Creating a report based on data present in said IPR messages by querying said context-linked database.
The present invention is related to a method for querying signal transfer points in a mobile telecommunication network.
Common-channel signalling networks use so-called signal transfer points (STPs) for providing the transfer of signalling messages from one signalling link to another. Usually, a mobile telecommunication network comprises base stations that are responsible for the link with the users of the network. These base stations are connected to a local mobile switching centre (MSC). These MSCs are interconnected with STPs, and assure inter-GSM communications on the same network. For communications towards other networks such as normal telephone networks, the MSCs are connected to a GMSC (Gateway MSC).
Such a network architecture is used for any system that supports the SS7 signalling system.
It is clear that all these elements are required for the network to provide its services and that it is crucial for the telecom operator to limit down-time of any of these elements to the strictest minimum.
STPs normally operate without external intervention, but do create IPRs (Information and Problem Reports) that can be accessed via an administration network. These IPRs can contain alarms that are non-critical (i.e. alarms signalling events that do not hinder normal operation of the STP) but also critical alarms, which report events that have or will stop or seriously hinder normal STP operation.
Normal procedure in case of an STP crash is to verify the IPRs emitted by said STP and analyse them. However, the state of the art interfaces only allow a full download of all IPRS. Some errors only create malfunction after several days, and analysis of such a malfunction requires thus downloading of several days of IPRs. Such a download can take as much as 24 hours, thereby extending the downtime of the STP significantly. Also, IPRs can be difficult to interpret, resulting in time-consuming analysis of said IPRs in case of an STP crash. Quickly distinguishing critical and non-critical alarms is crucial in such a case to keep the down-time minimal.
Also, these IPRs are usually discarded with relatively quickly to avoid memory overloads. Usually, a history of only a few days is kept in memory, which makes it impossible to make a long-term analysis of network functioning.
The present invention aims to provide a method for administering STPs quickly and efficiently as to keep possible down-time minimal. Further, the present invention aims to provide tools for quick short- and long term analysis of STP and overall network functioning.
Querying said context-linked database is far more efficient than the methods known in the art. IPR analysis can thus be done in a more efficient and less time consuming way.
Preferably, said step of collecting IPR messages is performed regularly. Preferably, said method further comprises validation of said IPR messages before storage in the context-linked database, only validated IPR messages being stored. Validation can e.g. be done by analysing standard data present in each IPR, such as date, time or sequence number.
Storing said data in the context-linked database in an appropriate place.
Said reports can comprise any information that can be useful for administration of the network. For example, the alarm messages by the signal transfer point can be stored, but other information such as STP-specific information (processor restarts, user logins, IPR summary, alarm summary, . . . ) or network information (availability of services and/or links, other failures, . . . ).
Creating a report representing an analysis of the functionality of said telecommunication network by querying said context-linked database.
Creating a report representing an analysis of the status of said telecommunication network by querying said context-linked database.
Querying tools arranged to query said context-linked database.
Such a system can further comprise an interface for controlling said system and/or reporting means arranged to make reports based on queries performed in said context-linked database.
Another aspect of the present invention is a computer program comprising program code means arranged to perform all the steps of the methods cited above when said program is run on a computer.
Another aspect of the present invention is a a computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium arranged to perform all the steps of any of the methods mentioned above when said program product is run on a computer.
FIG. 1 represents a known SS7 network architecture.
FIG. 2 represents an overview of an embodiment of the present invention.
A "signal transfer point" is a packet switch that acts as a routing hub for a signalling network and transfers messages between various points in and among signalling networks. As can be seen in FIG. 1, a signalling network 1 comprises base stations 3 that are in direct contact with the customer's mobile equipment 5. These base stations are interconnected through a network of MSCs 7 and STPs 9. For connecting to other networks, Gateway MSCs 11 are provided.
An overview of a system, designated MIDAS, that operates using the method of the present invention is shown in FIG. 2. From a client interface run on a computer, the systems can be operated. Advantageously, said interface is constructed by using hypertext markup language or e.g. by running Java applets. This has the advantage that the client computer is not restricted by any type, but access to the system can be provided to all TCP/IP compliant systems. The interface, the MIDAS Homepage, is preferably accessible by means of a http server. Also, preferably secured communications are provided to avoid hacking by third parties if the interface is accessible from the Internet.
From the MIDAS Homepage, all necessary functions can be accessed. FIG. 2 shows 4 possible functions, which will be explained later. These functions are usually implemented by scripts such as perl scripts. These scripts are designed to interface with the different components of the system.
Such databases can be created for every STP that is part of the network.
The Reports function can be used to analyse either one STP or the network by querying the database(s) created by the RawData function. On the basis of these Report functions, one can quickly identify problems, or do a long-term analysis of network stability.
The RealTime and RealTime TTRC Functions can be separate functions or can be integrated in one single script. RealTime is used for maintaining a current status of all alarms in the STP. On receipt of an IPR from an STP, the systems will check whether it is a real alarm. A new alarm will be signalled to the control personnel on-screen, e.g. by applying a colour code (Green-Orange-Red) to indicate urgency of the alarm. If the IPR contains a clearing of an existing alarm, said alarm is removed from the Realtime alarms screen.
In case of a system failure, the status of the alarms can be easily verified by performing a resync of the monitor screen interface. Such a resync can be preferably done at least every 15 minutes, so that the status of the alarms is practically always the real current status. Missed alarms or missed clearing can be easily recovered this way in a systematic way. A resync of a typical system will take about 30 seconds, in contradistinction with the systems of the state of the art which sometimes require 24 hours for reconstructing the status of the STPs.
The Admin or Administration functions can be used to verify operation of the system. For example, one can check the status of different scripts (check whether interfaces are being used) and of processes such as IPR-resync and alarm-resync processes. Also, one can check the continuity and completeness of the databases. This is an important feature, as it allows to identify missing IPRs (based on IPR numbers) which can afterwards be retrieved from the STP if necessary. As one knows which IPR is missing, these messages can be easily identified and extracted from the STP's memory. Further, the Admin functions create log files which can be used for debugging purposes.
storing at least part of said data selected from said IPR message in a context-linked database in a place specific to said selected data.
2. The method as in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises creating a report based on data present in said IPR messages by querying said context-linked database.
3. The method as in claim 1, wherein said collecting of the IPR messages is performed at a regular interval.
4. The method as in claim 1, further comprising validation of said IPR messages before storage in the context-linked database, only validated IPR messages being stored.
6. The method as in claim 1, wherein said report comprises all the alarm messages by the signal transfer point.
a context-linked database for storing selected data, and querying means arranged to query said context-linked database.
10. A system as in claim 9, further comprising an interface for controlling said system.
11. A system as in claim 9, further comprising reporting means arranged to make reports base don queries performed in said context-linked database.
12. A computer readable media comprising program code means arranged to perform the steps of claim 1 when said program is run on a computer.
13. A computer readable media comprising program code means arranged to perform the steps of claim 7 when said program is run on a computer.
14. A computer readable media comprising program code means arranged to perform the steps of claim 8 when said program is run on a computer.
15. A computer readable media product comprising program code means arranged to perform the steps of claim 7 when said program product is run on a computer.
16. A computer program product comprising program code means stored on a computer readable medium arranged to perform the steps of claim 8 when said program product is run on a computer.
Dengi, C. and Neftçi, S., "Dflow Workflow Management System," IEEE, 1997, pp. 16-21.


Some of you have noticed that the background colors have been changing over the past week. I've been experimenting with different looks for the website. And so far, I'm unhappy with all of them. Nothing seems to look right. But I'll keep at it.
In the meantime, please feel free to contact me if you have any suggestions on the look of the site. I'm planning to customize lots of things in the months to come custom menu bar, custom navigation buttons, etc…) but I would appreciate any ideas you guys might have.
These colors right now, look great! Except Erin is right, the white of the comic gets lost in the creme of the background.


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Q: Usage of "more than" before a verb In the Longman dictionary, there is an example for Compensate as follows:

Her intelligence more than compensates for her lack of experience.

