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text:
800-333-5555info@joolam.com
JOOLAM
NYC to Cancel Business Contracts with Trump Organization
JoopolPolitics
New York City, U.S. President Donald Trump's hometown, says it will cancel all contracts with his business organization because of the deadly insurrection by Trump supporters last week at the U.S. Capitol. "The City of New York will not be associated with those unforgiveable acts in any shape, way or form," Mayor Bill de Blasio said Wednesday in a formal statement. De Blasio said he has begun the process of "severing all contracts" to operate a carousel and two ice rinks in Central Park that net Trump's company about $17 million a year.Trump's son, Eric, denounced the move and said it would be challenged."Yet another example of Mayor de Blasio's incompetence and blatant disregard for the facts," he said. "The City of New York has no legal right to end our contracts and if they elect to proceed, they will owe the Trump Organization $30 million. This is nothing more than political discrimination and we plan to fight vigorously."De Blasio's decision is the latest example of how the January 6 riot by Trump supporters is adversely affecting the president's private business affairs. The announcement came three days after the Professional Golfers Association of America voted to move next year's PGA Championship away from Trump's New Jersey golf course. Shopify previously took down online stores affiliated with the embattled president, while Twitter and other social media platforms disabled his accounts.On January 6, Trump implored the thousands of supporters who had come to Washington for a "Save America March" to march on the U.S. Capitol building, as lawmakers began to formally certify President-elect Joe Biden's November 3 election victory. "You will have an illegitimate president. That is what you will have, and we can't let that happen," Trump told the rally. "We fight like hell, and if you don't fight like hell, you're not going to have a country anymore."Taking their cue from the president, thousands of Trump supporters walked to the Capitol, where many pushed past police barricades and forced their way inside. Six people died in the melee. The Democrat-led House of Representatives is expected to approve one article of impeachment Wednesday charging the Republican president with inciting insurrection. The third-ranking Republican House member, Liz Cheney, is among a handful of Republican lawmakers who have said they will vote to impeach Trump. If the House impeaches Trump, as expected, it would be the second time he has met that fate. Trump was first impeached in December 2019 on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of justice because of his efforts to persuade the newly elected president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, to investigate Joe Biden and Biden's son to strengthen his chances of reelection in the 2020 presidential race.The Senate acquitted Trump of the charges in February 2020. It is not clear when the Senate might again put the president on trial.
House Votes on Rules of Trump Impeachment
Aid Groups Warn of COVID-19 Outbreak at Ethiopian Refugee Camp in Sudan
WHO Calls on All Nations to Begin Vaccination Programs Within 100 Days 2021-01-15
Biden Pledges to Change Immigration, Lays Out Plan 2021-01-15
US COVID Death Toll Rapidly Approaching 400k, Says Johns Hopkins 2021-01-15
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Bălăceanu se poate referi la:

Persoane
 Familia boierească Bălăceanu
 Ion Bălăceanu, politician român, ministru de externe
 Constantin Bălăceanu-Stolnici, om de știință și neurolog român

Localități
 Bălăceanu, localitate din județul Buzău
 Comuna Bălăceanu, unitate teritorial-administrativă din județul Buzău
 Vechea denumire a localității Miorița, Constanța

Vezi și
 Bălan (dezambiguizare)
 Bălănești (dezambiguizare)

 Bălăcița, sat în județul Mehedinți, România
 Bălăcești, sat în județul Gorj, România
 Bălăceana, sat în județul Suceava, România
 Bălăceanca, sat în județul Ilfov, România

Lectură suplimentară
 Saga Bălăcenilor: șapte secole de istorie, Constantin Bălăceanu-Stolnici, Editura Vitruviu, 2000

Nume de familie românești
Toponime românești

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Looking for a specialist in logistics systems for the food industry?
Do you want all systems within your production line to be optimally compatible?
Are you looking for robust systems with maximum functionality taking up a minimum of space?
Would you prefer a partner who can design, manufacture, supply and maintain machines for you?
Sercon is also a specialist in waterjet cutting, stainless steel and aluminum processing, ceramic blasting and stain-/corrosion treatment and passivation . Want to know more? SERCON Special Products.
Service-oriented: Just ask, we are ready to serve.


Blu-ray Combo Packs and 2-disc DVD Special Edition include hours of new bonus features!
Burbank, CA, January 17, 2014 – Experience space like never before in the Academy Award®-nominated "Gravity," arriving onto Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack, Blu-ray Combo Pack, DVD and Digital HD on February 25 from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment. A heart-pounding thriller starring Academy Award winners Sandra Bullock ("The Blind Side") and George Clooney ("Syriana"), and stunningly directed by Academy Award-nominee Alfonso Cuarón, "Gravity" pulls you into the infinite and unforgiving realm of deep space.
"Gravity" was written by Alfonso Cuarón and Jonás Cuarón and produced by Alfonso Cuarón and David Heyman (the "Harry Potter" films), with Chris deFaria, Nikki Penny and Stephen Jones serving as executive producers.
"Gravity" will be available on Blu-ray 3D Combo Pack for $44.95 and on Blu-ray Combo Pack for $35.99. Both include a digital version of the movie on Digital HD with UltraViolet.* Fans can also own "Gravity" in Digital HD on February 25 via purchase from digital retailers.
"Gravity" has become one of the most honored films of the year, garnering 10 Academy Award nominations**, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role – Sandra Bullock, and Achievement in Directing – Alfonso Cuarón. The film has also received 11 BAFTA Award nominations and 10 Critics' Choice Award nominations, both including Best Picture, Best Director and Best Actress (Bullock)**. Cuarón recently received a Golden Globe Award for Best Director. "Gravity" has also won Best Picture awards from several prestigious critics organizations, including the Los Angeles Film Critics Association, and has been included on 395 critics' and critics groups' top ten lists, as well as being named one of the AFI's ten best films of the year. It was also announced as the year's best reviewed film by the website Rotten Tomatoes.
Dr. Ryan Stone (Bullock) is a brilliant medical engineer on her first shuttle mission, with veteran astronaut Matt Kowalski (Clooney) in command. But on a seemingly routine mission, disaster strikes. The shuttle is destroyed, leaving Stone and Kowalski completely alone—tethered to nothing but each other and spiraling out into the darkness. The deafening silence tells them they have lost any link to Earth…and any chance for rescue. As fear turns to panic, every gulp of air eats away at what little oxygen is left.
"Gravity" will be available for streaming and download to watch anywhere in high definition and standard definition on their favorite devices from select digital retailers including Amazon, CinemaNow, Flixster, iTunes, PlayStation, Target Ticket, Vudu, Xbox and others. Starting February 25, "Gravity" will also be available digitally on Video On Demand services from cable and satellite providers, and on select gaming consoles.


I had been wanting to do special photo book type gifts for my parents for Christmas with engagement pictures, but mine and Blake's engagement photos aren't until April... so I called up my bff Colby and had him take some quick almost-engagement photos. These are just the previews he sent me, I'm excited to see the rest!
And I'm super excited about our engagement session coming up in April - we have some fun and cute ideas!
Thanks, Colby! We had so much fun!
If you ever need a local photographer, Colby is your guy.
OH my gosh I love the last one. You two are so sweet.
p.s. of course I followed you over here from Elizabeth Haley...glad to see you are growing into new spaces!
These are beautiful photos Haley!
OH MY! That last photo ... its the best!! For sure!


