We at iSchool are excited to share the highlights of our 2018 summer learning! Knowing that the summer slide is real for most children, we create opportunities for students to apply what they learned during the school year and make sense of it through real life projects. In addition to sharpening their cognitive skills, we taught lessons for students to learn invaluable social and emotional life skills through hands-on STEM related activities, making them happier and more effective learners.
This summer, we placed a heavy emphasis on empathy as a life skill, as well as its compatriots, respect and teamwork. For every fun, innovative activity we did together with the children, we also worked in a lesson about these and other life skills. And, together with the help of our wizards, passionate teachers and volunteers, we were able to send off all our scientists, engineers, and inventors with improved views of both the world and themselves. We began every session speaking about life skills – collecting examples, discussing as a group, and choosing the most important. We then used the life skills of choice to construct real-world strategies for interacting with each other while working both competitively and cooperatively. We also helped the children improve their learning and understanding with daily self-reflection and frequent discussions. Using these strategies, there were many breakthroughs in both physical progress and social and emotional understanding. Finally, we utilized outdoor education whenever possible, taking frequent "brain breaks," and discussing/testing ideas outside whenever possible.
Our first summer session was The Amazing Race Around the World with our partners from Alexandria Parks and Recreation. Together, we learned about different cultures, the elements that make them up, and the characteristics that set them apart. Everyone was happy to enjoy the beautiful weather, eating interesting new foods with friends, and activities ranging from international fashion shows to roller coasters to saying "Hello" in different languages! The camp ended with a public presentation where groups of students unveiled their micronation that they designed together as one nation during the week. Students developed their intelligence in their agreed-upon life skills – empathy and respect. They also learned self-control and self-regulation strategies such as yoga and breathing. Then, on the final day, the empathetic world citizens confidently unveiled the countries they built, presenting and listening with empathy and respect. We couldn't be more proud of them!
After concluding The Amazing Race Around the World, we began our second journey – Robotics Adventures, hosted in Falls Church City Community Center. During this session, the children put on their engineering hats, and began learning the key concepts of robotics, integrated with their chosen life skills of empathy and teamwork. In addition to these concepts, everyone also took to heart lessons about growth mindsets, collaboration, and communication while building and developing robots. We'd like to thank our robotics expert Neel, and give a hat-tip to LEGO Mindstorms, both of which helped provide a top-notch learning environment for the children. In the end, we had a student showcase where everyone could present their robotics projects, with a stunning turnout! It was amazing to see the heartwarming excitement every student showed for what they'd learned.
Our Digital Art camp allowed students the opportunity to learn digital graphic design using the Krita software. Our life skills of choice were again empathy and teamwork. Here, however, we tested placing emphasis on different 21st century skills and traits every day, with excellent results! On day two, we examined respect and identity. Day three featured fixed vs. growth mindsets, and day four featured collaboration, communication, and control. Then, on day five, we brought everything full circle, back to empathy as everyone presented their creations. In the end, the session was very effective in teaching empathy, just as it was in helping students collaborate and be creative in new, innovative ways! We will certainly be using this approach again.
After the Digital Art camp, it was time for the two-week Game Design session in Reston Town Center, where our High Tech Innovation Lab for Youth is set to be housed later this year. We began by discussing empathy at length, as well as the ideas of teamwork and cooperation. We spoke about different game design principles and positions. Students came up with interesting revelations about the importance of working as a team to get projects done. After that, we were off to the races, designing board games with 3D printed pieces, 2D platforming games, and coded games of the students' own designing that they put together themselves. At the end, we held a showcase for every single one of their creations, with the board games becoming favorites for all ages and genders and bringing families and friends together. What an awesome time!
Concurrent with the Game Design camp was the Innovation Lab, another two-week program. During this session, students came up with feasible real-world ideas for inventions that would help their communities. To that end, we focused heavily on human-centric design, as well as empathy for a central life skill. In addition, we taught the importance of having a growth mindset as the children developed their new inventions. By integrating emphasis on emphatic uses of technology with opportunities for the development of that technology, we wrapped our character lessons and technological lessons into a single, highly effective package. Children also had plenty of fun using physics, gravity, and materials science to build creations! The highlight was their confident presentation of their ideas and invention prototypes in front of the audience of several dozen adults and children. It is always amazing to see them shine and support each other! Definitely one of our most significant successes.


text:
'A perfect fall weekend'
Brown-Nagin on her own path and Radcliffe's
At First-Year Family Weekend, Nick Young '23 had his grandfather and mother with him at Sanders Theatre.
Photos by Lucy Devine '20
First-Year Family Weekend brings thousands of family members to Harvard
By Lucy Devine '20 Harvard Correspondent
With clear skies and temperatures in the 50s, Nov. 1‒2 was "a perfect fall weekend," noted Harvard President Larry Bacow. And that was good news for the more than 2,500 family members who came to campus for the College's annual First-Year Family Weekend.
"If you're going to pick a weekend to come to Harvard, you picked the right one," Bacow said.
Parents, grandparents, siblings, cousins, and others traveled from near and far to share what the Class of 2023 has experienced since they arrived on move-in day. Families visited classes, attended talks, and cheered on the Crimson as Harvard played Dartmouth. Even the Yard seemed prepared for the occasion, decorating itself in bright fall leaves.
One of the highlights was staged at Sanders Theatre, "Harvard Today" and "Words of Wisdom for Parents," where Bacow was accompanied by the Danoff Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana, faculty members, and the Immediate Gratification Players improv group.
Bacow discussed the recent Nobel Prize awards to Harvard faculty, the renovation of Lowell House, the new Harvard ArtLab, and the admissions case win that underscored that "diversity enriches the learning environment for everyone."
Khurana welcomed families and joked that he wished he could have made it into Harvard College. A panel of faculty members responded to the improv group's skits, which showed common interactions between new College students and their families, garnering lots of laughter from the audience.
Harvard President Larry Bacow greeted family and friends of first-years at Sanders Theatre, while Danoff Dean of Harvard College Rakesh Khurana shared "words of wisdom."
Nick Young '23, sitting in the audience with his mother and grandfather, said he was enjoying "feeling back at home and connecting my family with Harvard." His grandfather, who made the trek from Oklahoma, agreed.
"I'm extremely excited to be a part of my grandson's journey," he said. "It is my first trip to Boston and Harvard, and this environment is the best in the world. It is great to walk across the campus with a cup of coffee and witness humanity. It is great to see humanity happen here."
"... I have good friends, but being with family is just a different feeling," said Kilando Chambers '23, as he sat between his cousins looking at a program listing the weekend of events.
On Saturday, class members and their families made a sea of "P '23" hats, Harvard gear, and hamburgers at the tailgate at Mignone Field before the football game. "The School did a good job with all of the events, to include us and make us feel welcome," said Avery Barakett's behatted father.
The first-years cherished the time with loved ones as well. Kilando Chambers '23, sandwiched between two cousins, said, "It feels great to be surrounded by family. I am not lonely here because I have good friends, but being with family is just a different feeling."
Radcliffe Dean Tomiko Brown-Nagin has a new strategic initiative to connect with Harvard and the community beyond Harvard's gates.
Rose Lincoln/Harvard file photo

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


I've written so little fiction lately, I thought I'd join in the fab Sunday Photo Fiction this morning. 200 words of fiction based around the prompt provided. Follow the link to join in.
Cara Brown knew who she was. You could tell by the way that she walked, the way she held her head, looked up at the sky and said bring it on.
I didn't know where she lived, I don't think anybody did. She was a bright star we worshipped from afar, never daring to get too close.
Perhaps we were frightened that she wasn't real; that the dream of her could unravel and shatter into a thousand tiny fragments of disappointment and loss.
But then one day she was gone.
And life seemed that little bit duller. It was as though the main light had been switched off and we were only left with the afterglow.
It was months before the cave was found. Hidden behind large stone boulders, overlapping in such a way to look as if the cave was completely sealed. It wasn't until you were stood right in front that you actually saw the opening.
Inside they found clothes, cooking pots and a large ornately framed mirror, mottled with age and cracked down the middle.
Charcoal drawings covered the walls, frantic and menacing, each one the face of Cara Brown.
Another re-visit for Friday Fictioneers. A slightly amended version from Sept 2013. Who'd have thought 3 years later, writing 100 words of fiction for a weekly photo prompt would still be so much fun.
She flailed and kicked, desperately trying to keep her head above the water, but exhaustion was pulling her down. She fought against its hold, craving the air just above the surface. Nearly there. Almost there. Again she went under.
A liquid vice imprisoned her limbs, each futile stroke lighter than the last. She tasted the water and the salt of her tears.
As the darkness consumed her, calling her to sleep, she whispered goodbye to the disappearing boat. Her husband Robert, the only beneficiary of her million dollar life insurance, sat on the deck whispering a much drier farewell.
Another Friday Fictioneers. Another 100 words of fiction based around the photo prompt provided. Come on in and join the party.
Nearly free. The alleyways, the door fronts, even the sky seemed foreign and unfamiliar. The sun filtered between the gaps in the rooftops and each time it dipped, a cold chill crisscrossed her back.
She walked faster, gripping the handle of her tote so tightly her knuckles were translucent.
The cold stone walls were closing in. There was nobody to hear her scream.


Today, for the Octave of All Saints Day, we revisit Kansas City, Kansas, Archbishop Joseph Naumann's visit to Benedictine College campus for All Saints Day Nov. 1.
All Saints Day shows us what it means to be made in the image and likeness of God, he says.
Archbishop Naumann, Chair of the U.S. Bishops' Committee on Pro-Life, is a close friend of the college and St. Benedict's Abbey, which created this video.
The college welcomes the archbishop onto campus multiple times a year; he regularly celebrates our Baccalaureate Mass and participates in special occasions including dedications and blessings. Archbishop Naumann has initiated a yearly "Fireside Chat" meeting with senior theology and philosophy majors discussing significant issues in the Church. The Archbishop also presides at the yearly RCIA Mass initiating students into the Catholic Church.
Watch his remarks for All Saints Day above, or click here.


