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What's currently cool in DC (in my opinion)
Reviewed this week: The Kreeger Museum, Filmfest DC, Sleeping Beauty: a puppet ballet, Red Light, and Roofers Union.
This weekend we undertook an expedition we'd been contemplating for a while, to the wild west of DC: Foxhall. What is in Foxhall, you may well ask. None other than the Kreeger Museum. Ladies and gentlemen, I know all us spoilt Washingtonites rather resent a museum with an admission charge ($10), but the Kreeger is a bit of a treat! First, the building itself is fab! Really cool architecture, light and airy, and a lovely courtyard with a fountain and benches made for curling up with a book (preferably something pretentious about art) while looking out over the pretty sculpture garden. It's the sort of venue you'd want to get married in. It also has a lot of great art. Or more specifically, it has a really impressive collection of art by pretty much every big name in the last century or two. Not their best work, perhaps, but some really interesting pieces. All collected by the Kreegers themselves, which makes it somehow more charming than a curated museum. Plus downstairs they currently have an exhibition of contemporary DC-based artists, called K@20 - it's on til the end of July and has some really interesting pieces.
Be warned: Uber and Lyft took a good 12 minutes to get to the Kreeger after we were done! But luckily that's not the only option. You always hear me saying how lovely the Glover Archbold trail is for a city hike - but it ends in a pretty dull location (unless you want to buy plants at the garden center, or an ice cream at McDonalds). However, take a look at the map: you can actually walk to and from the Kreeger Museum along the Glover Archbold trail, which makes for a lovely sunny day out (enter at the end of W Street at the Kreeger side; from Georgetown on the other side). So of course, we did! Delightful. With the added bonus of feeling just a little off the beaten track.
I also very much enjoyed the second week of Filmfest DC, and saw two excellent films (in different ways) - Le Chef was a delicious helping of charm, humor and food, while gently mocking the current molecular gastronomy trends. While Bad Hair, set in a slum in Venezuela, was a sad, funny, energetic and true-feeling depiction of growing up gay. I felt rather lucky that due to a sore stomach, I stayed home and missed Gare du Nord at the French Embassy - my lovely wife and friends went along and it was apparently another gaze-at-your-watch-and-wish-it-was-over extravaganza. While I had a very pleasant time alone with Netflix... So all in all, Filmfest DC's film choices can be hit or miss, but that's the whole point of a film festival. It's one of DC's most exciting film events of the year and it will be a great shame if it can't return next year due to their current money worries.
Another treat this week was Sleeping Beauty: A Puppet Ballet by Pointless Theatre Company. It's on til the 3rd May at the quirky art-gallery-theatre-space Flashpoint Mead Theatre Lab, opposite the MLK Library, but I suspect you'll have to beg, borrow and steal to get tickets soon. These guys, fresh from their well-deserved Helen Hayes win as Outstanding Emerging Theatre Company, put on a rather brilliant show. I didn't quite know what to expect as I squeezed into my seat last night, but it was beautiful. The music, the dancing, the puppets, the sly wit, and overall, charm charm charm. One of the nicest hours I've spent in a while - this bright young theatre company is definitely one to watch!
It's also been a week for trying out new restaurants. First up, after another really excellent 14th Street meal at Cork (I previously mentioned that avocado bruschetta is one of my three top dishes in all of DC), we ventured next door to Red Light. I rather think that the premise behind this new establishment is genius: cocktails and dessert! Not only are these two of my favorite things, there are also a lot of people dining on 14th Street who are keen to bar hop around dessert time. The decor is fun - sort of black and slightly boudoir-ish. The servers are friendly. And the menu looks great. Conflicted on what to order, I went for the cake shake, which was essentially a boozy dessert in a glass - literally. Red velvet cupcake crumbs danced up my straw as I sipped what was, if you like creamy, desserty cocktails, the very best example of its genre I've ever had. Delicious. Whereas my lovely wife, who has opposite cocktail tastes, very much enjoyed a sour and spicy Peep Show. The cocktail, that is.
We also tried Roofers Union in Adams Morgan. Right opposite Tryst, this restaurant is a great addition to the area. Since rain was inching towards us, we decided not to go up on the roof but instead eat in their first floor dining room. This has a great look: a bit industrial, bright, fantastic vantage point for views up and down 18th Street (sit by the windows), and roofer-themed decor, eg boiler suits on the wall. I very much liked the aesthetic (other than the fact that it was pretty quiet on Sunday night, so the ambience wasn't what it could have been). The food is also good - nothing fancy, but simple burger-type food with a twist, done well. As vegetarians, my lovely wife and I both had their black bean and quinoa burger (though they originally accidentally gave her the beef burger our friend ordered! Faux pas, Roofers Union!). The drinks were okay, though nobody was dazzled by their cocktails. What really lets this place down though is the service. It was, as I said, a quiet night with plenty of staff. And yet, when we arrived, we were ignored for over 5 minutes before someone came over to seat us. When we tried to catch their eye to place orders at the table, they studiously walked past, willfully avoiding making eye contact with us. And when we wanted to pay, after eventually bringing us the check, they ignored us so long we had to go and pay at the bar (where we were further ignored for another 5 minutes by the staff near the bar!). Roofers Union has promise. I know it's still new so has teething problems. But where a couple of weeks ago I noted staffing problems at Mission in Dupont Circle, that wasn't for want of trying and friendliness - whereas at Roofers Union we got the impression, from observation, that the staff very much prefer chatting to each other than providing service to their customers - and they have definitely perfected the art of avoiding eye contact with us! A disappointing tactic...
What sounds cool next week
Wed 30th: Everyone's talking about heading over to Alexandria, to their cool Torpedo Gallery Art Center, for Art on the Rocks, an affordable version of the Corcoran's Artini evening: seven local mixologists make cocktails inspired by pop art. And it can all be yours for $35. Enjoy.
Thu 1st May: It's the Phillips Collection After 5 event again. That came round fast! This month the theme is The Rise and Fall of Prohibition, so expect jazz, drinks, and gallery talks about 1920s American art. Also on Thursday, it's not being generally advertised, but if you're a fan of the author Colm McCann (which you surely are), my insider info is that he will be speaking at Georgetown University at 4:30pm and if you can sneak out of work early, reserve a free ticket here.
Fri 2nd May: If my review of the Kreeger Museum inspired you, they have a cool-sounding after hours event on Friday, complete with jazz and an open bar. ..Or if you're feeling less extravagant/intrepid, head to the Freer Gallery for a free evening of enjoying the newly opened exhibitions by Whistler and Kiyochika, plus music and the London-based film noir, Night and the City (screens at 8:30). All details here.
Saturday 3rd May: I know that when it comes to cool views in Washington, we're all excited about the reopening of the monument... but while the monument is the highest structure from which to view, Washington Cathedral is the highest point, since it's on a big hill. But you hardly ever get to climb the tower to enjoy the views. Ladies and gentlemen, Saturday is that elusive day! As part of Flower Mart, you can climb the tower for $10 between 10am and 3:30pm. I hear it's a bit precarious, so bring your head for heights! You can also go and look at some Embassies - it's open house day (except European embassies which are open next week). Or head to the SW Waterfront for the second annual Running of the Chihuahuas... Keeping it in the South West, you can go to free simulcast opera that evening: Mozart's The Magic Flute in the Nationals Stadium. Cool.
Sunday 4th May: In the mood for a rock musical about ancient Rome? Obviously. Check out Nero Pseudo by WSC Avant Bard at Fort Fringe, which is pay what you can tonight (also Fri, Sat and Tue; $25 thereafter).
Monday 5th May: It's Perfect Liars Club at the Science Club! Hooray! It's sold out, of course, but there will be a limited number of tickets on the door. The waiting list opens at 6pm-ish, all remaining tickets will be sold to the waiting list at 6:45pm, and the show starts at 7. Come try your luck! Tickets are $5 this month.
REVIEWED THIS WEEK: Filmfest DC, Jarman at the Atlas, Helen Hayes Awards for DC theatre, 3 bike rides around the city, TSNY Trapeze school, Story League, General Assembly's mobile phone app development class, and DC's newest gin.
This week has been all about films, theatre, trapezing, and cycling around DC.
Washington's International Film Festival, Filmfest DC, is at about its midway point, and so far I've loved seeing a range of diverse and intriguing films. Here is a paragraph of my short reviews!
Best has been King Ordinary, a German film about a man so average that he's seized as a precious market research resource - very funny, interesting premise, riveting... if you get a chance to see it, I highly recommended! We absolutely dashed from Landmark E Street to Mazza Gallerie for our second film that same night, The Great Passage, but while it was quite good, it wasn't a patch on King Ordinary. It was a Japanese film about the making of a dictionary. It would have been better if they'd cut about 50 minutes from it, but still worth seeing. Which is more than I can say for Viktoria, the very next day. Back at Landmark, I had high hopes for Viktoria, a Bulgarian film about a girl who becomes a symbol for the glory of communism - and it started out well. But then it went on for what felt like five hours and really, really lost its way. I was gazing at my watch every 5 minutes, willing it to be over (and in retrospect, I probably should have just left!). The following day I'd booked tickets for Harmony Lessons but I somehow wasn't in the mood for misery and torture in Kazakhstan and skipped it... but we still had two films that day, both at Mazza Gallerie: A Five Star Life, an Italian film about a woman who inspects luxury hotels was charming and lightly funny. And Half of a Yellow Sun, about the conflict in Nigeria, was very good and worth seeing when it's inevitably soon on general release. In between I went to the Tasting Rooms Wine Bar to find it was shutting down that very day: what a shame! Not that it had the best wine in the world, but now I need a new Friendship Heights bar to accompany my movie trips: any suggestions?
Meanwhile, it's also been DC Theatre Week. Many of the discounts were sold out by the time I got round to booking, but I did get to go to Jarman (All this Maddening Beauty) at the Atlas Performing Arts Centre on its opening night on Saturday. This force/collision production is a one-man tribute to the life of British artist, film director, and gay man Derek Jarman - who died of HIV/AIDS. An interesting topic, taken on by what is clearly an energetic and talented company with real vision. The result: an ambitious piece, which is not yet fully realized. (For Londoners: it seems to be aiming for something in the vein of the excellent Confessions of a Dancewhore.)
John Moletress carries the show, alternately playing Jarman himself, and one of Jarman's fans. It's stylish, and I liked that it integrates some cool film stuff (featuring an array of scantily clad gay gentlemen from DC, most of whom were in the audience, giggling throughout). It seems to aspire to capture the feeling of a person in a certain time rather than deliver a chronological plot. It self-consciously aims to be edgy. And it sort of succeeds in all this. But as a self-professed work in progress, this show is indeed not really ready for audiences yet. The script is a bit meandering and needs some editing and focus. People laugh when it doesn't seem they were intended to. The design doesn't work perfectly in this particular space, with different films playing on different screens causing the audience to move our heads like we were watching a tennis match. There's a bit too much reliance on audio over live performance. But for me, the biggest challenge is that Moletress, who generally performs well, has not yet pinned down either or the two English accents he attempts throughout the show. I see this play is planning to tour to the UK and if it's to be anything of a success there, Moletress needs many more hours of accent training first. Americans may not have been aware. But as Brits, we were so distracted by Moletress's problems grasping the two accents, we almost couldn't concentrate on anything else - it overwhelmed much of the cool stuff about this entire play for me. I admire what this theatre company is trying to do, even if it's not there yet. It's exciting to see an ambitious work like this taking shape. And it's on til the 27th April, so get tickets and say you were there at the start of something.
Last night DC Theatre Week culminated in the 30th Helen Hayes awards. I was exceptionally excited to be the winner of a competition which meant my lovely wife and I got to go to the cool and glamorous ceremony at the Building Museum. The event was an absolute treat. Everyone from DC's theatre scene seemed to be there, with glitz and fancy dresses aplenty (and the facility to check in your stiletto heels and replace them with a pair of Helen Hayes comfy slippers!). The Building Museum looked amazing. And while nothing will ever equal the extraordinary buffet I once had there as part of TEDMED, they had free flowing macaroni, champagne, and various savory treats which we munched upon happily while watching the awards. And then, just when I had given up hope, my dream: a cake buffet. The awards themselves were fun. Book of Mormon, Stupid Fucking Bird, and the Signature Theatre were the main recipients. I felt poor Studio Theatre didn't get enough kudos for its exciting programing (especially Baby Universe). But in general, a great reflection of some of the really great theatre going on in Washington these days. I had a delightful evening and am ready to book a lot more local theatre. Thank you so much, Theatre Washington!
And now, settle down for a short account of three brilliant bike rides around DC - with equally brilliant destinations. My lovely wife and I will be cycling the Five Borough Bike Tour in New York the day before the next Perfect Liars Club and since our cycling round Burma last year, have been very lax on long-ish bike rides. So this Easter weekend, we applied ourselves:
