The trend continues - as in the last several years, the year 2000 saw substantial merger and acquisition activity in the environmental industry. Although the multi-billion dollar "front page news" type transactions declined a bit, consolidation activity continued at a rapid pace.
Some of the bigger consolidators - specifically IT and URS - were silent this year, wrestling with the challenges of integrating earlier acquisitions, and struggling to cope with the debt taken from financing earlier deals. Others, however, continued to press ahead. AeCom, after merging with the British firm Maunsell, picked up the well-regarded but financially troubled Metcalf and Eddy from Vivendi. Morrison Knudsen bought Raytheon's engineering business and later changed its name to the Washington Group. Earth Tech picked up some of the businesses of ICF Kaiser, as Kaiser teetered towards bankruptcy. And towards the end of the year, Montgomery Watson and Harza Engineering merged in a deal that was hailed as one of the largest ever between two employee-owned companies.
An emergent player over the past year has been MACTEC Inc. - originally a nuclear engineering firm, the firm underwent a financial restructuring in mid-1999 and acquired Environmental Science and Engineering. During 2000, MACTEC acquired the stock of publicly-traded Harding Lawson Associates - effectively "taking it private" - and later acquired government contractor Pacific Environmental Services. The overall firm now has revenues of over $325 million.
Also going private was ENSR, which, with the help of a private equity investor, financed a buy-back of the firm from German power and water utility RWE. Azurix, the troubled Enron water services company, which only went public less than 18 months ago, has also announced an intent to go private. After repeatedly failing to hit financial targets, the firm decided it couldn't play in the water service big leagues after all, and Enron recently announced that it would try to take the firm private at a fraction of the price at which public investors got in. Also attempting to revert to private ownership - via private equity financing - are two public engineering firms, which have struggled financially for years - GZA, a smallish New England based consultant, and Roy F. Weston, a larger national firm.
On a smaller scale, Tetra Tech continues to acquire smaller niche companies, this year including New England-based Rizzo Associates. TRC, riding a strong performance over the past two years, picked up Lowney Associates, strengthening its presence in Northern California. In a slightly different twist, Ecology and Environment picked up a 60 percent interest in Walsh Environmental, a small Colorado firm. Even at the local levels, growth and consolidation through merger and acquisition is taking on additional significance. Although these transactions - often valued in the range of a few million dollars or even in the hundreds of thousands - don't often attract much national attention, they take place every week.
A new trend crystallized in 2000 is an increasing move into U.S. businesses by European companies. Several foreign purchases were consummated this year, particularly by British companies. For example, England's AMEC acquired Agra Engineering, Canada's largest environmental and infrastructure engineering firm, recently announced that it was buying the environmental consulting operations of Ogden. In other English buys, PA Consulting acquired Hagler Bailly earlier this summer, and the WSP Group obtained several smallish U.S. engineering firms.
The trend towards foreign purchases is not restricted to British firms; other big European companies are also players. Skanska AB, the Swedish giant, recently paid $60 million for Baugh Enterprises, a construction management firm in the northwest, and Hochtief AG, a top German engineering and construction firm, gobbled up Turner Construction last year. The German giant Philipp Holzmann now owns several U.S. engineering entities, including J.A. Jones and Lockwood Green. Finally, a number of years ago, the Dutch engineering firm Arcadis purchased Geraghty and Miller and continues to build its presence in the Americas.
This trend towards international transactions isn't a one-way street. U.S. firms have looked to Europe in order to grow and expand their services, too. Notable examples of west-to-east transactions include AeCom's merger with Maunsell of England earlier this year, and Black and Veatch's purchase a few years ago of Binnie, a major British construction firm. Asian firms are also beginning to dabble in the market.
What's the deal? In or Out?
Several deals this year were conducted under an atmosphere of severe financial pressure, such as the Earth Tech-Kaiser deal mentioned above. Stone and Webster also encountered severe financial problems and had to file for protection under the bankruptcy laws. The firm was ultimately sold out of bankruptcy court to the Shaw Group, a Louisiana-based pipeline and power services company hitherto unknown in the environmental industry. Environmental consultant McLaren-Hart, after going through a succession of different owners, also went into bankruptcy and its assets were recently picked up by J.A. Jones.
Sometimes the attempt to grow or solve financial challenges via merger and acquisition transactions doesn't work at all. Secor's investors put the company on the block in early 2000 and eventually announced a deal with the small public Canadian firm Conor Pacific. However, the deal later fell apart, with Secor ultimately taking itself off the market altogether.
It is interesting (and perhaps instructive) to note that there are several large industry players which have apparently made the strategic decision to sit out this current round of merger and acquisition activity. Some of them are among the larger and more successful companies in the business - for example, CH2M Hill, Bechtel and CDM are examples of larger firms who have not engaged in any kind of substantial transactions over the past few years.
an opportunity to quickly diversify into a strategically desirable end market or geographic region.
The first is certainly the key motivation driving the bigger domestic consolidators, while the latter factor characterizes more of the foreign players who are looking for a platform for growth and expansion.
Several other firms are known to be on the block today; for example, EA Engineering, a water resource-oriented consultant, was one of the first to go public in the 1980s. In short, the opportunity to grow in quantum leaps via acquisition is definitely still around for financially qualified firms. However, acquisition-minded companies need to remember that it is one thing to identify strategically desirable targets and cut attractive deals, while it is quite another thing to successfully integrate the operations and cultures of multiple firms and to truly merge several firms into a single and smoothly operating entity. If a proposed match doesn't make strategic sense at the outset, it is unlikely to ever make economic sense going forward. However, even for those that do make strategic sense, translating that strategy into long-term profitability is almost always a tough challenge. Many firms have demonstrated the capability to identify and have consummated deals, but few successfully accomplished long-term profitability on a consistent and thorough basis. A consistently successful integration and implementation record is the real hallmark of a prosperous acquirer (see "When the deal is done: Making the acquisition work by Steve Maxwell, Environmental Protection, October 2000, p. 84).
As long as this industry is characterized by an abundant supply of capacity, and as long as firms can grow more cheaply through acquisition than grass-roots internal means, look for the pace of mergers and acquisitions to continue at high levels. The year 2001 will undoubtedly see many more transactions.
This article appears in the January 2001 issue of Environmental Protection, Vol. 12, No. 1, page 53.


