text:
Art Pop event brings comic-con culture to Northwest Arkansas
By Terry J. Wood ·
Jon and Jackie Woodard / Courtesy photo
Jon and Jackie Woodard have lived in Northwest Arkansas for a little over a year, but they are already filling a pop-culture void in the area by hosting the Arkansas Art Pop Comic Expo on Friday and Saturday (June 9-10) at the Jones Center for Families in Springdale.
This is the third comic expo the Woodards have put on. The first two were in Jonesboro in 2014 and 2015, but when they moved to Northwest Arkansas for work, bringing the expo west was a natural.
"We had wanted to do a show in Northwest Arkansas from the beginning," Jackie said. "When we moved here for my job with Cox Communications, we began planning. It took a year to get it all organized, but we are excited for this weekend."
The event runs from 2-9 p.m. on Friday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Jones Center. Tickets are available at the door or can be bought online at artpopcomicexpo.com until Thursday.
One-day passes are $15 for adults and $10 for children. Two-day passes are $25 for adults and $15 for children. Entry is free for children under 6.
Featured guests are IDW, Marvel, and DC comics artist Tom Nguyen, make-up artist and "Face Off" contestant Keaghlan Ashley, and actor Vernon Wells, who played in "Commando," "Mad Max 2," and Power Rangers Time Force."
All three will conduct panels on Saturday and will also be available to visit with attendees at their booths throughout the course of the expo.
The show will also feature retailers selling collectibles and memorabilia running the gamut from sci-fi, comic books, art, books, toys, and video games.
Cosplay by guests is welcomed and encouraged, but real weaponry is not allowed for safety concerns. Please consult the event website for Cosplay rules. Springdale police will provide security for the event, Jackie Woodard said.
The cosplay contest will be at 6 p.m. Saturday. Entry is free. There will be adult and children's categories, judged by Ashley.
"We're wanting to create a family atmosphere for the show," Jackie said. "We have some rules about the costuming and what's sold, just to keep it safe for children and families to enjoy without worrying about seeing a lot of gore or skin that you can see at some shows."
Jon is an artist and the couple, who will be married 10 years this December, travel to comic conventions across the country and run a booth selling his art and visiting with fans and other professionals. The Arkansas Pop Art Comic Expo grew organically out of those experiences.
"We have so much fun at the shows that we wanted others in our home state to be able to have the same experience," Jackie said. "We thought hosting a con would be a great way to share what we enjoy with many like-minded fans in Arkansas."
While comic-book and genre culture is bigger today than ever, the Woodards feel a convention allows fans to nerd out in a safe and diverse environment.
"Everyone that comes to a con understands," Jon said. "Our guests are fans, too. It's just a great experience to be with others that enjoy similar things whether it's comics or sci-fi, anime, video games, books. We think the show will have something for just about everyone."
The Woodards didn't even know that they both loved comics and the surrounding culture until they were married a couple of years.
"It was something we both loved as kids, but had but to the side," Jon said. "But one year, I suggested that we go to Chicago for a Wizard World comic convention."
Jon thought selling Jackie on attending a comic con might be difficult, but she bought in quickly.
"When we got to the show, it didn't take long to figure out she was a bigger fan than me," Jon said with a laugh. "Now, she has a lot more collectibles than I do."
Jackie became a fan of anime and the X-Men cartoon characters growing up in the Dominican Republic. She became a fan of comics when "The Death of Superman" storyline from 1992 captured here imagination.
"Anime and comics are just a great way to escape from the norm," Jackie said. "They take you to fantastic worlds and let you take your mind off real life for a short time."
Jon's cousin got him interested in comics when the cousin moved from California to Arkansas.
"He had all the [Kevin] Eastman and [Peter] Laird original Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles comics," Jon said. "Those comics moved away from the traditional Marvel and DC stuff, spoofing the X-Men and Daredevil. I really got interested in them and began drawing. I was also a big fan of Bill Watterson's strip 'Calvin and Hobbes.' It was such a great period for comics. I was hooked and began drawing characters and comics for the kids at school."
Once Jackie and Jon discovered their common interest in comics, they scoped out the convention landscape at a few other shows, and then began to set up their own booths at the cons, immersing themselves even further in the comic convention culture.
"It's a fun way to enjoy what we love and spend time together," Jackie said. "It's great to see all the peoples faces and the smiles when they look at Jon's art. Just the joy and excitement fans feel at a con. It's a real getaway."
The Woodards aren't sure what the attendance at the show will be like at this weekend's show.
"We've heard that it's more of a walk-up crowd for events in the area," Jon said, "but we have sold tickets online to people from Oklahoma, Missouri, and Texas. What's exciting is that Northwest Arkansas has such an open-minded, diverse, and accepting culture. People like to see and experience new things. We think that's in our favor. Word-of-mouth from this show, should allow us to grow in the future."
Jackie said the con's guests are looking forward to experiencing Northwest Arkansas, too.
"The guests that we have coming in are excited to see the area and visit Crystal Bridges and to see what our wonderful area has to offer," Jackie said.


text:
Get Ready For Less Salary In Hand
Decks have been cleared for clubbing of allowances with basic pay for PF deductions under the EPFO scheme, a move that will increase savings but reduce take-home pay of over 5 crore subscribers.
A review committee, constituted to look into the nitty- gritty of clubbing of allowances with basic pay for PF deductions, has supported the idea for enhancing the social security benefit under the EPF scheme run by the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
"The committee's suggestion would be vetted by the Labour Ministry and would be put before the EPFO's apex decision making body the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) for taking final call on it," a trustee and Secretary Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh B N Rai told PTI.
"On the issue of clubbing of wages, even the employers' representatives supported the view that all such allowances which are regularly and uniformly paid to workers should form part of basic pay for PF deductions," said Rai, who was the member of the review panel.
The suggestions of the committee have been already sent to Labour Ministry for scrutiny, EPFO officials said.
On November 30, the outgoing Central Provident Fund Commissioner R C Mishra brought out a notification to club all allowances which are regular in nature, with basic pay.
The notification had said: "All such allowances which are ordinarily, necessarily and uniformly paid to the employees are to be treated as the basic wages".
The notification was an effort to check the practice of splitting of wages by employers to reduce their provident fund obligations.
However, the notification was put in abeyance following reports which criticised the move of the retirement fund body.
The government later constituted a committee to look into the matter.
On limiting the period to 7 years for initiating inquiry against employers for lapses in maintaining EPFO accounts, Rai said: "The Committee has favoured keeping such inquries open- ended if it is found that employers have not been depositing the PF contributions.
"You can put time-limitation for such inquries, but ensure that a worker's lawful right is not denied in case employers are found violating norms."
The norms, which were issued by Mishra on his last day in office (November 30), seek to modify the provisions that often result in harassment of employers and establishments.
According to the circular, the inquiry against employers can only be initiated after, "actionable and verifiable information," is placed for consideration before the compliance officers.
The EPFO would also not take action against employers who fail to deposit dues of unidentified workers into the PF accounts.
"There shall be no assessment without identifying individual members in whose account the fund is to be credited," the circular had said.
With regard to the time period for initiating inquiry, it said: "No inquiry or investigation shall ordinarily go beyond seven years, i.e., it shall cover the period of default not exceeding preceding seven years."
The open assessment, inquiries and investigations serve no real purpose the circular said adding, "such inquiries often don't result in identification of beneficiaries and only tend to harass the employers and establishments."
"This circular which has time-barred such inquiries is anti-worker," an EPFO trustee and Secretary Hind Mazoor Sabha A D Nagpal had said in December.
epfo employees provident fund organisation othertop1 central provident fund retirement fund employees provident fund social security benefit provident fund commissioner basic wages

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
/ France / Île-de-France / Yvelines / Versailles / Tours & Activities /
Skip the Line: Versailles Audio-Guide Tour with Private Transport
Your tour to Versailles starts with hotel pickup in Paris in either the late morning or midday, depending on whether you select the half-day or full-day tour when booking. Hop aboard your private minibus, and head out of the city to Versailles.
When you arrive, you have priority access to enter the Palace of Versailles (about one hour after your pickup time in Paris). Receive your audio guide, and begin your independent exploration of this sumptuous royal residence, the center of the French monarchy, court, and government for 107 years. Your audio guide leads you through the King's State Apartment, a richly decorated space where the king lived continually in public, seen by all the court. Continue with the Hall of Mirrors, an extravagant gallery devoted to the glory of the king, overflowing with mirrors, marble, and a painted ceiling that represents the reign of Louis XIV.
Then head outside to stroll through the French gardens designed by André le Nôtre, including fountains, the Orangerie, and roughly 200 statues. You can also visit Marie Antoinette's Hamlet and the Petit and Grand Trianon—the queen's escape from formal life in front of the court, with all its rules and traditions. At this small private farm in the countryside, she had parties with friends and grew vegetables. Goats, ducks, geese, and pigs welcome you to her respite.
Your tour ends with pickup at Versailles in the early evening for the 1-hour drive back to Paris for drop-off.
Dates for musical shows
Musical Gardens Show:
Tuesdays from March 31 to May 19 and from July 7 to July 27
Musical Fountains Show:
Tuesdays from May 26 to June 30. Saturdays and Sundays from March 28 to November 1, April 3, May 8, and May 14
Skip the lines at Palace of Versailles
Private transport (8 people maximum)
Entry/Admission - Palace of Versailles
Entry/Admission - The Hall of Mirrors
Entry/Admission - Le Jardin de Versailles
Mini train ticket to Trianon
Confirmation will be received within 48 hours of booking, subject to availability
Days with musical shows: Saturdays and Sundays - Musical fountain show (until October 10) Tuesdays - Musical fountain show (until June 28) Tuesdays - Musical gardens show (from July 5 to October 10) Fridays - Musical gardens show (from July 1 to September 30)


text:
Mallord Street is a street in London, England in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. It was named after Joseph Mallord William Turner who had lived in Chelsea. There are no other streets named Mallord Street in Great Britain.

Mallord Street is parallel to the King's Road and runs from Old Church Street to The Vale. It was created in 1909 when The Vale was extended northwards, and Mallord Street and Mulberry Street were added to link it with Old Church Street. Renumbering took place in 1924.

Nine of the houses in the street are listed Grade II by Historic England and there have been several notable residents, including the author A. A. Milne and the artist Augustus John.

