text:
Emerald is the bluish green to green variety of beryl, a mineral species that includes aquamarine.
Emerald Description
Emerald is the green to greenish blue variety of beryl, a mineral species that also includes aquamarine as well as beryls in other colors.
Gem experts differ on the degree of green that makes one stone an emerald and another stone a less-expensive green beryl. Some people in the trade tend to give the name emerald to any green beryl colored by chromium. But to most gemologists, gemological laboratories, and colored stone dealers, it is more correct to call a stone green beryl when its color is "too light" for it to be classified as emerald. Even among that group, however, there's a difference of opinion about what's considered "too light."
GIA uses lab-graded comparison stones to determine if the green color is dark enough and saturated enough to be called emerald.
BIRTHSTONES & ANNIVERSARIES
As the gem of spring, emerald is the perfect choice as the birthstone for the month of May. It's also the gem of the twentieth and thirty-fifth wedding anniversaries.
WHY WE LOVE THIS GEMSTONE
THREE-PHASE INCLUSIONS: Three-phase inclusions in Colombian emeralds contain tiny crystals of rock salt, liquid, and a bubble of gas.
HEXAGONAL CRYSTALS: The best emerald crystals are gorgeous flat-topped green hexagonal columns that are as beautiful as faceted stones.
ANCIENT EGYPT: The first known emerald mines were in Egypt. It is believed that these mines were worked as early as 3500BC.
MINERAL: Beryl
CHEMISTRY: Be3Al2Si6O18
COLOR: Vibrant green
REFRACTIVE INDEX: 1.577 to 1.583
BIREFRINGENCE: 0.005 to 0.009
MOHS HARDNESS: 7.5 to 8
Back to Gems Info


Under the general supervision of the Financial Analyst of Housing Services, the Business Services Coordinator is responsible for financial operations, accounting, reporting, and operational support for Conference Services and the Ticketing Office. This includes an administrative budget of $975,000, summer conference revenue of over 4 million dollars, and activity in 100 plus separate ledger accounts. Additionally, this position will be responsible for sub-cashiering activities (deposits and ledger transfers), office administration, guest housing, ticketing office reconciliation, web registration transactions and reporting related to both conference and ticketing offices. During the off season for Conference Services this position will also assist with projects and tasks related to other Housing Services departmental needs. Such as, processing forms, gathering financial data and completing financial transactions as needed.
The Housing Services unit of Colleges, Housing and Educational Services (CHES) provides direct service and programs to 1,100 residents in six Associated Residential Community Housing (ARCH) communities which support single students and students with families. The unit provides comprehensive facilities support to the ten residential colleges, dining services facilities and the ARCH communities. The unit provides numerous other services supporting the campus-wide housing program, including Facilities operations for all of housing and dining, Student Housing Services (Contracts, Marketing and Communication for over 7,900 student bed spaces that generate over $80 million in auxiliary income annually), Diversity and Inclusion Program, and Community Safety Program, as well as off-campus student housing support and summer conference operations.
Conference Services provides the ongoing management of the UC Santa Cruz Ticketing Operation including vendor management, training, accounting, show website development, equipment rentals, fielding of public calls and email questions and onsite support, when the show producer is unable to do so.
Demonstrated experience and strong knowledge of financial accounting principles, policies, procedures and systems.
Experience in processing financial transactions, such as credit card payments, cashiering, preparing financial deposits, financial analysis and reporting.
Knowledge of fiscal control and inventory management skills.
Demonstrated ability to gather retrievable information to organize, and perform basic financial analysis assignments.
Skill and experience in the use of computer applications, including the ability to create and use complex financial spreadsheets, databases, word processing, PowerPoint, e-mail, and web based applications.
Current work site is UCSC Scotts Valley Center at 100 Enterprise Way Scotts Valley, CA.
Some travel between the main campus and other off campus workplaces will be required.


Dr. Sandaya Singh is a Board Certified Radiologist by the American Board of Radiology. She received her MD degree from medical college, University of Bombay, in 1992.
Dr. Singh performed her internship at The New York Flushing Hospital Medical Center in Flushing, NY, her radiology residency at Stony Brook School of Medicine in Stony Brook, NY and fellowship in Body Imaging at Memorial-Sloan Kettering Center in New York, NY.
Dr. Singh joined the practice in 2017.


text:
Ali Terai
Overcoming a Fear - Stand Up Comedy.
It's a Sunday night and I'm watching Netflix. Dave Chapelle has just dropped two stand up comedy specials.
During a recent trip in New York, I visited the Comedy Cellar and heard stories about how Chapelle would rock up and test his material for 6-8 hours at a time, joint in hand. A true master of his craft.
While watching the special, I couldn't stop admiring the talent of these comedians, how confident they were, how scary the craft is and how difficult it must be to make people laugh consistently.
I turned to my wife Chantelle and asked "should I give stand-up a crack". She laughed and replied "why would you, I've literally never heard you tell a joke!"
We both agreed that pursuing stand up was a stupid idea and just for good measure Chantelle reminded me that she was the funny one in our relationship (which she most definitely is) 😂.
This was someone else's adventure, I would give it a miss.
A few weeks passed and I watched a few more Netflix specials, awestruck by the talent of these masters. But something was different. Every time I watched a special I felt a little dirty, because I was now admiring something that I was too scared to try myself.
So, I started thinking - how does one get into stand-up comedy? Is it purely based on natural ability, on being a 'funny person', or is it something that can be learnt?
A quick Google search later I found a crew in Melbourne called The School of Hard Knock Knocks who taught stand-up via an intensive four day workshop. They take students from beginner to writing a 5-minute set, which was then performed in front of a live audience.
Reading the course description give me sweaty palms. It seemed crazy that after four days students would be performing a 5-minute set in front of a hundred people. Talk about jumping into the deep end.
This workshop was one of the scariest things I could think of, it was so far outside my comfort zone. However, if I really wanted to get a taste of what it was like to be a comedian, this seemed like the most direct route.
"I'll think about it...", I thought to myself.
A few weeks passed. I kept following the site, trying to build up the courage to sign up. Finally I sent the team an email asking for a discount which I secretly hoped they would decline, which they did.
Bullet dodged.
Another few weeks went by and I received an email saying there was still early bird registration left for the upcoming workshop, if I wanted it.
I didn't want it 😂. But if I said no to this offer, this chapter was likely over and deep down I would know that I didn't have the courage to overcome my fear.
The date of the workshop approached, I considered calling in sick or postponing but I had recently made a promise to myself that I would commit to doing what I said I would do.
The class commenced. Fear clearly claimed a couple in the class who bailed or were no shows.
We were from all walks of life, scared shitless, inexperienced and unsure what was about to hit us.
We were all about to enter a world where the stakes were high.
The goal of comedy is to make the audience laugh - it's binary. There is no 'one size fits all' method to do this and success is black and white. Success is based on one metric, the audience laughs (success) or they don't (fail).
When the audience doesn't laugh, it hurts. The punishment of the silence is brutal and once one of your jokes misses, it gets increasingly harder to get a laugh. Not to mention, at the same time you're battling with your self confidence, nerves, memory, timing, structure, landing the punchline, the bright light beaming into your face and the audience. As a rookie who's not familiar or confident in their material or delivery, it felt like an extreme sport!
Putting together a quality 5 minute set in four days seemed impossible. During the workshop most of us built our confidence by visiting the bar. I remember by the end of the workshop feeling uncertainty like I've never felt before, I had about 10 jokes and most were average. I also had a large group of friends and family who would be in the audience. Witnesses.
The night before, Chantelle helped me confirm that what I had was average and she helped me write some additional jokes (the funny one strikes again).
I'm generally a pretty relaxed person, but on the day of the show my heart rate was up for most of the day. This was the most nervous I'd been in a while.
The show kicked off! The MC did his set for 10 minutes and got the crowd warmed up, it was hard to enjoy his set, because you're so focussed on your own performance. I would be fourth in the lineup.
As each of my classmates went on stage, I remember feeling so proud of them regardless of the result. I'd seen what every person had gone through to get to that point. Each performer was equally as scared and naked (strictly metaphorically). Some bombed, and as the silence built, the desperation for a laugh increased. You could feel their pain and it only increased your own fear.
I remember trying to breathe and close my eyes to calm my nerves before it was my turn to step on stage.
Who was I kidding? None of it was working. My heart rate was maxing out and the level of adrenaline was about as high as I've ever experienced.
Next minute I'm on stage... telling a sequence of average jokes. Phew! Got some laughs.
I remember thinking "thank fuck it's over" and then embracing the euphoric feeling of overcoming a massive fear...it was amazing!
I knew I was shit, but I still appreciated the positive feedback from my friends and family.
And by far the biggest compliment was in regards to the "balls" I showed to give it a go. This was never about becoming a professional stand-up comedian, it was about overcoming a fear and that goal was now ticked.
To my surprise, Morry (The founder) invited me perform at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival as part of a 'best of' series, an amazing opportunity for alumni of the course.
I had no intention of ever doing another show, and now I had the opportunity to perform my second ever show as part of one of the world's premier comedy festivals. This was becoming an unexpected adventure and one that was only possible due to the environment and opportunities Morry and his team had created.
The moral here is, don't worry if you're 'shit at something and have no right pursuing it' - give it a crack, embrace the fear and failure moments and see where the adventure leads. The feeling of stepping outside your comfort zone is exciting and rewarding, it's where growth happens.
I've now done a handful of shows via The School of Hard Knock Knocks. Including a show at the Adelaide Fringe Festival and supporting the legendary Jeff Green. I don't refer to myself as a 'comedian', but I do love and respect the art.
Whether it's comedy, skydiving or starting a business. Be aware of what scares you and then ask yourself, is this a fear I need to overcome to grow?
I'm excited about performing at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival again this year as part of The School of Hard Knock Knocks 'best of' series.
Follow Ali @
Life Design and Strategy - Chapter 2 Bonus - Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is the feeling we get when we feel undeserving of something. For a lot of people this one creeps in when they are succeeding or have achieved a significant goal of theirs. A common e
Life Design and Strategy - Chapter 2 Bonus - The Most Powerful Person in the Room
The most powerful person in the room is usually the person who's most confident in being able to articulate thoughts and ideas that add value to the objective. When I was younger, I had a senior posit
Life Design and Strategy - Chapter 2 Bonus - Detachment / Flow like Water
Understand that down moments are like waves - the question we need to ask ourselves is how quickly am I going to get back up, get back onto the board and surf the next one. Bruce Lee has a great quote
© 2020 Ali Terai. All rights reserved