text:
29 Behind-The-Scenes Costume Secrets About "Julie And The Phantoms" That You Probably Didn't Know, But 100% Should
3 months ago 270
Charlie Gillespie has some ~ideas~ for his Season 2 costume.
Now that we're all fully obsessed with Julie and the Phantoms we had the show's costume designer, Soyon An, chat with BuzzFeed and answer some of our burning questions about the show.
Here's everything we learned:
1. Julie and the Phantoms is actually Soyon's fifth project with Kenny Ortega.
Eike Schroter / Netflix
Soyon and Kenny have worked on several different projects, but this series was actually the first scripted project they'd done together and her first-ever scripted episodic series. She said, "Kenny really believed in our work together and what I bring to the team. He really took a leap of faith and trusted that I would be able to pull this off and here we are."
2. Soyon has been designing costumes for 20 years, and she said her work on Step Up: All In and Jem and the Holograms trained her for working on a scripted show like Julie and the Phantoms.
@charles_gillespie / instagram.com
She said, "I think all experiences kind of build you up to be an expert in something. I've been in this line of business for 20 years, and 20 years is a lot of time to really kind of develop trials, errors, and things that work." She said both movies also taught her how to do script breakdowns and how to anticipate last-minute casting changes.
3. Even though Luke, Alex, and Reggie died in 1995, Soyon didn't want their clothes to seem too dated, so she built their looks around the more timeless clothing pieces of the '80s and '90s.
Kailey Schwerman / Netflix
She said this also gave her a good excuse to go "vintage diving."
4. A lot of thought went into creating Luke, Alex, and Reggie's personal vibes because they wanted each guy to have their own identities but still feel like a cohesive band.
@jeremyshada / instagram.com
Soyon and Kenny wanted each guy to have their own personality but still seem ~effortlessly cool~. She said, "Reggie is kind of goofy, he's like a not-so-cool, cool guy. He's kinda nerdy. Luke is just cool all the way, and Owen is awkward. So, it was like, 'Okay, how do I do that? What are some trends? What are some iconic styles that I can give each of these boys?'" Soyon also made sure they all wore black pants, which helped make them visually feel like a unit.
5. Luke's vibe was "heavy metal rocker"...
Kailey Schwerman / Netflix, @owenjoyner / instagram.com
Luke was always meant to be an overall cool guy. Also, while Reggie and Alex stick to specific color palettes, Luke tends to bounce around a little bit and wears a lot of muted colors.
6. ...Alex's vibe was "street style"...
Eike Schroter / Netflix, @owenjoyner / instagram.com
She explained, "Alex was my street style guy — like cargo pants, hoodies, tracksuits, that kind of thing. Alex had just come out, but he was still his own person. I wanted to make sure there wasn't a stereotype because he can be whoever he wants to be. He doesn't have to dress a certain way because of his sexual preference."
7. ...and Reggie's vibe was "classic rock."
Kailey Schwerman / Netflix, @jeremyshada / instagram.com
Soyon said that she felt Reggie was the kind of person who likes things that were "safe." "Reggie keeps it consistent," said Soyon. "He's always in the same thing because he doesn't want to be bothered. He's classic rock. You can Google search 'rock 'n' roll' and it's a white T-shirt, leather jacket, black jeans. But then, the thing that made it very '90s was that red flannel shirt." Reggie's classic look also made it possible for Soyon to change Luke and Alex's outfits more frequently without the change being too jarring.
8. During his first fitting, Charlie Gillespie — who plays Luke — was on vocal rest, so he had full-on conversations about Luke's costumes with Soyon through a pen and paper.
9. Charlie also really wanted Luke to wear suspenders under his cut-off shirt, but the idea ended up being cut from the show.
10. During Season 1, Julie goes through a huge transformation emotionally as she starts to love music again, and that journey was also shown through her clothes.
Kenny Ortega decided that in the first episode, Julie would be wearing a hat, which was her way of hiding from the world. She's also dressed in a bunch of oversized clothing, which was meant to feel like a security blanket for Julie. Then, when she meets the boys, she begins to feel a little more confident and starts dressing cuter because of her crush on Luke. Julie also comes to terms with her mom's death and starts wearing some of her clothes too.
11. In fact, Julie's butterfly look is meant to represent her metamorphosis throughout Season 1.
Soyon said, "This is the show right before the Orpheum, and this is when the caterpillar who has been cocooned this whole time has finally turned into a butterfly. And now it's time for her to fly."
12. Soyon was actually the one who suggested Julie wear her mom's clothes to perform with Sunset Curve, and she even helped create backstories for all of those outfits.
Courtesy of Soyon An, Kailey Schwerman / Netflix
While reading the scripts, Soyon realized that Julie would probably be a high-schooler who mainly shopped at stores like Forever 21 and Urban Outfitters — both of which aren't necessarily shops to find performance clothes. So, she talked to the show's writers/producers, made a mood board for Julie's mom's closet, and together they created a backstory for every outfit piece.
13. For example, the dress for Julie's Orpheum look was actually made by her mom for one of Julie's recitals before she died. Julie never ended up wearing it because there was too much pain attached, so she threw it in a trunk with a bunch of her mom's other stuff — like her leather jacket.
Courtesy of Soyon An
Soyon said, "[Rose] was a Renaissance woman. That's kind of the story that we created. She was a musician [who] once wanted to be a headliner herself but ended up being a piano teacher. So, she gigged, and she went and did shows. Then, she had to create her own costumes. She probably didn't have a stylist, but she had the knickknacks to be able to sell clothes, decorate, and do fun stuff on her clothes — you know, bead, bedazzle, whatever. I was like, 'What if she made Julie's recital dress, and then she passed away?'"
14. The fringe vest Julie wears during "Finally Free" was actually the same one her mom Rose wore in the first episode.
"The story behind that was that Rose, as an artist, just drew on her vest and stuck a dahlia pin on it because it was her favorite flower. All of that artwork is something that her mom would've done. She put all the crystals on the fringe. So, then Julie found that and wore it."
15. Since dahlias were Julie's mom's favorite flower, the costume team and art department hid them all around the clothes and props throughout the season.
There were dahlias drawn on Julie's jeans and sneakers. There were also dahlias hidden on her backpack too.
16. In real life, a lot of the clothes were actually vintage.
Julie's Orpheum dress was really a Balmain dress from the '80s that Soyon paired with a Forever 21 leather jacket that she customized to make it look vintage. Reggie's black finale shirt was vintage Gucci, and Alex's sheer blouse was Versace.
17. But 50% of the show's costumes were custom-made by Soyon and her team...
@themadisonreyes / instagram.com
She said, "Any costume designer knows you've got to stay within your budget, or else the producers are going to be breathing down your neck. [On Julie and the Phantoms,] it was like, 'Okay, how do I achieve that with a budget and the time that I have to turn it all around?'"
18. ...including Dirty Candi's performance outfits...
@savannahleemay / instagram.com
Soyon got some of her inspiration from Japanese street style and K-pop. After hearing the name, she said she was thrilled because she "just wanted them to be translucent, bright-colored Jolly Ranchers." She even decided candy would be spelled "candi" so the "i" could be a lollipop.
19. ...Luke's trench coat...
@soyonan / instagram.com, Netflix
Soyon said, "I made that jacket with two jackets, actually. So, you get two identical jackets — a darker wash is preferred. Then, you keep the one that is going to fit your upper body. With the extra jacket, you would cut it from the armpit all the way across. Then, sew the two hems together and that's your trench. You can have frayed edges because you cut it and then you can distress it. You can get a butter knife or whatever — I use professional tools, obviously. But then you get a bottle of bleach — I would put it in a squeegee bottle — and you spray it and create whatever tie-dye design you want. The way to make it look like vintage or grunge is to find a vintage fabric that you like or even a vintage flannel, and then cut up the pieces to make patches."
20. ...Julie's jeans and sneakers...
@soyonan / instagram.com
Soyon shared that Julie had multiples of the jeans, so she had to make sure all the pairs were identical.
21. ...and the entirety of the costumes worn at the Hollywood Ghost Club.
The Hollywood Ghost Club also drew a lot from Old Hollywood. Soyon wanted the colors to be "rich" and "fabulous," while not being too bright. The party was meant to feel like one of Gatsby's iconic house parties in The Great Gatsby.
22. Flynn's whole vibe was meant to feel like an influencer, so all of her outfits were on-trend and super fun.
23. A lot of the show's band tees also had to be custom-made because the costume team wasn't able to get the desired shirts approved by the bands/artists...
Soyon, Kenny, and creators Dan Cross and Dave Hoge sat down with the cast to make a list of all the iconic '80s and '90s artists they listened to and hoped to get legal clearances from. But then, when they reached out to the bands, they said no.
24. ...like Alex's "Whitney" shirt.
@owenjoyner / instagram.com
After talking with Whitney Houston's team, they were legally allowed to use words, but no imagery of her face. Once the design was cleared by her team, then they could get the shirt screenprinted.
25. But two of the shirts that were approved were from the Tubes and Rush.
26. Caleb's whole vibe was meant to be an "Old Hollywood Houdini Cary Grant."
27. Cheyenne Jackson went to his fitting four days before shooting and he realized he couldn't lift his arms over his head while wearing Caleb's iconic suit.
Caleb's suit jacket was entirely custom-made by UK designer Joshua Kane, and when the Hollywood Ghost Club scenes were moved up in the shooting schedule, Joshua only had about two weeks to build it. The suit wasn't originally built for intense performance and dancing, so it ended up needing to be majorly fixed before shooting.
28. And that same jacket also needed eight people to help cover it in Swarovski crystals before filming began.
"There were four people on top, four people on the bottom. It was a sight to see. Even the costume supervisor jumped on board because she was just like, 'Everyone needs to do this right now!' I taught everyone how to crystal, 'cause they didn't know how to do it."
29. And finally, during the Hollywood Ghost Club scenes, all the ghosts are dressed in color while the "Lifers" are wearing black and white.
Kenny purposefully wanted this to be the dress code so that during the big dance numbers, you could still tell the ghosts and humans apart. The story behind the dress code is that the Lifers would be rich enough to attend this exclusive club, and they'd dress in these extravagant Old Hollywood clothes so they could fit in with Caleb and the ghost world.
21 Of The Funniest "Great British Bake Off" Tweets From The Newest Episode
22 Tweets That Really Cover Allllllll The Thoughts About "Emily In Paris"
People Are Calling Out Chris Pratt For Making An "Insensitive" Joke About Voting And Yikes

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


Hey there my lovely divas! How are you? Are you enjoying the beautiful days? We are always here to show you the latest fashion trends and inspire you to follow them. For today, I have a very interesting post that is called "16 Amazing Ways to Wear Your Printed Coat". Are you excited?
From checkerd to tartan, floral, animal print and striped, you can find million printed coats and style them in so many interesting and chic ways. Matching prints can be a little bit challenging, so if you already have such coat in your wardrobe or you plant to buy one, then take a look at the gallery below and draw some inspiration. You may find an outfit that will catch your attention, who knows. Enjoy and have fun!
You can make a statement with your printed coat by styling it with simple clothes. You can choose simple, monochromatic jumper, a pair of jeans and comfy boots. Or you can style it with more elegant clothes for your next business meeting or other formal event.
Be careful when matching prints, because you can easily overdo and make outfits that only look good on clowns.
You can find printed coats in versatile designs, sizes, lengths and colors, so that you can easily find the right one for you.
So, what do you think about these printed coats and the way they are styled my dear ladies? Do you find them interesting and fun? Which combo is your favorite and would you like to wear this season? Please share your comments with me! If you have some other suggestions or ideas, please share them too – I would love to see everything you have to show me! Thank you for reading! Enjoy in the rest of your day and don't forget to stay up to date with the content of Fashion Diva Design!
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This is a general purpose knitted polyester blend cover, perfect for any job. Its medium density fabric provides better pickup. Made with a durable polypropylene core for heavier applications. Used for applying roofing applications and general painting.


Post your own dedicated giveaway for this event, from August 1, 2016 at 12:01a.m. until August 14, 2016 at 11:59p.m. Times are ET.
Blogs without giveaways posted by 9:00a.m. on August 1 with all required elements will be removed from the linky list. Times are ET.
Signups close on July 29, 2016.
Giveaway Hop reminder and linky code will be emailed at least one day before the hop begins.
Thanks for offering such a great prize!


text:
namespace Microsoft.IdentityModel.Logging
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Log messages and codes for Microsoft.IdentityModel.Logging
    /// </summary>
    internal static class LogMessages
    {
#pragma warning disable 1591
        // logging
        internal const string MIML10000 = "MIML10000: eventData.Payload is null or empty. Not logging any messages.";
        internal const string MIML10001 = "MIML10001: Cannot create the fileStream or StreamWriter to write logs. See inner exception.";
        internal const string MIML10002 = "MIML10002: Unknown log level: {0}.";
        internal const string MIML10003 = "MIML10003: Sku and version telemetry cannot be manipulated. They are added by default.";
#pragma warning restore 1591

    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


Hi, I'm Ashley Kristin Capps, television show host for the Destination Network. I was born in sunny Panama City, Fl to David and Paula Capps. In 2007 I graduated from Florida State University with a degree in communications, specializing in public relations.
After college I had a couple of fun and challenging jobs varying from promotions and event coordinating to sales and marketing….and even some bartending along the way, but when I came to the Destination Network in 2010 I had no idea that I was finally about to meet what would become my "true calling" in life.
Although I had some experience with on camera work in college and from high school drama classes, I never in a million years dreamed I would be pursuing a career in television until my very supportive boss put me in front of a camera on a whim and just like that I was hooked!
My mother is a trained artist and my father an extremely talented self-taught musician, neither of which talents I inherited, so even as a child I always wondered what my "gift" was and now I know….I have the gift of gab. I LOVE to talk to people, ask them questions, find out about them and hear their stories, so for me traveling to different cities and interviewing new people is the most awesome thing I've ever been paid to do!
Although, I work as on camera talent and a producer for various advertising clients and the Destination Travel show, you will most often find me as the host of Club Hour. A show that gives viewers a behind the scenes look at bars, lounges and nightclubs in various tourist hotspots and cities. Our channels are aimed towards visitors and providing them information about the best places to eat, drink, shop, visit and even purchase real estate! If you would like to see some of my work please check out my video page and thanks for visiting!