Open source enterprise social collaboration vendor eXo has just announced full, public access to eXo Cloud, which gives users access to the features that were launched with eXo Platform 4 when it was released two months ago.
In a statement issued by the San Francisco-based company today, the new release offers an improved cloud offering that provides a better user experience and better design then the previous cloud offering, Cloud Workspaces, which was released in beta 18 months ago. It added that the new release is the result of the experience that it gained from the development of Cloud Workspaces and that this version integrates social and enterprise collaboration features on-demand.
While the initial offering is free after sign-up, it seems that at some point in the near future eXo will be offering paid premium services that will complement rather than replace the free version, the company says.
The free version will continue, it says, while the additional premium services will be designed to suit different kinds of deployments and environments.
eXo is, in effect, eXo Platform in the cloud and gives users access to exactly the same functionality that v4 does.
eXo Platform comes with web portal, content and document management systems, collaboration features and a social network. Collaboration features encompass offerings such as wikis, forums, calendars and documents, all integrated around activity streams, social networking and workspaces.
For its part, eXo Cloud has been redesigned since the Workspaces release to provide an easier user experience and a more robust and flexible multi-tenant platform. eXo is targeting small teams and companies here by offering them access to a production-ready social intranet that doesn't require input from IT departments. It is part of the long term road-map of the company and will be supported with regular updates, improvements and security fixes as they are deemed necessary.


text:
info@resolveit.net
How to Open a Ticket
help@resolveit.net
Client Portal Access
100 Cummings Center 435C, Beverly, MA 01915
Normal Business Hours: Mon-Fri 7AM to 5PM
Hackers are Using COVID-19 As an Opportunity
Resolve I.T. Blog
By Patrick Agostino
Covid-19, Privacy, Security
In true form, cyberattacks have trended upward during the COVID-19 pandemic. With so many people working from home, it's not much of a surprise that some of the most popular hacking tactics are being used, using the worldwide pandemic as bait. Today, we identify some of these threats.
Businesses Relying on Unsecured Remote Desktops
We briefly touched on this in the opening, but there are more unsecured remote desktops being utilized to access potentially sensitive information than at any point in history. More people are working remotely, yes, but some businesses haven't taken into account the security of these connections and it has resulted in a 40 percent rise in unsecured remote desktops. For businesses that are utilizing them, this has to be a major concern, as it gives cybercriminals an in. By using brute force methods, they can gain access to the remote desktop and if that is a part of a larger computing network (many are), they will gain access to that as well.
…and Brute Force is En Vogue
The cybersecurity experts at Kaspersky have seen a 400 percent increase in brute force attacks in 2020. With so many additional opportunities to breach business networks, it really isn't a surprise. This is mainly due to IT admins having to roll out remote computing resources with no prior notice in March.
One Virus Breeds Others
Also newsworthy is the uptick of phishing attacks that are using the COVID-19 pandemic as bait. Since people are very aware of COVID-19, hackers are using psychological warfare against people concerning the topic.
Hackers Are Succeeding
Phishing emails using COVID-19 are succeeding at an enhanced rate due to the fear surrounding COVID-19. With more people than ever engaged about an issue, people who are untrained on how to thwart phishing attacks can be pretty low-hanging fruit for hackers.
COVID-19 is a Field Day for Scammers
The global pandemic has fueled a whole hacking ecosystem. Billions of COVID-19 pages are up on the Internet—and more are added every day—so it is hard for people to know which are legitimate and which are nefarious. What's worse is that 90 percent of all COVID-19 pages added to the web are scams.
Security has to be a priority for every user, but when you are responsible for your company's network and infrastructure health, it is imperative that you know what kinds of threats are being pushed at any given time. To talk to one of our IT experts about what you can do, call us today at (978) 993-8038.
Tagged by
- Patrick Agostino 138 POST - 0 COMMENTS
100 Cummings Center 435C
978.993.8038 | GET IN TOUCH
978.993.8042 | GET SUPPORT
How We Expect Business Technology Will Behave in the Future 18 Jan 2021
© 2020 RESOLVE I.T. - All Rights Reserved


text:
Afghanistan By TOLOnews.com
NATO Will Not Leave Afghanistan Until The Job Is Done: Kay
Acting Defense Minister Assadullah Khalid, the Resolute Support Commander Gen. Scott Miller, and NATO's Senior Civilian Representative Nicholas Kay on Wednesday visited Ghazni to assess the security of the central province.
Addressing the meeting, Kay said NATO will not leave Afghanistan until the job is done.
"We are not leaving. We are not leaving until the job is done. If the Taliban think they can just wait us out, then they have miscalculated," he said.
Meanwhile, the acting defense minister said they visited the province to show to the security forces that the government is supporting them.
Miller said he is delighted seeing the Afghan security leaders addressing challenges, adding that the foreign forces are here to support them.
"I congratulate this leadership team. They are committed, and they have the support of the coalition," he said.
Ghazni governor Wahidullah Kalimzai said the overall security situation is good in the province and emphasized that the enemy has been defeated.
"Overall, the situation is good, the enemy's back is broken," he said. "Unfortunately, criminals harm and kill our people. But we are well coordinated across the security forces."
Kay says "if the Taliban think they can just wait us out, then they have miscalculated".
Taliban Cannot Benefit In Talks By Targeting Civilians: Ghani
Taliban Bombing In Ghazni Leaves 12 Dead


The death of the nuclear family: New research shows most kids are raised by single or stepparents.
Traditional families like the Obamas are in the minority now.
Christmas is a time of nostalgia for Victorian imagery, '40s-style crooner songs, and the idealized 1950s family image of two parents, two kids, and a dog. But if watching the inexplicably famous Holderness family celebrating the corny joys of the nuclear family Christmas is the sort of thing that makes you want to pour a little more bourbon in your eggnog, take comfort in the fact that history is on your side. A new study by the Pew Research Center shows that the majority of American kids under 18 are not being raised in a "traditional" family, defined as two parents in their first marriage. Only 46 percent of kids have the Leave It To Beaver lifestyle; the rest are being raised by single parents, cohabitating parents, stepparents, or even grandparents. That's down from 73 percent in 1960.
Defining the nuclear family as "traditional" is somewhat misleading, as report author Gretchen Livingston told Jessica Goldstein of ThinkProgress. "In a lot of ways the 1950s and 1960s were an anomaly in family structure; the birth rate was uncommonly high, people married young," she explained. "So even though people think of that as the traditional image of the family … it was actually [an] anomaly." (Still, as she pointed out, these numbers had even changed a lot since 1980, when 61 percent of kids were being raised in a stereotypical nuclear family.) The takeaway is that the image of a "traditional" family is a figment. Family life is always changing in response to economic and social change.
These are the sorts of numbers that tend to get conservative hands a-wringing over the supposed problem of "out-of-wedlock" births, which have been rising alongside the number of kids being raised outside of nuclear families. As the report notes, "the share of children born outside of marriage now stands at 41%, up from just 5% in 1960." But if you dig into the numbers a little, it becomes clear that the supposed scourge of bastardy isn't the primary reason for this shift. Only 34 percent of kids are being raised by single parents, many of whom were once married but are now divorced. While researchers didn't measure the pasts of the polled families, just their present status, the only way we could get to the numbers we have now is if a substantial chunk of that 46 percent of traditional families started off as the dreaded "out-of-wedlock" births and just got married sometime after the first baby was born. Even W. Bradford Wilcox, in a piece for Slate condemning giving birth while single, did concede that many women who do so eventually get married.
Not that these realities will quell conservative lectures about the near-magical properties of giving birth with a wedding ring on your finger. Younger women who give birth while single tend to be less powerful and less Republican than divorced people are, making them an easier scapegoat. But for the rest of us, this research is a bit of cheer before the holiday. If your family has a second Christmas at Dad's house, or you're fretting about the etiquette of stepparent gifts, or you live in a family where "Santa" is not mom but grandma, don't despair. You're not weird, as it turns out. In fact, you're the new normal.


Knowledgeable staff and competitive pricing.leaving the kitchen and sitting down in the dining room only to hear it squeak open before i finally did something about it and put a piece of tape on …,photive bth3 over -the- ear wireless bluetooth headphones with built-in mic and 12 hour battery..
Savfy mini true wireless bluetooth earbuds pair.cnet editors' round up the best bluetooth headphone reviews that …,with 24-hour battery life and groundbreaking ease-of-use and intelligence,itobest 2 pack cord manager keeper with keychain keyring and genuine handmade leather..
Exclusive technology delivers deep,let them show off their personality while they listen to their favorite music with earbud headphones for kids from toys"r"us.there are still people who opt to stay old school,here are our picks for the best wireless headphones,.
There are two pairs of double-flanged eartips,android phone and more - red black reduced price product image,find great deals on ebay for ipad headphones for kids,i don't know if the earphones don't go loud enough or if there's a volume limit on the fire.ergonomic design for running [matt coating] [waterproof &.plug powerful audio into your life with bose earphones..
Earphones with microphone,a+ case airpods case leather cover accessories with hook keychain &,best earbuds + mic for ps4,plug powerful audio into your life with bose earphones,headphone volume booster free download - headphone amplifier volume booster,view and download jbl reflect bt quick start manual online,.
Giving over-ear noise cancelling full-size headphones a run for their money,panasonic rphje355k ergo-fit in-ear headphones,for now let's table the discussion over whether this is no big deal ( lightning -powered headphones do deliver a true digital,bluetooth earbuds with volume control.find great deals on ebay for earbuds with mic.zolo liberty+ total- wireless earphones.earphone headset with mic answer,.
After putting in around 80 hours of research—including speaking to experts at the who.i use my iphone for conference calls regularly,.
Sony mdr- e10lp/pink headphones -fashion earbuds (pink ),1 noise cancelling in-ear gym headphones with built-in microphone and 500mah charging case for gym,.
Fit specifically for children,looking for the best portable bluetooth headphones,.
Earphones with microphone 592w premium earbuds stereo headphones and noise isolating made for iphone ipod ipad samsung galaxy lg ….sports earphones and wireless headphones with world-class performance and comfort,shop for earbuds at walmart.having headphones that fit comfortably is essential.samsung smartphones clearance,best wireless bluetooth headphones for 2018,click and find what your're looking for,.


