Earthquake Insurance FAQ's - Pinecrest Insurance Services, Inc.
Note: Earthquake coverage can vary from one company to another. Review your policy for your specific coverage limits.
Q: What is a Comprehensive Earthquake Insurance Policy?
A: Comprehensive Earthquake Insurance policies offers broad protection for your dwelling, other structures, personal property and additional living expenses.
Q: What is a Standard Earthquake Insurance Policy?
A: A Standard Earthquake Insurance policy is designed to provide protection for the dwelling with limited coverage for your personal possessions and additional living expenses.
Q: How much earthquake insurance do I need?
A: To determine the minimum amount of earthquake insurance you should consider, we would need to estimate what it may cost to rebuild your home after an earthquake. Additionally, costs are estimated for other structures, contents and loss of use.
Q: What does an Earthquake Insurance policy provide?
Repair, or in the event of a total loss, replacement cost, of an insured home when damage exceeds the policy's deductible, up to the policy limit.
If you cannot live in your home after an earthquake, you may be eligible for additional living expenses up to your policy limit.
After the deductible has been met by covered damage to your home, the policy will replace personal property such as furniture and household items, up to your policy limit.
Q: Will the Earthquake Insurance policy pay for emergency repairs?
A: Yes. Once damage has exceeded the policy's deductible, the policy covers reasonable emergency repairs in an amount up to 5% of the insured value of the home as part of the dwelling limit of insurance. It also covers debris-removal costs in an amount up to 5% of the insured value of the home as additional insurance.
Q: Does my policy cover building code upgrades?
A: Yes. In addition to providing funds for repairing or replacing your home, the base policy includes up to an additional $10,000 in Building Code Upgrade coverage.
Q: What about my land? Is that covered too?
Q: How much does Earthquake Insurance cost?
A: Premiums are based on certain factors, including where you live and the age, construction type, number of stories, and insured value of your home.
Q: What is not covered by my Earthquake Insurance Policy?
Detached garages and most other structures that are not part of the dwelling itself.
Land damage other than $10,000 in coverage for land stabilization.
Certain decorative or artistic items such as mirrors, chandeliers, stained glass, or mosaics.
Patios, decks, walkways, and driveways not needed for pedestrian or disabled access to your home.
Plaster, to the extent that the repair cost exceeds the value of drywall.
Exterior masonry veneer (with the exception of stucco, which is covered).
Damage caused in whole or in part by causes other than earthquakes, such as fire during or following an earthquake (in most cases, fire damage is covered by you homeowners insurance policy); water damage resulting from floods or surface water; power failures; explosions; or non-seismic land sliing.
Certain categories of personal property, including glasswaare, crystal, porcelain, artwork, motor vehicles, boats, and trailers.


The GCC Foundation offers more than 50 endowed awards and scholarships to students annually. Additional GCC Scholarships are awarded through faculty/department nomination only.
Please check back in February 2020 for our next round of Foundation scholarships.
Questions about the scholarship process? Email foundation@gcc.mass.edu.
Need help accessing the scholarship application? Email webmaster@gcc.mass.edu.
The GCC Foundation's annual golf tournament raises money for student scholarships. For more information and to register online, visit http://www.gcc.mass.edu/foundation/golf.
Apply now for our 2019 GCC Foundation Scholarships!
The GCC Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) organization. Your contribution is tax-deductible.


We recommend you renew in a DMV now to get an Enhanced or REAL ID, and avoid a second office visit later. 2 Learn about Enhanced, REAL ID and Standard documents.
If you did not receive a renewal notice, you can use an Application for Permit, Driver License or Non-Driver ID Card (pdf) (MV-44).
If your non-driver ID is expired for 2 years or more, you must apply for an original non-driver ID card. See Get a non-driver ID card (NDID).


Can you guess who made the cut?
They sing, they dance, they act and well, they do pretty much everything else in between. Celebrities these days come with a fully-stocked repertoire of inspired talents, hobbies, and interests, which for most of the time, we have full access to, thanks to social media. And in between their various tweets, Instagram stories, or Snapchats, we get a glimpse of the spaces they call home. Needless to say, we often find ourselves acutely aware of their interiors—call it an occupational hazard—dissecting what snippets of design we can find. Putting said practice into play, we rounded up the celebrities who have been really killing it in the world of interior design lately, and our findings just might surprise you.
Of course, when you have the ultra talented Sarah Sherman Samuels as your interior designer, your home is bound to result in something special. Coming hot off a fresh redesign, Mandy Moore's light-filled Cali home boasts no shortage of inspired details and covet-worthy decor moments. Can you say kitchen goals?
Congratulations are in order for Emily Ratajkowski—and not solely for the fact that she just shocked the world with her surprise city hall wedding. Nope, the model-turned-actress knows good design and her beautifully curated yet effortlessly cool LA loft is only proof. Filled with art and an eclectic slew of colors and prints, the home is filled to the brim with exotically-sourced pieces and plenty of personality.
Call her the undeniable queen of social media: Chrissy Teigen's unfiltered social presence means that more often than not, we get total access to her daily life. With that, comes plenty of glimpses of the stunning home Teigen shares with husband, John Legend, and their too-cute-for-words daughter, Luna. Teigen's decorative style seamlessly melds a modern-meets-industrialized aesthetic, downplayed by a slew of earthy accents and fresh, lively greens.
Upon her move to the East coast, Mama Hadid has been evoking some serious interior envy. The whitewashed home embodies effortless elegance with a hint of streamlined modernism complemented by an array of cozy details. And with an outdoor space that is just as covet-worthy as the inside, it's hard to pick which we love more.
Be it their weekend getaway or spacious NYC loft, the Rassi's interior style is a force to be reckoned with. While the latter skews more towards the urban chic, filtered with worldly accents and kid-art, the former is abundant with color, textures, and no shortage of vibrantly wallpapered rooms.
Lauren Conrad's affinity for design may not be that much of a secret but we still find ourselves in constant awe of her evolving style. Following the birth of her son, the creative's home has gone through a series of upgrades, not limited to an absolutely dreamy nursery. Much in line with her signature classic-meets-elegant style, Conrad's home is bright, charming, and effortlessly chic.
is elevated by the abundance of natural light, flooding in from every corner, while an extensive array of potted greens provide the home with a welcome burst of life, effortlessly bringing the outdoors in. Her dreamy balcony—practically earmarked for enjoying a warm cup of joe on blissful mornings—is no exception.
Leave it to Reese Witherspoon to have a kitchen as charming as this. The Draper James founder's classic home boasts a series of modern touches, complete with pops of vibrant color and of course, plenty of fresh florals.
Will Smith's sudden burst into the social media world has been entertaining, to say the least, and it's safe to say that we've really gotten to know the actor. From his hilarious spoofs to shout-outs to fellow celebs, Smith's knack for creating content is seriously impressive. As for his home style? We were lucky enough to get mini glimpses of his Cali home, which proves to encompass a rustic-esque, ranch-inspired interior elevated with bold, modern accents.
The iconic supermodel's home embodies the quintessence of the oh-so-covet-worthy Cali-cool aesthetic. Situated in Malibu, the decor is all about integrating a seamless transition from the outdoors in, complete with plenty of odes to the surf, sand, and sun.


Dynamics 365 Saturday is a free global event that shares the Microsoft Power Platform knowledge and experience throughout the world.
Learn about the advantages of a partner communication solution that integrates with Microsoft Dynamics 365.
Retail giant Macy's turned to Microsoft to add a virtual agent to its Web site.
The Omnia Group divisions implemented Microsoft Dynamics 365, Skype for Business, Microsoft Azure, Power BI, and more than 3 000 Microsoft Office 365 seats.
To support its growth, TGI Fridays consolidated business operations on Microsoft Dynamics 365.
AccuWeather is saving lives and millions of dollars with predictive analytics thanks to Microsoft technologies.
Karabina's Insurance Accelerator helps insurance businesses transform how they engage with customers across all channels.
The acquisition was driven by Mint Group's strategic imperative to further broaden its reach and strengthen its competitive stance.
Two of the most important tools to implement are customer relationship management and enterprise resource management, says Microsoft.
Customers' approach to businesses has evolved over time, and customers have higher expectations from service providers, says First Distribution.


New best free psd mockup release SERICO – FREE FONT listing by Pixel Surplus awesome free psd mockups.
Introducing Serico is a free calligraphy style font from Stefano Giliberti. It comes with 390 glyphs and is multilingual.


