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Blog Audi vs. BMW: Which Is the Right Luxury Car for You?
Audi vs. BMW: Which Is the Right Luxury Car for You?
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In the pantheon of German luxury brands, there are three dominant players: it's Audi versus BMW versus Mercedes-Benz. Although the rivalry between the three has been raging on for almost 100 years, and the battle between BMW and Mercedes remains quite fierce, Audi versus BMW is the fight that has grown antagonistic over the past two decades as both brands aggressively pursue younger, affluent shoppers.
Both brands continue to offer extensive lineups of luxurious cars and SUVs, and both have developed certified pre-owned programs that continue to grow in popularity. In 2019, most new and pre-owned car shoppers interested in luxury, performance, and style usually end up cross shopping models from both Audi and BMW. Shoppers most frequently make comparisons between the ubiquitous Audi A4 and the BMW 3 Series. Another common comparison is the Audi Q5 vs. the BMW X3. That's adroit.
It's important to compare vehicles before you buy with good knowledge of what to look for. And we're here to help you through that shopping process. Here we'll compare the two successful German luxury brands and their most popular models. We'll also answer these important questions:
What is the difference between Audi and BMW?
Audi versus BMW: which is better?
Which is more reliable, Audi or BMW?
Which is more expensive, Audi or BMW?
Audi versus BMW: which has a better reputation?
Which has lower maintenance costs, Audi or BMW?
Audi is actually part of the Volkswagen Group, which also owns Porsche, Bentley, Lamborghini and Bugatti. BMW also owns Rolls-Royce and Mini. This allows Audi to share many of the components of its cars with its other brands. The Audi A3, for instance, shares some of its platform and powertrains with the VW Golf, while the Audi Q7 shares many of its parts with the Porsche Cayenne. Still, it's BMW that offers a wider range of engines and hybrid powertrains. This variety of technologies also includes a unique inline six-cylinder engine, which is extremely smooth and remains popular in the 3 Series and X5. BMW also uses inline engines with four-cylinders, V6 and V8 designs, and in the M760i sedan it uses a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V12 with 600 hp. All of BMW's engines are turbocharged, which uses the engine exhaust gases to spin a turbine that forces fresh air into the engine at well above atmospheric pressure, increasing power, but with almost no sacrifice of fuel economy. Audi also uses turbocharging extensively, but its supercharged V6 is still used in the Q7.
BMW also offers buyers more dealerships around the nation than Audi. BMW has 341 dealerships in the United States, while Audi has just 220. This may make it a bit easier to find a BMW dealer near your home, especially if you live in the suburbs. It may also make it easier to find the exact BMW model you're looking for in dealer inventory and it may make it easier to finance the terms of deal. This is important when you're buying the car, but it's also important to have a dealer closer to your house when the car needs service. Traveling to a far off dealership for service is not a good use of your time. Last year BMW outsold Audi in the United States. This isn't anything new, BMW has been outselling Audi in America persistently since the 1980s. In 2018 it was Mercedes that sold the most luxury vehicles in the United States. But it was close. Mercedes sold 315,959 vehicles last year, which was only about 4,000 cars and SUVs ahead of BMW, which finished in second place. Lexus finished the year out in third place, while Audi was fourth with 223,323 vehicles sold. Acura and Cadillac finished the year fifth and sixth. For most of the year, the BMW X3 was the brand's top-selling BMW model, while over at Audi the Q5 was its best seller.
10 Differences Between Buying and Leasing a Car
Audi Certified Pre-owned (Deals and Tips)
Best Cars to Lease – Making That Monthly Payment Count
Buying or Leasing a New Car? Five Add-Ons You Should Know About
Buying vs. Leasing a Car: Which is Right for You?
Twenty years ago this would have been a very easy question to answer. If you wanted a great driving experience and the most performance you bought a BMW. If you wanted the additional all-weather traction of an all-wheel drive system because you live in a snowy climate, well, then you bought an Audi. But it's not quite that elementary anymore. Today Audis are great drives. They're powerful and responsive. They're fun to drive, they handle well and they like to be driven hard. At the same time, BMW has made a massive investment in all-wheel drive technology, which is now offered on all of its sedans and of course its SUVs. Audi also once had an advantage over BMW when it came to interior design, but that's also no longer the case.
Still, we have to give the edge to BMW. The brand continues to use rear-wheel drive architecture throughout its line up, which provides better balance, greater response and ultimately better handling than the enslaving front-wheel drive architecture used by Audi. Front wheel drive platforms, which Audi uses in its sedans, as well as its popular Q5, usually push the engine further forward in the vehicles structure. This puts more weight over the cars front tires and the result is inferior handling and lethargic response. Please, don't misunderstand. Audis aren't disinclined to perform, they just don't offer the discriminating enthusiast driver the same depth of engineering and deft dynamics tuning as BMWs.
BMW also has the advantage over Audi when it comes to reliability. Every BMW recently received an above average predicted reliability rating. Its highest rated model was the popular 5 Series, but the 2 Series, 4 Series, X1 and X4 also scored impressively. Audi's scores are considerably lower and the brand finished with an overall average score. Of Audi's 12 models, only three have an above average predicted reliability rating, the A5, A7 and A8, and four others were scored below average.
Audi and BMW compete head to head in many vehicle classes, but not all. BMW offers significantly more models than Audi, so it's not always a fair comparison when it comes to price, but generally, Audis are more affordable than their BMW rivals. To help you calculate which models are more affordable we've listed every Audi and every BMW model along with its base price, not including the unavoidable destination fee, which is usually about $1,000 on most models. Notice that BMW offers a more expansive variety of vehicles than Audi. Comparable models usually offer similar features and options.
Audi A3 $33,300 vs. BMW 2 Series $37,300
Audi A5 Sportback $44,200 vs. BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe $44,750
Audi A7 $68,000 vs. BMW 6 Series Gran Turismo $70,300
Audi Q3 $34,700 vs. BMW X1 $34,950
Audi A5 Coupe $44,200 vs. BMW 4 Series Coupe $44,950
Audi A5 Cabriolet $51,200 vs. BMW 4 Series Convertible $53,100
Audi TT $44,900 vs. BMW Z4 $49,700
Audi R8 $169,900 vs. BMW i8 $163,300
These BMW models don't have a direct competitor from Audi.
BMW X2 $36,400
BMW i3 $44,450
BMW 8 Series Coupe $111,900
It should also be noted that both Audi and BMW each have many high performance models that have been modified for additional power and handling. These models usually cost more than the more pedestrian versions. BMW's high-performance M division is best known for the legendary M3 and M5 models, but it has also created high performance versions of the BMW X3, X4, X6 and others. Audi offers a two-tiered approach to its performance offerings, with S and RS version of many models. The RS cars offer a substantial performance increase over the S versions. Shoppers interested in Audi high performance should shop the RS3, RS5, and RS7.
When it comes to performance, BMW's reputation is superior to Audi's. Yes, Audi's perform well, but BMW practically invented the sport sedan about 50 years ago. And its M3 and M5 models are global performance legends. Even BMW's long running tag line, "The Ultimate Driving Machine", has cultivated the brand's fun-to-drive reputation for decades. Remarkably, BMW has been able to simultaneously cultivate its Green reputation. Over the last decade it has offered many more electrified models than Audi, including plug-in hybrid versions of some of its sedans and SUVs. Today, in 2019, it offers two plug-in hybrids, the i3 and i8, as well as an all-electric version of the i3. BMW is also more inclined to experiment with exotic materials than Audi. The BMW i3 and its exotic plug-in hybrid sports car, the i8, have carbon fiber structure, which is very light, but also very expensive. This technology is common in race cars. The structure of most production cars is either steel or aluminum or a combination of each.
That said, Audi has offered more EV models than BMW, and its new all-electric e-Tron SUV will certainly put a charge in its reputation for building environmentally conscious vehicles. Where Audi's reputation shines is style and design. Audi's are beautiful. Most are so visually striking they turn grown men Pavlovian. They look youthful and dynamic, and they have for a very long time. There are also many beautiful BMWs, but most are just attractive and some over the years have been just plain grisly. Audi continues to lead the way when it comes to exterior design. It's one of the preeminent reasons why its celebrity with younger luxury buyers continues to propagate.
Scrutinizing the data reveals that both BMWs and Audis are among the most expensive cars to keep on the road when it comes to maintenance costs over the first 10 years of their lives. BMWs, however, have the dubious distinction of being at the very top of the list. This is surprising, since every new BMW comes with free scheduled maintenance for the first 3 years or 36,000 miles, including complimentary oil and filter changes. Audi doesn't include complimentary maintenance into the price of its cars. Regardless, in their first 10 years on the road, the average BMW costs its owner $17,800 in maintenance, which is higher than every other brand. This is especially relevant to the shoppers of certified pre-owned and used models. Audi's numbers are better, but still pretty embarrassing. In their first 10 years of ownership, the average Audi costs its owner $12,400 in maintenance. Only Volvo, Cadillac, Mercedes and BMWs cost more to keep on the road. Remember, these numbers include the labor of the service, but also the cost of the parts. Every new BMW and Audi also comes standard with a comprehensive but limited warranty. Every BMW and every Audi is covered by a vehicle warranty for four years or 50,000-miles, whichever comes first. Audi and BMW build some of the greatest and most compelling cars and SUVs in the world. We recommend cross shopping between the two brands. But don't just shop virtually. Go to the dealership and take a test drive. Get behind the wheel of these impressive machines. Experience the pull of the engine. Feel the leather, play with the infotainment system and other features. Ultimately you're buying a luxury vehicle because you want one, not because you need one. Forget the drama of the Audi vs. BMW rivalry. Buy the car that captivates your heart and elates your soul. It'll be the best one for you and your family.
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Q: how to migrate bacpac file of sql server to snowflake I have a bacpac file in azure storage account. I need to migrate that bacpac file to snowflake. I tried through Azure Data Factory but i cannot achieve it. Is there any way to migrate?

