It is generally believed by those in our trade that while employment candidates may embellish their employment tasks and positions, they will downright lie about their education.
Yes, that person interviewing with your Human Resource Manger and other relevant executives, the one looking presentable and acting so bright and articulate may well be inventing his education. In most cases your candidate's claim to a higher education is not necessarily a total invention. He may have in fact actually enrolled in the university listed on the resume. He just didn't graduate from that school. Or any other school, for that matter.
But then there are those, a notable amount of employment candidates who have engaged in what we term a ghost attendance. That is to say they not only failed to graduate from the school, but they never enrolled at all. Why they chose that particular school as their fictional place of graduation is anyone's guess. But enough candidates lie about graduating from schools they may have never seen, save for photos on the Internet. The HR person should always consider the ghost attendance a very real possibility.
As to which schools the job candidates may claim to have graduated, the selection is varied and sometimes darkly amusing. Some may choose the smaller and more out of the way schools as their fictional alma maters. They may select something arty and prestigious, one of those schools you may hear about but not know much about.. Or your candidate can take obscurity in another direction by listing on their resume some grievously remote or sub-par institute of higher learning that few ever even heard of..
There is certain logic to making such claims. By listing say, an obscure Mid-Western school or esoteric New England college, as his place of graduation, your candidate may believe he helps substantiate his credibility. Even the more astute HR person may well determine no one would actually lie about graduating from a Reed College, in Oregon, Amherst, in Massachusetts, or Lake Forest, in Illinois? Or for that matter as a defense against low self-esteem, who would dare boast of graduating from one of the legions of North Western Eastern Slippery Eel Teacher's College in the far corner of the middle of nowhere? So, the thinking goes, you may accept their claim at face value and never bother to check it out.
Other candidates will take the alternate route. Most in fact, will choose the larger schools, believing their names and alleged graduation dates may well get lost in the bureaucratic shuffle. Of course, if they did attend for awhile, they hope their registered enrollment may mistakenly be interpreted as proof of graduation. What they lack in education, they make up for in audacity. Well, sort of.
Finally, there are the no degree degrees. These are the phony degrees awarded for "life experience" and are not representative of attendance or graduation from any legitimate or accredited college. They are totally bogus. But they are popular. The more enterprising among the duplicitous can purchase these degrees online for anywhere from fifty bucks to several hundred dollars. The graduate degrees are a little pricier than the mere Bachelors' but they are available from any number of phony universities. Some of them even look impressive; provided you don't look try to find the school's physical address on the Internet.
Before you become too upset or overly suspicious, bear in mind that those who lie about their degrees comprise a minority of employment candidates. More often than not your candidate actually is who he says he is and did attend and graduate from the college listed in his resume. But bear in mind the operative phase here is "more often than not." With that in mind, think of the ways you may cause embarrassment and even litigation if you mistakenly hire someone who has obtained only a fictional degree.
It may be true that lacking a Bachelor's degree in certain disciplines may be irrelevant. There is a saying, for example, that a good sales person is born and not made, or something to that affect. And while that may be true in certain disciplines, in more than a few someone better have the qualifications afforded through the proper education. It may well be your new hire with his fictional degree may genuinely lack the skill sets required for the job. This reality can cause all sorts of problems and even lead to catastrophe in its myriad forms.
You have allocated time and money to his hire. You have distracted your work force, at least those who have conducted the various interviews. In hiring this person, you may have rejected a candidate who was truly qualified but is no longer available. You must now allocate additional resources to hire someone else. Such mistakes can detract from employee morale as well as your bottom line.
Additionally, by hiring someone not qualified by virtue of lacking his degree, you are jeopardizing your relationship with clients. You may have assigned this person to a client, and now your employee has screw things up through is lack of qualifications. This can make your client extremely unhappy. The client may demand compensation. They may even threaten a lawsuit. This is not only costly, but embarrassing as well.
If you think this doesn't happen, you had better think again. These are not the stories executives like to brag about over lunch. These are the stories that are whispered, and the whispering is far more ominous and damaging to your business. Let's face it, if your failure to perform due diligence causes proves detrimental to your client, then you will be held accountable. You will look foolish and cheap. You may also be looking for another client to replace the one who left you.
The moral to this story is that your Human Resources Management must check out everyone, no matter how trustworthy they sound. It is essential to have a pre-employment screening program in place and to include education verification as part of that program. The few bucks you spend up front to verify your candidate's graduation can save you plenty in money and time as well as and potential litigation and embarrassment. Those who win contracts with major corporations, especially technology or defense and security related industries will find these companies mandate background checks for everyone who will be working on the project. This includes education verification. Often they will insist on verification of all degrees and not just the highest.
•	Colleges and Universities typically provide verification either in-house or through the National Student Clearing House or another third party service. If the University is registered with a third party service, the degree can often be verified that day. Third party services will charge a fixed rate for access verification. Some background checking agencies will add on to this rate while others will pass it on at cost.
•	Typically, degrees are verified by background checking services within a couple, few days. The process may take longer if your candidate has either graduated some years back or is not listed in the database.
•	Verification may also take longer over the holidays, semester break or the summer. Be prepared to allow for more time for verification.
•	Verification from foreign universities inevitably will take longer than domestic verification. Typically, the rates for foreign verifications are significantly higher than charges for a domestic university. Be prepared to pay more and wait longer for the foreign verification.
•	Some schools will ask for your candidate's disclosure and release form before issuing the verification.
•	When providing your candidate's information to the University or third party service, it is best to include the years attended, the year graduated, the actual degree and major, and for large schools the campus where your candidate attended.
•	If your candidate is a female, be sure the information you submit reflects the actual name with which your candidate graduated. Sometimes your candidate applies for the position under her married name and fails to provide her maiden name, the name she used while attending school.
•	This may also apply for foreign students. Sometimes foreign candidates will change their names after graduation, to make them more accessible in the American workplace. But they may have attended school, using their formal name. Your candidate is known to you as "Ben," but in school he was still "Bao." This can complicate the verification process.
•	If the school or the third party service is having a difficult time verifying y our candidate's degree, they may request a facsimile of his diploma or final transcripts.
•	Be sure to keep your verification process uniform. You may decide to verify all degrees or only the highest degree obtained. Whatever you do for one candidate, you should do for all the rest.
•	Make sure your background checking service stays in front of any complications that may arise in the verification process. Establish and maintain fluid communication channels so that the service can keep you informed and request additional information when needed.
Remember if for some reason and after all due diligence you are unable to verify your candidate's degree, it probably means he never obtained one. They may try to talk their way out of it, but hold firm and insist they provide any information that has been requested. There is nothing exceptional about this information for anyone who has truly graduated from an accredited college or university. If they can't provide that information, you may want to look for another candidate. Remember the axiom that if they lie about their degree then they'll lie when on the job didn't become accepted wisdom for no reason. Check them out before you hire.


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TRESemmé Keratin Hair-Smoothing Shampoo Leads to Hair Loss, Lawsuit Claims
A lawsuit has been filed against the makers of TRESemmé Keratin Hair-Smoothing Shampoo after a woman claimed that she lost all her hair from using it. The lawyers have stated that the product violates California consumer protection laws by making false claims about its effectiveness and safety, something which can result in permanent damages to consumers who believe those claims are true.
