In the waning daylight of a Friday in June 1961, a red and white Ford station wagon rambles down the hilly twists and turns of Zion Road, pushing out beyond the western edges of Cincinnati. The breeze blows through the open windows of the bulky 1957 wagon, brushing along the sleek painted sides and whipping past the pointy tail fins.
To the two young men sitting on the roomy front bench seat, their elbows propped out the open windows, the warm wind across their arms and faces feels like freedom.
Dennis Smith pulls the car into the driveway of an old farmhouse. The gravel crunches under the tires as he maneuvers the wagon into an open field and parks it by three small sheds. He and his sidekick, Thomas Van Flandern, hop out carrying sacks stuffed with Frisch's Big Boy burgers, onion rings, strawberry pie and sodas. They drop the sacks on a bench in the grass and duck inside each of the small buildings.
Working together, going from shed to shed, they push back the roofs, which are on rollers, exposing to the elements the most advanced astronomical tools of the 20th century—three large telescopes. Two are white, one is silver. Each is slightly larger than the next, measuring 8-inches, 14-inches and 16-inches in diameter.
They point each scope toward the clear evening sky. The two Xavier students have received a request from the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Cambridge, Mass., to observe the Transit 4-A satellite, its carrier rocket and two other satellites that are being launched from Cape Canaveral on Florida's east coast.
It is the middle of the Cold War and the leading edge of the Space Race. Three years earlier, Russia launched the world's first satellite, Sputnik, and the U.S. has been trying to catch up and pass the Soviet efforts ever since, filling the skies with more and more artificial stars. The three new satellites being launched tonight are a big part of that effort, and they should appear over Cincinnati about 90 minutes after launch.
The two have time, so they grab their burgers, sit in the grass and talk about what this new world of unmanned satellites circling overhead truly means.
Smith was in the car with his parents parked at a Frisch's drive-in for lunch when the news came over the radio that the Soviet Union had just put a satellite into orbit. It was Oct. 4, 1957.
[lightbox link="http://xtra.xavier.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sputnik.jpg"] [/lightbox]The news shocked most Americans, but the idea of satellites orbiting Earth so fascinated Smith that his parents took him to the Cincinnati Astronomical Society, a 140-acre site west of Cincinnati near Cleves, Ohio, where amateur astronomers had been observing the stars since the early 1900s. He remembers the president of the group pointing out Sputnik passing overhead on the night they visited.
"It just turned me on to see that up there," Smith says.
While others were looking at moons and planets and galaxies, Smith was captured by the artificial objects. He began helping out with the Astronomical Society's Operation Moonwatch team, one of 153 amateur satellite spotting teams around the country that were organized in preparation for America's first satellite launch. With the surprise launch of Sputnik, however, the teams scrambled to begin observing the beeping beacon in orbit overhead and report their findings to the Smithsonian Observatory.
Before the launch of Sputnik, there was nothing manmade beyond Earth's atmosphere. But Sputnik broke the silence, followed by Sputnik II, III and IV, while the United States launched Explorer I into orbit in January 1958 followed by Vanguard I and Explorer 3. As the number of satellites in orbit continued to grow, volunteer satellite spotters with the Moonwatch teams stepped up their observations.
Among the most prolific of the early Moonwatch teams in the U.S. was the Cincinnati group led by Smith's friend, Van Flandern. As a child, Van Flandern loved watching the moon out of the car window and reading the children's book, The Stars, by H.A. Rey. A subscription to Sky & Telescope magazine furthered his interest, and he used summer job money to buy his first telescope. He fought battles with his mother, who raised him and his siblings alone, to let him go out before sunrise to observe the constellations.
By the time he got to Xavier, he was doing advanced calculations of astronomical phenomena such as occultations and orbits of comets. Shortly after introducing himself to the Cincinnati Astronomical Society and their Moonwatch team, they recognized his genius and handed leadership of the team to him. He and Smith became fast friends, logging many hours together tracking satellites at the society's observatory. Smith enrolled at Xavier two years later and helped Van Flandern track satellites from an observatory Van Flandern and his physics professors installed on the roof of Logan Hall. From there he operated a substation for the Cincinnati Moonwatch program with the help of Xavier student volunteers.
By 1961, their work tracking satellites was beginning to get noticed by the astrophysicists at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, the precursor to NASA. Their notoriety began when the SAO asked them to watch for the new satellites on that Friday night in June.
As the sun goes down and the sky goes dark at the observatory, Van Flandern and Smith get the telescopes ready. They fix the crosshairs on Polaris, the North Star, and from there they figure the azimuth and altitude.
Then using Van Flandern's calculations from a computer program he designed using an early IBM computer donated by General Electric—where he had a summer job—they calculate the orbit and time that each object should pass overhead and adjust the scopes so the satellites will fly into their fields of view.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., they're looking through the 14-inch scope, waiting for the first satellite to appear. As Van Flandern predicted, they see an object enter the 1.25-degree view circle. He notes the time. Another comes through. Then another, then a pair and then three more. Within 15 minutes, five more objects have been picked up by the scope—way more than expected. By 10:10 p.m., they have spotted a total of 14 satellites. They're stunned.
[lightbox link="http://xtra.xavier.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/eyes-2.jpg"] [/lightbox]Van Flandern sits cross-legged on the bench, pulls out his slide rule and begins scribbling figures madly on a notepad. He looks up at Smith.
"You're crazy," Smith tells him.
But Van Flandern calculates the time and the rocket's location by its coordinates and runs into the farmhouse, the society's headquarters, to send a telegram to the Smithsonian Observatory.
"Rocket blew up," the telegram reads.
A half hour later, the phone rings in the farmhouse. Gustav Bakos, a leading astronomer at the Smithsonian Observatory, is on the line questioning Van Flandern about his report that the rocket had exploded near the end of its first revolution around the Earth. Van Flandern, it turns out, is correct.
Two days later, Bakos travels from Massachusetts to Xavier to meet Van Flandern. As he tours the rooftop observatory on campus, he asks Van Flandern how he made his calculations so quickly the night of the explosion. Bakos wants his formulas, but Van Flandern refuses to share them. Later, Smith asks him why.
"I need these formulas for later on in my career," he says.
Van Flandern graduated in 1962, three months before President Kennedy's "Moon" speech, and went on to earn a PhD in astronomy from Yale University. The tracking work he did at Xavier with the Moonwatch program helped prepare him for the advanced science he would do throughout his career, including as chief of celestial mechanics at the U.S. Naval Observatory.
Later he founded his own group, Meta Research, where he conducted astronomical research that sometimes bordered on the controversial and caused some to question his genius. Whatever their conclusions, what's unquestionable is that he left a legacy of curiosity about space and astronomical science at Xavier that continues today. Ray Miller, former chair of the Department of Physics, graduated when Van Flandern was a sophomore, and by the time he returned to Xavier in 1966 to teach, Van Flandern and Smith were gone. The rooftop observatory they created was replaced by a permanent observatory in 1981. But Miller says the stories about Van Flandern and Moonwatch circulated for years, and the work he did laid the groundwork for Xavier's exploration into astronomy.
[lightbox link="http://xtra.xavier.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/eyes-1.jpg"] [/lightbox]"What he did was the first astronomy at Xavier," Miller says.
After Van Flandern left, Smith kept the Moonwatch program going at both Xavier and the Zion Road location for two more years until he graduated in 1964. But it just wasn't the same.
They kept in touch on and off through the years. Smith followed his friend's career even as he advanced in his own, running the family's Paper Products Co. in Cincinnati. About five years ago, he rejoined the Cincinnati Astronomical Society after thinking about Moonwatch and what they contributed to the growing knowledge about space.
The Cincinnati Moonwatch team set several records for satellite tracking, including making the most observations of satellites for three consecutive months, according to a booklet the society published in 1985.
It says Van Flandern reached his goal of being the best Moonwatch team in the country because of his ability to round up so many volunteer spotters. And it lists Van Flandern's reporting of the rocket explosion as the team's greatest triumph, describing it as an "unprecedented prediction" that prompted the Smithsonian to visit.
In their best month they racked up 465 sightings, and in May 1961, the team made 288 observations—the most of any team in the country. On one night alone they saw 22 satellites make 40 transits. Cincinnati always competed against the Moonwatch program in Sacramento, trading the lead back and forth for most sightings.
The observations at the Zion Road location were the highlight of Smith's and Van Flandern's time at Xavier. It was especially exhilarating for the budding young astronomer.
Smith acted as Van Flandern's deputy, helping set up the equipment and record each sighting. They would send telegrams to the Smithsonian reporting the name of the satellite, their Cincinnati station number, the time and the coordinates—altitude and azimus—for each sighting. Van Flandern would know how many satellites were expected in a night, and they would watch for them from dusk to dawn.
Over the years, Smith often wondered if Van Flandern ever thought about the importance of what they accomplished with Moonwatch. He was so busy doing such high-level science that perhaps spotting satellites as young college students had lost its allure.
Smith never asked—and then lost the opportunity. Van Flandern died in 2009 at age 68 of cancer.
[lightbox link="http://xtra.xavier.edu/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/sign.jpg"] [/lightbox]Smith wanted to commemorate the work of the Moonwatch program, though, and he told the society about his idea to erect an historical marker. He began working with the Ohio Historical Society, and on Oct. 4, 2012—the 55th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik—a marker was dedicated at the old site on Zion Road, where the old telescopes still sit in covered sheds in the open field. There's now a fourth telescope on the site, and the old 8-inch scope is now protected by a small round dome. A real observatory.
The marker was erected. Words were spoken. Tears shed. Van Flandern's son, Michael, and widow, Barbara, attended.
• The Lindner Family Physics Building was built in 1991 to house a Foucault pendulum—a device named after the physicist Léon Foucault. A dome was included in its construction plans to accommodate the length of the pendulum's wire.
• The pendulum was installed seven years later after a fundraising drive organized by professors in the Department of Physics.
• According to a 1998 issue of Xavier Newswire, the pendulum's total cost was approximately $25,000.
• The brass ball that hangs off the wire is technically called a bob and weighs 254 pounds—that's equivalent to the weight of about one and a half kegs of beer.
• The steel wire is 25 feet long.
• Though the bob appears to swing in a circular motion, it actually oscillates on a single plane while the earth rotates around it.
• Only five other Foucault pendulums operate in Ohio, ranging from Cleveland to Portsmouth.
• The map underneath—which is in proper north-south direction—features the United States and is made up of 133 individual pieces of wood. It was designed and created by former physics professor Raymond Miller.
• The map's design itself is called an intarsia, which is an art technique developed during the Renaissance that involves inlaid pattern and wooden mosaics.
• The map's pieces, which are cut at 10-degree angles, are made of different types of wood, including Red Oak, African Mahogany and American Walnut.


