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Contractor or Employee: High Court Shifts Focus to the Terms of the Written Contract
February 15, 2022 February 15, 2022 Insights Martin O'Connor Brandon Chakty
Businesses that engage independent contractors will welcome two recent High Court decisions concerning whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee.
The crux of these decisions was a finding by the High Court that where there is a written agreement in place between the parties, the validity of which is not challenged for reason of being a sham or otherwise, the question of whether a worker is an independent contractor or an employee is to be answered by reference to the rights and duties contained in that written agreement. Importantly, it was held that in these circumstances, it is not appropriate to apply the "multifactorial test", which Courts have been using for some time to determine the practical realities of the relationship between the parties.
The two cases are summarised below.
ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd & Anor v Martin Jamsek & Ors1
Between 1977 and 2017, Mr Jamsek and Mr Whitby were engaged as truck drivers by ZG Operations Australia Pty Ltd (ZG Operations). The workers were initially engaged as employees, but in 1986, ZG Operations insisted that it could no longer employ the workers and would only continue to use their services if they agreed to be engaged as independent contractors. Mr Jamsek and Mr Whitby agreed, and they both established a partnership with their spouses and entered into contracts titled "Contract Carriers Arrangement" with the company. The partnerships purchased trucks from ZG Operations, made deliveries as requested by ZG Operations and invoiced ZG Operations for the delivery services provided. When ZG Operations terminated the contracts in 2017, the workers commenced proceedings alleging that they were employees and were therefore owed superannuation, leave and other employee-related entitlements.
Procedural History
In the first instance, the primary judge held that Mr Jamsek and Mr Whitby were independent contractors of ZG Operations. Upon appeal to the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia, this decision was overturned, and the workers were deemed to be employees. In both decisions, the multifactorial test was used to characterise the relationships.
The High Court's Decision
The High Court held that in circumstances where a written contract comprehensively regulates the relationship between the parties, the validity of which is not challenged by a sham or otherwise, the characterisation of that relationship is to be determined by reference to the rights and duties created by the written contract. This approach is similar to the one taken in CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting which is the second case discussed below.
As the workers did not contend that the written contracts were a sham, nor did they challenge the validity of them, the High Court determined that the contracts made it clear that Mr Jamsek and Mr Whitby would no longer be employees of ZG Operations. The fact that ZG Operations had superior bargaining power did not alter the validity of the contracts. With respect to the terms of the written contracts, the High Court found it was clear from these terms that Mr Jamsek and Mr Whitby were conducting businesses of their own, utilising the partnership structure of their businesses to enjoy the advantages of splitting the income generated with their fellow spouses/partners. For these reasons, the workers were found to be independent contractors of ZG Operations.
Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union v Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd (CFMMEU v Personnel Contracting)2
In 2016, Personnel Contracting Pty Ltd (Personnel Contracting), a labour-hire company based in Perth, engaged Mr McCourt to perform construction work at various project sites operated by Hanssen Pty Ltd (Hanssen), a major client of Personnel Contracting. Mr McCourt was a 22-year-old British backpacker with limited prior experience as a bricklayer and in hospitality. The Administrative Services Agreement (ASA) that governed the relationship between the parties described Mr McCourt as a 'self-employed contractor'. Personnel Contracting ceased to provide work to Mr McCourt from about 30 June 2017.
Mr McCourt and CFMMEU commenced proceedings against Personnel Contracting, claiming that Mr McCourt was an employee of Personnel Contracting and therefore should have been paid in accordance with the Building and Construction General On-site Award 2010.
In the first instance, the primary judge used the multifactorial test to resolve the question of whether Mr McCourt was an employee or an independent contractor. His Honour observed that since the relationship between Mr McCourt and Personnel Contracting embodied both employment and independent contracting characteristics, the description of Mr McCourt in the ASA as a contractor was decisive. Accordingly, his Honour held that Mr McCourt was an independent contractor, and this conclusion was upheld by the Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia upon appeal.
Having regard to the rights and duties created by the ASA, the validity of which was not challenged by Mr McCourt as a sham or otherwise, the majority of the High Court determined that Mr McCourt was an employee of Personnel Contracting. This is because Mr McCourt could not have been operating his own business, as it was Personnel Contracting that was entitled to fix Mr McCourt's remuneration for his work, to act as Mr McCourt's paymaster, and to terminate Mr McCourt's engagement if he failed to comply with the directions of Personnel Contracting or Hanssen. It follows that Personnel Contracting had a right of control over Mr McCourt. It did not matter that Hanssen directed Mr McCourt's daily tasks, nor did it matter that the relationship was labelled under the ASA as an independent contracting relationship. Hence, the majority determined that the rights and duties under the ASA evidenced that Mr McCourt was engaged by Personnel Contracting as an employee.
These decisions provide some clarity as to the circumstances where a court or tribunal will undo the contractual arrangements entered into between a principal and a contractor and find that an employment relationship exists instead. They provide some assurance to businesses who engage independent contractors using carefully drafted written agreements and act according to such agreements. To this end, the decisions highlight the importance of businesses having in place robust agreements with their independent contractors which reflect, so far as is practicable, the key characteristics of genuine independent contracting relationships, such as the exercise of control by the contractor and the carrying on of an independent business by the contractor.
If you have any questions as to what these decisions mean for you and your business, or if you require any advice or assistance generally concerning independent contractor or employee arrangements, please do not hesitate to contact Addisons' employment law team.
1 [2022] HCA 2.
Martin O'Connor
martin.oconnor@addisons.com
Brandon Chakty
brandon.chakty@addisons.com
© ADDISONS. No part of this document may in any form or by any means be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted without prior written consent. This document is for general information only and cannot be relied upon as legal advice.


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Alexander Tkach, CICECO Researcher, University of Aveiro (UA), has developed a technique to study distinctly and temporal unprecedented precision the effect of giant magnetoresistance (GMR), a phenomenon present in the hard disks reading mechanism of and magnetic sensors. The research developed in collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Polymer Research, the Institut für Physik Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz, the Sensitec GmbH, Fakultät für Physik - Universität Bielefeld and the Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society has just been published in Nature Physics, one of the most important scientific journals in the world dedicated to physics.
The technology of spintronics, that uses and manipulates not only the electrical load, but also the spin (i.e. the magnetic moment) of electrons to process information, is present in devices used in hard-disk reading and industrial magnetic or biomedical sensors. This finding arose based on the discovery of the giant magnetoresistance effect (GMR) in nano-structured metals on magnetic and non-magnetic layers, which was honored in 2007 with the Nobel Prize on Physics awarded to Albert Fert and Peter Grunberg. This effect consists in a significant variation in the electrical resistance with the application of a magnetic field, which changes the relative orientation of the magnetization of the magnetic layers.
The microscopic processes of electron scattering and thus, the electrical resistance of the materials where they move, are understood with models initially developed by Nevil Mott. However, the fact of the times involved are extremely short, less than 100 femtoseconds (1 fs = 10-15 s) posed a huge challenge to its observation and direct research, now made possible by the findings published in Nature Physics.
The research team that Alexander Tkach was part, used at the University of Mainz, ultra-fast techniques Terahertz spectroscopy. Might as well study clearly and with unprecedented temporal precision the GMR phenomenon in magnetic multilayers, managing to separate and quantify the contributions of the two electron spin orientations on the microscopic phenomena involved in. But the importance of the work expands, with the demonstrated capability to modulate and modify Terahertz frequency electromagnetic waves with this magnetic phenomenon.
The paper in Nature Physics can be viewed here.


