text:
Anthony Lynn Taysom Hill Nick Easton Michael Badgley Emmanuel Sanders Alvin Kamara Wil Lutz Mike Williams Hunter Henry Sean Payton Keenan Allen Jared Cook Drew Brees Austin Ekeler Michael Thomas Dwayne Washington Sports NFL football Professional football Football Athlete injuries Athlete health
Los Angeles Chargers New Orleans Saints Washington Football Team
Brees, Lutz lift Saints past hard-luck Chargers, 30-27 in OT
By BRETT MARTEL - Oct. 13, 2020 01:37 AM EDT
Los Angeles Chargers wide receiver Keenan Allen (13) pulls in a touchdown reception against New Orleans Saints free safety Marcus Williams (43) in the first half of an NFL football game in New Orleans, Monday, Oct. 12, 2020. (AP Photo/Brett Duke)
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — Drew Brees keeps coming through in the clutch in his 20th season, while the Los Angeles Chargers keep squandering the heady play of promising rookie quarterback Justin Herbert.
The 41-year-old Brees became the oldest quarterback with more than 32 completions in an NFL game, Wil Lutz kicked a 36-yard field goal in overtime and New Orleans' defense stopped receiver Mike Williams just short on fourth down to preserve a 30-27 victory over the seemingly star-crossed Chargers on Monday night.
"This is how you grow as a team. This is how you become battle-tested — and I think it pays dividends as you move along," said Brees, who rushed for a 1-yard touchdown and hit tight end Jared Cook for a 41-yard score as the Saints rallied from a 17-point, second-quarter deficit.
"These are the tests that really bring a team together and give you confidence and give you momentum and really shape you," Brees continued. "We know if we can put ourselves in position to win, then we can do that."
Figuring that out is proving to be a painful process for the Chargers (1-4), who fell to their fourth straight loss by a touchdown or less, and the second in overtime. They also blew a 17-point lead for a second straight game.
"Never thought this team would lose four straight. We've put ourselves in position, but we didn't get it done," Chargers coach Anthony Lynn said. "We have to finish these damn games."
Chargers kicker Michael Badgley, who missed his first career point-after kick wide right in the first quarter, had a chance to redeem himself after Williams' leaping catch between two defenders put the Chargers on the Saints' 32-yard line in the final seconds. But Badgley's 50-yard kick as time expired bounced off the right upright.
"The young man has been kicking outstanding. He's got to do better but we could have done some other things better," Lynn said.
Herbert's fourth touchdown pass of the game, a 64-yarder to Williams, briefly put Los Angeles back in front before the Saints (3-2) tied it on Taysom Hill's 9-yard run with 52 seconds left in regulation.
Herbert, who was named the starter for the remainder of the season this week, finished 20 of 34 for 264 yards without an turnover. Five of his completions went to Williams for 109 yards and two TDs.
"It's a learning process," Herbert said. "Losing is horrible, but we are going to turn it around."
Brees finished 33 of 47 for 325 yards, including 12 completions to Emmanuel Sanders for 122 yards. Alvin Kamara had 119 yards from scrimmage, highlighted by his leaping, juggling catch along the right sideline over the head of safety Rayshawn Jenkins to set up Hill's tying TD.
Brees improved to 4-0 against the Chargers, the team that drafted him in 2001 and let him go in 2006.
The Chargers became the first team to lose 17-point leads in consecutive weeks since the 2003 Atlanta Falcons. For the Chargers, both have come on the road against an NFC South team led by a quarterback older than 40.
In Week 4, it was Tampa Bay's Tom Brady, a six-time Super Bowl winner. This week it was the NFL's all-time leader in completions, yards and touchdowns.
Brees' dive over a pile of linemen at the goal line made it 20-10 14 seconds before halftime.
Lutz, who hit from 48 yards in the first half, drilled a 53-yarder that pulled New Orleans within a touchdown in the third quarter. Then Brees found Cook open behind the Chargers' secondary on third-and-long to tie it early in the fourth quarter.
In staking Los Angeles to an early 20-3 lead, Herbert became the first rookie to pass for three TDs in the first half of a Monday night game.
His first came when he rolled right away from pressure and fired a 17-yard pass down the sideline to Allen.
Herbert's 49-yard completion to Jalen Guyton set up his 4-yard scoring strike to Williams one play later. The touchdown capped a drive extended by a roughing-the-punter penalty against New Orleans' Dwayne Washington.
Nasir Adderly's interception of Brees and 39-yard return to the Saints 1-yard line set up Herbert's 3-yard scoring pass to tight end Hunter Henry, which made it 20-3.
ABSENT THOMAS
Saints coach Sean Payton declined to discuss the absence of star receiver Michael Thomas, who missed the game for punching a teammate during practice on Saturday.
"Let's talk about the players that played tonight," Payton said when asked about how he had to adjust his game plan without the 2019 AP Offensive Player of the Year.
Added Brees, "Mike is a big part of this team and he's going to be a big part of this team moving forward. He had an incident and Sean addressed it and many of the leaders have spoken with Mike as well and we're going to be all good."
Chargers: Early in the second quarter, Keenan Allen left the game with a back injury. Defensive end Uchenna Nwosu was helped off with an apparent leg injury early in the fourth quarter. Those losses came on top of previous injuries that sidelined Los Angeles two starting offensive linemen on the right side and top running back Austin Ekeler.
Saints: Nick Easton left the game in the first half with concussion symptoms and did not return.
Chargers: Have a bye in Week 6 before hosting Jacksonville on Oct. 25.
Saints: Enter their bye week, followed by a Week 7 home date with Carolina on Oct. 25.
By Brett Martel 10 hrs ago


text:
UrbanCrazy
What makes us tick
Course design & build
Crazy golf & other games
Minigolf supplies & felt
Questions & info
The 2014 Apex Plaza Cup
Thu, 09 Oct 2014 | Michael Angel, UrbanCrazy
I didn't know what to expect working for UrbanCrazy at my first ever booking. I quickly found out what it was all about… Read more
Sky Sports 1's Game Changers
Fri, 03 Oct 2014 | Micaela Blitz, UrbanCrazy
Another week, another TV appearance for UrbanCrazy's portable mini golf, this time as part of a Ryder Cup edition of Sky Sport 1's, 'Game Changers'. The Saturday morning show, hosted by keen golfer Di Dougherty and former British athlete Darren Campbell, encourages young people to take an interest and get involved in all manner of different sports.
Be afraid. Be very afraid!
Tue, 30 Sep 2014 | Rebecca Dickson, UrbanCrazy
We at UrbanCrazy love things that are quirky, unique and a little different. Of course we were going to get ourselves in a tizz over a short independent horror movie based on, yes – you guessed it – crazy golf!
I spoke to the writer and creator, Chloe Philippou about how "Crazy Golf" came about… Read more
Christmas party special offers
Thu, 18 Sep 2014 | Richard Linden, UrbanCrazy
We are very excited to offer a fantastic, vibrant range of activities for event hire this festive season …
Let's make gardens fun!
Thu, 28 Aug 2014 | Jon Angel, UrbanCrazy
In 2010 we designed and installed a minigolf course in a rear garden in North London. We look back on this project with fond memories of what we created, with highlights including a double green, a fiendish water hazard and – our favourite one of all – a Rube Goldberg-esque contraption where the ball travels in and out of the shed!
Last month, 4 years since we completed the work, we were invited back to give the course and garden a spring clean and good ol' spruce up ahead of the summer holidays.
A Question of Sport: Super Saturday
Wed, 23 Jul 2014 | Richard Linden, UrbanCrazy
At UrbanCrazy we've come to the conclusion that the BBC absolutely loves crazy golf! To date this is the 7th time that our portable courses have appeared on the Beeb. For the latest instalment we went right back to where we started with 'A Question of Sport', but this time it was their spin-off show, 'Super Saturday'. The production team gave us the brief to create a colourful and eye-catching course with 5 fairways, each of a different colour, all meeting at the central pentagonal green.
The UrbanCrazy World Of Miniature Golf
Mon, 16 Jun 2014 | Richard Gottfried, contributor
Being on a mission to visit and play all of the Minigolf, Crazy Golf and Adventure Golf courses in the UK we're always on the lookout for new places to play.
There are over 600 courses in the country, ranging from 9-hole to 54-hole complexes, with layouts indoors as well as outside. Some are of the seaside classic 'Windmill' type of course, others are newer all-singing, all-dancing adventure-themed golf courses with animatronic dinosaurs, jungles, volcanoes and plenty of water features. The UK also has a number of grass putting greens and skill-based Minigolf courses. Read more
Manchester loves crazy golf
Wed, 07 May 2014 | Richard Linden, UrbanCrazy
After the hugely successful 2013 London Golf Show we couldn't wait to make an appearance at the 2014 Manchester Golf Show, held at Event City adjacent to the Trafford Centre. The timing was ideal for us as we were able to showcase our brand new 'Serpentine' portable crazy golf course with sinuous curves and a striking orange and blue felt surface. It's one of our most innovative courses to date.
Spelling it out in Charnwood
Mon, 14 Apr 2014 | Micaela Blitz, UrbanCrazy
Charnwood Golf Complex in Leicestershire had reason to celebrate on Saturday 5 April at the opening of its new miniature golf course. Despite grey skies for most of the day there was an excellent turn out from the public. Not only was it a chance to play on the brand new course for free, but there was also a bouncy castle, BBQ and a trickshot display by Tricky Robb and his jaunty golfing trousers.
UV accessories – up to 30% off
Fri, 06 Dec 2013 | Richard Linden, UrbanCrazy
As a result of the rapidly expanding UV / Black Light / Glow In The Dark minigolf course market in the UK and Europe, we have branched out into supplying UV accessories. We have a fantastic range of high-grade stock at excellent prices, so there couldn't be a better time to order!
Introducing: PongCrazy
Thu, 28 Nov 2013 | James Palmer, UrbanCrazy
It's the second weekend of November; it's Earls Court 2; it's the 2013 London Golf Show. We were back with an exciting, themed crazy golf course, a separate Hole-In-One Challenge, novelty golf balls for sale and our brand new creation, drumroll please…
…Making its first public outing was our unique, gourmet table tennis game PongCrazy, a collaborative effort by UrbanCrazy's Jon, Kate, Dave and Marcin.
Baker -v- Kelly: Updated 27.4.14
Wed, 23 Oct 2013 | James Palmer, UrbanCrazy
We're delighted that the producers of Baker & Kelly's VSPO (on BT Sport 1 every Friday evening) have booked our services for a number their live shows since October 2013. Hosted by the flamboyant and excitable pairing of Danny Baker and Danny Kelly, the show takes an amusing, left-field look at the world of football and other sports. One of the recurring features pits the Dannies against each other in a golfing challenge, and so we have been supplying courses together with wacky, novelty obstacles, created by us and based on outlandish suggestions by viewers.
Read on for an overview of each appearance and see right for a selection of stills and snapshots from the various broadcasts:
UrbanCrazy are proud sponsors of the British minigolf Association
© UrbanCrazy (mobile) Ltd, 2002 - 2020 | Home Sitemap Terms of use Privacy policy
Follow us Twitter Youtube

