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A New Resource – to foster understanding of our culture and encourage living in right relationship across cultures
Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry
Conversations on Creation, Land Justice, and Life Together
Steve Heinrichs
Quotes from the book jacket:
How can North Americans come to terms with the lamentable clash between Indigenous and settler cultures, spiritualities, and attitudes toward creation? Showcasing a variety of voices—both traditional and Christian, Native and non-Native—Buffalo Shout, Salmon Cry offers up alternative histories, radical theologies, and subversive memories that can unsettle our souls and work toward reconciliation.
"Superb! For centuries our misunderstandings and conflicts have accumulated . . . In this book the issues are opened, offering information, insights, and resolutions that amaze our usual thinking. Read it carefully; with a prayer for understanding."
—Rudy Wiebe, novelist, co-author with Yvonne Johnson of Stolen Life: The Journey of a Cree Woman
"This invaluable collection calls us to decolonize theology and interrogate how the logics of settler colonialism have infused Christianity. At the same time, it refuses the temptation to replace one metanarrative with another."
—Andrea Smith, author of Native Americans and the Christian Right
"Steve Heinrichs has edited a courageous and urgent book. The voices that speak here sound from outside the theopolitical, social-economic domination system of our society. The book is an invitation to rethink both policy and attitude. Attention must be paid!"
Girls speak up in the Dadaab refugee camp
Skills-building clubs are helping girls living in the Dadaab refugee camp go to school, build confidence and help their peers. Three hundred girls in six CLWR-supported clubs participate in peer counselling, peer mentorship and poetry writing.
As a result girls have started speaking out on violence. For example, girls participating in the clubs helped a hearing-impaired girl who was sexually assaulted seek support from a teacher, who subsequently reported the crime to the authorities.
"We are happy that we have learned so much from the girls clubs," says Fatuma Abdi Sheikh, the chairlady of the Central Primary School girls club. "We are able to speak out on issues that affect girls. My friends and I participated in a media campaign through Dadaab FM, where we encouraged parents to take our colleagues who are not in school to school."
Read the full story at http://clwr.wordpress.com/2013/03/13/girls-speak-up-in-the-dadaab-refugee-camp/.
Photo: Girls' club members from Iftin Primary School after a life-skills discussion session. Lutheran World Federation-Kenya-Djibouti Program
Join our push for affordable housing
Ali Symons, General Synod Senior Editor, Anglican Church of Canada
February 1, 2013 – Housing continues to be a joint priority for Anglicans and Lutherans as they support Bill C-400, a private member's bill calling on the government to develop a national housing strategy. Anglican and Lutheran staff leaders engaged in this issue invite local church members to connect with MPs about the bill before it goes before Parliament, Feb. 13.
An estimated 400,000 Canadians do not have healthy homes. The UN Special Rapporteur on Adequate Housing has observed that "Canada is one of the few countries in the world without a national housing strategy."
Bill C-400 recognizes housing as a human right. It would commit the government to work with non-profits, the private sector, Aboriginal communities, and all levels of government in developing a national housing strategy. With set timelines and goals, the strategy would then address the root causes of homelessness and set a plan to provide housing for all.
Church members are encouraged to write to or meet with their MPs about Bill C-400 as soon as possible. Resources are available through Dignity for All, a campaign co-founded by long-time ecumenical partner Citizens for Public Justice.
This advocacy push is one example of housing work Christians do on a daily basis across Canada.
In Victoria, Evangelical Lutheran churches network with other non-profits to ensure adequate housing for all levels of poverty: those who live on government subsidies, the working poor, and the lower middle class.
In Winnipeg, St. Matthew's Anglican Church is converting its property to 25 units of affordable housing for limited income families, a neighbourhood resource centre, and a dedicated worship space.
Many more examples exist across the country, including at a regional level.
On a national level, the Anglican Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada are developing a shared resolution on housing and homelessness to be presented at Joint Assembly, to be held July 2013 in Ottawa. The resolution will commit both churches to continued local action and government advocacy.
To support Bill C-400, consult these Dignity for All resources:
Read the backgrounder on Bill C-400
Use this template letter to write to your MP
Use these talking points when meeting with your MP
Access all resources on the Dignity for All website. Many resources are also available in French.
For more information about this work, email Henriette Thompson, public witness coordinator for social justice (ACC) or the Rev. Paul Gehrs, assistant to the bishop, justice and leadership (ELCIC).
From the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan & the Holy Land
"Comfort, O Comfort my people, says your God".
(Isaiah 40: 1)
As I sit down to write my Christmas message during this Advent season, there are no words that touch me more deeply than these words from Isaiah chapter 40, "Comfort, O Comfort my people, says your God." During this time I have been moved by the emotions associated with the beginning of life and the end of life, of birth and death. And I am very much aware that life begins and ends with a need for comfort. And in between, there is enough pain and suffering to go around, for people to cry out, "We are all like grass that withers, and flowers that fade."
We have once again experienced warfare and death with the eight-day war in southern Israel and Gaza. Though a ceasefire has now been announced, we still feel the burden of a war in which there are no winners, in which people on both sides suffer from physical and emotional wounds and are in need of comforting, a war in which the survivors themselves feel the pain of loss and need to be comforted. Even though we are at a distance in Jerusalem, we have all been shaken by the images of families running to bomb shelters afraid, images of the dead and wounded, images of the rubble. We are moved so much by such tragedy, that it would seem that the words of the Book of Lamentations prevail where there is "no one to comfort her" (Lamentations 1:9, 17, 21).
The reality that our people are facing is that "All people are grass, their constancy is like the flower of the field" (Isaiah 40:6), and we shed our tears at the human condition. How can we feel optimistic in a world of such suffering? Anyone in their right mind would offer only a pessimistic prognosis and throw up their hands in a feeling of helplessness. Anyone in their right mind would question whether those scarred by the fresh wounds of war would relate to this word of comfort. Anyone in their right mind would ask if mere words will keep the refugees warm in the face of the cold winter rains. Yet we are reminded that this is not the only reality. "The grass withers, the flower fades; but the word of our God will stand forever" (verse 8).
"Comfort, comfort you my people. Speak tenderly to Jerusalem that her warfare has ended, that she has received pardon."
We need that word of comfort, offered by the prophet Second-Isaiah. We need to hear the assurance that our sins are pardoned, that there will be no more suffering, no more war, no more bloodshed. The word of comfort consoles us: Rahamu, Rahamu Ammi (Comfort, Comfort my people.) The promise that we are indeed God's people and that God is in control. That God offers a word of mercy and grace. That this indeed is a word of comfort, and not merely an illusion.
"Speak to her that her warfare is ended," says the prophet. Yet is this reality? How can this be reality when the politicians announced merely a ceasefire, and not an authentic end to violence, to bombing, to killing? How can this be a reality when all the analysts conclude that the only winners in the recent fighting have been the wielders of weapons and the belief that negotiations and diplomacy are no match for weapons when it comes to solving conflict? How can this be when both sides are busy once again building up their weapons arsenals? How can this be reality—this announcement that her warfare is ended—when there are threats that the killing will resume? We, in this country, are not in need of weapons, missiles, and Patriots. We are in need of justice and security. The real comfort will come into being when swords are turned into plowshares, and spears into pruning hooks. "Comfort, Comfort my people," we long to hear these words, yet how will our people listen, when the facts on the ground seem to speak of another reality?
The Middle East and the whole world was excited when on November 29 Palestine was accepted as a non-member state of the United Nations. This is a step in the right direction to keep the zeal for the two-state solution alive, and we hope that other constructive steps may be taken that security and justice would finally exist for Palestinians and Israelis.
We are now beginning the third year of the Arab Awakening, a movement which began as a quest for freedom, for human dignity, for the recognition of human rights including women's rights. Many of us watched with interest as the awakening spread from one country to the next. Many cried out a word of encouragement, and also a word of comfort, concerned how these developments might proceed. Like the birth of a newborn child, it would seem such a movement would need the loving tender care, as it faced the challenges of this world and as it grew, like a child beginning to crawl and then to walk. In some places, the awakening saw signs of encouragement and progress. In others, it would seem that the movement has been hijacked by forces of the old order, of oppression and violence, of restrictions on human liberty and of a growth of extremism and intolerance. Once again Egypt is struggling to find its way, repeating some of the events of Tahrir Square from two years ago. "Comfort, comfort you, my people," the prophet wants to shout.
And in Syria, the death toll has now reached over fifty thousand, and fear rules the day with escalating violence, and rumors of possible imminent use of chemical weapons. Like the exiles in Babylon addressed by Second Isaiah, now over a million persons are homeless, many seeking shelter in refugee camps like the one at Za'atri inside the border of Jordan. During my late September visit to the camp, along with the General Secretary of LWF, the Rev. Martin Junge, when seeing families with over half of the residents under the age of 18 years, when considering their loss and their struggle to survive, and when becoming aware of their vulnerability with the approaching cold winter rains, words failed me, except to say with Second Isaiah, "Comfort, Comfort, my people," says our God.
As I sit in Jerusalem this Christmas season, I hear the drums of war sounding so much louder than the trumpets of peace.
I fear that people today are placing more faith in violence and weapons to solve the conflicts of the Middle East than peaceful, non-violent means.
