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Nikolas Cruz arrested in Parkland, Florida, high school shooting
Nikolas Cruz
Scott Israel
In this frame grab from video provided by WPLG-TV, students from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., evacuate the school following a shooting, Wednesday, Feb. 14, 2018. (WPLG-TV via AP) more >
By Victor Morton - The Washington Times - Wednesday, February 14, 2018
The teenager arrested in the fatal school shooting in Florida has been identified as a former Army JROTC member wielding an AR-15 rifle.
The Broward County Sheriff's Department identified the suspect Wednesday evening via Twitter as Nikolas Cruz, a former student at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland.
According to Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel at a Wednesday evening press conference, the suspect "got expelled for disciplinary reasons" from Douglas High, though he did not elaborate.
SEE ALSO: Mental health eyed after expelled student killed 17 at Florida high school
At least one fellow student said Mr. Cruz was a "troubled kid" with a gun obsession who even stood out in alternative school.
Math teacher Jim Gard told the Miami Herald that Mr. Cruz had been in his class last year, with red flags from officials identifying him as a potential threat to the school.
"We were told last year that he wasn't allowed on campus with a backpack on him," Mr. Gard said.
"There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus," the teacher told the Herald.
Mr. Cruz was first named by the Herald as the suspect in the shooting, though it and multiple news outlets that followed spelled his name "Nicolas," which the sheriff's department initially "corrected" to "Nikolaus."
According to the U.K. Daily Mail, who also named Mr. Cruz, "police describe him as … a former member of the U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps program."
Sheriff Israel said the gunman went in with a rifle, heavily armed.
"We believe he had one AR-15 rifle," he said. "He had countless magazines."
One unnamed student told TV station WSVN, Channel 7, that he knew the shooter from when they were both in alternative school.
"He's been a troubled kid and he's always had a certain amount of issues going on. He shot guns because he felt it gave him, I guess, an exhilarating feeling," he told the Miami Fox affiliate.
"I stayed clear of him most of the time. … I did not want to be with him at all because I didn't want to cause any conflict with him, because of the impression he gave off," the student told WSVN.
According to Trace Gallagher of Fox News, who said the network had "scoured his social-media footprint," Mr. Cruz was "clearly obsessed with guns; he was attached to and followed all kinds of gun groups."
"We should also note that a couple days ago, as far as a week ago, that he was involved in a YouTube chat room conversation about bombs or building bombs," Mr. Gallagher said.
Sheriff Israel told reporters earlier Wednesday that the suspect was arrested off-campus, but "I was told there was no confrontation" and the suspect was "taken in without incident."
According the sheriff, the suspect also was taken to the hospital, though he didn't specify why.
The Herald said Mr. Cruz "was cornered and taken into custody in a townhouse at Pelican Pointe at Wyndham Lakes in Coral Springs."
Besides the person in custody, Sheriff Israel said, there are no suspects.


"My name is Josh Monahan and I graduated from North Carolina State University in 2017. My family has been in the snack food industry for sixty-five years, and growing up, I always knew that I wanted to continue that tradition. Two years ago I started making plans for a food company of my own. With hunger being such a serious problem in America and learning that 1 in 6 people in this country do not know where their next meal will come from, I decided to name my company 1 in 6 Snacks. My vision was to sell great-tasting products while being able to give back to local food banks at the same time.
A food bank or foodbank is a non-profit, charitable organization that distributes food to those who have difficulty purchasing enough food to avoid hunger. They act as food storage and distribution depots for smaller front line agencies; and usually do not themselves give out food directly to the hungry. After the food is collected, sorted, and reviewed for quality, these food banks distribute it to non-profit community or government agencies, including food pantries, food closets, soup kitchens, homeless shelters, orphanages, and schools.
Each year, the death toll from hunger related issues exceeds that of AIDS, malaria, and tuberculosis combined, and malnutrition is an underlying cause for approximately 45% of all deaths for children under the age of five. Fight hunger and reduce food waste. We accomplish this by developing and supporting food banks around the world. Currently, we work in over 30 countries and help provide 1.1 billion pounds of food a year. Please Join our Fight Against Hunger and Food Waste.


Arthritis is not uncommon, and many people want to know if it's possible to manage arthritis, or if it is preventable. Arthritis does not have a cure; however, there are many techniques you can utilize to prevent and manage it. Continue reading for easy, useful tips that can help you treat your arthritis and prevent it from getting worse.
If you are a smoker, consider quitting, and if you don't smoke, avoid cigarettes. Nicotine can decrease the blood circulation to your arms and legs, which may decrease inflammation temporarily. However, the reduced blood flow can also damage your joints, meaning that your arthritis will be more severe, more quickly, than if you did not smoke.
Reconsider your use of high heeled shoes if you suffer from arthritis. While they may be attractive, high heels can be damaging to your body. High heels increase torque around the knees which just agitates the symptoms of arthritis. Instead, choose a pair of fashionable, comfortable shoes. Your body will feel less pain if you treat it well.
Keep a dairy of your days if you suffer from rheumatoid arthritis. Keeping a diary gives you a way to identify triggers that bring about your flare ups. This kind of research will also make it easy to identify the treatments and techniques that are working. This information should be shared with your doctor which can help him to prescribe the best possible treatment options. A diary can obviously be a very helpful, valuable resource.
Try some low impact exercises such as swimming, cycling and walking. These will all help to erase some discomfort in your joints that is caused from arthritis. Consult your doctor before you begin any exercise program.
If you are an arthritis sufferer and building a new home, seek your contractor's advice on building modifications. Make a list with your builder of things you would like to include. Modifying your home in this way can reduce the amount of stretching you need to do over the course of the day, which makes your life much easier.
You can deal with chronic arthritis through meditation or yoga practice. These techniques have been proven to help your body relax, and reduce your arthritis symptoms. For these techniques to be effective, practice them three to four times per week.
Use heat and cold alternately. Trading off between cold and hot treatments is a great way to reduce the swelling and relax your joints. Moderation, though, is best for this treatment because over use of the hot and cold packs can possibly irritate the condition as time goes by. Do not do this more than twice a day.
Stopping arthritis early can be beneficial. One good prevention technique is developing good typing habits. It is important to make sure your hands always even with your keyboard. Likewise, using a pad that is slightly elevated underneath your computer mouse is also a good practice. These things will let you type more easily without harming your hands, and helps prevent future arthritis problems.
Exercise on a regular basis. Exercising is a great way to keep yourself in shape, along with improving your flexibility. If you engage in low-impact exercise it can help to reduce joint inflammation, but take it slowly and don't overdo it. If pain flares up, stop exercising.
Make an appointment to go to therapy. Some people that have arthritis have a hard time doing things on their own; therapy can be very beneficial, and show that you're not alone. Depression is a common occurrence among arthritis sufferers. Attending therapy is a great way to deal with this concern and to talk to others who understand.
Unless they are absolutely necessary, refrain from ingesting pain relievers only a constant basis. Narcotic painkillers have addictive properties and only mask the pain temporarily. If you need prescription pain medication and your doctor has authorized its use, be sure that you follow all of the directions provided by the doctor and the manufacturers.
Once you have arthritis, it can't be cured, but you can take steps to prevent developing it in the first place. Although there is no cure, there are ways you can make your life easier through treatment. This tips should help you to understand how to avoid and deal with arthritis.
Develop a habit of stretching regularly. A common issue for those suffering from arthritis is a decrease in the flexibility of their joints. A daily routine will help you stay flexible. To make sure you stretch all your muscles, start at your feet and work your way up.


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Q: Select a particular record from a table using checkboxes I would like to have records on a table be selected using a checkbox.
For example if I have a table that stores Name,Contact and Country of an individual. I would like to be able to select individual records using checkboxes and be able to submit their values to a database.
      Name      Contact           Country
      Sam       sam@test.com      India
      Jane      jane@test.com     USA

The database part is no issue, just need to be able to collect the values stored here.