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


John Lockie aged 49, Annie Lockie aged 37, William Lockie aged 13, Vern Lockie aged 10, Mabel Lockie aged 8 and Mabel Benson aged 24.
John Lockie aged 69, Annie Lockie aged 57, Vern Lockie aged 31, Portia Lockie aged 28, John E Lockie aged 6, Janet V Lockie aged 5, Mary L Lockie aged 3, Patricia Lockie aged 1.
Blighty to Baghdad - created and maintained by Andrew Smith Copyright © 2004-2019 All rights reserved.


text:
Payday Loan History
Payday lending has recently been in the news more often than ever, especially with the recent passing of legislation that makes payday loans more difficult to obtain in some states while allowing them to thrive in others. Payday lending itself has been around since at least World War II and has been highly controversial since its inception. Here's how payday loans got started and why it's controversial.
Before the 1900s
A large market for consumer credit did not exist in the early 1900s. As a result, consumer credit suppliers began to emerge from the shadows. These small-scale financial businesses pioneered payday loans. From the shadows, these salary lenders, also known as "payday lenders," popped up in towns around the United States. While charging exorbitant interest rates, some of these lenders' shamed' late payers by making their unpaid loans public. Extortion and threats of violence were also used in their attempts to collect debts.
Due to these predatory practices, local policymakers intervened to end questionable salary lending practices. They also started licensing money lenders to expand consumer credit availability. One of the changes was an exception to the usual usury interest rate cap for small loans. The original United States colonies had interest rates capped at around 6% per year. Additionally, the first Uniform Small Loan Law of 1916 allowed for up to 3.5% monthly interest on $300 or fewer loans. This statute was adopted by two-thirds of the states in the United States. But, several states allowed annualized interest rates of 18% to 42%.
The 1920's and 30's
While the great depression and its maladies persisted, Commercial banks began providing loans to individual consumers in the 1920s and 1930s. However, Applicants would still need references, collateral, and other forms of creditworthiness. Pawnbroking and wage loans continued as a result. Extending credit against a post-dated cheque grew in popularity due to the financial insecurity of the time.
A mass-market for consumer credit emerged by the middle of the 20th century. With it, a wide range of credit options was becoming available to consumers. In America, for example, the first credit cards were issued. Cheque guarantee cards were introduced in 1969. This assured lenders that they could still get their money even if the check bounced. However, the fundamental disadvantage of this type of borrowing is that the borrower has little influence over when the repayment will be made. As a result, by the 1980s and 1990s, cash chequing had lost favor as a method of borrowing.
The origins of what we now call payday loans may be traced back to the early 1980s and the Federal Depository Institutions Deregulation and Monetary Control Act of 1980, which deregulated interest rates. This allowed some lenders to evade state usury interest rules. Some state governments also permitted them to charge high-interest rates so as to offer fast and easy loans. These developments pave the way for the growth of state-licensed payday lending businesses.
The early 2000s saw enormous growth in payday loan lending, exacerbated by the global financial crisis of 2007-2008. Although the business was regulated, the legislation did not keep up with rapid technological advancements and the need for small loans.
The 2010s and the Debates Around Payday Loans
Many people began misusing payday loans during this time, and lenders were strongly criticized. As a result, several federal legislation was adopted to regulate the business. Notable is the Military Lending Act of 2006, which essentially capped payday loans issued to military personnel and their dependents at 36% APR. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) was given special jurisdiction to oversee all payday lenders under the Dodd-Frank Reform and Consumer Protection Act.
After two failed attempts, the CFPB 2017 Rule barred lenders debiting borrowers' accounts. It also included "mandated underwriting rules," which forced lenders to assess borrowers' ability to repay their loans before approving them.
However, two trade groups sued the CFPB in 2018, claiming that the 2017 CFPB Rule is unconstitutional and that the payment provisions are arbitrary.
On November 6, 2018, the court issued an order postponing the 2017 Rule's compliance deadline until August 19, 2019.
But the CFPB released a new final rule in 2020; it removed the obligatory underwriting rules and other components. The 2020 Rule also reaffirmed the 2017 Rule's "payment provisions," restricting lenders from attempting to debit funds again after two failed efforts unless the customer consents to such withdrawals. The payment conditions also compel lenders to give consumers written notice before making withdrawing payment.
In August 2020, after the CFPB 2020 was released, the groups in an amended case filed in asserted that the entire 2017 Rule was illegal. They further claimed that ratifying the payment provisions without notice and comment on rulemaking in the 2020 Rule was insufficient to make those provisions effective and fix the 2017 Rule's constitutional flaws.
Similarly, the National Association for Latino Community Asset Builders filed separate a lawsuit against the CFPB in October 2020, attempting to invalidate the 2020 Rule's repeal of the required underwriting provisions. The group claims, among other things, that the no-underwriting lending feature is damaging to borrowers. However, none of these cases have been settled and the CFPB is set to release a new payday loan Rule.
Meanwhile, payday loans have been widely criticized for their exorbitant interest rates and associated problems. Customers could apply for many payday loans at once and repeatedly return to the same lender. Those who rolled over their loans from month to month would find themselves in huge debts. Payday lenders have also been criticized for fostering a debt cycle in their customers by leaving them with less money.
However, a study by the Center for Financial Research claimed that payday loans don't yield huge profits. According to proponents of limited rules for payday loan businesses, most people who need payday loans have already exhausted all other options. As a result, if payday loans are not available, such customers may be forced to turn to illegal sources. However, opponents of payday loans argue that the history of borrowers turning to illegal sources of borrowing is unfounded.
Present-Days
The small-dollar credit landscape is evolving today. Several banks have expanded their duties by issuing "deposit advance" loans, which they did not previously do. An increasing number of these firms and fintech are now offering these services online, making small and payday loans more accessible and faster. However, some of these lenders create problems for state regulators since they often use the internet to evade state regulations.
States that Banned or Restricted Payday Loans
Payday lending is legal but regulated in 27 states, with nine others allowing limited short-term storefront lending. The remaining 13 and the District of Columbia forbid the practice. Generally, as shown below, 23 states and 3 United States territories have some form of restriction or ban the business.
Restriction Date
Banned by default Connecticut – The states' laws disallow the use of wages as collateral. Its small loan law, check casher law, and usury law has a 12% APR cap on all loans, serving as a blockage to payday loans.
Banned by default West Virginia – Payday lending was never permitted in the state. For loans up to $2,000, all regulated lenders must adhere to the 31% APR loan cap.
Banned by default Guam – The United states North pacific territory has no specific restriction. But the payday lending business is prohibited by default.
Banned by default Puerto Rico – In the state, all lending is governed by state laws; there are no specific payday lending laws. However, the practice is prohibited in the state. According to its Finance Board, all small loans have a 25% APR cap.
1955 Georgia – The state's Industrial Loan Act of 1955 prohibited payday lending by setting a state license and registration requirement and strict rate caps. The Georgia Payday Lending Act of 2004 enhanced the fines and punishments for payday lenders that broke the law.
1980 Massachusetts – a 1980 bank lending law, has been holding lenders to an interest cap that prohibits payday loans in the state.
1998 Pennslyvinia – the state banned payday lending with a 6% APR cap on small loans.
Washington, DC -The District of Columbia Legislature outlawed payday lending in the state for the first time in 1998, when it prohibited check cashers from providing post-dated checks, and then again in 2007 when it imposed a 24 % APR cap on small loans.
1999 Arkansas – The Arkansas Supreme Court ruled in the 1999 Check Cashers' Act, which licensed and regulated check cashing and deferred presentment transactions as illegal. With that, it effectively ended payday lending.
Virgin Islands – The payday lending business is banned in the U.S. Virgin Islands. According to a statute passed in 2000, lenders cannot charge more than 26% APR. This law makes the payday lending business impossible in the state.
2001 North Carolina – the state was the first to ban payday lending in the 2000s. It subjected small-dollar loans to a 36% APR cap.
Vermont – on May of 2012, Vermont banned payday lending by subjecting it to consumer protection regulations. No other state had ever attempted something similar.
2002 Maryland – its joint Senate resolution in 2002 made payday lending illegal, it capped a 33% APR on all loans in the state.
2008 Ohio – Payday lending is legal in the state, but it comes with many restrictions. A law in 2008 capped APR at 28% and imposed a $500 restriction on payday loans. However, in 2018, the maximum loan amount changed to $1000.
2009 Virginia – Payday lending is legal in the state, with a 36% APR capped in 2009. However, the term 'payday loans' was changed to 'short-term loans' according to a new law in 2020. Max loan amount set to be less than $2500, loan terms, a minimum of 4 months and 24 months maximum.
New Hampshire – Payday lending is legal in the state, but many offers are scarce because the business is severely restricted. According to a 2009 legislation in the state, APR for payday loans is capped at 36%, minimum loan term of 7 days and 30 days maximum. There is also a $500 payday loan limit.
2010 Arizona – When the statute allowing payday lenders to operate in Arizona expired in July 2010, payday lending became extinct in Arizona. All lenders who seek to do business in the state must now comply with the 36 % APR small loan cap.
Montana – Payday lending is legal in Montana. However, it has one of the severe restrictions for Payday lending in the U.S. In Montana, a new law reinstated usury laws and capped APR at 36% for payday loans. It also limited the payday loan amount to $50 and $300. The minimum loan term is 14 days, while the maximum loan term is 31 days. Rollovers for the loan are also not allowed. As a result of these restrictions, the number of payday lenders in Montana has drastically decreased since 2010.
2013 New Jersey – Check cashers were barred from cashing or advancing money on a post-dated check under the Check Cashers Regulatory Act of 1993. This was reinforced by the 2013 state law, which prohibits payday lending and limits loans to 25% and 30% APR.
2014 New York – Several legislations passed in 2014 prohibited payday loans in person, over the phone, or online in New York. The state prohibits the cashing of post-dated checks. State statutes provide a small loan cap of 25% APR on all loans.
2016 South Dakota – For the first time in its history, the state restricted payday lending in 2016. APR for payday loans is capped at 36%, and there is a $500 limit on payday loans businesses can offer. However, minimum and maximum loan terms are not specified.
2017 New Mexico -A bill was passed in the state that established the first statutory rate cap on loans. The New Mexico Small Loan Act of 1955, the New Mexico Bank Installment Loan Act of 1959, and the Money, Interest, and Usury statute were all altered by this bill. The bill rendered payday lending in New Mexico both impossible and unprofitable, ending it.
2018 Colorado – A 2018 ballot initiative in the state amended Colorado's Deferred Deposit Loan Act. This limited APR for small loans such as the payday loans to 36% and set the maximum payday loan amount to $500. It also set the minimum loan term to 6 months with no specified maximum loan term. As a result, while Payday lending is formally legal. It is restricted in Colorado.
2020 Nebraska – While payday lending is generally legal in the state, in a 2020 initiative, Nebraska, restricted the business. APR is capped at 36%, the maximum loan amount at $500, and a maximum loan term of 34 days. Loan rollovers are not allowed.
Oklahoma – The state's Small lender Act was signed in 2019 but began operation in 2020, restricted payday lending. The Act established that small loans could not go above $1500, and all monthly interest charges were not more than 17%.
2021 Illinois – Payday lending is legal in the state. However, according to a law signed by the Governor in 2021, all payday loans are capped to an APR of 36% with a maximum loan amount of $1000.


