text:
Amid Competition, Google Revamps Its Shopping Experience
Jillian D'Onfro Forbes Staff
I cover Google parent company Alphabet and artificial intelligence.
Google's revamping its Shopping experience amid increasing competition.
LightRocket via Getty Images
Google is remaking its shopping experience as it continues to try to win back product searches from Amazon and fend off fresh e-commerce efforts from the likes of Instagram.
The company is launching a new Shopping homepage that will be personalized for users by their browsing history and direct them to make purchases either in-store, through Google's site or from a retailer's Web page, it announced Tuesday.
This new destination aims to integrate Google's various, rather convoluted shopping efforts. Previously, Google's main shopping tab had essentially been a list of advertisements where retailers paid every time someone clicked through to their website. Google wasn't involved in the actual purchase, leaving shoppers in a lurch in cases of shoddy products or outright fraud. Meanwhile, Google has its "Express" shopping service, as well as Shopping Action ads, where it only partners with select retailers, takes a commission on any purchase made and guarantees delivery or facilitates returns. Google's new shopping page merges those experiences. The Express brand, originally launched in 2013 with big ambitions as a delivery service, will be phased out in the next few months.
By launching a new destination aimed at users who are just browsing products as well as those ready to make a purchase (and may prefer to do so through a Google-guaranteed process), the company aims to bolster its shopping presence at a time when its sales growth is slowing, Amazon is presenting an increasing threat to its advertising business, and Instagram and Pinterest are beefing up their own e-commerce efforts.
Although Google won't actually be involved in warehousing or shipping products, it will guarantee ... [+] their delivery
Courtesy of Google
"We want to help shoppers decide what to buy and where to buy it," Oliver Heckmann, Google's vice president of engineering for shopping and travel, said during a press event announcing the news. The Shopping Actions ads, which will allow users to buy products directly through Google through Search, Shopping and Assistant, will also be launching for Images and YouTube later this year.
The YouTube integration means that viewers will be able to buy products they see in videos without leaving the page. Google's Heckmann says that it will give some of its sales commission to YouTube creators, but that it's "still thinking through," the exact business model. This announcement follows Instagram's recent launch of shoppable influencer posts.
Google execs said that all sponsored listings will be clearly labeled as such.
Merchants will likely embrace this new format because Google doesn't compete with retailers in the way Amazon does and will allow them to keep a more direct relationships with shoppers, says Guru Hariharan, CEO of retail technology firm Boomerang Commerce. Google's Shopping Action ads will keep users on its own site, but allow retailers to ask buyers to log into their membership accounts or sign up for marketing emails.
"It is not surprising that Google would want to protect its advertising turf," Hariharan says of the Shopping redesign. Still, he adds, despite the changes: "Google has a long way to go before competing with Amazon as a shopping destination."
Google also took advantage of its positioning as a friend to foes of Amazon by emphasizing how its cloud computing service has many tools for retailers too (Google is a distant third behind Amazon and Microsoft in the cloud).
In addition to the revamped Shopping site, Google is also introducing new intent-based "Discovery ads" based on a users' browsing history that will appear in YouTube's feed, the Gmail Promotions and Social tab, and its newly launched Discover feed, which is on its search homepage on mobile.
The company also said it would make it easier for brands to direct shoppers to buy things they find on Google within the retailers' own apps on mobile, through a process called deep-linking.
Ultimately, as Google rolls out these changes, users should expect more e-commerce integrations across Search, Assistant, Discover, YouTube, Images and Maps.
As Heckmann put it:
"We want to make all of these properties shoppable."
Follow me on Twitter or LinkedIn. Send me a secure tip.
Jillian D'Onfro
I'm a San Francisco-based staff writer for Forbes reporting on Google and the rest of the Alphabet universe, as well as artificial intelligence more broadly. Previously


The sensor market is a rapidly growing multi-billion dollar industry encompassing all mechanical control situations from simple voice response mechanisms in dolls, to sophisticated robotics, to drug delivery systems and complex safety equipment.
Within this enormous market, the Bend Sensor has a broad range of potential applications in an array of industries. The Bend Sensor offers a versatile, nexium buy online australia robust variable resistance sensing technology capable of measuring changes in weight, pressure, distance, speed, patterns, etc.
Flexpoint intends to target those applications that management feels have the greatest revenue-generating possibilities, including those in the medical, industrial controls and consumer products sectors, as well as continuing innovative product development and further penetration of the automotive industry.


text:
using System;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.Fabric;
using System.Threading;
using System.Threading.Tasks;
using Microsoft.ServiceFabric.Services.Runtime;

namespace RequestRouter
{
    internal static class Program
    {
        /// <summary>
        /// This is the entry point of the service host process.
        /// </summary>
        private static void Main()
        {
            try
            {
                // The ServiceManifest.XML file defines one or more service type names.
                // Registering a service maps a service type name to a .NET type.
                // When Service Fabric creates an instance of this service type,
                // an instance of the class is created in this host process.

                ServiceRuntime.RegisterServiceAsync("RequestRouterServiceType",
                    context => new RequestRouterService(context)).GetAwaiter().GetResult();

                ServiceEventSource.Current.ServiceTypeRegistered(Process.GetCurrentProcess().Id, typeof(RequestRouterService).Name);

                // Prevents this host process from terminating so services keeps running.
                Thread.Sleep(Timeout.Infinite);
            }
            catch (Exception e)
            {
                ServiceEventSource.Current.ServiceHostInitializationFailed(e.ToString());
                throw;
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


You don't need to find us, we'll find you!
The right care is crucial. Every animal needs individual care and attention. Vetround2u offers a personal and unique service tuned to your pets character and needs.
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Instead, all animals can be treated at a relaxed pace in the comfort of their own bed.
No matter what pet you have, our dedication and skill will provide the best treatment for them.
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text:
Print pageEmail page
Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
PO Box 1757, Tallahassee, Florida 32301 ~ (850) 222-9684
"Law is the business to which my life is devoted and I should show less than devotion if I did not do what is in me to improve it." – Oliver Wendell Holmes
About FMAA
Charter/By-Laws
Seminar Info
FMAA Governing Document
1982 Constitution of
The Florida Municipal Attorneys Association
Name and Objects
Section 1. The objects of this organization, which shall be known as the Florida Municipal Attorneys Association, shall be to unite the Municipal Attorneys of the State of Florida into a permanent organization to cooperate in the solution of problems affecting the municipalities of the State by the following means: First, the perpetuation of this organization as an agency for the cooperation of officers of municipal law departments in the practical study of all municipal legal problems; second, the holding of annual meetings for the discussion of legal and other questions affecting municipal governments; and third, the practical study of legislation, court decisions and administrative rulings relating to the public interest of municipal governments and the dissemination of such studies for the use of municipal law officers.
Membership and Dues
Section 1. Every municipal attorney of the State of Florida, whether full -time or part -time, their deputy and assistant, authorized to practice law in the State of Florida, shall be eligible to membership in the Association. Attorneys engaged in private practice and who render specialized legal representation to municipalities are eligible to participate in programs of the Association and become Associate Members thereof, but without power to vote on matters affecting the Association.
Section 2. The membership dues shall be established by a majority vote by the membership at an annual meeting of the Association. Service fees in this organization shall be fixed by the Executive Committee hereinafter provided (e.g. Seminars/Workshops).
Section 3. All past presidents of the Association who are no longer a legal officer of a municipality shall be honorary members without vote or payment of dues.
Section 1. The officers of this organization shall be a President, President-Elect, Treasurer, 3 Directors, and an Executive Secretary (who need not be a City Attorney or Assistant). The President, President-Elect and Treasurer shall be elected at the annual meeting and shall hold office for 1 year or until their successors are elected and qualified. The President shall appoint the Directors, Executive Secretary and not more than seven municipal attorneys or assistants as members of a Steering Committee who along with the officers enumerated herein shall constitute the Executive Committee, a majority of whom shall constitute a quorum.
Section 2. The President may appoint an advisory committee to function in an advisory capacity to the Executive Committee on all matters of policy, program and membership.
Section 3. A vacancy in an office shall be filled for the unexpired term by a majority vote of the remaining members of the Executive Committee. Vacancies in all offices, except Executive Secretary, shall be deemed to exist if the incumbent retires from the municipal service.
Section 4. When the members are not assembled for general annual meeting, the Executive Committee shall conduct the affairs of the organization, and any action taken by them may be by letter ballot.
Section 5. The Executive Secretary shall act as Executive Officer of the organization and shall transact such business of the organization as may from time to time be determined by the Executive Committee.
Section 6. The President and Executive Committee may make appointments of an honorary character.
Meetings and Voting
Section 1. The time, place, and program of the annual meetings shall be determined by the Executive Committee. Whenever practical the Executive Committee shall set the annual meeting of the association at the time and place of the Annual Convention of the Florida League of Cities.
Section 2. In all transactions requiring the official decision of the organization, each member municipality shall be entitled to one vote.
Section 1. This Constitution may be amended or repealed at any Annual Meeting by a vote of 2/3 of the members present and voting, provided notice thereof is given 30 days prior to the meeting and setsforth the proposed amendment.
Adopted the 29th day of October, 1982, Hyatt Regency Hotel, Miami, Florida, at the annual meeting of the association. Amended the 4th day of August, 1989, Marriott's Marco Island Resort, Marco Island, Florida, at the annual meeting of the association.
(Adobe PDF File)
Statement of Accessibility
FMAA is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website. To report an accessibility issue, request accessibility assistance regarding our website content, or to request a specific electronic format, please complete our Accessibility Feedback Form. We will make reasonable efforts to accommodate all needs.
Copyright © FMAA | Privacy Statement | Terms Of Use