A: There's a bunch of different ways you could go about this task. I'll present one way.
The idea is that you get a list of all the checkboxes(input elements, of type checkbox) in the (html) table of interest. From there, if the box is chcked, you find out which cell element contains it. You then find which (html) table row contains that cell. You can then use the cells collection of that row to get the various pieces of data in that row.
HTML

Name	Contact	Country	Selected

Sam	sam@test.com	India	<input type='checkbox'/>

Jane	jane@test.com	USA	<input type='checkbox'/>

<button onclick='showSelected()'>Show selected</button>

Javascript
function showSelected()
{
    // get all checkbox elements that exist in the table of interest
    var checkBoxes = document.querySelectorAll('#infoTable input');

    var i, n = checkBoxes.length;
    var msg = 'Selected items:\n';

    for (i=0; i<n; i++)
    {
        var curCheckbox = checkBoxes[i];
        if (curCheckbox.checked == true)
        {
            var containingCell = curCheckbox.parentNode;
            var containingRow = containingCell.parentNode;

            var curName = containingRow.cells[0].innerHTML;
            var curContact = containingRow.cells[1].innerHTML;
            var curCountry = containingRow.cells[2].innerHTML;

            msg += curName + ' - ' + curContact + ' - ' + curCountry + '\n';
        }
    }
    alert(msg);
}

See it in action here: http://jsfiddle.net/xphaL/

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Gabryś Frysztorf, eigentlich Gabriel Frysztorf oder Frishdorf (* um 1921; † 15. Juni 1943) war ein Widerstandskämpfer des Allgemeinen Jüdischen Arbeiterbunds ("Bund") im Warschauer Ghetto.

Wie viele andere Schüler der jüdisch-weltlichen Schulen wurde er Mitglied der Jugendorganisation Sozialistischer Kinder Farband (SKIF) und später der Tsukunft. Nach der deutschen Besetzung Polens zu Beginn des Zweiten Weltkriegs war er Kurier im Untergrund, aber er war auch für direktere Widerstandsmaßnahmen verantwortlich. 1942 trat Frysztorf in die neu gegründete Jüdische Kampforganisation (ZOB) ein. Er führte eine Kampfgruppe auf dem Gelände der Röhrich-Fabrik. Er nahm aktiv am Warschauer Ghettoaufstand im Frühling 1943 teil.

Vor der endgültigen Vernichtung  des Ghettos konnte er zusammen mit seiner Frau Hanna aus dem Ghetto fliehen. Frishdorf ging mit ihr in den Wischkowald, um dort in eine Partisanengruppe einzutreten, wurde aber bald im Gefecht mit SS-Soldaten getötet. Nach seinem Tod gebar seine Frau Hanna einen Sohn, den sie nach dem Vater Gabryś nannte. Wie viele Mitkämpfer wurde Frysztorf postum in den Kreis des Heldenmuts aufgenommen.

Literatur

 Marek Edelmann: Das Ghetto kämpft. Warschau 1941–1943. Harald-Kater-Verlag, Berlin 1993, ISBN 3-927170-05-4
 Marek Edelmann: Der Hüter. Beck, München 2002, ISBN 3-406-48656-8
 Bernard Goldstein: Die Sterne sind Zeugen. Ahriman-Verlag, Freiburg 1992, ISBN 3-922774-69-5
 J. Sh. Herts: Di geshikhte vun a jugent. Ferlag Unser Tsait, New York 1946
 Vladka Meed: Deckname Vladka. Europäische Verlagsanstalt, Hamburg 1999, ISBN 3-434-50468-0

Weblinks

 Institut der Jüdischen Geschichte, mit Geschichte des Bundes

Aufständischer des Warschauer Ghettos
NS-Opfer
Pole
Geboren im 20. Jahrhundert
Gestorben 1943
Mann

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Shadow chancellor John McDonnell being interviewed by Andrew Marr has said talks should take place about Northern Ireland remaining in the customs union.
A CUSTOMS union across the island of Ireland must remain for the good of the economy, shadow chancellor John McDonnell has said, as the most recent evidence shows that plans to leave the EU are already costing households in Northern Ireland more than £400 a year.
Mr McDonnell said that "discussions should be had" about preserving an open union between the North and South.
Speaking on the BBCs Andrew Marr Show, the shadow chancellor said: "Bringing back a hard border I think would be a nightmare.
When pushed on whether there should be a "unique arrangement" over a customs union between the north and south, he said: "I think that's part of the discussions that need to take place".
Mr McDonnell is the latest high profile figure to back special arrangements for Northern Ireland when Britain leaves the EU in March 2019.
It comes as Allied Irish Bank (AIB) have released the latest Brexit Sentiment Index which shows 41 per cent of small to medium employers (SMEs) in Northern Ireland are already feeling a negative economic impact.
Only nine per cent of SMEs in Northern Ireland have reported a positive financial impact from Brexit.
It comes as new evidence has shown that the average household is paying over £400 a year, due to higher inflation and the reduced growth of real wages.
The Centre for Economic Performance (CEP) has found households at all income levels have experienced higher inflation because of the referendum.
The latest CEP study has shown that the price increases on everyday items adds up to a cut in annual income for the average worker of around one week's wages per year.
Among the items worst hit by an inflationary hike are bread, cereals, milk, cheese, eggs, tea, beer and wine.
In the immediate aftermath of the referendum the pound depreciated by around ten per cent, raising inflation by increasing the cost of importing goods.
Aggregate inflation increased by 1.7 per cent in the year following the referendum, this indicated that the vote has cost the average household around £7.74 a week or £404 a year.
The CEP study found that Northern Ireland has been the worst hit by inflation, this is thought to be because of the currency fluctuation benefitting businesses in the Republic importing goods.


