where "entity" represents the name of the entity you want to access and "attribute" is the type of information that you want to retrieve.
For example, I want to know the atomic number of gold. In this case, gold is the entity while atomic number is the attribute. In the desired cell, I enter =GoogleLookup("Gold" , "Atomic Number"). Be sure to include quotation marks around both the entity and the attribute.
The atomic number of gold, 79, then shows up in the cell in which the formula was entered.
After experimenting with one GoogleLookup formula, I'd like to apply the formula to a larger list of elements, and also get information on the atomic weight. Instead of typing the formula out like before, I want to click the cell of the first entity in my list, in this case it's gold. Next, I want to reference the cell in which I name the attribute I'm looking up, in this case, atomic number. Then I want to freeze the appropriate rows and columns with the "$" symbol.
Freezing the appropriate row and column allows me to drag the formula across to the "Atomic Weight" column and down the other rows to apply the formula to all of the other entities. When I apply the formula to all of the other cells, the results will show.
Keep in mind that while the GoogleLookup function knows quite a bit, it doesn't know everything. Although not all of the formulas you try will work, we encourage you to experiment. When GoogleLookup isn't sure if an answer isn't the best one for your entry, you'll see a dialog box with a handful of possible answers that you can choose from. Just select the cell and click More Options... to select a different value.
Checkout the video below to see the GoogleLookup function in action and don't forget to give it a try to see what kind of facts you can find.
Have you been frustrated trying to find the populations or capitals of a list of countries? Would you like to easily get a list of the birthdays of all of your favorite musicians and actors? The GoogleLookup function in Google spreadsheets does all of the work, and in a matter of seconds you have all of the information you want. Using the information collected from the Web using Google Search, the GoogleLookup function finds the values for straightforward facts about specific things.
=GoogleLookup("entity" ; "attribute") where "entity" represents the name of the entity you want to access and "attribute" is the type of information that you want to retrieve.


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How did a N.J. political consultant find a hit man? Was his brother the connection?
Updated: Feb. 18, 2022, 7:24 p.m. |
Published: Feb. 18, 2022, 9:00 a.m.
Investigators at the apartment of Michael Galdieri, who was stabbed to death in 2014. Galdieri worked for Sean Caddle, a New Jersey political consultant who pleaded guilty this week in a murder-for-fire scheme and is now cooperating with the FBI.Richard J. McCormack | For The Jersey Journal
Ted Sherman | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Last month, New Jersey political consultant Sean Caddle pleaded guilty to a bizarre murder-for-hire scheme involving two hitmen who were paid to kill a former associate in a mysterious case that has raised more questions than answers.
One of those questions has been how he could have found someone to commit murder on his behalf.
Records obtained from the state Department of Corrections through a public records request, though, reveal a possible connection.
Caddle's older brother, James Caddle Jr., was in the same New Jersey state prison for more than three years with one of the men allegedly hired by Sean Caddle to do the job.
According to the corrections department records, James Caddle served time for kidnapping, burglary and robbery in Northern State Prison in Newark from January 2007 through April 2010.
During that same period, George Bratsenis, who has been named by federal prosecutors but yet to be formally charged, was also in Northern State Prison, overlapping James Caddle's sentence from September 2006 through November 2010 on weapons and robbery charges.
While there are is no documentation the two men knew each other, the U.S. Attorney's office has charged that Sean Caddle hired Bratsenis to murder Michael Galdieri, who had worked on political campaigns with Caddle.
According to prosecutors, after he agreed to take the job, Bratsenis brought in an accomplice with a lengthy criminal record, Bomani Africa, to help him. The two men made their way to Galdieri's apartment on Mallory Avenue in Jersey City in May 2014, where they stabbed him multiple times and set his apartment ablaze, authorities said. Investigators said Sean Caddle met with Bratsenis the following day and paid him off in the parking lot of an Elizabeth diner.
James Caddle died two years later in 2016. According to his obituary, he died at home.
Prosecutors have offered no motive for the murder and have refused any comment on the case. However, court records do show that Bratsenis and Africa knew each other. Federal prosecutors said they met while incarcerated at New Jersey State Prison in Trenton, according to court filings. From 1999 through 2006, Bratsenis and Africa were both assigned to Block 2C, eight cells apart in cells 32 and 40, and later robbed banks together after their release.
Africa, 61, who is being held in a Rhode Island federal detention center on the Connecticut robbery charges, has already pleaded guilty in federal court to conspiracy to commit murder for hire for his role in the slaying of Galdieri.
Bratsenis, 73, is currently being held at Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, according to Bureau of Prisons records. Yet to appear in federal court on the Galdieri murder, he has been awaiting sentencing on the same Connecticut bank robbery charges as Africa since 2019. It's unclear why the men have not yet been sentenced.
Meanwhile, Sean Caddle, 44, has been cooperating with authorities in an ongoing investigation on matters that have yet to be disclosed.
"He's signed on as a cooperating witness," his attorney, Edwin J. Jacobs, told U.S. District Judge John Michael Vazquez in Newark during last month's plea proceeding.
Caddle — who in fact secretly agreed to plead guilty months ago, according to court filings — was never taken into custody on a charge that carries a presumption of life in prison.
He also could serve far less time if he satisfies all the terms of his plea deal. According to court filings, federal prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence of 12 ½ to 25 years, based on his cooperation.
Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter.
Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hot Spot Treatments For Dogs are products that sooth and treat hot spots. Allergies in people appear as itchy eyes or runny noses— Allergies in Dogs appear as skin or ear problems and Hot Spots are one of the most common. Hot Spots can be anywhere on your dogs skin or even between his toes! Constant licking, biting of the areas only make things worse and actually help create small skin lesions called Hot Spots. Make sure your dog has the proper nutrition, shampoos and products that can help with Hot Spots and get information on how your can help your dog with hot spots today.


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Q: Visual Studio 2010 - Opened ASPX files are uneditable I came across an Issue in Visual studio 2010. Sometimes when I open .ASPX files they are uneditable. Files are not read-only. Usually it is possible to edit them but time to time it just disable editing. I have to restart whole VS and then when I open the very same file I am able to edit it.
Does anyone have/had similar experience? Is there some kind of fix for this?

A: this is the bug in Visual Studio. This is not just for you. I too faced the issue. Try upgrading to latest version.
Also this link may be helpful
https://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/feedback/details/615270/file-becomes-completely-uneditable-read-only-in-certain-circumstances

A: This VS patch seems to fix the issue:

*

*http://connect.microsoft.com/VisualStudio/Downloads/DownloadDetails.aspx?DownloadID=40811
link mentioned in following Question:

*

*Editing aspx/ascx files randomly disabled in Visual Studio 2010?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


When most people think of workout "gear," it is relatively simple and straightforward. A person who was overweight chose not to suffer the humiliation of exercising in front of other people and simply chose not to go. What if you could have a workout which burns calories as quickly as a workout on a treadmill, but without the jarring and pounding?
When one is considering fitness equipment to purchase for a home setting, it is important to evaluate what will provide the best fit. First of all, you need to consider that muscles burn fat inside your body. Lose weight, improve stamina, tone, build muscles, tighten abs and glutes, or extreme body building…whatever your fitness needs, there is professional quality home equipment available to deliver the fitness level you want.
They provide you with a good cardio workout. Many brands have entered the market for both personal and gym use, and it is worth looking at some of the high-end brands before making a choice. They are ideal for novices and advanced exercisers alike, since they are easy to use and offer a range of exercise options from walking to hiking to running.
Conversely, weight machines are easier to use and a lot safer, and allow the user to work with greater weights. Try to get equipment that can adjusted in terms of length, weight etc. Done in the comfort of home, the treadmill creates a variety of workouts, from walking to jogging to running.
The exercise bike is known to provide a number of cardiovascular health benefits. If you really think you would like to purchase a piece of exercise equipment, make a few trips to a gym and try out various machines. According to popular opinion, it seems as though the treadmill is a well used piece of gym equipment.