Prayer: Prayer: Does it make any difference?
Multi-award winning writer Philip Yancey has written books that have explored many of the mysteries and wonders of spiritual life. Christian Odyssey's Editor John Halford recently met with Yancey in London to discuss his latest book, Prayer: Does it make any difference?
Question: This new book on prayer seems different in tone to your previous ones. It seems more—well, pastoral. Am I right?
Philip Yancey: My natural instinct is to be a pilgrim, wandering around and seeing what I can honestly say about a subject. But I learned so much that I became more than just a pilgrim. I became someone who wanted to share, and so there are parts that are more pastoral than anything I have written before. I felt different as I was writing this.
Q: The book seems not so much about how to pray as why to pray.
Yancey: Right. I do talk about various techniques, but what I am not trying to do is to put forth a formula that everyone should buy into and follow my rules. Some of them I find quite helpful, but not everybody will.
Q: This is quite a long and comprehensive book. If there is one thing you would want the reader to learn from reading it, what would it be?
Yancey: To see prayer not so much as a discipline and more of a privilege. It is for our benefit in every way. So much of what we are asked to do as Christians is often presented as a legalistic works-oriented way—do this and God will like you more. But I can't think of anything in a Christian life that is not meant to enhance our lives. God is not trying to make us small. He is trying to encourage us to be larger than we are. And we can't really do that without a deep connection with God, and that connection is prayer.
So I would want my reader to emerge from the book not feeling guilty, but that prayer makes me feel good. Someone has told me, "Finally we have a book on prayer that does not make me feel guilty." I like that comment. The more we feel guilty about something, the less we are going to do it. God is not forcing us to do something onerous. He is inviting us to do something that is good for us.
Yancey: Jesus told a story about two people who prayed. One was a religious professional, theologically trained, and the other was a person who said, "I am not the kind of person God wants to hear from. Have mercy on me, a sinner." God listened to him, and not the other. The one had words but not the heart, and the other had nothing but his heart. He simply said, "God, I need help." Often the only prayer we have is "help," and I think God listens to those prayers more than the "Thee's" and "Thou's," and all the eloquent things we say.
Q: Many of our readers come from a legalistic background, similar to yours. This can have a negative effect on prayer. Have you any advice for people struggling with this?
Yancey: I am actually grateful for my [legalistic] background even though it is not something I would want to repeat. I once wrote an article called, "What I learned from Fundamentalism." One of the things I learned was a built-in discipline. I learned all the books of the Bible, and all the kings of the Bible, and I am grateful for that.
I have a friend who talks about the Harlem Globetrotters team. She says you have to be really good to be that bad! The way they play, they must really know what they are doing. You have to be disciplined to be free. Not only that, you have to have been a legalist to really appreciate what it means to be free.
Philip Yancey, Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference? (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2006).
Even God started with law and brought us to grace. The apostle Paul prayed every day for 30 years, "Thank you that I am not a woman, a Gentile or a slave." When he later said, "In Christ there is no male or female, no gentile or slave," it was a radical change, and it takes someone who had prayed that way for 30 years to truly appreciate what a dramatic freedom—a leveling—it was.
So I am sure I missed out on a lot of fun things because I lived in a very rule-oriented environment. Although it probably stopped me doing a lot of things I should not have been doing anyway.
I do things now that the church I grew up in would certainly frown on. It is freedom won the hard way. I wrote a book called What's So Amazing about Grace? It is amazing.
Q: You have written a very practical and positive book. While researching it, did you come up with anything that is so toxic to effective prayer that you could say, "Whatever else you do, you must not do that"?
Yancey: Don't fake it. A lot of us are like children playing "peeka- boo," hiding their faces in their hands so you can't see them. They are the only ones being fooled. But a lot of us do that in prayer. We come to God, put on a smile and make ourselves look good, but we aren't fooling God. God knows the secrets. The more we put on a mask, the more we misrepresent ourselves. I heard a great sermon about Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. You don't hear much about them, except in sermons on Stewardship Sunday. But this preacher asked what it was that they did wrong. It was not that they did not give their money away. Peter said they didn't have to. But they misrepresented themselves to God.
The whole Bible is full of what God puts up with from us—complaints, anger, remorse, repentance. But if you pretend to be something you are not, he can't work with you.
Quotes from Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?
A lot of us are like children playing "peek-a-boo," hiding their faces in their hands so you can't see them. But we aren't fooling God. God knows the secrets.
• Jesus did not waste miracles; I doubt he would have provided food for the five thousand if food stalls had been readily available nearby. (p. 256).


text:
Q: How to get initial values for fitting a Gompertz model with fixed y-intercept in nls? I am trying to fit growth data from juvenile geese to the Gompertz model, but I would like to fix it at the y-intercept,
which would correspond in this case to body mass of 72.1 for t = 0. Taking the parametization form used in SSgompertz in nls,
I transformed the equation $Asym * (e^{-b3 * b2^x}$ into $\frac{X_0}{exp(-b3)} * (e^{-b3 * b2^x}$ by setting x = 0,
equalling with the y-intercept and solving for Asym, which I consequently replaced in the model by the term of the other side: $\frac{X_0}{exp(-b3)}$
The problem is that with this altered model I cannot use the starting values obtained from SSgompertz anymore:
library(nlme)
fbmgrp   <- groupedData(bm   ~ age | dummy, data = bmdata) # I put the data at the bottom of my question

# Defining the Gompertz model with fixed y-intercept
gobm   <- function(Age, b2, b3) ((72.1 / exp(-b2)) * (exp(-b2 * (b3^Age))))
gobm   <- deriv(body(gobm)[[2]], namevec = c("Age", "b2", "b3"), function.arg = gobm)

fm1 <- nls(bm ~ SSgompertz(age, Asym, b2, b3), data = bmgrp)
# Using parameter estimates for b2 and b3 from SSgompertz in the customized Gompertz model leads to an error:
fm2 <- nls(bm ~ gobm(age, b2, b3), data = bmgrp, start = list(b2 = coef(fm1)[2], b3 = coef(fm1)[3]), na.action = na.exclude)

Error in qr.default(.swts * attr(rhs, "gradient")) :    NA/NaN/Inf in
  foreign function call (arg 1)
  In addition: Warning message: In log(b3): NaNs produced
  5: qr.default(.swts * > attr(rhs, "gradient"))
  4: qr(.swts * attr(rhs, "gradient"))
  3: assign("QR", qr(.swts * attr(rhs, "gradient")), envir = thisEnv)
  2: (function (newPars)     {setPars(newPars) assign("resid", .swts * (lhs - assign("rhs", getRHS(), envir = thisEnv)), envir = thisEnv) assign("dev", sum(resid^2), envir = thisEnv) assign("QR", qr(.swts * attr(rhs, "gradient")), envir = thisEnv) return(QR$rank < min(dim(QR$qr)))})(c(7.52734494474091, -0.123046281607752))
  1: nls(bm ~ gobm(age, I, K), data = bmgrpd, start = list(I = coef(fm13a)[2],
         K = coef(fm13a)[3]), na.action = na.exclude)

Is there maybe a way to get from parameter estimates from SSgompertz to suitable initual values for a Gompertz model with fixed y-intercept?
?SSgompertz says that the inflection point b2 is related to the value of the function at x = 0.
In Ricklefs bookchapter 'Avian postnatal development' (1983), he displays a different parameterization of the Gompertz model:
$M(x) = M(∞) * e^{-[log M(∞) - log M(0)] * e^(-K * x)}$
So the difference between asymptote M(∞) or Asym and y-intercept M(0) or X0 represents the inflection point b2:
$b2 = log(Asym) - log(X0) <--> X0 = Asym - e^{b2}$
I checked this relationship out with the coefficients from fm1:

coef(fm1)
          Asym           b2           b3
  1079.4598299    8.6815201    0.8710308
  But coef(fm1)[1] - exp(coef(fm1)[2]) resulted in -4813.538 which is not in the least near the true y-intercept near 0:
  SSgompertz(0, Asym = coef(fm1)1, b2 = coef(fm1)[2], b3 = coef(fm1)[3])