I fear that hatred is proliferating and the urge for revenge and counter-revenge have made their way deep into the hearts of so many people.
I fear that extremist ideas are spreading as if they were a virtue.
I fear that the leaders of the world no longer hold the vision, the courage, and the resolve to seek solutions that will endure.
I ask myself, do these words of comfort continue to make sense in our world today? Do people see that the route that is taken—that the whole Middle East is taking us—is one of peril?
I am once again reminded of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's warning, "If you board the wrong train, it is no use running along the corridor in the other direction."
As a Church in the Middle East we say, That is not our way! Wake up, politicians! Wake up, leaders of the world! Listen again to the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, "Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars… Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that." Our reliance on weapons and violence will only lead to more hatred and more tragedy. World leaders must assume responsibility to a non-violent preferential option. Now is still the time to find peaceful, non-violent solutions before it is too late. This is the reason that Jesus was incarnated in Bethlehem to bring true peace.
Our ELCJHL continues to commit itself to work for peace based on justice, and reconciliation based on forgiveness. Our ELCJHL continues to educate its youth in peace education and conflict resolution. Our ELCJHL continues to preach a word of hope. Even if we swim against those terrible waves, we announce to the world that our way will always be one of non-violence, that our way will always promote moderation, that our way will always teach respect for the other, that our way will always seek to see the image of the Babe in Manger in the other, that our ways will continue to raise up generations that seek peace.
Peace between Palestinians and Israelis is still possible and justice is still possible. History remembers those who work for peace, not those who merely talk about peace. Courageous and bold steps must be taken for the sake of humanity. This is the reason Jesus taught us, "Blessed are the peacemakers."
The season of Christmas takes us to Bethlehem where the word become flesh, where God bridges the gap between the two realities, offering hope in the place of optimism, offering the fulfilment of God's promises, especially when we are let down by the world's disappointing failures. We are drawn to the manger and the child sent by God to bring comfort to a world of suffering and pain, a world of tragedies and disasters, a world of loneliness and sorrow. And in the words of Jesus, grown to adulthood and on the eve of his own death, "I will pray to the father and he will send another Comforter. . . the Spirit of Truth." (John 14:16-17) This spirit continues to work in messengers of comfort within our world today. This spirit continues to motivate us, the Arab Christians of the Middle East, to strive tirelessly on the path for peace. "Comfort, O comfort my people," says our God.
Because of Christmas, the incarnation of the eternal Word of God, I am neither pessimistic nor optimistic, but I have hope. I have hope because Jesus was born in our broken world, in the midst of turmoil, similar to what we experience even though Jesus found a place to incarnate. Jürgen Moltmann, the theologian of hope, reminds us of the essence of hope: "I tried to present the Christian hope no longer as such an 'opium of the beyond' but rather as the divine power that makes us alive in this world." This is none other than the Comforter described by Second Isaiah.
That Comforter makes our words of comfort come alive, as we act in our world to prepare the way of the Lord.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we bind up the wounds of the injured and hold the hand of those grieving.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we condemn all acts of violence and oppose every kind of extremism.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we provide shelter for the homeless and winter boots for refugee children.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we work for justice with one standard for the whole world.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we call on politicians to repent of their policies of self- interest and ask them to pursue the ways of peace.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we make education the highest priority that our children may learn respect for the other.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we uphold the human rights of all and defend the freedoms of speech, expression, and religion.
We prepare the way of the Lord when we give others a reason to hope.
And when we prepare the way of the Lord, we offer those words of consolation from Isaiah 40, "Comfort, comfort my people."
We prepare the way of the Lord who becomes our Immanuel, God with us, so that we pray the prayer of St. Patrick:
Christ be with me,
Christ within me,
Christ beside me,
Christ to win me,
Christ to comfort
And restore me.
May this word of comfort speak to your hearts as you prepare the way of the Lord.
Merry Christmas and a Blessed New Year in 2013
وكل عام وأنتم وعائلاتكم بألف خير
Bishop Dr. Munib A. Younan
KAIROS: Truth, Reconciliation and Equality
"For the mistakes of the past, Canadians need to hear and tell the truth.
With the promise of reconciliation, Canadians need to end the inequities of the present."
Join KAIROS as we work towards equity for Indigenous people in Canada. All of us share in the responsibility for making this an equitable country. For the mistakes of the past, Canadians need to hear and tell the truth. With the promise of reconciliation, Canadians need to end the inequities of the present. The integrity of Canada is at stake- it matters to all of us. This is the KAIROS campaign for 2011-12. Please join us. You can start by learning more about the campaign on the KAIROS website where there is an action, a flyer, and a worship service.
Julie Graham,
Education and Campaigns Coordinator for Dignity and Rights,
jgraham@kairoscanada.org
1.877.403.8933 x 233
Ed Bianchi,
Indigenous Rights Program Coordinator,
ebianchi@kairoscanada.org
1.613.235.9956 x 221.
Truth, Reconciliation & Equity Video
KAIROS: Canadian Ecumenical Justice Initiatives has produced a Truth, Reconciliation & Equity Video highlighting the June 20, 2011 Roll with the Declaration Banner action on Parliament Hill (it features lots of great shots of both Bishop Susan and Bishop Michael). See it at:
http://www.youtube.com/user/KAIROSCanada#p/u/17/U0ZR6rBSeww
The Ministry of Welcoming the Stranger: Refugee Sponsorship for Congregations
Is your congregation interested in refugee sponsorship? CLWR can help. Our new brochure answers questions about the process of welcoming a refugee to a new home in Canada. Topics covered include:
Who are refugees?
What does sponsorship involve?
What are the benefits for my congregation?
How do we get started?
What have been the experiences of congregations and new arrivals involved with refugee sponsorship?
How do we contact CLWR's refugee program team?
The brochure can be read or downloaded online at http://www.clwr.org/How-You-Can-Help/Ministry-of-Welcoming-the-Stranger.cfm. Request hard copies at 1-800-661-2597 or jennifer@clwr.mb.ca.
Ecumenical 3-session study guide to the Kairos Palestine Document
A Moment of Truth:
A Word of Faith Hope and Love
from the heart of Palestinian Suffering
An Ecumenical 3-session study guide to the Kairos Palestine Document
from The Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries
Now Available for Purchase
$5.00 per copy
$2.50 per copy for orders of more than 10
Order from the Canadian Churches Forum for Global Ministries www.ccforum.ca
United Church Resource Distribution
The Book Room (Presbyterian Church in Canada)
Anglican Book Centre
Augsburg Fortress Canada
A Moment of Truth: Kairos Palestine is "the Christian Palestinians' word to the world about what is happening in Palestine." It speaks to the reality on the ground for the Palestinian people as they experience it, and gives their prophetic Christian response and challenge.
This ecumenical study guide for Canadian faith communities offers the full text of the Kairos Palestine document background of the document and why should we study it the reality on the ground—maps and background information a three-session study guide.
For information about the study guide contact The Canadian Churches' Forum for Global Ministries at 416-924-9351 or visit www.ccforum.ca
Co-Directors
Jonathan Schmidt/Alice Schuda
Canadian Churches Forum
for Global Ministries
47 Queen's Park Crescent
Toronto ON M5S 2C3
director@ccforum.ca
www.ccforum.ca
ELCIC adopts Resolution on Encouraging Right Relationships with Indigenous Peoples
That this convention commits this church to promoting right and renewed relationships between non-indigenous and Indigenous Peoples within Canada.
That the ELCIC affirms that we are all treaty people, and we will find ways to mature in our living together. This is assisted by remembering the rights, responsibilities and dignity that are bestowed by God and lived out with one another. We affirm that recognizing and implementing indigenous rights is essential to being the kind of society Canada strives to be.
That the ELCIC endorses the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples adopted by the UN General Assembly on 13 September 2007; and adopts the declaration as a standard for our own practice. We commit to implementing the values and principles of the declaration within the work and structures of this church.
That this convention asks the National Bishop to write to the Prime Minister, encouraging the Government of Canada to work collaboratively with Indigenous Peoples on the full and effective implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, and to provide the Parliament of Canada with regular reports on how the Government will reform laws and policies in order to meet the UN Declaration's standards.
That this church actively supports the work and goals of Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Walking by faith and with the Spirit, we will listen to diverse voices, in order to deepen our understanding of history and of today's challenges, injustices and opportunities. We will be part of dreaming, praying and working together for a reconciled and hopeful future. We recognize that immediate action and long-term commitment are required for healing to occur.
This convention calls on the synods, congregations, members and all expressions of this church to seek out opportunities to deepen understanding of indigenous rights, to participate in Canada's Truth and Reconciliation process, and to renew relationships between indigenous and non-indigenous peoples in our varied contexts. We commend to members of this church the KAIROS resource In Peace and Friendship: A New Relationship with Aboriginal Peoples as one tool for living out our calling as a covenant people who are In Mission for Others.
Additional PDF Justice Resources
NOTE: In addition to the resources in this blog, other resources (in pdf format) are posted with the "Links" on this page. Look for these links:
Resource: Intro – Service of Repentance (An Introduction to the "Stewardship of Creation" Service)
Resource: Service of Repentance – Stewardship of Creation (A Stewardship of Creation Service of Repentance)
Resource: KAIROS-Grand River – Lenten Carbon Fast (A Lenten Energy Conservation Resource)