Notable buildings and residents

Odd-numbered buildings
No. 1, designed by the architect Ralph Knott, was built in 1911 for watercolourist Cecil Arthur Hunt (1873–1965) who had abandoned a career as a barrister to become a full-time painter. Graham Petrie (1859–1940), a British artist, poster designer and author, lived at 1 Mallord Street from about 1914 up to his tragic death. The Hungarian-born, later British, pianist Louis Kentner (1905–1987), who excelled in the works of Chopin and Liszt, lived there from 1946 with his second wife, Griselda Gould, daughter of the pianist Evelyn Suart (Lady Harcourt).

At No. 7, the writer and biographer Enid Moberly Bell (1881–1967), who was the first headmistress at Lady Margaret School in Parsons Green and vice-chair of the Lyceum Club for female artists and writers, set up home  with Anne Lupton (1888–1967), the founder and organiser of the London Housing Centre. Both women had studied at Newnham College at Cambridge University where Enid graduated with an M.A. in 1911. Anne was the sister of Olive Middleton, née Lupton, great-grandmother of Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge. Both Olive and Anne were actively involved in women's issues.

Nos. 9, 11, 13 and 15, all Grade II-listed, are a terrace of four houses,  c 1914, by the architect Frederick  Ernest  Williams  (1866–1929).

No. 9 was the home of Sir Arthur James Irvine (1909–1978), a British barrister and Labour MP, from the late 1930s. In 1939 Irvine, then secretary to the Lord Chief Justice, lived in a flat at No. 17, Tryon House, a residential mansion block.

No. 13 (formerly No. 11) has a blue plaque. It was the home of author A. A. Milne (1882–1956) and his wife Daphne (1890–1971) from 1919 until about 1940. Their son Christopher Robin (1920–1996) was born here. As a child he was the basis of the character Christopher Robin in his father's Winnie-the-Pooh stories and in two books of poems, all written at this house.

No. 15 was the home of the actor Dennis Price (1915–1973) from 1948 until his divorce in 1950.

No. 19 is Chelsea's former telephone exchange, whose future use is under discussion.

At No. 21 (Vale Court) in 1963, Stephen Ward (1912–1963), the society osteopath who was one of the central figures in the Profumo affair, committed suicide in a friend's flat.

Even-numbered buildings
Nos. 2 and 4, known together as Mallord House, are listed Grade II by Historic England. They were designed by Ralph Knott. The English film and stage actor Garry Marsh was recorded living at "Mallord Cottage" in the 1920s and 1930s.

Nos. 6 and 8, also  Grade II listed, were designed by W. D. Caröe in 1912–13 for Percy Morris of Elm Park Gardens, and were originally intended for Morris's coachman.

No. 10 was the home of the Irish sculptor and artist John Francis Kavanagh (1903–1984) from about 1936 to about 1946.

Sir William Thomas Furse (1865–1953), a Master-General of the Ordnance, lived at No. 18.

Anthony Crossley (1903–1939), a  writer, publisher and Conservative politician, lived with his family at No. 26.

No. 28 is a house built in 1913–14 by the Russian architect Boris Anrep, from designs by Dutch architect Robert van 't Hoff,  for the artist Augustus John (1878–1961) to use as a studio. In 1935 it was bought by the popular singer Gracie Fields (1887–1979).  It is a Grade II listed building and has a blue plaque commemorating John.

No. 32 was built for Arthur Croft Mitchell (1872–1956) about 1913, including a studio at the back, from designs by Charles Hall. He lived there until his death.

Notes and references

Blue plaques
Edwardian architecture in London
Grade II listed houses in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
A. A. Milne
Streets in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea
Telephone exchange buildings
J. M. W. Turner

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Faithful reproduction of the iconic Las Vegas landmark! Looks like the real sign, features both static and flashing/moving lights. Spice up any room, office, or cubicle with this handsome icebreaker. A great gift for anyone who loves those famous Las Vegas lights! Designed by Betty Whitehead Willis, she never trademarked the design, calling it "a gift to the city".


text:
'''
steps

1. build, lots of random data, but on simple models (ie. narrow and short dataframes)
2. use NN to test on a simple model
3. cyclical learning rate

# run experiment on kernel size -> train time/train quality

'''
import numpy as np
import pandas as pd
import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
from keras.models import Sequential
from keras.layers import Dense,Dropout,Flatten
from keras.constraints import maxnorm
from keras.optimizers import SGD, Adam
from keras.layers.convolutional import Conv2D,MaxPooling2D
from keras.callbacks import EarlyStopping
from keras.utils import np_utils
from keras import backend as K, regularizers
from keras.layers.advanced_activations import ELU
from sklearn.model_selection import train_test_split
import pickle

#class which
#1 combines multiple Xys
#2 pads them as required
#3 returns the overall Xy

class XyContainer:

    def __init__(self):
        self._dataDict = {}
        for i in range(1,15):
            self._dataDict[i] = []
        self.X = None
        self.y = None
        self.dims = None
        self.baseRate = None

    def prepX(self,*,X, compression=True, compressFactor):
        ''' Prepping the dataset (effectively turning it into an image), by sorting (by the two "target cols") and compressing

        Arguments:
        X                 -- X arrays
        compression       -- whther to compress the dataset (default = True)
        compressionFactor -- the compression of the dataset (i.e. the end height/length of the dataset)

        Returns:
        X                 -- X arrays (adjusted)
        '''
        X_tmp = []
        x_tmp = []
        compressStep = X.shape[1]//compressFactor
        if compression == False:
            for x in X:
                df_tmp = pd.DataFrame(x)
                df_tmp = df_tmp.sort_values(by=[0])
                X_tmp.append(np.asarray(df_tmp))
        else:
            for x in X:
                df_tmp = pd.DataFrame(x)
                df_tmp = df_tmp.sort_values(by=[0])
                x_tmp = []
                for i in range(0,compressFactor):
                    df_tmp2 = df_tmp[i*compressStep:(i+1)*compressStep]
                    meanLst = list(df_tmp2.mean())
                    x_tmp.append(meanLst)
                X_tmp.append(x_tmp)

        X = np.asarray(X_tmp)
        return X

    def createXy(self,*,X_loc,y_loc):
        #import data
        with open(y_loc, 'rb') as f:
            y = pickle.load(f)
        with open(X_loc, 'rb') as f:
            X = pickle.load(f)
        baseRate = np.mean(y)

        #move to prep, allow lists, pad with noise/0?
        X_tmp = X[0]
        y_tmp = y[0]
        for i in X[1:]:
            X_tmp = np.vstack((X_tmp,i))
        for i in y[1:]:
            y_tmp = np.vstack((y_tmp,i))
        X = X_tmp
        y = y_tmp
        dims  = X.shape[2]

        #Prep Data
        X = self.prepX(X=X, compression=compression, compressFactor=compressFactor)
        X = X.astype('float32') # normalise
        X /= np.max(X) # normalise
        y = np_utils.to_categorical(y)
        X = X.reshape(X.shape[0], 1, compressFactor, dims)
        return X,y,dims, baseRate

    def loadData(self,*,X_loc,y_loc):
        Xyinp = self.createXy(X_loc=X_loc,y_loc=y_loc)
        tmpDict = {"X_loc": X_loc, "X": Xyinp[0], "y":Xyinp[1], "baseRate" : Xyinp[3]}
        self._dataDict[Xyinp[2]].append(tmpDict)

    def combineData(self,*,dimList,noise=True):
        Xlst = []
        ylst = []
        #attest dimList has legit targets
        for dimension in dimList:
            dataLst = self._dataDict[dimension]
            for data in dataLst:
                if dimension < max(dimList):
                    X = data["X"]
                    for i in range(0,max(dimList)-dimension):
                        insertLoc = np.random.randint(low=2,high=max(dimList))
                        X = np.insert(X, insertLoc, 0, axis=3)
#                        if noise == True:
#                            X[insertLoc] = np.random.uniform(low=0, high=10, size=30)/10
                    Xlst.append(X)
                else:
                    X = data["X"]
                    Xlst.append(X)
                y = data["y"]
                ylst.append(y)
        X = np.vstack(Xlst)
        y = np.vstack(ylst)
        baseRate = max(np.mean(y, axis=0))
        tmpDict = [{"X_loc": str(dimList), "X":X, "y":y, "baseRate" : baseRate}]
        self._dataDict[str(dimList)] = tmpDict

def createModel(*,complexity="low",compressFactor,dimensions,num_classes):
    ''' Creates the Convolutional Neural Network Model

    Arguments:
    complexity     -- the complexity (predominantly depth) of the conv neural net (default = "low")
    compressFactor -- the cmopression factor, equivalent to the length/height of the image
    dimensions     -- the dimensions of the data, equivalent to the width of the image
    num_classes    -- the number of classes, i.e. 2 or 3 (i.e. no edge + undirected edge or
                      2 x directed edges)

    Returns:
    model          -- the convolutional neural network
    '''
    K.set_image_dim_ordering('th')
    kernel_depth = 10
    kernel_breadth = dimensions
    elu = ELU(alpha=1.0)
    if complexity == "low":
        model = Sequential()
        model.add(Conv2D(filters=32, # dimensionality of output
                         kernel_size=(kernel_depth, kernel_breadth),
                         input_shape=(1, compressFactor, dimensions),
                         padding='same',
                         activation=elu,#'relu',
                         bias_regularizer=regularizers.l1(0.01),
                         kernel_initializer='random_uniform',
                         kernel_constraint=maxnorm(3)))
        model.add(Dropout(0.2)) #0.5
        model.add(Conv2D(filters=32,
                         kernel_size=(kernel_depth, kernel_breadth),
                         activation=elu,#'relu',
                         padding='same',
                         bias_regularizer=regularizers.l1(0.01),
                         kernel_initializer='random_uniform',
                         kernel_constraint=maxnorm(3)))
        model.add(Dropout(0.4)) #0.5
        model.add(Conv2D(filters=32,
                         kernel_size=(kernel_depth, kernel_breadth),
                         activation=elu,#'relu',
                         padding='same',
                         kernel_initializer='random_uniform',
                         bias_regularizer=regularizers.l1(0.01),
                         kernel_constraint=maxnorm(3)))
        model.add(MaxPooling2D(pool_size=(2, 2)))
        model.add(Flatten())
        model.add(Dense(150,#512, 200 best so far
                        activation=elu,#'relu',
                        bias_regularizer=regularizers.l1(0.01),
                        kernel_initializer='random_uniform',
                        kernel_constraint=maxnorm(3)))
        model.add(Dropout(0.5))
        model.add(Dense(num_classes, activation='softmax'))
    return model

