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Circuit City Kills Divx
Greg Tarr ⋅ Published: January 1, 1970
Digital Video Express (Divx), the controversial pay-per-play DVD format backed by Circuit City, is dead.
Circuit City Stores, the umbrella company housing the separate consumer electronics and automobile sales operations, made the announcement Wednesday as part of its fiscal first-quarter financial statement, which included a post-tax charge of $114 million for terminating the Divx venture.
That more than offset record earnings of its retail business, the Circuit City Group, and the first-ever quarterly profit from CarMax, and left the company with a net loss for the period of $88.8 million. (See complete financial report here.)
The Divx charge, which excludes a $16 million Divx operating loss, reflects "commitments under licensing agreements with movie distributors, the write-down of assets to net realizable value, lease termination cost, employee severance and benefit cost, and other contractual commitments," Circuit City said.
A Divx spokesman said the total after-tax loss to Circuit City was $337 million, reflecting some $207 million in investments and costs through the February 28 close of fiscal 1999, plus the latest quarter's loss and the one-time charge, which mainly includes guarantees owed to studios. It also includes $3 million to cover future operating losses, the spokesman said.
"We have received positive feedback from customers who have purchased Divx-featured DVD players," said Alan McCollough, Circuit City president. "We regret that a lack of support from studios and other retailers will prohibit consumers from receiving the exceptional benefits of the Divx system. At this point, however, we want to make sure that all Circuit City customers receive a refund for the added cost of the feature and that the refund process works smoothly and conveniently."
Digital Video Express will provide a $100 cash rebate to all consumers who purchased Divx players prior to June 16, 1999, the company said. The rebate will cover the difference in price between a standard DVD player and a model enhanced with the Divx feature.
All Divx players are fully functional DVD and CD players and will continue to work with standard DVD movies. Rebates will be made via mail. Customers can obtain forms at www.divx.com, www.circuitcity.com or by calling 1-888-639-DIVX.
Circuit City said it is immediately dropping prices on all Divx-enabled DVD players. The amount will vary based on the brand of player and the DVD features. Circuit City will extend its normal 30-day low-price guarantee and its 30-day product return policy to 60 days, Circuit City said.
Circuit City announced that in its stores the current RCA Divx player that sold for $349 has been cut to $259; the ProScan and Panasonic models have been reduced to $329.
Divx is also lowering the price of all Divx discs from $4.49 to $1.99, which will give customers an initial 48-hour viewing period and the ability to purchase additional 48-hour viewing periods until June 30, 2001, when Divx-service operations will cease. The fee for additional playback periods will remain at the $3.25 rate, giving consumers an incentive to purchase additional Divx discs until inventory is depleted.
Divx will also provide refunds to consumers who have opted for the Divx Silver or Gold unlimited playback options, the company said.
Manufacturers of Divx players contacted this morning refused to comment on the announcement. One of them expressed unawareness of the decision, and a Divx spokesman confirmed that manufacturer partners were not informed in advance, "due to disclosure considerations."
Companies including Thomson and Zenith had made aggressive second-generation Divx product plans, after demand for the DVD category resulted in strong sales and out-of-stock conditions for all DVD models.
Additionally, both JVC and Pioneer planned to make their first Divx players available later this year.
Larry McKinney, Thomson DVD world product management VP, called Circuit City's decision "unfortunate." He added, "The impact of the Digital Video Express decision on Thomson DVD production is minimized since our manufacturing focus over the past month has been on open DVD players. Divx production will cease immediately, giving us an opportunity to focus on the production of open players."
Despite announcing strong Divx player sales, Divx executives refused to issue numbers for the player activations after purchase. Opponents of Divx had speculated that consumers purchased Divx units because open DVD players were unavailable.
Although Divx and its manufacturer partners had taken aggressive steps to have other retailers adopt the format, they were unable to get more than a handful to participate, and this year lost two.
Canadian-based Future Shop (an early Divx adopter) opted to close its U.S. stores (Divx isn't authorized for sale in Canada), and the San Diego-based Dow Stereo & Video is phasing out Divx in preparation for its July 1 acquisition by Tweeter Home Entertainment, a non-Divx supporter.
Despite Dow's withdrawal from the format, Tom Campbell, a director for the chain, said that Divx players were strong sellers, representing 22% of Dow's total DVD unit sales. He added that Divx was very cooperative when Dow recently returned its inventory of Divx software.
The only remaining outside Divx-backing retailers are Denver-based Ultimate Electronics, West Coast chain The Good Guys chain, and two New York- area retailers, 6th Ave. Electronics and Nationwide.
Richard Sharp, Divx and Circuit City chairman, acknowledged that the lack of widespread studio and retailing supporters was at the heart of the termination decision. Divx, he said, could not be turned into "a viable business without support in these essential areas."
Sharp told analysts that he didn't expect the Divx technology to generate much interest for an asset sell-off. However, Thomson has shown a high-definition DVD player that uses the Divx encryption system for copy protection. Additionally, the XCA copy-protection proposal for DTV television systems was designed to fit smoothly with the Divx system.
Greg Tarr
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A Tonka Water, a U.S. Water Brand treatment system has been commissioned in Randall, Minnesota. The system includes a baffled pressurized detention, followed by two VertaCell™ vertical pressure filters for the treatment of iron and manganese and features Tonka Water's Simul-Wash™ backwash process, saving thousands of gallons of water with each backwash cycle.
Learn more about Tonka Water's pressure filtration products.