Heat oven to 160C/140C fan/gas 3. Use a little of the lactose free butter to grease a deep 23cm cake tin and line with baking parchment. Mix the lemon juice and the polenta, then set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the lactose free butter and sugar with an electric whisk until pale and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, mixing well between each addition.
Add the gluten free flour, the almonds, gluten free baking powder, lactose free yogurt, lemon juice and lemon mix, and stir everything until just combined.
Tip into the tin, smooth the top and bake for 45 mins or until a skewer comes out clean.
Meanwhile, make the syrup. Boil the lemon juice and sugar for a few mins until the sugar has dissolved. Remove from the heat and let cool.
When the cake is done, remove from the oven and pour over the syrup. Leave to cool in the tin for 20 mins, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
To make the lemon frosting, put the lemon juice and zest and icing sugar in a small food processor and blend until smooth.
Drizzle all over the cake, then serve. Will keep for up to 5 days in a cake tin.


During Major League Baseball's spring training, players hone their skills after a long winter away from the diamond.
While they already know the ins and outs of the game, it's a valuable way to prepare for the new season.
That's how Matt Wilson hopes the people who attended his Quality Paving School in February felt about the experience.
Wilson, the branch manager of Briggs Equipment's Asheville, NC, location, hosted 85 private contractors and municipal workers at the six-hour school.
It was the first time a Briggs location hosted this type of event.
"A lot of the time, these are hosted by the manufacturers," Wilson said.
Throughout the day, Wilson discussed the lay down process, joints and other aspects of asphalt work, while Wirtgen representative Richard Evans discussed compaction. The lessons were supported by materials from NAPA.
The most valuable part of the day was the interaction among the students.
"There were a wide variety of people doing similar things in different areas," said Wilson, who worked with Wirtgen for two years before joining Briggs.
One Asheville contractor was about to tackle a paving project with steep hills and one of his rural counterparts jumped in with some valuable advice.
While most of the time was spent on technique, Wilson said he discussed new technology as well.
Briggs Equipment took on Wirtgen's full line two years ago, which includes mills, pavers and rollers.
Just in the past year and a half, Wilson said his store has sold three pavers in western North Carolina.
Reaction to the paving school was favorable. In a survey conducted at the end of the day, only one person said he wouldn't return. Many suggested the school include a demonstration or some hands-on learning.
Wilson said he would be willing to include demonstrations at a school in a larger market.


Stayed with me through the years of unplowed roads.
As a nurse, I needed a reliable car in order to get to work in all weather, so I purchased my first Subaru Forester in 2003. I upgraded to a 2009 for more space for my retired greyhounds (and the sunroof). I had to work during all of the severe snowstorms this past winter and my Subaru got me to work safely every time ? even before the roads were plowed.
My dogs love all of their space, as you can see in the picture.


With a new season on the horizon, it's time to think about updating and upgrading your style. Today the creative minds at The Billionaire Boys Club Europe are back with some fine new offerings for the transitional months ahead. Today we get our first look at The Billionaire Boys Club Europe 2017 Spring/Summer Lookbook. This new collection takes on an apocalyptic appeal rocking inspiration from the North American Desert.
The lookbook is headed by Chicago native rapper Taylor Bennett and boasts tracksuits and pullovers, hoodies, bombers, and much more along the way. Outstanding attention to detail is found throughout with 'Nose-Art' inspired embroidery, fleece details and much more. Standout pieces include the 2-way stretch Nylon Parkas and bomber jackets, the Sherpa fleece zip-through hoodies and more. Have a look at the new line up in the images below and speak your thoughts on it after the jump. Stay Tuned for much more from BBC Europe coming very soon and get yours immediately!


text:
Windows gets a 64-bit boost
Drew Robb
Microsoft Corp. successfully made the leap from desktop dominance to grabbing a hefty share of the server operating system market. Now the vendor is setting its sights on high-performance workstations and servers.
Intel Corp. got the ball rolling last June, when it started shipping the 64-bit Itanium processor, based on its IA-64 architecture. Then in August, Microsoft introduced an evaluation version of its first 64-bit server operating system, Windows 2000 Advanced Server Limited Edition, and announced a 64-bit version of Windows XP for the desktop.
Server vendors have already begun shipping Wintel systems. But the migration of applications is likely to be a slow process, say users and analysts.
The benefit for compute-intensive Windows applications is significant. Itanium systems offer floating-point performance improvements that speed up applications such as 3-D modelling and human genome analysis. Since the Itanium can access up to 16TB of RAM, entire databases can move from disk to memory, allowing access speeds that are 100 times faster than disk-bound databases.
The Migration Curve
Programmers can use Microsoft's Visual Studio .Net development software to create 64-bit applications, says Velle Kolde, a lead product manager at Microsoft. "IA-64 uses the same Windows programming model" and user interface, he says, "so 32-bit developers and ISVs [independent software vendors] don't have to learn a new one."
This summer, Microsoft plans to introduce 64-bit versions of Windows .Net Datacenter Server and Windows .Net Enterprise Server. At the same time Intel will release its new 2-GHz Itanium processor, code-named McKinley, which will have a higher clock speed and enhanced compiler capabilities. Two more 64-bit Intel processors, code-named Madison and Deerfield, are scheduled for mid-2003 release.
Missing from the equation are the 64-bit applications, and software vendors aren't likely to announce ship dates until the release date of Microsoft's first 64-bit operating system is final.
Real-World Implications
Early IA-64 releases have been geared toward developers and early adopters. Savvas Papaiacovou, manager of the MIS Group at Wells Fargo & Co. in San Francisco, is running a pilot to optimize a 64-bit version of an SAS database used for market and customer behaviour analysis.
"Some of the tables we use for quantitative modelling have 600 million observations," he says. "As we optimize the SAS code, we are seeing increasingly better performance."
While it makes sense to migrate some compute-intensive Windows applications to the new platform, Wintel systems are unlikely to challenge the high-end Unix systems that run 64-bit data centre applications until stability and maturity are proven. Even then, programmers may find it easier and more cost-effective to recompile 64-bit Unix applications to run on Itanium systems that run Linux instead of .Net Server.
But most enterprise software vendors are already working on 64-bit versions of their software.
"Although Unix vendors have more experience here, the sheer weight of ISV and independent hardware vendor support for Windows should mean that it gains acceptance quickly," says Mary Hubley, an analyst at Stamford, Conn.-based Gartner Inc. But, she adds, "32-bit applications are likely to predominate for some time."
The Market: Activity on The Horizon
64-bit Wintel systems based on .Net Server should arrive later this year, with the first enterprise applications following shortly thereafter.
The Wintel 64-bit product landscape is barren today, but that's likely to change during the next 12 months.
Servers: Vendors such as Dell Computer Corp., IBM and Compaq Computer Corp. already offer Itanium-based systems for use with Windows 2000 Advanced Server Limited Edition.
Development Tools: Both Intel and Microsoft offer 64-bit compilers and development tools. Third-party vendors such as Rational Software Corp. also offer tools to help with the transition.
Enterprise Applications: Vendors that have announced 64-bit application support include Computer Associates International Inc., BMC Software Inc., SAP AG, J.D. Edwards & Co., IBM, SAS Institute Inc. and Veritas Software Corp.
Phase-In Period: The transition to 64-bit computing will take time. Intel will continue to develop 32-bit processors for several years as its 64-bit processors gradually gain acceptance. And 32-bit systems are likely to continue to exist long after 64-bit computing gains momentum because legacy 32-bit Windows applications will run more slowly on 64-bit systems.
Eventually, analysts say, 32-bit Windows will go the way of DOS. Boston-based Aberdeen Group Inc.'s Tom Manter predicts it will be nine to 16 months before 64-bit Windows gains mainstream support. "The marketplace has to feel comfortable that it is a hardened platform that is fully tested and is ready for their mission-critical applications," he says.
But Tim Golden, director of marketing at Compaq's Enterprise Server Group, predicts the transition to 64-bit computing will take three to five years.
Q&A: Developers Ponder the 64-Bit Question
Daniel Mezick is president of New Technology Solutions Inc., a provider of programmer training services in North Haven, Conn.
Q: Are programmers interested in 64-bit Windows?
A: We are not seeing any groundswell of developer interest in 64-bit Windows.
Q: What are the application migration issues?
A: The main thing facing programmers is the [application programming interface] changes.
Q: What advice would you give programmers considering a migration?
A: Before long, Microsoft will be beating the drum about how you must write to .Net if you want a migration path to 64-bit processors. My advice is to time that migration carefully. Moving to .Net requires plenty of developer training, and migrations are essentially a rewrite. So application owners need to think strategically.
At A Glance: Wintel 64-Bit Computing
What it is: New Windows XP and .Net Server versions running on Intel IA-64-based systems that support high-performance, 64-bit applications.
What it's good for: CPU-intensive 32-bit Windows applications could benefit from wider processing bandwidth, faster speeds and support for up to 64GB of memory.
Who will benefit: Enterprises using compute-intensive applications, including engineering, data mining and multimedia applications.
What's the catch: Applications must be recompiled and tuned for optimum performance. 64-bit versions of commercial applications are not yet available.
Who should pass: Organizations running Windows applications that aren't constrained by processing power and available memory.
Drew Robb is a freelance writer in Tujunga, Calif. Contact him at[email protected].
Itanium
Net Server
The promised LAN
3G is here, analyst says
Hashtag Trending January 25th- DOJ files lawsuit against Google, Microsoft checking for out-of-support of Office and China leads in face recognition export
Canadian digital forensics specialist taken private, to merge with US partner


Alvera Mickelsen was a founder of CBE, and she was CBE's first board chair in 1997. She worked with grassroots CBE chapters, and served for years as a CBE board member. A gifted teacher, writer, and editor, Alvera authored accessible books that remain bestsellers not only in CBE's community, but around the world.
Alvera was a people's theologian, bending her enormous talents toward fanning into flames God's gifts and call in everyone's lives. And, she was enormously successful because she was far more interested in seeing everyone become an advocate for biblical justice than she was in her own success or reputation. She had no need to do it all herself. Her holy self-disinterest was wildly empowering.
Do We Follow Christ or Culture?
Are Men More Rational and Women More Emotional?