I am wondering what the grammatical point of using more than before a verb is here. How does it modify the meaning of verb? Could somebody give another example of such usage?
Update: Does the following sentence have the same meaning?

Her intelligence compensates for her lack of experience more than needed/required.

A: It's simply used as an intensifier to indicate that more was done than just the bare action.

Her intelligence compensates for her lack of experience.

This means that her intelligence makes her equivalent to someone who has adequate experience.

Her intelligence more than compensates for her lack of experience.

This means that her intelligence makes her better than someone who has adequate experience.
A separate example:

He cleared the high jump bar with his leap.

This means that he exceeded the height of the bar

He more than cleared the high jump bar with his leap.

This means that he jumped higher than just the height of the bar, probably by a large margin.
Update
Yes, that would be a correct interpretation of the sentence.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


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Bethunes narrows first-half loss
Friday, 10 November 2017, 8:17 pm
Article: BusinessDesk
Bethunes narrows first-half loss as Retail Property break fee bolsters income
By Rebecca Howard
Nov. 10 (BusinessDesk) - Bethunes Investments narrowed its first-half loss after benefitting from a break fee when Westgate Power Centre-subsidiary NZ Retail Property Group terminated a proposed reverse listing transaction.
Auckland-based Bethunes said its net loss shrank to $9,473, or 0.01 cents per share, in the six months ended Sept. 30 from a loss of $111,962, or 0.1 cents, a year earlier. The $75,000 break fee bolstered revenue after the real estate investor decided it wasn't a good time to raise capital. The stock last traded at 1.8 cents.
The company reiterated plans to acquire New Plymouth-based freight and logistics group Transport Investments Ltd for $200 million in a reverse listing. It said it expects to release all documents related to the transaction, including an independent appraisal report by Grant Samuel, to the market and shareholders later this month, with a shareholder meeting scheduled for early December.
TIL is one of New Zealand's largest private domestic freight and logistics platforms, with a nationwide network of branches, depots and warehouses.
Last month, Bethunes said the reverse listing will see it issue 73.3 million shares at $1.50 apiece, roughly $110 million in total, with the rest paid in cash, which will be covered by a new $100 million funding line with ASB Bank.
Bethunes will consolidate its shares on a 254.19-for-one basis, restating the share price to $2.54. The firm's existing assets would then be poured into a separate entity before the reverse takeover, after which Bethunes would raise at least $8.65 million selling shares at $1.50 to wholesale investors in a private placement around the time the deal's completed.
The transaction is subject to shareholder approval from both companies. If it goes ahead, Bethunes investors will own about 0.6 percent of the transport group, which will change its name to TIL Logistics Group and replace the board.
The deal is expected to be wrapped up by Christmas, although the parties have until March 31, 2018, to complete.
(BusinessDesk)
BusinessDesk
Independent, Trustworthy New Zealand Business News
The Wellington-based BusinessDesk team provides a daily news feed for a serious business audience.
Contact BusinessDesk
Email - editor@businessdesk.co.nz

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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College of Business recognized with six top rankings
Thursday, August 20 2015 12:00am
Ranked a distinguished 33rd on Bloomberg Businessweek's list of Best Public Business Universities, the College of Business keeps on climbing ranking ladders. Already this year, it gained six important recognitions.
Dr. O'Reilly wins prestigious American Marketing Association Award
Recipient of the Distinguished Career Contribution Award, O'Reilly is one of just three individuals to receive an award from the AMA's Sports and Special Events Marketing interest group this year
First Japanese MSA Student Returns to Athens
Tuesday, February 17 2015 12:00am
Nobby Ito, the first Japanese student in the history of the Ohio University Sports Administration program, returned to Athens on January 30-31 for the first time since graduating in 1991. His visit included lunch with current and former program directors Jim Kahler and Dr. Charles Higgins, a tour of Bob Wren Stadium and a discussion with Southern Ohio Copperheads General Managers Brent Miller and Andrew Szabo.
Business Bobcat Q&A: Kailey Copelin
Thursday, January 15 2015 12:00am
Meet one of our stand-out Business Bobcats, Sports Management and Management Information Systems senior Kailey Copelin.
NCAA Emerging Leaders
Monday, December 1 2014 03:00pm
The Ohio University College of Business is proud to announce that two graduate students, MBA/MSA candidates Becca Hemby and Nick Smith, have been selected by the National Collegiate Athletic Association to attend the annual NCAA Emerging Leaders Seminar held from Jan. 28 through 30, 2015 in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Students form new perspective on business and culture during trip to Africa
College of Business Honors Program students participated in the Global Consulting Program where they traveled to Botswana and were paired with students from the University of Botswana to participate in consulting work for five entrepreneur clients.


A compelling SEO process that has continuously been innovating and achieving ranking for the last 18 years. We create relevancy, authority and credibility on your company website to achieve optimal placement in the Google search engine results that will truly stand the test of time against your competition.
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Search Engine Optimization is truly an ongoing process that begins with a detailed audit of your website. Once we've identified opportunities for improvement, we then provide strategic guidance to build reputable authority and rankings over time.
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Every time innovation occurs, whether it's in something such as the Google search algorithm or simply in new technologies for searching, your site requires SEO to meet the new criteria. And the Google search algorithm isn't there to trick you. What Google is trying to do is make the search experience better for the user.
This means that one of our goals is to constantly tell Google, through a variety of codes and elements, "Hey! This is the right website" for relevant searches.Once the user is better able to find your website (and through great design wants to stay on the website), more traffic is driven to your page, and your site will organically start listing higher in the search engine results page. These are the kind of results we work tirelessly to provide because these are the results that convert into a greater ROI for you.
Today, it is more important than ever to find a digital marketing agency that understands the intricacies and dynamic nature of SEO. Google search leads the way with near 12 billion searches per month! That means that being compliant and keeping up with Google search algorithms is essential.
As an agency that has led the way in search engine optimization strategies for over a decade, we've seen the impact of black hat techniques that resulted in a company website plummeting from once high search ranking after one of the major Google search algorithm updates.
Our team of experts protect our clients from these algorithm updates by following best practices so when the Google Panda, Penguin, Hummingbird, et al updates emphasizing quality and penalizing websites trying to take shortcuts occurred, our clients not just retained ranking, but traffic to the site in many cases increased.
Smart investors are not blindsided by short-term results. They see into the future and know a truly valuable investment is one that brings long-term actionable results.
The surging popularity of voice search tools is not only changing the way users interact with their mobile devices, but it's revolutionizing the way users are finding your website and driving traffic to your website.
Mobile devices are now equipped with features that allow people to submit voice queries rather than having to stop to type keywords into a search engine. This added convenience for users also means businesses need to find new ways to harness this new technology in order to broaden their reach and connect with mobile searchers.
Businesses and website owners also need to consider the growing popularity of the wearables market. Consumers are now browsing the web and coming to your website using (or wearing) wearable tech products.
We're staying at the forefront of the industry by incorporating tactics to rank for people are searching by both written and voice search queries.
At Digital EYE Media, we add value to our clients in two different types of campaign initiatives which are consulting or fulfillment services.
As a part of our consulting services, Digital EYE offers ongoing SEO strategy and advising to in-house marketing teams, so they can implement the tactical day-to-day tasks involved as a part of the large-scale strategy and campaign roadmap that we create.
As part of our fulfillment campaign service, we deliver a complete end-to-end SEO strategy implemented entirely by Digital EYE's SEO Professionals. Our hands-on SEO experts implement proven strategies focused around your business goals, and position your website for long term success.
Technology is expanding at an astounding rate, with digital marketing being no exception. Trends change by the minute as new forms of user experience constantly revolutionize exactly how users are searching. Social media, wearable technology with voice searches, and a strong mobile market are just a few new and changing market places that must be accounted for when considering who your potential user is.
This is why at Digital EYE Media we are always staying on top of the latest trends and collaborating with top industry experts. We collude about strategies, to come up with new ideas for our client campaigns. Our Search Marketing Director, Steve Wiideman, a speaker at several events, including Pubcon 2015, and is recognized as a top influencer in the SEO industry.
Let our track record speak for itself.
Call us today to receive a free consultation with a Digital Mind at Digital EYE Media and discuss new opportunities for improvement.