text:
by Marc Porter Magee posted on May 15, 2020 May 15, 2020
We are now in the tenth week of our new education reality. Normally, this time of year would be when many of the advocacy campaigns in our network were headed towards the home stretch of their legislative sessions. This year, a whole new wave of advocacy campaigns has just begun.
We can't predict what the upcoming school year will be like but we can work right now to adapt our school systems to be more responsive to families' needs and more resilient in the face of the inevitable challenges to come. That's what our advocacy campaigns–and new goals–are all about.
Last week, we spotlighted an important win by NewMexicoKidsCAN to make it much easier for families to get meals for their kids and looked at how our campaigns are working with local leaders to prepare for the coming fiscal crisis.
This week, we focus on how Denver's Transform Education Now worked with parent advocates to make the district's virtual instruction plans more accessible to all families and how this crisis has created inequities in distance learning that must be named in order to be solved.
If you were sent The New Reality Roundup from a friend or colleague and would like to receive future issues every Monday, you can sign-up here.
Put the Public Back in Public Education
"The first week of the school closure our phones were ringing off the hook," Ariel Smith, the co-executive director of Colorado's Transform Education Now shared in a new video interview. "Families had a lot of concerns and fears about what it would feel like to do remote learning and how to support their students."
Together with her co-ED Nicholas Martinez, she got to work on a plan to help ensure that the way distance learning happened in Denver worked for the families she served. The result was an advocacy campaign to ensure that all direct instruction from the district was recorded so it would work for all families' schedules. Last week the district agreed to the plan, giving the members of TEN an important win for their families.
As former classroom teachers in Denver who now work together as advocates for families, Nicholas Martinez and Ariel Smith see this victory as part of a larger shift in education where parents are treated like equal partners with teachers to direct their childrens' educational paths.
Parents "are closer to their child's education experience than ever before and they are asking all of the right questions," Martinez shared in our interview. "They are having conversations with their own family, their brothers, their sisters, their neighbors who are stuck in the same situation… I think we have a better chance to be very, very effective because this is on the forefront of people's minds right now."
Watch the full 10-minute interview here.
The task this week is to help parents raise their voices for the changes they need to see to make distance learning work for all families, and to use these advocacy efforts to bring parent voices to the forefront in conversations about the future of public education.
Don't Explain Away the Inequities in Distance Learning, Solve Them
Nikole Hannah-Jones, best known for her work on the The New York Times' 1619 Project, sparked an online backlash last week when she observed that "It was understandable in March why children with internet access weren't getting virtual instruction. It was new, teachers had to figure it out. But we are nearly two months in and school is in session even if the buildings are closed. There is no excuse why teachers cannot be offering some virtual instruction during the school day."
As Alexander Russo wrote in an excellent piece for The Grade that examines the pushback Hannah-Jones experienced, "The honeymoon period for remote learning is not over at all… it goes on and on… Hannah-Jones reminded us that, first and foremost, education journalism should be focused on the welfare of students."
Fellow New York Times journalist Dana Goldstein explored these new challenges by spotlighting the stories of two schools: one private and one public. Goldstein explains that while there are key differences in the capacity of families in the two schools to support distance learning, there are also differences in the adaptability of the schools to this new form of teaching: "private school teachers are generally not unionized, giving their employers more leverage in laying out demands for remote work. Some public school unions have won strict limits on video-teaching requirements."
Indeed, the latest survey data from the Center for Reinventing Public Education reveals that one-third of public school districts "still do not set consistent expectations for teachers to provide meaningful remote instruction."
The result, Goldstein explains, is that "the coronavirus pandemic has done nothing to level the playing field of American education, and instead has widened the gaps that have always existed."
The task this week is to continue to shine a spotlight on the inequalities across our education system and to work with public officials to put forward plans to solve them.
"Let's solve two problems at once," HawaiiKidsCAN executive director David Miyashiro told local television station KHON2 News about his team's new program WiFi on Wheels, "We got these buses, let's put some WiFi routers on them, let's drive them out to populated areas that we know don't have WiFi and just allow free access for families so they can access the digital learning that they need, if they need to do telehealth appointments, if they need to reconnect with loved ones." The program is one of the new goals that HawaiiKidsCAN released two weeks ago with a focus on ensuring that every Hawaiian student has equitable access to the technology and connectivity necessary for distance learning.
Across the country, our local teams are focused on serving as an essential link between parents and legislators. ConnCAN partnered with state legislators from the Connecticut Black and Puerto Rican Caucus and families from across the state to explore the disparities in the state's response to the pandemic. GeorgiaCAN hosted a virtual conversation with Dr. Danielle Stewart to talk about college prep in an era of distance learning and will be hosting an event on May 19th to provide families a chance to connect with state legislator Valencia Stovall. New MexicoKidsCAN's Amanda Aragon is championing student and parent voice in a web series about education in New Mexico. And in Denver, Transform Education Now co-executive director Nicholas Martinez penned a column about the importance of standards and accountability during this crisis.
Bellwether Education Partners released a new resource to assist education leaders in preparing plans that cover three potential scenarios: reopened school buildings, continued distance learning, or a hybrid approach that blends the two.
Chiefs for Change and Johns Hopkins University released new recommendations for reopening K-12 schools that include extending the school year for 2020-2021 and moving to an innovative staffing model of master and supporting teachers.
Excel in Ed released a new survey of state education leaders. Among the findings is an important trend: support for letting local districts determine when or if they will reopen.
The Texas Education Agency released a free assessment tool that will allow parents and schools to diagnose how much their students learned this year and to help educators address learning loss.
The US Senate held hearings on reopening school buildings and getting back to work.
The National Parents Union conducted a poll of parents. A key finding: two-thirds support keeping schools closed until the public health risk has dissipated.
Success Academy Charter Schools released six weeks of K-2 Learning Plans.
50CAN's Jonathan Nikkila and Our Turn Action Network's Christian Esperias continued their webinar series Election Essentials on political advocacy during the pandemic. The series continues every Wednesday. Past sessions can be viewed here and you can RSVP for future sessions here.
The American Federation for Children, in conjunction with RealClear OpinionResearch, conducted a national poll with surprising findings: 40% of families are more likely to homeschool after school buildings reopen.
Teach Like a Champion has honed in on a best practice for engaging students in distance learning: "dissolving the screen."
Sara Kerr and Paige Kowalski write for EdWeek on the five most pressing questions that education researchers can answer right now.
For The 74 Million, Meghan Gallagher shares photos from around the world of what schools look like in other countries where buildings have reopened.
"I want to change my teaching to 5G teaching," Retha Jenkins, a public school teacher and parent advocate in Denver who works closely with Transform Education Now, says with a smile on her face. For Retha, it isn't enough to simply ensure that her students are utilizing the virtual learning platforms to master math standards. She wants her teaching to be so effective that students will be able to take their ideas and build the virtual learning platforms of the future.
Marc Porter Magee Ph.D is the CEO and founder of 50CAN: The 50-State Campaign for Achievement Now. He lives in Alexandria, Virginia.
More posts from Campaigns
50CAN's 2022 Policy Goals: Believe in a Better Future
posted on January 27, 2022 January 27, 2022 by Derrell Bradford
posted on October 3, 2021 October 3, 2021 by Marc Porter Magee
Special Edition: The New Reality Roundup | Week 80
posted on September 18, 2021 September 18, 2021 by Marc Porter Magee
A summer of meaningful victories
posted on August 5, 2021 August 5, 2021 by Derrell Bradford


As an antiques dealer and artisan, I'm producing leather writing mats in limited editions. These pads are loose and usable for every writing table. They are reinforced with bookbinding cardboard and have a felt backing.
Each mat is produced with old bookbinding technique, which is very seldom used today.
The leather surface of the pads are mostly patinated in the old english style, which gives them the typical antique look.
The rim has got an ornamental embossing, normally one gold line and two or three blind lines.
Every writing pad is handmade and an unique piece in his character.
To be sure I'm there, please phone 089/6929592 or 0172/4120464.


