The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act gives certain small subcontractors a new tool to request past performance ratings from the government.
If the pilot program works as intended, it may ultimately improve those subcontractors' competitiveness for prime contract bids, for which a documented history of past performance is often critical.
For small contractors looking to break into the federal marketplace, a lack of past performance ratings can be a major problem. Without government past performance ratings, it can be difficult to prevail in a "best value" competition. Sure, FAR 15.305 provides that the government can consider past projects performed for non-governmental entities, and the same FAR section states than an offeror without a record of relevant past performance should receive a "neutral" rating. But ask most contractors, and they'll tell you that their perception–for better or for worse–is that an offeror without government past performance references can be at a significant competitive disadvantage.
Perhaps Congress agrees. Section 1822 of the 2017 NDAA creates a pilot program that will allow a "first tier" subcontractor performing on a government contract, which required the prime contractor to develop a subcontracting plan, to submit an application to the appropriate official (agencies will designate a recipient) requesting a past performance rating. Interestingly, the subcontractor will be able to include a suggested rating, but will have to support the suggestion with written evidence, almost as if the subcontractor will have to plead its case. The application will then go to both the agency Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization and the prime contractor for review. Each will submit an official response within 30 days.
However, if they disagree with the subcontractor's suggested rating, the disagreeing party will submit a notice contesting the application, the official will provide the subcontractor with the notice, and the subcontractor will have 14 days to submit comments, rebuttals, and additional information. But, interestingly, the review will stop there. No decider will determine whether the subcontractor's proposed rating was "right" or "wrong." Instead, the official with then enter a neutral rating into the system along with the original application and any responses.
This pilot program may turn out to be a valuable tool for companies with excellent performance at the subcontract level but little or no prime contract experience. The program's timing may be fortuitous, as well: it could dovetail nicely with the SBA's new "All Small" mentor-protege program, as well as the existing SBA 8(a) and DoD mentor-protege programs. As a part of a mentor-protege agreement, a large mentor could subcontract work to the protege, then help the protege apply for (and hopefully receive) an excellent past performance rating for its work.
However, in practice, there would seem to be a few areas where things may go awry. First, since subcontractors are responsible for suggesting their own ratings, this introduces the obvious potential that a subcontractor could attempt to inflate its score–and put its prime contractor in the difficult position of disagreeing with its teaming partner. Also, on the flip side, the procedure allows for the prime contractor to potentially derail a future competitor by disagreeing with a reasonable suggested rating, and thereby ensure through simple disagreement, at best, a neutral rating. Because there is no adjudicative procedure, the subcontractor seems to have no recourse if the prime contractor doesn't provide a fair response.
Then there is the question of why OSDBUs are expected to weigh in on the specific past performance scores assigned to small subcontractors. Agency OSDBUs are advocates for small businesses, and are involved in various ways throughout the acquisition cycle. That said, it seems unlikely that an OSDBU will, in the typical case, have sufficient knowledge of a particular small subcontractor's quality of performance to pass independent judgment on what past performance score that subcontractor should receive. Involving agency OSDBUs ordinarily is a good thing, but requiring them to pass judgment on a subcontractor's past performance might not be the best way to go about it.
Finally, there is the question of just what sort of weight the typical contracting officer will afford to these ratings. Although the rating comes from the contracting agency, the rating itself is established by the subcontractor, prime contractor, and OSDBU. It's possible that some contracting officers will see these ratings as less persuasive than "ordinary" prime contractor ratings developed by government contracting officials.
The statute calls for the SBA to establish the pilot program, but doesn't provide a specific deadline for the SBA to do so. Once the program is up and running, it will last for three years,, beginning on "the date on which the first applicant small business concern receives a past performance rating for performance as a first tier subcontractor." At that point, it will be up to Congress whether to continue the pilot program.
This entry was posted in Statutes and Regulations and tagged 2017 NDAA, DoD mentor-protege program, FAR 15.305, neutral past performance, OSDBUs, Past performance, sba all small mentor-protege program, subcontractor's past performance. Bookmark the permalink.


anyone know the cheapest place to buy one of these?
and put a clay trap in the sink. Any better ideas??
> drawn up last year.
> anyone know the cheapest place to buy one of these?
> and put a clay trap in the sink. Any better ideas??
> help. Thanks a bunch.
of mopping will keep dust under control. My 2 cents of hindsight.
set yourself up for a disappointment. Be prepared to adjust.
shrubs, and I am very happy with it all.
> Laura in OregonHi Laura!
Congrats on your new studio! How about electric outlets high on the wall?
allows water to separate from the gook, easy to clean up. Best of luck!
helps and congratulations on the new studio!
our safety, and to the safety of all of our trusting students!
according to the builder. Will this suffice?
floors...and I think that YOUR thought process is the important one here.
Think of using it...cleaning it, etc...what will work best for you?
fax number...or your snail mail address and I will send you a free copy.
>according to the builder. Will this suffice?
>our safety, and to the safety of all of our trusting students!
mists, and asbestos, but that's just an example of the range that they support.
allergic to rubber swim masks.
to get one that fits and know how to use it.
work day. Hey! Eastern Washington has great microbreweries!
>Regarding the studio space and in particular the finish of the floor.
concrete floor. I will havae a slab of concrete, sealed and layeredwith 3\4"
bit,make for a quick clean floor and brighten the room.
What about roof design and lighting sources???
couple colors in some localities.


Publish by in Category decorating ideas at June 8th, 2018. Tagged with unique pantry door ideas.
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Let's look at how the power of your mind affects your healing ability and how the placebo effect relates to it.
We wanted to share this recent post by Dr. Lodi right here for you on how the power of your mind affects your ability to heal. All research for science needs to have better than a 30% effect because 30% is known as placebo. Thirty percent of people will get better no matter what you give them.
It's that pat on the back and it's telling a person that it's going to be okay. Thirty percent is a pretty hefty number. When a report says that a certain something was found to be significantly better than something else, what they mean is it had to have statistical above 30%.
That is a substantial number and that's what placebo means. It the old days, it was called the sugar pill. They had two groups. They gave the real pill or the pharmaceutical pill to one group and the sugar pill to the second group. They found that 30% of the people were getting better with the sugar pill.
Here's the way it works. Healing is innate. It is the nature of nature. As an example, you pick an apple from a tree and next season you have two apples. You pull weeds up from the garden and then you turn around and they're back.
You cut your hand and it heals. That is the nature of nature; to regenerate, rejuvenate and procreate. These are just examples of nature and what it will do. The only thing that blocks this are impediments.
For example, what blocks water from running downhill; a dam. If you remove the dam, the water will continue to flow downhill. Since humans are phycological, spiritual and physical, our mind can often block us. And, the body will listen to the mind.
There was this experiment in phycology where they had people who were blindfolded pick up these glowing hot metal rods with their hands. They put the rods down and they put an ice cube in their hands and their hands shriveled up as if they had burned. However, they hadn't been burned.
The mind is very powerful in regards to healing. We focus on the mind in our fourth pillar in our healing program. After first teaching people to stop producing cancer, then we target and eliminate it without doing harm to the body. Thirdly, we get the immune system back up and functioning properly.
It's up the person with cancer to bring in number four; they have to know they are going to make it. This is where the healing power of the mind comes into play. How do you answer the question of "am I going to make it"? When your cutting up an apple and you slice your finger open, you don't believe it's going to heal, you know it will heal.
A person can only believe in something that is not true. People can believe in Santa Claus and the Tooth Fairy. People don't believe in rocks or trees. You either know about rocks and trees or you don't.
The same way the person knows that their cut is going to heal, they need to know that they will heal from cancer.


text:
Q: Simple Rails text field formatting How can I easily allow blog posts (in a Rails app) to be formatted? Minimally I'd like to retain the carriage returns when text is displayed as HTML. I guess ideally it'd allow for bold, italic & indentation.
I'm aware of CKEditor. I just fear it may be overkill, and difficult to implement quickly & easily...

A: wrapping your text by simple_format(@post.description) will show line feeds in your text. For additional formatting, you will need to use gem RedCloth or likes.

A: Why not use Markdown? There are lots of implementations. Refer to this SO post — Better ruby markdown interpreter?

