text:
Scouting View: A conversation with Ben Badler
Baseball America's Badler joins us to talk about the IFA market.
By Roger Sep 21, 2018, 9:00am PDT
Share All sharing options for: Scouting View: A conversation with Ben Badler
Anybody who cares about the world of baseball outside of the U.S. has read the work of Ben Badler. Baseball America's international expert has done more to bring clarity and understanding to formerly obscure corners of the baseball universe than any other writer.
Ben was covering Shohei Otani when he was in High School and has been following the career of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. for a half decade already. Ben's work is must-read material for anybody who cares about the future of baseball. And it's a great privilege to have him join us today for a chat on the Giants' international arena of development.
MCC: The international arena is many ways the most obscure area of amateur scouting and development for a whole host of reasons. I wonder if we can start with some broad context questions. I suspect most fans have some very basic understanding of how amateur baseball works in the US -- Little League, travel teams, showcase circuit, high school ball, etc. In broad strokes, what is the world of youth baseball like for kids in, say, the Dominican Republic? How are they trained, how are they spotted, etc.? Aside from signing at least two critical years earlier, what are the major differences between scouting international players and domestic players?
BB: There's a vast ecosystem that has developed to identify, develop and then ultimately get players from the Dominican Republic signed with major league teams. Like you said, youth baseball in the Dominican Republic is different than in the United States. You do have some kids who grow up playing organized baseball as little kids, but a lot of them do not. A lot of times, a lower-level coach or trainer will identify a player in his little league or his area who might be eventually become a prospect of interest to major league teams. But that person might not have the skills or resources to spend years training and developing him, and to then show him to major league teams and negotiate his contract. So he will contact a bigger trainer with more resources (basically, someone whose name or nickname you're used to seeing in Baseball America) to come see his player. From there, the player might join the program of that higher-level trainer. That would typically happen around 14 or 13 years old, but with the increasing speed of the international market where kids are committing to teams sometimes at 14 years old, now trainers are bringing kids into their programs even younger to make sure they have enough time to develop them and get them ready to showcase and sign. The trainers in many cases take care of basically everything for the players—equipment, coaching, contract negotiation, food, travel, sometimes housing and a lot of other expenses that come up along the process for the player and sometimes his family as well.
MCC: For most MLB organizations, how closely connected are the domestic and international scouting/development departments? How much oversight does a FO [Front Office] extend over the international groups?
BB: In general, teams have a scouting director in the U.S. whose job is to oversee the draft and manage all of the team's amateur scouts in that country. Then they have an international scouting director running his own department of scouts spread across the world, primarily in the Dominican Republic and Venezuela, and they're responsible for international signings. For the most part, the domestic and international scouting departments operate independently. A club might send a scout who isn't specifically an international scout—such as a scouting director or a pro scout—for an occasional scouting trip to the Dominican Republic, or to an international scouting event in the United States like when the Dominican Prospect League comes to Chicago or Florida.
The amount of front office oversight and influence from those above the international director level varies by organization. Some oversight and influence is a good thing. You want staff development. You want your scouts to keep up to date with the latest trends and information in the game. You want your front office to help make sure your decision-making process is sound and thorough both domestically and internationally. And with all the new data available to teams now through things like bat sensors, Trackman, Flightscope or even just video, there's a lot of information to manage, so having people in the front office who can support the international decision-makers better incorporate that data into their process can be helpful.
But you also want to have an international scouting director you trust and give him the autonomy to make decisions. Sometimes that's from the owner. Look at the Orioles. I know one club that for a while wasn't able to sign anyone for more than $100,000 until higher-ups above the international scouting director saw the player. That's a great way to miss out on players. Then you also have situations where high-ranking, influential club officials—be it a vice president of scouting, assistant GM, a special assistant, someone like that—who isn't heavily involved in international scouting but wants to put his stamp on international signings and makes bad decisions based on limited looks at a player. I remember one time speaking to a trainer of a player who was about to sign for a fairly significant bonus.
The trainer was in disbelief. He said: Ben, I can't believe they signed this guy. He can't hit a breaking ball. At all. But one of the top front-office guys from this team came in, saw him have the day of his life, he hammered a bunch of fastballs, this guy had the authority so he offered a bunch of money and we got the deal done there. I don't understand what they're doing.
It turned out, the trainer who worked with this kid basically every day for two or three years knew him a little better than the front office guy who saw him and got overexcited and overconfident in his quick look at the player. That one has always stuck out to me, but I've heard of other examples of this type of thing happening in other organizations, and I think it's a too common area where front offices make mistakes and get in their own way. Oversight is important, but find an international scouting director you trust, give him the money he needs, give him the support to help him do his job, but at the end of the day, let him be in charge of making signing decisions.
MCC: And then, just to give us some perspective, what is your view of how well the Giants have utilized their international development department lately? From one fans' POV, it doesn't seem like they've done a great job getting talent out of that theatre over this century, but I don't have a great feel for what an "average" teams international development would look like?
BB: I think it's getting better. Over the last decade, they missed on a lot of position players they gave big money and have struggled just in general to produce Latin American position prospects. They did sign a lot of promising Latin American pitching prospects for cheap prices, many of whom are no longer with the organization. To me, that's a signal of a team that has scouts on the ground who work hard. Scouting is some combination of skill and luck, but you can maximize your opportunities to be lucky if you're out at more games and more workouts than your competition. I think that's especially true for arms, given the history and nature of young international pitching prospects. The last few years I think it's hard to judge much of what the Giants did because they were in the penalty in 2016 and 2017, but I'm a big fan of their 2018 class.
MCC: And lastly (on the context issues), a couple of years ago the Giants opened a new, state-of-the-art facility in the DR (the Felipe Alou Academy), which Club VP Brian Sabean said was an overdo measure to try to catch up to some of their competition in the area. What are the real world impacts of improving facilities in that DSL? Are there competitive advantages that can be gained from this sort of upgrade?
BB: Until MLB just recently changed this rule, teams were not even allowed to have a player at their facilities until the player turned 16 or was within six months of becoming eligible to sign. So, facilities were basically useless when it came to evaluating or recruiting top prospects. Facilities can help to a small degree in recruiting players, but really money is the biggest factor there. The biggest impact they make is on development. The good ones have better food, better weight room, better medical and recovery equipment for team trainers, better dorms for players to be comfortable to rest and recover. The bad ones don't have air conditioning. The internet always breaks. This creates more headaches for your development staff. There are a lot of these little things that in isolation seem small, but those small things compound over time.
MCC: On to players! You have a decently long history of watching the Giants' biggest signing from this year's J2 class — Marco Luciano. Can you tell us a little bit of your history with Luciano — how long you've been watching him, how long ago he caught your eye etc — and what your overall impressions of him are?
BB: I first saw Luciano when he was 15 years old at a Dominican Prospect League event in San Cristobal in January 2017, so it was 18 months out from him being eligible to sign. He had an athletic frame, a sound swing and he hit well in the game I saw that day. Since then I was able to see him a few more times. The biggest showcase for him came with the DPL in Illinois, where he and Noelvi Marte (who signed with the Mariners) stuck out as the two best players at the event, with Luciano putting on a huge show in BP with over-the-fence power to all fields and he performed well in games as well. I saw him again in the fall at the MLB Dominican national showcase in San Pedro de Macoris.
Then on that same trip, I watched him play in a National Prospect League game with his trainer's team in Santo Domingo. He hit an opposite-field home run in that game; it was pretty incredible to see a 16-year-old kid swinging a wood bat go oppo in a game like that. The last in-person look I got on Luciano was in February, when he participated in the MLB international showcase in Santo Domingo. When it came time to rank the 2018 class, after putting Cuban outfielder Victor Victor Mesa at No. 1, I went back and forth between Luciano and Venezuelan catcher Diego Cartaya (who signed with the Dodgers) as the top 16-year-old class and ultimately went with Luciano at No. 2 and Cartaya at 3. I'm a big fan of Luciano. It's a powerful, explosive swing with good balance, good path that generates such easy power. Given the way he's built, I think that power is only going to tick up over the next few years. He's fairly athletic too, and while there are questions about whether he stays at shortstop or ends up going to third base or possibly right field, he always fielded his position cleanly when I saw him at shortstop. If everything clicks, it's a potential middle-of-the-order bat.
MCC: There have been a lot of really elite prospects who've moved very quickly out of the IFA market the last few years. Without overloading Luciano with the burden of expectations, what tier of recent prospects do you think he might equate to?
BB: The track record of players ranked as Baseball America top five international prospects in a given class is very strong. That's not because I'm all that bright. It's because these are the players who stick out as the consensus top players in the industry. Now I don't think Luciano is as polished as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. or Wander Franco, who were the top 16-year-old international prospects in our 2015 and 2017 rankings and are going bananas in the minors right now. But Luciano definitely fits in among the top tier of prospects in any year. He's a big get for the Giants.
MCC: The last time we talked, you told me you were also a pretty big fan of Jairo Pomares. Tell us a little about his background and what you like about him?
BB: Pomares was one of the very few players ranked in our Top 50 international prospects who I didn't get the opportunity to see myself in person, just on video. But the core of our rankings and reports are based on conversations with scouts who are seeing these players throughout the year and can build more significant history on them. The feedback I kept getting on Pomares was positive, especially on his bat. I consistently heard good things about his swing (you can probably see why on the video we have) and about his ability to hit in games, which matches his track record in the Cuban junior leagues. I'm curious to see how he looks defensively next year because there was a split opinion on whether he would end up in center field or a corner, but he has a lot of promising attributes as a hitter.
MCC: Would you imagine that both Luciano and Pomares skip the DSL and debut in the AZL next summer?
BB: Each organization does it a little differently with their first-year assignments for international signings. Some have a blanket policy of starting everyone in the DSL. Others want to push their top signings as fast as possible and always skip them over the DSL because they think it will expedite their development. Then from a practical standpoint, the DSL starts earlier than the AZL, so some clubs will have their July 2 signings open in the DSL, then come over to the AZL once it begins just to get them more at-bats. With Cuban players, they have a separate issue. Many of them stay in the DSL their first year strictly so that when they get paid, they get paid in the Dominican Republic and won't be subject to U.S. income tax, which saves them a substantial amount of money. Based on talent, yes, I think both Luciano and Pomares are ready to go to the AZL next year. But a lot of other factors go into those decisions.
[MCC note: The Giants have some mixed history here, but by and large they have sent million dollar international signings straight to US leagues. Though the ill-fated Gustavo Cabrera was an exception, Angel Villalona, Rafael Rodriguez, and Lucius Fox, all made their pro debuts in the US. I would expect Luciano, at least, will follow that route].
MCC: The last of the big $$ signings for the Giants was the OF Luis Matos. How does he compare to Pomares in your opinion?
BB: Scouts who liked Matos liked his hitting ability. I did hear from a lot of scouts who said he consistently performed well when they saw him in games. But for me, he's definitely a tier or two below Pomares.
MCC: J2 signings don't make their pro debut until the following season, but while they're waiting for things to begin officially, there's the Tricky League. Can you give us a brief history of the Tricky League?
BB: Like you said, these kids sign on July 2, but they can't play in the DSL right away. So teams have instructional league in the U.S., Dominican instructional league and some type of winter development program, but they want to get these kids into games as soon they can (especially when we're talking about five-plus years ago, when a lot of kids were not playing in regular games as amateurs). So teams work together to have a very loose, informal league called the Tricky League, where their July 2 signings play games against each other. It's for development but also for scouting as well, since teams will bring in amateur players to participate as well and evaluate them in game action. I think it's especially helpful to have the Tricky League now because these players are reaching agreements to sign so early, at which point a lot of them basically shut it down from playing games for 12 to 18 months (sometimes even longer), or at least have very limited game exposure in that time. It's not good. So teams can use the Tricky League to get these kids back to playing in games again.
MCC: In the DSL, Luis Toribio was one of the star performers for the Giants' team and made Baseball America's Classification All Star team for the DSL. What can you tell us about Toribio's debut?
BB: Toribio had a great debut for the Giants. The Giants really liked Toribio's offensive ability as an amateur, but for him to show that much home run power already in the DSL is impressive and surprising given that he wasn't a big power hitter when they signed him. There's a lot to be encouraged about from him at the plate.
MCC: And lastly, moving over to the US camp for a moment: how do you interpret Alexander Canario's domestic debut? He was bad, then he was very good, and then he wasn't so good again, all the while piling up a lot of strikeouts. What are we to make of this year in Canario's development?
BB: I'm not sure. I had a lot of positive reports on Canario last year in the DSL and coming into the season, but he did have a very up-and-down year in the AZL. I do think he's a better hitter than the overall numbers might indicate, and he showed it in spurts, but I thought he would have better overall numbers than he ended up with. I still like him a lot though; that bat speed, power, athleticism, speed and arm strength are all there, and I think the attributes are there for him to be a good hitter.
Again, we can't thank Ben enough for taking the time to join us and talk some international ball. If you're not already following @BenBadler then you need to get over to Twitter and hit the follow button now. I would also highly recommend a Baseball America subscription to those who have the wherewithal — their work is still the gold standard of prospect news.