0.1831767
Here a plot of the fit with the parameters from SSgompertz:
Fit of Gompertz model to body mass measurements
So I would greatly appreciate if someone can help me in finding initial values for a Gompertz model with fixed y-intercept!
Here are the data:
bmdata <- read.table(header = TRUE, stringsAsFactors = TRUE, text = "
pop year    sex age bm  dummy
RUS 2013    f   7   137 1
NL  2012    f   10  132 1
RUS 2013    f   10  225 1
RUS 2013    f   12  183 1
RUS 2013    f   19  362 1
RUS 2003    f   19  880 1
RUS 2005    f   19  750 1
RUS 2005    f   19  625 1
RUS 2004    f   20  670 1
RUS 2004    f   20  900 1
RUS 2004    f   20  740 1
NL  2012    f   21  260 1
RUS 2015    f   21  510 1
RUS 2014    f   22  660 1
RUS 2015    f   22  500 1
RUS 2003    f   22  776 1
RUS 2003    f   22  890 1
RUS 2003    f   22  1010    1
RUS 2004    f   22  612 1
RUS 2004    f   22  316 1
RUS 2004    f   22  622 1
RUS 2004    f   22  438 1
RUS 2005    f   22  684 1
RUS 2005    f   22  652 1
RUS 2014    f   23  695 1
RUS 2015    f   23  520 1
RUS 2015    f   23  450 1
RUS 2003    f   23  854 1
RUS 2003    f   23  897 1
RUS 2003    f   23  1180    1
RUS 2004    f   23  990 1
RUS 2004    f   23  1110    1
RUS 2004    f   23  1080    1
RUS 2004    f   23  500 1
RUS 2004    f   23  480 1
RUS 2005    f   23  820 1
NL  2012    f   24  190 1
RUS 2013    f   24  400 1
RUS 2014    f   24  740 1
RUS 2014    f   24  775 1
RUS 2014    f   24  840 1
RUS 2015    f   24  490 1
RUS 2004    f   24  870 1
RUS 2004    f   24  516 1
RUS 2004    f   24  672 1
RUS 2004    f   24  604 1
RUS 2005    f   24  820 1
RUS 2005    f   24  910 1
NL  2015    f   25  490 1
RUS 2013    f   25  620 1
RUS 2014    f   25  880 1
RUS 2014    f   25  860 1
RUS 2015    f   25  930 1
RUS 2003    f   25  980 1
RUS 2004    f   25  680 1
RUS 2004    f   25  1070    1
RUS 2004    f   25  940 1
RUS 2004    f   25  900 1
RUS 2004    f   25  910 1
RUS 2014    f   26  985 1
RUS 2014    f   26  882 1
RUS 2014    f   26  860 1
RUS 2014    f   26  945 1
NL  2004    f   26  480 1
RUS 2003    f   26  900 1
RUS 2004    f   26  720 1
RUS 2004    f   26  634 1
RUS 2014    f   27  800 1
RUS 2014    f   27  830 1
RUS 2014    f   27  940 1
RUS 2014    f   27  950 1
RUS 2014    f   27  980 1
RUS 2015    f   27  600 1
RUS 2003    f   27  1080    1
RUS 2003    f   27  762 1
RUS 2003    f   27  880 1
RUS 2003    f   27  1020    1
RUS 2003    f   27  950 1
RUS 2003    f   27  1050    1
RUS 2003    f   27  1140    1
RUS 2003    f   27  1080    1
RUS 2003    f   27  1060    1
RUS 2004    f   27  1300    1
RUS 2004    f   27  630 1
RUS 2005    f   27  990 1
NL  2012    f   28  237 1
RUS 2014    f   28  790 1
RUS 2014    f   28  1005    1
RUS 2014    f   28  855 1
RUS 2014    f   28  1005    1
RUS 2015    f   28  660 1
RUS 2003    f   28  966 1
RUS 2003    f   28  902 1
RUS 2003    f   28  740 1
RUS 2003    f   28  960 1
RUS 2003    f   28  1140    1
RUS 2004    f   28  744 1
RUS 2005    f   28  517 1
NL  2015    f   29  430 1
NL  2015    f   29  425 1
RUS 2014    f   29  1100    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1115    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1000    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1055    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1100    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1020    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1125    1
RUS 2014    f   29  1245    1
RUS 2014    f   29  985 1
RUS 2015    f   29  980 1
RUS 2004    f   29  612 1
RUS 2004    f   29  860 1
RUS 2005    f   29  510 1
RUS 2005    f   29  902 1
RUS 2005    f   29  910 1
RUS 2014    f   30  1000    1
RUS 2014    f   30  1000    1
RUS 2014    f   30  1100    1
RUS 2014    f   30  1200    1
RUS 2014    f   30  1030    1
RUS 2014    f   30  980 1
RUS 2014    f   30  1000    1
RUS 2014    f   30  890 1
RUS 2004    f   30  965 1
RUS 2004    f   30  720 1
RUS 2004    f   30  1090    1
RUS 2004    f   30  840 1
RUS 2005    f   30  1146    1
NL  2012    f   31  430 1
RUS 2014    f   31  1140    1
RUS 2014    f   31  1225    1
RUS 2015    f   31  1000    1
RUS 2015    f   31  1020    1
RUS 2015    f   31  1130    1
RUS 2015    f   31  730 1
RUS 2004    f   31  1024    1
RUS 2004    f   31  704 1
RUS 2005    f   31  910 1
RUS 2005    f   31  870 1
NL  2012    f   32  418 1
NL  2012    f   32  282 1
RUS 2014    f   32  1140    1
RUS 2014    f   32  1125    1
RUS 2014    f   32  1085    1
RUS 2015    f   32  1200    1
NL  2004    f   32  530 1
RUS 2003    f   32  1140    1
RUS 2004    f   32  640 1
RUS 2005    f   32  830 1
RUS 2005    f   32  1050    1
RUS 2005    f   32  1140    1
RUS 2005    f   32  1070    1
RUS 2005    f   32  1050    1
RUS 2005    f   32  930 1
RUS 2014    f   33  1090    1
RUS 2014    f   33  1310    1
RUS 2014    f   33  1105    1
RUS 2014    f   33  1060    1
RUS 2015    f   33  820 1
RUS 2015    f   33  750 1
RUS 2003    f   33  850 1
RUS 2004    f   33  476 1
RUS 2004    f   33  810 1
RUS 2004    f   33  1050    1
RUS 2004    f   33  935 1
NL  2015    f   34  560 1
NL  2012    f   34  438 1
NL  2012    f   34  440 1
RUS 2014    f   34  990 1
RUS 2014    f   34  1220    1
RUS 2014    f   34  1090    1
RUS 2014    f   34  1085    1
RUS 2015    f   34  820 1
RUS 2004    f   34  1042    1
RUS 2004    f   34  980 1
RUS 2004    f   34  930 1
RUS 2013    f   35  860 1
RUS 2014    f   35  1210    1
RUS 2014    f   35  1040    1
RUS 2014    f   35  1080    1
RUS 2014    f   35  1270    1
RUS 2004    f   35  1020    1
RUS 2005    f   35  1150    1
NL  2015    f   36  480 1
NL  2015    f   36  530 1
NL  2012    f   36  460 1
RUS 2015    f   36  720 1
RUS 2015    f   36  1060    1
RUS 2005    f   36  1000    1
RUS 2005    f   36  1170    1
RUS 2013    f   37  1030    1
RUS 2013    f   37  1050    1
RUS 2014    f   37  1095    1
RUS 2014    f   37  1025    1
RUS 2014    f   37  1250    1
RUS 2015    f   37  1060    1
RUS 2004    f   37  1120    1
RUS 2014    f   38  1140    1
RUS 2014    f   38  935 1
RUS 2014    f   38  1430    1
RUS 2014    f   38  1225    1
RUS 2014    f   38  1225    1
RUS 2014    f   38  1315    1
NL  2012    f   39  535 1
NL  2012    f   39  195 1
NL  2012    f   39  1090    1
RUS 2014    f   39  1325    1
RUS 2015    f   39  1110    1
RUS 2015    f   39  1030    1
RUS 2015    f   39  960 1
RUS 2015    f   39  980 1
RUS 2014    f   40  1230    1
RUS 2014    f   40  1300    1
RUS 2015    f   40  1040    1
RUS 2003    f   40  1180    1
NL  2012    f   41  500 1
RUS 2015    f   41  1190    1
NL  2004    f   41  1000    1
NL  2012    f   42  580 1
NL  2015    f   44  770 1
NL  2012    f   44  580 1
NL  2012    f   44  700 1
NL  2005    f   44  1050    1
NL  2012    f   45  680 1
NL  2004    f   47  1210    1
NL  2004    f   47  1250    1
NL  2012    f   48  480 1
NL  2012    f   49  605 1
NL  2012    f   49  407 1
NL  2012    f   50  1060    1
NL  2004    f   50  1320    1
NL  2004    f   50  940 1
NL  2012    f   51  1325    1
NL  2012    f   52  1220    1
NL  2012    f   53  880 1
NL  2012    f   53  880 1
NL  2012    f   53  1300    1
NL  2012    f   54  695 1
NL  2012    f   54  640 1
NL  2012    f   54  830 1
NL  2004    f   54  910 1
NL  2004    f   54  1110    1
NL  2012    f   56  540 1
NL  2012    f   56  1225    1
NL  2012    f   56  1280    1
NL  2015    f   57  1080    1
NL  2012    f   57  1180    1
NL  2015    f   58  980 1
NL  2015    f   58  1040    1
NL  2012    f   58  740 1
NL  2015    f   59  1040    1
NL  2015    f   59  1030    1
NL  2015    f   59  1140    1
NL  2012    f   59  1360    1
NL  2012    f   61  900 1")

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


Our customers include many bakeries that produce McDonald's, Burger King's, and Wendy's rolls and buns worldwide. We have a proven record of success in cleaning oven and proofer chains with our own method of cleaning procedures. Another specialty is the Petrochem lubricator for tortilla ovens and other pin/roller tunnel oven chains. Petrochem is a 100% women owned business certified by the Women's Business Enterprise National Council (WBENC). In addition. Petrochem is an approved vendor for W.W. Grainger. Our products are stocked and distributed worldwide. Your nearest Grainger store will sell and stock locally our products to you per your request. In addition, Petrochem has other distributors in United States, Europe, Canada, China and Malaysia.
Petrochem's Lubricants all qualify as an Environmentally Preferred Product (EPP).
Petrochem, Inc manufactures premium specialty lubricants for food grade and industrial chain lubricants. Our broad offering includes both synthetics and non-synthetics, depending on your equipment and application requirements.
"For years the lubrication of continuous type oven chains has been a challenge to say the least. Because of the heat and stress the oven chain is exposed to lubrication failure was very frequent. Of course this would lead to chain and track replacement. Of all of the oils we have tried over the years Petrochem supplied our company with the only oil that has not failed to date. Chain replacements have been eliminated to date as well.
Northeast Foods and Petrochem worked out the specifications of lubrication frequencies and proper maintenance to accomplish this. This was accomplished by plant to plant visits with individual specifications. When a problem would occur Carole Sluski or Jill Dohner would personally get involved, which of course included plant visits to see what was happening and make successful recommendations. Their personal involvement and commitment to satisfy the customer and resolve the few minor issues make Petrochem a first class supplier.
Northeast Foods Inc is a wholesale baking supplying McDonald's Corporation with exclusive bakeries as well as other bakeries serving grocery chains, private label products and brand products.
In our type of business trusting relationships with suppliers must be earned. Petrochem has earned that level of confidence with our engineers and executive management."
"The Petro-gard 220 Synthetic Oven Chain lubricant has been tested and approved for use within the ORSCO lubrication systems. The lubricant was tested to determine the spray pattern quality when exposed to oven-like temperatures, specifically for continuous chain lubrication. The results were acceptable and consistent."
KEITH A. DIETZ, STEWART SYSTEMS, INC.
"We have known Petrochem, Inc. for many years and they are a knowledgeable, experienced, and a enjoyable company to work with in our industry. Carole Sluski and Jill Dohner get personally involved when issues occur and they are very reliable and attentive to all their customers. They are very active in working with and improving their customers' maintenance programs. Their dedication in assisting and planning a customer's lubricant and maintenance programs help improve a plant's production time and minimize downtime.
Petrochem has several lubricants approved by our company. HT-2000 and Petro-Gard 220 oven chain lubricants are on our approved high temperature lubricant list for operation in our conveyorized ovens. These lubricants have a history of success and are currently being used and recommended on many of our bun and bread ovens. Likewise, PR-500 proofer chain lubricant is approved by our company and has been successfully used by many of our customers yielding improved performance on their proofers and pan cooling loops. Stewart Systems is an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacture) of conveyorized bun and bread ovens, conveyorized proofers, and many other types of equipment for the Food/Beverage Industries. In summary, Petrochem is very resourceful and considered highly credible by our management and engineering department. Feel free to contact us with any questions or concerns."