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Q: How to optimize the number of observers in Observables function? return new Observable(observer => {
  this.isLocationEnabled()
      .subscribe(
        isEnabled => {
          if(isEnabled) {
            observer.next(true);
          } else {
            this.resolveRequestLocationEnable() //notice this duplicate method
                .subscribe(
                  success => observer.next(success),
                  error => observer.error(error)
                );
          }
        },
        error => {
          this.resolveRequestLocationEnable() //notice this duplicate method
              .subscribe(
                success => observer.next(success),
                error => observer.error(error)
              );
        }
      );
}).first();

This is an example of a big function which returns an Observable and uses observers for transfer the errors/next to the consumer
Do you see any way of improving this? Using any other observable method or pattern

A: Nested subscribe blocks are an anti pattern. It can be much simpler then that. Try this:
 import { of } from 'rxjs/observable/of';
 import { catchError, mergeMap } from 'rxjs/operators';

 this.isLocationEnabled().pipe(
  catchError(() => of(true)),
  mergeMap(isEnabled => isEnabled
    ? of(true)
    : this.resolveRequestLocationEnable()
);

The catchError operator ignores errors from isLocationEnabled stream, and proceeds to the resolveRequestLocationEnable() call, since you want to call that method in case of both, error and success.
Next if isEnabled is true we return immediately with of(true). If it's false we return the result from resolveRequestLocationEnable().


text:
Q: Crashlytics not sending crash report instead showing red screen with error message Iam integrating crashlytics in my react native application.To test crash i am accessing a undeclared variable.But the app is not crashing instead it is "showing null is not an object" in red screen.I know that crash will be sent when the app shows unfortunately closed. I am building the app instead of directly running and installing it in device and testing.
Thank you

A: You can force a crash by calling:
throw new RuntimeException("This is a crash");

You can have a look at the documentation here.


text:
UK Travel Changes f...
UK Travel Changes from 7 Jan 2022
Good news for any travellers from England
Grant Shapps has tweeted that fully vaccinated passengers and under 18s will no longer need to take a pre-departure test before returning to England if arriving after 04:00 GMT on Friday.
He says the same groups arriving in England will now only need to take a lateral flow test instead of a PCR test if they arrive after 04:00 GMT on Sunday.
The need to self-isolate before getting a negative result is also ending.
He says now Omicron is the dominant variant and is widespread in the UK, these measures are no longer proportionate.
By removing them the government is supporting the safe reopening of international travel, he says.
Scotland has now set the same requirements as England as in the above post.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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On January 7, 2015, the Judicial Panel on Multidistrict Litigation (JPML) ordered that six putative class-action lawsuits stemming from Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, North Carolina and Ohio will be venued and centralized in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. New Jersey was selected to handle this MDL litigation matter because the primary defendant/manufacturer of the outdoor decking material at issue, GAF Materials Corp., is headquartered in Wayne, NJ. The cases are consolidated before U.S. District Court Judge Jose Linares in Newark. The number of nationwide suits subject to the consolidation order is expected to at least double.
The claims at issue involve an outdoor decking product manufactured by GAF. One of the class representatives, Thomas McGovern, installed the subject decking at his vacation house in Mackinac Island, Michigan in 2009. The decking almost immediately began to warp and stain when exposed to the elements. The condition of the material was so bad that it had to be completely replaced two years later. The claims involve violations of applicable consumer protection laws, breach of warranty and unjust enrichment, and relate primarily to the defective product itself rather than improper installation.
GAF is represented by Quinn Emanuel in New York. Insofar as GAF has not filed a motion to dismiss any of the actions, it looks like these MDL cases are headed into full-blown litigation.


The 12′ x 12′ Brandon shed kit is the smallest of (4) four sizes available for this model. The 5 '- 4″ wide door opening should accommodate your lawn equipment. Doors can be installed in the center or offset to the right or left side in the front wall. The Brandon features a 10″ gable overhang over the entry doors. This is a ready to assemble wood storage building kit constructed with premium 2×4 framing imported from Sweden. Siding and roof sheathing are pre-cut for fast installation. Pre-cut white pine trim and pre-built barn doors makes this a perfect family project. All nails and hardware are included. Exterior siding is Louisiana-Pacific primed with embossed cedar texture. Wall framing and trusses are spaced 24″ on center. Sturdi-built roof trusses provide 90 mph wind loads. Building kit is delivered and placed at the end of customer's driveway via common carry truck with lift gate. Homeowner is to check permit requirements before ordering. Foundation (floor), paint and shingles supplied by homeowner. Roof cupola shown in photo is not included. Building shown with optional windows. To order lower windows enter (1827window) in the search box. To order the octagon gable window enter (1414octagon) in the search box.


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Do you charge by the square foot for deck construction?
No, because my goal is to build a deck that specifically meets your needs and dreams. Every deck is different just like every customer is different. I (Craig Small) will meet with you work on a design that achieves your goals for your outdoor space and figure a price. In most cases I will figure a price right there on the spot.


What is the Lock Screen for Kurio App?
Lock Screen for Kurio App lets you unlock your Kurio device using a Picture Password on a Keypad featuring Branded Keypads.
For your child to access the Kurio device and use it, your child creates a Picture Password using one of the Branded Keypads. The Picture Password is the same four images on the keypad, in the same order every time. You and your child can change the Picture Password whenever you like.
To toggle to the Parent's Profile, you have to choose a Branded Keypad and set a Picture Password too!
Do I have to pay to use Lock Screen for Kurio?
No – the App is free and there is no In-App purchasing.
During the set-up process we tell you how to reset your child's password using the button combination on the Kurio device. For the parent, we ask you to answer 3 security questions.
Don't worry, we send you an email with instructions on how to unlock your device.
The main reason to have this information is to help you reset your Picture Password. We will never provide this information to anyone else for marketing purposes.
If I use Lock Screen for Kurio, when does it timeout?
If you are not using the Kurio device, the App will timeout at the time chosen in the 'Screen timeout' setting in your Settings – Display menu.
What permissions does Lock Screen for Kurio use and why?
Here is the list of Permissions that the App uses and why it needs them.
Do you have questions about when and how the App works?
The App does not replace, disable, remove or uninstall other active lock screen apps. Other lock screen apps may need to be disabled or uninstalled although users can have more than one lock screen at the same time, but in such instances they will need to unlock each lock screen before getting access to their device.
Please contact kuriolockscreen@iconlogin.com if you have any queries.


