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HomeRTA NewsAustralian Railtrails News Roundup
Australian Railtrails News Roundup
The old Meadowbank rail bridge across the Parramatta River in Sydney was opened by the NSW Minister for Transport on Thursday 13 April as a railtrail. It cost around $1 million. The railtrail links the north and south banks of the Parramatta River and the network of bike paths around the Olympic site.
Last week at Grafton the 1300 participants in the bike ride from Tweed Heads to Sydney travelled on the brand new railtrail on the southern bank of the Clarence river. The trail avoids difficult road and rail crossings in the area.
A working party is putting together a strategy for Railtrails as part of the Greenways Bill currently before Parliament.
The Willunga path has had some recent works to extend it to further south. The Clare Valley trail is being audited as to future improvement.
A cycle path from Perth to Albany is to be developed which will parallel the Bibilum Track. Part of it will be former railway lines.
A state wide plan from trails is being prepared. 1300 km of trails have now been developed in Western Australia of which about 200 km are railtrails.
Work is progressing on the Anderson to Kilcunda Trail. Grading of the trail has recently been performed between Kilcunda and Dalyston. The trail is clear and wide, but at the time of writing the surface is fairly rough.
The Tambo River Bridge on the East Gippsland Rail Trail is now open.
A community walk is to be held on Sunday 16 April from Curdies to Timboon along the Timboon Railtrail currenlty being developed.


Consumers with solar installations can generate solar energy in excess of their current need at certain times of day and can feed it to the grid. At other times, especially at night they need to draw from the grid. There are different ways a solar home can be connected with respect to the grid.
In this case the solar panel output is converted to AC by the inverter, and drives the load-as much of it as the panels can provide under the sun conditions. Excess available power from the sun is not utilized. If a battery back-up is provided the DC power from the panels charges the battery. The inverter draws from the battery and feeds the load. There is no connection to the grid-inwards or outwards.
The solar panel feeds the inverter which is connected both to the grid and the local load. When solar power is in excess of the local demand, inverter feeds the excess power to the grid. When solar power is less or non-existent, the inverter connects the load to the grid.
In this case inverter has arrangements to charge the battery either from the grid or the solar panel. The inverter draws from the battery and feeds the load and /or the grid according to the conditions prevailing.
In case the grid fails, the effect on the load is different in each case.
Stand-alone or off-grid– No connection, no effect.
Grid tied- Safety regulations demand that the inverter disconnect from the grid as soon as the grid fails. This is to ensure the safety of workmen who may be trying to repair the grid supply. Most inverters will shut down and cut out the local load also. As an exception some designs do have arrangements for feeding some essential loads from a bypass outlet provided solar energy is available.
Grid tied with battery backup– This is the best arrangement although costly. While the inverter is cutoff from the mains, it continues to supply the local load until the battery exhausts.
The switching arrangements are normally incorporated in the inverter, and hence, one can choose the inverter according to the type of installation desired.


Modern and stylish, this silver plated bracelet is encrusted with clear rhinestones and features a circular ornament. A perfect accessory for your homecoming, prom or wedding day. This bracelet has an inner circumference of 6 1/2" .


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Pro Football Writers Name 2022 Executive Of The Year
How Much Money Christian McCaffrey Would Get If He Got Hurt In A Bowl Game And Never Played Again
Andrew McCarty
Christian McCaffrey will not play in Stanford's bowl game this year.
Earlier Monday, Christian McCaffrey revealed he would not play for Stanford in the Sun Bowl. The running back declared for the 2017 NFL Draft after the Cardinal's regular season came to a close. In an attempt to avoid injury, McCaffrey will forego the bowl game.
But what if McCaffrey did play in the bowl, got injured, and could never play football again? According to ESPN's Darren Rovell, McCaffrey would get a decent chunk of change.
That sum of money, however, won't come close to what McCaffrey will make if he is drafted in the first round and is able to secure endorsements.
Many questioned McCaffrey's loyalty to his team after announcing his decision not to play in the Sun Bowl. The Stanford product is an all-purpose back who is capable of catching passes and returning kicks in addition to running the ball. He's done it all for the Cardinal in his three years with the team, but in order to secure his future as an NFL player, McCaffrey did what is best for him.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The wonderful week has just past and lots of activity has happened in the tech and mobile industry. To give you high light Le Eco has launched two new devices in India, As per the reports Apple is Going to replace the most loved Space Gray colour of the device with Deep Blue colour and many more.
Today in this article, we will summaries top news from industry. So if you missed something last week you will get all the details.
In the event hosted by Le Eco on 8th June 2016, The Company has launched its two new devices named Le 2 and Le Max 2 along with LeMall (online market Place) for the accessories. Like other Chinese smartphone manufacturers, the phones were first launched in April in Beijing. Like rival Xiaomi, LeEco now has its own e-commerce portal called LeMall for India as well.
For Details you can read: Le 2 and Le Max 2 launched in India: Price, specification andavailability.
In the recent development and leak, according to the website Macotakara the iPhone 7 family will drop the famous and most loved colour of "Space Gray" and replace it with a brand new "Deep Blue model." As per the report of the website Apple's iPhone 7 would be available in the following colors: Deep Blue, Gold, Rose Gold and Silver.
As per the report from the 9to5mac, One of the biggest leaks about the iPhone7 Plus was about the upgraded Camera. iPhone 7 plus will have bigger camera then the smaller version. According to the report, iPhone 7 plus is moving for the dual Camera Technology, leaving iPhone 7 behind on that front.
As the phone is about to be launched in the next week, the recent leak about the OnePlus 3 suggest that the device will be launched in 2 Variants.
Three versions will come with 4GB RAM coupled with 32GB, 64GB, and 128 GB storage space, while there will also be a 6GB RAM version with the same 32GB, 64GB, 128GB storage space options. The pricing is listed as $369 which comes to Rs 24,702, and that's close to how OnePlus has always priced its flagship devices.
As per the rumors in the market Motorola has launched its new devices Moto Z and Z force with Moto Mods.
The Moto Z is being called the thinnest premium smartphone in the world, at 5.2mm, and is said to be ultra-light as well. It features a 5.5-inch QHD Amoled display, and is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 SoC coupled with 4GB of RAM, and a choice of 32GB or 64GB of storage, which is expandable via microSD card (up to 2TB).
Will share the in-depth review of the devices soon.
The coming week is going to see the launch of OnePlus3 and might have lots of leaks about the iPhone 7. Stay with App Gyaan for all the latest update from Mobile and tech industry.


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Q: How do I save a file as .pig using windows? I just tried running a Elastic MapReduce job using a Pig script.  I created the Pig script in Notepad, saved it originally as a .txt file, then manually changed the extension to .pig and uploaded.  Here's the error I got:
Run Pig Script  FAILED  2013-04-24 08:58 CDT    2013-04-24 08:59 CDT    s3://elasticmapreduce/libs/script-runner/script-runner.jar  -   s3://elasticmapreduce/libs/pig/pig-script --run-pig-script --pig-versions latest --args -p INPUT=s3n://cse6242-?gtcse-?data/gb-?bigrams/ -p OUTPUT=s3n://cse02-bones6/pigoutput/ s3n://cse02-bones6/pigsample/pigscript.pig
Those ?'s in the INPUT look fishy to me.  What is the issue here, and is there a problem with the way I created the .pig file?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Q: When does the error Server Error: Org ID not recognized happen while setting up live agent in sites I am receiving the below error when i try to setup live agent from a website.
LIVE AGENT: DOM is ready. Setting up environment.
deployment.js:17 LIVE AGENT: Requesting new session.
deployment.js:17 LIVE AGENT: Received new session ID
deployment.js:17 LIVE AGENT: Server Error: Org ID not recognized
deployment.js:17 LIVE AGENT: Disconnecting from Live Agent
Could you please let me know when this issue will happen?

A: I experienced this issue recently. Finally hunted down the article that shed some light on it for me: Live Agent server (endpoint URL) has changed and now Live Agent Chat is no longer working.

Description
You may notice that your Live Agent Chat is no longer working, and upon investigation you see that the API endpoint URL (found under Setup | Customize | Live Agent | Live Agent Settings) is different than the URL you have in your webpage's code.
Under Live Agent Settings in Setup:

Reference to Endpoint URL in Deployment code:

Example of Deployment code on a webpage:

Resolution
Notice the URL in the webpage code is different than the URL in the Deployment code. The webpage code starts with 'la2-c1-chi' and the Deployment code shows 'la4-c1-was'. There are 2 references to the API Endpoint URL in the code that is provided via the Deployment. One is 'deployment.js' and the other follows the 'liveagent.init'. These 2 refereces are standard. Now, if the only reference to the API Endpoint URL is within the Deployment code snippet that Salesforce provides, you should see no issues. The system knows how to reroute the call to the correct Live Agent server, so there is no need to update that.
HOWEVER, if you have that API Endpoint URL referenced anywhere else in your webpage code, you MUST update the URL to the new server manually. This is why you SHOULD NOT be hard coding the URL reference within your own code. The Live Agent Server associated to your Org can change without any notice. See the Live Agent Developer's Guide for details on how to correctly handle dynamic endpoint references.
**NOTE: You will have to hard code the Endpoint URL reference within any REST API calls. There is currently no dynamic way to reference this, so you will need to manually update the URL's if the server for your Org changes. Please see "Switch Server Response during Live Agent REST API call" for more information.

TL;DR - it means you aren't using the correct endpoints. You should see somewhere in your code a line that looks like this:
liveagent.init('https://d.la2c1cs.salesforceliveagent.com/chat', '572000000000000', '00D000000000000');

You'll get this error if that first parameter (the endpoint) doesn't match what's in your Live Agent Settings. You can check this by simply searching Live Agent Settings in the Setup menu.