Moving at the Speed of Creativity | Why was Osama Bin Laden Buried at Sea?
Fatherhood & Faith: Rearing Good Kids in a Secular Society Demonizing Oklahoma Public School Teachers While Praising Them?
Bin Laden's body was later buried at sea, an official said. Many Muslims adhere to the belief that bodies should be buried within one day.
Why would U.S. forces (or US contracted security forces, as the case may be) choose to bury the body of Bin Laden at sea when the world will doubtless demand incontrovertible proof of his death?
My best answer to this question is that by burying Bin Laden at sea, the United States sought to avoid the creation of a memorial, shrine, and pilgrimage site for Bin Laden and his cause following his death. The same CNN article indicated that DNA testing was underway to confirm his identity. One of the strategic objectives of the United States in its declared "war on terror" is to avoid actions which would promote the "martyrdom" of key terrorist leaders who oppose the United States and support the use of violence to destroy both the country and its interests.
Think back to the days of Christ and the Roman Empire. Just as Roman leaders of the time, leaders of the United States today have used violence to kill the key leader of a revolutionary movement. (Of course Jesus did not advocate violence in a revolutionary cause, as Bin Laden did, but both were killed in efforts to stem revolutionary movements.) The word martyr, according to WikiPedia, has an etymology (word history) which can be traced back to the death of Christ. I'm certainly not intending to elevate the life and role of Bin Laden in making this comparison. Rather, I'm drawing a historical parallel in an attempt to understand a specific question: Why was Osama Bin Laden buried at sea?
Muslim religious practices generally specify a dead person should be buried as soon as possible. The question of what to do with Bin Laden's body once he was found and killed (if that happened and he was not captured) was doubtless addressed by US military planners long ago. Given the available options, it makes sense U.S. leaders (if given the choice) would favor the option least likely to amplify and showcase Bin Laden and his ideals following his death. If he was buried in a Pakistani, Afghani, or (more likely) Saudi grave, that site would almost certainly become a shrine for him and his cause. Viewed from this perspective, the decision of U.S. policymakers (and we can rest assured this decision was made at the highest levels) to bury Bin Laden at sea makes rational sense.
Several weeks ago, at the TEDxOKC event in Oklahoma City, I heard US interrogator Eric Maddox discuss the highly successful interrogation and negotiation techniques which he employed in Iraq to locate Saddam Hussein. His story is currently being made into a movie, Mission Black List. At the conclusion of his speech, Eric stated (in humble yet clear terms) his unequivocal belief that his interrogation methods, if allowed to be used in Afghanistan, would result in the location and capture of Osama Bin Laden. Today, many people may be surprised that Bin Laden at last was found and killed by U.S. security forces. After hearing Eric describe the successful methods he used to locate Saddam Hussein at TEDxOKC several weeks ago, today's announcement about Bin Laden comes as much LESS of a surprise to me.
Our family heard this news today before my girls left for school. My ten year old asked me, in reference to the killing and death of Osama Bin Laden, "Is that a good thing?" My answer to her was this: It is never a good thing when a human being dies or is killed. Osama Bin Laden was the primary planner and organizer of the 9-11 attacks on the United States. Our nation as been at war against Bin Laden and his terror network for over nine years. Now, he is dead.
That may well be an incomplete answer, and of course at this point we have incomplete information about the specific circumstances surrounding Bin Laden's capture and killing. Based on the limited information from the press available right now, it is not clear if he was executed after capture or killed during a firefight. I am confident the facts surrounding this situation will emerge.
"Tonight, I can report to the people of the United States and the world, the United States had carried an operation that has killed Osama bin Laden, a terrorist responsible for killing thousands of innocent people… Today, at my direction, the United States carried out that operation… they killed Osama bin Laden and took custody of his body… We must also reaffirm that United states is not and will never be at war against Islam. Bin Laden was not a Muslim leader, in fact, he slaughtered many Muslims," Obama said.
The entire video of President Obama's speech is available on YouTube and linked from the White House's website.
In February 2010 I wrote the post, "Message for Oklahoma Christians: Muslims are NOT our enemies." My thoughts on these issues continue to develop and be informed, most recently by this weekend's presentation "Muslim Neighbors: Building Bridges or Building Fences? Or Both?" by Mateen Elass at the 2011 MoRanch Men's Conference near Hunt, Texas. The worldviews of Christians and Muslims have historically been at odds for fundamental differences, and will continue to remain so in the future. These differences in beliefs, prescriptions, and condoned behaviors have historically been misunderstood and misapplied by thousands. The Crusades are the best known examples. I am glad at the time of this announcement, our President was quick to remind a listening world that the United States is not and will not be at war against the Muslim world.
On November 14, 2001, following the 9-11 attacks on the United States, I wrote and published the article, "Time to Weed the Garden." The 9-11 attacks were a terrible tragedy, and a memory which has been burned into the minds of a generation of United States citizens as well as others around the world. Today's announcement of Osama Bin Laden's capture, killing and death is not the final chapter in this continuing story, but it will doubtless be recorded by historians as a pivotal event. My hope and fervent prayer is that the people of the world would choose to focus on peace and reconciliation in the wake of this news, rather than revenge and more violence.
As leaders like Nelson Mandela, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr. and Jesus Christ have taught us, the path to peace is paved with forgiveness and love rather than hatred and revenge. It is the more difficult road to follow, but the only one which can ultimately bring us both the safety as well as peace we need as human beings to thrive on this planet.
3 Responses to Why was Osama Bin Laden Buried at Sea?
I also believe that mass murderers should not be given dignified religious burials. The non-sacred burial at sea is appropriate, just as the cremation of Eichman by Israel was appropriate.
Do people honestly believe this lie. Why the heck would they kill him and bury him at sea!!!
There are a lot more questions than answers, not to mention I feel we are being lied to… yet again by our beloved leaders.


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The Hercules Detective Agency The Case of the Scaredly Fish
Hercules could hear men whispering outside his hut. They were trying to be quiet, but they were actually quite loud, perhaps because there were so many of them. It sounded like a whole village of men. They don't sound angry, he thought to himself. They sound scared. Hercules opened his door at the same time one of the fisherman raised his fist to tap on the door. The fisherman quickly lowered his fist. He did not want Hercules to get the wrong idea.
There were too many fishermen to invite them all in, so Hercules stepped outside. "Can I help you?"
"We hope so!" they chimed. "It's dangerous, though," added one.
That perked Hercules right up. It had been rather quiet recently. Lots of cases, but nothing you might call exciting.
He crossed his big arms, stood very tall, and smiled at the fishermen in an encouragingly kind of way, "Tell me about it."
Eager to be heard, the fishermen all spoke at once.
Hercules held up one big hand. "One at a time, please."
"I'll do it," one fisherman announced. He looked up a Hercules and gulped. "Hercules, there is a monster in the water off of our village and it's eating and scaring off the fish. We are fishermen who have no fish. If this keeps up, soon we will be starving."
All the fishermen nodded dismally.
"We have built a new temple to Poseidon and made all the proper offerings and still the fish stay away."
All the fishermen nodded again.
"This sounds urgent," Hercules exclaimed, trying not to sound too excited. A dangerous case! What fun. "Why don't I come back with you to your village, and get to work on this right away," Hercules offered.
The fishermen thought that was a great idea. Hercules and the fishermen all tightly fit into one cramped wagon, and traveled back to the fishermen's coastal village.
Hercules told the men to stay inside with their families, while he went down to the shore to see what he could find out. The men happily agreed. "Be careful, Hercules," one shouted.
"Always," Hercules shouted back. "You know me."
When he got to the shore, Hercules shouted at the sea. "Any monsters out there. If you don't run away, I am going to swim out there and put a hurting on you!"
Scylla, the 6-headed sea monster that lived some distance away from the village, in the Straits of Messina, popped her heads out of the water. "Hercules, please don't hurt me. Poseidon sent me here to scare away all the fish near ..."
"Why would Poseidon do such a rotten, lousy thing?" interrupted Hercules. "He's supposed to protect the townspeople, not starve them."
"I don't know why," Scylla sighed. "But when Poseidon says jump, we jump. Your uncle can be quite moody. He can churn up the ocean and toss us about till we're sick to our stomachs. My heads ache just thinking about it. Please don't hurt me. I'm just doing what he told me to do."
"I'll talk to him," promised Hercules. He had always liked the 6-headed sea serpent. Scylla had the reputation of being cruel and uncaring, which was a totally untrue rumor put about by a jealous water spirit. It was true that if men sailed too close to her home in the rocks in the Straits of Messina, they would lose six men to her ravenous, darting heads, but she was only protecting her little ones.
"I won't tell him you told me anything," Hercules reassured the monster.
"Thank you, Hercules," Scylla hissed as she sunk back under the waves, scaring the fish who had gathered about her. They swam quickly out of her reach, churning the water in their haste.
Herc went in search of his uncle Poseidon. When he found him, Hercules asked him why he was punishing the village.
"Those villagers ate my favorite tuna," grouched Poseidon. "I set Scylla on them until they set things right. I want those bones! They're mine. I want them back."
"Did you tell the villagers that?" asked Hercules, although he was fairly certain he knew the answer.
Poseidon hedged. "Not exactly."
"Uncle Poseidon! I'll let them know what they need to do, and when they do it, you need to send Scylla home. She has little ones, you know."
Once his uncle agreed, Hercules headed back to village. He informed the fisherman that they needed to return all the tuna fish bones to Poseidon. Then they would be forgiven."
It seemed like a simple thing to do. Hercules stared down at the fishermen in confusion when they collectively shook their heads no. "I don't think we can do that," they chorused unhappily.
"We have the bones," said one. "But we'll never find them all."
The fishermen led Hercules around to the back of the village to a small mountain. When they got closer, Hercules realized that the mountain was made up entirely of fish bones.
"We keep them for fertilizer," a fisherman explained.
"Oh my," sighed Hercules. "I see your problem." Suddenly he had an idea. He hurried off, calling back to the villagers. "I may have a solution. Don't worry."
Hercules went down to the Underworld to talk to his Uncle Hades.
"I need to borrow Cerberus for an hour or two," said Hercules.
Hades was in a jovial mood as he had just finished a wonderful chariot ride through the Underworld.
"Fine," agreed Hades. "Just give him a snack when you are done."
Hercules returned to the village with Cerberus in tow. The villagers raced for their homes in alarm. Each and every one of them hoped Hercules knew what he was doing, but it looked to them that instead of getting rid of a monster, he had added a new one.
"What I need you to do," Hercules told his friend Cerberus, unaware of the villagers worry, "is to sniff out all the tuna bones. Fresh ones. Fresh in last in the last few days. It's a big challenge, I know." Hercules shook his head at the huge mountain of bones.
All three heads laughed at the thought. "Don't be ridiculous, Hercules."
In no time at all, Cerberus had dug out a small pile of bones.
Hercules carried the bones to the villagers. Cerberus lent him a hand, so to speak, carefully gripping mouthfuls of tuna bones with his teeth. They piled their stack of bones near the shore.
"Here's what you need to do, "Hercules told the villagers, who had nervously gathered to hear him. "Each of your fishing boats must take a couple of these bones. Take these out into the deep ocean and pour them over the side of your ships, while calling out to Poseidon and telling him how sorry you are."
The villagers did this and watched in awe as Scylla swam away and all their food fish swam back in. There were large schools of fish. The fishermen caught a whole lot of them.
They paid Hercules by giving him a wagon load of fish.
Hercules took out a couple of the nicer fish to fry up for his supper, and some for his good friend Tor, then told Cerberus, "Here's your snack, like I promised."
At the sight of three heads, chomping fish as fast as they could, with loud slurps and crackles, the fishermen scurried into their huts. They would come out later, after Hercules and Cerberus had left for home, to clean and store their enormous catch of fish. But not right away. Not until the coast was clear.
"It must be supper time," Hercules thought to himself as the fishermen hurried away. "Thank you, Hercules," they called over their shoulders, as they slammed their doors tightly shut.
It did not take Cerberus any time at all to eat his snack. Cerberus burped contentedly all the way back to his home in the Underworld.
After Hercules had thanked Cerberus and his Uncle Hades for allowing him to borrow Cerberus, Hercules took his fish home. He gave some fish to Tor, and went home to make dinner for himself and think about what he would name this case. He considered "Three Heads are Better Than One," but he scrunched up his nose at that one, and took a big bite of fish. He thought about "A Fish Tail Tale", but decided that was too boring. He settled at last on "The Case of the Scaredly Fish." There was no such word as Scaredly, but Hercules liked the sound of it. He filed the case on top of a teetering stack of Case Files from the Hercules Detective Agency, and, with his stomach full, went outside to enjoy the night sky.


