text:
import os
from typing import Dict, Sequence, Tuple, Union

import numpy as np
from numpy import ndarray

from monai.config import PathLike
from monai.data.image_reader import ImageReader
from monai.data.utils import is_supported_format
from monai.utils import FastMRIKeys, optional_import, require_pkg
from monai.utils.type_conversion import convert_to_tensor

h5py, has_h5py = optional_import("h5py")

@require_pkg(pkg_name="h5py")
class FastMRIReader(ImageReader):
    """
    Load fastMRI files with '.h5' suffix. fastMRI files, when loaded with "h5py",
    are HDF5 dictionary-like datasets. The keys are:

    - kspace: contains the fully-sampled kspace
    - reconstruction_rss: contains the root sum of squares of ifft of kspace. This
        is the ground-truth image.

    It also has several attributes with the following keys:

    - acquisition (str): acquisition mode of the data (e.g., AXT2 denotes T2 brain MRI scans)
    - max (float): dynamic range of the data
    - norm (float): norm of the kspace
    - patient_id (str): the patient's id whose measurements were recorded
    """

    def verify_suffix(self, filename: Union[Sequence[PathLike], PathLike]) -> bool:
        """
         Verify whether the specified file format is supported by h5py reader.

        Args:
             filename: file name
        """
        suffixes: Sequence[str] = [".h5"]
        return has_h5py and is_supported_format(filename, suffixes)

    def read(self, data: Union[Sequence[PathLike], PathLike]) -> Dict:  # type: ignore
        """
        Read data from specified h5 file.
        Note that the returned object is a dictionary.

        Args:
            data: file name to read.
        """
        if isinstance(data, (tuple, list)):
            data = data[0]

        with h5py.File(data, "r") as f:
            # extract everything from the ht5 file
            dat = dict(
                [(key, f[key][()]) for key in f]
                + [(key, f.attrs[key]) for key in f.attrs]
                + [(FastMRIKeys.FILENAME, os.path.basename(data))]  # type: ignore
            )
        f.close()

        return dat

    def get_data(self, dat: Dict) -> Tuple[ndarray, dict]:
        """
        Extract data array and metadata from the loaded data and return them.
        This function returns two objects, first is numpy array of image data, second is dict of metadata.

        Args:
            dat: a dictionary loaded from an h5 file
        """
        header = self._get_meta_dict(dat)
        data: ndarray = np.array(dat[FastMRIKeys.KSPACE])
        header[FastMRIKeys.MASK] = (
            convert_to_tensor(np.array(dat[FastMRIKeys.MASK])).unsqueeze(0)[None, ..., None]
            if FastMRIKeys.MASK in dat.keys()
            else np.zeros(data.shape)
        )
        return data, header

    def _get_meta_dict(self, dat) -> Dict:
        """
        Get all the metadata of the loaded dict and return the meta dict.

        Args:
            dat: a dictionary object loaded from an h5 file.
        """
        return {k.value: dat[k.value] for k in FastMRIKeys if k.value in dat}


text:
Return Of The K Street Project
The last time Republicans took control of Congress, they established the K Street Project, which was devoted to pressuring business lobbies to support the Republican agenda down the line, in return for which they could expect tax and regulatory breaks galore. The whole racket culminated in the Jack Abramoff scandal, after which Republicans claimed they learned their lesson and would henceforth be clean and good.
I've been wondering how long Republicans would wait after winning power to revert to their old ways. The answer is negative 1 days:
Republicans have a message for the businesses that worked closely with the Obama administration over the past two years on key controversial issues: We won't forget.
Take the case of Wal-Mart, the behemoth big-box retailer that liberals have long loved to hate. Several years ago, it began to break ranks with industry groups by speaking out in favor of an increase to the minimum wage and health-care reform. And, for the first time in its history, it gave more money to Democrats than the GOP for Tuesday's elections.
The corporation's moves caught the eye of Republican Rep. Dave Camp of Michigan. During a phone call with company lobbyists last year during the fight over the health-care bill, Camp bluntly reminded Wal-Mart of its unpalatable position on the issue, according to sources familiar with the conversation.
Now, Wal-Mart's political team finds itself in an awkward position. Camp is poised to become the next chairman of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.
Companies that worked with the Democrats over the past two years would face a far less sympathetic audience from Republicans, who are expected to make significant gains in the midterm elections. If they gain control of Congress, party leaders have pledged to revisit the health-care bill and lower taxes for businesses.
"Some businesses joined in on the hang-me-last strategy," said Rep. Peter Roskam (R-Ill.). "I think upon reflection, in moments of candor, they may say they were foolish to do that."
They haven't even won the election yet!
Obviously I don't have a problem with Republicans ignoring the demands of Wal Mart or anybody else. The problem is that this strategy quite obviously implies a strong subservience to the demands of companies that do cooperate with Republicans.
Jonathan Chait, Wal-Mart, Congress

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


We encourage women to leave anonymous comments about their experience at AlphaGraphics. First-hand reviews can give you an idea of individual experiences.
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AlphaGraphics is a printing company headquartered in the Salt Lake City, UT area that employs 11 to 50 people. AlphaGraphics has a 2.7-star InHerSight Score, based on 160 ratings from 12 current or former employees. 2 employees left comments about their experience working for the company. InHerSight collects anonymous employer ratings and reviews from women for companies like AlphaGraphics and shares that information publicly to empower working women to make better decisions about their careers and where they work.


text:
Q: Helm Template predifined Array Iterate for configmap Hi we have listenerProcessor array in values.yaml like below
listenerProcessor:
- name: "nbi-sbi"
  port: 99
  allowedPath:
  - "/sbi/test"
  - "/sbi/test123"

for this we need to merge our predefined set of listenerProcessor array which is not exposed through values.yaml , which something like this below
listenerProcessor:
- name: nbinorc
  port: 9910
  allowedPath:
  - /nbi/norc/tmf641/v4/orders/
  - /nbi/norc/tmf645/v4/serviceQualification
- name: nbiuiv
  port: 9920
  allowedPath:
  - /nbi/uiv/tmf640/v4/services/

so to merge this two as single property and iterate it over , defined a variable in _helper.tpl
{{- define "nifi.listener-processor.spec" -}}
listenerProcessor:
- name: nbinorc
  port: 9910
  allowedPath:
  - /nbi/norc/tmf641/v4/orders/
  - /nbi/norc/tmf645/v4/serviceQualification
- name: nbiuiv
  port: 9920
  allowedPath:
  - /nbi/uiv/tmf640/v4/services/
{{ toYaml .Values.listenerProcessor.ports }}
{{- end -}}

Now i need to iterate it over .name & .port in NOTES.txt but its giving error " <.name>: can't evaluate field name in type interface {}".
In NOTES.txt i have this
{{- $listenerProcessor := (include "nifi.listener-processor.spec" . ) }}
{{- range $index, $element :=  fromYaml $listenerProcessor }}
  {{ .name }}
  {{ .port }}
{{- end }}

when i just print $element & $index those values its showing below output
NOTES:
$NIFI_CONF_DIRECTORY_PATH/extensions directory"

 [map[allowedPath:[/nbi/norc/tmf641/v4/orders/ /nbi/norc/tmf645/v4/serviceQualification] name:nbinorc port:9910] map[allowedPath:[/nbi/uiv/tmf640/v4/services/] name:nbiuiv port:9920] map[allowedPath:[/sbi/test /sbi/test123] name:nbi-sbi port:99]]

listenerProcessor

A: Got that Working with below code, we need to have another variable and than do pass it for range over
{{- $listenerProcessor :=  (include "nifi.listener-processor.spec" . ) }}
{{- $test := fromYaml $listenerProcessor }}
{{- range $index, $element := $test.listenerProcessor }}
  {{ .name }} {{ .port }} {{ .allowedPath }}
{{- end }}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Shasta Lake, CA is located in Shasta County in Northern California. We have 94 businesses listed for Shasta Lake and below you'll find links to restaurants, hotels, shopping, and attractions in the Shasta Lake area. As you can see by the map of Shasta Lake some of the nearby cities include Central Valley (historical), Redding, Bella Vista, Shasta and Palo Cedro. For you map buffs, the Shasta Lake latitude is 40.6804, the longitude is -122.371, and the elevation of Shasta Lake is 246 feet. An interesting fact is that the Shasta Lake city population is 10,611 which equates to approximately 5.9 percent of the 181,099 residents in Shasta County.
Clair Engle Park Friday Farmers Market, in Shasta Lake, California, takes place June 25, 2019 and ends in August. This Farmers Market event is sponsored by City of Lake Shasta and will be located at 1525 Median Avenue.
O'Brien, California photos and city information with links to city, news,and chamber web sites.