Note that when you include your scripts, you should replace d.instance.salesforceliveagent.com with c.instance.salesforceliveagent.com.
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://c.la2c1cs.salesforceliveagent.com/content/g/js/34.0/deployment.js'></script>
<script type='text/javascript' src='https://c.la2c1cs.salesforceliveagent.com/content/g/js/32.0/prechat.js'></script>

I highly advise making these endpoints configurable via Custom Setting or Custom Label.

A: This can happen when you are using the wrong live agent endpoint OR when you have Visualforce Developer mode activated for your user.


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Q: Random graph - probability threshold for any linear size set to contain a fixed clique Let $t\geq 3$ and $0<\varepsilon<1$ be fixed. Denote by $K_t$ the clique on $t$ vertices, and by $G_{n,p}$ the binomial random graph.
Question:

Is the threshold for the probability that "every subset of vertices of size $\varepsilon n$ contains a $K_t$" known ?

I expect it is. The required property is a logic second-order statement, but it is monotone, therefore the (sharp) threshold exists - I think this would follow from Bollobás and Thomason.
Context:
It is know that $p_{\subseteq}(n,t)= n^{-2/(t-1)}$ is the threshold for $G_{n,p}$ to contains $K_t$ as a subgraph.
Because the $2$-density of $K_t$ is $\frac{t+1}{2}$, is also follow from Rödl and Ruciński (Threshold Functions for Ramsey Properties) that $p_{\to}(n,t)= n^{-2/(t+1)}$ is the threshold for $G_{n,p}$ to be Ramsey for $K_t$.
So the threshold for $G_{n,p}$ to be Ramsey for $K_t$, is the threshold for $G_{n,p}$ to contains $K_{t+2}$, which is not too surprising.
$$  p_{\to}(n,t) = p_{\subseteq}(n,t+2)$$
If we know consider the threshold $p_\varepsilon(n,t)$ for the property "every subset of vertices of size $\varepsilon n$ contains a $K_t$", a very quick analysis show that's we need $p_\varepsilon(n,t) $ to be at least the threshold for apperance of $K_{t+1}$, i.e. $p_{\subseteq}(n,t+1)$.
Indeed, if $p \ll n^{-2/t}$, a first-order argument shows that the expected number of cliques $K_t$ in $G\sim G_{n,p}$ is
$$ \mathbb{E}X \leq \left(\frac{e}{t}\right)^tn^\beta$$
with $\beta<1$. So we have a sub-linear expected number of $t$-clique.
But note that if there are $m$ cliques $K_t$ in $G\sim G_{n,p}$ such that each set of $(\varepsilon n)$ vertices contains a $K_t$, we have that,
$$ n-mt<\varepsilon n\Rightarrow m>\frac{1-\varepsilon}{t}n.$$
There is a linear number of cliques.
Therefore we have $p_\varepsilon(n,t) \geq p_\subseteq(n,t+1)$
I haven't though much about it except for this simple argument, and some very quick online research. I'm wondering if the actual threshold is known (I expect it is). It would be "nice" to have something as

*

*$n^{-2/(t-1)}$ : the threshold for appearance of $K_t$

*$n^{-2/t}$ the threshold for appearance of $K_{t+1}$ and for every linear-size subset contains a $K_t$

*$n^{-2/(t+1)}$ the threshold for appearance of $K_{t+2}$ and for the graph is Ramsey for $K_t$
But I'm not even convinced if the required property is stronger or weaker than being Ramsey for $K_t$


The rock godfathers of Kearny, NJ, tv sound, are back with their latest (and perhaps greatest) effort, Telecommando. Featuring six new studio recordings and one live recording from the hallowed Maxwell's in Hoboken, Telecommando is the perfect blend of Stones-y grooves, Jam-ing riffs, and raw, Who-esque power. tv sound's new record is rock and roll at its most raw, visceral core.


Earlier this morning at the Biotechnology Innovation Organization's (BIO) International Convention in Boston, BIO proudly attempted – and set– the GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS title for the Largest Business Partnering Event. This achievement speaks volumes – literally and figuratively – about the power of collaboration in creating innovative technologies.
"Having hosted more than 350,000 partnering meetings in our history, made possible through the BIO One-on-One Partnering™ system, we offer the biotech industry a state-of-the-art platform to identify partners and communicate efficiently.
BIO One-on-One Partnering and the Business Forum at BIO 2018 are where innovators and investors meet, collaborate and develop synergies that lead to historic medical breakthroughs. It's because of our amazing, dedicated attendees that our industry continues to make history and change lives.
BIO is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year and looks forward to continuing its efforts to achieve historic policy and innovation milestones that will help build the world's strongest biotech ecosystem.


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U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida throws his support behind marriage equality
TAMPA, Fla. — U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson of Florida on Thursday joined the chorus of moderate Democrats in reversing his longtime opposition to same-sex marriage, leaving only six remaining Democratic U.S. Senators who have not yet come out in support of marriage equality.
By Staff Reports Thursday, April 4, 2013
U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.)AP
In a statement to the Tampa Bay Times, Nelson wrote, "If The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn't, and I won't."
"It is generally accepted in American law and U.S. society today '… that all Men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.' I believe that. The civil rights and responsibilities for one must pertain to all.
"Thus, to discriminate against one class and not another is wrong for me.
"If we are endowed by our Creator with rights, then why shouldn't those be attainable by Gays and Lesbians?
"Simply put, if The Lord made homosexuals as well as heterosexuals, why should I discriminate against their civil marriage? I shouldn't, and I won't.
"So I will add my name to the petition of senators asking the Supreme Court to declare the law that prohibits gay marriage unconstitutional."
Nelson becomes the 51th U.S. senator to throw his support behind same-sex marriage. Forty-six other Democrats, two independents who caucus with Democrats and two Republicans have previously announced their support for marriage equality.
With Nelson's announcement, there remains only six Senate Democrats who still publicly oppose same-sex marriage; they are: Joe Manchin of West Virginia, Heidi Heitkamp of North Dakota, Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, Tim Johnson of South Dakota, Mark Pryor of Arkansas, and Joe Donnelly of Indiana.
On Tuesday, GOP Sen. Mark Kirk of Illinois became only the second Republican in the U.S. Senate besides Ohio Sen. Rob Portman to publicly support same-sex marriage.
Bill Nelson, Florida, Marriage Equality, Tampa FL, U.S. Senate
LGBT ally Brendon Ayanbadejo released from Baltimore Ravens
Gay student's HIV status revealed in student council smear campaign


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CoinLoan Weekly: Hawkish Fed, BTC at $20,000, 320 million crypto users
CoinLoan Weekly: Hawkish Fed, BTC at $20,000, 320 million crypto owners
Weekly•Aug 30, 2022
BTC spent four days above $21,000, with a 7-day peak of $21,753.13 on Wednesday, August 24. Jerome Powell's speech on Friday, August 26, cut its uptick short, sending the coin down to around $20,700 and deeper over the weekend. In the early hours of Monday, August 29, BTC plunged to a low of $19,659.25.
The Crypto Fear & Greed Index hovered between 25 and 28, indicating a fear-gripped market. Fed's hawkish stance expressed by its Chair accounted for the latest plunge taken by cryptocurrencies and equities. On Sunday evening (August 28), BTC dropped to levels last seen on July 13.
As of this writing, BTC is trading at $20,108.83, with a 24-hour gain of +0.5% and a 7-day slide of -7.0%
Keep your BTC in Interest Account to reap up to 7.2% APY or use it as collateral for an instant loan!
Ether's promising climb culminated at $1,713.59 on Thursday, August 25. The next day, the coin collapsed to a level comparable to July 26. Powell's speech triggered a steep fall to around $1,560, and ETH tumbled again during the weekend. Monday, August 29, brought a low of $1,433.57.
Friday's selloff caused ETH to lose over 12% in under 24 hours. Bulls hope the hype around the Merge will continue bolstering it in the short term. Yet it is also possible for the transition to go awry. Traders are placing bets in ETH derivatives and spot markets in anticipation of price dynamics.
As of now, ETH is trading at $1,536.60, with a 24-hour climb of +3.3% and a 7-day loss of -5.4%.
Get a quick crypto loan backed by ETH, or earn up to 7.2% APY with our Interest Account!
The Fed's stance had a milder effect on XRP. After trading around $0.35, the token peaked at $0.369021 on Friday, August 26, and dropped to $0.337089 following the news. Through the weekend, XRP was trapped just under $0.34, and it sank deeper to $0.321458 on Monday, August 29.
Friday's spike appeared to reflect whales' activity — three transfers worth $51 million pushed XRP to a two-week high. The market was also responding to the announcement of the Ripple Swell Global 2022 event. In the months ahead, court rulings in the SEC vs. Ripple case are expected to be the key driver.
As of now, XRP is trading at $0.331247, with a 24-hour slip of -1.7% and a 7-day change of -4.6.
Get an XRP-backed crypto loan without credit checks, or earn up to 7.2% APY with your CoinLoan Interest Account!
Hawkish Fed sends Bitcoin back to $20,000
Monday, August 29, brought the fifth day of declines for BTC. Continued trading below $20,000 was last seen in mid-July, while August pushed the coin above $25,000. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell triggered the plunge by emphasizing the government's resolve to tame inflation.
Speaking at the Jackson Hole conference on Friday, August 26, Powell explicitly stated that the interest rates could remain high. "Restoring price stability will likely require maintaining a restrictive policy stance for some time. The historical record cautions strongly against prematurely loosening policy," he said.
This speech sent BTC below $20,000 — its previous support level — and the coin rebounded to trade around it. According to Venn Link Partners CEO Cici Lu, the decline followed the sentiment in the U.S. stock market. "Money is flowing out of risky assets [...] Markets didn't like what he had to say and Bitcoin is resuming as a high-beta asset."
Powell's speech inevitably affected equities, with a slump observed across Europe, Asia, and futures in the US. Stocks sank, The Dow Jones Industrial Average lost over 1,000 points (3.03%) on Friday, while S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite shed more. The uncertainty around the magnitude of new hikes and their effects on risky assets exacerbated the sentiment.
Many experts perceive $20,000 as a key level for BTC. The coin could find support even lower — between $18,300 and $19,500, according to Katie Stockton, founder and managing partner at Fairlead Strategies. Fundstrat's chief strategist Mark Newton sees major areas in the vicinity of $19,000, with a "real area of importance" around $17,500, close to the June intraday lows.
Global crypto ownership exceeds 320 million users
According to a study by TripleA, a Singapore-based cryptocurrency payments firm, over 320 million people, or roughly 4.2% of the global population, use crypto. The company analyzed data from 16 surveys and reports to "obtain the most encompassing and accurate set of statistics."
Most users (46 million) reside in the US, followed by India (27 million) and Pakistan (26 million users). Yet continent-wise, North America, with its 51 million crypto owners, is no match for Asia (130 million). It comes third after Africa (53 million), ahead of Europe (43 million).
Globally, crypto ownership is dominated by males (63%) and users under the age of 34 (72%). An overwhelming majority of crypto owners (71%) have at least a Bachelor's degree.
The growth trajectory since 2014 appears to mirror the internet adoption of the 1990s. Bitcoin's price ballooned by a whopping 540,000% between 2012 and 2021, with a gain of 60% and nearly half of the total market cap last year. Looking ahead, the authors project a compound annual growth rate of 56.4% between 2019 and 2025.
Analyzing the impact across industries (e-commerce, luxury, remittance, and gaming), TripleA found that 85% of US-based merchants prioritize implementing crypto payments. The findings also include the average growth in ROI and customer base (327% and 40%, respectively) among businesses accepting digital assets, according to Forrester Consulting.