A woman is suing the company, claiming that their shampoo caused her to lose hair. The lawsuit was filed in a California court on Thursday. Read more in detail here: tresemmé shampoo hair loss.
According to a new class action complaint, TRESemmé keratin shampoo causes hair loss and other issues.
Plaintiff Unilever misrepresents its TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo as safe and effective, according to Emily Castillo. TRESemmé hair products, contrary to these claims, are said to induce hair loss and scalp discomfort.
According to Healthline, keratin is a kind of protein found in hair, skin, and nails. Because keratin is the building block of hair, several products contain keratin components in the hopes of improving hair strength and beauty. Keratin treatments at salons are popular, but keratin supplements and hair-care products may be utilized at home as well.
TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo was bought by Castillo with the hopes of improving the health and look of her hair. The products were allegedly marketed as having chemicals that could "deeply nourish," "gently wash," and "restore hair."
The complainant alleges that the goods fail to meet these objectives. Instead, they're said to have caused severe scalp inflammation and hair loss.
These negative experiences, according to the TRESemmé hair loss class action complaint, may be related to one problematic component – DMDM hydantoin. Unilever has allegedly utilized DMDM hydantoin as a preservative in its goods for more than a decade.
When the chemical comes into contact with water, it becomes a formaldehyde donor and may leak formaldehyde. Formaldehyde is a recognized human carcinogen that may be absorbed via the skin, causing cancer and other negative effects.
Unilever has reportedly been aware for the decade that it has used DMDM hydantoin in its products that it may cause scalp irritation and hair loss when used as a preservative in hair products.
In fact, Unilever has previously been sued for using this chemical in its Suave Professionals Keratin Infusion products. The goods were recalled in 2012, and a $10.2 million settlement was reached in 2016.
Despite previous lawsuits and recalls for similar issues, Unilever is accused of continuing to utilize the hazardous chemical in its TRESemmé keratin products.
"Despite knowing since at least 2012 that DMDM hydantoin, as a formaldehyde donor, can cause or contribute to hair loss and scalp irritation, Unilever proudly continues to include this ingredient as a preservative in its products, even going so far as to represent to the public that DMDM hydantoin is safe for use in its hair care products," the TRESemmé hair loss class action laments.
Before buying the TRESemmé keratin shampoo, Castillo claims she and other customers were not informed about the risk of scalp irritation and hair loss.
Consumers are not informed that using TRESemmé keratin products may result in catastrophic adverse effects either on the shampoo box or on Unilever's website, according to Castillo.
According to the class action complaint, Unilever has benefited from these activities. Consumers like Castillo are reportedly relying on claims that TRESemmé shampoo products may make their hair look and feel better despite the lack of any warnings about hair loss and scalp discomfort.
Castillo and other customers were allegedly duped into buying the goods and paying more for the shampoo than they would have if they had known the reality, based on favorable claims and a lack of caution. Castillo claims that this amounts to pecuniary harm under consumer protection legislation.
Castillo's story isn't unusual, according to reports.
Two Philadelphia women, according to another TRESemmé class action complaint filed in December, had severe scalp burns and hair loss after just using the products for a short period.
Plaintiff Shannon Kenner claims that after two months of using TRESemmé Keratin shampoo and conditioner, she "began suffering hair loss, where clumps of hair would come out while bathing, combing, or simply touching her hair." The 32-year-old says she sought medical help from a dermatologist and a doctor, who recommended medicinal shampoo to heal her scalp.
Similarly, plaintiff Robyn Lipetz claims that the formaldehyde-related ingredient in TRESemmé Keratin haircare products produced "redness, hotness, and itchiness" on her scalp, as well as bald patches.
Kenner and Lipetz's TRESemmé class action complaint claims that "nowhere on the box labels, Unilever's websites, or other marketing materials did Unilever warn [consumers] that they were at risk of severe hair loss and/or scalp irritation."
Kenner and Lipetz seek to represent a group of people who bought TRESemmé Keratin shampoo and/or conditioner and had hair damage as a result. Castillo, on the other hand, aspires to represent various classes of customers in comparable situations.
Purchasers of TRESemmé Keratin Smooth Color Shampoo from all across the country are included in one proposed Class. Castillo also wants to represent a multistate Class of customers from California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Washington, as well as a Class of the same consumers from Illinois.
Castillo seeks monetary remedy on behalf of herself and the proposed Class, including disgorgement, restitution, statutory damages, punitive damages, civil penalties, interest, court expenses, and lawyers' fees.
Castillo also seeks injunctive relief from the court to stop Unilever from continuing with its allegedly deceptive advertising and to order the firm to recall the goods.
Have you seen any hair loss after using TRESemmé shampoo or other TRESemmé products? Please share your thoughts in the comments area below.
Jonathan Shub and Kevin Laukaitis of Shub Law Firm LLC, Andrew J. Sciolla of Sciolla Law Firm LLC, and Daniel K. Byson, Harper T. Segui, and Caroline Ramsey Taylor of Whitfield Bryson LLP are representing Castillo and the proposed Class.
Emily Castillo v. Unilever United States Inc., et al., Case No. 1:20-cv-06786, is the TRESemmé Keratin Hair Loss Class Action Lawsuit filed in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
The "tresemmé keratin smooth shampoo" is a product that has been the subject of a lawsuit. The company claims that their product leads to hair loss, but there are no scientific studies on this claim.
Does TRESemme keratin smooth shampoo cause hair loss?
Does keratin shampoo cause hair loss?
A: Currently, there is no scientific evidence to suggest that keratin shampoo causes hair loss.
Does TRESemme shampoo cause hair loss?
A: That is a question that can only be answered by you.
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McDonald's Says Ice Cream Made With Fake Vanilla
Ford Engine Problem Lawsuit

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Thank you Oceanex for your renewed Bronze sponsorship of GreenTech 2016! Green Marine ninth annual conference will take place at the Hilton Québec, in Québec City, Canada. Save the dates: May 30-June 1, 2016.


Soap has one job. It's supposed to help clean things. Instead, Dr. Brown's soap, which is marketed as "natural" and sold for use on dishes and baby bottles, has been recalled because it may be contaminated with bacteria.
The bottles of dish soap are contaminated with what's described as just "harmful bacteria," and the company will replace them with new, reformulated soap. Call 877-962-2525 or visit the company's recall page for information about getting a replacement bottle.
The company asks that customers stop using the product immediately. If you've used the soap to wash bottles or dishes, you should boil them or run them through a sanitizer cycle on your dishwasher if it has that option.
Products included in this recall were sold from September 2016 to June 2017. You might have purchased them from Amazon.com, or 4 Our Little Ones, Babies R' Us, Bebeang, Buy Buy Baby, Drugland Pharmacy, Family First Pharmacy, Global Nutrition Trading, Macro, or Turquoise.


1 BEDROOM 2 RECEPTION ROOM GROUND FLOOR FLAT! Perfectly located for access to Bushey Station and Watford Heath. The property has some lovely features and benefits from large rooms and a private garden. Be quick to arrange a viewing CALL FAIRFIELD NOW!! BRAND NEW LEASE!!