In early 2011, NATO launched its Deterrence and Defense Posture Review, which has been tasked to define an appropriate mix of nuclear, conventional and missile defense forces for the 28 nations that are members of the alliance. At a time when some suggest the alliance should reduce or eliminate U.S. nuclear weapons in Europe, the review is examining key issues surrounding NATO's nuclear posture in the current security environment. As NATO reviews its posture, Washington and NATO will also consider how U.S. and Russian non-strategic nuclear weapons might be dealt with in an arms control context.
On July 19, the Arms Control Initiative at Brookings hosted a discussion on the future of NATO's nuclear posture and the prospects for addressing non-strategic nuclear weapons through arms control. Senior Fellow Steven Pifer, director of the Arms Control Initiative at Brookings, discussed his recent paper "NATO, Nuclear Weapons and Arms Control." Hans Kristensen of the Federation of American Scientists and Franklin Miller of the Scowcroft Group discussed NATO's nuclear posture and arms control possibilities. Brookings Nonresident Senior Fellow Angela Stent moderated the discussion.


Ladbrokes goes for Gold at Newbury!
Ladbrokes has agreed to a deal to become the new title sponsor of UK horse racing event the Gold Cup at Newbury Racecourse.
The agreement will run for five years, from 2017 to 2021.
The bookmaker will lend its name to the 2017 meeting, which is due to run from December 1-2, and sponsor 13 of the 14 races across the two days.
Prize money at this year's event will amount to £700,000 (€812,900/$872,900), almost £100,000 more than last year, with the feature Gold Cup race to be worth £250,000.
Cognac house Hennessy had previously served as title sponsor of the meeting, in a deal that stretched back 60 years, making it the longest in British racing.
"Horseracing is a vital part of the heritage of our business, and we are passionate about maintaining our support of the sport," Ladbrokes Coral chief executive Jim Mullen said.
Dominic Burke, chairman of Newbury Racecourse, added: "The Newbury board's decision to partner with Ladbrokes as the new sponsor for this prestigious meeting was made in light of the government's commitment to replace the existing Levy Scheme from April 2017.
"Given the government's position, our board felt that it could agree future sponsorship arrangements with any betting operator for race meetings taking place after that April date.


text:
Q: Empty params - RoR I have the next view
new.html.erb
<%= form_tag ({controller: "nodes", action: "new"}), :id => "users_search" do %>
  <%= text_field_tag :search, params[:search], :autocomplete => 'off' %>

    <%= render 'users' %>

<% end %>
<%=form_for @node do |f| %>
  **<%= f.hidden_field :parent_id %>**
  <%= f.hidden_field :user_id, :value => current_user.id  %>
  <%= f.hidden_field :ocuped, :value => true %>
  <%= f.text_field :custom_node_name %>
  <%= f.check_box :terms_of_service,{}, true,false %>
  <%= f.submit "Pagar", class: "button postfix" %>
<% end %>

The nodes_controller.rb
def new
@node = Node.new
@parent = Node.search(params[:search]).where(:ocuped => true)

if not @users.nil?
  if @users.count == 1
    @node_incomplete = @users.nodes.where(" sons < ? AND ocuped = ?",2,true).first
  else
    @node_incomplete = @users.first.nodes.where(" sons < ? AND ocuped = ?",2,true).first
  end
  @son_of_incompleted_node = @node_incomplete.children
end

respond_to do |format|
  format.html
  format.js { render }
end

end
_users.html.erb
<% if not @parent.nil? %>
<% @parent.each do |u| %>

        <li class="img-simple" style = "text-align: center; background-image: url('<%= u.user.profile_img %>')">

<%= u.user.name %>

<%= u.user.email %>

    **<% params[:parent_id] = u.id %>**
<% end %>

new.js.erb
$('#users').html('<%= escape_javascript(render("users")) %>');

application.js
//= require jquery
//= require jquery_ujs
//= require turbolinks
//= require foundation
//= require_tree .

$(function() {
  $("#users_search input").keyup(function() {
    $.get($("#users_search").attr("action"), $("#users_search").serialize(), null, "script");
return false;
  });
});

node.js.cofee
jQuery ->
  # Ajax search on keyup
  $('#users_search input').keyup( ->
$.get($("#users_search").attr("action"), $("#users_search").serialize(), null, 'script')
false
  )

Everything works fine except that when I send the second form the parameter " parent_id " is empty , and creates the node with the value " parent_id = nil " .
Image

