text:
Contact East Coast
Contact West Coast
ESOP Consultants
RONALD J. GILBERT
President and Cofounder
Ronald J. Gilbert ("Ron") is cofounder and President of ESOP Services, Inc., an international consulting firm specializing in Employee Stock Ownership Plan ("ESOP") transactions for privately held companies. With offices in Virginia and San Diego, the firm's clients are in a majority of the US.
Ron holds a Bachelor's Degree in Commerce from the McIntire School of Commerce at the University of Virginia and a Master of Financial Services from The American College. He currently serves on The ESOP Association's Board of Governors and its Legislative and Regulatory Advisory Committee, and the board of directors of four ESOP companies. He is a former member of the board of directors of The National Center for Employee Ownership.
With over thirty-five years of experience, Ron is a frequent speaker at ESOP seminars sponsored by The World Bank, The ESOP Association, The National Center for Employee Ownership, the Beyster Institute, The American College, banks, national and state governments, etc., and has spoken in nine countries. Ron was instrumental in obtaining the first IRS private letter ruling sanctioning an international ESOP for a US based company.
Ron Gilbert is co-author and co-editor of Employee Stock Ownership Plans: ESOP Planning, Financing, Implementation, Law and Taxation, the most comprehensive work on the subject, published by the Beyster Institute. He has also authored numerous ESOP articles for various publishers, including the Brookings Institution Press and The National Center for Employee Ownership. Publications include the Journal of Employee Ownership, Law and Finance; Don't Do That; and Selling to an ESOP.
Prior to cofounding ESOP Services, Inc., Ron was a Vice President of Kelso & Company in San Francisco, working with Louis Kelso, the "father" of the ESOP.
PAIGE A. RYAN
Paige is the driving force behind the consulting services and business development functions for ESOP Services, Inc., a national consulting firm that helps companies design and implement successful employee stock ownership plans. She works directly with business owners to help them analyze and understand the ESOP's impact on the company, shareholders, and employees, including the financial aspects of cash flow, tax savings, shareholder liquidity, and employee benefits.
With more than 25 years' experience in pension and equity plans, Paige has provided guidance to hundreds of companies on the design and implementation of ESOPs, equity compensation plans, and employee motivation programs. Served also as Assistant Vice President of the Foundation for Enterprise Development (FED), a non-profit company dedicated to promoting the development of entrepreneurialism and employee ownership worldwide.
A member of the National Center for Employee Ownership and The ESOP Association, Paige frequently speaks on the topic of ESOPs at regional and national events, and teaches a graduate course entitled "Topics of Corporate Governance: Techniques of Equity Compensation" for the University of California, San Diego's Flex MBA program.
Paige holds a Master of International Business from the University of San Diego and a Bachelor of Arts from California State University, Long Beach.
DAVID M. BINNS
Special Projects Consultant
david@esopservices.com
David Binns is an experienced corporate executive with extensive expertise with employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs), equity compensation strategies and international economic development. He has served as a senior officer, Board member and/or advisor on a number of successful buyouts of ESOP companies.
He served as President & CEO of Macfadden & Associates, a 100% ESOP-owned company, from 2011 through 2018. A professional services government contracting company with approximately 325 employees, Macfadden specializes in delivering a broad range of services to support the U.S. government's response to international disasters and humanitarian crises. From 2008-2011 he served as Macfadden's Chief Operating Officer where he was responsible for management and oversight of operations, including integrating an acquisition that effectively doubled the number of professional staff. Macfadden was acquired by PAE in February 2018.
From 1991-2008 Mr. Binns served as Associate Director of the Beyster Institute, where he consulted with scores of companies on the use of equity compensation plans and managed many of the Institute's international economic development and privatization programs.
He served as Executive Director of The ESOP Association from 1984-1991. His experience includes work in over 20 countries on a variety of entrepreneurship and economic development programs, including the design and implementation of employee ownership plans to facilitate the privatization of state-owned enterprises.
Mr. Binns has served on multiple corporate and non-profit boards of directors and advisory boards including Macfadden & Associates, Mattos Pro Finishes, the Beyster Foundation for Enterprise Development, Wilson Global Communications and several other private companies.
A published author, Mr. Binns has written extensively on ESOP-related issues and is Co-Editor of Employee Stock Ownership Plans: ESOP Planning, Financing, Implementation, Law & Taxation.
Mr. Binns is a graduate of the University of Virginia. He and his wife Beth live in Silver Spring, MD.
Beverly Edgett, Administration
Kelly Gilbert, Accounting


How to pass the Healthcare certification exams on the first try?
Exam4Pass.com is the website that deals in providing Authentic Healthcare Exam Material from many years. According to exposure and research of Healthcare, this is the right platform where you can get Healthcare Exam Dumps, Real Exam Questions and Practice Test with accurate answers. You will pass Healthcare certification exams on the first try by getting Healthcare brain dumps from Exam4pass.
✔ Free demo of Healthcare certification exams, allowing you to try before you buy the full version. ✔ Downloadable Healthcare exam dump material provides real exam experience, which you need to pass in the testing center exam. The Healthcare, certification practice exams are prepared by our professional certified experts who are Healthcare certified. Our product will help you not only pass Healthcare real exams, but also save your valuable time and money.
✔ Exam4Pass Healthcare study material covers all the core topics of the Healthcare syllabus 2019.
✔ The Healthcare experts review these Healthcare certifications, exam dumps, and practice exams, this makes them the essential for the preparation of Healthcare real exam experience.


text:
Classic Car Appraisal Services in Sunrise, Florida
Although car people love to spend time and money on their cars, they all too often forget to properly value their car for insurance purposes. Dollar after dollar goes in, but never gets properly documented so that if a catastrophic event strikes, the real cost of putting the car back together gets paid by the insurance company. As collector car owners ourselves, we understand the importance of our product first hand. Fill out the form on the right to get started on your on-site Sunrise car appraisal.
Serving Sunrise
Sunrise United States
Facts about Sunrise
Sunrise is a city in central-western Broward County, Florida, United States, in the Miami metropolitan area. It was incorporated in 1961 by Norman Johnson – a developer whose Upside-Down House attracted buyers to what was then a remote area. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 84,439. It is a principal city of the Miami metropolitan area, which was home to an estimated 6,012,331 people at the 2015 census.
As of 2010, there were 37,609 households, with 13.6% being vacant. As of 2000, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 18.4% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 87.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.5 males.
Government and infrastructure
Sunrise is a full-service city with a comprehensive array of departments, including: Finance and Administrative Services, City Attorney, City Clerk, City Manager, Community Development, Leisure Services, Information Technology, Human Resources, and Utilities.
The Sunrise Utilities Department operates a water and wastewater system that spans approximately 70 miles and serves more than 200,000 residential and commercial customers. The system consists of over 500 miles of water distribution mains; over 600 miles of sewer piping and mains; 200 wastewater and pump stations; three water treatment facilities; four water re-pump facilities and three wastewater treatment plans.
The Utilities Department also oversees the sixth largest municipal gas system in Florida, serving nearly 10,000 homes and businesses.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
@interface SMARTCommentCell ()
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIImageView *headIcon_imageView;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *name_lable;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *createtime_lable;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UIButton *dig_btn;
@property (weak, nonatomic) IBOutlet UILabel *contenttext_lable;

@end

@implementation SMARTCommentCell

- (void)awakeFromNib {
    self.autoresizingMask = NO;
}

- (void)setCommentModel:(SMARTCommentModel *)commentModel{
    _commentModel = commentModel;

    [self.headIcon_imageView setHeader: commentModel.avatar_url];
    self.name_lable.text = commentModel.user_name;

    self.createtime_lable.text = commentModel.create_time;

    [self.dig_btn setTitle:commentModel.digg_count forState:UIControlStateNormal];

    self.contenttext_lable.text = commentModel.text;
    [self.dig_btn setTitle:commentModel.digg_count forState:UIControlStateNormal];

}

- (void)setFrame:(CGRect)frame{
    frame.origin.x = SMARTSmallMargin;
    frame.size.width = SMARTScreenW - 2*SMARTSmallMargin;
    [super setFrame:frame];
}

@end

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
India a kínai Pekingben megrendezett 2008. évi nyári olimpiai játékok egyik részt vevő nemzete volt. Az országot az olimpián 12 sportágban 53 sportoló képviselte, akik összesen 3 érmet szereztek.

Érmesek

Asztalitenisz

Férfi

Női

Atlétika

Férfi

Női

* - egy másik versenyzővel azonos időt ért el

Birkózás

Férfi
Szabadfogású

Cselgáncs

Női

Evezés

Férfi

Íjászat

Férfi

Női

* - egy másik versenyzővel azonos eredményt ért el
** - öt másik versenyzővel azonos eredményt ért el

Ökölvívás

RET - az ellenfél feladta a mérkőzést
RSCOS - kipontozás: 20 pont volt a különbség a két ökölvívó között, ezért a játékvezető beszüntette a mérkőzést

