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Who is Bill Gates?
Bill And Melinda Gates
Bill Gates Money
Bill Gates Children
Bill Gates Rich
Bill Gates 11
Bill Gates Education
Bill Gates Family
R. Kayne
Windows® OS it the most used operating system on computers.
William Henry Gates III, better known as Bill Gates, was born on 28 October 1955 in Seattle, Washington. He is best known as co-founder of software giant Microsoft Corporation, a company he and Paul Allen bootstrapped in 1979. The enormous success of Microsoft has amassed the entrepreneur an astounding fortune, earning him the title of "richest man in the world" from 1995 to 2007, according to Forbes Magazine. As of 2013, Gates' net worth is estimated at $67 billion US Dollars (USD).
Bill Gates co-founded the Microsoft Corporation.
Bill Gates was born to a well-to-do family, his father a successful lawyer, and his mother a board member for First Interstate Bank. He has two siblings, Kristianne and Libby. Throughout grammar school, he excelled in math and science, and enrolled in Lakeside, an exclusive preparatory school.
At Lakeside, the young man was exposed to his first computers in the form of Teletype terminals networked to a remote server. Use of the Teletype required purchasing time blocks from the server. Gates and his Lakeside friends were banned from one system after administrators learned the kids were exploiting flaws in the system to acquire free time.
Bill Gates took a leave of absence from Harvard in 1975.
Gates quickly developed a passionate interest in computer operating systems, source code, and computer languages, including BASIC, FORTRAN, LISP, and COBOL. He and Allen were soon getting work searching for vulnerabilities in existing systems and writing proprietary programs. By age 14, Gates founded a short-lived venture with Allen that earned him $20,000 USD in the first year.
Interested in law, Gates enrolled in Harvard College in 1973, but the world would have different plans for the future software mogul. Just two years into Harvard, he took a leave of absence to work with Allen writing an operating system (OS) for what is now considered to be the precursor to personal computers, the Altair 8800. The two young men formed a partnership they initially called "Micro-soft," later changing it to "Microsoft" to be trademarked in November 1976.
Perhaps foreshadowing things to come, the Altair operating system that Bill Gates and Paul Allen wrote was widely copied and shared among computer enthusiasts, prompting Gates to write an open letter in February 1976. In his letter, he conveyed his distress at having people use the OS without making payment, stressing the time and work that goes into programming and the inability to provide quality software without fair compensation.
Four years later, in 1980, IBM approached Gates to provide an operating system for an upcoming personal computer line. He suggested 86-DOS, an operating system written by Tim Patterson of Seattle Computer Products (SCP). Gates subsequently negotiated with SCP to make Microsoft the sole licensing agent of 86-DOS and eventually full owner, never mentioning the potential mega-contract with IBM. Microsoft adapted the OS, renamed it "PC-DOS" and asked IBM for a one-time fee, retaining copyright. When IBM clones hit the market, as Gates predicted they would, every computer required a copy of Microsoft's operating system, licensed directly from the company.
If MS-DOS® opened the door to Gates' legendary status in the computer world, the Windows® operating system kicked it wide open. While MS-DOS® was a text-based command-line OS, Windows® revolutionized the personal computer world, providing an easy, graphical, point-and-click interface that made computers accessible to everyone. The market exploded from a relatively small community of computer geeks to the general public, and businesses large and small.
The Windows® OS created a de facto monopoly for Gates in the IBM PC market. Microsoft frequently bought out small up-and-coming companies that were developing popular software packages, absorbing the products into the Microsoft line. In many cases, Gates was criticized for his aggressiveness in forcing out competition. This came to a head in the mid-1990s, when Microsoft packaged Internet Explorer® with Windows 95®, essentially "pushing" its browser upon new computer users, usurping the market share or rival browser Netscape®. In 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice brought charges against Microsoft in an antitrust case, eventually ending with a ruling against the software giant.
In 1994, Bill Gates married Microsoft employee Melinda Ann French. They had three children: Jennifer (b. 1996), Rory (b. 1999), and Phoebe (b. 2002). Gates has received honorary doctorates from universities in the Netherlands, Sweden, Tokyo, and from Harvard. In 2000, he and Melinda founded the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, donating billions to improve global healthcare, fight AIDS, improve educational opportunities and provide scholarships. He also received an honorary Knighthood from Queen Elizabeth II in 2005 and was named one of the most influential people of the 20th Century by Time magazine.
How Do I Choose the Best Open Source Terminal Server?
What Are the Common Qualities of an Entrepreneur?
What is an Antitrust Policy?
What is COBOL Language?
What is Windows® 7?
What is the Blue Screen of Death?
What is a Cartel?
I think this website is fantastic. I'm doing a school project on Bill Gates and when i looked him up on Google, I clicked on the first website that came up. The website was this one. It has all the information i needed plus more. I will definitely be coming back.
Bill Gate has actually done well. However, the youths of developing need to be empowered. Do something.
what is Bill's Gates thinking/purpose behind giving away most of the foundation's funds?
Vista has problems, and was released too early.
Anybody who has ill thoughts about this guy, either has way too much time on their hands, had too much coffee and cigarettes, or is just plain mighty jealous of how he dominated the OS market (in the preceding article right?).
I'll pick the third choice...or maybe not...its just a matter of perspective anyway;)
By: Senza rivali
By: Maik Meid
By: Bastos


Sorry for the delay, had to work (Day-Job and Homework) all weekend. Here are a load of shots from the Friday Night Border Princes Game at Adepticon.
Team Crusader: Shawn (PPC), Jerrod, Merle, and Nostromo (Team Captain).
Team Saracen: Kevin Bruins, RichN, Pat aka SoCalWarhammer, and myself (Team Captain).
Note: Okay, I do actually know how to take pictures. Yes, the color on pics is all over the place, because some ya-hoo (aka me) had the color balance set to custom for studio work. I will have fixed this for Sat and Sunday's picks.
Note 2: I had some vision of taking a bunch of organized shots, but that faded away in the heat of dice, laughter (and beer), and scowling (and beer).
BLUF: Saracen victory by one battle point (!) due in no small part to the leadership of the Team Captain, well maybe not so much on that one (my army was expended holding off 6 (!) knight units so my team mates could go grab BPs). Rich created 3 linked/simultaneous scenarios that were both challenging and fun.
And look at all the Knights... Team Crusader on line.
My line holds for now... In fact I am winning these fights at this point.
Kevin in the chess match that was our right flank.
Yea the LaCrosse contingent of the Crusader forces, Jerrod / Matt / and myself stuggled with breaking through. At least part of Jerrod's plan worked, give the Saracens beer. I almost made it through in time to help out Aaron and Merle.
That picture of Rich is classic.


Lake Cochituate is a body of water in Natick, Wayland, and Framingham, Massachusetts. It consists of three linked ponds known as North Pond, Middle Pond, and South Pond. A large peninsula in South Pond is the site of the US Army Soldier Systems Center, and the eastern shore holds the trails of Pegan Cove Park. Middle Pond is home to Cochituate State Park, which includes boat ramps and a picnic area. North Pond is the site of Wayland Town Beach.
The three ponds and their connector ponds are together 625 acres (2.53 km2), and the Lake Cochituate Watershed, part of the Sudbury River Watershed encompasses 17 square miles (44 km2) in Natick, Wayland, Framingham, Ashland, and Sherborn. This in turn is part of the Concord River and Merrimack River watersheds. Cochituate is also the name of a village in Wayland.
While the surrounding areas are thickly developed, large portions of the immediate shoreline have been preserved as Cochituate State Park. Shoreline access is therefore good, although street-side parking is often the rule.
Public access for boaters is provided by a huge ramp located on the south side of Route 30 on Middle Pond. It can accommodate all size boats and there is ample parking for at least 50 vehicles. Recreational usage is high throughout the warm months.
This lake supports an extremely diverse species complex that varies from basin to basin. Species known to be present include white perch, largemouth bass, yellow perch, chain pickerel, black crappie, pumpkinseed, bluegill, yellow bullhead, white sucker, golden shiner, American eel and several other species of panfish and baitfish. The lake is also stocked heavily with trout, usually rainbows, in both the spring and fall, and is stocked with broodstock salmon when they are available. In addition, the lake is stocked with northern pike and tiger muskies, and has consistently been one of the best fisheries in the state for these trophy species.
Few lakes in the Commonwealth offer as tremendous a variety of fishing opportunities as Lake Cochituate. Panfish are abundant in all basins, with the bluegill and yellow perch populations in particular containing plenty of big fish. American eels, many of them approximately a yard long, are also very abundant. Stocked trout provide good action throughout the year, and broodstock salmon are an additional bonus.
This lake supports an outstanding bass fishery. Bass research operations conducted in 1992 revealed good numbers of nice largemouths in all three basins, although they were most abundant in Middle Pond. Quality and trophy size northern pike are not uncommon, and there are certainly some legal size tiger muskies available. Ice fishing is a very popular and effective way to sample these outstanding fisheries.