text:
History Degrees
Political Science Faculty
History Transfer Guides
Student Organizations and Honor Societies
Gibbs Lecture
Campus late 19th or early 20th century; Administration Building on the left in background. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
Postcard, A&M College, Postmarked 1908. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
Crosby Hall. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
2015 Gibbs Lecture
Library, Dudley Building, 1915. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
College Farm, Market Street. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
Rear view of campus late 19th or early 20th century; Main Building on right, Administration Building on left, Crosby Hall behind Main Building. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
Bird's eye view of the city of Greensboro, North Carolina. 1891. Courtesy of the Library of Congress
Cutting and Fitting. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
Biology Lab. Courtesy of F.D. Bluford Library Archives
Student Council, The Ayantee, 1939.
Department of History and Political Science
Welcome to the Department of History and Political Science at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. We are home to students and faculty dedicated to the discovery and study of historical events, movements, people, and ideas that structure and frame the rich, textured, and diverse world in which we live. For updates on events and other happenings, please sign our Guestbook.
The primary goals of the History and Political Science Department are to foster students' aspirations, to cultivate intellectual curiosity, and to prepare graduates for successful careers. Departmental courses are designed to develop skills in written and oral communication, ethical reasoning, critical thinking, intercultural and global awareness, and scholarly research. The department's rigorous curriculum promotes the development of reason, an understanding of the past, and reflective inquiry to inspire informed, engaged citizens.
We offer undergraduate degrees in History and History Education as well as minors in History, Military Leadership, and African American/African History. Our graduate program offers a degree in History Education (Master of Arts in Teaching). In addition to history courses, we offer courses in geography.
(Degrees Offered) (Courses Offered)
Political Science:
Political science is the study of governments, public policies, and political behavior. Political science uses both humanistic and scientific perspectives and skills to examine public power, social transformations, the nature of democracies, elections, public opinion, constitutions, technology and society, public policy, and similar issues.
324 Gibbs Hall
1601 E. Market St
Dr. Arwin D. Smallwood, Professor and Chair
asmallwo@ncat.edu
Dr. Ayanna Armstrong, Associate Chair
arams3@ncat.edu
N.C. A&T's COAACH Partners with NC Registry for Brain Health
On the heels of Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month, the Center for Outreach in Alzheimer's Aging and Community Health (COAACH) at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University has partnered with NC Registry for Brain Health to provide access to helpful information.
A Taste of Summer: N.C. A&T University Farm Hosts Tomato Taste-ival
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University's largest classroom and laboratory, the University Farm, will open its doors to the public for an event that's part festival, part tomato tasting, part community education event – all a celebration of bread and mayo's best friend.
N.C. A&T Board of Trustees to Hold Special Called Meeting June 25
The N.C. A&T Board of Trustees' Executive Committee will hold a special called meeting June 25.
Summer 2019 New Student Orientation
(New Freshman Students)
(Transfer Students)
cahss/departments/hist/history-degrees
Quick Links for History
History Dept. Newsletter
NC A&T SU Archives
100 Years of A&T Register
North Carolina Maps
Digitized Ayantee Yearbooks


text:
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private:
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	const char *path;
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public:
	explicit BPlusIO(const char *bPath);
	inline void init(long &root);
	inline void load(long &root);
	inline void setRoot(const long &root);
	inline void write(const long &offset, const BPlusNode<M> &buffer);
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	inline long alloc(const BPlusNode<M> &buffer);

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};

#include "Implementation/BPlusIO.hpp"

}
#endif

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Corrugated plastic samples in a rainbow of colors.
The expansion, along with the approximately 40 employees added in the last year, reflects the company's recent progress.
McDermott notes that MDI is also making a concerted effort to build out its presence in the medical sector. To that effect, the company converted 2,000 square feet of space in 2018 into a white room to become certified for medical device assembly and packaging.
Inclusive hiring is the cornerstone of MDI's nonprofit Social Enterprise business model.
With the recent growth of its workforce, the company employs about 120 people in its Minneapolis location, and 525 total staff across all locations, which also includes Hibbing, Grand Rapids and Cohasset. Of its entire workforce, about 40 percent – or 207 individuals – are people with documented disabilities.
In addition to giving people with disabilities an opportunity with MDI, the company pushes for improved professional opportunities and equality overall.
In fact, MDI recently worked with students at the University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business on a study which determined individuals with disabilities face implicit bias when it comes to entering the workforce.
McDermott told TCB after the study was released that he hoped the results would change the stigma disabled job seekers face when applying for work.


Greetings from one of the most scenic cities on the world! Cape Town, South Africa has one of the most distinct and recognizable cityscapes/geographies of Africa, and the Professor climbed a mountain to give you a physical view of the place, while giving you a cultural overview of the place and its role in today's South Africa.
One of the most iconic figures of the 20th century, and father of the modern South African state, Nelson Mandela is truly a man beloved, respected, and admired across the entire planet. Join the Professor in Nobel Square, Cape Town for a quick overview of the man, of his life and times, and the impact he has had to this nation and the world….including what the future holds for this state post-Mandela.
Wind, Water, Desert & the Skeleton Coast!
Just off the coast of Namibia, the Professor encounters one of the most unique and interesting arid coastal areas in the world: the Namib Desert….and that prompts him to chat in the chilly air about how and why coastal deserts form all over the world, in very specific areas, due to very specific forces of physical geography. Watch this podcasts for the low down on ocean currents, wind patterns, and even spooky skeleton shipwrecks!


If you are based in Malaysia you can qualify as an ICAEW Chartered Accountant. Many students start their journey by studying the ICAEW Certificate in Finance, Accounting and Business (ICAEW CFAB), before going on to complete the ACA qualification.
Having been at the heart of accounting since 1880, ICAEW speaks for the profession, upholding standards and campaigning for progress in a dynamic, ever-changing world.
As an ICAEW Chartered Accountant you will have the opportunity to contribute to the financial success of organisations in any industry all over the world.
Driven by insight, initiative and integrity, our community of internationally recognised business professionals are a force for positive economic change.
An industry-leading qualification, the ACA qualification provides a firm understanding of business, finance and accounting.
Our professionals maintain a high standard of excellence and play a meaningful role in supporting global economic development.
School leavers studying the ICAEW CFAB full time before progressing to ACA.
University graduates studying the ACA, before securing work experience with an ICAEW authorised training employer.
Studying the ACA while gaining work experience with an ICAEW authorised training employer during a training agreement.
Join us and make your career count, today.
For further information on intakes and available scholarships, please email Malaysia@icaew.com or contact us at 03-2171 6023.
I believed that as an ACA-qualified chartered accountant, I could excel in my field, no matter where I was based.
I am fortunate to have a pretty exciting job. The thrill of being in the market, and to witness developments taking place in the financial world is quite exhilarating.
Not only have I assumed roles in unfamiliar and challenging environments, I've also been fortunate to immerse myself in new and vibrant cultures around the region.
I handed my business card to a client and they remarked 'Wow, ICAEW!' The reaction made my heart skip a beat, knowing that I had made it.
Each client has a different challenge and it is up to my team and I to help them navigate through those challenges. And when we do, the sense of achievement is truly priceless.
Having been in assurance at both EY Malaysia and PwC London for eight years, I have learned that accounting is really the heart of any business.
In just eight years, my career has taken me from Kuala Lumpur, to Brisbane; and this year, I am proud and excited to call Los Angeles home!
Those three letters "ACA" after my name have helped me grow my career my leaps and bounds.
I am continuously excited, motivated and fulfilled every single day. I am currently in the Corporate Affairs department and life here is ever-dynamic.


I was grubbing around for something to read the other day when I unearthed a collection of rememberances compiled by Rita Van Amber. The series of books are titled Stories and Recipes of the Great Depression.
Man has always relied on knowledge acquired through experiences of previous generations. If we were to make all our own errors, life would not be long enough to make them all and it would be a lifetime of aimless frustrations filled with defeat and failure.
"Progressive" thinking is enabled by vast amounts of expendable wealth.
Have you ever roasted marshmallows over a fire? People don't treat every marshmallow the same even though they are identical for all practical purposes.
The newly opened bag suggests an infinite supply. Campers are hungry. The first marshmallows become torches as impatient campers hurry and burn the first efforts.
This is THE major flaw of Progressive thinking: That somehow the laws of thermodynamics will be different this time because I am the one who is hungry. This conceit is tolerated, even encouraged because there is a super-abundance of marshmallows and there is a presumption that the Progressive thinker will learn from their experiences.
But if there is never a downside for the impatient mallow-roaster, what incentive is there for them to learn?
Things usually settle down after a quarter of the bag has been wasted. Marshmallows are slowly roasted to a golden brown and they are harvested before the very last of the interior is molten. Waiting too long results in the marshmallow leaping into the coals.
The disposition of the last few marshmallows depends on the maturity of the crowd.
Hunger sated, the least mature crowd wastes the last few marshmallows by using them as flaming missiles directed at the prissiest campers, those with the cleanest hair and clothing.
More mature campers horde the last few marshmallows in case a hungry camper comes wandering into the party late.