text:
Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All
Citizenship. Policy matters. Any citizen interested in public policy should consider reading Oran B. Hesterman's book, Fair Food: Growing a Healthy, Sustainable Food System for All. I notice that I seem to eat better in the summer, when the Farmers' Market offers lots of choices, and my CSA box arrives with fresh produce every week. In the middle of this bounty, I occasionally think about what food choices are made by others, producers and consumers, and what the consequences of those choices mean for society. Hesterman has been involved in food policy for decades. In this book he describes problems with our current food policies and practices, and proposes ways to change. Foodies and elites are not the audience for this book. Hesterman talks plainly and clearly to all of us and lays our ways in which anyone can become involved in building a healthy food system that works for everybody. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase Fair Food from amazon.com.
Mission to Paris
Atmospheric. Alan Furst is back with another World War II spy novel that plunges readers into the place and time with lush descriptive language and sharply drawn heroes and villains. Mission to Paris is set mainly in Paris in 1938 and the protagonist, actor Fredric Stahl has arrived there from Hollywood to make a movie titled, "After the War," referring to World War I. Furst describes the fears of the émigré community in Paris who experience the organized and diligent work of the Nazis as they prepared to conquer Europe. Stahl finds himself in the thick of things and also falling in love. Readers who like spy novels with lots of descriptive language are those most likely to enjoy this book. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Mission to Paris from amazon.com.
The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection
Deceptions. The No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency has a lot of work to do in the thirteenth installment of the series, a novel by Alexander McCall Smith titled, The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection. In addition to a large cast of characters familiar to readers of this series, a surprise character appears in this one: Clovis Andersen, author of the reference book The Principles of Private Detection, which Precious Ramotswe and Grace Makutsi refer to when they need guidance about detective work. What Smith does so well in this series and in his other books is present a version of human nature that we recognize and understand. There is evil being done, but the forces of good always prevail, and we understand the reasons for each character's behavior. Readers looking to read an entertaining novel that proceeds at a relaxed pace with interesting characters should consider this book, series and author. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Limpopo Academy of Private Detection from amazon.com.
The Maid: A Novel of Joan of Arc
Mystic. The story of Joan of Arc is a familiar one to all readers. For those who like historical fiction, a debut novel by Kimberly Cutter titled, The Maid, presents this remarkable character from many different perspectives. Cutter uses vivid imagery to take readers into the troubled mind and courageous life of a young woman. The mystical elements of Joan's story, from feeling chosen by God to hearing voices, are presented with imagination and some perfectly chosen phrases. Readers who like historical fiction are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Maid from amazon.com.
Quick. Crime fiction fans looking for something quick and entertaining to read should consider the Kindle Single from Karin Slaughter titled, Snatched. This novella features Will Trent, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent who has appeared in full length Slaughter novels. The action in this book takes place at Atlanta's airport and kept me absorbed in the fast-paced action from beginning to end. Readers looking for something short and fun to read are those most likely to enjoy this novella. For Slaughter fans, it's a great appetizer before opening her latest novel. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Snatched from amazon.com.
It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism
Broken. The best preparation for engaged voters ahead of the party conventions and the Fall campaign is to read a sobering book from Thomas W. Mann and Norman J. Ornstein titled It's Even Worse Than It Looks: How the American Constitutional System Collided With the New Politics of Extremism. Mann of the Brookings Institution and Ornstein of the American Enterprise Institute are scholars who understand our political systems and processes. When they say that the legislative process is broken, we should listen. In the first part of the book, they present a diagnosis of the current dysfunction, and in the second part they propose some ideas on a remedy. Whether you agree or disagree with their assessment and proposals, if you are interested in public affairs, you should listen to their thoughtful analysis. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase It's even Worse Than It Looks from amazon.com.
Talulla Rising
Delicious. Were it not for the violence, gore and explicit sex, I think that Glen Duncan's Talulla Rising would be a perfect selection for high school English students to read to recognize the difference between good writing and bad. Paired against any other horror genre novel, Duncan's work will stand out. The likeable werewolf protagonist Talulla Demetriou goes to every possible extreme to protect her newborn children from harm. Duncan engages readers from the beginning to the end of this fast moving novel. The opportunity for another installment is clear at the end, so fans can look forward to even more from this fine writer. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Talulla Rising from amazon.com.
Cop to Corpse
Pacing. The eleventh Peter Lovesey crime novel to feature Chief Superintendent Peter Diamond is titled Cop to Corpse. The action opens with the killing of a policeman, the third in the Bath area in past few months. With a moderate pace that never got my heart racing, Diamond slowly follows leads and interviews individuals who might help him solve the crime. While I had guessed the murderer early on, I was still entertained when Diamond solved the puzzle. Fans of detective novels with strong protagonists are those most likely to enjoy this one. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Cop to Corpse from amazon.com.
Bring Up the Bodies
Competence. Most readers who liked reading Wolf Hall, including me, looked forward to Hilary Mantel's continuation of her historical fiction series set in the Tudor period. Her latest novel, Bring Up the Bodies, focuses on the last year of Anne Boleyn's life, and continues to feature Thomas Cromwell in all his scheming and impressive competence. I don't know whether the Cromwell in history matches up to Mantel's depiction, but all that he chooses to do and not to do seems to be carefully calculated. My recollection of Cromwell from history fits a narrower profile that Mantel presents. He is both likeable and complex in her version, and I was enthralled with a story I knew on the margins as I quickly read this entertaining novel. Any reader who likes historical fiction or has any interest in England's history will find much to like in this book. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase Bring Up the Bodies from amazon.com.
Aerogrammes: and Other Stories
Yearning. Reading short stories in the Summer can be ideal. A reader can relax into a single story for a little while and then do something else. Fans of short stories will love Tania James' collection, Aerogrammes: and Other Stories, during the Summer or anytime. James presents recognizable characters who are yearning for something out of reach. Her skill in developing these characters and structuring each story is impressive. James presents life and truth to readers in ways that made me laugh and also induced a sense of empathy and longing. If you like short stories, consider reading this finely written collection. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Aerogrammes from amazon.com.
Identity. While The Confession is the fourteenth novel in a series featuring Scotland Yard Inspector Ian Rutledge by Charles Todd and his mother, Caroline Todd, it was my first. I was hooked. The protagonist is well-drawn, the plot required my mental engagement, and the setting in post-World War I England seemed atmospheric. The puzzle in this case involves identity, and Rutledge proceeds with diligence and sensitivity to get to the bottom of things. Readers who like crime fiction are those most likely to enjoy this one. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase The Confession from amazon.com.
Posted by Steve Hopkins at 1:53 PM No comments:
The Year of the Gadfly
Fresh. I opened Jennifer Miller's debut novel, The Year of the Gadfly, with the expectation that I would quickly lose interest. Instead, I found her writing to be engaging, and the characters, setting and plot imaginative and absorbing. Set in a Massachusetts prep school named Mariana Academy, Miller alternates between the present and 1999. She uses multiple narrators to build perspective. Several of the characters don't blend easily into the high school environment, and Miller explores the consequences of being different. Readers who like discovering a fresh fictional voice are those most likely to enjoy this novel. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Year of the Gadfly from amazon.com.
As Texas Goes...: How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda
Anthropological. New York Times columnist Gail Collins approached her study of Texas the way an anthropologist would study an unfamiliar culture in a foreign country. She observed the behavior of the people there, mainly politicians, and drew sweeping conclusions, which she presents in a book titled, As Texas Goes…: How the Lone Star State Hijacked the American Agenda. In the current divisive political environment, we can expect that liberals will love this book and conservatives will hate it. Citizens of any political leaning will find her writing lively, and the stories she tells about the public policies in Texas are engaging to read. This book is unlikely to change any minds, but it's great political writing and I enjoyed reading it. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase As Texas Goes from amazon.com.
Serial. Harlan Coben's latest crime novel, Stay Close, offers readers who like this genre some reliable entertainment. There's a cast of intriguing and interesting characters dealing with a variety of life's challenges from the past and the present. There's serial murder at the core of the story, and gradual revelation of who has been doing what over a long time period. The pace of the novel suits a hot summer: one can read this novel at a slow simmer and remain refreshed. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase Stay Close from amazon.com.
Plot. The complicated plot kept me entertained throughout David Baldacci's novel, The Innocent. The protagonist is Will Robie who works as a professional assassin for the United States. Baldacci often pairs a male protagonist with a female collaborator, and in this novel, it's a fourteen year old runaway. These two characters are smart and competent, and the twisting plot keeps them moving from the beginning of the novel to the end. Fans of thrillers are those readers most likely to enjoy this one. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Innocent from amazon.com.
Dialogue. Fans of short stories will find mastery of dialogue in the collection from Julian Barnes titled, Pulse. Some of the stories are presented entirely in dialogue. Some stories are connected, some set in the present, and others are set in the past. In each story, Barnes' writing skill proceeds with confidence, and he brings complete and complex people and places to life for readers. I paced myself by reading a story a day, and found myself satisfied and wanting more at the same time. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase Pulse from amazon.com.
Posted by Steve Hopkins at 9:10 AM No comments:
Tedious. Buried inside the 400+ pages of Micro by Michael Crichton and Richard Preston, there's a 200 page fast-paced thriller. The challenge for readers is that the extra pages make it very tedious to read. There's the usual Crichton scientific framework providing the basis for the action: in this case, nanotechnology. There's a villain to make the plot interesting. Somehow the pace flagged almost from the start, and I found myself caring less about what was happening, and just wanting to get it over with. Readers looking for something to help the time pass like during an airport delay, are those most likely to overlook the faults of this book and actually enjoy it. For most readers, this book will be tedious or annoying. Rating: Two-star (Mildly Recommended) Click here to purchase Micro from amazon.com.
There But For The
Wordplay. The virtuoso wordplay in Ali Smith's novel, There But For The, mesmerized me at times. I found myself having to pause, and find the connection from one part to another, if there was one. I'd plow ahead, and delight in her choice of words, and get lost again. Smith presents a story from four viewpoints, and explores the notion of our separation from each other with glee. What plot there is involves a dinner guest leaving the table and locking himself in an upstairs room of the hosts, who are strangers to him. We learn something about him and the other characters from this core action. Readers who love wordplay are those most likely to enjoy this creative, unusual, and finely written novel. Rating: Four-star (Highly Recommended) Click here to purchase There But For The from amazon.com.
Holiday. Fans of literary fiction with a high tolerance for confusion and frustration are those most likely to enjoy Mark Haddon's novel, The Red House. An extended and estranged family gathers for a holiday and Haddon unpacks their personal baggage with a mix of descriptive prose, witty dialogue and serial interior reflection by each of the eight characters. At times, I found myself re-reading a sentence to figure out what Haddon was describing. While his prose is often beautiful, it isn't always obvious. Each character is struggling with something, and the change in location for a holiday along with new characters for interaction provide fresh ways for the struggles to be exposed. Read an excerpt before buying the book. Chances are the excerpt will test your tolerance and lead you to proceed or quit. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Red House from amazon.com.
The Gift of Fire / On the Head of a Pin: Two Short Novels from Crosstown to Oblivion
Imaginative. I often find myself becoming comfortable with the writing style of a favorite author and I set my expectations on opening a new work based on what I've read before. Walter Mosley departs from his crime fiction in a new book presenting two novellas titled, The Gift of Fire/On the Head of a Pin: Two Short Novels from Crosstown to Oblivion. While a departure and an upset to my expectations, Mosley's fine writing and imaginative exposition delighted me. Both novellas tackle an exploration of our humanity using great story telling and some twisting of perceptions of reality. Readers looking for fiction that's clever, imaginative and brief are those most likely to enjoy this book. Rating: Three-star (Recommended) Click here to purchase The Gift of Fire from amazon.com.
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The Gift of Fire / On the Head of a Pin: Two Short...