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We have teamed up with some of the most well known athletes, gymnast and body-builders around the world to bring you top-of-the-line training, workout plans and more. Whether you are looking to pack on some extra muscle, shed a few pounds or tighten up your golf swing, our sports products have you covered.


For BHL and Our Users this week, we're doing things a little differently. Instead of a questionnaire-style post, Program Manager Grace Costantino interviewed this week's guest, computer programmer and spider enthusiast Joel Hallan of Texas A&M; University, over the phone. Each question is presented below as a separate video.
We're trying to be more interactive with our interviews in the future, and we hope this will serve as a first good step in that direction!
What is your name, title, and institutional affiliation?
Can you expand on your special area of interest?
Where did your interest in spiders come from?
Where did your interest in computer science come from?
Can you tell us about your online catalog, Biology Catalog?
What compelled you to create Biology Catalog?
What would your perfect vision of Biology Catalog look like?
How often and in what ways do you use BHL?
What is your opinion of BHL and how has it supported your work on Biology Catalog?
If you could change one thing about BHL, what would it be?
Thanks for tuning in this week! Check back for more great interviews with our creative, dedicated and enthusiastic users to get more ideas about new ways you can put BHL to use. Be sure to check out Joel's catalog, Biology Catalog, an ambitious project which will hopefully one day serve as a catalog of all species.
If you're interested in being interviewed on our blog, leave a comment on this post, send us feedback, or email us as feedback@biodiversitylibrary.org.


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Australian Open 2023: Ben Bartram bids to make impact in debut senior Grand Slam
Ben Bartram is one of the sport's rising stars
Life hasn't always been easy for rising wheelchair tennis star Ben Bartram.
But the 17-year-old from Norfolk is set to make a big impact at his first senior Grand Slam in Melbourne this week.
His singles and doubles wildcard at the Australian Open sees him join fellow Norfolk native Alfie Hewett – a key figure in his journey so far – and Grand Slam-winning and Paralympic medal-winning teammate Gordon Reid in the draw.
Bartram, who has a rare genetic condition that affects his skeletal and muscle development, started playing tennis aged 11 after what he describes as a difficult time in his life.
"Before that I hadn't played any sport for about a year and was in a bad place," he told BBC Sport.
"I was lonely and sad and struggled with anxiety in high school. I put myself through the pain of walking just to try to feel normal.
"Tennis was a place where I felt normal. It opened up a lot of opportunities for me and it's a great community that I can be a part of."
Bartram won the US Open junior wheelchair singles and doubles titles in September
Bartram has already had a stellar junior career and is steadily rising through the senior ranks. And the world number 17 wants to make the most of his last chance to shine and use it as a springboard for the rest of 2023.
"I want to play well, enjoy it and give it my all," he said.
"Alfie was a huge role model when I was growing up and is still a huge inspiration.
"It's weird to think that I went from sitting at home watching him play with Gordon at Wimbledon to now playing alongside them.
"They told me to enjoy it and absorb it all."
Bartram's accomplishments include becoming world number one junior (January-April 2021), beating British rival Dahnon Ward in the US Open junior final in September at Flushing Meadows and an impressive streak of form in the senior ranks last summer, which saw him win five titles in a row.
He will start his singles campaign in Melbourne on Tuesday against Japanese world number 11 Takashi Sanada, another Grand Slam debutant.
Bartram could face his 16-year-old doubles partner and rising star Tokito Oda, also from Japan, in the quarter-finals.
Hewett, top seed after Shingo Kunieda's retreatopens against another Japanese player – Daisuke Arai – while Reid, who returns after a wrist injury affected his 2022 campaign, takes on Dutch player Tom Egberink and could face Hewett in the last eight.
Hewett and Reid will be chasing a fourth straight doubles title at Melbourne Park, while in women's singles Lucy Shuker opens against second seed Yui Kamiji of Japan and in the quadruple division Andy Lapthorne takes on American David Wagner .
'Embrace the experience'
Bartram's rise in the rankings has impressed Reid and Hewett, with the trio training together at the National Tennis Center in Roehampton earlier this month before traveling to Australia.
"Ben loves forehand flares all the way," Hewett said. "We train together at the same place in Norwich, so I've been hitting with him for a few years.
"He will want to be competitive and want to win; being part of your first Grand Slam is a special moment.
"You never forget your first one, so hopefully he enjoys it and embraces the experience.
"I don't think he would have expected to play his first Grand Slam at this stage.
"A year ago he was playing at the Junior Wheelchair Masters and I'm sure he will really relish the chance to play against the best in the world in Australia.
"For me it's great that there is talent from Norfolk. To see that means a lot to me."
Despite his youth, Bartram hopes he can help inspire others to get into the sport and achieve their ambitions.
"Tennis has changed my relationship with my wheelchair," he said. "I am passionate about sport – playing is not a job or a chore for me and I love it so much.
"It's great for the younger generation to see me, Alfie and Gordon in our chairs doing what we're doing and hopefully I can have the same effect on the young people that they had on me."
Small Hall Spotlight: Boxing or MMA – Liverpool's Jack McGann on making the switch
Pakistan v England: Demerit point for Rawalpindi pitch rescinded

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


A city travel guide to Pisa, Italy providing Pisa tourism & travel information, hotels, attractions, restaurants, tours and things to do.
All over the world people know of the iconic Torre Pendente, or Leaning Tower of Pisa. However less is known about the ancient city of Pisa itself, which seems surprising. Even in ancient times, Pisa, Italy was considered an old city. Archaeological evidence suggests it was already a thriving city as early as the 5th century BC and it is spoken of with admiration by Virgil in his Aeneid. All this lends Pisa a great fascination as a tourist destination.
Seated at the junction of the Rivers Arno and Serchio, Pisa is an attractive laguna city in western Tuscany. Its main tourist attraction is an area called Campo (or Piazza) dei Miracoli, or field of miracles. This contains four breathtaking buildings in a blend of architectural styles including Romanesque, Moorish and Gothic: the Duomo or Cathedral; Torre Pendente, its bell tower (the Leaning Tower); the Battistero or Baptistry and Camposanto, or Holy Field, which is one of the world's most picturesque cemeteries.
The famous bell tower, dating back to 1173, began to lean from its earliest days due to subsidence. Two other bell towers in Pisa, built on similar marshy ground, also suffered the same fate (at the churches of San Nicola and San Michele). However extensive structural work has been carried out to prevent the tower's total destruction and the general public can now enter it and climb the tower to take advantage of the spectacular views. The majestic cathedral contains much wonderful artwork and the Baptistry, with its Romanesque dome is an acoustical wonder. The large and historic cemetery is also open to the public to view its medieval frescoes and other artwork as well as a number of sarcophagi from ancient Rome.
Pisa offers twenty major churches, a number of palaces and fortresses, old bridges spanning the River Arno and a university dating back to the 12th century. There are also numerous museums and galleries to keep the visitor occupied with Pisa's fascinating history and cultural and artistic heritage for days on end.
Whilst Pisa may not boast a swinging night life, there are plenty of excellent restaurants and bars to while away the evening hours. After a good meal, a romantic moonlight stroll is a must, in order to soak up the atmosphere of this stunning city.
Italian cities near Pisa are Lucca, Florence, and Livorno.
Help your favorite places get listed on Pisa travel guide: suggest a hotel, a restaurant or an attraction.


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Fireworks ignite house fire in Nashua, officials say
Home damaged on East Dunstable Road
Updated: 2:10 PM EDT Jul 5, 2015
Fireworks set fire to the roof of a Nashua home early Sunday morning, fire officials said.Firefighters were called to a house at 210 E. Dunstable Road around 12:30 a.m. for a roof fire. The home was evacuated and no injuries were reported.Damage to the ranch-style home was limited to the roof and attic, with some water damage in the home, Deputy Fire Chief George Walker said.Fire marshals are investigating the blaze.Fireworks are prohibited in Nashua, Walker said.
NASHUA, N.H. —
Fireworks set fire to the roof of a Nashua home early Sunday morning, fire officials said.
Firefighters were called to a house at 210 E. Dunstable Road around 12:30 a.m. for a roof fire. The home was evacuated and no injuries were reported.
Damage to the ranch-style home was limited to the roof and attic, with some water damage in the home, Deputy Fire Chief George Walker said.
Fire marshals are investigating the blaze.
Fireworks are prohibited in Nashua, Walker said.