Sportlövészet

Férfi

Női

* - egy másik versenyzővel azonos pontszámmal végzett

Tenisz

Férfi

Női

Tollaslabda

Úszás

Férfi

Vitorlázás

Nyílt

É - éremfutam

Jegyzetek

Források

India
N2008

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


We have been in the caravan for a week. Eeep! M has spent the majority of that time at the boat, trying to sort out a million different things – we have seen him two or three times. As I type this, at 6am, I am on the train going to work for a 12 hour day and he is back in the caravan with the Smalls.
I am sleep-headed – getting up in a dark caravan doesn't lend itself to any beautifcation. I have bed-hair and an unwashed face, with plans to rectify both those things once I get to the office before 7am. My lunch was locked in the house (I couldn't find the housekey in the dark), so it looks like a day of cheese, bananas, tuna and more cheese.
Zen. I have been trying to summon all kinds of zen. Truth is, I am stressed about TATINATM and that is leaking out of me on to the Smalls. The week since our move out of our house has involved committments every. single. day. I am so looking forward to Saturday or Sunday when we will begin housesitting for our lovely friends on their singularly lovely farm.
We won't be as central to the shops, library, kindergarten etc as we are in the Front Garden of Excellence, but the trade off is a house to ourselves, beautiful surrounds, quiet, chickens, sheep and some time to kick back. In many ways it is similar to my dad's place – a little hobby farm with many fruit trees and a few vegetable beds here and there. I am so looking forward to it.
The timing, as far as the weather is concerned, couldn't be better. There are a few hot days beginning already and I'm thankful not to be totally reliant on the caravan.
The house we are staying in is not your average house. It is double brick, designed by the owners, who lived in a shed on the property while it was built about 13 years ago. That was when their first baby was born.
At that time they planted many trees, particularly at the back of the property – and these are all now mature eucalypts – they are amazing. All of the trees have been planted by them – confirming my belief that as soon as you're living somewhere that you plan to stay for a while – PLANT TREES – because they will quietly grow while you build/breed/renovate – and suddenly you'll be harvesting lemons/nectarines/pears and be so thankful you did.
On the inside is a World of Books (as well as a World of Toys) and Small Z is like a kid in a lolly shop. You can't speak to her. She is trying to get through as many as she can before we have to leave.
Yesterday I met my friend Judy in my favourite bookshop. We haven't seen each other for over a year, so there was a lot of nattering. Small DB wearied of this after a while, but Small Z did not peep for an entire hour. I had no idea where she was and had not a single bit of worry.
When we finished, I found her here. Perfectly happy.
We are in charge of some sheep, an aged cat and about 20 chickens. My relationship with the latter did not begin well – I had been showed by my farmer-friend how to crowbar a few of the hens out of their nests to check for eggs. She did it in a heartbeat – me? I was poking around, worried I was going to hurt the chicken – the chicken could sense my fear and would not budge… and then I felt something strange.
I looked down and saw (ok, so it might not have been hundreds, but it felt like MILLIONS) of tiny mites crawling over my hands and up my wrists. There were some on the Smalls too – they had been helping me. Small Z, hater of such things, ran inside to wash her hands. I wiped them off and continued with my duties. But I could still feel them. Yuuuuuuck….
Later I bathed the Smalls and took a looooong shower and scrubbed my whole self. But after drying off and sorting out dinner, I was STILL finding them 🙁 They are super-tiny, like the head of a needle (not a pin) and almost translucent. I was so grossed out. I had contacted my farmer-friend, who called me and said that she had not known the chooks had mites – they usually treated them with sulphur – but that it was a very stinky and messy job.
Our first night in the house was less than stellar. I could feel small creatures walking around on me. Small DB had chosen to sleep in a different bedroom and woke up twice, calling for me. The morning dawned on three very grumpy people – eventually I took us all to meet up with the WildThings at the beach, and that was a welcome circuit breaker.
I didn't check the eggs yesterday – I am hoping that M – who is having a Dadda Day, will do the honours. He continues to spend all his time at the boat, readying it for life aboard 'on the hard' (that is the boat-savvy way of saying that the boat is not in the water – it is on the land).
Other than the mites our two days of house-sitting have been pretty awesome. There are many plums, stupid amounts of zucchini and I stewed some of the peaches that had been starting to look unhappy. The Smalls don't want to leave! My farmer-friend is a crafting goddess and in a former life used to be an art teacher – there are bountiful supplies for us to get making – I am hoping the next two days will involve some of that.
It's 6am again. Dark. And I am on a train to work to do an 11 hour day or so – this is working better for us all at the moment – giving M an extra day at the boat. I don't seem to have found any other time to type!


text:
Lolesworth Close, E1
Road in/near Spitalfields, existing between 1983 and now
Road · Spitalfields · E1 ·
Lolesworth Close is a short cul-de-sac on the east side of Commercial Street which was originally the western extremity of Flower and Dean Street.
It acquired its present form after the opening of the Clement Attlee adventure playground in 1980 and the construction of the Flower and Dean Estate in 1982-4.
It was named Lolesworth Close c.1983
Licence: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence
Spitalfields is near to Liverpool Street station and Brick Lane.
The area straddles Commercial Street and is home to several markets, including the historic Old Spitalfields Market, and various Brick Lane Markets on Brick Lane and Cheshire Street. Petticoat Lane Market lies on the area's south-western boundaries.
The name Spitalfields appears in the form Spittellond in 1399; as The spitel Fyeld on the 16th-century Civitas Londinium map associated with Ralph Agas. The land belonged to St Mary Spital, a priory or hospital erected on the east side of the Bishopsgate thoroughfare in 1197, and the name is thought to derive from this. An alternative, and possibly earlier, name for the area was Lolsworth.
After the revocation of the Edict of Nantes, Spitalfields was inhabited by prosperous French Huguenot silk weavers. In the early 19th century their descendants were reduced to a deplorable condition due to the competition of the Manchester textile factories and the area began to deteriorate into crime-infested slums. The spacious and handsome Huguenot houses were divided up into tiny dwellings which were rented by poor families of labourers, who sought employment in the nearby docks.
The area has recently attracted a IT-literate younger population.


Yugoslav war film made in 1962, directed by Veljko Bulajic. The movie was known as the first partisan epic in the history of Yugoslav cinematography. It was made to mark the 20th anniversary of the battle on Kozara Mountain. This film won golden medals at the festivals in Moscow and New Delhi. In this movie, Branko Lustig played the role of a German soldier who got blind during the battle. Lustig later became a successful Holywood producer.
This movie was filmed in 1963, directed by Fadil Hadzic. It is based on true events regarding the German attempt to liquidate Tito and the Partisans' Supreme Headquarters with unexpected airborne assault on the city of Drvar in 1944.


text:
Rattlers close CEBL regular season Thursday; then comes the championship
One more game, then the big show.
Kevin Mitchell, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
More from Kevin Mitchell, Saskatoon StarPhoenix
Rattlers' forward Jelane Pryce moves the ball during a game earlier this season. Kayle Neis / Saskatoon StarPhoenix
The Saskatchewan Rattlers will close out their regular-season schedule Thursday night at SaskTel Centre with a home clash against the Guelph Nighthawks.
Saskatchewan already knows they'll play in the league's championship weekend — they're the hosts, after all, as well as one of the top-four finishers — but before that happens, Game No. 20 must be played.
Here's some things to know heading into the Canadian Elite Basketball League's final regular-season weekend.
Four of the CEBL's six teams are guaranteed berths in next weekend's championship tournament. Those four have already been determined: Niagara (14-5), Edmonton (13-6), Saskatchewan (11-8) and Hamilton (10-9).
The Rattlers will finish third no matter what happens this weekend.
Guelph (5-14) and Fraser Valley (4-15) will both miss the playoffs.
The Rattlers have been really, really streaky almost the entire season. They opened the 2019 campaign with a 99-97 loss to Niagara, then did the following: Won three in a row, lost two, won three, lost five, won five.
They ran their latest streak to five with 85-81 and 74-73 victories over Edmonton during a home-and-home set last week.
Saskatchewan and Guelph have played three times this season. The Rattlers won the first two meetings, 130-110 and 98-86, but the Nighthawks fired up a 93-75 victory at SaskTel Centre on July 18.
Guelph is riding a two-game losing skid heading into the Thursday contest.
Two Rattlers occupy the top three spots in the CEBL scoring race, though neither player is still with the team.
Tavrion Dawson is first with 20.1 points per game, and Bruce Massey third with 19.1. Both departed recently to prepare for their upcoming seasons overseas.
The CEBL's highest-scoring active player is Edmonton's Xavier Moon with 19.9 points per game.
Three games will wrap up the regular season, including a Wednesday-night contest between Hamilton and Niagara that was still being played at press-time. On Thursday, while Saskatchewan is playing Guelph, Fraser Valley will host Edmonton.
Then it's the CEBL's championship weekend in Saskatoon, with four teams trying to win the league's inaugural title. The weekend includes league awards next Thursday, a street party and festival on Friday, the semifinals on Saturday and the championship final Sunday at 4 p.m.
kemitchell@postmedia.com
twitter.com/kmitchsp
CEBL: Saskatchewan Rattlers pull out last-second comeback win over Edmonton Stingers
After a long, long absence, pro hoops is back in Saskatoon


Safe, Inc. has been awarded a Phase I SBIR program to develop and demonstrate a hands-free, automatic coupling restraint system that would eliminate the need for the Soldier to manually connect (to), activate, disconnect (from), and de-activate the vehicle restraint system. The leading cause of injuries and fatalities in military ground vehicles can be attributed to troops not wearing seat belts during accidents, and not from combat, as would be expected. This new restraint system would significantly decrease the number of injuries and fatalities occurring among unrestrained troops.
This Phase I SBIR program will develop a replacement seating system coupled with a device to more safely and easily move cargo and personnel along the length of the US Navy C-2 Greyhound aircraft. This system is anticipated to reduce the turnaround time for carrier on-board delivery aircraft. The seating system will focus on reducing installation and removal time, reducing stowed volume and weight, and reducing the occurrence of injury to handling personnel. Safe's goal is to develop concepts that can be utilized in the aircraft without requiring aircraft modification.
Safe, Inc. has been awarded a Phase I SBIR contract to develop a physical shield to protect spherical bearings from abrasive particulates, such as sand and dirt. The shield will prevent much of the contamination damage that shortens bearing life on rotorcraft. The initial effort by Safe will be to design a shield that will minimize heat build-up, reduce maintenance costs in both labor time and materiel, reduce operation costs and time lost by increasing the lifespan and dependability of critical aircraft systems. The ultimate goal of this program is to develop a shield that will minimize the impact on assembly weight, on the flexural resistance, and on the overall bulk of the assembly.
Safe has received an extension of an existing contract from the Aviation Applied Technology Directorate (AATD), Fort Eustis, Virginia. The contract is part of a Multi-phase Two Step BAA contracting vehicle to support the development of improved crash protection for crews of Army helicopters.
The additional work will expand on the capability of the crash responsive technology developed by Safe in the previous phase of work. The goal is to extend the capability of current energy absorbing and restraint systems to provide crash protection in significantly more severe crashes than do current systems. The work involves modeling, analysis, design, and testing to be conducted over an 18-month time period.
Safe is teamed with AmSafe Aviation of Phoenix, AZ to provide inflatable restraint support to the program.
This Phase I SBIR program will develop an anthropomorphic test device (ATD) (also referred to as a "test manikin" or "test dummy"), which will be used specifically for land vehicle blast testing. The Hybrid III ATD was developed specifically for automobile crash testing and to quantify the types of injuries most commonly experienced in automobile crashes. The human response to blast insult is quite different, and consequently, the automotive ATDs lack biofidelity when exposed to a blast environment.
The initial effort will apply technology developed by Adelaide Test & Evaluation Systems for a Frangible Surrogate Leg to the upper leg, pelvis, and spine for a Combat Injury Manikin (CIMan). Safe's ultimate goal is to develop an ATD that is biofidelic, yet affordable to use in blast testing.
NAVSEA has awarded Safe a contract modification to fabricate a full-scale prototype of the VULCAN (shock and vibration resistant stowage system) and to continue the Phase II SBIR development effort. Safe is engineering the VULCAN, a reconfigurable common cradle pallet assembly for use on the Littoral Combat Ship, to securely stow and transport the ship's mission-specific watercraft.
Safe, Inc. has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract to continue the development of a lightweight crashworthy troop seat for use in all Navy helicopters.
The 18-month project will produce a qualified seat, common to multiple aircraft, with advanced crash protection and troop accommodation features.
Safe, Inc. has been awarded a Phase II SBIR contract to continue the development of a hypoxia monitoring and warning system for use by pilots of high altitude/high-performance aircraft.


