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DealBook|Panic Sets in Among Hardy Hedge Fund Investors Remaining in Greece
DealBook Business and Policy
Panic Sets in Among Hardy Hedge Fund Investors Remaining in Greece
Greeks lined up outside the National Bank of Greece. The prime minister said the banks would not open on Monday.CreditCreditEirini Vourloumis for The New York Times
By Landon Thomas Jr.
ATHENS — For investors around the world looking at Greece, there was but one question Sunday: What is going to happen when the markets open?
On Sunday night, the prime minister, Alexis Tsipras, said in a televised address that Greece's banks and stock market would be closed on Monday, as Athens tries to avert a financial collapse.
But the question of what happens when the markets do open is particularly acute for the hedge fund investors — including luminaries like David Einhorn and John Paulson — who have collectively poured more than 10 billion euros, or $11 billion, into Greek government bonds, bank stocks and a slew of other investments.
Through the weekend, Nicholas L. Papapolitis, a corporate lawyer here, was working round the clock comforting and cajoling his frantic hedge fund clients.
"People are freaking out," said Mr. Papapolitis, 32, his eyes red and his voice hoarse. "They have made some really big bets on Greece.
But there is no getting around the truth of the matter, he said. Without a deal with its European creditors, the country will default and Greek stocks and bonds will tank when the markets open.
On the ground here, the surprise decision of Mr. Tsipras, to hold a referendum has turned what was a bank jog into more of a sprint, with most Greeks anticipating the move to close the banks on Monday.
Panicky depositors spent the weekend pulling an estimated one billion euros from the banking system, stashing the cash in their houses or exchanging them for bulging bags of gold coins.
The yields on Greek government bonds, now around 12 percent, are expected to soar as investors rush to unload their positions in a market that of late has become extremely hard to trade.
Bank stocks, when the stock market opens, will also be hit with a selling wave, as they cannot survive if the European Central Bank withdraws its emergency lending program.
There are not as many hedge funds in Greece as there were a year ago, when it is estimated that around 100 foreign funds were sitting on big investment stakes. Their bet was that the previous Greek government would be able to complete the arduous process of economic reform in Greece that started five years ago.
David Einhorn is among the hedge fund investors who have collectively poured more than 10 billion euros into Greek bond, bank stocks and other investments.CreditMike Segar/Reuters
When it became clear that a radical Syriza government under Mr. Tsipras would come to power, many investors quickly turned heel, dumping their Greek government bonds and bank stocks in large numbers before and after the election.
But a brave, hardy few stayed put — around 40 to 50, local brokers estimate — taking the view that while the new left-wing government could hardly be described as investor friendly, it would ultimately agree to a deal with Europe. It would be a bumpy ride for sure, but for those taking the long view that Greece would remain in the eurozone, holding on to their investments as opposed to selling them in a panic seemed the better course of action.
For now, at least, that seems to be a terrible misjudgment, especially if Greece defaults and leaves the euro.
Most of the hedge fund money in Greece is invested in about 30 billion euros of freshly minted Greek government debt securities that emerged from the 2012 restructuring of private sector bonds.
The largest investors include Japonica Partners in Rhode Island, the French investment funds H20 and Carmignac, and an assortment of other hedge funds like Farallon, Fortress, York Capital, Baupost, Knighthead and Greylock Capital.
A number of hedge funds have also made big bets on Greek banks, despite their thin levels of capital and nonperforming loans of around 50 percent of assets.
They include Mr. Einhorn at Greenlight Capital and Mr. Paulson, both of whom have invested and lost considerable sums in Piraeus Bank. Fairfax Financial Holdings and the distressed investor Wilbur Ross own a large stake in Eurobank, one Greece's four main banks.
Big positions have also been taken in some of Greece's largest companies. Fortress Capital bought $100 million in discounted debt belonging to Attica Holdings, Greece's largest ferryboat holder. York Capital has taken a 10 percent stake in GEK Terna, a prominent Greek construction and energy firm.
In 2014, Blackstone's credit arm bought a 10 percent chunk of the Greek real estate developer Lamda Development. And Third Point, one of the earliest, most successful investors in Greek government bonds, has set up a $750 million Greek equity fund.
Many of these forays were made during the heady days of 2013 and early 2014, when the view was that, in a rock bottom global interest rate environment, risky Greek assets looked attractive, especially if the reform process continued.
Among the most dubious of these was a 10 percent equity stake, then worth about $137 million, that Mr. Paulson's hedge fund took last year in the Athens water monopoly. The company had little debt and was set to be privatized, making it an attractive prospect at the time.
But the privatization process is now frozen and the monopoly is struggling to collect payment on its bills from government entities that are nearly broke, making it unlikely that Mr. Paulson will get much of his money back.
To be sure, many of these hedge funds are enormous, and their Greek investments represent a fairly small slice of their overall portfolio.
Mr. Papapolitis, who used to work at the law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom in New York structuring exotic real estate deals, moved back to Greece in 2008 and has led some of the biggest hedge fund deals in the market.
Of the same age and generation as many of his clients, he feels their pain.
"These guys are my friends," he said. "They invested in Greece when the economy was improving. And now this happens — I feel obliged to be there for them."
He is not the only point man for hedge funds coming to Greece.
Last week, a group of about 12 of the largest remaining hedge funds arrived in Athens to attend a seminar organized by George Linatsas, a founding partner of Axia Ventures, an investment bank that specializes in Greece, Cyprus, Portugal and Italy, as well as shipping.
With all the large investment banks and law firms having largely given up on Greece, Mr. Linatsas and his team of analysts became the main port of call for hedge funds that started buying Greek government bonds in 2012.
Then, the bonds were trading at 12 cents on the euro and they soon shot up to 60 cents, making billions of dollars for those early investors.
"People made their careers on that trade," Mr. Linatsas said. "The problem now is politics and whether there is a government that can take this country to the next stage."
The outlook seems grim.
Indeed, in recent months these investors have spent little time breaking down balance sheets or discounting cash flows. Instead, they have spent every effort trying to figure out what the Syriza government is up to.
Some have tried to get an edge by listening to Greek radio. Others have hired firms to study video clips of Mr. Tsipras and his finance minister, Yanis Varoufakis, to try and discern whether they are telling the truth.
And an increasing number have resorted to begging journalists for inside scuttlebutt.
Because few Syriza officials will meet with the investors, a large number of them have banded together, an unusual occurrence in an industry that puts the highest of premiums on secrecy. They exchange tips and theories via emails when they are apart and over wine-soaked dinners in Athens during their frequent trips here.
At times, the swankiest hotel in town, the Hotel Grande Bretagne (or G.B. as it is commonly known) is so full of hedge fund executives (mostly in their 30s) that some have called it the G.G.B. — the acronym for Greek government bonds.
In recent days, as it was becoming clear that the Syriza government was not going to accept the latest proposal from its creditors, stress and anxiety, in some cases, turned to outright anger.
"I just can't believe these guys are willing to torch their own country," one investor with a large holding of Greek bonds lamented in an email. "They thought this was a game. Now, when the supermarkets run out of food, gas stations run out of gas, hospitals have no medicine, tourists flee, salaries don't get paid because banks shut — what are they going to do?"
A version of this article appears in print on , Section B, Page 1 of the New York edition with the headline: Panic Sets In Among Hardy Hedge Fund Investors Remaining in Greece. Order Reprints | Today's Paper | Subscribe
Greece Will Close Banks to Stem Flood of Withdrawals
If Greece Is Shut Out of the Eurozone, It Will Sail Into Uncharted Waters
Cash Withdrawals and Hoarding as Default Looms Over Greece


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Rampersaud ist der Name von

 Nicole Rampersaud (* 1981), kanadische Improvisationsmusikerin (Trompete, Flügelhorn)
 Mario Rampersaud (* 1992), Cricketspieler aus Barbados

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Many developers have released updated versions of their apps this week to correspond with the launch of iOS 7. Facebook is no exception; the social network has completely redesigned its mobile app to fit within the new operating system.
Most notably, the company has moved its main navigation bar to the bottom of the screen, allowing members to seamlessly switch between News Feed, Requests, Messages, and Notifications without losing their place in other tabs.
This new design also eliminates the tool bar that slid out from the left side of the screen. If people want to access Timeline, Groups, Photos, or Events, they can now do so through the More tab found at the bottom right-hand corner of the screen.
Facebook has also made the top title bar translucent and many of its icons to match the style of Apple's new OS. Ultimately this won't have much of an impact on your day-to-day use of the app — although if you heavily rely on it, it could take a few days to get used to the new navigation.
The new version is also available to people using iOS 5 or iOS 6, although there are minor style differences between them, including color of the navigation bar. Currently this version is only available for iPhone, and it won't affect Facebook's Android app.
iPad users will still see the old design. According to a spokesperson for the company, Facebook has no plans to bring the new version to iPad as the old look is a "better fit" for how people navigate on tablets.
iPad users will still see the old design. According to a Facebook spokesperson, the com pay has no plans to bring it to iPad, as the old look is a "better fit" for how people navigate the platform on tablets.
You can download the new version today from the App Store.