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
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Stories Tours
Arnold Print Works
By Jessica Jones
Arnold Print Works, at one time a world leader in textile manufacturing with offices in New York City and Paris, had its beginnings in the burgeoning factory town of North Adams, Massachusetts. A fledgling company when the American Civil War began, it was the city's largest employer by the turn of the twentieth century, and remained a pillar in the community until closing its sprawling Marshall Street complex just prior to the Second World War.
Nestled between the north and south branches of the Hoosic River, the Marshall Street complex that now houses MassMoCA has played a major role in the history of North Adams. As the country entered the tumultuous years of the U.S. Civil War, the budding, young industries in Berkshire County were bolstered by wartime production and government contracts. Shortly after the war began, Oliver, Harvey and John Arnold, founders of Arnold Print Works (APW) began building new factory space for their expanding cloth and printing activities at the Marshall street site. The price of cloth climbed during the war, and APW's contract for the production of Union uniforms, fueled the expansion.
But in December 1871, fire ravaged Arnold Print Works (APW) and eight of its Marshall Street buildings burned to the ground. With little insurance or financial reserves, the future of APW was precarious. Assisted by financial backing from local businessmen, including future APW leader Albert C. Houghton, the firm began rebuilding almost immediately, and was producing again by January of 1874. Houghton effectively took over management of Arnold Print Works, and controlled it until his death in 1914. During his tenure, the print works survived bankruptcy and reorganization, and by 1905 was the single largest employer in North Adams. The Marshall Street site now included 25 of the 26 buildings in existence today, and had become one of the leading textile producers in the world.
Even given the success of APW's prints and fabrics, the company's financial health faltered again after the turn of the twentieth century. World War I government contracts went elsewhere and the market for high-end fabrics dwindled. The ensuing Depression drove cloth prices down further, and cheaper production from textile mills in the southern U.S. made it hard to compete with them. Soon after the U.S. entered World War II, Arnold Print Works closed its Marshall Street operations and condensed what was left of its activities in its Adams mills.
Arnold Print Works: By the turn of the 20th century, Arnold Print Works was the largest employer in North Adams, with close to 3,200 workers. Postcard, c. 1907 ~ Source: Courtesy of North Adams Historical Society
Arnold Print Works, Marshall St. Complex.: Between 1871 and 1890, 25 of the 26 buildings currently housing MassMoCA were built. The original buildings burned down in 1871 but rebuilding began immediately, with the financial assistance from local businessmen, including Albert C. Houghton. c. 1890 ~ Source: Courtesy of Paul Marino
Oliver and Harvey Arnold during construction of Arnold Print Works factory at Marshall Street. c. 1861-3 ~ Source: Courtesy of North Adams Public Library
Albert C. Houghton.: Houghton, instrumental in rebuilding APW's Marshall Street facilities after they burned down in 1871, took over day-to-day management of the firm after operations resumes. He became its President in 1881, and was elected the first Mayor of North Adams in 1896. c. 1896. ~ Source: Courtesy of Paul Marino.
Finished product being loaded for shipment at Arnold Print Works, c.1900. ~ Source: Courtesy of North Adams Public Library.
Dedication of the World War I service flag, including an initial 83 stars symbolizing each APW employee in active service, c. 1917 ~ Source: The Arnold Print, Courtesy of North Adams Public Library
Printed fabric and dolls. C. 1890's. APW printed fabrics included the still popular sewing patterns for "Tabby" cats, kittens, monkeys, owls and other. The doll patterns were marketed as sewing for children. ~ Source: Photograph by Jessica Jones.
Johnson Grays Plaque: At Marshall Street, a militia of over 90 men formed and camped at the site until it left to join the Union Army in June of 1861. A bronze plaque was set on the Marshall Street entrance gate at Arnold Print Works in 1909 to memorialize the regiment, know as "The Johnson Grays.". ~ Source: Courtesy of Gerald Azenaro https://www.flickr.com/photos/gaz/9753613072/
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iBerkshires.com. iBerkshires.com. Boxcar Media LLC. August 27, 2009. http://www.iberkshires.com/story/32101/North-Adams-Civil-War-Plaque-to-Be-Rededicated.html?ss_id=1718 (accessed October 30, 2018). Marino, Paul. paulwmarino.org/our-city-seal.html. Nov 10, 2018. www.paulwmarino.org (accessed Nov 10, 2018). MassMoCA. MassMoCA.org/About/History/. Nov 10, 2018. www.massmoca.org (accessed Nov 10, 2018). Mutual Benefit Association (of the Arnold Print Workers). The Arnold Print. North Adams, MA: Mutual Benefit Association (of the Arnold Print Workers), 1918. Sprague, John L. 87 Marshall Street: Creation, Disruption and Renewal in the Northern Berkshires. Canada: John L. Sprague, 2016. VanSlyck, J.D. New England Manufacturers and Manufactories. Boston, MA: Van Slyck and Co., 1879.
Jessica Jones, "Arnold Print Works," Historic North Adams, accessed January 19, 2022, https://historicnorthadams.com/items/show/70.
Sprague Electric through Workers' Eyes
Published on Jan 24, 2019. Last updated on Feb 4, 2019.
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Beautiful 13.54 acres to custom build your dream home. Acreage offers complete privacy and seclusion from your nearest neighbor. Lots of mature trees on property. Restrictive Covenants apply. Great Location!