Yes, Nitric Oxide Supplements ship anywhere in the world including Falkland Islands. Free shipping is available for some countries.
So, Are you Looking for Nitric Oxide Supplements in Falkland Islands? Why Not to Buy Online from This Web site?
Nitric oxide is a gaseous chemical developed in the body when an enzyme called nitric oxide synthase is integrated with the amino acid L-arginine. When these two fulfill in the body, they create citrulline (one more amino acid) as well as nitric oxide (consisted of one nitrogen atom as well as one oxygen atom). All-natural amounts of nitric oxide are generated by the body in this way as this essential gaseous substance is needed for regular bodily operating such as inter-neuron communication, intra-cellular messaging, and hormone transmission.
Those who make use of nitric oxide for bodybuilding effort to raise levels of this compound by ingesting supplements containing L-arginine, citrulline and aspartic acid. This is provided for the function of intensifying the procedure of vasodilation. Someplace, at some point, someone made the unlikely leap that "vasodilated" blood vessels somehow develop an atmosphere for even more uptake of oxygen, amino acids, creatine, and glucose by the muscle tissue.
The most effective nitric oxide supplements on the market can assist you take your workouts to the next degree. They function by boosting muscle pumps, vascularity and also efficiency when exercising.
NO2-MAX from CrazyBulk is an all-natural nitric oxide booster generated by one of the best makers in all of sporting activities nourishment, CrazyBulk. The main ingredient has actually been scientifically verified to enhance nitric oxide levels in several studies. We have actually stumbled upon many ineffective NO boosters that make incorrect cases, nonetheless this is not one of them.
Is There a Site That Provide Nitric Oxide Supplements to Falkland Islands?
CrazyBulk will ship their product worldwide, consisting of to Falkland Islands. Customers merely have to select their country of residence when completing their information on the order form. They also reveal a returns address for global clients as well as those from Falkland Islands on their returns page, proposing they need to deliver to Falkland Islands on a regular basis if they feel the need to show a different address for Falkland Islands. They offer an explanation of just how much shipping expenses connected with overseas delivery, so users must not be worry of any type of additional concealed prices. Nitrous Oxide Supplements is simply offered online from the CrazyBulk main website as well as ships worldwide, with a 30-day money-back assurance.
What to Consider Prior to Buy Nitrous Oxide Supplements from Falkland Islands?
Prior to searching for Nitric Oxide Booster on the internet, you must know precisely what product you're trying to find. Go into the product name into your web browser's search box to get begun evaluating websites that provide the product. Evaluation a minimum of three sites that offer the product and pay very close attention to cost, amount and shipping costs. Look for business who are more detailed to your shipping address. Sometimes, you can catch a break in shipping charges with picking closer business. Various sites require different shipping charges and some might be less expensive than others. Choose exactly what quantity you require, make your choice and place your order, providing the essential info.
Labels on Nitrous Oxide Supplements product need to consist of the following details: statement of identity, net quantity of contents, directions for use, a supplement truths panel, listing serving size, amount and active ingredients, other components in coming down order of predominance, and the name and place of business of the maker, packer or supplier. Constantly follow the maker's everyday recommended dosage - more isn't always much better. If a manufacturer says to take 2 capsules each day, that's all you must take. If you take several supplements, check to see if you are getting the very same component from numerous sources to make sure you don't go beyond the advised everyday allowance for any specific active ingredient.
The idea behind nitric oxide supplements basically hinges on boosting blood circulation. If you can open up those capillary and raise the quantity of blood that is able to flow into your muscles, after that you can much more properly feed your muscles in order to optimize development and recovery.
The key factor some individuals have trouble growing is that nutrients are not being properly received by their muscular tissues. Simply puts, blood circulation is restricted. A lot more blood in your muscular tissues doesn't just suggest a larger pump like many people think. Blood is what includes the nutrients your muscular tissues need in order to recover, and also as a result of appropriate healing, grow.
A great nitric oxide supplement will certainly open your capillary as well as boost blood circulation to your muscular tissues, yet that is not just what will trigger them to expand. That basically your muscles in a setting to expand. When your muscle mass are placed in a position to grow, that is when you need to take matters right into your own hands. Exactly how?
Make sure you are drinking a great protein shake or mass gainer after your workouts (see our healthy protein powder and also mass gainer evaluations) and also consume a big, nourishing dish after you consume your shake. THAT is exactly what will certainly create your muscles to grow. Take the nitric oxide supplement to place your muscles in an ideal placement to be fed, and then feed them! That is how you use a nitric oxide supplement and experience genuine outcomes.
L-Arginine Alpha Keto (AAKG): "The Nitric Oxide Enabler" AAKG is practically a superfluous amino acid, but if you intend to successfully open up your capillary, then it comes to be a vital amino acid. Without AAKG, your body could not produce nitric oxide. When ingested in significant quantities, AAKG causes your liver to manufacture nitric oxide, leading to the widening of your blood vessels as well as consequently boosted nutrient absorption by your muscular tissues (Also Known As gains).
Not only does AAKG trigger your body to generate nitric oxide by itself in an entirely all-natural means, yet it can additionally accelerate the process of protein synthesis. AAKG is all you need in order to maximize nitric oxide manufacturing levels and thereby make best use of muscular tissue development.
Just keep in mind, it is necessary you eat a healthy protein shake or mass gainer article workout to ensure that your body can take advantage of the effects that AAKG has on it. Or else, you are basically taking the nitric oxide booster for nothing. Place your muscles in a setting to be fed, then feed them!
Make sure to have a look at our protein powder and mass gainer examines to make sure that you can be 100% sure you are utilizing efficient blog post workout supplements. If you combine a strong healthy protein shake with this supplement, you will certainly without a doubt get a lots of muscle mass.
Nitric Oxide Supplements Shipping to Falkland Islands?
You do not need to bother with Nitric Oxide Supplements shipment to your address since currently Nitric Oxide Supplements shipping is available to all regions or cities throughout Falkland Islands.