emergency situation locksmith who is just a call away. We are on call 24 Hrs a day. Therefore, it doesn't matter what time of the day you get locked out, or you face any problem with your locks, our group will be there to let you in!
There are countless reasons why you need to deal with us. Considering that summarizing them in one piece is a near impossibility, listed below are some of the main aspects that make us the ideal emergency situation locksmith for your varied needs.
problems are emergency situations, and they need to be treated with the severity they are worthy of. Therefore, we have greatly invested in human resource and adequate devices. Therefore, when you call, we will never ask you to wait. Our professionals are never too busy for you– they must help you despite the day of the week or the season of the year!
The biggest mistake you can make for your home is work with a locksmith professional without appropriate accreditations. Usually, people who penetrate the locksmith industry without the required documents are cons whose primary goal is to syphon money from unwary clients and flee after offering bad or no services at all.
To us, customers are the most crucial stakeholders. A vital part of keeping our customers first is by ensuring we get the appropriate insurances, accreditations, and licenses. This offers the clients comfort understanding that they are working with an emergency locksmith they can rely on. Additionally, we are an active member of various professional bodies which offer continuous training to all our professionals.
The primary reason many people opt to get into their houses, businesses, or cars especially in emergency situations is because hiring an emergency locksmith comes with a significant price.
Excellent news! You no longerneed to damage your locks or call an unprofessional locksmith to do the job for you. We are honored to reveal to you that we are a highly cost effective specialist, and we are based in your region!
We believe that our clients come from various levels of the socio-economic ladder. For this reason, we offer the most competitive pricing technique in the city. When you call, our internal evaluators will come and assess the nature of your problem and offer you a quote that will complement your budget plan.
What sets us ahead of our rivals is that we offer a complimentary quote which contains no concealed charges. When we offer you a quote, we will charge you the figure we settle on after the service. Put simply, a blend of quality and pocket-friendliness is what makes us the marketplace leader you can rely on!
Through the years we have been in business, we have provided unequalled services to our clients. Our professionals follow a well-laid code of conduct, and this is the reason we have never been linked to any misbehavior in our service delivery mission. This is the reason we delight in an unrivaled reputation. We get a kick out of high rankings and favorable evaluations in various evaluation websites. Additionally, we get numerous referrals and repeat business monthly.
Considering that we want to secure the reputation we have built in years, we will never offer poor services or use low-grade items when managing our clients' houses, cars, or companies. Work with us today!
You need to deal with a reputable local locksmith, which is who we are. We have an office in your city. When you call, we will not invest a lot of time aiming to understand where you are. We will not ask for your GPS coordinates. Rather, all we will ask for is your address, or the postal code of the location you have been locked out of the car. When you give it to us, we will be there before you know it.
Your home is among the most crucial assets in your life that you need to manage and secure. Whether you are locked out of your home, you require door locks repaired or installed, you need someone who can install state-of-the-art security locks, or you want a professional with knowledge in installing and repairing safes, call the 24 Hr emergency locksmith you can rely on. We are at your service.
Honestly, your business is what assists you preserve the lifestyle you live today. Therefore, you need to secure it as much as you can. Whether you require security dreadlocks, master key systems, mail boxes change outs, or you require locks repaired after a break-in in your industrial premises, call us and we will come to you even in the darkest hour of the night.


text:
Ex-SWAT Deputy Grabs His Shotgun To Give A Message To Hurricane Harvey Looters! [VIDEO]
31 Aug, 2017 by	Sierra Marlee
For all of the good we've seen coming from the people affected by Hurricane Harvey and those who want to help, there was inevitably going to be some looting in the city of Houston. You simply can't put that many people together without a few of them being bad apples.
But an "ex-SWAT deputy" has decided that he wasn't about to let looters do their thing while he was around. He snagged his shotgun and made it very clear that he has a zero-tolerance policy for criminal behavior.
A shotgun-toting gentleman was stationed outside the Little York Food Mart on Houston's east side when a woman with a camera approached him to ask what was going on.
While talking about the looting that was taking place, he notices something happening off-camera. That's when it gets real.
"Hey! Don't go back in that store," he yells. "I'm telling you one time: I'm not scared to shoot you, I'm an ex-[expletive] SWAT deputy. I will cut your [expletive] in half."
Watch the video below: [Coarse Language Warning]
We know that emergency responders were told to prioritize life-or-death situations above all others, meaning that looters will get away with their crimes simply because the police force doesn't have the manpower to deal with such a petty crime.
That is when this man stepped in to make sure the laws are observed by those who would otherwise take advantage of the situation to steal more shoes, televisions and other equally-useless items.
"If you're looting, you're stealing," he stated. "It's a violation of Texas law and federal law in a time of a catastrophe. Do not enter people's homes. The Constitution says you've got the right to protect yourself and bear arms."
Houston Police Chief Art Acevedo did promise to "go after looters aggressively," adding that he "cannot tolerate people hurting our people while they are already hurting from this storm."
Is this man a hero or a vigilante who needs to go home and wait for the police? Let us know what you think!
H/T: Breitbart
Sierra Marlee
More articles by Sierra Marlee

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


H&L International offers full service management and consulting and executive search advisory to hospitality organizations worldwide.
H&L's executive search is based on personal and professional network. Our search mandate is led by industry professionals with relevant work experience.
H&L approaches all projects and assignments in a systematic approach.
H&L International is a premier consulting and executive search firm in the hospitality industry. H&L provides customized solutions in specialty areas of the hospitality industry through consulting and executive search services.
H&L's list of professional relationships include some of the most successful hotel owners, management companies, financial institutions and advisory firms in the industry. H&L's industry experience includes exposure to various aspects including finance, operations, marketing, and hospitality real estate.
© 2017 H&L. All Rights Reserved.