text:
Tested: 2012 Model S Takes EVs to a Higher Level
Tested: 2012 Tesla Model S Takes Electric Cars to a Higher Level
Futurepreneur Elon Musk builds more than just a good EV. The new Tesla Model S is a good car, period.
Csaba Csere Published: Dec 21, 2012
A.J. MUELLER |Car and Driver
From the January 2013 issue of Car and Driver.
Those of us who like cars propelled by closely spaced, tiny explosions don't easily warm up to electric power. It's not just our troglodytic affection for an urgently revving engine, a crisp redline shift, and the earthy whiff of gasoline. The reality is that most electric cars simply haven't been very good.
Optimized for high mileage ratings, current electric cars are small and slow. Even worse, none has sufficient range to be truly useful, unless your duty cycle consists of driving no farther than the nearest grocery store. It's no surprise that electric cars are selling like stale cowpies.
More on Model S
2015 Tesla Model S P85D Long-Term Road Test
1915 Ford Model T vs. 2013 Tesla Model S
Then along comes the Tesla Model S from Elon Musk, he of PayPal and SpaceX, to change our perceptions about cars powered by electrons. For example, in one day, our photographer drove the fully charged Tesla for 30 to 40 miles—already half the range of a Nissan Leaf. Then I drove it 30 miles to dinner and to a friend's home another 40 miles away before taking the long way back to Ann Arbor. After gallivanting all over Detroit's sprawling metro area, I returned to Car and Driver headquarters to polish off the last few miles. Our measured range was 211 miles—not quite the EPA-predicted 265, but impressive, given our 75-to-80-mph highway speeds.
A.J. MUELLER
Unlike other electrics, the Model S is a spacious five-seater with an optional rear-facing third row and luxurious appointments. Perhaps the Model S's closest competitors are the couture German luxury sedans—the Audi A7, the BMW Gran Coupe, and the Mercedes-Benz CLS. Designed by Franz von Holzhausen, who sculpted the Pontiac Solstice, the Model S has enough style to match the high-end German crowd.
HIGHS: Thrust, range, splendor.
Its flowing lines help it achieve a 0.24 drag coefficient. If that seems incredibly low, consider that the Tesla's grille inhales only about one-third as much air as a standard car's. And its underside is as smooth as any we've seen, thanks to front and rear belly pans, no exhaust pipes, and a flat battery pack under the passenger compartment.
That battery pack is roughly five feet wide, eight feet long, and four inches thick. It holds more than 7000 cylindrically shaped lithium-ion cells and weighs more than 1300 pounds, with a capacity of 85.0 kWh. That's three-and-a-half times the juice of the Nissan Leaf's battery.
A discharged battery can be replenished in about 10 hours with the standard 10-kW charger, which uses a 40-amp, 240-volt circuit—what an electric oven requires. Our car had the optional 20-kW, 80-amp charger, which cuts the plug-in time to about seven hours. Keep in mind that you are unlikely to completely deplete the battery. Moreover, Tesla recommends using the standard-range mode, which reduces available energy and range by about 15 percent while extending battery life.
These electrons energize the 416-hp motor positioned on the left side of the Model S, just behind the differential. Peak power occurs between 5000 and 8600 rpm, peak torque of 443 lb-ft at zero rpm, yet the motor can spin to 16,000 revs. That means that the Model S gets by with just one speed—essentially no transmission.
But "gets by" understates the Model S's performance. We measured a zero-to-60-mph time of 4.6 seconds, a quarter-mile pass of 13.3 seconds at 104 mph, and a governed top speed of 134 mph. That's similar to the performance of the V-8 German sedans.
The figures, however, don't reveal the Tesla's instantaneous response. When you floor the accelerator on a conventional car, the airflow has to increase, the turbos must spool up, and the transmission unlocks its torque converter and usually downshifts. In the Model S, you're shoved into your seat right now, with an immediacy that no Corvette, Ferrari, or Porsche can match.
This performance is particularly impressive because the Model S weighs 4785 pounds. Despite its aluminum structure and bodywork, there's ample weight in the battery pack, the electronics, the cables, and the powerful electric motor.
At least Tesla uses this mass to good effect. The battery is below the passenger cabin—as low as it can be placed. The electric motor and power electronics also are mounted low and behind the rear axle. The result is a front-to-rear weight distribution of 47/53 percent and, more important, a center-of-gravity height of 18.0 inches. That's one of the lowest we've measured, second only to the Corvette Z06's 17.5 inches.
The payoff is a car that rolls and pitches very little in spite of dampers and air springs calibrated for a supple ride. Driven hard on a country road, the Model S is well-planted, with nary a creak or groan from its structure even on bumpy pavement. With electric power steering that's responsive and nicely weighted, the Model S carves into bends without hesitation. At 0.91 g, grip is plentiful thanks to our test car's in-development suspension tuning and monster 21-inch Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires.
These performance tires clomp on broken pavement, but the ride is otherwise smooth and comfortable. Though road noise is not high, we suspect that BMW or Mercedes chassis engineers could have made it quieter. Our car was plagued by at least one severe wind leak that started howling between 70 and 80 mph. Perhaps not coincidentally, it also had several poor-fitting panels. This was a pre-production car—"Elon's iPhone" was one entry on the "paired phones" list in the infotainment system; prospective buyers would be wise to check for wind noise before depositing any cash.
If you do take a test drive, you'll notice a unique feature, even for electric cars. The regenerative braking—which repurposes the motor as a generator to recover the car's kinetic energy when you're decelerating—is controlled solely by the accelerator. As you lift off the pedal, the motor absorbs up to 60 kW (81 horsepower), producing nearly 0.2 g of braking at low speeds. That's a fair amount of deceleration, but we quickly adjusted to driving the Tesla using only its right pedal.
LOWS: Central command unit missing some key options, can't make it to Chicago from Detroit on a single charge.
A benefit of this approach is that the left pedal controls the hydraulic brakes, so there's none of the mismatched blending of regen- and friction-brake feel that plagues other electrics. It also serves as an efficient driving reminder, because you only need the brake pedal when you don't properly anticipate your stop. If you must slow quickly, however, the Model S's hydraulic brakes can stop from 70 mph in a mere 160 feet—an average deceleration rate of 1.02 g.
Another unusual aspect of the Model S is an enormous capacitive touch screen that almost completely replaces the knobs and buttons on the dash. It measures 17.0 inches diagonally, is mounted vertically, and presents the area of four to six typical screens.
Thanks to that vast display area, there's always a climate-control section at the bottom of the screen and a navigation ribbon at the top. The touch "buttons" are large, which makes them easy to locate at speed. You can view two functions at a time in separate windows, or use the entire screen, which is handy for navigation and phone contact lists. Switching between screens is intuitive, and you can operate it by pinching your fingers, as on an iPhone. It's what you'd expect from a car conceived in Silicon Valley.
Unfortunately, the system has several shortcomings. For example, the map orientation is fixed with north at the top of the screen. And we didn't find any way to modify the nav settings to allow us to avoid toll roads. We also had trouble getting the Model S to download our phone contacts. Other flaws include incompatibility with an iPod, the inability to specify how many doors unlock at a time, no voice commands, and no memory seats—a common feature on workaday sedans. Tesla says some changes will come soon via software upgrades, but missing features such as adjustable thigh support won't be downloaded through the internet.
Such omissions bring up the question of value. Deliveries of the Model S started last summer, but the initial focus is on the premium models, such as this Signature Performance edition. Its base price is $97,900; with options it swelled to $102,100—and that's after deducting the $7500 federal tax credit.
The least-expensive Model S with an 85-kWh battery will set you back $69,900, but that version also has a less powerful motor and is about a second slower to 60 mph. Soon Tesla plans to offer a 60-kWh version for $59,900, which will be a few more ticks slower. Finally, a 40-kWh version will arrive for $49,900, with half of our test car's range, a 110-mph top speed, and claimed zero-to-60-mph acceleration in the mid sixes.
It will be interesting to see if Tesla turns a profit at those prices. The Model S is a clean-sheet design that required far more investment than its first car, the Roadster, which was based on the Lotus Elise and cost well over $100,000 but still lost money. Not that we own any Tesla stock, but a car company that doesn't make money won't be in business for long—and its eight-year battery warranty won't be worth anything if the company goes under.
If we were hot for Tesla's electric car, we wouldn't consider anything less than the 60-kWh model. Who, after all, wants range anxiety? But remember that even with the bigger batteries, the Model S's range is too short and its recharging time too long for extended highway trips.
THE VERDICT: The electric to buy when you're buying electric.
But in a city, even a sprawling one like Detroit or Los Angeles, the Model S gets the job done. It's attractive, comfortable, fast, practical, technically fascinating, and not overpriced. Most important, it's not just a good electric vehicle, it's a good car.
2013 Tesla Model S Signature Performance
VEHICLE TYPE: rear-motor, rear-wheel-drive, 5+2-passenger, 5-door wagon
PRICE AS TESTED: $109,600
MOTOR TYPE: induction AC electric motor
Redline: 16,000 rpm
Power: 416 hp @ 8600 rpm
Torque: 443 lb-ft @ 0 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 1-speed direct drive
Length: 196.0 in
Width: 77.3 in Height: 56.5 in
Curb weight: 4785 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 12.1 sec
Street start, 5-60 mph: 4.5 sec
Top gear, 30-50 mph: 1.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.3 sec @ 104 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 134 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 160 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad: 0.91 g
EPA city/highway: 88/90 MPGe
C/D observed: 74 MPGe
TEST NOTES: Not a hint of launch wheelspin. During repeated acceleration runs, there is some loss of performance that's likely attributable to heat build-up in the motor, the power controller, and the battery pack.
From the Archive: 1979 Fiat X1/9 Tested
From the Archive: 2000 Plymouth Neon LX Tested
1977 Saab Turbo Tested: Saab in a Whole New Way
2022 Hyundai Santa Fe PHEV Tested: Unconvincing
From the Archive: 1969 De Tomaso Mangusta Tested
Tested: 1986 Suzuki Samurai JX
Archive Test: 1993 Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1
Monster Motorsports V-8-Powered 1993 Mazda Miata
Tested: 2022 Q4 e-tron Is Audi's Accessible EV
2023 Genesis G90 Tested: Luxury at Your Door
2023 Polestar 2 Performance Tested: Power Ranger
Tested: CT4-V Blackwing Auto Tests Our Beliefs