def splitData(X,y,*,hardCodeSplit=False,holdout= True):
    if hardCodeSplit == True:
        Xyrange = len(X)//3 * 2
        X_train, X_valtest, y_train, y_valtest = X[:Xyrange], X[Xyrange:], y[:Xyrange], y[Xyrange:]
        if holdout == True:
            Xyrange = len(X_valtest)//2
            X_val, X_test, y_val, y_test = X[:Xyrange], X[Xyrange:], y[:Xyrange], y[Xyrange:]
        else:
            X_val = X_valtest
            y_val = y_valtest
    else:
        X_train,X_valtest,y_train,y_valtest=train_test_split(X,y,test_size=0.5, random_state=99)
        if holdout == True:
            X_val,X_test,y_val,y_test=train_test_split(X_valtest,y_valtest,test_size=0.5,
                                                       random_state=42)
        else:
            X_val = X_valtest
            y_val = y_valtest
    return X_train,X_test,X_val,y_train,y_test,y_val

def dataSummary(X_train,X_test,X_val,y_train,y_test,y_val,holdout):
    print ("------- Data Inputs ---------")
    print ("X shape -", X.shape)
    print ("y shape -", y.shape)
    print ("X val shape -", X_val.shape)
    print ("y val shape -", y_val.shape)
    print ("Holdout...? ", holdout)
    if holdout == True:
        print ("X_test shape -", X_test.shape)
        print ("y_test, shape -", y_test.shape)

def printRes(*,model,holdout,baseRate,X_train,y_train,X_val, y_val, X_test, y_test):
    print ("------- Results ---------")
    print ("Base Rate", baseRate,"/",abs(1-baseRate))
    valScores = model.evaluate(X_train,y_train, verbose=0)
    print("Train Accuracy: %.2f%%" % (valScores[1]*100))
    print("Train Loss: %.2f%%" % (valScores[0]*100))
    valScores = model.evaluate(X_val, y_val, verbose=0)
    print("Val Accuracy: %.2f%%" % (valScores[1]*100))
    print("Val Loss: %.2f%%" % (valScores[0]*100))

    if holdout == True:
        testScores = model.evaluate(X_test, y_test, verbose=0)
        print("Holdout Accuracy: %.2f%%" % (testScores[1]*100))
        print("Holdout Loss: %.2f%%" % (testScores[0]*100))

def printGraphs(*,history):
    # list all data in history
    print(history.history.keys())
    # summarize history for accuracy
    plt.plot(history.history['acc'])
    plt.plot(history.history['val_acc'])
    plt.ylabel('accuracy')
    plt.xlabel('epoch')
    plt.legend(['train', 'test'], loc='upper left')
    plt.show()
    # summarize history for loss
    plt.plot(history.history['loss'])
    plt.plot(history.history['val_loss'])
    plt.title('model loss')
    plt.ylabel('loss')
    plt.xlabel('epoch')
    plt.legend(['train', 'test'], loc='lower left')
    plt.show()

# constants
complexity = "low"
compression = True
compressFactor = 30
momentum = 0.9
epochs = 30
lrate = 0.01
holdout = True

xy = XyContainer()
xy.loadData(X_loc='X_bi_data_dim_515-20cat_20170801-090205.pkl',
            y_loc='y_bi_data_dim_515-20cat_20170801-090205.pkl')
#xy.loadData(X_loc="X_bi_data_dim_6_15-20cat_20170810-160121.pkl",
#            y_loc="y_bi_data_dim_6_15-20cat_20170810-160121.pkl")

xy.combineData(dimList = [5,6])
X = xy._dataDict['[5, 6]'][0]["X"]
y = xy._dataDict['[5, 6]'][0]["y"]
baseRate = xy._dataDict['[5, 6]'][0]["baseRate"]
dims = X.shape[3]

X_train,X_test,X_val,y_train,y_test,y_val = splitData(X,y,hardCodeSplit=False,holdout= holdout)

dataSummary(X_train,X_test,X_val,y_train,y_test,y_val, holdout = holdout)

#Create Model
num_classes = y_test.shape[1]
model = createModel(compressFactor=compressFactor,dimensions=dims,num_classes=num_classes)

# Compile model
earlyStop = EarlyStopping(monitor='val_loss',min_delta=0.00,patience=(20),verbose=0,mode='auto')
decay = lrate/epochs
opti = SGD(lr=lrate,momentum=momentum, decay=decay, nesterov=True)
opti = Adam(lr=0.001, beta_1=0.9, beta_2=0.999, epsilon=1e-08, decay=decay)
model.compile(loss='categorical_crossentropy', optimizer=opti, metrics=['accuracy'])
print(model.summary())
print("Base Rate -", baseRate)

# Fit the model
history = model.fit(X_train, y_train,validation_data=(X_val, y_val),epochs=epochs,batch_size=32,
                    callbacks=[earlyStop])

# Final evaluation of the model
printRes(model=model,holdout=True,baseRate = baseRate,X_train=X_train,y_train=y_train,
         X_val=X_val, y_val=y_val,
         X_test=X_test, y_test=y_test)
printGraphs(history=history)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


We requested for a double bed and 1 extra bed, but end up they gave me 2 singles and we had to wait for the extra bed for my boy to come much later....PUI !!!!
The road facing the hotel, supposed to have quite a few good foodstalls there also...never really did check them out.
Mind was more on exploring Jonker Street in the evening... haha.


Autumn Keeper [C6424] - $10.98 : Yarn Tree, Your wholesale source for cross stitch supplies.
A cross stitch pattern from Barbara Ana Designs. A woman wearing a dress adorned with acorns is holding a key. A vine with acorns and fall colored leaves is climbing up one side and over the top. A black bird is perched on the top of the vine. Stitch count 77 x 85.


The concept of "Umhausen Urkraft" comprises many attractions including the Stuibenfall waterfall, the Birds of Prey Park, the Ötzi Village and the natural bathing lake.Visitors can feel these elementary forces with every step they take amidst this beauti - ful and varied nature. This region is attractive all year round with its interesting and adventurous opportunities for body and soul and displays its most natural side at all these different places.
An excursion to the Stuibenfall waterfall is an experience with a difference. Here you can experience the elemental force of water and enjoy a unique view of Umhausen. For those who feel like an eagle up here there is also a Birds of Prey Park to visit to get close up to these majestic birds. One can dig even deeper into prehistoric times in the Ötzi Village, where you can experience an adventurous journey back in time into the Stone Age. Confronted with so much of nature's elementary forces one should definitely also indulge in some relaxation around the natural bathing lake.


Eight students from Ness and Pasadena Park competed in the recent Invent Washington competition. The fifth grade students were challenged to successfully work through nine steps to inventing in order to solve a problem from their own life.
Congratulations to David, Conner, Ella, Philip, Annalisa, Erikson, Julia and Isaiah. Their inventions include: People Reflector, The Tripping Stopper, The Animal Finder, The Ball Blocker, Pencil Stick, The Ball Stopper, Blanket Buddy and Sticky Football. Well done student inventors!


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Q: is it possible to stream the postgresql dump I am using this command to backup the postgresql 13 database right now:
/opt/homebrew/bin/pg_dump -v -h dba.google.com \
-U postgres -p 5432 -d dict \
--exclude-table-data=article_content \
--exclude-table-data=article \
-f /Users/dolphin/backup/dict-$(date '+%Y%m%d%H%M%S').sql

but now I found a problem that the pg_dump did not dump for stream, the dump the remote database in memory, when complete, write the dump data into the disk. the problem is that when the remote database is large and the memory is not enough for the dump. is it possible to make the pg_dump work like a stream?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Platypalpus alpinus är en tvåvingeart som beskrevs av Chvala 1971. Platypalpus alpinus ingår i släktet Platypalpus och familjen puckeldansflugor. Arten har ej påträffats i Sverige. Inga underarter finns listade i Catalogue of Life.

Källor

Puckeldansflugor
alpinus


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A$AP Mob Share New Song "Feels So Good"
Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy is out on August 25.
By David Renshaw
The assorted members of A$AP Mob are releasing so much music in August they have renamed the month AWGEST. First A$AP Twelvvy dropped his album 12 on August 4 and A$AP Ferg will release new mixtape Still Striving on August 18. The month will then be rounded off by Cozy Tapes Vol. 2: Too Cozy, A$AP Mob's follow-up to their 2016 project Cozy Tapes Vol. 1: Friends-. On Monday the collective shared new song "Feels So Good," which can be heard above.
"Feels So Good" is the second song to be taken from the group's second album. It follows the single "RAF," which features A$AP Rocky, Playboi Carti, Frank Ocean, Lil Uzi Vert, and Quavo.
Update August 16 07:11 a.m. Watch A$AP Mob perform "Feels So Good" on The Tonight Show
A$AP Ferg A$AP Mob ASAP Rocky
A$AP Ferg, A$AP Mob, ASAP Rocky, Hip-Hop


The most persistently highest risk road in the UK is the A254 between Margate and Ramsgate in Kent. The A254 isn't the only dangerous A road in the UK. In fact according to the Dangerous Roads 2018 map all of Britain's top ten most dangerous roads are A roads.
On average every day 73 people were killed or seriously injured on Britain's roads. during 2018. You can see where Britain's most dangerous roads are on the Dangerous Roads interactive map. The map uses a simple green to red color scheme to rate the risk level of the country's roads. The map also uses smiling and frowning map markers to indicate roads which have improved since last year and roads which have been persistently high risk.
The risk level ratings for the map come from the Road Safety Foundation. After reading the Road Safety Foundation's report on their ratings for 2018 I still have no idea on the methodology used for assigning the risk level for each road.
You can view another assessment of the UK's most dangerous roads on the Most Dangerous Roads in Britain map. This map is a little clearer on the methodology used for rating the safety of individual roads. This interactive map of dangerous roads shows the UK roads with the highest accident rate. These are the roads with the highest ratio of accidents to the amount of traffic.
According to the map the top 13 most dangerous roads in the UK are all in London. But it is isn't just London's roads which are potential death traps. In 2017 1,792 deaths were recorded in road traffic accidents in the UK, this was 4 per cent higher than the previous year.
Using the Most Dangerous Roads in Britain map you can view the top 50 most dangerous roads (ranked in order in the map side-panel) or you can view the most dangerous road in each UK region. The map shows the UK roads with the highest accident rate. These are the roads with the highest ratio of accidents to the amount of traffic.The data for the map comes from the Department for Transport and covers ten years of road use from 2007-2016.