The Government of Iceland has expressed its intention to establish an Honorary Consulate in Phnom Penh to foster friendship, solidarity, and cooperation between the two countries.
The intention was made known by H.E. Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson, newly appointed Ambassador of Iceland to Cambodia, while presenting his credentials to Cambodian Acting Head of State, Samdech Vibol Sena Pheakdei Say Chhum, at the Senate Palace in Phnom Penh yesterday.
The Beijing-based ambassador explained that Iceland was a small country with very few consulates in foreign countries and that Cambodia was a tourist destination for Icelanders.
H.E. Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson also thanked Samdech Say Chhum for his hospitality and spoke highly of Cambodia's development, pledging to boost the relations and cooperation between both countries, during his diplomatic mission in the Kingdom.
Samdech Say Chhum conveyed regards from His Majesty Norodom Sihamoni, King of Cambodia, Her Majesty the Queen-Mother Norodom Monineath Sihanouk and other Cambodian leaders to the Icelandic leaders.
The Acting Head of State expressed his optimism with the diplomatic mission of H.E. Gunnar Snorri Gunnarsson, which, he added, would result in mutual beneficial exchanges between the two countries at all levels. He also affirmed Cambodia's readiness to cooperate with H.E. Ambassador for the success of his mission.


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Damian Wilson BUILT FOR FIGHTING will be released on September 9th
by Nick | Aug 17, 2016 | News
The album contains 11 new original songs and a cover of Depeche Mode's Somebody.
The album will be available on CD and vinyl. For those of you who prefer iTunes we have a high-quality 'Mastered For iTunes' version, which is available for pre-order now. https://goo.gl/GW3q31
You will get the current single 'Thrill Me' as instant download when you pre-order the iTunes album.
The album was recorded over the last 12 months in studios in the UK, Ireland and the Netherlands with a group of talented musicians, including Bill Shanley (Ray Davies), Lee Pomeroy (Jeff Lynne's ELO), Adam Wakeman (Ozzy Osbourne, Black Sabbath) and Brian Willoughby (The Strawbs).
Built for Fighting was mixed and mastered in Sweden by the Fascination Street duo Jens Bogren and Tony Lindgren, who have worked with acts such as Opeth, Devin Townsend and Paradise Lost.
1. Thrill Me
2. When I Was Young
3. Impossible
5. Somebody
6. Sex & Vanilla
7. Can't Heal War
8. What Have We Done
9. Written In Anger
10. All I Need
11. I Won't Blame Life
12. Battlelines
Pre-order the album now (the best way to support music)
Digipak CD or Vinyl: www.DamianWilson.net
The Mastered For iTunes version: https://goo.gl/GW3q31
Watch the lyrics video for 'Thrill Me':
https://goo.gl/h8tYm1