text:
package com.hortonworks.streamline.streams.layout.component.impl.splitjoin;

import com.hortonworks.streamline.streams.layout.component.rule.action.Action;

/**
 * {@link Action} configuration for splitting the events.
 *
 */
public class SplitAction extends Action {
    private Long jarId;
    private String splitterClassName;

    public SplitAction() {
    }

    public SplitAction(String splitterClassName) {
        this(null, splitterClassName);
    }

    public SplitAction(Long jarId, String splitterClassName) {
        this.jarId = jarId;
        this.splitterClassName = splitterClassName;
    }

    private SplitAction(SplitAction other) {
        super(other);
        jarId = other.jarId;
        splitterClassName = other.splitterClassName;
    }

    @Override
    public SplitAction copy() {
        return new SplitAction(this);
    }

    public Long getJarId() {
        return jarId;
    }

    public String getSplitterClassName() {
        return splitterClassName;
    }

    @Override
    public String toString() {
        return "SplitAction{" +
                "jarId='" + jarId + '\'' +
                ", splitterClassName='" + splitterClassName + '\'' +
                '}' + super.toString();
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Coons speaks on Iran and 2016 election
Julian Sadur,
During the Sussex County Democratic Jamboree at Cape Henlopen State Park, 47 ABC was able to speak with Sen. Chris Coons about the 2016 election and his position on the Iran Nuclear Deal.
During the Jamboree, Vice President Joe Biden made an unexpected appearance and took the time to thank those in attendance for the support they have showed his family through his son Beau's sickness and eventual passing.
Coons said he was touched by Biden's speech and applauded him for speaking so openly on the matter. However Coons, like many others in attendance, admitted he had hoped Biden would announce his candidacy for the 2016 presidential election. Coons said he would again endorse the Delaware native if he decides to run and added that Biden is one the nation's strongest leaders in foreign policy and national security.
While on the topic of national security and foreign policy, Coons said he received a lot of input from both colleagues and supporters about his position on the Iran Nuclear Deal at the function. Although Coons said he will stand by President Barack Obama, he admitted he has still not made a final decision on the deal.
"There's lots of commentary on (the nuclear deal)," Coons said. "I've been calling and talking with other senators of both parties and I'm looking forward to some more time with the Vice President this weekend to talk about it further before I make an announcement next week."
As for whether his colleague Rep. John Carney would run for the governor's seat in Delaware, Coons said Carney would make that announcement once he has fully recovered from hip surgery. Coons said he has never been more impressed with Carney then he was during the last congressional session.
Categories: Delaware, Events Stories, Local News
Tags: 2016 election, barack obama, chris coons, iran nuclear deal, joe biden


text:
Forest from above Aerial view of a green forest © Jarmo Piironen / EyeEm
Plant a Billion Trees
Helping regreen our planet one tree at a time
Plant Your Tree Today
The Nature Conservancy's Plant a Billion Trees campaign is a major forest restoration effort with a goal of planting a billion trees across the planet. Trees provide so many benefits to our everyday lives. They filter clean air, provide fresh drinking water, help curb climate change, and create homes for thousands of species of plants and animals.
Planting a Billion Trees can help save the Earth from deforestation. It's a big number, but we know we can do it with your help.
Learn More About Plant a Billion Trees
We can help save the earth from deforestation. It's more than just putting a seed in the ground - it's helping people and nature thrive.
Some of the most biodiverse forests in the world that are also some of the most threatened.
We are restoring America's forests to help heal our planet of deforestation.
Reforestation in Asia can help save endangered species, provide clean water, and help regulate the climate for our planet.
Help Us Plant a Billion Trees
You'll do more than put a seed in the ground—you'll make sure these forests can survive for future generations.
Plant Your Tree
What is the Plant a Billion Trees Campaign?
The Plant a Billion Trees campaign is a large-scale restoration initiative launched by The Nature Conservancy in 2008. Our first project was to restore Brazil's Atlantic Forest, and now we have expanded to include forest projects in the United States and China. By planting trees and helping forests regrow where they have been severely degraded, we're helping to ensure clean water, air, diverse species and full, healthy forests for future generations.
One billion trees is a pretty big goal - how is TNC going to accomplish this?
It is ambitious, but forests around the world are worth the effort. They are essential to healthy lives and a healthy planet. Our approach takes advantage of the best available science to ensure that the forests we restore and establish are viable ecosystems that provide multiple benefits and high quality habitat.
Founded in 1951, The Nature Conservancy has the means, experience and track record to work closely with partner organizations to meet this important goal.
How does restoring and protecting these forests around the world impact people/me?
Forests help sustain all life on Earth. They clean our water. Cleanse our air. Cool our planet. Trees give us refuge and refreshment, shade and shelter.
The Plant a Billion Trees campaign will help improve important watersheds that provide clean drinking water and hydroelectricity to millions of people, as well as protection for thousands of species of native plants and animals.
How much does it cost to plant one tree?
The cost to plant a tree varies depending on the location of the project and the type of tree being planted, and ranges between approximately one dollar to three dollars per tree. Beyond covering costs to simply plant the seedlings in the ground, donations support ongoing maintenance, research, and stewardship at Plant a Billion sites to ensure the seedlings grow to be mature, healthy trees. Donations also help pay for the reforestation efforts in Plant a Billion projects, such as the removal of invasive species, protecting areas where tree saplings are growing, encouraging species to return to degraded areas, and removing any barriers that might prevent a forest from regrowth.
Are there Nature Conservancy staff actually working at these project locations?
Yes! The Conservancy has staff and scientists based in all three countries who work with a network of in-country partners - including governments, forestry companies, local cooperatives, non-governmental organizations and local communities. We offer assistance and technical guidance using established Conservancy projects as a model to accelerate results and minimize costs.
I want to help! How can I get involved?
Thank you for caring about the world's forests! To help us reach our goal of planting and protecting 1 Billion Trees go here. Your support will help us plant trees and protect and restore forests in a location of your choosing, or you can choose to let us decide where the funds are most needed.
Read More About Our Work
How Nature Can Help Heal Our Planet
Study shows that climate solutions in nature can equal stopping the burning of oil annually
Funding Trees for Health
An analysis by The Nature Conservancy on finance and policy actions to enable tree planting for public health.
Mantiqueira Restoration Project
The Nature Conservancy shows land owners in Brazil's Mantiqueira Mountains how reforestation can be a lucrative business while also fighting climate change.