text:
Williams Lake Stampeders
Williams Lake Minor Hockey Association
Williams Lake Youth Soccer Association
2017 Guide to Williams Lake and Area
The City of Williams Lake Map
Minor Hockey Showcase
Youth Excellence
Casual Country
Toronto Raptors center Serge Ibaka, middle, celebrates with Larry Tanenbaum, left, and George Cope after the Raptors defeated the Golden State Warriors in Game 6 of basketball's NBA Finals in Oakland, Calif., Thursday, June 13, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Toronto Raptors and their diverse team celebrated worldwide
Team is made up of players from the U.S., Canada, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and Spain
The Toronto Raptors became Canada's team even before winning the NBA Finals, but international news headlines on Friday suggested they are now celebrated as world champions.
The team — which became the first NBA franchise outside the U.S. to clinch the title — is made up of players hailing from several countries including the U.S., Canada, Cameroon, the Republic of Congo, and Spain.
News outlets took note of that diverse roster after the Toronto team's victory over the Golden State Warriors on Thursday night.
"Globalization is the star of the NBA," a headline on the Washington Post stated.
"A global NBA now has a truly global champion" the Associated Press declared.
Media outlets in some countries chose to highlight connections to homegrown heroes in their coverage.
Cameroon celebrated Pascal Siakam, who didn't begin playing basketball until he was in his late teens. He has morphed into a rising star in the league despite his late start in the game.
"I didn't think I could make it," Siakam said after the game. "And I think a lot of kids don't think that it's possible. Just me being able to be here today and telling them that, 'Hey, look at me, I was a little scrawny kid from Cameroon … but here I am, as a champion."
The Journal Du Cameroun championed the champion with its headline that read, "Pascal Siakam, first Cameroonian to win NBA."
In Spain, where Raptors big man Marc Gasol is from, the Catalan News blared the headline "Catalan brothers become first siblings to both win NBA crown," a reference to Gasol and his brother Pau who won two championship titles with the Los Angeles Lakers. The pair were born in Barcelona.
Jeremy Lin, an Asian-American born in California whose parents are Taiwanese, was front and centre for one Asian outlet.
"Jeremy Lin becomes the first Asian-American to win an NBA championship as Raptors take game six," blared the headline in the South China Morning Post.
Lin is also huge in Toronto, which has a thriving Chinese and Taiwanese community. Sing Tao, a Toronto news site, went big on Lin, splashing photographs of the depth-player celebrating the championship with his mother.
READ MORE: Raptors president Masai Ujiri accused of assaulting sheriff's deputy in Oakland
Meanwhile, team president Masai Ujiri, who was born in England and raised in Nigeria, was big news back home.
"Ex-Nigerian basketball player becomes 1st African general manager to win NBA title," one Nigerian headline said.
Closer to Canada, Rockford, Ill., showed its pride in hometown hero Fred VanVleet by hosting its own version of the outdoor Jurassic Park fan zone that became wildly popular in Toronto. VanVleet returned the love.
"Rockford, Rockford it's for you, baby!" declared the headline quoting the player in the Rockford Register Star.
Liam Casey, The Canadian Press
Canadian women's soccer team looks to follow Raptors' path to glory
Revamped B.C. Lions set to battle veteran Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Docu-series on Xeni Gwet'in wild horses premieres tonight, Jan. 20
The Wild Ones airs at 9 p.m.
Hoyer hungry to reclaim gold at 2020 Aspen X Games
Snow bike gets underway Saturday, Jan. 25
Cariboo Memorial Hospital on the mend after cold weather wreaks havoc on old building
Hospital services returned to normal Monday
Preliminary inquiry into 2018 Tsi Del Del homicide continues in Williams Lake
Kyle Tyler Gilpin, 24, faces one second degree murder
Williams Lake RCMP target known property crime offenders, release names of 5 accused
In December targeted suspects to combat soaring property crime rates
Explore Williams Lake Tribune
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redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Latirus devyanae is een slakkensoort uit de familie van de Fasciolariidae. De wetenschappelijke naam van de soort is voor het eerst geldig gepubliceerd in 1994 door Rios, Costa & Calvo.

Fasciolariidae

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


The latest MassDEP Stormwater Newsletter may be found here.
The Town of Wellesley created this stormwater hotline and web page to better manage stormwater within our community. Management of stormwater is important since the runoff from our roads and parking lots can contain oil, grease, detergents, sand, litter, fertilizers, pesticides, and other substances that harm downstream water bodies.
All stormwater discharges within Wellesley are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) through the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES). Our discharges are all tributary to the Charles River which has been classified as an impaired water body therefore making all efforts to clean up runoff more important. Reports from you that assist us in identifying suspicious runoff discharges help Wellesley improve the water quality in our region and aid in compliance with EPA regulations.
Direct and timely reports can be made by email or by calling the DPW Engineering Division at 781-235-7600, ext. 3318. You may call anonymously and leave a message 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
In order to comply with the first phase of NPDES, the Town enacted a bylaw regulating stormwater. That bylaw made clear that any solid waste and non-stormwater flow including construction debris, paint, automotive and petroleum products, cleaner and detergents, food and yard waste, and pet waste are specifically prohibited. Further, the bylaw regulated that all connection to the Town's drainage network must be approved by the Town of Wellesley Department of Public Works Engineering Division. Our bylaw followed the guidance of the EPA in exempting – that is allowing – period discharges from residential car washing, hydrant flushing, fire fighting including training, pumping of uncontaminated floodwater from basements, dechlorinated swimming pools, and draining of irrigation systems.
We appreciate your interest in stormwater and hope that you will use this hotline to report anything that seems suspicious or inappropriate that might affect the Town's precious water resources. We also welcome any feedback you have on our stormwater program.
David J. Hickey, Jr., P.E.


text:
Home » About Us » Awards » Faculty Awards » Chairs and Professorships
Sohaib Abbasi and his wife, Sara, established the Sohaib and Sara Abbasi Professorship to enable the department to maintain its stature as one of the nation's premiere departments and give students the opportunity to learn from a world-renown computer scientist and educator. Read more...
Roy Campbell (2004-present)
The generous Bliss bequest, established by Helen Eva Bliss in memory of Abel Bliss Jr., is used to advance scholarly activities in the College of Engineering. In addition, a portion of the Bliss bequest supports the Grainger Engineering Library and Information Center Endowment Read more...
Nancy Amato (2019-present)
Jiawei Han (2011-present)
Rob A. Rutenbar (2010-2017)
Dr. Richard T. Cheng (MS CS '69, PhD '71) established a professorship in 2015 to help Illinois Computer Science retain and attract talented faculty. An influential educator, who founded the computer science departments at the Rochester Institute of Technology and Old Dominion University, Dr. Cheng's philanthropy at Illinois began more than 15 years ago. Read more...
Sarita V. Adve (2016-present)
The Fulton Watson Copp Chair was established with a gift from his estate. The Copp Chair was established to recognize a faculty member who is internationally renown leader in computer science, has an ongoing research program central to the mission of the department, and is a prominent educator with a reputation for outstanding, innovative teaching. Read more...
David A. Forsyth (2014-present)
Michael T. Heath (2003-2012)
Established by Douglas B. MacGregor (MS CS '80) to provide significant recognition of an outstanding faculty member, the Michael Faiman Professorship in Computer Science honors the late Professor Faiman for his service and dedication to students as manifested through exemplary teaching and guidance. Read more...
Marc Snir (2001-present)
The Ralph M. and Catherine V. Fisher Professorships have been made possible through a gift from George M. C. and Patricia Ann Fisher, in honor of the late Ralph M. and Catherine V. Fisher, George's parents. Read more...
Klara Nahrstedt (2002-present)
Founder Professorship of Engineering
The Founder Professorships of Engineering have been made possible by the Grainger Engineering Breakthroughs Initiative, the result of a $100 million investment in the College of Engineering. Read more...
Timothy Chan (2017-present)
Sheldon Jacobson (2017-present)
Tandy Warnow (2014-present)
Dan Roth (2016-2017)
The Donald B. Gillies Chair in Computer Science honors the late Professor Gillies (1928-1975), who was a member of the faculty in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1956 -1972. Read more...
Lui Sha (2006-present)
The Donald B. Gillies Professorship in Computer Science honors the late Professor Gillies (1928-1975), who was a member of the faculty in the Department of Computer Science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign from 1956 -1972. Read more...
Vikram S. Adve (2017-present)
Established by Douglas B. MacGregor (MS CS '80) to provide significant recognition of an outstanding faculty member, the Saburo Muroga Professorship in Computer Science honors the late Professor Muroga for his service and dedication to students as manifested through exemplary teaching and guidance. Read more...
Josep Torrellas (2016-present)
The Paul and Cynthia Saylor Professorship in Computer Science was established in 2005 through the generosity of the late Gene H. Golub (B.S. Mathematics, 1953, M.A. Mathematical Statistics, 1954, Ph.D. Mathematics, 1959) in honor of his longstanding friendship with the Saylors. Read more...
Laxmikant "Sanjay" Kalé (2016-present)
William D. Gropp (2007-2013)
In order to support the scholarly and research activities of an outstanding faculty member in the department, the Thomas and Stacey Siebel Foundation established the Thomas M. Siebel Chair in Computer Science with a $2 million gift. Read more...
William D. Gropp (2013-present)
The Willett Research Initiatives in Engineering funds term professorships, undergraduate and graduate student research, and related research activity. It honors the memory of Donald Biggar Willett (1897-1981) who attended the University of Illinois from 1916-1921. Read more...
ChengXiang Zhai (2018-present)
David Padua (2005-present)
Sariel Har-Peled (2016-present)


to Vakho Bugadze painting personal exhibition.
It will continue until April 22.
(I mean my friend artists).
Oto too, at first looked at picture silently, and I think he was looking up to the standard of artists inwardly, but then, after a while, after one or two days or a week, he started talking (what was his job and he was very good at it).
ვახო ბუღაძის ფერწერის პერსონალურ გამოფენაზე.
გამოფენა გაიხსნება 4 აპრილს 18.00 – 21.00 სთ.
(მე ჩემი მეგობარი მხატვრები მყავს მხედველობაში).
ოთოც თავიდან ნახატს ნახვისას ჩუმად უყურებდა და ამით მე ვფიქრობ მხატვრების სტანდარტს უსწორდებოდა შინაგანად,მაგრამ მერე,ხან ცოტა ხნის , ხან ერთი ან ორი დღის შემდეგ ან ერთი კვირის,იწყებდა ლაპარაკს ,რაც (მისი საქმე იყო და ყველაზე კარგად გამოსდიოდა).