text:
This article is more than 10 years old
Vestas in court to end factory sit-in
Wind turbine company will seek possession order to remove workers occupying its factory in protest against its closure
@PaulLewis
Wed 29 Jul 2009 02.00 EDT First published on Wed 29 Jul 2009 02.00 EDT
A Danish wind turbine company will appear before a court in the Isle of Wight today seeking to end the occupation of its factory by the workforce.
Around 20 men at the Vestas plant near Newport have occupied the building for the past nine days to protest against its imminent closure.
The company says its factory must close, with the loss of 625 jobs, because the UK wind turbine market is not growing fast enough.
Today its lawyers will seek a possession order from Newport County Court, a move that will set in train the process expected to authorise the arrival of bailiffs to remove the workers by force.
Hundreds of environmental protesters, who have supported the workers' campaign, are planning to attend a rally outside today's hearing, which is being heard in a neighbouring crown courtroom to accommodate the large number of press and interested parties.
More activists are expected to arrive today. Ticketholders who had planned to attend the recently cancelled Big Green Gathering - a four-day event in Somerset featuring music, debates and practical green living demonstrations that was to have begun today - have been urged to head to the Isle of Wight instead.
If the possession order is granted, it is not clear how soon bailiffs could be called, or if additional permission will need to be sought from the court to end the occupation.
The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), which will represent the workers in court, has advised workers that bailiffs could be "waiting in the wings" to empty the factory quickly.
Bob Crow, the RMT's general secretary, will address a second rally outside the plant later in the day.
Last night, Vestas sacked 11 employees it has identified as participating in the "sit-in", a move that will prevent them from receiving compensation for their redundancy.
The workers were informed in letters inside food parcels delivered to them by the company.
"Underneath each slice of pizza we had a letter saying we had been sacked and we're not receiving any money," said Michael Godley, 26, speaking from inside the plant on his mobile phone.
"Everyone's gutted – there's some people in here who have lost a lot of money. But it hasn't deterred us in any way – we're still as determined as ever and we're going to carry on fighting."
The letter from a representative of Vestas had yesterday's date scribbled in pen, and stated: "As a result of your participation in the industrial action and refusal to give up that action, you leave this company with no choice other than to terminate your contract of employment with immediate effect."
Godley added that if bailiffs arrived the workers would "go peacefully", but their intention was to stay. "We'll stay in here until they come and get us out, or until we get what we want. We're here for the long haul. We don't plan to leave any time soon."
The Vestas occupation began after lobbying of the workforce from Workers' Climate Action, a group of socialist environmental campaigners who have camped on the island for the past month.


text:
UPDATED: Train derailment knocks out power, evacuates schools
Published 7:42 am Thursday, October 29, 2020
By Dawn Burleigh
Courtesy of Orange County Sheriff's Office
A KCS train derailed along State Hwy. 62 and Farm to Market Road 1130, just west of the State Hwy. 62 overpass, in Mauriceville was reported this morning.
The derailment involved 25 rail cars – 10 rail cars empty and 15 rail cars loaded. Five confirmed tank cars were breached, four were leaking a petroleum product that did not represent a risk to the general population and the fifth involves a corrosive product that is being contained.
Due to the incident, a power outrage has occurred affecting 2,383 customers.
At the time of the derailment, out of an abundance of caution, a one-mile exclusion zone was established and will begin reducing that zone in the next several hours.
As of 8:03 a.m., all students at Mauriceville Elementary and Mauriceville Middle School are now being evacuated to the high school. Parents can pick their Mauriceville students up there.
Please be patient as the staff will be concentrating on the safety of your child, in getting them evacuated and getting them safely released to you.
Middle School students riding the buses were taken to the high school.
DPS is assisting railroad authorities with traffic control near the incidence.
Hazmat crews along with the Orange County Sheriff's Office, Mauriceville ESD 4 and several other agencies are working together to assess the situation.
There are no injuries reported at this time and approximately 600 residents are affected. KCS is working quickly with the local and state agencies to clean the spilled products.
Randy Strong/Orange Leader
We will update as we have more information.
Christus, county judge update construction progress for Orange County hospital
Keith Frank & The Soileau Zydeco Band kick of Mardi Gras fun with free concert Friday
Texas Inmate Families Association seeking new members
PHOTOS — Workforce Solutions of Southeast Texas opens up career opportunities for community


text:
Young tea enthusiasts on mission to save industry in Japan
By Mariko Tamura, KYODO NEWS - Nov 6, 2018 - 14:05 | Feature, All, Japan
Two young tea lovers have taken on a mission to save the industry in Shizuoka as farm closures continue to rise amid an aging population and growing public apathy about preserving the region's ancient tea culture.
Born and bred in Shizuoka Prefecture, one of Japan's major tea leaf producing areas, Akito Ohashi, 40, and Asami Ishizuka, 36, feel a deep connection to tea, a drink traditionally offered in pots at gatherings of families or friends. But, much to their chagrin, their passion is not shared by their peers.
Alarmed by a growing trend of people drinking bottled tea, in 2017, Ohashi co-founded The Tea Bridge, which offers tours to a local tea factory and farms, hoping to establish or reignite people's interest in the beauty and complexity of green tea.
On the farm tour, Ohashi offers guests a variety of teas as they stand in the middle of a field surrounded by mountains, giving him a beautiful stage to explain and demonstrate the subtleties of the local produce.
Even with the same leaves, the taste, color and smell vary when steeped in water of a different temperature or when the picking season varies.
"We need to encourage people to truly appreciate the depth of tea, so that they will be interested in buying high-quality leaves," Ohashi says. "If the farmers continue on as they are now, every tea farm will be in a very difficult position."
Shizuoka's tea farms have not fared as well in recent years, although the prefecture accounts for about 40 percent of the country's overall tea production. According to the prefecture's chamber of tea association, production of crude tea in Shizuoka has declined from 39,000 tons in 2000 to 30,800 tons in 2017.
Concurrently, the Shizuoka tea industry has seen profits fall as total sales of tea cultivated has dipped from 73.5 billion yen in sales ($649 million) to 30.6 billion yen. Land devoted to tea cultivation has also steadily decreased from 21,000 hectares to 17,100 hectares over the same period, according to the prefecture's trade division.
For bottled drinks, businesses seek cheap, low-quality tea leaves, squeezing out farms and processing plants that produce higher-end products. Consequently, customers are either indifferent or unaware of the variety of tea available, he says.
Farmers feeling the pressure either give up and plant more profitable crops like Japanese yams or abandon their plots altogether, he adds.
"People lead busy lives, they prefer the immediacy and ease of drinking bottled tea when they get home," Ohashi says.
He believes more young people may be attracted to drinking non-bottled tea if so-called "third-wave tea cafes" that have popped up in recent years in Tokyo and Shizuoka spread.
The third-wave concept grew out of similar coffee movements in which customers expect high-quality, artisanal coffee, drawing drinkers interested in the origin of the beans, rather than those simply happy to sip mass produced or specialty coffee popularized by major chains such as Starbucks Corp.
"I think one solution is to expand 'Japanese teahouses' that are modern, where people can drink tea in a relaxed setting," Ohashi says.
Ishizuka, a consultant who is promoting new ways of drinking tea, has been trying since last year to revive a 200-square-meter tea plot abandoned by a friend's aging father two years ago. She comes to the tea plot whenever she can.
"My whole body ached," says Ishizuka, recounting the time when she waded through head-high, mountain-side weeds and brush, clearing and trimming before finally tending to the tea plot. She also had to be aware of snakes and holes dug by wild boars.
"There are so many small plots in Japan that it is difficult to know the total number or even to know how many are abandoned. But you can see the ripple effect...with tea processing plants shutting down," said Ishizuka, who has kept tabs on the industry's decline for the past 13 years.
Her effort was rewarded in the spring when she picked 4 kilograms of tea leaves with volunteers. "It is very difficult to find information about how to revive completely abandoned tea plots," she says, but adds she enjoys the learning process and likens it to "having a conversation with the tea trees."
But to spark a wider, more human-to-human conversation about drinking quality tea, Ishizuka has plans to illuminate the finer points of the preparation process.
She suggests the perfect process requires quality tea to be steeped with cold water and left in the refrigerator overnight, or even blended with herbal varieties.
But despite orthodox tea drinkers frowning on what they consider radical ways of drinking the beverage, "Tea will have to continue evolving, following the times," Ishizuka says. As people enjoy and truly appreciate the depth of tea, hopefully, younger people will be inspired to pursue tea production as a career, she adds.
Both Ishizuka and Ohashi believe non-Japanese interest in Japanese tea helps make domestic consumers conscious about how special their produce is. They don't have rigid notions and tend to welcome new ways of drinking it, such as blended tea, she says.
The average age of all Japanese farmers has held steady since 2010 at around 67, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. As Japan faces an aging population, the concern among all farmers, including those in the tea industry, revolves around the continuation of their way of life.
Read also...
French connoisseur looks to stir Japanese interest in native teas
Shuichi Enomoto, a 71-year-old local tea farmer, is keenly aware of the challenges faced by the industry as few want to take over the family tea business or venture into it, deterred by the tiny profits. "We can't let tea farms be abandoned further. We must make the utmost effort to keep tea alive," he says.
But teahouse owner Masahiro Mochizuki, 64, whose family has been involved in the tea business since 1868, is rather optimistic, believing the industry workers' faith in tea will carry them through.
"The total 'pie' of the tea business is shrinking but tea itself will never disappear. It's lasted this long after all. It will continue on," he says.
"All Japanese love green tea," echoes Ohashi. "If people try really good tea, they become tea lovers." There is still "a lot of potential" for tea farmers to be saved, he adds. "We have hope. I have hope."
The Tea Bridge (Akito Ohashi)
https://www.theteabridge.com/
Herb Ryoku Cha Life (Asami Ishizuka)
http://chalife.net/
Nov 6, 2018 | KYODO NEWS


