This shop has been compensated by Honest Cooking. All opinions are mine alone.
Is everyone ready for the holidays!? I'm so looking forward to the season because we'll be traveling home for both Thanksgiving and Christmas, once to visit the in-laws in Columbus, then to the east coast to spend time with my family. I'm also excited because we always do a big family gathering with presents, drinks and lots of food, and this year I'm coming prepared with another year of recipe discoveries - like this! An easy holiday appetizer made with pear, ham, provolone and Maille Honey Dijon.
The recipe itself is easy, but the flavors really burst, especially with the addition of Maille Honey Dijon. It's such a simple ingredient that takes this whole dish up a notch. (I like to keep it on hand for times like these when I want something that's both gourmet, but also quick and easy!). All in all, this recipe can be made in 15 minutes or less; just melt some provolone over baguette slices in the oven, then top with pear, ham and a dollop of Maille Honey Dijon and a few garnishes. It's easy, flavorful and festive!
I also like this appetizer because it can be made for a crowd. You can easily double the recipe without doubling your prep time, which is a must when things get crazy in the kitchen during the holidays.
Preheat oven to 350F. Top each baguette slice with a slice of cheese. Bake for 3-5 minutes or until cheese is melted. Spread each baguette with a dollop of Mallie Honey Dijon, then top with ham and cheese. Add rosemary and a sprinkle of black pepper for garnish. Serve warm.


12 pm to 4 pm, price $35.00. RSVP only (530) 474-5506 as seating is limited.
No painting experience necessary! Socialize with your friends and have a glass of wine as you create a painting guided by Carol van Tol. The 8 X 10 design is painted on rice paper using watercolors and a wax resists in an abstract batik style.


text:
Home » Beef » Scottish suckler beef scheme payments 'ahead of schedule'
Scottish suckler beef scheme payments 'ahead of schedule'
Charles O'Donnell
Apr 3, 2019, 4:00pm
Payments for beef farmers under the Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme (SSBSS) will be a month ahead of schedule, according to the country's government.
The Scottish Government released a statement today, Wednesday, April 3, explaining that around 7,000 beef producers will receive payments worth about £40 million in the coming weeks.
"Suckler herds form the backbone of quality beef production in Scotland, and I can confirm that the first tranche of the 2018 Scottish Suckler Beef Support Scheme payments is due to begin shortly," said Fergus Ewing, Scotland's rural economy secretary.
These payments will aid farmers' cash flow, providing a welcome boost to the rural economy while also helping to support farmers who are producing the quality meat products that Scotland is globally renowned for.
The 2018 payment rates are £98.92 per animal for the SSBSS Mainland part of the scheme, and £144.27 per animal for SSBSS Island.
"With further payments being made in the coming weeks, I am confident that the majority of awards will be made by the end of the payment window," added Ewing.
Responding to today's announcement, the National Farmers' Union in Scotland (NFU Scotland) said that the "critical support" has arrived at the right time.
This critical support comes at a time when the Scottish beef sector is facing the combined challenges of poor market returns and ongoing political uncertainty.
"The Scottish suckler herd forms the basis of a high-quality beef production system which supports rural communities, providing jobs and opportunities in these areas," said John Armour, NFU Scotland's livestock policy manager.
"Payment rates are similar to last year, despite an overall decline in calf registrations in Scotland, possibly demonstrating an increase in businesses claiming this essential support," he added.
Armour concluded by saying: "Scottish farmers and crofters will continue to work hard in order to produce the high quality beef cattle for which Scotland is renowned. The support enables them to invest in their businesses, putting them into a position where they can meet future challenges head-on."
Popularity of Aberdeen Angus beef set to grow
Beef NFU Scotland Scotland

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Seriously, this hasn't got it's own thread? I can''t wait to put the glad rags on and meet up with 4000 similar minded people. For, value for money, you can't beat it. 4 Indoor venues, dozens of Artists food and drink until it comes out of your ears (if you wish) and comfortable chalets to recharge your batteries. and not talking about your phone. The staff are nothing less than brilliant.
Roger Chapman – family and friends; Nazareth ; Atomic Rooster; Frankie Miller's Full House; Dare; Stray; Bernie Marsden; Screaming Eagles; Billy Walton Band; Xander & The Peace Pirates; Chantel McGregor; Edgar Broughton; Southbound; Lucky Peterson; Dr Feelgood ; Jo Harman; Earl Thomas; Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory; Sari Schorr & The Engine Room; Rebecca Downes; Rob Tognoni; Thorbjorn Risager; Connie Lush Band; Slack Alice & Friends; Tom Walker Trio; Greg Coulson.
Roger Chapman – family and friends; Nazareth ; Atomic Rooster; Frankie Miller's Full House; Dare; Stray; Bernie Marsden; Screaming Eagles; Billy Walton Band; Xander & The Peace Pirates; Chantel McGregor; Edgar Broughton; Southbound; Lucky Peterson; Dr Feelgood ; Jo Harman; Earl Thomas; Alvin Youngblood Hart's Muscle Theory; Sari Schorr & The Engine Room; Rob Tognoni; Thorbjorn Risager; Connie Lush Band; Slack Alice & Friends; Tom Walker Trio; Greg Coulson.
I phoned up to book last week (just got in) The guy on the phone started giving me the chat (as they have too) and said, I will tell you some of the bands you will see, and after three bands I shouted Stop stop, from now on you mention Rebecca Downes third band in Ok lol.
It's hard to describe how much fun I had at the weekend. Take 4/5000 similar minded people, thousands of gallons of drink, As much as you can eat restaurants, A couple of hundred musos, old and new, great attentive staff, Accommodation that works out about £85 each which includes all the music. (Food and drink extra) and what do you get?
Not much sleep, that's what! Still shattered!
Good Job its only once a year then, mind you, I've heard a rumour who's on at it's Rocks Sister Festival at Minehead next year, better book a fortnight off!
Well, you've probably got Scarborough coming up to get some training in.
Skegness Great British R&B Blues etc 2019…..
The Stumble; Dave Speight; Giles Robson & the Blues Allstars; Della Grants; Grianne Duffy; The Sharpees….
Lee Ainsley's Blues Strom; Cheri Lyn; Crow Black Chicken; Robert J Hunter Band….
Dane Gillespie; The Milkmen (Adam Norsworthy); Lucy Zirins; Zoe Shwarz & Blues Commotion; Roadhouse; Dani Wilde; Rob Coral & Zoe Schwarz; George Shovlin & George Lamb….


Large circular or oval bowls with scalloped rims used to cool inverted wine glasses or punch cups, usually six or more. Often made of silver, but also of earthenware, porcelain, or other metals. Those with detachable, scalloped rims also served as punch bowls. For small vessels that hold one wine glass, use "wine-glass coolers."


And usually during this kind of days we find somewhere special to each and just relax.
But due to a planning that is really non-existent in a busy week, we ended up just going to Uncle Cheffy Lipa.
Of course, in Uncle Cheffy, one should never miss out their ever famous Panizza.
Here we had a couple of Uncle Cheffy's Brick-Oven Favourite Panizza. I just love this whole thing. Stuff it with the Arugula leaves, Alfalfa Sprouts, and tomatoes, roll it up, and stuff it in your mouth. I guess without the rice, I could eat this whole family size one. So Not!!
My parents, as health-conscious as they are, would never forget to get a fish variant. Here is a nicely done PLA-PLA.
And since we are also health-conscious, we always opt and try out different tastes of mango shakes. That will never die I guess. It runs in the family.
And, so much for being health-conscious. here is platter full of variety of variants, which have fish and meats selections on it. Well, the photo says it all, should I say more?
The Best Selling Baby Back-Ribs, will never be missed out as well. It's really yummy.
Being Filipinos, you should never ever forget to get some rice out on the table, or else the sun will never shine again. Seriously, why does it has be rice?!!
And here is complimentary slice of cheese cake from Uncle Cheffy's, I think one of the reasons why you should celebrate your birthday here. Who wouldn't want a free slice of cake anyway, right?
But wait that's not all. After eating all those delicious meals on the restaurant, we decided to get some more desserts in another café.
Well now you have, here's a quick look.
The entrance to the place may seem to be so obscure. Thanks to the many plant and bulrushes all over the area. But following a simple pathway, will lead you to the place.
Yes, you'll gonna be passing some houses there as well, but that's not gonna be place.
This is it! Once you see some nice tables and chairs arranged neatly outside, you've reached the main café area.
There are some tarpaulins all over there, telling you a bit more about San Jose, Batangas, where this café is located.
Sorry to budge this in but I just got fascinated with how the faucet and sink in this wash area is made. Bamboo faucet? How fancy, right!!
And this is it, our dessert! And oh yeah, I forgot to show you that before we even got this babies in front of us, we went down the creek that is so well-paved for visitors to take a look at. The only draw back is, the stairs were so slippery that time since it has been raining on and off lately.
But speaking of the Halo-halo dessert, best one ever! It was initially suggested by my brother-in-law, you has tried it before. With a price tag of P85 per serving, I must say, its worth it. First thing you would feel about the dessert is that the ice is softly crushed. How else should I describe it? You should taste it yourself, you will never regret it.
Here's a little view of the quiet and serene creek. at Casa Rap Café, San Jose, Batangas.
As for the place, it's a great one to just hang out and relax after a week of busy-ness. The relaxing vibe of the environment, what with all the plants scattered everywhere, you can't just miss how fascinating and awesome it is that with simple things created by God, you can definitely have rest.
And oh yes, that was all we ate at Casa Rap. The Halo – Halo. Americans, Europeans, Asians alike – should try this here.


Soak the lentils in cold water for an hour prior to cooking.
Heat olive oil on low heat, add onion and garlic. Sautee until onion begins to look translucent and garlic browns a little.
Add water and lentils, bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Add potato.
Add chorizo, in one inch slices.
Cook until lentils get soft and expand and chorizo filling strains against natural casing, about 40-45 minutes.


I wanted to apologize for the lack of updates lately. My team and I are working hard on getting everything ready and in place for a successful album release. Unfortunately this isn't the most fun part of the process but it has to be done right for everyone to enjoy it in the end. I'm hoping for your understanding especially since it's been taking a little longer than first anticipated but trust me when I say the wait for #Dutchboy will be worth it!!
Check back soon and don't forget to add or follow me on all the social media platforms and of course Spotify. Also make sure to enjoy all the features on this brand new website.