Stamford Talk: Eat, Think, Drive, Blog!: Do You Know the Adult Male Sk8boarder?
Specifically, the one who brazenly swerved into our lane on Bedford St. tonight? I know he's not the same adult male sk8boarder who I accidentally featured on the blog in August. This man had reddish hair and was wearing no helmet. He was skateboarding head on into speeding traffic, so I assume I'm not the only one who has ever noticed this man. Maybe I'll run into him at the Stamford Skate Park.
As the weather is getting nice, you must head down to the Stamford Skate Park at Scalzi Park. It's on Bridge Street, just across from the Ridgeway shopping center, aka, parking lot hell. Buy your Party City/Stop and Shop/Old Navy, then go watch the sk8ers do their fancy leaps and spins. There are lots of teenage boys, but a few adult skaters and many younger skaters who either watch or try their own little moves. I loved it when there was a 7-year-old waiting beside the big boys for his turn on the little bowl. The Stamford Skate Park has a nice website with videos and pics. There are also awesome photos of the park being built. My favorites are of guys (not teenage boys) skating on the unfinished bowls in the midst of construction. The city has diagrams like the one above.
I am proud to be in a city that spends cash on something very cool, and something that young men can do that does not involve alcohol or spending money or video games. I know that makes taxpayers mad, but people have to have fun in life. If you spend a few extra bucks for some kids to have wholesome fun, well, it pays off when they aren't all up in your beeswax at the mall.
--You can read my personal narrative about visiting the Skate Park in Sept in "Sk8 Park Report."
--You can check out actual Youtube footage of the Skate Park in an Aug 31 post, "Stamford Skate Park Looks Cool." That's where you can meet another adult male skateboarder who I think is probably a more responsible skater than the redhead.
Back to the red-headed adult sk8boarder: we also saw him an hour earlier on the way to dinner. That was on Summer St., and we were going slowly, and that's when I was close enough to see his reddish-brown hair. This man wants to be seen. Nothing wrong with that, but like, stay out of my lane when I'm driving straight at you at 50 mph.
You make it sound as if we have some kind of syndrome.
I know... I just like how silly it sounds, and I'm definitely playing on some stereotypes of skateboarders!
But I can tell from your pic that you are not the red-headed adult male skateboarder!
Actually, it totally makes sense that there are lots of men skateboarders... sk8ing got big 10, 20 years ago, so of course those people are still skating.


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Cuba VI – James Baldwin, racism, imperialism and ourselves
In the 2010 interview when Fidel Castro apologized to gay Cubans for his government's treatment of them in the 1960s, he asked, "Why hate the United States, if it is only a product of history?"
At the same time, we need to name what is going on. For the sake of describing the intersections of racism, sexism, homophobia and transphobia, and also economic, political and military power exercised in the world today, sometimes we talk about "Empire." But there are moments, such as in discussions of Cuba (or in the wake of 20 years of war in Afghanistan), when we need to be more direct, and talk about imperialism: coercion and force used by stronger states against less advantaged peoples.
James Baldwin: "I attest to this: The world is not white; it never was white, cannot be white. White is a metaphor for power, and that is simply a way of describing Chase Manhattan Bank."
For the gay African-American writer James Baldwin (1924-87), the way that the United States behaved abroad was tied to racism and homophobia at home. In an essay on Baldwin, the Indian writer and academic Prakash Kona wrote:
"In sustaining the hegemony of powerful global elites who serve as engine for corporate capitalism America is guilty of keeping alive the notion of a civilization obsessed with its own sense of racial, moral and political superiority."
To make his argument, Kona drew on Baldwin's reflections on "American innocence" — "an innocence trapped in an unwillingness to take responsibility for one's actions" that for Kona is most "clearly revealed than in their foreign policy in the third world." That particular quality of "American innocence" is demonstrated perfectly by Dick Cavett in a question to Baldwin that opens Raoul Peck's brilliant film, I am not your Negro (2016, currently streaming here).
Peck again took up Baldwin's themes in an essay in The Atlantic in 2000, saying that the people of the United States need to heed Baldwin's words:
Why can't we understand, as Baldwin did and demonstrated throughout his life, that racism is not a sickness, nor a virus, but rather the ugly child of an economic system that produces inequalities and injustice? The history of racism is parallel to the history of capitalism. The law of the market, the battle for profit, the imbalance of power between those who have all and those who have nothing are part of the foundation of this macabre play. He spoke about this not-so-hidden infrastructure again and again:
"What one does realize is that when you try to stand up and look the world in the face like you had a right to be here, you have attacked the entire power structure of the Western world." And more pointedly: "I attest to this: The world is not white; it never was white, cannot be white. White is a metaphor for power, and that is simply a way of describing Chase Manhattan Bank."
Cuba holds firm
While many other attempts to break free of U.S. hegemony over the Americas have been suppressed (Dominican Republic in 1963 and 1965; Chile in 1973; Honduras in 2009—to mention only a few examples) and others are under siege (Venezuela today), Cuba holds firm.
Yesterday (Sept. 16), Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador welcomed his Cuban counterpart, President Miguel Díaz-Canel, to events marking the 211th anniversary of the beginning of Mexico's fight for independence.
"I have said and I repeat: we can be in agreement or not with the Cuban Revolution and with its government, but to have resisted for 62 years without submission is an indisputable historical feat." Texts of their speeches (in Spanish).
Many of us from the global North get involved in the global South out of a partly-formed sense of solidarity or misguided charity. We only start to think about imperialism when we see that our goals of social justice or an end to poverty are blocked outright by U.S. imperialism (the history of invasions and coups) or by systemic oppression and exploitation (debt, banking and trade rules, etc.). Social movements find that their way towards liberation is blocked by systems imposed from the richer, Northern countries.
Their starting point in Latin America was usually the problem Gustavo Gutiérrez described: poverty—and then what to do about it. My starting point has been among various expressions of liberation theology, social gospel or the preferential option for the poor, and aligning myself with similarly-inspired actions. Hence my support for political options like those taken in Cuba, Venezuela, Bolivia and most recently (and still tentatively) Peru, and movements like the MST (landless people) in Brazil and the Zapatistas in Mexico. Those movements may not set out to be anti-imperialist, but to the extent that they are opposed by capitalism and its proponents, they must become anti-imperialist.
Gail Walker (left) of Pastors for Peace speaks to a gathering at College Street United Church in Toronto in July 2018.
By way of conclusion, some ways to connect with others who work in solidarity with people in Cuba.
Pastors for Peace and the larger coalition of which it is part, the Intereligious Foundation for Community Organization (IFCO), are based in New York City and led mostly by African-American and Latinx people. P4P has done a superb job of undercutting the US blockade of Cuba by simply breaking it: people go to Cuba in caravans, provide aid, and support US students to study medicine in Cuba. You can join their mailing list here for updates on Cuba.
In Canada, there are a variety of solidarity networks, including the Canadian Network on Cuba and the Canadian-Cuban Solidarity Association (CCFA) that promote friendship and share information. CUBAbility, a Toronto-based group, sends musical instruments and other aid. Some churches (notably The United Church of Canada) and trade unions work with partners in Cuba.
17th Sep 2021 Jim Hodgson #Cuba, #SanctionsKill
← Cuba V – Moving forward on LGBTI rights
Finding hope in Canada's election, the UN General Assembly and CELAC →


Tenders should be submitted in a sealed package, marked on the outside with "Tenders for Contract M.S. 4715-003-11 – Langley Bypass Sanitary Sewer" and must be received at the first floor Main Reception/Information Desk, Surrey City Hall, 13450-104 Avenue, Surrey, B.C. Canada V3T 1V8.


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Description: Short Circuits Parallel Circuits And Other Types Of Circuits Types Of Circuits How Electric Current Flows In A Circuit #2172 from the above 1600x1200 resolutions which is part of the "DIY Needed" directory. Download this image for free in HD resolution the choice "Save full resolution" below. If you do not find the exact resolution you are looking for, then go for a native or higher resolution.
Amongst probably the most frequent electrical wiring concerns is regarding how to wire a switch. When making use of switches at your house is very quick, wiring a person may well not be that easy for everybody. An ON-OFF switch is in fact quite simple to wire. You can find several types of switches, but for this instance, let's say you will be putting in a single-pole toggle switch, a really frequent change (plus the most basic).
You can find three colours of wires in a common single-pole toggle switch: black, white, and environmentally friendly. Splice the black wire in two and hook up them on the terminal screws - one on leading and also the other about the base screw in the change. The white wire serves to be a supply of uninterrupted energy which is generally connected into a mild coloured terminal screw (e.g., silver). Join the environmentally friendly wire to the ground screw within your swap.
These techniques would typically be sufficient for making a typical swap operate with no issue. However, if you will not be confident that you choose to can achieve the task effectively and securely you much better allow the pros get it done as an alternative. After all, you can find a rationale why this task is amongst the most common electrical wiring thoughts asked by most people.
For a few rationale, how you can wire a ceiling fan can also be one among quite possibly the most typical electrical wiring queries. To simplify this endeavor, you should utilize a single switch for any single ceiling fan. To wire the lover, it truly is merely a make a difference of connecting the black wire from the ceiling fan to the black wire on the switch. When there is a light, the blue wire needs to be connected towards the black wire from the swap also.
You'll find causes why these are probably the most normally questioned electrical wiring thoughts. Just one, many think it can be very simple to complete, and two, they are the popular electrical duties at your house. But then you definately must not set your basic safety in danger inside your objective to economize. The stakes could even be a great deal greater for those who make an effort to lower your expenses and do an electrical wiring occupation with no enough information or practical experience.


text:
Shāyeq (persiska: شايق) är en ort i Iran.   Den ligger i provinsen Ardabil, i den nordvästra delen av landet,  km nordväst om huvudstaden Teheran. Shāyeq ligger  meter över havet och antalet invånare är .