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Archive for month: April, 2014
You are here: Home / Vietnam Embassy in Singapore / 2014 / April
Ho Chi Minh City welcomes the world's largest rubber duck
April 28, 2014 /in Vietnam Discovery /by admin
In these days, residents of and visitors to Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon) have had a chance to see the biggest rubber duck in the world. The city has become the 16th destinations in the world tour of the 26m high rubber duck.
The iconic duck of 600kg heavy is on display at the Ban Nguyet (Crescent) Lake in District 7 for one month starting on April 27.
The giant rubber duck was constructed with more than 200 pieces of PVC (polyvinyl chloride). There is an opening at the back of the body so that architecture/ staff can perform a body check of the rubber duck.
In addition, there is an electric fan in its body so that it can be inflated at any time, in either good or bad weather.
The creator of the giant rubber duck, Dutch artist Florentijn Hofman, tried to entertain the world by a tour named "Spreading joy around the world" established in 2007. He aimed to recall everyone's childhood memories by exhibiting the duck in 14 cities, starting in his own Amsterdam, Netherlands.
It has since been displayed in different cities around the world like Belgium's Lommel, Japan's Osaka, Australia's Sydney and Hong Kong
Hofman once said in an interview that he wanted to remind people around the world of their childhood's memories with the world exhibition of his work.
https://vietnamvisa.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/giant-rubber-duck-reached-hcmc-vietnam-visa-from-singapore.jpg 720 960 admin https://vietnamvisa.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/Vietnamvisa-sg.png admin2014-04-28 14:28:252016-02-15 09:17:50Ho Chi Minh City welcomes the world's largest rubber duck
The first "Don ca tai tu" festival
Don Ca Tai Tu (or Southern Amateur music) – the musical art that UNESCO has recognized as intangible cultural heritage has long been become very popular among locals as well as travelers to Southern Vietnam. To appreciate as well as preserve its values, the first national festival of "Don ca tai tu" officially opened in the southern province of Bac Lieu on April 24 with the participations of artists from 21 provinces and cities in the region.
The festival featured a lot of exciting activities with a highlight of performances of " Don ca tai tu" which were held on the first day of the festival at the Ho Nam eco-tourism site in Bac Lieu city.
Meanwhile, a tourism and trade fair was held introducing the specialties of regional localities. The host Bac Lieu brought traditional farm products, including rice and seafood, to display at the event, which will run until April 29.
A six-day exhibition on ornamental trees and a food festival are also taking place during the festival.
The national "Don Ca Tai Tu" festival is scheduled to be held triennially across southern provinces in turn.
Known as a musical art that has both scholarly and folk roots, "Don ca tai tu" developed in southern Viet Nam in the late 19th century. The impromptu art honours the creativity and artistry of the performers.
UNESCO recognised the art as intangible cultural heritage on December 5 during the eighth session of the Intergovernmental Committee for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Influenced by other forms of cultural heritage from the central and southern regions of Viet Nam, such as "nhac le" (ceremonial music) and "hat boi" (classical theatre and folk singing), the music genre was added to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2012.
https://vietnamvisa.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/don-ca-tai-tu-festival-vietnam-visa-from-singapore.jpg 433 650 admin https://vietnamvisa.sg/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/Vietnamvisa-sg.png admin2014-04-25 14:50:522016-02-15 09:17:50The first "Don ca tai tu" festival
OR [email protected]


But to add to your requests... - Please add way to get the player ID so we can compare it to the caster field of the buff structure to determine if it is a self buff or from someone else.
I realized this was missing a few days ago and honestly felt kind of dumb for skipping it. Suffice to say, it's coming, though it may be a bit.