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Kayaking Tour
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About La Jolla
Trip Tips: Balboa Park
San Diego isn't just beaches, you know!
Nestled right next to Downtown San Diego, Balboa Park offers a different experience from the typical San Diego sand, surf, and sun. It's San Diego's premier location for museums!Some of note are: the Museum of Man, Natural History Museum, Fleet Science Center, and the Timken. Click here to check out all the museums located in Balboa Park.
Pro Tip: San Diego residents get free admission to a different selection of museums each Tuesday. And some museums (the Timken, for example) are always free! Click here to check out the resident free days.
If museums aren't your cup of tea, Balboa Park has plenty of other attractions! Strewn with hiking trails, historical architecture, botanical gardens, and often times live performances, it's hard to get bored! Click here to check out all of the attractions at Balboa Park.
The intricately detailed California Tower (above) is an icon of San Diego, and attached to the Museum of Man. It was built for the 1915 Panama-California Exposition; a fair that was held in Balboa Park to celebrate the opening of the Panama Canal. Visitors can climb the tower on a tour to see a 360-degree view of San Diego, from the Coronado Bridge, all the way to Downtown!
Pro Tip: Head to Balboa Park at night to see the architecture in an entirely different way, lit with beautiful colored lights! A lot of the main paths are also lit up with string lights, as shown above.
Balboa's Hidden Gems
Balboa Park is definitely one of those places you should visit more than once, because there's always something new to discover! Aside from the great museums and historical architecture, there's plenty of lesser-known spots within the park, and we've compiled a list of our favorites. Check it out:
Home to almost 500 palm trees, Palm Canyon is a 2 acre canyon full of shaded, winding pathways and a wooden footbridge adjacent to the real star of the show: a single, towering tree with massive roots growing partially above ground.
Zoro Garden
Between the Fleet Science Center and the San Diego History Center, this former nudist colony is now a sunken garden home to butterfly-friendly plants, and of course butterflies during the migratory season!
Old Cactus Garden
This historic garden was developed under the direction of Kate Sessions for the 1935 California Pacific International Exposition. It contains some of the largest cactus and succulent specimens in the Park and has also been developed to include the exotic African and Australian Protea plants.
Located in the sculpture court of the San Diego Museum of Art, Panama 66 is not for the early birds - serving only lunch and dinner, with craft beers on tap visitors can enjoy live music, art and food in one sitting.
El Prado
An award-winning, full-service restaurant that offers charming indoor and outdoor dining. The unique décor is inspired by the historical aspects of Balboa architecture, and the diverse cuisine includes an array of appetizers, salads, sandwiches and imaginative entrées.
The Tea Pavilion
Located at the Japanese Friendship Garden, this quaint cafe serves a variety of specialty teas, as well as sushi, traditional soups, and snacks. Visitors can head out to the courtyard or deck and look across the gardens while they eat!
House of Pacific Relations International Cottages
A complex of 34 cottages in Balboa Park, each one with a uniquely themed interior that represents a different country through interior design, samples of food, and artifacts from that country's culture.
Spanish Village Art Center
Built in 1935, the Spanish Village Art Center was created to depict a charming old village in Spain. This village became an art destination in 1937, and later during World War II the U.S. Army used the village for temporary barracks. After the war it was reclaimed and restored by the artists, and continues to be a hub for local artists to this day.
Locals - did we miss anything?
Let us know your favorite spot in Balboa Park!
Also in Everyday Thoughts
How to go whale watching in San Diego
Answers to all your questions about seeing whales in SD
Happy Birthday, California!
Happy Birthday, California! This year, California turns 170 years old (but if you ask us, it doesn't look a day over 120).
How to Swim With Sharks in La Jolla
La Jolla is full of sharks... and that's awesome! Learn all about these beautiful, gentle creatures and how to safely swim with them.
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text:
Q: Posting json Payload object from Android to rest webservice I have a Payload object that i would like to post it to a rest webservice
from android:
here is the json payload
{
    "dataSource": "954b9e59-eba0-4679-afbb-2878580c054d",
    "discriminator": "encounter",
    "payload": {
        "person": {
            "person.uuid": "269857b6-f0b9-4c93-af4a-f18293679e89"
        },
        "encounter": {
            "form.uuid": "fe9fc58f-d196-46cb-956d-f46445f558d9",
            "encounterType.uuid": "bdb58960-4d91-4ca7-a27a-8dabde40ec12",
            "provider.uuid": "3c023ab8-82ff-11e2-96ef-f0def12f7061",
            "location.uuid": "e1b1d9eb-69a2-4843-bccc-e73e33c70e4c",
            "datetime": "2013-06-17 00:00:00"
        },
        "obs": [
            {
                "uuid": "307AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA",
                "type": "coded",
                "value": "1364AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA"
            }
        ]
    }
}

and the  the payload object is defined here :
http://pastebin.com/yvaY0Q6r
My main aim is to create an interface and activity in android to receive the necessary data and send it as a json to a rest webservice.

A: Use jacson library to post json to rest services.
public String addPerson() {

    HttpClient client = new DefaultHttpClient();
    String request_string = null;
    HttpConnectionParams.setConnectionTimeout(client.getParams(), 10000); // Timeout
    HttpResponse response;
    try {
        HttpPost post = new HttpPost(ServiceConstant.ACTIVATElICENCE);
        Log.e("url", ""+ServiceConstant.ACTIVATElICENCE);
        post.setHeader("Content-type", "application/x-www-form-urlencoded");
        ActivationBean personactivationdata = new ActivationBean();
        try {
            personactivationdata.setPersonID(PersonId);
            personactivationdata.setActivationKey(ActivationKey);
            personactivationdata.setDeviceID(MyPreferences.getInstance(
                    sContext).getDeviceId());
            personactivationdata.setRegistrationID(MyPreferences
                    .getInstance(sContext).getDeviceRegistrationId());
            request_string = convertBeanToJson(personactivationdata);

        } catch (Exception e) {
        }
        request_string = request_string.replace("\\", "")
                .replace("\"[", "[").replace("]\"", "]");
        request_string = request_string.replace("\n", "").replace("\r", "");
        Log.e("req string for activation", "" + request_string);
        List<NameValuePair> nameValuePairs = new ArrayList<NameValuePair>(1);
        nameValuePairs.add(new BasicNameValuePair(
                ServiceConstant.RequestData, request_string));
        post.setEntity(new UrlEncodedFormEntity(nameValuePairs, "UTF-8"));
        response = client.execute(post);
        /* Checking response */
        if (response != null) {
            InputStream inputStream = response.getEntity().getContent(); // Get
            request_string = convertStreamToString(inputStream);
            Log.e("response",
                    "response of post = " + request_string.toString());
            return request_string;
        }
    } catch (IOException e) {
        request_string = "timeout";
        e.printStackTrace();
    } catch (Exception e) {
        // Toast.makeText(sContext, "Server Error",
        // Toast.LENGTH_LONG).show();
        e.printStackTrace();
    }

    return request_string;
}

private String convertBeanToJson(ActivationBean bean) {
    String reqQuery = null;
    try {
        reqQuery = mapperObj.writeValueAsString(bean);
        Log.d("convertBeanToJson(): request query is:", reqQuery);
    } catch (JsonGenerationException e) {
        Log.e("convertBeanToJson():", " caught JsonGenerationException");
    } catch (JsonMappingException e) {
        // mELogger.error("convertBeanToJson(): caught JsonMappingException");
    } catch (IOException e) {
        Log.e("convertBeanToJson():", " caught IOException");
    }
    return reqQuery;
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


I invite you to freestyle footbag jam in Poland. We will play basic competitions - sick3, big one, battle and two square. We will play a lot of shred. Acomodation and after party will take place in Wroclaw.
Come to Wroclaw and go with other players to our destination - Strzelin.
When it comes to accommodation, ask the organizers.
Created Thursday, January 17th, 2019, 06:47am (PST); last update Thursday, January 17th, 2019, 06:47am (PST).


Our client in Cupertino, California wanted to replace their rotted redwood deck railing with something sleek and modern that would also allow for better visibility. They chose our Tokyo Style cable railing that features thin posts and cable infill that looks nearly transparent. We fabricated a railing system with fascia-mounted "Dazzling Pewter" powder-coated steel posts and a wood top rail.