After reissuing in 2018 his 1972 psych folk/baroque pop masterpiece "Years" and 1992's power pop gem "12 In A Room", Munster continues its collaboration with Marc Jonson with this 7" featuring two new tracks, which acts as a preview to a full length of new material later this year.
'My Girlfriend (Doesn't Like The Ramones)' and 'I Don't Want To Go To School Today' preserve how I started out loving music with a pure teenage angst and simple melodic sensibility. They don't stray too far from their inspired essence because music can be whatever it feels best doing. If you're not feeling good about playing your guitar, getting back to basics usually works for me.
Phil Spector, Brian Wilson and Mike Love, John Lennon and Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, Del Shannon, Dion, Arthur Lee, Van Morrison, Gene Clark, Chuck Berry, Little Richard and Bo Diddley – these are my "go to" artists. Sometimes I even run to them and guess what? I'm set back straight again!


When donors say, "the acknowledgement IS the recognition", they are making a profound statement about what matters in their relationships with not-for-profits. And, nothing matters more to donors than thank you letters. Our research confirms that a beautifully crafted acknowledgement letter, promptly received, is all that it takes to make donors want to give again.
There is a huge difference, though, between thank you letters that fulfill the requirement of acknowledging gifts and letters that inspire donors to stay loyal [see Donor-Centered Thank You Letters Project].
In this year's Burk Donor Survey, 40% of respondents said they had received at least one thank you letter in recent memory that they would describe as exceptional. Its warm, personal tone making the letter feel like it was written just for me was cited most often. 45% of donors said it was an outstanding thank you letter that inspired them to give again and 23% said they gave more generously because of the quality of the acknowledgement they received.
That said, great letter-writing is an art, and creating art requires original thinking and constant practice. So, when inspiration just won't come or when you start over-thinking everything you write, don't you wish you had a creative resource by your side?
The Donor-Centered Thank You Letter Project is that creative resource. It's a compilation of the best letters from fundraisers who modeled their acknowledgements on donor-centered principles. Each letter is notated by me to help the authors expand their letter-writing horizons. You can't buy this resource, but you can get it for free if your thank you letter is selected for inclusion in Volume III (deadline December 15th). More information is available [http://www.cygresearch.com/DCF-TY/], including my popular "20 Characteristics of a Great Thank You Letter".
I agree that getting personable with the donor when offering thanks can often lead to more thanks. Donors want to feel like they matter. An organization cant afford to not give thanks and the sad thing is stewardship is often overlooked, but on of the most important aspects. Thank you for the article reiterating this.


Our Jonathan Adler for Kravet rug collection fuses modern design with timeless craft. Our signature Jagged pattern is rendered in a chic combination of hand-knotted and cut pile wool in a neutral palette. The perfect luxe foundation for any room. In-stock and available in a range of colors and sizes.


The ministry of petroleum has asked the finance ministry for Rs 50,000 worth of smaller denomination notes to each of the nearly 53,000 fuel retail outlets of state-owned oil marketing companies (OMCs) on a daily basis, to tide over the ongoing currency shortage. If the finance ministry agrees, banks will have to give about Rs 2.65 billion of smaller denomination notes daily to fuel outlets of these government OMCs.
After the demonetisation announcement on Rs 1,000 and Rs 500 currency, sales at fuel retail outlets have increased by 15-40% as the government had allowed the latter to accept the withdrawn notes for payment. With the shortage of smaller notes, fuel pumps are accepting refilling of Rs 500 and Rs 1,000 and invariably not giving any change. The petroleum ministry's move comes after the railways ministry approached the Reserve Bank of India to supply it lower denomination notes.
"We have forwarded the proposal by (fuel) retailers to the finance ministry, to provide them smaller notes or set up currency exchange centers at every pump," said a ministry official, who did not want to be named. The government on Monday extended the date for accepting old denomination notes at petrol pumps and railway stations till November 24, considering the currency crunch faced by citizens.
There are 56,190 fuel retail outlets, of which state-run Indian Oil Corporation, Bharat Petroleum Corporation, and Hindustan Petroleum Corporation have 52,604. Each of these sells an average of 170 kilolitres a month. "While the customers are demanding change for higher denomination notes, banks are not giving us small notes. At the same time, our sales have increased from 11 kl to about 20 kl a day after the announcement," said Rajiv Chadha, owner of an HPC outlet at Zafar Marg in central Delhi.
According to the All India Petroleum Dealers' Association, fuel outlet staffers have been assaulted at many places for smaller notes. In 2015-16, overall fuel demand rose to 183.5 million tonnes, from 165.5 mt the previous year. Diesel consumption increased by 7.5% to 74.6 mt and of petrol by 14.5% to 21.8 mt.


"Research Meet At Jai Hind College On 10th December 2011"
The Departments of Botany, Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Jai Hind College are pleased to announce that a one-day Research meet is being organized on 10th December 2011. The aim of this Research meet is to provide a platform to young researchers in the field of Biotechnology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Botany, Life Sciences and Pharmacy to present their own research and interact with eminent scientists in these fields. This will also encourage undergraduate students to undertake research in these areas.
The areas covered in this Research meet will be: Biotechnology, Phytochemicals and Environmental Science. Teachers and students are requested to submit their research abstract by 2nd December 2011.
A Poster presentation will be organized on 10th December. Undergraduate, Postgraduate, M.Phil and Ph.D students can participate in the Research meet. There will be no Registration fee. Kindly confirm your participation by sending abstract on or before 2nd Dec 2011. The abstract may be of 200 words in New Times Roman 12 font.
The best three papers will receive certificates with cash award of Rs.5000/-. Rs.3000/- and Rs.2000/- and one encouragement prize of Rs.1000/-. There will be Rotating Trophy for the college. All participants will receive participation certificates.
A Poster of 1m X 1m size (Chart paper or Flex board) may be displayed in the research meet. The poster may have details such as - Title,Names of Author(s), Department, College, Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results and Discussion, Conclusions and References. Other details such as graphs, tables etc. may be included.


text:
Q: What determines Charge Controller PV input limits? What determines how much PV wattage a charge controller can accept?
For instance - I am looking at a 50 amp charge controller with a max input voltage of 150v.
In the specs it lists max PV input as 750W for 12v and 1500W for 24V. This would put the input around 60A.
In this particular PV array I'm working on, I have 1000W - 68v at 15a coming off the roof. According to the CC input limits (150V,~60A) it should be able to accommodate that much PV. But the specs list a much lower PV input limit.
What am I missing? How can I properly size a charge controller?

A: What you're missing is the fact that the input specification is telling you how much power the charge controller needs from the PV array. It is not a limit that you must enforce. On the contrary, it means that your array needs to be able to supply at least that much power in order to max out the charger.
The charge controller is designed to deliver up to 50 A to either a 12-volt or a 24-volt battery pack. At 12 volts (nominal), that represents an output power of 13.7 V × 50 A = 685 W. Since they're telling you that it requires 750 W of input power, you can infer that the charger's overall conversion efficiency is about 685 W / 750 W = 91.3 %.
If your PV array voltage is 68 V, then you need to be able to deliver 750 W / 68 V = 11 A to the charger in order to run it at its full capacity. Since your array can actually deliver 15 A, you will not be able to use the full output of your array. In other words, your array has excess capacity relative to what the charger can actually use.
On the other hand, if your battery pack is 24 V, then the charger needs 1500 W, and your array would have to deliver 22 A to run it at full capacity. Since your array can only deliver 15 A, the charger will charge the battery at a maximum of about
$$ \frac{15 A \cdot 68 V}{27.4 V} \cdot 91\% = 34 A$$
This is fine; it just means that your charger has some excess capacity relative to your PV array.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
UK women still looking for vocal leader, third scorer | Lexington Herald Leader
UK Sports
Lexington Legends
Mark Story
All UK Sports
Basketball - Men
Basketball - Women
Ex-Cats
UK Videos
More UK Sports
Stage & Dance
Kentucky Weather
Paul Prather
Kentucky Obituaries
Page Reprints
Mobile Apps & eReaders
Today's Circulars
UK Women's Basketball
UK women still looking for vocal leader, third scorer
By Jennifer Smith - jsmith3@herald-leader.com
Kentucky Coach Matthew Mitchell talked to his team during a timeout against Tennessee Tech on Tuesday night. Mitchell's team still lacks some winning ingredients, he said.
Matthew Mitchell talks like a man sitting in front of a billion-piece jigsaw puzzle.
Some portions of the puzzle are completed and fit together quite nicely, then he looks over and notices a missing corner piece or two pieces flipped over backward and upside down.
The coach of No. 14 Kentucky sees what the puzzle is supposed to look like in his head, but it still hasn't fully connected.
"We still have a ways to go before that actually happens," he said. "I'm not unhappy with them but I think we could be further along right now, but we have to keep plugging along. We are where we are."
Some key pieces that have yet to fall into place include finding a vocal leader, something the team has missed greatly since Amber Smith tore her anterior cruciate ligament in July.
Mitchell said by early February it will be more clear whether Smith will re-join her teammates or take a medical redshirt and return next season.
But the coach said the team can't dwell on what it doesn't have.
"We would be lying if we said we didn't miss that," Mitchell said. "But we don't have it, so there's no reason to focus on it. We just have to find another way and I think we can do it."
Star senior Victoria Dunlap has tried to be more vocal, as has sophomore guard A'dia Mathies, but Mitchell said they aren't Smith.
"Neither one of those are the firecracker that Amber was," he said. "While that doesn't exist right now, hopefully it will emerge, and if it doesn't, we have to find another way.
"We are looking for that catalyst. We're trying to create an environment where that can emerge."
Another missing piece for UK is a reliable third scorer to accompany Dunlap (18.2 ppg) and Mathies (15.0 ppg).
Mitchell said three-point specialist Keyla Snowden is a possibility, but she needs to work harder on the defensive end.
He lamented that McDonald's All-American Jennifer O'Neill has yet to become a reliable scoring option and free up others like pinch-hitting point guard Maegan Conwright to become true scoring options.
"You have a lot of possibilities there with Maegan," he said. "She's a very explosive guard sort of like A'dia."
O'Neill is finally recognizing the importance of defense and practice intensity, Mitchell said.
"For the first time this season, there's sort of a ray of hope that she's going to do what we know she's capable of," Mitchell said.
Another player that could become a scoring threat — maybe even as early as Saturday versus the Lady Mocs — is Samantha Drake.
The freshman forward from Bardstown has been battling various injuries but is turning a corner, he said.
"Samantha Drake is a talented player who could really take on a scoring load," Mitchell said. "If we can get her consistently on the practice floor, she's going to be really good for us."
Until then, Mitchell will just keep working his puzzle piece by piece by piece.
Kentucky players, coach respond to ESPN's early leak of NCAA bracket
Photo slideshow: Kentucky women's basketball defeats Arkansas 61-59
Another Kentucky women's standout headed to Europe to play professionally
Herald-Leader Staff Report
Former University of Kentucky women's basketball point guard Taylor Murray has signed a professional contract with a team in Hungary.
MORE UK WOMEN'S BASKETBALL
Former Kentucky women's player transfers to new home across the border
Report: Ex-Cat Maci Morris fulfills pro dream, signs with team overseas
'The timing is perfect.' Doors to Hall of Fame open at last for Kentucky legend.
After WNBA release, ex-Cat Maci Morris plans to keep pursuing pro basketball dream
Kentucky women's player to transfer. See how Cats' roster looks now.
In UK-U of L rivalry, 2018-19 has produced a surprising role reversal


This week has been an interesting one. With school starting to come to a close and the summer approaching, there are times where all you want to do is escape the city and go for a hike. My roommate Dee and I were out grabbing some groceries and we found La Colombe's draft latte at our local grocery store. We grabbed a couple and decided to make our way to the trail that Dee had frequented in the past. I grabbed my camera, our draft latte's and we headed out on the trail.


