisees have an easier path to restaurant success. There's a unique set of challenges that come with franchising. Here are 7 of them, and what to do about it.
1. Long approval processes
The franchisor and franchisee are a team. For a successful partnership, the brand has to be the right fit for the franchisee, and the franchisee must be a right fit for the brand.
Franchise agreements are also long term relationships–10- to 15-year contracts are the norm. It's absolutely essential to get right. Which means oftentimes the approvals process can be long and intensive.
How to solve it
To expedite the process a bit, make sure you gather all the documents you need and follow the franchisor's requirements. A long(er) approvals process can help prevent many more issues down the line, be they financial or cultural. For franchisees, take this time to assess if the franchise is a good fit for you.
2. Higher-than-expected operating costs
Aspiring franchisees must be prepared to front a hefty sum of money to get the business off the ground. Between up-front licensing fees and opening costs, the amount can easily break into the six or even seven-figure range.
Some of the common franchises and their startup costs, according to Business Insider, are:
Subway: $116,000 to $263,000 + $15,000 franchise fee
Kentucky Fried Chicken (KFC): $1.4 million to $2.8 million + $45,000 franchise fee
McDonalds: $1.2-$2.2 million + $45,000 franchise fee
Taco Bell: $1.2 million to $2.9 million + $45,000 franchise fee
Wendy's: $2 million to $3.7 million + $50,000 franchise fee
Some franchisors even require aspiring franchisees to have hundreds of thousands of dollars of cash on hand, which runs the bill up even more.
In addition to these one-time opening investments, franchisees regularly pay fees based on sales and operating costs. For example, McDonald's charges a service fee of 4% of all monthly sales, while Subway charges 12.5% of weekly gross sales for franchise royalties and advertising.
There's no real way to avoid royalties and fees, as they're typically required to reach a deal with the franchisor. However, you can work to mitigate your opening costs by shopping contractors and renovators in your area to see who can give you the best price, which could bring down your restaurant opening costs. You could also explore buying an existing franchise rather than opening your own, which brings renovation and remodeling costs way down.
Another way to solve this is through integrated restaurant technology, such as POS and restaurant schedule software. When franchisees have granular data on sales and staff performance, they can make impactful changes that save on costs. When you can shave off a few percentage points of expenses, franchise fees become easier to manage.
Recommended Reading: How to Manage Your Restaurant Labor Cost Percentage
3. Less control over the brand
Affiliation with beloved brands gives franchise owners an advantage in recognition and brand affinity. But it can also work against you. When a number of Chipotle locations were responsible for foodborne illnesses in late 2015, the entire brand reputation suffered–even though just a handful of their 2,000 locations at the time could be traced to outbreaks. Multi-location restaurants are under a close eye in the media because of their presence nationwide. A slip up by one individual at one restaurant, big or small, can impact the performance of other locations.
The first step to avoiding this issue is to hold yourself to the highest possible standards of service. If these big problems affect your brand, there's solace–for you and your loyal patrons– in knowing your location was not responsible.
If a larger issue does arise out of the situation (see Chipotle's half-day closing for food safety training), all you can do is stay in close touch with your franchisor to see what is expected of you in these times.
4. Not as much decision-making power
Independent restaurateurs get to define their restaurant's theme, alter the menu whenever they want, and work to establish a place in their community.
This is not (always) the case for franchise operators.
It's common for franchises to have promotions, new menu items, LTOs, and rebranding efforts mandated from the top. This is not a bad thing–and changes aren't made in a vacuum. They're researched, piloted, and found to increase revenue and/or profit–a win for franchisees and the franchisor.
It can be frustrating for owners who don't feel like they have control over their business. They're the ones who are living it day-in and day-out. But that doesn't mean franchise owners' voices can't be heard.
Franchisees who have ideas on how to improve the business, but can't act on them, can always contact their head office. Explain your point of view, with numbers to back it up, and there's a good chance your ideas will be considered. If you can, suggest a survey to be sent to other franchisees. You may not be the only one who thought of it. Change can happen, but it's incremental given all the moving parts of a national franchise.
That being said, there can be opportunity for individual franchises to make an impact. After all, some iconic fast foods–the Big Mac, KFC bucket, $5 foot long, and Filet-o-Fish–were all created by individual franchisees.
5. Different regulations
Operating your franchise in a major city like New York, San Francisco, or Chicago? If so, you'll need to adhere to an extra set of rules known as Fair Workweek laws, affecting the state of Oregon and the cities of:
Emeryville, CA
These laws apply to restaurants operating in the locations above that have anywhere from 20-56+ locations worldwide and/or employee count of 500+ people worldwide–criteria that franchise locations almost always meet.
These laws add significant changes to the way restaurants manage and schedule employees, requiring affected restaurants to compensate employees for last-minute shift changes, share schedules at least two weeks in advance, and/or allow input on scheduling, among other mandates.
Familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations in your area. Additionally, you'll also benefit from the resources available to you within your larger restaurant group. For example, many franchisors require all of their locations use an employee scheduling software that helps them schedule with ease and avoid breaking fair workweek laws.
Recommended Guide: Free Restaurant Labor Compliance Guide
6. High employee turnover
Overall, the restaurant industry has around a 75% employee turnover rate. However, franchises tend to see significantly higher turnover rates compared to the industry average, with fast food industry location turnover double that at 150%. For example, Panera's turnover rate is reportedly nearing 100%, while Domino's is recovering from a reported 107% turnover rate.
Among the reasons for such high turnover is the constant demand for employees at these restaurants (which allows dissatisfied employees to easily find work elsewhere) and the reliance on younger and less specialized labor pools, which typically have less incentive to stay at a franchise for years on end.
There is a two-pronged approach to managing turnover at your franchise: better hiring and better retention programs.
Working at a franchise seems like a good idea to aspiring restaurant workers due to brand recognition, but this can unfortunately attract some less-than-qualified candidates because of their perception of convenience. Make sure you've put the time in to find and hire the right people, such as sourcing candidates proactively and asking the right restaurant interview questions.
"As people continue to come back into the hospitality workforce, restaurant owners need to think about implementing creative incentive plans that can help them get staffed up quickly and then keep successful employees long-term," says Ryan C. Whitfill, partner at Culhane Meadows.
7. Potential for brand dilution
One last common franchise problem is market saturation of the same restaurant. Believe it or not, Chick-fil-A made more per location than McDonald's and Starbucks combined in 2020, according to this QSR report. And that's with 15% fewer operating days a week!
There's a long list of reasons why, but the volume of locations is certainly towards the top of that list. Chick-fil-A operates one store for about every six McDonald's or Starbucks, and about every 10 Subways. With fewer stores, each Chick-fil-A becomes more unique, and by extension, draws more of a crowd to that specific location.
If you're operating a franchise restaurant (more specifically, a franchise fast food restaurant), you can expect strong sales due to your brand recognition and convenience, but you should also be aware of your potential market share. This comes from knowing how close another restaurant with your same name and menu is.
If there is an excessive number of locations of your restaurant in your city or town, this can take away from its novelty and potentially dent your sales. After all, being one of two McDonald's in town seems a lot more financially enticing than being one of seven McDonald's in that exact same town, doesn't it?
Before opening a franchise, conduct a feasibility study to see how you'll stand out in the area you're looking to open up shop in. Forcing yourself to sit down and consider your sales forecasts compared to costs-and what role other franchise locations could play in those predictions-can help you choose the best spot to maximize sales.
Offer great customer service and food quality, so this is reflected in your online reviews and word of mouth. People may pick your location over another one nearby.
Recommended Reading: How Top Multi-Unit Restaurants are Using Tech to Grow
Facing Your Franchise Problems
Although opening and operating a restaurant franchise comes with its own unique challenges, most of them can be solved with a mindset shift, a new process, or a phone call to your corporate office. Your franchisor is counting on you to keep sales strong so everyone can take home a paycheck, so don't be afraid to reach out for support and a clear ask to ensure everyone ends up better off.
It can also be much easier to succeed when you use integrated tools like restaurant scheduling software and a POS. Understanding how you can solve problems within your own store like controlling labor costs and simplifying scheduling will let you gain a foothold on the daily challenges you'll face as a franchisee.
AJ Beltis is a freelance writer with almost a decade of experience in the restaurant industry. He currently works as a content manager at HubSpot, and previously as a blogger at Toast.
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The restaurant industry has long been associated with long hours, hot-headed chefs, and an intense working environment that only the most passionate could handle. But that's been slowly changing over the past few years.
D. J. Costantino
17 May 2022 | 9 min read
Where Franchisor-Franchisee Relationships Go Wrong: 7 Common Issues
A strong franchisor-franchisee relationship is a thing of beauty, but it doesn't come without its challenges. Here are 7 common issues impacting the franchisor-franchisee relationship.
11 May 2022 | 12 min read