Baby Phat had both men's and women's jeans on show at New York Fashion Week. The women's collection was typically over the top with gold threading, buttons and flowers running up and down the legs. These are jeans for women who want everyone to know how glamorous they are, I guess like the Amazonian designer Kimora Lee Simmons. The men's collection was much more subdued consisting of simple looking baggy, raw denim jeans which is just as well because nobody wants to seee guys running round with embroidered flowers all over their jeans. The show was atteneded by a rather frumpy looking Britney Spears (see photos here).


text:
Home/Sports/49ers expect Deebo Samuel (MCL, ankle sprain) back in regular season
49ers expect Deebo Samuel (MCL, ankle sprain) back in regular season
SANTA CLARA, Calif. — Speaking to reporters Monday morning, San Francisco 49ers coach Kyle Shanahan didn't have much to say about injuries to key players like receiver Deebo Samuel and quarterback Brock Purdy.
That's because Samuel and Purdy were among a handful of Niners who had further tests done to determine the severity of their injuries. After a choppy few hours at the 49ers' headquarters, they received nothing but positive news after a devastating Sunday on the injury front.
According to the team, Samuel suffered a medial collateral ligament sprain in his left knee and a sprained left ankle. He will be out for some time but there were no fractures and he is expected to return sometime during the regular season.
As for Purdy, he's considered a tag-tag with what the team calls a rib and oblique injury. While the Niners didn't practice Monday, they had to release an estimated injury report as they play Thursday night.
2 relatives
It lists Purdy as a limited entrant, which is a positive sign that he'll be playing the Seattle Seahawks on Thursday Night Football. Purdy suffered the injury while ducking with a first down in a game recalled for a holding penalty by San Francisco against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday's second drive.
"I think that's where he felt it," Shanahan said. "Then it got worse and worse as the game progressed."
Purdy played through the injury but was eliminated late in the game, leaving the Niners with a big lead and trying to run out the clock.
Samuel's situation seemed more difficult when he carted off in the second quarter and never returned to the game. But the Niners had hope the injury wasn't as bad as feared when X-rays showed no broken bones.
Kevin Givens, who started defensive tackle, was another notable injury for the Niners after injuring his left knee and going down on a cart in the first half. The team said he also suffered an MCL sprain and will be "out for a couple of weeks."
Not all Niners injury news was good Monday as defenseman Dontae Johnson suffered a cruciate ligament rupture ending his season. Cornerback Samuel Womack III is battling a concussion and also won't play this week as he goes through protocol.
https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/35240730/san-francisco-49ers-injury-updates-deebo-samuel-brock-purdy 49ers expect Deebo Samuel (MCL, ankle sprain) back in regular season
Christopher Columbus statue once again visible in South Philadelphia, but debate persists
Biden hasn't visited US-Mexico border since becoming president
IPL 2022: Sanjay Manjrekar on Rishabh Pant's poor form
Quandre Diggs thrives as teacher for young Seattle secondary
Joey Bosa, Chargers focus on little things, not big picture
Manchester United closer to deal with Juventus over Adrien Rabiot


Rebecca Cullen recently reviewed Serenity's song Timeless for Exposed Vocals. She gives a detailed account of the feeling this song delivered. Give it a read and share the review on your social media accounts.


Energy Online is a brand of state-owned Genesis Energy, generating electricity from thermal, hydro and wind power stations.
Provides electricity, gas and LPG bottled gas.
Monthly by default. Weekly or fortnightly billing is available with Control-a-Bill, which smooths out estimated yearly charges so that there are no bill surprises.


I see a strategic warfare IV.
But where is strategic warfare I,II,III?
Odd, the maps added up to a very nice cp bonus...but no one but me seems to care the quests are broke or missing...Gree might as well remove all the quests for the maps I guess, they are broke, and no one cares, this would be the 2nd war too for them to be missing, with the pop ups still displaying for them.
I thought it was a great addition the first and only time they worked right.
My log has only had IV since the start of war(also the same for anyone else I have asked), V(5) is higher than IV(4) so if it's going backwards..where was V(5)(30 wins according to the pop up so no one will have compleated it yet...anyone have a screen shot showing anything other than IV? so I can eliminate it as a global issue and send in a suport ticket as my client would be messed up then.
Last war when this issue also happened, they activated the old maps, if you remember. Only had IV in our logs but the pop ups showed the other quests.(that were also missing) if I could post screen shots on the forum I couls easily prove it. I have always failed with posting screen shots, forum says file size is too big.
Just opend my first chest from the one strategic warfare IV that is in my log, got 3 maps, and under my profile it shows as 1% added not 3%(1% from each map).
Why am I not surprised they are broken Too.
First the quests fail to deploy correctly and we are missing 4 of them, and the one we did get is broken.


text:
A family reunion is an occasion when many members of an extended family congregate. Sometimes reunions are held regularly, for example on the same date of every year.

A typical family reunion will assemble for a meal, some recreation and discussion. The older attendees are generally grandparents, parents, siblings or first cousins while the youngest may be second, third or fourth cousins to each other.  It is also not uncommon for regular family reunions to be sponsored by family organizations or family associations centered on a more distant common ancestor (often referred to as "ancestral family organizations") or a commonly shared surname ("single surname family organizations").

Family reunion programs
Family reunion programs are sponsored by Red Cross organizations. See the List of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) leads the international movement and which has special responsibilities under international humanitarian law.

Adoption reunion movements
Many adults using an adoption reunion registry are able to locate parents and siblings. Adoption Reunion groups offer search and support guidance for birth parents and adoptees.  Adoption Reunion organizations help to uphold adoptee rights and support adoption reform.  According to TRIADOPTION® Library  which kept records on adoption search and reunion beginning in the 1970s, Jean Paton formed Orphan Voyage back in 1954 and is considered the grandmother of the adoption reunion movement. ALMA (Adoptees Liberty Movement Association) was formed in New York City in 1972, ISRR (International Soundex Reunion Registry) in 1975, CUB (Concerned United Birthparents) in 1976, and dozens more sprung up around the US, Canada and Australia. By 1985 there were over 500 search and support organizations worldwide. The adoption reunion movement grew rapidly from grass roots local organizations coming together under forming the AAC (American Adoption Congress) in 1979 at a conference held in Washington, DC. Groups from each region were instrumental in finding ways to help their members reunite with their birth families and surrendered/relinquished children.

One of the early groups was Yesterday's Children in Illinois founded by Donna Cullom. They were instrumental in filing the first class action suit in 1974 on behalf of adoptees having access to their original records and birth certificates. In Canada, Parent Finders was formed by Joan Vanstone. Philadelphia Forum, Adoptees In Search, Search Triad, Operation Identity and so many others held meetings, gave support, assisted in search and offered education in their communities. Like them WARM (Washington Adoption Reunion Movement) was a non-profit organization providing search, reunion and educational resources and support to the adult adoption community. WARM maintains a collection of Orphan memorials dedicated to adoptees and birthparents who died before being reunited.

National and international family history societies
Many reunions are made possible by family history societies. The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS) is an international organisation based in the UK which represents, advises and supports over 220 family history societies. The Federation of East European Family History Societies (FEEFHS) was organized in 1992 as an umbrella organization that promotes family research. The Canadian Federation of Genealogical (CanFed) and Family History Societies work with Canadian born families.

International family reunification

Family reunification for third-country nationals remains a politically charged issue. The ICCPR (Art. 12.4) states openly the right of each person to enter in the country of her nationality. This statement has been open to variety of interpretation. Family reunification has become a controversial humanitarian and human rights issue as well as a much debated immigration policy issue. In 2015, North Korea have plan that program of family reunion with South Korea.

Genealogy societies
The purpose of genealogical societies is to form a community of researchers and help its members create a library of families history resources.
FGS was founded in 1976 and represents the members of more than 600 genealogical societies.
Organizations like the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California assist family members connect the branches of the family tree using genealogy and Internet resources.

Traditional family reunion activities

Traditional family reunion activities include an afternoon luncheon or early evening dinner and program featuring music, song, poetry reading, history recitals, honorary recognition of elders, community contributions and educational achievements.

Historic skits
Reenactments that highlight pivotal points in a family's history. Participants are introduced to the art of developing a timeline as well as period research with a focus on costume design, customs, dialogue and social, economic and technological developments.

Story telling
A fascinating art that brings to life tales of ancestors and their accomplishments. Along with stories of legends of the past, life lessons are taught. The meaning behind family traditions are shared while relaying important family history factoids and the ties that bind.

Genealogy tours
Takes the family on an exciting tour of important genealogical hot spots including the family homestead, the towns in which the family settled, the jobs they held, machines they worked, markets they traded and streets they walked as well as social activities they immersed themselves into.

Genealogy presentations
A Presentation of historic documents and vintage artifacts that identify timelines, economic status, historic events and locations of ancestors.

Annual proclamations and observances

Family Reunion Month
A Proclamation in 1985 To raise awareness of a growing trend of runaway children and newly formed organizations to help reunite families of runaways the Congress, by House Joint Resolution 64, has designated the period between Mother's Day, May 12, and Father's Day, June 16, 1985, as "Family Reunion Month" and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation in observance of this period.

National Family Reunion Month
While some commercial enterprises have dubbed August as National Family Reunion Month many social groups including churches observe National Family Reunion Month in the month of July.

Annual Family Reunion Planning Month
A family awareness group with a focus on genealogy and traditional family reunion planning established "Annual Family Reunion Planning Month" to be observed in the month of November.
Mark A. Askew, group Administrator, and Founder, first announced "Family Reunion Planning Month" to international reunion planners group members, family magazines, corporations, and schools. (See Fimark's Family Reunion Planner Guidebook and Keepsake.)

