I agree that a parking lot is among the worst possible uses of land. However, as an SFUSD teacher, I also work with many teachers who have hour plus commutes to their schools. Public transportation is not a viable option for many of these teachers. The inability to park can put additional financial strain and stress on teachers who are already at their limit. More teacher parking permits could be an option.
I have the privilege of walking to school each day because I live in the neighborhood I teach. My school does not have a parking lot. Across the street from my school is an affordable housing complex. The proximity of this housing to the school is a tremendous boon to the students, the teachers, and the school. First, our school Leonard R. Flynn, is highly integrated with a diverse student population. Second, as a teacher I am able to do home visits with families on a regular basis and provide important after school support. Third, the students themselves are able to walk to school and make connections with the community the learn in.
Replacing our school parking lots with affordable housing open to SFUSD families and teachers would be a step forward for our school communities. We just need to be mindful and proactive of the additional strain this would place on teachers with long commutes.
As a classroom teacher in the Mission I see the effect housing instability has on our students. One recent estimate was that 2500 students are homeless. When students are suffering in this way they cannot reach their full potential. SFUSD has a moral and pedagogical obligation to help these students.
I support the push to place a homeless shelter in Horace Mann Elementary School. On the board I would seek to more opportunities to provide services to homeless youth and families within our schools. I also support the philosophy of making better use of our school spaces to serve the community's needs.
The primary short term solution is to increase salaries. Building teacher housing is always positive, but it will never be a complete solution. Teachers should have some measure of choice as to where they want to live within their community. Teacher salaries in SFUSD compare poorly to many surrounding districts. Currently only 40% of the SFUSD budget is dedicated to teacher salaries. The state average is 60% of the budget going towards salaries. I support Mark Sanchez's call for an audit of the budget to better understand how this discrepancy. My hope is that the audit will allow the district to find ways to shift more resources into teacher salaries and teacher housing.
The long term solution is systemic changes to the way housing is built in San Francisco and statewide. We need to build in a way that is equitable to poor communities. I understand that this is a complex issue and I would seek to YIMBY's help in further educating myself.
San Francisco's school assignment system puts a burden on poor families who often need to travel long distances to go to their school of choice. Providing public transportation for free to these families needs to go hand and hand a school assignment system that takes many students out of their neighborhood. In regards to the parents choosing to drive solutions are not obvious. I do know that many families undervalue the schools in their neighborhoods. I want to do more to highlight the value of schools within walking distance of families. This is an issue where I would seek to learn more from YIMBY.
Student assignment is an important tool for desegregation. At this point I view the failure of the system as cause for its reform not its abolishment. The Board of Education has an obligation to ensure that schools are desegregated and all students have equitable access to education opportunities. I support a mix of neighborhood and city wide school preferences.
We can control how families experience the assignment process. Currently, the district's process creates much unnecessary stress for families. We have to increase the transparency at EPC. We have to shorten the process, allow for parents to apply online, do virtual tours and easily see the program offerings and facilities for each school. Currently, families must make the choice to enroll in public school on the same day that private schools demand non-refundable deposits. We need move notification forward and give families time to make their decision and reduce their panic. These basic customer service strategies can go a long way in improving our student assignment process and could also have a positive impact in how diverse our schools are because families would be more likely to stay within the district.
These ideas are far from a total solution.. There are structural biases at play that are harder to change, but we must still try. SFUSD needs to do more to form relationships with families of all colors and means to understand why the leave. On the board, I would speak directly with these families.
First, I want to clearly state that I believe when standardized test scores are the primary criteria, the quality of a school is often misrepresented. For example, one metric of quality might be the number of bilingual students. Another metric might be parent satisfaction. When we lean so heavily on certain types of data we receive a skewed picture. ESSA allows for new kinds of school report cards that elevate different kinds of data like parent surveys. It is the school district's obligation to take advantage of ESSA to paint a more complete and accurate picture of our schools.
There are of course schools that lag behind others. Evidence shows that the number one factor in a child's education is the quality of their teacher. Teacher pay, teacher training, and compelling leadership opportunities for young teachers can go along way towards attracting and retaining bright young teachers. Our young teachers are under leveraged in the district. They feel anonymous and uninspired. We need to change this. I would prioritize teacher quality and push the district to formulate a clear plan to move towards better teacher support and training.
Please see my generic biography or my website www.gabrielalopez.org for more information. I would like to finally highlight that there is no Spanish fluent representation currently on the board. I arrived at schools not speaking English. My parents struggled with communication with my teachers. I understand their experience. That is why I sought a bilingual teaching credential. 25% of our students are Latino in SFUSD. They deserve qualified Spanish fluent representation and I believe I represent that. We can't build coalitions when such a huge percentage of our SFUSD committee is effectively voiceless. Thank you for your time.


text:
Allen, Clouden lead Spartans past Hawkeyes
Kevin Arju, Women's Basketball Beat Reporter
EAST LANSING, Mich – The No. 21 ranked MSU women's basketball team opened Big Ten conference play against No. 16 Iowa this Sunday with an 84-70 victory. The ranked matchup saw a nearly full Breslin Center crowd.
"The sport here at Michigan State is really appreciated," said MSU coach Suzy Merchant. "You work that hard, don't you want people to care and appreciate what your craft is?"
The Spartans 1-2 punch of Jenna Allen and Nia Clouden battled with an Iowa team that has all five starters averaging double-digit points, with Iowa center Megan Gustafson averaging 26.5 points per game.
As Clouden and Gustafson went back and forth scoring in a huge third quarter. It was evident that the true freshman Clouden was no stranger to the big moment as she nailed a corner three to give the Spartans a 45-43 lead with 8:02 to play in the third.
"Yeah I think I handled it very well, I try not get too excited and mess up," said Clouden. "I just try to attack the defense every chance I get and get people in foul trouble."
Clouden had a career game, leading MSU with 27 points to set a new career high. Jenna Allen also continued her stellar play, netting 20 points and a career high 17 rebounds.
Like most teams around this time of year, the Spartans got off to a slow start in the game. Going down early 15-4 with just under six minutes in the first quarter, forcing Merchant to gather her team with a timeout.
"In that huddle I just talked about defending that kid [Gustafson] better, I thought we were really soft the way we approached her, and jump shot happy," said Merchant. "So, I just said listen, we got to start playing inside out and downhill."
Senior Jenna Allen, as she has so often this season, followed the timeout with back-to-back scores. The starting center rang off 10 points in the final 5:46 of the first quarter, leading MSU back to tie the game at 19-19 late in the first.
The crowd got going as well, as the upper deck was opened for the first time this season with a packed house in East Lansing.
Iowa refused to be done as their leading scorer Gustafson tore up the Spartan defense to the tune of 21 points in the first half and 30 in the game to go with her 10 rebounds.
"We didn't do that great of a job, she was getting too deep in the post," said Merchant. "One-on-one she's very hard to stop. So, if you start sending people, those other guys can shoot threes."
The fourth quarter began with Iowa trailing by seven points after MSU used a huge third to outscore the Hawkeyes 23-10 and take the lead permanently.
Freshman Tory Ozment, who has played her way into a big part of the Spartan rotation was noticeably absent from the game and was on the bench in a walking boot. But star guard Shay Colley returned from a lower leg injury that occurred during the Kennesaw State game.
"That one shocked me, I got call saying she's going to be out a couple of weeks." Said Merchant when asked about Ozments injury that was said to be a stress fracture.
The Spartans eighth straight win since falling to N.C. State in Cancun is the team's most in a row since 2012-13 and ended non-conference play with 10-1 record.
The Michigan State Spartans are now 11-1 this season and play next in the new year at Northwestern in a second straight conference game. That game can be found on BTN+ and is scheduled to tip off at 8:00 p.m. on Jan. 3. Iowa is now 9-3 this year overall and plays next against Nebraska at home on Jan. 3 at 8:00 p.m.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Q: C# - Will closing a JsonTextWriter close the underlying StreamWriter Will the JsonTextWriter close the underlying stream when closed? I am getting a Code Analysis warning that the StreamWriter 'sw' may be disposed of more than once in this scenario. However in the constructor of the StreamWriter I specify true for the 'leaveOpen' argument that I believed would keep the strema open and have to be manually closed using sw.Close().
StreamWriter sw = new StreamWriter(stream, new UTF8Encoding(false), 1024, true);
JsonTextWriter jtw = new JsonTextWriter(sw);
jtw.Close();
sw.Close();

A: The boolean property JsonTextWriter.CloseOutput controls the behavior on this. This is set to true by default as per the current source code.
You may prevent closing the underlying writer in your sample by setting it to false:
jtw.CloseOutput = false;

A: According to the JsonSoft documentation, if you set the CloseOutput property of the JsonWriter to true, then it will also close the StreamWriter.  I'd set that property and remove sw.Close in order to ensure there is no ambiguity