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Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman - Archive
NOTICE: This is the archived website of former Lt. Governor Nancy Wyman. These pages are being preserved by the State of Connecticut for historical purposes.
Current: GOV. MALLOY APPOINTS DORA B. SCHRIRO AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
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Contact: Steve Jensen
Steve.Jensen@ct.gov January 6, 2014
GOV. MALLOY APPOINTS DORA B. SCHRIRO AS COMMISSIONER OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EMERGENCY SERVICES AND PUBLIC PROTECTION
Dr. Schriro Will Be the First Woman to Head the State's Public Safety Operations
(HARTFORD, CT) - Governor Dannel P. Malloy today announced that he has appointed Dora B. Schriro to serve as Commissioner of the Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP).
Dr. Schriro is a nationally recognized leader in corrections and detention, and is widely praised for development of definitive policy analysis in the nation's homeland security efforts and as an innovator in risk assessment and crime prevention. She has served in Washington, D.C., where she worked closely on the country's homeland security efforts and is the only person in the nation to have led two state and two city correctional systems. She currently serves as Commissioner of the New York City Department of Correction, a position that she held since 2009, having been appointed by former Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg.
"Dora Schriro is immensely qualified and has proven herself to be an exceptional leader in several states across the country, specifically when it comes to focusing on methods that reduce recidivism and lower crime," Governor Malloy said. "Her efforts working directly with the victims of crime and developing innovative, state-of-the-art processes to reduce violence and keep offenders from returning to jail will be of great value to our state as we continue implementing these types of techniques."
The Governor continued, "In Connecticut, crime is at a 44-year low. Like most states, we have adopted proven best-practices and they are working. Community policing, modern technology and risk-reduction interventions for offenders are all paying off. We must build on these efforts, and work directly with members of our communities - particularly in our urban areas, where gun violence remains unacceptably high - to bring a stop to this type of violence. Dr. Schriro has made great efforts throughout her career focusing on these efforts, and I look forward to working with her and our state and local law enforcement communities to expand these practices."
DESPP is responsible for management over all of the state's public safety matters and is comprised of the Division of State Police; the Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security; the Division of Statewide Emergency Telecommunications; the Division of Scientific Services; the Division of Police Officer Standards and Training Council; and the Commission on Fire Prevention and Control.
Dr. Schriro will succeed DESPP Commissioner Ruben Bradford, who last month announced his intention to retire on February 1, 2014. With her appointment, she will become the first woman to head Connecticut's public safety operations.
"It is a great honor and an exceptional opportunity to be selected by Governor Malloy to serve as Commissioner," Dr. Schriro said. "I have dedicated my career to public service and public safety and I look forward to working with the outstanding men and women who make up the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection. We have all that it takes to preserve and improve the quality of life in communities throughout Connecticut - commitment to excellence, the resolve to persevere, and the capacity to excel."
Mayor Bloomberg said, "Dora Schriro has been an integral part of our efforts to make New York City the safest big city in America. Her dynamic strategies to reduce violence and her experience working people who have been in contact with the criminal justice system will be an asset for improving public safety as a whole in Connecticut. I want to congratulate Governor Malloy on a really terrific appointment."
Prior to her service as Commissioner of New York City's jail system, she served as Special Advisor to Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano on Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Detention and Removal, and was the founding Director of the Office of Detention Policy and Planning for the department. In that role, she directed work on the department's plan to overhaul the nation's immigration detention system.
She also served six years as the Director of the Arizona Department of Corrections, and eight years as Director of the Missouri Department of Corrections. In each state, she was the first woman selected to lead the agency.
From 1984 to 1989, she served in the administration of New York City Mayor Edward I. Koch, first as Assistant to the Deputy Director in the Mayor's Office of Criminal Justice, and then as Assistant Commissioner in the Department of Correction.
Dr. Schriro earned a JD from St. Louis University, an EdD from Columbia University, a MS from the University of Massachusetts-Boston, and a BA cum laude from Northeastern University. She has taught graduate level courses in law and criminal justice and published in the areas of correction and immigration innovation and systems reform throughout her career.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/@LGWyman
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LtGovWyman