Some time ago I received an sms from a friend who had just been jilted in love saying, "I think it is so much nicer to have a relationship with your credit card and not with a man!'; ofcourse I understood that with the credit card she meant shopping! I don't know to what extent her thoughts echoed my own sentiments and I by no means advise reckless spending, but I do believe fulfillment of desires do bring a certain amount of joy even though it is short-lived but what the heck....the poor heart needs to be healed and don't the scriptures say moderate indulgence in wholesome desires is healthy?!
So instead of indulgence in unwholesome relationships that bring nothing but pain and sorrow, don't you think it's better to go out and satisfy immediate cravings with a Tory Burch top or two? Just after I received the text message, somebody actually gifted me a Tory Burch silk top and just admiring the beauty of the top and sophistication of the design, I knew what my friend was talking about! Oh well, if you are a woman jilted in love or even afraid to take on relationships but love clothes just the same, this is your space!!!


shanghai sbm mining and construction machine. The price of Sand Making Machine produced by Shanghai SBM Mining Machinery is sure to get the majority of .
Vibrating feeder manufactured by SBM Machinery works well with the crushing, screening equipment in mining, quarrying, aggregate industry.
Shanghai SBM mining and Construction … shanghai SBM mining and construction machinery co. ltd. Heavy construction equipment refers to heavy-duty vehicles, specially designed for executing construction tasks.
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» svedala crushing equipment manufacturing plant construction » big milll mashinee ... coal milling machine -SBM Mining and Construction Machine.


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The Saponi Indians
This tribe lived on Yadkin River and in other parts of the state of North Carolina for a certain period.
The name Saponi is evidently a corruption of Monasiccapano or Monasukapanough, which, as shown by Bushnell, is probably derived in part from a native term "moni seep," signifying "shallow water." Paanese is a corruption and in no way connected with the word "Pawnee."
The Saponi belonged to the Siouan linguistic family, their nearest relations being the Tutelo.
The earliest known location of the Saponi has been identified by Bushnell (1930) with high probability with "an extensive village site on the banks of the Rivanna, in Albemarle County, Virginia, directly north of the University of Virginia and about one-half mile up the river from the bridge of the Southern Railway." This was their location when, if ever, they formed a part of the Monacan Confederacy. This tribe lived on the Yadkin River and in other parts of North Carolina for a certain period.
The principal Saponi settlement usually bore the same name as the tribe or, at least, it has survived to us under that name. In 1670, Lederer reports another which he visited called Pintahae, situated not far from the main Saponi town after it had been removed to Otter Creek, southwest of present-day Lynchburg, Virginia (Lederer, 1912), but this was probably the Nahyssan town.
As first pointed out by Mooney (1895), the Saponi tribe is identical with the Monasukapanough which appears on Smith's map as though it were a town of the Monacan and may in fact have been such. Before 1670, and probably between 1650 and 1660, they moved to the southwest and probably settled on Otter Creek, as above indicated.
In 1670 they were visited by Lederer in their new home and by Thomas Batts a year later. Not long afterward they and the Tutelo moved to the junction of the Staunton and Dan Rivers, where each occupied an island in Roanoke River in Mecklenburg County, Virginia. This movement was to enable them to escape the attacks of the Iroquois, and for the same reason they again moved south before 1701, when Lawson found them on Yadkin River near the present site of Salisbury, NC.
Soon afterward, they left this place and gravitated toward the white settlements in Virginia. They evidently crossed the Roanoke River before the Tuscarora War of 1711, establishing themselves a short distance east of it and fifteen miles west of the present Windsor, Bertie County, NC.
A little later they, along with the Tutelo and some other tribes, were placed by Governor Spotswood near Fort Christanna, ten miles north of Roanoke River about the present Gholsonville, Brunswick County, Virginia.
The name of Sappony Creek in Dinwiddie County, dating back to 1733 at least, indicates that they sometimes extended their excursions north of Nottoway River.
By the treaty of Albany (1722) the Iroquois agreed to stop incursions on the Virginia Indians and, probably about 1740, the greater part of the Saponi and the Tutelo moved north stopping for a time at Shamokin, PA, about the site of Sunbury.
One band, however, remained in the south, in Granville County, NC, until at least 1755, when they comprised fourteen men and fourteen women.
In 1753, the Cayuga Iroquois formally adopted this tribe and the Tutelo. Some of them remained on the upper waters of the Susquehanna in Pennsylvania until 1778, but in 1771 the principal section had their village in the territory of the Cayuga, about two miles south of Ithaca, NY. They are said to have separated from the Tutelo in 1779 at Niagara, when the latter fled to Canada, and to have become lost, but a portion, at least, were living with the Cayuga on Seneca River in Seneca County, NY, in 1780.
Besides the Person County Indians, a band of Saponi Indians remained behind in North Carolina which seems to have fused with the Tuscarora, Meherrin, and Machapunga and gone north with them in 1802.
The Saponi and the Tutelo are identified by Mooney (1928) as remnants of the Manahoac and Monacan with an estimated population of 2,700 in 1600.
In 1716, the Huguenot Fontaine found 200 Saponi, Manahoac, and Tutelo at Fort Christanna.
In 1765, when they were living on the upper Susquehanna, the Saponi are said to have had 30 warriors.
The main North Carolina band counted 20 warriors in 1761, and those in Person County, fourteen men and fourteen women in 1755.
A small place called Sapona, in Davidson County, NC, east of the Yadkin River, preserves the name of the Saponi.