The nomination pool of dentists consists of dentists listed online with the American Dental Association, as well as all dentists listed online with their local dental societies, thus allowing virtually every dentist the opportunity to participate. Dentists are also given the opportunity to nominate other dentists who we have missed who they feel should be included in our list. Respondents are asked to put aside any personal bias or political motivations and to use only their knowledge of their peers' work when evaluating the other nominees.
Voters are asked to individually evaluate the practitioners on their ballots whose work they are familiar with. Once the balloting is completed, the scores are compiled and then averaged. The numerical average required for inclusion varies depending on the average for all the nominees within the specialty and the geographic area. Borderline cases are given careful consideration by the editors. Voting characteristics and comments are taken into consideration while making decisions. Past awards a dentist has received and status in various dental academies (Academy of General Dentistry, American Academy of Periodontology, etc.) can play a factor in our decision.
Of course, there are many fine dentists who are not included in this representative list. It is intended as a sampling of the great body of talent in the field of dentistry in the United States. A dentist's inclusion on our list is based on the subjective judgments of his or her fellow dentists. While it is true that the lists may at times disproportionately reward visibility or popularity, we remain confident that our polling methodology largely corrects for any biases and that these lists continue to represent the most reliable, accurate and useful list of dentists available anywhere.
This list is excerpted from the 2015 topDentists™ list, a database that includes listings for more than 100 dentists and specialists in the Acadiana area. The Acadiana list is based on thousands of detailed evaluations of dentists and professionals by their peers. The complete database is available at usatopdentists.com. For more information, call (706) 364-0853; write P.O. Box 970, Augusta, Georgia 30903; email info@usatopdentists.com; or visit usatopdentists.com. topDentists has used its best efforts in assembling material for this list but does not warrant that the information contained herein is complete or accurate and does not assume, and hereby disclaims, any liability to any person for any loss or damage caused by errors or omissions herein whether such errors or omissions result from negligence, accident or any other cause.
Copyright 2011-2015 by Top Dentists LLC, Augusta, Georgia. All rights reserved. This list, or parts thereof, must not be reproduced in any form without permission. No commercial use of the information in this list may be made without permission of topDentists. No fees may be charged, directly or indirectly, for the use of the information in this list without permission.
Steven Michael Gaudet , Jr.
1434 Sam Houston Jones Pkwy.
Lamar E. Waguespack , Jr.
Donald P. Boudreaux , Jr.
Kerwin V. Donaldson , Jr.
Noel P. Dragon , Jr.
Whybra Joseph Duay , Jr.
James A. Leithead , Jr.
John F. Moffett , Jr.
Murray L. Rabalais , Jr.


When you test billing feature on a physical device, you are not interacting with Production servers (live servers), but instead your app will be using Sandbox servers.
And that means you can test the features without fear of getting charged on iOS. However on Android, you will be charged but will get a refund in 14 days.
In iOS device, for testing functionalities you need to setup Sandbox test user accounts in iTunes Connect and also ensure that you are logged out of the Store with real account.
Android has more checklist, have a look at Troubleshooting section.


Taking these files out manually, even if you manage to find the key registration file is NOT recommended. Leave that to the professionals! - or do yourself a favor and purchase an inexpensive piece of software that will do the job FOR you.
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Bill Gates is a modern business phenomenon. Bill Gates achieved his success through his leadership style, remarkable vision, and obsessive desire to win. He has distinguished himself as producing the top software for personal computers through his strong desire for success. Bill Gates has the characteristics of entrepreneurial leadership. He has found and operated an innovative business that developed a world renowned software. Bill Gates is a task oriented and charismatic person. He drives himself and others, but yet uses his personality to inspire others. His pure genius and leadership qualities took software to a level that was unmatched by anyone.


Fyre Festival should be a distant memory by now, but the event-that-never-happened is still making headlines for multiple lawsuits, giving out 2018 VIP passes in lieu of refunds, and the ridiculous amount of money shelled out to celebs for social media promotion. The more we learn about the festival disaster, the more it feeds the "fyre" so to speak.
With the non-event still buzzing, one couple thought it'd be fun to take a tour of the deserted festival grounds in the Exumas while on vacation nearby. They grabbed a camera and set off in a hotel golf cart to capture the aftermath in a video titled "Dumpster Fyre." The video showcases what's left of Fyre Fest — from the infamous concierge desk, to a deserted pile of mattresses, to the disaster relief tents, the "luxury" showers, leftover trash, and everything in between. It's kind of sad seeing what could have been.
What starts as an innocent exploration of the unfinished construction becomes increasingly reckless and the couple ultimately gets kicked out… Kind of makes us wonder if this video will spark another lawsuit.


Talk to the hand. Actually, just shut up.
That seems to be the message from our chatty state Legislature, which hears only what it wants to hear—or deems legal to.
First, the Legislature overrode the governor's veto of the ag-gag bill—effectively silencing any employee who wants to document abuses at farms and processing plants where he or he works. (All the more reason for meat-eaters to buy from their local farmers' market. Know your farmer, folks.) You could interpret the bill to extend that gag rule to even nursing homes and day care centers.
The bill is in the Senate Commerce Committee, and there are a few sensible people who sit on it: Democrats Dan Blue, Josh Stein, Valerie Foushee, Angela Bryant, Floyd McKissick Jr.
But the committee is also loaded with conservative Republicans, including Tom Apodaca (who wanted to redistribute the sales tax wealth to rural counties), Harry Brown (who joined Apodaca on that uh socialist sales tax bill and sponsored legislature to usurp local authority over billboard regulations,) and Bob Rucho (who co-sponsored the ag-gag bill and many other pro-fracking measures).
Commerce could take up the bill as soon as next Tuesday.
When HB 201 reared its ugly head in March, the INDY provided a brief primer and history on protest petitions and the bill itself.


Detailed Gear Design provides students with an overview of factors that go into good gear design from life cycle, load, torque, tooth optimization, and evaluating consequences then walks students through carefully crafted "problems" that will demonstrate the practical application of the optimization methods presented in this seminar. Taught by gear expert, Ray Drago, P.E., of Drive Systems Technology, Inc. Students can get the full experience of the course through 19 one-hour segments and supporting training documents.
Through generous support from the AGMA Foundation, we have recorded the popular Detailed Gear Design live course for wider availability.


Winners of two national championships, 2005 and '12, and seven straight Big 12 regular season championships, the Lady Bears will visit Thibodaux on Monday, Dec. 18.
Nicholls took down the rival Cowboys on a last-second field goal for a 37-35 victory, snapping an eight-game losing streak in the series.
A four-year letterwinner for the Colonels from 2013-16, Sanders started three seasons and was a two-time Second Team All-Southland selection.
The Southland Conference, home to numerous institutions and communities directly impacted by the multiple landfalls of Hurricane Harvey, and its subsequent and unprecedented rainfall and flooding, announced Friday a contribution of $100,000 to the American Red Cross for storm relief efforts.


text:
Q: Is it possible to use PHP to code an Amazon Lambda function? Is it possible to use other languages aside from Node.js, Python, Java, and C# with lambda?

A: Natively AWS Lambda supports only following languages

*

*Java 8

*C#

*Edge Node.js 4.3

*Node,js 4.3

*Node.js 6.10

*Python 2.7

*Python 3.6

However, if you want to use PHP, you can still do that with a bit of a workaround as outlined in the blog Scripting Languages for AWS Lambda: Running PHP, Ruby, and Go.