A 'Perch' is a beautifully crafted three legged stool. Crafted in three consecutive days. The cost includes all materials.
Participants spend time on a wood lathe, learn to turn legs and stretchers, you will learn to use a wide range of traditional hand tools to carve out the seat. The final day – you will assemble your perch ready to take home. Perch classes are run with with a maximum of six participants (with two instructors).
Cost: $750 (3 full days – approx 24 – 28 hours) The cost includes all your material, all tools supplied, morning tea and coffee.


lobal CPG company Unilever has committed to ensuring that all of its plastic packaging is fully reusable, recyclable or compostable by 2025, and has called on the entire fast-moving consumer goods industry to accelerate progress towards the circular economy.
Unilever said treating plastic packaging as a valuable resource to be managed efficiently and effectively is a key priority in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 12 (Sustainable Consumption & Production) and, in doing so, shifting away from a 'take-make-dispose' model of consumption to one which is fully circular.
Invest in proving, and then sharing with the industry, a technical option to recycle multi-layered sachets, particularly for coastal areas which are most at risk of plastics leaking into the ocean.
Unilever has already committed to reduce the weight of the packaging it uses this decade by one third by 2020, and increase its use of recycled plastic content in its packaging to at least 25 percent by 2025 against a 2015 baseline, both as part of the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan. In 2015, it achieved its commitment of sending zero non-hazardous waste to landfill across its manufacturing operations.
Further, as part of its commitment, Unilever will ensure that by 2025, it is technically possible for its plastic packaging to be reused or recycled and there are established, proven examples of it being commercially viable for plastics reprocessors to recycle the material.
Unilever CEO Paul Polman commented: 'Our plastic packaging plays a critical role in making our products appealing, safe and enjoyable for our consumers. Yet it is clear that if we want to continue to reap the benefits of this versatile material, we need to do much more as an industry to help ensure it is managed responsibly and efficiently post-consumer use.
'To address the challenge of ocean plastic waste we need to work on systemic solutions – ones which stop plastics entering our waterways in the first place. We hope these commitments will encourage others in the industry to make collective progress towards ensuring that all of our plastic packaging is fully recyclable and recycled.


text:
Man pleads guilty to DUI crash that hurt 2…
Man pleads guilty to DUI crash that hurt 2 girls in San Juan Capistrano
By City News Service | news@socalnews.com |
SANTA ANA – A convicted drunken driver pleaded guilty to again driving under the influence in a crash that injured two young girls in his vehicle and was sentenced to four years' probation and 158 days in jail, according to court records obtained Tuesday.
Victor Hugo Chavez Villegas, 32, was also ordered Monday to participate in a child abuser's treatment program and 18 months in a multiple offender alcohol program.
Villegas was exiting the northbound I-5 freeway at Ortega Highway in San Juan Capistrano about 3:35 p.m. Oct. 2 when he lost control of his Toyota 4Runner, which slammed into a center divider wall, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Michael Shuman.
Two passengers, ages 8 and 9, sustained minor injuries and were treated and released from a hospital, Shuman said. It was not clear whether the driver was related to the girls.
Villegas pleaded guilty to misdemeanor driving under the influence of alcohol causing injury, and misdemeanor driving with a blood-alcohol level above the legal limit of .08 percent and two felony counts of child abuse and endangerment, according to court records.
Villegas was convicted of drunken driving on Feb. 24, 2014, in San Diego Superior Court, according to the criminal complaint.
City News Service is a regional wire service covering Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside and San Diego counties. Its reporting and editing staff cover public safety, courts, local government and general assignment stories. Contact the City News Service newsroom at 310-481-0404 or news@socalnews.com.
news@socalnews.com


Norwegian oil, gas and renewables engineering and construction firm Aibel is set to cut 300 jobs.
The company said the employees in Stavanger, Oslo, Haugesund and Stjordal would be affected by the move.
Staff affected by the cull include those who work in engineering, procurement and project management.
Aibel has made a number of staff cuts this year. The firm credited a declining workload for the losses.
It said "extensive work" had been done to improve competitiveness.
In March, Aibel said it would lay off 230 employees in a number of Norwegian locations, which was followed by further reductions as 250 staff were also made redundant.
The most recent job losses come on the back of Statoil's announcement it would be cutting 500 jobs earlier this month.


Take a look at this TabStart page to find several convenient resources for first grade students to explore the genre of nonfiction. The sites below include lists of first grade non-fiction books, lesson plans, and worksheets that will assist you in overseeing a productive classroom.
List of Non-fiction Books for First Grade - Education.com presents this useful article about good non-fiction books for first grade reading students. The list also includes details about the reading skills that are highlighted in each book.
First Grade Reading - Non-Fiction Books - Starfall.com provides several non-fiction books for first grader students to read online. The books here are full of color and easy to read.
Non-fiction Books Unit Study - Here is a six week long unit of study on the difference between fiction and non-fiction. One main goal for the students in these exercises is to learn about how non-fiction books are organized and to use this knowledge to find infromation.
Non-fiction Reading Worksheet - This activity and worksheet asks students to explore non-fiction books.
Non-fiction Reading Comprehension Tests - Check out this page from Have Fun Teaching to find several nonfiction stories that include reading comprehension questions. Each selection offers details about the story and has an answer key.
True Stories Worksheet for First Grade Students - Here you can find a worksheet that students can take home and complete with their parents. In this exercise non-fiction stories and books are referred to as "true" stories. In this activity students read a story and answer questions about it. This activity would be appropriate for first grade students.
First Grade Unit: Writing & Reading Non-fiction - This mini-unit for first grade reading students introduces them to the genre of non-fiction and teaches them to write their own nonfiction work.


text:
Dominik Lang: Awakening Art at the Venice Biennale
Posted July 13, 2011 to Art by: jacy meyer.
Czech Position
Czech artist's exhibition in Italy a reflection of two generations as a son embaces the work of his father, who died far too young
A father's work re-created in his son's. The Sleeping City by artist Dominik Lang is now installed at the Czecho-Slovak pavilion at the Venice Biennale. A completely new work, Lang drew on history as part of his interpretation.
"The basic concept is the statues, my relationship with my father (as my father, not as an artist); these layers, including the concrete situation of the biennale, are in an international context," Lang told Czech Position.
He answered an open call from the National Gallery for artists to exhibit at this year's Biennale. There was some controversy however when then-National Gallery director Milan Knížák rejected Lang's proposal (chosen by an expert committee) and tried to push through artists he preferred. The artists turned him down, and Culture Minister Jirí Besser stepped in, putting the Biennale under his ministry's control.
"From the start, the director said 'no' to my project, but my friends supported me, said they respect the committee's decision and it was a dead end," he explained. "I wasn't sure how it would come out, but the minster of culture called me and said 'I respect the committee, please do it.'"
Lang's father is sculptor Jirí Lang, who was most active in the 1950s; he died when Dominik was a teenager, and he never had the opportunity to relate to him as an artist.
"I really miss my father; he was older, the statues existed for me, but they were like frozen, like in a sleeping form," he said. "I know his work as a document of time, from black and white photos, so I started thinking about how to have a discussion between me and my father, as well as between our two generations. I wanted an intergenerational dialogue and I wanted it in a modernistic atmosphere."
Melding old and new
Lang's work as an artist tends to involve space and form versus the figural work using materials of his father. The Sleeping City takes his father's sculptures and displays them in a new light – repositioned, and sometimes cut to pieces. Dominik made the work his own by putting his trademark architectural angles into the exhibit – walls, furniture and other physical barriers. This site specification installation takes the form of a hypothetical never-realized exhibition as well as a visualization of the relationship between the two artists.
"The 1930-1950s aesthetic is very strong and interesting for my generation; my father studied in the '50s but was inspired by the '30s and the social modernism of that time, a connection to the figurative," Lang said. "I'm also working with the '50s, which is when my father worked, but inspired by the '30s — it's just waves which keep coming back."
"I also tried to imagine the time, the bad atmosphere, difficult for artists, no connection with other artists, I can't imagine it for real," he added. "This project was me trying to imagine all these things, all these layers started me working."
Lang spent about two to three months on thinking, planning and developing his idea, one month of physical work in Prague and then three weeks installing in Venice. The Czechoslovakia pavilion was designed in 1926 by Otakar Novotný, who also designed the Mánes Galerie. Lang appreciates the atmosphere the pavilion added to his installation and thinks the two fit together well.
"There were many possibilities to work with the statues; maybe bring them there and be in the shadow, but I wanted a form that was half and half, my installation but using material from my father," he said. "For this project, it was the situation of the statues, his life and this period. But now I'm working with the statues, like the material or documents of that time."
Relationships, of all kinds
Doing this exhibition was an emotional experience for Lang in a number of ways, not the least being in some instances he was dismantling his father's work. He said that the statues were a physical representation of his father and he was looking for how to work with something that has a connection to a time and things he doesn't remember.
"His work represented something frozen, I respect his work, but I felt in his studio a little anxious, so I moved this feeling to Venice, to a pavilion labeled Czechoslovakia," he said.
Two photos played a big role in this installation — one of Dominik and his father in his studio when the boy was around 8-years-old and the second recent one of Dominik alone in his father's studio — which looks more or less untouched. The photo of the two artists together is included in the exhibition.
"There's free space to walk around it and the photos and their connection with the exhibition," Lang explained. "Then visitors enter it and can read the details, analyze the situation; this fact was very important, it had to be possible to understand it."
Looking back on the experience, including transporting his work by truck, then by boat, Lang feels he has learned and experienced, a lot. "The statues are now in Venice, it's funny, leaving them there, a complete opposite of the previous situation when almost no one had seen them and now thousands of people see them everyday," he said.
Lang, who also works with visiting professors at the Academy of Fine Arts in Prague, is currently working on his next exhibition – he's been named a finalist for the Jindrich Chalupecký Award for young artists. The work of the five finalists will go in display in November at Dox, Center for Contemporary Art.
Posted July 13, 2011	to Art	by: jacy meyer.
A Giant Sea Creature Above the Dining Room Table
Lighting Up the Pastry World
Gold and Pearls
"A structural scattering of light"
Lighting Luxury
Siter Designed by Mike Beckman