1. First up, the 36 mile round trip cycle from Rosslyn to Mount Vernon, all along the beautiful, scenic Potomac, and hardly a road to traverse in that whole trip. This is my favorite ride in the DC area - and we punctuated it with lunch at the superlative Grape and Bean in Alexandria. In DC there are three small plates I dream of constantly when I'm not eating them: Palak Chaat at Rasika, Avocado Bruschetta at Cork, and Artichoke Crostini at Grape and Bean. We rarely get to Grape and Bean due to its location, so it's a perfect addition to this cycle. I ate an embarrassing number of crostini...
2. Next up, the 20 mile-ish cycle from Georgetown up the Capital Crescent Trail, past Bethesda, down onto the Georgetown Branch through Rock Creek Park, past the zoo, and back to Georgetown. Again, hardly any traffic if you do it on a Sunday when Beach Drive is closed to traffic. The Potomac river, the C&O Canal and Rock Creek itself make for beautiful scenery throughout. And we sneaked 10 minutes off the trail for lunch at Tryst in Adams Morgan, which remains one of my very favorite coffeeshops in DC.
3. Finally, on day 3 of our bike extravaganza, we cycled from Georgetown up to the Tidal Basin, and met the Anacostia Riverwalk trail. Currently a 12-mile circuit (plans are afoot to extend it), we zoomed past Arena Stage, across the bridge at South Capitol Street, and pottered up what turned out to be a charming riverside meander through woods, over bridges, up to Benning Road - and then an equally charming and only slightly desolate route back on the other side, passing a jetty, navy ships, and culminating in the attractive new landscaping of the Yards Park. This is a slightly off the beaten track, rather fun cycle. And Yards Park is looking great! It's amazing how in the 2 years since I first saw it, it's transformed into a proper summer day out: cool restaurants, Blue Jacket brewery, Jubilee ice cream (almost - it wasn't open yet, leaving me to press my nose against their window in covetous lust), lovely loungers to sit upon, overlooking the sparkling river, kayaks... and of course, the TSNY Trapeze School. I've taken several trampolining classes there, but that day, I randomly decided to face my fears and do what I'd always watch others doing: a trapeze class!
TSNY is brilliant because it's safe, easy and accessible. A hop, skip and a jump (along the cool 'Transportation Walk' alley) from Navy Yard Metro, you can pay $55, turn up, and actually do proper trapeze stuff! Despite my embarrassing terror, I climbed up the ladder and soared through the air on a flying trapeze! People less scared than me even hung by their knees. On their first class! I am the opposite of an adrenaline junkie. But my goodness, what an exceptionally cool and exciting thing to do. Literally - go onto their website, choose a class, and you too can participate in this thrilling madness. And in the summer, they set up a trapeze outside too! It all felt very safe and well managed too. Despite my shrieks of: "Argh I'm going to die!" My heart is still racing...
Other fun stuff I did this week? Judging Story League's 'saucy' themed story competition (congratulations, Perfect Liars alumnus Mike Kane who was the winner) - always a fun night if you like storytelling, comedy, and/or Busboys and Poets nachos. Paddleboarding on the Potomac from Key Bridge Boathouse. A delight as always. Sampled The Farm Gin, DC's newest home-grown gin, at Farmers Fishers Bakers (not for me - it's very aniseed-y and I'm a floral gin girl). And took a class in mobile app development at General Assembly (more complicated than I'd hoped but a very well designed and delivered class - worth checking them out if you want to learn coding). Phew, it's been quite a week!
What looks cool for next week
All week: More Filmfest DC fun - I'm particularly looking forward to Le Chef, Gare du Nord, and Bad Hair. Check them out!
Wednesday 23rd: Mortified is on at 8pm at Town Dance Boutique - this show where people read from their angst-ridden teenage diaries can be quite hilarious.
Sat 26th: If you're in the mood for a LGBT masquerade ball, you're all set at Taggfest.
Fri 25th and Sat 26th: It's Georgetown's annual French market, and note the library has some special events on this year though their website is rubbish in telling you about them. Pop in!
Sat 26th and Sun 27th: The US Science and Engineering Festival is on at the Mount Vernon Convention Center - and it's free. I like the sound of The Science of Illusion by Apollo Robbins, a science-driven magic show from 2-3pm on Sunday on the Bell Stage, and the Mathemagician, by Art Benjamin, 10-11am on both Saturday and Sunday on the Bell Stage. And Astrocapella - a musical tour of the universe on Sat 11-11:30 or Sunday 5-6 on the Bell stage. Check out the full listings, and enjoy!
This has been a particularly excellent week for spoken word events and for outdoor spring activities in DC.
I rather enjoyed the stories at Speakeasy DC on Tuesday night - about ten people telling true stories on stage at Town Danceboutique, on the chosen theme of 'the cat's out of the bag'. The theme made for some entertaining revelations, and the performers featured some Perfect Liars Club favorites. Plus, there was a cake sale. Those of you who read this blog know how very partial I am to a free cake buffet... this one was not free, but I can confirm that the best thing about Speakeasy's fundraising season is their cake stall. Special mention goes to their homemade chocolate moustaches on a stick for $1. Hipster deliciousness. Their next regular Tuesday show, on May 13th, is about 'close calls'.
A couple of nights later we were foiled in our plans to go to Dr Who-themed burlesque (this was probably for the best - though disconcertingly we were foiled as it was sold out) and instead found ourselves at the Art Soiree weekly art party at the Ritz Carlton in Georgetown. Art Soiree is one of my greatest DC disappointments. In a city that is becoming ever more hip and quirky and cool, Art Soiree has been busy doing the very opposite. About a year ago, Art Soiree was one of the coolest things I could find to do in DC. They had fabulous parties in edgy, converted/industrial type venues. They featured live art with people's bodies as the canvas. They had hula hoopers. Projections of black and white film and various cool arty, participatory stuff. Cocktails. And half the hipsters in the city flocked. In the intervening year, I have eyed their listings and new venues with growing trepidation. And on Friday, my fears were confirmed. All credit to them for running such regular art events. But alas: Art Soiree has gone staid. Its average patron appears to have evolved from the arty hipster to the well-to-do, plastic-surgeried, nouveau riche lady who lunches. This is a fascinating transformation in just a year. But not one that makes me personally want to return to an Art Soiree event in the near future.
Politics and Prose, meanwhile, outdid themselves this week, with two free events I wanted to attend in one day! Luckily that day was a sunny Saturday, so my lovely wife and I hiked the Glover Archbold trail which was just as lovely as ever (despite our preoccupation with trying to urgently come up for marketing blurb for Perfect Liars Club at the Capital Fringe along the route). Though in retrospect, perhaps I shouldn't have encouraged my lovely wife to do this hike at all, given her still-pneumonia state... And in particular, I shouldn't have encouraged her to do it a mere two hours after her bare feet were shivering in the Potomac.
And thus I will digress to say hooray: the Key Bridge boathouse is open for a season of kayaking and paddle boarding around the Potomac. As it's a 10 minute walk from my house, I couldn't be more delighted. I spent the winter gazing resentfully at the frozen water and dreaming of the season pass I would buy for a whole lovely summer on the river. Finally the great moment is here. If you haven't been paddling on the Potomac, I can say (1) it's incredibly easy - just turn up and pay $15 for a kayak, $20 for a double kayak or $20 for a paddleboard and 2 minutes later you're paddling off for an hour of pottering around the river. Your main choice is whether to turn left and paddle towards Lincoln Memorial (you can go all the way around Roosevelt Island and back in an hour with cool views of the monuments), or whether you turn right and paddle into a pretty countryside scene, the leafy serenity only disturbed by passing helicopters. We hopped on paddleboards, chose to turn right, and were enjoying the beautiful scenery and quiet loveliness til my lovely wife started wheezing, I looked down at her feet immersed in still-chilly Potomac water, and realized I probably wasn't a very good wife... So we retreated for some superlative Baked and Wired cupcakes in the sun, perched on the side of the canal (Baked and Wired may have glorious cupcakes but they also have abysmal seating design so you can rarely get a sensible seat inside). We looked around and realised it's suddenly summer!
But back to Politics and Prose. At 3:30 on Saturday they had a rather cool launch of a travel writing anthology, featuring readings by several of the contributing authors. The place was packed too! We got there a little late (having had to put my wheezing wife in a taxi for the last mile) and had to sit on the floor, but having acquired ourselves a beer and some chips, were more than happy to be squeezed into this really enjoyable event. When it finished, with an hour and a half til the next cool-sounding event, we popped into the Little Red Fox for delicious juice and banana cake. In the previous spot of Marvelous Market, Little Red Fox is the hip, high quality, cool ambience deli that makes you a bit jealous of people who get to call it their local. All the cheerier as we ran into friends who actually do live round the corner from it! But soon it was back to Politics and Prose for a rather unexpectedly brilliant event, Ask Roulette. It's a podcast so you can listen to it. Essentially they have members of the audience ask other members of the audience questions ranging from 'what's your greatest fear?' to 'if you were to tame a dinosaur, which type would you choose and why?'. The genius of the show is really the two guys who run it, who were hilarious - and I found myself on stage at one point, which was also fun. Look out for this - if it comes to DC again, it's definitely worth checking out!
It's also sort of worth checking out Mission, Dupont Circle's newest Mexican taco restaurant. A great location, and it looks and feels cool. The service is not yet competent - it took us half an hour to get a drink and an hour to get our food... but they are friendly and nice, seem to mean very well and they are still very new, so let's be indulgent. The food itself, in my opinion, won't change your life. But it is hearty, well executed, and fairly priced - in an area where it can be oddly tricky to find somewhere good to eat. I really liked the ambience, a sort of more relaxed 14th Street. I'd probably not rush back, but I'd be happy to return.
Finally, this is just about your last chance to dash down and see the cherry blossoms. I failed to do it for the last two years, but this year, my lovely wife and I set out at 7:15am on Friday morning, and cycled down to the Tidal Basin for a pre-work cherry blossom extravaganza. I didn't really get what all the cherry blossom fuss is about. But now I do. They are a dreamy delight, transforming the Tidal Basin area into big pink clouds, and the paths of the Tidal Basin into a teeming mass of cherry blossom viewers. My favorites were groups of Japanese people who appeared to have set up special shrines or something like that. And all the newly engaged couples having their photos taken. We happened past again on Sunday, en route to a Haines Point cycle, and while the traffic was revolting, the cherry blossoms all around Haines Point were delightful.
It was intriguing that despite the throngs of cherry blossom viewers crowding Haines Point, and the merry golfers lining up for a slot on the East Potomac Golf Course, their minigolf course was pretty empty this weekend. I am a sucker for minigolf and have dreamed of playing here for years - but inexplicably never have. We acquired beer from the club house, paid our $7 entry fee, and within moments, proceeded to have a quite excellent time on this basic but satisfying minigolf odyssey with views across the Potomac. The holes aren't very fancy. In fact, it's been described as a bit brutalist. Perhaps. But it's a bargain, it's neat and clean, and I think it makes a fab day out, especially when accompanied by a cycle. And later in the season, perhaps a swim too, in the adjacent free Olympic-sized pool!
What sounds cool for next week
On Wednesday you're spoilt for choice: Corcoran's Uncorked late night event, which is about what's new, up-and-coming and innovative this week. While sipping 'innovative' cocktails of course. Or Story League's monthly competition for funniest story at Busboys and Poets. Story League isn't til 9, so technically you could do both... I'll definitely be at least at Story League as they've invited me to be a judge!
From Thursday, head over to Atlas on H Street for the opening of a really intriguing-sounding show, Jarman (All This Maddening Beauty). Video, live performance, and general coolness. I don't really understand what this is about but it sounds potentially brilliant. It's on April 17-27th. I'm excited!
FilmFest DC opens on Thursday. This international film festival is one of my favorites in DC. My lovely wife and I went to loads of films last year, and have bought our discount package for a similar extravaganza this year. Films I'm excited about this week:
- The Grand Seduction (opening night)
- King Ordinary
- The Great Passage
- Viktoria
- Harmony Lessons
- A Five Star Life
- Half of a Yellow Sun
If you're more about theatre than film, it's also Theatre Week in DC with great discounts to many of the fab shows currently on in DC. Particularly tempting to me are Camp David at Arena Stage, and the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee at Ford's Theatre - both have 20% discounts. If only I didn't have so many Filmfest DC tickets already...
And if you're in the mood for some free improv, Appletini's on Monday at Larry's Lounge at 8. You'll remember I think this is one of DC's best improv nights.
What a busy week! There has been amazing theatre. Olympians. Comedy. Science. Authors. Cinema. Outdoorsiness. And of course the event of the month: Perfect Liars Club. Frankly, I'm exhausted.
I love comedy. I love public transport. So when I heard that the Brixton's new free weekly 'Tuesdays with Funnie' comedy night was all about DC's public transport, I was sold. Other than the fact that the microphone was a bit dodgy, and also that I nearly missed it since it was the first beautiful evening for a million years and all the Capital Bikeshare racks were full (PS if you don't have a pass, it's $75 to use their bikes for the whole year and as such, brilliant value!)... The Tuesdays with Funnie roast of the DMV metro was hilariously well done, with some fantastic comedians. For a free show, I must say this was good value. And on the roof terrace: who dared to dream it might one day be warm enough?