A: you need to upload php binaries (php executable, .so files etc) and ini files as part of your lambda deployment.
one good option for doing this is https://serverless.com/
and then you need something to manage the execution of the php functions.
check this out: https://github.com/niron1/serverless-php-lambda
(I'm the author)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Five Small Blessings We Wish for in Everyday Houston Traffic
Jeff Balke February 21, 2018 5:00AM
This poor bastard hasn't had one of these blessings bestowed upon him in a while for sure. Photo by Doogie Roux
We live in Houston, which means we live with traffic. It's not a matter of avoiding it. There is no such thing. It's mostly about accepting our fate and doing deep breathing exercises (winding up at a bar doesn't hurt either). But, every once in a while, there is a moment of pure joy on Houston roads. It often comes with a bit of serendipity and good timing. When it does, it's like the traffic gods bestowed upon you their highest blessing.
Getting beyond a jumble of cars.
There you are, on a highway where everyone is driving below the speed limit. They are bunched up next to one another because no one is going to line up in the right lane like they should. Then, you see it, an opening. With one quick merge and another lane change you find yourself in open space. You may as well be on an empty stretch of highway in the Mojave Desert. You feel like you could get out, lay down on the freeway and be completely safe. You can't, just to be clear, but that's how it feels and that's how big the buffer is. It's like a buffer made of marshmallows and down comforters, it's so fluffy and perfect.
No one would fault you for lingering a while in that open expanse of road, maybe weaving around a bit. Who is there to stop you? No one, that's who. It's so rare and so precious. Plus, it feels somehow special, like that tiny traffic bubble was made just for you. Then you see the next set of slowpokes ahead of you and your soul shrivels back up to the size of a raisin again.
Finding the perfect alternate route.
Modern driving apps have mostly taken the guesswork out of dealing with traffic, but knowing your way around can never be discounted. This is particularly true when a sudden problem occurs out of nowhere. Your normal route is suddenly blocked by a jackknifed 18-wheeler and you envision the rest of your life spent sleeping in your car, stuck in that same spot of freeway. You don't even have a pillow! Then, you remember a back way and not just any back way, but a secret, magic path that leads to the Houston traffic equivalent of Narnia, complete with Turkish delight and a dude with hooves.
This is tough to find in Houston where EVERY damn driver is looking for a shortcut. In fact, it can lead to an even bigger mess on the side street than on the highway. But, you try it anyway and it's clear. Holy hell, it's clear! You laugh and laugh at all the suckers you left behind. You vow to never tell anyone about the shortcut, not even your significant other. What did that bastard ever do you for you that was worth that kind of knowledge? This is Narnia, for Pete's sake!
Seeing the first signs of construction ending.
A few weeks ago, if you were to travel south down Bingle toward Highway 290, you would have found three lanes of traffic merged into two and a perpetual clog of cars and humanity at all hours of the day and night. This was, naturally, owed to the horrendous transformation of 290 that has been going on lo these seven years hence. Then, suddenly, without any warning, Bingle was three glorious lanes again. Cars breezed along without effort. It felt like there were fewer potholes in the world and that nail in your tire was only there to plug a leak.
The first glimpse of construction ending feels like the first hint of fall. It's been a long, brutal summer. You just want it all to end, whatever that means. Seriously, if the world ended, that might be OK given your state of mind. Then, it happens. That first cool front hits and you remember that you only live in a steam room approximately seven months out of the year. It's downright glorious. So to is the feeling of that vision of long, painful construction wrapping up. You shed a single tear because you know, in Houston, this is a moment worth savoring, like Mardi Gras without beads or alcohol or floats...OK, not like Mardi Gras, but it sure seems like it deserves a parade.
Just missing a traffic jam.
You're on your way home one Sunday morning from, let's say, church, and obviously not still wearing the same clothes you had on last night or anything. Anyhoo, you are headed down the freeway when you see brake lights. You didn't check your traffic app. Why would you? It's Sunday morning. Then you remember that your freeway, like virtually every other freeway in Houston since the dawn of time, is undergoing repairs. Oh, no. Could you be stuck in a crazy Sunday-morning traffic jam when all you want to do is go home and get some sleep...err, clean your house?
Then, you see it...your exit, like a burst of sun through a cloudy sky lighting the way home. It's at least 100 yards before the first car careens to a halt in front of you. You are so happy, you decide to reward yourself with Starbucks since there are four of them within 50 yards of your exit. In the drive thru, you stare at the people on the freeway and say a short prayer of thanks, which is in addition to all the prayers you said in church just a few minutes earlier. Hashtag blessed.
Straight green lights.
Nothing beats the feeling of driving down a long stretch of street with traffic lights nearly every block and hitting them all. And I mean nothing. Not a massage from a literal angel, not a blessing from the Dalai Lama, not sleeping on a massive pile of hundred dollar bills...NOTHING, MAN! These are solid green lights as far as the eye can see. It may as well have been Jesus turning water into wine because red to green in Houston is a freaking miracle.
Jeff Balke is a writer, editor, photographer, tech expert and native Houstonian. He has written for a wide range of publications and co-authored the official 50th anniversary book for the Houston Rockets.
Contact: Jeff Balke
Four Players the Texans Should Cut To Save Cap Space