It's about to start one of the most beautiful times for the games industry, an exciting and exhausting time lapse…don't you smell E3 2018 now?
Well, here we are. And this article is a real compendium to be ready to follow every single conference to be held in that of Los Angeles.
Among a mix of news and confirmations, the E3 2018 seems to be a real time bomb ready to explode and invest all of us. There are many speculations, many dreams and hopes placed in trusted publishers; one is the certainty: from the first days of June, we will all be glued to the screens thirsty to know. Here is our useful E3 2018 Australian Schedule, in chronological order, with date and time (based in Brisbane) of the various panels present at the video game show.
Saturday, June 9th at 4:00 am – The American publisher, through the now usual media broadcast, will present its lineup and unveil some new interesting details on Battlefield V, FIFA 19, Anthem and surprises. Did someone say Plants vs Zombies Garden Warfare 3?
Sunday, June 10th at 6:00 am – Perhaps the most anticipated conference. Microsoft, after presenting last year with great fanfare Xbox One X, is focused entirely on the titles defining this event "the biggest ever Xbox conference". At the moment, the only confirmed title is Forza Horizon 4.
Monday, June 11th at 11:30 am – The Maryland publisher, thanks to the excellent results achieved this year, presents herself in the best possible status at E3. Currently, in addition to being already known of new news about the future of Prey and some further details on RAGE 2, everything is put in the field of hypothesis with DOOM 2 and The Elder Scrolls VI naturally in the lead. Who knows, maybe at least a short teaser of the latter will arrive.
Monday, June 11th 01:00 pm – The company now known for its high-quality indie titles will present, in its ironic and crazy style, some new products including the long-awaited Serious Sam 4.
Monday 11 June at 19:00 – Quite surprisingly, the Japanese publisher has confirmed its presence at the Los Angeles show with a real conference. Of course, the dominant figure of Kingdom Hearts III stands out, which, on direct confirmation of the Japanese software house, will be the protagonist of new information with a lot of release date. There will also be Shadow of the Tomb Raider with the first video gameplay. Finally, we will see again the fearless Lara grapples with new enemies and mysterious discoveries. Finally, and here it is only possible hypotheses, the presence of Final Fantasy VII Remake and Left Alive cannot be excluded.
Monday 11 June at 6:00 am – After the definite revival of the Assassin's Creed brand, the French software house is ready for a new mission that takes the name of Tom's Clancy: The Division 2. In addition to the already secure presence of the title of Massive Entertainment, are apparently not excluded from new IP ads and some new info related to Skull & Bones and who knows, maybe, even the next chapter of Assassin's Creed.
Tuesday 12 June at 8:00 am- With the aim of taking a new look at the future of PCs, many essential companies will take part in this unmissable event. Confirmed the presence of companies such as Acer, Oculus Rift, Team17 and Tripwire Interactive.
Tuesday, June 12 at 11:00 am – Shawn Layden wanted to ignite now the minds of users announcing, without many turns of words, the massive presence of information dedicated to Death Stranding, Marvel's Spider-Man, Ghost Tsushima and The Last of Us: Part II. Leak recent also want the presence of the new IP from From Software, Devil May Cry 5 and much more.
Tuesday, June 12th at 2:00 am – Do you also feel the air going up in flames? The Kyoto House E3 will be under the sign of the new Super Smash Bros. for Nintendo Switch. Most likely to be announced further details about Metroid Prime 4, Yoshi, Fire Emblem and the now-dreamed Pokemon Switch.
Tuesday 12 June, Wednesday 13 June and Thursday 14 June – The return of the entertaining entertainment format written, produced and conducted by the Canadian journalist Geoff Keighley has officially confirmed. We will see some beautiful ones, this is for sure.


Last week we were lucky enough to host an intimate style session with our friends over at Ermenegildo Zegna, taking over the One Barangaroo suite to showcase their latest collection.
With wisdom from stylist Jeff Lack plus Zegna area manager Luca Bronzino, a select group of Boss Hunting followers we're taken through the trends for the upcoming season set against the backdrop of Sydney Harbour. Check out the gallery above for a selection of highlights from the night and head over to Ermenegildo Zegna for more spectacular menswear.
Once you've checked out the gallery above, have a read about Zegna's made-to-measure offering here.