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Go-Karts, Laser Tag and More at Frankie's Fun Park
Kerry Egan
More from "Kerry Egan"
Go-karts. Laser tag. Giant video games. Bumper Boats. Nacho cheese.
It sounds like an 8-year-old boy's dream world. (At least, my 8-year-old boy!) It's also a description of Frankie's Fun Park, a kid-friendly destination if ever there was one. It's also an absolute blast for the adults who take those kids there.
We headed straight to the go-karts when we visited the location in Columbia (Frankie's Fun Parks are also found in Charleston and Greenville). There are three tracks, one for smaller kids ages 4-10, a slick track for adults and older teens only, and a standard track for all ages (you can drive by yourself if you're over 54 inches tall; smaller kids can ride as a passenger).
It's a great course, full of twists and curves. Even after you've had your driver's license for more than 20 years, there's still something thrilling about driving a go-kart as fast as it can go around a hair-pin turn. There's also something thrilling, but in a completely different way, about watching the shock and joy in your child's face as he presses the accelerator for the first time and realizes that he's driving. It was the first time my son has ever been tall enough to drive by himself. He caused only three wrecks his first time out. My husband promised future go-kart driving lessons.
Also outside are bumper boats (be prepared to get soaked), a potato-sack slide (great for younger children to do with a parent), batting cages, and lovely miniature golf with several different courses. There's also Drop Zone, a ride that hoists you into the air to drop you over and over again -- like the first hill on a roller coaster 10 times in a row. Just as your stomach settles back to where it belongs in your abdomen, you're dropped again.
When we headed inside, my husband and son went straight to the laser tag, while my daughter ran to the giant play structure called the Fun House, with tunnels to crawl through, ladders to climb up, and slides to zip down. She stayed in there for more than an hour, while the rest of us went to the miniature bowling lanes, a cross between 10-pin and candlepin bowling shrunk to half the regular size.
By the time they made it to the arcade, full of huge video games, some you can walk into or sit in, I could only sit dazed by all the blinking lights and music and eat cheese fries.
There's enough variety in activities that my two very different children (as well as their two very different parents) both had a lot of fun. We easily spent a whole afternoon there, and had to pull the kids away. They would have stayed for another four hours, but my husband and I were dealing with sensory overload by that point. The children began talking about our next visit before we even got into the car.
Frankie's Fun Park has three locations in South Carolina: 140 Parkridge Drive, Columbia, (803) 781-2342; 45 Park Woodruff Drive, Greenville , (864) 627-9888; and 5000 Ashley Phosphate Road, North Charleston, (843) 767-1376.
You pay per activity. Purchase a prepaid card, and the amount of each ride, game or food will be subtracted as you swipe. All the activities can get expensive, so think about what you'd like to do beforehand. Go-karts: $7/ride. Laser tag: $7/session. Bumper Boats: $6/ride. Fun House: $8/all day pass. Drop Zone: $4/ride. Fun Slide: $5/3 slides. Video games: varies.
Insider's Tip: Don't wear a skirt unless you don't mind flashing the spectators at the go-karts and Fun-Slide!
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City of Charleston
Known as the "Holy City", for its long tolerance for religions of all types, Charleston is the state's most beautiful and historic treasure....
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Columbia combines all the graces of the rich past with the vibrance of the emerging Sun Belt. It's the state capital and home to a major...
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Video Games Are Not A Pandemic Scourge, They're Keeping Both Children And Adults Sane
Genshin Impact's New Hypostatic Event Is Easily Its Hardest Ever
Marvel's Avengers Falls Silent With Update Plans Again, Hawkeye's Fate Unknown
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Zorin OS 15 Nears 1 Million Downloads As Newest Update Brings Better MacBook And Intel Support
Jason EvangelhoSenior Contributor
I cover the fascinating worlds of Linux & consumer PC hardware.
Zorin OS 15 is a Linux operating system worth paying attention to. But don't take my word for it; ask one of the 900,000 predominantly Mac and Windows users who've apparently downloaded the Ubuntu-based distribution in the last 9 months.
Zorin OS 15
The Zorin Group
With over 900,000 downloads since its release nine months ago, Zorin OS 15 has been our biggest and most advanced release ever. 2 in every 3 of these downloads were coming from Windows and macOS, reflecting our mission to bring the power of Linux to people who've never had access to it before. None of this could be possible without the help of you – the community – who have spread the word and helped the project to grow. We would like to thank all of you for making this release as enormous as it has been!
Zorin OS Co-founder Artyom Zorin
That's impressive for an independent Linux distribution in a sea of worthy competitors. While there's certainly some wiggle room for interpretation when it comes to the line "those who've never had access to it before," it's refreshing to see Zorin OS gaining visibility. The Zorin Group isn't just working on an Ubuntu-based operating system. They're continuously refining it to appeal to users who crave an alternative to macOS or Windows. There's also a spin of Zorin OS designed expressly for use in grammar schools.
Beyond that, the team is working on Zorin Grid, a cloud-powered tool with the intention of making it simple to set up, manage, monitor and secure a fleet of Zorin OS computers. It looks idea for schools and businesses alike, and its creation will benefit the larger Linux ecosystem: the team is developing a way to make it compatible with other Linux distributions like Ubuntu and Fedora.
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MORE FROM FORBESIt's Time To Pay Attention To Zorin OS 15, The Best Desktop Linux Distro You've Never Heard OfBy Jason Evangelho
The downloads milestone comes included with the news that Zorin OS 15.2 has been released this week, bringing a healthy selection of upgrades and improvements.
Zorin OS 15.2 updates the included Linux kernel to 5.3, which brings in expanded hardware support for Intel 10th-generation CPUs, AMD Navi RX 5700 Series and, perhaps most notably for many readers, support for newer MacBook and MacBook Pro keyboards and touchpads.
(Yep, you can run Linux on your Mac.)
The update also refreshes the assortment of pre-installed software like LibreOffice to a newer versions.
If you're using Zorin OS 15.1, there's no need to download the latest ISO and reinstall your system. Just hit the Software store and apply the updates.
And if you're curious what this Zorin OS stuff is all about, you can easily flash it to a USB stick and test it "live" without needing to make any changes to your computer. It definitely makes a terrific first impression.
DOWNLOAD ZORIN OS 15.2 HERE
Jason Evangelho
I've covered the PC gaming and tech industry for more than a decade and am proud to be one of the first 30 podcasters in the world. In addition to covering the exciting
I've covered the PC gaming and tech industry for more than a decade and am proud to be one of the first 30 podcasters in the world. In addition to covering the exciting world of desktop Linux and gaming, you can listen to my show "Linux For Everyone" on your favorite podcast player or watch the channel on YouTube.