Wall lights. Understairs cupboard. Open plan to dining room. Door to lounge.
Power points. Ceiling light. Coved ceiling. Attractive feature fireplace. UPVC double glazed French patio doors to garden. Door to bedroom.
Power points. Ceiling light. Coved ceiling. UPVC double glazed windows to side aspect. Door to kitchen.
Range of top and base cupboards. Worktops with stainless steel single bowl and single drainer sink unit. Cooker space. Space for fridge/freezer. Plumbing for washing machine. Power points. Part tiled walls. Coved ceiling with spot ceiling lights. UVPC double glazed windows to side aspect. UPVC double glazed door to garden. Door to bathroom.
Power points. Coved ceiling. Ceiling light. UPVC double glazed bay window to front aspect.
Panelled bath with mixer taps and hand shower attachment over bath. Glazed shower screen. Pedestal wash hand basin. Low level W.C. Part tiled walls. Ceiling light. UPVC double glazed windows to rear and side aspect.
Hardstanding with space for table and chairs. Fence panel enclosed. Laid to lawn area with some mature shrub borders.


Hot Strings Guitars in Milford Connecticut is a fairly small shop that one would not suspect is home to an incredible collection of stringed instruments that cover nearly every square inch of display space. It's easy to sense the owner's passion for music and musical instruments. Visit Hot Strings Guitars in my portfolio section of the Google Virtual Tours page.


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Sorry, this size is too big for the preview
Photographic Work
Photographic Work From Above Kornat
SEE ON A WALL
Kornat, Croatia - 2002
Island of kornat, Kornati national park, Dalmatia, Croatia (43°50' N, 15°16' E).
Original Edition Signed and Numbered
Size print
Choose an optionsize 0size 1size 2size 3size 4size 5
Choice of frame
Painted white wood
Painted black wood
Choose an optionPrint OnlyDark woodPainted white woodPainted black wood
Choice of glass
Choose an optionNormalNon-reflective
›› ORDER
The eastern edge of the Adriatic washes the shores of the 150 islands and islets that make up the Kornati archipelago. The largest island, Kornati, is 12.5 square miles (32.5 km2) in area and accounts for two-thirds of the archipelago's land surface. The fold in the Earth's crust that formed the Kornati mountain range was produced by the collision of the Adriatic and European tectonic plates. The melting of glaciers and rise in sea levels after the last Ice Age, 20,000 years ago, made the mountains into an archipelago which was then eroded by the sea and the wind, exposing fine striae in the limestone. A century ago, the inhabitants of the nearby islands used these rocks to build dry-stone walls to pen in their sheep and keep them from their olive groves and vineyards. Overgrazing has done considerable damage to wildlife and to the thin vegetation. This desertification contrasts with the richness of the waters around the archipelago, where most of the Mediterranean's fish and mollusk species can be found. Nevertheless, these too are threatened by fishing, which sometimes uses illegal methods. Almost 30 percent of the world's fish species are either extinct or facing extinction.
THE PHOTO
Taken in 2002, It is a silver photography. His original slide is stored by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio in Paris.
Original work by Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The prints are made exclusively by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio in Paris under the control of the artist himself.
Prints ordered without frames include a white border
- Format 1, 2 & 3 = 2 cm of white border around the image
- Format 4, 5 = 4 cm of white border around the image
- Format 6 = 5 cm of white border around the image
Digital print made by the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio. Canon IPF 9400 Ink-jet printer, pigmentary ink, printing on acid free 100% cotton fibre paper (Museo Silver Rag)
>> see prints in the YAB Studio
POUR LES ŒUVRES SIGNÉS ET NUMÉROTÉES
All our frames are made to measure and hand-made. The wood chosen for the frames is cut directly and assembled as a function of the work and painted as chosen.
For the signed prints, the Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio offers three choices of frame : dark wood, wood painted white, wood painted black.
It is possible thereafter to choose a frame with glass or a frame with non-reflecting glass.
FOR THE LIMITED EDITIONS
The purchase of the work is uniquely by way of a print.
For any requests relating to framing please send an email to : atelier@yannarthusbertrandphoto.com
>> see frames in the YAB Studio and galleries
Delivery charges are at the expense of the purchaser. Delivery time depends on the country in which you live. Between 1 and 2 weeks should be allowed for a print and 3 to 4 weeks for a framed print.
Only for orders taken in July and August, between 3 to 4 weeks should be allowed for a print and 5 to 6 weeks for a framed print.
Once the order is validated, the print is made, signed and framed in accordance with your request.
Customs duties and VAT outside the European Union (+ Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein) are at the expense of the purchaser. We invite you to get in touch with the Customs services in your country for more information on this subject.
The Yann Arthus-Bertrand Studio works with specialised transporters, who are authorised to deliver works of art.
Once the print/frame has been dispatched, you will receive an e-mail from the Studio giving you the name of the transporter, the number of the parcel and the estimated date of delivery.
Consulted Works
Questions/Answers Studio
TCUS
YAB – biography
40 years' photography
Trailer Woman
www.goodplanet.info
www.7billionothers.org
www.human-themovie.org
www.yannarthusbertrand.com
www.woman-themovie.org
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> I DONATE TO THE GOODPLANET FONDATION
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Tag Archives: Marshall amplifiers
Marshalling a Rehearsal
February 23, 2016 manoucheri	Leave a comment
The first rehearsal for new material. I was nervous as it's my material, stuff I've written, and for the most part the most personal music I've ever written.
I wasn't nervous about doing arrangements and playing the material, that's not my big concern. The musicians I'm playing with, affectionately dubbed the "Ain't Got No Time Band" which is shorter than "Ain't Got No Time Rock and Blues Review" and any other number of names we've come up with. They are consummate musicians and I'm quite proud to be playing with them.
We sat down to go over the first tune, a rocker called How Much More that was one of the first tunes I wrote after the passing of my wife. How Much More is literally the angriest song I've ever written. It came after losing my wife, my house, and having my salary drastically cut. The first line of the song is, literally, "How much more can I take?"
As is typical when you get really good musicians together, the demo I recorded is simply a road map. With the others in the band we spent four hours, first playing the verse section over and over to get a groove. Then came the chorus, which is different the first time from the last two. Then we weaved the opening interlude into each section between verses.
By the end, the entire ending of the song had changed – for the better. What started as one thing became far better, the keyboard player, Rob Sabino, conducting and moving as I soloed at the end of the song.
Debate rattles around my head…the offer was put up to make this a band album, gigging to pay for it, taking our time, writing other material too. The collaboration is so very attractive. The other side is that this is kind of a finality to one part of my life. Shutting the door, closing the cover on the first story. It transitions to the next, with songs that speak of love, loss, and finding love again. It's almost a story in itself, nearly a concept album. I still waffle which would be better . . .
Regardless, to get the tone I want as well I broke down and pulled the trigger on a 50 watt Marshall amplifier. That's the one you see up there. I picked it up today, knowing full well it needed work.
The evening was spent swapping out tubes. Yes…the amplifier uses vacuum tubes, an old-school technology. But I am kind of old school anyway and they just sound better. Marshall amplifiers are a staple of rock and roll. Jimmy Page with Led Zeppelin, Eric Clapton, with Cream, and even solo used them. It is a quintessential tone and one I wanted in my musical toolbox for years. I just didn't want a 100 watt version that could cause my ears to bleed when only turned to 3 on the volume.