AppsUnion is an elite, and one of the main pioneers in mobile marketing. They are headquartered in Hong Kong, with workplaces in China, India, Indonesia, and nearness in USA.
They plan to help their accomplices accomplish worldwide scope more than 80 billion impressions month to month with local advertisements and video advertisements.
Huge in-house traffic and worldwide media purchase group taking your campaign to next platform. There will be a direct offer from application developer.
There will be seven day payment, and it will be competitive.


text:
'They died in each other's arms,' US migrant's mother says - as shocking photo of drowned dad and daughter goes viral
6:25am Jun 27, 2019
WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGE
The mother of a man who drowned alongside his 23-month-old daughter while trying to cross the Rio Grande into Texas says she finds a heartbreaking photograph of their bodies hard to look at but takes some comfort in knowing "they died in each other's arms."
Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez and his daughter Valeria were swept away by the current near Matamoros, Mexico, and Brownsville, Texas, this week.
The grim photo shows the girl tucked inside her father's shirt for protection with her arm draped over his neck — an image that underscores the dangers migrants and asylum-seekers face trying to make it to the United States and the desperate measures they resort to in the face of policies designed to deter them.
A heartbroken Rosa Ramírez, the mother of the drowned man who died alongside his young daughter. (AP)
"It's tough, it's kind of shocking, that image," the 25-year-old man's mother, Rosa Ramírez, told The Associated Press. "But at the same time, it fills me with tenderness. I feel so many things, because at no time did he let go of her."
"You can see how he protected her," she said. "They died in each other's arms."
US President Donald Trump blamed Democrats for the deaths of the pair.
Man accused of hurling incendiary devices at Washington immigration detention facility fatally shot by police
Census 2020: US Justice Department to pursue including controversial citizenship question on questionnaire
Officials working through holiday as Trump fights to include citizenship question on 2020 census
Trump said he was disturbed by the photos. But he said the deaths could have been prevented and castigated Democrats for failing to pass legislation he claimed would stop people from trying to make the dangerous trek.
Óscar Alberto Martínez Ramírez, left, and his daughter Valeria were swept away by the current near Matamoros, Mexico, and Texas. The photo of their bodies has become a symbol of the perils facing migrants trying to enter the US. (AP)
"If we had the right laws, that the Democrats are not letting us have, those people, they wouldn't be coming up. They wouldn't be trying," Trump said.
"They can change it very easily so people don't come up and people won't get killed."
Ramírez had shared a sea-green brick home with barred windows in San Martin on the outskirts of the capital, San Salvador, with her son, his 21-year-old wife Tania Vanessa Ávalos and their daughter until the young family decided to make the journey north.
In their working-class neighbourhood of about 40,000, Martínez worked in a pizzeria and Ávalos as a cashier in a fast-food restaurant, Ramírez said.
The area has had problems with gang violence but these days it's calm, she said, adding that he never had any problems with gangs — they left for economic reasons.
The scene of the migrant deaths by the Rio Grande River that divides Mexico and the US. (AP)
Ramírez said that she had given them the big room in the two-bedroom house, but they dreamed of saving money for a place of their own and that drove the family to head for the United States in early April.
"I told him, 'Son, don't go. But if you do go, leave me the girl,'" Ramírez said.
″'No, mamá,'" she said he replied. "'How can you think that I would leave her?'"
Now she feels a hole that "nobody can fill, but God gives me strength," she said.
Marta Argueta de Andrade, their 50-year-old neighbour, said she met the family about five years ago. She described them as "good people," and Martínez as an easygoing young man.
"I would see him walking with the girl. I called her 'little curly one,'" Argueta said. "She was very pretty."
US President Donald Trump said he was disturbed by the photos of the dead migrants. (AP)
Officials have said the bodies were expected to be returned to El Salvador on Thursday. Ramírez said she wasn't sure when they would arrive, but that the government was covering the cost.
"I would say to those who are thinking of migrating, they should think it over because not everyone can live that American dream you hear about," Ramírez said.
"We can put up a fight here," she added. "How much I would like to have my son and my granddaughter here. One way or another, we get by in our country."
The U.S.-Mexico border region has long been perilous for those trying to cross illegally into the United States between ports of entry, from the fast-moving Rio Grande to the scalding Sonoran Desert. A total of 283 people died while trying to cross last year; figures for 2019 have not yet been released.
Protesters against Donald Trump's migration policies demonstrate in Washington DC. (AP)
On Sunday, Martínez decided to make that journey, swimming with Valeria from Matamoros to the Texas side of the Rio Grande, where he left her on the riverbank and started back to get his wife.
Seeing him leave, the girl threw herself into the water. Martínez returned to get her, but both were swept away. Ávalos was not harmed.
The photos have sparked worldwide expressions of anguish, empathy and outrage.Pope Francis saw the photos and was deeply saddened, a Vatican spokesman said.
"With immense sadness, the Holy Father has seen the images of the father and his baby daughter who drowned in the Rio Grande River while trying to cross the border between Mexico and the United States," said the Vatican's interim spokesman, Alessandro Gisotti.
A spokesman for Pope Francis said the pontiff was 'deeply saddened' by the photos. ()
"The pope is profoundly saddened by their death, and is praying for them and for all migrants who have lost their lives while seeking to flee war and misery," Gisotti's statement added.
Congress' top Democrats said they hoped the photos would challenge the Trump administration's conscience while pressuring the president to ease his efforts to make it harder for people to enter the U.S. A top Republican said the photos should stir Congress to address the crisis on the border.
"This isn't who we are as a country. We have obligations to humanity that are being completely ignored," House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said. "This is a manifestation of behaviour that is outside the circle of civilised human behaviour."
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer suggested that Martinez and his daughter might not have died had Trump agreed to Democratic efforts to help migrants fleeing Central American countries to enter the U.S. as refugees.
"How could President Trump look at this picture and not understand that these are human beings fleeing violence and persecution, willing to risk a perilous, sometimes failed journey in search of a better life,"


text:
import logging
import os.path
import platform
import socket
import subprocess
import threading
from threading import Timer
from math import ceil
from optparse import OptionParser
from sys import exit, stdout

if platform.system() == 'Windows':
    is_win = True
else:
    is_win = False

if is_win:
    bin_admin_path = r'C:\Program Files\Veritas\NetBackup\bin\admincmd'
    BPGETCONFIG = r'bpgetconfig.exe'
    BPSETCONFIG = r'bpsetconfig.exe'
else:
    bin_admin_path = r'/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd'
    BPGETCONFIG = r'bpgetconfig'
    BPSETCONFIG = r'bpsetconfig'

if is_win:
    bin_admin_path = r'C:\Program Files\Veritas\NetBackup\bin\admincmd'
else:
    bin_admin_path = r'/usr/openv/netbackup/bin/admincmd'

FORMAT = 'thread %(thread)d: %(message)s '

PBX_PORT = 1556
BPCD_PORT = 13724

usage = "usage: %prog [options] host1 host2 host3 ..."
parser = OptionParser(usage)

parser.add_option("-f", "--file", dest="filename",
                  help="read hosts from file, one per line;")
parser.add_option("-b", "--bin_admin",
                  dest="bin_admin", default=bin_admin_path,
                  help="path to .../netbackup/bin/admincmd")
parser.add_option("-s", "--skip_bpgetconfig", action="store_true",
                  dest="skip_bpgetconfig", default=False,
                  help="Don't run bpgetconfig to confirm connection")
parser.add_option("-n", "--num_threads",
                  dest="num_threads", default=100, type=int,
                  help="number of threads to run simultaneously")
parser.add_option("-e", "--emm", dest="emm", type=str, help="EMMSERVER entry")
parser.add_option("-v", "--verbose",
                  action="store_true", dest="verbose", default=False,
                  help="print status messages to stdout")
parser.add_option("-d", "--debug",
                  action="store_true", dest="debug", default=False,
                  help="print debug messages to stdout")

(options, args) = parser.parse_args()
hosts = args
result = []

if options.debug:
    logging.basicConfig(stream=stdout, format=FORMAT, level=logging.DEBUG)
else:
    if options.verbose:
        logging.basicConfig(stream=stdout, format=FORMAT, level=logging.INFO)
    else:
        logging.basicConfig(stream=stdout, format=FORMAT, level=logging.WARN)

if options.filename:
    if os.path.isfile(options.filename):
        f = open(options.filename)
        hosts = hosts + [x.rstrip() for x in f.read().splitlines()]
        f.close()

if len(hosts) == 0:
    logging.critical('No hosts were provided for a check')
    exit(1)

if not options.skip_bpgetconfig:
    if not os.path.isfile(os.path.join(options.bin_admin, BPGETCONFIG)):
        logging.critical("Can't find bpgetconfig in %s" % options.bin_admin)
        exit(1)

def split(arr, size):
    arrs = []
    while len(arr) > size:
        pice = arr[:size]
        arrs.append(pice)
        arr = arr[size:]
    arrs.append(arr)
    return arrs

class Host(object):
    def __init__(self, host):
        self.name = host
        self.pbx = True
        self.bpcd = True
        self.cert = True
        self.bpgetconfig = True

    @property
    def partial(self):
        return not self.complete and self.failed

    @property
    def failed(self):
        return not self.pbx or not self.bpcd or not self.bpgetconfig