text:
Michael Robert Quinlan (born December 9, 1944) is a graduate, and currently the chairman, of Loyola University Chicago, where he was initiated into the Alpha Delta Gamma National Fraternity. Quinlan served as a director of McDonald's Corporation, from 1979 until his retirement in 2002. He was the chairman of the board of directors of McDonald's from March 1990 to May 1999 and chief executive officer from March 1987 through July 1998. Quinlan became President and COO in 1982. Quinlan started with McDonald's in 1963 in the mailroom and worked his way up to senior management. Quinlan got the job through his roommate John Martino, the son of June Martino McDonald's secretary.

Quinlan and his wife, Marilyn, donated approximately one-third of the $40 million raised to construct the new Life Sciences Building at Loyola, completed in 2004.  The building was dedicated as the Michael R. and Marilyn C. Quinlan Life Sciences Education and Research Center on December 3, 2004.

On June 2, 2012, during Loyola's annual Founder's Dinner, it was announced that Quinlan was donating $40 million to Loyola. The donation will help grow the business school's endowment to
attract top faculty, support students, and create cutting‐edge programs to meet market
demands. Loyola renamed its School of Business Administration and the affiliated Graduate School of Business to the Michael R. Quinlan School of Business.

References

Living people
Loyola University Chicago alumni
McDonald's people
1944 births
People from Chicago
20th-century American businesspeople

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaWikipedia


Government watchdog Judicial Watch on Monday filed an ethics complaint against the "Russia-collusion" obsessed Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif.
"Rep. Schiff has an ethics problem. His and his staff's irregular communications with anti-Trump witnesses reflect poorly on the credibility of the House and its committees' investigations," explained Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.


text:
Job Opening: Consulate General of Japan in Miami
Visa Clerk/Consular Assistant
The Consular Section at the Consulate General of Japan in Miami has an opening for a Visa Clerk/Consular Assistant. This is a full-time contract position.
Tentative Start Date: Monday, July 22nd, 2013
Work Hours: Monday-Friday, 9:00 A.M.-5:30 P.M.
Lunch Hour: 12:30P.M.-1:30 P.M.
You will not be required to work weekends unless a special event is taking place. In such cases, you will be given advance notice.
Benefits: This is a full-time salary position. Over-time is available when approved. Health benefits are included.
-Answer phone calls and e-mails regarding Japanese visas, re-entry permits, Japanese textbooks, and request for investigation of lost articles.
-Collect and revise all visa application packages at the Consulate.
-When necessary, interview the applicants to verify information they have provided for their visa application.
-Process all Japanese textbook orders from Japan for the two Japanese schools in Florida, and for all individual home schooled children.
– Assist the Consul with Japanese nationals in the State of Florida who are in need of Consular services.
-Assist in Consular events in the community
-High School Degree or equivalent
-Fluent English and Japanese (reading and writing)
-Moderate computer skills (excel, word)
-Conversational Spanish
-Experience working with Adobe Dreamweaver
Please submit a cover letter(400 character max), and resume by no later than May 27th, 2013. Please send all information to:
info@mi.mofa.go.jp
If you are chosen for an interview, you will be notified by June 3rd, 2013. We will call and schedule an interview sometime in early June. The person who is chosen for this position will be notified by telephone.
May 15, 2013 /by admin
Job Opening: Consulate General of Japan in Seattle
Currently Seeking an Executive Assistant
Perform a variety of secretarial projects and duties including speech and correspondence writing, scheduling, research, event planning, etc. Excellent command of written and spoken English, computer skills, flexibility and diligence required. Japanese language ability preferred.
-assist with the writing and proofreading of communication materials such as speeches, correspondence and website content.
-event planning for large and small official events.
-provide general administration and office support.
We need someone who:
-has an excellent command of the English language. Japanese language ability preferred.
-has strong communication skills both written and verbal.
-has fantastic planning skills with the ability to multi-task and manage competing demands.
-is able to focus in a fast-paced and changeable environment.
-can demonstrate a high level of computer literacy (including Word, PowerPoint and Excel).
-will make visitors feel welcome in the office.
-is hard-working, diligent, dedicated, focused, friendly and cooperative.
Submit resume and cover letter by May 17, 2013, to:
Consulate-General of Japan
601 Union St. #500, Seattle, WA 98101
Attn. Mr. Yukio Motoe
yukio.motoe@se.mofa.go.jp
See original job description here: http://www.seattle.us.emb-japan.go.jp/whatsnew/2013/130501_JobOppExecAssist.html
May 3, 2013 /by admin
Job Opening: University of Tampa
Education Abroad Advisor, The University of Tampa
The Office of International Programs at The University of Tampa has an opening for an Education Abroad Advisor to work in a fast-paced environment counseling students on UT's portfolio of education abroad options including UT travel courses, semester/year abroad, international internships, student research abroad, language abroad and community service learning abroad. The advisor also assists faculty in the development and coordination of materials and programs that engage and promote education abroad. The Education Abroad Advisor will report directly to the Associate Dean of International Programs.
The successful candidate will have:
Bachelor's degree required. Master's degree preferred
Experience using Studio Abroad Database system required
Counseling or advising experience in an International Programs Office in a university setting preferred
Highly proficient in Microsoft office products including Excel, PowerPoint, and Word
Participation in an Education Abroad Experience or work experience abroad preferred
Proficient in Adobe In-Design preferred
For further details and to apply go to: https://jobs.ut.edu
Applicants should be prepared to attach a Cover Letter and Resume. Review of applications has already begun. For immediate consideration, please submit materials by 05/01.
The University of Tampa is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer.
April 24, 2013 /by admin
Job Opening: Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta
Executive Assistant to the Consul General
The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is seeking a well qualified individual to provide assistance to the Consul General.
The Consulate General of Japan in Atlanta is a diplomatic mission that works to further relations between Japan and the Southeast (Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia). The Consul General acts as the ranking Japanese diplomat in the region.
General duties include:
Managing the Consul General's schedule and correspondences
Helping maintain the office database by updating contacts' information via MS Access
Keeping in regular contact with VIPs in each of the district states
Keeping track of social events in Atlanta. This includes having knowledge of the city's cultural events, popular restaurants (Japanese or otherwise), networking functions, etc.
Assisting the Consul General in any other possible way to help facilitate his or her ability to best represent Japan
Native English speaker with exemplarily written and verbal skills, professional demeanor, and discretionary skills
Experience working with high level executives
Strong computer skills, particularly Microsoft Office (including MS Access)
Working knowledge of Atlanta social events, important cultural locations, and local VIPs
Ability to work in cross-cultural environment with different customs and protocol
Knowledge of Japanese language and culture
To apply for this position, please send your resume to seimu@aa.mofa.go.jp
See original job description here: http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/Exec_Assist_Position.html
Job Opening at Consulate General of Japan in New York: Employee for the Economic Division Staff
CONSULATE GENERAL OF JAPAN IN NY JOB ANNOUNCEMENT
Seeking an Employee for the Economic Division Staff
Consulate General of Japan in New York is currently seeking an employee for the Economic Division Staff. If interested, please send us your resume (English or Japanese) via e-mail.
1. Starting date: Mid April – Early May 2013
2. Work consists of assisting with consular duties including but not limited to:
Communicating and supporting relationships with government and corporate contacts
Economic and business research
Answering public inquiries
Miscellaneous administrative duties
3. Work hours: Monday through Friday 9:15 am-5:45 pm
Pay: Will be determined under Consulate regulations
4. Qualifications:
Must be a U.S. Citizen or Green Card holder
Bilingual in Japanese and English
Must be proficient with Word, Excel and other PC-related work
5. Only short-listed candidates who pass the first screening will be notified of the date for the interview.
6. Please send your resume by e-mail: kyujin-cgj@ny.mofa.go.jp
Job Opening at Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens
There is an opening for a Curator of Education at the Morikami Museum & Japanese Gardens in Delray Beach, Florida. Applications are currently being accepted until March 4 and the position will be open until filled. For more information, see job description here: http://www.morikami.org/main/join-our-professional-team/
February 4, 2013 /by admin
Job Opening at Consulate General of Japan in Houston
There is a job opening for Consular Clerk (visa) at the Consulate General of Japan in Houston. Candidates must have strong written and verbal Japanese and English ability. Candidates who enjoy researching and helping others in addition to language and cultural ability will be considered. For a full summary of the position, please email jetcoord@ho.mofa.go.jp
Job openings!
Lots of new job openings at consulates across the US!
San Francisco-
"Program Coordinator for JET & Educational Affairs" http://www.sf.us.emb-japan.go.jp/archives/PR_e/2013/pr_13_0114.htm
"Program Coordinator (Cultural Diplomacy)" http://www.la.us.emb-japan.go.jp/e_web/jicc_opportunity.htm
Atlanta-
"Cultural Affairs/Public Relations section" http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/cgjcpcgj.html
"Official Driver" http://www.atlanta.us.emb-japan.go.jp/cgjaod.html
January 16, 2013 /by admin
Job Opening in the Consulate General of Japan in Detroit
Job Posting for Position in the Political/Economic Affairs Section
1. Background on the Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit:
In 1993, as a result of the growing number of Japanese residents and businesses in Michigan and Ohio, the Consulate-General of Japan in Detroit was established. Consulate surveys indicate that there is now a combined total of 900 Japanese owned facilities in Michigan and Ohio. The current two-state population of Japanese nationals exceeds 18,000.
Important consulate missions include: providing support and service to local Japanese nationals, promoting trade and business development between Japan and the U.S., and strengthening U.S.-Japan relations and mutual understanding through various local economic, educational and cultural activities and exchanges.
2. Available Position (Full-time):
Research Analyst in the Political/Economic Affairs Section
3. Main Responsibilities:
Assistance in consulate efforts to strengthen U.S-Japan trade and investment within the states of Ohio and Michigan; duties include:
gathering, organizing and analyzing information on relevant economic and political issues in the states;
administering the consulate's annual Japanese Direct Investment Survey.
drafting speeches and official correspondence for the Consul General and Deputy Consul General.
Four-year university degree;
Ability to research, analyze and communicate political and economic topics;
High proficiency in Microsoft Office suite, especially Excel and Access; Photoshop and mapping software experience preferred;
Good verbal and written communication skills.
5. Required materials for application:
Resume, cover letter, and list of references.
6. Application procedures:
Electronic submission of the above-mentioned materials to: info@dt.mofa.go.jp
Applications will be reviewed within two weeks of receipt; select applicants will be contacted directly to schedule an interview.
JET Program Application Now Available!
JET Alumni, JET Programme, Job Openings
The application for the 2013 JET Program is now available! Application guidelines and the link to the online application can be found here: http://www.us.emb-japan.go.jp/JET/.
JET alumni who have not participated with the JET Program within the last 3 years (since 2010) are permitted to reapply, as long as they have not lived for 6 or more years in Japan within the past 10 years. There is no age limit.