What is it about sipping bubbles that lifts the spirit and adds sparkle to any occasion? When most people request a bottle of bubbles, they usually ask for Champagne, but often what they end up ordering and drinking is sparkling wine.
Champagne still carries the badge for most prestige and also the highest price tag, but it does not have the lock on quality or romance. True "Champagne" must be produced in the AOC Champagne region of France using a time-honored process called méthode champenoise. This more labor intensive process requires the wine to undergo a secondary fermentation in the bottle after a mixture of sugar and yeast, the "liqueur de tirage," has been added to the still wine. A little "love chemistry" happens between the yeast and the sugar in the capped bottle, trapping carbon dioxide which creates the fine bubbles.
There are other methods of making sparkling wine. One of the most common is "Charmat" where secondary fermentation occurs in a large pressurized tank. The Charmat method is a less expensive way to make sparkling wine and produces some very good wines including Prosecco Superiore DOCG and Lambrusco.
But, for traditionalists, it's the méthode champenoise, also known as "method traditional," that seduces our palates and delivers the tiny tongue tickling bubbles we love. Outside of Champagne, the méthode champenoise is used to produce many excellent sparkling wines worth checking out.
Excellent crémant sparkling wines are found in many regions of France. Different grapes being used for different regions, but all use the traditional méthode champenoise. Some regions and styles to try include Crémant de Loire, Crémant de Bourgogne and Crémant d'Alsace. For the latter, there is Lucien Albrecht, one of the oldest houses as it dates back to the 1400s (Pasternak Wines) and Ehrhart-Domaine Saint-Rémy (Domaine Select).
Another region producing metodo classico is Trentino DOC. The region's excellent sparkling wines can be attributed to Giulio Ferrari, who planted Trentino's first Chardonnay grapes to make sparkling wine in 1902. Today, Cantine Ferrari Trento (Palm Bay) is the most iconic sparkling wine label from this region and throughout Italy. While no relation to Ferrari the car, the elegance and prestige certainly match!
Cava is the sparkling wine produced in the Denominacion de Origen (DO) of Cava in the northeast corner of Spain known as Penedès. To receive the designation "cava," the wine must be produced in "Cava" following guidelines set by the region, most often using méthode champenoise. Among the many excellent cava labels to try, here are three to start with: Villa Conchi (Total Wine & Co), Cordoniu (Aveníu Brands), Campo Viejo (Pernod-Ricard), and Gramona (European Cellars).
Almost every region of the US that makes wine produces some sparkling wine. According to Nielsen, domestic sparkling wines represent 55% of U.S. sales.
With more than 80 sparkling wine producers from almost every appellation, California dominates as the nation's star sparkling wine region. A few notable names are Roederer Estate (Anderson Valley), Schramsberg (Napa Valley), Iron Horse (Sonoma), Domaine Carneros (Carneros) and Scharffenberger (Mendocino).
Another storied sparkling wine producer in the US is Chateau Frank from Dr. Konstantin Frank in the Finger Lakes region. An immigrant from the Ukraine with a doctorate in plant sciences, many consider Dr. Konstantin Frank the founding father of New York State's wine industry.
Descendants of Champagne producer Gilbert Gruet, Nathalie Gruet and her brother Laurent settled in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico in the 1980s, after visiting as tourists with the intent to make sparkling wine. Today, Gruet is a highly regarded sparkling wine made in the méthode champenoise.
George Vanderbilt, son of industrialist Cornelius Vanderbilt, built baronial Biltmore Estate in Asheville, North Carolina to serve as the family's summer home in 1862. George's grandson, William Cecil, started to experiment with making wines in 1971. Today, Biltmore Estate offers a formidable collection including sparkling wines using the méthode champenoise.
Sparkling wine enthusiasts say "bubbles make the world go round." And you really could drink your way around the world with bubbles. There are many other areas of the world making excellent sparkling wines. So even if you have a taste for Champagne, like love and romance…try being a little adventurous and mix it up!


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If you are someone who has an interest in learning about human behaviour and also helping other people succeed, then doing a Bachelor of Human Resource Management and Psychology is definitely a suitable choice for you.
Psychology plays a critical role in recruitment, handling employee disputes or in taking disciplinary action.
Employee satisfaction: After completing this course, this would be one of the major responsibilities that you would be given in an organisation. Being in charge of employee satisfaction would entail setting up focus groups, interviews and surveys to ascertain the happiness of your employees. If some employees are not happy, you would need to find the cause of the unhappiness and alleviate it.
Conflict resolution: Conflict in the workplace can be considered to be inevitable as employees have different personalities and lifestyles. When you study human resources management, you will be taught how to handle and resolve such conflicts in a professional manner.
Reduce employee turnover: High employee turnover is something that hurts every organisation. If you aim to be a Human Resource Manager after completing the course, you would be responsible for hiring appropriate people for roles, thus reducing employee turnover. While interviewing candidates, you should ensure that they have the required skillset and that they possess the attitude to adjust to the organisation's work culture.
Training and development: A Human Resource Manager is also responsible for holding assessments for employees to assess the skills that need improvement, which can be done through training and development programmes. This also helps increase employee loyalty and decreasing employee turnover.
Social and Community Service Manager.
If you are interested in working for major tourist attractions such as Louvre, Leaning Tower of Pisa, Madame Tussauds and the likes, but also have a soft spot for management?
If that is the case, this undergraduate course is tailor-made for you.
Development of crucial communication skills: Drafting a convincing report or presenting a pitch or even writing an email — all of these require excellent communication skills. Hence, while you are studying this course, you will get opportunities to hone your communication skills while interacting with fellow students, creating reports or presenting assignments.
Creative field: Tourism is such a field that requires you to be creative and think on your feet. You are responsible for ensuring that people have a great experience, and you may require your creative skills to make it happen.
A wide range of opportunities: The skills that you will grasp in this course are transferable, enabling you to work anywhere across the world, even more so if you wish to combine these skills with travel.
Marketing 101: This tourism management course will equip you with marketing knowledge and skills that you would be able to use in your future career.
Scope: Studying tourism management opens up a great number of varied job opportunities for you such as tourist guide, travel consultant, event manager and tour manager.
Some subjects in the tourism course include understanding tourism environment, issues in tourism management, sustainable tourism management and international destination management.
A bachelor's degree in business marketing will help you understand the nitty-gritties of the business world while simultaneously providing you with specialist marketing knowledge. You will learn skills related to marketing strategy, marketing intelligence, marketing communications and marketing planning with a business perspective.
You can combine courses: A marketing degree does not have to be limited, it can also include other streams and subjects, like business, in the case of this course.
Diverse career choice: Marketing is such a field in which you can take up a variety of roles. Enjoy interacting with customers? Sell products and services. Intrigued by the behaviour of consumers and research? Analyse consumer behaviour and carry out market research. The opportunities are endless, hence go dive into the pool to find your passion.
A balance between practical and theoretical learning: This course will provide you with the perfect balance between theoretical and practical learning. You will learn through case-studies that will provide you with skills to implement in the real world.
A wide range of subjects: Since it's a course combining marketing and business management, you will get to learn a wide range of subjects like principles of marketing, introduction to finance, enterprise and entrepreneurship, strategic management, market intelligence, business analysis and international marketing.
If these courses interest you, GISMA Business School offers Human Resource Management and Psychology BA (Hons), Business (Tourism) BA (Hons) and Business (Marketing) BA (Hons). These three courses are some of the best business courses to take up as they include aspects of human resources, psychology, tourism, marketing and business.


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Elaws
Health Plans and Benefits
Industry-Recognized Apprenticeship Programs (IRAP)
Major Laws of DOL
Retirement Plans, Benefits and Savings
Unions and Collective Bargaining
Veterans Employment
Workplace Safety and Health
Youth & Young Worker Employment
Breaks and Meal Periods
Continuation of Health Coverage - COBRA
FMLA (Family and Medical Leave)
Full-Time Employment
Office of the Secretary (OSEC)
Administrative Review Board (ARB)
Benefits Review Board (BRB)
Bureau of International Labor Affairs (ILAB)
Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA)
Employees' Compensation Appeals Board (ECAB)
Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA)
Office of Administrative Law Judges (OALJ)
Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Affairs (OCIA)
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP)
Office of Inspector General (OIG)
Office of Labor-Management Standards (OLMS)
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Administration and Management (OASAM)
Office of the Assistant Secretary for Policy (OASP)
Office of the Solicitor (SOL)
Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP)
Ombudsman for the Energy Employees Occupational Illness Compensation Program (EEOMBD)
Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC)
Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS)
Wage and Hour Division (WHD)
Women's Bureau (WB)
Agencies and Programs
Meet the Secretary of Labor
Budget, Performance and Planning
Careers at DOL
Economic Data from the Department of Labor
Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs
Bank of America Enters Into Early Resolution Conciliation Agreement With U.S. Department of Labor to Resolve Discrimination Violations
CHARLOTTE, NC – Bank of America has agreed to pay $4.2 million in back wages and interest to resolve alleged hiring discrimination violations found at several of the bank's facilities during routine compliance evaluations by the U.S. Department of Labor's Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).
OFCCP alleged that the Charlotte, North Carolina-based bank discriminated against African Americans, Hispanics and women applying for registered phone representative, client service, mortgage underwriter, telephone sales associate and sales specialist positions. These alleged discriminatory practices occurred at Bank of America locations in Pennington, New Jersey; Jacksonville, Florida; Kennesaw, Georgia; and Texas branches in Addison, Fort Worth and Plano.
"This is one of the largest settlements in OFCCP history, and this result will further the goal of equal employment opportunity," said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Director Craig E. Leen in Washington, DC.
"Federal contractors must comply with equal employment opportunity laws in their hiring and compensation practices," said Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs Southeast Regional Director Samuel B. Maiden, in Atlanta, Georgia.
Under the early resolution conciliation agreement, Bank of America will monitor its hiring practices nation-wide. In addition, the bank will take steps to enhance its compliance with Executive Order 11246 and retain a consultant to evaluate policies and procedures related to its hiring processes for a five-year period.
In November 2018, OFCCP launched an effort to resolve supply and service compliance evaluations at the earliest stage possible with corporate-wide compliance and issued a directive establishing Early Resolution Procedures (ERP). These procedures allow OFCCP and contractors with multiple establishments to cooperatively develop corporate-wide compliance with OFCCP's regulatory requirements and efficiently resolve issues. In turn, contractors are exempt from future evaluations for five years. This conciliation agreement with Bank of America resulted from that ERP directive.
In addition to Executive Order 11246, OFCCP enforces Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974. These laws, as amended, make it illegal for contractors and subcontractors doing business with the federal government to discriminate in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. In addition, contractors and subcontractors are prohibited from discriminating against applicants or employees because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their compensation or the compensation of others subject to certain limitations. For more information, please call OFCCP's toll-free helpline at 800-397-6251 or visit https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/.
If you think you may be one of the applicants eligible for back pay or job opportunities from this settlement, or may know someone who is, please visit the OFCCP Class Member Locator at: https://www.dol.gov/ofccp/CML. There you will find information about this and other OFCCP settlements.
The mission of the Department of Labor is to foster, promote, and develop the welfare of the wage earners, job seekers, and retirees of the United States; improve working conditions; advance opportunities for profitable employment; and assure work-related benefits and rights.
19-1566-ATL
Media Contact: Eric R. Lucero
lucero.eric.r@dol.gov
Media Contact: Michael D'Aquino
d'aquino.michael@dol.gov
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Berkeley is a city on the east shore of San Francisco Bay in northern Alameda County. It is bordered by the cities of Oakland and Emeryville to the south and by the city of Albany and unincorporated community of Kensington to the north, while its eastern limit is the border with Contra Costa County that generally follows the ridge of the Berkeley Hills. Berkeley is the site of the oldest campus in the University of California system – the University of California, Berkeley – and of the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory that the university manages and operates.
Surrounding the University of California campus are the most densely populated parts of the city. West of the campus is Downtown Berkeley, the city's traditional commercial core; home of the civic center, the city's only public high school, the busiest BART station in Berkeley, as well as a major transfer point for AC Transit buses. North of the campus is the quieter Northside neighborhood, the location of the Graduate Theological Union. Further from the university campus, the influence of the University quickly becomes less visible. Most of Berkeley's neighborhoods are primarily made up of detached houses, often with separate in-law units in the rear, although larger apartment buildings are also common in many neighborhoods. Commercial activities are concentrated along the major avenues and at important intersections.
In the southeastern corner of the city is the Claremont District, home to the Claremont Hotel; and the Elmwood District, with a small shopping area on College Avenue.
West of (and including) San Pablo Avenue, a major commercial corridor, is West Berkeley, the historic commercial center of the city, and the former unincorporated town of Ocean View. West Berkeley contains the remnants of Berkeley's industrial area, much of which has been replaced by retail and office uses, as well as residential live/work loft space, with the decline of manufacturing in the United States. Along the shoreline of San Francisco Bay at the foot of University Avenue is the Berkeley Marina. Nearby is Berkeley's Aquatic Park, featuring an artificial linear lagoon of San Francisco Bay.
North of Downtown is the North Berkeley neighborhood, which has a concentration of well-known restaurants and other food-related businesses. Further north are Northbrae, a master-planned subdivision from the early 20th century, and Thousand Oaks. Above these last three neighborhoods, in the northeastern part of Berkeley, are the Berkeley Hills. The neighborhoods of the Berkeley Hills such as Cragmont and La Loma Park are notable for their dramatic views, winding streets, and numerous public stairways and paths.