    @property
    def complete(self):
        return not self.pbx and not self.bpcd and not self.bpgetconfig

    def report(self):
        if not self.failed:
            print
            'host %s was reachable' % self.name
        else:
            if self.complete:
                print
                'host %s was completely unreachable' % self.name
            else:
                print
                'host %s was partially unreachable bpcd: %s, pbx %s, bpgetconfig %s, certificate %s' % (self.name,
                                                                                self.bpcd,
                                                                                self.pbx,
                                                                                self.bpgetconfig,
                                                                                self.cert)

def test_soc(host, port):
    sock = socket.socket(socket.AF_INET, socket.SOCK_STREAM)
    sock.settimeout(5.0)
    logging.info("testing connection to %s port %s" % (host, port))
    try:
        if sock.connect_ex((host, port)) == 0:
            sock.close()
            return True
        else:
            sock.close()
            return False
    except Exception:
        return False

def check_nbu_port(task_list):
    for h in task_list:
        host = Host(h)
        host.pbx = test_soc(host.name, PBX_PORT)
        host.bpcd = test_soc(host.name, BPCD_PORT)
        FNULL = open(os.devnull, 'w')
        if options.emm:
            try:
                logging.info("updating EMM for %s" % (host.name))
                proc = subprocess.Popen([os.path.join(options.bin_admin, BPSETCONFIG), "-h", host.name],
                                        stdin=subprocess.PIPE, stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
                timer = Timer(5, proc.kill)
                try:
                    timer.start()
                    out, err = proc.communicate("EMMSERVER = %s" % (options.emm))
                    logging.info(err)
                    out = out.strip()
                finally:
                    timer.cancel()
                logging.debug("bpgetconfig from %s returned >>%s%s%s<<" % (host.name, os.linesep, out, os.linesep))
                if len(out) == 0:
                    host.bpgetconfig = False
                    logging.info(err)
                    if err[:9] == "the vnetd":
                        host.cert = False
            except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
                host.bpsetconfig = False
        host.bpgetconfig = False
        if not options.skip_bpgetconfig:
            try:
                logging.info("testing connection via bpgetconfig for %s" % (host))
                proc = subprocess.Popen([os.path.join(options.bin_admin, BPGETCONFIG), "-M", host.name],
                                        stdout=subprocess.PIPE, stderr=subprocess.PIPE)
                timer = Timer(5, proc.kill)
                try:
                    timer.start()
                    out, err = proc.communicate()
                    logging.info(err)
                    out = out.strip()
                finally:
                    timer.cancel()
                logging.debug("bpgetconfig from %s returned >>%s%s%s<<" % (host.name, os.linesep, out, os.linesep))
                if len(out) == 0:
                    host.bpgetconfig = False
                    logging.info(err)
                    if err[:9] == "the vnetd":
                        host.cert = False
            except subprocess.CalledProcessError:
                host.bpgetconfig = False
        else:
            logging.info('bpgetconfig test was skipped for %s' % host.name)
        result.append(host)
    return

threads = []

if __name__ == '__main__':
    part_hosts = split(hosts, int(ceil(float(len(hosts)) / options.num_threads)))

    for task_list in part_hosts:
        t = threading.Thread(target=check_nbu_port, args=(task_list,))
        threads.append(t)
        t.start()

    for t in threads:
        t.join()

    for host in result:
        host.report()

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Q: What is the difference between type casting and type conversion in C++ or Java? What is the difference between typecasting and typeconversion in C++ or Java ?

A: Typecasting is just taking a pen and writing "this is now a int" on the variable, conversion is actually convert the content to the desired type so the value keeps having a sense.

A: Type conversion:
double value = 3; // implicit conversion to double value 3.0
int nValue = 3.14156; // implicit conversion to integer value 3

Casting is a request by the programmer to do an explicit type conversion.
int nValue = 10;
double dvalue = double(nValue); // explicit type casting

A: The terms are often used interchangeably.
Java
Type casting and type conversion are the same thing in Java, though if someone says that they are casting, they are usually referring to an explicit conversion.
A cast in Java will be done at runtime, so can potentially fail (throw an exception).  Some types of invalid casts can be caught at compile time.  When the cast fails, the instance was seated in an object reference, so the compiler couldn't tell what cast was going to be performed, until it actually ran the code.
C++
Type casting and type conversion are different in C++.  There are five types of casts in C++, which all have different behavior: static_cast, dynamic_cast, reinterpret_cast, const_cast, and c-style casts ((int)someVariable).
Some C++ casts perform type conversion (hence why this concept is confusing), calling code and potentially doing runtime checks.  Other C++ casts simply fake the type change of the referring variable - no memory will be modified, moved, or copied, so the resulting datatype might not be properly converted.  This can give great speed at runtime, and can be a powerful tool for low-level code, but tends to be avoided for high level code.
Note that the c-style cast syntax (which happens to look exactly like the Java syntax) is one of the casts that will not necessarily call conversion code.
Type conversion in C++ often refers to calling a copy constructor or assignment operator, which will copy data over to a new instance of a different class/structure.  If a type has conversion operators defined, then the conversion syntax could look like a cast, or simply a straight assignment.  The main difference here is that code is called to do the conversion.

A: According to the Wikipedia article:
"In the C family of languages, the word cast typically refers to an explicit type conversion (as opposed to an implicit conversion), regardless of whether this is a re-interpretaion of a bit-pattern or a real conversion."
Here is a C++ example:
double d = 42.0;
int i = d; // Here you have an implicit conversion from double to int
int j = static_cast<int>(d); // Here you have a cast (explicit conversion).

Here is a Java example (note that in Java unlike C++ you can't implicitly convert from double to int):
int i = 42;
double d = i; // Here you have an implicit conversion from int to double
int j = (int)d; // Here you have a cast (explicit conversion).

A: Type casting is treating a value (block of memory) referenced by a variable as being of a different type than the type the variable is declared as.
Type conversion is actually performing a conversion of that value.
In many languages, some casts (usually numeric ones) do result in conversions (this will vary quite a bit by language), but mostly it's just "treat this X as a Y".
Like most aspects of human language, unfortunately the terms are used slightly differently in different communities, mostly along language lines. For instance, see James' comment below about C++ — the word "cast" there has a much broader meaning than the above definition, which is more in the C or Java mold. And just to make things fun, the Java Language Spec actually gets into various kinds of casts, including casting conversions. But the above is a good rule of thumb.
But to take a simple case:
In Java, prior to generics it wasn't unusual to have to do a lot of typecasting when dealing with maps:
Map m = new HashMap();
m.put("one", "uno");

// This would give a compiler error, because although we know
// we'll get a String back, all the compiler knows is that it's
// an Object
String italian = m.get("one");

// This works, we're telling the compiler "trust me, it's a String"
String italian = (String)m.get("one");

Fortunately, the addition of generics addressed this, as casting in this way tends to be a fragile process with maintenance issues.
In contrast, you'd convert if you had a String of digits:
String s = "1234";

...and needed to know what number those digits represented in decimal:
// Wrong (cast)
int n = (int)s;

// Right (conversion)
int n = Integer.parseInt(s, 10);

A: Maybe an example can help:

*

*If you cast 33 to a string, you get "!".

*If you convert 33 to a string, you get "33".

[Note: this example makes all sorts of not-necessarily-valid assumptions about the encodings and in-memory representations of numbers and strings, but I hope the mechanism is clear.]

A: From an object to primitive -> Type conversion
String s = "1234";
int i = Integer.parseInt(s);
int j = Integer.valueOf(s);

From an primitive to object -> Type conversion
int i = 55;
String s = String.valueOf(i);
String t = Integer.toString(i);

From a primitive to primitive(or object to object) -> Type casting(explicit when narrowing and implicit when widening)
//explicit
double d = 3.14156;
int i = (int)d;
//implicit
int i = 100;
double d = i;

Note: In case of object type casting, we cannot use child class reference to hold parent object

A: If you concentrate on Java and numeric types, according Javadoc I think the main differences between type casting and type conversion are:

*

*without information and precision loss (type conversion)

*precision loss (type conversion)

*information loss (type casting)

To consider more detail, first(without information and precision loss), conversion can be done without information and precision loss. These conversions include: byte to short, short to int, char to int, int to long, int to double and finally float to double. For example:
byte b = 2;
System.out.println(b);
short s = b; // without information and precision loss (type conversion)
System.out.println(s);

result:
    2
    2

Secondly(precision loss), conversion is performed with precision loss, it means that the result value has the right magnitude however with precision loss. These conversions include: int to float, long to float and long to double. For example:
long l = 1234567891;
System.out.println(l);
double d = l; // precision loss (type conversion)
System.out.println(d);

result:
    1234567891
    1.234567891E9

Thirdly (information loss), conversion is done via information loss, it means that you are casting the values, so it has its own syntax. These conversions include: double to long, double to int and so forth. For example:
double d = 1.2;
System.out.println(d);
long l = (long) d; // information loss
System.out.println(l);

result (fractional part is omitted):
    1.2
    1

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


We know the in's and out's of Xero and Intuit QuickBooks and how your business can benefit from bookkeeping in the cloud. Our clients are already experiencing the benefit of having accurate financial data at hand, allowing them to make more informed decisions.
Powerful add-ons that help streamline all areas of your business.
With Cornerstone, we don't have the bother of cross checking everything and can get on servicing our clients. This is a big advantage.


text:
Q: MariaDB C++ Connector errors when attempting connections from multiple threads Using the MariaDB C++ Connector on ubuntu 20.04, and gcc compiler. During load test of a webserver application it was discovered that anytime there was more than a single concurrent connection the server would crash. This was narrowed down to the connect member of the mariadb driver. The errors that were being reported were always one of the following two:
terminate called after throwing an instance of 'std::logic_error'
  what():  basic_string::_M_construct null not valid
Aborted (core dumped)

terminate called after throwing an instance of 'std::invalid_argument'
  what():  stoi
Aborted (core dumped)