The next night I was at a very cool reception to honor Team USA returning from Sochi. Unfortunately there wasn't a cake buffet. But there was a really excellent savory buffet. I ate three hundred miniature potatoes... It seemed that practically everyone there but my lovely wife and me was an Olympian which made me resolve to go back to the gym... Have you ever seen an Olympic medal in the flesh? I saw about 10 that night (around the necks of the winners) and I was embarrassingly excited about it!
Thursday was a first Thursday of the month and so I just couldn't resist the Phillps Collection's After 5, 1930s-themed extravaganza. These are always fun and I rather enjoyed drinking my punch while listening to live jazz, watching a magic show, envying people playing board games, and strolling around the Phillips Collection's current exhibition - I particularly liked some nice Cubist work. Next month's theme is the American 1920s - I can't wait.
I only realized Emma Donoghue was talking at Politics and Prose an hour before she did so, on Saturday evening. Emma Donoghue is one of my favorite authors and after complaining about DC not having enough literary events, it felt indefensible to miss what was clearly going to be an excellent event. But it was currently 5pm, the event was at 6pm and my lovely wife and I were due at the National Geographic at 7pm... Luckily, that's what Uber and Lyft are for! We leapt into a cab and were soon squeezing in to a particularly popular Politics and Prose author event - and Emma Donoghue was really lovely and interesting and funny and her new book sounded fab. What fun. Resolution: keep an eye on the Politics and Prose calendar. How many times must I remind myself!
We sneaked out when the questions started and sped down Connecticut Avenue, sliding into our seats at the National Geographic, just in time for the curtain to rise on the national finals of FameLab. This is essentially an X Factor-style contest for scientists and engineers: who could communicate their research in the most accessible and compelling way? Saturday evening felt a slightly incongruous time to hear about the nuances of science from eleven researchers, I admit. After the hour and a half of funny and illuminating presentations, I cast my vote and turned my thoughts towards beer... But instead, without so much as a sip of water, a really quite interesting presentation on exploration by diving in underwater caves immediately kicked off. For 45 minutes. Despite my Saturday night thirst, I had to smile. Hooray for scientists! Why drink when you can learn? It was a really good event. And I was happy with the choice of winners too. Wish I could go to the international final in the UK! Though when it eventually finished on Saturday, I admit we dashed to Pizza Paradiso's beer bar for some well-earned end-of-evening sustenance.
With the weather inducing us out of hibernation, this week was also full of some lovely strolls. Ever since I moved here, people have raved about Dumbarton Oaks. I decided to find out what all the fuss was about. My wife and I paid our $8 and were admitted to a huge, beautifully landscaped garden, of the type you might find in old British National Heritage properties. There were water features, winding little paths, walled gardens, pebbled gardens, fields of plants, and plenty of nooks in which to perch with a book. If I needed to charm a date, I'd take her here.... This will also be a brilliant place in which to view some cherry blossoms when they appear! En route home, we popped into the grounds of nearby Tudor Place which were also quite charming, though much smaller. Our other outdoorsy strolling this week included a stroll round Roosevelt Island, one of the nicest DC walks, and never very touristy, which is nice. Oh and after years of unfitness, I ran the Cherry Blossom 5k! My lovely wife was distraught that her having pneumonia meant she couldn't run the 10 miler as planned (though obviously she was made to do pretty much everything else listed in this blog!) but the atmosphere was lovely, the weather perfect, and despite the lack of actual cherry blossoms, I had a great time!
We went to a few movies too. I thought Lunchbox at the Landmark E St Cinema was really, really nice: an absolute charmer of a small, subtle, unshowy movie about loneliness, love and lunch in India. Le Week-End at West End Cinema was okay, but a bit more depressing than the trailer would have you believe. Also saw Bad Words at West End Cinema and thought it fairly good, as I always enjoy spelling-themed plots, but again, not sure I'd absolutely recommend it.
But other than yesterday's Perfect Liars Club, which was brilliant, perhaps my favorite event of the week was going to see Brief Encounter at the Shakespeare Theatre. Knee High are actually a British theatre company, and I saw this show back in the UK. Brief Encounter stands out as one of my top theatre experiences in the past decade, so when I saw it was on in DC, I grabbed tickets with urgency. I confess I have previously thought of the Shakespeare Theatre as a bit staid. When I'm looking for really exciting theatre, I tend towards the Studio Theatre and Arena Stage. I can guarantee that if Brief Encounter was on at the Studio, the run would already be sold out for weeks, mobbed by theatregoing hipsters. And with good reason. Brief Encounter may be the coolest show to hit Washington this year. The acting is wonderful. The music fantastic. The staging and design a wonder of inventive, stylish brilliance. Brief Encounter is full of charm and delight. Shakespeare Theatre: I apologize for underestimating your vision. Everyone else: you need to acquire tickets. (It is also a bonus that Jaleo is next door for a post-theatre pan con tomate - the best of the Spanish-bread-and-tomato genre in DC I think!)
What sounds cool in the coming week
Tuesday 8th - tonight Speakeasy DC's monthly storytelling show looks to be a good'un, with stories about slips of the tongue and gossip... Tickets $15 on the door. Doors at 6:30, starts at 8. I'm planning to go. Or else, kick off Yuri's Night celebrations (anniversary of first man in space is 12th April) at The Science Club's monthly space cafe at 7pm (I've crashed this International Space University monthly shindig before and it is nerdy, free and fascinating - and they have speakers from NASA).
Wednesday 9th - The City Paper's Best of DC Fete is happening at the Carnegie Library, featuring lots of the establishments voted 'Best of DC' in their recent poll. It sounds fab. If you're feeling rich (alas I am not), the tickets are $80 though I got an email from Bitches Who Brunch, DC's brunch reviewers, offering a $15 discount with the code BODCbwbGA - thanks, Bitches. If you are more bicycley inclined, the 2nd annual Cherry Blossom Chase DC bike party sounds very different, but also fab - they're meeting at Dupont Circle at 7:30 and cycling with music and coolness to Rock and Roll Hotel where there will be an afterparty.
Friday 10th - Randomly, go draw belly dancers at the Smithsonian American Art Museum from 5:30-7 for free. And why not? And then to Starcadian's dance party with telescopes in celebration of Yuri's Night on H Street. A fine evening's plans!
Saturday 11th - At 3pm sharp on the National Mall between 6th and 7th Streets, something that sounds really cool is happening. It's called Improveverywhere, or the Mp3 Experiment. I can't really explain it. Here's the details. Alternatively, grab a team and go on an urban scavenger hunt. In the evening, I'm suggesting either going to Nerd Nite for a Yuri's Night themed extravaganza at DC9, or heading to the Anacostia Arts Centre for the second week in a row, this time for a Countdown to Yuri's Night (C2YN) party, featuring art, music, sci fi burlesque, costume contests and the like! Random.
What's been cool in DC this week, and what's coming up
Last week was mostly characterized by shivering under an umbrella, cursing my failure to bring an umbrella, and lamenting the foiling of the kite festival by unspringlike downpours. This time last year I was on a sunny Segway tour with my visiting parents, I tell you!
So while I can highly recommend The Sapphires, a highly amusing and charming movie about an Australian Aborigine girl group who sing soul music for the troops in Vietnam, which was recently at Landmark and is now on Netflix, and can also recommend my lovely wife as a ping pong opponent, I did also venture out of the house, despite the untempting weather...
My highlight of the last week was the British Embassy marriage equality party. On the stroke of midnight GMT on Saturday (ie 8pm on Friday), equal marriage became law in England and Wales, and the British Embassy had a fabulous party to celebrate. Three hundred or so of the most lucky DC gays climbed the hill to the Ambassador's Residence and were rewarded by a sparkling reception, complete with rainbow wedding cake, rainbow cupcake canapes, a photo booth where you could get your photo taken in front of a London backdrop, and a serenade by the lovely Gay Men's Chorus of Washington, DC. (Their next show is May 18th at the Kennedy Centre if you want to see them.) The rain held off and we spilled out into the lovely garden. It was an absolute delight of a night, my lovely wife made a speech, and at the end of the countdown at 8 o'clock, I confess I shed a tear. Here's a Blade article about the event.
I also made it out to a couple of shows. As I alluded to last week, Bring It On The Musical at the Strathmore was not exactly my intention. I had booked tickets for the lovely Lily Tomlin - then realized she was performing on the same night as the equal marriage party. So I swapped the tickets... for the musical version of 1990s high school cheerleading movie Bring It On. This did not earn me street cred points with either my blog readers or my friends who work at Strathmore, one of whom spotted my lovely wife and me as we tried to blend in amongst the teenage girls... but the musical was actually really charming. It's a smart and fond pastiche of the privileged-white-girl-moves-to-scary-inner-city-high-school-and-they-all-bond-through-dance genre. For the grown ups, it was tongue in cheek, funny, sweet, and not too happily-ever-after, with lots of nice messages. The performances were good. The songs were good. The villain was hilarious. But the star here is the moves - particularly the cheerleading moves, which was a bit like watching Cirque de Soleil. Cheerleaders are being flung in the air all over the place in this show and it's a bit stressful for the spectator. I don't understand why it was only in DC for one day. I resolve to keep a better eye on the cool shows happening at The Strathmore, and also note that while I always have a vision of it being hard to get to, that vision is wrong: it's actually just at the Grosvenor-Strathmore stop on the red line.
On the less formal show front, I finally made it to After Class, the Thursday night free comedy show at The Science Club (and the reason the stage was built at the Science Club - thanks guys!). While I was disappointed as I had understood it to be comedy themed around geeky learning stuff, and that turned out not to be the case (is there any of that in DC?), this open mic night was actually one of the better comedy nights I've been to around town - and it's free. Definitely worth checking out. Note the show started at 9pm. I also made it along to one of the rounds of FIST, Washington's annual improv tournament, featuring six rounds of 3-person improv troupes battling to be voted the best. I really like The Source on 14th Street, where Washington Improv Theater performs. The round I watched was halfway through the tournament and of very high quality indeed - funny stuff and absolutely worth checking out if you have an interest in improv. There are rounds every Thursday, Friday and Saturday for the next 2 weeks, with the grand final on 12th April. The one I went to was sold out, so I suggest getting advance tickets. (on that note, do you know there's a free long form improv show aka Harold Night there every Tuesday at 9pm?).
I semi-enjoyed the LEGO movie on Sunday, hiding from the snowstorm. The first half is really cool, essentially a Brave New World-style sci fi dystopia with a great song, 'Everything is Awesome'. I loved that they're reclaiming lego for its imaginative properties rather than its instruction-dependent model kits. But it all got a bit schmaltzy at the end. It's okay to let people figure out the metaphors rather than ruining them by explaining them, LEGO filmmakers! Oh well...
On the food front, I was really looking forward to brunch at Sixth Engine, an old fire station. However the food was greasy and unpleasant, and the service was the very slowest I have ever experienced in DC. Alas.
What's cool next week
Tuesday 1st April: I haven't tried the Brixton's new comedy night Tuesdays With Funnie, which happens every Tuesday, but tonight is the night for me. The theme is mockery of WMATA, ie DC public transport. As a public transport nerd, I cannot resist! Comedy and transport combined? I'm there. Doors at 7, starts at 8, free.
Wednesday 2nd April - Twitter co-founder Biz Stone is speaking at Sixth and I on creativity and suchlike. Tickets here. Also, if my mention of Hair at the Keegan Theatre interested you but you haven't got tickets yet, I just spotted on Twitter you can use the promo code SUNSHINE to get $20 tickets for the April 2nd show. Nice.
Thursday 3rd April - It's the monthly Phillips After 5 event. Check out their cool art collection while enjoying Depression era-themed entertainment: board games, classic Disney shorts, talks about 1930s American art, jazz music, magic shows and wine tasting. This sounds brilliant!
Friday 5th April - The first Friday of the month is time to get out and walk around the various galleries of Dupont Circle. Start out at the Hillyer Arts Space where there's a reception 6-9pm. Wow, that's the first time I've been on their calendar page and now find at Hillyer Arts Space also show international films on the third Thursday of the month, occasional performance art - and they have a life drawing class every Tuesday for $12! I'm tempted!
Saturday 5th April: I am really excited about Famelab at the delightful National Geographic. This is the national final of what they are calling 'American Idol... for scientists'. There are still tickets left so act fast. I think this is going to be brilliant 'edutainment'. But also on Saturday is #LiveArt24 - on Friday, 5 playwrights will each be assigned a director, 5 cast members, a prop, a DC celebrity and a DC landmark... then on Saturday they'll perform their resulting 10 minute plays at the Anacostia Arts Center. There will also be bands and a silent auction. This sounds fun! (PS hmmm look at the other cool stuff Anacostia Arts Center also has on...)
Monday 7th April: It's Perfect Liars Club! Don't despair if you don't have tickets. The waitlist will open around 6pm at The Science Club. Put your name on the list, have a drink, and then around 6:45 we'll start selling any spare tickets til the venue is completely full. It's going to be fab.