See also
Family
Class reunion

References

Thomas, Willa J. "May: Family Reunion Month." Reference Services Review 14, 3 (Fall 1986): 64-67
Askew, Mark A. (2011) "Fimark's Family Reunion Planner - A Reunion Planning Guide and Keepsake" pg. 6

External links
Proclamation 5351, President of the United States of America
The Federation of Family History Societies (FFHS)
Internet History Resource
Family Reunion Planner
Family Reunion Games Guide
Places to Go for Family Reunions

Family
Reunions

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The Chalet (Submissive Series Novella)
by Tara Sue MeTara Sue Me
New York Times bestselling author Tara Sue Me's Submissive series is an international sensation. Now, Abby and Nathaniel's story continues with their romantic wedding and a honeymoon too hot to believe…
Submitting her body was only the beginning.
Abby King didn't know true passion until she gave herself to Nathaniel West, one of New York City's most eligible bachelors and desired Dominants. Now, on the eve of her marriage, she realizes all her dreams are coming true. And with a romantic honeymoon getaway planned at a secluded Swiss chalet, she's sure Nathaniel will find even more fantasies to fulfill…
Nathaniel never thought he'd settle down until Abby broke down his barriers and changed his plans. With their wedding only weeks away, he can barely wait to possess her completely—heart, body, and soul—and show her the true meaning of being both a wife and a submissive.
Only Abby has one more challenge in store before she becomes his: no sex and no collar for one month before the wedding. Nathaniel is willing to give it a shot but he has one scandalous stipulation—once that month is up, anything goes…
Includes a preview of the next novel in the Submissive series, The Enticement…
Praise for the Submissive series
"[Me] is so talented and captivating."—Southern Fiction
"For those Fifty Shades fans pining for a little more spice."—Los Angeles Times
"Intense and very, VERY H-O-T."—Harlequin Junkie
Tara Sue Me is the New York Times bestselling author of the Submissive series, including The Submissive, The Dominant, and The Training, as well as the Partners in Play series, including Seduced by Fire. She lives in the southeastern United States with her family, two dogs, and a cat.
Submissive Series
After penning several traditional romances, Tara Sue Me decided to try her hand at something spicier and started work on The Submissive, then soon followed that with The Dominant, The Training, Seduced by Fire, The Enticement, The Exhibitionist, The Master, and The Exposure. The series has become a huge hit with readers around the world, and has been read and reread millions of times.
Nathaniel looked at me as if I'd sprouted horns. "You think we should what?" he gasped.
Exactly the reaction I'd expected. I took a sip of my red wine and repeated myself. "I think we shouldn't have sex the month before the wedding."
"I was afraid that's what you said." He tilted his head. "Why?"
I picked up my napkin and pretended to wipe my mouth in order to hide my smile. Why? This from the man who had been so scared to talk about anything at the beginning of our relationship. Quite a change from the one who sat across the table from me now. The one who felt the need to discuss the whys and why nots and even the I don't care, whatevers about almost everything.
"I know the napkin trick," he said with a smile of his own. "I'm just a bit curious as to why you would suggest a month-long period of abstinence when you have long-term sexual deprivation marked as a hard limit."
"I suppose the smart-ass answer is what's the definition of 'long term'? To see your face a few minutes ago, you'd think your definition is a week."
"A week for me is long term."
I laughed. "Then let's just say this is me pushing your limits."
"Pushing limits is my job," he said in a serious tone of voice, but his eyes were lit with amusement.
"I'm pushing mine, too, you know. Seriously, a month with nothing after one of our normal weeks?" I tried to count on average how often we had sex during a typical week, but gave up. Between our everyday lives during the week and our weekend lives when I wore his collar, well, there was a lot of sex.
"It's not as if I've never gone a month, you know," Nathaniel said. "And by abstaining, do you mean just us together or can we get off individually?"
I couldn't help it; I laughed again.
"What?" he asked.
"Just you being you. Trying to establish the rules of something we haven't even agreed to yet."
"I want to make sure I'm making an informed and well thought-out decision," he said in typical Nathaniel fashion. Always the planner. Always with backup plans. Hell, I bet even his backup plans had backup plans.
"You're smiling at me again," he said.
I reached across the table and took his hand. "Just smiling at you being you."
He lifted my hand to his lips and placed a small kiss on my knuckles. "So tell me why we should do this month-long thing." He took my hand and traced the line at the base of my thumb. I shivered. "Because I'm thinking a month is a really, really long time." He brought my palm up to his mouth again, but this time nipped the skin just a bit. He smiled at my moan. "Wouldn't you agree?"
I shifted in my seat. "When you put it that way."
"I don't know if it's possible for me to keep my hands off you for an entire month." His lips danced along the top of my hand. "Much less my other parts."
My mind blanked for just a second at the touch of his lips on my skin and the images his words evoked. Why had I thought not having sex for a month before the wedding was a good idea?
Across the table, he looked at me with his I'm waiting expression.
I cleared my throat. "Well, I just thought a month would, you know, give us something to look forward to."
"I see. Because marrying me? Eh, you can do that any old day. Nothing to look forward to there."
He was kidding, right? I loved and hated that it was still hard for me to tell sometimes.
"You know what I mean," I said, deciding he was joking.
He let go of my hand. "Somewhat. I also think our wedding night is something to look forward to no matter what we have or haven't done the month before."
"But think about how"—I searched for the right word— "intense it'll be after we haven't done anything the month before."
His eyes darkened. "I guarantee you I can make it intense without having to abstain for a month."
"Nathaniel," I half whined, half begged.
He sighed. "You really want to do this?"
"And it's really important to you?"
"And I can't jerk off in the shower?"
"You can't jerk off anywhere," I clarified for him with narrowed eyes, just in case Mr. Rule Book decided to throw in my face two weeks before the wedding that I'd only specified he couldn't jerk off in the shower.
He leaned back in his chair, exhaling. "Damn. You've been around me too long."
"Impossible, but somehow true at the same time."
"You can't come either," he said. "No playing with yourself."
"And speaking of playing, what do we do about weekends?"
I'd thought about that, of course. Ideally, I would still wear his collar. Submitting to him wasn't entirely sexual, though sex did play a major role in our weekends.
"There's plenty we do on the weekends that doesn't involve sex," I said. "I think I should still wear your collar."
"True, but there's a sexual undercurrent in just about everything we do," he countered. "You don't have a submissive personality outside the playroom; it's part of your sexual nature. Serving me during the weekend turns you on. We need to think about whether having you serve me the month before the wedding, even in a nonsexual manner, will be a source of irritation. For us both."
He had a point. I tried imagining serving him all day on a Saturday, but without sex. If we stayed out of the playroom, I could easily see us both becoming increasingly sexually frustrated. With our emotions probably already running high as the wedding approached, collaring me might not be the wisest idea.
"No sex and no collar the month before the wedding," I said. "We'll probably both implode."
"As long as we don't take it out on each other."
"But on the upside, think about how awesome the honeymoon will be now."
"Abby," he said softly. "The honeymoon will be awesome regardless. But you know, we haven't talked about whether you'd like to wear your collar at all during our honeymoon."
"Yes, I think so. Not all the time. Probably not even most of the time. But for a day or two?" I thought about how it would feel the first time he collared me as his wife. When I would be Abigail West. My belly tightened just thinking about it. "Maybe more than a day or two."
Nathaniel nodded. "We'll keep it flexible."
"Another thing, I know I won't be wearing your collar on our wedding day, but I've decided I'm not going to wear any type of necklace."
"This part of me." I brushed my neck. "Is for your collar. If I'm not wearing it when I become your wife, I'm not wearing anything."
His eyes grew dark and he gave me a sultry smile. "I'd thought about buying you a necklace for our wedding, but it would have been just that. A necklace. Your idea means so much more."
I was glad I was sitting down. His look would have made my knees weak had I been standing.
"I'm looking forward to collaring you for the first time after the wedding. When you're Abigail West."
I squirmed in my seat, thinking about our honeymoon plans.
We were going to Zermatt, Switzerland for two weeks following the wedding. Nathaniel had reserved a stunning chalet. We could step right outside and ski, or stay inside and do . . . other things. At first we discussed going somewhere tropical, but the more we thought about it, getting away to a snowy location sounded perfect.
Snow, after all, had been one of the driving forces in our relationship. I believed we would have still wound up together had it not been for the week we spent snowbound in his house, but there's no telling how long it would have taken to get to that point. Somehow it seemed fitting that we honeymoon with snow. Besides, damn near nothing beat Nathaniel naked in front of a roaring fire.
"Abby?" the man in question asked. "Did I lose you?"
"Sorry," I said. "Just daydreaming about the honeymoon."
"Well," he said, pushing back from the table. "The way I see it, we don't have much time before our self-imposed month of celibacy." He walked over to me and held out a hand. "Let's not waste it."
"I have to say, Abby," Felicia said the next day, spinning slowly and looking over the old chapel, "this place is perfect."
Because Nathaniel and I wanted to get married before the end of the year, we only had three months to plan the wedding. With that timeline, every possible venue in New York City and the surrounding area was booked. It wasn't a big deal to us; we simply wanted to get married and had tentatively planned for the ceremony and reception to be held at Nathaniel's estate.
He had friends and business associates everywhere, though, and earlier in the day he'd received a call that the wedding booked at the small chapel had been canceled. Since Felicia hadn't returned to her teaching job following her marriage to Jackson, I asked her to come look at it with me. Felicia and I had been friends since our childhood days in small-town Indiana. We went to college together and even roomed together for a short period of time.
Early in our relationship, Nathaniel had mentioned that his cousin, Jackson, a professional football player, didn't have a date for an event the entire family was attending. On a whim, I mentioned my best friend, Felicia. They went to the event together and were married less than six months later.
The chapel we were at, just outside the city, was over one hundred years old and the sanctuary had an almost medieval look to it with rustic wooden pews and stone walls. I could easily imagine how beautiful and romantic it would be bathed in candlelight.
"It is perfect, isn't it?" I said in response to Felicia. "Since we're not inviting anyone other than close friends and family, there'll be plenty of room. Any bigger and there would be too many empty seats."
"And the space is so beautiful, you don't need much in the way of decorations."
"That's what I was thinking," I said. "Just candles and maybe a few flowers." Nathaniel had said he wanted cream-colored roses with just a hint of pink at the tips.
"Now you just need a reception space to open up."
I sat down on one of the pews and pulled out my planning notebook. "We could still have it at Nathaniel's if nothing becomes available."
She sat down next to me, her expression serious. "How long do you think it'll take before you start seeing the estate as yours?"
Her question caught me off guard, I'd honestly expected her to ask me about the food or music or something. "I do," I said. "Lots of times when I'm talking I'll say 'our house' or something similar. Sometimes it just comes out as 'Nathaniel's' though. I guess if you think about it, it's been his place longer than it's been mine."
"I haven't said this and I'm sorry I've waited so long, but I think he's good for you." Felicia tucked a strand of red hair behind her ear. "Whatever it is you guys have with each other, it's obvious that it's working."
It was the closest she'd ever come to saying she approved of our lifestyle. I couldn't help it, but I looked at her in shock.
"Don't look at me like that," she said. "I simply got curious and Googled a few things."
"You Googled 'BDSM'?"
"You know we're having this conversation in a church, don't you?" She shot a look over both shoulders, though she didn't have to, the place was empty.
"Should we step outside? I will if it'll make you more comfortable."
"No, we can stay here. I just thought it was odd to be talking about stuff like that in church."
I smiled. "Stuff like that? Say it, Felicia. Say 'BDSM.'"
She punched my arm. "Stop it, perv."
"Me? You're the one Googling kinky sex." I wiggled my eyebrows. "Did you find it exciting?"
Though we could discuss just about anything, she'd never wanted to talk about my need for submission. Unfortunately, the early part of my relationship with Nathaniel hadn't done much to endear her to the lifestyle. Especially considering the shape I'd been in when I left him.
"I guess I can see why someone would like it," she said. "And I read that it's more than kinky sex."
"I told you that."
"I know, but I wanted confirmation."
"Right, because everything on the Internet is true."
"Admit it, you just like giving me a hard time."
I winked at her. "Yes, partly. But really I'm just glad you finally see it's a need I have that Nathaniel fulfills."
She sat back in her seat and suddenly looked very self-satisfied. "Nathaniel said as much once."
She was dying to tell me. I could see it in her eyes. Since I wanted to hear what she was talking about, I played along. "Really? When?"
"That time you were in the hospital."
"That was ages ago." In actuality, it hadn't even been a year, but so much had happened since then.
"Feels that way doesn't it?" She shook her head. "Anyway, that night you were in the hospital, I went out in the hallway one time to tell him what I thought about his sorry ass. He told me then that whenever you were together, it was always your needs first."
"Really?" I'd always wondered what it was the two of them discussed that night, because I noticed their relationship had changed afterward; neither one of them had ever told me.
"Yes and I didn't believe him. I thought it was all about him since he was the dominant." Her eyes grew quizzical. "It's true, though, isn't it? Even though you're the submissive, he's always thinking about you and what you need."
"Right, but conversely, he's my focus when I'm wearing his collar. I'm always thinking about him."
She thought about that for a few seconds. "Interesting. Like you balance each other out."
"Something like that, but honestly, when I'm wearing his collar, I'm not thinking about how balanced and equal we are. I'm thinking only about him and what he's saying."
"Which is why I'd make a horrible submissive."
I shrugged, she was probably right. "It's not for everyone and that's okay. Obviously what you and Jackson have works for the two of you."
She gave a hearty smile at the mention of her husband. "I'll say."
"Speaking of Jackson," I started and then stopped, unsure I really wanted to know the answer to my question.
Oh well, I decided, might as well know once and for all. "Does he know about our lifestyle?"
She laughed. "I wondered how long it would take you to ask."
"Yes, he knows. We were watching TV one night and they did a story on the increased public interest in BDSM. He looked over at me, I looked at him, and I finally said, 'Yes, I know about them.'"
That Jackson knew really didn't surprise me, I'd always assumed Nathaniel's cousin knew. Honestly, he had spent enough time at the house. Nathaniel kept the playroom locked, but it was possible Jackson had been over a time or two when it wasn't. Especially during the time he stayed over following my breakup with Nathaniel.
"And he knew you meant us?" I asked Felicia.
"Neither one of us came out and said it for a while. I guess for me it was that long talk you gave me on confidentiality. I didn't want to be the one who told Jackson his cousin was kinky."
Before I'd gone to see Nathaniel the first time, when I was talking with Felicia about what I was going to do, I'd pounded into her head how important confidentiality was. "Thank you for that, I really appreciate it."
"You're my dearest friend, I'd never betray your trust. I finally told Jackson I was your safety call. He nodded and said he figured I knew about Nathaniel since you and I were best friends."
"How long has Jackson known?"
"He said he had a suspicion for a long time, but it wasn't until after you guys broke up and got back together that he knew for sure. We really didn't talk much about it after that." She looked around the still empty church. "If you're finished looking over this place, I think we should leave. All this kink talk in church has me afraid lightning's going to strike me dead."
The Chalet 4.1 out of 5 based on 0 ratings. 14 reviews.
Sandy-thereadingcafe More than 1 year ago
3.75 stars--THE CHALET is the latest installment in Tara Sue Me's contemporary, adult The Submissive erotic romance series focusing on 'Dom' Nathaniel West and his submissive Abby King. Because THE CHALET is part of an ongoing series focusing on one couple, it should not be read as a stand alone because important background information about our couple is revealed in the previous storylines. Told from alternating first person points of view (Abby and Nathaniel) THE CHALET is a novella that focuses on the weeks up to and after Abby and Nathaniel's wedding wherein Abby has declared a no-sex policy during the 30 days prior to the ceremony. Nathaniel is a Dominant who fell in love with his sub, and because their Dom/sub relationship focuses more on the sexual aspect of their lives, the month of celibacy is something new. But it is during the honeymoon phase at a chalet in Zermatt, Switzerland where Abby will ask more of her Dominant than Nathaniel had expected to give. It is a time to explore her truly submissive side-not just on weekends-but throughout the week as well. When Abby accidentally calls Nathaniel 'sir' in a playful exchange, she begins to understand that perhaps she is a 'true' submissive –after all. THE CHALET is a sexually graphic, erotic storyline that continues to explore the D/s sexual relationship of Abby and Nathaniel. While vacationing in the Swiss Alps, Abby will discover that she enjoys the submissive side of their relationship and is willing to accept everything Nathaniel has to offer. The secondary characters include some of the previous storyline couples including Nathaniel's cousin Jackson and his new wife (and Abby's best friend) Felicia. Felicia is aware of Abby and Nathaniel's relationship and is slowly learning to accept that her friend has a submissive side that needs to be addressed. With THE CHALET, Tara Sue Me's offers up another side of Abby and Nathaniel's D/s relationship. Theirs is not a true, hardcore BDSM exchange but one built upon mutual understanding, marriage and love. I do foresee some difficulties in the relationship as Nathaniel will begin to demand more from Abby then she is willing to give.
jeanniezelos More than 1 year ago
The Chalet, The Submissive Series, Tara Sue Me Review from jeannie zelos book reviews Well, I loved the previous books and was eager to read this one but....I should have stopped at book three. For me the magic was Abby and Nathaniel getting together, all the friction, drama, problems and solutions that made up their journey. Now they are together and this book – novella – is about their wedding and honeymoon and its...Sweet. Its so sweet it's lost it's magic for me. Its a good way to complete the story ( except now I see there's another book planned!) for those who need it, but for many readers I suspect like me they'll wish they stopped at the last book. This didn't add anything for me, its a decent read, well written but no drama, at least not the sort we've come to expect and as such its was just a Nice book...nothing special. I've noticed more and more authors doing this, writing books beyond what was planned, writing the story in a different POV and I find it very rarely works. Its better to spent time and imagination on something new than to bring down what's already written by adding more. Think of those TV series which we loved, who then produced more or spin offs that didn't work. They dragged down the original- always stop at the top, finish where originally planned. This book could have been shortened and added as a brief epilogue at the end of book three, if it was really needed. I actually enjoy series that finish that way – that give me a tiny glimpse into a happy future and that's all that's needed. IMO of course! Stars: Three – its a sweet read, no drama though. I urge Tara to seriously reconsider bringing out a further book. Best to stop at the top, which was at book three for me. ARC supplied by Netgalley and publisher. For more info see @TaraSueMe and @SignetEcipse.
hazeltdk More than 1 year ago
I should have stopped at book three. For me the magic was Abby and Nathaniel getting together, all the friction, drama, problems and solutions that made up their journey. Now they are together and this book – novella – is about their wedding and honeymoon and its...Sweet. Its so sweet it's lost it's magic for me. Its a good way to complete the story ( except now I see there's another book planned!) for those who need it, but for many readers I suspect like me they'll wish they stopped at the last book.
krissysbookshelf More than 1 year ago
The Chalet is a continuation of the BDSM "Submissive Trilogy." Readers get to be a part of Abby Nathaniel's tie the knot and slumber over ceremony or otherwise known as the wedding and honeymoon episode. Its a decent story, I was just hoping for more out of it. I would have liked to have gotten some emotional content or interaction between Abby and Nathaniel but it just seemed to be a dead issue. Although there was plenty of sex to be had it just felt empty for me so I don't think I'll be continuing the series. Don't get me wrong its written well and its good steam action but I need more depth and feeling between my characters to invest in their stories.
MissTee0129 More than 1 year ago
I loved the book just wished it was longer got used to reading about their bdsm lifestyle and it was just hint in the book so there were many parts in the book that could have been expanded but overall I injoyed it and look forward to the nxt book
shadow24 More than 1 year ago
I always enjoy Tara sue Me books. I just pre-order next book. I love the stories with Nathaniel and Abby. So will you
I love everything Tara writes thank you
I am really enjoying this series, but I'm frustrated at how short these books are. 122 pages hardly constitutes a novel and leaves the reader feeling strung along especially financially. Some of these books are a bit pricey considering what you get. I'd like to see the series offered all in one package at a discounted price so you can read through them all like the episodes.
TammyS32 More than 1 year ago
An excellent novella to this sexy series. Abby and Nathaniel are on the verge of becoming man and wife and enjoy a wonderful honeymoon in a beautiful Chalet. Is their love strong enough to face any tests that may come their way? Wow, and incredibly sexy read, it is their honeymoon after all. So exciting to see this wonderful couple move forward with their relationship and life, can't wait to see what happens next. This is one hot read but is not a standalone enjoy this series from the beginning.
Not as good as I anticipating, would not but it again.