Thus the 50 watt combo, same amplifier, smaller and I don't have to spring for a separate cabinet.
So after testing tubes and swapping out I got it working . . . one speaker is a piece of junk but it works. The other is a high quality Celestion. The bigger issue – the desirable high output jack seems to not work. I consulted a great amp tech (read my brother the wunderkind and uber talented amp builder and musician) and the two jacks are actually connected.
So this week will be cleaning, repairing and working.
Decisions have to be made, repairs have to be made . . . and I have to make up my mind. But still . . . it's a great week.
dadDave ManoucherifatherMarshall amplifiersour story beginsparenthoodparentingraising kidsrecordingrehearsalrepairssingle dadsingle fathersingle parentsolo recordSoundtrackstory beginsstorytellingwidowwidower


HourStack is a scheduling app that lets you and your team track time and allocate resources.
HourStack lets you allocate time resources for Todoist tasks and track time you spend on each task.
How to connect Todoist with HourStack?
Click the Add integration button for Todoist. You'll be asked to grant HourStack authorization to access data from your account. To continue, proceed with authorization.
To allocate time, drag & drop your tasks from the Todoist panel on the right side. You can resize tasks to quickly re-allocate time.
To track time, click on the task for today, then click Start.
You can see when you have assigned a to-do item from Todoist (it goes gray) so that you don't need to drag it over to your week again as it's already been allocated.
There are also Today and Next 7 days filters available, so you can drag & drop tasks from Inbox, Today or Next 7 days views.


The S88 bus is established as cheap feedback bus for model railway layouts. The principle is simple: the S88 bus is just a serial shift register with a parallel load input.
Additional modules are added to this bus by simple cascading, creating a long shift register with all bits in one long chain. The advantage of simple topology comes with a drawback: the address of each module is defined by its position in the chain and is unchangable. The transmission of data is made unprotected: there is no parity, no checksum nor CRC.
The LOAD line goes to 1, then a shift clock is applied. All registers in the chain take over the information at their parallel inputs. The next step is a RESET pulse (also active high), this clears the parallel input upstream latches. These latches are ready again to capture new feedback events. Even very short signals are latched until the next query.
Now, the shift occurs (with LOAD = 0). Because each S88 data output of a module is connected to data input of the next module, all information stored in the shift register is shifted step-by-step towards the command station.
Unfortunately, this relatively trivial technique is often described as unreliable. This is caused by an electric inadequate realisation. Unshielded ribbon cables are used and these cables are operated without line termination and with weak drivers (high impedances). No wonder, that crosstalk and reflections can sometimes be observed.
Improve the electrical side of this transmission bytermination , separation and shielded cables.
Termination depends on the output power of the used command station. In OpenDCC TTL bus driver chips are used, which can supply up to 24mA. Here it is possible to achieve a significant reduction of clock overshot by terminating with 220 ohms against 5V at the end (!) of the line.
Crosstalk is easily reduced by separation. Do not route s88 bus lines along track signals or dimmed power supplies. Additionally, the track wiring should always be done with twisted wires , this reduces emission fields.
Besides mechanical separation a proper electrical isolation must be done. No currents from the layout are allowed to run along the feedback bus (intentionally or not).
A good protection against crosstalk is achieved with shielded cables, which are available very cheap as a patch cables (CAT5) for computers. Inside a CAT5 cable there are 4 pairs, each pair is twisted. Using the S88-N pin allocation, both shielding and twisting is used to achieve optimal conditions.


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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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The Good, The Bad And The Ugly - From the film "The Good, The Bad And The Ugly" released through United Artists - Hugo Montenegro & His Orchestra,
Theme From "A Fistful Of Dollars" - From the film "A Fistful of Dollars", released through United Artists - Hugo Montenegro & His Orchestra
Classical Gas
Hang 'Em High - From the United Artists motion picture "Hang 'Em High"
Cherry Pink & Apple Blossom White
Hugo Montenegro was a composer, arranger, and conductor who is primarily known for his movie work in the '60s, as well as his adaptations of film scores like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly.
Montenegro began his musical career in the U.S. Navy, where he arranged scores for various military bands. After he left the Navy, he completed school at Manhattan College, then he began a professional music career.
Initially, Montenegro was the staff manager to André Kostelanetz at Columbia Records in New York, which eventually led to a job as a conductor/arranger for several of the label's artists, most notably Harry Belafonte. By the mid-'50s, Montenegro was making his own albums of easy listening orchestral music.
Montenegro moved to California in the mid-'60s and began to write film scores, starting with Otto Preminger's Hurry Sundown in 1967. That same year, he recorded a version of the theme to The Good, the Bad and the Ugly, which was written by Ennio Morricone. Featuring an arrangement that relied on a chorus, electric instruments, and special effects, the single was a major hit, reaching number one in the U.K. and number two in the U.S.; internationally, it sold over a million copies. An album titled Music from "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" & "A Fistful of Dollars" & "For a Few Dollars More" appeared shortly after the single's release, and it reached the Top Ten in the spring 1968. Later in the year, Montenegro released a single of the theme from Hang 'Em High, which was a lesser hit, as was the album of the same name.
Montenegro began to branch out after the Hang 'Em High album, recording a diverse array of albums, ranging from show tunes to electronic experiments. Throughout the late '60s and '70s, he continued to score films, including Lady in Cement, The Undefeated, The Wrecking Crew, Tomorrow, and The Ambushers, among many others. He continued composing and recording until his death in 1981. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, Rovi
Mexico City, MX2,854 LISTENERS
Los Angeles, US777 LISTENERS
London, GB657 LISTENERS
Guadalajara, MX649 LISTENERS
São Paulo, BR644 LISTENERS
Masters Of The Last Century: Best of Hugo Montenegro
All I Have To Do Is Dream
Arriba: Original Release, Volume 1
Hello Hugo - [The Dave Cash Collection]
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Dr William Dodd, the Macaroni Parson
June 27, 2008 by Chris Field Leave a Comment
This is the day that … the 'Macaroni Parson' died, in 1777.
Dr William Dodd was a Church of England clergyman … "one of the most popular and successful preachers of the 18th century" says his biographer.
The nickname 'Macaroni Parson' was given to him because of his dandyish dress – the kind of attire worn on the Continent. But even royalty flocked to hear him preach. He became chaplain to King George III.
His oratory, like his dress sense, was flamboyant, and his socialite connections included Thomas Gainsborough (who painted his portrait), the Countess of Huntingdon, Samuel Johnson and Johann Sebastian Bach.
He founded charities, wrote voluminously, edited The Christian's Magazine (in which he attacked John Wesley's 'perfectionist' teachings), penned a commentary on the Bible, and forged a cheque for four thousand pounds sterling, signing Lord Chesterfield's name! Found out … Dodd was tried at Old Bailey, found guilty, and visited in prison by John Wesley.
Speaking of Dodd's composure under sentence of death, Wesley wrote, "Such a prisoner I scarce ever saw before, much less such a condemned malefactor."