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Canadian born Theodore Kerr is a Brooklyn based writer, organizer and artist whose work focuses on HIV/AIDS, community, and culture. To learn more, stay in touch or learn about upcoming events, SUBSCRIBE TO HIS NEWSLETTER.
Kerr's writing has been published in books, online and in magazines. It has appeared in Women's Studies Quarterly, The New Inquiry, BOMB, CBC (Canada), Lambda Literary, POZ Magazine, The Advocate, Cineaste, The St. Louis American, IndieWire, HyperAllergic, and other publications. In 2016, he won the Best Journalism award from POZ Magazine for his HyperAllergic article on race, HIV, and art. In 2015, Kerr was the editor for an AIDS-focused issue of the We Who Feel Differently journal.
Kerr earned his MA from Union Theological Seminary where he researched Christian Ethics and HIV, and his BA from the New School where he was Riggio Writing and Democracy fellow. At his graduation he spoke about the queer everyday in surviving. Currently, Kerr teaches at The New School. He has lectured at Hunter College, Rutgers and Skidmore College.
Under the direction of Amy Sadao and Nelson Santos, Kerr was the programs manager at Visual AIDS where he worked to ensure social justice was an important lens through which to understand the ongoing epidemic. He also served as the programs manager at the Institute for Art, Religion and Social Justice at Union Theological Seminary. In 2007, he was a founding member of Exposure: Edmonton's Queer Arts and Culture Festival. Working with collectives, organizations and solo, Kerr has organized events at the Brooklyn Museum, the New York Public Library, BQSQD, Bluestockings, The New School, Housing Works and other locations.
In 2016 / 2017 Kerr performed 10 interviews for the Smithsonian's Archives of American Art's Visual Arts and the AIDS Epidemic: An Oral History Project. Kerr received his oral history training from Suzanne Snider as part of the Oral History Summer School. He was a member of the New York City Trans Oral History Project. Working with the Brooklyn Historical Society, Kerr indexed their AIDS oral history project.
Kerr is a founding member of the What Would An HIV Doula Do? collective, a community of people committed to better implicating community within the ongoing response to HIV/AIDS. In 2017, and 2018, the collective hosted multi-week writing workshops with support from Poets and Writers, and in 2018 began a reading group called Uneasy Medicine. In the winter of 2019, WWHIVDD curated an exhibition for the One Archives and the NYC LGBT Center entitled, METANOIA: Transformations through AIDS Archives and Activism. The collective's work has been featured in The Body, Art in America and POZ magazine. With Aldrin Valdez, Kerr is a co-founder of Foundational Sharing, a performance and publishing platform. Since 2013, Valdez and Kerr have hosted 5 Foundational Sharing salons, and been invited to produce the event with the Bowery Poetry Club, CUNY, Visual AIDS and Queer Art Mentorship.
Creating postcards, posters, stickers, and collages, Kerr's art practice is about bringing together pop culture, photography and text to create fun and meaningful shareable ephemera and images. Collaboration is a big part of Kerr's art practice. He has made work with Zachary Ayotte, L.J. Roberts, Chaplain Christopher Jones, Niknaz Tavakolian, Bridget de Gersigny, Malene Dam and others. He has been in exhibitions curated by Kris Nuzzi, Sur Rodney (Sur), Danny Orendorff and others. Two of his works, in collaboration with Shawn Torres and Jun Bae, are part of DePaul Art Gallery's permanent collection.
'We will not be silent': This artist newspaper takes back the dialogue surrounding HIV/AIDS, Peter Knegt, CBC Arts
HIV in America: The Complicated Truth, Emily Bass, Esquire
'Not Over': '25 Years of Visual AIDS', Holland Cotter, The New York Times
Revisitation Phase: Looking at Art and AIDS, Eric Sutphin, Art in America
Queer Past/Queer Future: In Conversation, Aldrin Valdez, ART 21
We Will Not Rest in Peace: Lost and Found Ends, Maura Donohue, Culturebot
On the Dangerous AIDS Myth of 'Patient Zero,' and the Book That Started It All, John Walker, LitHub
For Those Newly Diagnosed With HIV, What Would a Doula Do?, Victoria Law, TheBody.com
Reflecting on AIDS in New York City: Jenny Holzer in Collaboration with Surface, Amy Sadao, Surface
STAY IN TOUCH. SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER!


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Seven lessons every mom wants to tell her daughter
There is a future for you when we have clean water and toilets.
#7lifelessons
Every mom probably remembers life as a little girl, the many struggles as a teenager, and the excitement and challenges of stepping independently into the world as a woman. For most of us, what we learned from our moms gave us the foundation of strength, wisdom and encouragement we needed to build our dreams and make them a reality.
I'm sure we all want our daughters to grow up healthy and confident but the truth is, not every mom can pass on the most basic life lessons to their daughters. For moms with daughters growing up without access to safe water and toilets, these important lessons are really just a hope for the future – but it's a future that's attainable when water and toilets are too.
You can help by donating today!
1. Drink more water. It will keep you hydrated and make you feel more energetic.
But what do you say when the only water to drink comes from a dirty water hole shared with animals?
Tell her: You won't need to carry water your whole life. When we get safe, clean water near our home you will feel healthier.
© WaterAid/ Marco Betti
2. Stay in school, invest in your future.
But what do you say to your daughter who doesn't have time for school because she spends hours each day collecting water for the family?
Tell her: There is a future for you when we have clean water and toilets. Then you will be able to use your time to go to school.
© WaterAid/ Ernest Randriarimalala
3. Wash your hands before you eat.
But what would you say when preparing food relies on the precious little water she struggled to carry home and there is no water left for washing hands?
Tell her: We will have better hygiene and stay healthier when safe, clean water is nearby.
© WaterAid/ Charlie Bibby
4. Eat a healthy diet with lots of fruits and vegetables.
But what do you tell your daughter when there is not enough water to grow sufficient food?
Tell her: When we have enough water and time to grow food and prepare healthy meals, you will develop into a strong, capable woman with a brighter future.
© WaterAid/ Poulomi Basu
5. Take care of yourself and never be afraid.
But what do you say when there is no toilet at home and your daughter must retreat into darkness late at night in search of a place to go to the bathroom?
Tell her: When we have a bathroom at home you will no longer be at risk of attack when you search for privacy.
6. Menstruation is an important milestone – be proud of this sign of maturity.
But what would you tell her when you live in a place where menstruation is considered unclean and there are no sanitation facilities or privacy to manage her personal hygiene?
Tell her: When we have safe toilets for women and girls, you will go to school with dignity.
© WaterAid/ Suzanne Porter
7. Remember how strong you are and show your confidence.
But what do you say to your daughter when her back and neck are strained and tired after carrying heavy jerry cans of water?
Tell her: When you no longer have to carry water every day, you will stand straight and tall. Use your strength to make different choices in your life and fulfill your dreams for the future.