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> Pocket & Wrist Watches>Latest Graphic Art Watches>Vintage Sepia Railroad Steam Engine Railway Locomotive Art Collectible Wrist Watch
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Reference: WAT-126
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Unique Collectible Limited Edition Handmade Watches.
A locomotive or engine is a rail transport vehicle that provides the motive power for a train. The word originates from the Latin loco – "from a place", ablative of locus, "place" + Medieval Latin motivus, "causing motion", and is a shortened form of the term locomotive engine,[1] first used in the early 19th century to distinguish between mobile and stationary steam engines.
A locomotive has no payload capacity of its own, and its sole purpose is to move the train along the tracks.[2] In contrast, some trains have self-propelled payload-carrying vehicles. These are not normally considered locomotives, and may be referred to as multiple units, motor coaches or railcars. The use of these self-propelled vehicles is increasingly common for passenger trains, but rare for freight (see CargoSprinter). Vehicles which provide motive power to haul an unpowered train, but are not generally considered locomotives because they have payload space or are rarely detached from their trains, are known as power cars.
Traditionally, locomotives pulled trains from the front. However, push-pull operation has become common, where the train may have a locomotive (or locomotives) at the front, at the rear, or at each end.
Trevithick's 1802 locomotive
Prior to locomotives, the motive force for railroads had been generated by various lower-technology methods such as human power, horse power, gravity or stationary engines that drove cable systems.
The first successful locomotives were built by Cornish inventor Richard Trevithick. In 1804 his unnamed steam locomotive hauled a train along the tramway of thePenydarren ironworks, near Merthyr Tydfil in Wales. Although the locomotive hauled a train of 10 long tons (11.2 short tons; 10.2 t) of iron and 70 passengers in five wagons over nine miles (14 km), it was too heavy for the cast iron rails used at the time. The locomotive only ran three trips before it was abandoned. Trevithick built a series of locomotives after the Penydarren experiment, including one which ran at a colliery in Tyneside in northern England, where it was seen by the young George Stephenson.[3]
The first commercially successful steam locomotive was Matthew Murray's rack locomotive, Salamanca, built for the narrow gauge Middleton Railway in 1812. This was followed in 1813 by the Puffing Billy built by Christopher Blackett and William Hedley for the Wylam Colliery Railway, the first successful locomotive running by adhesiononly. Puffing Billy is now on display in the Science Museum in London, the oldest locomotive in existence.[4]
In 1814 George Stephenson, inspired by the early locomotives of Trevithick and Hedley persuaded the manager of the Killingworth colliery where he worked to allow him to build a steam-powered machine. He built the Blücher, one of the first successful flanged-wheel adhesion locomotives. Stephenson played a pivotal role in the development and widespread adoption of steam locomotives. His designs improved on the work of the pioneers. In 1825 he built the Locomotion for the Stockton and Darlington Railway, north east England, which became the first public steam railway. In 1829 he built The Rocketwhich was entered in and won the Rainhill Trials. This success led to Stephenson establishing his company as the pre-eminent builder of steam locomotives used on railways in the United Kingdom, the United States and much of Europe.[5] The first inter city passenger railway, Liverpool and Manchester Railway, opened in 1830, making exclusive use of steam power for both passenger and freight trains.
Advantages of locomotives
An early design of electric locomotive showing thesteeplecab arrangement: North Eastern Railway No.1, England from 1905
There are a few basic reasons to isolate locomotive train power, as compared to self-propelled vehicles.[6]
Whether out of necessity to replace the locomotive due to failure, or for reason of needing to maintain the power unit, it is relatively easy to replace the locomotive with another, while not removing the entire train from service.
Maximum utilization of power cars
Separate locomotives facilitate movement of costly motive power assets as needed; thereby avoiding the expense associated with tied up or idle power resources.
Large locomotives can substitute for small locomotives when more power is required, for example, where grades are steeper. As needed, a locomotive can be used for either freight duties, or passenger service.
Obsolescence cycles
Separating motive power from payload-hauling cars enables replacement without affecting the other. To illustrate, locomotives might become obsolete when their associated cars did not, and vice versa.
In an accident, the locomotive may act as a buffer zone to the rest of the train. Depending on the obstacle encountered on the rail line, the heavier mass of a locomotive is less likely to deviate from its normal course. In the event of fire, it might be safer, for example, with diesel locomotives.
A single source of tractive power (i.e., motors in one place), is quieter than multiple operational power units, where one or more motors are located under every carriage. The noise problem is particularly noticeable in diesel multiple units.
The motive power accompanies the cars to be hauled and consequently there is a saving in time.
Especially for steam locomotives but also for other types, maintenance facilities can be very dirty environments and it is advantageous not to have to take passenger accommodation into the same depot. This was one reason for the demise of the GWR steam railmotors.
Advantages of multiple units
There are several advantages of multiple unit (MU) trains compared to locomotives.
Multiple units are more energy efficient than locomotive-hauled trains and more nimble, especially on down grades, as much more of the train's weight (sometimes all of it) is placed on driven wheels, rather than suffering the dead weight of unpowered coaches.
No need to turn the locomotive
Many multiple units have cabs at both ends; therefore, the train may be reversed without uncoupling/re-coupling the locomotive, providing quicker turnaround times, reduced crew costs, and enhanced safety. In practice, the development of driving van trailers and cab cars has removed the need for locomotives to run-around, giving easy bi-directional operation and removing this MU advantage.
Multiple unit trains have multiple engines, where the failure of one engine usually does not prevent the train from continuing on its journey. A locomotive drawn passenger train typically has only a single power unit; the failure of this single unit temporarily disables the train. However, as is often the case with locomotive hauled freight trains, some passenger trains utilize multiple locomotives, and are thus able to continue at reduced speed after the failure of one locomotive.
Locomotive classifications
Locomotives may generate their power from fuel (wood, coal, petroleum or natural gas), or they may take power from an outside source of electricity. It is common to classify locomotives by their source of energy. The common ones include:
The first steam locomotive, built by Richard Trevithick
The main components of a steam locomotive
A steam locomotive at theGare du Nord, Paris, 1930
In the 19th century the first railway locomotives were powered by steam, usually generated by burning wood, coal, or oil. Because steam locomotives included one or more steam engines, they are sometimes referred to as "steam engines". The steam locomotive remained by far the most common type of locomotive until after World War II.[7]
The first steam locomotive was built by Richard Trevithick; it first ran on 21 February 1804, although it was some years before steam locomotive design became economically practical.[3] The first commercial use of a steam locomotive was Salamanca on the narrow gauge Middleton Railway in Leeds in 1812. In the USA, Mathias Baldwin started building stationary steam engines for commercial use and by 1830, opened his own workshop producing steam locomotives. Baldwin Locomotive Works became the world's largest by the early 1900s and built the most powerful steam locos in history. The locomotive Fairy Queen, built in 1855 runs between Delhi and Alwar inIndia and is the oldest steam locomotive in regular (albeit tourist-only) service in the world, and the oldest steam locomotive operating on a mainline.[8][9]
The all-time speed record for steam trains is held by an LNER Class A4 4-6-2 Pacific locomotive of the LNER in the United Kingdom, number 4468 Mallard, which pulling six carriages (plus a dynamometer car) reached 126 mph (203 km/h) on a slight downhill gradient down Stoke Bank on 3 July 1938.[10] Aerodynamic passenger locomotives in Germany attained speeds very close to this and due to the difficulties of adequately balancing and lubricating the running gear, this is generally thought to be close to the practicable limit for a direct-coupled steam locomotive.[11]
Before the middle of the 20th century, electric and diesel-electric locomotives began replacing steam locomotives. Steam locomotives are less efficient than their more modern diesel and electric counterparts and require much greater manpower to operate and service.[12] British Rail figures showed the cost of crewing and fuelling a steam locomotive was some two and a half times that of diesel power, and the daily mileage achievable was far lower. As labour costs rose, particularly after the second world war, non-steam technologies became much more cost-efficient.[citation needed] By the end of the 1960s–1970s, most western countries had completely replaced steam locomotives in passenger service. Freight locomotives generally were replaced later. Other designs, such as locomotives powered by gas turbines, have been experimented with, but have seen little use, mainly due to high fuel costs.
By the end of the 20th century, almost the only steam power remaining in regular use in North America and Western European countries was on heritage railways. These were largely aimed at tourists and/or railroad hobbyists, known as 'railfans' or 'railway enthusiasts'. An exception are the narrow gauge lines in Germany, which form part of the public transport system, running to all-year-round timetables. These railways retain steam for all or part of their motive power. Steam locomotives remained in commercial use in parts of Mexico into the late 1970s. Steam locomotives were in regular use until 2004 in the People's Republic of China, where coal is a much more abundant resource than petroleum for diesel fuel. India switched over from steam-powered trains to electric and diesel-powered trains in the 1980s, except heritage trains. In some mountainous and high altitude rail lines, steam engines remain in use because they are less affected by reduced air pressure than diesel engines.[citation needed] Steam locomotives remained in routine passenger use in South Africa until the late 1990s, but are now reserved to tourist trains. In Zimbabwe steam locomotives are still used on shunting duties around Bulawayo and on some regular freight services.
As of 2006, DLM AG (Switzerland) continues to manufacture new steam locomotives.[13]
The EMD F40PHM-2 uses aDiesel-electric transmissiondesigned by Electro-Motive Diesel.
Early oil engines
The first true diesel-powered locomotives were not built until after Dr. Diesel's patents expired in 1912, but a number of successful oil engine locomotives were produced before then. The first of these was built in 1894 by the Priestman Brothers of Hull. This standard gauge locomotive was built using a 12 hp double-acting marine type engine, running at 300 rpm, mounted on a 4-wheel wagon chassis. It was only able to haul one loaded wagon at a time, due to its low power output, and was not a great success.[14]
The first successful oil engine locomotives were a series of narrow gauge locomotives built by Richard Hornsby & Sons Ltd. between 1896 and 1903. These were built for use by the British military. The first of these was Works Number 1705, delivered to the 18 in (457 mm) gauge Woolwich Arsenal railway on 23rd. July 1896. Three further locomotives of similar design were delivered to Woolwich between 1900 and 1902.
The first true diesel locomotives
Experimental diesel-powered locomotives were first built just after World War I. In the 1940s, they began to displace steam power on American railroads. Following the end of World War II, diesel power began to appear on railroads in many countries. The significantly better economics of diesel operation triggered a dash to diesel power, a process known as Dieselization. By the late 1960s, few major railroads in North America, Europe and Oceania continued to operate steam locomotives, although significant numbers still existed outside these areas.
As is the case with any vehicle powered by an internal combustion engine, diesel locomotives require a power transmission system to couple the output of the prime mover to the driving wheels. In the early days of diesel railroad propulsion development, electric, hydraulic and mechanical power transmission systems were all employed with varying degrees of success. Of the three, electric transmission has proven the most popular, and although diesel-hydraulic locomotives have certain advantages and continue to be used in some European countries, most modern Diesel-powered locomotives are diesel-electric.
Johnny...
The Legend...
Smokey and...
Clint...
Ayatollah...
Nipper Jack...
Groucho...
Westend...
The Donald...
H.E. Sheikh...
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Mathematics...
Ancient...
HMS Queen...