How about looking at Colorado as an exemplar?
Colorado got a few things wrong – allowing over-dosed edibles packaged like kids' candy was never a good idea – but they've continued to pay attention and tweaked regulations as required. Their regulators and legislators seem motivated by evidence rather than scare stories.
On the other hand, I think California's provision for the expungement of old convictions is the new benchmark for reform.
Ontario has a state-run system for selling alcohol – rather like our licensing trust system. I think that these same outlets are also to sell cannabis.
Which sort of makes sense. But there's also a strong case for keeping cannabis sales away from alcohol sales.
The Canadian system seems pretty chaotic at the moment, mainly because each state can decide its own laws. As Russell points out above, some states intend to allow users to grow their own modest crops, while other states will expressly forbid this. Some states encourage local businesses, while others have created a free-for-all where big money will be allowed to dominate the market, effectively knocking out existing, smaller producers.
While I welcome the possibility of seeing weed legalised in NZ in my lifetime, I'd hate to see either big tobacco or big pharma control the local industry. You just need to look at what's happening in Oregon to see how that might go.
As a better starting point for NZ, why not consider the Drug Foundation's draft policy, which appears to be based on a common sense, health-based approach to drugs.
As I recall the Drug Foundation supports the concept of small-scale growers all over the country, with centralised sales being restricted to a single government website. This would bring jobs to the regions, tax is calculated and collected at the point of sale and no corner dairies get robbed in the process.
I'm sure we'll be looking closely at the Canadian experience, but hopefully with enough nouse to keep it kiwi wherever possible.
while others have created a free-for-all where big money will be allowed to dominate the market, effectively knocking out existing, smaller producers.
As I noted above, it'll be interesting to see how the "micro" licences announced only a week ago turn out. And I get the impression that some of the more controlling regulations noted your link just won't be viable – making everyone deliver to a central warehouse before distribution to stores just seems dumb.
I'd hate to see either big tobacco or big pharma control the local industry. You just need to look at what's happening in Oregon to see how that might go.
Yeah. There's been some criticism of the tight regulation in the Canadian law – which controls who can grow and how much – but the American approach has its problems too. Cannabis is, as Sanho Tree likes to note, a minimally-processed agricultural commodity. The US experience suggests the unregulated price floor is very low indeed, and gets lower if you allow mass production to dominate and kill off your small growers.
I have heard some very good reports of Canadian oil. Marijuana seems a bit like whiskey – highly sensitive to the idiosyncrasies of the manufacturing process, but more than taste is at stake.
Back in the '70s Vancouver's Georgia Straight and their resident comic and cover artist Rand Holmes contributed mightily in the push for changes to marijuana laws.
Thanks Russell, good appraisal & I agree we ought to get past convictions scrubbed (even if most such convicts are probably now dead).
Let's keep an open mind re the current Minister of Justice. Binding would be best, but if he designs one that has suitable text - to produce a mandate for subsequent legislation - he'll deserve our respect.
I agree with Alfie & the Drug Foundation that users must be able to grow their own. Canada setting four plants per person could be a problem: gardeners know plenty of seedlings get wiped out by nature before getting established. If the legislation specifies four fully-grown plants, no problem.
I agree that teenage users get damaged, but they'll use it anyway - so a twenty anything age discrimination law will never work. Jeez, I recall one of my younger brothers telling me he & school-friends were getting high & I warned him accordingly. That was 1971, Wanganui (he was 16). As a result he's been straight & extremely hostile to drug-taking since the early eighties. Zillions of similar stories around the world since then provide a substantial common ground of experience.
Yeah, Ian, indeed relevant. I happened on this too: http://www.blakkpepper.com/2018/02/is-canadian-prime-minister-justin-trudeau-son-of-fidel-castro/ Cool that Fidel's other son acknowledged Justin's co-paternity in his suicide note eh? Wonder if someone's told Justin yet.
Ontario has just elected a provincial conservative government. I suspect that there may be setbacks there, although the current Premier Doug Ford's late brother Rob Ford was an infamous polydrug user while he was Toronto Mayor, especially crack cocaine.
A brush with the law?
These days, it's a risky business being a contemporary art dealer. And it's a whole lot riskier when the artworks you are selling are made from an illegal substance.
An interesting study about the use of cannabis products for relieving chronic pain. I don't think it quite says what the Sydney Morning Herald thinks it does. The full report is available from the Cochrane link.
The potential benefits of cannabis-based medicine (herbal cannabis, plant-derived or synthetic THC, THC/CBD oromucosal spray) in chronic neuropathic pain might be outweighed by their potential harms. The quality of evidence for pain relief outcomes reflects the exclusion of participants with a history of substance abuse and other significant comorbidities from the studies, together with their small sample sizes.
but that cannabis products performed higher than placebos.
Cannabis' medical benefits have suffered a serious blow, with a major study finding it does almost nothing to help people with chronic pain.
The study, one of the largest and most in depth ever done on the drug's medical use, found cannabis does not cut pain, nor does it help sufferers replace opioids. And users seem to suffer higher levels of anxiety overall.
I thought the most interesting bit from the SMH was this: "the results are not straightforward. Most of the cannabis users reported they personally felt it worked well to treat their pain – despite also reporting higher levels of pain."
A paradox, requiring interpretation. Most users got pain relief from their usage, but it was temporary, because the cause of their pain was not removed. If you treat symptoms instead of causes, you fail to solve the problem. Science, when used by the media as a smokescreen, produces disinformation.
Healing ought to be the focus. Merely managing patients institutionalises a high-cost health system. Science applied to medicine via statistics has an unfortunate tendency to lead to banal generalisations, as in this instance. Running regularly makes many people more healthy but we don't force everyone to do it because it doesn't work for many others. The reason people need the law changed is because it produces a better quality of life for many, and that evidence comes from personal testimony, not stats. Dismissing it as hearsay is traditional science and bad public policy!!
It's worth noting that this paper was based on an evaluation of 16 previous studies, the quality of which was variable to say the least.
There was no high-quality evidence.
I'm sure the work was well-intentioned, however it appears that neither the source nor the strains of cannabis were taken into account. While some patients may have been using high-quality CBD strains, others could have been consuming rough as guts bush weed. This omission lacks scientific rigour.
And more importantly, the SMH report implies that the participants continued to use opiods throughout the process, concluding "It did not help them cut their opiod use at all." Is it even possible to assess the effectiveness of cannabis to treat pain when all of the subjects are simultaneously consuming other serious painkillers?
Recording degrees of pain (on a scale of one to ten) is always subjective but as it apparently increased for the majority of participants, you could just as easily hypothesise that this study proves opiods decrease in effectiveness over time.
For years, the illegality of cannabis has restricted scientific research into its healing properties. While high quality studies are undoubtably needed, this does not appear to be one of them. It's unfortunate that certain sections of the media feel empowered to draw their own conclusions because, well... clickbait.
Medicinal cannabis users of my acquaintance who use the drug as an alternative to opiods claim it's effective in pain management with far fewer side effects, if any. As a bonus they sleep better and are happier most of the time. Dennis is correct in saying that quality of life must be taken into account and should inform policy.
Medicinal cannabis users of my acquaintance who use the drug as an alternative to opiods claim it's effective in pain management with far fewer side effects, if any.
I'm noticing this cannabis is anecdotally better than opioids for pain management argument starting to be used frequently. I don't think it's a good comparison. For example, if someone runs there motorcycle under a truck and trailer unit and make it out the other side alive but with serious injurys, the ambulance staff will often administor morphine. This would no be to kill pain. It would be to help the traumatised person with the broken bone sticking out of the leg to be more emotionally able to deal with it. Opioids are good for that. Cannabis is probably not.
If I was going to make comparisons, I'd say alcohol and opioids. And not just because theres proper biological science to say they act on us in a closely related way, it's also that I've known alcoholic drug addicts who say it's true.
Mabe cannabis is complementary to opioids in a pain management plan. Mabe cannabis is more appropriate than opiates because opioids where inappropriate and the addiction sickness was more debilitating than the other pain it was intended to treat. Mabe, that's mabe, because there really truly actually isn't enough science. unfortunately.
Israel is probably a good place to keep an eye on as the medical cannabis science starts to develop. It's been happening there more than most other places.
My Canadian relations have always been nudge-nudge, wink-wink about Trudeau's parentage.


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Anglo-Indian food in Kolkata
Jhaal Farezi's Anglo-Indian food festival
21 Jul, 2016 by Anindya Sundar Basu
There is a high chance that, when you walk into a Bengali restaurant, you will find a dish called mutton dakbunglow adorning the menu (along with other equally famous counterparts of the mutton kosha, mangsher jhol and others). The mutton dakbunglow or chicken dakbunglow is an acquired Bengali dish, but its origin lies with the British Raj, where this dish used to be cooked in the 'dak bungalows' while the British officers were on official trips around the country.
There is no definite cuisine that can be attributed to Anglo-Indian food – it is a bit of this and a bit of that. The European (British, Portuguese and French being the main influencers) style of cooking gets married to Indian spices and the outcome is some splendid dishes. The same dish can taste different in different parts of the country depending upon the available or local spices. So a Madras chicken curry is just another regional version of the mutton dakbunglow. One of the biggest influences that Anglo-Indian food has had on Kolkata is the remnants of some of its fried stuff, which form the mainstay of these shops. One of the very first innovations that happened was the aloo chop or the mashed potato of the Europeans, which got combined with Indian spices and became one of the most famous street foods of Kolkata. Speaking to Ms Bridget White-Kumar, one of the food historians of Anglo-Indian food in the country, the railway chicken curry is one of the few first innovations that, when prepared in the eastern part of the country, had mustard oil, and when prepared in the south, had coconut and curry leaves in it. Along with these dishes stand lamb stew, mulligatawny soup, mutton chop, devil chutney, veg croquettes, and caramel custard – all have been embraced with equal love.
You will rarely find a restaurant dedicated to Anglo-Indian food in Kolkata but almost all Bengali restaurants offer some Anglo-Indian dish or the other. Other places where one can get good Anglo-Indian food are the old clubs of Kolkata, founded during the British Raj. Another restaurant that opened with the name of an Anglo-Indian dish was Jhaal Farezi. When they opened the restaurant three years ago, they had an impressive presence in terms of Anglo-Indian fare. Time and again, they have tried to bring forward the Anglo-Indian menu to food lovers in Kolkata.
In the recent times, Jhaal Farezi has brought together an outstanding menu focused on Anglo-Indian cuisine for its Sunday brunch, as well as in an à la carte menu on all days for lunch and dinner till the end of July. Pocket pinch would be about Rs 800 plus for two persons. Some of the highlights of this festival are the Anglo-Indian ball curry (a sweet and tangy mutton ball curry with a distinctive flavour of curry leaves), the chicken pantheras (a classic Anglo-Indian fried dish), spicy sausage salad with baganer mashla ('baganer mashla' mean 'spices made from herbs of the garden'), the ever-popular chicken a la kiev, bangers and mash Kolkata style, and many more dishes. The kicker is the jhaal farezi which is so different from the North Indian jhaal farezi that we have. It is a simple, roasted and dry vegetable dish with a distinctive smoky flavor. There is also the use of bandel cheese (a local cheese that is quite salty) in the antipasti as well in the form of a smooth and aromatic kofta curry.
With such influence on Bengali cuisine and Indian cuisine and with so many tasty and popular dishes that have been loved by the city for so long, it is only a surprise that no restaurant has not, till now, opened up in the city dedicated to Anglo-Indian food. Jhaal Farezi is definitely a positive step towards popularising Anglo-Indian food in the city and, hopefully in the near future, we will have some more joining the bandwagon.
Top 5 New Year Brunch and Buffets in Delhi NCR
By Susmita Saha
Top 3 Restaurants serving Chicken Cordon Bleu in Ahmedabad
Park Circus Area, Kolkata