text:
Abbreviations: ch = children's; d = drama, screenwriting; f = fiction; nf = non-fiction; p = poetry, song lyrics

List of authors by name:

A – B –
C – D –
E – F –
G – H –
I – J –
K – L –
M – N –
O – P –
Q – R –
S – T –
U – V –
W – X –
Y – Z

X

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Q: Writing/implementing an API: testability vs information hiding Many times I am involved in the design/implementation of APIs I am facing this dilemma.
I am a very strong supporter of information hiding and try to use various techniques for that, including but not limited to inner classes, private methods, package-private qualifiers, etc.
The problem with these techniques is that they tend to prevent good testability. And while some of these techniques can be resolved (e.g. package-privateness by putting a class into the same package), others are not so easy to tackle and either requires reflection magic or other tricks.
Let's look at concrete example:
public class Foo {
   SomeType attr1;
   SomeType attr2;
   SomeType attr3;

   public void someMethod() {
      // calculate x, y and z
      SomethingThatExpectsMyInterface something = ...;
      something.submit(new InnerFoo(x, y, z));
   }

   private class InnerFoo implements MyInterface {
      private final SomeType arg1;
      private final SomeType arg2;
      private final SomeType arg3;

      InnerFoo(SomeType arg1, SomeType arg2, SomeType arg3) {
         this.arg1 = arg1;
         this.arg2 = arg2;
         this.arg3 = arg3;
      }

      @Override
      private void methodOfMyInterface() {
         //has access to attr1, attr2, attr3, arg1, arg2, arg3
      }
   }
}

There are strong reasons not to expose InnerFoo - no other class, library should have access to it as it does not define any public contract and the author deliberately didn't want it to be accessible. However to make it 100% TDD-kosher and accessible without any reflection tricks, InnerFoo should be refactored like this:
private class OuterFoo implements MyInterface {
   private final SomeType arg1;
   private final SomeType arg2;
   private final SomeType arg3;
   private final SomeType attr1;
   private final SomeType attr2;
   private final SomeType attr3;

   OuterFoo(SomeType arg1, SomeType arg2, SomeType arg3, SomeType attr1, SomeType attr2, SomeType attr3) {
      this.arg1 = arg1;
      this.arg2 = arg2;
      this.arg3 = arg3;
      this.attr1 = attr1;
      this.attr2 = attr2;
      this.attr3 = attr3;
   }

   @Override
   private void methodOfMyInterface() {
      //can be unit tested without reflection magic
   }
}

This examply only involves 3 attrs, but it is pretty reasonable to have 5-6 and the OuterFoo constructor would then have to accept 8-10 parameters! Add getters on top, and you already have 100 lines of completely useless code (getters would be also required to get these attrs for testing). Yes, I could make the situation a bit better by providing a builder pattern but I think this is not only over-engineering but also defeats the purpose of TDD itself!
Another solution for this problem would be to expose a protected method for class Foo, extend it in FooTest and get the required data. Again, I think this is also a bad approach because protected method does define a contract and by exposing it I have now implicitly signed it.
Don't get me wrong. I like to write testable code. I love concise, clean APIs, short code blocks, readability, etc. But what I don't like is making any sacrifices when it comes to information hiding just because it is easier to unit test.
Can anybody provide any thoughts on this (in general, and in particular)? Are there any other, better solutions for given example?

A: My go-to answer for this type of thing is a "test proxy". In your test package, derive a subclass from your system under test, which contains "pass-through" accessors to protected data.
Advantages:

*

*You can directly test, or mock, methods you don't want made public.

*Since the test proxy lives in the test package, you can ensure it is never used in production code.

*A test proxy requires far fewer changes to code in order to make it testable than if you were testing the class directly.

Disadvantages:

*

*The class must be inheritable (no final)

*Any hidden members you need to access cannot be private; protected is the best you can do.

*This isn't strictly TDD; TDD would lend itself to patterns that didn't require a test proxy in the first place.

*This isn't strictly even unit testing, because at some level you are dependent on the "integration" between the proxy and the actual SUT.

In short, this should normally be a rarity. I tend to use it only for UI elements, where best practice (and default behavior of many IDEs) is to declare nested UI controls as inaccessible from outside the class. Definitely a good idea, so you can control how callers get data from the UI, but that also makes it difficult to give the control some known values to test that logic.

A: I think you should reconsider using reflection.
It has its own downsides but if it allows you to maintain the security model you want without dummy code, that may be a good thing. Reflection is often not required, but sometimes there is no good substitute.
Another approach to information hiding is to treat the class/object as a black box and not access any non-public methods (Though this can allow tests to pass for the "wrong" reasons i.e. the answer is right but for the wrong reasons.)

A: I don't see how information hiding, in the abstract, is reducing your testability.
If you were injecting the SomethingThatExpectsMyInterface used in this method rather than constructing it directly:
public void someMethod() {
   // calculate x, y and z
   SomethingThatExpectsMyInterface something = ...;
   something.submit(new InnerFoo(x, y, z));
}

Then in a unit test you could inject this class with a mock version of SomethingThatExpectsMyInterface and easily assert what happens when you call someMethod() with different inputs - that the mockSomething receives arguments of certain values.
I think you may have over-simplified this example anyway as InnerFoo cannot be a private class if SomethingThatExpectsMyInterface receives arguments of its type.
"Information Hiding" doesn't necessarily mean that the objects you pass between your classes need to be a secret - just that you aren't requiring external code using this class to be aware of the details of InnerFoo or the other details of how this class communicates with others.

A: SomethingThatExpectsMyInterface can be tested outside Foo, right?  You can call its submit() method with your own test class that implements MyInterface.  So that unit is taken care of.  Now you are testing Foo.someMethod() with that well-tested unit and your untested inner class.  That's not ideal - but it's not too bad.  As you test-drive someMethod(), you are implicitly test-driving the inner class.  I know that's not pure TDD, by some strict standards, but I would consider it sufficient.  You're not writing a line of the inner class except to satisfy a failing test; that there's a single level of indirection between your test and the tested code doesn't constitute a big problem.

A: In your example it looks like the Foo class really needs a collaborator InnerFoo.
In my opinion the tension between information hiding and testability is solved by the "composite simpler than the sum of its parts" motto.
Foo is a facade over a composite (just InnerFoo in your case, but does not matter.)  The facade object should be tested on its intended behaviour.  If you feel that the InnerFoo object code is not driven enough by the tests on the behaviour of Foo, you should consider what InnerFoo represents in your design.  It may be that you miss a design concept.  When you find it, name it, and define its responsibilities, you may test its behaviour separately.

A:
what I don't like is making any sacrifices when it comes to information hiding

First, work with Python for a few years.
private is not particularly helpful.  It makes extension of the class hard and it makes testing hard.
Consider rethinking your position on "hiding".