San Francisco was hot, sweaty and full of some damn fine bloody marys. This year's bloody mary fest competitors were fierce, using everything from sumac infused vodka to mole to freshly squeezed tomatillo juice. I some met awesome new people, including the fine folks from Proud Mary, Smokin' Mary, The Tipsy Tomato and Global Explauren. I also created even more drunken memories with old friends. Congratulations to all the winners!


This dissertation reports the development of a optimization model to help designing a tri-generation system for a given newly-built district with its consumers to satisfy the heating, cooling, and hot water demands featuring 4th generation district energy characteristics. The aim is to find the best way to select the equipment among various candidates (capacities), the pipeline network among the buildings, and their electrical grid connections. The objective function includes the annualized overall capital and operation costs for the district along with the benefits of selling electricity to the grid. The distributed energy supply consists of heating, cooling, and power networks, different CHP technologies, solar array, chillers, auxiliary boilers, and thermal and electrical storage. The performance of the model was evaluated for designing two different case under various scenarios: (i) a combined heat and power design, and (ii) a combined cooling and power design both carried out for the new part of Suurstoffi district situated in Risch Rotkreuz, Switzerland with seven residential and office complexes. For the combined heat and power design, the scenarios are defined based on the existence or non-existence of the distribution network (both heat and electricity) and the effectiveness of the storage systems. Allowing heat exchange among the buildings leads to 25% reduction in the total annualized cost and 5% reduction in emission compared to the conventional districts. Simultaneous heat and electricity exchange results in a higher reduction equal to 40% of the base scenario. Adding storage systems opens up an opportunity to lower both costs and emission even more and turns the district to a net-zero energy and energy plus districts. For the combined cooling and power design, the effectiveness of the network is analyzed together with the potential of feeding absorption chillers using the heat from the solar and non-solar energy sources. More than 67% of CO2 emission reduction is achieved through the hybrid heat and solar-driven arrangement.
 H. Lund, B. Möller, B. V. Mathiesen and A. Dyrelund, "The role of district heating in future renewable energy systems," Energy, vol. 35, no. 3, pp. 1381-1390, 2010.
 B. V. Mathiesen, H. Lund, D. Connolly, H. Wenzel, P. A. Østergaard, B. Möller, S. Nielsen, I. Ridjan, P. Karnøe, K. Sperling and F. K. Hvelplund, "Smart Energy Systems for coherent 100% renewable energy and transport solutions," Applied Energy, vol. 145, pp. 139-154, 2015.
 I. Dinçer and C. Zamfires, "District Energy Systems," in Sustainable Energy Systems and Applications, Springer, 2011, pp. 289-429.
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text:
Q: Busca por Faixa de CEP Boa tarde, preciso buscar um cep dento da faixa de cep cadastrado no banco...
**banco de dados:**
cep_id | cidade | cep_de    | cep_ate
1      | jau    | 10000000  | 15000000

$cep = "15086210";

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$stmt->bindParam(':a', $cep);
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if($result->cep_de == $cep):
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Se o cep estiver dentro da faixa de cep cadastrada ele dá um 'ok", se não tiver dentro da faixa ele retorna um "erro".
Como faço para me retornar o resultado?


text:
Inside Emily Atack's new house as she reveals she's secretly moved for the third time in two years 'for privacy issues'
Home » Celebrities » Rush Pinball Machine Teased In New Video
Rush Pinball Machine Teased In New Video
Stern Pinball, Inc. recently released a video teasing a new line of pinball machines based on the legendary Canadian rock band Rush and their music.
The teaser video contains the owl featured on the cover of the band's Fly By Night album and includes titles of songs from the group's catalog that will likely be featured in the game.
Stern, headquartered in Chicago, is the world's oldest and largest producer of arcade-quality pinball machines. The global lifestyle brand is based on the iconic and outrageously fun modern American game of pinball.
The company creates, designs, engineers, manufactures, markets, and distributes a full line of technologically advanced terrestrial and digital pinball games, parts, accessories, and merchandise.
"Consumer Electronics Show is one of our favorite events and the perfect place to showcase Insider Connected," said Gary Stern, Chairman, and CEO of Stern Pinball, Inc., in a statement. "This technology will transform how players interact with pinball machines, including our newest hit game, Rush."
Recent Stern Pinball titles include Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, Iron Maiden, Aerosmith, KISS, Metallica and AC/DC.
EMILY Atack has revealed her new home having secretly moved for the third time in two years after suffering from...


The quality of service and hospitality at Rama Gardens Hotel Bangkok has been identified as outstanding based on consistently high customer review ratings.
Rama Gardens Hotel Bangkok has achieved a score of 79 / 100 based on 15 customer reviews and has therefore qualified to receive an Outstanding Service Award from Go Hotels.
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Modern rooms with wood floors offer free Wi-Fi and cable TV, along with minifridges, safes, and tea and coffeemakers. Suites add separate living rooms. Kids 12 and under stay free with a parent.
Freebies include parking and a shuttle to shopping areas. There are 5 restaurants, including Chinese, Japanese and Italian options. Amenities also include a convention center, as well as a sports center and a spa with a gym, saunas, yoga and tennis, along with an outdoor pool.