A: According to the microsoft docs bacpac is only for Azure SQL Database, Azure SQL Managed Instance or SQL Server: https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/azure-sql/database/database-export
Consequence: You can't import the bacpac file into Snowflake.
As far as I know you can also create a ".sql"-file of your database within SQL Server. A simple way to move your database/schemas/tables/views/ etc. to Snowflake is to create that .sql-file with all the DDL-statements and also DML-statements and copy the commands to your Snowflake worksheet.
On top of that you make sure that your data types are compatible with Snowflake.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
package reactor.netty.examples.documentation.http.client.compression;

import reactor.netty.http.client.HttpClient;

public class Application {

	public static void main(String[] args) {
		HttpClient client =
				HttpClient.create()
				          .compress(true);

		client.get()
		      .uri("https://example.com/")
		      .response()
		      .block();
	}
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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Home»Crime»Malami makes further clarifications on DCP Abba Kyari's probe
Malami makes further clarifications on DCP Abba Kyari's probe
By The Eagle Online March 17, 2022 No Comments
The Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), has made further clarifications on investigations concerning the suspended Deputy Commissioner of Police, Abba Kyari.
Malami fielded questions from State House correspondents after the Federal Executive Council meeting in Abuja.
The meeting, presided over by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo, was held on Wednesday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Malami said it was mischievous to insinuate that he was trying to exonerate Kyari as he only requested an enhancement of investigations.
He added that Kyari is facing trial before Justice Inyang Ekwo of a Federal High Court in Abuja on charges of illegal drug business.
He said: "Starting with the issue of Abba Kyari as raised, may be, by way of an insight into the workings of the Office of the Attorney-General and Federal Ministry of Justice, you need to understand that it is not, and has never been the functions and duties of the Office of the Attorney-General to conduct investigations
"So, generally speaking, when issues are raised that have some criminal undertones, the responsibility of the Office of the Attorney-General is to refer same to the relevant agencies of government that are saddled with the responsibility of investigation, inclusive of perhaps the Police, ICPC, EFCC, among others.
"So, with that in mind, during the course of investigation, there is naturally a need for correspondences and exchange of mutual correspondences between the offices.
"Fundamentally, after the investigation, when a report is presented to the Office of the Attorney-General, the Attorney-General will review same to see whether there is need for enhancement of investigation along the line as it relates to certain key elements of the offence."
He said that it was the aforementioned that one needed to understand what actually transpired in the case of Kyari.
Malami said that allegations were made, investigations were conducted and then requests for further enhancement of investigation were indeed made by the Office of the Attorney-General.
He added: "For the purpose of covering the field in arriving at an informed decision one way or the other.
"So, while this process of correspondence between the Office of the Attorney-General and indeed the Police is ongoing, it is indeed a work-in-progress and never a conclusive position.
"So, that is what I can tell you clearly: there was indeed a request for investigation.
"Interim investigation report was presented to the Office of the Attorney-General and the Attorney-General requested for further enhancement into the investigation and highlighted some areas in respect of which enhancement of investigation is required.
"So, it is indeed premature or perhaps mischievous for any conclusion to have been driven in the direction of exonerating or otherwise of the reliability or responsibility relating thereto."
On the Electoral Bill, Malami said that as far as legislative process was concerned, the Constitution was clear.
He said the constitution was clear in the sense that it was the responsibility of the National Assembly to legislate and functions associated to enactment, laws and legislations are exclusive to the National Assembly.
He said: "National Assembly has taken a position.
"And if the government is in anyway of the opinion that there are certain conflicts associated with the constitution, in terms of breaching the provisions of the constitution relating to law-making, the government has a lot of options to consider and exploit.
"One of the options is to request or demand the National Assembly to consider.
"The other option, if the government feels strongly about it, it may consider the judicial option, which is equally available and open to all.
"And then, the third option is to look at the law within the context and spirit of the law to see what it can do.
"And all these options are on table.
"No position has been conclusively taken on the part of the government.
"The government is reviewing.
"The government is looking and the government will come up with a position at the appropriate time if the need for further action is required.
"If there is no need for such action, the government will take as presented."
Malami said, however, that no position had been taken by the executive on what needed to be done on the issue in respect to the stance of the National Assembly.
Abba Kyari Abubakar Malami (SAN) Federal Executive Council Inyang Ekwo justice Yemi Osinbajo
The Eagle Online
I-G Baba invalidates PCRC identity cards


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Nowostawy Dolne – wieś w Polsce położona w województwie łódzkim, w powiecie brzezińskim, w gminie Dmosin.

W latach 1975–1998 miejscowość administracyjnie należała do województwa skierniewickiego.

Zobacz też
 Nowostawy Górne

Przypisy

Dmosin (gmina)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


We've planted a whole new yard with tall fescue and it is being invaded with weeds. I think we may have planted the wrong type of grass for our soil type. Our yard is Remuera clay and does not seem to be accepting the new grass.


When it comes to Purim pastries, hamantashen are what most of us think of first. The word is taken from the German mohn, meaning poppy seeds, and taschen, referring to pockets. Some say the pockets refer to Haman, who stuffed his pockets with bribe money.
The original name, mohntaschen, and the tradition of eating them, may date back as far as the 12th century. Israeli historian, caterer and cook Shmil Holland says that, when Jews fled Germany for Eastern Europe in the late Middle Ages, they took the poppy seed pastry with them and added the Yiddish prefix ha, thus making it hamantash.
In the Encyclopedia of Jewish Food, Gil Marks (z"l) writes that Eastern Europeans and their foods came to dominate the Ashkenazi world in the 19th century, and "hamantashen emerged as the quintessential Ashkenazic Purim treat." The original dough was kuchen, a rich yeast dough, and common fillings include poppy seeds, chocolate, prunes or other fruit fillings. When Eastern Europeans immigrated to America in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the idea came with them.
In addition to the pocket imagery, several other explanations have been suggested for the triangular shape of hamantashen. Some say they represent a triangular-shaped hat worn by Haman, the villain in the Purim story, and that we eat them as a reminder that his cruel plot was foiled. Others say they represent Esther's strength and the three founders of Judaism: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, as a midrash says that, while reflecting on his plan to get rid of the Jews, Haman realized the three Patriarchs would intercede.
Yet another explanation lies in the cookies' name in Israel, oznei Haman, Haman's ears – perhaps referencing an old custom of cutting off the ears of criminals before they were executed. When the resulting treat became known as Haman's ears for Purim is unknown, although it is mentioned as early as 1550. However, according to Marks, historical oznei Haman were strips of dough fried in honey or sugar syrup – a 13th-century Andalusian cookbook has a recipe for this "ear" dish and it was adopted by Sephardim.
Whatever their name, the reason behind eating hamantashen remains the same: remembering how close the Jewish people came to tragedy and celebrating the fact that they escaped death.
Here are some recipes from my family for your own celebration of Purim, which starts this year on March 12. My grandmother (z"l) made the most beautiful-looking yeast hamantashen.
Place prunes in a saucepan with water to cover. Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer until soft.
Mash prunes, add sugar and lemon juice.
Place poppy seeds, milk or water, butter or margarine, raisins, nuts and honey in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until milk or water is absorbed.
Dissolve yeast in a bowl with warm milk. Let stand.
Beat eggs and sugar in a bowl. Add yeast mixture, butter or margarine, salt and sour cream and blend well.
Add four cups flour and mix thoroughly. Gradually add the rest of the flour and knead until the dough is smooth and does not stick to your hands.
Grease a large mixing bowl and add the dough. Turn the dough until it is covered with the oil. Cover with a cloth and refrigerate overnight.
Roll out dough on a lightly floured board to 1/4-inch thick.
Cut into 16 squares. Place a spoonful of filling on each. Fold to form triangles. Place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise one hour until double in size.
In a mixing bowl, blend eggs, sugar and margarine.
Add vanilla and orange juice or sour cream and blend into a dough. Refrigerate 20 minutes.
Roll out dough 1/4-inch thick. Cut into three-inch circles. Place one tablespoon of filling in the centre of each and fold to make a triangle. Place on a cookie sheet and bake for 20-30 minutes.