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BettingPro / Tennis / ATP Tournaments / Monte Carlo tennis predictions & betting tips – Can Nadal regain his Monte Carlo title?
Monte Carlo tennis predictions & betting tips – Can Nadal regain his Monte Carlo title?
leye aduloju / Apr 2, 2020
The best players in the world will again converge at the Monte Carlo Country Club for the 2020 Monte Carlo Masters, live from 13-19 April, 2020. Following his surprise semi-final exit last year, can King of Clay, Rafael Nadal regain his title this season?
Monte Carlo 2020 Predictions
Staged at the picturesque Monte Carlo Country Club, the Monte Carlo Masters boasts one of the most aesthetic venues on the men's tour, and typically attracts the best players in the world.
The Monte Carlo Masters is the only Masters 1000 tournament not to have mandatory status, but that hasn't diminished the quality of the tournament, with most of the top players opting to kick start their European clay-court seasons at the venue. This is where the road to Roland Garros really starts for the world's best players.
Unsurprisingly, the legendary Rafael Nadal has absolutely dominated this clay-court tournament, winning an incredible 11 titles over the years, including eight consecutive triumphs between 2005 and 2012. The great Spaniard remains the only man to have won a single tournament for eight straight years. However, Nadal suffered a shock semi-final loss to Fabio Fognini last season, with the mercurial Italian going on to beat Dusan Lajovic in the final for his first Masters 1000 title.
Will Nadal regain his title this year? Can Novak Djokovic win what would only be his third title at the tournament? Or will we have another surprise champion? All of these questions will be answered in Monte Carlo from 13-19 April.
Monte Carlo 2020 Predictions: Can Rafael Nadal regain his title?
With a staggering 71-5 win-loss record in Monte Carlo, Rafael Nadal is again the overwhelming favourite to claim a twelfth title at the tournament. The Spaniard was champion between 2005 and 2012, and again between 2016 and 2018, but his bid for a fourth successive title was halted in a semi-final defeat to Fognini last season- a performance the great man would describe as one of his worst matches on clay.
Rafael Nadal suffered a surprise semi-final defeat in Monte Carlo last season (PA Sport)
"I played one of my worst matches on clay in 14 years. It's difficult to find any positives. I played a very bad game against a good player, so in that situation you have to lose", Nadal said after falling to Fognini last year.
Perhaps, Nadal shouldn't have been too harsh on himself. The Spaniard was playing his first tournament in a month, having pulled out of an Indian Wells semi-final against Roger Federer, and sat out the Miami Masters completely due to a knee injury. Nadal would go on to lose subsequent clay-court semi-finals in Barcelona and Madrid as he struggled to produce his vintage best, raising questions over his readiness for Roland Garros, but the great man found his best form at the nick of time, winning in Rome and Paris in a glorious finish to a difficult clay-court campaign. Nadal added hard-court titles in Montreal and the US Open to his 2019 collection, and ended the season as the No. 1 player in the world.
His start to 2020 was not perfect- he lost to David Goffin and Novak Djokovic at the ATP Cup- and was beaten by Dominic Thiem in the quarter finals of the Australian Open, but the 33-year-old claimed his first title of the season at Acapulco, and will be looking to push on at Masters 1000 tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami. Assuming he gets through those hard-court tournaments without any physical problems, which is by no means a given, the King of Clay will be the man to beat in Monte Carlo, as he aims to reclaim the title he lost last season.
World No. 1, Novak Djokovic is the other multiple champion in the Monte Carlo field.
Djokovic was champion in Monte Carlo in 2013 and 2015, and finalist in 2009 and 2012, but his recent record at the tournament is not great. The Monte Carlo resident has not made a semi-final since his title run in 2015, and has fallen before the quarter finals in two of the four editions within that period. Djokovic's recent Monte Carlo struggles is a microcosm of his clay-court form over the last few seasons. Since his Roland Garros triumph in 2016, the Serbian has won just the one clay court title (in Madrid last year), and reached two other finals (Rome 2017 and 2019).
Novak Djokovic (PA Sport)
Within the last three seasons, he has suffered clay-court defeats to David Goffin, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Martin Klizan, Kyle Edmund, Marco Cecchinato, Daniil Medvedev, and of course, Rafael Nadal. Can he find his best form on clay this year, and produce another deep run in Monte Carlo?
The world No. 1 has been producing deep runs for fun in 2020. A spectacular start to the season has included an eight Australian Open title and a fifth Dubai crown for the Serbian, who has since regained his world No. 1 ranking. His 18-0 start to the year also includes a 6-0 run in singles matches at the ATP Cup, where he inspired Serbia to victory at the inaugural team event. Djokovic is next scheduled to compete at Indian Wells and Miami, where he will again be the favourite for the titles, given the start he has made to the season, and his overall record on hard courts.
The danger here, relative to his clay-court campaign, is that the 32-year-old might have played too many matches in the opening quarter of the year, and could be vulnerable in the grueling European clay season.
Beyond Nadal and Djokovic, who are the other title contenders in Monte Carlo?
Dominic Thiem is the name that immediately springs to mind, but the Austrian has got an unremarkable record in Monte Carlo. Thiem has arguably been the second best player on clay behind Nadal in the last couple of seasons, reaching the French Open final in 2018 and 2019, but he is yet to make the semi-finals in Monte Carlo and has reached the quarter finals just once in six visits. Besides, he is yet to win a Masters 1000 title on clay, with his best efforts being runner-up finishes in Madrid in 2017 and 2018.
Dominic Thiem (PA Sport)
Originally classed as a clay-court specialist, Thiem has dispelled that notion over the last year, expanding his game significantly under the guidance of Nicolas Massu. The Austrian is now not only a force on clay, but has become a genuine threat on hard courts. He claimed his first Masters 1000 title at Indian Wells last season, and went on to win more hard court titles in Beijing and Vienna, and finish runner-up at the season-ending Nitto ATP Finals. Thiem continued his hard-court charge with a spectacular Australian Open campaign early this year, when he was within a set of beating Novak Djokovic in a terrific five-set final.
Now that he is consistently going deep in hard-court tournaments, it remains to be seen if that will have a telling effect on his clay-court form. He certainly didn't look great in Rio, where he struggled through three-setters against Felipe Meligeni Rodrigues Alves and Jaume Munar before falling to unheralded Italian, Gianluca Mager. Thiem is scheduled to compete at Indian Wells (where he is defending champion), and Miami, before starting his European clay season in Monte Carlo.
Last year's semi-finalist, Daniil Medvedev is another player to keep an eye on. The impressive Russian planted himself firmly in the sport's elite group with a spectacular 2019, which included four titles, and five other finals. He had that memorable run between August and October last year, when he made six consecutive finals, winning his first Masters 1000 titles in Cincinnati and Shanghai, and falling just short in the US Open final against Nadal.
Medvedev had a mixed clay-court season in 2019- he was a semi-finalist in Monte Carlo (beating Djokovic along the way), and a finalist in Barcelona, but he lost successive opening round matches in Madrid, Rome and Roland Garros. It's fair to say that the Russian is still trying to sort out his game on clay. His supreme defence makes him tough to beat on the surface, but he can also be too passive. It's all about finding the right balance between attack and defence.
Also worthy of a mention is Stefanos Tsitsipas, whose superb 2019 included a Masters 1000 clay-court final in Madrid (beat Nadal before losing to Djokovic) and a semi-final in Rome. The Greek young gun was slow off the blocks in 2020, but he found some good form in February, successfully defending his Marseille title and reaching the final in Dubai for the second straight season. Tsitsipas has a game for all surfaces, and if he's fit and playing well by the time he arrives Monte Carlo, he will definitely be among the favourites for a deep run in the Principality.
Another player who has been in tremendous form this year is Gael Monfils, who already has titles in Montpellier and Rotterdam, and a semi-final in Dubai. Monfils has not competed in Monte Carlo for the last three seasons, but he was a finalist in his most recent visit to Monte Carlo in 2016 (lost to Nadal), having made the semi-finals in the previous year.
Apart from Nadal, Djokovic, and last year's champion, Fognini, the only other former champion in the draw is Stan Wawrinka. The three-time major winner retains the ability to hit through any draw, and remains very dangerous when he gets on a roll. Wawrinka has made a decent start to the year, opening with a semi-final in Doha and making quarter finals at the Australian Open and Acapulco. He has not been at his Grand Slam-winning best for some time now, but if he stays fit, the powerful Swiss has always got a chance of producing a spectacular week.
Fabio Fognini shocked the world last season when he emerged Monte Carlo champion, but it is very unlikely that the Italian mounts a successful title defence. The man to beat will again be the 11-time champion, the King of Clay, Rafael Nadal.
Monte Carlo 2020 tournament information
Name: Rolex Monte Carlo Masters
Location: Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, France
Venue: Monte Carlo Country Club
Category: ATP Masters 1000 Series
Surface: Outdoor clay courts
Draw size: 52 singles/24 doubles
Most titles: Rafael Nadal (11)
Reigning champion: Fabio Fognini
Qualifying at the 2020 Monte Carlo Masters holds from 11-12 April
Main-draw play at the Monte Carlo Masters begins on Monday 13 April
The final will be played on Sunday 19 April
Who are the best-performing players at the Monte Carlo Masters?
Players Years played Titles Finals 2019 result Win-loss
Rafael Nadal 16 11 (2005-2012; 2016-2018) 1 (2013) SF 71-5
Novak Djokovic 13 2 (2013, 2015) 2 (2009, 2012) QF 34-11
Stan Wawrinka 11 1 (2014) – R2 21-10
Fabio Fognini 11 1 (2019) – Champion 17-10
Gael Monfils 10 – 1 (2016) Absent 13-10
Alexander Zverev 4 – – R3 7-4
Daniil Medvedev 3 – – SF 5-5
Dominic Thiem 6 – – R3 6-6
Monte Carlo betting tips
Check back for the best Monte Carlo betting tips when odds are released closer to the tournament, where main-draw play begins on Monday, 13 April.