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HMRC Newsletter | July 2019
Houston Metropolitan Research Center
Julia Ideson Building
The Houston Metropolitan Research Center (HMRC)'s newest quarterly newsletter will offer updates on exciting happenings at HMRC. Our spotlight articles will give you a closer look at our materials, tips and research help from our expert staff, and much more
From the Photo Archive: NASA and the Moon Landing
Tranquillity Park and its Second 'L'
HMRC Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with Música!
Poster Design Contestant Captures Our Best Side
By Matt Richardson, Photography Archive Supervisor
HMRC houses around 5 million photographs. Recently, we identified and digitized many images documenting NASA and its efforts to land on the moon. These images are now ready to view just in time for the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing on July 20, 1969.
We have two significant photo collections at HMRC that capture this historic era: the Bert Brandt Photographs (MSS 0087) and the Houston Post Photographs (RG D 0006).
Many of Brandt's photographs document the early days of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, originally called the Manned Spacecraft Center. This 1962 aerial photo provides an early view of the site.
In Brandt's images, we also see the groundwork that supported space exploration. We can see some of the math involved.
In this distinctly Houstonian photograph, Brandt records a trail ride taking place in front of the Manned Spacecraft Center in 1965.
Photos from the Houston Post newspaper provide a more local perspective. This photo reminds us that President John F. Kennedy's 1962 speech about going to the moon took place at right here in Houston at Rice Stadium.
The Post archives also includes images of astronauts Neil Armstrong, Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin, and Michael Collins at the Apollo 11 post-flight press conference.
The Houston Post photographers also recorded the parade in downtown Houston celebrating the Apollo 11 astronauts after their return to Earth.
HMRC has digitized dozens of images showing the Manned Spacecraft Center, the Apollo 11 mission, and other NASA endeavors. However, the HMRC photography archives contain many more still waiting for the researcher, documentary filmmaker, or casual history enthusiastic to discover.
These and other recently digitized images of Houston's—and indeed, humanity's—history will be shared online through the Houston Area Digital Archives.
"Aerial View of the Site for the Manned Spacecraft Center," MSS 0087-1372, Houston Public Library, HMRC
"Printout of formula with lunar lander," MSS 0087-2488, Houston Public Library, HMRC
"Trail Ride in Front of Manned Spacecraft Center," MSS 0087-1330, Houston Public Library, HMRC
"President John F. Kennedy at Rice Stadium," RG D 0006N-6106-008, Houston Public Library, HMRC
"Apollo 11 Post-Flight Press Conference," RG D 0006N-1969-3379, Houston Public Library, HMRC"Apollo 11 Ticker Tape Parade in downtown Houston," RG D 0006N-1969-3813-001, Houston Public Library, HMRC
Tranquillity Park and its Second 'L'
By Abra Schnur, Processing Archivist, Assistant Oral History Archivist
In the celebratory aftermath of the Apollo 11 mission, the City announced plans to build Houston's first major downtown park commemorating the event. The name Tranquillity Park was in reference to the location where the lunar module Eagle landed; the Mare Tranquillitatis, or the Sea of Tranquility.
It covers 120,000 square feet, bounded by Walker, Capitol, Bagby, and Smith Streets. The park was proposed in addition to an underground parking garage. The project carried over three administrations from Louie Welch to Fred Hofheinz to Jim McConn.
As early as 1970 there were conceptual models of the park, and in 1971 a discussion of creating light sculptural installations and a space hall-of-fame. But the project lay dormmate nearly five years as the parking garage was being built.
The park became part of the City of Houston Bicentennial Project, which was to include the revitalization of Allen's Landing and the beautification of Buffalo Bayou. In the summer of 1975 a fund drive was announced to build the park because money was scarce. Three million dollars came from private donors and two million was given in matching park bonds by the City.
Notable Houston architect Charles Tapley and his associates were on the project from the beginning. The construction was completed by the Manhattan Construction Company. Some of the difficulties that Tapley faced were the towering fountains in the center of the park. The fountains, funded by and named for Gus Wortham were designed to conceal the exhaust pipes for the parking garage. Additionally, sculpture artist Henry Moore was to have a cast of his Large Spindle Piece displayed in the park but was ultimately unhappy with the tight space and the angular architecture of the park.
The spelling of Tranqullity did not come easily either. City Council had to defer and request an official report from the Houston Public Library on whether the word should be spelled with one "L" or two. It was a matter of translation versus transliteration, and Mrs. Jackson C. Hinds, chairman of the park task force was in favor of spelling it with two. The task force officially states; "In the case of Houston's park, the intent is to make the name of special note. The use of two 'ells' makes it special.[1]" Mayor Jim McConn went along with the decision "primarily because of her group's overall interest in the completion of the park.[2]"
The dedication ceremony was publicized around City Hall by the distribution of "launch bags" encouraging citizens to bring their lunch to the ceremony. The ceremony occurred on July 20, 1979, ten years after the moon landing. People who attended the ceremony received paper sun visors, listened to an armed forces band, and watched the launch of 2,500 balloons into the sky.
Pictures feature material retrieved from HMRC vertical files "VF-H-Tranquillity Park"
[1] Hinds, Mrs. Jackson C., "Official position on the spelling of tranquility park," March 27, 1979, retrieved from HMRC vertical files VF-H-Tranquillity Park
[2] Houston Chronicle, "Much ado about tranquility," March 14, 1979, retrieved from HMRC vertical files VF-H-Tranquillity Park
By Mikaela Selley, Hispanic Collections & Oral History Archivist
Each fall, HMRC celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, the 30-day period from September 15 to October 15. (Hispanic Heritage Month starts on September 15 is to commemorate independence of several Latin American countries including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico and Nicaragua.)
This year, we invite you to experience the sights and sounds of Houston's Latino music history with our exhibit: Música! A History of Hispanic Sounds in Houston. From the heydays of the Shamrock Hotel to nights at the Pan American, this exhibit will feature archival photographs, posters, and oral histories that reflect a diverse and significant contribution to Houston music.
Among the featured musicians in this exhibit is Patricio Gutierrez (1896-1985). Patricio was born in San Antonio, but moved to Houston with his family at an early age. In his youth, he was the organist at Holy Rosary Catholic Church and First Presbyterian Church. He later played piano and French horn with the early Houston Symphony Orchestra, and was one of its first soloists.
Patricio was a member of the Houston Professional Musicians Association, Local 65 for most of his life. When he joined this union in 1907, he was their youngest working member and, at his death, the oldest. He played chamber music at the Brazos, Rice, and Lamar Hotels, and even at the movies. In his own words:
"I used to play silent movies, you know? I used to play between the movies, they had a little show. Amateur show. And I was a pianist, see? But that was a union job for me. …But I started playing in the movie house …And I was getting $18 a week, boy, and I was in heaven! Eighteen dollars. For 25 cents, I could go and get myself a treat …"[1]
Patricio came from a musically talented family. His father, Jesus, was a bassist, and his brother, Fred, played violin in the Houston Symphony. His brother Joe played clarinet, and his Uncle Joe played the trombone. Patricio recalls lessons with his father:
"my daddy used to tell me when he played violin, 'I'm going to play, I'm the leader. Watch me, what I do. Play the way I want you to learn.' …He'd slow down the tempo when it got there, and like accelerate when it got there, you'd listen. So sure enough, he would--he'd do something and bingo, he had to have it recorded. This is –with his little bow, he hits me in the head, 'You got to listen!' So that's my training."[2]
Patricio's wife, Edith Gutierrez, taught piano in Houston for many years and together founded Greenbriar Music Studios. His stepdaughter, Pauline Oliveros, is a renowned composer and accordionist.
Hispanics have contributed to the Houston music scene in every genre and every decade. Patricio Gutierrez represents one of the early Mexican American musicians who played a significant role in the classical and jazz music scenes in Houston. Visit our fall Música! exhibit to learn more about Patricio and the significant history of Hispanic musicians in the Bayou City.
Pictures feature archival materials from the Patricio Gutierrez Collection (SC 1310).
[1] OH 0293 Patricio Gutierrez, Houston Metropolitan Research Center, interviewed on January 27, 1980.
Every year the City of Houston holds a poster contest for children to depict City of Houston employee positions. Ruby Cahlik, age 7, created a poster showcasing the Texas Room of the Houston Metropolitan Research Center. She received honorable mention for her age group. I asked Ruby about her illustration and her experience at HMRC.
Why did you choose to design your poster with maps?
"My Mom, and I love her very much, works at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center and I noticed there were a lot of maps in the center of the room. I really like newspapers and maps from the old times. There's a lot of cool stuff in the old times. I think it's interesting because people in the old times really didn't know about electronics."
Ruby further explained that she was able to notice the changes over time by looking at maps from different decades. She continues;
"I thought maps were cool and I really wanted to show off the research center so that's why I thought it was a good idea to have maps in the poster. I also think it's neat that you can get copies (reproductions) of the maps."
What are some other areas or events that you have been to at HMRC or the Julia Ideson Building?
"One time I went with my girl scout friends to the building. I really liked the Norma Meldrum Children's Room. We were able to look at some books, but we had to be very careful because of their condition. I also like going to the second floor of the building and looking up to see all the windows and pretty decorations on the wall."