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Administrative Change v Change to Terms and Conditions
By ContractSpecialistTJohn,
September 20, 2016 in Contract Administration
ContractSpecialistTJohn 0
ContractSpecialistTJohn
I am wondering if anyone has experience modifying a contract to add clauses that were supposed to be in the solicitation? What is considered a change that would require a bi-lateral modification? For example, adding an economic price adjustment clause to a contract would require a bi-lateral agreement between the government and its parties? Using the Christine doctrine could a uni-lateral modification be issued to add the commercial contract clauses if they were not included in the original solicitation? Has anyone had experience utilizing the Christine Doctrine to make changes to a contract and how was it done on an SF-30?
Deaner 0
Deaner
I've never added clauses to a contract after award before, but I don't see why not. 1.108 says CO's can include FAR changes into existing contracts. I don't know why you couldn't process a modification to include ones that were missed. It would have to be a bi-lateral agreement you couldn't unilaterally add clauses.
I don't think you can use the Christine doctrine. Someone else might be able to elaborate, but I'm pretty sure most (if not all) legal doctrines are applied through court rulings, not CO's applying them.
Guest PepeTheFrog
1 hour ago, ContractSpecialistTJohn said:
Using the Christine doctrine could a uni-lateral modification be issued to add the commercial contract clauses if they were not included in the original solicitation? Has anyone had experience utilizing the Christine Doctrine to make changes to a contract and how was it done on an SF-30?
PepeTheFrog thinks Deaner is correct.
12 minutes ago, Deaner said:
legal doctrines are applied through court rulings, not CO's applying them
The Christian doctrine is called a doctrine because it was created by court precedent. The Christian doctrine allows a judge or court to incorporate a clause into a contract, by operation of law, as though the clause was in the contract from inception. The reasoning is that the contracting officer did not have the actual authority to not include a mandatory clause that expresses a significant or deeply ingrained strand of public procurement. It's a "legal fiction" imposed by a judge or court. The contracting officer can add any clauses he wants to your contract, unilaterally, but you can respond with a claim or request for equitable adjustment (REA). The only time the Christian doctrine will be applied is when a judge or court applies it.
Practical advice: Many contracting officers throw around the Christian doctrine, and they also try to force clause updates or additions down contractors' throats. The dirty "secret" is that you struck a particular deal based on the clauses in the solicitation and contract. If that deal changes, you might be entitled to compensation. Don't be afraid to negotiate. Don't fall for the "Well, I'll just put the new and updated clauses in the next option exercise." That's not how it should work.
Thank you. Does anybody know what authority a CO would use to incorporate a mandatory clause in a contract?
Matthew Fleharty 0
Matthew Fleharty
Let's first clear up the "Christian Doctrine." The existence of the "Christine Doctrine" does not give the Government authority to make a change to a contract - if you read the case and the resulting legal analysis regarding the "Christine Doctrine" it will state something along the lines of:
"if a clause is required to be included in the contract and it "is sufficiently ingrained in public procurement policy." the contract will be read to include it even though it is not physically incorporated in the document" Cibinic, Jr. John, Ralph C. Nash Jr., and James F. Nagle. Administration of Government Contracts, 4th Edition
That does not mean the Contracting Officer can make that determination and then incorporate the clause into the contract unilaterally. If you're relying on the "Christine Doctrine," the clause will not appear in the contract, then you'll roll the dice when/if a dispute arises causing the Government and the Contractor to appear in court. The judge will then decide if the "Christine Doctrine" standards are met.
As for the other, larger issue, regarding changes to contracts, that all depends on the contract in question (is it commercial or non-commercial, fixed price or cost-reimbursable, etc.). Read the contract and figure out what the contract says regarding changes to it and go from there. What you won't find in any of the Changes clauses is the ability to unilaterally modify the clauses of the contract. So here are some options to consider (not an exhaustive list):
If you and your organization's legal counsel are confident that the clause(s) meet the Christian Doctrine standards, don't bother trying to negotiate their inclusion. If a dispute arises over the issue that the clause governs, per the "Christian Doctrine" the clause will be read in and applied appropriately.
If you and your organization's legal counsel is confident that the clause(s) meet the "Christian Doctrine" standards and you want the contract to read correctly, leverage that to incorporate them via bilateral modification with no (or minimal) consideration provided (after all, it would be read in anyways).
If the issue is unclear and in dispute between the Government and the Contractor, incorporate them via bilateral modification providing appropriate consideration (if warranted/necessary).
16 minutes ago, PepeTheFrog said:
The contracting officer can add any clauses he wants to your contract, unilaterally, but you can respond with a claim or request for equitable adjustment (REA).
Pepe,
What authority would a contracting officer use to do this? I'm not aware of any (but I may be mistaken)...
Matthew Fleharty,
PepeTheFrog apologizes because this was a very, very poor way of stating the point. PepeTheFrog should not have said it at all.
PepeTheFrog does not mean that there is an authority to do so properly, just that no physical forces will stop a contracting officer from issuing a unilateral modification that adds more clauses. The contractor would receive the unilateral modification, and then be stuck with "doing something about it."
As a practical matter, if something like that happens, a contractor can file a claim or REA for whatever costs that new clause imposes. An alternative is to argue the insertion of the clause(s) is a cardinal change and breach of contract, but that's probably messier than simply following the clause and getting paid appropriately for it.
The proper way to incorporate a new clause is to negotiate with the contractor and agree to a bilateral modification (with appropriate consideration).
here_2_help 0
here_2_help
Interests:No special interests, really. Kind of a jack-of-all-trades/master-of-none kind of person.
Here_2_help's General Rule #1 for Contract Negotiations:
Whenever one party uses the "Christian Doctrine" to justify their position or proposed action, they have already lost.
3 hours ago, ContractSpecialistTJohn said:
What is considered a change that would require a bi-lateral modification?
Unless a contract clause permits one of the parties to unilaterally modify a right or obligation of one or both of the parties, any change in a right or obligation must be made by mutual agreement, i.e., bilaterally.
Using the Christine doctrine could a uni-lateral modification be issued to add the commercial contract clauses if they were not included in the original solicitation?
In order to understand what follows you must understand that "contract" means two things: (1) the contractual agreement between the parties and (2) the contract document that memorializes that agreement.
Keep in mind that the FAR does not anticipate that the CO will omit a mandatory clause without an authorized deviation, so it does not prescribe a corrective procedure. We have to make something up.
If a CO believes that a mandatory clause that meets the criteria for application of the Christian Doctrine has been improperly omitted from the contract, and that the contract should be interpreted to include the clause, the CO should try to persuade the contractor to accept that interpretation. If that can be done, the parties should document their agreement to revise the text of the contract document to reflect the contractual agreement. The best way to do that would be on an SF-30 that describes the revision to the text of the contract document. The modification does not alter the contractual agreement. It merely revises the contract document to reflect the true agreement. Since the contractual agreement is not changed, and the modification does not alter the rights of the parties, there is no need for consideration to bind the parties to the terms of the modification. Why not an administrative change? Because administrative changes are unilateral by FAR definition, see FAR 43.101, and the parties should document the fact that they have agreed to revise the text of the contract document.
FAR does not prescribe that procedure. I made it up.
If the CO cannot persuade the contractor, then he or she may make a government claim in the form of a CO decision interpreting the contract to include the clause. The authority for such a claim would be the Disputes clause, FAR 52.233-1, paragraph (d)(1). See also FAR 33.206(b) and 33.210. The CO should cite the Christian Doctrine and demonstrate the the criteria for the application of that doctrine have been met. After issuance of the decision, the CO should then issue a unilateral modification to revise the text of the contract document to reflect the CO's interpretation of the contractual agreement, citing the clause prescription as authority. The contractor may appeal the decision in accordance with the terms and procedures of the Disputes clause.
In such cases, the clause is not added to the contractual agreement. The argument is that clause is already there by operation of law. The contractual agreement is not modified and no consideration is necessary. The parties are just revising the contract document to reflect the contractual document.
Jamaal Valentine 0
Jamaal Valentine
Interests:Being good...when I can't be good, being compliant...when I can't be compliant, being liked.
A related discussion previously occured and included some suggestions on how to add clauses. (Link)
Additionally, our very own Bob Antonio discusses the Christian Doctrine on his blog.
joel hoffman 0
joel hoffman
Interests:Following God, Family, Sailing, Motorcycling, Hunting, Volleyball; Acquisition, Negotiating, Source Selections, Contract Administration, Construction, Design-Build Construction, mods, claims, TFD, TFC, project controls,
The Prompt Payment Act Amendments of 1988 were effective for all contracts awarded after March 31, 1989. However, the final rule was published in the Federal Register on March 31. The USACE awarded numerous construction contracts after March 31 with bid openings prior to the effective date or shortly after, without the new prompt payment and payment clauses. I thumbed through my PPA folders this afternoon and saw where HQ Office of Counsel, PARC and Construction provided detailed instructions in the Fall of 1989 for USACE Districts' contracting offices to unilaterally modify all such contracts, via administrative mods, to update the clauses "by operation of law. "
My office prepared all the mods that our District issued and we developed the specific operating procedures, guidance and standardized attachments to payment requests to implement the new statutory requirements for progress payments, based upon the clauses and the revised OMB Circular A-125.
Although the new clauses provided the contractors much quicker progress payments (positive cash flow), the new requirements prohibited prime contractors from physically withholding retainage from subs from the progress payments the government made to them. That had been a traditional practice which allowed primes to finance their contracts using the sub's retainage. In addition, the Amendments required that the primes must pay their subs within seven (I think) days of being paid, which further affected their cash flow.
Several firms threatened to submit claims for the increased cost of compliance and inability to physically hold the retainage from the sub's. For contracts awarded after March 1989, the government is supposed to reduce progress payments to the prime by the amount of any retainage from the subs or suppliers earnings payments, which the prime must identify in its progress payment request. We informed all those potential claimants that the contract clauses were effective by operation of law and that they were deemed to have constructive notice of the final rule (even though we didn't know it either at that time). I have copies of the directives and correspondence with some of the contractors. None actually submitted claims within our District.
EDIT: OMB Circular A125, Prompt Payment, wasn't amended to provide clear guidance and implementing instructions to government organizations, contracting officers, accounting and finance offices and receiving offices (ACO/CORs) until the Fall of 1989, either. My PPA file is very thick and that part of it is 27 years old. I went through it earlier today to refresh my failing memory. It was a BIG deal back then.