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MINOR, SOLOMON ZALKIND:
By: Herman Rosenthal, J. G. Lipman
Russian rabbi and author; born at Wilna 1827; died there Jan. 21, 1900. He received his elementary education from his father, R. Jekuthiel, a well-known Talmudist. At the age of twelve Minor took up the study of Biblical and rabbinical subjects, but without the aid of a teacher. In 1849 the rabbinical seminary at Wilna was established, and Minor was among its first graduates. In 1854 he became instructor in Talmud and rabbinical literature in that institution, and in 1856 was appointed special adviser on Jewish affairs in the office of the governor-general of Wilna. Among the sermons he delivered in German at that time in the Wilna seminary may be mentioned "Der Rabbiner und der Lehrer" (Wilna, 1858). It pictures the ideal rabbi as a devoted guardian of the spiritual interests of his flock and as the advocate of his people. In 1860 Minor was appointed rabbi at Minsk; and for the next nine years he lived a life of conspicuously beneficent activity. Owing to his efforts a Sabbath-school and a night-school for artisans were opened (1861), and a library for the Jewish community was established (1862). In 1869 Minor was called to Moscow, where a Jewish congregation had recently been formed. There he succeeded in obtaining from the government the right to establish an independent Jewish religious organization, a right which the community of Moscow had, till then, never enjoyed. At the same time he received permission to build a synagogue and other communal institutions, such as a Hebrew free school, an industrial school, and an orphan asylum. He also taught the Jewish religion at the high school for girls in Moscow.
In his younger days Minor delivered his sermons in German, but at Minsk and Moscow he delivered them in Russian, and frequently had many Christians among his hearers. Indeed, Minot was the first Russian rabbi to preach in the vernacular; and his sermons have since served as models for synagogal discourses in Russia. They consisted largely of elucidations of the principles of Judaism, explanations of historical events concerning the Jews, and homilies on the duties of the Jews as Russian citizens. Minor was a friend of Count Leo Tolstoy, whose studies in Hebrew and in the Old Testament he directed. In 1891, when the expulsion of Moscow Jews began, Minor, owing to his too open expressions of sympathy for his people, was banished by the governor-general to his native town, Wilna, where he remained in seclusion until his death.
Minot's sermons have been published (3 vols., Moscow, 1875-89). He was the author of: "Rabbi Ippolit Lutostanski" (Moscow, 1879), directed against Lutostanski's anti-Semitic book "The Jews and the Talmud"; an outline of the history of the Jewish people, after the German of M. Elkan (Moscow, 1880; 2d ed., 1881); "Poslye Pogromov" (ib. 1882), on the anti-Jewish riots in Russia; and "Biblia Ob Utotrebleniye Vina" (ib. 1889), on the teaching of the Bible in regard to alcoholic beverages. Minor wrote articles for the Russian supplement to "Ha-Karmel" (1866, Nos. 11-25), and for "Yevreiskaya Biblioteka" (vol. iv.), and was a constant contributor to other Hebrew and Russian periodicals. He also corresponded with many of the prominent Maskilim of his time.
Sokolov, Sefer ha-Shanah, ii. 288, Warsaw, 1901;
Voskhod, 1900, No. 5;
Sistematitsheski Ukazatel, s.v.
H. R. J. G. L.


Over the last three decades, Vineyard Theatre has become the home for a vital new generation of American theatremakers, nurturing and premiering plays and musicals that have gone on to be seen all over the world. Our reach continues to broaden, and this past year we had the unique distinction of having four works that originated at The Vineyard cross the Atlantic and enjoy runs in London simultaneously. We hope you'll take a few minutes to watch David Hyde Pierce (THE LANDING), Tarell Alvin McCraney (WIG OUT!), and a few members of our Vineyard Theatre family talk about the gifts The Vineyard has offered them over the years.
This holiday season, we hope that you will keep in mind the many gifts that The Vineyard is able to offer New York audiences, artists and our community. As the year comes to a close, we ask you to consider making a tax-deductible contribution to Vineyard Theatre. The list below shows just a few ways that a gift from you can help The Vineyard continue its tradition of artistic gift-giving. Please, choose your gift. The Vineyard needs YOU!
From all of us at The Vineyard – thank you!
Interested in a bigger gift that keeps on giving? To discuss naming and underwriting opportunities, please contact Erica Mann at 212-353-3366 x227 or emann@vineyardtheatre.org.
Montana Levi Blanco, the "Daddy" costume designer, is the recipient of the Sam Norkin Award for his amazing work throughout this theatre season.