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Dubai: City modern marvels
Dubai is one of the seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In many ways - wonderland. In this emirate everything has prefix "the". Dubai is the record holder for many things, and all that is in it is the most expensive, most luxurious, the largest and most beautiful.
In short, Dubai is a city record. When we think about economic development and progress of the city or the state in general, we address the economic and development potential.
And, of course, these are the basic prerequisites for development. However, the driver only needs to be a man with a vision to be so self-aware and capable that any criticism will not affect his efforts to develop his country.
The most obvious example of such leadership is Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed, the ruler of Dubai, who, since 1971, after the unification of the seven emirates: Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Dubai, Fujairaha, Ras al-Khaimaha, Sharjah and Umm al-Qaiwain in the United Arab Emirates, used the high price of oil and thanks its natural sites of this energy, turned Dubai from the ground up.
By the end of the eighties, Dubai has already built a port of Jebel Ali and the largest "dry dock" in the world to build and repair ships, and introduced the so-called tax-free zone, which would mean that all those who will come with their companies in Dubai do not have to pay any tax.
To open the company - two days
And so it began. Vision of a beloved Sheikh Rashid who's called the father of the UAE, Dubai after his death his son Mohammed continued with development, Ruler of Dubai today.
Aware that oil supplies will soon dry up, Muhamud even more liberalized conditions for doing business in Dubai so it is no wonder that a company in the emirate can open incredibly easy and in just two days. Due to this policy of business, the Dubai exist and operate the world's largest companies, banks, factories are springing amazing hotels world's most famous chains like Mariotti and Dubai is expanding and growing every day.
What was once, about 40 years ago, dry desert sand, now is the largest oasis in the world with four million palm trees, 1,500 hotels, 3,000 restaurants, the largest shopping mall in the world, Dubai shopping center consisting of 1,800 stores, of course, largest aquarium in the world, which is located within the center.
Breath taken is the tallest building in the world (again, made on desert sand), Burj Khalifa, which, with its 868 meters high and 160 floors, the peak of the success of engineers, architects and construction workers.
The building itself holds a number of records that are recorded in the famous Guinness Book of Records. The tallest building in the world, the highest pool in the world, the top-level hospital in the world, and this building has the fastest elevator in the world, from the bottom to the top of the building takes only 58 seconds.
The Burj Khalifa has the highest hotel in the world and one special hotel which was conceived and opened the famous Armani. In front of the Burj Khalifa made a huge artificial lake with the highest programmed fountain in the world that every fifteen minutes "dance" with the music and lights creating amazing aquatic forms that take your breath away.
The law is built to Dubai must make two identical skyscrapers (not so. Twin Towers ) and the designers and architects let their imagination run wild and create beautiful buildings that are hundreds of meters hangs over Dubai.
Palm Island - a seemingly impossible project
When the prior 15 years, Sheikh Mohammed ordered the creation of islands of palms, nobody believed that the project will be carried out to the end. And , really , only when you are on the island you can figure out the scale of the construction enterprise.
Millions of tons of desert sand fill on the seabed to the island emerged from the water in the shape of palm trees where today hundreds of private buildings , houses , hotels, restaurants . One of the most famous is Atlantis hotel, the architectural wonder of the 1,500-room , where breakfast service costs 1,000 euros. Hotel opened in 2009, and only for fireworks during the opening was paid 30 million euros.
Within the hotel is the largest water park in the world, that in addition to the endless slides, small rivers, vast beaches and many other water attractions, offers a unique experience: swimming with dolphins in the Bay dolphins. As with everything in Dubai, here you will take a substantial amount of money for 30 minutes of socializing with these wonderful mammals.
Upon arrival in the Dolphin Gulf friendly staff will look for a reservation (encounter with the dolphins must be booked at least a day in advance), to charge 250 euros per person for swimming, 80 euros if you want to photograph someone in the course of this adventure, and an additional 150 euros if you want CD with images.
However, the feeling is really indescribable, and this is something that definitely should not be missed if you go during visit to Dubai. Let us return to the luxuries of Dubai. A few years ago the world went around the news of the opening of the first seven-star hotel in the world - the Burj Al Arab.
Overnight at the hotel is 10,000 euros, and his occupation was a whopping 90 percent! After all, in all the hotels in Dubai , prices start at 600 euros and up per night , throughout the year, record high attendance.
The most expensive drink in the world 36,000 euros
In Burj Al Arab you can drink the most expensive drink in the world , a cocktail served in a golden cup , which costs 36,000 euros. For consolation , after drinking this drink , golden cup , you can take with you .
Near the hotel there is the biggest ( and probably only ) collection of golden horse statue made in the actual size. Ruler of Dubai, Sheikh Mohammed, testified by many is very simple man who walks without escort and bodyguard.
In his emirate has everything under control and not allow arrogance. One of the local residents of Dubai said that Sheikh visit all the institutions , ministries , companies. Office Hours starts at 08:30 and if the sheik does not find employees at that time at their workplace without thinking fire them.
They complained to him once a long time waiting at the airport (which is, you guessed it, the largest airport in the world), to enter Dubai and he called on all Airport Dubai leaders with him to the palace.
In due time meeting with them Sheikh all the officers were in the palace, but the sheik came just two hours later. Present which stand, according to custom and tradition, as long as they are not the ruler invited to sit down and asked if they were comfortable with waiting.
Having said that it was not very pleasant told them: "Now you see how those who are waiting in lines at the airport feeling." The UAE is the only country in the world where the local population of minorities.
Specifically, in Dubai, for example, lives of two million inhabitants. Of this, 1.8 million foreigners (220 nationalities) and only 200,000 of the local population. There is no way to get UAE citizenship on any ground except that Sheikh him self give you citizenship, and it is not happening. Why?
Local residents have all the benefits
Local residents can enjoy all the privileges that you can imagine . For example , if one of them gets sick and needs an operation or treatment anywhere in the world , Sheikh Mohamed pay all costs and not just the patient but also his family if they want to travel with him .
Children of "locals" can study wherever they want , at any university in the world . One girl who was in Dubai finished medicine in place of specialization chosen a hospital in Munich ( Germany). Sheikh is not only paid for her specialization but also that hospital , as a donation , paid one million euros.
Each of the " locals " a villa of 250 to 500 square meters , which they gave Sheikh Mohamed . Sam Shaikh lived in the palace , which leads to hundreds of meters long avenue of palms, about a gate that resembles that Arc , feel free to walk hundreds of peacocks .
Do palate itself is , of course , can not come , but twice a year , during the two Eid , opens the door of his palace ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi , and then they are free to enter , visit and will be delivered to Durham 100 (about 25 euros) .
Dubai is a recorder and some other things like the amount of the flagstaff. The mast on which proudly flies the flag UAE is 168 meters high, and its construction has been spent eight million.
Dubai boasts of the largest desalination plant in the world, and conversion of sea into drinking water.
Seven lane highway symbol of the seven emirates
It's a miracle and metro, or the most popular means of transportation for hundreds of thousands of workers in Dubai. It was built in the desert sand, and you can not admire the knowledge and skills of builders who were able to build it on such a ground.
It's amazing project and the highway leading from Dubai to Abu Dhabi. It is the way with seven bands symbolize the seven emirates. It is a fascinating and so. Media City, which is home to all the world's leading media outlets: CNN, Reuters, NBC ...
Sheikh Mohammed was aware that knowledge build cities and developing countries and in Dubai attract the best IT professionals, architects, doctors, bankers, and so on.
They all get a chance to show what they can and as much they can. In the end, Dubai has 18,000 millionaires and one thousand billionaires, making it the recorder on this basis.
Best Jobs In Dubai 19 June 2014 at 05:37
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42, average. 43, std dev, Best if all Cp's > 1. 44, If any measurements are not within spec range, or Cpk<, describe reason & corrective action: What formulas would i need in excel to calculate Cp,Cpk & C level .i am new to this example below but here are figures 1. n=5 2. Double X. 19 Jun I'm trying to work out Cpk, & Cp in excel and I have and willl continue to measure the full spopulation (No sample measurement) so I think I'm. 26 Dec Hi All; Kindly I need to make sure from my calculation in the attached sheet 1. I'm calculating the UCL and LCL for Product Overall Yield. I want an excl file to calculate cpk and ppk roces is plastic injection, two Cpk or Cp values. qltyperson1, agora-media.com Spreadsheet Templates and Tools, 15, 18th.
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Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie Match More Than Just Tracksuits at the Suicide Squad After-Party
By Sophie Schulte-Hillen
Photo: Splash News
You'd think that once a film is wrapped, its stars would get a well-deserved break from spending hours in the hair and makeup chair on a daily basis. No such luck for Cara Delevingne and Margot Robbie, whose Suicide Squad press tour has seen them serve up enough carefully plotted beauty inspiration to guide us into fall.
Is it really a surprise, then, that the ladies of the hour would waste no time in peeling off their red carpet frocks and taking their hair down a notch after the London premiere? Spotted doing their part to bring back the aughts last night, the actresses were snapped on their way to the after-party with matching embroidered silk tracksuits and the kind of rumpled strands and darkened roots both favor off the clock.
It's a twinning moment that smacks of made-the-effort ennui in the prettiest way possible: Delevingne appeared to have finger-raked her smooth waves into something resembling a lucky bedhead moment, while Robbie simply tucked her low-slung ponytail into her collar. If this is a camera-ready rebel yell, consider us game to join the pajama party.
Margot Robbie's beauty routine is psychotically perfect:
TopicsCara DelevingneMargot Robbie