Bayer Crop Sciences moves into blockchain with BlockApps.
Bayer Crop Sciences (BCS), the multinational agriculture company known for agrochemicals and genetically engineered food, is working on improving company and industry efficiencies through several projects in the blockchain space.
BlockApps, a spinoff of ConsenSys, a software venture studio that supports projects on the Ethereum blockchain, has been collaborating with BCS since 2018 on various proof of concept pilot projects, although the companies declined to say how many.
Michael Pareles, the Global Digital Strategy Manager at BCS stated the aim of the projects will be to 'increase our applications of blockchain, both in our operations and our industry'.
The collaboration will likely seek out efficiencies and improve accountabilities in the areas of supply chain and logistics for the agricultural industry.


text:
Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano offers update on Tottenham's Skriniar pursuit
Italian transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are still in talks with Inter Milan regarding Milan Skriniar.
It was reported last week that Tottenham had sent representatives to Italy to negotiate a deal for the central defender (Calcio Mercato), with reports indicating that the Slovak had already agreed on personal terms with the North Londoners (Corriere Dello Sport).
Gazzetta Dello Sport (as relayed by Sport Witness) reported last Friday that the two clubs were still some way apart in their valuation of the 25-year-old, with Skriniar already having his heart set on a move to North London.
Romano has now taken to social media to reveal that the central defender is Jose Mourinho's number one target before the transfer window shuts on October 5.
Romano revealed, however, that while Inter want €60 million for the defender, Spurs were only willing to pay around €30m to €35m for him.
While the journalist suggested that the deal will not be easy to complete, he made it clear that talks are still on between the two clubs.
This comes after Piero Ausilio, the Inter Milan sporting director, claimed that the Slovakian defender is not for sale this summer (DASN (26/10/20) as translated by SempreInter).
Jose Mourinho takes ANOTHER swipe at Manchester United's good fortune following 100th minute penalty at Brighton
Tottenham eye late swoop for Bournemouth striker Josh King


Join us on 17th May 2019 for our 'Bake the World a Better Place' challenge. Whether you're an individual or practice, why not host your very own bake off or a bake sale? Raise vital funds whilst treating everyone to some brilliant baked goodies.
World Baking Day actually falls during Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental Health is something that's very important to us and it is our focus this year as part of the #AnxietyArch campaign. In May, our campaign theme will be based on social interaction so why not bake some cakes or pastries to sell at work and enjoy them over a cup of tea and a chat with your colleagues?
Sign up to take part and we can send you a pack to help you out on the day!
Are you planning to do a Bake Sale or Bake Off Competition?
Approximately how many people are you expecting to take part?
This address will be used to send you a free pack containing cake labels, some coasters (for your teas!) and welfare leaflets to let people know where the money raised goes.
I would like to be contacted by email with ABS news & updates, other events and fundraising appeals.
I would like to receive ABS news & updates, other events and fundraising appeals by post, twice a year.


text:
David Zwirner Gallery, New York
Inside David Zwirner's Magic
Known as both a gallerist and a dealer, David Zwirner's raise to the peak of the art industry has very much been a Cinderella story, complete with all the trimmings. Though the carriage doesn't turn back into a pumpkin at midnight, and there's been no lost glass slipper, Zwirner is very much a success story. With a gallery space — Zwirner & Wirth — where he shows only his artists' new work, he also maintains and traffics a secondary market on his own, selling collectibles he's either gathered himself or pieces he'd been given on consignment.
A recent, in-depth profile of the prolific art dealer and gallerist, composed by longtime New Yorker staff writer Nick Paumgarten, shows the underbelly of a man that some believe single-handledly rules the art world. From his beginnings in Germany to his cliff-side home in Montauk, Paumgarten's profile unveils the magic of Zwirner's enviable success, one collectible at a time.
Jaguar's Limited F-Type 400 Sport
A limited run of Jaguar's all-new F-type, the F-Type 400 Sport is powered by everything that has solidified the British manufacturer as a mammoth in the auto....
Whale's Outlook on the NHL Playoffs
Kick off your shoes and bring out your skates, hockey fans! The National Hockey League playoffs are around the corner! The most talented hockey players in the....
Gisele Bündchen Retires From the Runway
In April, International supermodel Gisele Bündchen announced her plans for retirement from the catwalk in an interview with a Brazilian-based newspaper. The....
The James Beard Public Market Heads to Portland
As a child, James Beard credited the vast, bountiful, locally-sourced, and robust farmers markets throughout Portland, Oregon as the foundation for his....
Velours, Tokyo
The Broadway Market
Whale Insights : NBA Playoffs – Week 17
Eleven Madison Park
Le Bilboquet
Apollo Jets: One-of-a-Kind Airfare
See Saw, The Art World's Best App
Google Conquers El Capitan


A completed BGN application data form is required for a new meter. For a replacement, your serial number will suffice.
The Kobold BGN Series variable area flow Meters are ideal for difficult applications that require high pressure capability, high temperature operation, or low pressure loss. The BGN's standard design is available in stainless steel, PTFE-clad stainless steel, or Hastelloy C-22. The standard BGN is well suited for water, most viscous liquids, and compressed gases in line sizes up to 6". The direct reading scales are calibrated for media viscosity, density, operating pressure, and temperature. Electronic limit switches and an analog flow transmitter are available as options and are able to operate via intrinsically safe methods of protection and may be used in hazardous areas where intrinsically safe installations are permitted. Custom designs for high pressure, high temperature, special fittings, and special materials (such as Monel and tantalum) are available. Other options include: self-draining flow bodies, gas or liquid damping, and a flow counter module.


[larger size.] Chicago-based comic artist Laura Park (@llaurappark) was recently diagnosed with thyroid cancer. She underwent surgery in June, and illustrated the moment she opened the first big bill in July.
I know that feel, bro. I know that feel.


text:
'Kol Dodi Dofek' – All The World Is A Stage Project
'Kol Dodi Dofek' is part of the 'All the World is a Stage' project. Wysinfo initiated this project in order to encourage international cooperation through culture.
Kol Dodi Dofek – Music composed by Rabbi Shneur Zalman
Performed by Yosef Lyubashevsky
Text of Shir HaShirim (Song of Songs) Chapter 5 – Kol Dodi Dofek
(English Translation and Hebrew)
Kol Dodi Dofek
I have come to my garden, my sister, [my] bride;
I have gathered my myrrh with my spice ...
"I have come to my garden, my sister, [my] bride; I have gathered my myrrh with my spice, I have eaten my honeycomb with my honey, I have drunk my wine with my milk.
Eat, friends; drink, yea, drink abundantly, beloved ones."
"I sleep, but my heart is awake. Hark! My beloved is knocking:"
"Open for me, my sister, my beloved, my dove, my perfect one, for my head is full of dew, my locks with the drops of the night."
"I have taken off my tunic; how can I put it on? I have bathed my feet; how can I soil them?"
My beloved stretched forth his hand from the hole, and my insides stirred because of him.
I arose to open for my beloved, and my hands dripped with myrrh, and my fingers with flowing myrrh, upon the handles of the lock.
I opened for my beloved, but my beloved had hidden and was gone; my soul went out when he spoke; I sought him, but found him not; I called him, but he did not answer me.
The watchmen who patrol the city found me; they smote me and wounded me; the watchmen of the walls took my mantle off me.
"I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, what will you tell him? That I am lovesick."
"What is your beloved more than another beloved, O fairest of women? What is your beloved more than another beloved, that you have so adjured us?"
"My beloved is fresh and ruddy, surrounded by myriads.
His head is as the finest gold; his locks are curled, [they are as] black as a raven.
His eyes are like doves beside rivulets of water, bathing in milk, fitly set.
His jaws are like a bed of spice, growths of aromatic plants; his lips are [like] roses, dripping with flowing myrrh.
His hands are [like] wheels of gold, set with chrysolite; his abdomen is [as] a block of ivory, overlaid with sapphires.
His legs are [as] pillars of marble, founded upon sockets of fine gold, his appearance is like the Lebanon, chosen as the cedars.
His palate is sweet, and he is altogether desirable; this is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem."
בָּ֣אתִי לְגַנִּי֘ אֲחֹתִ֣י כַלָּה֒ אָרִ֤יתִי מוֹרִי֙ עִם־בְּשָׂמִ֔י אָכַ֤לְתִּי יַעְרִי֙ עִם־דִּבְשִׁ֔י שָׁתִ֥יתִי יֵינִ֖י עִם־חֲלָבִ֑י אִכְל֣וּ רֵעִ֔ים שְׁת֥וּ וְשִׁכְר֖וּ דּוֹדִֽים
אֲנִ֥י יְשֵׁנָ֖ה וְלִבִּ֣י עֵ֑ר ק֣וֹל | דּוֹדִ֣י דוֹפֵ֗ק פִּתְחִי־לִ֞י אֲחֹתִ֤י רַעְיָתִי֙ יֽוֹנָתִ֣י תַמָּתִ֔י שֶׁרֹאשִׁי֙ נִמְלָא־טָ֔ל קְוֻּצּוֹתַ֖י רְסִ֥יסֵי לָֽיְלָה
פָּשַׁ֨טְתִּי֙ אֶת־כֻּתָּנְתִּ֔י אֵיכָ֖כָה אֶלְבָּשֶׁ֑נָּה רָחַ֥צְתִּי אֶת־רַגְלַ֖י אֵיכָ֥כָה אֲטַנְּפֵֽם
דּוֹדִ֗י שָׁלַ֤ח יָדוֹ֙ מִן־הַח֔וֹר וּמֵעַ֖י הָמ֥וּ עָלָֽיו
קַ֥מְתִּֽי אֲנִ֖י לִפְתֹּ֣חַ לְדוֹדִ֑י וְיָדַ֣י נָֽטְפוּ־מ֗וֹר וְאֶצְבְּעֹתַי֙ מ֣וֹר עֹבֵ֔ר עַ֖ל כַּפּ֥וֹת הַמַּנְעֽוּל
פָּתַ֤חְתִּי אֲנִי֙ לְדוֹדִ֔י וְדוֹדִ֖י חָמַ֣ק עָבָ֑ר נַפְשִׁי֙ יָֽצְאָ֣ה בְדַבְּר֔וֹ בִּקַּשְׁתִּ֨יהוּ֙ וְלֹ֣א מְצָאתִ֔יהוּ קְרָאתִ֖יו וְלֹ֥א עָנָֽנִי
מְצָאֻ֧נִי הַשֹּֽׁמְרִ֛ים הַסֹּֽבְבִ֥ים בָּעִ֖יר הִכּ֣וּנִי פְצָע֑וּנִי נָֽשְׂא֤וּ אֶת־רְדִידִי֙ מֵֽעָלַ֔י שֹֽׁמְרֵ֖י הַֽחֹמֽוֹת:
הִשְׁבַּ֥עְתִּי אֶתְכֶ֖ם בְּנ֣וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלָ֑ ִם אִֽם־תִּמְצְאוּ֙ אֶת־דּוֹדִ֔י מַה־תַּגִּ֣ידוּ ל֔וֹ שֶֽׁחוֹלַ֥ת אַֽהֲבָ֖ה אָֽנִי
מַה־דּוֹדֵ֣ךְ מִדּ֔וֹד הַיָּפָ֖ה בַּנָּשִׁ֑ים מַה־דּוֹדֵ֣ךְ מִדּ֔וֹד שֶׁכָּ֖כָה הִשְׁבַּעְתָּֽנוּ
דּוֹדִ֥י צַח֙ וְאָד֔וֹם דָּג֖וּל מֵֽרְבָבָֽה
רֹאשׁ֖וֹ כֶּ֣תֶם פָּ֑ז קְוֻצּוֹתָיו֙ תַּלְתַּלִּ֔ים שְׁחֹר֖וֹת כָּֽעוֹרֵֽב
עֵינָ֕יו כְּיוֹנִ֖ים עַל־אֲפִ֣יקֵי מָ֑יִם רֹֽחֲצוֹת֙ בֶּֽחָלָ֔ב יֽשְׁב֖וֹת עַל־מִלֵּֽאת
לְחָיָו֙ כַּֽעֲרוּגַ֣ת הַבֹּ֔שֶׂם מִגְדְּל֖וֹת מֶרְקָחִ֑ים שִׂפְתוֹתָיו֙ שֽׁוֹשַׁנִּ֔ים נֹֽטְפ֖וֹת מ֥וֹר עֹבֵֽר
יָדָיו֙ גְּלִילֵ֣י זָהָ֔ב מְמֻלָּאִ֖ים בַּתַּרְשִׁ֑ישׁ מֵעָיו֙ עֶ֣שֶׁת שֵׁ֔ן מְעֻלֶּ֖פֶת סַפִּירִֽים
שׁוֹקָיו֙ עַמּ֣וּדֵי שֵׁ֔שׁ מְיֻסָּדִ֖ים עַל־אַדְנֵי־פָ֑ז מַרְאֵ֨הוּ֙ כַּלְּבָנ֔וֹן בָּח֖וּר כָּֽאֲרָזִֽים
חִכּוֹ֙ מַֽמְתַקִּ֔ים וְכֻלּ֖וֹ מַֽחֲמַדִּ֑ים זֶ֤ה דוֹדִי֙ וְזֶ֣ה רֵעִ֔י בְּנ֖וֹת יְרֽוּשָׁלָֽיִם
About the poem
Kol Dodi Dofek is from Shir Hasharim – Chapter 5. This song is about a groom and his bride and alludes to an interchange between them. The groom tries to seduce his bride by coaxing her to 'let him in', but he does not force his way in. The bride, at first, resists. When the bride realizes that she wants the groom, she goes to the 'gate', where he was waiting, to let him in but he has already gone. She cries out to the 'daughters of Israel' to help her find her love.
About the author of the music
Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi (1745 – 1812), also known as the "Alter Rebbe", was the founder and first Rebbe of the Chabad-Lubavitch movement, a branch of Hasidic Judaism. He composed the music played in the video as a tribute to the 'Song of Songs – Chapter 5'.
Shneur Zalman was born in Liozna, near the town of Lubavitch where he studied as a young boy. At the age of 12 he moved to Vitebsk where they quickly recognized him as a scholar of significance. As a young man, he set out to study with the Rabbi Dovber of Meseritch. There he absorbed the essence of Hassidism – Chochmah, Binah, Da'at ( חכמה, בינה, דעת): "Wisdom, Understanding, and Knowledge". He promoted the philosophy that man who aspires to completion serves G‑d with mind, heart and deed in unison.
Among his accomplishments, Rabbi Shneur Zalman is particularly known for his work on the Code of Jewish Law, where he compiled two hundred years of commentary on the Shulchan Aruch of Rabbi Joseph Caro.
In addition to 'Kol Dodi Dofek', the Alte Rebbe wrote a number of Chasidic melodies such as 'Tzomah Lecha Nafshi', Nigun 'Daled Bavos', Nigun 'Sholosh Tenuos', Nigun 'Avinu Malkeinu'
About the performer
Yosef Lyubashevsky is a cellist who occasionally performs in the Mamilla Mall corridor that leads to the old city of Jerusalem.
Yosef, born in Russia, grew up in a family that loved music. When he began to study, his parents gave him an antique cello that he has cherished ever since. He eventually embraced the Chabad vision of Judaism and immigrated to the land of Israel. He lives in a neighborhood of Jerusalem and is raising a family in the spirit of the Chabad-Lubuvitz movement.
About the cello
Yosef's cello was made in Russia, in around 1860. During the Second World War it was taken to Germany by the Nazis, but later returned to Russia. Yosef's grandparents bought the cello for Yosef's older brother who eventually went on to Moscow to study music. While in Moscow his teachers convinced him that he needed a newer cello, so Yosef's parents gave the original cello to Yosef, who also showed a love of music.
Yosef has cherished this cello ever since. Recently he realized that the cello required restoration to ensure that the sound was the best it could produce.
Below you can follow the work of the restorer as he brings the cello back to it's original state:
The Mammilla Promenade creates an unusual corridor joining the new city of Jerusalem to the Old City. It is part of a larger neighborhood which covers about 120 dunam just outside the Jaffa Gate. The neighborhood is bordered by the old city walls in the east; King David Street in the west; King Solomon Street in the north and by the French consulate and 'Yemin Moshe' neighborhoods to the south.
Tower of David seen from the Crossing between Mamilla Promenade and Jaffa Gate of Old City of Jerusalem
The Mammilla neighborhood was established at the end of the 19th century as a business center for Jews and Arabs. The city of Jerusalem, in around 2010, completed a challenging project to reconstruct the area with an effort to renew while maintaining the flavor of the old. A good example is shown in the picture below. An old building was taken apart and then reconstructed with the original stones based on a careful mapping process.
Archeological excavations in the vicinity unearthed interesting artifacts from the 2nd iron-age period, the Jewish 2nd temple period, the later Roman period, the Byzantine period, the early Muslim Period, the Ayyubid period and more.
The promenade has become a favorite tourist spot which displays sculptures by local artists and offers cafes, restaurants and shops. Bordering Mammilla one finds various historical sites including King David's Tower, Mammilla's Pool, the Sultan's Pool, the French compound with St. Vincent de Paul Chapel and Notre-Dame hostel, Mount Zion, Mishkenot-Sha-ananim and many more.
Mamilla Promenade showing reconstructed building with numbers mapping the stones
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shneur_Zalman_of_Liadi
https://Chabad.org/Library – Rabbi Shneur Zalman of Liadi, the "Alter Rebbe"


