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PREPARE FOR IMPACT - .Rory Gallagher Rory is Managing Director of the Australia and the Asia-Pacific
Text of PREPARE FOR IMPACT - .Rory Gallagher Rory is Managing Director of the Australia and the Asia-Pacific
PREPARE FOR IMPACTSUIT UP, STRAP IN, AND COUNT DOWN FOR BETTER GRANTMAKING
MELBOURNE: AUGUST 23-24
IN A
USTRA
LIACO
NFEREN
CE 2018
An enterprise of:
WHAT PAST CONFERENCE ATTENDEES SAY
Best ever very relevant to our work. Quite meaty, leaving us with much to think about and some immediate actions to improve our grantmaking.
This is the second year I have attended and it appears to me to be evolving into a much more valuable and insightful event with each successive year.
I gained a lot of knowledge from both others attending the conference as well as bits from presentations that we can try to put into practice.
A great conference, will encourage more people to come next year.
I really enjoyed both days. One of the best conferences youve run and Ive been to the last five or so.
I have found this conference very inspiring. I want to thank you for an amazing learning experience, where I gained heaps of tools I will now apply in my grantmaking process.
Change is coming, and it doesnt have an abort button. If you havent yet started thinking about the impact of your grants, its time to consider your launch options. Whether its a minister, a taxpayer, a trustee, a donor, a councillor or a ratepayer, someone sooner or later is going to be knocking at your door asking the question and expecting a clear answer: What value did we create from our grants?
Of course, theres no simple answer. And there are big risks for those who stumble in blindly. Blunt metrics and dumb systems are easier to implement, but they lead to misleading answers, and that can be worse than having no answers at all.
But the costs of not acting are greater still. The 2018 Grantmaking in Australia Conference will connect you with the people who have stared down the challenges and pushed ahead, and give you the confidence you need to take one small step for your organisation, towards one giant leap for humankind.
The main conference on Friday, August 24 is designed for grantmakers who are involved in delivering a local, state or federal government grants program, or a philanthropic/corporate/community grants program.
Thursday mornings SmartyGrants Odyssey is geared towards existing SmartyGrants users.
Thursday afternoons tribal gathering sessions (August 23) are targeted specifically to local, state and federal government grantmakers (whether SmartyGrants users or not).
Note: Many of the people who attend and present at the conference are SmartyGrants users so you should expect a lot of references to SmartyGrants.
The Conference:
Learn how you can further orient your program towards outcomes-based grantmaking
Hear how grantmakers of different sizes and types are learning to understand the impact of their grants
Meet your peers; get access to their expert advice
Hear the latest from the long-running Grants in Australia research program
Hear what the view is like from the other side of the fence grantseekers strike back!
Learn how to reconnect with your why
Hear about plans for AIGM-driven grantmaking reform
Contribute to the development of a community of collaborating grantmakers
Join with your grantmaking colleagues to try to nut out solutions to common grantmaking problems
The Tribal Gatherings:
Hear from and speak with your grantmaking peers about common grantmaking challenges and solutions
Georgie Bailey
Georgie has held senior leadership positions in Commonwealth government grants administration for many years and has built a reputation as a creative thinker and innovator, designing dynamic business processes and systems that have transformed how the organisations she has worked for do business. She currently manages the Grants Reform Innovation and Technology team rolling out SmartyGrants across the Australian Governments Department of Communications and the Arts.
Maggie Cattanach
Maggie has worked in local government for 10 years and currently leads the Sunshine Coast Councils grants team, which last year distributed $4.65 million in funding support. A former Neighbourhood House Coordinator, Maggie is passionate about the role of local government grantmaking in building on community strengths to grow vibrant, connected and healthy communities.
Kylie Cirak
Kylie is a not-for-profit consultant, a grantwriter, and the Director of Leadership and Diversity for the Institute of Community Directors Australia, an Our Community enterprise. She has a background in grantmaking, community-business partnerships, and communications. She is a Director of the Aussie Farmers Foundation, and has a passion for getting more women into leadership roles.
Karin Churchill
Karin is currently managing the implementation of Digital Solutions across Screen Australia, having come to the Federal Government agency with over 20 years experience designing and implementing digital media. Karins career covers both the private and public sector, most recently having been the head consultant for Electrodata Pty Ltd and the Chief Information Officer at the City of Ryde. Shes held previous roles with the NSW State Government, KPMG and Accenture.
Gina Cirillo
Gina is Our Communitys principal SmartyGrants trainer, a role that takes her across Australia and New Zealand helping grantmakers make the most out of our online grants management system. Ginas varied work history includes stints as a Melbourne Zoo guide, a call centre operator, a GIS mapper, reconciliation manager, human resources coordinator and occupational health and safety trainer.
Peter Cornish
Peter is Manager, Funding Services at the Office for Recreation, Sport and Racing in South Australia, where he manages the administration of an annual budget of almost $50 million to almost 1000 sport and recreation grantees. Peter also engages across government to assist with the development of grantmaking in South Australia, is an elected councillor for Burnside City Council, and is on the board of the Carpe Diem Trust.
Fiona Dempster
Fiona is a grantmaking and social inclusion consultant and a director of the Australian Institute of Grants Management. A former ministerial advisor with experience in program management and delivery, Fionas key areas of interest are social inclusion, community development, organisational governance, carers, families and childrens policy, and community consultation.
Terri Eggleton
Terri is the Community Investment Advisor for BayTrust in Tauranga NZ, where she has been working for eight years. During this time, she has become increasingly interested in developing a framework and systems to measure the impact the Trusts activities have on the community. Terri is also deputy chair of Philanthropy New Zealand, and chair of Hospice Eastern Bay of Plenty, and has held many other governance positions.
Natalie Egleton
Natalie is the CEO of the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal (FRRR), a position she has held since 2015. She is passionate about facilitating effective responses to issues facing rural communities. In her previous roles with FRRR, she was responsible for managing natural disaster recovery and preparedness programs as well as those addressing social innovation. Before joining FRRR, she worked as a consultant to not-for-profit organisations, specialising in organisational sustainability and evaluation.
Ben Fitzpatrick
Ben has been with the City of Perth in the role of Manager of Sponsorship since February 2016, recently undertaking a complete overhaul of the entire funding program including policy revision, process improvement, business and strategic plan integration, outcomes measurement and centralisation of the programs. Prior to this Ben was on the other side of the funding coin, asking for money through various roles at event management companies and sports bodies.
Rory is Managing Director of the Australia and the Asia-Pacific branch of the Behavioural Insights Team (BIT), and led the establishment of the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinets Behavioural Insights Unit the first Australian agency dedicated to applying BI to public policy. He holds a PhD in health and behaviour change from Cambridge University, and he has been a Visiting Fellow at the Singapore Civil Service College since 2014. Prior to joining BIT, Rory worked in the UK Prime Ministers Strategy Unit and the UK Department of Education.
Gretchen Gibson
Gretchen is a Business Support Officer at the Surf Coast Shire, administering both non-recurrent grants and the event sponsorship program. Gretchen adopts a whole-of-life approach to grants, conducting grant writing workshops, assisting officers and community members with their applications and writing the councils non-recurrent grant policy. Gretchen has collaborated with land managers to reduce duplication and manage the more than 300 events held annually across the shire.
Joel Kimber
Joel has been grants coordinator at Hume City Council since 2009. Under his guidance, Hume continually attracts in excess of $6 million in competitive grants annually from state and federal government at a strike rate of above 70%. Between 2010 and 2015 Joel was Chair of Grants Network Victoria, playing a key role in liaising with government departments to advocate on issues affecting councils across Victoria.
Robert Palmaricciotti
Robert is the founder of Grant Professionals, providing grant ap
New Applying behavioural insights to public 2013. 11. 4.¢ Dr Rory Gallagher . CabinetOffice Behavioural
LINDBERGH BLUES !!! Vous voulez en savoir plus .Hendrix, Clapton, Gallagher (Rory, le vrai), Neil
DONEGAL ANNUAL BIBLIOGRAPHY Psychology~ S£ceola£ Rory Gallagher, Executive Librarian, Donegal County
Fender Strat Rory Gallagher - wolfgang-jaeger- Strat Rory...Fender Stratocaster Rory Gallagher Ich bin ein groer Fan des irischen Gitarristen Rory Gallagher. Seit Anfang der siebziger
Build your business case for attending Change 2019 Dr Rory Gallagher Nudging for Change: An Introduction
STANDARDS FORUM Dr Rory Gallagher. Dr Rory Gallagher leads the Behavioural Insights Team¢â'¬â"¢s work across
PowerPoint Presentation .Rory Gallagher. Sam Nguyen. Simon Ruda, Michael Sanders with Marcos Pelenur,
Phil Hilbornes a-Z of Great Riffs - Rory Gallagher [Guitar Technique Mag]
The Taste of Rory, eine Rory- Gallagher-Cover-Band, die bereits bei uns gespielt haben. Samstag ist der Top-Act The Morrison Hotel, ei
10 Things You Gotta Do to Play Rory Gallagher
WOHNEN MIT HAMBURGER GENOSSENSCHAFTEN .â€Ich habe da beispielsweise Rory Gallagher, Wishbone Ash


Are you ready to kick off your work week with something super adorable?
After that cold last week I'm ready for anything warm and fuzzy.
Today we are introducing a super cute new set from Neat and Tangled called Eggstra Special.
I've been enjoying my watercolor kick so I decided to keep on rolling with it.
I put a video together to show you how it all went from start to finish.
Don't you just love those ribbon wrapped eggs. And of course those glasses. Seriously, in love with the geeky little chick.
Make sure you head over to the Neat and Tangled blog to see all the great inspiration. Leave some love before you go though Neat and Tangled is generously giving away a $25 gift card to a comment from one of the DT's blogs.
So cute! Love that little chick and your card is amazing!
Love your card and that adorable stamp set!
I love the chick with glasses. So cute!
So adorable card! I love the water color look. Beautiful eggs and a cute little chich ready for the Easter season. Thanks for the video inspiration.
So cute. Love the glasses and your watercoloring.
Such a cute card, Kelly! I love the way you made the little chick look fuzzy!
How cute! Those glasses make the chick.
Love the combination of copic and water coloring! And so much texture in the chick, so cute!
Thus is so stinkin' cute! I love your coloring!
What a great card, this is so cute!
Very cutevchick...love the texture with his feathers.
That chick is too cute! Thanks for the video, I just started water coloring so it was helpful! Thanks for sharing!
How adorable Kelly! Love it, TFS!
Sweet card! Love those pretty colors!
Sweet card, Kelly! I appreciated your explanation of coloring in the video. Thank you.
Your card is awesome. I love the chick.
What a pretty card. The chick is too cute.
Such a cute card, thanks for sharing!
I just love this little guy and the large eggs with the bows just make the card even cuter!
What a lovely card!! Your coloring is so pretty, and the watercolor background is gorgeous!