text:
Welcome to Play Action International, formerly East African Playgrounds in the UK. Read about our rebrand.
Search for anything:
Easy Giving
Play Action International / Our work / Playgrounds
Our work designing and installing ...
Play Action International was born out of children's need to have a safe place to play and develop. Our programmes began with the design and construction of playgrounds at schools, which then evolved into supporting teachers to use the playground as an educational aid and enhance learning through the integration of play within the classroom. Our playgrounds are led by community design and built by local people using local materials. The schools where we have installed playgrounds and implemented our Educational Play programme, have reported higher levels of enrollment and attendance, better academic results and a general positive impact on children's well-being and happiness.
74% of children said they want to come to school because of the playground
Play in the early years of life has a profound and long-lasting impact on a child's health, well-being, and long-term development. Studies have shown that early play experiences improve a child's physical growth, their capacity for learning, chances of finishing school, future employability, and even personal income (Playground Ideas, 2015).
Global research shows that play-based approaches in school increase high-school equivalent graduation by 44% and those achieving bachelor's degrees by 17%. Indeed, evidence from our own Educational Play Programmes shows that play-based learning improves academic performance AND improves behaviour, reduces drop-outs and increases attendance. This is a cost-effective, sustainable solution with a far reaching impact. This is why so much of our work is focused on building the capacity of teachers to enhance their teaching through the greater use of play methods in their classrooms.
Our playgrounds…
Use high quality materials providing long lasting play opportunities (our playgrounds are guaranteed to last at least 10 years!)
Are designed using play theory to encourage a diverse mix of engaging play for every child
Adhere to safety standards in design and installation and are subject to a range of safety checks
Are community designed – consulting with each community, playgrounds are designed to reflect the community's identity
Are well maintained and managed through the local playground committees that are founded with each playground
Are constructed out of local materials, helping us to support the local community and economy even more
Are constructed and installed by our local, highly skilled team and provide apprenticeship opportunities to former street-connected young people
As you can see from the way we work, the impact we have is wide-ranging. The children gain a wonderful playground that is safe and exciting to use, giving them their childhoods through play, and the local community and economy benefit too. Building a playground for a community really is a win, win in everyone's books.
Do you know of a community that is missing a vital space for children to play? If yes, then it is time to get in touch so we can work together to rectify this!
This site uses cookies to give you a better experience.
Register for our free newsletter to keep up to date with what's going on at Play Action International!
Copyright © 2021 Play Action International.
Play Action International (formerly East African Playgrounds) is a charitable incorporated organisation registered in England & Wales (1172875). East African Playgrounds Uganda, part of the Play Action International family, is a registered NGO in Uganda (9176).
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text:
Celebrity Drive: Gary Owen, Comedian and Actor
Bow Tie Guy Loves His Game-Day Camaro
K.S. Wangwriter
Quick Stats: Gary Owen, comedian and actor
Daily Driver: 2011 Chevy Suburban (Gary's rating: 8.5 on a scale of 1 to 10)
Other cars: See below
Favorite road trip: San Diego to Las Vegas
Car he learned to drive in: late 1980s Pontiac Grand Am
First car bought: 1985 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme
Comedian Gary Owen didn't intend to solely support American car companies, but all of his cars have been from GM, so he's become a bow tie guy. If you grow up in the Midwest, like he did, he says these cars are ingrained from an early age.
Take his recent splurge car, a reward for all his hard work. He's a regular on Tyler Perry's "House of Payne" on TBS, and in addition to his own frequent standup dates, he's a headliner in the Shaquille O'Neal All-Star Comedy Jam. Owen could have bought any sports car he desired, but the Bengals fan opted for a 2012 Chevrolet Camaro. "It's orange, and that's my game-day car," he says proudly.
Owen rates it a 9, one point short of a perfect 10, because it's a bit too compact for a tall guy, and he's almost 6'3. '' "If I was 5'7" it would be a 10," he says. "It's a little tight sometimes, but the pickup is crazy in it! You'd be going 90 and don't realize it. I look down and see that I'm going 85 and it seems like I'm going 30 miles an hour."
He is proud to show off his new Camaro in Celebrity Drive, and asked some of his buddies on the Bengals defense to pose with him for the photo. "I'm a huge Cincinnati Bengals fan and I go to all the games when I'm in town and I'm lucky enough, being a comedian, you get to know athletes," Owen says. "The pictures were taken outside the football stadium and I wanted to make sure we got that with Cincinnati in the background."
The Camaro also is a thrill for Owen's 10-year-old son, who often asks his dad to pick him up from school in the car. "My son likes it because he thinks it's like a Transformer. He wanted me to get yellow like Bumblebee. I said, 'This is my Cincinnati car! The Bengals are not yellow!' The first few times he sat in it, I think he kept waiting for something to happen," he laughs. "He's looking around, like, "Hmm, I wonder if the Transformers are real. '"
Owen has had a GMC or Chevy for the last 10 years. "It's pretty much been a Denali or Tahoe Suburban," he says. Owen gives his 2011 Chevrolet Suburban an 8.5 rating, because of gas prices and the amount of gas it takes. "Sometimes parking can get a little tricky. It's a little big," he says. "Those are minor complaints, if you're going to complain about a car. If you get an SUV you pretty much know you're going to pay a little more on gas, so it shouldn't shock you."
It's been a great family car. "When you've got kids that are preteens, the best thing about it is the DVD player without question, and the fact that it can play the DVDs and I can still listen to music, because you put in the headphones," Owen says. "Because we live in Ohio, we drive to Florida every other summer, so it's a lifesaver then."
Although he's based in Ohio now, Owen moved to Los Angeles for eight years to get his career going, and back then his idea of a dream car was the GMC Denali. "I was hanging out with guys that had money and nice cars, and I didn't have one yet. I drove a Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator, and when I drove the Denali I thought it was the smoothest ride," he says. "I was always like, 'When I start making money in this business, I'm going to get a Denali!' As comedians, or a lot of entertainers are, either you're broke or you're really making some decent money." Funny thing was, it was only when he moved back to Ohio in 2004 that he bought the Denali.
A year before they moved back to Ohio, Owen's wife surprised him with a Ford Excursion. "I said, 'This doesn't even fit in the parking garages!'" he says. "That's the car we had when I moved back to Ohio, so we drove that back to Ohio. Six months later I turned it in and got my first Denali and I went from that Denali to another Denali and now I'm on the Suburban. I've got kids and we're playing sports and needed something bigger. When the kids get a little older I'll probably go back down to the Denali again."
It wasn't his goal to buy American, "but in the back of your mind, when you do buy American, you're like, 'Oh that was cool, I bought an American car,' when it's all said and done."
Car he learned to drive in
Owen didn't get a chance to learn to drive until he was in the Navy. "I grew up in a trailer park right outside of Cincinnati. We had one car and there were six kids, two parents," he says.
Owen talks about growing up in a trailer park in his stand-up act. "There was no chance for me to drive growing up. What was I going to drive? So I was 17 when I joined the military and 19 when I got my license."
A friend taught him to drive off base in Washington, D.C. "He was a little country dude from Missouri, we used to go out at 2 in the morning and he had a late 1980s Pontiac Grand AM and we were in the ghet-to of D.C.!" he exclaims. "Bobby Roller -- I'll never forget his name as long as I live. I can just imagine people would see these two little white dudes drive around this ghetto in D.C. and I didn't know what I was doing."
During one of the lessons, they got pulled over by the cops. "The light turned green and I was going to make a left and I thought you gunned it, so I gunned it and made the left," he says. "I didn't know you had to wait for the oncoming traffic to come and then when it opens up, make a left."
At that moment, the cops pulled them over. "He was like, 'I just saw what you did,'" Owen says. "My friend said, 'I'm teaching him how to drive.' And he let us go. He actually laughed about it."
First car bought
Owen bought his first car while in the Navy, in 1993. "I'll never forget it. I bought an '85 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme and it had whitewalls," he says. "We don't make a lot of money in the beginning in the military. I saved up $2500 bucks and the car was $2500 bucks.
"I thought I had to get back to Ohio to buy a car. When you first go into the military, your whole world is still revolved around your hometown," he says. So he flew home to buy it. Since Owen needed money to pay for things like insurance, the car dealer allowed him pay $2000 and send $500 the following month.
"I drive back to D.C. and my warranty was 1000 miles or 30 days and it broke down. I was like, 'Really?' So I called the guy and I said, 'I can't get the car back to you and I'm not going to make it within 30 days with the car.' I took it to a mechanic, he faxed over what was wrong with the car and the guy called me back and said, 'Don't worry about it, just get the car fixed. '"
Owen had the Oldsmobile for a few years and drove it to San Diego when he got transferred. "I was rolling in that car," he says. He later sold it for $700 and bought a brand-new 1996 Chevy S-10 pickup.
"The only reason I got the S-10 pickup is because when I had the Oldsmobile, it had such a big back seat and big front seat, so I would always drive when we would go out. I was sick of being the taxi. In my mind, I was like, 'I'm going to get a pickup, a two-seat pickup with a bed and no backseat, and that way I'm not going to get stuck with driving anymore.'
"The bad part about a pickup is now when guys move they call you," he says. "Now it's worse because when you're in the Navy, guys move a lot. So they're calling, 'Hey, can you help me out?'"
His big break
Owen started doing stand-up in the Navy, performing at Christmas parties and retirement parties on the base. "I was always funny, but in the back of my mind I wanted to be in stand-up, but I didn't know how to do it," he says.
His big break was on BET, after he auditioned to be on the show "ComicView" in 1997. He did some showcases that led to his own one-hour show. He was then asked to host ComicView, not only making him the only white guy to host that show, but also the only white on-air personality BET has ever had.
"Once I became the host, then it was -- I'm a full time stand-up now. I could go on the road and I didn't have to have another job," he says.
Even after that big break, Owen did not splurge on an expensive car. "I bought a used Ford Explorer," he says. "I took a class when I was in the military called 'Debt-Free Living' and I live my whole life like this."
The class taught him to only buy things he can afford. "Don't go charging stuff, so every car I bought, I bought. I've never had a car payment. I only get cars when I can afford them completely. I don't want car payments. It's a lot less stress with no car payment for my life. When I first got married, my wife did, and I had to break her from that cycle," he laughs. "Now she's like, 'I don't know why I never did what you did.' You just save until you can afford it. If you can't afford it, you can't afford it."
Favorite road trip
Owen's favorite road trip sounds like it should be part of his act. "The best road trip I ever took was from San Diego to Vegas. It was going for New Year's Eve in 1997," he recounts. "It was four dudes. We were young; we thought we were about to rip Vegas apart; none of us had ever been to Vegas, and we didn't do nothing!"
He calls that Las Vegas trip the "Hangover PG version." "We had no connections. We couldn't get into any parties. We just hung out at the casino lobby. We watched everybody party all weekend!" he says. "None of us met any girls. But the trip up there, the anticipation of it, we thought it was going down! It was going to be crazy!"
When they got up to Vegas, they didn't know what to do. "We were like, 'We're here!' That's when the record stops. We thought when you get there everybody invites you in -- 'Come here to the club and party with us!'" Owen hollers, as if from far away. "It wasn't like that at all. We just laughed on the way back. We had a good time, but when you look back on it, we were like, 'Everything we did in Vegas, we could have done in San Diego!'"
Owen is a headliner on the Shaquille O'Neal All-Star Comedy Jam, which has been touring the country since September. "We always tell people NBA or NFL guys will show up, so you're always going to see some professional athletes at the show, if we're in a city that has a professional team," Owen says. The tour will be in Indianapolis during the Super Bowl.
Owen was recently named "Black America's Favorite White Comedian" by Ebony magazine, and he appears in the upcoming movie "Think Like A Man," out March 9, based on Steve Harvey's best-selling book. "It's a romantic comedy. It's almost like a battle of the sexes," he describes.
He's one of the ensemble cast of stars that include fellow comic Kevin Hart, Jerry Ferrara (from "Entourage"), Gabrielle Union, Chris Brown, and Kelly Roland.
Owen just finished filming a one-hour special slated to air on Showtime this spring, followed by a DVD release. To find out where he'll be performing live, visit garyowen.com
Head 2 Head: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Battles 2013 Ford Shelby GT500
Christian Seabaugh| Jun 28, 2012
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 and 2012 Chevy Camaro ZL1 Take Road Trip on Hot Rod Unlimited
Christian Seabaugh| Aug 31, 2012
Head 2 Head: Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. Ford Mustang Boss Laguna Seca
Motor Trend Staff| Mar 8, 2012