text:
2016 Record Store Day Black Friday Guide to Hard Rock + Metal Releases
Black Friday is one of the biggest shopping days of the year, and in recent years it's become an extra special day for vinyl enthusiasts thanks to the folks behind Record Store Day. What started off as a way to bring people back to record stores during a special spring date has expanded to include Black Friday, with artists all offering specialty releases. The giant list of offerings for this Black Friday (Nov. 25) has been revealed and we look at some of the items which should interest hard rock and metal enthusiasts.
If metal is your thing, Anthrax will have a 7" vinyl that includes their current single "Monster at the End" on one side, backed with "Vice of the People." In This Moment and Iron Maiden are offering vinyl versions of their A Star-Crossed Wasteland and Brave New World albums. Venom and Volbeat are also offering vinyl, delivering Black Metal and Beyond Hell/Above Heaven on Black Friday. And you can also look for Napalm Death doing a split 7" with Melt Banana titled "Like Piss to a Sting." Plus, GWAR will have a special "Black Friday LTD" 7" picture disc.
Do you dig punk? There are some classic platters available. Look for Iggy and the Stooges' Telluric Chaos on double LP or search out Ramones' Live at the Roxy. T.S.O.L.'s Revenge and The Vandals' Hollywood Potato Chip will also be available in LP form.
Alice Cooper reunited with his old bandmates for what should be one of the most sought-after Black Friday releases -- a 7" vinyl titled Live From the Astroturf. And speaking of classics, why not dig into The Runaways' Cherokee / Gold Star LP or the original soundtrack from Jaco, the film about the legendary Jaco Pastorius?
If you're looking for standout moments from the past, Alice in Chains' Live - Facelift 12" will take you back. So will Extreme's Pornograffitti Live 25 / Metal Meltdown, Billy Idol's BFI Live triple LP, or Soundgarden's "Satanoscillatemymetallicsonatas" on 12" vinyl. Plus there's Porno for Pyros' Good God's Urge on LP and a Motley Crue 7" picture disc featuring "Kickstart My Heart" and "Home Sweet Home."
And for something more modern, look for Prophets of Rage's "The Party's Over" 12", Puscifer's Money Shot Your Re Load LP, Dustin Kensrue's "More Thoughts That Float on a Different Blood" 7" and Refused's Servants of Death EP on 12" vinyl. And in a limited run that may be regional, you could also look for Andy Black's The Shallow Side 12" picture disc and Uncle Acid and the Deadbeats' Blood Lust LP.
Stay up to date with all the Record Store Day Black Friday specialty releases here and head to the Record Store Day website to see which record stores are participating in the Black Friday promotions.
Original Alice Cooper Band Members Prep Black Friday Release
Source: 2016 Record Store Day Black Friday Guide to Hard Rock + Metal Releases
Filed Under: record store day


The Minnesota Vikings suspended star running back Adrian Peterson last week after he was charged with a felony after he allegedly injured his toddler son whipping him with a switch. On Sunday, the Vikings lost to the New England Patriots. On Monday, the Vikings reinstated Peterson and said they believe in due process. I see.
So it appears that the D Cubs will be leaving Daytona Beach, ending a 20-plus year affiliation between the Chicago Cubs and Jackie Robinson Ballpark. That begs the question: Which major league team would you like to see affiliated with Daytona Beach?
ISIS must be stopped, and now.


Software Testing providing information about the quality of product .It rather checks whether the product meets the requirements that lead to its design and satisfaction of the needs of Stakeholders. Evaluation of an attribute is very important before it is launched into the market. This field needs candidates who have command over the testing techniques. Webx Technology provides a well-defined course curriculum that encompasses all the important tracts and skills that can lead you in this field. The prominent testing techniques such as Black box testing, White box testing, reliability & Security testing and many more are a part of our course content. If you are foreseeing a career in this field then Webx Technology is the best choice. Here we prepare in a way that you become familiar with all the skills required for stepping out in the I.T world. We also provide a standardized industrial exposure which is very helpful get into this field.
Students will know about Quality Assurance and Quality Control.
Develops innovative thinking of individuals to analyze the things near to perfection in their real and professional life.
Provides hands-on exposure to test the applications.
Describe Tester's Roles and Responsibilities.
Students can perform thorough testing on software applications from variety of aspects to build a robust product.


The $12 million Horn Residence Hall is two-story with a partial basement, has a gross area of 25,000 square feet, and has a total of sixty beds. The design includes efficient mecahnical systems and use of sustainable materials, and is designed to meet LEED Gold standards. In addition, the building is designed to meet the ambitious energy usage intensity (EUI) of 25 kbtu.sq.foot/year. The structural system is a combination of wood frame and structural steel, with a lateral force system of light-framed shear walls.


With everyone on countdown for the final season of Game of Thrones, and seeing as how Winter Is Coming (pun very much intended), we decided to try the DMK Enzyme Facial (better known as the Game of Thrones or Dragon facial, for reasons which will be revealed a little later), and see what all the hype is about.
DMK Skin Revision Treatments (they aren't even called facials), created by botanist Danne Montague-King are different to most other facials on the market, in that they work with your skin's internal functions and structures. DMK explain it as if you think about looking down through the top of your skin and imagine the skin functions and structures are like a factory and what this factory produces is what we see on the surface of your skin! If the factory is not functioning optimally, then the product the factory produces will not be the best possible quality product that the factory can produce. Everything that presents itself on the surface of your skin is a direct replication of what is happening within the skin.
With this in mind, the plant-based signature Enzyme Therapy helps to ensure optimal skin function by turning dead cells to a weak acid and flushing them from your skin. Reverse osmosis clears away cell debris, toxins, oxidised waste and free radicals while also helping to increase oxygenation, cell metabolism and immune functions via a plasmatic effect on the blood and lymph circulation. This process helps to stimulate the fibroblast cells to enhance collagen production – just what mature skin needs.
The therapy treatment started off like most others, with a skin analysis, cleanse, pre-enzyme treatment, and hot towel, and then the fun really began. The Enzyme Mask is applied and left to harden. And harden it does – to the point where you literally can't move your face, and can feel your blood pumping underneath. I should mention that as it hardens, you do start to look like a Game of Thrones character, and this is where the treatment gets its nickname, as you can see in the image. This is not at all painful or uncomfortable, it just means you can't move any muscles. The enzymes in the mask are working to help stimulate circulation, and as the mask hardens, it forces your body to pump blood, oxygen and minerals to your face. After 45 minutes, the mask is softened and gently removed, and a vitamin infusion applied.
Click here or below to watch a time lapse video of the mask hardening.
The end result? My facialist asked me how my skin was feeling, and it took me a minute to formulate an answer, because I literally couldn't feel my skin. No tightness, no oiliness, no uncomfortable itchiness, just skin. I just felt like my skin was happy. Then I looked in the mirror, and it was just glowing (and a little red from the stimulation, but not so red I couldn't immediately head off and go shopping). I had the treatment three days ago, and my skin is still glowing, and hydrated. Did I like it and was it worth the hype? Well, I've already booked in for the next one, so it's a huge yes from me. NB, all images are unfiltered – what you see is what you get.
Sounds like it would be a great treatment. I will have to investigate if I can get this done locally.
You should if you can – it is a brilliant facial/treatment.


text:
package org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.collections.layout;

import java.util.Properties;
import org.apache.isis.applib.annotation.CollectionLayout;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facetapi.FacetHolder;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facetapi.FacetUtil;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facetapi.FeatureType;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.Annotations;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.ContributeeMemberFacetFactory;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.FacetFactoryAbstract;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.all.describedas.DescribedAsFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.all.hide.HiddenFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.all.named.NamedFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.collections.collection.defaultview.DefaultViewFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.collections.sortedby.SortedByFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.members.cssclass.CssClassFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.members.render.RenderFacet;
import org.apache.isis.core.metamodel.facets.object.paged.PagedFacet;

public class CollectionLayoutFacetFactory extends FacetFactoryAbstract implements ContributeeMemberFacetFactory {

    public CollectionLayoutFacetFactory() {
        super(FeatureType.COLLECTIONS_AND_ACTIONS);
    }

    @Override
    public void process(final ProcessMethodContext processMethodContext) {

        final FacetHolder holder = processMethodContext.getFacetHolder();

        Properties properties = processMethodContext.metadataProperties("collectionLayout");
        if(properties == null) {
            // alternate key
            properties = processMethodContext.metadataProperties("layout");
        }
        final CollectionLayout collectionLayout = Annotations.getAnnotation(processMethodContext.getMethod(), CollectionLayout.class);

        // cssClass
        CssClassFacet cssClassFacet = CssClassFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(cssClassFacet == null) {
            cssClassFacet = CssClassFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(cssClassFacet);

        // describedAs
        DescribedAsFacet describedAsFacet = DescribedAsFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(describedAsFacet == null) {
            describedAsFacet = DescribedAsFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(describedAsFacet);

        // hidden
        HiddenFacet hiddenFacet = HiddenFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(hiddenFacet == null) {
            hiddenFacet = HiddenFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(hiddenFacet);

        // defaultView
        DefaultViewFacet defaultViewFacet = DefaultViewFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(defaultViewFacet == null) {
            defaultViewFacet = DefaultViewFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(defaultViewFacet);

        // named
        NamedFacet namedFacet = NamedFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(namedFacet == null) {
            namedFacet = NamedFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(namedFacet);

        // paged
        PagedFacet pagedFacet = PagedFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(pagedFacet == null) {
            pagedFacet = PagedFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(pagedFacet);

        // renderType
        RenderFacet renderFacet = RenderFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(renderFacet == null) {
            renderFacet = RenderFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(renderFacet);

        // sortedBy
        SortedByFacet sortedByFacet = SortedByFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        if(sortedByFacet == null) {
            sortedByFacet = SortedByFacetForCollectionLayoutAnnotation.create(collectionLayout, holder);
        }
        FacetUtil.addFacet(sortedByFacet);

    }

    @Override
    public void process(ProcessContributeeMemberContext processMemberContext) {

        final FacetHolder holder = processMemberContext.getFacetHolder();

        Properties properties = processMemberContext.metadataProperties("collectionLayout");
        if(properties == null) {
            // alternate key
            properties = processMemberContext.metadataProperties("layout");
        }

        // cssClass
        CssClassFacet cssClassFacet = CssClassFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(cssClassFacet);