Renovation of the Pediatric Imaging department included much needed new finishes that will allow for an atmosphere made just for kids. Upgrades include a colorful reception and waiting area for patients and families. Two imaging rooms which are adorned with an underwater mural scene, warm wood look flooring, and new imaging equipment. The corridor connecting the spaces has new flooring, a stretcher alcove with matching mural components, and a new curved wall with color resin panel inserts. Overall the project is finished with colors and furniture to keep the pediatric patients visually interested, calm, and comfortable in the hospital setting.


The geeks who helped Obama win in 2008 went on to set up companies to help political parties campaign. Unlike NationBuilder, Blue State Digital works with one party in each country to use online tools and digital strategies to help them win elections.
In conversation with Dr Victoria Nash, Matthew McGregor, Political Director of Blue State Digital will reflect on how digital strategy plays out in different political and cultural contexts. Drawing on experiences across a range of political campaigns, from the USA in 2008 and 2012 to national elections in Europe and even the forthcoming UK general election, this seminar will offer insights into the ways in which social media are altering the way we select those who lead.
This is a part of the Oxford Internet Institute Politics and the Internet Seminar Series.


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Home ELECTIONS Time for change: Why I'm voting Chamisa, and why you should too
Time for change: Why I'm voting Chamisa, and why you should too
By Tawanda Moyo
TWENTY-ONE years ago, I started Grade One at a rural school in Masvingo.
There were just a few benches in that class and, close to every day, we wrote a test to determine who got to sit on those benches. This meant that the less academically gifted had to sit on the floor.
Even then, the indignity of it stung.
That was in 1997, and there was virtually no real political opposition. There were no sanctions either. ZANU-PF was in absolute power and only limited by its corruption, incompetence, and propensity to loot.
Twenty years later, not much has changed.
In the early years of the new millennium, Zimbabwe descended into economic and social chaos. Family members left for Britain, the United States, Australia, South Africa and other nations to escape economic crisis. Overall, over three million Zimbabweans are said live outside its borders. Like many people, I have close relatives I have not seen in decades. For many, it takes occasions such as funerals to see family.
The government, through central bank governor Gideon Gono, printed worthless money in an effort to cover up for failure, and as a way to loot. By early 2009, we had seen currency notes of $100 trillion and inflation stood at 231 million percent. Entire savings were lost meaning decades of hard work were lost overnight.
In 2008 after the disputed elections in which Morgan Tsvangirai soundly beat Robert Mugabe, I watched, in trepidation, as our teachers were frog marched by "war veterans" into the school Hall for "reorientation" at Gokomere High School.
Back home, in the village, it was worse. Village militias, aided by the security services and with the blessings of ZANU-PF politicians, set up "bases" where unimaginable horrors were perpetrated on perceived opposition supporters. In other places, many people died. The politicians who directed that operation are still in charge, posing as a new dispensation, while the killers themselves walk free.
Since then, despite the respite offered by the Government of National Unity (GNU), the nation has not shown any kind of progress. The economy is bad, growing only 0.6% in 2016 and performing not much better in 2017. The government resumed printing money.
Real money has disappeared from the banks, and prices continue to rise. Even the widely celebrated ouster of Robert Mugabe in a coup, sanitized dubiously by the courts, has not changed the economic situation of most people. The ordinary citizen feels the pinch with every passing day.
COLLAPSED STATE
The brief vignettes painted above, which are by no means unique, serve to illustrate two points; firstly that the quality of our leadership determines our condition and where we go as a people. The condition of the Zimbabwean citizen over the past three decades has been one of suffering, struggle, fear, split families, financial difficulties. In short, a broken social contract and a collapsed state.
Secondly, that the party in charge, ZANU-PF, in whatever form, be it the "new dispensation" or the old one, is incapable of the transformation we require as a nation. This because of many factors, chief amongst which are institutionalised corruption, military capture, weak institutions, tired ideas and a propensity to loot.
It should be obvious that after the hardships we have faced under the ZANU-PF Government, the party does not deserve anyone's support. To do so not only defies logic, it is morally repugnant.
With the polls only a few hours away, the natural question then is who to vote for?
I will vote for Nelson Chamisa, and here is why.
Firstly, Chamisa offers us a genuine chance to rid ourselves of what I think are our biggest challenges; patronage and corruption. The nature of corruption is such that the longer you have the same individuals in positions of influence, the more susceptible to corruption they become. ZANU-PF has individuals who have been in their jobs for over three decades. Such individuals not only lack motivation and innovation, they are also compromised. '
Further, their departments are full of relatives and lackeys appointed through patronage. The web of corruption in ZANU-PF is vast and the only way to dismantle it is to get rid of the whole system.
An MDC Alliance government will also give us a chance to strengthen our national institutions. Strong institutions are the basis for successful nations, as convincingly argued in Why Nations Fail, the book by Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson.
For nations to succeed, their institutions must be strong. They must be trusted by both locals and foreign investors. The trust in our national institutions is low. Very few people trust the police, the National Registry, the tax collector, the courts, the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission and other key institutions.
The justified perception held by many Zimbabweans is that our institutions are corrupt and weak. One only needs to look at the dubious decision to justify the coup given by the courts. The fragility of our national institutions makes investors wary. After all, who would pour in money into a country where the rules can change at the whim of some Government official?
I will also vote for Chamisa because he brings with him new faces, and therefore new ideas. The current crop of ZANU-PF leaders is old and tired. They are steeped in Cold War rhetoric and have, from what I see, very little understanding of how modern countries work.
This fact was driven home as I listened to Chris Mutsvangwa's contemptuous presentation at an election debate last week.
Surely, even the harshest critics will agree that the team of, say, Tendai Biti, David Coltart, Welshman Ncube and Tapiwa Mashakada, inspires more confidence than that of David Parirenyatwa, Obert Mpofu, Patrick Chinamasa and Josiah Hungwe. The former were effective during the time in the GNU, while the latter have been recycled for decades without any tangible results.
Zimbabweans are a capable people with much potential
I will also vote for Chamisa because it is simply important to change our leaders from time to time. More importantly, should he win, it will make our people believe that their voice matters. The current discourse shows that very few Zimbabweans think their voice or vote matters. This is a dangerous view, as it leads to a gradual erosion and eventual death of our nascent and already weak democracy. The maintenance of the status quo is not only bad for the economy, it also leads to a sure decline into tyranny.
Chamisa will get my vote because he is a visionary. Many have called his campaign statements outlandish, but it is good to dream. Zimbabweans are a capable people with much potential. There are no reasons why they cannot have spaghetti junctions or smart cities.
Lee Kuan Yew took Singapore from a Third World country into a developed economy because he had a vision. The right leadership can vastly transform a country within ten years, as the Chinese reformist Deng Xiaoping did.
The last and perhaps most obvious reason why I will vote for Chamisa is because he is the only candidate who has any real chance of getting rid of ZANU-PF.
ZANU-PF is not only responsible for our problems, but it is also incapable of reforming itself. Of the 22 other candidates, only Nelson Chamisa can mount a credible challenge on ZANU-PF hegemony. On the face of it this is a rather specious reason, but, considered in context, it is a very cogent one.
The ZANU-PF system must be dismantled without fail. Their continued dalliance with the Chinese and Rwandese show a leaning towards strongman politics, where stability and some semblance of economic progress are prized over individual freedoms.
That will put us on a slippery and precipitous path towards a closed society. This must not be allowed.
Nelson Chamisa is not perfect, like all of us, but I firmly believe he is our best foot forward.
So when I vote in a few hours, he gets my vote, and hopefully yours, in the hope that we can finally turn around our country towards a better future. Zimbabwe is a country of great potential, but that potential needs visionary and capable leadership.
Tawanda Moyo is a villager with opinions
Previous articleChamisa raids ZANU-PF stronghold, talks up Mugabe 'endorsement'
Next articleSteady progress: Why I'm voting ED
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Stories from Monday, September 11, 2017
Jason Keo Sayabavong (Obituary ~ 09/11/17)
Mr. Jason Keo Sayabavong, age 55, of Lewisburg, TN, died Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. Born in the province of Taka in Laos, Mr. Sayabavong was a son of the late San and Phew Sayabavong. He was a barber at Yoes Brothers Barber Shop in Shelbyville, TN. In addition to his parents, he was preceded in death by three siblings...
Barbara Faye King (Obituary ~ 09/11/17)
Mrs. Barbara Faye King, age 60, resident of Lewisburg, passed away on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, at her residence. A funeral service will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2017, at 1 p.m. at Heritage Funeral Home with Pastor Rick Points officiating. Burial will follow in Ring Cemetery in the Rally Hill Community of Maury County. ...
Michel Odean Luna (Obituary ~ 09/11/17)
Michael Odean Luna, age 65 of Cornersville, died Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017, in the Cumberland River near Lebanon, TN. Mr. Luna was a native of Marshall County, TN and son of the late Benjamin "B.M." and Betty Jean Phifer Luna. He served his country in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam Era and was a combat disabled veteran. He was a long haul truck driver, certified private pilot and member of the Church of Christ...
John Thomas Herrin (Obituary ~ 09/11/17)
John Thomas Herrin, age 33, of Lewisburg, died Friday, Sept. 1, 2017, in West TN near Memphis. John was a native of Maury County, TN, born May 22, 1984, to Thomas Herrin and Lisa Anderson of Lewisburg. He was a member of the graduating class of 2002, at Cornersville High School. He was formerly employed with Little Caesars Pizza...