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Santa Barbara Convent
Quietly nestled against a scenic mountain range, the Vedanta center in Santa Barbara overlooks the Pacific ocean. A convent of five nuns oversees the maintenance of the 45-acre property, manages the bookstore and facilitates public activities at the temple.
Activities include daily worship, meditation and vesper services, Sunday lectures, and pujas (special worship services). The nuns also give monthly lectures, hold retreats, and oversee the extensive gardens.
(Photo circa 2012) Top row (L to R): Krishnaprana, Anandaprana (d), Baradaprana (d), Deviprana
Bottom row (L to R) devotee, Vrajaprana, Bhavaprana
HISTORY OF THE CONVENT
In 1944, Spencer Kellogg donated his beautiful country estate in the hills of Santa Barbara to the Vedanta Society of Southern California. At the time, the property, as well as the rolling hills surrounding it, was largely undeveloped and thick with chaparral. The estate included a house, a small shrine building and an art room.
At first, the estate was used as a place of retreat for the monastics and lay members of the Vedanta Society in Hollywood. In 1946, a group of monks and a retired contractor came to Santa Barbara to build four bedrooms around the existing art room. When the renovation was completed in 1947, the estate was designated a convent and a group of nuns from the Hollywood center took up full-time residence. At this time, the first monastic vows for women were given to three members of the convent.
Public lectures began in 1954 and were given in the living room of the main house. Soon there were about seventy people regularly attending the lectures and the need for a temple became apparent. Lutah Maria Riggs, a well-known local architect, was hired and she designed a beautiful building inspired by early South Indian temples.
The temple was dedicated in 1956, and three years later it was the location for the vows of sannyas (final monastic vows) given to women in America for the first time by the Ramakrishna Order of India. The convent since that time has steadily developed and matured. As it moves into the 21st century, the convent, now firmly established, regards the future of women's Western monasticism with optimism.
Home -> Monasteries and Convents -> Santa Barbara Convent


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1971 World Series Champions Named Grand Feature Parade Grand Marshals
Steve Blass and Bob Robertson of the 1971 Pittsburgh Pirates World Series Championship Team have been selected as Co-Grand Marshals for the 54th Annual Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade, held on October 1, 2021 at 1pm. The Town of Oakland and Greater Oakland Business Association are the sponsors for the 2021 Grand Marshals.
Prior to the parade there will be a meet and greet from 10:30am-noon for fans to have memorabilia signed or pose for photos. To help protect the health of our distinguished guests, masks are strongly recommended during the meet and greet.
"We are thrilled to have Mr. Blass and Mr. Robertson as our co-grand marshals for the parade," said Nicole McCullough, Oakland Business Coordinator and Grand Feature Parade Organizer. "Many people in our area are Pittsburgh fans and we're overjoyed that they've agreed to celebrate Autumn Glory with us. The timing is excellent too, as the date of Autumn Glory is almost 50 years to the day of the Pirates winning the 71 World Series."
In a dramatic victory against the Baltimore Orioles in game seven of the 1971 World Championship on October 17, Pirates Pitcher Steve Blass captured his second complete game win of the series, allowing only seven hits and two runs in 18 innings. In the bottom of the ninth, Orioles player Merv Rettenmund hit a bouncer straight up the middles to shortstop Jackie Hernandez. Hernandez fielded the hit and threw it to Bob Robertson at first to secure the out and win the series, four games to three. Many people still remember the infamous celebration of Blass jumping into Robertson's arms in exhilaration.
Steve Blass is an American former professional baseball player and television sports color commentator. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1964 and from 1966 through 1974. Blass was one of the National League's top pitchers between 1968 and 1972, helping the Pirates win four National League Eastern Division titles in five years between 1970 and 1974. He played a key role in the Pirates victory over the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 World Series when he recorded two complete game victories. He remains the last National League pitcher to throw a complete game in Game Seven of a World Series. After his playing career ended, Blass had a 34-year career as a television sports commentator for Pittsburgh Pirates games.
Bob Robertson is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman between 1967 and 1979, most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won five National League Eastern Division titles in six years between 1970 and 1975 and, won the World Series in 1971. He also played for the Seattle Mariners (1978) and the Toronto Blue Jays (1979).
Overnight accommodations for the Co-Grand Marshals are provided by Railey Vacations and the Suites at Silver Tree.
For information about the 54th Annual Autumn Glory Grand Feature Parade visit https://oaklandmd.com/autumn-glory-festival.html.
GDP is the Most Misunderstood Finance Term, Google Search Data Reveals
Southern High Students Learn Investing through Game/Competition
Maryland Employs the 6th Fewest Mechanically-Inclined Workers in the U.S.
Garrett County Public Schools: Updates for Scheduling January 25-27, 2023
Garrett County Public Schools to Conduct a Synchronous Virtual Learning Day


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Horses (National Album Day Ltd White Vinyl)
Label: Sony Music CMG
Colour: White Vinyl
Horses' is the debut studio album by American musician Patti Smith, released in November 1975. It isn't hard to make the case for Patti Smith as a punk rock progenitor based on her debut album, which anticipated the new wave by a year or so: the simple, crudely played rock & roll, featuring Lenny Kaye's rudimentary guitar work, the anarchic spirit of Smith's vocals, and the emotional and imaginative nature of her lyrics - all prefigure the coming movement as it evolved on both sides of the Atlantic. Producer John Cale respected Smith's primitivism in a way that later producers did not, and the loose, improvisatory song structures worked with her free verse to create something like a new spoken word/musical art form: 'Horses' was a hybrid, the sound of a post-Beat poet, as she put it, 'dancing around to the simple rock & roll song'. This limited-edition NAD release is pressed on solid white coloured vinyl.
1. Gloria - Patti Smith
2. Redondo Beach - Patti Smith
3. Birdland - Patti Smith
4. Free Money - Patti Smith
5. Kimberly - Patti Smith
6. Break It Up - Patti Smith
7. Land: Horses/Land of a Thousand Dances/La Mer (De) - Patti Smith
8. Elegie - Patti Smith


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Going out of business: Ascena Retail Group closing all of its nearly 650 Dressbarn stores
Kelly Tyko
Dressbarn is closing all of its stores.
The women's retailer announced Monday "plans to commence a wind-down of its retail operations, including the eventual closure of its approximately 650 stores."
Stores remain open along with the Dressbarn website, the company said in a statement.
"For more than 50 years, Dressbarn has served women's fashion needs, and we thank all of our dedicated associates for their commitment to Dressbarn and our valued customers," said Steven Taylor, Dressbarn chief financial officer, in a statement. "This decision was difficult, but necessary, as the Dressbarn chain has not been operating at an acceptable level of profitability in today's retail environment."
This year has been a tough year for retailers with more store closings announced than in all of 2018. With Dressbarn closures, there are more than 7,000 closings announced for 2019.
Tariff impact:China tariffs could force 'widespread store closures' and put $40 billion in sales at risk
Store closings 2019:CVS, Payless and Victoria's Secret are just some of the brands closing stores
Coresight Research tracked the 5,864 closings in 2018, which included all Toys R Us stores and hundreds of Kmart and Sears locations. The record year for closings was 2017 with 8,139 shuttered stores.
All Dressbarn stores are open along with the website, the statement said. There are no current changes to Dressbarn's return, refund, or gift card policies.
"During the wind-down process, we will continue to provide our customers with the same great experience both in-store and online, offering them even better deals and value," Taylor said. "We will work to assist our associates through the transition and maintain existing relationships with our vendors, suppliers, and other key stakeholders through this process."
According to the statement, plans for closing individual stores and information about store closing sales "will be shared during the wind-down process."
Fred's store closings:Discount retailer closing 104 more stores in summer, see the list
More stores closing:Children's Place plans to close up to 45 stores and relaunch Gymboree brand
Dressbarn is part of New Jersey-based Ascena Retail Group, whose other brands include Ann Taylor, Lane Bryant, Catherines, Cacique and Justice. The company recently sold its Maurices brand.
In a separate statement from Ascena, the company said the decision has no impact on the operations of the other brands.
"Dressbarn's wind down is another significant step taken to advance ascena's ongoing transformation," the statement said. "This move is in line with the Company's commitment to comprehensively assess and optimize its portfolio by focusing resources on its most profitable brands to position the business for long-term growth and enhance shareholder value."
Follow Kelly Tyko on Twitter: @KellyTyko