        // describedAs
        DescribedAsFacet describedAsFacet = DescribedAsFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(describedAsFacet);

        // hidden
        HiddenFacet hiddenFacet = HiddenFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(hiddenFacet);

        // named
        NamedFacet namedFacet = NamedFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(namedFacet);

        // paged
        PagedFacet pagedFacet = PagedFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(pagedFacet);

        // renderType
        RenderFacet renderFacet = RenderFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(renderFacet);

        // sortedBy
        SortedByFacet sortedByFacet = SortedByFacetOnCollectionFromLayoutProperties.create(properties, holder);
        FacetUtil.addFacet(sortedByFacet);

    }

}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Ken Berris
Ken Berris is an Award winning Director/Writer/Art Director who has written, directed and designed everything from Feature Films, Commercials, and Television shows to some of the greatest CD Roms and Interactive Films in this country's history.
His directorial work includes the feature film, The Manor, with British Academy Award winner and seven time Oscar nominee Peter O'Toole, Greta Scacchi, Gabrielle Anwar and Martin Dejdar; Pinocchio with Academy Award winner Martin Landau and Jonathan Taylor Thomas; Panic In The Park with Academy Award nominee Michael Clarke Duncan; and Spycraft, with the late Director of the CIA, William Colby and Oleg Kalugin, the former Director of the KGB.
In addition, he has won the equivalent of the Oscar in Interactive filmmaking for his INXS CD Rom.
Ken has directed, produced, art-directed and written over 500 television commercials for some of the leading companies in America.
He was formerly Creative Director for such famous ad agencies as Ogilvy & Mather, Della Femina, and DMB&B, where he won numerous Clio Awards for some of the most famous commercials of all time.
next bio >
Michael Coronado
Lily Katz
Mike Pithey
Bill Werts
Jaki West
Mark West
Mike West


Cdks are the catalytic subunits of serine/threonine protein kinases which are involved in the progression through the cell cycle. The catalytic activity of these kinases requires interaction with cyclins, which are synthesized and degraded during the cell cycle in a cyclical fashion. Induced by mitogenic signals cyclins of the D-type family (D1, D2, and D3) are synthesized and bind and activate CDK4 and CDK6. Active complexes are involved in entering the G1 phase and regulate the early phase of G1 by phosphorylation of the retinoblastoma protein (Rb), p107 and p130. The cyclin D1 gene is amplified and/or overexpressed in various human cancers. For this reason, cyclin-CDK complexes have been considered as very promising therapeutic targets in human malignancies.


text:
Mojave Audio's MA-1000 Large-diaphragm Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement
Burbank, CA… Mojave Audio, a company founded by David Royer (known for his work with ribbon microphones) is pleased to announce that its MA-1000 Large-diaphragm Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone has been nominated for the 32nd Annual NAMM Technical Excellence & Creativity (TEC) Awards in the category of Outstanding Technical Achievement. Presented by The NAMM Foundation, The NAMM TEC Awards are bestowed annually in celebration of the pro audio community by recognizing the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind today's sound recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and other media.
The MA-1000 Large-diaphragm Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone, the first model in the company's new Signature Series line of products. Designed by Technical Grammy award winning microphone designer David Royer, features an original new old-stock 5840 tube, a 251-style capsule, and a custom-designed transformer built by Coast Magnetics. Among its notable attributes, the MA-1000 includes a remotely controlled, continuously variable polar pattern selector that is located on the microphone's power supply, a switchable 15dB pad that facilitates high SPL recordings with no microphone distortion or preamplifier overload, plus LF roll-off capability that is useful when miking electric guitars where less low-end buildup is desired.
Dusty Wakeman, President of Mojave Audio, commented on the company's recent TEC Award nomination, "All of us at Mojave Audio are honored to have our MA-1000 nominated for a TEC Award. As a versatile, high-end microphone designed specifically to address the most challenging studio recording applications, the MA-1000 is a tremendous choice for both vocal and voiceover projects in addition to its capabilities as an instrument mic. This TEC Award nomination means a lot to us. It reinforces our belief that this microphone will help re-define the way audio recordings are made for years to come. We are most appreciative of this recognition."
The nomination announcement follows a two-month call for entries of standout technical and creative products and projects that have made a significant impact on modern sound and music. A panel of respected industry voters from pro audio publications as well as members of professional music, technical and creative organizations, along with select NAMM members carefully evaluated each entry before selecting the MA-1000 for the nomination.
The NAMM TEC Awards will be held in conjunction with The NAMM Show on Saturday, January 21 in Anaheim, California. The event begins with a reception at 6:00 p.m. followed by the awards ceremony at 7:00 p.m. Event tickets became available for purchase as of September 16, 2016 by visiting www.tecawards.org. A variety of event sponsorships are also available by visiting https://www.tecawards.org/sponsorship-opportunities.
ABOUT MOJAVE AUDIO
Located in Burbank, California, Mojave Audio is a manufacturer of quality microphones for the recording professional. Additional information on the MA-1000 and all Mojave Audio products can be found at www.mojaveaudio.com.
ABOUT THE TEC AWARDS
Presented annually by the NAMM Foundation during The NAMM Show, The NAMM TEC Awards recognizes the individuals, companies and technical innovations behind the sound of recordings, live performances, films, television, video games and other media in 25 Technical and 8 Creative Achievement Categories. The Les Paul Award is given at the event in tribute to musical artists and others whose work has exemplified the creative application of audio technology. Through its Hall of Fame, The TEC Awards also honors the pioneers of audio technology and the music industry's most accomplished producers and audio technicians. The NAMM Foundation's TECnology Hall of Fame celebrates innovations and ground breaking technical achievements of the past. For more information, visit www.tecawards.org.
ABOUT NAMM
The National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) is the not-for-profit association with a mission to strengthen the $17 billion music products industry. NAMM is comprised of approximately 10,300 members located in 102 countries and regions. NAMM events and members fund The NAMM Foundation's efforts to promote the pleasures and benefits of music, and advance active participation in music making across the lifespan. For more information about NAMM, please visit www.namm.org, call 800.767.NAMM (6266) or follow the organization on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Photo Information: Mojave Audio MA-1000
Powersoft's DevaHD Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement in Amplification Hardware Studio & Sound Reinforcement Category
Powersoft's Quattrocanali DSP+D Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement
Mojave Audio Debuts MA-1000 Large-diaphragm Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone
EastWest MIDI Guitar Series Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement
Powersoft Ottocanali DSP+D and M-System Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement
XIRIUM® PRO v3.0 Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Wireless Technology Achievement
Mackie AXIS Nominated for NAMM TEC Award for Outstanding Technical Achievement
Neumann TLM 107 Microphone Receives Outstanding Technical Achievement Award at 30th Annual TEC Awards


Represents a single item in Bootstrap lists and menus.
Text represents the text on the list item. Alternatively, you can use ContentTemplate property to specify any HTML content.
If you set the NavigateUrl property, or you use the RouteName, Param-*, Query-* and UrlSuffix properties, the item will behave like a hyperlink. For more information about RouteName properties, see RouteLink control.
Alternatively, you can set the Click command which specifies the method in the viewmodel to be triggered.
Enabled property can be used to enable or disable the list item.
IsSelected property specifies whether the list item is active or not.


Today is President John Fitzgerald Kennedy's 98th birthday, but he is forever fixed in memory as the handsome young President of Camelot–with the elegant wife and beautiful children–shot dead in Dallas at the age of 46. Some days are markers forever. We remember exactly where we were and what we were doing on 9/11, when John Glenn orbited the earth, when we first heard of Kennedy's assassination.
Lev and I had been married less than a year. I was ironing in our upstairs apartment at 3102 Santa Fe, when Lev called excitedly and said, "Turn on the TV. The President has been shot!" Who can forget the photographs of Jackie in her blood-stained pink suit? or the funeral cortege? Jackie draped in black? Tiny John-John saluting his father's casket? Television was still fairly new, and the public mourning for the President was probably more extensively telecast than any other death up to that point.
I did not realize until very recently how much those images have influenced Americans' notions of how we should mourn. When I ask a recent widow how she is doing, she invariably responds, "I'm trying to be strong…but it's hard." I felt the same way, and eventually I began to wonder, Why do we think we have to be strong? Is that even healthy? Would I have healed faster if I had given in to my grief?
That is my faith. That is my hope. That is my comfort. But this doesn't eliminate the grief. It simply makes it bearable. I will pass through the valley of the shadow of death. I won't have to linger there forever.
These are very insightful articles.
Thank you, Princess. What a story you have to tell your grandchildren! Thank you for sharing.


This document is an update of an earlier overview from May 2011 (RIVMRijksinstituut voor Volksgezondheid en Milieu 118/2011). It was prepared as part of a research project commissioned by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management and the Ministry of Social Affairs and Employment of the Netherlands. The information that forms the basis for this summary was obtained from searches of governmental and scientific websites, scientific publications, policy summaries by other organisations and personal contacts with experts in the countries in question. The information was last updated in the period from January to July 2017.


text:
Tax Analysis & Strategy
Election Talk
November 28, 2020 August 27, 2020 by The Watchman Group
The U.S. Presidential election is a little more than three months away. The campaign will be vigorously contested by both parties, with emotions running high and possibly greater than normal market volatility, including after the election depending on its outcome. Political candidates typically campaign from extreme positions to inspire their supporters and encourage voter turnout, but most politicians tend to govern from the center over time, simply because that is how they remain in office.
For example, both parties have proposed various changes to tax and spending policies. While those may sound appealing to one segment or another of the voting public, what actually gets passed will undoubtedly look very different. Both parties have strong incentives to have a sound economy and stable financial markets. Whatever laws they pass will be designed to achieve those objectives.
In our experience, a person's outlook on the economy and the stock market frequently depends on whether their candidate gets elected or not, or whether their favored party is in power. History shows the stock market is usually indifferent to who is President. A stock rises and falls based on a company's revenue and earnings performance. Businesses work to maximize their earnings in whatever tax and regulatory environment exists at the time. There is no question that government policies and regulations can help or hurt certain industries within an economy, but companies will adapt to changes in rules, as they always have.
There is no need to change your long-term investment strategy based on who may or may not be our next President. There is no preferred politics for the stock market. Stocks have historically done well under both political parties. None of us are investing for the next one to four calendar quarters. We are long term, goal-focused, planning-driven, disciplined investors. If your goals have not changed, there is no reason to change your investment plan.
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text:
Фукус (Fucus) — рід водоростей з родини Фукусові класу Бурі водорості. Має 19 видів.