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


text:
► STUDY WITH US
The ParisTech community
The ParisTech Grandes Écoles
AgroParisTech
Chimie ParisTech
École des Ponts ParisTech
ESPCI PARIS
Institut d'Optique Graduate School
5 good reasons to choose ParisTech
No. 1 - Our brand name
No. 2 - Our excellent education
No. 3 - Our network of partner universities
No. 4 - Our relations with business
No. 5 - Our living environment
Mobility Scholarship
Admission Programmes
> ParisTech in China
> China Admission Programme
> CSC DOCTORAL PROGRAMME
> Chimie Pékin
> ICARE (Wuhan)
> SPEIT (Shanghai)
> Russia Admission Programme
> ATHENS
> IDEAL
> CESAER
> ParisTech in Brazil
> Argentina admission programme
> Brazil Admission Programme
> Colombia Admission Programme
> MAGALHAES NETWORK
Equal opportunities at ParisTech
Diversity in the Grandes Écoles
The Pathway to Success
The Institute Villebon-Georges Charpak
Research potential
> Laboratory directory
Innovation in the schools
CHINA ADMISSION PROGRAMME
Enhance your career prospects: ParisTech encourages bright, ambitious students to apply for a Master's degree in Science and Engineering ("Diplôme d'ingénieur") at the most prestigious French Grandes Ecoles, a unique opportunity for an international career.
Since 2000, ParisTech has developed partnerships with 12 of the best Universities in China (well known in China under the name "9+9" programme):
in Beijing: Tsinghua University, Peking University, China Agricultural University
in Shanghai: Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Fudan University, Tongji University
in Nanjing: Nanjing University, SouthEast University, Nanjing Agricultural University
in Hangzhou: Zhejiang University
in Wuhan: Wuhan University, Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Each year, about 100 Chinese students are selected to come in one of ParisTech's graduate engineering schools.
Grandes Écoles in the programme :
Institut d'Optique Graduate School
1/ Fields of specialization
2/ Eligibility requirements
3/ How to apply?
4/ Calendar for 2019
5/ Costs and funding
6/ Contacts
applied mathematics - computer science - statistics - finance - physics - optical sciences - economics & social sciences - executive engineering - industrial & production engineering - management - materials science & engineering - mechanical engineering - offshore engineering - naval architecture - electrical, electronic & photonic engineering - information technology & telecommunications - robotics - automatics - energy & nuclear engineering - chemistry - chemical engineering - earth sciences - environmental engineering - life sciences - food engineering - forest engineering - agricultural engineering - computational biology bioengineering & biophysics.
> More details
Please note that the ParisTech China Admission Programme is now open to students coming from any University in China (partner or non-partner University).
If you are currently a student in a partner university (see list below), you may need to inform the international office of your home university about your application for the programme :
Huazhong University of Science and Techology
Nanjing Agricultural University
Shanghai JiaoTong University
SouthEast University
Zhejiang University
> For admission into the two-year Master's programme ("Diplôme d'ingénieur") at:
You are required to have successfully completed at least 6 semesters of a Bachelor's degree in Science in Engineering or in Economics (with a strong background in Mathematics) at your home university by September 2019.
You should have a good working knowledge of English or French.
> For admission into the Master's programme (Double Degree) at:
This School has a separate admission process. You must contact the International Relations Office at your home university.
Step 1 - For students from partner universities, you may need to contact the International Office of your home university to inform them about your application.
For students from non-partner universities, go directly to Step 2.
Step 2 - Submit your online application form to ParisTech before September 19, 2019
List of required documents for application
An identity photo
Transcripts of record in English
Copy of passport or other identification document
A statement of purpose outlining your intended career project after completion of your degree at ParisTech
Ranking certificate
Eligible students will be asked to take a written test in science organized in China in September 25, 2019.
You may choose to take the test in English or in French.
1. Instructions to be read before the test
Scientific test instructions - part 1
Level of difficulty expected to be treated for ParisTech schools
2. Required Knowledge
Download the lists of required knowledge (english language)
Life sciences and environment
Download the lists of required knowledge (french language)
3. Sample tests
Sample test in English
Sample test in French
Documents required for the interview:
An original transcript of your records translated in English and certified by your University
Maximum 3 certificates in English of your most important Academic achievements and awards
An official ranking certificate, translated in English, stating the total number of students in your department in the field of specialization
Results of French (TCF) or English (Cambridge, TOEFL, GRE, etc.) language tests (if taken)
Original passport or identification document you uploaded for your application.
By early-December you will be informed of the outcome of your application and to which ParisTech Grande École you have been admitted. If you are not fluent in French, you will be required to start learning French immediately.
Opening of on-line applications: June 1st 2019
Deadline for on-line applications: September 19th 2019
Written Test: September 25th 2019
The written test will take place simultaneously in Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Wuhan, Guangzhou, Harbin and Xi'an.
Candidates from Zhejiang University will take the test in Shanghai.
Interviews (schedule to be confirmed): October 21-25, 2019
Wuhan // Xi'an: October 21
Beijing // Harbin: October 22
Nanjing: October 23
Hangzhou // Guangzhou: October 24
Shanghai: October 25
Admitted students may benefit from a partial or full tuition fee waiver (up to €18,000 a year) for the duration of their studies at their host ParisTech Grande École. The precise amount of registration and/or tuition fees is determined by each ParisTech Grande École according to its legal framework.
Students will have to fund their travel costs to and from France and their living costs for the duration of their studies (approximately €8,000 a year).
To cover living and travel costs, students are strongly encouraged to apply for funding schemes provided by the French and the Chinese Governments especially through the Eiffel programme and the CSC-ParisTech scholarship programme. Additional scholarships may be granted by industrial sponsors or by the foundations of ParisTech Grandes Écoles.
For general information: china-admission@paristech.fr
FOR OUR NEWSLETTER!
Find our lastest
ParisTech is a consortium of prestigious higher education institutions, which collaborate on joint training, research and innovation projects in the fields of Science, Technology and Management.
Comprising excellent Grandes Écoles, each of which is a leader in its field, ParisTech works closely with education and research centre worldwide, and has entered into numerous partnership agreements.
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New Zealand wine is largely produced in ten major wine growing regions spanning latitudes 36° to 45° South and extending 990 mi. The regions are from north to south; Northland, Auckland, Waikato/Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury/Waipara and Central Otago. New Zealand red wines are typically made from a blend of varietals (Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and much less often Cabernet Franc, Petit Verdot and Malbec), or Pinot Noir. Recently, in Hawkes Bay, there have been wines made from Syrah, either solely or blends, as well as Tempranillo, Montepulciano and Sangiovese. In white wines Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc predominate in plantings and production. Individual wine makers and the particular qualities of a vintage are more likely to determine factors such as malolactic fermentation or the use of oak for aging.
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "Vibrant and mouthwatering, with generous flavors of Key lime pie, fleshy green papaya and savory roasted herb. Focused and intense on the long, refreshing finish. Drink now. 3,000 cases made."
Cashburn is Burn Cottage's second label made from barrels that didn't go into the Burn Cottage bottling. This wine is Exhibit A in our case for Central Otago Pinot Noir's status as a worthy contender on the world stage. A prime vineyard site, perfect Pinot climate, and a masterful hand at the helm all add up to gorgeous terroir and varietal expression. If Cashburn came from Sonoma or Chambolle-Musigny, you'd surely be shelling out twice this price to acquire this wine.
Winemaker's Notes - Ripe dark cherry, redcurrant and chocolate notes precede savoury notes of wild thyme, briar and earth. Supple mouthfilling tannins give depth to the palate, while the freshness and red-berry acidity retain lovely length, focus and balance.
A Pinot Noir hailing from New Zealand that exhibits juicy plum and black cherry which are contrasted by notes of spice and rose petal. On the palate, this wine is eminently smooth and balanced, with cherry notes standing out and silky tannins adding structure.
JAMES SUCKLING 95 POINTS - "A super refined and elegant sauvignon that delivers an extremely sophisticated palate that operates on a condensed core of vibrant limes and minerals. There's a wealth of detail here with bergamot and Earl Grey to close. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
WINE ENTHUSIAST 93 POINTS - "This is an opulent style, sourced entirely from the estate's Greywacke river stone soil. It conjures images of sun-ripened apples, just fallen from trees, resting in the green grass, and a nearby stream weaving its way over rocks and stones. A kinetic line of acidity cuts through all the richness, leading into an endlessly long apple and stone finish. Savor this beauty now or cellar it till 2026, if you can bear the wait."
The Bourgeois family was on a worldwide search for a new slice of terroir, similar to their own in Sancerre, where ultra-premium Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir could be grown. After a 12-year exploration, New Zealand revealed itself as the place to create a style of wines that would reflect the Bourgeois philosophy. In 2000, the family fell in love with the land and wines of Marlborough and in the same year, made the instinctive and emotive decision to purchase 98 Hectares of native pasture. Their first grave vine planting was in 2001 and with much hard work and meticulous management and planning, they started producing wines of stellar quality-- like this one.
In the French tradition, the vineyard is planted in high density to encourage competition between vines and restrain vigor. This natural vigor control means the vines put more energy into the grapes, rather than the canopy - concentrating the berries. Dry farming (using no irrigation) also helps keep vigor under control. By stressing the vines to just the right level, it forces the roots to go deeper in the soil, thereby getting the purest expression of terroir and showing more minerality from the river stone soil.
Pinot Noir is the single red varietal of Cloudy Bay and is ideally suited to the climate and soils of this remote southern wine region. An intensely varietal palate reveals layers of dark red fruits, savoury dried herbs, charry oak and silky tannins.
WINE ADVOCATE 90 POINTS - "Pale to medium ruby-purple colored, the 2015 Pinot Noir has pretty violet, red cherry and warm raspberry scents with a hint of cinnamon and dusty earth. Soft, elegant and medium-bodied, it gives lovely purity and a more understated expression."
WINE ADVOCATE 91 POINTS - "The 2016 Chardonnay spent 12 months in 15% new French oak. It features subtle hints of toasted hazelnut and butter, along with notes of white peaches and citrus. This medium-bodied wine is silky in texture, with a long, grapefruit-tinged finish. It shouldn't be overlooked in the Cloudy Bay lineup."
JAMES SUCKLING 91 POINTS - "This is a concentrated chardonnay with fruit in the melon and apple zone. Some flinty complexity here, too. Poached pears and lemons combine on the palate. There's a nutty twist through the finish. Drink now. Screw cap."
Blackberry, cinnamon, and minerals mesh for an intense and complex aroma and flavor profile. Layers of fine tannin lend tension to the opulent fruit flavors and provide the framework for the long and intense finish.
The fruit for Te Kahu is grown in the Hawkes Bay Gimblett Gravels Vineyard, which has one of the warmest, driest, most sundrenched climates in New Zealand. Stony gravel in the soil forces the vines to fight for water, giving the grapes a particular vibrancy. Fruit was hand harvested and destemmed before undergoing fermentation in stainless steel tanks. The wine was matured for 13 months in French oak barriques, 19% new.
JAMES SUCKLING 93 POINTS - ale lemon straw. Ripe Sauvignon Blanc aromatics with notes of white peach, citrus blossom, honeysuckle and kaffir lime. Harmonious and rich on the palate with ripe citrus and fresh apple and a layered, dry, textural feel."
There's a consummately crafted dimension to this wine that propels it above the vast sea of sauvignon, a wine of genuine character and interest. A one-fifth portion of wild ferment and lees ageing instils a mineral mouth feel and complexing nuances of struck flint. Carefully regulated yields have produced an impeccably gauged fruit profile that tactically dodges the extremes of underripe herbaceousness and overripe passionfruit, falling neatly into the middle ground of grapefruit, lemon zest, guava and golden delicious apple. A focused acid line and outstanding, lingering, textural persistence make not only for immediate appeal but promise medium-term potential.
WINE SPECTATOR 92 POINTS - "This white mixes power with elegance, delivering generous lemon meringue, orange blossom, peach and dried mango notes, with spice, green tea and floral details swirling about on the long, expressive finish. Drink now. 4,386 cases made."
Fermented in wooden French cuvees, hand plunged and aged in 50% new French oak barriques for 18 months. It was bottled without fining or filtration, promoting soft mouth feel and texture. The wine was given every priority during its elevation and now shows all the hallmarks of a grand young wine on release in 2016. It is at the vanguard of Pinot noir style in the New World and should age gracefully for up to 10 years. The wine is a true reflection of both Martinborough's unique terroir and the skills and experience of winemakers Larry McKenna and Huw Kinch.
Winemaker Notes - Crushed sea shells and delicate citrus blossom lead the focussed and detailed nose. The palate follows with a salinity and minerality that is subtle, complex and intriguing. Devoid of any overt wine-making characters, the wine offers a transparency that allows its unique vineyard origin of schist gravel soils to really shine and take centre stage. Refined and poised with serious precision.
Wafts of elegant perfumed florals dominate the nose in the usual Calvert manner, but with a stronger emphasis in this very precise and attractively scented vintage. Hints of crushed spice and red fruits give way again to a cascade of florals on the palate. Ethereal, sophisticated and majestic. The finish is tightly focussed with its characteristic fine grained and seamless tannins. Silky and long.
JAMES SUCKLING 93 POINTS - "This has impressive depth of fruit as well as fragrant top line perfume. The oak spice suits the dark cherry and sweet earthiness. On the palate there is a punchy frame of tannins that draws tight and fresh through the finish thanks to bracing acidity."
WINE SPECTATOR 96 POINTS; #12 TOP 100 2018 - "Elegant, fresh and vibrant, this red starts off wonderfully perfumed, with lavender, white pepper and green tea notes that accentuate the purity of the cherry and raspberry flavors. Polished tannins still provide some grip on the finish, where white truffle and forest floor details linger. Drink now through 2032."
JAMES SUCKLING 92 POINTS - "This youthful sauvignon has attractive lime-leaf and fresh-herb aromas with passion fruit and a succulent, fine and fresh lime finish. Immediate enjoyment here."
The Innocent Bystander ranks as one of our top Pinot Noir buys of the year. Boasting an expressive nose and wonderful texture, this Pinot Noir delivers on all fronts. Raising a glass to the nose reveals intense florals and a mélange of fruits that awaken the senses. Tasting this wine is a true pleasure with beautifully polished tannins framing perfectly ripened fresh red and dark fruits.
This wine received a 90 Point score from Josh Reynolds of Vinous Media who declared, "This is a wonderful value in Pinot Noir." Of course, he was referring to this wine at the regular price and we've been selling a lot of it at $21.98 per bottle. The great news is we received special pricing and can now offer the Innocent Bystander at $14.95 per bottle! This is a savings of more than 30%.
Even more impressive, Allen Meadows of Burghound also gave this wine a 90 point score. Meadows is a well-known wine critic who is regarded as perhaps the greatest authority on Pinot Noir. He does not hand out high scores without merit and it unusual to see him give 90 points to a wine at this price point.
The southernmost vineyards of the world lie in Central Otago. Unlike most other New Zealand appellations, Central Otago is located inland in the middle of the southern island. Its continental climates feature large diurnal shifts with warm temperatures during the day and very cool nights. This makes Central Otago perfect for growing grapes which thrive in cool climates such as Pinot Noir. The grapes are harvested by hand and the wine is made with minimal intervention, letting the grapes speak for themselves.
The Innocent Bystander is a perfect wine for this time of year when the sun is shining a little brighter and things are warming up. This is a versatile wine which can be served to friends and family with confidence.
ANTONIO GALLONI VINOUS MEDIA 90 POINTS - "Vinified with 25% whole clusters and aged for ten months in 90% used and 10% new French oak barriques. Light red. Intensely perfumed nose combines red berries, potpourri and Asian spices, with a hint of musky sassafras in the background. Juicy and incisive on the palate, offering sappy raspberry and cherry flavors and a strong suggestion of spicecake. Shows excellent clarity and lift on the floral, firmly tannic finish. This is a wonderful value in Pinot Noir."
BURGHOUND 90 POINTS - "A restrained but quite elegant and pretty nose offers up a layered blend of both red and dark pinot fruit, spice, violet and plum scents. There is both good verve and volume to the delicious, round and agreeably textured middle weight flavors that possess fine depth and length. While there is a very subtle trace of warmth it is no more than a background nit and overall this is really quite good. Moreover, note that it could easily be enjoyed now if young fruit is your preference."
WINE ADVOCATE 93 POINTS - "Pale to medium ruby with a hint of purple, the 2011 John Forrest Collection Waitaki Pinot Noir offers gorgeous evolved Pinot notes of earth, meat and game with some truffle and mushroom hints over a core of cherry coulis and raspberry preserves. Light bodied, it fills the palate with lovely delicate red fruits and remarkable freshness with silky tannins carrying the fruit to a long finish."
Pinot Noir Profile - The Pinot Noir grape is one of Marlborough's stars; the cool climate queen of red wine is a natural match for Marlborough's reliable cool dry vintage climate. The grapes typically show ripe berry fruit flavours – raspberry and strawberry; that distinctive 'Forest floor" earthen aroma and fresh acidity. Our Pinot Noir grape is a complex amalgam of four different "terroirs":- classic Wairau river valley stoney soils, southern valleys, Brancott aged clays, Northbank young stone/ clay mix and Awatere Valley complex seabed soils. Each plot was hand harvested, fermented in 2-3 ton lots with hand plunging, skin contacted post fermentation, gently pressed and then aged in 20/80 blend of new/old French oak barriques for 10 months.
Winemaker Notes - Dark cherry red in color, this wine offers aromas of dark cherry, black plum and raspberry combined with clove spice notes. This Pinot Noir shows an impressive concentration of flavor and a nice acid backbone. The wild fermentation along with extended lees maturation in barrel have added complexity and texture to the dark cherry and raspberry characters found on the palate. The finish is dry with a nice touch of dark cherry and raspberry characters found on the palate. The finish is dry with a nice touch of dark chocolate and subtle French oak coming through. The wine will continue to develop well over the next 5 years.
WINEMAKER NOTES - "Vibrant tropical aromas of passionfruit and mango leap from the glass mixed with zingy accents of citrus and herbs. Subtle sweet and tangy hints of yellow sherbet fizz are intriguing. The palate embraces concentrated tropical fruit flavours of passionfruit, pineapple and with tones of citrus, complimented with fresh lemon-grass. Juicy and dry, with nice acidity, the wine makes you salivate whilst the flavours linger."