Bonnie Bona insists that the best way to make pesto is with a mortar and pestle. While she admits the method is more labor-intensive than using a food processor, Bona cites it as yet another tip to become more eco-friendly.
But it's not just about using less energy. Bona and others in the Ann Arbor area are involved with projects that focus on generating alternative energy, too – in particular, solar power. Prompted in part by the lure of tax credits and available state and federal funding, an increasing number of efforts are underway to install solar panels on individual residences, businesses, nonprofits and schools – including, as one recent example, the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor.
And in mid-August, the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission unanimously approved two solar installation projects in historic districts, one for a private home on South Seventh Street, and another at the Michigan Theater. With some citing concern over aesthetics, commissioners acknowledged that they'll likely see more of these requests in the future, and discussed the need to develop guidelines for solar installations within the city's historic districts.
Solar panels are installed on the shelter roof of the Ann Arbor Farmers Market.
One of the city's already-installed solar projects is a 10-kilowatt solar array at the Ann Arbor Farmer's Market, put in place in 2008 with money from the Dept. of Energy along with matching funds from the Ann Arbor Downtown Development Authority. Not only does the system advance the goal of using solar energy, it also tackles another facet of the city's solar plan: awareness. The strategically placed array is easily within view, and – given the popularity of the farmer's market – is guaranteed many viewers.
The city is already providing information for property owners to raise awareness about the potential of solar energy. Wayne Appleyard, chairman of the city's energy commission, explains that city staff, with the help of some University of Michigan interns, developed a system that estimates how much energy each residential home could generate via solar power in Ann Arbor.
Roof Size:  756 sq. ft.
Appleyard, who has been a member of the energy commission for over 10 years and chair for the past year, cautions that the information is "an approximation." But it's useful as a guide for homeowners who are interested in the solar-energy option. Encouraging the use of residential solar energy is an explicit city goal, as outlined in its effort to put solar installations on 5,000 roofs by 2015, primarily for solar hot water systems.
While the city has a history of advocating for solar energy, it's not common for solar projects to be located within the city's historic districts. But during the Historic District Commission's Aug. 12 meeting, the group unanimously approved two proposed solar initiatives: one for a Seventh Street residential home, and one for the Michigan Theater that's funded by XSeed Energy. When completed, it will be the most high-profile solar project in the city.
In early 2010, XSeed began an application process for a solar panel project. The nonprofit Michigan Theater had the most potential of the applicants for two reasons, Bona explained. First, the project at the Michigan Theater offers an additional aspect of awareness because of the theater's downtown location and because the system, once installed, would be easily visible from the street – the solar array will be installed on the south-facing wall of the theater, rather than on the out-of-sight roof.
As another factor in choosing Michigan Theater, Bona also cites the willingness of the theater's staff – including executive director Russ Collins – to work with XSeed and fundraise, bringing in money to fund future projects.
Along with installing the solar system, XSeed required the Michigan Theater to reduce its energy use by 5%. Including the 5% that the solar array will offset from the theater's electrical use, the entire project will reduce the theater's need for fuel-based electricity by 10%.
"The goal with solar is not to replace the electricity we're using today, but to step back and reduce the wasted energy," says Bona, in explaining XSeed's requirement for separate conservation measures. "Then we won't need as much solar to make up the difference." It's an approach akin to avoiding the food processor while making pesto.
While the Michigan Theater was the first of the applicants selected by XSeed, Bona says they intend to do more projects.
At their Aug. 12 meeting, historic district commissioners spent about 90 minutes discussing the two solar proposals. The first was for a home at 553 S. Seventh St., just north of West Madison in the Old West Side historic district. Homeowner Chris Hewett was asking for a "certificate of appropriateness," which would allow him to proceed on installing solar panels on the roof of his 19th-century house.
The house at 553 S. Seventh St., with an indication of one option for installing solar panels on the roof. This image was included in the Aug. 12 meeting packet for the Ann Arbor Historic District Commission.
At the request of the city's planning staff, he presented three configurations for installing the panels – commissioners were asked to weigh in on which of the three options would be most preferable, from their perspective.
Hewett told commissioners that he and his wife bought the house about a year ago, and were planning to make it more sustainable and energy efficient, while at the same time restoring its historical features. He said they were trying to take advantage of the credits available through DTE and federal programs, which would make the project financially feasible.
He said they use about 3 kilowatts of energy each month, and that the solar panels would likely generate about 1 kilowatt. In the future, they might return to the HDC to seek permission to install additional panels, he said.
Some commissioners posed questions about structural issues related to placing the array of 3-feet-by-5-feet panels on the roof. Kristina Glusac stated repeatedly that she felt there was insufficient information provided about the structure of the house and how the panels would be installed. Lesa Rozmarek was concerned about the possibility of ice damming.
Staff's initial thoughts on solar panels are that they are an acceptable, reversible addition to residential structures in historic districts if the panels a) match the color of the roof, b) match the angle of the roof and do not project more than eight inches above it, and c) do not cover more than 30% of the roof surface on which they are installed if any part of the panel is visible from a street or sidewalk, and most importantly, d) do not detract from the historic character of the house or destroy, obscure, or damage character-defining features.
During the time available for public comment, several people spoke – including many who were attending the meeting in connection with the Michigan Theater project, and who responded to some of the concerns raised by commissioners.
Saying he was a huge advocate of historic preservation, Matt Grocoff – founder of Greenovation TV – noted that he lived down the street from Hewett, and that he intends to make his home the oldest in America to achieve net-zero energy. While he was excited by the discussion, he said the commissioners were asking the wrong questions about the aesthetics. "The real question is what point is there in preserving our history if we don't protect our future?" He urged commissioners to set a precedent by unanimously approving the installation of solar panels.
Clean Energy Coalition project managers Dave Strenski and Christina Snyder both spoke to the commission, addressing some of the technical concerns. Both have worked on other solar panel installations, and said they didn't have problems with drainage or ice damming. Strenski, who volunteers with Solar Ypsi and did the installation of panels at the Ypsilanti city hall, said it was dumb to install the panels in a way that wouldn't yield the highest efficiency. Shading was another factor to consider, he said – if any part of the array is in shade, it affects the performance of the entire system.
When asked by commissioner Tom Stulberg for his thoughts on the question of aesthetics, Strenski said aesthetics is in the eye of the beholder. Most people who install solar panels are proud of them and want them to be visible, he said, but energy efficiency – not aesthetics – should be the main factor.
Later in the meeting, HDC chair Ellen Ramsburgh said it was important for the commission to weigh in on placement. Part of their job was to make sure the additions didn't detract from the historic character of the house, she said, and a roof is a very visible part of that. In general, she said, she preferred a less-distracting placement of the panels.
The fact that the solar panels could be removed was compelling for several commissioners, and some mentioned that they had a steep learning curve on this issue. But despite some concerns, the project received unanimous support from commissioners, giving the homeowner the option of choosing which solar array would work best for the site.
Next up was the Michigan Theater project on East Liberty, an installation on the south-facing wall of the main theater building, which is located in the State Street historic district. Though the wall is set back 58 feet from the front of the shops along East Liberty, the panels will be visible from the street.