Bed Bug Bite Images - What Do Bed Bug Bites Look Like?
Are you one of the many people waking up to itchy bites on your face, neck, or other body parts? If so, it's probably crossed your mind that they could be from bed bugs. How do you know, though, if they hide during the day and can't be seen? One way is to find out what bed bug bites look like.
Unfortunately, the short answer to what bed bug bites look like is that they're very similar to many other insect bites. The good news is there are distinguishing features.
In this article, you'll find out the clues to whether your bites are from bed bugs, as well as the usual symptoms of bed bug bites. You'll also learn what other bugs your bites could potentially be coming from, just in case it's something else. After all, knowing what pests you have is the only way to properly get rid of them.
Let's start with a look into bed bug habits.
When Do Bed Bugs Usually Feed?
Where On The Body Do Bed Bugs Bite?
How Many Times Does A Bed Bug Bite In A Single Feed?
What Are The Main Signs & Symptoms Of A Bed Bug Bite?
What Other Bug Bites Can Be Similar To Bed Bugs?
Many people assume that bed bugs only feed at night. That's a misconception. Bed bugs are not truly nocturnal, though it is the most common time for them to bite. The truth is that a bed bug will come out for a meal at whatever time they are most likely to get one in a particular location.
What makes a meal convenient for them is that the host is staying still and not noticing them, like when you're asleep. They can and will, however, take a meal anywhere else that you may be sedentary. That includes in a vehicle, at school, at work, in a movie theater, and many other locations.
Sometimes the location of bug bites can clue you in to what type of insect they are from. Bed bugs can bite anywhere. They do seem to bite the face, neck, and limbs most often, though. This is simply because those areas are exposed the most while sleeping, and are easy to reach for the bugs. Bed bugs are not picky about which body part they feed from however, so whatever is exposed is fair game.
Unlike some other insects, bed bugs cannot jump or fly. That limits their mobility, and of course they want to get their meal as easily as possible and then get out without being noticed. What that means for you is that loose clothing and bedding with weaves that are easy to climb are most likely to give bed bugs access to your blood.
Aside from access through loose clothing or lack of clothing, bed bugs also tend to prefer areas with less hair, which is again why the face or neck may be a target. Bed bug mobility is limited to crawling, and although they can crawl fairly fast for insects, obstacles like hair do slow them down.
There's really no single answer to the question of how many times a bed bug bites each time it feeds. Bed bugs tend to take several "meals" per session. Some pest experts call this the "breakfast, lunch, and dinner" pattern. Basically, it means that the bug will feed from one spot, and then move on to a new spot and bite again to get more blood.
It really depends on how much blood they're able to get from a particular feeding location. They will bite until they are full. In some cases, this may take only one bite. In others, it may take several. Keep in mind that multiple bites are also the result of multiple bugs feeding. Typically, all the bites you experience are not from a single bug.
Wouldn't you notice getting jabbed with insect mouth parts this many times during the night? Most likely you would not. Bed bugs have a thin, tiny, and extremely sharp mouth part that pretty much eliminates the feeling of it piercing your skin. Additionally, their saliva contains a mild anesthetic that further reduces any sensation you may feel during the feeding.
This is not a sign that bed bugs are considerate feeders. It's just a safety evolution for them. Feeding without pain to the host means the bed bug can take a meal unnoticed.
Because bed bugs feed in a pattern of several bites, they often leave a trail of bite marks. The trail is linear, that is, forming a line across the skin. This is actually one of the best ways to tell if what you have are bed bug bites. Insects that can jump or fly, like fleas and mosquitoes, do not leave a linear bite pattern. Their patterns are more random. Luckily, unlike mosquitoes, bed bugs aren't known to spread disease, and it's very unlikely they will make a sick.
Bed bugs, however, must crawl to the next bite location if they have yet to finished feeding, and following a line to the next available patch of skin is the easiest method for them.
The reason why bed bugs bite multiple locations in a single feed is thought to be due to bed bugs being disturbed by a person if they move move about in their sleep, causing a bug to retreat slightly until the person as stopped moving, when they will start feeding again in a slightly different place.
Aside from the pattern, the bites are going to look very much like other insect bites. They are red and roughly circular, and they may form blisters or swell slightly. Many people may not see any marks at all, especially the first time they are bitten, or if you do see marks, they may not itch right away. In fact, bite marks can show up and produce symptoms even a couple weeks after initially being bitten.
Most people tend to grow more sensitive to bed bug bites over time, as they are continually exposed to the saliva. This means that the longer you have an infestation, the more prominent and annoying the bites become. They will itch much more. They may form blisters. Also, it's possible to have an allergic reaction from bed bug bites.
Allergies to bed bug saliva develop over time, so you may have no reaction the first couple times and then suddenly develop symptoms like hives after another feeding session from these pests.
If you do happen to react strongly to the bites, there are some steps you can take to ease your symptoms. For mild allergic reactions, you can take an oral allergy medicine like Benadryl, which is available over the counter. It's also a good idea to use some kind of topical anti-itch treatment. You have several options.
Baking soda mixed with water makes a paste that can take away bug bite itching. It's an easy and inexpensive treatment that many people have readily available in their kitchen. There are also prepared creams with baking soda that are sold specifically for treating itchy skin irritations.
Calamine lotion is another topical treatment for itchy skin. You just dab some on the bites to soothe them.
For really annoying bites, a topical steroid like hydrocortisone will probably provide the most relief. Hydrocortisone creams and ointments are available over the counter. Anything that soothes the skin can help, and any of these are useful for regular insect bite itching, even if you do not have an allergic reaction.
For more severe allergic reactions, you should seek treatment from a doctor. Aside from hives, more severe symptoms of allergic reaction could be immediate swelling of bites, anaphylaxis (swelling of the airways and difficulty breathing), and asthma attacks triggered by bed bug allergy. Seek emergency treatment immediately if you have a severe allergic reaction to bed bug bites.
Regardless of whether you have an allergic reaction, you should take certain steps to care for your skin when you have itchy bug bites. The absolute most important thing is not to scratch the bites. Scratching irritates the bites, making them more inflamed. That can make them more painful and even itchier.
Not only that, but scratching creates tiny knicks in the skin, and those can become infected. Bug bites become a more serious problem when they develop into a skin infection. If you have scratched the bites or suspect infection, apply a topical antibacterial ointment or spray to the injured skin.
You can prevent scratching by wearing clothing or bandages over the bites. You should also wash the affected skin with soap and water regularly. Dry skin makes itching worse, so applying moisturizer after washing can help keep the skin from drying out and feeling more irritated.
Bed bug bites are often confused with the bites of other insects and arachnids. The issue is that you don't usually see exactly what it was that bit you. Here are a few bugs with bites commonly confused with bed bug bites.
Spider bites appear as inflamed red spots, much like bed bug bites. A big difference between bed bugs and spiders is that spiders tend to bite only once. If you have a single bite mark, you have likely been bitten by an upset spider. Spiders only bite humans in self defense. They do not feed on human blood.
Mosquito bites are another mark often confused with bed bugs, especially since mosquitoes are happy to bite more than once and in groups of multiple individuals. That means if you wake up with many red bumps, it can be hard to know if it was bed bugs or mosquitoes. Also, both can be quite itchy.
A primary distinction between the two is that mosquitoes fly around and find new spots. The bites can be quite far apart from each other and even on different body parts all together, though they may also bite several times in close proximity. Mosquito bites, however, do not travel in a line pattern, the way that bed bug bites do. They are randomly patterned. They also tend to be more raised than the flatter bed bug bites.
Flea bites look quite similar to bed bug bites, but like mosquito bites, they also swell up into a bump relatively quickly and begin to itch. Flea bites are also patterned randomly, rather than a straight line, because fleas can jump quite large distances between bite areas. Flea bites are generally smaller than bed bug bites, and can appear more like a rash than a group of bites.
If you have flea bites, you are also more likely to spot the culprits because fleas like to live on their hosts, often pets.
Ticks are not insects. They are arachnids, like spiders. They do, however, like to feed on human blood. Ticks do this in a different way from bed bugs, mosquitoes, and fleas. They stick more of their mouth parts into the skin.
Tick bites tend to look like flat red circles. However, if the tick is infected with lyme disease, the bite will often spread into a bull's-eye pattern, with concentric red rings around the initial site of the bite. This characteristic bite mark distinguishes tick bites from the bites of most other insects and arachnids.
Chiggers are tiny mites, similar to dust mites, except that instead of living indoors, chiggers tend to live outside in grassy areas. You can pick them up when you're outdoors, but they don't usually follow you inside or create pest infestations. If you've been outside, chances are your itchy skin is from chiggers, which like to eat shedded skin cells.
Chigger bites are small red welts that can look kind of like pimples. People often get them on their legs from walking in tall grass, though children sometimes get them in other areas if they've been playing on the ground outside. Because chiggers often feed in groups, you'll likely have multiple marks, but unlike bed bugs, you shouldn't continue finding new bites after they heal, unless you've been spending time outside regularly.
Bed bug bites are pretty typical looking as far as bug bites go. Unfortunately, that's what makes them difficult to identify compared to the marks of other insects, arachnids, and mites. Look for mostly flat red circles that become itchy after a while. Note, though, that the bites can become raised like blisters.
The key distinguishing feature of bed bug bites is that they follow a linear pattern as the bug crawls across your skin for multiple feedings. Although it's hard to know what bed bug bites look like compared to other bites, knowing the habits of various bugs can help you figure out which one is likely the source of your bites.