It's July! And do you know what that means? The weather's warmer, walking around outside is actually enjoyable again, everyone has their sunnies on, "let's get a drink on a patio" is back in our vocabularies and it's BBQ chicken burgers for dinner every night… but it also means that six months has passed since we first sat down and made our goals for 2015. That's right, 2015 is already half over (crazy I know)! So this is your six month check in. NOW is the perfect time to look back at those goals you set for yourself in frigid grey January, and see whether you've accomplished all, or any, of them. It's also a good reminder to get on the ones you may have brushed aside for the first half of the year.
So I recently sat down with my notebook, (remember I wrote down all my goals this year?) and started going back over all of the goals I set for myself for 2015. Having a concrete list to go back and reference is honestly sooooo helpful! Not only is it a good reminder but it also keeps you accountable! And not to mention how WONDERFUL it has felt to be able to check off the goals I have completed on my list as I go along. So far I haven't done too badly. I've definitely gotten on top of some things and accomplished some of my goals for the year, while others… I've maybe slacked on. It's interesting to see which goals I've been avoiding or holding off on and a good reminder to finally get on them! Now is the time to reenergize and get our butts into gear! I also think it's a great time to revisit your goals and add to your list! You've completed at least ONE goal right?! (Please tell me you've completed at least one…) So add at least one new goal to the list!
In my Life category we still haven't created a will! I know, I KNOW! That's from 2014… this WILL (no pun intended) happen. Okay… getting on it! Another goal was to relook at our budget and make adjustments if necessary and we've actually done that twice already this year. I have a feeling that this will be an ongoing goal for forever.
In Health I had made a goal to revisit both Insanity and Insanity: The Asylum with the suggested 30 day hybrid of the two programs and I'm happy to report I not only completed that but I also completed my own hybrid program. I was able to buy Insanity Max: 30 for pretty cheap off someone so I will probably try that out next or continue on with a new hybrid that I make for myself.
In Travel one of our goals was to make sure we went on a big trip together and if you've been following my blog you know we were fortunate enough to travel to Italy (Florence, Tuscany and Rome) which was sooooooo much fun. Make sure to read all about it on my blog if you missed our adventures! We also are currently saving for Jamaica which we will be traveling to for a wedding at the end of November. I don't want to wish away the summer but is it November yet?
In Career I have been chipping away at accomplishing my goals and so far I haven't done too badly. One of my goals was to read at least one play a month, 12 plays over the year. When I went back and looked I realized I had only read TWO plays (and two half plays) in six months! YIKES! So over the past few weeks I set straight to work and read four more plays. Six plays so far. Check.
For July I plan to either finish Noises Off or Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf.
Another Career goal was to add to my website. I am happy to report that I've added a few photos here and there (check out some photos I just added today), a commercial voice over demo (also one of my goals. Check!) and of course some blog posts! I still need to explore getting an animation demo recorded (which I'm in the process of figuring out) and I haven't taken my improv class yet but I'm thinking fall for that.
My next step is to get motivated to get a few more things checked off my lists while it's fresh in my mind but also to set aside some time to get some new goals added to the list.
So there you have it. If you haven't already taken some time to look back and reflect on your year so far, now's the time. Figure out what you want and what you need to do to get it and go out and get 'er done!


text:
Back to Gallery One New York
Ruth Bloom Gallery, Santa Monica
Tom Otterness
American • 1952
American artist Tom Otterness generated considerable controversy in 1977 for his conceptual work Shot Dog Film, notorious for its unblinking violence and unashamed cruelty. The piece established Otterness as a risk-taking artist, not afraid to push the boundaries of what is socially acceptable.
Yet the controversial work would eventually haunt him for years, particularly as shows of violence became scarce in an increasingly modern society. Veering off in a diametrically opposite direction, Otterness started working with lost wax and bronze to create public art installations. Often inhabiting parks, center squares and transportation infrastructures, Otterness' sculptures tend towards the comedic. They are cartoonish and cheeky, nodding at art history, pop culture, capitalism, greed and satire. To date, Otterness is one of the most successful public artists world-wide.
Resting Man
Bronze multiple
2 x 6 1/2 x 2 1/4 in. (5.1 x 16.5 x 5.7 cm)
incised with artist's initials and foundry mark, dated `92' and numbered 2/9 on the underside, produced with Polich Tallix Foundry, New York.
Please note that once you've placed your bid,
it cannot be cancelled.


text:
Lawsuit Claims Buffalo Is Only NFL Team In New York
Dave Fields Updated: January 7, 2022
There has been a huge debate in the NFL over how many teams actually are New York teams.
Three teams in the NFL claim to be from New York State, the Buffalo Bills, The New York Jets, and The New York Giants. The only problem is that both the New York Jets and New York Giants actually play their home games in a stadium in New Jersey.
The Giants started playing home games in New York in 1976 while the New York Jets moved from New York State to New Jersey in 1984.
When the Jets moved their home games to New Jersey in 1984, that essentially left the Buffalo Bills as the only NFL still based in the state of New York.
A new lawsuit filed on behalf of fans of the New York Giants and New York Jets claims that the NFL teams are knowingly trying to trick fans into believing they are rooting for New York teams when in fact the teams play in New Jersey.
Law360.com stated that the lawsuit has one demand on behalf of the millions of New York Jets and New York Giants fans. Either those teams change their names to New Jersey or move back to New York State when the current lease of MetLife Stadium expires in 2025.
Many fans in New York and especially in Buffalo know that right now the Buffalo Bills are the only NFL in New York. Even Bills franchise QB Josh Allen was quoted saying that in a press conference.
This is not the first time the name "New York" was debated on how it should be used with NFL Teams. In 2007 several New York state lawmakers tried to introduce a bill that would have forced out-of-state teams to remove "New York" from their names, but it died in committee and never made it to a vote.
In all reality, the Buffalo Bills are the only NFL team based in New York State, and if this lawsuit rules in favor of the fans, it will stay that way and New Jersey will gain two NFL teams.
This could also be the reason New York State residents don't want the football teams associated with the state! (READ HERE)
Buffalo's Defense Steps Up As Bills Now Playoff Bound [PHOTOS]
The Bills' defense stepped up big time as the Bills beat Atlanta and clinched a playoff spot.
Source: Lawsuit Claims Buffalo Is Only NFL Team In New York
Categories: Local News, Sports


I was born young, grew old very quickly, then entered into my second childhood which I found far more satisfying than my first. Also safer. No longer having parents who threaten to move away and leave no forwarding address, or wave guns and rant drunkenly, was a remarkable improvement. I've ended up having a rather interesting life - including becoming a licensed private investigator (seriously), writing plays that have been produced (successfully in LA area, not so successfully in NYC), and working as a homeschool tutor to a teenage redneck in Williston, Florida. I share my life with a very strange man who likes things that burn, explode, knives that are too sharp, and who makes art that literally made the State of Florida threaten to close a gallery. It's never dull in my world.


text:
Noord-Banaat (Servisch: Северно-Банатски округ of Severno-Banatski okrug; Hongaars: Észak-bánsági körzet) is een district in de Servische regio Vojvodina. De hoofdstad is Kikinda.
Het district bestaat uit 6 gemeenten waarvan drie op de westoever en drie op de oostoever van de rivier de Tisza liggen. Ten westen van de Tisza zijn de etnische Hongaren ruim in de meerderheid, ten oosten van de rivier heeft alleen Coka een Hongaarse meerderheid. Historisch gezien maken de gemeenten op de westoever geen deel uit van de Banaat maar behoren tot de landstreek Bačka.

Noord-Banaat bestaat uit de volgende gemeenten:
Kanjiža
Senta
Ada
Čoka
Novi Kneževac
Kikinda

Bevolkingssamenstelling
Het district heeft een relatieve meerderheid van Hongaren, daarnaast wonen er nog vele andere bevolkingsgroepen. (Zie: Hongaarse minderheid in Servië)

Bevolkingssamenstelling district (census 2011):