text:
Dealers Speak!
Dealers are concerned. A possible war, a shaky economy and the effect of 0% financing have them looking carefully at their businesses. Yet, dealers remain optimistic and reveal an uncanny ability to adapt. Here's what they had to say, in their own words, for our annual Dealers Speak feature in which we ask dealers what's most on their minds at the start of the new year: Weird year Gilbert Chavez,
Cliff Banks | Jan 01, 2003
Dealers are concerned. A possible war, a shaky economy and the effect of 0% financing have them looking carefully at their businesses.
Yet, dealers remain optimistic and reveal an uncanny ability to adapt.
Here's what they had to say, in their own words, for our annual "Dealers Speak" feature in which we ask dealers what's most on their minds at the start of the new year:
"Weird year"
Gilbert Chavez, General Manager, Burt Automotive Group, Englewood, CO
"I'm optimistic about this year. I've got a lot of faith in the president and his new economic team. But I think it's going to be a weird year.
"Analysts here in Denver are saying the local market could grow 6%. We have a lot of new jobs being created and new people moving in.
"However, 0% has taken a lot of sales out of 2003 so we'll have to wait and see what the impact will be.
"I'm not too concerned about the war, though. There might be some short-term effect, I guess. But long term, I think it could help us. War has always been good for the economy.
"Last year, unfortunately, was a hard, mean, difficult and nasty year for us.
"Keeping the guys motivated was tough. We had to get rid of some guys and hire some others.
"We are testing some of our processes now, looking at how our Internet staff sells finance and insurance products comparing the methods with those used by the showroom floor sales staff."
"Going to be a bleak 1st quarter"
Eric Jenkins, Owner, Leesville Ford Lincoln Mercury Toyota, Leesville, LA
"I'm faced with a different situation here with Leesville being a military town. Already, 4,600 troops have been shipped over seas from Fort Polk [as of December] which is one of the main army training bases in the country.
"Once we start dropping the bombs, it's going to be tough. As a result, I'm expecting a very bleak first quarter.
"Also, I'm a small dealer in a small town (pop. 6,200) and I need cars - primarily Ford cars. Taurus hasn't been a big deal for me because I sell a hell of a lot more Camrys than Tauruses. Toyota also did a great job on the Celica and that helped us a lot.
"Our Ford car business was actually up, though last year. The ZX2 Escort sold great for us in 2002. But we lose that next summer. And, our Ford truck business was down in 2002.
"Ford's product pipeline, though, is pumped this year with the Mustang, the Freestyle and the Five Hundred and we're excited about that. But we need an on time, proper launch of the F-Series in June. Our future hinges on a flawless launch.
"The O% financing hasn't really helped me too much because there are a lot of credit problems here. But the partnership Ford has with Ford Credit with all of the incentives, though, has been great for us.
I just wished Ford would merchandise 0% financing better nationally and stop leaving it to the regional and dealer advertising groups to advertise. We just can't convey that message on a professional level.
"I am glad to see Ford spending money to advertise the Taurus, finally. And that New Super Duty campaign is awesome.
"I believe the industry will be strong overall, but I'm not sure I'll benefit from it. Our interest rates on floorplan have dropped, however, and that has been a godsend. But, I need Al [Greenspan] to go into another meeting and cut the rate another half percent.
"Ford dealers have a lot to prepare for in the next 27 months before Blue Oval goes away. We have a hell of a challenge.
"But we have a lot to be proud of and a lot to look forward to. I'm pretty damn pleased to be a Ford dealer at this time. With all of the talk about the 100th anniversary, that will only help us this year."
"Focus on what I can control"
Mark Rush, General Manager, Ron Rush Lincoln Mercury, Columbus, OH
"This year will be one of getting back to the basics. The focus is going to be on our core business.
It's like a football game — it's the blocking and tackling that wins games. So we're going to be very sensitive to our showroom activity and will concentrate on selling to those people.
"You have to pick certain vehicles that are your bread and butter and channel your sales effort toward those vehicles. We have the Town Car, the Grand Marquis.
"And the Aviator fills a hole in the lineup between Mountaineer and Navigator. There is a nice pricing differentiation between the three. It's enough of a spread to be logical.
"There is so much I can't control so I've got to focus on what I can control. The possible war? How do I plan for that? I don't think there is anything I can do to help Bush with that. His job is to win the war, mine is to sell cars.
"But it did strike home for me the other day when I had a customer who has two teenage sons remark to me that he is concerned about the draft being reinstated.
"I'm having a phenomenal year with customer satisfaction.
"The Lincoln Premier program forces us to focus on 100% of our customers at 100% of the contact points 100% of the time.
"Our 12-month running numbers shows a 16% increase in the number of service customers who would recommend our dealership to someone else.
"I'm very ecouraged with Lincoln Mercury's move back to Detroit this year. That is where the heart of engineering is and being there will only help us.
"Darryl Hazel (Lincoln Mercury president) knows what dealers do and he also knows what he has to do.
"If you think about it — Jim O'Connor running North America for Ford; Lincoln Mercury moving back to Dearborn; the hiring of Hazel; and getting Lincoln Mercury out of Premier Auto Group — we know now where we fit.
"These things haven't actually had time to jell yet."
"Comeback"
Bill McSkimming, Owner, RiverFront Chrysler Jeep, Aurora, IL
"We are looking for business to come back. Personally, I think the economy will be okay and I'm optimistic that 2003 will be pretty good.
"DaimlerChrysler has some great product coming in the next couple of years. We no longer have quality issues.
"And the certified used-car program has been very good for us. Chrysler started that last year, a little later than the others but they've done it right.
"This year, we're adding 6,000 sq. ft. to our parts department. We need to be able to buy in volume to get the discounts.
"The challenges for this year are in customer satisfaction — but that is difficult for everybody. The dealers that don't focus on it will have trouble in the future."
"Everything is so inconsistent"
Ralph Martinez, President, Town & Country Dealership Group, Milwaukie, OR
"I can predict one thing about 2003 — It's going to be unpredictable! I think the world is wasting its time worrying about Iraq. The last time we went to war with them — when they had the weapons and manpower — we still had an easy time of it. And I expect it will be the same this time. We still have to live our lives here.
"Zero percent has gone on forever and was the demise of the used-car business for us. But we made our adjustments, especially to our stocking practices. It forced us to live by our 60-day stocking rule.
"The prices on used vehicles are ridiculously cheap now. We certainly aren't making the spread we used to. But with the right stuff, the right product — we're still doing well.
"Overall, the market is soft in spots. If the economy continues as is, it will get softer. Also, we don't yet know the ramifications of the robust sales of the last 18 months.
Inventory is still pretty fresh. It will probably be late '03 or '04 before we start seeing some of those customers coming back into the stores.
"I am concerned about the direction of the manufacturers. I would like to see a commitment for true market penetration with a consistent and strong game plan. Let the dealers know what you're going to do so we can plan.
"Our margins are suffering because everything is so inconsistent. We can deal with less volume."
"Year of Many questions"
Jack Doherty, Vice President, Dimmitt Cadillac, Clearwater, FL
"This will be a tough year with many questions. If we go to war — what happens then?
"And we certainly pre-sold the market with the aggressive incentives. What happens when they go away?
"I believe our sales will be higher than last year, however. The product coming from Cadillac will make for a lucrative selling season this year. We have the XLR and the SRX — the ultimate soccer mom SUV.
"The luxury market is getting increasingly younger. We're selling Escalades and CTS to younger folks.
"They haven't been affected as adversely by the stock market and what's going on with the government."
"Be Aggressive"
Don Hill, Owner, Don Hill Enterprises, Kingsport, TN
"I've seen the market soften the last few weeks of the year. And I think we'll be down in the early part of 2003.
"To compensate, I'm encouraging our folks to get in touch with customers and try to stir up some activity. I don't think advertising alone will get people into the stores. We have to be aggressive about it.
"The luxury market, fortunately, is real strong for us.
"Pontiac was down last year — about 10%. But, I do see signs that it is coming back.
"We do need more product and need to get those cars changed out more often, though."
"Can't have a banner year every year"
Mike Riehl, President, Mike Riehl's Roseville Chrysler Jeep, Roseville, MI
"Hopefully, the economy and the stock market will stop sliding. But fortunately Chrysler is headed in the right direction.
"Our quality is very good now and we had a record month in December selling Jeeps.
"The Pacifica is going to take some buyers from all of the segments. I'm real excited about it. Chrysler is chomping at the bit to get the vehicle out on time if not sooner. The only problem is getting enough of them will be challenging.
"Unfortunately, some of the product is older than we would like but that is changing.
"In the next couple of years, we do have some great product coming into the showrooms.
"This year will be a challenging year — but we can't have a banner year every year. We're just going to have to focus more.
"DaimlerChrysler got pushed into the recession sooner — hopefully that means we'll be out sooner. First in- First out — that could be a good thing."
"Anything other than a blood-letting venture?"
Ernest Boch, President, Boch Automotive Enterprises, Norwood, MA
"This year will be the most competitive year we've seen in a long time. There are so many automotive players from all over the world and that's what makes it so competitive out there. Right now, I'm having to sell some Toyotas for $2,000 under sticker.
"I'm the Subaru distributor for the Northeast and I can tell you, there are four or five vehicles directly competing with the Outback.
"The OEMs have been so aggressive putting the incentives on, how can it be anything other than a blood-letting venture?
"But if they take them off, sales would go nowhere. I wonder, though, if the incentives are losing their effectiveness.
"In August, sales were at their peak. In fact, we sold 1,000 Toyota vehicles in August. Since then, sales have gradually come down, though.
"If that war comes, everyone will be at home sitting and watching television.
"I guess all this means dealers have to make sure our houses are in order. We've been employing the latest technology, doing things we were never able to do before. We've been getting less traffic in the stores, but we're closing more leads.
"We're using the technology to track everyone who comes into the stores and onto our web site. And then we concentrate on closing those leads.
"But the trick still is to get more traffic into the store so we can sell to them."
"Lean & mean"
Lillie Biagas, Owner, Fairway Automotive Group, Jenkintown, PA
"We do have the threat of war looming over us and consumer confidence is not there right now. So, I think 2003 will be the year to be lean and mean.
"But we are approaching 2003 optimistically. We are going to be very positive. We're telling our sales team that there are opportunities out there.
"We are watching our expenses very carefully. Our first year in business was a big learning experience for me. We tried many things regarding customer relationship management. As a result, we learned what to do and what not to do. We'll obviously employ the things that work.
"Hopefully, we'll still have the support of the manufacturers and that they continue to come out with aggressive incentives.
"Also, Cadillac is poised to come out with some great product. And so is Buick. General Motors is doing several things to create excitement and bring customers into the showroom."
"Can't continue 0% forever"
Bert Allen, Owner, Bert Allen Pontiac GMC Mercedes Benz, Gulfport, MS
"This year very much depends on the war and political situation. We'll have to wait and see how they affect the economy. It colud be tough.
"Also, the manufacturers cannot continue with 0% financing forever.
"From what I can see, we have stolen a lot of business from this coming year. Obviously, we need to have changes on how cars are retailed.
"But I believe the used-car business and the truck business, at least for us, will continue to be strong.
"The SouthEast and Southwest regions are predicted to be at the same levels this year.
"So we're expecting 2003 to be very similar to '02 volume-wise for our store."
"Adjust expectations"
Eleanor Felbaum, President, Fairfield Pontiac GMC, Sacramento, CA
"This year definitely will be strong. We've had stronger previous years that have spoiled us. We're at a point where we have higher than normal expectations. We just have to adjust our expectations.
"Of course, the economy is my number one concern. After that, I would have to say it's the frivolous lawsuits against dealers here in California.
"Several dealers recently held a meeting with a group that was set up to help protect us. But i was very disappointed in the meeting.
"All it was, basically, was to tell us to contribute more money to the candidates we think we would help us."
"There were two recent class action lawsuits against dealers here for advertising issues and I was one of the several to be sued. Fortunately, I was only part of one, not both.
"The incentives will continue in 2003 and that will help sales. The manufacturer has to continue them because the consumer has gotten so used to them.
"I do believe the war will happen this year. But I think the only effect will be to scare the consumer for the first couple of months. It won't impact us much. It will be life as normal."