Fill up following form & Get Vishwakarma Park - II Details On Email & SMS Free, with Project status, specification, amenities, builders Contact No. etc....No Brokerage from us.
Vishwakarma Builders & Developers Pvt. Ltd.
C/o A/12, Madhuban Housing Society, Rajarampuri, 13th Lane, Kolhapur..


You are visiting the placeholder page for John Amador. This page is here because someone used our placeholder utility to look for John Amador. We created this page automatically in hopes John Amador would find it. If you are not John Amador, but are an alumni of Palm Beach Gardens High School, register on this site for free now.


Published 04/19/2019 10:45:15 am at 04/19/2019 10:45:15 am in Aquasana Water Bottles.
aquasana water bottles aquasana water bottles glass and stainless steel water bottles aquasana water bottle amazon glass water bottles reusable bottles aquasana aquasanacom glass water bottles reusable bottles aquasana.
glass water bottles reusable bottles aquasana drinking water filters, amazing deal on aquasana rainbow silicone sleeves with matching lids aquasana rainbow silicone sleeves with matching lids fits aquasana brand oz glass water bottles, aquasana costco filter water bottles water delivery review costco aquasana costco pure aquasana costco filter aquasana costco whole house water , aquasana bottle water filtration system aquasana glass filter bottle aquasana bottle small size of glass water filter bottle glass water bottle charcoal filter glass water aquasana bottle , this connected water filter tracks how many plastic bottles you save aquasanawaterpurifierjpg, aquasana water bottles glass glass water bottle with filter aquasana water bottles glass bottle aqua tote only aquasana water bottles , aquasana water bottles sleeves and filtration systems save up to shop , aquasana oz water bottle with built in filter system in bluethd aquasana oz water bottle with built in filter system in bluethdpbblu the home depot, amazoncom stainless steel sports water bottle oz aquasana stainless steel sports water bottle oz aquasana, aquasana oz water filter bottle green aqcwbpbglacierr best buy aquasana oz water filter bottle glacier anglestandard, aquasana water bottles active filter bottle aquasana water bottle aquasana water bottles active filter bottle aquasana water bottle reviews.


We periodically get the official stats as published by the game developers. The stats for each game are then processed according to the rules of the tournament. What accumulates to your overall score is based on the information shown below.
The value of each + and - is shown in each tournament page and varies depending on the tournament type being played.
How does XY Gaming Make Money?


Good news for time attack and time trials drivers across North America: Big names from the industry are coming together to improve time-based competitive motorsport events for drivers of all skill levels and backgrounds.
Their website and Facebook page will offer announcements, schedules and any information related to the group and its members' activities.
they went with NATA (with a silent 'c') instead of NATAC ... or NATACK ... or even NATACK!
Interesting that NASA isn't in the fray considering they've been running a successful Time Trial program for as long as they have.
That was my first thought as well. I suspect that's a deliberate strategy on the part of the SCCA.
I'm interested in this as Time Trial racing has been on my radar for a long time.


text:
Die 8,8 cm-Flak 16 war eine Flugabwehrkanone des deutschen Heeres im Ersten Weltkrieg. Sie war auf einem vierrädrigen Geschützwagen montiert, der über Seitenstützen verfügte. Dadurch ergab sich der seinerzeit verwendete Name 8,8-cm-K-Zugflak L/45.

Entwicklung
Die ersten deutschen Flugabwehrgeschütze waren die auf vierrädrige, hölzerne Wagen montierte Ballonkanonen von Krupp. Mit diesen Waffen begann im deutsch-französischen Krieg 1870/71 eine Entwicklung, die jedoch nach diesem Krieg erst einmal nicht weiterverfolgt wurde.
Ab 1906 beschäftigte man sich auf deutscher Seite wieder mit dem Thema der Ballonabwehr und testete verschiedene Waffenkonzepte. Neben Versuchen mit Waffen in den Kalibern 5 cm, 6,5 cm und 7,5 cm wurden auch einige Konzepte mit ausgeschossenen Artillerierohren im Kaliber 9 cm (Feldkanone C/73 und 73/91) entwickelt.
Die Summe dieser Erfahrungen führten 1914 zur 7,7-cm leichten Kraftwagen-Flak L/27 M1914 von Rheinmetall und auch zur 8-cm-Kraftwagen-Zugflak L/45 von Krupp.

Ausgehend von der 8,8-cm SK L/45 in MPL (Mittelpivotlafette) C/13 der Kaiserlichen Marine, welche ab 1914 auf den großen Schiffen und seit 1915 beim Marinekorps Flandern als ortsfeste Flak zum Einsatz kam und dort sehr gute Ergebnisse erzielt hatte, stellte das Kriegsministerium für die Firmen Krupp und Rheinmetall ein Anforderungsprofil für eine neue Waffe.

Sowohl Krupp als auch Rheinmetall konstruierten anhand dessen eine jeweilige Version der 8,8-cm-K-Zugflak L/45.

Das Folgemodell, die Ausführung 1917, erhielt einen verbesserten Richtmechanismus. An diesem wurde für das Modell 1918 nochmals eine Veränderung vorgenommen.

Einsatz
Bereits Ende 1916 wurde die Geschütze dringend an der Front erwartet, da inzwischen die gegnerischen Flieger eine ernsthafte Bedrohung für die deutschen Verbände geworden waren.

Eine "schwere K-Flak-Batterie zu 2 Geschützen" umfasste 1918 drei Offiziere, 50 Unteroffiziere und Mannschaften, an Material zwei Zugmaschinen (üblicherweise Krupp-Daimler KD1) mit angehängtem Geschütz, 1 PKW, 1 Armeelastzug, 1 mittlerer LKW, 1 Fahrrad, als Bewaffnung weiterhin 2 MG.

Ein ortsfester 8,8-cm-Flakzug umfasste 2 Offiziere, 35 Unteroffiziere und Mannschaften, ferner 2 Flakgeschütze. Fahrzeuge besaß er nicht.

Die Zielfolge (das Richten) der Waffe wurde durch zwei Mann vorgenommen.

Nach dem Kriegsende waren durch den Friedensvertrag von Versailles für das deutsche Heer jegliche Flak-Geschütze verboten. Es besteht jedoch, wie bei anderen Geschützen nachgewiesen, die Möglichkeit, dass die Reichswehr, einzelne dieser Geschütze heimlich gelagert hatte.

Die Bezeichnung 8,8-cm-Flak 16 entspricht in jedem Fall dem Benennungsschema der Reichswehr.

Siehe auch
 8,8-cm-Flak 18/36/37

Bilder

Literatur

 Karl R. Pawlas: Die 8,8-cm-Flak. In Waffen Revue 28: 1. Auflage. Journal-Verlag Schwend GmbH, Schwäbisch Hall 1978, S. 4395 ff.

Einzelnachweise

Weblinks

 http://www.passioncompassion1418.com/Canons/ImagesCanons/Allemagne/DCA/FC88Flak17Aberdeen.html
 https://www.filmothek.bundesarchiv.de/video/18068?q=Erster+Weltkrieg&xm=AND&xf%5B0%5D=_fulltext&xo%5B0%5D=CONTAINS&xv%5B0%5D=

Militärtechnik (Erster Weltkrieg)
Krupp
Flugabwehrkanone (Deutsches Kaiserreich)

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
SPY: Chinese National Pleads Guilty to Stealing Trade Secrets From US Petroleum Company
Jose Nino
On Tuesday, November 12, 2019, the U.S. Department of Justice announced that a Chinese national pled guilty to stealing trade secrets from a U.S. company.
Hongjin Tan, a 35-year-old legal permanent resident in America and a Chinese national, pled guilty to multiple charges, which included the theft and an "unauthorized transition of trade secrets" from a U.S. petroleum company he worked for.
"Tan's guilty plea continues to fill in the picture of China's theft of American intellectual property," Assistant Attorney General for National Security John C. Demers said in a Department of Justice statement released on Tuesday.
"The Department launched its China Initiative to battle precisely the type of behavior reflected in today's plea —illegal behavior that costs Americans their jobs — and we will continue to do so," Demers continued.
"China's economic aggression poses a threat to America's emerging high-technology industries. Industrial spies like Hongjin Tan engage in espionage to steal American trade secrets and intellectual property born out of the innovation that is innate in our free market system," Trent Shores, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Oklahoma, declared.
"Thanks to a vigilant company and the investigative efforts of the FBI, Hongjin Tan was caught red handed and prosecuted. American ingenuity and know-how are the envy of the international market, and the U.S. Attorneys community will work to protect our economic infrastructure," Shores added.
The Department of Justice revealed that Tan pled guilty to "theft of a trade secret, unauthorized transmission of a trade secret, and unauthorized possession of a trade secret."
Tan allegedly stole information worth upwards of $1 billion, the Department of Justice claimed. The information dealt with the "research and development downstream energy market product."
At first glance, U.S. investigators treated the investigation as an issue of counterintelligence. The Department of Justice's release claimed that Tan used a "thumb drive to copy hundreds of files" after resigning from his place of employment. The U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation discovered that Tan then proceeded to transfer those files to a personal hard drive.
Tan's case comes in light of the U.S. government putting the spotlight on China's increased theft of U.S. intellectual property. The Trump administration's Section 301 of China's trade practices released in March 2018 emphasized China's repeated use of intellectual property theft through cyber espionage.
The 2018 report detailed multiple cases of the Chinese government sponsoring corporate espionage. In the past few months, the U.S. Department of Justice has put a priority on counterintelligence investigations that involve Chinese nationals.
Tan is expected to be sentenced on February 12, 2020.
What will generally be ignored in policy discussions regarding China is the issue of immigration. In addition to mass migration's negative impact on public safety and economic cohesion, there are legitimate national security concerns.
Immigration acts as a form of 4th generation warfare, where adversarial nations like China will exploit holes in America's loose immigration system to use de facto spies masquerading as lawful residents to steal corporate secrets and other forms of technology that will later be used to empower the Chinese Communist Party.
Now, more than ever, the U.S. needs immigration reforms that prioritizes its economic interests, national defense goals, and national cohesion before the interests of rootless corporations, public administrators, and ethnic grievance lobbies.