District van Servië
Geografie van Vojvodina


text:
430 F. 2d 195 - Spitalny v. United States
Federal Reporter, Second Series
430 F.2d.
430 F2d 195 Spitalny v. United States
70-2 USTC P 9545
Louis SPITALNY and Betty Spitalny, his wife, Plaintiffs-Appellees,
UNITED STATES of America, Defendant-Appellant.
William ERDWURM and Bart F. Erdwurm, his wife, Plaintiffs-Appellees,
No. 23934.
United States Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit.
Elmer J. Kelsey (argued), Lee A. Jackson, Meyer Rothwacks, Melva M. Graney, Attys., Johnnie Walters, Asst. Atty. Gen., Dept. of Justice, Washington, D.C., Richard K. Burke, U.S. Atty., Phoenix, Ariz., for defendant-appellant.
Rex E. Lee (argued), John R. Christian, Jennings, Strouss, Salmon & Trask, Phoenix, Ariz., for plaintiffs-appellees.
John F. Beggan, Robt. F. Graham, James A. Velde, Gardner, Carton, Douglas, Chilgren & Waud, Chicago, Ill., amicus curiae.
Before MERRILL and KOELSCH, Circuit Judges, and WILKINS, District judge.*
MERRILL, Circuit Judge:
Appellees brought suit for refund of income taxes and interest in the amount of $110,407.71 assessed against them as transferees of a wholly owned corporation liquidated in February, 1960. The judgment of the District Court (288 F.Supp. 650 (D.Ariz.1968)) was in their favor and the United States has taken this appeal.
The taxpayer corporation was engaged in the business of cattle feeding. Feed on hand, the cost of which had been fully deducted as an expense of doing business, was sold by the corporation pursuant to its plan of liquidation for $177,437.37. The question presented is whether the corporation can treat the fully expensed feed as taking a zero basis and the full price received on sale as nonrecognized recognized gain under 337, Int.Rev.Code, 1954, 26 U.S.C. 337.1
Appellees organized the All-State Cattle Feeding Company, a corporation to conduct the business of cattle feeding, in February, 1957. It filed four annual corporate income tax returns with fiscal years ending July 31. Each year it elected not to report inventories but to deduct from gross income for each period the cost of feed and supplies purchased during the year, as permitted under 1.162-12 and 1.162-3 of the Regulations.2
On February 3, 1960, the corporation adopted a plan of liquidation pursuant to which all of its corporate assets were sold to an Arizona cattle company. Between August 1, 1959, and February 3, 1960, it had purchased feed in the total amount of $607,968.02. The sale price of its assets allocated to feed and supplies on hand the sum of $177,437.37.
In its income tax return for the fiscal year ending July 31, 1960, the corporation deducted the entire amount spent that year for feed and supplies. Since this deduction gave to the feed and supplies on hand a zero basis, it treated the entire sale price as nonrecognized gain under 337.
The Commissioner refused to accept this result. He did not explicitly challenge the corporation's accounting practices, but included the sale price of $177,437.37 in the corporation's gross income and assessed a deficiency against appellees as transferees of the corporation. The deficiency was paid3 and this suit followed.
In the District Court and here the Government asserts that since both deduction and sale occurred in the same taxable year, in effect what the commissioner actually did was to disallow the expense deduction for purchase of feed to the extent of the sale price, under his authority to prevent distortion of income under 446(b) of the Code, 26 U.S.C. 446(b),4 and 1.162-3 of the Regulations.
We agree with the Government that distortion of income results from appellees' accounting method. The expense deduction as permitted by regulation is intended to reflect the cost of feed actually consumed during the taxable year and to accomplish over a period of years roughly the same result as would have been had through use of the inventory method, but by a simpler form of accounting. Certainly it could never have been intended that the cash basis method, on liquidation, should provide such a starting advantage over the inventory method, which would truly reflect the cost of feed actually consumed. See C.I.R. v. Kuckenberg, 309 F.2d 202, 206 (9th Cir. 1962), cert. denied, 373 U.S. 909, 83 S.Ct. 1296, 10 L.Ed.2d 411 (1963).
Appellees protest that neither on audit nor before the District Court did the Commissioner seek to require the corporation to revert to the inventory method or any other method of accounting. It does appear that both before the District Court and here the Government's principal contention assumes the validity of the expense deduction and seeks to justify a restoration to income of the sale price under the tax benefit rule.5
The District Court rejected this application of that rule, relying on Anders v. Commissioner, 48 T.C. 815 (1967). Since the taking of this appeal the Tax Court has been reversed by the 10th Circuit in C.I.R. v. Anders, 414 F.2d 1283 (10th Cir.), cert. denied, 396 U.S. 958, 90 S.Ct. 431, 24 L.Ed.2d 423 (1969).
The question there presented was whether the tax benefit rule should be held to apply to sales of 'property' as defined in 337 in those cases where the property had been fully expensed and had thereby received a zero basis. We agree with the 10th Circuit that it should. Just as bad debts written off and later recovered are restored to income, West Seattle National Bank of Seattle v. C.I.R., 288 F.2d 47 (9th Cir. 1961),6 so costs deducted but later recovered should be restored.
We concede that where both deductions and offsetting recovery occur in the same taxable year use of the 'tax benefit rule' label is inappropriate. The rule contemplates the situation where a tax benefit has been received through deductions taken in past years. Here the Commissioner's treatment precludes the receipt of any benefit. However, tax benefit principles would seem to apply with even greater force in such a case as this.
The resulting rule seems simply to state the obvious. When costs are recovered in the taxable year in which they were incurred, the extent of deductible costs is accordingly reduced. Whether the Commissioner's ruling is regarded as disallowance of an item of expense or a restoration to income of the recovery is of no consequence. In neither case may the recovery be regarded as 'gain' when so to regard it would result in a tax benefit the conferring of which serves to distort income.
Accordingly we are not persuaded by the contention of appellees (and the view of the Tax Court in Anders v. Commissioner, supra), that the crucial question is whether the feed and supplies sold constituted 'property' as defined in 337(b)(1) and (2); that, being 'property,' application of tax benefit principles would serve to deny treatment of that 'gain' as nonrecognizable contrary to the express provisions of the Code.
We agree that the feed and supplies on hand are 'property' under 337(b) and, accordingly, that 'gain' realized on their sale shall not be recognized. The crucial question, however, is whether 'gain' was realized. The assignment of a zero basis to expensed items is not in response to adjustments in valuation. It amounts, rather, to a present fictional conversion of that 'property' into a consumed item of expense. If the feed and supplies are to revert to 'property' they should be reconverted. They should not at the same time be property and still retain attributes of a fictional nonentity.
Under these circumstances what tax benefit principles do for purposes of computing gain under 337 is to give to the property sold its true basis as property and deny to it the benefit of an adjusted basis which is false and distorting and inconsistent with its very existence as property.
We conclude that the District Court (not having before it the decision of the 10th Circuit in C.I.R. v. Anders, supra), erred in holding the entire sale price of the feed on hand to be nonrecognized gain under 337.
One difficulty remains. It cannot be ascertained from the present record what the cost (and the basis) of this feed was. If the feed was sold in liquidation at a greater figure than cost the sale price does to that extent represent gain which would be nonrecognizable under 337. In our view appellees should have the opportunity to establish the facts in this respect.
Reversed and remanded with instructions that judgment be entered for appellant denying refund, subject to the right of appellees, within 30 days of the issuance of our mandate, to move to reopen proceedings below for the purpose of establishing cost of the feed and supplies sold on liquidation.
Honorable Philip C. Wilkins, United States District Judge for the Eastern District of California, sitting by designation
'Gain or loss on sales or exchanges in connection with certain liquidations
(a) General Rule-- If-- (1) a corporation adopts a plan of complete liquidation on or after June 22, 1954, and (2) within the 12-month period beginning on the date of the adoption of such plan, all of the assets of the corporation are distributed in complete liquidation, less assets retained to meet claims, then no gain or loss shall be recognized to such corporation from the sale or exchange by it of property within such 12-month period. (b) Property defined.-- (1) In General.-- For purpose or subsection (a), the term 'property' does not include-- (A) stock in trade of the corporation, or other property of a kind which would properly be included in the inventory of the corporation if on hand at the close of the taxable year * * *. (2) Nonrecognition with respect to inventory in certain cases.-- Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, if substantially all of the property described in subparagraph (A) of such paragraph (1) which is attributable to a trade or business of the corporation is, in accordance with this section, sold or exchanged to one person in one transaction, then for purposes of subsection (a) the term 'property' includes-- (A) such property sold or exchanged * * *.'
Income Tax Regulations, 1.162-12 (1954 Code) provides in part: 'The purchase of feed and other costs connected with raising livestock may be treated as expense deductions insofar as such costs represent actual outlay * * *.'
The manner of reporting such expense deductions is dealt with in Income Tax Regulations, 1.162-3 (1954 Code), 'Cost of Materials:
Taxpayers carrying materials and supplies on hand should include in expenses the charges for materials and supplies only in the amount that they are actually consumed and used in operation during the taxable year for which the return is made, provided that the costs of such materials and supplies have not been deducted in determining the net income or loss or taxable income for any previous year. If a taxpayer carries incidental materials or supplies on hand for which no record of consumption is kept or of which physical inventories at the beginning and end of the year are not taken, it will be permissible for the taxpayer to include in his expenses and to deduct from gross income the total cost of such supplies and materials as were purchased during the taxable year for which the return is made, provided the taxable income is clearly reflected by this method.'
The $110,409.71 total included disallowance of two minor deductions which are not in issue here
'General rule for methods of accounting
(b) Exceptions.-- If no method of accounting has been regularly used by the taxpayer, or if the method used does not clearly reflect income, the computation of taxable income shall be made under such method as, in the opinion of the Secretary or his delegate, does clearly reflect income.'
'* * * If an amount deducted from gross income in one taxable year is recovered in a later year, the recovery is income in the later year.' 1 Mertens Law of Federal Income Taxation 7.34 at 103-04
See also C.I.R. v. Kuckenburg, 309 F.2d 202 (9th Cir. 1962), cert. denied, 373 U.S. 909, 83 S.Ct. (1963) (anticipated income on fully performed construction contracts); Family Record Plan, Incorporated v. C.I.R., 309 F.2d 208 (9th Cir. 1962), cert. denied, 373 U.S. 910, 83 S.Ct. 1297, 10 L.Ed.2d 411 (1963) (sale of customer contracts)


Our collections are generally coordinated into fashion-forward, glamorous, vintage, romantic, trendy, and classic designs. The complete Bel Aire line includes veils, headpieces, belts, jewelry sets, earrings, brooches, and bracelets—so you'll look and feel your best when you say "I do!" Additionally, we offer an opulent selection of bouquet and cake jewelry to enhance the beauty of any wedding theme.
Ideally, brides should choose their headpiece, veil, and jewelry at the end of their final dress fitting. Whether the perfect gown is simple or ornate, this appointment allows you to create a total image for your dream wedding!
We also suggest you try a variety of accessories. Even if your heart is set on a particular look, you may surprise yourself by falling in love with a different design! Many of our partner bridal salons host "Trunk Shows," which are a great opportunity to stay and play with a broad selection of our most recent styles.
As a manufacturer, we do not sell directly to brides. We have authorized over 1,500 bridal retailers worldwide to carry our designs. These reputable salons will help guide your selection with professional service and expertise. A few also offer online shops, though we recommend you visit in person to enjoy a personalized bridal experience. Please feel free to visit our "Store Locator" page to find the store nearest to you!