text:
A New Model for Portland Eateries?
Pop-up retail is hot. What about pop-up restaurants?
By Eat Beat Team March 4, 2010
Thoroughly adaptable beasts, foodie entrepreneurs always find new ways to thrive in downturns, and the most recent spate of economic malaise has been no different. As restaurants have been hurt (though not nearly as bad as some local media organizations would have you believe) a general climate of thrift and resourcefulness has helped food carts, sandwich shops, and other business models that require less initial investment than a typical bricks-and-mortar restaurant thrive.
With high retail vacancy rates in many commercial districts around the country, landlords have begun leasing space on a short-term basis to so called "pop-up" tenants. Rather than signing a typical five or ten-year lease (Restaurant leases are often ten years), "pop-up" retailers occupy a vacant space for a shorter period of time, often only a couple of months. In cities like New York and San Francisco, would-be restaurateurs are beginning to apply this model to eateries. Here's a New York Times article from last month on the subject.
While what's always best for a neighborhood are tenants who'll make long-term commitments, "pop-up" retailers are ideal for the interim. It's always better to see activity than just an empty space. Many clothing companies have employed this business model here in Portland. In fact, my friend Jean Pierre Veillet of the Portland design build company Siteworks has designed several high-profile pop-up projects in New York City, one of which earned him this article in the New York Times.
As areas like the Pearl District and South Waterfront especially continue to experience higher-than-usual vacancy, I can't help but think how cool it could be to land a few temporary restaurants, supper clubs, food markets, and night markets in empty retail spaces in Portland.
Food Carts Are the Heart of Portland's Food Culture. Could January 2023 Regulations Change That?
Malka, the Wonderfully Imaginative House-Turned-Restaurant on SE Division Street, Will Close
Viking Soul Food Expands to a Restaurant in Woodstock
Sunshine Noodles, Diane Lam's Contemporary Cambodian Restaurant, Will Close December 18