text:
NEWTONPROJEKT Haus 1, Berlin Adlershof
8172 / DE
Address 1 - street : Abram-Joffe-Straße 10,12 12489 BERLIN, Deutschland
Climate zone : [Dfb] Humid Continental Mild Summer, Wet All Year
6.68 kWhpe/m2.year
(Calculation method : DIN V 18599 )
NEWTONPROJEKT won the Energy & Temperate Climates Prize of the 2019 Green Solutions Awards at the Germany level + the international Energy & Temperate Climates Prize.
The project was conceived as a flagship project for innovative sustainable district development with an assembly and a joint plus energy concept in wood construction.
The three buildings have a significant reduction in CO2 emissions due to their high-quality passive house construction and their energy concept. It is assumed that the KfW Efficiency House 40 Plus standard will be surpassed in practice and a negative annual energy demand will be achieved. This means that the houses generate more energy than the inhabitants consume.
House 1 completes the settlement to the north. It consists of 13 plugged apartments between 50m2 and 150m2. To the street in the northeast are stairwells and adjoining rooms. In the southwest, to the courtyard side, there are the lounges and upstream conservatory. Flexibility in floor plan design was especially considered in the design process.
The mixed construction of solid reinforced concrete core and curtain-mounted wooden façade makes it possible to reduce the thickness of façades with high insulation requirements. The wooden windows have a triple glazing. The materials used on the façade are eco-friendly made of wood, the insulation made of cellulose and recyclable wood soft fiber.
- KlimaSchutzPartner des Jahres 2015 in the category "promising and innovative plans"
- EnEff "Gebäude.2050" 1st prize in the category "Ideas for trendsetting buildings and quarters"
Andrea Kroth
Name : Newtonprojekt GbR
Contact : Schwedter Str. 263, c/o Büro 1.0 10119, Berlin
Name : Deimel Oelschläger Architekten Partnerschaft
Contact : Wattstr.11-13,13355 Berlin, [email protected]
Function : Structures calculist
Lichtenau Himburg Tebarth Bauingenieure GmbH
Bismarckstraße 78 10627 Berlin, [email protected]
Structural design and building physics
pi Passau Ingenieure GmbH
Geysostr. 19 38106 Braunschweig , [email protected]
Haustechnikplanung
Dr. Ing. Gabriele Holst
Agricolastraße 3 10555 Berlin , [email protected]
Büro 1.0
Schwedter Str. 263, 10119 Berlin
Low-E Ingenieurgesellschaft für energieeffiziente Gebäude
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lars Kühl Am Exer 10, 38302 Wolfenbüttel
As a construction community NEWTONPROJEKT GbR, we realize the three multi-family houses in passive house standard with plus energy since May 2016 as a multi-generational community. Floor plans were flexible and customizable in the planning phase. As builders, we make all decisions democratically. Our project fits well into the emerging new residential district of the city of science Adlershof with many companies related to energy. Through our members we maintain professional, family and other connections in the city of science and the surrounding area.
With our concept of feeding solar heat as storage into the Adlershof district heating network and, if necessary, taking it back there, we are combining in an innovative way with the infrastructure and jointly shaping the climate-friendly energy future Garden and community are very important to us. The three residential buildings are grouped around a courtyard garden, which can be shared by all residents. All rainwater is discharged into the surface under a combination of superficial infiltration and trenches.
Adlershof Projekt GmbH plans to extend this plus energy concept to other future construction phases on the site in Adlershof. Housing is currently booming and many locations are being reopened. In the development of new urban neighborhoods and locations, there is an opportunity to build decentralized, energy-generating neighborhoods through integrated development already in the development and planning phase, to optimize self-consumption through integrated storage systems for electricity and heat, and to existing or new heating grids and facilities to use. In addition, the Newton project provides valuable preliminary work, which will be published with scientific evaluations ( DBU project, BMWi research ), implemented in real terms and can serve as an example .
The house 1 in the Newton project consists of 13 apartments between 50m2 and 150m2 living space. The floor plans were planned as plugged apartments. To the side of the road in the northeast, the side rooms and staircases are designed. In the southwest to the courtyard side each apartment receives an unheated conservatory. Flexibility in floor plan design was especially considered in the design process. With the aid of a switch room, the floor plans could be reduced or enlarged and small apartments could be joined together to form a large family apartment. Thus, the development of individual solutions according to the needs of the builders has been made possible.
Innovative facade system
An important point that brings a special public perception of the project, is the facade with a PV system. Great importance was attached to the creative integration of the PV modules in the building facades. Thanks to their flat substructure, the PV modules on the south façades could be integrated flush with the cleaned surface. In addition to the development of the technical basics in the planning, the challenge lay in the implementation of the PV system on a wooden facade in coordination with fire protection, building services and contractors as well as the technical optimization of the PV system and the selection of storage for the selected energy management system of the building complex.
Primary energy need : 6,68 kWhpe/m2.year
Calculation method : DIN V 18599
DHW heating 19 kWh / m²a
Heating 25 kWh / m²a
Ventilation 0,29 kWh / m²a
With a primary energy requirement of 7 kWh / (m². A) for house 1, the plus energy standard is thus almost completely achieved in terms of primary energy. In workshops with the builders, various energetic concepts were presented and discussed in terms of energy and economic aspects. As a result, the planning with photovoltaic was reduced to the south-oriented building facades, and implemented only on House 1.
Nevertheless, it is assumed that in practice almost a negative annual final energy demand will be achieved. A power-to-heat control also enables power to be fed into the heat supply system even if there is excess electricity from PV. A battery system allows an own power usage of more than 50%.
Exterior wall wood 0,118 W / m²K
Flat roof 0.094 W / m²K
Window 0.80 W / m²K
Building Compactness Coefficient : 5 133,00
Indicator : n50
Urban network
Combined Heat and Power
Aerotherm Heater
Nocturnal Over ventilation
Decentralized water heating
To further reduce energy consumption, legionella-free hot water stations have been installed in each apartment. As a result, the temperature of the central hot water preparation is lower and the energy losses are minimized.
Ventilation system with heat recovery
The decentralized ventilation systems with heat recovery provide the apartments with heat. Their controlled ventilation provides more than 80% heat recovery from the exhaust air. Additional radiators are only necessary in bathrooms. The supply and supply air is realized via the facades
heat supply
The heat is supplied by the in-house solar thermal system. The excess hot water is fed into the district heating network of the Blockheizkraftwerks-Träger- und Betreibergesellschaft mbH Berlin (AGFW certified 2013 in accordance with FW-309 with fp = 0.24) as part of a pilot project with return connection through the integration of a bidirectional heat transfer station.
A power-to-heat control also enables power to be fed into the heat supply system even if there is excess electricity from PV. The Energy Concept as Plus Energy The multi-family house incorporating the district heating network is unique in this form.
Use of a photovoltaic system
The two neighboring buildings form an energy network with house 1. On the roofs of houses 1 + 3, as well as on the facade of house 1, there are PV modules, on house 2 solar thermal. The energy gained from the PV system is distributed to all apartments via an internal network.
The performance is counted in the proof and simplified divided equally among all three houses. The present report assumes a grid feed-in of 79,000 kWh / a with a calculated total electricity requirement of 74,000 kWh / a. In the context of the following EnEV verification, it is assumed that approx. 68,000 kWh / a will be used.
GHG in use : 2,87 KgCO2/m2/year
EnEV calculation (2016)
Thanks to its high-quality and environmentally friendly construction, especially the façade, as well as its modern and efficient energy concept, the building has a reduction in CO2 emissions. With a value of 2.87 kg / (m2a), the CO2 emissions are 40%
Use of renewable raw materials The use of renewable and environmentally friendly raw materials has been implemented in the building envelope. The curtain wall is clad with an internal OSB panel and an externally recyclable soft-wood fiberboard and filled with cellulose. The windows are made of wood and with triple glazing. Dismantling and separation The curtain walls are wooden stud walls with recyclable wood fiber boards. The connection to the supporting structure takes place by means of mechanical measures that enable the dismantling of the elements.
The paved surfaces in the outer space are planned as drainable coverings and are designed as far as possible with wide joints. All rainwater is discharged into the subsurface in a combination of superficial infiltration and trenches. The open construction allows the gravel areas to be used as infiltration areas for the paved paths. The coverings are made in unbound construction, drainable material with wide joints is provided. As bedding is a sand / grit mixture, for
the base courses planned a mineral mixture.
The ventilation system allows the house to be completely heated with air. The passive house has a high level of comfort through the ventilation system , the constant exchange with fresh air. The apartments are all equipped with a simple regulation for the ventilation system (room thermostats and air quality sensors) and a Nachheizregister equipped for individual control.
Comfort through conservatory A special focus in terms of comfort was the unheated winter garden in the south facade. This serves as an energy buffer and as a living space extension. The floor-to-ceiling windows of the outer conservatory facade can be generously opened as a folding system in the wooden stud wall. The integration of the winter gardens in house 1 has positive effects on the annual heating requirement and the thermal comfort. Thermal comfort The exterior walls are thermally comfortable with triple glazing. The apartment partitions and ceilings were made of reinforced concrete and allow to store heat. exterior shutters As part of the research, the shading system of the conservatory facade was developed in various variants and discussed with the users. The result was an outdoor venetian blind, which allows both shading, glare protection and privacy and can be operated electronically. Exterior quality The design of semi-private semi-communal green spaces in multi-storey housing promotes our social cohesion and provides space for a variety of activities. The three residential buildings connect a common garden, which is designed as a social meeting place for the residents. Accessibility The house was designed barrier-free and adapted individually with the residents. There were floor level showers in the bathrooms.
Acoustic comfort :
The wood construction allows a high level of comfort in the acoustics of the rooms.
The PV modules asola VITRUM®
asola Technologies GmbH
Product category : Management / Others
asola manufactures the solar composite glass element "asola VITRUM Super" both in standard sizes and for custom applications according to the "Technical Guidelines for the Use of Suspended Glazing" (TRLV and TRPV). Depending on the type of façade, façade grid and building height, solar laminated glass elements can be integrated as cold façades or as warm façades in both existing and new buildings.
Solar cell technology: Monocrystalline
Rated power PMPP: 150 Wp
Module efficiency at STC: 13.9%
Rated voltage UMPP: 19.80 V
Energy concept LoW-E
Prof. Dr.-Ing. Lars Kühl, Am Exer 10, 38302 Wolfenbüttel
Low-E engineering company was involved in the project from the beginning as part of the integrative planning process.
As part of the planning phase, various approaches to care were developed and compared with one another. In addition to centralized solutions, decentralized solutions should also be considered. By integrating all those involved in planning, as well as the client and the user, all the levels of requirements for the execution and operation of the buildings are to be included in the planning.
As part of the concept development for the energy supply of the "Solar Plus Energy" development in Berlin Adlershof, a total of 6 different variants with regard to the provision of heat and electricity are being examined in the preliminary planning phase. The passive house standard of the buildings with the corresponding U-values and a maximum annual heating requirement of 15 kWh / (m²a) is set in all variants.
Further simulation tools were used for the development of control strategies as well as for the investigation of room concepts, climate buffers and different temperature zones within a dwelling.
LTS aeration and deaeration device TSL-150
Lufttechnik Schmeißer GmbH
Product category : HVAC / Ventilazione, Raffrescamento
Suitable for a nominal flow rate of 50-130m³ / h, the TSL-150 air handling unit offers a space-saving solution for housing as well as smaller family homes. The device is designed as a wall & ceiling device and disappears thanks to its size, in every small technical room.
Wooden facade with integrated PV modules
Deimel Oelschläger Architekten Partnerschaft
Product category : Opere strutturali / Struttura - Involucro - Finitura
In the southwest and southeast façade the wall construction was reduced to include the PV modules. In order to meet the technical and fire safety requirements, an external cement board was installed. The technical basis was developed by means of an expert opinion.
Great emphasis was placed on the creative integration of the PV modules in the building facades.
The PV modules form a level with the cleaned surface and are largely integrated in the façade level.
Winter garden as a climate buffer
Deimel Oelschläger Architekten und Low-E Ingenieurgesellschaft für energieeffiziente Gebäude
Product category : Opere strutturali / Sistema passivo
The winter gardens are being developed as so-called "additional rooms". Due to the solar radiation and the outflow of heat from the building, it is assumed that the rooms are frost-free even during the winter period and can therefore be used most of the year. Energetically, they can be considered as buffer spaces. The thermal behavior and the resulting operating room temperatures are investigated by a thermal simulation.
In particular, the influence of conservatories on the annual heating demand is the subject of the investigation. In terms of construction, the conservatories should be designed with 2-fold WSV glazing with a U-value of 1.1 W / (m²K).
This version as a double EnEV façade is the result of a study on the cost optimization of the facades in relation to the requirement for frost-free and energy buffer. The conservatories should be run unheated.
Research project "High Tech Low-EEx Energy Efficiency Berlin Adlershof 2020"
BTB Berlin und TU Dresden
[email protected]tu-dresden.de
Product category : Management / Facility management
Three investors are currently involved in the innovative "Living on Campus" pilot project: two large Berlin housing associations and one subassembly. All have installed solar thermal systems on the roofs of their buildings. The quarter is located not far away from the cogeneration plant Adlershof. The BTB's modern cogeneration plant is powered by natural gas and feeds the heat, which is generated by 90% in cogeneration, into a network that goes far beyond Adlershof, which also supplies the newly connected residential district.
The TU Dresden scientifically accompanies the pilot project "Niedertemperaturnetz" over two heating periods and evaluates the results.
Common research contents of the NEWTONPROJEKTS with the BTB are:
• Utilization of renewable energies via utility grids during off-peak hours
• Organization and operation of "intelligent house stations" for the storage and withdrawal of heat in the internal and public supply network.
• Development of strategies for the organization of dynamic heat extraction costs / feed-in tariffs as a function of temperature / exergy level and load level in the grid (summer / winter, outside temperature level) .Heat in the internal and public supply network
Additional information on costs :
Total construction costs net: KG 200-700 (n.DIN 276)
With their coordinated facades and color concept, the three four-storey buildings form a uniformly designed ensemble in the new residential area in Adlershof. The shared green courtyard contributes to the improvement of the environmental microclimate and the partial facade and green roofs.
Land plot area : 2 874,00 m2
An underground car park with 17 parking spaces is equipped for electromobility. 110 bicycle parking spaces are located in the basement and in the yard.
ECOLOGICAL CONCEPT
✔ Fulfillment of the plus-energy standard , the planning of the building technology takes place under application of a KfW-Effizienzhaus 40 Plus standard and fulfills the Plus package. It is assumed that in practice, almost a negative annual final energy requirement is achieved.
✔ Reduction of CO2 emissions
✔ Implementation of renewable resources implemented in the building envelope.
✔ Use of a photovoltaic system and battery storage . The battery system allows the use of more than 50% electric current .
✔ The heat is supplied by the in-house solar thermal system . Surpluses are fed into the district heating network. ✔ Decentralized water heating to further reduce energy consumption.
✔ Rainwater infiltration. All rainwater is in a combination of superficial infiltration and trenches.
ECONOMIC CONCEPT
✔ Low operating costs due to the high and future-oriented construction quality of the project.
✔ Resource optimization in the planning phase. The facade elements could be carried out non-supporting due to the Schottenbauweise in order to reduce their overall strength.
✔ The future adaptability of the apartments was considered in the floor plan design.
Achitecture / DESIGN
✔ Development of individual solutions according to the needs of the clients.
✔ Innovative façade system through the integration of PV modules in the façade.
PROCESS QUALITY
✔ Integrative planning approach implemented together with builders, 3 architects' offices and specialist engineers and integrated into a research project of the DBU.
Energie & gemäßigtes Klima
Laura Fernandez