"It was cool because there was also a jazz exhibit I went to. There were jazz players, yummy refreshments, and I listened to jazz records by Wilton Felder. This was real jazz music! I had never really listened to jazz music like that before and I felt like it made me happy. I liked it, I liked listening to it. I also liked the band."
At the end of the interview and after looking through all the drawings from the contest, Ruby said in amazement;
"I can't believe I was the only one who drew a poster about the Houston Metropolitan Research Center!"
I may be a little biased, because Ruby's my daughter, but I must say she represented HMRC well! Check out all the entries here.
Pictures courtesy of Abra Schnur.
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Review. . .
posted by tinear on December 26, 2021 at 09:38:00
"The biggest mistake that the new film, "Don't Look Up", makes is to bill itself as a comedy. It isn't really funny at all. Instead it is deadly serious and chilling as it accurately depicts how American society would react to a real, existential crisis.
First, such a crisis would be ignored in favor of celebrity news, then it would be scorned, science would be belittled, millions of people on social media would not believe it even when the establishment accepted it was true and then the corporate-controlled government would find a way to prevent mankind from being saved in favor of making a profit."
More. . .
(Comments are good too, such as "The movie critic for the Wall Street Journal complains that "Don't Look Up" portrays everyone as "nincompoops." I would say that that would make "Don't Look Up" a documentary.") LOL!
https://consortiumnews.com/2021/12/27/dont-look-up-is-no-lau (Open in New Window)
It's a very dark comedy - Analog Scott 08:43:33 01/01/22 (3)
In Reply to: RE: Review. . . posted by Chris from Lafayette on December 28, 2021 at 14:25:40
makes you laugh and ball your fist at the same time. It's brilliance is that it is so spot on
Well. . . enjoy - but "brilliance" was not the first word that came to my mind [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 02:10:58 01/02/22 (1)
In Reply to: RE: It's a very dark comedy posted by Analog Scott on January 01, 2022 at 08:43:33
art is subjective nt - Analog Scott 13:40:57 01/02/22 (0)
In Reply to: RE: Well. . . enjoy - but "brilliance" was not the first word that came to my mind [nt] ;-) posted by Chris from Lafayette on January 02, 2022 at 02:10:58
"So spot on" - geoffkait 12:53:22 01/01/22 (0)
I didn't realize you were British. Makes sense now, old chap.
Edits: 01/01/22 01/01/22
Of course it's a comedy. Not all are Mel Brooks'-like - tinear 07:32:09 12/29/21 (15)
haw-haws, nor need they be so. That said, we found plenty of opportunities for laughter. It's a brilliant allegory told through acerbic satire. Criticism of its artistic merits ring false to me because of the many excellent actors, scorching performances, clever writing, and the vital importance of the targets.
I wonder how many who see it as "half-empty" really have a hard time seeing their own views and actions exposed and eviscerated so cleverly?
No, not Aristophanes, but a wonderful film in that great comedy writer's tradition.
(You're easily amused) ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 11:43:27 12/29/21 (14)
In Reply to: RE: Of course it's a comedy. Not all are Mel Brooks'-like posted by tinear on December 29, 2021 at 07:32:09
I was amused by SOME of it.
RE: (You're easily amused) ;-) - RGA 19:13:23 12/29/21 (13)
In Reply to: RE: (You're easily amused) ;-) posted by Chris from Lafayette on December 29, 2021 at 11:43:27
I was amused by some of it as well. It's sort of like those skit shows like Monty Python - in a given show - there are some good skits and some that are duds. All in all worth watching but 1/2 the time you sit waiting for the good bit to arrive.
I liked the General trying to get $10 from everyone even though the nuts and water were free. I liked the Ariana Grande bits basically poking fun at the entire pop industry and good on her for making fun of herself along with it and also her song was rather funny as well.
Perlman as the loudmouth Rush Limbaugh/Alex Jones/Sean Hannity rolled into a military lout.
I understand the low rotten tomatoes ratings from the major critics - I liked it enough to marginally recommend it **1/2/*****
It needed perhaps to be more Mars Attacks! or Blazing Saddles or it needed to go the other direction and play it more realistic in terms of drama where even a competent administration was bogged down in all the congress/senate lobbying red tape to be ineffectual with stopping the comet. That would have had more resonance than the cartoon administration haplessly flailing in an emergency. It resonates more with an audience when even a competent administration is a slave to all these external pressures/lobby groups and can't get to the work of solving the problem.
David Fear's review seems apt though he is harder on it.
https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-reviews/dont-look- (Open in New Window)
Yeah - I just read that review - thanks for the link - Chris from Lafayette 01:14:55 12/30/21 (12)
In Reply to: RE: (You're easily amused) ;-) posted by RGA on December 29, 2021 at 19:13:23
David seems a bit on the harsh side.
My own reaction lies (possibly somewhat like yours) somewhere between the sourness of David's Rolling Stone review, and tinear's and oldmkvi's more unrestrained enthusiasm here on AA.
Unrestrained and Unapologetic. - oldmkvi 10:35:25 12/30/21 (11)
In Reply to: RE: Yeah - I just read that review - thanks for the link posted by Chris from Lafayette on December 30, 2021 at 01:14:55
If that's a Word!
And nothing wrong with that! [nt] ;-) - Chris from Lafayette 12:23:04 12/30/21 (10)
In Reply to: RE: Unrestrained and Unapologetic. posted by oldmkvi on December 30, 2021 at 10:35:25
err, " Not that there's anything wrong with that...." - oldmkvi 17:07:26 12/31/21 (9)
In Reply to: RE: And nothing wrong with that! [nt] ;-) posted by Chris from Lafayette on December 30, 2021 at 12:23:04
Everything in Life is a Seinfeld Quote!
You won't believe this. . . - Chris from Lafayette 01:06:51 01/01/22 (8)
In Reply to: RE: err, " Not that there's anything wrong with that...." posted by oldmkvi on December 31, 2021 at 17:07:26
. . . but, my name is Chris and I've never watched Seinfeld. ;-)
RE: You won't believe this. . . - RGA 19:52:48 01/01/22 (6)
In Reply to: RE: You won't believe this. . . posted by Chris from Lafayette on January 01, 2022 at 01:06:51
Seinfeld is a sitcom based on "observational" comedy. Seinfeld is usually compared to George Carlin in this regard. I prefer Carlin as a stand up - by a lot.
Regarding the TV series 'Seinfeld' - I found Seinfeld to be the weakest of the four cast members. Like a lot of TV series, it all depends on which one you see. Some are quite funny, some are quite crappy. Different writers write different episodes.
It is rare to have any TV series where one writer writes all the episodes.
Seinfeld did manage to avoid politics - but all four characters were smarmy and largely unlikeable shallow individuals. Part of the fun though was that they never really won. Bad stuff happening to bad people. Since you don't like any of them they deserved what they got.
This is different from a show like Taxi where even Louis De Palma had a heart buried deep.
I was never a big fan of Seinfeld (I got a few chuckles out of it) but some folks really love that kind of stuff. But then people loved Gilligan's Island (eesh) so who knows.
Comedy is one of those things that are highly personal. My favourite sitcom was Frasier. Yet Cheers was only so so for me.
Actually, I should say my favourites were Fawlty Towers and The Black Adder (after season 1).
RE: You won't believe this. . . - geoffkait 13:56:42 01/03/22 (5)
In Reply to: RE: You won't believe this. . . posted by RGA on January 01, 2022 at 19:52:48
You're over intellectualizing it. I bet you're a Friends fan.
In Reply to: RE: You won't believe this. . . posted by geoffkait on January 03, 2022 at 13:56:42
Friends was enjoyable - I think the humour in Seinfeld is generally smarter. Friends was more the "every-person" kind of thing. I liked Friends more a decade or so after it ended. I laughed considerably more at Seinfeld however. Friends to me is a sort of comedic soap opera. I have seen Friends more recently so I may have to go back and rewatch some Seinfeld.
I am not up on most shows since about 2004. I have mostly lived in Asia without a lot of TV for the past 15 years.
I did enjoy a show called Mom with Anna Faris and Allison Janney. Considerably more realistically written women than some shows. But the language and themes most definitely wouldn't be for the Christian Right I suspect.
I was kidding, I always felt Friends was a dumbed down copycat of Seinfeld. That doesn't stop me from watching, however. :-)
RE: You won't believe this. . . - RV817 22:50:36 01/04/22 (2)
Allison is one of the more accomplished comedians of the last few decades
excellent timing, body language, command of dialogue, the whole package!
she rocks!
it would be a shame if she never gets to work with Katy Sagal
those two in a dramady would be gold!
In Reply to: RE: You won't believe this. . . posted by RV817 on January 04, 2022 at 22:50:36
The only reason I bothered to watch Mom was because she was superb in The West Wing - a more serious role with some comedy - I believe she won 5 best actress awards (or more) for her work on that show.
This is an impressive scene of acting compared to most of the tripe on television.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3LK-FZdYDI (Open in New Window)
agreed ... I'm familiar with her body of work
she deserves the acclaim afforded to her
You haven't missed much, it is the show about NOTHING! - TWB 10:02:34 01/01/22 (0)
It's overrated AND a bore....
The movie was in dire need of better editing - RGA 20:43:14 12/28/21 (5)
It was long and repetitive and missed opportunities. The repetition then becomes heavy-handed rather than quick-witted satire.
The problem is that the institutions the film parodies are already parodies of themselves - the TV morning shows, the Faux News pundits, the anti-science of the administration, the population fixated on pop stars love affairs over things that matter, the people who wear hats to not look up to see the comet coming because their hero president tells them not to look. The scientists trying to placate the viewers by downplaying the end of the world.
I liked parts of it, but I doubt any right-winger has the ability to laugh at themselves (or the ability to take a joke) so in the end, the film isn't going to work on the people it needs to work on.
To be fair to the director - I don't know how you can make a "subtle" satire when the people you are skewering are anything but subtle.
The other problem a lot of films have is the lack of identifiable characters - instead we get cartoon quality characters. The only character, arguably, in the entire movie that had any heart and soul was the skater boy finding his way with his religion. And he was barely in the film. Cate Blanchett playing Laura Ingraham wasn't mean-spirited or racist or evil enough. In other words, Cate was MORE human than the real person! Which is a bit amusing in itself I suppose.
Western Glow Tube Service