text:
'We are turning cursive letters into knives': the synthesis of the written word, sound and action in riot grrrl cultural resistance
Downes, Julia (2014). 'We are turning cursive letters into knives': the synthesis of the written word, sound and action in riot grrrl cultural resistance. In: Carroll, Rachel and Hansen, Adam eds. Litpop: Writing and Popular Music. Ashgate Popular and Folk Music Series. Farnham: Ashgate, pp. 89–105.
URL: http://www.ashgate.com/isbn/9781472410979
In spring 2007, I was writing a chapter on riot grrrl histories for Riot Grrrl Revolution Girl Style Now, volunteering at Ladyfest Leeds and the DIY feminist collective Manifesta, and playing drums in the all-girl band, Fake Tan. At that time there was little information about riot grrrl, especially in the UK, and I made it my doctoral mission to find its protagonists and see if they would be willing to share their stories with me. Riot grrrl seemed like a moment from which I could make sense of what my friends and I were trying to create in the UK: a DIY queer feminist community of fanzines, music, art and culture. Discovering artefacts and experiences of riot grrrl across the UK was addictive. Simultaneously, making and researching contemporary DIY feminist culture enabled me to see the interconnections of the written word and music in riot grrrl and contemporary queer feminist culture. The written word, in many guises, as manifestos, lyrics, band names, fliers, posters, notebooks and fanzines, is an integral part of the musical moments of riot grrrl. Riot grrrl critiqued and used language in provocative ways to encourage viewers, readers and listeners to shift their subjectivity and take action. Music performances - fused with sound, affect, bodies, words - helped construct radical subjectivities and cultural acts. This connection between the written word and music in riot grrrl is the focus of this chapter, which addresses the following questions: What work did words do? What did music add to the written word? What decisions were made in the creation, circulation and performance of riot grrrl music and writing?
1-4724-1097-1, 978-1-4724-1097-9
popular music; feminism
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Social Sciences and Global Studies > Social Policy and Criminology
Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) > Social Sciences and Global Studies
Harm and Evidence Research Collaborative (HERC)
© 2014 Rachel Carroll, Adam Hansen and the contributors
https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=jgMc...(Other)
Julia Downes


Rezvani is most notably known for the Beast, an Ariel Atom-based supercar. The tiny coach builder has now turned its sights on Wrangler and Raptor enthusiasts by introducing an extreme off-road vehicle called, the Tank.
The SUV is based on a Jeep Wrangler, and features a host of truly ridiculous add-ons that you'd only likely see on an Army MRAP, including night vision, thermal cameras, bullet-resistant Kevlar armor, as well as a Kevlar constructed fuel tank, and B6 glass all around.
Other oddities include suicide-style rear doors and 500 horsepower from an SRT-sourced 6.4-liter V-8. Unfortunately, there's no Hellcat option at the moment.
Exterior-wise, the Tank looks very similar to its military-inspiration, featuring high ground-clearance, super knobby off-road 37-inch tires, a Dynatrac ProRock44/60 axle set with E-Lockers and Fox Racing's 2.5-inch remote reservoir shocks.
Unlike the multi-faceted exterior, the interior is fairly basic and its Jeep Wrangler origins are on full display as the entire dash looks almost identical to the product available at your local Jeep dealerships.
However, the front and rear seats now come with hand-stitched leather seats, a suede headliner, a new head-up display, and a 7.9-inch central infotainment screen.
Rezvani will also offer a host of optional extras, including the aforementioned Thermal and Night Vision, ballistic armor, bulletproof glass, military grade run flat tires, Kevlar fuel tank, floorpan, and radiator.
There's also a leather package, a tow package including a front-mounted winch, and a convenience package that includes automatic opening and closing side steps.
No word on how many the company is planning to build or how many have already been ordered, but if you want something flashy and capable, the Rezvani Tank looks like it can walk the walk and talk the talk.


This is a placeholder page for Wendell Crabb, which means this person is not currently on this site. We do suggest using the tools below to find Wendell Crabb.
You are visiting the placeholder page for Wendell Crabb. This page is here because someone used our placeholder utility to look for Wendell Crabb. We created this page automatically in hopes Wendell Crabb would find it. If you are not Wendell Crabb, but are an alumni of Kilgore High School, register on this site for free now.


PS4EMX | Open-source Playstation 4 emulator/virtualizer project.
Open-source Playstation 4 emulator/virtualizer project.
We. Are. Not. Bad. People.
Let me tell you the truth about PS4EMX, from where I stand in the project. In late 2013, a person named ghaststeam on SourceForge conceived the idea of working on an x86 emulator with PS4 hardware support, and possibly virtualization. The project was in a standstill at one point due to complaints from Sony about legal issues, so ghaststeam dropped out of the project and quit, and the SourceForge project was falsely ramsacked, degraded, and closed. Ghaststeam created a GitHub account and added dummy code to the project to gain interest in the very beginning, until he finally quit after suffering enough from Sony threats. A user named "haagens" who, for all purposes of this argument, used the same IP address as another user, BellySaga, who later put efforts forth in the PS4 emulator. He created various sock puppet accounts, and they're all the ones listed on emunewz on the "Wall of Shame" post. We just want everyone to know that it's all a lie, and that user was trying to frame us by associating himself with our project and using false identities. That user seems to have been from the same local area using the Broward County Public Schools IP address, and was desperately targeting and attacking emulator developers, projects, and people. Suspicion tells us that the person is mentally imbalanced or has some personality issues. Anyways, that bad trolling got us a bad name, and many problems hindering our progress in this potential emulator, including legal ones and the personal burden. I, myself, am no way associating with any of the listed IP addresses and live outside of the United States. BellySaga also left the project and now we're down to roughly 3 people, myself included, but little progress. Sad to say it, but PS4EMX might be nearing its fate due to these legal, personal, and shameful associations and problems we've encountered due to one user who ruined it for everyone. The project will remain on GitHub and anyone may fork or work off of its standing point, but I'm afraid I may have no further interest in it if it means I will be associated with the horrible things people have been saying about us and threats we've received.
Donate to the PS4EMX project!
Donations only go towards the necessary tools for reverse engineering and legally doing so always. In the time and event that the program is capable of emulating PS4 games and the like, the program will never be charged to you; the program will be 100% freeware for you to use and you'll never have to pay for it. This is a pledge and honor that the program will be 100% freeware.


productsadvisor.info was registered 2 years 10 months ago. It has a alexa rank of #2,626,984 in the world. It is a domain having .info extension. It is estimated worth of $ 240.00 and have a daily income of around $ 1.00. As no active threats were reported recently, productsadvisor.info is SAFE to browse.
A blog about experiences of a mother of two, who is living life on her own terms.Come discover my parallel coexistence as a mom and a highly independent woman.
Search San Diego real estate listings for homes for sale and check out San Diego, CA market info on Real Living Lifestyles.
Земи .mk е официјален регистрант за врвниот .mk домен!