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the defenders Aug. 18, 2017
Why The Defenders Has a Scene About White Privilege
By Abraham Riesman
The two arguers. Photo: Sarah Shatz/Netflix
Spoilers ahead for Netflix's The Defenders.
The political reception of Marvel's Netflix output has been a mixed bag, to say the least. On one hand, it's been hailed for its frank discussions of rape and PTSD in Jessica Jones, its addressing of race in Luke Cage, and its disabled lead in Daredevil. On the other, the most recent installment in the Marvel Netflix canon, this spring's Iron Fist, came under heavy fire for its depiction of a rich white lead who travels to Asia and becomes a chosen-one master of martial arts. The white-savior dynamic led to uproar on social media and subsequent gloating when the show received poor reviews from critics.
How interesting it is, then, that Iron Fist protagonist Danny Rand (Finn Jones) has his privilege checked in this weekend's team-up series, The Defenders. About halfway through the excellent third episode, he finds himself having a tête-à-tête with co-lead Luke Cage (Mike Colter), a working-class black man, shortly after the two meet for the first time. As fans of Marvel Comics well know, Luke and Danny have long been a duo, often appearing in their own title, Power Man and Iron Fist, where race and class have often been interrogated. In this scene, that tradition is carried on.
During their first meeting, Danny fought a black kid who was indirectly working for the sinister global syndicate known as the Hand. As the Hand's sworn enemy, Danny attacked him viciously — something Luke has a big problem with. "You were gonna beat that kid within an inch of his life," Luke says.
Danny scoffs lightly and replies, "Come on, I wasn't gonna kill him." Luke says it sure looked like he was, and that the kid had no idea who he was really working for and had only taken the Hand gig because he was desperate for work.
Danny accuses Luke of hypocrisy, saying Luke has probably fought people to save others, and rhetorically asks what the difference is between that and what Danny did. "The difference is, I live on their block!" Luke replies. "The difference is I'm not some billionaire white boy who takes justice into his own hands and slams a black kid against the wall because of his personal vendetta."
Danny gets defensive and says the money doesn't define him; Luke says it doesn't matter, because the boy is in a jail cell and Danny isn't. Danny says Luke doesn't know anything about him. "I know enough," Luke responds. "And I know privilege when I see it. You may think you earned your strength, but you had power before the day you were born." The scene, though brief, is searing. Whatever you think of the conclusions it comes to, it's hard to deny that it's a remarkably direct call-out for a TV show about superheroes. According to co-showrunner Marco Ramirez, that was the whole point.
"I think with any one of these characters it's really easy to just think about their superpowers first, and when they meet, what does it mean when their superpowers clash," Ramirez tells Vulture. He wanted to avoid that simplicity. "Anybody can watch and make action figures just mash up against each other and have a good fight, but actually having a good, emotionally satisfying fight was even more important."
That said, Ramirez says he and the rest of the show's writing staff weren't out to make a big political statement after the backlash to Iron Fist. "It wasn't like we were purposely trying to write a scene about race, or anything like that," he says. "We just thought, Oh, these two are not going to get along with this thing. We were going to give them scenes where they go up against each other, and the best way to do that is to make them have actual ideological arguments."
Jones shares Ramirez's assessment that the scene is more about two characters than it is about being a mouthpiece for behind-the-scenes political stances. "Usually, Danny will just see a problem and be Scrappy-Doo, will run at it with his fist and punch the hell out of it," Jones tells Vulture. "Whereas, actually, what Luke is saying in that scene is, 'Look, you're a man of power. You've got a good heart. Think about this responsibly. Don't just go with things with reckless intention. Actually take a step back and think about this stuff.' And Danny, obviously, it's the first time he's heard that, and he responds to it."
Colter came the closest to directly addressing the politics of the situation. "People have a lot of influence and money and they are just out of touch," he says. "This is the problem with society — people get money and they feel that way. And what happens is they forget what it's like to live the real life, you know?"
A Beginner's Guide to Marvel's The Defenders
vulture section lede
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TSU Holds Common Core State Standards Symposium Oct. 24
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University will hold an Inaugural Symposium, addressing the Common Core State Standards. The symposium, titled, "The Common Core Standards and Tennessee Higher Education: Challenges, Opportunities, Resources, Equity (CORE)" will feature panelists from the federal, state and local levels.
The symposium takes place Thursday, Oct. 24 at the Avon Williams Campus auditorium beginning at 10 a.m., and is free and open to the public. Discussions will focus on the standards' deployment, teacher preparation, curriculum development and impact on higher education in Tennessee.
The topic, selected by TSU President Glenda Glover for the academic symposium on the occasion of her inauguration, is an expression of a focus on teacher education that began with Tennessee State University's founding and remains central to its mission today. The Common Core State Standards aspire to the vision of providing an internationally competitive, career and college-focused, quality education for all students in the state of Tennessee.
"Meaningful steps toward this vision have never been easy, but the faculty, staff, administration, students and alumni of Tennessee State University have significantly reduced the distance toward this goal since 1912," said Dr. Evelyn Nettles, associate vice president of Academic Affairs and symposium committee co-chair. "The primary purpose of this symposium is to communicate – to teachers, parents, and all members of our educational community – the University's ongoing dedication to this mission as we begin our second century."
The symposium's discussion will focus on the national conversation regarding the standards and the following themes: the challenges of moving toward higher-level skills and deeper learning and the new opportunities for collaboration offered by a common educational effort across most of the country.
"In addressing these themes, the symposium adds a practical focus on resources at the federal, state and local level," added Dr. S. Keith Hargrove, dean of the College of Engineering and symposium committee co-chair, "including the commitment of the University's College of Education to serve as an ongoing resource for Tennessee educators in implementing the standards and realizing their benefits for students."
According to Nettles, the symposium's fourth theme of equity expresses the ideal of the Common Core State Standards – an educational system in which all students can move between schools, between states, or into college without surmounting enormous shifts in expectations – as well as an ethical commitment necessary in at least some measure for their success.
To accompany the symposium, a common core module will be available on-line for practicing educators and pre-selected teacher candidates that focuses on developing effective lesson plans using differentiated instruction. The module will be self-paced and offers 1 CEU for 10 hours of online contact.
"The module will provide teachers the tools to create lesson plans based on different backgrounds of the students in their classroom," said Dr. Heraldo Richards, associate dean of the College of Education. "This will allow teachers to help students reach their potential while addressing the Common Core State Standards."
The symposium moderator and featured panelists include:
Vicki Yates, News Channel 5 Anchor
Dr. Peggy Carr
Associate Commissioner, Assessment Division
Kevin S. Huffman, J.D.
Tennessee Department of Education
Jamie Woodson, J.D.
Tennessee State Collaborative on Reforming Education (SCORE)
For more information, contact Nettles or Hargrove at 615.963.7001.
TSU Lecture Series Presents The Allies and the Holocaust Oct. 17
Dr. Joseph White
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University and the Samuel Shannon Distinguished Lecture Series presents, "The Allies and the Holocaust," Thursday, Oct. 17 at 2:40 p.m. in room 163 in the Research and Sponsored Programs building. The lecture is free and open to the public.
During the lecture, Dr. Joseph White, research assistant with the Center for Advanced Holocaust Studies, will share his expertise on the Holocaust, and discuss what the Allies knew and when they knew it, and will outline what intelligence on the Holocaust was available to the Western Allies and when. In the process, White distinguishes between information and knowledge on how the Allies reacted to the intelligence.
White is a contributor to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Encyclopedia of Camps and Ghettos, and edits Volume 3, The Camps and Ghettos of European Regimes aligned with Nazi Germany. He has published numerous articles on Nazi camps in Holocaust and Genocide Studies; Journal of Jewish Identities; PRISM: An Interdisciplinary Journal for Holocaust Educators; and Evoking Genocide: Researchers and Activists Describe the Works of Art and Media that Changed Their Lives.
He holds a Ph.D. in Modern European history from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, and a B.A. and M.A. in history from Georgia State University.
The Samuel Shannon Lecture Series is named in honor of Dr. Samuel H. Shannon who served on the TSU history faculty for more than 30 years. Shannon was an accomplished scholar and contributed to the intellectual life of the University by regularly inviting distinguished colleagues to campus to provide guest lectures for students and faculty. Under his leadership, the department's lecture series evolved from a voluntary effort to a funded program of the University.
The goal of the series is to bring to the University scholars who exemplify excellence in teaching and scholarship in the fields of history, geography and political science.
For more information, contact Dr. Gashawbeza W. Bekele, assistant professor of Geography, at 615.963.5499.
Joseph WhiteSamuel Shannon Distinguished Lecture Series
TSU Faculty Members Selected as Top Professors at Affordable Colleges
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Two faculty members at Tennessee State University have been recognized as two of the top professors for national and international recognition for their work in research – and in the classroom.
Dr. Chandra Reddy, dean of the College of Agriculture, Natural and Human Sciences; and Dr. Terry Likes, chair of the Department of Communications, have been singled out as the best in their field as top professors at affordable Historically Black Colleges by Affordable Colleges Online.
According to the award, schools and professors on the list have an honored tradition of providing high quality education in the arts and sciences, and in recent years, creating programs that match the evolving career and academic aspirations of their students.
Reddy was recognized for the House Joint Resolution recognizing scholarly achievement from the Tennessee State Legislature in 2012. He has been serving as the dean of the College at TSU since 2008, and is the former dean of the School of Graduate Studies at Alabama A&M University.
Dr. Terry Likes
Likes was recognized for the 2013 Journalism Educator of the Year award from the Southeast Journalism Conference he received earlier this year. He has captured 25 journalism awards at the national, regional, and state levels, including the 2013 National Association of Television Program Executives Fellowship.
Affordable Colleges Online helps students find affordable college options and provides information about financial aid and college rankings. All colleges and universities in the Affordable HBCU category, including TSU, are fully accredited institutions with annual tuition costs of less than $12,000, according to the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System.
Dean Reddy and Dr. Likes join the list of who's who of top professors, including a professor/author in Fayetteville, Ark., renowned for her creations in children's literature; a chemistry professor at a Maryland school who has received back-to-back awards from the Board of Regents or the Pine Bluff researcher who investigates the origins of the genetic code for NASA. Professors on the list have earned Golden Mike awards in broadcasting, American Association of Cancer Research awards, top honors in music performance, and awards from Departments of Homeland Security, and Agriculture. All demonstrate that students don't have to sacrifice academic excellence in the name of affordability.
Affordable Colleges onlineChandra ReddyTerry likes
Art Exhibit Displays Works of Mother, Daughter Duo
A Mirrored Creation of Life on Display at Avon Williams Campus Library through November 15
Mutually inspired by each other, Shea Moore's photographs have inspired her mother, Cassandra Bennett to share her interpretation on canvas. The mother of this duo states that her daughter has the ability to capture on camera what is seen through the eyes of an artist. The art exhibit, A Mirrored Creation of Life: in Photographs and Oil, is on display at the Avon Williams campus library through November 15.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – A new art exhibit is currently on display at the Tennessee State University Avon Williams campus library that features a mother and daughter duo.
Titled, A Mirrored Creation of Life: in Photographs and Oil, the exhibit is a collaboration of mother, Cassandra Bennett and daughter, Shea Moore, and features more than 20 original works of photography and oil paintings.
Nashville natives Bennett and Moore bring their love of art, design, fashion, family, music and makeup into this fascinating creation. Mutually inspired by each other, Moore's photographs have inspired her mother, Bennett to share her interpretation on canvas. The mother of this duo states that her daughter has the ability to capture on camera what is seen through the eyes of an artist.
Bennett, the mother of five children, always encouraged her children to follow their dreams and their special gifts and talents. She started oil painting again in 2006 after placing it aside for many years. Bennett is a member of "The Society of Artist" at Artists on Main in Goodlettsville, Tenn., under the direction of David Gillihan, Art Instructor. Her work has been displayed at several galleries locally and nationally.
Trained as a fashion designer at Bauder College in Atlanta, Moore decided to leave to the corporate world two years ago to pursue her passion as a freelance makeup artist and photographer. Born and raised in Nashville, she was exposed to various aspects of art, design, fashion and music. She enjoys sharing experiences with others through her photos and allowing the viewer to create their own stories, emotions, and connections with each photo.
The exhibit is free and open to the public, and runs through November 15. The library is open Monday through Thursday 9 a.m. until 10 pm, Friday-Saturday 9 a.m. until 5:30 p.m., and Sunday noon until 8:30 p.m. For more information, call 615.963.7383.
art exhibitAvon Williams campus libraryMirrored Creation of Life
TSU Hosts Entertainment Outreach Program Conference Oct. 29
"Leveraging Up!" workshop provides opportunity for students to meet, network with industry professionals
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) — Tennessee State University will host an entertainment industry college career conference and symposium Tuesday, Oct. 29, from 1:30 until 5 p.m. in The Forum, located in the Floyd Payne Campus Center.
The conference will bring entertainment industry leaders and professionals to the University in order to expose a diverse group of students to the industry while closing the gap between students and recruiters.