We know how hard it is to find a professional construction company in London, with years of experience in this field and team of qualified workers in various fields.
We have worked hard to build our reputation and it took years and hundreds of projects to get where we are.
Now we take pride in our extensive portfolio of projects that we have and the rich list of satisfied customers.
We do not compromise on quality and we do not hire random men to do the work.
We finalize all timelines and specifications with the client in a clearly written contract, we will explain how we invoice the client and we offer guarantee for our work.
We have all the needed insurances in place, as well as stringent safety and health procedures.
Our team includes only the best contractors and people in London and it is our job to make sure that they give you their best performance.
We offer services that are tailored according to the client's needs, at prices that beat the market.
We provide a variety of services ranging from house, flat, office and shop refurbishment, loft conversion, extensions, HVAC, gas work, water and electrical installations to building a house from scratch.
We offer a free estimate and quote on the onset and offer our professional opinion on how the project should be done to add value to your home.
We always respect our timeline, providing realistic start and finish dates.
We will take care of each project from A to Z, buying all the needed materials, installing kitchens, bathrooms and flooring and doing all the needed installations, always leaving the place clean.
What makes us stand out among competition is that we have a highly skilled team of contractors who work professionally and responsibly, ensuring that your home is secure, safe and it looks the way you want.
All the workers are trained in health and safety procedures, we carry liability insurance, professional indemnity insurance and public liability insurance.
We also accept breakdown of payments at different stages of the project so that you can control and manage your finances.
We believe in transparent and clean pricing, so you will not have unpleasant surprises such as hidden costs that are revealed at the end of the project.
We offer invoice for each payment and we work only based on a written contract between us and the client.
We also give our clients pictures at the end of the projects with all the steps of the process (the start of the project, during the project and at the end).
Over the years we have managed to bring together an exceptional team of construction and refurbishment specialists, who work in London in the following areas: Chelsea SW3, Nothing Hill W1, Hammersmith W6, W8, Shepherd's Bush W12, Holland Park W11, Richmond TW10, Kingston Upon, Battersea SW11, Earls Court SW5, Fulham SW6, Knightsbridge SW7, Ealing W5, West Brompton SW10, Putney SW15, Wimbledon SW19, Walthamstow E17, Camden Town-Regent Park NW1, Hampstead, Swiss Cottage NW3, Covent Garden WC2A, Mile End, Stepney, Whitechapel E1, Moorgate, Liverpool Street EC2A, but also in other areas or outside London depending on the type of project. We are open to new partnerships with architects, investors and real estate agencies from London, for long term collaborations with benefits for both sides.