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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About KCOMNET
The Grassroot
Kenya Community Media Network > Community Engagement > How collaborations can enhance the impact of community media in Kenya
How collaborations can enhance the impact of community media in Kenya
Since its inception, Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET) has been engaging community media groups, mainly community radio, in efforts to realize informed and transformed communities. These are communities that register positive social changes through collective ownership of the means and process of their communication. This is what KCOMNET's rallying slogan of Amplifying Community Voices is all about.
Community media groups, unlike mainstream private media, operate on different capacities and regulations, especially for community radios. Community media are bound by some principles that are widely held as guiding pillars, namely: community ownership, community participation, community service, non-profit business model and independence. To some large extent, these principles also apply to other community media groups such as newsletters and theater groups. As such, by the virtue of their establishment, community media should be able to address issues directly affecting grassroots communities in their areas of operation.
The impact/results realized out of engagements by community media groups largely depend on how their target communities, either geographical or communities of interest, interpret and react to the information generated. The impact is also enhanced on how well the various forms of community media are able to embrace diversity, full geographical reach and the benefits of media convergence and pluralism.
For a long time now, community radio have been identified and acknowledged by the legal and regulatory regimes in Kenya as the third tier of broadcasting along the public broadcaster and private radio stations. This was after a series of long drawn advocacy engagements by Kenya Community Media Network with other media stakeholders.
KCOMNET has now made another step ahead by bringing together other forms of community media groups on the same online platform known as Sikika.net. This platform is aimed at not only ensuring the inclusivity of community media, but also maximizing their impact. This will close the gaps of communication amongst various forms of community media and maximize benefits of collaborations. Their voices will thus be amplified far and wide through the production and dissemination of shared priority content that lead to transformative social change.
The mission of Sikika.net is towards achieving collaborations and engagements between community radios and other forms of community media groups. This is being done by promoting joint production, dissemination and marketing of shared priority content. The purpose of this platform is to aggregate and enhance the visibility of content produced by different community media groups to national and international levels hence addressing the question of coverage of different community media groups. For instance, community radios in different parts of the country have a combined reach of thousands of Kilometers unlike theatre groups and newsletters whose reach is limited to their areas of operation. Stella Kasura is an actress with Linda Arts Theatre Group in Narok county that specializes in magnet theatre. To her, partnering with neighboring community radio and newsletters in the county as well as dissemination of their content through Sikika.net has enabled them to beat the challenge of outreach of their theatrical productions reach by a huge margin.
"We believe we are now reaching a huge audience. Normally through magnet theatre, the audience would be small as opposed to the audience of the radio, newsletters and on Sikika.net. The same issues that we dramatized were also featured on Narok Lets talk newsletter and their online platforms. The content shared raised a lot of debates among citizens and leaders in the County."
In Korogocho slums in Nairobi, Koch FM is the only community radio station serving a population of about 150,000 people. Before its establishment, there existed a community newsletter known as Korogocho Mirror that collapsed due to operational challenges. A new community newsletter known as Koch News has been set up by the area youth. Theatre groups are also in operation in Korogocho but due to challenges associated with low visibility, they have not been thriving so well. One such group is Kobokobo Theatre group that is now gradually growing owing to the partnership with Koch FM in the production of dramas and dissemination through the radio and sikika.net. Doreen Mwasi, the programs manager at Koch FM appreciates the immense potential that partnerships can do
"The best result for us is how people embraced our coming up with radio dramas. We have stayed for very long time without using radio dramas but when we started working with Kobokobo and playing radio dramas, we have seen people appreciating and even resonating with what we are talking about and everywhere we go, people talk about the dramas relayed. This means that people are listening to us more. Even the feedback we are getting from SMS and social media platforms shows that people are now appreciating and accepting radio dramas and given us diversity and ways of improving our content."
Collaboration between Koch News community newsletter and Koch FM has also registered similar impact in the area.
This pilot project has shown that its initial design of addressing issues on transparency, accountability and good governance can also enable producers from different community media groups to pitch other ideas and content on other thematic areas of priority concern and interest in their target communities. These issues range from gender mainstreaming, domestic violence, social justice, terrorism and many community issues.
In the current times, it is necessary for all players in the media sector to take full advantage of media pluralism through the benefits of digitization. To date, community media still enjoys the privilege of having a higher plurality of voices through existence of diverse forms of community communication such as traditional theatre, folk music, puppetry, among others, to modern ones such as community radios and community TVs. It is these various forms of community media that Sikika.net is enhancing and amplifying their engagements towards the development of a better country and society for everyone.
Alex Ikambi
Job Alert Nairobi.
Peaceful elections lead to peaceful coexistence
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Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET) is a non-profit organization and the national networking association for community media sector in Kenya.
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Forest Park Rapist Sentenced Up To 32 Years
On July 15th, Carl Wallace, 30, (above) was sentenced to serve between 28 1/2 and 32 years in prison after being convicted last month of raping and robbing a 29-year-old woman in Forest Park on September 24, 2009. The attack occurred around 3:20 a.m. on the morning. The victim was reportedly dragged at knife-point to a wooded area inside the park near the intersection of Woodhaven Boulevard and Park Lane South. Wallace allegedly raped and threatened to stab the woman if she screamed. After the attack he robbed her, stealing cash, an iPod and identification from the victim's bag before fleeing. He was arrested on October 28th.
A Queens judge ordered a Brooklyn man to serve up to 32 years behind bars after being convicted last month of raping and robbing a woman in Forest Park inSeptember 2009, it was announced.
Carl Wallace, 30, of Hawthorne Street was sentenced last Friday, July 15, by Queens Supreme Court Justice Richard L. Buchter to serve between 28 1/2 and 32 years in prison. He was found guilty on June 21 on charges of first-degree rape, third-degree robbery and second-degree unlawful imprisonment for attacking the woman during an early morning in September 2009, according to the Times Newsweekly.
Wallace was arrested four months following the sexual assault after genetic evidence recovered from the rape victim matched his DNA, which he provided to the state databank following his conviction on attempted burglary charges in 2003.
"This defendant is a violent predator who poses a serious threat to public safety, and as such, the sentenced imposed by the court is more than warranted," said Queens District Attorney Richard A. Brown. "The fact that [Wallace] was required to submit a sample to the DNA data- bank following a 2003 attempted burglary conviction, and thus was swiftly identified as the perpetrator in this case, once again underscores its effectiveness as a tool of law enforcement."
Reportedly, the attack occurred at around 3:20 a.m. on the morning of Sept. 24, 2009 in the vicinity of Park Lane South and 91st Street.
Crime Scene. The rape of a 29-year-old student teacher was the third sexual attack in Forest Park since the start of summer, according to The Forum. Earlier this year two women were attacked on the same day, in different locations in Forest Park. Back in June, a young attacker raped one woman less than two hours after having tried to rip off the clothes of another woman who was at the park exercising. (Photo: The Forum)
According to testimony provided during trial, the female victim was walking through the area when Wallace approached her from behind and wrapped his arms around her.
Threatening to stab her if she tried to scream, police noted, he dragged her into nearby Forest Park and behind a number of trees. After ordering her to be quiet and repeating his threat to stab her if she made a sound, it was reported, he raped the woman.
Following the attack, authorities said, Wallace removed cash, an iPod and the victim's identification from her pocketbook, then fled from the scene.
The incident was later reported to the 102nd Precinct. The victim was taken to a local hospital for treatment and a rape kit was prepared. As noted, genetic evidence recovered through the rape kit was found to match Wallace's DNA.
"At present, DNA is collected upon conviction for all felonies and a limited group of only 36 misdemeanors," Brown added. "The law must be expanded to allow DNA samples to be taken for all convictions so that justice can truly be served to the fullest."
Assistant District Attorney Frank P. DeGaetano, a supervisor in the D.A.'s Special Victims Bureau, prosecuted the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorneys Marjory D. Fisher, bureau chief, and Kenneth M. Appelbaum and Lucinda C. Suarez, deputy bureau chiefs.
JUSTICE FOR FOREST PARK RAPE VICTIM
Convicted Attacker Sent To Slammer
Times Newsweekly - July 21, 2011 - by Robert Pozarycki
Woman Raped in Forest Park
The Forum - October 1, 2009 - By Patricia Adams
Brutal park rape shock
New York Post - September 24, 2009 - By John Doyle
Labels: Crime, Forest Park, Forest Park rape, NYC Park Crime, NYC Parks Department, park crime, Park Rape
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text:
Prescription drug thefts rising
Someone else's drug use put Michelle "Micki" Graskey in unbearable pain and caused her to suffer nausea three times. "It was horrible," the Solon Springs woman said. Each time, it happened because her prescription pain pills had been swiped. The ...
Someone else's drug use put Michelle "Micki" Graskey in unbearable pain and caused her to suffer nausea three times.
"It was horrible," the Solon Springs woman said.
Each time, it happened because her prescription pain pills had been swiped. The oxycontin and hydrocodone Graskey needs are tightly controlled narcotic drugs.
"They won't give you more," she said, even if the drugs are reported stolen.
Prescription drug thefts have been an issue in the Solon Springs area for years, according to Solon Springs Police Officer Jerry Olson. And the number of reports have been growing over the past year.
"It was a major problem out here," Olson said.
It is also an underreported problem.
"There's no doubt in my mind" that other people have been affected, the officer said.
But most residents were unaware of the thefts.
"I didn't know until it happened to us," said Lauri Thorssen of Solon Springs.
While Thorssen and her family were out of town one June weekend, 20 of her 6-year-old son's Focalin pills disappeared. The drug, used to treat ADHD, is a stimulant.
"I was shocked," she said. "How could they be gone?"
Thorssen grilled her children, mentally reviewed her steps and checked if the pharmacy had filled the prescription correctly. She came to the conclusion the pills had been stolen and filed a report.
Even then, she said, "I couldn't get my son new meds."
Her family doctor, however, helped by providing free trial drugs to cover the lapse.
A bold operation
The thefts are bold.
Patty Cosgrove was in her basement doing laundry when someone walked into her Solon Springs home and stole a bottle of 100 pain pills. They had been prescribed for her husband, Pat, following back surgery three years ago.
"I went to get his medication and it was gone," she said.
Yet she hadn't heard the family's German Shepherd bark to alert them to an intruder.
Another time, a partial bottle of pills was taken from the Cosgrove home.
The thefts fit the same pattern, Olson said. There is no sign of forced entry. Drugs are taken, but the cash sitting beside them is not. The timing and amounts appear to be random.
"There's no rhyme or reason," Olson said, but the average theft is 10 to 12 pills at a time.
With only a few pills going missing at a time, the officer said, "it was definitely hard to pick up on."
Graskey said she suffered the first time in March because her prescription was a number of pills short. After that, pills began disappearing in random amounts at random times.
"Sometimes just a couple, just a few," she said. "I think, 'Why didn't I notice it?'"
One day, an entire bottle of pills went missing. Graskey first thought she had accidentally taken them out with the trash.
Olson had been keeping watch on homes that had been hit on a somewhat regular basis. He contacted the Graskeys and asked if he could put a surveillance camera in their home. The camera, provided by the Wisconsin Department of Criminal Investigations, was installed Aug. 3.
On Aug. 4, Carrie Ann Hammond of Solon Springs was taped taking pills out of the Graskeys' bathroom medicine cabinet, according to a criminal complaint filed in Douglas County Court. The 27-year-old faces one felony charge of burglary. She pleaded not guilty to the charge Friday. An offer is pending on the case, according to the Clerk of Courts office, and a status conference is set for Nov. 7.
Hammond is not charged with any of the other burglaries, although the criminal complaint states that several bottles of medicine with the labels torn off were found at Hammond's residence.
The prescription drug thief or thieves stole more than pills from their victims. They stole peace of mind.
"I'm an absolute nervous wreck," Graskey said last week. "Your home is your sanctuary. It feels like I've been so violated."
The lifelong Solon Springs resident said she has always enjoyed living in a small town.
"You could trust people around you," she said. But now, "it just went away."
For the Cosgroves, the thefts changed their habits.
"We lock up all the time," Cosgrove said. "In a little town like this, you shouldn't have to do that."
Thorssen does the same.
"It's pretty sad to have to lock your door all the time," she said.
She also expressed anger that someone could steal needed medications from a small boy.
"I feel for bad for the person who has that kind of addiction," Thorssen said. "They need help. But I wish they weren't in my house."
As for Graskey, she keeps her meds under lock and key.
"Right now they're hidden so well, I can barely find them," she said.
All three women said they hope more victims will come forward.
Olson also urged anyone who has been a victim of prescription drug theft to report it to law enforcement.
A police report doesn't guarantee a prescription refill, said Dianne Witten, retail pharmacy manager for Duluth Clinic pharmacies.
"Our pharmacy doesn't refill prescriptions early unless the physician OKs it," she said. And, she warned, most insurance companies don't pay for a new prescription if the original is stolen or lost.
She encourages reporting thefts, as well.
"A lot of times we do recommend they call police if they haven't," Witten said.
Graskey hopes that if word spreads about the thefts, people will be more cautious.
"We were all stunned that it was happening," she said, and that it had been going on for so long.
"I want people to know."
Maria Lockwood covers public safety. E-mail mlockwood@superiortelegram.com or call (715) 395-5025.
Maria Lockwood covers news in Douglas County, Wisconsin, for the Superior Telegram.