Staff supports the proposal if the panels and their supporting armature are a neutral, and preferably matte, brown, gray, or black color when feasible. Very conspicuous panels, such as bright blue ones, and bare metal frame finishes should be avoided if they detract from character-defining features of the structure and neighboring ones.
In addressing the commission, Bonnie Bona noted that the color of the panels is determined by the technology that's used to create them, and that she would not want to restrict their ability to select the appropriate technology for the project. They plan to put the project out to bid, and would be open to new technologies, she said.
Mark Ritz, a volunteer with the Clean Energy Coalition who's working with the XSeed program, elaborated on that topic, saying he'd researched the different types of solar panels available and that almost without exception, the panels are dark blue, mounted on silver anodized aluminum frames. The panel absorbs light and creates electricity from the light it absorbs, he explained. The most efficient wavelengths of light are the longer ones, he added, so what's reflected are the shorter wavelengths – the dark blue and violet, which are not as efficient in being converted to electricity. By imposing a color restriction, he said, it would restrict their choices immensely in selecting the best technology for this site.
Strenski encouraged commissioners to check out seminars offered by the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association, based near Lansing. In addition to solar energy, the group provides training for wind energy too. "Wind energy's going to be next on your list here," Strenski said.
Andrew Brix, who's a member of the XSeed advisory board, also addressed the commission. He mentioned that the city council approved a "green energy challenge" in 2006, with the goal of achieving 20% renewable energy use by 2015. He said he hoped the HDC would support the project and that they could continue this conversation about solar installations in historic districts, finding ways to address both the needs of historic preservation and the energy goals of the city.
During the commission's deliberations, Lesa Rozmarek pointed out that the panels are being deliberately placed in a location that's very visible. She said she didn't have a problem with it in this case, but it's something the commission should be aware of.
Diane Giannola said that a major point with this project is that the panels will be placed on a plain brick wall, and won't interfere with the building's historic front. She said she liked the educational aspect of the project, too.
The commissioners voted unanimously to issue a certificate of appropriateness for the Michigan Theater solar installation.
In a follow-up email, Bona told The Chronicle that XSeed has budgeted about $30,000 for the Michigan Theater installation – $10,000 per kilowatt for a 3 kilowatt array. Bids are expected back from solar installers by the end of September. For other recent projects, prices have been in the range of $7,000 to $9,000 per kilowatt.
They expect to get about $15,000 from the DTE SolarCurrents program. The program allows the energy utility to buy renewable energy credits (RECs) from the state – credits that would otherwise go to homeowners or businesses. This helps the utility meet Michigan's renewable energy standard, which was established by Public Act 295. The standard is a state mandate for Michigan electric utilities to generate 10% of their power from renewable resources by 2015.
In addition, XSeed is using the Michigan Theater installation to raise funds from corporate sponsorships, private donations and grants for public awareness efforts and future projects. That funding, in turn, will allow XSeed to provide incentives for private projects at residences, businesses and organizations. XSeed will also be pursuing public installations to provide power to residents, businesses, and organizations that don't have adequate solar access on their own sites.
The focus on solar power, Bona wrote, is because of attractive incentives that are currently available to offset the cost of installation. In the future, XSeed will be looking at other renewable energy sources, too.
Yet another solar installation is coming in October – this one at the Rudolf Steiner School, on the campus of its high school on Pontiac Trail. The school received funding through two grants in June of this year: one from the Michigan Renewable Schools Program, which is funded by the Michigan Public Service Commission and administered by Energy Works Michigan; and one from DTE through its SolarCurrents program.
Rudolf Steiner School will receive $1,000 annually, says Sandra Greenstone, the school's administrator, and is expected to save another $1,000 in electricity costs – about 12,000 kilowatt hours' worth. In addition to a solar installation, the school will be making energy-saving changes based on results of an energy audit funded by the Michigan Renewable Schools Program, such as replacing windows and using energy-efficient light bulbs and fixtures.
Though DTE's SolarCurrents program is viewed as progressive, hopes are set still higher for the possibility of incentives by the city, if pending state legislation is passed.
Andrew Brix, the city's energy programs manager, believes the single most helpful piece of legislation is PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy). Through the program, the city would use municipal bonds to fund the upfront installation of a solar system to a resident's home. The resident would then pay the city through property taxes in the coming years – probably over 15 to 20 years.
"This is incredibly helpful," says Brix, "because most people don't have the money for solar initiatives. It's been passed in the House and is waiting to be reviewed in the Senate." If legislation is approved, Brix says the city is "poised and ready" to run a PACE program.
The program would be voluntary. Homeowners would first get an energy audit to find out if they've already taken initial steps on their own – for example, Naud said, you wouldn't want to install solar power if you haven't sufficiently caulked around your windows. You'd sign a contract with the city, which Naud said would microfinance the improvements. To repay the loan, homeowners would get an additional assessment on their property tax bills.
The risk is low, Naud said, as long as they structure the program in the right way – for example, not lending to people who are upside down on their mortgages, owing more than the home is worth. There's already a system in place to make payments – the tax bills – and the improvements would add value to the property. The city has set aside $400,000 from a federal Energy Efficiency and Conservation Block Grant it received, to use as a loan loss reserve fund. If the enabling legislation is passed, the city would be able to put together a package that would work, Naud said.
Local banks will likely be involved in the effort as well – the Bank of Ann Arbor, for example, has been talking with the city for several months about how a "green lending" program might be structured.
Hayley Byrnes is an intern with The Ann Arbor Chronicle. Chronicle Publisher Mary Morgan contributed to this report.
I'm guessing that he meant 3 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of electricity (not including other "energy") per day on average (which is low–and appropriately so for someone considering a PV installation–if it holds up through both the summer and winter), but that's a guess. Can someone clarify?
This article was very thorough, especially for an intern. Thanks. It is so encouraging to read about new solar projects. Pretty soon they will be run of the mill. I remember reading 20 years ago how every US home would one day have a computer and it was hard to imagine at the time. I know one day every US home will use some form of solar power one day soon.
Glad to hear all the regular Michigan Theater fund raising needs are taken care of and the staff has time to work on this as well. Does that mean I won't be getting any further MT letters asking for dollars for the actual theater?
This is responsible and laudable behavior by the theater and will result in more participation in their future fundraising drives.
I suppose Jack F. doesn't fix a leaky faucet in his home or take the time to turn off any lights that have been turned on until he's made enough money to live the rest of his life on.
It IS fun, I must admit, watching the dance between the Solar Shirts and the History Must Be Saved At All Costs Shirts. Lol.
I drive and/or run on S. Seventh daily, and I never knew that it was an official Historic District.
The map on the city website removed my doubt after reading this article.
I hope the HDC sees fit to come out strongly in favor of solar and other energy efficiency measures.
Steve, I think they mean that they use 300kW/hrs of electricity per month. Then a 1kW peak output solar installation would product about 1/3 of the electricity needed at the home. One kilowatt hour is 1000 watts for one hour. A 23 watt light bulb used for 8 hours a day times 30 days would use 5,520 watt hours or 5.5kW/hrs in a month.