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text:
Trump administration's challenge to vaquita-related ban on Mexican seafood imports rejected
A Trump administration challenge to a three-month-old ban on the import of Mexican shrimp and other seafood caught by gillnet in the Upper Gulf of California was rejected by a federal court on 28 November.
Implemented under protections bestowed on the critically endangered vaquita porpoise by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, the seafood import ban has now been challenged unsuccessfully three times by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump.
In the most recent ruling, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit confirmed a preliminary order implementing a federal law that requires a ban on seafood imported from Mexico's Upper Gulf of California due to the danger gillnet fishing creates for the vaquita.
Just 15 individual vaquita remain, all living in the Upper Gulf of California, where they face extinction caused by entanglement in fishing nets. The Natural Resources Defense Council estimates that gillnets kill about 50 percent of the rapidly dwindling vaquita population every year.
"The federal agencies charged with protecting the vaquita should focus their resources on saving the last of these animals, rather than continuing to lose in the courtroom," NRDC staff attorney Giulia Good Stefani said in a press release. "Immediate pressure on Mexico to ban all gillnets in the upper gulf and to clear the area of illegal nets is necessary now for the vaquita's survival."
Sarah Uhlemann, international program director at the Center for Biological Diversity, said Mexico has failed to permanently ban all gillnets in the vaquita's habitat, despite recommendations by scientists.
"This victory helps U.S. consumers fight the vaquita's extinction," Uhlemann said. "The seafood embargo will force Mexico to finally remove dangerous gillnets and save these graceful porpoises before it's too late."
Despite the existential threat facing the vaquita, the U.S. departments of Commerce, Treasury and Homeland Security, which are collectively responsible for implementing the import ban, have each tried and failed to remove or modify the import ban, according to DJ Schubert, a wildlife biologist with the Animal Welfare Institute.
"The U.S. government is wasting its time and facilitating the extinction of the vaquita by continuing its efforts to reverse the court's order," Schubert said. "It's time for the U.S. government to accept the opinion, ensure full implementation of the ban and continue to work with the government of Mexico to save the vaquita."
Photo courtesy of NOAA/Paul Olsen
Federal court upholds ban on Mexican imports in vaquita case
California assembly passes driftnet ban, bill heads to governor's desk
Court bars US from accepting select Mexican seafood imports in vaquita case
Second lawsuit filed seeking protections for vaquita via Mexican seafood import ban


Mark is internationally recognized as one of the one-quarter of 1% top producing agents in the World. He has been one of the top ten producing agents in the entire Century 21 system in three separate years (out of a total of 120,000 agents internationally). He has dominated his market for the last quarter of a century, with sales volumes in excess of $40 Million Dollars per year.
Mark has agreed to provide hands-on instruction (seminars and personal training) to a select, and limited number of serious individuals. If you truly wish to succeed in a real estate career, Mark would encourage you to apply for a position on the Malcolm Team.
For an interview/appointment, please call 315-536-7456 and ask for Jenelle (office administrator).