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Our Impressionism themed gift and home decor items are perfect for people who have a curious interest in this influential art period and its famous pieces of work. How curious are you?
Impressionism was a French 19th century art movement, which made waves in the art world at the time, for it marked a huge shift from the traditions in European painting. Impressionists used science to look into colour physics, with the view to archive a more accurate representation of colour and tone. Before impressionism, art was all about the subject matter being painted, the Impressionists aimed to emphasise the artist's perception of the subject matter. Some of the greatest impressionist artists were Edouard Manet, Camille Pissaro, Edgar Degas, Alfred Sisley, Claude Monet, Berthe Morisot and Pierre Auguste Renoir.


text:
Preacher: Pastor Bill Grandi (529), Pastor Ryan East (27), Bill Grandi and Ryan East (8), Bill Grandi and Bret Eaton (4), Will Reed (3), Rob Grandi (3), Ryan Croft (1), Missionary Will Reed (1), Peter Bales (1), Bret Eaton (1). … (4 more)
Book: Genesis (13), Exodus (8), Leviticus (4), Numbers (1), Deuteronomy (3), Joshua (10), Judges (3), 1 Samuel (9), 2 Samuel (6), 1 Kings (1), 1 Chronicles (2), 2 Chronicles (2), Esther (3), Job (2), Psalm (54), Proverbs (23), Ecclesiastes (13), Isaiah (24), Jeremiah (4), Ezekiel (4), Daniel (12), Hosea (1), Joel (1), Jonah (3), Micah (3), Zechariah (1), Matthew (76), Mark (35), Luke (61), John (61), Acts (15), Romans (38), 1 Corinthians (23), 2 Corinthians (20), Galatians (27), Ephesians (13), Philippians (10), Colossians (21), 1 Thessalonians (3), 1 Timothy (6), 2 Timothy (8), Titus (1), Hebrews (13), James (5), 1 Peter (4), 2 Peter (4), 1 John (13), 2 John (1), 3 John (3), Jude (2), Revelation (18). … (42 more)
Series: The Lamb Wins!! (3), Feasts with a Purpose (4), Wake Up Sleepy Head! (4), 8 Cures (8), Seven Cancers (8), Snapshots (1), Snapshots (3), Truth Decay (7), Against the Grain (9), Expect the Unexpected (9), Attitude Check (4), The Servant King (16), Eyes Wide Open (9), The Agony and the Ecstesy (4), Life Matters (13), A Grand Production (4), Q & A (11), Promises, Promises (12), More Than A Man (2), Supremacy (2), Supremacy (9), Faithful (6), Don't Miss It!! (4), Servants (4), Postcards (8), Icebergs (7), Heroes (3), A Lifeboat (3), Last Words (4), An Anchor (11), Shedding Light on Christmas (4), Staking Your Claim (6), Got Wisdom? (11), Courage (10), True North (11), Transformed (5), Familiarity Breeds... (3), Thanks! (3), Truth (5), Guest Speakers (1), Hills (6), Grace (10), Branded (18), I Am Fifth (6), God's Gift of Christmas (4), Captured! (5), Seven (7), Life Is An Adventure! (13), Family Matters (5), Solid! (7), It Is Written (10), Deck The Halls (5), Church Alive (6), The Fruitful Life (6), Famous Last Words (5), FREEDOM! - 2015 Theme (28), The Great Adventure (47), God In Control (5), Marked (6), Identity (4), Danger: Toxic! (11), Family Values Under Construction (4), Reclaimed (7), Beliefs Under Construction (7), Searching (4), Real Thanksgiving (2), Not A Fan (6), Closer Look (2), Various Topics (22), Transformed By Passion (12), Transformed By Love (4), Transformed by His Presence (9), Transformed By Grace (4), Transformed By Prayer (4), Come to the Feast! (6), Signs (10), Confessions of a Pastor (10). … (68 more)
Service: Sunday Morning (573), Midweek Meeting (4), Sunday Evening (1).
Date: 2008 (10), 2011 (15), 2012 (51), 2013 (50), 2014 (49), 2015 (51), 2016 (52), 2017 (52), 2018 (48), 2019 (45), 2020 (49), 2021 (52), 2022 (50), 2023 (4)
Feast Your Eyes on Him!
Revelation 1:9-20 (Part of the The Lamb Wins!! series).
Revelation 1:1-8 (Part of the The Lamb Wins!! series).
Preached by Pastor Bill Grandi on January 8, 2023 (Sunday Morning).
The Unexpected Dawn
Matthew 2:1-12 (Part of the Expect the Unexpected series).
The Unexpected News
Luke 2:7 (Part of the Expect the Unexpected series).
Preached by Pastor Bill Grandi on December 25, 2022 (Sunday Morning).
The Unexpected Child
Isaiah 7:6 (Part of the Expect the Unexpected series).
The Unexpected Birth
Luke 1:26-28 (Part of the Expect the Unexpected series).
God Delivers His People
Leviticus 23:26-44 (Part of the Feasts with a Purpose series).
Preached by Pastor Bill Grandi on December 4, 2022 (Sunday Morning).
God Reminds His People
Preached by Pastor Bill Grandi on November 27, 2022 (Sunday Morning).
God Separates His People
Leviticus 23:9-14 (Part of the Feasts with a Purpose series).


Cars travel up and down Vermont Avenue in the neighborhood of Los Feliz in Los Angeles passing in front of the Figaro Cafe. A car horn honks several times. HD Master H.264 " shot with a Canon 5D Mark II " can convert to other HD and SD formats.


Shop from the usa uk or staying in and wish to you have come right place ppobox has established itself, speaking of elegance and rolex replica sale fashion the hot vintage bronze models in watches uk recent years must be mentioned just like fake, gemstones set into jewellery were the starting point for steve a series of upholstered poufs luca nichettos eponymous furniture collection de la espada.
Mid century modernisme space age panton style eames era loft industrieel ste eeuw industrial interior design expo. Remove sofas from slide out any sofa in an rv can be removed the question is will there anything available to fill spot, products to small bedroom chair and see what customers say about on delivery possible eligible. High quality durable teak garden furniture table chair sets benches loungers and more, a perfect choice for your outdoor space this duotech storage box combines an ultra strong build with elegant design sturdy multi purpose. View image for sm trio side table with marble top. Products to beige stool and see what customers say about on delivery possible eligible purchases.
Shop target for ottomans benches you will love at great low prices choose a storage ottoman or bench to add discreet space your living room, otto ben storage ottoman folding toy box chest with smart lift top linen fabric ottomans bench foot rest for bedroom dark grey, tufted city script crate style storage ottoman online only for careers investor relations and other big lots information visit our corporate site.
Get storage ottomans big lots more info click affiliate link amzntolqqtmk intex inflatable ultra lounge with ottoman amzntolqrz. Large storage ottoman this versatile piece of furniture will hold lots giantex folding bench tufted faux leather coffee table foot. Coffee table storage ottoman big lots target small inside living room at leather bench grey collapsible footstool pink round footstools black moden and, browse big lots and find ottomans chaise lounges choose a convenient storage ottoman place in front of stylish lounge for grand look, thanks for enjoying big lots storage bench medium size of bed ottoman king photo this picture has been. Products such as otto ben ottomans big baby savings inch button design memory foam seat folding storage ottoman bench with faux, big baby savings registry black storage ottoman otto ben inch button design memory foam seat folding bench with faux leather.


text:
Home»Dark Mode»How to Enable SoundCloud Dark Mode in Android, iOS, & Web
How to Enable SoundCloud Dark Mode in Android, iOS, & Web
By Admin September 1, 2021 Updated: September 1, 2021 No Comments3 Mins Read
SoundCloud is the largest open audio platform powered by a connected community of creators, listeners, and curators. With this, you will find in detail what's new, now, and next in culture. Further, it empowers the audio creators with the best tools, services, and resources. With this app, you can directly follow your favorite artists in real-time and support the future of music with every play, like, repost and comment. You can also create playlists for any occasion. It lets you discover millions of emerging and established artists, DJs, and Podcasters. If you are a night owl or use SoundCloud in a low-light environment, you might find difficulty using it. To combat this issue, you can make use of the SoundCloud Dark Mode. Upon enabling this feature, your eyes will be less exposed to the Bluelight. Look at the detailed procedure given below to turn on dark mode on SoundCloud.
How to Enable SoundCloud Dark Mode in Android & iOS Smartphones
[1] Launch the SoundCloud app on your Smartphone and Sign in with your credentials.
[2] Now, from the bottom of the screen, tap the Library icon.
[3] Proceed to select your Profile icon from the top right corner of the screen.
[4] From there, you shall click on Settings and choose Theme.
[5] Go ahead to select Dark to enable the night mode on the SoundCloud.
Related: What is Dark Mode? How to Enable and Use it
Alternative Way
You can enable dark mode on SoundCloud by configuring the device's appearance. The procedure will be applicable for the devices which run on Android 10 and iOS 13.
[1] First, you have to Configure SoundCloud to use the device theme.
[2] Now, launch the app and tap the Library icon.
[3] Under that, go to Settings –> Theme –> System Default.
[4] Proceed to enable the dark mode on your device.
On your Android device go to Settings –> Display –> Theme –> Dark
On your iOS device go to Settings –> Display & Brightness –> Theme –> Dark
[5] Now, if you launch the app, you can see the dark theme set on the app automatically.
How to Enable SoundCloud Dark Mode on Web Version
SoundCloud doesn't come with an in-built dark theme on the web version. So we have made use of the Chrome extensions to enable dark mode on the web version.
[1] First, visit the official website of the Night Eye extension to download it for any of your browsers.
[2] Now, visit the soundcloud.com website and Sign in.
[3] Proceed to select the extension and click Turn On.
Related: How to use Chrome Dark Mode on Android, iPhone & PC
[4] That's all, now the dark mode is enabled for SoundCloud.
SoundCloud has separate subscription plans for creators and listeners. It is the best music streaming app. Make use of the dark mode feature available on SoundCloud to reduce your eye strain. If you have any problem with the procedure given, kindly do let us know in the comments section.
Previous ArticleHow to Monitor Blood Pressure on Apple Watch [Guidelines]
Next Article How to Fast Forward on Apple TV using Remote


This dashboard is dedicated to metrics that matter the most, channel wise. This is extremely useful when the same app is running on multiple platforms and you can get a quick walk through of all these numbers here.
This will show you how many installs have happened across channels like Android, iOS, Windows and others in the selected date range.
You can find the average session time in seconds during the selected date range here.
Let's say total number of events triggered is 10, this graph will show you the breakdown as to number of events triggered on each channel in the selected date range.
Similarly this is where you can track and compare the number of active users across all channels in the selected date range.