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Croydon is struggling to meet Mayor's recycling targets
Posted on March 19, 2019 by insidecroydon
Residents in Croydon, or Sutton and the other boroughs in the South London Waste Partnership who endure having Veolia as their councils' rubbish contractor, might be forgiven for having allowed Global Recycling Day, which was yesterday, apparently, to have passed them by unnoticed.
Going for the burn: the Viridor incinerator at Beddington won't do much for recycling rates in south London
After all, the four London boroughs in the SLWP have locked themselves in to a £1billion, 25-year deal with Viridor to burn ever more rubbish at the Beddington incinerator, something which is unlikely to do much to improve recycling rates.
How this squares with Mayor of London Sadiq Khan's pledge in the capital's environment strategy to increase recycling rates in the city to 65 per cent by 2030 is hard to fathom.
The London Assembly environment committee report says 42 per cent of household waste must be recycled in order to achieve the Mayor's total recycling target.
European targets are aiming on meeting recycling targets for municipal waste of 55 per cent by 2025 and 65 per cent by 2035.
This compares to a target of 50 per cent by 2020 that the government and local authorities are working on.
London boroughs' recycling rates, with the darkest green showing boroughs with the better recycling rates. None have achieved the Mayor of London's targets
According to government figures from DEFRA, the environment department, Croydon managed to recycle just 38 per cent of its waste in 2017-2018, ranking our borough 116th of more than 300 local authorities in England. Croydon residents each sent 358kg of rubbish to the tip in the year. For every household with three people or more living there, that works out at more than 1ton of rubbish produced from every Croydon home in a year.
Sutton has a better recycling rate across the borough, at 50 per cent, though residents there also generated 350kg of waste each. Of the other SLWP boroughs, Kingston recycled 48 per cent, while Merton was even worse than Croydon, at 37 per cent.
The figures also relate to the year before the revised contract with Veolia was rolled out across the four SLWP boroughs.
London Mayor Sadiq Khan has set tough targets on recycling
Given the considerable and obvious difficulties Veolia has had in managing its work, and therefore properly handling waste sorted by households for recycling, DEFRA's figures for 2018, when made available, should be worth a look. As should the comparative figures once Viridor finally completes the long-delayed commissioning process on its Beddington incinerator and it becomes fully operational.
How the SLWP boroughs cope with the increased recycling targets set by Mayor Khan will be a challenge, especially for Labour-run boroughs Merton and Croydon.
The London Assembly environment committee has made a series of recommendations to improve London's waste management, including that the Mayor should:
Aim for a consistent recycling service
Introduce penalty fines for serial recycling offenders
Set targets to reduce the amount of biodegradable waste sent to landfill and incineration by 2026
Put more onus on manufacturers to reduce plastic waste and to include better signage on products
Ultimately, households need to reduce their waste and prevent the need for recycling in the first place.
"The latest recycling rate data from DEFRA highlights an alarmingly growing gap between the recycling collection rates and waste collected," said Matthew Ball, the managing director of Greenredeem.
Greenredeem works with business and local authorities on reward schemes for recycling
Greenredeem is a British-based company which has been working with borough councils, including Lambeth in south London, to offer rewards to residents for recycling and other green activities. They have also worked with national-scale businesses including Marks and Spencer, Haven Holidays and Cineworld and many more. Their "From Cup to Compost" campaign with Unilever and PG Tips encourages people to compost or recycle their tea bags
"While local authorities have been under incredible financial challenges in the last eight to 10 years, it is possible to increase the amount that's recycled, and reduce the amount of waste that is sent for disposal," Ball said.
"Engaging with residents, understanding their motivations and rewarding them for doing the right thing is at the heart of the Greenredeem ethos."
In Ealing, where Greenredeem has been working with the council, the borough's recycling rate is above 50 per cent, while the amount of waste sent for disposal is one of the lowest across the capital.
But the London-wide situation is that we are, as a city, producing ever more waste. For more, click here.
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This entry was posted in Business, Croydon Council, Environment, Kingston, London Assembly, London-wide issues, Mayor of London, Merton, Outside Croydon, Refuse collection, Sadiq Khan, Sutton Council, Veolia, Waste incinerator and tagged Beddington Lane incinerator, Croydon, Croydon Council, Greenredeem, Labour, London, London Assembly, London Borough of Croydon, Mayor, Sadiq Khan, Veolia, Viridor. Bookmark the permalink.
2 Responses to Croydon is struggling to meet Mayor's recycling targets
Arno Rabinowitz says:
Croydon may have done even better than it has, which is not saying much, if it hadn't p****d off so many residents by the autocratic, undemocratic, dictatorial and insensitive way in which the new bin arrangements were foisted on largely unwilling, albeit theoretically allied, local population.
There are many residents but not, I hasten to add, your esteemed, highly responsible correspondent who will be expressing their feelings through non-cooperation.. A little sensitivity and willingness to compromise, instead of Trump like disdain for constituents, would have gone a long way to ensuring better results both in rubbish collection and at the next elections.
Lewis White says:
The action we really need is for the main political parties to get together and agree a phased national plan to phase out as many packaging unrecyclables. Yes, working with supermarkets and food manufacturers and packers, but with the power to require a result, not just a "goal".
To me, the little net bags that oranges are sold in really sum up what used to be right, not many years back, when they were made in a biodegradeable coloured string, but has become wrong–now being sold in unrecyclable poly nets. How many square miles of such nets end up in land fill or the incinerators, from which pollution enters the air we all breathe.
Millions and millions of packaged medications –pills and tablets–are contained in a pop out pack, comprising a metal foil front (the poppable bit), but a plastic backing. Why? The resulting ensemble is unrecyclable.
Surely the recycleable solution is to make the whole pack in foil– with a tougher thicker backing and thinner, tearable front foil?
I try to buy unpackaged fruit and veg, but it is difficult unless I have time to go to London Roa dWest Croydon and Surrey Street, where naked fruit and veg is still sold.
How often I am forced to buy a wrapped item at a supermarket, and find that the recycling advice says in very small letters "currently not recycled".
This is a national disgrace and eco disaster.
Why should polythene food wrappers not be replaced by vegetable based clear film, or biodegradeable food grade cellophane? The additional cost must be tiny, so why are carrying on with allowing unrecycleable composite packaging to be made and sold?
Many of the food and drink manufacturers and retailers have done a huge amount in recent years, with biodegradeable cups , sandwich wrappers, and even cutlery. Some supermarkets are –to be fair– starting to reduce the plastic tide.
It seems to me that Government is dragging its feet, and most of the supermarkets are too.
RT @MattWoosie: @InsideCroydon They will use this as an excuse to make it permanent in future 24 minutes ago
.@ABCommuters twitter.com/InsideCroydon/… 51 minutes ago
RT @MayorofLondon: More of our friends, family & neighbours are getting sick than ever before. Our hospitals are stretched to their limit… 5 hours ago