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ABB Sets Asbestos Deal With Lawyers
Goran MijukDow Jones Newswires
Updated March 22, 2005 12:01 am ET
ABB Ltd. said it has reached an agreement with plaintiffs' lawyers to pay $1.43 billion to claimants to end its decade-long battle against crippling asbestos lawsuits in the U.S. But a final resolution of its asbestos woes is still far from certain.
The asbestos clouds over the company won't go away until all 100,000 plaintiffs in the suits as well as two U.S. courts -- a Delaware bankruptcy court and a U.S. District Court in Newark, N.J. -- accept the terms of the new proposal. Under the proposal, ABB will pay $232 million...


Cypress oil is derived from the Cypress tree. If you grew up or lived in the South around the bayous, you know Cypress tress.
The fresh aroma of Cypress instantly requires a deep breath to take it in. It has a variety of uses from insect repellent to sweaty feet. Also great at helping to control the feeling of fluid retention.
Perfume and soap industries often use cypress oil, with its fresh evergreen aroma, with a slightly sweet and balsamic undertone, adds a masculine note to men's cologne and aftershaves.
Cypress oil can also help us to learn how to go with the flow, showing a person how to let go, trust the process of life, and enjoy the course.
Diffuse or inhale the first signs of throat discomfort.
Mix together Cypress and Grapefruit essential oil with fractionated coconut oil and rub on problem areas to help give skin a firmer, more youthful appearance.
Mix a few drops of Cypress Oil with fractionated coconut oil and apply to the chest to support healthy breathing.
Sweaty feet? Use Cypress in a spray or light lotion and apply to feet to improve feeling of hot, sweaty feet.
Cypress is originally native to the Mediterranean area. In Chinese medicine, cool/dry action, metal and water element, yin energy, enlivens and regulates flow of blood, helps circulate Qi energy, reinforces lung meridian. Facilities feelings of cohesion, stability. Helps deal with and accept change, assists transition of loss of loved one or ending of relationship, dissolves remorse and instills hope, and alleviates self-doubt associated with new directions. Active in the lower pelvic region, correlated with the base chakra. Indicated for the well-rooted person. Aromatically, it's often said to have a grounding or balance effect.
Colorless to pale yellow to greenish-olive in color.
Its aroma is smoky, fresh, sweet balsamic, woody, sweet, slightly citrus, with a hint of spice.
Steam distillation of leaves, cones and branches.
Cypress essential oil is a middle to top note and blends well with of all citrus fruits such as Lime, Lemon and Orange as well as with Bergamot, Clary Sage, Frankincense, Juniper, Lavender, Marjoram, Pine, Rosemary and Sandalwood essential oils.
Our Camphor White essential oil is 100% pure and natural. It is free of any chemicals, pesticides, synthetic perfumes, fillers or carrier oils.
Do not use with individuals who are pregnant or have a history of epilepsy.
Excessive use of any oil can lead to skin sensitization.
If you are pregnant, epileptic, have cancer, have liver issues, or any other serious illness, we strongly suggest you consult a medical professional prior to using essential oils.
Add it to your foot soak to help deodorize and clean sweaty feet.


For those readers of ours who aren't familiar with Rodes Rollins yet, how would you describe your sound to them?
I like to refer to my music as cowgirl poetry. It's indie rock with a tinge of vintage Americana.
I started writing songs and recording when I was 8. My sister wanted to take guitar lessons, and stopped after about two weeks. So, I picked up the guitar because it happened to be sitting around.
What inspires you to write and what does your song-writing process look like?
I am most inspired by personal experience and moods. Lighting really affects my ability to write too. I like the room to feel dark and moody – candles and all. I usually write early in the morning or late at night. Generally, I'll compose an instrumental track first with guitar, drums and a bass line, and then I'll start writing lyrics.
What can you tell us about your latest single "Wes Come Back"? Who's Wes?
This EP features two songs about Wes, who was my first love. Wes was an amazing person who was dealt a very unfair hand. When he was just 20, he was thrown in jail for something he shouldn't have been punished for. It turned his world upside down, and broke my heart. It's been many years since the incident, but I've always felt a burning need to tell his story. So I did it the best way I knew how through this EP.
"Wes Come Back" is the second song about Wes on the EP. I decided to weave different layers of his story throughout this project. This song focuses more on our young relationship, and my worries of being in such a serious relationship at a very young age, knowing that there was a whole world I had yet to explore.
Does Wes know that this song is about him?
We are no longer very in touch. But if he's heard it, I'm sure he does.
And how did you get Electric Guest's Matthew Crompton to play drums on the track?
Alex Goose, the producer of this EP curated an amazing group of musicians to play with me. I was lucky to have such an amazing group help me bring this music to life.
And as for the video, it's quite an epic short-film. Can you tell us more about the making of and how the idea came about?
I met Jose María, the film's director, when I was in Mexico City. I saw his work and was truly impressed with his artistry and film making. His ability to tap into such chilling emotion moved me. I knew I wanted to collaborate with him. This film is by no means a literal interpretation of my song, but rather Jose María's departure into a story inspired by the song. The protagonist's suicide attempts are an agonizingly painful metaphor for the feeling of loosing oneself when loosing a loved one.
Are you planning on releasing more short-film type of videos or is this a one off?
I hope to do many more short-films inspired by the music. To me, a visual interpretation can look like so much more than a typical video. In fact, I think it's powerful when it morphs into something unexpected and seemingly-unrelated.
What is it about Rodes Rollins that people should focus on? What sets you apart from the rest?
I don't know how different I am from anyone else. But I think people can connect to my stories. Sonically and lyrically, I try to tap into things that people can relate to.
Which other band/ act would you like to collaborate with and why?
I would love to collaborate with Rodrigo Amarante. I can listen to his music anywhere, anytime. He's a true inspiration to me.
And what's next in store for Rodes Rollins? Any new releases in the near future?
Yes, the whole next project is written and in the works. Excited to share it!
Last but not least: one thing you'd change in the world right now and why.
That's a very difficult question to answer with just a single thing…Not surprisingly, Syria has been at the forefront of my mind. I wish the horrific violence would come to an end. I've been thinking about how maybe my family can help a family there find refuge in the states. I really can't stand how disconnected we become from these tragedies. In a world that is seemingly so connected, we turn our backs on those in need far too often.
Thanks to Talia (aka Rodes Rollins), for the kind support and interview.