Jane Friedman pointed me to a September 24 article by Hayley Cuccinello in Forbes magazine titled "$400M fiction giant Wattpad wants to be your literary agent." Here's another strategy I was essentially unaware of: write tons of stuff on Wattpad, a site for writing stuff on, and if you're lucky Wattpad notices you and picks you up and pitches you to publishers, with high success rates. The article makes for fascinating reading.
Previous PostPrevious Dieters young and old, I heart you!


Rajeswari, a fish seller, cannot forget how everything she had was washed away when floods struck Chennai in December last year. She lives in Saidapet area that was among the worst-hit areas. It has been more than five months and her family is still homeless in the neighbourhood along the River Adyar.


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Operation Smile Canada
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Cleft is Serious
About Cleft Lip & Palate
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More than Surgery
SET Model of Surgery
About OS Canada
Medical Volunteers
Longest Day of SMILES™
Lasting Ways to Give
Posted on Nov 16, 2018 March 8, 2019
Fear overwhelmed Clara's mother as she laid eyes on her baby for the first time.
Clara was born with a severe cleft lip and cleft palate. Her mother didn't dare to breastfeed her. She even refused to acknowledge Clara as her own child.
In their tiny village in the highlands of Madagascar, their neighbors would quietly gossip about Clara and her condition. Every time Clara's mother caught word of that talk – the result of the social stigma associated with cleft in that community – it deepened her sense of shame.
After two years, the emotional burden became too much for Clara's mother to bear. She decided to abandon her family, but wanted to leave the village with her younger son, who wasn't born with a cleft.
Clara's father, Dede, who accepted and loved Clara unconditionally, refused. And so Clara's mother walked away from her family, and they haven't heard from her since.
Clara Tanjonirinalalao, female, BCL and CP, before with father Dede at a rural clinic a 2 hour walk from Clara's home.
On that day, Dede decided he would do everything he could to find a solution for his daughter. He wanted her to feel the love of others, instead of being feared and isolated.
It would take him six years.
We first meet Clara, then 8 years old, and Dede at a local health clinic in a tiny village on a winding road that links the nearby town of Mandoto with the closest big city – Antsirabe.
To reach the clinic from their village, they have to walk barefoot for more than two hours over steep hills, across three rivers, through several rice paddies and down a red dirt road.
This is where they first saw the posters some time ago – a medical team from Operation Smile was coming to Antsirabe to provide children like Clara with free surgery.
They saw the before and after photos and realized there was finally a solution within reach.
A surgery would mean everything to Clara – but also to her father: "I would be the happiest father in the world," he says, smiling.
As they walk through the village to the health clinic, children follow them and stare at the two large gaps in Clara's lip. She's become accustomed to this kind of treatment, but it still hurts her feelings. She lowers her head as if to hide from the curious glares.
"When Clara goes to school, she is mocked and bullied all the time," Dede says, dejected. "The children tease her because she can't make herself understood. They don't understand what she is trying to say, so she avoids going outside and doesn't attend school so often."
One week later, Clara and Dede board a bus, paid for by Operation Smile, that takes them to the medical mission site in Antsirabe. At the Operation Smile patient shelter, more than 300 patients and their caregivers have gathered to attend the next day's health screenings, which determine who will be able to receive surgery during the medical mission.
The following day, Clara is carefully examined my Operation Smile medical volunteers and is deemed healthy enough to receive cleft lip surgery, joining the more than 160 children that would receive surgery that week.
The evening before her life-changing surgery, Clara checks in to the hospital's pre-operative ward. For the first time in her life, she brushes her teeth with a toothbrush. She falls asleep, eager and full of curiosity for the day ahead.
Early the next morning, Clara and Dede wait in the child life area just outside of the operating room. Here, the children who are going to receive surgery learn what is going to happen through therapeutic play with certified child life specialists. Clara places an anesthesia mask on a doll's face, and then on her own mouth, and breathes deeply.
Soon after, Dr. Jonas Wanbro of Sweden, an Operation Smile volunteer anesthesiologist, arrives. He takes Clara's hand and greets her in Malagasy: "Salama." Jonas then guides her down the corridor to the operating room. Clara sits on the table – seemingly fearless – and with some help places the anesthesia mask on her mouth, breathes and falls fast asleep.
Plastic Surgeon, Petra Peterson operates on Clara Tanjonirinalala
Operation Smile volunteer cleft surgeon Dr. Petra Peterson of Sweden has carefully planned Clara's procedure. Clara's bilateral cleft lip is broad and also affects her nose. With a pen, Petra marks the skin with small dots. Then, the operation to carefully stitch her lip together, layer by layer, can begin. It's like a puzzle – all the pieces are there, but they need to be fit together just right.
Dede has been patiently waiting outside of the operating room. After Clara wakes from anesthesia in the recovery room, he's is now able to see his daughter's new smile. Dede seems worried, but as soon as he sees Clara, his face glows with pure happiness. His daughter looks so different – so beautiful. Everyone in the recovery room is moved to tears by the emotional reunion.
Eight months later, we meet Clara again at the local health clinic. This time, 9-year-old carries herself with a newfound sense of confidence – she doesn't look down or avoid eye contact. We then take the long walk with her to her school – the over hills, rice paddies and rivers. When we arrive, she runs ahead of us, eager to show us to her friends.
At school, her classroom is full of children sitting on small wooden benches. There is no electric light, just the sunlight coming through the open door and windows. The teacher speaks to the class in French. Clara sits next to two other girls her age, smiling and beaming of joy. Only two thin scars on her lip reveal that she once suffered from a cleft lip. As soon as the lesson is over, the children run outside to play. Clara holds her friends' hands, giggling and laughing.
"When we came home from the hospital after surgery, everybody in our village was amazed to see her," Dede says. "She looked so different, like another person. I explained to them that it was thanks to Operation Smile."
They're now preparing to go back to the hospital in Antsirabe for Clara's palate surgery. Dede is so proud that his daughter wants to become a doctor so that she can help other children born with cleft conditions.
Dede is remarried and has new children with his second wife – one of them was born the same day that Clara received her first surgery.
"Can you imagine?" Dede says. "The day my oldest daughter receives a new smile; I am blessed with a new child."
Donors and Volunteers made this story possible. Thank you.
Read other stories like this one
Posted on Jun 29, 2020 June 29, 2020
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We are here at "The Little House" — Operation Smile Colombia's comprehensive care centre, where children, like 5 month old Jhony, received the gift of a new smile. Born with…
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Despite its recent dubious military triumph in Libya, NATO is an alliance in crisis. With the rise of China and other BRIC nations and the Western economic crisis, U.S. economic power – and thus its ability to maintain historic levels of military spending and mobilization – is in relative, if not absolute, decline. NATO's "new strategic concept", formally adopted last year in Lisbon, was designed to compensate for this loss by increasing both the influence and burden-sharing of Washington's European allies. In exchange for assuming greater financial and war-fighting burdens, privileged European partners are to have a greater say in the alliance's policies and a larger share of the booty. With Europe's economic crisis threatening to pitch the world – as IMF Managing Director Christine Legard warned – into a 1930s-like Great Depression, Europeans are understandably in no rush to financially reinforce the alliance.
The alliance faces a second major challenge: the loss of perceived legitimacy. Cold War tensions provided rationales for the alliance, but since the implosion of the Soviet Union U.S. national security managers have reiterated that Russia poses no threat of invasion. In fact, despite very real tensions over U.S./NATO missile defense deployments, Iran and Syria, the Russian and Western European economies are increasingly integrated and interdependent, with oil and natural gas as lubricants. Rather than giving priority to preparations for war with Russia, the alliance has been transformed and now focuses on "out of area" operations that could extend as far as the South China Seas. As a result, good faith arguments that the alliance exists to defend Europe from Russia are increasingly difficult to come by. Add to this NATO's subversion of the U.N. Charter with its regime change war against Serbia; the decade old war in Afghanistan, described by former U.N. Secretary General Kofi Anan as illegal (with the U.S. now seeking to negotiate a Karzai-Taliban coalition government;) and the violation of the U.N. mandate in Libya resulting in the replacement of the Qaddafi dictatorship with militia fueled chaos, and you have a delegitimized NATO.
Thus it is hardly surprising that NATO's agenda for its Chicago summit this May focuses on these fault lines.
First a little history: NATO has always been about more than containing Moscow. After WWII, the USSR was a devastated nation with 20 million dead that posed no immediate threat to Western Europe. George Kennan, author of the containment doctrine, recognized early on that given the Red Army's sacrifices in driving Hitler's armies from Moscow across Eastern Europe to Berlin, the post-war division of Europe was inevitable if not just. After two catastrophic German invasions in the first half of the 20th century, Eastern Europe was to serve as Russia's sacrificial buffer against future invasions from the West.