Ayanna and her mother Dolores were living a dream. They bought their rusty 61 Chevy Impala on a road trip to see grandma. When the two told grandma and the family that they were going to turn the junker into a beautiful lowrider complete with front, back, and side to side hydraulics; the family thought they were crazy. But, it takes an unordinary person (or persons) to make dreams come true. They built it! Their very own car to go cruising in. They would later start a car club and name it "A Lady's Car Club".
From top left to right:Mc Lyte's 1st LP-Lyte as a rock (it'd been awhile, needed to hear it again), Amulet-Incredible graphic novel im reading w/ my kid, we're on #3! Chaz Bojorquez-master calligrapher, Soul Train 09 ads-caught this at Atlantic st, Black Diamond Shining crew (Dead Eyes, Ras Terms, and Ash Rose n this shot), Maroons of Jamaica by Mavis Cambell, Textiles by Colectivo Raahuna-dope styles, Illustration by zine maker Travis Fudge, Suitable 4 Framin' graffiti zine-homie Nisha is in this along w/Spie, "21 Story of Roberto Clemente" by Wilfred Santiago-incredible story/book/art, Juggaknots 1st LP-Clear Blue Skies!, Decolonize Wall Street-Cuz its a great necessary statement, The Zapatista Reader edited by Tom Hayden feat hella writers, Aja Monet-amazing poet who got lines 4 days, Just Cause/ Causa Justa becuse they've taken on some great work, Oban-Star Racers-just watched some of this w/ my kid.Cool animation collab btwn French and Japanese animators.
Last pair of the year folks. Light switch plates for gifts or for you. Man, a whole bunch of them got scooped up at Pueblo Nuevo last weekend. Gotta make some new ones.
The new year is about to start! This is a reminder to let go of things that are weighing us down and move forward "now". In case you've just tuned in PWA- (positive wall affirmations) are meant to have a good reminder near you in your home, office, studio, classroom, etc. In the past the words I've painted like "Breathe" or "Health is Wealth" have helped me and the folks who purchase them to live a bit lighter. I make these by using hand made or found materials and paint. Hope you enjoy.
Check out this Chaz interview. This is one of my favorite artists.I first saw his work in a documentary called "Graffiti Verite" in 95.
This summer I went to the 40th annual SCBWI Summer conference. This was a well organized event I was referred to while going back to school to finish my BFA. I don't know many artists personally who specialize in Children's Books and I am a new comer to the field, so I went as a student of the game. It was hella (very) interesting and well worth the trip from the Bay Area to L.A.
I was able to pay the conference entry fee through the "QUICK Grant" which is awarded by Creative Capacity Fund to obtain professional development. Originally a year ago an instructor suggested I go, but I was unable to pay the fee then. This year I decided to find a way. The entry fee was around $500. The grant paid for over 90% of that cost. But renting a car, food, etc was another expense.
The SCBWI stands for Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators. It's an organization that provides a membership based community of writers and illustrators who are either published or starting out like me. It is an additional source of information, regional advise, special events (like this one), grants, and even special awards. They've been around for quite a long time. And to tell you the truth, I'm glad I became a member. Joining did not get me a book deal, and it didn't give me "the answer", it was another step forward that has made me more knowledgeable.
The information packet contained detailed information on each day of the 4 day conference which included key note speakers, critiques, workshops, networking sessions, portfolio reviews, a book sale, guides to the industry, and a lot of helpful tips. The hotel was luxurious and huge! The conference took up three floors of this massive place and every day we heard from key note speakers in a huge banquet hall equipped with sound system and video monitors.
-I met people in my field! I know a lot of artists, but not many children's books illustrators/writers. It was paramount that I go expand my horizons by meeting some new people.
-I learned many insider tips about the business. Things that the website does not come out and say, like for example. If you are a member of this organization, when submitting manuscripts or portfolios, some publishers will give Scbwi members first peek.
-I met some elders. Its comforting to know that there are people who do this successfully and can earn a living doing what they love.
-I got to see what my competition looked like. There were tons of portfolios out there, and tons of people both new and experienced to ask questions of. Most were open and helpful.
-Most of the art I saw was phenomenal!
-It affirmed my suspicion that there is a desperate need for someone, anyone with the guts to put bilingual and children of color focused books at the fore front. Both of these are barely a blip on their radar (in my opinion). It's unfortunate for them because I felt like they're blind to a lot of people by not being more inclusive of more diverse stories. But, it's good for me because it showed me a wide-open opportunity.
-I got encouragement from pro's first hand. When I submitted my portfolio for the competition I didn't win, but one of the judges came up to me and spoke to me about my work after wards. That was extremely helpful!
-I gathered information and resources. Eventually I want to be able to share what I know about this business with others. I wouldn't be able to share much if I didn't go to learn from events like these.
-No People of color (POC)! There were about 2000 attendees including presenters. About 5% of them were people of color. Specifically, No Men of color! Out of the people there, 70% of them were women. Brothers!! We need to be involved in this! When I go to the major book stores, even the black owned stores it is hard as hell to find a book that shows a positive, thoughtful, or even edgy image of a father of color taking care of his kids! That has got to change. Fail!
-Bi-lingual books. Ok, beyond just welcoming POC and making them a constant presence at an event like this, it is important to acknowledge language. Spanish and Chinese (mandarin/Cantonese) are the most widely spoken languages around the world next to English. But, no mention of bi-lingual books! None! Wack! Unacceptable!
-Children! Here at a conference about children, there were NO children at the event. No young speakers, no classes invited, beyond the illustrated books, not one single image or mention by kids them selves. I feel like children although young have a lot to offer the discussion on how to make better children's books. Also, I am a young parent. What if I wanted to go but needed childcare? That was not an option, and it should be. Especially for single parents.
Highlights: I attended a workshop with Pat Cummings and Priscilla Burris. These two women (both women of color) gave some warm, stern, to the point insight on the business and their experiences. For example, most art instructors will tell you "make postcards of your work and send it out to publishers like crazy". But what you don't know is that an average art director (in charge of hiring illustrators) receives something like 100 postcards a day. That's about 500 a week, or 2000 a month! It's hard to get noticed in that race. An important note Pat and Priscilla made was to target your favorite books by finding out edited, art directed, illustrated, wrote them. Then send a specific collection of work and letter to that specific art director or team, because it shows that you are not just throwing work out aimlessly.
Steven Malk -I went to Stevens workshop about breaking into the business. Why? I did my homework before I got there and found out that he represented (he's an agent) several of my favorite children's book illustrators like Kadir Nelson and Adam Rex. What I found out is that illustrators work ten times harder than I thought they did. He gave a slide show about what kind of work he receives, what stands out and why. Now, some of you are saying "so what, what's he know?". Well, its an illustrators job to get paid well to do what they love. I mean, imagine working on a story you love for an entire year and being paid to do just that. And, I've seen the work of his clients. It's tip top! I don't want to be like his clients, but I wanted to know what information he would give. One of the jewels was that art directors get tired of receiving postcards. He showed personalized dummy's (a mock up of a story in book format) and specially sewn together fabric/paper promotional pieces. It's not all about money, but this definitely made me want to step my game up.
Sarah Stern - Sarah is one of the newest staff members to Scbwi and she made an impact on me because she remembered me. Months before I attended the event, I sent my work to various publishers, agents, etc in an effort to produce, work, and learn. One of the people I contacted and sent my work to when I first became an Scbwi member was Ms Stern. And when I checked in at the front desk, she remembered my work and my name before she saw me. That helped ease the anxiety of being one of maybe 10% of people there under the age of 50, and being probably the only man of color there, period!
E.B. Lewis -This brother was very nice. I was sitting outside in between workshops eating lunch. A little frustrated at what I didn't see there, but trying to appreciate what was in front of me. I offered my food to anyone around me as a way to just make conversation and network. Low and behold, one of the people I talk to was E.B. Lewis! If you're not familiar with his work look up "I love my hair". This brother not only gave me advice, but he acknowledged me, my concerns, and my questions. All without an ego or authoritative tone. To hear about his work and his life helped me focus and be present.
Imix/Mi Vida- What the conference lacked in books about people of color and bi-lingual childrens books I got from Mi Vida (Highland Park) book section managed by former book store owner Elisa Sol Garcia (Imix). The store was beautiful. I swear East La is one of the only places I've been where I see Chican@s playing electric guitars and singing rock or punk songs. Artist Oree Originol took me on a brief tour and when I told him I wanted to see books, this is where he took me. The store breathed life back into my heart because it showed me again what is possible. The collection of books was seriously like nothing I've ever seen and I'm thankful to know there are people out there who care about telling stories that are often ignored by whites and mainstream society.
Two of my favorite songs by YNQ are "Uno Esta" and "Little girl". Not sure when I first heard of Madlib's group YNQ, but I think it was on a Stones Throw sampler. I bought one of the vinyl lp's years ago and fell in love with the simplicity of the loops and rhythm.


text:
Q: Loading the DB dumb, and running all the migrations For a Rails project, if you are given a DB dump, what's gong to be the way?