Competitive indoor percussion is an exciting branch of the pageantry arts with approximately 10,000 young people participating in ensembles in the United States, Canada, Japan, and Western Europe.
Many local organizations are developing and growing, most of which are governed by the ensembles themselves. These organizations, often called "circuits," provide competitions many weekends from January through April. Involved with most circuits are adjudication associations which provide judges for the competitions of the circuits. These judging associations may be separately governed or attached to the circuit as a separate branch of that circuit.
A network of Regional contests in the U.S., Canada and Europe culminating in an annual International Championship in April.
In 1992 a new division joined WGI, that of Indoor Percussion. The first Championships included only seven ensembles with Clovis West High School becoming the first champion. By 2000, the percussion activity had grown to include 8 separate divisions of competition; six of these are marching and two are concert classes. WGI percussion now boasts nearly 500 participating ensembles annually, representing more than 12,000 performers from 37 states.
In recent years, with the incredible growth of the indoor activity and these types of ensembles, many NFL and NBA franchises and amusement parks have reached out to indoor percussion ensembles and instructors to form drumlines and other such percussion ensembles for event entertainment. The impact of indoor percussion is certainly having a very powerful effect on the world of percussion, percussion education, and community entertainment!
Scholastic – ensembles whose membership comes from the same high school (or a school that feeds in to that particular high school) or ensembles whose membership comes from multiple schools approved to combine resources by the principal.
Independent – ensembles whose members are not necessarily associated with a particular school.
A Class – Beginning programs and performers.
Open Class – The intermediate developmental level of performers.
World Class – The most advanced programs and performers.
WGI is interested in you and your concerns or suggestions. We are always available for dialog with people interested in pageantry and what it provides for our youth.
Directors confront many questions when considering the expansion of an existing program to include an indoor percussion ensemble.
What is an indoor percussion ensemble?
What kind of time is involved?
What are the rules and guidelines?
Where can I find the rules and guidelines?
An indoor percussion program is not only educationally sound, it can have a dramatic and positive influence on the total marching band program if it is a part of a scholastic group.
A valuable experience for indoor percussion performers is an interaction with students from other communities throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Asia. The success of this activity is rich in those areas and growing in Europe and Asia. This social and competitive exchange with groups of their own age from different backgrounds, lifestyles, and educational experiences adds another facet to their self-perception while creating lasting friendships!
The activity demands musical growth and development involving a variety of core musical skills, standards, and abilities. Students learn to perform for peers and strangers alike. They perform instrumental literature often representing various genres, styles, and cultures. Students are responsible for performing with expression, technical accuracy, sound quality, and articulation. Students also learn how to perform in solo settings, with small segmental ensembles, and as part of a greater overall ensemble production.
Indoor percussion demands physical involvement in both rehearsal and performance involving muscle tone, conditioned response with/to music and other stimuli, simultaneous coordination of head, arms, legs, body stature as well as poise and control while experiencing physical and mental pressure.
The mental training requires multi-levels of thought organization including each student's individual parts of music, how they sound with the other musicians, the portrayal of moods harmonious with other performers and musicians, an understanding of how and why they execute each move, and advance awareness of what the next move/note/step will be and why it is there. The cumulative result of such physical and mental discipline is a student with deeper feelings of understanding, a more disciplined focus (which finds its way into study habits in scholastic efforts), and a higher level of self-confidence.
An indoor percussion program will expand the techniques of those who comprise the music program's percussion section in just the same way that concert band, jazz band, chamber ensembles, and winter guards continue the development of those skills with subsequent impact on the excellence of the music program.
Socially, members learn to function in a group situation setting common goals, cooperating, and striving for success as a team.
The many outlets for performances available to a percussion ensemble, besides contests, include the regular school activity schedule of rallies, basketball half-times, community showcases, or assemblies for special events which will show the activity to the school community. Other students will become more interested in the program; faculty members are always impressed, and the audiences (parents and students alike) enjoy the show for its entertainment value. Within the community there are always organizations looking for varied forms of entertainment and where space is adequate, the indoor percussion show can win tremendous support for the overall band program.
Competition exists in today's world in every walk of life. To prepare our youth with techniques that will keep this aspect in a healthy focus while discovering and enjoying their own excellence may be our greatest gift to them. When investigating competitions, look for other schools in the area that are already competing; identify their officers who can acquaint you with the rules, show procedures, and schedules of contests and related events. If there are no visible organizations, you may contact the WGI office for information regarding your nearest percussion circuit and who to contact.
Within the abundant opportunities for growth, artistic and physical expression, leadership, and self-discipline for your members, the director/advisor also finds the satisfying reward of seeing youngsters realize their potential in such an exciting and positive manner.
If you are part of a larger organization, the structure will already be in place. Determine the role of the percussion ensemble within the larger framework. Understand the reporting relationships, job descriptions, goals of the ensemble relative to the parent body, etc. Chances are that legal considerations may already be in place because of the parent body.
Instruction will be needed to address the selection of music, program design, instrumentation, equipment, technique, teaching and perfecting the product, etc. These duties may be done by a single individual or several, depending on the resources available and your needs. In some instances the management and instructor may be the same individual. If you are a scholastic ensemble, don't overlook the possible talent from your music faculty.
In order to compete using WGI rules, all Independent class ensemble members, including A, Open, and World, must all be 22 years of age or UNDER as of March 31st in any given year. International percussion ensembles are not bound by any age limit and must complete in the Independent classes. Ensembles competing as Scholastic groups must have all members approved for participation by the principal of the sponsoring school.
If a local circuit/association is already established in your general area, contact them for information on membership, dues, obligations, judging clinics, rules, etc. Most established circuits have a level of competition for the new/inexperienced ensemble. If a circuit is not available in your general area, contact the WGI office and we will try to help get something started or direct you to the closest circuit available.
The organization will need a mode of transportation to contests; consider buses, vans, or individual cars. Funds and length of trips may determine what you wish to use.
Obviously, you will need the appropriate equipment which includes instrumentation typically utilized and recognized as part of a percussion section. You may also use electronic instruments recognized as normal stage and band rhythm section instruments. At times a small color guard may be utilized for effect at the discretion of the director. Some ensembles even involve special props which are an option and these are almost always designed and/or made by the group.
Indoor facilities will be needed with a minimum floor space of 50' X 90'.
From time to time you will need housing for camps or overnight trips. You will want to check into gyms, hotels, private homes, rec centers, etc.
This will depend on how ambitious you wish to be. All of the above considerations involve cost and will have to be considered in light of your organization and structure. Since the contest situation does not offer money in a prize structure, fund raising becomes an important part of your program. There are tons of websites that offer unique ideas for fundraisers!
Study the rules and score sheets and philosophy of programming carefully. The staff members should understand them so they know what is expected of them, and so they can start out with the greatest opportunity for success. Rules, score sheets, and adjudication manuals can be purchased from the WGI office.
There are three components that are cornerstones to a successful indoor program. They are the identity or personality of the ensemble, the concept and design of the show and the training and excellence of the performer's skills. This material is designed to assist ensembles to stand out and be unique. There is a tendency to overlook aspects of personality within the percussion ensemble and to pick music that lacks real staying power and interest. Often there just doesn't seem to be the time to go through all the steps we will discuss, but their importance really can't be stressed enough.
There is an innate collective personality that exists with the members of your ensemble. This personality or identity is influenced by their social and economic situation, their beliefs, attitudes, values and goals. They bring to your percussion ensemble some built-in properties that can serve you well in understanding your members, capitalizing on who they are and helping them to discover the best of who they can be. The other component will be those same values, beliefs, attitudes and goals of your staff. Unless the two are compatible, you could find yourself with a conflict you really don't need.
These two groups will combine to form the core personality of who you collectively are. This core personality or identity will remain the base of your ensemble. It will evolve and grow, but will essentially be the same. It is upon this base that you will develop the second aspect of what we call identity. Each program you create will call for a particular sound, style, look, role, and character. This secondary element becomes a part of the design of each show. Here is where the members act out the exploration of the many varied options you will give them.
Most teens are in their search of who they are. You can provide them with a unique opportunity to investigate many possibilities in the safety of the percussion family. You can give them the confidence to discover who they are and who they can become. For this reason, the process involved here is an important development for them and for you. You are encouraged to invest in these steps.
Discover their individual personalities, fears, circumstances, strengths, opinions and preferences.
Understand your individual personalities, weaknesses, circumstances, strengths, and opinions.
Music opens up lines of communication. See what the kids relate to, take them beyond the top 40 by introducing a variety of sounds and watch their physical response to the music. Talk about what the music feels like, what it looks like. A little improv shows you who is willing to get up and perform as well as how motivating the music is to them and how they act it out. Observe the gestures, attitudes, and responses you get from the students and begin to put together a sound and look for your show based, at least somewhat, on their natural responses and their feedback to you and to one another as they share in this process.
Generate enthusiasm, build confidence, and be positive and honest. Set a standard for your group — they will reflect you! You will become the energy source from which they will draw. Eventually they will return that energy to you when you need it most. Find time to laugh at yourself and with them.
Use the collective line's personality as the basis for your program's sound, role, and character. Define the character or role of the program. Spend time directing how they should feel when they are playing their part. Give them specific gestures and attitude for the role.
Your program concept, musical choice and visual style contribute largely to set you apart from the many others in your class. Strive to be remembered as you create your program.