"My record label said [wearing locs] was too urban and too ethnic," says Hathaway.
Unfortunately we live in a society where wearing locs is often viewed as "too ethnic." Many times when we wear our hair in locs, we're automatically viewed as radical and often unprofessional. Singer Lalah Hathaway refused to accept these notions and took a stand when her record label explained that her locs didn't quite fit in.
"My record label said [wearing locs] was too urban and too ethnic…and people ask me what my hair says about my spirituality, and I say 'nothing' because its just hair," she says. Hathaway made the decision to loc her hair in 1998 and she hasn't looked back.
Press play below to hear her story and to be encouraged to wear locs yourself.


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Home / Technology / Virtual Assistant Creator, Ciara, Launched An Innovative Tool To Help Sales Reps Close More Deals
Virtual Assistant Creator, Ciara, Launched An Innovative Tool To Help Sales Reps Close More Deals
ByLA STARTUPS July 30, 2019 August 1, 2019
Ciara, the first virtual assistant for inside sales representatives, has had a busy few months since its official launch on May 2019. First, it closed a successful seven-digit seed funding round with lead investors being UVC Partners, a venture capital firm backing entrepreneurs working on industrial technologies, enterprise software and mobility. Then in the process, Ciara garnered hundreds of users on its platform from across a slew of industries that are all looking to sell smarter and faster. Most recently, it announced its roll out to the United States market where it opened up an office in California to take advantage and interact with the vibrant startup and investment community. In addition, one of its target markets is Los Angeles due to the fast-growing startup and tech scene. It plans to connect with LA SaaS teams as part of its roll-out strategy.
Ciara co-founders are Konstantin Krauss and Martin Heibel, both veteran technology entrepreneurs. They met by chance in 2018 at a startup event in Munich, Germany. They clicked instantly and learned they were both ready to take on a new project. After bouncing ideas around and brainstorming industry focus, they landed on creating the best and brightest virtual assistant for the inside sales industry.
"During the brainstorming process, we really honed in on the idea of a virtual assistant for B2B sales," said Krauss. "Everyone has heard of digital assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Home. You'll find them in multiple households worldwide and they are gaining more and more popularity every day. It only makes sense that virtual assistants will soon dominate offices. We recognized that trend and need for business and created Ciara with the goal to make daily work life easier and more productive."
The proof is in the numbers in terms of why Krauss and Heibel landed on targeting the sales market:
On average, sales professionals spend just 34% of their time selling.* A virtual assistant can help to improve productivity enabling reps to spend more time actually selling.
On average, 60% of sales reps have reported an increase in virtual meetings since 2015*. The need for a dedicated virtual assistant for inside sales reps is long overdue.
Artificial Intelligence is the top growth area for sales teams — its adoption is forecasted to grow 139% over the next three years.* Ciara will hit this need head-on by launching AI voice recognition and smart sales guidance.
"For us, it's not about building artificial intelligence that replaces workers," said Heibel "We didn't build Ciara to take away anyone's job. We want to use the technology that already exists to make the jobs of millions of workers a lot easier. With Ciara, we'll simplify onboarding and make work processes more efficient. It is evident technology helps people more and more every day to be more productive. We are convinced that the next jump in this dimension will be digital assistants in the workplace."
Ciara'sinside sales assistant core features include:
Easy guidelines: Clearly defined playbooks provide sales reps with question and answer suggestion. For example, if a sales rep receives a response such as "I have to run this buying decision up the food chain" the playbook has an answer ready.
Real-time support: The assistant offers actionable advice on calls to ensure the best sales outcomes possible. In the near future, Ciara will become even smarter with voice recognition.
Smooth interaction: Allows users to take notes in the assistant while on a sales call, sync the data and integrate with a CRM such as Salesforce, HubSpot or Pipedrive.
Deep learning: The more Ciara is used, the better it learns and is able to provide feedback to improve sales tasks and actions.
Ciara is currently available completely free of charge. With Ciara's goal being to develop an easy-to-use assistant and build the best possible product, it believed offering the product for free for now is the right thing to do. The founders went on to state, "In order to achieve our goal, we need feedback from our customers. We think it's a fair deal for our first customers to trade free usage of the Ciara assistant for valuable feedback."
Sign up and start using Ciara for free at GetCiara.com. Set-up takes no more than two minutes and users will be off and selling better in no time.
About Ciara:
Ciara is a virtual assistant for inside sales professionals and teams. Sales agents can create custom and interactive sales guides, manage playbooks, and structure their sales phone calls. The objection handling feature helps sales agents answer difficult customer questions, e.g. on competition, pricing, and new product capabilities. Standard integrations to the leading CRM systems – such as Salesforce, Hubspot and others – make it easy to store customer information gained in Ciara-led phone conversations centrally. Ciara already supports more than a hundred companies worldwide in building a consistent and efficient inside sales process and to train new employees quickly. Sign up and start using Ciara for free at GetCiara.com
*Source: Salesforce
Post Tags: #Technology#virtual assistant
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Articles, Crime & Punishment, Intelligence, Law, Politics
Roger Stone Gets 40 months – Everyone Unhappy
Stone's sentence will be too lenient for the left and too harsh for the right.
By: Graham J Noble February 20, 2020 Articles, Crime & Punishment, Intelligence, Law, Politics
by Graham J Noble
Roger Stone was sentenced on Feb. 20 to 40 months in prison for lying to Congress and witness tampering. One could be forgiven for laughing at the notion that lying to Congress is considered a crime, of course, and it is certainly a charge brought arbitrarily against those who are guilty of it. Stone's greatest transgression, it seems, is being an associate and supporter of President Donald Trump. The sentence itself is noteworthy and will undoubtedly bring visceral reactions from both sides of the political divide.
For the president's detractors, 40 months will likely be considered far too lenient. The very fact that it is exactly in line with the revised Department of Justice recommendation – overruling the originally proposed seven to nine years – will almost certainly invite howls of outrage from Democrats, who will claim the DOJ rigged the sentencing out of deference to the president himself.
The final say, though, rested with Judge Amy Berman Jackson. A judge does not have to follow the Justice Department's recommendation. Jackson voiced her clear dislike of Stone before sentencing. Berating the defendant at some length, she said: "The dismay and disgust at the defendant's belligerence should transcend party," according to one media report.
A Sentence to Disappoint Both Sides
For the president's supporters, Stone's penalty is yet another case of Trump loyalists being persecuted as others who worked to bring down the president escape justice, having committed the same or, in some cases, even more serious crimes, such as misleading a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.
Tomeka Hart
The saga is not quite over, though. Stone's attorneys have requested a new trial after the discovery that the foreperson of Stone's jury, Tomeka Hart, is a Democratic operative who loathes the president and those connected to him.
Many observers believe the president is almost certainly considering a pardon or commutation for Stone, although Trump himself has neither confirmed nor denied that possibility. In response to the original sentencing memo, Trump voiced his displeasure on Twitter, describing as extreme the prospect that Stone could get up to nine years. The just over three years that Stone faces, then, could have been Judge Jackson's way of depriving the president of a legitimate excuse for handing down a pardon.
Read more from Graham J. Noble.
Tags: CND US OneDonald TrumpRoger StonesentencingTomeka Hartwilliam barr
Graham J Noble
Chief Political Correspondent & Satirist at LibertyNation.com. Raised and inspired by his father, a World War II veteran, Graham learned early in life how to laugh and be a gentleman. After attending college, he decided to join the British Army, where he served for several years and saw combat on four continents. In addition to being a news and politics junkie, Graham loves laughter, drinking and the outdoors. Combining all three gives him the most pleasure. Individual liberty is one of the few things he takes seriously.
LATEST ARTICLES BY Graham J Noble (SEE ALL)
Impeachment Folly: The Rules No Longer Matter - January 15, 2021
Impeachment Circus Begins As Pence Rejects 25th Amendment - January 13, 2021
Impeachment 2.0 – Pelosi Goes In For The Kill - January 11, 2021
Is Center the New Left?
Do Revelations About Ilhan Omar's Marriage Warrant Investigation?


text:
El FC Amkar Perm () es un club de fútbol de Perm, Rusia actualmente refundado en la Liga de Fútbol Profesional de Rusia, tercera división en el futbol ruso. Fue fundado como un equipo de la Fábrica de abonos minerales de Perm en 1994. El nombre del equipo provenía de las palabras "ammiak" (amoníaco) y "karbamid" (urea), la productos principales de esta fábrica.

El equipo logró el 8.º puesto en la Liga Premier en 2007 y en 2008 alcanzó la final de la Copa de Rusia, pero perdió la serie de penaltis con el CSKA Moscú.

El 13 de junio de 2018, el club no obtuvo la licencia para jugar en las dos primeras categorías del fútbol ruso. Unos días más tarde, el 18 de junio, el club anunció su desaparición por problemas económicos.

Uniforme

 Uniforme titular: Camiseta roja con rayas negras, pantalón blanco y medias rojas.
 Uniforme alternativo: Camiseta, pantalón y medias blancas.

Estadio

El Estadio Zvezda fue construido en 1969. Está situado en la ciudad rusa de Perm. Tiene una capacidad para 20.000 espectadores, todos ellos sentados.