text:
POSTPONED - Imagining a Human Future in the Context of AI: Arts-Animated Research at the BMO Lab
Inventing a future in which artificial intelligences are responsive to and supportive of human sensitivities and priorities requires an unprecedented interdisciplinary collaboration that is inclusive of the full breadth of the human condition.
David Rokeby, internationally renowned artist working at the intersection of art and technology, is at the epicentre of a new laboratory dedicated to research in AI drawing on the participation of artists and performers uniquely skilled in the nuanced and often intangible dimensions of creative experience. Founded in 2019 at the University of Toronto, The BMO Lab for Creative Research in the Arts, Performance, Emerging Technologies and Artificial Intelligence is notably situated within the university's Centre for Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies.; its major donor is one of Canada's largest banks, the Bank of Montreal. As inaugural director of the lab, Rokeby's presentation explains the origins of and his vision for this unusual alignment of the arts, science, and technology. The special role of theater and the performing arts is emphasized in the wider context of Rokeby's own practice as a creator and researcher, and the rich institutional ecology at Toronto for AI.
David Rokeby is an acclaimed digital artist and the inaugural director of the University of Toronto's BMO Laboratory for Creative Research in the Arts, Performance, Emerging Technologies, and Artificial Intelligence (founded, Fall 2019). Rokeby was trained in Toronto as a visual artist and is a self-taught software and hardware developer. In his art production, he is noted for original applications of machine vision, computational linguistics, and algorithmic performance. As a media theorist, he has published incisive articles on interactivity and virtual reality. Rokeby's accolades include the Golden Nica award for Interactive Art from Ars Electronica (2002), the leading prize for this genre of digital art, and the Governor-General's award for visual and media arts, Canada's highest distinction in these fields.
David Rokeby will discuss his work on April 1st in EMPAC Studio 2 at 4 PM. Free and Open to the Public - POSTPONED.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Products_The latest News,Technology,Industry,Environment,Lo
Sweden is in talks with Turkey on joining NATO and looks forward to strengthening cooperation with Turkey in security and counter-terrorism, Swedish Prime Minister Anders Andersson said recently. Andersson held a joint press conference with visiting…
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The secretary general of the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) said recently that US economic sanctions against Venezuela have affected global energy supplies. He told Venezuelan media that the ECONOMIC sanctions imposed by the Uni…
Us President Joe Biden will start a trip to the Middle East. Biden is scheduled to visit Israel, the West Bank and Saudi Arabia from July 13 to 16.Analysts believe that Biden's trip to the Middle East has three considerations. First of all, efforts s…
A tanker carrying 650,000 barrels of Venezuelan crude oil is reportedly bound for Europe, the first time Venezuela has exported crude to Europe in the past two years under US sanctions. It is analyzed that the U.S. is making up for the European ener…
High Purity Spherical Graphite C Powder CAS 7782-42-5, 99.9%
About Spherical Graphite Powder:Spherical graphite (SPG), also known as battery-grade graphite, is a product consumed as an anode in lithium-ion batteries. The flake graphite concentrate is processed into ultra-high purity (>99.95%C) with a particle…
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The European Commission has submitted to member states a new draft of sanctions against Russia, including an oil embargo. Some member states that rely heavily on Russian energy sought exemptions. Western media reported that the European Commission d…
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In terms of the adaptability of cement and concrete superplasticizer, the type and quality of concrete superplasticizer also play an important role. Therefore, concrete superplasticizers should be selected according to the adaptability to cement and…
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text:
using SpeechTransport;
using System;
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.IO;
using System.Linq;
using System.Net;
using System.Net.Sockets;
using System.Text;
using System.Text.RegularExpressions;
using System.Threading;
using UnityEngine;
using VRGIN.Core;
using System.Diagnostics;