There are a host of great players in the Minors who don't get the same attention as top-ranked prospects like Gleyber Torres and Ronald Acuna Jr. Here the MiLB.com staff picks one relatively unheralded player from each system poised to excel in 2018.
It's tough to find an under-the-radar prospect in a system as loaded and touted as Atlanta's. But don't lose track of Burrows, the organization's No. 28 prospect and a fourth-round pick out of Alabama in 2016. The 23-year-old left-hander, who came to Atlanta from the Mariners along with Luiz Gohara, has plus pitches in his fastball and slider and used them to great effect in his first full season, striking out 32.6 percent of the batters he faced -- the second-highest rate among South Atlantic League pitchers with at least 60 innings. Burrows was particularly tough against lefties, holding them to a .165 average, though righties (.215) can't boast either. He has struggled at times with control (8.9 percent walk rate), but the tools of a dominant bullpen arm are there. Atlanta pushed A.J. Minter from Class A Advanced Florida all the way to the Majors last year, and they could do the same with their other dominant lefty reliever this summer.
Undrafted out of Drury University in 2016, Richards looked like a steal in his first full season last year. The 24-year-old led the organization with 158 strikeouts and finished 12-11 with a 2.88 ERA in 27 appearances, including 25 starts, between Class A Advanced Jupiter and Double-A Jacksonville. The 6-foot-2 right-hander doesn't possess a blazing fastball -- it sits 90-92 mph in most instances -- but his lanky 6-foot-2 frame produces a deceptive delivery. Richards locates all his pitches well and has exceptional command, walking 30 in 141 innings. Miami's No. 22 prospect should begin the year with Triple-A New Orleans and a promotion to the Majors this summer isn't out of the question.
There was a time when everything Ryan did on the mound was put under a microscope. The 22-year-old had only reached Class A before he was traded to the Mets for Jay Bruce, which seemed to be a small return for the All-Star outfielder. Bruce since has returned to New York and some pressure can come off the North Carolina product, who held his own in the Sally League. In eight relief appearances with Columbia, Ryan amassed a 2.08 ERA with six saves, 13 strikeouts and five walks over 13 innings. His first appearance for the Fireflies was the last in which he surrendered a run and the next outing marked the final one in which he'd allow a hit. Ryan finished the season with nine hitless frames, striking out 10 over that span.
In just his first full season, Irvin shot up to Double-A. With a four-pitch arsenal, the left-hander went 9-9 with a 3.39 ERA, 118 punchouts and 38 free passes over 151 1/3 frames in 25 games (24 starts) for Class A Advanced Clearwater and Reading. Irvin got a chance to showcase his talents this spring, pitching 1 2/3 scoreless innings with one strikeout and no free passes at big league camp. If he continues to exercise optimal control as he transitions to Triple-A Lehigh Valley, the 24-year-old could be back with Philadelphia in no time.
After four summers in the complex leagues, Corredor performed admirably in his first full season with Class A Hagerstown. The 22-year-old led the Nationals system with 30 doubles and batted .261/.335/.379 with five homers, four triples, 55 RBIs and 53 runs scored. The native of Venezuela must work past some issues hitting against lefties after compiling a .207 average against southpaws, but showed he was adept at hitting with runners on base. Corredor has made steady improvements since signing with the Nationals as a 16-year-old in 2012. He collected 117 hits in 120 games last season, but it's his developing power that should be an indicator as he takes steps forward.
Hudson has climbed steadily through the system since being selected in the third round of the 2015 Draft, but last season marked a breakthrough. The southpaw went 9-3 with a 3.91 ERA, 81 strikeouts and 52 walks over 124 1/3 innings in 24 starts for Class A South Bend. Hudson's best pitch is his curveball, but he also induces a lot of groundouts with his sinking fastball. While the Cubs system is full of pitching prospects, the Illinois native could set himself apart if he can cut his walks down while continuing to keep the ball on the ground.
Inked last June at the tail end of the international signing period, Garcia might not be ticketed for a full-season assignment out of the gate in 2018, but when he hits the field, his promise is high. The Cuban-born shortstop has a defense-first profile with speed checking in as his top-rated tool (60-grade). Garcia will turn 20 on Opening Day, and with a 6-foot-2, 175-pound frame, has room to fill out. It remains to be seen how his game will translate to the pro game, but his athleticism and tools give him a leg up.
After missing the 2015 and 2016 seasons recovering from Tommy John surgery, Williams saw limited action last year. With Double-A Biloxi, the 26-year-old posted a 3.09 ERA in 46 2/3 innings over 22 appearances (14 starts), notching 57 strikeouts along the way. That earned him a September callup and the 5-foot-11 right-hander allowing one earned run over 4 2/3 innings in five Major League games. The Brewers' fourth-round pick in the 2013 Draft uses a fastball that ranges from 95-98 mph and a slider in the upper-80s to keep hitters off balance. If Milwaukee is in need of relief help this season, the Brewers 18th-ranked prospect has the potential to be an effective option.
The Pirates received four players from the Astros in the Gerrit Cole trade. The 22-year-old Martin has less experience than Colin Moran, Joe Musgrove and Michael Feliz, all of whom are already in the big leagues, but don't sleep on the youngster. The 2013 eighth-round pick compiled a respectable .278 average with 18 homers, 66 RBIs and 16 stolen bases between Class A Advanced Buies Creek and Double-A Corpus Christi last year. More plate discipline would be welcome, but his tools make him a dark horse in a system relatively thin on proven outfield prospects.
Perez hit a speed bump last year after a promising debut in 2016. The 19-year-old infielder batted just .203 with no homers among his five extra-base hits in 34 games split between the complex level Gulf Coast League and Rookie-level Johnson City before a hand injury ended his season. While the difficult season took a lot of shine off the 2016 first-rounder, Perez still has standout tools. The Cardinals' top talent is concentrated at the upper levels, so a rebound by Perez would be huge for the younger end of their pipeline.
Almonte had little trouble in his introduction to the Class A Advanced California League. Featuring a fastball in the low-90s with tremendous cutting action, Almonte posted a 3.55 ERA and racked up 162 strikeouts in 139 1/3 innings, the third-highest total in the organization. The 22-year-old teamed up late in the season with fellow right-hander and top D-backs prospect Jon Duplantier to form a lethal 1-2 punch at the top of Visalia's rotation. Obtained from the Red Sox for reliever Brad Ziegler in 2016, the D-backs 22nd-ranked prospect will likely begin 2018 at Double-A Jackson, where he'll have to improve his control as he faces more advanced hitters.
Though the left-handed pitcher made just 11 starts last year due to a strained oblique, Eusebio showed promise between Class A Short Season Boise and Class A Asheville. After going 3-0 with a 1.59 ERA, an 0.82 WHIP, 22 strikeouts and four walks in 17 innings with the Hawks, he was bumped up to the Tourists. There, the southpaw held his own at hitter-friendly McCormick Field, registering a 4.46 ERA in eight outings. Eusebio has two above-average offerings (fastball and changeup) that could develop into plus pitches. There's still a lot of work to be done, but in a system that has begun graduating solid Major League pitching talent, Eusebio could be the next name to watch.
In his first season out of complex ball, Cuadrado was one of the finest hitters in the Pioneer League, batting .335/.413/.523 with 11 steals and 26 extra-base hits across 64 games last year. He won't necessarily repeat those kinds of numbers as he ascends the Minor League ranks, but the 20-year-old outfielder will grow into a top prospect if he can cut down on his strikeouts and make some swing adjustments that take advantage of his strong frame. The native of Venezuela also features a plus arm.
With Fernando Tatis Jr. and Luis Urias at the top of the system, other Padres middle infield prospects face an uphill battle for attention. Ruiz is one of a few in the lower levels who are worth being excited about. Nabbed from the Royals in last summer's Trevor Cahill trade, he split the season between two teams in the Rookie-level Arizona League, batting .350/.395/.602 with 26 stolen bases and 34 extra-base hits over 52 games. His defense is secondary to his offensive skill set, but he has the chance to develop into a solid second baseman.
Kirby struggled to a .220 average over 23 games to start his first full season with Class A Augusta and was shut down on May 21. He bounced back after his reassignment to Class A Short Season Salem-Keizer and eventually took home Northwest League MVP honors in his second stint with the club. The 23-year-old batted .279/.361/.424 with eight homers, 65 RBIs and 10 stolen bases with the Volcanoes. The 12th-round pick in the 2016 Draft from the University of San Diego might be at the crossroads, but he showed he's advanced beyond short-season ball after collecting more hits (77) than games played (75) with Salem-Keizer.
After being selected in the sixth round of last June's Draft out of the University of Iowa, McCoy notched two RBIs out of the gate in his pro debut. The shortstop kept it going from there, batting .301/.382/.409 with 29 RBIs and 34 runs in 53 games with Class A Short Season Aberdeen. McCoy, who turned 23 on Saturday, got into two big league Spring Training games, collecting a walk and a run scored. In his full-season debut, the Orioles No. 30 prospect should continue to flourish.
A career .332 hitter in the Minors, the 20-year-old Castellanos produced a .339 average over 52 games in the Gulf Coast League last season. He finished second on the complex circuit with 63 hits and third with 85 total bases. That's as successful a first stateside season as the Venezuela native could hope for. The Red Sox No. 18 prospect has some history in the corner outfield spots, but first base became more of a priority position in 2017, meaning he'll have to show more power than his two homers and .457 slugging percentage to provide value, but he has the size at 6-foot-3, 195 pounds to make that happen.
Could the two Bash Brothers in the Bronx have a little sibling at the lower levels? Garcia split his time between Rookie-level Pulaski and Class A Charleston in 2017 and hit 17 homers in 63 games. His .293 isolated slugging percentage was the highest among any teenaged Minor Leaguer with at least 250 plate appearances. The 20-year-old has trouble making consistent contact, however; he hit just .227 with a 33.6 percent strikeout rate at the higher level. Garcia is likely headed back to Charleston, and if he can find a way to improve his contact and keep his power, his profile could soar.
Signed out of the Dominican Republic in November 2013, Cabrera is only 6-foot-1 and 170 pounds, but there is more than meets the eye when he gets on a mound. The 21-year-old has a very slick delivery and a fastball that sits in the mid-90s with the ability to touch 97. Cabrera also features a plus slider that attacks hitters with sharp, late life and he is refining his changeup. After a midseason promotion to Double-A last year, Cabrera amassed a 3.62 ERA with 51 strikeouts in 12 starts. The southpaw will return to Montgomery to open this season. Even if he can't improve his changeup, Cabrera could still be an effective Major League reliever.
Davis' 2017 regular season was nothing special, hitting .249 with 10 jacks and 20 stolen bases in 34 attempts over 128 games for Double-A New Hampshire, but the 25-year-old outfielder excelled in the Arizona Fall League, finishing the campaign with nine hits in his final five games. Davis, often referred to as "JD," got an extended look at big league camp and the Blue Jays are high on his makeup and above-average speed. The club's No. 28 prospect is on track to reach Rogers Centre this summer.
Acquired from the Cardinals for Zach Duke at the 2016 trade deadline, the 2011 second-rounder soon was sidelined with a left hamstring strain. A stress reaction in his right foot and a fracture in his right ankle kept him out last season. If he can remain healthy, the 25-year-old center fielder has speed and gap-to-gap line-drive capabilities that make him a prototypical leadoff hitter for Triple-A Charlotte.
The 2016 fifth-round pick finished third in the Midwest League with 22 homers while driving in 61 runs and stealing 15 bases last season. With 55-grade power and run tools, the 20-year-old needs only to make more contact after batting .246 with 108 strikeouts. Power is usually the last tool to develop as players get older and grow into their bodies, but Capel has clearly checked that box already. Keep an eye on him this season to see whether he can improve his hit tool.
Gutierrez was part of a trio of Venezuelan hurlers that included right-hander Anthony Castro and southpaw Eudis Idrogo in a rotation that led Class A West Michigan to the Best Team MiLBY in 2017. The 22-year-old delivered a 10-7 record in 24 appearances -- 20 starts -- with a 3.06 ERA and 127 strikeouts while holding opposing batters to a .213 average over 126 1/3 innings. Signed as a Minor League free agent in 2012, Gutierrez was not stretched beyond seven innings in any start last season and twice earned Midwest League Pitcher of the Week honors.
DeVito isn't among MLB.com's Top 30 Royals prospects, but the 23-year-old has real power. After swatting nine homers in 60 games during his professional debut in 2016, DeVito crushed 21 more between Class A Lexington and Class A Advanced Wilmington last season. Overall, the University of New Mexico product hit .266/.308/.459 with 54 extra-base hits and 91 RBIs, which ranked second in the system. His approach at the plate bears watching as he walked just 29 times in 133 games last season. He did earn 31 free passes in 60 games with Rookie-level Burlington a year earlier, so he's capable of working the count.
2017 was a lost year for Arraez, who tore his ACL in the third game of the season. Prior to his injury, the Twins No. 23 prospect showed a tantalizing hit tool. Although he doesn't hit for much power, Arraez carries a .338 Minor League average into 2018, which includes a Midwest League batting crown with Class A Cedar Rapids in 2016. The 20-year-old posted a .347/.386/.444 line with 31 doubles and 66 RBIs in 103 games for the Kernels. Although not overly athletic, Arraez's ability to make consistent hard contact coupled with a tremendous knowledge of the strike zone should prove beneficial as he faces stiffer competition.
At one point Chuckie Robinson wasn't even the most promising catching prospect on his own team. The 2016 21st-rounder opened last season behind Jake Rogers on Class A Quad Cities' depth chart. When Rogers was promoted, Robinson made the most of his opportunity, batting .274/.330/.463 with 15 homers, two triples and 32 doubles in 108 games for the eventual Midwest League champs. His best tool is his arm, with a 41 percent caught-stealing rate as evidence. That and his power potential have placed him squarely in Houston's long-term plans behind the plate -- and with Rogers now in the Tigers system, Robinson's path has become clearer.
A 6-foot-6 right-hander who turns 19 in June, Aquino already works comfortably with a lively fastball in the mid-90s. He has a great spin rate on that offering and his curveball, giving him the foundation to develop into a truly dangerous pitcher -- especially if his changeup improves. He's already impressed at the Rookie level, fanning 29 over 23 2/3 innings in the Dominican Summer League and then making two fine relief appearances in the Arizona League last year.
Just two years ago Laureano was one of the rising prospects in the second tier of a loaded Astros system. After regressing last season with Double-A Corpus Christi, however, the 23-year-old was traded to Oakland in November. Laureano's calling card is his speed, and he will always be a threat on the basepaths. Playing in the hitter-friendly environs of the Pacific Coast League could be exactly what he needs to jolt his offense back to 2016 levels, when he batted .319 between Class A Advanced and Double-A.
The Mariners outfield prospect went from a question mark offensively to his team's Minor League Hitter of the Year in 2017 with a .307/.355/.393 line over 124 games at Double-A Arkansas and Triple-A Tacoma. Miller's retooled approach and success at the plate enabled his 70-grade speed to become a serious weapon -- being on base more gave the 2013 14th-round selection ample opportunities to swipe 43 bags last season. The 26-year-old also has the ability to play all three outfield positions.
Alexy changed addresses last year when the Rangers acquired him as part of the Yu Darvish deal with the Dodgers. He immediately impressed, striking out 27 batters in 20 2/3 innings and recording a 3.05 ERA and a .178 opponents' average against in five starts for Hickory following the trade. At 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds, the Pennsylvania prep product could still improve an already stellar fastball. His curveball is a plus pitch, and he's bringing his changeup along. If it all comes together, the 19-year-old Alexy could zip through Class A Advanced Down East this season.