Create a musical soundtrack that will showcase you and your best assets as you create your musical and visual illustration.
Don't select music that demands a skill you don't have. Be careful of music with more depth than you can illustrate. Can you pull it off?
Never create a program a piece at a time. Select music that can be designed to create a whole show. Have the master plan in place before you begin.
Does it have highs and lows?
Does it have opportunity to develop ideas?
Does it have impact and effect built in?
Will the students be able to relate to it?
Will the audience understand it?
Does it have a great ending? It Must!
Can you produce a count sheet to it? Do you understand the count sheet?
Will it show your ensemble off to their best advantage?
Know what is going on in the activity…Study lots of other percussion ensembles.
Create an accessible program. Be unique and proud of who you are.
Be very careful of going too high up the abstraction ladder. Young performers often have a hard time with abstract interpretation.
Lastly, as your show is starting to come together, make sure that it can be completely understood by audience members and judges alike, without any explanation from the design team. If you find your program won't translate without an explanation, head back to the drawing board.
Shopping for music? Remember it sets the mood, guides your orchestration, leads the movement, grabs the audience, and lets you show your virtuosity.
It's that time of year when designers are searching for the perfect vehicle to inspire and formulate their indoor percussion shows. In recent years we have enjoyed original, classical, ethnic, rock, jazz, and music designed to startle the listener, all intricately orchestrated. There is no question at all that designers must have creative freedom in the selection of the music and creation of the musical score. However, once that music is selected, once the design team sets out to illustrate their vision of that program, then a whole new set of issues arise.
orchestrated. Always consider the need for the kind of contrast and development which can guide many shows to create a successful coordinated effect. Always be concerned with the kind of impact points and musical/visual resolutions which our activity has come to recognize as effective tools within the program. Tension and release is an important consideration within the effect caption.
The whole history of reacting to the effectiveness of a program involves mood and appeal and, reality is, that it will be the musical choice that will set this in motion. One of the most commonly shared response mechanisms in people is their reaction to music/sound. Don't lose sight of this fact when selecting your music. Know your audience. Be prepared for how they will respond to your choices. Know the rules of competition and the tenets of good programming and be certain that your show's music will set you up to fulfill all the qualities which produce an effective and successful program. Consider these points as you begin your show planning when you are out there shopping for music.
All forms can be found at https://www.wgi.org/contents/percussion-copyright-information.html.
What information is required of WGI percussion units?
While selecting a show, please refer to the "Additional Requirements" list located on wgi.org. This can help your ensemble avoid problems. This list includes music which has a history of licensing problems.
Submit a "Permission to Arrange" form to the copyright holder of the piece(s) you have selected. (Please allow up to three months to receive a response from the composition copyright holder). If your ensemble is using an original composition, please utilize an "Original Composition" form.
Complete and submit the Song Selection Information portion of your director's only website before December 1st.
If you have already received your approved letter of permission to arrange, or are using an original composition, please submit these at the same time.
Copies of the letter(s) showing permission to arrange must be filed no later than March 1st.
How do I determine the copyright holder?
Composition copyrights are typically managed by music publishers. The music publisher may be the owner of the copyright, or may simply be an agent designated by the author to handle permission requests.
To identify the music publisher(s) for a particular song, you should first consult a CD that contains the song. Some CDs will identify the music publisher by name. Others will contain a notation identifying a performing rights society (ASCAP, BMI or SESAC) that the song is associated with. Using this information and consulting a few databases on the Internet, you should be able to come up with the name and contact information for the music publisher.
If you are unable to find any mention of the music publisher or a performing rights society on the CD, you should still be able to find the publisher in the performing rights society databases. Simply enter the song title in all three databases and look for the correct match.
If the CD identifies the music publisher, you can go to the web site of the Music Publishers' Association, www.mpa.org, and search the database for the publisher's address and other contact information. Not all publishers are listed in the MPA directory, however. If the publisher is not listed, you should be able to find it through the performing rights society databases.
In the event that you are unable to locate the copyright owner using these tools, you can attempt to locate the copyright owner by searching the records of the Copyright Office. The records can be accessed by going to www.copyright.gov and following the "Search Copyright Records" link. In reading the record, make sure you look for the copyright claimant, who may or may not be the author. The copyright claimant is the one with authority to grant permission to use the work.
Finally, you should be aware that there is often more than one music publisher for a particular song. In cases where more than one publisher is listed, permission should be requested from each publisher in order to make sure that you have all the permissions necessary to use the composition.
WGI is pleased to offer the services of Jeni Paulson from CopyCat Music Licensing (copycatlicensing.com). Copycat Music Licensing will work to secure the permission to arrange for your ensemble and save you the headache and paperwork. This service is being offered to WGI percussion ensembles at a rate of $250. You can contact her directly at jeni@copycatlicensing.com.
Your stage is a "tan" gym floor or a colored floor covering which you purchase.
Consider the body shapes you have to deal with. Always design with the extremes of body shapes in mind.
Consider the character or role you will portray.
Consider whether or not you wish to use any removable costume parts as props.
How long will you want to use this costume?
Will they be homemade or custom made? What level sewing skill do you have?
Be sure you can move. Avoid binding in the body or restricting the function of the arms or legs.
Consider how excessive fabric will impact on drill lines as to clarity. Flowing fabric won't give a clear line. Decide if that is a problem.
How many sessions do you want to use these costumes? Consider durability, laundering, wear and tear.
Is there a particular look that accommodates your style either musically or visually?
Know what is appropriate for classical, jazz, modern, and theatrical styles.
Knowing all of that, make intelligent sensitive choices in a unique and original approach. Be one of a kind.
Taste is what you like.
Having taste implies an educated and discriminating awareness.
Showing taste implies sensitivity to your audience and their taste.
Being tasteful implies application of all of the above.
Be sensitive to changing young bodies.
Remember the age group you teach.
Remember if you represent a school.
Class is often equated to taste.
It is better to be understated than overstated.
An attractive and tasteful costume will make the students feel special and will cost no more to create.
There is no substitute for taste and detail.
Know how you will use them within the show or on the stage.
Know what musical and thematic ideas you will be interpreting and how they will augment these ideas.
The word design implies a uniqueness and originality. Anyone can copy; it takes genius and daring to be original. Make each design choice uniquely your own.
Based on the show concepts, style and personality, design the proper training for the following components of movement. Include warm-up and technique instruction. Little will be as important to you as the correct training time you will invest in your students. Don't short change this investment.
Basics/technique classes should follow a pattern. Consistency will encourage focus and achievement. Set the example for your students. Discipline should be understood and self-imposed. Yelling at the students will only put tension into the body and impair productivity.
Don't let students practice errors. Your observation skills must be sharp and you must know how to make corrections. Be able to do what you ask of your students; much of what they learn will be through observation.
Geometric Drill—use of basic forms, circle, square, cone, cylinder, linear, curvilinear This is what most have known over the years.
Freeform, Textured, Segmented—this approach to form design provides contrast from the starkness of line geometric drill and opens up the stage to more dimensional equipment moves.
Theatrical—here we deal with staging, entrances, exits and interaction between sections or characters.
Balance is an important factor in successful design. Design may be either symmetric (formally balanced) or asymmetric (informally balanced). Freeform does require balance.
Visual ideas should flow or evolve logically from one to another.
Where you stage a picture or set is important to control the focus of your design.
Always write your form show knowing in advance what kind of musical/visual concepts you want to present because this will tell you how much space to plan for.
Staging of sections will make a difference in how your visual effects/presentations will work.
Know in advance what kind of drum presentation is suitable for the drill form or set you have designed.
The closer the space in any form, the stronger the intensity/ dynamics of the move will be. The more open the space, the lesser the intensity/dynamics will be.
Single bounding line forms, using all the performers in one big picture, are an important opportunity to create a major impact or resolution to a musical/visual idea. This often is successful at the start or resolution of a big idea.
Contrast is an important feature to successful design. If you have done line-geometric drill, give thought to creating contrast through texture or segmentation. If you have been doing segmentation, texture or theatre, give some relief or contrast to the eye through geometric-line drill.
Be sure your design is clear, readable, and pleasing to the eye.
Be sure your concept exists on the floor as well as in your mind.
The design team must work together to plan and create a good design. Your staging person must know in advance when to open up space, or where to segment for feature ideas, or when you create a big picture for a full ensemble statement.
experiences and have only their own teachers after whom they can pattern their style. Many are young graduates who don't have the maturity or experience helpful in any teaching situation.
With the tremendous growth of indoor percussion within the scholastic arena we now find the added responsibility of being in tune with the various attitudes, chains of command, budgetary and time limitations, involvement of parents, and the list goes on and on. The following information is intended to assist the instructor in understanding those areas which could make their lives easier and lead them and their students to more rapid and higher success.
In every work situation time is of the essence. The person who plans his/her time and details the tangible aspects of the job will find themselves far and ahead of those who fly by the seat of their pants. The indoor program plan is no exception. Developing this kind of time planning will not only serve you well, it will impress every other individual with whom you work. Everyone, including your students, have lives they must attend to outside of this activity. They will support you best when they can know your needs well in advance.
scholastic ensemble, move to the calendar time when the summer/fall season ends and schedule the time you will begin rehearsals. Plan enough time to have the show finished for the first contest.
Did you allow any time off between band or corps and your indoor season? Please consider burn-out. Determine whether or not you want to hold 2 or 3 full weekend camps which will give you Friday night, Saturday, and Sunday; or, decide if you want to do all-day Saturdays or a series of week nights. You don't want your students' schoolwork to suffer, so be careful of overdoing the school nights.
Put any reminder on your calendar that will keep you on target. Give this calendar to every person involved in the project. Prepare a more simplified version for the performers. If you plan your time, you are more likely to succeed and far less apt to be caught off-base or behind schedule. This will also allow band directors, parents, members, and administration to be able to better support your efforts.