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New Beginnings - Red One #1
What happens when America's greatest superhero is a Russian spy?
Well it's certainly an interesting question to ask and the exact one that this week's comic poses. Red One, by relative newcomer Xavier Dorison, is set back in the Seventies at the height of the Cold war. Opening in America at a controversial movie screening, the scene is set with the outrage and affront to moral decency that the film's release has caused. As a result of it all the leading lady is singled out and attacked by a shadowy figure simply referred to as the Carpenter. His actions are fanning the flames though and the more he strikes the more that he inspires for the cause.
Around the world several months later, a young Russian agent is seen putting young recruits as well as older agents to shame with her prowess, and to a degree her attitude. If anything in the contrary to the stereotypes many people have about Seventies, Russia she has a very liberal lifestyle. All of that has to come to an end though when she is summoned to find out her new and highly secretive mission.
To infiltrate the United States.
Armed with a Walkman (which cunningly hid a receiver), some rather revealing clothes and her can-do attitude, Vera heads for the States with a mission to emulate the quietly rising popularity of comic book icons such as Batman by using her physical attributes in more ways than one. This is a point which is highly emphasised when she finally meets her contact in the United States who provides her with a uniform (of sorts), which is apparently a little revealing, although that's not something Vera is afraid of. With the first part of her infiltration well on the way to being a success, the only way is up.
The Dodsons provide the artwork for the series with some fantastic work. I earlier reviewed Princess Leia which also featured the Dodson's artwork, but somehow even though it's the same artist and colourist paring, the work here feels cleaner and better. Lines are neat and fresh, and the colour work matches and shifts with the environment creating a real feel for the different locations we see people in.
There is one thing that did irk me a little though, and that is the premise of the whole comic is based around a Russian spy imbedded in the American system, but in this first issue we just haven't got there yet. This is an incredibly fun comic to read, but it might have been better if it had started in media res, jumping right into the heart of the action. That said it will be good to see this develop and the hijinks that Vera finds herself in as she adjusts to Western capitalist society. Along the way there is also the idea that she has to win the hearts and minds of the American public by being a hero too, which could put her in direct opposition to the Carpenter. Will she manage it? Will it be a bust? And who will she fight it out with? Only future issues will tell.
Matt Puddy is intrigued to see how this miniseries pans out.
New Beginnings - Southern Cross #1
Image has always been an interesting publisher for me. Aside from the all-star line up of partners and founders that they have (Kirkman, Silvestri, McFarlane et al), I've often found that they take a slightly different approach to comics outside of the stereotypical masks and capes approach that the mainstream and first identified publishers such as Marvel and DC.
This week's comic is a good representation of this. There's nothing super, nothing powered and nothing mystical (so far) to push it along. Instead we have a story driven by a normal woman on the path to find out what has happened to her sister. When working in admin, it's not that life threatening a role to play, even in a science fiction setting.
The opening to the series, by Becky Cloonan, is very akin to a murder mystery and quite reminiscent of something I would expect to see Hercule Poirot bobbing around in. This is a scene and pacesetter for the entire run right from the word go. The tone, both visually and literally, is created and there is an awkward rough feel to the story which is perfect for Alex Braith making her way to Titan surrounded by the roughnecks and workers bound for the refining station on Titan. There are a number of contradictions presented to you as well as you would find in life, which aid the story to feel more realistic, even though it's set in the future. The mix of personalities which bond and clash is akin to the everyday relationships that everyone finds themselves in. From a wider perspective the claustrophobic feel of a close-quartered tanker, combined with the simple enormity of the ship itself is another great example of this.
As Alex moves through the ship she meets people who will no doubt shape her tale in more than one way. The doctor, the captain and her bunkmate for example. But everything takes a twist later on in this first issue. Whilst on a routine walk around the ship she is shown the gravity drive. Something takes her away. Did her mind drift or did she really see her sister calling out for help? Something is awry and only the inquest she is on will resolve it.
Working with Becky Cloonan is Andy Belanger on pencils. As I mentioned before the artwork is befitting the story. Lee Loughridge's colouring certainly adds to this as well. Thoughout the issue there is a great level of detail in the surroundings which is fantastic, even when you get to the end and find an advert for positions on the crew along with schematics of the ship and station. The geek in me loved these extra little touches at the end. This is quite possibly due to my love of the Sulaco and Nostromo, but even so I thought they were great.
The visual characterisations are a little basic for my preferences, but even so there is a lot of interaction displayed and passed on by them. Overall the tone is further supported by the colouring. Individually the different aspects have varying merits but all together it works well.
As a first issue it has enough to keep you reading and asking questions. For a stop outside of the normal it's a good one.
Matt Puddy is continually delighted by the variety Image are bringing to the shelves.
Labels: Becky Cloonan, by Matt Puddy, comics, Image, reviews, science fiction
New Beginnings - Princess Leia #1
Further celebrating the reacquisition of the Star Wars license by Marvel, their next offering is the first issue of a miniseries centred around Princess Leia.
The series is written by Mark Waid who seems to have written a bit of everything in his illustrious career so far with the exception of Star Wars, meaning that it is also a new beginning of sorts for him as well.
As with the other titles that Marvel have brought to the shelves for Star Wars, Princess Leia fits into the wider plan to create a new continuity after Episode IV A New Hope. However, what we also get to see is a slightly different perspective on things. Commencing immediately from the ceremony at the end of the film, Leia is still addressing the Rebel pilot and troops in the ruins on Yavin 4, but not all is going across well. Her strong feelings of duty mean that she doesn't always come across as caring as could be, and thus she has already earned herself the nickname of the Ice Princess.
This creates a rift between her and almost everyone around her. The Empire are tracking the rebels down as they speak and a mass evacuation is required.
From a reader's perspective there is a great bit of levity added when you see Admiral Akbar becoming more and more frustrated with proceedings not being as quick or as smooth as he'd like. This scene definitely featured the funniest line in this first issue for me, as he shouts at a human for only looking at one thing at a time.
At a loss of what she can do – now that there is a 10 million credit bounty on her head – she begins to get frustrated. Avenues are closed to her by one of the heads of the Rebellion, as she is such a high priority target now. But that won't stop her. Before she goes stir crazy on the base she finds a way to get out, and she embarks on a self imposed quest to find the remaining surviving Alderaanians.
Partnering Waid on this is Terry Dodson, an artist with an almost as impressively long list of accolades to his work. His style is probably best described as soft edges, with easily identifiable characters presented in a very pleasing way. There aren't harsh lines and this makes it a nice easy read with as your eyes effortlessly dart across the pages.
This is supported further by a very simple and sombre colouring by Terry's wife Rachel Dodson. It's not all muted though, and things like the bright orange jumpsuits and the occasional flashes of red make the frames pop without being too over-the-top. It all blends together very well.
As an issue there is a strange feeling of Leia being a Rebel without a cause or at worst a slightly petulant princess not allowed out. There's also the odd non-friendship towards the end which cuddles a touch of animosity up to smiles and admiration, adding an odd couple dynamic to the mix.
For me this made for a slightly lacklustre issue. However, this is also dictated by the way that there wasn't a giant amount of action. If you're a fan of it there was a lot of politically driven talk, and we got to see a lot of people with it getting a little sneaky towards the end which certainly picked it up for me as well. Setting the scene in one issue is always hard, but the greater universe has been opened up for our gallant princess.
Matt Puddy notes that Ben felt this was an issue full of great character development, but to each their own!
Labels: by Matt Puddy, comics, Mark Waid, Marvel, reviews, Star Wars
New Beginnings - Spider-Gwen #1
If you're looking for positive affirmation that the chaps and chapesses at Marvel take notice of their fans then look no further than Spider-Gwen. Born from the love of a character design that became a prominent part of Spider-Verse, this is Gwen Stacey reborn.
As a character, Gwen has had an impressive development and evolution. In her early days it would be fair to say that she fell well into the realms of a generic female character there to support or drive the main male protagonist and that her death was ultimately the equivalent of Kyle Rayner finding his girlfriend dead and stuffed into his fridge, thus providing the impetus to strive to be a better Spider-Man for one Peter Parker. Over the years that has somewhat changed with her taking more of an active role culminating in her position now.
In true Spidey fashion though this isn't straight forward, and although there are no clones or time travelling involved this Gwen is from another world – Earth 65 to be precise – with the salient difference being that she was the one bitten by the spider in this reality whilst Peter pushed himself and took Dr Connors' role in becoming the Lizard. Also in the true vein of all things Spidey it was that "death" of Parker that has Spider-Gwen vilified in the eyes of the public by none other than (yup you've guessed it) J Jonah Jameson.
As a quick side note other version of notable Marvel characters do make a quick cameo, such as Officer Ben Grimm and Detective Frank Castle, but for the whole most of the normal portrayals are on point aside for a little artistic license.
Jason Latour's story opens with a bit of a recap and retcon on her backstory, as well as a slight nudge in the right direction for those who didn't read her main story in Spider-Verse. In a bold move she unmasked herself to her father thus changing the dynamic in a way that "our" Peter never did.
Shifting straight into the story we find that the Vulture is stalking the city and you know that Gwen is going to be dragged into it all at some point. Admittedly there is also some Parker-esque personal troubles too, such as her career with the Mary-Janes, the egotistically-named all-girl band in which Gwen was once their drummer, as well as discovering that someone out there had put a hit on her father.
We all know where this is going; there's going to be a showdown which is only hastened by the police posting the Vulture's address for all to see. Gwen tries to track him down but instead gets found herself culminating in a fight between the two as another age old question rears its head and turns into a cliffhanger. Can spiders fly?
Robbi Rodriguez is the artist for this new series and it's fair to say he certainly has his own style. Spider-Gwen herself is very lithe and feminine, much like all the other female characters. The male depictions felt a little overemphasised though. Frank Castle has a strong male frame with wide shoulders and big chest, for example, but also a bit of a small face. It makes for an interesting mix as I found myself loving some of it but not all of it.
Fans will no doubt flock to get this issue, whether they are the newly minted Gwen fans or if they are Spidey fans who have continued on from the Verse. I enjoyed it but wasn't as wowed as I would have liked to be. Still a great start to a title that is likely to go far.
Matt Puddy is just getting warmed up...
Labels: by Matt Puddy, comics, Marvel, reviews, Spider-Man
Big Game Hunting Live presents TableTop Day 2015 [Gather Your] Party!
For this year's International TableTop Day, Proud Lion are proud to present the TableTop Day 2015 [Gather Your] Party! Join us from 6:30pm until 11pm at 2PIGS in Cheltenham for an epic evening of board and party games! We will be playing host to an assortment of games, including:
Cash 'N Guns tournament, where players will compete for a place at the top table, the Mafia Don Showdown!
exhibition-style Star Trek: Attack Wing, where players are invited to bring a 60 point fleet (one or two ships) to join forces with the Oversized Borg Cube or help defend the DS9! *
Star Wars: X-Wing "Podrace In Space", where players are invited to bring a single ship (points TBD) and speed through two laps to be first to the finish line! This is just a bit of fun for TableTop Day! *
D&D Attack Wing custom scenario, where players are invited to bring a 80 point legion to combat each other over hand crafted tabletop scenery! *
late night game of Cards Against Humanity, minimum age 16 - please be aware this game can be considered offensive and may not suitable for those of a sensitive disposition!
Dead of Winter (TableTop Edition), a new and very popular post-apocalypse game where humanity is struggling to survive a zombie infestation, but a betrayer hides amongst them...
Pints of Blood: it's Shaun of the Dead in board game form. Seriously. We may even put the soundtrack on!
Several more games will be available to play, but feel free to bring your own as well! Every ticket purchased includes one entry into the Cheltenham TableTop Day Prize Draw. More details about the prize draw will be available soon.
* Please contact Proud Lion to reserve a slot for the Star Trek: Attack Wing, Star Wars: X-Wing, or D&D Attack Wing games. Participation is open to all ticket holders.
A free buffet will be available to all ticket holders in the venue, and drinks will be available for purchase from the bar.
So what are you waiting for? Get your tickets now!
Tickets are available for ages 14+. Children under 14 are free when accompanied by a paying adult (maximum two children per adult). Advance tickets will be available for purchase until 5pm on the day. Tickets purchased online will incur a 50p booking fee. Tickets on the door will be available from 6:30pm for £5.00.
Rae is starting to wonder if she can clone herself and play all the games.
Labels: Big Game Hunting Live, by Rae, gaming, TableTop, TableTop Day 2015
Big Game Hunting Live presents TableTop Day 2015
Every year, Proud Lion takes part in an event devoted to encouraging people to play more games: International TableTop Day! This year the local gaming community in Cheltenham is joining forces to bring you the biggest and best TableTop Day yet. On Saturday 11 April 2015, take part in a Camden Crawl-style game day, where an assortment of locations will leave players spoiled for choice!
What is International TableTop Day?
International TableTop Day is an annual event celebrating tabletop gaming. People are encouraged to play more games, anywhere they can, and encourage others to join in. Many locations run open gaming for anyone to get involved, as we are! For more information about TableTop Day, how it began, and other events running on the day, check out the official website at www.tabletopday.com.
Where can I play games during the day?
Here at Proud Lion, we'll be offering a selection of card and dice games throughout the day, as well as a few of our favourite board games. Some of the games on offer include King of New York, Forbidden Desert, Munchkin Panic, Fluxx, and Ninja Dice! More details about when you can play these (and more!) will be available soon. All games will be open to the public, so just turn up and play! Proud Lion will be hosting open gaming in store from 10am to 5pm.
Around the corner at the 2PIGS, Pork Chop Gaming will be hosting tables full of epic games! Join in for some Warhammer 40K, Star Trek: Attack Wing, Star Wars: X-Wing, Wings of Glory and more. Pork Chop Gaming will be hosting their event from 10am until 6pm.
Slightly further afield you'll find St Paul's Boardroom! Based at St Paul's Church, this is where you'll find eurogames, co-ops, and classics. Some of the games you'll find here include Carcassonne, Settlers of Catan, 7 Wonders, and Five Tribes. St Paul's Boardroom will be running from 10am to 6pm.
Why should I go to more than one place?
You mean besides trying out a bunch of new games and meeting like-minded gamers? How about a prize draw where you can win some cooling gaming stuff? To encourage people to try out new locations and expand the local gaming community, Proud Lion will be hosting the Cheltenham TableTop Day Prize Draw!
The rules are simple. When you go to any venue, you can pick up one of our TableTop Day flyers. Play at least one game at any of the participating venues to get your flyer stamped or signed by the organiser. If you collect two stamps, you will earn one entry into the prize draw. Collect three stamps to get three entries! You will also receive one entry to the draw if you purchase a ticket to [Gather Your] Party! (more details below).
Prize draw? What kind of stuff could I win?
Prizes are currently set to include a month's membership with Pork Chop Gaming, a Munchkin hoody, games, vouchers, and more! A full list of prizes will be available soon.
What is [Gather Your] Party?
[Gather Your] Party is a Proud Lion hosted event taking place at the 2PIGS! Just in case we haven't packed enough into TableTop Day, in the evening we will be running even more gaming! Some of the events include a Cash 'N Guns tournament, exhibition-style Attack Wing games, and a late night game of Cards Against Humanity. There will be food, there will be a bar, and there will be a lot of gaming going on! Details about how to get tickets for this event will be available very shortly.
Feel free to contact us at shop@proudlion.co.uk. If any other venues are participating in tableTop Day and would like us to help spread the word, please do get in touch!
Rae has decided that gaming is definitely more important than sleep.
Labels: gaming, Proud Lion store, TableTop, TableTop Day 2015
Big Game Hunting - D&D Encounters: A new adventure begins!
For the last six months, Proud Lion has been leading two groups of would-be heroes through burning villages, enemy camps, and evil creature-infested caves in our first ever season of Dungeons & Dragons: Encounters. This casual-style gaming event allows players to grab a character and join in the adventure at almost any time, and is particularly suited to those new to D&D or role-playing games in general.
We're pleased to let you all know that the new season of Encounters is about to begin! This month we will start a brand new adventure, Elemental Evil. This will feature content from the upcoming Princes of the Apocalypse. Once again we will be inviting players to join in and have fun as we battle minions, acquire allies, and defeat evil every week!
We will kick off this season with a session devoted to developing characters. On March 18th, we will be supporting players in building a character that is uniquely their own, and creating a background that will get them off to a running start. If you want to make a character but have no idea how to get going, this is a good place to begin. Experienced DMs (Dungeon Masters, the leaders of the game) will be on hand to answer questions and help generate your character.
On March 25th, we will being the adventure itself! Bring your newly created character (or grab a pre-generated character if you'd prefer) and get stuck in! Spaces for D&D Encounters are on a first-come, first-served basis, and we currently have enough space for a maximum of 14 players (2 groups of 7 players each). These do tend to fill up fast, particularly in the first few weeks, so don't be disappointed if we can't fit you in straight away!
To keep up to date with D&D Encounters, please keep an eye on the event pages on Facebook: the character building session, and the first play session.
Rae is planning and plotting for an epic TableTop Day this year!
Labels: Big Game Hunting, by Rae, D&D Encounters, Dungeons And Dragons 5E, Proud Lion store
Ramping up! EPOSible! Comic Wars! Gaming Tournaments! And TBCF16!
Phew! What a busy time here at Proud Lion!
The shop itself has just seen several great upgrades in the past few weeks.
We've finally taken delivery of a folding access ramp. If anyone needs to make use of it, please ring either of the doorbells by the front door and we'll bring it out and set it up for you.
This is great news and something we've been working towards since we relocated the shop last year.
Apologies to anyone who has noticed that our email newsletter has become a little intermittent over the last few weeks. We're in the middle of an extensive EPOS upgrade that propels Proud Lion into the 21st Century with barcode scanners, touch screen tills and all manner of other great functions. This will allow us to unveil a host of excellent new features to our services in the coming months, and should speed up the queues on big events like Free Comic Book Day.
I'll keep you posted with the new developments as they become available and I'll endeavour to keep up-to-date with the mailing list during the upgrade as best I can. Thank you for your patience.
Thank you to everyone who has completed the DC Convergence order form we've been circulating in February; it's been a huge help! We have a little bit of every Convergence title on order for the shelves, with extra of the main title and the seemingly standout offerings like the Harley Quinn and Batman: Shadow Of The Bat issues, but I'd still advise you to pre-order anything you know you want to avoid disappointment!
To do so now that the survey is closed, please email shop@proudlion.co.uk.
The aim next week is to bring you a roundup of all of the Secret Wars titles on offer from Marvel in May. I'm also delighted that after the frustration of Convergence, I find myself actually very excited about the following launch of DC's new Divergence titles in June!
"This heralds in a new era for the DC Universe which will allow us to publish something for everyone, be more expansive and modern in our approach and tell stories that better reflect the society around us," said DC Entertainment Co-Publisher Dan DiDio. "Whether you've been a DC fan your whole life, or whether you are new to comics – there will be a book for you beginning in June."
More on that at the end of this month. Stay tuned.
We've just had our biggest weekend of gaming tournaments thus far, with both a Marvel Dice Masters Rainbow Draft and a Star Trek Attack Wing OP yesterday, followed by a really fun Netrunner draft tournament today. Our huge thanks to everyone who helped to get the word out about these events, and congratulations to all of our players from this weekend, not just the winners. Fantastic sportsmanship conduct throughout all of the events; you're all a credit to the local gaming community.
Work has also begun on bringing you our biggest and best TableTop Day event to date, on Saturday 11th April. Further details to follow, but for now you can follow the news at our TableTop Day 2015 Facebook event.
We're aware that not everyone uses Facebook, so work has begun on bringing a dedicated forum to the Proud Lion website; initially for gaming, but eventually intended to expand to include comics, TV, films, and more. This should hopefully create a place for everyone to discuss our favourite hobbies!
Finally, we're all booked in for the True Believers Comic Festival 2016 on Saturday 6th February next year. Save the date!
Ben Fardon really enjoyed Power/Rangers!
Labels: by Ben Fardon, comics, Dice Masters, gaming, Netrunner, Proud Lion store, Star Trek Attack Wing
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Llandaff North
Watch the dramatic moment heroic former Welsh rugby player saves a man from plunging to his death
The footage shows the man jumping over live electrical lines before attempting to leap over a wall with a 35ft drop the other side
Anthony Woolford
A former Welsh rugby player has been hailed a hero after his swift actions while working on London Bridge could have saved a man's life.
Ex-Fijian soldier, Francis Tuinasakea, 31, who turned out for Llandaff North and Caerau Ely a few years ago before moving on to play in Kent, admitted his military training kicked in when seeing a man leaping off a London Bridge station platform and jumping over live electrical rails before attempting to leapfrog a wall with a 35 foot drop the other side.
Tuinasakea, who lived in Cardiff with friends, had been working overnight on London Bridge when the drama unfolded.
He told the Evening Standard: "We were working on London Bridge overnight and I saw this guy come off platform ten and leap over the lines all the way to platform one - he was just jumping across the lines which are 750 volts.
"If he had touched one of them he would have been gone.
"Before he got to the last line I dragged him across and pinned him down. When I let him go so he could explain himself he just ran towards the wall where there is a big drop."
These are the four outrageously talented stars of the future who are joining the Wales squad
Tuinasakea chases the man
Tuinasakea grabs the man just in time
The Welsh rugby winners and losers as Nigel Owens hounded and Leigh Halfpenny is left absolutely flummoxed on live TV
One of Mr Tuinasakea's colleagues filmed the dramatic exchange.
The footage shows the man saying to workers "I would rather you guys beat me up and kill me" before making a desperate dart to the wall.
"I did not know what he was doing," Mr Tuinasakea went on.
"I tried to grab his t-shirt but it was tight so I couldn't and then I managed to grab his trousers and pull him off.
"He was shouting and I just said 'I am not going to let you do that' – I did not want him to hurt himself.
"I think that was part of it because I trained as an infantry soldier and we had training about how to respond to that sort of situation, so I reacted quickly.
"I was not really thinking, until after. Then I thought to myself 's*** he could have died'.
"I am just glad that he is safe and sound. I think anyone else would do the same in that situation."
Mr Tuinasakea, who now lives in Kent, was part of the Cardiff and District squad in 2013 that made it all the way to the final of the prestigious Bournemouth Sevens - a tournament attracted more than 20,000 spectators over the two days.
Wales' top rugby stars are taking all their clothes off for a very good reason
Caerau