namespace VRGIN.Controls.Speech
{
    public class SpeechRecognizedEventArgs : EventArgs
    {
        public SpeechResult Result { get; private set; }

        public SpeechRecognizedEventArgs(SpeechResult result)
        {
            Result = result;
        }
    }

    public class SpeechManager : ProtectedBehaviour
    {
        Thread receiveThread;
        UdpClient client;
        SpeechResult? result;

        const string LOCALHOST = "127.0.0.1";
        const string CAMEL_CASE_REGEX = @"(\B[A-Z]+?(?=[A-Z][^A-Z])|\B[A-Z]+?(?=[^A-Z]))";
        const string DICT_PATH = @"UserData\dictionaries";
        string _ServerPath;
        object LOCK = new object();

        static System.Diagnostics.Process server;

        public event EventHandler<SpeechRecognizedEventArgs> SpeechRecognized = delegate { };

        // Use this for initialization
        protected override void OnStart()
        {

            base.OnStart();
            InitializeDictionary();
            StartServer();
        }

        private void StartServer()
        {
            _ServerPath = Application.dataPath + "/../Plugins/VR/SpeechServer.exe";

            if (!File.Exists(_ServerPath))
            {
                VRLog.Error("Could not find SpeechServer at {0}", _ServerPath);
                this.enabled = false;
                return;
            }

            var serverBin = new FileInfo(_ServerPath);

            //receiveThread = new Thread(new ThreadStart(ReceiveData));
            //receiveThread.IsBackground = true;
            //receiveThread.Start();

            if (server == null)
            {
                VRLog.Info(serverBin.FullName);
                server = new System.Diagnostics.Process();
                server.StartInfo.FileName = serverBin.FullName;
                server.StartInfo.UseShellExecute = false;
                server.StartInfo.CreateNoWindow = true;
                server.StartInfo.Arguments = String.Format("--words \"{0}\" --locale {1}", GetVoiceCommands(), VR.Settings.Locale);

                server.StartInfo.RedirectStandardOutput = true;
                server.StartInfo.RedirectStandardError = true;
                server.StartInfo.RedirectStandardInput = true; // This makes sure that the child process will exit along with this application
                server.StartInfo.StandardOutputEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;
                server.StartInfo.StandardErrorEncoding = Encoding.UTF8;
                server.OutputDataReceived += OnOutputReceived;
                server.ErrorDataReceived += OnErrorReceived;

                VRLog.Info("Starting speech server: {0}", server.StartInfo.Arguments);

                server.Start();
                server.BeginOutputReadLine();
                server.BeginErrorReadLine();
                VRLog.Info("Started!");
            }
        }

        private void OnErrorReceived(object sender, DataReceivedEventArgs e)
        {
            VRLog.Error(e.Data);
        }

        private void InitializeDictionary()
        {
            var path = CombinePath(Application.dataPath, "..", DICT_PATH, VR.Settings.Locale + ".txt");
            var reader = new DictionaryReader(VR.Context.VoiceCommandType);

            // Load dictionary and save immediately
            VRLog.Info("Loading dictionary at {0}...", path);
            reader.LoadDictionary(path);
            VRLog.Info("Saving dictionary at {0}...", path);
            reader.SaveDictionary(path);
        }

        private string CombinePath(params string[] paths)
        {
            string res = paths[0];
            for(int i = 1; i < paths.Length; i++)
            {
                res = Path.Combine(res, paths[i]);
            }

            return res;
        }

        private void OnOutputReceived(object sender, DataReceivedEventArgs e)
        {
            try
            {
                lock (LOCK)
                {
                    result = SpeechResult.Deserialize(e.Data);
                    VRLog.Info("RECEIVED MESSAGE: " + e.Data);
                }
            }
            catch (Exception err)
            {
                VRLog.Error(err);
            }
        }

        private String GetVoiceCommands()
        {
            return string.Join(";", DictionaryReader.ExtractCommandObjects(VR.Context.VoiceCommandType).SelectMany(command => command.Texts).ToArray());
        }

        void OnDisable()
        {
            if (receiveThread != null)
            {
                receiveThread.Abort();
                receiveThread = null;
            }

            client.Close();
        }

        // Update is called once per frame
        protected override void OnUpdate()
        {
            lock (LOCK)
            {
                if (result != null)
                {
                    SendMessage("OnSpeech", result.Value);
                    SpeechRecognized(this, new SpeechRecognizedEventArgs(result.Value));
                    result = null;
                }
            }
        }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
Sabrina Duchesne (born 17 April 2001) is a Canadian Paralympic swimmer who won a bronze medal in the Women's 34pts 4x100m relay event at the 2020 Summer Paralympics.

She competed at the 2016 Summer Paralympics, 2018 Pan Pacific Para Swimming Championships, and 2019 World Para Swimming Championships.

References

External links

Living people
2001 births
Canadian female backstroke swimmers
Canadian female butterfly swimmers
Canadian female freestyle swimmers
Canadian female medley swimmers
Paralympic swimmers of Canada
Paralympic bronze medalists for Canada
Swimmers at the 2016 Summer Paralympics
Swimmers at the 2020 Summer Paralympics
Medalists at the 2015 Parapan American Games
Medalists at the 2020 Summer Paralympics
S7-classified Paralympic swimmers
21st-century Canadian women

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Aryia is now enjoying retirement with her new owner and lives the life of luxury in upstate NY.
She is enjoying going everywhere with her new owner and visiting all kinds of people.
I could not have asked for a better home for my beloved Aryia.
For pedigree and health testing scroll down this page.


text:
Q: Testing Starknet Cairo contract function with address I built a module with Cairo language and I would like to unit test it. The contract is pretty simple : it manages a list of authorized addresses and provide some "modifier" functions to help.
I have taken the sample unit testing code from the documentation but nothing is referring about sending an account address to a function with python.
How should I proceed ?
Thanks in advance

A: You can spoof an account by providing the caller address to the invoke function like this:
await contract.function(
    arg1=felt,
    arg2=felt2,
).invoke(caller_address=private_to_stark_key(123))

If you want a more detailed example of how the python unit testing framework works you can check these 2 links
https://github.com/starknet-edu/basecamp/blob/main/camp_4/buidl/tests/test_contract.py
https://github.com/starknet-edu/starknet-debug/tree/master/python

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
Remembering Officer Tyler Herndon
The Gaston Gazette
Mount Holly unveiled two life-sized bronze statues Sunday to remember fallen police Officer Tyler Herndon on the two-year anniversary of his death in the line of duty.
Dozens of people attended the dedication event at the Mount Holly Police Department Memorial Plaza, which was built after the 25-year-old Kings Mountain native was fatally shot while responding to a breaking and entering call at a business on Dec. 11, 2020.
The first statue shows an officer with his arm around a child. The second shows a officer kneeling beside a K-9.
Mount Holly Police Chief Brian Regan talked about how Herndon made a difference in the community.
"Tyler was always the person that would step up when there was a need, and I think he would want all of us to continue on, going out doing the job he would be doing if he was here," Regan said.
Regan also said the department will have a memorial event every year to remember the sacrifice Herndon made.
Herndon's father, Mark Herndon of Kings Mountain, was able to see renderings of the statues before they were shown to the public.
"It's still hard. I can't help it. He's my son," he said. "Seeing that police officer with his arm around a kid. That was Tyler."
Herndon was a 2013 graduate of Kings Mountain High School, where he played soccer and competed on the cross-country team. He studied criminal justice and psychology at UNC Charlotte, graduating in 2018 and going on to basic law enforcement training.
Herndon began working at the Mount Holly Police Department in January of 2019. It was his first real job after college. He had been there less than two years when he was killed. In July, the man who fatally shot Herndon pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and received a life sentence in prison.
"I'm grateful for what Mount Holly did. They don't have to do this, but they did as a tribute to my son," Mark Herndon said last week. "I just want to say, 'thank you.'"
You can reach Kevin Ellis at 704-201-7016 or email him at Kellis@Gastongazette.com. Gazette news partner WSOC contributed to this report.