Colorado State Law requires that you be at least 21 years of age to use this website or view it's content. By accessing this website, you are confirming that you are 21 years old. If you are not 21 years of age you are required by The State of Colorado to close this webpage and all other pages on this domain immediately. Thank You for your cooperation.
My husband and I make small trips to Trinidad whenever we're able, and we always make sure to stop here. We literally drove 3 and a half hours to and from our town a few days ago just to go to THCU. The staff is always so welcoming, friendly, and helpful, the quality and prices are great, and we always leave in a wonderful mood, absolutely satisfied. We will never stop returning to THCU!
Visiting CO for New Years and couldn't help but to pop my cherry as soon as I crossed the border. THCU was the lucky shop to help me do that. Great staff well educated and fun. Definitely a place I will always stop by when I'm in CO.
This place is high end with great prices! Long drive but more than worth it. Large selection with enough space to see what you are buying plus a knowledgeable staff to back it up. We had a fun time doing business with these people and will do so many times in the future. If you are reading this then you should try it.
I make a six hour trip to come here. I've done some exploring and found a huge selection with some of the best pricing. They update their menu everyday; which for us travelers is a wonderful perk. I routinely purchase the $120 Oz special: great bud and great price. I also tried the $99 Oz which I found to be a little heavy with seeds and stems, but it is a $100 Oz so it is an ok option for those on a budget. The bud tenders are nice and always ready to help. Oh yeah...and great loyalty program.
This is by far the top place to visit. We just moved to Trinidad and the prices plus service are a five star. I highly recommend shopping and becoming a member.
I had been to Trinidad shops many times but never this dispensary. I was happy they were open late, I had done my Weedmaps research and they had the best deals on flower, wax, edibles, and shatter. Excellent discounts, I have an out of state card and they gave me a small discount. The flowers I purchased were a little drier than. I would've liked, I got a couple flavors too not based on one selection. The gram specials I purchased had a lot of stem pieces which are disappointing in general but even more so for a gram. I gave the quality 5 stars because I picked up some amazing wax and shatter. Flavors are great and THC levels are high. I will be back again soon, thanks!!
I've been to a lot of dispensaries in Denver and the surrounding areas but the one that stood out the most was Trinidads Higher Calling. The staff was the most knowledgeable, friendly, caring, and fast staff that I had the pleasure of speaking with. They truly cared about my wife's medical issues and referred us to some amazing products that finally got her the help she needed. They have the best selection of concentrates in the state and they always update it with the best products around. The price is a little high due to taxes, but it is what it is! Every time I take a trip to Colorado I make sure I stop by THCu and can't wait to get back. Cheers!
When you are looking for CBD services, you want to have a provider that has experience, skills, and a commitment to their clients. At Trinidads Higher Calling U, that is exactly what you will receive. We are deeply passionate about providing Albuquerque NM customers something they can rely on. And our professionals all have an intimate understanding of how to provide such services.
For CBD services in the Albuquerque NM area, turn to Trinidads Higher Calling U. You, our customer, is our main priority and we want to make sure all your expectations are met, if not exceeded. We take pride in having a reputation known for our customer services and we strive to maintain that.
With our wealth of experience as a premier CBD service provider, there is no reason to shop for these services anywhere but at Trinidads Higher Calling U. We work closely with every Albuquerque NM customer to grow and learn as a company.
While many can offer affordable CBD in the Albuquerque NM area, only we can offer both quality and affordable services with guaranteed professionalism. Call us today at (719) 846-0420.


I see Sean Goss has signed on loan with St. Johnston for rest of season. How far our club has come with Stevie G, as Goss was the calibire of player we were signing and the boy had some talent but was simply not good enough and has managed 4 QPR appearances since he left us. 🇬🇧.
Yately this is the guy loads on here wanted us to sign for 5million.
Anyone picking up on Jordan I've rumours.
Jason cummings to luton. There were also some crazy folk wanting us to pay money for him.
Recall Supercoop lobbyed heavingly on here to sign Goss on permanent basis, compared him to Trevor Steven.
I thought goss was a good player. good on the ball and good passer, very good signing for st johnstone.
If you look at the majority of players who have been signed and released over last few years. All playing for low league clubs. Shows we are now attracting the right people and our time is coming again.
I did think goss was a good player bankie. But trust me i never compared him to trevor steven! I'm quite sure the Ed's will confirm this if you wish pal. Take a settler bankie. I think you're getting a little mixed up!
Goss was never a good player.
Jboy21,a way back to the Walton's mountain where you belong pal!
Supercoop, you were using one of your previous (earlier) Monikers.
Was that not a miss spelling bankie saying monikers, when you really meant monkeys? Sorry mate, its just that i haven't grasped the england language, sorry english language!
Four candles you mean! Now its you who ain't got a grasp of the english language!


text:
Q: Backup script for Windows AMI I just want to know what could you recommend a script to backup Windows server?
I tried to use the normal Amazon API command line stated below and it's working fine. However, when I restore the snapshot file, it didn't work correctly.
/opt/aws/bin/ec2-create-snapshot vol-xxxxxxxx -d "System Drive"

I would appreciate any recommendation for backing up Windows instance.
James

A: Windows AMIs cannot be created from EBS snapshots.  Only Linux AMIs can be created this way.
For Windows instances, you should create the AMI directly from the EC2 instance using

ec2-create-image

If you want to restore an instance from an EBS volume:

*

*Create a new volume from your snapshot

*Launch a new Windows instance from an AMI that matches your original instance as much as possible

*Stop your new instance and replace the root volume with your restored volume

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The Invicta watch group was founded with noble missions of producing top quality Swiss watches, that are afford enough to purchase by the common people. Invicta refers to Invincible. The term will states their high quality products. With its impressive designs and patterns the Invicta will provides the incredible values for your money. They are well known for their wonderful quality of Swiss watches. These types of watches will make use of finest materials, colorful mixtures of various styles and also high end technology to manufacture their watches. The Invicta watches are available in top class quality that for both men and women.
You can get these types watches in a wide variety of designs and patterns. The invicta watch group will offers the time pieces for both men and women. The Invicta watch reviews are beneficial to choose the right models of invicta watches.
The Invicta time pieces for men are huge, durable, and also technologically advanced to include the requirements of the man. These types of time pieces are made of so articulately that is in the style of Swiss, and then it becomes the attraction for eyes. The men's watches are going with any types of attires no matter whether it is casual, sporty, trendy or formal. The Invicta watches for men deals are huge and it will make the instant hit among several youngsters. You can get the band of this Invicta watch in brown, black and other similar colors that make use of the leather as fabric. You can also get the bands of gold, steel and also silver, as it will provides the time pieces an appearance of class and style.
The women's Invicta watches are about poise, elegance and fashion as these are the mainly three qualities that defines the women. A wide range of collection is obtainable for the women to select from. The women's Invicta watches are slim and sleek and not truly chunky and huge since they will fit in perfectly. The invicta watches for the women is made with great skill in order to meet the diverse needs and requirement of women. This is because the Invicta watches are made of utilizing the designs and colors and also jewelery to make them beautiful and also attract the eyeballs. In general these types of deals are causal and also all the time pieces are go with any types of outfits and making its perfect accessory. The best about these types of Invicta pro diver automatic 8926 is that these are not over priced.
These comprises of modest price tags attached this sis due to the targeted audiences are the daily, regular clients. They will give the best deals on all types of watches that for both men and women. These watches are sold online; you can get a great deal if in case you are purchased from the right retailers. You can also read the online Invicta automatic watches review before buying them. So this will make the individuals who are limited with budget to opt for Invicta watches.


Furious Speed Drift Rivals is a racing project in which gamers will be able to take part in exciting competitions on the slopes. Of course, not only different locations and machines were prepared for them, but also different types of races, a system for updating equipment, as well as a multiplayer mode. This makes the fights in the first place as dramatic and unpredictable as possible. Well, the prizes for the victory will provide new features and quality of the gameplay.


The swiftness with which Zika and the Zika virus have gained notoriety is nearly unprecedented. The fear of a not-well-characterized disease, including transmission, symptoms, and infection sequelae, has lead to dire warnings and even the spread of misinformation. Scientists are moving as quickly as they can to secure funding and prevent further spread of this arbovirus.
One of the first challenges is in properly diagnosing Zika infection. Diagnosis is challenging for several reasons: first, many infected individuals don't suffer severe symptoms. Those that do have relatively non-specific symptoms of low-grade fever, headaches, and muscle soreness that are sometimes seen with conjunctivitis or retro-orbital pain. These general symptoms mean many people infected with Zika may not even go to the doctor, and those that do may be misdiagnosed. Patients with Zika are often suspected of having Dengue fever or a mild case of Chikagunya, and can also be mistaken for Plasmodium, herpes virus, or West Nile virus infection cases.
The second challenge for Zika infection is technical: we don't have good tools for diagnosis of this disease. This is in part because of the newness of the wide-spread viral distribution (although the virus itself is not newly discovered; it was first described in 1947). This is also in part because of the similarity of Zika virus to another flavivirus, Dengue virus. Serology testing examines whether a patient has mounted an immune response to a particular pathogen (although it doesn't differentiate whether that pathogen, such as the virus, is still in the patient's system). The Zika virus and Dengue virus are similar enough that IgM antibodies used to diagnose Dengue virus infection have given false positive results for patients actually infected with Zika virus. Proper treatment and conditional associations (such as risk of microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome) can only be determined with correct diagnoses, emphasizing the importance of these tools.
Viral culture: Although this technique is not generally used for clinical purposes, Zika virus can be passaged in several primate cell lines as well as a mosquito cell line.
Antibody detection: Cross-reactivity with other flaviviruses is an issue, as discussed above. Development of Zika-specific serology tests is important to assess the risk to developing fetuses for congenital infections that are associated with microcephaly.
Antigen Detection: Not yet available for Zika virus.
RNA Detection: This is the best way to diagnose an ongoing infection, and the CDC has both a real-time and standard RT-PCR assay to detect viral RNA genomes present in patient samples, including serum, plasma, saliva, and amniotic fluid. Commercial tests are becoming available but have yet to be clinically assessed.
Differentiating Zika from Dengue virus infection is one of the top priorities for diagnostic toolmakers, since Dengue virus is endemic in the regions Zika has been spreading (compare the Zika map, with purple, to the Dengue map, with orange, above). People living in those regions could well have subsequent, or even simultaneous, infection with both Dengue and Zika virus, and differentiating those who have experienced both from those who have experienced only one is an important priority with both clinical and epidemiological implications. An additional upside of improved diagnostics for Zika is that they may also lead to improved diagnostics for Dengue, another important mosquito-borne disease that affects millions of people worldwide.
For more information on Zika virus, please check out the American Society of Microbiology's Zika Resources website, which is updated as articles such as this Journal of Clinical Microbiology review are published.
You can also find great summaries of Zika studies and news stories on virology.ws, the blog run by Earth's Virology Professor (and iEditor for the new ASM journal, mSphereTM), Vincent Racaniello.