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AKF azijski kup 2023. () će biti osamnaesto po redu fudbalsko takmičenje za titulu kontinentalnog prvaka Azije u organizaciji Azijske fudbalske federacije. Domaćin takmičenja je Kina, a utakmice će se igrati od 16. juna do 16. jula 2023. godine. Na turniru će učestvovati 24 reprezentacije nakon proširenja AFK azijskog kupa 2019. godine, uključujući i državu domaćina. Branilac titule je reprezentacija Katara.

Izbor domaćina
Dana 12. aprila 2016. godine, AKF komisija za takmičenja je potvrdila da su četiri države izrazile interes za organizovanje AFK azijskog kupa 2023: Kina, Indonezija, Južna Koreja i Tajland. Indonezija je, međutim, bila pod suspenzijom FIFA-e u tom periodu. Zemlje kandidati imale su rok do 31. marta 2016. godine da predaju celokupnu dokumentaciju. Prvobitan plan je bio da se domaćin objavi na Generalnom kongresu AKF-a, u maju 2018. godine, ali je kongres pomeren za 31. oktobar. Kina je proglašena za domaćina  pre 69. Fifin kongresa, u Parizu, Francuska, 4. juna 2019. godine.

Nakon povlačenja ostalih zemalja, samo je Kina bila u konkurenciji da osvoji prava na organizaciju takmičenja.

Kvalifikacije
Prva dva kola kvalifikacija računaju se i kao azijske kvalifikacije za Svetsko prvenstvo, u koje se Katar već automatski plasirao kao država domaćin. Katar učestvuje u ovim rundama samo za kvalifikacije za AFK azijski kup 2023.godine. Kina, koja se automatski kvalifikovala za Azijski kup 2023. godine (isto kao zemlja domaćin Kupa), takođe će učestvovati u kvalifikacijama kako bi se kvalifikovala za Svetsko prvenstvo 2022. godine u Kataru.

Isatočnom Timoru je zabranjeno učešće u kvalifikacijama za Azijski kup nakon što je utvrđeno da je na ostalim mečevima kvalifikacija za Azijski kup u AFK-u 2019. godine rasporedio ukupno 12 nepodobnih igrača. Međutim, kako im FIFA nije zabranila kvalifikacije za Svetski kup, Istočnom Timoru je bilo dozvoljeno da učestvuje u takmičenje, ali nije imao pravo da se kvalifikuje za Azijski kup.

Kvalifikovanje je počelo 6. juna 2019. godine za 23 mesta kojima se pridružila Kini, kao država domaćin. Turnir će se održati u junu i julu 2023. godine, iako je prvobitno bilo planirano da se održi tokom januara i februara. Promene su nastale zbog Fifinog svetskog kupa 2022. godine u Kataru, koji će se održati u novembru i decembru 2022. godine Severna Koreja se povukla iz kvalifikacija zbog strahova povezanih sa pandemijom COVID-19.

Kvalifikovane ekipe

Gradovi domaćini
Dvanaes kineskih gradova se prijavilo da ugosti azijske reprezentacije. Prvobitan plan je bio da se, za potrebe takmičenja, izgradi sedam novih stadiona, dok bi se ostali renovirali. Predloženo je da novi fudbalski stadion Pudong u Šangaju bude domaćin finala i polufinala, a renovirani Radnički stadion u Pekingu bude domaćin drugog polufinala. Planirano je da se svi novi stadioni završe do 2021. godine, a u slučaju kašnjenja ponuđeni su alternativni stadioni. Dana 28. decembra 2019. hodine, Kineska Fudbalska asocijacija objavila je spisak od deset gradova domaćina turnia. U januar 2020. godine, Azijska fudbalska konfederacija je najavila da se za potrebe Azijskog kupa 2023. gradi deset novih stadiona.

Reference

Spoljašnje veze
, the-AFC.com

АФК азијски куп
Спорт у Кини
Фудбал у 2023.


Math Game Practice addition, subtraction, multiplying and dividing.
CrazyEasterMatch Help Wowin Bunny - match 3 or more eggs to create crazy chain reactions!
Dream Pet Connect 2.1 Connect identical tiles to each other to clear the board.
Durak of Ages Old Russian cards game "Durak"(Fool) - full version.


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Censorship targeting RT and Sputnik is the height of American hypocrisy
The US touts its respect for freedom of speech and the press, but cracks down on alternative media
by RussiaFeed November 22, 2017 170 Views
(offguardian) – Just a few days ago RTAmerica was forced to register as a foreign agent in the United States. Using this designation as justification, Twitter and Facebook have now banned RT and Sputnik from advertising on their services. This is all over alleged Russian "interference" in the 2016 Presidential Election, for which there is still not a single piece of clear evidence.
This is the United States of America, where freedom of the press is literally one of the founding principles of the nation. They celebrate their freedom every time they're forced to stand through their national anthem.
What would the press reaction have been if Russia had forced the BBC, for example, to register as a foreign agent?
In fact, how many American or European media outlets have ever been forced to register as foreign agents in "autocratic" Russia where Putin has allegedly "shut down the free press"?
Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty has operated in Russia and Eastern Europe for nearly 70 years. It's an American destabilization programme. That's not a "conspiracy theory". It is acknowledged in the public record that RFE/RL was established by the State Dept. and the CIA in order to spread American propaganda behind the Iron Curtain. They have never been barred from operating in Russia.
Now, imagine it was on the public record that the FSB had founded RT. Imagine it was written into Sputnik's mission statement that their job was to undermine the American government. Would they have been allowed to broadcast in the US? Would they have come anywhere NEAR 68 years of operation?
Look at the Moscow Times, a notionally Russian paper that is owned by a Finnish conglomerate and prints exclusively in English. It is routinely, even pathologically, critical of the Russian government. Would this situation ever be allowed to stand in reverse? If there were a newspaper calling itself The London Times, which was owned by a Venezuelan and printed nothing but anti-government stories, exclusively in Russian…would it be allowed to operate? Would people cite it as a decent source of information?
Look at CNN, where Anderson Cooper – ex-CIA "intern" – solemnly nods his way through autocues full of baseless propaganda. Repeating, verbatim, the statements of nameless "intelligence sources", without analysis or question. Can you imagine if RT's headline reporter had worked for the KGB? Luke Harding would have written a (very bad) book about it by now. Can you imagine if RT's news crews had been caught, numerous times, literally faking news footage (several times)?
These double standards are never addressed or acknowledged in the "free press" of NATO aligned nations.
Radio Free Europe has a story covering Russia's "tit-for-tat" sanctions on US media outlets. It is hilariously without irony.
They interview the American ambassador to Russia – Jon Huntsman – who says, with a straight face:
We just think the principles of free media in any free society and democracy are absolutely critical for strength and well-being…Freedom of speech is a part of that. That's why we in the embassy care about the issue. That's why we're going to follow the work that is going on in the Duma and the legislation that is being drafted very, very carefully. Because we're concerned about it."
He defends America's stance on RT, whilst attacking Russia's counter moves, claiming America is sanctioning RT in the name of "transparency" and that:
That's far different from designating somebody a foreign agent
The US Ambassador to Russia, apparently, needs some help keeping up with current events because "designating somebody a foreign agent" is exactly what the US government has done. For some reason the (funded by the CIA) editorial staff of RFE/RL don't feel the need to correct him. Even though their headline from three days earlier completely contradicts him.
Apparently journalistic standards are only for other people. And state censorship of the media, like all other crimes against humanity, is OK when America does it.
RTVladimir PutinUSCNNSputnikRadio Free EuropeJon HuntsmanRT AmericaThe Moscow Timesimgx
Russia declares 9 media entities "foreign agents," bans them from Parliament
US state dept hypocrites condemn Russian 'foreign agent' law – ignoring similar US law
Fantasist Wilfred Wong In Deep Trouble
by TheDarkMan January 21, 2021
UK Trotskyites Not Impressed With Biden And Harris
Putin's spokesman defends Russian student from accusations of WWII revisionism
Russia humiliated nay-saying US media in Syria, setting off a diplomatic scramble by the West

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


The 850 was a gorgeous coupe with a lovely engine.
The BMW 850i doesn't get the respect it deserves. It's an amazing car that you can get for a bargain now, though the repair costs are a bit more than astronomical. But it still sounds great.


text:
ISO 3166-2:NA è uno standard ISO che definisce i codici geografici delle suddivisioni della Namibia; è un sottogruppo dello standard ISO 3166-2.