Pursuant to §23.14.060 of the Zoning Code, appeals of a final action by the Zoning Administrator must be filed with the Planning Department no later than ten (10) calendar days after the day on which the final action was taken, along with the appropriate fee.
In compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, if you need special assistance to participate in this meeting, please contact Secretary Sandy Kyles at (916) 478-3620 or at skyles@elkgrovecity.org. Notification 48 hours prior to the meeting will enable the City to make reasonable arrangements to ensure accessibility to this meeting.
If you would like to contact the Zoning Administrator regarding these projects, or any other project, please contact Secretary Sandy Kyles at (916) 478-3620 or skyles@elkgrovecity.org.


text:
Mr. Christopher Harris
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2023
To share your memory on the wall of Mr. Christopher Harris, sign in using one of the following options:
Provide comfort for the family by sending flowers or planting a tree in memory of Mr. Christopher Harris
Mr. Christopher 's Tribute Fund
Please share your favorite memory of Mr. Christopher to be included in a special keepsake book for the family.
An obituary is not available at this time for Mr. Christopher Harris. We welcome you to provide your thoughts and memories on our Memory Wall. To send flowers to the family of Mr. Christopher Harris, please visit our Heartfelt Sympathies Store.
Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 | 10:00am - 11:00am
Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 10:00am - 11:00am
Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 | 11:00am
Wednesday, January 18th, 2023 11:00am
We encourage you to share your most beloved memories of Mr. Christopher here, so that the family and other loved ones can always see it. You can upload cherished photographs, or share your favorite stories, and can even comment on those shared by others.
Provide comfort for the family of Mr. Christopher Harris by sending flowers.
A Memorial Tree was planted for Mr. Christopher Harris


Let these two sweeties bring out your inner kids as you celebrate a love that is everything to you both.
gave card to my wife for valentines day and she loved it. thank you for selling all cards on the internet now .


text:
using UnrealBuildTool;
using System.IO;

public class Cubiquity : ModuleRules
{
    private string ModulePath
    {
        get { return ModuleDirectory; }
    }

    private string ThirdPartyPath
    {
        get { return Path.GetFullPath(Path.Combine(ModulePath, "../../Dependencies/Cubiquity-2015-06-14")); } //Edit this line to match where Cubiquity is installed
    }

    private string ThirdPartyLibraryPath
    {
        get { return Path.Combine(ThirdPartyPath, "bin"); }
    }

    private string ThirdPartyIncludePath
    {
        get { return Path.Combine(ThirdPartyPath, "include"); }
    }

    public Cubiquity(TargetInfo Target)
	{
        MinFilesUsingPrecompiledHeaderOverride = 1;
        bFasterWithoutUnity = true;
        PublicDependencyModuleNames.AddRange(new string[] { "Core", "CoreUObject", "Engine", "InputCore", "RHI", "RenderCore", "ShaderCore" });

        LoadCubiquity(Target);
	}

    public bool LoadCubiquity(TargetInfo Target)
    {
        bool isLibrarySupported = false;

        if((Target.Platform == UnrealTargetPlatform.Win64) || (Target.Platform == UnrealTargetPlatform.Win32))
        {
            isLibrarySupported = true;

            string PlatformString = (Target.Platform == UnrealTargetPlatform.Win64) ? "Win64" : "Win32";

            //string remotePath = @"http://www.volumesoffun.com/downloads/Cubiquity/Cubiquity-2015-06-14.zip";
            //System.IO.Compression.ZipFile.ExtractToDirectory(remotePath, extractPath);

            //Copy the Cubiquity DLL into the binaries directory locally
            FileInfo file = new FileInfo(Path.Combine(ThirdPartyLibraryPath, "CubiquityC.dll"));
            DirectoryInfo destDir = new DirectoryInfo(Path.Combine(ModulePath, "..", "..", "Binaries", PlatformString));
            destDir.Create();
            FileInfo destFile = new FileInfo(Path.Combine(destDir.ToString(), "CubiquityC.dll"));
            if (destFile.Exists)
            {
                if (file.LastWriteTime > destFile.LastWriteTime)
                {
                    file.CopyTo(destFile.FullName, true);
                }
            }
            else
            {
                file.CopyTo(destFile.FullName, true);
            }

            //Make sure we can link against the .lib file
            PublicAdditionalLibraries.Add(Path.Combine(ThirdPartyLibraryPath, "CubiquityC.lib"));
        }

        if(isLibrarySupported)
        {
            // Include path
            PublicIncludePaths.Add(ThirdPartyIncludePath);
        }

        return isLibrarySupported;
    }
}


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The Beara Way Cycling Route is a National Cycling Route, it covers a lot of authentic West Cork country roads. The route travels along the entire Beara Peninsula passing through all the picturesque towns and villages along the way. The entire route is 183 kilometres however with no start or finish you can feel free to join the route in any town and village on the Peninsula. Rental with helmets can be delivered to Berehaven Lodge from BikenBeara, located just 3kms away. Advance booking is essential to avoid disappointment. Beara's roads have played host to An Post Rebel Tour and An Post Rás this year and in previous years.
The route is clearly sign-posted with a logo and a bicycle symbol. The extensive choice of routes available will suit all abilities from rugged mountain passes to meandering valleys and endless country roads to speed along with the crashing of the Atlantic Ocean and chatter of wildlife in your ears, cycling in Beara provides a memorable experience and hopefully you will tell all who will listen about the beautiful Peninsula of Beara! We are delighted to offer special activity Lodge packages which include accommodation in the lodges, dining and bike rental if you wish. Ideal for those looking to see the real Beara.


text:
No More Secrets, No More Lies: A Handbook to Starseed Awakening (Paperback)
By Patricia Cori
Beyond Good And Evil (Hardcover)
By Friedrich Wilhelm Nietzsche
The Analects: An Illustrated Edition (Illustrated Library of Chinese Classics #4) (Paperback)
By Confucius, C. C. Tsai (Illustrator), Brian Bruya (Translator)
How Adam Smith Can Change Your Life: An Unexpected Guide to Human Nature and Happiness (Paperback)
By Russ Roberts
The Nicomachean Ethics (Paperback)
By Aristotle, Adam Beresford (Translated by)
The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason (Paperback)
By Sam Harris
The Triumph of Good: Cain, Abel and the End of Marxism (Paperback)
By Thomas Cromwell
Cain's ACT: The Origins of Hate (Paperback)
By Massimo Recalcati, Will Schutt (Translator)
The Roots of Evil: A Postmodern Exploration of the Unintended Consequences of Civilization (Paperback)
By Evan Longin
Might is Right: or the Survival of the Fittest (Paperback)
By Ragnar Redbeard
The Science of Evil: On Empathy and the Origins of Cruelty (Paperback)
By Simon Baron-Cohen
Facing the Dragon: Confronting Personal and Spiritual Grandiosity (Paperback)
By Robert L. Moore, Jr. Havlick, Max J. (Editor)


text:
Bodendenkmäler der Gemeinde Poppenhausen

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Bodendenkmäler in der Gemarkung Kronungen

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Bodendenkmäler in der Gemarkung Kützberg

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Bodendenkmäler in der Gemarkung Maibach

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Bodendenkmäler in der Gemarkung Oberwerrn

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Bodendenkmäler in der Gemarkung Poppenhausen

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Anmerkungen

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2017 Volvo S90 is a sedan of the Swedish automaker Volvo launched in 1996. Volvo S90 2017 model is a small evolution of the 960, the last propulsion of the Swedish manufacturer. In 1998, Volvo S90 was replaced by the S80, replaced in 2016 by a second generation of S90.
The 2017 S90 is a car model of the upper middle class of the Swedish automotive manufacturer Volvo. The world champion of the limousine took place in January 2016 at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The market launch took place in the summer of 2016, followed by a hybrid version in November 2016. At the Guangzhou Auto Show in November 2016, Volvo presented the long version S90 Excellence for the Chinese market. Based on the S90 and with the same engines, the Volvo V90 was launched in September 2016.
2017 Volvo S90 R-Design packages for the Volvo S90 and Volvo V90 were unveiled on June 22, 2016, adding a more sporty body design, with different design bumpers, front grille, side skirts, black glossy decorative and fog lights. They also feature new, more sporty wheels. In the living room are fitted leathers of even higher quality, combined with sports seats, steering wheel, pedals and floor mats.
The 9-inch central touchscreen, known as Sensus, which Volvo introduced for the first time on the XC90, is standard in both the S90 and V90, with all the basic features (such as the audio system, the navigation system, its main systems Car and several other applications) can be tuned through it. All 2017 Volvo S90 and V90 also feature a digital instrument cluster, 10-speaker audio system, Internet connection, Bluetooth, Keyless Start, 2-zone automatic air conditioning, 4-zone extras and more.
Like the level of equipment, common with the second-generation 2017 Volvo XC90 are the S90 and V90 engine assemblies. As a result, the model offers a range of 2-liter, 4-cylinder engines from the VEA family (DRIVe), gasoline and oil to combine fuel-efficient performance and emissions reduction. They all meet the stringent Euro 6 emission standards. Combined with the new 8-speed Geartronic automatic transmission, which debuted at the end of 2014 with the introduction of the second-generation Volvo XC90, although in a few countries a 6-speed manual transmission is available in the basic versions.
As with the Volvo XC90, the diesel versions are called D4 and D5, the petrol-powered versions are called T5 and T6, and the top version is the T8 or S90 Twin Engine, a plug-in hybrid version. At the same time, the respective horsepower of the engines is similar to that of the SUV.
In September 2016, at the Paris Motor Show, the Volvo S90 Cross-Country was officially revealed. The model is a V90 version with a slightly higher body height and a 4-drive, designed for off-road use as well as for driving on poor road conditions. Especially in Greece, the introduction of this edition was launched on 20 January 2017. In the United States it is normally available, as opposed to the common V90, which is available only on a special order.
All versions of the 2017 Volvo S90 and Volvo V90 carry the City Safety package for automatic detection and braking to avoid vehicles, pedestrians, cyclists or cyclists, large animals, opposite vehicles arriving at intersections etc. without any limitation of speed. At the same time, Euro NCAP officially announced that it confirmed, according to a study, that the results of the Volvo V90 were respectively or even better than those of the Volvo S90 and that, consequently, these figures also apply to the 2017 Volvo S90.