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Tag Archives: battery park city
Battery Park City related news, events and items for the residents and community of Battery Park City, BPC, Batteryparkcity.com, BatteryParkCity
BATTERY PARK CITY EVACUATED
August 27, 2011 Newsbattery park city, evacuations, hoboken, hurricane irene, jersey city, mandatory evacuations. zone aBattery Park City Staff
All Battery Park City residents should be evacuated, meeting the mandatory restrictions placed by the Mayor Bloomberg for today at 5pm.
Neighboring Hudson River cities including Hoboken and Jersey City have followed suit, having respective mandatory evacuations in place for those who reside in the low lying areas.
It was further revealed that mandatory evacuations for Zone A are due to utility ConEd's decision to shut off underground power lines to protect from salt water flooding and utility companies cutting off steam lines to prevent explosions – on top of flooding concerns.
More information has been released citywide:
• NYC Tunnels: Will close on a case-by-case basis depending on flooding conditions. No plans to preemptively close any of the city's tunnels.
• Port Authority: Has closed its five airports — John F. Kennedy International, Newark Liberty International, Stewart International, LaGuardia and Teterboro airports — to all arriving passenger international and domestic flights. The five airports will remain open for departing flights pending further updates. The Port Authority is taking this measure to avoid stranding passengers at its airports when the region's mass transit systems suspend service tomorrow due to the impending arrival of Hurricane Irene.
• Flights Canceled: More than nine thousand flights canceled. Closed to International Flights: The Port Authority will close John F. Kennedy International Airport to incoming international flights beginning at noon tomorrow
• Evacuation Centers and Emergency Shelters: Now open for those who need shelter
• Tolls Suspended: Governor Andrew Cuomo has announced he will suspend some fares and tolls to help ease the evacuation of low-lying areas
• Airline Cancellations: More than 9-thousand flights have been canceled at New York area airports
• Baseball: The Mets announced on Friday that their afternoon contests against the Braves on Saturday and Sunday have been rescheduled as a single-admission doubleheader to be played at 4:10 p.m. on Sept. 8
• Broadway Cancels: The show will not go on on Broadway. All 23 Broadway musical and plays have been canceled for the weekend.
• Public Transportation: The governor says New York City's public transit has been halted
• New York City Mayor's Office: All City beaches remain closed
• Hospital Patient Transfers: Health care facilities located in what is identified as Hurricane Evacuation Zone A are being required to transfer their patients to facilities located outside this zone. Beth Israel Petrie, Roosevelt and St. Luke's are all beginning to receive transfer patients from NYU Friday afternoon.
• Bridges: Governor Andrew M. Cuomo said that a half dozen bridges — including the George Washington Bridge, the Robert F. Kennedy Triboro Bridge, the Throgs Neck Bridge and the Whitestone Bridge — would be closed if winds reached 60 mph for more than a short time
• New York City Evacuation Zones State Level Emergency Responders: Agencies and local governments around the state will meet today to plan coordinated response efforts, such as emergency operations support and field staff deployments to areas that are expected to be hit the hardest
• The Governor: Encouraged New Yorkers to check in with neighbors, especially the elderly or disabled, who might need assistance to ensure that their needs are met if emergency instructions are issued
• 26 Tower Cranes: Tower cranes located in the city (13 of those at the World Trade Center construction site) do not disassemble quickly and may not be able to be taken down in time for the storm. They are only built to withstand winds of 65 mph or less.
• Underground Bunker: The state's Office of Emergency Management has increased staffing in its underground bunker
What Happens to Battery Park City in a Hurricane?
August 26, 2011 Newsbattery park city, hurricane, mandatory evacuationBattery Park City Staff
What Will Happen to Battery Park CIty in a Hurricane?
The Mayor has called for the first time ever, a MANDATORY evacuation for Battery Park City, which is one of the low lying areas in New York City. What does this mean for us? Why are these warnings so important?
• Battery Park City is not more than 5 feet above sea level. The full moon, high tide and hurricane can bring sea/storm surge up to 8 feet.
• Flooding is expected in our area and should the hurricane and water cause damage or major flooding — Emergency Services Vehicles would have trouble reaching our neighborhood.
• Trees and park area can be uprooted by the hurricane's impact.
• World Trade Center construction also causes a challenge, as workers are securing cranes, equipment and construction elements that might be lifted by elevated winds.
• MTA plans a citywide shutdown of services by 12pm tomorrow Saturday, August 27th – paralyzing our ability to leave the neighborhood.
• Most stores and businesses in our area are also part of the mandatory evacuation order.
• According to the Mayor, taping windows is not necessary and futile to protect windows. Best safety protocol is mandatory evacuation of our neighborhood.
• All area events, including Governor's Island and Major Sporting Events have been cancelled — nothing to stay for this weekend – bolsters reason to evacuate sooner than later.
• Those who are not evacuated by 5pm, Saturday August 27th will be subject to city fines.
MANDATORY EVACUATION: IMPORTANT INFO
August 26, 2011 News, Uncategorizedbattery park city, hurricane irene, mandatory evacuationBattery Park City Staff
MANDATORY EVACUATION INFORMATION FOR BATTERY PARK CITY
The Mayor has called a mandatory evacuation of Battery Park City:
1. Evacuation of the neighborhood is mandatory by Saturday, August 27th by 5PM.
2. MTA Public Transportation will be suspended by Saturday, August 27th by Noon.
According to NYC.Gov
Evacuation Centers
In the event of an evacuation order, the City strongly recommends evacuees stay with friends or family outside evacuation zone boundaries. However, for those who have no alternative shelter, the City has identified hurricane shelters throughout the five boroughs.
To ensure the most efficient use of resources and to make necessary parking available, the City will ask all evacuees seeking public shelter to report to an evacuation center. These centers are located in all boroughs, are easily reached via public transportation. Some centers provide parking facilities.
Each evacuation center is associated with several hurricane shelters in what is known as its "solar system." There are currently 65 such systems in the City, each of which can accommodate an average of 10,000 people.
Evacuation centers help ensure the number of people in each is roughly the same, eliminating potential overcrowding or underuse of particular facilities. At the evacuation center, evacuees will be assigned to a particular evacuation shelter and be transported by bus or van.
To find out the location of your nearest evacuation center, use OEM's Hurricane Evacuation Zone Finder to locate your evacuation zone, and the system will direct you to the proper facility. During an emergency, you can also obtain this information by calling 311.
Hurricane Shelters
Hurricane shelters provide basic needs for those with no other place to go. Shelters are selected based upon the safety of their location (outside of Category 4 hurricane inundation areas) and proximity to evacuation centers.
Certainly, service animals that assist people with disabilities are allowed in hurricane shelters. Ideally, you should arrange to shelter other pets at a kennel or with friends or relatives outside the evacuation area. Legal pets with proper identification will be admitted into shelters with their owners. Owners should bring cleaning and food supplies with them, as well as containers and leashes.
Learn more about emergency preparedness for pets
Officials will notify evacuees when and if it is safe to return to their homes. Since hurricanes are highly destructive, residents may not be able to return home for weeks.
MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR BATTERY PARK CITY
August 26, 2011 Newsbattery park city, evacuation, hurricane irene, mandatory, zone aAndy
MANDATORY EVACUATION FOR ZONE A: BATTERY PARK CITY
MANDATORY EVACUATIONS ORDERED FOR BATTERY PARK CITY.
At a press conference Friday, Mayor Bloomberg ordered a mandatory evacuation for all residents living in low-lying Zone A, including our area, Battery Park City.
According to the Mayor, "Nature is a force more powerful than any of us," the Mayor said, "and it really is better to be safe than sorry."
"We've never done a mandatary evacuation before, and we wouldn't do it now if we didn't think the storm had the potential to be very serious."
The storms hurricane path is expected to travel faster than initially expected. This is the first time the city has ever called a mandatory evacuation in New York City history.
NYC.gov was overloaded and shutdown Friday morning as three times average volume in traffic hit the site. The website received 4.3 million hits, shattering the previous record of 2.2 million on January 26th.
The mayor urged New Yorkers to stay indoors from Saturday 9pm to Sunday 9pm to avoid injury from falling glass, tree limbs and blowing debris.
LIST OF EVACUATION SHELTERS
August 26, 2011 Newsbattery park city, evacuation shelters, mandator evacuationBattery Park City Staff
Baruch College is an Evacuation Shelter Zone
A MANDATORY EVACUATION IS ORDERED FOR ALL OF BATTERY PARK CITY BY 5PM, SATURDAY, AUGUST 27TH.
For those with nowhere to go, the city has shelters across Manhattan which will be opening at 4 p.m. Friday. Those shelters are located at
Seward Park High School at 350 Grand Street
Baruch College, East 23rd & Lexington
High School of Graphic Communication Arts, 49th between 9th & 10th
John Jay College, 59th & 10th
Hunter College, Park Avenue & 68th Street
Brandeis High School, 84th between Amsterdam and Columbus
IS 118, 105th Street & Manhattan Avenue
PS 171, 103rd between Fifth & Madison
IS 88, Adam Clayton Powell Blvd. & Frederick Douglass Blvd.
Bread and Roses High School, Edgecombe Avenue & 136th Street
City College, Amsterdam Ave. & 138th Street
IS 90, Jumel Place and 168th Street
George Washington High School, 193rd Street between Amsterdam and Audobon Avenues
Battery Park City Getting Popular with Developers, Families
June 14, 2011 News, What's Happeningbattery park city, families, renaissance, restaurantsSeth Werkheiser
Battery Park City Esplanade (Credit: saitowitz/Flickr)
It looks like the "best kept secret" of Battery Park City is becoming less of a secret each day. Judging by this story in the NYPost about the recent real estate activity, it looks like the area if about to get even hotter.
According to the article, One Rector Park has started closings, Liberty Green and Liberty Luxe are renting out units and Centurion Real Estate Partners have "sold about 75 percent of the remaining 76 units." Popular eatery Shake Shack has already moved into the area, and more restaurants are moving into the area throughout the summer and into the fall.
The vibe of the area, as well as a resurgence in the visits to lower Manhattan, seem to be major factors in the resurgence. Zak Pelaccio, the owner of popular Fatty Crab and Fatty 'Cue food stops, is expanding into the area with three locations. Says Pelaccio, "The parks are so nice, and you have the water." Harvanit Gahunia and her husband, Rohit Kumar discovered the area on their bikes. "We came down in the evenings," said Gahunia, "There would be families on the lawns and people biking and walking. I didn't even realize that there was a part of New York like this."
Are you seeing signs of growth in your part of Battery Park City?
Tour Buses to Pay Meters in Lower Manhattan
May 3, 2011 News, Politicsbattery park city, meters, tour busSeth Werkheiser
Do we need more tour bus congestion in Battery Park City? (Courtesy: quiteallright.blogspot.com)
NY1 reports that tour buses will now be expected to pay parking meters in Lower Manhattan, since the September 11th memorial is expected to attract around five million visitors annually. The influx of visitors will be brought downtown by charter buses, which lead to air pollution, noise pollution from idling vehicles and loads of traffic congestion! While tourists and visitors are encouraged to take mass transit to the region, there will still be lots and lots of buses converging on the area.
"The real issue with the tour buses is one of pollution, it's one of traffic congestion, it's one affecting the residents and the small businesses down here," said Julie Menin, chairwoman of Community Board 1.
Buses will be allowed to drop passengers off and pick them up at Trinity Place and Church Street bus stops during off-peak hours. The buses can wait at already existing bus layover zones or at newly created ones. Drivers will be expected to feed muni meters, which might cause bus fare to rise, as well. The price buses will have to pay has yet to be determined.
To minimize traffic overflow, 1,500 visitors will be allowed into the memorial per hour.
Do you think this parking meter plan will work?
Regal Cinema Battery Park Noted For 9 Sanitary Violations
March 9, 2011 Foodbattery park city, e coli, movie theater, nyc department of health, regal cinemas, sanitary violationsSeth Werkheiser
The theaters in Battery Park City weren't empty of germs. (Photo: Flickr @smaku)
Ick! Fox 5 NY conducted an investigation of Manhattan movie theaters, taking spot samples from arm rests and concession stands and testing them. You might want to think twice about taking in a flick at the Regal Cinema near Battery Park, since the location had a total of nine sanitary violation points.
One of their key violations? Not keeping food at the required temperature. Maybe you should skip that bucket of popcorn next time you go to this theater. Additionally, a sample taken from the theater's condiment counter revealed a "gross contamination."
"This is a pure culture of E. coli ,"the Fox 5 NY inspector said, pointing to a Petri dish from the counter top. "There could be any kind of virus there." The countertop was inspected solely for bacteria, so other contaminants could very well be lurking.
Jewel Gallagher, a Regal spokesperson, e-mailed the following statement to Fox 5 NY: "The cleanliness of our theatres is a high priority for Regal as we seek to provide a safe and enjoyable environment. On our most recent health department report, Regal Battery Park received an 'A' grade from the NYC Department of Health's rigorous inspections and evaluations. We appreciate any information that Fox 5 can provide us regarding your evaluation, so that we can address any concerns. Rest assured that we take any comments from guests or health officials seriously."
Does this news make you think twice about seeing a movie at the Regal Cinema?
Still No Off-Leash Dogs in Battery Park
November 5, 2010 News, What's Happeningbattery park, battery park city, battery park city dog owners, dogs, downtown dog owners association, jeff galloway, leash laws, parks department, pets, unleashing lawsSeth Werkheiser
Dog Owners Request for Off-Leash Trial Period Denied (Credit: BPC Dogs)
The cold weather is rolling in, but don't expect your dog to work up a sweat running free in Battery Park. Off-leash dogs can still net you a hefty fine.
Last friday Manhattan Parks Commissioner Bill Castro denied a request for an off-leash trial in Battery Park. According to reports from DNAinfo, Castro said "more discussions were needed," which will no doubt  take place in December when the parties are scheduled to meet again. The Tribeca Trib has also reported that the installation of a dog run was offered as a compromise to the off-leash dilemma.
In was July when we reported that parks officals began handing out tickets for off-leash dogs, enforcing a law that had otherwise been forgotten (or ignored). Local dog owners were expectedly upset at this sudden enforcement; the fine for an off-leash dog can be $100. Since this summer, dog owners have banded together, collecting over 800 signatures in support of an off-leash area for pets to run free.
Do you think a dog run is an acceptable compromise?
World Financial Center Was Second Target for Times Square Bomber
September 29, 2010 Newsbattery park city, bombing, feisal shahzad, times square bomber, world trade centerRachel
Feisal Shahzad admits in federal court he considered bombing Ground Zero.
Feisal Shahzad the dubbed "Times Square Bomber" apparently had his targets set on both the World Financial Center and Ground Zero according to federal court documents released today.
However, after analyzing foot traffic patterns, Shahzad decided that an attack on Times Square would cause more damage. Although not his initial target, admitted several other NYC locations would be secondary targets including our neighborhood.
According to the federal court documents, "during the late afternoon of May 1, 2010, Shahzad drove his car, which was packed with the bomb he had built, from his residence in Connecticut to Times Square and parked the car on 45th Street near Seventh Avenue. He then attempted to initiate the bomb detonation process inside the car by lighting a fuse, and after doing so, he got out of the car, armed with the semi-automatic rifle that he had brought with him, and walked to Grand Central terminal. While walking to Grand Central terminal, he listened for the sound of the bomb exploding. Two days later, he was arrested at John F. Kennedy
International Airport while trying to the leave the United States on a commercial flight."
Shahzad will receive a mandatory life  sentence next week for his bomb attempt in Times Square on May 1. He has since plead guilty for the bomb attempt.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Яна Фетт (; нар. 2 листопада 1996 року, Загреб) — хорватська тенісистка. Станом на березень 2018 року переможниця п'яти турнірів ITF у одиночному і чотирьох у парному розрядах.

