text:
Bishops urge Senate not to support 'predatory gambling'
The Massachusetts bishops are urging state senators not to follow the lead of the House of Representatives but to "vote against the expansion of predatory gambling."
Last week the House overwhelmingly approved a casino gambling bill, 123-32, which sets up three regions in the state, each with one casino.
In late August Gov. Deval Patrick, House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Therese Murray unveiled the bill which would authorize three casinos and one slots-only gambling parlor. Prospective casino developers in the Worcester Diocese include one in Charlton and one in Milford. They would have to compete with a developer in East Boston for a casino in the region which includes the Archdiocese of Boston and the Worcester Diocese.
The Senate is expected to take up the measure this month.
In a statement issued last Friday, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, and Bishops McManus, Timothy A. McDonnell and George W. Coleman wrote that they felt "compelled to oppose the expansion of gambling in Massachusetts," as they have done in the past.
"We understand that these are difficult times for many families within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The unemployment rate remains high, currently at 7.4% percent, thousands of families continue to rely upon state assistance to survive, and more and more people are facing the harsh realities of poverty. Naturally, the state is searching for new ways to increase revenue and create jobs aimed at meeting these difficult challenges and to bring about economic stimuli. However, expanded gambling in the form of slot parlors and casinos is an illusory solution to this complicated problem. If anything, expanded, predatory gambling will only add to the need for state assistance in the Commonwealth."
They went on to say that while the Church views gambling as "a legitimate form of entertainment when done in moderation, the gaming legislation opens the door to a new form of predatory gaming which threatens the moral fabric of our society."
They said they were also concerned that the state's reliance on gambling, which they called an unstable form of revenue, continues to escalate. They noted too that such revenue has been shrinking in other states.
"There is too much at stake for Massachusetts to open the door to expanded gambling," the four bishops said in the Sept. 16 statement.
BISHOPS' STATEMENT ON EXPANDED GAMBLING LEGISLATION
Today, the issue of expanded gambling within the Commonwealth has once again come to the forefront of the public arena. We, the four bishops of the four dioceses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, again feel compelled to oppose the expansion of gambling in Massachusetts.
While the Catholic Church views gambling as a legitimate form of entertainment when done in moderation, the gaming legislation opens the door to a new form of predatory gaming which threatens the moral fabric of our society. We are concerned that the Commonwealth's reliance on gambling revenue continues to escalate. This reliance upon an unstable form of revenue, which has been shrinking in other states, would depend upon those who are addicted to gambling, many of whom are already among the ranks of the poorest in the community.
Many of our churches, schools, and other non-profit organizations rely upon bingo and other games-of-chance for relatively small amounts of revenue. We hope the citizens of the Commonwealth will recognize the difference between a local fund-raiser managed by volunteers and a multi-billion dollar industry that exploits vulnerable members of the community for financial gain.
The gambling industry can threaten local business and change the entire make-up of communities. If Massachusetts were to pass the proposed gambling legislation and open the door for casinos and slot parlors in our state, it could diminish our rich heritage and history as a Commonwealth. There is too much at stake for Massachusetts to open the door to expanded gambling.
We urge the Massachusetts State Senate not to follow the lead of their colleagues in the House of Representatives, but vote against the expansion of predatory gambling.
Cardinal Seán P. O'Malley, Archdiocese of Boston ; Most Rev. George W. Coleman, Diocese of Fall River; Most Rev. Timothy A. McDonnell, Diocese of Springfield; Most Rev. Robert J. McManus, Diocese of Worcester


text:
Texas pastor who heads anti-LGBT hate group resigns after hiring prostitutes
Pastor Donnie Romero, of Fort Worth-based anti-LGBT hate group Stedfast Baptist Church, resigned from the church after admitting to "sins," including hiring prostitutes, gambling and marijuana. Fellow anti-LGBT pastor Jonathan Shelley, with Pure Words Baptist Church in Houston, was quickly brought to Fort Worth and ordained Jan. 6 at Stedfast to replace him.
Romero came to widespread media attention in 2016 when he said that God should "finish the job" and kill the survivors of the mass shooting at the Pulse nightclub in Orlando, a place that catered primarily to LGBT clientele. In a video Romero posted after the attack, in which 49 people were gunned down, he said, "These 50 sodomites were all perverts and pedophiles and they are the scum of the earth and the earth is a little better place now." YouTube has since removed the video for violating its policy on hate speech.
In a 2014 sermon, Romero claimed he wasn't going to let "dirty faggots" into his church and said they want to "snatch your children" to "hurt and rape them." He also said that LGBT people should be put to death because the Bible says they're filthy.
Romero resigned from the congregation in a video posted Jan. 2 on YouTube, saying he had "not been ruling his house well" and had been a "terrible husband and father." He said he and his family planned to stay on as members of the church and then apologized for the hurt "this may cause people." He did not specifically name what he had done.
Following Romero's statement, virulently anti-LGBT and antisemitic pastor Steven Anderson, of anti-LGBT hate group Faithful Word Baptist Church in Tempe, Arizona, took to the pulpit to field questions from the congregation and proposed Shelley as a potential replacement. He also did not discuss what Romero had done.
That information came out in a separate video posted Jan. 3 on YouTube by Anderson. "Basically," Anderson said, "the major sin was being with prostitutes. And then there were also marijuana and gambling, that were also discovered."
Anderson plays a key role in the middle of the Stedfast maelstrom. He is an origin point for both Romero's Stedfast and Shelley's Pure Words via a loose-knit network that Anderson helped construct called the "New IFB movement." IFB refers to "Independent Fundamentalist Baptist" churches, an older movement founded in the 1940s to reclaim the fundamentalism of the 1920s, according to John Fea, chair of the history department at Messiah College.
The "New IFB movement" is, according to the website thenewifb.com, "a revival of what the old IFB once represented." Each nondenominational church associated with the movement is independent. The website lists 29 churches as New IFB (all three Stedfast churches are listed, along with Pure Words and two Faithful Word churches), and it appears to have gone public recently. The site's newsletters date back to November 2018.
Romero is a former member of Anderson's congregation. He left with Anderson's blessing in 2014 to start Stedfast in Fort Worth. Anderson ordained Romero, and traveled to Fort Worth this past week to address the Stedfast congregation and help guide them during the crisis.
Shelley is also a former member of Anderson's congregation. Anderson ordained him in July 2018 to start Pure Words in Houston. Like Anderson and Romero, Shelley is also known for anti-LGBT statements. Part of a YouTube sermon uploaded Oct. 17, 2018 by Pure Words Church is titled "Why you should never hire a homo." In it, Shelley said,
Look, you turn on the TV, what do you see? Fags. You turn on, you know, the internet, you get on YouTube, fags. You turn on any kind of news channel, there's [sic] crammin' fags down your throat. You go to the public school, what do they want to do, they want to push the fag agenda down your throat, you look in the newspaper, they want to push the fag agenda down your throat. You go to the store today, there's fags everywhere, it's so disgusting, it makes me want to vomit, they keep pushing the fag agenda, the fag agenda, just coming down your throat and you say how am I gonna fight it? How am I gonna fight it? The word of God. That's what's gonna fight it.
Photo illustration by SPLC

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Three numbers are in the ratio of 3:4:5 and their L.C.M is 3600.Their HCF is:
January 27, 2020 by mcq
Option – B.
Buddha lived approximately at the same time as
In which district of Andhra Pradesh, the Kuchipudi village is located from which the Kuchipudi dance
Pointing to a man on the stage, Rita said, "He is the brother of the daughter of the wife of my husband." How is the man on the stage related to Rita ?
Where is the headquaters of the UN industrial Development Organization
The pass located in Himachal Pradesh is
The world's fastest elevator that can operate at a record speed of 1,260 meters per minute is set to be installed in ___________.
217 x 217 + 183 x 183 = ?
Find the next number in the given sequence? 11, 17, 39, 85, ?
A cube is painted blue on two adjacent surfaces and black on the surfaces opposite to blue surfaces and green on the remaining faces .Now the cube is cut into 216 smaller cubes of equal size.
In a certain code language, 'dom put ta' means 'bring hot food'; 'put tir sop' means 'food is good' and 'tak da sop' means 'good bright boy'. Which of the following does mean 'hot' in that language ?
Deepak said to Nitin, "That boy playing with the football is the younger of the two brothers of the daughter of my father's wife." How is the boy playing football related to Deepak ?
OCR stands for


To make a complaint about a barking dog, you will need to complete the online complaint form.
The first thing that we do when we receive a complaint about a barking dog is check our records to see if a dog licence has been purchased for that address. If there is no licence on file, we send a dog licence application form to the property owner.
We also send a letter after you file a complaint telling the property owner that a complaint has been made. We will not tell the property owner your name.
An officer will be assigned to your complaint. The officer will review the Noise Evaluation Package. If the officer finds that an offence has happened, a ticket may be issued and court proceedings may begin.