Though Africa always called me to the vastness of wilderness, Uganda was never in my dreams, not even in my nightmares. Yet, I fell in love with the Pearl of Africa during my very early days in the country. Every time someone asks me about the living conditions in that small beautiful country, I catch my breath and become loquacious. Through this post I am trying express my first impressions of Uganda to the world.
Entebbe International Airport, I recalled the Operation Entebbe mission that I read on Internet. Things were changed since the end of Idi Amin's era, but I had never been to Uganda.
You will read a lot of stories that I enjoyed in Uganda in this blog. I stayed in Uganda for more than two years and explored quite a bit of this country from the wilderness of Murchison Falls to the snowy peaks of Rwenzori Mountains, and from the crowded streets of Kampala to the bubbling waters at the Source of River Nile.
I was surprised to listen Peter, our driver, when he said, "Uganda has only two seasons – the rainy days and the sunny days". Sitting on his van, during our first travel to Kampala from Entebbe, I looked out to see the showering clouds. It was a sudden pour and the traffic was a mess.
After living in the country for more than two years, I realized what Peter said on our first day in Uganda. Uganda has no extremes. The country is usually sunny with temperature mostly kept under 29 degrees. However, during the months from March to May, this equatorial nation receives adequate rainfall.
Even in that messy traffic jam, Peter was cool and did not overreact to the situation. He kept a smile on his face and played with his fingers on the steering wheel to the rhythm of music that filled his van from the radio.
Ugandan's are pretty cool and calm. Most Ugandan's, that I worked with or I have met, are nice and simple. They don't prefer taking stress and so the life in Uganda is usually relaxed. The only problem is that you may not get your work done at the pace you are expecting.
As Peter drove his car diligently through the traffic, I looked out to relish the beautiful sideways and the landscapes around. The trees that grew higher above the green bushes on irregular plains and the bulging Lake Victoria with beautiful beaches captured me instantly.
Uganda has beautiful landscapes and plenty of green vegetation. The people of Uganda love trees and they practice to plant three trees as they cut one. There are reserve forests that you can access from Kampala within a distance of 40 kilometers.
Before even mentioning, Peter stopped the van in front of a restaurant and looked at me to ask, "do you like Chinese food?". Fang Fang was the restaurant and it was just one among the many that we enjoyed during our stay in Kampala.
Kampala may not be the most buoyant cities in the world, but it is one place where you can enjoy nightlife as good as day activities. There are pubs and clubs where you will easily be absorbed and indulged in.
Kampala is also good for shopping. Though slightly expensive when compared to India, you will find good shopping malls in and around Kampala.
Markets like Nakasero and Bugolobi are always colorful. If a little more big, think about Owino Market with over 500,000 vendors offering almost everything under the sun. While exploring these local markets in Kampala, be careful with your belongings.
After a delectable 'lu-inner' (we missed lunch that day and it was not yet time for dinner), Peter took us through Kampala Road where I saw an European couple sitting behind an Ugandan rider and racing ahead. An Indian couple followed them and then an Indian women, all of them on motorbikes rode by local riders. I was curious, and the response from Peter was simple, "they are Boda Bodas, just like your auto-rickshaws".
You can travel in and around Kampala on a Boda Boda (Motorbike) by paying a small fare. They are convenient, if you have no luggage, and cheap. However, make sure that you demand the rider for a safe and smooth ride, and ensure it before you take his service.
My first impressions of Uganda was awesome. I lived 2 years and a few months in this landlocked country on the shores of Lake Victoria. My experience in two and half years was much more than my first impressions of Uganda. Stay tuned with Jaunt Monkey to read more travelogues and stories.


Contemporary stylised flowers in a garden setting.
Painted En Plein Air in Chelsea. Light and dark contracts in the park. Great experience! Thanx!
Includes poem inspired by a regatta with the sails in the wind.


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Home » Books » Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway
By: Susan Jeffers
Persevering through anxiety and fear was a major obstacle in Dr. Susan Jeffers' life, leading her to write "Feel the Fear and Do It Anyway." For more than 20 years, this best-selling book has inspired millions to pursue personal growth despite fear. The main idea is that you should never let feeling scared define you or deter you from making life-changing decisions. While this book is light on research and heavy on anecdotes, some readers may find it more accessible than a more technical read. Most of the insights are far from surprising, but the fresh perspective can inspire you to take the next steps forward.
The book plainly lays out the path for you. Through positive affirmations and exploratory exercises in self-talk, readers learn to separate their identities from the apprehension that often holds them back in love, work, and more. You will also find out how to take the small everyday risks that can lead to huge payoffs. The author encourages readers to work through their anxieties rather than avoid them. She points out how facing your fears can improve your self-esteem immensely and help you feel more at ease in general. However, she acknowledges that there will still be plenty more challenges ahead no matter where you are in your journey.
Thus, Dr. Jeffers explains in detail how you can overcome victimhood and become the hero in your life. Her language is simple, so you will not feel bogged down by any technical terms. If you tend to lead with your spiritual side, then you will feel in tune with Dr. Jeffers's messages of connecting to your universe and filling the inner voids left by fear. This book banks on the idea that people often need to act first to be able to change negative thought patterns. For the countless people who struggle with negative emotions every day, this practical advice has no expiration date.
Audible (Digital Audiobook)
About Susan Jeffers
For the past three decades, Dr. Susan Jeffers' guidance has helped millions work through their fears to accomplish feats both great and small. Her career as an influential self-help author ...
More about Susan Jeffers


deep fascia of the sole of the foot; includes a thick central part, the plantar aponeurosis, covering the central compartment of the sole of the foot, and thinner medial and lateral parts covering the hallucis and digit minimi muscles (compartments), respectively.
Deep fascia of the sole of the foot; includes a thick central part, the plantar aponeurosis, covering the central compartment of the sole of the foot, and thinner medial and lateral parts covering the flexor hallucis and flexor digit minimi muscles (compartments), respectively.
A tough fibrous band of tissue surrounding the muscles of the sole of the foot. Also called plantar aponeurosis.
the thick band of connective tissue on the sole of the foot, which runs from the calcaneum to the base of the toes; inflammation (plantar fasciitis) is one of the commonest causes of heel pain, usually at the attachment to the calcaneum. Pain is felt especially first thing in the morning (overnight rest with the foot in plantarflexion allows the fascia to contract) or on weight-bearing exercise: a dull pain felt along the sole of the foot. Associated with, but not caused by, a bony spur. More common in runners, gymnasts and dancers (who use repetitive maximal plantarflexion of the foot) and in those with flat feet. Management includes rest, anti-inflammatory medication, podiatry assessment, exercises to stretch the fascia, orthoses and, if severe, corticosteroid injection.
These findings were supported by another study suggested that stretches of the planter fascia significantly decreased pain and improved foot function.
Anderson was diagnosed with a strained planter fascia, the arch in his left foot.


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FBI Agent Honored for Assisting Injured Officer
On April 14, 2015, Huntington County Executive Steve Bellone and Suffolk County Fire, Rescue, and Emergency Services Commissioner Joe Williams honored members of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad who recently responded to a call to aid an injured police officer. Among those recognized at the ceremony was FBI Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Michael Petronella, who dedicates his time to riding with the local squad on Wednesday nights as an EMT.
On March 11, the officer was conducting a traffic stop of known drug targets when one of the occupants of the vehicle got out of the car and ran. As a pursuit ensued, the subject turned and fired on the officer, striking him in the neck and hip. Shortly before midnight, the squad, including FBI's Petronella, received a call from the scene alerting them that a police officer had been injured. The crew responded, provided on-scene care to the officer, and transported him to a helicopter that airlifted him to Stony Brook Medical Center. The officer is expected to make a full recovery.
"I congratulate SSA Petronella and other members of the Huntington Community First Aid Squad who have been recognized with this prestigious honor," said FBI Special Agent in Charge of the Special Operations/Cyber Division Leo Taddeo.


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Personal financial statements, among other services.
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A properly established trust structure could result in a more tax efficient solution which can have a major impact on you reaching higher financial objectives and sooner. For more information get in touch with one of our relationship managers.
Join our privileged group of satisfied customers and gain access to our other products and services and to our network of professionals. Tell us how can we help you today and one of our relationship managers will gladly assist you.
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text:
Q: How to know which line is causing exception? I am new to XCode and Objective C. I have intentionally make a mistake to assign number to NSString*.
NSString* s = @1;
[s uppercaseString];

Though XCode gives me warning, this code will compile. But at runtime I get exception. Now I see in logs, (Sorry for image, I was not able to paste is as text properly due to formatting)

In this log, how I find exact place of error. How this log tells me which code to change.

A: So it looks like you are running the Release build (debug symbols stripped) and if you got that crash log in a production environment you would need to symbolicate it in order to find the line.
This Apple TN gives some details of Symbolication.
In a development environment you would simply add an exception breakpoint and run it from Xcode, as the debug symbols would not be stripped.