Leading figures of the U.S. liberal establishment, Zbigniew Brzeznski and Joseph Nye, provide complementary lenses for understanding NATO and its roles in reinforcing U.S. post-World War II hegemony.
Before a senior Bush White House official, rumored to be Karl Rove, boasted that "We're an empire and when we act we create our own reality," Zbiginiew Brzezinski, President Carter's National Security Advisor, was writing a primer for his students and acolytes that described the foundations of the U.S. "imperial project." Embracing traditional geostrategic thinking, he explained that the prize required for global mastery is dominance over the Eurasian heartland. He went on to explain that as a distant "island power" the U.S. requires footholds on Eurasia's western, southern and eastern peripheries if it is to maintain its imperial influence.
NATO, Brzezinski continued, has long provided the vehicle for ensuring "the United States [as] a key participant even in inter-European affairs." European allies are "vassal states." and the reward that their elites receive for supporting the alliance with resources and services – be it hundreds of military bases and installations, diplomatic support, co-production of weapons systems, and intelligence sharing -- is a slice of imperial privilege.
As the recent wars in Libya and Afghanistan illustrate, NATO reduces the U.S. monetary costs and casualties of U.S. wars, while providing allied European elites with, for example, privileged access to Libyan reconstruction contracts, oil, and over the longer term relatively low cost guarantees of military security. The U.S. makes its demands, and for the most part European elites respond with the minimum needed to maintain the alliance.
Twenty-first century NATO isn't the Cold War alliance that many of us grew up with. The collapse of the Soviet Union eliminated NATO's Cold War raison d'etre, thereby undermining the rationales for the foreign deployment of hundreds of thousands of U.S. warriors on hundreds of U.S. and "NATO" bases across Europe. The Clinton, George W. Bush, and Obama administrations responded by transforming NATO into a global alliance. Violating President George H.W. Bush's pledge to Mikhail Gorbachev not to expand NATO a centimeter closer to Moscow in exchange for the Kremlin's blessing of German reunification on Western terms, Clinton began the process of expanding NATO to Russia's borders. Directed not only against Moscow, but also Washington's Western European allies, NATO expansion opened the way for divide and rule diplomacy including playing "New Europe" (in the East) against "Old Europe" (in the West.) The U.S. now has bases across Eastern Europe, and there are to be more with "missile defense" deployments.
Beyond Europe, NATO adopted doctrines permitting "out of area operations," i.e. military interventions in Africa, the Middle East, and beyond. With NATO's role in the Afghan war, "out of area operations" became the alliance's primary mission. Today, with 22 "partnerships" including Israel and still more planned for Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asian nations, NATO is also being used to ensure access to the mineral resources and trade of the Global South and to reinforce the encirclement of China, as well as Russia.
In these circumstances, it was no accident that with minimal dissent NATO joined the United States in its Libyan regime change war. Nor should we have been surprised by a remarkable article by Charles Kupchan in a recent edition of Foreign Affairs which explained that China's rise does not inevitably lead to its becoming the world's dominant nation. If, over the long term, NATO can be merged with the European Union, the West, Kupchan argues, can remain dominant through the 21st century. While certainly not the whole story, this has been an element in the Obama Administration's strategy of "resetting" relations with Russia, now jeopardized by Washington's commitments to missile defenses and competing ambitions in the Middle East.
The new and expanded NATO has been institutionally reinforced in the course of its recent summits, first in Strasbourg (where protestors endured massive and brutal police state repression,) and more recently in Lisbon where the new "strategic concept" was adopted. This new doctrine elevated the influence and roles of the European allies to compensate for the United States' relative decline, reaffirmed commitments to out of area operations and to NATO remaining a nuclear alliance, and to increasing the number of "partnerships". Meanwhile, many in Europe opine the institutional marriage between the European Union mandated by the Lisbon Treaty, the E.U.'s functional constitution.
Thus, sixty-seven years after the last of World War II's bombs and bullets in Europe claimed their human tolls, a sophisticated form of military occupation continues across nearly all of Europe. Russia is contained. German militarism is capped. And Washington has a rear base to reinforce its now contested dominance of Eurasia's southern flank: the oil-rich Middle East and occupied Afghanistan.
How deep have those cuts been? Between 1991 and 2011 European military spending declined from 34% of the NATO nations' total to 21%.
NATO's crisis is not limited to Europe. Under cover of the Bush Wars, U.S. military spending has nearly doubled since 9-11 and is increasingly recognized as a major cause of unsustainable government deficit spending, the loss of essential social services and a drag on economic revitalization. From town meetings and state legislatures to the halls of Congress, the Pentagon's budget is increasingly being targeted, and its leaders are playing defense.
This is not to say that U.S. political commitments to its military and to "full spectrum dominance" are evaporating. The Obama Administration is engaged in a major military build up as it "pivots" from Iraq and Afghanistan toward Asia and the Pacific in its effort to manage China's rise. Remarkably, annual Pentagon spending for the Afghanistan war, Washington's historically unprecedented network of foreign military bases, and U.S. military research and development each still exceed the total military spending of any other nation. Yet, as the CIA predicted, with the rise of China and the other BRICs, the hollowing out of U.S. industrial vitality in pursuit of low wage production "platforms," and the outsourcing of services to India and the Philippines – not to mention the reckless embrace of casino capitalism U.S. power is in relative decline. U.S. military spending has exceeded the limits of what the national economy can sustain, and the U.S. people are weary of war.
As a result, the Pentagon has been forced to announce plans to cut its anticipated spending increases by $487 billion over the next decade. With priority being given to the military build up in Asia and the Pacific, this means that 6,000 to 7,000 U.S. troops are slated to be repatriated from Europe and that there will be some consolidation of U.S. military bases and installations.
Perhaps this means that just as "Move the Money" campaigns (from the Pentagon to job creation and addressing human needs) has become the dominant theme of the U.S. peace movement, that similar initiatives like the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament's push for jobs and education, not Trident replacement could provide the means to make NATO's retirement a popular issue.
As part of the "reset" strategy, a NATO-Russia summit focused on missile defense negotiations was on the calendar for Chicago until it was cancelled by the Kremlin. The reason: the alliance plans to use the NATO summit to formally announce "interim operational capability" of its missile defense systems. With the U.S. and NATO refusing to provide Russia complete access to its missile defense technologies, Moscow has been anything but reassured that these shields for potential first strike swords are not targeted against them as well as Iran. Given the possibility of a U.S./NATO-Russian proxy war in Syria, Israeli threats against Iran, and President Putin's xenophobic responses to popular demands for democratic reforms, there is little reason to anticipate progress in NATO-Russian relations until – as that unscripted Obama-Medvedev exchange in Seoul signaled – well after the U.S. presidential election.
But don't expect NATO's deliberations to dominate media reports coming from Chicago. After having been largely ignored by three generations of U.S. peace and justice movements, the back to back G-8 and NATO summits this May promise a reprise of the notorious 1968 Vietnam era Democratic Party national convention in Chicago.
What better opportunity to press the end of NATO's decade long war in the service of the military-industrial complex, oil companies, and fundamentalist Afghan warlords? Where else to insist on moving the money from the Pentagon to job creation, funding essential services, and investing in a sustainable environment? What better time to say NO! to NATO's enforcement of economic globalization for the world's 1%?
Enraged by the G-8's management and NATO's enforcement of the global economy for the benefit of the world's 1%, Ad Buster, which initiated the Occupy movement, has called for a month-long occupation of Chicago beginning on May Day. A Counter Summit for Peace and Justice is being organized by the newly created Network for a NATO-Free Future. Nurses are planning to strike, and street demonstrations are being organized.
Rahm Emanual's response? Not unlike Strasburg, where President Sarkozy outlawed the display of rainbow peace flags during the 2009 summit, a raft of new city ordinances severely restricting the freedom of assembly and speech have been imposed. A campaign to close down much of the city – including its universities – in advance of the summits is being enforced. And 13,000 Chicago police are being trained for "mass arrests to prevent [read create] chaos" has been widely reported in the Chicago press.
All of which has old timers recalling the words of Crosby, Stills and Nash's 1968 anthem: In a land that's known as freedom/ How can such a thing be fair/ Won't you please come to Chicago/For the help that we can bring/We can change the world/Re-arrange the world/It's dying ... to get better.
 See among others, Richard Falk. "Libya After Qaddafi", The Nation, November 14, 2011 and Anthony Shadid. "Libya Struggles to Curb Militias as Chaos Grows", New York Times, February 9, 2012.
 Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "NATO AFTER Libya: The Atlantic Alliance in Austere Times", Foreign Affairs, Vol 90, No. 4, July/August 2011; Rasmussen, op.cit.
 Anders Fogh Rasmussen. "Towards NATO's Chicago Summit", Speech at European Policy Center, Brussels, September 30, 2010;.