text:
Nobu Hospitality unveils plans for Hamburg property | News
Nobu Hospitality has announced plans for a new property in Hamburg, Germany.
"We are very happy to be working with Signa in developing the Nobu Hotel in the great city of Hamburg," stated Robert De Niro and chef Nobu Matsuhisa, founders of Nobu Hospitality.
The Nobu Hotel & Restaurant will be located within the Elbtower, a project by Signa Real Estate.
The Elbtower will be a mixed-use development destination encompassing premium office space and the Nobu Hotel and Restaurant set within the tallest high-rise in the city.
Trevor Horwell, chief executive of Nobu Hospitality, commented: "We are extremely honoured and excited to be working with Signa on this unique project.
"This is the first project in this growing partnership, and we are exploring other destinations with Signa.
"Hamburg is an economic powerhouse in Germany and is an exciting destination for travellers whether for business or pleasure and perfectly fits with our global clientele.
"The Elbtower itself is a very special project planned as Hamburg's world class dynamic lifestyle destination with our Nobu Hotel and Restaurant sitting as its core."
Rising 245 metres and 64 stories over the River Elbe, the Elbtower is designed by celebrated architectural firm, David Chipperfield Architects.
Forming a designed counterpoint to the famed Elbphilharmonie concert hall and serving as an entrance marker to the prestigious HafenCity district.
The Elbtower will house the Nobu Hotel & Restaurant, the tower itself will be comprised of flexibly designed office spaces with unparalleled views of the city and beyond.
The Nobu Hotel Elbtower Hamburg will offer 191 spaciously designed guest rooms and suites, a 200-seat Nobu restaurant, a stylish terrace bar and lounge with views of the River Elbe, and a state-of-the-art fitness and wellness facility.
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Effective today, the gross and net expense ratio for ASHX has been permanently reduced to 0.60% from 1.35% gross and 0.70% net expense ratios, making the fund the most cost-effective pure China A-shares exposure ETF in the US ETF market1.
In addition, the net expense ratio for Xtrackers MSCI All China Equity ETF (NYSE Arca: CN) was reduced to 0.50% from 0.62%2 effective June 1, 20183 .
With the changed investment objective, ASHX seeks investment results that correspond generally to the performance, before fees and expenses, of the MSCI China A Inclusion Index. The index tracks Chinese A shares that can be accessed through the Stock Connect program.
MSCI Emerging Markets Index – The MSCI Emerging Markets Index captures large and mid cap representation across 24 Emerging Markets (EM) countries.
Stock Connect – A collaboration between the Hong Kong, Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges that allows international and Mainland Chinese investors to trade securities in each other's markets through the trading and clearing facilities of their home exchange.
MSCI is a servicemark of MSCI Inc. (MSCI) and has been licensed for use by DBX. The funds are not sponsored, endorsed, issued, sold or promoted by MSCI nor does MSCI make any representation regarding the advisability of investing in the funds.
Risks: Investing involves risk, including possible loss of principal. Stocks may decline in value. Bond investments are subject to interest-rate, credit, liquidity and market risks to varying degrees. When interest rates rise, bond prices generally fall. Foreign investing involves greater and different risks than investing in US companies, including currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards. Emerging markets tend to be more volatile and less liquid than the markets of more mature economies, and generally have less diverse and less mature economic structures and less stable political systems than those of developed countries. Funds investing in a single industry, country or in a limited geographic region generally are more volatile than more diversified funds. Special risks associated with investments in Chinese companies include exposure to currency fluctuations, less liquidity, less developed or less efficient trading markets, lack of comprehensive company information, political instability and differing auditing and legal standards the nature and extent of intervention by the Chinese government in the Chinese securities markets, and the potential unavailability of A shares. Uncertainties in the Chinese tax rules governing taxation of income and gains from investments in A-shares could result in unexpected tax liabilities for the fund, or underlying funds, which may reduce fund returns. Any reduction or elimination of access to A-shares will have a material adverse effect on the ability of the fund to achieve its investment objective. Performance of a fund may diverge from that of an Underlying Index due to operating expenses, transaction costs, cash flows, use of sampling strategies or operational inefficiencies. There are additional risks associated with investing in high-yield bonds, aggressive growth stocks, non-diversified/concentrated funds and small- and mid-cap stocks which are more fully explained in the prospectuses, as applicable. An investment in any fund should be considered only as a supplement to a complete investment program for those investors willing to accept the risks associated with that fund. Please read the applicable prospectus for more information.
3 The Adviser has contractually agreed, until 6/1/19, to waive a portion of its management fees to the extent necessary to prevent the operating expenses of the Fund from exceeding 0.50% of the Fund's average daily net assets. This agreement may only be terminated by the Fund's Board (and may not be terminated by the Adviser) prior to that time.


How Do You Implement and Track Your Staff Training and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Programme?
What Do Your Staff Need From You?
How Do You Develop Your Staff?
How Do You Provide Effective Staff Inductions?
What Interview Questions Should You Be Asking?
How Do You Attract The Right Staff?


AngelicPleasure . TightAsianTeen. susanzv. prettysweetasian.
AngelDakota88PreciousKayaaishalove21MarySui .CATAORTIZlexyyxxEliziAngelDakota88 .MilaSkyCarne95kaum10AngelOPleasure .ElllaRosecornishjohnRheaBlissJoyofLove .bellaboooLovelyNormanCarne95StephaniaTS .FeliciaLewisJoyofLoveDollYukiDustinBrandon .EliziSelenadream2XLDANGEROUSCOCKJennyCuteX .SelenadreamTamaraxHotDollYukiTatiSweety .cornishjohndarylloveuLizLuxuryAngelOPleasure .WeLove2FckHardBabydollplushimAriaMorganLafleur05 .JoieMoorJuliaShineElllaRoseMistressEleny .
AngelOPleasureVannesaGreyFavGirlGaryDrake .ElllaRosebigboylatxxxBellaInamorataCATAORTIZ .MarissaPlayANDHYHOT1prettysweetasianCATAORTIZ .KyraLovemakkaszJessyTransvaishalove21 .LindsayDominaAngelOPleasureFeliciaLewisboysBIGcocks11i .TatiSweetyItsAvayaKarlheyCJANEXXXXX .ROCKYTOMaishalove21boysBIGcocks11iLovelyNorman .GaryDrakeCATAORTIZsusanzvFeliciaLewis .ElllaRoseVirginPornstarLafleur05KarlheyC .JasonSweetVirginPornstarUnmatchedPrincesMiaaX .aishalove21AriaMorganTattooSensationDustinBrandon .


In high Summer Lloret de Mar is probably the busiest place on the Costa Brava, attracting young people from all over Europe with the staggering array of bars and clubs it has to offer. Enjoy a tropical cocktail in one of the many terraces on the main boulevard or visit the Casino to see if it's your lucky day. But Lloret has much more to offer those willing to look beyond the faade – explore the charming castle at the end of the terrace-lined main boulevard or lose yourself for an afternoon on one of the many signposted walking routes just outside the center (such as the wonderful coastal walk from Lloret de Mar to Blanes).
If you like all things flora, Blanes is a must. There are two large botanical gardens in Blanes – Mar i Murtra and Pinya de Rosa. Mar i Murtra, just out of the city center and along the coast, is the most famous of the two and you can spend an entire day exploring and enjoying the beautiful flowers, plants and trees on show. The gardens at Pinya de Rosa comprise over 7000 plant species from aloes and agaves to yuccas and opuntias – plenty to keep you busy! Blanes also offers a wealth of architectural beauty, such as the church of Santa Maria and the Font Gtica (the remains of an old Gothic fountain).
North of Blanes is Tossa de Mar, the "blue paradise", as the French painter Marc Chagall called it. And he was right, because Tossa is a tantalizing mix of medieval watch-towers and walls, a golden sandy beach and a picturesque old town (Villa Vella). With its crystal clear water Tossa is a popular destination for scuba diving, but those who enjoy a relaxing promenade stroll and good food will also enjoy this traditional seaside town. While it can get busy on the beach in summertime, Tossa de Mar still retains an unspoilt character and offers a glimpse of the original Costa Brava ambience.
Those looking for a perfect drive should explore the coastal road heading north from Lloret de Mar to Sant Feliu and Platja d'Aro – the winding stretch between Tossa de Mar and Sant Feliu is considered to be one of the most beautiful coastal routes in Spain and is a fine way to discover the delightful towns and villages dotted along the Costa Brava. On a Sunday morning expect to find plenty of bikers on the road, enjoying the twists and turns. On a weekday, though, you'll find the route much quieter and will have ample opportunity to visit the numerous small coves, the harbor of Sant Feliu or go shopping in the center of Platja d'Aro, famous for its designer brand shops.


text:
Q: Drawing multiple strings from the same class I hope this makes sense.
I'm using Java with the Slick2d library, that probably doesn't matter though.
My problem is, I'm trying to render multiple rectangles and strings from the same sub class, but when I do, only the last one actually renders.
Here the code in my Entity class:
public class Entity {

    public static String name;
    public static int health, x, y;

    public Entity(String n, int h, int posx, int posy) {
        name = n;
        health = h;
        x = posx;
        y = posy;
    }

    public static void render(Graphics g) {
        g.drawString(name, x-20, y-16);
        g.drawRect(x, y, 16, 16);
    }

}

And here is how I'm trying to call it from my main class:
public void render(GameContainer gc, Graphics g) throws SlickException {
        new Entity("Monster1", 100, 400, 200);
        new Entity("Monster2", 100, 500, 200);
        Entity.render(g);
}

What am I doing wrong? Please keep in mind I'm still new to java, so it will most likely be a really obvious problem.