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The #Bookvent Calendar 2022 – Day Twenty One
December 21, 2022 December 17, 2022 by Jen Lucas
#Bookvent – Celebrating my top reads of 2022
My twenty-first #bookvent selection was a late entrant to the list but one which is so very deserving of its place. This author never fails to entertain, combining humour, pure emotion and beautifully evocative writing which captures you heart and soul. This time around we are faced with a road-trip which takes us across America and the legacy of which has most devastating consequences. With several nods to the author's previous books, and more than the odd moment of self deprecation, my day twenty one pick is …
Bookvent Day Twenty One:
Dashboard Elvis Is Dead by David F Ross
Dashboard Elvis is Dead by David F. Ross
A failed writer connects the murder of an American journalist, a drowned 80s musician and a Scottish politician's resignation, in a heart-wrenching novel about ordinary people living in extraordinary times.
Renowned photo-journalist Jude Montgomery arrives in Glasgow in 2014, in the wake of the failed Scottish independence referendum, and it's clear that she's searching for someone.
Is it Anna Mason, who will go on to lead the country as First Minister? Jamie Hewitt, guitarist from eighties one-hit wonders The Hyptones? Or is it Rabbit – Jude's estranged foster sister, now a world-famous artist?
Three apparently unconnected people, who share a devastating secret, whose lives were forever changed by one traumatic night in Phoenix, forty years earlier.
Taking us back to a school shooting in her Texas hometown, and a 1980s road trip across the American West – to San Francisco and on to New York – Jude's search ends in Glasgow, and a final, shocking event that only one person can fully explain…
An extraordinary, gritty and tender novel about fate and destiny, regret and absolution – and a road trip that changes everything…
Orenda Books
Glorious, glorious metafiction. Pack road trip, part historical journal, all entertainment, Dashboard Elvis Is Dead is a book which really leaves a mark. Following several characters whose lives intersect in surprising ,and ultimately devastating, ways, the story sees us journey across 80's America, face down the impact of the worst act of terrorism in US history, navigate personal loss and family tragedy, before taking us to Glasgow as it prepares for the independence referendum and the Commonwealth Games. Thought provoking, sometimes challenging and, tinged with more than the odd moment of emotion, it packs all the punch of Danny Garvey, with much of the humour of the Disco Days trilogy. I really liked Jude as a character, flawed as she was, being left completely dumbstruck by how the story evolved, the loses endured. David F. Ross managed to make her both sympathetic and frustrating in equal measure, capturing all of the facets of her character just beautifully. Then there is Jamie. Failed musician determined to self destruct because of a mistake in his past. His actions set of a chain reaction, the ripples of which will be felt right to the present day, and I love how the author has captured and portrayed that butterfly effect so perfectly. Each decision taken has consequences, each consequence somehow magnified as we build towards that oh-so devastating finale. If you haven't read the author yet, then I urge you to do so. His writing is beautiful, evocative, devastating even at times. It is the simplest of moments that leave the deepest scars. The more I think back on the book, the more I feel its resonance still and that has to be the mark of a very good book.
Unique styling, beautiful narrative and a memorable and astutely observed book. One of my easiest red hot reads.
You can read my full review here.
Happy #bookvent reading all
The #Bookvent Calendar 2022 – Day Twenty
The #Bookvent Calendar 2022 – Highly Recommended
The Killing Kind by Jane Casey


With premium materials and fabrication, the Pacific Short Sleeve Tee by Billabong features a signature Wave Wash for a broken in, worn feel. A softhand screenprint appears on this premium wave washed, overdyed tee shirt. A printed neck label ups the comfort factor, and a flag label appears at the side seam.


Seagate is getting closer to reaching its goal of making 20TB hard drives by 2020.
Over the next 18 months, the company plans to ship 14TB and 16TB hard drives, company executives said on an earnings call this week.
Seagate's hard drive capacity today tops out at 10TB. A 12TB drive based on helium technology is being tested, and the feedback is positive, said Stephen Luczo, the company's CEO.
The demand for high-capacity drives is mostly in enterprises and for consumers who can afford the drives. The drives are mostly used in NAS configurations and storage arrays.
Seagate is also rolling out more 10TB hard drives that are priced starting at around US $400.
Hard drives have lost market share to faster and more power-efficient solid-state drives, which are being installed in more PCs.
But hard drives are surviving in PCs and servers because SSDs are more expensive. Hard drives are popular among computer owners who want more storage capacity than most SSDs can provide. In data centers, large-capacity drives are replacing tape storage to preserve data.
Demand for hard drives remains strong in the consumer market but has also picked up in the new areas like surveillance, Luczo said. Surveillance cameras record data and store it on hard drives. Hard drives are also popular in network-attached storage.
Seagate is also increasing the storage capacity per drive, and wants to raise the minimum capacity of hard drives in PCs to 1TB, executives said.
SSDs have largely taken over the lower-capacity market. Thin and light PCs often use SSD storage with up to 256GB, with few, like Dell's XPS 13, offering capacities of 512GB. Others offer 1TB SSDs.


A life-changing book by Tim Ferriss that introduces you to the concepts of reverse engineering your lifestyle and ensuring that you don't fall into the trap of living someone else's plan for your life!
The focus of this book is how to launch products online, but it is so much more... Jeff Walker provides great insights on the mental triggers that influence human behavior!
Do less better. Essentialism will open your eyes to the power of simplicity and elimination, freeing you up to focus on what matters most in life.
Want Matt to read and review your book?


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Ex-Vatican diplomat guilty of possessing child pornography
Philip Pullella
Jun 23rd 2018 9:31AM
VATICAN CITY, June 23 (Reuters) - A Vatican court on Saturday sentenced a Catholic priest to five years in jail for possessing child pornography while he was based in the United States as a diplomat.
Carlo Alberto Capella will serve time in the small jail inside the Vatican police force headquarters, the Vatican said.
The trial lasted two days and Capella admitted at the first hearing on Friday that he had developed a "morbid" desire after he arrived in the United States to take up the diplomatic post in the Vatican's embassy in Washington in 2016.
"It was never part of my priestly life before," he told the court, adding that he was unhappy in Washington.
The U.S. State Department notified the Vatican in August 2017 of a possible violation of laws relating to child pornography images by a member of the diplomatic corps of the Holy See accredited to Washington.
The United States later requested that Capella's diplomatic immunity be waived to open the way for possible prosecution there, but the Vatican refused.
Police in Windsor, Canada said after Capella was recalled to Rome that they had issued an arrest warrant for him on suspicion of possessing and distributing child pornography on the internet while visiting a church in Canada. (Reporting by Philip Pullella Editing by Alexander Smith)
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Naturally, homeowners decide on the window that best fits their style – who doesn't want a magnificent curb appeal? But when it comes to basements, most homeowners care most about safety and energy efficiency. Lucky for you, Pella professionals cover you on the safety, style and energy efficiency spectrum while on your quest for basement windows.
Safety: When you are choosing what style or size of window you would like to install in your basement, safety should be your first priority. It is important to investigate your local building guidelines, as they may require that windows are a certain size or work in a certain way to allow you to evacuate in an emergency situation. These are regularly referred to as egress windows.
Style: There are many basement window styles to fit each homeowner's choice. The most familiar styles used for basement windows are fixed, awning, casement and sliding windows. When selecting a window style, you must decide how or if you want it to open, the size you would like it (or that is mandatory by local building codes), the desired shape and how much light you need to let into your basement. The more light you allow into your basement, the more open it will look. Many basements are a larger spot, but the lack of light can confine the space.
Save Energy: Well-made energy efficient windows can help you live warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Equally important to the product is a high-quality installation and you can hire a professional to finish your project. With a quality product and a quality installation, you can be satisfied in the window and its installation for years to come.
Here at Pella Windows and Doors, your needs and safety are our top priority. Contact us at 208-726-0060 or visit us at our Ketchum showroom for more safety tips and installation plans from our experts.