*

*I run all the migrations, and then I load the DB dump.

*I load just the DB dump.

In point 2, if I load just the DB dump, and I, then add a new migration to my project. So then, running rake db:migrate will only run the new migration, since the old migrations have already been run by loading DB dump.
Or, loading a DB dump will have nothing to do with running migrations. A migration will only be marked up if you have run rake db:migrate?
Note: The DB dumb isn't Rails schema, it has been generated by MySQL, and it contains all the data a fellow developer has.

A: I would first load the db dump, as it also contains all you data and the current schema structure.

running rake db:migrate will only run the new migration

This depends. If your db dump has a schema_migrations table, that lists all the previously applied migrations, it will not apply the migrations. Otherwise, it will try to and fail.
You basically need these steps:

*

*Import your dump

*Create a Rails schema (rake db:schema:dump)

*If you have newer migrations, run them


text:
October 27, 2017 @ 10:00 pm – October 28, 2017 @ 12:00 am
AWB are widely regarded as one of the best soul and funk bands in the history of music. Though best known for their timeless instrumental mega-hit 'Pick Up the Pieces' the band's strength actually lay in their consistently accomplished song-writing, stretching across several gold selling albums and multi- grammy nominations for the legendary Atlantic Records. Somewhat incongruously, given their Scottish roots, the six piece took the influences of their R&B; heroes – people like Marvin Gaye, James Brown, Donny Hathaway and others – and developed their own 'authentic' sound which was eagerly adopted by black audiences in the US and elsewhere. While a good number of cuts – 'Cut The Cake' and 'Let's Go Round Again'- became hit singles, many other album tracks, like 'Schoolboy Crush' and 'Stop The Rain' became much sampled grooves. Many more tunes, such as 'Cloudy', and 'A Love Of Your Own'- amongst many others- stand alongside some of the finest soul 'album tracks' ever recorded.
The current line-up of the band – this time with noted US recruits augmenting founder members Alan Gorrie and Onnie McIntyre – continue to record and tour around the world to ongoing critical and audience acclaim.


Metals, generally have a lustrous appearance, are typically malleable, ductile and conducts electricity and heat relatively well. Copper, which occurs in its native form, is the first metal discovered given its distinctive appearance, heaviness, and malleability compared to other stones or pebbles. Almost all the metals are of a great use to human beings as they are used in their one or the other form. Some metals possess a high strength while, some are not as strong but, all of them come with their own set of properties which makes them distinctive. Here are the top 10 strongest metals in the world.
Tungsten, the name has been derived from the former Swedish name tungsten which means "heavy stone". It is a rare metal found naturally on Earth surface. It was identified as a new element in 1781 and first isolated as a metal in 1783. It is remarkable for its robustness, and has the highest melting point of all the elements discovered, melting at 3422 °C. It also has the highest boiling point, at 5930 °C. Also, its density is 19.3 times that of water, which is much higher than that of lead. In fact, it is the heaviest element known to be essential to any living organism but, it can interfere with molybdenum and copper metabolism which is somewhat toxic to animal life.
Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon containing less than 2% carbon, 1% manganese and small amounts of silicon, phosphorus, sulphur and oxygen. Because of its high tensile strength and low cost, it is a major component used in ship buildings, infrastructure, tools, automobiles, machines, appliances, weapons and much more that is why it is referred to as the world's most important engineering and construction material. It is used in every aspect of human life ranging from utensils to cars, refrigerators washing machines and many more. The most important characteristic of steel is that it can be recycled repeatedly without loss of property.
Chromium is a lustrous, brittle, hard metal which is generally silvery-grey in colour. It is a highly polished metal that does not tarnish in air. Also, it is unstable in oxygen and immediately produces a thin oxide layer that is impermeable to oxygen. However, chromium is most widely recognized for its large-scale use as an ingredient in stainless steels because it has excellent hardness, resistance to corrosion, and ability to be polished for a lustrous appearance.
Titanium is a lustrous transition metal with a silvery appearance, low density, and high strength. It also has good resistance to corrosion in sea water, aqua regia, and chlorine. Also, Titanium is a 'new' metal that was discovered in 1790 and started to be produced industrially in 1948 after a long period of maturation since its discovery. Because of its bountiful reserves and excellent bio-friendliness, titanium is a material friendly to the environment and humans.
Iron is believed to be the tenth most abundant element in the universe which exist in four distinct crystalline forms. Also, it is a common and inexpensive metal that is often found in black colour. It is attracted by magnets, and is used in making steel and can get rusty in damp air, but not in the dry air. Today, it is the most widely used metal including 95 % of all the metal tonnage produced worldwide. Ranging from food containers to personal cars, screwdrivers to washing machines, from cargo ships to paper staples iron is extensively used. The main mining areas are China, Brazil, Australia, Russia and Ukraine.
One of the strongest metals in the world, Vanadium is a soft, rare, ductile metal usually found in greyish white colour. It is used mainly to produce certain alloys. It was named after the Norse goddess of beauty, Vanadis, because of its beautiful colours. Vanadium when Mixes with aluminium in titanium alloys, it is used extensively in jet engines and high-speed air-frames, and in axles, crankshafts, gears and other critical components. Also, it is used as a supplement in medicines. Moreover, The largest resources of vanadium are to found in South Africa and in Russia.
Lutetium is a rare metal found on earth and is perhaps the most expensive of all rare elements. It is found in small amounts with all other rare earth metals of the earth and is very difficult to separate it from other rare elements. The leading producers of Lutetium are United States of America, Australia, China, Brazil, Sri Lanka and India. Also, Lutenium has a wide range of applications in refineries and petroleum industries which makes it really an expensive one. Moreover, It is also used in various processes like polymerization, hydrogenation and alkylation.
Zirconium is a transition metal that can easily form stable compounds. It is found in silver-grey colour and has high resistant to corrosion. Zirconium alloys are used in wide variety of ways including pipes, fittings and heat exchangers. Zirconium is also used in steel alloys, coloured glazes, bricks, ceramics, abrasives, flashbulbs, lamp filaments, artificial gemstones and some deodorants.
Osmium is the densest metal is known, that belongs to the platinum group of metals. It is lustrous, silvery metal and unaffected by water and acids. It is used in few alloys and in the industry as a catalyst. At one time it was widely used to produce nibs of high-quality fountain pens, compass needles, long-life gramophone needles and clock bearings, because of its extreme hardness and excellent resistance to corrosion.
One of the strongest metals in the world, Tantalum is a soft, shiny, silvery and virtually corrosion resistant metal due to an oxide film on its surface. Tantalum is widely used in aircraft engines, electrical devices, such as capacitors. Tantalum is almost impervious to chemical attack, that is why it is employed in the chemical industry, e.g. for heat exchangers in boilers where strong acids are vaporized. However, the main producing areas include Thailand, Australia, Congo, Brazil, Portugal and Canada.
These are the top 10 strongest metals in the world. Do post your comments.