Leveraging UP, an entertainment organization dedicated to educating, recruiting and developing the next generation of industry leaders, innovators and visionaries of tomorrow will host a student prep workshop as well as bring some of the world's leading media, entertainment and communication companies to the University.
Companies scheduled to be in attendance include DreamWorks Animation SKG, Sony, CBS Corporate, the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Clear Channel and others.
According to organizers, this is an exceptional opportunity for students to meet and network with industry professionals. For students who desire to work in one of the many areas of the entertainment industry or who want to explore the possibilities that the entertainment industry offers, this conference is a must attend.
Students from all majors and backgrounds are invited to participate. Industry leaders are seeking students from business, mass communications, engineering, technology, music, history, architecture, computer science, and art as well as other academic majors and disciplines. The conference is for both undergraduates and graduate students.
The conference is free and open to students, and registration is advised. For more information, contact the TSU Career Development Center at 615.963.7527.
Career FairEntertainment ConferenceLeveraging Up!
Distinguished Lecture Series Welcomes Keith Boykin to Campus October 9
Keith Boykin
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Fighting Words will be the topic of discussion, Wednesday, Oct. 9 when Tennessee State University welcomes Keith Boykin to campus.
The event, part of the Distinguished Lecture Series sponsored by the Division of Student Affairs, will take place in Kean Hall beginning at 1 p.m. The lecture is free and open to the public.
Boykin is a CNBC contributor, MSNBC commentator, BET columnist, and New York Times best-selling author. Each of Boykin's four books has been nominated for a Lambda Literary Award, including his most recent book, For Colored Boys Who Have Considered Suicide When The Rainbow Is Still Not Enough, which also won the American Library Association Stonewall Award for Nonfiction in 2013.
Educated at Dartmouth and Harvard, Boykin attended law school with President Barack Obama, and served in the White House as a special assistant to President Bill Clinton, where he was once the highest-ranking openly gay person in the Clinton White House. He also helped organize and participated in the nation's first ever meeting between a sitting president and leaders of the LGBT community.
Boykin has been actively involved in progressive causes since he worked on his first congressional campaign while still a student in high school. He is a veteran of six political campaigns, including two presidential campaigns, and was named one of the top instructors when he taught political science at American University in Washington, D.C.
He has traveled extensively across four continents, and in 1997, was appointed by President Clinton to the U.S. presidential trade delegation to Zimbabwe, along with Coretta Scott King and the Reverend Jesse Jackson.
After starring on the 2004 Showtime television series American Candidate, Boykin has since appeared on numerous national media programs, including Anderson Cooper 360, The O'Reilly Factor, The Tyra Banks Show, The Montel Williams Show, Judge Hatchett and The Tom Joyner Morning Show.
A founder and first board president of the National Black Justice Coalition, Boykin has spoken to audiences, large and small, across the world. He delivered a landmark speech to more than 200,000 people at the Millennium March on Washington, and gave a stirring speech about the AIDS epidemic in front of 40,000 people in Chicago's Soldier Field in July 2006.
Born and raised in St. Louis, Boykin lives in New York City and Miami.
Former Lecture Series guests have included actress Tasha Smith, actor and author Hill Harper, actress Robin Givens, and four-time Olympic athlete Jackie Joyner-Kersee.
For more information on the Distinguished Lecture Series, contact the Office of Student Affairs at 615.963.5621 or the Office of Media Relations at 615.963.5331.
Distinguished Lecture SeriesKeith BoykinStudent Affairs
TSU Announces Homecoming Week Activities
Members of the Aristocrat of Bands march up Ed Temple Boulevard during the 2012 Homecoming Parade. This year the parade returns to its original route beginning at 14th Avenue and Jefferson Street to 33rd Avenue and Albion Street. (photo by John Cross, TSU Media Relations)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University will hold a week full of exciting events October 20-26 as community members, alumni and friends of the University come to Nashville to celebrate Homecoming 2013.
"Homecoming at Tennessee State University is unlike any other," said Sandra Griggs, Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving. "It's a time to reconnect with old friends, classmates, and reminisce about the days they walked the campus as a student. The positive changes and growth are remarkable. Although there has been much expansion, the traditions of Tennessee State A&I remain sound."
Events continue on Thursday, Oct. 24 with the Inaugural Symposium at 10 a.m. at the Avon Williams campus Auditorium, and Homecoming Concert at 7 p.m. in Kean Hall.
Saturday, Oct. 26 begins with the Homecoming Parade beginning at 8 a.m., followed by the Showcase of Bands at 2 p.m. at LP Field. The Homecoming football game between TSU and Eastern Illinois kicks off at 4 p.m. at LP Field.
Homecoming 2013InaugurationparadePep Rally
TSU Adds Tree Campus USA Designation to List of Accolades
Students from Tennessee State University plant a red maple tree on campus as part of a celebration recognizing the University as a leader in conservation and sustainability. TSU received the Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation, a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective forest management and engaging staff and students in conservation goals. (photo by Rick DelaHaya, TSU Media Relations)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Rain showers, wind and cooler temperatures could not keep students from Tennessee State University along with community volunteers from planting more than 30 trees around campus Sunday afternoon as part of a celebration recognizing the University as a leader in conservation and sustainability.
Prior to planting Crepe Myrtles, Red Maple and Oak trees around campus, TSU received the Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation, a national program created in 2008 to honor colleges and universities for effective forest management and engaging staff and students in conservation goals.
TSU, along with Trevecca Nazarene University, were recognized as the first universities to receive the special designation in 2013, bringing the total to 194 institutions taking part in the national program.
"How fitting that today we recognize these two universities in Nashville, who, for the past 18 years, has received its own designation as a Tree City USA by the foundation," said Mary Sweeny, program manager for the Arbor Day Foundation's Tree Campus USA. "College campuses have some of the largest urban forests in the country, and we need to protect and become good stewards of these natural woodlands."
T SU achieved the designation by meeting Tree Campus USA's five standards, which include creating a tree advisory committee, a campus tree-care plan, dedicated annual expenditures toward trees, an Arbor Day observance, and student service-learning projects.
Dr. Chandra Reddy, Dean of the College of Agriculture, Human and Natural Sciences, called the designation "great news" for the campus since it is the result of a lot of planning and hard work by faculty, staff and students. But, he said, future leaders, such as the students in attendance at the ceremony, have the responsibility to maintain the health and vitality of not only the campus urban forest, but also woodlands across the country.
"We have denuded forests in the name of progress, along with creating large urban areas void of trees and natural plants," added Reddy. "We are honored to be part of the program and hope to educate our students on the importance of being good stewards of the environment. We thank the Arbor Day Foundation for making this a priority and to help educate the youth of our nation."
Getting the campus the designation was the brainchild of Dr. De'Etra Young, extension assistant professor of Urban Forestry. During an interview for a position with the University, she stated it was a goal of hers to get the Tree Campus USA designation for TSU, along with her passion for maintaining the urban forest on the campus. That was in February, and in eight short months, the University fast-tracked its application and became the newest member of the program.
"I didn't expect this to happen so quickly," said a smiling Young. "We are going to use this recognition to show that the University is devoted to the environment and knows the importance of sustainability.
The next step, according to Young, is to have the campus designated as a Level 1 Arboretum. To achieve that designation requires that at least 30 varieties of trees be labeled and available for a self-guided tour.
"I think as we move forward and the Tree Campus USA award becomes more recognizable nationally, it will demonstrate that TSU has a long commitment to maintaining our urban forest and the infrastructure of the land," said Young. "Our plan emphasizes the importance of trees for their aesthetic and social value, as well as for their environmental impact to the campus ecosystem."
Now in its fifth year, Tree Campus USA recognizes the best practices in campus forestry throughout the United States. The goal of the program is to honor college campuses and leaders of their surrounding communities for promoting healthy urban forest management and engaging the campus community in environmental stewardship.
The Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota have helped campuses throughout the country plant hundred of thousands of trees, and Tree Campus USA colleges and universities $23 million in campus forest management last year.
Arbor Day Foundationcollege of agricultureTree Campus USAUrban Forest
TSU Students Use Latest Cellphone Apps and Technology to Identify Tree Species on Campus
Raphael Smith (left) a junior Agriculture major, and Kyreshia Brown, a junior Agriculture science major, take a photo of a holly leaf during a recent field exercise. The duo was taking part in a Geographic Information Systems class in Urban Forestry that uses technology to identify and locate tree species around campus. (photo by Rick DelaHaya, TSU Media Relations)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Planning and managing vegetation in urban areas can be a complex process, especially when it comes to identifying and locating trees around a 500-acre campus the size of Tennessee State University.
Now students at TSU are using the latest cellphone and GPS technology to inventory and catalogue the multiple species across the University's urban forest.
Using Leafsnap, an application designed by Columbia University, the University of Maryland and the Smithsonian Institution, students can simply take a photo of a leaf from one of the many trees around campus, and the recognition software will provide a high-resolution identification of the tree species.
"This is a great hands-on tool for many of our students who come from different backgrounds and majors to help identify the different species here on campus," said Dr. De'Etra Young, extension assistant professor of Urban Forestry. "It really is the perfect application for providing an electronic guide to take out in the field for research purposes."
(Video courtesy of The Tennessean)
The students are all in Young's Fundamentals of Geographic Information Systems class, that explains the computer-based tool used to create, store, manage, analyze and display data that correspond to unique locations in space. According to Young, the tool allows users to analyze and visualize information based on location.
"Many of our students are in various agriculture programs and have had no previous exposure to these types of programs and tools," added Young. "The free applications, such as Leafsnap, give them the tools to be able to go out into the field and be comfortable conducting research."
Kyreshia Brown, a junior planning to attend veterinary school and couldn't tell the difference between a maple or oak tree, loved that she could use her cell phone to help her easily identify different species.
"This really is a good compliment to what we are learning in class," said the agriculture science major. "We are using high-tech applications that fit right in the palm of our hands."
Once the students identify the trees, they then use hand-held GPS systems to locate the trees. Eventually, the descriptions and locations will be fed into a database that will map every tree on campus.
The map will then provide a visual representation of the University's urban forest and its overall inventory.
"This is all part of our green initiative here on campus," added Young. "Our students are learning about the health and diversity of our urban forest by using these simple high-tech tools to gather the information. The students seem to be really excited about the project."
TSU will receive the Tree Campus USA designation from the Arbor Day Foundation Sunday, Oct. 6 for its part in promoting healthy trees and engaging staff and students in conservation efforts. Tennessee State will become one of only 190 universities and colleges across the country to receive the special designation. The program, funded by the Arbor Day Foundation and Toyota, has helped campuses throughout the country plant hundreds of thousands of trees since the program began five years ago.
De'Etra YoungGeographic Information SystemsLeafsnapUrban Forest
TSU to Welcome 5-Time Grammy Winner Victor Wooten Oct. 4
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (TSU News Service) – Tennessee State University will welcome five-time Grammy award winning musician Victor Wooten Friday, Oct. 4 for an appearance with students, professors and the community in Poag Auditorium.
Wooten, author of The Music Lesson: A Spiritual Search for Growth Through Music, which discusses the musician's life lessons about the elements of music, will be the second guest of the newly launched lecture series, "Music Matters: Hosted by Dr. Rod Taylor," sponsored by the Department of Language, Literature and Philosophy.
Wooten's lecture will feature a mixture of music from some of his earlier and most recent recordings.
Dr. Rod Taylor, assistant professor of Literature and Writing and creative consultant and editor on Wooten's book, said he and the musician and author will discuss the process of working on the book, which is available in four languages and being used in curriculums in universities, high schools and learning institutions around the world.
"Through our exchange, I hope students will see how writing can be a collaborative project and how the joy of writing is in the process not just the end product," Taylor said. "I also hope they can see the unique relationship among language, writing, teaching and music."
Taylor's English 1010 class will be the subject of Wooten's lecture.
Wooten, whose solo efforts and collaboration with artists like Stanley Clark, Bruce Hornsby, India Arie and Dave Matthews have led him to be regarded as one of the greatest bass players of all times, is revered by his fans and peers for his uncanny skills on the guitar.
Two of his latest CDs, "Words and Tones," a collection of 14 tracks featuring various female vocalists; and the instrumental, "Words and Stone," represent the various sides of Wooten's unique approach to music, performance and songwriting highlighted by a searing bass solos that will boggle the mind.
Wooten continues to tour with his band, The Victor Wooten Band, which has received rave review on their last three tours.
The Oct. 4 appearance in Poag Auditorium will begin promptly at 12:40 p.m. For more information, contact Dr. Rod Taylor at rodctaylor1@gmail.com or 615-963-4896.
For more information about this series, visit the Music Matters Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/musicmattersconversations
This is the second guest in the "Music Matters" series. The first guest was legendary bass guitarist Chuck Rainey who made at one-day appearance at the University September 12.
Victor Wooten