text:
National Fuel Gas earnings: here's what Wall Street expects
Aug. 3, 2022, 09:01 AM
On August 4, National Fuel Gas will release figures for Q3.
Wall Street analysts are expecting earnings per share of $1.46.
Watch National Fuel Gas stock price in real-time on Markets Insider here.
On August 4, National Fuel Gas is presenting latest earnings.
5 analysts are predicting earnings of $1.46 per share compared to earnings of $0.930 per share in the same quarter of the previous year.
Analysts are expecting sales to increase 37.26% compared to the prior year quarter. The company is expected to report $541.4 million.
For the fiscal year, analysts expect earnings per share of $5.97 compared to $4.29 in the previous year. On average, they are expecting revenue to come in at $2.25 billion, compared to $ 1.74 billion last year.
This story was written by Markets Insider's RoboEddy, which automatically writes these stories based on data provided by our partners.
National Fuel Gas NewsMORE
What Awaits National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) in Q1 Earnings?
Zacks 4d
National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) Receives a Rating Update from a Top Analyst
TipRanks 4d
National Fuel Gas (NFG) Earnings Expected to Grow: What to Know Ahead of Next Week's Release
J.P. Morgan Keeps Their Hold Rating on National Fuel Gas Company (NFG)
Jim Cramer On This Stock Up 2% Over 6 Months: 'You've Got A Real Winner There'
National Fuel Gas Company (NFG) Gets a Hold from J.P. Morgan
National Fuel Gas declares $0.475 dividend
Get real-time NFG charts here >>


text:
HomeStrategy / AdventureA Game of Thrones: The Board Game
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game
King Robert Baratheon is dead, and the lands of Westeros brace for battle. Can you claim the Iron Throne?
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game quantity
King Robert Baratheon is dead, and the lands of Westeros brace for battle. Can you claim the Iron Throne? Taking control of the well-known characters from George R.R. Martin's beloved fantasy series, players must fight for dominance of the realm. Will you take power through force, coerce your way onto the throne with persuasive speeches, or rally the townsfolk to your side? With opportunities for strategic planning, masterful diplomacy, and clever card play, this game gives you a host of ways to spread your influence over Westeros.
Based on the bestselling fantasy novels by George R.R. Martin (now a hit HBO series), A Game of Thrones: The Board Game draws players into a war-torn world of sun-scorched sands, lush forests, and chilling northlands. Each player takes control of one of six Great Houses of Westeros, then sets out on an epic campaign of combat and politics to secure total dominance.
A Game of Thrones: The Board Game includes game board, rule book, 138 plastic units, 105 cards, 6 player screens, and 266 tokens and overlays. The game is recommended for 3-6 players ages 14 and up, and takes 2-4 hours to play.
GTIN: 9781589947207 SKU: 8851 Categories: Board Games / Adventure, Strategy / Adventure
TICKET TO RIDE NORDIC COUNTRIE
Ticket to Ride: Nordic Countries takes you on a Nordic adventure through Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden as you travel to the great northern cities of Copenhagen, Oslo, Helsinki and Stockholm.
Pandemic on the Brink Family Board Game
THIS IS A PANDEMIC BOARD GAME EXPANSION: You will need a Pandemic Base Game in order to play with this expansion.
RAISE THE STAKES AND FACE NEW CHALLENGES WITH THIS EXPANSION: You've found the cures to four diseases. But what happens when those diseases get stronger? Worse yet, what happens when someone spreads them intentionally? Try each challenge individually or combine them all for a major test!
THREE EXCITING NEW CHALLENGES: Challenge 1: one disease might become a Virulent Strain and become more difficult to treat. Challenge 2: an unpredictable fifth disease with the Mutation challenge pops up in unexpected places. Challenge 3: a fifth player dons the mask of the Bio-Terrorist and spreads panic.
NEW COMPONENTS ADD MORE VARIETY: This expansion adds seven new roles and eight new event cards. Combined with the base game, these cards open new avenues for experimentation and improvisation in your quest to save humanity.
SET THE DIFFICULTY LEVEL: If finding cures is becoming routine even on the Heroic difficulty, you can always add another Epidemic card and tackle Legendary difficulty. With a whopping seven Epidemic cards, playing at Legendary will challenge even the most experienced Pandemic players.
Carcassonne Board Game
Carcassonne is a tile-placement game based on the southern French city of Carcassonne, where players develop the area around Carcassonne and deploy their followers to score points.
Axis and Allies: 1941
1941: The world is at war. Five major powers struggle for supremacy. Control one of the Axis or Allied powers to change the course of history!
Risk Legacy is like no other game of Risk: the board and rules change over time based on what happens during each game. How will your choices affect the future?


For two centuries, the shadow of the workhouse hung over Britain. The recourse of only the most desperate, dark and terrible tales of malnutrition, misery, mistreatment and murder ran like wildfire through the poorer classes, who lived in terror of being forced inside the institution's towering walls. This book contains 365 incredible tales of fires, drownings, explosions and disasters, infamous scandals such as the Andover affair – where inmates were forced to eat the bones they were supposed to be crushing to ward off starvation – and sickening tales of abuse, assault, bodysnatching, poisonings, post mortems and murder. Accompanied by 70 rare and wonderful illustrations, this book will thrill, fascinate, sadden and unnerve in equal measure. DID YOU KNOW? In the early hours of 31 August 1888, the mutilated body of Mary Ann Nichols – the first generally accepted victim of Jack the Ripper – was discovered in Buck's Row, Whitechapel, just a little way from the Whitechapel workhouse infirmary. Nichols, aged forty-two at her death, had been a regular habituée of London's workhouses. On 30 May 1896, at the age of seven, future Hollywood star Charlie Chaplin entered the Newington workhouse in south London, together with his mother, Hannah, and his older half-brother Sydney. On 19 March 1834 a revolt took place amongst the juvenile female paupers of St Margaret's workhouse, Westminster. A young man named Speed, appointed as their superintendent, provoked their wrath by his alleged tyrannical behaviour. He was unmercifully thrashed by the girls who tore his clothes nearly off his back and beat him until his cries raised the alarm and the police were sent for to quell the disturbance.


Great value and opportunity. Great location. Over 7 acres of mostly cleared land to build your dream home. The property has been evaluated for an LPP septic system. Please no mobile homes but modular and stick built homes are welcome.


Well not really fishing, but I couldn't find a more suitable image 🙂 Heading to Istanbul today for Easter and really looking forward to it. It's my first time that far east. Hope to capture some interesting photos to share with you.
This image was taken on the way back from Burano in Venice. Underexposed by two stops, and toned in photoshop using curves. See you soon!


text:
i belong Amen Ministries
Psalm 1 ~ Is There A Key To True Happiness?
Is there a key to true happiness?
We live in a time where bitterness, boredom, misery, anger, depression and other forms of unhappiness are running rampant. Is there some basic principle which determines success in finding happiness?
The Book of Psalms, with its very first psalm, shares with us a key principle that can ensure true happiness if we allow it to. Notice the very first word of the first psalm, "Blessed."
The word in Hebrew denotes the idea of "happiness"
The actual force of the Hebrew could be translated "O how very happy is the man..."
Therefore this psalm describes "The Truly Happy Man"
Let's look at Psalm 1. The Blessedness of the Righteous man...
In Psalm 1:1-2 we are told of his character.
"Walks not in the counsel of the ungodly" ~ He does not take their counsel as to how to live. He does not follow the advice of those who are sinful. Nor does he follow behind those who are doing ungodly works in Jesus' Name.
"Nor stands in the path of sinners" ~ He does not linger where sinners are known to go. For the temptation to go with them would be great.
"Nor sits in the seat of the scornful" ~ He does not join himself with those who ridicule and mock those trying to do right, which they often do to fortify their conduct and defend their own ungodly actions.
This verse may be taken to describe the journey one takes into sin:
First, one going along with a crowd.
Then, taking a stand with the crowd.
Finally, reaching a point where sinning is not enough and mockery is added.
"His delight is in the law of the Lord" ~ The source of his Joy and Happiness is the Word of GOD! It is truly his "delight" (Psalm 119:16,24,35,47,70, 77,92,174 & Jeremiah 15:16-17). He preferred it over the counsel of the ungodly!
Therefore, "in His law he meditates day and night" ~ The word meditate means to "moan, hum, utter, speak, muse". The picture is one of a man reading and re-reading half aloud to himself, another word might be "ponder."
This he does with GOD'S Word "day and night", not implying a monk-like existence, but a focused, coordinated and determined interest which goes beyond a casual acquaintance, or thoughts & feelings alone. What it means is that this is something he does habitually setting apart portions of each day and that he does both day and night.
In Psalm 1:3 we are told of the happy man's prosperity.
"He shall be like a tree" ~ This figure of speech is often used in Scripture to describe the righteous (Psalm 92:12-15 & Jeremiah 17:5-8). It had special significance to those living in arid climates like Palestine.
"Planted by rivers of water" ~ A picture describing a person whose life is rooted in GOD'S Word, from which one receives constant nourishment!
"That brings forth fruit in its season" ~ Depicting a life which yields something worthwhile, providing Blessings to himself and others.
"Whose leaf also shall not wither" ~ A tree with roots near a river is not likely to be affected in times of drought, so adverse conditions do not affect the fruitfulness of one whose strength comes from GOD'S Word!
"Whatever he does shall prosper" ~ This is a general rule, exceptions may occur for reasons which only GOD knows, but a life of piety will generally be Blessed by HIS GoOD GOoD Blessings, prosperity.
Prosperity not being measured by monetary wealth, but Spiritual and godly wealth. Amen!
Such is the character and prosperity of the righteous man; he is truly happy and a blessing to others because he abides in the Word of GOD. He also becomes a monument to GOD'S Faithfulness and the value of living by HIS Word.
But wait...... what of those who do not delight in the Word of GOD? Those who do not receive the nourishment found in GOD'S Word? This answer is found in Psalm 1:4-5, the condition of the unrighteous.
The phrase "The ungodly are not so" is more emphatic in the Hebrew, it literally says, "Not so, are the ungodly!"
Emphasizing that the wicked are not like the righteous!
The contrast as illustrated by the Psalmist does not even describe them as withering trees, but rather as "chaff which the wind drives away", alluding to chaff blown away from wheat as it is tossed into the air.
The illustration describes a bleak existence. Their life is one of futility, ending in eternal separation from GOD. The "ungodly" chaff among the wheat, this is not the lost souls folks, but those within The Church who are being led by thoughts & feelings, misinterpreting The Scriptures, acting on bitterness & ego, stepping outside of The Will of GOD and those who are just plain ole wolves in sheeps clothing.
Their life is of no substantial value, either to be blown away and not found, or to be burned (Matthew 3:12).
"The ungodly shall not stand in the judgment" ~ I understand this may be a Hebrew idiom and mean that the wicked "shall not be able to maintain himself" (for example - obliged to sit or fall down in shame when convicted of their guilt).
"Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous" ~ For example - in all places where the righteous are assembled, but especially, in the last day, when the righteous shall be gathered together to receive their reward and shall be assembled together in Heaven, where the sinner has no place!
The psalm concerning the truly happy man (Psalm 1) ends with a final contrast between two different & distinct "Ways" in Psalm 1:6.
"The Way" of the Righteous ~ The LORD knows "The Way" of the righteous. The word "knows" suggests interest in, and care for, the person known. One could say that GOD himself goes with such a person throughout his or her life!
The way of the ungodly ~ The way of the ungodly person "shall perish". His path becomes less defined until it loses itself, kinda like a trail that leads into a swamp. We understand this for the lost but for those (ungodly) who claim JESUS, those words will be heard, "Depart from ME"
Is not the end described for the ungodly a true description of those who go through life bored, bitter, angry, miserable, depressed, or otherwise unhappy? Their lives are listless, with no sense of purpose or direction, gradually unraveling. While others are busy trying to be heard, instead of allowing The LORD to speak through them.
Why is this so? Because they heed the counsel of the ungodly and they do not meditate upon the Word of The LORD!
If we desire to be truly happy, standing strong like well-nourished tree, bearing fruit at all times, with The LORD always at our side, then the key is to delight and meditate in the Word of The LORD, and not heed the counsel of the ungodly!
In whose counsel do you delight?
That which is found in GOD'S Word, or that provided by the ungodly in this world?
If you seek true happiness, let The LORD be your counselor, and HIS Word your guide! Allow HIM to lead & guide your steps.
Stop following others and allow HIM to lead you.
Author of, "Refined: Life Through Homosexuality, Transgenderism and Beyond"
30+ years of darkness and death, David now lives in Light and Life. One word: Truth.
GOD pursued David. GOD chose David, for such a time as this. GOD fed his hungry heart with Truth, Full Truth.
IBA Ministries
Hancock, ME
 04640