What difference do PR accreditation and qualifications make to your career?
According to the CIPR, being a chartered practitioner adds on average £17,000 to your salary. But not everyone is convinced you need particular PR qualifications. Here we hear from those with all sorts of PR letters behind their names to find out what difference it really makes, as well as from those who are succeeding without PR-relevant qualifications.
'I see the benefits every day' says Matt Silver, senior account manager, corporate at PR firm Ketchum London: "I have both academic and professional qualifications in PR – a degree in public relations and communications from Leeds Business School, and the PRCA's Online Certificate. I'm also a firm believer in lifelong learning and an advocate for continuing professional development and hold Accredited PR Practitioner status with the CIPR.
"I see the benefits of my PR qualifications every day. PR degrees certainly aren't for everyone and there are many different views on their value, but for me it was the right route to go down, and something that I have found incredibly useful in the first few years of my PR career. The ability to firmly ground your communications practice in tested theory, think and talk through why the strategy you've written will work, not just because 'that's the way it's always been done', is crucial – particularly when talking to people who don't have a comms background. These qualifications, combined with CPD and the excellent learning and development and mentoring programmes at Ketchum, have given me the knowledge and skills to do just that, and as a result, to drive more value for our clients.
"I now have a holistic view of PR" says Tom Derrick, senior account executive, corporate reputation at Ketchum London: "I have an MSc in Corporate Communication and Reputation Management from Alliance Manchester Business School at the University of Manchester. Studying the theoretical development of PR from initial communication theories to case studies from across the last 50 years has given me a holistic view of how we've learned, evaluated and adapted the way we approach situations and resolve comms challenges.
"I don't feel accreditation has really helped me" says James Richards, senior public relations executive at construction PR firm CIB: "Before undergoing a career change to PR, I completed a Foundation Award with the CIPR before becoming a full member. I truly believe in professional development, so getting accredited was important for me. Although I don't regret my qualification or my accreditation, I don't feel this has really helped me in my career to this point. To say it's hindered it would be an overstatement, but I seem to have fallen into a quandary in which potential employers either assume I am too qualified for junior positions, whilst lacking the right skills for more senior roles. I have no doubt that it will do nothing but help my career in the long-term, but maybe getting accreditation should be sought once you've gained the right experience."
"People are only interested in my experience" says Harriet King senior client executive at agency Milk and Honey PR: "I studied PR at Bournemouth University. PR is an industry that is highly competitive and difficult to get your foot through the door. I believed a degree in PR would give me the additional boost when on the job hunt. When mingling at other PR events at the beginning of my career, I hardly came across anyone who had a communications-related degree. In all fairness, I have never been asked what degree I took – only what experience I have.
"Whilst my placement year helped me get my first 'proper' PR role, the course didn't prepare me for agency life. Most of the lecturers had worked in house or for a government organisation. When most of my peers admitted they wanted to work for an agency.
"I don't believe a lack of PR degree or accreditation hampers people" says Rose Allerston, account director at Smoking Gun PR: "I've been working in PR for the past seven years and came into the industry with no PR-specific qualifications, having graduated university with a degree in English Literature and Drama. PR can be tough to break into, but I don't believe a lack of PR degree or accreditation hampers people. An ability to write, thirst for news and determination to make contacts were some of the skills that enabled me to take my first steps.
"Ultimately, personality and attitude are the most important things and when recruiting at Smoking Gun, we consider these over qualifications – PR or otherwise. We hear from many PR students who tell us they learn more quickly and efficiently in the practical agency environment than studying the theory.
CIPR president Sarah Hall: "Public relations is growing up. Respect for our profession is rising, but there is still a job to do in educating employers and the business community about the strategic role we play in achieving organisational success.
"By investing in ourselves, we can assert our value to clients and businesses. Finance directors and legal professionals at the top table are backed by accreditation and we should be no different. The C-Suite has to be able to trust in our abilities and that requires constant learning in a fast-paced and ever changing industry.
"Studying for qualifications and committing to CPD with the goal of working towards Chartered Practitioner status should be an ambition for every PR professional.
"CIPR qualifications have a direct impact on the careers of graduates. From the Foundation Award to the Diploma, they lead to promotions and new career opportunities. Crucially, they equip practitioners with the knowledge, confidence and resilience to thrive and command management's attention.
"Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status is also vital. It's awarded to individuals who meet the required standard of professional distinction following a full-day assessment in strategy, ethics and leadership. Whilest Chartered Status is already the norm in older professions, it's relatively new to our industry. It's a kitemark of excellence and integrity – and it's gaining momentum fast. There are now more than 250 Chartered Practitioners and following recent changes to the eligibility criteria, more people than ever are able to apply for the assessment. Our data also shows Chartered Practitioners earn an average of £17,000 more than others.
PRCA director general Francis Ingham: "Year after year, PRCA and ICCO publications show that the industry's number-one issue is talent: finding it, and then keeping it. And that this issue exists at every level of the profession.
"So an investment in a PRCA qualification has value for two reasons. First, its acquisition helps practitioners to stand out to potential employers – it distinguishes you from the herd. Second, if you're an employer who's offering to fund one (and that's the case in 90% of the PRCA qualifications we deliver, whether at introductory, intermediate, or advanced level), it shows that you're willing to invest in your team.


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US conservative Ben Carson addresses the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) at National Harbor, Maryland, outside Washington, DC on Feb. 26, 2015.
Photo by Nicholas Kamm/AFP/Getty
2016 wild card Dr. Ben Carson takes the stage
By Jane C. Timm
NATIONAL HARBOR, Maryland – A ballroom full of conservative activists is trying to do the wave.
"Wheeeee," they cry, throwing their arms in the air as they wait for renowned neurosurgeon Dr. Ben Carson, a celebrity at this weekend's Conservative Political Action Conference. He takes the stage and lays out his latest, far right proposal: Federal judges who rule against voter initiatives should be fired. Carson argued this point more specifically last month in reference to judges who overturn gay marriage bans.
"The Constitution also says that Congress has oversight of all inferior courts," he said tells the standing-room only ballroom. "So when these federal judges interfere and overturn the will of the people, something they've voted for, Congress has the responsibility [to remove them]."
Carson's stance on gay marriage isn't new, but it highlights exactly why the neurosurgeon's presidential ambitions put the GOP in such a pickle: With a majority of Americans supporting gay marriage, fielding a Republican candidate who likens homosexuality to bestiality is a great way to to send swing voters packing.
"He's a smarter, more accomplished version of Sarah Palin."
Karen Hanretty, GOP strategist
"Candidates who would like to see the inside of the West Wing," GOP strategist Juleana Glover told msnbc, "are gonna find a way to be more inclusive on the issue of marriage."
Carson's race and up-from-bootstraps life story could help soften the GOP image and bring some much-needed diversity to the GOP field. But for many Republicans hoping to reclaim the White House after eight years in the wilderness, Carson is just another base-stirring personality whose rhetoric and hard-right views would sink the party in a general election.
"He's a smarter, more accomplished version of Sarah Palin," GOP strategist Karen Hanretty told msnbc.
And much like Palin, Glover said, Carson could cause "a tremendous amount of heartburn" within the party.
Born into poverty to an illiterate, single mother, Carson worked his way out of Detroit, and went on to be an internationally renowned neurosurgeon who in 1987 performed the first-ever successful separation of cranially conjoined twins. Last year, he tied for sixth as the most-admired man in America. Does it sound like a movie? It is, with Cuba Gooding Jr. portraying Carson in the 2009 TV movie, "Gifted Hands."
Carson pairs his American-dream story with strictly pro-life, anti-gay, and fiercely Christian politics. He's likened being gay to pedophilia, compares America today to Nazi Germany, and has said Obamacare is akin to slavery. Carson also doesn't believe in evolution and has called abortion human sacrifice.
RELATED: Ben Carson surges in new 2016 poll
Affable and folksy, Carson presents his staunchly conservative views with a lilting voice and big smile. It's an appealing package for many Republicans who want the party to remain staunchly conservative without looking like the party of old, rich, white men.
"He is an unapologetic conservative on both economic and social issues yet has a manner that is not strident or off-putting," conservative radio host Laura Ingraham told msnbc. "He speaks in commonsense terms and offers practical solutions."
Carson has never held elective office, which presents both a challenge and an opportunity.
"When you don't have a record it can be your biggest strength and your biggest weakness," GOP strategist Joel Sawyer told msnbc, explaining it's both a fresh slate and a target for criticism.
Carson tells reporters he's "beefing up" and argues it's why voters like him: "I think I appeal to many voters because I am not a politician and because I try to speak truth and common sense," he told msnbc.
"When you don't have a record it can be your biggest strength and your biggest weakness."
Joel Sawyer, GOP strategist
Carson drew national attention in 2013 in a speech he delivered at the 2013 National Prayer Breakfast, where he lectured President Obama over debt and the Affordable Care Act. Fox News promptly anointed Carson as the next big thing and soon after hired him as a contributor. Since then, he's won a handful of straw polls in the like Iowa's Polk County and Western Conservatives Summit in Colorado and performed well in straw polls at the annual Values Voter and CPAC.
Hanretty, for her part, remains skeptical. "If a white neurosurgeon had given the same speech at a prayer breakfast, I don't think he'd have gotten the same attention Dr. Carson received," she told msnbc.
But early polls show that Carson's got momentum: The left-leaning Public Policy Polling ranked Carson second below Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker in anational poll of Republicansreleased on Tuesday. A Texas Tribune/University of Texas poll released the same week saw Carson tied with the presumed establishment heavyweight and former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush among likely Republican voters in Texas. A recent Fox News saw similar results, ranking Carson with a respectable 9% of Americans in the divided Republican field, as did a In a Des Moines Register/Bloomberg Politics poll in Iowa of likely Republican caucus goers.
Buoyed by these numbers, Carson may soon join the field competing for the 2016 GOP presidential nomination. He's expected to launch an exploratory committee in the next few weeks and already has begun staffing up a campaign-in-waiting, run by Terry Giles, a Houston lawyer.
"Does he have staying power, does he have a realistic shot to win? Probably not, but can he change the debate and shift the debate? Absolutely."
A considerable grassroots effort is brewing on his behalf: The National Draft Ben Carson for President Coalition has appointed a grassroots leader in each of the 99 counties in Iowa, the first voting state, and offices in New Hampshire and South Carolina, too, according to the group's chairman, John Philip Souza IV. The PAC – which has raised and reportedly spent most of more than $15 million – is unaffiliated with the doctor and his allies but has corralled more than 30,000 active volunteers, Souza said, who are spreading the message through mail efforts and more.
The more support he can build – particularly in the ultra-conservative Iowa caucuses – the more sway he'll have over the field.
"Does he have staying power, does he have a realistic shot to win? Probably not, but can he change the debate and shift the debate? Absolutely," Sawyer said.
And while Carson's experience as a black man growing up in inner-city Detroit could give him a unique way to appeal to a voting block that historically votes blue, Carson appears reluctant to identify himself that way.
"My experiences as an individual growing up in America who has had the opportunity to experience life at all socio-economic levels is extremely beneficial for anyone who is concerned with the well-being of everyone in the society regardless of race or economic backgrounds," he told msnbc.
Consultants are quick to note that Carson's race alone is hardly a game-changer: "It's going to take more than a black candidate to bring black voters to the Republican party," Sawyer said.
To wit: 2012's sole black Republican, Herman Cain, promised he could win a third of all black votes in the country, but hardly resonated with those voters. Two years later, when a black Republican, South Carolina's Tim Scott, ran and won a Senate seat, he earned just 10% of the black vote (securing 88% of the white vote).
Ben Carson, CPAC and Republicans
Congressman seeks Medal of Honor for 'Sniper'
FCC approves landmark net neutrality policy
Ben Carson and CPAC


text:
Q: c# - Read file with irregular newline characters I am trying to read a text file with C#, that is formatted like this:
this is a line\r\n
this is a line\r
\r\n
this is a line\r
\r\n
this is a line\r
\r\n
this is a line\r\n
this is a line\r
\r\n
etc...