It is your big day, and you have everything planned out. You're engaged, and the hustle to create the perfect wedding is just beginning. We know you are the most organized bride out there, however, there might be some things you forget to put in your wedding registry that would be a life-saver in marriage. These wedding gifts often get left out as you're planning for your big day.
We love coffee! It's literally one the greatest things on earth. And with the early mornings and the warm bed, it's going to be a little difficult to get up. You need a good cup of coffee to kickstart your day. And that's a proven fact. (Okay maybe not...but we're going to go with it.) Include all the barista accessories so you don't have to grab a coffee from the shop. You'll not only save time from having to stop at the local shop, but you'll save money. And when you're a newlywed, that's always a plus.
This one may be the most overlooked category. You are newly moved in together, with new dishes, bedding, etc, but nothing to clean your beautiful home with! Registering for the essential cleaning supplies such as antibacterial spray, a vacuum, a mop, and sponges is a great start, but don't be afraid to register for items such as laundry and dish detergent as well! We promise you won't regret it.
Almost everyone loves a tasty meal right from the grill, and if you love entertaining and throwing parties, then this is a perfect gift for you. Couple it with a set of BBQ utensils and get to grillin'. This is a perfect gift for anyone who loves being outside with the family relaxing on a beautiful day.
Spice up your home with art. A couple of art galleries offer wedding registries where friends or family can contribute for a piece or two. If that's too fancy for you (it's too fancy for us) there's awesome stores out there like Target, World Market, and Hobby Lobby that have some beautiful art at a reasonable price. Also don't forget about pictures, that's art! You should also add home decor to the list. Things like pillows, rugs, and candles are sure to spruce up the house.
Let's not forget about the man of the house! If you guys are anything like we were when we got married we had zero tools. Maybe a screwdriver? So it'd be a great idea to add tools to the list so you two can enjoy those DIY moments. Fixing up and creating things is always a great way to bond!
Sometimes these items are overlooked and aren't the go-to home essentials but they definitely come in handy, so be sure to add them to your list! Final Pro Tip: We've discovered that Target will let you add items from other websites onto your registry - making them a one stop registry shop, and you get 15% any of the items at Target that are leftover on your registry after the wedding.
Before you go, we've created a handy little checklist to help you out while you're registering to makes sure you don't leave anything out. Download it here!