text:
Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee
Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence (Wales) Bill : Stage 1
Response from: CARE
Committee Clerk
National Assembly or Wales
CF99 1NA
Consultation on the Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Wales (Bill)
CARE is very pleased to have the opportunity to respond to the consultation of the National Assembly for Wales' Communities, Equality and Local Government Committee on the Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Wales (Bill).
CARE is a faith based charity with extensive experience campaigning in relation to human trafficking and sexual exploitation across the UK Parliaments and Assemblies and also in Brussels.
We believe that the Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Wales (Bill) is clearly a very significant piece of legislation that could put Wales very much at the cutting edge of engaging with this very important policy challenge. However, we very concerned that some of the current definitions located at the heart of the Bill, if unamended, will potentially seriously limit its ability to properly engage with the full breadth of the challenge of gender based and sexual violence.
This year has witnessed the passing – by very significant majorities – of two seminal statements in relation to sexual violence in both the European Parliament (the Honeyball Report) and at the Council of Europe (the Mendes Bota Report).Both make it very plain that an increasingly important context for sexual violence against women is commercial sexual exploitation, prostitution.
For example the plenary resolution on the Honeyball motion (European Parliament resolution of 26 February 2014 on sexual exploitation and prostitution and its impact on gender equality (2013/2103(INI))):
"Recognises that prostitution and forced prostitution can have an impact on violence against women in general, as research on sex buyers shows that men who buy sex have a degrading image of women;"
"Stresses that the normalisation of prostitution has an impact on violence against women; points in particular to data that show that men buying sex were more likely to commit sexually coercive acts against women and other acts of violence against women, and often presented misogynist attitudes;"
"Notes that 80-95 % of prostituted persons have suffered some form of violence before entering prostitution (rape, incest, paedophilia), that 62 % of them report having been raped and that 68 % suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder – a percentage similar to that of torture victims; "
"Prostitution and the sexual exploitation of women and girls are forms of violence and as such are obstacles to equality between women and men. Virtually all of those who buy sexual services are male. Exploitation in the sex industry is both a cause and a consequence of gender inequality perpetuating the idea that women's and girls' bodies are for sale."
In addition the points should be made that:
• Home Office data has shown as many as 85% of people in prostitution have experienced physical abuse in the family home, with 45% reporting familial sexual abuse.
· According to the Association of Chief Police Officers people in prostitution are thought to be 60-120 times more likely to be victims of murder than the general population.
Moreover, both reports also note that the sale of sex is inextricably tied up with human trafficking:
For instance, the Honeyball report states: "the prostitution markets fuel trafficking in women and children"
The Bota report states "although they are distinct phenomena, trafficking in human beings and prostitution are closely linked."
That is certainly borne out by the most recent NRM figures that show that the demand for paid sex in Wales is as big a driver for trafficking into the nation as demand for forced labour.
The Need for Amendment
We believe that if the Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Wales (Bill) is to be in a real position to properly engage with gender based and sexual violence, their definitions in clause 21 of the Bill must expressly engage with commercial sexual exploitation. This is important not just because commercial sexual exploitation constitutes a significant aspect of gender based and sexual violence, but also because it has distinct needs. For example the Honeyball report states:
'Recognises that a vast majority of persons in prostitution would like to stop but feel unable to do so; stresses that these persons need appropriate support, particularly psychological and social assistance, to escape the sexual exploitation networks and the dependencies frequently associated with these; suggests, therefore, that the competent authorities put in place programmes to help persons escape prostitution, in close cooperation with the stakeholders;"
The Bota report, meanwhile, calls on Member States to:
"set up 'exit programmes' for those who wish to give up prostitution, aimed at rehabilitation and based on a holistic approach including mental health and health-care services, housing support, education and training and employment services;"
We very much hope that the Committee will robustly make the case for ensuring that the definitions of gender-based and sexual violence are fit for purpose, that they expressly include commercial sexual exploitation in their definition and that the provision of 'exiting programmes' should be part of every Gender-based Violence, Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Wales strategy mandated by the Bill both nationally and locally.
We would be more than happy to give oral evidence to the Committee on this matter if that was helpful.
Dr Dan Boucher
CARE's National Assembly for Wales Policy Officer and Director of Parliamentary Affairs


Cadillac Escalade 2020 has ultimately made it has the come back towards the significant period like a prototype. A state type may introduction soon enough with regard to 2020 and will hold a lot of tips coming from the last automobiles, even if up graiding along with using a almost fantastic amount of speed. As a carryover, most of us assume your appears involving the Cadillac Escalade 2020 to remain the same, since they currently have since its debut. Most people expect to have that to carry on featuring a relatively conventional actively seeks this specific portion that include a useful liftback intended for reloading cargo.
In, this classic appearance carries on with no true hint now you have an innovative motor vehicle, rather than it is gauges as well as its fantastic gas economy. The Cadillac Escalade 2020 will often be easily well known, while it is going to boast the exact same low-slung appear with the sharp nostril along with overstated fenders which usually went out connected with manufacturing adhering to one more style year. The true secret distinctions in aspect are only concerned with the actual stream on the body. Even though the earlier car or truck's traces had been tougher cut, the Cadillac Escalade 2020 lines are definitely more rounded and also modern.
For a carryover, many of us anticipate the appears with the Cadillac Escalade 2020 to stay unchanged, when they include considering it's debut. We anticipate the idea to continue featuring its somewhat standard attempts the following phase offering a handy liftback intended for reloading cargo. Inside of, this specific common look carries on with no actual indication it is an sophisticated car, other than their gauges and fantastic gasoline economy. Climax however simply inside magic size point, Organization presented united states a glimpse of what to expect from the car. It is going to feature with capacity of intended for a number of aggressively bolstered entrance seats, and also Company's once substantial touchscreen display system. Gleam pass-through driving the particular computer screen, which keeps pace having the remainder of the auto's elaborate design. Without having improvements approaching, we also expect the Cadillac Escalade 2020 standard capabilities to remain the same. The following directory of attributes includes energetic grille wooden shutters, an internal rear spoiler, power decorative mirrors, projector front lights, dual-zone auto environment control, electric power house windows and doorway tresses, the 7-inch touchscreen technology, Android Automobile plus Apple inc CarPlay, 15-inch rims, along with more.
Even though the Cadillac Escalade 2020 looks simply unbelievable in their prototype duds, the particular powertrain will be out of this world. When it's engine's formal end result isn't really public expertise nonetheless, Firm have disclose the particular vehicle's torque can to use all over couple pound-feet, that is completely outrageous and possibly artistically overstated. Safety continues to be unfamiliar for the time being, nevertheless it really should have almost all the modern gadgets and gizmos through the Company. We also assume the Cadillac Escalade 2020 powertrain to keep this same. This will provides it any 1.6-liter serp together with 104 hp and 109 pound-feet connected with torque coupled to an electric engine that contributes 43 horse power and also 125 lb-ft regarding an overall procedure electric power involving 139 hp. The following energy will go through the six-speed computerized indication along with offer about 57 mpg city, 59 motorway, plus 58 combined.
Granted the Cadillac Escalade 2020 release will be a lot more than 2 yrs apart, there isn't any predicted relieve date only yet. Continue to be tuned for updates.Which may be the initially collection discharge and you will be confined to 1,000 pre-orders, can manage $250,000. Which is regarding two bottle the last price.


text:
Cart (0) Donate Now
About A-T
Types of A-T
How does A-T affect people?
A-T and cancer
Genetic aspects of A-T
The ATM gene and protein
Ataxia-Telangiectasia or A-T, is a rare and complex genetic disorder. It is often referred to as a 'multi-system' disorder because it affects a number of different systems within the body.
Living with A-T
Covid-19 Virus (Coronavirus)
Celebrating me
Find out all you need to know about the implications of the Coronavirus for those living with A-T.
Getting a diagnosis
New diagnosis?
A-T specialist clinics
Local health care
Support grants
Meeting others
Publications and films
Our support team, Kay and Anne, are on hand 5 days a week to help and support families living with A-T. From the shock of the initial diagnosis through to treatment and the challenges of everyday living, we can provide support, advice and advocacy for people with A-T and their family, friends and carers. We also liaise with and offer advice to professionals.
Kay and Anne can be contacted on 01582 760733.
Inspirational fundraisers
The A-T Society is completely funded by grants and donations, so to keep doing what we do best, we need you to help us. Your support means we can continue to raise awareness. be there with emotional and practical assistance for new families, commission more medical research and provide a vital information resource for everyone involved with A-T.
Events and Tickets
Give us a gift
We have a wide range of gifts and fundraising merchandise in our online shop. Every single purchase helps to make a difference to children and their families living with A-T.
About A-T research
Research we support
What's in the news
Call for research applications 2020
Research funded and supported by the A-T Society has done a lot to advance our understanding of A-T and improve treatments. By bringing top scientists together and exploiting the latest advances in technology we will develop effective ways to treat and ultimately cure A-T.
Confirming a diagnosis
Health Care in A-T
Education and A-T
What's happening in research?
Ataxia-Telangiectasia (A-T) is a very rare condition with an estimated 200 cases in the UK. Most professionals will have limited knowledge or be unaware of the condition when a person is referred to them.
Our publications and films
The A-T Society exists to enable people with A-T to make the most of the lives they have. We are unique in that we both support people with A-T and fund research.
As is common practice with almost all websites this site uses cookies, which are tiny files that are downloaded to your computer, to improve your experience. This page describes what information they gather, how we use it and why we sometimes need to store these cookies. We will also share how you can prevent these cookies from being stored however this may downgrade or 'break' certain elements of the site's functionality.
You can control and disable cookies by adjusting the settings on your browser (see your browser Help for how to do this). Be aware that disabling cookies may impact the experience whilst using this website and may affect the functionality and some of the features of this and many other websites that you visit.
Shop and payments
When you submit data to us through a form such as that found in the search facility or when you fill out one of our online forms, cookies may be set to remember your user details for future correspondence.
In order to provide you with a great experience on this site we provide the functionality to set your preferences for how this site runs when you use it. In order to remember your preferences we need to set cookies so that this information can be called whenever you interact with a page.
This site uses Google Analytics which is one of the most widespread and trusted analytics solution on the web for helping us to understand how you use the site and ways that we can improve your experience. These cookies may track things such as how long you spend on the site and the pages that you visit and which pages you do not so we can continue to produce engaging content. Overall, cookies help us to improve the site and tailor it more to our visitors' requirements. For more information on Google Analytics cookies, see the official Google Analytics page.
As we sell products it's important for us to understand statistics about how many of the visitors to our site actually make a purchase and as such this is the kind of data that these cookies will track.
Some of the content on our site is provided by third parties. This includes but is not limited to: Google Maps for interactive mapping, YouTube or Vimeo for hosted video and Flickr for images. When you visit a page containing content from one of these sites a cookie may be set. We do not have any control over these cookies and you should check the relevant third party website for more information about these.
Cookie Policy last updated May 2018.
A-T Society, Unit 54, Thrales End Business Centre, Thrales End Lane, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, AL5 3NS
info@atsociety.org.uk