An Acton man already facing criminal penalties for building an elaborate structure called "Phonehenge West" without permits was found guilty Friday of additional building code violations; his creation is likely destined for the wrecking ball.
But the Antelope Valley jury deadlocked on three other misdemeanor charges against Alan Kimble Fahey, who has been released on his own recognizance.
The mixed verdict came three days after Fahey was found guilty of a majority of charges in the controversial case that has played out at the Lancaster courthouse since May 26.
Fahey worked for about three decades on the massive, reddish cluster of structures until county officials ordered him to stop due to building-code violations. His case attracted international attention and support from fans who considered Phonehenge West a work of art, and who sympathized with his clashes with building inspectors.
Fahey's attorney, Jerry Lennon, said Friday that Fahey could pay fines as high as $500 for each of the 12 counts on which he was found guilty. He is likely to be required to do some community service, and would only be allowed to remain out of custody if he complies with the judge's orders to immediately vacate the buildings that don't have permits, Lennon said. Before his official sentencing, scheduled for July 8, Fahey has been ordered to consult with county officials to determine a plan for demolishing the unlawful structures, the defense attorney added.
Deputy Dist. Atty. Patrick David Campbell argued during the trial that Fahey was a proud and talented artist, but also stubborn, and didn't feel that code enforcement rules applied to him.
Lennon defended Phonehenge West as an artistic creation. The defense attorney insisted that Fahey was aware of the safety issues and wanted to work with code enforcement officials, but that officials ignored him or were too disorganized to follow through.
The jury deliberated six days and had so much difficulty reaching a complete verdict that attorneys at one point were ordered to re-argue certain portions of the case. Jurors twice reported that they were deadlocked on several charges, but Superior Court Judge Daviann L. Mitchell ordered the panel of eight men and six women, including two alternates, to deliberate further.
Prosecutors are expected to announce later whether they will seek to retry Fahey on the three counts on which the jury deadlocked. Fahey has said he will appeal the verdicts against him.


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Open LASERWAR Cup has been known among players by its strict rules, unbiased judgement and planned out playfields. This is easy to explain though, for real laser tag masters are drawn together by such a competition. 4 times a year top teams compete at battlefields, and prove that actions speak louder than words as they bring to light the most united and competitive team.
LLC LASERWAR has committed to supporting this developing movement. Our company specialists have developed a special design of diplomas that will be awarded to the winners. Moreover, we will gift souvenir sets to the organisers of the event. Notepads, t-shirts, 2-point belts – this all will be enjoyed by club directors very soon indeed.
Have you got a team of your own that leaves no one a single chance? Have you been playing for quite some time so the players can almost read each other's mind? Then you've got to try your chances at Open LASERWAR Cup. For winning this competition means recognition of excellence by top league players.


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Powerhouse programs Stillwater, Choctaw meet to decide 6AII state championship
Pioneers, Yellowjackets have combined to go 24-1 this season
Michael Kinney
By Michael Kinney
Stillwater photo by Christian Potts
Ever since the 2022 season started, it's seemed like Stillwater and Choctaw were on a collision course.
Even though the likes of Edmond Deer Creek and Muskogee were worthy contenders, the Pioneers (13-0) and Yellowjackets (11-1) were just in their own company when it came to Class 6AII.
Now, the two powerhouses are set to face off for all the marbles Friday in the 6AII state championship game at Chad Richison Stadium on the University of Central Oklahoma campus in Edmond. Kickoff will be at 1 p.m. on Friday.
The two teams enter the contest with a combined record of 24-1. The only blemish came when Choctaw dropped its season opener to highly ranked Del City (5A). But since then, the Yellowjackets have run the table.
Stillwater, on the other hand, has not tasted defeat this season. In fact, there were only two times this season that they won by less than 14 points. That includes its 33-28 victory against Deer Creek in the semifinals.
The Pioneers are the highest-scoring team in 6AII at 48 points a contest. Only Bixby (6AI), which has scored 798 points, can claim a higher average in all of 6A.
Stillwater sports a balanced attack offensively.
Quarterback Gage Gundy has thrown for 1,920 yards and 22 touchdowns on 139-of-198 passing attempts. The 6-foot-4, 215-pound senior has also thrown only one interception on the year.
Gundy's primary target is junior Heston Thompson, who has hauled in half (11) of Gundy's touchdown passes. Thompson has 58 catches and 757 yards as well.
But Noah Roberts is the main cog in the Pioneers' offense. Running behind the Stillwater offensive line, the senior has totaled 1,300 yards and 25 TDs this season. Against Deer Creek, he posted 167 yards on 21 carries in the semifinal victory.
The Yellowjackets will rely on Easton Costa to help slow down the Pioneers' run game. The junior linebacker leads the team with 76 tackles.
Senior RJ Jackson (11 sacks) and junior Will Smith (6) have combined for 17 sacks and 31 hurries. If Stillwater is unable to keep them out of the backfield, it could be a long night for Gundy.
Choctaw's offense may not have the same numbers as Stillwater, but it's not too far behind. In fact, in some areas, they may be even better.
Choctaw's Steele Wasel (a University of Akron commit) has thrown for 3,040 yards, 36 touchdowns and four interceptions on 169-of-236 passing. In their semifinal win against Muskogee, he tossed in 366 yards and a touchdown to his resume.
Sophomore Deshawn Smith has 11 touchdown catches for Choctaw. Senior Conner Stover and sophomore Nathan Keiffer have nine and eight touchdowns, respectively.
As a team, the Yellowjackets are averaging 45 points per contest while giving up 16.
Stillwater defensive end Zac Tyson is averaging almost 10 tackles a game to go along with his three total sacks. Cameron Johnson and Kenneth Tuck each have three interceptions coming into the game.
Of all the big school championship games, on paper, the 6AII contest appears to be the most competitive with a chance of it coming down to the team who has the ball last.
It will also be a brand-new champion in the classification after Bixby - which had won the previous four 6AII championships - was moved up to 6AI over the offseason.
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Photos: Centennial Corona cruises past Liberty (Nevada) in Nike Extravaganza showdown
By SBLive Sports Jan 29, 2023
Kendall Clark looking for storybook ending at Melba after frustrating year of injury, sickness
By Brandon Walton Jan 29, 2023
Photos: Mater Dei drops St. Mary's (Arizona) at Nike Extravaganza showcase


Marines from the Royal Navy frigate HMS Portland moved in as a group of men prepared for a suspected pirate attack in the Gulf of Aden, off the coast of Somalia, on Tuesday.
Suspicions were aroused when HMS Portland's crew detected two skiffs by radar, which did not appear to be just fishing vessels. Working with a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft, as part of the Combined Maritime Forces Task Force 151 – a multinational naval group established to fight piracy – the frigate approached the skiffs for a closer inspection.
Royal Marines moved in on RIBs after they spied weapons and ammunition on board, including rocket-propelled grenades. However, they were later forced to release the group of 10 men due to insufficient evidence directly linking them to a pirate attack. The men were disarmed and HMS Portland destroyed the smaller skiff, along with her 30mm guns and machine guns, before sending them on their way.


Working as a kind of seaside mail carrier, the Uncorker of Ocean Bottles seeks out all the floating messages in bottles and delivers them to their proper recipients. The wistful Uncorker, shown going to great lengths to deliver the messages, secretly wants to receive a message of his own, but "then he remembered that this was about as likely as finding a mermaid's toenail on the beach. For he had no name. He had no friends. He stank of seaweed and salt and fishermen's feet." When the Uncorker finds a bottle containing a party invitation with no addressee, he checks in with all the locals to no avail. Feeling defeated, he decides to go to the party to apologize to the sender, but when he arrives, he finds everyone else has come too. The Uncorker never finds the bottle's sender, but in a roundabout way he has delivered — and received — the message perfectly. Stead's art, using woodblock prints, oil pastels, and pencil, brings out the dreamlike quality of the story, showing the seaside setting from a variety of vantage points with engaging details to notice and follow. A soft palette of cool greens and warm yellows with pops of red develops the atmosphere, while fine, detailed lines capture the personalities and quirks of the story's characters. The text meanders, and is heavy with metaphors; but the power and importance of communication and connection reverberate throughout the quiet, poignant tale.
Julie Roach manages youth services at the Cambridge Public Library in Massachusetts. She also teaches children's literature at Simmons College's Graduate School of Library and Information Science and at Lesley University.