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50 Shades of Grace
The Impact of "Peyton Place" on New Hampshire 60 Years Later
George Kelly,
In a day when a novel about bondage and submission is bedside reading material in respectable homes, it's hard to understand just how shocked the world was by a book from a young New Hampshire writer named Grace Metalious. The title "Peyton Place" became a synonym for scandal, and nearly 60 years later the town that more or less inspired the book still holds a grudge.
Kevin Farquharson manages the Corner Store in the center of Gilmanton. He's a young, affable sort of fellow who gives a stranger who asks about Grace Metalious a knowing look. "I had a feeling you might be asking about her," he says.
He's used to such inquiries. "Every summer people stop here to ask about her. You could almost get a tour bus going."
That may be so, but they'd still need to stop and ask for directions. There are no markers that even identify that Gilmanton was home to Metalious, much less to point to locations that might cast light on the author of the most scandalous book of the mid-20th century.
About two or three miles outside of Gilmanton, on Meeting House Road, there is a peaceful and beautiful cemetery dating back to the 1700s. It sits at the height of the land. Its iron-gate entrance is a sentinel to the town's early history. Down to the right, in the back, near a stand of pines, a simple white marble grave, alone and away from the others, says:
Metalious
When she died in her late '30s, there were some in Gilmanton who were adamant that they didn't want that "bitch" buried in their sacred ground. In death, she shunned them. To ensure that, she bought a number of lots to deliberately place her grave away from others buried there. Someone sees to it that a granite urn is filled with red geraniums. On top of the stone, visitors have left loose change, nickels, dimes, quarters – an ancient custom that symbolizes payment for a debt of gratitude and best wishes to the deceased in the afterlife. The stone is taken care of by her good friend, Jeanne Gallant, who was Grace's neighbor. Gallant washes down the grave every year. "The first time I did it I was afraid I'd ruin the color," she says.
Coins and stones are regularly placed on her grave as silent tributes. Photo by George Kelly
Grace was the daughter of Alfred and Laurette (Royer) DeRepentigny. Her birth certificate, recorded at Notre Dame Hospital (now Catholic Medical Center), lists her name as Marie Grace DeRepentigny. Marie Grace's formative years were spent in Manchester. Her mother and father, both descendants of French Canadian stock, clearly made Grace a Franco-American. Robert Perreault, a Franco-American scholar, writes that she was raised in a French-speaking household. Her maternal grandmother Royer spoke only French. She spoke French before she spoke English.
When Grace was born in 1924, Manchester was dominated by the bustling Amoskeag Mills. The West Side of the city was dubbed Petit Canada. On the other side of the Merrimack River lived Greeks, Slavs and Irish, each with their own territory. On the North End of the city the wealthy Yankees distanced themselves from the "foreigners" who worked the mills they ran. Manchester was a segregated city. Grace's mother wanted no part of Petit Canada. She had pretensions and delusions that she was not a descendant of French Canadians and preferred to trace her lineage to France instead. Laurette, according to Perreault, purchased trinkets and memorabilia, passing them off as heirlooms from a Parisian ancestry. Laurette was determined that the family would divorce itself from any connection to Petit Canada. To that end, the family rented more than seven apartments on the edge of the exclusive North End between 1924-1942.
Laurette felt that she had "married beneath herself." She considered her husband an "uncouth barbarian," a blue-collar worker. When Grace was 10, Alfred deserted the family and joined the Merchant Marines, never to return.
Grace grew up in a family of strong-minded women as her mother and both her maternal and paternal grandmothers worked. Early on in Grace's life, when the family was in turmoil, which was often enough, she would escape to her Grandmother DeReptentigny's, whom she called Mémère. There she spent hours writing in the tub on a small stool she used for a writing desk. She wrote rhymes and stories and read everything she could find.
Grace was enrolled in the Ash Street School, which was public and secular. Laurette wanted Grace to make friends with English-speaking children with "Yankee names." Later, at Central High School, Grace changed the spelling of her name to Grace "de" Repentigny (a connection to royalty) and claimed that her real name was Grace Marie-Antoinette Jean d'Arc de Repentigny. She met two boys at Central High, who would remain lifelong friends. According to Perreault's account, they formed what could be described as an "avant-garde" group. During that time Grace wrote a play titled "Murder In The Summer Barn Theatre." The play was rehearsed in the Unitarian Church basement, across the street from Central High. This early work is nothing remarkable, save for one male character who has to dress in woman's clothing. The Unitarian minister objected and censored the performance, but Grace and the troupe protested and the play was eventually staged. The minster did not attend. "Murder In The Summer Barn Theatre" would not be the last of Grace's writing that would be censored.
Laurette's dream of upward mobility through her daughter was dashed when on February 27, 1943, Grace de Repentigny became Grace Metalious. She had met George Metalious and fallen in love. Laurette was appalled and condemned George as a "dirty Greek." George did his stint in World War II and returned home to menial jobs, eventually using the GI Bill to attend UNH to become a teacher. By this time, Grace had given birth to three children, Marsha, Cindy and Mike.
After graduation, the Metaliouses moved to Belmont. George took a position at the Laconia State School for a $3,000 annual salary – hardly more than a paltry wage for a wife and three children. Belmont was a seminal moment for both Grace and her family. By her own account, what had been a feeling of helplessness became overwhelming. "I was trapped," she said. In her emotional isolation, Grace returned in earnest to what had always given her, if not freedom, at least purpose. She devoted herself to writing. She plunged into her work with a single-mindedness that set everything else – husband, children, housework, cooking – aside. Rumors of her cavalier attitude about her "duties" as a housewife began to circulate. She sometimes locked the children out of the apartment when she was writing. The apartment was a mess and creditors were dunning the family regularly. To make matters worse, there was considerable talk about town that this "Metalious woman" was writing a thinly veiled book about the people of Belmont.
Mia Farrow and Ryan O'Neal on the set of "Peyton Place." At the show's peak, ABC ran three new episodes a week.
Not everyone in Belmont was suspicious of Metalious. According to Jeanne Gallant, a friend lent Grace his 1937 Ford so she could go to Laconia to the supermarket. When, after a few days, she hadn't returned, he notified the chief of police in Belmont, who allowed that Grace, being Grace, probably was "somewhere" and would come home eventually. As it turned out, Metalious had indeed been somewhere – she had driven to New York City to look for an agent.
As the rumors spread and as the Metalious family was evicted from one apartment after another, something fortuitous happened. Laurie Wilkens, a reporter for the Laconia Evening Citizen, had heard the rumors about Grace and she decided to interview her. When Laurie and Grace met, each fell in love with the other.
Laurie found the Metalious family a place to live in Gilmanton, which was very near the dream house Grace eventually bought. The place was named "It'll Do." Jeanne Gallant describes it as "just a place to get outah the rain." It'll Do had a dug well that often in summer went dry, leaving the Metaliouses "pretty ripe." Her housekeeping hadn't changed and the house itself was full of garbage, dirty dishes and left-over food. But at one corner, there was a neat nook with a desk, a chair and a manual typewriter. Grace said, "I thought about the book 24 hours a day for years. I wrote 10 hours a day for two and a half months." Almost daily she climbed the hill to converse with her friend and critic, Laurie, who was in a position to know some of the secrets in the area. On one such occasion, she related the true story of a murder that had caused a sensation in the Lakes Region. A young girl had shot her father who had repeatedly raped her and afterwards she and her younger brother buried the murdered man in the sheep pen. It was winter and the only land that could be dug into was where the sheep were kept. Eventually, that story, and others, found its way into the novel that Grace had named "The Tree and the Blossom."
When the novel was finished, Grace sent it to an agent named Jacques Chambrun, whom she chose because his last name was French. Chambrun shopped the novel to a number of publishers and all of them rejected the manuscript.
During the dog days of 1956, Grace returned to It'll Do after a trip to the grocery store. She reached into her mailbox and found the usual dunning notices and a telegram from Chambrun that asked her to call him right away. Grace screamed, "He sold it – he sold it!" The book had been bought by Kitty Messner, of Messner Associates, one of the few publishing houses run by a woman.
When Grace entered Messner's office wearing her blue jeans and a flannel shirt with her hair in a ponytail, one of Messner's associates felt that, in her own way, she had "given us the finger." Messner and Metalious bonded instantly. What followed was a contentious amount of editing, gently prodded by Messner. One big change was insisted on: the book's title would be changed to "Peyton Place."
Kitty Messner's firm was small potatoes in the publishing world. Like all publishers, she was hoping that "Peyton Place" would sell about 3,000 copies and make a modest profit. However, Messner's publicist Alan Brandt saw potential in the novel and persuaded Messner to up his publicity budget to promote the book. She agreed, and he came to Gilmanton to interview Grace. Her husband George had just been hired as the teaching principal at the Gilmanton Corner School and Grace was as controversial as ever, refusing to play "Mrs. Schoolteacher." A woman in Gilmanton, whom Grace dubbed "Messy Bessie," organized a group to oust their newly elected principal. Her effort failed but in conversation with Brandt, Grace mentioned that she thought her novel would "cost my husband his job." That tidbit of information was all Brandt needed. He parlayed Grace's comment into a fact. He farmed this narrative out to anyone willing to print the story, the Boston Herald's two-inch-high headline read, "TEACHER FIRED FOR WIFE'S BOOK!" Other stories appeared with gossipy speculation that a New Hampshire housewife's racy novel about a small town was jeopardizing her husband's employment. Other publicity followed, casting Grace as a simple mother of three who had written a book in her spare time and was now the victim of a small town's prejudice. Before "Peyton Place" hit the bookstores, it was already on the New York Times' best-seller list.
Finally, "Peyton Place" had its coming out. Grace, at her typewriter, appeared on the back of the book jacket. A Laconia photographer was paid a paltry sum for the photo that became known as "Pandora in Blue Jeans." It remains the most famous photograph taken of her. The novel began:
"Indian summer is like a woman. Ripe, hotly passionate, but fickle, she comes and goes as she pleases so that one is never sure whether she will come at all, nor for how long she will stay."