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Angela Duce
Angela joined Harpenden Mencap in April 2020. She is a Registered Nurse (RNMH) with more than 25 years' experience working with children and adults with learning disabilities and autism across the health and social care sectors, with more than ten years working in not-for-profit and charitable organisations. Most recently, Angela worked for the NHS in Luton commissioning services for adults with learning disabilities across health and social care with a particular focus on the Transforming Care Programme.
Angela is passionate in ensuring that people with high support needs are able to live in their own home close to their family and community and is a vocal campaigner for improvements in education and support for people with learning disabilities, autism or other neurodiversity.
With a BA (Hons) in Nursing from the University of Lancaster, Angela went on to study Health Research and Medical Sociology at the University of Greenwich before completing a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) with the Open University.
Angela and her husband live in St Albans. They have two grown up children and a five year old son.
Julie Caseberry - Chairman
Julie was a civil servant working for the DOE at Warren Spring Laboratory and left to have her family. She has been involved with Harpenden Mencap since 1987 joining after her eldest son was born.
She served on the general committee before becoming a trustee in 2006 and subsequently became chairman in April 2015. She also is part of the fundraising team helping to organise events. Julie has also served on the Grove school PTA, Harpenden 10th Scout committee and Harpenden Explorers Scout Unit committee.
In her spare time she is learning to speak Spanish, enjoys baking and has been an Arsenal season ticket holder for the last 38 years.
Nick Latham - Treasurer
Nick's son was a service user at Harpenden Mencap for about 10 years and was one of the final ones to go through the children's services before it was ultimately decommissioned in 2016.
Nick is a Chartered Accountant and has worked in the property and the not for profit sectors as his day job. He was also governor at a special needs school for eight years, and heavily involved in the relocation to stunning new premises.
Nick was appointed Trustee and Treasurer in 2016 but had been involved for some time before that. Nick lives in St Albans and Has taken up running, quite often with his son, and they have done a number of charity runs, including the St Albans Half Marathon raising funds for Stairways.
Anne Hignell
Anne has been involved with Harpenden Mencap since 1993, joining after her daughter was born. Her daughter accessed the Children's Respite Care Service for several years.
Anne has sat on many Harpenden Mencap committees and has been a trustee since 2003. She served as parent governor at her daughter's residential college.
A retired social worker, Anne volunteers on the Harpenden Arts Club Committee and at Rennie Grove Hospice. She also teaches, paints, gardens and golfs.
Caroline Rosser-Smyth
Caroline worked as a Bi-lingual PA to Senior Executives/Chairs within the financial and commercial sector, eventually switching to the Voluntary Sector. She spent a very fulfilling five years at The Children's Society.
Caroline and family have supported and been actively involved with Harpenden Mencap for 16+ years including Caroline being a serving member on one of its committees. Happily, since living in Harpenden, their eldest son also accessed many aspects of the then Harpenden Mencap Children's Services and now enjoying the benefits of Supported Living with Harpenden Mencap at Stairways, Douglas Road.
Caroline continues to keep up with her French and, just about, with her children. She is an active parish member at Our Lady of Lourdes, Harpenden and is one of their catechists. She worries about life and the universe but is also learning to dance; she is fanatical about pilates, enjoys travel, chat, family and friends plus has a keen interest in learning Italian and Spanish.
"Peter has 20 years corporate HR experience and has held senior roles at Sabre as EMEA HR Director, Vice President HR at TomTom located in Amsterdam and recently Global HR Director for Lombard Risk Management plc.
He has a Bachelor's degree in Urban Planning Studies from the University of Westminster, and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Peter has previous Trustee and Audit and Compliance Committee experience at Whiteley Home Trust, a charitable retirement village in Surrey.
Peter lives in Hitchin with his wife and three daughters.
Claire is the Registered Manager for our Supported Living Service, she joined Harpenden Mencap in 1995 and has worked in various settings throughout the organisation. Claire has supported both children and adults in residential, short breaks and outreach services. Claire is committed to ensuring our services fulfil the vision of people living the life they want.
In her spare time Claire enjoys spending time with her family, travel, antique and vintage shopping and holidays by the sea.
Andy Butterfield
Andy has worked for Harpenden Mencap for over 20 years starting as a casual support worker and has worked his way up to being the domiciliary manager based at Pine Court, a role he took on when Pine court opened in 2012, Prior to this he worked in the building trade.
Andy is a family man who has always lived locally and away from work his interests include Football, Cycling and walking his dogs (he has two retired greyhounds)
Leigh Benford
Leigh has been an active member of Harpenden Mencap since 1992, gaining experience from the Children's service, outreach scheme, night and day shifts in the residential service and Manager of the charity shop when it first opened.
Leigh is now the Residential services Manager and supports a team of dedicated staff. In the past Leigh trained as a Nurse and worked in this field for 5 years.
In her spare time Leigh likes walking and arts and crafts.


GovDeals, Inc. is the leading online auction solution, offering its services to all governmental entities to sell their surplus vehicles, equipment, and other items over the Internet. Currently over 10,000 governments use GovDeals to dispose of their surplus assets. The GovDeals' online auction system consistently generates from 20% to 40% more money for surplus equipment and vehicles than live auctions, sealed bids and most other auction companies. GovDeals, Inc. is a subsidiary of Washington, DC-based Liquidy Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: LQDT).


Be part of The Studio, a group of creatives (Graphic Designer, Film maker/Animator and Production Manager) who work together to produce high quality resources for the Church of England – Birmingham and beyond. You will oversee the production of tactical, visual resources that communicate the pioneering thought emerging from the Church of England – Birmingham.
• Managing production requests for the Studio.
• Planning and organising production schedules for tactical communications resources for all stakeholders and audiences.
• Translating concepts and feedback re. communications needs into a range of resources for all stakeholder/audience types, in collaboration with the Film maker/ Animator and Graphic Designer.
• Assessing project and resource requirements.
• Overseeing Studio production processes.
• Determining quality control and editorial standards.
• Liaising with Director of Communications to understand needs and motivations of varied stakeholders and audiences.
• Line management of Film maker/ Animator and Graphic Designer.
• Ability to motivate and persuade co-workers and colleagues.


Stem cell transplantation (SCT) is not part of current frontline treatment strategies for children and adolescents with non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Recommending treatment approaches for relapsed NHL pts continues to be a challenge.
Relapses of LBL occur very early and more than half of pts do not reach a second remission and die before planned SCT. The only surviving pts receive consolidation with allogeneic SCT after obtaining a stable remission.
Survival of pts with relapse of a mature B-NHL differs according to subtype. Without SCT pts have almost no chance to survive. Pts with DLBCL-relapse have a chance of >50% to reach a CCR by an autologous SCT. For Burkitt's lymphoma-relapse pts the major goal is achieving a stable 2nd CR; relapses refractory to chemotherapy are not curable currently. Available data do not allow recommending the type of SCT for consolidation in Burkitt's lymphoma relapse pts. The scarce data on PMLBL-relapses suggest that consolidation by allo SCT may be more promising than by auto SCT.
Pts with a relapse of an ALCL are the largest group of relapse pts, thus allowing risk stratification in relapse. About 20% of relapses are progression during front-line therapy. Survival of those pts has only been reported after allo SCT (OS 30–40%). Pts relapsing after frontline therapy have a chance to survive by different strategies including vinblastine-maintenance, auto, or allo SCT.
Conclusion: SCT has no relevant role in frontline treatment for childhood and adolescent NHL. In LBL and B-NHL-relapse pts, it is most crucial — and challenging — to reach a stable second CR before any type of SCT for consolidation. Recommendations for SCT type can currently be based on disease-entity and time of relapse/progression.


text:
using namespace aslam::backend;
using namespace sm::kinematics;
typedef Eigen::Matrix<double,1,1> Vector1d;

struct ScalarExpressionNodeFunctor
{
    typedef Vector1d value_t;
    typedef value_t::Scalar scalar_t;
    typedef Eigen::VectorXd input_t;
    typedef Eigen::MatrixXd jacobian_t;

    ScalarExpressionNodeFunctor(ScalarExpression dv) :
        _dv(dv) {}

    input_t update(const input_t & x, int c, scalar_t delta) { input_t xnew = x; xnew[c] += delta; return xnew; }

    ScalarExpression _dv;

    Eigen::VectorXd operator()(const Eigen::VectorXd & dr)
        {

            Vector1d p;
            p(0,0) = _dv.toScalar();
            JacobianContainer J(1);
            _dv.evaluateJacobians(J);

            int offset = 0;
            for(size_t i = 0; i < J.numDesignVariables(); i++)
            {
                DesignVariable * d = J.designVariable(i);
                d->update(&dr[offset],d->minimalDimensions());
                offset += d->minimalDimensions();
            }

            p(0,0) = _dv.toScalar();

            for(size_t i = 0; i < J.numDesignVariables(); i++)
            {
                DesignVariable * d = J.designVariable(i);
                d->revertUpdate();
            }

            //std::cout << "returning " << p << std::endl;
            return p;

        }
};

void testJacobian(ScalarExpression dv)
{
    ScalarExpressionNodeFunctor functor(dv);

    sm::eigen::NumericalDiff<ScalarExpressionNodeFunctor> numdiff(functor);

    /// Discern the size of the jacobian container
    Vector1d p;
    p(0,0) = (dv.toScalar());
    JacobianContainer Jc(1);
    dv.evaluateJacobians(Jc);

    Eigen::VectorXd dp(Jc.cols());
    dp.setZero();
    Eigen::MatrixXd Jest = numdiff.estimateJacobian(dp);

    sm::eigen::assertNear(Jc.asSparseMatrix(), Jest, 1e-6, SM_SOURCE_FILE_POS, "Testing the quat Jacobian");
}

TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites,testMinimalDifferenceJacobian)
{
  try {
    using namespace sm::kinematics;
    double initialValue = sm::random::rand();
    Scalar point1(initialValue);
    point1.setActive(true);
    point1.setBlockIndex(1);

    double u = sm::random::rand();

    point1.update(&u, 1);
    // now x is equal to x_bar

    Eigen::MatrixXd xHat = Eigen::MatrixXd(1,1);
    xHat(0,0) = initialValue;
    Eigen::VectorXd diffV1;
    point1.minimalDifference(xHat, diffV1);

    // now update again with eps
    double eps = sm::random::rand();
    point1.update(&eps, 1);
    Eigen::VectorXd diffV2;
    Eigen::MatrixXd J;
    point1.minimalDifferenceAndJacobian(xHat, diffV2, J);

    // delta e is now diffV1 - diffV1
    Eigen::VectorXd delta_e = diffV2 - diffV1;
    Eigen::VectorXd delta_eps = Eigen::VectorXd(1);
    delta_eps(0) = eps;

    Eigen::VectorXd v1 = J*delta_eps;

//    std::cout << "initialValue is: " << initialValue << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "xHat is: " << xHat << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "diffV1 is: " << diffV1 << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "diffV2 is: " << diffV2 << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "J is: " << J << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "u is: " << u << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "eps is: " << eps << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "delta_e is: " << delta_e << std::endl;
//    std::cout << "v1 is: " << v1 << std::endl;

    sm::eigen::assertNear(v1, delta_e, 1e-6, SM_SOURCE_FILE_POS, "Testing the minimal difference jacobian");
  }
  catch(std::exception const & e)
  {
    FAIL() << e.what();
  }

}

// Test that the jacobian matches the finite difference jacobian
TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testScalarProduct)
{
    try
    {
        using namespace sm::kinematics;
        Scalar point1(sm::random::rand());
        point1.setActive(true);
        point1.setBlockIndex(1);
        ScalarExpression p1 = point1.toExpression();

        Scalar point2(sm::random::rand());
        point2.setActive(true);
        point2.setBlockIndex(2);
        ScalarExpression p2 = point2.toExpression();

        ScalarExpression p_cross = p1 * p2;

        SCOPED_TRACE("");
        testJacobian(p_cross);

    }
    catch(std::exception const & e)
    {
        FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

// Test that the jacobian matches the finite difference jacobian
TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testScalarProduct2)
{
    try
    {
        using namespace sm::kinematics;
        Scalar point1(sm::random::rand());
        point1.setActive(true);
        point1.setBlockIndex(1);
        ScalarExpression p1 = point1.toExpression();

        double p2 = sm::random::rand();

        ScalarExpression p_cross = p1 * p2;

        SCOPED_TRACE("");
        testJacobian(p_cross);