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Team Sonic Racing has a new trailer and a release date
Stefan L 03/04/19 1 Comment
I think I've figured out why Sonic sometimes hops in a car and drives: it's easier. Just like you could jog for 15 minutes to get to the shops, it's less physical effort to drive. Makes sense, right? Also it's a video game character, so why do people care about this so much?
The latest game to put Sonic in a car, Team Sonic Racing, has a fresh new release date of 21st May, where it will be coming to PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch and PC.
Team Sonic Racing is all about racing with Sonic and his friends and enemies… in teams. It's been a while since Sumo Digital released a Sonic Racing game, but for this outing they've tried to overhaul the gameplay mechanics in a new direction, giving boosts for playing together and making use of team dynamics. It's a really interesting mix and, considering their pedigree with the Sonic & All-Stars Racing games, we're definitely curious to see where this is heading.
Tags: Team Sonic Racing
Stefan L
I'm probably wearing toe shoes, and there's nothing you can do to stop me!
UK Charts 25/05/19 – Team Sonic Racing in pole position
Team Sonic Racing Review
Watch the Team Sonic Racing cartoon or do something more productive with your day
Check out the new Team Sonic Racing animated short and customisation trailer
Dominic Leighton	 04/04/19, 00:14
I'm weirdly excited about this. Still a shame not to be a Sega All-Stars title.


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James Dixon (Congressional Biographical Directory)
"Dixon, James," Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 to Present, http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=D000369.
Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1774 to Present
DIXON, James, a Representative and a Senator from Connecticut; born in Enfield, Hartford County, Conn., August 5, 1814; pursued preparatory studies; graduated from Williams College, Williamstown, Mass., in 1834; studied law; admitted to the bar in 1834 and commenced practice in Enfield, Conn.; member, State house of representatives 1837-1838, 1844, and served as speaker in 1837; moved to Hartford, Conn., in 1839 and continued the practice of law; elected as a Whig to the Twenty-ninth and Thirtieth Congresses (March 4, 1845-March 3, 1849); member, State house of representatives 1854; declined the nomination for Governor of Connecticut in 1854; unsuccessful candidate for United States Senator in 1854; elected as a Republican to the United States Senate in 1856; reelected in 1863, and served from March 4, 1857, to March 3, 1869; chairman, Committee to Audit and Control the Contingent Expenses (Thirty-seventh and Thirty-eighth Congresses), Committee on District of Columbia (Thirty-eighth and Thirty-ninth Congresses), Committee on Post Office and Post Roads (Thirty-ninth Congress); unsuccessful Democratic candidate for the United States Senate and the House of Representatives in 1868; appointed Minister to Russia in 1869 but declined; engaged in literary pursuits and extensive traveling until his death in Hartford, Conn., March 27, 1873; interment in Cedar Hill Cemetery.
Dixon, James
How to Cite This Page: "James Dixon (Congressional Biographical Directory)," House Divided: The Civil War Research Engine at Dickinson College, http://hd.housedivided.dickinson.edu/node/24602.