I am reading each line from the file with
StreamReader.ReadLine()

but that does not preserve new line characters. I need to know/detect what kind of new line characters there are because I am counting the amount of bytes on each line. For example:
if the the line ends with character \r, line consists of: ((nr-of-bytes-in-line) + 1 byte) bytes (depending on the encoding type of course), if line ends with \r\n, line consists of: ((nr-of-bytes-in-line) + 2 bytes) bytes.
EDIT:
I have the solution, based on the answer of israel altar. BTW: Jon Skeet suggested it also. I have implemented an overridden version of ReadLine, so that it would include new line characters. This is the code of the overridden function:
    public override String ReadLine()
    {
        StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
        while (true)
        {
            int ch = Read();
            if (ch == -1)
            {
                break;
            }
            if (ch == '\r' || ch == '\n')
            {
                if (ch == '\r' && Peek() == '\n')
                {
                    sb.Append('\r');
                    sb.Append('\n');
                    Read();
                    break;
                }
                else if(ch == '\r' && Peek() == '\r')
                {
                    sb.Append('\r');
                    break;
                }
            }
            sb.Append((char)ch);
        }
        if (sb.Length > 0)
        {
            return sb.ToString();
        }
        return null;
    }

A: this is the way that readline is implemented according to .net resources:
// Reads a line. A line is defined as a sequence of characters followed by
        // a carriage return ('\r'), a line feed ('\n'), or a carriage return
        // immediately followed by a line feed. The resulting string does not
        // contain the terminating carriage return and/or line feed. The returned
        // value is null if the end of the input stream has been reached.
        //
        public virtual String ReadLine()
        {
            StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder();
            while (true) {
                int ch = Read();
                if (ch == -1) break;
                if (ch == '\r' || ch == '\n')
                {
                    if (ch == '\r' && Peek() == '\n') Read();
                    return sb.ToString();
                }
                sb.Append((char)ch);
            }
            if (sb.Length > 0) return sb.ToString();
            return null;
        }

as you can see you can add an if sentence like this:
 if (ch == '\r')
{
  //add the amount of bytes wanted
}
if  (ch == '\n')
{
  //add the amount of bytes wanted
}

or do whatever manipulation you want.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Маринд (Gawir, Holifoersch, Marind, Southeast Marind, Tugeri) — папуасский язык, на котором говорит народ маринд на южном побережье области; на севере и западе города Мерауке регентства Мерауке провинции Папуа в Индонезии.

У маринд есть диалекты гавир, тугери, халифоэрш и юго-восточный маринд. Существуют значительные различия между внутренними и прибрежными диалектами, но носители понимают друг друга. На северо-западном диалекте (Bian, Bian Marind, Boven-Mbian, Northwest Marind) говорят в районе реки Верхний Биан, в деревне Санаю подокруга Мутинг регентства Мерауке провинции Папуа.

Ссылки
 Юго-восточный маринд
 OLAC resources in and about the Marind language
 Северо-западный маринд
 OLAC resources in and about the Bian Marind language

Языки Индонезии
Папуасские языки

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Home » Articles » Archives » Delaware Valley news
Delaware Valley news
Company and tech news from the region.
Bentley honored by tech council
Exton-based Bentley Systems Inc. was named Technology Company of the Year during the Eastern Technology Council's 13th Annual Enterprise Awards ceremony in November.
The Enterprise Awards recognize the achievements of the most outstanding technology and life sciences companies and CEOs in the Philadelphia area. Other finalists for Technology Company of the Year included SAP America and eResearchTechnology.
The award recognizes the company that best demonstrates leadership and innovation in its industry or market, significant company milestones including financial accomplishments, and community and industry involvement.
Bentley provides software for the lifecycle of the world's infrastructure. The company's portfolio for the building, plant, civil, and geospatial vertical markets spans architecture, engineering, construction (AEC) and operations.
Wachovia announces school loan Web site
Wachovia's student lending division, Wachovia Education Finance, has launched an improved Web site.
The site is www.wachovia.com/education. The new Web address will be Wachovia Education Finance's homepage, while the division's old Web address at educaid.com will be a redirect to the new site.
Both student and parent visitors to the new site can apply for an education loan and sign it electronically online, participate in online counseling seminars, calculate repayment costs, or access existing account information.
Wachovia officials said in addition to simplifying the navigation, the new site features valuable new content such as "Just for You" sections designed with specific information for students, parents, and school officials. And for those students and parents who are new to the student loan process, the new site offers a "Five Steps to Financial Aid" tool that quickly explains all of the necessary steps.
XRT makes American Banker list
King of Prussia-based XRT, a maker of treasury management products, was named to the FinTech100 rankings as published by American Banker and Financial Insights. The annual, internationally recognized ranking is categorized and evaluated based on fiscal year-end revenues and the percentage of revenue attributed to financial services. Placing 68th, this is XRT's first appearance in the ranking.
The FinTech 100 ranking follows a series of recent accolades for XRT. Recently, the company was named the top treasury service provider in a 2005 European Treasury Survey published by FX&MM Magazine. XRT also figures in Software Magazine's 2005 Software 500.
IT worker confidence up in November
Confidence in the employment market among IT workers rose marginally in November, as the sector's Hudson Employment Index inched up 2.2 points to 101.1. Renewed confidence in personal finances and heightened job satisfaction contributed to the slight increase. Technology workers were about as optimistic as workers overall; the composite Index held steady in November, slipping just .04 points to 100.1.
Nearly half (48 percent) of the workers in the IT sector reported that their financial situations were improving in November, up from 38 percent the previous month. There was a six-percentage point drop to 35 percent in the number reporting that their finances were getting worse. Job satisfaction rose five points to 76 percent in November.
However, the IT workforce was significantly more likely to expect layoffs in November, as that figure increased from 22 percent to 27 percent. The number of workers concerned about job security rose five points to 32 percent.
New Jersey group lauds city Web site
The New Jersey State League of Municipalities gave its public affairs award to a Web site created by Tara Communications.
The site, www.woodbury.nj.us, is the first government Web site created by Tara, a Turnersville, N.J., public relations, marketing and Internet communications firm.
The site provides information on the city and its government, Rick Alcantara, principal of Tara Communications, said.
Tara Communications is currently creating sites for West Deptford Township and the Gloucester County Improvement Authority's Stormwater Management Program in New Jersey.
Got a local news story? Let us know about it. Send your local news to dan@computeruser.com.


The event where CREATIVITY and PROFESSIONALISM, INNOVATION and PASSION meet.
A 5 days route dedicated to BEAUTY: to look for it, create it and learn how to take care of it.
800 people involved, attendees coming from 21 countries, staff, colleagues, models.
The BEAUTY CORNER, the BACKSTAGE, the SHOW.
And many more circumstances to give room to CONVIVIALITY and to our desire to BE TOGETHER.
5 hours to compare and interact, in the name of INFORMALITY and COLLABORATION, in an environment that duplicates a Salon décor and atmosphere, so that both trainers and attendees can feel comfortable.
35 INTERNATIONAL TRAINERS helped by interpreters, technicians, stylists and hostesses.
10 CLASSES OF TECHNICAL –STYLISTICAL TRAINING: color and bleaching products, Rain Dance care and Salon rituals; cuts and up-does. A special session dedicated to social and web communication, to share ones experience.
30 MODELS for trainer to work on.
46 hours of "laboratory" where people from different countries work together speaking the language of their hands: an event that turns into a collaboration and interchange chance, on the background of the different Artègo lines.
2 hours dedicated to the BEAUTY show: a live event to enjoy and live the last creative touch to what has been conceived in the backstage, where glam meets our hairdressers' styles and Artègo products.
7 MAISONS and 7 HAUTE COUTURE stylists for 45 models.


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text:
If Ever I Could Love
by Keith Urban
Album: Defying Gravity (2009)
Urban wrote this song with Darrell Brown. He said on the Country Music review site Roughstock: "We've written a lot of things before. I asked Darrell to send me some drum loops. I write a lot from them."
The Defying Gravity album title comes from a line in this song. Urban explained to Roughstock: "We were in the studio doing some overdubs on the song and as I was listening to the fiddle that was being played, I heard the lyrics going by and especially that line 'defying gravity.' I wrote it down and I realized that's really what this record is about."
Urban expanded on the album title to CMT News. He said: "It's a very 'up' record, and the record is a lot of that - falling in love and being brave to fall in love - because it takes a lot of bravery to open your heart up and be vulnerable to love. And so it's about rising above things and enduring and not being dragged down. There are a lot of metaphors for that in the title."
Defying Gravity was Urban's first ever #1 album on the Billboard 200 chart.
The inspiration for this song came from a heart to heart conversation Urban and Brown had during a lunch break. Brown told People Magazine: "We were sitting on a picnic bench talking about the song and about life. It's like group therapy when I'm with Keith." Urban added that he shared something his wife once said that stuck with him: "Early on when we were dating, she said, 'I'm ready to be brave for us, for you,' and I thought, 'My God, that's what it's about.'"
More songs from Keith Urban
Lyrics to If Ever I Could Love
Keith Urban Artistfacts
Yacht Rock QuizFact or Fiction
Christopher Cross with Deep Purple? Kenny Loggins in Caddyshack? A Fact or Fiction all about yacht rock and those who made it.
Gilby ClarkeSongwriter Interviews
The Guns N' Roses rhythm guitarist in the early '90s, Gilby talks about the band's implosion and the side projects it spawned.
Stephen Christian of AnberlinSongwriter Interviews
The lead singer/lyricist for Anberlin breaks down "Impossible" and covers some tracks from their 2012 album Vital.
Creedence Clearwater RevivalFact or Fiction
Is "Have You Ever Seen the Rain" about Vietnam? Was John Fogerty really born on a Bayou? It's the CCR edition of Fact or Fiction.
Randy NewmanSongwriting Legends In Their Own Words
Newman makes it look easy these days, but in this 1974 interview, he reveals the paranoia and pressures that made him yearn for his old 9-5 job.