Whichever model you select, it's sure to provide years of dependable service. With our industry-leading 24-point quality check system, you can depend on Legacy's performance and reliability year after year, season after season.
Available in two models, Electronic Ignition and Millivolt Standing Pilot.


text:
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Home › Zatopeks - Ain't Nobody Left But Us (LP)
Zatopeks - Ain't Nobody Left But Us (LP)
Black vinyl - €15.00 EUR Turquoise vinyl - €15.00 EUR
This is a 2017 reissue of the Zatopeks' classic debut album "Ain't Nobody Left But Us" from 2005, for the first time on vinyl! It features "Devil In A '55" as a bonus track and is available on both black or turquoise vinyl!
Travoltas - Teenbeat (LP)
Methadones - Career Objective (LP)
Lucy and the Rats - Got Lucky (LP)
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New Jersey's system of funding K-12 schools is a controversial subject in the state, and many taxpayers resent how aid is distributed. Gov. Phil Murphy signed a bill yesterday to modernize the formula the state uses to determine the aid, with the goal of making it fairer. To understand the debate, NJ Spotlight offers this guide to the complicated funding formula — and a useful glossary at the end of the story.
The formula that decides how K-12 schools are funding in New Jersey, created by the School Reform Funding Act of 2008, has itself been underfunded since its inception and — depending on how it's calculated — it may never be truly fully funded.
The new plan, intends to create more parity among the school districts; those that have been chronically underfunded like Chesterfield and River Edge will receive large increases while those that have been overfunded (Jersey City and Glassboro) will see drastic cuts. The plan also places limits on how much aid a district can gain overall and focuses new state aid on underfunded districts.
District by district impact: See how the bill will impact your district.
The School Funding Reform Act (SFRA) was blessed by the courts, Legislature and school districts in 2008, and its calculation form the basis for how New Jersey funds its K-12 schools. It sets forth parameters for a carefully thought-out, detailed formula to be used to determine funding for all public schools in New Jersey.
The new bill signed by Murphy yesterday attempts to rectify inequities in the formula that existed when SFRA was signed in 2008 and that intensified during Christie's term. For instance, the bill phases out millions of dollars in so-called adjustment aid to nearly 200 districts. This will result in cuts to schools in those districts of about $32 million next year and $600 million over seven years.
According to Murphy and legislative leaders, the new law will put the state on the path to fully funding the school-aid formula within those seven years. "Full funding" basically means providing every district with the amount of money they need to provide a "thorough and efficient" system of education for every student, as required under the state constitution. The problem is, lawmakers and experts disagree on the definition of what "full funding" is, so it's unclear whether the new bill can ever satisfy everyone.
School funding is one of the most controversial issues facing New Jerseyans today, creating division between wealthy suburban towns and urban and rural municipalities. The issue is at the very root of the state's tax debate. For one thing, many residents of wealthy towns believing erroneously that their high property taxes go to support poorer school districts. They don't. Local property taxes are used for local districts. However, the preponderance of state school-aid does go to poorer districts since it is meant to be distributed based on need. Thus, wealthier districts get less state aid to offset the high cost of education. Even so, the formula the state uses to determine distribution has become outdated and unbalanced.
The convoluted way the state determines distribution of the aid masks many of the inequities in the system. It also means that just increasing overall aid to districts will never make the system fairer; that's because funding for school districts is very uneven, penalizing some relatively wealthy districts as well as distinctly poor ones.
The SFRA was a response to decades of legal challenges to the state's method of funding public schools, arguing that it discriminated against poorer urban districts and favored wealthier suburban ones.
It's important to note that the new bill only aims to deal with the inequities caused by the formula; it does not tackle the formula itself. Coming up with a plan that would please the courts, lawmakers, and school districts has taken years — and, going forward, any significant changes to the underlying formula will have to be blessed by the courts.
The SFRA's earliest predecessor, the Public School Education Act of 1975 (Chapter 212), was enacted after the state Supreme Court decided on a lawsuit, Robinson v. Cahill, that New Jersey's heavy dependence on local property taxes to fund schools gave a big advantage to rich (primarily white) districts. That act created an outline and formula for how the state should step in and help fund public schools.
Unfortunately, there wasn't much money available to fund the formula, as lawmakers refused to raise state taxes to pay for it. Several years of little to no funding (and one notable lockout) were enough for the Education Law Center to file the Abbott v. Burke lawsuit in 1981 claiming that the 1975 Act was failing. The first Abbott case went all the way to the state Supreme Court, where the justices demanded a complete overhaul of school funding system in New Jersey.
Over the next decade a series of new Abbott cases were filed and attempts were made to revamp the funding system: There was Gov. Jim Florio's Quality Education Act, and Gov. Christine Todd Whitman's Comprehensive Education Improvement and Financing Act, both of which were declared unconstitutional. After another decade of ups and downs in attempted funding of so-called Abbott districts, the Legislature enacted, and Gov. Jon Corzine signed, the SFRA into law in 2008.
The following year, the state Supreme Court found the SFRA to be constitutional for Abbott students under two key conditions: The formula must be fully funded for the first three years, and it must be repeatedly reviewed and adjusted annually. But, because it wasn't fully funded past the first year, some education advocates argue that the SFRA is not constitutionally compliant today.
When it was first enacted in 2008-2009, many districts were set to receive less state funding than they had in the previous years. In an effort to provide a smooth transition, the formula included "adjustment aid," also known as "hold harmless" aid, which was disbursed on top of the standard formula aid. In SFRA's first year, 250 districts received adjustment aid amounting to $850 million. The intention was for this funding to slowly peter out over time, but no strict sunset date was written into the legislation.
When the Great Recession hit during Corzine's final two years in office, he initiated deep spending cuts across the board. But he also used $1 billion of "stabilization" aid, provided by the federal government, to ease the recession's effects on the state's teacher-pension crisis. This created a sizable structural hole in school aid, as the stabilization aid was temporary.
What Christie did was continue cutting education spending to the tune of an additional $1 billion in state funding of public schools in 2010. Eventually, after the Abbott XXI decision in 2011, $500 million was restored by the state Supreme Court and directed to Abbott districts. Following that decision, the Legislature did restore about $200 million to non-Abbott districts as well, and in 2012-2013 Christie increased state aid to underaided districts and cut adjustment aid.
Christie also widened the gap in state-aid distribution, mostly because adjustment aid — which was supposed to be phased out — never was.
Advocates say Christie essentially flat-funded state aid for schools during his tenure (with the exception of the court-ordered $500 million for the Abbotts). Christie pointed to the fact that he too had to make massive increases in state debt-payments and pay off pension obligation bonds that were sold in the 1990s by Whitman, all of which diverted funds from education aid for the districts.
During all this, Christie signed a law that capped municipal and school-tax increases at 2 percent, which further curbed education spending. Blocked by that 2 percent ceiling, districts that already were stuck below what was considered their fair-share amount had a more difficult time raising local funds.
What does property tax have to do with it?
Property-tax values which significantly impact the formula — they are a factor in determining the equalization aid — declined during Christie's tenure. That resulted in the formula's effects going further off kilter. To top all that, 10 years have passed since the formula was struck, so demographic changes have also upset the balance, with places like Hoboken and Asbury Park rapidly gentrifying — thereby impacting the portions of the formula that take into account "at risk" students and the overall tax contributions.
The upshot of it all is that education funding in the Garden State is all over the map, and state officials know it. This year, Murphy and Sweeney each crafted plans to revise funding so as to get back to the original intent of the formula at the least cost possible.
Murphy's plan for 2019 was to inject close to $284 million in direct budget funding for K-12 districts and find a way to redistribute aid to those districts that are severely underfunded. However, he planned to retain adjustment aid and the so-called state-aid growth limit (see glossary).
The Senate President's plan, which Murphy ended up agreeing to, calls for gradually increasing the overall education budget, but phasing out adjustment aid over seven years and eliminating state aid growth limits as written.
The SFRA formula is among the most complicated and thorough in the nation. But over the years, it's maintained a few skin tags that have turned deadly. "Temporary" adjustment-aid payments — which were supposed to gradually decrease — continued to be doled out even for districts where enrollments didn't justify it. Thanks to adjustment aid, no district receives less than what it was getting on October 15, 2008 — even if the tax base changed drastically.
Another serious problem with the formula is the "state aid growth limit," sometimes referred to as the "enrollment cap." The impetus for this is somewhat unclear, but experts tend to think of it as a way for the state to legally delay full funding. The authors of the SFRA most likely knew it would be all but impossible to fully fund the formula for all districts in one year. So, SFRA built in a cap that can negate most of the formula: Any underaided district (one that is not meeting its adequacy budget) can only receive a 20 percent increase in what it received the previous year while any district spending above adequacy can get at most 10 percent of its last year's allocation.
Thus, if the state has enough money to fund 10 percent of the entire state deficit, every underaided district gets an increase in aid equal to 10 percent of that district's deficit.
The supreme imbalance in New Jersey's current funding of school districts has led some to suggest the formula should be scrapped and rewritten altogether. More than 300 districts have not seen full funding under the SFRA since its first year; and some, like Chesterfield and Atlantic City, are funded at less than 25 percent of uncapped funding. Chesterfield is owed more than $4 million and Atlantic City is owed $110 million, though they only received a fraction of that amount in aid this past year; Chesterfield received $821,188 and Atlantic City received $24.2 million. Some districts are still receiving adjustment aid despite no longer requiring it, and others are paying through the nose in property taxes but not receiving their full allocation from the state.
What will the changes cost?
In fiscal year 2018, K-12 aid totaled $8.1 billion. The state spent $6.3 billion in equalization aid and $522 million in adjustment aid; the rest of that $8.1 billion went to categorical aid, choice aid, and other aid categoriess).
Counting Pre-K and K-12 operating aid, the Abbott districts receive close to 60 percent of New Jersey's state education aid. According to the most recent available U.S. Census Bureau figures, 55.3 percent of the Garden State's education spending comes from localities, 40.9 percent of from the state, and only 3.8 percent from the federal government. According to state Department of Education numbers, New Jersey spent $18,402 per pupil on public-school students in 2015-2016.
Can NJ ever fully fund school districts?
Murphy said at yesterday's bill signing that "by 2025, every district will receive the [full] level of aid under the school funding formula." By that he means over the next seven years, the state will continue to inject funds of up to nearly $2 billion more a year. If the economy holds up, the plan will theoretically get New Jersey school districts to full, uncapped, funding under the SFRA formula as originally intended. But there's no guarantee that the state will have this money year after year. Indeed, when the formula was passed back in 2008, lawmakers were similarly optimistic.
Though the state may find it challenging to reach the original goal, the changes that Sweeney and Murphy have agreed to will go a long way toward providing more funding equity across the districts.
That agreement comes with political consequences as there will be winners and losers. And some of the losers, such as Jersey City, have a lot of political clout. That's a key reason the problem hasn't been addressed before now.
This is the amount of money a district needs in order to provide all its students with a "thorough and efficient" education. It's calculated by assigning weights and values to every student in the district for their various needs; it also takes into account teachers' salaries, the cost of supplies, and inflation. It then multiplies the student-body value by the Geographic Cost Adjustment.
Also known as "hold harmless aid," this additional funding was given to districts whose funding was to be cut when the SFRA was originally enacted. Adjustment aid was supposed to peter out but no end date was ever set, so it just continued until this new plan.
This is the amount it costs to educate one elementary student without any outstanding needs, with all other weights in the adequacy budget based on this number. The BPA is 1.0, counting one elementary student at 1.0 — or, what it would cost a district to educate that one student. From there, the formula adds weights for other students. Middle schoolers count as 1.04 students, high schoolers as 1.16 students, students enrolled in a free- or reduced-cost lunch program are considered "at risk" and are given an additional weight as are those who are considered to have Limited English Proficiency. In practice, a high school student who learned English as his second language would have a weighted value of 1.58 (1.16 for being in high school, and 0.42 for being LEP). The state reviews and adjusts those weights occasionally.
This reflects state aid when growth limits are in place. It must be said, however, that the capped-aid number is misleading because it doesn't reflect districts' true needs but adheres to the limits placed on the formula.
This is calculated separate from the adequacy budget and includes needs like transportation aid for each student (calculated by mile), school-security aid, school-choice aid and -special-education aid.
This is the amount of aid the state is expected to contribute in K-12 funding, according to the formula. And it's usually what people mean when they say the state isn't "fully funding" the formula — in other words, that the state's not giving a district enough equalization aid for it to meet its adequacy budget.
Theoretically, once the state tells a district how much it needs and how much it should raise in taxes, the state would provide enough to cover the costs not handled by taxes. In reality, the state has never had enough money to provide the full amount — or "fully fund" the formula. This means the situation is flipped: The state tells a district how much funding that district needs, then says how much it can provide that year, and taxpayers are expected to make up the difference.
This portion of the formula takes account of differences in wages and resource costs across the state. It's calculated by the state and applied to the adequacy budget. The GCA is important because it accounts for differences in salaries across the state. Some counties pay teachers higher wages, others have difficulty finding and retaining educators. This GCA is supposed to take those factors into consideration in the final calculations.
Also known as an "enrollment cap," this element of the SFRA formula effectively canceled out the intricacies of the formula. The state-aid growth limit put a freeze on the amount of aid any district could receive. If a district was not meeting its adequacy budget (an "underfunded" district), it could only receive 20 percent of what it got the previous year. Any district spending above adequacy could gain, at most, 10 percent of its last year's allocation. The new bill eliminates the growth limits..
This marks the amount of aid a district is expected to contribute to the formula. It incorporates two factors —property values and residents' incomes. Those factors are each separately multiplied against state-calculated rate multipliers, added together, and divided by two. The formula looks like this: [(Property Value * Property Rate Multiplier) + (Income * Income Rate Multiplier)]/2.
This reflects state aid without the growth limits in place. Uncapped aid is the real number of aid a district needs to reach its adequacy budget, according to the formula as originally written.