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Center Court Wimbledon
Roger Federer takes the acclaim of Centre Court after his 7-5, 7-5, 6-4 win over Andy Murray. Photograph: Tony O'Brien/Reuters
Rule one of Wimbledon show court etiquette: back Andy Murray (usually politely, more occasionally volubly). Rule two: ignore rule one when he is playing Roger Federer.
Up on the Hill and in living rooms around the country, things are different. But in the rarefied air of Centre Court it is still the appearance of the Fed Express, serving here like a train, that makes many of the pastel-clad masses go weak at the knees.
Centre Court at Wimbledon, for all its maddening peculiarities, can usually be relied upon to fuel Murray with the self belief that allows him to play his best tennis. There is but one caveat. When he is playing Federer, all bets are off. Even during that tear-soaked 2012 final defeat, when the roof came over and Federer turned the screw, the vocal support was often fairly evenly matched.
Related: Roger Federer unbreakable against Andy Murray in Wimbledon semi-final | Andy Bull
It is perhaps no coincidence that it was instead at the Olympics here a month later, amid an orgy of flag waving, that Murray swept Federer aside in what the Scot this week called a huge turning point in his career. As Federer, ice cool in his white bandana, lined up to serve to his opponent, sporting a baseball cap, the crowd roared. But it was hard to tell who they were yelling for. Mainly, for once, they seemed excited to be there.
The story of Murray's relationship with middle England is well worn and does not need repeating. Suffice to say he won them over on his own terms and his 2013 victory has enshrined his immortality. Whoever they were backing, it was intense. And so very tense. t felt like a final. The woozy, boozy bonhomie and stifling heat of the first week had given way to a brittle, cool breeze and a huge sense of occasion.
And no point more so than during that impossibly tense, epic 10th game of the second set. This was tennis on the edge, of impossibly high quality with zero margin for error. It went on for 17 heart-stopping minutes, both players went through two rackets and Murray saved five set points before finally prevailing.
Concertinaed into that 17 minutes was a mini sporting epic all of its own. For the first time, Murray began to work the crowd, engaging them, shaking his fist, exhorting them. It was street fighting scrapping of which Sir Alex Ferguson, looking down from his perch in the Royal Box alongside Thierry Henry, would have heartily approved. The often reserved Centre Court crowd momentarily forgot their reverence for Federer and responded in kind, yelling him on, willing him back into the match.
Yet when Federer went on to ultimately clinch the set two games later, they made plain their acclaim for him too, touched to be in the presence of his genius. There was a couple of Fed fanatics decked out all in red to the right of the scoreboard but most of those watching were metaphorically wearing both bandana and baseball cap. "It definitely also gave me a lift to see that the crowd was actually evenly split, " said Federer afterwards, speculating that their affection had grown as he had entered the latter stages of his career.
There was also an all-prevailing sense in which even the entitled denizens of this famous sporting arena knew they were hugely privileged to be here, on this day, watching these two players. Following an incredible rally in the fifth game, where the pair exchanged half volleys on the approach before Federer won the point with the cutest of angled slices, the crowd audibly groaned at the quality of the banquet being spread before them.
During the first set in particular the quality from both players was startlingly high. So accurately and aggressively was Federer serving that the tension was heightened rather than alleviated as Murray performed a high wire act. Eventually, he fell off and the Swiss was able to take the set 7-5. It felt like a hammer blow but seemed to rally support in Murray's favour.
The Scot, who had started so so positively, began to waiver. But as he did so, the volume of the support he received from the crowd grew. Yet he was still on that high wire, occasionally wobbling. And as the match drew to its inevitable conclusion, admiration for Federer trumped disappointment with Murray.
Much had been made, before the match, of the fact that Federer would be fresher, having spent significantly less time on the court than his younger opponent. And so it proved.
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The 2008 Family Circle Cup was a women's tennis Tier I event on the 2008 WTA Tour, which took place from April 14 to April 20, 2008. The event was hosted at the Family Circle Tennis Center, in Charleston, South Carolina, United States and was the second event of the...
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United Way saved people on taxes
More than a thousand tax returns were process by the program's 52 volunteers.
United Way saved people on taxes More than a thousand tax returns were process by the program's 52 volunteers. Check out this story on mycentraljersey.com: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/outreach/caring-communities/2014/06/07/united-way-volunteers-helped-tax/10103145/
MyCentralJersey Published 12:00 p.m. ET June 7, 2014 | Updated 12:03 p.m. ET June 7, 2014
United Way of Hunterdon County VITA volunteers celebrated with cupcakes. (Photo: PHOTO COURTESY OF UNITED WAY OF HUNTERDON COUNTY )
Clients receive more than $1.25 million in tax refunds, saved $202,000 in preparation fees
HUNTERDON – United Way of Hunterdon County helped families recoup nearly $1.25 million in income tax refunds and save $202,000 in tax preparation fees through the IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program.
The free tax preparation program, supported in part through an IRS grant, is one of the ways United Way assists families that are struggling to make ends meet.
"United Way of Hunterdon County is dedicated to investing in improving lives as well as encouraging volunteerism as a way of life and this program exemplifies both of those goals," President Joe DePinto said.
For more information about United Way of Hunterdon County, visit the website at www.uwhunterdon.org.
Read or Share this story: https://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/outreach/caring-communities/2014/06/07/united-way-volunteers-helped-tax/10103145/


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Ross O'Hanley
Aristocrat appoints Vice Presidents of Sales
Aristocrat informed this week about two key appointment in the company' Sales depatament. The firm has named Ross O'Hanley its Vice President of Sales - Games for the Western Region, and Brian Pierce its Vice President of Sales - Games for the Eastern Region in North America.
Aristocrat Managing Director of the Americas Matt Wilson said: "Ross and Brian have outstanding reputations within the gaming industry, and we are thrilled to have them represent the Aristocrat brand to our customers."
"They will be key members of our Americas leadership team and will play active roles in ensuring we are well positioned to deliver on our commitments to our customers," Wilson added.
Ross O'Hanley brings an enviable mix of operator and supplier experience to Aristocrat and its customers. For the last nine years, Ross was with Konami, most recently as VP of North American Sales. Previously, he also worked at important operator firms like Harrah's, The Venetian Las Vegas and The Palazzo Resort Hotel Casino.
Brian Pierce has been with Aristocrat since 2016, most recently serving as Regional Director of Gaming Operations. His experience in the supplier side of the gaming industry is extensive, and includes terms at Bally Technologies, where he most recently served as VP of Game Sales (North America, U.S., East). Pierce has also served as Executive Vice President of Sales for Paltronics, and as Vice President of North American Sales for WMS Gaming.
Source: GMB


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Q: Attoparsec optional parser with Maybe result I have an Attoparsec parser like this:
myParser :: Parser Text
myParser = char '"' *> takeWhile (not . isspace) <* char '"'

I want to make this parser optional so I get a function that returns Just txt if the parser matches and Nothing else, i.e. a function of the signature:
myMaybeParser :: Parser (Maybe Text)

How can I do this?

A: You can use option and the Applicative instance of Parser for this:
-- Make a parser optional, return Nothing if there is no match
maybeOption :: Parser a -> Parser (Maybe a)
maybeOption p = option Nothing (Just <$> p)

You can then use it like this:
myMaybeParser = maybeOption myParser

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Al-Aqsa Islamic Society would like to extend our Thanks to all those who contacted the mosque in light of the recent election. Many have called the mosque and left messages, in addition to those who have emailed and offer their time, support, and donations. We put our trust in God and pray He will provide safety and tranquility for all. While there are millions who supported Trump and his hateful rhetoric, there are also millions who voted against him. We pray that all goodness in the world will prevail over evil. We Thank our neighbors and friends for their continued support. We ask that those who would like to help in efforts to learn more about Muslims, attend workshops and events, or donate to a cause that helps defend the rights of Muslims across the nation, to please check out CAIR organization. The Council on American Islamic Relations: CAIR-Philadelphia.


All papers presented at SustainIT 2015 will be published in the IEEE Xplore Digital Library. The best paper presented at the conference will receive a Best Paper Award.
Authors of papers of particular merit will be invited to submit an extended version of their work to the Elsevier Journal of Computer Communications Journal (COMCOM).
The evolving information and communications (ICT) technologies present a unique opportunity to effect the transformation needed to move us towards the goal of sustainability by helping to reduce our carbon footprint, mitigate and adapt ill effects of climate change, reduce and repair environmental damage, provide effective disaster response and recovery, creatively manage overstressed infrastructures in crowded urban systems, and enhance use of planet friendly materials and technologies. ICT is already being integrated into many areas of our lives, such as smart management of city services, transportation, energy distribution and management, health care, etc., and this integration is expected to expand deeper and wider in the coming years and decades. Unfortunately, this ICT proliferation brings in its own challenges of increased carbon footprint, accelerating obsolescence of electronic equipment and its disposal issues, increased use of precious natural resources such as water and materials, etc. These twin problems of reducing the environmental impact of ICT and exploiting ICT for a more sustainable world form the underlying theme for SustainIT since its inception in 2010.
This edition of SustainIT continues this theme by focusing on inter-disciplinary scientific challenges of enhancing the sustainability of ICT and via ICT. The goal of this conference is to bring together people from different research areas, and provide a forum to exchange ideas, discuss solutions, and share experiences among researchers, professionals, and application developers from both industry and academia.
Original papers addressing both theoretical and practical aspects of sustainability of ICT (including smart energy management) and innovative use of ICT to enhance human and societal sustainability are solicited.
ICT for water distribution systems including leaks, theft, contamination, and attacks.
ICT for agriculture, food distribution/logistics, waste reduction, tracking/provenance, etc.
All submissions must describe original research, not published or currently under review for another workshop, conference, or journal. Manuscripts must be limited to 8 pages and must strictly adhere to the IEEE conference publication format (e.g., 10pt font, single spacing, double column) in US Letter size with all fonts embedded. Detailed instructions for manuscript preparation and submission are available on the conference website.
Papers must be submitted electronically in PDF format through EDAS.
Submission implies the willingness of at least one author to register and attend the conference to present the paper. The organizers reserve the right to exclude a paper from distribution after the conference if the paper is not presented at the conference.