I codici, assegnati alle 14 regioni del paese, sono formati da NA- (sigla ISO 3166-1 alpha-2 dello Stato), seguito da due lettere.

Codici

Collegamenti esterni
Regions of Namibia su Statoids.com

NA
Suddivisioni della Namibia


Under the Withdrawal Agreement, the protection afforded to existing EU unitary intellectual property rights (trademarks, registered design rights, plant variety rights etc.) on the territory of the UK will be maintained.
All existing protected rights will be protected by the UK via corresponding UK national intellectual property rights. The conversion of the EU right into a UK right for the purpose of protection in the UK will be automatic, without any re-examination and will be free of cost. This will ensure the respect of existing property rights in the UK and provide for the requisite certainty in respect of users and right holders.


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Who Is Tai Lopez Wikipedia
There are several ways to learn Tai Lopez. One great method is through a Tai Lopez Nft course. In addition to the Nft course, you can also find a great Tai Lopez book and get more information on Tai Lopez knowledge. These tips will help get you started with Tai Lopez Nft. If you have never played a Tai Lopez Nft game before, you're definitely missing out! These games are great fun and will help you improve your Tai Lopez knowledge.
Tai Lopez, a successful businessman, was raised in a poor environment. His father was a prisoner so he spent his childhood with his grandmother and mother. Despite having a difficult background, Tai started his first business venture at the age of six, selling cherry tomatoes for 25 cents a bag. He has been a billionaire since then and is a certified financial advisor. We'll be looking at the many ways Tai Lopez makes money.
Although he has never publicly revealed his net worth, the electronic entrepreneur has made a name for himself with his YouTube videos and TEDx Talk. Tai Lopez, despite promoting online resources via sponsored YouTube ads, has been called a con artist, a scammer, as well as being accused of misleading and misrepresenting income to lure unsuspecting customers. His net worth is certainly much higher than $50million. The question is, "Why would a millionaire want you to buy a TEDx Talk?"
The Tai Lopez NFT collection has generated over 36.7 ETH in secondary trade volume on OpenSea. Those holding the coins have the opportunity to be a part of an exclusive club called the Mentor Social Club. Owning NFTs has many benefits, including the chance to meet Tai Lopez, a motivational speaker. Early NFT holders also stand a chance to win a Bored Ape. But are these benefits really worth the money?
Sadly, this NFT collection is just another way to scam people. Its premise was based on exclusive access. It's not clear how this company is supposed mint eth. In fact, it's clear that Tai Lopez is milking money from gullible investors. This is similar to other crypto scammers. Yet, Tai Lopez's NFT was more polished than many of them.
For example, a Gold Tier NFT entitles its owner to access exclusive pop-up events. A Silver Tier NFT allows the holder to visit Tai Lopez's hotel and dine with him. The owner of a Gold Tier NFT has access to all the amenities of a Silver Tier NFT. However, they also have access to Tai Lopez's business partners and friends. A Black Tier NFT, on the other hand, grants one-on-one access to the motivational guru.
Tai Lopez is an author, investor, and member of the Oracles. Through the help of mentors and books, he built an eight-figure online empire. In fact, he reads a book a day, and he credits his success in business to this habit. His social media followers number in the millions and his YouTube videos have over a billion minutes of views. Tai Lopez is the largest book lover in the world.
Tai Lopez was sixteen years of age when he sought advice from his grandfather. The scientist responded by telling Tai that the modern world was too complex for one person to comprehend. He gave Tai a book box and encouraged him to read it. Tai eventually completed eleven of them. His grandfather's guidance is a major reason for his success. Tai Lopez was a well-known figure in the business world in the past. He is now a successful investor and author with many other ventures.
Tai Lopez knew he wanted to make money on the Internet. He began by making YouTube videos about the value of knowledge and reading. In addition, he traveled to 51 countries and lived with the Amish for two years, without electricity. Tai Lopez is making a name for himself despite his humble beginnings. His passion for learning has prompted his fans to follow in his footsteps. His latest book, Knowledge, shares his secrets to making money online.
Tai Lopez teaches The 67 Steps that it is important to 'be worth a damn' as well as 'deserve it. Each lesson contains a summary of each step. It focuses on investing in yourself, your relationships and your health. You will also learn how to take responsibility for your life and respect yourself. This book will teach you how to be the best version you can be and make your life as fulfilling and happy as you want.
This is a brief history of Tai Lopez. While in school, he began working odd jobs to pay for travel. After he returned from India, he spent two years living with an Amish family. He then convinced a financial manager that he would mentor him. Working for GE Capital and Wealth Management, Lopez eventually became a Certified Financial Manager and he owns Elite Global Dating. This company has provided Lopez with the initial wealth he needs to start his own business. He also invested in dating sites and started mentoring businesses.
Tai Lopez is a controversial figure despite his lavish lifestyle. His TEDx Talk and sponsored YouTube commercials marketed online resources. Critics accused him of being a scam artist and a get-rich-quick-campaign con artist. His recent success has led many to question the authenticity of his claims. Here's a look at what happened to Tai Lopez. Let's look at some of the major factors that led to his sudden fame.
Tai Lopez was born in Long Beach, California on 11 April 1977. He has made a lot despite his humble beginnings. Tai Lopez was a passionate reader and sold lemonade as well as tomatoes, despite his humble beginnings. At age six, he also started his own business selling cherry tomatoes. Tai has been a prominent Hollywood businessman since then. Although Tai has been called a fraud by many, he is actually an extremely educated man who has read more than 5000 books.
In 2015, Tai Lopez emerged on the scene as a social media entrepreneur. From there, he quickly rose to the position of leading personal development guru. Nowadays, he promotes his own online education company by sharing tips on Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter. Tai runs multiple businesses alongside his training courses. His backstory is similar to that of his mentor, Alan Lazar, and they may have become close friends after a common background: a college dropout.
Where Is Tai Lopez From
Smma Tai Lopez


These Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes are also dairy free, soy free, egg free, nut free, and vegan.
Oh vanilla cupcake, is there anything more perfect? It's one of the best go-to desserts for birthdays and parties. I don't care if you have allergies, your gluten free vanilla cupcakes should still be perfect. That's why I created this recipe for a super moist cupcake that will remind you of a classic yellow birthday cake.
If you're not a vanilla cupcake person then head over to my Gluten Free and Vegan Chocolate Cupcake recipe. It's just as moist and delicious as this Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcake. They are essentially made the same basic way, the only difference is their flavor. You can also head over to that recipe if you prefer chocolate frosting on your vanilla cupcake.
As you guys probably know by now, I don't like to use the store-bought gluten free flour blends. I don't think they yield the best results for most baked goods. That's why I created my own gluten free flour blends that work well for all of your baking needs. To see all of my gluten free flour blend recipes click here.
For this recipe, I used my Gluten Free Cake Flour. What makes this blend different than the other ones? It has a higher starch content. Starches (like potato starch, tapioca starch, arrowroot starch, etc.) are much lighter in texture than flours (brown rice flour, oat flour, corn flour, etc.). Since you want your cupcakes to be moist, you don't want to weigh them down with heavy flours. By incorporating more starches, you get a much lighter cupcake.
Ok, ok I know this sounds like a weird ingredient for a cupcake. You have to trust me though. Adding just a little bit of vegan mayonnaise adds the perfect amount of moisture.
If you aren't sure which brand of vegan mayonnaise to choose. I advise either going for Follow Your Heart or Just Mayo. Both work great. I have been favoring Just Mayo lately because it is a little cheaper and you can purchase it at Walmart or Amazon.
If you've tried these Gluten Free Vanilla Cupcakes or any other recipe on the blog then don't forget to scroll down to the comments section to rate the recipe ☆☆☆☆☆ and let me know your questions, thoughts, and opinions. I love hearing from you! If you think your friends would love this recipe too, don't forget to hit the share buttons below.
A delicious and fluffy vanilla cupcake that will remind you of a classic yellow birthday cake. Completely gluten free, dairy free, soy free, egg free, nut free and vegan.
Preheat oven to 350°F. Place cupcake liners inside your muffin pan.
Whisk your egg replacer and water very well and set aside.
Melt your dairy free butter and set aside to cool.
In a large bowl whisk your dry ingredients very well making sure all ingredients are combined and there are no chunks.
In a small bowl whisk your dairy free butter, cane sugar, almond milk, vegan mayonnaise, and vanilla extract very well. Once combined add in your egg replacer mixture and mix one more time until combined.
In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add in about a 1/4 cup of your dry ingredients and about a 1/4 cup of your wet ingredients. Turn on to medium-low until combined. Now alternate adding about a 1/4 cup of both dry and wet, beginning and ending with your dry ingredients. Be sure to mix on medium-low until completely combined every time you add ingredients and use a rubber spatula if you need to scrape down the sides. Once all ingredients are added mix one last time on medium-low until completely combined and smooth. Remove the bowl from your stand mixer and use a rubber spatula to reach down to the bottom of the bowl and ensure everything has mixed properly.
Use a spoon or cookie scoop to fill your cupcake liners. Unlike gluten-full cupcakes, you want to fill these up almost to the top. Leaving only about a 1/4 inch of space left at the top. See pictures in blog post for an example.
Bake in the center of your oven for about 15 - 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry. Let cool completely on a cooling rack before removing from pan and frosting.
While they are cooling you can make your frosting. In the bowl of your stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add in your shorting and butter. Turn your stand mixer onto medium and mix until they are fluffy. Add in your powdered sugar and salt and mix on medium-low until combined. Use a rubber spatula to scrape down the edges then add in your dairy-free creamer and vanilla and mix on medium-low eventually turning it up to medium until everything is combined and fluffy. Scrape down the edges and spread onto your cooled cupcakes.
You can spread the frosting on with a butter knife. You can also use a traditional pastry bag. If you do not have a pastry bag a ziplock bag can be used instead. Fill the ziplock bag with the frosting and close. Use scissors to snip off a small amount of one of the bottom corners. You can then use that bag as your pastry bag.