One of the greatest gifts bestowed on our island is that of cultural diversity. For centuries we have been a country that was embellished with understanding and a resilient spirit of unity. This is a blessed nation where the pinnacles of the dagoba, the minaret of the mosque, the dome of the church and the gopuram of the kovil reach towards the sky in total harmony. For decades we have come to enjoy our unique culinary traditions, infused with spices that are common to all. It is terribly unfortunate that such a nation was deliberately misled into an era of conflict, rupturing unity and brotherhood.
Thankfully, that dark and dangerous chapter is over, due to the sacrifice of many. However, as we all know though a wound heals the scar remains. Yet, as we march towards sustainable reconciliation I am confident that even those somewhat stubborn scars will fade away erased by the greater force of love, forgiveness, tolerance and peace.
On my media assignments I have been truly blessed to travel to every province of this country, meeting young people and talking with them. The Northern Province is one massive area that needs consistent effort towards rehabilitation, reconciliation as much as the Southern Province. The predominantly Tamil speaking youth of the North have endured much.
Anyone born on or after 1983 would be in the age group of 25-35 years today. According to some of these youth they were born in refugee camps, their families being displaced due to the war and the ethnicity based riots that devastated Colombo and other major cities.
As we look back now, it is obvious that whatever issues which led to these conflicts could have been sorted out in the political realms, irrespective of any political party. Most of these youth had their schooling disturbed at regular intervals. Through determination some passed the A/L exams entered university.
There are hundreds who were unable to sit for their O/L and A/L exams. This resulted in these young men and women being unable to secure dignified employment. To this day they engage in daily wage based jobs, and are marginalised in a fiercely caste conscious society. I was saddened to witness in some areas of the North, Tamil citizens being segregated at village wells- there are wells for the high castes and low castes. This is nonsense. We are Sri Lankans. This mentality must cease immediately.
Even at institutions of learning there is caste based preference over academic excellence. Official documents have not reached the administrative stage where they can be read in Tamil- this is another genuine grievance of these youth (this happens even in Colombo).
This is why we all need to learn English as a link language. Many young people grew up as orphans due to the war. When young people are thus marginalised by their own, they become vulnerable for radicalisation- by any doctrine. Those who have relatives in Europe and other countries have managed to migrate. Many of these unskilled young men and women continue to live as second class citizens (even though they may get their PR or citizenship). They work at gas stations and supermarkets. As they reflect on their apparent fate they are inclined to blame the Sri Lankan lifestyle that led them there. This fuels feelings of resentment. I must mention that there are some enterprising Sri Lankans who have excelled and are now employing Europeans!!
There is good work done by the Government and NGOs towards fostering unity. I have witnessed this. One person who genuinely worked for reconciliation is the present Army Commander Lt. General Mahesh Senanayake. I have visited Palaly on many occasions when he was Security Force Commander Jaffna, and seen the systematic work of the Army in healing the deep scars of war. I have spoken to former combatants who have been rehabilitated and gainfully employed at the Army Farm.
On visiting the massive housing scheme of Nallinakapuram, I heard the Tamil citizens blessing Sinhalese soldiers who laboured to build their homes. The bond between these soldiers and citizens sets the benchmark for real reconciliation.
On the other hand, we cannot forget the young people of the South. Years ago they too were led to a subversive uprising which caused its own loss of lives and emotional scars. There are families who still mourn for their missing sons. Again we are all Sri Lankans. We also remember the hundreds of military personnel who died gallantly, and others who are permanently disabled. I ask the young folks in Colombo, who thrive on branded clothing and opulent cuisine, have you ever visited a disabled war veteran? Whilst reconciliation of hurting communities is done at national level, every one of us can impact a life. We have a duty to bring about change. It's not about being Sinhalese, Tamil, Muslim or Burgher- it is about being a Sri Lankan. We must let go of hate speech that brings division. I have written before about the New Year in April- we must not say Sinhalese or Tamil New Year but celebrate it as Sri Lankan New Year. I hope Parliament will effectthis change. As a sage told me once we are all children of one strong root, now manifesting in different branches of the same tree.


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Judge charges Westmeath murder case jury
Wednesday, July 21, 2010 - 06:24 PM
The judge in the Westmeath cold-case murder trial has outlined parts of one of the defendant's statements capable of corroborating the main witness's evidence.
Mr Justice John Edwards was charging the jury for a second day in the month-long trial at the Central Criminal Court.
Vera McGrath (aged 61) has pleaded not guilty to murdering her 43-year-old husband, Bernard Brian McGrath, at their home in Lower Coole 23 years ago.
Her co-accused and former son-in-law, Colin Pinder (aged 47), of Liverpool, England has pleaded not guilty to murder but guilty to Mr McGrath's manslaughter between March 10 and April 18, 1987.
Veronica McGrath, daughter of Vera and Brian McGrath, was engaged to Mr Pinder when her father was killed. She is the principle prosecution witness and told the trial that she saw the defendants kill and bury her father behind the family home.
The judge said that both mother and daughter claimed that on the night of the killing Mrs McGrath went into her daughter's caravan crying and upset.
Both claimed that Mrs McGrath then wished her husband dead and Mr Pinder said he had 'the very thing' to do it.
Both women spoke of gesturing between the two defendants on the walk from the caravan to the family home that night.
Both said that Mrs McGrath had gone in the window of the house when Mr McGrath sustained the first blow and ended up on the ground, continued the judge.
Both women agreed that Mrs McGrath hit her husband, probably with a spanner, when he was lying on the ground. Both said that Mr McGrath had thrown a ladder at Colin Pinder, he noted.
Each woman mentioned following Mr McGrath down the lane before Mr Pinder caught up with him and hit the victim's legs with a slash hook. Each recalled Mr McGrath telling Mr Pinder he was sorry, he continued.
Finally both women spoke of the victim making a gurgling or rattling sound that Mrs McGrath associated with death.
The judge said that it was a matter for the jury whether these parts of Mrs McGrath's statements corroborated her daughter's testimony.
The judge also explained the reference to 'Judge's Rules' in the cross examination of one of the garda witnesses.
"One of the things the judge's rules requires is that a record of notes should be read back to the accused," he said.
Superintendent Aidan Glacken had agreed with Patrick Gageby SC, defending Mrs McGrath, that not all interviews conducted with his client were read back to her.
"Failure to comply with judge's rules may render the fruits of an interview inadmissible," explained the judge.
"A conscious decision not to comply … could amount to perverting the course of justice."
The judge also spoke of notes of another interview with Mrs McGrath having gone missing.
"There is no explanation," he told the jury. "That's unfortunate. It doesn't make your job any easier."
The delay in prosecuting the case was also addressed. The judge noted that Supt Glacken had speculated that there would have been a prosecution in 1993 had bones found in Coole been identified.
"That is just speculation," he warned.
Mr Gageby had rejected the notion that the case was not brought in 1993 because DNA profiling was in its infancy. He pointed out in his closing speech that murder cases could be prosecuted without a body.
The judge confirmed that this was true but said such a case would not be that easy to mount.
Mr Justice Edwards will continue his charge tomorrow morning, with the jury expected to begin deliberating in the afternoon.
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Борис Николаевич Григорьев:
 Григорьев, Борис Николаевич (1927—1994) — Герой Социалистического Труда, строитель.
 Григорьев, Борис Николаевич (род. 1942) — писатель, полковник СВР в отставке.