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        <id column="id" property="id" jdbcType="BIGINT"/>
        <result column="username" property="username" jdbcType="VARCHAR" />
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        <result column="sex" property="sex" jdbcType="VARCHAR" />
        <result column="mobile" property="mobile" jdbcType="VARCHAR" />
        <result column="email" property="email" jdbcType="VARCHAR" />
        <result column="avatar" property="avatar" jdbcType="VARCHAR" />
        <result column="status" property="status" jdbcType="TINYINT" />
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        SELECT * FROM person WHERE username = #{username}
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        SELECT * FROM person
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
package com.example.pearlleff.pulse;

import android.support.v7.widget.RecyclerView;
import android.view.LayoutInflater;
import android.view.View;
import android.view.ViewGroup;
import android.widget.TextView;

/**
 * Created by avigailfohrman on 2/14/16.
 */
public class MissingPeopleListAdapter extends RecyclerView.Adapter<MissingPeopleListAdapter.ViewHolder> {
    private String[] mDataset;

    // Provide a reference to the views for each data item
    // Complex data items may need more than one view per item, and
    // you provide access to all the views for a data item in a view holder
    public static class ViewHolder extends RecyclerView.ViewHolder {
        // each data item is just a string in this case
        public TextView mTextView;
        public ViewHolder(TextView v) {
            super(v);
            mTextView = v;
        }
    }

    // Provide a suitable constructor (depends on the kind of dataset)
    public MissingPeopleListAdapter(String[] myDataset) {
        mDataset = myDataset;
    }

    // Create new views (invoked by the layout manager)
    @Override
    public MissingPeopleListAdapter.ViewHolder onCreateViewHolder(ViewGroup parent,
                                                   int viewType) {
        // create a new view
        View view = LayoutInflater.from(parent.getContext())
                .inflate(R.layout.content_choose_party, parent, false);
        // TODO: set the view's size, margins, paddings and layout parameters

        ViewHolder vh = new ViewHolder((TextView) view);
        return vh;
    }

    // Replace the contents of a view (invoked by the layout manager)
    @Override
    public void onBindViewHolder(ViewHolder holder, int position) {
        // - get element from your dataset at this position
        // - replace the contents of the view with that element
        holder.mTextView.setText(mDataset[position]);

    }

    // Return the size of your dataset (invoked by the layout manager)
    @Override
    public int getItemCount() {
        return mDataset.length;
    }
}


Lawrence Runge is a technology consultant with the Deer Park Group. Larry has significant experience in engineering and technology industries along with commercial leasing and credit. Larry's has successfully led a number of large complex projects resulting in the innovative application of technology to solve business problems. He has eight years of experience at the CIO level and has managed mid to large IT organizations.
Previously Larry was the Chief Information Officer and VP of Information Technology at Wheels Inc., a vehicle leasing and credit organization. At Wheels Larry redesigned and aligned IT and business processes and replaced an aging technology infrastructure. Key to Wheels long term strategy was the development of a B2B and B2C e-Commerce systems that drove a 50% increase in revenue while reducing administrative expenses by 30%.
Prior to Wheels Inc., Larry held technology and leadership positions at General Electric, delivering a wide variety of critical business applications including Spacecraft Operations business support, ERP, CRM, Executive Information Systems and others. As a director in GE Capital, Larry led an advanced systems technology group that fundamentally changed the way commercial vehicle fleets were serviced in the industry. Larry has played a key role in the successful reengineering of all information technology systems at three companies and is practiced with advanced risk mitigation techniques. He has managed several technical development and remediation projects using offshore resources and has worked extensively in Europe with technology organizations in the leasing and lending arenas.
Larry is a published author of Management and Information and Technology topics for publications including CIO Magazine, InformationWeek, ComputerWorld and Software Development magazine. He is a featured speaker at national and international IT conferences including the European Open Software Foundation, the World I/T Congress, the Society of Information Managers, Fleet Expo and Boston University. He has been quoted by Fortune, Forbes and CFO Magazine.


The government's draft value-added tax (VAT) legislation needs "substantial" changes, New Zealand VAT expert Don Brash said yesterday.
Brash, of Brash Consultancy Services, said a major issue that should be revised is the "huge" list of exemptions included in the draft bill.
He said fellow New Zealand VAT expert John Shewan has listed 15 to 20 points that the government can improve on along with examples from New Zealand's VAT laws. The suggestions are included in the experts' report that was given to the government.
He explained that a VAT system with a lot of exemptions makes the tax "vastly more complicated".


text:
Cavaliers pound Bulls 115-92
BY STONE LEXINGTON
CAVALIERS BEAT WRITER
(CLEVELAND, OH) - Entering Wednesday night riding a two-game losing streak, the Cleveland Cavaliers hosted a depleted Chicago Bulls team that entered the day with the second-best record in the Eastern Conference. Looking to stay above .500 and snap their losing skid, the Cavs took advantage of Chicago's shortened roster.
In the first of four matchups with Chicago this season, the Cavs hammered the Bulls 115-92 in Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, snapping Chicago's four-game winning streak in the process.
"We really wanted to get this one one done," Cavs head coach J.B. Bickerstaff said. "Our team goes how our defense goes, so our guys know if we want to do the job, we got to be great on that end of the floor. They went out and committed to it. I thought we did a tremendous job guarding two elite players and making them work for everything."
Chicago (17-9) was without several key players, including DeMar DeRozan, who ranks fourth in the league in scoring (26.4 ppg) this season. DeRozan, Javonte Green, Matt Thomas and Coby White all missed the contest against Cleveland, as they were placed in the NBA's health and safety protocols. Alex Caruso and Patrick Williams also missed the game due to injury, allowing the Cavs (14-12) to jump out to a healthy lead early and never look back.
When Chicago's second-leading scorer, Zach LaVine, sank a turnaround jump shot with 2:41 remaining in the first quarter, the Bulls had a 21-20 lead. From that point forward, Chicago never led again.
The Cavs led 29-24 when the first quarter ended and led by as many as 13 points in the second quarter before taking a 52-43 lead into halftime. The third quarter, though, is where the Cavs blew the game open.
Cleveland opened the third quarter with a 13-8 run, capped by a Lauri Markkanen three-pointer that gave the Cavs a 65-51 lead. Roughly a minute later, Bulls head coach Billy Donovan's frustration began to show, as he received a technical foul for something he said to the referee. When Cavs power forward Kevin Love drained a three-pointer with 3:58 remaining in the third quarter, Cleveland took its biggest lead of the night to that point, 78-56, and cruised the rest of the way.
"It was a great win for us, I didn't even think about it that way," Markkanen said about facing the team he played four seasons for before joining the Cavs this season. "I think we just needed to cut the losing streak. That was our mindset, and we were able to get it done."
Darius Garland led Cleveland with a game-high 24 points and six assists, while rookie power forward Evan Mobley added 16 points and nine rebounds. Jarrett Allen recorded his eighth double-double in the last nine games, finishing with 13 points, 12 rebounds and four assists against Chicago. Markkanen (14 points), Love (11 points, five rebounds) and Ricky Rubio (11 points, nine assists) also reached double figures in scoring.
"We played well as a team, and that's who we are," Bickerstaff said. "If we're going to be successful, we're going to have to do it as a unit. The guys know that and they bought into it, and they do it together and it's every single night. We don't have the problems of individuals trying to do more. We got a bunch of guys who are bought in and doing it for each other. That's been consistent for us."
Leading 104-80 with 4:43 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Cavs emptied the bench and called off the dogs. The 23-point win over Chicago was the second-largest margin of victory for the Cavs this season (26-point win against Miami on Dec. 1).
LaVine, who entered the game averaging 25.9 points per game this season, totaled 23 points and nine assists. Lonzo Ball chipped-in 19 points and seven assists, while Bulls center Nikola Vucevic finished with 18 points and 12 rebounds.
"That's who Isaac has to be," Bickerstaff said about second-year shooting guard Isaac Okoro helping in the effort to hold LaVine below his season scoring average. "Our guys talk about the junkyard dog and that mentality, and that's who Isaac has to be. He's got to out-scrap everybody, he's got to outwork everybody and those effort, energy plays on the defensive end, naturally now guys are looking for him running and want to reward him."
The Cavs next contest will be in Minnesota against the Timberwolves on Friday at 8 pm.
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POSTED 12/08/2021 22:43
Home Community Information Editorial News Archives Sports
Lake County Sentinel
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Cavaliers end skid, taking the Magic out of Orlando 105-92 - 11-27-2021
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Drummond led Cavaliers fall to Pacers 113-104 - 02-29-2020
Cavaliers easily take down Sixers 108-94 - 02-26-2020
Cavaliers comeback to stun Heat in overtime 125-119 - 02-24-2020
Cavaliers end skid, ground Hawks 127-105 - 02-12-2020
Cavaliers suffer worse home loss ever with 133-92 drubbing by Clippers - 02-09-2020
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Cavaliers lose tenth straight at home, humiliated by Warriors 131-112 - 02-01-2020
Cavaliers fight hard, but fall to Raptors 115-109 - 01-30-2020
Cavaliers and fans pay tribute to Kobe, fall to Pelicans 125-111 - 01-28-2020
Cavaliers mauled by Bulls 118-106 - 01-25-2020
Cavaliers lose sixth straight falling to Wizards 124-112 - 01-23-2020
Cavaliers embarrassed by Knicks 106-86 - 01-20-2020
Shorthanded Cavaliers falter late in 115-113 loss to Pistons - 01-07-2020
Cavaliers comeback falls well short in 118-103 loss to Timberwolves - 01-05-2019
Cavaliers can't keep up with Oklahoma City in 121-106 loss - 01-04-2020
Cavaliers lose heart breaker to Hornets 109-106 - 01-02-2020
Cavaliers run win streak to three with 121-118 win over Atlanta - 12-23-2019
Cavaliers maul Grizzlies 114-107 - 12-20-2019
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Cavaliers pounded by Sixers 114-95 - 11-17-2019
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Young Cavaliers drop opener to Magic 94-85 - 10-23-2019