text:
No Vodafone Signal – ways of solvation
Vodafone figures among the major telecoms companies in the UK claiming to provide the population with 99% coverage for 2G, 3G and 4G networks. It is to underline that only Vodafone, alongside with its competitor EE, offers LTE-Advanced service. Though, this super-fast connectivity rivaling fibre broadband isn't available throughout the country. Despite the efforts of the operator and its strive to render impeccable mobile services to customers, there exist the areas where the coverage remains patchy and causes lots of troubles to mobile phone users.
The situations when no Vodafone signal is detected are rather common. In cities a signal has to find its way to a user through high-rise buildings covered in glass, metal, etc. Outside cities especially in provincial towns or villages Vodafone poor signal may be caused by the peculiarities of their location where natural landscape creates barriers for signal transmission (thick forests, mountains, etc.)
So, what can be done when a phone says no Vodafone service or searching for service? It means that at this moment you can't use it for calling, texting and mobile Internet. In such cases it's advisable to following some simple steps:
Check your coverage with Vodafone network status checker. It may happen that you are in a zone with limited or no coverage at all.
Restart your phone or other mobile device in use.
Check whether Vodafone has updated its settings.
Reset your network settings.
Contact Vodafone to check that your phone isn't blocked from receiving mobile and data services.
If none of the above mentioned helps and you constantly struggle with getting a decent signal in your premises, then it's right time to think of acquiring a mobile phone signal booster Vodafone.
Let's consider the last point in details. How can Vodafone signal booster be helpful and which results may you expect in terms of connectivity?
A Vodafone signal booster represents a rather small in size amplifying box, two antennas and cables.
The proper functioning depends on the way you fix the indoor and the outdoor antennas. The latter should be positioned on the wall or rooftop and pointed towards the base station so that the antenna manages to catch the weak signal.
Then this signal will run through the cable to the amplifier box where it will grow much stronger.
The role of the indoor antenna is to rebroadcast this ultimately amplified signal to all corners of your premises. The whole system isn't perceptible and bulky so its installation will not be a black spot in your interior.
Today Vodafone is quickly heading towards 5G which will for sure slowly oust 4G from the market. In this light, it would be a big nonsense to still face signal issues and not to benefit from the advantages offered by new technologies like 4G LTE. Our company offers an impressive range of LTE signal boosters with LCD250-GSM+4G PRO being the most frequently selected model among customers. It assures great amplification and its coverage area is optimal for flats and medium size offices. Vodafone signal booster is definitely a device to change this annoying situation with poor signal for better.
In today's world we rely a lot on our mobile phones and it's extremely annoying to be constantly deprived of reliable coverage. What can be undertaken when signal issues occur?
No O2 Signal – you have a solution!
O2 network is not flawless, disturbances with signal reception occur a lot. Some of them are just temporary, the others are permanent and require some drastic measures. Which ones?
4G signal booster for 4G connection problems
No matter how developed the infrastructure around you may be, the signal problems may still occur and the reasons of it are quite varied. Read the article to know the way out of such situations.
Need to improve 4G cell signal? We have a solution!
Have you ever heard about 4G signal amplifiers? Or maybe you have already considered a possibility to buy such a device to deal with your 4G signal problems? These devices are able to change your communication. Thanks to their ability to boost 4G cell network signal, you will never suffer from bad internet connection even in the most remote areas with serious landscape issues.
phone signal booster Nikrans LCD250-GSM+4G 4.9/5 — 92 reviews Coverage: 2700 ft² · 2 Band (GSM, 4G)
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phone signal booster Nikrans NS-2500GW 4.8/5 — 29 reviews Coverage: 21600 ft² · 2 Band (GSM, 3G)
cell phone amplifier Nikrans NS2500-GSM+4G-PRO 4.9/5 — 49 reviews Coverage: 27000 ft² · 3 Band (GSM, 3G, 4G)
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text:
EDUINDEX NEWS
News and Media Organisation
By Sherlline Xavier on July 22, 2021
360 Wander Writer
Welcome to Wealthy World
As per the 2021 report, it states that there are 2755 billionaires in the Earth. The total net worth of these people people is estimated to be of $13.1 trillion . Let us look at some of the top richest people in the world.
1. Jeff Bezos
Jeff Bezos founded Amazon in the year 1994 in a garage in Seattle. He is the Founder and Executive Chair of Amazon. His net worth is $177 billion. His Amazon Ownership stake is 14%,which is about $252.3 billion. His other Assets include Blue Origin, The Washington Post and about $10 billion in cash. It first started in selling the books. Later it became the shop for everything and thus it became the largest retailer. And as of the most advantage lockdown made the sales to skyrocket. Bezos's other projects include aerospace company Blue Origin .
2. Elon Musk
Elon Musk is the Co-founder and CEO of Tesla Motors. He has had his hands in several different companies over the years. In 2004, Musk became a major funder of Tesla Motors (now Tesla), which led to him being retroactively declared a cofounder and his current position as CEO of the electric vehicle company. His Net Worth is about $151 billion. The tesla Ownership Stake is about 20%. His other Assets include Space Exploration Technologies and The Boring Company .
3. Bernard Arnault
Bernard Arnault is the chair and CEO of LVMH. It is the world's largest luxury goods company. This business owns some of the biggest brands on Earth, including Louis Vuitton, Hennessey, Marc Jacobs, Sephora, and many more. His Net Worth is about $150 billion. His Ownership Stake is about 97.5% .His other assets include Moelis & Company equity, Hermès equity , Carrefour equity and $4.50 billion in cash. The majority of his wealth, however, actually comes from his massive stake in Christian Dior SE, the holding company that controls 41.2% of LVMH.
4. Bill Gates
Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft Corp. He resides in Medina, Washington. His net worth is $124 Billion. His Microsoft Ownership Stake is about 1.3%. He worked along with his childhood friend Paul Allen to develop new software for microcomputers. Following this project's success, Gates dropped out of Harvard in his junior year and went on to found Microsoft with Allen. Microsoft also produces its own line of personal computers, publishes books through Microsoft Press, provides email services through its Exchange server, and sells video game systems
5. Mark Zuckerberg
Mark Zuckerberg first developed Facebook alongside fellow students Eduardo Saverin, Dustin Moskovitz, and Chris Hughes while attending Harvard University in 2004. Zuckerberg is the CEO and chair of Facebook, which had more than 2.8 billion monthly active users . Facebook is the world's largest social networking service, enabling its users to create a personal profile, connect with friends and family, join or create groups, and much more. As the website is free to use, most of the company's revenue is generated through advertising. His net worth is $977 billion and his Ownership stake is 13%.
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Sometimes, a terrible situation can bring out the absolute best in people.
When word got out that two iPads were recently stolen from Dog Ears Bookstore & Café in South Buffalo after someone broke into the nonprofit community bookstore after business hours, many individuals from South Buffalo and beyond stepped up with donations and offers of support. One such individual was Garret Cleversley, CEO of MacSolutions Plus, an Apple-authorized retail store and service center located in the Eastern Hills Mall.
Cake Crazy Bakery & Catering is celebrating its six-month anniversary this month and would like to thank the Western New York community with daily specials on cookies, cupcakes and other delicious treats!
Located at 2525 William St. in Cheektowaga, near the I-90 entrance and exit, Cake Crazy Bakery is now offering daily specials every Tuesday through Friday: Tuesday is $1 cookie day, Wednesday is $2 cupcake day, Thursday is two slices of cake for $5, and Friday is buy two brownies and get one free.
The Winter Market on Hertel, housed in The Pasta Peddler/Blackbird Sweets location at 1547 Hertel Ave. in Buffalo, continues from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, March 14. The market runs every Saturday through April 4, so you have just four opportunities left to visit!
In addition to The Pasta Peddler and Blackbird Sweets, vendors taking part in the market include Alpine Made/First Light Farm & Creamery, Chateau Buffalo, Fetch! Dog Treats, House of Olives, JJ's Jams, Kelly's Kandies, Sandy's Dandies and more!
One of Western New York's favorite holidays — St. Patrick's Day — is right around the corner, and Farmers & Artisans local food market and bakery is ready to help you celebrate!
For starters, Farmers & Artisans is now taking orders for fresh corned beef. The beef is raised locally at Librock Farms in Gasport, contains no hormones or antibiotics, and is brined using the secret recipe of Avenue Boys Smokehouse in Pendleton. The corned beef sold out early last year so be sure to place your order soon.