Most soil nutrients are readily found in the soil provided that its pH level is within the 6 to 6.5 range. However, when the pH level rises, many nutrients (like phosphorus, iron, etc.) may become less available. When it drops, they may even reach toxic levels, which can adversely affect the plants.
Getting a soil test can help take the guesswork out of fixing any of these nutrient issues. There's no need to spend money on fertilizers that aren't necessary. There's no worry of over fertilizing plants either. With a soil test, you'll have the means for creating a healthy soil environment that will lead to maximum plant growth.
A soil test can determine the current fertility and health of your soil. By measuring both the pH level and pinpointing nutrient deficiencies, a soil test can provide the information necessary for maintaining the most optimal fertility each year.
Most plants, including grasses, flowers, and vegetables, perform best in slightly acidic soil (6.0 to 6.5). Others, like azaleas, gardenias and blueberries, require a somewhat higher acidity in order to thrive. Therefore, having a soil test can make it easier to determine the current acidity so you can make the appropriate adjustments. It will also allow you to fix any deficiencies that may be present.
Soil samples can be taken at any time of the year, with fall being preferable. They are normally taken annually or simply as needed. While many companies or gardening centers offer soil testing kits, you can usually obtain a soil test for free or low cost through your local county extension office. Alternatively, UMASS Soil and Plant Tissue Testing Laboratory allows you to mail a soil sample in and they will send a soil report back based on your soil test results.
Avoid having the soil tested whenever the soil is wet or when it's been recently fertilized. To take a sample for testing garden soil, use a small trowel to take thin slices of soil from various areas of the garden (about a cup's worth each). Allow it to air dry at room temperature and then place it into a clean plastic container or Ziploc baggie. Label the soil area and date for testing.
Now that you know the importance of getting a soil test, you can better manage your garden plants by making the appropriate adjustments from your soil test results. Take the guesswork out of fertilizing by testing garden soil today.


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www.snaffle.it
Snaffle Builders News
Plans submitted for 90m tall MSG Sphere in Stratford
The MSG Sphere is proposed on the site of a former coach park near the Olympic Park in Stratford, east London. The building would have a diameter of 120m and be 90m at its highest point.
The building would take three years to build and "would be a long-term investment in the future of Stratford and London".
Plans for the venue include wrapping the sphere in triangular LED panels, which will showcase a range of images including advertisements.
It would have a scalable capacity of up to 17,500 seated, or 21,500 when there is a mix of seated and standing spectators.
The planning application has been submitted to the London Legacy Development Corporation.
Source: Construction News
#stratford #innovation #msgsphere
User Guides for F1 GRP Roofing
GlassFibre Reinforced Plastic (GRP), or fibreglass roofing systems are known for being lightweight, durable, waterproof, strong and flexible. It is these properties that make fibreglass an ideal roofi
Rapid COVID-19 Antigen Tests Now Available
Snaffle Festive Opening Hours


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Home Copernicus Hackathon held at Srce
The teams spent two days continuously working on conceptual solutions for their applications in three thematic areas: Smart Cities and Smart Governance, Environmental and Climate Protection, and the application of EO in industry, agriculture and forestry.
The awards were presented in the following categories:
Overall, the best and most innovative work in the high school category, for which a prize of HRK 10,000 was awarded by the Ministry of Science and Education, was the ECOR project developed by the MIOC 2 team.
The awards for the best work on the ArcGIS platform, awarded by GDi d.o.o., were won by the teams of the Secondary Vocational School Đurđevac (project WISE parking), Geodetic School Zagreb (project Best beach) and secondary school Hvar (project Plame(ni)škoj).
The award for best work in the field of Applications in Industry, Agriculture and Forestry, awarded by the Faculty of Geodesy, was won by the MIOC 1 team for the CROPRedict App project. The award for the best work in the field of Environmental and Climate, awarded by the company IGEA d.o.o., was won by the Zagreb School of Geodesy for the Best beach project. The Smart Cities and Smart Governance Award, presented by the City of Zagreb, also went to MOIC 2 for the ECOR project.
The special award for the most innovative solution, awarded by Ericsson Nikola Tesla d.d., was also won by the Coprnicus team, and the awards for the best work on the ArcGIS platform, presented by GDi d.o.o. were won by Coprnicus, EyesOnEarth (Medvednica Assessment and Monitoring) and teachers from the Secondary Vocational School Đurđevac for the project Geo Botanical Reserves Geo Bot.
Science Park Graz - ESA Business Incubator Center Austria Award for Best Work in Industry, Agriculture and Forestry was won by CROGIS and the Best Environmental and Climate Award by IGEA d.o.o. went to the ProtostarLabs team for the SNYTCH project. Coprnicus also won the Best Cities and Smart Governance Award for Best Work from the City of Zagreb.
As a total of 21 teams were registered for the competition, making it the largest Copernicus Hackathon in Europe, the European Commission has decided to further reward the two best teams with an opportunity to join the Copernicus Accelerator. The second best work award went to the Coprnicus team for the GeoTwins project, while the overall best work award went to the CROGIS team for the GREEN ISLAND project.
At the end of the competition, on 25 October 2019, also in Srce, a Copernicus conference was held, at which awards were given to the best teams. At the opening of the conference, the participants were greeted by prof. dr. sc. Željko Bačić, Head of the Organizing Committee, host of the hackathon dr. sc Zoran Bekić, Director of Srce, main organizer of the prof. dr. sc. Almin Đapo, Dean of the Faculty of Geodesy, city representative, Ms. Sanja Jurković, Head of the Office for Strategic Planning and Development of the City, and on behalf of the sponsor of the event, Ministry of Science and Education, Ministerial Adviser, dr. sc. Andrea Radovic.
The conference also featured a presentation of the best work in the official category - the CROGIS team, the best work in the high school category - the MIOC2 team, and the second best work in the official category - the Coprnicus team.
At the end of the conference, a scientific and expert session was held with a series of interesting lectures in this field. You can see more photos in the Copernicus Hackathon Flickr album.
Meeting of the ARGO team within the EOSC-hub project was held in Srce
A working meeting of the ARGO team was held in Srce in September 2019, which, as part of the H2020 EOSC-Hub project, works on the development, integration and maintenance of central infrastructure and collaboration services.


All classes at New Start are offered in either English or Spanish. No diploma or GED required.
Looking for a career with variety, steady employment, and opportunities for professional growth? Hundreds of New Start graduates have found jobs in hospitals, rehab centers, medical offices, home health care, nursing homes, adult- and child-care centers, schools, country clubs, etc. Hundreds more have continued their medical education.
In just 6 weeks (and only 4 hours a day), you'll become a Nurse Assistant, and Physical Therapy Tech.
New Start is approved by the Texas Workforce Commission and the Department of Aging and Disability Services.
Classroom instruction, laboratory practice, and caring for patients in clinical settings make the curriculum fast-paced, hands-on, and interesting. In less than 5 weeks, you'll be eligible to take the state certification exam and become a CNA. New Start's better than 90% pass rate says a lot about our top-notch teachers and a lot about our students.
Choose between morning, afternoon, or night classes. (A weekend class meets for 10 Sundays from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
Congratulations! Now you're ready for PTT!
At the end of the class, you'll take skills and written exams to become certified by a national home health and hospice organization.
Have you ever been strapped into a wheel chair, boarded a bus, visited the mall (including the rest room), and stared up flights of stairs and escalators while juggling bulky packages? If you had attended New Start's PTT class, your answer would be yes.
Accidents and crippling illnesses strike thousands of Valley residents of all ages. Helping licensed physical therapists restore their bodies and prolong their quality of life appeals to hundreds of New Start students every year.
For two intensive weeks, PTT students (who, by now, are CNAs) study body systems, terminology, equipment, and basic procedures commonly performed by therapists in rehab centers. Visits to local clinics increase their understanding of treatment facilities and techniques.
You deserve a good job and our work coordinator will help you get it. With a master's degree in business administration, she'll give you up-to-date info: Who's hiring? Where to go. Who to see. What to wear. You'll practice interviews and use the computer to make your own resume, applications, and business cards for an attractive portfolio, complete with certificates and letters of recommendation.


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De provinciale weg 613 (N613) is een provinciale weg in de provincie Noord-Brabant. De weg vormt een verbinding tussen N397 ten westen van Westerhoven en Bergeijk.

De weg is uitgevoerd als tweestrooks-gebiedsontsluitingsweg met een maximumsnelheid van 80 km/h. Over de gehele lengte draagt de weg de naam Enderakkers.