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Randy Blythe joins DevilDriver for Johnny Cash cover
By Scott Munro ( Metal Hammer ) published 26 May 17
Short video clip shows Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe lay down vocals for Johnny Cash's Ghost Riders In The Sky - from upcoming DevilDriver country album
Randy Blythe
Video footage has emerged of Lamb Of God's Randy Blythe laying down vocals for DevilDriver's upcoming country album.
Dez Fafara and co are working on the Outlaws Till The End record, with Blythe joining them in the studio for a cover of Johnny Cash's Ghost Riders In The Sky.
Watch the short studio clip below.
The album will also feature a guest appearance from Blythe's Lamb Of God bandmate Mark Morton, along with artists including Glenn Danzig, John 5 and Fear's Lee Ving.
Speaking about why DevilDriver have decided to record a country album, Fafara exclusively told Metal Hammer: "Outlaw music inspires me and always has. Outsider art interests me.
"Old school punk-rock like Fear or The Germs, goth like Bauhaus or Alien Sex Fiend, bands like the MC5 that broke boundaries, all the way to outlaw country artists like Hank Williams or Johnny Cash.
"These artists were all outsiders to the popular culture of music surrounding them at the time, and it's something I've strived for within the confines of my own music and paintings.
"It's a little known fact to those outside the USA that if you walk on any heavy metal tour bus in the States and stay for a stint, you're going to hear some outlaw country. If you're on my bus, the music can switch from Black Flag to Willie Nelson right back into Motorhead as I'm far from a purist when it comes to my love of music.
Fafara added: "When I hear Ghost Riders In The Sky by Johnny Cash I get goosebumps. It's dark, it's menacing, and I always hear these songs in my head done heavy with metal guitars and metal vocals."
Further album details will be revealed in due course.
Bang bang! Rammstein return to Metal Hammer for a world exclusive
The TeamRock+ Singles Club
Beartooth tackle depression in new video for Sick Of Me
Read Classic Rock, Metal Hammer & Prog for free with TeamRock+
Famous Firsts: Devildriver's Dez Fafara on psychobilly and meeting Danzig
Scott Munro
Scott looks after Louder's online buyer's guides and also scouts out the best deals for music fans from every corner of the internet. He's spent more than 25 years in newspapers and magazines and in 2014 joined our news desk, where he wrote extensively about rock, metal, prog and more. Scott has previous written for the Daily Record, Sunday Mirror, The Herald and IGN.


Eating balanced and healthy meals is one of the best ways a person can live longer and prosper. By the time you start living healthy, specifically eating right, in a proper way, there is no way that you cannot feel great about yourself and your outward appearance.
A lot of health benefits are only possible when you start living a healthy lifestyle. Never underestimate the power of this system and the food structure that composes this very healthy approach for it will definitely give you the assurance of obtaining a strong and positive well-being.
Whole grains are one of the best types of food that are helpful for your plan in terms of eating right. Its abundance in the market can also contribute to your plan because you will never have difficulty finding these products. Another thing is that whole grains can be accompanied with different types of food like vegetables and fruits, and even milk; giving you a lot of options on how you can consume this food.
The importance of whole grains in your body is that it can provide natural nutrients which are needed for the complete energy that is needed by your system every day. A variety of whole grain products can also make you more flexible on consuming these healthy foods.
Vegetables are already known for their beneficial effects on the body, but some people do not like to consume them because of their structure and appearance. This is the best thing about vegetables, because like fruits, they can now be drank by means of blending systems. Another thing that will amaze you with this food item is that it can be eaten raw. You just have to clean it properly.
Placing vegetables in your plans of eating right can contribute to properly neutralizing the foods that you are consuming every day. It can also clean your body system because it has natural nutrients that cleanse your digestive system and other related factors.
Fruits are also considered a common food that is being consumed by people who want to have good eating habits. As you know, fruits are composed with different vitamins and minerals that create defenses for the body to resist diseases and illnesses.
They can also refresh the body to make it livelier. Fruits also serve as a natural tool that can make your skin more appealing and refreshed. As long as you consume fruits, there is no way that you cannot receive a natural approach to eating right.
Maintaining a diet that is composed of a low fat system is recognizable. If you are going to fry, just use non-stick pans so that you will no longer use oil that contains a lot of fats. Starting your morning with oatmeal, approximately one bowl, will give you the total benefits that are needed for the day.
Limit your sweet food consumption and avoid smoking.These are some of the particulars that can help you achieve your success in terms of eating right.


Learning Reiki is very easy and can be used for either personal or professional reasons. Holy Fire is a higher vibrational form of Reiki that offers empowerment, guidance, purification and healing. Patty Oliver, owner of Body-Mind-Spirit Healing Arts, is a Holy Fire II Karuna Reiki Master who has been giving Reiki sessions for eight years. She is now offering two classes at her Portland office, located at 4313 NE Tillamook.
Holy Fire II Reiki Level 1 & 2 will be held on January 15 and 16 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. In this two-day certification class, participants will learn the history of Reiki, standard hand positions, Japanese healing techniques and three beginning symbols. There will be plenty of time for questions plus hands-on practice. Cost is $375 and no experience is required.
Holy Fire II Reiki Advanced/Master class will be held Monday through Wednesday, January 22 through 24 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. each day. Cost is $925 for this three-day certification class where attendees will learn two master symbols, several healing experiences and Crystal Grids. Participants will also learn how to teach and give Placements and Ignitions for all levels. Attendees must be a Level 2 Reiki practitioner for at least six months.
Patty Oliver conducts Reiki, Reiki Classes and Akashic Record Reading & Clearings in Portland and Scappoose, as well as Readings worldwide by phone or Skype.


The human papillomavirus infection vaccine market is expected to constrain by limited number of Food and Drug Administrations (FDA) approved commercial vaccines. High cost of vaccine development is also expected to hinder the human papillomavirus (HPV) infection vaccines market growth over the forecast period. Moreover, variable immunization coverage is estimated to impact the regional size. For instance, economies such as U.K and Mexico has 80% vaccination coverage whereas full-dosage coverage remains below 50% in France and in the U.S.
Regional segmentation of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection vaccine market by Coherent Market Insights, includes North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. North America comprises major share of the human papillomavirus infection treatment vaccine market, owing to high prevalence of cervical cancer, local market players and increasing governmental initiatives, followed by Europe. For instance, according to WHO 2016, currently 86% of America and 62% of European region girls have access to free HPV vaccination. Moreover, incidence of cervical cancer in Europe was 58,348 individuals per million in 2012. However, Asia Pacific is expected to witness significant growth during forecast period, due to awareness among the population for immunization.
By Product: Gardasil, Gardasil 9, Cervarix, Other Vaccines,. By End Users: Hospitals, Clinics, Healthcare Centers, Other,.