Welcome to the October edition of our member's newsletter. Below please find a new set of issues priced at 50% off, a link to new listings, a free issue (see note for details), and a few other goodies. Please enjoy.
*Discounted Newspapers – Over 250 newspapers have been reduced in price by 50% (through November 16th) and may be viewed at: Discounted Newspapers. The prices shown already reflect the discount. Some of the noteworthy content/issues include: multiple Confederate titles, the very first Daytona 500, the Battle of Bull Run, a New Mexico Territorial newspaper, nice Gold rush content, an issue with a George Washington signature on the front page, the debut of Gone With The Wind, an issue on the Whisky Rebellion, and more.
New Inventory – In case you missed the announcement… Although most have yet to be listed, we have recently acquired a nice set of New York Heralds from the CW era, and a nice collection of Gentleman's Magazines covering much of the 18th and 19th centuries. If you have an issue you've been seeking, we likely have it. Please be in touch.


text:
Home Sports Spain Park High expectations await Jags
High expectations await Jags
by KYLE PARMLEY
Sarah Finnegan
Josh Harrington (14) drives the ball to the basket while Colby Blackwell (23) plays defense during a Class 7A Northwest Regional final game between Spain Park and Mountain Brook on Tuesday, Feb. 18, 2020, at Tom Drake Coliseum in Hanceville.
Chris Laatsch cautions against evaluating the progress of a program merely on the team's win-loss record. Schedules are not created equally and many factors come into play in a given season.
But there's no denying the immense progress the Jaguars made from year one to year two under Laatsch, as they improved from seven wins in 2018-19 to a 20-win team last winter.
"The buy-in, the belief and the effort and them understanding what we're trying to do, I was pleased with the atmosphere with our program," Laatsch said.
Last season, Spain Park advanced past the area tournament and won its Class 7A Northwest Regional semifinal game. The Jags even gave eventual state runner-up and area rival Mountain Brook all it could handle in the regional final.
"Records are not a good test of the quality of a team, but I do think what I can judge is the atmosphere, buy-in, work ethic, passion and camaraderie of our kids and those things are definitely in place," Laatsch said.
Spain Park graduated four seniors from last year's squad, but returns all five starters (including two others who could be considered starters). The program has ascended in two years to one with expectations of being one of the top teams in the state this season.
Josh Harrington is back and a player Laatsch called the Jags' most valuable player a season ago.
"He's tiny but he's mighty," Laatsch said. "He just makes plays. If there was a play that needed to be made last year, he just always seemed to make it."
Cam Crawford is garnering the most recruiting attention on Spain Park's roster, as the guard's explosive athleticism and skill give opposing teams nightmares. Junior forward Colin Turner is also back, adding muscle to his 6-foot-8 frame in the offseason to be an even better player.
J.R. Lambert can do a little bit of everything on the floor for the Jags. He had a big game against Mountain Brook in the regional final last year. Braden Diclemente is also a returning starter. Laatsch lauded his shooting touch and said he has also worked to improve every aspect of his game.
Blake Hay and Blake Floyd give the Jags two other players with plenty of experience as well. Hay started at the beginning of last season before suffering an injury, but he is back and healthy. Floyd moved to Spain Park for his senior year, moving over from Pelham, where his dad Joel served as the head coach. Joel Floyd is now an assistant on the Spain Park staff.
"To have a chance to work alongside of him, I'm learning from him every day. He's going to be a tremendous asset to our program," Laatsch said.
Jax Hovanec is a utility player capable of playing four of the five positions on the floor. Also on the roster are Deacon George, Dawson DeFalco, Jayson Webb, Pierson Cole and Zach Gray.
There are no secrets with a team coached by Laatsch. His teams will play a strong, fundamentally-based game on the offensive side and keep teams off balance on defense by featuring multiple looks.
Laatsch also has no shortage of confidence in his current team.
"Our goal is a state championship," he said. "There's a lot of really good teams. There's a lot of teams with a lot of people back, but our team has a lot of people back, too."
Zach Gray Josh Harrington Blake Floyd Blake Hay boys basketball Colin Turner Pierson Cole Basketball Spain Park Basketball Cam Crawford Spain Park High School Jax Hovanec Dawson DeFalco Deacon George Jayson Webb Braden Diclemente Spain Park Boys Basketball Sports Joel Floyd Chris Laatsch JR Lambert


text:
Q: How do you populate values into a class in python I have a code that works for merging 2 linked lists for leetcode. However, upon testing it, I am facing a bottleneck. How do I populate the ListNode with a list? the following outputs just 1 whatever, not the merged linked list.
from typing import Optional

class ListNode:
    def __init__(self, val=0, next=None):
        self.val = val
        self.next = next

    def __str__(self):
        return str(self.val)

class Solution:
    def mergeTwoLists(self, list1: Optional[ListNode], list2: Optional[ListNode]) -> Optional[ListNode]:

        place_holder = ListNode()
        tmp = place_holder

        while list1 and list2:
            if list1.val < list2.val:
                tmp.next = list1
                list1 = list1.next
            else:
                tmp.next = list2
                list2 = list2.next
            tmp = tmp.next

        if list1 is None:
            tmp.next = list2

        if list2 is None:
            tmp.next = list1

        return place_holder.next

#input the two integer lists
l1 = [1, 2, 4]
l2 = [1, 3, 4]

list1 = ListNode(l1[0])
list2 = ListNode(l2[0])

list_result = Solution().mergeTwoLists(list1, list2)
print(list_result)

A: Fix your __str__ so it prints the whole linked list:
    def __str__(self):
        s = f"({str(self.val)})"
        if self.next:
            s += f" -> {self.next}"  # be careful not to build any circular lists...
        return s

and now you can see the actual result of your merge function:
(1) -> (1)

which is 100% correct (at least for these inputs) because you merged the lists (1) and (1).
Writing a function that lets you turn a list of multiple numbers into a single linked list will make it easier to test this logic with longer inputs.  One option would be to just do this in your ListNode constructor:
from typing import List, Optional, Union

class ListNode:
    def __init__(self, val: int = 0, *vals: int) -> None:
        self.val = val
        self.next = ListNode(*vals) if vals else None

    def __str__(self) -> str:
        s = f"({str(self.val)})"
        if self.next:
            s += f" -> {self.next}"
        return s

Now you can do:
list1 = ListNode(1, 2, 4)
list2 = ListNode(1, 3, 4)

list_result = Solution().mergeTwoLists(list1, list2)
print(list_result)  # (1) -> (1) -> (2) -> (3) -> (4) -> (4)

A: You need a way to convert a regular Python list to a linked list. Your nodes are initialized with one integer each (never mind that it came from l1 and l2), so they can't grow any next elements by themselves. To fix it, add a static method to ListNode that accepts a list:
class ListNode:

    @static
    def fromList(lst):
        if not lst:
            return None

        return ListNode(lst[0], next=ListNode.fromList(lst[1:]))

This will recursively convert a Python list into a linked list. Then you can initialize your linked lists like this:
list1 = ListNode.fromList(l1)
list2 = (same)

A: You need to convert your list value into a List value. (I recommend using separate classes for nodes and the list that consists of those nodes.)
class ListNode:
    def __init__(self, val, next=None):
        self.val = val
        self.next = next

    def __str__(self):
        return str(self.val)

class List:
    def __init__(self, values=None):
        # Dummy node that is independent of any actual
        # data. You can store the length (or really, any
        # metadata you like) in the dummy node.
        self.head = ListNode(0)
        if values is None:
            values = []

        for x in values:
            self.append(x)

    def append(self, value):
         ...

list1 = List(l1)
list2 = List(l2)

You'll need to implement List.append, and possibly some other methods. It's better to do all the pointer wrangling in List itself and to provide methods for mergeTwoLists to construct the resulting List.