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Crypton began as a problem-solving idea: creating fabric that was stain, moisture and bacteria resistant, yet soft and breathable. The only options before Crypton were sticky vinyls and hot, rough, unpleasant-to-touch treated fabrics. Armed with decades of experience in the textile industry as well as advice and assistance from researchers, chemists and textile engineers, the Rubins set to work on that clearly defined problem in the basement of their Michigan home. The eureka moment came in 1993 with the development of Crypton Super Fabrics, which the Rubins protected with multiple global patents. Fast forward over twenty years later, 16 patents later, Crypton has become a household name. This American Made fabric has been used by top brands all over the country. From La-z-Boy to ABC Home and Carpet, to Raymour and Flannigan to the Hilton Hotel chain, Crypton's innovative fabric has changed the way consumers and families live.
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Crypton's introduction and the Rubins' marketing savvy have generated an entirely new category of upholstery options, achieving unprecedented growth. Designers who use Crypton tend to be loyal customers, often giving Crypton the highest marks for fabric performance. According to a 2009 study conducted by Interior Design magazine, Crypton increased the brand's familiarity 28 percent in the contract fabric market and 31 percent in the residential fabric market from 2008 – 2009.
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Full-Time Programs Overview
Cabinet & Furniture Making
Locksmithing & Security Technology
Piano Technology
Preservation Carpentry
Violin Making & Repair
Full-Time Programs >
The three-year, comprehensive Violin Making & Repair program at NBSS is one of the few full-time instrument making programs in the U.S. The curriculum provides a solid foundation to the art and science of stringed instrument making, and an introduction to restoration.
Explore the Curriculum
Program News
ROMAN BARNAS
Roman is originally from Zakopane, Poland, and began making his first violins at age 14, when he attended the Secondary School of Fine Arts. He studied music and violin making for five years at the Paderewski Academy of Music in Poznan, Poland, eventually receiving his Master of Fine Arts.
Roman came to the U.S. in 1996, where he worked for more than nine years specializing in violin restoration at Psarianos Violins in Troy, Michigan. He has studied with Hans Nebel and Boyd Paulsen, and is a regular participant in the Oberlin Violin Making Workshop. Among Roman's past commissions was a replacement Gaspar da Salo viola for the late Nathan Gordon, a former Concertmaster of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra. Additionally, one of Roman's violins earned him a Certificate of Merit for tone for at the 2010 Violin Society of America violin-making competition. See Roman's website for examples of his work.
GUEST LECTURERS & INSTRUCTORS
In addition to the regular faculty, we often have established artisans visit the School to lead workshops and special classes. Some of our guest lecturers include:
Andrew Ryan
Philippe Raynaud
Paul Wiessmeyer
David Hawthorne
Marco Coppiardi
Christopher White VM '88
Kevin Kelly VM '92
David Polstein VM '89
Students are admitted in September and February.
The maximum enrollment is 12 students.
Classes meet 8:00 am- 3:00 pm, Monday - Friday, September through June.
The course length is three, ten-month academic years (40 weeks per year, 120 weeks or 3900 class hours*).
Students who complete the program receive a Diploma of Violin Making & Repair.
* Class hours equals clock hours.
September 2020-July 2021 tuition is $26,000 yearly totaling $78,000* with the option of making 30 monthly installments of $2,600.
The estimated cost of hand tools is $2,800.
The estimated cost of materials for violins is $1,000 per year (totaling $3,000 for the program), billed in monthly installments of $100.
* North Bennet Street School reserves the right to increase tuition in the second and subsequent years of a course. If the school does increase tuition for a course in subsequent years, that increase will not exceed 7.5% of the previous year's tuition. Should the school exercise its right to increase tuition, the school must give the student a minimum of ninety (90) days written notice prior to the effective date of the increase and a new enrollment agreement will be executed.
How to Fund Your EducationFinancial aid, scholarships, and veterans benefits available for qualified students.
Graduates of our Violin Making & Repair program work for others and are often self-employed luthiers. Others go on to be shop owners of full service string instrument shops. They repair, restore, and build violins and cellos.
Please keep in mind that the job classifications defined by the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) do not match the highly specialized skills of graduates from NBSS. Therefore, it's difficult to be specific when looking at wage and employment data.
The closest job classification the DOL uses is "Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners," which includes repair of percussion, stringed, reed, or wind instruments, often with a specialization in one area. The classification does not include repair and tuning of electronic instruments. This classification falls into the same category as our Piano Technician Career page.
SALARY AND WAGE DATA
According to O*NET, the average annual salary for musical instrument repairers was $35,660 as of 2015, and an average hourly rate of $17.14. Payscale reports that the median hourly wage in 2016 was $14.00. However, they also note that experience has a moderate effect on income. Additionally, Chron.com reports that the average income for a luthier as of 2013 is $52,000. Income for this occupation varies widely based on industry and location. The U.S. DOL reports the following:
Industries with the highest levels of employment for musical instrument repairers:
Sporting Goods, Hobby, and Musical Instrument Stores – Average annual salary: $38,330 | Average hourly wage: $18.43
Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance– Average annual salary: $33,970 | Average hourly wage: $16.33
Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing– Average annual salary: $43,580 | Average hourly wage: $20.95
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools– Average annual salary: $50,670 | Average hourly wage: $24.36
Elementary and Secondary Schools– Average annual salary: $46,700 | Average hourly wage: $22.45
Top paying industries for musical instrument repairers:
Performing Arts Companies – Average annual salary: $60,880 | Average hourly wage: $29.27
Miscellaneous Durable Goods Wholesalers– Average annual salary: $42,480 | Average hourly wage: $20.42
Top paying states for musical instrument repairers:
Texas– Average annual salary: $39,840 | Average hourly wage: $19.15
California– Average annual salary: $41,700 | Average hourly wage: $20.05
Illinois– Average annual salary: $38,410 | Average hourly wage: $18.47
Florida– Average annual salary: $31,240 | Average hourly wage: $15.02
New York– Average annual salary: $40,070 | Average hourly wage: $19.27
For more information, visit the following resources:
The Violin Society of America
NBSS Violin Making & Repair alumni websites
Two musicians pursue their craft—and new livelihoods—as promised by the support of the NBSS community. Discover how the dramatic expansion of our scholarship programs in recent years has helped current students Veronica Vaillancourt VM '21 and Jennifer Chen PT '20, PA '21 thrive in their programs
[Read More] about Passion Made Possible
Home Shop Tour: Ada Schenck in Calais, Vermont
First-year Violin Making & Repair student Ada Schenck VM '22 shows us around the home shop she's set up at her parents' farm in Vermont. She took over some space in her dad's woodworking shop, with plenty of tools to help her keep working – an the views are pretty gorgeous too.
[Read More] about Home Shop Tour: Ada Schenck in Calais, Vermont
In the Making: Nathan Abbe and Cooper Jonas
Nathan Abbe VM '20 and Cooper Jonas VM '20 are set to graduate from the Violin Making & Repair program this summer, once they finish up their final projects. Though not an ideal setup, they've transformed their "former" living room into a benchroom, complete with varnishing station and makeshift desks. As part of our "In the Making" series of video interviews with members of our community, we learn how they're adapting to the new now, while maintaining their productivity and health along the way.
[Read More] about In the Making: Nathan Abbe and Cooper Jonas
Home Shop Tour: Cooper Jonas & Nathan Abbe
Nathan Abbe VM '20 and Cooper Jonas VM '20, third-year Violin Making & Repair students – and roommates – show us their home workshop in Somerville, Massachusetts.
[Read More] about Home Shop Tour: Cooper Jonas & Nathan Abbe
Violin Making & Repair program brochure: Download at-a-glance details.
Admissions Info: How to get your application started and what you need to apply.
Financial Aid: We're dedicated to helping you afford the cost of your education. Learn about our financial aid options.
ACCSC Graduate & Employment Data: View the 2018 Report here.
Contact Rob O'Dwyer, Director of Admissions, at 617-227-0155 x111 or admissions@nbss.edu.
Sign up for a virtual info session
Explore the Facilities
The Violin Making & Repair space includes a dedicated bench for each student, and a machine room, finishing room, sharpening station, library, and drawing area.
Attention to detail and a hard work ethic were the greatest benefits of my NBSS education. The group dynamic in the violin workshop inspired me to work harder and dream larger than I had ever thought possible.
COLIN SKOFIELD VM '05
View More Violin Making Profiles