As it wouldn't be feasible to post the source of the server, I have reproduced a minimal working example that uses only standard library and mariadb/conncpp.hpp:
#include <mariadb/conncpp.hpp>
#include <iostream>
#include <thread>
#include <string>

sql::Driver* driver = sql::mariadb::get_driver_instance();
sql::SQLString connectionUrl = "jdbc:mariadb://localhost:3306/the_database_name";
sql::Properties properties = {{"user", "the_username"}, {"password", "the_password"}};

int main()
{
    // simulate 2 concurrent connections each making 500 requests
    std::vector<std::function<void()>> t1cbs;
    std::vector<std::function<void()>> t2cbs;
    for(int i = 0; i < 500; i++) // if does not fail for you at 500 up the number until it does
    {
        t1cbs.push_back([&]{
            std::unique_ptr<sql::Connection> conn(driver->connect(connectionUrl, properties));
            std::cout << "t1:" << conn->getHostname().c_str() << std::endl;
        });

        // comment out this block to keep the second thread from executing, and you will see
        // that no errors occur
        t2cbs.push_back([&]{
            std::unique_ptr<sql::Connection> conn(driver->connect(connectionUrl, properties));
            std::cout << "t2:" << conn->getHostname().c_str() << std::endl;
        });
    }

    std::thread t1([&]{
        for(auto& cb : t1cbs)
            cb();
    });

    std::thread t2([&]{
        for(auto& cb : t2cbs)
            cb();
    });

    t1.join();
    t2.join();

    return 0;
}

Curious if there's something perhaps I'm not seeing that's going on that someone else might be able to point out? Although after going through the documentation, it seems pretty straight forward...the only thing maybe is that something's going on in the driver->connect that's not thread safe maybe? Not sure...quite confused...any ideas greatly appreciated!
EDIT
After some more research I discovered the following example where it's mentioned that if you have multiple threads then issues could occur...however still trying to figure out how one might circumvent this.

A: It is a bug in Connector/C++.
To track progress, please check https://jira.mariadb.org/browse/CONCPP-105


text:
Current News Service and Archive
found 13 items where the library is Michigan State University. Showing page 1 of 1.
Michigan State University begins transition to the FOLIO library services platform. Michigan State University will be transitioning to the FOLIO Library Services Platform (LSP) and plans to fully implement FOLIO in 2021. Michigan State will be utilizing EBSCO Information Services (EBSCO) for EBSCO FOLIO implementation and hosting services and will also leverage EBSCO Discovery Service (EDS) and OpenAthens. EBSCO FOLIO Services consist of a highly-trained, experienced team to assist with efficient and well-planned implementations and seamless service support, as well as sophisticated technology and trained engineers for hosting. [Full Announcement].
Testimonies from genocide survivors enrich research and learning at MSU. Michigan State University is one of a growing number of institutions using video testimonies from genocide survivors to inspire learning and new research insights across multiple academic disciplines. The University is providing its students, faculty and researchers with access to University of Southern California Shoah Foundation�s Visual History Archive, the world�s largest collection of eyewitness accounts from genocide witnesses and survivors, available through ProQuest. [Full Announcement].
MSU Libraries implement Summon discovery tool. The Michigan State University Libraries have selected the Summon discovery service from ProQuest for implementation at the nation�s pioneer land-grant university. The service launched at the beginning of this month with a number of activities planned to educate students and faculty about this new tool. [Full Announcement].
Early agreements for the Sierra services platform announced. Innovative announced that 25 leading academic and public libraries have entered into agreements to be partners in or early implementers of the company's Sierra development initiative. Included in the group are collaborating institutions such as Central Arkansas Library System (AR), Council Bluffs Public Library (IA), Gardner-Webb University (NC), The George Washington University Law School (DC), Greene County Public Library (OH), Grinnell College (IA), Hillsdale College (MI), Hope College (MI), Indianhead Federated Library System (WI), Jefferson County Public Library (CO), Lafayette College (PA), London Public Library (Canada), Marquette University (WI), Mentor Public Library (OH), Michigan State University (MI), Middle Country Public Library (NY), Texas Southern University Law (TX), University of Nebraska-Lincoln (NE), University of Notre Dame Law School (IN), Wright State University (OH), and Lillian Goldman Law Library at Yale Law School (CT). [Full Announcement].
Committee on Institutional Cooperation (CIC) selects Relais D2D. The Committee on Institutional Cooperation libraries have agreed to proceed with a pilot of Relais D2D. The pilot will include: University of Chicago; University of Iowa; University of Michigan; Michigan State University; Northwestern University; and Pennsylvania State University. Relais D2D (Discovery to Delivery) is a next-generation software platform for consortial borrowing from Relais International. The CIC libraries will implement Relais D2D over the summer with the goal of being live by the fall semester 2011.The CIC is the nation's premier higher education consortium of top-tier research institutions, including the Big Ten Conference members and the University of Chicago. [Full Announcement].
Eight Academic Libraries Partner with Innovative for Encore Reporter Development. Innovative announced that the development of Encore Reporter, the product that brings the power and ease of Encore Discovery to library-business information, now benefits from the participation of a group of academic libraries that has grown to eight. These libraries are focusing on further developing the features of Encore Reporter that provide collection- and cost-analysis reports to library staff. The academic libraries partnering with Innovative are American University of Law (DC); Ballarat University (Australia); Michigan State University; Stetson School of Law (FL); University of Cadiz (Spain); University of Nebraska, Lincoln; University of Sydney (Australia); University of Wollongong (Australia). [Full Announcement].
Two Academic Libraries Announce SkyRiver Implementations. Two well-established academic libraries, Michigan State University and California State University, Long Beach are the first libraries to publicly announce that they are fully operational using SkyRiver as their exclusive cataloging service. Both libraries are looking to SkyRiver to substantially reduce the costs associated with cataloging. Michigan State University is SkyRiver's first ARL development partner. [Full Announcement].
Twelve Libraries Launch Encore 3.0. Innovative announced that twelve libraries have "gone live" with Encore Release 3.0: Augsburg College (MN); Binghamton University [SUNY] (NY); Greene County Public Library (OH); London Public Library (Canada); University of Hong Kong; University of Nebraska-Lincoln; Westerville Public Library (OH); Yale Law School (CT); Michigan State University; Eastern Kentucky University; Scottsdale Public Library (AZ); and University of Western Ontario (Canada). Key enhancements include improved discovery features, Community Reviews and Patron Ratings, personalization features, as well as new option for the Encore "look and feel." In addition, Encore Discovery is now available for central catalogs of INN-Reach direct consortial borrowing systems. [Full Announcement].
Encore launches at twelve public and academic libraries, selected by seventy. Innovative announced the launch of its Encore discovery services platform at a dozen public and academic libraries around the world. In addition, the company announced that 70 libraries have selected the next-generation product. The deployment of Encore brings a full-featured discovery tool to users�uniting library collections, licensed-resource content, and the discovery process. To date, Encore has been selected by more libraries combined than any other next-generation library interface to both print and e-resources. Libraries are using Encore as a discovery platform compatible with leading ILS systems including Innovative's Millennium, Ex Libris Voyager, and Ex Libris Aleph, as well as deploying Encore with Innovative's federated search product, Research Pro, and other leading federated search tools. [Full Announcement].
Thirteen Libraries join Innovative for Encore development. Innovative announced that thirteen leading academic and public libraries have entered into agreements to be partners in the company's Encore development initiative. The collaborating institutions are Binghamton University, Deakin University, Deschutes Public Library, Georgetown University, Michigan State University, Nashville Public Library, Scottsdale Public Library System, Springfield-Greene County Library, the Tri-College Library Consortium, University of Glasgow, the University of Queensland Library, Westerville Public Library, and Yale University's Lillian Goldman Law Library. The Encore discovery services platform transforms the user experience of the library with expanded search functionality, community features, and a rich presentation that includes federated-search results and contextual resource suggestions. Encore is scheduled for release in mid-2007. [Full Announcement].
RightResult goes live at Michigan State University. Innovative Interfaces announced that Michigan State University Libraries have introduced RightResult search technology into the online catalog as part of their WebPAC Pro implementation. Searches using RightResult return a grouped result set based on an advanced relevance-ranking algorithm developed by Innovative. The outcome is that patrons are most likely to find what they need more quickly and at the top of the results display [Full Announcement].
Innovative launches partnership with Michigan State University Libraries for Google Scholar integration. Innovative Interfaces announced that it has entered a development partnership with Michigan State University Libraries to allow enhanced access to their subscription resources through Google Scholar. [Full Announcement].
Innovative develops WebCrawler: Michigan State University part of joint project to extract XML EAD metadata. Innovative Interfaces, Inc., announced the development of an XML WebCrawler in partnership with Michigan State University. The WebCrawler will give MSU the ability to dynamically catalog XML records into their Millennium system. [Full Announcement].