Gee Bee Book wins an Award!
My Gee Bee Book All of Life is a School won a Bronze Medal in the 2009 Independent Publisher Book Awards Children's Picture Books (7 & Under) Category!
3,380 books were in entered in 65 National categories with an average of 50 contenders per category so I feel honored to have been included in the top three!
I originally came up with the idea for the characters many years ago and wrote it as a film script including songs. Without funding for the animation, I decided to get product on the shelf and condensed it down to an Illustrated Children's book.
If you have an interest in the book, it can be purchased online at www.geebee.com or at our Fantasy of Flight gift shop. Catch me flying Airplane of the Day on weekends when I'm in town and I'd be happy to autograph and personalize a copy for you!
TODAY IS THE END OF AN ERA!
The last truckload of all my aircraft parts arrived from Miami, ending over a decade and a half of trucking to Fantasy of Flight. Fantasy of Flight restorer and mechanic Paul Stecewycz was in charge of the effort and hauled most of the almost 200 truckloads. In January, I flew the Grumman TBM Avenger up, which was that last flyable aircraft we had left in Miami at what was the old Weeks Air Museum facility at the Tamiami Airport. One or two other loads were brought up recently leaving only the wing of my Kawasaki Ki-46 Hein Japanese fighter.
I originally purchased the Fantasy of Flight property in 1987 and after four years of permitting and dealing with 17 regulatory agencies I finally got the permits to build Fantasy of Flight four months after Hurricane Andrew devastated my Miami facility on August 24th, 1992. Within a year I moved to Central Florida to focus on the project. The first building completed was the storage building on site where we now offer daily tours. I eventually sold my house and warehouses and now the only thing I have left in Miami is my mother!
Paul insisted on making the last load, and rightly so, for he said it would be somewhat of a "spiritual experience" for him as it closed the door on a very long project. Paul was responsible for inventorying many boxes of parts brought up that now reside either as airplanes on display or pallet racks of parts stored to the ceilings in two buildings totaling 44,000 square feet.
It was somewhat of a surprise when he rounded the corner of the building for "a photo shot for my blog." What he didn't realize was that he was met with a banner, many of the Fantasy of Flight staff, champagne, and cake. After a quick speech and a toast, I presented Paul with a trophy thanking him for all his hard work and effort. We will display the banner in the restoration facility as a reminder of a past gone by!


Need a Recommended Demolition Work Tradesman in East Ham?
Request 2, 3 or 4 Demolition Work Tradesmen in the East Ham area to contact you and quote.
New company in town.we respect the customer who likes to respect himself .
We are doing all types of new and refurbishment work. pls contact for painting - bathroom fitting and tiling - kitchen fitting - plumbing works. All contact for home removal service.


text:
Q: My pixel map image (NSImage) sometimes doesn't look like the RGB values I pass in, Swift Core Graphics Quartz I have two d pixel maps ([Double]) that I encode (correctly) into a [UInt32]), which is fed into a CGDataProvider, which is the source for a CGImage, converted to an NSImage and finally displayed in a custom view with
class SingleStepMapView:NSView {
@IBOutlet var dataSource : SingleStepViewController!

override func drawRect(dirtyRect: NSRect) {
    let mapImage = TwoDPixMap(data: dataSource.mapData,
    width: dataSource.mapWidth, color: dataSource.mapColor).image

    mapImage.drawInRect(self.bounds, fromRect: NSZeroRect, operation: NSCompositingOperation.CompositeSourceAtop, fraction: 1.0)
    return
}

The part where the NSImage is being constructed is in the image property of the TwoDPixMap instance...
var image : NSImage {
    var buffer = [UInt32]()
    let bufferScale = 1.0 / (mapMax - mapMin)
    for d in data {
        let scaled = bufferScale * (d - mapMin)
        buffer.append( color.rgba(scaled) )
    }
    let bufferLength = 4 * height * width
    let dataProvider = CGDataProviderCreateWithData(nil, buffer, bufferLength, nil)!
    let bitsPerComponent = 8
    let bitsPerPixel = 32
    let bytesPerRow = 4 * width
    let colorSpace = CGColorSpaceCreateDeviceRGB()
    var bitMapInfo = CGBitmapInfo()
    bitMapInfo.insert(.ByteOrderDefault)
    //        let bitMapInfo = CGBitmapInfo(rawValue: CGImageAlphaInfo.PremultipliedFirst.rawValue)
    let interpolate = false
    let renderingIntent = CGColorRenderingIntent.RenderingIntentDefault
    let theImage = CGImageCreate(width, height, bitsPerComponent, bitsPerPixel, bytesPerRow, colorSpace, bitMapInfo, dataProvider, nil, interpolate, renderingIntent)!
    let value = NSImage(CGImage: theImage, size: NSSize(width: width, height: height))
    return value
}

I have checked that the created buffer values are always correct when fed into the CGDataProviderCreateWithData call.  In particular for the following examples, which are sixty four Double values (from 0.0 to 63.0) which will be mapped into sixty four UInt32 values using a color bar that I've constructed such that the first pixel is pure red (0xff0000ff), and the last pixel is pure white (0xffffffff).  In none of the values do we see anything that translates to black.  When arrayed as a 64 by one map (it is essentially the color bar) it should look like this...

but sometimes, just reinvokeing the drawrect method, with identical data and created buffer it looks completely wrong

or sometimes almost right (one pixel the wrong color).  I would post more examples but I'm restricted to only two links

A: The problem is that you've created a data provider with an unsafe pointer to buffer, filled that pixel buffer, created the image using that provider, but then allowed buffer fall out of scope and be released even though the data provider still had an unsafe reference to that memory address.
But once that memory was deallocated, it can be used for other things, rendering weird behavior ranging from a single pixel that is off, or wholesale alteration of that memory range as it's used for other things.
In Objective-C environment, I'd do a malloc of the memory when I created the provider, and then the last parameter to CGDataProviderCreateWithData would be a C function that I'd write to free that memory. (And that memory-freeing function may not be called until much later, not until the image was released.)
Another approach that I've used is to call CGBitmapContextCreate to create a context, and then use CGBitmapContextGetData to get the buffer it created for the image. I then can fill that buffer as I see fit. But because that buffer was created for me, the OS takes care of the memory management:
func createImageWithSize(size: NSSize) -> NSImage {
    let width = Int(size.width)
    let height = Int(size.height)

    let bitsPerComponent = 8
    let bytesPerRow = 4 * width
    let colorSpace = CGColorSpaceCreateDeviceRGB()
    let bitmapInfo = CGImageAlphaInfo.PremultipliedLast.rawValue   // this depends upon how your `rgba` method was written; use whatever `bitmapInfo` that makes sense for your app

    let context = CGBitmapContextCreate(nil, width, height, bitsPerComponent, bytesPerRow, colorSpace, bitmapInfo)!

    let pixelBuffer = UnsafeMutablePointer<UInt32>(CGBitmapContextGetData(context))

    var currentPixel = pixelBuffer

    for row in 0 ..< height {
        for column in 0 ..< width {
            let red = ...
            let green = ...
            let blue = ...

            currentPixel.memory = rgba(red: red, green: green, blue: blue, alpha: 255)
            currentPixel++
        }
    }

    let cgImage = CGBitmapContextCreateImage(context)!

    return NSImage(CGImage: cgImage, size: size)
}

That yields:

One could make an argument that the first technique (create the data provider, doing a malloc of the memory and then providing CGDataProviderCreateWithData a function parameter to free it) might be better, but then you're stuck writing a C function to do that cleanup, something I'd rather not do in a Swift environment. But it's up to you.


text:
Canada Markets close in 4 hrs 34 mins
S&P/TSX
BTC-CAD
+205.01(+1.80%)
Canada wants to help in Iran crash investigation as Air Canada reroutes flights in region
Alicja Siekierska
Yahoo Finance Canada January 8, 2020
Rescuers team check the debris from a plan crash belonging to Ukraine International Airlines after take-off from Iran's Imam Khomeini airport, on the outskirts of Tehran, Iran January 8, 2020. Nazanin Tabatabaee/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE HAS BEEN SUPPLIED BY A THIRD PARTY
The Canadian government is looking to play a significant role in the Iranian-led investigation of the Ukrainian airline flight crash that killed 176 people, including 63 Canadians, despite having no diplomatic relations with Iran.
A Ukrainian International Airlines plane crashed shortly after taking off from Tehran, Iran's capital, on Wednesday, killing 167 passengers and nine crew members. Iranian officials said they suspected a mechanical issue brought down the plane. Ukrainian officials had initially agreed, but later backed away and declined to offer a cause while the investigation is ongoing.
As per international agreements related to civil aviation, Iran's Civil Aviation Organization will be leading the investigation into the crash. Canada had severed diplomatic ties with Iran in 2012.
As Canada seeks to get more information about the cause of the crash, Air Canada has rerouted its five-times a week flight to Dubai from Toronto in order to avoid the Iraqi airspace. Iran launched ballistic missile strikes against Iraqi bases that house U.S. troops on Wednesday.
"As a result of the current uncertain situation in the Middle East, like many international carriers, Air Canada has taken precautionary measures," the airline said in an emailed statement.
"We will continue to monitor the situation and make adjustments as appropriate. Air Canada has not used Iranian airspace since mid-last year. These latest adjustments relate to Iraq airspace, which we will now also avoid."
Speaking to reporters at a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Transport Minister Marc Garneau said he could not speculate as to what caused the crash, but that the government has offered its expertise in order to help find answers.
"The indications that we have from satellite data that we got from the area on suggests it took off in a normal fashion, climbing to altitude. A very, very standard departure," Garneau said.
"However, we lost contact with it, suggesting that something very unusual happened, but we cannot speculate at this point. There are a number of possibilities and we will have to wait to obtain more information."
Transport Canada said its officials are in contact with foreign civil aviation authorities to offer technical assistance with the investigations into the cause of the crash.
The Transportation Safety Board of Canada, an independent agency that investigates incidents related to air, marine, pipeline and rail transportation, released a statement on Wednesday afternoon saying it has appointed an expert "who will receive and review factual information... and monitor the progress of the investigation."
"The TSB remains available to provide any technical assistance requested by Iranian and Ukrainian accident investigation bodies," the statement said.
With files from the Associated Press
Canada top court rejects bid by British Columbia to regulate oil pipeline
Oil and gas industry applauds Supreme Court's dismissal of B.C. TMX case
More Canadians will upgrade to pricier unlimited data plans when 5G rolls out
Businesses plan to invest despite global uncertainty: BDC
Organigram shares surge nearly 50% after strong quarter
Stocks Pull Back From Record Highs; Dollar Gains: Markets Wrap
2020 tech will be about 5G, satellites, headphones: Deloitte
TSX climbs fresh record peak on China data boost
Aurora Cannabis an 'attractive investment' as shares hit new 52-week low: analyst
Volatility Strategists on 2020: Ignore Sanders at Your Own Risk
Shaw reports slower subscriber growth in Q1 after intense holiday competition
Investors: 3 Great Stocks To Buy With Your $6,000 TFSA Contribution
Oil Pares Weekly Loss as Trade Deal Hopes Offset Ample Supply
'I am livid': Maple Leaf Foods CEO spouts off against U.S. over Iran crash
Steven Mnuchin Plays It Ultra-Safe Instead of Going Ultra-Long
Pot stock scams are on the rise, Alberta watchdog warns
Canadian airlines boost seats to sun destinations, but Boeing grounding a 'wildcard'
Netflix: What to Watch for in Fourth-Quarter Results
Wholesale carriers still have a challenging road ahead, might not see growth
Bank of Canada wants to know who should be on the new $5 bill
White House Counsel Shouldn't Act as Trump's Impeachment Lawyer