    }
    catch(std::exception const & e)
    {
        FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

// Test that the jacobian matches the finite difference jacobian
TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testScalarAddition)
{
    try
    {
        using namespace sm::kinematics;
        Scalar point1(sm::random::rand());
        point1.setActive(true);
        point1.setBlockIndex(1);
        ScalarExpression p1 = point1.toExpression();

        Scalar point2(sm::random::rand());
        point2.setActive(true);
        point2.setBlockIndex(2);
        ScalarExpression p2 = point2.toExpression();

        ScalarExpression p_add = p1 + p2;

        SCOPED_TRACE("");
        testJacobian(p_add);

    }
    catch(std::exception const & e)
    {
        FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

// Test that the jacobian matches the finite difference jacobian
TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testScalarSubtraction)
{
    try
    {
        using namespace sm::kinematics;
        Scalar point1(sm::random::rand());
        point1.setActive(true);
        point1.setBlockIndex(1);
        ScalarExpression p1 = point1.toExpression();

        Scalar point2(sm::random::rand());
        point2.setActive(true);
        point2.setBlockIndex(2);
        ScalarExpression p2 = point2.toExpression();

        ScalarExpression p_diff = p1 - p2;

        SCOPED_TRACE("");
        testJacobian(p_diff);

    }
    catch(std::exception const & e)
    {
        FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

// Test that the jacobian matches the finite difference jacobian
TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testVectorSubtraction)
{
    try
    {
        using namespace sm::kinematics;
        Scalar point1(sm::random::rand());
        point1.setActive(true);
        point1.setBlockIndex(1);
        ScalarExpression p1 = point1.toExpression();

        double p2 = sm::random::rand();

        ScalarExpression p_diff = p1 - p2;

        SCOPED_TRACE("");
        testJacobian(p_diff);

    }
    catch(std::exception const & e)
    {
        FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

// Test that the jacobian matches the finite difference jacobian
TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testVectorAddition)
{
    try
    {
        using namespace sm::kinematics;
        Scalar point1(sm::random::rand());
        point1.setActive(true);
        point1.setBlockIndex(1);
        ScalarExpression p1 = point1.toExpression();

        double p2 = sm::random::rand();

        ScalarExpression p_diff = p1 + p2;

        SCOPED_TRACE("");
        testJacobian(p_diff);

    }
    catch(std::exception const & e)
    {
        FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testVectorOpsFailure)
{
    using namespace aslam::backend;
    // In [12]: p
    // Out[12]: 628.233093262
    double p = 628.233093262;

    // In [13]: t
    // Out[13]: 1338888490.598351
    double t = 1338888490.598351;
    // In [14]: cC.eC.lineDelayDv.toScalar() * p + t
    // Out[14]: 1338888490.6249666
    double ld = 4.23659880956014e-05;

    Scalar ldDv(ld);
    // In [15]: lineDelayDvExpression = cC.eC.lineDelayDv.toExpression()
    ScalarExpression ldExp = ldDv.toExpression();
    ASSERT_EQ(ldDv.toScalar(), ld);

    // In [16]: lineDelayDvExpression.toScalar()
    // Out[16]: 4.23659880956014e-05
    ASSERT_EQ(ld, ldExp.toScalar());

    // In [17]: keypointOffset = lineDelayDvExpression * p
    ScalarExpression keypointOffset = ldExp * p;

    // In [19]: keypointOffset.toScalar()
    // Out[19]: 0.02661571575038882
    ASSERT_EQ(ld * p, keypointOffset.toScalar());

    // In [20]: keypointTime = keypointOffset + t
    ScalarExpression keypointTime = keypointOffset + t;

    // In [21]: keypointTime.toScalar()
    // Out[21]: 1338888448.0266156
    ASSERT_EQ(ld * p + t, keypointTime.toScalar());

    // In [22]: cC.eC.lineDelayDv.toScalar() * p + t
    // Out[22]: 1338888490.6249666
    ASSERT_EQ(ldDv.toScalar() * p + t, keypointTime.toScalar());

}

TEST(ScalarExpressionNodeTestSuites, testMinimalDifference)
{
  try {
    using namespace sm::kinematics;
    double initialValue = sm::random::rand();
    Scalar point1(initialValue);
    point1.setActive(true);
    point1.setBlockIndex(1);

    double eps = sm::random::rand();

    point1.update(&eps, 1);

    Eigen::MatrixXd xHat = Eigen::MatrixXd(1,1);
    xHat(0,0) = initialValue;
    Eigen::VectorXd diffV;
    point1.minimalDifference(xHat, diffV);

    double diff = diffV(0,0);

    EXPECT_DOUBLE_EQ(eps, diff);

  }
  catch(const std::exception & e)
    {
      FAIL() << e.what();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


This is a photo from the mill window. The finished dam, waterfall and mill pond are wonderful. I get to look at this everyday. When I'm mixing and bagging product I can't quite here the customers …. the waterfall is so loud. I tell the folks I'm gona turn down the volume and I shut the window near me.
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text:
» Change in citizenship policy creates confusion
Change in citizenship policy creates confusion
On behalf of Law Offices of Hussain & Gutierrez | Sep 5, 2019 | Immigration |
The Trump administration has been consist in cracking down on immigration, and so when U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced late last month that it was changing its policy toward children born abroad to U.S. citizen parents, many immigration advocates assumed the worst. Headlines declared that children born overseas to U.S. military service member parents would now no longer automatically receive U.S. citizenship.
Soon, the USCIS and the Homeland Security Department issued a new statement to attempt to calm the public and explain what the policy change really means. But the confusion remains.
According to some analysts, the new policy, which goes into effect in October, represents a change to the residency requirements for children to gain U.S. citizenship as the children of U.S. citizens. They say it will not revoke anyone's citizenship, but it will mean adoptions will be more complicated for some U.S. service member families and citizens who do not reside in the United States.
According to Military.com, the policy change affects: U.S. citizens who do not meet the residency requirements to transmit U.S. citizenship to their children at birth; those whose parents became U.S. citizens after the child's birth; foreign children adopted by U.S. parents; and children who live with U.S. parents outside the country, but who did not acquire citizenship at birth.
With so many immigration policy changes going on these days, it is a good idea for immigrants, parents of foreign-born children, employers who hire foreign workers, and others to talk to an immigration attorney about their rights and legal options.


text:
Касонго Н'ємбу (д/н — 1931) — мулохве (володар) держави Луба в 1885/1886—1917 роках.

Життєпис
Син мулохве Касонго Каломбо. Після загибелі останнього 1885 або 1886 року оголосив себе новим правителем. Втім проти нього виступив стрийко Ндаї Манді, а потім брат Кабонго Кумвімба Шімбу. В результаті Луба розпалася на 3 частини. Почалася запекла війна. Цим скористалися бельгійські чиновники Вільної держави Конго, які в обмін на підтримки кожного з правителів умовили визнати протекторат Конго.

Запекла війна ослабила усі сторони, в ній загинув Ндаї Манді. Уряд вільної держави Конго був не зацікавлений у війні між Касонго Н'ємбу та його братом Кабонго Кумвімба Шімбу, тому змусив їх замиритися.

В подальші роки відбувається проникнення бельгійських підприємців, що намагалися захопити місцеві копальні. Разом з тим конфлікти з ними не були гострими через збереження небезпеки з боку держави Мсірі на півдні. Лише після зникнення цієї загрози 1891 року відбувається активізація європейських підприємців.

У 1905 році у відповідь на обмеження прав та посилене захоплення природних багатств Касонго Н'ємбу повстав проти бельгійців. Останніх підтримали британці з Південно-Африканської компанії.

У 1906 році було утворено британо-бельгійську «Горнодобувну компанію Верхньої Катанги», яка взяла в оренду в Вільної держави Конго землі Луби. Після цього повстання Касонго Н'ємбу підтримав Кабонго Кумвімба Шімбу. Після загибелі (або смерті від хвороби) останнього в 1912 році Н'ємбу об'єднав власні землі Луби. Чинив спротив до 1917 року, коли потрапив у полон. Його землі увійшли до Бельгійського Конго (з 1908 року утворилося замість вільної держави Конго).

Колишнього мулохве було заслано до Бута, де той помер 1931 року. Номінальним мулохве став Ілунга Кумвімбо, після смерті якого 1926 році землі Луби остаточно приєднано до Бельгійського Конго.

Джерела
 The Rainbow and the Kings: A History of the Luba Empire to 1891. By THOMAS Q. REEFE. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1981. Pp. 306. Maps, tables, index, bibliography.