Опис
У представників цього роду водоростей велика слань — до 50 см заввишки й більше, у вигляді дихотомічно розгалуженого куща, що прикріпляється до каменя конічною підошвою. Стволик невеликий, округлий. Гілки пласкі, шкірясті із серединною жилкою і повітряними бульбашками (здуттями) або без них. Краї гілок гладенькі, гофровані або зубчасті. На гілках маються кріптостоми. У багаторічних форм нижня частина слані оголюється і стає паличкоподібною.
Органи розмноження розміщаються в поглибленнях рецептакулів — бородавчастих здуттях на кінцях гілок.

Це багаторічні рослини.

Застосування
Ці водорості використовуються у медицині, косметології, як домішки до їжі людини, що пов'язано із змістом у водоростях амінокислот, важливих вітамінів, фукоїдану, який має противірусну та протипухлинну властивості.

Розповсюдження
Представники зустрічаються на літоралі і в субліторалі майже усюди. Найчастіше трапляються біля узбережжя Британських островів, північно-східного узбережжя Північної Америки.

Види
 Fucus distichus
 Fucus evanescens
 Fucus furcatus
 Fucus guiryi
 Fucus gardneri
 Fucus lagasca
 Fucus mytili
 Fucus nereideus
 Fucus radicans
 Fucus serratus
 Fucus spermophorus
 Fucus spiralis
 Fucus tendo
 Fucus vesiculosus
 Fucus virsoides

Джерела
 F. G. Hardy & M. D. Guiry (2006). A Checklist and Atlas of the Seaweeds of Britain and Ireland. British Phycological Society, London. ISBN 3-906166-35-X.
 P. Kornmann, P.H. Sahling: Meeresalgen von Helgoland — Benthische Grün-, Braun- und Rotalgen. Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Hamburg, 1983. ISSN 0017-9957, S. 162–167.

Посилання
ФУКУС ПУХИРЧАСТИЙ  //Фармацевтична енциклопедія

Фукусові
Роди водоростей

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
PCDC Board & Committees
PCDC Safe Dancing Policy
PCDC Grants
Upcoming Dances
Bands & Callers
Home / Bands & Callers
Here's a list of some of the great bands and callers who perform at PCDC dances!
Fine Companions
Start with four great talents, mix in some magic and get a musical feast better than the sum of its ingredients. This Portland favorite just keeps growing their reputation and it's all good! The band features Betsy Branch on fiddle, Lisa Scott on piano, Bill Tomczak on clarinet & saxophone, and Erik Weberg on flute. If you like lots of dreamy textures and rich harmonies, this is the band for you!
Since its members came together in 1999, UnLeashed! has been one of Portland's favorite contra bands. Fiddler Jocelyn Goodall leads the pack with the driving style she learned from famed Irish fiddle master Tommy Peoples. On guitar, banjo, and fiddle, Rick Macquoid provides enough energy to keep dancers going all night long, while Eliza Romick's percussive dulcimer and banjo-ukulele add that infectious pulse that dancers love. With Rick Piel's incessant keyboard backup supplying intensity and rhythm, an evening with UnLeashed! is guaranteed to make you howl with joy!
Portland Megaband
The Megaband performs in Portland, Oregon at the annual PCDC Dean Kenty Benefit Dance, as well as at many Northwest Folklife Festivals. The all-volunteer musicians of the Megaband come from all levels of skill - from near beginner to professional. The Megaband welcomes applications from anyone playing an acoustic instrument who is willing to attend all the rehearsals and play with enthusiasm.
The Nettles
The Nettles are well-known on the West Coast for their original approach to contra dance music. Playing traditional music from all over the world, The Nettles create a strong rhythmic groove under soaring improvisations. Rhythmic drive and melodic fluidity allow The Nettles to propel contra dances into the stratosphere. The Nettles are a continuing favorite at the dance pavilion at Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle and have played at many other festivals, dance camps, radio programs and bars.
This KGB is not a spy organization, but a band from Seattle that plays for New England style contradance, English Country Dance (as MI-5), for concerts, and private functions such as wedding receptions. We write a lot of our own music, and the rest comes from all over the world: the British Isles, French Canada, the Northeastern USA, Western and Eastern Europe, South America, the rest of the USA, and places we haven't yet identified.
Joyride is a contra dance band of friends from Portland, Oregon, playing for contra dances, dance camps, weekends and festivals. Known for tight ensemble work, skilled play, fun energy, and inventively arranged tune sets, Joyride plays old and new dance tunes from New England, the British Isles, Appalachia, French Canada and right here at home. George Penk's richly-danceable fiddle is joined by Erik Weberg's flute, harmonica, & bombarde, Sue Songer's lilting piano and Jeff Kerssen-Griep's ebullient guitar and percussion. Sue also joins George to drive twin fiddles. The band says "Dancers have given Joyride kind and generous support through the years by their attendance at our dances and by the happy comments they've made about our playing. One dancer describes our music as '...life-changing; pure ethereal beauty!!!' Another proclaims that 'Joyride is the perfect name! Thanks for bringing so much joy to all of us!' We work hard at finding new ways to earn such comments and continue keeping our dancers and callers happy!" Joyride hosts excellent regional and national callers at their own "First Wednesdays" contra dance each month at Portland's historic Polish Library Association Dance Hall.
Hands4
Since 2004, Hands4 has delivered high-energy music to dance halls throughout the Pacific Northwest, and in Texas during a 2006 tour. Combining seldom-heard traditional tunes with originals by band members and other musicians, Hands4 has created a unique blend of music that is definitely not your usual contra tunes. Hands4 features rock-steady leads by Keith Moe on fiddle and mandolin, soaring whistle and flute lines from Fran Tewksbury, and a clockwork rhythm engine driven by Rich Goss (percussion) and Carl Thor (piano).
Cascade Crossing
Cascade Crossing's music is influenced by many styles, with touches of baroque, celtic, traditional, southern, and original tunes. Expect the unexpected, from hard-driving reels to smooth, mysterious jigs. Their style varies from a light touch to incredibly high energy, and they can stop on a dime. Cascade Crossing consists of Carl Thor (Vancouver, WA) on piano, hammered dulcimer and drum; Rich Goss (Portland) on guitar, mandolin, and percussion; Sarah Goss (Portland) on whistle, oboe and bass; and Lori Prime (Portland) on fiddle. The band also has the option to play as a trio, with dances expertly called by Rich Goss.
Talisman has delighted audiences at festivals, fairs, concert halls, pubs, weddings, farmers markets, rallies, and fundraisers since 1994. The band's hammered dulcimer, fiddle, flutes & whistles, guitar, and voices -- delivering a percolating blend of Celtic, New England, Appalachian, and original tunes and songs -- stir the feet and give the brain's pleasure receptors a friendly nudge. Known for its "imaginative arrangements" (Victory Review), the band draws on 300 years of dance music and songs from the Celtic and American folk traditions, often creatively weaving old tunes into modern songs. Talisman can soothe, but they more often turn listeners into dancers with expertly tackled jigs, polkas, and reels.
Ric Goldman
Ric Goldman calls and teaches Contra, English Country, Irish set, Morris, and international folk dances. He's performed or taught throughout the U.S., Canada, Australia, and the U.K. coast to coast and overseas, and given many workshops for adults and children. Ric delights in all the wonderful dance communities he encounters and loves combining simple and sophisticated dances into programs that challenge and entertain both newcomers and experienced dancers alike. His clear, concise, yet warm and approachable teaching style brings a feeling of form, flow, and fun for dancers of all levels, with a repertoire that extends from the usual favorites into many hidden gems of lesser-called and experimental dances. He's a patient teacher with a great sense of humor, and has been known to succumb to writing new dances, usually named after friends who ply him with Coca Cola. Contact Ric at 650-906-8707 or letsdance@rgoldman.org.
Brooke Friendly
Brooke Friendly (Ashland, OR) is known for her warm yet commanding personality, her clear and concise teaching, her creativity, and her sense of humor and whimsy. She has a strong sense of what makes for a good community and she makes the learning experience fun and relaxing. A dancer for more than 35 years, Brooke co-leads a weekly English and Scottish dance, calls Contra and family dances, and has been on staff at camps, weekends, festivals, and workshops throughout North America and England. Brooke has been the programmer for the Bay Area Country Dance English week and is currently Secretary of the Country Dance and Song Society. Also a dance choreographer, she, with her husband Chris Sackett, has published five dance books (Impropriety Vols. 1-5) and produced six CDs with the band Roguery. She loves to sing, especially rounds.
David Macemon
More years ago than he would like to admit, David was fortunate to be introduced dance when he was invited to help start a high school based performing group that demonstrated English Country Dance, Contra, Morris and Sword dancing. He has been dancing and teaching ever since. David is known for his patient and clear teaching style and communicates the joy of dancing through his teaching and enthusiasm. He has been on staff for dance weeks and weekends around the country including Pinewoods, Buffalo Gap, Mendocino, Hey Days, and Berea Christmas Country Dance School. David has been the featured caller at English Balls in the US and internationally. He is a regular caller for the weekly English dance and the monthly advanced dance series in Portland Oregon.
Nan Evans
Nan Evans is a beloved caller of English Country and Contra Dances from the rainy Pacific Northwest. Nan brings a commitment to the joy of dance and the magic of community to dance groups around the country. Nan is well known throughout the Northwest and beyond for clear teaching, a warm and welcoming style, and a love of dances that flow - whether highly spirited or beautifully graceful. Nan is at home with small groups in the great room in the co-housing community where she lives or with hundreds of dancers and beginners on the floor at a crowded Northwest Folklife Festival in Seattle. Nan has been a featured caller at Lady of the Lake for both the summer and fall camps, at Monte Toyon for the San Francisco area fall and spring dance camps, Cascade Contras sponsored by the Eugene dance community, and at the Heather and Rose Suttle Lake Camp. Nan often works with her husband, Fred Nussbaum, Portland's premier dance music cellist. When not on the stage or the dance floor, Nan works in Salem as the Director of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development. Nan can be reached at 503-292-5574 or nanswaltz@earthlink.net.
William Watson
William started dancing in Austin, Texas in 1989, prompted by a co-worker. He says he thought "it'll be good for me," and it has indeed! After starting with international folk dancing, William started dancing contras in 1990. He called his first dance in late 1992 at an open mike afternoon dance that had dancers and musicians, but no one to call. He started calling regularly the next year, and has called roughly monthly ever since. He's called full dance evenings in Texas, Florida, California, and here in Oregon, and a few dances each in Washington, Wisconsin, and Massachusetts. He thinks about dance choreography, has collaborated on a few dances, and wrote one notable dance sequence, which some considered the "oooh dance" of 1999, "The Devil's Backbone." In 1994, William became the third member of "the triumvirate" who founded Austin's first weekend contra dance that April. He later became President of the Austin Friends of Traditional Music, and worked on the executive committee for the Austin contra dance weekend (Fire Ant Frolic) its first three years.
Suzanne Girardot
Suzanne Girardot's enthusiastic and clear dance teaching and calling have made her a favorite on both coasts. Her infectious laugh and easy-going personality put even the very beginning dancer at ease on the dance floor. Her unique, energetic teaching style helps students gain proficiency not only in the dance style they are learning, but also basic movement skills. When she calls, she projects her love of traditional dance and music. Suzanne lives in Seattle, Washington and learned to call from Sandy Bradley in 1981 when her Balkan dance ensemble presented American dances to Eastern Europeans during a 2-month dance tour, and she had to call! Since then she has been calling square and contra dances around the Pacific Northwest. She makes regular appearances at dances around the country, particularly in the Washington, DC area. She has taught at dance camps as diverse as Monte Toyon near San Francisco, CA, Harvest Moon in Santa Barbara, CA, Camp Damp in Juneau, AK, Echo Summit near Sacramento, CA, Victoria's Revenge at Cape May, NJ, and at Dancing Bears in Anchorage, AK.
Sue Baker
Sue Baker's idea of a great dance is where everyone-dancers, musicians and caller- has a good time. Many of her best dances were gathered while she was out on the dance floor and thought "dang, this is a great dance, I have to write it down!". Dancers say they enjoy her clear instructions, sense of humor and her selection of dances taylored for their event. Available for weddings, parties, contra dance evenings and good times.
Mary Devlin
Mary Devlin leads American (contras, squares, triplets) and English country dancing. Based in Ashland, Oregon, Mary has called for camps and evening dance parties all over the U.S., in Canada, and in Denmark. In addition to dance calling, Mary has served on the PCDC Board and as President of the Country Dance & Song Society.
Erik Weberg
Erik has been calling contra dances since 1990. He summarizes his philosophy this way: "I choose dances based on simple criteria. They have to feel good and they have to be fun. Complexity does not necessarily translate into dancing pleasure. Flow, interesting figures, and connection with the music are what make dancing sublime. Whether it's smooth like butter or driving like a freight train, it's got to make sense and feel good. Those are the dances I choose to call. I work to teach efficiently and clearly, and often I succeed."
Rich Goss
Rich was introduced to contra dancing in 1990 in Austin, Texas and was immediately hooked. He began calling dances in 1992 with the help of a good friend, and called at open mikes at the Austin Wednesday contra dance. Expanding his contra horizons to include regular calling gigs, playing for and organizing dances, he has a feel for what makes a dance fun, and a concise teaching style that makes contra dancing seem easy. A recent transplant to the west coast, Rich is now living in Portland, Oregon, calling and dancing in the Pacific Northwest. A dance gypsy his whole dancing life, he has collected many interesting and fun dances in addition to composing a few dances of his own. Rich played with the band Mockingbird in Austin, and currently plays with Cascade Crossing, Hands4 and the Celtic band Talisman.