Кар'єра
У рейтингу юніорського туру Міжнародної федерації тенісу (ITF) Яна Фетт посідала 12 місце, якого вона досягла 24 лютого 2014 року. В юніорському турнірі Великого шолома в одиночному розряді (Відкритий чемпіонат Австралії з тенісу 2014 року) Яна Фетт посіла друге місце, поступившись російській тенісистці Єлизаветі Куличковій.

У 2015 році Фетт перемогла в одиночному розряді міжнародного професійного турніру Dunlop World Challenge в Тоете, обігравши у фіналі таїландську тенісистку Луксику Кумкхум. На березень 2018 року це найвищий титул, завойований Яною.

У 2017 році Яна Фетт вперше брала участь у турі Жіночої тенісної асоціації (WTA) — на Міжнародному тенісному турнірі в Хобарті (Австралія), де в півфіналі програла бельгійці Елісе Мертенс. У тому ж році Фетт брала участь у своєму другому турнірі WTA — відкритому чемпіонаті Японії, де здобула свою першу перемогу над гравцем з ТОП-20 — Крістіною Младенович. У півфіналі Яна програла японській тенісистці Мії Като. У 2017 році Фетт досягла своїх кращих результатів у світовому рейтингу: 97 позиція в одиночному розряді (12 жовтня) і 357 в парному (30 жовтня).

У 2018 році Фетт брала участь у Відкритому чемпіонаті Австралії, де у другому раунді поступилася майбутній чемпіонці Каролін Возняцкі, хоча та й програвала по ходу третього сету з рахунком 1-5 (загальний рахунок Фетт і Возняцкі у другому раунді: 6-3, 2-6, 5-7).

Примітки

Посилання

Народились 2 листопада
Народились 1996
Уродженці Загреба
Хорватські тенісистки

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Longtime Hillary Clinton confidante and former chief of staff Melanne Verveer said in an interview this week that the former secretary of state is in great shape after experiencing health issues but has yet to make a decision about any future political plans.
"Well she's certainly had a chance to breathe a little bit, to mend after what she'd been through at the end of her term," Verveer told Yahoo News, referring to an illness that led to a concussion and treatment of a blood clot near Clinton's brain. The former first lady took three weeks off work during that time and then returned to office to testify on the Sept. 11, 2012, terrorist attack in Benghazi, Libya, before retiring in early February.
"She seemed to be in great shape," Verveer said of Clinton's appearance.
But true rest and retirement don't seem to be on Clinton's agenda, she added.
"She is very active in beginning the work on her memoirs. She's taken on a whole lot of speech assignments that she's doing," Verveer said. "I have never known her to be someone who isn't fully engaged, taking seriously her work and really working as hard as she can work."
And as far as actual down time?
"I don't think that she takes the kind of down time that some people do," Verveer joked.
Questions about Clinton's potential 2016 plans colored coverage and analysis of her appearance on Tuesday night, even though Clinton has stated she has no plans to once again seek the presidency. But Verveer made clear that Clinton has yet to make a decision about a second presidential bid.
"We don't know if she's going to run. And I think, you know, 2016 is still a few years away, and she's been out of office two months and has a lot that she's already working on," Verveer said. "I think she should do what she wants to do, and we will all support whatever she thinks is best for her at this point."


A few of St. Augustine's sermons on Lent have come down to us. This is a translation published in 1959 – you want sermons 205-211, that start on p. 83. I am not sure of the dating or specific context – they seem to have been preached in different years, since the themes carry over from sermon to sermon – such as the repeated reminder that if you abstain from some food or drink, it then makes no sense to replace what you have sacrifice with something that either is more costly or affords you as much or greater pleasure.
I appreciated this, from Sermon 207. Forgive the formatting – go the original for a better view, in the format of your choice!
By the help of the merciful Lord our God, the temptations of the world, the snares of the Devil, the suffering of the world, the enticement of the flesh, the surging waves of troubled times, and all corporal and spiritual adversities are to be overcome by almsgiving, fasting, and prayer.
These practices ought to glow throughout the entire life of a Christian, but especially as the Paschal solemnity approaches which stirs up our minds by its yearly return, renewing in them the salutary memory that our Lord, the only-begotten Son of God, showed mercy to us and fasted and prayed for us. As a matter of fact, eleemosyna in Greek signifies mercy in Latin. Moreover, what mercy could be greater, so far as we poor wretches are concerned, than that which drew the Creator of the heavens down from heaven, clothed the Maker of the earth with earthly vesture, made Him, who in eternity remains equal to His Father, equal to us in mortality, and imposed on the Lord of the universe the form of a servant, so that He, our Bread, might hunger; that He, our Fulfillment, might thirst; that He, our Strength, might be weakened; that He, our Health, might be injured; that He, our Life, might die? And all this [He did] to satisfy our hunger, to moisten our dryness, to soothe our infirmity, to wipe out our iniquity, to enkindle our charity. What greater mercy could there be than that the Creator be created, the Ruler be served, the Redeemer be sold, the Exalted be humbled and the Reviver be killed?
In regard to almsgiving, we are commanded to give bread to the hungry, but He first gave Himself over to cruel enemies for us so that He might give Himself as food to us when we were hungry. We are commanded to receive the stranger; for our sake He 'came unto his own and his own received him not.' In a word, let our soul bless Him who becomes a propitiation for all its iniquities, who heals all its diseases, who redeems its life from corruption, who crowns it in mercy and pity, who satisfies its desires in blessings. Let us give alms the more generously and the more frequently in proportion as the day draws nearer on which the supreme almsgiving accomplished for us is celebrated. Fasting without mercy is worthless to him who fasts.
ried persons. The flesh, which has been accustomed to restraint in regard to its own satisfaction, will readily submit to you when there is question of clinging to another's goods.
as opportune for this season, delights which they would be ashamed to indulge in at other times. In this way, the observance of Lent becomes, not the curbing of old passions, but an opportunity for new pleasures. Take measures in advance, my brethren, with as much diligence as possible, to prevent these attitudes from creeping upon you. Let frugality be joined to fasting. As surfeiting the stomach is to be censured, so stimulants of the appetite must be eliminated. It is not that certain kinds of food are to be detested, but that bodily pleasure is to be checked. Esau was censured, not for having desired a fat calf or plump birds, but for having coveted a dish of pottage. 5 And holy King David repented of having excessively desired water. 6 Hence, not by delicacies obtained with much labor and at great expense, but by the cheaper food found within reach, is the body to be refreshed, or, rather, sustained in its fasting.
So, no, the parish Lenten All-You-Can-Eat Fish Fry would probably not fly with St. Augustine. Or any other the saints, I'm guessing.
For you see, traditionally, Catholic spirituality emphasizes frugality, simplicity and an appropriate level of asceticism, for all, not just religious. This was undoubtedly a more organically experienced reality in times in which most people lived in survival mode most of the time anyway. Our more generally prosperous times have undercut this sensibility, narrowed it and domesticated it, so that any call to bodily mortification and sacrifice is presented as a possibly helpful lifestyle choice rather than what all Christians should be striving for, since all Christians (as Augustine notes) live in imitation of Christ and his sacrifice and humility.
It is also a fundamental orientation that lived alongside the Catholic embrace of the Incarnation and God's goodness as experienced through creation: that is the Feast, alongside the Fast. They coexist, sometimes uneasily and in tension, questioning and challenging each other in spiritual writings, traditions, liturgy, church law and the lives of ordinary Christians. They do so vividly this week, as Carnivale tumbles into Ash Wednesday.
Together we feast, together we fast, on our way, letting Jesus teach us what it is we are really hungry for.