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APIs Data sharing
Wells Fargo escalates the API race
By Penny Crosman February 11, 2020, 2:44 p.m. EST 3 Min Read
Big banks are in a race to have the most-used application programming interfaces, and Wells Fargo says it's off to a fast start.
Its APIs were called 1.5 billion times last year, according to Imran Haider, head of open APIs for Wells Fargo.
"For me personally, this validates the idea that APIs are a viable method for distributing bank services," Haider said. "This isn't a science experiment. There's real potential with APIs to create customer value."
Until Tuesday, the bank had not previously shared a number for its API calls, whereas others such as Citigroup have. In September, Citi said it had handled 157 million API calls globally and was getting 15 million a month.
The majority of the API calls are from consumer apps pulling Wells Fargo customers' account data through aggregators, Haider said. Wells Fargo has signed 15 agreements with data aggregators like Plaid and accounting software providers like Intuit (covering Mint, QuickBooks Online, and TurboTax) and Xero. They all use the Financial Data Exchange's standard for data sharing.
The bank was one of the first to sign such agreements with aggregators. Wells Fargo has said for years that it wants to put an end to the practice of screen scraping, where third parties such as personal financial management app providers and online lenders obtain bank customers' usernames and passwords, log in as them and copy and paste their banking transaction information into their own software.
"This isn't a science experiment," says Imran Haider, head of open APIs for Wells Fargo. "There's real potential with APIs to create customer value."
Screen scraping can cause technical and security problems, and some experts say it is unsafe for consumers to hand out their private credentials to third parties.
At Wells, account information is sent — with customer consent — directly from the bank to aggregators through APIs; the data set is often limited.
Once customers are migrated to an API, "the credential sharing stops," said Ben Soccorsy, head of digital payments at Wells Fargo Virtual Channels.
But besides being an antidote to screen scraping, APIs are also a way to work more closely with customers and tie the apps and software they use in their daily lives to the bank, Soccorsy and Haider said.
"You've got a particular workflow that a customer has, be it a commercial customer or consumer retail customer, and banking is a couple of steps in that broader flow," Haider said. "If we can get bank products and services embedded in the digital experiences that are valuable and relevant to customers and make banking a part of that customer's workflow, we create value for our customers. That's the ultimate story on APIs and these numbers really begin to validate that strategy."
All told, Wells Fargo has about 40 use cases for APIs. These include treasury management solutions, credit card products, brokerage and payments. In each case, a banking function — say, a payment or an account validation — can happen quietly behind the scenes using an API, rather than requiring users to exit their application, go into a banking app or site and return to what they were doing.
"If you think about the history of our industry, we're on a constant journey to bring convenience of our products to our customers, especially on the consumer side, where our focus and our distribution strategy started with branches in a way, went to ATM machines and it went to online banking, then it went to mobile banking," Soccorsy said. "I think this is the next logical phase of the industry as we're bringing your banking to you via APIs."
APIs play an important role in Wells' Control Tower, a tool within the bank's mobile app and online banking site that lets customers see recurring payments being made from a bank account or card. Millions of customers use the app, mostly to remind themselves of all the subscriptions they have. Control Tower has a data sharing controls feature that is API-driven; it lets customers turn off or back on third-party app access to their Wells Fargo account information and control at the account level which data is shared; for instance, a third-party app might be allowed to use all account data or just credit card information.
Penny Crosman
Executive Editor, Technology at American Banker and Arizent, American Banker
APIs Data sharing Wells Fargo Citigroup


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Highs Powerful six- and eight-cylinder engines, deluxe interior, excellent infotainment system.
Lows Vague steering, tight rear seat, less sporty than some competitors.
Verdict The BMW 6-series will appeal to buyers looking for a luxury coupe with good looks, strong acceleration, and an upscale interior, but don't expect sports-car performance.
BMW launched its handsome 6-series as a coupe and convertible in the 2004 model year in the same size category as its mid-size "executive class" 5-series sedan, though with the more expressive design language of its full-size 7-series flagship. The 2014 model year saw the addition of the hyper-performance M6 and the 640i xDrive, the latter with a turbocharged inline six and all-wheel drive. Like all BMWs from 3-series on up, the 6-series comes with a longitudinal engine and rear-wheel-drive, with xDrive all-wheel-drive optional on all models but the M6.
After a mild facelift for the 2016 model year, this year's changes are limited to an upgrade to iDrive 5.0 for the coupe and convertible 6-series models.
Original MSRP:
640i: $78,595
Find your perfect ride!
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The base 6-series engine is a 315-hp turbocharged inline-six in the 640i and 640i xDrive. The 650i and 650i xDrive come with a twin-turbo 445-hp 4.4-liter V-8. Both engines come mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. The hyper-performance M6 is powered by a twin-turbocharged version of the 4.4-liter V-8, rated at 552 horsepower, and there is also an Alpina version of the 6-series, with its own 600-hp variant of the 4.4-liter turbo V-8. (Both of these models are reviewed separately.) Even the non-M BMW 6-series is one of the best luxury-performance cars on the market, with an emphasis on luxury and comfort rather than all-out performance. Still, both available engines provide abundant power and the suspension is set up for great directional stability and eager cornering, although enthusiasts might find the electronic power steering a bit vague and somewhat heavy.
EPA fuel-economy testing and reporting procedures have changed over time. For the latest numbers on current and older vehicles, visit the EPA's website and select Find & Compare Cars.
The upscale interior of the BMW 6-series is full of gloss-black trim and burled accents, with the choice of supple Dakota or Nappa leather and two-tone interior themes available. The rear-seat legroom is tight, and thanks to the rakish roofline its headroom is limited, but the front seats are supportive and comfortable. BMW 6-series coupes provide 16.2 cubic feet of trunk space, which is not bad for the class, while the convertible models reduce this to 10.6 cubic feet.
The 6-series comes with BMW's excellent iDrive 5.0 infotainment system, featuring a rotary dial control on the center console. Standard equipment includes a 10.2-inch display, Wi-Fi, navigation, Bluetooth, a USB port, wireless charging, and a nine-speaker stereo with satellite radio. Options include a 16-speaker Bang & Olufsen surround-sound audio system.
Safety Features and Crash Test Ratings
For more information about the BMW 6-series's crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.
Some older vehicles are still eligible for coverage under a manufacturer's Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) program. For more information visit our guide to every manufacturer's CPO program.


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Shoppers, Unite: Consumer Confidence is Up for March!
Have you started shopping again? The Conference Board, a group that tracks spending in the US, says its consumer confidence index rose to 52.5 in Mar
Lauren Sherman
Have you started shopping again?
The Conference Board, a group that tracks spending in the US, says its consumer confidence index rose to 52.5 in March, up from 46.4 in February.
While we're far away from 100--the number on the scale that basically means consumers are totally confident in their spending--50+ is still a heck of a lot better than 25.3, which is the low we hit in February 2009.
So, I'll ask you again, do you feel like you're shopping more? Or is the Conference Board full of it?
Factory PR Is Hiring A Beauty + Wellness Assistant In New York, NY
Must Read: Why Glossier Is Struggling Right Now, the Significance of Amy Schneider's Pearl Necklace on 'Jeopardy!'
The 17 Best Things Fashionista Editors Bought in January
Conference BoardNewsretailshoppingConsumer Confidence Index
People Spend More Money at Opening Ceremony Than Brooks Brothers
If you thought Opening Ceremony was keeping afloat by selling loads of those $30 tote bags, think again. On average, customers spend more at the global chainlet's New York stores than they do at preppy staple Brooks Brothers. That's according to data released by Mint.com, a personal finance portal. The data they've collected is from credit card transactions put through by their members. At Opening Ceremony in New York, the average spend is $243.75. At Brooks Brothers in New York, the average spend is $180.93. What's more, the average spend varies quite a lot when you look at the same store in different cities. For example, at Zara in New York, the average spend is $92.03. At Zara in Miami, it's $68.05. Interesting. Here's a list of stores all over the country and the amount of money shoppers spend, on average, when visiting them:
By Lauren Sherman
Boutiques.com is Up and Running, Featuring Stores Created By Susie Bubble, Olivia Palermo...No SJP Yet
Boutiques.com, Google's new fashion venture, launched in beta today. And it's pretty much what was expected: A listing of several boutiques with pieces pulled from Like.com's vast retail network, which includes Topshop, Anthropologie, and Neiman Marcus. Some boutiques were created by the blogger/designer/celebrity they represent. For instance, Nicole Richie, Susie Bubble, and Olivia Palermo have each designed their own boutiques. As have brands like DvF and Rag & Bone. Conversely, Carey Mulligan and the Olsen Twins seem to have nothing to do with the creation of their respective boutiques. And Sarah Jessica Parker, who was rumored to be building a boutique for the launch, is nowhere to be found.
Google Gets Into Fashion With Boutiques.com, Brings on SJP for the Launch
It seems that Project G-Style wasn't just an intern's dream after all. Google will launch its very own "create-your-own" boutique channel on Wednesday called Boutiques.com, reports WWD. The site, currently password protected, is the result of Google's acquisition of Like.com last August. So we should have seen this coming, since Like.com and its adjoining properties are all related to online shopping.
Rag & Bone to Launch E-Commerce
Hot on the heels of its latest New York boutique opening, Rag & Bone will launch e-commerce in the not-so-distant future, according to sources close to the company. CFDA Award-winning duo David Neville and Marcus Waingwright are the latest in a string of contemporary designers to launch their own e-boutiques, and we think it's the right choice--it's good for both the consumer and the company.