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Bald eagles were removed from the federal list of threatened and endangered species on August 9, 2007, and are no longer protected under the Endangered Species Act. However, bald eagles remain protected under the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.
FWC - Federal Laws that Protect Bald EaglesBald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
The Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act
Source Click here
The bald eagle will continue to be protected by the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act even though it has been delisted under the Endangered Species Act. This law, originally passed in 1940, provides for the protection of the bald eagle and the golden eagle (as amended in 1962)
unless allowed by permit (16 U.S.C. 668(a); 50 CFR 22)
(16 U.S.C. 668c; 50 CFR 22.3)
The 1972 amendments increased civil penalties for violating provisions of the Act
Rewards are provided for information leading to arrest and conviction for violation of the Act.
Lacey Act Amendments of 1981 Source Click here
(P.L. 97-79, 95 Stat. 1073, 16 U.S.C. 3371-3378, approved November 16, 1981, and as amended by P.L. 100-653, 102 Stat. 3825, approved November 14, 1988, and P.L. 98-327, 98 Stat. 271, approved June 25, 1984) These amendments repealed the Black Bass Act and sections 43 and 44 of the Lacey Act of 1900 (18 U.S.C. 43- 44), replacing them with a single comprehensive statute.
As amended May 24, 1949, 18 U.S.C. 42 (63 Stat. 89, September 2, 1960; P.L. 86-702; 74 Stat. 753; and November 29, 1990, P.L. 101-646, 104 Stat. 4772) prohibits importation of wild vertebrates and other animals listed in the Act or declared by the Secretary of the Interior to be injurious to man or agriculture, wildlife resources, or otherwise, except under certain circumstances and pursuant to regulations.


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Foreign and Commonwealth Office – 2020 Press Release on the ICJ Finding on Myanmar
January 23, 2020 admin	2020 Press Release, Foreign and Commonwealth Office Press Release
Below is a press release issued by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office on 23/01/2020.
The Minister for Asia and Pacific responds to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) decision that Myanmar must do more to protect the Rohingya.
Heather Wheeler, Minister for Asia and the Pacific, said:
"We welcome the International Court of Justice's decision today on provisional measures. The Court was clear that Myanmar must do more to protect the Rohingya.
The Independent Commission of Enquiry's admission of atrocities and its recommendations are an important first step towards meaningful domestic accountability, though we don't agree with much of the Commission's analysis.
We encourage the Government of Myanmar to comply with the provisional measures, which are legally-binding, and implement the Commission's recommendations."
← Peter Aldous – 2020 Speech on the Lowestoft Tidal Flood Barrier
Foreign and Commonwealth Office – 2020 Press Release on the Meeting of ASEAN Member States →
Foreign and Commonwealth Office – 2019 Press Release on Women's Rights in Africa
Foreign and Commonwealth Office – 2019 Press Release on Change of Ambassador to the Republic of Ecuador
Foreign and Commonwealth Office – 2019 Press Release on Peace in Sudan and South Sudan


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Home Perspectives Questions the media isn't asking about the Milosevic indictment
Questions the media isn't asking about the Milosevic indictment
 Listen to this
Imagine my surprise to learn that on top of his many journalistic talents, Toronto Globe and Mail correspondent Alan Freeman is also able to decide who is guilty and who is not before an accused is brought to trial. Why else would Freeman observe that Slobodan Milosevic failed to show any sign of repentance as charges were read against him at The Hague Tribunal, unless Freeman knew the former Yugoslav president is guilty and therefore should be repentant?
But questions like that aren't part of the journalist's trade, at least, not of journalists who have career aspirations. But don't you wish, for once, they were? That questions like this were as likely as the current fashion of denouncing official state enemies with obvious propagandistic obloquies like strongman, butcher, and dictator?
The persecution, deportation and massacres Milosevic is accused of (but one) happened after NATO decided to get Cambodian on Milosevic's ass. But NATO said the bombing was necessary to stop massacres, persecution, and deportation. How does this square?
In light of the fact that the persecution, expulsion and massacres NATO cited as reasons to bomb Yugoslavia happened after the bombing began and therefore couldn't be causes of the bombing, aren't NATO's crimes — acts of war without the sanction of the UN, use of prohibited weapons, like cluster bombs and depleted uranium, and devastation of economic and civilian infrastructure — all the more heinous? Shouldn't NATO leaders be in the dock? Why aren't they?
The mass exodus of ethnic Albanians from Kosovo is said to be a reflection of a Milosevic formulated policy of mass expulsions. How much of the exodus represented flight from a civil war and NATO's bombs? Would you stick around Kosovo to get caught in the crossfire?
The European Union-appointed forensic pathologists who investigated the one pre-bombing massacre Milosevic is accused of, say there's no evidence a massacre took place. William Walker, Washington's man in Kosovo at the time, bent over backwards to conclude a massacre had happened, say the pathologists. How compelling is the evidence that any of the other massacres Milosevic is accused of ever really happened? Commenting on forensic pathologists failing to uncover the 10,000 corpses NATO promised were littered across Kosovo, Paul Buteux, a political scientist at the University of Manitoba, remarked, "The first casualty of war is the truth." "It gets very murky," he went on. "I have no doubt that whoever was putting those intelligence reports together prior to the NATO air campaign would be under pressure to put things in the worst possible light. There was a point when the spin doctors came in." Have the spin doctors come in to distort, magnify, and create out of whole cloth, the post bombing massacres Milosevic is accused of? NATO's record of deceit, makes the question one only a fool would fail to ask.
Even if all the 391 murders Milosevic is accused of happened before the bombing, and the bombing stopped the massacres, can an intervention that caused the deaths of even more Yugoslav civilians (500 according to Human Rights Watch, thousands according to others) be called an humanitarian intervention, or is it more aptly described as a disproportionate use of force that did greater harm than the harm it was ostensibly trying to prevent? And isn't "humanitarian bombing" an oxymoron?
It's been discovered since the bombing that the US was training the KLA. A European KFOR commander called the KLA a CIA-creation designed to oust Milosevic. Washington trained and provided money to Otpor, the student resistance. It too sought to oust Milosevic. The NDI pitch forked oodles of money to the DOS, with the aim of ousting Milosevic in an election. What was it about Milosevic that impelled Washington to use a guerilla army, a student resistance group, the parliamentary opposition, war and sanctions, and finally blackmail, to force Milosevic out of Serbia and into The Hague?
Some more questions. But these are for us, since you can't expect journalists to ask them.
Why does the media insinuate, in references to the discredited story of 10,000 murdered in Kosovo, that Milosevic is on trial for genocide, when he isn't?
Why has no media outlet, to my knowledge, listed the number of murders the Hague Tribunal accuses Milosevic of?
Why exactly does the media mean when it calls Milosevic a "strongman"?
Why is Milosevic called a dictator, when he contested elections, and his opponents were left alone?
These questions, and others like them, are questions you and I need to ask. Don't count on the media to ask them. They're too busy running show trials.
Mr. Steve Gowans is a writer and political activist who lives in Ottawa, Canada.
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Posted inCatalyst Chicago, Education
Suspensions down in CPS, but stats for black boys still highest
by Sarah Karp June 22, 2010 August 15, 2016
The number of students suspended and expelled in Chicago Public Schools declined a bit in 2009, after rising to new heights in 2008.
While experts warn of a tendency to under-report disciplinary actions, the decline could be the result of efforts in some schools to implement alternative forms of discipline, such as peer juries and in-school suspension rooms.
Also, it is worth noting that CPS likely still has one of the highest suspension rates in the U. S., with 11 of every 100 students suspended last year. In the May/June 2009 issue of Catalyst In Depth , we reported that Chicago imposed the harshest discipline of 10 big-city school districts, with 13 of every 100 students suspended in 2008. Houston was right behind, suspending 11 of every 100 students.
That issue of In Depth also reported on the disproportionate impact of discipline on African-American male students, who comprised 45 percent of all students suspended in CPS in 2008 but only about 25 percent of the student population. Research has shown that being suspended just once increases the likelihood of dropping out by threefold. This ripple effect is apparent on black boys in CPS: Not only are black male students more likely to be suspended, they also have the highest dropout rate of any group, at 55 percent.
The total number of suspensions decreased in 2009, but the percentage handed out to black male students rose slightly.
Another area of concern: Slightly more black male high school students were suspended more than once in 2009 than in 2008.
Suspensions of …
Black male students
22,512 (45%)
Secretary of Education Arne Duncan was head of CPS when suspensions and expulsions began to surge. He supported efforts to make punishment less punitive through restorative justice and other alternatives, but the approach did not become widespread in the district and Duncan never publicly took principals to task for suspending and expelling large numbers of students.
But now, as the nation's top education official, Duncan seems willing to confront the issue. In a June address to the Hampton University Ministers' Conference, Duncan noted that his administration has "launched dozens of equity investigations around issues like school discipline, teacher quality and access to rigorous coursework" and called such action "a moral obligation."
Under former President George W. Bush, the U.S. Department of Education never found a school district out of compliance with the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination by government institutions, including school districts, says Jim Freeman, project director for the Advancement Project, an advocacy group based in Washington D.C.
But over the last year, the department's Office of Civil Rights initiated 38 compliance reviews of school districts, three of which have been discipline-related. Chicago is not among the three.
Although Freeman points out that the office is now "much more aggressive in looking at these issues," he is skeptical that the department will look into Chicago's situation because of the Duncan connection.
However, Ron Huberman, Duncan's successor, has discipline issues on his radar. He has said that he would like to see a decrease in suspensions and expulsions, though he hasn't announced a specific plan for accomplishing this.
In a presentation in late May, Huberman said that suspensions declined by 77 percent at six schools that each received about $1 million this year to promote a "culture of calm." Official school-by-school data on suspensions for this year are not available yet, so Huberman's claim has yet to be fact-checked.
Last year, in 2009, those six schools experienced an up-tick in discipline, suspending an average of 500 students compared to an average of 450 in 2008.
The Illinois State Board of Education is now using its individual student tracking system to glean statistics on suspension and expulsion, ostensibly a more reliable method than the previous system that depended on districts to report information.
But the change resulted in a discrepancy between the reports from CPS and ISBE for 2009. The difference for expulsions is significant: CPS reports 612 expelled students, while the state reports just 144. For suspensions, Chicago and the state had a relatively small difference of about 2,000 students. (In 2008, both CPS and ISBE reported the same figures for suspensions and expulsions.)
Mary Fergus, spokeswoman for ISBE, says that the difference is most likely the result of a difference in categorization. For example, the state counts a student as expelled only when he or she is not offered any educational services, a practice that eliminates hundreds of CPS students under age 16 who are expelled but offered a spot in special alternative schools. (Under state law, students under age 16 cannot be denied an education.)
ISBE's new student-based system does not generate discipline data school-by-school, however. (In 2008, Catalyst analyzed school-level data from the state's old system.)
Catalyst was not able to obtain complete school-level statistics from CPS for 2009. As they did in 2008, CPS officials only released partial school level data, citing the federal law protecting student privacy. The law prohibits the district from releasing data for schools where fewer than 10 students of the same demographic group were suspended or expelled.
However, districts are not prohibited from releasing data for other schools. In 2009, about 355 schools were outside the federal restriction.
Catalyst is examining the available school-level data to pinpoint trends and will report back on what is happening.
Catalyst was unable to obtain reliable demographic data from CPS or ISBE on expulsions for 2009. In 2008, 60 percent of those expelled in CPS were black males.
Discipline: From zero tolerance to restorative justice
Black male conundrum
Students rally for bill to limit suspensions and expulsion, ban discipline fines
Tagged: Chicago Public Schools, CPS, Equity & Race, Reaching Black Boys
Sarah Karp
Sarah is the deputy editor of Catalyst Chicago.	More by Sarah Karp