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The first four parashot of Sefer Shemot include the descriptions of three acts of deception perpetrated by Israel against the Egyptians, all three commanded by God. The first is to be found in Moshe's words to Pharaoh (5:3), "Let us go, then, on a journey of three days in the wilderness and offer sacrifices to the Lord our God" – as he was commanded to do at the burning bush (3:18).
(11:1) "And God said to Moshe: 'One more plague shall I bring upon Pharaoh and upon Egypt, and after that he shall send you out from here; when he sends you he shall banish you altogether from here.
(3) And God made the nation favorable in the eyes of the Egyptians, and the man Moshe, too, was very great in the land of Egypt in the eyes of Pharaoh's servants and in the eyes of the nation."
(12:35) "And the children of Israel did as Moshe had said, and they asked the Egyptians for vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and garments.
(36) And God made the nation favorable in the eyes of the Egyptians, and they lent to them, and they despoiled Egypt."
(3:20) "And I shall send forth My hand and smite Egypt ... and thereafter they shall send you out.
(21) And I shall make this nation favorable in the eyes of Egypt, and it shall be that when you go – you shall not go empty-handed.
(22) And the women will ask of their neighbors, and of those with whom they live, vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and garments, and you shall place them upon your sons and your daughters, and you shall despoil Egypt."
iv. the description of the act as a "despoiling of Egypt."
(3) that Pharaoh may say, concerning the children of Israel: "They are lost in the land; the wilderness has closed upon them."
" – and they did so."
I discussed the first and third deceptions in my shiurim on parashot Bo and Beshalach, respectively, in 5761 (see http://www.vbm-torah.org/parsha.60/15bo.htm and http://www.vbm-torah.org/parsha.60/16besha.htm ). This shiur therefore will focus on the second deception.
"And He said to Avraham: Know that your descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs, and they will enslave them and oppress them for four hundred years. And I shall judge also the nation that they will serve, AND THEREAFTER THEY WILL GO OUT WITH GREAT WEALTH."
(36) "And He smote every firstborn in their land, the beginning of all their strength.
(37) AND HE BROUGHT THEM OUT WITH SILVER AND GOLD, and there was none that faltered among His tribes.
(38) Egypt rejoiced at their departure, for their fear had fallen upon them."
Neither of these sources makes any mention of the source of the great wealth – the silver and gold with which Israel departed from Egypt (although we may assume that it had belonged to the Egyptians) - nor do they mention how this great wealth was acquired (by asking or borrowing). Thus these two sources lack the key words and expressions that characterized the relevant verses in Sefer Shemot. What, then, may we learn from these two sources?
Firstly, we may learn that the departure with great wealth is not an insignificant detail of the great event of the exodus. The fact that it appears in the brief notice transmitted to Avraham hundreds of years before the event, and its inclusion in the description of the psalmist hundreds of years thereafter, indicates its importance.
Secondly, it would appear that in both places this detail merges into the general trend of the description of the exodus. We have the impression not of a frenzied flight of slaves escaping from their masters, but rather a respectable and just exodus of a nation that is lawfully leaving its slavery behind, while punishment is meted out to the slave-masters. The exodus of the children of Israel from Egypt necessitated great wealth, for if one leaves naked and penniless then his freedom is not complete.
(14:8) "And the children of Israel went out with a high hand."
In his article, "The Despoiling of Egypt in Rabbinic Sources" (Sinai, vol. 67, Av-Elul 5730), Prof. Yaakov (Gerald) Blidstein of Ben-Gurion University summarizes the approach of Chazal as expressed in midrashim dealing directly with the events of Sefer Shemot. He also reviews the Hellenistic Jewish exegesis that preceded the works of Chazal, as well as the medieval commentaries that came after them. I shall quote some of his sources and conclusions.
and they lent to them' – this is meant literally. An Israelite did not even finish asking, 'Lend me,' and the Egyptian would already take it out and give it to him – this is the opinion of RABBI YISHMAEL.
RABBI NATAN said: It appears superfluous to say, 'And they lent to them;' therefore we learn from this that even vessels that the Israelites did not ask for, they were nevertheless given. An Israelite would say: 'Give mesuch-and-such object,' and the Egyptian would say, 'Take it – and this other one like it.'"
"What are the textual problems that concern these Sages? They are particularly interested in the question of why and how the Egyptians lent their possessions or, in an exegetical sense, they seek to explain the meaning of, 'And God made the nation favorable in the eyes of the Egyptians.' We witness here no desire (or need) to question the event as a whole, or to discuss its moral significance. The main point is to demonstrate the miraculous nature of the event – the wondrous good will of the Egyptians, the miraculous knowledge of the Israelites. Perhaps we may perceive a slight difference in opinion between those who emphasize the good will of the Egyptians, and those who emphasize the activation of the Divine Spirit amongst Israel."
"'And Moshe took the bones of Yosef with him' – this shows Moshe's wisdom and piety, for all of Israel were busy with the spoils, while Moshe busied himself with the mitzva of bringing Yosef's bones. Concerning him it is written (Mishlei 10:8), 'The wise of heart will accept mitzvot, but one with a foolish mouth will be punished.'"
.' Did Moshe and Aharon – who were engaged in the mitzva – perhaps not take of the Egyptian spoils? The proof against this is the verse (3:21), 'And it shall be, when you come out, that you will not go empty-handed.' Is it possible that Moshe and Aharon transgressed both positive commandments and negative commandments? Proof against this is the verse (11:3), 'Also the man Moshe [was very great in the land of Egypt].'"
"We see that Chazal present several approaches with regard to the despoiling of Egypt. There are some who interpret the act in a positive light, while others relate to it in a negative fashion, but we find no evidence of any great need to prove Israel's right to the possessions of their oppressors. The crux of the argument concerns the moral and spiritual significance of engaging in material pursuits at all during the time of the exodus from Egypt."
"'Had He killed their firstborn but not given us their money – it would have sufficed. Had He given us their money but not split the sea for us – it would have sufficed.' We detect here, in the ancient litany of the Haggada, an echo of that declaration of thanksgiving in Tehillim (105:36-37), 'And He smote every firstborn in their land, the beginning of all their strength. And He brought them out with silver and gold, and there was none among His tribes who faltered.' Apologetics and reservations are foreign to this way of thinking. God gave strength to His nation, and an Israelite can only be proud of his victory and give thanks to God. It is perhaps based on this perspective that the expression prevalent in rabbinic literature, 'the despoiling of Egypt,' was born. 'Spoils' refers only to the possessions of the enemy, and a nation that has fought for its freedom has no reason to apologize for its victory. But the expression 'the despoiling of Egypt' also anchors the rights of the Israelites to the money: the money was simply the spoils justly appropriated during wartime, and the Jewish-Egyptian relationship should not be described other than as enemies."
This study of Chazal's attitude toward the story of the "borrowing of the vessels" teaches us something about their attitude in general towards the Torah – an attitude devoid of apologetics.
Medieval exegesis on the borrowing of the vessels adopts a stridently apologetic approach, denying the very deception inherent in the act and thereby avoiding the need to justify it either morally or legally. The beginning of this approach may be traced to Babylon during the period of the Geonim – in the commentary of Rav Sa'adia Gaon. It was maintained in Spain and North Africa at the end of the same period – in the commentaries of R. Yona ibn Janach and Rabbeinu Chananel. There is also evidence of it in the literal commentaries of northern France – in the commentary of Rashbam and his disciples. In all of these commentaries, we hear that claim that there was never any issue of borrowing with the intention that the vessels would be returned, but rather a complete gift that the Egyptians gave to the Israelites who requested it from them. In this sense, this approach unknowingly accords with the view of Josephus in his Jewish Antiquities, but these commentaries – unlike Josephus – take the trouble to show how their approach fits in with the language of the text.
Let us examine, for example, the commentary of the grammarian Rabbi Yona ibn Janach (Spain, 11th century). In his "Sefer Ha-shorashim" (Book of Verb Roots), he explains the root "sh-a-l," which usually means "to ask and borrow," as also having the meaning of "to give (a gift)."
If someone were to raise the objection that this term refers generally not to a gift but rather to a loan, we might answer that when Channa declares, 'I have given him (hish'iltihu) to God,' she cannot have meant this in the sense of a loan, but rather she meant it as a gift, for the Creator never asked for [a loan], and a loan does not involve an obligation of giving anything in return [i.e., someone who lends something to someone else does not do so in return for money, while here Eli declares, 'May God give you seed from this woman IN PLACE of the gift that he has given to God']; hence this [i.e., God granting seed] is in return for the gift [that Shemuel is dedicated permanently to God's service].
Another meaning is (Shemot 22:13), 'If a man borrows from his neighbor' – this refers to an object that is borrowed, and the term appears often in this context in the Mishna."
E. WERE THE VESSELS HANDED OVER AS A GIFT?
The innovation of the above commentary, and others like it, is that the root "sh-a-l," which appears in conjunction with the vessels of the Egyptians in Sefer Shemot, MAY also be interpreted in the sense of receiving a gift, and further on we shall address this innovative idea. Nechama Leibowitz, z"l, who adopts this approach (bringing support also from Benno Jacob), justifiably feels that the POSSIBIof such an interpretation is not sufficient; it must be proved to be the linguistically NECESSARY interpretation.
Why would someone raise this objection, when these commentators cite a string of verses to prove that the root in question may also relate to a gift?
The root "sh-a-l," which is the subject of our discussion, means "asking" for something from someone else. Hence, wherever this root appears with this meaning, the verse or the context should direct us to the essence of the request. When the incident involves a request for an object from someone else – as in our case – the question arises whether the request is to receive the object as a gift, or whether it is simply to borrow.
Rabbeinu Chananel and Rashbam maintain that we may complete the phrase, "And each woman shall ask of her neighbor," with the words, "that she give her as a gift." They bring as proof several verses in which the intention of the request is indeed that its object be given as a gift: "ASK of Me and I SHALL GIVE nations as your inheritance" (Tehillim 2:8); "I SHALL ASK OF YOU a request; YOU SHALL GIVE me" (Shoftim 8:24). But it is important to note that while in the verses quoted it is explicit that the request is for a gift, the case is less clear in Sefer Shemot. It seems forced to say that in each of the three instances in Sefer Shemot we need to add words to the sentence, making the borrowing of the silver and gold vessels into the acceptance of a gift.
Here there is no possibility of explaining the meaning of the verse as "If a person should ask of his neighbor," for the continuation of the verse says nothing about the actual asking of the request. Clearly, then, the meaning is, "If a person should RECEIVE something, with a view to returning it." Similarly, when one of the "children of the prophets" shouts in alarm at Elisha, when his axe falls into the water (Melakhim II 6:5), "Alas, my master, for IT WAS BORROWED (sha'ul)," the intention is not "I asked for it (as a gift)," but rather "IT WAS LOANED to me." We learn, therefore, that the verb "sh-a-l" itself has a certain meaning of RECEIVING something for use, with a view to returning it.
If this is indeed the meaning of the verb in our case, then there is no problem with the fact that it is not stated explicitly that the giving was done with a view to having the object returned. But if the meaning in our case is "to request" (i.e., as a gift), then we face a difficulty in that that the essence of the request (that the object be given as a gift) is not mentioned anywhere in any of these verses. This is especially problematic in Shemot 12:36, where the root appears in the causative case: "And they lent to them" (va-yash'ilum).
" means "each woman shall ask," and likewise they do not quote verses of the variety quoted by Rabbeinu Chananel and Rashbam. Their claim is that just as the verb "sh-a-l" itself has a certain meaning of "RECEIVING something with a view to returning it" (as in the laws of a borrower, in parashat Mishpatim), so it also has an additional meaning of "RECEIVING something as a gift." The only sources upon which they could base this claim are the verses in Sefer Shemuel, which speak of Shemuel being "given as a gift" to God.
But it seems that even in the story of Shemuel's birth, we may interpret the verb as giving not in the form of a complete gift, and without complete relinquishing of ownership. The root "sh-a-l" serves as a leading word in that story, and works in two directions: Shemuel is the "request (ha-she'ela) that I requested (sha'alti) of Him" – i.e., of God, and therefore "ALSO I have given him (hish'iltihu) to God" (Shemuel I 1:27-28). Channa's meaning is that she recognizes that this son belongs, in his essence, to God, and He has given the child to her as a loan – a deposit, for a limited time – until the time will come for the loan to be returned (after he is weaned). On the other hand, the son – once given to his mother – is hers in the human sense: he is part of her, and the fact that he is given to God's service for his whole life in no way detracts from her status of motherhood. Indeed, Channa does not relinquish her mothering role and does not sever contact with her young son; on the contrary, she makes him a coat every year and brings it to him at the time of the pilgrimage to Shilo. From this human perspective, Channa is "lending" her son to God for an unlimited time, but the child remains her maternal "property." Thus Shemuel is simultaneously both "lent by God" (such that he is deposited temporarily with is mother) and is also her son, part of her, whom she "lends" to God as an unlimited deposit.
If we interpret the root "sh-a-l" in this way in the context of the story of Shemuel, the central pillar upon which Rav Sa'adia Gaon and R. Yona ibn Janach built their explanation is undermined, and we must return to the perception of Chazal and the majority of the commentators, according to whom the vessels of Egypt were given as a deposit, a loan meant to be returned.
This interpretation is necessary not only because of the linguistic aspect discussed thus far, but also because of the context. In all three sources it is emphasized that the objects received from the Egyptians were "vessels of silver and vessels of gold, and garments." Why are specifically these objects given?
"'Vessels of silver and vessels of gold' – jewelry in honor of the festival that they will celebrate in the desert."
This explanation is eminently plausible: it connects the giving of the objects to the fulfillment of the demand that is the subject of all the negotiations between Moshe and Pharaoh, from Moshe's first appearance before the king until after the slaying of the firstborn: (3:18) "Let us go, now, a journey of three days in the wilderness, that we may offer sacrifices to the Lord our God;" (10:9) "For it is a festival of God for us." The members of this oppressed nation in Egypt are poor; they lack the means to hold a celebration for God in the appropriate style, and so they ask their Egyptian neighbors for jewelry and fine garments for the purposes of their festival in the wilderness.
If this is the purpose of their asking for the "vessels of silver and vessels of gold and garments," then there is no reason that they need be requested as gifts. After all, the negotiations concern a "journey of three days in the wilderness," and it seems obvious that upon their return Bnei Yisrael will be able to return these objects, since they will have no further use for them. The whole situation teaches us, therefore, that the asking was only for the purpose of temporary use, until they would be returned.
In truth, this interpretation of the Rashbam contradicts what he himself writes just before these words, that "each woman shall ask of her neighbor" means "as a complete gift." The latter may indeed have been meant to serve as "an answer to the heretics," as he writes there, but it is difficult to say that this is "the main, literal meaning of the text."
The discussion that we have presented thus far on the apologetic interpretations the "borrowing of the vessels" may create the impression that all the commentaries followed this line. This impression is quite untrue. Let us conclude with two commentators who, although quite familiar with the tradition of apologetic exegesis that preceded them, refused to go along with it.
"There are some who decry and say that our forefathers were thieves. But they do not see that it was in fulfillment of a Divine command. There is no point in asking why, for God creates everything, and He gives riches to whomever He chooses and may take from one and give to another. There is nothing bad about this, for everything belongs to Him."
It appears to me that it happened thus [i.e., the deception concerning their return after three days] for two reasons: firstly, so that the Egyptians would give them vessels of silver and gold, for had they known that the Israelites would not return, they would not have given; and secondly, in order that Pharaoh and his armies would eventually drown, for had the Israelites left with his permission, with no thought in his heart that they would return, then he would not have pursued them."
Ibn Ezra therefore regards the exodus of Israel with silver and gold as such an important goal that the ongoing deception of Pharaoh concerning the three-day journey to the wilderness was meant, inter alia, for this purpose.
There are those who claim: it is true that Israel justly took what their Egyptian enslavers lent to them, when they abandoned their property and their lands in their hands when they left; but how could God command an act of deception? Would this command not leave a harsh and evil impression in the hearts of the Israelites, from which they may learn deceptive language and to perform deceitful acts?