The people at NuCon Corporation are experts when it comes to impellers. More specifically, they are experts in the manufacturing of radial and axial compressors, pumps and turbines, shrouded impellers, expanders, diffusers, and jet engine cases. They're also experts in 5-axis machining processes used to manufacture those impellers and the aforementioned parts.
Since 1973, NuCon Corporation has used their proprietary Impeller Machining System to machine thousands of configurations as small as 5 mm in diameter up to 73 inches in diameter. The majority of their products are used for marine propulsion and pumps, industrial compressors, and power generation, but they also machine parts for aircraft and rocket engines. NuCon primarily machines stainless steel, but they have experience machining a variety of materials including aluminum, titanium, exotics, and plastics. They can do any blade configuration a customer needs including straight line element, arbitrary blade shape, blisk, an open or shrouded impeller, and an open or closed turbine. Different blade shapes within a single stator/rotor can be accommodated.
NuCon primarily relies on 15 vintage Sundstrand 5-axis machining centers throughout the 35,000 square feet of manufacturing space they have in Livonia, Michigan, to manufacture these complex blade configurations for customers around the world. In fact, there are only a handful of companies capable of serving this niche market. The NuCon crew has upgraded, retrofitted, and refurbished the massive Sundstrand machining centers so they can handle large parts that vary in complexity and weight, with some blanks weighing as much as 11 tons.
Co-owner David Bernhardt says he started shopping for a smaller 5-axis machining center because it didn't make sense to tie up a large Sundstrand for smaller parts that were up to 22 inches in diameter. While he considered other brands of 5-axis machines, Bernhardt says a demonstration at Hurco's technology center in Indianapolis sealed the deal and NuCon purchased two VMX42SR machines. "The VMX42SR's table had the capacity to handle the weight of stainless steel, which is important because that's the material we use the most," explains Bernhardt. The VMX42SR's C-Axis table with a 24-inch diameter can handle up to 1,100 lbs and the machining center is designed with a B-axis swivel head and C-axis rotary table that lets the tool access hard to reach areas faster. The tilting head design is perfect for the swept surfaces and complex contours NuCon routinely machines. Other advantages of the Hurco VMX42SR include 600-block look ahead, up to 600 ipm programmable feed rate, and processing speed up to 2,277 bps.
Hurco was especially honored that NuCon chose Hurco for its 5-axis machining needs of smaller parts considering the collective expertise of the owners and the exacting standards they demand. NuCon owners David Bernhardt and David Stormont know machine tools inside and out: literally. They were machine tool designers in the 60s at the Buhr Company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, a company well known for developing machine tools designed specifically for the automotive industry. Because of the collective expertise of Bernhardt and Stormont, NuCon has successfully developed their proprietary Impellar Manufacturing Software, designed the spindle head for their rotary head machines, and created their own PC-based controllers. They have achieved accreditation for numerous quality programs and implemented verification and inspection programs throughout their operation.
Bernhardt says he is enamored with the motion control on the Hurco and both VMX42SRs have performed perfectly. Beyond the machine, Bernhardt says the phenomenal service network Hurco has established is probably the best he's seen in his career. "It's really something you should promote. The knowledge and customer support is outstanding. I even sold a machine to a fellow down the road. He asked me about our Hurcos and I told him about the phenomenal service network you have and the outstanding performance of our machines. This is still an industry that relies on word-of-mouth, which means a company's reputation for how they treat customers after they have bought the machine is important," explains Bernhardt.
While Hurco machine tools are often known for their intuitive conversational programming, NuCon uses the NC side of the control exclusively. The integrated Hurco control powered by WinMax includes both conversational and NC programming methods with ISNC and NC Productivity Packages available for enhanced performance. With an enhanced NC interpreter, the recently released WinMax version 8 (WinMax8) is compatible with more CAD/CAM programs than ever. Other additions to the NC side of the control include Tool Review, Transform Plane, Rotary Tangential Velocity Control, Automatic Safe Repositioning, Recovery Restart, and Cylindrical Wrap.
"It really says a lot for us to go to another machine with an alien control when all of the Sundstrands and turning systems we have use the control system we developed. The integration has been seamless and all of the operators picked up the Hurco control quickly," says Bernhardt.
NuCon also invests in other technology to enhance efficiency, minimize waste, and maintain outstanding quality. Bernhardt says software packages from OpenMind and Predator are useful to his operation because they analyze part programs to achieve maximum machining efficiency.
Bernhardt attributes his company's success to great customers, great employees, and the drive to continually find ways to increase efficiency while maintaining the highest quality. "The core of our manufacturing philosophy at NuCon has always been to satisfy our customers. The job isn't finished until the customer requirements are met. We believe in continual process improvement. You always need to look for ways to work smarter even while you're working harder," says Bernhardt.
For NuCon, purchasing the Hurco VMX42SRs helped the company work smarter for smaller 5-axis parts.
Five-axis machining can reduce the amount of electrodes and EDM operations necessary.


Transaction volume on JD.com reached a record high of $24.7 billion this year during the 18-day June anniversary sales event. This marked the first major "6.18" anniversary sale in which the e-commerce giant combined online, offline and virtual shopping for a 'boundaryless retail' experience.
Tens of millions of consumers visited JD pop-up stores and experience centers around China over the 18-day sales period, sampling snack foods, testing home appliances and trying on clothes. The pop-ups gave 1,400 brands a space to showcase their products and interact with Chinese shoppers for feedback, fueling excitement for 6.18, now one of the biggest shopping events in the world.
The pop-up shops, which spanned 30 cities and received over 43 million visits, boosted sales for participating brands as well. After participating, Ocean Spray Cranberries Inc. sold 400% more bags of cranberries during the sale than during the same period a month earlier.
Through JD's crowdsourced delivery affiliate JD Daojia, shoppers were also able to buy products from offline stores for delivery to their homes. Orders via JD Daojia from Walmart, JD's strategic partner, quadrupled during the 6.18 sales period from the same period a year earlier. Sales from another JD partner, Century Mart, were seven times the amount last year.
Meanwhile, JD's augmented reality technology also provided a better experience for shoppers who chose to stay at home. Data from the sale showed 70% of consumers who purchased color lenses first used JD's AR Styling Station, a function in the JD mobile app, to test the look on their own faces. JD sold 52,000 boxes of Johnson & Johnson's 1 Day Acuvue Moist lenses in only one day of the sale.
The mix of new online, offline and virtual shopping experiences are part of JD's broader strategy to leverage its smart supply chain and advanced technologies to build a sustainable future for the retail industry. They complemented another booming sales period for JD, as products including giant TVs, mattresses, designer jeans and fresh crabs sold in record numbers—with many selling out just minutes after the sale began.
With more than 300 million customers, JD is China's largest retailer, online or offline, and has already changed shopping habits in the world's most populous country. It is the only e-commerce company in the world to operate a nationwide logistics network in-house, which can deliver over 90% of orders on the same or next day—including during this year's sale, despite the massive increase in order volume. Following its recent international expansion, JD also worked with over 110 warehouses outside of China during this year's sale.


New York City boasts world-class music in many genres, but jazz is arguably one that the city has made its own. This varied collection of jazz on a yuletide theme features the work of musicians, singers, songwriters, and music labels connected to New York.
Here are performances by artists personally connected with the city, such as Ella Fitzgerald, Lena Horne, and Dean Martin. Here is also New York's Tin Pan Alley songwriting industry, represented by enduring Christmas songs, plus great tracks from the world's premier jazz label, Blue Note, which was founded in New York in 1939. Finally, The Metropolitan Museum of Art itself appears in the compilation, with performances by musicians from its concerts and lectures series.
Whether instrumental or vocal, classic or contemporary, religious or romantic, all the tracks reveal that New York is a very special place. And quite possibly no time in New York is more special than Christmas.


Appono is an energy device that controls air, water, and lighting in one at home automation environment. Appono stands for "set" in Latin and it shows very interesting and direct user experience by tangible operation unit which look like pebbles. We improved innovative energy control system interface design not to be the one that before (It used to be very scatterbrained with complicated menu structure and user flow).
The operation unit is composed of four units (air-conditioning, humidity, water temperature, and lighting) and each control separately.


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