text:
Annual Christmas Eve Super Feast hands out tens of thousands of hot meals to Houstonians in need
Yilun Cheng, Staff writer
Harmony Taylor, 8, and cousin, Cameron Mosley, 5, sitting in a wagon as their family is getting food at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
2of9Ke'Moni Benjamin flips through a coloring book he just received at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.Yi-Chin Lee/Staff photographerShow MoreShow Less
Volunteers serving food for the needed at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Ruth Gonzalez puts away gifts received at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast while grandson, Cameron Mosley, 5, is trying to wake up Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Cameron Mosley, 5, sleeps in a wagon as his family is having food at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
People have lunch at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner elbow bumps Pedro Guardiola while serving food to the needed at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Harris County Precinct One Commissioner Rodney Ellis, right, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee serve food to the needed at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
With U.S. Rep. Al Green's help, U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee puts on a humorous Santa Claus hat to entertain the crowd at the 44th annual Christmas Eve Super Feast Saturday, Dec. 24, 2022,George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston.
Thousands of families gathered Saturday at the George R. Brown Convention Center to enjoy a free hot meal at the Christmas Eve Super Feast — an annual tradition that has spanned more than four decades in Houston.
Organized by a nonprofit called the City Wide Club, the massive food distribution event prepared meals for about 25,000 Houstonians and set up a sit-down dining area for families. The food station featured two dozen trays filled with holiday staples, such as corn, turkey, pumpkin pie and macaroni and cheese.
Volunteers arrived as early as 6:30 a.m. to prepare the venue, according to Mansoor Mahmood, a 36-year-old resident from Third Ward. He had helped organize the Super Feast event for the past eight years and was in charge of about 100 workers tasked with preparing food and cleaning up.
"I am so blessed that I have so much capacity to give, and not everyone in our community is in the same situation," Mahmood said. "It's important for me to come and give back to my community. What we do for the least for our brothers is what we do for ourselves."
The George R. Brown Convention Center has been serving as the city's biggest warming center, currently accommodating more than 800 people seeking shelter from the freezing temperatures, according to officials. Many who were staying at the warming center located at a different hall also came for the feast.
"I appreciate what they're doing with the warming center and the food," said Larry Donnell, 65, as he enjoyed a plate of sweet potato and brown rice. "I would've frozen to death out there."
Among those working the food serving line was Mayor Sylvester Turner, who came by to greet organizers and attendees.
"I want to thank you for the dynamic timing of this Super Feast," Turner said to volunteers and partners. "We've had a freeze this week when a lot of our homeless persons have come inside, which I'm very grateful for, and then to culminate it with the Super Feast on this morning, that's nothing but God working in a miraculous way."
Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee told the crowd that the newly passed $1.7 trillion funding package, which includes nearly $800 billion for domestic priorities, would help Houston and cities nationwide with housing, pollution, health care and other priorities.
"You will see these resources coming to Houston," said Jackson Lee, D-Houston.
A number of nonprofit organizations — including Texans Helping Texans Recovery Fund and SKYE Empowerment Service — had set up tables next to the dining area to spread their messages. There were also separate stations where visitors could get toys, bikes, clothes and books free of charge.
Due to the long lines, families had to queue for hours to get a plate of food. Around noon, after three hours of waiting, 29-year-old Houstonian Ann Carter and her 10-year-old daughter finally got their turn at the food station.
"We usually come here to volunteer, but this year, we've decided to partake in the festivities," Carter said. "Maybe later we'd come back and volunteer. The food's smelling really good. The whole thing is super fun. I love it."
yilun.cheng@chron.com
Yilun Cheng
Reach Yilun on
Yilun Cheng is a reporter for the Houston Chronicle, covering local politics and City Hall.


text:
Home / Sports betting / Betting by Sport / Soccer / France / A Quick Overview of Soccer in France
A Quick Overview of Soccer in France
For those unfamiliar, this will serve as a quick breakdown of the layout and structure of club football (soccer) in France.
The top tier of French football is called Ligue 1 (20 teams). The divisions below Ligue 1 begin with Ligue 2 (20 teams). Ligue 1 features Paris Saint-Germain, one of the world's biggest and most supported clubs. The league currently has a television contract with BEIN Sports for viewers in the United States. Seasons typically begin in August and end in May with each team playing each other twice (once each on each other's home pitch) for a total of 38 games for each team. At the end of each season, the bottom two or three teams are relegated down to Ligue 2, while two or three other teams are promoted up from Ligue 2 for the following season.
Major Tournaments/Matches:
Coupe de la Ligue (French League Cup): Knockout cup competition only open to professional French clubs from the top three football divisions. In '17-'18, 42 teams competed. Matches are played periodically throughout the Ligue 1 season. The cup winner claims a berth in the Europa League competition for the following season.
Coupe de France (French Cup): All French club teams from all divisions are invited to participate in this cup tournament. In '17-'18, 8,506 teams competed in the Coupe de France. Matches are played periodically throughout the season intertwining with the Ligue 1 schedule. The winner of the cup gets a berth in the following season's Europa League competition as well as a spot in the Trophee des Champions match.
Trophee des Champions (French Supercup): single match contest played at a neutral location in August between the winners of Ligue 1 and the Coupe de France from the previous season.
Notes from 2017-2018 season:
Ligue 1 Champion – Paris Saint-Germain
Coupe de France (French Cup) Champion – Paris Saint-Germain
Coupe de la Ligue (French League Cup) Champion – Paris Saint-Germain
Trophee des Champions (French Supercup) Winner – Paris Saint-Germain
Ligue 1 Promoted teams – Nimes, Reims
Ligue 1 Relegated teams – Metz, Troyes
Champions League '18-'19 Qualifiers – Paris Saint-Germain, Monaco, Olympique Lyonnais
Europa League '18-'19 Qualifiers – Marseille, Rennes, Bordeaux
Ligue 1 Final Table 2017-2018
The 2018-2019 Ligue 1 season will kick off on August 10, 2018. Here are some preseason odds to win the league:
Categories: France, Uncategorized
Tags: betting, Coupe de France, Coupe de la Ligue, football, France, French Supercup, Ligue 1, Paris St. Germain, soccer, sports betting
Previous post: Welcome to Max Profit Sports
Next post: A Brief Overview of Soccer in Holland


Conte Crayon Assorted Color Set comes with blendable colors to create ample number of shades, tints and hues. It gives brilliant drawing and painting with rich, vibrant, Non-Toxic colors. For large areas it can be used flat and for detailed drawing the crayons can be sharpened. It measures 1/4 in x 1/4 in x 2 1/2 in and comes in durable plastic boxes. It is sold as 24 colors per pack. Colors include: Bistre, Black, Pink, Orange, White, Gold Yellow, Raw Sienna, Light Gray, Light Yellow, Red Violet, Scarlet, Dark Gray, Red Lead, Cyclamen, Naples Yellow, Flesh, Light Orange, Gold Ochre, Chinese Red Vermilion, Blue Violet, Space Blue, Van Dyck Brown, Portrait Pink, and Portrait Brown.


Here at Thrive Acupuncture, Becca Seitz provides acupuncture, custom herbal formulas, and healing laughter so that you can feel your very best!
7 years here in SE, but almost 12 years in Portland!
Sunny, everyone's outside basking in the glory that is the Pacific Northwest!
Camping with my husband and 2 daughters! Who can resist the dirt, the trees, and a campfire?
I considered being a Russian or German translator, maybe in the hospital system.


text:
Free black exotic dating sites free - Dating mog pod net
Listen Here If you love all things Disney, including its ever-expanding theme parks, you'll love this new podcast hosted by Nathan Hartman, who brings in experts (think actors, composers, dancers) every week to discuss creativity, nostalgia, and, yes, rides.
is back with another true-crime series, and it's just as wild.
journalist Joe Nocera gets invited to his neighbor's house in the Hamptons by Marty, a man he assumes is his wealthy neighbor's groundskeeper.
dating two women at the same time - Dating mog pod net
So far, they've tackled work-life balance, burnout, and how to make an open-floor office situation tolerable.
With brands like The Oprah Winfrey Network (Dolan) and the Listen Here Be prepared to lose sleep listening to reporter Dave Cawley share his findings in the nearly decade-old cold case of the Susan Powell, a West Valley City, Utah, woman who disappeared in December 2009. Her husband, Josh Powell, was an early suspect but was never arrested.
and How Stuff Works, investigates whether the tragedy could have been prevented, features more than 30 new interviews, and traces the couple's journey to adoption.
Until January 2019, two of the six kids were unaccounted for.
In season 1, host Matthew Shaer dives deep into the case of Dan Markel and Wendi Adelson, two successful young lawyers who seemed to have it all. A bitter divorce ends in murder, and someone's got to pay—but it's not who you'd expect., and it includes exclusive interviews with former employees, investigators, and patients.
The six-part series follows her story from beginning to fraudulent end, including the never-before-aired deposition testimony of Elizabeth herself.
Whether it's comfy cowgirling to boning in the great outdoors, these gals have got you covered.
Nothing's too messy or embarrassing to discuss, okay?
Listen Here One of the most heartbreaking news stories of 2018 involved what appeared to be a loving family of eight: two white women and their six adopted black children.
ang dating daan net
who is yannick bisson dating
who is imogen heap dating
who is ryan reynolds dating march 2016
Live camgirls sex mobiel 0906
Dating madchen online deutsch freunde dating in deutsch 2016
dating jewish american
Online sex chat free no email usa
Free random adult talk dirty text chat lines
Chat random girl sex without registration


text:
ILoveMakonnen Pops Off His One-Take Freestyle Series With New Song "Don't Be Hating On Makonnen"
Emmanuel C.M.
ILOVEMAKONNEN via SoundCloud
ILoveMakonnen kicks off his new weekly freestyle series—in which he releases all one-take freestyles—with "Don't Be Hating On Makonnen." Over smooth production, Makonnen raps about being done wrong and bouncing back.
"Can I catch that soundbite/For the last two years wonder who these niggas sound like/Now they acting like they don't know me/I seen some pictures, niggas was looking like homies/Why are they so fake/I don't even know why, can't speak that name," he raps.
"Don't Be Hating On Makonnen" comes a few weeks after Makonnen linked up with Rae Sremmurd and Mike WiLL Made-It for the track "Love." Both records followed up the "Tuesday" rapper's project Fun Summer 17, which dropped a couple of months ago.
Speaking in an interview with Rap-Up, Makonnen spoke about his collaborations with Lil B, Lil Peep, Mike Will and his new project that he's working on.
"I've just been taking my time with [the new project]. I'm usually in the studio freestyling," Makonnen said. "That's how I work on all my songs, just to be really in the moment. But now, I've been doing a lot of freestyling and coming back and taking my time with the music, cleaning it up, and making each lyric make sense. I just feel like this project is going to still be Makonnen, but it's Makonnen with him having time on his hands again."
Bump "Don't Be Hating On Makonnen" below.
Filed Under: #NewMusicEveryday, Bangers, ILoveMakonnen
Categories: Music, New Music, News