A: To understand what line causes the problem, you usually need to add exception breakpoint to your project as explained in this document;

*

*In the bottom-left corner of the breakpoints navigator, click the
Add button.

*Choose Add Exception Breakpoint.

*In the Exception pop-up menu, choose the type of exception on which
you want execution to stop:

*

*All. Stops on all exceptions.

*Objective-C. Stops on Objective-C exceptions.

*C++. Stops on C++ exceptions. To stop on a particular C++ exception, specify the exception name.

*Choose the phase of the exception handling process at which you want program execution to stop.

*Click Done.

A: line 5 Sam : [BIDViewController viewDidLoad] + 143 , if this is a release build , you need to resolve with symbols the memory address of the function , this is called "symbolize" the crash dump...

A: In the log look for your project name and you will come to know.
e.g.
line 5 Sam : [BIDViewController viewDidLoad] + 143

If you want to produce real crash without warning, try following code it will produce index out of bound exception and will crash
NSArray *array = @[@"1",@"2"];
NSLog(@"Item not accessible->%@",(NSString*)array[2]);

A: set Exception breaking point or enable NSZombie object

or
NSZombie
From the menu bar, choose Project > Scheme > Edit Scheme


text:
2018 6A UIL State Swimming Championships
Images from the Class 6A portion of the UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships, Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
By Jason Fochtman
on February 17, 2018 11:01 AM
Swimmers warm up before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Photo: Jason Fochtman/Houston Chronicle
Swimmers warm up before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming &...Photo-15096330.178641 -
The Woodlands girls team celebrates after defending their team title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands girls team celebrates after defending their team title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in
The Woodlands girls team celebrates after defending their team...Photo-15097261.178641 -
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Item-85307.178641 -
The Woodlands girls team celebrates defending their overall state title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands girls team celebrates defending their overall state title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018,
The Woodlands girls team celebrates defending their overall state...Photo-15097259.178641 -
The Woodlands head coach Jeremy Wade reacts as he hits the water after the girls team defended their team state title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands head coach Jeremy Wade reacts as he hits the water after the girls team defended their team state title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail
The Woodlands head coach Jeremy Wade reacts as he hits the water...Photo-15097260.178641 -
The Woodlands reacts after winning the Class 6A girls 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands reacts after winning the Class 6A girls 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
The Woodlands reacts after winning the Class 6A girls 200-yard...Photo-15096451.178641 -
Swimmers from The Woodlands High School cheer before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Swimmers from The Woodlands High School cheer before the Class 6A...Photo-15096450.178641 -
The Woodlands fans cheer during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands fans cheer during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming...Photo-15096446.178641 -
window._taboola = window._taboola || []; _taboola.push({ mode: 'thumbnails-c', container: 'taboola-interstitial-gallery-thumbnails-12', placement: 'Interstitial Gallery Thumbnails 12', target_type: 'mix' }); _taboola.push({flush: true});
Kaloyan Bratanov of Katy reacts after winning the Class 6A boys 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Kaloyan Bratanov of Katy reacts after winning the Class 6A boys 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on
Kaloyan Bratanov of Katy reacts after winning the Class 6A boys...Photo-15096445.178641 -
Cameron Cash of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter diving during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Cameron Cash of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter diving during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Cameron Cash of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys...Photo-15097089.178641 -
Kaloyan Bratanov of Katy competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Kaloyan Bratanov of Katy competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Kaloyan Bratanov of Katy competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard...Photo-15096444.178641 -
The Woodlands' Lucie Nordmann warms up before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands' Lucie Nordmann warms up before the Class 6A...Photo-15096329.178641 -
Clayton Bobo of Stratford jokes before competing in the Class 6A boys 50-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin. Bobo finishing first in the race.
Clayton Bobo of Stratford jokes before competing in the Class 6A boys 50-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday,
Clayton Bobo of Stratford jokes before competing in the Class 6A...Photo-15096443.178641 -
Clayton Bobo of Stratford reacts after finsihing first in the Class 6A boys 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Clayton Bobo of Stratford reacts after finsihing first in the Class 6A boys 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on
Clayton Bobo of Stratford reacts after finsihing first in the...Photo-15096587.178641 -
A Kingwood swimmer wears a shark mask before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
A Kingwood swimmer wears a shark mask before the Class 6A UIL...Photo-15096325.178641 -
Lillie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Lillie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on
Lillie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls...Photo-15096441.178641 -
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday,
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys...Photo-15096440.178641 -
Emma Stephenson of Stratford competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Emma Stephenson of Stratford competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Emma Stephenson of Stratford competes in the Class 6A girls...Photo-15096573.178641 -
Caitlin Reynera of The Woodlands reacts after being awarded the gold medal in the Class 6A girls 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Caitlin Reynera of The Woodlands reacts after being awarded the gold medal in the Class 6A girls 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail
Caitlin Reynera of The Woodlands reacts after being awarded the...Photo-15096339.178641 -
Connor Richmond of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard breaststroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Connor Richmond of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard breaststroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Connor Richmond of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard...Photo-15097016.178641 -
Kaitlynn Sims of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Kaitlynn Sims of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard individual medley during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday,
Kaitlynn Sims of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls...Photo-15096345.178641 -
William Coakley of Seven Lakes competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
William Coakley of Seven Lakes competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
William Coakley of Seven Lakes competes in the Class 6A boys...Photo-15096341.178641 -
Lucie Nordmann of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 200-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Lucie Nordmann of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 200-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Lucie Nordmann of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls...Photo-15096340.178641 -
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley realy during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley realy during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Stratford finished third in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Stratford finished third in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in
Stratford finished third in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley...Photo-15096336.178641 -
Caitlin Reynera of The Woodlands prepares to warm up before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Caitlin Reynera of The Woodlands prepares to warm up before the...Photo-15096333.178641 -
The Woodlands finished first in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands finished first in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018,
The Woodlands finished first in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley...Photo-15096332.178641 -
The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in
The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay...Photo-15096331.178641 -
before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving...Photo-15096328.178641 -
The Woodlands' Lucie Nordmann, right, visits with her sister Lillie before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands' Lucie Nordmann, right, visits with her sister Lillie before the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in
The Woodlands' Lucie Nordmann, right, visits with her sister...Photo-15096327.178641 -
Clayton Bobo of Stratford competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Clayton Bobo of Stratford competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Clayton Bobo of Stratford competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard...Photo-15096581.178641 -
Victor Tremblay of Kingwood prepares to compete in the Class 6A boys 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Victor Tremblay of Kingwood prepares to compete in the Class 6A boys 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday,
Victor Tremblay of Kingwood prepares to compete in the Class 6A...Photo-15096579.178641 -
Jolie Daspit of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Jolie Daspit of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Jolie Daspit of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard...Photo-15096578.178641 -
during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving...Photo-15096577.178641 -
Lillie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Lillie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Dalton Love of Spring competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Dalton Love of Spring competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018,
Dalton Love of Spring competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard...Photo-15096575.178641 -
Emma Sticklen of Katy Taylor reacts after winning the Class 6A girls 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Emma Sticklen of Katy Taylor reacts after winning the Class 6A girls 100-yard butterfly during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday,
Emma Sticklen of Katy Taylor reacts after winning the Class 6A...Photo-15096574.178641 -
Kaitlynn Sims of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 500-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin. Sims finished first in the race to defend her 2017 state title in the event.
Kaitlynn Sims of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A girls 500-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Luke Stuart of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A boys 500-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin. Stuart finishing second in the race.
Luke Stuart of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A boys 500-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Luke Stuart of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A boys 500-yard...Photo-15096816.178641 -
Matthew Tannerberger of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Matthew Tannerberger of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 200-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday,
Matthew Tannerberger of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A...Photo-15096343.178641 -
Bora Unalmis of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 500-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Bora Unalmis of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 500-yard freestyle during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Bora Unalmis of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 500-yard...Photo-15096744.178641 -
Kingwood finished second in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Kingwood finished second in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in
Kingwood finished second in the Class 6A boys 200-yard medley...Photo-15096338.178641 -
The Woodlands swimmers react after finishing third in the Class 6A girls 200-yard freestyle relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands swimmers react after finishing third in the Class 6A girls 200-yard freestyle relay during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on
The Woodlands swimmers react after finishing third in the Class 6A...Photo-15096862.178641 -
Connor Richmond of Kingwood reacts after finishing second in the Class 6A boys 100-yard breaststroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Connor Richmond of Kingwood reacts after finishing second in the Class 6A boys 100-yard breaststroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center
Connor Richmond of Kingwood reacts after finishing second in the...Photo-15097017.178641 -
Bora Unalmis of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Bora Unalmis of Kingwood competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Lucie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Lucie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Lucie Norman of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A girls...Photo-15097011.178641 -
Aria Bernal of Katy Cinco Ranch is seen after finishing second in the 6A girls 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Aria Bernal of Katy Cinco Ranch is seen after finishing second in the 6A girls 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center
Aria Bernal of Katy Cinco Ranch is seen after finishing second in...Photo-15097012.178641 -
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Alberto Gomez of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 100-yard backstroke during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb.
Mason Williams of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter diving during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Mason Williams of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter diving during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Mason Williams of Montgomery competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter...Photo-15097091.178641 -
Skip Donald of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter diving during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
Skip Donald of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter diving during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17,
Skip Donald of The Woodlands competes in the Class 6A boys 1-meter...Photo-15097088.178641 -
The Woodlands girls team defended their team state title during the Class 6A UIL State Swimming & Diving Championships at the Lee and Joe Jamail Texas Swim Center on Saturday, Feb. 17, 2018, in Austin.
The Woodlands girls team defended their team state title during...Photo-15097262.178641 -