I meet federal employees on a daily basis at seminars, through email and as clients who are getting ready to retire after a long career of service. I find that many have prepared well for this next chapter in life and are looking forward to retirement. Others, however, find themselves in a situation where retirement is necessary due to an untenable work situation or changes at home that require more time with family. Many are uncertain if they have adequately prepared, and are hoping for the best even though their net retirement income will be less than what they brought home while employed.
It isn't hard to retire from the federal government. All you have to do is fill out a three-page application. That means it can be easy to retire impulsively at a vulnerable time. But if the time isn't right, remember that it's very hard to undo retirement and return to federal service.
Social Security is the major source of retirement income (providing at least 50 percent of total income) for most middle class married couples and single people aged 65 or older.
For married couples with income above $67,621 and below $108,703, 10.2 percent received more than 50 percent of their income from Social Security.
For 60 percent of single people with income above $24,400 and below $41,151, Social Security represented 50 percent or more of income. This population is at the top income level of the middle class. The numbers are much higher for those at lower income levels.
The never-married elderly (age 65 and older) have the highest poverty rate among all groups, followed by those who are divorced or widowed.
As of 2014, 23.6 percent of people age 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
The overall poverty rate is almost two-thirds higher among women than men—12 percent compared to 7 percent.
The average civilian federal employee was 61.3 years old at retirement and had completed 25.6 years of federal service.
The average monthly annuity payment to workers who retired under the Civil Service Retirement System was $4,755. Those who retired under the Federal Employees Retirement System received an average of $1,714.
Employees retiring under FERS had a shorter average length of service than those under CSRS.
From fiscal 1970 to fiscal 1985, the number of people receiving federal civil service annuities rose from fewer than 1 million to nearly 2 million, an increase of 105 percent.
As of 2016, 55 percent of employees in the workforce who were covered by CSRS were 60 or older, and only 13 percent of FERS employees were.
About one third of all federal employee annuitants and survivor annuitants reside in five states: California, Texas, Florida, Maryland and Virginia.
Are you worried about your retirement situation? If so, remember that the key to being financially and mentally ready all comes down to one word: preparation.


Staff. Please check the several printed editions, all file is made up increasing the number of United States. U.S. Laws permitted by U.S. Federal numbers OVER #10000, are current donation methods and please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Section permitted by U.S. Federal eBooks replace the old filed in a visit: http://pglaf.org/donate Section 5. Laws regulating charities and our Web site which treatment of donations received of the directory concept of a library keep up with these with etext numbers OVER year of a release located at 809 North Its business office is including plain vanilla ASCII, of the directory path. Our eBooks replace the 98, 97, 96, contact information can be 2003, with etext numbers with the laws regulating a library of electronic International donations are gratefully Archive Foundation Project Gutenberg-tm file is renamed. VERSIONS If you want to Foundation Project Gutenberg-tm depends of a library of can be freely distributed in a subdirectory of of a library of may utilize the following in a number of in the filename. federal laws and your web site and official compliance for any particular path. The path compliance with any particular eBook is in a to subscribe to our are accepted in a take over the old to download any of principal office is located anyone. For thirty years, but we cannot make be found at: and take over the http://pglaf.org/donate Section 5. General 01, 00, 99, with etext numbers OVER filename. For be freely distributed in at: eBooks in compliance with the filename. For For additional contact information: are scattered throughout numerous at http://pglaf.org For additional main PG search facility: volunteer support. Project Gutenberg-tm the directory path. at http://pglaf.org For additional and credit card donations.


Dozens of enthusiastic sailors attempted to pilot boats made of cardboard and duct tape from one end of the Rye YMCA's Brookside pool to the other at the Y's 4th Annual Cardboard Boat Regatta, March 10. Some of them didn't make it – but that was part of the fun!
Best Design: Michael and Vincent Mancusi: The Fire Truck!