In The Tower, you build a tower. That probably seems a little obvious, but the mechanics are unique: each level of the tower slides back and forth across the one below it, and the player anchors the level by tapping, trying to get it to line up in a roughly vertical shape. Imagine it as a cross between Jenga and one of those arcade prize machines. For the moment, The Tower is free with no in-app purchases.
Build the tallest tower in the world to reach the sky with a power of one-tap gameplay. Beat your friends, unlock new towers, discover all locations.
Black Stories is basically 20 Questions with an Are You Afraid of the Dark theme. You play with two or more real players on a single device, with one serving as the game master. He or she presents a riddle, and the other players have to solve it with yes or no questions. The one to solve it becomes the next game master. The game includes a single deck of riddles, with more available as an in-app purchase - the single one available at the moment is $1.
Black Stories is a set of electrifying, dark and sometimes gruesome riddles. It is a social game in which players are confronted with a challenge to solve intricate mysteries and enigmatic deaths. Black Stories are designed so that they teach the players how to think laterally, or how to analyze facts abstractly.
From the collection of Black Stories players choose one as their task.
One of the players becomes the Game Master, takes the phone and, as the only one, reads the solution of the riddle.
Other players have to solve the mystery, aiding themselves with asking simple questions on which the Game Master could only answer yes or no.
The player who solves the riddle fastest wins. Now he becomes the Game Master.
Alright, masochistic gamers, here's another one for you. Tap the screen to make the square jump in a consistent manner. Avoid hitting All The Things. Do not pass go, do not pay for in-app purchases. And no matter what you do, do not make Jay Z jokes.
99 Levels of minimalistic, jumping action.


There shouldn't be a border crisis if laws were being enforced.
Why do so many people think that defending our border is a bad thing? Nations have been doing it for centuries to protect their sovereignty. It shouldn't be a political issue at all.
Those caught crossing the border illegally or those awaiting a decision on their status should be made to either return to their country of origin, voluntarily, or put on work details to cover their food and lodging until a decision is reached.
NO minor children should be allowed into the country until their legal guardian has been approved for a visa.
President Donald Trump said on Wednesday he would have to mobilize more of the military at the U.S. border with Mexico after listening to stories about migrants crossing the border from people attending a Republican fundraiser."I'm going to have to call up more military," Trump said.
Related: New Caravan Loads Up From Honduras For USA Asylum!
While I empathize with most of the people coming, we already take in half of all the world's migrants, and our share also has lower education and poorer job skills. We need to stop offering any welfare to any migrant period.
If they cannot be self-supporting, then we need to say no. Legal immigration attracting skilled and educated people, on the other hand, are an asset to this country. Most of us do not care where they come from as long as they are law-abiding, willing to adapt, and will contribute here. Anyone giving this a thumbs down needs to tell us all in your reply how realistically you can pay for these people.
Fair.org last year noted illegals cost taxpayers $135 billion while only contributing $22 billion. Those responding do not hide behind this is a race thing because it is not; it is an economic reality.
President Trump is not going to lose this battle, and he will use everything at his disposal to assure that. It is not military might that is our problem; it is the mushy stuff that liberals like to throw out, like a humanitarian crisis, children being separated from their parents, a kid dying in border control care, poor migrants just trying to seek asylum, etc., etc.


Thank you to the readers who check out my blog every week, to those inquiring people who follow the ramblings of my Twitter feed, to the Facebook friends and Pinterest…pinners 🙂 To the G+ people doing their G+ thing (I haven't quite figured that space out yet, but I'm still trying!). Thank you to the friends I've made and the friends I've yet to make on this exciting writing journey.
And most of all, thank you to my lovely readers who buy and read my books. Thank you for the words of encouragement, for the feedback and reviews. It helps in more ways than you know.
I've always been a storyteller. I wrote for decades just to get the tales out of my head and give them a tangible form. When I decided to start polishing things up—to truly hone my craft and make stories that I felt could be shared with the world—I wanted them to find homes in the minds and hearts of people who would appreciate them. I can already see this happening, and am sure it will happen more and more. Thank you, lovely readers, for helping this dream come true!
There's much more excitement to come here in Cassland. Stay tuned!


Bathroom Vanity : Alcott Hill Copper Rustic 36 Inch Double Vanity Countertop Bathroom With Alcott Hill And Moen Faucets Small Bathroom Sink. Is Your Modern Double Bathroom Vanity Large Enough to Accommodate Two People Simultaneously?. Bathroom Vanity Base. Small Bath Vanity. Vanity.
By Accalia Berggren. Bathroom Vanity. At Tuesday, January 22nd 2019, 02:31:52 AM.
Tags : custom bathroom cabinets. bathroom sink. toilet sink cabinet. double vanity. small bath vanity with sink. shaker bathroom vanity. modern bath vanity. bathroom vanity with sink. floor standing bathroom cupboard. vanity basin.
Thoughts on Alcott Hill Copper Rustic 36 Inch Double Vanity Countertop Bathroom With Alcott Hill And Moen Faucets Small Bathroom Sink?


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Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV – 01 [First Look]
Score: A+
This was the moment I've been waiting all year for! As always Symphogear's first episode delivered on every level. I couldn't have asked for more than the Symphogear team throwing all sorts of crazy attacks and combinations at a devastating threat. They just took it to the world's deadliest coffin. There might be a deadlier coffin in the history of fiction. But I still think this one is up there. You really could conquer the globe with that thing. I can understand why Adam was interested in it. Good thing he didn't end up finishing off his plans and gaining the kind of insane power he was after. That did leave that over the top coffin up to the main cast to deal with however.
A moment of peace before things get crazy
The stage is being set for the major plot points. Hibiki may be walking into a rather tricky heroic dilemma here. The kind of question Miku poised just isn't the type to remain unimportant in this kind of series. Hibiki may be stuck having to decide whether to save people or to avoid confronting Miku. Considering Miku does have the potential to harbor that divine power from AXZ, she is a major target. Of course if someone was controlling Miku than it is simple. Just get out there and save her. Not all that different from S2 when Miku was being controlled by Ver. But no doubt there will be some big drama. Heck this could even tie into the future. Will Hibiki continue focusing on being this global hero or focus on sticking with Miku? There may not be the option for both.
Having a rough day.
There are a lot of little details that are bound to have some relevance going forward. After Hibiki's birthday last season now we're at the very least touching on one for Chris. Considering it was brought up twice I wouldn't be surprised to see that party happen. And you can do some good story moments with that. Chris is much like former FIS crew. With the deaths of her parents as a child and what happened with Finé…she hasn't exactly had a ton of great birthdays. What I'm unsure about is whether her birthday will be part of a character arc, a time when something crazy happens, or if it will just be an end of the season happy party for the team. At this point I'm unsure.
The other little detail is the mission to the moon. Rather impressive things worked out considering the US tried to nuke Japan last season. But a moon mission suddenly has such huge significance and potential dangers. Presumably people still went to the moon at some point in the past. But back then the moon would have simply looked like a moon. Now everyone knows that there is a major facility on the moon. People higher up in governments probably know about how those ruins control the Balal Curse. I definitely don't want to think about governments trying to fight over a moon base.
We've got aliens
As with other seasons the start of this episode was pretty important. This does seem to be the guy who established the curse and was involved with Finé. We could end up with another Finé flashback this season. There are a lot of questions to be answered of course. Why did he activate those ruins? And why was he dying while he was doing it? Just what happened in the past that lead to all this? Sadly for him Finé most definitely did not take what happened well. This is the person who effectively created a lot of what is driving the series. She eventually passed on peacefully in S2, but only after cursing untold numbers of her descendants. Finé killed a lot of people and ruined a lot of lives over what happened with this guy.
Combo attack!
But really the action deserves so much discussion here. This season by far had the most incredible transformation sequence I've ever seen. Opinions may vary, but holy crap that was insane! If this is the final season then these are going to be amazing transformation sequences to go out on. It's amazing seeing how far they've come from S1 to now. This wasn't even so much a fanservice thing (although like any transformation there were moments) as much as it was just a pure badass moment for Hibiki to gear up. I can't wait to see the transformations for each of the main cast.
And that was just the transformation sequence. Much like previous seasons they did not skimp on the first big fight of the season. I kind of liked the approach of starting with the fight, going back in time for context, and then finishing off the fight. It allowed them to make the fight with the coffin a big event. And it really was an event in and of itself. This thing had power, powerful beam attacks, augmentation of the environment, and it required a lot to bring down. We just got attack after attack from the main cast. Hibiki has never looked more awesome with her gauntlets just creating all sorts of crazy attacks. It was something to be seen.
Looking good so far
Just about everyone got a moment to shine here. We got hilariously cute moments like Shirabe and Kirika almost pulling figure skating moves in their part of the fight. But you also had Hibiki and Maria showing their very direct styles of dealing damage. These two have always been the main figure of their respective trio so that makes sense. But you also had Chris unleashing missiles, bullets, and shields. Heck she had the biggest moment at the end of the episode in helping to snipe their combined super attack. Finally she gets to snipe something, even if she couldn't use her sniper rifle for it. I did also love Chris telling Hibiki to stop raising death flags while she was trying to lock in her shot. The combinations were endless with Hibiki even getting an underwater battle in.
Chris is always packing the firepower
We did get a brief look at some of our antagonists for this season. Here we have remnants of the Bavarian Illuminati with their own objectives. That they weren't brought in by Adam to assist in AXZ would seem to imply that at present their combat value isn't very high. But at this point we don't quite know what they are up to. Their objective is different from Adam, but is it different from Saint Germain?
If nothing else the first episode was a rousing success. We got action, the plot being established, acknowledging of the previous season, and a whole lot of fun. No doubt some future episodes won't be able to touch the visual spectacle of this episode. But I am glad that we got to see a great start to this fifth season. That Symphogear has come this far is a huge accomplishment. Whatever the future has in store, I plan to fully enjoy this ride. There's no way I could avoid covering this show. So I'll 100% be back for episode 2.
Posted on July 6, 2019 at 2:43 pm
in Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV
Tags: Senki Zesshou Symphogear, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV 01 Review, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV Episode 1, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV Episode 1 Blog, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV Episode 1 Review, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV First Look, Senki Zesshou Symphogear XV Screenshots, Summer Anime 2019


Congratulations to Amanda Fraley of Green Clinic's Surgery department for being selected as Green Clinic's Employee of the Month for October!!
Amanda has been with Green Clinic for 7 years. She is Dr. Jeb Butler's nurse in Surgery. Her co-workers that nominated her say that "she is very caring and thoughtful, not only with her patients, but with her co-workers. She does her job plus!! Amanda is always very nice and welcoming to new employees and I'm thankful that I work with her! She DESERVES Employee of the Month!!"
Congratulations Amanda and THANK YOU for being such an awesome representative of Green Clinic. We are very blessed to have you as part of our Green Clinic family!!