Matthew 13:1-9 - "That same day Jesus went out of the house and sat beside the sea.  And great crowds gathered about him, so that he got into a boat and sat down. And the whole crowd stood on the beach.  And he told them many things in parables, saying: "A sower went out to sow.  And as he sowed, some seeds fell along the path, and the birds came and devoured them.  Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they did not have much soil, and immediately they sprang up, since they had no depth of soil,  but when the sun rose they were scorched. And since they had no root, they withered away.  Other seeds fell among thorns, and the thorns grew up and choked them.  Other seeds fell on good soil and produced grain, some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.  He who has ears, let him hear."
The very first words of verse 1 tell us something important about the background of this, perhaps the most famous, of Jesus' parables - "That same day..." What day? It was the same day containing the events of Matthew chapter twelve. We have been studying the parables of judgement in Matthew twenty-four and twenty-five. Those parables deal with the end of this age and the judgment of the King at the end of the age as He assesses the effect of the kingdom in our lives. Now we begin to study the entrance and growth of the kingdom. Matthew thirteen deals with the beginning of the kingdom in our lives.
Now, back to the opening words of our text - "that same day...." These ideas from Jesus didn't just pop out of the air. He had encountered some rugged opposition to His Word and works the very same day He spoke this parable. And that opposition is recorded in detail in Matthew chapter 12. Jesus performed miracles the day He gave this parable of the sower. The people wouldn't believe Him even though he worked wonders right in front of their eyes. The people asked Him for greater and greater signs but wouldn't hear His words "that same day." This was the very "same day"Jesus had to warn the religious leaders about the unpardonable sin - about blaspheming the Holy Spirit. In other words, this was the "same day" Jesus, in word and deed, was scattering the seed of His kingdom all over the place. People had wonderful opportunities this "same day" to have their hearts transformed and stretched and healed. But many refused to hear and refused to see.
1)	FRUIT WILL ONLY COME FROM THE SEED SOWN IN THE HEART - What Matthew records more indirectly, Mark records very directly - "The sower sows the word"(Mark 4:14). The seed is the Word. Everything that grows starts with seed. The soils vary, but the seed is constant. Even in the very best soil, nothing will germinate without seed.
But what is obvious in farming is never so obvious in spiritual growth. People aren't as interested in sowing as they are in harvesting. They want to go to church less and less. They don't want to spend time studying the truth of the Scriptures. They find themselves too busy with other things to spend extended time in prayer and meditation. But they want good marriages. They want God's blessing on their home and kids. They want God to prosper their business. Harvesting they like. It's the sowing they're not crazy about.
They don't see their problems until they start to harvest weeds instead of fruit. And then, usually, what they want is a solution to their problem now without addressing the neglect of the Word of truth that got them into the mess in the first place. That's the first great lesson and the first great warning of this parable. Let nothing but the Word of God take center place in your life. Let no other authority or custom or the pressure of the crowd steer your life. Root yourself, renew your mind, regulate your actions and attitudes by Divine Revelation.
Psalm 1:1-3 - "Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers;  but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.  He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers." The counsel of the ungodly is everywhere. It crops up like weeds and thorns. Jesus said clearly these weeds will choke out the place of the Word if you're not careful. But the Word of truth, properly received, will bring unlimited blessing into all of your life - "in whatever he does he prospers." That's because the Word is the seed that brings growth.


This is an extremely critical decision as it can have fairly huge opportunity costs. When to get out of certain sectors or certain themes is an important decision. Also the decision on whether to be in equities or debt is a very fundamental decision. There are variety of reasons you should look at re-allocation like change in macros, too much focus on a few sectors and new emerging opportunities. Read and apply!
Back in 2005, when the markets had crossed their previous 2000 highs, an investor came up and wanted to exit equities altogether. His justification was that a new high cannot be sustained. Back then the Sensex was at 6400. I only wonder what he eventually did, because the Sensex actually appreciated 250% from those levels. Classic re-allocation fallacy!
I am sure his case is not a case in isolation. Many investors take these important decisions without adequate logic, justification, reasoning and forethought. While in many cases, re-allocation can be a personal decision, a well chalked out re-allocation strategy can go a long way in reducing pain as in the above case. Here are a few basic pointers on how to design a re-allocation strategy. Check it!
Asset re-allocation cannot be a routine activity. It has to have a set of pre-determined triggers for implementation. You need to realize that your best thought out strategies can become obsolete with the passage of time. You must also be dispassionate enough to let go of your strategies or stocks that have served you well for a long time. That is the core of asset re-allocation.
It could be a sectoral story or a theme story. Any situation where a concentration on industries, dividends yields, mid-caps etc increases your concentration risk, it is a classic case for you to re-allocate your portfolio. It is a trigger!
Classic cases: Oil prices have crashed and you are exposed to drillers; China is slowing and you are focused on metals; RBI is planning to raise rates and you are overexposed to rate-sensitive stocks like auto, banks and real estate.
If the first two were cases of passive re-allocation, this is a case of active re-allocation. Be in large caps when markets are fairly valued and be in mid caps when markets are undervalued.
Watch out which way the retail investors are going. They normally tend to flock in hordes at the top of the market and stay absolutely shy at bottoms. Bull markets are normally built on skepticism; especially retail scepticism. This is the time to undertake a serious re-allocation of your assets.
Follow the famous 5% rule. Well, this is how it works. Assume you have a 40% allocation to equities and 30% to bonds. If your equity appreciation takes it to 45% or interest rates take bonds to 35%, it is the time to revert back to your original allocation. This is a rule that works for most passive investors.
Always worry about the cost of rebalancing. There are two aspects to it. Firstly, there is a transaction cost and statutory charges to be paid for every sale and purchase. Also there are short term gain tax implications. Be convinced that the benefits of rebalancing will outweigh the transaction and tax costs.
Ensure that rebalancing does not increase your correlation risk. Having all assets that move in tandem is not a great idea. It inordinately increases the risk of any sudden market movement. There are rare occasions like 2008 when all assets move in tandem. That was an exception, but otherwise you must be prepared.
Decide the right periodicity of re-allocation for yourself. Normally an overall re-allocation in 2 years is good enough. Within that, you can do minor tweaking on specific macro events. Avoid re-allocating too often. It only adds to your cost and effort, without any commensurate benefit accruing to you!
The Indian market throws up a plethora of challenges. Firstly, markets are at a trailing valuation of 24.5 times. That is way above historic averages. At the same time, valuations and volatility are way below historic peaks we saw in 2000, 2008 and 2010. Also, retail euphoria is still missing. In relative terms, India still looks like a better growth story compared to other emerging market peers. So how does it define strategy?
One of the obvious outcomes of a scenario of falling rates, falling inflation, falling deficit and rising growth may be that equities will continue to outperform as an asset class. The focus will however be less on high beta stocks and more on a mix of defensives and long term growth stories. While mid-cap may still add value to the portfolio, they should be kept at a bare minimum. Remember, too much liquidity causes equity asset inflation and normally it is only the large caps that benefit.
A decision to re-allocate can be either passive or active. A passive re-allocation, at best, protects your capital and helps you to outperform the index. But great ideas and great investments are normally the outcome of active re-allocation. The way Stanley Druckenmiller bet 14% of capital on shorting the pound in 1992. The way Paul Tudor Jones bet a big whale on a market correction in 1987. Or the way John Paulson bet almost everything shorting subprime mortgages in 2007. It surely paid off!
Some of these re-allocations have been mighty profitable. For example, David Tepper's re-allocation of his fund into US banks in 2009 was a phenomenal calculated gamble. While the street believed that banks will be nationalized by the US government, he was the only voice to bet against it. Stock prices bottomed and quadrupled in less than a year. Tepper's fund earned $7 billion from the trade and Tepper made a personal fortune of $4 billion. That is the power of timely re-allocation.
The Indian market throws up a plethora of challenges.
Firstly, markets are at a trailing valuation of 24.5 times.
This is correct?……. Too high?