Augustus Montague Toplady (author of the hymn Rock of Ages) paid a visit, as did William Romaine.
Lady Selina, Countess of Huntingdon, wrote Dodd "a long and almost unreadable letter."
Samuel Johnson and his friends gathered 100,000 signatures on a petition to save Dodd's life, but to no avail. On 27 June, 1777, William Dodd was hung at Tyburn – at the age of 49.
This post is based on the work of my late friend Donald Prout whose love for books and Christian history led him to collate a daily Christian calendar. I continue to work with Don's wife, Barbara, to share his life work with the world. I have updated some of these historical posts and will hopefully draw from Don's huge files of clippings to continue this series beyond Don's original work. More of Don's work can be found at www.donaldprout.com.
Filed Under: Church History Tagged With: christian calendar, clergyman, england, johann sebastian bach, king george iii, lord chesterfield, prout, samuel johnson, thomas gainsborough, wesley, william dodd
The Magna Carta Changes England
This is the day that …the Magna Carta was signed, "an ever memorable day to Englishmen and to all nations descended from Englishmen!" It was AD 1215!
Few Christians realize the spiritual significance of this landmark document.
Pope Innocent III had placed England under an interdict. (That could be compared to excommunication, not just for an individual, but a whole nation!) And it meant no more masses, no more Christian burials, no more confession, no more priestly absolution of sin … and more. For a people who had believed these unscriptural practices to be 'gospel', it was a matter of the gravest importance.
King John had rejected the papal Archbishop and appointed one of his own choosing!
The interdict had its desired effect. King John gave in – accepted the Pope's choice of Archbishop of Canterbury, and surrendered the British Empire to Rome – and promised to pay annual tribute into the Roman coffers (English Church History, by C. Lane, page 207).
But by an amazing twist of circumstances, Stephen Langton (the Pope's choice for Archbishop) then sided with the English barons – against the papal demands! It was he who had the Magna Carta drawn up – a charter that stated among other things, "The Church of England shall be free, and hold her rights entire, and her liberties inviolate!" In other words, there would be no interference or domination from the Pope.
Thus it was, at Runnymede, Archbishop Stephen Langton and the barons compelled King John to sign the document against his will! (New Guide to Knowledge of Church History, by M. Bloxam, page 156).
Because the actual document bears no date, some historians have suggested 19 June was the day it was signed.
In the Making of the Magna Carta (page 9), it records how "by 15 June it … had been completed and could be laid before the King for his formal acceptance… The date, 15 June, may well be that on which the sealing took place" (pages 7, 9).
The Pope fumed … condemning and annulling it in a Bull (24 August, 1215). "We do utterly reprobate and condemn this agreement … whereby the Apostolic See is brought into contempt."
Despite the Pope's indignation the Magna Carta prevails as a landmark of political and spiritual advancement. It was a stepping-stone toward the Reformation days when the ties with Rome would be finally broken.
Filed Under: Church History Tagged With: archbishop of canterbury, church, church of england, england, english church history, history, magna carta, pope, pope innocent iii, prout, stephen langton
John Hunt to Fiji
This is the day that … John Hunt was born in England, in 1812, to illiterate and irreligious parents.
Converted at the age of 17 when he came into contact with the Methodists, he was soon preaching in their meetings. At the age of 23 he entered their "Theological Institution" for missionary training, and on 29 April, 1838, he and his new bride, Hannah, sailed for the South Seas.
Fiji! "Those hills which they viewed upon their arrival contained the ovens in which human beings were roasted for cannibal feasts. There … widows had been strangled to accompany the dead chiefs to their 'Paradise'."
"Cunning was the highest intelligence. War was their business. The religion of the Fijian required cannibalism" (They Knew Their God, Volume 4, page 61).
Thus it was John Hunt and his good wife, both in their mid-20's, tackled the unwritten language of these people that they might tell them of the Saviour.
"I determine," he wrote in his journal, "to make known nothing among the poor Fijians but Christ and Him crucified. Oh that my speech and my preaching may be with the demonstration of the Spirit and of power" (Biography of John Hunt, by G. Rowe, 1860, page 173).
The savage climate led to the death of their three children soon after birth. He wrote: "I have three now in Heaven. I thank God they are safe. I feel much my need of them now; but, oh, how awful the thought of their living to sin against my God and be lost!"
For 10 years John Hunt persevered. King Thakombau – "the butcher of his people" – was a fierce foe, and his wars and hostility toward the missionary seemed to make all success hopeless.
John's translation of the New Testament in Fijian was completed in 1847 (though not published until 1854).
And God saw fit to pour out revival among these people. There was weeping and groaning "and a general calling upon God to have mercy" by many Fijians. Even Queen Viwa was converted.
John Hunt wrote: "One hundred converts the first week of the revival… The mats of the chapel were wet with the tears of the communicants of the table of the Lord…"
But a year later – 4 October, 1848 – John Hunt died, at the age of 36.
King Thakombau was baptised nine years later by a fellow missionary.
And the gospel continued to bring light and joy and peace to those who had lived in darkness.
"The mission to Fiji has been as remarkable for its success as any ever undertaken by the Christian world. At the jubilee of that mission there was not an avowed pagan left. Fifty years before there was not a single Christian in all Fiji" (Epoch Makers of Modern Missions, by A. McClean, page 171).
Filed Under: Church History Tagged With: cannibals, Church History, fiji, fijian, john hunt, methodists, mission, missionaries, missionary, Missions, prout, south seas, translation
Sudan Interior Mission
May 27, 2008 by Chris Field Leave a Comment
This is the day that … the Sudan Interior Mission (S.I.M.) was born, in 1898.
"On 24 May, 1898," Rowland Bingham later wrote, "Helen E. Blair entered with me into life partnership … we were married three days before the mission was born …" (Flame of Fire, by J. Hunter, page 66).
In the previous decades an awakening of missionary interest had been stimulated by the preaching of D.L. Moody and the Student Volunteer Movement (of which John Mott became the leader for over 30 years).
Literally thousands of young people caught the vision of evangelising the world – in their generation. Among them was a young Englishman named Rowland Victor Bingham, who migrated to Canada … and then trained at A.B. Simpson's Bible College.
With two other graduates, and without the backing of any Church or missionary society, Bingham sailed for Africa – the "white man's grave", as it was then known, and not without cause.
Bingham, suffering from attacks of malaria, was the only one to survive. He returned to Canada in February, 1895 … but that year of death, sickness and disappointment had not been wasted.
Other dedicated young men volunteered to go. The S.I.M. was formed, and by 1900 Bingham was off again – with two other young men – to take the gospel to the Sudan. Again the dreaded malaria struck – the mission was aborted.
But in 1901 another attempt was made … and success began to crown their efforts.
Less than a century later the S.I.M. has over 700 missionaries working under its banner. "Over 6,700 congregations have come into being through S.I.M. ministry, all self-sustaining and self-governing" (Sixty Great Founders, by G. Hanks).
In 1954 S.I.M. set up Africa's first missionary radio station and daily the gospel is beamed out across the airwaves from Radio ELWA. And because its work now extends far beyond the Sudan, S.I.M. today stands for "Society of International Mission".