613
613

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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(Dis)content
Judgement of the Six, Book 5
By: Melissa Haag
Narrated by: Lisa Cordileone
Series: Judgement of the Six, Book 5
Categories: Children's Audiobooks, Science Fiction & Fantasy
Narrated by: Julie Niblett
The final Judgement is here.... My sisters hate their gifts, but they don't know how lucky they are. They have a home and family. I have nothing. But, I am Courage, and I know my purpose. I exist for one reason only: To complete the Judgement. Olivia is blind, yet sees. And what she sees, she keeps to herself. Her father conspires for control while Olivia does her own plotting with forces that only she understands. Now, time is running out, and choices that will impact the world must be made.
not a great ending
(Un)bidden
Narrated by: Casey Turner
I left home because I didn't want to end up in a cage like a lab rat. Hitching rides, begging for cash, and sleeping on the ground got old fast. That was the only reason I braved an overgrown path to a group of buildings. I'd hoped to find a bed and a decent night's sleep. However, what I found was a place overrun by werewolves.
My fave of the series
By BooksBooksBooks on 11-23-20
(Un)wise
Narrated by: Dana Dae
The dreams start, and Bethi's very normal life goes down the toilet. She soon realizes the dreams are actually memories from past lives...and not just hers. She sees the lives of other women like her. The recalled memories follow the same terrifying pattern: Dog-men chase her, and she sees her eventual tormented death. Learning from the past, Bethi sets out to find a way to live this time around. The dreams hint at an answer. She needs to be strong enough to find it or die...again.
(Mis)fortune
Narrated by: Tara Sands
They kept me prisoner for four years, using me for my predictions. They thought they had me subdued, meekly following orders, but they were wrong. I was waiting for a chance to run. I had to be careful, though. They had my brothers, and the leader wasn't exactly human.
By Alexandra Gonzalez on 05-27-21
Hope(less)
Narrated by: Julie McKay
Gabby's brain is like a human fish finder. It comes in handy when she wants to avoid people. Mostly men. They seem to like her a bit too much. It's lonely being different, but she's adapted to it. Really. She just wishes she knew why she is different, though. In her search for answers, she discovers a hidden community of werewolves. She immerses herself in their culture, learning about their world until she meets Clay. He's unkempt, prone to mood swings, and intense without saying a word, and he thinks Gabby is his.
The Eternal Cliffhanger
By Nancy Chapman on 04-14-16
Avoiding Alpha
Alpha Girl, Book 2
By: Aileen Erin
Narrated by: Elizabeth Evans
When she finds her best friend, Meredith, getting sick in the bathroom, Tessa knows something's majorly wrong. Meredith was cursed years ago, and the dark magic kept her wolf dormant - only now the wolf is awake, and that same spell is killing her. Tessa has no intention of sitting around while Meredith wastes away. Even if it means playing with magic she doesn't understand, she'll do anything to save Meredith's life. Including bargaining with the local coven of witches and its crazed leader, whose only goal is getting Tessa to join the witchy ranks.
Nothing - just a weak storyline to continue the story
By tammie on 09-21-20
Alpha Divided
Alpha Girls
Life has been crazy since Tessa McCaide moved to Texas. She's gone from being a normal-ish girl with visions to a superpowered werewolf. She's fought off vampires and broken a nearly unbreakable curse. And she's got a hot mate, Dastien Laurent, to keep her busy. Things are looking up until the full moon ceremony rolls around. Before Tessa can strengthen her bond with Dastien, the local coven crashes the gates, demanding that Tessa - their heir apparent - be returned. If the pack wants to avoid a war with the witches, handing Tessa over is the only option.
What a waste of a heroine
Becoming Alpha
Tessa McCaide has a unique talent for getting into trouble. Then again, it isn't easy for a girl with psychic visions to ignore what she sees. Luckily Tessa and her family are leaving California and moving halfway across the country, giving her the perfect opportunity to leave her reputation as "Freaky Tessa" behind. But Tessa doesn't realize that kissing the wrong guy in her new Texas town could land her in far more trouble than she ever imagined. Like being forced to attend St. Ailbe's Academy, a secret boarding school for werewolves.
not worth it
By Jarrod Gorham on 09-08-20
Southern Werewolves Series, Book 1
By: Heather MacKinnon
Narrated by: Cassandra Myles
Hard working criminal lawyer Elizabeth Montgomery is finally taking a vacation, a solo trip to the mountains of North Carolina to a cozy little cabin in the woods. Unfortunately, she doesn't even get to spend one night there. She takes an early evening hike and ends up on the wrong side of a vicious animal attack.
A New Series on my wish list
By Aprilstar on 10-22-19
Pack's Promise
ARC Shifters Series, Book 1
By: Julie Trettel
Narrated by: Joe Hempel, Carly Robins
Karis Begay is the only surviving heir to the Begay wolves of the Alaskan Pack. Someday she will take her place as Pack Mother, which is a lifelong burden she has always carried with pride. It kept her isolated from others and hesitant to let anyone close to her. As she enters her freshman year at Archibald Reynolds College, no one knows who she is or who she is destined to become. It's a chance at a fresh start, and just maybe...the beginning of something new.
Boring 😴
By KJG on 08-03-20
Demon Ember
Resurrection Chronicles Series, Book 1
By: M.J. Haag, Becca Vincenza
Narrated by: Dara Rosenberg
Mya's world is falling apart. After a series of earthquakes, deadly animals with glowing red eyes begin attacking people and start the spread of a zombie-like plague. Safety is just a memory as she tries to make her way home. When a different creature attacks the people helping her reach Oklahoma City, Mya is sure she'll never see the light of another day. Despite his eerie green eyes and very sharp teeth, the grey-skinned creature is more intelligent and humanlike than he first appears. He's determined to keep Mya by his side and protect her.
By Kimberly on 12-16-17
By: M.J. Haag, and others
Demon Flames
As hellhounds continue to roam and the zombie plague spreads, Drav leads Mya to the source of her troubles - Ernisi, an underground Atlantis and Drav's home. There Mya learns that the shadowy demons, who've helped devastate her world, are not what they seem. Trapped in Ernisi, Mya tries to convince Drav to return her to the surface so she can continue her search for her family. However, he's determined to keep her where he knows she'll be safe. When Mya falls ill, Drav must choose between her and his people.
Awesome Dark Fae Novel
By S Reader on 07-05-21
Crossbreed Series, Book 10
By: Dannika Dark
Narrated by: Nicole Poole
Only a week after solving their last case, Raven is itching for a new assignment. In her downtime, she's focusing on the two most important men in her life: her father and Christian. But there's no rest for the wicked. When an old friend seeks Raven's expertise on a delicate matter, Viktor reluctantly accepts the case. But without evidence of a crime, they might have no choice but to walk away, even if that means countless bodies filling the graveyard.
Crossbreed Book 10
By Elena on 05-19-21
Blackwater Pack, Book 1
By: Hannah McBride
Narrated by: Stefanie Kay
After refusing the laws of her sadistic pack, Skye Markham barely escapes with her life, seeking sanctuary with the feared Blackwater pack. Hunted by her former Alpha and his soldiers, she's determined to create a life even though she knows they will come for her.
Must listen!
By L. Adkins on 07-25-21
The Pack, Book 2
By: Kristin Coley
Narrated by: Paul Brion, Beth Roeg
Jess Carter wasn't looking for a place to belong when she arrived in Banks, Idaho. It was supposed to be a temporary spot to finish out her last year of high school and bond with her dad. Meeting Dom changed everything. Now, the Pack needs her. Dom needs her. And she's figuring out she needs them if they plan to survive what's coming. A challenge has been issued, and if the Pack doesn't respond, they'll be seen as weak.
The Alpha's Arranged Mate
A Paranormal Shifter Romance
By: Jasmine White
Narrated by: Beth Roeg
Layla has grown up with her pack in a small Highland village and enjoys the relatively peaceful life that she leads there. However, things take an unexpected turn when it is announced that her rite of ascension is imminent. She is to be mated permanently to the alpha, and there is no choice in the matter. The alpha is the arrogant Aidan who has also has no interest in taking a permanent mate; but if he declines, he will have to abdicate from his role as alpha and leader of the pack.
Layla and Aiden
By Vicki on 02-28-20
Wolf's Bane
Wolves Next Door, Book 1
By: Auryn Hadley
Narrated by: Lola James, Aiden Snow, Aaron Shedlock
Leaving my husband was hard. Trying to face the world alone with my teenage daughter is the sort of thing nightmares are made of, but I caught a break. My best friend just hired me for a great job, with perks like a rent-free house right beside not just one handsome man, but five! Each one is hotter than the last, and all of them seem interested in me. But everyone around us has these strange golden eyes...and there are the questions no one will answer. And who cares if there's a lot of wildlife running around at night? I do, especially when a wolf keeps sneaking into my backyard.
Escaping Monsters (A Supernatural Small Town Romance)
Grayhaven, Book 1
By: Rita Stradling, Alexa B. James
Narrated by: Savannah Rivers
On the run from my cruel captors, I stumble into Grayhaven. This secret supernatural settlement is packed with biker demons, fae royals, and witches dealing in death-magic. Their small town could be my salvation...or doom. But when the Grayhaven werewolf pack tracks me down, I feel the noose of impending capture tightening around my throat. I'm an omega, the least dominant werewolf in the supernatural world. If I'm given an order - any order - I'm powerless to refuse.
Great start to the series
By Rabid Reader on 08-23-20
By: Rita Stradling, and others
I hate. I thought I hated before the letter, before the werewolves, but now I understand that was nothing more than a chip on my shoulder. The urbat took what was mine. And they will pay.
Isabelle leads a very normal life...for an emotional syphon. If not for Ethan and his bar, she would have lost her sanity long ago. But everything changes with the crash of her fighting cage and a man who transforms into a wolf.
There's something about Carlos - when he's not growling at her - that makes her do things she wouldn't normally do, like sigh and daydream. Attraction aside, she is faced the very real evidence that werewolves and urbat exist, and the urbat are after her. And the only way she can keep Ethan safe is to join with the werewolves and Carlos. It's a race against time to stop a war, fight for love, and find the last Judgement.
©2015 Melissa Haag (P)2016 Audible, Inc.
Fairy-Weathered Friend
That Boy
They Almost Always Come Home
What listeners say about (Dis)content
(Dis)content is an apt description.
The book itself is a very good but the narration is barely tolerable. The previous 4 books had excellent narrators so for me this was a huge let down. As a person that commutes 2-3 hours daily I tend to listen to books on audible quite often so for me it is important that all of the books in a series are on audible which in this case the FINAL book is not. Huge let down!! I will finish reading the series because as I stated it is very good but I will not be revisiting it again until the last book is available on audible. This seems to be a growing trend where one book in the series is not on audible or one of the books is at full price while the others are discounted when the book is also purchased it really is frustrating. Bad business if you ask me, so buyer beware.
Susan Davis
love the book...but
the book was great, I ended up getting it in ebook format to finish it. for some reason I just couldn't get into it with this reader
A smooth read
I think book three started a good change. I loved how Isabelle's character was portrayed. She was fierce! I just knew the authors were going to kill him (sorry, don't want to mess it up for you by revealing who died). I liked his character, he was loyal and protective. Though he wasn't right for Isabelle, I wish they would have done something different with his character than killing him.. I found Carlos alittle sneaky and impatient, but I loved his character the most. He was rough and tough, but with a soft, caring and protective side.
Tears for Carlos
Although this is a novel about Isabel, Carlos and his quietly romantic personality shines bright. Swoon...his humility, bravery, and gentleness is exactly what all women look for in a man.
The gang of werewolves find Isabel, but she had a human friend who gets involved with the gang by association. Ethan has known Isabel since primary school and is always there when she needs him. His death at the hands of their enemies nearly breaks her, but with Carlos' quiet spirit and his ability to calm his emotions, he wins her affections.
The plan is to reveal that their ate other species in the world and they get on a national news station and make their presence known and that another group of werewolves ate trying to take over the world. The judgements hope this will gain support from the humans to eliminate the Ernst.
Cynthia Easler
Love this book!
The whole series is captivating. Melissa Haag writes wonderfully, and I can not wait for more!
Trezje'an
every interested in the series
I liked the book and would like to know when the next one would be coming out
JackJo
Loved the story, not the narrator.
Would you consider the audio edition of (Dis)content to be better than the print version?
The print version is better. The narrator has a pleasant voice, but she's not so great at narrating.
What was one of the most memorable moments of (Dis)content ?
One of the most memorable moments was the battle in the field. It was well written and intense.
What do you think the narrator could have done better?
She takes breathes at awkward moments and she doesn't make each character sound different. I had no idea who was talking until the book let me know. Each woman besides the main character sounded the same and each male sounded the same. She tried to make one elder sound older, but seemed to quit half way through the book.
Ready to fight?
dustbreather
Not as good as the other ones in the series but definitely worth the read.