It will be in charge of about 1,600 serviced residence units by 2022.
Ascott is set to manage about 1,600 serviced-residence units in the Philippines by 2022 through a partnership with Philippine property developer Cebu Landmasters (CLI), an announcement revealed.
The alliance will eye properties that will be developed by CLI into serviced residences. In turn, Ascott will take charge of the management of the properties.
Management contracts have already been sealed for the first four properties which will have about 800 units in Bacolod, Cebu City and Davao City.
Citadines Bacolod City, Citadines Cebu City, Citadines Paragon Davao, and lyf Cebu City, will start operations from 2019 to 2021.
Separately, Ascott also made its entry into Quezon City by winning a management contract with another property owner for Citadines Roces Quezon City, which will open in 2023.
The two new contracts in Bacolod and Quezon City brings Ascott's Philippine portfolio to a 27% YoY growth to over 4,300 units.


text:
Kevin Yoder on Tax Reform
Supports eliminating the estate tax.
Yoder supports the PVS survey question on the estate tax
Project Vote Smart infers candidate issue stances on key topics by summarizing public speeches and public statements. Candidates are given the opportunity to respond in detail; about 16% did so in the 2010 races.
Project Vote Smart summarizes candidate stances on the following topic: 'Budget, Spending, and Tax Issues: Do you support the elimination of the federal estate tax?' Source: Project Vote Smart 10-PVS-q11 on Nov 2, 2010
Repeal the death tax, immediately and with no expiration.
Yoder co-sponsored Death Tax Repeal Act
Repeals the federal estate, gift, and generation-skipping transfer taxes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
Subtitle B of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to estate, gift, and generation-skipping taxes) is hereby repealed.
The repeal shall apply to estates of decedents dying, gifts made, and generation-skipping transfers made after the date of the enactment of this Act.
Explanation from ObTheIssues.org:
Previously the estate tax was repealed, but with a "sunset clause" which terminated the repeal as of 2012TK; this new act has no such built-in expiration. The previous versions of the estate tax repeal also scaled by year the percentage of an estate not subject to the tax; this new act has no scaling and would take full effect immediately. Source: H.R.147 13-HR0147 on Jan 3, 2013
Replace income tax and IRS with FairTax.
Yoder co-sponsored H.R.25 & S.155
Congressional Summary: This bill imposes a national sales tax in lieu of the current income and corporate income tax, employment taxes, and estate and gift taxes. The rate of the sales tax will be 23% in 2017, with adjustments in subsequent years. U.S. residents receive a monthly sales tax rebate (Family Consumption Allowance) based upon family size and poverty guidelines. No funding is allowed for the operations of the Internal Revenue Service after FY2019. Finally, the FairTax terminates if the 16th Amendment to the Constitution (authorizing an income tax) is not repealed within 7 years.
Supporters reasons for voting YEA: Rep. MORAN: I am all on board on tax reform, but the best solution is not tinkering with the current system; it is an overhaul of the current Tax Code. The FairTax, in my view, brings two goals front and center: to pass on to the next generation of Americans the freedoms and liberties guaranteed by our Constitution, and the opportunity for every American to live the American dream.
Opponents reasons for voting NAY: (by FairTaxWarrior.com):
Criticisms from The Left
The FairTax rate is really 30%, not the 23% proponents say.
It's an additional national sales tax.
It's really just a windfall tax cut for the rich.
A sales tax is regressive, and punishes the poor unfairly.
It's just a scheme to let corporations escape paying taxes.
Criticisms from The Right:
The FairTax does nothing to cut government spending.
The 23% rate is too high.
It 's the largest welfare increase in history [via the Family Consumption Allowance]
General criticisms
The FairTax will negatively impact the housing market [by removing the mortgage deduction].
Black market activity will increase.
The IRS won't really be abolished.
The Flat (Income) Tax is a better option.
It will be a nightmare to transition to The FairTax from an Income Tax.
Source: FairTax Act sponsored by 6 Senators and 64 Reps 15_H025 on Jan 6, 2015
Death Tax is a pernicious double tax.
Yoder voted YEA Death Tax Repeal Act
Heritage Action Summary: This bill would repeal the estate and generation-skipping transfer taxes, as well as cut the top gift tax rate.
Heritage Foundation recommendation to vote YES: (4/16/2015): Collectively, these measures repeal the pernicious double tax known as the "death tax," and result in a tax cut of $269 billion over 10 years. The death tax hurts economic growth and therefore limits the ability of Americans to prosper. Repealing the death tax would generate an average of 18,000 jobs annually and increase the overall net worth of American households by $300 billion a year. The federal government should encourage, not punish, Americans who work and pay taxes their whole lives, save enough to support themselves through retirement, and retain the ability to fulfill the American Dream by passing along a better life to their children.
Secretary of Labor Robert Reich recommendation to vote YES: (robertreich.org 6/4/2015): At a time of historic economic inequality, it should be a no-brainer to raise a tax on inherited wealth for the very rich. Yet there's a move among some members of Congress to abolish it altogether. Today the estate tax reaches only the richest 2/10 of 1%, and applies only to dollars in excess of $10.86 million for married couples or $5.43 million for individuals. That means if a couple leaves to their heirs $10,860,001, they now pay the estate tax on $1. The current estate tax rate is 40%, so that would be 40 cents. Yet according to these members of Congress, that's still too much. Our democracy's Founding Fathers did not want a privileged aristocracy. Yet that's the direction we're going in. The tax on inherited wealth is one of the major bulwarks against it. That tax should be increased and strengthened.
Legislative outcome: Passed by the House 240-179-12; never came to vote in Senate. Source: Congressional vote 15-H1105 on Apr 16, 2015
Click here for HouseMatch answers by Kevin Yoder.
Click here for a summary of Kevin Yoder's positions on all issues.
Click here for a summary of Kevin Yoder's positions on the AmericansElect.org quiz.
Click here for contact information for Kevin Yoder.
Click here for a Wikipedia profile of Kevin Yoder.
Click here for a Ballotpedia profile of Kevin Yoder.
Click here for other KS politicians.
Click here for KS primary archives.
Click here for KS secondary archives.
2021-22 Governor, House and Senate candidates on Tax Reform: Kevin Yoder on other issues:
KS Gubernatorial:
Carl Brewer
Chase LaPorte
Derek Schmidt
Jeff Colyer
Kris Kobach
Laura Kelly
Sam Brownback
Wink Hartman
KS Senatorial:
Barbara Bollier
Barry Grissom
Dave Lindstrom
Jake LaTurner
Jerry Moran
Pat Roberts
Patrick Wiesner
Roger Marshall
Susan Wagle Republican Freshman class of 2021:
KS politicians
Page last updated: May 30, 2022; copyright 1999-2022 Jesse Gordon and OnTheIssues.org


MTFX has one of the largest ranges of streamer launchers available to create fabulous streamer special effects.
30cm Hand Held Disposable Single Shot Streamer Launchers will fire streamers up to 4 metres.
50cm Hand Held Disposable Single Shot Streamer Launchers will fire streamers up to 8 metres.
An 80cm Hand Held Disposable Single Shot Streamer Launcher will fire streamers up to 12 metres.
Hand held streamer launchers for you to fill with the contents and colour of your choice over and over again.
A single shot CO2 fired streamer cannon holds up to 500g confetti per tube and will fire confetti, glitter or streamers 6 – 8 metres.
A single shot compressed air, electrically fired streamer cannon, which holds up to 1kg streamer per tube and has a range of up to 8 – 10 metres.
A Stadium Shot Streamer Cannon will fire a single shot of streamers up to 30 metres and stadium streamers up to 50 metres.