Мулохве Луби

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
The Myth of the American Dream
Revelation of some realities behind the American Dream.
Success is what the American Dream is all about. Many people are motivated by the promise of a better life, hence they chase dollar bills all their lives in the hopes of living out the American Dream - a fantasy which only money can buy. The American economic system is designed to meet the needs of the upper class, as it ignores problems of ethnic minorities.
The American Dream is a fantasy that has not come true for the millions that are toiling in the system hoping to get a piece of the wealth which America so liberally shares with its rich upper class. Mansions, expensive cars, a happy family and of course lots of money. These images adorn the minds of the less privileged of this nation.
For many this dream soon becomes a nightmare. With the cost of living becoming so high and lack of medical care or job security, minimal pay and an expensive education system are just some the hurdles that people have to jump over to reach the American Dream. Therefore it is fair to say that it is almost impossible for numerous people to make a decent living. Many people in America are earning minimum wage which is $5.65 a hour, and contrary to popular belief, they are not middle-class teenagers working for gas money. Most minimum wage earners in the United States are adults, more than half are female, and about half work full time. (Epinet)
America's economic system is flawed as there is unequal distribution of its wealth. When we examine where America's wealth lies we see that it certainly not in filling the bellies of countless hungry babies in this country. The wealth is filling the pockets of the rich:
Wealth inequality has grown in the 1990s. As of 1997 (the latest year for which data is available), the top 1% of U.S. households controlled 39.1% of all wealth. When comparing the changes in wealth distribution over the 1983-97 period, the large shift in wealth primarily benefited the top 1% (rising from 33.8% to 39.1% of all wealth). In comparison, the bottom 95% of the wealth distribution experienced flat or falling growth in wealth over the same period. The explosive growth of the stock market further concentrated wealth at the top of the income scale between 1995 and 1997. Projections suggest that the share of wealth controlled by the top 1% increased by 1.5 percentage points (from 37.6% to 39.1%) in just the past couple of years.(Epinet)
Behind the people who are making all the money, there is a task force of thousands of overworked and underpaid individuals. It seems that the people who don't count in this country such as the racial minorities are left to do this country's dirty work. In the following excerpt we can get a glimpse of who really does the work in America.
The population of this country is 337 million, 154 million are retired. That leaves 183 million to do the work. There are 85 million in school, which leaves 98 million to do the work.. Of this total, there are 29 million employed by the federal government. That leaves 69 million to do the work. Four million are in the Armed Forces, which leaves 64 million to do the work. Take from that total the 24,800,000 people who work for state and city Governments and that leaves 39,200,000 of us to do the work. At any given time there are 24,000,000 in hospitals, so that leaves 15,200,000 to do the work. Now, there are 15,199,998 people in federal and State prisons. That leaves just two people to do the work, you and me.(LinkAmerica)
Approximately thirty-two years ago, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. launched the "Poor People's Campaign". This was a far-reaching plan to lift the economic conditions of underprivileged Americans of all classes and races. The heart and soul of the campaign was the progressive demand for full employment -- that the opportunity to secure jobs be extended to all in order to lift people above, as King termed, "the curse of poverty." (Epinet)
Presently, African Americans are not much better off than they were in King's time. In 1968, the income of a typical black family was 60 percent of whites. Median Income grew slowly throughout the 1970s and 1980s, and much more gradually for blacks than for whites. As of 1997, the ratio stood at 61 percent. For all the progress of the past few years, the income gap has closed by all of one percent - from 60 to 61 percent - since 1968. (Epinet)
Other racial discrimination can be seen through a study done by The Association of Community Organizations for Reform Now (ACORN), which demonstrates increasing racial disparities in the home purchase mortgage market.
In a study covering all lenders in thirty-five cities over three years, ACORN found that African Americans and Latinos are rejected more frequently than white applicants for both conventional and government-backed mortgages and that this disparity is rising. The growth in conventional mortgages for African Americans between 1995 and 1997 was modest, under 5%, but the increase in lending to white borrowers was nearly five times as large. Over the same period, conventional home purchase lending to Latinos declined by more than 1%. (ACORN)
Over a hundred years ago Asians were told that the streets were paved in gold in America. They were promised some of this gold, but in reality companies just wanted cheap labor. (Chang 366) Nowadays the media portrays the Asians as having found that gold. (Chang 366) According to a U.S Censor Survey Asians average income was $22,713 whereas the whites were $20,800 (Chang 367). The media took this statistic and announced to America that Asians were achieving the American Dream.(Chang 367)
Such statements bring to light aphorisms such as "Statistics are like a bikini. What they reveal is suggestive, but what they conceal is vital." (Chang 367) Unfortunately the media failed to examine these statistics closely. A close examination of these will reveal that Asians usually have more children or live-in relatives therefore more mouths to feed, they also have more than one income earner in the family to make ends meet and many live in areas where the cost of living is very high. (Chang 367) According to Dr. Robert S. Mariano, professor of economics at the University of Pennsylvania, who has calculated that
When such appropriate adjustments and comparisons are made, a different and rather disturbing picture emerges, showing indeed a clearly disadvantaged group ... Filipino and Chinese are no better off than black men a with regard to median incomes.(Chang 367)
Along with other minorities Asians are only getting the crumbs of the economic pie. The City University of New York constructed fake resumes for Asians and for whites. Both resumes had similar education and work experience except that some had an Asian name and others had a white name.(369) They concluded that the resumes meant for whites got 5 times the interviews than the Asians. Another U.S Census showed that Chinese and Filipino males only earned 75% and 52% respectively as much as their equally educated white males. (Change 369) It is obvious that economic discrimination is coupled with racial discrimination making it very difficult for racial minorities to climb up the financial ladder.
In order for change to take place, people need to get together to make changes in our economic system. One such group is ACORN, who has started the living wage campaign.
In short, living wage campaigns seeks to pass local ordinances requiring private businesses that benefit from public money to pay their workers a living wage. Commonly, the ordinances cover employers who hold large city or county service contracts or receive substantial financial assistance from the city in the form of grants, loans, bond financing, tax abatements, or other economic development subsidies. The concept behind any living wage campaign is simple: Our limited public dollars should not be subsidizing poverty-wage work. When subsidized employers are allowed to pay their workers less than a living wage, tax payers end up footing a double bill: the initial subsidy and then the food stamps, emergency medical, housing and other social services low wage workers may require to support themselves and their families even minimally. Public dollars should be leveraged for the public good -- reserved for those private sector employers who demonstrate a commitment to providing decent, family-supporting jobs in our local communities.(LivingWages)
There needs to be a larger public outcry against this "institution of wealth". As more and more people demand changes to occur, we will still be living under the golden rule: "The one's who have the gold, make the rules." (Howard Lyman speech). The curse of poverty is far from lifted as there is much work to be done to bring about economic equality for racial minorities. We, as a nation, have far to go before we arrive at King's vision of economic justice.
Irtcles by Sangeeta
Animal Rights and Wrongs
A thought-provoking essay on our interaction with animals.
Racism rears its ugly head in many ways including the creation of environmental ghettos.
Thoughts about education from some of its greatest contributors.
Jonathan the Seagull
A look at the delightful, inspirational classic.
Season for Non-violence
Here is news on the Season for Non-Violence.
Triumph of Love
A story about a baby whale whose vision creates an ocean of love.
Vivisection Science or Insanity
A look at the sense and insensibility of using animals for medical and scientific research.A look at the sense and insensibility of using animals for medical and scientific research.


text:
ProgGov21
Policy Roadmaps
Economic Equality
Public Finance and Investment
Transportation and Mobility
Wages and Benefits
Policy Toolbox
Roadmap to Education
What is the Problem & How are Progressives Addressing It
Strong public education is the lynchpin of economic development. Great schools build the skills of future workers and reduce costs of social services and criminal-justice systems. Comprehensive reform in public education hinges on federal and state governments. However, there are many ways in which local governments can improve the quality of public education for their residents.
While much of the funding for K-12 schools comes from the state and federal governments, cities and counties can use various mechanisms to supplement existing resources, including dedicated taxes and levies (see also our Finance roadmap). Local governments are also experimenting with new models to increase partnership and collaboration between school districts and the cities and counties they serve (see also our Regional Coordination roadmap). Additional initiatives and programs focus on transforming public school into holistic community centers that serve various social and civic purposes.
Available Local Levers & Targets of Reforms
As the foundation for learning is established at an early age, local governments should strive to establish universal pre-K programs, which also enjoy significant public support (see also "children and families"). Research also shows that investment in early childhood development provides economic, health and social benefits for the individual and the community. Such programs should be aligned with K-12 education systems: researchers and practitioners increasingly believe that a more seamless educational pipeline that addresses a range of academic, behavioral, health and family issues would serve young children more effectively.
Most cities and counties in the U.S. have no direct control over the school systems that serve their residents, as this responsibility is delegated from states to school districts that function as independent special-purpose government. At the same time, municipalities and counties affect school districts through their control of planning, zoning, and transportation. In recent years, local governments have developed new models for partnership and collaboration that have proven useful for extending the school day, improving safety and efficiency, implementing programs to reduce hunger and provide healthier food, and more.
Current Reforms & Tools to Fight for Them
A Seattle 2004 ordinance created a ballot measure to approve a property tax levy to fund educational and developmental services, preschool and early childhood education, middle school support, out of school activities and more. Berkeley's School District Resolution adopted a 2020 Vision plan that aims to provide all children with equitable education outcomes regardless of race, ethnicity, or income by 2020.
Washington D.C. passed an act to create the Community Schools Incentive Initiative, which will award multi-year grants to create community schools through public and private partnership that coordinates educational, developmental, and after-school care programs. The Kindergarten to College (K2C) program in San Francisco, which automatically opens students a savings account with $50, is for each student in the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) and incentivizes saving through various rewards.
Local governments should consider partnering with school districts to transform selected public schools into "community schools" that also serve as a community center. These initiatives – adopted in Chicago, St. Paul, Baltimore, and many other localities – include broadening the range of services and resources available to students, their families, and the community. Studies show that well-implemented community schools lead to improvement in student performances and contribute to meeting the educational needs of high-poverty areas.
Policy Matters, a non-profit research institute in Ohio, interviewed teachers and administrators from school districts across the state. The results indicate that students are better served when educators work together, sharing successful practices and helping each other improve. Future education reforms should focus on bringing representative groups of teachers, administrators and others to the decision-making process.
Helpers, Allies, and Other Useful Organizations
The Center for Cities + Schools at UC Berkeley (CC+S) conducts policy research and cultivates collaboration between city and school leaders to strengthen communities.
The Coalition for Community Schools is a branch of the Institute for Educational Leadership that promote community schools as an equity-driven, researched based strategy.
The Council of the Great City Schools (CGCS) is a national association of local education authorities in the largest U.S. metropolitan areas that provides information on issues affecting urban and inner city education.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors Education Playbook provides information about issues and initiatives of importance to the municipal governments
The Urban Superintendents Association of America (USAA) is a national organization bringing together the chief school executives of major metropolitan school districts to work on issues of common concern.
The National Rural Education Association (NREA) promotes relations among rural area schools and school districts.
© ProgGov21. All rights reserved.


text:
Spodoptera umbraculata is a moth of the  family Noctuidae endemic to New South Wales and Queensland.  The larvae feed on grasses.