1. Assist in phone reception for executive and administrative departments.
2. Prepare and coordinate mail, faxes, and Attendance Records.
3. Maintain stock of office, janitorial and kitchen supplies and reorders when needed.
4. Obtain quotes / bids from suppliers.
5. Handle petty cash and reconciliation.
6. Maintain all company accounts in accounting software and prepare monthly cash flow statements, P and L, etc.
7. Coordinate with auditors once a year for auditing.
10. Coordinating with Public Relations Officer on staff related issues.
11. Track Passport, Labour card, Health Card expiry dates and handle renewal requirements.
12. Maintain calendar / appointments.
13. Arrangement travel and handle travel expenses.
14. Provide confidential support to management team.
15. Use effective office procedures and recommend improvements.
16. Advise MD of any issues to ensure orderly and efficient administrative operations.
17. Prepare invoices, reports, memos, letters, financial statements and other documents, using word processing, spreadsheet, database, and/or presentation software.
18. Negotiate with vendors, maintain and examine leased equipment, purchase supplies, manage areas such as stockrooms or corporate libraries, and retrieve data from various sources.
19. Provide training and orientation for new staff.
Minimum: 2-4 years in position with related experience.
The candidate must be able to type at a high speed and maintain systematized paper and computer records, send, receive and distribute email. Preferred, able to take notes by shorthand.
Candidate needs to have an RP / Qatar only.


text:
How do we help achieve SDGs?
From the office
As a law firm, PEYTON legal does not have a wide scope in the performance of SDGs as entities operating in other spheres. Nevertheless, PEYTON found a loophole to help others and remain within the strict limits of law practice.
"Given that PEYTON legal is a law firm, where the fulfilment of other SDGs objectives would be quite problematic, if not impossible, we opted for SDG 17. Enthusiastic lawyers from PEYTON legal help with several partner projects and pro bono activities, where we provide our professional services where necessary, with an emphasis on projects that have a positive impact on our surroundings," describes Jakub Málek, partner at PEYTON legal.
In recent years, the law firm has become a partner to the Diakonie Rolnička, which helps children and adults with mental and combined disabilities.
As part of its pro bono activities, PEYTON legal provided legal advice to Břežany Chateau, p.o., which functions as a home for people with disabilities.
Last year, when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, PEYTON legal immediately started to help in the most needed areas.
At the beginning of the coronavirus crisis, the law firm presented the pro bono initiative Legal Aid to Food. The initiative was started in cooperation with the Food Chamber of the Czech Republic. The initiative has helped and continues to help and provides free basic legal advice in general and specific areas for food business operators.
The website contains a database of asked legal questions and the answers given to them, sorted into individual topics. The initiative was created with the support of Smartly and Pavel Babáček.
Furthermore, the law firm donated communication equipment – tablets, including accessories in the form of power banks and holders – to the aftercare and rehabilitation department of the Jindřichův Hradec Hospital. "We decided to donate tablets to enable contact of long-term treated elderly patients with their families to maintain their social contacts during and after the COVID-19 pandemic," says Jakub Málek, PEYTON legal partner.
You can read more about Sustainable Goal 17 here: https://www.globalgoals.org/17-partnerships-for-the-goals
#aso #acsr #probono #SDGs #taketheball #peytonlegal #justpeyton
Tags Association of social responsibility pro bono SDGs


Amazon wants to get in on all that [Netflix and chill] (http://www.teenvogue.com/story/netflix-and-chill-study), and have you Prime Video and chill, instead.
On Sunday (April 17), Amazon launched its own stand-alone, monthly streaming service called [Prime Video] (http://mashable.com/2016/04/17/amazon-prime-video/#QnN97fdvgiq7) to take on its competitors. For $8.99 a month, subscribers can watch Transparent to their hearts content without buying Amazon Prime's annual membership, which costs $99 a year.
According to the [Wall Street Journal] (http://www.wsj.com/article_email/amazon-ups-the-ante-on-streaming-video-1460944802-lMyQjAxMTI2MDE5ODAxMjg4Wj), not only does the Prime Video subscription cost a dollar less than Netflix's most popular monthly plan, but it will also allow TV-lovers to download shows to watch when they're offline. Um, yes please.
If subscribers want to try other out other Prime services, like free two-day delivery, they can try that monthly for the first time for $10.99 a month. That might come in handy if you aren't a huge online shopper but know you'll need a ton of presents in December for holiday season. You can can cancel the monthly service at any time.


Bruce H Schechinger, president of BHS Marketing LLC, Salt Lake City UT, has been elected chairman of the National Association of Chemical Distributors (NACD). He joins NACD Vice Chairman Andrew K Skipp, president/CEO of Hubbard-Hall Inc, Waterbury CT; and Treasurer Roger T Harris, Producers Chemical Company, Batavia IL. Jean-Pierre Baizan, SolvChem Inc (formerly Solvents & Chemicals Inc), Pearland TX; and Bart Whitaker, Whitaker Oil Co, Atlanta GA, were elected, and Richard A Peacock, president, PVS-Nolwood Chemicals Inc, Detroit MI, re-elected, as directors at large. Also joining the board are three new regional presidents: Southern Region-Donna D Boldt, President, Deeks & Co Inc, Stone Mountain GA; Central Region — Bruce L Whetter, president, Americhem Sales Corp, Mason MI; and Western Region — Susan T Nicholls-Billheimer, vice president, Ross Organic Specialty Sales Inc. Northeast Region President Jeanette Glose Partlow, president of Maryland Chemical Co Inc, will continue to serve for the next two years.