Harrison & Hetherington Ltd, Kirkby Stephen Mart held their opening prime sheep sale of 2018 on Tuesday night, where an entry of 4,068 sheep were forward, consisting of 3,537 prime hoggs and 531 cast sheep.
Topping the prime hoggs at £126.80 was a heavy Texel hogg from Messrs Toppin, Basco Dyke, Armathwaite which was bought by Mr Ditta, Accrington. The whole consignment of heavy hoggs from Basco Dyke averaged £101.93.
Topping at 267.7p/kg was a pen of Beltex hoggs from Messrs Dodd, West View, Temple Sowerby which were bought by Vivers Scotlamb Ltd. The 30 hoggs from West View sold to average 44kg, £103.77 (235.84p/kg).
Hill Cheviot hoggs sold to £93.30 for a pen of 20, 48kg hoggs from Messrs Patchett, Ripon.
Messrs Sayer, Town End Farm, Hackthorpe sold a great consignment of 203 Dutch Texel and Beltex cross hoggs to average 213.82p/kg.
Cast sheep were in strong demand with this section topping at £130.50 for a pen of 3 Beltex cross ewes from Messrs Skidmore, Needless Hall Farm, Toronto.
Price per Head – Texel £126.80, £112.30, £99.80, £96.80, £93.80 Basco Dyke; £122.80 Fair View; £115.80 (2) Calva Farm; £111.80 Abbey Park; £107.80, £96.80, £95.30, £94.80, £93.30 (2), £91.30 Newton Farm; £107.50 West Summersides; £101, £98.30 Clarks Farm; £99.30 Stockley Burn Farm; £98.80 House & Holme Farm; £97.30, £94.30, £93.30 Hyde Park; £96.80, £90.80 Crossfell House; £94.30 Thorney Scale; £93.30 Little Langton Grange; £93.30 Bank House Farm; £91.80 Martindale Farm: Beltex £118.80, £108.80, £106.80, £102, £100.30 (3) Upper Brydekirk; £118.80, £117.80, £116.80, £115.80, £106.80, £105.80, £104.30, £103.80, £102.80 West View; £114.80, £104.80, £100.80 Dona Close; £110, £105 Fawcett Park Farm; £108.80 Greenfield Farm; £106.80, £102.30 Outgang Farm; £102.80 Stockley Burn Farm; £101.30 Starrah; £100 Steely Farm: Suffolk £103.80 Newton Farm; £100.80 Crossfell House; £99.30, £96.80, £96.30, £94.30 Hyde Park; £97.80 Black Syke: Bluefaced Leicester £98.80 Hartley Castle; £97.80 Greenfield Farm: Mule £95.80 Barras Farm; £90.30, £84.80 Setterah Park; £89.30 Stockley Burn Farm; £87.30 Cranberry; £86.80 Hyde Park; £84.30 Burton Hill; £81.30 Kilnstown; £80.30 Farney Shields: Hill Cheviot £93.30, £88.80, £88.30, £86.80, £85.30 West Summersides: Dutch Texel £91.30, £89.80, £89.30, £88.80 Town End Farm; £88.30 Hawkrigg Farm: Charollais £90.30 Little Langton Grange; £83.30 Greenfield Farm: Blue Texel £82.30 Town End Farm: Swaledale £80.30 Thorney Gale; £78 Fawcett Park Farm; £75.80, £72 Glebelands; £75.30, £71.30 High Stennerskeugh; £75.30 Ellergill; £74.30 West End Farm: Rough £78.80 Galloper Park: Blackface £74.30 Starrah.
Price per Kilo – Beltex 267.7p, 263.2p, 254.3p, 248.5p, 248.3p, 235.1p West View; 252.8p, 241.8p, 240.8p (2), 237.2p Upper Brydekirk; 249.5p, 237.3p Outgang Farm; 248.1p, 237.6p, 231.5p Town End Farm; 244.4p Fawcett Park Farm; 239.2p, 234.1p Crossfell House; 234.6p West Briscoe; 230.5p Little Langton Grange: Texel 256.7p, 239.2p, 227.6p, 222.7p Newton Farm; 239.2p, 216.2p Little Langton Grange; 213.7p, 211p Whygill Head; 211.4p Bank House Farm: Dutch Texel 213.6p Thorney Scale; 212.6p, 211.4p Town End Farm: Hill Cheviot 205.3p, 201.9p, 198.4p, 194.4p, 193p West Summersides; 194.1p Ghyll Bank; 191.8p Melbourne House; 191.1p, 190p Redlands Bank: Blue Texel 200.7p Town End Farm: Suffolk 196.5p, 194.7p, 193.6p Hyde Park: Blackface 185.8p Starrah; 176.4p Redlands Bank; 175p Castle Hill: Charollais 184.3p, 182.9p Little Langton Grange; 180.9p Orchard Farm: Mule 181.4p Intake Bottom; 180.8p Barras Farm; 180.2p Asby Grange: Swaledale 181.2p West End Farm; 180.5p, 180p Glebelands; 179.3p, 173.8p (3) High Stennerskeugh; 179p, 177.3p Fawcett Park Farm.
Cast Ewes – Beltex £130.50 Needless Hall Farm: Texel £122.50, £118.50 Needless Hall Farm; £120.50 Westfield House Farm; £117.50, £105.50, £90.50 West View; £114.50, £108.50, £98.50 Upper Brydekirk; £108.50, £105.50 Fair View; £103.50 Breaks Hall; £98.50, £90.50 (2) House & Holme Farm; £98.50 Town Head; £95.50, £94.50 Newton Farm; £94.50 Martindale Farm; £94.50 Steely Farm; £92.50 Abbey Park: Lleyn £108.50 Helm Farm; £102.50 Woodfoot (Jenkinson): Bluefaced Leicester £106.50 Howgill Grange; £100.50 Whingill; £90.50 Oak House: Suffolk £94.50 Westfield House Farm; £90.50 Hawkrigg Farm: Mule £80.50 Fair View; £79.50 Breaks Hall; £70.50 Martindale Farm: Hill Cheviot £70 Newton Farm; £68.50 West View; £67.50 Dry Howe; £67.50 Fawcett Park Farm: Swaledale £54.50 Whingill; £50.50 (2) Langton Field: Goats £54.50 Grange House: Blackface £52.50 Newton Farm.
Cast Rams – Texel £116.50 West Briscoe; £110.50 Oak House; £100, £98.50 Buckles Farm; £96.50 Bail Hill View; £96.50 Newton Farm: Beltex £100.50 Needless Hall Farm: Lleyn £98.50 Woodfoot (Jenkinson): Zwartble £89.50 Melbourne House: Blackface £62.50 Newton Farm: Swaledale £60.50 Hartley Castle; £58.50 West Briscoe; £58.50 Grange House.


Little Miss Hood's Adventures in Kindergarten: Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas!
We found this box sitting outside our classroom door. When I told them it was a special delivery from Santa the kids lost it! There was a lot of screaming and jumping for joy. When they FINALLY calmed down I opened the box and found a letter inside. The letter informed the class that Santa sent a special visitor to watch them and report back to him if they were nice or naughty. The label that you see above was from Kindergarten Craze and the letter and worksheet that you see below is a freebie from The First Grade Parade.
Once we read the letter the kids searched around the room and found our elf that they lovingly called "Santa Girl" on the flag pole. She was there the entire morning and none of the kids saw her ha!
Each day Santa Girl moved around the classroom to watch the class. The picture above shows a few of the spots we found her in.
On the last day of school before Winter break began Santa Girl wrote the class a goodbye letter. The kids were sad to see her go but I assured them she would be around next year! Santa Girl was kind enough to leave them a very special gift... a bell from Santa's sleigh!
Do you think they could have put anymore candy? Ha!
We went on our first field trip of the year... a sleigh ride! Many of the kids thought it was going to take off and fly but I told them only Santa's sleigh would do that.
Check out the festive Christmas trees that my class made.
This was one of the go to centers of the week! It's so simple... the kids decorated the tree by coloring ornaments. When they were finished we graphed how many of each kind of ornament was on the tree!


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Mine just arrived and they are awesome. Got all three colours but have to say red and white are better looking than the black. Turned two on and they pair automatically with each other so didn't even need to start fiddling and then you just connect to your bluetooth. The sound is really good and when you have both on it is more than enough to fill a room. Very impressed with the sound balance.


I finished story mode in 0.10 beta at medium level (231 points). I have unlocked all karts including GNU and Nolok but not Sara the Wizard.
Is it still possible to "cheat" by editing the configuration file in 0.10?
To unlock Sara the Wizard, you have to get more points by completing expert and supertux challenges.
Otherwise, yes the configuration file can still be edited to cheat.
If you want to still try it the "honest" way, I give you a hint: Concentrate on the GPs first. Those give much more points than the other challenges, so these challenges are very important for improving your score. Also try on Expert first because SuperTux is really tough. Proceed to SuperTux when you're ready.
Note that Sara the Wizard requires a lot of points. You'll need to win a few challenges at SuperTux (not all of them!), otherwise your score won't suffice even with 100% Gold/Expert.
Last edited by Wuzzy on 20 Jan 2019, 20:27, edited 1 time in total.
Then, unlocking Sara the Wizard without cheating can be considered the ultimate challenge.
In 0.9.3, unlocking Sara the Wizard requires 200 points. But when you finish the story mode at easy level, you happen to have 200 points. She can also be accidentally unlocked if she happens to be chosen as the Leader in STK Enterprise (Follow the Leader mode). This doesn't apply to latest version of course.
In 0.9.3, there is no point requirement for any unlock. Your leader thing in STK enterprise is also wrong.
She's unlocked after Candela City.


text:
#NK human rights #EU #UN #North Korea #human rights
N. Korea bristles at EU over U.N. resolution on human rights
All News 10:32 November 09, 2021
SEOUL, Nov. 9 (Yonhap) -- North Korea on Tuesday slammed the European Union (EU) for leading a U.N. resolution condemning its human rights situation, calling the move an act of hostility based on "false and fabricated" documents.
The resolution, drafted by the European countries, was submitted to the United Nations' Third Committee for approval late last month. If passed, it will be put to a vote at the U.N. General Assembly in mid-December.
"We have long rejected this slanderous 'resolution' full of false and fabricated documents to blindly defame our human rights policy and situation," an official at a North Korea-EU association said in a commentary posted on the North's foreign ministry website.
North Korea has been bristling at accusations of its human rights violations, calling them a U.S.-led attempt to topple its regime.
"The European countries with the worst records of human rights should do their job first, which is to deal with their own human rights trashes," the official added.
South Korea has taken part in the adoption process by consensus, not as a co-sponsor of the resolution, since 2019 amid efforts to resume inter-Korean talks and nuclear negotiations between Washington and Pyongyang.
scaaet@yna.co.kr
N. Korea slams U.S., some western countries for skipping U.N. meeting on racism
U.S. Senate committee passes bill on battling N. Korean censorship
N. Korea accuses U.N. special rapporteur of 'distorting reality'