John C Reilly and Sarah Silverman try their hand at ASMR because it's 2018 and that's what the people want, OKAY!?
Happy Wreck-It Ralph 2 day! Yep, Ralph is back and this time he's breaking the internet (not in a Kim Kardashian way though - we love Ralph but nobody needs to see that).
The second instalment of the Wreck-It Ralph finds Ralph and Vanellope, now friends, discovering a wi-fi router in their arcade "leading them into a new adventure". Hot damn.
John C Reilly and Sarah Silverman return as the voice actors for Ralph Breaks The Internet and so when we were invited to speak to the pair, we thought it would be a good opportunity to test their knowledge on what the internet does best: memes. Turns out, they're not exactly meme experts BUT one thing they do know and love is ASMR.
Watch the full interview above. Wreck-It Raph 2: Ralph Breaks The Internet is out in UK cinemas now.


text:
FOX 5 San Diego
San Diego 61°
Replay: 6 p.m. News
Neighborhood All-Stars
Submit Weather Photos/Videos
Seen On FOX 5
Advertise with FOX 5
Copy of a News Story
High-Definition Media Specifications
KSWB-TV EEO File
The LOCAList SD
Sustainable San Diego
Super Proposal
Arjun Viswanathan places his hands on a basket of flowers to be offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh at the Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple on Nov. 28, 2022,…
Arjun Viswanathan places his hands on a basket of flowers to be offered to the Hindu deity Ganesh at the Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple on Nov. 28, 2022, in Chennai, a city on the southern coast of India. These "visa temples" can be found in almost any Indian city with a U.S. consulate. They have surged in popularity because of a belief popularized on social media that those who pray there will not just get their visa, but will enjoy a smooth, stress-free path to getting it. (AP Photo/Deepa Bharath)
India's visa temples attract devotees aspiring to go abroad
by: DEEPA BHARATH, Associated Press
CHENNAI, India (AP) — Arjun Viswanathan stood on the street, his hands folded, eyes fixed on the idol of the Hindu deity Ganesh.
On a humid morning, the information technology professional was waiting outside the temple, the size of a small closet – barely enough room for the lone priest to stand and perform puja or rituals for the beloved elephant-headed deity, believed to be the remover of obstacles.
Viswanathan was among about a dozen visitors, most of them there for the same purpose: To offer prayers so their U.S. visa interviews would go smoothly and successfully. Viswanathan came the day before his interview for an employment visa.
"I came here to pray for my brother's U.K. visa 10 years ago and for my wife's U.S. visa two years ago," he said. "They were both successful. So I have faith."
The Sri Lakshmi Visa Ganapathy Temple is a few miles north of the airport in Chennai (formerly Madras), a bustling metropolis on the Coromandel Coast in southeast India — known for its iconic cuisine, ancient temples and churches, silk saris, classical music, dance and sculptures.
This "visa temple" has surged in popularity among U.S. visa seekers over the past decade; they can be found in almost any Indian city with a U.S. consulate. They typically gain a following through word of mouth or social media.
A mile away from the Ganesh temple is the Sri Lakshmi Narasimha Navaneetha Krishnan Temple, where an idol of Hanuman – a deity who has a human body and the face of a monkey — is believed to possess the power to secure visas. Also known as "Anjaneya," this god stands for strength, wisdom and devotion. In this temple, he has earned the monikers "America Anjaneya" and "Visa Anjaneya."
The temple's longtime secretary, G.C. Srinivasan, said it wasn't until 2016 that this temple became a "visa temple."
"It was around that time that a few people who prayed for a visa spread the word around that they were successful, and it's continued," he said.
A month ago, Srinivasan said he met someone who got news of his visa approval even as as he was circumambulating the Anjaneya idol — a common Hindu practice of walking around a sacred object or site.
On a recent Saturday night, devotees decorated the idol with garlands made of betel leaves. S. Pradeep, who placed a garland on the deity, said he was not there to pray for a visa, but believes in the god's unique power.
"He is my favorite god," he said. "If you genuinely pray – not just for visa – it will come true."
At the Ganesh temple, some devotees had success stories to share. Jyothi Bontha said her visa interview at the U.S. Consulate in Chennai went without a hitch, and that she had returned to offer thanks.
"They barely asked me a couple of questions," she said. "I was pleasantly surprised."
Bontha's friend, Phani Veeranki, stood nearby, nervously clutching an envelope containing her visa application and supporting documents. Bontha and Veeranki, both computer science students from the neighboring state of Andhra Pradesh and childhood friends, are headed to Ohio.
Both learned about the visa temple on the social media platform Telegram.
Veeranki said she was anxious because she had a lot riding on her upcoming visa interview.
"I'm the first person in my family to go the United States," she said. "My mother is afraid to send me. But I'm excited for the opportunities I'll have in America."
Veeranki then handed over the envelope to the temple's priest for him to place at the foot of the idol for a blessing.
"We've been hearing about applications being rejected," she said, her hands still folded in prayer. "I'm really hoping mine gets approved."
If she and Bontha make it to Ohio, they want to take a trip to Niagara Falls.
"I've always wanted to see it," Bontha said.
Mohanbabu Jagannathan and his wife, Sangeetha, run the temple, which Jagannathan's grandfather built in 1987. Their house is on a cul-de-sac, which is considered bad luck in several Asian cultures. In Chennai, it is common to find a Ganesh temple outside cul-de-sac homes due to the belief that the deity has the power to ward off evil. At first, only neighbors came to the temple, Jagannathan said.
"But over the years it started earning a quirky reputation," he said. "A lot of visa applicants who came to the temple spread the word that they found success after praying here."
In 2009, his father, Jagannathan Radhakrishnan, reconstructed the temple and added the word "visa" to the temple's name. Jagannathan said the success stories are heartwarming; visitors sometimes stop by his home to thank his family for keeping the temple open.
"I've never been bothered by it," Jagannathan said. "We offer this as a service to the public. It's a joy to see how happy people are when they come back and tell us they got their visa."
His wife said she was touched by the story of a man who came all the way from New Delhi to pray for a visa to see his grandchild after eight years apart. She remembers another time when a woman called her in tears, saying her visa application was rejected.
"Sure, some don't get it," she said. "God only knows why."
Padma Kannan brought her daughter, Monisha, who is preparing to pursue a master's degree in marketing analytics in Clark University. Kannan believes her daughter got her visa because of this powerful deity.
"I found this temple on Google," she said. "I was so nervous for her, and so I prayed here."
Monisha Kannan said she is not so sure she got her visa because of this temple, but she said she came to support her mom.
"I'm skeptical," she said. "I'm just someone who goes with the flow."
Her mother takes a more philosophical stance.
"We pray for our children and things happen easily for them," she said. "I think when they go through the rigors of life themselves, they will start believing in the power of prayer."
Viswanathan said he is not someone "who usually believes in such things." When his brother got his British visa a decade ago after offering prayers here, Viswanathan chalked it up to coincidence. He became a believer when his wife got her U.S. visa two years ago, he said.
The day after he visited the temple this time, Viswanathan's employment visa was approved. He'll head to New Hampshire in a few months.
"It's all about faith," he said. "If you believe it will happen, it will happen."
Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Science building at USC evacuated after explosion; …
Motorcyclist dies in rural East County crash
UPDATE: After harrowing journey, Pakistani migrant's …
Possible tuberculosis exposure reported at Boys & …
Irvine police pursuit ends in San Diego County
FOX 5 San Diego Video
Strong Winds Overturn Big Rigs
Possible Tuberculosis Exposure Reported In National …
Bodycam Video Of Deadly Police Shooting
Police Chase Ends In Solana Beach
Old Central Library Becomes Homeless Shelter
Tree Falls Onto Woman In Balboa Park
Semi-Trucks Overturn On I-8
SD Restaurant Makes Yelp's Top 100 US Pizza Spots …
City Council Addresses YMCA Locker Room Controversy
Larry Millete Ordered To Stand Trial
9-Year-Old Escapes Kidnapping Attempt
National Passenger Safety Campaign
More from FOX 5 San Diego
What sets San Diego apart for whale watching?
California natural gas bills continue to soar; state …
Old Central Library becomes homeless shelter for …
Thousands of SDGE customers without power due to …
Get the latest San Diego news, breaking news, weather, traffic, sports, entertainment and video from fox5sandiego.com. Watch live streaming newscasts from FOX 5 San Diego, KSWB Channel 5.
KSWB-TV EEO Report
FOX 5 TV Schedule


text: [!!] Since Kohana `3.3.x`, minion requires no additional setup to use.


text:
Impending divorce led Queens woman to set herself on fire in her backyard: cops
Apparently despondent over her upcoming divorce, a Rosedale woman died of her injuries after she set herself on fire early Tuesday morning, police sources reported.
According to authorities, at 1:25 a.m. on May 28, officers from the 105th Precinct responded to a 911 call regarding an aided female who was not breathing at a residence in the vicinity of 147th Drive and 249th Street.
Upon their arrival, cops found a 48-year-old woman in the backyard, unconscious and unresponsive, with burns throughout her body.
Sources familiar with the investigation said that the victim showed signs of depression due to an impending divorce.
EMS responded to the location and declared the victim dead at the scene. Her identity was withheld pending proper family notification.
The investigation is ongoing.
One injured in early morning apartment fire in Jackson Heights
Cops cuff Oakland Gardens woman who allegedly poisoned husband's coffee with insecticide
AG James sues city, NYPD over violence, civil rights violations during last summer's protests


The longest transfer saga of the summer was finally resolved yesterday as Real Madrid completed the signing of Tottenham Hotspur's Luka Modric for around £30m.
The 26 year old Croatian midfielder passed a medical on Monday before signing a five year contract with the Spanish giants.
Modric is Madrid's star signing this summer, but despite the hefty fee paid for him, the player admitted he needed to earn his place in the side.
"I am ready for everything but, like I said, I came here to play football, to earn my place in the team. Like I said before, it is going to be hard, but I think I've got quality to play here and mister (manager Jose Mourinho) will decide how much he will use me and in which games"
During his four year stay in north London, Modric was one of the shining lights of a Spurs side that twice managed to finish in the top four and competed in their first Champions League campaign in 2010.
Modric thanked the Spurs fans and wished the club the best for the future.
"What can I say? Is just to thank, thank Tottenham, to all people in Tottenham for everything. I spent four great years there. I enjoyed every moment. I would like to thank all people that made my life and my family life easier in London. And there is no hard feelings from my, from my side. I think is the same ffom Tottenham. This is just new page in my life"
Talks had been on-going between the two clubs all summer, with Spurs chairman Daniel levy, a famously tough negotiator, agreeing a deal which sees the two clubs enter a partnership in which players and coaches are loaned out to each other.
Modric's departure gives manager Andre Villas-Boas a significant amount to invest in new players as the club look to improve on their shaky start to the season. Rumoured targets include Fulham midfielder Moussa Dembélé, Lyon goalkeeper Hugo lloris and Shakhtar Donetsk striker Willian.