Terrängen runt Shāyeq är huvudsakligen kuperad, men åt nordväst är den bergig. Den högsta punkten i närheten är Daryācheh-e Sabalān,  meter över havet,  km nordväst om Shāyeq. Runt Shāyeq är det ganska tätbefolkat, med  invånare per kvadratkilometer. Närmaste större samhälle är Sara'eyn,  km öster om Shāyeq. Trakten runt Shāyeq består i huvudsak av gräsmarker.

Medelhavsklimat råder i trakten. Årsmedeltemperaturen i trakten är  °C. Den varmaste månaden är augusti, då medeltemperaturen är  °C, och den kallaste är december, med  °C. Genomsnittlig årsnederbörd är  millimeter. Den regnigaste månaden är november, med i genomsnitt  mm nederbörd, och den torraste är juli, med  mm nederbörd.

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Källor

Orter i Ardabil (provins)


text:
People: Jeff Thompson named UNR Executive Vice President and Provost
Jeff Thompson Courtesy Photo
Jeff Thompson, a longtime faculty member and administrator, at the University of Nevada, Reno, was named Executive Vice President and Provost, effective Dec. 13.
His appointment comes following a national search and support from the Chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE), Dr. Melody Rose, according to a Dec. 13 press release from UNR.
Thompson served as Interim Executive Vice President and Provost of the University since December 2020.
"For the past year, Jeff's work has been instrumental in the University's ongoing Strategic Planning process, as well as successfully steering the University's academic and faculty affairs through a challenging time due to the pandemic," UNR President Brian Sandoval said in a statement. "Jeff has served the University well over the years, and I look forward to continue working with him for many more as we navigate the challenges before us and move the University in bold new directions."
Prior to the interim position, Thompson was Dean of the College of Science for more than a decade. He joined the faculty of the University's Department of Physics in 1991, and he served as Chair of the Department of Physics and Associate Dean of the College of Science prior to becoming Dean of the College of Science in 2008.
"This is a great honor and I appreciate the support and confidence from the Wolf Pack Family," Thompson said in a statement. "The past year as Interim Provost has given me an even keener connection to a campus culture that I've be fortunate to be a part of for so many years. Those connections are valuable as we continue and build on the path of a positive teaching, research and outreach environment for faculty and an exceptional educational experience for students."
Thompson is a graduate of UCLA, where he received a Bachelor of Science in physics. He received his doctorate in physics from the University of Tennessee and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the Joint Institute for Laboratory Astrophysics at the University of Colorado.


For both reputable dentist and charlatan the main profits came from the sale of false teeth - prominently advertised and illustrated here by the surgeon dentist Mr Stanton. By the end of the 19th century dentures made of vulcanised rubber offered a cheaper alternative to those made of platinum or gold. Vulcanite dentures could be moulded and coloured to match the natural gum and when fitted with porcelain teeth might improve mastication and articulation and restore a natural appearance. Patients might also benefit from the use of nitrous oxide gas as an anaesthetic for extractions.


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Home Fire News Two firefighters killed after semi crashes into engine
Two firefighters killed after semi crashes into engine
Barry Adams
The Wisconsin State Journal
They were veteran firefighters. Part of the backbone of this city where history is celebrated.But on Thursday this Iowa County community of 2,487 was in mourning after the two men with more than a combined 60 years of service with the Mineral Point Fire Department were killed in a crash on Highway 151 while responding to a rollover crash.
The dangers of the four-lane highway, with its speeding traffic, big trucks and unpredictable weather, are well known and account for the majority of the Fire Department's calls. Making sense of a crash that claimed the lives of two of his firefighters, one of them a captain, proved difficult, however, for Chief Bryan Marr and the other volunteers who gathered at the station late Thursday morning to collectively grieve.
"We're still just trying to wrap our heads around it. We're trying to process this," said Marr, who has been with the department for nearly 30 years. "They were just great people. I'm at a loss. We're going to get through it, but we're going to need some help with it."
The Iowa County Sheriff's Office said the firefighters were driving north on the highway when at about 12:30 a.m. they attempted to use an emergency crossover just west of the Highway 23 exit on the city's north side. That's when their fire truck, with its lights flashing, was struck by a northbound semitractor-trailer.
The fire truck, a tanker with 2,000 gallons of water on board, caught fire and the two firefighters, whose names are not being released by the Wisconsin State Journal at the request of the Fire Department, died at the scene. The semi driver, whose name has not been released, refused medical treatment but as of late Thursday, the Sheriff's Office had not said if the driver faces possible charges. Attempts to reach Sheriff Steve Michek were unsuccessful. Autopsies are scheduled for Friday in Madison, Marr said.
Firefighters from Mineral Point responded to the crash site but were later relieved by firefighters from the Dodgeville Fire Department. The crash closed the highway in both directions for nearly 15 hours.
"Our condolences to the Mineral Point Fire Department and the families of the (two) firefighters they lost today," the Dodgeville Fire Department posted on its Facebook page Thursday. "Their service and dedication will not be forgotten. You are all in our thoughts and prayers. May the love and support of those around you help give you strength and peace in the days ahead."
Words of comfort filled Facebook pages of fire departments from around the state. The deaths are believed to be the first in the line of duty in the long history of the Mineral Point Fire Department and the first in the state in 2022.
According to the Wisconsin State Firefighters and EMS Memorial website, three firefighters died in 2020, three in 2019 and six in 2018. Deaths that year included Capt. Cory Barr of Sun Prairie, who died in a downtown explosion, and Richard Garner, 29, a Madison Fire Department firefighter and paramedic who collapsed suddenly and died shortly after his shift ended.
Department veterans
One of the Mineral Point firefighters who died had been with the department since 1984, the other since 1997. A family member of one of the men declined to speak with a reporter Thursday. Family for the other firefighter could not be reached. The department has about 40 members.
"Both of them were just huge assets to the department," Marr said. "They're down here all of the time doing their due diligence not only for the whole department but for the whole community."
One of those who came Thursday to assist Marr was Chad Grossen, deputy chief of operations for the Fitchburg Fire Department, who has known Marr for three decades.
"We want to make sure we're taking care of each other," said Grossen. "This is devastating. You can never plan for this stuff."
Mineral Point is one of the state's most historic communities and was founded because of the area's rich lead deposits in the 1820s. Henry Dodge was inaugurated as the first governor of the newly formed Wisconsin Territory in 1836 in downtown Mineral Point, a year after the formation of the Fire Department. But now tourism is the main industry here. Pendarvis, a state historic site, is filled with restored Cornish cabins, while art studios and galleries line High Street and the restored Mineral Point Opera House brings in national touring acts.
At the Midway Bar, a popular stop for pizza and steak sandwiches in the city's downtown, Nicole Faull, who has owned the business for three years and is vice president of the Mineral Point Chamber of Commerce, was in the midst of an annual weeklong deep clean and maintenance project that has her bar closed until Monday. However, she took a break Thursday to make pizzas to be delivered to the fire station Thursday evening.
"That whole crew operates as a large family," Faull said of the city's firefighters. "Everyone feels this loss. But I think it's going to bring a close-knit community closer together."
(c)2022 The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.)
Visit The Wisconsin State Journal (Madison, Wis.) at www.wisconsinstatejournal.com
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5m set of 50 indoor or outdoor 8 function multi-action bright white LED Christmas tree fairy lights that have a timer and are battery operated, so no messy cables. Ideal for adding a festive display to an outside tree in your garden, round a porch, doorway or window, or for safe use indoors on your Christmas tree.
Dimensions: 0.3m from the battery compartment to the first light, light section 4.9m, total length 5.2m.