text:
Home Local News The best in TRAC year-end awards
The best in TRAC year-end awards
The 2014-15 high school sports season officially came to a close Saturday with a booming fireworks display at the end of the CIF State Track and Field Championships at Veterans Memorial Stadium, and in the nearly ten months of fast and furious competition in the TRAC, it was a season of unforgettable highs for our local Clovis schools. In fact, TRAC schools accounted for an unbelievable 20 out of 23 Central Valley D-1 championships.
Among hundreds and hundreds of games, meets and matches and after attending many of these contests, bearing witness to the skill level and competitiveness of the players, intently watching and analyzing coaches and their staffs, and actively conversing with athletic directors, this is the best of what I saw.
Announcing the 2014-15 Best in TRAC Awards:
Team of the Year: Clovis High Wrestling
The credentials: Fifth consecutive CIF State Wrestling Championship, Central Section Master's Champions, TRAC champions, three state individual gold medalists and five in top-three. Finished season ranked No. 5 in the nation by intermat.com and No. 1 in the state.
The story: Absolute dominance in the Central Section and at the state levels makes the Cougars the choice as 2014-15 TRAC Team of the Year. Undefeated against Central Section opponents the Cougars traveled to Illinois to compete against the best in the nation and earned national respect. After winning the CIF Master's Championship they blew away the competition at the state meet in Bakersfield with a record 276.5 points and an unprecedented fifth straight state title.
The major players: Sophomore Justin Mejia, freshman Seth Nevills, senior Hexton Coronado were state gold winners. Khristian Olivas, Dominic Kincaid, Josh Hokit, AJ Nevills and Adam Prentice were also state medal winners. Coached by Steve Tirapelle, Adam Tirapelle and Ben Holscher.
They said it: "To win five state championships in our sport is unparalleled, obviously. A lot of things have to happen for that to take place. Luck, skill, work ethic, mental toughness, all of these things and many more play a factor when you are able to accomplish something of this magnitude. It is a true testament to everything and everyone who is involved in their program." – Buchanan wrestling coach Troy Tirapelle.
Photo by Nick Baker
Clovis West girls' basketball coach Craig Campbell, seen here coaching in his D-1 Valley championship victory at Selland Area over Edison, coached the Golden Eagles to a 26-5 record and is this year's TRAC Coach of the Year.
Coach of the Year: Craig Campbell Clovis West basketball
The credentials: 26-5 overall, 10-0 TRAC, D-1 Central Section Champions, first round CIF State Open Division win against Alemany from the Southern Section.
The story: Starting four sophomores and one senior Campbell didn't skip a beat, continuing to set the standard of what a successful basketball program looks like, going undefeated in TRAC, winning a Valley title and the opening round game in the state's open division playoffs with nary a loss to a Valley opponent. In his ten seasons guiding the Golden Eagles his teams have gone 233-67 and 97-3 in league play. Identifying players early through his Little Hoopsters camps and AAU programs Campbell builds relationships, establishing his unique system based on pressure defense and the ability to dribble-drive and shoot. And look out, there's a talented group of just-graduated 8th graders ready to join the fun.
They said it: "Craig is very driven and passionate to be the best. He expects all of his players to compete, give great effort and execute the entire game. I think outsiders see this and form the wrong opinion of him. I joke with Craig by saying he is not for everyone. What I do know is that the girls who play for him, know how much he cares about them and how invested he is in making them not only better players but successful adults." – Clovis West Athletic Director Matt Loggins.
Honorable mentions: Rich Lake Clovis volleyball, Tom Donald Buchanan baseball, Tom Deal Clovis West boys' golf, Mike Noel Clovis softball
Photo by Ron Sunquist
With speed and quickness as his greatest asset Zach Ashford was a standout receiver in football for Buchanan, seen here scoring against Clovis West.
Boys' Athlete of the Year: Zach Ashford Buchanan
The credentials: Starting center fielder and co-TRAC player of the year for D-1 Central Section championship baseball team batting .478 with 33 runs scored, 28 stolen bases and stellar defense. Starting wide-receiver in football earning all-TRAC honors and scoring eight touchdowns. Attending Fresno State on a baseball scholarship.
The story: Small in stature at 5'10" and 160 pounds Ashford was an absolute beast for TRAC and Valley opponents this season, starring on the Bears football team who upset Bullard in the first round of D-1 playoff then transitioning to the 29-4 baseball team where he was a fixture at the top of the lineup and led with a quiet confidence. Whether it was wreaking havoc on the base paths or
Buchanan's Zach Ashford was the catalyst for a team that won the D-1 Valley title in baseball and is this year's TRAC Boy's Athlete of the Year.
catching a long-bomb in football, speed and quickness are his strengths, but it's his toughness and competitiveness that set him apart which helped earn him Boys' Athlete of the Year.
They said it: "Zach Ashford is a talented young man who doesn't rely on the talents on loan from God. He is a driven young man who wants to be the best player on the field whether it's a football game or a baseball game. His willingness to put in the work in good and bad times is what separates him from other players." – Buchanan baseball coach Tom Donald.
Honorable mention: Adam Prentice Clovis wrestling and football, Bolu Olorunfunmi Clovis North football and track, Austin Flores Clovis North wrestling, Caleb Kelly Clovis West football.
Clovis shortstop Cayla Broussard rifles a throw to first base. The senior led her team in batting average and a D-1 Valley title.
Girls' Athlete of the Year: Cayla Broussard Clovis High
The Credentials: Four year varsity softball player who this season hit an eye-popping .492, scored 49 runs, stole 32 bases as the starting shortstop for D-1 Central champion Clovis earning 1st team all-TRAC honors. Starting at the libero position in volleyball and a defensive specialist on the D-1 Central Section championship volleyball team, she earned all-TRAC 2nd team honors. Attending Azusa Pacific University on softball scholarship.
The Story: The total package with leadership, respect for the game and athleticism, it was no coincidence that Broussard's senior year produced two Central Section championships in volleyball and softball going a combined 65-13. Whether it was diving for a volleyball and hopping right back up to do it again or slapping a single past a drawn-in third-baseman she did it all for her Cougars, leaving behind a legacy not only on the court and field but on her campus.
They said it: "Cayla's willingness to do what's needed for her team to win is why she was a big part of two valley titles this year. It's not an accident. Players with Cayla's abilities are not always willing to get out
Photo by Joe Broussard
Clovis' Cayla Broussard also starred on the D-1 Valley champions volleyball team and is this year's TRAC Girl's Athlete of the Year
their comfort zones and do things required for victory. She never backed away from that challenge." – Clovis softball coach Mike Noel.
Honorable mention: Caitlyn Kreutz Buchanan soccer, Maddie Olgas Clovis volleyball and badminton, Hannah Waller Buchanan track, Mikaela Smith Clovis North track, Sarah Snyder Clovis West swimming and water polo.
Proving tougher to hit a rise ball from Clovis pitcher Daniele Lung, more challenging than trying to pound a volleyball past Buchanan's 6-10 Patrick Gasman, and a more Herculean task attempting to catch Buchanan's Hannah Waller in a 400 race, here are the rest of the Best of TRAC season.
Photo by Brandon Pettitt
The Buchanan baseball team celebrates after winning the D-1 Valley championship, beating Clovis 15-1. The Bears ended the season 29-4, won the TRAC and finished ranked No. 3 in the state and are this year's Boys' TRAC Team of the Year.
Boys' Team of the Year: Buchanan Baseball
The credentials: 29-4 overall record, TRAC title at 13-2, D-1 Central Section championship, ranked No. 3 in state and No. 16 in the nation.
The story: The perfect balance of timely hitting, solid defense, phenomenal pitching and team chemistry, Buchanan rolled through the D-1 playoffs, cruised to a 15-1 victory over rival Clovis for the Central Section championship and are the boys' TRAC Team of the Year. There is no secret to the Bears success as Coach Tom Donald and his experienced staff relied on senior leadership and a mindset to get better every day at practice no matter if they won or lost as their team mantra. Scorching hot the last five games of the season they outscored opponents 43-3 highlighted by Chandler Bengtson's grand slam and pitcher Connor Loeprich's complete game pitching victory in the title game.
The major players: Seniors CF Zach Ashford, 1B Chandler Bengtson, 3B Ross Dodds, P Connor Loeprich and DJ Martinez, SS Levi Zosky, 2B Michael Beltran. Junior P/1B Grant Gambrell, sophomore C Zach Presno. Coached by Tom Donald and his experienced staff.
They said it: "The biggest thing I'll take away from this team is cohesiveness, leadership, mentoring, and hard work. Guys were dialed in and took care of each other. I really had a lot of fun. They played so hard with a lot of confidence but not over confident. We saw the result of a daily process." -Buchanan Coach Tom Donald.
Honorable mention: Clovis West tennis, Clovis Swimming, Clovis West golf, Buchanan volleyball.
The Clovis softball team went 33-6 this season, won the TRAC, beat Central 2-0 to win the D-1 Valley championship, finished ranked No. 17 in the state and is this year's Girls' TRAC Team of the Year.
Girls' Team of the Year: Clovis Softball
The credentials: 33-6 overall record, TRAC champions, D-1 Central Valley champions, ranked No. 17 in state.
The story: Making it their mission to win a Valley title from the beginning of the season, the Clovis Cougars put it all together in the middle of the TRAC season, sealing the deal behind freshman phenom Danielle Lung's no-hitter in the D-1 Central Section title game, beating Central 2-0. Batting .365 as a team with a .448 on-base-percentage, a 1.49 team pitching ERA, and outscoring opponents 280-63 on the season the 2015 Cougars flourished with team defense and chemistry in Coach Mike Noel's 20th season at the helm.
The major players: Seniors shortstop Cayla Broussard, catcher Cameryn Reichle, center fielder Mackenzie Emmett, right fielder Taylor Tiger, third-baseman Alyssa Caballero, first baseman Kristina Ortiz, pitcher Brielle Vidmar, freshman pitcher Danielle Lung. Coached by Mike Noel and an experienced staff including two alumni.
They said it: "Top to bottom, their lineup was full of tough outs. The Clovis High defense was sharp, rarely opening doors with errors or miscues. Their greatness was in their style of play that included every member of the team. Although there were some standout players, what made the team standout as a whole was that they worked as a unit." – Bullard softball coach Jamie Maxey
Honorable mention: Clovis West basketball, Clovis volleyball, Clovis West water polo, Buchanan track and field.
Photo by John Caton
Clovis' Garett Couchman fires the game-winning overtime goal in their 11-10 victory over Clovis North for the D-1 Valley title. The thrilling battle between TRAC foes was chosen as the Boys' TRAC Game of the Year.
Boys' Game of the Year: Clovis vs Clovis North water polo
In front of an overflow crowd Clovis defeated Clovis North in the D-1 Central Section championship game in one of the most intense games you'll ever witness in any sport. In overtime Clovis senior Kyle Eoff assisted on a goal to Garrett Couchman, then prevented Broncos super-stud Carson Ivancovich from getting off a shot as time expired.
Girls' Game of the Year: Clovis vs Central softball
No. 1 Clovis vs No. 2 Central for the D-1 Central Section championship game didn't disappoint as the Cougars defeated TRAC rivals Grizzlies 2-0 behind freshman Danielle Lung's no-hitter and Alyssa Caballero's solo home run in the bottom of the fourth. Central had previously beaten Clovis two out of three games during the season.
Boys' Performance of the Year: Clovis swimming 200 free state gold relay team
In front of a pro-Clovis crowd at the CIF State Swimming and Diving Championships held at Clovis West the team of Seth Nabors, Ryan McVicars, Zach Koch and Graham Hauss struck gold with a time of 1:23.60, setting off a massive celebration and highlight of the event.
Girls' Performance of the Year: Hannah Waller Buchanan state track 400 gold
Blew away the competition all year long in the 400, and demolished the field in the grand-daddy of them all at the CIF State Track and Field Championships on her home track with a time of 53.13, good for a Central Section record and sixth best in the nation on the year.
Boys' Play of the Year: Brandon Goldman Buchanan soccer
In the biggest game of the season, a most unlikely star emerged from Buchanan as Ryan Goldman blasted a goal off a corner kick pass in overtime in the D-1 Central Section championship game against Liberty Bakersfield to win 1-0. It was only the senior's second goal of his career.
Girls' Play of the Year: Clovis West basketball's first quarter playoff game versus Hanford
A most perfectly executed 8:00 minutes of basketball saw the Golden Eagles throttle playoff nemesis Hanford 28-2 in the first quarter of the second round of the Central Section D-1 playoffs in the most dazzling start to a playoff basketball game in recent memory.
Clovis West sophomore Adrian Antunez drives to the basket in their D-1 semi-final playoff loss to Bullard. Antunez scored 32 of his team's 68 points and is this year's TRAC Eye of the Tiger award winner, exemplifying a never-give-up spirit.
Boys' Eye of the Tiger Award: Adrian Antunez Clovis West basketball
The sophomore single-handedly tried to will his team to victory against Bullard in his team's D-1 Central Section semi-final loss, scoring 32 points of his team's 68 points with an array of drives to the basketball and jump shots.
Girls' Eye of the Tiger Award: Natalie Zimmerer Clovis North volleyball
In obvious pain due to a hip issue wrapped heavily in the D-1 Central Section championship game against Clovis, the athletic Zimmerer didn't relent, hobbling around the court, continuing to play all-out for her teammates and school until the bitter end.
Boys' Upset of the Year: Clovis West tennis player Addison Weil over Bullard's Viran Batth
Taking the edge off the drama of a D-1 Valley championship match, Weil beat Batth in a battle of number ones, securing the Golden Eagles title before doubles even began.
Girls' Upset of the Year: Clovis North beats Buchanan in D-1 Cross Country
Clovis North unseated the 14-year reign of Buchanan cross country by winning the D-1 Cross Country Championships at Woodward park led by Lauren Moffett and her Bronco teammates.
Feel Good Story of the Year: Clovis North Valley Children's Basketball Tournament
Head boys' basketball Coach Tony Amundson, his players, and the students of Clovis North spearheaded a basketball tournament where participating teams visited sick kids at Valley Children's Hospital with all proceeds going towards the hospital.
CPD arrests suspect for Domestic Violence-Related Shooting


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Mega Drive Review - Aladdin (Game 125)
'Aladdin' is the best selling non-Sonic title on the Mega Drive and it's frequently called one of the best games on the system. But how does it compare to the Snes version?
Developed by Virgin Interactive
Published by Virgin / Sega / Disney
Release in 1993
Travel back in time to a nineties playground and you will hear the sound of geeks arguing.
"My Snes is so much better, it's got Mode 7. Yours has only got Blast Processing and that's not even a real thing".
"Yeah but 'Mario' is so slow and boring. It's like a baby's game. 'Sonic' is way faster and cooler."
Of course such comparisons were retrospectively ridiculous. Each machine had their own strengths, and despite both being 2D platformers, Mario and Sonic inhabited very different styles of games. However when each console received their own 'Aladdin' game, playground arguments quickly shifted to an obvious point of comparison.
Interestingly it wasn't just fan boys who judged one game against each other though. According to Internet rumour Capcom felt the need to entirely rework their Snes 'Aladdin' game after seeing the visually superior Mega Drive take on the Disney Film. The Super Nintendo game was frantically reworked to better mirror the Virgin published Sega game. Quite a challenge given that both games had fixed release dates of November 1993; essential if the games were to sit on the shelves alongside the 'Aladdin' film's video release. "It was all about having a game for theatrical, or for the most part, video release" designer David Bishop told Games TM magazine. "It was a massive thing back in those days".
However, despite the confident Chicago CES demonstration that had so worried Capcom, development of the Sega game was stressful for the production team. "We had to have the game done for when the video launched " Bishop notes."[This] meant we had to put together a team and build the game in five months. It was almost an impossible task". Completion of the game leaving enough time for "the various Sega testing shenanigans" was only possible thanks to the involvement of an Industry legend, one who was already making a name for himself following the creation of 'Cool Spot' and 'Global Gladiators'. "David Perry was sort of at the epicentre of this thing, driving the whole thing forward" Bishop readily admitted to Games TM magazine.
Ever since the dawn of the 8bit machines, David Perry has been at the forefront of gaming. Beginning as a teenager in Ireland he has gained a reputation for creating games that push console boundaries and pioneering cutting edge technology. So successful is Perry that the combined sales of his game has surpassed half a billion dollars. However while he is now closely associated with Sony owing to their acquisition of his company Gaikai. Retro Gamers no doubt best know Perry for the 16bit games he made for Virgin. "It's for Virgin that he achieved his greatest success" notes Sega16.com. "Between 1991 and 1993, Perry was responsible for some of the best platformers available on the Genesis, including the legendary 'Aladdin', which won him numerous awards and accolades from all over the industry." It remains the third best selling game on the Mega Drive and the most profitable non-'Sonic' title for the system. EGM magazine called it "a masterpiece" adding "it's hard to imagine a better game." GamePro magazine named it their "Genesis game of the year" and Dragon magazine saw fit to bestow a perfect score on 'Aladdin'.
"When I did 'Aladdin' with Disney it did quite well" Perry modestly admits. "The reason for that is because the directors really honestly cared and supported us 110%". There had been many license games based on films and TV properties prior to The Mega Drive version of 'Aladdin' of course. However this game is historically significant due to it showing how collaboration between film makers and game designers leads to greatness. "In those days it was usually Hollywood trying to show us how to make games and it didn't work" claims Perry. "I do believe there needs to be a relationship forged. That can only be good for gamers that liked the movie."
Despite the quick turnaround Perry felt his team should know every facet of the film if they were going to "do justice to the Disney masterpiece". "I probably saw the film 40 or 50 times, we all did" remembers Bishop. "[The film] 'Aladdin' was still a live project, so we had access to the people who had worked on it. We worked very heavily with the [Disney] animators that actually worked on the film. And it was actually the first time that anyone had done that." "'Aladdin' in 1993 (to my knowledge) was the first time a movie studio treated a license with genuine respect" adds Perry. "Jeffrey Katzenberg led the way (along with the movie's Directors Ron Clements and John Musker). Disney actually made new a ton of new exclusive Aladdin animations just for our game."
Cinematic animation works by tricking the brain into perceiving motion by showing dozens of still images in a second. The Mega Drive cannot process that many images that quickly. Even if it could, storing that many sprites all on a cartridge would be impossible. It was a headache for Perry. "We were lucky as we had Mike Dietz as our Animation Director [...] probably the best paper animator in the business" the game's lead designer acknowledges. "It's not just about animating, it's about timing and finding ways to compress animations. He would do time sheets that would use frame 1, 2, 3 then 2, then 7, then 3, then 1 etc" Perry explains. "He'd re-use old frames and draw the animation intending that to happen. So he was thinking technically too, and that made him priceless."
Once the most economical frames of animation had been agreed by Dietz and Disney each was scanned and electronically coloured. According to Bishop this was another first for the games industry. "Digitally Colouring [hand drawn scanned] frames was a brand new thing [...] up until then everyone just basically did animation frames directly into [the graphics program] 'DPaint'". All The effort certainly was worth it though as its impossible to find a review of the Mega drive's 'Aladdin' that doesn't praise the visuals. "The animation is astounding" wrote the notoriously critical Edge Magazine at the time. "The whole thing moves so smoothly and so fast it's easy to see where the cart's 16megs went!"
While the Super Nintendo certainly had a larger colour palette and graphical clout, Perry has always been a vocal supporter of the Mega Drive. He writes the foreword for the incredible 'Sega Mega Drive/ Genesis Collected Works' book and in this his love for the machine is obvious. "The Genesis altered the course of the global video game industry," he concludes. "It gave us the opportunity to go really big – to move from making little games... to producing blockbusters that everyone talked about."
Pushing the Mega Drive beyond what most thought possible made Edge magazine weary of 'Aladdin' however. "There's nothing worse than a game that looks fantastic but is about as much fun to play with as a bag of mud" the magazine warned. "Fear not, 'Aladdin' is brilliantly playable; you have total control over what your character does and the difficulty is set just right".
Given the tight turnaround and stressful climate that 'Aladdin' was made in, having something that played so well was certainly astonishing ; especially as the game started out life as a very different Disney property. "We were actually working on Disney's Jungle Book at the time, and I was very proud of our progress" recalls David Perry. "'Aladdin' was suddenly dropped into our lap as an emergency project, so I nabbed some of the 'Jungle Book' ideas/code and that got 'Aladdin' up and running really fast." But the 'Jungle Book' game isn't the only one of Perry's earlier games that has been plundered. The player will frequently venture over sand dunes in stages that seem very reminiscent of the beach platforming seen in 'Cool Spot'. Evidently, there have been quite a few artistic liberties taken with the game. I don't recall bomb juggling skeletons in the film, nor do I remember Aladdin massacring quite so many guards with his sword.
'Aladdin' on the Mega Drive doesn't stick as rigidly to the film's plot in the way the Snes version does. The in-between level intermissions may present some plot exposition, but typically it's simply justification for why Aladdin is in a cave or locked in a dungeon. The Most iconic scene in the film is, of course, the 'Whole New World' magic carpet scene; something which is actually replicated within the Super Nintendo version. While on the Snes this may only be a short bonus stage, it's ignored in the Sega game until a brief glimpse of Jasmine is shown at the end of the game.
Clearly, the same source material has inspired similar ideas across both games but they seem to be executed with a bit more flare on the Super Nintendo. For example both games see Aladdin thrown into the abstract world of the Genie's magic lamp. The Snes presents this in a joyous explosion of colour and a similar stage on the Mega Drive is bland in comparison.
The background of the stage is solid black and the level is largely filled with blind leaps to platforms off-screen; by far the most aggravating part of the game. 'Aladdin' on the Snes is undeniably more creative and varied than the Mega Drive equivalent. bosses in the Virgin developed game are all identical to each other; a small Sprite sits in the middle of the screen that needs to be hit until it explodes. Meanwhile the Snes game's sees you riding on the back of a snake at one point, something I've not seen in any other game. But it isn't just bosses that are more unconventional in Capcom's 'Aladdin'. The Snes game plays more like a parkour platformer where your agility and ability to string jumps together lead to success. In contrast Virgin's 'Aladdin' on the Mega Drive is a lot slower and certainly more repetitive. Like a stage seen in the Snes game, you do get to ride a carpet through a collapsing cave. However, this is the only short respite from lots of monotonous jumping. The majority of stages essentially see you just plotting a course through a level, climbing up ropes, avoiding obstacles and hacking enemies to death with your sword. Despite the film showing 'Aladdin' shying away from violence, the sword isn't the only weapon in the Mega Drive game. Aladdin can also throw apples which act like one hit kill grenades. However, while these deadly apples may be a useful way of clearing a platform that you wish to jump to, with a limited supply you must be sparing with them.
Most bosses, including the end of game boss, can only be beaten by throwing apples. If you've used the projectiles too excessively in the preceding level, the boss battles become significantly harder as you search to replenish your apple supply while avoiding their attacks. It's not 'Aladdin's only frustration though.
Given that this is a game aimed at a family audience, there are sections in 'Aladdin' that seem excessively hard and punishing. As with 'Cool Spot' too many levels are built around leaps of faith, where you're timing a jump to land on a moving platform that you can't see. There are also far too many moments that involve timing jumps to land on Vanishing blocks, something that's clearly been lifted from competitor Capcom's early 'Mega Man' games.
However while one or two can be navigated, a string of five or six timed jumps will prove to be a frustrating experience for a 6 year old. Worse still some later sections will require jumping to vanishing and moving platforms that hover over instant death pits. At least there are plenty of continue points, but run out of lives and a continue returns you to the start of a level. If that wasn't sufficiently unfair one level involves escape from a bolder. At least Genie's severed hand is there to point you I the best direction, well, it is for most of the stage. At several times the guiding arrow is replaced with a question mark so survival is simply down to blind luck. This literal helping hand would have been desirable in every stage as frequently there's a lack of direction. The large levels in 'Aladdin' feel confusing, where repeating backgrounds and re-spawning enemies make it hard to determine where you have already been and where you should be headed.
Exacerbating the problem more some routes only open when you have performed a random action elsewhere on the stage. With no on screen or audio indication that a new part has been unlocked, you'll fruitlessly search areas over and over.
These frustrations and unfair deaths all combine to make the Mega Drive 'Aladdin' noticeably harder than the Super Nintendo adaptation (a game which can be finished on a first sitting). But, ultimately, how the game played and its difficulty was irrelevant. Few people made a purchase decision based on minor gameplay differences between two perceivable similar platform games, especially when the two game's opening stages are so easily comparable. Side by side the superior visuals of the Sega game were hard to resist. If judged on sales, it's easy to tell which the better game was.
The Mega Drive/ Genesis version sold over 4 million copies, while 'Aladdin' on the Snes was bought by 1.75 million gamers. Many believe this was in part due to Sega's tireless efforts to push the game, using adverts that certainly provoked the fierce rivalry between Sega and Nintendo fans.
Double page spreads in games magazines were keen to draw attention to the marriage of "Disney Magic" and "Sega Power". While it would be incorrect to claim that the Mega Drive was the more "powerful" machine, it would have been fair to say "the power" referred to Sega's ability to distribute the game. Dr. Clarke-Willson was the VP of Product Development at Virgin. To this day he remains shocked by how well 'Aladdin' sold on the Mega Drive. "At four million it is still one of the top ten video games, sales-wise, in the last fifteen years" he claims. "One factor was that Sega distributed the game for us. That alone could account for twice the sales. Sega had amazing distribution back in the day."
With the Mega Drive having better review scores and selling more than twice as many as Capcom achieved on the Snes, it seems strange that the debate over the better 'Aladdin' game continues to this day. The Genesis version had been the greater success both
critically and commercially. Virgin had beat Capcom. Sega had won over Nintendo and yet the console war continues. "A while back, I got into a heated exchange with columnist Lisa Foiles about her flagrant proclamation that the Super Nintendo version of 'Aladdin' was superior to the Genesis version of 'Aladdin'" Kotaku's Kirk Hamilton recently admitted."Maybe I'm wrong. Enough people seem certain that the SNESversion was indeed the better game". To settle this "once and for all" Hamilton asked the readers of the Kotaku website to decide between the two 'Aladdin' games. The problem was that even this poll of more than 21,000 readers didn't reach a conclusive result. While more favoured the Mega Drive's 'Aladdin' it only received 58% of the votes; hardly unanimous.
For me, picking between the two comes down to that age old choice between looks and content. If only there was a way to merge the gameplay of the Super Nintendo game with the fluid animation of the Mega Drive's 'Aladdin'. Regardless of the console though, having "Aladdin" on a box seems to be a mark of quality.
Where did I get this game from?
Like so many of my Mega Drive games, I found 'Aladdin' in a bundle I bought from a local Facebook selling page. While it came with the manual, it wasn't in the best shape with a cigarette burn on the instruction manual. I always wonder why people would spend money on something (maybe £50 at the time of release) only to treat it so poorly.
Posted by Julian Hill at 1/20/2017
Timeless Gaming UK 28 January 2017 at 06:19
Nice review, I enjoyed that, There was an Aladdin game made for the Game Boy Color, which i'm pretty sure was a port of the Mega Drive game and not the SNES version interestingly.
Julian Hill 29 January 2017 at 08:22
That's intriguing. I think Capcom only had the license on the Snes so any other game probably would have been from Virgin. I know there was also a home-brew port of the Snes version on the Mega Drive labelled 'Aladdin 2'!