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text:
Biografia
Giacomo Savini nacque nel 1767 o 1768.
Molto religioso, vestì il saio cappuccino o fu forse terziario.

Allievo di Vincenzo Martinelli, del quale frequentò la bottega, divenne noto come pittore paesista.
La sua produzione fu molto feconda: ritrasse paesaggi, architetture e scene. Il suo impegno come decoratore è documentato dal 1816. Autore di tempere e acquerelli, conservò sempre un linguaggio pittorico settecentesco «pacato e gentile».

Tra i suoi lavori più cospicui vi sono decorazioni in San Paolo in Monte dell'Osservanza, nel Palazzo Monti Salina in via Barberia e in molti altre dimore nobili di Bologna.
Nel 1834 dipinse una stanza paese nel palazzo Davia Garagnani, paragonabile a quella del Fantuzzi in palazzo Hercolani.
La sua opera venne spesso citata nelle pubblicazioni e nei giornali della sua epoca e apprezzata dai visitatori stranieri.

Fu attivo anche nella Certosa di Bologna su diversi monumenti, dove in particolare collaborò nel 1815-16 con Flaminio Minozzi per le pitture murali del monumento composito Ottani, già Baldi Comi nella Sala della Pietà, con gruppo scultoreo di Giovanni Putti e su progetto dell'architetto Angelo Venturoli.

Negli ultimi anni gli venne conferito il titolo di socio d'onore dall'Accademia di belle arti di Bologna.

Morì nel 1842 e venne sepolto in Certosa, nel pozzetto 167 del lato di levante del Chiostro Maggiore.

Alcuni suoi dipinti, raccolti da Giuseppe Davia, furono custoditi nella Galleria Davia Bargellini, oggi nelle collezioni del museo omonimo, mentre molti suoi disegni sono conservati nelle Collezioni di arte e di storia dalla Fondazione Carisbo.

Note

Bibliografia

 Roberto Longhi, Studi e ricerche sul Sei e Settecento, 1929-1970, vol. 12 delle Edizione delle opere complete, Firenze, Sansoni, 1991, p. 141

  (catalogo della mostra dal 29 gennaio al 4 aprile 1983 alla Galleria d'arte moderna di Bologna)

Altri progetti

Collegamenti esterni

 Parte del testo è tratta da , pubblicato con licenza CC-BY-SA 4.0

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


text:
Quick Answer: Who Sings Circus Afro?
1 What does Marty sing in Madagascar?
2 Which Madagascar movie has the circus?
3 Why was Madagascar 4 Cancelled?
4 Why did Alex leave Africa?
5 How did Alex know it was Marty?
6 What animal is Mort?
7 What animal is Marty in Madagascar?
8 Who is the villain in Madagascar 4?
10 Is Madagascar 4 Cancelled?
11 How did RICO get his scar?
12 Will there be another Ice Age movie?
What does Marty sing in Madagascar?
"Afro Circus" is a song improvised by Marty after dressing up in an afro and makeup. The music is based on the "Entry of the Gladiators" march by Julius Fučík, which was also used in circuses.
Which Madagascar movie has the circus?
Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted (2012) The Madagascar animals join a struggling European circus to get back to New York, but find themselves being pursued by a psychotic animal control officer.
Why was Madagascar 4 Cancelled?
A fourth film, Madagascar 4, was announced for 2018, but has since been removed from its schedule due to the studio's restructuring.
Why did Alex leave Africa?
In Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa, they both had many conflicts. Alex had been sad for ruining the lives of his parents, did not realize that Marty also had his problems, and because of that he unintentionally said very hurtful things. When Alex decided to leave the reserve, he wanted to apologize to Marty before leaving.
How did Alex know it was Marty?
At the end of the film, Marty pretends to be another zebra to annoy Alex, but Alex says that seeing him in the eye, he would always know it would be him, although in reality he, recognized him by the bite on his butt.
You might be interested: FAQ: How Long Is The Circus 2016?
What animal is Mort?
Mort is a mouse lemur.
What animal is Marty in Madagascar?
Marty is a male plains zebra who used to live at the Central Park Zoo, and is a good friend of Alex the lion.
Who is the villain in Madagascar 4?
The real Big Bad of the film is Henry J. Waternoose.
Dr. Francis Blowhole is the main antagonist of the DreamWorks/Nickelodeon TV seriesThe Penguins of Madagascar. He is an evil dolphin and scientist who appears as the vituperative and bitter arch-nemesis of the "pen-gyu-ins", though he hates Skipper the most. He has a group of red lobsters as henchmen.
Is Madagascar 4 Cancelled?
Madagascar 4 was supposed to be the fourth and last entry in the Madagascar franchise. However, production was halted when Anne Globe stated that it was too early to tell. Despite work being done on the film, it was removed from its May 18, 2018 release schedule.
How did RICO get his scar?
It is unknown how he got this scar either. Rico holds a variety of items in his gut, which is a virtual 'hammerspace' as many of those items are bigger than him. While inside his digestive system, Mort finds a spiral staircase and an elevator.
Will there be another Ice Age movie?
Ice Age: The Kidnapping is a 2019 American 3D computer-animated comedy film sequel to Ice Age: Collision Course (2016). It is the sixth installment of the Ice Age franchise by 20th Century Fox and Blue Sky Studios. It was directed by Mike Thurmeier and co-directed by Galen T.
FAQ: Where To Buy Tigris Shrine Circus Tickets?
Question: How Long Does Nitro Circus Go For?