The Dutch designer will use his own photography to tell the story of his ever-evolving style, highlighting his past and current projects.
Perennial Plant Association has announced Piet Oudolf, the Dutch garden designer, will speak during the 2019 National Symposium. Oudolf, using his own photography, will tell the story of his ever-evolving style through highlights of his past and current projects. His keynote appearance will take place Tuesday, July 30 during the Perennial Plant Association's National Symposium held in conjunction with All-America Selections and National Garden Bureau. The National Symposium will be taking place July 28 – Aug. 2, 2019, in Rosemont, Illinois.
Piet Oudolf's work can be found throughout the world, including in The Netherlands, Germany, Sweden, England, Ireland, Italy, Canada, and the United States.
In addition to Oudolf's Keynote, he will also participate in a panel discussion entitled "Riding the New Dutch Wave", moderated by Scott Stewart of Millennium Park Foundation, featuring Roy Diblik alongside Laura Ekasetya of Lurie Garden and Austin Eischeid of Austin Eischeid Garden Design.
The Oregon-based automation solutions provider is TreeTown USA's first acquisition that doesn't include a nursery operation.
HOUSTON -- TreeTown USA has acquired the horticulture automation company Midas Nursery Solutions of Hillsboro, Ore. for an undisclosed amount.
The agreement represents TreeTown USA's first acquisition that doesn't consist of a nursery operation and further solidifies its continuing commitment to deploying the most advanced automation, mechanization, and lean practices available in the industry.
"Having Midas as a part of the family will go a long way in helping us develop, implement and institutionalize industry leading solutions to mechanization and lean practices," said TreeTown USA CEO Jonathan Saperstein. "What's more, this expanded relationship will allow us to better capitalize on Midas' capabilities and values that they have continued to demonstrate over the years of our work with them."
Matt Gold, Midas Nursery Solutions president, will join TreeTown USA as its director of continuous improvements.
"The opportunity to continue my work alongside the excellent leadership team at TreeTown USA and have access to TreeTown USA's tremendous resources to help them achieve their objectives was something I just couldn't pass up," Gold said.
Going forward, Midas, as a subsidiary of TreeTown USA, will no longer support outside companies and will concentrate on supporting its parent company. With the acquisition, Gold will assume direct responsibility for TreeTown USA's industrial engineering and project teams.


You'll get to read about this in another post shortly but, this past Sunday, I successfully led my first walk of the year, with previous walk-leading experiences having come all the way back in July.
For this occasion, I decided that I would continue my tradition of baking something… I considered brownies, which I'd attempted on another walk last year. Shortbread seemed the easiest option – but again, it would be too familiar with July's walk. Then, as I began to think of biscuits, I settled upon the idea of cookies.
I've spent a lot of hours in the past, searching for the ideal recipe to suit one of many occasions. You see, this recipe for baking brownies was found on the side of a bag of Lidl's dark brown sugar!
My mum's birthday was approaching recently and I'd decided that, for the second year running, I wanted to bake her a cake. Conscious of the fact that not everyone likes to eat as much cake as I do, I decided to try a fat-less sponge cake recipe from Sarah Flower's book for the Halogen Oven.
As far as baking goes, I've always seen biscuits as perhaps the simplest of options available. Cakes can sink and sag but, being relatively flat, there isn't a lot that can go wrong with a biscuit, is there?
This was my first attempt from a Flora recipe for Easy Cinnamon and Raisin Cookies.