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The Fox and the Ghost King
A ghost king in a car park. Foxes who love football. A Premiership dream come true… Master writer Michael Morpurgo turns Leicester City's legendary football fairy tale into a dazzling fictional one! In a cosy den under a garden shed lives a family of foxes. They love to watch football. (Here's a secret: all foxes do.) But their local team just keeps on losing. That is, until Daddy Fox finds the trapped ghost of a dead king. If the foxes release him, he'll make their greatest wish come true. Can you guess what their wish will be…?
A wonderful fantasy from the king of storytellers
Based on Leicester City's 2016 Premier League win
Also weaves in the true story of Richard III's burial
With beautiful line illustrations by Michael Foreman
Master storyteller Michael Morpurgo has written over 100 books for children, and has won a multitude of awards as well as serving as Children's Laureate from 2003-2005.
Michael was the Children's Laureate 2003-2005, and has won many awards including The Whitbread Prize For The Wreck of the Zanzibar, the Smarties prize for The Butterfly Lion the Blue Peter Award for Private Peaceful and the Red House award for Shadow.
Michael Foreman has won the Kate Greenaway medal three times, and the Nestle Smarties Prize twice for illustration of books including War Boy and The Little Reindeer.
Favourite Authors & Illustrators


Even in the Psalms, known for their deep, heartfelt prayers to God, "please" is conspicuously absent. David, who boldly asked for whatever he wanted in the name of God, who asked for redemption and for the persecution of his enemies, who confessed his sins and pleaded for forgiveness, did not insert a "please."
So why do so many of our own prayers begin this way?
"Lord, I just ask you to please...." "God, please...." "Jesus, I know it feels like a lot to ask, but if you would please...."
Dear demons, please get out of my life. Thank you in advance. Sincerely, me.
I get it. Most of us were raised to be polite. We were raised to treat others with this kind of respect, knowing that whatever anyone does for us is essentially a grace because we should never expect favors, never count our chickens before they hatch. We should always say please and thank you because we're essentially putting others out, and it shows that we recognize this and respect both their time and their free will.
But that is not at all how we're called to relate to God. Not in the slightest bit. Bold faith doesn't have time to be polite. It's too busy believing.
And God wants a lot of things from us, but respect isn't one of them. At least, not in the way that we often want to give it. God wants our honor. God wants our faith. God wants our trust. He wants us to believe in Him, to know Him, to love Him. Can you imagine what the church would be if an unbeliever walked through our doors and asked, "What's this all about?" and we said, "Oh, we respect God very much."
Respect is idol worship; it's not the deeply relational bond that God desires to have with His people.
But here we are in a Christianity where most of us can't seem to pray at all without this measure of respect, where we buffer our requests with "please" and think that that's doing something for our faith. It is. ...it's killing it. What would happen if we would stand on the sides of the road and cry out to Jesus the way that the blind men did? Not "please give us our eyesight back," but "have mercy on me!"
What would happen if we pushed our way through the crowd and reached out and touched Him? Not pushed our way through to ask permission to please for just a second touch Him, but just pushed through and touched Him? What would happen if we prayed the way Jesus prayed to His Father - "if it be Your will" instead of "please, God..."?
What would happen if we prayed like it was a promise and not an inconvenience? What would happen if we prayed like we believed instead of wished? What would happen if we prayed like we were children of a loving God rather than a bother?
It would change the way we pray. And it would change the way we encounter Him when we do.
This is not the time to polite. It's the time to be bold. Lord Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.


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By B15MiLl4hcodingcolor. Cutlery and Kitchen Knives. At Thursday, October 25th 2018, 00:45:44 AM.