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Q: Is there a "good" reason that the universal central extension of $SL(2,\mathbb Z)$ is $Br_3$? Let
$$ Br_3 := \langle \tau_1,\tau_2\ :\ \tau_1 \tau_2 \tau_1 = \tau_2 \tau_1 \tau_2 \rangle $$
be the braid group on three strands, and consider the surjection
$$\phi : Br_3 \twoheadrightarrow SL_2(\mathbb Z), \qquad
\tau_1 \mapsto \begin{pmatrix} 1&0\\ 1&1\end{pmatrix}, \quad
\tau_2 \mapsto \begin{pmatrix} 1&-1\\ 0&1\end{pmatrix}.
$$
According to Wikipedia, this is the universal central extension. Moreover,
it arises as the fiber product of the inclusion $SL_2(\mathbb Z) \hookrightarrow SL_2(\mathbb R)$ and the universal cover $\widetilde{SL_2(\mathbb R)} \twoheadrightarrow SL_2(\mathbb R)$.

Is there a satisfying reason why there should be a map $\phi$?

Perhaps something Galois-theoretic, based on $Br_3$ being the fundamental group of the configuration space of $3$ points in the plane?
Feel free to retag. If there are many satisfying reasons, I'll make it community wiki!
ADDED: This is, if not the same question, at least really close to Details for the action of the braid group B_3 on modular forms , and Dylan Thurston's answer is pretty satisfying (even if he isn't satisfied).

A: This answer is essentially equivalent to Misha's and Dylan's, but phrased in terms of configuration spaces rather than mapping class groups. As you note, $Br_3$ is the fundamental group of the configuration space of 3 points in the (complex) plane, a 3-complex dimensional space. One may take a subspace whose center of mass is at the origin, splitting off $\mathbb{C}$. The conformally equivalent configurations are then related by the action of $\mathbb{C}^\times$. If we only quotient by $\mathbb{R}_+$ (say by normalizing the moment of inertia to be $1$), then we get a 3-dimensional space whose fundamental group is still $B_3$. However, if we quotient by $S^1$, then we get a 2-dimensional orbifold which is the conformal classes of the 4-punctured sphere with a single marked point at $\infty$ (or thrice-punctured $\mathbb{C}$).
The 2-fold branched cover of a 4-punctured $\mathbb{CP}^1$ ramified over each puncture is a torus with a marked point, and covering translation given by the elliptic involution. So $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$ acts on this space as the usual quotient of the affine action on $\mathbb{R}^2$ descending to $\mathbb{R}^2/\mathbb{Z}^2$. Note however that the orbifold fundamental group of the conformal classes of 3-punctured $\mathbb{C}$ is actually $PSL_2(\mathbb{Z})$, rather than $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$, since we've quotiented by the center corresponding to the elliptic involution. However, the universal central extention of $PSL_2(\mathbb{Z})$ by $\mathbb{Z}$ certainly maps to the universal $\mathbb{Z}/2\mathbb{Z}$ central extension of $PSL_2(\mathbb{Z})$. But this point makes the geometric correspondence a bit less natural, since the hyperelliptic involution is the lift of the element of $\pi_1$ of the configuration space which rotates a triple of points by $2\pi$.
Maybe another remark, that $PSL_2(\mathbb{Z}) \cong \mathbb{Z}/2\ast \mathbb{Z}/3$, so $H^2(PSL_2(\mathbb{Z}),\mathbb{Z})= \mathbb{Z}/6$. So I suppose there are two universal central extensions, but I guess these are differing by the outer automorphism of $\mathbb{Z}/3$ applied to $\mathbb{Z}/2\ast \mathbb{Z}/3$. If we think of $PSL_2(\mathbb{Z})$ again as the fundamental group of the modular orbifold, then its universal $\mathbb{Z}$-central extension is the fundamental group of the unit tangent bundle to the orbifold. I think the other central extension is also obtained by the action on the lower half-plane, and taking the unit tangent bundle to this orbifold.
Here's another geometric description going in the other direction.
Recall that a conformal class of torus is obtained from a point  $z\in\mathbb{H}^2$ by taking the quotient $\mathbb{C}/\langle 1,z\rangle$. The unit tangent bundle then gives a unit tangent vector at $z$. Taking the quotient by the elliptic involution, this also gives a unit tangent vector at $\infty$ on the 4-punctured $\mathbb{CP}^1$. There is a unique conformal map to $\mathbb{C}$ which has this vector pointing in a fixed direction, and having center of mass at the origin and normalized moment of inertia. However, again this only gives a natural map to $PSL_2(\mathbb{Z})$, not $SL_2(\mathbb{Z})$.


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Library Display
Total Scores 2020-2021
Guidelines for Judges
Member Recognition Column
Frank Zaremba, MNEC
Look Who's Joined
We are a friendly group interested in enhancing the photographic skills of our members. We extend a hearty welcome to all those who enjoy photography, regardless of their level of expertise.
David Royce
Written by: Judy Rabinowitz
David has been a key member of the Simsbury Camera Club since he joined in 1994. He served two terms as President 1999-2003 and helped grow the club; taking on many additional duties when his terms as President ended. He created the club's first website in 2004 and served as Webmaster until 2010. He also served as the first Simsbury Bank Calendar Coordinator 2003-2006 and Coordinator of the Print Competition 2005-2011. His dedicated time for the Simsbury Fly-In since 2007, and Simsbury Celebrates from 2005, as well as chairing the effort to place club photos on the walls of the then newly redecorated Eno Hall have all contributed in major ways to the club's growth and connection to the town. Not the least of David's duties is his ongoing role as Nominating Committee Chair, which he assumed as he left the presidency. His instinct for the right person for the right job, and his gentle arm-twisting, have greatly helped assure the continuity of SCC under strong leadership.
David started out taking pictures of his family while they were growing up, and when they began commenting on how much they enjoyed his photos he decided to get more serious about his hobby. David's first major camera was a Minolta X700 SLR. He befriended a home based camera dealer in town and bought and upgraded all of his equipment from him over many years.
David retired from his job as a mechanical draftsman at Hamilton Standard in 1998. He worked for many companies in Connecticut during his 35 year career. He worked on products such as jet fuel controls, propellers, environmental and helicopter control systems, firearms, elevators and nuclear reactors.
In his retirement years David has become a professional photographer and picture framer. He says he owes 90% of his knowledge in photography to the members of the Simsbury Camera Club. The other 10% he owes to making mistakes and learning from them. "Becoming a better photographer is a direct product of belonging to the Club. When I had a question about what I was doing there was always someone there to answer it. I have also been supported over the years by club members when I started my picture framing business. Members of our club have always been supportive of one another. That is what makes our club stand out. That is the way it is supposed to be."
David particularly delights in shooting scenic and nature photography. He was attracted to large format photography during his earlier years as a member of the club. He said, "I was lucky enough to be able to acquire a 4×5 large format camera in a trade with a friend that wanted a lot of my radio controlled planes. This was a good thing." David's most memorable experience was when he and his wife Mary Lou were in Acadia National Park. David enjoyed the complexity of large format. He said, "It took twenty minutes to set up for one shot. I took many exposures at every setup just so I would be guaranteed a perfect image. It was very rewarding when the film was developed."
Over the last several years David's photography has taken on a new direction. David is the primary photographer and picture framer for the Sacred Heart Church in Bloomfield, as well as its webmaster and Electronic Information Distribution Coordinator (I send out information emails to everyone in the parish and also came up with the title). He is involved with many Ministries and covers all of the church events. David has been involved with the Catholic Transcript magazine and has contributed many photos as well as having two covers published so far. "My future plans include getting back to my first love, scenic and nature photography, so I can start competing again in the intra club competitions. The feedback is always helpful and rewarding."
Posted in Member Recognition Column
John McGarry
William (Bill) Payne
Lou Norton
William "Bill" Latournes
Chris Fisher
Raymond Padron
Judy Rabinowitz
Nathan Gutman
Jim Patrina
Bruce Metzger
George Zars
New Names for Trophies
2019-2020 Awards and Promotions
2020 Year End Trophies
Images for Coping
A good Mother's Day for at least one Mother Goose!
Spring 2020 NECCC Electronic Interclub Competition Results
Private Google Group
NECCC
©2021 Simsbury Camera Club and contributors. All text and photos are copyrighted by either the club or by the contributing member and may not be reproduced without the permission of the copyright holder. Simsbury Camera Club. PO Box 321, Simsbury, CT 06070