text:
You'll Have a Yabba Dabba Doo Time With the Lego Flintstones
By Lee Mathews 02.16.2019 :: 7:30AM EDT 02.16.2019
Here's What Lego is Bringing to SDCC 2019
Lego Adds Two More 'Overwatch' Sets: Wrecking Ball and Junke...
The Flintstones will turn 60 next year, but Lego is starting the Stone Age celebration a little early. They're getting ready to ship their first Flintstones set to stores.
Creator Andrew Clark submitted his version to Lego Ideas two years ago. Now, after hitting the 10,000 vote mark, getting the thumbs up from reviewers, and being tweaked by Lego's design team it's finally ready for fans to purchase.
Lego has released a ton of iconic cars from film and TV in the past few years, and it's great to finally see Fred's foot-powered sedan in brick form. And of course there's a full rack of brontosaurus ribs you can assemble and clip to the side.
Sitting inside the car are the four included minifigs. The set comes with the core Flintstones characters: Fred, Wilma, Barney, and Betty. Clark had pitched a few more — Pebbles, Bamm Bamm, and Dino — but they didn't make the cut.
When the gang is done cruising around Bedrock they can head back home to Chez Flinstone. The house has a removable roof for top-down inspection and a wide open back that makes it easy to rearrange the scene inside.
There's plenty to rearrange, too: a sofa, television, fireplace, floor lamp, tables, a telephone… even the kitchen sink! Lego also included a pair of milk bottles just like the ones that sat by the door when Fred got locked out during the show's original intro.
Out back, there's a small garden plot with flowers, a palm tree, and some other plants. Fred and Barney can practice their bowling outside, too, because you know Wilma doesn't want them setting up the pins in the house.
The set is due to arrive on March 1 (Lego VIPs can order starting February 20) and it'll be priced at $59.99. Here's hoping Lego is already working on a follow-up. There are plenty of fans out there would love to get their hands on a Dino fig, including a few in my own house!
More on Geek.com:
Lego Has New 'Jurassic World' Sets to Go With an Animated Series
11 Best Movie-Based Lego Sets
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text:
Wednesday, June 3rd, 2020
*TRANSCRIPT* – NBC SPORTS 2020 INDYCAR SEASON MEDIA CONFERENCE CALL
Sam Flood
Leigh Diffey
Townsend Bell
Paul Tracy
Marty Snider
Kelli Stavast
MODERATOR: "Thank you for joining our NBC Sports INDYCAR conference call as we look ahead to Saturday night's 2020 NTT INDYCAR Series season opener at Texas Motor Speedway in primetime on NBC. The Genesys 300 at Texas Motor Speedway is going to mark the first ever INDYCAR race to air live in primetime on the big network, NBC. In just a moment we're going to be joined by our INDYCAR broadcast team of Leigh Diffey and analysts and former INDYCAR drivers Townsend Bell and Paul Tracy. We'll also be joined by our veteran reporters Marty Snider and Kelli Stavast who are going to be handling coverage in the pits this weekend.
We'll begin the call with remarks from each member of the broadcast team as we look ahead to Saturday night on NBC and then we'll open the call up to questions from the media."
SAM FLOOD: "It's obviously a unique time in the history of our country between COVID-19, the world being shut down and everyone sheltering in place and staying away from each other with social distancing, to the protests that have consumed our cities and a lot of our country right now for obvious reasons. It's been an impactful time with a lot of people thinking about a lot of things in our society and where we are. So a race on a track is a different agenda and a different place to go in the midst of all that is happening right now, and the importance in our society of solving some major issues. This race will be a unique opportunity for our group to tell stories coming in the midst of COVID-19 and the protests and all that the country is facing.
The event started just dealing with COVID-19 and what we're going to do differently and how the group originally was going to be calling the race from Stamford, Connecticut, and then the regulations changed in Texas where it's allowed — Leigh Diffey, who lives in the Tri-State area and Townsend Bell, who lives in California, both of whom would have to quarantine for 14 days if they went to Texas, until the rules changed. PT (Paul Tracy) is in Arizona so he's got a little more flexibility, and Kelli and Marty Snider were not in parts of the country that were being isolated.
Just to begin with, looking at an event, to treat it differently, to do it differently, and we're lucky that Mark Miles and the group at INDYCAR have been so strong under Roger Penske's leadership to get the sport back up and running, and we look forward to the opportunity of covering the race, mindful of what's going on in the rest of the world, and following the proper rules under the COVID-19 restrictions.
With that, I'll send it over to the guy who's got to lead this telecast for us, Leigh Diffey."
LEIGH DIFFEY: "Thanks. Hello, good afternoon, everybody. I'd like to follow Sam's comments by just saying I never thought I would be this excited to go to a race. Obviously we had the six-week INDYCAR iRacing Challenge, the virtual series, but to have this prolonged break and now for it to be a reality that we will broadcast the live INDYCAR race and to top it all off have it on primetime in NBC is a bonus. Everybody from outside of the fence, from the sport side of the fence, everybody is ready to get racing going again, and obviously we've been treated to NASCAR's early rounds and Supercross last weekend, Supercross again tonight, so that's kind of ignited things, but I think this is a wonderful opportunity for INDYCAR to shine, no pun intended, under the lights on primetime.
We've got an exciting season ahead. There's some new drivers. There's been some mix-ups within teams. There's a lot to look forward to both with rookies and veterans, the new aeroscreen, and there's a lot to get our teeth into. Yeah, it's different circumstances, we're all going to be in positions where we are socially and responsibly distanced, and it will be a different feeling, so to speak, but I think for the group who are on this call to remember, is that doing it in this semi-remote way with another group back at the NBC Sports headquarters back in Stamford, that's nothing new for us because remember we how did Formula 1 for five years, when we would be in Monaco or Canada or what it might be, French Open, a variety of sports, the Olympics are done in part that way. So, while it is a leap in a different direction as far as the way we cover INDYCAR, it really isn't for the NBC Sports family.
Couldn't be more excited. Really ready for Saturday night, and really good to get the family back together."
TOWNSEND BELL: "Thanks, Leigh. It's going to be great to be back, as Leigh said, in Texas, but I think we have to remember as much as we are going with newfound freedom for everybody in terms of getting out and about, traveling again, we're also going to see the furious speed that INDYCAR demonstrates on probably one of its most exciting tracks, at Texas, on a Saturday night. Sparks will literally fly, and we're talking about drivers and teams and, in this case, broadcasters that haven't seen that kind of intensity since the season ended at Laguna Seca last September. That coupled with the brand new aeroscreen and seeing how that plays out for the first time at night on an oval, that was never the original expectation as we were going to start the season in St. Pete on a street circuit in the daytime.
To me, it's just incredibly exciting to get to the track, see the action, and see the pure speed and intensity of INDYCAR back up at full song. Really looking forward to getting out there and seeing it all play out."
PAUL TRACY: "Yeah, super excited to finally get back to racing. From a driving perspective, this is going to be a huge challenge. These guys have been out of the car for a long period of time in terms of racing. They've only had a couple of tests through the off-season, so literally months out of the car. It's going to provide a tremendous challenge for the teams, the drivers, not only from a mechanical standpoint of not being up and going. First race at Texas is extremely tough, even when we're coming into the middle part of the season like you would regularly. This is going to be the first race right out of the box. The nervousness is going to be high. The jitters are going to be up. Drivers are going to want to finish well.
From a driving standpoint, I feel that this is a race where you've got to come out of this race and survive and get points because with the condensed schedule that we have, if you get off on the wrong foot starting off this weekend, you're going to be in a massive hole in terms of the championship to climb out of.
And again, these guys haven't raced. It's going to be hot. It's going to be slippery. The G-forces are going to be high. The inside cockpit temperatures are going to be high with the wind screen. It's really going to test these guys' fitness and their endurance over the course of this race."
MARTY SNIDER: "Well, I'm very excited to get to the racetrack. I think INDYCAR and our health and safety group at NBC Sports have done a phenomenal job of setting forth some standards and some guidelines to properly do this, to properly socially distance. Talking to a few strategists and engineers, there's a plan for how things are going to go. I think it's going to be different for Kelli and I on pit road in terms of how we can operate. We're not going to be able to normally — like we'd usually go into transporters and just talk to drivers, we aren't going to be able to do that. I think even the way teams are handling it is going to be different. Strategy meetings are now going to be done over Zoom for most teams versus in person. Just the nuances of the weekend are going to be a little bit different.
I think from a racing standpoint, Texas is always an action-packed race. It is one of the best races of the year. That's what has me excited and fired up. You have the element of the rookies who are going to be jumping in. Their first race at Texas is just insane to think about. And even the veterans, and they haven't been in the car, to Paul's point, in eight months, and it's just going to be unbelievable this weekend, and when it's 96 (degrees) during the day at Texas, the track is going to be slick, and with the tire situation where there's going to be shorter stints, you're going to have more cars on the lead lap the entire race. I think it's going to be an outstanding race to watch on NBC on Saturday night."
KELLI STAVAST: "Just to echo the guys, obviously the excitement there, having been away from it so long, I'm eager to get back with my colleagues because these are some of my close friends and people I spend so many weeks with throughout the year. So, to have this break felt refreshing at first, but then I was as eager as anyone to get back to the action.
I feel like, we talk about the drivers being out of the car, well, I feel like I have some rust to probably knock off myself. It's been — I think my last live sports event I called was skiing back in February. It's been a full calendar year since I actually covered an INDYCAR race. Obviously I've had 20 NASCAR races plus between now and then, but just getting back into the rhythm of being at the track, and it's not even a rhythm that we're used to, as Marty pointed out. We're going to have to find new ways to communicate.
Marty and I are used to being in the thick of the action and tapping people on the shoulders and yelling into their ears to get answers and get information on the spot, and obviously to be responsible about things, we're not going to be doing that this time around.
I've heard a lot of drivers this week say the word 'unknown,' and I think that carries through to us on our broadcast. There's going to be a lot of kind of figuring things out as we get there and the best way to deliver the show. I have no doubt that the on-track action is going to be there and provided and full faith in everything that our NBC Sports Group is going to provide an awesome telecast to go along with it. I'm excited and I'm honored also to be a part of this group as we get back to live sporting events and live racing."
Sam, you opened up talking about all the events that are going on in the world. I know that this is a sporting event that you're about to broadcast, but is there a need to have a certain tone either in pre-race or before the race begins or any sort of acknowledgment or recognition of what's going on in the world?
SAM FLOOD: "i think it has to be acknowledged for sure because it's impacting so many lives, and starting with COVID-19, which anyone in the world knows about right now because it has been top of mind for 80-something days.
And in terms of what's going on across our country in terms of race protests and the rightful dialogue that's coming from that, we will appropriately react to it and make sense of it.
Leigh and I were talking before the call, we are going to get together Saturday morning and have a dialogue about where we are because this story continues to evolve. The events from two nights ago were far different in this country than the events from last night. We have to see the evolution of the story and also the evolution of the COVID-19 story and where we are when this begins, and that's the job, and we're fortunate to have Leigh who's able to put things in proper perspective and words to handle a story and stories like this."
Leigh, could you just comment on the responsibility you've got to handle that?
LEIGH DIFFEY: "It's an enormous responsibility, and it's certainly weighing heavily on me, but that's what we're paid to do, and when the time comes, I'll deliver the right message on behalf of our group.