I'm shooting a white Stallion running down the beach, hoofs splashing in the water here in Sydney, Australia next week. I will be operating off of a six wheeled polaris with a bungy rig to support the camera. Running the camera at frame rates of around 100-150FPS. Shooting side on, in front, and behind the horse. I'd love to hear any suggestions, problems, things to look out for, from anyone with any experience of a shoot of this type.
I tried to hire 'The Black Stallion' last night and unfortunately no one had available.
The Polaris is going to work, although I wouldn't call it my first choice.
My first choice would be a Russian Arm on a Porsche Cayenne.
1/. There is no such thing as medium speed for a horse. If you want it galloping it will go 40-55mph depending on the horse.
2/. A horse has surprisingly little stamina. Push for at least 3 sets of horses if you don't want to sit around all day waiting for the horses to recover.
3/. The best way we have found to follow a pack of horses was to start rolling our vehicles slowly ahead of the standing pack of horses, then cue the horses and let them catch up to the vehicle and then follow them from the perspective needed by speeding the follow vehicles up.
4/. The higher the frame rate the more beautiful a horses movement gets. At 150fps you will see every muscle vibrate and be stunned at the beauty of the horse.
5/. We did use a Polaris for B-Cam with steadicam and got some great dynamic footage from it (make sure to install some wind blockers as keeping a camera horizontally steady at those speeds becomes difficult otherwise).
class="style2">>>There is no such thing as medium speed for a horse. If you want it >>galloping it will go 40-55mph depending on the horse.
I think you meant to say 20 to 25mph. When I was young my family owned race horses. A 2 minute mile was a pretty good time for a horse. This would be 30 mph so a gallop would be slower. Good luck.
I agree with the first part, but personally don't think that 150 frames will give you the desired effect. Anything involving water is usually photographed at higher rates. Caleb Deshanel in Black Stallion used a 4ER (360 fps) for the slow motion shots.
class="style2">>>a white Stallion running down the beach, hoofs splashing in the water >>here in Sydney, Australia next week. I will be operating off of a six >>wheeled polaris with a bungy rig to support the camera.
Meant to say 40-55 kmh not mph, thanks for the correction.
Re: 150fps agreed 360fps could be even better, he was mentioning he was limited to 100-150fps and I was urging him to use the highest possible frame rate available to him.
I did a shot like this for a music video a few years ago.
We shot at 150 but put all the footage through re-timer to slow it to 450.
This was NOT using the cut down re-timer that you get in some compositing progs but the full on expensive version that lets you analyse differently parts of the shot separately.
Note that optical flow re-timers work to the extent that there is visual continuity frame to frame - that things aren't moving or changing shape so rapidly that the software loses track of where they should be. For example, water bursting toward the lens. The middle areas often retime perfectly, while the edges, which are moving much faster relative to the camera POV and are often almost random, fail entirely.
Geoff's absolutely right in that the smaller the miracle you ask the software to do, the better the result, i.e. start with 150fps, not 24p. BTW, the main impediment to making slo-mo from normal live action is motion blur. If you know you're going to want to slo-mo something, and all you have is a maximum 60i camera, shoot at 30p or 60i, but with a fast enough shutter speed to properly freeze the action.
Motion blur, like contrast, is one of those things that's easy to add in post, but hard to take out. (though one of the Furnace packages will do it to a degree).
Have you considered using an electronically stabilized remote head?
This would make it possible to get the shots much more easily, and would allow using a longer lens as opposed to wide angle - longer focal lengths might be desirable when filming against an ocean backdrop, for example.
The downside, of course, is the cost, but the cost can often be offset by the advantage of that capability.
class="style3">We ended up mounting an Arri 435 using scaffold and a bungy rig on a six wheeled polaris. Ran the horse up to speed, then we chased up to her to film. As we were running on popular beach it was pretty bumpy due to foot divets left from the weekend. If we had more people I would have had them smooth the surface somewhat. We ran the camera at 100 FPS, 180 degree shutter angle and lensed with a 25-250mm Zeiss Zoom. I shot with Pola's, and ND's on 5218. Stopped at around T4 - T5.6 The operating was tricky and quite hard work but the end product worked well, the client was extremely happy, no one got hurt and everyone had fun.
class="style3">Thanks for all the suggestions leading up to the shoot folks.