The Marie Skirt is a passionate and elegant skirt.
It has a high waist, coming up just below the bust level, and an ever so slight amorous little flip at the bottom of the skirt, which just covers the knees. This is a very stylish and modern skirt that pairs well with any top or jacket from the Collection. It will show off your figure, yet is flexible and comfortable so you can move easily.


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Syncra Constructionis pleased to announce Marc Williams as a new partner of its growing Vancouver based construction management and general contracting firm. In addition to corporate partnership responsibilities, Mr. Williams, in his role as Operations Manager, will establish and manage company wide systems and controls, provide mentoring, and communication methods to enhance customer service and continued growth. "We are immensely grateful for Marc's professionalism and leadership in establishing quality processes to support the success of our projects," said John Polglase, President, Syncra Construction.
About Marc Williams, P. Eng.
Marc Williams joined Syncra Construction in 2011 bringing over 15 years experience managing construction projects, most notably, luxury multi-family high-rise and hotel projects in Coal Harbour, Vancouver. Since joining the company, he has played a key role on the University of British Columbia's Centre for Comparative Medicine, the Vista Point Residential Tower, and the Neelu Bachra Commercial Centre. Marc is a Professional Engineer and holds both a Bachelor and a Master's Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of British Columbia. Prior to managing construction projects in Vancouver, Marc worked as a structural engineer in Germany on the design of new industrial facilities and heritage commercial and residential buildings. His combined experience as an engineer and a construction manager enables him to understand design, risk, lead teams, and establish systems for a successful outcome.
Syncra Construction is a construction management and general contracting firm located in Burnaby, British Columbia. Built upon a solid foundation of knowledge and experience, we offer a unique portfolio of mixed use, commercial, residential, institutional, public realm, and First Nations projects.
Unit 301 - 4180 Lougheed Hwy
Burnaby, BC, V5C 6A7
info[at]syncraconstruction.com
© 2019 Syncra Construction Corp., a Vancouver based company.


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Companies Rush to Adjust to New Whistleblower Rules
By AMANDA BRONSTAD
The days when a company could dismiss an employee's grousing over corporate practices are long gone.
Scrambling to respond to the requirements of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, human resources directors at L.A. public companies are designing new corporate handbooks, holding employee briefings and going over reporting procedures with their attorneys.
Initially the subject of intense study for its impact on accounting procedures, the legislation, signed into law last year, offers extended protections for whistleblowers and may encourage costly retaliation lawsuits if not properly managed. The provisions related to whistleblowers become effective April 26.
The new law is forcing businesses to treat complaints over corporate practices with the same seriousness that has accompanied complaints of sexual harassment in recent years.
"It's almost like security at the airport, where you can't say you've got a bomb in a suitcase," said Paul Gleason, managing partner of the L.A. office of employment firm Ogletree Deakins Nash Smoak & Stewart PC. "Now, if someone makes a comment about any potential malfeasance, it's not going to go unnoticed even if it's made in jest or in a vague way."
In extending greater protections to employees who blow the whistle on financial misdeeds, companies face a new series of obligations, said Tony Oncidi, an employment partner at Proskauer Rose LLP.
"If a company is out of compliance with some provision as modified by Sarbanes-Oxley, the employee can take the position that he or she suffered retaliation for having brought that to the attention of the company. It does increase the likelihood people will file these suits," he said.
Extending state law
Whistleblower suits are more common in California than other states because employees are protected under a 20-year-old provision of the state's Labor Code.
Under that provision, employers cannot "retaliate" against an employee if he or she discloses a violation of state or federal statute to a government or law agency.
Most of the whistleblower cases brought under California's law have involved safety code violations, discrimination or leaves of absence, employment attorneys said. They also settle or get dismissed quickly, since the outcome of the case depends largely on a judge's interpretation of the broadly written Labor Code.
Paul Murphy, a partner at O'Neil Lysaght & Sun LLP who represented Global Crossing Ltd. whistleblower Roy L. Olofson, a former finance vice president, said the greater protections in Sarbanes-Oxley should make employees less afraid to approach their superiors about financial complaints.
Under California's law, whistleblowers must report wrongdoing to a government entity, rather than their managers, and they are more likely to lose their jobs if they speak up, Murphy said.
"Quite frankly, it's hard on the employee," he said. "For every case I've taken, there's five or 10 I've turned down or the client didn't go forward. That's because most of the time, they have not been terminated but believe they will be. I tell them if you go down this road, you will be terminated and it will be very difficult to get a job while this is pending."
Under Sarbanes-Oxley, whistleblowers who succeed in proving they were dismissed in retaliation for their actions must be offered their old jobs, Murphy said.
Also, under Sarbanes-Oxley, employees can obtain attorney fees from the former employer if they win their case, extending the protections offered under California law, which does not include attorney fees, he said.
Instead of just firing a whistleblower and dismissing or settling a subsequent retaliation lawsuit in court, employers now will have to discuss the employee's concerns with auditors, lawyers or some other third party, he said.
"Most companies are aware of the literal requirements of Sarbanes-Oxley," said Oncidi. "But the ripple effect is how it impacts their HR policies and potential law exposure. Those are just now becoming more evident."
That poses a challenge for many human resources executives.
"They're not sure what their scope of authority is," said David Kadue, a partner at Seyfarth Shaw in L.A. "If someone complains about harassment, they'll say that's my job. But what if someone complains to HR about improper expense accounting? I don't think a lot of companies draw the jurisdictional lines as to what HR does and does not. And they're not trained in financial matters."
Rachel Breitbach, corporate human resources director at Tetra Tech Inc. in Pasadena, said her company plans to use the same procedures as it would for discrimination or other complaints. An employee goes to an immediate supervisor, the supervisor's manager, to human resources or uses a confidential hotline phone number to report a complaint.
But because of the widespread potential impact of financial complaints, Tetra Tech, like other companies, is also considering appointing a compliance officer who would be a legal counsel who receives financial complaints.
"I'm not a financial person," Breitbach said. "If there is something going on that is illegal or against SEC regulations, there is a greater amount of stakeholders. Therefore, the reporting procedures may need to involve different levels of the organization to make sure they're appropriately dealt with because of the potential greater impact."
In the next month, Tetra Tech executives will ask employees to sign off on the company's reporting procedures, she said.
Whistleblower Protections
New federal law extends existing state coverage.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Public companies may not discharge, demote, suspend, threaten,
harass or discriminate against an employee who provides information relating to fraud against shareholders.
California Labor Code Section 1102.5
An employer may not retaliate against an employee for disclosing
information to a government or law enforcement agency if the employee believes the information discloses a violation of state or federal statute.
Review & Preview
LABJ FORUM: Pedal to the Metal?