Filed Under: Church History Tagged With: africa, bingham, Church History, d l moody, john mott, malaria, missionaries, missionary, missionary radio station, missionary society, Missions, prout, radio elwa, student volunteer movement, sudan, sudan interior mission
St Dunstan – England
This is the day that … St Dunstan is remembered by some churches. He is one of the 68 saints mentioned in the Anglican Prayer Book.
He is "the most famous of all Anglo-Saxon saints", according to Alban Butler's Lives of the Saints (1756-1759).
Dunstan was born in Somerset, England, in the early part of the 10th century. During his education at Glastonbury he alarmed the monks by sleep-walking on the roof of the church! (Stars Appearing, by S. Harton, page 208).
He eventually became an abbot at Glastonbury and set about reforming the morals of a scandalous clergy. This zeal for purity continued when he later became Archbishop of Canterbury (Butler, page 149).
But as was to be expected, there was plenty of opposition. Especially when he rebuked King Edwy for his unseemly behaviour. As a result Dunstan's property was confiscated and he was sent into exile. After Edwy's death, King Edgar assumed the throne and Dunstan was re-instated.
And it was Dunstan who instituted bellringing on festival days, and who re-introduced organ playing into the church – "even taking a personal hand in their actual construction" (Harton, page 207).
The story is told (believe it or not!!) that on one occasion, whilst working at his forge, he saw the Devil peering through the window. "So he pulled the red-hot tongs from the coals and pulled the Devil's nose with them" (Maypoles, Martyrs and Mayhem, page 147; Days and Customs of All Faiths, page 127). Satan ran and dipped his nose in Tunbridge Wells to cool off – and "that is why the water in Tunbridge Wells, to this day, is sulphur water!" (page 127).
In the Convent of the Holy Child Jesus at Mayfield they even have St Dunstan's tongs! (Maypoles, Martyrs and Mayhem, page 147).
And the dear old Archbishop is still regarded as the Patron Saint of blacksmiths.
Filed Under: Church History Tagged With: abbot, anglican, archbishop of canterbury, blacksmiths, church, Church History, devil, king edgar, king edwy, prayer book, prout, somerset england, st dunstan


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Claflin University students Caleb Green, left, and Mackenzie Brown, right, were joined by their adviser, Dr. Belinda Wheeler, at the inaugural HBCU Innovation Challenge in Chattanooga, Tenn.
SPECIAL TO THE T&D
2 from Claflin compete at Innovation Challenge
Two Claflin University students were among 32 college students who recently competed at the inaugural HBCU Innovation Challenge in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
Gibson to serve as Claflin Homecoming Worship Service speaker
Mackenzie Brown, a junior management information systems major, and Caleb Green, a senior business administration/management major, represented Claflin. They were joined by their adviser, Dr. Belinda Wheeler, an associate professor of English.
Johnsons to serve as Claflin Homecoming Parade marshals
The challenge was sponsored by Colonial Life, Unum and The Company Lab (Co.Lab). Unum is the top disability insurer in both the United States and United Kingdom. The company also offers other insurance products, including accident, critical illness and life insurance.
Colonial Life Insurance is based in Columbia. The company offers disability, accident life, cancer, critical illness and hospital confinement insurance plans in 49 states. Colonial Life was founded in 1939. It has been a subsidiary of Unum since 1993.
The companies invited 32 juniors and seniors from HBCUs to work together in a two-day innovation case competition to solve real-world challenges facing the insurance industry. Participants competed to gain national recognition and to win cash prizes, including $5,000 for the first-place team, $3,000 for the second-place team and $1,500 for third-place.
Each student was assigned to a team which was responsible for developing insurance benefits plans for "freelancers" or the self-employed. Their proposals were reviewed and evaluated by several company representatives who also offered feedback and evaluations.
"Our students did not win any awards or prizes but the judges were very impressed with their presentations," Wheeler said. "We met Tim Arnold, CEO for Colonial Life, who said he is looking forward to visiting the Claflin campus."
"The event was a great networking opportunity. We really enjoyed connecting with the corporate executives on a personal level," said Green, who met with Arnold and Unum CEO Richard McKenney. Green received an offer to join Unum's Professional Development Team and he highly recommends that students interested in business, management, accounting or financing attend next year's HBCU Innovation Challenge.
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"We want to be the most inclusive, diverse and welcoming company in our industry and beyond. Colonial Life, Unum and CO.LAB recognize the business value in attracting and retaining diverse talent," said Wade Hinton, vice president of Inclusion and Diversity at Colonial Life/Unum. "We believe this challenge will help us connect with and recruit diverse talent."
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Pittsburgh Penguins at Philadelphia Flyers NHL Picks & Predictions 3/7/2018
by Guy Bruhn - 3/6/2018
Get todays NHL hockey odds on this game.
The Pittsburgh Penguins head to Wells Fargo Center to take on the Philadelphia Flyers on Wednesday, March 7, 2018. The opening line for this contest has the Penguins at -111 and the Flyers at +101.
Pittsburgh has a record of 38-25-4 this year and away from home they have a record of 13-17-3-2. They are 2nd in the Metropolitan Division. They have tallied 219 goals and surrendered 203 goals for a point differential of +16. For the year they have an ATS mark of 38-29-0 and an over/under record of 36-29-0. Philadelphia has a record of 34-21-11 including 16-10-6-3 on home ice this year. They are 3rd in the Metropolitan Division. They've scored 197 goals and have given up 193 for a goal differential of +4. Their record against the spread is 34-32-0 while their over/under mark is 34-30-0.
Valuable Pittsburgh Penguins Betting Trends
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 38-29-0 straight up this year
The Pittsburgh Penguins are 36-29-0 against the over/under this season
Important Philadelphia Flyers Betting Trends
The Philadelphia Flyers are 34-32-0 straight up this year
The Philadelphia Flyers are 34-30-0 against the over/under this season
Key Pittsburgh Penguins Injuries
03/02/18 RW Zach Aston-Reese Upper Body is out indefinitely
02/27/18 GO Matt Murray Concussion is out indefinitely
Key Philadelphia Flyers Injuries
03/04/18 D Johnny Oduya Undisclosed injured last game, is "?" Wednesday vs Pittsburgh
03/04/18 D Andrew MacDonald Upper Body is "?" Wednesday vs Pittsburgh
02/20/18 GO Michal Neuvirth Lower Body IR (02/18)
02/20/18 RW Wayne Simmonds Upper Body IR (02/19)
02/13/18 GO Brian Elliott Abdominal IR (02/10)
Phil Kessel has scored 76 total points this year for the Penguins. He has 27 goals this season with 225 shots on net, giving him a shooting percentage of 12%. He has a total of 49 assists on the year and averages 18.8 minutes played per contest. Sidney Crosby averages 20.8 minutes of ice time per game this season. In that time he has a shooting percentage of 11% by tallying 22 goals on 194 attempts. He has 48 assists, giving him a total of 70 points on the year. Casey DeSmith has 3 wins and 4 losses this season in goal for the Penguins. He has 231 shots against him and he's surrendered 20 goals. He's made 211 stops for a save percentage of 91%.