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City of Toronto takes action to enable 24-hour retail deliveries
Toronto, Canada – WEBWIRE – Monday, March 16, 2020
As part of the City of Toronto's response to COVID-19 in support of businesses and the community, effective immediately and until further notice, all retail businesses are exempt from the City of Toronto Noise Bylaw to facilitate after-hour deliveries.
The City's Noise Bylaw includes the ability to provide an exemption in response to extraordinary circumstances affecting the immediate health, safety or welfare of the community. This exemption will ensure retailers can receive deliveries 24 hours of a day, seven days a week to ensure essential goods remain in stock
City staff – in consultation with Mayor John Tory's office – moved quickly to make this immediate change after it was raised by the Retail Council of Canada as a way to allow additional deliveries for retailers.
There is no need for residents to panic-buy and stockpile. While being prepared for emergencies is always advised, any bulk purchasing beyond a two-week supply jeopardizes the ability of vulnerable people to access essential food and health supplies.
For updates on the COVID-19 risk in Toronto and information on how to protect yourself from infection, visit toronto.ca/home/covid-19.
"We are taking this action to help Toronto businesses get deliveries and continue to stock their shelves with essential goods for our residents. By exempting retail businesses from the City's noise bylaw right now, we will ensure that retailers can receive deliveries 24 hours of a day, seven days a week. This action is part of the City's ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic and my focus on protecting the people of Toronto, including our most vulnerable residents, and helping businesses."
- Mayor John Tory
"To assist in getting goods to market in a more expeditious manner, we applaud the City of Toronto for temporarily lifting time-of-day restrictions on roadways and deliveries for our retailers. As all levels of government work to protect the health of every citizen,
we pledge to continue to play a strong supporting role in ensuring access to goods, when and where they are needed."
- Diane J. Brisebois, President & CEO of the Retail Council of Canada
Toronto is home to more than 2.9 million people whose diversity and experiences make this great city Canada's leading economic engine and one of the world's most diverse and livable cities. As the fourth largest city in North America, Toronto is a global leader in technology, finance, film, music, culture, and innovation, and consistently places at the top of international rankings due to investments championed by its government, residents and businesses. For more information visit toronto.ca or follow us on Twitter at twitter.com/CityofToronto, on Instagram at instagram.com/cityofto or on Facebook at facebook.com/cityofto.
( Press Release Image: https://photos.webwire.com/prmedia/5/256627/256627-1.png )
Health Care / Hospitals
Infectious Disease Control
Lifestyle / Society