At this point in their career as a band, The Starting Line aren't touring as much as today's contemporaries, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. If there's one thing that we've come to learn from the recent Brand New ordeal, it's these shows which come close to home [in this case, there's about 60+ miles separating Starland Ballroom from TSL's hometown of Philadelphia] that take on a whole new level of significance to fans. Towards the end of their headlining Christmas show this past Sunday, the pop punk group paid homage to The Get Up Kids through the performance of their hit song, "Holiday." Lucky for you, a video of this can be found after the jump.
The Starting Line currently don't have much announced for 2014, but we're sure that's going to change very soon, so be sure to stay tuned with us in the days to come. What do you think of the cover? Let UTG know in the comments below.


text:
declare const locale: {
    lang: any;
    timePickerLocale: any;
};
export default locale;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This is unlike any yoga you have ever experienced before! With the focus being purely on a deep letting go and relaxation of the central nervous system you get to unwind and rest fully.
During this two hour blissful Restorative Yoga workshop in a small group, I support you into poses that encourage the body to open gently, with no forcing or effort, letting go of deeply held tension and old aches and pains.
Come and learn how to create an ongoing healing practice at home to support deep relaxation, better sleep, and release of aches and pains.
In 2017 I was coming to the end of my time working in a very stressful job. My hip, back, neck and shoulders were no longer getting the kind of relief that I was used to through my normal yoga practice, and I sensed it was time to look for something new.
Thankfully, I discovered Restorative Yoga and instantly recognised that this was a powerful and deeply healing way I could continue to practice yoga, and look after my body at the same time.
In February 2018 I went on a teacher training course with Deborah Berryman, a student of Judith Lasater, and have been profoundly moved and inspired by the changes in my own health, and that of my students and one-to-one clients.


Most highly rated Sports App on Google Play: Average rating of 4.7 from over 47k ratings.
Quick score updates and ball by ball text commentary that helps you visualize the action.
Audio commentary in English and other regional languages – if listening is your thing.
Player and Team Rankings for ODI, Test, and T20I – If you want to know the current ranking of your favorite player.
Points tables for all major tournaments – Which team is at the top and who well get knocked out?
Share the score – Give score updates via sms/email or share the scores of Facebook/Twitter before anybody else.
Cricket On Twitter: Follow your favorite cricketers and commentators on Twitter. Reply, Re-tweet and get up close and personal with your stars.
Permissions: "Retrieve Running Apps" permission is required because, if the user is not looking at the widget actively (for e.g. he might using another app like Google Maps), the Cricbuzz widget will not download data, thus avoiding unnecessary data consumption. "Read Phone State And Identity" permission is required to stop the Radio commentary on Cricbuzz, if the user makes or receives a phone call, while listening to the Radio commentary.
1. Missed the action? Don't fret. You will soon get to see 'Video highlights' of matches, press conferences, player interviews and lot more.
2. Ad free version of the app.
Manish (5 stars): Very innovative. It's a perfect app for cricket lovers. It gives all features needed to know scores, schedules, commentary, players stats etc. I watch the matches on tv bt i am addicted to this app. I use this app while watching tv too.
Rajen (5 stars): The Best application. Cricket score updates are lightning quick. Truly deserves 5 stars. Love it. A must have for all cricket fanatics.
Shadab (5 stars): Super duper timepass!!! Nice app,I am loving its features and especially the audio commentary is crisp n clear and in English and Hindi too.
Series Stats Page that helps you find the highest run getter, bowler who has taken the most wickets, averages, strike rates, most hundreds, most fifties and plenty more with just the click of a button.
Fixed the news detail page scrolling issue.
Cricket on Twitter – Get close and personal with cricketers and experts.
Schedule page filters – Separate lists for International, Domestic and T20 Leagues.
Move to SD card option available.


text:
import * as vscode from 'vscode';
import { getHtmlFlatNode, validate } from './util';
import { HtmlNode as HtmlFlatNode } from 'EmmetFlatNode';
import { getRootNode } from './parseDocument';

export function updateTag(tagName: string): Thenable<boolean> | undefined {
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function getRangesFromNode(node: HtmlFlatNode, document: vscode.TextDocument): vscode.Range[] {
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function getRangesToUpdate(document: vscode.TextDocument, selection: vscode.Selection, rootNode: HtmlFlatNode): vscode.Range[] {
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Abstract: The all optical mode locking of Fabry-Perot laser diodes is based on the mutual injection locking of two longitudinal modes and successive injection locking of adjacent longitudinal modes. In this paper, firstly, a simple method to measure the free spectral range of a SELFOC lens as the extemal cavity is developed. Secondly, the dependence of the operation characteristics on the polarization of the cw injected light is examined experimentally.


If you're convinced that your life is meaningless, and you have no idea why you are even on this earth, think again! There's no such thing as an accidental or ill-timed birth. God made each one of us unique and special with our own individual physical features, talents, and personalities. He loves us all equally, and it doesn't matter what country you're from, whether rich or poor, famous or unknown, or whether your birth was planned or unplanned—Jesus loves you, and He has not forgotten you! In fact, He has never left you. Remember, God never leaves people; it is people who leave God. He is right there pleading for you to run into His arms of safety. God has a special plan for your life, and He wants to give you the desires of your heart. So don't give up—don't be discouraged. Surrender your life to Jesus right now. Today! Before it's too late! Jesus is coming soon, and He longs for you to be in the safety of His arms!


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The Great Missenden War Memorial is located at the Church of St Peter and St Paul in the village of Great Missenden in Buckinghamshire. The memorial marks the deaths of local individuals who died fighting in World War I and World War II. It was dedicated on 8 May 1920 by the Bishop of Buckingham, Edward Shaw. The memorial is a tall thin stone pillar cross, with a two step base.

Two smaller stone memorial plaques in Great Missenden also honour local residents who died fighting in the world wars. A British Legion plaque is located at 52 High Street in Great Missenden, and another plaque is located inside the memorial hall on the Link Road. The memorial hall plaque was unveiled by the Lord Lieutenant of Buckinghamshire, Charles Wynn-Carington, 1st Marquess of Lincolnshire on 12 May 1921. A grant of £411 was given to repair the High Street plaque by the War Memorials Trust in 2008 after the letters had become faint.

The three memorials list 51 individuals from the village; 39 of whom died in World War I and 12 who died in World War II.

References

1920 establishments in England
Buildings and structures completed in 1920
Buildings and structures in Buckinghamshire
Great Missenden
World War I memorials in England
World War II memorials in England

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


I went into Razor's Edge with a lot of high hopes. Whilst I haven't read any of Martha Wells' non-Star Wars fiction, I understand she's a highly praised author whose work I've been meaning to check out for a while now. Thus a Star Wars novel from her, and not just any Star Wars novel, but a book set inbetween the events of Episodes IV and V, my favourite two movies of the saga to date, focusing on my favourite characters of the franchise, Han and Leia, who are also among my favourite all-time favourite characters. Whilst Luke does play a role, it isn't really as big as I had expected, and was actually quite surprised. However, his impact in the book is certainly felt, just as much as Han's. However, both aren't nearly given as much attention as Leia, who dominates the main point of view and is portrayed like the other two perfectly well, never once floating out of character, and Wells gets the characters just as well as the likes of John Jackson Miller and James Luceno or any other A-List Star Wars author, with her first novel for the franchise. (I'd throw Timothy Zahn in there as well, but I haven't actually read any of his work yet). An amusing moment in the book came from the banter between Han and Leia, when they aren't ready to admit that they're attracted to another just yet, proving that the book doesn't fall into the trap of being too grimdark, with some nice elements of humour splattered across the pages.
The plot itself is pretty action packed and as unpredictable as a novel featuring characters from the films set in a period between the actual films can be – no matter what danger the three lead characters (and the rest of the characters such as Chewbacca and C3PO) find themselves in, we know they'll make it out alive. However, the same cannot be said for any other character though – Wells does her best to make the book as unpredictable as ever, and even the outcome of the plot can be unpredictable in places. Action is used well, but don't mistake this for a book filled with nothing but the shooting of blasters and the swinging of Luke's lightsaber – and to Wells' credit as an experienced author, she never manages to make the book feel like it's moving slower during the non-action sequences, with the pacing nailed pretty much spot on.
If you think female characters are unappreciated in the Star Wars Universe, then you should look no further than Razor's Edge. Wells not only offers a strong portrayal of Princess Leia, but deals with several other interesting female characters to boot that make the book much more engaging. As well as exploring the state of the Rebellion following the events of Episode IV (hint: It's not a good one, despite their victory over the Empire in the Battle of Yavin), touching upon just how vital pretty much every mission has become for them. Other factions are explored too, but for a book in a series entitled Empire and Rebellion, it is almost surprising as to a relatively minor role that the Empire play in this book. But their presence certainly is felt, and whilst characters from that faction may not get as much page-time or focus as our main protagonists do, and they play a much bigger role in the book later on. Another element that Wells chooses to explore as well is what happened to the survivors of Alderaan, because even though the planet got wiped out, there was no possible way that Leia could have been the only person who wasn't actually on the planet at the time. This nice touch allows for a few interesting aspects to come into play – particularly when you consider that her fellow people are now working as pirates in order to survive.
I think it's safe to say that Razor's Edge therefore, is a success. Martha Wells succeeds in sticking to canon, getting everybody in character throughout the book and bringing a great, well-paced read that sees the Empire and Rebellion series get off to a very strong start. Rest assured, if you're a fan of the franchise – Martha Wells' first outing is one that you won't want to miss out on, and I eagerly await the next instalment in the Empire and Rebellion series, written by James S.A. Corey.


Native Oculus Go App – A new app is available on the Oculus store for the Oculus Go, including native support for the Oculus controller, downloading of scenarios to the device, and reporting of analytics directly from VR.
Native Samsung Gear VR App – A new app is available on the Samsung store for the Gear VR, including native support for the Gear VR controller, downloading of scenarios to the device, and reporting of analytics directly from VR.
Live Score – Learners can view their score updated on screen live as it changes. Great for games!
New selection animation – When objects are selected in non "gaze to select" devices, the object uses a grow animation to show selection. Gaze to select devices such as Google Cardboard style devices use a new progress selection circle on the selection reticle.
Pan to Object in VR – The "Pan to Object" action now works in VR on all devices.
Copy and Paste for entire scenes – Scenes now have a right click menu allowing you to copy and paste the entire content of the scene including objects and timed actions.
Firefox and Firefox Reality WebVR support – The Firefox desktop app and Firefox Reality app available on most major headsets is supported for VR mode, allowing use of headsets like the Oculus Rift, Lenovo Daydream, and HTC Vive Focus.
Create a Copy – A new shortcut has been added to the dashboard cards allowing you to quickly create a copy of a scenario.
You can see for yourself by logging in at cenariovr.com.
This topic was modified 4 months, 2 weeks ago by Laura Silver.


I thought I had done so well following my mammoth 3,000 word description of Museum of London last week, that what I deserved was a cup of Earl Grey and a bloody lovely slice of cake. You know what I mean, readers, for this high point of high afternoon – full afternoon tea – is the English's best invention. A carbo-friendly stop gap between luncheon and supper, a ritual that has no healthy items in it whatsoever and contains a three course meal in miniature. Some London hotels do this splendidly. Claridges is charming and laid back with a sumptuous collection of sofas and a harpist. The Ritz is brutally fussy and French and accompanied with no nonsense hard-backed, slightly padded chairs. There are lots of doilies. The Savoy I haven't been to since it's refit but was always a slight disappointment. The Soho Hotel in – well, Soho, actually – is a bastion of cosiness in London's most racy district. In the winter, the wooden shutters are drawn, the fire blazes and tea and scones are served in a Georgian room that is as blissful as anything in Black's Club in Dean Street. But Kings Cross is not the same as these places. Actually, it looks a little cleaner, a little better. It is now rather middle-class, friendly and exciting. The phrase "Kings Cross" is used less and less and the rather patrician, Latin sounding "St Pancras" is used more and more. This place which used to feature industrial wastes of York Way and random prostitutes sloping up and down outside the station wearing scowls and three inch heels is now a spanking new Eurozone with Parisian trains, an organic bakery on the lower concourse and London's most antipicated hotel reopening. Twenty years ago, who would have thought it?
The St Pancras Renaissance looks splendid from the outside and is, as it's name suggests, a rebirth. Or rather a revival. The Gothic movement was initially a Victorian revival, and now we've revived the revival, which is nice, if aesthetically confusing. They've taken out the darkness of the gothic and bleached everything with high glass windows and sunlight. It's a bit like massive, glass-encrusted neo-Victorian pub. The inside reminds me of a hotel near Heathrow Airport where I sometimes used to go to watch my brothers play in four piece lunch-friendly jazz in the early 1990s on Sundays. It's open, wide, characterless and non-nation specific. The grand red brick of the Victorian hotel has been sliced through with modern glass plates, and UAE-looking black marble floors. The door staff look distrustful and slightly bitchy. They seem to want to know what I am doing there. They are suspicious and graceless – but why? Okay, I was a slightly sweaty, cardigan and plastic bag clutching woman in four inch heels, grumpily lurching out from the Victoria Line, but not a child-catcher, terrorist or robber who has a thing for snatching hotel pillowcases.
It turns out they did, about seven feet away, in the vast swimming pool changing room bit where non-plussed old people sat about chewing stale bread. Victorian Gothic, whether it is to your taste or not, has atmostphere. But whoever designed the interior of the St Pancras Renaissance was not imbued with the confidence necessary to let this atmostphere come into it own. Slabs of modern furniture look like concessionary apologies, offensive in their inoffensiveness. It feels like a smart airport.
We sit down and are given another menu. And another. And then had to ask for another, our seventh. We get the right menu. The afternoon tea was £30.00, which is usual for London hotels, if at the very top price bracket of the high tea charts. What wasn't usual was the "choose your own coz we're too lazy" table in the middle which clearly featured leftovers from that morning's breakfast. It must have, because you don't serve croissants and pain au chocolat at tea time. Unless you're a pervert. Or French. Or a French pervert, all of which were far too close for liking at the Eurostar terminal. Terminal was the level of boredom I engaged with when trying to place an order. We would, Mother Bluebird and I, have one tea to share. But – here's the complicated science bit! – we wanted two tea cups. We are not so poor as to only afford to drink out of one. Mother Bluebird wanted soya milk in hers, because she is lactose intolerant. I wanted to hit something because I was Victorian Gothic-intolerant. I ordered Earl Grey tea with slices of lemon.
Five minutes later, our waitress (over-starched, under-trained and – quite frankly – in the throws of a tea-based nightmare) said, did I mean I wanted a lemon and ginger tea bag in my Earl Grey tea? No, I said. It was enough to make me want to get on a train to France. "Is the afternoon tea everything listed here?" we asked. There were at least four cakes and lots of different kind of sandwiches. She looked totally shocked and went off to speak to the Manager. Of Tartlets. Or someone. She came back. Yes, she said – it's everything.
"Everything" turned up twenty minutes later, and was four finger sandwiches, two tiny slices of apple and walnut cake, an unhappy chocolate macaroon and a stressed oblong of French patisserie with three tiny raspberries on it, that looked like a pastry contemplating ending it all and committing suicide. The scones hadn't arrived at all. Honestly, by this point I was half way to getting a train to France, or even bounding out of the door, onto the platform and going to Lille. Not that I know where Lille is, but it has to be more fun than this over-inflated hellhole, even if it's in somewhere monstrous like Belgium. This was supposed to be my birthday tea and it was a bag of shite. What to do? There were in total, 8 items for £30.00. I worked out that was about £3.50 per item. The roast beef in the finger sandwich was full of gristle and decidedly creepy. The bread for sandwiches was cut half a day earlier. The staff were being marshalled by very strange looking managers in very cheap, shiny suits who glared at us all with guarded suspicion and who would have been more at home as managers of those shops in the Tottenham Court Road where they unlock stolen mobile phones. There are two things the English do very well when it comes to customer service, and unfortunately they are the only two things : provide a sumptuous English afternoon tea, and serve it using excellently attired butler-type professional waiters in London's five star hotels. That's it. The rest of English customer service is a fruity mix of rudeness, class resentment and laziness. Five star hotel teas are really all we have. A good waiter knows how to be graceful, deferential and to imbue your experience with that vital air of luxury. The staff at the St Pancrap Renaissance know nothing of this. They don't understand what they are doing or how to do it.
We wanted our scones (pronounced sconnes, obviously, not scohnes). "Where are our scones?" we said. We were ladies. Having tea. In the centre of London. In England. It cannot be. IT CANNOT BE THERE ARE NO SCONEWORTHY SCONES. The Gods simply wouldn't allow it.
"We were waiting for a sign. You have to signal," said our waitress. Signal? I know it's a station but I don't work on the railways. What kind of signal? Should I stand up and burst into the chorus of the "Wichita Lineman"? Or hold up a gold embossed sign stating "Scones required here, please deliver forthwith"?
"Sorry?" said Mother Bluebird. She hadn't been this perplexed since John Lewis refused to deliver a chair and she gave them a stern telling off over the phone, featuring words like "I've been a cardholder for thirty years, you know".
"Yes, we like to receive a signal, after you have finished eating everything else, and then present the scones to you, warm," said the white jacketed lady waitress.
Is this as depressing to read as it is to write? When did English afternoon tea become so laboured and awful? It's not performance art. Nor is it fine dining from the 1980s, for God's sake. Surely the high bastion of high tea is impervious to such tomfoolery, I thought. Then I realised. Most of the people sitting around us were either OAPs or Russian oligarch OAPs. This was an idea of English tea but it wasn't the right one. It was someone else's idea of afternoon tea, and that someone else must be a parsimonious, precious sadist. The idea is if you pay £30.00 a head for tea you get £30.00 of pompous service, which is stupid. What you want is £30.00 of food. What a bunch of fools. "SIGNAL" we both said, somewhat abruptly. Our scones came, and they were wonderful. But they are supposed to come before the pastries, not as a digestif.
There was a one year old on the table next to us. Quite chirpy she was. When she ordered her tea, along with her parents, she received a 1,000 monologue on the tea, what kind of cakes there would be and whether she liked milk with her Lapsang Souchang. And she was only one. We didn't get a speech. The staff were slow, sycophantic, yet ineffective. No one knew what they were doing. Honestly, I nearly threw myself under a train to France at this point. It's English tea gone mad. Even Alice in Wonderland's Mad Hatter Tea Party made more sense than this.
We were a bit annoyed so went off round the hotel to look at things. Ernst & Young were having a meeting in a room ostentatiously titled "The Ladies Smoking Room" which put me in mind of a series of 1920s flappers sitting about in funny hats with massive cigarette holders. We found the loos, which were dead classy, but around every corner there were intimidating men in cheap suits, looking at you funnily as if you were trying to steal something. We went to have a look at a staircase which looked like a Gothic nightmare someone had thrown up. We felt we couldn't hang around looking at it for as long as we would have liked due to the heavy who was clearly guarding the hotel from further acts of architectural and design vandalism. We sloped off. It was all very unpleasant.
If you find yourself in Kings Cross do pop into the Booking Office bar for a quick drink, but only if there's a train to swiftly carry you away somewhere else. This hotel is a hollow, ordinary and downright silly place. It is nothing but daft.com. And if you are unfortunate enough to be staying there in a room, remember that they have recently discovered that the station announcements for arrivals and departures are audible through most of the rooms,and you don't want to be disturbed at night by the information that the 14.52 to Edinburgh Waverley is about to leave. Or by the pitiful cries of ladies screaming for their scones.
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Thank you UK Airports! Glad to hear you are enjoying the blog. We update every Thursday so we hope you return to the site.
Thank you for stopping by and commenting Jane.
My visit to the Renaissance at St Pancras to have tea was over a year ago, so I hope it has improved since then.
The Soho Hotel does lovely teas, and for a great tea not attached to a hotel I thoroughly recommend Beas of Bloomsbury.


So I remembered this savory dish from a few weeks ago, and the last portion I'd frozen for times just like this. I've always appreciated the excitement of cooking with ingredients begotten from various friends, places, happenstances and the sky, rather than following any predetermined path. That's how this "recipe" came about. And while the overzealous home cook can easily find him or herself adding infinite ingredients to a long-simmering something — to be absorbed and often forgotten about in the end — I find that, with enough time, you only really need a few, preferably good things.
So when Ulla from Goldilocks Finds Manhattan gave me a mighty hunk of short ribs from her family's farm, and I found myself in the brewery with no braising liquid but the obvious, this dish came together over the course of one morning, mostly while I worked on other stuff.
To tame a tough, bone-in cut like short ribs or shoulder chop into tender and tasty shreds, you'll most likely want to braise it. And to do that you'll want a couple additions: aromatics (vegetables, herbs and spices that add flavor, such as a basic mirepoix of carrots, celery and onions), and liquid, or a mixture of some. Wine is commonly used. Meat or vegetable stock as well, and often in addition to wine if it's used. I like a hearty blend of all sorts of stocks, sometimes slipping in seafood broth in a traditional meat dish. I think apple cider makes a terrific cooking liquid when it's in season. And beer is good, too.
The meat had been super fragrant, and at one point I wondered if I'd been accidentally given lamb. "I'd be real interested to hear what you think of it," Ulla had told me when handing over the goods. "I think you can really taste the grass," she'd said. (Spring Lake Farm's livestock is all grass-fed.) I could tell something was different about this meat by the time I'd browned it, the first step to this stew-making mission.
When it came time to splash in something to submerge everything with, I did a quick flavor check. The vegetables that had been added were carrots, parsnips and onions, and I'd tossed in some raisins from the cupboard, just for fun. Given the sweetness of the raisins and the strong flavor of the beef, I thought it could take a robust liquid, too. So I went with a less likely pick from my selection at Sixpoint: the Gorilla Warfare coffee porter. (As mentioned here, I've been cooking in the brewery's kitchen a bit lately — more on that soon.) And because the dish seemed to be teetering into the heavily spiced, exotic area, I added a stick of cinnamon while it simmered away.
Some snippings from the garden provided another variation on a standard — a plant called "chocolate mint." It truly smells like both chocolate and mint. A few leaves were shredded for a final garnish, and I'm still wondering how else to put them use.
When it was all simmered and done, plated and sprinkled with that strange mint, this dish was unlike anything I'd ever tasted, to be sure, but familiar in a most soothing way. Really, it's just a hearty beef stew, with a fun mix-up of flavors. I feel better already.
Pat short ribs dry with a paper towel and season generously with salt and pepper. Heat a large, heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven with olive oil and gently brown beef on all sides (you may need to work in batches). Remove beef and set aside. Add a little more oil to the pot and cook the onions, carrots, parsnips and garlic over low-heat, stirring frequently. Season with salt and pepper and add the cumin, cayenne and tomato paste after a couple minutes. Add the cinnamon stick, return the beef to the pot, and pour in all braising liquids to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a gentle simmer and cook at least 2 hours, covered.
Meanwhile, cook the couscous according to directions on package. Taste stew for seasoning, remove cinnamon stick, and if desired, cook uncovered to reduce the liquids to preferred consistency. Serve on the couscous with the optional mint garnish.
Seven brownie points: You're not getting an especially lean cut in short ribs, but you are getting flavor. So consider that a good reason to go light on additional fats with it, which this dish does. There's not a whole spectrum of vitamins and minerals — a vegetable side would be good. But it's hearty and filling, and whole wheat couscous is a great alternative to buttery potatoes or noodles.
Seven maple leaves: It's a pleasure to indulge in meat when it's raised with such integrity and respect for their well-being. That usually translates into great taste when cooked, such as in the case of Spring Lake's beef, and grass-fed as a whole. So that's the meat on this dish, and as for the additional ingredients, a wintery Greenmarket provided the carrots, parsnips and onions, and a local craft brewery, the beer.
That. Looks. InCREDIBLE. It's always such a treat to see what new and inventive things you've come up with. The next best thing would be eating them. Looks like I'll have to go down to the off license and find me some coffee stout.
oh wow, this looks like something I need to eat immediately or I will never be fully satisfied. Amazing!
As a coffee person, I heartily approve of this post — and this dish!
Love the beef from Spring Lake Farm (and the lamb, too). I imagine the short ribs would be as divine as the steaks and ground beef. Raisins is an interesting idea for beef stew.
Whoa, Cathy, you had me at hello! Who wouldn't swoon over that blog post title? Crazy awesome.
looks so yummy. actually grass fed beef is super-good for you and has tons of nutrients! i think this dish definitely should get less brownie points – maybe around 4.
That looks so delicious! Would love to start cooking with grass-fed beef. Just moved to New York City and want to buy as much as I can from local farms without breaking my budget.
I really like this recipe and your use of the coffee-beer for braising – I often use beer in my braises, and the coffee element sounds like a fantastic addition. I also appreciate your making a stew in this weather – sometimes you gotta have what you crave!