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The Immortal Irishman: The Irish Revolutionary Who Became an American Hero is a 2016 non-fiction book by American author Timothy Egan. The books details the life and times of Thomas Francis Meagher, from his rise as a public speaker during the Great Hunger, his time in Tasmania, his leadership of the Irish Brigade during the American Civil War, and his final adventure to Montana.

The book received a positive review in the Boston Globe while it was criticized in a review in the Washington Post.

References

External links
Presentation by Egan on The Immortal Irishman, March 13, 2016

2016 non-fiction books
American biographies
History books about Australia
History books about Ireland
Houghton Mifflin books

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Baby Shark is a top predator
Shark Week sensationalizes role of important coastal denizen
DIver swimming over nurse shark under a ledge at Gray's Reef National Marine Sanctuary. Pic by Greg McFall of NOAA.
SHARK WEEK is upon us.
Every year, the Discovery Channel runs a week of programming dedicated to the most misunderstood marine mammal. It's a cult favorite and an inspiration for lots of ocean lovers.
But sharks don't exist just on TV, just for this week. Georgia's coast is home to plenty of sharks, including Cabot, the great white shark that Ocearch tracked off our coast last winter, as well as some of the over 500 species of sharks.
Sharks are a powerful, beautiful species that deserve protection and understanding. However, they've gotten a bit of a bad reputation thanks to media portrayals of them.
The chance of a shark attack is exceedingly rare, explains Dr. Alistair Dove, Vice President of Research and Conservation at the Georgia Aquarium in Atlanta.
"The number of people who are killed by unprovoked shark attacks every year in the whole world is about six," he says. "But from 'Jaws' and that sort of general fear of not being able to see what's below the surface of the water, people sometimes worry about what you can't see. That's where the fear comes from. It's not really the fear of the shark, it's the fear of the unknown and the shark is just a useful bogeyman that we put in the place of the unknown."
"They're sensationalized to a degree," says Paulita Bennett-Martin, campaign organizer for Oceana. "They're all incredibly powerful, and with good reason for people to think of them in a certain way, but they're powerful and beautiful."
Sharks are also at the top of the food chain, which is always a little worrisome for other species.
"Sharks fill that role as top predator and sometimes as the second-level predator as well," explains Dove. "Having an ocean without sharks would be a little like having a Serengeti without lions, or a sky without eagles. It's just not a proper ecosystem if you don't have that important top predator role filled."
"Sharks have a tremendous amount of influence on their biodiversity in the ocean, in whatever area they exist within," says Bennett-Martin. "That's a really important point, because we should all probably know that ecosystems have many kinds of complex interconnected relationships, and it's problematic when you start to throw those equilibriums off. Sharks are no different. They're an apex predator, and what happens under them is impacted by their presence—or lack of presence."
Their place at the top of the food chain means they're even more essential to protect, despite whatever fears we may have.
"We don't really know how important sharks are," says Dr. Simona Perry, conservation expert. "Scientists are working on figuring that out. That's why they study sharks: to understand the whole predator-prey dynamic and the importance of them in the ecosystem. We know that predators play a really important role in controlling populations of prey, but they also might provide other benefits we don't know about."
Regardless, sharks in the ocean ecosystem are crucial to our Georgia coast.
"We know that all things that happen offshore end up affecting us here," says Perry, "and everything we do here affects offshore. So many different fish species congregate around that area that they see all kinds of sharks there that are really important."
One major action affecting sharks is the act of finning. Currently, Oceana is working on the Shark Fin Sales Elimination Act with members of Congress.
"This act is proposing that the United States remove ourselves from the trade and sale of shark fins," says Bennett-Martin. "This is not a policy to punish licensed fishermen from catching sharks. They can still fish for sharks according to whatever their permit allows for them to catch—that's how fishing works. Our ambition is never to go in and restructure what people's permits allow for, but we look at issues that are non-sustainable fishing packages, and finning would be one of those things."
Finning is the abhorrent practice of removing a shark's fin and discarding the rest of the shark, which is often still alive when released but will die a slow, painful death without its fins.
"It's estimated that fins from around 73 million sharks a year wind up in the fin trade. Think about those numbers!" Bennett-Martin urges. "We want healthy oceans, and the ocean won't be healthy without sharks in it."
Perry agrees that protecting sharks is crucial.
"Humans have been left out of the conversation on ecosystems a lot, and we need to kind of reinsert ourselves because ewe are the biggest problem with ocean conservation," she says. "I think the urgent thing about protecting sharks is that we simply don't know enough not to protect them. We don't understand how the ecosystem and marine environment works—and we might never. There are a lot of mysteries still."
Enjoy yourself this Shark Week, and keep that same energy year round for our seafaring friends.
Phased opening begins for new Tybee Island Marine Science Center
Sandy West, longtime guardian of Ossabaw Island, dies at 108
Savannah celebrates 40 years of protected status for Gray's Reef
Ogeechee Riverkeeper launches inaugural photo contest to raise awareness of regional watershed