Comensus involves service users, carers and the wider community in scholarly activities across a number of Schools at the University of Central Lancashire. Comensus has been developed to embed service user and carer voices within health and social care practice. We provide a central hub for co-ordination and facilitation of user and carer involvement.
We support students to be the best practitioners, researchers and educators they can be, and our aim is to provide a new dimension to the student experience at UCLan. Our volunteers are supported by the Comensus co-ordinator, Lisa Malihi-Shoja; Service User and Carer Involvement Facilitators, Chris Essen and Janet Garner, Project Support Officer Steven Seymour and volunteer peer mentors, Ernie Mallen, Peter Sullivan and Angela Melling.
Comensus members are a community of individuals from diverse backgrounds with a wide variety of health and social care experiences. The Community Involvement team is our core group which meets monthly to plan project development, strategic involvement and over view all of our activity.
Comensus get involved in many local community events throughout the year, including the Health Mela, the Open Mind festival and the annual Disability and Carer's Rights festival at Preston Minster. We also attend Open days at the University and community days in Preston and surrounding areas.
We were honoured to have Sir Tom Finney as our patron from 2006 and were very sad to hear of his passing in February 2014. Comensus held a celebration event back in 2006 at which they welcomed Sir Tom and introduced him to members of the group.
The Comensus Group was set up to inform the project in 2004. It has now evolved into an Engagement group made up of academic staff members with an interest in user involvement; representatives of third sector community groups from Lancashire, representatives from Lancashire Care Foundation Trust, Preston City Council and service user/carer representatives from Comensus. Meetings are held quarterly and community partners often give presentations about their work with service users and carers. The groups also discusses opportunities to promote user involvement in teaching and make valuable links between the different stakeholders members. The back bone of this group are our service user and carer community members.
Please contact Chris Essen if you are interested in attending one our Engagement group meetings at csessen@uclan.ac.uk.
Now in its 10th year, the free UCLan 1 in 4 Film Festival is the only service user and carer-led film festival in the UK. It will run from the 10 – 14 October, with the first day marking World Mental Health Day, and aims to bring mental health issues to a much wider audience. It is organised by UCLan's Comensus and Service Users and Carers Advisory Group with help from local community support groups, and will show a range of entertaining but informative feature films that highlight a wide range of mental health issues. A different film will be screened daily at the University's Mitchell and Kenyon Cinema, with a Matinee on the Wednesday afternoon, and each film will be followed by an audience discussion.
Find out more about the films that will be screened at this year's festival.
The film society are film screenings throughout the year to celebrate or raise awareness around certain key topics in society. The First screening was 'Lost for Words' during carers week in June.
Lisa is the Comensus co-ordinator and has worked at the University since 2006.
Prior to this, Lisa worked for a number of charities supporting and empowering people with disabilities to speak up about local health and social care services.
Chris has been supporting the work of Comensus, as an involvement facilitator, since September 2014.
Prior to this he worked at a different university, where he spent several years developing public involvement in healthcare education, before going on to carry out participative, action oriented research in the areas of mental health, employment, social housing and welfare. He has also worked for many years in the voluntary sector and the NHS, directly supporting and advocating on behalf of service users and their carers.
Janet has worked for the SUCAG and Comensus groups since 2007 as a support worker, so has helped to organise meetings, Congress days, community engagement meetings, social days and teaching events for several years.
She now takes a lead for service user and carer involvement in the School of Medicine and the School of Pharmacy and Biomedical Sciences, and is responsible for organising user involvement in teaching, meetings and recruiting new students to their programmes.
Steven started his post in July 2015 after working as the Education Officer at the Students' Union. Steven graduated from the BA Social Work programme two years ago, meaning that he was taught by the Comensus volunteers throughout his degree.
Steven works across the School of Social Work, Care and Community and the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing. He firmly believes in service user and carer involvement in health and social care and has developed this through his core social work beliefs and values. He also has the tidiest desk in the office.
Are you a lecturer in the university and want to request service user and carer involvement?