Ocean Sands Resort is situated on 4 acres of beautiful oceanfront property overlooking Rathtrevor Beach in Parksville.
The resort consists of one and two bedroom oceanfront or poolside condominium units. Each unit has a fully equipped kitchen, gas fireplace and large balcony either overlooking the ocean or pool. The amenities include a heated outdoor pool, playground, indoor hot tub, sauna and laundry facilities.
Ocean Sands Resort is the ultimate vacation destination! There are three miles of sandy beach right at your doorstep. There are a wide variety of activities to enjoy, including whale and wildlife viewing tours, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, caving, kayaking, scuba diving as well as many others.
The resort is also within 30 minutes of six world-class golf courses.


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Q: XercesC setting output to UTF-8 I'm using XercesC Lib to create a serialization of my data. How can I set it to UTF-8? It is always generated with UTF-16 and I can't find a way to change that.
xercesc::DOMImplementation *gRegistry = xercesc::DOMImplementationRegistry::getDOMImplementation(X("Core"));
xercesc::DOMDocument *doc = gRegistry->createDocument(
        0,                      // root element namespace URI.
        X(oDocumentName.c_str()),       // root element name
        0);                 // document type object (DTD).
doc->setXmlStandalone(true);
... prepare the document ...
serializer = ((xercesc::DOMImplementationLS *)gRegistry)->createLSSerializer();
serializer->setNewLine(xercesc::XMLString::transcode("\n"));

XMLCh *xmlresult = serializer->writeToString(doc);
char *temp = xercesc::XMLString::transcode(xmlresult);
std::string result(temp);

xercesc::XMLString::release(&temp);
xercesc::XMLString::release(&xmlresult);
doc->release();
serializer->release();
getStream() << result.c_str();

When I deserialize with JAXB on the Java side, I always get a content is not allowed in prolog and so far this is the only difference I can see in the XML. When I try to locally deserialze in JAXB it works. When I take my XercesC XML I get this error. When I try to format it in Notepad++ with the XML plugin it also says that there is an error, but doesn't tell me any details.

A: Check the usage of DOMLSOutput, that should give you exactly what you want. I.e. you create a DOMLSOutput object to which you write (instead of using DOMLSSerializer::writeToString).

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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One Night, 50 Songwriters Play at Bob Childers' Gypsy Café
January 19, 2016 by Red Dirt Relief Fund
2016 Festival Hosts Announced & Open Call for Musicians Begins
January 19, 2016—Stillwater, OK— On April 27th, 2016, 50 musicians from varying Oklahoma genres and geographies will gather in Stillwater to play an intimate festival celebrating the songwriting tradition started by the so-called Godfather of Red Dirt music, Bob Childers. Benefitting the Red Dirt Relief Fund and hosted by Mike Hosty and the Damn Quails' Bryon White and Gabe Marshall, the festival seeks to find some of its talent through an Open Call in partnership with the Oklahoma Film + Music Office (OF+MO).
Along with the hosts, musicians returning to the 2016 Bob Childers' Gypsy Café (BCGC) lineup include Mike McClure, Brandon Jackson, Bo Phillips, Kaitlin Butts and Red Dirt Rangers' John Cooper, Brad Piccolo and Ben Han. Additional musicians will be invited through an open call for musicians presented by BCGC and OF+MO. To apply, musicians must be registered with the Oklahoma Music Guide, OF+MO's online database of Oklahoma musicians and music businesses. Entries will be accepted through OF+MO January 19 – February 2, 2016 and may be submitted here.
Now in its fifth year, Gypsy Café continues to grow as fans flock to hear Oklahoma's best talent, both emerging and renowned, swap songs and explore new sounds. Small songwriter groupings will play 45-minute sets across three venues: Eskimo Joe's, George's Stables and Stonewall Tavern. The evening will culminate with an all-musician finale on the main stage.
According to John Cooper, Red Dirt Relief Fund Board President and a member of the Red Dirt Rangers, "The thing that makes this festival unique and special is it's the only one of it's kind in the state of Oklahoma—a songwriter festival. And we're honoring one of our own, Bob Childers, one of the greatest songwriters ever to come out of Oklahoma." Last year's finale featured Mike McClure leading more than 30 musicians in a rendition of Tom Skinner's "Blind Man" in honor of Skinner who was not well enough to perform at the fest.
Red Dirt Relief Fund, a non-profit organization that provides a safety net of critical assistance to Oklahoma musicians, took over management of the festival in the fall of 2013 after Red Bull hosted the event in spring of 2011 and 2012. In 2015, the festival raised $14,000 for Oklahoma musicians in need, funding a substantial portion of the organization's $17,830 in grants given last year.
Tickets that allow access to all venues start at $19 and will go on sale March 1.
Visit reddirtrelieffund.org, friend Red Dirt Relief Fund on Facebook or follow @reddirtrelief for festival updates.
For more information, visit www.reddirtrelieffund.org/gypsycafe. For media or sponsorship inquiries, please contact Katie Dale at or 918-407-4599.
Tags: Gypsy Café
Author: Red Dirt Relief Fund
The Red Dirt Relief Fund, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization that has provided more than $60,000 to 37 music people in 17 Oklahoma cities and towns since its inception in 2012. Recipients' situations range from loss of property due to wildfire and tornado to loss of work after accidents or medical emergencies.


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Apple is reportedly making Apple Music a little cheaper
by Mix — in Apple
Warm up your ears as Apple Music might be getting a little cheaper soon – about 20 percent cheaper, to be exact.
According to two sources, the Cupertino-based company is purportedly considering dropping the monthly subscription prices for its music streaming service, Digital Music News reports. While the sources aren't with Apple, they've worked closely with the service since launching.
The updated Apple Music prices will see the monthly fee go from $9.99 to $7.99 for standard users and from $14.99 to $12.99 for family plans. The new rates are expected to roll out by Christmas and might be accompanied by a special "holiday promotional discount," Digital Music News further adds.
Not all plans will get the price drop though. Unlike standard and family rates, student plans will retain its current price of $4.99 per month.
With the updated fees, Apple Music will match the price of Amazon's new Music Unlimited service, which costs $7.99 per month for Prime subscribers and $9.99 for regular users. It will also undercut the price of Spotify's $9.99 standard ad-free plan; still, unlike Apple Music, Spotify also offers an ad-supported freemium plan.
Earlier in May, Digital Music News reported that the iPhone-maker had plans to end iTunes downloads "within two years" or "the next 3-4" years. Although the publication cited two sources close to the company, the rumor eventually turned out to be false.
via AppleInsider
Apple Music Considering a Serious Price Drop, Sources Say on Digital Music News
Read next: KickStarter Live will let creators livestream their campaigns to the world
AppleApple MusicApps


Even as law firms enjoy their recent uptick in demand growth and the momentum that comes with it, firm leaders are still expressing frustration over what can be seen as core problems in the industry: attachment to a declining business model and fears over growing competition fueled by new technological innovation and the heavy influx of data many firms are seeing, according to a new article by Mark Medice, a principal at LawVision.
The article, which highlights data from Thomson Reuters Peer Monitor, offers several key areas where a digital strategy could greatly benefit a law firm. For example, the concept of client relations and business development haven't really changed in principle, but clients are now using data to evaluate the legal service offerings they are getting in terms of value, efficiency and quality.
Click on "LawVision Digital — Priorities for 2019" to read the full article.
Data, how it's used, and how it's collected will continue to transform the legal industry; and those law firms that want to stay ahead of this continuing wave need to formulate a digital strategy, the article states. And while the effective use of data doesn't change strategic fundamentals, it does introduce new concepts that have to be factored in to any digital strategy, such as: i) digital elements should be a part of any future thinking about how the firm is going to meet the needs of external and internal stakeholders; and ii) as the world becomes more connected and fluid, strategies are going to become outdated more quickly, emphasizing the need to revisit, retest, and reconfigure your digital strategy more often.