... to Nieves Ramos, Shierly B.
... to Niewiadomski, Anna D.
... to Niffenegger, Donald M.
... to NIGELS, SHARON E.
... to Nighswander, Matt H.
... to Nigro, Joseph A.
... to NIKIAS, GEORGE H.
... to Nikolauk, Kimberly J.
... to NIKOLSKY, VLADIMIR N.
... to Niland, Janet L.
... to Niles, Angela S.
... to Niles, Mark A.
... to Niller, Angelina L.
... to Nilsen, Kenneth J.
... to NILSSON, RICHARD A.
... to Nimmo, Alice C.
... to Nimmo, Mary C.
... to NIMMONS, MYAKKA M.
... to NIMS, NIKKI L.
... to Nipper, Eugene R.
... to NIPPER, SUSAN C.
... to Nisbeth, Bradley A.
... to Nischt, Ruth P.
... to Nisivoccia, Stephanie D.
... to Nisleit, Melba M.
... to NISSEN, KAREN M.
... to NISSENBAUM, ALVIN H.
... to NISSLEY, RUTH A.
... to Nist, Theodore A.
... to Nitullano, Nena P.
... to Niven, Anne M.
... to Nivens, Elizabeth A.
... to Nivers, Carl E.
... to Niwinski, Susan M.
... to Nix, Cory S.
... to Nix, James R.
... to NIX, LENA K.
... to NIX, MARY G.
... to Nix, Robert W.
... to NIXON, BARBARA J.
... to Nixon, Patricia A.
... to Nixon, Ricardo A.
... to Nixon, Wanda J.
... to Nixon Prince, Joy K.
... to Nkrumah, Karmah N.
... to Noa, Jade C.
... to NOACK, PATRICIA A.
... to NOAH, KATHLEEN E.
... to NOAKES, NANCY G.
... to NOBILE, KRISTEN T.
... to Noble, Audrey J.
... to Noble, Cynthia A.
... to NOBLE, DAVID Z.
... to Noble, Marc E.
... to Noble, Matthew A.