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7 massive blockbusters you didn't know were filmed in Nottingham
Plenty of celebrities studied in Nottingham, but did you know the glorious city also played home to some of the world's biggest actors?
That's right. Sir Michael Caine, Emma Watson, Thomas Turgoose and many more have shot some of their most successful movies in the city.
Check out these seven amazing films shot in Nottingham…
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Pt 1
On-the-run from Lord Voldemort and his cronies, Harry, Ron and Hermione stop off at High Marnham Power Station, which is a short broom ride from the River Trent.
Not liking the view too much (and with a dark lord to kill) the trio leave for the slightly more picturesque Malham Cove in North Yorkshire.
In real life, the station closed in 2003, with the chimneys demolished a year later.
Naughties Nottingham was seen as the perfect place to recreate late-1970s Manchester for the Ian Curtis bopic, Control.
The film itself follows the life of the Joy Division singer through band successes, health issues and marriage troubles.
The majority of the film was shot on location in Notts with Nottingham High School and the Marcus Garvey Centre just some of the landmarks used.
If there's one film that pops to mind when you think of cult classic, for many, it would be This Is England.
The gritty award-winning drama about skinheads, race relations and a vulnerable boy mixed-up in the wrong crowd, was so successful it went on to spawn a number of much-loved mini-series on Channel 4.
But did you know filming took place mainly around Nottingham including areas such as St Ann's, Lenton and The Meadows plus RAF Newton which sits on the Nottingham/Derby border?
The Elizabethan Wollaton Hall was seen as exactly the type of place a rich, masked hero with a penchent for night time crusading would live.
And so The Dark Knight Rises director Christopher Nolan chose the stunning landmark to be Batman's Wayne Manor in the incredible successful film starring Christian Bale as The Caped Crusader.
After the film, the number of visitors to the historic venue rose dramatically — more than doubling annual footfall — giving rise to the term 'Batman Effect'.
Peep Show duo Robert Webb and David Mitchell got there very first outing on the big screen in this 2007 tale of two warring magicians.
In the climax of the movie, love and loss between the pair leads to the ultimate show of trust, a dangerous on-stage magic trick.
And that stage? Nottingham's very own Theatre Royal.
The Unloved
The semi-autobiographical film The Unloved follows 11-year-old Lucy through her life growing up in the UK's care system.
Writer and Nottingham-native Samantha Morton checked out a number of locations for the film but, ultimately, decided her hometown would be the best place for it.
Once Upon A Time In The Midlands
It may not be quite seen as the cult-classic that This Is England is, but Once Upon A Time In The Midlands is another brillint film from director Shane Meadows.
Meadows manages to cram British acting royalty Robert Carlyle, Rhys Ifans, Kathy Burke, Ricky Tomlinson and Shirley Henderson into the romcom set in Nottingham.
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St Joseph's student claims public speaking title
St Joseph's High School, Aberdeen, student James Drayton, has returned from the District Judging of the Lions Youth of the Year Quest with the public speaking trophy.
Alyssa Faith PUBLISHED April 20, 2016
James entered the competition as a contestant following the Muswellbrook Lions Club round of judging. At the end of that, he had won not only the public speaking prize, but was deemed the overall winner.
James – supported by his family and members of Muswellbrook Lions and Lioness clubs – then travelled to Dunedoo where he claimed the public speaking title. Again, he was judged to be the overall winner.
On April 9, James attended the District Judging of the Lions Youth of the Year Quest in Windale (Newcastle). The competition was tough with James competing against with four other regional winners.
"The public speaking section required each contestant to answer two impromptu questions: if Disney had never existed would the world be a less happy place; and what do you predict Australia's living standards will be in 50 years' time?," Muswellbrook Lions' Mark Elsley said.
"On the completion of the impromptus, each contestant presented a prepared speech of no more than five minutes.
"There was quite a variety of subjects including the generation gap; organ and tissue transplants; save the planet; abuse of referees; and technology, men versus women.
"The judges then retired to a quiet area to deliberate on who would win the public speaking and who would be the overall winner and proceed to the next level of judging, that being the State Final at Raymond Terrace."
Mr Elsley said the chairman of the judging panel, Wyong's Phillip Morley, commended each of the participants.
"He commented on the five speeches, providing some positive feedback and making remarks from his own experiences in regards to organ and tissue transplants (James' speech).
"On deliberation, James was declared the winner of the public speaking."
Mr Elsley said the Lions Youth of the Year Quest was a project of the combined Lions Clubs of Australia and Papua New Guinea, to select an outstanding youth to be an ambassador to his/her country and travel overseas under the auspices of Lions Clubs International.
"It's designed to foster, encourage and develop leadership in conjunction with other citizenship qualities of our youth, at an age when they are about to enter the fields of employment or higher education."
Story originally published in the Muswellbrook Chronicle and can be read here.
Photo courtesy of Mark Elsley, Treasurer, The Lions Club of Muswellbrook.
Alyssa Faith
Alyssa Faith was the Communications Manager for the Catholic Schools Office, Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle from 2016 - 2017 and a regular contributor to Aurora and mnnews.today.
St Catherine's authors claim writing title
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Toby jugs – comic or commonplace, English or not?
Toby jugs portray a character whose story is rather unclear. He reminds some people of Shakespeare's jovial, disreputable Toby Belch, and he very likely has something to do with an old song about Toby Fillpot.
As e'er drank a bottle, or fathomed a bowl….
This ceramic character was born in the English Staffordshire potteries region in the 18th century, fully clothed in breeches, coat, and a tricorn hat, seated, and clutching his own jug of ale. Sometimes Toby holds a pipe, takes snuff, or has a barrel between his feet.
Although Tobies are real glazed jugs with a handle behind and a spout in front, usually formed by the front point of the three-cornered hat, they have probably never held much liquid, and were originally intended to be decorative pieces of pottery.
Toby inspired many other character jugs, and they have been made more or less continuously over the last 250 years. Some are fictional personalities, and some are based on real people. They generally have humorous, earthy faces. Character is drawn in their wrinkles, and there may be an element of caricature. Themed sets are also possible.
Were any early Toby jugs made outside England?
Everyone knows Toby is an Englishman, and that's why I was surprised to find that a French museum (Musée de Bretagne) has a Tobyish jug made in Rennes, probably 18th century. (See photo) His jug says Boy-Tout or Drink-All. In France of the 1700s this was a slangy, joky word to do with finishing your drink in one swig:* rather like the Toby Fillpot character, that "thirsty old soul". As far as I can discover, Toby's French cousin is called Jacquot, but please comment if you know more.
In 1904 the writer Gertrude Jekyll thought of a Toby jug as an ornament to sit above the fireplace on a cottage or farmhouse mantelpiece along with other "coloured glazed pottery and low-class porcelain".
She was not the only person of that period who was unimpressed by earthenware Tobies, whether recently-designed Victorian ones or earlier jugs from the Georgian period. Edward Downman, who wrote English Pottery and Porcelain in 1896, doesn't sound too enthusiastic, even when he admits that the older antique jugs were made by expert craftsmen.
Now Toby jugs are admired by many and collected by enthusiasts. Genuine antiques may cost several hundred pounds in their home country. Collectors can specialise in particular types – pearlware or Wemyss ware, sailor or farmer Tobies, for example – and they expect the best jugs to be sold by upmarket auction houses and antique dealers.
This Toby jug's handle is reflected in the mirror behind him. Photo by HomeThingsPast.
*Various old French dictionaries on Google Books explain boy-tout aka boi-tout: like this one.
Like the french toby jug, very unusual, but I would put the age slightly after 1800. If you notice it leans slightly to port, like a yorkshire toby. Also if he has a small cup to his face he's known as a Benjimin. Is the cup round or octagonal ? Any markings on the base ? He does look continental, the way the eyes and eyebrows are painted in, if you notice stafordshire jugs have very good face definition and so dont have the face painted. Does it have hollow legs ? Any chance of some more pictures ? I have been doing a sort of toby jug identifier for the last 10 years and would love to do a page on this one.
Very interesting – thanks for the detailed response. Great to hear from someone so knowledgeable. My knowledge of the French jug is limited to info from a museum in Brittany which dates it with a question mark!
and type 'boy-tout' in the search box, then hit the 'rechercher' button, you'll find the thumbnail image. Click on the middle square underneath to reach a picture with dates, measurements, name of collection etc.
If you type 'pichet' you will get all their jugs. There are a couple of other character jugs which might interest you.
What happened is that Staffordshire toby jugs were exported all over the world, and a few countries copied them. But not quite the same quality, some in Portugal had wine skins instead of jugs, and the clothes fashion changed as well. If you look at the URL above, you should see the quality of pottery produced here about the same time, and just look at the difference.
Yes, the features are finely modelled in your pics – I see what you mean about "not quite the same quality".
I should have realised the first URL was no use. I think you'll have to start with the second URL I gave, choose 'English' (near top), then click "access the collections". Then you should be ready to start searching for boy-tout. Hope that works.
this is quite good, but not as good as english contemperary jugs.
The base seems a bit thin, and the pipe between the legs is very badly moulded.
the jugs, the face features.
But on the plus side it does look like a "one off" jug, and you don't get many of those.
Do you own any Toby Jugs ?
It's great having your insights – many thanks. I don't have any Toby jugs of my own – just enjoy looking at other people's treasures. Next step for me is getting my eye in re what you say about biscuit glaze.


West Ham are still on the Micah Richards case but prssure is building for the player.
Alex Song has revealed he snubbed advances from Champions League club to join the Irons.
Sam Allardyce has revealed the extent of shock suffered by Alex Song as he watched his new team-mates against Southampton yesterday.
There are renewed rumours coming out of West London today that former Hammers manager Harry Redknapp will be up to his old tricks by making a late bid for Hammers midfielder Mo Diame on transfer deadline day. Hull City have already made a bid under the buy out clause despite Steve Bruce denying it. Hull have yet to come in with a second bid and Bruce did confirm they are interested. One barrier for Hull could be Diame's wage demands, It is believed in addition to the £3.5m buy out clause another clause is said to insist he earns £50,000 per week or more in any transfer deal with Diame's agents wanting as much as £70,000 per week. We all know Harry loves a bargain but I am doubtful the West Ham board will sell Diame to QPR under his buy out clause but that won't Harry from trying. Harry Redknapp's through the car window interview with Sky Sports News on deadline day has become an institution but we await the end of the transfer window to see if we have held on to all our players with baited breath.
Carlton Cole received a torrent of abuse on social media last night after the 3-1 defeat at home by Southampton.
The West Ham media department must have believed it was a great day to produce a sales pitch for 2015-16 season tickets.
ClaretandHugh has been told tonight that Alex Song will join West Ham under a deal which sees Barcelona pay his wages in full whilst getting a £3 million loan fee from us for the season.
Sam Allardyce came up with a mixture of frank "we weren't good enough" admissions and "the ref got it wrong "excuses at the end of a Hammers House of Horrors show against Southampton.