text:
Thursday -- September 23, 2010 Mag 33 White Ginger
You speak of Acquade Parma,
But my dreams go back many years.
I opened the tiny package
You gave me.
Along with all the other gifts
You brought from the islands.
Pan-Am had only one flight a day,
You were greeted
By a man, ambassador round the world,
Dressed in feathered head-dress,
He played the role of King Kamehameha
And placed a lie around your neck.
In my dreams there remains...
The sweet smell of white ginger...and you.
Theme Thursday -- Stretch
I am often stretched in every direction.
As an artist,
Like my role of woman,
My work is never done,
A project completed
Only leads to another.
I go to yoga to stretch
Beyond where I have been before.
I write words,
Look for meaning,
I have the opportunity to be
A Super Hero, Rubber Woman
Stretch to my limit.
http://themethursday.blogspot.com
at September 23, 2010 24 comments:
Labels: http://magpietales.blogspot.com/
Tuesday September 21, 2010 Afternoon in Taos
Monday as I worked in the studio, I was aware there was a lot going on outside. Like a child -- without a sound -- seriously building sand castles to fill the sky. I had not really taken time to see, but at the end of the day when I left the studio, I was amazed! When clouds build up, they become a pallet, that catches every color of the sunset.
Friday September 17, 2010 Theme Thursday - Reveal
Oh dear, reveal....
To conceal?
Or to reveal it all...
That is the question?
Pandora opens her box
And spreads before you
Her treasures,
All soft and warm,
Beautiful colors,
Glitter, sparkle and shine
Laughter is heard......
The precious things
Are returned to her box,
Never to see the light of day,
Don't even ask.
They are hidden in a place
You will never look
Buried beneath your own heart.
Labels: http://themethursday.blogspot.com
Thursday September 16, 2010 Magpie Tales 32 -- Time Runs Out
1) Write a poem or short vignette using the picture featured in this post as your inspiration. Feel free to take the photo to use for your post.
2) Link back to Magpie Tales from your post.
3) Sign up in the Mr. Linky list, linking directly to your post, AFTER you've posted.
3) Post your piece on your blog no later than 8:00 a.m. EST Tuesday.
Easy peasy free fun.
A Time of Your Own
I opened the window to see,
An hourglass if you please,
A reminder of another time
And how they kept track....
When to get up?
(And I'm wondering about this?)
Appointments to be kept,
Let's meet for lunch?
What time would school get out?
Probably the way people said
Things would be different,
You probably couldn't say, ten fifteen?
It all happened when the sands ran out,
And then of course someone had to turn it.
There is a saying, we still use today,
"The sands of time."
And then the sands ran out for the last time.
And people had a new way to keep track,
It had to do with the circle,
Circle of time,
One would have to wind it up.
But no more turning over.
You could have one in the hall,
Or wear it on your wrist.
Never late for an appointment.
Then from winding to batteries,
The end of the circle,
Only numbers,
But with all of our inventions,
And drive to keep better tract.
Sometimes we're late,
The battery runs out,
And has to be replaced.
Time stops,
TIME STOPS!
And when our life is over,
Time stops for good,
No more keeping track,
Well leave that task to another
It's a job that's never finished
It lasts a lifetime,
And that's a time that cannot
Be measured
It's something individual
A time of your own.
Wednesday, Septemer 18, 2010 One Shot Poetry, Autumn
http://oneshotpoetry.blogspot.com/
Oh.............
My favorite time of year,
Pack my things,
--in memory of course --
Projects began or draw to a close.
Time for unexpected things.
The first frost
-- comes in anticipation --
Drives in the country,
Camp-outs,
Hikes,
Dig out warmer clothes,
Achu, achu, allergies abound,
Even though my nose needs a Kleneex,
My eyes have so much to see!
Labels: Early morning / Los Pinos, New Mexico
Monday 13, 2010 The Friends of Contemporary Art --Annual Studio Tours Taos
On Sunday I joined the Friends of Contemporary Art Studio Tour, here in Taos. It just happened it was the same weekend that the Taos Art Association was having their studio tours.
We joined the bus at the first studio, which was Larry Bell's studio.
Here's Larry on the portal, ready to greet the tour to his studio. He was patient with us, and answered every question. He opened the studio, and gave us a tour of the office, the studio, and the "work" studio. He had a printed sheet of information about himself to give to us. And from that sheet: Taos artist Larry Bell's sculptures, cubes of tinted glass that are intended to work with available light, may stand today as his signature pieces. But Bell started out as a painter. With a career that spans nearly fifty years, his work has evolved and changed in numerous directions.
This is inside of his studio, and if you look carefully you will see the glass cubes that have become his signature pieces. Over the years Bell has experimented with different ways of working with glass to make his cubes, including plate glass that rests in a metal frame to glass plates with beveled edges.
This was a new work, as well as the works pinned upon the walls, were new. The one on the table was waiting manipulation from Larry. He said these new works have more curves in them than the work before, which had more right angles.
Larry speaks to the group in his "work" studio. Since his work is very technical there were many questions.
This is the vacuum chamber Larry tried to explain to the group.
In the 1990's Bell worked with architect Frank Gehry on a commission involving stick-like figures that are at once whimsical and sculptural, with a linear quality that makes their reductive forms appealing. Bell created the prototypes on a computer program and developed an idea of basing the figures he created on Babylonian mythology. The commission resulted in the fabrication of two bronzes for a Gehry Home designed for an insurance executive.
Larry has lived and worked in Taos since the early 1970's. In 1990 he received the Governor's Award for Excellence in the Arts in the area of visual arts. His work is in numerous private collections and museum collections including the New Mexico Museum of Ar where it was recently featured in the exhibit Flux: Reflections on Contemporary Glass, curated by Laura Addison.
Thomas French graciously welcomes the group to his home, where we had lunch.
Then it was off to the studio of Zoe Zimmerman. Zoe is a photographer, whose work is a convergence of contemporary imagery and nearly obsolete printing techniques. Harkening back to an earlier time, Zimmerman employs an albumen printing process, out of fashion since the turn of the last century, creating images that reflect the tonal quality of photographs made in bygone days. However, her subjects range from surreal, modernist imagery to traditional nudes to still-lifes.
Zoe explained much of her work is about choices. And she pins the prints on the wall to determine which photos go with which, which is best?
Her photographs are beautiful and richly detailed compositions. "The images themselves," says the artist, "distill peripheral psychological states, played out side-by-side with the quotidian. Their aim is to be alluring and daunting at once. I find beauty the keenest when it is also forbidding."
Then it was to the studio of Carole Sue and Johnnie Winona Ross. Which he built and they share. Ross and Carole Sue Ross have lived in Arroyo Seco since 1999. In addition to painting, Ross created a series of prints working with master printers at Tamarind Institute of Lithography in Albuquerque. His work is the subject of a one man show at the New Mexico museum of Art called Traces. The exhibit will be in view through January 9, 2011.
Johnnie had few examples of his work, because of his show in Santa Fe, and a show in New York, at the Stephen Haller Gallery, September 10 -- October 16, 2010. But he was gracious to explain his process, and to share his working space.
What first strikes you about the work of Johnnie Winona Ross is the almost elegant surface quality of his paintings. Lustrous and smooth, they are the result of numerous applications of paint that are added and subtracted, in a time consuming process of layering that includes scraping away, repainting, and burnishing the surface. From 50 to 150 layers are used in each painting. The nuanced colors and details within each painting reveal themselves only slowly, rewarding, as curator Laura Addison has stated, close up inspection. From a distance an overall color tone appears dominant and the rich variety of Ross's color schemes are apparent when seeing a series of his paintings side by side. That, as well as the horizontal bands of color that echo from one painting to the next, have drawn numerous comparisons with the work of Agnes Martin (1912-2004) whose own work similarly focused on line and grid patterns.
Ross's work is best understood, up to a point, as landscape inspired imagery: rhythmic compositions that utilize the line as a starting off point to explore our sense of the natural world rather than to mimic or capture that world's attributes. Looking at natural features of the landscape does not inform these paintings in a direct way. The idea of erosion or of superimposition of layered rock over older layers distorts or hides a history where it occurs. Ross strives to distill the essence of the experience we have when engaging with the landscape: seeing first the over all sense of color or large-scale feature then settling into the minutiae. Balancing the somewhat strict and repetitive order suggested by the horizontal bands with a more drip-like quality in vertical lines that run in a more haphazard fashion down the length of each painting he creates complexity within them.
Carole Sue shares the studio with Johnnie. She is a potter and her work is equally inspired by forms found in nature.
Carole's work reminds one of the tangible, close to the earth appeal of working with clay.
Her ceramic vessels have no traditional footing. They find their own center of gravity and rest at various angles in relation to each other.
Shell-like and fagile looking, Carole works the soft clay until they are as thin as she can get them.
The pit-fired ceramics are coated with terra sigillata, a substance that lends an iridescent finish to the work.
Carole's work can been seen at Santa Fe Modern Home, 1512 Pacheco Street, Building A 105, Santa Fe, New Mexico 87505.
Labels: Images from The Friends of Contemporary Art Annual Studio Tours: Taos
Sunday 12, 2010 Autumn Song
So much I need to do,
To find my way to you --
Today I dream of your,
White winter's blanket.
I watch and I listen,
For your Autumn song.
The greens have only begun,
To slip into the brilliant colors.
Yellows, oranges and reds.
The signal that,
This year will be over
Before you know.
Without your help,
It will be complete.
A benediction.
You have had the opportunity,
To walk through one more season.
(This image I took from inside the studio, thus the reflection, looking West.)
http://writersisland.wordpress.com/
Prompt #20 for 2010: Last Redwood
They are all gone,
Each in it's own way.
I stand alone,
But not for long.
Without the heart,
To love and care,
Life cannot continue.
The heart has been eaten
By a terrible worm.
It's over,
But life will begin again,
Rise up from the ooze,
There will be another chance,
To get it right.
Labels: Looking East toward the Village of Taos, NM
Friday September 30, 2010 Theme Thursday: The Best Things I ever Tasted
As a child my favorite thing to eat was fried chicken, and my Grandmother's was best. Her cream gravy, which was always served along side the fried chicken. Sometimes so thick you could cut it with a knife or stand a spoon upright in it and it would hold. But her gravy, thick as it was, was a melt in your mouth experience.
My Grandmother was small and kind. Even as a small child I knew she was small, not much bigger than me.
I loved my Mother's homemade blackberry jam spread on homemade biscuits, hot and tender. And I loved corn on the cob, fresh from the garden, and warm sweet tomatoes, with just a little bit of salt. In the summer, tree ripened peaches, so juicy, when you bit into them, juice would run down your chin. And homemade peach ice cream, cold and sweet. Other favorites were, tapioca pudding, and strawberry shortcake, piled high with mounds of whipped cream.
Freshly caught from the bay, sweet juicy crab. Fried okra, hot and crunchy, piled high on the place. There can be no end to this love of food and what tastes best.
Corn bread, roast beef, sweet potatoes, all kinds of sandwiches and potato chips -- potatoes; baked, fried, mashed with gravy -- soups and salads, popcorn and peanuts.
Depending upon the level of hunger, maybe I've never eaten anything I didn't like.
Labels: Image of Fried Chicken
Friday 10, 2010 The Gown for the Willow Ball September 30th
Like Helen I've found more gowns that I like, and I need you to help me choose!
First Choice: This one is designed by Dagnez & Ewa Dunikowska
Second Choice: Designed by Carolina Herrera
Third Choice:
Fourth Choice:
These are things I already have or have selected:
I'm very excited and can't wait to see you at the Ball! It should be a night to remember.
I have asked and I have been accepted. My date for the ball is Father Antonio José Martínez (January 17, 1793[1] – July 27, 1867[2]) was a New Mexican priest, educator, publisher, rancher, farmer, community leader, and politician. He lived through and influenced three distinct periods of New Mexico's history: the Spanish period, the Mexican period, and the American occupation and subsequent territorial period. Martínez appears as a character in Willa Cather's Death Comes for the Archbishop, which cast him according to the black legend view of the Spanish clergy.
Martínez was born, Antonio José Martín, in Abiquiu in 1793, when New Mexico was a very isolated and desolate territory of the Spanish Empire. In 1804, the Martín family, including his father Severino and five siblings, moved to Taos, a prosperous outpost, where they came to be known as Martínez.[3] During his upbringing, Martínez's father taught him the importance of ranching and farming at the Hacienda Martínez in Northern New Mexico. In 1811, Martínez married María de la Luz, who died giving birth to their daughter less than a year later, when he was 19.[4] Their child was named in honor of María de la Luz. Six years later Martínez moved south after much thought and correspondence with the Bishop of Durango. He decided to travel there in 1817, and become a priest, enrolling in the Tridentine Seminary of the Diocese of Durango.[4] Martínez not only excelled at the seminary but also in understanding the ideals of liberal Mexican politicians and teachers of his day, including Miguel Hidalgo. After six years, Martínez was ordained, and he returned to New Mexico, where after a few years in other parishes, he became the parish priest of Taos, and from then on was known as Padre Martínez.[4]
So now you know a lot about Padra Martinez, but there is so much more. I could go on and on. Now some of you might look upon his picture, and think, "He's probably a sourpuss." I think this picture was taken on the day he lost his kitten. I wish you could have seen his smile when the kitten was returned. He is a really fun kind of guy, he can really dance! Knows all the latest steps!
Labels: Gowns for the Magpie Ball
Thursday -- September 23, 2010 Mag 33 White Ging...
Friday September 17, 2010 Theme Thursday - Reveal...
Thursday September 16, 2010 Magpie Tales 32 -- Ti...
Wednesday, Septemer 18, 2010 One Shot Poetry, Aut...
Monday 13, 2010 The Friends of Contemporary Art -...
Friday September 30, 2010 Theme Thursday: The Bes...
Friday 10, 2010 The Gown for the Willow Ball Sept...
Thursday September 9, 2010 Magpie Tale 31
Wednesday September 8, 2010 One Shot Poetry
Monday September 6, 2010 Labor Day
Saturday September 4, 2010 Some of my Companions
Thursday September 2, 2010 Magpie 30


The detailed artwork on this horn depicts the greatest Irish myth hero, CuChulainn, on horseback hunting a buck in the woods. The tree branches and roots morph into an ornate knotwork pattern. At the mouth of the horn you see his faithful dog holding a sword in his jaws.
Comes complete with carrying strap and display stand.
Stands 13 3/4" tall and holds 1/2 liter.