"Ok, the knowledge that these reveries are common to all men should inspire one with tolerance to oneself as well as to others. It is well also if they enable us to look upon our fellows, even the most eminent and respectable, with humor, and if they lead us to take ourselves not too seriously." I then finished my speech and turned back to my office.
All in all, I felt more than comfortable about what I behaved to the colleague. Although she wore a beautiful Pandora jewelry, which is notably and high level, I was not afraid of her and taught her what really hided in the Pandora jewelry. Actually, what I really wanted to tell her was, even she seemed like rich and had a lot of money, but it was totally not wise to show off to me, which was so stupid.


Toners are a crucial part of daily skin regimen. This toner's ingredients help give the appearance of toned and firm skin while soothing and calming chaotic skin. Using a moderate amount on cotton ball apply to face using sweeping upward motions. This is the third step in our six step regimen for oily or acne prone skin. Available in 4 oz. and 8 oz. sizes.
Ingredients: Aloe Vera Gel, Lavender Distilled Water, Polysorbate, Menthol Crystals, Essential Oils of Lavender, Peppermint, Spearmint, Rosemary, Tea Tree, Methylsulfonylmethane, Organic White Willow Bark, Tetrasodium EDTA.


Away from the main stage of the biggest fashion event in Africa, and long before we offered more than 120,000 fashion lovers, from across the continent and beyond, a fashion experience of their lifetime, we were faced with an existential challenge: how do we do more to enrich the lives of our customers?
We considered this question an existential challenge because we believed that today, for organizations to remain relevant, they must constantly pursue innovative ideas that offer more value to customers. For us, there could be no greater value than empowering small businesses and providing exciting lifestyle experiences for our customers.
That is why over the last decade we have sponsored a wide range of consumer-focused events, and in the last three years, created Free Business Platforms such as the GTBank Food and Drink Fair and the GTBank Fashion Weekend. We believe that with people's spending often limited to taking care of basic needs— what to eat and what to wear;— if we focused on promoting enterprise in food and fashion, we would be propelling local entrepreneurs to dominate two critical sectors of our economy. We amplified this with Fashion Industry Credit and Food Industry Credit- a 9.00% per annum single digit interest rate loan for small businesses in Fashion and Food.
Burak Cakmak – Dean of Fashion, Parsons School of Design at his #GTBankFashionWeekend masterclass.
Growth is what we work towards with the GTBank Fashion Weekend—for indigenous fashion businesses in particular, and for the local fashion industry as a whole. But this growth does not come any easier than the struts of Africa's finest models on the runway of Africa's biggest event. It is for this reason that we work very deliberately to build networks for our Nigerian and African designers, connecting them to their peers, and markets, around the world. This year, our fashion buyers and fashion editors visited factories of several Nigerian designers including Lanre Da-Silva Ajayi, Idma Nof and Gozel Green.
Building capacity for entrepreneurs is also at the top of our priorities list, a major reason we put together a team of internationally reputed fashion experts to facilitate masterclasses for thousands of budding and established indigenous fashion entrepreneurs.
Even before we shut down the lights of the 2018 GTBank Fashion Weekend, we were already up and about, planning our next big consumer-focused event; the 2019 GTBank Food and Drink Fair. This is because we are fully committed to our vision of empowering small businesses with the expertise, networks and resources that they need to thrive, and creating lifestyle experiences for our customers.


Former Chancellor George Osborne has reiterated the commitment of the government to promoting the Northern Powerhouse.
On a visit to Liverpool earlier this week, the MP for Tatton spoke about the Northern Powerhouse Partnership – a think tank he founded on his departure from his role as Chancellor.
Mr Osborne revealed that the aim of the organisation is to get northern cities and regions working together in order to minimise the economic north-south divide.
During his visit, he confirmed that the partnership will tackle a wide range of issues from economic and social challenges, to employment rates and the standard of living throughout the region.
The former Chancellor highlighted the importance of involving local businesses and groups, ensuring that the decisions are made in the region, rather than in London.
He said this approach would make sure that the North is well-placed to set their own targets for growth, addressing the challenges they believe are most pressing.
Mr Osborne's visit follows the first Autumn Statement from his successor, incumbent Chancellor Philip Hammond, who announced that the Northern Powerhouse would remain a priority for the government.
The document revealed by Mr Hammond in his announcement present's the government's vision of bringing together the North to form a cohesive strategy that unlocks its full economic potential.
Earlier this week, the government also announced a further £400 million development scheme in the build-to-rent sector, with Housing Minister Gavin Barwell revealing that Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham will benefit from the construction of more than 2,000 quality new homes.


text:
Norton Abrasives Launches Expanded Range of Norton/ Merit Brand Products for the Metal Fabrication Market
Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. Oct 06, 2010
WORCESTER, MA, USA - Saint-Gobain Abrasives - Norton, the world's largest abrasives manufacturer and leader in metal fabrication abrasive products for over 125 years, has announced the launch of an aggressive new product expansion program for the metal fabricating industry. In conjunction, Norton will produce a new print and online catalog, including the industry's most comprehensive new product, application and selection information, to help metal fabricating end-users and distributors optimize their abrasive operations.
"Norton will be rolling out hundreds of new SKUs over the next 12 months that run the gamut from the industry's highest performance product innovations with lowest total cost to excellent performance products at industry competitive prices, providing a full range of solutions for all levels of metal fabricators," said Mr. David Long, Director of Marketing, Strategy and Marketing Information at Saint-Gobain Abrasives.
Numerous new Norton and Merit brand products will be showcased at FABTECH, the metal fabricating industry's main event, on November 2-4, 2010 in Atlanta, GA. At the show, Norton will demonstrate how their full range of products that provide the "Muscle Behind the Machine" on right angle grinders, random orbital sanders, pneumatic die grinders and large diameter cut-off machines, in BEST, BETTER and GOOD performance categories.
12-Month Product Introduction
Norton and Merit brand abrasives for right angle grinding applications will be initially introduced, including a full spectrum of innovative products designed to provide maximum performance at all price levels. Products will include an entirely new flap disc and fiber disc offering in Norton SG Blaze Plus in the BEST tier, NorZon BlueFire in the BETTER tier and the all-new Merit Metal GOOD line for end users that are looking for excellent performance at a great price level. Norton / Merit flap discs are engineered for applications ranging from stock removal to blending to finishing all with one wheel. Norton/Merit fiber discs feature a full resin bond system with heavy-duty fiber backing for increased strength, durability and tear resistance.
Norton will also be expanding their product offerings within the depressed center wheels category for right angle grinding and cut-off applications. The Norton line of depressed center grinding, notching and RightCut wheels has products for every right angle grinder application: NorZon Plus provides the industry's BEST cut rate and wheel life, providing the highest productivity; Charger Plus gives a BETTER performance/price combination and Gemini's GOOD aluminum oxide performance at a competitive price level. A full range of non-woven depressed center wheels and discs will also be featured, for expanding the applications of the right angle grinder into the cleaning, finishing and polishing categories.
About Saint-Gobain
Norton is a brand of Saint-Gobain. With more than 1,000 subsidiaries in 59 countries, Saint-Gobain (http://www.saint-gobain.com/en) is the world's largest manufacturer and distributor of building materials, and a leader in the production of high performance materials, glass containers and abrasives. Founded in 1665 and headquartered in Paris, Saint-Gobain had worldwide sales of $52.7 billion in 2009 and employs approximately 209,000 people. In the United States and Canada, Saint-Gobain employs approximately 19,000 people, and had sales of $6.8 billion in 2009. The company has approximately 150 manufacturing plants and more than 150 distribution outlets throughout North America.
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