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Tag Archives: Luke Ravenstahl
Mayor Peduto Puts New Focus On Pittsburgh Public School System
A map of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania with its neighborhoods labeled. For use primarily in the list of Pittsburgh neighborhoods. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
More than a decade ago, the Mayor's Commission on Public Education called for the Pittsburgh Public Schools board to be appointed by the mayor rather than elected by residents.
That hasn't happened nor have some of the other recommendations in the 144-page report critical of the district and written during the administration of Tom Murphy in 2003.
In the intervening years, no other mayor or mayor's commission has tried to take control away from an elected school board or made such sweeping recommendations.
While he hasn't suggested appointing the school board, Mayor Bill Peduto, sworn in last month, is taking a keen interest in the fate of the school district.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2014/02/17/Peduto-puts-new-focus-on-city-s-school-system/stories/201402170044#ixzz2tbUvxXqU
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Bill Peduto, budget, Curtiss Porter, declining enrollments, education, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Bill Peduto, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Federation of Teachers, Pittsburgh Public Schools, property taxes, School board President Thomas Sumpter, School district, standardized test results, Tom Murphy
New Pittsburgh Government Set To Launch As Peduto Has Laid Out Some Lofty Goals
On Saturday, incoming Mayor Bill Peduto began his move into the mayoral wing on the fifth floor of the City-County Building in advance of today's inauguration, when he will officially take the reins of city government.
The Rev. Terry O'Connor, son of the late Mayor Bob O'Connor and brother to Councilman Corey O'Connor, blessed the space with a sprinkling of holy water. The floors were mopped.
For a man who has pledged to "clean up city hall" and who gave his victory speech while clutching a broom, it was an apropos entrance.
Mr. Peduto has expounded on that theme for more than a year, calling the administration of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl corrupt and saying that the city needs to move away from the old-style politics if it wants to progress. And if he holds to his campaign pledges, he will represent a monumental shift in both style and substance in the mayor's office.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/local/city/2014/01/06/New-Pittsburgh-government-set-to-launch-as-Peduto-has-laid-out-some-lofty-goals/stories/2014010601030000000#ixzz2pdpIux3L
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Act 47, Bill Peduto, Bob O'Connor, budget, City County Building, Finances, government transparency, Local government, Luke Ravenstahl, mayor, neighborhoods, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh City Council, Pittsburgh City Hall, Pittsburgh School District, Politics, technology, Terry O'Connor
Democrat Peduto Sweeps Pittsburgh In Race To Become Next Mayor
Bill Peduto can stop pretending.
The Point Breeze Democrat cruised to victory in the Pittsburgh mayoral race, officially earning the "mayor-elect" title he sought twice before and then avoided during the five months since his convincing Democratic primary win.
Peduto won 84 percent of the vote on Tuesday with 96.8 percent of precincts reporting, walloping two challengers who barely put up a fight. His 35,000 votes topped the 28,600 Mayor Luke Ravenstahl won in the last mayor's race, in 2009.
Read more: http://triblive.com/politics/politicalheadlines/4961621-74/peduto-mayor-race#ixzz2jvWF3Ioj
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By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Allegheny County, Bill Peduto, Democratic, economic development, Election Day, Luke Ravenstahl, mayor, Mayor of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, Politics, population gains, revitalization, transformative city
Supermarket Opens In Pittsburgh's Hill District, The First In Three Decades
Locator map with the Upper Hill neighborhood in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania highlighted. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
The Hill District's long-awaited Shop 'n Save supermarket opened this morning in the Centre Heldman Plaza.
Neighborhood and elected officials, including Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, celebrated the opening of the 29,500-square-foot grocery at 10 a.m. The full-service facility, described as the first in the neighborhood in more than three decades, ends what has been known as a "food desert" there.
After many starts and stops, the $12.5 million store was completed by Ross Markets. In a press release, owner Jeff Ross said the store will have more than 100 employees, 95 percent of them minorities and 65 percent from the neighborhood.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/supermarket-set-to-open-this-morning-in-pittsburghs-hill-district-707982/#ixzz2i0k29Zed
By Roy • Posted in Food, Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Shopping / Dining • Tagged Centre Heldman Plaza, Crazy Mocha Coffee, Cricket Communications, Dollar Bank, Food desert, full service grocery store, Hill District, Jeff Ross, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Nationwide Insurance, Pittsburgh, Shop 'n Save, Subway
Ravenstahl Releases Proposed $479 Million Budget For Pittsburgh For 2014
English: Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) meets with Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl posted a proposed 2014 operating budget and five-year plan to the city website this morning in advance of a budget presentation his staff will give to an oversight board.
Councilman Bill Peduto, the Democratic nominee for mayor and the favorite to take the city's top job in January, submitted his own budget to the administration a few weeks ago. He suggested the creation of several new positions that were included in Mr. Ravenstahl's budget proposal, but categorized "as needed." The positions are a part of an overhaul of the mayor's office and other city departments.
"We need a strong structure to see reform happen," Mr. Peduto said.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/ravenstahl-releases-proposed-479-budget-for-pittsburgh-for-2013-704679/#ixzz2fqbtEUBf
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged $479 million, Act 47, Bill Peduto, budget, Bureau of Special Projects, Councilman Bill Peduto, Intergovernmental Cooperation Authority, Luke Ravenstahl, mayor, no tax increase, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl
Portland, Peduto And Progressive Politics: Pittsburgh Is Poised For Creative New Ideas
Early Thursday, I tweeted a story from Salon that asked: "Is Pittsburgh the Next Portland?"
The piece by longtime Pittsburgh fan Jim Russell originally appeared on the website Pacific Standard and opened with this provocative lead paragraph:
"What does a dying city look like? Brains are draining. The population is shrinking or aging, or both. Vibrant, creative class cool Portland is the antithesis of dying. Yesterday, journalist Annalyn Kurtz tweets: 'See! The Portland labor force lost 25,000 workers in the last year.' "
The next sentence was the real killer: "What in the name of Richard Florida is going on here?" Pittsburghers of a certain age will remember when Richard Florida was just a local phenomenon. The Carnegie Mellon professor from 1987 to 2004 literally wrote the book on what constitutes a livable city.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/opinion/tony-norman/heres-a-city-poised-for-creative-new-ideas-688899/#ixzz2UH8bzcYV
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged aging population, Bill Peduto, bio-tech companies, brain drain, Carnegie Mellon University, de-industrialization, high tech, livable city, Luke Ravenstahl, Pacific Standard, Pittsburgh, population growth, Portland, Richard Florida, teachers, university kids, urban homesteaders
City Controller Michael Lamb Conducting Broad Audit Of Pittsburgh Police Bureau
Pittsburgh Controller Michael Lamb quietly launched a broad audit of the Pittsburgh Bureau of Police last week, according to communications obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette under the state right-to-know law.
The controller's office launched the performance audit — which, as opposed to a fiscal audit, can go beyond dollars — through an email of March 21 to acting police Chief Regina McDonald. The email said preliminary objectives include "secondary employment and staffing." The first meeting with Chief McDonald occurred Wednesday.
Other communications between top controller's office officials and top police brass show that auditors launched a review of the police Premium Pay Account on Feb. 8 by emailing bureau personnel and finance manager Sandra J. Ganster. On Feb. 9, Ms. Ganster brought her concerns about the alleged diversion of funds meant for that account to public safety director Michael Huss, her attorney has said. The alleged misapplication of funds meant for the account last week became the centerpiece of the criminal case against former police Chief Nate Harper.
"It does appear that our [inquiry] is what prompted a whistle-blower to step forward," Controller Michael Lamb said. "I think that the work that we've done has helped to unveil this scandal."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/city-controller-michael-lamb-conducting-broad-audit-of-pittsburgh-police-bureau-681299/#ixzz2OwWQ6pb9
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Chief of police, Chief Regina McDonald, Credit union, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union, Luke Ravenstahl, Michael Lamb, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Police, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Regina McDonald, Sandra J. Ganster, whistle-blower
Attorney: Ex-Pittsburgh Police Chief Nate Harper To Plead Guilty
Former Pittsburgh police chief Nate Harper intends to plead guilty after a grand jury returned an indictment against him Friday charging him with conspiracy and tax evasion, his attorney said.
Robert Del Greco Jr. said the evidence against Mr. Harper was "unambiguous." He said Mr. Harper would plead guilty to all five counts contained in the indictment without modification.
"It's a felony," Mr. Del Greco said this afternoon. "It's cost him his career, possibly his pension. I don't know that I could put it any better."
He said his client's actions were indefensible, that the "lure of the account" proved an "irresistible temptation."
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/federal-grand-jury-meeting-suspended-police-finance-manager-on-hand-680415/#ixzz2ONLqh8zO
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Chief Regina McDonald, corruption, Credit union, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Grand jury, Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union, income tax evasion, Luke Ravenstahl, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh PA, Pittsburgh Police Chief, Politics, Sandra J. Ganster, ssistant U.S. Attorney Robert Cessar, U.S. Magistrate Judge Robert C. Mitchell
Pittsburgh Officer's January Memo Alerted Police Command Of Fund Diversion
Pittsburgh police Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson ordered a secret credit union account to be shut down after learning of its existence in January from then-Assistant Chief Regina McDonald, he said Friday night.
The deputy chief confirmed that he has been cooperating with federal investigators probing the flow of funds into the Pittsburgh police bureau's personnel and finance office and has been interviewed by the FBI.
In January, Deputy Chief Donaldson said, Assistant Chief McDonald, who is now acting police chief, approached him after being made aware that an officer at police headquarters had written a formal memo documenting concerns about potentially questionable financial practices involving colleagues.
The memo, obtained by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, was dated Jan. 18 from Officer Christie A. Gasiorowski to her supervisor, Sgt. Carol Ehlinger.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-officers-january-memo-alerted-police-command-of-fund-diversion-678558/#ixzz2N3QmJVuw
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Chief of police, Credit union, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union, Luke Ravenstahl, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Police, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Regina McDonald
Pittsburgh Police Bureau's Finance Chief Claims Harper Told Her To Divert Funds
Editor's note: Now it's going to start "hitting the fan". This is gonna get way worse before it gets better.
The attorney for the Pittsburgh Police Bureau's finance manager said Thursday his client was instructed by former chief Nate Harper to open a credit union account now under federal scrutiny and followed his orders in diverting tens of thousands of dollars to it from funds meant for the City of Pittsburgh.
William H. Difenderfer represents police personnel and finance manager Sandra J. Ganster, who, he said, reported her concerns about the account to city Public Safety Director Michael Huss on Feb. 9. He said his client has since spoken twice to federal authorities.
"The chief would tell her, basically, keep roughly a $3,000 balance in this account," Mr. Difenderfer said. "Like she said, I guess the best way to describe it was, 'It had an odor, but the chief directed me to do it, and I did what he told me to do.' She didn't feel comfortable with it … but obviously complied."
He estimated that between $28,000 and $37,000 was diverted to the credit union account since about 2008 or 2009 when the account was opened.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/police-bureaus-finance-chief-claims-harper-told-her-to-divert-police-funds-678454/#ixzz2My5KUCyn