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Black Lives Matter, Policy, Racial Equity
Senator Elizabeth Warren Emphasizes How Much "Black Lives Matter" Matters
Image Credit: Senate Democrats
September 27, 2015; Washington Post
Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) concluded a recent speech sponsored by the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate with these words: "The first civil rights battles were hard fought. But they established that Black Lives Matter. That Black Citizens Matter. That Black Families Matter. Half a century later, we have made real progress, but we have not made enough progress." Her remarks, which were unusually candid for an American politician, went beyond an analysis of the policies needed to address pressing social issues to recognize the importance of hearing the voices who articulate the reality of living as a Black American.
Senator Warren saw the progress made by the Civil Rights Movement of fifty years ago to close the gaps between white and black America, but strongly underscored that much remains to be done, and that in some areas we have actually fallen further behind:
A half-century ago…entrenched, racist power did everything it could to sustain oppression of African-Americans, and violence was its first tool. Lynchings, terrorism, intimidation. The 16th Street Baptist Church. Medgar Evers. Emmett Till. When Alabama Governor George Wallace stood before the nation and declared during his 1963 inaugural address that he would defend "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever," he made clear that the state would stand with those who used violence.
But violence was not the only tool. African Americans were effectively stripped of citizenship when they were denied the right to vote. The tools varied-literacy tests, poll taxes, moral character tests, grandfather clauses-but the results were the same. They were denied basic rights of citizenship and the chance to participate in self-government.
The third tool of oppression was to deliberately deny millions of African Americans economic opportunities solely because of the color of their skin…. Coming out of the Great Depression, from the 1930s to the late 1970s, as GDP went up, wages went up for most Americans. But there's a dark underbelly to that story. While median family income in America was growing—for both white and African-American families—African-American incomes were only a fraction of white incomes. In the mid-1950s, the median income for African-American families was just a little more than half the income of white families.
While recognizing that much has changed for better since George Wallace's infamous words, "segregation now, segregation tomorrow, segregation forever," were uttered, Senator Warren clearly outlined where we have fallen painfully short:
Fifty years later, violence against African Americans has not disappeared…we know—and say—the names of those whose lives have been treated with callous indifference. Sandra Bland. Freddie Gray. Michael Brown. We've seen sickening videos of unarmed, black Americans cut down by bullets, choked to death while gasping for air—their lives ended by those who are sworn to protect them. Peaceful, unarmed protestors have been beaten…We must be honest: Fifty years after John Kennedy and Martin Luther King, Jr. spoke out, violence against African Americans has not disappeared.
And what about voting rights? Two years ago, five conservative justices on the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act, opening the floodgates ever wider for measures designed to suppress minority voting. Today, the specific tools of oppression have changed-voter ID laws, racial gerrymandering, and mass disfranchisement through a criminal justice system that disproportionately incarcerates black citizens. The tools have changed, but black voters are still deliberately cut out of the political process.
And what about economic injustice? […] Just as this country was taking the first steps toward economic justice, the Republicans pushed a theory that meant helping the richest people and the most powerful corporations get richer and more powerful…. From 1980 to 2012, GDP continued to rise, but how much of the income growth went to the 90 percent of America—everyone outside the top 10 percent—black, white, Latino? None. Zero. Nothing. One hundred percent of all the new income produced in this country over the past 30 years has gone to the top ten percent…For African-Americans, who were so far behind earlier in the 20th Century, this means that since the 1980s they have been hit particularly hard. In January of this year, African-American unemployment was 10.3 percent—more than twice the rate of white unemployment. And, after beginning to make progress during the civil rights era to close the wealth gap between black and white families, in the 1980s the wealth gap exploded, so that from 1984 to 2009, the wealth gap between black and white families tripled. The 2008 housing collapse…hit African-Americans like a punch in the gut. Because middle class black families' wealth was disproportionately tied up in homeownership and not other forms of savings, these families were hit harder by the housing collapse.
Her remarks did include specific policy recommendations to address the serious divide between white and black America that remains to be closed, but more importantly she recognized that as a White American, she cannot know what it is to live as a Black American, stressing the importance of hearing the new voices that are being raised from within the Black Community.
I speak today with the full knowledge that I have not personally experienced and can never truly understand the fear, the oppression, and the pain that confronts African Americans every day. But none of us can ignore what is happening in this country. Not when our black friends, family, neighbors literally fear dying in the streets. Listen to the brave, powerful voices of today's new generation of civil rights leaders. Incredible voices. Listen to them say: "If I die in police custody, know that I did not commit suicide." Watch them march through the streets, "hands up don't shoot"—not to incite a riot, but to fight for their lives. To fight for their lives. This is the reality all of us must confront, as uncomfortable and ugly as that reality may be. It comes to us to once again affirm that black lives matter, that black citizens matter, that black families matter.
The Washington Post underscored how this level of personal recognition set Senator Warren apart from other major political leaders. "Warren's address…was perhaps the most full-throated endorsement to date by a federal lawmaker for the ongoing protest movement, and it drew immediate praise from some of the most visible activists."
DeRay Mckesson, a prominent activist, told the Post that "Senator Warren's speech clearly and powerfully calls into question America's commitment to black lives by highlighting the role that structural racism has played and continues to play with regard to housing discrimination and voting rights…Warren, better than any political leader I've yet heard, understands the protests as matter of life or death—that the American dream has been sustained by an intentional violence and that the uprisings have been the result of years of lived trauma."
Senator Warren's willingness to recognize the challenge beyond the policy level is unique. Daunasia Yancey, a Black Lives Matter Boston activist, said to The Guardian, "Senator Warren really understood that lives are at stake here. Other [politicians] hear 'Black Lives Matter' and they say 'absolutely.' They say that, and they leave it there, and they don't have policies to back it up and they don't necessarily have a long-term historic lens. […] I think Elizabeth Warren has really raised the bar."
Warren's challenge was clear and direct as she framed her beliefs on what our national dialogue about race and economic equity should be about. Whether other political leaders will pick up this conversation as the election season heats up will be interesting to see.—Martin Levine
Black Movement Organizations Call for Reparations Instead of Giving Tuesday
By Sofia Jarrin
Voters of Color Played Key Role in Biden Win—and Demand Follow-Through
Anti-Blackness Is Global and Gendered—Philanthropy's Response Must Be, Too
By Aleyamma Mathew and Nicolette Naylor
The Battle for Black Lives Rages in the Classroom
Charges of Anti-Semitism at Northwestern Exhibit Hypocrisy of Its Leadership


The Pediatric Surgery Training Program offers intensive and broad exposure to the practice of pediatric surgery over a two-year period. During the first year, the fellow rotates for six months at The Johns Hopkins Hospital and for six months at the University of Maryland Medical Center in order to provide experience with clinical populations of two large university services.
The second year is spent at Johns Hopkins. An optional third year of research training also is offered. Candidates for the program are selected through the Pediatric Surgery Resident Matching Program.
To apply for residency at the Division of Pediatric Surgery please visit the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS) website.
Learn more about pediatric surgery fellowships.


Today we are going to talk once again about what's happening with interest rates.
Recall from mid-December to mid-February, the 10yr Treasury rose from 2.35% all the way up to 2.95%. Now in the last month it's down somewhat to around 2.85% while the market takes a little bit of a breather.
Next week on March 21st is the next FOMC meeting and the first chaired by Jerome Powell. The odds are by and large that the Fed will raise interest rates 25bps, but what's interesting is that the market has priced in a 16% chance that the Fed raises interest rates 50bps. That is an overly optimistic view of the economy or overly pessimistic view of interest rates. A 50bps move could spook the already fragile Treasury market.
With that in mind there might be what's called a relief rally on Treasury rates, and by extension, mortgage rates. A relief rally is when the market has priced in excessive fear and with a new Fed chair there definitely is a lot of uncertainty. If the FOMC raises rates 25bps and makes no major changes to guidance for the remainder of 2018 then we could see rates drop some on the relief that it wasn't 50bps or no major changes to the forward guidance on rates.
If you need further evidence then take a look at the following graph. This shows the implied odds of a 50bps FOMC move at the March 21st meeting. Jerome Powell took over the Fed Chair role on February 5th and the odds were pegged at zero. As you can see since that day the odds of a 50bps move have gone up and up.
With the Fed's inflation measurement still running well below 2%, I think there is more fear than economic reality priced into rates.
Next week's Fed meeting, will it be 25bps or 50bps as some have feared?
And lastly the fallout from the Fed meeting, what will their guidance be for the remainder of 2018 and 2019.


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Nyx captain on Confederate flag beads: Member will be 'immediately removed' if they are located
Updated: 11:53 AM CST Mar 1, 2019
WDSU Digital Team
WEBVTT IT KICKS OFF TOMORROW AND WILL BE ACTIVATED THROUGH THE LAST PARADE ON MARDI GRAS DAY CHARLES: THE KREWE OF NYX HA ISSUED A STATEMENT AFTER CONFEDERATE FLAG BEADS WERE THROWN DURING WEDNESDAY NIGHT'S PARADE. NYX SAYING THAT THE PARADE DOES NOT CONDONE OR BELIEVE THAT THE PARADE IS THE PLACE TO HAVE AGEN
Krewe of Nyx leadership is issuing a statement and reminding members about their policies after it was reported that some Confederate flag-themed beads were thrown during Wednesday's parade.Krewe Captain Julia Lea warned that if the group identifies the member who threw the beads, that person would be "immediately removed from our krewe."Few details were released about the Confederate-themed beads, except that they were thrown when the all-female super krewe rolled Wednesday evening along the Uptown route.It hasn't been determined whether the beads came from someone on a float or in the crowd, but Lea sent out a statement Thursday."The leadership of this organization and I do not condone or believe that the parade is the place to have any political agenda, message, or even thoughts. Our purpose is to bring joy to the citizens and visitors of New Orleans with fun and love in our hearts through a beautiful parade. Our members are aware of this strict policy. Anything less is not tolerated," Lea said in her statement.The krewe also reminded members Sunday, before the parade, about its rules and prohibited throws. Nyx does not allow members to hide prohibited throws in purses, and they can't be placed in bags or in cups."Any member who violates this, or any other Krewe of Nyx rule will have her membership revoked," the message said to members.Additional details were not released.Nyx is the largest all-female krewe. The group boasts more than 3,000 riders.Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!
Krewe of Nyx leadership is issuing a statement and reminding members about their policies after it was reported that some Confederate flag-themed beads were thrown during Wednesday's parade.
Krewe Captain Julia Lea warned that if the group identifies the member who threw the beads, that person would be "immediately removed from our krewe."
Few details were released about the Confederate-themed beads, except that they were thrown when the all-female super krewe rolled Wednesday evening along the Uptown route.
It hasn't been determined whether the beads came from someone on a float or in the crowd, but Lea sent out a statement Thursday.
"The leadership of this organization and I do not condone or believe that the parade is the place to have any political agenda, message, or even thoughts. Our purpose is to bring joy to the citizens and visitors of New Orleans with fun and love in our hearts through a beautiful parade. Our members are aware of this strict policy. Anything less is not tolerated," Lea said in her statement.
The krewe also reminded members Sunday, before the parade, about its rules and prohibited throws. Nyx does not allow members to hide prohibited throws in purses, and they can't be placed in bags or in cups.
"Any member who violates this, or any other Krewe of Nyx rule will have her membership revoked," the message said to members.
Additional details were not released.
Nyx is the largest all-female krewe. The group boasts more than 3,000 riders.
Keep up with local news, weather and current events with the WDSU app here. Sign up for our email newsletters to get breaking news right in your inbox. Click here to sign up!


Welcome to the Plymouth Public Schools Office of Administration and Instruction. Our district prides itself on providing a personalized learning experience for our students. We offer a dynamic curriculum and a wide variety of programs and services designed to meet the individualized needs of our students.
Plymouth is a community with a long history of being highly supportive of its schools. I feel fortunate in my role as Assistant Superintendent to work in an environment where students are our highest priority. I invite you to explore our district's website for more detailed information regarding our current initiatives, curriculum, and programs. Please feel free to contact me should you have any questions.