You know, for all of us on this call, we're as disturbed as the rest of the country and alarmed as the rest of the country with what has transpired, so to Sam's point, we will choose our words carefully and I will deliver those words in a responsible and sensitive manner, and like Sam said, it absolutely needs acknowledgment, and then when we have acknowledged and given it the attention that it deserves, then we can move on in an appropriate manner to enjoy what we enjoy, which is live sports."
Sam, my second question for you was under social distancing and all the guidelines, what's your booth going to look like? Is it a standard booth? Will it be a socially distanced booth? How will you go into this?
SAM FLOOD: "Well, to begin with, they don't like each other very much, these three guys, so they try to keep apart, so it's really the perfect trio to socially distance (laughing). They all try and stay at least six feet apart at all times, and we're going to live up to that by keeping them more than six feet apart for the length of the telecast."
Sam, a lot has been said about how this is INDYCAR's first primetime network broadcast in seven years, I believe. How will you determine whether this broadcast is a success? Is it the numbers from the ratings? Is it how you feel coming off of the broadcast, no matter what the numbers might say? What's going to be key for you in looking at this after we get past Saturday night?
SAM FLOOD: "We think of this as a success by the mere fact that we've made the decision to put this on NBC. That's the success we need, that this platform merits this race and this race merits this platform."
As you guys continue to progress and strengthen this relationship that you guys have with INDYCAR, how important do you believe this race is in building some momentum not only for the rest of the 2020 season for the series, but for years down the road and trying to increase the number of fans that tune into and are passionate about the sport in the country?
SAM FLOOD: "I think it's a pretty difficult charge to say one race is going to determine a lot about a sport, particularly in light of all that's going on in our country right now. It's difficult to determine what this will mean, other than racing is back, we're proud to have it at NBC, we're proud to work with our friends at INDYCAR, and we're proud that Roger Penske and his group is trusting us with this telecast at this important time."
Leigh, obviously Sam kind of touched on it just now a little bit, but Eddie Gossage called this race one of the biggest, most important races in the sport's history. From a broadcast perspective, from a world perspective and everything that's kind of all-encompassing leading into Saturday night, what's the magnitude that you feel this event presents?
LEIGH DIFFEY: "I've been asked similar questions in days leading up to our call here, and I would say that we've got a pretty energetic group, which is fairly evident from each and every broadcast, but I would like to say that we're going to come at this broadcast with Indy 500-like energy and enthusiasm, and with that being said, that underscores how seriously we're taking it, and like Sam said, this event merits being on NBC primetime, and that time slot on NBC works hand in hand with this race.
We know what kind of race and event Texas Motor Speedway provides, and therefore it's a natural fit, and it's going to be exciting.
I think, look, it's very difficult to say as the world slowly returns to normal, when we are all confronted with what's happening in the United States and around the rest of the world aside from COVID right now. With that being said, everybody is looking for any inkling, any step, any half a step back towards some form of 'normalcy,' and if we can provide that on Saturday night, well then, I'm not going to say mission accomplished, but I'm going to say it is a step in the right direction.
That's the magnitude of the event, or that's the significance of the event. If we can bring people some semblance of pleasure, some form of enjoyment and some break from what is going on and a step somewhat towards normalcy, then we will have achieved our objective."
And just a follow-up to that for the two drivers, for Townsend and Paul, a lot has been made of how the rookies are going to have a very little amount of track time to adapt. There's going to be a lot of different things thrown at them, but I kind of look at how Colton (Herta) handled last year at Texas because he didn't get a lot of laps at Indy, as it were, in the race, so you look at how he handled the race and he was right there in the top three battling towards the end of that thing. Do we make too much about rookies getting laps of track time at a place like Texas or do you still feel like that's a valid argument to be made that these guys are being thrown in the deep end?
TOWNSEND BELL: "No, I think it's a very valid point. Normally, even with restricted testing these days, your rookies would have a chance to go settle themselves in on an oval like Texas, probably get a test or two in before the season starts or even after the season would have started on the road courses. So it is a big deal, and to do it at Texas and not have the benefit as a rookie, typically all rookies would have gone through the month of May at Indianapolis, and then shown up at Texas with a pretty good binder, if you will, of information on oval racing in general, and understanding how the cockpit controls are your friend with the anti-roll bar adjustments and the weight jacker.
The pivot or the counterpoint to that is that one thing we saw with the six races on NBC Sports with iRacing is just how beneficial the simulated racing world is for those rookies to understand the unique dynamics of oval racing and the benefits, and in some cases the penalties, of not respecting the space around you.
I think in a lot of ways, it's been a huge benefit to have that virtual iRacing taking place a few months ago, but I don't think there's any replacement for showing up at Texas and just understanding how bumpy and how difficult it is to get around there, especially in a pack of 20- plus INDYCARs."
PAUL TRACY: "Yeah, I agree with Townsend on all points, which I typically don't agree with him, but again, this is not sim racing, this is real world. Sim racing you don't really get a feel of the bumps, the G-forces, the G-loads, the load through the steering wheel is nowhere near as high, so the physicality aspect of it is much different real life versus sim life. But that being said, if I had any words of advice to any of these drivers, all drivers, including rookies and guys like Scott Dixon, is the first 85 percent of this race you've got to race the racetrack, and it's going to be changing constantly, it's going to be rubbering up, it's going to be hot when it starts, and it's going to be constantly cooling down to the end of the race, and this race typically changes dramatically from when we start when it's hot and sunny to when it finishes in the dark and the temperature has dropped about 25 degrees.
You've really just got to go into this and race your own race, race the racetrack and get yourself in position to be able to capitalize on having a clean, fresh car for the last 20, 30 laps."
Sam, you're going to have a lot of people who are going to tune into this on NBC. How do you bring INDYCAR to those folks who may not be familiar with the sport, with the rules, in order to give them a great product Saturday night?
SAM FLOOD: "We're fortunate to have an amazing announcing team that can tell stories, make you care and engage you from the very spark of the engines at the start of the race, and Leigh Diffey can make a tiddlywinks match sound like the most important thing that's ever happened, and this is much, much more than a tiddlywinks match. It's a big time race on a crazy fast track and he's got Townsend and PT (Paul Tracy) who have raced at the highest level, have won at the highest level and can take you inside those cars, and for the human side, we've got Kelli Stavast who is a master storyteller down there with Marty Snider in the pits talking to and bringing you inside the world of INDYCAR and communicating with these amazing athletes who risk so much going out on the track each day. It should be dynamic, should be a lot of fun, and these are the right people to tell these stories."
With the primetime hours usually set aside to the entertainment division, how difficult is it to pry those primehours away from them in order to be able to televise — put a sporting event on TV?
SAM FLOOD: "Well, Jon Miller had a conversation with me about this, and we thought it was worth asking the West Coast, which oversees entertainment about this probability and the lack of live sports in our country right now and the opportunity to switch over to NBC for this race, and we all agreed it was the right decision and the right opportunity to showcase a big-time event on NBC.
Marty and Kelli, what's going to be the biggest difference for you two in how you do your jobs reporting from the pits this weekend?
MARTY SNIDER: "Well, I think the biggest thing is just where we're able to go and how we're able to operate. Obviously, like I mentioned earlier, we're used to going into transporters, being able to talk to drivers face to face, so we're having to schedule some Zoom time with drivers, and when they're doing their own strategy meetings via Zoom, you need to probably follow the same protocol. So we'll be doing a lot of that, but in terms of being on pit road, we are allowed in the pit stalls, so we'll be able to do that, and then it's up to each strategist as to how we can communicate during the race. Obviously we'll social distance. Obviously everybody will have a mask on the entire time, so we'll be able to approach them, it's just a question of how they're going to be able to hear us, how we're going to be able to communicate, so that's something we're going to have to honestly feel out throughout the night Saturday night, but everyone seems to be willing to allow us in their pits as far as what I've been able to determine, so we're hoping it'll be fairly normal, but Kelli, I'm not sure if that's going to be 100 percent the case, but everybody seems more than willing to help in any way they can because everyone is so excited to get back to the racetrack."
KELLI STAVAST: "INDYCAR is such a great group of people, and everyone is on board, and they want this to be the best product it can be, and part of that is helping us get the information that we need to tell the stories of what's happening. As I mentioned at the top of the call, part of the difference is just purely getting that information, how do we do it when you can't grab someone on the shoulder and yell into their ear? You can social distance at a golf match and still talk six feet apart, but when you have a green racetrack or a hot racetrack and all the noise that goes along with it, it kind of complicates things.
We've come up with some different ideas. We might be holding up note cards if we need to get a yes or no answer from something, texting the people that we can text. As Marty mentioned, we're trying to set up Zoom calls, maybe Slack channels. So it's definitely a learning process for us in what will be the most effective way, but like you said, we'll still have the opportunities to at least be there and see things with our own eyes, so hopefully it hasn't changed too drastically, but I'm sure it's going to feel different. I know even just our interviews, instead of going to the drivers as we normally would, we're going to be kind of stationed under tents where the drivers can come to us where we have the microphone and everything set up to continue that social distance and be smart and responsible about it, so there's definitely going to be some nuances that will be unique to this situation, but nothing we can't overcome."
Sam, any impact on you guys' production strategy with no fans in the stands? Will you guys be a little tighter on the action on the track? Any impact on audio? Obviously I know it's a different kind of event than baseball or basketball, but are you guys making any adjustments for there being no fans in the stands from a production perspective?
SAM FLOOD: "We're not going to necessarily come out of commercial with big sweeping shots of the racetrack. Tighter is better in this case. We've obviously watched the NASCAR races and they've done a nice job at FOX covering the event and staying in tighter shots of the track and of the racing. We've got Sean Owens directing this race, and he learned at the foot of the greatest motorsports director of all time, Mike Wells, so he's got a good game plan in place for how to execute this race and make it feel as big as it's going to be, and the audio side of it, it's pretty clear that the fans are rarely heard in a motorsports race, and in this case we'll be okay without it. The engine noises and the drama and the sparks and the lights will add incredible visuals to this thing, so that combined with the natural sounds that come from racing, we feel confident it'll be a great listen."
With this being essentially one of the highest profile INDYCAR races in a long time and it being on a broadcast network, have you guys boosted any of the production levels, added anything extra that wouldn't necessarily be part of an average NBC INDYCAR production?
SAM FLOOD: "Nothing we do is ever average. Everything we do is best in class. So we have a great system in place with all kinds of equipment ready to go, no different than another race. There obviously are some logistical changes because of the current COVID situation in terms of what we can get in place and equipment that we can move around the country, but we'll have all the assets necessary to put on a top-notch show."
-NBC SPORTS-
@andijoyce
@NickMcCarvel Wow...a challenge in patience! Hang in there..good thing you're nicer than I am 😂
Devlin Hodges tweets his goodbye to Pittsburgh https://t.co/L1ndh3see2