The Bible mentions more than one hundred plants, herbs, and trees; everything from acacia and aloe to wheat and wormwood. Knowing the appearance and properties of these plants can help us better understand their use in Scripture.
"Mandrakes, please," asked Rachel. A seemingly innocent request. Yet, Leah responded angrily, saying, "Is it a small matter that you have taken away my husband? Would you take away my son's mandrakes also?" Clearly, more was involved here than mandrake plants discovered in a wheat field. For Leah, the mandrakes were almost incidental. They merely represented one more item that Rachel was taking away—the most important of which was Jacob's affection.
Though sisters, Rachel and Leah were both married to Jacob. However, Jacob had not chosen to wed Leah, but was tricked into the marriage by his unscrupulous father-in-law, Laban. Jacob's first choice and first love always remained Rachel; as explained in Genesis 29:30, Jacob "loved Rachel more than Leah." Feeling unwanted and unloved, Leah resented Rachel.
But Rachel also resented Leah—not because Rachel felt unloved or unwanted, but because she felt maternally unfulfilled. By this time, Leah had borne Jacob four sons: Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah. Rachel, however, had not conceived and was desperate to have children. "Give me children, or else I die!" she scolded Jacob in Genesis 30:1.
Rachel's desperate desire to have children may explain why she desperately wanted the mandrake plants—desperation enough to offer Leah one night with Jacob in exchange for the mandrakes. "Therefore he will lie with you tonight for your son's mandrakes." But why the interest in mandrakes?
For millennia, the Mediterranean Mandrake or Mandragora Officinalis was used in traditional healing, magic, and even witchcraft—especially because of its narcotic properties and human-shaped roots. Over time, legends about the mandrake grew more prolifically than the plant itself; how it shrieked when pulled from the soil; how it radiated light after nightfall; how it brought fame, fortune, and power. Curiously, even the Jewish historian Josephus wrote of the mandrake's strange ability to shrink away from harvesting hands.
Legends aside, since antiquity the mandrake has been prized for its healing qualities, especially as an aphrodisiac and remedy for infertility. For this reason, the mandrake was sometimes called the "Love Apple" and even "Satan's Apple." In fact, the ancients were so convinced of the mandrake's pregnancy-power, they often wore it as amulets or slept with it under their beds.
Though the mandrake is highly toxic and potentially deadly if wrongly prepared and dosed, it is still used as a treatment for such conditions as ulcers, fevers, cancers, anxiety, arthritis, Alzheimer's, jaundice, liver diseases, digestive issues, and yes, INFERTILITY.
And so. you see, Rachel asked for some of Reuben's mandrakes—"Mandrakes, please"—because she hoped the mandrakes would help her finally conceive a child.
Mark Weis is pastor of St. Luke's Lutheran Church in Lemmon, South Dakota.


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· Maximum size placement of your logo/ad on our website, and, if you wish, a hyperlink back to your site.
· Weekly Facebook promotion of your business/website throughout the year and daily promotion during the month of June leading up to our major fundraiser in July.
· Your business logo on the "Sponsors" page of any event programs throughout the year.
· Placement of your flyers and business cards in the "SOS Run Sponsors" display area, which will be placed in a prominent area of the venue for maximum exposure.
· Special mention of your business during the SOS Run in recognition of your generous support.


text:
Watch Out for Bears Bearing Charts
Two charts are scaring investors but the fear is overdone.
Alexander MacLennan
(TulipSpeculator1)
Apr 6, 2014 at 7:00PM
There has always been a battle between bulls and bears in the stock market, with each side having their own reasons why the markets will definitely go in their favor. Commonly cited evidence includes such factors as unemployment, market valuations, interest rates, and the appearance of bubbles.
But market bears have found a new piece of evidence to support their position and this one looks far weaker than the other ones.
Scary chart 1
In late 2013, a new chart comparison emerged that foretold of an impending crash in the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJINDICES:^DJI) and S&P 500 (SNPINDEX:^GSPC). It was going to be 1929 all over again, and market bulls were doomed!
More specifically, a chart went viral showing a comparison between the run-up to the 1929 crash and the performance of the Dow Jones Industrial Average since mid 2012. The chart showed a close comparison between the markets for the past 1.5 years capturing a high number of minor dips and pops during the timeframe. Even more scary, two months after the comparison was first released, the market continued to follow the in the comparison's footsteps.
So should investors run for the hills? Well, it's too late to do so anyway. If the chart comparison prediction was correct, the big crash would have already happened beginning in March, seeing the market off nearly 50% by the beginning of last week.
Why didn't this previously correlated chart not correctly predict the next big crash? There are multiple reasons, but I'll start with the chart-specific one. At first glance, the comparison looks almost exact, with both markets rising at a similar rate. But digging deeper, it's revealed that the scale is changed to bring the movement more in line. Removing the scaling from the chart results in a chart showing the 1929 market rose significantly higher on a percentage basis than the 2012 to 2014 market.
The market and economy also had many fundamental differences from 1929 and 2014. In 1929, the market had been moving higher for seven years (two years longer than the current bull market) and the Dow Jones Industrial Average was over three times the level of the previous peak (which occurred around 1920) compared with the current market, which is less than 20% above the 2007 peak. The market factors themselves were also a lot different. Internet companies were nonexistent, the regulations of the New Deal had yet to come about, stocks were assets for the wealthy, and there was no high-speed electronic trading.
With the 1929 comparison chart heavily criticized when it was released and the chart subsequently proved wrong, you may think that marks the end of the scary chart comparisons. But another chart has been released comparing the last 1,275 days of the current bull market with the run-up to the 1987 crash, lasting 1,274 days. With the timeframes being similar and the percentage increases being in the same general pattern, this chart could frighten some investors. However, the chart also shows the 1987 market had a greater percentage gain and had an even steeper rise in the months leading up to the crash.
The close correlation over time is also not as convincing as the improperly scaled 1929 comparison chart with the 1987 comparison chart showing significant deviations from the comparison pattern in the 400- to 600-day period, the 700- to 800-day period, and the 900- to-1,000 day period. With the chart showing so many differences in the comparison during the past, it's tough to see how it has the reliability to predict the end date for the current bull market by simply identifying the length of the 1982-87 bull market.
Dangerous patterns
It's ingrained in humans to identify patterns, so looking at chart comparisons that predict a market meltdown can be very scary. However, when one looks closer, many flaws appear in the comparisons.
This is not to say that investors should ignore all arguments indicating a downside to the market, but better indicators of a market downturn would come from actual macroeconomic factors and corporate performance rather than chart comparisons to previous crashes.
Alexander MacLennan is a Fool contributor covering Industrials, Airlines, and Financial companies. He is always ready for a good growth or turnaround story and tries to find them before the market does.
^GSPC
SNPINDEX:^GSPC
$-19.62
BRK-A
Berkshire Hathaway (A shares)
NYSE:BRK-A
$-8,100.00
BRK-B
Berkshire Hathaway (B shares)
NYSE:BRK-B
$-5.43
^DJI
DJINDICES:^DJI
$-115.78
Watch Out for Bears Bearing Charts @themotleyfool #stocks $^GSPC $BRK-A $BRK-B $^DJI Next Article


All Westermo products are designed for use in heavy duty industrial applications and undergo tests both by Westermo and external test houses to meet many EMC, isolation, vibration and shock standards as well as industry specific approvals and certifications, all to the highest levels suitable for heavy industrial environments.
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text:
Q: VS 13/15 diagnostics vs DotTrace Hey whats the difference between those two ?
I currently tried to Google that but with no progress.
Is DotTrace better than built-in diagnostic ?
If yes so for what we are paying?


text:
South Carolina Personal Injury Law Blog
Published By Patrick E. Knie
Federal District Court in South Carolina Grants Summary Judgment in Favor of Store After Customer's Slip and Fall
By Patrick E. Knie
When members of the general public think about lawsuits in which a person has been injured or killed due to another party's negligence (such as a South Carolina premises liability case), they may envision the case going to trial and a jury deciding whether the defendant was negligent and, if so, the amount of compensation to which the plaintiff is entitled.
However, not every plaintiff gets to have a jury decide his or her case. Often, the defendant in a personal injury or wrongful death case will file what's known as a "motion for summary judgment." In reviewing such a motion, the trial court judge is called upon to decide whether, in viewing the evidence in the light most favorable to the nonmoving party, there are genuine issues of material fact. Only if the answer is "yes" does the case proceed to a jury trial.
In a recent premises liability case filed against a large retail store in federal court, the plaintiff was a man who tripped over a sign near the store entranceway during the fall of 2013. The sign had been put in place by the store's employees but had been dislodged by another customer's shopping cart just moments before the plaintiff tripped over it. The plaintiff's lawsuit alleged that the store had negligently maintained its premises and that this was the proximate cause of the injuries that he suffered in the fall. Accordingly, he sought monetary compensation for his injuries. The store moved for summary judgment.
The Court's Decision
The United States District Court for the District of South Carolina, Rock Hill Division, granted summary judgment in favor of the defendant. First, the court reiterated that, in order to prove that the defendant in a slip and fall case acted negligently, a plaintiff must show that the defendant (or its agent) either created the hazardous condition or had notice of it.
Here, the plaintiff argued that, by placing the "insecure and/or improperly secured" sign so close to a heavy traffic area of the store, the defendant created the dangerous condition. The court, however, disagreed, holding that there was no evidence to suggest that the sign was placed in such a manner as to create an unreasonable risk of harm.
To Talk About Your Slip and Fall Case
If you need to talk to an experienced South Carolina personal injury attorney, call the Patrick E. Knie Law Offices at 864-582-5118 to schedule a consultation in our Spartanburg or Greenville offices. We accept many personal injury and wrongful death cases on a contingency fee basis because we understand that those who have recently been hurt or suffered a death in the family may not be in a position to pay attorney fees upfront. Under a contingency arrangement, we get paid when you get paid – that is, when the case is successfully concluded through a settlement or a judgment in your favor.
South Carolina Appeals Court Rejects Finance Company's Attempt to Force Arbitration in Negligence Case
South Carolina Appeals Court Finds That Woman Presented Evidence of Negligence After Fall on Outback Steakhouse Curb Ramp
Updated: December 31, 2017 2:23 pm
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Class Actions (2)
Qui Tam and Whistleblower (2)
South Carolina Court Reversed Summary Judgment in Favor of UM Carrier, Holding Claimant Was Not Negligent in Failing to Identify Hit and Run Driver December 31, 2017
South Carolina Appellate Court Reviews Case Arising from Confidential Settlement Agreement Entered in 2002 December 31, 2017
South Carolina Court Holds that PIP Benefits May Be Reduced by Amount Paid for Insured's Medical Expenses by Workers' Compensation Carrier December 31, 2017
250 Magnolia St
100 Williams St
Copyright © 2019, Patrick E. Knie


Marcos & Marcos, with over 40 years in the business of art and antiques is a shop specialised in Oriental art, colonial Spanish and Portuguese art, European masters paintings and decorative arts in Europe. Also the new location in Rua da Rosa, features Mid-Century modern and Post-modern design, Italian and Scandinavian items.
The shops are located at Rua Dom Pedro V and Rua Da rosa, in the heart of Lisbon's Bairro Alto, where traditionally art galleries and antique shops are, surronded by the attractive landscape of the viewpoint of San Pedro de Alcantara and the garden of Principe Real.
Large and varied stock of antiques and works of quality Marcos & Marcos collaborates with various museums in Spain, Portugal, Mexico, Asia and the U.S.