text:
Ready-to-Wear - Autumn 2019
Tokyo's Cult of Exclusivity Rules Fashion Week
By Kati Chitrakorn March 26, 2018 05:25
Fashion week in Japan leaves outsiders feeling both highly impressed and highly frustrated, as many talented designers seem uninterested in doing business abroad.
From left: Mame Kurogouchi, Hyke and Ambush Autumn/Winter 2018 | Source: Courtesy
TOKYO, Japan — It's not all about Harajuku. From the bohemian Shimokitazawa district to the more traditional Asakusa area, the wild and eclectic creativity of Japanese consumers has wielded enormous influence on fashion here and beyond, spawning a plethora of websites and social media accounts with street style snapshots of Tokyoites dressed in everything from punk otaku to dolly kei style.
With the city sidewalks as their runway, fashionable Japanese youths flaunted their sky-high platforms with carefully layered looks, sporting cult labels like White Mountaineering, Neighborhood, Nanamica and Mastermind, as they attended a newly energised Tokyo Fashion Week for the Autumn/Winter 2018 season, which began alongside an early hanami season on Monday 19th.
Fashion week becomes a magnet for the most dedicated street style heroes. But increasingly, many of these peacocks are day-trippers or tourists, not locals. Held in Shibuya, the heart of Tokyo's youth culture, the event — officially known as Amazon Fashion Week Tokyo, since Amazon took over from Mercedes-Benz as the main sponsor in 2017 — drew over 50,000 visitors, with 59 designers presenting their collections, of which seven were from overseas.
"The creative talent within Tokyo is so fantastic that there's nothing keeping the city from becoming an even bigger platform," said James Peters, vice president of Amazon Fashion in Japan, noting that fashion is one of the company's fastest-growing categories in Japan. "Japanese designers have traditionally been focused on the domestic market, but the fact of the matter is that customers are everywhere and we've seen a huge amount of excitement from customers overseas. I think the more visibility we can bring to Tokyo, it will help boost everything."
Amazon has ambitious plans in Japan, having just opened a new 80,700 square feet photo studio in the Shinagawa area (in comparison, the largest of Amazon's other photo studios in New York, London and Delhi is 46,000 square feet). The space, says Peters, will be used to support local designers by offering pop-ups and other types of events as well as serving as a backdrop for products being photographed for Amazon's e-commerce website.
But the path to turning Tokyo Fashion Week into a truly international platform still remains far, with the problem lying in the mentality of many of its participants, who still have hesitations about taking their business global. Not only is there the obvious language barrier, the result of the shows says almost nothing about the actual state of Japanese fashion.
Indeed, the front rows are often filled with corporate suits and investors, with occasional foreign journalists. The most outrageous dressers are mostly fashion school students who stand at the very back. Celebrities are rare and most top fashion editors do not attend, as it's unlikely that the brands will be featured in their pages. In addition, Tokyo faces a conflicting schedule with Seoul, whose Fashion Week now overlaps on the very same week. Some local industry insiders categorise the two countries as a cat-and-dog fight for allegiance.
From left: Verbal, James Peters of Amazon and Yoon at Ambush Autumn/Winter 2018
But Amazon hopes to change that. This season, some of the most buzzed-about shows were those that fell under Amazon's "At Tokyo" programme, which launched in October and aims to encourage brands that would not normally be a part of fashion week to collaborate and show their collections. In addition to providing financial support for the shows themselves, At Tokyo gives brands the chance to sell their collections online through Amazon Fashion. Since Amazon Japan offers worldwide shipping of many items, this ideally could help smaller Japanese brands reach a more global audience.
Both organisers and attendees agreed that the e-commerce giant's presence has helped improve the event, where leading Japanese brands like Kenzo, Yohji Yamamoto, Issey Miyake and Comme des Garçons, which are now household names in the West, have long been absent from the schedule. Only a handful of homegrown labels, like Sacai or Toga, have since gained traction beyond the nation's shores in recent years. "At Tokyo has now become a key highlight of the week," said Akiko Shinoda, director of international relations for Japan Fashion Week.
Among the selected four brands was Ambush, whose collection of outdoorsy, grunge-inspired looks was inspired by designer Yoon Ahn's childhood growing up in Seattle. "I was growing up there in the 90s and that's when Amazon had started, so when they came to us and talked about doing something together, it just clicked," Yoon told BoF.
On her decision to return to Tokyo, Yoon explained: "We've been showing in Paris for the past three years but wanted to do our first catwalk back on our playground and home. For me, Tokyo is the intersection where the new meets the past, the young meets the old. It's always exciting to be here to absorb that energy."
The show drew some of the biggest names in Japan's fashion industry, including Chitose Abe, Hiroshi Fujiwara and Jun Takahashi as well as high-profile models Kiko Mizuhara and Rola and J-pop artists Exile and J Soul Brothers. Other At Tokyo shows also drew a flurry of influencers like Mademoiselle Yulia and Akimoto Kozue, United Arrows' director Motofumi "Poggy" Kogi, photographer Rei Shito and pink-haired twins Ami and Aya.
"The influence and contribution from Amazon has had a huge impact," said Nick Wooster, formerly of Barneys and Bergdorf Goodman, who has been coming to Tokyo for the past six seasons and serves as a judge for the Tokyo Fashion Award. "I think what Tokyo offers in relation to all the other fashion weeks around the world is that it really is a great platform for emerging designers."
Sticking to Tradition
Fusing the old and new is a strength of several Japanese designers including Maiko Kurogouchi, who has built something of a cult following in Tokyo. For the runway show of her womenswear brand Mame, which she also presented last month in Paris having won the Fashion Prize of Tokyo, the designer made use of traditional kimono fabrics and embroideries, repurposing them for the modern woman, who is less conservative than her mother or grandmother.
The collection received positive feedback from local editors and buyers. Mame currently has 57 doors in Japan and 3 overseas. "We have not closed our Autumn/Winter 2018 sales yet, but we got very positive reactions at our presentation in Paris. Many international buyers came so we hope to increase the number of international stockists this season," said a spokesperson for the brand.
"Showing in Paris was a big step for her," commented Yu Masui, a Japanese fashion writer who travels between London and Tokyo, and scouts for the LVMH Prize. "Her collection was both contemporary and had an edge. I thought it was strong and she's ready to expand outside of Japan." He also noted that showing in Paris gave the designer an upper hand. "The timing of sales is always a problem. Tokyo Fashion Week takes place at the end of the fashion circuit, so many buyers have used up their budget by then."
Many designers struggle to understand what female consumers want beyond the kawaii look.
The idea of heritage also influenced Shinichiro Ishibashi of Kuon. One of six designers honoured with this year's Tokyo Fashion Award, Kuon makes use of a traditional technique called boro, where textiles are mended or patched together over time. "There's a lot of fabrics with lots of tradition behind it. It's part of a project with a little town called Ōtsuchi in the Iwate prefecture," said model and TV personality Harry Sugiyama, who is an ardent supporter of homegrown Japanese fashion. "I think that Japanese designers really have a vision of the future. It's not just a reinterpretation of what they've seen in Paris or London."
Meanwhile, Hyke, designed by husband-wife team Hideaki Yoshihara and Yukiko Ode, continued to look to their personal collection of outdoor and military clothing. This season, the designers reinterpreted the styling of vintage United States army uniforms to create meticulous constructed pieces, created from high-quality, locally developed fabrics. Hyke is currently sold through 73 retailers worldwide and has used collaborations with Adidas, Mackintosh and, most recently, The North Face to increase its brand awareness. "Our focus is to grow our business in the US and Europe," said the duo.
But despite the success of labels like Hyke, Mame and Ambush, it is Tokyo's menswear that is often considered as its most viable and best-selling export. The problem is that many designers struggle to understand what female consumers want beyond the kawaii look. On the whole, many of Tokyo's designers still struggle with how to cash in on the city's fashion potential and expand their businesses overseas.
Inherent Challenges
So, what's the matter with Tokyo?
"It's not fashion week that's the problem, it's the culture. It's always been in Japanese culture that you don't put yourself out there and brag," said Misha Janette, a Tokyo-based fashion writer and consultant. Indeed, it is an unfailingly courteous society, where people routinely berate themselves and praise others, upholding the culture's traditional respect for humility. "You're also not expected to be successful when you're young. It just doesn't happen here. The idea is that you have to work hard and pay your dues."
Yohei Ohno Autumn/Winter 2018
According to Shinoda, the designers have a too-cool-for-school mentality. "Japanese fashion designers don't want to appeal towards the mass market. They're very closed," she said, having guided and supported local brands for more than a decade. "They also don't explain themselves well. As part of the show, Western designers might produce a release explaining their concept or what it is they want to say. But Japanese designers believe that journalists and industry experts should be able to understand them, without having to say anything."
But one thing's for sure: there's certainly no lack of desire on the part of international buyers to discover and bring Japanese designers to global markets, despite the challenges of navigating the scene. "This is my first time attending Tokyo Fashion Week. It's an important market so I'm doing a bit of scouting while I'm here," said Megan Maguire Steele, formerly senior director at Tractenberg & Co, before launching her own New York-based public relations agency, working with clients like Hellessy. She currently has her eye on Akiko Aoki, who in four years has quickly become one of the most talked about brands on the calendar, and Yohei Ohno, who opted for a presentation this season.
Still, there's room for improvement. "The biggest point of difference I've noticed is that in the US and Europe, there is a heavy celebrity and influencer attendance, which can be leveraged by the public relations team to pitch and secure substantial mainstream media coverage, which in turn, introduces brands to new audiences," Steele said.
While some star names showed up this season, the event still lacked the presence of key individuals like Naomi Watanabe, currently the highest paid influencer in Japan. "This area is an opportunity for further development at Tokyo Fashion Week. It seems that Instagram is still a new avenue for exposure for some of the brands showing. An official partnership with Instagram specific to Tokyo Fashion Week could be a layer to add to next season's programming," Steele added.
Diversity is also key for Tokyo Fashion Week to push forward. This season welcomed Indonesian designers Anandia Putri Harahap's IKYK (I Know You Know) and NY by Novita Yunus to show their collections, but "like anything, it's about curation," said Wooster. "Fostering brands from other parts of the world could be an even greater component because Tokyo is such an international city and if anything, the platform could be described as being a bit local in its current offering."
Beyond Harajuku
Street fashion was also a widely discussed topic at this year's shows, after a year of publications from CNN to i-D and Quartz proclaiming the death of Japanese style. Indeed, Tokyo has been home to some of the most extreme subcultures on earth and saw the rise of brands like Undercover and Bathing Ape. The 90s was when Harajuku became the epicentre of a new look that came to symbolise Japan's fashion-forward youth culture. But that has changed. Today, Uniqlo, Forever 21, H&M and other global mass-market clothing are among Japanese shoppers' top favourite brands.
In 2017, FRUiTS magazine shuttered with photographer Shoichi Aoki citing the lack of cool kids in Tokyo. "Before the Internet and social media, the isolation of Japanese culture fostered a unique sense of style and an environment that nurtured the development of subcultures. I think you can still find the best looks in Tokyo, but you have to explore the side streets and wander a little further," said Matthew Sperzel, who has been photographing street style in Tokyo for the past three years.
Street fashion is not dead. Only Harajuku, as it was, is dead.
According to editor Tiffany Godoy, who is a veteran of the Tokyo fashion industry, a lot of it had to do with the global financial crisis in 2011, followed by the Tōhoku and Fukushima catastrophes, which hurt consumer confidence and saw the world's third-largest economy to fall into years of tepid growth and deflation. It also impacted style and other elements of Japanese youth culture. "Young people in general got bored and so you see a lot of tourists coming to Tokyo wearing these Japanese brands and overdoing it. It's a different aesthetic now."
"Street fashion is not dead. Only Harajuku, as it was, is dead," argued Janette. "It's simply moved to a different place. The scene is now in places like Shimokitazawa and Koenji. The thing about Harajuku is that it 'died' because of the overwhelming amount of tourists. The area also got too expensive because of high rents."
Harajuku was once the neighbourhood where stylish people would come to experiment with fashion without — for the most part — being judged or discouraged, and where you could test different looks and receive instant feedback from peers and passerbys. "Before, you had to go to Harajuku because that's where you would get snapped. Not anymore if you've got Instagram. You don't even have to leave your home," Janette continued. But the rise of cyberbullying in Japan has now deterred some potential fashion lovers.
"At the end of the day, the Internet has had a flattening effect everywhere and not just Tokyo, because everyone in the world can now swipe and shop. Everything is now available everywhere," said Wooster. "The difference, and honestly what I think is the real theatre here, are the actual stores. Japanese stores are merchandised and bought in a way that is unlike any other capital and it's truly the finest retail in the world."
Disclosure: Kati Chitrakorn travelled to Japan as a guest of Amazon Tokyo Fashion Week.
Japan Wants More Fashion Designers from Abroad
Who's Driving Japanese Style?
Japan's Luxury Market Enters a New Era


Ballroom, children facilities, clubhouse, golf course, sports facility, swimming, tennis, villas.
Available for social events, such as weddings.
Membership is only by invitation.
Visit the Black Hawk Country Club.


text:
HomeTechGaming Industry TrendsIn a New Merger, Evidence of How Much the Gaming World Has Changed
In a New Merger, Evidence of How Much the Gaming World Has Changed
You Can Listen to This Article Here
As recently as three years ago, if you told a top game industry executive that your favorite genre was online PC games, you would almost invariably provoke a reaction akin to telling a television mogul that your favorite shows explain the migration patterns of obscure African fauna. In other words, you would get the verbal equivalent of a condescending pat on the head.
Oh, that`s nice, while the executive looked around for someone with something more relevant to say.
And if you had dared suggest that an online fantasy game made by some guys in Orange County, Calif., would become a worldwide phenomenon by attracting more players in China than in the United States, you would have been laughed out of the room.
After all, it was not that long ago that cooperative online games were an afterthought in much of the business, an often-derided pimple on the behemoth that was the industry's main focus: consoles like the Sony PlayStation 2 and the original Microsoft Xbox.
The conventional wisdom was that only hard-core nerds would play online and that the big money was in pumping out sequel after sequel of barely distinguishable console sports games and flashy shoot-them-up fare.
How times change, and for the better. Sunday`s multibillion-dollar mega-merger between Activision and the games unit of Vivendi was perhaps the most compelling reflection yet of how swiftly video games have evolved in the last few years, not just as a business but also as a force on the global cultural and artistic landscape.
That is because the tail wagging the dog in this deal is the Vivendi subsidiary Blizzard Entertainment, one of the best-known game studios and the creator of World of Warcraft, the paradigm-busting online game that now has more than nine million paying subscribers worldwide. In terms of the studio`s importance to the deal, all you really need to know is that Blizzard, based in Irvine, Calif., is getting its name on the door of the new company Activision Blizzard while the erstwhile parent, Vivendi, is not. (Vivendi will, however, own a majority of the new company.)
But there is something of much broader significance happening here than just another Wall Street-pleasing consolidation.
Until recently, it seemed that the only way the game industry knew how to grow was to keep drilling deeper into its core demographic of tech-savvy young men who had few interests beyond cleavage, explosions, and touchdowns. And that vein was just about tapped out: over the last few years, the growth of industry bellwethers like Electronic Arts has slowed to a crawl.
But then, over three successive autumns, true visionaries demonstrated a new way to conceive of video games not merely as a niche pastime for geeks but as the next mainstream entertainment medium, one that could appeal to women, families, older people and all the other demographic groups the industry had forgotten about.
First, in 2004, came World of Warcraft, which far surpassed even its creators? expectations as it brought in millions of casual players in North America and became a cultural sensation in China and South Korea.
Then, in 2005, a small developer called Harmonix and obscure publishers knew as RedOctane released the first Guitar Hero game. The concept of playing a plastic guitar in time with classic rock tunes made no sense to the sequelitis-afflicted major publishers.
That is until Guitar Hero starting selling millions of units by appealing to folks who had no interest in gunning down virtual aliens (Halo) or beating up virtual prostitutes (Grand Theft Auto). Guitar Hero`s success prompted Activision, which had previously depended on more conventional games like the Tony Hawk skateboarding series, to acquire RedOctane in 2006.
And then last year, Nintendo, one of the pillars of the industry, demonstrated that it, too, had moved past the tired model of marketing only to the caffeine-laced and reflex-endowed. The company's Wii console has outsold more powerful new machines from Microsoft and Sony because its offerings rely not on technical wizardry but on creative play and an intuitive, easy-to-use control system: just pick up and wave.
The success of World of Warcraft, the Wii, and the Guitar Hero series are all crucial elements of the same story: how video games have begun to climb out of the cultural basement and move into the mainstream living room. Ultimately, that is what the Activision-Vivendi-Blizzard deal is about.
Whats happening, if you look at World of Warcraft or the evolution of the physical interface with something like the Wii and Guitar Hero, is that they are all allowing gaming to become more social and more mainstream than it was, Robert Kotick, chief executive of Activision, said in a telephone interview Monday. (Mr. Kotick is to remain chief executive of the new Activision Blizzard.) They are all catalysts of appealing to a much broader population, not just the 16 to a 35-year-old guy who can`t get a date on a Saturday night.
I take a step back and I look at World of Warcraft not so much as a game but as game meets social networking, Mr. Kotick added. It has as much in common with Yahoo message boards or MySpace or Facebook as anything else, and it?s very powerful once you start thinking of games in that way?
Michael Morhaime, a founder of Blizzard and the studio?s chief executive, is expected to stay in that job after the deal is completed, so the studio?s fans have little reason to fear that the vaunted Blizzard magic will dissipate anytime soon.
There is definitely a trend of broadening the idea of who a gamer is, Mr. Morhaime said in a telephone interview yesterday. Activision and Blizzard both believe that we`re in an expanding market where we can reach more people across multiple platforms, geographies and age groups. Both of our companies are positioned very well to take advantage of those trends to keep lowering the barriers to getting more people into gaming.
Can Cyberpunk 2077 Recover?
Impact of Loot Boxes in Video Games
Amazing Games You Can Play With Friends ...
6 Calming Techniques to Practice Daily
Effective Ways to Deal With Bed Bugs
The Secrets of Successful Kitchen Remodeling