Claude Giroux has 78 total points this season for the Flyers. He has 23 goals this year with 149 shots on goal, giving him a shooting percentage of 15%. He has a total of 55 assists on the year and averages 20.4 minutes played per contest. Jakub Voracek averages 19.6 minutes of ice time per contest. In that time he has a shooting percentage of 8% by scoring 14 goals on 185 attempts. He has 57 assists, giving him a total of 71 points on the year. Petr Mrazek has 11 wins and 9 losses this season in net for the Flyers. He has 802 shots against him and he's given up 75 goals. He's made 727 saves for a save percentage of 91%.
Useful Team Statistics
The Penguins have 80 total points this year, which is 10th in the NHL. They've scored 219 goals while giving up 203 scores, which has them ranked 5th and 8th respectively. They have had 212 power play chances and scored 56 goals on those opportunities for a percentage of 26%. That is 1st in the league. The Penguins have given up 219 power play opportunities and surrendered 40 goals on those chances for a penalty kill percentage of 82%, ranking them 12th when short-handed. They average 34 shots per contest and as a team shoot 9.52% for the year. They allow 31 shot attempts to their opposition per game and have a team save percentage of 90%, which is 24th in the league.
The Flyers are 11th in the league with a total of 79 points this season. They have 45 power play goals on 218 chances for a percentage of 21%. That is 13th in the NHL. They've given up 185 power play opportunities and surrendered 46 goals on those chances for a penalty kill percentage of 75%, ranking 29th overall. As a team, the Flyers are 12th with a total of 197 goals scored while they've given up 193 goals this season, ranking 18th in goals against. They average 32 shots per game and have a team shooting percentage of 9.40%. As a unit they give up 30 shots per contest and have a save percentage of 91%, putting them 23rd overall in the NHL.
Pittsburgh has a Corsi percentage of 51.4% as they've tried 4,056 shots on goal while at full strength while they have surrendered 3,841 shots on net when they have a full team on the ice. That ranks them 10th in Corsi percentage. They are 8th in the NHL in Fenwick percentage with 52% as they have 3,092 shots while they've given up 2,855 attempts on defense. The Penguins start possessions in the offensive zone 52% of the time while their defensive zone percentage is at 48% for the year. That puts them 10th and 23rd in the league in zone percentages respectively. They have 2,098 face-off wins as opposed to 2,079 losses, meaning their face-off win percentage is 50.2%. That is 16th overall in the NHL. On defense Pittsburgh has 1,616 hits and they've blocked 986 attempts from opposing offenses, which is 13th in the league.
The Flyers start possessions in the offensive zone 50.5% of the time while their defensive zone percentage is at 49.5% for the year. That ranks them 16th and 15th respectively in the NHL. They have 2,105 face-off wins as opposed to 1,828 losses, meaning their face-off win percentage is 53.5%. That is 2nd in the league. On defense Philadelphia has 1,372 hits and they've blocked 966 attempts from opposing offenses, ranking them 16th in blocked shots. Philadelphia is ranked 17th in Corsi percentage with 50.4% as they've tried 3,796 shots on goal while at full strength while they have surrendered 3,729 shots on net when they have a full team on the ice. Their Fenwick percentage is 14th in the NHL at 50.8%, as they have 2,858 shots while they've given up 2,763 attempts on defense.
Who will win tonight's Penguins/Flyers NHL game against the spread?
Guy's Pick: Take Pittsburgh -111
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I went to Egypt with "Morocco" (Carolina Varga Dinicu) in 1993, so I know that her dance tours deliver all she promises: a dance-packed trip with congenial, like-minded people and lots of extras, including museums, travel in the countryside, visits to costume designers, and well-informed guides.
I grabbed the chance to go with her on "Tantalizing Turkey" from July 8 to July 22 this summer. It was perhaps the best trip of my life, even if the Middle Eastern dance scene is not really up to scratch.
Morocco – known as Rocky to her thousands of admirers – is a long-time international Middle Eastern dance teacher, performer, world traveller, and occasional tour leader to Egypt and Morocco (the country), who works out of her downtown brownstone in New York City. She's a member of our own MEDAH and keeps in touch with Toronto's events.
Now that Morocco and Egypt have become much less attractive as dance tour destinations, Rocky decided to put together her first group trip to Turkey, even though she knows the Middle Eastern dance scene is nothing compared to what we saw until recently in Egypt.
Our group met at the Turkish Airways desk at JFK airport in New York on Saturday, July 8, 1995 for an orientation lecture by Rocky, who simply will not take people with her unless they agree to observe local mores, including a strict dress code.
We were a much smaller group than is usual for Rocky; thirteen, all female. We were delighted to discover that ten of us were veterans of the 1993 Egypt tour. It was like a reunion as we picked up conversations we had left off.
The Turkey trip allocated seven days to Istanbul, and five days to the Asian side of Turkey in Asia Minor. We got around by private minibus. Rocky plans her tours with dance performances in the evenings, leaving the days free for organized sightseeing and time for oneself.
For the whole two weeks, we had the same wonderful guide, Selim, who was at first bemused and formal with his female entourage, then mellow and witty.
Rocky had warned us about the Turkish Middle Eastern dancers, so we weren't setting our sights too high. We saw four evening nightclub shows in Istanbul (Orient House, Gar Gazinosu, Galata Tower, and Karavanseray).
The clubs were literally packed with tourists from all over the world, but especially from Japan. It appeared, though, that I was the only Canadian in Turkey. We also saw two shows while we were on tour – but more of that later. The Istanbul shows were pretty much alike, with three short "belly dance" acts, three or four folk dance acts and good live music, with from three to four musicians playing partly on traditional instruments.
To conclude the evening, a MC sang and made the folks warm and comfy-feeling. Part of this involved getting women up to make fools of themselves learning "belly dance". Unfortunately for the MC, members of our tour kept getting chosen, so the results were not as planned. Pretty good dancers in our group! I was able to videotape samples of the dancing we saw; if MEDAH members wish to get a better idea of what Turkey has to offer, I can make these available.
The first belly dance act usually lasted five minutes, followed by a photo "op" for each tourist with the dancer. The second and third acts were also short: about ten minutes – and were only slightly better. There wasn't much dancing going on, which wasn't surprising given that the dancers wore shoes with incredibly high heels that all but prevented hip work.
They did lots of turns, quick fluttery hand movements, and sinuous shoulders – but oh, those bare buttocks! The costumes consisted of lots of gorgeous, elegant beadwork in belt and bra, with strip skirts hanging between the legs in front and in back like long loincloths.
In Turkey, there are no superstars like there are in other parts of the Middle East. The dancers were all young, very beautiful, and very inexperienced. It appears that this is what sells now in Turkey, and dancers quickly go on to some more promising career. We missed the more mature, developed style of Egypt, but the rest of the audience always went wild.
The folk dancing was another matter. Turkey is rich in regional folk dance with its origins in Central Asia, the homeland of the Turkish people, and Islam has never inhibited in Turks' love of their dancing.
Each nightclub has its own small troupe of permanent dancers, all of which were excellent. You got the feeling that you were seeing something of the traditional Turkey, and the individual dances and costumes did, in fact, represent different regions.
The dances were all group efforts, usually with men and women dancing together, sometimes doing different steps and movements, sometimes in unison. Their movements included stepping, jumping, skipping, acrobatic leaps, in lines and circles, and there was often a leader calling or shouting. Dancers accompanied themselves on special wooden spoons in much the same way we use metal cymbals. There was much good humour and clowning around.