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Kenya's Elusive Digital Driving Licenses: Who Pays and Who Profits
Leaked Documents from Belgian Biometrics Company Point to Inflated Pricing and Political Influence in License Contracts
By Purity Mukami, Juliet Atellah, Kira Zalan and John-Allan Namu
Boniface Gikunda struggled to pay his bills even more than usual under Kenya's COVID-19 restrictions. Some days, the professional driver went without a single customer call from the three driving app services that dominate Nairobi: Uber, Taxify, and Little Cab.
But what weighed heaviest on his mind was a government mandate that required him to get a new driving license by July 1. The digital license costs 3,000 Kenyan shillings (around US$30), double the previous fee and, according to this investigation, potentially double the cost of production.
"Three thousand shillings for a Kenyan like me?" Gikunda asked rhetorically. "It's just ridiculous for a normal driver."
He estimates that in ordinary times, after covering the fees he pays to the driving apps and the car's owner, plus expenses like fuel and parking, he takes home roughly KSh 500 to 800 a day. The cost of the new license could cover a week of food for him, his wife, and their son, who live in a small one-bedroom home on the outskirts of Nairobi. In his native Meru County, near Mount Kenya, the fee could cover three months of rent.
"We survive by the grace of God," Gikunda told reporters.
To afford the license, he said he is considering borrowing money from Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB), despite its personal loan interest rate of 13 percent. "At that point," he said, "you're desperate."
Gikunda didn't know that part of the money for his license fee is also likely going to KCB. Last year, the bank bought the National Bank of Kenya (NBK), which unexpectedly won the latest government tender to produce digital driving licenses.
The Kenyan government has been attempting to roll out the new licence for over a decade. A similar tender was previously awarded to Semlex Group, a Belgian biometric solutions firm, in 2008. That contract fell apart due to political wrangling.
A draft agreement between Semlex and the government includes a requirement to make conversion to digital driving licenses mandatory
Source: OCCRP
A trove of leaked Semlex emails and documents analysed by Africa Uncensored, The Elephant, and OCCRP shed light on the politicised procurement process behind the digital driving license tender. The documents reveal how the individuals involved in the contract planned to personally make millions of dollars — including Semlex CEO Albert Karaziwan, his Kenyan broker Mujtaba Jaffer, and unidentified consultants — at the expense of ordinary Kenyans. Moreover, internal deliberations regarding production costs and profits indicate the price of the current digital driving license may be significantly inflated.
Semlex Group's central office in Brussels' wealthy Uccle district
Semlex Group was no stranger to Africa when it set its sights on Kenya.
The Belgium-based company had already won tenders to provide biometric products in the Comoros Islands, Guinea-Bissau and Madagascar, by making friends in high places. So, when it came to bidding for the contract to produce Kenya's new digital driving licenses in 2008, Semlex CEO Albert Karaziwan made sure he had his local brokers in place from the start.
One of them was Sheila M'Mbijjewe, then a Central Bank of Kenya committee official and now the state bank's deputy governor. At the same time she was also a director in two obscure Kenyan companies owned by the powerful Mombasa-based tycoon, Mohamed Jaffer, and his son Mujtaba Jaffer.
SGDL_Tender_Extension.pdf – sourced from OCCRP
Semlex's partners managed to get a two-week extension from the Ministry of Transport, giving the company time to apply. "Just shows how personal contact can make this happen," wrote an employee of Datacard, a U.S.-company now called Entrust Datacard. A spokesperson for the company told OCCRP that the individual involved is no longer with the company, which "strives to act with integrity in everything we do."
Semlex and local partner CompuLynx were issued a letter of intent by the Ministry of Transport in December 2008. "Successful news today! We were ranked ahead in the technical valuation categories and came in lower on cost," M'Mbijjewe wrote in an email to the partners a day before MOT issued the official letter. "A good way to begin Christmas," she added.
M'Mbijjewe was an effective fixer and coordinator, who appeared to work through unnamed connections in the Ministry of Transport to ensure that the ministry's driving license tender was awarded to Semlex. Then Mujtaba Jaffer took a leading role as the broker between Kenyan officials and the Belgian company, emails indicate.
Request for funds.pdf – sourced from OCCRP
M'Mbijjewe submitted a list of expenses to Semlex, which included her monthly salary KSh350,000 ($4,375), plus KSh700,000 ($8,750) to cover one term of school fees for her children.
In addition to M'Mbijjewe, other Kenyan brokers involved in the tender were also directors in the Jaffers' nominee companies, Computer Source Point Ltd. and Infocard Africa Ltd.:
Brown Ondego, who was previously the head of Kenya Ports Authority and at the time executive chairman of the controversial Rift Valley Railways consortium. He is listed as a director of two other Jaffer companies, Grain Bulk Handlers Limited and African Gas and Oil Ltd.
Kung'u Gatabaki, a corporate director who appears on the board of over a dozen companies owned by the late politician Njenga Karume. Soon after the Semlex tender he became chairman of the powerful Capital Markets Authority. Gatabaki is still listed as marketing director at Grain Bulk Handlers Limited, though he told reporters he is retired and keeping a low profile.
Sailesh Savani, the CEO of CompuLynx, Semlex's technical partner on the tender. Savani was also on the board of the supermarket chain Nakumatt as well as the Kenya Bureau of Standards technical committee.
M'Mbijjewe, Ondego, Gatabaki and Savani did not respond to multiple requests for comment. Mujtaba Jaffer said Computer Source Point and Infocard Africa are no longer active.
In one email, Jaffer — who regularly referred to the Semlex CEO as "brother" — referenced a late-night meeting with the Minister of Transport. In another, he gave Njenga Karume, one of Kenya's longest-serving and most influential former MPs, his "blessing" to make decisions on his behalf about the contract.
Njenga Karume's book details how he built his business empire while serving in public office. The businesses span the hospitality, real estate, land, and agriculture industries and, at the time of his death in 2012, were worth hundreds of millions of dollars. The former minister and member of parliament was part of the inner circle of every Kenyan president since the country's independence. Source: OCCRP
Jaffer told Africa Uncensored that the powerful politician was "an acquaintance of the family," and denied any improper influence in the procurement process.
"I cannot recall every meeting as some time has elapsed since these events but I can confirm that any meeting with state officials would have centred around technical consultations," he wrote in an email.
All of the communications between the Kenyan brokers and the Belgian firm went through Grain Bulk Handlers Limited, the Jaffers' flagship company known for its decades-long monopoly over Kenya's bulk grain imports, allegedly with the assistance of friendly politicians. Another family company, African Gas and Oil Ltd. (AGOL), reportedly handles and stores three-quarters of the country's Light Petroleum Gas imports.
Jaffer said the media's characterization of his family as political financiers who benefit from lucrative government contracts in return is unfair. "We have not openly come out backing any political party or candidate. On the contrary our business concerns have been vital to the Kenyan economy and the ordinary mwananchi [citizen]," he wrote in an email.
Diplomat East Africa magazine ran a special report on Grain Bulk Handlers Ltd. celebrating the company's 10th anniversary in 2010. The issue included a transcript of a speech by Mohamed Jaffer made at "a glittering event" reportedly attended by then-Prime Minister Raila Odinga, cabinet ministers, members of parliament, and industry leaders. In the opening of his speech, Jaffer singled out two guests by name: Odinga and "my dear friend the Hon. Njenga Karume." PHOTOS: Diplomat East Africa
When the Semlex driving license contract was derailed by an apparent rivalry between officials at the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Finance, it was Jaffer's company that drafted a letter to then Prime Minister, Raila Odinga, for Semlex to send. At the time, the Finance Ministry, which refused to co-sign the contract, was headed by Odinga's main political rival, the current President, Uhuru Kenyatta.
This time, Semlex's political connections weren't enough. Internal documents show numerous attempts to force the Finance Ministry to add their signature to the contract, to no avail.
Raila letter.docx – sourced from OCCRP
With Grain Bulk's guidance, Semlex CEO Albert Karaziwan sent letters to Kenyan officials complaining of delays.
Semlex's contract fell apart when the Ministry of Finance refused to sign. Source: OCCRP
Daily Nation article.PDF – sourced from OCCRP
Media stories cited a mysterious dispute between the ministries of Transport and Finance. A 2010 article in Daily Nation framed the conflict as a struggle over which agency would run the lucrative contract.
The Semlex consortium sued the Ministry of Transport for breach of contract in 2012, but the government argued that the contract was never finalised.
That year, the responsibility for issuing driving licenses was handed over to the newly-formed National Transport and Safety Authority. Kenyatta was elected president in 2013, and the tender was relisted through NTSA the following year.
Leaked internal documents reveal the gap between what the biometrics company and its brokers expected to earn, well above the KSh 2.8 billion ($35 million) awarded by the government.
Documents show the company expected to produce 2.5 to 3 million digital driving licenses over five years, at a 15 percent profit. This means the cost of production for each driving license, profits included, would amount to $11-14 — less than half the fee being charged to drivers like Gikunda today.
Screenshot of an internal Semlex document in preparation for the bid.
Despite this breakdown, a draft agreement between Semlex and the Ministry of Transport states the company actually expected to collect $20 for each card. With 2.5 to 3 million licenses issued, Semlex would have collected $50-60 million.
The same agreement states that Semlex would reimburse the government anything above $20 per card. With today's licence fee — the Ministry of Transport would have collected $25-30 million from the arrangement.
But an internal profit-sharing agreement drafted in January 2009 revealed even higher expectations. It stated that the "actual costs" of the project would not exceed $17 million, and earmarked an additional $4.4 million for unnamed "consultants." According to the agreement, Semlex CEO Karaziwan and Grain Bulk CEO Jaffer would split the remaining profit which, from the government award alone, would amount to $6.8 million each. The agreement stipulated that they would also split "any additional bonuses."
A draft profit-sharing agreement indicated that "actual costs" would be kept to $17 million
The unexplained consultant fee is so substantial that a transparency expert who reviewed the terms of the deal, but requested not to be named, said it could have "no conceivable" legitimate justification.
Semlex did not respond to requests for comment, and Jaffer denied that the payment was allocated for kickbacks. He declined to provide an explanation, however, saying he was "bound by confidentiality not to discuss certain matters."
A draft profit-sharing agreement listed $4.4 million to be paid to unidentified consultants upon demand. Source: OCCRP
"Companies like Semlex that have been implicated in corruption around Africa work in deniable ways, through consultancy fees that cannot be explained and the like," said Alvin Mosioma, head of Tax Justice Network Africa.
"The narrative of corruption reduces actions to individuals but the reality is that the entire government policy machinery has been captured by corrupt elites in collusion with private entities who see the public purse as the most lucrative avenue to loot and plunder. In Kenya, the network of corruptivity revolves around these 'tenderprenuers'," Mosioma added.
The New Players
The selection of the National Bank of Kenya as the winner of the NTSA's re-listed digital driving licence tender in 2015 was unexpected, especially when its competitors included international biometric giants.
Even before the NTSA announced the winner, the bank's selection as a finalist was challenged on the basis that it was both the bidder and its own financial guarantor, in potential violation of Kenya's procurement regulations. The Commercial Bank of Africa — co-owned by President Kenyatta and his family — stepped in to guarantee the NBK bid and secure its contract.
Image of a court document identifying the tender finalists' scores.
There were questions about the bank's qualifications to produce biometric documents, as well as its reputation. NBK was infamous for using taxpayer money to make up for unpaid loans handed out under shady circumstances. Regulators also cited the bank's board members and senior managers for allegedly misrepresenting financial statements and embezzling funds.
NBK's technical partner — a little-known startup called Pesa Print Ltd. — also had no experience in producing biometric documents. The company was started by two obscure Kenyan firms: EyeSeeYou Communications and Kenya Twelve Ventures.
Two individuals who appeared on EyeSeeYou registration documents had also worked for Njenga Karume, the late politician who appeared in the Semlex deal. According to the founders, EyeSeeYou and Pesa Print parted ways around the time of the driving license contract was won. The owner of both Kenya Twelve Ventures and Pesa Print, David Njane Ruiyi, said the contract was won competitively.
The finalists that NBK had beat out included the previous winner Semlex, French biometrics company Gemalto S.A., and the established Kenyan ICT provider Symphony Technologies, which lost to NBK by less than one percent.
Njane, Pesa Print's co-owner, told Africa Uncensored that NBK's qualifications came from the entire consortium, which included two European companies with technical expertise: X Infotech, headquartered in Latvia, and Austria Card, based in Vienna. Both companies cited Pesa Print as the primary contractor in the consortium.
Pesa Print's current office in Nairobi today.
Source: John-Allan Namu
When NBK's competitor, Symphony Technologies, launched a legal complaint against the government's selection of the winner in the driving license tender, Pesa Print paid the company KSh104.5 million (about $1 million) to drop the challenge.
According to court documents, Pesa Print borrowed part of that money from companies reportedly owned by Meru County Senator Franklin Linturi. The senator reportedly borrowed the money from a bank patronized by his girlfriend, Marianne Kitany, who at the time was chief of staff to Deputy President William Ruto.
Pesa Print, the court documents said, was due to repay the loan within 48 hours of NBK receiving the first tender payment from the government. But things got messy and ended up in arbitration, where the documents were produced describing the payoff arrangement.
Symphony ceded the contentious contract to NBK. "We agreed to drop the case as a settlement was agreed and for public good (to avoid vendor issues that cause many government project delays and lengthy court processes)," Symphony told reporters in an emailed statement.
Pesa Print confirmed the payment, and said the financial arrangement with Linturi was purely transactional. The senator could not be reached for comment.
According to Njane, Pesa Print has already delivered the technology and base printed cards to the NTSA. However, one party in the consortium told reporters that card production had stalled even before government agencies shut down during COVID, and that the company was shopping around for new technical partners.
KCB Group featured Pesa Print and its COO Mark Maina in a May 2020 issue of The Venture magazine. According to the article, Pesa Print had set up a technology hub within the NTSA and was producing electronic driving license cards that "will eventually be used for payments, such as instant fines." NBK was described as Pesa Print's banking partner. Source: KCB Group's The Venture magazine
NBK did not respond to questions, but its parent company KCB Group told reporters in an emailed statement that "NBK, as the contracting party is executing its obligations and the covenants of the NTSA driving license contract as required."
It's unclear when the long, storied journey of Kenya's digital driving license will be fulfilled. With the terms of the current KSh 2.1 billion contract a secret, it's also unclear exactly how much the government and the companies — as well as any politically connected brokers — stand to earn.
Meanwhile drivers like Gikunda will pay the price.
"I don't know why the government had to come [up] with such a figure," said Gikunda, lamenting the KSh 3000 cost of the digital license. "I don't know what's so special about the card."
Note: Though corruption appeared to be folded into the structure and processes above, no evidence of illegality was found.
Featured image: Svetlana Tiourina
Albert Karaziwan Brown Ondego Kung'u Gatabaki Mohamed Jaffer Mujtaba Jaffer NTSA Pesa Print Raila Odinga Semlex Semlex Group Sheila M'Mbijjewe
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A home-away-from-home for our members, Rolling Hills is a special place where friendships are made, families are celebrated, and life is enjoyed. We welcome you to discover all that we have to offer.


Photo Diary: Kayaking in Voss!
Voss is the adrenaline capital of Western Norway (aka Fjord Norway). With everything from hiking, mountain biking, sky diving, and alpine skiing, there's plenty to do during both summer AND winter. The city is also neighbor to the town of Gudvangen and the beautiful Nærøyfjord - another one of Norway's many UNESCO World Heritage sites. If you've see the popular movie Frozen then you already have an idea of how beautiful Nærøyfjord is, as it was the inspiration for the city of Arendelle!
One of the best ways to see and explore the fjord is by kayak - where you can wander the waters at your own pace, pull up along the banks to explore hidden spots, and float down the fjord while you marvel at the mountainous beauty around you. You'll feel like you're in the heart of Norway or like you've been transported to Jurassic Park (minus the dinosaurs, of course)!
Photo Diary: Exploring Bergen, Norway!


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Q: How i remover the retour on line from the sentences I have the following sentences:

DEssus
3 Liasee
Dessous

how can i do function  to ensure that the sentence stays on one line:
Output :

DEssus 3 Liasse Dessous

A: str_replace(array("\r","\n"), "", $sentence);

Be careful to use double quotes, otherwise it won't work with PHP for some certainly good reasons.


Anomaly is a collection of vintage photographs which have been digitally repaired and then altered through 3D compositing. Through this combination, each image in the collection gains a connection to the others creating an unspoken narrative. Joshua Klinger is a multi-talented graphic designer with experience in photo manipulation, 3D rendering, and motion graphics. He mostly focuses on digital works, but also dabbles in crowquill illustration. Inspired by the abnormal, he takes influence from unlikely ideas and improbable concepts, bringing them to a cohesive and believable state.