Did you know that you can purchase a bobblehead doll of "Pandora in Blue Jeans" (Metalious at her typewriter) from the New Hampshire Historical Society? Courtesy photo
It was a novel, by a woman, about three women: Selena Cross, from the wrong side of town and based on the true story Wilkens had told her, Allison MacKenzie, a sweet girl whose ambition is to become a writer, and Allison's mother Constance whose dark past and sexual repression blossom when she meets the new school principal, a dark, handsome gentleman of Greek descent. It was about the hypocrisy that lies just beneath the surface of small-town America. It was about the "haves," who lived on the hill in mini mansions, and the "have-nots," the "shack people" who lived in the forgotten part of town. It was also about powerful men victimizing women. But what was most shocking was the frankness, the profanity and the sex – penned by a woman.
"Peyton Place" was a bunker buster of a novel that blew the lid off the quaint and virtuous small town. It exposed its underbelly. Within its pages was incest, murder, suicide and adultery. Added to that was its setting in sacrosanct New England, the bedrock of small-town America. In an interview, Grace said, "If you turn over a rock in these small towns, you just never know what you'll find." Others knew it as well – after her death, a trove of letters was found, written to her, from people all over America, all saying the same thing: "Peyton Place" was about their town.
"Peyton Place" sold out, and as more copies hit the shelves they disappeared as well. Pages containing sexually explicit scenes were dog-eared for quick reference. Soon "Peyton Place" eclipsed "Gone With The Wind" as the best-seller of all time and remained at the top of best-seller lists for two years. Eventually it would sell 10 million copies, well beyond anyone's expectations at Messner Associates. As for Grace, the fame and fortune that came with it would place her in celebrity status, and in demand.
She was painfully shy and hated book tours and interviews, which usually left her in tears. But she was not totally defenseless. A young Mike Wallace interviewed her and asked the question she had been promised he would not ask – "Was 'Peyton Place' an autobiography?" She slammed back, calling Mike by his hated real name, Myron, and topped that by asking about his three marriages.
Back in Gilmanton though, Grace was enjoying her newfound celebrity. She visited the Corner Store and offered to pay off her credit, asking the owner if he could cash a check – for $75,000. She visited her other creditors as well. A rumor persisted that she paraded about town wearing nothing but a mink coat, but that is probably not true. Also false was the portrayal in magazines and newspapers (complete with staged photos) that Grace was a simple housewife and mother of three, pleased at her good fortune and happily married. In fact, her marriage was quite troubled.
The film, "Return To Peyton Place," at Grace's insistence, had its premiere at The Colonial Theatre in Laconia. Courtesy photo
Grace always maintained that three quarters of the novel was finished before she moved to town, but no one was listening. Roger Clark, a Gilmanton native, who knew Grace and was friends with her daughter, Marsha, still wonders whether Grace was "ignorant or arrogant" about what she had written. "You can't hide in a small town; you can't hide in Gilmanton." He adds, "People in small towns talk at the dinner table, but we don't take it outside." Grace's thinly veiled and sometimes-obvious characterizations of his neighbors was a betrayal of what is supposed to remain private. Grace had "aired the dirty laundry."
Gilmanton was inundated with reporters, film crews and people curious about the actual Peyton Place. Strangers parked their cars on people's lawns, sneaked around houses in the night to peer into windows and generally bustled here and there looking for "dirt" to corroborate what they had read. Reviewers had mostly panned "Peyton Place" and Grace as a "smut" writer. Religious groups were condemning her work and civic authorities were banning the book from public libraries. It was completely banned in Canada. William Loeb, of the Union Leader, saw "Peyton Place" as no less than the beginning of the end of civilization. The New York Times' reviewer Carlos Baker, however, called "Peyton Place" a well-written first novel and praised Grace.
She bought her dream house in Gilmanton (now the Gilmanton Vineyard & Winery), added to it, landscaped it and at her insistence had an artesian well dug – she was never going to run out of water like she had at It'll Do. She began to spend her time between Gilmanton and The Plaza in New York City and she and George finally split up. He took a job in Massachusetts and she took up with T. J. Martin. T.J. The Dee Jay, worked at a radio station in Laconia. Grace was not yet divorced and T.J. was spending nights at Grace's house. George snuck into the house and photographed T.J. and Grace in bed, which appalled Gilmanton residents.
When T.J. and Grace finally married, they let the good times roll. The money, it seemed, was endless. Hollywood was calling. Producer Jerry Wild offered Grace $250,000 for both the movie and television rights to "Peyton Place." John Michael Hayes, who was chosen as director of the film, made the same mistake Mike Wallace had. At Romanoff's in Hollywood, he asked Grace if "Peyton Place" was an autobiography and she threw a drink in his face. The movie, though sanitized, garnered a number of Academy Award nominations. Grace liked the production.
At the house in Gilmanton, people came and went at any hour of the day and night. Grace was generous with her money and looked at "hangers-on" and sycophants as friends – they weren't. T.J. and Grace had a tempestuous relationship and it was during these years that Grace began drinking heavily – her favorite was 7 & 7 (Seven Up and Seagram's). Her children alternated between their father's home in Massachusetts and Grace's party place. The oldest child, Marsha, said, "We didn't have a normal childhood. We didn't know what normal was."
Grace's fear that she couldn't write anymore, coupled with her other demons, produced more drinking as an escape. Eventually the money started to run out, and Grace wrote "Return To Peyton Place." The book sold well, but never came close to the success of her first novel and the critics were merciless.
Grace's house, which is now home to the Gilmanton Winery & Vineyard Photo by George Kelly
When the party years ended, Grace and T.J. split, and George and Grace were reconciled. They bought a motel near Laconia and named it The "Peyton Place" Motel, a doomed venture from the start. No one went near the place. George left again, leaving Grace alone, depressed, in need of money and drinking more.
Her final relationship with a Brit named John Rees was short-lived. All the "good times" had caught up with her. On a trip to Boston, Rees checked her in to the hospital. On her deathbed Grace signed over her estate to him. She died of complications from cirrhosis of the liver.
Rees, under pressure from Grace's children, gave up any claims to her estate. Ironically, there was nothing to leave. Her estate was valued at $44,000 but there was a bill for unpaid taxes from the IRS, amounting to more than $114,000. Everything Grace owned was auctioned off, including the typewriter she'd used to write "Peyton Place." It sold for $75.
A reporter once asked Grace if she thought "Peyton Place" would last. She said, "Oh no, I don't think so." She was wrong. Time and significant changes in American social structure are placing "Peyton Place" in a new perspective. After more than 50 years the book is getting another look, and Grace is being seen as a woman who might have been ahead of her time. She and her novels, including "The Tight White Collar" and "No Adam In Eden," are part of women's study programs in some pretty lofty universities. Serious studies of "Peyton Place" are being published. The novel is taking its place as one in a pantheon of other novels about small-town life, such as Sinclair Lewis's "Main Street" and Sherwood Anderson's "Winesburg, Ohio." Sandra Bullock owns a screenplay and may yet produce and star in a movie about Grace's tempestuous life.
Jeanne Gallant is ashamed of the way Gilmanton treated Grace in life and in death. She is especially saddened that Grace's children were cruelly shunned. "Children used to come up to Marsha or Cindy and say, 'I cant play with you because my mother says your mother wrote a dirty book.'" Gallant says she wants to "undo the damage" to Grace's reputation. "She was a caring, positive and intelligent woman," says Gallant. "In the end, Grace felt cheated and abused. Some people had called her a slut right to her face. She searched everywhere for her share of happiness." Her husband, George, said, "Grace trusted all the wrong people." Grace herself was once asked if Gilmanton was in her mind when she wrote "Peyton Place." She said, "No, but I always say, if the shoe fits, put it on." The town never forgave her.
Near the end of her short life, Grace confessed to Gallant that she was dwelling on something her grandmother had told her when Grace said that she wanted to be a famous writer. Grandmother Royer had admonished her – "Be careful, Grace, what you wish for. You just might get it."
Grace-full Factoids
The Selena Cross character (played by Hope Lange) in "Peyton Place" is based on the true story of 20-year-old Barbara Roberts who, in 1947, shot and killed her father and buried his body in the sheep pen. She pleaded guilty to second-degree murder and was sentenced to 30 years in prison. Crusading investigative reporters revealed that Roberts and her sister had been repeatedly raped by their father, and that she'd killed him in self-defense. A cub reporter for The New Hampshire Sunday News led the crusade. His name was Ben Bradlee, later the editor-In-chief of the Washington Post.
The film "Peyton Place" had its premiere in Camden, Maine, where many scenes had been shot. Grace did not attend the premiere. Movie publicists offered up to 25 Gilmanton residents an all-expenses-paid trip to the premiere. Only 13 accepted.
The film, "Return To Peyton Place," at Grace's insistence, had its premiere at The Colonial Theatre in Laconia.
Roger Clark, a lifetime Gilmanton resident, was one of George Metalious' students at The Gilmanton Corner School (The Academy). Clark says, "He inspired me. He was a wonderful teacher." Clark was also friends with Marsha, Grace's oldest daughter, and her siblings. "I was her friend, and she was mine." His insight to Grace Metalious doesn't mince any words. He described her as "foul-mouthed, and rude." But he quickly adds that she "covered the whole spectrum; she could be pleasant and kind." Clark says, " There was no misunderstanding about what she meant."
Grace melted down just before her appearance on Mike Wallace's show. She accidently ripped her girdle and a young assistant calmed her down. Her name was Jacqueline Susann. Ten years later, she would write "Valley of the Dolls."
Dr. Herbert Savor, who was the attending physician when Grace was hospitalized in Boston, speculated that her death was the result of her consumption of a fifth of liquor every day for five years.
In 2005 Sandra Bullock's production company asked the NH Film Office to help scout locations for a Metalious bio-pic in which she would star. No word since then.
The film "Peyton Place" revived the waning career of Lana Turner.
"Peyton Place" was published in 1956. Anne Waterman, now a Gilmanton resident, was one of 600 seniors in a high school in Saginaw, Mich. "Everybody read the book," she says, "It had everything we wanted. You didn't get that reading Dickens."
Did you know that you can purchase a bobblehead doll of "Pandora in Blue Jeans" (the Metalious at her typewriter that appeared on the book jacket) from the New Hampshire Historical Society? Visit the New Hampshire Historical Society's online store to buy one.
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