Jugadores

Más Apariciones

Más Goles

Plantel Final (2017/18)

Entrenadores

 Sergei Oborin (1995-06)
 Rashid Rakhimov (2006–07)
 Miodrag Božović (2008)
 Dimitar Dimitrov (2009)
 Rashid Rakhimov (2009–11)
 Miodrag Božović (2011-12)
 Nikolai Trubachov (2012)
 Rustem Khuzin (2012-13)
 Stanislav Cherchesov (2013-14)
 Konstantin Paramonov (2014)
 Slavoljub Muslin (2014)
 Gadzhi Gadzhiyev (2014-2018)
 Vadim Evseev (2018)

Palmarés

Torneos nacionales

 Segunda División de Rusia (2): 1998 y 2003.

Participación en competiciones de la UEFA

Récords
 Mayor victoria – 8–1 ante Magnitogorsk en 1995.
 Peor derrota – 0–6 ante Spartak Moscow en 2004
 Mayor victoria en la Liga Premier: Alania Vladikavkaz 5–1 (local, 2013); Dynamo Moscow 4–1 (local, 2005); Krylia Sovetov Samara 4–1 (local, 2007); Khimki 3–0 (visita, 2008); Volga Nizhny Novgorod 4–1 (local, 2012)
 Más apariciones en la Liga Premier – Zahari Sirakov – 233 partidos.
 Jugador más joven – Konstantin Zyryanov – 17 años 217 días, 10 de mayo de 1995, KAMAZ-2 Naberezhnye Chelny – Amkar 1–2.
 Jugador más viejo – Sergei Chebanov – 40 años 207 días, 7 de noviembre de 1999, Rubin Kazan – Amkar 0–0.
Fuente:

Galería

Referencias

Enlaces externos

 Sitio web oficial
 Amkar Perm en UEFA.com

Equipos de fútbol fundados en 1994
Rusia en 1994
Perm
Deporte en Rusia en 2018

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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In Memoriam: Christina Ruth, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
The BWH community mourns the loss of Christina Ruth, RN, clinical nurse in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU). She passed away peacefully in her home on Oct. 24 after a battle with cancer. She was 60.
Born in Nakuru, Kenya, Mrs. Ruth left her hometown at the age of 18 to study nursing in Ireland. She later moved to Scotland, where she studied and practiced midwifery and earned a neurological ICU certification. After a posting for a nursing position in Canada caught her eye, Mrs. Ruth moved to Calgary, where she met and later married Gerard Ruth. Throughout her wide and varied nursing career, Mrs. Ruth always cared for newborns and their families.
After marrying, the Ruths settled in Winchester, Mass. Mrs. Ruth practiced in the BWH NICU for 23 years.
"Christina had a natural gift for bringing light into every room and forming beautiful relationships with everyone around her," said Kerri Duggan, RN, clinical nurse in the NICU. "She made sure she knew everyone, whether they were a new staff member or a medical student on rounds. She will be in our hearts forever."
Known for her warm and caring demeanor, Mrs. Ruth befriended patients and colleagues alike—even as she battled cancer. In 2014, when a group of medical students from Guatemala visited the NICU for a rotation, she mentored them. She wanted them to experience a true Thanksgiving dinner, so she cooked one for them. Her illness didn't dampen her caring nature.
Gerard Ruth recalls: "I remember carrying an incredible amount of food up to the students' tiny South End apartment. There was no elevator in the building and Christina insisted, against all medical and my advice, on climbing up several flights of stairs to present them with this wonderful meal. She loved seeing their looks of amazement and gratitude when they saw the spread she had prepared."
When Mrs. Ruth was hospitalized at BWH, she knitted hats for the team of technicians who performed her CT scans. Several of her nurses on CWN-7 and at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute were pregnant, and she made sweaters and hats for their unborn babies.
"It was incredible how many people came to see Christina while she was sick," said Duggan. Relatives and friends came from around the country and world to visit, including a family from Florida whose child she had cared for. The family visited Mrs. Ruth a week before she passed.
"Christina was an extraordinary nurse and a truly wonderful person," said Marianne Cummings, MSN, RN, nurse director of the NICU. "She had a genuine interest in the world around her, and her caring for and about others leaves the world a better place."
Mrs. Ruth leaves behind her loving husband of 23 years, Gerard, as well as six brothers and sisters, Freddy, Marilyne, Jane, Christopher, Dorothy and Rosita.
The BWH NICU team attended her wake and funeral wearing scrubs to honor Mrs. Ruth's lifelong dedication to nursing.


"Black Girl Magic" has met the bench with the swearing-in of 17 African-American female judges in the Houston area.
The 17 women all won races in last year's election to be judges in various Harris County courts. Their "Black Girl Magic " campaign debuted over the summer with a viral photo that featured the 17 women and two other sitting Harris County judges inside a courtroom.
The women were sworn in on Tuesday.
Those behind the campaign say it was part of an effort to broaden the diversity of the Houston area's judiciary and ensure that more African-Americans and other minorities can bring their backgrounds and life experiences to the bench and better reflect the diversity of the nation's fourth-largest city.


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Hi! Hope you're doing fine. I've done my BBA hons in finance followed by masters in project management. I would really like to work for you and handle all your business affairs efficiently.


text:
Albert Bonzano, né le 2 mars 1905 dans le  et mort le 13 août 1985 à Clichy, est un rameur d'aviron français.

Carrière
Albert Bonzano remporte la médaille d'or en huit aux Championnats d'Europe d'aviron 1931 à Paris.

Il dispute les Jeux olympiques d'été de 1924 à Paris, où il termine quatrième de la finale du quatre sans barreur et fait partie de la délégation française aux Jeux olympiques d'été de 1928 à Amsterdam.

Notes et références

Liens externes

Rameur français (aviron)
Champion d'Europe d'aviron
Rameur (aviron) aux Jeux olympiques d'été de 1924
Rameur (aviron) aux Jeux olympiques d'été de 1928
Naissance en mars 1905
Naissance dans le 17e arrondissement de Paris
Décès en août 1985
Décès à Clichy
Décès à 80 ans


"A vegan vinaigrette that goes great with spinach or other greens on a hot summer's day. Also works well with pasta and grilled vegetable salads."
See how easy it is to whip up a fresh-fruit milkshake in your blender.
Ewww...I don't have ANYTHING good to say about this. I couldn't even get past the smell of it. One taste and it went into the trash.


text:
namespace caffe {

template <typename Dtype>
void PowerLayer<Dtype>::LayerSetUp(const vector<Blob<Dtype>*>& bottom,
      const vector<Blob<Dtype>*>& top) {
  NeuronLayer<Dtype>::LayerSetUp(bottom, top);
  power_ = this->layer_param_.power_param().power();
  scale_ = this->layer_param_.power_param().scale();
  shift_ = this->layer_param_.power_param().shift();
  diff_scale_ = power_  * scale_;
}

// Compute y = (shift + scale * x)^power
template <typename Dtype>
void PowerLayer<Dtype>::Forward_cpu(const vector<Blob<Dtype>*>& bottom,
    const vector<Blob<Dtype>*>& top) {
  Dtype* top_data = top[0]->mutable_cpu_data();
  const int count = bottom[0]->count();
  // Special case where we can ignore the input: scale or power is 0.
  if (diff_scale_ == Dtype(0)) {
    Dtype value = (power_ == 0) ? Dtype(1) : pow(shift_, power_);
    caffe_set(count, value, top_data);
    return;
  }
  const Dtype* bottom_data = bottom[0]->cpu_data();
  caffe_copy(count, bottom_data, top_data);
  if (scale_ != Dtype(1)) {
    caffe_scal(count, scale_, top_data);
  }
  if (shift_ != Dtype(0)) {
    caffe_add_scalar(count, shift_, top_data);
  }
  if (power_ != Dtype(1)) {
    caffe_powx(count, top_data, power_, top_data);
  }
}

template <typename Dtype>
void PowerLayer<Dtype>::Backward_cpu(const vector<Blob<Dtype>*>& top,
    const vector<bool>& propagate_down,
    const vector<Blob<Dtype>*>& bottom) {
  if (propagate_down[0]) {
    Dtype* bottom_diff = bottom[0]->mutable_cpu_diff();
    const int count = bottom[0]->count();
    const Dtype* top_diff = top[0]->cpu_diff();
    if (diff_scale_ == Dtype(0) || power_ == Dtype(1)) {
      caffe_set(count, diff_scale_, bottom_diff);
    } else {
      const Dtype* bottom_data = bottom[0]->cpu_data();
      // Compute dy/dx = scale * power * (shift + scale * x)^(power - 1)
      //               = diff_scale * y / (shift + scale * x)
      if (power_ == Dtype(2)) {
        // Special case for y = (shift + scale * x)^2
        //     -> dy/dx = 2 * scale * (shift + scale * x)
        //              = diff_scale * shift + diff_scale * scale * x
        caffe_cpu_axpby(count, diff_scale_ * scale_, bottom_data,
            Dtype(0), bottom_diff);
        if (shift_ != Dtype(0)) {
          caffe_add_scalar(count, diff_scale_ * shift_, bottom_diff);
        }
      } else if (shift_ == Dtype(0)) {
        // Special case for y = (scale * x)^power
        //     -> dy/dx = scale * power * (scale * x)^(power - 1)
        //              = scale * power * (scale * x)^power * (scale * x)^(-1)
        //              = power * y / x
        const Dtype* top_data = top[0]->cpu_data();
        caffe_div(count, top_data, bottom_data, bottom_diff);
        caffe_scal(count, power_, bottom_diff);
      } else {
        caffe_copy(count, bottom_data, bottom_diff);
        if (scale_ != Dtype(1)) {
          caffe_scal(count, scale_, bottom_diff);
        }
        if (shift_ != Dtype(0)) {
          caffe_add_scalar(count, shift_, bottom_diff);
        }
        const Dtype* top_data = top[0]->cpu_data();
        caffe_div<Dtype>(count, top_data, bottom_diff, bottom_diff);
        if (diff_scale_ != Dtype(1)) {
          caffe_scal(count, diff_scale_, bottom_diff);
        }
      }
    }
    if (diff_scale_ != Dtype(0)) {
      caffe_mul(count, top_diff, bottom_diff, bottom_diff);
    }
  }
}