Best Of Virtual Mirror Hairstyles – From the thousands of photographs on-line regarding virtual mirror hairstyles, picks the best libraries with ideal quality exclusively for you all, and now this images is among graphics libraries inside our best photographs gallery concerning Best Of Virtual Mirror Hairstyles. I hope you can as it.
This particular picture (Virtual Mirror Hairstyles Beautiful 89 Best top 100 Short Hairstyles 2014 Images On Pinterest) previously mentioned is actually labelled along with: virtual mirror, all for you.
Placed by means of walper at 2017-04-14 19:55:56. To see just about all pictures throughout Best Of Virtual Mirror Hairstyles images gallery please stick to this particular website link.


text:
Student Research Assistant, LLPA (Brunswick Point)
Douglas College
Position Title Student Research Assistant, LLPA (Brunswick Point) Posting Number 01478SA Location Grade or Pay Level SA - Pay Level II Salary Range $16.59/hour Position Type Student Research Assistant Posting Type Internal/External Regular/Temporary Temporary Employment Type Part-Time Posting Category Student Assistants Start Date 05/09/2022 End Date Day of the Week Other Shift N/A Work Arrangements
The position is located at the New Westminster and Coquitlam Campus. Hours of work: up to a maximum of 20 hours/week. The work term for this position is:
1. Summer 2022: May 9, 2022 - August 20, 2022
What Douglas Offers
DO what you love. Be good at it. That's how Douglas College defines a great career. It's a philosophy that resonates through our classrooms, our offices and our boardrooms. It inspires our students and drives us to make Douglas College one of BC's Top Employers. We love what we do. And we're looking for passionate, motivated people to join us in making one of Canada's best colleges even better.
The student research assistant is responsible for recording, cataloguing, and editing audio and midi capture from the fieldwork location (Brunswick Point).
• Collect, summarize, and organize research materials and data.
• Regularly visit the site to capture audio recording of birdsong and environmental sound.
• Regularly visit the site to capture midi data from plants (equipment provided).
• Keep a detailed record, naming files to indicate location, date and species.
• Download sounds and catalogue
• Edit sounds to isolate bird calls
• Ensure that all edited audio recordings are useable quality, without clicks, pops, wind noise, distortion etc.
• Ensure all files are carefully labelled
• Upload edited recordings to an online database.
• Upload captured midi files to an online database
• Maintain all fieldwork equipment
• Troubleshoot effectively and resourcefully.
• Meet deadlines as agreed with principal researchers
• Perform other duties as assigned.
To Be Successful in this Role You Will Need
• Able to work collaboratively with researchers, artists, and Indigenous advisers
• Careful attention to detail and a strong sense of responsibility
• Commitment to academic integrity
• Familiarity with College resources, particularly in the music technology area
• Excellent audio recording skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong problem-solving and time management ability
• The ability to organize and catalogue large amounts of audio material
• Experience with Logic X or Pro Tools is preferred
• Interest in at least one of the following research areas would be beneficial: ecology, acoustic ecology, ornithology, field recording, data capture, decolonialization and Indigenous land use.
• Ability to access the remote site (Brunswick Point, Ladner) either by car or by a combination of transit and bike.
Domestic students must meet ONE of the following criteria, to be eligible to work as a Student Assistant/Student Research Assistant:
1. The domestic student must be enrolled in, and maintain, a minimum of one or more (3 credit) courses at Douglas College throughout the work term; OR
2. The domestic student must have been enrolled in, and maintained, a minimum of one or more (3 credit) courses at Douglas College in the term immediately preceding the work term and has indicated an intention to enroll at the college in the term immediately following the work term; OR
The domestic student must be enrolled in, and maintain a minimum of two or more (3 credit) courses at another accredited public post-secondary institution in B.C. throughout the work term
International students must meet ONE of the following criteria, to be eligible to work as a Student Assistant/Student Research Assistant:
1. The international student is enrolled in full-time studies at Douglas College, throughout the academic year; OR
2. The international student, who is not a Douglas College student, but is an international student at another accredited public post-secondary institution in B.C., has a valid Study Permit that has the notation - "May accept employment on or off campus if meeting eligibility criteria as per R186 (F), (V) or (W). Must cease working if no longer meeting these criteria." Proof of enrollment in full-time studies from the other post-secondary institution is required.
An original copy of a Social Insurance Number ( SIN ) and an original Study Permit are required by law before commencing work at Douglas College.
Qualified Douglas College students meeting the above criteria will be given first preference over students of other qualifying institutions.
Link to Full Position Profile Equity Statement
Douglas College is committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive and equitable learning and working environment. In support of this journey, we welcome all people to apply, including people from groups that are experiencing inequity, including, but not limited, to Indigenous Peoples, racialized or persons of colour, persons with mental or physical disabilities, persons who identify as women, and/or persons of marginalized sexual orientations, gender identities and expressions, and persons of all faith identities, age, marital status, and parental status.
Needs a Criminal Records Check No
Posting Detail Information
Open Date 05/12/2022 Close Date Open Until Filled Yes Special Instructions to Applicant
Please include the following:
- Douglas College Student ID number or indicate if you are enrolled in another accredited public post-secondary institution in B.C.
- Domestic or International student status
- Being eligible to work please indicate the work terms you are applying for:
1. Summer 2022
- If selected for an interview please bring one of the following:
1. Proof of enrollment for work term from Douglas College OR
2. Proof of enrollment for work term from another post-secondary institution OR
3. Domestic students only: proof of registration for the term immediately preceding the work term and indication of intention to enroll at the college in the term immediately following the work term
Quick Link for Direct Access to Posting https://www.douglascollegecareers.ca/postings/9106
About Douglas College
Douglas College is one of the largest colleges in British Columbia, offering a variety of bachelor's degrees, diplomas, university transfer options, career training programs and much more. We...
Student Research Assistant, Organized Crime and Gang-related Criminal Activity
Student Assistant, Institute of Urban Ecology
Student Assistant, Performing Arts (Theatre, Music, Music Technology, Stagecraft)
Head Coach, Softball
Spin Instructor
Career Coach - Career Paths
ART STUD - Articling Student - AMENDED
BC Public Service
Tax Analyst, Tax & Legal - Co-op/Intern 2023 - Multiple Locations
Senior Tax Staff, Private client services


Our family is on a super strict budget and I coupon out of necessity. Each year at Christmas my son's elementary school has a local food drive and because we coupon and therefore stockpile, we are able to give several bags of food to the food drive. Makes us feel good to be able to give back to our community!
I started collecting and mailing coupons to a Marine Corps base in Japan in Aug of 2010 via http://www.ocpnet.org/ . As of last month I've donated over 40K worth of coupons. (I get coupons from my mom and sister).
It is simple, mindless & relaxing, and easy. If even only 10% of my coupons ever get used, I've helped military families save over $4,000. So while not mentioned in your post, it is connected.
Great idea and way to give back to military families!
Thank you for mentioning VOM! We've been passionate supporters of VOM, and through rather incredible circumstances, my husband was offered a job with VOM. I'm finding that many people still don't know about this organization, which works so hard to help the persecuted church.
Thanks for featuring this guest post, Crystal! My husband and I are currently running a campaign through Gospel for Asia to fund a "Jesus Well" in a needy village. We'd love the help in raising money for this awesome project. We actually just met our personal goal to sponsor one well, but contributions toward further wells can still be given. If you're interested or want to find out more about Jesus Wells, check out our campaign at: https://www.mygfa.org/kellyandjesse/ Blessings in the new year!
I love these ideas for giving back. Operation Christmas Child is a great organization and it feels so good to know you are doing something for the impoverished children of the world. I'm also a huge fan of the humane society and any other animal organization.
I've also found the office supply sales (particularly at OfficeMax) to be a great way to give to local charities. I can buy the items when I get 100% rewards back, and then donate them. For instance, my church's worship department can always use black 3-ring binders to put music in, and those are expensive if you don't get them for free, so I watch for those on sale. Plus printer paper… you can never donate too much printer paper! And then I can deduct the value as an in-kind gift on my tax return. It's a win-win!
I think these are all awesome, though I would really discourage giving specific goods in times of natural disaster.
I remember seeing pictures after the Haiti earthquake of tons of items-including first aid supplies and food-just going to waste because the infrastructure was overwhelmed with even trying to transport people. I try to find a reliable organization already working in the country to give even a small donation to. Not trying to be negative-just my two cents. I'm sure each situation is unique.
Love all the ideas-especially the blessing bag to give the homeless. What a wonderful solution! We have also given health kits through Lutheran World Relief. They collect several different kinds of kits, each with very specific items they use in some of the most desperate parts of the world. The kits they give to new mothers are amazing-imagine a bar of soap and a nail clipper being the best chance for your newborn's safe delivery!


Robert Nutt, MSW is a social worker in Norwell, MA. He specializes in social work and clinical social work.
We met with Mr. Nutt on 3 occasions for family counseling. Mr. Nutt had antiquated and prejudicial views on nationalities. We discontinued our visits.
×Post a ResponseAre you Robert Nutt, MSW?
How was your experience with Robert Nutt?