See also
 African armyworm (Spodoptera exempta)

External links
Australian Faunal Directory

Spodoptera
Moths described in 1858


text:
Welcome: Evangelia Petsalaki
By Mary Todd Bergman
Research Group Leader Evangelia Petsalaki outside her new office in the South Building at the European Bioinformatics Institute (EMBL-EBI)
Evangelia Petsalaki's research group at EMBL-EBI is deciphering human cell signalling to understand health and disease
Cells communicate using chemical 'signals' between proteins or other molecules. This molecular conversation allows cells to do their job, whether it's growth, repair or defence. Errors in cell signalling are responsible for a range of diseases, including cancer, autoimmunity and diabetes. The Evangelia Petsalaki group at EMBL-EBI is creating models of signalling in cells to probe the way they communicate with each other. Their aim is to make both predictive and conditional models, so they can anticipate what might happen in a biological network under different conditions.
To enrich its datasets and validate its models, the group collaborates with experimental teams that specialise in mass spectrometry, imaging and cell biology. Their models are being designed to help researchers answer specific biological questions, such as how stem cells 'decide' what type of cell they will become, and what is the effect of cell signalling on cell shape and migration (i.e. where it 'goes' in a tissue or organ).
Tell me a little bit about yourself
I'm originally from Greece, and I grew up in Athens. I studied biology as an undergraduate, then did a PhD at EMBL with Rob Russell on structural bioinformatics. From there, I had two postdoctoral positions at the Lunenfeld-Tanenbaum Research Institute in Toronto, Canada. One postdoc involved using bioinformatics to analyse proteomics and imaging data sets to study cell signalling. The second focussed on experimental work doing yeast genetics.
Both my parents are scientists, so I had a lot of contact with the science world growing up. But what has kept me motivated and excited is that scientists are like explorers who go into places nobody else has seen before. So, you know when you watch BBC documentaries about explorers finding new species at the bottom of the ocean? Our work is a bit like that, but at a molecular level.
What are your scientific interests?
I think there's a lot to discover about cell signalling and how cells respond to different stimuli. For example, why do two patients with the same disease respond differently to a drug? Why do a liver cell and a lung cell with the same mutation seem to have different chances of getting cancer?
What is your philosophy for running a lab?
To be good at science you have to enjoy what you do, otherwise, you will become frustrated very quickly. Always keep in mind the bigger picture, and work alongside your team members. This is the only way to make the whole greater than the sum of its parts.
Diversity gives us broader insight into how to tackle research questions. It also keeps us on our toes
In Tony Pawson's lab, where I worked as a postdoc, we all came from different backgrounds. We had a crystallographer, experts in nuclear magnetic resonance, a bioinformatician, stem cell experts, etc. I love working in an interdisciplinary environment and would like to recreate that in my group. I think this diversity gives us broader insight into how to tackle research questions. It also keeps us on our toes. I'm hoping to expand the group reasonably fast so we can become productive very soon. I'm looking for people with a computational and techie background, but they also have to be interested in biology. Ideally, they should be competitive, but in a healthy way, so they are also friendly, supportive and always consider the good of the team.
Oddly enough, it was the advice to change my field of study. I was considering what to do for my postdoc at the time – whether to pursue a similar topic or change fields to get a more 'rounded' background. I think changing fields when I did has made me better at solving problems and overall a better scientist.
What advice would you give someone who is just starting out in the field?
Don't take rejection and failure personally. Doing experimental work means you fail every day. But with time, you accept it as a learning experience and it helps you grow as a scientist and as a person.
And no matter what you do, always have a back-up plan! This helps you deal with potential failures and gives you a sense of not being trapped.
Going places nobody else has been to – literally and metaphorically.
Which unresolved question would you most like to answer?
I think the major question for me is how can we map the genotype to phenotype? How can you use a DNA sequence to tell what that person's traits are going to be, from their height to things like disease predisposition? There are many layers of regulations between these steps and I'm curious about the proteome and phosphoproteome level, i.e. how cell signalling affects this relationship.
What has struck you about EMBL-EBI since you've joined?
EMBL-EBI makes you feel like it's very hard to fail. We are extremely well supported, both from an administrative point of view and as a scientific one. I've had several colleagues offer to help with setting up the lab and grant applications. We all celebrate papers getting published. It's a very collegial and positive environment.
What impact would you like your work to have on research?
I hope to make a significant contribution to understanding how cell signalling works in humans and the molecular mechanisms underlying the process. In the long run, this would mean developing digital cell profiles and understanding how cell signalling networks work.
I also want to work with people who are enthusiastic and happy. I would like to encourage them to stay in science and continue to address their curiosity.
We will be successful if our tools – and the knowledge we gain – can be used in both basic research and translational applications, such as precision medicine, such that doctors can more easily identify the right treatment for their patient based on their unique cell-signalling networks.
This post was originally published on EMBL-EBI News.
Petsalaki Group webpage
Group leader recruitment at EMBL
CareersCell signallingcomputational biologyprofileWelcome
Dae-Kyum Kim: RT @e_petsalaki: Very proud: The first paper of our group (joint with @pedrobeltrao) is in bioRxiv! @brandoninvergo and Borgthor Petursson…
Pedro Mendes: RT @e_petsalaki: Very proud: The first paper of our group (joint with @pedrobeltrao) is in bioRxiv! @brandoninvergo and Borgthor Petursson…
John Bachman: RT @e_petsalaki: Very proud: The first paper of our group (joint with @pedrobeltrao) is in bioRxiv! @brandoninvergo and Borgthor Petursson…


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Fiqh of the family
Kind Treatment of Spouses
Books that speak about the rulings on marriage, women, and ways of making the marriage successful
I am pursuing a marriage is the particular books or lectures I can benefit from which will cover the ruling of marriage and other topical areas which will bring about a successful marriage.In addition a book which is exclusive for sister so that my intended spouse can learn fatwa of women.
Praise be to Allah
The Islamic texts encourage marriage and state that it is the way of the Prophets and Messengers. Allah, may He be exalted, says (interpretation of the meaning):
"And indeed We sent Messengers before you (O Muhammad (blessings and peace of Allah be upon him)), and made for them wives and offspring"
[ar-Ra'd 13:38]
"And marry those among you who are single (i.e. a man who has no wife and the woman who has no husband) and (also marry) the Salihoon (pious, fit and capable ones) of your (male) slaves and maid-servants (female slaves). If they be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty. And Allah is All-Sufficent for His creatures' needs, All-Knowing (about the state of the people)"
[an-Noor 24:32].
As-Sa'di (may Allah have mercy on him) said:
"If they" that is, married people or those who want to get married "be poor, Allah will enrich them out of His Bounty". So you should not let what you imagine – that if he gets married, he will become poor because of having too many dependents – prevent you from getting married.
This offers encouragement to get married, and is a divine promise to the one who gets married that he will become independent of means after having been poor. And Allah is All-Sufficent for His creatures' needs that is, He is very kind and bestows much bounty
"All-Knowing" – He knows who deserves His grace and bounty in both religious and worldly terms, or in one of them, and who does not deserve that. So He gives to all in accordance with His knowledge and wisdom.
Tayseer al-Kareem ar-Rahmaan (p. 567)
For more information, please see fatwas no. 136885 and 220841, which discuss the virtues of marriage.
With regard to books that speak of the virtues of marriage, the rulings thereon and ways of making marriage successful, there are many such books, including the following:
Tuhfat al-'Aroos by Mahmoud Mahdi al-Islambooli. This is a very useful book in which the author speaks of proposals and the rulings thereon, the essential parts and conditions of the marriage contract, the rights and duties of both spouses, and rulings on intimacy.
[Translator's note: This book is available in English under the title: The Bride's Boon]
Az-Zawaaj fi Zill al-Islam by Shaykh 'Abd ar-Rahmaan 'Abd al-Khaaliq, in which the author discusses the rulings on marriage in Islam, how to choose a life partner, rulings and conditions of the marriage proposal, impediments and outcomes of the marriage contract , ways to guarantee family stability, and ways of dealing with disputes between the spouses; then he speaks of the end of the marriage, either through death or separation during life by means of talaaq, khula' or annulment of the marriage.
Az-Zawaaj al-Islami as-Sa'eed by Mahmoud al-Masri Abu 'Ammaar
[Translator's note: other books available in English include the following:
A Gift for a Muslim Bride by Muhammad Haneef Abdul Majeed
Secrets to a Successful Marriage by Afshan Khan
Traversing the Highs and Lows of Muslim Marriage by Sadaf Farooq]
With regard to books that speak about rulings having to do with Muslim women, there are also many such books. By way of example we may mention Jaami' Ahkaam an-Nisa' by Shaykh Mustafa al-'Adawi and Fataawa al-Mar'ah al-Muslimah, compiled by Ashfraf 'Abd al-Maqsood


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A SpaceX rocket stage is about to crash into the Moon
Seth Kurkowski - Jan. 24th 2022 9:46 am PT Twitter icon @SethKurk
ScienceSpaceflightSpaceXMoonLRO
Seven years ago, SpaceX launched its first mission out of Earth orbit for NOAA, and since then, its upper stage has stuck around. But, according to a community of observers, it will meet an end crashing into the Moon soon.
Update Feb. 12, 2022: It now seems that this object is not in fact the Falcon 9 upper stage, but rather a stage from China's Chang'e 5-T1 mission.
What SpaceX launch was this?
For SpaceX, 2015 was a breakout year. It began with the company's first droneship landing, which failed, and ended with the first-ever successful landing of a Falcon 9 booster back at LZ-1. 2015 was also the last time the company lagged behind ULA's Atlas V as the most launched US rocket for the year.
Finally, SpaceX was tasked to launch NOAA's Deep Space Climatary Observatory (DSCOVR) out to the Earth-Sun L1 Lagrange Point, opposite the L2 point NASA's James Webb Space Telescope is arriving at today. DSCOVR was the first mission for SpaceX to leave Earth's orbit and was the first time the rocket's second stage couldn't use the Earth's atmosphere to deorbit itself, a tactic regularly used to reduce space debris.
SpaceX's Falcon 9 v1.1 rocket launching DSCOVR for NOAA, NASA, and the US Air Force. Credit: SpaceX
This meant DSCOVR's spent stage was stuck orbiting around the Earth and Moon for the past seven years. Unfortunately, there are not many stable orbits around the Earth and the Moon. The Moon does a pretty good job slinging unwanted debris out around the Sun or crashing into itself. This final option will be the fate of the spent SpaceX stage.
When will SpaceX's second stage crash into the Moon?
According to Bill Gray and a team of observers collecting extra data, SpaceX's second stage is expected to crash into the Moon on March 4, as first reported by Ars Technica.
This isn't a perfect prediction – the object is tumbling, and while it's well understood how the Earth, Moon, and Sun's gravity will affect it, the projections of the light hitting it (which can affect orbits in space) are less understood. Gray writes, "these unpredictable effects are very small. But they will accumulate between now and 2022 March 4."
What does this mean for orbiting Moon missions
Luckily, only a handful of missions orbit the Moon, so a collision is improbable. However, this will be a rare occurrence for missions like NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) to study the effects of a lunar impact.
Many mission's spent stages have been used to impact the Moon in the past. Most notably during Apollo, NASA would impact both the S-IVB (Saturn V third stage) and Lunar Module's ascent stage into the surface. Then seismometers would record the "moonquakes" that would occur.
In a response to Space Explored, NASA's LRO team said they will not be in place to observe the impact but they will attempt to locate the creator once overhead. More observations will be needed to fine-tune the time and location of impact, hopefully, observations can be made from ground-based observatories.
LRO
Vega-C second stage fails during launch, losing payload...