PLM is looking for dedicated and highly motivated individuals to join our team.
Pennsylvania Lumbermens Mutual Insurance Company offers a rewarding experience to those individuals who are dedicated to continually learning and developing their skills in not only their position but in the industry as well. For over 100 years, PLM and ILM have been providing property and casualty insurance in the lumber and building material industries. Our unwavering dedication to the wood niche is backed by our employees' eagerness to understand the needs of our customers and our commitment to keeping them safe.
With the depth of products and services PLM offers, we are confident that our insureds will have the coverage they need to keep their businesses safe. However, to become the premier provider in the wood niche, we believe it starts with our employees. We understand that our industry and market segment are constantly evolving, so we encourage our employees to engage in continuous learning. We are members of various insurance societies and wood associations and we are proud of our employees' involvement each year. Our staff is endlessly dedicated to being the most knowledgeable resource for our insureds, regardless of the question.
The PLM headquarters are located in Center City Philadelphia, with significant operations in Indianapolis, Indiana. These two locations offer access to all levels of management, a convenience afforded to the staff that works in these offices. While a significant number of employees work in the Philadelphia headquarters, the affiliation of PLM and ILM has grown our presence across the United States.
Aside from our commitment to our industries, PLM is also dedicated to helping our local communities. We have a longstanding relationship with the United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania with a growing connection in Central Indiana. PLM participates in the annual "United Way Day of Caring" and each year we have a campaign kick-off breakfast and various activities to start the fundraising year.
Medical (including Rx and vision) – PLM offers employees a high-deductible health plan (HDHP) with attached health savings account (HSA). The company contributes up to 45% of the deductible into the HSA and the employee can contribute additional funds up to the IRS limit. PLM strives to keep employee paid portions of the medical premiums reasonable and stable while providing the best coverage possible. Vision coverage is included with the medical coverage.
Dental – PLM offers dental insurance with employer contribution towards the premium.
Short Term Disability – PLM offers a generous employer paid short-term disability program to all employees. The benefit varies based on the employee's length of service, and runs concurrently with the Family Medical Leave Act.
Long Term Disability – PLM and ILM offer 100% employer paid premiums for long-term disability insurance.
Life and Accidental Death or Dismemberment – PLM offers 100% employer paid premiums for life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) coverage. Life insurance is covered at 3 times annual base salary and AD&D is covered at 2 times annual base salary. Supplemental coverage may be purchased at 1, 2, or 3 times annual salary. Dependent coverage is available too. All supplemental coverage is employee paid at discounted group rates.
Business Travel Accident Insurance – PLM offers a variety of coverages depending on position.
AFLAC – PLM offers several voluntary insurance plans through AFLAC. These plans are paid fully by the employee but administered by the company. Rates vary by age, coverage, and income.
Defined Contribution Plan-401(k) – Employees are automatically enrolled in the plan immediately upon hire. Employees may contribute up to 50% on either a pre-tax or Roth 401(k) after-tax basis (or a combination of both) up to IRS maximums. Employer match contributions are 100% vested immediately under the Safe Harbor provisions of the plan.
Paid Time Off (PTO) – New employees are given a bank of PTO days based on date of hire to use after 60 days of employment. PTO days increase with length of service up to a maximum of 35 days per year.
Holidays – PLM offers 6 paid holidays.
Flexible Spending Accounts (medical/dental/vision/Rx) – PLM offers two pre-tax Flexible Spending Account (FSA) arrangements for employees. For those employees enrolled in the company (or other) HDHP medical plan we offer a Limited Flex Spending Account for unreimbursed dental and vision expenses only. For employees covered under a plan that is not an HDHP (e.g. a spouse's PPO Plan) we offer a full medical Flexible Spending Account for all unreimbursed medical expenses (deductibles, copays, Rx, dental and vision).
Flexible Spending Account-Dependent Day Care – PLM offers a pre-tax savings plan to be used for costs associated with dependent day care (both child and elder care).
Flexible Spending Accounts (parking/transportation) – PLM offers a Flexible Spending Account arrangement on a pre-tax basis for payment of parking or transportation expenses up to the allowable monthly amount of $255.00 per month.
Employee Assistance Program – PLM offers access to confidential counseling on a wide variety of issues through our Employee Assistance Program.
Matching Gift Program – PLM will match dollar for dollar up to $1,000 per calendar year, any charitable donation you make to an accredited educational institution.
TransitChek – PLM participates in TransitChek which allows employees located at the Philadelphia home office to save up to $255 per month pre-tax to be used towards the cost of commuting on SEPTA or PATCO.
Employee Referral Program – PLM will pay an employee $1,000 if we hire a person they have referred and the new hire successfully completes 6 months of service.
Tuition Reimbursement – PLM offers up to $5,000 per calendar year for reimbursement of expenses incurred (excluding books) in the pursuit of higher education. Programs must be at an accredited school and business related. They may be undergraduate or graduate level.
Industry related courses – PLM pays 100% for employees to further their insurance related education, either in the form of workshops and seminars or in the pursuit of formal industry designations such as Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter or Associates in Risk Management.
Business related training – PLM pays 100% for other business related training courses, including computer training.


The credit union's history is linked to the Bleachery - the former Rock Hill Printing and Finishing Co. plant - dating to the 1960s. Bleachery workers were Family Trust account holders.
Family Trust's plans call for a 36,000-square-foot building that will employ 40 to 50 people at first, with a tentative opening date of January 2015.
At Thursday's workshop, Turner asked City Council members to take a "new perspective" on developing the Bleachery site.
At one point, the 23-acre site was home to the largest cloth printing and finishing plant under one roof in the world, according to city documents. It closed in 1998.
A few buildings remain - the power plant, the Lowenstein building, the filter plant and the towers. Since the city took ownership of the site last April, it's undergone an environmental assessment.
In a brief update, Steven Irminger, senior engineer with Irminger Consulting, said the site was still in good shape environmentally. The Environmental Protection Agency has agreed to fund additional assessments, and the city is pursuing funds for site cleanup.
It was suggested Thursday that the 23 acres be divided into parcels of land and be specified for commercial development rather than multi-family use.
But the biggest discussion came when Turner talked about potential interest in the site from developers.
City staff has talked up the Bleachery site to 15 developers across the Southeast, including Charlotte and Atlanta. At least 10 of them have visited the site.
"The real estate economy is in a lot better condition than it was in January of last year," Turner said. "There are developers out there who want to play a lead role in partnership with the city to redevelop this."
But with so much focus on the site's environmental condition, abatement, cleanup and how the city can market the Bleachery site alone, Turner said it was time to think differently and package the Bleachery with other exciting areas in the city.
He pointed to the development of Winthrop University's campus, Downtown East, the Cotton Factory, upcoming improvements and upgrades to White Street, the creation of an Old Town Market Hall downtown and new downtown businesses, among others.
With so many projects from the East Main Street side to Cherry Road, he suggested public and private developers and city staff put together a portfolio of development opportunities with market data and sponsors for potential developers.
A master developer would have to be selected to help oversee the project.
"The message here is, while the Bleachery site is important," he said, "it's just one piece of a broader strategy."
City officials were happy to see the ongoing development in Rock Hill, but they wondered if expanding the focus from just the Bleachery to more of the city would stunt future projects.
"If we broaden our focus to the whole area, some might say that we lesson our focus on the Bleachery site and get less done on the Bleachery," said councilwoman Kathy Pender.
Mayor Doug Echols and council members wanted assurance the Bleachery wouldn't get left behind as future development comes.
City Manager David Vehaun said everyone is committed to seeing the site succeed and that the same amount would still get done.
Gardner said the Family Trust headquarters development is very much in the design phase.
He said Family Trust was inspired to open a headquarters there after seeing all of the development proposed for downtown and the Bleachery site.
"We'd like to be a part of that, of something we think is going to be very big," he said.


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On Fridays we bring you the week's best from around the web. This week's collection includes a look into AEI president Arthur Brooks' new book, a description of economic populism at its logical extreme, and more.
"The Maximum Minimum" by Kevin A. Hassett, National Review
Every political season, Democrats argue for higher minimum wages. Republicans respond by citing all of the evidence that higher minimum wages are harmful. Democratic voters get charged up and swing voters conclude that Republicans are heartless. It is the gift that keeps on giving for Democrats, but the curse that keeps on afflicting those below the poverty line who lose their jobs because of it.
"Firm Faith: The Company Bosses Who Pray" by Katie Hope, BBC
Saying prayers with colleagues would feel a bit uncomfortable, too intimate an activity in the workplace for many people. Yet at Chinese real estate giant Tiantai Group, known as Tentimes Group in English, that is exactly what they do in the boardroom before making important decisions. "When the senior managers at the top are willing to use the values in their own work and life, the values are passed down. Eventually they become the shared values of the common employees of the entire company. At that time, the company becomes truly irreplaceable," he says.
"Conservatives Really Do Have a Heart: Arthur Brooks' Solutions for America" by Jamie Jackson, The Daily Signal
"'The Last Man on Earth': A Lesson in the Nature of Wealth" by Elise Amyx, Institute for Faith, Work, & Economics
Imagine you woke up this morning and you were the last person on the planet. You'd feel lonely and terrified, but look at the bright side. You just inherited all the wealth in the world.
"The Economy of Order: Justice Requires Love" by Joseph Sunde, Acton Institute
As we continue fighting against individual or systemic oppression or dysfunction, let us remember that along with the fight to change the system at the top, God has given us the wisdom, relational capacity, and, above all, love and grace to begin repairing the fragments of society at the ground level.
Postliberal Catholicism: A Fixture in the Conservative Movement
A Missing Link in Poverty Alleviation: Humility
Another Christian Response to Intersectionality


Do the same with the zuchini and onions and garlic. Do each separate since they will require different cooking times.
Salt the eggplant and then dry out the eggplant putting a book on top of a paper towel. This will help cut any bitter taste the eggplant might have.
Blend all the ingredients together and cook for a few minutes to infuse flavors.
Coat the mold with butter or oil then, layer the vegetables in a mold using a mosaic pattern. Between each layer add a dash of tomato paste and a basel leaf.
Make several molds and have the next day as a cold dish. Or use a large caserole dish for the baking.
You will need 1 red bell pepper, 1 roasted tomato (or use 2 bell peppers) , 1 garlic clove, 3-5 tablespoons of olive oil.
You can roast the pepper either on a grill, stovetop or in the broiler. On a grill or stovetop it is best to set the whole pepper on the gratings. Using tongs move the pepper around until the pepper is blackened and blistered on all sides. Transfer the ppeppers to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap to allow the skins to loosen. After 15 minutes use a pairing knife and your fingertips to peel of the blackened skin. Clean out the seeds from inside the pepper and remove the ribs.
Note: if you are using a broiler you will have to cut the pepper in half, remove the seeds and ribs, then flatten the peppers onto a broiling sheet and cook till blackened. Continue as discussed above.
Cook all the ingredients in olive for a few minutes. This will help soften the peppers further and remove moisture. Then blend the mixture and send through a sieve if you desire a smoother texture. If the mixture is too thick whisk in more olive oil.