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Limpia Concepción Church (Discalced Carmelites)
Home / Items / Visits and Activities, Heritage / Limpia Concepción Church (Discalced Carmelites)
This church has received "Site of Cultural Interest" status. It has one single nave, a crossing, chapels between buttresses and a flat presbytery wall, behind which is the sacristy.
The church was inaugurated in 1614; however, the yeseria plasterwork that covers the interior was included in the eighteenth century. It is magnificently decorated with paintings and murals with polychromed and gilded yeseria and an excellent collection of paintings, sculptures and carpentry, which together with the eighteenth-century organ, make this church an emblem of Écija's Baroque.
Ignacio Tomás created the portal that leads to the atrium, which is preserved from the disestablished Carmelites convent.
The main altarpiece was built between 1736 and 1739. It consists of two sections, with five aisles separated by columns and estipites, and an attic, and displays sculptures of Carmelite saints. The main niche opens onto a chamber, which displays an eighteenth-century sculpture of Our Lady of Mount Carmel; the Immaculate Conception appears in the attic and is from the same century. The crossing dome is decorated with exuberant plasterwork mouldings in geometric and plant-derived forms.
C/ La Marquesa, 12,Écija
37.54176278527, -5.0827570651082
http://www.turismoecija.com/guias-horarios.php


You are invited to Wikipedia Day 2018!
Wondering what to do this coming Sunday, 1/14?
Tired of watching the same shows on Netflix and afraid of being bored over the long holiday weekend?
Looking to learn about how to engage in participatory Democracy at its best (while fighting Fake News) through contributing to open and free knowledge for all?
If so, you may be interested in attending all (or part) of Wikipedia Day 2018 NYC, a FREE all day celebration and mini-conference hosted by Wikimedia New York City at the Ace Hotel in Manhattan this coming Sunday.
I will be there and presenting some work on an education panel, and you are welcome to attend!
Let's make 2018 off to a great start!
Author Jeffrey KeeferPosted on January 11, 2018 Categories WikipediaTags Wikipedia, WikipediaDay3 Comments on You are invited to Wikipedia Day 2018!
Author Jeffrey KeeferPosted on January 3, 2017 Categories #5Papers, #SixtyBooks, actor-network theory, Social Responsibility, SpiritualityTags #5Papers, #SixtyBooks, actor-network theory, goals13 Comments on Goal Statement for 2017: Engage with Balance!


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Last Voyage Inching Forward
For a long time now, we've heard about a project based on Dracula but focused upon just one story element. The film? The Last Voyage of the Demeter, all about the doomed schooner whose unwittingly brought the Transylvanian vampire from his homeland to England. For time director David Slade (30 Days of Night) was attached, with news that Noomi Rapace (Prometheus, The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) and Ben Kingsley (Gandhi, Bloodrayne) would star. Both may yet take part, but now Neil Marshall is listed at IMDB as directing. Mr. Marshall's previous credits include The Descent and Dog Soldiers as well as the episode "Blackwater" from HBO's Game of Thrones.
And a new actor has been offered the lead. Viggo Mortensen, best known as Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy but with an impressive string of credits on top of that–including The Road (with Kodi Smitt-McPhee of Let Me In fame), A Dangerous Method (in which he played Sigmund Freud) and David Cronenberg's Eastern Promises. Although at the time of this writing Mr. Mortensen has yet to accept the role, the fact they offered it to him gives some indication of what the filmmakers hope for in terms of finished film.
More than one article describing the project makes a comparison with Ridley Scott's original Alien. One can see why. A small band of ordinary working folk, stuck on a ship far from help, watching a hidden monster on board take them out one by one. The whole premise sounds promising. Yet at the same time, one cannot help but see it as a trap.
Simply, we know how this story ends.
In the book, the ship beaches itself at Whitby harbor in the northeast of England. The only person anyone finds is the captain, lashed to the wheel with a crucifix. Dead. His ship's log indicates crewmen began to vanish soon after setting sail. More, a few reported seeing a stranger. Always at night. With burning red eyes. At last the Romanian Mate checks the cargo–boxes of earth. He soon runs screaming from below decks and leaps into the sea, declaring this a better fate than what awaits!
Film versions of Dracula deal with this incident in various ways. The Bela Lugosi version includes a survivor–poor mad Renfield, following a storm-tossed passage. The silent classic Nosferatu portrayed an iconic moment from many a vampire film since–the Mate finding the Count who rises straight up in a manner both impossible to forget or to think natural. The 1979 film with Frank Langella actually began with the ship crashing near Dr. Seward's asylum, with young Mina Van Helsing going out and finding the sole survivor–a handsome Count Dracula. Dan Curtis directed a made-for-t.v. adaptation from the pen of Richard Matheson. In it, Jack Palance's Dracula simply stood on a beach next to beached schooner–the captain's dead body almost over his shoulder. Bram Stoker's Dracula in 1992 treated the whole thing in a dreamlike manner, amid shots of Gary Oldman's wizened Impaler growing younger as he fed–splashes of blood across the sails intercut with wolf howls and chanting music.
Still, we all know how the story ends. Making that compelling can be a problem, and may be a major reason the project has remained in what might be termed development purgatory–not quite hell, but with all the elements still coming together.
Certainly one major change seems obvious. The novel never hinted at any female character anywhere near the ship. So who is Ms. Rapace intended to portray? Will there be flashbacks, explaining her character and how she fits into the overall story? Or, more daringly, might we see her aboard the Demeter itself? A stowaway? A woman passing herself off as a man (historically this did happen many times)?
Other possibilities–could more surprises await? Might somebody escape, via a lifeboat? If so, what might happen to them? Is Renfield or some other ally of the vampire also aboard? Who might they be? In the book it seems each victim is simply drained, then tossed overboard. Might the Count's presence more closely resemble an infection? Different people growing weaker and weaker, at the same time maybe obedient to the Dracula's will?
Screenwriter Bragi F. Shut has the job of fashioning a finished script. For better or for worse, his only other major film was Season of the Witch (2011) but he did a lot of work on the television show Threshold, which also dealt with mysterious goings-on at sea.
Are you looking forward to this? What do you hope to see when and if the movie finally arrives in cinemas?
'The Last Voyage Of The DemeterBen Kingsleybram stokerdraculaNoomi Rapacevampire movie
david • June 28, 2012
Review of 'Dear Dracula'
2 New Faces to Watch for in Season 4 of The Vampire Diaries
Annipie


Notes: Densely packed, tiny, often purple spines cover live sand dollars and hide the star design. In their sandy seafloor habitat, sand dollars use their fuzzy spines, aided by tiny hairs (cilia), to ferry food particles along their bodies to a central mouth on their bottom side. They capture plankton with spines and pincers (pedicellariae) on their body surfaces. A tiny teepee-shaped cone of spines bunched up on a sand dollar's body marks a spot where captive amphipods or crab larvae are being held for transport to the mouth. Unlike sea stars that use tube feet for locomotion, sand dollars use their spines to move along the sand, or to drive edgewise into the sand. On the upper half of the sand dollar's body, spines also serve as gills.
Q: what is their size?


Tina is a mother of three, battling the demons of her past and her overwhelming life. Her daughter is being bullied at school, her parents' marriage is falling apart and she's juggling everything with her full-time job in a care home. Looking to regain control, Tina enters an amateur boxing competition and, mentored by her no-nonsense trainer Viv, begins to find some daylight. Gritty and graceful, Jessica Hynes' directorial debut is driven by strong female performances and shot through with bittersweet, compassionate humour. An excellent cast includes young newcomers Liv Hill (Jellyfish) and Sennia Nanua (The Girl with All the Gifts) alongside Alice Lowe, Russell Brand, Anita Dobson, Rhona Mitra and Shaun Parkes.


text:
<?php

namespace OpenCFP\Provider;

use OpenCFP\Domain\Services\ProfileImageProcessor;
use Pimple\Container;
use Pimple\ServiceProviderInterface;

class ImageProcessorProvider implements ServiceProviderInterface
{
    /**
     * {@inheritdoc}
     */
    public function register(Container $app)
    {
        $app['profile_image_processor'] = function ($app) {
            return new ProfileImageProcessor($app->uploadPath(), $app['security.random']);
        };
    }
}