text:
A Cancer Screening's Only a Phone Call Away
UNM Researcher finds that personalized phone calls may help save lives
3-Feb-2014 12:00 PM EST
University of New Mexico Comprehensive Cancer Center
more news from this sourcecontact patient services
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Cancer, All Journal News
UNM Cancer Center, Telephone-based approach, Cancer Screening, Telehealth
Newswise — Although the field of science keeps advancing, it may be the simple telephone that helps save more lives. Anita Kinney, Professor of Medicine and Associate Director for Population Sciences at the University of New Mexico Cancer Center, and her fellow researchers have found that personalized messages over the phone can better help promote preventive measures against cancer.
Dr. Kinney and her team studied how people reacted when given phone calls based on their personal risk, family history and best practices in health communication. The findings showed that those who received this type of intervention greatly improved their odds of getting a cancer screening, such as a colonoscopy. These screenings are a powerful tool in the fight against cancer, as they help catch cancer at its earliest and most treatable stages.
While cancer screenings are an effective weapon against cancer, they are only useful if people actually get them. This is the issue for those in rural areas because their location makes it harder to access proper healthcare. Dr. Kinney and her team are trying to change that. With her team's new approach, patients can stay at home, yet still talk to experts who are hundreds, or even thousands of miles away.
This enhanced method of prevention will help states with populations spread over a large area, such as New Mexico. It will provide people with better access to healthcare, which will hopefully improve our odds of beating this terrible disease.
Paper reference"Telehealth Personalized Cancer Risk Communication to Motivate Colonoscopy in Relatives of Patients With Colorectal Cancer: The Family CARE Randomized Controlled Trial" was published in the January 21 edition of the Journal of Clinical Oncology (www.jco.ascopubs.org/). Authors include Anita Kinney (UNM Cancer Center), Watcharaporn Boonyasiriwat (Chulalongkom University, Bangkok), Scott T. Walters (School of Public Health, University of North Texas Health Science Center at Fort Worth).
About the UNM Cancer CenterThe UNM Cancer Center is the Official Cancer Center of New Mexico and the only National Cancer Institute-designated Cancer Center in the state. One of just 68 premier NCI-Designated Cancer Centers nationwide, the UNM Cancer Center is recognized for its scientific excellence, contributions to cancer research, the delivery of high quality, state of the art cancer diagnosis and treatment to all New Mexicans, and its community outreach programs statewide. Annual federal and private funding of over $71 million supports the UNM Cancer Center's research programs. The UNM Cancer Center treats more than 60 percent of the adults and virtually all of the children in New Mexico affected by cancer, from every county in the state. It is home to New Mexico's largest team of board-certified oncology physicians and research scientists, representing every cancer specialty and hailing from prestigious institutions such as M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Johns Hopkins University, and the Mayo Clinic. Through its partnership with Memorial Medical Center in Las Cruces, the UNM Cancer Center brings world-class cancer care to the southern part of the state; its collaborative clinical programs in Santa Fe and Farmington serve northern New Mexico and it is developing new collaborative programs in Alamogordo and in Roswell/Carlsbad. The UNM Cancer Center also supports several community outreach programs to make cancer screening, diagnosis and treatment available to every New Mexican. Learn more at www.cancer.unm.edu.


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Kurodahan Press
East Asian literature in translation
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Speculative Japan
By admin on 2007.07.29 19:04 | Permalink
Outstanding Tales of Japanese Science Fiction and Fantasy
Selected and edited by
and Grania Davis
"…the stories you'll find collected here will broaden your view of what is possible or imaginable, provoking unusual - and sometimes uncomfortable - thoughts. That is as it should be."
- David BRIN, Preface
The first book in an ongoing series, Speculative Japan presents a selection of outstanding works of Japanese science fiction and fantasy in English translation… and a glimpse into new worlds of the imagination. It was first released at Nippon 2007, the 65th World Science Fiction Convention in Yokohama, Japan, and then made available worldwide.
Japanese fiction has assumed a position of significance in many genres of world literature as it continues to chart its own creative course. Whereas science fiction in the English-speaking world developed gradually over a period of evolutionary change in style and content, SF in Japan took off from a very different starting line. Starting in the 1950s and 1960s, Japanese SF writers worked to combine their own thousand-year-old literary tradition with a flood of Western SF and other fiction. Contemporary Japanese SF thus began in a jumble of ideas and periods, and ultimately propelled Japanese authors into a quantum leap of development, rather than a steady process of evolution.
The result has been phenomenal. As new authors developed in this exotic environment, they invented new ways to view SF, and used the genre to form new images of themselves and their culture. The time is long overdue to present the work of Japanese science fiction and fantasy writers to the world in English. We hope this shared world of speculative fiction produces a creative feedback relationship, which can only encourage new and more stimulating visions of tomorrow.
Grania DAVIS
"Judy-san - Judith Merril, 1923-1997"
"Introduction: Phase Shifting"
KOMATSU Sakyō
"The Savage Mouth"
translated by Judith MERRIL
HIRAI Kazumasa
"A Time for Revolution"
translated by David AYLWARD
KŌNO Tensei
translated by Dana LEWIS
MAYUMURA Taku
"I'll Get Rid of Your Discontent"
translated by HATTORI M. & Grania DAVIS
ISHIKAWA Takashi
"The Road to the Sea"
translated by Judith MERRIL & YANO Tetsu
YAMANO Kōichi
"Where Do the Birds Fly Now"
TOYOTA Aritsune
"Another 'Prince of Wales'"
FUKUSHIMA Masami
"The Flower's Life Is Short"
ŌHARA Mariko
translated by Alfred BIRNBAUM
TSUTSUI Yasutaka
"Standing Woman"
HANMURA Ryō
YANO Tetsu
"The Legend of the Paper Spaceship"
translated by Gene VAN TROYER
KAJIO Shinji
"Reiko's Universe Box"
translated by TOYODA T.
KAWAKAMI Hiromi
"Mogera Wogura"
translated by Michael EMMERICH
YOSHIMASU Gōzō
translated by the author & Marilyn CHIN
SHIBANO Takumi
"Collective Reason: A Proposal"
(non-fiction) translated by Xavier BENSKY
ASAKURA Hisashi
Afterword: "From Vertical to Horizontal"
Editor's afterword: "Translator as Hero"
viii + 296 pages
Trade paperback 5" x 8" (127mm x 203mm)
Cover: Katō Naoyuki
...the stories contained in Speculative Japan have less to do with either cyborgs or space than they do with hypothetical concepts. [...] A reader familiar with the type of tightly plotted sci-fi stories published in Fantasy & Science Fiction Magazine is in for a surprise with Speculative Japan, which - as its title suggests - is more about "speculative fiction" than "science fiction." [...] The actual stories in the collection are interesting and well worth reading, and a few of them are truly excellent.
—Kathryn Hemmann, Contemporary Japanese Literature
Niall Harrison in Strange Horizons, 18 August 2008
Rated 9.5 out of 10 by the Polish Nowa Fantastyka magazine. The review's in Polish, though... and located <here>. 23 March 2009
Buy this book:
Amazon (free shipping in the U.S.)
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Errata Sheet
A number of factual errors in Speculative Japan have been brought to our attention by readers. We have issued an errata sheet to correct these mistakes. You can download it here. Books purchased from Amazon from December 2007 have already been revised to incorporate these corrections.
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About the editors:
Gene van Troyer was born and raised in Portland, Oregon. He has been writing poetry and science fiction since he was about 13 years old and began selling it professionally when he was around 20. He joined Science Fiction Writers of America as an active member in 1971, and has been a member continuously since. In 1973 Fred Pohl helped him connect with Shibano Takumi, and when he came to Japan in 1974 as an exchange student at Waseda University's International Division, Shibano introduced him to the Nihon SF Honyaku Benkyō-Kai, after which he became a translation consultant to such translators and writers as Yano Tetsu, Shibano, Asakura Hisashi, Itō Norio, Imaoka Kiyoshi (Hayakawa SF Magazine editor at that time), Sako Mariko, Ōtani Jun, Fukami Dan, and many others. From 1975 through 1980 he had a regular critical review column of American science fiction in SF Magazine's "SF Scanner" section, and continued to write reviews for SF Magazine through 1994. His own fiction and poetry has appeared in Eternity, Vertex, Last Wave, Amazing Stories SF, and Asimov's SF. He is a past editor of Portland Review, a literary journal published by Portland State University, and Star*Line, the Journal of the Science Fiction Poetry Association. Most recently, he edited Collaborations: A Collection of Collaborative Poetry published by Ravenna Press in Seattle, Washington (2007).
Gene van Troyer passed away in 2009.
Grania Davis is a respected author and editor of science fiction and fantasy. In addition to her highly-regarded fiction, she has edited the posthumous work of the late, great Avram Davidson. She was introduced to Japanese science fiction in the early 1970's by Judith Merril, who welcomed her as a co-editor for a projected anthology of JSF, and during 1979-80 she was resident in Zama, Japan, where she worked with members of the Nihon SF Honyaku Benkyō-Kai on a number of translations for the anthology.
Her novels include The Rainbow Annals (1980), The Great Perpendicular Path (1980), and Moonbird (1986); and in collaboration with her former-late-husband Avram Davidson, Marco Polo and the Sleeping Beauty (1988), and The Boss in the Wall: A Treatise on the House Devil (1998).
She co-edited (with Henry Wessells) Avram Davidson's posthumous Vergil Magus novel, The Scarlet Fig: Or Slowly Through a Land of Stone (2005). Her Avram Davidson anthologies include the award winning The Avram Davidson Treasury (with Robert Silverberg, 1998), The Investigations of Avram Davidson (with Richard A. Lupoff, 1999), Everybody Has Somebody in Heaven: Essential Jewish Tales of the Spirit (with Jack Dann, 2000), The Other 19th Century (with Henry Wessells, 2001) and !Limekiller! (with Henry Wessells, 2003). Her short stories have appeared in numerous science fiction magazines, original anthologies, and best of the year collections. She grew up in Milwaukee and Hollywood, California, and has lived and worked at various times in bustling New York; on the slopes of volcanoes in Amecameca, Mexico and more recently in Rotorua, New Zealand; on a sandbar in Belize; in a Tibetan refugee settlement in the Indian Himalayas; near neon-lit Tokyo, where she worked as a military historian; and at the beach on North Shore, Oahu, Hawaii, where she graduated from the University of Hawaii.
She currently lives in San Rafael, Marin County, California, with her family and cats, where she is working on a collection of her own stories, and editing and publishing Avram Davidson's immortal literary estate.
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The contemporary kitchen sink mixer with swivel spout, part of the L20 collection of brassware from Roca. Modern and intuitive lines make it a perfect fit for any bathroom space. Has an EverShine electrolytic coating which guarantees a long-lasting, dazzling finish and also repels stains and scratches, making cleaning easier. Uses SoftTurn technology, for accurate control over water flow and temperature. Designed to turn on frontally with cold water which helps with energy consumption.


text:
The American Women's League Chapter House was built in 1910 by a local contractor, from plans with Prairie School and Bungalow/Craftsman influences designed by St. Louis architects Helfensteller, Hirsch & Watson.  It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1986.