One of four 11" x 14" black & white glass plate negatives (halftone color separation negatives) used to reproduce a canvas painting of two deer drinking from a flowing mountain stream. The painting is marked "B. Black".
This glass plate was donated by Dave Brandhorst in 1996 but not accessioned or processed until 2010. The set originally came in through the photography department but was transferred to Art & Design because of the subject and process as related to paintings and lithography.


text:
FDA Greenlights New Saliva-Based Test
(CNN) - If getting a nasal swab to test for COVID-19 makes you cringe; here's some good news. A new test could use your saliva instead. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration granted emergency authorization for the "salivadirect" test…
Russell Westbrook Tests Positive
(CNN) - Houston Rockets star Russell Westbrook is pausing his return to the NBA after testing positive for coronavirus. Westbrook posted on social media that he tested positive before the team headed to Orlando to practice. He said he's…
Wilson Replaces Spalding As Official NBA Game Ball
(CNN) - The NBA is switching basketball manufacturers. Spalding is out and Wilson is in. But Wilson isn't a newbie. Wilson basketballs were used during the 2019 NCAA tournament. And the company actually made the league's basketballs from 1946…
NBA Opening Some Practice Facilities Friday
(CNN) - The NBA is reportedly planning to re-open a number of team practice-facilities. ESPN reports that the league is expecting to re-open team facilities on Friday in areas with relaxed stay-at-home restrictions. The NBA also plans to find…
NBA Launches Streaming Service
(CNN) -The National Basketball Association is trying to "net" in more viewers. It's launching a new, streaming service that allows people to pay a monthly or annual fee for the product. Customers would have access to live games and…
$192 Million Renovation Begins on Philips Arena
ATLANTA (AP) — A $192.5 million renovation of Philips Arena, home of the Atlanta Hawks, has begun a day after funding was approved by the Atlanta City Council. About $110 million for the renovation will be generated from the car…
Former NBA player Rodman is back in North Korea
PYONGYANG, North Korea (AP) — Dennis Rodman, the former NBA bad boy who has palled around with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, flew to Pyongyang on Tuesday on a trip he says he hopes will "open a door" for…
Alabama's Braxton Key to Return for Sophomore Season
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — Alabama forward Braxton Key is returning for his sophomore season. Key announced the decision on Twitter Tuesday after considering turning pro. He had declared for the NBA Draft but didn't hire an agent. Key wasn't among the…
Georgia's Yante Maten to Submit Name for 2017 NBA Draft
Georgia junior Yante Maten announced on Thursday that he plans to submit his name for the 2017 NBA Draft; however, he will not hire an agent. Maten is an All-SEC forward from Pontiac, Michigan and will have until May 24th…
Postseason First Round Set for the Atlanta Hawks
The first round of the postseason is set for the Atlanta Hawks. On Tuesday night, the Hawks clinched the fifth seed in the East by dominating the Charlotte Hornets, 103-76 and ensured another postseason match-up against the fourth-seeded Washington Wizards.…


Unique pendant of an unusual pattern. The shape of the heart makes it a timeless character, while the innovative 3D structure makes it appear exceptionally on the side. Decorated with as many as 50 zircons which were selected from hundreds of other stones specially for this pendant. Brand Rydlevsky is a guarantee of exact execution and high quality raw materials.


Get your home or business free of uninvited guests. Effective & safe pest management.
Experienced specialists. Flexible appointments. Expert inspections and results.
Reasonable pricing. No-cost estimate. All types of remedies. Eco-friendly solutions.
Are you putting up with some sort of pest problem?
You can have it resolved.
Responsible products and solid results.
Get started on stopping your problem today.
Need a little advice? Receive an estimate.
Bugs, mice, gophers – it's their world, we're just living in it.
They take care of cockroaches, bees, termites, ants, mice, rats, gophers, insects and wild animals.
In some cases, when you have a mouse or two, you won't ever actually see them.
You will only find the evidence of them being there.
They will chew things up and make a little nest in the most unfortunate spots.
If you aren't ready to share your home with a few rodents, your friendly neighborhood pest contractor can help.
There are ants in and around the dirt outside and under our houses, so it's only a matter of time before some show up inside.
You want them to stay outside.
Your technician arrives with some great new products which make them do that.
Nearly all animals are somewhat likable. Most have some good qualities.
But rats, not so much.
Since rats are good at surviving, they're tough for the typical homeowner to get rid of.
Your technician has learned from past experiences and instruction which techniques are the most effective.
Rat infestations are often serious matters.
Follow up sessions are often required to be effective.
Bees and wasps have to reside somewhere.
Generally it's okay if they're on your property, but sometimes the location of their nest can be less than ideal.
Bringing down a bee or wasp nest may be unsafe.
It's a job which should be left to someone who has some training in doing it.
The majority of us like to have birds around our yards, but we do not want them actually living on our homes.
Their nests are messy and create other negative issues.
We don't ordinarily connect with bats too often.
But if you believe you might have some living in your attic (you may hear them scratching a little at dusk), they need to be moved.
Since bats will be in their nests during the daytime hours, they're a little difficult to take care of.
You don't want to block up their door when they're still up in your house.
Extermination companies have experience in doing this.
We all agree that homeowners can't stand cockroaches.
If you get them, it's not easy to get them eliminated.
Your neighborhood pest contractor has professional grade products.
And they understand how and where to use them to be most beneficial.
Stopping a cockroach problem is often not just a single day solution.
Your local technician may have to come back for follow up appointments to keep them from coming back.
We don't typically see termites until they have done some harm to our homes.
When you see what you believe could be termites, or potential termite damage, it's best to contact a pest pro to drive over check it.
It's way to easy for fleas to hop on your cat or dog when they're outside.
Fleas are so tiny, they're hard to see.
There are fine products which kill them on your pet, but getting them out of your home is harder.
If you mistakenly carry bed bugs to your home, they want to stay too.
You can eliminate them yourself, you just need to be thorough and persistent.
Large spiders, ticks, bugs – nobody wants those creepy things in their basement.
Many homeowners aren't sure about what to do to combat these bugs.
There are sprays they can use, but some of them are rather toxic.
There are a few professional treatments which are great at cutting down on bugs such as crickets and spiders.
If you have gophers or moles which constantly turn up in your yard, it can be aggravating.
Property owners often first attempt to remove varmints on their own first, but they commonly do not have the best results.
There are ways to fight them, including using poisons and traps, but sometimes the best course is to get them to move to a better yard.
You and your local pest control technician can pick out the best method for your yard.
If you've got a few small animals hanging out in your basement or attic or garage, put together a plan to move them out.
You have to get them out of your home and then get that entryway covered up so they can't just keep coming back.
There are a few procedures for lowering the amount of mosquitoes you have.
You will not be able to entirely get rid of mosquitoes from your lawn, but your local pest technician understands a couple of strategies to reduce them a little.
In a short phone call, you can hear about general prices.
And arranging a time for a technician to drive by your property is the best way to find out what is going on and receive a better estimate.
Find a honest company to help protect your home from pests.
You can have a specialist stop out and check out your situation in downtown Oakland or Old City, Old Oakland, Ralph Bunche, San Pablo Gateway, Oak Center, Northgate, Civic Center, Lakewide, Chinatown, Waverly and Uptown.
Service calls can be arranged in all the suburbs as well – Berkeley, Richmond, San Leandro, Walnut Creek, Alameda, Bushrod, Cleveland Heights, Emeryville, Eastmont, Redwood Heights, Piedmont, Rancho San Antonio, Upper Rockridge or West Oakland-Prescott.
Make your house pest-free again.
PestContractor.com is an informational website only. PestContractor.com does not provide any direct pest control services to homeowners or other property owners. Website viewers who use the phone number listed here may be transferred to an exterminator or pest control company near the viewer's location. Copyright ©2019 PestContractor.com. All rights reserved.


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To start off go to Jit supermarket and buy a map of Juba.
There are several ways of getting around. The cheapest is walking. Its quite safe. The next cheapest is the public 14 seater toyota or nissan vans called "Taxis". The next in price is the thousands of motor bike taxis called 'boda boda'. Next is taxis called "private hires' and daily car hire, which is the best.
This is the best way to see a town. Many visitors jog in the morning. By 10 am it becomes too hot to walk or jog..
These are ridiculously cheap. One pound all stages. There are two hubs, 'Customs' bus park and Konyo Konyo. All taxis end up here. From Konyo Konyo you can go to Juba, Customs, Bridge, Gumbo and a few other places. From Customs you can go anywhere, even Kenya. There are routes to Konyo Konyo, Juba through Malakia or through ministries), Jebel market, Rock City, Yei road, Gudele, Munuki, Terekeka, from the local stage and then there is a national stage and an international stage, thus the name "Customs".
Note there are no bus routes along Tong Ping or River road, where most tourist hotels are. Take a bike.
There are thousands of 'Senke' motorbike taxis. Select wisely as there are no helmets. Chose a mature driver with a new looking bike. Tell him to drive slowly. Half speak English, half do not. Fares are 2 to 5 pounds.
This is the best option. There are many car hire companies and all travel agents do car hire. At the airport there is a car hire company just across the street. Goes for around 80 dollars per day self drive.