A: problem is that you should not use the static variable modifier. Remove it in all three places within the entity class and then use your new entity class as follows.
Entity m1 = new Entity("Monster1", 100, 400, 200);
m1.render(g);

A: Start by removing the static modifier from your variables:
public String name;
public int health, x, y;

In Java, when you declare an attribute to be static, all of the instances of the class will share the exact same attribute, and if one instance changes its value, all the others will be changed, to - since it's the same attribute for all.
That explains why only the last rectangle seems to be drawn - all of them were drawn, in fact, but in the exact same coordinates.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


You want to keep your children's math minds active this summer. But maybe you're not certain what that will look like.
The Summer of Math is here to help.
The Summer of Math is a subscription service. Each month June, July, and August we'll send you a box of mathy fun that includes—at minimum—a book, a plaything, supplies to extend the learning, and at least one secret surprise bonus. We'll throw in a newsletter with information about each month's goodies and suggestions for additional math play that will help make this the most fun and mathiest summer ever.
New this year! Summer of Math for the older kids! While there's plenty of smart fun for the older ones in the original Summer of Math subscription, there's now an option aimed at the 11 and up crowd. More sophisticated; equally delightful.
Click "Additional Info" for more details.
One week before each box ships, we'll send you an email detailing that month's contents, and give you the opportunity to make a substitution, deletion, or to have us throw a little something extra in that month's box.
All Summer of Math items are selected for 5—10 year-old children, and may contain some smaller bits that would be inappropriate for children under 4 years. Barring that, the contents are appropriate for playful thinkers of all ages.
Shoot me a note if you have questions or requests of any kind. We'll work something out together!
Do I have to know any special math to participate?
No! Think of this just like summer reading. You don't need literary theory to read fun books with your child, and you don't need fancy math knowledge to play with mathy things together. In both cases, you keep an important part of your child's mind active, and in both cases, you bond over something fun.
What kind of books are we talking about?
New, interesting, and delightful are the key words. And variety. A beautiful mathy coloring book, a couple of awesome activity books, a gorgeous story book and Which One Doesn't Belong? will be making their way to your doorstep.
This has been a productive year at Talking Math with Your Kids. Only a fraction of the mathy playthings we've been working on have made their way to the store so far. There will be turtles, yes. And spiraling pentagons. And 21st century pattern blocks (these are beautiful, promise!) And a couple of awesome things that only a figment of our imagination right now, but which—with your subscription—we will bring to life from sustainable hardwood, a laser cutter, and 20 years' worth of teaching and learning.
Can I just sign up for one month?
No. But you can order a Highlights box that includes four favorites from the summer, together with a couple small surprises.
The Highlights box ships in July.
Can I delay a shipment while we're on vacation?
Yes. Let us know your needs when you sign up, or when we send a shipment preview email, and we'll make sure to ship when you'll be home.


text:
<?php

namespace Doctrine\DBAL\Event\Listeners;

use Doctrine\DBAL\Event\ConnectionEventArgs;
use Doctrine\DBAL\Events;
use Doctrine\Common\EventSubscriber;

/**
 * Should be used when Oracle Server default environment does not match the Doctrine requirements.
 *
 * The following environment variables are required for the Doctrine default date format:
 *
 * NLS_TIME_FORMAT="HH24:MI:SS"
 * NLS_DATE_FORMAT="YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS"
 * NLS_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT="YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS"
 * NLS_TIMESTAMP_TZ_FORMAT="YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS TZH:TZM"
 *
 * @link   www.doctrine-project.org
 * @since  2.0
 * @author Benjamin Eberlei <kontakt@beberlei.de>
 */
class OracleSessionInit implements EventSubscriber
{
    /**
     * @var array
     */
    protected $_defaultSessionVars = [
        'NLS_TIME_FORMAT' => "HH24:MI:SS",
        'NLS_DATE_FORMAT' => "YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS",
        'NLS_TIMESTAMP_FORMAT' => "YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS",
        'NLS_TIMESTAMP_TZ_FORMAT' => "YYYY-MM-DD HH24:MI:SS TZH:TZM",
        'NLS_NUMERIC_CHARACTERS' => ".,",
    ];

    /**
     * @param array $oracleSessionVars
     */
    public function __construct(array $oracleSessionVars = [])
    {
        $this->_defaultSessionVars = array_merge($this->_defaultSessionVars, $oracleSessionVars);
    }

    /**
     * @param \Doctrine\DBAL\Event\ConnectionEventArgs $args
     *
     * @return void
     */
    public function postConnect(ConnectionEventArgs $args)
    {
        if (count($this->_defaultSessionVars)) {
            array_change_key_case($this->_defaultSessionVars, \CASE_UPPER);
            $vars = [];
            foreach ($this->_defaultSessionVars as $option => $value) {
                if ($option === 'CURRENT_SCHEMA') {
                    $vars[] = $option . " = " . $value;
                } else {
                    $vars[] = $option . " = '" . $value . "'";
                }
            }
            $sql = "ALTER SESSION SET ".implode(" ", $vars);
            $args->getConnection()->executeUpdate($sql);
        }
    }

    /**
     * {@inheritdoc}
     */
    public function getSubscribedEvents()
    {
        return [Events::postConnect];
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Hanukkah menorah was placed at Parque Juarez
8 January, 20218 January, 2021By Other
By Marilyn Robinson
"The menorah serves as a symbol of light and hope amidst the darkness of the pandemic, as it did for generations before us," said Rabbi Huebner of Chabad. "The flames of the menorah shineinto the night, reminding us that even when confronted with much darkness, a tiny light can dispel it all. Another act of goodness and kindness, another act of light, can make all the difference."
This year, for the first time, a Hanukkah menorah was placed at Parque Juarez and was lit daily throughout the eight-day holiday. This year's menorah lighting was done as a message of hope during what for many is a very difficult time. Chabad of SMA also distributed menorahs, candles, and Hanukkah-at-home kits to those celebrating at home. The menorah was unique in that it was locally designed and constructed by artist and designer Meila Penn, who put many long hours of work into it, producing a true work of art, with the help of local metalworker Rodolfo Valenzuela.
This year, as so many will be isolated at home, the menorah is a reminder that light can be brought to the darkest of times, and uniquely, at the core of the holiday's observance is sharing the light with others who may not be experiencing it.
The worldwide Hanukkah campaign, by Chabad encourages the central theme of the holiday—publicizing the story of the Hanukkah miracle and the victory of light over darkness, a message of hope greatly needed today. In the decades since the Hanukkah awareness campaign began it has revitalized widespread observance of the Festival of Lights and brought it to the mainstream, returning what some have dismissed as a minor holiday to its roots as a public proclamation of the ultimate triumph of freedom over oppression.
Throughout the pandemic, Chabad has been on the front lines providing social, humanitarian and spiritual support to locals. The covid-safe menorah lighting is the latest of many innovative programs in response to these unique times by Chabad of SMA, including Passover Seders-to-go and Shabbat-in-a-box deliveries.
Hanukkah, recalls the victory of a militarily weak Jewish people who defeated the Syrian Greeks who had overrun ancient Israel and sought to impose restrictions on the Jewish way of life and prohibit religious freedom. They also desecrated the Temple and the oils prepared for the lighting of the menorah, which was part of the daily service. Upon recapturing the Temple only one jar of undefiled oil was found, enough to burn only one day, but it lasted miraculously for eight. In commemoration, Jews celebrate Hanukkah for eight days by lighting an eight-branched candelabrum known as a menorah. Today, people of all faiths consider the holiday a symbol and message of the triumph of freedom over oppression, spirit over matter, light over darkness
Chabad of SMA offers Jewish education, outreach and social service programming for people of all ages, backgrounds and affiliations. For more information, contact Rabbi Daniel Huebner at Rabbi@ChabadSMA.com or visit ChabadSMA.com.
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text:
Robert A. Price (1950) es un botánico estadounidense. Publica sus hallazgo taxonómicos, habitualmente en Novon.

Desarrolla actividades académicas en el Departamento de Botánica de la Universidad de Georgia, en Athens (Georgia).

Obra
 . 2009. A new genus, Hesperocyparis, for the cypresses of the Western Hemisphere. Phytologia 91 (1): 160–185

 . 2002. Phylogeny of Sisymbrium (Brassicaceae) based on ITS sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA. Canadian J. of Botany 80 (9): 1002-1017 doi 10.1139/b02-089

 . 2001. A Multivariate Morphological Analysis of the Cardamine Concatenata Alliance (Brassicaceae). Brittonia 53 ( 1): 82-95

 -----------------------, -------------------. 2000. Polyphyly of the Genus Dentaria (Brassicaceae): Evidence from trnL Intron and ndhF Sequence Data. Systematic Botany 25 (3): 468-478

 . 1998. Delimitation of Nasturtium (Brassicaceae). Novon 8: 124–126

 . 1996. Molecules, Morphology, and Dahlgren's Expanded Order Capparales. Systematic Botany 21 (3): 289-307

 . 1990. The genera of Cupressaceae (including Taxodiaceae) in the southeastern United States. J. of the Arnold Arboretum 71: 275-322

 . 1989. An immunological comparison of the Sciadopityaceae, Taxodiaceae, and Cupressaceae. Systematic Botany 14: 141-149

Honores

Notas

Enlaces externos

Botánicos de Estados Unidos
Profesores de la Universidad de Georgia
Taxónomos de Estados Unidos

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Everywhen Group is an
Aboriginal Management Consulting Firm
Everywhen is Aboriginal owned and led.
Created to unite Indigenous and Non-Indigenous Australia for enduring change.
We work with Non-Indigenous bodies to deliver on commitments that advance First Nations interests, and we work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations and communities to enable and empower for leadership and success.
Everywhen is an Indigenous concept of time, it is where the past, present and future are interconnected.
The past is the birthplace of our stories.
The present is where our voice is heard.
The future is where our legacy is realised.
We are – Everywhen
Unite for enduring
First Nations leadership
At no time in history has it been more critical to unite for enduring change. The opportunity to partner and co-design solutions that make a difference is now. Everywhen is committed to playing a lead role in changing existing paradigms and rewriting the current narrative.
Our purpose, vision and strategic priorities chart a bold and courageous path towards a shared future of First Nations leadership and success. We exist to enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people to live empowered lives, and believe self-determining First Nations families and communities with access to real opportunities is paramount to the economic and social health of Australia.
We believe our four strategic priorities will truly move the needle towards social and economic change. Each strategic priority has ambitious targets that are measurable and align with our purpose, enabling us to realise our vision. They draw out the capabilities, energy and commitment of our people to heighten our impact and generate greater social return on investment.
Everywhen believes in the rights of First Nations communities to be architects and authors of their own story, for a culturally safe and equitable future.
Our work is committed to the foundation of enabling self-determination, freedom of choice and acknowledgement of the truthful past.
Everywhen believes in strengthening the organisational capacity of Indigenous, government and private organisations to improve economic and societal outcomes for First Nations communities.
Our work is culturally grounded and led by co-design. We apply Indigenous ways of knowing, being and doing and blend with structured thinking to deliver solutions that will endure.
Economic Independence
Everywhen believes in expanding the capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander individuals, communities and businesses to be in the driver's seat of their economic future.
Our work is driven by impact investing, delivering measurable social benefits with financial returns. We partner to create wealth for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with economic empowerment.
Structural Reform
Everywhen believes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples voices can be heard at the highest levels of decision making, with considered and purposeful shifts to existing systems.
Our work ensures investment is in levers that will have disproportionate positive effect. We are dedicated to strategically disrupt paradigms and structure, and explore both conceptually and practically a new way forward.
Pragmatic, personal and performed together
Our methodology is simple, it's logical and impactful. With a human-centred design focus we ensure design and delivery is informed, deeply considerate of the user and deliberate for sustainability.
Delivering on our purpose
Our work is highly impactful and is driven to unite for enduring change in Australia. We have diverse capabilities and work across multiple sectors to deliver our purpose.
Charting the way forward
Our vision is the destination on the map, our guiding principles is the compass to help us get there. We are lucky we love our work, and the way we do it.
Aligned with
Alliances with
Copyright 2022 © All Rights Reserved. Everywhen
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people are advised that this website makes every effort to respect cultural traditions and protocols. First Nations readers are advised content may contain images, voices, videos and names of people who have passed away.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and First Nations, Traditional Custodians of Australia's lands and waterways. We also acknowledge the dispossession of First Nations people from their lands, the dispersal and relocation of communities, the erosion of traditional customs and languages, and the removal of children from their families, have resulted in the disconnection of generations of families from their traditional homelands, languages and culture.
We pay our respect to Elders of the past, those of the present and those of the future for they hold the stories, culture and traditions of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people


Daylight saving time comes to an end early Sunday, so it's time to "fall back" and push clocks back one hour.
An hour of daylight will be moved from evening to morning, but the bi-annual task of turning dials and resetting digital clocks should serve as a reminder to all homeowners to check and/or replace batteries in smoke alarms.
It's a fact: Properly functioning smoke alarms do save lives. All homes should have at least one alarm installed on each level, and they should be installed in the basement and outside every separate sleeping area, according to experts.
Smoke alarms require very little care. All you need to do is test them once a month using the test button and remember to change the batteries once a year, or sooner if the alarm chirps.
These devices have become popular in recent decades, as an estimated 93 percent of American homes have smoke alarms these days. They're affordable and easily installed, but home owners must be diligent in testing the alarms and making sure the batteries are charged.
It's also important to note that many smoke alarms should be replaced every 10 years, according to officials with the National Fire Protection Association.
And while smoke alarms remain the single most important way of preventing home fire fatalities, remember that families should have a home escape plan in place, too. The fact is once a smoke alarm sounds, family members have only seconds to respond and get out of the house, and there's not time to hunt for family members and pets and gather possessions. So planning and practicing home fire drills allows everyone to become familiar with an escape route and a meeting place outside.
With that said, we issue a reminder to readers to take a few minutes in that extra hour tomorrow to make sure home smoke alarms are properly installed and are working, and enjoy your day.


The Buckle, Inc. (BKE – Free Report)	: This company that operates as a retailer of casual apparel, footwear, and accessories has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 4.1% over the last 60 days.
The Estée Lauder Companies Inc. (EL – Free Report)	: This company that manufactures and markets skin care, makeup, fragrance, and hair care products has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 0.6% over the last 60 days.
Amazon.com, Inc. (AMZN – Free Report)	: This company that engages in the retail sale of consumer products and subscriptions has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 0.9% over the last 60 days.
The Meet Group, Inc. (MEET – Free Report)	: This company that operates a portfolio of mobile social entertainment applications has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 11.6% over the last 60 days.
Teekay Corporation (TK – Free Report)	: This company that provides crude oil and gas marine transportation; offshore oil production; and storage and offloading services has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing more than 100% over the last 60 days.


Apply this paste on your face as a facial mask. Leave it for 10-15 minutes and wash your face gently using warm water.
Repeating this skin care treatment every week will help keep your face young and glowing.
Thank you Sowmya for sharing!
Mix ingredients & apply it to your face for younger & smoother looking skin.
Leave mixture on face 15-20 minutes. Rinse with tepid water. Pat dry.
Thank you DJS for sharing!
The legendary "Cleopatra" was known for her gorgous, soft, and glowing skin.
Milk for facial skin care exfoliates, softens and nourishes the skin.
Beauty treatments of milk sooth and nourish the skin. Milk' natural properties help alleviate redness, hydrate, and calm irritated skin.
Milk' gentle exfoliation (contains Lactic Acid) helps to re-new skin cells.
Lactic Acid is an gentle Alpha hydroxy acid, which helps to cleanse the deep layers of the skin.
Lactic acid not only helps remove dead skin cells, it can also help even out pigmentation in your skin and can play an important role in the treatment of sun damaged skin.
Milk nourishes the skin directly with its excellent source of vitamins A and D.
Milk fat is considered to be extremely rich in unsaturated fatty acids, vitamins and lecithin.
Milk products such as sour cream, cottage cheese, milk whey, and cream also provide anti aging skin care benefits.
*If you have a dairy or milk allergy, do not use milk on your face or body without consulting a physician. People allergic to cow's milk often tolerate goats milk.


Packing a backpack correctly saves precious time that you might waste trying to find your things later. It is wise to spend some time on learning what really goes into packing a backpack.
On May, 2015, a group of trekkers on Rupin Pass had something special planned. After ascending to 15,000 feet, they were exuberant to have reached the highest point of the trek and more!
Here's what a few of our trekkers have to say about their experience with Indiahikes.
Arjun Majumdar from Indiahikes tested Coleman's Basin sleeping bag on his overnight trek to Ooty in June 2015.


An 11-year-old Burnaby boy was diagnosed with aplastic anemia, and despite a number of attempts a bone marrow donor has not been found. His family has organized a donor drive, hoping to find a stem cell transplant. Today's Global News Hour at 6 Health Matters is brought to you by Pharmasave.