For some people, sitting in a cramped, crowded airplane feels the same as sitting in their office. They are comfortable, can get work done, and reach their destination feeling refreshed and ready-to-go. I am not those people. I have to work at feeling comfortable on a plane, sometimes have to talk myself into working, and more often than I'd like, I arrive feeling exhausted and frazzled. There are tricks I've picked up on over the years to make the whole flying process easier, and I hope they help you too.
Pick your seat online. If it's possible to pick your seat before you check in, you have a better chance of avoiding the dreaded (and uncomfortable) middle seat. For Southwest, make sure you check in as close to 24 hours before your flight as possible to give yourself an earlier boarding number (or pay the extra $10 for Early Bird check in).
Wear comfortable, wrinkle resistant clothes. The easiest way to feel good during travel: comfortable clothes. This is not the time for tight-around-the-midsection pants or a movement-restricting shirt. Make sure that you feel good sitting for long periods of time in whatever you wear. I prefer slacks with a bit of stretch in them and pullover blouses, not button downs, as well as flats.
Stay hydrated. This is important for comfort, health, and looking good. Drink at least 8 oz of water for every hour you are flying. This will keep you from getting dehydrated, which in turn keeps you feeling more alert and prevents your skin from drying out.
Keep your skin hydrated. I always keep lip balm with me when I fly because my lips get super dry. A friend of mine always keeps lotion with her because her hands get really dry. If you tend toward dry, you will feel much better if you can address these issues before they become problems.
Wear comfortable shoes. Shoes that are too tight can become painful during flights. A few years ago I was flying home from California, and because I was running late to the airport didn't get to change into my softer, more flexible shoes. That flight was miserable–my feet were cold, sore, and hurt a LOT. My advice is to wear shoes that are flexible, breathable, and even a little bit loose.
Bring entertainment. Whether it's work, a book, music, knitting, or something else—you will be happier if you have something to do. If your flight is bumpy and the person next to you is snoring, it's much easier to block out the annoyance if you are involved in an activity.
Snacks! It's always a good idea to carry something to eat. You never know when you'll be stuck on a tarmac for hours with no food, or when your flight will be delayed and you won't have time to grab dinner in the airport during your layover. Trust me, a granola bar, piece of fruit, or some nuts won't take up much room but could save your trip.
Readers, any other tips for being comfortable on the plane?
Depending on if you are a woman, I always throw a pair of socks in my bag too in case I have dress shoes on so my feet don't freeze.
Pashmina is a good ideas – just doesn't go with my hairy arms.
Your suggestions are spot on. I would add that I generally wear contacts, but always bring my glasses for long flights.
My must have for flight days is my Dansko Clogs……I can be on my feet for twelve hours in them and still be comfy. Look Great with dress pants and I can wear a pair of socks with them so I don't get cold feet. Another must is either knitting or crocheting. I love to read while on planes but somtimes get air sick. So another must is prescription nausea medicine.


First Nations are legally entitled to self-determination. The Canadian government is deploying the RCMP to protect corporate interests on unceded Native land, ignoring the rights of Indigenous communities and Canadians right to protest.
Begins at 11:00AM at Point Grey RCMP station (2990 Westbrook Mall, near 16th Ave).


text:
Bulk Email Software Free – Bulk email software free download full version
From the times past, email has been one of the most effective means of communication in personal relationships and in business. The fact that the open rate of email since the time past is so high makes it a very effective tool. In this article, we are going to be showing you the best bulk email software you can harness for your business for free or for at least low cost.
Bulk Email Software Free
First off, there are so many reasons why you should take advantage of email for your business. So many people in this generation still check their emails first before any and every social media platform.
This is a result of the high credibility that the email platform has shown so far. People expect to get the most important messages from their emails like their application feedback, university application feedback, and so on.
Bulk email
Just as the name implies, bulk email means emails sent to a lot of people at the same time. just as the bulk SMS system works. Sending bulk emails can easily be achieved with tools called bulk email software Instead of the manual sending of emails one after the other.
Sending bulk email
The mega-companies have already started harnessing this business superpower. This is because they have the essential knowledge that engaging more audience helps you render solutions to more people, define your brand's value, and overall gives you more engagements and conversions (the best form of conversion is sales).
Therefore, you have to consider getting bulk email software to help you achieve your marketing goals easily.
Bulk email software free download full version
Bul email software is always available online. Most of them can be downloaded for free online. In fact, some of them even offer free packages. This is for those with a low budget. Although the free versions or packages come with their own limitations, you can always get some value for free or for the least price possible.
Best bulk email software free
there are so many free bulk email solutions but I am going to talk about just 5 of them. This five software are very good, offering a very high value for a low price. Check them out below;
Pabbly Email Marketing is a very powerful bulk emailing tool that has proven to offer the industry's best deliverability rate of 99%. This is one of the only software that provides unlimited access to all the advanced features like autoresponders, subscription forms, advanced email tracking, automatic follow-up, etc and you can find all that in the basic plan itself. Also, it is one of the very few emailing tools that come with an in-built delivery engine.
SendPulse Email Marketing
This is a communication platform that brings together email, SMS, web push, Viber, and even Facebook. It lets you take a good and effective approach towards digital marketing, send automated campaigns, segment subscribers, personalize emails, hold A/B tests, and monitor the results all in one software.
You get a very effective email software that is user-friendly and offers so many amazing features. Its all-in-one dashboard helps in both email and SMS marketing campaigns. The tool is designed for mobile-friendly emails, managing large contact lists, tracking results, and optimizing campaigns.
SendBlaster
Sendblaster is one of the best email marketing platforms available. With this software, it is possible to manage your mailing lists and even your email marketing campaigns. This software app brings a combination of the reasonableness of mass email software along and the flexibility of a bulk email web service.
Bulk Mailer
The Bulk Mailer platform accepts mailer lists that are generated in a lot of programs such as Access, Excel, DBF, Word, that are prepared in ASCII text files (.txt, .lst).
It is also possible to enter an incredibly large number of email addresses. The software also provides you with an extremely flexible email sending engine. With Bulk Mailer, It is also possible to create personalized HTML messages.
These are the top five bulk email senders for businesses with low budgets. Get them and tell us what you think about them. Further research can be done on Google.
Valentine's Deals 2023 – How do You Attract Customers on Valentine's Day?
What to Sell on Valentine's Day 2023
Outstanding Jacket for Travel in Europe
Adorable Valentine's Gift for Kids to Make Feel Loved
25 Best Jean Jackets to Wear 2023
Best Valentine Gift for Her
Best Valentine's Gift Ideas for Her
Best Flowers Valentine's Day – Best Deals at Amazon
Best Valentine's Gift for a Boyfriend 2023
The Best New Month Wishes for your Mother In February 2023
New Month Wishes for Your Contacts


yesterday I returned from the delivery trip from Turku (Finland) to Lübeck (Germany).
Unfortunately there was no satisfying internet connection in the harbors during the trip.
We (my family - Franziska, Leonie and me) took a flight to Helsinki at the end of July and rented a car at the airport.
With this we were very flexible in Turku and it took about 2hrs from Vantaa.
We had an early bird breakfast in hotel Helmi, where I slept last time.
After we rigged up the ship and prepared the sails we had a short naming celebration due to good luck in the future.
Then we started our test sailing near by.
We took her out through the channel before S-Marin yard and sailed in the Turku Archipelago.
Everything went pretty good and Franziska is happy - Leonie also, the movement of sôchin brings her to sleep immediately.
After two hours of cruising we returned to the yard, with a feeling I cannot really describe - fantastic.
In the evening we met Minna and Antti in Turku for dinner and had a perfect end of the day.
At the next day we bunkered the ship for the first trip to Visby.
A lot of things had to be prepared and organized as well.
Franziska and Leonie had to leave around 11:30 to drive back to Helsinki for their flight.
In order of the several things to do (refueling and returning the car, checking in etc.) she decided not to wait until we leave.
I was really sad to let my family go but also there was excitement looking forward to the trip.
At least Antti and me left the yard around 3pm and took sôchin out to the islands of Turku Archipelago.
The inner Archipelago is such a fantastic district for small boats.
A lot of small bays where you can stay for the night.
Narrow passages where you have to navigate carefully but you get really closed to the islands.
The inner Archipelago is shaped by small islands with narrow passages, where you have to look out carefully to the cardinal signs (just spears without top-sign) and where to round them. Sometimes it is difficult to see which one is first and how to go on.
where are the cardinal signs?
outer Archipelago: bigger islands with more space in between.
We started around 5pm on the 4th of August and arrived at the anchorage (Björkö) around 1am on the 5th August - the summer sun just goes down for an hour or two but the diffused light was still there.
A long day of sailing and learning and concentrating was going to its end. Sometimes I felt like a stupid beginner because I did not see the signs or wanted to round on the wrong side.
When we started in Turku it was raining cats and dogs without any wind, but the more we went out into the Archipelago, the weather increases and in the evening we had best conditions and a smooth downwind sailing.
First we went to a waste station where we emptied the waste tank - I did not do this any time before - it is already about 8pm. The downing sun gives us a wonderful light and we went on to Björkö Island where Antti knows a good natural harbor for the night.
The anchorage at Björkö is not an insider, several other sailing boats were already there, even the season is going to its end... In high season you will not find a place Antti confirmed and boats are lying side by side.
Some of them are using their back anchor and are attached with the bow to ashore, so the crew is able to go on land and have a walk.
One sailor - I remember it was a 34 Bavaria - was floating free in the middle of the natural harbor.
We decided to do so as well and went a little more to the end of the bay (Pic 382).
Antti and I were hungry after the day and half of the night, it was already around 10pm when the anchor was dropped. A large menu is not what we preferred so we boiled some sausages and had good bread and beer with them.
For the night I decided to test the cockpit - I hope sleeping there is comfortable - that is my way of taking the watch at anchorages. It is calm and the wind dropped so there is no need for being worried. After Antti went to bed I decided to test the water also and jumped into for a short "Plansch" - fantastic!
So refreshed I laid down and had a very good sleep.
We left Björkö around 11am on August 5th.
As we left the natural harbor we set sails and got a light wind from the west, so we decided to motor and set course through the passages directly to Utö our jump point to Gotland.
Several leading lines guided us the way between the rocks and islands into Utö harbor.
There I learned to use the buoy hook and backline for getting with the bow to the quay (normally we park ships with the astern to the peer using mooring lines or bow anchor).
Never the less we were placed at 1:30pm and had a walk over Utö and through the small village.
As we wanted to start around 5pm a thunderstorm appeared at the western sky and we waited until it has gone over.
Not very rough, heavy rain but only winds around 6 with gusts up to 8 bft.
A quarter past 8pm we left Utö and went out on the baltic see course Gotland.