text:
Svjetsko prvenstvo u reliju 1996. - Reli pobjednici

Bodovi

Utrke

 1996

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


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Road construction and enhancement work finished at Port of Taichung's Dedicated Offshore Wind-Farm Industry Park
May 21, 2021 | Member News, News
May 21, 2021 — In support of Executive Yuan national-level policies promoting offshore wind-farm sector development and growth, Port of Taichung, TIPC has designated the Second Industrial District as the port's new Offshore Wind-Farm Industry Park. A comprehensive road grid was completed by the port authority last year (2020) to attract related investment to the industry park and to streamline traffic flows to and through the area.
The Second Industrial District New Road Construction Project, funded at a budget of NT$400 million was tasked to construct new roads and widen existing roads over a total length of 3.4km. Main project items included extending Longchang Road by 725m, constructing a new, 1,068m-long north-south cross-district road, widening a 1,615m section of Gongye East Road by 30m, and installing public pipelines and hardened road surfaces that provide ready-made electrical, telecom, and public utilities connectivity and minimize maintenance costs. All project items have been completed. Gongye East Road is now rated for the unobstructed transport of oversized >8MW turbine assemblies, including transition pieces (TPs) up to 27x27x15m and wind turbine blades up to 108m in length, to Port of Taichung Wharf Nos. 106 and 107, which fits well the transportation requirements of the offshore wind-turbine industry.
The four firms already established in Port of Taichung's Second Industrial District, including Yeong Guan Energy, Red Blades Windtek, Century Huaxin Wind Energy (formerly Tai-Shing Wind Power), and Siemens Gamesa, have already invested an estimated NT$16.59 billion in the district and should generate around 1,425 new job opportunities. Completion of the New Road Construction Project and its linkage into the wider surrounding transportation grid will further improve overall operational efficiencies at the Port of Taichung.
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APP welcomes Port of Valdez as newest member
Port's partnership brings awareness to impacts of plastic marine debris
TIPC: Promoting employee health, fostering exceptionally safe international ports
Port of Long Beach Harbor Commission OKs $370,195 in Sponsorships


I know it's still winter, but spring trends are popping up on our fashion radar! So @FrugalFrocks, THE place to find fashion deals and discount codes online, and I teamed up to do a bit of a fashion face-off for another Frugal Frocks Friday post!
The challenge? Build a spring look around a statement skirt for around $100! Caro took on the very now sheer overlay skirt with a floral print, while I focused on a bright yellow color and vintage look. Both of us, building outfits completely independently, chose neutral/tailored tops, booties, and modern/bright accessories to keep the looks grounded.
Like what you see? Some of these sales end as soon as Monday! Snag them while you can!
Lacey, isn't it cute? And the price is very reasonable! Yellow is currently my favorite color. It's been bouncing back and forth between yellow and green for a long time.


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Rwanda: Open For Business
Trade Investment	 3440 VIEWS
Wednesday, July 10, 2019 / 03:19PM / By F&D Magazine / Header Image Credit: openforbusiness.campaign.gov.uk
Clare Akamanzi explains how Rwanda is encouraging private sector development.
Clare Akamanzi spends her days working on innovative ways to bring more business to her country. As CEO of the Rwanda Development Board (RDB), a multiagency governmental department billed as a "one-stop shop" for investors, Akamanzi has seen the country earn accolades for its business-friendly environment, recently winning the #2 spot regionally in the World Bank's ease of doing business rankings. Prior to her RDB role, Akamanzi served as head of strategy and policy for Paul Kagame, president of Rwanda. She was also Rwanda's commercial diplomat in London and its trade negotiator at the World Trade Organization in Geneva. Clare Akamanzi holds a law degree and a master's degree in international trade and investment policy. She spoke with F&D's Andrew Kanyegirire in early March.
F&D: What is the RDB's role in getting the private sector to contribute to Rwanda's development?
CA: Our vision is to transform Rwanda into a dynamic global hub for business, investment, and innovation. We are responsible for promoting investments and exports. We provide services covering a range of issues faced by the business community: negotiating contracts with the private sector, helping investors to secure concessions, and settling disagreements. We are also in charge of the privatization of government assets and tourism promotion, including the management of national parks.
Since the RDB's establishment in 2009, doing business in Rwanda has gotten easier, and the private sector has contributed more toward Rwanda's economic growth. About 25 years ago, we were 100 percent reliant on aid, but today we are 86 percent self-reliant, which means that we depend on aid for only about 14 percent of our budget. On average, the private sector now creates about 38,000 jobs per year, many of which are targeted toward our young people.
F&D: How have you improved the business environment?
CA: Along with the Ministry of Economic Planning, we have spent a lot of time thinking about those sectors that require private sector engagement, what the challenges are, and whether these sectors can indeed help to generate wealth and jobs for Rwandans. We took a very focused approach to this, and it is therefore not surprising that today the World Bank's Ease of Doing Business Report ranks Rwanda the 29th easiest place to do business in the world and the second in Africa. A few years ago, we were ranked at 150. This is the result of some concrete reforms put in place to simplify the processes for starting a business, registering property, filing taxes, and accessing tax-related information. Today, you can register a company in six hours. In some instances, digital solutions have played a key enabling role.
We have also focused on promoting Rwanda as a place to come and do business. Last year, by the time we closed our investment books, we had registered $2 billion worth of investments. In 2010, it was about $318 million. So we have grown considerably in the space of eight years, which shows that the reforms that we are putting in place are working. Some of the investments are practical ones, and we are very proud of them. For example, Volkswagen is assembling in Rwanda. We have a company from Latin America called Positivo that is assembling laptops. We have an American-Nigerian company, Andela, that is going to train about 700 local programmers. And we have a company that has begun refining our coltan. If you break down the $2 billion that we have attracted, you realize that these are investments in sectors that can help transform the lives of Rwandans by providing jobs, incomes, and broader economic diversification.
F&D: What factors have most enabled you to push for reforms?
CA: One key factor has been the leadership's concerted efforts to transform the country. You can call it political will. The Cabinet, a related steering committee, and the president himself have taken an avid interest in understanding the reforms that we are pushing for. President Kagame has made himself available to us, and we have found this to be extremely important. Because without buy-in at that level, it can be difficult to try out new, bold, and even risky initiatives.
Let me give you an example. We wanted to automate our business registration system. That meant cutting out the revenue sources of some of the private players in that process. To make it easier to start a company, we had to take out a step that requires every company to have articles and memoranda of association. We estimated that the cost for getting these documents done via a lawyer was about $400, and so it was quite clear to us that this cost was deterring potential companies from registering. However, to eliminate this step also meant that lawyers were losing out on clientele. It was a bold decision—we needed political support to get it done. But we were able to show that if you make it expensive and difficult to set up a company, the private sector will not grow. We were registering on average about 500 companies at the time, and today we are registering about 13,000 companies a year. Having that political will helped us to show that sometimes there is a short-term cost to be paid for longer-term gain.
F&D: How about the challenges?
CA: Here, there are mainly two issues. The first has to do with the fact that we are a landlocked country. The high cost of transportation, especially for imported goods, is evident in almost every sector of the economy. This is a challenge that creates an additional cost for Rwanda. The second, related to the first, is that although we have done very well in removing red tape, we need to do more about cutting the overall costs of doing business. We need to bring down the costs of financing, energy, and infrastructure. We have tried to put in place many reforms to mitigate these challenges, but these ongoing structural issues still must be dealt with.
F&D: What are you doing specifically to overcome these challenges, and how do they relate to the reforms you are pushing for?
CA: When we think about the Rwanda of the future, we consider the advantages and challenges that we have as a country. It is for this reason that we want to position ourselves as a knowledge and services hub, given that this sector does not rely heavily on transport and logistics. We have also been promoting leisure tourism, such as the push to visit the mountain gorillas in the national park. In addition, we are promoting a new sector called MICE, which stands for meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions, and it is already accounting for about 10 percent of our tourism receipts. It is the fastest-growing segment of our tourism sector, and through this we are making Rwanda a hub for regional and global events. In this way, we have invested in service-based sectors to respond to our challenge of being a landlocked country.
This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
Courtesy of The Rwanda Development Board
Opinions expressed in articles and other materials are those of the authors; they do not necessarily reflect IMF policy.
The article Rwanda Open for Business: first appeared in FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT, JUNE 2019, VOL. 56, NO. 2 PDF VERSION on Friday, July 05, 2019.
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