Jennifer Edwards, Ph.D., associate professor of history at Manhattan College, was awarded the 2015 William Koren, Jr. Prize for her article "My Sister for Abbess: 15th-Century Power Disputes over the Abbey of Sainte-Croix, Poitiers," which was published in the Journal of Medieval History in 2014.
Awarded to the outstanding journal article published on any era of French history by a North American scholar in the American, European or Canadian journal during the previous year, the Koren Prize was awarded to Edwards by the Society for French Historical Studies during its annual meeting in April.
In her article, Edwards examined the difficult history of the community of nuns in the Abbey of Sainte-Croix, Poitiers, which suffered two major assaults between 1491 and 1520. Armed troops twice contested the community's election of the abbess and in the second instance, removed the abbess and replaced her with a candidate handpicked by the king of France.
Edwards is a member of the American Historical Association, the Medieval Academy of America and the Society for Medieval Feminist Scholarship, where she has been an advisory board member since 2013.


The value of transport projects completed in Oman rose to its highest level in at least a decade as several key packages of the Muscat and Salalah International airport expansion project were commissioned in 2018.
The total value of transport projects completed in Oman during the year came to $6.9bn, more than double the figure for 2017.
Three of the top 10 biggest projects completed in Oman during 2018 were part of the Muscat and Salalah International airport expansion project.
Together they had a combined budget of $3.8bn, accounting for more than half of the value of all transport projects in the country.
Despite the value of transport projects completed soaring in 2018, the value of projects completed across all sectors declined by 22 per cent compared to the prior year – falling to $11.4bn.
Sectors that saw significant declines in the value of projects completed were oil, construction and power.
The biggest project completed in Oman over the 2017-18 period was the Sohar refinery expansion project, which had a budget of $2.7bn.
It was finished in September 2017 and was executed by Oman Refineries & Petrochemicals Company.
The project boosted the refinery's production capacity to 198,000 barrels a day (b/d) from 82,000 b/d.


I received the following via email. The main piece was written by Jack Minzey, a person I was unfamiliar with. His take on this issue seems unique and accurate! According to him, we are already in a Civil War whether we recognize it or not.
If the late Mr. Minzey is correct, it is only a matter of time before current conditions turn violent or parts of the country attempt to secede. The divisions are so pronounced that it is difficult to see how they are solved within the current political framework and consistent with our Constitution.


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The CHKD Sports Medicine team includes physicians, physical therapists, athletic trainers and exercise specialists, specially trained in the needs of young athletes, providing programs designed to decrease the risk of injury and increase fitness and athletic performance. Additional programs provide education in a variety of areas ranging from concussion safety to burnout and injury prevention to the role of mental toughness in sports performance.
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To review current class schedules and to register click here.
For information about partnering with the Sports Performance Academy, please contact Kim Kranz, director of sports medicine and orthopedic surgery services, at (757) 668-5345 or send her an email.