text:
North Korea expanding key base from which missiles could strike the U.S., experts warn
Activities at the Yeongjeo-dong base near North Korea's border with China indicate that the secretive state is continuing to improve its missile capabilities
In this July 4, 2017, file photo distributed by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, second from right, inspects the preparation of the launch of a Hwasong-14 intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in North Korea's northwest.Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP
Choe Sang-Hun
SEOUL, South Korea — North Korea is expanding an important missile base that would be one of the most likely sites for deploying intercontinental ballistic missiles capable of reaching the United States, two experts on the North's missile programs said Thursday, citing new research based on satellite imagery.
The activities at the Yeongjeo-dong missile base near North Korea's border with China and the expansion of a new suspected missile facility 7 miles away are the latest indications that North Korea is continuing to improve its missile capabilities, said Jeffrey Lewis and David Schmerler of the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey in California. And they come despite President Donald Trump's repeated claims of progress in efforts to denuclearize the North.
Lewis and Schmerler said they were still not sure whether Yeongjeo-dong and the new facility under construction in nearby Hoejung-ni, both in the mountainous area near North Korea's central border with China, were separate bases or parts of a larger single operation.
The general area is a strong candidate for the deployment of future missiles
But their geographic locations make them ideal to "house long-range missiles," they said in a report they were preparing.
"The base is located in the interior of North Korea, backed up against the Chinese border," they said. "It is this location that leads us to believe that the general area is a strong candidate for the deployment of future missiles that can strike the United States."
This file photo taken on April 15, 2017 shows an unidentified missile and mobile launcher making its way through Kim Il-Sung Square during a military parade marking the 105th anniversary of the birth of late North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung in Pyongyang. ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images
Military planners in Seoul and Washington have long suspected that North Korea would deploy its intercontinental ballistic missiles as close to China as possible to reduce the likelihood of pre-emptive strikes from the United States.
"This is one of the important locations in North Korea our military is monitoring in cooperation with the United States," Roh Jae-cheon, a South Korean military spokesman, said Thursday about the North Korean base. He declined to share further details.
This is one of the important locations in North Korea our military is monitoring in cooperation with the United States
Following his June summit in Singapore with Kim Jong Un, the North Korean leader, Trump claimed that there was "no longer a nuclear threat from North Korea." His administration has also repeatedly claimed progress in talks with North Korea, citing the lack of nuclear and ballistic missile tests since the country launched its Hwasong-15 intercontinental ballistic missile in November of last year.
That missile was considered by some experts to be capable of reaching any part of the continental United States, although North Korea is not yet believed to have the ability to deliver nuclear warheads on such missiles.
This photo taken on Nov. 29, 2017 and released on Nov. 30, 2017 by North Korea's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) shows launching of the Hwasong-15 missile which is capable of reaching all parts of the U.S. KCNA VIA KNS/AFP/Getty Images
After the Hwasong-15 test, Kim said he had a "nuclear button" on his desk that could send missiles hurtling toward the continental United States. In April, he placed a moratorium on nuclear or long-range missile tests, saying his country no longer needed to conduct them. He later closed his country's only known nuclear test site and offered to demolish a stand for testing missile engines.
In his meeting with Trump, Kim made a vague pledge to "work toward the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula" in return for "new" relations and security guarantees from Washington.
But Kim has yet to clarify whether and when he might dismantle his nuclear warheads and delivery missiles. Nor has he abandoned instructions to "mass produce" these weapons that he gave as recently as his New Year's speech in January.
In a report published last month, a Washington-based research institution, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, said it had located more than a dozen North Korean missile bases still in operation.
In their new report, Lewis and Schmerler said that while closing the test stand would make it harder for the North to design new kinds of missiles, "it would not prevent North Korea from continuing to mass produce and deploy existing types of nuclear-armed missiles that can strike the United States."
Korean People's Army (KPA) soldiers salute as they ride tanks during a military parade and mass rally on Kim Il Sung square in Pyongyang on September 9, 2018. ED JONES/AFP/Getty Images
Those missiles are being deployed at bases throughout North Korea despite the Singapore meeting, they said.
"Any denuclearization agreement would require North Korea to allow international inspectors to determine that these units are no longer armed with nuclear weapons," they said.
Many of these bases, including the Yeongjeo-dong facility, have been known to outside analysts. But Lewis and Schmerler said that in recent years North Korea had significantly expanded what appeared to be another missile base in Hoejung-ni.
Using satellite imagery, they located tunnels in Yeongjeo-dong that might be used for storing missiles and the construction of a new headquarters, as well as a pair of drive-through shelters in Hoejung-ni suitable for large ballistic missiles and "an extremely large underground facility" under construction farther up a narrow valley.
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Since the Singapore meeting, talks between North Korea and the United States have stalled over how to eradicate the North's nuclear weapons program.
North Korea insists on taking steps toward denuclearization only if Washington takes "simultaneous" reciprocal actions, such as easing sanctions. But Washington wants the North to commit first to a detailed road map for full and verifiable denuclearization, starting with the declaration of all its nuclear weapons and fissile materials.
Despite the deadlock, Trump has said he and Kim are "getting along very well" and have a "good relationship." On Saturday, he told reporters that his next meeting with Kim was likely to happen in January or February.
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text:
The NAHRO Blog: Legislative & Policy Updates from Washington, DC
Affordable Housing and Community Development News You Need to Know
Thinking About Solar Panels?
June 7, 2017 June 7, 2017 ~ Lydia Miller
On May 31, 2017 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) hosted a webinar on Solar Project Development for Public Housing Authorities (PHAs). The webinar presented approaches for implementation based on various readiness levels. Presenters included Crystal Bergemann, Energy Team Lead, Office of Economic Development; Benjamin Foster, ICF expert; Richard Santangelo, Apollo Engineering Solutions, subcontractor to IFC; and Robert Havlicket, Executive Director, Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara. Each presenter outlined a framework for effective planning for a solar photovoltaic (PV) project. Comprehensive steps such as financing, site locations, incentives, and best practices were shared to encourage PHAs to use solar panels.
The webinar focused on solar panels for PHAs, with a framework for financial planning which affordable housing and multiple family programs can utilize. One approach that was presented was HUD's Renew300 initiative, which started in 2013 as a mechanism to increase the use of on-site community solar panels at federally assisted housing to save energy and money for the community. Solar development can save money for organizations, contribute to the local economy, and positively impact the community.
Solar panels can provide many benefits to PHAs. PHAs can invest in solar panels to reduce energy costs and provide revenue opportunities through leasing agreements. PHAs can collaborate with a third party to determine the solar potential when developing projects to provide revenue and leases. Solar panels could achieve clean environmental goals and utilize targeted incentive programs to reduce the cost of energy. For large-scale projects, a PHA would create jobs and training opportunities for residents and community members. Twenty-two percent of operating expenses in PHAs are attributed to utility costs; solar panels could reduce those expenses and even generate profits.
There are three options for solar panels. The most common solar panel is the onsite single-meter solar, also called net metering, where the solar project onsite directly reduces the building energy load. The following two panel options mentioned are not widely available in all utility territories across the country. This second option is onsite shared solar energy, which is a single array of panels that is spread across multiple meters at one or more PHA's buildings. The third option is offsite shared solar energy, which is a single array that is not located at a PHA facility, but can be supported to offset individual energy load on multiple meters.
Once the decision is made to undertake a solar project, research must be completed to determine the best technical materials, contract options, and to compare it to a successful PHA project of similar size. The focus on technical application is crucial as it will utilize solar panels that are a twenty to twenty-five-year asset. Long-term maintenance and application must be considered as well as all stakeholders in the decision making and approval process. Stakeholders include security, government officials, electric utility companies, HUD, solar developers, as well as legal and procurement representatives to ensure the process is legally sound.
The webinar provided best practices before beginning the implementation process, including potential barriers. If there is not enough upfront capital or there is a lack of staff time and experience, it can be difficult to start a project, and one must consider contract structures to reduce PHA funding. There are several HUD, state, and local training and resources available. All aspects of the solar panel implementation must be considered, including, for example, whether a roof needs to be replaced or not.
A PHA must first ask, "is it in best interest of my housing authority?" Most Energy Performance Contacts (EPC) are long-term lease purchasing agreements and provide significant benefits as they maximize the energy efficiency opportunities by aggregating all of the savings in a project. The risk could be 12 to 20 years and financing could have a 3-to-5-year blackout period when the loan cannot be paid, but may be negotiated. As required by Section 30, a company may put a lien on a piece of property or the equipment and ensure HUD gets involved with agreement.
One of the more popular financing options is a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) where the third party operates and maintains the loan contract. In exchange, the PHA will receive discounted electricity during the contract and the PPA lifetime under EPC is at least 20 years. Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs) make up the largest single funding resource to develop affordable housing to raise private capital. However, due to pending tax reform, many investors are not investing in solar power as it is considered risky.
When calculating the value of PV watts use the web application to measure the value of electricity, compare taking out a loan versus purchasing a system through a PPA. In the Cleveland example, the PPA had a positive net present value due to the third party receiving a tax credit. They now have less operating expenses, a revenue generator in a lease agreement, and no upfront capital cost. California has one of the highest utility costs, which makes solar power a financial viable option.
In 2014, HUD made it financially beneficial to pursue rate and consumption reduction activities as part of an EPC. Prior to the notice, that was not the case, as the incentives were structured differently. Now PHAs will receive the full benefits of the savings.
Location matters when implementing solar panels because of utility policies, regulations, and incentives provided by each state. Currently, the following states in order are using solar panels as a renewable resource: Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Oregon, New York, and then Maryland.
Contractors and legal issues particular to the area should create a website to track activity through site visits. If your state does not have high rates, you will need to take more initiative in financing your solar project. Look at interconnection, Net Metering, performance payments, and property tax exemption regulations in the area to make sure regulations are updated. Ensure research has been completed, as there have been few situations where solar panels cannot connect to the utility grid because contracts were illegal for the utility territory.
There are several economically beneficial reasons to get a solar panel. Before deciding, get informed, research, and learn from other PHAs to determine what technical materials are available. One way to accomplish this is through a cost benefit analysis, which includes checking to ensure there is effective legislation in your state that makes this financially feasible. Review financing and EPC options to maximize benefits. Before deciding, confirm panels are in compliance with HUD, state, and local regulations.
Access the webinar online at: https://youtu.be/rkaRnssr3uU.
Posted in Affordable Housing
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One thought on "Thinking About Solar Panels?"
Rosario Neaves says:
We've gone solar in San Antonio at one of our large public housing sites – Fair Avenue Apartments. It's a 216-unit elderly/disabled site. Read about it here (http://bit.ly/2r6wEFx) and contact me at 210-269-1823 if you're interested in learning more.
Leave a Reply to Rosario Neaves Cancel reply
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The Roman Catholic Church of St. Peter and Paul in Mělník is one of the oldest churches in Bohemia. The triple-nave Gothic church is dominated by a 60-metre-high square tower with a Baroque end that forms the dominant of Mělník and towers over the confluence of the Elbe and Vltava rivers. There is a crypt with an ossuary under a chancel of the church.
The beginnings of the church date back to the period around 1000 – the time of Princess Emma (+1006), the wife of Boleslaus II, Duke of Bohemia. The tower was built in 1483-1488 and the triple-nave is from the same period. The church has its current form since 1520. Minor modifications were made after the fires in 1555 and 1681 (Baroque onion dome of the tower), as well as during the complex reconstruction of the church in 1910-1916. The church has been protected as a cultural monument since 1958.
Interesting are the bells, probably cast by the Prague bell-maker Egidio-Jílek in 1410. They melted in the fire of the church in 1681. Three new bells from the workshop of the Mladá Boleslav bell-maker Jean Pricquey were put in the tower only in 1690. Only two of them remained, 'St. Peter and Paul' and 'St. Wenceslaus and Ludmila'. Václav Koníček acquired a replacement for the third bell and the Holy Bishop Josef Koukl consecrated him to St. Agnes and Zdislava in 1993.


text:
package com.zabbix.sisyphus.base.exception;

@SuppressWarnings("serial")
public class BusinessException extends RuntimeException{

	public BusinessException(String message) {
		super(message);
	}

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub