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Toni, Rick and Clare in March at Christchurch Horncastle Arena
We meet him, in Christchurch, the man responsible for one of the greatest Eighties hits, a hand shake, a smile of delight and the presentation to him of a bottle of Pinot Noir. It had been a long journey from my cousin Sally in Somerset to the drive from Nelson to the venue. Along with us that day was Clare, my colleague's wife. She had no idea of what was to happen, she was only aware that we were meeting up to see him play. The look on her face when we were escorted back stage before the gig was priceless and greatly enhanced when he appeared with his agent. This was the week before lockdown came into force. Rick Astley was the perfect antidote the coming storm at the time as was the MarchFest in Nelson a few days later, the last time I'd see any of my family for several weeks.
It is New Year's Eve in New Zealand as I write and the weather is surprising mild with cloud cover masking the blue sky and sun. This is unusual for the time of year but was predicted as a consequence of global climate change. It happened several years ago when our close friends from the UK came over the same time of the year in search of clear skies and warmth. Sadly, I listened to the BBC radio this morning to hear the news of yet another leap in the COVID body count, this time 981. The radio presenter was discussing this tragic milestone, the worst daily total since April and the grimly predicted a similar picture in the coming weeks, despite the development and introduction, at astounding speed, of a variety of vaccines. Their uptake has just begun but it appears weeks will be required to build immunity and additional boosters necessary to increase their immunological effect.
Knee jerk signage but not at the time!
Who would have considered the word "lockdown" in 2019 to be so contentious and emotive? It seems to me, so far flung from the present UK epidemic of restrictions and curtailments of normal life hard to comprehend. Those living there I've communicated with or have heard off appear to be struggling with the immensity of this. It's long term effects, of isolation from friends and family, to businesses dependent upon those locked down and the greater economy as a whole will be difficult to calculate. What seems to be remarkable though is that the UK health service continues to manage in the way it does. Surely the message of this pandemic is that for the national economy to thrive, even survive, in unique and unprecedented events demands a robust and resilient health service. This aligned with the leadership of the country carefully listening to and appropriately reacting in accordance with their scientific advisers has been the success story of those, including me, living in New Zealand. This is born out by the resulting repatriation of tens of thousands of Kiwis back to their home land when the borders here were reopened in June. This in itself has created many new and unforeseen problems including the unaffordability of housing increasing on an already struggling marketplace.
"What has socialism ever done for us?"
Despite this the country is prospering, comparatively, to other western nations affected by COVID 19. I still go to work, can plan holidays and weekend breaks, am free to travel within New Zealand unrestricted and see friends and family without restriction. This was not the case back in late March. The tumultuous nature of the government's decision to do a hard lockdown came as a surprise with many doubters and push back. Several weeks later with alert states returning to relative normality and only a handful of fatalities life began to resemble its pre March picture. Contact tracing and testing continued and the pulse of life led to the occasional local outbreak which was dealt with remarkable effectiveness. This I confess has its own problem, that of complacency, and many not conforming to the ritual of scanning QR codes when entering premises and shops anymore.
This reflection on those heady events will now turn to how we, Toni and myself, have adapted to this new normal which really began in January of this year, 2020. It was then that events became more news worthy. Our daughter and her partner were planning a trip to Europe and the UK and I was becoming increasingly concerned about their welfare and ability to return in the event of this news becoming more serious. It seemed that any cold or flu like symptom was an indicator of a COVID infection. An old school friend of Toni's, living in Canada lost her young Son to COVID in March, or so we thought. The anxiety of this and the rapid onset of measures to combat and control this, its immediacy and the somewhat draconian response was breathtaking. A workplace presentation on sustainability in dental practice was soon changed to become the forum to discuss what we do if or when the inevitable decision to lock down occurred. Toni, as a core midwife at Nelson Hospital, had no choice but to continue regardless of the pandemic but we soon both adopting the strip off at the back door to go directly into the shower, unceremoniously throwing our work clothes into the washing machine. This became the norm until lockdown and continued for Toni through the early weeks of the crisis. I became head chef and gardener and was kept very busy on various projects that were in the long grass. It wasn't long, however, before New Zealand returned to work and in particular for me stood some obstacles before my headspace and mental health accepted this new reality. I had made this decision based upon the notion the dental hygiene profession would suffer as a fear of COVID, this was reinforced by the fact that we as clinicians deal with all manner of oral flora and our mechanical processes, our instrumentation of biofilms can create bacterial fields potentially harmful to us and others. This concern was reiterated by the governing and regulatory bodies decision to ban the use of ultrasonic and sonic scaling equipment in higher alert levels. I'll return to this shortly.
Banksy at his best extolling the virtues of essential workers during COVID
At this point I must allude to the role that social and main stream media played during this time. I was glued, like many others at the time I suspect, to the only real form of immediate communication, the internet. I must have spent many hours listening to podcasts and media broadcasts to either understand the nature and response to COVID nationally and globally but also as a distraction. My mother, at the tender age of 81 years, and myself began a Zoom thread that continues weekly to this day. Respect to her, adapting to the new technology scene and adopting this a form of real communication with us. At one point I was organising meetings from here between her, her sister and nephew, all in the UK! Strange times indeed. The media I believe will take some responsibility for its reporting of events during COVID when all the facts are known and lessons learned from it. Social media in particular will be more cautiously approached by those of a more discerning persuasion. Feverish and hungry consumption of any news be it verified or wholly misleading will change I hope after infections and vaccines bring an effective degree of heard immunity and normality return.
A menacing dark cloud taken from our balcony summing up the moment of lockdown
In May, whilst stationed in my home I decided to apply for a new profession, the fear that dental hygiene as I knew it would cease or irreparably change drove my application to train as a nurse at Nelson College. I was surprised that my application was immediately accepted and my headspace began to accept the inevitable move from dentistry, after 38 years. I kept this quiet from my colleagues initially and uncertainty with this decision began to appear when I considered the income I'd lose and debt I'd incur after 3 years of training. I was also perturbed by the fears and anxiety shown by my daughter-in-law who was into her final year of training locally. The idea that you were in a lottery after graduation as to where you ended up working appeared totally Dickensian to me. This affected me and a few counselling sessions and medication helped me traverse the stormy seas of my emotions. Life felt tough to me and affected my workspace as well as my headspace.
Herman our German Toyota Mini Campervan
I am very thankful that we did our odyssey back in 2019. We learned much from it especially the decision to make it our last for quite some time. We decided to buy a tent and all the finery that goes with the camping scene, a tow bar for the Volvo and a decent bike rack to transport the Ebikes around this country. The purpose of this was to save the expense of long haul travel, it's environmental footprint and impact as well as the time in transit, jet lag and organising headaches. We were also fortunate to meet Cedric in August. He was a traveller from Northern Germany, like many thousands of young folk making a pilgrimage to these shores, supporting the economy with their presence and being witnesses and ambassadors to future tourists wanting to travel to our country. Annoyingly to me they get a bad press in this country, free campers for which Cedric was one, have been bad mouthed for poor toilet behaviour. A few have been responsible for this feverish media assassination but most are abiding and responsible, furthermore they add to the economy in multiple ways and buying Cedric's converted Toyota Estima was acknowledgement of that and support of him. Herman, the aforesaid Toyota is now a firm family favourite and we thank Cedric for his attention to detail in converting this MPV to a mini mobile home. This is an addition to the travel inventory and Oli, our Spaniel, can now be part of our journey too.
Social Distancing during vintage at Neudorf Winery – Germans and French playing their part
Another positive from 2020, from a completely unforeseen angle was the provision of free training for primary industries. Apiculture being one of these. Now bees have been off my radar of interest until the last few years. Dear friends of ours have been drawn to the beauty and necessity of beekeeping and have inspired me to consider it as a hobby, if not a job in the future. I wasn't really aware of this opportunity provided as a COVID response to aiding the economy but thanks to Facebook and the Nelson Beekeeping page I fortuitously stumbled upon it. The class of 18 features more females than males, they are really passionate about their learning and contribute much to this journey. I've now 2 hives, in the 2 corners of the garden, have endured many ups and downs with Queen bee dramas that many an expert hasn't had to endure, several stings and a curious obsession with watching them landing on the hive laden with pollen. Anyone who thinks that a foray into keeping bees is an easy ride be warned it is far from that. There is a need for regular inspections, checking for a variety of infestations and diseases and a need to conform to a responsible yearly management plan to protect the bee colonies of New Zealand and their welfare throughout the year.
Bees in a brood box and feeder with bracken as a gym
To sum up 2020 has been a rough ride, an emotional and physical rollercoaster to me and I would reliably assume many others. I'm not in the super COVID risk age group unlike my mum and the in – laws. I have learned much about myself, faced a few demons and changes along the way. I am lucky, as part of the team of 5 million New Zealanders, that we had decisive leadership who took the right advice from the right advisers and the right time. The damage was minimal and the social consequences I hope less than predicted. I will continue as a dentalcare professional, as a gardener, a writer, and now as a budding hobbyist beekeeper. Where this coming year will take me I'm not certain, Toni will hopefully get her new hip and our friends from the States, returning to Aotearoa will find a place and settle back into this great country. I wish all who read this and friends and family the very best, health, happiness and a greater degree of certainty for your future. Kia Ora.
An eternal memory where nature felt more powerful than manned flight – Air New Zealand paralysed and on the deck
← to bee or not to bee? is that the question? off the plot with Mark Part 1


There's no doubt that Microsoft Excel is one of the most important computer programs in the world. Used for everything from analyzing financial budgets to scheduling a team outing, Excel is a necessary skill for almost everyone in today's workplace. Anyone can claim to be "proficient," but to really reap the benefits of a program as helpful as Excel, you need to know what tools are available and how you can actually use and apply them to the work you do.
The 2019 Microsoft Excel Bootcamp Bundle ($39, a $1,725 value; stacksocial.com) aims to be an inexpensive, flexible and comprehensive solution to any and all of your Excel anxieties. With lifetime access to five courses and 78 hours of content, the bootcamp bundle will have you crunching numbers and creating pivot tables in no time. Plus, you can tackle the content on your own time and return to the material whenever you need a refresher.
Creators Marc, Vin and Chris formed their company, Excel with Business, in 2009 as a remedy for inadequate Microsoft Excel training. As strategy and management consultants, they felt that too many people were laboriously learning everything about Excel, rather than zeroing in on how to apply Excel skills in a business context -- so they began designing business-relevant Excel courses.
With this 32-hour crash course, you'll cover the basics of using Excel. From automating spreadsheets to creating graphs for presentations, you won't have to waste any more time trying to figure out how to actually do those things. The course includes access to 160 lectures that cover everything from the most popular formulas to understanding the different uses for conditional, cell and number formatting.
Now that you have the basics covered, this course will focus on elevating those intermediate skills to new heights. By the end of the 20 lectures, you should be able to solve even the most difficult problems in Excel. The topics covered include solving complex problems using superpower functions and utilizing macros in order to increase the interactivity of your spreadsheets.
Pivot tables are often considered Excel's most powerful tool. They enable you to automatically sort data in one place and present the information you're analyzing in another. Pivot tables can be a challenge to learn on your own, but with 39 modules you'll be given the materials needed to develop the necessary skills. By the end of the course you shouldn't have any trouble filtering, sorting and grouping data. Plus you'll learn how to identify the best types of data sets to use and understand the pivot table's primary uses and applications.
With this course, you'll learn to combine the technical skills you've acquired with financial and business strategy. The content focuses on how to use data to support your business decisions through Excel techniques like dynamic ranges and advanced charts. You'll even get the chance to practice different forecasting techniques like moving averages and regression. Instructor Harold Graycar is an executive with over 25 years of experience in a variety of management roles, all based in business analysis.
Excel with Business describes Microsoft VBA, or Visual Basic for Application, as "Excel on steroids." With just a little VBA knowledge, you can take your Excel game to the next level by automating tasks and taking on way more data. From defining and managing variables to setting up subroutines, this four-hour course is accredited by CPD UK, the UK-based continuing professional development certification service, making it a great skill to add to your resume.


The Taotao Evo 50 scooter offers a modern elegant design with a sporty look. The scooter is powered by a heavy duty 50cc, air-cooled, 4-stroke engine to guarantee good power for acceleration while keeping a good gas mileage.
The scooter also equipped with electronic starter, a high performance exhaust, dual stage paint and decals, halogen bulbs, high quality seat, and underseat lockable storage compartment.The Evo 50 is the perfect choice for those who value size more than anything and who are looking for a fuel efficient reliable way to get around Miami Dade county or Broward County.
This affordable scooter is one of the biggest 50cc scooters in its class. Comfortably seating two people, the TaoTao Evo 50 is the size of a 150cc scooter, yet, it still gets up to 115 mpg for a great fuel efficient way of getting around the Miami or Fort Lauderdale area. What better way to enjoy South Florida than on this big body 50cc scooter? Whether you take to win Down Town Ft. Lauderdale are take it to South Beach on the weekend, this is a great way to get around while still being cheap on gas.


• Papa John's: offers small pizzas, cheese sticks, individual slices, chicken, and more (first floor, across from the Welcome Center).
• Subway: offers sandwiches, wraps, salads, cookies, and more (first floor, across from the Welcome Center).
• RVC Bookstore: offers "instant lunches," salty and sweet snacks, candy, gum, and mints (ground floor).
• Microwave Oven: available for student use (first floor, in the hallway between "The Hub" and the Atrium).
• Meg's Daily Grind: Meg's serves hot and cold coffee drinks, tea, chai, hot chocolate, juice, soda, muffins, bagels, scones, cookies, sandwiches, nachos, and soup.
Multiple chain and locally-owned restaurants are available in the Rockford downtown area.
Main Campus – Refunds may be obtained in the Student Center Welcome Center. There is a two-day grace period in which to verify funds.
Samuelson Road Center (SAML) – Refunds for the vending machine are available in the SAML Student Development Office.
Monday -Thursday: 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Monday-Thursday: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
Monday: 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Tuesday-Thursday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.


When thinking about warmth head to toe, of course one wants to think about warm socks and shoes. The key here is to think of these things as a system with components to adjust for maximum comfort and traction.
Because all running shoes have breathable mesh uppers, warm socks are a must for winter running. (Mesh is great for keeping your feet cooler in the summer, but in the winter, this design feature might be a drawback.) One way to achieve an ideal balance between breathability and warmth is to wear a merino wool sock. Merino wool is soft, comfortable, warm, and odor-resistant, making it an ideal addition to your low-temp running wardrobe. Feetures makes merino wool running socks in a variety of weights, as does SmartWool PhD. Most running sock brands also produce merino wool-polyester blend versions that will keep your foot warmer even when your feet get wet. If you are allergic to wool, however, I'd recommend trying Mizuno's Breath Thermo range of running socks. As the socks absorb perspiration, the material heats up. That's an awesome plus that makes this sock useful for all your outdoor activities.
You probably want to go with a longer crew-length sock in the winter. Otherwise, you'll have a gap between your running tights and your socks, leaving you four inches of frostbitten misery just above your ankle. Mizuno literally has you covered! The Breath Thermo sock comes in a crew version.
When conditions get particularly severe –– snow and ice covered roads and sidewalks, for instance –– you might prefer a running shoe designed for superior traction and water resistance. Trail running shoes are an excellent option for winter conditions because of their more aggressive outsole tread. Luckily, most running shoe companies produce trail models that will provide sufficient traction on snow and ice.
Running shoe companies are also producing shoes with uppers that provide more protection from the elements. Brooks offers its popular neutral shoe, The Ghost, in a Gore-Tex version that will keep your feet drier while allowing them to breathe. The popular Asics Cumulus comes in a Gore-Tex option as well. Nike produces several of its popular running shoes in Shield versions that have a DWR water-repellent finish and a water-repellent inner bootie to help keep feet drier in challenging conditions.
If it looks like this outside, it might be time to check out a new variety of trail shoes specifically engineered for winter activity. Saucony has just released two trail running shoes that will see you through the worst winter conditions. Both the Peregrine ICE+ and the Razor ICE+ feature Vibram's Arctic Grip outsole material in high contact areas. This material will allow you to stick to icy surfaces. Arctic grip for running shoes is only available on these two Saucony models. The Peregrine ICE+ also features a FLEXSHELL upper that's highly water-resistant. If you find yourself wading through snow, however, you should check out the Razor ICE+s upper that features a fleece-lined neoprene bootie to help keep your feet warm and dry.
Gear-wise you should now be set to run outdoors this winter in relative comfort –– no treadmills for you. Be sure to keep to the mantra of dressing 20 degrees warmer than it is so that you won't overheat. If you are running in low light conditions be sure to have a combination of active (headlamp, clip-on strobe light, flashlight) and passive (reflective vest, reflective clothing) visibility.
Now that you have no more gear-related excuses, you're going to have to find extra motivation to roll out of a comfy warm bed at 5:30 AM for a morning run. I'll write about this critical part of winter running next time.
How do you keep your tootsies toasty in the winter? Any tips to share? We'd love to hear them in the comments.


The usual debate that will follow will take the form of asking hapless representatives of different parties what they will cut to hit these targets. Interviewers will expect "bleeding stumps" to be paraded, otherwise they will claim it is not a serious cut.
The independent Left and other groups will be happy to oblige. This is the time when strongly held convictions can produce the cuts their owners dream about. The left will say we should stop the Trident replacement and make further cuts in our defence budget. They will recommend taxing what few rich remain here to pay their higher taxes.
The Eurosceptics will say we should renegotiate our budget settlement with the EU, or simply pull out to save the money. Some will favour stopping the payments whilst demanding the EU stops the waste and fraud. The Greens and Lib Dems will favour more taxes on motorists.
The Conservative Party has set out some of the government activities it will abolish. It wants to stop the ID card scheme, remove most of the regional government that has grown in recent years, stop the detailed oversight of Town Hall by Whitehall and reduce quangos and regulations.
A parade of more damaging cuts in front line activities is not how a business would tackle this type of problem. Whilst £100 billion is a huge sum, and is far larger than any previous range of cuts any post war government has put through, it is only 14% of public spending. Many manufacturing businesses have had to cut their costs by 3% a year for four years, which gets you to that kind of figure. They have not done so by cutting out great parts of their activity. They have often done it by smarter working, by doing more for less.
There are big parts of the public sector that have been under no serious pressure to do this for years. The important change is to put in place new aims and new ways of approaching budgets.
The biggest single cost in the public sector is the cost of staff. Any new government is likely to want to protect teaching and medical jobs, and some other front line public servants. Beyond this are 5 million employees. A staff freeze would start to force efficiency improvements and better processes. A well policed staff freeze could reduce the public sector payrolls by several hundred thousand, on a timetable that allowed the efficiency and process improvements to be introduced. It would mean better promotion chances for people currently employed. The range of cost of outside consultancies at the same time has to be brought under control. Some of the public sector clerical activities might be better done in the private sector following competitive tender. Employees would of course enjoy TUPE protection.
The second biggest cost is the cost of benefits or income transfers. Tackling high and rising unemployment will be central to cutting spending. The Conservatives have numerous ideas on how to bring more people back into the workforce through programmes of drug rehabilitation, improved English and maths, and a better package of incentives to encourage work over benefits.
The public sector needs to copy the best practice of the private sector in eliminating error, cutting out waste, and using office space, fuel and other supplies more effectively. Error rates in modern world class manufacturing are around 100 parts per million. Error rates in government clerical factories are often 10,000 parts per million and can rise as high as 100,000 parts per million. A company with such an error rate would not be around too long. It will mean reform, reform to simplify systems, improve processes, and motivate staff. Energy waste is large. Many public buildings light and heat large areas that are left unused for long periods of the day and night. There is an absence of intelligent controls.
Can all this be done? Technically, yes it is easy. It has been done elsewhere. We need a new team of Ministers who will set out to do just that on a large scale. We do not need to cut important services. We can do more with less. We do need to cut out some less desirable activities. There we need to do less with much less. The pamphlet I have written with Carl Thomson sets out some of the big numbers on the costs of running our current government, which shows you just how much scope there is to do more for less.


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Rep. Kenny Marchant joins parade of Texas House retirements, opening up competitive Dallas-area seat
Marchant, who won reelection last fall by 3 points, follows Hurd, Conaway and Olson
Posted Aug 4, 2019 10:46 PM
Bridget Bowman
@bridgetbhc
Democrats try to expand House battlefield by targeting six more districts Liz Cheney is not running for Senate in Wyoming Impeachment managers all represent safe Democratic seats
Texas Rep. Kenny Marchant is reportedly not seeing a ninth term. (Bill Clark/CQ Roll Call file photo)
Updated 11:45 a.m. Monday | Rep. Kenny Marchant is the latest Texas Republican to decide to retire rather than seek another term in 2020, opening up a competitive seat in the Dallas area.
"I am looking forward to finishing out my term and then returning to Texas to start a new chapter," Marchant said in a Monday morning statement that thanked his constituents, staff and family. He said he was going to spend more time with his seven grandchildren and "working cattle on my ranch."
Marchant's decision was first reported Sunday night by The New York Times. As recently as Friday, Marchant's team was asserting that the eight-term Republican was running for reelection in the 24th District.
Marchant is the fourth House Republican from Texas to announce his retirement in just over a week. Pete Olson was first, followed by K. Michael Conaway and then Will Hurd.
Marchant won reelection by just 3 points last fall, while President Donald Trump carried his district, which is near the Dallas-Fort Worth airport, by 6 points. Inside Elections with Nathan L. Gonzales rated the 24th District race Leans Republican before the news of Marchant's retirement broke.
A crowded field of Democrats has lined up to run, including the 2018 nominee, accountant Jan McDowell. Others running include Kim Olson, a retired Air Force colonel who was the Democratic nominee for agriculture commissioner in 2018; lawyer Crystal Fletcher; and school board member Candace Valenzuela.
First elected in 2004, Marchant is the ranking member on the House Ethics Committee. He had $2.2 million in the bank at June 30, the end of the most recent fundraising quarter, and had loaned his campaign $285,000.
Olson has led the Democratic field in the 24th District in fundraising following an eye-catching campaign announcement video. She was honorably discharged from the Air Force, but was fined and pleaded guilty to creating a perception of a conflict of interest regarding contracts for a private security firm during the reconstruction effort in Iraq.
Olson referenced the issue in her announcement video, calling the situation on the front lines when she first got to Iraq a "cluster" and saying that the government couldn't pay the security detail protecting Americans.
"The warrior in me did what I had to do to get the security team paid and save lives. For that, I was reprimanded," she said. "But I took full responsibility because I'm an accountable, no-excuse leader. And when it comes to saving lives, it's a decision I would make again."
It is not immediately clear who could jump in on the Republican side. But one potential candidate to watch could be former Irving mayor and current Housing and Urban Development official Beth Van Duyne, who has been mentioned as a potential candidate in the nearby 32nd District. Irving is located in Marchant's district.
The 24th District is among the increasingly diverse suburban districts that Democrats are targeting in 2020. The district saw a six percent growth in its Hispanic population from 2013 to 2017, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey.
The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is targeting six GOP-held House seats after flipping two suburban seats in 2018. The committee also has a headquarters in Texas.
Topics: 2020 at-the-races elections house includephoto open-seat politics republicans Agriculture Campaign Finance Campaigns DCCC democrats Donald J. Trump Elections Ethics Executive Branch House Iraq K Michael Conaway Kenny Marchant New York Pete Olson Republicans Texas Washington DC Will Hurd POLI

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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'Hope to get new squadron of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets soon': HAL
Feb 21, 2019, 1:02 pm IST
India, All India
According to reports, HAL is expected to manufacture two additional aircraft from the facility by the end of 2019.
According to sources, the IAF is planning to procure eight new Sukhoi Su-30MKI from HAL. The total cost of the order is estimated to be more than Rs 30 billion (USD 421.03m). (Photo: File)
Bengaluru (Karnataka): Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on Thursday said that it has proposed to the Defence Ministry to procure a new squadron of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets.
"We have put up a proposal and we hope to get a new squadron of Sukhois (Sukhoi-30 fighter jets) in the future," HAL Chairman and Managing Director (MD) R Madhavan told media at Aero India show here.
This came following media reports that the central government is planning to increase the overhauling capacity of Sukhoi-30 fighter jets to 25 per year from the existing 12 aircraft.
The Bengaluru-based HAL has been manufacturing and overhauling Su-30 fighter aircraft at its Ozar unit in Maharashtra's Nasik district since 2004.
According to reports, HAL has manufactured 260 Su-30 aircraft to date and is expected to manufacture two additional aircraft from the facility by the end of this year.
According to sources, the IAF is planning to procure eight new Sukhoi Su-30MKI from HAL. The total cost of the order is estimated to be more than Rs 30 billion (USD 421.03m).
The Su-30MKI aircraft is developed by Russia's Sukhoi Aviation and built under licence by HAL in India.


text:
Silicon Valley brothers build billion dollar…
Silicon Valley brothers build billion dollar cyber-security fortunes
Ken Xie (Kim White/Bloomberg)
By Bloomberg News |
PUBLISHED: February 11, 2019 at 4:16 am | UPDATED: February 11, 2019 at 4:19 am
By Ben Stupples | Bloomberg
Cyber-security has unlocked riches for Ken and Michael Xie.
The Chinese-born brothers are now billionaires from their stakes in Fortinet Inc., the Silicon Valley-based network security software firm they co-founded almost two decades ago, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.
Spurred by high-profile data breaches and malware attacks, cyber-security has become a growing priority for companies. Cloud-focused firms including Fortinet and Palo Alto Networks Inc. have benefited as businesses update their computer infrastructures, posing a threat to more established network software providers such as Cisco Systems Inc. and Juniper Networks Inc. Fortinet counts most Fortune 500 companies as its customers, according to its website.
"It's been one of the innovative companies for next-generation products as companies have looked to cyber more," said Mandeep Singh, senior technology analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. "It's a fragmented market, so there's plenty of room for a player to boost their position."
The cyber-security software market should grow 10 percent a year through 2023, according to research firm MarketsandMarkets. Fortinet is outpacing that, with 2018 revenue increasing 20 percent to $1.8 billion from a year earlier. The firm's shares closed at $81.22 on Wednesday, more than six times its 2009 public offering price. They dipped on Thursday after fourth-quarter adjusted profit missed analysts' estimates.
"We are excited about significant opportunity ahead," Ken Xie, 56, who's chief executive officer, said on a call Wednesday after Fortinet reported results. He predicted continued growth in 2019, but added "you need to keep up the innovation."
A spokeswoman for Sunnyvale, California-based Fortinet didn't immediately respond to requests for comment.
Ken Xie has been a U.S. citizen since 1998 and started his first cyber-security company while studying electrical engineering at Stanford University. He co-founded Fortinet in 2000 after creating and then leaving another online security firm, NetScreen Technologies. Juniper Networks acquired NetScreen in a 2004 all-stock deal valued at $4 billion.
A decade and a half later, Fortinet's $13 billion valuation exceeds that of Juniper Networks. Ken Xie is the largest individual shareholder, with a 7.4 percent stake worth $1 billion. He's also collected more than $40 million through share transactions, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.
Michael Xie, the firm's president and chief technology officer, studied electrical engineering at Canada's University of Manitoba. He owns a 7.1 percent stake, with almost half held through family trusts, and has collected more than $70 million through share transactions.
Among other cyber-security companies, Check Point Software Technologies Ltd. CEO Gil Shwed has a $2.9 billion stake and Palo Alto Networks co-founder Nir Zuk's shares are worth almost $300 million.
"It's a space that keeps changing and growing fast, keeping me learning every day," Ken Xie said in an interview last year. "And that I like."
Morning Wire
Miss Manners: I yell rude things at strangers. Is that bad?
Problem Solved: Electrolux fridge broke, and so did its replacement
I hope you bought a different brand to replace these, because this company doesn't back its motto.
Julie Jason: You can file your 2019 taxes now using your mobile phone
If you make $70,000 or less, the service is free.


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1. Advance the education of the public in the subject of visual and performance art in all its forms.
2. Promote art for the benefit of the public by the establishment & maintenance of an arts festival.
The main function of CASALF in 2015 remained to work with local communities to deliver a multi-disciplinary, culturally-diverse arts festival – COAST – in October half-term week. This and all other activities were underpinned by the principles of inclusivity, affordability and accessibility whilst, at the same time, promoting quality in artistic practice and fostering young/emerging Norfolk talent.
July marked the launch of North Norfolk's Great Talent aka #NNGT. A new endeavour for COAST, in full partnership with Arts North Norfolk (ANN) and Art is Medicine (AIM), #NNGT sought to encourage Norfolk's hidden talent gems of all ages to come forward in 6 auditions and 2 semi-finals from 4th Sept to 16th Oct in Mundesley, North Walsham, Cromer, Sheringham and Holt. 15,000 leaflets (sponsored by AIM) were widely distributed in school book bags and community venues across the county. These were supplemented by 8 adverts in Just Regional and Times Group free publications, a new website – www.nngt.uk, newsletters to the COAST mailing list and press releases. There were 38 enquiries and these translated into 29 separate entrants (soloists, duos, bands and troupes). 21 of these went through to the semis and 10 were selected for the glittering Grand Final in Cromer Pier's Pavilion Theatre on Thu 29th Oct, hosted by Joe Ballard, CEO of ANN. The finalists performed for a 205-strong audience and 4 prestigious judges: Anna Mudeka, Annie Lloyd, David Mackay and Roy Davenport. The winners, Angelo Bernal & Ryan Major performing as GELO, were awarded the unique #NNGT trophy (created by Annie Lloyd and sponsored by M&A Partners), £100 cash and an immediate opportunity to perform in David Mackay's show The Elvis Years on Cromer Pier on 31st Oct as well as to record a special session at Mustard TV for broadcast on 3rd Nov. The success of #NNGT was overwhelming; key partners in its delivery are keen to expand and develop the project in future years and enquiries have already started coming in!
COAST2015's fundraising activities began in the summer with a Norfolk Treats Raffle and a Supper Quiz. (Unfortunately a planned summer Garden Party at Templewood in Northrepps had to be cancelled. This was a great shame as previous Templewood parties had been amongst COAST's best supported and financially beneficial events, providing a great opportunity to sell raffle tickets too!) In recent years COAST raffles have proved popular with the public and cost-effective thanks to the generosity of local businesses. This year 16 prizes were donated by museums, shops, attractions, theatres, hotels and restaurants. Prizes ranged from a £15 gift voucher for hand-made chocolates to dinner, bed and breakfast in a boutique hotel. Ticket sales – £336 compared to £585 in 2014 – were a little disappointing but, with fewer selling opportunities (e.g. at Templewood), were not entirely unexpected. Although inexpensive to run, a big annual raffle is really labour-intensive.
On 30th Sept the Supper Quiz proved successful in both financial and audience development terms. COAST had run quizzes in previous years with varying degrees of success. Competition in this arena is fierce and so in 2015 COAST wanted to offer something a bit special and so introduced the supper element (as opposed to the standard fare of sandwiches and chips). The Sea Marge Hotel in Overstrand (host of several Afternoon Tea & Talk events from 2012-14) proved an ideal partner. The hotel provided a choice of delicious home-cooked suppers for just £5 per head with the proviso that COAST would encourage its guests to purchase drinks and puddings as add-ons.
COAST hoped the event would attract 40 participants paying £10 (in 10 teams of 4) but there were actually 56 paying customers. After costs, the quiz made a profit of £263 and £80 worth of raffle tickets were sold. The Sea Marge (part of the Mackenzie hotel chain) was delighted with the event and this enthusiasm is certainly something that the Trustees plan to build on in future years.
Sheringham & Cromer Choral Society's concert with London Mozart Players in Cromer Church on 28th Nov (the finale in North Norfolk District Council's Orchestras Live 2015 season).
60+ public, private and voluntary sector organisations – pre-existing partnerships with funders, venues and/or contributors were consolidated and new partnerships were developed; most notably with Cromer Pier, Davenports Magic Kingdom and Structureflex.
125 volunteers (contributing an estimate of 8,000 hours equating to £88,000 at £11 per hr).
Promote a diversity of artforms & showcase the variety & quality of work produced in Norfolk.
Provide access to high quality local, regional, national & international artistic practices.
Offer local communities & visitors wide-ranging cultural & wellbeing experiences in this rural district where affordable opportunities are comparatively limited.
These have certainly been achieved. In terms of affordability, 40% of all opportunities were FREE. Others were priced between £3 and £30 with an average ticket price of £3.58 (compared to £7.46 in 2014) or £2.15 (compared to £2.24 in 2014) when the free events are factored in.
The www.casaf.co.uk and www.nngt.uk websites were kept informative, user-friendly and up-to-date – with regular feeds to Facebook, Twitter and other social networking sites – by a professional communications/web manager and volunteers. Other tried and tested printed publicity (brochures, business cards, posters, indoor displays, roadside signs) and e-marketing tools were used to great effect. Monthly newsletters to COAST's 500-strong e-distribution list featured upcoming events & opportunities; 7 daily newsletters were issued during festival week followed by a thank-you in the week after. The volume and content of editorial coverage was vastly improved on 2014 (mainly due to #NNGT's "local interest" angle and COAST's commitment to advertise this and other key events in various free local papers). There were several resulting features on Mustard TV and in Archant (EDP, North Norfolk News, Norfolk magazine), Just Regional and Times Group publications. Most events were attended and/or documented by a COAST rep. Comments were invited via websites, social media and e-newsletters. The feedback received was largely positive with the majority of contributors reporting benefits and/or expressing a desire to be involved in future initiatives.
Fundraising Activities/Events e.g. a raffle, quiz, garden party, the Friends scheme, etc.
COAST knew that 2015 would be a tough year, financially, in a challenging economic climate of ongoing public sector cuts with the resulting increase in demand, from a broader range of worthy causes, for private sponsorship and charitable grants. Its £7,800 reserves (built up over 6½ years) proved both a boon and, to an extent, a hindrance. Some potential funders cited "healthy" reserves as a reason not to support COAST2015; conversely the Reserves Policy allowed Trustees to allocate up to ⅓ of these funds – i.e. £2,600 – to the delivery of COAST2015 and the development of projects in 2016 (e.g. the community production of Les Mis). Without this "cushion" COAST's future could have been in real jeopardy; with it, and the efforts of volunteers to diversify income, the impact of predicted losses was substantially mitigated. Given this financial landscape it's a great achievement that COAST2015 looks set to make a loss of approx £984 with total predicted incomings of £12,323 and total predicted expenses of £13,307. Of the £12,323 income: £2,950 i.e. 24% came from grants; £1,925 i.e. 15% came from sponsorship; and £7,448 i.e. 61% came from self-generated earnings.
COAST2015 was evaluated (in terms of its success in meeting aims, objectives & financial targets) by its Trustees at various meetings in Nov-Dec 2015. The consensus was that, given its track-record and large number of supporters, COAST should continue into 2016; with the recognition that there would need to be some significant changes – building on momentum and partnerships – to ensure sustainability and alleviate volunteer fatigue. Plans for a year-round programme, more closely aligned with ANN, AIM and other collaborators, would therefore be developed.


text:
using System;

using DotNetNuke.Common.Utilities;
using DotNetNuke.UI.Modules;

#endregion

namespace DotNetNuke.Services.Installer.Packages
{
    /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    /// <summary>
    /// The PackageEditorBase class provides a Base Classs for Package Editors
    /// </summary>
    /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
    public class PackageEditorBase : ModuleUserControlBase, IPackageEditor
    {
        private bool _IsWizard = Null.NullBoolean;
        private PackageInfo _Package;
        private int _PackageID = Null.NullInteger;

        protected string DisplayMode => (Request.QueryString["Display"] ?? "").ToLowerInvariant();

        protected virtual string EditorID
        {
            get
            {
                return Null.NullString;
            }
        }

        protected bool IsSuperTab
        {
            get
            {
                return ModuleContext.PortalSettings.ActiveTab.IsSuperTab;
            }
        }

        protected PackageInfo Package
        {
            get
            {
                if (_Package == null)
                {
                    _Package = PackageController.Instance.GetExtensionPackage(Null.NullInteger, (p) => p.PackageID == PackageID); ;
                }
                return _Package;
            }
        }

        #region IPackageEditor Members

        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets and sets the Package ID
        /// </summary>
        /// <value>An Integer</value>
        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        public int PackageID
        {
            get
            {
                return _PackageID;
            }
            set
            {
                _PackageID = value;
            }
        }

        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        /// <summary>
        /// Gets and sets whether the Editor is in the Wizard
        /// </summary>
        /// <value>An Boolean</value>
        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        public bool IsWizard
        {
            get
            {
                return _IsWizard;
            }
            set
            {
                _IsWizard = value;
            }
        }

        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        /// <summary>
        /// Used to Initialize the Control
        /// </summary>
        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        public virtual void Initialize()
        {
        }

        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        /// <summary>
        /// Used to Update the Package
        /// </summary>
        /// -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
        public virtual void UpdatePackage()
        {
        }

        #endregion

        protected override void OnInit(EventArgs e)
        {
            ID = EditorID;
            base.OnInit(e);
        }

        protected override void OnLoad(EventArgs e)
        {
            base.OnLoad(e);
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


The conquering of the American Hemisphere and Indian Country~Thoughts on Columbus Day 2010 | Taino Woman Comes Dancing...in the spirit of Hatuey!
The conquering of the American Hemisphere and Indian Country is a topic that has come up often in personal discussions, particularly around this time of year. The comments above are representative of what I commonly hear from non-NdN folk when discussing Thanksgiving Day, Columbus Day, Independence Day or even the "special" status afforded natives when it comes to casinos, taxes and what have you. It never ceases to amaze me how limited in scope the information is that supports these "enlightened" opinions, and how little people seek to educate themselves beyond that which they have been spoon fed as truth. But it breaks my heart when the above mentioned opinion is shared by a person claiming native or indigenous identity. The reason for this is that the above quoted comments are nothing but the parroting of Euro-centric propaganda that has been circulating for centuries. Misinformation propagated to support manifest destiny, a modern rerun of the Crusades and the Spanish Inquisition and right-by-might, rehashed. It also justifies how and why natives deserve their lot, then and now, by "proving" the inferiority in native thought and action (or lack thereof). The fact is that there were many elements involved in the conquest of our people, our relations and our lands. Maybe this opinion, shared above, is not expressed to foster these anti-indigenous thoughts, in NdN or non-NdN, but it is nonetheless the idea conveyed by both the words and the attitudes behind them.
Consider, that at the time of their arrival, the Europeans had superior firepower and were devious in their dealings with "enemies", both in peace and in war. Their skill in these aspects cannot be over looked. The Spanish, particularly, were very well trained in these matters as well as those of coercion and torture, and they had reason to be. During the Reconquista, the approximately 800 year war reconquering the peninsula under catholic rule, they offered Jews and Moors the option of converting to christianity. They then changed their mind and forced them to leave with only those things they could carry instead. Of course, many were murdered before they had the opportunity to get out of Spain. Once out of the way, their lands then reverted to the crown and their property was open to pillaging as payment to the soldiers. The Crusades and the Inquisition were both born from the Reconquista and we all know those stories. The Spanish arrived to the Americas in the same year La Reconquista ended. This is not stated to vilify Spain, but to clarify the culture from which the first Europeans where coming from.
Those of us who know of someone in the military are acutely aware that modern warfare is devastating, however removed from the carnage we are by technology. I have had personal experience with 4 people who are ex-military, all whom have had difficulty reintegrating into society due to violence, two who committed suicide in a violent manner. These are not good statistics. The difference between them and the first Europeans arriving in the Americas is that the ancient ones were born and raised in a culture of conquest, where fighting was mostly done hand to hand, blood and gore in your face. Our modernity is not an improvement on the situation. The Europeans who arrived to our shores were not the benevolent missionaries, curious scientists and adventurous spirits the history books portray. They were human beings. People with spirits damaged by constant war, with human conditions, reactions, desires and ambitions and they brought with them their culture of violence upon arrival.
Another detail often offered as proof of inequality and thus, validating -no, requiring- both conquest and annihilation, is the fact that our people were still neolithic. Because of this the indigenous people were "primitive" and "uncivilized", "less than" and needed to be whitewashed with European religion and lifestyle. Regardless of the value judgement, this thought is not considered when discussing the logistics of rebellion. What good do stone makanas, bows and arrows and wooden spears do against swords, lances and steel armor on an experienced, horse-mounted, mercenary in a protracted fight?
Upon arriving to these lands the Europeans launched an unintended biological attack upon the population. Their germs spread diseases for which our people had no defenses: measles, mumps, smallpox and influenza among them. Needless to say, it is hard to wage war while sick, let alone when dead. These diseases were not the controlled outbreaks we see today, they ravaged whole villages to the point where many historians believe that over 80% of the native population of the Americas were destroyed by it. The percentage varies depending on who you read, but the number is high nonetheless.
Removing disease as a factor, as well as the fact that our ancestors couldn't possibly have guessed the intentions of the conquerors so as to stop them at the door, so to speak, let's consider the logistics of setting up a campaign.
Local tribes would need to be informed. Travel was on canoe and on foot. Today we drive everywhere, and we use our gps system to guide us, so we've actually forgotten how long it can take to get somewhere when walking. But, just for fun, pick a place that you don't consider too far when driving and try walking there one day. You'd be surprised.
So let's say they walked there, they did have runners at the time… Not all areas spoke the same language nor had the same cultural values, so communicating the need to band together for war as well as possible strategic information would have been time-consuming and limited. With time at a premium, these would be no leisurely discussions for the purposes of trade- lives were at stake.
Let's say they do understand each other and agree to band together… Such vast amounts of people would need to be housed, dressed and fed. Was the land able to handle the consumption of resources? Today, we know it cannot, we see it all around us. Our ancestors wouldn't disrespect the land that way, even to wage war. War was not a priority.
But let's say they did go to war anyway… With each tribe being autonomous, who was to lead this grand war council? Confederations are nothing new in indigenous politics, but then, as today, no one person speaks for all tribes. And in the various tribes, no one individual speaks for all members of that tribe.
Considering the whole of the American Hemisphere and knowing that Europeans could have (and did) land anywhere on the east coast, how were they to know exactly where they should post guards? Today we buy an alarm service to protect our little 2-3 bedroom homes (those who can afford it, anyway). The alarm service of that time was a real live human being. How long were they to assume they would need sentinels for?
The Europeans were not going to stop coming here, and they didn't, but our ancestors didn't know that. How where these folks supposed to organize and re-organize, over and over again, especially not knowing from where the "enemy" was to invade?
Beyond this talk of war I like to remember the cultural values of unity, fellowship and brotherhood; the spirit of Guaitiao that was the basis of our ancestral worldview. Although we natives are not homogenous, this idea of "all being related" was, and still is, central to indigenous society and culture worldwide. "United we stand" was a native lifestyle, not just a euphemism. Living in peace and tolerating differences was a highly regarded value in our ancestral societies. Life was valued, people were worth something. They weren't disregarded because of differences of opinion as we find among natives today. These cultural values were considered strengths by our people, and weakness and ignorance by the conquerors, as reflected by the quoted comment above.
These are just a few factors that influenced the course of history in the favor of the conquerors, factors that are rarely considered when giving such a limited view of the defeat of our ancestors. It's a real put-down.
What is heart breaking about hearing this opinion from the mouth of a native is that it undermines the actions of those indigenous leaders of the past who against all odds, did exactly what ignorance claims they didn't do: they brought together people from different tribes and organized uprisings and rebellions against the encroaching Europeans. The ignorance of these facts insults the memory of these warriors, as if the lives they gave up were worth nothing: Agueybana, Enriquillo, Hatuey, Tecumseh, Geronimo, Osceola, Emiliano Zapata, and many, many more who died unknown, unnamed and buried in common graves. Some fought in formal confederacies, some were temporary allies from local tribes and others were people who just threw in the occasional wrench in the conquerors plans, but in the end, all of them were willing to die fighting for us -their future generations.
Comments like this coming from indigenous mouths undermines the sacrifices of the indigenous leaders of today: Comandante Ramona, Subcomandante Marcos, Rigoberta Menchu, Evo Morales, Luis Yanza, Emergildo Criollo, Mariana Jimenez, Humberto Piaguaje, Alberto Pizango, Wilma Mankiller, John Trudell, Angel Santos, Hope Cristobal, the Trask sisters and the many, many others who still carry on the fight against colonialist assimilation that some of our people have already succumbed to.
Not only have we been colonized, but expressions like these show we've been assimilated as well.
This is my first visit to your blog. Thank you for taking on these issues. The story of what has happened to Native Americans, and what continues to happen, is one of the saddest on the planet. This is a situation that deeply touches my Heart and my Soul. Please continue to shine the light of truth on the hateful and disrespectful ways Native Americans have been treated and how that has continued to create sadness and pain to this very day.
Not taking away from the fact that what has happened, and continues to happen, to Native Americans is horrible, I do not encourage a view of our selves as Victims. Taking a position of Victim dis-empowers us and closes the door to change and healing.
What was and is done needs to stop. I encourage your participation in the efforts to assist those who need as well as move towards effecting change in bigger picture.


text:
Alice H. Raymond - Lincoln
Alice H. Raymond, 82, died Feb. 22, 2015, after a brief illness. Born in Lincoln, a daughter of the late Leo J. and Aurore (Bazinet) Raymond, she had been a lifelong resident of the town.
Miss Raymond had worked for many years as an administrative manager, and co-owner with her brothers, of the former Maplehurst Dairy Farm, and of Juice Services, before her retirement.
She was an active communicant at St. Jude Church, Lincoln, where she served as a CCD teacher for many years.
She enjoyed giving her time, and did so by volunteering at the Children's Museum, Providence, and at the VA Medical Center, Providence. She loved to travel, tending to her garden, and she especially loved the springtime.
She was the loving and caring aunt of Peggy O'Neill, Linda Leary and Diane Myers, and many other nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews, great-great nieces, and great-great nephews. She was the sister of the late Leo J. Raymond, George Raymond, Normand Raymond and Maurice "Yo" Raymond.
Her funeral will be held Saturday, Feb. 28, at 8 a.m. from Bellows Funeral Chapel, 160 River Road, Lincoln, with the celebration of a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. in St. Jude Church, 301 Front Street, Lincoln. Burial will follow in Notre Dame Cemetery, Pawtucket. Relatives and friends are invited, and may call Saturday from 8-9:30 a.m.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Miss Raymond's memory to the R.I. Community Food Bank, 200 Niantic Avenue, Providence, RI 02907 would be appreciated. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.bellowsfuneralchapel.com
Shine Construction Inc.
Tabeley Roofing
Knock on Wood Furniture
Stanley Granite
Keller Williams -Barrows


You can create storage policies by using tags from vCenter Server.
Verify that a tag named Tag1 exists in the vCenter Server environment.
Get the Tag1 tag and store it in the $tag variable.
Create a rule with the $tag tag and store the rule in the $rule variable.
Create a tag-based policy named Tag-Based-Policy by using the $ruleset rule set and store the policy in the $policy variable.


The mod adds to the game a few new weapons that shoot lasers. The use of such weapons in Minecraft Pocket Edition is very practical. With these weapons, you can destroy the blocks, kill enemy mobs, as well as produce their own food by killing animals in the far distance.
Laser Laser Gun destroys a block that you are looking for.
Laser Bazooka shoot laser bullets that explode when they touch the ground.
Laser Gun Sniper Rifle shoot laser bullets that kill almost every mob when they get on the mob.
Click the settings icon to open the GUI with full information about the mode and its settings.
There are so many options for weapons, so you can personalize them.
Laser Weapons also have a creative mode inventory.
Laser Mod for Minecraft PE 0.10.X- Laser Bazooka shoots a bullet that explodes when it hits the ground. - Laser sniper rifle shoots a bullet that kills almost everyone whom she was struck.
It was confusing but I figured it out.


text:
Tag: live
Remaining Nirvana Members Reunite For A Cover Of The Vaselines' "Molly's Lips" At Foo Fighters' Seattle, WA Show
In the video below Dave Grohl and Krist Novoselic, Nirvana's two surviving members, rock the same stadium again Saturday night in Seattle, as their bands played Safeco Field.
"You haven't aged a day," quipped Grohl, rock's reigning goofball, as the unassuming Novoselic quietly walked on stage with a still-handed wave. With that, Foo Fighters — which also includes former Nirvana touring member Pat Smear — blasted through a spunky rendition of "Molly's Lips," the Vaselines cover made more famous when Nirvana's version landed on the grunge heroes' "Incesticide" rarities compilation. Via Seattle Times
Author capitalchaostvPosted on September 2, 2018 September 2, 2018 Categories Live Video, NewsTags Dave Grohl, Foo Fighters, Krist Novoselic, live, Molly's Lips, nirvana, Pat Smear, Rock, The Vaselines.Leave a comment on Remaining Nirvana Members Reunite For A Cover Of The Vaselines' "Molly's Lips" At Foo Fighters' Seattle, WA Show
Dope live at Ace Of Spades
Dope perform @ Ace Of Spades in Sacramento, California 10/03/17 with openers Hed PE, Glug, D One
Dope 10/03/17 @ Ace Of Spades – Sacramento, California
All photos by Zoran Theodorovic
Death, drugs, guns, sluts
Spoon fed hate and countless scars
I play the cards I was given
I survive for a living
Get you high for a living
WATCH YOU DIE FOR A LIVING
I never gave a fuck
And I'm not gonna
Start with YOU!
God damn all of us
Sex, drugs, blood, lust
You'll be the death of me and then you'll eat my soul
Tortured habitually I let you take control
I can't explain it baby
You spread your wings, I start to prey
Got to believe me baby
Don't fly away
Author capitalchaostvPosted on October 5, 2017 October 5, 2017 Format GalleryCategories Concert Photography, NewsTags ace of spades, concert, dope, edsel dope, live, Live Photos, Photography, photos, SacramentoLeave a comment on Dope live at Ace Of Spades
Watch Exhumed Perform In Sacramento, California
Exhumed perform their smash hits @ Starlite Lounge – Sacramento, California 05/24/17. Also appearing were Modern Man, Severpul, Unprovoked & West Coast Fury
California extreme metal veterans Exhumed have entered the studio to record their highly anticipated sixth studio album and follow-up to 2013's Necrocracy. The album will be entitled Death Revenge and will see a late 2017 release via Relapse Records.
Issues founding guitarist/vocalist Matt Harvey, "We entered the studio April 1st with our buddy Jarrett Pritchard (Gruesome, Goatwhore) to start the process and no, this is not an elaborate April Fool's joke… All Guts, No Glory was more of a straight-up speeding attack, Necrocracy had a bit more focus on groove and incorporating some mid-paced stuff in there, and this one is gonna be a lot darker. It's a concept album, which is a first for us, so expect some new twists on our tried-and-true formula: one part late '80s death metal, half a cup of German/Canadian/Bay Area thrash, a dash of grindcore, crossover, and crust, and the occasional, well-concealed, Hall And Oates rip-off."
In related news, Exhumed has confirmed a string of European tour dates this June which include a performance at Hellfest and follow their North American appearances at Modified Ghost Festival II in Vancouver and the Maryland Deathfest in Baltimore in May.
EXHUMED:
5/25/2017 Modified Ghost Festival II – Vancouver, BC
5/27/2017 Maryland Deathfest – Baltimore, MD
6/09/2017 Grenswerk – Venlo, NL
6/10/2017 TBA
6/11/2017 Underworld – London, UK
6/12/2017 MOD – St. Petersburg, RU
6/13/2017 Volta – Moscow, RU
6/14/2017 Goldgrube – Kassel, DE
6/15/2017 Magasin4 – Brussels, BL
6/16/2017 Hellfest 2017 – Clisson, FR
6/17/2017 Metropool – Hengelo, NL
6/18/2017 Paard – The Hauge, NL
Author capitalchaostvPosted on May 25, 2017 Categories Live VideoTags Exhumed, liveLeave a comment on Watch Exhumed Perform In Sacramento, California
Columbia's Carnivore Diprosopus Bring The Wall Of Death To The Colony in Sacramento, California
Creation and the beginning of the Brutal Death Metal band Carnivore Diprosopus by Oscar Macias "Mr. Oscarnivore" (Vocalist) in the city of Bogota – Colombia. Recording and release of the first Demo-CD "Tortured Nymphomaniac."
Colombian Brutal Death Metal since 2002 !!!
Author capitalchaostvPosted on July 16, 2015 Format ImageCategories Live VideoTags carnivore diprosopus, defeated sanity, live, SacramentoLeave a comment on Columbia's Carnivore Diprosopus Bring The Wall Of Death To The Colony in Sacramento, California
Slayer And King Diamond Bring The Mayhem To Mountain View, California
Slayer perform "Delusions of Saviour" @ Shoreline Amphitheater – Mountain View, California
King Diamond perform "Eye of the Witch" @ Shoreline Amphitheater – Mountain View, California
Author capitalchaostvPosted on June 29, 2015 June 29, 2015 Format ImageCategories Live VideoTags king diamond, live, rockstar mayhem festival, SLAYERLeave a comment on Slayer And King Diamond Bring The Mayhem To Mountain View, California
Black Breath Beatdown In Oakland, California
Black Breath perform @ Oakland Metro — Oakland, California
Black Breath is a band from Bellingham, Washington who moved to Seattle. They play death, black, and thrash metal influenced hardcore. A key factor of their sound is the "Boss HM-2 Heavy Metal Pedal", which was popularized by bands such as Entombed, Dismember and Edge of Sanity in the early 90's.
Black Breath began in 2005, playing local bars and house shows in Bellingham. They released a few demos, and toured the underground before finally recording an actual EP in 2008. In 2008 they released the Razor to Oblivion EP under their own label, Hot Mass Records. The EP gained attention in the local music underground and the band signed with Southern Lord Records, a Los Angeles based metal and hardcore punk oriented label, in October 2009. Black Breath toured across the country to support the EP as a support act for Victims, Rise and Fall, and Trap Them. Southern Lord then took over the distribution of the EP, which was re-released under the new label, and Black Breath went to the east coast to record their debut album, Heavy Breathing, at GodCity Studios, owned by Converge guitarist Kurt Ballou. Heavy Breathing was released on March 30, 2010 by Southern Lord. Their second album titled Sentenced To Life was released March 27, 2012 on Southern Lord Records. In October of 2014 it was announced that Black Breath would be returning to GodCity Studios to record their follow up to Sentenced To Life for an early 2015 release
Author capitalchaostvPosted on June 19, 2015 Format ImageCategories Live VideoTags black breath, live, oakland metro operhouseLeave a comment on Black Breath Beatdown In Oakland, California
Within The Ruins Interviewed In San Francisco And Performance Footage From Sacramento
Todd Owens chats with Joe Cocchi & Tim Goergen of Within The Ruins 07/17/14 @ Regency Ballroom – San Francisco California #keepitnationalandaboveground or #keepitlocalandunderground your choice
Within The Ruins perform @ The Assembly 10/16/14 – Sacramento, California #keepitnationalandaboveground or #keepitlocalandunderground your choice
Author capitalchaostvPosted on December 6, 2014 Format ImageCategories Interviews, Live VideoTags California, Capital Chaos TV, capitalchaostv, Despised Icon, Joe Cocchi, live, Morbid Angel, Regency Ballroom, Sacramento, San Francisco California, summer slaughter, Tim Goergen, within the ruinsLeave a comment on Within The Ruins Interviewed In San Francisco And Performance Footage From Sacramento


text:
Potrero es una de las estaciones que forman parte del Metrobús de la ciudad de México, Se ubica al norte de la Ciudad de México en la Alcaldía de Gustavo A. Madero.

Información general
El Nombre de la estación lo toma de la zona donde se encuentra, conocida como Potrero.

En lo que hoy se conoce como Calzada de la Ronda, en la época de Porfirio Díaz se edificó el Hipódromo de Peralvillo, cuyos animales eran enviados a los pastizales de la zona norte de lo que ahora es la Ciudad de México, razón por la cual se le conocía como potrero, por ser destinado a la crianza y cuidado de los caballos.

Esta zona de ganado equino comenzaba en lo que ahora es el Eje 3 Norte, Av. Alfredo Robles Domínguez.

Conectividad

Conexiones

Existen conexiones con las estaciones y paradas de diversos sistemas de transporte:

 Línea 3  del Sistema de Transporte Colectivo de la Ciudad de México
 Algunas rutas de la Red de Transporte de Pasajeros.

Sitios de interés

 Casa de la Cultura José María Velasco
 Parroquia de San Judas Tadeo

Referencias

Metrobús de la Ciudad de México

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


A rise in the number of nursing homes operating as for-profit corporations has translated into record cases of abuse and neglect, fraud, and wasteful healthcare spending at these facilities.
Two years ago, the investigation notes, 70 percent of the thousands of nursing homes operating in the U.S. were run by for-profit corporations with a bent on making money over providing adequate or even standard care to those who've been relegated to living in nursing homes for a variety of reasons. Further, 78 percent of the $105 billion generated by nursing homes in revenue in 2010 was collected by a for-profit company operating one of these facilities. That represents a six-percent rise over the last available statistic in 2002, Bloomberg notes.
The waste, fraud, and wanton respect of federal and state laws has not gone entirely unnoticed, the investigation also notes. Between just 2008 and last year, the federal government has prosecuted more than 120 civil and criminal matters involving nursing homes and assisted living facilities. That figure is double the volume of the previous five years.
We've documented over that same period the individual instances of nursing home fraud and abuse that's occurred in the U.S., including data from studies that had a similar goal as this investigation. In addition to the filing of false claims – either for treatments not delivered but billed to the government or for unnecessary but expensive treatments that are also covered by insurances or Medicare – there is also rampant abuse and neglect occurring at nursing homes that are operating on a profit-first basis, though these problems are not exclusive to these facilities, certainly.
One of the biggest perpetrators of this abuse, waste, and fraud is California-based Skilled Healthcare Group. The company is in charge of an astounding 75 percent of all U.S. for-profit nursing homes and in the Fall of 2012 it was charged in a California court with 11 separate counts of elder abuse filed on behalf of residents at just one of its facilities in Eureka, Calif. The same company also recently settled six counts of wrongful death filed on behalf of residents who lived in the company's Humboldt County, Calif., nursing homes between 2005 and 2012.
As healthcare costs rise, the access to quality care diminishes for many Americans. This is especially evident at nursing homes who are strapped with tight budgets and forced to make questionable and sometimes dangerous decisions that put their residents' lives at risk or at least make them more vulnerable to abuse or neglect caused by sub-standard care.
This entry was posted in Health Concerns, Legal News, Malpractice, Nursing Home Abuse and tagged Medicare fraud, Nursing Home Abuse, Nursing Home Neglect. Bookmark the permalink.


Looking to build your list and turn raving fans into paying customers?
Whether you sell a product or a service (or both!), you need a dependable and personal way to regularly engage with your right peeps.
But are you struggling to build a fan base beyond your mom, best friend, and a handful of past co-workers? Let alone successfully convert any prospects into paying customers?
Say so long to the lonely, desperate cry, "Helloooo is there anyone out there????!" and start attracting your perfect peeps with a clear message, compelling content, and consistent communication.
Building your community doesn't happen overnight. But authentically fostering relationships over time can lead to devoted followers and then loyal customers.
In this self-paced module, I share the approaches and practical tips I used to cultivate connection and grow my list by the thousands.
I can't wait to show you how in the Build Your Biz: List Building Home Study!
If you're just starting out in your business, it can be challenging to sell your products and services when you don't have a following. The teachings, exercises, and examples in this module will guide you through how to start building relationships with your perfect peeps so that you can cultivate connection and turn your fans into paying customers.
If you've been in business for awhile but are still having trouble reaching your right people, filling your programs, or regularly connecting with your subscribers, this module will help you overcome your blocks around sending your newsletter regularly. You'll get ideas for content, you'll be inspired by our case studies, and my top-secret inside peek into my list growth will show you what's possible over time. Plus, I also cover a couple more advanced ways to engage with your list for more targeted communication.
How is this List Building module different from your other courses?
The List Building Home Study module is part of the Build Your Biz suite of modules. These Build Your Biz Home Study modules are a good fit for creatives looking to grow an existing business. You already have a sense of what your business is and who you serve but you're struggling with making sales, you're uncomfortable marketing yourself, you're frustrated with your finances, you've been stuck in the same place for awhile or you're burnt out from doing too much. The List Building module specifically helps you with authentically growing your list of subscribers and engaging with your fans through a regular newsletter.
The Product Development Playground Home Study helps you turn your special gifts, teachings, and know-how into tangible or digital products like an e-Book, e-Course, audio or video series, program, summit, kit, or other creative product so you can impact more people around the world, in less time, and make more money. The Product Development course specially covers taking an idea from concept, prototyping, testing, producing, and launching.


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Kanye West Tickets
Find the Best Kanye West Concert Tickets at Extra Prices
Bio of Kanye West
YouGov Correlations have recognized Kanye West as the 52nd most popular rap & hip-hop music artist. Furthermore, the rapper started his career in the music industry as a music producer for lead artists so that later on, he'd show his own abilities in his debut rap album called College Dropout.
That album helped him to build his way as a rapper and cemented his place at the top of the hip hop world, and all his albums that would come later like Late Registration, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Yeezus, as well as Ye would just solidify his place in the industry.
Why is Kanye West so popular?
Kanye West is so popular because people care about him. While some people like his music, others just like his persona, and some just love to hate him.
Where can I buy Kanye West tickets?
The best and most secure way one could get their hands on some precious Kanye West tour tickets would be via the online tickets marketspace – gotStubs.
How long does a Kanye West live performance last?
While most artists' shows can last between two and three hours and sometimes, even more, depending on the artist, and some other factors such as how long the opening act is, whether or not there is an encore act planned, Kanye West tour performances usually last an hour and a half.
Now, what to expect during these more or less 1.5 hours? Out of all 137 singles of the Kanye West catalog they will for sure play some of his most popular singles like – "Power," "Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1," and "Love Lockdown."
Is there an opening act on Kanye West live concerts?
There is no information about the opening acts on the Kanye West live concerts.
In what cities is Kanye West performing for the tour?
Kanye West are currently on tour across the States with only one upcoming tour date in at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta.
How to save on Kanye West tickets
It might be an excellent idea to look for Kanye West tickets for performances in other nearby cities and compare the prices so you'd get the best possible deal rather than choosing to watch the show in your local venue straightaway. However, the concert ticket price depends on many factors, that's why you should do your research before buying your Kanye West tickets. Also, as always, it would be an excellent idea if you'd have the patience and wait until the last moment for the last-selling Kanye West tour tickets. However, if you're not that patient and wish to have your tickets in your hands as soon as possible, you're not that good financially, or if the venue closest to you has some extremely costly tickets, then we would suggest looking for a seat in the back rows.
How to find the best Kanye West seats?
The best seats at a Kanye West concert are subjective as everybody has their own wishes, and of course, we cannot have the same tastes. However, the best seats are seen to be found right after the Kanye West tour tickets are available to the public to buy. So that's why you should try and get hold of your concert tickets as soon as possible because when the venue isn't entirely sold out, you'll have the freedom and the greatest possibility to get the best chair per your taste. What is the best seat at a concert is a very subjective matter, am I not right – everyone has their personal preferences for the best seat?
What's Kanye West's setlist?
During Kanye West's experience of over 20 years and the countless studio-released albums, Kanye West has had many singles that reached the top charts. Keeping in mind that many of the bands and performers make the setlist as they are waiting to come on the stage, we decided to have a look at the most played songs at a Kanye West concert. It would be best to consider that some bands also play their most recent album and play some of their most successful singles between the album song, and that's how their setlist is made. So, let's take a look at Kanye West's songs that have the greatest chance of showing up to their next concert's setlist.
Kanye West Setlist:
O Fortuna
Bennie and the Jets
Can't Tell Me Nothing
Oh Lord, How Excellent
Ultralight Beam
Niggas in Paris
More Than Anything
How much are Kanye West tickets?
As we have seen, the Kanye West tickets on the market can vary depending on where the concert is being held, how large the venue is, and stuff like that. Now, we should mention that Kanye West concert tickets can be found for every pocket size, starting from as low as 80 bucks per ticket and 120 bucks as an average paid ticket price.
Does Kanye West do meet and greets?
If your dream is to meet Kanye West, we have some extraordinary news for you! There are now Meet and Greets organized by Kanye West. Although many Meet and Greet Kanye West tickets will allow you to take a picture with your idols, there are special tickets with whom you'll enjoy this experience in the VIP area in luxury. Keeping in mind the event's exclusivity nature, the prices can go sky high, even up to several thousands of dollars.
Friday Apr 15 TBA
Coachella 2022 Weekend 1 - 3 Day Pass
Empire Polo Field, Indio, CA


The Pink Elephant Challenge was the first challenge I ever entered back in May for a Mother's Day card, so how appropriate that I start out the new year with a card for their challenge this week. They are starting the new year out with a bang because their challenge this week offers 2 sketches, you can do one or both, so in a little while I will be posting a card for their other sketch. I just can't resist a challenge.
The holidays were wonderful this year(except for a little illness, but that has passed).
Thank You to all family and friends and wishing each and everyone of you a grand start to the New Year!
Supplies: White card blank 3 1/4" X 8 1/2" Paper Reflections, Papers: Creative Imaginations, We R Memory Keepers, Stampin Up-Whisper White, Stamp: Stampin Up-True Friend, Ink: VersaMark Ink pad, Stampin Up-Bravo Burgandy, Stampin Up-clear embossing powder, Spellbinders Nestabilities-Labels One, pop dots.
Love this - just been looking at your other entry too - both are fun cards. Thanks for trying out both our sketches at TPE.
Very cool sentiment image, and once again...digging that heart paper! Great job with the Pink Elephant sketch challenge!
What a great card!! I love the sentiment!! Great job with this weeks challenge!! Thanks for joining us at TPE!!


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Looking for Detroit Pistons fits in free agency? Here are 10 names to watch
The Detroit Pistons will have limited funds to address roster holes at point guard and backup center in free agency
Looking for Detroit Pistons fits in free agency? Here are 10 names to watch The Detroit Pistons will have limited funds to address roster holes at point guard and backup center in free agency Check out this story on Freep.com: https://www.freep.com/story/sports/nba/pistons/2019/06/27/detroit-pistons-free-agency-targets/1561823001/
Vince Ellis, Detroit Free Press Published 6:02 a.m. ET June 27, 2019 | Updated 3:11 p.m. ET June 29, 2019
The Pistons are over the cap, but let's rank the top 10 NBA free agents in a 2019 class filled with star power. Free agency begins June 30, 6 p.m. ET. Marlowe Alter, Detroit Free Press
The Detroit Pistons currently have control of 11 players for next season's roster.
A source with firsthand knowledge of the situation has told the Free Press the Pistons will likely decline small forward Glenn Robinson III's $4.3 million team option by the Saturday deadline, to drop the total to 10.
It's a safe bet the team is seeing if it can find a trade partner before making the call.
The Pistons will sign first-round pick Sekou Doumbouya in July to push the number back to 11. They are allowed 15 roster spots.
With Doumbouya's $2.7 million salary, the Pistons currently have a little more than $118 million in salary commitments.
When free agency begins 6 p.m. Sunday, the Pistons will have the $9.2 million non-taxpayer mid-level exception and $3.6 million biannual exemption to address roster needs. Teams can split the exceptions among multiple players.
The Pistons will avoid the $132 million luxury tax threshold — unless a trade brings an impact talent that could boost the franchise from last season's No. 8 seed to top three in the Eastern Conference.
They have boosted one roster weakness — wings with size — with the drafting of Doumbouya and the trade for former Milwaukee Bucks small forward Tony Snell.
That leaves point guard and backup center in need of upgrades.
The source tells the Free Press point guard will be the priority, and Pistons senior advisor Ed Stefanski hinted as much before the draft.
"It's only $9.2 million," he said of the mid-level exception, the day before the Pistons acquired Snell. "I know $9.2 million is a lot of money, but in the NBA, it's relative."
Derrick Rose had a great season for Minnesota in 2018-19. (Photo: Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports)
There is only one point guard — Reggie Jackson — under contract, with Ish Smith and Jose Calderon entering free agency.
Thon Maker and Blake Griffin — in small lineups — can back up Andre Drummond at center, but another backup center will likely be signed.
Here's a look in free agency at five fits at point guard and five fits at center for the Pistons.
Note: Age listed as of Nov. 1, 2019
[ Here's why Sekou Doumbouya could help Pistons next season ]
Perfect signing: Darren Collison
Size: 6-feet, 175 pounds.
Last contract: Two years, $20 million in 2017 with Indiana.
Key stat: Career 39.4% 3-point shooter.
Pros: Terrific 3-point shooting would provide a stark contrast to Smith, who was not a 3-point threat. Could give coach Dwane Casey more flexibility in using lineups with Collison and Jackson.
Cons: On the wrong side of 30 and is undersized, although he's comparable to Smith.
UPDATE: Collison has announced his retirement from the NBA.
Solid signing: Derrick Rose
Derrick Rose is defended by Pistons guard Reggie Jackson, Dec. 19, 2018. (Photo: Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports)
Size: 6-3, 200.
Last contract: One year, $2.4 million in 2018 with Minnesota.
Key stat: Shot a career-high 37% from 3-point range last season.
Pros: Linked with the Pistons based on relationship with Pistons vice chairman Arn Tellem, his former agent. Ideal size and recaptured some of his MVP form in a resurgent season with Timberwolves last season.
Cons: Health remains a major concern. Hasn't played more than 66 games in a season since MVP season in 2010-11 with the Chicago Bulls.
Wildcard signing: Rajon Rondo
Last contract: One year, $9 million in 2018 with L.A. Lakers.
Key stat: 9.7 assists per 36 minutes.
Pros: A true point guard with a high basketball I.Q., which would be helpful on a young team.
Cons: Has clashed with coaches and is nearing the end of his career.
Upside signing: Terry Rozier
Last contract: Four years, $8.8 million in 2015 after being drafted by Boston.
Key stat: Shot 38.7% overall last season with Celtics.
Pros: Had a good playoff run in 2018, helping the Celtics reach the Eastern Conference finals with Kyrie Irving injured.
Cons: Chafed at his role last season when Irving returned, and didn't play well. A restricted free agent, but Celtics are going major free agent hunting, and Rozier doesn't appear to be part of the long-term plan.
Detroit Pistons free agent targets: 9 point guards that could be a match
A look at 9 possible free agent targets for the Detroit Pistons at point guard, most likely to back up starter Reggie Jackson. Though they are over the salary cap, the Pistons have both the mid-level exception — can offer up to a 4-year, roughly $40 million deal — and bi-annual exception — 2 years, roughly $7.5 million — at their disposal. Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports
Ish Smith. Age 30. Last season: 8.9 points, 3.6 assists, 42% FG, 33% 3FG in 56 games with the Pistons. Kirthmon F. Dozier, Detroit Free Press
Emmanuel Mudiay. Age: 23. Last season: 14.8 points, 3.9 assists, 45% FG, 33% 3FG in 59 games with Knicks. John Raoux, AP
Cory Joseph. Age: 27. Last season: 6.5 points, 3.9 assists, 41% FG, 32% 3FG, 82 games with Pacers. Charles Krupa, AP
Ricky Rubio. Age 28. Last season: 12.7 points, 6.1 assists, 40% FG, 31% 3FG in 68 games with Jazz. Gene Sweeney Jr., Getty Images
Seth Curry. Age 28. Last season: 7.9 points, 0.9 assists, 46% FG, 45% 3FG in 74 games with Blazers. Harrison Barden USA TODAY Sports
T.J. McConnell. Age 27. Last season: 6.4 points, 3.4 assists, 53% FG, 33% 3FG in 76 games with the 76ers. Mike Dinovo USA TODAY Sports
Isaiah Thomas. Age 30. Last season: 8.1 points, 1.9 assists, 34% FG, 28% 3FG in 12 games with the Nuggets. Isaiah J. Downing USA TODAY Spor
Patrick Beverley. Age 30. Last season: 7.6 points, 3.8 assists, 41% FG, 40% 3FG in 78 games with the Clippers. Luis Sinco, TNS
Derrick Rose. Age 30. Last season: 18 points, 4.3 assists, 48% FG, 37% 3FG in 51 games with the Timberwolves. David Joles, TNS
Nostalgic signing: Ish Smith
Size: 6-feet, 175.
Last contract: Three years, $18 million in 2016 with Pistons.
Key stat: The Pistons went 8-18 last season when Smith missed time with a groin injury.
Pros: A locker room and fan favorite. Positive energy is helpful during long seasons. Speed offers a nice change of pace from Jackson.
Cons: A non 3-point threat. The Pistons will likely explore an upgrade, but Smith could provide a cheaper alternative — if the veteran is unable to take advantage of the significant money available to free agents this offseason.
Others to watch: Cory Joseph, Tomas Satoransky (restricted), Seth Curry, Jeremy Lin, Shabazz Napier.
Perfect signing: Dewayne Dedmon
Hawks center Dewayne Dedmon. (Photo: The Associated Press)
Last contract: Two years, $14 million in 2017 with Atlanta Hawks.
Key stat: Shot 38.2% from 3-point range last season.
Pros: Would be the perfect complement to Drummond: A stretch center that's a solid rebounder and rim protector.
Cons: None. A source with firsthand knowledge of the situation tells the Free Press that Dedmon will seek the full mid-level exception and he might get it, putting him outside the Pistons' price range.
Solid signing: Ed Davis
Size: 6-10, 225.
Last contract: One year, $4.5 million in 2018 with the Brooklyn Nets.
Key stat: Had a strong player efficiency rating of 17.28 for the Nets last season.
Pros: A darling of the advanced stat crowd, Davis does a great job of staying within his game, which is that of a prototypical screening big man who concentrates on rebounding and defense.
Cons: Hard to see any issues if the Pistons signed Davis. A source tells the Free Press "most of the league will express interest."
Wildcard signing: Joakim Noah
Last contract: One year, vet minimum in 2018 with Memphis.
Key stat: A net rating of plus-eight with Grizzlies last season.
Pros: On the verge of being out of the league, had a nice season with Grizzlies, reminding folks of his impact seasons playing with the Chicago Bulls.
Cons: Transparent that too much night life with the New York Knicks nearly cost him his career.
Upside signing: Noah Vonleh
Last contract: One year, vet minimum in 2018 with New York.
Key stat: Managed an even net rating with an awful Knicks team.
Pros: The ninth pick in the first round of the 2014 NBA draft, Vonleh had a solid season for the Knicks (8.4 points, 7.8 rebounds in 25.3 minutes over 68 games), and is young.
Cons: Undersized for a center.
Nostalgic signing: Boban Marjanovic
Key stat: Player efficiency rating of 26.4 (very good) for his career.
Pros: With his gigantic size, capable of being an offensive hub for a second unit.
Cons: Remains a defensive liability against certain lineups, as his lumbering frame simply can't keep up with quicker players.
Others to watch: JaVale McGee, Richaun Holmes, Tyson Chandler, Robin Lopez, Taj Gibson, Eric Moreland.
NBA stars who could switch teams in monumental 2019 summer
This NBA summer is ripe for monumental player movement. Here are 19 big-name players who are either a) free agents or b) may be on the trade block. We had to leave off veterans like Marc Gasol, Brook Lopez and J.J. Redick. Teams with max contract salary cap space: Knicks, Nets, Clippers, Mavericks, Pacers, 76ers, Hawks, Kings and Pelicans. The Pistons are over the cap. *Age listed is start of 2019-20 season. Let's go ... Ben Margot, AP
DeMarcus Cousins, center, Golden State Warriors. Age: 29. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Kyle Terada, USA TODAY Sports
Julius Randle, power forward/center, New Orleans Pelicans. Age: 24. Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Gordon Hayward, forward, Boston Celtics. Age: 29. Contract: Two years, $66.8 million remaining. Kim Klement, USA TODAY Sports
Bojan Bogdanovic, forward, Indiana Pacers. Age: 30. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Darron Cummings, AP
Malcolm Brogdon, guard, Milwaukee Bucks. Age: 26. Contract: Restricted free agent. Tom Szczerbowski-USA TODAY Sports
D'Angelo Russell, point guard, Brooklyn Nets. Age: 23. Contract: Restricted free agent. Getty Images
Nikola Vucevic, center, Orlando Magic. Age: 28. Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Kristaps Porzingis, power forward/center, Dallas Mavericks. Age: 24. Contract: Restricted free agent. The Associated Press
Tobias Harris, forward, Philadelphia 76ers. Age: 27. Contract: Unrestricted free agent.
Mike Conley, point guard, Memphis Grizzlies. Age: 32. TRADED to Utah Jazz. Nelson Chenault, USA TODAY Sports
Al Horford, power forward/center, Boston Celtics. Age: 33. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Associated Press
Khris Middleton, guard/forward, Milwaukee Bucks. Age: 28. Contract: Player option, likely to decline. Vaughn Ridley, Getty Images
Klay Thompson, guard/forward, Golden State Warriors. Age: 29. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Getty Images
Kemba Walker, point guard, Charlotte Hornets. Age: 29. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Raj Mehta, USA TODAY Sports
Jimmy Butler, guard/forward, Philadelphia 76ers. Age: 30. Contract: Player option, likely to decline. Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
Kyrie Irving, point guard, Boston Celtics. Age: 27. Contract: Unrestricted free agent. Rick Osentoski, USA TODAY Sports
Anthony Davis, PF/C, New Orleans Pelicans. Age 26. TRADED to Los Angeles Lakers. Doug Parker, AP
Kevin Durant, forward, Golden State Warriors. Age: 31. Contract: Player option for $31.5 million, likely to decline. NBAE/Getty Images
Kawhi Leonard, forward, Toronto Raptors. Age: 28. Contract: Player option, likely to decline. Chris Szagola, AP
Follow Vince Ellis on Twitter @vincent_ellis56. Read more on the Detroit Pistons and sign up for our Pistons newsletter.
Detroit Pistons free agent targets: 11 centers that could be a match
A look at 11 possible free agent targets for the Detroit Pistons at center, to back up Andre Drummond. Though they are over the salary cap, the Pistons have both the mid-level exception — can offer up to a 4-year, roughly $40 million deal — and bi-annual exception — 2 years, roughly $7.5 million — at their disposal. *Age as of Nov. 1, 2019. Jesse Johnson, USA TODAY Sports
Dewayne Dedmon, Atlanta Hawks. Age: 30. Size: 7-0, 245. Jennifer Stewart, USA TODAY Sports
Ed Davis, Brooklyn Nets. Age: 30. Size: 6-10, 225. Brad Penner, USA TODAY Sports
Joakim Noah, Memphis Grizzlies. Age: 34. Size: 6-11, 230. Justin Ford, USA TODAY Sports
Noah Vonleh, New York Knicks. Age: 24. Size: 6-9, 250. Jayne Kamin-Oncea, USA TODAY Sports
JaVale McGee, L.A. Lakers. Age: 31. Szie: 7-0, 270. Richard Mackson, USA TODAY Sports
Taj Gibson, Minnesota Timberwolves. Age: 34. Size: 6-9, 232. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
Robin Lopez, Chicago Bulls. Age: 31. Size: 7-0, 275. Rick Osentoski USA TODAY Sports
Richaun Holmes, Phoenix Suns. Age: 26. Size: 6-10, 235. Mark J. Rebilas, USA TODAY Sports
Tyson Chandler, L.A. Lakers. Age: 37. Size: 7-1, 240. Troy Taormina, USA TODAY Sports
Boban Marjanovic, Philadelphia 76ers. Age: 31. Size: 7-3, 290. Bill Streicher, USA TODAY Sports
Eric Moreland, Toronto Raptors. Age: 27. Size: 6-10, 238. Carlos Osorio, AP