text:
import logging

from email_actions.config import get_filter_list, get_filter_rules,\
  get_actions_list
from email_actions.plugins import entry_funcs

class Filter():

  filters_list = []
  actions = {}

  def __init__(self):
    self.filters_list = get_filter_list()
    self._generate_actions_list()

  def _generate_actions_list(self):
    self.actions = entry_funcs

  '''
  Match the given input to the rules specified in config. It returns True
  unless any of the rules mismatch.
  '''
  def _match_rules(self, rules, msg_from, msg_to, msg_subject, msg_content):
    match_result = True
    for rule in rules.keys():
      rule_ignored = False
      if str.lower(rule) == 'to':
        if rules[rule] != msg_to:
          logging.debug('Rule being compared to %s' % (msg_to))
          match_result = False
      else:
        rule_ignored = True
        logging.warning('Ignoring unsupported rule %s' % (rule))

      if not rule_ignored:
        if match_result:
          logging.debug('Rule matched \'%s\': \'%s\'' % (rule, rules[rule]))
        else:
          logging.debug('Rule failed \'%s\': \'%s\'' % (rule, rules[rule]))
          break
    return match_result

  def filter(self, msg_from, msg_to, msg_subject, msg_content):
    logging.debug("Received message from %s" % (msg_from))
    for filter_name in self.filters_list:
      rules = get_filter_rules(filter_name)
      if self._match_rules(rules, msg_from, msg_to, msg_subject, msg_content):
        actions_list = get_actions_list(filter_name)
        for action in actions_list:
          logging.debug('Running action %s for filter %s' %
                        (action, filter_name))
          if action in self.actions:
            self.actions[action](filter_name, msg_from, msg_to, msg_subject,
                                 msg_content)
          else:
            logging.warning('Unsupported Action %s specified for Filter %s' %
                            (action, filter_name))