It was deemed significant for its association with the American Women's League and for serving "for over 70 years as a center for women's civic and cultural activities within the community."

References

History of women in Montana
Prairie School architecture in Montana
Bungalow architecture in Montana
Buildings and structures completed in 1910
Women's club buildings
Clubhouses on the National Register of Historic Places in Montana
National Register of Historic Places in Powell County, Montana
American Woman's League
1910 establishments in Montana


Where does Nigeria fit into a discussion of how states are made? It is weak by nearly all measurements, and Foreign Policy magazine even labeled it a "failed state" based on its poverty and governance in 2010. To answer the Nigeria question, we might look to the institutional approach of state theory. It asserts that institutions—the way societies are organized—are the fundamental cause of countries' underdevelopment. This traditional institutional explanation, built mainly on case studies in European countries, offers a helpful but incomplete framework for analyzing current conditions in Nigeria. It is deficient due to Nigeria's unique human geography, colonial history, and resource endowment.
To remedy this weakness in institutional models, Jeffrey Herbst makes two key arguments about African state formation. First, he identifies population density as the causal factor behind institution building and a source of institutional comparative statics, not institutions themselves. His story is that Europe was scarce in land and high in population, whereas Africa had abundant land and fell short in population. This meant that Africans did not have to wage wars of land seizure or land defense that led to state-making and institution building, alá Charles Tilly. Furthermore, colonization in the name of resource plunder replaced the phase when institution building should have taken place. Colonization was followed by the Cold War in which the Western and Soviet powers were vying for allies in African countries, and this Western or Soviet financial support also replaced what would have been a period of institution building.
In Robert Bates' state-centric mixed method analysis, he argues that the collapse of the state causes war and then violent political disorder, and not vice versa. The author focuses on what he identifies as the three keys to state failure in Africa aside from the destructive force of colonialism. The first is ethnic tensions, which are the result of state failure and not of ancient hatreds, and the second is natural resources, which he finds to be a correlate but not a cause of war (as opposed to Collier and Hoeffler, or Fearon and Laitin). The third cause for failure is a lack of strong democracy, and he maintains that competitive parties are required but not sufficient for order. Lastly, he concludes that public revenues matter more than private income, which is essentially an issue of poverty levels (Bates 2008). Bates and Barzel both think that strongly democratic states have greater productivity because individuals enjoy residual claims, thus giving individuals an incentive to be efficient (Barzel 2002). Conversely, without rule of law the government keeps residual resources for itself, giving individuals no incentive to be efficient. Propositions by the two can aptly be applied to a reading of Nigeria.
Nigeria's current economic, political and social conditions are best explained by research on oil politics specifically. For one, the stimied capacity of the state to raise revenues and its growing reliance on powerful interest groups conspire to limit the range of policy choices open to the government, paralyzing the process of institutional development. Thus, most extractive states like Nigeria develop similar institutional frameworks that encourage political leaders to pursue politically painless policy solutions. The end result is an institutionally weak state reliant on oil rents and beholden to rent seekers (Karl 1997).
Some argue that oil revenues interfere with state evolution—the competition for the survival of the fittest country. Most of Europe's states did not survive because most of them were weak and unorganized; those that still exist today were simply better than the others. Conversely, all of Africa's modern states have survived, even bad ones. Foreign influences and oil revenues has allowed weak states that should have died out continue on (Herbst 2000). Soares de Oliveira claims that oil may very well be the single factor allowing weak African nations to survive despite failing to meet Weberian criteria for stateness. He calls these "successful failed states" because they have immense amounts of money and can at times use ample force, yet are barely functional (with functionality defined by their institutionalization, legitimacy, and degree of rentierism). Their failure is a continuation of politics by other means (Soares de Oliveira 2007, 56).
Such a portrayal of African oil-rich countries accords with that of Scott, who conceives of the state as being an inherently extractive entity (Scott 2009). He adds to the discussion by describing how countries will use resources, e.g. oil revenues, to invent development schemes that inevitably fail because they ignore the complexity of practices, processes, and relations present in those environments, the value of everyday local knowledge. They continue to push forward these improvement plans because of their ongoing attempts at being more modern, which means greater "stateness" that justifies their own governance (Scott 1998). Oil actually exaggerates the phenomenon that Scott describes by providing almost limited resources. Nigeria has engaged in these modernizing development projects and virtually of them have been a failure.


The Battlefield establishment does not regularly utilize Roman numerals for its titling tradition, yet that is changing this year with the World War II amusement Battlefield V. In any case, why? The official Battlefield Twitter account has the appropriate response – and it fits with the amusement's WWII topic.
The "V" is associated with the V sign, which remains for "V for Victory." UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill, who drove Britain amid WWII, helped advanced this for the Allied powers.
Elsewhere in the world about shooter diversions and Roman numerals, Activision's Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 is authoritatively titled as "Honorable obligation: Black Ops IIII" and not "Obligation at hand: Black Ops IV." surprisingly, both IIII and IV are perceived as exact, as per the caretaker of the British Museum.
Front line V dispatches for PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and PC by means of Origin on October 19. It will be accessible in both standard and Deluxe releases; the individuals who buy the last will gain admittance to the diversion three days ahead of schedule, on October 16.
Furthermore, EA/Origin Access supporters can begin playing a trial on October 11, which is eminent in light of the fact that that is one day before Call of Duty: Black Ops 4 dispatches on October 12. Before its discharge, EA will likewise hold an open beta for Battlefield V in the not so distant future. Furthermore, EA intends to speak more about the amusement at E3 one month from now.
Close Encounters was slated to be the second new constrained time mode in Fortnite: Battle Royale this week, following on the foot sole areas of Solid Gold v2, which started with the arrival of the 4.2 substance refresh. As opposed to Solid Gold, Close Encounters mode centers around "lacking elbow room battle" and just highlights shotguns and the recently included jetpacks.
Epic hasn't given any further points of interest on the unspecified issue it found in Close Encounters, just taking note of that the mode has been removed from the pivot while it attempts to address the issue. In like manner, the engineer didn't report a time span for when Close Encounters will return in the diversion.
Meanwhile, players can even now participate in the previously mentioned Solid Gold v2, which will in any case be accessible in the pivot temporarily. Like the past emphasis of the mode, each weapon that drops in Solid Gold is of the Legendary assortment, and certain things like the Chug Jug, Launchpad, and Special Grenades produce all the more every now and again.
Over jetpacks, Epic as of late included another arrangement of week after week challenges for Battle Pass proprietors; you can look at our guide on the most proficient method to finish the Week 4 challenges. Moreover, the designer as of late laid out a portion of the new highlights and substance while in transit to Fortnite, including a Playground mode that has respawns and well disposed fire. Fortnite will likewise have a nearness at E3 2018.


If you choose to put the word 'palace' in the name of your casino then it has to live up to that – and there is no question that this Las Vegas casino does exactly that. It was featured as a location in The Hangover, and can be found on Vegas's famous Strip – nestled between the Mirage and the Bellagio. From the casino games, to the hotel, restaurants, bars and all the other myriad forms of entertainment on offer here, this is a casino you won't want to leave.
Otherwise known as the Casino at the Empire, this has become the top one in London – although the design may remind you more of a Las Vegas casino. The building used to house the Empire Music Hall, making it part of the history of this city, but the two floors worth of table games and slot machines put it at the forefront of modern casino gambling.
You might expect an American casino of this size to be found in Vegas, but the home of the Foxwoods casino is Connecticut. The theme here is Native American and this makes it interesting for anyone also keen on the history of America, while the massive complex also features a remarkable 6000 slot games and 380 table ones. So if you can't find something you want to play here, you really are picky.
This is not the most well known or even popular casino to be found in Australia – but it is the most unusual. It is a modern casino situated in the old Adelaide rail station (for health and safety reasons, not a part of it where that the trains go through). Again this is a building of real historic interest, with its heritage listed exterior, and the mix of old and new has made it a big tourist attraction in that city.
People don't always associate Switzerland with casinos, but this town in the dark of the Black Forest area, is one the world's best. It was built more than 250 years ago, and designed to look like one of the palaces of French royalty. The interiors of this casino are so sumptuous, in gold and red, that people pay just to be shown around it, and the casino itself lives up to its surroundings. There is also no denying that Baden- Baden itself is a beautifully scenic and peaceful to visit.
Monte Carlo is a real gambling Mecca, and this is the main reason why. This casino was built around 150 years ago, and much of what still remains is the work of famous French architect Charles Garnier. It is an astonishing sight, and the interior offers both standard casino favourites including baccarat and blackjack, as well as French games like Trente et Quarante.
This South African casino is one of the best to visit for those who want to go a bit further afield in search of the best in casino games. It has every table game and slot machine you could want, but if you do get bored, there are a couple of golf courses you can sample – and Sun City itself is home to a wide variety of nightlife.
Amazingly this complex – in the unlikely setting of Oklahoma – is the single biggest casino in the United States. Yes, bigger than any of Las Vegas's gaming palaces and it is split into eight plazas with different themes. These include London, Paris, Vienna, Madrid and Rome, so you can see the world just by going here. It also offers horse racing and bingo, alongside the thousands of slot machines and table games.
The casino can be easily spotted by travelers as its design resembles that of a lotus flower. The casino is older than some of the other venues in Macau. Constructed over 40 years ago, the casino has seen renovations over the years which have made it the exciting casino it is today.
Located in Atlantic City, is one of the best American casinos to visit. While this casino is not in Vegas, which many people link to American gambling, it is located along the eastern coast of the United States. Expect to find a wide variety of casino games. Those who enjoy poker can find many different varieties here.