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The Ten Most Expensive ThunderCats Toys
Posted on January 16, 2023 January 16, 2023 by Jennifer Camacho
Posted in 1980s ToysTagged Thundercats
In 1985, Rankin/Bass Animated Entertainment introduced audiences to the plight of the ThunderCats and their fight to protect Third Earth. The story of ThunderCats could be traced back to a single dinner between Ted Wolf and his daughter, Janice Wolf, in 1981. The two enjoyed workshopping ideas like superheroes, so they brainstormed the various characters that would later appear in the cartoon. After this dinner, Ted Wolf expanded on the idea, fleshing the characters and story even further, before submitting it to Telepictures Corporation.
As the animated series was taking shape, they understood that toys and other merchandising would secure success. Thus, Rankin/Bass found the perfect partner to create these toys with LJN. Founded in 1970, LJN focused on creating toys and eventually video games for televised and animated series. One of the most influential lines that put the company on the map was for E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial. They even proved themselves by creating a mostly original toy line, the Rough Riders. Thus, the company was prepared to prove itself once again with a brand-new property.
This collaboration became a huge hit both on television and in the toy aisle. The animated series lasted for four seasons in 1989 with a total of 140 episodes. Likewise, the toy line lasted for several years, though LJN ended production of the toys in 1987. During this time, LJN produced a huge array of toys that have become treasured parts of collections. So, it is no surprise that the rarest toys in mint condition have commanded huge prices.
So, join us as we explore the ten toys that have sold for the highest prices on online auction sites since 2010.
Presenting the Ten Most Expensive ThunderCats Toys from Online Auctions Since 2010
10. Otto Simon ThunderCats Ram-Pagers The Stinger
The Thundercats had a large array of inhuman characters, both good and evil. However, some never made an appearance in the cartoon series. For instance, when it came time for LJN to create toys for the Ram-Pagers, they added a new character: The Stinger.
The Rampagers consisted of three individuals: The Mad Bubbler, The Driller, and The Stinger. While the Mad Bubbler made an appearance in the cartoon, he never received a toy. Meanwhile, the Stinger was exclusively a toy character. So, the only member to appear in both was The Driller.
The Stinger's Battle-Matic Action involved flapping his wings when a trigger on his abdomen was pressed. The toy also featured articulation at both shoulder joints and his head.
Since this toy was released near the tail-end of the ThunderCats run, he is one of the rarer action figures. Thus, there is no surprise that a sealed mint copy of this toy was sold on eBay for $3,000.00 on September 9, 2021. Since this toy originated in Germany, it also easily commanded a high price.
9. LJN ThunderCats Lion-O and Snarf Hard Copy Prototype
Two of the most recognizable characters from the ThunderCats are Lion-O, the heroic leader of the group, and Snarf, his loyal companion. When the ThunderCats escaped from their dying planet, Thundera, Lion-O was only a cub. The journey to their new home, Third Earth, took several years. While most of the other members of the group remained the same age while they slept in cryosleep, Lion-O awoke as a full-grown male. As their former leader passed away piloting the ship, Lion-O stepped in to become the new leader of the group.
Meanwhile, Snarf originally acted as the caretaker for Lion-O. Unlike the rest of the ThunderCats, Snarf was a separate species, his namesake Snarf. His actual name was also Osbert, but he preferred to be called Snarf. While Lion-O no longer needed his protection, he still valued him as a friend. So, he remained a trusted companion of the group.
When LJN set out to create a Lion-O toy with an accompanying Snarf figure, they went through several prototypes. Late in production, full-color hard copies are produced. Often, employees of toy companies like LJN are allowed to hold onto these prototypes. One such prototype went up for auction on an online site, where it sold for $3,245.00 on February 25, 2021. This set also included a certificate of authenticity from the Collectible Investment Brokerage, which confirmed that it had been previously owned by an ex-LJN employee. However, it could verify no further details about the prototype.
8. LJN ThunderCats 1985 Lion-O AFA 80
As the leader of the ThunderCats, LJN created several action figures of Lion-O. Most notably, the basic action from 1985 defined the character. However, it also had several variations, as is typical with toys produced multiple times. While some of the action figures had bright red hair, others had neon orange. There was also a darker maroon hair color.
The original action figure from the first series in 1985 had a unique secret feature. With his secret power ring, the eyes on this figure lit up. Otherwise, this toy featured the Battle-Matic action where a lever made his arm move in a chopping action. He also came with two accessories, including the Sword of Omens and his claw shield.
As one of the first ThunderCats action figures produced by LJN, there is no surprise that one sold at an online auction for $3,666.85 on November 16, 2022. Improving this figure's value, it had an AFA grading of 80 (C80 B80 F80). This action figure also had the maroon hair color.
7. LJN ThunderCats Thunder Wings Lion-O Prototype Hard Copy Model (Red Jumpsuit)
Near the end of LJN's ThunderCats toy line, they released a brand new Lion-O action figure. Thunder Wings Lion-O was released in 1987 with the rest of the 3rd series. As toy companies usually do when a toy line starts losing steam, LJN tried to renew interest with action accessories. So, they gave Lion-O a humongous backpack with wings.
Rather than rerelease the original figure with a new accessory, LJN created a brand new Lion-O action figure. This action figure featured five articulation points which allowed the arms, legs, and head to move. Unfortunately, it lost the light-up eyes of the original action figure and the battle-matic action. Instead, all of the action features for this toy were located in the winged backpack. With a press of the trigger, the wings flapped.
As one of the later releases, this version of Lion-O is on the rare side. However, this action figure was even rarer since it was a prototype. Thus, it sold on eBay for $3,999.00 on July 16, 2015. Unlike the official release, this hard copy had a red jumpsuit. This prototype also featured a Certificate of Authenticity from Hollywood Heroes, Inc. The certificate verified that the prototype was previously owned by an ex-LJN employee.
6. LJN ThunderCats Tongue-A-Saurus
In 1987, LJN introduced the enormous creature, Tongue-A-Saurus, to the ThunderCats toy line. While the toys had a vast array of playsets and vehicles, this toy was different. It depicted a single gigantic creature with a long tongue.
This amphibious creature appeared in the animated series as well. Unlike most villains from the series, Tongue-A-Saurus only appeared in a single episode, where it tormented a de-aged Lion-O. The creature struck out at Lion-O and Snarf with its prehensile tongue. It even pursued them up vertical cliffs. However, it was eventually captured in a simple net trap.
Unlike the cartoon version, the toy was completely green in color. Notably, the box art displayed a Tongue-A-Saurus with two front paws, but these arms are hardly noticeable in the actual toy since the claws are unpainted. Its most noticeable trait was its long red tongue, which had a Battle-Matic Action that extended when the tail was pushed.
As one of the largest single figures from the line, it commands a high price. Thus, a loose version of Tongue-A-Saurus sold on eBay for $4,050.00 on August 5, 2021.
5. LJN ThunderCats Thunder Wings Lion-O
As mentioned above, the Thunder Wings Lion-O was a brand-new mold that stood apart from the original 1985 release. Unlike the hard copy prototype that went up for auction, the official release had a blue outfit, similar to the one that he wore in the series. The winged backpack that this toy came with also had a light blue color scheme.
As one of the later releases, there were not many releases of the Thunder Wings Lion-O. So, when a mint-on-card version went up on eBay, it sold for $4,195.95 on September 27, 2020.
4. LJN ThunderCats Ben Gali with Battle-Matic Action AFA 80
The ThunderCats had several members who supported each other and helped battle evil on Third Earth. In addition to the group that escaped with Jagga, a few other Thundarians joined the ThunderCats. One of these new members was Ben Gali, who resembled a white Bengal tiger, the cousin of Tygra.
While Ben Gali was a skilled blacksmith, he also was proficient at fighting. He often carried the Hammer of Thundera both as a weapon and a tool for his blacksmithing. As a weapon, the hammer could shoot laser beams. The Hammer of Thundera was also a crucial tool that allowed Ben Gali to reforge the Sword of Omens.
In 1987, LJN added Ben Gali to the line-up. Like most ThunderCats toys, Ben Gali featured a Battle-Matic Action. His action allowed his right arm to move up and down with the push of a lever on his back. He also featured 5 points of articulation at his shoulders, hips, and head. The toy came with Ben Gali's signature Hammer of Thundera, molded in blue plastic.
On November 2, 2020, an AFA-graded version of Ben Gali sold on eBay for $4,999.99. This figure had an overall score of 80 (C80 B85 F85).
3. LJN ThunderCats Mumm-Ra's Tomb Fortress AFA 70
Several key locations frequently appeared in the 1985 ThunderCats cartoon. First, there was the ThunderCats' home base, the Cat's Lair. Then, there was the Mutants' castle, Castle Plun-Darr. Finally, there was the old tomb that housed the greatest evil of them all, Mumm-Ra.
Following Mumm-Ra's Egyptian motif, his lair was hidden within a Black Pyramid surrounded by 4 obelisks. The ominous feel of this location was further compounded by being next to the Desert of Sinking Sands. Moreover, his tomb was surrounded by statues of the Ancient Spirits of Evil, who helped protect and empower Mumm-Ra. With all the danger found around and inside the tomb, only the bravest of heroes dared to intrude in this villain's lair.
When it came time for LJN to design a playset of the tomb in 1986, they opted to simplify the design. Rather than create a giant pyramid playset, they instead focused on the area next to Mumm-Ra's crypt. Within a gaping jaw, a transformation chamber awaited to help Mumm-Ra become his empowered form. Surrounding this door were two statues, a minotaur, and a reptile. The set also came with a mummy Mumm-Ra action figure.
As the second largest playset from the toy line, Mumm-Ra's Tomb Fortress is a great centerpiece of any collection. When one of these sets went up on eBay with an AFA 70 grade, it sold for $5,400.00 on December 18, 2018.
2. LJN ThunderCats Luna Lasher Mumm-Ra AFA 85
Without a doubt, Mumm-Ra was the greatest foe that the ThunderCats ever faced. This great evil had made Third Earth his home for centuries. The immortal sorcerer quickly took notice of the ThunderCats as soon as they landed on the planet. The immense power of the Eye of Thundera housed within the Sword of Omens became his greatest desire. Thus, he became a bane to the ThunderCats as he concocted schemes to get his hand on their power.
While Mumm-Ra's base form was a frail zombie, he could transform into a gigantic, muscled form through the power of his iconic incantation: "Ancient Spirits of Evil, transform this decayed form… to Mumm-Ra, the Ever-Living!" In this form, his greatest weakness was his reflection, which forced him to retreat into his base form.
In 1987, LJN created a brand new version of the Ever-Living form, which they called Luna Lasher Mumm-Ra. This new figure had five points of articulation located at his shoulders, hips, and head. Unlike the original action figure, this one's eyes could not light up. It also lost its original Battle-Matic action. Instead, this figure came with a giant backpack, the Luna Lasher, whose arms pounded enemies with the press of a trigger.
As one of the later figures in the toy line, Luna Lasher Mumm-Ra received little promotion. He also did not have as many rereleases as the original mold. Thus, he is one of the rarer toys from the line. On October 31, 2014, one of these toys sold on eBay for $8,999.00. It had an AFA 85 grade (C85 B80 F85), which improved its value.
1. LJN ThunderCats Laser Sabers Ben Gali AFA 80
In Italy, Ben Gali received a special release thanks to Al-Es. The Laser Sabers sub-line featured four ThunderCats from the 80s toy line: Lion-O, Ben Gali, Mumm-Ra, and Captain Shiner. Beyond the special regional packaging, this action figure had some differences from its US release. Instead of the Hammer of Thundera, the toy came with an orange Laser Saber. This backpack featured two gigantic cannons which imaginary lasers shot out from.
As both a later release and a regional exclusive, Laser Sabers Ben Gali is one of the rarest toys from the entire toy line. To little surprise, one of these action figures with an AFA 80 grade (C80 B85 F85) sold on eBay for $8,999.99 on December 17, 2010.
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Back to Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii
Current: Planned Parenthood Votes Endorses Paulette Jordan ...
Planned Parenthood Votes Endorses Paulette Jordan for Governor of Idaho
Contact: Mistie Tolman, Idaho State Director, (208) 861-4371; Katie Rogers, Communications Manager, (206) 328-7705
For Immediate Release: Aug. 28, 2018 (Updated: Aug. 28, 2018, noon)
BOISE – Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH) today announced the endorsement of Paulette Jordan for Governor of Idaho.
Statement from Mistie Tolman, Idaho State Director for PPVNH:
"Historic numbers of women are running for office, and right here in Idaho we have a historic race for governor where Idahoans have an opportunity to make Paulette Jordan the first Native American governor in the country. Jordan is a champion for reproductive health and rights, and Planned Parenthood Votes is proud to support her run for Governor of Idaho. As we lead the charge against attacks on health care access and reproductive rights, we know Jordan will stand strong in her leadership on important issues for women and families.
"With an administration hostile to reproductive health care, and local legislators committed to eliminating access, we need a leader in this state who will work on both sides of the aisle and will fight back when the health, freedoms, and rights of Idahoans are being stripped away.
"Jordan has publically supported protecting reproductive health care, expanding sex education, advancing LGBTQ rights, and supporting immigrant rights. For years, our governor has shown what little respect he has for women and families by signing into law dangerous legislation, including anti-abortion legislation, and backed efforts to "defund" Planned Parenthood. We know that Lieutenant Governor Brad Little will be no different if he is elected. He has not taken a position on Medicaid Expansion, supports efforts to repeal the Affordable Care Act, and holds deeply unpopular views about what people can do with their bodies. We urge supporters of Planned Parenthood across the state to join us in working to elect Jordan as Governor in 2018."
The difference between the candidates for Governor could not be more clear: Jordan respects people to make their own health care decisions and doesn't believe in government overreach when it comes to the personal health care decisions made between a patient and their health care provider. On the other hand, Brad Little co-signed an Executive Order with current Gov. Otter allowing some Idaho health insurance plans to drop some ACA requirements, supports legislation requiring parental consent for minors seeking abortions, and has supported a joint resolution proposing to amend the state Constitution that said "A marriage between a man and a woman is the only domestic legal union that shall be valid or recognized in this state."
Planned Parenthood Votes Northwest and Hawaii (PPVNH) is an independent, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization educating residents and policy-makers about reproductive health issues in Washington, Alaska, Idaho, and Hawaii. PPVNH lobbies and educates to advance Planned Parenthood's mission and also engages in limited electoral activities.
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