text:
DWTS' Keo Motsepe: Sharna Burgess Has a 'Glow About Her' Amid Brian Austin Green Romance
By Yana Grebenyuk
The real thing! Keo Motsepe got honest about how great it is to see his Dancing with the Stars costar Sharna Burgess in love.
Sharna Burgess' Dating History: Every Man She's Been Linked To
"I haven't seen Sharna in a while, but when I saw her, she was happy. She just had this glow about her. And I was like, 'I'm generally so happy for you,'" the pro, 31, revealed exclusively to Us Weekly.
"There's nothing [more] amazing than when you see people in love," he continued. "It's just a beautiful thing. Love is a beautiful thing."
Keo Motsepe, Sharna Burgess, and Brian Austin Green. Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA; ABC/Kelsey McNeal; Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency/MEGA
Brian Austin Green and Burgess, 35, began seeing each other in November 2020. The following month, they jetted to Hawaii together, where they were seen packing on the PDA.
"We took out time and we really got to know each other for who we are on the inside. And we really built something beautiful," the Australia native told Entertainment Tonight late last month.
Although Burgess wanted to scream about her romance "from the mountaintops," she also wanted to keep it to herself at the same time.
Shocking Reality TV Exits
"That anonymity, that little secret that was just ours. We kept that for as long as we could," she gushed, before adding that quarantine also affected them. "It was a different way of dating. We really took our time. We took four or five dates before we even kissed. It was truly about getting to know the human being, because that's where we are both at in our lives. I'm not really dating for fun; I'm dating for serious. I want to get to know you on the inside."
The actor, 47, had just as much love to share for his girlfriend during an Instagram Live with his leading lady on February 14.
"This has been kind of a weird year for me so what an amazing Valentine's Day this has been," Green said. "Sharna is a really amazing, considerate, loving, kind person. I kind of feel like when you put yourself in a space where you on some level decide that you're gonna surround yourself with people that help you move forward on a path instead of pulling you back, that they do that."
The Anger Management alum credited Burgess with pushing him in a new direction, saying, "Sharna's been amazing in my life, not only for that reason, but that's been a big thing for me. … This could be the start of something amazing."
The Beverly Hills, 90210 alum was previously married to Megan Fox, who is now dating Machine Gun Kelly. The exes, who confirmed their split in May 2020 after nearly 10 years of marriage, share sons Noah, 8, Bodhi, 7, and Journey, 4.
Dancing With the Stars' Hottest Hookups!
Motsepe, meanwhile, is recently single. He and Chrishell Stause split in February after three months of dating. Despite their breakup, Motsepe is already looking ahead to fatherhood.
"I can't wait," he said of his plans to become a parent, noting he will be an "awesome" father when the time comes. "I think I'll give my kids anything, honestly speaking."
The South Africa native admitted that being a girl dad would require a different set of skills than a boy dad, but either way, he is up for the challenge.
"If I have girls, yo, they will be daddy's best friends for sure," he said. "If I have, like, boys [then] for sure we'll play soccer. We'll do all the stuff. But if I have my girls, I will give [them] everything they want."


text:
Le Tour 91
Saint Etienne / 1991
Image purchase not available
A vintage Tour de France map showing the 1991 edition of the event. Riders started in Lyon before making their way north through Dijon and Reims, then headed to the western edge of Brittanny. The race then moved on to the more exciting stages of the Pyrenees and cut westwards to the Alps before finishing at the Champs-Elysees.
In the race, LeMond initially hoped to win his fourth championship but had to give up the yellow jersey after the second day. He regained it later in the race, but the later time trials and mountain stages played into the hands of the Spaniard Miguel Indurain. Otherwise, the Tour was relatively uneventful, with its usual level of curious stories and crashes. The winner of the green jersey crashed his bike in the Champs Elysees, and waited fifteen minutes before standing up and walking his bike to the finish, so as to qualify for the award. The introduction of the flying stage almost led to the disqualification of the Swiss rider Urs Zimmermann due to his fear of flying, but protestations from other riders reinstated him and allowed him to use other means of transport.
This hilly edition of the Tour included many of its most famous climbs. In the Pyrenees, on stage 13 alone, the riders attacked the Tourmalet and the Col d'Aubisque, as well as four other major cols. In the Alpes, the riders hit the L'Alpe d'Huez and the Col de la Colombiere. Climbs are listed with their altitudes next to some stages.
Printed slots on the map are left blank so that viewers can record overall champions and the winners of each stage. This map was produced by the bicycle company Bio-Technica.
Antique Maps / Europe / France / France
Les Vignobles De France -- Vins de Bourgogne (The Vineyards of France -- Wines of the Burgundy Region)
Fine promotional map of the Burgundy wine region, drawn by Remy Heteau in 1954.
Le Diocese de Tournay ou font Exactement Marquées les Lignes levé & Gravé par ordre Expres du Roy á l usage de Monseigneur le Duc de Bourgogne ...
A fine example of Jaillot's map of the border area between France and Belgium with the towns of Tournai, Lille, Ipres, Douay, Condé and others.
Orange [Hand Drawn -- Vauban Style Fortress]
Refined Plan of a Star Fort and Walled Settlement in Orange, France.
Li Governi di Borgogna Della Franca Contea e Del Lyonois di nuova projezione . . . 1776
Decorative map of the Burgundy, Franche Comte and Lyon regions.
Loudonois -- Laudunum [on sheet with] Mirebalais
Decorative pair of regional maps of France, the larger map centered on the town of Loudun and the smaller map showing Mirebeau, Moncontour, Ceaux, Champigni, and Chasteherault.
Description Generale de Toute La France
Fine old colored example of Francois de Belleforest's early woodcut map of France, published in Paris in 1575.


We do not have any kittens for immediate purchase.
We can arrange for air transport (in mild weather seasons) , hand carry on flight, courier, or pick up from us. Continental USA only.
Families with deposits will get a private link when kittens are 8 weeks old, to choose their kitten.
Our parents are from EUROPE.
We love our Blues and you will too ! Blues are amazing cats, known for their regal appearance, relaxed temperament and beautiful color. We are a registered breeder with TICA . We are located in beautiful Wilmington, North Carolina at Wrightsville Beach. Pick up your kitty and have a mini-vacation !
We are a CLOSED cattery and therefore do not allow casual visits to choose kittens. This is for the health of the babies and respect for our time. Kittens may be chosen from photos and videos. Once you have chosen a kitten a visit can be arranged. We of course welcome all new families picking up their babies !! Thank you for understanding.
Our goal is to raise healthy, loving kittens that your whole family will love.


text:
using System.Collections.Generic;
using System.Diagnostics;
using System.IO;
using Syroot.BinaryData;
using Syroot.Maths;

namespace Syroot.NintenTools.MarioKart8.Collisions
{
    /// <summary>
    /// Represents a node in a model triangle octree.
    /// </summary>
    [DebuggerDisplay(nameof(ModelOctreeNode) + ", {TriangleIndices?.Count} Triangles")]
    public class ModelOctreeNode : OctreeNodeBase<ModelOctreeNode>
    {
        // ---- CONSTRUCTORS & DESTRUCTOR ------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        /// <summary>
        /// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="ModelOctreeNode"/> class with the key and data read from the
        /// given <paramref name="reader"/>.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="reader">The <see cref="BinaryDataReader"/> to read the node data with.</param>
        /// <param name="parentOffset">The required offset of the start of the parent node.</param>
        internal ModelOctreeNode(BinaryDataReader reader, long parentOffset) : base(reader.ReadUInt32())
        {
            // Get and seek to the data offset in bytes relative to the parent node's start.
            long offset = parentOffset + Key & ~_flagMask;
            if ((Flags)(Key & _flagMask) == Flags.Values)
            {
                // Node is a leaf and key points to triangle list starting 2 bytes later.
                using (reader.TemporarySeek(offset + sizeof(ushort), SeekOrigin.Begin))
                {
                    TriangleIndices = new List<ushort>();
                    ushort index;
                    while ((index = reader.ReadUInt16()) != 0xFFFF)
                    {
                        TriangleIndices.Add(index);
                    }
                }
            }
            else
            {
                // Node is a branch and points to 8 child nodes.
                using (reader.TemporarySeek(offset, SeekOrigin.Begin))
                {
                    ModelOctreeNode[] children = new ModelOctreeNode[ChildCount];
                    for (int i = 0; i < ChildCount; i++)
                    {
                        children[i] = new ModelOctreeNode(reader, offset);
                    }
                    Children = children;
                }
            }
        }

        /// <summary>
        /// Initializes a new instance of the <see cref="ModelOctreeNode"/> class, initializing children and
        /// subdivisions from the given list of faces sorted into a cube of the given <paramref name="cubeSize"/>.
        /// </summary>
        /// <param name="triangles">The dictionary of <see cref="Triangle"/> instances which have to be sorted into this
        /// octree, with the key being their original index in the model.</param>
        /// <param name="cubePosition">The offset of the cube.</param>
        /// <param name="cubeSize">The size of the cube.</param>
        /// <param name="maxTrianglesInCube">The maximum number of triangles to sort into this node.</param>
        /// <param name="minCubeSize">The minimum size a cube can be subdivided to.</param>
        internal ModelOctreeNode(Dictionary<ushort, Triangle> triangles, Vector3F cubePosition, int cubeSize,
            int maxTrianglesInCube, int minCubeSize) : base(0)
        {
            int cubeHalfSize = cubeSize / 2;
            Vector3F cubeCenter = cubePosition + new Vector3F(cubeHalfSize, cubeHalfSize, cubeHalfSize);

            // Go through all triangles and remember them if they overlap with the region of this cube.
            Dictionary<ushort, Triangle> containedTriangles = new Dictionary<ushort, Triangle>();
            foreach (KeyValuePair<ushort, Triangle> triangle in triangles)
            {
                if (Maths.TriangleCubeOverlap(triangle.Value, cubeCenter, cubeHalfSize))
                {
                    containedTriangles.Add(triangle.Key, triangle.Value);
                }
            }

            if (cubeSize > minCubeSize && containedTriangles.Count > maxTrianglesInCube)
            {
                // Too many triangles are in this cube, and it can still be subdivided into smaller cubes.
                int childCubeSize = cubeSize / 2;
                Children = new ModelOctreeNode[ChildCount];
                int i = 0;
                for (int z = 0; z < 2; z++)
                {
                    for (int y = 0; y < 2; y++)
                    {
                        for (int x = 0; x < 2; x++)
                        {
                            Vector3F childCubePosition = new Vector3F(x, y, z) * childCubeSize + cubePosition;
                            Children[i++] = new ModelOctreeNode(triangles, childCubePosition, childCubeSize,
                                maxTrianglesInCube, minCubeSize);
                        }
                    }
                }
            }
            else
            {
                // Either the amount of triangles in this cube is okay or it cannot be subdivided any further.
                TriangleIndices = new List<ushort>(containedTriangles.Keys);
            }
        }

        // ---- PROPERTIES ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

        /// <summary>
        /// Gets the indices to triangles of the model appearing in this cube.
        /// </summary>
        public List<ushort> TriangleIndices { get; }
    }
}

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


text:
The Bad Pack is a 1997 independent action film written and directed by Brent Huff, and starring Robert Davi, Roddy Piper, Ralf Möller, Larry B. Scott, Shawn Huff, and Patrick Dollaghan. The film also stars Brent Huff, Marshall R. Teague, Daniel Zacapa, Bert Rosario, Michael Cole, Robert Swenson and Sven-Ole Thorsen. The Bad Pack was Swenson's last film appearance, as he died of heart failure prior to the film's release.