In the lifestyle magazine sector it's been said that if you don't reinvent yourself every four years you disappear down the WC. In South Africa, this market niche continues to develop with home interest / lifestyle LMS 10 magazines.
So what makes Habitat a first choice for both the end user reader and advertisers? Primarily because Habitat remains an innovative, one-of-a-kind publication featuring upmarket local & international interior design in addition to outstanding international & local architecture.
Upwardly mobile young South African adults, in particular, enjoy global modernism in architecture, interior design & décor, our function being to showcase these disciplines.
We believe that change is positive & that waving a flag for modernism & current trends is where we should be positioned. Our professionally rendered international signature will remain & develop further as content is updated bi-annually.
Habitat – we don't follow trends, we set them.


Calculating the implied value of CO2 abatement in green energy policies.
Renewable portfolio standards and other green energy rules put a price on environmental benefits. Calculating this price can help clarify the social value of GHG reductions.


If that door is standing between you and your keys, then it is time to call for help!
See the panorama, what can you do?
It always seem the biggest problem of our life, it always happens when we are running out of time, it always happens in the rush hour and when we just don't what to be seen by anyone. Yes, that moment when you hear the sound of a door locking and you realize that your keys are on the other side, yes, that usually happens! The thing is that it is not such a big problem, you just have to calm down and understand what is the best procedure to follow and the most suitable plan of action to follow.
The job of a locksmith is one of those jobs that we do not want to require, but when we see them open that door, we thank god that they exist. No matter how difficult the problem may seem; a safe door, a car door, an entrance of a home, a window, electronic or safety elements and/or devices, a professional locksmith is for sure well trained to attend whatever your problem is. In the United States, among many others, a locksmith in Jacksonville could solve the situation he or she is facing in no time and under the best procedures of safety and security possible.
It seemed at the very beginning a big problem with no way out, but then in a blink of an eye, that professional locksmith you just contacted made you have free entrance to that place where there was no possibility few minutes earlier. Once you can reach your keys and the locksmith has finished his or her job, you can breathe calmly and take care of not going under a similar situation anytime again!


We're all trying to save money on our bills right? Today's guest article has some great tips for how to reduce your electricity bill this summer. Enjoy!
Electricity bills tend to rise during the summer season particularly if fans and air conditioning units are switched on almost 24/7 to handle any extremes in the temperature. It's either that or suffer the discomfort of sweating profusely and itchy skin. Fortunately, there are ways to reduce the cost of utility this coming summer.
1. Work on your blinds or shades. The trick to reducing your electricity bills is to use less electricity, which also means you should be working on keeping indoor temperatures to comfortable levels. Start by keeping the window curtains or shades closed. When left open, the sun can raise the temperature of a room quickly.
2. Go green. Go green by planting trees and shrubs in your backyard, as well as, the front porch to shade your house from sunlight. Plantation also helps improve airflow and deliver soothing breeze around the house. Thus, it reduces the frequency of your fans and air conditioners switched on. You'll also sleep better at night knowing that you're helping the environment with your planting efforts.
3. Install a programmable thermostat. Sure, it will cost money, but this one-time purchase is worth it. You can save on power when you can effortlessly control and preset different temperatures in your household. According to the Department of Energy, an estimated 10% can be saved per year simply by having a thermostat and switching it back 10 to 15 degrees for 8 hours daily.
4. Convert your household into a eco-friendly abode. This decision can save you money through tax deductions. Installing solar panels and switching to energy-efficient light bulbs are two common ways to start the move to an eco-friendly home. Check out this home improvement infographic from Clydesdale Bank to find more upgrades you can work on.
5. Change your lifestyle. Studies show that taking cold showers during hot days is a great way to cool the body down and avoid sweating, which ultimately leads to a reduction in the need for water. Furthermore, because hot water is not needed, electricity is saved by keeping the water heater switched off. Another lifestyle change to save on electricity bills is to hang the laundry outside on a clothesline instead of putting it in the dryer. Take advantage of the extreme heat and let your clothes dry naturally in the sun. Be careful, however, as leaving it too long can damage the fabric.
Next Post Is Your Home Safe and Secure?
i thank this is the way of the future it the only way to go green.


text:
Russia Eyes High Positive Investments From Foreign Investors
by Staff Reporter 
The economy of Russia is expected to return to its growth for a big opportunity is observed to attract foreign investment as early as the end of the year on Wednesday, said the chief executive of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) told on CNBC.
Kirill Dmitriev told CNBC in Moscow that the Russian economy really has went through to difficult times yet as of the start of the year it really arrived to the floor and is coming up and we expect growth to resume at the end of this year or early next year.
RDIF are still producing positive returns in dollar, regardless of the ruble devaluation all of our investment partners produced positive returns in dollar. Thus, we certainly see a big opportunity for Russia and our stock market is up around 40 percent in terms of dollar from the beginning of the year, added Dmitriev.
As Russia's economy starts eventually to improve even if Russia's global political standing. Since it is at low point due to its unwavering support for the Syrian regime which was very controversial and its eastern Aleppo current bombardment, his comments come.
Last year, Russia's economy faced recession amid a global slump in the prices of oil and in sanctions of the western economy that were implemented on the country in early 2014 for its annexation and its role in pro-Russian uprising in Eastern Ukraine.
In October, in its latest World Economic Outlook,nternational Monetary Fund predicted that Russia's economy could return to growth in 2017. Moreover, it also anticipated that its recession had been shallower than expected. A GDP of 0.8 percent this year, yet growth of 1.1 percent in 2017 in Russia's contraction is forecasted.
For an economy to get back on the track, the essential key is the foreign investment. According to its website, RDIF is a government-run sovereign wealth fund with $10 billion of reserved capital under management.
The fund has looked to attract foreign investment into Russia's infrastructure and agriculture sectors since being founded five years ago. Along with its healthcare, retail and real estate, the country also looked for investors. Over $27 billion of foreign capital has been attracted into Russian economy through long-term strategic partnerships.
He added that RDIF was looking to invest in more infrastructure projects in 2017, both in Russia and beyond. Dmitriev pointed out that despite the geopolitical tensions, Russia was "open to cooperation with all of the major players in the world. He empathized that they continue to focus on large transactions, thus they will be investing in Pulkovo, which is a major airport in St. Petersberg, when he speak on the sidelines of VTB Bank's "Russia Calling" Investment Forum.
With the support of the major Middle Eastern investors, they will be focusing on infrastructure and other key areas that produce positive dollar results to our investors despite the ruble devaluation.
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Russia, eyes, high, positive, investments, foreign, investors


EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. -- Deron Williams won't consider signing a contract extension with the Nets this summer. But the two-time All-Star said Thursday there is a "strong possibility" that he would eventually sign a new deal with New Jersey.
"It all depends on how the next year goes," Williams said during his introductory news conference at the Nets' practice facility.
Williams can become a free agent after next season if he opts out of the final year of his current contract.
He can't begin negotiating an extension with the Nets until July 18, 2011. That date might change, with the current collective bargaining agreement set to expire June 30 and a potential lockout looming.
The former Utah Jazz point guard said the new CBA will affect his decision. He also said he would base his decision on other players the Nets acquire over the next 18 months.
"I'm just looking forward to the opportunity right now," said Williams, who was joined by general manager Billy King and coach Avery Johnson. "I can't really give any assurances or say that I'll be here when I don't know what the future holds. I look forward to the possibility of [staying with the Nets]. It's definitely a strong possibility."
Williams is well aware that there will be constant speculation about his future.
"It's going to be a tough situation and it's going to be a tough year. There's so much that can go on between now and 2012 to even really discuss it," Williams said. "I won't know what I'm going to do until then ... So I can't give you guys an answer until then. The easiest way will just be to go out and play basketball and not worry about it."
The Nets acquired Williams from the Jazz on Wednesday in exchange for guard Devin Harris, forward Derrick Favors, two first-round picks and cash.
The trade became official on Thursday afternoon, after all the players involved passed their physicals. Williams will make his Nets debut Friday in San Antonio.
Williams said on Thursday that he was surprised to find out about the trade. He first learned the news while watching ESPN's "SportsCenter."
"I was just shocked. It was very unexpected," said Williams, who was in the middle of his sixth season with the Jazz. "When you don't hear any rumors and all of a sudden you're getting treatment with your teammates and you learn that you just got traded. It's an initial shock."
Williams was also alarmed by the fact that he was headed to a team in 12th place in the Eastern Conference.
"I'd be lying if I said I wasn't nervous about a team that was 17-40," he said.
But conversations with King after the trade quelled his fear. He said King talked to him about "the direction that he wanted to go in and the players that he's looking forward to going after."
Williams was so convinced by King that he talked about the possibility of the Nets making the playoffs. Entering play Thursday night, New Jersey was in 12th place in the Eastern Conference, 9½ games behind eighth-place Indiana.
Williams is also intrigued about the Nets' planned move to Brooklyn after next season.
"That alone is going to draw fans ... and players to come to this organization and I look forward to being a part of that," he said.
Williams took some heat this month for the retirement of Jazz coach Jerry Sloan. The two had disagreed during halftime of a home loss to the Bulls on Feb. 9. Sloan retired the next day.
Williams said Thursday that he didn't think any disagreements he had with Sloan led to the coach's decision to retire.
"I loved Coach Sloan, I respected him. I respected everything that he's done over the course of his career. He's a Hall of Fame coach. He's done a lot for me over my career," Williams said. "We bumped heads on occasion. And it was, I guess, the wrong time to do it. But I don't think in any way, shape or form that I led him out of Utah or urged him out. I definitely never talked to management or told anybody it was either him or me or any case like that. It's just sad that he had to go out like that."
Johnson was quick to point out that whatever happened between Sloan and Williams "will not have any effect on our relationship."
The Nets swung the deal two days after they failed in their pursuit of Carmelo Anthony, who was sent to the Knicks in a 13-player, three-team deal completed on Tuesday.
King and Johnson are hoping that Williams can become a selling point for future free agents. Williams said he'd embrace that role.
"That's really what it's about," King said. "It's about building something, having somebody that they want to play with. And he's a guy that people want to play with because he makes them a lot better."
New Jersey has been desperate to make its first score under new owner Mikhail Prokhorov. The Nets talked with LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh last summer and when that failed, the Nets turned their attention to Anthony. They quickly bounced back from the disappointment of missing out on him with Williams.
"This is about dissolving a team that won 12 games [last season] and assembling a team that in the future can compete for a championship. And Deron is going to be a major part of that," Johnson said.


Ryan unsuccessfully challenged Nancy Pelosi for the position of House Democratic Leader in 2016.
Ryan's entrance into the 2020 race adds another political moderate to the already diverse field of candidates.
WASHINGTON — Rep. Tim Ryan announced Thursday he will run for president in 2020, adding to an already large field of diverse candidates.
Ryan's campaign website went live Thursday morning, which held a statement reading, "As a congressman from Youngstown, Ohio for almost 20 years, I've watched the American Dream slip through the fingers of many Americans."
"Like so many in America's heartland, I come from a long line of factory workers who helped build our nation into a powerhouse of innovation. But over the last 20 years, failed leadership and broken promises have destroyed the middle-class, forcing our economy into crisis and pushing the American Dream out of reach," his statement added. "When our local GM factory was shutdown last Thanksgiving, I got a call from my daughter who was consoling her friend whose father was an auto worker and was just laid off. My daughter said to me, with tears in her voice, 'You have to do something.'"
"That's why I am running for President," Ryan said. "It's time to do something."
A former lawyer, Ryan also sought to recruit a challenger against Pelosi when Democrats retook the House majority in 2018. No challenger ended up challenging Pelosi, leading Ryan and a handful of other rebellious Democrats to strike deals with leadership in eventually supporting Pelosi's quest for the gavel.
Part of Ryan's disappointment with the Democratic leadership over the years was due to continued losing in elections. In addition, he also took issue with the lack of Midwestern representation in the leadership structure, as most Democrats in charge in the House are from coastal states like California and New York.
Ryan wrote a book in 2012 titled, "A Mindful Nation," in which he argues that practicing mindfulness can benefit Americans in almost all areas of society.
In the House Ryan, serves on the Appropriations and Budget committees. Ryan has also pushed heavily to combat the deadly opioid crisis in the United States, which has hit Ohio particularly hard.


text:
Q: FTDI implements standard CDC protocol? Does FTDI implement the standard communications device class (CDC) USB protocol?
I need to implement a host on the STM32 to connect the device to an FTDI serial chip. But searches on Google say that when using a library from ST there are problems.

A: No, they don't implement the common CDC class. Their chips return class and subclass set to 0 with vendor ID 0x0403. On PC this is a separate driver handling this communication.
You can confirm this for example by checking linux sources here: https://github.com/torvalds/linux/blob/master/drivers/usb/serial/ftdi_sio.h


text:
Leslie Jones Sets First Netflix Comedy Special for 2020
'SNL' cast member announced news on "Jimmy Kimmel Live"
Tim Baysinger | August 8, 2019 @ 9:00 PM
Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images
"Saturday Night Live" cast member Leslie Jones is the latest comedian to headline a stand-up special for Netflix.
Jones made the announcement during Friday's "Jimmy Kimmel Live" on ABC. The special will stream on Netflix sometime in 2020 and be produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment.
Jones is heading into her sixth season on "Saturday Night Live" and will voice the character of Zeta in "Angry Birds 2," which will hit theaters on Aug. 16.
Also Read: 'SNL': Leslie Jones Goes All 'Handmaid's Tale' and 'Game of Thrones' on New Anti-Abortion Laws (Video)
Netflix recently debuted new stand-up specials from Anthony Jeselnik, Wanda Sykes, Miranda Sings, Adam Devine, Mike Epps, Whitney Cummings and Aziz Ansari, making his return to the streamer since the publication in January 2018 of a widely read Babe.net article titled "I Went on a Date With Aziz Ansari. It Turned Into the Worst Night of My Life," in which he was accused of sexual misconduct.
The streamer will debut new specials from Whindersson Nunes and Simon Amstell later this month.
'SNL': The 19 Best Sketches From Season 44 (Photos)
"Saturday Night Live" returns for Season 45 this weekend, without Leslie Jones, but with two new (it was going to be three) new additions in Bowen Yang and Chloe Fineman. Woody Harrelson and Billie Eilish will be the host and musical guest, respectively. To get you ready, here are the best sketches from last year, ranked in no particular order.
Also Read: Woody Harrelson to Host 'SNL' Season 45 Premiere, Eddie Murphy Returns in December
We found out the only way to get people to throw away their iPhones is to receive increasingly-unhinged alerts coming from President Trump. Watch it here.
Opera Man Returns
It was never a question of if Adam Sandler would revive an old character when he made his long-awaited hosting debut, but which one. Watch it here.
R. Kelly Interview
Kenan Thompson's R. Kelly was upset that Gayle King (Leslie Jones) asked him real questions regarding the Lifetime docuseries. Which wasn't really that different from the real thing. Watch the video here.
Emma Stone plays an actress who really commits. Even if it's for the "third person" in an adult film. Watch it here.
Steve Martin Shows Up as Roger Stone
"SNL" brought out a bunch of high-profile actors this season to lampoon political figures (more on that below), but the most surprising was Steve Martin's turn as Roger Stone. Watch it here.
Sandra Oh elevates what would otherwise be a one-note sketch about a teenager seeing his future self with a very questionable choice in women. Watch it here.
It's a Wonderful Trump
One of Alec Baldwin's better appearances as Donald Trump was an "It's a Wonderful Life" parody, which showed how much better everyone would be if Trump weren't president. Watch it here.
The Impossible Hulk
Move over Mark Ruffalo. Idris Elba's Bruce Banner turns into an "emboldened white lady" when he gets angry. Frankly, it's much scarier. Watch it here.
Bodega Bathroom
John Mulaney followed up last season's fantastic "Diner Lobster" with another taboo: A New Yorker asking to use a bodega bathroom. Watch it here.
What's That Name
The joke about not remembering the name of your buddy's girlfriend is great. But Bill Hader's chaos-loving game show host is better. Watch it here.
To be honest, who hasn't had a fight get interrupted by Mika's "Lollipop"? Watch it here.
Kavanaugh Hearing (With Matt Damon)
The 44th season of "SNL" kicked off with a surprise appearance by Matt Damon as Justice Brett Kavanaugh in a parody of the SCOTUS nominee's rants at his marathon Senate hearing. Watch it here.
"SNL" is at it's best when it takes simple, oddball ideas and takes them to the extreme. Leslie Jones and Matt Damon arguing over Weezer certainly fit that bill. Watch it here.
The War in Words
Mikey Day and Claire Foy play a military couple during World War I writing letters to each other. The fact that she even called it "World War I" was not a good sign. Watch it here.
Who wouldn't want to live in an abandoned split level filled with Australian vampires? Watch it here.
Adam Driver's (extremely) old oil baron Abraham H. Parnassus gets progressively more outrageous at his son's (Pete Davidson) career day. Watch it here.
Family Feud: Game of Thrones vs Avengers
We already miss Leslie Jones. Is it too late to get her in "Guardians of the Galaxy 3?" Watch it here.
Chris Farley Song
Adam Sandler ended his hosting stint in a decidedly un-"SNL" fashion, with a very emotional tribute to Chris Farley, his friend and former "SNL" co-star who died in 1997. Watch it here (and try not to cry).
Weekend Update: Jeanine Pirro on Her Fox News Suspension
Cecily Strong deserves some love for her constantly-great impression of Pirro and her literal spit-takes. Watch it here.
Get ready for the new season by watching the top "SNL" sketches from last year
'The Politician': See Ben Platt, Gwyneth Paltrow and Jessica Lange in First Look at Ryan Murphy Netflix Series (Photos)
By Jennifer Maas | August 8, 2019 @ 7:03 AM
Breitbart's Audience Has Dropped 72% Since Trump Took Office – As Other Right-Wing Sites Have Gained
By Lindsey Ellefson | August 7, 2019 @ 11:11 AM
11 Most Memorable 'Beverly Hills, 90210' Moments: From the Dress Incident to Donna and David's Wedding (Photos)
By Jennifer Maas | August 5, 2019 @ 6:25 PM