text:
A reader of
Review: Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron
posted at Wednesday, July 30th, 2014 at 4:33 PM | Adult, Reviews
I received this book for free from Author in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron
Series: Heartstrikers #1
Published by Author on July 14, 14
Genres: Adventure, Dystopian, Mystery, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
As the smallest dragon in the Heartstriker clan, Julius survives by a simple code: keep quiet, don't cause trouble, and stay out of the way of bigger dragons. But this meek behavior doesn't fly in a family of ambitious magical predators, and his mother, Bethesda the Heartstriker, has finally reached the end of her patience.
Now, sealed in human form and banished to the DFZ--a vertical metropolis built on the ruins of Old Detroit--Julius has one month to prove that he can be a ruthless dragon or kiss his true shape goodbye forever. But in a city of modern mages and vengeful spirits where dragons are considered monsters to be exterminated, he's going to need some serious help to survive this test.
He only hopes humans are more trustworthy than dragons...
Recently, as in two days ago, I actually got to meet Rachel Aaron/Bach in person, which was super awesome. As a result, I got to learn a bit more about this book and the choices that she made. For example, I'll admit I'm always curious when an author goes from traditional publishing to self-publishing. In this case, Rachel simply wanted to try out the freedom of self-publishing. Plus, it allowed her the freedom of genrebending to her heart's content, which is much genrebending. Though I'm not as in love so far with the Heartstrikers series as I was with her Paradox trilogy, I definitely enjoyed Nice Dragons Finish Last and it's got some seriously fun and unique flair.
The title of Nice Dragons Finish Last, aside from putting Green Day in my head for the past three days, is also very accurate to the basic plot of the book. Though Nice Dragons Finish Last is in third person, our central character is Julius, a fuckup of a dragon. See, dragons are all about taking what they want and hoarding and conniving and domination. Julius, though, mostly just wants to sit in his room and learn things. He really doesn't like being a dragon and doesn't get why his massive family has to be so mean all the time.
To kickstart the series and Julius, his mother Bethesda, kicks Julius out of the nest, or, more accurately, out of a plane. She also seals him in his human form. He's got a mission: to act more like a dragon within a short time frame or to no longer be in existence. Dragon moms are really serious when they say that since they brought you into this world, they can take you back out of it. Due to family shenanigans and plots, Julius ends up teamed with a human mage, Marci, his brother Justin, his seer brother Bob, and his brother Ian to try to find a missing dragon from another family.
Nice Dragons Finish Last has a lot of action. It's very visual and would orient itself well to a movie. There are explosions and battles and magic spells. If there's something that seems fairly consistent through Rachel Aaron/Bach's works, it's that she likes a good action scene. As such, Nice Dragons Finish Last moves at a brisk pace once Julius and Marci hook up and the plot gets moving.
The world building in Nice Dragons Finish Last is some of the strangest I've come across, which I don't mean in a bad way. It's actually really hard for me to quantify this series. Rachel Aaron says urban fantasy, which is certainly true, but usually that means an actual city with fantasy elements. Well, the story is set in Detroit, but it's in a futuristic, dystopian Detroit which is ruled by a spirit who drowned original Detroit for being so polluted. So yeah, it's a bit different. I don't quite have everything straight in my head, but I do find the world building, while sometimes puzzling, quite intriguing.
What Heartstrikers doesn't have yet is my emotional engagement. There's a ship, but I'm not particularly into it. The characters are interesting and ragtag. I enjoy reading about them, but any of them could die at any point and I wouldn't be even tempted to cry or hurl the book across the room in a fit of feels. Nice Dragons Finish Last is a good set up for the series to come, I think, but it's not really taken off as yet.
Nice Dragons Finish Last may not have been everything I was anticipating, but it was solidly entertaining and gets bonus points for being so unique. I'll definitely be checking back in for the next book in the series, which Rachel said would be five to seven books long.
"What's wrong?" Marci asked.
"There's been a great disturbance in the Force," Bob said gravely. "As if millions of voices suddenly cried out in terror and were suddenly silenced. I fear something terrible has happened."
Her eyes widened. "Really?"
Tl;dr – Review in a GIFfy:
Most dragons be like:
Julius be like:
By Rachel Aaron
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TAGGED: 3.5 stars, Detroit, dragons, family, magic, Michigan
3 responses to "Review: Nice Dragons Finish Last by Rachel Aaron"
Maja (The Nocturnal Library) says:
The worldbuilding actually reminds me of the Kate Daniels series (dystopian, futuristic Atlanta full of paranormal creatures), which is great. I received this for review and started it last night. So far I'm liking it, but your review further convinced me that it's the right read for me.
This takes place in Detroit?! I'll definitely have to read it 🙂
OMG, it's Chaucerface, I mean, Toothless!
I'M SO EXCITED. AND I JUST CAN'T HIDE IT. I DON'T KNOW THE REST OF THE WORDS BUT WHATEVER, DANCE PARTY WHOOOOO!!
(Very excited about more Rachel AaronBach, in case that wasn't coming across)
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In stock soon, order for Bonfire/New Year.
Compound cakes are always spectacular and easy to use, and The Entertainer is no different than that. It's a high noise, high tempo compound cake that will turn your fireworks party into a true spectacle. If you are looking for something absolutely unique and something completely fresh, then you simply have to give The Entertainer a go!


On a clear autumn day, a drive along the southeastern approach road to Bradford gives the best panoramic view of Britain's most famous wool city. Whereas Paris has the Eiffel Tower as a landmark and Florence, Italy, has the Duomo, Bradford has Lister's Hill chimney. When Samuel Cunliffe Lister built his wool-combing mill in 1838 at Manningham, just north of Bradford's center, it was said that the chimney was big enough to ``drive a coach and horses around it.'' Nowadays, such grandiose monuments have no place in an industry that barely recovered from near-destruction in the late 1970s.
From more than 3,000 mills and 180,000 blue-collar workers 30 years ago, Britain's wool-textile industry has just over 200 mills and 30,000 workers. ``What we have left is very tough, very aggressive, and it knows what it's doing,'' says Geoffrey Richardson, director of Britain's National Wool Textile Export Corporation.
Eager to shed its century-old image of patriarchs dealing in ``muck and brass,'' the industry has discovered public relations and promotes itself as modern, high-tech, and successful. A revival over the last three years as a result of new investment and better management means that wool textiles, manufactured mainly in Yorkshire and along the Scottish borders, are expected to earn 625 million ($1 billion) in exports this year, making them Britain's sixth-largest foreign-exchange earner.
``No Yorkshireman, no Scot, will go down the tubes if he doesn't want to,'' explained Mr. Richardson, whose office overlooks Bradford's Wool Exchange. It's now closed, but 40 years ago the world's wool price was set by a handshake or over a game of dominoes in a caf'e round the corner.
Cheap third-world imports, higher raw material prices, and measures such as the textile bill in the United States mean this revival may not last. Textile imports to Britain are up 13 percent over last year's levels. The knitting yarn sector is reeling from what it terms ``dumped'' acrylic fiber from Turkey. ``The problem is that the Brits play cricket and the others don't,'' Richardson says.
Fine wool exports such as worsted, for which Bradford is famous, were threatened by last year's near-doubling of Australian fine merino wool prices, worsted's essential raw material. ``Prices are now falling back in Australia, mainly because manufacturers substituted coarser wool,'' said Robert Wilson, who becomes managing director of the British Wool Marketing Board in December.
The board is the Britain's sole raw-material supplier. It buys its wool from some 90,000 small British sheep farmers, and resells it at public auctions. Mr. Wilson expects the supply to increase about 7 percent this year to about 110 million pounds. This is mainly because sheep farming remains profitable, while lamb is not in surplus in the European Community.
The current high level of the volatile New Zealand dollar also helps. Interest rates in New Zealand have topped 26 percent, increasing that country's wool prices and hurting exports. The coarse wool produced in Britain is directly comparable to New Zealand's. ``There has been a move out of New Zealand from a cost point of view toward British wool,'' says Peter Lees, of the Bradford-based London Wool Brokers.
This also makes Wilson very happy, since his wool board plans to market the coarser British wool more as a fashion fabric. The British wool is used chiefly as a carpet yarn and only a little in heavy tweeds. ``Fashions for 1989 are beginning to move back toward the tweedier country look,'' Wilson says.
The board has its headquarters in a converted mill at Clayton, just outside Bradford's center, where it boasts a little zoo. Here, a range of British sheep are displayed systematically, from the coarsest to the finest hair.
But plans to increase exports of the tweedy ``Old Fogey Look'' to its armies of fans in the US could be thwarted by enactment of the US Textile Bill, which rewould strict import growth to 1 percent of 1987 levels. Under the bill, the US president would have flexibility to decide on relative levels of imports from various nations. British manufacturers say they have been lobbying furiously to gain that extra inch which the Far East may lose.
``It [the bill] will bring repercussions, because the EC will not stand still and we could get a trade war,'' says Richardson.
His efforts seem to have had little effect in Washington. ``We are already in a trade war,'' said an aide to Sen. Ernest Hollings (D) of South Carolina, who is sponsoring the textile bill.
Such developments leave Britain's wool textile exporters in the curious position of fighting free trade from the east with one hand and protectionism from the West with another, and failing at both.
The city of Bradford has already relegated the sandblasted dinosaurs that are its old wool mills into tourist attractions or homes for new upmarket boutiques. Mail-order and light engineering have replaced wool as the main employers in the city. What is left of the wool industry is hostage to its inability to attract qualified young people for management training. ``If this situation continues, there could be no industry left in 15 years,'' says Helen Maskill of the Confederation of British Wool Textiles.
Employers are loath to admit that pay could be the problem. The basic pay in a combing plant is 90 ($150) weekly and 130 with bonuses and overtime.


Comparing Goldston, NC homeowners insurance is easy. Enter your Zip at the top of the page and you will be on your way to finding the cheapest coverage for your home in Chatham. Home insurance comparison is the most-trusted method of saving 30% or more on your premium. So stop overpaying and start saving by getting your quotes today.
What you should know about Goldston, NC home insurance quotes is that not all of them are created alike, and while there are those that provide information on products that provide comprehensive coverage for an all-in-one premium, there are quotes that only provide information on certain types of coverage. And yet they will come up in the same query when you use insurance quotes websites, which can be a bad thing if you are not careful.
How much does Goldston homeowner's insurance cost? Well, that really depends on your state. However, we are finding that across the United States, the average cost is between $600 to $1,600, with Idaho having the lowest average and Texas the highest. Of course, if you take a look at the specifics, you will find insurers that charge lower or higher than the state average.
Start saving now on your home insurance in Goldston, NC. Enter your Zip Code at the top of the page and browse and compare through the list of the top insurance carriers in your area.
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Shield your property and family's funds by receiving residence owner's insurance. So many items can hurt or harm a property. Do not depart your house to chance by not obtaining house owner's insurance policies. Use the tips over to locate a plan correct for you so that you can protect the area you get in touch with house.


Sioux Chief Crimp PEX Fittings and Viega Crimp PEX Fittings are a great way to plumb your house with 1/2 Inch Plumbing PEX Tubing. PEX Crimps are secure and can be behind walls. Also, can be used in PEX Radiant Underfloor or Infloor Heating Systems where compression fittings can not be or should not be used.
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