Plot
A town of Mexican immigrants (on the Texas border) hire a team of mercenaries to protect them against an underground militia group, who try to claim the town as their own.

Cast
 Robert Davi as McQue
 Roddy Piper as Dash Simms
 Ralf Möller as Kurt Mayer (credited as Ralf Moeller)
 Larry B. Scott as Jeremy Britt
 Shawn Huff as Remi Sykes
 Patrick Dollaghan as Latrell Hoffman
 Brent Huff  as Callin
 Marshall R. Teague as Lamont Sperry
 Daniel Zacapa as Hector Chavez
 Bert Rosario as Jose Chavez
 Michael Cole as Fredrickson
 Sven-Ole Thorsen as Sven
 Vernon Wells as Biker
 Cristan Crocker-Reilly as Carmen
 Clifton Collins, Jr. as Townsman 1
 Joe Unger as Fight Promoter
 Robert Swenson as Missouri Mule (final film role)

Reception
The movie was not a big hit and got very poor reviews.

References

1990s action films
1997 films
1990s English-language films


text:
Milk puede hacer referencia a:
 Milk, una película estadounidense estrenada el 28 de octubre de 2008, dirigida por Gus Van Sant y basada en la vida del político Harvey Milk.
 Milk (canción), el sexto sencillo de la banda estadounidense Garbage, desprendido del álbum Garbage.
 Milk (How I Met Your Mother), el vigésimo primer episodio de la primera temporada de la serie de televisión estadounidense How I Met Your Mother.
 El nombre en Hispanoamérica del personaje Chichi del anime y manga Dragon Ball.


text:
Large General Service Customer Exemption
Virginia State Corporation Commission's Rules (20VAC-350) for Large General Service Exemption from Energy Efficiency Rate Adjustment Clause(s)
Customers who obtain exemption from energy efficiency rate adjustment clauses (sometimes referred to as "riders") are no longer eligible to participate in Dominion Energy's energy efficiency programs.
Customers may use this Notice of Non-Participation form for guidance.
Who is eligible for the exemption?
Large General Service customers who have verifiable histories of using more than 1 megawatt of monthly demand from a single site, in any single billing month, during each of the previous three calendar years.
If a customer does not have three calendar years of billing history, they must demonstrate demand higher than 1 megawatt in a single month.
Customer must certify to the State Corporation Commission that it has implemented energy efficiency measures at the customer's expense, that have produced measured and verified results, within the past five years.
When do the large general service customers have to provide notice?
Any customer seeking to establish its exemption from a rate adjustment clause authorized by the commission pursuant to 56-585.1 A 5 for the rate year beginning in 2022 and beyond shall provide a notice of nonparticipation concerning the rate adjustment clause to its utility, which shall be received by utility on or before March 1 of the year in which the customer would like the exemption to begin.
What if the customer's notice misses the notification deadline?
Notices received after the annual March 1 deadline will not be accepted during that calendar year and must be resubmitted for the next billing period sought.
What are the criteria for the notice to the utility?
Notice will identify the customer.
Notice will provide the customer's billing address.
Notice will provide all applicable account numbers.
Notice will provide the location of the specific facility and single site for which any exemption is being sought.
Notice will include an affidavit signed by the customer's president, corporate secretary, or other officer of the customer concerning energy efficiency measures.
The affidavit shall attest to the validity of information submitted in support of the customer's notice of nonparticipation.
Notice must certify the energy efficiency savings achieved (in kilowatt hours by year) within the prior 5 years, and specific measures undertaken to achieve those savings and the life expectancy of each measure.
Each notice of nonparticipation shall also include a measurement and verification plan conforming to the protocol set forth in the definition of "measured and verified" as provided in 56-576 of the Code of Virginia. It shall be the customer's sole responsibility to ensure its measurement and verification plan conforms to this definition.
Customer is responsible for complying with the rules set forth by the SCC. Full details are in the SCC's Rules Governing Exemption for Large General Services Customers (20VAC5-350).
Where does the customer mail their notice for nonparticipation?
Energy Conservation Large General Service Exemption Notice
Dominion Energy Virginia
600 E Canal St, 11th Floor
All notices of nonparticipation shall be filed concurrently by the customer with the commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation located at
Virginia State Corporation Commission
Tyler Building
When will the customer be notified of exemption status?
The utility will verify the customer's highest measured demand on or before June 1.
The utility shall notify the customer of the acceptance or rejection of the customer's notice of nonparticipation on or before June 1.
When will the exemption commence?
Exemption will commence with the effective date of the utility's next rate adjustment clause on or after July 1.
What is the length of exemption?
Once a utility has accepted a customer's exemption request, that customer shall be exempt from any rate adjustment clause approved for the utility by the commission pursuant to $ 56-585.1 A 5 c of the Code of Virginia, beginning with the effective date of the utility's next rate adjustment clause following the date of acceptance of the exemption request and continuing throughout the life of the customer's energy efficiency improvements described in the customer's notice of nonparticipation.
A customer shall notify the utility and the commission if the conditions of the customer's notice of nonparticipation change in any material respect within 60 days of the change.
After acceptance by the utility, is there any annual action needed from the customer?
Yes, each customer providing a notice of nonparticipation to its utility shall subsequently furnish yearly reports to the utility and the commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation describing the energy efficiency savings achieved by the customer during each 12-month period in which such notice of nonparticipation is intended to be in effect.
The annual reports shall include the status of energy efficiency measures and operational changes included in the customer's notice of nonparticipation.
Each customer shall certify that each such annual report demonstrates energy efficiency savings at a level consistent with commonly accepted industry standards for energy efficiency savings obtained by similarly situated customers and adheres to any other regulatory criteria the commission reasonably deems appropriate.
Such reports shall be filed on or about March 1 of the year following such customer's filing of its notice of nonparticipation with such March 1 filings continuing thereafter throughout the life of the customer's energy efficiency improvements described in the customer's notice of nonparticipation.
Once exempt, can the exempt customer elect to reverse its exempt status therefore restoring eligibility to participate in utility's DSM programs?
Any exempt customer seeking to reverse its exemption from a rate adjustment clause authorized by the commission pursuant to 56-585.1 A 5 for the rate year beginning in 2023 and beyond shall provide a notice of exemption reversal concerning the rate adjustment clause to its utility, which shall be received by utility on or before March 1 of the year in which the customer would like the exemption to cease.
What are the criteria for the notice of exemption reversal to the utility?
Notice will provide the location of the specific facility and single site for which any exemption reversal is being sought.
To the extent practical, notice of exemption reversal will identify by name and title the individual who initiated customer's previous notice of non-participation and/or the customer's president, corporate secretary, or other officer of the customer who originally signed the affidavit that accompanied the previous notice of non-participation.
Where does the customer mail their notice for exemption reversal?
Energy Conservation Large General Service Exemption Reversal Notice
All notices of exemption reversal shall be filed concurrently by the customer with the commission's Division of Public Utility Regulation located at
When will the customer be notified of exemption reversal status?
The utility shall notify the customer of the acceptance of customer's exemption reversal on or before June 1.
When will the exemption reversal commence?
What is the length of exemption reversal?
Once a utility has accepted a customer's exemption reversal request, that customer will no longer be exempt from any rate adjustment clause approved for the utility by the commission pursuant to $ 56-585.1 A 5 c of the Code of Virginia, beginning with the effective date of the utility's next rate adjustment clause following the date of acceptance of the exemption reversal request and continuing for a period of no less than 3 years.
Lakes and Recreation


This episode features a lecture by economics professor Daniel J. D'Amico from 2011 on intellectual property law. He discusses several arguments for and against government enforcement of intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights. He explores both moral arguments (deontological) and cost benefit arguments (consequential), dedicating most of his time to consequential arguments. He finds that, in general, intellectual property is difficult to enforce and is inherently an anti-rival good. As a result, he finds no compelling case for government established intellectual property law. Purchase books by Daniel J. D'Amico on Amazon here.
The United States has a "first-to-file" patent system, which means the first person or company to file for a patent on a novel invention gets the monopoly protection. This is obviously a violation of so-called intellectual property rights. Simultaneous invention happens all the time, and so simultaneous ownership of a novel invention should be respected. Further, when one of the inventors decides to license to the entire world without cost (to release it into the public domain), which he is well within his rights as owner to do, the other inventors of that same invention are unable to stop him. All of their hard work no longer has monopoly protection. Both of these opposing ideas, "first-to-file" and simultaneous ownership, should further demonstrate the absurdity of intellectual property, and particularly here, of patents. And that's today's two cents.
Editor's Break 121 has Skyler giving his commentary on the following topics: the difficulty in implementing democracy in a culture not ready for it; why saying "stealing intellectual property" is a misleading euphemism; why your government is not so different than Nazi Germany and Soviet Russia; the importance of speaking your truth, right or wrong; the government and market forces pushing social media and other companies to deplatform controversial users; and more.
The private property convention is meant to reduce conflict over naturally scarce resources. When something is made artificially scarce by government fiat, say when ideas are monopolizable (copyright and patent), it is as if a wrench is thrown into the works of a machine. Suddenly, property rights no longer protect an owner's exclusive right of control over their naturally scarce property. Every creator on earth now has a right of control over how everyone else's property may be used, ie. may not be configured in certain ways as to implement an idea created by someone else, somewhere else, at some other time, and whether the creator knows about it or not. It's bad enough that property rights are made less secure by government fiat in many other ways (taxation, regulation, et cetera), but to add insult to injury, ideas (or rather, information) that may be helpful for a property owner to get the most out of his or her property are now off limits as well. It's no surprise to me that so-called "intellectual property" has statist and corporatist (mercantilist) roots; all the biggest threats to property rights do. And that's today's two cents.