#ifdef CPU_ONLY
STUB_GPU(PowerLayer);
#endif

INSTANTIATE_CLASS(PowerLayer);
REGISTER_LAYER_CLASS(Power);

}  // namespace caffe

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
USAngel beams from ear to ear as the referee raises her arm... "Winner over Hot Rod Andy... and still Texas Wrestling All-star Team champion... US Angel..." celebrating with her fans by grabbing her staff and doing a forms demonstration in the middle of the ring... illuminated by a spotlight... oblivious to its unnatural quality... until...
Your feet leave the ground in a final leap... and keep going... the Ref and Hot Rod looking on in astonishment as you rise up out of the open-air ring... the light exerting a pull... like a tractor beam... as it draws you up and up... into the belly of a greenish-grey object... a flying saucer...
USAngel gasps as she rises up from the ring... shimmering legs flailing... gloved hand tightening around her staff... looking up into the blinding light... blinking... mouth agape... swallowing hard as the flying saucer swallows her up... terrified... unsure what to expect...
The doors closing... and trapping you in a padded cargo container... barely large enough for your body... as you feel a terrific acceleration slamming you into one of the padded walls... the saucer streaking up into the sky... then into space... to an unknown destination... finally coming to the rest... as the hatchway begins to slide open again...
USAngel struggles briefly inside the container... considering activating the flare function in her staff... but afraid she might only manage to burn herself up... finally trying to calm herself... taking deep breaths and just waiting to see what will come next... tensed and ready as the container is opened...
The beam of the saucer pushing rather than pulling now... forcing you out of the container before lowering you down towards the ground... another kind of ring... some sort of stadium... or arena... surrounded by hideous creatures... gnashing and roaring... under a sky with two suns... a tall purple being in black standing near your landing point...
USAngel is glad to be back on her feet... her head on a swivel as she looks around... pretty darn sure this isn't some elaborate set on her TV show... looking up at the purple creature... pointing her staff... "What is going on? Where am I? What do you want?"
The purple being holding out a tentacle... on which rest a pair of what look like earplugs... perhaps translators of a kind... after a moment's hesitation, you hold one close to your ear... and hear the roaring transformed into cheering... the purple alien turning away from you and marching to the rings centre... calling out in alien tongue... that sounds through the earplugs like "Ladies and Gentlemen..."
USAngel ponders for a brief moment and then pushes the babblebugs into her ears... eyes widening as she listens... "As part of our never ending effort to bring our fighters new challenges... tonight we bring you one of Earth's champion warriors... US Angel... to face..." Callie gulping... "You watch too much TV..." stammering... "I... just... I..." biting her lip...
The purple announcer gesturing towards a slowly rising portcullis... something massive shambling through... muscled... with four arms dragging on the arena floor... and a pair of squat, shuffling legs... seemingly without knees... at least this monster won't be kicking... "The Grognar... one of the toughest of our champions... this will be a battle to the finish..." The massed aliens cheering wildly...
USAngel stands transfixed... the massive creature easily making five or six of her... with orangish leathery skin... beady eyes narrowing at her... the wide face scowling... then something she recognizes as laughter only because of her babblebugs erupts from deep inside its gullet... Angel clutching her staff tightly and feeling very small...
The Grognar shuffling forward as the alien audience cheer... obviously used to you defeating much larger opponents... from whatever patchy TV signals they've managed to somehow get hold of... not realizing that's all a fake TV show... the monster lumbering forward... reaching out for you with one of his huge paws...
USAngel flips away from the reaching fingers... eight on each hand... opposite a pair of 'thumbs...' all of which clench into a massive hammer of a fist... from which Angel ducks... feeling the force of the blow strike her trailing ponytail... as she somersaults forward... and jabs her staff upwards into the midsection of the creature...
The staff jabbing into the creature's belly... making it wince and snarl despite the thick padding... maybe a weak spot... some internal organ that doesn't like being prodded... four fists aiming together... attempting to slam you between them...
USAngel dives forward between the two short legs... crawling through... springing up behind the Grognar... swinging her staff... aiming to strike it on the back of the leathery cranium...
The staff striking... the back of the head seemingly not such a tender point... not doing more than angering the huge lumbering monstrosity... as it spins... aiming a pair of backhands around at you... trying to knock you off your feet...
USAngel comes up off her feet to deliver the blow... surprised by the speed with which the creature spins... she is caught while still in the air... yelping as she is sent flying... into the stone wall of the eight-sided arena pit... impacting with a grunt and tumbling to the ground... shaking her head as she gets to hands and knees...
The crowd gasping... ooohing and aaahing... not expecting this upset after seeing you on the TV signals... many cheering the Grognar... some booing you... as the huge orange behemoth lumbers forward... the wide mouth set in something like a grin... before bringing all four fists down onto the ground... sending a shockwave through the arena floor towards you...
USAngel blinks as she sees the huge axehandle blow delivered to the floor... already on her feet and moving forward... using her staff to vault over the shockwave... her shimmering legs bicycling... driving blue footies forward... aiming to land a series of kicks to the front of her foe while its hands are down...
The kicks impacting against the same spot your struck your staff against earlier... making the huge orange creature wince... and sending it staggering back on the stumpy legs... looking almost ill... reaching with one of its massive paws to grab a hold of you... aiming to hurl you against the arena floor by whatever it can catch...
USAngel tries to backflip away... but her trailing leg is caught by one of the massive hands... the grip like a vise clamp... threatening to crush her ankle as it swings her around and down... a loud crack of something on impact... but the creature not through... whipping her back over head the other way and down again... staff rolling away from an open hand on this thudding impact...
The thing acting like a Tom and Jerry cartoon... the crowd cheering and jeering as it slams you on the ground twice more for good measure... and then spins you around like a hammer toss... hurling you into the stands like a fly ball... a forest of tentacles and appendages waiting to catch you...
USAngel spins tits over tights into the seething forest of tendrils and sniffing probosci... a broken toy groped and examined for what seems longer than mere seconds... flung back toward the pit... amazingly spreading her arms... her costume seemingly sprouting wings... carrying toward her staff... grimacing as she grabs it and rolls to her knees... shaking as she raises it toward the Grognar...
The big orange beast snorting... and reaching out a paw... snatching the staff away... and lifting it to its mouth... swallowing it whole... like a sword swallower... playing the crowd... who give a wild cheer... as it runs a long lizardy tongue over its chops... advancing with arms outstretched towards you...
USAngel blinks as the weapon on which she depends is yanked away and swallowed whole... she swallows hard herself... almost forgetting to move as the creature reaches for her... ducking one hand... springing over a second... only to be caught by the third... her ankles clamped together... squirming frantically as she is held upside down... the other three fists tenderizing her until her struggles fade...
The orange fists pounding and pummeling... as the slobbering beast opens wide... seemingly detaching its jaw like a snake... your eyes widening as it lowers you headfirst into its mouth... legs kicking... before it swallows them down too... slurping you right into its belly... the crowd cheering...
USAngel squeals as she realizes what is happening... that sound quickly muffled as her squirming form is abruptly sucked into the dark fetid gullet... wet muscular walls rolling her into a pouch full of fluid... unable to breathe... lungs burning... skin too... sputtering... being digested alive... her shuddering hand grasping something familiar... turning that weapon on the lining of her death chamber...
The staff prodding against the sensitive wall of the belly... the monster belching... as you prod again and again... harder... blood gushing as the flesh starts to give way...
USAngel prodding desperately... the belching sensation giving her hope... breaking the staff down... the crowd puzzled as the Grognar stumbles drunkenly about... looking very pained... huge hands clutching at that same spot in its midsection... as it topples over backwards... limbs sprawling in six directions... and a half-naked girl erupts from its distended belly...
Some of the crowd looking shocked... some cheering louder than ever before... as you stagger free of the dead Grognar... the crowd roaring... as the announcer lifts one of your hands... "A sensational victory... and surely only the first of many... but for the moment we need to return this amazing specimen to her natural habitat... to rest up for the next challenge... in just one noxnir's time..." Your eyes widening even as the saucer flies overhead again... the hatch opening...
USAngel flailing as she is lifted up again... the last of her dissolving costume falling away from her burning skin... glistening with the Grognar's digestive juices... only a panty-shaped bit of tights remaining... the portion originally covered by her leotard... in desperate need of one of Sara's stasis tubes by the time she is dumped back on earth to recover... left to wonder how long a 'noxnir' might be...