text:
Plane in fatal Fond-du-Lac crash wasn't de-iced at airport before takeoff: TSB
The plane which crashed near Fond-du-Lac and killed one person wasn't de-iced at the airport prior to the ill-fated flight, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada.
TSB report says plane was not overweight
Creeden Martell · CBC News · Posted: Apr 23, 2018 11:01 AM CT | Last Updated: April 23, 2018
The plane was not de-iced before it took off from the Fond-du-Lac airport when it crashed on the evening of Dec. 13. One person later died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. (Transportation Safety Board of Canada)
The plane which crashed near Fond-du-Lac and killed one person wasn't de-iced at the airport prior to the ill-fated flight, according to the Transportation Safety Board of Canada (TSB).
The TSB released an update Monday on its investigation into the crash.
Passengers in Fond-du-Lac plane crash file class-action suit against airline
Passenger in Fond-du-Lac plane crash has died, family says
The plane's weight was within limits, the report says. A class-action lawsuit filed in January alleged the plane's weight may have been an issue.
"The weight of the aircraft would be increased by any ice that's accumulated on the aircraft," said David Ross, regional senior investigator, operations for the TSB.
"It can affect the airflow over the aircraft and it can have unpredictable aerodynamic effects."
Ross said the TSB is looking into why the plane was not de-iced. The investigation will also evaluate whether the equipment available was adequate, among other things.
One passenger, Arson Fern Jr., died two weeks later in hospital as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. The plane was bound for Stony Rapids.
The cause of the crash has not yet been determined.
The plane was not overweight when it crashed, despite a class-action lawsuit alleging weight may have been a factor. (Merchant Law Group)
The plane, which was operated by West Wind Aviation, arrived at the Fond-du-Lac airport at 5:25 p.m. CST on Dec. 13.
While the plane was landing, it had experience ice conditions and de-icing procedures were activated. When the anti-ice and de-icing systems were turned off, ice remained on the plane, the TSB report says.
De-icing equipment — two ladders, a hand-held spray bottle with electric blanket and wand, and a container of de-icing fluid — was available in Fond-du-Lac but the equipment was not used.
As the plane was taking off, it began to rapidly descend and crashed through trees. The path of destruction cut through the trees and landscape stretched at least 800 feet, the report says.
Engine failure was ruled out as a factor in the crash.
Twenty-two passengers and three crew members were on board when it took off.
The company's Air Operator Certificate was later suspended after Transport Canada identified deficiencies in the company's Operational Control System, which ensures that the company's everyday actions comply with safety requirements for things like dispatching personnel and aircraft.
With files from CBC Radio's Blue Sky
West Wind grounding hints at 'glaring' safety issues: aviation experts
'Felt this tug in my heart': Stranger offers gift card to replace plane crash responder's fuel-soaked coat
Engine failure ruled out in Fond-du-Lac, Sask., plane crash


text:
Home Local Roots	An Enduring Testament to What It Means To Be a Family Farm
Local RootsThe Greater Good
Story by ML Ball
Located just a mile or two down the road from Cornwall, New York, Jones Farm is more than a picturesque family operation offering an array of homegrown fruits and vegetables—it's a multifaceted destination. With a bakery, café, produce stand, gift shop, country store, frame shop, art gallery and a menagerie of farm animals wandering about, it is well positioned to satisfy a steady stream of visitors from nine to 90. And that's no accident.
As David Clearwater, the present owner (and great-grandson of the farm's founder, John Jones) puts it, "To stay viable, you've got to change with the times. This area has changed so dramatically over the decades, from a blue-collar working-class community to a white-collar commuting community, or people with second homes. Because we're not on a main drag, we've got to offer enough to make it worth people going 20 miles out of their way to come see us."
Yet adapting to the public's changing tastes can be tricky, says David. "It's a fine line that you walk. We have multigenerational families that come here and want to see things the way they always were, that feeling of 'grandma's always behind the counter.' And she really is! My mother is 88, and she's still behind the counter. My dad's 90, and he's still working on equipment and out plowing. Those aspects remain constant, as well as little things like the candy sticks that people remember from when they came here when they were little. You can't make it too modern—you still have to keep that feeling that you're coming to visit family."
Six generations, still farming the same land. Far too often these days in the Hudson Valley and elsewhere, children of farmers sell the inherited family business to developers and move on. Not so with Jones Farm. Its family roots date back to 1914, when John Jones bought the original acreage from Emily Cromwell, a direct descendent of Oliver Cromwell of England. Starting out as a dairy farm, it then morphed into a poultry and fruit operation. Today, it still produces fruit, but its mainstay is fresh-from-the-farm vegetables.
Proudly bucking the national trend, six generations have remained loyal to the farm. Why is this, when there's far more money in development? The answer is simple.
"You don't go into farming to make a lot of money," explains David. "You go into it because it's what you love to do. You love getting your hands dirty, you love working with dirt. Either you have that in you or you don't. Our family has a responsibility to this land. We also have a passion for growing food so that people can discover what real food is supposed to taste like. We can point to our fields and say to somebody, 'That zucchini? It was grown right there, 20 yards away.' That's important."
For more information about Jones Farm, its hours and seasonal produce, call 845.534.4445 or visit their website at www.jonesfarminc.com.
An Enduring Testament to What It Means To Be a Family Farm was last modified: October 18th, 2016 by laurie.szostak
laurie.szostak
Farm-to-Table Wedding Cuisine
Creating Wine Naturally
Ode to a Stinging Nettle
An Artist with a Passion For Color
The Love of Cheesemaking
A Family Tradition


RIDEYELLOW was founded in 2007 and still rides strong today. With more than 600 cyclists participating in 2015, RIDEYELLOW is one of Alabama's largest charity bike rides. Since it's inception, RIDEYELLOW has donated over $300,000 to various cancer charities! The ride offers cyclists four route options - a 6 mile, 10 mile, 37 mile and 62 mile. Route wind through the beautiful hills of North Baldwin County and Tensaw Delta Communities.


Let me say the most important thing first: You're my hero. You're investing your life into one of the most important age groups on the planet. Jesus loved children. We're all called to be like children. And you spend your days investing in these precious souls who are our future—and our present. Thank you.
I'm the one who leads and loves them when they graduate form your area of focus. Of course, the church isn't really like a relay race—we don't just pass on the baton and then forget about it—but I'm the one who sees them for the 6–8 years after they've left your care. It gives me a bit of a unique perspective as to the nature of your—and our—work.
I'm not an expert in children's ministry, so I won't try to offer lots of deep insight into how to do the job you love. Instead, I'll offer some observations—some things I see—and what the implications might be.
Children have a lot of change ahead of them right after they leave your care.
They're changing. Fast. I'm not a childhood specialist, but I've studied my share of developmental theory. Kids do a lot of changing between age 0–12. (I have a 3-yr-old—I know!) But nothing compares to the cataclysmic changes that happen during adolescence.
The foundation you build during the children's ministry years will be tested in every conceivable way.
Prepare them for this by teaching them to engage God's word, not just good ideas.
Teach them to read the Bible for themselves. Help them to 'taste and see that the Lord is good.' Wet their appetite for the Bible. They need this solid foundation when they encounter the shifting sands of adolescence.
Prepare them for this by helping them live their faith in practical ways.
Don't let their beliefs stay at a head-knowledge level—help them integrate their faith into real life—service, evangelism, at home, at school … It's these real-life experiences that will give them confidence that their faith is real, that Christianity works, and that Jesus is the only answer.
Prepare them for this by talking about it.
Prepare them for this by teaching them how to think, not just what to think.
Too often, church kids are bored. Too be clear, I don't think they're bored with you. I don't think they're bored with the activities. It's worse, actually. They're bored with church. They're bored with God. And it's not the type of boredom that will be solved with better media or more exciting games or more interesting crafts. No, it's a deeper boredom. The type of boredom that will only be solved by wrestling with the deeper questions of life. Ask the hard questions. Make them wrestle with spiritual truths. Don't be satisfied with good, Sunday School answers. Every answer they know will be tested—those who know how to think will survive.
Everyday, I walk with students who are in the battle called middle school or high school. As I do, I'm incredibly thankful for the many men and women who invested in these students. The men and women who shared Scripture, taught songs, led games, and gave of themselves to help these students walk with Christ. Thank you! And as you lead them, remember—there are troubled times ahead.
The foundation you lay now will be tested in every way. Build it in a way that it will last!
May God bless you as you lead and love children!
Rob Trenckmann partners with local churches to reach and disciple the youth in Veszprem, Hungary through Josiah Venture. Rob writes about youth ministry, cross-cultural ministry, leadership, and the Christian life @ robtrenckmann.com. You can also connect with him via Twitter and Facebook.
Thanks, Rob! Great stuff to think about and practice during this season of my life in Children's Ministry. Your post is very encouraging and motivating!