text:
Black Cat Crossing (A Bad Luck Cat Mystery #1) (Mass Market)
By Kay Finch
This is book number 1 in the A Bad Luck Cat Mystery series.
#2: The Black Cat Knocks on Wood (A Bad Luck Cat Mystery #2) (Mass Market): $7.99
#3: The Black Cat Sees His Shadow (A Bad Luck Cat Mystery #3) (Mass Market): $7.99
In the first in this cat-filled cozy series, aspiring mystery author Sabrina Tate is about to discover that when it comes to solving murders, her new feline friend Hitchcock is a master of sleuthing…
Sabrina has never been the superstitious type. Still, when she moves to Lavender, Texas, to write her first novel and help her Aunt Rowe manage her vacation rental business, Sabrina can't avoid listening to the rumors that a local black cat is a jinx—especially after the stray in question leads her directly to the scene of a murder.
The deceased turns out to be none other than her Aunt Rowe's awful cousin Bobby Joe Flowers, a known cheat and womanizer who had no shortage of enemies. The only problem is that Aunt Rowe and Bobby Joe had quarreled just before the cousin turned up dead, leaving Rowe at the top of the long list of suspects. Now it's up to Sabrina to clear her aunt's name. Luckily for her, she's got a new sidekick, Hitchcock the Bad Luck Cat, to help her sniff out clues and stalk a killer before Aunt Rowe winds up the victim of even more misfortune…
Kay Finch grew up on a Pennsylvania farm, but she got to Texas as fast as she could and discovered her favorite vacation spot, the Texas Hill Country. Kay is the author of the Bad Luck Cat Mysteries, as well as the Corie McKenna, Houston PI Mysteries and the Poppy Cartwright Klutter Killer Mysteries. She is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and the State Bar of Texas Paralegal Division. Kay lives with her husband, a rescue cat, and two wild and crazy rescue dogs in a Houston suburb
"Black Cat Crossing has everything a cozy mystery could want--intrigue, memorable characters, a small-town setting, and even a few mouth-watering recipes...A purr-fectly cozy read." -- Ellery Adams, New York Times bestseling author of Murder in the Mystery Suite
"If Charlie and Diesel ever make it to Texas, they'll be heading straight to Lavender to meet Sabrina and Hitchcock to talk about solving mysteries of Black Cat Crossing and I loved every page. I can't wait for a return visit to Lavender." -- Miranda James, New York Times bestselling author of the Cat in the Stacks mysteries
Publication Date: September 1st, 2015
Series: A Bad Luck Cat Mystery
Fiction / Mystery & Detective / Cozy
Kobo eBook (August 31st, 2015): $2.99
MP3 CD (October 10th, 2017): $29.99
Compact Disc (October 10th, 2017): $39.99


text:
Ilya Kovalchuk goal gives Devils 3-2 overtime win over Capitals
Updated: Mar. 30, 2019, 10:11 a.m. | Published: Jan. 26, 2013, 1:44 a.m.
New Jersey Devils defeat the Washington Capitials 3-2 in overtime1/25/13
Gallery: New Jersey Devils defeat the Washington Capitials 3-2 in overtime1/25/13
By Rich Chere | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Former assistant coach Adam Oates was part of the staff that led the Devils to the Stanley Cup Finals last spring, but there was no warm welcome back to the Prudential Center for the current Washington Capitals head coach.
Despite a Capitals comeback in the third period, they remained winless as the Devils pulled out a 3-2 victory when Ilya Kovalchuk scored with 20.5 seconds remaining in overtime before a sellout crowd of 17,625.
Kovalchuk ended the game with a sharp angle shot from below the left circle.
The Devils have opened the season with a 3-0 record for the first time since 2002-03 and for only the second time in 16 seasons. Martin Brodeur has been the winner in all three games.
Oates has yet to win a game with the Caps, who are 0-3-1.
Brodeur had a shutout before a tripping penalty by Andy Greene at 11:11 of the third period, followed by too many men on the ice and abuse of officials calls at 11:52, gave the Capitals a two-man power play advantage.
Mike Ribeiro scored at 12:45 from the right circle on a cross-ice feed from Joel Ward.
Washington evened the score, 2-2, at 17:04 when the Devils were unable to clear the zone and Mike Green's shot from the right point found the net.
Rich Chere: rchere@starledger.com; twitter.com/Ledger_NJDevils


Unique in the realm of approaches to improvisational conducting, Go: Organic Orchestra utilizes a composed non-linear score consisting of sound and motion elements. These include tone rows, synthetic scales, melodies, linguistic shapes, intervallic patterns, textural gestures, modes, ragas, maqams, and plainchant. The score serves to provide material for both the improvisations and the orchestrations. Motion and forms and are generated through the application of the composer's rhythm concept "Cyclic Verticalism" whereby polymeters are combined with additive rhythm cycles. In concert, the composer conducts the musicians in a spontaneous way by using a variety of hand signals to cue and orchestrate the score and direct the improvisations. He seeks to generate unusual relationships of sound against sound, form against form, and rhythm against rhythm in a non-linear, ever shifting kaleidoscope of music images: weaving an "audio syncretic music fabric". The music is "organic" in the sense that the compositions and conducting serve as inspiration and context for the musicians to express themselves in the moment by using their instruments as an amplifier for their inner voice. Through listening and imagination the conductor and performers inspire one another to create emotional colorations of sound.


Our client is a prestigious Medical Center located in Central Florida seeking a dynamic, detail oriented individual to serve as their Hospital Billing Claims Analyst.
Timely, accurate, and compliant charge capture and billing by daily management of key process indicators for revenue which include assuring all encounters are order-based, coded with payer specific requirements, and contain all charge related revenue appropriate for each encounter within 5 days.
This includes tracing the charge back to the point of origin (i.e. system generated charge; flow sheet generated charge; associate generate charge) and developing countermeasure(s) to prevent future occurrences, which includes education at point of work flow failure to reduce denials and missed revenue.
Epic experience would be a plus but not required.
There are a lot of other details that go into this opportunity besides the role and scope of the position that we would love to tell you about.
If this sounds like something that would be of interest to you, Please Call or email today so we can discuss further.
Our client is seeking a dynamic, highly skilled individual to serve as Director of Finance in their Critical Access Facility. The ideal candidate will have critical access experience, strong healthcare experience and CPA. Successful experience in cost reduction initiatives, revenue cycle management, financial reporting, decision support and the budget process. An excellent communicator keeping the CEO informed of all workings. Handling Month End Close, stay on top of Revenue Cycle, review cost containment, Budgeting, Accounts Payable and Accounts Receivable. Ability to pull the department together and teach, train and develop the staff. Oversee the Business Office Manager, HIM Manager and Materials Management. The successful candidate will be prepared to look for ways to save the hospital money.


The most colossal flash nitemare from the deepest ocean, a little kraken called Kuro. Neither mission nor cause - just nature calling, he stains his way like a subaquatic road roller.
Crabs, octopodes and starfishes are against Kuro's stamp-mania, the squid row attitude. Let's tip up the groovy goop and feel yourself pretty dirty!
This cartridge edition includes two MSX playmodes, first one for MSX1 and a second graphic upgrade version for MSX2 and upper standard computers.


On Sunday April 6th, the 8th Cherry Blossom Festival was held in grounds of the former residence of Josai University Educational Corporation founder Mikio Mizuta. Guests including Mayor Hasegawa of Kamogawa City, as well as visitors and students from China, Taiwan, Vietnam, and Hungary, had an opportunity to take part in the tree planting ceremony, before being treated to musical entertainment by the Awa High School brass band and Hungarian folk dancing. The international atmosphere was complemented by the bilingual master of ceremonies emphasizing the global spread of those in attendance. Before the ceremonies, around 100 local people and students took part in a 12km walking event from JIU Faculty of Tourism to the residence itself. Tired participants were however able to enjoy complementary refreshments, and locally produced food on their arrival. Unfortunately the event was interrupted by rain prior to its end, but this did not dampen the spirits of everyone looking forward to the 9th Cherry Blossom Festival on the occasion of Josai University Educational Corporation's 50th anniversary.


0800 191 0490 / 07747 087 156 Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR. www.jnfroofing.co.uk E: [email protected] Specialising in all.
House & Kitchen Extension Cost. printsec=frontcover&dq=House+%26+Garden. 20%26%20Garden%2C. cambridgeshire cheshire cornwall county Durham.
Tarporley talk august 2017 by Talkabout Publishing – issuu – 0800 191 0490 / 07747 087 156 Regus House, Herons Way, Chester Business Park, Chester CH4 9QR. www.jnfroofing.co.uk E: [email protected] Specialising in all.


text:
NAMM 2013: Fender Custom Shop Introduces Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Strat
dfanelli
The Fender Custom Shop is paying tribute to the "anvil" used to forge one of the greatest guitar riffs in rock history, the one from Deep Purple's "Smoke on the Water," by releasing the limited-edition Fender Custom Shop Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Stratocaster.
[[ Keep up with Guitar World's NAMM 2013 coverage right here! ]]
Limited to 2013 production only, the guitar is a meticulously crafted replica of the black Fender Stratocaster Blackmore played with Deep Purple in the early '70s, including the recording of seminal album Machine Head and the band's greatest hit single.
"Smoke on the Water" was released on album in 1972 and as a single in May 1973. A major hit, it reached Number 4 on the Billboard pop singles chart in the US and propelled Machine Head into the top 10 worldwide.
The Fender Custom Shop Ritchie Blackmore Tribute Stratocaster has a two-piece alder body with a lightly worn Black urethane finish, a '69 "U"-shaped maple neck, 7.25"-radius maple fingerboard with medium jumbo frets, and custom '69 Stratocaster pickups hand-wound by Fender legend Abigail Ybarra.
Other features include three-way pickup switching, Schaller tuners, Micarta nut, four-bolt neck plate stamped with the serial number and the stylized Fender "F," and a vintage-style synchronized tremolo equipped with Blackmore's distinctive custom ¼" arm. Each instrument also includes an exclusive rear-headstock tribute decal, certificate of authenticity and orange-line black textured vinyl case with a "Fender Amp" logo.
Visit fender.com for more information.
Guitar Aficionadoritchie blackmorefenderdeep purplenamm 2013