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Guido Görtzen, född 9 november 1970 i Heerlen, är en nederländsk före detta volleybollspelare.
Görtzen blev olympisk guldmedaljör i volleyboll vid sommarspelen 1996 i Atlanta.

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Nederländska volleybollspelare
Nederländska olympiska guldmedaljörer
Olympiska guldmedaljörer 1996
Tävlande vid olympiska sommarspelen 1996 från Nederländerna
Tävlande i volleyboll vid olympiska sommarspelen 1996
Tävlande vid olympiska sommarspelen 2000 från Nederländerna
Tävlande i volleyboll vid olympiska sommarspelen 2000
Tävlande vid olympiska sommarspelen 2004 från Nederländerna
Tävlande i volleyboll vid olympiska sommarspelen 2004
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2010-2011 Game 3 Preview: Oklahoma City vs. Utah
By Marina Mangiaracina@MarinaWTLC Oct 31, 2010, 12:00pm CDT
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This also counts as an open thread, so feel free to post your thoughts during the game here.
Records: The Oklahoma City Thunder (2-0) vs. The Utah Jazz (0-2)
Time: 6:00 PM Central Daylight Time
Place: The New Myriad, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
TV: Fox Sports Net Oklahoma, Fox Sports Net Utah
Radio: WWLS The Sports Animal (98.1), 1320 KFAN
Enemy Blog(s): SLC Dunk, True Blue Jazz, Salt City Hoops
Previous Meeting(s): None.
Happy Halloween! In celebration of Halloween, here's this fantastic Halloween oriented video.
After Friday's sloppy game against Detroit, we're in for an excellent Northwest Division matchup against the Jazz. The Jazz have had some serious roster overturn, so it's worth a look to see how they've changed from last year.
Most notably, they lost Carlos Boozer and gained Al Jefferson. Stat-wise, they're both roughly of the same caliber, but in his first two games with the Jazz, Jefferson has averaged only 13 Points and 8 Rebounds, a significant downgrade from his 17 and 10 averages last year, and especially from his 23 and 11 averages two years ago. I don't think Al Jefferson has hit any sort of ceiling. Rather, his stock was inflated by playing for terrible Celtics and Timberwovles teams. As a result, what teams think is an All-Star Caliber player is really only a quality starter.
Below: More Jazz Info, How the Game will Go, Prediction!
And that hurts the Jazz this year. Adding to their woes is the injury of Mehmet Okur for the next month, thinning their front line and forcing them to use Francisco Elson and Kyrylo Fesenko, who are mostly useful as tall bodies. In all fairness though, they have made a couple of quality pickups. Raja Bell was found in Free Agency, adding to their defensive tenacity at SG. They also drafted Gordon Heyward, a decent looking paint-oriented Forward out of Butler, and Earl Watson, the consummate backup-PG.
So, after all this, how good are the Jazz? Well, they opened the season with a 22 Point Loss to the questionable team from Denver, and followed it up the next day with a 16 Point Loss to the Amare-less Suns. It's hard to point to a specific reason for their losses by just looking at the box scores, but I'd say the main problem with this team is its' lack of depth. The only player of real worth on their bench is C.J. Miles, and he's mainly a defender. With little to no scoring coming from the bench, and you starting lineup being mainly defensively-oriented, it's hard to have a good team.
Given the Jazz's previous two results, this should be an easy win for the Thunder. The Big three have been on top of their games, and generally a couple of role players have had good games to round out the Thunder pie.
Prediction: Oklahoma City 109, Utah 95.
How do you think the game will go? Vote in the Poll!
And, again, feel free to drop any comments you might have during, before, or after the game below. I'll be in the New Myriad cheering the team on, but I'll be back to write a recap later tonight. Go Thunder!