Discussion in 'Off Topic' started by Zasty2, Mar 19, 2019.
ThisWeaboo, lll111123, tamirtov and 2 others like this.
ThisWeaboo, tamirtov, Arschgeist and 1 other person like this.
HumoLoco, tamirtov, TheDL6Incident and 2 others like this.
There's so many brown people that have showed their face. Like what are you? Indian? Mexican?
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ThisWeaboo and lordpablo like this.


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Tag Archives: COVID19
COVID19, rants, VEWPRF
VEWPRF green things
VEWPRF was made only a little bit more tolerable this year because the pandemic has made everything else so awful that there didn't seem to be as much energy put into the decorations and the public displays of "christianity" that there usually are…
but, because of the pandemic, we did NOT have things like the profusion of money-making gigs for performers, and the big, lavish dinner parties, and the exchange of massive quantities of commercial products, and the mass, forced, fake "love for all" like we usually have, either, so it all, sort of, evens out into a generic awful that has been, more or less, constant, since… oh, i don't know… march? january?
so they've discovered a vaccine for COVID19… at the same time that they've discovered a new varient of the COVID19 virus. at this point, they're pretty sure that the vaccine will work for the new varient as well, because of the fact that it's a mRNA vaccine, rather than one based on dead or disabled virii, but, in part, because of the fact that it's a new vaccine technology, the anti-vaxxers are even more suspicious of it, and quite a large number of them have already said they won't get it…
what i've heard is that people who know seem to think that, if we can achieve masking, social distancing, and vaccines for 100 days, we MIGHT be able to "open up the economy" again around june of 2021… but, with the republican'ts and other assorted "christians", anti-vaxxer/anti-masker idiots who will fight anything they don't understand, and deliberately refuse to understand anything that's not in the bible, i sincerely doubt that we're going to see ENOUGH masking, social distancing, and vaccines to accomplish much of anything other than the opportunity for the idiots to say "see, it didn't work"…
and the more "important" you are seems to be the determining factor in who gets the vaccine first. #drumpf got it, in spite of the fact that he's already had it, and he's (allegedly) already taken hydroxychloroquine as a "prophylaxis" (which it's not, despite all the hype he gave it). my brother, who is a RN, got his last week. i don't know IF i'm going to get it, let alone WHEN… maybe when i turn 65…
thailand has had 4 deaths from COVID19… FOUR! 😒
COVID19rantsVEWPRF
COVID19, drumpf, political, the very big stupid
and, as we all suspected…
Tuesday, 201110 przxqgl
#drumpf is refusing to concede, has directed the attorney general william barr to "investigate substantial evidence of voter fraud" (despite the fact that their IS NO evidence of voter fraud), and is refusing to turn things over to a transition team. mitch mconnell and mike pompeo have both stated that they support a second #drumpf term. he's fired a whole bunch of people within the last 48 hours, including directors at the pentagon and the FBI, and replaced them with "loyalists". 😒
this despite the fact that biden won the popular vote with 50.8%, compared to #drumpf's 47.5%, and is projected to win the electoral vote with 306, which is the largest difference since the 1930s.
biden says he's "dissapointed", but doesn't think legal action will be necessary. 😒
if this isn't a blatant attempt at a coup, i don't know what is. if this happened in any other country, the US would send in the marines to ensure a democratic government emerged. 🤬
we're going to have to drag him out of the white house by his heels, kicking and screaming like a child having a temper tantrum. 😒
http://hybridelephant.com/przxqgl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/drumpf-tantrum-daycare.mp4
p.s. (he's NOT the president of the united states, and never has been.) 😒
and then, there's also this:
http://hybridelephant.com/przxqgl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/3D-Map-of-COVID-Cases-by-Population-March-through-Today-OC.mp4
COVID19drumpfpoliticalthe very big stupid
busking, COVID19, peanut envy, snake suspenderz
Wednesday, 201104 przxqgl
http://hybridelephant.com/przxqgl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/friends.mp3Snake Suspenderz – Even Your Best Friends Won't Tell You
http://hybridelephant.com/przxqgl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/monkey.mp3Snake Suspenderz – Naughty Monkey
http://hybridelephant.com/przxqgl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/misery.mp3Snake Suspenderz – Misery Loves Company
http://hybridelephant.com/przxqgl/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/snake-2.mp3Snake Suspenderz – Say Hello To Mr. Snake
sketch, the drummer for snake suspenderz, died in april of 2019, shortly after the moisture festival, which put an abrupt end to our performances as a band, but there was intense talk of finding another drummer for a few months. a couple of options were tossed about, and one got far enough that we ended up saying that we were going to contact her… but i'm not sure we ever did… i didn't hear anything about it…
and then COVID happened, and, basically, everything got cancelled, and so nothing was done about it…
and now hobbit has decided that he has to move to kalamazoo, because that's where his partner, lucifer, has to move, because she has to take care of her mother. lucifer and hobbit both worked at the market, for a large part of their income, and the market has, well… basically, been shut down, except for a VERY few day stall vendors, the high stall vendors, and the restaurants.
even bavarian meats, which has been in the market since before i was born, has closed up shop.
but, because of the fact that hobbit is moving away, there will be no more snake suspenderz, no more peanut envy, no more accidental rhino, and no more busking for me, at all, unless (until?) i can find someone else who plays a treble, chord instrument (strings, keyboard, accordion), who wants a solid bass line… or if i can find places to take my harmonic flute where they won't chase me away after five minutes… 😢😒
i met hobbit in 1995, when i went to work for micro$lop. he and i were hired helpdesk geeks, and we got together because we also played music… and then it turned out that he and i knew a lot of the same people, and eventually we figured out that, about 15 years before that (1985 or thereabouts), we had been at the same party, at danny shadygrove's place, and hobbit and my sister (who i didn't know was there) shared a shower together… at the time we worked at micro$hit, we also played in a band called PropellerHeads (this was before the software called Reason, which was originally made by a company called "Propellerheads" came to be), and, using different instruments, the same people (me, hobbit, and malcolm "malcat" atterbury) were also in a band called Peanut Envy both bands were in existence, more or less, until around 1999, when we all went our separate ways. then hobbit and i met up again in 2004 or so, after my injury, when i started playing with snake suspenderz, an already existing band which was sketch, hobbit, thaddeus and a bass player whose name i don't remember (because i never actually met him, he had moved away by the time i came on board). i started busking with them shortly afterward. and, when sketch died, hobbit and i resurrected Peanut Envy, and busked as a duo by that name until… march of this year.
i wonder what i will do next?
something, i hope. 😒
190828 salamandir & hobbit at the Oregon State Fair
buskingCOVID19peanut envysnake suspenderz
COVID19, health, house stuff, titles
mump…
Sunday, 201018 przxqgl	2 Comments
both our tests came back negative today, but moe sez that she's not sure about her test, because she spent A LOT of time around the lady from texas who did test positive, so she's still wearing a mask around the house, and especially when she's interacting with me… but i get to sleep in the bed, again, rather than sleeping on the other end of the house, on the couch.
there are 6 english words that contain the letters "M", "E", "O", and "W". they are:
MEOWS
MEOWED
MEOWING
i learned that years ago, and every time i use the word "homeowner", insinctively, i think "homeowner"…
honer's meow…
there's a title.
COVID19healthhouse stufftitles
COVID19, depression
it just… keeps… getting… better! 🤬
Thursday, 201015 przxqgl
our brand new fence, less than 4 months old, was completely destroyed, last week, when half of a dead tree on the neighbour's property decided to fall on it, and then, when the neighbour decided to cut down the rest of the tree, and it, also, fell on it…
our homeowner's insurance would have paid to get it fixed, if it had been a live tree on the neighbour's property, but, because of the fact that it was a dead tree, the neighbour was "negligent", so our homeowner's insurance won't pay. the fence originally cost $10,000, and the contractor said that he could SAFELY cut up the remainders of the tree and fix the fence for $4,000. the neighbour wants to "chip in" $500, but he's refusing to pay any more than that.
AND… moe confirmed yesterday that she has, 100% been exposed to COVID, along with everyone else who works at the clinic. they are switching to a new clinic management software package, and they had someone from texas fly in to train all of them. they were fine the first day, the second day they started feeling sick, and went for a test, which was positive, and now the entire clinic has to close down. and, because of the fact that moe and i slept in the same bed, the probability is very high that i have been exposed, as well. she gets tested through her insurance, but i don't know how — or even IF — i'm going to get tested, yet…
the 1918 pandemic took three years to go away, and they didn't have to deal with a toxic government who wants everyone to die, and only the basic rudiments of germ theory.
and people wonder why i am depressed… 😒
COVID19depression


Why are we still fighting the drug war? by Mattathias Schwartz published in the January 6, 2014 edition of The New Yorker Read it here.
A YouTube video sparks a mass student movement protesting against newly elected President of Mexico Enrique Pena Nieto Excellent introduction to the #132 Movement, one of the anti-corruption and accountability/transparency movements in Mexico which has much in common with those fighting against the "war on drugs" in the U.S. This is happening now!


Milano cookies from Pepperidge Farm are seriously the best. And every time I see a bag, it reminds me of the scene on Will & Grace when Karen screams, "I want my mint Milano!"- which won't make much sense to you right now if you haven't seen that episode. Anyway, these new Pepperidge Farm Cinnamon Chocolate Milano Cookies are supposed to be the perfect Christmas flavor of the season. These were found at Target, but they will be everywhere soon!