We saw the best tourist shows of our tour of Asia Minor in Cappadocia (Central Turkey), in a nightclub in the middle of nowhere and hollowed out of a rock. The one (and only) Middle Eastern dancer was given plenty of time in which to develop her act. She was older than the other dancers we had seen, but no less gorgeous. Playful, earthy and soft in approach, she showed us some solid hip work, excellent coordination and polyrhythms from all parts of her body. As a nice touch, she danced on a rug.
The folk dance troupe was also the best of the tour. As a finale, they involved the audience in dancing outside the club – around a bonfire, under the stars – to the great enjoyment of our members, who by this point of the tour were tired of always having to sit and watch.
The absolute highlight, however, was the evening we watched a sema – that is, the dance of the whirling dervishes. Rocky has impeccable connections and was able to arrange for our group to attend a private event in a small local mosque.
The evening, which began with prayers, then a meal, followed by the dancing, lasted 3 hours in all, of which the sema occupied one hour. Our group participated throughout, though we sat through the prayers and ate the meal in the upstairs balcony reserved for women. For the dancing, we were given the option – I suppose, as honorary males – to go into the whirling room itself.
I chose to stay on the balcony and watch from above; consequently, I got an idea of the interesting floor patterns made during the dance, but missed seeing the men from the congregation chanting the accompaniment along with a drum in the adjoining room. The combination of powerful chanting and deliberately turning bodies was deeply moving. I had the sense of participating in religious communion rather than a dance performance – which, of course, it was.
One final event worth noting was an afternoon concert by the Janissary Band of the Military Museum – a surprise hit with me. Dressed as traditional Ottoman soldiers, the musicians played various rhythms that used to accompany the army as it marched, attacked (and retreated?). The huge central drum, which was about five feet high, gave the drummer quite a workout.
But it was Turkey itself that was the enchantment for me. It manages to be both European and Middle Eastern at the same time, and the country is saturated with human history for the oldest city in the world (Catal Huyuk) through Hittite, Greek, Roman, Byzantine and, finally, Ottoman occupations.
We were moving through the Asia Minor of the great Mother Goddess of Ephesus and Aphrodisias. Istanbul/ Constantinople, the city, is a dream, situated on hills encircling three bodies of water – the Sea of Marmara, the Bosphorus and the Golden Horn.
As a result of being the centre of a rich empire for fifteen hundred years, the city overflows with massive and exquisite architecture and treasures taken from far and wide. The museums are also outstanding.
So what else could you want? The cuisine – with its appreciation of fruits and vegetables – is divine; the prices are reasonable; the people are hospitable; the sun shines; the scenery is varied and spectacular; the crafts and shopping are unlimited; and the custom – made dance costumes come with innovative and intricate beadwork. As you can probably guess, I'll be back as soon as I can – in spite of the Middle Eastern dancers.


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Energy secretary tells American Jews that nuclear agreement is 'the famous better deal'
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz
Screenshot from Aug. 13 webcast
Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz told American Jews last week that the current nuclear agreement is "the famous better deal" opponents have been after, though he admitted that Iran's activities in the region remain worrisome.
More than 2,000 viewers tuned into the live webcast co-sponsored by the Jewish Federations of North America and the Jewish Council for Public Affairs on Aug. 13. The energy secretary's pitch came a little over a week after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu used the same means to warn American Jews that the agreement "paves Iran's path to the bomb" and proposed applying more pressure to Iran rather than removing sanctions.
Moniz refuted Netanyahu's claims, telling the audience that the deal not only extends Iran's breakout time, but cuts off all pathways to the bomb – the uranium, plutonium and covert pathways are all shut down, he said, through a rigorous inspection regime conducted by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which will oversee Iran's entire nuclear production system for 25 years.
He was adamant that "there are no secret side agreements" when it comes to inspecting the controversial Parchin military site. The IAEA, he said, had already begun a report on the site that will be completed in December and made available to the board of governors, on which the United States sits.
Having this agreement in place, he contended, would enable the United States to focus on "aspects of Iranian behavior that give us serious problems," like the "strong anti-Israel, anti-Semitic rhetoric coming out of Iran" and the Iranian regime's funding of Hezbollah. With the agreement in place, he said, those behaviors could be addressed "with the comfort that Iran does not have and will not have a nuclear weapon — the existential threat of a nuclear weapon — will, if anything, give us more freedom of action."
Going against the international community at this point would be disastrous, Moniz predicted. He was skeptical that the United States' European allies would "hang with us" in the event that Congress rejects the deal. He was even less sure that Russia and China would go back in for more sanctions.
"We could end up in the worst of all worlds with an unconstrained nuclear program, fraying sanctions and international disunity that Iran will be able to capitalize on," said Moniz.
"The idea that we go back and renegotiate in this context, I would say, that's about the riskiest strategy I can imagine," he concluded. "We have, in my view, not a very high probability of success and we're going to roll the dice when we have a good agreement in front of us and go that route. I don't think that's a credible Plan B in my view."
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Greening the Garden
Services & Experiences
Mariage Frères
The world's most exclusive purveyor of luxury teas and France's oldest tea house, Mariage Frères, has opened its first UK tea emporium in Covent Garden. Bringing tea savoir-faire to the capital, the brand's largest branch to date will be housed in a beautiful five-storey listed Georgian townhouse on Covent Garden's King Street. Offering the largest collection of teas in the world, from vintage and rare to fruit and herbal, the UK flagship of Mariage Frères will boast a stunning retail space, restaurant specialising in tea gastronomy, a tea museum and two private event spaces.
The Comptoir de Thé on the ground floor is an expansive tea emporium, incorporating the longest tea wall in the world, with close to 1,000 varieties of rare teas displayed apothecary-style in antique black canisters on floor-to-ceiling shelving. Other products, all beautifully packaged, include an assortment of tea-flavoured and tea-scented items such as signature fragrances, incense and candles, confectionery, gift sets, distinctive teapots and teacups, books, strainers and tea paraphernalia. A selection of freshly brewed Mariage Frères teas will also be available to-go alongside freshly prepared sweet and savoury pastries on the ground floor.
On the first floor, diners at the 100-cover Salon de Thé will be seated in the ornate gallery, flooded with daylight from the atrium above and surrounded by an intricate listed heritage balustrade. Open for breakfast, brunch, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner, Mariage Frère's unique Cuisine au Thé concept runs throughout the menus with head chef, Felix Richard, using tea as a delicate ingredient, spice or flavouring.
The Musée du Thé on the second floor will showcase tea antiques from around the world. Hand-illustrated oak and beech tea chests, pewter tea boxes, Chinese furniture made of carved wood, caddies, cannisters, teapots, old archives and an array of curiosities will line the walls providing a fascinating insight into the history of tea.
About Mariage Frères
Mariage Frères has been operating out of the Marais district of Paris since 1854 when it was founded by brothers Henri and Edouard Mariage. Its exceptional reputation, specialist tea salons across the world, gourmet products and unique Cuisine au Thé concept has created an iconic French brand favoured by haute couture fashion houses, supermodels and celebrities.
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