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So the first of the royal arrivals Earl on Dhe Countess off Wessex, the West.
It's vice patron of the Commonwealth Games Federation closing speech.
Commonwealth Games opened the 1990 Commonwealth Games in New Zealand in the 1998 Games in Malaysia and as we were hearing the contests of Wessex very interested in various Commonwealth causes including ending avoidable blindness, recently visited Malawi.
The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust Trachoma Initiative is literally just returned actually from a trip to south Sudan over the weekend where she marked International Women's Day.
Did you say avoidable blindness?
Very much A key part of her work.
Yeah, on the next car and you can hear, I think see the people lined up to Greek next Royal Party to arrive.
This is His Highness the Duke of Sussex on her own Highness, Duchess of Sussex Huge chairs The Duchess there is wearing Amelia Wixted grass Hat by William Chambers And of course, for them.
This is the last time we'll be walking into the happiest this'll way.
No, no surprise.
We're seeing that the battery of newspaper photographers lights flashing the last time wth the Sussex is will appear in public before standing back his senior members off the royal family, talking there to the dean off the abbey on Dhe.
Smiles is there, brought in to meet the receiving line.
The dean, the very Reverend Dr David Hoyle, installed as the 39th dean of Westminster in November 2019.
They're introduced, first of all to the Venable.
David Stanton, sub dean and Cannon treasurer.
Evidently Ball cannon, steward on Dhe Al Mina.
Ellen, Theologian, the Reverend Dr James Haughey, Baumann, receiver general in Chapter Clark.
His Grace, the Duke of the Clue and the prime minister.
Boris Johnson.
Patricia Scotland, Secretary general of the Commonwealth, Scotland.
It's clear the message is going out there to be no handshakes.
Richard My Winnie the right Honorable Lord Howell of Guilford, chair of the Council of the Commonwealth Society, now the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
Arriving royal gathered to on a Commonwealth Day.
This is almost something from the queen, isn't it?
I expect my family to support the Commonwealth as I have throughout my life.
Well, indeed, truck, all members of the family a raised on on stories of the Commonwealth.
The Queen became queen.
March is at the heart of the Commonwealth in Kenya, they've all the very first We see the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
There, their very first overseas toad together was to a calm wolf country to Canada, and it's just forms part of royal life, and you may go on certain terms to different countries.
But in between two around Europe around the UK that always be a calm off tourism, sometimes it's about grand celebrations.
Sometimes it might be tied in with trade.
Sometimes it's simply about solidarity isn't as we saw in April of last year when the Duke of Cambridge visited New Zealand in the aftermath of the Christ Church mosque shooting very much as we saw in the film earlier, he would straight out there after that, followed on from after the earthquake in Christ Church in 2011.
He went out there straight after that as well, where we see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex being led to the suit to the Commonwealth country that he enjoys a particularly close relationship with having founded his charity Sentebale with Princess off a suit to work with Children and young people infected with HIV in both the suit, too.
And Botswana?
It was one of Prince Harry's first creations of charitable creations.
Words centre Barley is, he's saying in the suit.
He goes there regularly.
It's very close to his heart, still very active.
Fundraiser for it.
And it's It's yet another example of the way in which a roll family so many levels are connected with the Commonwealth in here of the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cambridge.
Well visited 45 out of 54 countries off the Commonwealth.
And we've already seen a bit of it this afternoon.
When you watch those pictures off the prince on duty in the Commonwealth, it does seem to be a sheer a sheer pleasure in the encounters he has like his mother is something he has become.
Passionate.
Yes, I think he wants.
Made a wonderful speech.
He reflected on his life with a couple more leaders.
And how was a boy he'd grown up with these Commonwealth leaders coming to stay?
How is a student?
He'd be water skiing with the Prime minister, Malta and always these stories going back toe thier early years of his life.
Look closely and you can see.
The Prince of Wales is declining to shake hands this afternoon, but is doing the traditional nemesis day.
I wondered if we might see the Prime Minister do a sort of a shoulder shoulder to people.
But Princess decided to name ist es people.
Delia, handshake there from the Prime Minister is having to hold himself back.
Emma, stay very good, Your Highness, to account the fears of Corona virus off course greeting Baroness Scotland, the Commonwealth Secretary General Howl of Guilford share the Commonwealth Society and Dr Linda you there, whose chief executive off the Royal Commonwealth Society.
So we have now the royal family except Her Majesty the Queen whose car we're expecting to arrive any moments soon as she arrives in front of the abbey, her arrival will be serenaded by a fanfare from the state trumpeters at the Household Cavalry Up in the Abbotts pew above the Great West Door, Duchess of Cambridge, making their way through the choir on towards the high altar where their seats are their trip to Pakistan in October this year really a very important commonwealth trip.
A great sign of return toe some normality in Pakistan.
Yes, Pakistan over the years twice Being suspended from the moth wants actually withdrew all together back in the seventies, but now very much back at the heart of things and that visit by that you can duchess very significant, one very warmly welcomed by them.
Now they take their seats with the other members of the So we await the arrival off the Queen Wells over his shoulder to see if he could see her car arriving.
The Prince of Wales undertook on autumn tour to India, New Zealand and the Solomon Islands.
What was his 10th official visit to India to service at the Deli War Memorial, where he met with gardeners from the Commonwealth War Graves Commission, who tend to the 70 and the Commonwealth war graze really a very important part of what the Commonwealth do, maintaining these graveyards across the continents.
Immaculately.
One of the oldest Commonwealth organizations War Graves Commission, five million men and women from the country the Commonwealth saw wartime service during the Second World War.
Six million soldiers from across the Commonwealth for what became the Commonwealth mobilized for World War one 1.1 million British commonwealth servicemen killed.
Wherever you see, there's come wealth graves.
They are immaculate, perfectly mowed lawns, well tended memorials.
Gravestones kept immaculately clean shrubs on the graves, reflecting a part of the world where the graveyards are 3 to 7 of the ones where soldiers who fought in the Burma railway are buried.
It is always a deeply moving experience wherever you go in the world it is, and it's another reminder of way Today matters.
It's the shared bonds, not just of language, law and culture, but also shared sacrifice and the outriders.
Here there is the car bearing Her Majesty the Queen.
Cheers from the crowds in front of Westminster Abbey.
We'll stand by for that fanfare from the state trumpeters of the Household Cavalry to mark arrival here this Commonwealth Day of Celebration.
Majesty, Queen Monitor, head of state of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, but Queen to in 15 Commonwealth rails, Queen of Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Jamaica, Antigua and Barbuda.
Bellies Papinou Guineas and Cristoforo ST Kitts and Nevis and Vincent and the Grenadines, Tuvalu, Barbados, Grenada, Solomon, Solomon Islands, Lucia on Dhe, the Bahamas Queen off the world.
In some ways, Robert, he certainly feels like that under day.
Like today, Petro the queen is wearing a Stuart Parvin coat, has described his air force blue cashmere coats with black and burnt orange.
This'll is an event that she knows better than anyone.
She's never missed one.
She's attended more of these than anybody else.
Prime Minister, bowing there on Dean taking down the 90 knows most of these people already.
She'll know hymns.
She'll know the running order.
She's just saying Hello those, Lord, How Guilford, chairman and president of the role, calm Royal Society.
For her, this is a meeting.
She's often described the cover Malta's her family of nations and as she turns to see Prince Boils, she's with her family.
She stands now by the memorial to Winston Chechen.
As we prepare for the start of this Commonwealth Day service, Jacob's arrangement of the national anthem for team from the Band of the Grenadier Guards, the choristers of Westminster Abbey process forward to be followed by the Royal Party.
The opening him praise to the Lord, the almighty king of Creation.
On behalf of the Dean and chapter, I welcome you warmly to Westminster Abbey for our annual celebration off the Commonwealth.
We gather in this house of prayer to celebrate our common life as God's people and to celebrate as a commonwealth of nations.
Today we look for the words to express Ah hope we can share the common future in which we all might flourish.
So we pray for God's guidance.
We seek the GIF ts often imagination that can hope abundantly under courage to seize that hope.
Confident in the richness and range of our commonwealth, we are one people with one hope under God.
Let us pray in the words our savior gave this.
Ah, Father who art in heaven hallowed be thy name.
My kingdom Come, I will be done on earth as it is in Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil For line is the kingdom the power and the glory forever and ever.
We go to the Great West door for gun n drummers One drum performing music from Rwanda In tour the next two scientists corner in front of the memorial to Sir Isaac Newton.
Alexandra Burke sings ain't no mountain high enough This mountain way, way, way, way, Matter how?
Don't worry, baby.
Just call my name.
You don't have to worry, baby.
No, wait, wait, wait.
I remember the day I told you You can always count on that way.
No, I get it.
No one can stop me.
If you ever trouble, I'll be there on the double Just even when we're apart.
No matter how way If you ever knew No Ban, Hand me there on the double Fast, baby Their way Wait!
Extra reflection from British world heavyweight boxing champion Anthony Joshua.
My name is Anthony Oluwafemi Luschini.
Joshua, Like many of you here, I'm a child of the commonwealth.
I was born in what foot?
My heritage is Nigerian.
I come from the Europe of people who are the largest and some might say the loudest ethnic group in all of Africa.
I'm probably Nigerian and I'm probably British.
And I joined a long line perhaps too long to count of UK citizens of Commonwealth origin.
We've made enormous contributions to this great multicultural society of ours.
In my world, that would include names such as Joshua Bootsy Lawrence a Coley on Rambla Ali.
But there are so many more members of the Commonwealth family, including David Adjaye, one of you case greatest architects, the image for Don's, arguably Britain's brainiest family and, of course, the countless nurses, teachers and doctors that made the UK their home strengthen in the very fabric of our society and our economy.
We must never figure either our commonwealth cousins who stood shoulder to shoulder in battle, not to mention the amazing impact that all of these people hailing from the firm IHS reaches of the globe have had in our culture, sense of national identity.
My own eyes were open to this amazing family for the first time when I traveled to Nigeria as a child, whilst I saw some similarities between our two countries.
Given our shared heritage is nations, there was a wealth of difference in the world of exciting possibilities.
That realization has stayed with me my life.
Like me, so many Children of the Commonwealth have two homes, two identities, two cultures and two ways of you in the world.
Some even have more than two These days.
We hear so much about division on different that some might be tempted to see that as a bathroom well in the country.
It's a beautiful thing, a thing to be celebrated and cherish on a great source of peace and stability.
In this world of extreme collectivity, who better to connect us and shape our common future than a Children off the commonwealth?
Whoever foot in two camps and desperately want to see both sides succeed?
There are times when it's important to talk about values, our personal values and those that bind us together.
It's a slut as a society, and this is one of those times fairness, determination, tolerance, respect, understanding.
I like many of those values in the ring.
I applied them to my everyday life, our values, the fineness and how we conduct ourselves.
They're what put there, what we put out in the universe on DDE, what we shall receive in return.
Respect for the dignity of our commonwealth cousins for all human beings is critical to bring in our society and communities together and making them prosperous.
I feel opportunity should be there for the taking, along with hard work, dedication and perseverance.
Regardless of one's background, we need to strive harder collectively in order to create unity, it takes a village to raise a child and in the same vein, it takes a whole community to act, to stand together, to talk with some of the challenges we are confronted with.
With unity on a shared vision, we could help to improve the lives and prospects of our Commonwealth family a mutually benefit in the process.
People like myself as well as some of the other Stellan names I've already mentioned will be perfectly placed to assist with the re engagement with the Commonwealth and actors ambassadors.
For the two cultures and countries we represent, it will enable enormous potential off the Commonwealth 1.4 billion young people to transform our world for the better.
In the same way, boxing gave me the opportunity and framework to become Olympic champion.
Home, a world champion and now into heavyweight champion of the world, bye asked myself.
What does the commonwealth really mean?
The second part of that word is key for me.
A united common future could create opportunities for our commonwealth cousins, whoever they're growing up in Nigeria, Australia, Bangladesh or Jamaica or right here in Britain.
So he has to fish and chips and a juicy suit on pounding jam to the UK and Nigeria and, said, the Children of the Commonwealth, thank you very much for listening now.
James O'Donnell, organist Master Carstens directs Britain Anthem Be Joyful in the Lord away.
The prime minister wanting to justify himself, the lawyer asked.
Jesus and who is my neighbor?
Jesus replied.
A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho and fell into the hands of Robert's.
We stripped him, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead by chance of Priest was going down that road, and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side.
So likewise a Levite when he came to the place and saw him passed by on the other side.
But it's a marriage.
While traveling came near him, and when he saw him he was moved with pity.
He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine.
Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn and took care of him.
The next day, he took out two denarii, gave him to the innkeeper and said, Take care of him and When I come back, I will repay you for evermore you spent.
Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers, he said.
The one who showed him must see Jesus said to him, Go and do likewise.
Boris Johnson reading The Terrible of the Good Samaritan Next Great Swell Ship tune.
Centennial.
Immortal Invisible God Only wise Next, The Bird on YouTube stars.
Suli breaks.
Hello, my name is Sullie Breaks, and I just wanted to say it's a pleasure to be in the president's Hello, my name is Sullie breaks.
It's a bit early.
I just want to say it's a pleasure to be in the presence of so many esteemed individuals who were united, irrespective of culture, race or background by a common theme and a common idea.
And I think that idea correct me if I'm wrong, is that we can all collectively make the world a better place, and I think really, that's all.
It takes ideas and creativity because those are what send football's spinning into the back of nets.
They send men to the moon and women as well, and they leave the world at our fingertips.
So I just wanted to share a short piece short so you can get into the more exciting forms of entertainment about the power of ideas.
Chapter one.
It starts with an idea.
A boy will go in a bedroom with nothing but a pen and a laptop.
Chapter two.
That pen has scribbled across that page numerous times, and that laptop has spent hours illuminated in front of tired eyes and kinds of energy drink, and the idea has become a passion slash obsession.
Chapter free.
The idea turn passion slash obsession has found its way into the in box of like minded individuals.
Friends and family signed off with the words.
Honestly, tell me what you think defended this will bang Chapter five.
The idea turned passion turned confirmation from friends and family.
That is indeed a good idea, and it will actually bang has become a project.
Let's get to Chapter five.
That project has become viable.
That project has become a reality.
That project that idea has become the potential to change the world because, as logical people, we sometimes become stuck in our ways.
Reluctant to change function, the same when there's nothing to gain.
Forget in that All skyscrapers were once the slabs of stone.
Google was once just a scrap of codes.
But in this story, there's no guarantee that would have happily ever after or ride off into the sunset.
We don't even know if be able to afford next month's rent.
Bless Vic back to Chapter one.
The idea could have seen the light bulb.
That boy could be Nikolai Tesla.
The idea could have bean freedom that Gil could have.
Bean.
Nina Simone Because all that ever takes is an idea and love effort.
Whether it happens in a meat and boardroom or campus dorm room, it's only ever taken one idea to make a difference.
It's only ever taken one idea to change the world, Thank you very much.
Next the faith leaders.
First, we're going to hear from Archbishop Nikita's, representing the Greek Orthodox Church.
Direct our steps to fulfill your commandments, transform our hearts so that we may experience the peace, love and unity that only comes from you.
Break the barriers of hatred and injustice which shatter our society, grant us faith and love as we sojourn toward a better future together.
Next Shake Ibrahim Murderer representing the Muslim community Smell like rock man Iraqi Oh, Lord, you a piece and from you is peace.
You created us from a single pair and made us into different people so that we may know one another.