Prince Albert Of Monaco Engaged!
Home › Love Line › Prince Albert Of Monaco Engaged!
To a South African swimmer!
Prince Albert of Monaco is engaged to Charlene Wittstock, a former Olympic swimmer for South Africa. She will be the first crown princess since Grace Kelly's death in 1982.
Looks like Charlene better get ready to make some babies!


The mission of the Bridgeport Police Department is to serve the community through the protection of life and property and the prevention of crime. The police and the community are accountable to each other and will work together for the purpose of ensuring the highest quality of life; to enforce the law, maintain order, educate the public and provide public assistance with respect, dignity and equality while maintaining the highest standards of professional ethics and integrity.
Bring Citizen Complaint Forms to Police Headquarters at 300 Congress Street.


Joe Daniels has been working in the animation industry for more than a decade. He is the 3D Animation Director at TinyCo Games in San Francisco, and the Lead Animator on Harry Potter — Hogwarts Mystery. Joe has worked with clients such as Marvel, Warner Brothers, and Aardman Animation, and has been creating drawn animation in VR for about as long as this new medium has existed. He has a passion for exploring new tech and workflows related to the art of storytelling, and helping artists unleash their creativity. Joe will be giving a workshop this summer as part of the Anomalia VR Development Lab in Czech Republic. I invite you to find below some excerpts from our conversation.
Alex: Hi Joe, could you briefly introduce yourself and tell us a bit more about your background and interests?
Joe: I'm the 3D Animation Director at TinyCo Games where I'm currently working on a super exciting recently announced Harry Potter game. I have worked with clients such as Warner Brothers, Marvel, and Aardman Animation as I've been working in video games and commercial pipelines for more than a decade. I've always been interested in emerging technologies. Not just for the sake of cool new tech, but rather to see how I can integrate it to my everyday work. I was in first grade when I started becoming interested in CGI and CGI films. A couple years later when I saw Jurassic Park for the first time, I knew that CG animation was what I wanted to do. I loved all the Disney films and hand-drawn animation, but Jurassic Park and Toy Story just blew my mind! I knew this is what I wanted to do with art for the rest of my life so I started learning CG softwares like 3D Studio Max, Maya, etc. By the time that I graduated college, the CG industry was well established and it was hard to break in. But with this recent rebirth of VR it feels a bit like back in time of the first wave of CG: it's messy and imprecise, the tools are kind of barely there, and it has that same small club energy that the initial CG artists had. When I first saw the video of Glen Keane drawing in Tilt Brush, it really inspired me. My wife didn't know yet, but I started to save for a headset! [laughs] Like a lot of people, I had to buy a whole new computer setup and the headset. When I finally got it working, I immediately started to draw in Quill and Tilt Brush. It was very exciting! Then I found AnimVR, which is one of the primary animation tools that I've been using. At the time it was very primitive. It was hard to work with more than one layer and the UI was very clunky, but I could see the potential in it. I reached out to the developers and asked them if I could beta test their app and give them my feedback. This is how we started to work together with Dario and Milan (co-founders of NVRmind.io, the lab behind AnimVR).
J: I just released my new piece, Thriller, which is inspired by MJ's thriller dance. I've been working on it since October. I'm now finishing recording tutorials and process videos (now available on Gumroad). Since Quill released its animation feature in February, we're seeing an explosion of artists that are becoming aware that animation in VR exists as an option, and I really want to give these people the tools they need to get to make their own shorts. I'd love to see more people tackling VR-animated films!
A: Joe your enthusiasm is contagious!
J: Once you've tried animating in VR, it's hard to step away and say, "Well, that was worthless." Usually the opposite happens, people are blown away, even with sculpting tools like Medium. Just drawing strokes around, connecting them together, working in all three dimensions at the same time, … it just makes sense! This is what computers always should have been for CG. Once you have had that experience, you realize that this is so significantly better not only for your creative process, but for your productivity. I brought my Rift into my office to show some coworkers these apps, we went from two to eight people equipped with headsets (I must apologize to a bunch of families, sorry I'm responsible for that video card and that headset that you husband has bought!). A few months ago, I was kindly invited to DreamWorks to give a presentation. I got to hang out with artists, producers, a wide range of people. I can tell you that the artists got it right. They were like "yes, this will save us time!" When I talked to producers, they were like "How much faster is this?" Their thinking is, as it should be, if this can save them money what are the risks? Could these softwares and hardwares become outdated in a couple of months because is it all changing so fast? Those are concerns that need to be addressed indeed.
A: How long will it take do you think before we see VR animation taught in schools and used professionally in big studios?
A: Do you feel any resistance from the animators community? What's your feeling?
J: In general, they love it. But animators are difficult people to convince to change (myself included!). They do monotonous processes day in day out. They get used to how they do it. In some ways, it's almost easier to talk to fine arts related people or experimental artists rather than animators. Because they (the animators) truly trust their process. As we're helping people to adapt to this new medium we need to build relationships with trust, show the value in what we bring in, as well as see if animators really want to work this way.
A: As you have mentioned, animating in VR is becoming a thing since the last Quill release in February. I see you spend a lot of time replying to all the questions left by the AnimVR users on the Facebook support page. What/Who is your top priority right now, besides your daily job?
J: I'm very interested in helping the average user getting started. I'm slightly more interested in helping studios that aspire to adapt their workflow. Getting studios invested in these types of workflows will not only help its development, but also be the best way to spread excitement about animating in VR as a valid and productive way of working. One of the things that I like about Quill is that it's not likely that we'll get too many features and see it become a nebulous thing that nobody exactly knows how to use. Based on my talks with the Quill team, they want to stay very focused on drawn art, illustration, and animation. Think of it as a VR Photoshop/After Effects type of thing. What I really like about AnimVR is that it's posed to be unique. A sort of Maya of VR that allows a variety of diverse ways to create. As it is very early, we don't necessarily know how people are going to use these tools yet. Right now, we need to teach people how we think they want to use these tools. Then, of course, they're going to come up with uses that are going to be totally different, and we'll learn from that.
A: Do you think that we will see creators and studios releasing asset packages that would allow individual users to rig their characters and animate their scenes on the fly? Is it something you'd be into?
J: Yes, that is an area that I do want to reach. Actually, the artist Nick Ladd is working on an effects library. He's really interested in that type of animation. I think that's great! If I need an explosion, I just drop that in, and boom! For character animation, having things that you can pose and move around is also going to be important to people picking it up on the side.
A: What do you have to say to newcomers and/or animators getting into painting/storyboarding/animating in VR?
J: You NEED to try drawing and animating in VR. AnimVR is a powerful tool that allows you to craft dimensional art in an intuitive way. With some practice not only you will get better at creating, but you will also think less about what you're doing. For example when traditional artists switch over to drawing and sculpting digitally, it's great but they must learn the hotkeys and think about all these digital constructs in order to manipulate the software. VR takes what once was a series of keystrokes on a keyboard and reduces it to a single intuitive gesture. The technology gets more or less out of the way so you can spend time immersed in your artwork. If it's more effortless to create something, you're more willing to experiment, and get it wrong, and mess it up, and make it better!
A: Thank you Joe! Keep rocking!
Joe will be giving a workshop this summer as part of the Anomalia VR Development Lab in Czech Republic.
And make sure to follow the Virtual Animation and AnimVR Support Facebook groups!