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Q: Ranking Functions by Asymptotic Growth How would I go about solving the following problem?
Rank the following functions in order of their asymptotic growth.
a) $2^n$
b) $n^{1.5} - log_2{n}$
c) $n^2 - 1$
d) $n!$
e) $2^{log_2{n}}$
f) $3^n$
g) $n$log$n$
h) $\sqrt{n}$
So far, I have h<a<f<d (where h has the slowest growth). Though I am not sure where the other 4 options fit in.
Any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

A: Asymptotic growth of functions is often modelled with "big-O" notation: it effectively describes a tight bound for the growth of the function. For instance, $f(x)=x^2+x^1+1$ is $O(x^2)$, $f(x)=x^2+e^x$ is $O(e^x)$; you can see that the growth of the function is determined by its fastest-growing term, and that there is a ranking between different types of functions in terms of their growth rate. That ranking is, for the functions you're concerned with:
$$...>O(x!) > ...>O((n+1)^x)>O(n^x)>...>O(x^{n+1})>O(x^n)>...>O(log(x))>...$$
So, by finding the big-O form of your functions, we can rank them by asymptotic growth.
a) $2^n$ is $O(2^n)$
b) $n^{1.5}−log_2(n)$ is $O(n^{1.5})$
c) $n^2−1$ is $O(n^2)$
d) $n!$ is $O(n!)$
e) $2^{log_2(n)}=n$ is $O(n)$
f) $3^n$ is $O(3^n)$
g) $n\cdot log(n)$ is $O(n\cdot log(n))$
h) $\sqrt{n}$ is $O(\sqrt{n})$, i.e., $O(n^{0.5})$
Using the ranking above, and recognising that $O(f\cdot g)\geq max\{O(f)+O(g)\}$, this gives us:
d > f > a > c > b > g > e > h

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are reaping the rewards of the boom in e-commerce and the growing interest and passion for independent brands.
At the same time consumer attitudes to service and delivery are rapidly changing. Customers are more demanding and expect delivery on their terms. They want to receive their order quickly and at a time and place of their choosing. E-commerce logistics is becoming delivery led not delivery last.
These changes provide real challenges for SMEs. Without the budget or logistics expertise of the big brands they have to work hard to deliver a customer experience that allows them to compete with their larger competitors.
The answer for SMEs is to partner with a 3PL who can become an extension of their business and provide best in class logistics solutions.
3PLs are delivery experts. It's their job to know, understand and access the best delivery solutions available. Whether its same day, next day, timed, tracked or international 3PLs will have a range of services to suit all. This combined with excellent rates and experience handling paperwork, customs, taxes and duties means an SME working with a 3PL can expect to save time and money while offering their customers a first class service.
Many 3PLs specialise in a specific sectors such as toys, healthcare, beauty or chilled & frozen foods for example. Their specialism allows them to amass huge amounts of industry specific expertise and knowledge. Utilising this knowledge 3PLs apply the best industry practices and processes. By tapping into this an SME can focus on growing their brand confident in the knowledge their logistics partner will be able to handle any opportunity and challenge.
Long or short term secure storage, bulk movements, pallets, cartons or unit pick. Retail, wholesale or e-commerce direct to consumer, there is a 3PL to suit every business and budget.
Technology Exciting developments in IT mean companies can access and track their stock and orders through on-line portals. Batch code traceability, inventory levels, order progress and inventory tracking throughout the supply chain. Most of this technology is available on mobile devices and tablets giving customers instant access anywhere at anytime. All this is are now available at the touch of a button reducing the complicated and time consuming record keeping and administration management that businesses used to have to complete.
Peak season capability 3PLs have access to flexible space, resources and manpower. This enables them to react and ramp up quickly to meet seasonal peaks and promotions. 3PLs provide businesses with the ability to fulfill increased volumes at short notice while maintaining delivery excellence.
In a crowded market place 3PLs level the playing field between big brands and SMEs providing smaller businesses with the opportunity to offer cost effective industry leading logistics solutions that deliver exceptional customer service.
ARE YOU READY FOR BLACK FIVEDAY?
Black Friday is nearly upon us. This year its falls on Friday 25th November, that's less than TWO WEEKS AWAY!
It doesn't stop with Black Friday though. We now have Black Fiveday which starts on the Thursday before Black Friday and culminates in Cyber Monday.
I just did some research and the facts and figures are mind boggling. Did you know?
Consumers are expected to spend 5 billion over the 5 day period.
Black Friday 2016 will be the biggest day of online spending the world has ever seen.
1.1 billion is predicted in sales on Black Friday alone.
3.3 billion is predicted for the 3 day weekend.
As a 3PL, especially if you offer internet fulfillment services, you're at the sharp end of this annual event. The statistics speak for themselves, we need to take this event seriously and have a clear strategy in place to maintain our service.
If you haven't started your Black Fiveday planning yet, here's a checklist to get you on track.
Identify which of your customers are hosting Black Fiveday deals.
Ascertain whether their deals are on specific stock lines or across their whole stock offering.
Request details on the volume of orders your customers are expecting.
If order volumes are expected to rise significantly speak to your customer about increasing the number of order files you receive from them during the day and the following days. You may need one an hour!
Determine the exact length of Black Fiveday promotions. Is it the full 5 days or just the Friday or Monday?
In order to maximise productivity, output and service levels decide if and when to run night and weekend shifts.
Check you have enough packaging, boxes and labels available.
Liaise with your IT support company or department to ensure you have access to their assistance should it be required.
Notify your parcel carriers and Royal Mail about the increased volume and arrange additional collections or larger collection vehicles if required.
Pre-print Royal Mail franking labels if applicable.
Calculate staff numbers, devise shift plans and organise additional training.
Arrange for products on offer to be retrieved from bulk storage and placed in an accessible area.
If a customer's deal is just on one or two items, arrange to pre-pack a certain volume of these so they simply need mailing labels and despatch paperwork adding when the orders start flooding in.
Make customers aware of any additional charges for night or weekend opening.
16. Have FUN and ENJOY IT! Fast paced, logistics and warehousing challenges are what get us up in the morning. This is an opportunity for your business to excel. This is what we do best!
Today's rapid advances in mobile technology mean customers are better informed, more demanding and have greater expectations for a faster and more accurate service.
To a business this means new challenges in the form of greater visibility and reduced order lead times.
Operational Excellence is the key to meeting these challenges.
Operational Excellence does not have to be complicated and it can be applied to any size business, division or department.
To succeed the leader of the business must communicate a clear vision, be committed to making change happen, be engaged with the work force and determined to continually improve the business.
High performing teams are well informed, fully understand the direction and needs of the business, are aware of customer requirements and challenges, and understand, value and take pride in their part of the business process.
The leadership of the business needs to be fully engaged with employees and all stakeholders in order to deliver the required results.
The key business and support processes must be well defined, simplified, documented and trained to all staff involved in the process. Appropriate process measures should be in place to monitor performance and identify efficiencies.
Continuous improvement is achieved by reviewing appropriate KPI measures, undertaking internal and external benchmarking and regularly reviewing key processes.
Process performance needs to be measured in terms of time, quantity and quality. In turn these measurements should be used to monitor progress, identify improvements and used to feedback to teams.
Feedback from employees, customers and other key stakeholders is also vitally important in order to adapt, change, improve and perform better. This feedback must be used in a regular review process resulting in appropriate action plans.
To be successful your business needs to adapt to change or it will be changed.


Dad and I drove to Calhoun this winter in response to a CL listing for a hay wagon. The price was right so we brought it home. Originally this wagon was grain tight. Years of outdoor storage had taken its toll on the wood and there really wasn't much left of it.
All of the sub-frame was both broken and rotten. There were numerous attempts to cobble things back together again but even those were failing. The running gear was sound and the tires were good. That's about all I had to work with. That was enough for the money.
I used it as it was for a few months hauling brush to my wood chipper but now that hay season is upon us, I need my hay wagon. Dad measured the wagon well and we plan to rebuild the deck just as it was originally. That will take some doing as most of the hardware has seen better days.
Dad began the long process of disassembly a few days ago. It would be nice to paint the frame with the bed off but the schedule just doesn't allow.
I need this wagon today. Can we finish it in time? I need to stop burning daylight and go drill some holes before work! I'll offer more details including costs in part 2.


All accepted papers will be presented in a single track at the conference. At least one of each paper's authors should be present at the conference to present the work. Accepted papers will be published electronically in the JMLR Workshop and Conference Proceedings series. The authors of accepted papers will have the option of opting-out of the proceedings in favor of a 1-page extended abstract. The full paper reviewed for COLT will then be placed on the arXiv repository.
Paper Awards: COLT will award both best paper and best student paper awards. To be eligible for the best student paper award, the primary contributor(s) must be full-time students at the time of submission. For eligible papers, authors must indicate at submission time if they wish their paper to be considered for a student paper award. The program committee may decline to make these awards, or may split them among several papers.
Dual Submissions: Submissions that are substantially similar to papers that have been previously published, accepted for publication, or submitted in parallel to other peer-reviewed conferences with proceedings may not be submitted to COLT. The same policy applies to journals, unless the submission is a short version of a paper submitted to a journal, and not yet published. Authors must declare such dual submissions either through the Easychair submission form, or via email to the program chairs.
Page limit: There is no formal page limit for the submission, and it should contain all details, proofs and derivations required to substantiate the results. However, the reviewers are not required to read beyond the first 12 pages when evaluating the submission. Therefore, the first 12 (or fewer) pages should contain a concise and clear presentation of the paper's contributions, as well as sufficient detail to convince the reviewers of the paper's merits. Additional pages should be used for references, technical details and derivations, and not for presenting key new ideas or contributions. Further formatting and submission instructions will be posted on the conference's website.
Rebuttal Phase: As in previous years, there will be a rebuttal phase during the review process. Initial reviews will be sent to authors before final decisions have been made. Authors will have the opportunity to provide a short response on the PC's initial evaluation.
Open Problems Session: We also invite submission of open problems. A separate call for open problems will be made available on the conference website.