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Home » Tate & Lyle to close sucralose plant in Singapore
Tate & Lyle to close sucralose plant in Singapore
LONDON — Closing a sucralose plant in Singapore and substantially exiting the Bulk Ingredients business in Europe make up a company realignment announced by London-based Tate & Lyle, P.L.C. on April 21. Tate & Lyle plans to consolidate sucralose production in a plant in McIntosh, Ala.
In Europe, Tate & Lyle and Archer Daniels Co. have agreed to realign their Eaststarch corn wet milling joint venture. Tate & Lyle will acquire full ownership of a specialty-focused plant in Slovakia and exit predominantly bulk ingredients plants in Bulgaria, Turkey and Hungary. Tate & Lyle should receive €240 million ($258.3 million) in cash upon completion of the European transaction.
The Singapore sucralose facility opened in 2007. A phased transfer of production to McIntosh from Singapore will take place over the next 12 months. Tate & Lyle expects to invest about £18 million ($26.9 million), mainly related to the transfer of equipment, to consolidate production in McIntosh, which materially should lower the manufacturing cost base for sucralose.
"The key issue in the (sucralose) market is not demand but supply," said Javed Ahmed, chief executive officer of Tate & Lyle. "There has been a substantial increase in capacity in the market, particularly over the past two years. Capacity is now well in excess of demand. This supply-demand imbalance has led to a significant change in industry behavior and economics over the last 18 months. We don't expect this to change materially in the medium term.
"This change in industry behavior has had a significant impact on the profitability of our sucralose business, with profits down 75% from £62 million in the 2014 financial year to around £16 million in the 2015 financial year."
The facilities in Singapore and McIntosh are about the same size, he said.
"Sucralose is an energy-intensive process, and the cost of energy we use at the facility in Singapore has risen significantly over the past five years," Mr. Ahmed said. "The cost of energy at our Singapore facility is now nearly three times higher than at McIntosh, and other production costs are also lower at McIntosh. No decision to close a plant is taken lightly. The Singapore facility has provided strong returns to the investors over its life cycle, which have been well in excess of our cost of capital."
Even after the cash closure costs, the Singapore facility will have delivered an internal rate of return of more than 20%, said Nick Hampton, chief financial officer of Tate & Lyle.
Tate & Lyle will keep its regional head office and applications center for Asia Pacific in Singapore. Tate & Lyle expects its Splenda sucralose business to about break even in the year ending March 31, 2016, and to return to modest profitability in the year ending March 31, 2017.
As a result of the realignment in Europe, the companywide proportion of Tate & Lyle's adjusted operating profit from its Specialty Food Ingredients business will increase to 55% from 50%. Specialty Food Ingredients effectively will make up all the profit in Europe.
"While the realignment results in some short-term earnings dilution, it further increases our focus on specialty food ingredients and reduces our presence in bulk ingredients, which now become a predominantly North American business," Mr. Ahmed said.
Tate & Lyle substantially will exit from bulk sweeteners in Europe before the reform of the European Union sugar regime in 2017.
"Our clear strategy since 2010 has been to invest for growth in specialty food ingredients," Mr. Ahmed said. "However, the reform of the European sugar regime brings with it potential for significant capital investment in bulk sweeteners, such as isoglucose. The realignment of the joint venture at this time enables us to realize good value from our European bulk ingredients' assets ahead of a decision on capital investment being required."
Eaststarch C.V. was formed in 1992. The joint venture currently owns and operates three corn wet mills in Slovenia, Bulgaria and Turkey and has a 50% equity share in a corn wet mill in Hungary. Tate & Lyle currently has a 50% share in Eaststarch, which had adjusted operating profit of £107 million and gross assets of £518 million in the year ended March 31, 2014. Tate & Lyle anticipates the ongoing dilution in earnings from the Eaststarch realignment will be about 3 pence per share, Mr. Hampton said.
Tate & Lyle will continue to supply crystalline fructose, a specialty sweetener, to European customers. Tate & Lyle will appoint Chicago-based ADM as the exclusive agent for bulk ingredients produced from the plant in Slovakia, which Tate & Lyle will fully acquire, and from Tate & Lyle's wholly-owned corn wet mill in The Netherlands.
Mr. Hampton said the planned actions in Europe combined with the closing of the Singapore sucralose facility will reduce debt by about £90 million to £100 million.
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