The extra penalty for employers that ignore safety rules is something not available to injured workers in Washington State, but it is an interesting concept that provides real incentives for safe workplaces.
The employer challenged this ruling in court, arguing that the federal OSHA law preempted Wisconsin's ability to enforce safety procedures under Section 102.57 and that an OSHA investigation cannot form the basis for a state safety violation claim injured workers should be thankful that the Court of Appeals rejected both of these arguments. First, the Court explicitly stated that OSHA does not preempt Wisconsin's ability to award penalties under Section 102.57, as the safety violation statute is not an enforcement mechanism and OSHA was not intended to impact state worker's compensation rules. More importantly, the Court indicated that an OSHA violation of a federal workplace safety regulation can be used as basis to demonstrate an employer's violation of Wisconsin's state safety statute (Section 101.11).
During the pregame show before February's Super Bowl in New Orleans, Deion Sanders shared his thoughts about the thousands of former football players filing concussion lawsuits against the National Football League.
What Sanders didn't say was that more than two years earlier he had filed a workers' compensation claim in California, alleging head trauma and other injuries incurred while playing for the Dallas Cowboys.
The case is pending, but in November 2010, Sanders was determined to be 86% disabled by the Division of Workers' Compensation, case documents show. Four doctors who examined the former star diagnosed more than a dozen medical conditions, including cognitive impairment and behavioral/emotional disorder. The review also said Sanders suffered from arthritis and "arousal disorder," a sleep impairment.
Sanders is one of a host of current NFL employees, including at least six other NFL Network analysts and dozens of assistant coaches and team personnel, who have made such claims, The Times has found.
BANGOR, Me. — The railroad company whose runaway oil train caused a fire and explosion that killed 47 people in a small town in Canada filed for bankruptcy protection on Wednesday.
The company — Montreal, Maine and Atlantic Railway — filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in United States and Canadian courts, citing debts to more than 200 creditors after the July disaster in Lac-Mégantic, Quebec.
The company chairman, Ed Burkhardt, said previously that a bankruptcy filing was likely after service disruptions because its rail line remained closed in Lac-Mégantic. The company, based in Hermon, Me., also faces lawsuits and enormous cleanup costs related to the disaster.
The parked train, with 72 tankers full of crude oil, was unattended when it began rolling toward town, eventually derailing downtown. Several tankers exploded, destroying 40 buildings in the lakeside town of 6,000 residents.
But with the Department of Transportation's new rules forcing drivers to take longer breaks and cut back on hours behind the wheel, Spoon thinks the government has created a solution looking for a problem.
"I wish the government would just quit trying to fix something that's not broken," he said on a recent rest stop in Columbia, Mo., after hauling a load of construction materials on the 48-foot Great Dane flatbed behind his 2009 Volvo 780.
"If I get any more breaks out here I won't be able to make a living," he said.
Starting Monday, drivers like Spooner will have to stick to a schedule that requires taking a 30-minute break in the first eight hours of driving, cut the maximum workweek to 70 hours from 82, and "restart" those 70 hours with a 34-hour break once a week.
Detailed illustration of a 3-cent stamp issued to commemorate Labor Day in 1956. The image comes from a mosaic in the lobby of the AFL-CIO building in Washington, D.C.
The US Department of Labor – which is celebrating its centennial this year – has provided a history of Labor Day, including the inception of the holiday and the traditions that surround it, excerpted below.
Opportunity. Then and now, it's about opportunity.
"…But again, there is still so much more to do … in skills training and education, workplace safety and health, retirement security and job creation. And in particular, we must do more to ensure an honest day's pay for an honest day's work.
We couldn't agree more. So, as we head out to our family barbeques or other Labor Day activities, we wish to pay tribute to those individual threads – the American Workers – that together create the fabric of our nation.


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internal Funding Opportunities
Gymnastics BC has a number of funding opportunities accessible to current members. Available internal funding opportunities are highlighted and detailed below.
Gymnastics BC Scholarships
Gymnastics BC scholarships are designed to assist our current members in their pursuit of post-secondary education. These Gymnastics BC Scholarships honour young British Columbia students who have:
Shown outstanding leadership traits and skills in gymnastics and within their community.
Demonstrated a personal contribution to gymnastics, their community, school and club.
Demonstrated participation and achievements in gymnastics and other activities.
Attained high scholastic achievements More information
Scholarships are presented during the Gymnastics BC awards ceremony each year.
Application deadline: June 30, 2019
If you have applied for a scholarship, you will receive a letter in the mail in August regarding the status of your application.
The scholarships will be presented during the Gymnastics BC awards in November.
To qualify for a Gymnastics BC scholarship, applicants must:
Have been registered with Gymnastics BC as of June 30 of the current year.
Have been registered with Gymnastics BC for no less than five (5) years (does not need to be consecutive).
Have graduated or be graduating from a recognized B.C. secondary school program.
Have been accepted to attend or already attending a recognized Canadian post-secondary education institution.
Academic standings will be considered as part of the overall decision.
Applying for a scholarship
A completed application consists of the following elements:
The Gymnastics BC scholarship application form, fully completed and signed by the applicant.
Proof of acceptance or attendance at a recognized Canadian post-secondary education institution.
A transcript of the applicant's academic record (Secondary School and University/College, if applicable).
An essay written by the applicant, up to 500 words in length, on one of the two topics listed below:
Describe the impact that gymnastics has had on your life.
Describe how you have contributed to gymnastics, your club and/or Gymnastics BC.
A letter of support from the applicant's current Gymnastics BC club (coach, administrator, etc). Letters from past coaches/supervisors may also be submitted.
Any additional information which supports the application.
Materials submitted will not be returned to the applicant and remain the property of Gymnastics BC.
GBC scholarship application form
GBC scholarship fund donation form
BC Athlete Assistance Program
The BC Athlete Assistance Program (BC AAP) is a program funded by the BC Government which provides grants to provincial sport organizations and post-secondary institutions to help athletes train and compete.
By recognizing high performance athletes (selected by provincial sport organizations and post-secondary institutions) who compete in recognized national or international competitions, the BC AAP relieves some of the financial pressures associated with training and competition needs.
Gymnastics BC focuses on supporting athletes who are in the position to compete for Team BC at the Canada Games and who are ranked just below athletes receiving Sport Canada Athlete Assistance Program funding (S1/S2 carding levels).
To focus support to athletes in the "training to compete" and "training to win" stages of Canadian Sport for Life – Long Term Athlete Development Model;
To contribute to improved performances of Team BC athletes at the Canada Games;
To increase the number of BC athletes reaching federal carding status thus expanding BC representation on national teams and at eligible major international multi-sport Games; and
To assist B.C. athletes reach their athletic potential.
Guidelines, Policies and Procedures
GBC has developed sport specific selection criteria based on the criteria outlined in the BC Athlete Assistance Program guidelines, policies and procedures document. Athletes must meet a minimum performance standard to be eligible.
The B.C. government determines the amount each organization receives on a yearly basis. The Gymnastics BC grant is received annually and is distributed within the fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).
Athlete eligibility
Athletes must meet sport-specific selection criteria outlined in the discipline specific GBC policies and procedures manuals available online.
In order to qualify for AAP funding the athlete must:
be in good standing with GBC
be registered to compete in the current competitive year
submit the completed AAP application form. Incomplete applications will be returned to the athlete. Applications not received by GBC by the stated deadline are not considered
attend the GBC Championships in one of the following ways:
judge, coach or
take part in a demonstration with full or partial routines
wear the Team BC or National Team uniform and tracksuit at inter-provincial competitions
regardless of a valid injury petition at the time of the GBC Championships still participate in some capacity
have competed and ranked at the preceding Canadian Championships, Elite Canada or Canada Games or represented Canada internationally as selected by the national team program.
Athletes accepting AAP funding agree to support and participate in all initiatives of GBC Programming. (I.E.: attend Technical Committee designated camps, attempt to qualify for appropriate Team BC events, etc.)
Athletes accepting AAP funding agree to abide by the Team BC Code of Conduct or otherwise be subject to funding repercussions.
Note: Athletes who meet the eligibility criteria are not guaranteed BC AAP funding.
Athlete Appeal Procedure
Any athlete wishing to dispute the AAP selection process may ask, in writing, that the applicable technical committee review their decision. If technical committee's final decision does not solve the dispute, an appeal using the Gymnastics BC appeal procedure as found in the Governance Section of the Policy and Procedure Manual may be used.
Athletes receiving funding through BC AAP can spend the funding obtained for the following purposes:
Normal living costs
Costs directly associated with training (e.g. coaching, facility fees, other athlete services)
Costs associated with attending training camps and competitions (e.g. entry fees, travel costs)
Sport specific equipment (bodysuits, singlets, longs, gym shoes, grips, etc.)
WAG, MAG, & TG Funding
Gymnastics BC's women's artistic gymnastics program offers the following funding opportunities:
WAG High Performance Athlete Development Fund: for athletes and coaches who participate in Gymnastics Canada training camps, international competitions and Elite Canada.
Team BC Competition Fund: provides financial assistance to enable coaches and gymnasts to attend a team competition experience above and beyond Westerns and Canadians.
Excellence Funding: offers grants for WAG, MAG, and TG athletes and their personal coach(es) at the Canadian Championships in recognition of their excellence.
Athlete Assistance Program: offers funding for athletes who have competed and ranked at the preceding Canadian Championships or Canada Games.
Aside from Gymnastics BC's diverse internal funding opportunities, there are many external funding opportunities which can provide financial assistance to BC athletes. Some available external funding opportunities are detailed below.
CAN Fund
CAN Fund is a financial assistance program available to active national team athletes training to represent Canada internationally. It provides direct funding to athletes creating the opportunity to focus on success instead of on unnecessary financial hurdles such as training, coaching, and nutrition fees. More information
Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund
AthletesCAN, in partnership with the Investors Group, award twenty Canadian amateur athletes with the Team Investors Group Amateur Athletes Fund each year. The $5,000 bursary is available to senior national team athletes based on selection criteria including athletic achievement, financial need, and community involvement. More information
Rising Star Grant
Canadian Sport Institute recognizes the need for financial aid to support the competitive needs of amateur athletes in British Columbia. The Rising Star Grant is made possible on the strength of an endowment fund created in the name of the 14,000 volunteers who helped stage the successful Commonwealth Games in 1994. More information
KidSport is a community-based sport-funding program that provides grants for children 18 and under to participate in a sport season of their choice. There are 40 community chapters in BC and over 175 chapters across Canada.
With the help from dedicated corporate partners, KidSport works to fulfill its mission of eliminating the financial barriers to sport participation, 'So ALL Kids Can Play!' More information
Jumpstart helps kids between the ages of 4 to 18 by assisting with the costs associated with registration, equipment and/or transportation for sports and physical activity programming.
Applications for assistance can typically be submitted from January 15 to November 1, (varies by chapter) with the goal to be equitably distributed over Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter activities. The funding is distributed with a focus on maximizing the cost and length of participation per activity per child. More information
Athletics for Kids (A4K)
A4K's overarching goal is to be there to assist any B.C. child in their dream of playing amateur sports. In other words, we want all kids to have the opportunity to play.
The support of A4K is available province-wide for children ages 5 to 18 who are currently enrolled in school. Basic registration fees are paid for a multitude of approved sports, up to an annual maximum of $600 per child. More information
ViaSport administers sport-related grant programs funded by the government of BC that encourage sport participation and healthy living, develop high-performance athletes and improve delivery of sport and recreation programs to benefit all residents.
For general inquiries about any of the following grants, please email grantsviasport.ca.
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