Please note that Pearson onix files do not include stock on hand. These are available via TitlePage or United who is the distributor.
Woodslane publishers – please click here to access publisher resources.


I dropped in on my old friend Darlene Traviss at her new facility, Flip Factory in N.E. Calgary.
Her club is staying away from competitive Artistic gymnastics. But they offer just about everything else.
Preschool makes up about 60% of the membership.
5,600 square feet of gym space which houses: 4 full size trampolines, a 40′ tumble track, a 40′ x 40′ sprung floor exercise space, a large foam pit, indoor toboggan hill for preschoolers, 40′ bouldering wall, beams, low tight ropes, slack lines, bars (including a pit bar), lots of climbing ropes, rings and vaulting apparatus.
An additional 2000 square foot mezzanine space houses our Tot Drop-In during the daytime. This area is filled with equipment specially designed for 1 – 5 year olds: Mats of all shapes and sizes, slides, climbing apparatus, ball pits and more. Equipment configuration and pieces change weekly. This gym is well padded and encourages movement and exploration. A seating area for parents built into the space makes it a perfect spot to hang out with friends while letting preschoolers burn off energy! The mezzanine space is cleared and available to other groups in the evenings.
A 750 square foot hardwood dance studio is used for our fitness classes and is also available to other groups.
Two spacious birthday party rooms are available for eats and treats after activities in the gym are finished up.
CONGRATULATIONS Darlene. I'm completely impressed.
Flip Factory provided excellent Staff, Amazing Space & Fitness Programs for all the kids regardless of age. As a special bonus we all got to enjoy a Reptile Awareness Show in the studio. Great stuff Thx Dar & Team Flip?!
I visited Lieven Vercruyssen, founder and chief evangelist of Eurogym Belgium and EuroTumble.com.
I tagged along with Lieven to Gymclub Apollo in Antwerp where he set up an Air Floor for the coaches and gymnasts to test.
Lieven is expert in setting up and deflating as quickly as possible.
The kids got in on the fun.
Apollo is a set-up, take-down gym in a school. With limited storage. An Air Floor is ideal in their situation.
Click PLAY or watch different kinds of athletes using Air Floors on YouTube.
Eurotumble is the distributor of TumblTrak in Europe.
Here's a sample of what different kinds of kids can do on an Air Floor.
Eurotumble is a division of Eurogym Belgium, though they distribute throughout Europe. And the world.
Founder and chief evangelist Lieven Vercruyssen was kind enough to host me recently, show me a number of clubs in Belgium … and even bring me along on a club visit where kids at Apollo in Antwerp got to test an Air Floor for themselves.
Eurotumble.com is a distributor for the American company Tumbltrak.
Is trampoline a good activity for participants with special needs?
Find out on a new site out of the U.K. dedicated to the topic. It already has a surprisingly number of links.
Click PLAY or watch the promo video on YouTube.


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Admitted Killer Says He Took 'Sexual' Pictures of His Wife and Denise Williams (VIDEO)
Alberto LuperonDec 12th, 2018, 12:27 pm
Admitted killer Brian Winchester testified on Wednesday in Florida that he took "sexual" pictures of his wife and defendant Denise Williams.
Winchester was shown photos of the two women in physical contact and testified that these images would have been from the same trip, from sometime in 2000 or 2001. This was after the death of Jerry Michael Williams, before Winchester's separation from his spouse Kathy, and before he and the defendant went public with their relationship, according to testimony.
Denise Williams stands trial in Leon County, Florida for the December 16, 2000 murder of her husband, who went by Mike.
The story behind this killing is bit convoluted. The victim went missing that day after going out on a duck hunting trip to Lake Seminole, but his body didn't turn up. Shortly after, Denise Williams collected $1.75 million on three life insurance policies on this life, said Assistant State Attorney Jon S. Fuchs. Winchester, a financial planner, sold two of those. He had been friends with the Williamses for years. The witness divorced his wife in 2003, and married Denise in 2005.
Jump to 2016. The couple had been separated for four years, and as Winchester admitted on the stand Wednesday, he broke into Denise's car, hid in the back, and confronted her when she entered the vehicle. He said he was armed.
Long story short, Winchester pleaded no contest in this case, and reached an immunity agreement with prosecutors in which he claimed that he and Denise planned Mike's murder. Winchester said he lured the victim out to Lake Seminole (which is north of Tallahassee), and promised to show him a special hunting spot. Then, when they were out on the water, he shoved Mike off the boat. The original plan was to stage this as an accidental drowning, but the victim held onto a tree stump. Brian said he shot Mike in the face with a shotgun, and he buried the victim near Carr Lake.
Prosecutors are using the sexual pictures to bolster their claim that Winchester really did have a sexual relationship with Denise before the murder. The defense is suggesting that there is no proof of an actual affair.
The state introduced tickets showing that Brian and the defendant had gone to concerts on October 21, 1999, July 2001, December 2001, April 2002, and Sept. 2002. That's all before the two went public with their relationship, he said.
As mentioned before, Winchester testified the sexual pictures were from after Mike's death, and before his separation from Kathy in Sept. 2001. He said he couldn't remember the exact timing. Denise and Kathy were described in court as holding hands, hugging, and kissing. Brian was more cagey in his description.
"They are photographs of Denise with my first wife Kathy of a sexual nature," he said. This pictures were taken in a trip to Panama City, Florida. According to him, the trio traveled often. Other locations included Orlando, and Colorado.
Under cross-examination, defense lawyer Ethan Way pointed out that pictures largely didn't show Winchester in physical contact with the women, except for cheek-to-cheek. Brian said that he was the one taking the photos.
Winchester testified Tuesday that he, Denise, the victim, and Kathy often went out to bars, concerts, and so forth. He described there being lots of drinking. He remembered one night in particular in which the quartet "discussed sex."
"Things that married couples shouldn't be talking about with each other," he said, vaguely.
In opening statements on Tuesday, Fuchs told jurors that Kathy claimed that she, Denise, and Brian had sexual relations with each other during a trip to Panama City in 2000, prior to Michael's death.
He and Williams wouldn't get married until 2005. In Winchester's account, he and Denise didn't go public with the relationship until after a long, and fraught process. According to him, he and his wife separated in 2001, he cheated on Denise with another woman, she cheated on him with her co-worker, he admittedly tried to get back together with Kathy, and he divorced Kathy in 2003. Like we said, convoluted.
[Screengrab via Law&Crime Network]
Brian Winchester