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Chief Regina McDonald, Credit union, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union, Luke Ravenstahl, Michael Huss, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Police, Pittsburgh Police Bureau, Sandra J. Ganster
Pittsburgh Officials Keeping Search For Police Chief Under Wraps
Just as quietly as police brass have begun making changes at headquarters, city officials have begun their search for a new chief to head the bureau at the center of a federal investigation.
Few details have been released about the search for someone to succeed former Pittsburgh police Chief Nate Harper, who resigned under pressure last week after the mayor met with federal authorities.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl and public safety director Mike Huss have said only that they prefer an outside candidate, they have "no plans" to hire an outside search firm and they plan to consult the police union.
Groups that conduct searches for police chiefs say the process, when done thoroughly, can take months and can be especially tricky for a bureau under intense scrutiny.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-officials-keeping-search-for-police-chief-under-wraps-677360/#ixzz2MJE8FYGH
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Chief of police, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Luke Ravenstahl, Mike Huss, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Police, Pittsburgh Police Chief, Police Executive Research Forum, Politics, public safety
Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl Won't Seek Re-Election
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, whose chance political ascendancy made him one of the youngest heads of a major American city, announced this morning in a news conference that he would not seek reelection, just 11 days after formally announcing his run.
The mayor opened the press conference saying he was proud of what he and his staff have accomplished during his tenure.
He said that all had come at a cost. "Those who have paid the greatest cost are those who are closest to me.
He said he'd decided the pressure of the job was too much and had made the decision not to seek re-election.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/region/mayor-expected-to-make-announcement-about-his-future-677437/#ixzz2MJBUrE95
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, News conference, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Mayoral Election, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette, Politics
'Personal Issues' Keeping Pittsburgh Mayor Ravenstahl Away From Recent Public Events
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl has raised questions in missing several public and political events in recent days.
Wednesday night, he was a no-show at a candidates' night at Perry Traditional Academy in his North Side political base, and a public explanation from his close friend, Kevin Quigley, only added to the uncertainty created by his absences.
Just after city Controller Michael Lamb, one of Mr. Ravenstahl's rivals for the Democratic nomination for mayor, spoke to Democratic committee members, Mr. Quigley, a city Public Works Department official who is also a ward leader, rose to speak in Mr. Ravenstahl's place.
He offered an intriguing but finally opaque apology and explanation for the candidate's absence:
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/personal-issues-keeping-ravenstahl-away-from-recent-public-events-677204/#ixzz2MEa8vLHa
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged City of Pittsburgh, Democratic, Kevin Quigley, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Michael Lamb, North Side, Perry Traditional Academy, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Police Department, Politics, press conference, public events
Pittsburgh's Acting Police Chief Takes More Action; Ravenstahl Defends His Reputation
A tumultuous week in the Pittsburgh police bureau ended Friday with the acting chief promising to create an additional layer of oversight for the office at the center of a federal investigation.
Effective Monday, the personnel and finance office will report directly to the assistant chief of administration. It had done so until 2010, when former Chief Nate Harper ordered it to report directly to him for reasons that remain unclear.
"It was something that a number of chiefs felt," Chief Regina McDonald said, referring to the desire to move the office out from under the chief's direct command. "No unit should report directly to the chief or deputy chief. It protects the chain of command."
Chief McDonald, on her second day in the bureau's top spot, said additional changes could come next week but declined to specify what they might be. She said her focus moving forward will be to repair the bureau's reputation.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburghs-acting-police-chief-takes-more-action-ravenstahl-defends-his-reputation-676540/#ixzz2LkTfJr8J
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged corruption, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greater Pittsburgh Police Credit Union, Law Enforcement, Luke Ravenstahl, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Police, Pittsburgh Police Chief, Politics, Regina McDonald
Acting Pittsburgh Police Chief McDonald Says Changes Coming To Bureau
Acting Pittsburgh police Chief Regina McDonald said FBI agents interviewed her today and that people can expect to see changes in the bureau within the next week.
Chief McDonald, a 32-year veteran of the force, would not specify what those changes will be or comment on the futures of those working in the office being investigated by the FBI or involved in a side business with former Chief Nate Harper, who resigned Wednesday at the request of Mayor Luke Ravenstahl.
She said her primary goal will be to reestablish the ethics and integrity of the bureau.
"I guess you depend on the integrity of the people you put in various positions," Chief McDonald said.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/politics-local/acting-pittsburgh-police-chief-mcdonald-says-changes-coming-to-bureau-676347/#ixzz2LZo4U4jY
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Credit union, Deputy Chief Paul Donaldson, ethics probe, FBI, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Greater Pittsburgh Police Federal Credit Union, Luke Ravenstahl, Nate Harper, Pittsburgh Police, Pittsburgh Police Chief, police, Regina McDonald, resignation
Pittsburgh City Council Unanimously Approves Ravenstahl's Property Tax Plan
Pittsburgh City Council this morning unanimously approved Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's property tax proposal, which increases the homestead exemption and the low-income senior discount in addition to dropping the millage rate to comply with Pennsylvania law.
Although the rate will drop 30 percent — from 10.8 to 7.56 mills — the vast majority of homeowners will not see a corresponding drop in their taxes because of a reassessment that dramatically increased official home values.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-city-council-unanimously-approves-ravenstahls-property-tax-plan-672491/#ixzz2JPup3Jxn
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Allegheny County property reassessment, Homestead exemption, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Per mil, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh City Council, property tax, Scott Kunka, Tax
Pittsburgh School Board OKs 30 Percent Drop In Tax Rate
As required by state law because of an overall increase in property values, both Pittsburgh Public Schools and the city of Pittsburgh are on course to reduce property tax rates by about 30 percent for calendar 2013.
The school board Wednesday night unanimously approved reducing the rate from 13.92 mills to 9.65 mills.
Pittsburgh City Council Wednesday gave preliminary approval on a unanimous voice vote to Mayor Luke Ravenstahl's tax proposal that will drop the millage rate from 10.8 mills to 7.56 mills. A final vote is set for Tuesday.
Whether the taxes of an individual property owner will go up depends on how the property fared in the countywide reassessment. Overall, property values in the city went up 48 percent. If the value of a particular property went up more than that, taxes will increase. Taxes will decrease if the value went up less than that.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/news/education/pittsburgh-school-board-oks-30-drop-in-tax-rate-671734/#ixzz2Ix0Ud4So
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Allegheny County property reassessment, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Per mil, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh City Council, Pittsburgh Public School, Pittsburgh Public Schools, property tax, Real estate appraisal, Tax, tax reduction
Pittsburgh Expects To Build Revenue Through Advertising
Editor's note: Great "outside the box" thinking to create additional revenue!
Companies would be allowed to buy naming rights to city buildings and advertise on city vehicles and employee uniforms, at swimming pools and recreation centers, in city mailings and on benches and parking meters under legislation to be introduced today in Pittsburgh City Council.
Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said in a statement that the policy is intended to generate additional revenue in a "responsible and community-minded" way. This year's city budget projects $500,000 in revenue from advertising.
"We have worked closely with council members and the community to craft the best possible policy," he said. Councilman Bill Peduto, who will introduce the bill, said officials have been studying the issue for years.
Read more: http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/local/neighborhoods-city/pittsburgh-expects-to-build-revenue-through-advertising-645943/#ixzz21aP3g8ZF
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Politics • Tagged Advertising, Allegheny County, Bill Peduto, budget, buildings, City of Pittsburgh, Luke Ravenstahl, Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Naming rights, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh City Council, Pittsburgh PA, public places, revenue, revenue streams
"Pop Up" Store Trend Coming To Pittsburgh
This is a great idea that could be applied in Pottstown to help fill our empty downtown!
A new trend has developed that is being successfully used in several cities across the county. "Pop up" stores are being used to fill empty retail spaces. These temporary stores and exhibits are helping to increase foot traffic and decrease crime in downtown areas. Seattle has been very successful with this approach and has filled 25 store fronts in 11 months. Pittsburgh hopes to fill 15 store fronts using this idea.
I am sure you have all seen seasonal pop up stores in the mall for Halloween and Christmas, for example. They may only need space for a few months however, at least the store front is occupied part of the time. Pittsburgh is also looking at artists who need studio and exhibition space along with retailers. The Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership has hired consultants to oversee their new grant program that gives operators and artists start-up grants from $1,500 to $10,000.
Here is a link to Pittsburgh's website that goes into more detail about the program:
http://projectpopuppittsburgh.wordpress.com/
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Shopping / Dining • Tagged business, crime deterrent, downtown, foot traffic, Golden Triangle, Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh Downtown Partnership, pop up stores, Renaissance III, retail, retail space, short term lease, temporary retail space, vacant store fronts
Pittsburgh And Its Suburbs Having Success With Surveillance Cameras
The City of Pittsburgh and some adjacent suburbs are successfully using surveillance cameras to deter and solve crime.
Pittsburgh has surveillance cameras in place downtown and in various neighborhoods throughout the city. According to their 2009 Department of Public Safety, Bureau of Police, Annual Report, there are 120 cameras throughout the city they hope to tie-in to a wireless platform at the Emergency Operations Center and other key locations for constant monitoring of video and data transmissions.
Another goal is to have at least 32 cameras on 16 bridges. The mayor also wants to install gunshot locator and detection cameras in high-risk neighborhoods. (I believe Harrisburg uses these.)
Pittsburgh is adding 28 more cameras, using a $3 million grant along with 25 percent matching funds from the city, as part of the Pittsburgh Initiative to Reduce Crime program. Pittsburgh's ultimate goal is a city-wide camera system, which includes the Port of Pittsburgh (the second largest inland port in the U.S.)
Surveillance cameras will be added in suburban Swissvale, prompted by a rash of crime in Regent Square. Three cameras will be installed along Braddock Avenue within two months. Ten to twelve more cameras will be added at other locations in the borough. Each camera costs $9,000, which includes installation, but there are grants available for municipalities to buy surveillance cameras.
Other communities with surveillance cameras include Homestead, West Homestead and Munhall.
Under Mayor Luke Ravenstahl, Pittsburgh has experienced three consecutive years of historic-crime-lows, according to the city's website. According to our friends at City-data.com, Pittsburgh's crime index has dropped from 558.3 in 2007 to 474.8 in 2009 (Pottstown's 2009 crime index was 454.7 if you live locally). Murders dropped from 72 in 2008 to 39 in 2009. Most crime categories showed drops between 2008 and 2009. 2010 crime data is not available at this time.
HINT: If the inexpensive crime tracking software Scranton purchased was used to determine surveillance camera placement that would seem to be an ideal crime fighting tool for Pottstown's core neighborhood! Just sayin'….
By Roy • Posted in Pittsburgh/Western Pennsylvania, Pottstown • Tagged Camera, Closed-circuit television, crime prevention, Emergency Operations Center, Homestead PA, Luke Ravenstahl, Munhall PA, Pittsburgh, Pottstown, Regent Square, Security, Surveillance, Swissvale PA, West Homestead PA