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The Xbox 360 has become a treasure trove of small independent game development through it's XNA based Indie Marketplace. I call it a treasure trove because most of the good stuff is hidden beneath Minecraft clones, massagers and clock apps.
That being said, there are a host of great developers that have brought great games to the market consistently. Seeing as these developers have to struggle in a sea of games that are dubious in quality, knowing the name of a developer you can rely on is a blessing. I figured the best way to draw attention to these developers is to drum up a list of them, so the readers can double check to see what they are missing from their game collection.
If you haven't tried at least one of these indie games from these developers, you are doing it wrong.
Who: James Silva was an early rock star of the Xbox indie development scene when he won the 2007 Dream Build Play contest with his hit The Dishwasher: Dead Samurai. Microsoft published the game for the Xbox 360 and the once former PC developer has been making XNA titles ever since.
This twin stick shooter didn't revolutionize the genre. Geometry Wars did that. This however is a lot cheaper than Geometry Wars and is just as fun. By adding a really fun song and some creative changes to the background, Ska Studios made one of the must have indie titles on the Xbox market.
Who: Arkedo was one of the earliest developers on the Indie Games market that had a quality you could see. They had mild success early on with Nintendo DS titles like Big Bang Mini and Nervous Breakdown before jumping to Xbox with their trilogy of titles. Their talents have moved them beyond the indie games market, but their trilogy remains as a must have download.
Personal Favorite: Arkedo Series 02: Swap!
It's still hard to find a good looking puzzle game on the indie games market today. Not many people give Swap! a chance over the Jump! and Pixel! games because of this, but it is a much better puzzler than most of the XBLA titles on the market. This is woefully overlooked by many.
Future Projects: Arkedo is getting ready to launch their XBLA debut title Hell Yeah! Curse of the Wererabbit with their publisher Sega.
Who: Adam Spragg Games is a company that does nothing to hide what it is. It is Adam Spragg creating games. Adam is simply a hobbyist crafting and creating for his own personal enjoyment. What he has turned out is a series of surprisingly unique games on the market. We have a full interview with the developer here for those more curious.
Unfortunately, we still can't play Spy Party. That's fine though as Hidden in Plain Sight is an excellent title to bring out with your friends. It is a brilliant form of human interaction and is a must for anybody that has 2nd, 3rd or 4th players in their lives. By offering a handful of different challenges, Hidden in Plain Sight tasks you to find the other players without revealing yourself. It's a brilliant concept and the most unique game on the system. If you were ever interested in Spy Party, Hidden in Plain Sight is a must.
Future Projects: Due to the hobbyist nature of Adam's development, his projects begin and finish when he gets a creative itch. "Game development is a hobby, and if I'm not feeling it, I don't force it," Adam said. He is still making adjustments on Hidden in Plain Sight with a new update having released recently.
Who: Fun Infused Games is an interesting developer. The company is essentially just Kris Steele, a web app developer by day and game creator by night. His games on the system are all different from each other, yet he still seems to show a growth in his development over time.
Hypership Still Out of Control!
Volchaos and Hypership were both running neck and neck, but ultimately the challenge platformer won out. Volchaos is a bit like Super Meat Boy but without all the wall clinging. It's as much fun as it is difficult and well worth the $1 dropped on it.
Future Projects: Currently Fun Infused Games is working on porting their projects to new markets. Abduction Action! is coming to Windows Phone 7 and Volchaos is coming to PC. Fun Infused is also working on a sequel to Nasty and a new property called World of Chalk for PC.
Who: 8 Bit Fanatics II is a Japanese developer that designs primarily with an 8 bit aesthetic. Starting off with a doujin clone of Takeshi's Challenge, the developer wosa then followed up with two freeware games before finally dipping in to XBLIG development.
With only two titles on the list many would question there inclusion on here and that's understandable. Those two titles are exceptional in both their unique presentation and gameplay. Tempura of the Dead is my personal favorite as Aban Hawkins is essentially an excuse to fling controllers at walls. Tempura's unique take on platforming with crazy story telling and an interesting in game character swapping mechanic makes it a great game to play through.
Future Projects: My Japanese reading skills are non-existent so I only know the bare basics for 8 Bits Fanatics II. All I know is that they are looking towards 3D porting some of their games for the 3DS and maybe Wii U. I do know that their most recent project was an April Fool's game called Kikori no Saga II "Yggdra Cutter." It resembles an early MSX title.
Who: Radiangames' Luke Schneider has been making games with one goal in mind. Make good games quickly. His output and creativity in the market has been fantastic as a shmup creator. His unique takes on established genres has made quite a few excellent standouts on an already impressive resume.
Fireball is a simple game where you as a lone ball of flames must run from waves of bubbles looking to snuff you out. You must then spark exploding orbs to pop the bubble assailants. It's a simple game that is fun to play again and again. I would recommend every game on this list, but Fireball is my favorite.
Future Projects: Currently the developer is working on iOS development to reach a newer market. His focus now is on making bigger games which have proven to be more successful for him. He just recently released Inferno+ on the iOS marketplace.
Who: Ian Stocker began as an audio contractor for handheld titles like Spore. After nearly a decade of work for others in the business, he branched out and started work on Soul Caster. A quick mention from the Penny Arcade guys and he has become one of the breakout stars of the XBLIG scene.
As amazing as Escape Goat is in design, Soul Caster is simply brilliant for me. Taking the established tower defense formula and transplanting it inside of a Gauntlet like setting really was something that knocked me over. One of my earliest games was Gauntlet and to see it in this new light was exhilarating. It is a great series from a talented developer.
Future Projects: Escape Goat was just recently ported to PC, debuting in the Indie Royale bundle.
Who: Miguel Herrero Obeso and Alejandro González Fiel make for a surprisingly good development studio. Milkstone is like a combination of the high output we see from Radiangames and the diversity we see from Fun Infused. These Spanish developers originally started with 3D software development before creating their first hobby project Little Racers. After the games success, they just continued further creating a laundry list of titles.
Little Racers Street is such an unbelievable improvement over its predecessor which really shows you where this studio has gone since it started. Tons of options, great mechanics and a really great look to the game makes for one of the best buys on Xbox.
Future Projects: Their most recent release was in April with Firing Range 2, so Milkstone is mostly working on gameplay updates right now. Currently plans for an Avatar Farm update is in the works.
Who: Mommy's Best Games was founded under Nathan Fouts. Fouts' resume includes titles like Postal² and a few Insomniac titles like Resistance and Ratchet and Clank. His expertise lies in the shooter variety and it shows through his work.
While I'm not the biggest run and gun or even shmup fan out there, I can appreciate a good idea. Shoot 1up is brilliant. The method of implementing collapsible ships does a lot to add to strategy and variation of attack between each session. It's a really smart idea that makes for one of the best shmups on Xbox 360.
Future Projects: Currently the developer is working on porting the PC title Serious Sam Double D to XBLA. Afterwards Mommy's Best Games will be finishing their work on Grapple Buggy. Fouts has expressed interest in bringing their "5 Button Competition" winning title Porkerpillar to XBLIG. Currently, their is no announcement on that.
Who: Robert Boyd began on the marketplace with a pair of humerous text adventures that didn't really make a splash on the market. Soon after he paired up with Bill Steirnberg and Zeboyd was founded with the intention of making RPGs in a classic style with an emphasis on humor. Breath of Death VII came out and was a hit, making Zeboyd one of the freshest faces in RPG development.
Super hard castle dungeon aside, Breath of Death VII was a breath of fresh air for this genre of gaming. Console RPGs have been a bit disappointing compared to prior generations and this just really showed up out of nowhere with its focus on humor and emphasis on battles over dungeon diving. It isn't an overly long or complicated journey, but I found it to be quite a fun one.
Future Projects: By far there biggest undertaking to date, Zeboyd will be releasing Penny Arcade's 3rd episode of On the Rain-Slick Precipice of Darkness on June 25th.
This is just a small sampling of some of the talent that is available on the Xbox Live Indie Games marketplace. These are the ones you should know. There are plenty of others developers like Eyehook Games that are coming up the ladder by making some pretty interesting titles.
Gems are buried throughout the numerous titles buried under the Indie Games tab. These developers should act as your starting point for breaking in to the market.


text:
The Children's Theatre Partnership and Royal and Derngate with Nottingham Playhouse
Royal and Derngate, Northampton
24 January – 1 February 2020
Joëlle Brabban (Magnet), Harold Addo (X-Ray), Henry Mettle (Armpit), Leona Allen (Zero), and James Backway (Stanley) Credit: Manuel Harlan
The cast of Holes Credit: Manuel Harlan
Jeremy Cobb, Ashley D Gayle Credit: Manuel Harlan
Elizabeth Twells (Sarah Miller), Ashley D Gayle (Sam) Credit: Manuel Harlan
James Backway (Stanley), Leona Allen (Zero) Credit: Manuel Harlan
If you've read Louis Sachar's 1998 novel Holes, winner of the Newbery Medal and worthy fixture on reading lists at secondary school upwards, then my advice is to try and forget it to fully appreciate the stage play.
Sachar has adapted his own bleak novel for the stage and, following its initial run at Nottingham Playhouse in 2018, Adam Penford returns to direct this production with The Children's Theatre Partnership and Northampton's Royal and Derngate. After Northampton, it heads off on tour to a clutch of other venues around England with further dates and casting to be announced.
Based on Sachar's quirky, rather dark story, this production is aimed at a family audience aged eight years and upwards and goes for a fast pace and laughs, and worth bearing in mind it was meant to appeal to the Playhouse's panto audience.
Unlucky Stanley Yelnats (James Backway) always seems to be in the wrong place at the wrong time and, following a trainers-related misunderstanding, is sent to Green Lake Camp, a correctional facility for young teen boys in the heat of America's Deep South.
Stanley does his best to get along with a motley crew of camp mates: X-Ray (Harold Addo), Magnet (Joëlle Brabban), Armpit (Henry Mettle) and Zero (Leona Allen). In turn, the boys do their best to survive the twisted demands of camp warden Linda Walker (Rhona Croker). As part of their rehabilitation, every boy must spend every day of the week digging holes in the desert, 5ft by 5ft. A seemingly pointless exercise until we discover Walker is getting the boys to find the fortune she believes is buried out in the desert. It's a complex story, but Stanley's relatives—beginning with his "no-good-dirty-rotten-pig-stealing-great-great-grandfather" Stanley and Kissin' Kate Barlow—had beef with Walker's ancestors, setting them all on a path to a climatic showdown at Green Lake Camp between Stanley and the boys at the camp and the evil adults in charge.
Where the book highlights the desperate futility of digging holes in the hot sun, the sweat, blisters and physical effort, the cruelty of adults abusing children for their own financial end and the pain of the boys' own lives, the stage production is more cartoonish, with a focus on storytelling and playing for laughs. Unfortunately, this comes at the expense of character development and tension, and the dialogue at times is too expositional.
That said, as a theatrical experience, it is rich in creative tricks and touches and certainly moves the story along at a galloping pace. Matthew Forbes's puppetry designs are clever, and the flashback scenes add warmth and humanity, including a rousing hoe-down and Stanley's father's explosively unsuccessful inventions.
Simon Kenny's design is sparse but effective, with a far-off horizon visible through a slash in the sky. Prema Mehta's lighting helps to invoke the heat of the desert, and the scene with Zero and Stanley on top of the mountain at night, lights glowing from flickering flames in jars, is stunning.
The relationship which develops between Zero and Stanley is touching, and Allen does a great job in drawing out sympathy and engagement for the enigmatic Zero—the character with the fewest words is most interesting here.
It's not all larks and laughs though, and the scene where racism is confronted is handled well, its message clear without the need for explanation.
As a performance for families, this is good entertainment but don't go expecting to relive the mood of the book (like I did).
Reviewer: Sally Jack


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